CC DM 20210504 B - 20210406 DRAFT CC MINSDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 6, 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 6:04 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: Cruikshank, Ferraro and Mayor Alegria
ABSENT: Bradley* (excused) and Dyda* (excused)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager;
William W. Wynder, City Attorney; Trang Nguyen, Director of Finance ; and Teresa
Takaoka, Deputy City Clerk.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S) ANNOUNCED:
City Attorney Wynder announced the item to be discussed in Closed Session.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
GC SECTION 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: Attorney William Wynder.; Ara Mihranian,
City Manager; Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager, Trang Nguyen, Director of
Finance
Employee Organization: Rancho Palos Verdes Employees Association
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (FIRESIDE ROOM):
At 6:06 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
*At 6:10 P.M. Councilmembers Bradley and Dyda joined the meeting in the Fireside
room.
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April 6, 2021
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RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:08 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 Alegria at 7:08 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 Jordan, Jacob, Billy, and Jim Hevener.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder reported that the City Council met in Closed Session with its labor
negotiators to discuss labor negotiations with the Rancho Palos Verdes Employees
Association. All five members of the City Council participated in Closed Session. There
was a privileged and confidential briefing and negotiation direction was given.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Alegria announced that Los Angeles County has entered the Orange Tier for
coronavirus restrictions on Monday, April 5, 2021.
Mayor Alegria shared that the City of was named fourth safest city in California by
SafeWise.
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April 6, 2021
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Mayor Alegria and City Council recognized outgoing Traffic Safety Committee member
Jim Guerin.
Mayor Alegria paid tribute to Jeffrey Frankel, Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School
District Board Member, who passed away on Sunday, April 4, 2021. Mayor Alegria
noted the meeting would be adjourned in his memory.
Mayor Alegria introduced Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District
Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss who provided information and updates School
District’s reopening process.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Alegria announced the Recycle Winners for the March 16, 2021, City Council
meeting: Clarence Choe and Andre Nizetich. 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.
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: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were four requests to speak and one
voicemail.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Grace Crofton;
Mohammad Chaudhry; Teresa Lee; and Jerry Duhovic (voicemail).
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following: April 10, 2021 Virtual Whale
of a Day; Point Vicente Interpretive Center re-opening on Monday, April 12, 2021; Los
Angeles moving into the orange-tier for covid restrictions; Covid vaccination updates;
Earth Day Campaign for April 2021; Drive-thru shredding event at City Hall on Saturday,
April 17, 2021; Palos Verdes Nature Preserve virtual quarterly public forum on
Wednesday, April 14, 2021; and Capital Improvement Program budget workshop on
Monday, April 12, 2021.
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April 6, 2021
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CONSENT CALENDAR:
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to
the meeting regarding Items B, F, M, and Q; and that there was one request to speak
on Item L. She notified Council that there was an additional correction to Item B and
upon approval of the Consent Calendar, she would need to read Item P into the record
as it is an introduction and adoption of an urgency ordinance.
Councilmember Cruikshank requested that Item F be considered after Regular
Business.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Cruikshank, to approve
the Consent Calendar with Item L to be heard immediately after the Consent Calendar;
and Item F to be considered after Regular Business.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dyda (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 (Takaoka)
Approved the Minutes of March 2, 2021, Regular Meeting and the March 2, 2021,
Improvement Authority Meeting Minutes, respectively.
C. Registers of Demands (Amundson)
Adopted Resolution No. 2021-12, 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; and, Adopt Resolution No. IA 2021-03, A RESOLUTION OF THE RANCHO
PALOS VERDES IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY, 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 February 2021 Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report. (Lin)
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April 6, 2021
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Received and filed the February 2021 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report
for the City and the Improvement Authority.
E. Consideration and possible action to receive and file a report on safe
prescription drug disposal. (Bright)
Received and filed a report on safe prescription drug disposal.
F. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of
support for SB809. (Bright)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
G. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of
opposition to AB 377. (Bright)
Authorized the Mayor to sign both a joint Peninsula Cities and a City letter of
opposition to AB 377.
H. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter in
support of AB 1251. (Bright)
Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter in support of AB 1251.
I. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of
support for ACA (Assembly Constitutional Amendment) No. 7. (Bright)
Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter of support for ACA No. 7.
J. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter in
support of Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) No. 2. (Barnes)
Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter in support of AJR No. 2, which calls on
Congress and the EPA to take action on the rediscovered DDT waste site off the
coast of Catalina Island.
K. Consideration and possible action to approve the results of the performance
audit of the City’s exclusive residential solid waste hauler EDCO Disposal
Corporation (EDCO) for calendar years 2017, 2018, and 2019. (Ramezani)
Approved the results of the performance audit of the City’s exclusive residential solid
waste hauler EDCO between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019.
L. Consideration and possible action to file a Notice of Completion for the
Coastal Bluff Fence Replacement Project at Vicente Bluffs Reserve.
(Ramezani)
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April 6, 2021
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This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
M. Consideration and possible action to award a professional services agreement
to Piasky Solutions to conduct a feasibility analysis of potential mixed-use
development opportunities along Western Avenue. (Yoon)
Authorized the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement in an
amount not to exceed $25,000 to Piasky Solutions to conduct a feasibility analysis of
potential mixed-use development opportunities for specific properties along Western
Avenue, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
N. Consideration and possible action to authorize a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between the Palos Verdes Peninsula Water Management
Group and approve an MOU regarding the Coordinated Integrated Monitoring
Program. (Eder)
1) Authorized the MOU between the Palos Verdes Peninsula Water Management
Group (WMG) regarding administration and cost sharing for revisions to the
Enhanced Management Program (EWMP) and Reasonable Assurance Analysis
(RAA); and 2) Approved the Second Amendment to the MOU for cost-sharing
between agencies in the Peninsula WMG to implement the Coordinated Integrated
Monitoring Program (CIMP).
O. Consideration and possible action to execute a Household Hazardous Waste
Collection Program Siting Liability Agreement between the City and the
County of Los Angeles and the County Sanitation District No. 2 of Los Angeles
County. (Ramezani)
Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the attached Household Hazardous
Waste Collection Program Siting Liability Agreement
P. Consideration and possible action to adopt an urgency ordinance and to
introduce an ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 15.42 (Floodplain
Management) to update the Municipal Code caused by Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) map modifications. (Eder)
1) Adopted Ordinance No. 644U, AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING CHAPTER 15.42 (FLOODPLAIN
MANAGEMENT) OF TITLE 15 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) OF THE
RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE; and, 2) Introduced Ordinance No.
645 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES REPEALING
AND REPLACING CHAPTER 15.42 (FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT) OF TITLE 15
(BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES
MUNICIPAL CODE, by title only, waive further reading and introduce the ordinance.
Q. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a comment
letter to Assemblymember Muratsuchi regarding AB 1295. (Villalpando)
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April 6, 2021
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Authorized the Mayor to sign a comment letter to Assemblymember Muratsuchi
regarding AB 1295.
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka read Item P ordinance, urgency ordinance, and an
introduction of an ordinance into the record.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
L. Consideration and possible action to file a Notice of Completion for the
Coastal Bluff Fence Replacement Project at Vicente Bluffs Reserve.
(Ramezani)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka noted that there was one request to speak.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Sunshine.
Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to
approve staff recommendation to: 1) Accept the Coastal Bluff Fence Replacement
Project for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20 at Vicente Bluffs Reserve as complete; 2)
Authorize 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 the Director of Public Works to release the 5% construction
retention payment to Golden Gate Construction, Inc., 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.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
Councilmember Dyda left the meeting at 7:58 P.M. and returned at 8:03 P.M.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Consideration and possible action to consider an appeal of the Planning
Commission-approval for the Ladera Linda Community Center and Park
project located at 32201 Forrestal Drive (Case No. PLCU2020-0007). (Silva)
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 25 requests to speak and 25 voicemails.
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Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing open.
Ara Mihranian, City Manager, provided an overview of the consideration of an
appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of the planning entitlements for the
Ladera Linda Community Center and Park project.
Matt Waters, Senior Administrative Analyst, and project architect Steve Johnson of
Johnson Favaro presented a PowerPoint presentation providing project background
and design.
Octavio Silva, Deputy Director of Community Development, presented a PowerPoint
presentation providing an overview of the Planning Commission’s review, project
entitlements and appeal.
Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works, presented a PowerPoint presentation
providing the project cost estimate and schedule.
Trang Nguyen, Director of Finance, presented a PowerPoint presentation providing
estimated project operating costs and funding options.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff and Steve Johnson.
Mayor Alegria called for a brief recess at 9:35 P.M. The meeting reconvened at
9:48 P.M.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved to extend the meeting to 12:30 A.M. Without
objection, Mayor Alegria so ordered.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Billy, Jacob and
Jordan Hevener; Susan Brooks; Charlene O’Neil; Sylvia Macia; Jim Hevener; Diane
Mills; Herb Stark; Jessica Vlaco; Elliot Levy; Jay Fodor; Charles Agnew; Chad Dime;
Kelvin Vanderlip; Dianne Bozler; Val English; Sharon Yarber; Paul Funk; and
Madeline Ryan.
Voicemails from the following members of the public were played: Joseph Cruz;
Pam Andresen; Craig Whited; Edmundo Hummel; Thomas Cyr; Alex Azmi; Meghan
Moore; Susan Cyr; Marty Foster; Mickey Rodich; Bill Schurmer; Carolynn Petru;
Michael Casares; Gary Randall; Lynda Sakamaki-Shepard; Yvette D’Elia; Benoit
Hochehez; Susan Wilcox; Mark Karmelich; and Don Bell.
Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing closed.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff including directing staff to
proactively address traffic, parking, security and safety concerns now before project
construction commences.
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April 6, 2021
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Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Mayor Alegria, to affirm the
Planning Commission’s approval and to amend Condition No. 31 to add security roll-
down gates above and around the sink area in addition to the open covered area.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: Ferraro
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved to extend the meeting to 1:00 A.M. Without
objection, Mayor Alegria so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Cruikshank, to: 4) Adopt
Resolution No. 2021-13; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES UPHOLDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION-
APPROVED CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT,
VARIANCE AND SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR THE LADERA LINDA COMMUNITY
CENTER AND PARK PROJECT WITH MODIFICATIONS TO THE CONDITIONS
OF APPROVAL including amending Condition No. 75 to retain the stairs between
the upper tier of the project site and the adjacent lower soccer fields and include
security gate with lockbox for access by emergency personnel, Condition No. 41 to
include that the Ladera Linda parking lot shall be open at 8:00 a.m. to one hour past
dusk or to one-half hour after classes end, whichever is later, seven days a week, or
to one-half hour past the ending time of an authorized event, and Condition No. 48
to include no fewer than 54 on-site parking spaces consisting of a combination of
standard parking spaces, electric and clean air vehicle spaces per the applicable
CalGreen Code, and accessible spaces per Title 24; and, 5) Directed Staff to
proceed with the completion of construction documents and authorize advertisement
of bids upon final completion of plans and specifications for the Ladera Linda
Community Center and Park project.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: Bradley, and Ferraro
Councilmember Dyda moved, seconded by Councilmember Cruikshank, to
direct staff to explore relocating and optimizing handicap parking spaces closer to
the building and to explore cost and effective ways to install exterior shutters over
glass surfaces to provide necessary security.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
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April 6, 2021
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REGULAR BUSINESS:
2. Consideration and possible action to initiate the process to conduct a
comprehensive classification and compensation study and an organizational
review for all full-time and part-time personnel. (DeZiel)
Mayor Alegria requested to continue this item to a future meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
F. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of
support for SB809. (Bright)
Mayor Alegria noted that this item was pulled earlier this evening by Councilmember
Cruikshank.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to
approve staff recommendation to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for
SB809.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, Bradley, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Councilmember Ferraro requested possibly having EDCO combine unwanted
prescription medications disposal drop off with either paper shredding or e-waste
disposal in a single event.
Mayor Alegria requested Councilmember Ferraro, as Traffic Safety Committee liaison,
to request the Committee to look into the Forrestal Drive/PVDS traffic concerns to
consider the pending construction of the traffic signal at PVDE/PVDS intersection; and,
at some point to come back to Council for review and consideration of the Committee’s
recommendations.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Mayor Alegria moved to waive City Council Oral Reports. Without objection, Mayor
Alegria so ordered.
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April 6, 2021
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ADJOURNMENT:
At 12:58 A.M., Mayor Alegria adjourned to 6:00 P.M. on April 12, 2021, for an Adjourned
Regular Meeting (CIP Workshop).
/s/ Eric Alegria
Mayor
Attest:
/s/ Teresa Takaoka
City Clerk