MINUTES OF THE
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 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, April 21, 2026, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, California.
b. Flag Salute
Resident George Kivett led the salute to the flag.
c. Invocation
Councilmember Waronek gave the invocation.
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, Public Works Director Fraley, Community and Economic Development Director Fernandez, Parks and Recreation Director Kelley, and City Clerk Gregory
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was the consensus of the City Council 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
3. PRESENTATIONS
The City Council presented Management Analyst Joe Vida with a certificate and commemorative street sign in recognition of his retirement after 37 years with the City.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2026
The City Council also presented a proclamation recognizing April 19-25, 2026, as National Library Week to Lomita Library Manager Winona Phillabaum and Lomita Children's Library Manager Rebecca Komathy; and the City Council also recognized April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Segawa announced the time for oral communications.
George Kivett, Lomita resident, spoke about friendly City staff and the April 20, 2026, Special Planning Commission meeting.
Rebecca Komathy, Lomita Library Children's Library Manager, 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 Waronek reported on the following:
• April 8 - Liability Trust Fund Meeting
• April 8 - L.A. County Board of Supervisors State of the County Address • April 9 - Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Council Meeting
• April 9 - Founders Day Committee Meeting
• April 20 - Lomita Sheriff's Station Foundation Meeting • April 21 - Arbor Day Observance
• Announced the Golden Apple Awards to take place on May 8 Councilmember Gazeley reported on the following:
• April 15 - L.A. County Sanitation District No. 5 Meeting • April 18 - Catalytic Converter Etching Event
• April 21 - Arbor Day Observance
Councilmember Uphoff reported on the following:
• April 8 - California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) Legislative Committee Meeting • April 8 - L.A. County Board of Supervisors State of the County Address • April 9 - SCAG Transportation Committee Meeting
• April 9 - SCAG Joint Policy Committee Meeting
• April 10 - Port of Los Angeles Harbor Tour
• April 13 - South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Transportation Committee Meeting
• April 13 - National League of Cities (NLC) Transportation Infrastructure Policy Committee Meeting
• April 15 - NLC Small Cities Council Meeting
• April 15 - SBCCOG Homeless Services Task Force Meeting • April 15 - CCCA Board of Directors Meeting
• April 16 - SCAG Planning for Main Streets Meeting
• April 18 - Catalytic Converter Etching Event
• April 21 - Arbor Day Observance
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Waite reported on the following:
• April 13 - SBCCOG Steering Committee Meeting
• April 14-15 - Geodesign Summit
• April 16 - SCAG Workshop on How to Make PCH Bike-Friendly • April 21 - Arbor Day Observance
Mayor Segawa reported on the following:
• April 8 - L.A. County Board of Supervisors State of the County Address • April 9 - Founders Day Committee Meeting
• April 10 - Port of Los Angeles Harbor Tour
• April 18 - Sound the Alarm Event
• April 21 - Arbor Day Observance
6. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (information only)
City Manager Vialpando spoke about last weekend's catalytic converter etching and Sound the Alarm events. He also announced the April 25, 2026, shredding and composting event at City Hall and the April 26 Lomita Railroad Museum Foundation Tea with Friends event at Lomita Park.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda Items 7a-7h be approved.
Councilmember Waronek made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gazeley, to approve consent agenda items 7a-7h.
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 February 17, 2026 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes.
c. Warrants/Payroll Register
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrants/Payroll Register. d. March 2026 Treasury and Investment Report
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the Treasury and Investment Report. e. Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 Quarterly Financial Report
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 Quarterly Financial Report Third Quarter Ending March 31, 2026.
f. First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Blais & Associates (B&A) for Grant Consulting Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Blais & Associates (B&A) for grant consulting services to extend the term for one year for $50,000.
g. Approval of Agreements for Services Related to Founders Day 2026 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve Professional Services Agreement with Active Global Protection Inc. for security guard services in an amount not to exceed $7,497.00; and an agreement with Fireworks America for a fireworks show in an amount not to exceed $28,000.
h. Appointment of an Alternate Delegate to the South Bay Cities Council of Government Regional Housing Trust Board
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Appoint Mayor Pro Tem Barry Waite as the Alternate Delegate to the South Bay Cities Council of Government Regional Housing Trust Board.
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
a. LOMITA SHERIFF'S STATION CRIME STATS REPORT
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file.
Lt. Mike White of Lomita Sheriff's Station presented information on Lomita crime statistics from the first quarter of 2026 and compared them to the same time periods in recent years.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. PARTICIPATION IN THE PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING ALLOCATION (PLA) GRANT PROGRAM FOR YEAR 5
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt a resolution approving and authorizing participation in the Los Angeles County Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program once it becomes available for the PLHA Program Year 5.
Director Fernandez presented the staff report per the agenda material. This revenue is generated from recording fees of real estate transactions so the annual allocation varies.
This year the City's was awarded approximately $63,930 and staff recommends that it be used for Lomita Manor operations.
As there were no questions for staff, Mayor Segawa opened the public hearing at 6:44 p.m. There being no requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Segawa closed the public hearing at 6:44 p.m. and invited discussion or a motion.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Waite made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Waronek, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Waite, and Mayor Segawa
NOES:
ABSENT: None
Adopted the following titled resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-15 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE LOS ANGELES
URBAN COUNTY PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING ALLOCATION PROGRAM BY
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN A REIMBURSABLE CONTRACT
WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ACTING ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY AND FINDING THE ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
b. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Conduct public hearing and after the City Attorney reads the title introducing the first reading of the proposed ordinance, schedule the second reading and adoption for the May 19, 2026, City Council meeting.
Associate Planner Martinez presented the staff report per the agenda material. The current County codes have not been revised to comply with the California Fire Code, and the L.A. County Fire Department has yet to announce when its amendments will be ready. City staff consulted with the City Attorney, and it is recommended that the City Council adopt the 2025 California State Fire Code at this time; staff will return to the City Council after the County adopts its amendments in the future.
As there were no questions for staff, Mayor Segawa opened the public hearing at 6:45 p.m. As there were no requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Segawa closed the public hearing at 6:45 p.m. and invited discussion or a motion.
City Attorney Rusin read the title of the ordinance to be introduced.
Councilmember Waronek made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Uphoff, to approve the recommended action.
MOTION CARRIED by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Waite, and Mayor Segawa
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Introduced the following titled ordinance:
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2026
ORDINANCE NO. 886 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 3-1 (FIRE PREVENTION) OF TITLE 3 OF THE LOMITA MUNICIPAL CODE; ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE (TITLE 24 PART 9 OF THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE; AND FINDING THE ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Mayor Segawa invited everyone to sing "Happy Birthday" to Councilmember Waronek and City Manager Vialpando, and to stay for dessert in the lobby after the meeting.
10. ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business to discuss, Mayor Segawa adjourned the meeting at 6:47 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Adopted: May 19, 2026