MINUTES OF THE
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 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, May 5, 2026, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, California.
b. Flag Salute
The flag salute was led by Carrie Mullen.
c. Invocation
Mayor Segawa 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
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
3. PRESENTATIONS
The City Council presented certificates of recognition to the Fleming Middle School Girls' soccer team, 2025-2026 Division | CIF L.A. City Champions; and to Narbonne High School Principal Andrew Kasek in honor of its 100t anniversary.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2026
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Segawa announced the time for oral communications.
Winona Phillabaum, Lomita Library Manager, announced upcoming programs and events.
George Kivett, Lomita resident, commented on unsafe e-bike riders.
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 Uphoff reported on the following:
• April 22-24 - Cal Cities Leaders' Summit
• April 30 - South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Housing Trust Meeting • May 5 - Meeting with Assembly Member Tina McKinnor
Councilmember Gazeley reported on the following:
• May 14 - L.A. County West Vector Control District Meeting Councilmember Waronek reported on the following:
• April 22-24 - Cal Cities Leaders' Summit
• April 29-May 1 - California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA) Elected Officials Summit - May 2 - Dalmatian-American Club 100 Year Anniversary Celebration Announced May 6 California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) Executive Board Meeting Announced May 6-7 Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Conference and General Assembly
Mayor Pro Tem Waite reported on the following:
• April 22-24 - Cal Cities Leaders' Summit
• April 26 - Lomita Railroad Museum Foundation Tea with Friends • April 28 - SBCCOG San Pedro Arts Consortium Presentation April 29 - Western States Petroleum Alliance Workshop
• April 29 - St. Margaret Mary School Second Graders' Visit to City Hall • April 29 - Lomita Chamber of Commerce Mixer
• April 30 - South Bay Economic Roundtable
• April 30 - SBCCOG Housing Trust Meeting
• May 5 - South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce Meeting • Announced the Golden Apple Awards to be held May 8
Mayor Segawa reported on the following:
• April 26 - Lomita Railroad Museum Foundation Tea with Friends • April 29 - St. Margaret Mary School Second Graders' Visit to City Hall • April 29 - Lomita Chamber of Commerce Mixer
6. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (information only)
City Manager Vialpando announced that a presentation on the Lomita CARES Program will take place at the next City Council meeting, and shared some of the program's upcoming events.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2026
7. CONSENT AGENDA
• RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Consent Agenda Items 7a-7d be approved.
Councilmember Waronek made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gazeley, 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
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 Meetings of March 3, 2026, and April 7, 2026 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve minutes.
C. Warrants/Payroll Register
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve and file Warrants/Payroll Register. d. Discussion and Consideration of a Resolution of Intent to Levy Annual Assessments for Landscape Maintenance District No. 1 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt resolution and set the public hearing date for June 2, 2026.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-16 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE ENGINEER'S REPORT FOR THE CITY OF LOMITA'S LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 CHARGES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 AND DECLARING THE INTENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO
LEVY AND COLLECT ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE LOMITA LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2026, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2027, AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING DATE OF JUNE 2, 2026
8. SCHEDULED ITEMS
a. PUBLIC WORKS AGREEMENT WITH COLICH & SONS, L.P. FOR CITYWIDE
CONCRETE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT PROJECT
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Award a Public Works Agreement to Colich & Sons, L.P. for Citywide Concrete Removal and Replacement Project in the amount of $124,022.50, plus an additional 15% contingency of $18,603.38, for a total construction budget not to exceed $142,625.88; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
Director Fraley presented the staff report per the agenda material. In 2021 the City Council adopted the Sidewalk Inspection Policy and as a result Public Works staff inspect
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2026
all Lomita sidewalks on an annual basis. Typically, staff has completed necessary work, but due to the scope of work needed the City decided to contract for such services, with Colich & Sons as the lowest responsible bidder.
As there were no questions for staff and no requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Segawa invited discussion or a motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Waite made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gazeley, 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
b. "LOVE LOMITA" CITYWIDE VOLUNTEER DAY INITIATIVE
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive and file.
Administrative Analyst Gastelum presented the staff report per the agenda material. She outlined the initiative's background; live platform; purpose; how it works; project examples; why it matters; event structure; team structure; current status; next steps; fiscal impact; and key takeaways.
Brief City Council discussion took place regarding opportunities to improve the City's parks, and a defunct program that was similar in nature.
As there was no further discussion Mayor Segawa invited public comment.
George Kivett, Lomita resident, spoke in support of the initiative.
There were no further requests from the public to speak on this item.
It was the consensus of the City Council to receive and file the presentation. c. FOUNDERS DAY 2026 UPDATE AND APPROVAL OF AGREEMENTS FOR EVENT
SERVICES
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve Agreements with James Production Inc. for Founders Day equipment rentals in an amount not to exceed $57,500 and Something New LA LLC for carnival games in an amount not to exceed $29,688.99; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreements.
Director Kelley presented the staff report per the agenda material. She outlined preparation, including outreach; fireworks; entertainment; food trucks; sponsorships; rides and games; pre-sale tickets; Lomita time capsule opening; and honoring America's 250 years.
Brief City Council discussion took place regarding event costs.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2026
As there were no requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Segawa invited further discussion or a motion.
Mayor Pro Waite 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
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 2026-02 - AN UPDATE TO THE LOMITA
MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING OFF-STREET PARKING
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Conduct a public hearing, after the City Attorney reads the title introducing the first reading of Ordinance No. 887 for Zoning Text Amendment No. 2026-02 to amend Article 66 (Off-Street Parking, Storage and Loading) and Article 15 (Definitions) of Lomita Municipal Code (LMC) Title XI (Planning and Zoning) Chapter 1 (Zoning, find the action to be categorically exempt from the California Environmentally Quality Act (CEQA), and, schedule the second reading and adoption of the Ordinance for the May 19, 2026 City Council meeting.
Director Fernandez presented the staff report per the agenda material. He outlined the amendment background; 2018 Lomita Downtown Vision; Narbonne Avenue North and South Lomita Boulevard; options considered; and overview.
As there were no questions for staff, Mayor Segawa opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m.
George Kivett, Lomita resident, spoke in support of the item.
As there were no further requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Segawa closed the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. and invited discussion or a motion.
City Attorney Rusin read the title of the ordinance to be introduced.
Councilmember Gażeley 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
May 5, 2026
ORDINANCE NO. 887 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 2026-02 TO AMEND ARTICLE 66 (OFF-STREET PARKING, STORAGE AND LOADING) AND ARTICLE 15 (DEFINITIONS) OF LOMITA MUNICIPAL CODE (LMC) TITLE XI (PLANNING AND ZONING) CHAPTER 1 (ZONING) AND FIND THE ACTION TO BE
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTALLY
QUALITY ACT
b. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF
LOMITA MUNICIPAL CODE TO REVISE REGULATIONS FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING
VIOLATIONS
RECOMMENDED ACTION: After conducting a public hearing and after the City Attorney reads the Ordinance by title only, introduce on first reading an ordinance amending and adding sections to the Lomita Municipal Code related to illegal dumping, waive further reading, and schedule the ordinance for second reading and adoption at a subsequent City Council meeting.
Assistant City Manager Hernandez presented the staff report per the agenda material.
The ordinance would institute an increased tiered penalty and a reward program for information leading to identification and apprehension of violators. The aim of the ordinance is not to be punitive, but to promote compliance.
Brief City Council discussion took place regarding residents who leave items in good condition on the curb in the hopes that someone will upcycle them, and trouble with residents dumping their items on others' property.
As there was no further discussion, Mayor Segawa opened the public hearing at 7:17 p.m.
George Kivett, Lomita resident, spoke in support of the item.
Bill Kalpakoff, Director of Government Affairs with Athens Services, spoke about the bulky item pickup program in Lomita and outreach to single family homeowners and apartment building owners/managers.
As there were no further requests from the public to speak on this item, Mayor Segawa closed the public hearing at 7:25 p.m. and invited further discussion or a motion.
City Attorney Rusin read the title of the ordinance to be introduced.
Councilmember Gazeley 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
May 5, 2026
ORDINANCE NO. 888 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING LOMITA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE IV - PUBLIC WELFARE, MORALS AND CONDUCT TO ADD CHAPTER 18 - ILLEGAL DUMPING AND REMOVE SECTION 4-1.08 - ILLEGAL DUMPING - AND FINDING THE ACTION
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Segawa adjourned the meeting, in memory of Joe Orbillo and Laura Thompson, at 7:27 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Adopted: June 2, 2026