MINUTES OF THE
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2024
1. OPENING CEREMONIES
a. Call Meeting to Order
The special meeting of the Lomita City Council was called to order by Mayor Uphoff at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 26, 2024, in the Upstairs Assembly Room at City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, California.
b. Roll Call
PRESENT: Councilmembers Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
ABSENT: Councilmember Gazeley
STAFF PRESENT: Interim City Manager Hoefgen, Assistant City Manager Sugano, Assistant City Attorney Ornelas, Public Works Director Dillon, Administrative Services Director Kamada, Community & Economic Development Director Rindge, Recreation Manager Kelley, Senior Management Analyst Hernandez, LASD Captain Guerrero and Deputies Kellogg and Okamoto, and City Clerk Gregory (via Zoom)
2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were no requests to speak during oral communications.
3. SCHEDULED ITEMS
a. DISCUSSION RELATED TO COMMUNITY SURVEY AND CITY COUNCIL GOALS RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the 2023 Community Survey results presented by FM3 Research and review and discuss existing City Council goals.
Interim City Manager Hoefgen introduced Richard Bernard, Partner at FM3 Research.
The survey was conducted in November 2023 with 467 adult Lomita residents who expressed higher satisfaction overall from a similar survey five years ago despite the increase in the Cost of Living Index and COVID-19. But despite the overall higher satisfaction, residents still have many concerns, including homelessness and property crime.
Mr. Bernard discussed the survey findings then presented the Conclusions:
• The vast majority of residents believe that the City of Lomita is an excellent or a good place to live. In fact, there has been a 10-percentage-point increase since 2018 in residents who believe the quality of life in Lomita has become at least somewhat better in the past 5 years.
• The most serious issues mentioned include increasing crime, especially property crime and burglary; homelessness; and the cost of housing and the lack of affordable housing.
Lomita City Council Special Meeting Minutes
February 26, 2024
• Residents are highly satisfied with many City services, with the highest satisfaction ratings for City trash services, special events, and the City's communication efforts. • The vast majority of residents support City policies to upgrade and improve streets; retain and attract local small businesses; improve traffic safety; invest in the City's water system; and increase neighborhood sheriff patrols. • The majority of residents oppose the legalization of fireworks, even after hearing of the potential benefits to local service clubs and schools. • Residents most frequently receive information about the City of Lomita through the Lomita Newsletter (either in print or online), by word of mouth, the City's website, and through notices or flyers included in water bills.
Interim City Manager Hoefgen outlined the established Council Goals. Eight goals were adopted as a result of the Strategic Plan and Goal Setting Workshop in 2021 and the goals have been reviewed every year since. The Goals are as follows:
1. Continue to Improve Streets and Water Lines
2. Continue to Improve Water Quality -Complete Phase I and Evaluate Phase I|
3. Enhance Economic Development in Downtown and PCH
4. Maintain and Enhance Public Safety Efforts, Traffic Enforcement, and Community involvement
5. Clarify Housing Development and Design Standards
6. Continue Legislative Advocacy Efforts and Regional Influence and Engagement
7. Resilience and Learning from the Pandemic to Build a City that Can Withstand a Crisis
8. Develop a Financing Plan and Kickoff the General Plan Update Projects related to each goal were then outlined as follows:
1. Continue to Improve Streets and Water Lines
Completed projects include:
• Updated Water Master Plan
• Adopted Five-year Capital Improvement Plan 2022-2027
• Street Reconstruction in Zones C & F
Projects in progress or slated for the future include:
• Cypress Water Production Facility Upgrades with GAC
• Zones 2 and 3 Booster Feasibility Study
• Pressure Zone Boundary Modification Study
2. Continue to Improve Water Quality
Projects in progress or slated for the future include:
• Pressure Zone Boundary Modification Study
• New Interconnection at Narbonne Avenue/Oak Street PRS Study • Water Quality Sample Station Upgrades
3. Enhance Economic Development Downtown and PCH
Completed projects include:
• Downtown Public Plaza
• "Lomita Strong, Shop Small, Shop Local" Campaign
• Relocated Founders Day and Other Special Events to Downtown
Lomita City Council Special Meeting Minutes
February 26, 2024
Projects in progress or slated for the future include:
• City Sponsored Murals
• Incorporating Economic Development Element as Part of the General Plan Update
• Selected for the USC Sunstone Business Improvement Program
4. Maintain and Enhance Public Safety Efforts, Traffic Enforcement, and Community Involvement
Completed projects include:
• Lomita Sheriff Added Second Lomita CORE Deputy
• New Automated License Plate Recognition Systems on Two Lomita Dedicated Sheriff Vehicles
• New Speed Radar Signs
Ongoing projects include:
• Resumed National Night Out, Drug Free/Anti-Gang Walk, and Catalytic Converter Etching Events
• Availability of Crime Statistics on City's Website
• Sheriff and Chamber of Commerce Business Burglary Prevention and Safety Tips
There was brief discussion relative to Sheriff's representatives presenting crime statistics (including comparisons over time) at future Council meetings. Captain Guerrero stated that they are happy to give such presentations along with how they are working to combat pressing issues and to provide education to residants on different issues like the recent
5. Clarify Housing Development and Design Standards
Completed projects include:
• Certified Housing Element
• Kaia South Bay Officially Opened
• Several Zoning Text Amendments to Potentially Expand Housing Options
6. Projects in progress or slated for the future include:
• Future Land Use Plan and Zoning Updates as Part of the General Plan • Creating Objective Design Standards to Ensure Development on Lomita's Scale as Part of General Plan Update
6. Continue Legislative Advocacy Efforts and Regional Influence and Engagement
Ongoing projects include:
• Continue Work Related to Oversight of the Navy Fields Use by Lomita Little League
• Continued Coordinated Legislative Efforts with Network of Advocacy Partners
• Continued Monitoring and Communicating Formal Positions on Proposed Bills to State and Federal Representatives
Lomita City Council Special Meeting Minutes
February 26, 2024
7. Resilience and Learning from the Pandemic to Build a City that Can Withstand a Crisis
Completed projects include:
• Expanded Hybrid Meeting and Event Capabilities at City Facilities • Enhanced Online Presence with a New and Improved City Website and Social Media
• Updated FEMA Approved Safety Element
Projects in progress or slated for the future include:
• Upcoming Free Residential Smoke Alarm Installations
• Updating Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Area G and Alert South Bay Meetings, Trainings, and Drills
8. Develop a Financing Plan and Kickoff General Plan Update Completed projects include:
• General Plan Update Kickoff
• Established GPAC
• Comprehensive Public Engagement
Projects in progress include:
• Developing Environmental Impact Report, Zoning Code Update with Design Standards, and Goals/Policies/Actions for the Updates to the Noise, Economic Development, Land Use, Circulation, and Open Space/Resource Management Elements
• General Plan Adoption and Meeting of State Mandate
Interim City Manager Hoefgen then outlined other major projects underway, which include:
• Recruitment of a Successor City Manager
• FY 24-26 Budget Preparation
• Organic Waste Collection
As there was no further Council discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Segawa, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff NOES:
ABSENT: Councilmember Gazeley
There was Council consensus to hold another Strategic Planning workshop later this year.
4. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Uphoff adjourned the meeting at 5:27 p.m.
Kathleen Horn Gregory, MMC, Cit Ty Clerk
Adopted: November 5, 2024