MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2025
1. OPENING CEREMONIES
a. Call Meeting to Order
b. Flag Salute
Councilmember Uphoff led the salute to the flag.
c. Invocation
Mayor Waronek 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, Deputy City Manager/Administrative Services Director Kamada, Public Works Director Gonzalez, Community and Economic Development Director Fernandez, Parks and Recreation Director Kelley, and Deputy City Clerk Abbott
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
The Lemonade Day presentation was rescheduled to a later unknown date.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Waronek announced the time for oral communications.
George Kivett, Lomita resident, commented on the Void Analysis item to be presented this evening.
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:
• August 20 - Lomita Chamber of Commerce Mixer
• August 22 - Concert on the Lawn at City Hall
• August 23 - Movie Under the Stars at City Hall
• August 27 - Cal Cities L.A. County Division Board Meeting • August 28 - South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Board Meeting, which was cancelled due to the lack of a quorum
Councilmember Uphoff reported on the following:
• August 20 - SBCCOG Homeless Services Task Force Meeting • August 21 - Lomita Boulevard Medians Ad Hoc Committee Meeting • August 23 - Lomita Chamber of Commerce Lemonade Day Lemmy Awards • August 27 - Cal Cities L.A. County Division Board Meeting • August 27 - Cal Cities L.A. County Division Legislative Committee Meeting • August 27 - L.A. County Emergency Centralized Response Center (ECRC) Open House Councilmember Gazeley had nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tem Segawa reported on the following:
• August 20 - Lomita Chamber of Commerce Mixer
• August 21 - Lomita Boulevard Medians Ad Hoc Committee Meeting • August 21 - Boys and Girls Clubs Day Committee Meeting • August 22 - Concert on the Lawn at City Hall
• August 23 - Lomita Chamber of Commerce Lemonade Day Lemmy Awards • August 27 - L.A. County Emergency Centralized Response Center (ECRC) Open House Mayor Waronek reported on the following:
• August 20 - California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) Board of Directors Meeting • August 21 - Boys and Girls Clubs Day Committee Meeting • August 22 - CCCA Executive Board Meeting
• August 23 - Movie Under the Stars at City Hall
• August 27 - California Joint Powers Insurance Authority Board Meeting • August 28 - L.A. County Quality and Productivity Commission Meeting
6. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (information only)
City Manager Vialpando stated that the following are among the projects currently in progress:
• Navy Fields lease agreement
• Street sweeping schedule updates
• Parking study
• School zones traffic calming study
• Lomita Railroad Museum/replica trolley car
• City Hall HVAC replacement
Redesign of the second floor at City Hall
Redesign of the Circle of Honor
Teuchert Park
• Parks and Recreation programs including a hoedown event next fall • Community Safety Division
City Manager Vialpando also introduced Will Lawson, who was recently promoted to Community Safety Manager, and Julissa Monge, who was recently promoted from part time to full time Recreation Coordinator.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda Items 7a-7g 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 August 5, 2025 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes.
:C. Warrants/Payroll Register
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrants/Payroll Register. d. Agreement with the Lew Edwards Group to provide Planning, Communication, and Engagement Services for Fiscal Sustainability Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Lew Edwards Group (LEG) to provide Planning, Communication, and Engagement Services for $6,750 per month for a total contract amount not to exceed $108,000. e. Agreement with FCG Consultants, Inc. for Phase 2 of the Zone G Street Reconstruction Project
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Award a Professional Services Agreement to FCG Consultants, Inc., for construction management, construction inspection, construction administration, and testing services for the Street Reconstruction Project Zone G Phase 2 in the amount of $217,854, plus a 15% contingency amount of $32,678 for unexpected costs, for a total amount not to exceed $250,532; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
f. First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Kosmont & Associates, Inc. for Economic Development Consulting Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the First Amendment to the Agreement with Kosmont & Associates, Inc and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. g. Amendment to the Executive and Non-Represented/Confidential Compensation Plans RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-33 amending the City's compensation plan for Non-Represented/Confidential employees as described; and adopt Resolution No. 2025-32 amending the City's compensation plan for Executive employees as described.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-32 - 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. 2025-25
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-33 - 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. 2025-30
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
a. LOMITA SHERIFF'S STATION QUARTERLY CRIME REPORT (NO STAFF REPORT) RECOMMENDED ACTION: Information only.
Lt. Mike White of Lomita Sheriff's Station presented the report. He shared traffic and crime statistics from the second quarter of 2025 and compared them to the same time periods in recent years. He also addressed the importance of looking out for your neighbors and plans for an upcoming DUI Checkpoint in Lomita.
Mayor Waronek read an email from Captain Damien Spencer of Lomita Fire Station in which he commends Lomita Sheriff's Station deputies for their assistance with a recent apartment building fire in Rancho Palos Verdes.
b. RETAIL VOID ANALYSIS REPORT PRESENTED BY KEN HIRA, PRESIDENT
OF KOSMONT COMPANIES (NO STAFF REPORT)
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Information only.
Community and Economic Development Director Fernandez introduced Mr. Ken Hira of Kosmont Companies, who gave the presentation. This analysis determines which retail chains may be a good fit in Lomita, based on a variety of demographic metrics and the level of trade area overlap with existing locations. He described the technology used for the analysis and outlined the demographics and drive time trade areas. Higher volume restaurants typically have the capacity to add more stores and should be considered for the sites. New restaurant concepts are appearing regularly and could provide additional foot traffic and revenues to the area. Councilmember Waite encouraged staff to publish the report on the City's website. No action was taken on this item.
c. AGREEMENT WITH TRIPEPI SMITH & ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR COMMUNICATIONS
AND PUBLIC INFORMATION CONSULTING SERVICES
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorize the City Manager to enter into an Agreement with Tripepi Smith & Associates for Communications and Public Information Consulting Services for a three-year term of $147,710 for the first year, plus a one-time fee of $2,970 for redesign services, plus a 10% contingency of $15,068 for unexpected costs, for a total amount not to exceed $165,748 in year one; $179,220 plus a 10% contingency of $17,922 for unexpected costs for year two; and $184,597 plus a 10% contingency of $18,459 for unexpected costs in year three, for an amount not to exceed $197,142 and $203,056 for years two and three, respectively; and, appropriate an additional $80,000 from available General and Water Fund balances.
Assistant City Manager Hernandez presented the staff report per the agenda material.
She recapped the recommendations resulting from the communications assessment, which include:
• Expansion of the City's social media lineup to include X, formerly Twitter • Development of more news articles and press releases as needed, on items that have Citywide or regional impact, that can live on in our newsletters and the City's website as a permanent reference point
• Cable channel content management
Tripepi Smith would continue to serve as an extension of City staff, making efforts on outreach easier to navigate, providing better access to services, and improving transparency and community engagement.
Councilmember Waite left the dais and the Council Chambers at 7:01 p.m.
Councilmember Waite returned to the dais at 7:03 pm.
Brief Council discussion took place relative to pricing comparisons with other firms to make sure the City is cost conscious and the importance of the City's social media presence.
As there was no further discussion, Mayor Waronek invited a motion.
Councilmember Waite 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
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None scheduled.
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Waronek adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m.
Respecttully submitted
wOEs
Linda E. Abbott, Deputy City Clerk
Adopted: October 7, 2025