HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 2025-12-08 Seal Beach, California
December 8, 2025
The City Council met in Regular Session at 7:05 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Council Member Wong led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Landau
Council Members: Kalmick, Wong, Senecal, Steele
Absent: None
City Staff: Nicholas R. Ghirelli, City Attorney
Patrick Gallegos, City Manager
Michael Henderson, Police Chief
Barbara Arenado, Director of Finance
Craig Covey, Orange County Fire Authority Division 1 Chief
Iris Lee, Director of Public Works
Shaun Temple, Interim Director of Community Development
Joe Bailey, Marine Safety Chief
Gloria D. Harper, City Clerk
Brandon DeCriscio, Deputy City Clerk
Nick Nicholas, Police Captain
Mike Ezroj, Police Captain
Brian Gray, Police Sergeant, Emergency Services Coordinator
Tim Kelsey, Recreation Manager
Sean Sabo, Management Analyst
Kathryne Cho, Deputy Director of Public Works
PRESENTATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
• Oak Middle School Choir
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving Proclamation
• Winter Storm Update
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Landau opened oral communications. Speakers: Chad Berlinghieri, Zechariah
Jauregui, Hunter Griffiths, Ellery Deaton, Catherine Showalter, Ken Seiff, and JO8N,
addressed the City Council. Mayor Landau closed oral communications.
Twenty-eight supplemental communications were received after the posting of the
agenda; they were distributed to the City Council and made available to the public.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA & WAIVER OF FULL READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND
ORDINANCES
Mayor Landau pulled Item H for separate consideration.
Council Member Wong moved, second by Council Member Senecal, to approve the
agenda.
AYES: Kalmick, Wong, Landau, Senecal, Steele
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Ghirelli reported that the City Council met in Closed Session regarding the
items on the posted agenda. All five (5) Council Members were present, and no
reportable action was taken.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Gallegos wished the community a safe and Happy Holiday season. He
thanked Mayor Landau, the Council Members, the community, and city staff for all of
their hard work over the last year.
Additionally, City Manager Gallegos announced that the city is participating in the Spark
of Love Toy Drive through Friday, December 12, 2025. He thanked the Lions Club and
Lions Club President Scott Newton for their work on the Christmas Parade.
City Manager Gallegos announced that City Hall will be closed December 24, 2025
through January 2, 2026 in observance of the holiday season. He noted that essential
services will remain uninterrupted.
Lastly, City Manager Gallegos called upon Marine Safety Chief Bailey, Police Chief
Henderson, and Management Analyst Sabo to provide updates from their respective
departments.
Marine Safety Chief Bailey provided update on the McGaugh Pool.
Police Chief Henderson shared a note received from a member of the community
recognizing Officer Reynold's exemplary service.
Management Analyst Sabo gave an in-depth presentation of the city's new Capital
Improvement Project microsite and the San Gabriel River Trash Mitigation initiative
website.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Member Kalmick reported his attendance at the Eisenhower Park Veteran's Day
Ceremony, the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority meeting, the Lower Los Angeles and San
Gabriel Rivers and Mountains Conservancy meeting, the November 17, 2025 Planning
Commission meeting, the Haynes Pipeline Project Community meeting, the Orange
County Council of Governments (OC-COG) meeting, the Orange County Fire Authority
(OCFA) Board meeting, the Seal Beach Turkey Trot, the Christmas Tree Lighting
Ceremony, the OCFA Academy Graduation Ceremony, the Southern California
Association of Governments (SCAG) meeting, and the Seal Beach Christmas Parade.
Additionally, Council Member Kalmick announced that he met with representatives from
The Ocean Cleanup (TOC) to discuss the San Gabriel Trash Mitigation Initiative. He
noted that TOC will design, engineer, and fund a trash interceptor for the San Gabriel
River as a part of the San Gabriel Trash Mitigation Initiative.
Council Member Senecal reported her attendance at the Haynes Pipeline Project
Community meeting, the Seal Beach Tennis and Pickleball Association annual meeting,
the Christmas Parade, the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Menorah Lighting
Ceremony and the College Park East Santa and Snow Day event.
Additionally, Council Member Senecal announced that she met with Devin Shea
regarding the proposed solar site at the Hellman Ranch Oil and Gas Production Facility.
Lastly, Council Member Senecal announced that she will be representing Orange County
on the League of Cities Energy and Environment Committee beginning in January 2026.
Mayor Pro Tern Steele reported his attendance at the California Local Elected Officials
(CLEO) Municipal Finance Session, the City Selection Committee meeting, the Orange
County Older Adult Advisory Commission, the Russel Vought White House Office of
Management and Budget Dinner Presentation, the University of California Los Angeles
(UCLA) Department of Urban Planning — Parking Division meeting, the California
Consulting Grant Writing Services meeting, the Chamber of Commerce "Let's Do Lunch"
event, the Seal Beach Staff Thanksgiving Potluck, the Seal Beach Christmas Tree
Lighting Ceremony, The Golden Rain Foundation (GRF) Board meeting, the Cure the
Pain Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, and the Menorah Lighting Ceremony.
Council Member Wong reported his attendance at the Veteran's Day McGaugh
Elementary Flag Day Ceremony, the Eisenhower Park Veteran's Day Celebration, the
Seal Beach Rotary Club Lunch, the Leisure World Sunshine Club meeting, the Haynes
Pipeline Project Community meeting, the Haynes Pipeline team meeting with College
Park West (CPW) preserve, the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, the City Staff
Thanksgiving Potluck, the St. Anne's Church Thanksgiving Day event, the Cure the Pain
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, and the Christmas Parade.
He announced the kick-off of First Tuesdays in Leisure World, where he will be providing
coffee and donuts at Leisure World Club House 6 from 7:30-8:30 a.m. and making himself
accessible to the public. He also announced the publication of his upcoming newsletter.
He recognized Golden Rain Foundation President Linda Herman and Executive Director
David Norvel and congratulated Director Norvel for his recent appointment.
Mayor Landau reported that all of the recent community events have been hugely
successful!
Additionally, Mayor Landau reported her attendance at St. Anne's Church Thanksgiving
Day event, the Christmas Parade, and the Haynes Pipeline Project Community meeting.
Lastly, she thanked city staff for their work on the Thank You Seal Beach event.
COUNCIL ITEMS
A. On-Call Agreements Overview - Receive and file.
Mayor Landau called upon Director of Public Works Lee, who provided an in-depth
overview of on-call contracts.
Council's questions and concerns were addressed by Public Works Director Lee.
Council Member Senecal requested that additional information be added to the on-call
contracts, to be agendized for a future meeting. There was Council consensus.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Wong moved, second by Council Member Senecal to approve the
recommended actions on the consent calendar with the exception of Item H.
B. Approval of the City Council Minutes -That the City Council approve the minutes
of the Strategic Planning Session held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, the Closed
Session, Study Session and Regular City Council meetings held on Monday,
November 10, 2025.
C. Demand of City Treasury (Fiscal Year 2026) - Ratification.
D. Monthly Investment Report (December 8, 2025) - Receive and file.
E. 2026 Calendar of Meeting Dates - That the City Council receive and file the 2026
Calendar of Meeting Dates, which includes the cancellation of the first meeting in
July (13th) and the second meetings in August (24th), November (23rd), and
December (28th)
F. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 1724-That the City Council conduct
a second reading, by title only, and adopt Ordinance 1724 titled "An Ordinance of
the City of Seal Beach Adding Chapter 4.60 (Parks and Recreation Facilities Impact
Fee) to the Seal Beach Municipal Code to Authorize Collection of Development
Impact Fees for Parks and Recreation Facilities and Repealing Section 10.50.010
(Park Dedications And Fees) of the Seal Beach Municipal Code."
G. Amendment 3 to the Professional Services Agreement with Lisa Wise
Consulting, Inc. for Housing Element Update and Related Supporting Services -
That the City Council adopt Resolution 7715: 1. Approving Amendment 3 to the
Professional Services Agreement with Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc., for Housing
Element Update and Related Supporting Services, extending the term to December
31, 2026; and, 2. Authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment 3 on behalf
of the City.
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I. Updating and Designating Officers Authorized to Transact Banking Services with
BMO Bank, N.A. - That the City Council adopt Resolution 7717: 1. Updating the
officers authorized to transact banking services with the City's bank, BMO Bank,
N.A.; and, 2. Designating the City Manager and Director of Finance/City Treasurer
to transact banking services with BMO Bank, N.A. on behalf of the City.
J. Submittal of Yearly Expenditure Report to Orange County Transportation
Authority for Measure M2 Eligibility - That the City Council adopt Resolution 7718:
1. Finding the yearly expenditure report to Orange County Transportation Authority
(OCTA) for Measure M2 Eligibility for FY 2024-2025 was prepared in conformance
with the M2 Expenditure Report Template provided in the Renewed Measure M
Eligibility Guidelines and accounts for Net Revenues including interest earned,
expenditures during the fiscal year and balances at the end of fiscal year; and, 2.
Adopting M2 Expenditure Report for FY 2024-2025; and, 3. Directing the City
Manager, or their designee, to submit the M2 Expenditure Report to OCTA no later
than December 31, 2025.
K. Homeland Security Grant Program Sub-Award Agreement with City of Anaheim
for Transfer or Purchase of Equipment and Services or for Reimbursement of
Training Costs for Fiscal Year 2024 Urban Area Security Initiative - That the City
Council adopt Resolution 7719: 1. Authorizing the City Manager and/or the Chief of
Police to execute the Sub-Award Agreement with the City of Anaheim for the
transfer or purchase of equipment and services or for reimbursement of training
costs for Fiscal Year 2024 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Homeland Security
Grant Program; and, 2. Authorizing the City Manager and/or Chief of Police to
execute all other agreements and forms and take all other actions necessary on
the City's behalf for the transfer or purchase of equipment and services or for
reimbursement of training costs for Fiscal Year 2024 Urban Areas Security Initiative
(UASI) Homeland Security Grant Program, and to obtain federal financial
assistance provided by the Department of Homeland Security and sub-granted
through the State of California and Anaheim and/or Santa Ana Police Departments
in its capacity as the Core City for the Anaheim/Santa Ana UASI.
L. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Seal Beach
and the Seal Beach Police Officers Association for the period of July 1, 2025
through June 30, 2027 - That the City Council adopt Resolution 7720: 1.
Approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Seal
Beach and the Seal Beach Police Officers Association for the period of July 1,
2025 through June 30, 2027; and, 2. Approving Budget Amendment BA #26-06-01
in the amount of$56,639.28; and, 3. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Seal Beach and the
Seal Beach Police Officers Association.
The vote below is for the Consent Calendar Items with the exception of Item H.
AYES: Kalmick, Wong, Senecal, Steele, Landau
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
H. Approving and Authorizing Amendment 2 to the Professional Special Counsel
Services Agreement with Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, P.C. - That the City
Council adopt Resolution 7716: 1. Approving Amendment 2 to the Professional
Special Counsel Services Agreement with Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, P.C.
(formerly known as Telecom Law Firm, P.C.) dated August 10, 2023, as previously
amended by Amendment 1 dated February 24, 2025, and previously extended by
letter dated May 14, 2024, for additional professional legal services to support the
billboard initiative; and, 2. Increasing compensation for such additional services
by $20,000 for a revised total not-to-exceed amount of$90,000; and, 3. Authorizing
and directing the City Manager to execute Amendment 2 on behalf of the City; and,
4. Approving Budget Amendment BA #26-06-02 in the amount of$20,000.
City Manager Gallegos called upon Management Analyst Sabo to provide an overview of
the staff report.
A discussion ensued between Mayor Pro Tern Steele, City Manager Gallegos, Interim
Director of Community Development Temple, Council Member Senecal, City Attorney
Ghirelli, Management Analyst Sabo, and Council Member Wong.
Council Member Wong moved, second by Mayor Pro Tern Steele to adopt Resolution
7716: 1. Approving Amendment 2 to the Professional Special Counsel Services
Agreement with Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, P.C. (formerly known as Telecom
Law Firm, P.C.) dated August 10, 2023, as previously amended by Amendment 1 dated
February 24, 2025, and previously extended by letter dated May 14, 2024, for additional
professional legal services to support the billboard initiative; and, 2. Increasing
compensation for such additional services by $20,000 for a revised total not-to-exceed
amount of$90,000; and, 3. Authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute
Amendment 2 on behalf of the City; and, 4. Approving Budget Amendment BA #26-06-
02 in the amount of $20,000.
AYES: Kalmick, Wong, Senecal, Steele, Landau
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried
PUBLIC HEARING
M. Appeal Request of the Planning Commission Approval for an Initial
Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Minor Use Permit 22-03 to Allow the
Installation and Operation of a 1.5 Megawatt Fixed-Tilt Ground Mounted Solar
Photovoltaic System at the Existing Hellman Ranch Oil and Gas Production Facility
- That the City Council take the following actions: 1. Hold a de novo public hearing,
allow public testimony, and at the conclusion of the hearing, consider all
testimony, comments and evidence; and, 2. Adopt Resolution 7721 Denying the
Appeal and Upholding the Planning Commission Decision, Adopting the Initial
Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and
Reporting Program (MMRP), and Approving Minor Use Permit (MUP) 22-03 Subject
to Conditions of Approval to Allow the Installation and Operation of a 1.5 Megawatt
(MW) Fixed-Tilt Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System at the Hellman
Ranch Oil and Gas Production Facility (OGPF) (SCH #2025080495) (the Project);
and, 3. Direct staff to file a Notice of Determination.
Mayor Landau called upon Interim Director of Community Development Temple.
Interim Director of Community Development Temple and MRS Environmental, Inc.
President John Pearson provided an in-depth overview of the staff report.
Mayor Landau opened the public hearing. Speakers: Elizabeth Lambe, Devin Shea,
James Reeve, William Nash, Douglas Carstens, Bill Robinson, Anonymous Speaker,
Ron Harmon, Anonymous Speaker, Sydney, Rheo McColl, Lauren, Ken Seiff, JO8N,
Hope Horning, Trenton McColl, and Anonymous Speaker. Mayor Landau closed the
public hearing.
A discussion ensued between the Council Members, Hellman Properties Manager Devin
Shea, Newport Power Consultant James Reeve, Interim Director of Community
Development Temple, MRS Environmental, Inc. President John Pearson, Elizabeth
Lambe, and City Attorney Ghirelli.
At 10:45 p.m., City Attorney Ghirelli advised City Council that the Council Rules and
Regulations require the City Council to vote to continue the meeting past 11:00 p.m., but
no later than midnight.
Council Member Senecal moved, second by Council Member Kalmick, to continue the
City Council Meeting past 11:00 p.m., but no later than midnight.
AYES: Kalmick, Wong, Senecal, Steele, Landau
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried
Council Member Senecal stated she was in favor of continuing the item to a future
meeting.
Council Member Kalmick noted he would be abstaining on Item M.
Council Member Wong moved to adopt Resolution 7721 Denying the Appeal and
Upholding the Planning Commission Decision, Adopting the Initial Study/Mitigated
Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
(MMRP), and Approving Minor Use Permit(MUP)22-03 Subject to Conditions of Approval
to Allow the Installation and Operation of a 1.5 Megawatt (MW) Fixed-Tilt Ground
Mounted Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System at the Hellman Ranch Oil and Gas Production
Facility (OGPF) (SCH #2025080495) (the Project); and, 3. Direct staff to file a Notice of
Determination.
AYES: Wong, Steele
NOES: Senecal, Landau
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Kalmick
Motion failed.
Council Member Senecal moved, second by Mayor Landau to re-open the public hearing
and continue the item to February 9, 2026.
AYES: Kalmick, Senecal, Steele, Landau
NOES: Wong
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried.
UNFINISHED/CONTINUED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished/continued business.
NEW BUSINESS
N. City Council Reorganization - That the City Council approve reorganization of
the City Council and selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore for 2026.
City Clerk Harper conducted the nominations Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem for 2025.
Council Member Wong nominated Mayor Landau for Mayor, second by Council Member
Senecal.
Council Member Kalmick nominated Mayor Pro Tern Steele for Mayor, second by Mayor
Pro Tern Steele.
City Clerk Harper took a roll call vote for Mayor.
AYES: Wong, Senecal, Landau
NOES: Kalmick, Steele
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried
Council Member Senecal nominated Council Member Wong for Mayor Pro Tern, second
by Mayor Landau.
Council Member Kalmick nominated Mayor Pro Tem Steele for Mayor Pro Tern, second
by Mayor Pro Tern Steele.
City Clerk Harper took a roll call vote for Mayor Pro Tem.
AYES: Wong, Senecal, Landau
NOES: Steele, Kalmick
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Landau adjourned the City Council at 11:16 p.m. to Monday, January 12, 2026, at
5:30 p.m. to meet in closed session, if deemed necessary.
Mayor Landau noted that the December 22, 2025, City Council meeting has been
cancelled due to the holidays.
loria D. Har er, City Cler
......., City of Seal Beach
Approved:
Lisa Landau, Mayor .921
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Attested:
loria D. Har•!r, C