City Council - Regular Meeting

come out of closed session we'll return now for our study session back at 5 0 8 p.m so we'll start with public comments on study session matters only are there any requests to speak I have no request to speak. Thank you. So we'll begin with presentation on hazardous materials in Fount Valley. This will be presented by Fire Chief Chris Nigg and team. Welcome.

And I think it's also fair to say that because why the area, there's a lot of it because it's an industrial area as well. It's less residential.

Thanks so much, Chief. Really appreciate the summary. Open up to council. Councilman Grandes.

Yeah, Chief. So thank you so much. I was the one who had requested this as a study session. And I'll be honest, I was looking for where do we have issues within the city for explosions. So I was looking for a one slide. You went into so much depth and so I feel so much better about things knowing all the details behind everything that goes into this from beginning to end. This is one of the most thorough reports I've seen in my six years up here so this is really good and I appreciate all the effort that went into this so thank you for doing that. You went over and above.

Vice Mayor Harper. Thanks for the report. You mentioned there's an upcoming study with the statement of cover and community risk assessment. Can you tell us more about that?

I feel like I've seen that before. Is it due every couple of years or...?

But didn't we do a study that's similar?

So that's different than this statement of cover risk assessment study?

Got it, got it. Okay, so I misinterpreted it then. Okay, now I know what you're talking

Can I have one more question? Yes, sir. You know the hydrogen station? Once in a while I see it looks like steam or smoke coming out of the top of it. Can you tell me what that is?

As somebody who used that station for a decade or so, that's you see the flame up there a lot, and sometimes that flame gets really large, but it's normal.

So I just wanted to make an observation. It seems like in the last couple of months there have been more major issues with with the Guard Grove site you can and then the lineage building in Boyle Heights and and the solar panels catching fire and then now the dealing with that kind of a building that poor community in Boyle I mean yeah horrible disaster that just keeps seem to to find new ways to become a nightmare um and then a recent fire I think it was in Santa Ana I know these things sort of they're random but I think part of what what I'm thinking it it seems like we have got our city and

All right. Thank you. Appreciate it. Okay, next we're going to have allowable uses for low and moderate income housing asset fund presentation by housing technician Robert Daly. Welcome.

Any questions from council? Councilman Bui? I do have a question. You've seen also, there's also an area that's called housing loan program. Unless I missed it on the slide, you didn't brush any on that topic.

Really? Okay, because when I was looking at our Farm Valley Housing Authority annual report, fiscal year 24, 25, and there's on the section code, there's a section that talks about housing loan program for first-time buyers. Yes.

It's not happening now. Is it because we opt out or the program is no longer available? Can you elaborate on that? It's not an allowable cost. So under the new ruling, it's okay. This is what I was given to me to look at. So I'm looking at the old data.

Okay. It would be nice if we can get a more updated one, then they give me something to look into.

Yeah, if we can get something a little bit more update, so I will have a little bit more, you know, more questions, but I guess I'm looking at old data.

I had a question. So I'm interested in making sure that we're in compliance with the ELI percentage. So you mentioned that a number of $246,000. So if we were to spend that money this year, would we then be back in compliance? Correct. Okay. And how – so what would be a – alternative i guess how could we spend money 246 000 could we give rent vouchers out uh could what's what's kind of the most doable uh for fountain valley i know we we there's all these options but if it's um okay you know just a matter of uh writing a check for 246 000 to i don't know somewhere and then we're in compliance w

Does it have to be for a 55-year period?

I'm looking at the report. It was for the fiscal year 2425 pursuant to California health and safety code section 34176.1 and 34328. That's what I was given to me to look at. So I must look at the old data.

So Robert, I'm curious, so you reported that we made 27% on the ELI, just 3% below the requirement. I'm curious how some of our neighboring cities who maybe are developed like us and similarly situated, how are other cities performing kind of with this 30%? I'm just curious if you have a sense.

Yeah, because it seems like we're close. And kind of thinking this is maybe similar to, to the housing element with Rena, you know, we're making these good faith efforts to try to get to these these goals, but it sounds like we're just, you know, struggling a bit, but appreciate the opportunities.

And Robert, you mentioned about the housing rehabilitation program that's available under these new rules. For those who are low-income homeowners, could we explore in the area such as if there are situations that those homes need ADA accessibility? but they can't afford it. In other words, the homeowner has a disability, but they can't afford to make their house into, to make it accessible for themselves, but because they're low-income, they just can't afford it. So is there a way we could explore the avenue of those programs and offer those programs for those who are in need of that money? a

Okay. Of course. Of course. And is there another area we also can explore? Because if I remember a few years, I think either two years or three years ago, we talked about an issue in the city, but I don't think we ever addressed it. It's what this is about is about retain a wall. And people have not... properly install proper material on the back of the retainer wall. Some people go plastic, metal, all you can think of. So you can go down the street, you have a totally different set of material that they, by code, they're not supposed to go higher, but they went higher. So perhaps we could als

Right. I understand. I'm just looking at the aspect. If we can look into if we can use that money for those who want to be in compliance. And, of course, we have to make, you know, legal to go higher first. That's another issue. Thank you.

Well, thanks, Robert and Ashley, Omar, for an enlightening presentation and for all the work that you do. Really appreciate it. We'll take about a seven minute recess and come back for our meeting at six o'clock.

Call our meeting to order at 6.03 PM. Yes, sir. OK, we'll begin with our invocation with Reverend John Borak. Please rise.

Thanks so much, John. Next is our salute to flag by Vice Mayor Patrick Harper.

Thank you. Today is July 14th, also known as, for any French people out there, Bastille Day today. It's when they stormed the Bastille prison in the year 1789, started the French Revolution. And France gave us a lot of support in our own American Revolution. So, unfortunately, it didn't help them in the World Cup today. They lost this game. Oh, boy. But we'll still celebrate with them anyway. And let's say Pledge of Allegiance. Ready?

Thank you, Vice Mayor Harper. Okay, next is City Council Successor Agency Housing Authority roll call.

Thank you. We would like to welcome Teresa Brennan as our City Attorney tonight. Welcome, Teresa. And just want to announce any reporting of closed session items.

Okay. Thank you so much. And welcome tonight. Next is announcement of supplemental communications. Are there any supplemental communications? We have none. Okay. Thank you. We'll go next to our city manager, Lee.

Great, thanks City Manager Lee. Now for the Mayor update. Citizens Academy accepting applications now. Secure your seat at the table. Applications for the Citizens Academy second cohort launch, actually launched this past July 1st. Transform your curiosity into community leadership by securing your spot in the prestigious Citizens Academy. This exclusive, immersive program pulls back the curtain on municipal governance, granting you an unprecedented backstage pass to see exactly how your city operates, innovates, and serves its residents. Through a series of dynamic hands-on workshops, you wil

And then the National Night Out Movies in the Park on Tuesday, August 4th. Join Fountain Valley Police Department, Fountain Valley Fire Department and our community partners for an evening of fun, food and family friendly activities at Fountain Valley Sports Park. at Roker Street and Ed Arnold Way. Come out from 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy emergency vehicles, a SWAT truck, canine Pomex, drone demonstrations, games, raffles, a costume contest, and more. Stick around after the event for a movie in the dark at Dust. I think that meant desk. There we go. OK. All right, and that's the mayor's update. OK, so

So if council can come down, we'll take pictures.

That was a lot of fun. Thank you so much. And to my council colleagues, I skipped the items for future consideration because I wanted to get right to the park. So I will come back to that. I do promise. So next is recognition of Regional Center of Orange County Multicultural Family Resource Fair participants. So just a little bit of background. A few Saturdays ago, our supervisor, Janet Winn, led a really amazing event over at Freedom Hall. It was packed. Councilman Bowie was there, and it really just struck me on how many people not only were there to help the community, but just how much fun

What I'd like to do is present. Make sure I got the right one here. So first we'd like to present to the Regional Center of Orange County in recognition of your participation in the RCOC Multicultural Summer Resource Fair and your commitment to connecting individuals and families with valuable community services. The city proudly thanks you for your partnership and for your service on behalf of Vice Mayor Harper and all of our council.

All right. If you could stay up here, because I'm going to brag a little bit more about you. While he's standing here looking happy with the certificate. So Larry has served persons with developmental disabilities for over 38 years. As I said, director of the RCOC. After earning his bachelor's and master's degree in social work, he began his career at RCOC in 1988 as a service coordinator. Over the next three decades, he has worked his way up through ranks, gaining experience and firsthand knowledge in virtually all aspects of regional center operations. from service coordination, area managem

Larry, just a quick comment for you, sir. I just want to let you know what regional center means to me and my family. When my son was young, regional center provided respite care that allowed us to go out and try to be a normal family. So you guys did a lot. Thank you.

I'm glad you explained it a little bit more because I think the people need to understand just the efforts and what you guys do. It's a great organization. So thank you.

OK. As promised, now we'll go to council member items for future consideration.

Mayors, first of all, do you have a reportable action on the closed session?

We actually did cover that. Oh, I didn't hear you say that. No. Thank you for asking, but we did cover that.

