MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 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, May 20, 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
Councilmember Uphoff 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, Assistant City Manager Hernandez, Administrative Services Director Kamada, Community and Economic Development Director Fernandez, Parks and Recreation Director Kelley, Public Works Director Gonzalez, 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
There were no presentations scheduled.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2025
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Waronek announced the time for oral communications. There being no 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:
• May 8 - California Association for Local Economic Development Conference May 8 - Cal Cities L.A. Division Nominating Committee Meeting May 17 - Lomita Chamber of Commerce Harbor Market Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening
• May 19 - LAEDC Quarterly Economic Briefing
Councilmember Uphoff reported on the following:
• May 9 - NLC Transportation and Infrastructure Services Meeting • May 9 - Golden Apple Awards
• May 12 - South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Transportation Committee Meeting
• May 12 - SBCCOG Steering Committee Meeting
• May 12 - Cal Cities Appropriations Watch: Key Bills for Cities Webinar • May 15-18 - California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) Annual Municipal Seminar • May 19 - L.A. County Library Commission Meeting
• May 22 - Follow Me, I'm Gang and Drug Free Walk
• He encouraged residents to visit cooling centers if needed Councilmember Gazeley reported on the following:
• May 8 - L.A. County West Vector Control Meeting
Mayor Pro Tem Segawa reported on the following:
• May 9 - Golden Apple Awards
• May 13 - Special City Council Meeting
• May 20 - Founders Day Committee Meeting
Mayor Waronek reported on the following:
• April 16 - CCCA Executive Board Meeting
• May 1-2 - Southern California Association of Governments Regional Council Conference May 9 - Golden Apple Awards
• May 14 - Liability Trust Fund Meeting
• Recent Mayor's Cup Golf Tournament Meeting
May 15-18 -CCCA Annual Municipal Seminar
May 20 - Founders Day Committee Meeting
May 21 - Lomita Sheriffs Foundation Meeting
May 22 - Follow Me, I'm Gang and Drug Free Walk
• Announced Memorial Day Event on May 26
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2025
6. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (information only)
City Manager Vialpando announced the annual Memorial Day event will take place May 26 at 10:00 a.m. at Veterans Park.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda Items 7a-7l be approved.
Mayor Pro Tem Segawa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Uphoff, to approve items 7a-7j and 7l, with item 7k pulled for separate discussion by Councilmember Gazeley.
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 Special City Council Meeting of May 6, 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.
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 Public Works Department
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the report.
i. April 2025 Treasury and Investment Report
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the Treasury and Investment Report.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2025
j. Agreements with Various Vendors for Services Related to Founders Day 2025 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve agreements with Fun Services SO-CAL for ten carnival games and one dunk tank in an amount not to exceed $29,220; Fireworks America for a 15-minute firework show in an amount not to exceed $24,000.00; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreements.
I. Amendments to Compensation Plan for Non-Represented Employees; the Part-Time and Temporary Employment Policy and Compensation Plan; and the Full-Time Employee List and Salary Schedule
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-15 rescinding Resolution No. 2025-01, approving a compensation plan for non-represented employees for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026; and adopt Resolution No. 2025-16 amending the part-time and temporary employment policy and compensation plan and establishing authorized positions and a salary schedule for part-time and temporary employees for fiscal year 2025-2026.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-15 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A COMPENSATION PLAN FOR NON- REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2025, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026, AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 2025-01 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-16 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE PART-TIME AND TEMPORARY
EMPLOYMENT POLICY AND COMPENSATION PLAN TO ESTABLISH AUTHORIZED
POSITIONS AND A SALARY SCHEDULE FOR PART-TIME AND TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES FOR FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2025, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026
ITEM PULLED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION
k. Resolution No. 2025-14 Amending Administrative Policy on Travel and Reimbursements to Establish Guidelines for Airfare and Councilmember Travel RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve Resolution No. 2025-14 amending the City's administrative policy related to travel and reimbursements.
Council discussion took place relative to the increase in the Council travel budget and the return on investment. City Attorney Rusin clarified that this item relates to the adoption of the travel policy but there will be an opportunity to discuss the budget when the budget amendments item (item 8b) is discussed this evening.
Councilmember Waite made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Uphoff, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Uphoff, Waite, and Mayor Waronek
NOES: Councilmember Gazeley and Mayor Pro Tem Segawa
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-14 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRAVEL AND
REIMBURSEMENT POLICY TO ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR AIRFARE AND
COUNCIL MEMBER TRAVEL
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2025
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
a. PORT OF LOS ANGELES WATERFRONT RED RAILCAR PROJECT OFFERED TO
THE CITY OF LOMITA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discuss and consider options for the Waterfront Red Railcar offered to the City by loan and provide City staff with direction.
City Manager Vialpando presented the staff report per the agenda material. He noted that although the Parks and Recreation Commission selected their preferred option (option 1) they ultimately felt that the project should not go forward.
Council discussion took place relative to the total cost to the City, gathering input from residents via a community survey, the need to invest in our parks, exploring options for funding including financial assistance from the Port of Los Angeles, the exact cost of placement, early termination penalty terms, continuing the dialogue with the Port, and asking the Parks and Recreation Commission to weigh in on the new option presented this evening.
As there was no further discussion, Mayor Waronek invited public comment.
Mike Graf, Lomita resident and Planning Commissioner, shared concerns relative to the amount of labor involved in moving the trolley car if the modular barn structure is the chosen option.
Kyle Wade, Lomita resident, also shared concerns relative to the amount of labor involved in moving the trolley car if the modular barn structure is the chosen option, and the fate of the structure if the trolley car is taken back by the Port.
As there were no further requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Waronek brought the item back to Council for further discussion or a motion.
Councilmember Waite made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Segawa, to:
• select the more recent option as recommended by the ad hoc committee • direct staff to determine final total costs
• require that loan documents include an early termination penalty agreement on the part of the Port of Los Angeles
• request Port of Los Angeles' assistance with any expenses or at least all expenses related to placement
• present this more recent option to the Parks and Recreation Commission, and • return to the Council with their input, all information requested this evening, and a proposed MOU
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Uphoff, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Segawa, and Mayor Waronek NOES: Councilmember Gazeley
ABSENT: None
b. FISCAL YEAR 2024-2026 MID-CYCLE ADOPTED BUDGET AMENDMENTS RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the Fiscal Year FY 24-26 Mid-Cycle Adopted Budget amendments contained in Attachment 1, and direct staff to make necessary expenditure and revenue budget amendments to implement the recommendations.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2025
Administrative Director Kamada presented the staff report per the agenda material. City Manager Vialpando presented the City's CIP improvement projects and he highlighted proposed personnel changes.
Director Kamada outlined the budget amendments process, general fund expenditures and revenues, water fund revenues and expenditures, and special fund revenues and expenditures.
Council discussion took place relative to 4th of July special patrol funding, benefits of the NLC conferences, whether Lomita needs to send three Councilmembers to such conferences, the greater expense of the national conferences, and the cost benefits of attendance at both local and national conferences.
Councilmember Waite stated that the fireworks suppression funds are not useful due to the small number of citations over the past few years. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to keep those monies allocated for that purpose especially since doing so sends the message that the City is serious about such enforcement.
As there was no further discussion, Mayor Waronek invited public comment.
Wade Kyle, Lomita resident, spoke about parking issues on Eshelman Avenue near 250th Street, and asked if the City's parking enforcement officers were converted to public safety City Manager Vialpando clarified that their titles are changing but they will still perform parking enforcement duties.
Carol Graf, Lomita resident and Parks and Recreation Commissioner, spoke of challenges relative to fireworks enforcement in terms of catching perpetrators in the act.
City Manager Vialpando stated that alternative enforcement methods are being considered.
As there were no further requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Waronek brought the item back to Council for further discussion or a motion.
Councilmember Uphoff made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Waite, to approve the amendments as presented.
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.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2025
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Waronek adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. in memory of Marie Savidan, the mother of former Mayor/Councilmember Michael Savidan.
Respectfully submitted,
X ORN
Adopted: August 5, 2025