CC DM 20200218 B - 20200121 CC MINS DRAFTDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 21, 2020
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council for the purpose of a Closed
Session was called to order by Mayor Cruikshank at 6:50 P.M. at Fred Hesse
Community Park, McTaggart Hall, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, notice having been
given with affidavit thereto on file.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Bradley, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
ABSENT: Dyda and Ferraro (both excused)
Both Councilmembers Dyda and Ferraro were in the Fireside Room during roll call.
Also present were Ara Mihranian, Interim City Manager; William W. Wynder, City
Attorney, and Emily Colborn, City Clerk.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ANNOUNCED:
City Attorney Wynder announced the items to be discussed in Closed Session.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
GC SECTION 54956.9 (d)(1)
a. Name of case: Loveys v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles Superior
Court Case No. BS172886, Court of Appeal B298802
b. Name of case: Loveys v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles Superior
Court Case No. BS174859
c. Name of case: Loveys v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles Superior
Court Case No. 18STCP02350
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
GC SECTION 54956.9 (d)(1)
a. Name of case: City of Rancho Palos Verdes v. Indian Peak Properties, LLC, Los
Angeles Superior Court Case No. 18STCV03781
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b. Name of case: Indian Peak Properties, LLC v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes, et
al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 18STCP02913
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (FIRESIDE ROOM):
At 6:51 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO STUDY SESSION (MCTAGGART HALL):
At 7:09 P.M., the Council reconvened the meeting for a Study Session.
STUDY SESSION
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE STUDY
SESSION:
None.
DISCUSSION TOPICS:
SS1. Review of Tentative Agendas
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff regarding items on the upcoming
City Council meetings as listed on the tentative agendas.
The tentative agendas were approved as presented. Without objection, Mayor
Cruikshank so ordered.
ADJOURN TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:10 P.M. the Study Session was adjourned to the Regular meeting.
REGULAR MEETING – OPEN SESSION
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council was called to order by
Mayor Cruikshank at 7:10 P.M. at Fred Hesse Community Park, McTaggart Hall, 29301
Hawthorne Boulevard, notice having been given with affidavit thereto on file.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
ABSENT: None
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Also present were Ara Mihranian, Interim City Manager; William W. Wynder, City
Attorney; Angelina Garcia, Interim Director of Finance; Terry Rodrigue, Interim Director
of Community Development; Octavio Silva, Interim Deputy Director of Community
Development; Amy Seeraty, Associate Planner; Elias Sassoon, Director of Public
Works; Cory Linder, Director of Recreation and Parks; Teresa Takaoka, Deputy City
Clerk; and Emily Colborn, City Clerk.
Also present was Captain James Powers, Lomita Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Bradley.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder reported that with regards to Closed Session No. 1, a privilege
and confidential status report was given on the cases, mainly for the benefit of briefing
the incoming council members, with no reportable action taken; and with regards to
Closed Session No. 2, matter was discussed noting that the illegal antennas have been
removed from the location and Indian Peak Properties, LLC, has since filed a federal
court lawsuit against the city.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Cruikshank and the City Council welcomed Takashi Hanatsuka, Mayor of Sakura
City, Japan and his constituents and recognize the city’s ongoing educational and
cultural exchange program with Miraleste Intermediate School and presented Mayor
Hanatsuka with a proclamation on behalf of the city. In return, Mayor Hanatsuka
presented the City Council with gifts from Sukura City.
Mayor Cruikshank also presented a proclamation to Mr. Derek Gable for his lifetime of
invention and entrepreneurship.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Cruikshank announced the Recycle Winners for the December 17, 2019 and
January 7, 2020, City Council meeting: Charlene Bachry, Frank Mannino, Sandra Clay,
and Sharon Baker. He indicated that all winners receive a check for $250 and urged
everyone to participate in the City’s Recycling Program. He noted that in addition to
winning the Recycler Drawing, the four individuals also won a Personal Emergency
Preparedness Kit from the City valued at $60.00.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilman Dyda moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria, to approve the agenda
as presented.
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The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
Interim City Manager Mihranian gave updates on the Regional Housing Needs
Allocation (RHNA) and City’s Resolution regarding Rule 20.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve the
Consent Calendar as presented with Councilmembers Bradley and Ferraro abstaining
from Item B - Minutes of the October 15, 2019, Regular City Council meeting.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: Bradley and Ferraro (Item B)
A. Motion to Waive Full Reading
Adopted a motion to waive reading in full of all ordinances presented at this meeting
with consent of the waiver of reading deemed to be given by all Council Members after
the reading of the title.
B. Approval of Minutes
Approve the Minutes of the October 15, 2019, Regular City Council meeting.
C. Register of Demands
(1) Adopted Resolution No. 2020-01, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING FUNDS FROM WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID
(check run 12/13/19); and (2) Adopted Resolution No. 2020-02, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, ALLOWING
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CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING FUNDS FROM WHICH THE
SAME ARE TO BE PAID (check run 1/10/20)
D. Consideration and possible action to reschedule the March 3, 2020, regular
City Council meeting to March 4, 2020, due to the presidential primary election
Rescheduled the March 3, 2020, City Council meeting to March 4, 2020.
E. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to
Senator Scott Weiner opposing the amended version of Senate Bill No. 50
Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter opposing SB 50.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Consideration and possible action to conduct the 2019 Annual Review of
Green Hills Memorial Park’s compliance with the Conditions of Approval of
Conditional Use Permit No. 55 on property located at 27501 S. Western Avenue
(Planning Case No. PLCU2019-0016)
City Clerk Colborn reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published, no
written protest was received, late correspondence was received and distributed prior to
the meeting, and there were requests to speak.
Mayor Cruikshank declared the public hearing open.
Amy Seeraty, Senior Planner, presented a brief staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
Nick Resich, Green Hills, gave an overview of revisions to the CUP.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Debbie Landes,
Sharon Loveys, Lori Brown, and Nadia G.
In closing, Mr. Resich, Green Hills, and Ellen Berkowitz, Counsel for Green Hills,
addressed public complaints and provided closing statements.
With no other requests to speak, Mayor Cruikshank declared the public hearing closed.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Dyda moved, seconded by Bradley, to (1) Receive and file a report
finding that Green Hills Memorial Park is in compliance with its Conditional Use Perm it;
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and (2) Adopt Resolution No. 2020-03, approving Revision “E” to the approved
Conditional Use Permit No. 55, amending Condition Nos. 17, 18 and 20 to change the
Neighborhood Advisory Committee meeting frequency (Condition No.17); to allow a
temporary sign to be hung from the primary identification sign up to six times a year
(Condition No.18); and to allow a traveling half -size replica of the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial to be located on the property up to once per calendar year (Condition No. 20)
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Cruikshank called for a brief recess at 8:30 P.M. The meeting reconvened at
8:46 P.M.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
2. Consideration and possible action to appoint members to the Planning
Commission and various advisory boards
City Clerk Colborn presented a brief staff report and announced that ballots were
distributed earlier in the evening to appoint members to the Planning Commission and
various advisory boards and announced the vote of each Council Member.
After rounds of balloting, the following appointments were made:
David Chura, Julie Hamill, and Ron Santarosa were appointed to the Planning
Commission, with full terms to expire 6/30/2022; and
Lisa Jankovich and David Lee were appointed to the Civic Center Advisory Committee,
with full terms to expire 6/30/2024; and
Gregory O’Brien, Jeanne Lacombe and Paul Seo were appointed to the Civic Center
Advisory Committee, with full terms to expire 6/30/2022; and
Krista Johnson and Raquel Brown were appointed to the Finance Advisory Committee ,
with full terms to expire 6/30/2024.
3. Consideration and possible action to appoint Chairpersons to the Planning
Commission and the various City advisory boards
City Clerk Colborn presented a brief staff report.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
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Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria, to appoint
Chairpersons to the Planning Commission and the various city advisory boards as
follows: Planning Commission Commissioner Gordon Leon; Civic Center Advisory
Committee Member Carolynn Petru; Emergency Preparedness Committee Member
Diana Feinberg; Finance Advisory Committee Member Raquel Brown; Infrastructure
Management Advisory Committee Member Don Swanson ; and Traffic Safety
Committee Member Larry Liu
4. Consideration and possible action to receive and file a presentation on the
2020 Census
City Clerk Colborn reported that no late correspondence were received.
Jahee Yoon, Associate Planner, presented a staff report and introduced Pilar Diaz,
Partnership Specialist, U.S. Census Bureau, who presented a PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Dyda, to receive and file
a presentation on the 2020 Census
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
5. Consideration and possible action to receive and file a report and presentation
on the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Vulnerability Assessment
City Clerk Colborn reported that was no request to speak.
Octavio Silva, Interim Deputy Director of Community Development, presented a staff
report and introduced Naomi Albert, South Bay Cities Council of Governments, who
presented a PowerPoint presentation on the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Vulnerability
Assessment, related to climate adaptation planning.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Bradley, to receive and
file report and presentation.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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Mayor Cruikshank moved to extend the meeting to 10:45 P.M. Without objection, Mayor
Cruikshank so ordered.
6. Consideration and possible action to receive and file a report on the City’s
options for community choice aggregation of electrical service
City Clerk Colborn reported that there were no requests to speak.
Megan Barnes, Senior Administrative Analyst, presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Mayor Cruikshank, to move forward with
next steps and have an analysis of to pursue CCA for the city and joining the Clean
Power Alliance
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: Dyda and Ferraro
ABSENT: None
Mayor Cruikshank moved to extend the meeting to 11:00 P.M. Without objection, Mayor
Cruikshank so ordered.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Councilmember Ferraro requested to explore the possibility of establishing a sister city
program with the city of Sukura, Japan.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
None.
ADJOURNMENT
At 11:00 P.M., Mayor Cruikshank adjourned to 6:00 P.M. on February 4, 2020, for a
Closed Session meeting and 7:00 P.M. for a Regular meeting.
/s/ John Cruikshank
Mayor
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Attest:
/s/ Emily Colborn
City Clerk