CC DM 20241015 A - DRAFT 20241001 CC MINS
DRAFT
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL AND
MEETING OF THE IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY
OCTOBER 1, 2024
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 Cruikshank at 6:00 P.M. at Fred Hesse Jr.
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.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Bradley, Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
ABSENT: Ferraro *(excused in Fireside Room)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Elena Gerli, City Attorney; Catherine
Jun, Deputy City Manager; Brandy Forbes, Director of Community Development; and
Vina Ramos, Director of Finance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR CLOSED SESSION:
None.
CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S) ANNOUNCED:
City Attorney Gerli announced the items to be discussed in Closed Session.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – PENDING litigation
GC 54956.9(c), (d)(2) and (e)(2)
A closed session will be held, pursuant to government code § 54956.9(c), (d)(2),
and (e)(2) because a point has been reached where, in the opinion of the city
council, on the advice of the city attorney, based on existing facts and
circumstances there is a significant exposure to litigation against the city, which
facts and circumstances concern the city’s potential liability for remediation of
contamination at the BKK landfill in West Covina.
2. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
GC § 54957, 54957.6
DRAFT- City Council Regular Minutes
October 1, 2024
Page 2 of 11
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54957 to conduct
an employee performance evaluation and discuss compensation for the position
of City Attorney.
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
GC § 54956.9(c), and (d)(1)
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(c), (d)(1)
regarding existing litigation in the case of City of Rancho Palos Verdes et al. v.
State of California et al., CA App. Ct. Case No. B332315.
4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
GC § 54956.9(c), and (d)(1)
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(c), (d)(1)
regarding existing litigation in the case of Community of Abalone Cove v. City of
Rancho Palos Verdes et al., LACSC Case No. 24TRCP00352.
At 6:01 P.M. the Council recessed to Closed Session.
*Councilmember Ferraro joined the Closed Session meeting in the Fireside Room at 6:01
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 and Improvement Authority
Meeting was called to order by Mayor Cruikshank at 7:14 P.M. at Fred Hesse Jr.
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: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
ABSENT: None
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Elena Gerli, City Attorney; Catherine
Jun, Deputy City Manager; Vina Ramos, Director of Finance; Ramzi Awwad, Director of
Public Works; Daniel Trautner, Director of Recreation and Parks; Brandy Forbes, Director
of Community Development; Megan Barnes, Senior Administrative Analyst; Enyssa
Sisson, Deputy City Clerk; and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk.
DRAFT- City Council Regular Minutes
October 1, 2024
Page 3 of 11
Also present was Captain Kimberly Guerrero of the Lomita Sheriff’s Station.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Gerli reported that City Council met in Closed Session to discuss four items.
City Attorney reported item one, was taken off the calendar and not discussed. Items
two, three, and four were discussed and direction was given; no reportable action was
taken.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Cruikshank and the City Council recognized and provided a proclamation to Noel
Park for his years of service to the community.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Cruikshank, by order of affirmation, noted the Recycle Winners for September 17,
2024, Ernest Wade and Karla Vestal. The winners will each receive a check for $250 as
well as a personal emergency preparedness kit from the City valued at $40.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Bradley, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were three requests to speak.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Noel Park, Jim Knight,
and Elliot Levy.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following: October is breast cancer
awareness month; six vertical deep dewatering wells are now operational; donations to
residents affected by the landslide may contact the PVP Rotary or Julia Parton at
jparton@malagabank.com; EDCO fall brush clearing event from October 5- November 2;
Trunk or Treat at Ken Dyda Civic Center on October 19 at 11:00 A.M.- 2:00 P.M.;
DRAFT- City Council Regular Minutes
October 1, 2024
Page 4 of 11
Prepared Peninsula Expo at Peninsula High School/ PV Farmer’s Market on October 27
at 10:00 A.M.- 1:00 P.M.; Happy Rosh Hashanah; and Happy Birthday Councilmember
Bradley.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Bradley requested to pull item J.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Bradley, to approve the
Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of item J.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
A. Approval of Minutes (Sisson)
Approved the Minutes of September 17, 2024 (Regular Meeting)
B. Registers of Demands (Mata)
1) Adopted Resolution No. 2024-59, 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 2024-10, 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 receive the August 2024 Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Reports. (Lin)
Received and filed the August 2024 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report for
the City and the Improvement Authority.
D. Consideration and possible action regarding a claim against the City by Jessica
Aviles. (Sisson)
Rejected the claim and directed Staff to notify the claimant, Jessica Aviles.
E. Consideration and possible action regarding a claim against the City by
Matthew Nieto. (Sisson)
Rejected the claim and directed Staff to notify the claimant, Matthew Nieto.
F. Consideration and possible action to appoint four members to the City’s Youth
Advisory Committee (YAC) and appoint the Chair and Vice Chair. (Jun)
DRAFT- City Council Regular Minutes
October 1, 2024
Page 5 of 11
1) By majority vote of the entire City Council, appointed Mayah Barrett, Aiden Cruz,
Valentina Sherer, and Matthew Song as the four new members to the Youth Advisory
Committee, as recommended by the Council Subcommittee; and, 2) Appointed
Andrew Lu as Chair and Katelyn Beggans as Vice-chair of the Youth Advisory
Committee, as recommended by the Council Subcommittee.
G. Consideration and possible action to approve an amendment to the
Professional Services Agreement with Environmental Sciences Associates to
provide environmental services for the City’s 6 th Cycle Housing Element.
(Bobbett)
1) Approved Amendment No. 5 to the Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with
Environmental Sciences Associates (ESA) to extend the agreement term to
September 30, 2025 to provide continued environmental support services for the
City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element; and, 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to
execute Amendment No. 5 to the PSA with ESA in a form approved by the City
Attorney.
H. Consideration and possible action to accept and appropriate Hazard Mitigation
Grant Program funding for the Goat Vegetation Management Project. (Ramos)
Accepted and appropriate $914,977 of Federal Emergency Management Agency’s
(FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding in FY 2024-25 via the
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for the Goat Vegetation
Management Project.
I. Consideration and possible action to award a professional services agreement
to Emerald Isle Entertainment to operate the 2024 winter event at the Ken Dyda
Civic Center. (Rodin)
1) Awarded a professional services agreement (PSA), in the amount of $34,500, to
Emerald Isle Entertainment (Emerald) to operate a roller skating rink for three days
during the 2024 Winter Event at Ken Dyda Civic Center; and, 2) Authorize d the Mayor
and City Clerk to execute the PSA, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
J. Consideration and possible action to reconfirm continuing the emergency
justification for work and contract bidding on the Portuguese Bend Landslide
Emergency Hydraugers Project. (Copp)
This item was removed for separate consideration.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
DRAFT- City Council Regular Minutes
October 1, 2024
Page 6 of 11
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
1. Consideration and possible action on the Greater Portuguese Bend-Ancient
Altamira Landslide Complex. (Awwad)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed and there were
twenty-one requests to speak.
City Manager Mihranian provided a brief overview and introduced the Director of
Public Works Ramzi Awwad, who introduced the City's Geologist Mike Phipps, Cotton
Shires and Associates.
City Geologist Phipps presented a comprehensive report and PowerPoint
presentation regarding the landslide's progression.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of City’s
Geologist Phipps, Gary Lass, Geo-Logic Associate Consultant, Staff, and William
McCormick, Geo-Logic Associate Consultant.
Director of Public Works Awwad presents a recap report and PowerPoint
Presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff and
Gary Lass, Geo-Logic Associates Consultant.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of staff.
Director of Public Works Awwad introduced the Director of Finance Ramos to present
a Staff Report and PowerPoint presentation on PB Landslide Expenditures.
Director of Finance Ramos introduced City Manager Mihranian who provided
additional information.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of staff.
City Manager Mihranian and Director of Finance Ramos provided a report on the relief
efforts to residents.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of staff.
Director of Public Works Awwad provided an alternative energy options report and
PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of City
Attorney Gerli.
DRAFT- City Council Regular Minutes
October 1, 2024
Page 7 of 11
City Manager Mihranian provided an update on discussions with CalOES, FEMA, and
the various utilities.
Deputy City Manager Jun provided a report on the proposed surveys to be issued to
affected residents.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of City
Attorney Gerli.
Mayor Cruikshank called for a brief recess at 9:19. Without objection, it was so
ordered. The meeting was reconvened at 9:28 P.M.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Jennifer LaMarque,
Anne Cruz, Mike Agahee, Guri Otterley, Mary Agahee, Mariam Hunter, Jim Knight,
Dave Chura, Nikki Noushkam, Jeremy Davies, Gordon Leon, Frank Kostrencich, Ben
Zask, Peggy Josivert, Steve Cummins, Eva Albuja, Peter Hilderbrandt, Sheri
Hastings, Cindy Keefer, and Tom Keefer.
The following member of the public left a pre-recorded voicemail: David Roth.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of staff.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria, to approve
Staff Recommendations as follows: 1) Received and filed an update on current
conditions, including the City Geologist’s report, in the Greater Portuguese Bend -
Ancient Altamira Landslide Complex; 3) Received and filed a financial report on City
expenditures and estimated costs for emergency protective and stabilization
measures in response to the acceleration of the Greater Portuguese Bend -Ancient
Altamira Landslide Complex since October 2022; 4) Accepted and approve an
appropriation of $5 million pursuant to the Social Program Agreement providing
financial assistance related to the Greater Portuguese Bend -Ancient Altamira
Landslide Complex from Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn of the Los Angeles
County Board of Supervisors; 5) Provided direction on the proposed allocation of the
$5 million pursuant to the Social Program Agreement between Los Angeles County
and the City: a) Provide $10,000 in individual financial assistance to property owners
of residences impacted by the landslide in the Portuguese Bend Community
Association including Vanderlip Drive, Seaview, and Portuguese Bend Beach Club as
outlined within the geographic boundaries identified in the City Council proclaimed
Local Emergency Declaration; and, b) Fund, based on the remaining balance, City-
initiated emergency protective and stabilization measures consisting of, but not limited
to, public roads, City-owned sewer system in the Portuguese Bend Community
Association, dewatering wells, as well as for costs associated with actions to address
public safety, health, and transportation conditions created by the Landslide; 6)
Reviewed and provided input to two draft questionnaires to be sent to households
affected by the Greater Portuguese Bend-Ancient Altamira Landslide Complex and
indefinite utility shutoffs and authorized Staff to issue the final questionnaires; 7)
Adopted Resolution No. 2024-60, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, CONTINUING THE LOCAL
EMERGENCY DECLARATION AS ESTABLISHED BY RESOLUTION NO. 2023-47
ADOPTED ON OCTOBER 3, 2023 FOR AN ADDITIONAL 60 DAY PERIOD; and, 8)
DRAFT- City Council Regular Minutes
October 1, 2024
Page 8 of 11
Adopt Resolution No. 2024-61, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, TO EXTEND THE STATE OF
LOCAL EMERGENCY WITHIN THE GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES OF THE
PORTUGUESE BEND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, PORTUGUESE BEND
BEACH CLUB, AND SEAVIEW NEIGHBORHOOD, BASED ON SUDDEN ENERGY
SHORTAGES, PLANNED DEENERGIZING EVENTS, AND INTERNET SERVICE
SHUT OFFS, AS ESTABLISHED BY RESOLUTIONS NOS. 2024 -52 AND 2024-57,
FOR AN ADDITIONAL 60 DAYS.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
Questions were asked of staff.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alegria, to approve the
appropriation of $6.1 million for the unfunded emergency response projects bringing
the total budget from $17.9 million to $24 million in FY 2024-25.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
Questions were asked of staff, Gordon Leon, ACLAD and Steve Cummins, KCLAD.
