INCONFORATED 1939
BALIFORNTA
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CALIFORNIA
CALL TO ORDER AT 6:31 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL: Mayor Lozzi, Mayor Pro Tem Kemps, Councilmember McGowan, Councilmember Lazzaro, and Councilmember Quinn
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Kallman, City Attorney Rusin, Chief Hellinga, City Treasurer Petersen, Deputy City Manager Gabriel, City Clerk Cook, Community Development Director Brady and Senior Accountant
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
ACTION: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Kemps and seconded by
Councilmember Quinn to approve the agenda.
AYES: McGowan, Lazzaro, Quinn, Kemps and Lozzi
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MAYOR'S REPORT - MATTERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
Mayor Lozzi announced that she presented a "State of the City" address on March 1st at the Palos Verdes Breakfast Club entitled " Building a Strong Future for Palos Verdes".
In her presentation, the Mayor discussed revenue sources, agency spending, city infrastructure, capital expenses, and future impacts. Mayor Lozzi stated that her presentation would be published on the City's website and encouraged residents to view it and contact the Council or City Staff for further inquiries.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 11, 2025
Mayor Lozzi commented that additional presentations for the State of the City would be forthcoming. Following the announcement, She reported on the March 6th Special Meeting which identified City Council goals and priorities for the next two years. The Mayor further mentioned that city staff would make an implementation plan for Council review and adoption. In closing, Mayor Lozzi highlighted eight service officers and their years of City service in the following order: Team Leader, Krystle Accetta (16 years), Bretta Hernandez (18 years), Hazel Menendez (19 years), Catherine Placek (16 years), Breanna Malave ( 4 years), Christine Lau (3 years ), Jenny Taketomo ( 2 years), and Aria Ramirez (2 months). The Mayor provided further insight of the day-to-day duties of these officers and listed their services as 911 dispatchers, jailers, and record managers.
In closing her report, Mayor Lozzi stated that leading to his current position as Chief of Police, Chief Hellinga started his career as a PSA and service officer and commended the officers for their service to the city.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Kallman announced that if the Council approved the Fire Glazers, Inc. contract work would commence on the following day. City Manager Kallman also responded to a Council inquiry on the designated work areas outlined in the contract.
Chief Hellinga discussed a new crime statistics report to be posted on the city's website and distributed through an email list. Within the report, Chief Hellinga listed aggregate data that included broader statistics for the following: response times, definitions, dispatched calls, traffic collisions, and citations. In closing, Chief Hellinga responded to a Council inquiry on the definition of a criminal offense and how to research the terms and laws online.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
The following individuals addressed the Council: Greg Diete, Judy English, John Williams, Bob Amos, and Valerie Gorsetch.
CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 1-4)
•
1. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
Reviewed and approved the March 11, 2025 Warrant Register.
2. RECEIVE AND FILE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDING JANUARY 31, 2025
Received and filed financial statements for the month ending January 31, 2025.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 11, 2025
3. CITY COUNCIL MEETING ACTIONS
Approved the minutes for the following meeting: February 25, 2025
4. FIRE GRAZERS CONTRACT
Approved the agreement with Fire Grazers, Inc. to conduct weed abatement services utilizing goats for a cost not to exceed $67,133.85
NEW BUSINESS
5. CITY COUNCIL REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE LUNADA BAY BLUFFTOP
PROJECT CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AS REQUIRED BY THE LUNADA BAY
SETTLEMENT
City Manager Kallman provided background information pertaining to the Lunada Bay Settlement and introduced Habitat Restoration Specialist, Connor Rudman who presented a PowerPoint presentation to the Council. In his presentation, Connor displayed and discussed a conceptual design of benches, signage and a water fountain of the Lunada Bay Blufftop.
The Council provided recommendations on the proposed design that included improvements to the signage, placement of benches and design of the water fountain. City Council discussion also entailed inquiries on identified trail/ foot paths, safety concerns, budgeted costs, and public notifications, which were responded to by the City Attorney and City Manager.
The Council was addressed by residents Bob Amos and John Williams.
ACTION: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Kemps and seconded by Councilmember McGowan to approve the conceptual design for above-ground improvements of the Lunada Bay Blufftop as required by the September 16 Consent Decree and Settlement Agreement in Corey Spencer, Dianna Milena Smoluchowska-Miernik, Coastal Protection Ranges, Inc. v. Lunada Bay Boys, Individual Members of the Lunada Bay Boys, City of Palos Verdes Estates (hereinafter "Lunada Bay Settlement") subject to the modifications discussed in the meeting.
AYES: McGowan, Lazzaro, Quinn, Kemps and Lozzi
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 11, 2025
OLD BUSINESS
6. UPDATE ON THE PALOS VERDES ESTATES 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAM 13 REZONING PROJECT
Community Development Director, Sheryl Brady provided a staff report to the Council that entailed an overview of Housing Element Program 13's purpose, implementation, identification of the project sites, design standards, rezoning, California Environment Quality Act (CEQA) regulations, discretionary approvals, and The council asked clarifying questions related to the CEQA review process, a future housing cycle, housing units, rezoning, studies for a negative declaration, and state housing laws which were addressed by the Community Development Director and the City Attorney.
There was no public comment.
ACTION: Received and filed the update by consensus.
7. RECEIVE STATUS UPDATE FROM THE PARCEL TAX AD-HOC COMMITTEE Councilmember Lazzaro provided a presentation that detailed the history of the 2024 proposed Parcel Tax, the City's budget, prior and future budget forecasts, revenue and expenses, identified city needs, ongoing maintenance and infrastructure investments, city comparisons, and community engagement. Councilmember McGowan provided additional comments related to approved expenditures, capital improvements, revenue, and the utilization of reserves. City Treasurer Petersen asked clarifying questions to the Council. Mayor Pro Tem commented on the ongoing maintenance of city infrastructure.
The Council asked clarifying questions related to budget forecast, city reserves, and community engagement, which was responded to by Councilmembers Lazzaro, McGowan, and Consultant Tom Lorenz.
There was no public comment.
ACTION: Received the status update by consensus.
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 11, 2025
Councilmember Quinn reported on his recent ride-along with Athens Services arranged by representative Sharon Fox. In his report, Councilmember Quinn provided the following information for residents: the truck drivers of Athens Services verify resident information (which is displayed electronically in the vehicle before arrival), the drivers are assigned to the same route every week to facilitate efficiency, all trash receptacles are hand lifted for disposal and it is recommended that residents to reduce the weight of trash receptacle for improved pick up, two to three trash loads are loaded into the small trucks before transporting them to the larger trucks, if trash receptacles are too heavy for manual lift, they are designated to a later pick-up. Additionally, Councilmember Quinn acknowledged the workers during his visit and their continued services.
In closing, Councilmember Quinn stated that he met with the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and announced their upcoming community events as follows: Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Expo on April 24th from 4 pm to 7 pm at Hess Park; State of the Peninsula Meeting, May 14th, to be attended by the four Peninsula Mayors, and the PV Street Fair to be held from June 13 thru June 15: 2025.
Mayor Pro Tem Kemps commented on Athens Trash Services and requested a future agenda item on the matter. In his comments, Mayor Pro Tem Kemps expressed concerns from residents and discussed the change of services over the years since the implementation of the vendor's smaller trucks. He further commented that he had toured the vendor's vast facility; however, resident dissatisfaction has increased amid the current scope of vendor services and contract modifications. In closing, Mayor Pro Tem Kemps announced that the Special Goal Setting Meeting was productive and thanked city staff for their involvement.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
fameng col
City Clerk
APPROVED:
Victoria A. Lozzi, Mayo
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 11, 2025