CC DM 20210921 B - 20210817 DRAFT CC MINSDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 17, 2021
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council was called to order by
Mayor Alegria at 6:05 P.M. at Fred Hesse Community Park, McTaggart Hall, 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, Dyda, and Mayor Alegria
ABSENT: Ferraro* (excused, in Fireside Room)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager;
William W. Wynder, City Attorney; Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works; Lukasz
Buchwald, Information Technology Manager; 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)(2), because there is a significant exposure to litigation in in one (1)
case. Legal objections have been asserted by Southern California Edison about
the agenda item addressing the proposed ordinance dealing with encroachment
permits.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (FIRESIDE ROOM):
At 6:06 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
*At 6:06 P.M. Councilmember Ferraro joined Closed Session in the Fireside Room.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:02 P.M. the Closed Session was adjourned to the Regular meeting.
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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 7:02 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; Charles Eder, Senior Engineer; Jaehee Yoon,
Senior Planner; Katie Lozano, Senior Administrative Analyst; Jesse Villalpando, Senior
Administrative Analyst; 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.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Alegria announced the recent Council item on Bubbles. There has been a great
amount of media coverage and a GoFundMe account has been created for this project.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Alegria announced the Recycle Winners for the August 3, 2021, City Council
meeting: Shashi Mahajan and Kwang Kim. 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:
*City Attorney Wynder noted that regarding Item 6, when approving the agenda, Staff
recommends to continue Item 6 to an indefinite date in light of recent public comments
to allow staff to address their concerns.
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Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve
the agenda as presented with the exception of Item 6.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder reported that the City Council met in Closed Session and
discussed all items on the agenda. There was a privileged and confidential briefing
regarding agenda Item 6. A number of legal objections were received to provisions of
the draft ordinance of Encroachment Permits for Public Utilities; Cox Cable and two of
the City’s wireless providers. Those communications came in late for City Council and
City Attorney to prepare and discuss. City Attorney Wynder is requesting that this item
be continued indefinitely for which action that is taken. The Council directed Staff to
meet with the various stakeholders to engage in a dialogue to better understand their
concerns about the Ordinance and the Council appointed the Mayor Pro Tem Bradley
and Councilmember Cruikshank as an ad hoc subcommittee to assist Staff with meeting
with the various stakeholders.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were twelve requests to speak.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Constance Turner,
Michael Glen, Faviola Ochoa, Kathy Campbell, Miriam Naomi Foust, Angie Gilbride,
Agustin Baeza, John Heffernan, Sharon Jang, Prakash Dheeriya, Maurice Haeems,
and Sharon Yarber.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following: One Year Anniversary
Celebration with Sakura City; Upcoming Housing Element Update Study Session;
Upcoming 80’s Summer Concert in the Park event on August 28; Budget in Brief is now
available; and City Hall will be closed on September 6 due to Labor Day.
Captain Powers provided a quarterly Law enforcement update.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting regarding Item K.
City Clerk Takaoka reported that Items D and K were pulled during the approval of the
agenda.
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Councilmember Dyda moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve the
Consent Calendar with Item D pulled by Councilmember Dyda, and Item K pulled by
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, 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. Approval of Minutes (Takaoka)
Approved the Minutes of August 3, 2021, Regular Meeting of the City Council and
Improvement Authority, and Special Meeting (CCAC Interviews); and August 4,
2021, Special Meeting (Sakura Sister Cities Ceremony).
C. Registers of Demands (Mata)
Adopted Resolution No. 2021-38, 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 approve a Contract Services Agreement
for the printing of the City’s quarterly newsletters and recreation inserts in
Fiscal Year 2021-22. (Waters)
This item was removed for separate consideration.
E. Consideration and possible action to adopt Ordinance No. 649 amending Title
2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code
thereby adding a new chapter relating to electronic filing of campaign
statements and conflict of interest statements. (Takaoka)
Adopted Ordinance No. 649, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES ADDING CHAPTER 2.54 TO TITLE 2 (ADMINISTRATION AND
PERSONNEL) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE
AUTHORIZING ELECTRONIC AND PAPER METHODS OF FILING CAMPAIGN
FINANCE DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS AND STATEMENTS OF ECONOMIC
INTERESTS (FORM 700).
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F. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter
supporting S. 2430 (Water Conservation Rebates) and S. 2432 (Disaster
Mitigation Rebates). (Bright)
1) Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter supporting S. 2430, which would make
rebates received from water utilities for water conservation improvements exempt
from federal taxes; and 2) Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter supporting S. 2432,
which would make rebates received for making natural disaster mitigation
improvements to their homes exempt from federal taxes.
G. Consideration and possible action to adopt a resolution upholding an appeal
and denying, without prejudice, a Site Plan Review with Neighborhood
Compatibility application for the construction of a new addition and roof deck
at 30137 Avenida Tranquila (CASE NO. PLSR2019-0365) (Guillean)
Adopted Resolution No. 2021-39, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES UPHOLDING AN APPEAL AND
DENYING, WITHOUT PREJUDICE, A SITE PLAN REVIEW WITH
NEIGHBORHOOD COMPATIBILITY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 305
FT2 THIRD-STORY ADDITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF A 881 FT2 ROOF DECK
AT 30137 AVENIDA TRANQUILA.
H. Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to
Southern California Edison (SCE) calling for the prioritization of funding for
undergrounding projects. (Villalpando)
Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter to SCE’s chief executive officer calling for the
prioritization of funding for undergrounding projects.
I. Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 1 to the All City
Management Services agreement for school crossing guard services for the
2021-22 school year. (Ramezani)
1) Approved Amendment No. 1 to the All City Management Services (ACMS)
agreement to provide crossing guard services at Dodson Middle School, Miraleste
Intermediate School, Ridgecrest Intermediate School, and Silver Spur Elementary
School during the 2021-2022 school year including the 2022 summer school
session; and 2) Authorized the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute Amendment No.
1 for $92,818.62 with a contingency of $2,181.38, for a total of $95,000.
J. Consideration and possible action to enter into a professional services
agreement with Sunbeam Consulting to provide flagging services for Miraleste
Intermediate School during in-person school sessions. (Awwad)
1) Awarded a professional services agreement to Sunbeam Consulting in the
amount not to exceed $161,070 annually that may be extended by two additional
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one-year terms by the City Manager to provide flagging services primarily for
Miraleste Intermediate School during in-person school sessions between August 1,
2021, and July 31, 2024; and 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the
professional services agreement subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
K. Consideration and possible action to approve amendments to the contracts
for the traffic signal project for the intersection of Palos Verdes Drive South
and Palos Verdes Drive East. (O’Neill)
This item was removed for separate consideration.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Consideration and possible action to establish a Residential Permit Parking
Program within certain areas of the Oceanfront Estates neighborhood. (Seeraty)
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.
Director of Community Development, Rukavina, presented a brief staff report
requesting that this item be continued to October 19, 2021 .
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: William Gallios.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bradley, to:
continue the public hearing to the October 19, 2021, City Council meeting.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
2. Consideration and possible action to consider an appeal of a Planning
Commission denial of a Height Variation Permit, Major Grading Permit,
Variance, Site Plan Review, and Encroachment Permit for the property located
at 28160 Palos Verdes Drive East (Case No. PLVA2018-0001). (Yoon)
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 six requests to speak.
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Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing open.
Councilmember Cruikshank recused himself at 7:56 P.M.
Senior Planner Yoon presented a staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Chairman Perestam discussed Planning Committee commissioners’ overview.
Chairman Liu discussed Traffic Safety Committee committee members’ overview.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff and Chairmen Perestam and Liu,
respectively.
The following appellants addressed the City Council: Luis DeMoraes (designated by
appellant David DeLangis).
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Richard Tippett;
Elizabeth Sala; Madeline Ryan (voicemail).
Rebuttals were heard by the following: Dave DeLangis.
Mayor Alegria declared the public hearing closed.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to: deny the
appeal without prejudice and directed Staff to return with a resolution with findings of
Staff at the next City Council meeting.
AYES: Bradley, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
RECUSED: Cruikshank
Mayor Alegria called for a brief recess at 8:58 P.M. The meeting reconvened at
9:09 P.M.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
3. Consideration and possible action to amend Chapter 12.16 (Streets, Parks and
Recreational Facilities) of Title 12 (Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places) of the
Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code and to update the City’s bail schedule.
(Lozano)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was received and distributed and
there was one request to speak.
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Senior Administrative Analyst Lozano presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Peter Shaw.
Mayor Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to: 1) Introduce
Ordinance No. 650, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
RENAMING THE TITLE OF CHAPTER 12.16 TO READ, “STREETS, PARKS,
PRESERVE, AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES”; REPEALING AND REPLACING
SECTIONS 12.16.010 (PROTECTION OF FLORA, FAUNA AND PUBLIC
BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES), 12.16.020 (MOTORIZED VEHICLES); AND
ADDING 12.16.170 (COMMERCIAL SERVICES AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES
PROHIBITED IN PARKS, PRESERVE, AND RECREATIONAL AREAS) OF
CHAPTER 12.16 (STREETS, PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES) OF
TITLE 12 (STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES) OF THE RANCHO
PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE, thereby prohibiting the use of motor vehicles
and e-bikes, and commercial services and industrial activities in City parks,
Preserve, and recreational areas and, 2) Adopted Resolution No. 2021-40,
AMENDING THE CITY’S BAIL SCHEDULE TO REFLECT CHANGES TO THE
MUNICIPAL CODE AND TO UPDATE FINE AMOUNTS FOR SPECIFIC
VIOLATIONS, as amended with the deletion of Section 10.44.010.
A substitute motion by Councilmember Dyda requesting the word “may” be changed
to “shall” in Section 3, paragraph C of the ordinance died for lack of a second.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley requested friendly amendment to exclude 12.16.045
subsection C (overflying) of the ordinance until further clarified. This amendment
was accepted by the maker (Alegria) and seconder (Ferraro) of the motion.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: Dyda
4. Consideration and possible action to receive a report on installing Wildfire
Monitoring Cameras. (Villalpando)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that there was one request to speak.
Senior Administrative Analyst Villalpando presented a brief staff report and
PowerPoint presentation.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Larry Maizlish.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
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Councilmember Cruikshank moved, seconded by Mayor Alegria, to approve staff
recommendation to: 1) Receive and file the report on installing Wildfire Monitoring
Cameras throughout the City’s open space areas; and 2) Directed Staff to proceed
with the procurement and installation issue with a request for proposals to vendors
and present a report to the Council outlining the scope of work, cost estimates
including details on operational and maintenance costs, and potential locations and
pole heights for consideration at a future meeting; and 3) To work with the other
Peninsula cities.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
5. Consideration and possible action to receive a status update from Cox
Communications regarding its internet speed and reliability services.
(Villalpando)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there were
no requests to speak.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved to extend the meeting to 10:45 P.M. Without
objection, it was so ordered.
Jesse Villalpando, Senior Administration Analyst, presented a brief staff report and
PowerPoint presentation along with Cox Communication Representatives Dave
Simpson, Manager, Government Relations; Chanelle Hawken, Vice President,
Government & Public Affairs; Dennis Morgan, Vice President, Construction; Ingo
Hentschel, Senior Vice President, Region Manager; and Carla Leal, Manager,
Construction & Planning.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff, and Consultants.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve
staff recommendation to: 1) Received and filed a presentation by Cox
Communications regarding its internet speed and reliability services. 2) Directed
Staff to add resource information on the City’s website including links to Cox
Communication's troubleshooting FAQs and videos, a Wi-Fi Optimization Guide
complete with an informative infographic, and Internet Experience Customer
Resources; explore SMART cities to increase the availability of publicly accessible
Wi-Fi and digital literacy programs; provide a plan outlining the infrastructure
improvements currently underway or planned for the coming months; and to develop
and identify a list of recommendations for consideration by the Council at a future
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meeting regarding the use of available federal funding for broadband infrastructure
improvements and smart city initiatives.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
Mayor Alegria moved to extend the meeting to 12:00 A.M. Without objection, it was
so ordered.
6. Consideration and possible action to amend Title 12 (Streets, Sidewalks and
Public Places) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to make certain
amendments relating to encroachment permits. (Eder)
*This item was removed from the agenda and continue d to a date uncertain.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
D. Consideration and possible action to approve a Contract Services Agreement
for the printing of the City’s quarterly newsletters and recreation inserts in
Fiscal Year 2021-22. (Waters)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that no late correspondence was received and there were
no requests to speak.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Mayor Pro Tem Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Dyda, to approve staff
recommendations to: Authorize the Mayor to execute a Contract Services
Agreement with Marina Graphic Center for the production of the City’s quarterly
newsletters and recreation inserts in FY 2021-22 in an amount not to exceed
$37,500 for a period of one year that may be extended by two additional one -year
terms by the City Manager.
The Council acknowledged that from time-to-time, newsletters on City topics of
significance will be added that may need a cost adjustment.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
K. Consideration and possible action to approve amendments to the contracts
for the traffic signal project for the intersection of Palos Verdes Drive South
and Palos Verdes Drive East. (O’Neill)
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City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there were
no requests to speak.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Alegria, to approve staff
recommendation to:1) Approve Amendment No. 1 to the contract with Crosstown
Electrical & Data, Inc. in the amount of $63,799 for a revised contract sum of
$269,277; 2) Approve an increase of $6,380 in the contingency budget, to reflect
10% of the revised construction contract total; and 3) Approved Amendment No. 1 to
the contract with Southern California Electrical Firm for additional inspection services
and material testing services in the amount of $11,180 for a revised contract sum of
$30,380.50.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote :
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Dyda, Ferraro, and Mayor Alegria
NOES: None
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Mayor Alegria requested a review on the Planning Permit process and
recommendations on Federal Funding opportunities partnership with Cox Communities.
Councilmember Ferraro requested an update on the view impairments along City
corridors.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Council Member present reported on his/her attendance at various organization
and association meetings.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 11:24 P.M., Mayor Alegria adjourned to 7:00 P.M. on August 24, 2021, for a joint
meeting with the Planning Commission to conduct a Housing Element Study Session
meeting.
____________________________
Mayor
Attest:
____________________________
City Clerk