CC MINS 20241211 SPC (City Council Reorganization) MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
DECEMBER 11, 2024
CALL TO ORDER:
A Special Meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and the Improvement
Authority for the purpose of a Closed Session was called to order by Mayor Cruikshank
at 5:30 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.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Bradley, Cruikshank, Seo, Alegria and Mayor Cruikshank
ABSENT: Ferraro *(excused in Fireside Room)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; William Wynder, City Attorney; and
Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR CLOSED SESSION:
City Clerk Takaoka noted that there were no requests to speak.
CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S) ANNOUNCED:
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54957 to conduct
an employee evaluation for the position of City Manager.
At 5:31 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
*Councilmember Ferraro joined the Closed Session meeting in the Fireside Room at 5:31
P.M.
RECONVENE TO SPECIAL MEETING:
At 6:21 P.M. the Closed Session was reconvened to the Regular meeting.
SPECIAL MEETING — OPEN SESSION
CALL TO ORDER:
A Special Meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council was called to order by Mayor
Cruikshank at 6:21 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: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria and Mayor Cruikshank
ABSENT: None
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; William Wynder, City Attorney; Catherine
Jun, Deputy City Manager; Vina Ramos, Director of Finance; Daniel Trautner, Director of
Recreation and Parks; Ramzi Awwad, Public Works Director; Brandy Forbes, Director of
Community Development; Megan Barnes, Senior Administrative Analyst; Enyssa Sisson,
Deputy City Clerk; and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Color Guard Ceremony and Pledge of Allegiance were led by Troop 276, Pack 955,
and Pack 846.
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: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
CEREMONIAL MATTERS:
1. Presentation to Mayor Cruikshank and Mayor Pro Tem Alegria
Mayor Cruikshank and Mayor Pro Tem Alegria were commended for their service as
Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, and were acknowledged for their various contributions to the
City and community. Mayor Cruikshank and Mayor Pro Tem Alegria were also presented
with certificates from various public officials.
2. Remarks by Invited Electeds/Representatives and Council Members
Each Council Member acknowledged and thanked Mayor Cruikshank and Mayor Pro Tem
Alegria for their service.
City Council Minutes
December 11, 2024
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The following representatives spoke and presented a certification to Mayor Cruikshank
and Mayor Pro Tern Alegria for their service:
Janice Hahn, L.A. County Supervisor; Mayor Victoria Lozzi, Palos Verdes Estates;
Councilmember Velveth Schmitz, Rolling Hills Estates; Councilmember Leah Mirsch,
Rolling Hills; City Manager Mihranian presenting for Los Angeles County Sheriffs
Department; Board President Bob Parke, Palos Verdes Library District; Board Vice
President Linda Kurt, Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District; District
Representative Edward Feves, Congressman Ted Lieu; Representative Cody Bridges,
Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi.
Each Councilmember and City Manager Mihranian shared comments expressing their
appreciation for Mayor Pro Tern Alegria and Mayor Cruikshank's service.
Additional remarks were made by residents Larry Maizlish, Raquel Brown, and Nikki
Noushkam.
Mayor Pro Tern Alegria and Mayor Cruikshank provided remarks regarding their tenure
as Mayor Pro Tern and Mayor. They expressed great appreciation to the Council
Members, Staff, family, and residents for their support.
3. Consideration and possible action to certify the results of the General Municipal
Election of November 5, 2024 (Takaoka)
Councilmember Bradley, seconded by Councilmember Seo,, to approve Staff
recommendations as follows: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-72, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES RECITING THE
FACT OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 5, 2024,
DECLARING THE RESULT AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Seo, Alegria, and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
4. Swearing in and Seating of Newly Elected Council Members George Lewis and
Stephen Perestam. (Takaoka)
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk, administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Council
Members George Lewis and Stephen Perestam.
City Clerk Takaoka conducted a roll call of the newly seated City Council and was
answered as follows:
PRESENT: Bradley, Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, and Seo. _
ABSENT: None
City Council Minutes
December 11, 2024
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5. Council Reorganization
a. Selection of Mayor
I
City Clerk Takaoka called for nominations for the selection of Mayor.
Councilmember Seo nominated Councilmember Bradley for Mayor.
With no other nominations, Councilmember Bradley was appointed as Mayor for the year
2025 with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, and Seo.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
b. Selection of Mayor Pro Tern
City Clerk Takaoka called for nominations for the selection of Mayor Pro Tem.
Mayor Bradley nominated Councilmember Seo for Mayor Pro Tem.
With no other nominations, Councilmember Seo was appointed as Mayor Pro Tern for the
year 2025 with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo, and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
c. Comments by newly appointed Mayor, Mayor Pro Tern, and Council Members
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney stated that the old City Council met in Closed Session to commence the
annual performance evaluation of the position of City Manager. This item has been
continued to the January 21 City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 8:37 P.M., Mayor Bradley adjourned to 6:00 P.M. on December 17, 2024, for a Closed
Session meeting followed by a 7:00 P.M. Regular meeting.
r :
Da a Bra ey, Mayor
Attest:
III
eresa`Takaoka, Csty aerk
City Council Minutes
December 11, 2024
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