CC DM 20201117 B - 20201104 CC MINS DRAFTDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 4, 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 (excused)*
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
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9 (d)(2) or (d)(3) & (e)(5)
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. The threat
of litigation was made by a representative of the Rancho Palos Verdes Estates
Community Association at the October 20, 2020 City Council Meeting.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9 (d)(1)
York Point View Properties, LLC v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes, et al
Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. BS174116
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION:
At 6:03 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
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Councilmember Ferraro joined the Closed Session discussion at 6:10 P.M.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:21 P.M. the Closed Session was reconvened 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 7:21 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; Ramzi Awwad, Deputy Director Public Works; 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 City Attorney William W. Wynder.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder reported that City Council was briefed on one matter du e 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, nor was any solicited.
The City Attorney’s office discussed with the City Council one matter of pending
litigation (York Point View Properties) to which the City is a party. Received tentative
ruling from Superior Court Judge. Provided the Council a briefing of the tentative
opinion. Now, awaiting the drafting of a final judgement from the court and will bring the
matter back to Council at that time.
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RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Cruikshank announced the Recycle Winners for the October 20, 2020, City
Council meeting: Randal Meese, and Raudel Castaneda. 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.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Bradley, to approve the
agenda as amended: Item No. 4 will be heard immediately the Consent Calendar.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were no requests to speak.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian announced the following: Recognition of staff’s participation in
the November 3, 2020 Election; Finance Advisory Committee and Infrastructure
Management Advisory Committee recruitments; Prepared Peninsula Virtual Expo; Flock
Safety Grant Program informational sessions; and flags being placed at City entryways
to salute our Veterans.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to
the meeting regarding Items C, and D; and there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded Councilmember Dyda, to approve the
Consent Calendar.
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. 2020-60, 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 receive and file the Palos Verdes
Peninsula Land Conservancy’s 2016-2018 Comprehensive Report and the 2018
Annual Report on its management activities for the Palos Verdes Nature
Preserve. (Lozano)
Received and filed the 2016-2018 Comprehensive Report and the 2018 Annual
Report submitted by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy on its
management activities for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve.
D. Consideration and possible action to award a professional services agreement
to Harris & Associates, Inc. to revise the Altamira Canyon Drainage Project
Study Report. (Dragoo)
1) Awarded a Professional Services Agreement to Harris & Associates, Inc. for a
not-to-exceed amount of $254,967 to revise the Altamira Canyon Drainage Project
Study Report including expanding the study area; 2) Authorized the City Manager or
Director of Finance to execute needed change orders up to an additional 10% of the
value of Harris & Associates, Inc. agreement (not to exceed $25,000) as
contingency funds for potential unforeseen conditions; 3) Authorized the Mayor and
City Clerk to execute the agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
E. Consideration and possible action to receive and file the September 2020
Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report. (Lin)
Received and filed the September 2020 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report.
F. Consideration and possible action to extend the existing professional s ervices
agreement with John L. Hunter & Associates, Inc. for stormwater quality
consulting services. (Eder)
Authorized Amendment No. 1 to the John L. Hunter & Associates, Inc. contract
extending the term to June 30, 2021 and increasing the Fiscal Year 20 20-21
contract amount by $443,260 thereby changing the not-to-exceed total contract
amount from $690,784 to $1,134,044, a cost shared by other Peninsula agencies; 2)
Approved additional appropriation of $213,537 for FY 20 -21; and, 3) Authorized the
Mayor and City Clerk to execute the amendment.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
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None.
Per the re-order of the agenda, Mayor Cruikshank moved to Regular Business Item No. 4.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
4. Consideration and possible action to receive a status report on relocating
certain utility poles at 3867 Crest Road. (Rukavina)
Mayor Cruikshank recused himself at 7:34 P.M. and did not participate in
consideration of this agenda item.
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there
were 15 requests to speak.
Director of Community Development Rukavina presented a staff report and
PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff, and City Attorney Wynder.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Sharon Jang;
Jocelyn Foust; Donna Lewellyn; Larry Lewellyn; Alex Pop (Deputy City Clerk
Takaoka read email into the record); Dale Spiegel; Tracy Beecher; Deborah
Sedlachek; Frank Attenello Jr.; Naomi Nakata; Naomi Foust; Kathy Campbell; Brad
Malamud; Giovanni Funiciello; and Tina Funiciello.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff, and City Attorney Wynder.
Councilmember Dyda moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria to: Adopt the
staff recommendation regarding relocation of Southern California Edison utility poles
and transmission lines from 3867 Crest Road to across the street and onto the City
right-of-way along Crest Road provided the applicants implement design option nos.
3 or 4, at the discretion of the applicants, and subject to acceptance of the terms and
conditions of the City’s encroachment permit, including an agreement to indemnify
the City from any legal challenges to the same.
Mayor Pro Tem called for a brief recess at 9:37 P.M. The meeting reconvened at
9:51 P.M.
Mayor Cruikshank rejoined the meeting at 9:51 P.M.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Consideration and possible action to consider an appeal to remove a City-
owned pine tree within the public right-of-way of Crest Road, adjacent to and
behind 3234 Parkhurst Drive (Case No. CTRP2020-0022). (Alvarez)
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Deputy City Clerk Takaoka stated that the notice of the public hearing was duly
published, no written protests were received, late correspondence was distributed
and there were three requests to speak.
Mayor Cruikshank declared the public hearing open.
Senior Planner Alvarez presented a staff report.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and Staff.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Lili Gu (Appellant);
Elaine Goodman (Applicant); Dale Goodman (Applicant); Lili Gu (Appellant rebuttal);
Wesley Luk.
Mayor Cruikshank declared the public hearing closed.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved to extend the meeting to 11:00 P.M. Without
objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Bradley moved to extend the meeting to 11:45 P.M. Without
objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilman Dyda moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria to: Adopt Resolution
No. 2020-61, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES UPHOLDING THE RECOMMENDATION TO REMOVE
ONE CITY-OWNED PINE TREE, WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY OF
CREST ROAD, ADJACENT TO AND BEHIND 3234 PARKHURST DRIVE, IN
ORDER TO RESTORE THE VIEW THAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRED BY THE
PINE TREE FROM THE VIEWING AREA LOCATED AT 3255 PARKHURST DRIVE
(CASE NO. CTRP2020-0022). Approved as amended.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
2. 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 repealing and replacing 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
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accessory dwelling units and to create development standards for junior
accessory dwelling units (Case No. PLCA2020-0001). (Silva)
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.
Mayor Cruikshank declared the public hearing open.
Deputy Director of Community Development Silva presented a brief staff report.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria to: Accept
staff’s recommendation and continue the public hearing to November 17, 2020.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
3. Consideration and possible action to update the City’s Guidelines to
Residential Utility Undergrounding. (O’Neill)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there
were no requests to speak.
Public Works Project Manager O’Neill presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and Staff.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Dyda to: Approve
staff recommendation to approve amendments updating the City Council-adopted
Guidelines to Residential Utility Undergrounding.
Without objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
5. Consideration and possible action to approve the distribution of a citizen
satisfaction survey. (Barnes)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there
were no requests to speak.
Senior Administrative Analysts Villalpando and Barnes presented a staff report and
PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Cruikshank, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria to: 1) Review and provide
Staff with direction on the questions to be asked in the draft citizen satisfaction
survey; and 2) Directed Staff to publicize the survey in the Winter 2020 newsletter
and to distribute the print version of the survey via a standalone mailing.
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The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
Mayor Cruikshank moved to extend the meeting to 12:15 A.M. Without objection,
Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
City Manager Mihranian announced there will be a Special Meeting held on Saturday,
December 19, 2020, for the scoping session on the initial study to the Portuguese Bend
landslide remediation project.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Council Member present reported on his/her attendance at various organization
and association meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
At 12:03 A.M., Mayor Cruikshank adjourned this meeting.
/s/ John Cruikshank
Mayor
Attest:
/s/ Emily Colborn
City Clerk