CC MINS 20251118 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 18, 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 Bradley 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: Lewis, Perestam, Seo and Mayor Bradley
ABSENT: Ferraro (Excused in Fireside Room)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; William Wynder, City Attorney; Catherine
Jun, Deputy City Manager; and Brandy Forbes, Director of Community Development.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR CLOSED SESSION:
None
CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S) ANNOUNCED:
1. 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 City Attorney.
2. 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
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9 (d)(2) or
(d)(3) & (e)(1) because there is a significant exposure to litigation in two (2) cases
where the facts and circumstances giving rise to such exposure are unknown to the
111 putative plaintiffs.
At 6:03 P.M. the Council recessed to Closed Session.
* Councilmember Ferraro joined the Closed Session meeting in the Fireside Room at 6:03
P.M.
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RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:09 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 7:09 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
ABSENT: None
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; Dan Trautner,
Director of Recreation and Parks; Jessica Bobbett, Senior Planner; Robert Moya, Deputy
Director of Finance; David Rasor, Building Official; Jennifer Schmid, Public Safety
Manager; Luna Mohammed, Senior Administrative Analyst/ Emergency Management
Coordinator (via Zoom); Enyssa Sisson, Deputy City Clerk (via Zoom); and Teresa
Takaoka, City Clerk.
Also present was Captain Kimberly Guerrero of the Lomita Sheriff's Station.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Captain Guerrero
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder provided the closed session report and reported on three items that
were discussed in closed session.
City Attorney Wynder reported that two of the items involved conducting the annual
performance evaluations for the City Attorney and City Manager. Those performance
evaluations were conducted and completed.
City Attorney Wynder reported on the last item, and the City Council talked about facts and
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November 18, 2025
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ti
circumstances which could give rise to exposure litigation in two cases. The City Council
was given a privileged and confidential briefing and questions were asked and answered.
A litigation avoidance strategy was agreed to, and there was no reportable action.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Bradley and the entire City Council recognized Phantom Botz for achieving first
place at LEGO League competitions for its Innovation Project, which focused on the
erosion in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Mayor Bradley and the entire City Council recognized Phantom Cubz winning the
Breakthrough Award at the LEGO League competitions for a project focused on the
erosion in Rancho Palos Verdes.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Bradley, by acclamation, approved the Recycle Winners for November 4, 2025, as
Gayle Darby and Charlene Monmoto. 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:
Mayor Pro Tem Seo moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, 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 noted that there was one request to speak.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Eva Albuja.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following:
1. Thank you, Public Works Staff, Public Safety Liaisons, and Park Rangers, for
assisting with the past weekend's atmospheric river storms.
2. RPV's Run for Myles has been postponed due to rain — a new date will be
announced.
3. Thank you, Veterans -Another successful Veterans Breakfast hosted by the,
Recreation and Parks Department
4. Happy 50th Anniversary to the Lomita Sheriffs Station.
5. Salute to Business and Citizen of the Year that are being recognized on November
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November 18, 2025
Page 3 of 9
20 by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
6. The City's Annual Tree lighting ceremony on December 12, 2025 at Ken Dyda Civic
Center at 5:30 P.M. and Menorah lighting on December 15 at 5:30 P.M.
7. Happy Thanksgiving
8. City Hall Closure - November 27-28
Captain Guerrero shared a 3rd quarter(July—September 2025) report presentation providing
an update on public safety statistics in the City.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Seo, to approve the
Consent Calendar as amended on item A.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, and Seo and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
A. Approval of Minutes (Sisson)
Approved Amended Minutes, as clarified by Councilmember Lewis, of November 4,
2025 (Regular Meeting).
B. Registers of Demands (Anguiano)
Adopted Resolution No. 2025-83, 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. Consider the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CaIPERS)
Actuarial Valuation Report (AVR) (O'Neill)
Received and filed the CaIPERS Actuarial Valuation Report (AVR) as of June 30, 2024.
D. Consider filing a Notice of Completion for the Hesse Park Roof Replacement
Project (Copp)
1) Accepted the Hesse Park Roof Replacement Project construction contract as
complete; 2) Authorized the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the project with
the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office; and if no claims are filed within 35
days after recordation, send a notice to the surety company to exonerate the
Performance Bond; and, 3) Authorized the Director of Public Works to release the 5%
construction retention payment to Chapman Coast Roof Company, Inc., 35 days after
recordation of the Notice of Completion by the Los Angeles County Registrar-
Recorder's Office, contingent upon no claims being filed on the project, and the
contractor posting an acceptable warranty bond with the City.
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E. Consider exempting the Community Needs Survey Project from City Council
Policy No. 2 regarding questionnaires sent to the public. (Pujadas)
1) Approved an exemption from City Council Policy No. 2 to allow the citywide
Community Needs Survey Project to proceed without City Council approval of the
survey questions in order to maintain the Projects integrity and statistical significance.
F. Consider continuing the emergency justification for work and emergency
contracting 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
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)
Accepted the emergency landslide stabilization work conducted by Malcolm Drilling
Company, Inc. (Malcolm) between May 22, 2024 and June 30, 2025 (through FY 2024-
25) as complete and authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the
construction contract with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office; 4)
Approved Amendment No. 1 to the Consultant Maintenance Agreement (CMA) with
Genesis Electrical, Inc. (Genesis) for maintenance and repair services for the Abalone
Cove Sanitary Sewer System lift station generators, increasing the not-to-exceed
amount for the initial one-year term by $50,000 from $25,000 to $75,000 while
maintaining a 10% contingency, for which the completed value of work under the
amended Agreement will not exceed the project budget; 5) Approved issuing a
purchase order for goods in the amount of$42,336 to Genesis for purchasing three (3)
trailer-mounted propane tanks to fuel the Abalone Cove Sanitary Sewer System lift
station generators, for which the completed value of work as part of the purchase order
will not exceed the project budget; 6) Awarded a Public Works Agreement (PWA) to
Yellow Jacket Drilling Services, LLC. (Yellow Jacket) for landslide emergency on-call
dewatering well drilling and related services in the not-to-exceed amount of$1,500,000,
for a term ending on June 30, 2026, for which the completed value of work under the
Agreement combined with other related on-call contracts will not exceed the project
budget; and, 7) Authorized the Mayor to execute the above-listed Agreements and
Amendment in a form approved by the City Attorney.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Consider code amendments to exempt the City's Equestrian Overlay Districts
from Senate Bill 9 (SB9) regulations related to urban lot splits and second
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November 18, 2025
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unit/two-unit developments. (Bobbett)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that the notice of the public hearing was duly published,
late correspondence was received and there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Bradley declared the public hearing open.
Director of Community Development Forbes introduced Senior Planner Bobbett who
shared a staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Bradley closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Mayor Pro Tem Seo moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve Staff
Recommendation as follows: Introduced Ordinance No. 695, AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, AMENDING THE RANCHO PALOS
VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE (RPVMC) CHAPTER 16.40 (URBAN LOT SPLITS) OF
TITLE 16 (SUBDIVISIONS) AND CHAPTER 17.09 (SECOND UNITS AND TWO-UNIT
DEVELOPMENTS IN SINGLE-FAMILY ZONES) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) TO EXEMPT
THE EQUESTRIAN OVERLAY DISTRICT (Q) FROM THE APPLICABILITY OF
THESE REGULATIONS PURSUANT TO SENATE BILL 684 (SB 684), AND
DETERMINE THE CODE AMENDMENT IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (Case No. PLCA2025-0002).
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo, and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
2. Consider amendments to certain sections of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos
Verdes Municipal Code and the General Plan pursuant to Landslide Complex
Regulations on Land Use Permits. (Forbes)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that the notice of the public hearing was duly published,
late correspondence was received and there were two requests to speak.
Mayor Bradley declared the public hearing open.
Director of Community Development Forbes provided a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation.
Council Members asked questions of Staff.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Sheri Hastings and
Gordon Leon.
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Council Members asked questions of Staff.
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Mayor Bradley closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Mayor Pro Tem Seo moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve Staff
Recommendation as follows: 1) Introduced Ordinance No. 696 AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, AMENDING
CERTAIN SECTIONS OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES
MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE REFERENCES TO THE GREATER PORTUGUESE
BEND LANDSLIDE COMPLEX REGULATIONS ON LAND USE PERMITS AND
ASSOCIATED REGULATIONS IN TITLE 15 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) OF
THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE ASSOCIATED WITH THE
ADOPTED AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 15.20 APPROVED WITH THE ADOPTION
OF ORDINANCE NO. 692, AND DETERMINE THE CODE AMENDMENT IS EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT; and 2) Adopted
Resolution No.84, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE GENERAL
PLAN OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES TO UPDATE THE STATUS OF
THE LANDSLIDE CONDITIONS AND REFERENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEW
RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 15.20, ENTITLED
"GREATER PORTUGUESE BEND LANDSLIDE COMPLEX REGULATIONS ON LAND
USE PERMITS" APPROVED WITH THE ADOPTION OF ORDNANCE NO. 692, AND
DETERMINE THE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo, and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
3. Consider adopting Ordinance No. 694 codifying the 2025 California Building
Standards Code. (Rasor)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that the notice of the public hearing was duly published
and there were no requests to speak.
Mayor Bradley declared the public hearing open.
Building Official Rasor provided a staff report and PowerPoint presentation..
Mayor Bradley closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Mayor Pro Tem Seo moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve Staff
Recommendation as follows: 1) Adopted ORDINANCE NO. 694, AN ORDINANCE OF
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THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025
CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE WHICH INCLUDES THE 2025
EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING, RESIDENTIAL, GREEN BUILDING
STANDARDS, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CODES, WHICH ARE
CODIFIED IN TITLE 24 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS; PART 7
CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE; THE UNIFORM CODE FOR
THE ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS 1997 EDITION; THE UNIFORM
HOUSING CODE 1997 EDITION; AND THE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY
MAINTENANCE CODE, 2024 EDITION, WITH APPENDICES AND AMENDMENTS
THERETO; AMENDING TITLE 15 OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL
CODE; AND ADOPTING THE 2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE CODE TITLE 32.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo, and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
REGULAR BUSINESS:
4. Consider receiving an update on Citywide wildfire mitigation and readiness
efforts. (Mohammad)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were no requests to speak.
Senior Administrative Analyst/ Emergency Management Coordinator Mohammad
provided a staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Council Members asked questions of Staff.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Mayor Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to approve Staff
Recommendation as follows: Received and filed a status update on Citywide wildfire
mitigation and readiness efforts.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo, and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
5. Consider amending City Council Debt Management Policy No. 52 (Debt
Management Policy). (Moya)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were no requests to speak.
Director of Finance Ramos, introduced Chair John MacAllister for a brief overview and
in turn Deputy Director Moya provided the staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
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Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of staff.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Mayor Pro Tem Seo moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve staff
recommendations as follows: Approved amendments to City Council Policy No. 52,
Debt Management Policy, to clarify the purposes and uses of debt; refine the General
Fund debt limit; establish procedures for selecting financial institutions; and add new
provisions for governing loans, installment obligations, and emergency borrowing, as
reviewed and approved by the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC).
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:
Councilmember Perestam requested that staff bring back a report assessing water service
charges assessed by Cal Water based on meter sizes and have Cal Water provide further
details on the capabilities and potential cost and conservation benefits of replacing larger
meters with smaller ones.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Councilmember present reported on their attendance at various organization and
association meetings.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 9:18 P.M., Mayor Bradley adjourned to 6:00 P.M on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, for a
Closed Session and then to 7:00 P.M for a Regular meetin.
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David L. Bra. ey, Mayor
Attest:
eres aoka, City Clerk
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November 18, 2025
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