Welcome to the Lancaster City Council
meeting.
>> May I have your attention, please?
» May I have your attention, please?
Welcome to the Lancaster City Council
meeting. The city council encourages
public participation at its meetings.
However, the right of the public to
address the council must be balanced
with the need to ensure that public
participation does not interfere with
the orderly course of public business.
The city council follows the city's code
of conduct and ethics and Robert's rules
of order in the conduct of its meetings,
and we respectfully request that all are
reminded to abide by the following
rules. As stated on the agenda for this
meeting, any person who would like to
address the city is requested to
complete a speaker card for the city
clerk. Please be sure to identify the
agenda item you would like to discuss on
your speaker card. Speaker cards must be
filled out and submitted prior to the
agenda item being called. You will be
given an opportunity to address the
council at the time the agenda item is
discussed.
Individual speakers are limited to 3
minutes unless a different time limit is
announced.
Speakers must cease speaking immediately
when their time has ended.
Public comment on agenda items must
relate to the subject matter of that
item.
Public comment on non-aggendaized items
is limited to subjects within the
jurisdiction of the council. Please keep
in mind that state law prohibits the
council from acting on items that are
not on the agenda. The public's right to
address the council does not include the
right to engage in a dialogue with
individual council members or staff.
Please remain respectful of the forum
and refrain from uttering, writing, or
displaying profane or threatening
statements towards the council, any
member thereof, staff, or any other
person. Any person engaging in conduct
that disrupts the meeting is subject to
being removed from the council meeting.
If you disrupt the meeting, you will
receive one warning. If you continue to
disrupt the meeting, you will be
escorted out of the meeting or the
meeting will be recessed. Upon
reconvening, if disruptions continue,
the meeting room will be cleared in
accordance with the provisions of the
Brown Act.
We ask that you now silence your cell
phones as the meeting is about to begin.
Thank you for your participation.
>> City Council member, agency director,
» City Council member, agency director,
authority members who Leslie
>> present.
» present.
>> Molly
» Molly
>> present.
» present.
>> Man,
» Man,
>> present.
» present.
>> Vice Mayor, Vice Chairman Christ,
» Vice Mayor, Vice Chairman Christ,
>> present.
» present.
>> Mayor Chairman Paris
» Mayor Chairman Paris
>> here.
» here.
>> We have a quorum.
» We have a quorum.
>> Thank you. Uh I love the voice. The
» Thank you. Uh I love the voice. The
voice is much better uh for that. But I
think what we should probably is let's
do it let's play it after the
presentations
because it kind of you know it slows
things down right so that's just just a
thought all right uh tonight the inv
this afternoon the invocation is Ethan
Ethan I don't know how to say your last
name
>> it's like perfume birthing
» it's like perfume birthing
>> from Grace Chapel
city council thank you for having me
don't worry about the last name I still
don't know how to pronounce it.
Uh but uh ju just a a brief scripture to
read before we pray. John 18 verse 36.
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of
this world. If my kingdom were of this
world, my servants would have been
fighting that I might not be delivered
over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not
from this world." Then Pilate said to
him, "So you are a king?" And Jesus
answered, "You say that I am a king. For
this purpose I was born, and for this
purpose I have come into the world to
bear witness to the truth. Everyone who
is of the truth listens to my voice."
Let us pray.
Father, we pray that we would listen to
your voice today. God, we thank you for
the council, for our governors, for uh
Lord, law enforcement, everything that
you have appointed under your authority.
But Lord, most of all, we thank you for
your heavenly kingdom, the perfect
kingdom, the eternal kingdom. And God, I
pray that uh as decisions are made
today, that that spiritual kingdom would
break through, Lord. that it would bring
wisdom, discernment, right justice,
Lord, and grace upon this city. Lord,
you are a good God. You hear what we ask
of you. And Lord, you want relationship
with us. Father, thank you for your
perfect King, the Lord Jesus Christ, the
promise he has to save our eternal soul
for all who believe in him. And God, I
pray that he would be present today in
this meeting. In his name we pray. Amen.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Thank you.
America
stands nationy
for all.
Thank you.
» Did you see what that barber did to me?
» What' I do?
>> What do you think? Should I get a new
» What do you think? Should I get a new
barber? [laughter]
>> I vote yes.
Okay.
Presentations,
police.
» Good afternoon, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and
Council. Today is a fun presentation.
So, we're going to have a a brief video
that summarizes all of our
accomplishments in 2020 25.
Too many numbers there. 2025.
Uh but before we get to that, I just
wanted to first by start by thanking
this council. Um specifically the mayor.
When I was installed as city manager
about a year and a half ago, we were
challenged. You challenge this whole
team to come up with a new way of
tracking city progress and and making
sure that we were accomplishing the
goals that we needed to accomplish as a
city to make this city a better place
for all of us, all of our residents,
everybody who interacts with Lancaster.
So, we came up with the strategic goals
plan that we've been using and
monitoring. Happy to report that last
year in 2025, we scored a little over
90%. So, of all the short-term goals we
said we were going to accomplish, we got
an A. Um, want to thank this team, it
was really this executive team, some of
the staff that are here, and the staffs
throughout the city that made that
happen. So, let's give them a round of
applause.
And we truly did accomplish some really
big things last year. City manager's
office, we implemented the leadership
academy and we started building the
staff up. We saw that at the last
meeting. Our parks department, public
art, you see it all over town now.
You're going to see more of that again
this year, but last year was amazing at
what they accomplished there. The events
top-notch once again culminated with
magical. How many people do we have
there? I think over 12 13,000 this year
again. So awesome events. Um public
works, we opened AV Alta Stadium. We had
a successful soccer season. We started
the Love Your City cleanup events and
we'll talk about that a little bit
later, but there's another one coming up
this Saturday. Community development.
They automated code enforcement. It's
now all done through AI through use of
cameras and we can issue virt you know
citations remotely just with uh camera
technology. She Patty also had to
rebuild the whole team. I think you've
got more new people on the team than
you've ever had in the new team. So hats
off to you Patty. And then um our
administrative services department. We
installed a new payroll system which
we're working through that now. And last
year we probably have more new hires
than we've had in the last 10 years. And
they were able to onboard those people,
get them up to speed. So we're really
doing a lot of things here. We're
accomplishing a lot of goals. Hats off
to the team for their hard work. And we
have a brief video uh to to show last
year.
defying the laws of gravity
passing by
200°.
They call me
out of you.
» I'm having such a good time. I'm having
a
» w
I'm out of control
ready to reload
at the speed of
stopping.
Good time. Good time.
through
200.
I'm having a fun
Walk this way.
This way.
Walk this way.
[music]
Walk this way.
This way.
Heat.
Thank
So, happy new year, council. Happy new
year, Lancaster. And I'll just leave you
with we're not done yet.
>> Good presentation. Don't go anywhere.
» Good presentation. Don't go anywhere.
So, what's the next step in regards to
the leadership academy? I think
everybody agreed that was a great
>> We are actually working on what will be
» We are actually working on what will be
cohort two right now. I think uh
applications are going to be released to
staff in the next week or two. And then
we are starting that program. When's the
first month of it? April.
>> Yeah, April will begin cohort two.
» Yeah, April will begin cohort two.
>> And where are we in developing one for
» And where are we in developing one for
the community?
>> Uh we're looking at doing uh like a
» Uh we're looking at doing uh like a
citizens academy for the community right
now as we speak and actually we'll talk
about that tomorrow in a meeting we have
together.
>> Okay. Great. Great. So it's worth
» Okay. Great. Great. So it's worth
pursuing. Am I correct?
>> Absolutely.
» Absolutely.
>> Okay. Good. Thank you.
We're going to adjourn or not adjourn.
What do you call it?
>> I think we were going to go ahead and to
» I think we were going to go ahead and to
go through all of the rest of the
agenda, then go to close session, then
do NB1.
>> That's right.
» That's right.
That you couldn't expect me to hold that
for more than 10 minutes.
>> That's what I'm here for.
» That's what I'm here for.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
All right. Moving on to the consent
calendar.
I have to recuse myself on CC14. So,
let's take that off. Uh me and council
member Molly and man have to recuse
ourselves on CC-15.
Uh but council member Molly is the
rule of necessity person. Is that
correct?
>> Yes. So, uh you council member man and
» Yes. So, uh you council member man and
council member Molly each have a
conflict with regard to CC-15. However,
under the rule of necessity, Raj drew,
excuse me, Council Member Molly drew the
short straw and he will participate
despite his conflict per the provisions
of the Political Reform Act.
>> Okay. So, Raj, don't screw it up. Okay.
» Uh motion to approve the consent
calendar pulling CC-14 and CC-15.
>> Hey, I was on a roll.
» Hey, I was on a roll.
>> Second that.
» Second that.
>> I know. That's why I broke in there.
a second. Let's vote.
And it passes unanimously.
So, if you two leave, we'll do CC15
and then uh Ken can come back. We'll do
CC. Fine.
>> Are those medical?
» Yeah. So tell us tell us about the
matter glasses before we go.
>> This is Cynthia Hernandez, right?
» This is Cynthia Hernandez, right?
>> Hello. I'm Cynthia Hernandez, criminal
» Hello. I'm Cynthia Hernandez, criminal
justice commissioner. Hello friend. Nice
to see you. Um, yes, these are the meta
glasses. They're the display meta
glasses. So I'm currently recording you
all right now. You can see the little
light beeping. It also works as
translation and caption and it continues
to um teach us and as we teach it, we
can speak to it and it can tell me what
it sees and it just learns from us and
it um supports of course the AI
initiative that you've been really
advocating in our schools because I'm
also Antel Valley High School board
trustee and I know that you've urged us
as well to continue that initiative and
and we do so and it's controlled by my
hand the movements on my finger along
with this band stop the recording now
the light goes off and I could actually
even send the photo via text right now
to my ear thank you for letting me talk
about my meta glasses [laughter]
>> are they are they uncomfortable
» are they are they uncomfortable
No, I'm totally nerdy now. And when it
gets bored, I could just play music.
>> Wow. Okay. Thank you.
» Wow. Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» I need a motion to second for CC-15.
>> I move to approve CC-15.
» I move to approve CC-15.
>> I second that.
» I second that.
>> I have a motion and second. Let's vote.
» Passes with three yes votes. Raj, will
you go get Ken?
>> Yes.
» You have to stay there for one more.
>> I need a motion and a second for CC-14.
» I need a motion and a second for CC-14.
>> I'll second that motion.
» I'll second that motion.
>> I'll make the motion to approve CC 14.
» I'll make the motion to approve CC 14.
And council member man will second it.
>> And you second it [clears throat]
» And you second it [clears throat]
>> and I'll second it. I thought you made
» and I'll second it. I thought you made
the motion.
>> Okay, we have a motion and a second.
» Okay, we have a motion and a second.
Let's vote.
» And that one passes with four yes votes.
Rush.
» I thought you were
trying.
NB1.
>> We're skipping NB1. We'll come back to
» We're skipping NB1. We'll come back to
it after close session.
>> Okay.
» Okay. NB2,
any speaker cards? I want to hear the
staff report anyway.
Uh, Mayor Paris and council members uh
MB2 before you is an ordinance to repeal
sections 10.04.035
and 10.04.040
040 of the municipal code uh pursuant to
requirements of uh Assembly Bill 436
which amended provisions of the vehicle
code to delete the statutory authority
upon which uh the codes we're seeking to
we are proposing to repeal was based. Um
this made it uh the code pertained to uh
vehicular cruising and require and the
uh amendments to state law require us to
repeal uh the provisions over municipal
code to remain in compliance with state
law. So we are simply uh taking the
steps necessary to conform to what our
legislators in Sacramento have deemed
appropriate.
>> This is for the cruising.
» This is for the cruising.
>> This is cruising. You didn't get the
» This is cruising. You didn't get the
memo.
>> I didn't get the memo. Okay.
» I didn't get the memo. Okay.
>> What what I'm proposing is that we allow
» What what I'm proposing is that we allow
cruising to come back to the boulevard.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Uh many of us in this Well, maybe not
» Uh many of us in this Well, maybe not
many of us, but certainly me and Fran,
we remember when they used to go
cruising on the boulevard. Uh and it was
vibrant. It was it was fun. People met
their spouses there. It it was a good
thing. And then what always happens is a
few jerks broke some windows and next
thing you know there there's no more
cruising
since we have to amend the statute
anyway or the ordinance anyway. My
thought is let's let them come back and
see how it works. Uh make it very clear
to everybody. I mean I mean the younger
people of this community ought to
recognize by now that I don't hesitate
to drop a hammer if it's necessary but
until it's necessary and hopefully it
will never be necessary. Let's see how
vibrant we can make the boulevard on,
you know, whatever night they choose.
It'll probably be organic in the way it
develops. But I want it very clear if we
have to do an emergency meeting to shut
it down, we will. I hope that doesn't
happen. I hope that this just is another
form of activity we can bring to the
young people of this city. Uh that I
think they'll appreciate, but let's give
it a shot and see. Okay.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> But it's up to you guys.
» But it's up to you guys.
>> I'm all for it. Ken tells me about that
» I'm all for it. Ken tells me about that
all the time. Nice
[cough]
[clears throat]
to see him there.
>> It would be interesting
» It would be interesting
because there was a distinct car culture
back when cruising was pro prominent or
prevalent. So it'd be interesting to see
what happens today because obviously the
60s and 70s were where it really emerged
from. So it' be interesting to see
>> 1900 or 1800
» 1900 or 1800
I think that was 19.
You were like I think you did that quite
often because you're like what two years
behind me?
>> Something like that. That's right. You
» Something like that. That's right. You
are only two years younger.
>> But I'm still younger. That's a fact
» But I'm still younger. That's a fact
that will never go away.
>> I guess that's accurate.
» I guess that's accurate.
>> Well, maybe not. I mean, if one of us
» Well, maybe not. I mean, if one of us
dies first, I would no longer continue
to age.
But I wouldn't care that. [laughter]
>> Just Never mind. I got off in my nerd.
» Just Never mind. I got off in my nerd.
Sorry.
>> Okay, great.
» Okay, great.
>> So, do we need to approve NB2 if we're
» So, do we need to approve NB2 if we're
going to approve cruising?
>> So, this is an introduction of uh MB2 uh
» So, this is an introduction of uh MB2 uh
we need to do regardless of whether we
want to encourage cruising. that would
be more of a um uh political or
staff-based uh encouragement effort and
and program. But right now, we do need
to amend our ordinance to conform with
state law.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Motion to approve NB2.
» Motion to approve NB2.
>> I'll second that.
» I'll second that.
>> Let's vote.
» It's unanimous.
You know, as as I've been as I go into
my 19th year, it occurs to me how much
of the things we used to be able to do
that we slowly have shaved away because
of that 1% of the population, you know,
and I think maybe it's time we bring
those things back with an understanding
that as a community, we just don't
tolerate people screwing it because we
see what happens with it, you know, we
we see how quickly we lose a quality of
life that we shouldn't be losing
for what it's worth. Okay.
Uh
wow
already. That was quick. Council
reports.
» Uh we need to do public comment.
Oh, that's right.
>> We need to do public comment and then
» We need to do public comment and then
we'll do NB1.
>> Oh, public comment, then uh close
» Oh, public comment, then uh close
session, then NB1.
>> Okay.
» This is the time to address the city
council agency authority on
non-agendized matters. Speaker cards may
be found on the back table of the
council chambers. If you have completed
one, please ensure you have given it to
us to us so you may be recognized.
Individual speakers are limited to three
minutes each. Please keep in mind state
law prohibits council from acting on
items that are not on the agenda and
your matter may be referred to the city
manager. Thank you.
>> I have a question before. Why are we
» I have a question before. Why are we
skipping council reports?
>> We can do council reports before we go
» We can do council reports before we go
to close session.
» Just Well, I went to council reports.
You told me no. We got
>> Oh, my apologies. Um,
» Oh, my apologies. Um,
>> you know, we're in our 70s here. Would
» you know, we're in our 70s here. Would
you quit confusing us?
>> We can do council reports now. I I
» We can do council reports now. I I
apologize. I thought we were uh skipping
to the very end and we were not.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> I'll kick us off with council reports.
» I'll kick us off with council reports.
So, I had the opportunity along with our
city manager and a few other staff
members to attend the most recent Los
Angeles cohort graduation. Phenomenal
program. I know nobody sitting up here
is a stranger to the program. Uh it was
a joy to be a part of it, to be able to
to celebrate uh the graduation. And we
have a short video to play.
» It's fantastic. We work so hard to get
them ready and to find the employers
that want them. And we've been very
fortunate. We have great kids, great
employers, and the matches are getting
easier and easier. It's the most
satisfying work I've done in my life.
And I'm grateful every day for the
opportunity. You never know unless you
try. You never know unless you try. I
didn't know how to do a lot of things at
Dayton, but I got a job with PCC as a
level one painter and I'm ready to get
to work.
>> Don't be scared of the trades. There's a
» Don't be scared of the trades. There's a
lot a lot of money to be made in the
trades. Um, I love seeing women in the
trades. I love seeing men in the trades.
>> Trust me, coming from a person like me,
» Trust me, coming from a person like me,
I grew up I I used to get in fights,
getting expelled. I was in a lot of
situations as a kid. I always misled. I
had anger problems. Since I joined this,
it helped me control a lot of things,
help me become a better person. Join it.
Just take that step. And once you take
that step, walk through it. You going to
be great.
>> Everybody who comes here, almost
» Everybody who comes here, almost
everybody has never touched a car
besides, you know, been in it to drive
around. Nobody has done anything work
with tools. They really take it step by
step and teach you everything that you
need to know.
>> It's just like Lost Angel says, hard
» It's just like Lost Angel says, hard
work pays off. And it's just like Josh
just said, you never know until you try.
>> It can change the entire course of your
» It can change the entire course of your
life.
» You know, I' I've seen a lot of programs
and that one is has to be the top at the
very top of the the list of programs
that actually make a huge difference in
people's lives. And I just can't believe
how well it's uh administered. Every one
of those kids go to work at plant 42 if
they want to. Did you know that building
an airplane is very similar to building
a car? They just fly.
>> That uh
» That uh
pretty cool. I thought that that's
something that deserves our support
every single day.
Okay. And now it's my turn. Magical
Boulevard.
Lancaster, I am so excited to welcome
you back to my favorite city event of
every single year. It's a magical
Boulevard Lancaster event.
>> I I see great things happening. This
» I I see great things happening. This
particular event is always a wonderful
event. I mean, everybody gets engaged
and everybody becomes part of the city.
That uh that's important to me. Every
year it's all about family and kids and
of course food and everything, but look
at how many kids are here. It's so
beautiful.
>> But this year, I think the staff really
» But this year, I think the staff really
kicked it out, hit it out of the park.
Um, they added some new elements and
really made it an amazing event for our
community.
