CC MINS 20231017 MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 17, 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 Tern Cruikshank at 6:03 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 Tern Cruikshank
ABSENT: Bradley* (excused) and Mayor Ferraro (excused)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Karina Banales, Deputy City Manager;
Elena Gerli, Assistant City Attorney and Interim Human Resources Manager Eileen
Jacinto.
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 —ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(d)(4)
because the City is considering whether to initiate litigation in two cases.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6, with the
City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and City Attorney, acting as its negotiators,
regarding labor negotiations with the Rancho Palos Verdes Employees
Association (RPVEA) and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal
Employees District Council 36 (AFSCME DC36).
At 6:04 P.M. the Council recessed to Closed Session.
*Councilmember Bradley joined the meeting in the Fireside Room at 6:04 P.M.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:14 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 Pro Tem Cruikshank at 7:14 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 (excused)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Elena Gerli, Assistant City Attorney;
Karina Banales, Deputy City Manager; Vina Ramos, Interim Director of Finance; Ramzi
Awwad, Public Works Director; Cory Linder, Director of Recreation and Parks; Brandy
Forbes, Director of Community Development; Matt Waters, Senior Administrative
Analyst; Shaunna Hunter, Administrative Analyst; and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk.
Also present was Sgt. Tina McCoy, Lomita Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff's
Department.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Deputy City Manager Banales.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
Assistant City Attorney Gerli reported that the City Council met in Closed Session to
discuss two items. The first item was Conference with Legal Counsel —Anticipated
Litigation pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(4) because the City is
considering whether to initiate litigation in two (2) cases. In one case there was no
reportable action taken. In the other case, Council provided direction, on a unanimous
basis, to move forward against Southern California Edison (SCE) relating to its cost
City Council Regular Minutes
October 17, 2023
Page 2 of 8
recovery application with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) relating to
the Thomas Fire and to fire cost recovery in general. Council also provided direction to
file a motion for party status to participate in file briefs and/or replies in the opposition to
SCE's application.
Assistant City Attorney Gerli reported that the second item was Conference with Labor
Negotiator pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6, with the City Manager, Deputy
City Manager, and City Attorney, acting as its negotiators, regarding labor negotiations
with the Rancho Palos Verdes Employee Association (RPVEA) and American
Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees District Council 36 (AFSCME
DC36). This item was discussed, and 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 October 3, 2023
City Council meeting: Mike Sedlachek and David G. Miller. 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.
111 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
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were six requests to speak.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Carol Mueller; David
Roth; Nikki Noushkam; Ralph Felix; Eva Albuja; and Austin Corbett.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following: The City has gone pink in
recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month; Civic Center Advisory Committee
Board recruitment is accepting applications through October 20; Portuguese Bend
City Council Regular Minutes
October 17, 2023
Page 3 of 8
Landslide local emergency update; The City is participating in the Great ShakeOut on
Thursday, October 19 at 10:19 a.m.; Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at Fred Hesse
Community Park on Friday, October 20 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Prepared
Peninsula Expo will be held at Peninsula High School on Sunday, October 22 from
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; Natural Disaster Town Hall will be held at Peninsula High School
on Sunday, October 22 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.; West Basin Municipal Water District
is hosting a Firescaping Workshop which will be at Fred Hesse Community Park on
Wednesday, November 1 at 6:00 p.m.; EDCO Drive-Thru Shredding event will be held
at the Ken Dyda Civic Center on Saturday, November 4 from 8:00-11:00 A.M.; Trunk or
Treat event will be held at the Ken Dyda Civic Center on Saturday, October 21 from
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; Dog Howl'oween Party will be held at the Eastview Dog Park on
Tuesday, October 31 at 10:00 a.m.; Wish everyone a safe and spooky Halloween; and
Daylight Saving Time ends on November 5.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed for Item F and there
were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Bradley, to approve the
Consent Calendar as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, and Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank
III
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Ferraro
A. Approval of Minutes (Sisson)
Approved the Minutes of October 3, 2023, Regular Meeting.
B. Registers of Demands (Mata)
1) Adopted Resolution No. 2023-48, 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. 1 to the
Professional Services Agreement with Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. for
Public Works Senior and Associate Civil Engineer recruitments. (Bañales)
1) Approved Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with
Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. extending the term by six-months from November 1,
2023 to May 1, 2024; and 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute
Amendment No. 1 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
City Council Regular Minutes
October 17, 2023
Page 4 of 8
D. Consideration and possible action to approve a professional services
agreement with Signvertise for the printing, installation, and removal of
holiday and special event flags, banners, and signs. (Trautner)
1) Approved a professional services agreement (PSA) with Signvertise for flag,
banner, and sign services for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 for a not-to-exceed contract
sum of$33,000; and 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the PSA in a
form approved by the City Attorney.
E. Consideration and possible action to lease two new Canon devices for 46
months. (Buchwald)
1) Authorized the City Manager to enter into a 46-month lease agreement with
Canon Solutions American for two new devices for Ladera Linda Community Park
and the Public Works Department.
F. Consideration and possible action to increase the City's contribution toward
eligible employee health savings accounts. (Jacinto)
1) Authorized increasing the City's contribution to eligible employee health savings
accounts (HSA) to $4,150 for individuals and $8,300 for family plans for the 2024
High Deductible PPO+HSA medical plan; 2) Approved Resolution No. 2023-49
increasing the City's HSA contribution for all eligible employees effective January 1,
2024 subject to meet and confer with the City's employee organizations for their
respective represented employees; and 3) Approved Resolution No. 2023-50
approving, adopting, and implementing, and thereby authorizing the City Manager to
sign, a First Amendment to the City's Memorandum of Understanding with the
Rancho Palos Verdes Employee Association for the period July 1, 2022 through
June 30, 2025, increasing the City's contribution to eligible employee health savings
accounts.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
1. 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 reported that there were no requests to speak.
City Council Regular Minutes
October 17, 2023
Page 5 of 8
Deputy City Manager Banales presented a brief staff report.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Alegria, to approve
Staff recommendations as follows: Continue the regular business item to November
21, 2023 to allow SCE to present a progress update for correcting the power outage
issues in the Grandview Estates neighborhood.
Council direction was approved by acclamation and so ordered by Mayor Pro Tem
Cruikshank.
2. Consideration and possible action to review the Finance Advisory
Committee's (FAC) and the Civic Center Advisory Committee's (CCAC)
recommendations regarding the Preliminary Conceptual Civic Center Campus
Master Plan Project (Project). (Waters)
City Clerk Takaoka reported late correspondence was distributed earlier and there
was one request to speak.
City Manager Mihranian provided a brief introduction of the report and introduced the
members of Staff, Committees, and consultants assisting with the presentation.
Senior Administrative Analyst Matt Waters and Acting Finance Director Vina Ramos
presented a staff report and PowerPoint presentation along with Civic Center
Advisory Committee (CCAC) Chair Gregory O'Brien; Finance Advisory Committee
(FAC) Chair George Lewis; and Kosmont and Associates, Inc Representatives Dan
Massiello, Senior Vice President and Larry Kosmont, Chairman and CEO.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Ken Dyda.
City Council asked questions of Staff.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Advisory Board Members, and Staff.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Alegria, to approve
Staff recommendations as follows:
1) Reviewed the FAC's recommendations regarding potential Project funding options
and provided direction on the following funding options:
a. $45.4 million as the maximum amount the City can afford to self-finance
consisting of:
i. $18.6 million down payment (cash on hand)
ii. $26.8 million long term loan. If the City Council opts for a loan, FAC's
statement is that under the present market conditions, a loan of$26.8
million is the maximum borrowable whose subsequent payments can
be afforded while upholding the 50% reserve policy during the full term
II
City Council Regular Minutes
October 17, 2023
Page 6 of 8
of the loan (baseline of 30 years). This funding is also based on the
assumption that the City is eligible to obtain such a loan.
b. Other potential additional funding sources for the City Council's consideration
for any amount above $45.4 million (in alphabetical order):
i. Capital campaign —estimated at 30% of project costs and/or based on
feasibility study.
ii. General Obligation Bond — (It could be used for all or part of the
needed financing)
iii. Grants — potentially for public safety, parking
iv. On-site revenues
v. Public/private partnerships - Peninsula cities, private companies
*To the extent that the proceeds of other potential additional sources exceed
the target, such overage shall be used to reduce some or all of the loan or
cash portions.
2) Reviewed the CCAC's recommendations regarding the Project's preliminary
conceptual site plan and potential construction phasing; and
3) Directed Staff to flush out what Stage 2 of the Project would look like for the City
Council's consideration at a near future meeting; to continue to exploring alternate
financing sources to come up with the remaining funds, i.e., public/private
partnerships and/or other sources of grant money to bridge the fund gap
recommended by the FAC; and for Staff to bring back a proposal for the City
Council's consideration of modest retrofit improvements to the current Administration
buildings to make them more livable in the near-term including, but not limited to,
heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, and Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Ferraro
Councilmember Bradley called for a brief recess at 9:50 P.M. Without objection, Mayor
Pro Tem Cruikshank so ordered. The meeting was reconvened at 10:03 P.M.
3. Consideration and possible action to receive a status update from the 2023
legislative session. (Hunter)
City Clerk Takaoka reported late correspondence was distributed earlier and there
were no requests to speak.
Administrative Analyst Hunter presented a staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Alegria, to approve
III Staff recommendations as follows: 1) Received and filed the status report on the
legislative bills the City Council took a position on during the 2023 legislative
session.
City Council Regular Minutes
October 17, 2023
Page 7 of 8
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, and Mayor Pro Tern Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Ferraro
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 10:17 P.M., Mayor Pro Tern Cruikshank adjourned the meeting.
Joh uikshank, Mayor Pro Tern
Attest:
Tees akaoka, City Clerk
City Council Regular Minutes
October 17, 2023
Page 8 of 8