MINUTES OF THE
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2024
1. OPENING CEREMONIES
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, California.
b. Flag Salute
Mayor Pro Tem Waronek led the salute to the flag.
c. Invocation
Councilmember Segawa gave the invocation.
d. Roll Call
PRESENT: Councilmembers Gazeley (via teleconference from 25225 Doria Avenue, Lomita, CA 90717), Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Vialpando, City Attorney Rusin, Assistant City Manager Sugano, Administrative Services Director Kamada, Community and Economic Development Director Rindge, Interim Public Works Director Hernandez, Parks and Recreation Director Kelley, and City Clerk Gregory
e. Closed Session Report
City Attorney 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 WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2) (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. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Segawa made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, to approve the agenda.
Item No. 7b
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 2, 2024
MOTION CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
3. PRESENTATIONS
The Council recognized the 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
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Segawa reported on the following:
• June 21 – Rancho Palos Verdes State of the City Event • June 22 – ALADS (Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs) Dinner Meeting • June 24 – Founders Day/60th Anniversary Committee Meeting • June 27 – Circle of Honor Event
• Thanked staff for a successful Founders Day/60th Anniversary Celebration Councilmember Gazeley reported on the following:
• Thanked staff for a successful Founders Day/60th Anniversary Celebration Councilmember Waite reported on the following:
• Thanked staff for a successful Founders Day/60th Anniversary Celebration Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 2, 2024
• June 27 – South Bay Cities Council of Governments Board of Directors Meeting where Mayor Uphoff was elected 2nd Vice-Chair
• June 28 – Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal Meet and Greet Mayor Pro Tem Waronek reported on the following:
• Thanked staff for a successful Founders Day/60th Anniversary Celebration and acknowledged various elected officials who attended or sent well wishes • July 1 – Mixer for the Lomita Sheriff Station Foundation; announced that they are seeking board members
• July 17 – California Contract Cities Association Meeting with L.A. County Fire Department Mayor Uphoff reported on the following:
• Thanked staff for a successful Founders Day/60th Anniversary Celebration After brief Council discussion, staff were directed to work with the City Attorney’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 for their hard work on the Founders Day/60th 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 jurisdictions for which she has worked, and that it truly is “the friendly city.”
7. CONSENT AGENDA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda Items 7a-7g be approved.
City Manager Vialpando remarked on item 7d, stating that it is a request to appropriate monies, as this project was merely conceptual back in July of 2023, prior to current budget approval. Since then, the Circle of Honor subcommittee has provided input to 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
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 2, 2024
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 Meeting of April 2, 2024, and the Special City Council Meeting of June 2, 2024
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes.
c. Warrants/Payroll Register
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrants /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 of $2,325, for a total contract amount not to exceed $17,825; and appropriate $17,825 from available funds in the Facilities Improvement account.
e. Second Amendment to Agreement with AKM Consulting Engineers for Construction Management Services related to the Cypress Facility Upgrades RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the Second Amendment to Agreement 2020-18 with AKM Consulting Engineers for construction management services related to the Cypress Facility Upgrades project increasing the contract amount by $29,530, for a total contract amount not to exceed $542,556; and authorize the City Manager to execute the 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 Improvements Project
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize the City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Rincon Consultants, Inc. for National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) support services for the Lomita Water System Improvements Project in the amount of $33,001.08, plus a 20% 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, regular City Council meetings, and call a special meeting for August 6, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
City Manager Vialpando 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 adjourned 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 CARRIED 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 ACTION: Receive and file.
Captain Kimberly Guererro of Lomita Sheriff’s Station stated that the Founders Day/60th 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 Guererro 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
• Part I crimes (more serious offenses) are down from 2023 • Part II crimes (less serious offenses such as vandalism and ID theft) have decreased significantly from last year
• Response times in Lomita are well below target for L.A. County Sheriff’s 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 high.
City 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
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY ASSESSOR TO APPROVE VARIOUS
RELATED ACTIONS
RECOMMENDED 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 return 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. 2024-27 – 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 TIME AND IN THE SAME MANNER AS COUNTY TAXES
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Uphoff adjourned the meeting, to an adjourned regular meeting to be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 7:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________
Kathleen Horn Gregory, MMC, City Clerk
Adopted:
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2024
1. OPENING CEREMONIES
a. Call Meeting to Order
The regular meeting of the Lomita City Council was called to order by Mayor Uphoff at 6:03 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, California.
b. Flag Salute
Mayor Pro Tem Waronek led the salute to the flag.
c. Invocation
Councilmember Waite gave the invocation.
d. Roll Call
PRESENT: Councilmembers: Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Vialpando, City Attorney Rusin, Assistant City Manager Sugano, Interim Community and Economic Development Director Fernandez, Interim Public Works Director Hernandez, and Deputy City Clerk Abbott
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Segawa made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, to approve the agenda.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
3. PRESENTATIONS
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 20, 2024
There were no presentations scheduled for this meeting.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Uphoff announced the time for oral communications.
City of Los Angeles District 15 Councilmember Tim McOsker congratulated the City Council on Lomita’s 60th anniversary and presented the City with a certificate. He also spoke of his time working as Lomita’s City Attorney early in his career.
There being no further requests to speak, Mayor Uphoff closed oral communications.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS FROM THE
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Gazeley had nothing to report.
Councilmember Segawa had nothing to report.
Councilmember Waite reported on the following:
• August 6 – National Night Out; he stated that the event should be revamped as it is meant to connect law enforcement and the community
• August 12 – South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Steering Committee Meeting where he was named the SBCCOG representative for the League of California Cities
• Two recent meetings with L.A. County regarding the 2028 Summer Olympics Mayor Pro Tem Waronek reported on the following:
• Announced August 21 California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) Board of Directors Meeting
• Announced August 24 Lemmy Awards
Mayor Uphoff reported on the following:
• Recent SBCCOG Transportation Committee and Steering Committee Meetings • Recent CCCA Legislative Committee Meeting
6. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT (information only)
City Manager Vialpando invited residents to the Concert in the Park August 23 and to the Lomita Railroad Foundation’s Speaker Series, also on August 23. He stated that the General Plan Update and Zoning Code Amendment will be brought to Council in October, and invited residents to the City’s August 26 General Plan Update Open House. More information may be found on the City’s website.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda Items 7a-7h be approved.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 20, 2024
Councilmember Gazeley made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers 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. Warrant & Payroll Register
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrant & Payroll Register c. Monthly Report for the Administrative Services Department RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file.
d. Monthly Report for the City Manager’s Department
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file.
e. Monthly Report from the Community and Economic Development Department RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file.
f. Monthly Report for the Recreation and Facilities Department RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file.
g. Monthly Report for the Public Works Department
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file.
h. June and July Treasury and Investment Report
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file.
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
a. AWARD A PUBLIC WORKS AGREEMENT TO MIK CONSTRUCTION, INC. AND
AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT TO FOUNTAINHEAD
CONSULTING FOR THE APPIAN WAY PUMP STATION ROOF REPLACEMENT
PROJECT
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Award a Public Works Contract to MIK Construction, Inc. for the construction of the Appian Way Pump Station Roof Replacement Project for $625,700, Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 20, 2024
plus a 15% contingency of $93,855, for a total of $719,555; award a Professional Services Agreement to Fountainhead Consulting Corporation for construction inspection, construction administration, and testing services for the Appian Way Pump Station Roof Replacement Project in the amount of $70,544, plus a 15% contingency amount of $10,582, for a total amount of $81,126; appropriate an additional $390,681 for a total project budget of $800,681 from available fund balance in the Water Fund; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreements.
Interim Public Works Director Hernandez presented the staff report per the agenda material. The pump station has been in service since 1994 and supplies 90% of Lomita’s water. Its original roof has extensive termite damage, and this project was approved in June 2022 as part of the City's CIP Master Plan. Tenting is not an option for safety and access reasons, and water service will be only minimally impacted during the 6-8 months the project is under way.
Brief discussion took place relative to whether alternatives to metal roof replacement were considered, and the construction start date.
As there were no further questions for staff, Mayor Uphoff invited public comment. As there were no requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Uphoff brought the item back for further Council discussion or a motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Waronek made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gazeley, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and Mayor Uphoff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None scheduled.
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Uphoff adjourned the meeting at 6:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________
Linda E. Abbott, CMC, Deputy City Clerk
Adopted: