CC DM 20231017 A - 20231003 DRAFT CC MINS_IA MeetingDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL AND IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 3, 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 Tem
Cruikshank 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, Seo, and Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank
ABSENT: Bradley* (excused, later participated via Zoom in Fireside Room) and
Mayor Ferraro (excused)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; William Wynder, City Attorney; Brandy
Forbes, Community Development Director; Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works,
and Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager.
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 items to be discussed in Closed Session.
However, he noted Item No. 4 (Public Employee Performance Evaluation) would be
continued to a date when the full City Council would be available to consider the item.
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: Limetree Estates v. City of Rancho
Palos Verdes, United States District Court Case No. 2:23-CV-1420.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
City Council Minutes
October 3, 2023
Page 2 of 9
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: Conjunction Junction, LLC v. City of
Rancho Palos Verdes. Et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No.
23STCP02886.
3. 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 one case.
4. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54957 to conduct
an employee performance evaluation for the position of City Attorney.
At 6:04 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:02 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 and of the Improvement
Authority was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank at 7:02 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, Seo, and Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank
ABSENT: Mayor Ferraro
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager;
William Wydner, City Attorney; Vina Ramos, Interim Director of Finance; Cory Linder,
Director of Recreation and Parks; Daniel Trautner, Deputy Director of Recreation Parks;
Ramzi Awwad, Public Works Director; Brandy Forbes, Director of Community
Development; Lukasz Buchwald, Information Technology Manager; Enyssa Sisson,
Administrative Analyst and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk.
Also present was Lieutenant Michael White, Interim Captain of the Lomita Sheriff’s
Station and via Zoom, was Sergeant Tina McCoy from the Lomita Sheriff’s Station.
City Council Minutes
October 3, 2023
Page 3 of 9
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Seo.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder reported that the City Council had three items on the Closed
Session agenda. The performance evaluation Closed Session agenda item was taken
off the calendar and will be put back when a full City Council is present and available to
consider the matter. In each case, there was a privileged and confidential briefing on
two pending litigations to which the city is a party, Limetree Estates v. City of Rancho
Palos Verdes and Conjunction Junction, LLC v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes. The City
Attorney's Office provided a privileged and confidential briefing on the ongoing litigation.
There was a discussion about implementing a litigation strategy and no reportable
action was taken nor was any solicited. The City Attorney provided a privileged and
confidential briefing on facts and circumstances which could give rise to litigation in one
or more cases. Again, there was a privileged and confidential briefing, questions were
asked and answered, but no reportable action was taken.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank announced the Recycle Winners for the September 19,
2023, City Council meeting: Kathy McGinn and Elaine Wakayama. 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 won a personal emergency preparedness kit from the City valued at $40.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilmember Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, and Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Ferraro
City Council Minutes
October 3, 2023
Page 4 of 9
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were three requests to speak and late
correspondence was distributed earlier.
The following members of the public addressed th e City Council: Rick Fox, Jeff Gold,
and Emily Colville.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following: Breast Cancer Awareness
Month; Civic Center Advisory Committee and Finance Advisory Committee joint meeting
will be held on October 5 at 6:30 P.M; Civic Center Advisory Committee Board
Recruitment accepting applications now through October 20; Receive updates on Land
Movement; EDCO fall brush clearing event on October 7 – November 4; Youth Advisory
Committee applications due on October 6; Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Quarterly
Public Forum on October 11 at 6 P.M.; Welcome our new Director of Community
Development, Brandy Forbes; and Wishing Councilmember Bradley a Happy Birthday.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, and Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Ferraro
A. Approval of Minutes (Zweizig)
Approved the Minutes of September 19, 2023, Regular Meeting.
B. Registers of Demands (Mata)
1) Adopted Resolution No. 2023-46, 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 2023-10, 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 the amended and restated
agreement between Turbo Data Systems, Inc. and the cities of Rolling Hills
Estates, Rolling Hills, and Rancho Palos Verdes for processing parking
citations. (Bañales)
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October 3, 2023
Page 5 of 9
(1) Approved the amended and restated agreement between Turbo Data Systems,
Inc. and the cities of Rolling Hills Estates, Rolling Hills, and Rancho Palos Verdes for
processing of parking citations and identifying the three cities as the Palos Verdes
Parking Authority; and (2) Authorized the Mayor to execute the amended and
restated agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
D. Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 3 to the
Professional Services Agreement with John L. Hunter & Associates to
incorporate stormwater studies at Averill Canyon and San Pedro Canyon.
(Hevener)
(1) Approved Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement with John
L. Hunter & Associates in the amount of $71,545, increasing the overall contract
sum from $494,473 to $566,018 for stormwater studies at Averill Canyon and San
Pedro Canyon; and (2) Authorized the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 3 in a form
approved by the City Attorney.
E. Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 1 to the
Professional Services Agreement with Dudek to establish the Mixed-Use
Overlay Zoning District. (Bobbett)
(1) Approved Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Dudek
authorizing a one-year term extension ending September 21, 2024, to establish a
Mixed-Use Overlay Zoning District, develop related development standards, and
prepare associated environmental documents, for an amount not to exceed
$309,990; and (2) 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 consider declaring a local emergency
and/or adopting an urgency ordinance prohibiting new construction within
one or more of the various landslides within the greater Portuguese Bend
Landslide Complex. (Wynder)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there were
14 requests to speak.
City Council Minutes
October 3, 2023
Page 6 of 9
City Manager Mihranian provided a brief introduction on the item. He also requested
that residents refrain from approaching or encroaching on workers in the slide area
to ensure everyone’s personal safety. He then introduced City Attorney Wynder who
presented a staff report and PowerPoint presentation. City Attorney Wynder noted
that data received as late as today would be included as part of the exhibit.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Staff and
City Attorney.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Gordon Leon, Jerry
Duhovic, Larry Paul, Sha, Joseph Cruz, Nikki Noushkam, Eva Albuja, David Roth,
Ben Eilenberg, Kit Song, Daniel Rouimi, Bryce Low-White, Barbara Sattler, and
Carrie Merrihew.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Councilmember Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo, to approve Staff
recommendations as follows: 1) Adopted Resolution No. 2023-47 adopting a
declaration, pursuant to Public Resources Code §§ 21080 et seq. and California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines §§ 15269, 15300.2(d), and 15301(d),
that the exemptions from CEQA for actions to mitigate an emergency apply to the
City’s actions because emergency conditions exist within the greater Portuguese
Bend Landslide Complex as outlined in white lines on the attached map with the
necessary findings that "a sudden, unexpected occurrence, involving a clear and
imminent danger, demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of, or
damage to, life, health, property, or essential public services” and “including soil or
geologic movements” requiring immediate remediation, as amended; 2) Adopted, by
a four-fifths vote of the entire City Council, Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 674U,
pursuant to Government Code §§ 36937 and 65858 for the immediate preservation
of the public peace, health, and safety, prohibiting new construction within one or
more of the various landslides, excepting therefrom actions necessary to prevent or
mitigate loss of, or damage to, life, health, property, or essential public services” and
“including soil or geologic movements” requiring immediate remedial action, as
amended; 3) Directed Staff to provide support services to the Abalone Cove
Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD) and the Klondike Canyon Landslide
Abatement District (KCLAD) which have the statutory authority and responsibility to
address the landslide(s) occurring within their geographic boundaries to address the
accelerating land movement, to expedite needed remedial actions ; 4) Directed Staff
to return with a comprehensive survey/specific action plan with details to be provided
to Council on remediation efforts in the short term; and, 5) Directed the City Attorney
and Staff to contact the State Controller’s Office to find out what is occurring with the
Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, and Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Ferraro
City Council Minutes
October 3, 2023
Page 7 of 9
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank called for a brief recess at 9:07 P.M. Without objection,
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank so ordered. The meeting reconvened at 9:19 P.M.
2. Consideration and possible action to approve traffic calming measures for
Avenida Classica and Avenida Esplendida between Crest Road and Los
Verdes Drive.
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed and there were
24 requests to speak.
Director of Public Works Awwad presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Staff .
City Manager Mihranian invited John Tye, Chair of Traffic Safety Committee, to be
available for questions.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Dave Tomblin, Dan
Myers, Kevin Morris, Lauren Palmer, Luna Rae, Bob Ralls, Casey Carbonel, Joan
Carbonel, Chris Carbonel, Craig Weintraub, Minik Son, Younglim Son, Jae Hwang,
Stephane Drolet, Indira Ayscough, Sandra Hammersmark, Greg Spinner, Dean
Zamani, Kenneth Lee, Don Hammersmark, Larry LeVesque, Fredrick Hahn, Lynn
Ige, and Rob Ige.
Councilmember Alegria moved to extend the meeting to 11:00 P.M., by acclamation
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Staff and
City Attorney.
Councilmember Alegria moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank , to
approve the alternative option of installing traffic circles and to evaluate installing a
loading zone for commercial vehicles on Los Verdes Drive. In addition, tasking
Public Works and the Traffic Safety Committee to ensure th at there is a point of
evaluation of the traffic circles within a reasonable time frame, and to come back to
Council should there be a recommendation or appropriation needed to install a traffic
signal on Hawthorne Blvd. at Los Verdes Drive.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, and Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Ferraro
City Council Minutes
October 3, 2023
Page 8 of 9
3. 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 Bañales presented a brief update and noted that the
Government Affairs Representatives were unable to participate in tonight’s agenda
item due to previous commitments.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Staff.
Councilmember Alegria moved to extend the meeting to 11:15 P.M., by acclamation
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Councilmember Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo, to approve Staff
recommendations as follows: 1) Received and filed a status report from SCE on its
action plan and timeline for correcting power outage issues in the Grandview Estates
neighborhood; and 2) Requested SCE return on October 17, 2023, with a progress
update for correcting the power outage issues in the Grand view Estates
neighborhood.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, and Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Ferraro
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
None.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Council Member present reported on his attendance at various organization and
association meetings.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 11:02 P.M., Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank adjourned to 6:00 P.M. on October 17, 2023,
for a Closed Session, followed by a Regular meeting at 7:00 P.M.
City Council Minutes
October 3, 2023
Page 9 of 9
__________________________
Barbara Ferraro, Mayor
Attest:
__________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk