MINUTES OF THE
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023
1. OPENING CEREMONIES
a. Call Meeting to Order
The regular meeting of the Lomita City Council was called to order by Mayor Waite at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, California.
b. Flag Salute
Council Member Segawa led the salute to the flag.
c. Invocation
Council Member Segawa gave the invocation.
d. Roll Call
PRESENT: Council Member Segawa, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite ABSENT: Council Members: Gazeley and Waronek
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Smoot, City Attorney Rusin, Assistant City Manager Sugano, Community and Economic Development Director Rindge, Administrative Services Director Kamada, Public Works Director Dillon, Management Analyst Hernandez, Management Assistant Adamzadeh, and City Clerk Gregory
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council Member Segawa made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff to approve the agenda.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Segawa, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Members: Gazeley and Waronek
3. PRESENTATIONS
None scheduled.
Item No. 7b
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2023
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Lomita resident Laurie Ellsworth requested that a section of curb on Walnut Street near its intersection with 240th Street be painted red due to an RV that frequently parks there. She presented signatures from Lomita residents in favor of the request to City Clerk Gregory.
Lomita resident George Kivett sympathized with the request for the red curb, but was not in favor of having it painted. He mentioned the high curbs at 24309 Walnut Street and the difficulty in accessing the Public Works yard for those with limited mobility. He praised City staff for restoring the benches at Lomita Park and fixing a street sign quickly.
Winona Phillabaum, Lomita Community Library Manager, announced upcoming events and programs.
Lomita resident Monique Tippie shared concerns about visibility while trying to make left hand turns at 240th Street onto Narbonne Avenue near Cream Pan. She was also interested in having a red curb at Walnut and 240th Street and asked if Council could consider the request.
Lomita resident Janet Villasenor also spoke concerning visibility at 240th Street and Narbonne Avenue, and the lack of enforcement of the one-hour parking limits on Lomita Boulevard in front of Carpet Spectrum.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS FROM THE
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Segawa reported on the following:
• March 2 – Read Across America Day at Lomita Magnet and Eshelman Elementary Schools
• Recent Founders Day Committee Meeting
• February 22 – Economic Development Committee Meeting
• Recent South Bay Workforce Investment Board Orientation Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff reported on the following:
• February 22 – League of California Cities Legislative Committee Meeting • February 22 – Chinese People Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Dinner • February 23 – L.A. County City Selection Committee Meeting • March 1 – South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Homeless Services Committee Meeting
• March 2 – SBCCOG South Bay Housing Education Forum Unit 3: Deconstructing RHNA: Do the Assumptions Add Up?
• Announced Lomita Sheriff’s Station BBQ Fundraiser at Lomita Park on Wednesday, March 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mayor Waite reported on the following:
• February 22 – Lomita Chamber of Commerce Business Mixer • February 23 – L.A. County Economic Development Corporation Economic Forecast • February 23 – Exposition Park General Manager Installation at L.A. Coliseum Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2023
6. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT (information only)
City Manager Smoot announced the Lomita Sheriff’s Station BBQ Fundraiser at Lomita Park on Wednesday, March 8, 11.a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda Items 7a-e be approved.
Council Member Segawa made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Segawa, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Members: Gazeley and Waronek
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 Meetings of October 18, 2022, and February 7, 2023 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes.
c. Warrants/Payroll Register
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrants/Payroll Register. d. Service Order with Spectrum Enterprise re: Establishment of a PEG Channel Service RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize the City Manager to sign a service order with Spectrum Enterprise to establish service for a City PEG channel and direct the City Manager/City Attorney to approve as to form.
e. Acceptance of the City’s Single Audit Report for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Single Audit Report.
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
None scheduled.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2023
a. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 2023- 01, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING LOMITA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE XI (PLANNING
AND ZONING) TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY WITH STATE LAW
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission and introduce on first reading an ordinance amending Title XI (Planning and Zoning), find the request exempt from the California Environment Quality Act (CEQA), and direct staff to schedule the second reading and adoption of the ordinance.
