Lancaster approves housing, parks, and emergency measures

Rental Agreement of Property to Street Company at Vacant LHA Property (3134-017-901) on Elm Avenue, South of Milling Street Recommendation(s): Authorize the Executive Director, or his designee, with the concurrence of the Housing Attorney, to negotiate, finalize and execute the Rental Agreement between the Lancaster Housing Authority and Lancaster Homeless Group, DBA Street Company for the lease of Housing owned property located on Elm Avenue, South of Milling Street (3134-017-901) in the amount of $1/year for a period of three (3) with two optional one-year extensions. This grant is part of a larger funding effort by the LA Food Equity Fund, which is managed by Community Partners with backing from LA County's Chief Sustainability Office.

Approve Agreements regarding Maison’s Sierra Phase 1 and 2A and Approve Amendments to Recorded Documents for Maison’s Sierra Phase 1 Recommendation(s): 1. Approve revised Loan Agreement between the Lancaster Housing Authority and Maison's Sierra Phase 2, LP, a California Limited Partnership in the amount of $3,509,756.67 to fund a portion of the costs associated with the construction of an 171 multifamily residential unit project (TTM 84221), consisting of 169 restricted rental units and 2 unrestricted manager's units. The project will have 132 one-bedroom units, and 39 two-bedroom units, serving tenants with rents affordable to households earning 30%-70% of area median income (AMI). 2. Approve Subordination of the Housing Authority Loan and Deed of Trust for Phase 2 to construction loan ($42,000,000) and permanent loan ($25,305,000) in a total amount not to exceed $42,000,000. 3. Approve amendment to Maison Sierra’s Phase 1 Grant Deed to grant a portion of Lot G of Tract Map 84221 to the Phase 1 owner. 4. Approve the amendment of the Maison Sierra’s Phase 1 recorded documents to revise the legal description of Phase 1 to refer to Tract Map 84221 instead of LLA 24-002. Those documents include, but are not limited to: (a) First Amendment to Deed of Trust with Assignment of Rents, (b) First Amendment to Residential Declaration of Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions, and (c) Regulatory Agreement 5. Approve the Consent and Subordination to Access Easement. 6. Authorize the Executive Director, or his designee, to negotiate, finalize, and execute any and all documents necessary or appropriate to complete the contemplated transactions, in a form to be approved by the City Attorney.

Waive further reading of any proposed ordinance. (This permits reading the title only in lieu of reciting the entire text.)

Approve the City Council/Sucessor Agency/Financing/Housing/Power Authority Regular Meeting Minutes of August 26, 2025.

Check Registers - August 10, through August 23, 2025. Recommendation(s): Approve the Check and Wire Registers for payments made August 10, 2025, through August 23, 2025, in the amount of $11,624,146.11 as presented. At each regular City Council Meeting, the City Council is presented with a check and ACH/wire registers listing the financial claims (invoices) against and paid by the City for the purchase of materials, supplies, services, and capital projects during the prior three to four weeks. This process provides the City Council with the opportunity to review the City's expenditures. Claims have been paid via checks, Electronic Funds Transfer EFT), Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments, or federal wires. The justifying backup information for each expenditure is available in the Finance Department.

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Agreement - Avenue J Neighborhood Park Recommendation(s): Accept the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant award in the amount of up to $2,460,097 for the Avenue J Neighborhood Park project to the revenue account 30069900.4998 (Capital Improvement Project CP11ZZ016.FEDOTHER). Appropriate Land and Water Conservation Funds (LWCF) in the amount of up to $2,460,097 to the expenditure account 30069900 (Capital Improvement Project, CP11ZZ016 for construction, salaries, and benefits). Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the grant contract, including all necessary documents and provisions, subject to City Attorney approval. The Avenue J Pocket Park project includes the construction of a new 2.9-acre park featuring drought-tolerant landscape, a shaded playground, a walking path with lighting and benches, a shaded plaza/picnic area, a fitness course with exercise stations, an open space area, signage, and perimeter fencing.

Adopt the Memorials on Public Spaces Policy and Procedure Recommendation(s): Adopt the Memorials on Public Spaces Policy and Procedure. In order to avoid hazards to park visitors, damage to equipment, and traffic hazards to motorists and pedestrians, it is recommended that the City Council adopt this policy which will provide the means for City staff to remove memorials from park grounds, public spaces, City assets, and public rights-of-way.

Approval of the Updated Resolution of the City Council of the City of Lancaster authorizing a joint application to and participation in the Homekey+ program for the Lancaster Inn Permanent Supportive Housing Development Recommendation(s): 1. Adopt Resolution No._______, authorizing the City Manager or designee to prepare and submit a joint application with Greenland Symmetry, LLC. (Greenland), Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. (Tarzana) and Pacific Baymark Core, LLC. (Pacific) to the State of California Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department's Homekey+ program for the Lancaster Inn Permanent Supportive Housing Development in an amount not to exceed $33,000,000. 2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to take all necessary actions for the City's participation in HCD's Homekey+ program, including entering into HCD's Standard Agreement and any amendments, subject to the concurrence of the City Attorney. Homekey+ is a new program funded by Proposition 1 to build permanent supportive housing for populations struggling with mental health and/or substance use disorders.

