CC DM 20210119 B - 20201201 CC MINS DRAFTDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 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 7:05 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, 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; 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 Deputy City Clerk Teresa Takaoka
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ANNOUNCED:
None.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Bradley, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
City Council Minutes
December 1, 2020
Page 2 of 10
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, Alegria and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
CEREMONIAL MATTERS AND CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION:
1. Presentation to Mayor Cruikshank
Mayor Cruikshank was commended for his years of service and was acknowledged for
his various contributions to the City and community. He was presented with a key to the
city plaque recognizing his years of service on the City Council as Mayor. Mayor
Cruikshank was also presented with certificates from various local and state public
official which included Los Angeles Board of Supervisor Janice Hahn; Liliana Pond of
Senator Ben Allen’s office; Aaron Forburger of Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi’s office;
Jennifer Harbeck of Congressman Ted Lieu’s office; Palos Verdes Estates Councilman
Kenny Kao; Rolling Hills Councilman Patrick Wilson; Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Velveth
Schmitz; and Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District President Suzanne
Seymour.
2. Remarks by Council Members and Mayor Cruikshank
Each Council Member acknowledged Mayor Cruikshank for his years of service.
3. Swearing in and Seating of appointed Council Members Eric Alegria and John
Cruikshank. (Takaoka)
Teresa Takaoka, Deputy City Clerk, administered the Oath of Office to re-elected
Council Members Eric Alegria and John Cruikshank.
Mayor Cruikshank provided remarks regarding his tenure as Mayor. He expressed
great appreciation to the Council Members, Staff, and residents for their support.
4. Council Reorganization
a. Selection of Mayor
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka called for nominations for the selection of Mayor.
Councilmember Ferraro nominated Mayor Pro Tem Alegria for Mayor.
With no other nominations, Mayor Pro Tem Alegria was appointed as Mayor for the year
2021 for the year 2021 by unanimous acclamation.
b. Selection of Mayor Pro Tem
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December 1, 2020
Page 3 of 10
Mayor Alegria called for nominations for the selection of Mayor Pro Tem.
Mayor Alegria nominated Councilmember Bradley for Mayor Pro Tem.
With no other nominations, Councilmember Bradley was appointed as Mayor Pro Tem
for the year 2021 by unanimous acclamation.
c. Comments by newly appointed Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
Mayor Alegria expressed gratitude to the City Council, residents, Staff, and their families
for their support.
Mayor Alegria called for a recess at 8:04 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER:
At 8:27 P.M. Mayor Alegria reconvened the meeting and Deputy City Clerk Takaoka
conducted a roll call. City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
ABSENT: None
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Alegria announced the Recycle Winners from the November 19, 2019, City
Council meeting: Suzanne Gulcher and Alexis & Peter Jensen. 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
$60.00.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian announced the following: congratulated the newly seated City
Council; thanked City Employees for participating in a Thanksgiving food drive; The
Great Peninsula Takeout; Stands United Against Hate; Elf in the Park; Frozen story &
Craft Time; Portuguese Bend Landslide Mitigation Project EIR Scoping Meeting; and
lastly, Happy Hanukkah.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Council Minutes
December 1, 2020
Page 4 of 10
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to
the meeting regarding Items C and H.
Councilmember Dyda requested to pull Item H and J.
Mayor Alegria requested to pull Item G.
Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve
the Consent Calendar items A- F and I. Items G, H and J will be heard immediately after
Regular Business.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
ABSENT: 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. Registers of Demands (Amundson)
Adopt Resolution No. 2020-66, 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. Approval of Minutes (Takaoka)
Approve the Minutes of the October 6, October 20, and November 17, 2020, Regular
Meeting.
D. Consideration and possible action to cancel the January 5, 2021, City Council
meeting. (Takaoka)
Approve the cancellation of the January 5, 2021, City Council meeting.
E. Consideration and possible action to formally accept the Gifts for Parks
donations. (Hirsch)
Accept Gifts for Parks donations and direct Staff to prepare donor letters of
appreciation for the Mayor’s signature.
F. Consideration and possible action to receive and file the October 2020 Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report. (Lin)
City Council Minutes
December 1, 2020
Page 5 of 10
Receive and file the October 2020 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report.
G. Consideration and possible action regarding the 2021 Business License Tax.
(Browning)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
H. Consideration and possible 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.
I. Consideration and possible action to amend the agreements with authorized
commercial solid waste collection and recycling companies and to designate
waste haulers for calendar year 2021. (Ramezani)
Approve Amendment No. 2 amending the commercial solid waste collection
company agreements with California Waste Services LLC; CalMe t Services, Inc.;
Consolidated Disposal Service, LLC DBA Republic Services; EDCO Disposal
Corporation; Universal Waste Systems, Inc.; USA Waste of California, Inc., DBA
Waste Management of Los Angeles; and West Coast Waste & Roll Off Service to
extend services for one additional year until December 31, 2021; and, 2) Adopt
Resolution No. 2020-67, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES DESIGNATING THE HAULERS AUTHORIZED TO
PROVIDE SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND RECYCLING SERVICES FROM
COMMERCIAL PREMISES, AND ROLL OFF SERVICES TO RESIDENTIAL AND
COMMERCIAL PREMISES IN THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES IN
CALENDAR YEAR 2021.
J. Consideration and possible action to increase the City’s contribution towards
the employee Health Savings Account. (Bañales)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Consideration and possible action to amend Chapters 17.02 (Single-Family
Residential (RS) Districts), 17.04 (Multiple-Family Residential (RM) Districts),
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December 1, 2020
Page 6 of 10
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). This item was continued
from the November 17, 2020 meeting. (Silva)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka stated that the notice of the public hearing was duly
published, no written protests were received, late correspondence was distributed,
there was one request for a letter to be read into the record, and there were no
requests to speak. Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted the public hearing was
continued from the meeting of November 17, 2020 and was therefore still open.
City Attorney Wynder requested that this item be continued to a date certain, which
would be December 15, 2020 based on conversations with HCD. As to the request
to have a comment read into the record, it will instead be incorporated into the
record.
Councilman Dyda moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bradley to: Continue the
item to December 15, 2020 meeting.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
2. Consideration and possible action to approve the Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) project for Fiscal Year 2021-22. (Ramezani)
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 Alegria moved to waive the staff report by acclamation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing open.
Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing closed.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Cruikshank to: 1)
Approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2021-22 Community Development Block Grant
project and budget; 2) Authorize the Deputy Director of Public Works to execute an
agreement for the Fiscal Year 2021-22 CDBG project with the Los Angeles County
Development Authority (LACDA), subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney;
and 3) Authorize the Deputy Director of Public Works to adjust the project budget, as
City Council Minutes
December 1, 2020
Page 7 of 10
necessary, to take into account the final CDBG allocations and any amounts
unexpended at the close of Fiscal Year 2020-21.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
REGULAR BUSINESS:
3. 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 Analysts Villalpando presented a brief staff report and
PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and Staff.
Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Dyda to: Receive
and file a quarterly status report on the Emergency Preparedness Committee’s
recommended wildfire mitigation action items.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
4. Consideration and possible action to approve a second amendment to the
Professional Services Agreement with Johnson Favaro for the Ladera Linda
Park Master Plan. (Waters)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there
were two requests to speak.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Jim Hevener and
Mickey Rodich.
Senior Administrative Analysts Waters presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley, seconded by Councilmember Cruikshank to: Authorize the
Mayor to approve a second amendment for a six month contract with the
City Council Minutes
December 1, 2020
Page 8 of 10
Professional Services Agreement with Johnson Favaro for architectural and
engineering design services for the Ladera Linda Park Master Plan Project thereby
allowing sufficient time to complete their scope of work consisting of assisting with
the CUP/CEQA process and creating construction-ready documents. The motion
passed on the following roll call vote:
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
5. Consideration and possible action to apply for Proposition 68 Per Capita Grant
Funds for outdoor site improvements at Ladera Linda Park. (Waters)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there
were two requests to speak.
Senior Administrative Analysts Waters presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Jim Hevener and
Mickey Rodich.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley, seconded by Mayor Alegria to: Adopt Resolution No. 2020-
68, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION WITH
CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION FOR
PROPOSITION 68 PER CAPITA GRANT FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT PATHS,
WALKWAYS, LANDSCAPING, AND PARK AMENITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE
PROPOSED LADERA LINDA PARK MASTER PLAN PROJECT; and, 2) Authorize
Blais & Associates to prepare the grant application, on behalf of the City, for outdoor
site improvement at Ladera Linda Park at a cost not to exceed $3,780, but to delay
the grant application until the first meeting in June 2021.
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
G. Consideration and possible action regarding the 2021 Business License
Tax. (Browning)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were no requests to speak and noted
that this item was pulled earlier this evening by Mayor Alegria.
City Council Minutes
December 1, 2020
Page 9 of 10
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Alegria moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bradley to approve Staff
recommendation to: Direct Staff not to increase the City’s Business License Tax
Rate for 2021; 2) Direct Staff to continue reducing the annual Business License Tax
for Home Occupancy businesses to zero ($0) for 2021; and 3) Direct Staff to afford a
continuing wavier tax for 2021 Small Business reporting less than 1.5M in gross
receipts due to financial hardships from COVID-19.
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
H. Consideration and possible 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 this item was pulled earlier this evening by
Councilmember Dyda, and there were no requests to speak.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff, and City Attorney Wynder.
Mayor Alegria moved to continue this item to the December 15, 2020 meeting to
review the liquidated damages clause and professional liability insurance
requirement. By acclamation this was so ordered.
Mayor Alegria moved to extend the meeting to 11 P.M. Without objection, he so
ordered.
J. Consideration and possible action to increase the City’s contribution towards
the employee Health Savings Account. (Bañales)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that this item was pulled earlier this evening by
Councilmember Dyda, and there were no requests to speak.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff, and City Attorney Wynder.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Cruikshank to
approve Staff recommendation to: Authorize Staff to increase the City’s contribution
to the employee Health Savings Accounts (HSA) by a total of $27,600 for employees
enrolled in the high deductible Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) medical plan.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
City Council Minutes
December 1, 2020
Page 10 of 10
None.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Councilmember Cruikshank and Mayor Alegria reported on their attendance at various
organization and association meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:33 P.M., Mayor Alegria adjourned.
/s/ Eric Alegria
Mayor
Attest:
/s/ Emily Colborn
City Clerk