CC DM 20250819 A - DRAFT 20250804 CC MINS SPC Meeting Sakura CeremonyDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING- SAKURA CITY CEREMONY
AUGUST 4, 2025
CALL TO ORDER:
A Special Meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council for the purpose of a Sister
Cities Fifth Year Anniversary Ceremony was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Seo at
6:05 P.M. at Fred Hesse Community Park at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, and via
teleconference/virtual meeting using the Zoom platform notice having been given with
affidavit thereto on file.
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;
Lukasz Buchwald, Information Technology Manager; and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Perestam.
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 Tem Seo
ABSENT: Mayor Bradley (excused)
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
1. Sister Cities Fifth Year Anniversary Ceremony (Jun)
City Manager Mihranian along with Mayor Pro Seo presented opening remarks in honor
of this occasion as Rancho Palos Verdes and Sakura City celebrated their fifth year as
sister Cities.
DRAFT City Council Minutes
Special Meeting
August 4, 2025
Page 2 of 2
This milestone was marked by an innovative in-person/virtual ceremony held
concurrently in both cities with guest speakers, cultural exchange videos, the unveiling
of a sister city directional sign at Sakura City City Hall.
The Rancho Palos Verdes City Councilmembers shared a video montage featuring
many past events they participated when they visited Sakura City in March 2025.
Rancho Palos Verdes City Council commemorated the occasion with a presentation of
a handmade wooden vase by local artist Joe Devinny. The wood medium represents
the strength and durability in Western culture for a five year anniversary.
The Sakura City and Rancho Palos Verdes unveiled a new Pen Pal program to
encourage citizens to reach out and help further the bonds between the citizens of the
two cities. The program is intended to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation
of the two cultures and communities.
Mayor Pro Tem Seo and the City Council, along with City Manager Mihranian,
presented closing remarks and thanked those in attendance as well as participants via
zoom for a wonderful celebration.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 7:09 P.M., Mayor Pro Tem Seo adjourned the special meeting.
___________________________
David Bradley, Mayor
Attest:
___________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk