CC MINS 20250204 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 4, 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
Bradley at 6:07 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, Perestam and Mayor Bradley
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Seo *(excused absence)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; William Wynder, City Attorney; Pam Lee,
Attorney for Aleshire and Wynder; Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager; Vina Ramos,
Director of Finance; Vanessa Godinez, Human Resources Manager; Jennifer Schmid,
Public Safety Manager; Enyssa Sisson, Deputy City Clerk; Hector Gomez, Interim Deputy
City Clerk and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk.
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 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; 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 LABOR NEGOTIATOR
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6, with
the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and City Attorney, acting as its
negotiators, regarding labor negotiations with the Rancho Palos Verdes
Employee Association (RPVEA) and American Federation of State, County,
and Municipal Employees District Council 36 (AFSCME DC36).
4. 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 the City
Manager
At 6:09 P.M. the Council recessed to Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:24 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
Bradley at 7:24 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 and Mayor Bradley
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Seo *(excused absence)
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; Daniel Trautner,
Director of Recreation and Parks; Enyssa Sisson, Deputy City Clerk; Jennifer Schmid,
Public Safety Manager; Hector Gomez, Interim Deputy City Clerk; and Teresa Takaoka,
City Clerk.
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February 4, 2025
Page 2 of 10
Also present was Sgt. Paul Cervantes and Deputy Darlene Lopez-Beltran of the Lomita
Sheriffs Station.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Gordon Leon Chair of the Abalone Cove Landslide
Abatement District (ACLAD).
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder announced that Item No. 1 on the Closed Session agenda has been
continued to a future City Council meeting; Item No. 2 labor negotiations with the City
Manager would be continued during another closed session later in the meeting; Item No.
3 labor negotiations were conducted with RPVEA and the negotiations with AFSCME will
be brought back at a future closed session agenda; and Item No. 4 City Manager
performance evaluation was completed.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Bradley, by order of affirmation, noted the Recycle Winners were Russel Persinger
and Corrine Speltz. 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:
Councilmember Lewis moved, seconded by Councilmember Perestam, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, and Mayor Bradley
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: Rob Kautz, Nikki
Noushkam, and Eva Albuja (Via Zoom).
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February 4, 2025
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CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Mihranian introduced engineers from Caltrans to present a PowerPoint
presentation regarding the Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project on Western
Avenue.
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following:
1. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project on Western Avenue.
2. A wildfire preparedness town hall on February 20, 6:30 P.M. at the McTaggart Hall,
Hesse Park.
3. Instructions on how to call the Lomita Sheriff Station.
4. The illuminated street name signs upgrades.
5. A free tax preparation program on Fridays from 9:00 A.M. — 2:30 P.M. at Hesse
Park Community Center.
6. The need for volunteers for the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count on February
18 —20.
7. Acknowledged and recognized the City's celebrating of Black History Month.
8. A dog Valentine's Day event on February 14 from 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. at
Eastview Park.
9. An announcement that City Hall will be closed on February 17 in observance of
Presidents Day and that construction is not permitted on a federal holiday without
a Special Construction Permit.
10.A happy birthday wish to Mayor Pro Tem Seo.
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 and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
A. Approval of Minutes (Sisson)
Approved the Minutes of January 21 (Regular/Special Meeting).
B. Registers of Demands (Anguiano)
Adopted Resolution No. 2025-04, 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
(20250110).
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February 4, 2025
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C. Consideration and possible action to receive the December 2024 Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer's Report. (Lin)
Received and filed the December 2024 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer's Report
for the City and the Improvement Authority.
D. Consideration and possible action to award a public works construction
contract for the Hesse Park Roof Replacement Project. (O'Neill/Copp)
1) Approved the plans, specifications, and construction documents for the Hesse Park
Roof Replacement Project (CIP Project No. 8509); 2)Awarded a construction contract
for the Hesse Park Roof Replacement Project to Chapman Coast Roof Co., in the
amount of $421,940, with a contingency of 10%, or $42,194, for a total amount of up
to $464,134; and, 3) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the contract, in
a form approved by the City Attorney.
