CC DM 20230905 A - 20230815 CC MINS DRAFTDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 15, 2023
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 Pro Tem 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: Alegria, Bradley, and Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank
ABSENT: Seo (excused) and Mayor Ferraro* (excused)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Elena Gerli, Assistant City Attorney;
and Octavio Silva, Interim Director of Community Development.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR CLOSED SESSION:
None.
CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S) ANNOUNCED:
Assistant City Attorney Gerli announced the items to be discussed in Closed Session.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – INITIATION OF LITIGATION
A closed session will be held pursuant to Gov’t Code Section 54956.9(d)(4).
Based on existing facts and circumstances, the legislative body of the local
agency has decided to initiate or is deciding whether to initiate litigation in two (2)
cases.
2. 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 one (1) case
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August 15, 2023
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and where the facts and circumstances giving rise to such litigation are believed
to be unknown to the putative plaintiff(s).
At 6:06 P.M. the Council recessed to Closed Session.
*Mayor Ferraro joined the meeting in the Fireside Room at 6:07 P.M.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:06 P.M. the Closed Session was reconvened 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 Ferraro at 7:06 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, and Mayor Ferraro
ABSENT: Seo (excused)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Elena Gerli, Assistant City Attorney;
Vina Ramos, Interim Director of Finance; Ramzi Awwad, Public Works Director; Cory
Linder, Director of Recreation and Parks; Octavio Silva, Interim Director of Community
Development; Whitney Berry, Associate Planner; Rudy Monroy, Code Enforcement
Officer; Shaunna Hunter, Senior Administrative Analyst; and Teresa Takaoka, City
Clerk.
Also present, via Zoom, was Sergeant Tina McCoy from the Lomita Sheriff’s Station.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by resident Savannah Seal.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
Assistant City Attorney Gerli reported that the City Council met in Closed Session to
discuss two items. The first item being Conference with Legal Counsel – Initiation of
Litigation pursuant to Gov’t Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) in two (2) cases. Council
provided direction to initiate litigation in both cases. The action, the defendants, and
other particulars shall once formerly commence to be disclosed to any person upon
inquiry.
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Assistant City Attorney Gerli reported that the second item being Conference with Legal
Counsel – Anticipated Litigation pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9 (d)(2) or
(d)(3) & (e)(1). This item was discussed and no reportable action was taken.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Ferraro recognized the Run for Myles 5k/10k taking place on Saturday,
September 9 at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes. Run For
Myles is a nonprofit organization founded in honor of Myles Helm, a Rancho Palos
Verdes resident and competitive endurance athlete who completed countless races. Jill
Helm (wife) and Kyle Helm (son) each shared some comments.
Mayor Ferraro recognized Steve Yu, Chief Operating and Financial Officer for UCLA
South Bay, who shared information regarding the opening UCLA South Bay campus.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Ferraro announced the Recycle Winners for the August 1, 2023 City Council
meeting: Jeanne Smolley and Fatima Husain. 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 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, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
ABSENT: Seo
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed and there were
five requests to speak.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Casey Carbonel;
Anthony Chen; Jane Stein; Marie Chura and Miriam Naya.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following: Hosted activities for Sakura
City, Japan delegates which included the Third Anniversary Sister City Celebration
which was held on August 5; Alert SouthBay and how to donate to help those affected
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by the fires in Maui; L.A. Found Project Lifesaver information session will be held on
August 16 at Hesse Park at 2:00 P.M.; Community Town Hall with Assemblymember Al
Muratsuchi will be on August 19 at Peninsula Center Library in Rolling Hills Estates from
10:00 - 11:30 A.M.; Movies in the Park will be playing The Super Mario Bros. Movie on
August 26 at the Ken Dyda Civic Center beginning at dusk; Welcome the Palos Verdes
Peninsula Unified School District students and teachers back to school on August 23;
City Hall will be closed on Monday, September 4 due to Labor Day and construction is
prohibited; City Hall Birthday Open House will be held on September 7 at the Ken Dyda
Civic Center from 2:00 – 6:00 P.M.; RPV’s Run for Myles 5K/10K will be held on
September 9 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:
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed for item letter D and
there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank moved, seconded by Mayor Ferraro, to approve the
Consent Calendar as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
ABSENT: Seo
A. Approval of Minutes (Takaoka)
Approved the Minutes of August 1, 2023, Regular Meeting.
B. Registers of Demands (Mata)
Adopted Resolution No. 2023-39, 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 file a Notice of Completion for the
Pavement Management Program – Arterial Roadway Rehabilitation Silver Spur
Road (North of Hawthorne Boulevard). (Awwad)
Accepted the Pavement Management Program – Arterial Roadway Rehabilitation
Silver Spur Road (North of Hawthorne Boulevard) as complete; authorized the City
Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the project with the Los Angeles County
Registrar-Recorder’s Office; and if no claims are filed within 35 days after
recordation, send a notice to the surety company to exonerate the Performance
Bond; and, authorized the Director of Public Works to release the 5% construction
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retention payment to Hardy & Harper, Inc., 35 days after the recordation of the
Notice of Completion by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s Office,
contingent upon no claims being filed on the project, and the contractor posting an
acceptable warranty bond with the City.
D. Consideration and possible action to ratify an opposition letter regarding
Assembly Bill (AB) No. 309 (Social Housing Act). (Hunter)
Ratified the opposition letter signed and sent to Honorable Anthony J. Portantino
Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee by Mayor Ferraro on August 1, 2023,
opposing AB 309 that would grant the Department of General Services (DGS) the
authority to make land use and zoning decisions on state excess property.
E. Consideration and possible action to ratify the payment to Built Rite Fence
Company for emergency fence replacement services. (Traunter)
Ratified the payment of $61,870 to Built Rite Fence Company for emergency fence
replacement services rendered between June 16, 2023 and June 28, 2023.
F. Consideration and possible action to enter into a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and Run for
Myles for co-hosting the RPV’s Run for Myles nonprofit running event. (Bailiff)
Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an MOU between the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes and Run for Myles for co-hosting the RPV’s Run for Myles
nonprofit running event on September 9, 2023, 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 adopt an Urgency Ordinance extending
the moratorium period for Urgency Ordinance No. 665U on the entitlement,
establishment, expansion, or modification of antennas governed pursuant to §
17.76.020 (Antennas) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos Verdes
Municipal Code. (Berry)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that the notice of the public hearing was duly published,
no written protests were received, and there were no requests to speak.
Interim Director of Community Development Silva introduced Associate Planner
Berry who presented a staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Ferraro declared the public hearing open.
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Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Staff.
Mayor Ferraro declared the public hearing closed.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Alegria, to adopt
Ordinance No. 673U, by a four-fifths vote of the entire City Council, AN URGENCY
ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM PERIOD ENACTED BY INTERIM
URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 665U AND URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 670U BY
AN ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR, TO ALLOW STAFF ADEQUATE TIME TO
RESEARCH AND PREPARE CODE AMENDMENT PROCEEDINGS TO AMEND
RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE § 17.76.020 (ANTENNAS).
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
ABSENT: Seo
2. Consideration and possible action to recover nuisance abatement costs on
property located at 28074 Braidwood Drive (Case No. CODE2021-0112).
(Monroy)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that the notice of the public hearing was duly published,
no written protests were received, there were no requests to speak.
Interim Director of Community Development Silva introduced Code Enforcement
Officer Monroy who presented a staff report and PowerPoint presentation .
Mayor Ferraro declared the public hearing open.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Staff.
Mayor Ferraro declared the public hearing closed.
Councilmember Alegria moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank , to adopt
Resolution No. 2023-40, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES CONFIRMING THE REPORT OF NUISANCE
ABATEMENT COSTS AND AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT, IN THE
FORM OF A LIEN IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,005.92, TO RECOVER ABATEMENT
COSTS ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 28074 BRAIDWOOD DRIVE (APN 7584 -
016-016) (CASE NO. CODE2021-0112); and directed Staff to submit to the Los
Angeles County Auditor/Controller for collection in the next applicable tax roll year
the confirmed nuisance abatement costs in the amount of $11,005.92 and to direct
the City Attorney and the Interim Finance Director to prepare and cause to be
recorded in the Office of the Los Angeles County Recorder appropriate notices of
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liens which document the amount of nuisance abatement costs assessed for the
property located at 28074 Braidwood Drive (APN 7584-016-016).
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
ABSENT: Seo
REGULAR BUSINESS:
3. Consideration and possible action to receive a status update on the
Portuguese Bend Landslide Remediation Project. (Awwad)
City Clerk Takaoka reported late correspondence was distributed earlier and there
were five requests to speak.
Director of Public Works Awwad presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
Director of Public Works Awwad introduced the following consultants who were
available for questions: Sam Hout, Principal/Owner at Hout Construction Services,
Inc.; Ronald Hallum, Principal Geologist at Ninyo and Moore; Roger Chung, Project
Manager at BKF Engineers; and Jayme Fairfield, Director of Marketing and Project
Administration at Hout Construction Services, Inc.
City Council asked questions of Staff.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Rob Kautz; Gordon
Leon; Craig Cadwallader; Barbara Sattler; and Al Sattler.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff and
consultant Sam Hout.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank, to
approve Staff recommendations as follows: 1) Receive and file a status report on the
Portuguese Bend Landslide Remediation Project; and (2) Directed Staff to return to
the City Council with professional services agreements to proceed with final
engineering plans while determining if the project can be modified to reduce the
footprint of the flow reduction area and drainage swales; maximize their ability to
support native habitat; and relocate hydrauger batteries to areas that minimize
impacts on native habitat.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
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ABSENT: Seo
Councilmember Bradley called for a brief recess at 8:55 P.M. Without objection, Mayor
Ferraro so ordered. The meeting reconvened at 9:07 P.M.
4. Consideration and possible action to approve the updated Landslide Complex
Monitoring Program. (Awwad)
City Clerk Takaoka reported there were five requests to speak.
Director of Public Works Awwad presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
City Council asked questions of Staff.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Gordon Leon; Ken
Dyda; and Mickey Rodich.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
The additional following members of the public addressed the City Council: Al
Sattler; and Barbara Sattler.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Staff.
Councilmember Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Bradley, to continue
the existing Landslide Complex Monitoring program with an enhanced contingency
and to come back at a future meeting with a revised professional services
agreement for implementation of the Landslide Complex Monitoring Program.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, and Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank
NOES: Mayor Ferraro
ABSENT: Seo
Councilmember Bradley moved to extend the meeting to 11:15 P.M, by acclamation
Mayor Ferraro so ordered.
5. Consideration and possible action to receive a report on the City’s RPV
Community Foundation and Finance Advisory Committee’s recommendation
of hiring a consultant to lead a capital campaign for the Civic Center. (Bañales)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were no requests to speak.
City Manager Mihranian provided a summary on the recommended action.
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Councilmember Bradley moved to extend the meeting to 11:15 P.M. Without
objection, Mayor Ferraro so ordered.
Interim Director of Finance Ramos introduced Finance Advisory Committee Vice-
Chair Raquel Brown who spoke on the requested item and recommendation from
the Finance Advisory Committee.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff and questions were asked of
Finance Advisory Committee Vice-Chair Brown.
Councilmember Alegria moved, seconded by Mayor Ferraro, to approve Staff
recommendations as follows: 1) Received and filed a status update on the formation
and implementation of the RPV Community Foundation; 2) Reviewed the Finance
Advisory Committee’s (FAC) recommendation to on-board a development consultant
for the purposes of developing and leading a capital campaign to raise funds to pay
for certain City projects; and, 3) Directed Staff to initiate the process of soliciting
request for proposals (RFPs) for a development consultant, following the
recommendation made by the FAC, to conduct a feasibility study and lead the
capital campaign for, among other City projects, the proposed Civic Center Master
Plan.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
ABSENT: Seo
6. Consideration and possible action to take a position on Assembly
Constitutional Amendment 10 (ACA 10). (Wynder)
City Clerk Takaoka reported late correspondence was distributed and there were no
requests to speak.
City Manager Mihranian provided a brief introduction on the item.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Mayor Ferraro, to approve Staff
recommendations as follows: Directed Staff to work with the City Council Legislative
Subcommittee (Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank and Councilmember Alegria) and return
on September 5, 2023 with an opposition letter on ACA 10 to be sent to the
California Assembly Appropriations Committee, the City’s Assembly representatives,
and the City’s Senate representatives.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Cruikshank, and Mayor Ferraro
NOES: None
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ABSENT: Seo
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 10:49 P.M., Mayor Ferraro adjourned to 6:00 P.M. September 5, 2023, for a Closed
Session Meeting, followed by a Regular meeting at 7:00 P.M.
Mayor Ferraro adjourned the meeting in memory of those who perished during the
devasting fires in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii last week. She also adjourned in honor of those
who now face uncertain futures in the area, may we keep them in our thoughts.
__________________________
Barbara Ferraro, Mayor
Attest:
__________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk