MINUTES OF THE
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 3, 2026
1. OPENING CEREMONIES
a. Call Meeting to Order
The regular meeting of the Lomita City Council was called to order by Mayor Segawa at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, California.
b. Flag Salute
Councilmember Uphoff led the salute to the flag.
c. Invocation
Mayor Segawa gave the invocation.
1 he Star Spanged Bane Day. Mayor Pro Tem Wait dal intendance in singing d. Roll Call
PRESENT: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Waite, and Mayor Segawa
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Vialpando, City Attorney Rusin, Assistant City Manager Hernandez, Deputy City Manager/Administrative Services Director Kamada, Community and Economic Development Director Fernandez, Parks and Recreation Director Kelley, and City Clerk Gregory
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Uphoff made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Waronek, to approve the agenda.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Waite, and Mayor Segawa
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2026
3. PRESENTATIONS
None scheduled.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Segawa announced the time for oral communications.
Rebecca Komathy, Children's Library Manager, Lomita Library, announced upcoming programs and events.
As there were no further requests to speak, Mayor Segawa closed oral communications.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS FROM THE CITY
COUNCIL
Councilmember Gazeley reported on the following:
• February 18 - L.A. County Sanitation District No. 5 Meeting Councilmember Waronek reported on the following:
• February 11 - Liability Trust Fund Meeting
• February 11 - California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) Board of Directors Meeting • February 25 - California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA) Executive Board Meeting
• February 28 - Lomita Sheriff Station Foundation Gala and Fundraiser March 2 - Torrance Chamber of Commerce State of the Region Address • March 2 - Navy Baseball Fields Ad Hoc Committee Meeting • Announced Lomita Chamber of Commerce Installation Luncheon on March 5 Councilmember Uphoff reported on the following:
• February 18 - South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Homelessness Services Task Force Meeting
• February 19 - National League of Cities BASICS Transportation Bill Meeting February 19 - SBCCOG Leadership Meeting
February 23 - CCCA Public Safety Update
• February 23 - Legislative Committee Meeting
• February 25 - Cal Cities L.A. County Division Meeting • February 26 - SBCCOG Board of Directors Meeting
• February 28 - Lomita Sheriff Station Foundation Gala and Fundraiser • Announced L.A. County Sanitation District Public Hearing at Torrance City Hall on May 20 Mayor Pro Tem Waite reported on the following:
• February 25 - Cal Cities L.A. County Division Meeting • February 28 - Lomita Sheriff Station Foundation Gala and Fundraiser Mayor Segawa reported on the following:
• February 18 - Finance Committee Meeting
• February 28 - Lomita Sheriff Station Foundation Gala and Fundraiser • March 2 - Navy Baseball Fields Ad Hoc Committee Meeting
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2026
6. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (information only)
City Manager Vialpando announced that he and some members of the City Council will be visiting Washington, D.C. the week of March 16 to meet with Congressional leaders and the Department of the Navy to discuss earmarks for many City projects, including street improvements, sewer system upgrades, and the Navy Fields acquisition. The latter was discussed by the subcommittee yesterday, and appraisal of the land is on the Consent Agenda this evening.
Assistant City Manager Hernandez gave updates on current street projects in Lomita.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda Items 7a-7f be approved.
Councilmember Waronek made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gazeley, to approve consent agenda items Ta-f.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Waite, and Mayor Segawa
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 20, 2026 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes.
c. Warrants/Payroll Register
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrants/Payroll Register d. Agreement with CommLine, Inc. for the Purchase and Installation of Handheld Radios and Related Communication Equipment to Support Field Operations Across Multiple City Departments
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve an Agreement with CommLine, Inc. for the purchase and implementation of handheld radios and related communication equipment to support Community Safety field operations, in an amount not to exceed $37,750, including contingency for unexpected work; and, appropriate the $37,750 from the General Fund available balance.
e. Appraisal and Administrative Fees for the Defense Fuel Support Point San Pedro Facility (Lomita Sports Complex and Community Center)
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve payment for the real estate property appraisal and associated administrative fees to the Department of the Navy Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Real Estate Division in an amount of $35,750 for the Defense Fuel Support Point San Pedro Facility (Lomita Sports Complex and Community Center).
