MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 8, 2022
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CALIFORNIA
A Teleconference meeting of the Palos Verdes Estates City Council was held via Zoom videoconference only in order to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 and pursuant to AB 361 and the County of Los Angeles Public Health Officer's recommended measures to promote social distancing. Members of the public were provided with the following information to provide public input:
BY COMPUTER: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89059457819
Zoom Meeting ID: 890 5945 7819
BY TELEPHONE: 1 669 900 9128, Enter Code: 890 5945 7819# CALL TO ORDER 6:31 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lozzi.
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members Murdock, Kemps, McGowan, Mayor Pro Tern Roos, Mayor Lozzi
Also Present: Interim City Manager Papa, City Attorney Cotti, City Support Services Director Hannah, Interim Public Works Director Chankin, Chief of Police Best, and City Clerk Chaney
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
ACTION: Moved by Council Member Murdock, and seconded by Council Member Kemps to approve the Agenda with reordering item number 11 before item 10. The motion unanimously carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Murdock, Roos, McGowan, Lozzi, Kemps
NOES: None.
MAYOR'S REPORT-MATTERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
Mayor Lozzi highlighted the restoration event for the Farnham Martin Fountain, the most recent project of the Palos Verdes Estates Foundation.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Interim City Manager Papa reported that the new City Planner would be starting the following week, and she noted that this was her last City Council meeting before the new City Manager starts.
Police Chief Best asked the Community to remember the Tracy and Vanderpool families on February 14th.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Desiree Myers and Valerie Gorsuch addressed the City Council.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 8, 2022
CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 1-8)
Desiree Myers addressed the Council on item #6.
1. CITY COUNCIL ACTION MINUTES
a) Minutes of January 25, 2022 Special Meeting
b) Minutes of January 25, 2022 Regular Meeting
Reviewed and Approved.
2. APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS
Reviewed and Approved Warrant Register(s) of February 8, 2022
3. REAFFIRMING THE FINDINGS TO HOLD VIRTUAL CITY COUNCIL,
COMMISSION, COMMITTEE, BOARD AND OTHER CITY BODIES,
MEETINGS UNDER AB 361
That the City Council reaffirmed the findings set forth in Resolution No. R21-38 to continue to hold virtual meetings pursuant to AB 361.
4. ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS
Accepted the donations as presented and thank the donors for their generosity.
5. AMENDMENT TO LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH PENINSULA JUNIOR
LEAGUE BASEBALL
Item removed from Consent Agenda
6. ACCEPTANCE OF COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE PW-686-21 FY 21/22 MISCELLANEOUS STREET REPAIRS PROJECT 1) Accepted as complete the PW-686-21 FY 21/22 Miscellaneous Street Repairs Project (project); and, 2) Directed the City Clerk's office to file the Notice of Completion; and, 3) Release the retention 30 days after the County Recorder's office records the Notice of Completion.
7. RECEIPT AND FILING OF THE QUARTERLY TREASURER'S REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2021
Recommendation: Received and Filed.
8. APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO APPROVE AN
AMENDMENT TO THE RETIREMENT CONTRACT BETWEEN THE
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEE'S RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE CITY
OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES TO INCREASE COST SHARING FOR THE
PALOS VERDES ESTATES POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION CLASSIC MEMBERS BY 1.0%.
Approved the Resolution of Intention to approve an amendment to the retirement contract for classic local miscellaneous members in the Palos Verdes Estates Police Officers Association and for classic local police members in the Palos Verdes Estates Police Officers Association to increase employees cost share by
1.0%.
Councilmember Murdock asked a question about the Warrant Registers. City Support Services Director Hannah responded.
ACTION: Moved by Council Member Kemps, and seconded by Council Member McGowan to approve the Consent Agenda with the removal of item #5. The motion unanimously carried by the following roll call vote:
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 8, 2022
AYES: Murdock, Roos, McGowan, Lozzi, Kemps
NOES: None.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
5. AMENDMENT TO LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH PENINSULA JUNIOR
LEAGUE BASEBALL
ACTION: Moved by Council Member McGowan, and seconded by Council Member Roos to approve the amendment subject to the junior league being current in their rent payment. The motion unanimously carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Murdock, Roos, McGowan, Lozzi, Kemps
NOES: None.
PUBLIC HEARING(S)/ORDINANCES
OLD BUSINESS
9. APPROVAL OF CONTRACT AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ARDURRA GROUP INC. FOR
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE PVE GUARDRAIL
PROJECT, CITY PROJECT NO. PW-672-19, FEDERAL PROJECT NO.
HSIPL-5283(010)
Interim Public Works Director Deborah Chankin and City Engineer Tim Jonasson Reported. Lisa Penna on behalf of Ardurra was also in attendance to speak to this item.
Interim Director Chankin provided some background on the current Ardurra contract and the work that is still outstanding for this project. She presented the request for the contract amendment and discussed the negotiation that had taken place since the previous Council meeting. She noted a couple of corrections the staff report.
Councilmember Kemps asked about the funding source of the overages from the budget, and asked about potential overages with Ace. Interim Director Chankin stated that they don't have the cost of construction at this time.
Councilmember Murdock asked about the cost for HR Green cost and budget for this project. She also asked about the estimated cost and the remaining time left for the project. She stated that she believes the cost should be less based on how long the project takes. Interim Director Chankin noted the amount is notto-exceed and if there are less days then the cost would be less.
Councilmember McGowan stated that Council did not have enough information to make a decision at this time. He asked for a one-page analysis and summary of the project and budget information.
George Wentz of HR Green provided information on the budget related to HR Green's services for this project.
Lisa Penna of Ardurra provided her comments noting that Ardurra intends to complete the project, noting that the amendment will not cover the amount of time and funds that have been spent on this project. Councilmember asked about the process and possible improvements. Ms. Penna noted that the project has been difficult due to safety and mapping issues related to utilities in the field and that these issues can be common in Public Works construction projects in older cities. Mayor Pro Tern Roos asked about the testing and inspection.
Desiree Myers addressed the City Council.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 8, 2022
City Attorney Cotti answered a question about federally funded projects.
Councilmember Murdock stated she believed the City needs to issue some payment on the project.
Councilmember Kemps and Councilmember Murdock asked for clarification about the estimated cost of the amendment and what is being requested based on the remaining time in the project.
Councilmember McGowan reiterated his request for a complete analysis of the project including information related to the contractor Ace. City Engineer Jonasson provided some background information related to the project.
Mayor Lozzi asked about the next steps and the analysis that the Council has requested.
This item was continued to a future meeting, based on the request of the City Council for a full analysis.
NEW BUSINESS
11. APPROVAL OF THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, THE AWARD OF A
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR THE
PW-691-21 FY 21/22 SLURRY SEAL PROJECT
City Engineer Tim Jonasson reported.
Mayor Pro Tern Roos asked about the lifespan of the standard striping and marking paint. Councilmember McGowan asked about the differences in the bid amounts. Councilmembers McGowan and Murdock had questions about the previous project and quality of work provided by the vendor.
Councilmember Murdock asked about the budget related to the estimated cost of the project, and the funding source.
Councilmember Kemps explained the need for transparency and preparation in the budget process and planning for CIP projects.
Desiree Myers addressed the City Council.
Mayor Pro Tern Roos expressed that he believes the City needs to do the work for this project and does not believe the cost will be different. Mayor Lozzi agreed, stating the decision at this point was whether or not to do the project rather than finding different costs. Councilmember Murdock agreed that the work needed to be done, but noted that her feedback was related to improving the process moving forward, and expressing her concern about transparency in budgeting for capital projects.
ACTION: Moved by Mayor Pro T em Roos, and seconded by Council Member McGowan to approve the plans and specifications and the award of a construction contract and budget appropriation for the PW-691-21 FY 21/22 Slurry Seal Project. Councilmember Murdock asked for a friendly amendment to give direction to staff for the inspection of the project to ensure better quality than the previous project in Lunada Bay. The motion unanimously carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Murdock, Roos, McGowan, Lozzi, Kemps
NOES: None.
10. STATUS REGARDING RETURNING TO IN-PERSON MEETINGS
City Support Services Director Hannah provided the report.
Councilmember Murdock and Mayor Pro Tern Roos asked about the staffing needs based on the option which included running zoom while meeting inperson. Director Hannah clarified that at least one additional person would be needed and that position has not been identified.
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Councilmember Kemps asked about the proposals included in the staff report and the vendors. Director Hannah noted that the project would need to be re-bid.
Mayor Lozzi discussed the options available to council, whether returning to inperson meetings with a videographer and whether or not a technology upgrade is needed either way.
Mayor Pro Tern Roos stated he believes the questions at hand are: whether the Council should return to in-person meetings; whether to try a hybrid meeting; and should we pay for a technology upgrade. He noted that based on the Governor's orders, we could be required to meet in-person at any time. He stated that when the County lifts mask mandates and social distancing guidelines, he would be prepared to return to in-person meetings. He noted he did not support the hybrid meeting approach. He did not see value in the technology upgrade unless it was automated and replaced the need for a videographer.
Councilmember Murdock stated she did not think it was the right time for the City to spend on this project based on priorities and staff time.
Councilmember Kemps stated he believes upgrading technology would expand access and improve transparency. Councilmember McGowan said he was not in favor of investing in this project at this time. There was discussion about the technology needed and what the cost might be for the solution that would efficiently address those needs.
The City Attorney stated he did not believe the Governor would be lifting the state of emergency any time soon, and therefore did not believe the City Council needed to rush to make this decision, but that the Council should make a plan to address this in the future.
There was consensus to return with a videographer when meetings return inperson and address the long-term solution again in the future.
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Murdock thanked Interim City Manager Papa, noted she will be attending the Public Safety Committee meeting and asked about workshop scheduling Councilmember McGowan will also be attending the Public Safety Committee Meeting and thanked interim City Manager Papa.
Councilmember Kemps thanked Interim City Manager Papa and thanked Councilmember McGowan and the PVE Foundation for their efforts in the Fountain restoration. He noted that he and Mayor Pro Tern Roos met with the members of the Golf Club Board, that he met with the legislative section of the Chamber of Commerce, and that he will also be attending the Palos Verdes Homes Association board meeting.
Mayor Pro Tern Roos thanked Interim City Manager Papa. He attended a Council of Governments meeting and was following potential legislative action regarding a property tax exemption.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
The City Council reviewed the future agenda items list and noted the plan to hold a capital plan workshop in early March, followed by a Parklands workshop in April. It was also noted that the Council and new City Manager would be holding a workshop for goals and priorities at the end of February.
There was brief discussion regarding the citizen backed proposed ballot initiative and it was decided that this would not be directed by the City Council but that if the Council was presented with proposed language they would direct an analysis and discussion of the proposed initiative.
ADJOURNMENT TO TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, AT 6:30 P.M.
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February 8, 2022
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:13 p.m. to Tuesday, February 22 at 6:30 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 8, 2022