The Los Alamitos City Council at its October meeting approved an agreement that sets the stage to reopen the swimming pool at the Joint Forces Training Base, after City Manager Chet Simmons said staff found the money to do it without spending general fund dollars.
In addition, the Council heard from its Police Department that it is launching a new Business and Neighborhood Watch program to better protect the community.
The pool agreement passed with the rest of the consent calendar. Simmons used his staff report to address what he called misunderstanding and misinformation on social media about the council’s action at its previous meeting.
Simmons said the city has met and is still building past the $45,000 threshold the council set for immediate capital improvements at the pool, with help from pool user groups and the city’s community foundation.
“None of the funding will be done using general fund dollars,” he said.
He said authorities will need approximately $200,000 to operate the pool for the one-year agreement, funds he said will be covered by savings on other projects, mainly the Community Center renovation, which came in under budget, Simmons said.
He credited Recreation Director Emeline Noda for working with state officials to fix contract inconsistencies and bring the project in under budget.
The swimming pool arrangement still requires signatures from two officials at the state level, the city manager said, noting that while military officials, the California Guard sets its own timeline, staff is calling every day, so the paperwork does not sit on anyone’s desk.
The Los Alamitos Police Department previewed a Business Watch program it plans to launch before year’s end, alongside a Neighborhood Watch program.
Police Chief Michael Claborn introduced Capt. Luke South and Detective Sgt. Delena Lopez who presented the plan.
Under the voluntary program, detectives will conduct security assessments of participating businesses, looking at cameras, lighting and other vulnerabilities.
South said at first, a select group of businesses in the city will receive at least monthly bulletins on crime trends and suspicious activity, a window sticker identifying them as participants, and a direct line of two-way communication with detectives.
Emergency contacts will be shared with police dispatch so officers can reach an owner during a burglary or fire, he said.
“Not every business is the same,” he said. “Not every need is the same and then the communication, so we [PD] are going to provide recommendations and resources to help make businesses safer and better prepared based on those assessments,” said South,
The program will roll out in three phases and be reviewed every six months.
Council Member Emily Hibard asked whether home-based businesses could take part. South said the program will start with traditional storefronts but is open to any business that wants to join.
Mayor Tanya Doby asked about trespass-authorization forms. South said those now require notaization and will be handed out during assessments, and the city offers notary services at City Hall.
Also, Simmons said the city is preparing for heavy rain from El Niño, noting that some low-lying parts of town flood have experienced flooding in the past.
He said public works crews are cleaning and inspecting catch basins, pumping equipment has been checked, and the street-sweeping contractor is focused on clearing debris.
Sandbag distribution begins in November at Little Cottonwood Park. Police, the Orange County Fire Authority and city management held a coordination briefing last week.
In other action, the city Council:
• renamed SWAT pay as “hazard premium” to match CalPERS terminology. Simmons said the money was already budgeted and the change involves no new spending.
• introduced Ordinance 2026-05, amending Title 6 (animals) and Section 8.32.020 of the municipal code to reflect the city’s July 1 switch from Long Beach Animal Care Services to OC Animal Care. Simmons called it largely a cleanup item. A second reading is expected at a future meeting.
• OCFA Chief Craig Covey, presented Fire Prevention Week tips promoting fire safety and urged residents to unplug lithium-ion devices once charged, avoid overnight charging, buy quality batteries and dispose of them properly. He said improperly discarded batteries are driving a rise in trash-truck fires.
• presented a $10,000 state funded grant to Diana Lara, of the nonprofit Food Finders.