CC MINS 20250121 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 21, 2025
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular Meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and the Special
Improvement Authority for the purpose of a Closed Session was called to order by Mayor
Pro Tem Seo at 6:02 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: Ferraro, Lewis, and Mayor Pro Tem Seo
ABSENT: Perestam *(excused) and Mayor Bradley *(excused absence)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager;
Brandy Forbes, Director of Community Development); William Wynder, City Attorney.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR CLOSED SESSION:
None.
CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S) ANNOUNCED:
City Attorney Wynder announced the items to be discussed in Closed Session. City
Attorney Wynder requested for City Council to continue Closed Session item one and two
to a future Council meeting.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
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 in the
following 5 cases: Regional Board threatened litigation
Claim No. 9589071052700684926334, settlement offer R4-2024-0014;
Claim No. 9589071052700684926273, settlement offer R4-2024-0013;
Claim No. 9589071052700684926518, settlement offer R4-2024-0020;
Claim No. 9589071052700684926457, settlement offer R4-2024-0018; and Claim
No. 9589071052700684926242, settlement offer R4-2024-0012.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6, with the
members of the City Council acting as the City's representatives, regarding labor
negotiations with one unrepresented employee — City Manager.
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — PENDING LITIGATION
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.
4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL —INITIATION OF LITIGATION
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(c) and
(d)(4), because the City Council has decided or is deciding whether to initiate
litigation in two cases.
At 6:04 P.M. the Council recessed to Closed Session.
Councilmember Perestam joined the Closed Session meeting in the Fireside Room at
6:04 P.M.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:00 P.M. the Closed Session was reconvened to the Regular meeting.
REGULAR MEETING — OPEN SESSION
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular/ Special meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council was called to order
by Mayor Pro Tem Seo at 7:00 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: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo, and Mayor Bradley
ABSENT: None.
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; William Wynder, City Attorney; Catherine
Jun, Deputy City Manager; Vina Ramos, Director of Finance; Ramzi Awwad, Director of
Public Works; Brandy Forbes, Director of Community Development; Director of
Recreation and Parks, Daniel Trautner; Enyssa Sisson, Deputy City Clerk; and Teresa
Takaoka, City Clerk.
City Council Regular Minutes
January 21, 2025
Page 2 of 9
Also present was Captain Kimberly Guerrero of the Lomita Sheriffs Station and Los
Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Chief Brian Kane.
111 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Recreation and Parks Director Trautner.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney stated that there were four items on Closed Session. Item Nos. 1 and 2
have been continued to a future City Council meeting. Item No. 3, City Manager Mihranian
provided a privilege and confidential briefing from litigation Council, retained by the City
for this purpose. Questions were asked and answered, and no reportable action was
taken. Item No. 4, after a privilege and confidential briefing by the City Attorney the City
has unanimously authorized the commencement of two Code Enforcement actions, to
abate two public nuisances.
Mayor Bradley did not attend or participate in Closed Session.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Pro Tem Seo and the City Council presented a certificate of recognition to Alisa
Schulman- Janiger for her forty years of outstanding service to the American Cetacean
Society Los Angeles Chapter Fray Whale Census and Behavior Project.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
City Clerk Takaoka noted due to Mayor Bradley participating via zoom a motion and roll
call vote would be required for this item, instead of proceeding via affirmation.
Mayor Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve the Recycle
Winners for December 21, 2025, as John Crump and Kathy Layne. The winners will each
receive a check for$250 as well as a personal emergency preparedness kit from the City
valued at $40.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo, and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilmember Lewis moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo, and Mayor Bradley
City Council Regular Minutes
January 21, 2025
Page 3 of 9
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: Merlin David, Darin
Beffa, and Ben Zask.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Mihranian introduced Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Chief
Brian Kane to present a PowerPoint presentation regarding Peninsula Wildfire
Preparedness Update.
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following: Peninsula Wildfire
Preparedness Update; Palos Verdes Nature Preserve trails temporarily closed;
Residential Fire Insurance Advocacy Letter; The City is now accepting applications to fill
one vacancy on the Finance Advisory Committee, apply by January 23; Palos Verdes
Nature Preserve Quarterly Public Forum will be on January 22 at 6 P.M.; Open House
regarding the proposed Cell Tower at Hesse Park on January 29 at 7 P.M.; January 20
was Martin Luther King Jr. Day; and wished everyone a Happy Lunar New Year and
Happy New Year.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to approve the
Consent Calendar as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo, and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
A. Approval of Minutes (Sisson)
Approved the Minutes of December 11 (Special Meeting) and December 17, 2024
(Regular Meeting).
B. Registers of Demands (Anguiano)
Adopted Resolution No. 2025-01, 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
(check date 20241213); and, Adopted Resolution No. 2025-02, 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 (check date 20241220)
City Council Regular Minutes
January 21, 2025
Page 4 of 9
C. Consideration and possible action regarding a claim against the City by Daryl
Boggs- Gillihan. (Sisson)
Rejected the claim and directed Staff to notify the claimant, Daryl Boggs- Gillihan.
D. Consideration and possible, action to receive the November 2024 Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer's Report. (Lin)
Received and filed the November 2024 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer's Report
for the City and the Improvement Authority.
E. Consideration and possible action to establish the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26
Budget Development Calendar. (Moya)
Reviewed and approved the FY 2025-26 Budget Development Calendar.
F. Consideration and possible action regarding a claim against the City by Rex
Barnett. (Sisson)
Rejected the claim and directed Staff to notify the claimant, Rex Barnett.
G. Consideration and possible action to approve compensation changes for part-
time employees due to the State of California mandatory minimum wage
increase for the 2025 calendar year effective January 1, 2025. (Godinez)
Adopted Resolution No. 2025-03, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, AMENDING, RESTATING, AND
SUPERSEDING RESOLUTION NO. 2022-67 THAT SETS THE SALARY AND
HOURLY COMPENSATION SCHEDULE FOR ALL CITY EMPLOYEES TO
REFLECT THE NEW MINIMUM $16.50 SALARY RANGES FOR PART-TIME
EMPLOYEES BASED ON A STATE OF CALIFORNIA MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025
H. Consideration and possible action to and possible action to approve
agreements with the American National Red Cross and Salvation Army for
emergency services during a disaster event. '(Mohammad)
1) Authorized the City Manager to sign a Shelter Operations Facility Use Agreement
with a Pet Addendum between the City and the American National Red Cross (Red
Cross) for their use of City facilities during a disaster event for emergency services;
and, 2) Authorized the City Manager to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
between the City and the Salvation Army for the City's use of Salvation Army facilities
and services during a disaster event.
I. Consideration and possible action to reconfirm continuing the emergency
justification for work and emergency contract for the Greater Portuguese Bend-
Ancient Altamira Landslide Emergency Project. (Copp)
City Council Regular Minutes
January 21, 2025
Page 5 of 9
1) Reconfirm, by a four-fifths vote, there is a need to continue the work on the Deep
Vertical Dewatering Emergency Project declared by Council-adopted Resolution No.
2024-20 on May 7, 2024, finding an emergency exists requiring immediate action in
the Greater Portuguese Bend-Ancient Altamira Landslide Complex to seek to
mitigate the movement of the landslide; and, 2) Directed the City Clerk to confirm
the same in the minutes of this City Council meeting, via Minute Order, reflecting
this action.VINA RAMOS; AND HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER, VANESSA
GODINEZ.
J. Consideration and possible action to regarding the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24
Year-End Draft (Unaudited) Financial Report. (Moya)
1) Received and filed the FY 2023-24 Year-End Draft (Unaudited) Financial Report;
2) Approved the Purchase Order Carryover Schedule of$4,470,004 from FY 2023-24
to FY 2024-25, thereby, approving the following: a. Decreasing FY 2023-24 Budget
for the following: $725,942 (General Fund), $163,220 (Gas Tax), $25,737 (1911 Act
Street Lighting), $130,000 (Proposition C), $95,113 (Measure R), $275,804 (Measure
M), $4,100 (Subregion One Maintenance), $10,731 (Abalone Cove Sewer District),
$17,853 (CDBG), $2,035,935 (CIP), $38,479 (State Grants), $310,901 (Federal
Grants-ARPA), $74,059 (Quimby Park Development, $7,818 (Measure VV), $554,314
(Equipment Replacement); and b. Increasing FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget for the
same amounts listed in 2(a); and, 3) Approved Continuing Appropriations of
$9,574,299 from FY 2023-24 to FY 2024-25, thereby, approving the following; a.
Decreasing FY 2023-24 Budget for the following: $100,000 (General Fund), $181,000
(Proposition C), $485,472 (Measure M), $6,883,125 (CIP), $1,453,379 (Federal
Grants — ARPA), $226,323 (Quimby), $245,000 (Measure VV); and, b. Increasing FY
2024-25 Adopted Budget for the same amounts listed in 2(a).