Discussion ensued among Councilmembers.
Councilmember Bradley moved to extend the meeting to 12:00 A.M. Without
objection, Mayor Cruikshank so ordered.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo, to allocate and
approve the appropriation of an additional $4 million for the Winterization projects,
directed Staff to conduct the Winterization on City-owned property under the
emergency orders which thereby does not waive the ACLAD’s and KCLAD’s
responsibilities as identified in the plan of control, and directed Staff to seek financial
assistance from Federal, State, County levels of government including Los Angeles
County Public Works and Flood Control District.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
Questions were asked of staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo, to allocate and
appropriate dewatering wells up to $4 million.
DRAFT- City Council Regular Minutes
October 1, 2024
Page 9 of 11
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Seo, Alegria and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: Bradley
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Mayor Cruikshank, to approve the
funding of the $14.1 million of approved projects based on the following funding
sources: 1) $2.2 million of the Social Grant Program from Supervisor Hahn, 2)
$500,000 from ARPA funds , 3) $5 million from the CIP Emergency Reserves, and 4)
the remaining $6.4 million from the General Fund’s Excess Reserves.
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 amend Section 6.04.040 of the Rancho
Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC) to increase the number of dogs and cats
permitted on a residential lot. (Powers)
Mayor Cruikshank moved to hear a brief staff report. Without objection, it was so
ordered.
Director of Community Development Forbes provided a brief staff report.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff.
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were two speakers who were no longer
present: Elizabeth Sala and Kevin Sala.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve Staff
recommendations as follows: Introduced Ordinance No.688, AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING SECTION 6.04.040
(NUMBER OF DOGS AND CATS ALLOWED) OF CHAPTER 6.04 (GENERAL
PROVISIONS), OF TITLE 6 (ANIMALS) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES
MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DOGS PERMITTED ON A
RESIDENTIAL LOT FROM THREE TO FOUR AND INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
CATS PERMITTED ON A RESIDENTIAL LOT FROM THREE TO FIVE FOR
CONSISTENCY WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE PROVISIONS.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
DRAFT- City Council Regular Minutes
October 1, 2024
Page 10 of 11
3. Consideration and possible action to advise the City’s voting delegate on the
City Council’s positions regarding Cal Cities 2024 Annual Conference
Resolution. (Barnes)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Pro Tem Alegria moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo, to approve Staff
recommendations as follows: Authorized the City Council’s voting delegate to support
the adoption of Cal Cities General Assembly Resolution No. 1 on Fair and Equal
Treatment of All Governmental Officials at All Levels.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
J. Consideration and possible action to reconfirm continuing the emergency
justification for work and contract bidding on the Portuguese Bend Landslide
Emergency Hydraugers Project. (Copp)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were no requests to speak and that this item
was pulled earlier this evening by Councilmember Bradley.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff.
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Seo to approve Staff
recommendations as amened: 1) Reconfirm, by a four-fifths vote, there is a need to
continue the work on the Portuguese Bend Landslide Emergency Hydraugers Project
declared by Council-adopted Resolution No. 2024-20 on May 7, 2024, finding an
emergency exists requiring immediate action to install hydraugers in the Portuguese
Bend Landslide to seek to mitigate the movement of the landslide; 2) Direct the City
Clerk to confirm the same in the minutes of this City Council meeting, via Minute Order,
reflecting this action: and, 3) Rename the project to “Deep dewatering wells” that was
originally authorized by Council.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Councilmember Bradley would like staff to bring back a staff report on the possibilities of
a future historical society building potential at the new Civic Center or Point Vicente
Interpretive Center.
DRAFT- City Council Regular Minutes
October 1, 2024
Page 11 of 11
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Council Member present reported on his/her attendance at various organization and
association meetings.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 11:47 P.M., Mayor Cruikshank adjourned to October 15, 2024 for a Closed Session
meeting followed by a 7:00 P.M. Regular meeting.
_______________________________
John Cruikshank, Mayor
Attest:
__________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk