CC MINS 20210119 MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 19, 2021
CALL TO ORDER:
An Adjourned Regular meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council was called to
order by Mayor Alegria at 6:40 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: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
ABSENT: None.
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
GC 54956.9 (d)(2) or (d)(3) & (e)(5)
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1), to
confer with legal counsel regarding pending litigation to which the City is a
party. The title of such litigation is as follows: York Point View Properties, LLC v.
City of Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No.
BS174116
2. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54957 to conduct
an employee performance evaluation for the position of City Attorney.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (FIRESIDE ROOM):
At 6:41 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO STUDY SESSION (MCTAGGART HALL):
At 7:15 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 Alegria
so ordered.
ADJOURN TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:19 P.M. the Study 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 Alegria at 7:20 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: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
ABSENT: None
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Karina Banales, Deputy City Manager;
William W. Wynder, City Attorney; Trang Nguyen, Director of Finance; Ken Rukavina,
Director of Community Development; Cory Linder, Director of Recreation and Parks;
Ramzi Awwad, Deputy Director of Public Works; 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
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January 19, 2021
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tern Bradley.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder reported that with regards to Closed Session No. 1, provided a
privileged and confidential briefing of the Council, no reportable action was taken nor
was any solicited; and with regards to Closed Session No. 2, the City Council also
conducted the annual performance evaluation for the position of City Attorney. The
authority to do so in Closed Session is also printed on the Closed Session Agenda.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Alegria shared the status of the vaccine distribution in Los Angeles County.
Governor Newsom has announced that vaccine providers could begin vaccinating
individuals 65 and older. Initially, Los Angeles County planned to finish vaccinating
health care workers and staff and residents at skilled nursing facilities in the first phase
of the rollout, Phase 1A, before moving into Phase 1B, which includes those 65 and
older. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda Solis signed an executive
order directing the Department of Public Health to make COVID-19 vaccine
appointments available to residents 65 and older starting this week. Residents 65 and
older can now go to VaccineateLACounty.com to make appointments for as early as
tomorrow, Wednesday, January 20. Appointments can be made by the phone at (833)
540-0473.
Mayor Alegria shared thanks for the Holiday donations to the Councils various local
organizations. Donations were made to Toys for Tots, Operation Teddy Bear, Palos
Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, and other local groups. Additionally, over 20
local seniors were recipients of the City's Holiday Care Packages.
Mayor Alegria and the City Council recognized Emilie Tyler and Alana Cho as Los
Angeles County Sanitation Districts, Clearwater Project Tunnel Boring Machine Art
Contest Winners.
Mayor Alegria announced Mayor's Honorees program, which thanks RPV residents and
nonprofits for making a difference locally and beyond. Please email the City Clerk's at
cityclerk@rpvca.gov to nominate an RPV resident or nonprofit and include a bio.
Mayor Alegria honored - Leonard Wood, past City Manager and resident of Rancho
Palos Verdes, who passed on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Alegria announced the Recycle Winners for the December 15, 2020, and
January 5, 2021, City Council meeting: Meichao Lin, William Culp, John Armstrong,
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January 19, 2021
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and Nob Kubota. 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:
Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve
the agenda as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to
the meeting and there were two requests to speak.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Elisabeth Ryan and
Chad Dime.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian wished everyone a Happy New Year; and provided updates on
the following: Mayor's Honorees; Citizen Satisfaction Survey; Palos Verdes Library
Community Survey; Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Survey; City Hall
Closed to the Public; Postponed Recreation Classes; Sign up for the Vaccine
Newsletter; Coffee with a Cop; Regional Housing Needs Assessment; and the Ladera
Linda Park Community Center Project .
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to
the meeting regarding Item L; and there was one request to speak on item L.
Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve
Consent Calendar items A- K.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
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January 19, 2021
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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 (Takaoka)
Approved the Minutes of the December 1 (Special and Regular), December 15
(Regular), and December 19, 2020 (Adjourned Regular), and the January 5, 2021
(Special) Meetings.
C. Registers of Demands (Amundson)
Adopted Resolution No. 2021-01, 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 date 12/11/20); Adopted Resolution No. 2021-02, 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 date 12/18/20); and, Adopted Resolution No.
2021-03, 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 date
1/8/21).
D. Consideration and possible action to receive and file the November 2020 Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer's Report. (Lin)
Received and file the November 2020 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer's Report.
E. Consideration and possible action regarding a claim against the City by
Terecita de Jesus Reynaga Sanchez. (Takaoka)
Rejected the claim and directed Staff to notify the claimant, Terecita de Jesus
Reynaga Sanchez.
F. Consideration and possible action regarding a claim against the City by
Emmanuel Karemera. (Takaoka)
Rejected the claim and directed Staff to notify the claimant, Emmanuel Karemera.
G. Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 1 to the
employment agreement with Mr: Ara M. Mihranian, AICP, as City Manager.
I (Wynder)
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January 19, 2021
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Approved that certain attached "AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CITY MANAGER
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT" thereby increasing the annual salary compensation
of the City Manager by 5% to an annual salary of$220,500 and authorize the Mayor
to execute the same on behalf of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the Successor
Agency to the Dissolved Rancho Palos Verdes Redevelopment Agency and the
Rancho Palos Verdes Improvement Authority effective January 1, 2021.
H. Consideration and possible action to authorize Amendment No. 1 to the
Professional Services Agreement for contractual services with Prosum, Inc.,
approving the contract assignment to Netrix, LLC. (Buchwald)
Authorized the City Manager to sign Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services
Agreement for contractual services with Prosum, Inc., approving the contract
assignment to Netrix, LLC.
I. Consideration and possible action to file a Notice of Completion for the
Residential Street Rehabilitation Project Phase I and Phase II, Areas 3 and 4
PCC Improvements and AC Repairs Project, Project Code #8834. (Eder)
1) Accepted the project as complete; 2) Authorized the City Clerk to file Notices of
Completion for the project with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office;
and if no claims are filed within 35 days after recordation, send a notice to the surety
company to exonerate the Performance Bond; and, 3) Authorized the Deputy
Director of Public Works to release the 5% construction retention to Hardy & Harper,
Inc., a California corporation, 35 days after recordation of the Notice of Completion
by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office, contingent upon no claims
being filed on the project, and the contractor posting an acceptable warranty bond
with the City. 4) Authorized the Deputy Director of Public Works to release the 5%
construction retention to American Asphalt South, Inc., a California corporation, 35
days after recordation of the Notice of Completion by the Los Angeles County
Registrar-Recorder's Office, contingent upon no claims being filed on the project,
and the contractor posting an acceptable warranty bond with the City.
J. Consideration and possible action to adopt Ordinance No. 640 (second
reading) 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 accessory dwelling units and to create
development standards for junior accessory dwelling units (Case No.
PLCA2020-0001). (Silva)
Adopted Ordinance No. 640, AMENDING 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)
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January 19, 2021
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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 ON SECOND READING.
K. Consideration and possible action to expand the current City's Homeowners
Association (HOA) Security Camera Grant Program with Flock Safety. (Bright)
Expanded the HOA Security Camera Grant Program with Flock Safety to provide an
additional $10,000 in one-time grants to HOAs for the installation of new security
cameras, totaling $20,000 for FY2020-21.
L. Consideration and possible action to enter a Professional Services Agreement
with McGee Surveying Consulting to prepare legal descriptions for the Palos
Verdes Nature Preserve. (Waters)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
L. Consideration and possible action to enter a Professional Services Agreement
with McGee Surveying Consulting to prepare legal descriptions for the Palos
Verdes Nature Preserve. (Waters)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there
was one request to speak.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Ben Zask.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and staff.
Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Bradley, to
approve staff recommendation to: 1) Award a professional services agreement to
McGee Surveying for the preparation of legal descriptions of the Palos Verdes
Nature Preserve for an amount not to exceed $56,600; and, 2) Authorized the Mayor
and City Clerk to execute the professional services agreement, subject to approval
as to form by the City Attorney.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: Dyda
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
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January 19, 2021
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1. Consideration and possible action to approve the proposed Community
Development Block Grant budget allocated to the City through the CARES
Act (CDBG-CV) and the associated programs. (Ramezani)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that notice of the public hearing was duly
published, no written protests were received, and there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing open.
Lauren Ramezani, Senior Administrative Analyst, presented a staff report and
PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing closed.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Alegria, to 1) Approved the
proposed Community Development Block Grant programs and the budget allocated
to the City through the CARES Act (CDBG-CV) in the amount of$86,499; 2)
Authorized the Deputy Director of Public Works to adjust the program(s) budget, as
necessary, to take into account the final CDBG-CV allocations; and, 3) Authorized
the Deputy Director of Public Works to execute an agreement for the CDBG-CV
programs with the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), subject to
approval as to form by the City Attorney.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
Mayor Alegria called for a brief recess at 8:20 P.M. The meeting reconvened at
8:30 P.M.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
2. Consideration and possible action regarding the City Council-adopted
directives to address parking and access issues for the Palos Verdes Nature
Preserve. (Waters)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there
were six requests to speak.
Director of Recreation and Parks Linder, Senior Administrative Analyst/ Open Space
Manager Lozano, and Senior Administrative Analyst Waters presented a staff report
and PowerPoint presentation.
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Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff, City Attorney Wynder, and
Consultant Kristen Locke.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Dr. Linda Varner;
Raquel Brown; Kathy Edgerton; Miriam Varend; Pamela Nathan; and Joel Gerwein.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff, and City Attorney Wynder.
Mayor Alegria moved to extend the meeting to 11:00 P.M. Without objection, Mayor
Alegria so ordered.
Mayor Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro to:
1)Approve- an agreement with ParkMobile to provide app-based parking services at
Del Cerro Park and sections of Crenshaw Boulevard south of Crest Road;
APPROVED (4-1 with Councilman Dyda voting nay)
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Cruikshank to:
2) Approve-an additional budget appropriation of$26,912 for the installation of the
ParkMobile parking app;
APPROVED with proviso that any expenditures will not exceed $26,912
(4-1 with Councilman Dyda voting nay)
Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bradley to:
3) Direct-Staff to set citation fines at $110.00 along Crenshaw and permitted
neighborhoods and set fees for parking at $10.00 for a 3HR time block;
APPROVED (4-1 with Councilman Dyda voting nay)
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved to extend the meeting to 11:35 P.M. Without
objection, Mayor Alegria so ordered.
Mayor Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Cruikshank to:
3a) Direct- Staff to set free time slots from 7AM-9AM Mon-Fri.;
APPROVED (3-2 with Mayor Pro Tem Bradley and Councilman Dyda voting
nay)
Mayor Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Cruikshank to:
4) Accept- the proposed Alta Vicente Reserve trailhead improvements at Upper
Point Vicente Park/Civic Center;
APPROVED with additional language on signage (4-1 with Councilman Dyda
voting nay)
Mayor Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Cruikshank to:
5) Receive and file the update on costs related to the management of the Palos
Verdes Nature Preserve;
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January 19, 2021
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APPROVED (4-1 with Councilman Dyda voting nay)
Councilmember Dyda moved, seconded by Mayor Alegria to:
6) Direct- Staff to return in the future with staff report detailing all estimated costs
and direct ancillary costs related to parking and a including an estimate of costs
for items 1-4; APPROVED (5-0)
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved, seconded by Mayor Alegria to:
7) Direct Staff to work with PVPLC to review mutually beneficial programs to
provide parking benefits for volunteer and/or members;
APPROVED (3-2 with Councilman Dyda and Councilwoman Ferraro voting nay)
Mayor Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Cruikshank to:
8) Direct Staff to engage a traffic engineer to review Zones B and spaces adjacent
to St. John Fisher Church. APPROVED (5-0)
Additionally, Staff was directed to reach out to California Coastal Conservancy
recommended advocacy groups (see late correspondence for groups); add an
additional handicap space; and review incorporating the placard system with the
mobile app.
3. Consideration and possible action to initiate code amendment proceedings
to amend the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC) regarding
treehouse regulations. (Yoon)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that there was one request to speak.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Patrick Ford.
Mayor Alegria moved to waive staff report, hearing no objections it was so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Alegria, to : Initiate code
amendment proceedings to amend Title 17 (Zoning) of the RPVMC to codify
treehouse regulations and directed Staff to present an urgency ordinance at the
next City Council meeting (2/2) imposing moratorium on treehouses or tree decks
w/vertical or non vertical structures during the pendency of promulgating
amendments to Title 17.
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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January 19, 2021
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4. Consideration and possible action to review the CaIPERS annual Actuarial
III Valuation Report (AVR) and draft CaIPERS Pension Plan Guidelines.
(Browning/Ramos)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Alegria moved to waive staff report, hearing no objections it was so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved to extend the meeting to 11:45 P.M. Without
objection, Mayor Alegria so ordered.
Mayor Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Dyda, to: Receive and file the
background report summarizing the, City's participation in the CaIPERS Pension
Plan; Receive- and file the Actuarial Valuation Report (AVR) as of June 30, 2019;
and as Council Reviewed the Finance Advisory Committee's recommendations on
the draft CaIPERS Pension Plan Guidelines addressing a financial plan on the City's
pension liability and provide Staff with direction on the following:
• Affirming the $900,000 contribution threshold;
• Affirming the amount to stabilize payments;
• Establishing Employee Pension Plan Service, Fund (in an Internal Service Fund);
• Establishing a Section 115 Trust; and
• Accepting the initial funding contribution to the Employee Pension Plan Service
Fund and Section 115 Trust.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
None.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
III Each Council Member present reported on his/her attendance at various organization
and association meetings.
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January 19, 2021
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ADJOURNMENT
At 11:33 P.M., Mayor Alegria adjourned to 5:30 P.M. on February 2, 2021, for a Special
Meeting (Interviews Infrastructure Management Advisory Committee and Vector
Control); a Closed Session meeting at 6:00 P.M. and for an Adjourned Regular meeting
at 7:00 P.M.
Mayor Alegria adjourned in memory of Michael Edward Abboud and Len Wood
Mayor
Attest:
ity Clerk
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January 19, 2021
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