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RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL AND IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 1, 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 Pro Tern
Cruikshank at 6:04 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: Bradley, Seo, and Mayor Pro Tern Cruikshank
ABSENT: Alegria (excused); Mayor Ferraro* (excused in Fireside room)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Elena Gerli, Assistant City Attorney;
Karina Banales, Deputy City Manager; Octavio Silva, Interim Director of Community
Development.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR CLOSED SESSION:
City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were no requests to speak.
CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S) ANNOUNCED:
Assistant City Attorney Gerli announced the items to be discussed in Closed Session.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(d)(1), to
confer with legal counsel regarding pending litigation to which the City is a
party. The title of such litigation is as follows: City of Rancho Palos Verdes, et al.
v. Bonta, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 22STCP02369.
At 6:05 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
*Mayor Ferraro joined the meeting in the Fireside Room at 6:05 P.M.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:03 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 7:03 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: Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
ABSENT: Alegria (excused)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Karina Bahales, Deputy City Manager;
Elena Gerli, Assistant City Attorney; Brittany Ruiz, Interim Director of Finance; Vina
Ramos, Deputy Director of Finance; Jason Loya, Senior Administrative Analyst; Daniel
Trautner, Deputy Director of Recreation and Parks; Ramzi Awwad, Public Works
Director; Lincoln Lo, Deputy Director of Public Works; Octavio Silva, Interim Director of
Community Development; Jessica Bobbett, Senior Planner; Olivia Kao, Administration
Intern and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Assistant City Attorney Gerli.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
Assistant City Attorney Gerli reported that the City Council had one item on the Closed
Session agenda, Conference with legal counsel regarding City of Rancho Palos Verdes,
et al. v. Bonta, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 22STCP02369. On a vote of
4-0 the City Council provided direction to seek appellate review in this case.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Ferraro and the entire City Council recognized August 1, 2023 as "National Night
Out" day with the presentation of a proclamation celebrating the incredible efforts by our
public safety officers and first responders; and, especially our Neighborhood Watch
founder of our Rancho Palos Verdes program, Gail Lorenzen, and Neighborhood Watch
Captains.
Councilmember Seo left the dais at 7:11 P.M. and returned at 7:12 P.M.
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August 1, 2023
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Deputy City Manager Banales introduced Administrative Intern Olivia Kao from the
intern cohort who presented the LA Found Project Lifesaver program, which utilizes
bracelets for members of our community that may be at risk for wandering behavior.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Ferraro announced the Recycle Winners for the July 18, 2023 City Council
meeting: Brian Ahangar and Charlene Bachry. 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 Seo, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
ABSENT: Alegria
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there were two
requests to speak.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Joan Carbone) and
Chris Carbonel.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following: National Night Out was held
on August 1 at Hesse Park from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M.; Sister City Third Anniversary
Celebration with Sakura City, Japan will be held on August 5 at the Ken Dyda Civic
Center from 10:00 A.M. — 2:00 P.M.; Happy World Ranger Day; Concert in the Park will
be held on August 12 at the Ken Dyda Civic Center from 4:00 P.M. — 6:00 P.M.; RPV's
Run for Myles will be held on September 9 beginning and ending at the Point Vicente
Lighthouse; and the City's 50th Anniversary Gala banquet dinner will be held on
September 9 at Terranea Resort.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo, to approve the
Consent Calendar as presented.
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August 1, 2023
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The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
ABSENT: Alegria
A. Approval of Minutes (Zweizig)
Approved the Minutes of July 18, 2023, Regular Meeting.
B. Registers of Demands (Mata)
1) Adopted Resolution No. 2023-38, 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; and 2) Adopted Resolution No. IA 2023-08, 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 approve Amendment No. 3 to the Lease
Agreement with Portuguese Bend Cooperative Nursery School for the use of
the beach school property (Waters)
Approved Amendment No. 3 to the Lease Agreement with Portuguese Bend
Cooperative Nursery School, extending the term for use of the beach school
property for an additional five years until June 30, 2028.
D. Consideration and possible action to adopt Ordinance No. 672 amending the
Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to clarify numerical section headings in
Chapter 15.18 (Administrative Code) of Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) of
the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (Brown)
Adopted Ordinance No. 672, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CLARIFYING NUMERICAL SECTION HEADINGS IN CHAPTER 15.18
(ADMINISTRATIVE CODE) OF TITLE 15 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) OF
THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE.
E. Consideration and possible action to execute a five-year agreement with
AMS.NET to provide cloud-based phone service (Buchwald)
Approved a five-year subscription and professional services order form with
AMS.Net to purchase, implement and configure Cisco Webex Calling for a total
agreement cost of$193,406; and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the
AMS.NET order forms (collectively referred to as the agreement) utilizing Fast-Open
Contracts Utilization Services (FOCUS) cooperative agreement in a form approved
by the City Attorney.
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August 1, 2023
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F. Consideration and possible action to Consideration and possible action to
receive the June 2023 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer's Report. (Lin)
Received and filed the June 2023 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurers' Reports for
the City and the Improvement Authority.
G. Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 1 to the
Professional Services Agreement with Davis Farr LLP for finance management
services (Bañales)
Approved Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Davis Farr
LLP in the amount of$20,000, thereby increasing the agreement amount from
$25,000 to $45,000; and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the
amendment in a form approved by the City Attorney.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
1. Consideration and possible action to review the conceptual design for the
Western Avenue Beautification Project (Hevener) °
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed earlier in the
evening and there were no requests to speak.
Deputy Director of Public Works Lo introduced consultants Ziad Mazboudi with
Transtech and Tom Munoz with Nuvis, respectively. The consultants jointly provided
a PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Staff.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo to approve Staff
recommendations: Received and filed an update on the Western Avenue
Beautification Project; Reviewed and provided input on the conceptual design and
project scope at the revised preliminary cost estimate; and, Directed Staff to proceed
with final design plans but not to expand the original budget for costs borne by the
City and to seek funding partners, such as CalTrans and the City of Los Angeles, or
grant opportunities to fund the gap between the original City budget and the current
project cost.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
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August 1, 2023
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AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
ABSENT: Alegria
2. Consideration and possible action to receive a report from Southern California
Edison (SCE) regarding frequent power outages in the Grandview Estates
neighborhood. (Bañales)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that there,were no requests to speak.
Deputy City Manager Banales provided a brief introduction of the report and
introduced SCE Interim Government Relations Manager Celina Luna, who shared a
PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Ms. Luna
and Staff.
Councilmember Seo requested SCE return with a status update on claims submitted
by residents and why they were denied, and for SCE to inform the City of other
infrastructure upgrades and repairs within the City and to return in October on the
progress made.
City Manager Mihranian reiterated that SCE is to factor the City Engineer's peer
review in their timeline.
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Bradley to
approve Staff recommendation to receive and file the status report from SCE on its
action plan and timeline for correcting power outage issues in the Grandview Estates
neighborhood; and requested SCE return on October 3, 2023, with a progress
update for correcting the power outage issues in the Grandview Estates
neighborhood.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
ABSENT: Alegria
3. Consideration and possible action to fund the reactivation of four City-owned
dewatering wells within the jurisdiction of the Abalone Cove Landslide
Abatement District (ACLAD) (Awwad)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed earlier in the
evening and there were five requests to speak.
Director of Public Works Awwad presented a brief staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
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August 1, 2023
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The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Kent Attridge,
Gordon Leon, Jim Knight, Marianne Hunter and Colleen Miles.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Staff.
Mayor Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Bradley to approve an
additional appropriation of$520,000 to fund the reactivation of four City-owned
dewatering wells within the jurisdiction of the ACLAD; and directed Staff to explore if
financial responsibility of all City-owned dewatering wells should be transferred to
ACLAD.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
ABSENT: Alegria
4. Consideration and possible action to review Additional Discretionary
Payments (ADPs) toward the City's Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL) and
revisions to the Pension Plan Guidelines (Loya)
Deputy Director of Finance Ramos and Senior Administrative Analyst Loya co-
presented the staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Staff.
Councilmember Seo moved, seconded by Mayor Ferraro to return the Additional
Discretionary Payment (ADP) proposal to the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) to
take into account City costs associated with the Portuguese Bend Landslide
Remediation project, Western Avenue Beautification Project, and the Civic Center
Master Plan project; and approved Staff Recommendation No. 2 revisions to the
Pension Plan Guidelines, as follows:
a. Updating the employee contribution rate for Tier 3;
b. Adding "schedule of amortization bases" to definitions;
c. Clarifying the ending fiscal year for the 10-year goal;
d. Incorporating ADP contributions and usage options; and
e. Updating the term for Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
ABSENT: Alegria
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August 1, 2023
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5. Consideration and possible action to initiate code amendment proceedings to
Chapter 17.02.040 (View Preservation and Restoration) of Title 17 (Zoning) of
the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to provide clarification on method of
height measurement for residential buildings (Bobbett)
Interim Director of Community Development Silva introduced Associate Planner
Bobbett who presented a staff report and Powerpoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Staff.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo to approve Staff
recommendation to initiate code amendment proceedings to Chapter 17.02.040
(View Preservation and Restoration) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos Verdes
Municipal Code to provide clarification on the measurement of building height.
The motionassed on the followingroll call vote:
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AYES: Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
ABSENT: Alegria
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank requested a future consideration regarding ACA 10
(Fundamental Right to Housing Bill).
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 9:57 P.M., Mayor Ferraro adjourned in honor of our Public Safety personnel to 6:00
P.M. on August 15, 2023, for a Closed Session, followed by a Regular meeting at 7:00
P.M.
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Barbara Ferraro, Mayor
Attest:
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Ter-s. akaoka, City Clerk
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August 1, 2023
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