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RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 2, 2021
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 Alegria at 6:43 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 — EXISTING LITIGATION
GC SECTION 54956.9 (d)(1)
City of Rancho Palos Verdes v. Indian Peak Properties, LLC
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 18STCV03781
4th Appellate District Case No. B303638 & B305068
Indian Peak Properties, LLC v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 18STCP02913
4th Appellate District Case No. B303325
Indian Peak Properties, LLC Petition for Declaratory Ruling
Federal Communications Commission CSR -O
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
GC SECTION 54956.9(d)(2) or (d)(3) and (e)(1)
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2) or
(d)(3) and (e)(1) because there is a significant exposure to litigation in one case
where the facts and circumstances giving rise to an exposure to litigation are not
known to plaintiff(s).
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (FIRESIDE ROOM):
At 6:44 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO STUDY SESSION (MCTAGGART HALL):
At 7:14 P.M., the Council reconvened the meeting for a Study Session.
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 7:15 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, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, 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
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Cruikshank.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder reported that there were two items on the Council's Closed
Session Agenda. The first was to provide a status report on four matters of pending
litigation to which the city is a party. The title of those ligations, the court and case
numbers or FCC numbers of the cases listed in your Closed Session Agenda. The City
Attorney's office provided a privilege and confidential status report on those various
litigations. The City Attorney also briefed the Council on facts and circumstances which
could give rise to a significate exposure in litigation in one case where the facts and
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February 2, 2021
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circumstances are unknown to the plaintiff or plaintiffs at this point. Again, there was a
privileged and confidential briefing. Questions were asked and answered. No reportable
actions were requested or taken on either Closed Session items.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Alegria announced the Council's Honoree, which is Palos Verdes, Peninsula
Village. Executive Director Marianne Propst accepted a proclamation on behalf of PVP
Village. Mayor Alegria thanked Palos Verdes Peninsula Village for its ongoing legacy of
service and support to seniors.
Mayor Alegria also honored and acknowledged former Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor
Steve Kuykendall and former Rancho Palos Verdes City Manager Carolyn Lehr who
both passed away recently.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Alegria announced the Recycle Winners for the January 19, 2021, City Council
meeting: Sadhna Sejpal and Lloyd Yuan. 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 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
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that there was one request to speak.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Elisabeth Ryan.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following: Citizen Satisfaction Survey;
Leash laws; Recreation activities; Reach activities; Black History Month; Virtual City
Council goals workshop; New Mobile App.
Lukasz Buchwald, IT Manager presented the new RPV mobile app functions.
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CONSENT CALENDAR:
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that there was one request to speak on item J.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Cruikshank, to approve
Consent Calendar with the exception of items J & N.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
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
Approved the Minutes of January 19, 2021 (Special and Regular) Meetings.
C. Register of Demands
Adopted Resolution No. 2021-04, 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.
D. Consideration and possible action to receive and file the December 2020 Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer's Report.
Received and filed the December 2020 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer's Report.
E. Consideration and possible action regarding a claim against the City by PT
Rigging Productions, Inc.
Rejected the claim and direct Staff to notify the claimant, PT Rigging Productions, Inc.
F. Consideration and possible action regarding a claim against the City by
Darlene Radell.
Rejected the claim and direct Staff to notify the claimant, Darlene Radell.
G. Consideration and possible action to review and approve the Fiscal Year 2021-
22 Budget Development Calendar.
Reviewed and approved the FY 2021-22 Budget Development Calendar.
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H. Consideration and possible action to approve the CaIPERS Pension Plan
Guidelines.
Approved the CaIPERS Pension Plan Guidelines thereby addressing a financial plan
on the City's pension liability.
I. Consideration and possible action to authorize Amendment No. 1 to the
professional services agreement with Shuster Advisory Group, LLC (formerly,
SFG Retirement Plan Consulting, LLC) for financial and retirement planning
consulting services.
Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute Amendment No. 1 to the
professional services agreement with Shuster Advisory Group, LLC to (a) reflect the
change in consultant's name; (b) amended the Scope of Services; and (c) amended
the Schedule of Compensation to reflect that payment will now be a flat fee rather
than based on the value of plan assets.
J. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of
expectations to the League of California Cities. (Bright)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
K. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to execute the Fifth
Tolling Agreement with the BKK Working Group related to the BKK
Corporation Landfill in West Covina.
Authorized the Mayor to execute the attached Fifth Tolling Agreement between the
BKK Working Group and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
L. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of
opposition to SB9.
Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter of opposition to SB 9.
M. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of
opposition to SB10.
Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter of opposition to SB 10.
N. Consideration and possible action to accept the Palos Verdes Peninsula-Wide
Safe Routes to School Plan.
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
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O. Consideration and possible action to exercise the second of three one-year
extension options available in an existing service agreement with Stay Green
Inc. for Citywide landscape services.
1) Awarded the Amended and Restated Agreement extending the term of the
service agreement with Stay Green Inc. for one-year, in a form approved by the City
Attorney's office, for Citywide landscape services.
2) Authorized the Mayor to execute the extension.
P. Consideration and possible action to approve the increase to the purchase
orders for RPVtv contractors Maria Serrao and Jeffrey Koven.
Approved the increase to the purchase orders for RPVtv contractors Maria Serrao at
$45,000, and Jeffrey Koven at $40,000.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
J. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of
expectations to the League of California Cities.
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that there was one request to speak.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Jeff Kiernan.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and staff. 111
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Alegria, to approve staff
recommendation to: Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of expectations to the
League of California Cities that it support legislation that fulfills its mission and
oppose all legislation that erodes local control in housing and planning and zoning
decisions.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
1. Consideration and possible action to appoint members to the Finance
Advisory Committee, Infrastructure Management Advisory Committee, and
the Los Angeles County West Vector Control District.
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Deputy City Clerk Takaoka presented a brief staff report and announced that ballots
111 were distributed earlier in the evening to appoint members to the Finance Advisory
Committee, Infrastructure Management Advisory Committee and the Los Angeles
County West Vector Control District and announced the vote of each Council Member.
Mayor Alegria called for a brief recess at 8:08 P.M. The meeting reconvened at 8:17
P.M.
After rounds of balloting, the following appointments were made:
Jessica Vlaco and Kevin Yourman were appointed to the Finance Advisory Committee,
with full terms to expire 6/30/2024; and,
Don Swanson, John Spielman, and Sean O'Connor were appointed to the Infrastructure
Management Advisory Committee, with full terms to expire 6/30/2024; and,
Bryant Tam was appointed to the Infrastructure Management Advisory Committee, to fill
the special vacancy with an unexpired term ending February 2023; and,
Ami Gandhi was appointed to the Los Angeles County West Vector Control District, with
a full term set to expire 12/31/2022.
111 2. Consideration and possible action to receive and file the biannual reports
from various City advisory boards and committees
Karina Banales, Deputy City Manager, presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
The following Committee Chairs provided reports on the designated on the
accomplishments of their respective advisory boards for the preceding six-month period,
and addressed achievements with respect to their most recent City Council-approved
work plans: Carolynn Petru for the Civic Center Advisory Board; Diana Feinberg for the
Emergency Preparedness Committee; Raquel Brown for the Finance Advisory Board;
Don Swanson for the Infrastructure Management Advisory Committee; and, Larry Liu
for the Traffic Safety Committee.
With no requests to speak, discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Alegria, to: Receive and file the
biannual reports and work plans from the City's five advisory boards
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
111 AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
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3. Receive and file a status report from the Ad Hoc City Council Subcommittees
on Requests for Proposals
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there
were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Dyda, presented a brief report.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to receive and
file a status report from the Ad Hoc City Council Subcommittee on Requests for
Proposal.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
4. Consideration and possible action to adopt an interim urgency ordinance to
impose a 45-day moratorium on the acceptance or processing of
applications, issuance of permits, and the construction of treehouses.
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
Councilmember Dyda moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to: Adopt
Ordinance No. 641U, AN INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY 45-DAY
MORATORIUM ON THE ACCEPTANCE OR PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS,
ISSUANCE OF PERMITS, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF TREEHOUSES WITH OR
WITHOUT VERTICAL SUPPORTS, as amended (clarifying definitions on page A-2).
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
Mayor Alegria moved to extend the meeting to 10:45 P.M. Without objection, Mayor
Alegria so ordered.
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CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
N. Consideration and possible action to accept the Palos Verdes Peninsula-
Wide Safe Routes to School Plan.
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were no requests to speak and that this
item was pulled earlier this evening by Councilmember Cruikshank.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff and Frank Barrera, Koa
Consultant.
Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bradley, to
approve staff recommendation to: Accept the Palos Verdes Peninsula-Wide Safe
Routes to School Plan, as presented, to set a planning framework and prioritization
for considering CIP improvements with an emphasis on accessibility and safety
around schools.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Councilmember Cruikshank suggested creating a housing committee for assistance in
determining whether ADUs count toward RHNA requirements. Mayor Pro Tem Bradley
advised that a Ad hoc Committee may be a solution with direction from the Planning
Commission instead.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Council Member present reported on his/her attendance at various organization
and association meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:39 P.M., Mayor Alegria adjourned to 6:00 P.M. on February 16, 2021, for a Closed
Session meeting and 7:00 P.M. for a Regular meeting.
Mayor Alegria adjourned in memory of Steve Kuykendall and Carolyn Lehr.
Vtsbit
Mayor
Attest:
City C erk
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