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, JUNE 2, 2026
4:15 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 FOR COMMISSION VACANCIES Presented by Andrew Vialpando, City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Interview applicants for two seats on each commission, with terms ending in June 2030.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
This time has been set aside for the City Council to meet in a closed session to discuss the matters listed below pursuant to Government Code § 54957.
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 June 2, 2026
1. CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
a. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code section 54957
Title: City Manager
b. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
City representative: City Attorney Trevor Rusin
Unrepresented employee: City Manager Andrew Vialpando
The closed session announcement will be made during the regular City Council meeting held at 6:00 p.m.
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 29, 2026
____________________________
Linda E. Abbott, CMC, City Clerk
TO: City Council
FROM: Andrew Vialpando, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Kathleen Horn Gregory, City Clerk
MEETING DATE: June 2, 2026
SUBJECT: Conduct Interviews of Applicants to Fill Commission Vacancies
RECOMMENDATION
Interview applicants for consideration of two seats on the Planning Commission, two seats on the Parks and Recreation and Public Safety, and two seats on the Traffic Commissions, with terms ending in June 2030; and schedule the item for nominations and possible appointment at the regular City Council meeting of June 16, 2026.
BACKGROUND
Members of each commission are appointed by the City Council. Commission members serve staggered terms of four (4) years expiring June 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 if an 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.
The current term for Parks and Recreation Commissioner Carol Graf ends in June 2026.
In addition, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Cecelia Torrente has indicated that she will not seek reappointment at the end of her term in June 2026.
The current term for Public Safety and Traffic Commissioners Irene Kurata and John Ballard ends in June 2026.
Item No. SCH 3a
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Staff advertised the commission vacancies and announced that applications were being accepted through the bi-weekly newsletter and on social media.
Staff recommends that the City Council interview applicants and consider making appointments at the regular City Council meeting on June 16, 2026.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Interview schedule and commission applications
Approved by:
Andrew Vialpando
City Manager
Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Commission Applicants Interviews:
4:15 P&R Reagan Cohen
4:25 PSTC Claire Williams
4:35 PSTC Estella Altman
4:45 P&R JoAnna Touchet
4:55 PC Jeff Keys
5:05 PSTC Joseph McGraph
5:15 P&R Robert Eubanks
CITY HALL OFFICES • 24300 NARBONNE AVENUE, LOMITA • CALIFORNIA 90717 (310) 325-7110 • FAX (310) 325-4024 • www.lomitacity.com
CITY OF LOMITA COMMISSION APPLICATION
Name _______________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________ Home/cell phone _________ Business phone _________________________ Length of residence in Lomita _______________Are you a registered voter? ________________ (Provide proof of residency: utility bill, rental agreement, or current driver’s license) Occupation ___________________________________________________________________ Employer ____________________________________________________________________ Have you previously served or are you now serving on a City commission? _________________ If yes, please list your experience including years of service _____________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Are you related to any elected or appointed City of Lomita officials or employees? ___________ If yes, please provide name(s) ____________________________________________________ *****PLEASE CHECK THE BOX NEXT TO YOUR COMMISSION OF INTEREST***** Requirements for Commission Appointment:
• Must be a resident of Lomita
• Must be a registered voter
Commissions Information (staggered four-year terms unless there is an unexpected vacancy):
☐ Parks and Recreation Commission – advises the City Council on matters regarding public recreation, aids in the development of recreational programs, and assists with plans for development and maintenance of park facilities; meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
☐ Planning Commission – works in conjunction with the Planning Department to ensure and manage the growth of the City. It deals with zoning ordinances, tentative tract and parcel maps, site plans, and various permits; meets on the second Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
☐ Public Safety and Traffic Commission – advises the City Council on traffic issues including parking, street sweeping, and pedestrian safety; and public safety concerns such as police and fire protection, and emergency preparedness; meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Claire Williams N/A 2 years Yes Educator & SCI Caregiver Self Yes 1.5 years Environmental Advisory Committee, RHE No N/A CITY HALL OFFICES • 24300 NARBONNE AVENUE, LOMITA • CALIFORNIA 90717 (310) 325-7110 • FAX (310) 325-4024 • www.lomitacity.com Educational background ________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Professional background, including relevant training and experience ______________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Community service/organization affiliations _________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Why do you wish to serve on this commission? ______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ What do you see as the objectives and goals of this commission? Include key issues you believe are important _________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ How would you help the commission achieve its objectives and goals? _____________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ If you are interested in serving on any other commission(s), please list below in order of most interest:
____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ (A one-page supplemental document may be submitted with this application) I hereby certify that this application is complete and true in all respects, and I understand that any falsification or omissions may be cause for disqualification. I further certify that I am a resident of and a registered voter of the City of Lomita. I understand that any or all information on this form may be verified. I consent to the release of this information for public purposes.
Signature_____ _______Date________________________
B.A. in Comparative Literature with emphasis in French, minor in Computer Systems and Technology-- LACCD courses in horticulture -- Life-long Angeleno, mostly in the South Bay, in public schools As a hobby, I love reading about sustainable landscape design, civic planning, transit, and historical sewing. Please see attached page. Current: South Coast Botanic Garden, WAGS of SCI (as a peer mentor) Past: Best Buddies, National Charity League, University of Oregon peer mentor and tutor I was lucky enough to attend this year's state of the city, along with other community-input events, and want to get involved! I have loved the city since I was young and got Public Safety: Fighting street racing and dangerous driving, maintaining citizen/Lomita Sheriff relations, working on rush hour traffic Parks: Increasing community use of facilities, promoting active lifestyles, resilient landscaping Please see attached page. I am most interested in the Public Safety and Traffic Commission but also would love to serve on Parks and 4/30/26 Professional Background:
Working in education has left me a skilled researcher, team-player, and empathetic compromiser. I have been tasked with helping students, parents, and other teachers implement firmly agreed-upon practices for things like navigating homework with ADHD, and have also worked with them collaboratively to figure out solutions for less studied problems like student dependency on AI. That said, I believe what makes me most qualified is my every day background rather than my professional one.
Though we do also drive, my family walks and rolls by wheelchair throughout Lomita almost every day, chatting with neighbors and visiting local businesses. I have become familiar with many of the opinions of our locals, and have seen and experienced some of the things I believe the city wants to improve. These walks also helped me and my family speak with local governments and get ADA improvements to bus stops in RHE.
Volunteering with the South Coast Botanic Garden and my continuing education classes through LACCD have given me both a broad and specific understanding of our environment and how various hybrid cultivars and native plantings can both improve public health and potentially reduce maintenance of parks and other city infrastructure.
Helping the Safety Commission:
I believe I would be most uniquely able to help the safety commission by gathering research from other cities to ensure our recommendations are data-backed. Additionally, I have found this helps find creative compromises that can accommodate things like differing public opinions or budget constraints. In my time on the commission in RHE, I was able to read about how the county was about to issue a broad restriction on an issue we had been thoroughly debating, so we were able to avoid wasting any more time debating and turn to other issues needing attention.
Finally, because my work often involves interacting with physically and mentally disabled individuals, I believe I have a unique insight into how some of our particularly vulnerable locals experience the city.
Helping the Parks Commission:
I believe Lomita has parks that punch far above their weight. To me, given our weather, relatively flat geography, and sidewalk network, they should get much more use than they do; we live in paradise! I want to maintain safety while encouraging use, and would love to explore adding “pocket” native gardens, possibly made by the community.
I walk or bike nearly every-where I go in the city, frequent parks, and have a good grasp of popular, water-wise, and native horticulture. I am currently planting in our yard, so I can speak to Lomita's specific micro-climate, too.