PALAS, VERDES
INCORPORATED 135
CALIFORNIA
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE FEBRUARY 25, 2025
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES
CALL TO ORDER AT 6:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL: Mayor Lozzi, Mayor Pro Tem Kemps, Councilmember Lazzaro, and Councilmember Quinn
*Councilmember McGowan was absent.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Kallman, City Attorney Rusin, Chief of Police Hellinga, City Treasurer Petersen, Deputy City Manager Gabriel, City Clerk Cook, Community Development Director Brady and Senior Accountant Hayes
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Lozzi announced that the City Manager's Report
would follow in the review of the agenda.
ACTION: Moved by Councilmember Quinn and seconded by Councilmember Lazzaro to approve the agenda.
AYES: Lazzaro, Quinn, Kemps and Lozzi
NOES: None
ABSENT: McGowan
ABSTAIN: None
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 25, 2025
MAYOR'S REPORT - MATTERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
Mayor Lozzi commenced her report by recognizing the staff members of the City's Maintenance team. The Mayor displayed a photograph of each of the five employees to announce their names and respective years of service in the following order: Anthony Mendoza, Maintenance Foreman (nearly 24 years), Steve Beard (over 40 years), John Strum (approximately 13 years), Sergio Zaragoza (over 4 years), and lan Meza, who completed his first week with the city.
The Mayor commented that Eon assumed the job position due to the retirement of All Abrego, who worked for the city for over 40 years. Mayor Lozzi further highlighted the proactivity of each team member who prepared the city infrastructure in anticipation of the rain from February 13th. Then last week, the Mayor commented on the pothole that was filled by the maintenance team and expressed the appreciation on behalf of the residents.
Following the staff acknowledgement, Mayor Lozzi reported on her attendance at the Mayor's Luncheon hosted by Los Angeles Board Supervisor Janice Hahn, which is comprised of 32 cities. She stated that three of the four peninsula mayors were present and expressed common concerns surrounding water and landslide issues, in addition to preventive fire safety necessitating county funding and support.
In closing, Mayor Lozzi announced that there would be a Special City Council Meeting on March 6, 2025 to discuss council goals and priorities. The Mayor commented that this meeting would serve as the second part of the prior special meeting held on January 25, 2025 and will be publicly held at the Malaga Cove Library.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Kallman announced that he and Chief Hellinga jointly attended a two-day workshop at the Cal Chief's Conference. He stated that this event focused on communication strategies, City Manager Kallman also announced the free Shred and E- Waste community event sponsored by Athens on March 1st from 8 am to 12 noon at Palos Verdes High School. He then introduced Community Development Director Brady, who provided an update on the Housing Element.
Following Director Brady's report, Chief Hellinga gave an update on Homelessness Count within the Peninsula and highlighted Captain Belda's efforts in organizing volunteers to obtain a report. Chief Hellinga stated that this report identified one person in Palos Verdes Estates. He further reported on an investigation of extinct birds found on Paseo Del Mar that would be released to a local news station later in the day. In closing, Chief Hellinga reported on the 47 percent decrease of home burglaries identified in 2024 as compared to those reported in 2023.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 25, 2025
The Chief attributed the decrease of burglaries to the deployment of additional officers, collaboration efforts with neighboring jurisdictions, and networking with a regional taskforce. Notably, the Chief detailed how statistics on crime are obtained, which are shared with the public in a weekly report.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
The following individuals addressed the Council: Jean Luc Berne, Greg Diete, Judy English, Daniel Fort, and John Credell.
CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 1-4)
Mayor Pro Tem Kemps clarified an inquiry on consent agenda item four with the City Attorney, that designated an absent Councilmember from the current meeting in the report.
There was no public comment.
ACTION: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Kemps and seconded by Quinn to approve the consent agenda with the modification of consent agenda item four to replace Councilmember McGowan with Councilmember Lazzaro in the document.
AYES: Lazzaro, Quinn, Kemps and Lozzi
NOES: None
ABSENT: McGowan
ABSTAIN: None
1. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
Reviewed and approved the February 25, 2025 Warrant Register.
2. CITY COUNCIL MEETING ACTIONS
Approved the minutes for the following meetings: January 6, 2025, and February 11, 2025.
3. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ACTIONS
Received and filed the minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of February 18, 2025.
4. CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. R25-04 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER,
CHIEF OF POLICE OR THE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND COMMUNITY
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 25, 2025
OUTREACH COORDINATOR TO EXECUTE THE CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES APPLICATION (FORM OES-FPD-130) AND FILE IT
WITH THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR
ANY EXISTING OR FUTURE GRANT PROGRAM
Adopted Resolution No. R25-04
OLD BUSINESS
5. LANCE, SOLL & LUNGHARD, LLP UPDATE ON FINANCE ACTIVITIES City Manager Kallman brief provided background information on the onboarding of Lance, Soll & Lunghard, LLP and introduced Noah Daniels who provided the Council with an update on the following: bank reconciliation, receivables, capital assets, invoices, payroll, pension, and Mid-March reporting.
There was no public comment.
Council asked questions clarifying questions, and inquired about a midyear review, which was addressed by Consultant, Noah Daniels.
ACTION: Received and filed a verbal report provided by Lance, Soll & Lunghard, LLP (i.e. LSL).
6. CONSIDERATION OF ENHANCED WEED ABATEMENT IN FOUR IDENTIFIED HIGH
PRIORITY AREAS AND CREATION OF A PILOT PROGRAM ALLOWING RESIDENTS TO
PERFORM ADDITIONAL WEED ABATEMENT ON PUBLIC PROPERTY THROUGH A NO
FEE PERMIT
City Manager Kallman provided a brief report and announced that Deputy City Manager Gabriel would provide a presentation to the Council. In his presentation, Deputy City Manager Gabriel discussed the following: the history of abatement and detaid in fore propean ire gigion of high priority are as the scope of work detailed in the proposal of Fire Glazers.
drawbacks of the proposal.
The Council asked clarifying questions which were addressed by the Deputy City Manager, Urban Forester, City Manager and City Attorney.
The following individual addressed the Council: David Rogalski.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 25, 2025
ACTION: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Kemps and seconded by Councilmember Quinn to approve the proposal with Fire Glazers, Inc.
AYES: Lazzaro, Quinn, Kemps and Lozzi
NOES: None
ABSENT: McGowan
ABSTAIN: None
ACTION: By consensus, the City Council directed staff to bring back a pilot Program for residents to apply for a no-foe permit to conduct weed abatement in cily
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS & TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Councilmember Quinn commented on concerns received from residents regarding trash services in the City. He further remarked on the benefits of collaboration with Athens and recommended that residents continue to secure their trash bags while placing them in the trash receptacle. In closing his remarks, Councilmember Quinn announced that he was scheduled for a ride along with Athens on Thursday, February 27th and would report back to residents on his observations.
Councilmember Lazzaro provided an update on topics discussed at a recent Ad- Hoc Committee Meeting which identified many issues, including Fire Safety, and stated that a presentation on the findings would be forthcoming.
Mayor Pro Tem Kemps also commented on concerns received from residents regarding trash services from Athens and stated that a public presentation from Athens is needed. Mayor Pro Tem Kemps further stated that there were dual concerns from residents and the vendor relative to guidelines outlined in the city's contract amid expectations from the community. Mayor Pro Tem Kemps referenced an example of resident dissatisfaction from trash pickup in their respective driveways and how trash is not picked up if a car is parked in the driveway. In his closing remarks, Mayor Pro Tem Kemps reported that resident Joan Davidson provided an email to the Council about the placement of plaques recognizing the historic designation of Malaga Cove Plaza and apprised the public that coordination with Malaga Bank and other involved parties to house the plaques is in progress.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 25, 2025
Mayor Lozzi reported on her recent attendance at the Peninsula Mayor's Lunch which included attendance from the President of Library District and the President of the School Board. The Mayor stated that Palos Verdes Intermediate School rents out their field on weekends and evenings to collect revenue; however, due to the closure of the school's parking lot, traffic issues have become a concern amongst residents.
Additionally, the Mayor stated that the matter was discussed with the President of the School Board and requested the City Manager to follow the discussion. Following the update, Mayor Lozzi reported on her attendance to a recent LA County Sanitation District Meeting and announced her upcoming State of the City Address to be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the Palos Verdes Breakfast Club. The Mayor further stated that the presentation would be made available to the public. Lastly, Mayor Lozzi restated that a Special City Council Meeting will be held on March 6, at 2 pm.
ADJOURNMENT TO TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025 AT 6:30 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY submitted:
APPROVED:
/ictoria A. Lozzi, Mayo
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 25, 2025