MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2025
1. OPENING CEREMONIES
a. Call Meeting to Order
The regular meeting of the Lomita City Council was called to order by Mayor Waronek at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, California.
b. Flag Salute
Councilmember Gazeley led the salute to the flag.
c. Invocation
Councilmember Waite gave the invocation.
d. Roll Call
PRESENT: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Segawa, and Mayor Waronek
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Vialpando, City Attorney Rusin, Deputy City Manager/Public Works Director Hernandez, Administrative Services Director Kamada Community and Economic Development Director Fernandez, Parks and Recreatior Director Kelley, and City Clerk Gregory
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tem Segawa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gazeley, to approve the agenda.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Segawa, and Mayor Waronek
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
3. PRESENTATIONS
None scheduled.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2025
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Waronek announced the time for oral communications.
Mike Graf, Lomita Planning Commissioner, requested an update on implementation of the Traffic Calming Toolkit adopted in 2023, and stated that he had not seen any significant changes.
Bob Mirabal, Lomita resident, asked for a status update on the property addressed in tonight's closed session, and shared complaints about the property.
Donna DaVanzo, Lomita resident, also shared complaints about the property addressed in closed session and asked for a status update.
City Attorney Rusin stated that he would speak with both residents about the closed session matter after this meeting.
Mayor Waronek suggested that a visible timer be placed in the Council Chambers so that speakers could see it.
George Kivett, Lomita resident, spoke about problems with the Walnut Street project due to the recent rains.
There being no further requests to speak, Mayor Waronek closed oral communications.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS FROM THE
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Waite reported on the following:
• January 23 - South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Board Meeting January 29 - Cal Cities L.A. County Division Board Meeting February 3 - Port of Los Angeles Visit with the Red Car Ad Hoc Committee February 4 - Rosa Parks' birthday
• February 4 - South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce Meeting • February 4 - L.A. County Local Governmental Services Commission Meeting Councilmember Uphoff reported on the following:
• January 22 - Measure A Local Solutions Meeting
• January 24 - Cal Cities Community Services Policy Committee Meeting • January 28 - SBCCOG Senior Services Working Group Meeting • February 3 - Port of Los Angeles Visit with the Red Car Ad Hoc Committee • February 4 - National League of Cities Small Cities Policy Committee Meeting Councilmember Gazeley had nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Segawa had nothing to report but stated that today is Thank a Mail Carrier Day, and she acknowledged Councilmember Gazeley as a former Postmaster.
Mayor Waronek reported on the following:
• January 16 - Lomita Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2025
January 22-L.A. County Sanitation District No. 5 Meeting January 23 - Cal Cities Housing Policy Committee Meeting
6. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (information only)
City Manager Vialpando gave an update on the January 31 water main break at the Walnut Street Project site. He also stated that the City should receive word by July 2025 on whether it will receive grant funding for implementation of the Traffic Calming Toolkit, and invitec residents to pick up sand bags at City Hall.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda Items 7a-7d be approved.
Mayor Pro Tem Segawa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Uphoff, to approve the recommended action. Councilmember Gazeley abstained from voting on item 7b.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley (except for item 7b, on which he abstained), 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 3, 2024, and December 17, 2024
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes.
c. Warrants/Payroll Register
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrants/Payroll Register d. Agreement with Willdan Engineering Services for City Engineer Services RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Willdan Engineering Services for City Engineer Services for a three-year term ending December 31, 2027, in an amount of $125,000 per year, plus an additional 10% contingency for unexpected work, for a total amount not to exceed $137,500 per year.
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
a. SB1383 ORGANIC WASTE COLLECTION PRESENTATION BY ATHENS SERVICES RECOMMENDED ACTION: Information only.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2025
Sharon Fox-Shapiro, Vice-President of Government Affairs with Athens Services, gave the presentation. Athens began the compliance transition process in Lomita in January 2024.
She outlined the AB 1383 Program Elements including waivers and outreach. The aim of the bill was to divert organic material from landfills in an effort to reduce methane emissions. She shared the definition of organic waste, which includes untreated wood and pizza boxes. She urged residents to visit https://athensservices.com/residential- services/lomita/ for additional resources and information.
Brief Council discussion was held relative to the food recovery aspect, rate increases due to this new collection stream, and reduction in solid waste container size for some residents as a result of separating the organic waste.
As there was no further Council discussion, Mayor Waronek invited public comment.
George Kivett, Lomita resident, shared concerns relative to food safety pertaining to food recovery efforts, and he stated that he was pleased overall with Athens Service.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF INTRODUCING ON FIRST READING AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE III (PUBLIC SAFETY) OF THE LOMITA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD CHAPTER 17, ENTITLED "UNLAWFUL CAMPING," ADDRESSING
UNLAWFUL CAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Conduct a public hearing; and after the City Attorney reads the title, introduce on first reading Ordinance No. 869 and direct staff to schedule the second reading and adoption of the ordinance for the February 18, 2025, City Council meeting.
City Manager Vialpando presented the staff report per the agenda material. He gave background on the issue including the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in 2024 on the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson relative to prohibiting camping and storing related personal property on public property. The ruling opened the door for cities to address the problem, and at the November 5, 2024, Council meeting, staff were directed to prepare an ordinance prohibiting such activity for the Council to consider.
Brief discussion took place relative to the usefulness of such an ordinance in actually addressing the homelessness issue.
As there was no further discussion, Mayor Waronek opened the public hearing at 6:50 p.m.
George Kivett, Lomita resident, spoke in support of the ordinance.
As there were no further requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Waronek closed the public hearing at 6:53 p.m. and invited a motion Councilmember Gazeley asked a question regarding an encampment in the Harbor City jurisdiction, and added comments about RVs parked in his neighborhood. Councilmember Waite provided comments about the Ordinance's purpose.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2025
City Attorney Rusin read the title of the ordinance to be introduced.
Councilmember Gazeley made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Segawa, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Mayor Pro Tem Segawa, and Mayor Waronek
NOES: Councilmember Waite
ABSENT: None
Introduced the following titled ordinance:
ORDINANCE NO. 869 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE III (PUBLIC SAFETY), OF THE LOMITA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD CHAPTER 17, ENTITLED "UNLAWFUL CAMPING",
ADDRESSING UNLAWFUL CAMPING AND STORAGE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY
ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, AND DETERMINING ITS PROVISIONS TO BE EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Waronek adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
latien Hom Gregory, Mic, i Gra
Adopted: March 4, 2025