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RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 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 6:04 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)*
*Councilmember Ferraro was in the Fireside Room at 6:10 P.M.
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; William W. Wynder, City Attorney, and
Teresa Takaoka, Deputy City Clerk.
111 PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ANNOUNCED:
City Attorney Wynder announced the items to be discussed in Closed Session
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION
GC SECTION 54956.9 (d)(1) (2 cases)
1. 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: City Of
Rancho Palos Verdes v. Clingerman, Gaunt, Jr., Richard Gaunt
Construction Company, Grzywacx, Gardena Maple Leaf, LLC, Los Angeles
County Superior Court Case No. 20TRCV00419.
2. 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
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (VIA CONFERENCE BRIDGE):
At 6:06 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:11 P.M. the Closed 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 7:12 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 Banales, Deputy City Manager;
William W. Wynder, City Attorney; Trang Nguyen, Director of Finance; Ken Rukavina,
Director of Community Development; Elias Sassoon, Director of Public Works; Cory
Linder, 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 Sheriffs
Department.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Steven lhde.
To accommodate the participants in Japan, for the evening's ceremonial item, the
agenda reordered to take the Closed Session Report at the end of the Mayor's
Announcements. By acclamation, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A Ceremonial Event for the Sister City Proclamation Signing with Sakura City, Japan
took place with City Manager Mihranian, Deputy City Manager Banales and the Mayor
and Councilmembers of Rancho Palos Verdes and Sakura City Japan participating in a
virtual exchange of various presentations. This event culminated with a virtual signing of
a Sister City Resolution.
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August 4, 2020
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Mayor Cruikshank called for a brief recess at 8:05 P.M. The meeting reconvened at
8:17P.M.
At 8:17 P.M., Councilmember Bradley excused himself for the remainder of the meeting
and left the dais.
Mayor Cruikshank and the City Council recognized Dr. Paige Asawa for Mayor's
Honoree for her ongoing commitment to art therapy.
Mayor Cruikshank and the City Council recognized Ruberta Weaver on her 104th
birthday.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Cruikshank announced the new batch of Recyclers of the Month cards
Mayor Cruikshank announced the Recycle Winners for the July 21, 2020, City Council
meeting: Louis and Hannelore Fraix, and Lorraine Daigneault. 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.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder reported that City Council was briefed on two matters of pending
litigation.
The City Attorney's office provided a brief, privileged and confidential status report to
the Council, but no reportable action taken
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilmember Dyda moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria, 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 were two requests to speak via Zoom.
The following members of the public retracted their request to address the City Council:
Dale Spiegel, and Kelly Rehm.
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August 4, 2020
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CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian announced the following: Temporary Special Use Permits for
outdoor dining, fitness centers, and personal care services; 2020 Census deadline
changed to September 21 and Census response rates as of 8/6/20; 2020 National Night
Out recognizing law enforcement took place on August 4; Alert SouthBay Community
Survey#3; and recognition of Public Works Director Elias Sassoon for his service to the
City.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to
the meeting regarding Items D and G; and there was one request to speak regarding
Item D.
Councilmember Ferraro requested that Item E be considered after Regular Business.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Alegria, to approve the
Consent Calendar with Item D to be heard immediately after the Consent Calendar; and
Item E to be considered after Regular Business.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bradley (excused)*
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 (Colborn)
Approved the Minutes of the July 7, 2020, Regular Meeting.
C. Registers of Demands (Amundson)
Adopted Resolution No. 2020-44, 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 authorize the Mayor to sign a letter in
support of SB 793. (Barnes)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
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August 4, 2020
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E. Consideration and possible action to amend the Professional Services
Agreement with Telecom Law Firm, P.C. for technical and regulatory analysis
of telecommunications facility applications. (Eder)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
F. Consideration and possible action to ratify a Local Emergency Directive by the
Emergency Services Director to allow limited outdoor operations on sidewalks
and parking lots for restaurant dining, fitness facilities, and personal care
services. (Rukavina)
Adopted Resolution No. 2020-45. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES RATIFYING A LOCAL EMERGENCY
DIRECTIVE BY THE EMERGENCY SERVICES DIRECTOR TO ALLOW LIMITED
OUTDOOR OPERATIONS ON SIDEWALKS AND PARKING LOTS FOR
RESTAURANT DINING, FITNESS FACILITIES, AND PERSONAL CARE
SERVICES
G. Consideration and possible action to oppose various planning and zoning
bills in order to maintain local control. (Barnes)
Adopted Resolution No. 2020-46 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, EXPRESSING OPPOSITION
TO PROPOSED PLANNING AND ZONING LEGISLATION THAT USURPS LOCAL
CONTROL AND IMPOSES UNFUNDED MANDATES, AND EXPRESSING
SUPPORT FOR ACTIONS TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN LOCAL DEMOCRACY,
AUTHORITY AND CONTROL; and, (2)Authorized the Mayor to sign position letters
on these bills.
H. Consideration and possible action to receive and file the June 2020 Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer's Report. (Lin)
Received and filed the June 2020 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer's Report.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
D. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter in
support of SB 793. (Barnes)
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Alix Politanoff.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Alegria, to approve
staff recommendation to: Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter in support of SB 793 to
prohibit the retail sale of flavored tobacco products.
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August 4, 2020
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The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bradley (excused)*
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None
REGULAR BUSINESS:
1. Consideration and possible action to appoint a Council Member as the second
voting delegate alternate for the League of California Cities Annual Business
Meeting. (Takaoka)
Mayor Cruikshank moved to waive the staff report and proceed with Council
discussion. Without objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro to: Appoint
Councilman Dyda as the second voting delegate alternate.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bradley (excused)*
2. Consideration and possible action to receive a quarterly status report on
wildfire mitigation action items. (Villalpando)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there
were no requests to speak.
Senior Administrative Analyst Villalpando presented a comprehensive staff report.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria to: Receive
and file a quarterly status report on the Emergency Preparedness Committee's
recommended wildfire mitigation action items.
Without objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
I
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August 4, 2020
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3. Consideration and possible action to receive a status report on the City's fuel
modification and revegetation efforts. (O'Neill)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there
were no requests to speak.
Project Manager O'Neill presented a comprehensive staff report.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro to: Receive
and file a status report on the City's fuel modification and revegetation efforts for
City-owned property for 2020. .
Without objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:'
E. Consideration and possible action to amend the Professional Services
Agreement with Telecom Law Firm, P.C. for technical and regulatory analysis
of telecommunications facility applications. (Eder)
Councilmember Ferraro noted that she had pulled this item earlier as she requested
clarification on the increase in attorney fees.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria, to approve
Staff recommendation to: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services
Agreement with Telecom Law Firm, P.C., thereby extending the term of the
agreement through July 31, 2021 and increasing the consultant's flat and hourly fees
by 3%, for technical and regulatory analysis of telecommunications facility
applications.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bradley (excused)*
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Councilmember Ferraro requested a report on CaIPERS and Pension for the City.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
111
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August 4, 2020
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Mayor Cruikshank reported on his attendance at various organization and association
meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:44 P.M., Mayor Cruikshank adjourned this meeting.
(. 1)tfil)
Mayor
Attest:
ity Clerk
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August 4, 2020
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