CC MINS 20230502 MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL AND IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 2, 2023
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular Meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and the Improvement
Authority for the purpose of a Closed Session was called to order by Mayor Ferraro at
6:02 P.M. at Fred Hesse Community Park, McTaggart Hall, 29301 Hawthorne
Boulevard. This meeting took place remotely in accordance with the requirements of the
Ralph M. Brown Act, Section 54950 et seq. of the Government Code. Remote
participation by any Councilmember shall be in accordance with Subdivisions (b)(3) or
(f) of Government Code Section 54953. 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, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
ABSENT: None
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; William Wynder, City Attorney; Brian
Wright-Bushman, special counsel; Octavio Silva, Interim Director of Community
Development; and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR CLOSED SESSION:
City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were no requests to speak.
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 facts and circumstances giving rise to such exposure are
believed to be not known to the putative plaintiff(s).
At 6:03 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:08 P.M. the Closed Session was reconvened to the Regular meeting.
REGULAR MEETING — OPEN SESSION
CALL TO ORDER: I
A Regular Meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and of the Improvement
Authority was called to order by Mayor Ferraro at 7:08 P.M. at Fred Hesse Community,
Park, McTaggart Hall, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, notice having been given with
affidavit thereto on file.
ROLL CALL:
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Alegria, Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, 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, Public Works Director; Octavio Silva, Interim
Director of Community Development; Whitney Berry, Associate Planner; Jesse
Villalpando, Senior Administrative Analyst; and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk.
Also present were Lieutenant Michael White and Sergeant Tina McCoy from the Lomita
Sheriffs Station.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Ferraro.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder reported that the City Council met in Closed Session pursuant to
Government Codes § 54956.9 (d)(2) or (d)(3) & (e)(1) because there is a significant
exposure to litigation in two cases where the facts and circumstances giving rise to such
exposure are believed to be not known to the putative plaintiff(s). The City Attorney's
office and City Staff presented a privileged and confidential briefing. Questions were
asked and answered, and no reportable action was taken.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Ferraro and the entire City Council recognized Dagny Tang who was recently
named the Grand Prize winner of the West Basin Municipal District's 2023 "Water Is
Life" Student Art Contest.
Councilmember Seo read a proclamation of the City Council recognizing the month of
May 2023 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month. 111
May is nationally recognized as AANHPI Heritage Month and presents an opportunity
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May 2, 2023
Page 2 of 11
for all residents to learn about and celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of AANHPI
communities. Mayor Ferraro and the entire City Council hereby proclaimed the month of
May 2023 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Ferraro announced the Recycle Winners for the April 18, 2023 City Council
meeting: Diane Chapman and Robert Boyles. 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 Mayor Ferraro, to approve the agenda
as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
III PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were three requests to speak.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Elliot Levy; Noel Park;
and Paul Klose.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following: Point Vicente Interpretive
Center is now open from 10:00 A.M. — 5:00 P.M. daily; Picnic at the Fourth City Tree
Grove will take place at Robert E. Ryan Community Park on Saturday, May 13 from
10:00 A.M. — 2:00 P.M.; Kids to Parks Day will be held at Fred Hesse Community Park
on Saturday, May 20 from 10:00 A.M. — 1:00 P.M.; City is accepting applications
through May 26 to fill two vacancies on the Emergency Preparedness Committee;
Emergency Preparedness Virtual Town Hall will take place on Wednesday May 3 from
4:00 P.M. — 5:00 P.M.; Know Your Zone evacuation platform will be coming soon;
Senior Scam Stopper Seminar will take place at the Ken Nakaoka Community Center in
Gardena on Friday, May 5 from 9:00 A.M. — 11:00 A.M.; Registration for the Civilian
Community Academy is open and will take place between June 14 —August 16 on
Wednesdays from 6:00 P.M. — 8:00 P.M.; Volunteers on Patrol is currently receiving
applications through the Lomita Sheriffs Station; and wished Mayor Ferraro a Happy
Birthday.
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May 2, 2023
Page 3 of 11
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Alegria, to approve
the Consent Calendar as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
This includes, by a four/fifths vote, the need to continue the emergency repair work as
called out in Consent Calendar Item I - Consideration and possible action to reaffirm
continuing emergency repair work for the storm sewer drainpipe and roadway at
Hawthorne Boulevard near Seamount Drive/Eddinghill Drive.
