CC SR 20250204 E -Legislative Platform
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 02/04/2025
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
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
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Authorize 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
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager
REVIEWED BY: Same as below
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
1. Draft Letter of Support (Page A-1)
2. John Cruikshank’s Application to the West Basin Board (Page B-1)
BACKGROUND:
West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) is a wholesale water agency that
delivers imported drinking water to 17 cities and unincorporated areas throughout 185-
square-miles of Los Angeles County. West Basin is overseen by a five-member Board of
Directors, with each director representing a specific division within the district.
Recently, West Basin announced the resignation of Director Harold Williams, effective
January 2, 2025, leaving a vacancy in Division 1, which includes the cities of Carson,
Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, and the
unincorporated area of Rancho Dominguez. Mr. Williams first began serving on the Board
in 2014, concluding his service with West Basin after nearly three terms in office. His
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CITYOF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
term expires in December 2026, and the Board decided to fill the position by appointment
until the General Election on November 3, 2026 will determine the director position for a
full four-year term of office. The person appointed to fill the current vacan cy may then
choose to run for the full-term office.
The Board must make this appointment by no later than March 3, 2025 and is currently
accepting applications, including letters of interest, resumes, and supporting documents,
until 4:00 pm on Friday, February 7, 2025.
DISCUSSION:
On January 12, 2025, Mr. John Cruikshank applied for the Division 1 vacancy (see
Attachment B) and is requesting support from local cities for his candidacy. Mr.
Cruikshank has demonstrated an extensive track record of public service and knowledge
of public infrastructure. He served on the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council from 2017
to 2024, including two terms as Mayor—first in 2020 during COVID-19 and again in 2024
during the height of the landslide emergencies. In addition to his work on the City Council,
he served four years on the Rancho Palos Verdes Planning Commission and is also a
Board Member of the Los Angeles County Taxpayers Association. With a n extensive
background as a civil engineer, he has expertise in public infrastructure, project
management, and construction, making him well-equipped to serve the needs of both the
West Basin Board and Division 1.
The City Council is requested to consider Mr. Cruikshank’s application to determine if it
will offer a letter of support that will be signed by the Mayor and submitted to the West
Basin before the submission deadline of February 7. A draft letter of support is attached
for City Council’s consideration (Attachment A).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Please note that the City of Palos Verdes Estates approved and submitted a letter as of
January 28, 2025.
CONCLUSION:
If deemed acceptable, authorize the Mayor to sign a letter supporting the appointment of
Mr. John Cruikshank to the West Basin Board and Division 1.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Do not authorize the Mayor to sign a support letter.
2. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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30940 HAWTHORNE BLVD. / RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA 90275-5391 / (310) 544-5207 / FAX (310) 544-5291 / WWW.RPVCA.GOV
February 4, 2025
The Honorable Desi Alvarez
President, West Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors
17140 South Avalon Blvd.
Carson, CA 90746
SUBJECT: Letter of Support for Nomination of John Cruikshank to West Basin
Municipal Water District Board of Directors Division I Seat
Dear President Alvarez,
The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council wishes to express its support for the nomination
of former Mayor John Cruikshank to the Division I vacancy on the West Basin Municipal
Water District Board of Directors.
Mr. Cruikshank is a South Bay native that has been engaged in local civics and
government for several years. As a long-time resident of Rancho Palos Verdes, he was
a member of the City Council from 2017-2024, serving as Mayor and leading the City
through COVID-19 in 2020 and major landslide emergencies in 2024. Prior to becoming
a Council Member, Mr. Cruikshank served his community in various capacities including
a member of the City’s Planning Commission. Regionally, he also served as Chair of the
regional South Bay Cities Council of Government Board of Directors and served on the
Harbor Commission for Redondo Beach.
During his time on the City Council, Mr. Cruikshank was an advocate for utility ratepayers
in matters related to water rate increases, the undergrounding of power lines for wildfire
prevention, and mass gas and electricity shutoffs that impacted hundreds of Peninsula
residents in the landslide area. As a civil engineer with over 30 years of experience, he
brings a depth of expertise on issues related to public infrastructure and utilities.
A-1
CITY OF
DAVID L. BRAD LEY, MAYOR
PAUL SEO, MAYOR PRO TEM
BARBARA FERRARO, COUNC IL MEMBER
GEORGE LEW IS, COUNC ILMEMBER
STEPHEN PER EST AM, COUNC ILMEMBER
RANCHO PALOS VERDES
Support for Mayor Cruikshank – MWD West Basin Board
February 4, 2025
Page 2
Mr. Cruikshank’s dedication to public service for not just Rancho Palos Verdes, but also
the broader region, is testimony to his character and commitment to improving quality of
life locally and regionally. We believe Mr. Cruikshank’s leadership, advocacy, and
professional experience while fostering an inclusive public process make him an excellent
choice for appointment to represent Peninsula ratepayers on the West Basin Board.
Sincerely,
Dave Bradley
Mayor
A-2
B-1
B-2