[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6506725,"mediaKeyId","5565146-bedc7eaeeac031e640b57cb01ad2757e","parentId",5565146,"title","Mayor announces 90‑day leave, restates hardline comments on homelessness; public commenters clash at council meeting","audioSeconds",940,"startMs",2977760,"endMs",3918750,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565146-bedc7eaeeac031e640b57cb01ad2757e&start=2977&end=3918","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565146-bedc7eaeeac031e640b57cb01ad2757e/thumbnail_2977760.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6506725/Lancaster-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Mayor-announces-90day-leave-restates-hardline-comments-on-homelessness-public-commenters-clash-at-council-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506725-57d155cc5303b239104864a37b5b5af1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771022008&Signature=ekIDb3HJG6XXY8jZPLoiIexxQDmzcP4K6ifXYqwENg9MSSx~v4C1pR4jFRk3eePyxpF9wJwVz0KGW1Ns0acpeJyMwPw6DqAXfAGJRg363HnnRQo8hSLafXUJD6cRlj7FzDg5InTx8TGMDFj1ZPmgnd-PbeXCaMdbI7EeluKds~ULVce77CdQDkQp-4Y86cupsMEGu57mIAicaeZQnrZf3IcUPBKBBGTSEOmmcDSHEUUC1wOx2HHI6iSCG1TvfmwV47HYDzxL3qM4ZiNN05rIWU2gxGDpIyl1qGANCdEcs4hEcvkMmcuQ9W4dRMD4v~8h1XUhq94TuGVfsl-kRRk9mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lancaster, CA","date","2025-08-12T20:14:05Z","article","Lancaster’s mayor told the council he will take a 90‑day leave of absence and used blunt language describing his position on drug‑related crime, prompting vocal responses from multiple public commenters at the meeting.

The mayor said he would be on leave for 90 days and that Councilmember Marvin (surname not specified) will serve as mayor during that period. He added he would continue work on a Right to Try ordinance and a hydrogen project but that “the rest of it, Marvin will be the mayor.”

During public comment and council remarks the mayor said he would do “whatever it took to protect the women and children of this city” and repeated a phrase that drew immediate reaction: “If I could give them the fentanyl, I would.” The statement prompted shouts from members of the public and direct criticism. One public commenter told the mayor, “What is wrong with you? … You’re an evil man.” The mayor responded that he would “wear” that characterization if it meant protecting residents.

Mark Maldonado, identified in the meeting as a prior council candidate and leader of the Palmdale Freedom Coalition, spoke in public comment and exchanged heated words with the mayor and others in the chamber; the exchange included calls for decorum from council members. Other public commenters raised complaints about meeting times, landlord–tenant conditions and public‑safety concerns.

Council and staff responses: Council members reminded the public of the three‑minute public‑comment limit and urged those with grievances to submit speaker cards; one council member asked city staff to meet with a resident who described repeated disturbances and landlord‑tenant disputes.

The mayor’s leave and his remarks did not prompt any formal actions by the council during the meeting. The council adjourned and scheduled its next meeting for Aug. 26, 2025 at 1:30 p.m., per the city clerk’s announcement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lancaster Meeting of August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Pierce said he will take a 90‑day leave of absence and reiterated forceful comments about people involved in drug‑related crimes while several public commenters and a former candidate confronted council during a sometimes‑heated public comment session.","taxTitle","Lancaster City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",3819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506730,"City manager cites declines in unsheltered population as Lancaster expands outreach and enforcement",192,2405310,2597820,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565146-bedc7eaeeac031e640b57cb01ad2757e&start=2405&end=2597","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565146-bedc7eaeeac031e640b57cb01ad2757e/thumbnail_2405310.jpg","/articles/6506730/Lancaster-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/City-manager-cites-declines-in-unsheltered-population-as-Lancaster-expands-outreach-and-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506730-4a845cc5a05916e215b7987e1b26213a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771022008&Signature=hoAhZ1ei9S9F3V31ww4QhXclxdyqxsm9zmuUKGgKPDg7KvaX43QwUAAsm7Xy-Nn28WMTa5xc0tF-ThF~AGWohsQsTHfY-e5~N9fbkXOu1S9vvcTZxxVX0x-yhbCc5JIOOjAMOsDlNmcXSORXTfxJX0dgBuvdfwNT7vmNqLsXEU-WihYReeKHtMYZC76QZf-JDEhg6TWSNrbRfA6Hmem4W20hR3BH25KmSbodSGzo9FYgBs675je60qSnqbJUgm2Pfit5qHK3Tf~FDQvdzxDMqrSJ9hFzMpzRNUQ~2O71~u5K4ivF6A9NZD5V1sgMOcnijEmVEwtUmcWuMJ7kVEUa6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lancaster City Manager reported that the city’s homeless outreach program has increased capacity and produced measurable changes in recent data presented to the council.

City staff told the council the city increased homeless outreach teams from one to three and engaged community providers to expand services. The manager said the sheltered count rose from 195 to 437 — a 125% increase — and that the unsheltered count fell by 44%. The manager also said unsheltered counts in surrounding unincorporated areas declined roughly 20–30% as well.

The presentation credited expanded outreach and ordinance updates — which staff said followed a June 2024 U.S. Supreme Court ruling — with improving outcomes. The city manager characterized those changes as evidence the outreach teams are “reaching those communities and getting those people that want help the help that they need.”

Public‑safety operations: Lancaster Police Department officers marked completion of POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certification and began enforcement activities. Officer Lillian Shaw said officers were conducting traffic enforcement and addressing human‑trafficking and prostitution concerns on Sierra Highway. “We wanna help these women that are out here, and we don't wanna have to make any arrests. We have resources we can provide,” Shaw said, adding officers would “deal with the problem accordingly” when criminal activity is identified.

The city also reported the first school resource officer assigned to the Westside School District this year, and staff indicated the city will pursue additional placements if the program proves successful.

City officials framed the combined outreach and enforcement approach as part of an effort to reduce crime, connect people who want assistance to services, and improve public safety for residents. Council members and staff recognized outreach teams and police personnel in the chamber for their work.","City staff reported that sheltered counts in Lancaster rose from 195 to 437 while unsheltered counts fell 44% after expanding homeless outreach teams from one to three and updating ordinances; the police department also marked post‑certification and launched school resource and enforcement efforts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506735,"Votes at a glance: council approves pepper‑spray policy, inmate work agreement and appointments",168,793750,962250,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565146-bedc7eaeeac031e640b57cb01ad2757e&start=793&end=962","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565146-bedc7eaeeac031e640b57cb01ad2757e/thumbnail_793750.jpg","/articles/6506735/Lancaster-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-pepperspray-policy-inmate-work-agreement-and-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506735-afbcd9f3f1054ff8adba675ac9457785/orig.mp4?Expires=1771022008&Signature=Qj-tH1WEt3YrmrOFBzxLmMhb~NWcqifNqDkCd6KjuD0PYSyP6My-WU39pNCWpFVbFjNlhXc~KB0dKxif8Tmn7QeTd79ahJ0dET1RfrTHKlJW7REslSpCoSnMGpDJ27T8eIRxCH7hH9lCPv8MbSEMNqB5IvdVSv8w7eEvNf7eWWonepEB0tRxbUsWX8HclCala0rMdgkCdghvp1hCx6whRvAvxz64RV66zsnwgxhSCaycMAu4GR7vye-sCU6Hz-5Vi03krR0OqIUgHgsLWeGuZ4moD1sTz5UqvTqvpWnZpdgji7ZqUFHs~Be2D~tAFeIRz4so4j1lu7JUoENo08JhMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lancaster City Council took several unanimous votes on routine and personnel matters, including adopting a new pepper‑spray policy for select city staff and the Lancaster Police Department, approving a three‑year agreement to continue inmate crews for city cleanup work, and confirming multiple appointments to commissions.

Pepper‑spray policy (Consent Calendar, CC15): A staff presenter described a policy intended to “enhance the safety of unarmed safe city staff who regularly interact with the public.” The presentation stated: “This policy applies to permanent and temporary non law enforcement employees in the community preservation division and Lancaster Police Department only.” The policy calls for city‑approved instructor training, demonstration and a test deployment exercise, recertification every two years, secure storage when off duty, and reporting requirements including a written incident report within 48 hours. The council approved CC15 by unanimous vote.

Inmate crews agreement (Consent Calendar, CC20): Mike Karn, assistant director of maintenance services, presented a three‑year agreement with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to use incarcerated persons for community service tasks such as weed removal, trash pickup and graffiti abatement. Karn said crews typically provide four to six people per crew but the city has the ability to double that to eight to 12 depending on availability and regulations. The council approved CC20 by unanimous vote.

Appointments: The council nominated and unanimously confirmed Denise Lattanzi, Cynthia Hernandez and Ben Burke to the Planning Commission. The council also named Cynthia Underwood deputy mayor of innovation; the council voted to confirm that appointment unanimously.

All items were approved without recorded roll‑call tallies in the public record provided at the meeting; the minutes identify the outcomes as unanimous.","The council unanimously approved a pepper‑spray policy for certain city staff and officers, renewed a three‑year agreement with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for inmate crews, and confirmed new planning commission members and a deputy mayor of innovation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506740,"Lancaster council authorizes ground lease, CEQA notice for proposed 96‑bed behavioral health hospital",196,1112510,1309360,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565146-bedc7eaeeac031e640b57cb01ad2757e&start=1112&end=1309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565146-bedc7eaeeac031e640b57cb01ad2757e/thumbnail_1112510.jpg","/articles/6506740/Lancaster-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Lancaster-council-authorizes-ground-lease-CEQA-notice-for-proposed-96bed-behavioral-health-hospital","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506740-f780671cd48ef55ff797457344c81aa0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771022008&Signature=Z1PaHNY1hIhlb6gYJhu3ZG2DhS3Spi8BKRIMI-ASL8IKRGZ-JbRD03gLQr63wquAz9rPW9X5RRiFvWLC88pTnHpYzgnfjwBt0M2rYMTx0DIjTKdJdZYWhe40C8ip7LI6njcG4B3oP2-j6UPQ4DF9OHbrFpJ9cOHR15x8QUUzetQ3Z~1qDJSmSYC98lRubpjjxqWCqHlhnN4k0OAMZqljGJQHXhpUbA0RCpW2pbZAKQMBUKzTudrlQjymgaLPylwRuduRvH4c010qhbnHlSn2BWhSvCHNhGIMrTE48Z4-3WKJrhERt98CS3jR4EnRHPUGXAjQk~Sa45A30q-Q~lPVLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lancaster City Council unanimously approved a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) notice of exemption and adopted Resolution 25‑47 on a ground lease with UHS Incorporated for a proposed 96‑bed behavioral health hospital.

Nicole Jones, who presented the staff report, said the project is tied to an award from the California Department of Health Services’ Bond Round 1 Launch Ready program. “As you know, in May, we were awarded, for round 1 in the amount of $83,000,000, for an acute psychiatric hospital in partnership with Palmdale Regional Medical Center,” Jones said. She asked the council to authorize the city manager to finalize, negotiate and execute the ground lease substantially in the form presented and to sign related program funding agreements and attachments.

The resolution and the CEQA notice of exemption are procedural steps required to accept the state funding and proceed toward construction, Jones said. She confirmed the city has not yet chosen a name for the facility and that the city had referred to it as “the behavioral health facility.” Council members asked about workforce commitments; Jones said a community workforce agreement will be included.

Staff stated a target state deadline requires the project to be completed and operational by 2030, though Jones said the city’s goal is to finish earlier than that. The council voted to adopt the resolution and approve the CEQA notice of exemption by unanimous vote.

What happens next: city staff will finalize the ground lease and execute program funding documents with the state and project partners, then proceed with the steps required to advance design and construction. The council did not set a final facility name during the meeting.

Ending — next steps and timeline: With the resolution and CEQA action approved, the city manager is authorized to complete lease and funding agreements; staff said state timelines call for the hospital to be operational by 2030.","The council unanimously approved a CEQA notice of exemption and Resolution 25‑47 allowing the city manager to finalize a ground lease with UHS Incorporated for a proposed 96‑bed behavioral health hospital backed by an $83 million state award.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor announces 90‑day leave, restates hardline comments on homelessness; public commenters clash at council meeting

City manager cites declines in unsheltered population as Lancaster expands outreach and enforcement

Votes at a glance: council approves pepper‑spray policy, inmate work agreement and appointments

Lancaster council authorizes ground lease, CEQA notice for proposed 96‑bed behavioral health hospital