OR PALOS, VERDED
INCORPORATED 1939
CALIFORNIA
MINUTES OF THE JULY 8, 2025
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CALIFORNIA
CALL TO ORDER AT 6:34 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Kallman, Deputy City Manager Gabriel, City Attorney Rusin, City Treasurer Petersen, City Clerk Cook, Chief Hellinga, Community Development Director Brady, Public Works Director Antillon, and Senior Accountant Hayes.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Lozzi recommended that the public hearing be held after the consent agenda, and the presentation from Bennett Landscaping, to follow in accommodating the status of the presenter's attendance.
ACTION: Moved by Councilmember Quinn and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kemps to approve the agenda with the recommended changes noted by the Mayor.
AYES: McGowan, Lazzaro, Quinn, Kemps, and Lozzi
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 8, 2025
MAYOR'S REPORT - MATTERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
Mayor Lozzi announced that she participated in a birthday caravan and proclaimed June 29, 2025, as "Olga Gilroy Day" in recognition of Mrs. Gilroy's 100th birthday. The Mayor expressed warm sentiments in wishing Mrs. Gilroy a Happy Birthday and noted that the long-time resident was celebrated by a vast extension of her family. Following the announcement, Mayor Lozzi commented on the city's recent "Fourth of July Apple Pie Baking Contest," where she participated as a judge. Thereafter, Mayor Lozzi thanked the contest organizer, Judy Daugherty, and disclosed the three winners of the contest: Ann Sophie Corey (1st Place), Kara Stander (2nd Place), and Ryan Kramer (3rd Place). Bill Nash was noted by the Mayor as an Honorable Mention.
In closing her report, Mayor Lozzi publicized the first of Malaga Cove's 2025 Summer Concert Series 2025 to be held at Farnham Martin Park on Wednesday, July gth from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The performers were announced as Andy and Renee by the Mayor.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Kallman shared Mayor Lozzi's sentiments on the "Apple Pie Baking Contest". Thereafter, he thanked Deputy City Manager Gabriel and City Clerk Cook for their technological efforts in displaying photos of city events during the current meeting.
Lastly, the City Manager publicized the impending media upgrade to the Council Chambers, tentatively scheduled for the following month of August.
Chief Hellinga announced that several calls were received from residents today at approximately 2:30 pm in the afternoon regarding a victim seen within city limits. The Chief further detailed the Police Department's rapid response and coordination with the Torrance Police Department to utilize their K9 unit. With the assistance of a witness and a K9 Officer (Bloodhound), Chief Hellinga stated that surveillance operations were successful in apprehending the suspect on the same day.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
The following individuals addressed the City Council: Valerie Gorsutch, John Williams, and Dawn Murdock.
PRESENTATION
This item was moved after the consent agenda by unanimous vote during the approval of the agenda.
ACTION: Moved by Councilmember Quinn and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kemps to approve the agenda with the recommended changes noted by the Mayor.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 8, 2025
AYES: McGowan, Lazzaro, Quinn, Kemps, and Lozzi
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Monica Pangco, Assistant City Engineer (HR Green Consulting), provided a summary that entailed the background of the contract with Bennett Landscaping, which was approved in 2023. Ms. Pangco further stated that city staff were collaborating with Sean Bennett of Bennett Landscaping to address resident concerns pertaining to herbicide use and landscaping methods. Following the summary, Sean Bennett provided a presentation that outlined safety guidelines for chemical use, targeted application areas, herbicide types, certified applicators, public safety and notification, sign removal and reentry, reporting requirements, and alternatives to herbicide use.
The Council asked clarifying questions that included the use of organic products, the frequency of weed growth, routine schedules of chemical applications, cost of services, gopher populations, maintenance schedules and supervision, fire safety, joint efforts with additional vendors, modified maintenance schedules, herbicide use, public safety concerns, signage, GIS mapping, work stoppage, which were responded to by Sean Bennett, Owner of Bennett Landscaping, Monica Pango, Assistant Engineer (HR Green Consulting) and Mike Myers, City Engineer (HR Green Consulting).
ACTION: Received and filed an update from Bennett Landscaping on the Landscaping Maintenance Contract.
CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 1- 5)
1. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
Reviewed and approved the July 8, 2025, Warrant Register.
2. CITY COUNCIL MEETING ACTIONS
Approved the minutes for the June 24, 2025, Regular and Special Meetings.
3. ADOPTION AND SECOND READING OF THE UPDATED FIRE HAZARD
SEVERITY ZONES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT
OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178
Adopted Ordinance No. 768 entitled:
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALOS VERDES
ESTATES, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING UPDATED FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 8, 2025
ZONES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178 AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA."
4. CONSIDERATION OF A BUDGET AMENDMENT AND ADOPTION OF
RESOLUTION R25-23 APPROVING THE USE OF CITIZENS OPTIONS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY (COPS) FUNDS (PVE FUND 05) NOT TO EXCEED $12,000.00 TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL A BREATH ALCOHOL TESTING INSTRUMENT;
AND AUTHORIZATION TO THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE RELATED
DOCUMENTS
Authorized a budget amendment to utilize $12,000 from Fund 05 - Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Account (SLESA) (also known as Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) funds) to purchase and install a breath alcohol testing instrument; (2) Adopted resolution R25-23 to approve the use of Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) funds not to exceed $12,000 for the purchase and installation; and (3) Authorized the City Manager to execute related documents on behalf of the City and authorize the Finance Department to make such accounting entries for this change order as deemed appropriate.
5. ACCEPT AND APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE, PARKLANDS COMMITTEE, TRAFFIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE, INVESTMENT POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND PLANNING
COMMISSION, AND THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS OF COMMITTEE AND
COMMISSION CHAIRPERSONS AND VICE CHAIRPERSONS
Approved the appointments listed herein.
Finance Advisory Committee
• John Nendick
• Leslie DeHoff Goebel
Parklands Committee
• Robert Cooper
• Susie Rossick
• Ann Nye
Traffic Safety Committee
• Bishoy Anastasi
• Linda Reid
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 8, 2025
Zoe Unno
Planning Commission
Janine Nendick
Arash Abbasian Kashi
Investment Policy Advisory Committee
Colin Donahue
Finance Advisory Committee:
• John Nendick - Chair
• Leslie DeHoff Goebel - Vice Chair
Parklands Committee:
Robert Cooper - Chair
• Susie Rossick - Vice Chair
Traffic Safety Committee:
Zoe Unno - Chair
• Wayne Windman - Vice Chair
Planning Commission:
Christian Campisi - Chair
Robert Foster - Vice Chair
Law Enforcement Services Special Tax Oversight Committee • Philip Solomita - Chair
Steven Friedrich - Vice Chair
PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. UPDATE OF THE CITY OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES MASTER FEE SCHEDULE
BASED ON INFLATIONARY CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ADJUSTMENT AND ADD
CARD PROCESSING FEE TO ENSURE COST RECOVERY FOR ALL CREDIT
CARD TRANSACTIONS
Deputy City Manager Gabriel provided a staff report that entailed findings from the council-approved comprehensive fee study in comparison to the city's current rate for service fees. In discussing market rate changes and the benefits of cost recovery for all credit card transactions, Deputy City Manager Gabriel made a recommendation to open a public hearing and adopt Resolution R25-
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 8, 2025
15, which would update the city's Master Fee Schedule, inclusive of a 2.29 percent fee for credit card transactions, and take effect on July 8, 2025.
The Council asked clarifying questions that included recovery and transaction rates related to bank reporting, which were responded to by Deputy City Mayor Lozzi opened the public hearing at 7:00 pm. There was no public comment. Mayor Lozzi closed the public hearing at 7:00 pm.
ACTION: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Kemps and seconded by
Councilmember McGowan to adopt Resolution R25-15 approving the proposed Master Fee Schedule and schedule effective July 8, AYES: McGowan, Lazzaro, Quinn, Kemps, and Lozzi
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
OLD BUSINESS
7. CITY COUNCIL QUARTERLY REVIEW OF FY 2025/26 - FY 2026/27 CITY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES AND ACTION STRATEGIES WORKPLAN
City Manager Kallman presented the 2025-26 and 2026-27 City Council Priorities and Action Strategies Workplan for Council review and feedback.
The Council asked clarifying questions that included fiscal stability, capital investment analysis, reserve studies, status of the tree inventory, fire risk assessment, infrastructure, and public safety, statistical data on community engagement, which were responded to by City Manager Kallman, Deputy City ACTION: Received and filed.
8. DISCUSSION AND RESULTS OF COMPENSATION STUDY PERFORMED BY
PUBLIC SECTOR PERSONNEL CONSULTANTS AND LIEBERT CASSIDY
WHITMORE
Deputy City Manager Gabriel provided a summary that outlined the background of the RFP process to obtain a compensation study and the scope of services provided
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 8, 2025
by the awarded consultants. Following the summary, Deputy City Manager Gabriel introduced the presenter, Matt Weatherly, Public Sector Personnel Consultants.
Matt Weatherly, President of Public Sector Personnel Consultants, provided a presentation that entailed a compensation survey in comparison to neighboring cities. In addition, Mr. Weatherly highlighted findings that detailed pay ranges, entry- level positions, compensation rates for police officers and police sergeants, health insurance, and deferred compensation, as well as the average wage growth.
The Council asked clarifying questions, including talent attraction and recruitment, staffing levels, and work-life balance, which were responded to by Mr. Weatherly of Public Sector Personnel Consultants.
ACTION: Received and filed.
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Lozzi announced that she will host a small group meeting for tennis club
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:39 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY submitted,
fame con
APPROVED:
Tutorag
Victoria A. Lozzi, Mayor
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 8, 2025