MINUTES OF THE
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 2,2024
1. OPENING CEREilONIES
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, July 2, 2024, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, Califomia.
b. Flag Salute
Mayor Pro Tem Waronek led the salute to the flag.
c. lnvocation
Councilmember Segawa gave the invocation.
d. Roll Call
PRESENT: Councilmembers Gazeley (via teleconference ftom 25225 Doria Avenue, Lomita, CA 90717), Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff EEIL None
STAFF PRESEI{T: City Manager Malpando, City Attomey Rusin, Assistant City Manager Sugano, Administrative Services Director Kamada, Community and Economic Development Director Rindge, lnterim Public Works Director Hemandez, Parks and Recreation Director Kelley, and City Clerk Gregory
e. Closed Session Report
City Attomey Rusin stated that the Council met in open session at 5:12 p.m. and shortly thereafter recessed to closed session to discuss the following item:
CONFERENCE wlTH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Govemment Code section 54956.9(dX2) (one case): Letter from Denise Fellers regarding BKK Landfill All Councilmembers with the exception of Councilmember Waite were present and there was no reportable action taken.
2. APPROVALOFAGENDA
Councilmember Segawa made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, to approve the agenda.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 2,2024
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
3. PRESENTATIONS
The Council recognized lhe 2024 Lomita Park Youth Sports Soccer Champions. Each participant and coach in attendance was presented with a certificate.
Lomita Legends, nominated by community members, were honored by the Council. Each honoree in attendance was presented with a certificate of recognition. Legends Duane DeArman and Gertrude Carpenter-Jury were honored posthumously.
A brief break in the meeting took place from 6:36 p.m. to 6:42 p.m. to allow time for those audience members in attendance for the presentations to exit the Chambers.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Uphoff announced the time for oral communications George Kivett, Lomita resident, thanked Director Rindge for her service, particularly in regard to her work on the General Plan and with the General Plan Advisory Commission (GPAC). He praised the Living Legends presentation.
There being no further requests from the public to speak, Mayor Uphoff closed oral communications.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS FROM THE ctwcouNctL
Councilmember Segawa reported on the following:
o June 21 - Rancho Palos Verdes State of the City Event . June 22 - ALADS (Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs) Dinner Meeting o June 24 - Founders Day/60h Anniversary Committee Meeting o June 27 - Ctcle of Honor Event
o Thanked staff for a successful Founders Day/60th Anniversary Celebration Councilmember Gazeley reported on the following:
o Thanked staff for a successful Founders Day/60th Anniversary Celebration Councilmember Waite reported on lhe following:
. Thanked staff for a successful Founders Day/60s Anniversary Celebration
MOTION CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 2,2024
June 27 - South Bay Cities Council of Govemments Board of Directors Meeting where Mayor Uphoff was elected 2d Mce-Chair
June 28 - Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal Meet and Greet
Mayor Pro Tem Waronek reported on the following:
r Thanked staff for a successful Founders Day/60s Anniversary Celebration and acknowledged various elected officials who attended or sent well wishes o July 1 - Mixer for the Lomita Sheriff Station Foundation; announced that they are seeking board members
o July 17 - Califomia Contract Cities Association Meeting with L.A. County Fire Department Mayor Uphoff reported on the following:
o Thanked staff for a successful Founders Day/60th Anniversary Celebration After brief Council discussion, staff were directed to work with the City Attomey's Office and Lomita Sheriff s Station to consider whether the City should create its own anti-encampment ordinance in light of the recent Supreme Court decision on the issue. Staff were also directed to look into the feasibility of bringing back to Council discussion and consideration of an ordinance that would hold parents responsible for minors who engage in graffiti in the City.
6. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (information only)
City Manager Vialpando gave kudos to Councilmember Segawa and Mayor Pro Tem Waronek fortheir hard work on the Founders Dayl60rh Anniversary Committee and recognized City staff for putting on a great event. He also noted that tonight is the final Council meeting for Director Rindge, whose last day at City Hall will be July 16, and stated that she will be missed.
Director Rindge stated that Lomita is the best of the five iurisdictions for which she has worked, and that it truly is "the friendly city."
7, CONSENTAGENDA
RECOMTIENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda ltems 7a-79 be approved.
City Manager Vialpando remarked on item 7d, stating that it is a request to appropriate monies, as this poect was merely conceptual back in July ol 2023, prior to current budget approval. Since then, the Circle of Honor subcommittee has provided input lo staff, and this agreement is for conceptual design services for a redesign.
Councilmember Segawa made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, to approve the consent agenda.
MOTION CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Lomita Cig Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 2,2024
a. Motion to Waive Full Reading of Ordinances and That They be Read in Title Only RECOiIMENDED ACTION: Approve motion.
b. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of April 2, 2024, andthe Special City Council Meeting of June 2, 2024
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes.
c. Warrants/PayrollRegister
RECOMMENDED AGTION: Approve and file Wanants /Payroll Register. d. Agreement with Agency Artifact for Landscape Architecture Design Services for the Circle of Honor
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Agency Artifact for landscape architectural design services in the amount of $ 15,500, with an additional contingency of '15% in the amount ol $2,325, for a total contract amount not to exceed $17,825; and appropriate $17,825 from available funds in the Facilities lmprovement account.
Second Amendment to Agreement with AKM Consulting Engineers for Construction Management Services related to the Cypress Facilily Upgrades RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the Second Amendment to Agreemenl 2O2O-18 with AKM Consulting Engineers for construction management services related to the Cypress Facility Upgrades proiect increasing the contract amount by $29,530, for a total contract amount not to exceed $542,556; and authorize the City Manager to execute lhe amendment.
f. Fourth Amendment to Agreement No. 2024-04 with MSW Consultants RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the Fourth Amendment to Agreement No. 2024-04 with MSW Consultants, extending the term of the agreement to June 30, 2026; and appropriate an additional $7,500 annually, for a total agreement amount not to exceed $53,000.
g. Lomita Water System lmprovements Project
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize the City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Rincon Consultants, lnc. for National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) support services for the Lomita Water System lmprovements Project in the amount of $33,001.08, plus a 20o/o contingency amount of $6,600.22 for a total contract amount of $39,601.30.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 2,2024
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
a. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF CANCELING THE JULY 16, AND AUGUST 6, 2024, CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND CALL A SPECIAL MEETING FOR AUGUST 6,2024, AT 5:00 P.M. (no staff report)
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Cancel the July 16, and August 6,2024, regulat City Council meetings, and call a special meeting for August 6, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
City Manager Malpando introduced the item. A major grand opening in the City conflicts with the July 16 meeting, and National Night Out starts at 6:00 p.m. on August 6, the same date and time as the regular Council meeting. He invited Council discussion.
Brief discussion was held relative to calling an adjoumed regular meeting rather than a special meeting as it allows for more flexibility.
As there was no further discussion and there were no requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Uphoff invited a motion.
Councilmember Waite made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Segawa, to cancel the July 16, 2024, regular City Council meeting, and to adjourn to an adjourned regular meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
MOTION CARRIEO by the following roll call vote
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
b. LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT UPDATE (no staff report) RECOMMENDED AGTION: Receive and file.
Captain Kimberly Guereno of Lomita Sheriffs Station stated that the Founders Dayl60th Anniversary Celebration was a great event that she and her children enjoyed, and she was pleased to have Lomita Station represented there. She acknowledged the kindness of Council and staff upon the passing of CORE Deputy Daniel Okamoto.
Captain Guereno outlined recent crime trends in Lomita, and compared statistics from the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarters of 2022 and 2023. Notable findings included:
. A significant increase in grand theft auto
o Part I crimes (more serious offenses) are down lrom 2023 o Part ll crimes (less serious offenses such as vandalism and lD theft) have decreased significantly from last year
. Response times in Lomita are well below target for L.A. County Sheriffs Department on the whole
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 2,2024
Brief discussion took place relative to staffing and retention. Captain Guerrero stated that Lomita Station should be looking good within the next few months in terms of staffing, and morale and retention remain highCity Manager Vialpando stated that the quarterly reports will continue, and annual reports will be scheduled.
It was the consensus of the Council to receive and file this update.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. PUBLIC HEARING TO REVIEW DELINQUENT SOLID WASTE CHARGES AND
AUTHORIZNG AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY ASSESSOR TO APPROVE VARIOUS
RELATED ACTIONS
REGOilMENDED ACTION: Approve Resolution No.2024-27, authorizing and directing the County Assessor to set up a fund number with the County for Arakelian Enterprises (dba Athens Services); and include delinquent refuse charges for Athens Services as a special assessment for collection as part of the County tax collection process.
Administrative Analyst Gastelum presented the staff report per the agenda material. The list of delinquent accounts has dwindled considerably in the past few weeks due to staff working with those account holders.
Mayor Pro Tem Waronek left the dais, and the meeting was paused at 7:31 p.m. until his retum at 7:33 p.m., at which time the meeting resumed.
As there were no questions for staff, Mayor Uphoff opened the public hearing at 7:34 p.m.
As there were no requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Uphoff closed the public hearing at 7:34 p.m. and brought the item back for Council discussion or a motion.
It was confirmed that no late correspondence relative to this item had been received by the City Clerk.
Brief discussion was held relative to landlords who may not have realized that their tenants were not paying their refuse bills, and the process by which Athens is ultimately reimbursed for the delinquent accounts.
As there was no further Council discussion, Mayor Uphoff invited a motion.
Councilmember Waite made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Segawa, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 2,2024
Adopted the following titled resolution:
RESOLUTION NO,202+27 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY
ASSESSOR TO SET FUND NUMBER FOR ARAKELIAN ENTERPRISES (ATHENS) IN
ORDER TO INCLUDE DELINQUENT REFUSE BILLS AS A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT TO BE COLLECTED AT THE SAME TIi'E AND IN THE SAME MANNER AS COUNTY TAXES
,IO. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Uphoff adjourned the meeting, to an adjoumed regular meeting to be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, al7:38 p.m.
Res ctfu I ly submitted
Horn Gregory, C, City Clerk
Ado : October 1, 2024
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