City Council Meeting - July, 7 2026

The City Council meeting of Palmdale on July 7, 2026, included extensive discussions on several procurement and budget-related matters. Key procurement actions included the approval of a successor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the California Teamsters Local 986 for general unit employees, with a fiscal impact of approximately $3.77 million over five years. The council also approved a significant contract amendment with Tripepy Smith and Associates for communication services, extending the contract with an annual cost of $1.3 million, despite public concerns about the contract size and comparison to neighboring Lancaster's contract. Additionally, the council approved continuation of various assessment levies for landscape maintenance, sewer collection, and drainage benefit districts without rate increases. The meeting also addressed an amendment to an exclusive negotiating agreement related to an affordable housing development, extending negotiation periods. A notable policy decision was the council's approval to place a ballot measure on the November 2026 election regarding the establishment of a directly elected mayor starting in 2028, a topic that generated significant public and council debate. Other discussions included oversight mechanisms for city manager and city attorney expenditures and contracts, with motions to explore enhanced transparency and reporting. The meeting concluded with recognitions, public comments, and adjournment in honor of community members.