Well, I thought of it here. I mean, I always encourage public speaking, and I enjoy that part of the meeting. Sometimes people think the meetings here are a little bit of a mystery. I know I certainly did. I think it would be great if we could have a study session on what periods of the meeting people can speak on. I know they can speak on unscheduled matters at the beginning and then scheduled matters. And then at the end, unscheduled matters only if they haven't spoken in the beginning of the meeting, if I think I'm clear on that one, after all these years. So I don't know. I mean, I'm seeki

I think you just did it. no you just explained how it works well no but I mean that was a short version oh my goodness I have no problem if staff wants to take you know that's something that could be done in five minutes even during a meeting I don't think a study session needs to be done but in a future meeting if the city clerk would expand on that that would be yeah be helpful thank you

I think we we've talked about parliamentary procedures just just as a governing board and it's always a good idea I think to brush up on what those rules are perhaps that could be a perfect a quick primer in the near future thank you okay actually um I have one as well that's my boy

I want to make a point on at the last meeting on one of the issue was reference to best towing and I want to explain a little bit myself why I vote no on that decisions and the way I looked at it is when there's an alleged claim whether it's true or not it is always worthwhile to look you know have the proper authority to look into it but that's the reason why I vote no And I think a lot of it has to lead to in the future when there's any contract that is up incoming to present to council before it's present. I would like the items to at least bring forward at least two meetings prior to the d

So Councilmember Bowie and I spoke about this, and I agree with him. I think it would be good if we are to have at least one meeting between the contract award and when we vote on something. So I'll second his suggestion to be brought back.

And I just want to say that because of when the RFP period closed, I want to say it was at the end of April. There was just not enough time in between. I mean, this is not something that's done all the time. It's just kind of a fluke. But I get it. Thank you.

Okay, I think that one got it second, so I'll move forward.

Any other items for future consideration? It's unusual we have all these, but actually I have two. One is a simple one. So PCTA, it's the end of the fiscal year, and I would like to see a study session come back on just a report of how PCTA or Channel 3 did for the year, what the budget looks like, and the highlights of the year.

Yeah, I think Vice Mayor Harper will be happy because he's on the budget and he's doing a phenomenal job on that one.

Okay. And then the other one I want to bring up is a pretty serious one. So right now our police department is budgeted and should have 64 officers, and we currently have 52 officers. I want to elevate this and I don't want to call it a state of emergency or something but I would state a priority that we need to do some outside the box thinking to get our staffing level up to where it needs to be there are challenges with all cities trying to hire police department police officers along with our firefighters there's it's so important in our public everybody's important but Right now we are ser

Let's clarify what you're asking. I understand that we just had four cadets that just graduated from the Academy, so they'll be joining the force, so that'll bring us to the number of 56, and we have four more that's going into the Academy. So that will bring us to 60. Of course, the ideal is 64 or maybe greater. But when you say thinking out of the box, what's the end goal you try to accomplish? We'll make sure we understand.

So, you're right, we have people going through, cadets going through the academy and some going in, but that's going to take years to get through and get hired and not everybody will become. And in the meantime, we're going to have retirements and others that may be leaving. we're at a critical low stage i want outside the box thinking meaning let's look up and down the state let's look at what other cities have done let's look at what incentives we could potentially put in place to get laterals others from other cities get our unfair share um you know we a cup was it last meeting on the meet

top priority and I know it is a priority but I want it to be even more so with a report back on a plan of what we're going to do to get to 64 so you want like a study session thinking out of the box to bring some different idea how we can either increase or the staffing the law enforcement or way to to be competitive in the market is that what I'm hearing

That could be one of the suggestions, absolutely. It's something that I think we're at a critical stage now, and when something happened in Buena Park with the hazmat thing, it was emphasized in the importance. In Fountain Valley, I think that's our key issue right now.

I'll go ahead and second that, given the fact that as the population is going to grow in the city of Fountain Valley, given the renown requirement that we have, the population is going to grow. And I think that it will be detrimental for the community in terms of a nice place to live, not to have enough law enforcement to support our community. So I'll go ahead and second that.

Because we do a financial incentive. In fact, I don't know if you guys had meetings, but I had a meeting with the police. And I did say that I would support increasing that if it turned out to be something that they wanted to do. So I kind of left it with them. So I am in support also. Thank you.

Councilman Grandes, you had me at police department recruiting. Thank you. OK, any other items for future consideration? Okay. We'll move on to First City Council Successor Agency Housing Authority public comments on unscheduled matters only.

We'll move on to public comments for scheduled matters only.

OK. OK, so we'll move on to consent calendar. All right, consent calendar items three through eight.

OK. So that will be item, just to make a note.

OK, so continue with consent calendar items three through eight will be approved simultaneously with one motion unless separate action or discussion is requested. Does anyone want to remove an item?

I'd like to please pull item number three and just get clarification. We did have an email about just commenting that about the OCPA item. previously in the last meeting that our public works director, Scott Smith, merely introduced OCPA. He didn't actually give a presentation. So I don't know how that worked out as far as staff.

Okay, so pulling the receiving file item, item three? Okay. Okay. Vice Mayor Harper?

Yeah, on item number seven, I don't need to pull the item, but I would like to register a no vote on number seven.

