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MINUTES OF THE
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2023
OPENING CEREMONIES
a. Call Meeting to Order
The regular meeting of the Lomita City Council was called to order by Mayor Waite at 6:02 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21,2023, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, Califomia.
b. Flag Salute
Mayor Waite led the salute to the flag.
c. lnvocation
Council Member Waronek gave the invocation.
d. Roll Call
PRESENT: Council Members Gazeley, Segawa, and Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoft and Mayor Waite
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Smoot, Assistant City Manager Sugano, Assistant City Attorney Castillo, Community and Economic Development Director Rindge, Administrative Services Director Kamada, Public Works Director Dillon, Senior Management Analyst Hernandez, and City Clerk Gregory
2. APPROVALOFAGENDA
Council Member Segawa made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff to approve the agenda.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 21 , 2023
3. PRESENTATIONS
As it was Council Member Segawa's birthday, the Council and staff sang "Happy Birthday' to her.
Mayor Waite presented a certificate of recognition to LAUSD District South Superintendent Mike Romero. Mr. Romero spoke briefly regarding his time as Superintendent and his new position as Chief of Transitional Programs. He introduced Andre Spicer, the new District South Superintendent.
Mayor Waite recognized and presented certificates of recognition to the new Lomita Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Victor lbana, Public Affairs Manager at SoCalGas, gave a brief update on natural gas prices. He also shared information about programs available to Sooalcas customers.
Steve Navano, District 4 and Lomita Post 1622 Chaplain with the Lomita VFW, updated the Council on the status of the location's temporary closure due to a State VFW audit. He stated that the location should be opening again very soon. 5, ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS FROM THE crTY couNcrL
Council Member Gazeley had nothing to report
Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff reported on the following:
. February 8 - Califomia Contract Cities Association Legislative Session . February 13 - South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Transportation Subcommittee Meeting
. February l3 - SBCCOG Steering Committee Meeting
o February 14 - Cal Cities Roundtable on Homelessness
. February 15 - Cal Cities Speaker Series
Council Member Waronek commented on an email sent to the CCCA regarding possible legislation to limit the use of K-9 units by the Sheriffs Department.
Mayor Waite commented on sidewalk repairs in the City, and on the importance of earthquake preparedness for all.
6. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (information only)
Council Member Segawa had nothing to report.
City Manager Smoot stated that at the February Contract Cities Board Meeting last week, discussion took place regarding the possibility of starting a Lifeline program, which could provide mutual aid support to cities during certain types of emergencies.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Fe*uary 21,2023
7. CONSENTAGENOA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda ltems 7a-k be approved.
Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff requested to pull ltem 7k. Council Member Segawa made a motion, seconded by Council Member Waronek to approve consent agenda items 7a-j.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Approved the following Consent Agenda items:
a. Motion to Waive Full Reading of Ordinances and that They be Read in Title Only RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve motion.
b. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of January 17, 2023, and February 8, 2023, Special City Council Meeting
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes.
c. Warrants/Payroll Register
RECOMItTENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrants/Payroll Register. d. Monthly Report for the Administrative Services Department RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
e. Monthly Report for the City Manager's Department
RECOiTMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
f. Monthly Report for the Community and Economic Development Department RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
g. Monthly Report for the Recreation and Facilities Division RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
h. Monthly Report for the Public Works Department
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
i. December 2022 Treasury & lnvestment Report
RECOiIMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Fefiuary 21 , 2023
j. First Amendment to Agreement with Hazen and Sawyer for Engineering Services related to the Cypress Facility Upgrades
RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Approve the First Amendment to Agreement 2020-18 with Hazen and Sawyer for engineering services related to Cypress Facility Upgrades for a total not to exceed $214,655 inclusive of previously approved funding; and 2) Authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to execute the Amendment.
PULLED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION
k. Professional Services Agreement with Athens Services, lnc. to Provide Street Sweeping Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Award an Agreement for street sweeping services to Athens Services, lnc. for an amount not to exceed $162,000 per year for routine sweeping services for a seven (7) year term and allowing for increases based on a formula related to CPI; and 2) Appropriate $15,000 to account 205-610-5346 for Fiscal Yeat 2022-23 to cover the additional costs; and 3) Authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to execute the Agreement.
Public Works Director Dillon stated that the award for the contract would be based on the existing routes as new routes have not been finalized. The cunent agreement is a six-month extension that expires at end of March.
City Manager Smoot stated that Athens Services is also the city's vendor for solid waste collection, so they are working on amendments to both contracts to incorporate necessary changes regarding organic waste. This would be an interim agreement to get the services started.
Council Member Gazeley made a made a motion, seconded by Council Member Segawa to approve consent agenda item 7k.
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
There was brief Council discussion regarding keeping residents informed of the street sweeping schedule changes and when they would take effect, as well as of Athens providing sweeping services at some City special events in the new contract.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Febtuary 21,2023
8. SCHEOULED ITEMS
a. DISCUSSION AND CONSIOERATION OF
AGREEMENT wlTH STETSON ENGINEERS,
WELL FEASIBILITY STUDY
A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
INC. FOR NEW GROUNDWATER
RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Stetson Engineers, lnc. for Engineering Services related to a New Groundwater Well Feasibility Study in the amount of $54,900 plus a 15% contingency amount of $8,235; and 2) Appropriate $13,135 to 520-840-5821 .377 from reserve funds; and 3) Authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to execute the Agreement.
Director Dillon presented the staff report per the agenda material.
There was brief Council discussion regarding the challenges of having just one operaling well.
There being no requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Waite brought the item back for a motion.
Council Member Segawa made a motion, seconded by Council Member Waronek to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RECOMMENDED ACTION: No specific action requested, for discussion and review of the General Plan process.
Director Rindge stated that ltems 7b and 7c have been combined into one staff report and presentation. The General Plan Update is the next step after getting the Housing Element approved, and is an important guiding document for the City. The cunent Plan is 25 years old and there have been many changes since then that must be addressed.
She outlined the purpose of the General Plan Update:
. Guides all future entitlement decisions
. Creates realistic goals
o Embodies public policy
b. DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
Director Rindge then outlined the timeline:
. Strategic Plan funding
. Approved Safety Element
o Certified Housing Element with 1,000+ units
. Permanent Director & staff
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Fehuary 21 ,2023
. Problems with outdated code
. Plethora of new State mandates including Oclober 2024 rezone She then outlined the process, which includes the following:
. GPAC
o TAC
o CC/PC work sessions
. Logo/named
. Community survey
o Active website
. Newsletter updates
. Existing Conditions Background Report
. SWOT analysis
. Draft implementation strategies
o Community meetings
o Final General Plan document
. CEQA requirements
o Zoning ordinance updates
Director Rindge commented on the stakeholders involved and the General Plan Advisory Committee's (GPAC) meetings and workshops schedule, as well as the Planning Commission's role in the General Plan Update.
c. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE NUMBER OF PLANNING
COMMISSIONERS AND POTENTIAL CONSIDERATION OF AN APPOINTMENT TO
A VACANT SEAT ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION
It was agreed that any applicants not appointed to the Planning Commission should be encouraged to apply for GPAC. There was brief Council discussion relative to the advantages and disadvantages of having five or seven Planning Commissioners.
There being no requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Waite brought the item back to the Council.
After deliberations, Henry Sanchez Jr. was appointed to the Planning Commission for a term ending June 2023.
RECOMMENDED AGTION: Discuss and consider the current number of Planning Commissioners as established by the Municipal Code; and should the Council desire to maintain the current seven-member format of the Commission, take nominations for and consider appointment to one vacant seat on the Planning Commission with a term ending June 2023.
Mayor Waite remarked on the quality and variety of Planning Commission applicants.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 21 ,2023
d. DISCUSSION OF ANNUAL ANTI.GANG/DRUG FREE WALK
RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1)Continue with the Anti-Gang and Drug-Free Event with minor amendments to the judging process for 2023; and 2) Establish a working group to propose any desired adjustments for 2024; and 3) Direct staff to explore the possibility of providing transportation to and from the event.
Director Dilton presented the staff report per the agenda material.
Mayor Waite invited comments from the public.
Brenda Stephens, Lomita Planning Commissioner, gave a brief history of Red Ribbon Week and how the annual "Follow Me, l'm Gang and Drug Free" Walk annual event developed from that. She stated that the unity inspired by the event is needed now more than ever, and urged the Council to keep it as-is, but with transportation to Lomita Park by bus as an option.
There was brief Council discussion regarding payment responsibility for bus transportation, possible changes to the theme of the event, and the use of crossing guards to aid in safety during the walk from the schools to the park.
Lomita Station's Lt. Mike White offered the support of his deputies to walk children to the event.
Mike Graf, Lomita Planning Commissioner, supported the event and expansion of its theme. He stated that efforts should be made to secure more volunteers as escorts, including City commissioners and slaff.
There was brief Council discussion of the efficacy of such events in keeping children out of gangs and away from drugs, and of soliciting involvement from local non-profits, businesses, and churches.
Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff made a made a motion, seconded by Council Member Waronek to continue with the Anti-Gang and Drug-Free Event with minor amendments to the judging process for 2023; establish a working group to propose any desired adjustments for 2024; and to direct staff to explore the possibility of providing additional safety measures such as crossing guards.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
e. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF A LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT (LASD) PROPOSAL FOR 2023 TLLEGAL FTREWORKS
SUPPRESSION ENFORCETTIENT
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 21,2023
RECOMMENDED ACTION; Discuss and approve the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department's (LASD) Proposal for 2023 Fireworks Suppression Enforcement.
Senior Management Analyst Hernandez presented the staff report per the agenda material.
Mayor Waite invited Lt. White fonrvard to comment. He stressed that residents must call in violations to the Sheriffls Department on the spot so that enforcement can take place.
There was brief Council discussion about the possibility of legalizing safe and sane fireworks in Lomita.
Steve Navano, District 4 and Lomita Post 1622 Chaplain with the Lomita VFW, asked about the feasibility of using drones to locate illegal fireworks activity in the City.
Lt. White added that enforcement has to be consistent. He added that safe and sane fireworks are generally not problematic.
Council Member Gazeley made a made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff to approve the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department's (LASD) Proposal for 2023 Fireworks Suppression Enforcement, and to direct staff to bring back an item to discuss the process and possibility of legalizing safe and sane fireworks in Lomita.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
9, PUBLIC HEARINGS
None scheduled.
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Waite adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m Respectfully submitted,
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