CC MINS 20250304 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 4, 2025
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 Pro Tern Seo 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: Lewis, Perestam, Seo
ABSENT: Ferraro* (Excused in Fireside Room) and Mayor Bradley* (Excused in
Fireside Room, Via Zoom)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; William Wynder, City Attorney; John Fox,
Assistant City Attorney; Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager; Ramzi Awwad, Director of
Public Works; Hector Gomez, Interim Deputy City Clerk (Council Chamber); and Teresa
Takaoka, City Clerk (Council Chamber).
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR CLOSED SESSION:
None
CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S) ANNOUNCED:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
A closed session will be held pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(e) because
the City is considering whether to initiate litigation in two cases.
2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8, to enable
the City Council to consider negotiations with Mr. Joseph Low, with whom City is
negotiating, and to give direction to its negotiator(s) the City Manager and City
Attorney regarding that certain real property whose Assessor's Parcel Number is
7572-010-027. The City's real property negotiator will seek direction from the City
Council regarding the price and terms of payment for the property.
At 6:04 P.M. the Council recessed to Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:08 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
Pro Tem Seo at 7:08 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 (Via Zoom)
ABSENT: None
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; William Wynder, City Attorney; Catherine
Jun, Deputy City Manager; Robert Moya, Deputy Director of Finance; Ramzi Awwad,
Director of Public Works; Octavio Silva, Deputy Director of Community Development; Amy
Seeraty, Senior Planner; Daniel Trautner, Director of Recreation and Parks; Captain
Guerrero from LASD Lomita Station; Hector Gomez, Interim Deputy City Clerk; and Teresa
Takaoka, City Clerk.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Deputy Director of Community Development, Octavio
Silva.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder provided the closed session report:
Item No. 1: The City Council discussed whether to initiate litigation in two cases. He added
that they explored litigation options and !alternatives, asked questions, and requested
additional information from staff. However, no reportable action was taken.
Item No. 2: Involved real property negotiations. He said the City Council authorized the
City Manager and City Attorney to explore the acquisition of a specific property, identified
by Assessor Parcel Number 7572-010-027.
Last he mentioned that all five members of the Council participated in this session.
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March 4, 2025
Page 2 of 8
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
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.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Bradley, to approve the Recycle
Winners for February 18, 2025, as Tara Aviel and Sanjay Celly. The winners will each
receive a check for $250 as well as a personal emergency preparedness kit from the City
valued at $40.
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there was one request to speak.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Nikki Noushkam
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
CityManager Mihranianprovided updates on the following:
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1. An update on the RPV Wildfire Preparedness Townhall meeting.
2. The City's Public Safety Division is seeking residents' public safety priorities and
concerns and residents are encouraged to take their survey by March 31, 2025.
3. A City Council Goals Workshop is scheduled for March 17 at 6:00 P.M. at Hesse
Park and Via Zoom.
4. An update on the pet adoption event that occurred at Eastview Park and that the
next event will be Sunday, April 6, 2025.
5. Round 2 of the Western Avenue Storefront Improvement Program is now open, and
applications are due March 28. 2025.
6. The 40th Whale of a Day Festival is scheduled for April 12, 2025, 10:00 A.M. to 4:00
P.M. at Point Vicente Interpretive Center.
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March 4, 2025
Page 3 of 8
7. A note that March is Women's History Month and International Women's Day is
March 8, 2025.
8. A note that commemorates Ramadan Mubarak.
9. A note that commemorates St. Patrick's Day.
10. A Reminder that Daylight Savings Time starts March 9, 2025.
City Manager Mihranian introduced Captain Guerrero from LASD Lomita Station who
provided a quarterly and 2024 year-end law enforcement update.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to approve the
Consent Calendar.
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 February 18, 2025 (Regular Meeting).
B. Registers of Demands (Anguiano)
Adopted Resolution No. 2025-13, 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 appoint one member to the Youth Advisory
Committee. (Jun)
Appointed Krystal Deng to an unscheduled vacancy on the Youth Advisory Committee
(YAC), as recommended by the Council Subcommittee.
D. Consideration and possible action to receive the January 2025 Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer's Report. (Lin)
Received and filed the January 2025 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer's Report for
the City and the Improvement Authority.
E. Consideration and possible action to purchase a tax-defaulted property in th.e
Portuguese Bend Landslide area (APN 7572-008-014). (Barnes)
Authorized the Mayor to sign a Request to Purchase Tax-Defaulted Property from the
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector for a vacant lot in the Portuguese
Bend Landslide area (APN 7572-008-014).
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March 4, 2025
Page 4 of 8
F. Consideration and possible action regarding the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Mid-Year
Financial Report for General Fund. (Moya)
Received and filed the FY 2024-25 Mid-Year Quarter Financial Report for the General
Fund.
G. Consideration and possible action to approve the construction plans and
specifications for the Hawthorne Boulevard at Eddinghill/Seamount Left Turn
Signal Project (CIP Project 8857). (Awwad)
1) Approved the plans, specifications, and construction documents for the Hawthorne
Boulevard at Eddinghill/Seamount Left Turn Signal Project (CIP Project 8857); 2)
Approved an additional appropriation of$590,000 from the 1911 Street Lighting Act
Fund for the Project; 3) Found that the apparent low bidder established that a mistake
was made in their bid, provided written notice to the City within 5 working days after the
opening of the bids detailing how the mistake occurred, and demonstrated that the
mistake made the bid materially different than intended as required by Public Contracts
Code §§ 5101 & 5103; 4) Awarded a construction contract for the Hawthorne
Boulevard at Eddinghill/Seamount Left Turn Signal Project to Alfaro Communications
Construction, Inc., in the amount of$570,968.01, with a contingency of 10%, or
$57,097, for a total amount of up to $628,065; and, 5) Authorized the Mayor and City
Clerk to execute the contracts, in forms 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 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.
I. Consideration and possible action to request Measure A grant funding from the
Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District. (Waters)
Adopted Resolution No. 2025-14, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE BLANKET
AUTHORITY TO FILE APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE LOS
ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR
MEASURE A FUNDING FOR PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS; and, 2) Authorized the
City Manager to sign the Master Annual Allocation Grant Agreement with the Los
Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District.
J. Consideration and possible action to award a Professional Services Agreement
to Fire Grazers, Inc. to perform fuel modification by goat grazing. (Hevener)
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March 4, 2025
Page 5 of 8
1) Awarded a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Fire Grazers, Inc. in the
total amount of$1,049,620 over a three-year period ($331,335 for Fiscal Year (FY)
2024-25; $349,652 for FY 2025-26; and $368,634 for FY 2026-27) plus a 10%
contingency, with an optional three-year extension by mutual consent; and, 2)
Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement in a form approved by
the City Attorney.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Consideration and possible action to conduct the 2024 Green Hills Memorial Park
Conditional Use Permit Compliance Review (Case No. PLCU2025-0001). (Seeraty)
(15 mins)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that the notice of the public hearing was duly published,
late correspondences were distributed and there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Pro Tem Seo declared the public hearing open.
Amy Seeraty, Senior Planner presented a detailed staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
Applicant Nick Resich thanked staff and the Council and had no other comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Seo closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Mayor Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve staff
recommendations as follows: Received and filed a report finding that Green Hills
Memorial Park was in compliance with Conditional Use Permit No. 155 in 2024.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
REGULAR BUSINESS:
2. Consideration and possible action to affirm the engineering design of short-term
traffic calming measures on Miraleste Drive and Palos Verdes Drive East. (Casil)
(60 mins)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondences were distributed and there were
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March 4, 2025
Page 6 of 8
no requests to speak.
Director of Public Works, Ramzi Awwad presented a comprehensive staff report and
PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Perestam, to 1)
Received and filed a report on the possibility of installing traffic signals at Palos Verdes
Drive East (PVDE) and Via Canada/Miraleste Intermediate School (MIS) Driveway as
well as PVDE and Miraleste Drive in lieu of continuing with traffic flagging services; 2
Affirmed the Miraleste Drive and PVDE traffic calming plans based on the short-term
traffic calming measures approved by the City Council on January 16, 2024; 3)
Directed Staff to proceed with incorporating the short-term traffic calming plans as part
of the PVDE roadway slurry sealing/re-paving project to be included in the proposed
Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for future City Council
consideration; and, 4) Monitor the short-term traffic calming measures for a period of no
less than one year after implementation and consider traffic signals at a future City
Council meeting, if deemed appropriate.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
3. Consideration and possible action to grant a time extension to Southern
California Edison (SCE) for its temporary power pole located at the Ladera Linda
Community Center. (Quintero) (30 mins)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondences were distributed and there were
two requests to speak.
Director of Public Works, Ramzi Awwad presented a comprehensive staff report and
PowerPoint presentation.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Nikki Noushkam, Dr.
Kit Song; and Celina Luna representing SCE.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to authorize a six-
month extension to the terms and conditions of the City-approved encroachment
permit, reviewed by the City Council at its September 3, 2024, thereby allowing SCE's
temporary power pole to continue,to be located at the Ladera Linda Community Center
while a permanent box circuit is designed and constructed.
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March 4, 2025
Page 7 of 8
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 Pro Tern Seo requested an update on the installation of wireless facilities.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Councilmember present reported on his/ her attendance at various organization and
association meetings.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 8:11 P.M., Mayor Pro Tern Seo Adjourned to 6:00 P.M. on Monday, March 17, 2025, for
a City Council Goals Workshop.
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March 4, 2025
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