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2026
f. Approval of the 2026-2028 Legislative Platform
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution No. 2026-09 approving the 2026-2028 Legislative Platform.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-09 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
a. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION DECLARING A FISCAL EMERGENCY PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION ARTICLE XIIIC, §2(B) AND
PLACEMENT OF A CITY OF LOMITA LOCAL CONTROL AND SERVICES MEASURE, A 0.25% (1/4 CENT) TRANSACTIONS AND USE (SALES) TAX ON THE • JUNE 2, 2026, SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION BALLOT
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolutions No. 2026-10, 2026-11 and 2026-12 declaring a fiscal emergency pursuant to Article XIIIC Section 2(b) of the California Constitution and placing a City of Lomita Local Control and Services Measure 0.25% (1/4 cent) transactions and use (sales) tax on the June 2, 2026, Special Municipal Election ballot.
City Manager Vialpando presented the staff report per the agenda material.
As there were no questions for staff, Mayor Segawa invited public comment.
Dave Popelka, Lomita resident, spoke in opposition to the ballot measure.
As there were no further requests from the public to speak, Mayor Segawa brought the item back for discussion.
Brief City Council discussion took place regarding the County going beyond the sales tax cap, how the County ballot measure created a need to declare a fiscal emergency, and how this is the City's only available remedy.
As there was no further discussion, Mayor Segawa invited a motion.
City Attorney Rusin stated that a unanimous decision by the City Council is required to place the measure on the ballot. In addition, staff recommends that the City Council designate a Councilmember to write an argument in support of the measure on behalf of the entire body. The argument may include up to four additional signatures.
Councilmember Gazeley made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Waite, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Waite, and Mayor Segawa
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2026
Councilmember Waronek made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Waite, to designate Mayor Segawa (on behalf of the City Council) to write the argument in support of the measure.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Waite, and Mayor Segawa
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Adopted the following titled resolutions:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-10 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA CALLING FOR THE PLACEMENT OF A GENERAL TAX MEASURE ON THE BALLOT FOR THE JUNE 2, 2026, SPECIAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF AN ORDINANCE
TO ENACT A SUPPLEMENTAL TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX (SALES TAX) AT THE RATE OF ONE-QUARTER CENT (1/4¢)
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-11 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TO CONSOLIDATE A SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON JUNE 2, 2026, WITH THE STATEWIDE PRIMARY
ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THAT DATE PURSUANT TO ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 10403
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-12 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING FOR THE FILING OF DIRECT AND
REBUTTAL ARGUMENTS AND SETTING RULES FOR THE FILING OF WRITTEN ARGUMENTS REGARDING A CITY MEASURE TO BE SUBMITTED AT THE JUNE 2, 2026, SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
b. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
HARBOR DEPARTMENT FOR THE WATERFRONT RED TROLLEY CAR
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Los Angeles, Harbor Department for the Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Trolley Car; and authorize the City Manager to execute the MOU.
City Manager Vialpando presented the staff report per the agenda material. At the February 17, 2026, City Council meeting, staff was authorized to pursue design and cost estimates for constructing a suitable area to house the red trolley car at the Railroad Museum Annex Pocket Park, and the City Manager was directed to present the proposed MOU with the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) for approval at tonight's meeting.
As there was no City Council discussion and no requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Segawa invited a motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Waite made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Waronek, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following roll call vote:
Lomita City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 3, 2026
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waronek, and Mayor Pro Tem Waite NOES: Mayor Segawa
ABSENT: None
c. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF ADJOURNING THE MEETING TO TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2026, AND CANCELING THE MARCH 17, 2026, REGULAR
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DUE TO LACK OF QUORUM (NO STAFF REPORT) RECOMMENDED ACTION: Council consider a motion to adjourn tonight's meeting to Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. and cancel the regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
City Manager Vialpando introduced the item and invited discussion. He and the majority of the City Council will be in Washington, D.C. attending the National League of Cities Conference and advocating for the City that week.
As there was no City Council discussion and no requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Segawa invited a motion.
Councilmember Waronek made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Uphoff, to adjourn tonight's meeting to Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. and cancel the regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Waite, and Mayor Segawa
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Those in attendance sang "Happy Birthday" to Mayor Segawa in honor of her belated birthday.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None scheduled.
10. ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business to discuss, Mayor Segawa adjourned the meeting at 6:46 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathen doe
Adopted: May 5, 2026