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CC DM 20231114 A - 20231017 CC MINS DRAFTDRAFT 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 Tem 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 Cod e 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) and Mayor Ferraro (excused) Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Karina Bañales, 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 DRAFT City Council Regular Minutes October 17, 2023 Page 2 of 8 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 Bañales. 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 DRAFT City Council Regular Minutes October 17, 2023 Page 3 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. 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 DRAFT City Council Regular Minutes October 17, 2023 Page 4 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 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. DRAFT City Council Regular Minutes October 17, 2023 Page 5 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. DRAFT City Council Regular Minutes October 17, 2023 Page 6 of 8 Deputy City Manager Bañales 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 DRAFT City Council Regular Minutes October 17, 2023 Page 7 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 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. DRAFT City Council Regular Minutes October 17, 2023 Page 8 of 8 The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Seo, and Mayor Pro Tem 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 Tem Cruikshank adjourned the meeting. _______________________________ Barbara Ferraro, Mayor Attest: __________________________ Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk