CC DM 20240206 A - 20240116 DRAFT CC MINSDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL AND SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT
AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2024
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular Meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and the Special Meeting
Improvement Authority for the purpose of a Closed Session was called to order by
Mayor Cruikshank at 6:07 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 u nder a separate cover with the
agenda. Notice having been given with affidavit thereto on file.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
ABSENT: Bradley and Ferraro (excused)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; William Wynder, City Attorney
Emeritus; and Vina Ramos, Director of Finance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR CLOSED SESSION:
None.
CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S) ANNOUNCED:
City Attorney Emeritus Wynder 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: LIMETREE ESTATES LLC, vs.
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES; United States District Court, Central
District of California, Case No. 2:23-cv-01420-SVW (PVCx).
2. 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.
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3. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION/CONFERENCE WITH
LABOR NEGOTIATORS
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54957 and §
54957.6, to conduct, respectively: (i) an employee performance evaluation for the
position of City Manager; and (ii) labor negotiation with unrepresented employees
(City Manager), with the Finance Director, City Attorney, and City Council, as the
City’s negotiators(s).
At 6:09 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 was called to order by
Mayor 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: Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
ABSENT: Bradley and Ferraro (excused)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; William Wynder, City Attorney
Emeritus; Vina Ramos, Director of Finance; Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works;
Cory Linder, Director of Recreation and Parks; Brandy Forbes, Director of Community
Development; Jesse Villalpando, Senior Administrative Analyst; Enyssa Sisson, Deputy
City Clerk; and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk.
Also present was Captain Kimberly Guerrero of the Lomita Sheriff’s Station.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Oliver Macfarlane, Boy Scout Troop 276.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Emeritus Wynder reported that the City Council met in Closed Session to
discuss three items. Item one, involving one matter of pending litigation, was continued
to a date to be determined. Item two, the annual performance evaluation for the position
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January 16, 2024
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of City Attorney, was continued to the February 6 City Council Meeting. For item three,
the City Council met in Closed Session in pursuit of Government Code session 54957
and 54957.6 to conclude its annual performance evaluation of the City Manager and to
engage in Labor negotiations with one unrepresented employee, the City Manager
position. The City Council and the City Manager reached an agreement in principle on
an amendment to the City Manager's contract. That contract needs to be reduced to a
writing reviewed by the parties and will be presented at the next City Council meeting
for public consideration and action by the City Council.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Cruikshank and the City Council presented a certificate for Boy Scout Oliver
Macfarlane for achieving the rank Eagle Scout in Boy Scout Troop 276.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Cruikshank announced the Recycle Winners for the December 19, 2023, City
Council meeting: William Dytrt and Jeannette Hill. 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:
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bradley and Ferraro
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed and there were
two requests to speak.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Sheri Hastings and
Carol Mueller.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following:
Wished everyone a Happy New Year; Congratulated a number of employees for their
years of service, recognized Teresa Takaoka and Selena Wright for also reaching 25
years of service; Bruno Banuelos for 20 years of service; Katie Lozano and Amy
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Seeraty for 15 years of service; Mary Hirsch and Cory Linder for 10 years of service;
and Cheri Bailiff, Lukasz Buchwald, Juan Hernandez, Erick Monsivaiz, and Carlos
Rivera for five years of service; Congratulated newly appointed Deputy City Clerk
Enyssa Sisson; Congratulated Wayfarers Chapel on its recent National Historic
Landmark designation; Roadwork Along Palos Verdes Drive South on January 17-19
from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Quarterly Public Forum on
January 17 at 6 p.m.; Volunteering opportunity for the upcoming homeless count; Los
Angeles County Supervisor 4th District Candidate Debate on January 24 from 7-8:30
p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Community Emergency Response Team info session on January 25
at Hesse Park at 7 p.m.; Youth Mental Health Summit on January 27 at 9:30 a.m.- 2:30
p.m.; Martin Luther King Day; and Wished Councilmember Seo a Happy Birthday.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed for Items I and P
and there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo, to approve the
Consent Calendar as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bradley and Ferraro
A. Approval of Minutes (Sisson)
Approved the Minutes of December 19, 2023 Regular Meeting.
B. Registers of Demands (Mata)
1) Adopted Resolution No. 2024-01, 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 receive the November 2023 Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report. (Lin)
Received and filed the November 2023 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report
for the City and the Improvement Authority.
D. Consideration and possible action to approve the revised Investment Policy
for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24. (Loya)
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Approved the FY 2023-24 Investment Policy applicable to the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes, Rancho Palos Verdes Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency,
and Rancho Palos Verdes Improvement Authority as revised to extend the maximum
maturity for government sponsored agency bonds from three years out to five years
when deemed favorable for the City’s investment portfolio.
E. Consideration and possible action to establish the Fiscal Year 2024 -25 Budget
Development Calendar. (Ramos)
Reviewed and approved the FY 2024-25 Budget Development Calendar.
F. Consideration and possible action to award Neighborhood Beautification
Grants. (Hevener)
Approved awarding five grants for the Neighborhood Beautification Grant Program
Cycle 21, totaling $20,883.
G. Consideration and possible action to extend the term of the professional
services agreement with Griffin Structures for project and construction
management services for the Ladera Linda Community Park Project. (O’Neill)
Ratified a change order executed by the City Manager extending the term of the
professional services agreement with Griffin Structures for project and construction
management services for the Ladera Linda Community Park Project, at no additional
cost to the City, until January 31, 2024.
H. Consideration and possible action to receive the annual valuations for City
pension plans from the California Public Employees’ Retirement System
(CalPERS). (Loya)
Received and filed the actuarial valuations as of June 30, 2022.
I. Consideration and possible action to approve a request to nominate the state
historic designation of Hatano Farm for a 2024 Los Angeles Conservancy
Preservation Award. (Barnes)
Retroactively approved Historic Resources Group’s request to nominate the
successful state historic designation of Hatano Farm for a 2024 Los Angeles
Conservancy Preservation Award.
J. Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 2 to the
Professional Services Agreement with HR Green Pacific, Inc. for Interim
Principal Engineer services. (Awwad)
1) Approved Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with HR
Green Pacific, Inc. in the amount of $68,000, thereby increasing the agreement
amount from $128,000 to $196,000 for Interim Principal Engineer services in the
Public Works Department until April 30, 2024 as the City undergoes the recruitment
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process to fill the vacant position; and 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to
execute the amendment in a form approved by the City Attorney.
K. Consideration and possible action to approve Amendment No. 2 to the
Memorandum of Understanding between the four Peninsula cities and Palos
Verdes Peninsula Unified School District to share costs for School Resource
Officers. (Hunter)
Approved Amendment No. 2 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between
the four Peninsula cities and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District
(PVPUSD) to continue funding shared School Resource Officers for a three-year
term of service concluding on August 25, 2026 at an annual City cost not to exceed
$97,500.
L. Consideration and possible action to amend the appointment of the City
Council liaison to the Peninsula Public Safety Committee and Regional
Contract Law Committee. (Sisson)
1) Amended the appointment of Mayor Pro Tem Alegria with Councilmember Seo to
the Peninsula Public Safety Committee and Regional Contract Law Committee; 2)
Appointed Councilman Bradley to serve as the City Council liaison to the Public
Safety Strike Force Team Subcomittee; and 3) Authorized Staff to notify the
appropriate agencies of the amendments to the City Council committee and liaison
appointments.
M. Consideration and possible action to appoint members to the City’s Youth
Advisory Committee. (Hunter)
1) By majority vote of the entire City Council, appointed four members to the Youth
Advisory Committee with terms of office ending August 2024, and nine members to
the Youth Advisory Committee with terms of office ending in August 2025 as
recommended by the Council Subcommittee; and 2) Selected the Chair and Vice-
chair of the Youth Advisory Committee as recommended by the Council
Subcommittee.
N. Consideration and possible action to ratify payments and file a Notice of
Completion for the October 2022 emergency water damage restoration work at
the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. (Copp)
1) Ratified payment in the amount of $32,947.20 to National Construction Rentals,
Inc. and $56,793.62 to Servpro Industries, LLC for emergency water damage
restoration at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center rendered between November 4,
2022 and April 21, 2023; 2) Accepted the restoration work performed by ATI
Restorations, LLC for the October 27, 2022 water damage event as complete; 3)
Authorized the City Manager to sign and the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion
for the remediation work performed by ATI Restorations, LLC with the Los Angeles
County Registrar-Recorder's Office; and 4) Authorized the Director of Public Works
to release the construction retention payment to ATI Restorations, LLC 35 days after
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recordation of the Notice of Completion by the Los Angeles County Registrar-
Recorder's Office.
O. Consideration and possible action to award a professional services agreement
to BKF Engineers for engineering and support services for the Storm Drain
Improvements at Peacock Ridge Road Project. (Sunwoo)
1) Awarded professional services agreement to BKF Engineers for engineering and
support services for the Storm Drain Improvements at Peacock Ridge Road Project
in the amount of $37,048 with a 15% contingency of $5,557; and 2) Authorized the
Mayor to execute the agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney.
P. Consideration and possible action to approve amendments to professional
services agreements for City Staff recruiting services. (Jacinto)
1) Approved Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with
Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. to increase the contract sum by $44,050, thereby
increasing the not-to-exceed total agreement amount from $40,000 to $84,050 and
extending the term by six months for recruitment services for the Principal Engineer
and Human Resources Manager; 2) Approved Amendment No. 1 to the Professional
Services Agreement with Mosaic Public Partners LLC to increase the contract sum
by $24,950, thereby increasing the not-to-exceed total agreement amount from
$24,990 to $49,940 for recruitment of the Deputy City Manager position; and 3)
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 approve installing left-turn signal arrows
for Hawthorne Boulevard at the intersection with Eddinghill Drive/Seamount
Drive. (Casil)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed and there
were twelve requests to speak.
Director of Public Works Awaad presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
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Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Captain
Guerrero and Staff.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: David Bloome,
Nihal Kuruppu, Harold Avent, Marcia Avent, Brian Lynn, Mike Butler, Tim McCully,
Shawn Nejad, Alva Martine Jones, Fred Weiner, and Tori Fay.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council via pre-recorded
voicemail: Ranko Doi.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Traffic
Safety Committee Chair John Tye and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo, to approve Staff
recommendations as follows: 1) Approved the installation of left-turn signal arrows
for Hawthorne Boulevard at the intersection with Eddinghill Drive/Seamount Drive,
yellow reflective backplates to the signal heads on Hawthorne Boulevard, and speed
limit signs on the northbound and southbound approaches of Hawthorne Boulevard;
and 2) Directed Staff to include the left-turn signal arrows in the Fiscal Year (FY)
2024-25 Capital Improvement Program.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bradley and Ferraro
2. Consideration and possible action to implement traffic calming measures for
Miraleste Drive and Palos Verdes Drive East. (Casil)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed and there
were six requests to speak.
Director of Public Works Awaad presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
Director of Public Works Awaad introduced Rawad Hani, Principal Engineer of GTS,
who provided answers to Council's questions.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Ross Doolin,
Matthew Laurent, Nick Mosich, Kent Phillips, and Boyd Lewbow.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Principal
Engineer Hani and Captain Guerreo.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo, to approve Staff
recommendations as follows: 1) Approved the following short-term traffic calming
measures for Miraleste Drive and Palos Verdes Drive East: A. Redesigned street
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cross-sections with narrower lanes as detailed in the General Technologies and
Solutions traffic study; B. High-visibility crosswalks at six locations as described
within the General Technologies and Solutions traffic study; C. Rapid flashing
beacon on Palos Verdes Drive East directly south of Marion Drive; D. Advisory traffic
signs as determined by the Public Works Director; and E. Continued traffic law
enforcement; and 2) Directed Staff to assess the effectiveness of the short-term
traffic calming measures after implementation and, if warranted, to return to the City
Council to consider additional long-term traffic calming measures.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bradley and Ferraro
3. Consideration and possible action to consider the California Public Interest
Research Group’s (CALPIRG) request to oppose income graduated fixed rate
increase advocated by Southern California Edison (SCE). (Villalpando)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed and there
were six requests to speak.
Senior Administrative Analyst Villalpando provided a brief introduction summary of
the item and introduced Jenn Engstrom, State Director of CALPIRG, who provided a
staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Councilmember Seo moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria, to approve Staff
recommendations as follows: 1) Received and filed a presentation from CALPIRG
representatives on SCE’s request to establish income graduated fixed rates; and 2)
Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter opposing income graduated fixed rates.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bradley and Ferraro
4. Consideration and possible action to receive biannual reports from various
City advisory boards and the Planning Commission. (Sisson)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were no requests to speak.
Deputy City Clerk Sisson shared a staff report and PowerPoint presentation and
noted that each work plan and biannual report would be presented by the respective
chairs of the advisory boards and Planning Commission.
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Chair O’Brien presented for the Civic Center Advisory Committee (CCAC); Chair
Sprinkel presented for the Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC); Chair Lewis
presented for the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC); Chair Spielman presented for
the Infrastructure Management Advisory Committee (IMAC); Chair Chura presented
for the Planning Commission (PC); and Chair Tye presented for the Traffic Safety
Committee (TSC).
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff.
Mayor Cruikshank moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria, to approve Staff
recommendations as follows: Received and filed biannual reports and work plans
from the City’s Advisory Boards and Planning Commission.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bradley and Ferraro
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria and Mayor Cruikshank requested staff to provide an update on
speed cameras and loud exhaust legislation for an upcoming meeting.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Council Member present reported on his/her attendance at various organization
and association meetings.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 9:55 P.M., Mayor Cruikshank adjourned to February 6, 2024, for a Closed Session
Meeting, followed by a Regular meeting at 7:00 P.M.
_______________________________
John Cruikshank, Mayor
Attest:
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__________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk