CC MINS 20260518 SPC (Budget Workshop) MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING/BUDGET WORKSHOP
MAY 18, 2026
CALL TO ORDER:
The Special meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council was called to order by
Mayor Seo at 6:17 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 Subdivisions (b)(1) as
amended of Government Code Section 54953.4 (b) (1). 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.
ROLL CALL:
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Bradley (via Zoom), Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, and Mayor Seo
ABSENT: None
111 Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager; Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager;
Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works; David Copp, Deputy Director of Public Works;
Vina Ramos, Director of Finance; Robert Moya, Deputy Director of Finance; Brandy
Forbes, Director of Community Development; Daniel Trautner, Director of Recreation and
Parks; Nathan Zweizig, Administrative Assistant (via Zoom), and Teresa Takaoka, City
Clerk.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Perestam.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Perestam, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, and Mayor Seo
NOES: None
REGULAR BUSINESS:
1. Consider proposed revisions to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for
Fiscal Years(FY) 2026-27 through 2030-31 and potential changes to the FY 2026-
27 General Fund budget assumptions. (Copp/Moya/Awwad/Ramos)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there was one request to speak.
City Manager Mihranian provided an introduction and brief summary of the item and
introduced the Public Works Director Awwad. Public Works Director Awwad
introduced Public Works Deputy Director Copp who presented a detailed staff report
and PowerPoint presentation explaining the FY 2026-27 Capital Improvement
Program and the modifications.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Staff.
Finance Director Ramos presented a comprehensive staff report and PowerPoint
presentation on the proposed changes on funding resources and fund balances for
the proposed five-year Capital Improvement Program (FY 2026-27 through 2030-31).
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: James Buesing.
Recommendations were voted on as follows:
Councilmember Lewis, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve staff
recommendations as follows:
1. Reviewed the proposed changes to develop the FY 2026-27 General Fund Budget
and:
• Affirmed Additional Budget Reductions of$500,000 consisting of:
i. Personnel $200,000:
a. Deferred funding two vacant positions of Assistant Planner and
Senior Planner for$154,000 in FY 2026-27;
b. Deferred funding one vacant position of Public Safety Liaison for
$41,000 in FY 2026-27; and,
c. Reduced staff hours for special events by $5,000.
ii. Non-Personnel $300,000:
a. Deferred approximately 50% of the Equipment Replacement
Charges for $110,000;
b. Froze Neighborhood Beautification Grants and Western Avenue
Storefront Improvement Grants by $75,000 in FY 2026-27;
c. Reduced Special Events by $50,000;
d. Reduced Maintenance and Operations by $125,000; and,
e. Added $60,000 in maintenance for maintenance of sanitary
sewer systems in Agua Amarga Canyon in lieu of the Sewer
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May 18, 2026
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Maintenance Access Improvements in Agua Amarga Canyon
Project (CIP Project 8727).
• Approved Additional Transfers of$2.5 million to the CIP Fund:
i. $2.0 million from General Fund Unallocated Fund Balance; and,
ii. $500,000 from General Fund budget reductions.
2. Reviewed the proposed revisions to the CIP for FY 2026-27 through 2030-31
funded by the CIP Fund thereby increasing CIP Fund Balance by $4.2 million
summarized as follows:
a. $151,400 in beginning fund balance due to a decrease in FY 2025-26 year-
end estimates for expenditures;
b. $744,000 in additional Revenue for an estimated FEMA BRIC Grant
Reimbursement in FY 2026-27;
c. $2.5 million of additional Transfers-In from the General Fund Unallocated
Fund Balance and budget reductions in FY 2026-27;
d. $300,000 in budget reduction from the Portuguese Bend Landslide
Remediation Emergency Stabilization Measures (Project 8307) in FY 2026-
27 and FY 2027-28; and,
e. $500,000 budget reduction from the Sewer Maintenance Access
Improvements in Agua Amarga Canyon Project (CIP Project 8727) in FY
2026-27.
3. Reviewed the revised FY 2026-27 CIP (all funds) and affirmed the following:
a. CIP Fund $11.0 million; and,
b. Special Revenue Funds $20.0 million
4. Received and filed an analysis on the City Council Policy No. 41 Reserve Policy;
and,
5. Received and filed an update on the City Council Goal of Financial Sustainability.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, and Mayor Seo
NOES: None
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:06 P.M., Mayor Seo adjourned to 6:00 P.M. on May 19, 2026, for a Closed Session
meeting followed by a 7:00 P.M. Regular meeting.
'aZ6.f- 1‘/
Stephe erestam, Mayor Pro Tem
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May 18, 2026
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Attest:
e akaoka, City Clerk
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May 18, 2026
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