MINUTES OF THE
LOMTTA CiTY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 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, October 3, 2023, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, California.
b. Flag Salute
Council Member Gazeley led the salute to the flag.
c. lnvocation
Council Member Segawa gave the invocation.
d. Roll Call
PRESENT: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Smoot, City Attorney Rusin, Assistant City Manager Sugano, Public Works Director Dillon, Community and Economic Development Director Rindge, Administrative Services Director Kamada, Administrative Analyst lbana, Senior Management Analyst Hernandez, and City Clerk Gregory
2. APPROVALOFAGENDA
Council Member Waronek made a motion, seconded by Council Member Segawa to approve the agenda.
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 3, 2023
Major Tim Smith with the Salvation Army of Tonance introduced himself and outlined various programs and services the organization provides to the community. More information can be found at salvationarmv/torrance.oro.
Council Member Waronek stated that he volunteers as a Salvation Army bellringer every year.
Unfortunately, the organization has difficulty finding enough volunteers and must resort to paying people to ring the bells for donations. He asked his fellow Council Members and City staff to volunteer for a two-hour shift.
Joey Apodaca, field representative with Congressman Ted Lieu's Office, shared Mr. Lieu's background and achievements, and gave updates on legislation Mr. Lieu is working on in Washington; he is also working lo secure funding for the downtown Lomita stormwater project.
Mr. Apodaca also outlined the various constituent services provided by Mr. Lieu's local office.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Waite announced the time for public comments on consent agenda items or subjects other than those scheduled.
Sara Leimbach-Hollingsworth, an Assistant Principal at Narbonne High School, spoke of inequities at the school in terms of its sports facilities; fortunately, a $200,000 grant was recently received toward remedying this issue. She also addressed Narbonne's efforts in terms of gang remediation. She invited the Council to the Friday, October 6 event at which another $80,000 will be donated by alumnus Uchenna Nwosu, a linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks, toward improving the sports facilities.
There being no further requests to speak, Mayor Waite closed oral communications
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS FROM THE CITY
COUNCIL
Council Member Gazeley reported on the following:
. Spoke of his opposition to touch-and-go operations originating from Tonance Airport.
Analyst lbarra stated that the Torrance City Council met on Septembet 12, 2023, lo consider banning the practice, and Lomita staff will continue to monitor their actions. lt was Council consensus to direct the City's Legislative Subcommittee to draft a letter to the Torrance City Council in favor of restricting such activities.
Council Member Waronek reported on the following:
. September 20-22 - League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo . September 23 - Coastal Cleanup at Torrance Beach
. September 23 - Lomita Railroad Museum Family Fun Day
. September 23 - Community's Child Annual Fundraiser
. September 25 - 5k Run Meeting
. September 28 - lndependent Cities Association lnstallation Ceremony
3. PRESENTATIONS
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 3, 2023
Announced the 74h Annual
Fundraiser on November 5
Lomita-Harbor City Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast
Council Member Segawa reported on the following:
. September 20 - Founders Day Subcommittee Meeting
o September 23 - Lomita Railroad Museum Family Fun Day
. September 25 - 5k Run Meeting
. September 27 - Lomita Chamber of Commerce Mixer
. September 30 - Stephen Dever's Funeral Service
Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff reported on the following:
. September 20-22 - League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo o September 23 - Lomita Railroad Museum Family Fun Day
Mayor Waite reported on the following:
. September 23 - Lomita Railroad Museum Family Fun Day
. September 28 - South Bay Cities Council of Govemments Board Meeting
6. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (information only)
City Manager Smoot announced the Halloween Event at Lomita Park on October 28 from noon to 3:00 p.m.
7. CONSENTAGENDA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda ltems 7a-d 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, Waronek, Segawa, 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 September 19, 2023 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 3, 2023
c. Wanantsi/Payroll Register
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrants/Payroll Register d. Resolution Approving and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Transfer Agreement with the California Department of Transportation RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2023-19, approving and authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract for the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant for Lomita's Citywide School Loading Zone Study for Vision Zero Neighborhood Planning lnitiatives & lnfrastructure with the California Department of Transportation in a form approved by the City Attomey.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023.19. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMiTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT WTH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION FOR THE SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
GRANT - LOMITA'S CITYWIDE SCHOOL LOADING ZONE STUDY FOR VISION ZERO
NEIGHBORHOOD PI-ANNING INITIATIVES & INFRASTRUCTURE
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
a. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE TRAFFIC CALMING TOOLKIT RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Receive and flle the Trafiic Calming Toolkit; 2) direct staft to implement recommendations for 262nd Street, Walnut Street, and Pennsylvania Avenue; and 3) direct staff to begin the formation of a Capital lmprovement Poect to make improvements on Eshelman Avenue to incorporate traffic calming measuresPublic Works Director Dillon presented the staff report per the agenda material. She outlined the Toolkit's purpose and how it is used. Solutions range from simple signage and/or striping, to complex design and construction projects for installing roundabouts or speed tables. She spoke of community pa(icipation and the City locations chosen as the most important to address. These sites were assessed and proposed changes were presented at the September 20, 2023, Public Safety and Traffic Commission (PSTC) meeting. She outlined three significant problem areas and their proposed solutions.
Brief Council discussion took place relative to the PSTC's role going forward in the process, as well as future implementation of the Local Travel Network involving low-speed vehicles on Eshelman Avenue, and the hazardous intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Lomita Boulevard.
Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff made a motion, seconded by Council Member Waronek to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Waronek, Segawa, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 3, 2023
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt the attached resolution implementing the fee schedule effective December 4, 2023.
Assistant City Manager Sugano presented the staff report per the agenda material. He highlighted some of the major changes to the schedule. A brief Council discussion was held relative to comparison of Lomita's fees with other nearby cities.
As there were no further questions from the Council, Mayor Waite opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m.
A Public Works Coordinator with AT&T thanked the Council for revising the fees. He stated that the previous fees (per linear foot of work) were excessive and prevented AT&T from performing certain work in Lomita.
As there were no further requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Waite closed the public hearing at 7:09 p.m.
Council Member Waronek made a motion, seconded by Council Member Gazeley to approve the recommended action with the conection on page 27 of the fee schedule to remove the qualifier "every 50 linear feet."
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Waronek, Segawa, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Adopted the following titled resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023.20 - A RESOLUTION OF THE GITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING AND ADOPTING CERTAIN FEES, RATES
AND CHARGES FOR VARIOUS CITY SERVICES
b. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 5 (ADMTNISTRATTVE CTTAT|ONS AND PENALTTES) OF T]TLE r OF THE LOMTTA
MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALIGN THE ADMTNISTRATIVE CITATION APPEAL METHOD
WITH THE PARKING CITATION APPEAL METHOD
RECOMMENDED ACTION: After the City Attorney reads the title, introduce on first reading Ordinance No. 858 amending Chapter 5 (Administrative Citations and Penalties) of Title I of the Lomita Municipal Code (LMC) to an amendment to Lomita Municipal Code Title I (General Provisions),Chapter 5 (Administrative Citations and Penalties) to align the administrative citation appeal method with the parking citation appeal method; and Find the action to be exempt ftom the California Environmental Quality Act.
a. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AMENDING CITYVITIDE
COITIPREHENSIVE USER FEES AND CHARGES
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 3, 2023
Management Assistant Adamzadeh presented the staff report per the agenda material.
The purpose of this change is to streamline the administrative citation payment and appeal process.
As there were no questions from the Council, Mayor Waite opened the public hearing at 7:11 p.m. As there were no requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Waite closed the public hearing al 7'.11 p.m. and brought the item back to the Council for discussion or a motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff made a motion, seconded by Council Member Waronek to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Waronek, Segawa, Mayor Pro Tem Uphoff, and Mayor Waite
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
lntroduced the following titled ordinance:
ORDINANCE NO. 858 . 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 THE ADMINISTRATTVE CITATION APPEAL METHOD
WTH THE PARKING CITATION APPEAL METHOD AND FINDING THE SAME
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
10. ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business to discuss, Mayor Waite adjourned the meeting, in memory of Stephen Dever, husband of former Mayor and Council Member Susie Dever, and Lomita resident Ryan Gagajena, at 7:15 p.m.
Res en submitted,
r
Horn Grego , MMC, erk
Adopted: December 19, 2023
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