CC DM 20210406 B - 20210302 DRAFT CC MINSDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 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 6:05 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: Cruikshank, Dyda, Bradley and Mayor Alegria
ABSENT: Ferraro *excused (fireside room)
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
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 two cases
where the facts and circumstances giving rise to exposure to litigation are not
known to plaintiff(s).
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9 (d)(4),
because the City is considering whether to initiate litigation in one (1) case.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (FIRESIDE ROOM):
At 6:06 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
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*At 6:07 P.M. Councilmember Ferraro joined the meeting in the Fireside room.
RECONVENE TO STUDY SESSION (MCTAGGART HALL):
At 7:12 P.M., the Council reconvened the meeting for a Study Session (study session is
usually the second meeting of the month).
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 7:12 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 Bañales, 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, 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 City Manager Mihranian.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder reported that there were three items on the Council’s Closed
Session Agenda and was only able to deal with two items. The third may be dealt with,
if at all, at a future council meeting.
The City council met in Closed Session 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 exposure to litigation are believed to be
not known to plaintiff or plaintiffs. There was a privilege and confidential briefing by the
City Attorney’s office by special Council retained by the California Joint Powers
Insurance Authority to represent the City. The City Council authorized the execution of a
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joint defense agreement and a conflux waiver agreement to permit Council retained by
California Joint Powers Insurance Authority to represent them in this potential litigation
to exposure.
The second exposure to litigation was not considered tonight. The City Council met and
conferred pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9 (d)(4), because the City is
considering whether to initiate litigation in one case. The City Attorney’s office provided
a privileged and confidential briefing, questions were asked and answered. The Council
unanimously determined not to initiate litigation at this time.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Alegria announced the Council’s Honoree, which is Non- Profit program known
as Wayfinder. President and CEO Miki Jordan accepted a proclamation. Mayor Alegria
and Councilmembers thanked Miki Jordan for her service.
Mayor Alegria announced the Council’s Honoree, which is a Court Appointed Special
Advocates program for children. Ongoing Philanthropic Support, Jeremy Davies
accepted a proclamation. Mayor Alegria and Councilmembers thanked Jeremy Davies
for his ongoing service.
Mayor Alegria and Council recognized Jason Castillo’s 100th birthday.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Alegria announced the Recycle Winners for the February 16, 2021, City Council
meeting: Norman Macknight and Bryon Chan. 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 Dyda, 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 were three requests to speak.
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The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Max Ryan; Rose
Ryan; and Nicholas Ryan.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following: the RPV New Mobile app is
now live; the reopening of City hall; Vaccination Updates; Peninsula Pharmacies Now
offering Covid-19 vaccines; Thanking the Ryan family for keeping RPV clean; Cal Trans
creating new bike lanes, participation is welcomed on March 8th Traffic Safety
Committee meeting; Traffic Safety Committee recruitment; and Celebrate Women’s
History month.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve the
agenda as presented.
Councilmember Dyda indicated he would be voting No on Item H.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: *Dyda on Item H only
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)
Approve the Minutes of February 22, 2021, Adjourned Regular Meeting/Goals
Workshop.
C. Registers of Demands (Amundson)
Adopted Resolution No. 2021-07, 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 January 2021 Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report. (Lin)
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Received and filed the January 2021 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report.
E. Consideration and possible action to receive and file the June 2020 final Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report. (Lin)
Receive and file the June 2020 final Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report.
F. Consideration and possible action to adopt the amended City Council Policy
No. 41, Reserve Policies. (Ramos)
Adopted Resolution No. 2021-08, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES THEREBY AMENDING CITY COUNCIL
POLICY NO. 41, RESERVE POLICIES, AS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
AT THE FEBRUARY 16, 2021 MEETING.
G. Consideration and possible action to restore the Public Works Associate
Engineer (Traffic Engineer) classification. (Bañales)
1) Restored the Associate Engineer (Traffic Engineer) classification for FY 2020 -21;
and, 2) Restored the full-time Associate Engineer (Traffic Engineer) benefits and
salaries to the Public Works Department budget.
H. Consideration and possible action to adopt Ordinance No. 642, establishing
metered parking zones and associated regulations within the City. (Waters)
Adopted Ordinance No. 642, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES ADDING CHAPTER 10.40 (PARKING METERS) TO TITLE 10
(VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ESTABLISH
METERED PARKING ZONES AND ASSOCIATED REGULATIONS WITHIN THE
CITY.
I. Consideration and possible action to utilize City networks to promote
SBCCOG’s Home Share South Bay program. (Bright)
Authorized City Staff to utilize City networks to promote SBCCOG’s Home Share
South Bay program.
J. Consideration and possible action to file a Notice of Completion for the
Proposition A Transit Improvements Turnout Stations Project. (Dragoo)
1) Accepted the project as complete; 2) Authorized the City Clerk to file a Notice 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) Authorize d the Director of
Public Works to release the 5% construction retention to Palp, Inc. DBA Excel
Paving, 35 days after recordation of the Notice of Completion by the Los Angeles
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County Registrar-Recorder’s Office, contingent upon no claims being filed on the
project.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Consideration and possible action to conduct the 2020 Annual Review of
Green Hills Memorial Park’s compliance with the Conditions of Approval of
Conditional Use Permit No. 55 on property located at 27501 S. Western Avenue
(Planning Case No. PLCU2021-0001). (Seeraty)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that the notice of the public hearing was duly
published, no written protests were received, late correspondence was distributed
and there was one request to speak.
Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing open.
Amy Seeraty, Senior Planner, presented a staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
The following applicant addressed the City Council: Nick Resich (Green Hills).
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing closed.
Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bradley, to:
Receive and file a report finding that Green Hills Memorial Park is in compliance with
the Conditions of Approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 55 for year 2020.
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
2. Consideration and possible action to extend the timeframe of the interim
treehouse moratorium enacted by Urgency Ordinance No. 641U. (Yoon)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that the notice of the public hearing was duly
published, no written protests were received, late correspondence was distributed
and there were no requests to speak.
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Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing open.
Mayor Alegria moved to waive staff report, hearing no objections it was so ordered.
Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing closed.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Dyda, to: Adopt
Ordinance No. 643U, AN INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE
TREEHOUSE MORATORIUM PERIOD ENACTED BY INTERIM URGENCY
ORDINANCE NO. 641U BY AN ADDITIONAL 10 MONTHS AND 15 DAYS, TO
ALLOW STAFF ADEQUATE TIME TO RESEARCH AND PREPARE CODE
AMENDMENT PROCEEDINGS TO AMEND TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE RANCHO
PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE.
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 consider whether to appeal the Planning
Commission-approved Conditional Use Permit, Variance, Major Grading
Permit and Site Plan Review for the Ladera Linda Community Center and Park
Project located at 32201 Forrestal Drive (CASE NO. PLCU2020-0007) (Silva)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there
were five requests to speak.
Octavio Silva, Deputy Director of Community Development, presented a staff report
and PowerPoint presentation.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Doug Foster; Marty
Foster; James Hevener; Donald Bell; and Mickey Rodich.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Dyda, to: Accept City
Council Public Facilities Subcommittee Members Mayor Alegria’s and
Councilmember Cruikshank’s request to appeal, as a future public hearing agenda
item, the Planning Commission-approved Conditional Use Permit, Variance, Major
Grading Permit and Site Plan Review entitlements for the Ladera Linda Community
Center and Park Project.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
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NOES: None
4. Consideration and possible action to discuss and provide input on fees
associated with City service costs. (Brown)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were no requests to speak.
Trang Nguyen, Director of Finance, Chu Thai, Vice President, and Eric Johnson,
President of Revenue Cost Specialists, LLC presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to: 1)
Receive and file the Cost of Services Study dated April 30, 2019, prepared by
Revenue and Cost Specialists, LLC; 2) Review the Revenue and Cost Specialists,
LLC, and the Finance Advisory Committee’s (FAC) recommendations on the Cost of
Services Study; 3) Based on recommendations made by Revenue and Cost
Specialists, LLC and the Finance Advisory Committee, provide direction on the
following and included an amendment to include the 5 th bullet point below:
• Recovering 100% cost of Community Development Department fees,
excluding View Restoration fees
• Recovering 100% cost of Public Works Department fees
• Reducing certain Recreation and Parks Film Permit fees
• Reducing Business License Processing fees
• Return at a future meeting with an amended fee schedule based on
discussion points
4) Continue the discussion to a duly noticed public hearing on April 20, 2021.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
Mayor Alegria called for a brief recess at 9:19 P.M. The meeting reconvened at 9:30
P.M.
5. Consideration and possible action to receive a status report on the Palos
Verdes Drive South Realignment Project. (Razepoor)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Alegria moved to hear an executive summary from staff. Without objection
this was so ordered.
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Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to: 1)
Receive and file a status report on the Palos Verdes Drive South Realignment
Project;
2) Directed Staff not to proceed, at this time, with soliciting construction bids for the
Palos Verdes Drive South Realignment Project; and,
3) Reconsidered the Palos Verdes Drive South Realignment Project as part of the
Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Capital Improvement Program.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
6. Consideration and possible action to receive a report on the history of DDT
dumping off the Palos Verdes Peninsula coast to send a letter supporting
containment and remediation. (Barnes)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Alegria moved to hear an executive summary from staff. Without objection
this
was so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Dyda, to: 1) Receive and file a
report on the history of DDT dumping off the Palos Verdes Peninsula coast; and, 2)
Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to federal and state agencies, and amended to
included local electeds, and calling for a new assessment of the extent of offshore
DDT contamination, enhanced monitoring of sediment and wildlife, and options for
containment and remediation.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
7. Consideration and possible action to award a professional services agreement
to Environmental Sciences Associates (ESA) to complete the City’s 2021-2029
Housing Element Update of the City’s General Plan. (Silva)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that there was no request to speak.
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Mayor Alegria moved to waive staff report, hearing no objections it was so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Dyda moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to: 1) Award a
professional services agreement in an amount not to exceed $238,749.48 to ESA to
complete the 2021-2029 Housing Element Update of the City’s General Plan,
including the preparation of associated environmental documents, subject to
approval as to form by the City Attorney; and, 2) Direct Staff not to proceed with
forming a Housing Ad-Hoc Committee at this time.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley requested a review of the City Council Policy Manual.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Council Member present reported on his/her attendance at various organization
and association meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:09 P.M., Mayor Alegria adjourned to 5:30 P.M. on March 16, 2021, for an
Adjourned Regular Meeting to conduct Interviews of the Traffic Safety Committee; 6:00
P.M. for a Closed Session meeting; and 7:00 P.M. for a Regular meeting.
/s/ Eric Alegria
Mayor
Attest:
/s/ Emily Colborn
City Clerk