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
1. Consideration and possible action to fund the installation of additional deep
dewatering wells in the Greater Portuguese Bend-Ancient Altamira Landslide
Complex. (Awwad)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were fourteen requests to speak.
City Manager Mihranian provided a brief overview and introduced Director of Public
Works Awwad for an update, and who introduced the City's Geologist Mike Phipps of
Cotton Shires and Associates.
City Council Regular Minutes
January 21, 2025
Page 6 of 9
City Geologist Phipps presented a brief report and PowerPoint presentation regarding
the landslide's progression.
Director of Public Works Awwad continued a comprehensive report on De-Watering
Conceptual Build- Out report.
Director of Public Works Awwad introduced the Director of Finance Ramos to present
a Staff Report and PowerPoint presentation on Portuguese Bend Landslide Financial
Report.
Director of Public Works Awwad and City Manager Mihranian provided additional
comments concluding the Staff Report.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Gary Lass,
Geo-Logic Associate Consultant.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Micky Rodich, Patty
Perkins, Marianne Hunter, Sheri Hastings, Dave Chura, Frank Kostrencich, Eva
Albuja, Joe Cruz, Rob Kautz, Noel Park, Gordon Leon, Ben Zask, Nikki Noushkam,
and Jeremy Davies.
At this time, the last speaker participating via Zoom was called upon but was not
available.
111 Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff and
Gary Lass, Geo-Logic Associate Consultant.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Mayor Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to amend Staff
recommendations as follows: 1) Received and filed the proposed Conceptual
Comprehensive Landslide Remediation Plan; 2) Receives and files an update on City
expenditures for emergency protective and stabilization measures in response to the
acceleration of the Greater Portuguese Bend-Ancient Altamira Landslide Complex; 3)
Authorize an addition funding of up to $2 million out of the FY 2024-25 Capital
Improvement Program budget by deferring projects recommended by staff in the staff
report for Operation and Maintenance (approximately $1.5 million) of existing deep
dewatering wells and fissure filling (approximately $500,000) through June 30, 2025;
4) Directed Staff to work with ACLAD, GLA and the City Geologist to develop a deep
dewatering plan within the jurisdictional boundary of ACLAD to relocate 1 or 2 less
producing wells and/or potentially adding 1 or 2 more deep dewatering wells at staffs
discretion, noting not to redrill DDW No. 7, that would be funded by the City at a not
to exceed cost of$5 million, including $1.6 million from the Council-approved loan and
to determine whether the additional funds would be in the form of a loan or grant for
consideration at the February 4, 2025 City Council meeting.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
City Council Regular Minutes
January 21, 2025
Page 7 of 9
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
Mayor Pro Tem Seo moved to extend the meeting to 11:15 P.M. Without objection, it
was, so ordered.
Mayor Pro Tern Seo called for a brief recess at 10:39 P.M. Without objection, it was
so ordered. The meeting was reconvened at 10:55 P.M
2. Consideration and possible action to review the biannual work plans and
biannual reports from various City advisory boards, committees and the
Planning Commission. (Jun)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were no requests to speak.
Chair Lu and Vice Chair Beggans presented for the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC);
Chair Santarosa presented for the Planning Commission (PC); Chair Sprinkel
presented for the Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC); Chair O'Brien
presented for the Civic Center Advisory Committee (CCAC); Vice Chair MacAllister
presented for the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC); Chair Shaw presented for the
Infrastructure Management Advisory Committee (IMAC); Committee member
Crossman presented for the Traffic Safety Committee (TSC).
Councilmember Ferraro, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to approve Staff
recommendations as follows: 1) Received and filed the biannual reports for the Fiscal
Year 2024-25 accomplishments and work plans from the City's Advisory Boards and
Planning Commission; and, 2) Directed Staff to present future biannual reports as
Consent Calendar items starting July 2025.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo, and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Mayor Bradley directed staff to write a letter to the Water Replenish Board indorsing John
Cruikshank to sit on the board committee.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
None.
I
City Council Regular Minutes
January 21, 2025
Page 8 of 9
ADJOURNMENT:
At 11:18 P.M., Mayor Pro Tern Seo adjourned to February 4, 2025, for a Closed Session
meeting followed by a 7:00 P.M. Regular m AfLdir
) _____
Mayor
Attest:
6-- (jillrx. tti __,_____,
4resakaoka, City Clerk
I
I
City Council Regular Minutes
January 21,,2025
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