CC DM 20240521 A - 20240418 CC MINS (Budget Workshop) DRAFT
DRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING/BUDGET WORKSHOP
APRIL 18, 2024
CALL TO ORDER:
The Adjourned Regular meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council was called to
order by Mayor Cruikshank at 6:08 P.M. at Fred Hesse Community Park, McTaggart
Hall, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. This meeting took place both in person and
remotely. Remote participation by any Councilmember was in accordance with
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.
ROLL CALL:
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Ferraro, Seo, Alegria and Mayor Cruikshank
ABSENT: Bradley *(excused)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Vina Ramos, Director of Finance;
Brandy Forbes, Director of Community Development; Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public
Works; Cory Linder, Director of Recreation and Parks; Jason Loya, Senior
Administrative Analyst; Enyssa Sisson, Deputy City Clerk, and Teresa Takaoka, City
Clerk.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Seo.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Seo, Alegria and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bradley *(excused)
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Budget Workshop
April 18, 2024
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PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
None.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
1. Consideration and possible action to receive the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 -24 Mid-
Year Financial Report and year-end estimates. (Loya)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there was no late correspondence and there were
no requests to speak.
City Manager Mihranian provided an introductory summary of the item and
introduced the Director of Finance Ramos and Senior Administrative Analyst Loya
for a staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
*Councilmember Bradley joined the meeting at 6:22 P.M.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Bradley, to approve
Staff recommendations as follows: Received and filed the FY 2023-24 Mid-Year
Financial Report and year-end estimates.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
2. Consideration and possible action to begin developing the Fiscal Year (FY)
2024-25 Preliminary General Fund Budget. (Loya)
Director of Finance Ramos and Senior Administrative Analyst Loya presented a staff
report and PowerPoint presentation.
City Manager Mihranian provided additional information.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Bradley, to approve
Staff recommendations as follows: Non-Personnel costs of $20,579,550 including
public safety services, operational costs, one-time expenditures, and contingency
budget for emergency repairs.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
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Budget Workshop
April 18, 2024
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Director of Finance Ramos and Senior Administrative Analyst Loya continued to
present a staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve Staff
recommendations as follows for the proposed FY 2024-25 General Fund Budget:
• Affirmed the FY 2024-25 budget assumptions, which include:
i. Revenue projections of $39,473,700 which includes continuing the
3% Utility User Tax rate and Transfers-In of $250,000;
ii. Personnel costs of $14,630,600:
1. Including all existing and approved positions for competitive,
part-time, confidential, and management;
2. Funding of 50% for the Associate Planner position aligned
with the Department’s recruitment schedule;
3. Continuing the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), performance
merits, and benefits, pursuant to labor agreements;
4. Continuing to underfill Accounting Supervisor (Finance).
5. Continuing to freeze Executive Assistant (City Manager’s
Office).
6. Continuing to freeze GIS Coordinator (Community
Development Department).
iv. Transfers-Out of $4,177,500 that includes transfers to the Capital
Infrastructure Program (CIP), Improvement Authority for Portuguese
Bend, Sub-Region One, Abalone Cove Sewer, and Habitat
Restoration Fund.
• Funded priorities for the FY 2023-24 unallocated fund balance of $2.7
million which may include:
i. Additional funding for the City Council Goals;
ii. Additional transfers of $889,500 to the CIP Fund in accordance with
the City Council Reserve Policy No. 41;
iii. Transfers of $400,000 to the Employee Pension Service (EPS) Fund
in accordance with the Pension Guidelines; and/or
iv. Additional transfers the CIP Fund.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:29 P.M., Mayor Cruikshank adjourned to April 29, 2024, for a Budget Workshop
(CIP).
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Budget Workshop
April 18, 2024
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__________________________
John Cruikshank, Mayor
Attest:
__________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk