CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE YORBA LINDA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, YORBA LINDA HOUSING AUTHORITY AND YORBA LINDA MUNICIPAL FINANCING AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING

MINUTES

-
Council Chambers
4845 Casa Loma Avenue
Councilmembers Present:
  • Campbell,
  • Haney,
  • Hernandez,
  • Huang,
  • and Rodriguez
Staff Present:
  • Brantley,
  • Brown,
  • Christian,
  • Honeywell,
  • Kudron,
  • Lai,
  • Litfin,
  • Lixey,
  • Martino,
  • and Pulone

The City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency convened at 5:32 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue.

CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE YORBA LINDA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) (1 case)

Name of Case:         Yorba Linda Estates, LLC v. City of Yorba Linda

Case Number:          30-2021-01206096-CU-OR-CJC, Superior Court, County of Orange

City Attorney Todd Litfin stated that Councilwoman Tara Campbell recused herself for one case on Closed Session Item A, Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, Significant Exposure to Litigation, because she has a potential conflict under Government Code Section 87100.    

City Attorney Litfin stated that Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Rodriguez recused himself for one case on Closed Session Item A, Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, Significant Exposure to Litigation, because he has a potential conflict under Government Code Section 87100.    

Government Code Section 54957.6

Agency Designated Representatives: City Manager Pulone
Employee Organizations: Yorba Linda Chapter of the Orange County Employees Association; Yorba Linda Mid-Management Association; and non-represented Management Employees

The City Council convened into Closed Session at 5:32 p.m.

The City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency, Yorba Linda Housing Authority and Yorba Linda Municipal Financing Authority reconvened at 6:32 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue, Yorba Linda.

Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez

City Attorney Litfin said there was no reportable action on the items discussed on the Closed Session agenda.  

City Attorney Litfin stated that Councilwoman Campbell recused herself for one case on Closed Session Item A, Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, Significant Exposure to Litigation, because she has a potential conflict under Government Code Section 87100.    

City Attorney Litfin stated that Mayor Pro Tem  Rodriguez recused himself for one case on Closed Session Item A, Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, Significant Exposure to Litigation, because he has a potential conflict under Government Code Section 87100.    

Mayor Peggy Huang invited Coach Al Estrada as well as the Seniors and 10 & Under (10 U's) team to the podium. She recognized the East Hills Yorba Linda Little League Seniors for being undefeated on their run through District 56, Section 5 and Southern California Tournaments and congratulated them for winning the Senior State Championship!

Coach Estrada spoke about the team's experience and thanked Council for the recognition.

Mayor Huang also recognized the East Hills Yorba Linda Little League 10 U’s and commended them for finishing in the Top 3 and becoming District 56, Section 5 Champions.

She also recognized Coach Estrada who led the Seniors and the 10 U’s through these momentous victories. Council commended his hard work and wished him continued success in helping to make a difference in the lives of children in the community.

Coach Estrada introduced the team and expressed their gratitude to Council for the recognition.

Mayor Huang invited Claudia Bonilla Keller, Chief Mission Officer of Second Harvest Food Bank Orange County and Hung Do, Associate Board Member to the podium and presented them with a proclamation declaring September as Hunger Action month.

Ms. Keller introduced Mr. Do who spoke about the volunteers from the Orange County Hunger Alliance, Second Harvest Food Bank, food insecurity and its impacts on health and healthcare. They both thanked Council for the proclamation.

Orange County Transportation Authority’s Department Manager for Public Outreach, Christina Byrne was invited to the podium.

Ms. Byrne shared a PowerPoint presentation summarizing projects and programs by OCTA. She spoke about the organization, provided a Measure M overview, spoke about SR-91 Improvements (SR-57 to SR-55), SR-55 Improvements (I-405 to I-5 and I-5 to SR-91), and the Anaheim Canyon Metrolink Station. She concluded her presentation by discussing funding for streets and roads, the 2022 Long-Range Transportation Plan and their Youth Ride Free program.

Council encouraged the community to utilize the vast transportation options offered by OCTA and said busses are very clean and safe. Council thanked Ms. Byrne for the presentation.

Chief of Police Services Captain Cory Martino provided a PowerPoint presentation on law enforcement services for the months of July and August. His update included statistics on traffic and said there was an increase in traffic citations in the months of July and August, in comparison to May and June, and reminded the community to slow down. He spoke about residential burglaries, crime and arrest data. Captain Martino announced that the Orange County Sheriff's Department has made an adjustment to the classification of Part 1 and Part 2 Crimes and stated they will be referred to in future presentations as Part A and B Crimes. Data will be tracked and reported under the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) on a go-forward and he spoke briefly of the new system. Captain Martino also discussed two proactive significant arrests, one on July 5, 2021  as well as one on July 28, 2021, where large amounts of narcotics and a concealed handgun were located. He concluded by highlighting community outreach, including a household item donation event where Explorers assisted the Yorba Linda Woman's Club on September 18, 2021. He said staff also attended the 9/11 memorial event at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum where Sheriff Don Barnes gave remarks.

Richard de Bruijn, resident, spoke about SB 9 and SB 10, which have recently been signed into law by Governor Newsom. He inquired about the ramification these two bills will have on housing and zoning within the community. 

Gabriella Rollins, Director of Yorba Linda Arts Foundation, shared that Yorba Linda now has an art gallery. The inaugural exhibit is currently on display and all pieces are for sale. She said the Foundation formed a coalition with the Yorba Linda Historical Society, Yorba Linda Preservation Foundation and the son of the artist who painted the original mural at the former library, to raise funds to hire a conservator. Ms. Rollins congratulated Recreation Supervisor Valerie Passarella for the great work at the Cultural Arts Center and expressed her excitement to see the programs there grow. 

Mayor Huang stated that Councilman Gene Hernandez will abstain from Consent Calendar Item No. 2, out of an abundance of caution due to his involvement with Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and the numerous contractors that may do work in the City.

  • Resolution:
    Moved byHernandez
    Seconded byHaney

    That the City Council approve the Consent Calendar.

    AYES (5)Rodriguez, Hernandez, Haney, Campbell, and Huang
    CARRIED (5 to 0)
  • Resolution:

    It is recommended that the City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions on the agenda and declare that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.

  • Resolution:

    It is recommended that the City Council receive and file the accounts payable check register dated September 21, 2021, in the amount of $2,708,433.62.

  • Resolution:

    It is recommended that the City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency approve the minutes of the August 17, 2021 City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency joint meeting.

  • Resolution:

    It is recommended that the City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency approve the minutes of the September 1, 2021 City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency joint special meeting.

  • Resolution:

    It is recommended that the City Council: 1.) Receive and file the attached monthly Treasurer’s Report; and 2.) Delegate investment responsibility to the City’s Finance Director / City Treasurer for a period of up to one year.

  • Resolution:

    It is recommended that the City Council approve the Cooperative Agreement among the Cities of Orange, Anaheim, Placentia, Santa Ana, Tustin, and Yorba Linda for the Tustin Avenue/Rose Drive corridor regional traffic signal synchronization project (RTSSP).

  • Resolution:

    It is recommended that the City Council of the City of Yorba Linda deny the claims for damages by Michael Blume, Rana Shah and Alisha Medina.

  • Resolution:

    It is recommended that the City Council of the City of Yorba Linda approve and authorize the City Manager, or designee to execute a Mutual Aid Memorandum of Agreement for the COVID-19 Vaccination Effort with the County of Orange, pertaining to mutual aid assistance provided under the Orange County Operational Area Agreement.

  • Resolution:

    It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this report.

Councilwoman Campbell said this is an item related to Alert OC, which is a County-wide notification system that notifies people who are signed up of local disasters or emergencies. She said she will move the item but would like to request that staff learn more about their wireless system or develop the City's own system to supplement what we are currently doing. Giving us more local control that could also increase efficiency. 

  • Resolution:
    Moved byCampbell
    Seconded byRodriguez

    It is recommended that the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute and manage, on behalf of the City of Yorba Linda, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Yorba Linda (Participant) and the County of Orange to allow their use of the County's Countywide Mass Notification System under the terms and conditions of the County's Countywide Mass Notification System Operating Guidelines and vendor-provided agreements, commencing on July 1, 2021, through December 30, 2024; and direct staff to research a supplemental system that would increase local control and improve efficiency.

    AYES (5)Rodriguez, Hernandez, Haney, Campbell, and Huang
    CARRIED (5 to 0)

a. Open Public Hearing - Mayor Huang opened the public hearing.

b. Staff Report

Community Development Director David Brantley shared a PowerPoint presentation highlighting Conditional Use Permit 2021-13 for a 6-foot high combination block and wrought iron fence within the front yard and vehicular entry gate. He said the zoning code allows for fencing taller than 3-feet in the front yard setback area with the approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). He said the 6-foot fence is currently installed, as Mrs. Zhang was unaware that it would require a CUP. Once she was made aware of this requirement, she applied for the permit. He spoke about the existing conditions, other properties on Via Del Caballo and the history of this project, including the May 26, 2021, Planning Commission meeting. Director Brantley said on June 8, 2021, a neighboring property owner, Mr. Michael Rosenthal, submitted an appeal of the Planning Commission's decision to approve CUP 2021-13 - Zhang. He concluded by sharing some of the concerns noted in the appeal.

Ashanti Mason-Warren, Assistant Planner shared photos of the property and existing encroachments. He said that though most of the 6-foot fencing has been installed, the property owners have yet to install the vehicular entry gate.

c. Take Testimony 

    1.) Appellant - Mr. Rosenthal said he read the Resolution and associated Conditions of Approval. He said he does not agree with the 6-foot high road easement but found everything else acceptable. He asked about the E-5 Policy and asked what would happen if they sell the property. 

City Attorney Litfin said encroachments continue with the property.

    2.) Project Applicant - None

    3.) Public Comment  - None

    4.) Rebuttal by Applicant, If Required - None

d. Close Public Hearing - Mayor Huang closed the public hearing.

e. Make Determination

  • Resolution:
    Moved byCampbell
    Seconded byHernandez

    It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2021-5761 upholding the Planning Commission’s decision to approve Conditional Use Permit 2021-13 – Zhang.

    AYES (5)Rodriguez, Hernandez, Haney, Campbell, and Huang
    CARRIED (5 to 0)

City Manager Mark Pulone responded to Mr. de Bruijn's concerns regarding SB 9 and SB 10. He said the City took an oppose position on both bills. Now that the bills have passed, the City will see what it can do to strengthen the City's code to address a lot of the concerns staff has in order to give the City more control within the confines of the bills. He said staff will have more information soon.

Councilwoman Campbell expressed her pride for the community and said the City held three or more extraordinary 9/11 events and thanked the organizations that planned them, including the Interfaith Council and United Methodist Church. She spoke of the 9/11 Commemoration at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum and said it was remarkable to see all the flags on the corner of Eureka Avenue and Yorba Linda Boulevard and the two vertical beams of light, illuminating the sky and resembling the Twin Towers. She also acknowledged For Families of Active Military for the flag display on the corner of Village Center and Yorba Linda Boulevard. 

Councilwoman Beth Haney announced that the library received another award from the American Society of Civil Engineers for the Community Improvement Project of the Year and congratulated staff. She said the Orange County Waste & Recycling Commission held their quarterly meeting on September 9th and provided an update on SB 1383 which establishes targets to achieve a 75 percent reduction in statewide disposal of organic waste by 2025. She said there will be noticeable changes to waste programs and likely rate increases because of these changes. Subsequently, Councilwoman Haney said SB 619 aims to provide financial relief for cities that have not met the requirements of SB 1383. Under SB 619, violations can be waived for cities that receive an administrative penalty for noncompliance if it implements a specified corrective action plan by a compliance deadline. She encouraged the community to visit www.calrecycle.ca.gov for more information. Councilwoman Haney concluded her comments by saying she attended Yorba Days and ran the inaugural 5K for the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce and attended the 9/11 event at the Richard Nixon Library. She thanked first responders and all servicemen and women.

Councilman Hernandez echoed the comments from his colleagues. He spoke about the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast and he encouraged those in the community that have not attended the 9/11 remembrance event at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum to do so next year.

Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez also echoed the comments of his colleagues regarding 9/11 and thanked the Richard Nixon Library and all those involved in organizing the program. He congratulated Mayor Huang for the wonderful Mayor's Prayer Breakfast and her great remarks. Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez concluded by commending the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce for the wonderful Yorba Days event and 5K.

Mayor Huang said September is Hispanic Heritage Month and encouraged the community to learn about the diversity and influence of Latino leaders. She thanked all the runners who participated in the Yorba Days 5K and commended Councilwoman Haney for running a great race. Mayor Huang also spoke about the 9/11 tributes and said she hopes all moms enjoyed National Moms' Day Off on September 14th. Mayor Huang attended the retiring of colors organized by Bridget Blehm, For Families of Active Military, and concluded her comments by reminding residents to eliminate standing water to reduce mosquitos and to call Orange County Vector Control if residents see dead birds.

Mayor Huang said the City is deeply saddened to learn that Jo Lasorda, wife of 70 years to Tommy Lasorda, former manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1976 to 1996, passed away. She spoke about the Lasorda family's connection to the community and the generous donations led by Jo and made to the City throughout the years. She expressed the City's condolences to the Lasorda family and adjourned the meeting in her honor at 7:55 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency joint meeting on October 5, 2021.