MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 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 6:02 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, California.
b. Flag Salute
Mayor Pro Tem Segawa led the salute to the flag.
c. Invocation
Mayor Waronek gave the invocation.
d. Roll Call
Mayor aronouncimembers Gazeley, Uphoft, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Segawa, and 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 Recreatio Director Kelley, and City Clerk Gregory
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tem Segawa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Uphoff, 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 (This presentation was heard after item 4) LAUSD District 7 Board Member Tanya Ortiz-Franklin introduced LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. He stated that Lomita is the tenth city in Los Angeles County to establish Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 18, 2025
a PACT with LAUSD, and he gave updates on enrollment rates, student scores, and graduation rates. He also shared the district's goals, including modernizing its schools' technological infrastructure.
Ms. Ortiz-Franklin introduced local principals and school officials in attendance. She also noted the high engagement of both parents and students in Lomita.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Waronek announced the time for oral communications.
George Kivett, Lomita resident, thanked Director Fernandez for his open-door policy and suggested that allowed uses in the commercial zone be followed up on in the General Plan.
He also expressed concerns about his next water bill due to all the air in the water system as a result of recent leak detection efforts nearby.
Lomita Station's Lt. Mike White stated that the e-bike-riding criminal in the Lomita/Torrance area was arrested on February 6. The District Attorney filed seven counts of theft on February 10 and the suspect remains in custody.
Suleyma Castillo, Lomita resident, expressed her displeasure at receiving multiple parking tickets recently. She also stated that she has been unable to reach the City's Parking Enforcement Supervisor to discuss the matter and requested staff follow-up.
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:
• February 10 - South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Steering Committee Meeting
• February 11 - L.A. County Local Government Services Commission Meeting • February 13 - WSS Soft Opening
• February 15 - League of California Cities Los Angeles Division Meeting Councilmember Uphoff reported on the following:
• February 7 - National League of Cities (NLC) Transportation and Infrastructure Services Meeting
• February 10 - SBCCOG Transportation Committee Meeting • February 11 - Town Hall with Assembly Member Ted Lieu • February 12 - NLC Federal Action Agenda What Local Leaders Need to Know • February 12 - California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) Legislative Committee Meeting
• February 12 - SBCCOG Homeless Services Committee Meeting • February 13 - Homeless Policy Committee Meeting
• February 18 - NLC Transportation and Infrastructure Services Meeting
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 18, 2025
Councilmember Gazeley reported on the following:
• February 6 - Southern California Association of Governments Joint Policy Committee Meeting
Mayor Pro Tem Segawa reported on the following:
• February 13 - WSS Soft Opening
Mayor Waronek reported on the following:
• February 5 - CCCA Executive Board Meeting
• February 6 - Los Angeles City Selection Committee Meeting • February 12 - Joint Powers Insurance Authority Liability Trust Fund Meeting • February 13 - WSS Soft Opening
• February 13 - Mayors' Lunch with L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn • February 18 - Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce State of the Region Address • Announced the March 6 Lomita Chamber of Commerce Annual Installation and Awards
6. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (information only)
City Manager Vialpando had nothing to report.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda Items 7a-7j be approved.
Mayor Pro Tem Segawa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Uphoff, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Segawa, and Mayor Waronek
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 Meeting of January 21, 2025 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes.
c. Warrants/Payroll Register
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrants/Payroll Register. d. Monthly Report for the Administrative Services Department RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 18, 2025
e. Monthly Report for the City Manager's Department
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
f. Monthly Report for the Community and Economic Development Department RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
g. Monthly Report for the Parks and Recreation Department RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
h. Monthly Report for the Public Works Department
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
i. January 2025 Treasury and Investment Report
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
j. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 869 - An Ordinance Addressing Unlawful Camping and Storage of Personal Property on Public Property RECOMMENDED ACTION: Waive second reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 869.
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
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
a. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE CITY OF LOMITA SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE FOR 2025
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the City of Lomita Special Events 2025 schedule; and permit the consumption of alcohol on City-owned properties for five organized City events in accordance with Lomita Municipal Code (LMC) Section 4-3.10.
Parks and Recreation Director Kelley presented the staff report per the agenda material.
Permission for alcohol consumption is requested for the four concerts and the cornhole tournament. She outlined the major 2025 events, including Movies Under the Stars, and stated that National Night Out and Halloween have date changes this year. $320,106 is budgeted for the year's special events.
Brief Council discussion included how enhancements have increased this year's budget, consideration of adding a ho-down to the schedule, variety with regard to concerts' musical genres, whether to keep National Night Out on the regular event date and improving upon last year's event.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 18, 2025
As there was no further Council discussion, Mayor Waronek invited public comment.
George Kivett, Lomita resident, spoke in support of the recommendation and complimented City staff. He added that he prefers National Night Out take place on its regular day.
As there were no further requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Waronek invited further Council discussion or a motion.
Councilmember Gazeley made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Segawa, to approve the recommended action but with the following direction for staff: Report back to Council on National Night Out date options and the feasibility of a ho-down, and to involve the Parks and Recreation Commission in some recommendations to Council on special events.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Segawa, and Mayor Waronek
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None scheduled.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Waronek invited those in attendance to sing "Happy Birthday" to Mayor Pro Tem Segawa and to stay for cake after the meeting. There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Waronek adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m.
Fall then guy
Adopted: March 18, 2025