1 MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024
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, November 5,2024, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, California.
b. Flag Salute
Councilmember Waite led the salute to the flag
c. lnvocation
Councilmember Segawa gave the invocation.
d. Roll Call
PRESENT: Councilmembers Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, and Mayor Uphoff ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Waronek
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Vialpando, City Attorney Rusin, Deputy City Manager/Public Works Director Hernandez, Administrative Services Oirector Kamada, Community and Economic Development Director Fernandez, Parks and Recreation Director Kelley, Administrative Analyst Gastelum, and City Clerk Gregory e. Closed Session Repo(
City Attorney Rusin stated that the Council met in open session at 5:00 p.m. and recessed to closed session at 5:0"1 p.m. to discuss the following items:
. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code section 54957
Title: City Manager
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
City representative: City Attorney Trevor Rusin
Unrepresented employee: City Manager Andrew Vialpando
All Councilmembers were present except for Mayor Pro Tem Waronek, and no reportable action was taken.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 5, 2024
2. APPROVALOFAGENDA
Councilmember Segawa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gazeley, to approve the agenda.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, and Mayor Uphoff NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Waronek
3. PRESENTATIONS
The City Council recognized the winners of the Halloween Home Decorating Contest. Parks and Recreation Director Kelley shared photos and videos of the winning homes as selected by the Parks and Recreation Commission. She also announced the upcoming Holiday Home Decorating Contest.
4. OR.AL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Uphoff announced the time for oral communications George Kivett, Lomita resident, commented on signing up for the Dial-A-Ride program and thanked staff and the City Council for being so accessible to residents.
Allen Perlstein, Lomita resident, thanked staff for repairing the sidewalk in front of his home and complimented City contractor Rojas Construction. He also asked about any upcoming document shredding events for residents.
City Manager Vialpando stated that Athens Services hosted a document shredding event al City Hall on November 2, and that staff would do more to get the word out to residents next time.
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 Waite reported on the following:
. October 16-1 8 - Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo . October 23 - Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce's Men of lmpact Event; Mayor Pro Tem Waronek was an honoree
. October 24 - South Bay Economic Forecast and lndustry Outlook . October 24 - South Bay Cities Council of Governments Board Meeting . October 26 - Al Muratsuchi Town Hall at Lomita City Hall . October 26 - Halloween Spooktacular at Lomita Park
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 5, 2024
. October 31 - lce Cream Social for City employees hosted by Councilmember and Mrs.
Waite
o October 31 - Halloween at the Lomita Railroad Museum
. November 3 - Lomita-Harbor City Kiwanis Club's 75th Annual Pancake Breakfast o November 5 - South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce Meeting . Announced "Shop Around the Block" neighborhood yard sale to take place Saturday, November 9
Councilmember Segawa reported on the following:
. October 26 - Halloween at Lomita Park
. October 30 - Event Observing the One Year Anniversary of the Opening of Redondo Beach's Homeless Shelters
o October 30 - Lomita Chamber of Commerce Halloween Business Mixer . November 1 - Floral 101/Coastal Funeral Center Dia de los Muertos Event . November 2 - Councilmember Gazeley's Birthday
Mayor Uphoff reported on the following:
. October 28 - Climate Resilience Roundtable with L.A. Mayor Karen Bass
6. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (information only)
City Manager Vialpando announced Lomita's annual Veterans Day observance will take place on Monday, Novembe|I 1 at 1 1 a.m. at Veterans Park. He thanked Parks staff for a successful Halloween event.
7. CONSENTAGENDA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda ltems 7a-7h be approved Councilmember Segawa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Waite, to approve the recommended action, noting a typographical error pointed out by City Attorney Rusin in the amendment to the agreement in item 7d. The correction, to Section 1, Section 7, Term of Agreement is to be amended to read as follows: "The term of this Agreement shall commence upon execution by both parties and shall continue until completion of the work, or until termination occurs pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement." (And under section 14 the Council can terminate the agreement at will.)
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, and Mayor Uphoff NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Waronek
Motion to Waive Full Reading of Ordinances and That They be Read in Title Only RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve motion
a
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 5, 2024
b. Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of February 26,2024, Regular City Council Meeting of September 17 , 2024, and Special City Council Meeting of October 7 , 2024 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes
c. Warrants/PayrollRegister
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrants/Payroll Register. d. First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Black, O'Dowd and Associates, lnc. for Engineering Services for Stephenson Center Maintenance Project RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve a First Amendment to the agreement with Black, O'Dowd and Associates, lnc. for Engineering Services for Stephenson Center Maintenance Project.
e. Fourth Amendment to the Agreement with Willdan Financial Services for lmpact Fee Studies
RECOMMENDED AGTION: Approve the Fourth Amendment to the Agreement with Willdan Financial Services for Preparation of Parks & Recreation and Sewer lmpact Studies, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. f. First Amendment to the Agreement with Willdan Engineering Services for CIP and Water Related Project Management
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the First Amendment to Agreement No.2024-27 with Willdan Engineering Services for Capital lmprovement Program and Water Related Project Management Services for a three-year term ending December 31 , 2027, in an amount not to exceed $130,000 in the first year, $181,000 in the second year, and $190,000 in the third year; appropriate an additional $130,000 from the Water Fund and General Fund available balance in the current FY 24-25 Adopted Budget; and authorize the City Manager to execute.
g. First Amendment to the Agreement with Stephen Doreck Equipment Rentals for Construction of the 247th Street Area Water Main Replacement Project RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the First Amendment to Agreement 2024-18 with Stephen Doreck Equipment Rentals for construction of the 247th Street Area Water Main Replacement Project; and authorize the City Manager execute the Amendment. h. First Amendment to the Agreement with Psomas for the Sanitary Sewer System Master Plan
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the First Amendment to Agreement 2023-33 with Psomas for the Sewer System Master Plan extending the term to December 31,2027; approve change order No. 2; appropriate an additional $24,900 plus a '10% contingency of $2,490 for unexpecled costs for a total not to exceed $27,390 from the Sewer Master Fund; and authorize the City Manager to execute the Amendment.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 5, 2024
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
A, REPORT ON IMPACT OF CITY OF GRANTS PASS V. JOHNSON U.S. SUPREME
COURT RULING (GRANTS PASS DECISION) REGARDING CAMPING/SLEEPING IN
PUBLIC AREAS
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file and provide direction to staff on next steps.
