CC DM 20260505 A - 20260420 DRAFT CC MINS (Budget Workshop)DRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING/BUDGET WORKSHOP (GENERAL FUND)
APRIL 20, 2026
CALL TO ORDER:
The Adjourned Regular meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council was called
to order by Mayor Seo at 6:04 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 c alled out in the
public participation form provided under a separate cover with the agenda. Notice
having been given with affidavit thereto on file.
ROLL CALL:
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Bradley, Lewis, Perestam, and Mayor Seo
ABSENT: Ferraro*(Excused)
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Catherine Jun, Deputy City
Manager; Vina Ramos, Director of Finance; Robert Moya, Deputy Director of
Finance; Brandy Forbes, Director of Community Development; Ramzi Awwad,
Director of Public Works; Emily Rodin, Deputy Director of Recreation and Parks;
James O’Neill, Senior Administrative Analyst; Enyssa Sisson, Deputy City Clerk (via
zoom), and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Manager Mihranian.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilmember Lewis moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Perestam, to approve
the agenda as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Lewis, Perestam, and Mayor Seo
NOES: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS:
None.
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Budget Workshop (General Fund)
April 20, 2026
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REGULAR BUSINESS:
1. Consider receiving a report on the City’s financials, Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 -26
year-end estimates, and review of the preliminary budget assumptions for
developing the FY 2026-27 General Fund budget. (Moya/O’Neill)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there was no late correspondence, and there
were no requests to speak.
City Manager Mihranian provided an introduction of the item and introduced
Finance Director Ramos who presented a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation along with Deputy Director Moya and Senior Administrative Analyst
O’Neill.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff.
Recommendations were voted on as follows:
Councilmember Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Lewis to approve
Staff recommendations as follows for the FY 2025-26 year-end estimates, and
review of the preliminary budget assumptions for developing the FY 2026 -27
General Fund budget:
1. Received and filed the City’s Statement of Activities for all funds (similar to
Income Statement) for the past five years;
2. Received and filed the City’s Fund Balance for Governmental Funds for the past
five years;
3. Received and filed the FY 2025-26 General Fund year-end estimates;
4. Reviewed the budget assumptions to develop the FY 2026-27 General Fund
Budget, and provide direction on the following:
• Affirmed Revenues of $42.5 million:
I. Revenue projections of $42.5 million with continuation of the same
rate of 3% for Utility User Tax.
• Affirmed Annual Transfers-In of $320,000, which include:
I. $240,000 from Public Safety Grant Fund
II. $80,000 from Measure A Los Angeles Open Space Grant
• Affirmed Expenditures of $38.0 million:
i. Personnel costs of $16.3 million, which include:
a. All existing and approved positions in competitive (full-
time), part-time, confidential, and management groups, and
stipends for elected officials;
b. Assumptions based on current labor agreements for cost-
of-living adjustment (COLA), performance merits, and
benefits;
c. Underfilling the Accounting Supervisor (Finance);
d. Freezing the Executive Assistant (City Manager); and
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Budget Workshop (General Fund)
April 20, 2026
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e. Freezing the GIS Coordinator (Community Development).
ii. Non-Personnel costs of $21.7 million, which include:
a. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Annual Contract for $8.9
million;
b. Legal Services for $1.3 million; and
c. Operations and Maintenance for $11.5 million.
• Affirmed Annual (using FY 2026-27 sources) Transfers-Out of
approximately $3.8 million, which include:
a. $3.4 million to the CIP Fund for capital maintenance and
improvements;
b. $215,000 to the Habitat Restoration Fund
c. $55,000 to the Sub-region One Fund
d. $50,000 to the Abalone Cove Sewer Fund
e. $15,000 to the Improvement Authority for Portuguese Bend
• Affirmed Additional Transfers-Out of $1.1 million to the CIP Fund based
on FY 2026-27 projected revenues exceeding expenditures and annual
transfers;
• Affirmed Additional Transfers-Out of $2.6 million, from the FY 2025-26
unallocated balance, in accordance with the City Council Reserve Policy
No. 41, as follows:
a. $1.3 million to the CIP Fund for capital maintenance and
improvements;
b. $889,500 to the CIP Fund equivalent to the Ladera Linda
Community Park loan payment;
c. $400,000 to the Employee Pension Service Fund, in
accordance with the Pension Guidelines;
5. Received and filed FY 2026-27 Projected General Fund Balance Summary;
and,
6. Received and filed the Finance Advisory Committee’s (FAC) feedback and
recommendations.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Lewis, Perestam, and Mayor Seo
NOES: None
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:58 P.M., Mayor Seo adjourned to April 21, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. for Closed Session
meeting followed by a 7:00 P.M. Regular meeting.
_________________________
Paul Seo, Mayor
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Budget Workshop (General Fund)
April 20, 2026
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Attest:
_________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk