Palmdale · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Palmdale public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
City Attorney Recruitment
The council met in closed session on the search for a new City Attorney, following the departure of the previous officeholder.
City Attorney Recruitment and Evaluation
The council switched its city attorney legal services from Harper & Burns to Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, with Aleks Giragosian appointed City Attorney. The deal passed 3-2 only after closed-session negotiations added a $1.16 million spending cap, a one-year term, and other changes. Critics cited the firm's billing controversies in South Pasadena and Barstow; supporters noted the council's September selection vote.
Measure AV Draft Budget FY 2026-27
Alarcón demanded the fair foundation come answer for the $10 million in Palmdale taxpayer dollars — emergency shelter access, fee-sharing, and negotiated terms missing from the MOU. The city manager said a report is coming in January; the council voted to compel the item onto the next agenda.
Late delivery of procurement documents to council
A structural governance fight ran through the whole meeting: thousands of pages of contract documents delivered hours before votes. Alarcón tied it to the Tuesday-meeting schedule and Friday closures, and warned that rubber-stamping without review defeats the council's oversight role.
Tripepi Smith communications contract expansion
The City is spending $2.6 million more on its outside PR firm, bringing the five-year total to $5.55 million — up from roughly $1 million spent last year. Two councilmembers voted no, questioning whether the value justifies the cost.
Opposition to Measure ER countywide sales tax
The council will hold a special meeting to adopt a resolution opposing the county's Measure ER, which members fear could override Measure PD and threaten city tax revenue.