1Special
CALL AND NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Government Code Section 54956, by delivery of this written notice as provided by law, the mayor has called a special meeting of the Lomita City Council.
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2026
4:30 P.M.
COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM
1. OPENING CEREMONIES
a. Call Meeting to Order
b. Roll Call
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Persons wishing to speak on agenda items are requested to do so at this time. Government Code Section 54954.2 prohibits the Council from discussing or taking action on a specific item unless it appears on a posted agenda.
3. SCHEDULED ITEMS
a. CONDUCT INTERVIEWS OF APPLICANTS TO FILL TWO VACANT SEATS ON THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
Presented by Andrew Vialpando, City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Interview applicants for consideration of filling two vacant seats on the Planning Commission, with terms ending June 2030; and direct staff to schedule this item for nominations and possible appointment at the June 2 regular City Council meeting.
4. ADJOURNMENT
I hereby certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing agenda was posted not less than 24 hours prior to the meeting at the following locations: Lomita City Hall, Lomita Park, and uploaded to the City of Lomita website http://www.lomita.com/cityhall/city_agendas/.
Date Posted: May 1, 2026
LOMITA CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
24300 Narbonne Avenue
Lomita, CA 90717
Phone: (310) 325-7110
Fax: (310) 325-4024
Cindy Segawa, Mayor
Barry Waite, Mayor Pro Tem
James Gazeley Councilmember
Bill Uphoff, Councilmember
Mark A. Waronek, Councilmember
Lomita City Council Special Meeting Agenda May 5, 2026
____________________________
Kathleen Horn Gregory, MMC, City Clerk
TO: City Council
FROM: Andrew Vialpando, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Kathleen Horn Gregory, City Clerk
MEETING DATE: May 5, 2026
SUBJECT: Conduct Interviews of Applicants to Fill Two Vacant Seats on the Planning Commission
RECOMMENDATION
Interview applicants for consideration of filling two vacant seats on the Parks and Recreation Commission with a term ending June 2030; and schedule item for nominations and possible appointment to the position at the June 2, 2026, regular City Council meeting.
BACKGROUND
Members of the Planning Commission are appointed by the City Council. Commission members serve staggered terms of four (4) years expiring June 1 of the year the term is set to expire. If vacancies occur, otherwise than by expiration of the term, they shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. At the expiration of each term, or unexpected vacancy occurs, a vacancy notice is advertised and resumes accepted.
The City Council may conduct interviews to appoint the most qualified individual.
DISCUSSION
The current term for Planning Commissioner Mike Graf ends in June 2026. Additionally, Commissioner Joaquin Santos informed staff in March 2026 of his resignation from the Planning Commission. Staff advertised that that commission applications were being accepted in the bi-weekly newsletter and on social.
Staff recommends that the City Council interview those residents who have applied for consideration of appointment to the Planning Commission and select two candidates for appointment at the June 2, 2026, regular City Council meeting.
Item No. SCH 3a
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
ATTACHMENTS
1. Interview schedule and commission applications
Approved by:
Andrew Vialpando
City Manager
Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Planning Commission Applicants Interviews:
4:30 John Ballard
4:40 Cesilia Bracamontes
4:50 Rush Boynton
5:00 Jon Bayouth
5:10 Noelle Chaco
Attachment No. 1
To: City of Lomita
Fm: John Ballard
Re: Application for Planning Commission
Date: April 11, 2026
To Whom It May Concern:
I have been attempting to join the Planning Commission since 2011. It has been my goal to become a change agent in the community, someone who works behind the scenes to change the city's landscape.
That goal had gotten sidetracked. I was asked to serve on the Lomita Railroad Museum Board, and then I moved to the Public Safety and Traffic Commission. Over the past 15 years, I have had the opportunity to learn quite a bit about Lomita, including the many projects currently underway and upcoming.
Oftentimes in our PSTC meetings, we get briefings from so many different departments and on so many different topics. It’s amazing, Water Quality and Environmental Specialist, Assistant City Manager, Deputy Sheriff, Public Works Director, Principal Engineers, and we get to do some fun things like the Gang and Drug Free Walk! We handle traffic-calming issues, red-and-blue curb situations, stop-sign installations, and street repairs. That requires us to review City ordinances, regulations, and related materials. The same as it would if I were reviewing a request for a building permit. I would get the same help from the city as the current Planning Commissioners get now – I can do this!
I have been blessed to learn about the City of Lomita through my time on the Public Safety and Traffic Commission. Presenters share information that guides our city’s future changes. We vote to pass their idea to the City Council. I can’t wait to take it to the next level!
Sincerely,
John A. Ballard
John A. Ballard