CC DM 20210518 B - 20210504 DRAFT CC MINSDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL/IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 4, 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 6:02 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, Cruikshank, Ferraro and Mayor Alegria
ABSENT: 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, 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 LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9 (d)(2) or
(d)(3) & (e)(1) because there is a significant exposure to litigation in two (2)
cases where the City believes that the facts and circumstances which could give
rise to a significant exposure to litigation are not know to the putative plaintiff(s).
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6, with the
City Manager, City Attorney and Ms. Julie DeZiel, the City’s negotiators,
regarding labor negotiations with the Rancho Palos Verdes Employee
Association.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (FIRESIDE ROOM):
At 6:03 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
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*At 6:10 P.M. Councilmember Dyda joined Closed Session virtually.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:28 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 7:28 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, 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 the City Council met in Closed Session and
discussed two items on the agenda. There was a privileged and confidential briefing
from the City Attorney’s office on facts and circumstances which could give rise to
litigation in one case. Questions were asked and answered, and no reportable actions
were taken. The City Council also met and conferred with its labor negotiators regarding
ongoing labor negotiations with the Rancho Palos Verdes Employees Association.
Questions were asked and answered, and negotiating authority was afforded by the City
Council to its negotiators. The third Closed Session item will be taken, if at all, at a
future City Council meeting.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
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Mayor Alegria and City Council recognized outgoing Emergency Preparedness
Committee member Diana Feinberg.
Mayor Alegria announced the Council’s Honorees, Dr. Rahim Govani and Dr. Salima
Thobani, both of whom answered a call for medical assistance on their flight returning
from the Super Bowl, after being among 7,500 frontline healthcare workers honored by
the National Football League. They, along with their friend Dr. Nilesh Vora, worked
tirelessly to diagnose and stabilize a fellow passenger who was having difficulty
breathing and was exhibiting signs of severe distress. They urged the flight crew to
make an emergency landing and are credited with saving the passenger’s life. Mayor
Alegria and Councilmembers thanked Dr. Govani, Dr. Thobani, and their friend Dr. Vora
for their life-saving skills and inspiring work with a presentation of a proclamation.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Alegria announced the Recycle Winners for the April 20, 2021, City Council
meeting: Barbara Hee and Stan Anderson. 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 Dyda, 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:
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there was one request to speak.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Sunshine.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following: Los Angeles County is
eligible to move into the least restrictive yellow-tier for covid restrictions; Covid
vaccination updates; Wildfire Preparedness week is May 2-8 and provided tips to
protect your community by hardening your home; E DCO Spring brush clearing event
from April 17 – May 15; New MyRPV mobile app is now live; Paint Rocks event at Ryan
Park throughout the month of May; Civic Center Advisory Committee recruitment;
Congratulations to the Marymount Mariners Class of 2021; Wished everyone a Happy
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Mother’s Day; Congratulations to Teresa Takaoka on being selected as City Clerk; and
Happy Birthday wishes to Councilmember Ferraro.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting regarding Item B.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve the
Consent Calendar.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: Cruikshank (No on Item F only)
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. Approval of Minutes (Takaoka)
Approved the Minutes of April 6, (Regular); April 12, (Adjourned Regular - CIP
Workshop); and the April 20, 2021, Adjourned Regular Meeting (EPC Interviews),
respectively.
C. Registers of Demands (Amundson)
Adopted Resolution No. 2021-16, 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, Adopted Resolution No. IA 2021-04, 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 March 2021 Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report. (Lin)
Received and filed the March 2021 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report for
the City and the Improvement Authority.
E. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of
support for AB 1258. (Bright)
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Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter of support for AB 1258.
F. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter in
support of AB 1053. (Bright)
Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter in support of AB 1053.
G. Consideration and possible action to expand fuel modification services on
City-owned property. (O’Neill)
1) Received and filed a report on an updated Fuel Modification Plan; and, 2)
Authorized a contract amendment to Fire Grazers, Inc., in the amount of $165,126,
to expand fuel modification services on City-owned property through June 30, 2022.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Consideration and possible action to amend Chapter 17.70 (Site Plan Review)
of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to add
subsection 17.70.025 (Natural Communities Conservation Plan/Habitat
Conservation Plan) establishing Coastal Sage Scrub provisions. (Silva)
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.
Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing open.
Octavio Silva, Deputy Director of Community Development, presented a staff report
and PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing closed.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Alegria, to: approve staff
recommendation to introduce Ordinance No. 646, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ADDING SUBSECTION 17.70.025 (NATURAL
COMMUNITIES CONSERVATION PLAN/HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN) TO
CHAPTER 17.70 (SITE PLAN REVIEW) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE RANCHO
PALOS VERDE MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONS FOR THE
PROTECTION OF COASTAL SAGE SCRUB (CASE NO. PLCA2021-0002).
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
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AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
2. Consideration and possible action to record a lien to recover City-incurred
costs associated with the nuisance abatement on property located at 13
Cayuse Lane. (Monroy)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that the notice of the public hearing was duly published,
one written protest was received, late correspondence was distributed and there was
one request to speak.
Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing open.
City Manager Mihranian notified City Council that in light of the correspondence
received by the property owners’ attorney, he requests that the Item be continued to
May 18, 2021.
The following applicant addressed the City Council: Kerry Renn (attorney for Rose
Marie Disanto).
City Manager Mihranian indicated that based on the public comment received, he
recommends that the Public Hearing be continued to June 1, 2021.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Cruikshank, to:
continue the Public Hearing to June 1, 2021.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
REGULAR BUSINESS:
3. Consideration and possible action to repeal and replace Subsection (A) of
Chapter 5.10.020 and Chapter 5.28 (Peddlers) of the Municipal Code to
conform with Senate Bill No. 946. (Gerli)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there was
one request to speak.
City Attorney Wynder provided a staff report.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Robert Snyder.
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Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff, and City Attorney Wynder.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bradley, to: approve
staff recommendation to waive further reading and adopt by a four-fifths vote of the
entire City Council Urgency Ordinance No. 647U, entitled “AN URGENCY
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES REPEALING AND
REPLACING SUBSECTION (A) OF CHAPTER 5.10.020 AND CHAPTER 5.28
(PEDDLERS) OF TITLE 5 (BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS)
OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE, AS AMENDED”.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to: approve
staff recommendation to waive further reading and introduce for first reading
Ordinance No. 648, entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES REPEALING AND REPLACING SUBSECTION (A) OF CHAPTER
5.10.020 AND CHAPTER 5.28 (PEDDLERS) OF TITLE 5 (BUSINESS TAXES,
LICENSES AND REGULATIONS) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL
CODE, AS AMENDED”.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
Mayor Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to have staff prepare a
letter to Senate and Assembly leaders on the unintended consequences of Senate
Bill 946, in reference to street vendors.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
4. Consideration and possible action to accept the Engineering and Traffic
Survey and establish certain speed limits on various City streets. (Dragoo)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there was
one request to speak.
Director of Public Works Awwad presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff, and Willdan Engineering
Consultant, Vanessa Munoz.
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The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Mickey Rodich;
and Lenée Bilski.
Discussion continued among Council Members, Staff, Willdan Engineering
Consultant, Vanessa Munoz, and Captain Powers.
Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Dyda, to remand
the Traffic and Engineering Study back to the Traffic Safety Committee to consider
Council comments and return for re-consideration at a City Council meeting in the
near future.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
Mayor Alegria called for a brief recess at 9:33 P.M. The meeting reconvened at
9:41 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
Mayor Alegria reported that there was one additional request to speak under Public
Comments for Non-Agenda Items.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Helen Fong.
5. Consideration and possible action to receive and file an informational report
on protecting public views. (Alvarez)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there were
two requests to speak and one voicemail.
John Alvarez, Senior Planner, presented a staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Lenée Bilski; and
Edward Stevens (voicemail).
Discussion continued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Alegria moved to extend the meeting to 10:45 P.M. Without objection, Mayor
Alegria so ordered.
Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Dyda, to: initiate a
code amendment process to consider amending the Zoning Code to preserve views
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impaired by fences and walls along all roadways; and to include a recommendation
by the Planning Commission.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
6. Consideration and possible action to receive and file an update on the Sister
City Program with Sakura City. (Bañales)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were no requests to speak.
Deputy City Manager Bañales presented a staff report and shared the new Sister
City Partnership webpage.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Alegria noted no motion was required for this item, by acclamation staff
recommendations were so ordered to receive and file an update on the Sister City
Program between Rancho Palos Verdes and Sakura City, Japan.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
None
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Councilmember Cruikshank requested Staff work with Los Angeles County and
Southern California Edison to look into what can be done to install wildfire monitoring
cameras in the City’s open space areas.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Council Member present reported on his/her attendance at various organization
and association meetings.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 10:46 P.M., Mayor Alegria adjourned to 6:00 P.M. on May 18, 2021, for a Closed
Session meeting and 7:00 P.M. for an Adjourned Regular meeting
____________________________
Mayor
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Attest:
____________________________
City Clerk