City Council

PUBLIC HEARING PH 1. First Public Hearing Regarding Ballot Measure to Voters to Amend the Lancaster City Charter Recommendation(s): 1. Conduct a public hearing to consider whether to submit a ballot measure to voters to amend section 201 of the Lancaster charter to authorize the City Council to enact an ordinance to (i) Increase the number of Council Members from 4 to 5, (ii) Add the office of Vice Mayor and (iii) Transition from at-large to district-based elections for Council Members consistent with the California Voting Rights Acts of 2001. 2. Adopt Resolution No. ________ of the City Council of the City of Lancaster Declaring its intention to submit a ballot measure to voters to amend section 201 of the Lancaster charter to authorize the City Council to enact an ordinance to (i) Increase the number of Council Members from 4 to 5, (ii) Add the office of Vice Mayor and (iii) Transition from at-large to district-based elections for Council Members consistent with the California Voting Rights Acts of 2001. The Lancaster City Charter generally provides that the City shall be governed by, and all powers of the City shall be vested in, a mayor and city council consisting of four council members, all elected to office from the City at-large. However, the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, Cal. Elec. Code §§ 14025-14032 (“CVRA”), provides that an at-large method of election may not be used if it impairs the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of its choice or its ability to influence the outcome of an election, as a result of the dilution or the abridgment of the rights of voters who are members of a protected class (Cal. Elec. Code § 14027). PH 2. Public Hearing and Adoption of the City of Lancaster’s Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) 2026-2027 Program Year (PY) Annual Action Plan (AAP) and Substantial Amendment to the 2025-2026 PY AAP Recommendation(s): a. Approve and adopt the CDBG and HOME Annual Action Plan (AAP) for the 2026-2027 PY and Substantial Amendment to the AAP for the 2025-2026 PY to be submitted to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); b. Approve the proposed methodology for distributing funds should the City’s 2026-2027 CDBG and HOME annual allocations increase or decrease; and c. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, including subrecipient agreements, subject to City Attorney approval. The City has been a CDBG entitlement community since 1986 and started receiving HOME funds in 2020. The City receives annual grants for developing viable urban communities that encompasses decent housing, provides suitable living environments, and expands economic opportunities, primarily for the benefit of low- and moderate-income persons. The proposed AAP is intended to provide a summary of proposed program activities, eligibility criteria, and funding levels for the 2026-2027 PY. All programs and/or projects submitted in the AAP are compliant with the HUD guidelines for eligible activities. PH 3. Approval of the issuance of bonds related to TEFRA financing for the Sierra Azul Apartments Project Recommendation(s): 1. Conduct the public hearing under the requirements of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 2. Adopt Resolution No. ____ approving the issuance of the bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA) for the benefit of Lancaster Pacific Associates, LP (Borrower), for the financing of the Sierra Azul Apartments Project. The CMFA was created on January 1, 2004 , pursuant to a joint exercise of powers agreement to promote economic, cultural, and community development through the financing of economic development and charitable activities throughout California. To date, over 350 municipalities have become members of CMFA. The CMFA assists local governments, non- profit organizations, and businesses with the issuance of taxable and tax-exempt bonds aimed at improving the standard of living in California. Its representatives and Board of Directors have considerable experience in bond financing. PH 4. Jensen Enterprises, Inc. Development Agreement (DA No. 26-001) Recommendation(s): Introduce Ordinance No._________, adopting Development Agreement (DA) No.. 26-001 to establish specific development rights for Site Plan Review No. 24-010. Jensen is currently in the process of developing a new manufacturing facility on the 80 acres located at the northeast corner of 30th Street West and Avenue G in the City of Lancaster (Site Plan Review [SPR] No. 23-012/SPR No. 25-003). They have also acquired the 30 acres immediately to the east which has been entitled under SPR No. 24-010 for development as either a 500,000 square feet industrial distribution facility or expanded parking / storage facilities. Due to the anticipated construction timeline for the first facility, a development agreement has been proposed for SPR No. 24-010. COUNCIL AGENDA