CC DM 20201006 B - 20200901 CC MINS DRAFTDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 1, 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 6:02 P.M. at McTaggart Hall in
Fred Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, and via
teleconference/virtual meeting using the Zoom platform notice having been given with
affidavit thereto on file.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Bradley, Dyda, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
ABSENT: Ferraro*
*Councilmember Ferraro was in the Fireside Room at 6:05 P.M.
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; William W. Wynder, City Attorney, and
Teresa Takaoka, Deputy City Clerk.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ANNOUNCED:
City Attorney Wynder announced the items to be discussed in Closed Session
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
1. A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code §54956.9 (d)(2) or
(d)(3) & (e)(5) because there is a significant exposure to litigation in one (1)
case. A copy of the written threat of litigation is attached to the agenda for public
inspection.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION:
At 6:04 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:09 P.M. the Closed Session was reconvened to the Regular meeting.
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September 1, 2020
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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 7:09 P.M. Hesse Park, McTaggart Hall, 29301 Hawthorne
Boulevard and via teleconference using the Zoom platform 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
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager;
William W. Wynder, City Attorney; Trang Nguyen, Director of Finance; Ken Rukavina,
Director of Community Development; Ron Dragoo, Public Works Principal Civil
Engineer; Daniel Trautner, Deputy Director of Recreation and Parks; Lukasz Buchwald,
Information Technology Manager; and Teresa Takaoka, Deputy 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 Information Technology Manager Lukasz
Buchwald.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder reported that City Council was briefed on one matter due to a
significant exposure to litigation in one case.
The City Attorney’s office provided a brief, privileged and confidential status report to
the Council, questions were asked and answered, but no reportable action taken
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Cruikshank announced the Recycle Winners for the August 18, 2020, City
Council meeting: Sandra Clay, and Mary Lopes. 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 two individuals also won a
Personal Emergency Preparedness Kit from the City valued at $40.00.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
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Mayor Cruikshank and the City Council recognized Dr. Arthur C. Bartner for his 80th
birthday.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Dyda, to approve the
agenda as presented.
Without objection, the approval of agenda was approved, by acclamation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that there was request to speak.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Mickey Rodich.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian announced the following: Palos Verdes reef restoration project
update; Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Vote by Mail drop off
program and drop box at City Hall; Cox Communications Homeowner’s guide to
improve WiFi; Human Resources recruitment regarding the REACH Program
information session; and the upcoming Labor Day holiday.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Attorney Wynder noted a change to the contract language for Item C which was
agreed upon by the vendor and Staff.
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to
the meeting regarding Items C, D, E and H; and there was one request to speak
regarding Item C and 17 requests to speak on Item E.
Mayor Cruikshank requested that Item D be considered after Regular Business.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria, to approve the
Consent Calendar with Items C and E to be heard immediately after the Consent
Calendar; and Item D to be considered after Regular Business.
Without objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
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.
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B. Registers of Demands (Amundson)
Adopted Resolution No. 2020-49, 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.
C. Consideration and possible action to award a construction contract for the
Burma Road Trailhead gate. (Eder)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
D. Consideration and possible action to award an agreement to Ardurra Group,
Inc. for on-call Public Works services. (O’Neill)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
E. Consideration and possible action to establish a temporary no parking area
along Crenshaw Boulevard south of Crest Road. (Dragoo)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
F. Consideration and possible action to receive and file the July 2020 Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report. (Lin)
Received and filed the July 2020 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report.
G. Approval of Minutes (Takaoka)
Approved the Minutes of the August 4, 2020, Regular Meeting.
H. Consideration and possible action to receive a status report on the City’s
acacia removal efforts. (O’Neill)
Received and filed a status report on the City’s acacia removal efforts.
I. Consideration and possible action to authorize sending an opposition letter to
the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on the proposed creation of
employee-led public health councils. (Lee)
Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter of opposition to the Los Angeles County Board
of Supervisors on the proposed creation of employee-led public health councils to
monitor business compliance with public health orders in Los Angeles County.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
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September 1, 2020
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C. Consideration and possible action to award a construction contract for the
Burma Road Trailhead gate. (Eder)
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Principal Civil Engineer Dragoo.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Brian Whitten.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria, to approve
staff recommendation to: 1) Award a construction contract to Metrocell Construction,
Inc., in the not-to-exceed amount of $49,270, for the construction of fences and
gates at the Burma Road Trailhead as amended earlier in the evening; 2) Authorize
the City Manager or Director of Finance to execute change orders up to an
additional 10% of the value of Metrocell Construction, Inc. contract (not to exceed
$4,927) as contingency funds for potential unforeseen conditions; 3) Authorize the
Mayor and City Clerk to execute the contracts, in forms approved and amended by
the City Attorney.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
E. Consideration and possible action to establish a temporary no parking area
along Crenshaw Boulevard south of Crest Road. (Dragoo)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there
were seventeen requests to speak.
City Engineer Dragoo presented a brief staff report.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Jim Beggins; Brian
Whitten; Mickey Rodich; Dr. Linda Varner; Alejandra Sierra (voicemail); Patrick
O’Brien (voicemail); Irene Riedl; Kate Ekman; Leslie Gold; Pamela Nathan; Don
Douthwright; Xana Hermosillo; Julie Winter; Ann Inoue; Gilbert Hamilton (voicemail);
Adrienne Mohan (voicemail); and Terri Scott.
Discussion continued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Mayor Cruikshank, to approve
staff recommendation as amended to: Adopt Resolution No. 2020-50, A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CALIFORNIA PROHIBITING THE STOPPING, PARKING, OR
STANDING OF VEHICLES ON CRENSHAW BOULEVARD SOUTH OF CREST
ROAD TO THE BURMA ROAD TRAILHEAD GATE FOR 60 DAYS, UNLESS
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September 1, 2020
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EXTENDED BY THE CITY COUNCIL; and to show temporarily prohibited parking in
the approximate area South of Rattlesnake Trail to Seacrest but keeping parking as
is north of Rattlesnake Trail and a friendly amendment to create drop off zone(s) if
can be safely accommodated.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
City Attorney Wynder notified Council that participants in the Zoom meeting are
participating in chats. These communications are ex-parte communications
prohibited by the Brown Act and have been disabled and will be disabled in the
future.
Mayor Cruikshank called for a brief recess at 9:34 P.M. The meeting reconvened at
9:46 P.M.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Consideration and possible action to amend Chapters 17.02 (Single-Family
Residential (RS) Districts), 17.04 (Multiple-Family Residential (RM) Districts),
and 17.96 (Definitions), and repeal and replace Chapter 17.10 (Accessory
Dwelling Unit Development Standards) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho
Palos Verdes Municipal Code to update the development standards for
accessory dwelling units and to create development standards for junior
accessory dwelling units (Case No. PLCA2020-0001). (Seeraty)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka stated that the notice of the public hearing was duly
published, no written protests were received and there were no requests to speak
but does have a request to read an email into the record .
Mayor Cruikshank declared the public hearing open.
Senior Planner Seeraty presented a comprehensive staff report.
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka read into the record, an email Late Correspondence from
the Californians for Homeownership.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff, and Planning Commission Chair
Leon.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved to extend the meeting to 11:00 P.M. Without
objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Al Sattler.
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Mayor Cruikshank declared the public hearing closed.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Cruikshank moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria to: 1) Review the
draft ordinance incorporating the Planning Commission’s and Staff’s
recommendations regarding code amendments to Chapters 17.02 (Single-Family
Residential (RS) Districts), 17.04 (Multiple-Family Residential (RM) Districts), and
17.96 (Definitions), and repealing and replacing Chapter 17.10 (Accessory Dwelling
Unit Development Standards) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palo s Verdes
Municipal Code to update the development standards for accessory dwelling units
and to create development standards for junior accessory dwelling units updates; 2)
Provided direction to staff regarding the proposed code amendments; and, 3)
Continue the public hearing to the September 15, 2020 City Council meeting to
provided staff an opportunity to incorporate any text changes to the draft ordinance
for City Council’s consideration.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
REGULAR BUSINESS:
2. Consideration and possible action to receive an update on the Clean Power
Alliance feasibility study. (Barnes)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there
were three requests to speak.
Senior Administrative Analyst Barnes presented a brief staff report. She introduced
consultants Ted Bardacke (Clean Power Alliance (CPA)); Karen Schmidt (CPA); Vic
Nol (Southern California Edison (SCE)); and Josh Torres (SCE) who were available
for questions.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff, and consultants.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Al Sattler; Mickey
Rodich.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved to extend the meeting to 11:30 P.M. Without
objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
Mayor Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Dyda to: Receive and file
an update on the Clean Power Alliance feasibility study; and, to rescind letter of
intent to CPA; reach out to SCE for useful data; reach out to SBCCOG regarding
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September 1, 2020
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measurable greenhouse emissions data; and, include the friendly amendment that
Staff return with a status update at the end of the 4th quarter.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Alegria
3. Consideration and possible action to receive a status report on Recreation
and Parks Department’s After-School Recreational and Enrichment Programs
for Fall 2020. (Trautner)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka stated that there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved to waive the staff report on this item. Without
objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Bradley to: 1) Receive
and file a report on Recreation and Parks Department’s After-School Recreation and
Enrichment Programs for Fall 2020; and, 2) Affirmed waiving rental rates for outside
vendors operating the City’s After-School Recreational and Enrichment Programs.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
4. Consideration and possible action to receive a status report on the City’s pilot
Homeowner’s Association (HOA) Security Camera Grant Program with Flock
Safety. (Lee)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there
were no requests to speak.
Mayor Cruikshank moved to waive the staff report on this item. Without objection,
Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro to: 1) Receive
and file the status report on the City’s pilot HOA Security Camera Grant Program
with Flock Safety at Ocean Front Estates; 2) Direct staff to continue to monitor the
HOA Flock camera with Oceanfront Estates; and 3) Simultaneously, direct Staff to
expand the HOA Security Camera Grant Program with Flock Safety Citywide.
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The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
5. Consideration and possible action to review Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) program alternatives. (Ramezani)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka stated that there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Cruikshank moved to extend the meeting to 11:50 P.M. Without objection,
Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
Senior Administrative Analyst Ramezani presented a brief staff report.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff, and consultant Micheal Neal.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro to: 1) Consider
other CDBG program/project alternatives that benefit the public, particularly seniors
and persons with disabilities, and if acceptable, provide direction to staff on what
alternative programs should be included for the next CDBG grant cycle (FY 2021-
22); and, 2) Provided staff direction on programs to be funded by the CDBG-CV
allocated to the City through the CARES Act; and amended to include that staff will
return with a list/menu of items for the programs.
Without objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
6. Receive and file an update on staff’s efforts to attain public use of United
States Coast Guard properties in Rancho Palos Verdes. (Waters)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka stated that there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved to waive the staff report on this item. Without
objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Dyda to: Receive and
file an update on staff’s efforts to explore a partnership, joint use, or long-term lease
agreement for public use of United States Coast Guard properties in Rancho Palos
Verdes.
Without objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
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D. Consideration and possible action to award an agreement to Ardurra Group,
Inc. for on-call Public Works services. (O’Neill)
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved to extend the meeting to 12:00 A.M. Without
objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
This item was removed by Mayor Cruikshank from the Consent Calendar for
separate consideration. He believes that the on-call services contract should be
opened up to more contractors.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Cruikshank moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria, to: 1) Award a
contract services agreement to Ardurra Group, Inc. for on-call engineering, design,
construction management and inspection services at a cost not to exceed $180,000
until June 30, 2023 unless extended for one additional one-year term; and, 2)
Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the contract, in forms approved by the
City Attorney; and asked staff to create a contractors list of contracts for on-call
work.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Mayor Cruikshank requested a discussion on Proposition 15 at the October 6, 2020
meeting.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Mayor Cruikshank moved to waive City Council Oral Reports. Without objection, Mayor
Cruikshank so ordered.
ADJOURNMENT
At 11:54 P.M., Mayor Cruikshank adjourned this meeting. The meeting was adjourned
in honor of Sil Quirarte.
/s/ John Cruikshank
Mayor
Attest:
/s/ Emily Colborn
City Clerk