Councilman Ken Man and I along with our
family members got to start our morning
at the Lancaster Cemetery where we got
to lay wreaths with the rest of our
nation for wreaths across America and to
to top it off with lighting the
Christmas tree. It truly has just been
such a blessed day.
>> I I just wish everybody a merry
» I I just wish everybody a merry
Christmas. I hope that they are are as
fulfilled and happy as I am.
>> Well, just merry Christmas to everyone.
» Well, just merry Christmas to everyone.
Happy holidays and let's have a great
2026.
>> Merry Christmas.
» Merry Christmas.
>> Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.
» Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.
>> You see those great kids?
» It was a great
>> Okay, Raj is next.
» Okay, Raj is next.
>> Raj.
» Raj.
>> Yes. So month of December is always like
» Yes. So month of December is always like
a lot of give gives way and food and
toys and stuff. So 7-Eleven guy he the
owner he's really generous every year he
bring like about five six hundred people
he feed them give a food away jackets
all kind of good stuff. So he does such
a good job. So we have a video about
that.
Hey, hey, hey.
Thank you,
Marvin.
I got nothing. No.
Uh, we're going to show a recap of the
AV toy grocery giveaway. Uh, before we
start it, just like to remind everybody
this is an event that schools, churches,
unions,
uh, everybody goes to. It's, uh, it's an
event that brings everybody together. We
served a little over 2,200 people. Uh,
it was a great It's put on by both
cities. Um, but it's a very, very good
event. So, play the video, please.
>> It's grown from 300 people to over
» It's grown from 300 people to over
2,000. So, it's it's not only the bikes
make a difference, but the community
sees that this is where it's a onetop uh
place to shop. You get your toys, you
get your food, you get your turkeys, you
get everything. We not only have unions
here, we have churches here. We have
schools here. We have paraclete here. We
have the college here. We have, you
know, staff from a lot of different
places. All the elected officials are
here. This is a place where everybody
congregates. They can see everybody's
participating. They can see it. They get
the toy of their choice. Uh special kids
get the bikes, they get everything. Our
sheriffs are passing them out. The
police department is helping them with
uh traffic. It's just it's a very
organized event. And It's it's because
of the city of Lancaster, city of
Palmdale have got together and they're
really making this work.
>> You know, I when I was driving here
» You know, I when I was driving here
earlier, I asked the people in the
front, what time you did you guys get
here? And they they've been in line
since 5:30 in the morning. This food is
and this toys and everything. It's very
important for them.
>> It's a blessing. Everybody here really
» It's a blessing. Everybody here really
should be able to have a great Christmas
dinner this year. And then we got the
weather cooperating again and uh this
just turned out to be a spectacular
event.
>> I think everyone here has the same
» I think everyone here has the same
feeling that we are blessed as
individuals and as a community so that
we could share those blessings with
others. So [music] to see those needs be
there and to be able to meet them is
just an incredible feeling. If you can
and if you you will and you'll join us,
be a light. spread the joy, spread the
spirit of the holiday season. We all
made a pack at our Christmas tree
lighting ceremony um as a council here
in city of Lancaster and that's to
collaborate, to work together, [music]
to truly understand one another and just
celebrate joy.
» Where did you get that hat?
>> Oh my,
» Oh my,
>> I was festive.
» I was festive.
>> Okay, so what's the plan now? Do I do
» Okay, so what's the plan now? Do I do
the speaker cards or do we
>> Yes, we should do the speaker cards and
» Yes, we should do the speaker cards and
then we'll go to close session and then
MB1.
>> Okay,
» Okay,
Jose Alvarez.
» How are you? How are you?
>> I'm great, thank you. Um, good
» I'm great, thank you. Um, good
afternoon, city council, mayor,
Lancaster residents. Um, my name is Jose
de Alvarez. I have been a resident of
Lancaster for 24 years and um you know
always think um I was invited to this
meeting by uh mayor bishop um Henry
Hearns a long time ago but uh because of
my work I just couldn't. So here I am.
Um like everybody was saying and I think
you all know this boulevard has a lot of
potential and uh but people is afraid to
go out like my family is afraid to go
out because of the shootings and uh
what's happening you know in the city um
bringing up like drugs you know
prostitution now on the streets um
violence all over. So, um I have a bunch
of ideas on how to uh um bring uh people
like families to, you know, to have fun
on the boulevard and perhaps uh if we
can get um um investors to do something.
I have been on 42 states because of my
work. So, I've seen what people likes
and I know um building like a complex
somewhere where people is going to come
and enjoy them themselves and family. I
think is going to be something good for
the city as well as filming. I work for
the movie studio. So, um um we have a
lot of empty lots all over. Why not
building a um stages, sound stages,
something that will bring people to film
in Lancaster to keep our jobs local, you
know? Um I was um well, there's a lot of
things about um security outside. So,
I'll get to that on other meetings if I
could um to bring a safety. I own a
security company in Los Angeles, but
since I live here, so I was wondering if
maybe I can just do business with the
city or locally with, you know, people
down here. But, uh it's all about
bringing safety to the city, not just
to, you know, to just some residents.
And um you know also why wait till uh
Christmas to do something nice on the
boulevard or maybe just those events
that we have once a year. Uh you know
wait not like do something with like
every month once a month something that
will bring people to Lancaster. I have
some of those ideas. So, um hopefully I
can make a um a meeting with the
council, the mayor, somebody that can
hear my ideas and maybe we can take it
from there. Um thank you for listening
to me and have a nice day.
>> Thank you.
» Where's
ah there you are. you know, he raises
good points, but I I realize there's
really not a vehicle for people in the
community to come and and present their
ideas and have, you know, meaningful
discussions about it. I don't know how
to fix that or how to do that, but I
know somebody who does.
Uh, so let's put that on the to-do list.
Okay,
>> we definitely will. And if I could
» we definitely will. And if I could
mention, we have our parks master plan
that's underway. So we have a survey
that's going to be going out in the next
few weeks. And we also have a community
engagement. So that's a perfect
opportunity for the community to to
provide us the input of things they
would like to see not only on the
boulevard but in their parks and
facilities and programs throughout the
city. So that is a mechanism that will
is in place and we'll be rolling out in
the next couple weeks.
>> We'll explore other alternatives as
» We'll explore other alternatives as
well.
>> Thank you. Thank you for talking to us
» Thank you. Thank you for talking to us
about that.
Um,
Fran,
how have you been?
» So, what do you think about cruising the
boulevard on Friday night?
>> I think it's great. I think there's been
» I think it's great. I think there's been
a lot of progress here since the years
that I've been living here. Uh
and I also wanted to bring about you
know they're speaking about the area
plan here for Lancaster but I'm also on
the committee for the area plan for the
LA county for all the county for the
next uh from the 25th to the 28th. We're
going to uh and I'm representing
Lancaster. I represent you everywhere I
go. Everywhere I go. And uh and that's
my main purpose. I feel in my life right
now. God has given me a lot of graces
and I'm so happy to be able to do this
for all of you because uh it's I know it
and people say, "Oh, well, how about
you, friend? Do you get anything out of
it?" I says, "Yeah, I do, but that's not
for me only. I'm doing it for everybody
and especially the seniors and the
disabled and the people that can't get
around and people that just don't know
how to communicate or can't, you know,
because it's a big it's a big city and a
lot of different people. But I just
wanted to wish everybody a beautiful and
pleasant and happy and blessed new year.
I wanted to bring up the oh the area
plan. By the way, if I may, we are going
to have a meeting
uh the county is going to be coming to
the Lancaster Senior Center uh on the
15th, which is two days from 1:30 to 3.
We are going to be telling
the public what the area plan is and how
they can get involved. And this is a
time where the individuals that live in
Lancaster or anywhere else, they can
give their input no matter if it's good,
bad, or indifferent.
So that we as the county, as the
the legislative end of the of the
spectrum, you might say, have an idea of
what you want because if you don't tell
us, we we don't know what you want, we
can't do anything about it. We try and I
I mean I say we like if I'm a big contro
here, but I'm I'm just a little pee on
the bottom of the P. But anyway, thank
you very much. God bless you all and
hallelujah.
» Thank you, friend.
Okay.
So, we should we go ahead and finish
everything but new business item one?
>> Yes, please.
» Yes, please.
>> All right. City manager, you're on.
» All right. City manager, you're on.
>> Yes. I have a few updates. So, this
» Yes. I have a few updates. So, this
weekend is going to be a busy weekend.
I'd like to invite everybody to come out
on Sunday, January 18th over at the
ELPAC from 400 pm to 8:00 PM. It's our
Justice Sunday performance. So that is
the annual performance that is done uh
by local high school students to
celebrate Martin Luther King Day. If you
have not had the opportunity to come,
it's a wonderful event. Um I know I mark
my calendar every year and I look
forward to it and I will be there again
on Sunday. Um the day before that on
Saturday, we are doing our MLK Day of
Service. So, this is another one of our
Love Your City Cleanup events. It'll be
at Desert Vineyard Church at 8:00 a.m.
Um if you haven't signed up to
volunteer, please do so now. Uh I I I'll
summarize a few of the stats from the
first two cleanup events. We had about a
thousand volunteers and staff come out
between the two events. We've cleaned up
close to 90 tons of waste. We've hit
about 15 different locations to clean up
graffiti. And we've impacted over a
thousand residences that we've gone and
picked up trash and helped clean the
yard up and and in the different
neighborhoods that we've hit. This
Saturday,
we plan to do another 870 residents.
We're going to do some block wall
painting. We're painting a community
mural. We're going out and cleaning up a
couple of fields. We're going to go
engage some of the homeless encampments
and see if we can get them the services
they need. So, it's going to be a big
event. I think we're anticipating over a
thousand volunteers. So, and we'd love
to have more. So, if you haven't signed
up, please come sign up for that event.
» Thank you. I'm curious, why are there
homeless encampments?
I thought we were knocking them down as
soon as they went up.
» We're definitely addressing them, sir,
but uh it def it does take a while to
get individuals placed and and get them
to accept the services we need to get
them off the streets. So, it's a
continuous uh battle, but uh we are
making advances. I can tell you that.
>> All right. Thank you.
What else we have?
» I believe that is it other than uh close
session and NB1. So at this time
>> before we do that, so are the drones
» before we do that, so are the drones
launching now?
>> Yes, sir. Uh we have our three uh DFR
» Yes, sir. Uh we have our three uh DFR
drones as first responders uh up.
They've deployed different incidents
including some uh incidents uh involving
the sheriff's department and we're still
working with the sheriff's department to
get a a good understanding on uh
complete use of that system.
>> Are they launching when they hear a
» Are they launching when they hear a
gunshot?
>> Uh they're they're not deploying as of
» Uh they're they're not deploying as of
yet when they hear a gunshot. Uh we
still have a few more personnel we need
to hire uh which are pilots, but we're
we're working towards that now. So, you
need pilots on them?
>> Yes, sir. You need you do need pilots
» Yes, sir. You need you do need pilots
once they're up overhead and there's
still laws that require you to monitor
to have a human monitoring. Uh, they
deploy to the location. They can do that
automatically, but then a pilot has to
take over.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Yes, sir.
» Yes, sir.
>> The other thing I wanted to ask you, do
» The other thing I wanted to ask you, do
we know if there's any offtheshelf AI uh
agents that could do homeless counts
using our drones?
>> Uh, you know what? Let me get with the
» Uh, you know what? Let me get with the
assistant chief and do some research on
that. Get back to you. Uh it's an
interesting thought, so we'll take a
look at it.
>> I mean, if we could have up to date, you
» I mean, if we could have up to date, you
know, to the day what our homeless
counts are within reasonable margins,
>> uh it may be beneficial.
» uh it may be beneficial.
>> Yes, sir. Continuous count. Yeah.
» Yes, sir. Continuous count. Yeah.
>> Right.
» Right.
>> Absolutely. You got it. We'll look into
» Absolutely. You got it. We'll look into
it, sir.
>> All right. Thank you.
» All right. Thank you.
Okay. Now,
Allison
At this time, the city council will
adjourn to close session to discuss
close session agenda items 1 through 22
is stated on the agenda. And for the
public's knowledge, upon returning from
close session, we'll take up agenda item
NB1.
Thank you.
We're back in session. City attorney.
>> In close session, the city council took
» In close session, the city council took
up agenda items close session one one
case and two two cases and gave
direction to staff and legal counsel. No
reportable action.
>> Thank you. Moving back to NB one.
» Thank you. Moving back to NB one.
>> Yes. Give me just a second.
» Yes. Give me just a second.
>> Are you doing the presentation on that?
» Are you doing the presentation on that?
>> I am. Give me a moment. There we go.
Mayor Paris and council members. Uh
before you for consideration today uh is
MB1 a resolution submitting a measure to
the voters to amend section 2011 of the
Lancaster city charter. Uh as proposed,
the resolution would place on the ballot
for the April 14th, 2026 election uh a
revision to section 2011 of the charter
to authorize the city council to enact
an ordinance to one increase the number
of council members from four to five and
add the office of vice mayor and
transition from at large to
district-based elections for the five
council members, which would result in a
council of five council members. members
plus a mayor and a vice mayor. Uh the uh
reasoning is uh in consideration of the
requirements of the California Voting
Rights Act um and has been discussed at
two public meetings uh held uh in recent
months and I'm here to answer any
questions that you may have.
>> So a vote yes means we want to put it on
» So a vote yes means we want to put it on
the ballot.
>> Correct. A vote no
» Correct. A vote no
>> means you do not want to put it on the
» means you do not want to put it on the
ballot
and the text of the revisions is in uh
contained within the attachment to the
resolution for your information.
» Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Any discussion?
» Any discussion?
>> We good? Let's vote.
» We good? Let's vote.
>> Oh, we did have one.
» Oh, we did have one.
public comment.
>> We have one person submitted a a card
» We have one person submitted a a card
for NB1,
» David Paul.
Mr. Mayor and Vice Mayor and Councel,
good evening. I'm glad to be here.
You know, just listening to the reading
again. And the thing that
is good about this, I guess, is that
it'll go to the voters. So, unless it
doesn't get on the agenda uh ballot,
then it won't. But
I have been going back and forth and in
the new reading just now it seemed like
we're going to have five council
members, a vice mayor and a mayor and I
thought we were adding one council
person and a vice mayor.
So that that's where I'm confused
because you know with the
um manager council system
you guys are really
just one of five votes.
So are you saying that we'll put a mayor
slot in there or what? because
that that's what I don't understand and
I I I guess it'll unfold over time and
the fact that it goes
to an election or part of the election
>> can I mean yeah
» can I mean yeah
>> yeah I'm fine go ahead sir
» yeah I'm fine go ahead sir
the charter stays pretty much the same
as it is now it's there'll be seven
people sitting up here instead of
the vice mayor will not be appointed by
the mayor but will rather be uh voted
for at large by the people. Um that's
really basically the only difference,
right? Council members will be at five.
There'll be five council members plus a
vice mayor plus a mayor.
The mayor and the vice mayor will be at
large. So they'll be elected by the
entire city whether the councils will be
elected by their district and their
district only.
>> No.
» No.
>> Okay. Well, well, thank you. But the
» Okay. Well, well, thank you. But the
thing I'm really trying to just get to
the bottom of is how does the fact that
we start as a manager council soft mayor
system work with this new arrangement?
>> Same.
» Same.
>> Nothing changes other than the number of
» Nothing changes other than the number of
people voting.
Okay. Well,
let it work and I appreciate your time
and I believe a little bit confused, but
I'm sure I'll understand in time. Thank
you for your time.
>> All right. Is that all the speakers?
» All right. Is that all the speakers?
You know, I was one of the lead
attorneys on the Palmdale case which
brought this uh horror show to the state
and we've now had 10 years to look at
it, see what happens. Tell me one city
that went to district to doing better.
Tell me one school district that's doing
better. Tell me one of anything that is
doing better because they went to
districts.
My experience has been it was probably
this the worst thing I ever did. And
let's face it, sometimes I've done some
things I shouldn't be proud of, but this
one I am absolutely not proud of. And
you have we have school districts in our
own community that can't get people to
run at all. Not at all. So what do you
think that does to the quality of the
people who do run, you know, or who who
do sign up for the seat? The it is it is
I would just hate to see it come to
Lancaster. We have seen what it does to
other cities.
And you know, when I took on the
Palmdale case, I I thought their
leadership left something to be desired.
But now they they're leaderless because
they have to rotate the mayor. You know,
they're leaderless. You you come in with
a very short period of time to serve.
Nobody listens to you. The city is now
run by the city manager. It uh and
that's what happens. I uh
you know, we put
All of us have put a major portion of
our life into this city.
I don't want to see it fall apart
because of of something like this. I
think we fight. We fight. We fight. We
fight because we are right. We know
we're right. The whole world knows we're
right because the evidence is
irrefutable.
Well, I'm going to vote no. But, you
know, let's vote. Oh, we got a mo. Need
a motion.
>> Okay. How do we make a motion?
» Okay. How do we make a motion?
>> One of you can choose to move to approve
» One of you can choose to move to approve
or one or move to disapprove uh the
recommended action which is to approve
resolution 26-04.
>> I'll move to disapprove the resolution
» I'll move to disapprove the resolution
NB1.
>> I'll second.
» I'll second.
>> Okay. So that means a yes vote would not
» Okay. So that means a yes vote would not
place this on the ballot because the
motion is to disapprove.
>> Yeah, we are voting. If you vote yes,
» Yeah, we are voting. If you vote yes,
it's to put it in the round file. If you
vote no, it to let's run with it.
>> What? No. If you vote no, then we if we
» What? No. If you vote no, then we if we
want to approve the resolution, we'd
need a new vote because we will have
never voted to approve the resolution.
>> Okay. Right now we're there's been a
» Okay. Right now we're there's been a
motion and my second. I think it's the
first time I've ever seconded the motion
in 20 years, which would give you some
indication of how detrimental I think.
>> What?
» What?
>> Your penance.
» Your penance.
>> Allison, just to clarify, yes means
» Allison, just to clarify, yes means
file.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> No means
» No means
>> what?
» what?
>> Take no action.
» Take no action.
>> A the motion is to disapprove the
» A the motion is to disapprove the
resolution.
>> That's correct. So, if you vote yes, you
» That's correct. So, if you vote yes, you
are disapproving the resolution and you
are not
uh seeking to place it on the ballot. If
you vote no, then we would potentially
have another motion later, but we're not
there yet.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> So, yes means no.
» So, yes means no.
>> Yes means no.
» Yes means no.
>> No means yes.
» No means yes.
>> Only in this context. Yes.
» Only in this context. Yes.
>> With regards to NB1. [laughter]
I'm ready to vote. I don't know about
you.
>> I already voted.
» Okay. So, the motion to disapprove the
resolution has passed unanimously, which
means the item will not appear on the
ballot.
Well, that was fun, guys. Uh, so that's
it.
>> Yes, we have now completed the agenda.
» It would be appropriate to adjourn.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
The next meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
This meeting is adjourned. And Carol,
I'm coming home.