Consider approval of an Amendment to Loan Agreement and Restated Promissory Note Between the City of Lancaster and Friends of Antelope Valley, Inc. Extending the Maturity Date by Four Years. Recommendation(s): 1. Approve the First Amendment to the Loan Agreement dated July 31, 2021, between the City of Lancaster ("Lender") and Friends of Antelope Valley Fair, Inc. ("Borrower"), extending the loan maturity date from July 31, 2023, to July 31, 2027. 2. Approve the Amended Promissory Note memorializing the extended maturity date and interest calculation. 3. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to sign all documents related to the amendment, subject to City Attorney approval. Borrower has requested an extension to allow additional time to meet repayment obligations. The proposed First Amendment to the Loan Agreement and accompanying Restated Promissory Note extends the maturity date by four years, to July 31, 2027, while preserving all other terms and conditions, including the interest calculation tied to LAIF yields and Borrower's right to prepay without penalty.

Citywide Fee Schedule Amendment to Approve the BLVD Tree Dedication Plaque Fees Recommendation(s): 1. Adopt Resolution No. 25-____, establishing fees for the City's BLVD Tree Dedication Plaque Program. 2. Establish a revenue project 6000BLVDTR.BLVDPLQFEE (account 10160099-4713) for the BLVD Tree Dedication Plaque Program. 3. Establish an expenditure project 6000BLVDTR.RPRS&MAINT (account 10160099-5790) for the BLVD Tree Dedication Plaque Program. The formalization of the BLVD Tree Dedication Plaque Program will provide residents with a meaningful way to honor and remember loved ones or simply leave their mark in the City of Lancaster.

Public Hearing for City Council consideration to receive comments and file the 2024-2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Recommendation(s): 1. Conduct a public hearing and upon accepting public testimony concerning housing and community development needs, priority non-housing community development needs, proposed strategies and actions for affirmatively furthering fair housing, the development of proposed activities, and review of program performance, proposals and questions; 2. Approve the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) prepared for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to report on specific Federal housing assistance and community development activities undertaken by the City during the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025; and 3. Authorize the City Manager to execute any documents necessary to submit the CAPER, along with any comments received during the public hearing and public comment period to HUD. Federal regulations require the City to prepare an annual report called the CAPER. The 2024-2025 CAPER is a federally mandated informational assessment report of activities implemented with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) grant funds to address the needs of low- and moderate-income residents.

Substantial Amendment to the City's 2025-2026 Action Plan Recommendation(s): a. Conduct a public hearing and upon accepting public testimony concerning housing and community development needs, priority non-housing community development needs, proposed strategies and actions for affirmatively furthering fair housing, the development of proposed activities, and review of program performance, proposals and questions; b. Approve the Substantial Amendment to the 2025-2026 Action Plan to allow for the reprogramming of $130,259 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the First Time Homebuyer Program to the Antelope Valley Foster Friends Program; and c. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute and transmit all necessary documents to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including the Substantial Amendment to the Action Plan to ensure the City's timely expenditure of HUD funds. HUD requires all entitlement communities receiving CDBG funds, such as the City, to prepare and submit a Consolidated Plan every five (5) years to establish a unified, strategic vision for economic development, housing and community development actions. The Consolidated Plan encompasses the analysis of local community needs and coordinates appropriate responses to those needs and priorities.

Urgency Ordinance Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency Related to Critical Infrastructure Impacted by Homeless Encampments and Property Maintenance Issues; Authorization for Emergency Procurement Authorizing Immediate Actions to Protect Public Health, Safety, and Welfare; and Temporarily Suspending Competitive Procurement Requirements to expedite response Recommendation: Adopt Urgency Ordinance No.______ declaring the existence of a local emergency due to homeless encampments and property maintenance issues impacting the City's critical infrastructure, authorizing immediate actions to mitigate hazards, and suspending competitive procurement requirements to expedite response. The proposed urgency ordinance enables the City Manager to take immediate action, including contracting services, cleaning and securing facilities, and removing hazardous debris without compliance with standard competitive procurement requirements.

Council Reports

No action required at this time.

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No action required at this time.

1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation: significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d) (2) - four potential cases. 2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation: consideration of initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d) (4) – four potential cases. 3. Conference Involving a Joint Powers Agency: Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.96 Discussion will concern: Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, et al. 9 th Cir. Case No. 23-1614 Name of local agency representative on joint powers agency board: Marvin Crist, Ken Mann 4. Antelope Valley Groundwater Cases Included Action: Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 40 v. Diamond Farming Co. Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC325201; Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 40 v. Diamond Farming Co. Superior Court of California, County of Kern, Case No. S-1500-CV-254-348; Wm. Bolthouse Farms, Inc. v. City of Lancaster, Diamond Farming Co. v. City of Lancaster, Diamond Farming Co. v. Palmdale Water District Superior Court of California County of Riverside, consolidated actions; Case Nos. RIC 353 840, RIC 344 436, RIC 344 668 5. Galant v. Lancaster School District, LASC Case No. 25AVCV00196 6. Abaied v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 25STCV14733 7. Montenegro v. Green, LASC Case No. 22AVCV01050 8. Perez v. Lancaster, LASC Case No. 23AVCV00577 9. City of Whittier v. Superior Court, LASC Case No. 23 STCP03579 10. Lindo v. Lancaster, LASC Case No. 23AVCV00950. 11. Nazari v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 25AVCV00192 12. Mahfound v. County of Los Angeles, City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 25AVCV00586 13. Morgan v. Antelope Valley Transit Authority, City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 25AVCV00061 14. Lea v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No.: 25STCV09046 15. Stockman v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 23 AVCV00838 16. Zimmerman v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 24AVCV00848 17. Snyder v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 21AVCV00770 18. Higgins v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 23AVCV00125 19. Wright v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 23AVCV00864 20. Cordova v. City of Lancaster, Case No. 24AVCV00221 21. Darnell Wayne Thomas 25STCV17622