E. Consideration and possible action to approve a letter of support for former
Mayor and Councilmember John Cruikshank to fill a vacancy on the West Basin
Municipal Water District's Basin Board of Directors. (Jun)
Authorized the Mayor to sign and transmit a letter of support for former Mayor and
Councilmember John Cruikshank to fill a vacancy on the Municipal Water District's
West Basin Board of Directors for Division 1.
F. Consideration and possible action to award Neighborhood Beautification
Grants. (Hevener)
Approved awarding two grants for the Neighborhood Beautification Grant Program
Cycle 22 (FY 2024-25), totaling $7,980.
G. Consideration and possible action to award a professional services agreement
to Watearth, Inc. for engineering and support services for the Sidewalk
Management Program. (Ascensio)
1) Awarded a professional services agreement to Watearth, Inc. for engineering and
support services for Phase 2 Design of the Sidewalk Management Program (Capital
Improvement Project No. 8861), in the amount of$84,277 with a 15% contingency of
$12,642, for a total amount of up to $96,919; and, 2) Authorized the Mayor to execute
the agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney.
H. 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)
1) Reconfirmed, 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
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February 4, 2025
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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.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: I
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
1. Consideration and possible action to appoint one member to the Finance
Advisory Committee (FAC) and appoint a new Chair. (Sisson)
City Clerk Takaoka noted that ballots were distributed earlier this evening after the
interviews.
After the initial round of balloting the votes were as follows:
• Councilmember Lewis voted: Jeffrey Chen
• Councilmember Ferraro voted: Jonathan Jung
• Councilmember Perestam voted: Jonathan Jung
• Mayor Bradley: Peter Stenzel.
City Clerk Takaoka announced that there would need to be a second vote as there
needed to be a majority vote. The City Council initiated a second round of voting.
After the second round of balloting the votes were as follows:
• Councilmember Lewis voted: Jeffrey Chen
• Councilmember Ferraro voted: Jonathan Jung
• Councilmember Perestam voted: Jonathan Jung
• Mayor Bradley voted: Jonathan Jung.
City Clerk Takaoka announced that Jonathan Jung was the selection for the Finance
Advisory Committee (FAC) and would serve the unexpired term through June 2026.
City Clerk Takaoka noted that the City Council would next need to select a Chair for
the
FAC and that the current Vice Chair John MacAllister had expressed interest.
Mayor Bradley, by order of affirmation, appointed Vice Chair MacAllister as Chair of
the
FAC with a term ending in June 2025.
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February 4, 2025
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2. Consideration and possible action on the Greater Portuguese Bend-Ancient
Altamira Landslide Complex. (Awwad)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were two requests to speak.
City Manager Mihranian provided an overview and introduced Director of Public Works
Awwad for an update. Director Awwad then introduced Bill McCormick of Geo-Logic
Associates; City Geologist Mike Phipps; Pat Shires of Cotton, Shires and Associates,
and Gordon Leon of ACLAD.
Director Awwad presented a comprehensive report and PowerPoint presentation
regarding the landslide project updates.
Bill McCormick presented a comprehensive report and PowerPoint presentation
regarding the landslide project progressions.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff.
Director of Finance Vina Ramos presented a comprehensive report and PowerPoint
presentation regarding the Portuguese Landslide financials.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Nikki Noushkam,
and Eva Albuja (Via Zoom).
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff and
Gordon Leon of ACLAD.
Councilmember Lewis made a motion to amend the resolution and remove the
prohibition of motorcycles from the resolution thereby prohibiting unicycles, bicycles,
and other one-or-two wheeled vehicles from traveling on Palos Verdes South within
the Landslide Complex.
The motion was not considered for lack of a second.
Mayor Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve Staff
recommendations as follows: 1) Received and filed an update on current activities and
conditions in the Greater Portuguese Bend-Ancient Altamira Landslide Complex; 2)
Received and filed the Abalone Cove Landslide Hazard Abatement District's (ACLAD)
deep dewatering well plan that they will install, operate, and maintain; 3) Affirmed use
of the loan in the amount of$1.6 million approved by the City Council on July 2, 2024
for ACLAD to implement their deep dewatering well plan; 4) Appropriated $100,000
from the Capital Improvement Fund for in-kind project and construction management
services provided by the City to assist the Abalone Cove Landslide Hazard Abatement
District with implementation of their deep dewatering wells plan without waiving
ACLAD's responsibilities as identified in the Plan of Control; 5) Adopted Resolution
No. 2025-05, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, EXTENDING FOR A TERM OF 60 DAYS THE
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February 4, 2025
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TEMPORARY PROHIBITION ON TRAVEL BY UNICYCLES, BICYCLES,
MOTORCYCLES, AND OTHER ONE- OR TWO-WHEELED VEHICLES ON PALOS
VERDES DRIVE SOUTH WITHIN THE LANDSLIDE COMPLEX DUE TO
CONTINUED ROADWAY CONDITIONS; 6) Adopted Resolution No. 2025-06, 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 7) Adopted Resolution No. 2025-
07, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CALIFORNIA, EXTENDING THE STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY
WITHIN THE GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES OF THE PORTUGUESE BEND
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, PORTUGUESE BEND BEACH CLUB, AND
SEAVIEW NEIGHBORHOODS BASED ON SUDDEN ENERGY SHORTAGES,
PLANNED DEENERGIZING EVENTS, AND INTERNET SERVICE SHUT OFFS AS
ESTABLISHED BY RESOLUTION NOS. 2024-52 AND 2024-57 FOR AN
ADDITIONAL 60 DAYS.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
Mayor Bradley called for a recess to reconvene into closed session at 9:09 P.M.
Without objection, it was so ordered.
City Attorney Wynder announced that the City Council will re-enter into a closed
session for Item No. 2 on the closed session agenda, labor negotiations with the City
Manager.
The meeting was reconvened at 9:30 P.M.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder announced that Item No. 2 labor negotiations with the City Manager
was completed and there is a tentative agreement in place. He added that a written
contract amendment will be presented at the next City Council meeting.
3. Consideration and possible action to receive a status update on the Public
Safety Division. (Schmid) (30 mins)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were no requests to speak.
City Manager Mihranian provided an overview of the new division and introduced
Public Safety Manager Jennifer Schmid.
Public Safety Manager Schmid presented a comprehensive report and PowerPoint
presentation regarding an overview of the Public Safety Division.
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February 4, 2025
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Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff and
Sgt. Cervantes.
Councilmember Lewis moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro to approve staff
recommendation as follows: 1) Received and filed a status update on the
implementation of the Public Safety Division including its current initiatives and future
objectives; 2) Authorized Staff to issue a Public Safety Community Survey in March
2025 per City Council Policy No. 2; and, 3) Approved converting the classification of
one part-time, non-sworn Public Safety Liaison to a part-time, non-sworn Public Safety
Field Training Officer in the Public Safety Division, and direct Staff to return with the
job classification at a future meeting.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
4. Consideration and possible action to adopt the City's 2025 Legislative Platform
(Jun) (15 mins)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there was one request to speak.
Mayor Bradley requested that the staff report be waived. Without objection, it was so
ordered.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Nikki Noushkam.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Bradley to approve staff
recommendations as follows:1) Adopted Resolution No. 2025-08, A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE CITY'S 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Mayor Bradley asked City Manager Mihranian about an update to his request for a future
agenda item regarding a potential toll road in Rancho Palos Verdes. City Manager
Mihranian explained that staff is currently working with traffic engineers and conducting
analysis on the potential toll road and that they will add it to a future agenda item for
consideration this summer.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
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February 4, 2025
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Each Council Member present reported on his/ her attendance at various organization
and association meetings.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 10:10 P.M., Mayor Bradley Adjourned to 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025,
for a Closed Session meeting followed by a 7:00 P.M. Regular meeting.
D. id L. B - � ayor
Attest:
Tere kaoka, City Clerk
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February 4, 2025
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