Simply my my same thing for me. It's a reference to item number 4. I want to go ahead and stay consistent to what I've said at the last meeting reference to the objects objective design standard once again, I'll go and stay consistent with a no on that one.

I'd like to move items number 5, 6 and 8 please.

We are just registering no votes for the two. I'd like to move, then, items four, five, six, seven, and eight.

OK, so item number three was pulled by Councilwoman Constantine. Would you like to make further comment?

Well, I mean, we had an email from Ms. Johnson requesting that the minutes be revised, just stating that it wasn't direct. Our public works director, Scott Smith, that gave the presentation, he introduced OCPA representatives. It's not a big thing, but I just wanted to make that happen if we could.

Yeah, and also one is clarification from our city manager. Our vice mayor have indicated to bring back, you know, to give clarifications on the date. It's important if we had to redraw or not to redraw. What is the date?

I'll be giving that report on my AB 1234. I'll give you the, or I could do it now if the mayor wants. So at that meeting, at our board meeting with OCPA yesterday, I provided, I made that request that That Vice Mayor Harper made and OCPA agreed they would provide that to staff and share it with City Council as soon as possible.

So they don't have any information at this point?

They're going to provide us with a calendar with all the dates and everything. So we still have time, yes. Okay. All right.

Yeah, I think that's rational. I'll second that.

Okay, next, public hearings. Each person will have up to three minutes to speak on each public hearing. First is number nine, first reading of an ordinance establishing a fire department, fire development impact fee for the Fountain Valley Fire Department, and adoption of a fire impact fee capital improvement plan. And so I'd like to call on staff to present the item. Chief Pegg, welcome.

Did you say Hulk Hogan? Did you say Hulk Hogan? No, Joe Hogan. Oh, Joe Hogan.

Let me ask a question on that one. I'm in trouble for being too far. But that is based on, what, 9,000-something builders per year, right? And let's say this body of council approved this, and what happened the following year, you have less than that. So that tells me the cost per car is going to be higher.

Yeah, I understand that part. I'm just trying to figure out the math because that is based on, like you say, based on the projections of that year, which is 9,000 constructions per se. But what happened the next year, you have less than that. And the cost per call is going to be higher.

For a city that's fully built out, how is that not possible?

Any questions from council at this point?

OK, I'll go ahead and close the public hearing. And then one more round of questions, comments from council?

Vice Mayor Harper? I have a question. So we're currently doing a community, the study we referred to earlier, the community, what do you call it, statement of cover? Yeah, so would the results of that study impact the capital costs required for the future build out?

Well, yeah. So my point is the capital costs in this study could be underestimated. And maybe they'll be higher after we get the results of the study, the statement of covering community resource. Allocation? Study? Let me finish. The current capital costs that are in there right now, are they from the $48 million? Is that from the facility resource assessment? Where did the $48 million come from?

And so when you're- Okay, but how do we get those values? I mean, we- Yeah, I'll let Nicole speak to that.

Is it like a- City Manager Lee, just- Yeah.

No, I understand that. I don't need all that information. I'm looking at the study, and the cost, the capital cost, it looks like that it's based on some assumption about the square footage of the station and cost per square foot.

So if we adopt it now, we can still update it for when the studies complete? Okay. All right. Thank you.

Any other questions, comments from council? Yes, Councilman Buoy.

Yes, I want to see if we could have some clarifications on the language, which is on page 226. It's talking about AD, I understand the need for this impact fire fees, you know, as population growth and having, you know, three or four or five story buildings. I understand the need that we are, we need to prepare for that for the future. But I'm also concerned that if we are going to create new fees, remember this is, we never had this fee before. So we create new fees to our resident here. And I understand the need for it behind that. But I'm also concerned for seniors that are in this communit

Understood, but because you're proposing the language here, so, I mean, I'm okay, but just tweak the language to be more, you know, so it doesn't leave room for interpretations. What do you mean? That's what I'm trying to say. I support it, but you need to be, take out the ambiguity in the interpretation down the road.

No, to include by more detail rather than say we are rather than the language I think you put here is consistent with government section code. Okay, what do you mean consistent? Well, I laid out this more specific rather than consistent.

OK. I guess that's another way of interpreting. Thank you. I see what you're saying. Yeah. OK. All right.

I had a question. So with the saying on the ADU question, so how would, if I'm building, somebody builds 1,000 square foot ADU, how do I calculate the, what would the fee be? I can't really figure it out.

Yeah, that's the one where I don't, okay, so for 1,000 square feet, but I can't charge it on 750, so they only get charged for 250 square feet of the 1,000, or how does that work?

But does the, does the, so if I'm building a thousand square foot ADU, do I get charged for the entire thousand square feet or just the, just the 250 that's over the 750 that we can't charge on?

I assume because that's a finalized part of the application, which is 1,000 square foot, not 750. I think that's my understanding. But why would you put, because we have a clear understanding that if it's less than 750, there's no fee. So why would you want to include the fee here in here graph? What's the intent there?

It's how you calculate, but in terms of charging, the applicant is not, right?

Okay, now I understand. Okay, I want that clarification. Okay, thank you.

Yeah, I just want to make a few comments. So looking through the ordinance, I think this goes to Councilman Bowie's point. This is written very generally as far as the language. So that, I think, gives us some flexibility in the future. But if you look at... 21.39.080 fee schedule. It refers to an exhibit A. So maybe that's where the flexibility can come. So if that exhibit A, if that ever comes back to council for modification, we'd have that ability. Just want to clarify that.

So since the ADUs are separate and we know that there's no fee up to 750, if we look at the chart, the second line is residential 600, 800, because I think that's what we were talking about. Can we maybe have a separate chart for ADUs? Because like on this one here, if I was doing an ADU of, well, say 775 square feet, hypothetically, my fee would not be $886,000. and six cents. It would be lesser than that because only a portion would be charged for.

Well, I mean, as long as staff can calculate it, if somebody comes to the counter, I mean, I can't imagine that I can't.

Her point, I think, to Council Member Constantine's point is the concern is the interpretation of staff reading at this. You know, it's not clear if, you know, also there's a section talk about ADU, but when they look at collecting fee, they don't look at the graph, right? I think that's her point.

I mean, but with all due respect, That's contrary to this paragraph.

Yeah, so that's, to me, the way I look at it, then it's really not true exam 750 because you take different element in to start doing the calculation. So it's not really true to that statement. Because you just laid out the example. You take the primary and 50% ratio of that primary is it less than 750 square feet. If it's less, then no fee. But if it's more, then there's a fee. So it's controlled.

Yeah, it says it here. Using the formula, primary unit impact fee times ADU square feet divided by primary unit square feet.

It's very clear, guys. I don't know what this issue is.

My math is not the greatest on this one, clearly, but it seems kind of...

It's detailed, the ADU fee treatment. Let's move on. We've explained it four times already.

Tell me what I would owe if I was going to do it, I mean, please, on an ADU which is 25 feet over the 750.

It's been explained three times already to you.

guess I don't like the answer yeah I'll do it because I didn't understand it before now I understand it now so 775 square feet is the ad you what's the size of the main house well I wasn't factoring that in well you have oh you have to that's part of the I didn't want to okay a 1400 square feet 1400 square feet Okay, so the 1,400 square foot table.

Make it 1,450 so the number's as simple for him.

No, I'm going with her number, so it's 226, right, 226. Doing the math. Okay, so we go 1,400 square foot is 1,033.74, right?

74. And then you take 775 divided 1400, which is anybody? 53%. And then you multiply the base fee times 53% and what do we get?

But what's my credit for not being charged on the 750 initial fee?

I guess at the end of the day, it's up to the prerogative of the city council to make it simplified, right? I mean, there's a state law, but let's say just to simplify things. Okay, if you do less than 750, you're exempt. Without it, I'll go through all the calculations. Yeah, but if we want to do it a little bit different, how is that going to stop us? Because if you don't adopt nothing, the state laws are not the same. You have to adopt it. Correct. Basically, I'm saying that if you could simplify it, OK, if you bill less than $750, you're exempt without having to go through these calculations of this. That's the way it is currently written. Yeah, it's already written that way. OK. All right, so make sure.

Yeah, but that's small $750. The calculations only triggered if it's over $750. OK. Thank you.

How would you like to pay for that? I still don't know what I owe. Oh, you owe nothing right now. Okay. Just a hypothetical. Oh, the CDs take all form of payment.

I just want to say I appreciate Omar and Chief Nick for bringing this forward I didn't mean to sound difficult but I didn't quite understand it the first time through so I apologize for the question but now I understand it so I'd like to move the item I'll second Mayor may I read title Yes please

All right. Thank you. Thanks for that, okay moving on to item 10 first reading of an ordinance restricting Kratom presentation by Valley Police Department sergeant Donnie farmer welcome Thank you mayor Thank You vice mayor counsel Maggie Teresa and Rick Rick it's just hitting the arrow button.

Yeah, so to your point, Sergeant, so if the bill fell, like you said, it's not passing. So it's actually going to put our resident more vulnerable, right, position. So therefore, if we make an ordinance reference to this, it still stands, am I correct?

OK. I just wanted to get clarification on that. Thank you.

I didn't know. OK. I'm going to go ahead and open the public hearing. Thank you, Sergeant Farmer.

OK, thank you. I'll go ahead and close the public hearing and. Vice Mayor Harbour?

Yeah. Can I say that the come back up. So do we have a question. So with respect to Kratom calls for service, I guess, do we have a lot of calls for service?

Yes, yes. And then a question for the attorney. So what, I guess, what authority do we have to regulate sale of products in general? I mean, can we say, you know, you can't sell, I don't know, candy bars is, you know, it's.

OK. All right. I guess my feeling on this is that although it's kind of trendy to adopt these kind of ordinances, with the fact that there seems to be no issue with it right now, I would not be in support of this ordinance.

So our staff report shows that the neighboring city of Huntington Beach and the county of Orange have enacted ordinances to restrict the sale of kratom. I support it, and I'd like to move alternative.

I'll support it, especially if this is not natural kratom we're talking about here. We're talking about the synthetic one. That's the component that is at risk for the city. So I'll support it, and I'll move alternative number one.

Actually, we're not done with the discussion yet. So I'm just curious on the ordinance itself, if the state does come up with an ordinance or legislation, does our ordinance just go away at that point?

I also support this. I do appreciate the testimony from the speakers. And they have shared emails. And so I've learned a lot about the issue and appreciate the efforts to make it safer for those who really need this kind of treatment and to protect them as well. So OK. Last call on comments. We've got a first and second. Let's vote. All those in favor, say aye.

We'll move into administrative items. Item 11, approval of professional services agreement with Townsend Public Affairs to provide grant writing consultant services. Presentation by Jenny Chao, management analyst. Welcome.

Thank you, Jenny. I'll open it up to council for questions or comments.

Great. Thanks so much. Any questions from council? I was just curious.

You said Congressman Tran is only able to have 15 submissions. And it looked like there were three or four submissions for Fountain Valley. That is correct. So he's allocating three or four of his 15 for Fountain Valley?

Also, just curious, so we also have a nonprofit arm of the city, the Fountain Valley Community Foundation, that's always looking for nonprofit grants. Now, I know that any money raised has to go to the city, but are you able to help them as well on items that benefit the city as a whole?

And do you guys recommend grants or do you respond to the grants that our staff find and ask you to go forward? Which way does it work typically?

Oh, that's great. I appreciate all this information. It seems really great. It seems like our return is pretty good. Thank you. Of course.

I'd like to ask a follow-up question. I think this is a great idea that you brought up, and you mentioned that you are able to help the nonprofit organization. I think that's a great idea. If that was the case, because obviously you know we have many good nonprofit organizations in the city, if you are going to be able to help the one organization he just mentioned, does that also mean that if there's other nonprofit organizations we want to bring to your attention, would you be able to help as well?

Okay. So for example, I'm thinking, for example, the Farm Valley School Foundations, right? They do a lot of great things for the kids. So indirectly, it's kind of like, you know, underneath the school, you know, hopefully we could help something there. Yeah.

I just want to share a little bit of my experience with Townsend at the beginning of the year. I think it's end of January. So I went out to Washington, D.C. and meet with Congressman Trent and his staff, continuing asking for the $2 million. And I have to say that I had a great experience with the representative in Washington, D.C. and Townsend. It was very interesting. Pleasant experience. He really showed me around and explained the role, how much Townsend played a role in Washington, D.C., advocate for many cities. So I just want to share that was a really good experience.

Thank you. Any other questions from council? Okay, great. Thanks so much. Appreciate it. Thank you all.

Thank you. Move on to item 12. Accept fee proposal from DMS Consultants, Inc. and authorized staff to issue a purchase order for the design of the residential roadway rehabilitation project city quadrant B5 and B6. Project number 27002. Presentation by engineering technician 2, Peter Nguyen. Welcome.

Yeah, just curious. You said the gas tax. Is that the Measure M gas tax that comes out, or it's a different, just the regular gas tax?

So I know everybody complains about gas taxes. I do, too. But it does come back to the city in some way, and it's paying for our roads. All right, good to know. Thank you. Any other comments?

OK, we'll move on to item 13. Authorized staff to issue a purchase order in the amount of $115,296.83 to National Auto Fleet Group pursuant to FVMC 2-36.070A4 for the purchase of a new 2027 Ford F450 flatbed dump truck through the existing contract with Sourcewell and authorized staff to dispose of the existing vehicle by means of the best It means that best meets the city's need. Presentation by Cassandra Burkhart, Management Aid. Welcome.

Thanks so much. Open to questions from council?

Okay, item 14, award contract to Pacific Sound Control, a CE pickup company in the amount of $110,618 to replace existing operable wall panels at the center at Founders Village Senior and Community Center. Presentation by Cassandra. Welcome.

Yeah, a couple questions. It's always a big red flag to me when there's only one quote provided. Who provided the original wall panels 20 years ago, and are they still in business?

Okay. It just... How do we end up with just one? Is this such a niche product that there's just not many manufacturers of this?

Yeah, that was the next question. Do we reach out to the four that did not bid and find out why?

This is not something that's unique to Fountain Valley. I mean, these walls and stuff should be everywhere. You know, most, well, not everywhere, but, you know, in every city. I just find it really hard to believe that only one company, and out of Canada, you know.

Okay, yeah, I mean, I agree with Council Member Green is that I find a little bit strange to, I mean, how other cities or other businesses that are in a business that they need wall separations, I mean, I'm sure they're not bound to one vendor as well.

But if you're doing that, you're going to bound yourself in the future with the same predicament. Track suspension to remain. Because it's the same track. You're not changing tracks so you don't run to one manufacturer of product.

Did they use the same manufacturer, same installer that we do? It's the same one. The same one? Yeah, I know we talked about, you know, you and I had talked about this already, and you told me you were saving money off Yucaipa. That's good. I did not realize that it was only one bid when we spoke, so... I would just say in the future we need to be a bit more aggressive in trying to get at least two bids because it shows us that we're at least in the ballpark.

I understand and I know I understand the importance of getting all this done by December so they're closed and we could actually do it and not impact the residents when we do so.

Thank you. Discussion so Vice Mayor Harper?

You have a question. So just curious, the Pacific Sound Control, and then it says a CE pickup company. Is there any significance to that, or is that just part of their name?

OK, we'll move on to item 15, accept the bids and award a construction contract to KNM Design Build LLC. Does business as NM Building Group for project number 24004, city hall improvements, lobby restrooms in the amount not to exceed $304,615. and accept the InterWest Consulting Group proposal and authorize staff to issue a purchase order in the amount not to exceed $55,440 for construction management and inspection services for the City Hall Improvements Lobby Restrooms Project. Presentation by Yesenia Penaloza, Assistant Engineer. Welcome.

Great. Thank you so much. I'll open up to questions from council. Vice Mayor Harper.

yeah i have more of i have more of a comment i just want to complain uh that the you know the these restrooms should shouldn't shouldn't cost us 400 000 to redo two restrooms so i uh i respect that we've gone through the bid process and and done all that but um i i just feel like there's got to be a cheaper way to to um to do what we need to do there so i mean at this point i'm just venting so thank you

I agree with him, with the Council of Harper. I think it's just the dynamic that we're in, and it has a lot to do with prevailing wage. That plays a big factor, because when you look at the size of it, it's not a big issue. If you calculate it out by the square footage, it's huge. But I guess there's not much we could do as a public agency, given the factor that we're in and the regulations that we must be compliant with.

Yeah, we've had many, many conversations on this one. But this is where the bidding process comes in. As much as I hate to spend that much money, I'm with everybody. We just can't even understand why it's so expensive. But you got 22 bids. If you had one bid, I would be like, no way. Maybe even three bids, I'd say no way. But you got 22 bids, and that's the lowest. And some of them were really high. I mean, I can't wrap my mind around this, but.

Maybe I can share some story. Maybe I put some light into this perspective. As you know, San Francisco, their city council will want to introduce one public restroom. Out in the public way. So those who don't have a home so they can go there and use the restroom rather than be a city of poop, right? It cost them $1.2 million. Just one restroom. And they scrape it once they heard the number. So I guess for two restrooms we pay, what, $450,000. I guess we could feel good about it, right? That's the only thing I can think of.

I love it. They must have a gold-plated toilet or something. I don't know. Yeah, I really struggled with this one. I know it's been brought to us many, many times, and we've fought back on it many, many times, but here we are.

As far as the scope of this project, two questions. Is there another way to complete the ADA requirements without redoing the entire restroom? And secondly, if we don't do this project, what happens then?

Okay. As far as the, I guess the Cost of the fixtures, the finishes, is that a significant cost to the equation?

And what's the big parts of the cost? Why is it so expensive?

Yeah, I think we need to move on because I think even when I've heard all the colleagues here are concerned on the cost, but I think at the end of the day, at this point, like the city manager has stated, we are being put on notice and there's a code compliance to the ADA. One thing is there's an exit point for us. And you laid out all the code already. So at this point we just have to move on and And it'd be compliance. We don't have any other options at this point unless there is others options you can think of but I don't see any Mr. Mayor, I have a question. That's from Constantine.

Please don't hold this against me. This is just out of the box thinking what if we remodeled one to ADA compliance. And again, this is just a rough thought. You'd have to relabel it to, I don't know, family maybe? But then what would we do with the other that would keep the cost down and still enable ADA usage? I don't know. I mean, it's just rough.

At this time, I reluctantly will make the motion to approve.

Thank you. Okay, move on to item 16, approval of amendment number three to consultant services with Michael Baker International for contract assistant planner services. Presentation by community director, deputy city manager, Omar Dadaboy.

Does it look like there's any? Oh, Vice Mayor Harper? No, I will move approval of the item.

Thank you so much. Okay, last item, 18, fiscal year 2020. Sorry, 17. Moving ahead, moving ahead. Manual. OK. Item 17, approve a resolution requesting dissolution of the Fountain Valley Successor Agency. Presentation by Finance Director Ryan Smith.

Yeah, I'm just curious. The $574,000, where did that money come from?

And this might be a dumb question, but is there any negotiating with the county that, hey, we'll stop this and give you $300,000?

OK, now item 18, fiscal year 2026-2027 mid-cycle operating budget and capital improvement program update of the previously adopted fiscal year 2025 to 2027 biennial budget, continuing with finance director Ryan Smith.

Can I just interrupt for a sec? So this is, if we didn't have a biennial budget, we'd be just doing a regular budget meeting right now? Yep.

So because we have the two-year budget, this is kind of a shorter version of the annual budget? Okay, thanks.

Great. Thanks so much. Appreciate that. Can I just add one thing? Yes.

Yes, can you bring it back to the slide that's referenced to the expenditure? Next one.

Yeah, right there. So as you can see, 2025 and 2026 on the city self-insurance, it was $400,000. But 27 is a million dollars. And I think that a lot of this has to do with some of the settlements on the claim that we're trying to settle and close those issues. And I have asked in the past that when would the city bring back on the idea is, hey, maybe it would be interesting to start working on having an outside insurance to carry that rather than self-insure or self.

I'm not going to be here in August. Which?

Great presentation. I'd like to move the item. OK.

No, just great job, guys. Appreciate all the effort you put in, and the numbers are looking good. So it's positive.

OK, I think there's been a first. Second.

OK, we'll move into city council, successor agency, housing authority, public comments, unscheduled matters. Are there any requests to speak?

OK. Okay, with the City Council Successor Agency Housing Authority AB1234, general comments. How about we start with Councilman Grandes?

Getting it up on my phone here. All right, let's see, on June 18th through the 21st, we had Summerfest, and I wanna make sure we thank all of our volunteers the Summerfest Committee, Matt Taylor for running it, and all city staff who helped make that such a wonderful event for our community. It's basically us throwing a party for our residents and I think it was very successful. On Tuesday, June 23rd, I attended the first Civic Center ad hoc committee meeting. On Thursday, July 2nd, the Independence Barbecue for city employees. And then that evening, we had concerts in the park. Saturday, July

Yes on 6, 3, I attend the family connect breakfast update on 6, 4, I attend the OC park meeting on 6, 9, I attend OC county restitution money at the county level the missing money from the district one and at the end with many speakers participants including our city managers and the mayors I think the vice mayor was there too right. Yeah, but it was a long line before it gets to you, so a lot of us have left, but luckily I was able to say a few words before I left. And we were able to get $3.7 million, and the money is staying in District 1.

On 6-10, I attend OC San Administrative Committee meeting. On 6-11, I attend OC Waste meeting. On 6-17, I attend PCTA Board meeting. On 6-18, I attend Congressman Tran check presentations for or Fountain Valley Fire Station number one. And on 6-24, I attend OC-SEN Board of Director meeting. On 6-27, I attend Freedom Hall event. As our mayor has mentioned earlier, that was a really wonderful event, and the speaker was here today, and you recognize them. That was a really nice touch. On July 4th, of course, we all attend the 4th of July parade. Once again, I think everyone knows it's organized b

That's it. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Bowie. Councilwoman Constantine.

Sure. So just as a reminder, everybody is welcome to our city hall and all our city meetings. And you can come speak no matter where you live, no matter who you are. I have a very long list of whereabouts, so I'm not going to read them all. But thank you to everybody who helped out at Summerfest. I did a few shifts at the information booth. It was a lot of fun, as usual. Also participated in the Huntington Valley Boys and Girls Club groundbreaking ceremony. That was a lot of fun, and they're moving on with the project. Still would like to have some financial donations. And I did several trips

Thank you, Councilwoman Constantine. Sure. Vice Mayor Harper.

Thank you. Okay, on June 17th, I had a PCTA meeting, June 18th, OCTA Finance Committee, and then I went to the – that same day I went to the Employee Family Picnic, which was at the –

Yeah, Heritage Park. Also, then later that day, I went to the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Committee meeting and then came back for Summerfest opening day. June 19th, Summerfest welcome ceremony. June 22nd, OCTA board meeting. And June 25th, attended the Boys and Girls Club Groundbreaking over at Miles Square Park. It was great to see them get their construction underway for the new expansion on their facility there. June 30th, we had a special meeting of the City Council, so I was here for that. July 2nd, we had the Independence Day barbecue at Heritage Park with the employees, so ap

Thank you, Vice Mayor Harper. On June 18th, I attended a funding presentation for the Fire Station 1 Modernization Project. Thank you to our Congressman, Derek Tran, for delivering a $2 million check for this important city effort to enhance our fire suppression services. Later that day, I participated in a walking tour of the new 16 acres that Fountain Valley will receive As our lease expands at Mall Square Park, thanks especially to City Manager Lee, Deputy City Manager Frizzell for coordinating with OC Park staff and for the introductions. It really helped me to get a good visual and sense