1 MINUTES OF THE
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2024
OPEN]NG CEREiIONIES
a. Call Meeting to Order
The regular meeting of the Lomita City Council was called to order by Mayor Uphoff at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, Califomia.
b. Flag Salute
Council Member Waite led the flag salute.
c. lnvocation
Council Member Waite gave the invocation.
d. Roll Call
PRESENT: Council Members: Gazeley (teleconferenced from 25225 Doria Avenue, Lomita CA, 90717), Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff AEEIL None
STAFF PRESENT: lnterim City Manager Hoefgen, City Attomey Rusin, Assistant City Manager Sugano, Public Works Director Dillon, Administrative Services Director Kamada, Community and Economic Development Director Rindge, Recreation Manager Kelley, Senior Management Analyst Hemandez, and City Clerk Gregory
2. APPROVALOFAGENDA
Council Member Segawa made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, to approve the agenda.
MOTION CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 6,2024
3. PRESENTATIONS
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Uphoff announced the time for oral communications.
Angel Gonzalez, Lomita resident, spoke regarding a recent flre at his parents' home. They cannot rebuild because the area has is zoned commercial. He asked to be allowed to rebuild the home on the property, and noted that the insurance company is allowing just seven more months to rebuild. lnterim City Manager Hoefgen stated that staff will set up a meeting to discuss options with Mr. Gonzalez.
Lydia Gutienez introduced herself as a candidate for LAUSD School Board, and shared her background and experience.
Heidi Butzine, PresidenUCEO of the Lomita Chamber of Commerce, spoke of the Annual Chamber lnstallation and Awards taking place on Thursday, Febtuary 8,2024.
There being no further requests from the public to speak, Mayor Uphoff closed oral communications.
5. ORAL COiIIIUNICATIONS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS FROM THE ctwcouNctL
Council Member Waite reported on the following:
. January 25 - South Bay Cities Council of Governments Meeting; he suggested that Council discuss at a future meeting taking a position on the Green Line Metro extension to Torrance Transit Center.
. January 30 - Metropolitan Water District tour of the pipeline repair project along Western Avenue
. Suggested future Council discussion relative to non-conforming residential uses in commercial areas; it was the consensus of the Council to bring discussion back at a future meeting.
Community & Economic Development Director Rindge stated that a comprehensive zoning code update is one aspect of the General Plan update, and it will be discussed by the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) soon.
Council Member Gazeley reported on the following:
. Recent Southern Califomia Association of Govemments (SCAG) Meeting
Council Member Segawa presented former Lomita STEAM Magnet School crossing guard Teresa Millage a certificate of recognition.
Council Member Segawa reported on the following:
. Recent Navy Baseball Fields Ad Hoc Committee Meeting
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Febuary 6,2024
Mayor Pro Tem Waronek reported on the following:
. Recent SCAG Policy Committee Meeting
. February 7 - California Contract Cities Association Meeting Mayor Uphoff reported on the following:
. January 17 - County Sanitation District Meeting
. January 18 - Cal Cities Community Services Policy Committee Meeting . January 3l - State Brieflng on Recent and Upcoming Storms
6. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (information only)
lnterim City Manager Hoefgen thanked Public Works staff for their work during the recent storms.
7. CONSENTAGENDA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda ltems 7a-m be approved.
Mayor Uphoff requested to pull ltem 7d for separate consideration.
Council Member Segawa made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Waronek to approve the consent agenda items 7a-c and 7e-f, with the exception of item 7d.
MOTION CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor UPhoff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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 December 5, 2023, December 19, 2023, and January 16, 2024
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes.
c. Warrants/Payroll Register
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrants/Payroll Register.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 6,2024
e. Municipal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) On-Call Consultant RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Approve a Professional Services Agreement with John L.
Hunter and Associates lnc. (JLHA) for Municipal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) On-Call Consultant for an amount of $65,000 per year for up to three years with a t0% contingency of S6,500 per year for up to three years with the option for two one-year extensions; 2) Appropriate $35,000 to 100-605-5340 for the current fiscal year; and 3) Authorize the lnterim City Manager to execute the Agreement. f. ARPA Fagade lmprovement Program Application for Ageless Geeks RECOMMENDED ACTION: 1) Approve one (1) application under the City's ARPA Business Assistance Programs; 2) Authorize lhe lnterim City Manager to make minor amendments as may be necessary with approval of the City Attorney; and 3) Authorize the lnterim City Manager to execule agreements with approved applicants for funding.
ITEM PULLED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION:
d. Approval ol lhe 2024 Legislative Platform
Senior Management Analyst Hernandez described the purpose of the legislative platform, which allows staff to run time-sensitive issues by the legislative committee and communicate the City's position quickly; any legislation not covered by the platform will go to Council for discussion. She outlined specific items updated in this platform such as supporting legislation aimed toward combatting the fentanyl crisis and legislative acts that mitigate rising insurance costs.
Council Member Segawa made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, to approve the consent agenda ltem 7d.
MOTION CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION NO. 202+01 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
RECOMMENDED ACTTON: Adopt Resolution 2024-01 approving the 2024 Legislative Platform.
A. DISCUSSION AND UPDATE OF MAYOR'S CUP AND GOLF CLASSIC 2024 RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Special Events Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Waronek and Councilmember Segawa recommend proceeding with the Mayor's Cup and Golf Classic Tournament for 2024.
Recreation Manager Kelley presented the staff report per the agenda material. Event expendilures have risen in recent years while revenues have dropped. A $20,000 budget is requested for the golf tournament this year.
Brief Council discussion was held relative to reasons for the decrease in revenue, whether sponsorships could compensate for the shortfall, ensuring a well-done event, the benelit of a full recreation staff, and newly designed sponsorship packages.
As there were no requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Uphoff invited further discussion or a motion.
Council Member Waite made a motion, seconded by Council Member Segawa, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
b, DISCUSSION RELATED TO CAMPING REGULATIONS IN LOMITA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report and direct staff to follow up if there is a change in the legal framework related to camping ordinances. lnterim City Manager Hoefgen presented the staff report per the agenda material. He stated that it was common for cities to have enacted laws prohibiting camping on public property in the past and for law enforcement to enforce them. ln 2018 a ruling determined that cities cannot enforce anti-camping laws if they do not have adequate shelter beds as an altemative. ln January of 2024 lhe Supreme Court agreed to review the ruling which will hopefully provide some clarity. A homeless individual was removed from private property in the City recently with proper written notice and with the assistance of Lomita Station deputies.
City Attorney Rusin noted that it is not necessary to enact an ordinance when private property is involved, but written notice is required.
City Attomey Rusin believes the hill cities' ordinances must be pre-existing, as shelter beds are required now for removal of homeless persons from public property. He suggested possibly a 'time, place and manner" ordinance instead of a City-wide ban on camping which would likely pose a constitutional conflict that would be challenged.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 6,2O24
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Febtuary 6, 2024
lnterim City Manager Hoefgen stated that bringing a "time, place, and manne/' no camping ordinance could also have unintended consequences that must be considered.
As there were no requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Uphoff invited further discussion or a motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Waronek made a motion, seconded by Council Member Waite, to receive and file the report.
MOTION CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
c. DISCUSSION TO ESTABLISH A DATE AND TIME FOR THE MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Set the date for Mid-Year Budget Review for Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
Administrative Services Director Kamada stated that the recommendation has changed to either Thursday, March 7, 2024, aI4:00 p.m., or Tuesday, March 12, 2024. at 4:O0 p.m.
As there were no requests from the public to speak on this item and no further discussion, Mayor Uphoff invited a motion.
MOTION CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
After brief discussion, the date and lime for the Mid-year Budget Review was established as Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
Council Member Segawa made a motion, seconded by Council Member Waite, to approve the recommended action.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 6,2024
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AMENDING CITYVIIIDE
COMPREHENSIVE USER FEES ANO CHARGES INCLUDING A CPI ADJUSTMENT RECOMMENDED ACTION:
effective April 6, 2024.
Adopt Resolution 2024-02 implementing the fee schedule
Assistant City Manager Sugano stated that amendments include a new fee for graffiti removal on private property and a reduction to the site plan review fee for murals on private property to $400. There is no increase on youth sports fees. lf approved, the changes would take effect April 6, 2024.
Mayor Uphoff opened the public hearing at 6:59 p.m. As no members of the public requested to speak on this item, he closed the public hearing at 6:59 p.m. and invited further discussion or a motion.
Council Member Segawa made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members: Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION NO.2O2+O2 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING AND ADOPTING CERTAIN FEES,
RATES AND CHARGES FOR VARIOUS CITY SERVICES
Council Member Waite spoke of concerns with the technology surcharges and suggested that the Council look into them next year.
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m., in memory of Tom Hart, husband of Housing Authority Commissioner Rosemary Hart.
Re ectfully subm itted,
]l,i r.-t'
Ad pted:
leen Horn
March
Gregory
5, 2024
MMC, City Cle P
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