Director Rindge introduced the item and gave a brief report stating that on December 21, 2021, the City Council adopted the Housing Element for the eight-year planning period of 2021-2029 and authorized staff to make revisions or clarifications in consultation with the State. On December 20, 2022, the City Council reviewed the authorized staff changes required by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and finalized the certified Housing Element which had already been approved by HCD. The draft ordinance presented achieves progress on six of the 31 adopted Housing Element Programs as required by HCD and was recommended for adoption by the Planning Commission at the February 13, 2023, Planning Commission meeting.
There being no questions from the Council, Mayor Waite opened the public hearing at 6:31 p.m.
Resident George Kivett stated that he would like to keep A1 zones in Lomita at a lower density, and stressed the need for construction projects to provide adequate parking.
There being no further questions or comments, the public hearing was closed at 6:33 p.m. and the item was brought back to the Council for a motion.
City Attorney Rusin read the title of the ordinance to be introduced.
Council Member Segawa made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Segawa, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Members: Gazeley and Waronek
ORDINANCE NO. 845 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT 2023-01
AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF LOMITA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE XI (PLANNING AND ZONING) TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY WITH STATE LAW REGARDING SUPPORTIVE, TRANSITIONAL, AND EMPLOYEE HOUSING, LOWBARRIER NAVIGATION CENTERS, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, COVERED
PARKING, SENIOR PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS, EMERGENCY SHELTERS,
AND SUBSTANDARD LIVING CONDITIONS, AS WELL AS THE STRIKING OF
UNUSED EXISTING ZONING DISTRICTS, AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2023
b. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 5 (ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS AND PENALTIES) OF TITLE I OF THE LOMITA
MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALTER THE PROVISIONS AND PROCEDURES RELATED TO
ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS
RECOMMENDED ACTION: After the City Attorney reads the title, introduce on first reading Ordinance No. 846 amending Chapter 5 (Administrative Citations and Penalties) of Title I of the Lomita Municipal Code (LMC) to alter the procedures involved in the administrative citation provisions of the LMC and finding such action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, and direct staff to schedule second reading and adoption of the ordinance.
Management Assistant Adamzadeh presented a brief report stating that in November of 2022, the City Council authorized Data Ticket to provide code enforcement collection services alongside parking enforcement. Throughout the implementation process, staff has updated procedures and policies to align with those recommended by Data Ticket to improve correction and compliance. Staff has prepared a draft ordinance to improve the process, to avoid enforcement challenges, and to ensure compliance with State law.
There being no questions from the Council, Mayor Waite opened the public hearing at 6:37 p.m.
There being no questions or comments from the public, the public hearing was closed at 6:37 p.m. and the item was brought back to the Council for a motion.
City Attorney Rusin read the title of the ordinance to be introduced.
Council Member Segawa made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Segawa, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Members Gazeley and Waronek
ORDINANCE NO. 846 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 5 OF TITLE I OF THE LOMITA
MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALIGN WITH NEW REGULATIONS IN ENFORCING
ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE AND FINDING THE
SAME EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
10. ADJOURNMENT
Prior to adjourning, Council Member Segawa requested a report on the red curb request on Walnut. City Manager Smoot stated staff would send Council the background on the request.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2023
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Waite adjourned the meeting in memory of City of Lomita Assistant Engineer Ethelbert Doble and Lomita resident and former Traffic Commissioner Marty Spain at 6:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________
Kathleen Horn Gregory, MMC, City Clerk
Adopted:
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023
1. OPENING CEREMONIES
a. Call Meeting to Order
The regular meeting of the Lomita City Council was called to order by Mayor Waite at 6:03 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, California.
b. Flag Salute
Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff led the salute to the flag.
c. Invocation
Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff gave the invocation.
d. Roll Call
PRESENT: Council Members Gazeley, Segawa, and Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Smoot, Assistant City Manager Sugano, City Attorney Rusin, Community and Economic Development Director Rindge, Administrative Services Director Kamada, Public Works Director Dillon, Senior Management Analyst Hernandez, and Deputy City Clerk Abbott
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
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
March 21, 2023
3. PRESENTATIONS
The City Council recognized and thanked current Housing Authority Commissioners Rosemary Hart and Judi Larson and former Commissioner Deborah Louviere, and presented them with Team Lomita jerseys.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Waite announced the time for public comments on Consent Agenda items or subjects other than those scheduled. There being no requests to speak, Mayor Waite closed oral communications.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS FROM THE
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Segawa reported on the following:
• Recent South Coast Botanic Garden Children and Family Garden Groundbreaking Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff reported on the following:
• March 8 – Lomita Sheriff’s Station BBQ Fundraiser
• March 9 – California Department of Housing & Community Development Future Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Allocation Kickoff Webinar • March 9 – South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Transportation Steering Committee Meeting
• March 13 – SBCCOG Board Meeting
• March 15 – L.A. County Response to Homelessness Meeting • March 15 – League of California Cities Legislative Briefing on 2023 Bills • March 17 – League of California Cities Community Services Policy Committee Meeting Council Member Gazeley reported on the following:
• Recent Civilian Oversight Commission Report – Request from the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) for a letter from the Council to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors opposing the recommended rotation of deputies every five years (City Manager Smoot will soon bring an item before the City’s Legislative Committee with a recommendation to the Council)
Council Member Waronek reported on the following:
• March 1 – California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) Board of Directors Meeting • March 10 – South Bay Legislative Forum at Cal State Dominguez Hills • March 6-9 – CCCA Annual Legislative Trip to Washington D.C. • March 16 – Lomita Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting
• Announced the 18th Annual Golden Apple Awards, sponsored by the Lomita-Harbor City Kiwanis Club, on May 5, 2023
Mayor Waite had nothing to report.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2023
6. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT (information only)
City Manager Smoot announced the Annual Lomita Easter Egg Hunt at Lomita Park on Saturday, April 8, 2023.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda Items 7a-n be approved.
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
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. Warrants/Payroll Register
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrants/Payroll Register. c. Monthly Report for the Administrative Services Department RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
d. Monthly Report for the City Manager’s Department
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
e. Monthly Report for the Community and Economic Development Department RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
f. Monthly Report for the Recreation and Facilities Division RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
g. Monthly Report for the Public Works Department
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2023
h. January 2023 Treasury & Investment Report
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
i. Quarterly Financial Report
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
j. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 845 for Zoning Text Amendment No. 2023-01 Amending Lomita Municipal Code Title XI (Planning and Zoning) to Ensure Consistency with State Law
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Ordinance.
ORDINANCE NO. 845 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT 2023-01 AMENDING
VARIOUS SECTIONS OF LOMITA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE XI (PLANNING AND
ZONING) TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY WITH STATE LAW REGARDING
SUPPORTIVE, TRANSITIONAL, AND EMPLOYEE HOUSING, LOW-BARRIER
NAVIGATION CENTERS, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, COVERED PARKING,
SENIOR PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS, EMERGENCY SHELTERS, AND
SUBSTANDARD LIVING CONDITIONS, AS WELL AS THE STRIKING OF UNUSED
EXISTING ZONING DISTRICTS, AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE EXEMPT FROM
THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
k. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 846 to Amend Chapter 5 (Administrative Citations and Penalties) of Title I of the Lomita Municipal Code to Alter the Provisions and Procedures Related to Administrative Citations
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Ordinance.
ORDINANCE NO. 846 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 5 OF TITLE I OF THE LOMITA
MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALIGN WITH NEW REGULATIONS IN ENFORCING
ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE AND FINDING THE
SAME EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT l. Purchase of Electric Vehicle for Public Works Water Division RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize purchase of a Chevy Bolt EV. m. 2022 Annual Housing Element Progress Report
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the City’s 2022 Annual Housing Element Progress Report.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2023
n. Geographic Information System (GIS) Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Authorize participation in LARIAC; 2) Approve the Services for ESRI to provide ArcGIS Subscriptions; 3) Authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to execute an agreement for GIS consulting services, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for an amount less than $20,000; and 4) Appropriate $30,337 for GIS-related services in FY22-23.
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
a. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF ALLOWING MURALS ON PRIVATE
PROPERTY
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discuss and, if desired, provide staff direction to return with an ordinance further permitting and regulating murals on private property within the City.
Director Rindge presented the staff report per the agenda material. She stated that since July 1, 2021, the City has spent $27,150.00 removing graffiti from private property. Staff have received requests for mural installation as a means to deter future or continuous graffiti, citing success in other cities. Staff researched 23 other in-state and out-of-state cities and compiled a list of elements from ordinances that Director Rindge outlined with staff recommendations.
There was brief Council discussion about locations of the murals, upkeep, subject matter, design standards, and the possibility that murals will draw more visitors to the City.
There being no requests from the public to speak on this item, it was Council consensus for staff to bring back a draft ordinance on the item for consideration, to include elements relative to concerns discussed this evening.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. PUBLIC HEARING #3 TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON DRAFT MAPS AND THE
TRANSITION TO DISTRICT-BASED ELECTIONS UNDER THE CALIFORNIA VOTING
RIGHTS ACT
RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Receive the staff report and presentation on the Draft Maps; 2) Conduct the third Public Hearing to obtain public input and provide direction to staff on recommended changes to the Draft Maps, if any; and 3) Approve the Draft Maps for circulation to the public for comment.
City Attorney Rusin introduced the item. He stated that this is the third public hearing of four required as a part of the process for the City to consider the move to districts. City Manager Smoot introduced Kylie Sun, Business Analyst with Tripepi Smith, and Andrew Westall, Principal with Bear Demographics & Research, to give the presentation.
Ms. Sun reported that the City launched a webpage dedicated to districting on the existing City website which includes information on the districting process, a schedule of public hearings and workshops, and mapping tools. Other outreach efforts included publishing 25 social media posts on all of the City’s social media platforms in both English and Spanish, bilingual flyers and press releases, and contact with 30 community leaders via Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2023
email and phone to encourage them to get involved in the process and to keep them informed. There were also two community workshops held—one hybrid and the other in-person. Outreach efforts will continue throughout the process.
Mr. Westall stated that there were eleven draft maps submitted for consideration. Input from all maps submitted was taken into consideration along with ensuring that each district contains some type of park, school, and commercial street such as Lomita Boulevard, Narbonne Avenue, or Pacific Coast Highway. Some of Lomita’s blocks are very long so that too was a consideration.
He presented three draft maps for Council consideration which fulfill the legal requirements of meeting census population voting age population and citizens voting population from the American Community Survey. Draft map #1 has a 5.8 deviation, draft map #2 has a 3.4 deviation with more equalization of the population, and map #3 has a
4.2 deviation.
Council Member Waronek stressed the importance of keeping distinct neighborhoods together in a district as communities of interest. Mayor Waite shared the same community of interest concerns in areas with large apartment complexes and condominiums, particularly south of Pacific Coast Highway.
There was Council discussion about the difficulty of getting residents to run for Council, the personal costs incurred by Council Members, and Council salaries. Council also expressed their concern with having to go through the process of districting for such a small city of less than two square miles. It was the consensus of the Council for staff to bring back an item to discuss Council compensation, and another item to discuss ways to encourage community interest in running for office.
Mayor Waite opened the public hearing at 7:17 p.m.
Lomita resident Barbara Barker spoke briefly regarding the California Voting Rights Act and its aim of making sure that minorities in every community have a voice.
As there were no further requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Waite closed the public hearing at 7:19 p.m. and brought the item back for further discussion.
Mr. Westall stated that all three of the maps presented met the requirements of State and Federal law including the California Voting Rights Act and the California FAIR Maps Act.
He clarified the Council’s desire to create an additional map to address the concerns brought up by Council Member Waronek to present at the final public hearing on April 18, 2023. He stated that the public would be able to continue to submit maps until April 4, 2023, and the fourth draft map would be on the City’s website by April 11, 2023, for public review.
Council Member Waronek wanted the record to show that although he has a Polish surname, he identifies as half Mexican.
Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff made a motion, seconded by Council Member Segawa to approve the draft maps for circulation to the public for comment, including adding a fourth map for consideration available on the website by April 11, 2023.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2023
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
10. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned, in memory of Vivian Peightal, long-time member of the Lomita Historical Society, and Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff’s father-in-law, John Conner, at 7:26 p.m. _________________________________
Kathleen Horn Gregory, MMC, City Clerk
Adopted: