CC MINS 20230221 MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 21, 2023
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular Meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council was called to order by
Mayor Ferraro at 7:12 P.M. at Fred Hesse Community Park, McTaggart Hall, 29301
Hawthorne Boulevard. This meeting took place remotely in accordance with
Government Code section 54953(e) et seq. (AB 361) and Resolution 2021-59, adopted
by the City Council on November 16, 2021. Members of the public could observe and
participate using the Zoom participation feature, and with options called out in the public
participation form provided under a separate cover with the agenda. Notice having been
given with affidavit thereto on file.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
ABSENT: None
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Karina Banales, Deputy City Manager;
William Wynder, City Attorney; Trang Nguyen, Director of Finance; Cory Linder, Director
of Recreation and Parks; Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works; Octavio Silva, Interim
Director of Community Development; Amy Seeraty, Senior Planner; Jesse Villalpando,
Senior Administrative Analyst; Matt Waters, Senior Administrative Analyst, and Teresa
Takaoka, City Clerk.
Also present was Deputy Darlene Lopez from the Lomita Sheriff Station (via Zoom).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Henry Jurgens.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Ferraro shared the passing of Joseph Rebeck, a longtime Rancho Palos Verdes
resident. She stated she would like to adjourn the meeting in his memory.
Mayor Ferraro and City Council presented a proclamation to Christopher Gastelum. The
City Council recognized Christopher Gastelum for taking a lead role in raising funds for
cancer research and increasing access to advanced treatment options. Chris's
multigenerational team is called "Together Against Cancer" because no one should
have to face cancer alone. Chris accepted the proclamation. Mayor Ferraro and
Councilmembers thanked Chris Gastelum for being an inspiration and example for the
community.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Ferraro announced the Recycle Winners for the February 7, 2023 City Council
meeting: Marianne Mansour and Patsy V. Gloor. She indicated that all winners receive
a check for $250 and urged everyone to participate in the City's Recycling Program.
She 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.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Alegria, to approve
the agenda as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there was one prerecorded voicemail.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council via pre-recorded
voicemail: Brandee Keith (South Coast AQMD Representative).
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian provided a report on the following: submissions for the 50th
Anniversary Art Contest are due on February 28; upcoming Whale of a Day bookmark
contest for grades TK-5; Reminder to submit public comments for Portuguese Bend
Landslide Remediation Project Draft EIR by April 14; To date, reported 317 responses
from Homelessness Plan Community Survey, final survey responses are due February
23; Mental health resources hub available on the City website; and upcoming notice of
annual brush clearance requirements.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Bradley requested to pull item F for discussion after Regular Business.
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Alegria, to approve
the Consent Calendar without item F.
City Clerk Takaoka noted that the motion would include the adoption of Resolution No.
2023-07, presented as item letter J, by a 4/5th vote of the entire City Council.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
City Council Regular Minutes
February 21, 2023
Page 2 of 9
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
A. Approval of Minutes (Zweizig)
Approved the Minutes of February 7, 2023, Regular Meeting.
B. Registers of Demands (Mata)
1) Adopted Resolution No. 2023-06, 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. Consideration and possible action to accept Gifts for Parks donations.
(Hirsch)
Accepted Gifts for Parks donations and directed Staff to prepare donor letters of
appreciation for the Mayor's signature.
D. Consideration and possible action to amend an existing professional service
agreement with Renne Public Policy Group (RPPG) for state lobbying services.
(Bright)
1) Approved Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with RPPG
to increase the contract sum by $56,000, thereby increasing the not-to-exceed total
agreement amount from $56,000 to $112,000 and extending the term by one year
for state lobbying services; and, 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute
the amendment in a form approved by the City Attorney.
E. Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 3 to the
employment agreement with Mr. Ara M. Mihranian, AICP, as City Manager.
(Bañales)
1) Approved Amendment No. 3 to City Manager Employment Agreement, thereby
extending the terms for an additional three years with a term date of February 18,
2026, and increasing the annual salary compensation of the City Manager by 3%
to an annual salary of$232,800 and authorize the Mayor to execute the same on
behalf of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the Successor Agency to the
Dissolved Rancho Palos Verdes Redevelopment Agency and the Rancho Palos
Verdes Improvement Authority effective February 19, 2022, the first pay period
after the amendment is approved; 2) Approved an employee retention payment,
not otherwise subject to CaIPERS, to the City Manager of approximately 4.5% of
his salary in the amount of$10,500 to be paid directly to the City Manager; and,
3) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the amendment in a form
approved by the City Attorney.
City Council Regular Minutes
February 21, 2023
Page 3of9
F. Consideration and possible action to authorize Amendment No. 1 to a
professional services agreement with McGee Surveying Consulting to perform
landslide movement surveys. (Dragoo)
This item was removed for separate consideration.
G. Consideration and possible action to authorize a professional services
agreement with Dudek, Inc. for the preparation of compliance measures related
to the City's 2021-2029 Housing Element Update. (Silva)
1) Approved a professional services agreement with Dudek, Inc. for a term of three
years and at a total contract sum of$366,000, that is not to exceed $122,000
annually, for the preparation of compliance measures related to the City's 2021-2029
Housing Element Update; and, 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute
the professional services agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney.
H. Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 1 to the
Agreement for Public Works Services with Hardy & Harper for roadway repairs
within the landslide.
(Dragoo)
1) Approved Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for Public Works Services with
Hardy & Harper, Inc, to increase the contract sum by $250,000 during Fiscal Year
2022-23, thereby increasing the not-to-exceed total Agreement amount from
$3,300,500 to $3,550,500, to provide maintenance repairs on roads within landslide
areas of the City; 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute Amendment No.
1 to the Public Works Services Agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney;
and, 3) Approved an additional appropriation of$143,000 in Fund 215, Proposition C
Landslide Area Resurfacing Program.
I. Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 2 to the Contract
Services Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services with Aleshire & Wynder, LLP.
(Bañales)
1) Approved Amendment No. 2 to the Contract Services Agreement for City Attorney
Legal Services with Aleshire & Wynder, LLP increasing all rates for all legal services
by the annual CPI-U or three (3) percent, whichever is less effective July 1, 2023;
and, 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the amendment in a form
approved by the City Attorney.
J. Consideration and possible action to declare an emergency for the sinkhole and
associated repair on Hawthorne Boulevard near Seamount Drive/Eddinghill
Drive. (Dragoo)
1) Adopted Resolution No. 2023-07 "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES FINDING AND DECLARING, BY A
FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE OF THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL, THAT AN EMERGENCY
City Regular Re ular Minutes
February 21, 2023
Page 4 of 9
EXISTS WHICH WILL NOT PERMIT THE COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION OF BIDS
TO REPAIR A SINKHOLE LOCATED AT HAWTHORNE BOULEVARD NEAR
SEAMOUNT DRIVE/EDDINGHILL DRIVE, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO REPAIR AND REMEDIATE THE
SAME"; 2) Approved an appropriation of$480,000; 3) Based on the competitive
solicitation of on-call bids performed by the Los Angeles County Flood Control
District, authorized the City Manager and Director of Public Works to finalize
negotiations for the emergency repairs not-to-exceed $350,000, with a 20%
contingency of$70,000 that can be authorized by the City Manager to execute
change orders for unforeseen work during the performance of the emergency
repairs; 4) Authorized a Professional Services Agreement in the not-to-exceed
amount of$50,000 with Sunbeam Consulting, Inc., with a contingency of $10,000,
for related sinkhole repair construction management and inspection services; and, 5)
Authorized the emergency repairs to commence upon final negotiations to the scope
of work and authorize the Mayor to execute the Sunbeam agreement in a form
approved by the City Attorney.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Consideration and possible action to conduct the 2022 Annual Review of
Green Hills Memorial Park's compliance with the Conditions of Approval of
Conditional Use Permit No. 155 and to approve revisions to CUP No. 155 on
property located at 27501 S. Western Avenue (Planning Case No. PLCU2022-
0009). (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 Ferraro declared the public hearing open.
Interim Director of Community Development Octavio Silva introduced Senior Planner
Amy Seeraty who presented a staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Council Members asked questions of Staff.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Barbara Sattler.
The following applicant addressed the City Council: Nick Resich.
City Council Regular Minutes
February 21, 2023
Page 5 of 9
Mayor Ferraro declared the public hearing closed.
I
Discussion and questions ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Bradley, to
approve Staff recommendation as amended: 1) Received and filed a report finding
that Green Hills Memorial Park is in compliance with its Conditional Use Permit; 2)
Adopted Resolution No. 2023-08, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING REVISION "F" TO THE
APPROVED CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 155 THEREBY AMENDING
CONDITION NO. 7 AND APPROVING A MAJOR GRADING PERMIT TO ALLOW
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 2,800 FT2 CREMATORIUM BUILDING WITH 193.4
YD3 OF ASSOCIATED GRADING TO REPLACE THE CEMETERY'S EXISTING
CREMATION FACILITY; AND AMENDING CONDITION NO. 12.C, TO REDUCE
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF EXISTING PARKING SPACES IN THE
ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING PARKING LOT FROM 95 TO 93 and; 3) Directed
Staff to reach out to AQMD and request further analysis on inspections and how
they relate to the crematorium and if there are concerning effects regarding
emissions to bring it back to Council for its review and consideration.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
REGULAR BUSINESS:
2. Consideration and possible action to receive an update on a proposed Palos
Verdes Historical Society museum. (Waters)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed, and there were
seven requests to speak.
Director of Recreation and Parks Cory Linder introduced Senior Administrative
Analyst Matt Waters who presented a staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Ken Dyda, Dana
Graham, Henry Jurgens, Bob Cash, Dwight Abbott, and Barbara Sattler.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council via pre-recorded
voicemail: Eileen Paterson.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff. I
City Council Regular Minutes
February 21, 2023
Page 6 of 9
Councilmember Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo, to approve Staff
recommendation as follows: 1) Received and filed a status update report on a
proposed Palos Verdes Historical Society (PVHS) museum based on City Council
direction at its November 15, 2022 meeting.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
3. Consideration and possible action to receive a report on resources available
for wildfire residential property insurance coverage for Rancho Palos Verdes
residents. (Villalpando)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that no late correspondence was received, and there was
one request to speak.
Senior Administrative Analyst Jesse Villalpando presented a staff report and
PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Larry Maizlish.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank, to
approve Staff recommendation as follows: 1) Received and filed a report on
resources available for wildfire residential property insurance coverage for Rancho
Palos Verdes residents; 2) Directed Staff to pursue the City's participation in the
National Fire Protection Association's "Firewise USA" program and the Fire Risk
Reduction Community designation developed by the state's Board of Forestry and
Fire Protection; and 3) Coordinate with the City's Emergency Preparedness
Committee in the drafting and mailing of a residential fire insurance information and
resources letter to all households, including a survey of residents regarding the
affordability and availability of homeowner insurance for future City Council
consideration.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
4. Consideration and possible action to receive an update on maintenance and
repair issues at U.S. Coast Guard properties in Rancho Palos Verdes. (Waters)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that no late correspondence was received, and there were
no requests to speak.
City Council Regular Minutes
February 21, 2023
Page 7 of 9
Senior Administrative Analyst Matt Waters presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
Discussion and questions ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo, to approve Staff
recommendation as follows: 1) Received and filed a report on maintenance and
repair issues at the two U.S. Coast Guard properties in Rancho Palos,Verdes; and,
2) Directed Staff to send a strongly worded letter, under the Mayor's signature,
expressing continued interest in acquiring both of the U.S. Coast Guard Properties
that are currently under divestiture consideration inclusive of the Battery Barnes
property notations and the Coast Guard Museum; with emphasis on how integral this
property is to the City.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
F. Consideration and possible action to authorize Amendment No. 1 to a
professional services agreement with McGee Surveying Consulting to perform
landslide movement surveys. (Dragoo)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were no requests to speak and that this item
was pulled earlier this evening by Councilmember Bradley.
Discussion and questions ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank, to
approve staff recommendation as amended: 1) Authorized Amendment No. 1 to the
Professional Services Agreement with Michael R. McGee, PLS, dba McGee
Surveying Consulting, increasing the contract sum by $19,020 for a total not-to-
exceed amount of$44,019 for landslide movement surveys and associated reports,
with a 15% contingency of$2,850; 2) Authorized the Mayor to execute the
agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney; and, 3) Directed Staff to move
forward with the use of more modern 3D technology for monitoring as expeditiously
as possible.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
City Council Regular Minutes
February 21, 2023
Page 8 of 9
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
None.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Council Member present reported on his/her attendance at various organization
and association meetings.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 10:12 P.M., Mayor Ferraro adjourned to 6:00 P.M. on March 7, 2023, for Interviews,
followed by a Regular meeting at 7:00 P.M.
Mayor Ferraro adjourned the meeting in honor and memory of Joseph Rebeck.
ayor
Attest: k #i i. i feA),.."),,-
City Clerk
I
City Council Regular Minutes
February 21, 2023
Page 9 of 9