MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
JULY 1, 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, July 1, 2025, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, California.
b. Flag Salute
Lori Herrera led the salute to the flag.
c. Invocation
Mayor Pro Tem Segawa 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, Public Works Director Gonzalez, and City Clerk Gregory e. Closed Session Report (announced before Item 6)
City Attorney Rusin announced that the City Council met in open session at 5:00 p.m. and 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) (five cases): Letters from Hugh Marley of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board dated January 10, 2024
All members of the City Council were present and there was no reportable action taken.
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:
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 1, 2025
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Segawa, and Mayor Waronek
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
3. PRESENTATIONS
The City Council recognized Lomita Sister City Association ambassadors and students who will soon be on their way to Takaishi. Members of the Association spoke about the program.
The City Council honored the Lomita Park Youth Sports soccer champions. Each child and coach in attendance received a certificate of recognition.
The City Council recognized the sponsors of the 16th annual Mayor's Cup Golf Tournament.
Mayor Waronek expressed his appreciation for their generosity, and each sponsor in attendance received a certificate of appreciation.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Waronek announced the time for oral communications.
Winona Phillabaum, Lomita Library Manager, announced upcoming programs and events.
George Kivett, Lomita resident, thanked City staff and the Lomita Chamber of Commerce for their work on Founders Day. He shared questions that he hoped would be answered during the Cypress Water Facility Update item later in the meeting.
As there were 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:
• June 19 - South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Torrance Refinery Tour • June 20 - Lemonade Day Microloans Presentation
• June 25 - Cal Cities L.A. County Division Board Meeting • June 26 - SBCCOG Board Meeting; Councilmember Uphoff was named First Chair • June 28-29 - Founders Day Weekend
• He expressed concern about the current ICE raids in the area Councilmember Uphoff reported on the following:
• June 25 - California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) Legislative Committee Meeting • June 25 - Cal Cities L.A. County Division Board Meeting • June 26 - SBCCOG Board Meeting
• June 28-29 - Founders Day Weekend
Councilmember Gazeley reported on the following:
• June 28-29 - Founders Day Weekend
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 1, 2025
Mayor Pro Tem Segawa reported on the following:
• Recent Founders Day Committee Meeting
• Recent Lomita Boulevard Medians Meeting
• June 20 - Lemonade Day Microloans Presentation
• June 26 - SBCCOG Board Meeting
• June 28-29 - Founders Day Weekend
Mayor Waronek reported on the following:
• June 18-L.A. County Sanitation District Meeting
• June 19 - Lomita Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting
• June 28-29 - Founders Day Weekend
• July 2 - CCCA Executive Board Meeting
• Announced Lemonade Day on July 19
• He wished residents a happy and safe 4* of July and reminded residents that all fireworks are illegal in Lomita, even "safe and sane" fireworks
6. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (information only)
City Manager Vialpando acknowledged City staff who volunteered their time at the City booth over Founders Day Weekend. He also announced the next Summer Concert, taking place July 11 from 7-9 p.m.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda Items 7a-7l be approved.
Mayor Pro Tem Segawa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gazeley, to approve consent items 7a-7l with corrections to Item 7g. City Manager Vialpando noted a typo in the staff report for item 7g: Councilmember Gazeley (not Councilmember Uphoff) and Mayor Pro Tem Segawa are members of the Street Sweeping Ad Hoc Committee.
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 March 6, 2025, and the Regular City Council Meeting of May 6, 2025
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes.
c. Warrants/Payroll Register
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrants/Payroll Register.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 1, 2025
d. Authorize Submittal of Grant Application to the Los Angeles County Safe Clean Water Program Regional Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize staff to submit a grant application to Los Angeles County's Safe, Clean Water Program (SCWP) Regional Program. e. Consideration for Authorization to Advertise Requests for Construction Bids for the Narbonne South Water Main Replacement and Street Reconstruction Project RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize the advertisement for requests for construction bids for the Narbonne South Water Main Replacement and Street Reconstruction Project.
f. Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP)
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and direct staff to submit the City's Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) Update.
g. Repurposing of the Street Sweeping Ad Hoc Subcommittee to the Street Improvement Ad Hoc Subcommittee
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize repurposing the Street Sweeping Ad Hoc Subcommittee to the Street Improvement Ad Hoc Subcommittee. h. Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Graffiti Protective Coatings (GPC) for Graffiti Removal Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement with Graffiti Protective Coatings, Inc. (GPC) for Graffiti Removal Services in an annual amount of $24,000 for a three-year term with the option for two additional one-year extensions, for a total amount not to exceed $72,000.
i. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 874, An Ordinance Revising the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map in the City of Lomita
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Ordinance No. 874, an Ordinance Revising the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map in the City of Lomita.
ORDINANCE NO. 874 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING UPDATED FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES AS
RECOMMENDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178 AND FINDING
THE ORDINANCE TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA
j. Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Lomita City Employees Association (LCEA) and Amendment to the Executive and Non-Represented/Confidential Comp Plan Relative to Salary and Benefits
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt resolutions amending the authorized positions and salary schedule for full-time employees for fiscal year commencing on the first full pay period following July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026; approve the attached MOUs with the Lomita City Employees Association (LCEA), affiliated with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), as Local 907,
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 1, 2025
providing for an agreement through June 30, 2028; and approve a Revised Compensation and Benefits Plan for the Executive and Non-Represented/Confidential Employees.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-24 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 81-56, AND
ESTABLISHING A COMPENSATION PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES FOR LCEA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2025, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2028.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-25 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A COMPENSATION PLAN FOR EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2025-26 THROUGH 2027-28 AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 2024-30
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-26 - 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, 2028, AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 2025-01 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-27 - 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
k. First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with De Novo Planning Group for Phase Il of the Zoning Ordinance Update
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with De Novo Planning Group for Phase I! of the Zoning Ordinance Update and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
I. First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Tripepi Smith for General Communications Support
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the First Amendment to the Agreement with Tripepi Smith for public information and communications services.
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
a. CYPRESS WATER FACILITY UPDATE (No staff report)
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Information only.
City Manager Vialpando introduced the item. Assistant City Manager Hernandez presented the City's overarching goals and its vision for its water system: The City of Lomita's investment in this project highlights its commitment to providing a safe, healthy, and reliable water system, while also supporting its long-term goal of achieving water independence.
Assistant City Manager Hernandez also provided some project background and objectives.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 1, 2025
Nathan Boyle, Senior Associate with Hazen and Sawyer, gave an overview of the water treatment process and construction progress.
Water Systems Superintendent Mesa remarked on the following:
• Well no. 5 improvements
• Preparing the Cypress Water Production Facility (CWPF) to return to operational • Features of the new state-of-the-art facility
Public Works Director Gonzalez discussed Next Steps, including starting the new well pump in summer of 2025.
Brief Council discussion took place relative to the process of phasing in Lomita's own water with the currently used Metropolitan Water District's water, and the importance of outreach to residents during the process.
As there was no further discussion, Mayor Waronek invited public comment.
George Kivett, Lomita resident, stated that the bulk of his questions related to the CWPF were not answered during the presentation, so he plans to submit a Public Records Act Request. He added that hopefully soon the City will purchase far less water from the Metropolitan Water District, and that residents' water bills will be reduced as a result.
Brief Council discussion took place relative to the cost of the Metropolitan Water District's water and calcium levels in the current water supply.
It was the consensus of the Council to receive and file this update. b. CONSIDERATION OF CANCELING THE JULY 15, 2025, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING (No staff report)
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Consider going dark for the July 15, 2025, council meeting.
City Manager Vialpando introduced the item and invited Council discussion or a motion.
Councilmember Waite made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gazeley, to cancel the July 15, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waite, Mayor Pro Tem Segawa, and Mayor Waronek
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 1, 2025
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. PUBLIC HEARING TO REVIEW DELINQUENT SOLID WASTE CHARGES AND
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY ASSESSOR TO PROCESS
DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS FOR ARAKELIAN ENTERPRISES (DBA ATHENS
SERVICES
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Conduct a public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 2025- 28, authorizing and directing the County Assessor to process delinquent accounts for Arakelian Enterprises (dba Athens Services) as a special assessment to include delinquent refuse bills to be collected at the same time and in the same manner as County taxes.
Administrative Analyst Gastelum presented the staff report per the agenda material.
As there were no questions for staff, Mayor Waronek opened the public hearing at 7:16 p.m.
Dave Popelka, Lomita resident, expressed gratitude to the Council and City staff for making Lomita a great place to live. He added that having unpaid Athens Services charges added to County tax rolls was perhaps overreach as it is a private company and not a public utility.
As there were no further requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Waronek closed the public hearing at 7:18 p.m. and brought the item back for discussion or a Councilmember Waite made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gazeley, 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
Adopted the following titled resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-28 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY ASSESSOR TO
PROCESS DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS FOR ARAKELIAN ENTERPRISES (ATHENS)
AS A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT TO INCLUDE DELINQUENT REFUSE BILLS TO BE
COLLECTED AT THE SAME TIME AND IN THE SAME MANNER AS COUNTY TAXES Mayor Waronek invited all in attendance to sing "Happy Birthday" to Councilmember Uphoff and to stay after the meeting for dessert.
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 1, 2025
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Waronek adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
Kathleen Horn Gregory, MMC, City Clerk
Adopted: August 5, 2025