A. Approval of Minutes (Sisson)
Approved the Minutes of April 12 Adjourned Regular (CIP Workshop) and April 18,
2023 Regular Meetings.
B. Registers of Demands (Mata)
1) Adopted Resolution No. 2023-14, 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 BE111
PAID; and, 2) Adopted Resolution No. IA 2023-04, 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 receive the January 2023 and February
2023 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer's Report. (Lin/Ramos)
Received and filed the January 2023 and February 2023 Cash Balances/Monthly
Treasurers' Reports for the City and the Improvement Authority.
D. Consideration and possible action to approve a Maintenance Agreement with
the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the Western Avenue
entrance monument signs. (Hevener)
1) Approved a Maintenance Agreement with the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) for the Western Avenue entrance monument signs; and, 2)
Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Maintenance Agreement, in a
form approved by the City Attorney.
E. Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 1 to the
111
professional services agreement with Multi W. Systems, Inc. for maintenance
services related to the Abalone Cove Sanitary Sewer System. (Hernandez)
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May 2, 2023
Page 4 of 11
1) Approved Amendment No. 1 to the professional service agreement with Multi W.
Systems, Inc. for maintenance services related to the Abalone Cove Sanitary Sewer
System, extending the term by three years through February 3, 2026, and increasing
the contract sum from $180,000 to $360,000, with a contingency of 15% or $27,000
and an annual not-to-exceed limit of$60,000 and contingency of 15% or $9,000;
and, 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the amendment in a form
approved by the City Attorney.
F. Consideration and possible action to receive the 2022 City Employee
Compensation and Benefit Analysis Report. (Ramos)
1) Received the 2022 City Employee Compensation and Benefit Analysis Report
(2022 Analysis Report) for the calendar year ending December 31, 2022; and, 2)
Waived one year of Agreed-Upon Procedure (AUP) engagement services with the
City's independent auditor, CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), for the 2022 Analysis Report,
and resume services when CLA's staffing status is expected to improve.
G. Consideration and possible action to ratify the payment to Plunkett Jr. Sock
dba Monster Tree Service of South Bay for emergency storm services.
(Hernandez)
1) Authorized staff to ratify the payment of$36,950 to Plunkett Jr Sock dba Monster
Tree Service of South Bay for emergency storm services rendered between
February 22, 2023 and March 10, 2023.
H. Consideration and possible action to award a professional services agreement
to Transtech Engineering, Inc. for City-wide traffic project management
services. (Lo)
1) Awarded a professional services agreement to Transtech Engineering, Inc. for
City-wide traffic project management, review, administration, and support services in
the amount of$150,000 until June 30, 2024; and, 2) Authorized the Mayor and City
Clerk to execute the agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney.
I. Consideration and possible action to reaffirm continuing emergency repair
work for the storm sewer drainpipe and roadway at Hawthorne Boulevard near
Seamount Drive/Eddinghill Drive (Dragoo)
1) Reaffirmed, by a four-fifths vote, there is a need to continue the emergency repair
work identified by Council-adopted Resolution No. 2023-07 on February 21, 2023,
finding an emergency exists requiring immediate repairs to the storm sewer
drainpipe and roadway at Hawthorne Boulevard near Seamount Drive/Eddinghill
Drive; and, 2) Directed the City Clerk to affirm the same in the minutes of this City
Council meeting, via Minute Order, reflecting this action.
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May 2, 2023
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J. Consideration and possible action to award a professional services agreement
to Iteris, Inc. to conduct a comprehensive traffic study for the Western
Avenue Traffic Flow Improvements Project. (Awwad)
1) Awarded a professional services agreement to Iteris, Inc. for a comprehensive
traffic study and associated support services for the Western Avenue Traffic Flow
Improvements Project in the amount of$278,007 with a 15% contingency of$41,701
for a total cost of$319,708; and, 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute
the Maintenance Agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
K. Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 1 to the
professional services agreement for Monaco Mechanical, Inc. dba All Area
Services for City-wide plumbing related maintenance services. (Hernandez)
1) Approved Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with
Monaco Mechanical, Inc. dba All Area Services for Citywide plumbing related
maintenance services, extending the term by three years through January 31, 2026,
and increasing the contract sum from $180,000 to $480,000, with a contingency of
15% or $45,000 and an annual not-to-exceed limit of$100,000 and contingency of
15% or $15,000; and, 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the
amendment in a form approved by the City Attorney.
L. Consideration and possible action to renew the General Services Agreement
(GSA) with the County of Los Angeles. (Bañales)
1) Adopted Resolution No. 2023-15, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, EXECUTING THE
GENERAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
COVERING THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2023 TO JUNE 30, 2028; and, 2) Authorized
the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the General Services 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 consider an appeal of a Planning
Commission approval of Variances, a Coastal Permit, and Site Plan Review
with Neighborhood Compatibility for the property located at 125 Spindrift
Drive (Case No. ZON2017-00489). (Silva)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that the notice of the public hearing was duly published,
written protests were received from Caldwell Law Group, late correspondence was
distributed, and there were seven requests to speak in addition to the appellant and
applicant.
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May 2, 2023
Page 6 of 11
Mayor Ferraro declared the public hearing open.
City Manager Mihranian shared that pursuant to City Council Policy, Planning
Commission Vice-Chair Dave Chura is available to answer any questions regarding
the appeal of the Planning Commission's decision.
Interim Director of Community Development Silva presented a staff report and
PowerPoint presentation.
The following appellants/applicants addressed the City Council: Susan Caldwell
(appellant) and Kathy Labarbera (applicant).
The following members of the public addressed the City Council via pre-recorded
voicemails: Greg Weirick and Kirk and Mary Jo Ayers.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Jerry Schwartz;
Mike Fabian; Sue Schmidt; Randee Wood; Russ Barto; and Michelle DeMason.
The rebuttal was presented on behalf of the appellants/applicants by: Susan
Caldwell (appellant) and Kathy Labarbera (applicant).
Mayor Ferraro declared the public hearing closed.
Mayor Ferraro, Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank, and Councilmember Seo shared that
they visited the site prior to the public hearing.
Councilmembers Alegria and Bradley shared that they did not visit the site, but they
are familiar with the area.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Alegria, to approve
Staff recommendation as follows: 1) Reviewed the proposed project and merits of
the appeal; and, 2) Adopted Resolution No. 2023-16; A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES DENYING THE
APPEAL AND UPHOLDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S APPROVAL OF
VARIANCES, A COASTAL PERMIT, AND SITE PLAN REVIEW WITH
NEIGHBORHOOD COMPATIBILITY ALLOWING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A
1,181 FT2 ADDITION, CONSISTING OF A NEW 1,041 FT2 SECOND FLOOR AND
A 140 FT2 ADDITION TO THE EXISTING 1,670 FT2 SINGLE-STORY RESIDENCE
FOR A NEW TOTAL STRUCTURE SIZE OF 2,851 FT2 (GARAGE INCLUDED); A
NEW 45 FT2 BALCONY; AND ANCILLARY SITE IMPROVEMENTS ON THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 125 SPINDRIFT DRIVE (CASE NO. ZON2017-00489).
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
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May 2, 2023
Page 7 of 11
Mayor Ferraro called for a brief recess at 9:22 P.M. Without objection, Mayor Ferraro
so ordered. The meeting was reconvened at 9:35 P.M.
2. Consideration and possible action to adopt an updated Fiscal Year 2023-24
Master Schedule of Fees for City services. (Loya)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that the notice of the public hearing was duly published,
no written protests were received, no late correspondence was received, and there
were no requests to speak.
Mayor Ferraro moved to waive the staff report. Without objection, it was so ordered
by Mayor Ferraro.
Mayor Ferraro declared the public hearing open.
Mayor Ferraro declared the public hearing closed.
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Alegria, to
approve Staff recommendation as follows: Adopted Resolution No. 2023-17 A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2022-24 THEREBY ADDING CERTAIN
NEW FEES TO THE COUNCIL-ADOPTED MASTER SCHEDULE OF FEES,
DETERMINING NOT TO INCREASE FEES FOR CITY SERVICES IN FY 2023-24,
AND ESTABLISHING UPDATED FULLY BURDENED HOURLY RATES FOR CITY
SERVICES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 BASED ON THE MARCH 2023 CPI-U.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
REGULAR BUSINESS:
3. Consideration and possible action to amend the Rancho Palos Verdes
Municipal Code's Landslide Moratorium Exception Categories to allow the
construction of a pool on one lot in Zone 1 of the City's Landslide Moratorium
Area (CASE NO. PLCA2022-0009). (Berry)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there were
no requests to speak.
Interim Director of Community Development Silva introduced Associate Planner
Whitney Berry, who presented a staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Associate Planner Whitney Berry shared that the City's Geologist and CEQA
consultant are available to answer any questions.
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Page 8 of 11
Council Members asked questions of Staff and Cotton, Shires and Associates
Principal Engineering Geologist Michael Phipps.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Alegria, to approve
Staff recommendation as follows: 1) Introduced Ordinance No.671, AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING SECTION
15.20.040 (EXCEPTIONS) OF CHAPTER 15.02 (MORATORIUM ON LAND USE
PERMITS) OF TITLE 15 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) OF THE RANCHO
PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO LANDSLIDE MORATORIUM
EXCEPTION CATEGORY 'T' TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF A POOL ON
ONE LOT IN ZONE 1 OF THE CITY'S LANDSLIDE MORATORIUM AREA; and,
2) Adopted Resolution No. 2023 - 18, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ADOPTING ADDENDUM NO. 2 TO A
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AS IT
RELATES TO EXCEPTION CATEGORY 'T' AND ASSOCIATED RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT ON ONE LOT WITHIN ZONE 1 OF THE LANDSLIDE
MORATORIUM AREA.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
4. Consideration and possible action to consider participating in the City of
Rolling Hills' proposed Peninsula-wide Outdoor Siren Project. (Villalpando)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that no late correspondence was received and there was
one request to speak.
Deputy City Manager Banales introduced Senior Administrative Analyst Jesse
Villalpando, who presented a staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Larry Maizlish.
City Council asked questions of the speaker.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Alegria, to approve
Staff recommendation as follows: 1) Received and filed a report on the City of
Rolling Hills' proposed Peninsula-wide outdoor siren' project; and, 2) Directed Staff
not to proceed with participating in the Siren Project at this time as it is not a top
priority,, to continue pursuing emergency preparedness tools currently underway,
and to convey this directive to the Peninsula Public Safety Committee.
The motionasked on the followingroll call vote:
p
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
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May 2, 2023
Page 9 of 11
NOES: None
5. Consideration and possible action to create a Community and Safety Services
Division in the Administration Department(City Manager's Office). (Banales)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that no late correspondence was received and there were
no requests to speak.
City Manager Mihranian provided a brief introduction on presenting a pilot program
in response to the community's public safety concerns and introducing for Council's
consideration the possibility of implementing a Community and Safety Services
Division.
City Manager Mihranian introduced Deputy City Manager Banales who presented a
staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Councilmember Bradley moved to extend the meeting to 11:15 P.M. Without
objection, Mayor Ferraro so ordered.
City Council asked questions of the Staff and Lieutenant White.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Councilmember Alegria moved, seconded by Mayor Ferraro, to approve Staff
recommendation as follows: 1) Received a report on converting the Public Safety
Department to a Community and Safety Services Division within the Administration
Department (City Manager's Office) to implement a two-year pilot program that
would supplement the services provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs
Department through enhanced public safety services and programs provided by in-
house Staff; and, 2) Directed Staff to proceed with implementing a Community and
Safety Services Division and to include $279,600 of the unallocated funds in the
preliminary Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget for the pilot program.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: Bradley and Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Councilmember Alegria requested consideration of establishing a Youth Advisory
Council.
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May 2, 2023
Page 10 of 11
Mayor Pro Tern Cruikshank requested consideration of a support position on California
Business Roundtable Ballot Measure at the May 16, 2023 meeting.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 11:26 P.M., Mayor Ferraro adjourned to 6:00 P.M. on May 16, 2023, for a Closed
Session, followed by a Regular meeting at 7:00 P.M.
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Barba Ferraro, Mayor
Attest.
er: .-Takaoka, City Clerk
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May 2, 2023
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