City Manager Vialpando and City Attorney Rusrn presented the staff report per the agenda material. City Manager Vialpando stated that Council had requested information on the ruling, and he and City Attorney Rusin recently met with Lomita Station representatives to discuss enforcement options related to encampments in light of the Supreme Court's decision.
City Attorney Rusin gave a synopsis of the ruling. Previously local municipalities were severely curtailed in regulating encampments, and as a result L.A. County Sheriffs Department (LASD) deputies did not enforce anti-camping ordinances; however, this ruling has removed many enforcement restrictions. lf the Council wishes to address the issue via City ordinance, it is recommended to speciflcaly address the act of camping, the erection of sleeping structures, and the presence of camping equipment.
City Manager Vialpando stated that if criminal activities are taking place in an encampment, LASD will address them, but othenrvise their approach has not changed; however, they are evaluating their stance, particulady in light of Governor Newsome's Executive Order of July 25 ,2024, to encourage cities to "clean up" their streets. LASD has no recommendations at this time, but they are happy to review any potential changes to enforcement that Council brings forward with County counsel. Staff recommends to Council to receive and file this report, to direct staff to return with an update on any significant developments relative to the laws or to LASD policy, or to direct staff to return with a draft ordinance addressing camping and storage of possessions in public areas.
Brief discussion took place relative to a past encampment on Oak Streel in the City, the desire for a compassionate solution, and the need for solid coordination with LASD relative to enforcement.
As there were no requests from the public to speak on this item, and there was no further Council discussion, Mayor Uphoff invited a motion.
Councilmember Gazeley made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Segawa, to direct City Aftorney Rusin to return with a draft ordinance adding an unlawful camping section to Lomita's Municipal Code stating that it is unlawful for any person to camp or maintain an encampment in or upon any public property including any street, sidewalk, or park.
Definitions would be included in the ordinance.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Segawa, and Mayor Uphoff
NOES: CouncilmemberWaite
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Waronek
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 5, 2024
b. ALLOCATION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR UPGRADES AND MAINTENANCE OF
THE CYPRESS WATER PRODUCTION FACILITY
RECOMMENDED AGTION: Appropriate an additional $400,000 plus 10% contingency for unexpected costs in the amount of $40,000 for a total not to exceed $440,000, inclusive of previously approved funding, from the Water Capital Fund for upgrades and maintenance of the Cypress Water Production Facility.
Deputy City Manager/Public Works Director Hernandez presented the staff report per the agenda material. Much progress has been made over the past six months and the project is nearing completion. Four granular activated carbon (GAC) tanks will improve Lomita's water quality after the facility was shut down in 2019 due to the detection of benzene, and they will also assist in the removal of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), which is a contaminant of increasing concern. Once the final components are in place, testing ofthe tanks will proceed for purposes of obtaining the permit to operate the facility. Staff is confident that all permitting standards required by the Division of Drinking Water have been met. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system upgrades are underway, and parts have been purchased to replace those that deteriorated while the facility was offline. ln addition, modification to the existing backup generator or purchase of an automated generator are required, and some security upgrades should be considered.
Brief discussion took place relative to the timeline to get the facility back online and the cost of modifying the existing generator vs. purchase of a new one.
George Kivett, Lomita resident, remarked on the recent facility tour, spoke of the importance of backup generation and the need for better security at the site. He added that his water bill has increased exponentially in recent years unlike bills for other utilities.
As there were no further requests from the public to speak on this item and no further Council discussion, Mayor Uphoff invited a motion.
Councilmember Gazeley made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Segawa, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, and Mayor Uphoff NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Waronek
DTSCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO
INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE THE AMENDED TITLE 32 OF THE LOS ANGELES
COUNTY FIRE GODE
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Read by title only and introduce a first reading of Ordinance No. 864; and schedule a public hearing and second reading of the Ordinance for the November 19,2024, City Council meeting.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
November 5, 2024
Community and Economic Development Director Fernandez presented the staff report per the agenda material. lt is customary for the City to adopt the County's more restrictive standards compared to State codes. Fire and Building code updates take place every three years and this one fell off staffls radar; this item was scheduled as soon as staff was made aware of the oversight.
As there were no requests from the public to speak on this item and no Council discussion, Mayor Uphoff invited a motion.
City Attorney Rusin read the title of the ordinance to be introduced.
Councilmember Waite made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gazeley, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Segawa, Waite, and Mayor Uphoff NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Waronek
lntroduced the following titled ordinance:
ORDINANCE NO. 864 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 3.1 (FIRE PREVENTION) OF TITLE 3 OF THE LOMITA MUNIGIPAL CODE; ADOPTING BY REFERENCE TITLE 32 (FIRE coDE) oF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE TNCORPORATING BY REFERENCE THE 2022 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE wlTH CERTAIN CHANGES AND AMENDMENTS THERETO; AND FINDING THE ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL OUALITY ACT
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None scheduled
.IO. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Uphoff adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m Re ctfu I d,
leen Horn Greg , MMC,
Ad pted: December 3, 2024