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CC MINS 20250701 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL JULY 1, 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 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, Perestam and Mayor Pro Tern Seo ABSENT: Mayor Bradley (Excused) Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; William Wynder, City Attorney; David Ferrante-Alan, Special Counsel for Wesierski & Zurek LLP (via Zoom); Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager; Vina Ramos, Director of Finance; Brandy Forbes, Director of Community Development; Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works; Dan Trautner, Director of Recreation and Parks; Vanessa Godinez, HR and Risk Manager; Nathan Zweizig, Acting Deputy City Clerk (via Zoom); and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR CLOSED SESSION: The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Corey Cordova; Dana Torrey; Maren English; Aaron Humphries; Will Waltz; and Quentin Thelen. CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S) ANNOUNCED: 1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6 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 American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees District Council 36 (AFSCME DC36). 2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL —ANTICIPATED LITIGATION A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2) or (d)(3) and (e)(1) because there is a significant exposure to litigation in one case where the facts and circumstances giving rise to an exposure to litigation are not known to plaintiff(s). 3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATIONS A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with legal counsel regarding pending litigation to which the City is a party. The title of such litigation is as follows: Ehlers v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes, LASC Case No. 24TRCV03701. 4. 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. At 6:19 P.M. the Council recessed to Closed Session. RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING: At 7:45 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 7:45 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 Pro Tem Seo ABSENT: Mayor Bradley (Excused) Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager; William Wynder, City Attorney; Vina Ramos, Director of Finance; Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works; Brandy Forbes, Director of Community Development; Daniel Trautner, Director of Recreation and Parks; Mike Phipps, City Geologist; Jennifer Schmid, Public Safety Manager; Lukasz Buchwald, IT Manager; Nathan Zweizig, Acting Deputy City Clerk (via Zoom); and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk. Also present were Captain Kimberly Guerrero and Deputy Derek Clotworthy of the Lomita Sheriff's Station. City Council Regular Minutes July 1, 2025 Page 2 of 11 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Recreation and Parks Director Trautner. CLOSED SESSION REPORT: City Attorney Wynder provided the closed session report and reported on the four items that were discussed in closed session. City Attorney Wynder reported that for Item 1 regarding ongoing labor negotiations with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees District Council 36 (AFSCME DC36), the authority to meet in closed session was Government Code § 54957.6. The City Council reviewed the latest negotiating proposals for wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment proffered by AFSCME DC36. Each proffer was reviewed, and City Council gave its negotiating Staff additional negotiating authority, but no final action or reportable action was taken. As to Item 2 regarding anticipated litigation, the City Council met in closed session pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2) or (d)(3) and (e)(1). The City Council was briefed on facts and circumstances that could give rise to an exposure to litigation. There was a privileged and confidential briefing. Questions were asked and answered. Direction was given but no reportable action has been taken yet. City Attorney Wynder reported regarding Item 3, the City Council met in closed session pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1) regarding one case of existing litigation (Ehlers v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes, LASC Case No. 24TRCV03701). The City's outside litigation Counsel provided a privileged and confidential briefing on the status of the litigation and the City's defenses to be raised in the litigation. Questions were asked and answered, and no reportable action was taken. Lastly, City Attorney Wynder reported regarding Item 4, the City Council met in closed session pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(e) to discuss whether to initiate litigation in two cases. City Staff is making recommendations to the City Council that could possibly avoid the need for the initiation of litigation. City Council has directed Staff to continue to work towards that effort. No reportable action was taken. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Pro Tern Seo and the entire City Council mourned the passing of longtime Rolling Hills resident and former Rolling Hills Mayor/Councilmember, and Save our Coastline Member who helped Rancho Palos Verdes incorporate, Gordana Swanson. Mayor Pro Tern Seo recognized July as Parks Make Life Better Month with a presentation of a Proclamation to the Recreation and Parks Staff. Mayor Pro Tern Seo and the entire City Council thanked the Recreation and Parks Department Staff for their dedicated community service. City Council Regular Minutes July 1, 2025 Page 3 of 11 RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING: Mayor Pro Tern Seo, by acclamation, approved the Recycle Winners for June 17, 2025, as Peter Barrett and Joseph Gordon. 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 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, and Mayor Pro Tern Seo NOES: None PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS: City Clerk Takaoka reported that there was one request to speak. City Clerk Takaoka shared that the Staff reached out to the member of the public originally wanting to address the City Council and Staff were informed that they accidentally signed up to speak. CITY MANAGER REPORT: City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following: 1. Happy New (Fiscal) Year! 2. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has introduced a new City Council meeting public participation form (presentation from Lukasz Buchwald, IT Manager). 3. The summer adoption event held by Pedro Pet Pals occurs on the first Sunday of every month with the next event being held on July 6 from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M at Eastview Park. 4. Shakespeare by the Sea is performing Julius Caesar on Sunday, July 6 at 7:00 P.M. at the grass field at Hesse Park. 5. The second Movie in the Park for summer 2025 will take place at the Ken Dyda Civic Center on July 12 with the event starting at 7:00 P.M. and the movie Top Gun starting at dusk. 6. 90's Concert in the Park at the Ken Dyda Civic Center on July 26 from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. 7. A friendly reminder that fireworks are illegal on the Peninsula. Residents are encouraged to report fireworks to the Lomita Sheriffs Sation. 8. 4th of July Celebrations and Drone Show are scheduled for Friday, July 4 from 3:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at the Ken Dyda Civic Center. 9. City Hall will be closed on Friday, July 4th due to the holiday and construction is prohibited. 111 10.Happy 4th of July! City Council Regular Minutes July 1, 2025 Page 4 of 11 CONSENT CALENDAR: City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed earlier regarding Item H and there was one request to speak on Item H. Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Perestam, to approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item H. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam and Mayor Pro Tern Seo NOES: None A. Approval of Minutes (Zweizig) Approved the Minutes of June 17, 2025 (Regular Meeting) B. Registers of Demands (Anguiano) Adopted Resolution No. 2025-43, 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 to adopt the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's (CalFire) Updated 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map (Mohammad) Adopted Ordinance No. 691 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, TO ADOPT UPDATED FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTER, AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178, AND REPEAL AND REPLACE SECTION 8.08.060 (VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE MAP) OF TITLE 8 OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE. D. Consideration to approve the City's Investment Policy for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025- 26. (Ramos) 1) Reviewed Finance Advisory Committee's recommended revisions to the City's FY 2025-26 Investment Policy; and 2) Approved the FY 2025-26 Investment Policy applicable to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, Rancho Palos Verdes Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency, and Rancho Palos Verdes Improvement Authority. E. Consideration to approve survey questions for a public interest survey for recreation classes and programs at parks. (Rodin) 1) Reviewed the draft Adult and Youth Public Interest Survey questions for recreation classes and programs; and 2) Authorized staff to publish the surveys to the public. City Council Regular Minutes July 1, 2025 Page 5 of 11 F. Consideration to enter into an Agreement with CentralSquare Technologies, LLC. for the cloud-hosted Community Development permitting software. (Buchwald) 1) Authorized the Mayor to enter into a five-year agreement with CentralSquare Technologies, LLC., for cloud-hosted Community Development permitting software for a contract total of $431,000 for a period of five years; and 2) Authorized the Mayor to execute the Agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney. G. Consideration to receive the twice-yearly reports and approve the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 work plans from the City's advisory committees and commission. (Jun) Received and filed the twice-yearly reports for the period between January and June for FY 2024-25 and approved the FY 2025-26 workplans from the City's seven advisory committees and commission. H. Consideration to extend and award contracts for Fiscal Year 2025-26 for emergency work for the Greater Portuguese Bend-Ancient Altamira Landslide Emergency Project. (Copp) This item was removed for separate consideration. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: H. Consideration to extend and award contracts for Fiscal Year 2025-26 for emergency work for the Greater Portuguese Bend-Ancient Altamira Landslide Emergency Project. (Copp) City Clerk Takaoka reported that there was one request to speak. Public Works Director Awwad provided City Council with an update and requested to remove Staff recommendation Nos. 15 and 22 until further notification between the City and vendors. Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Staff. The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Mickey Rodich. Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Perestam, staff recommendations as amended, approving Nos. 1-26, excluding recommendation Nos. 15 and 22: 1) Reconfirmed, by a four-fifths vote, there is a need to continue the work on the Vertical Deep 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 (Landslide Complex) to seek to mitigate the movement of the landslide; 2) Directed the City Clerk to confirm the same in the minutes of this City Council meeting, via Minute Order, reflecting this action; 3) Awarded a Professional Services Agreement to Cotton, City Council Regular Minutes July 1, 2025 Page 6 of 11 Shires and Associates, Inc. for landslide emergency stabilization geological, geotechnical engineering, peer review and related services in the not-to-exceed amount of$450,000, for a one-year term; 4) Awarded a Professional Services Agreement to Geologic Associates, Inc. for landslide emergency stabilization geological, geotechnical engineering, design and related services in the not-to-exceed amount of$575,000, for a one-year term; 5) Awarded a Professional Services Agreement to Hout Construction Services, Inc. for landslide emergency stabilization project management, construction management, inspection, and related services in the not-to-exceed amount of$300,000, for a one-year term; 6) Awarded a Professional Services Agreement to Hout Construction Services, Inc. for construction management and inspection services of landslide roadway repairs in the not-to-exceed amount of $100,000, for a one-year term; 7) Awarded a Professional Services Agreement to LSA Associates, Inc. for landslide emergency stabilization environmental compliance monitoring, reporting, permitting and related services in the not-to-exceed amount of $550,000, for a one-year term; 8) Awarded a Professional Services Agreement to Michael R. McGee (dba McGee Surveying Consulting) for landslide surveying and related services in the not-to-exceed amount of$320,000, for a one-year term; 9) Awarded a Professional Services Agreement to Paul Hansen Engineering, LLC. for landslide emergency stabilization independent cost estimating and related services in the not-to-exceed amount of$75,000, for a one-year term; 10) Awarded a Contract Services Agreement to Herc Rentals, Inc. for providing and maintaining generators to continue powering the City's Deep Dewatering Wells within the Landslide Complex in the not-to-exceed amount of$422,000, for a one-year term; 11) Awarded a Contract Services Agreement to Dion and Sons, Inc. for providing fueling services for generators to continue powering the City's Deep Dewatering Wells within the Landslide Complex in the no-to-exceed amount of $340,000, for a one-year term; 12) Awarded a Public Works Agreement to Malcolm Drilling Company, Inc. for on-call landslide emergency stabilization construction, dewatering well drilling, winterization, and related services in the not-to-exceed amount of $2,500,000, for a one-year term, for which the completed value of work under the Agreement combined with other related on-call contracts will not exceed the project budget; 13) Awarded a Public Works Agreement to J&O Well Drilling, Inc. for landslide emergency on-call dewatering well drilling and related services in the not-to-exceed amount of $1,500,000, for a one-year term, for which the completed value of work under the Agreement combined with other related on-call contracts will not exceed the project budget; 14) Awarded a Public Works Agreement to J&H Drilling Company, Inc. (dba M-R Drilling) for landslide emergency on-call dewatering well drilling and related services in the not-to-exceed amount of$1,500,000, for a one-year term, for which the completed value of work under the Agreement combined with other related on-call contracts will not exceed the project budget; 16) Awarded a Public Works Agreement to Clarke Contracting Corporation for emergency on-call landslide stabilization construction services, storm drain repairs, sanitary sewer repairs and related work in the not-to-exceed amount of$1,500,000, for a one-year term, for which the completed value of work under the agreement combined with other related on-call contracts will not exceed the project budget; 17) Awarded a Public Works Agreement to Hardy and Harper, Inc. for emergency landslide roadway repair and related services in the not-to-exceed amount of$2,200,000, for a one-year term; 18) Awarded a Public Works Agreement to Inland Engineering Services, Inc. for emergency landslide roadway repair and related services in the not-to-exceed amount City Council Regular Minutes July 1, 2025 Page 7 of 11 of $200,000, for a one-year term; 19) Awarded a Contract Services Agreement to Multi W Systems, Inc. for on-call landslide emergency lift station pump maintenance, repairs and related services for the Abalone Cove Sanitary Sewer System in the not-to-exceed amount of$100,000 for a one-year term, for which the completed value of work under the Agreement combined with other related on-call contracts will not exceed the project budget; 20) Awarded a Contract Services Agreement to Ocean Blue Environmental Services, Inc. for on-call landslide emergency spill response and related services in the not-to-exceed amount of $1,400,000 for a one-year term, for which the completed value of work under the agreement combined with other related on-call contracts will not exceed the project budget; 21) Awarded a Contract Services Agreement to Monaco Mechanical, Inc. (dba All Area Services) for landslide emergency on-call plumbing services in the not-to-exceed amount of$75,000, for a one-year term, for which the completed value of work under the Agreement combined with other related on-call contracts will not exceed the project budget; 23) Awarded a Public Works Agreement to Performance Pipeline Technologies, Inc. for landslide emergency on-call sanitary sewer and storm drain inspections in the not-to-exceed amount of$100,000, for a one- year term, for which the completed value of work under the Agreement combined with other related on-call contracts will not exceed the project budget; 24) Awarded a Contract Services Agreement to Ferrelgas Partners, L.P. (dba Ferrelgas) for generator fueling and gas storage tank services for the Abalone Cove Sanitary Sewer System lift stations in the not-to-exceed amount of$100,000, for a one-year term; 25) Awarded a Contract Services Agreement to Genesis Electrical, Inc. for generator maintenance and repair services for the Abalone Cove Sanitary Sewer System lift stations in the not-to- exceed amount of$25,000, for a one-year term; and, 26) Authorized the Mayor to execute the above-listed Agreements in a form approved by the City Attorney. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam and Mayor Pro Tem Seo NOES: None PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. REGULAR BUSINESS: 1. Consideration to receive a status report on the Enhanced Traffic Enforcement Program along the switchbacks section of Palos Verdes Drive East (PVDE) (Schmid) City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were two requests to speak. Public Safety Manager Jennifer Schmid presented a detailed staff report and PowerPoint presentation. Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff, Deputy Clotworthy, and Captain Guerrero. City Council Regular Minutes July 1, 2025 Page 8 of 11 City Clerk Takaoka reported that the Staff reached out to the members of the public originally wanting to address the City Council and were unsuccessful. Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, staff recommendations as follows: 1) Received and filed a status report on the Lomita Sheriff Station's 10-day Supplemental Enhanced Traffic Enforcement Program along PVDE between Crest Road East and Palos Verdes Drive South. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam and Mayor Pro Tem Seo NOES: None 2. Consideration to receive updates on the Greater Portuguese Bend-Ancient Altamira Landslide Complex. (Awwad/Ramos/Forbes) City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were three requests to speak. City Manager Mihranian provided a brief introduction of the item and shared that there was a correction to the report, removing a discussion on the assessments on the Abalone Cove Sanitary Sewer Systems. That item was pulled and will be added to the July 15, 2025 City Council agenda to allow adequate public notification. Public Works Director Awwad presented a comprehensive staff report and PowerPoint presentation along with Cotton Shires & Associates consultant, Geologist Mike Phipps, Director of Community Development Forbes and Finance Director Ramos. Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff. The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Jeff Bassler; Nikki Noushkam; Eva Albuja; and Gordon Leon was available for questions. Councilmember Perestam made a motion to approve staff recommendation with an additional recommendation directing Staff to return to a future meeting with information on how to form a new geologic abatement district (third district) within the Portuguese Bend area of the greater Landslide Complex. Councilmember Lewis made a friendly amendment to amend Recommendation No. 3 language to read "extending for a term of 60 days, a temporary prohibition of travel by unicycles, bicycles and other one- and two-wheeled vehicles, excluding licensed motorcycles on Palos Verdes Drive South." The friendly amendment was accepted by the maker of the motion. Discussion ensued among Council Members, Staff, and City Attorney Wynder. The friendly amendment failed for a lack of a second. City Council Regular Minutes July 1, 2025 Page 9 of 11 Councilmember Perestam moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve the original motion with additional recommendation as follows: 1) Received and filed an 111 update on current and emergency stabilization conditions and activities in the Greater Portuguese Bend-Ancient Altamira Landslide Complex; 2) Received and filed a financial 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) Adopted Resolution No. 2025-44, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, EXTENDING FOR A TERM OF 60 DAYS THE 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; 4) Adopted Resolution No. 2025-45, 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; 5) Adopted Resolution No. 2025-46, 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; and, 6) Directed Staff to return to a future meeting with information on how to form a new geologic abatement district (third district) within the Portuguese Bend Area of the Greater Landslide Complex. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam and Mayor Pro Tem Seo NOES: None CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER: None FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS: Each Councilmember present reported on his attendance at various organization and association meetings. ADJOURNMENT: 111 City Council Regular Minutes July 1, 2025 Page 10 of 11 At 9:38 P.M., Mayor Pro Tern Seo adjourned to 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, for a Closed Session meeting followed by a 7:00 P.M. Regular meeting. Mayor Pro Tern Seo adjourned the meeting in honor and memory of Gordana Swanson. David L. Bradley, ayor Attest: • Cir</a//iL ( Aerea-Takaoka, City Clerk City Council Regular Minutes July 1, 2025 Page 11 of 11