O MOS, VERONES
INCORPORATED 1939
CALIFORNIA
MINUTES OF THE MARCH 24, 2026
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CALIFORNIA
CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Kemps.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Kemps.
ROLL CALL - The Roll call was conducted by City Clerk Cook.
PRESENT: Mayor Kemps, Mayor Pro Tem Lazzaro, Councilmember McGowan Councilmember Quinn, and Councilmember Lozzi.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Kallman, Deputy City Manager Gabriel, City Attorney Rusin, Chief Hellinga, City Clerk, Cook, City Treasurer, Petersen, Community Development Director Brady, Public Works Director Antillon, and Senior Accountant Hayes.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Kemps called for the approval of the agenda. There being no changes, the following motion was presented.
ACTION: Moved by Councilmember Lozzi and seconded by Councilmember Quinn to approve the agenda.
AYES: McGowan, Quinn, Lozzi, Lazzaro and Kemps
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 24, 2026
MAYOR'S REPORT - MATTERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
Mayor Kemps provided an overview of the City's long-term financial challenges, including pension liabilities and deferred capital infrastructure investments. The report emphasized the impact of pension debt on the General Fund and the importance of sustainable financial planning. The Mayor also reported on two recent incidents in which Palos Verdes =states Police Department officers, utilizing license plate reader technology anc community awareness, successfully intervened in potential suicide situations. Mayor Kemps extended verbal commendations to the staff and residents involved. Following the report, the Mayor called for the City Manager's report.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Kallman provided an update on preparations for the June 2, 2026. The update included confirmation that ballot arguments and rebuttals had been posted and submitted to the County. Vote-by-mail ballots are scheduled to be mailed beginning May 4, 2026, with a secure ballot drop box opening at City Hall on the same date. Sample ballots will be mailed starting May 12, 2026, and early in-person voting will begin on May 23, 2026. Additional election-related information is available on the City's website and through the Los Angeles County Registrar's website at lavote.gov.
Chief Hellinga announced upcoming community engagement and organizational initiatives. A Police Department-hosted community engagement event is scheduled for April 8, 2026, at Neptune's Frozen Treats, where residents will have the opportunity to enjoy frozen yogurt with a police officer. The Chief of Police also reported on the recent completion of a two-day supervisory team-building workshop focused on leadership development, effective communication, and the creation of a department mission statement.
Following his report, City Manager Kallman shared an additional update on a forthcoming citizen service request platform, "Works" which will allow residents to submit service issues through a mobile application and will improve internal tracking, responsiveness, and accountability.
PRESENTATION - West Basin Municipal Water District: Firescaping Representatives from the West Basin Municipal Water District provided an overview of regional water supply challenges, ongoing conservation efforts, and available programs.
The presentation addressed future water supply planning and continued reliance on imported water, as well as the State-mandated phase-out of non-functional turf under the 2027 through 2029 implementation thresholds.
Information was also provided on available rebates for turf removal, rain barrels, and water-efficient landscaping, along with fire-hardening and water-conservation workshops.
In addition, representatives discussed grant opportunities to support the installation of public water bottle filling stations.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 24, 2026
Following the presentation, the City Council discussed opportunities to expand local conservation programs and promote available rebates to residents.
Public comment was received from resident John Williams who inquired about water supply during emergencies.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Valerie Gorsuch, President of the Palos Verdes Estates Neighborhood Watch and Area Coordinator for Malaga Cove, provided an update on Neighborhood Watch activities. She encouraged residents to participate in "Street Meet" gatherings, described as informal neighborhood meetings conducted in partnership with the Police Department to discuss local safety and crime-prevention topics. She also urged residents to consider serving as block captains, noting progress in recruitment while emphasizing the goal of having coverage on every street. In addition, Ms. Gorsuch informed the Council and community about a new State privacy protection program known as DROP, advising residents that the program will allow personal data to be scrubbed from online sources beginning August 1, 2026, and directing residents to privacy.ca.gov for additional information.
Darcel Ramirez-Hanson provided comments on community beautification efforts and discussed recent coordination with volunteer leaders associated with the Malaga Cove Beautification Project. Ms. Ramirez-Hanson highlighted proposed donations of milkweed and pollinator-friendly plants to support native landscaping and habitat restoration, as well as similar outreach efforts involving local schools. She also raised concerns regarding the City's procedures and deadlines for submitting written materials and visual aids for Council consideration, noting that timing constraints had limited participation.
Following public comment, the City Manager clarified that materials submitted by noon on the Monday preceding a Council meeting are posted online, with later submissions distributed to the Council and included in the official record.
CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 1-5)
Mayor Kemps called for the approval of the consent agenda. Consent agenda item number five was pulled for discussion. Thereafter, the following motion was made.
ACTION: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lazzaro and seconded by Councilmember Lozzi to approve the consent agenda items one through four.
AYES: McGowan, Quinn, Lozzi, Lazzaro and Kemps
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 24, 2026
1. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
Reviewed and approved March 24, 2026, Warrant Register.
2. CITY COUNCIL MEETING ACTIONS
Approved the minutes for the February 24, 2026, Regular City Council
3. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ACTIONS
Received and filed the action minutes for the March 17, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting.
4. LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR AB 2517 (CALDERON): FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES
Authorized the Mayor to sign the Letter of Support for AB 2517 (Calderon), which improves the Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) mapping process for Local Responsibility Areas.
5. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO THE AGREEMENT WITH BENNETT
LANDSCAPING FOR CITYWIDE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES This item was pulled for discussion.
Public Works Director, Oscar Antillon, presented the amendment, which modifies the existing contract to eliminate the use of herbicides in most areas of the City while allowing limited chemical application in specifically designated locations identified in the contract exhibits. The amendment was described as a negotiated modification to an existing, in-term agreement.
The Council discussion focused on the scope and duration of the contract, the City's ability to amend an active agreement, and the clarity of language describing. where limited chemical applications would remain permissible.
Councilmembers requested clarification from staff regarding renewal options, the remaining term of the contract, and the intent of the provisions restricting chemical use to areas with limited pedestrian access. Minor revisions to contract language were discussed to improve clarity and eliminate potential ambiguity.
Public comment was received from resident Darcel Ramirez Hanson expressing. concerns regarding the continued use of herbicides citing environmental, groundwater, and public-health considerations, as well as the proximity of some identified areas to walkways and schools.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 24, 2026
Councilmembers • acknowledged the concerns and emphasized that the amendment represents a significant reduction in herbicide use during the remaining contract term. It was noted that additional opportunities to further reduce or eliminate chemical use may be evaluated as part of future contract renewals or procurement processes. Following discussion, the Council approved Amendment No. 4 to the Bennett Landscaping contract with minor modifications as directed, including clarifying language revisions:
A grammatical correction was directed in Recital F, revising the phrase:
• "limit the use of chemical application in selected areas." to:
"limit the use of chemical application to selected areas." A deletion of the second sentence in Section 15 was directed, describing "selected areas" (including areas with limited pedestrian access).
The amendment was adopted by unanimous vote.
ACTION: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lazzaro and seconded by Councilmember Quinn to approve the amended contract with the minor modifications previously discussed.
AYES: McGowan, Quinn, Lozzi, Lazzaro and Kemps
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NEW BUSINESS
6. REPORT ON LONG-TERM PENSION OBLIGATIONS AND ANALYSIS OF
CONTRIBUTING MORE THAN THE NORMAL PAYMENT AMOUNT
Deputy City Manager, George Gabriel, and Consultant Dan Matusiewicz presented a detailed analysis of the City's CaPERS pension liabilities, current funding status, and long-term projections. The presentation reviewed the City's pension funding policy goal of achieving a 90 percent funded status and outlined projections indicating that this level could be reached by approximately 2034 under base assumptions, with the potential to accelerate the timeline through the use of additional discretionary payments (ADPs). The discussion also addressed investment risk, discount rate assumptions, and the cash-flow impacts of various funding scenarios.
Following the presentation, the City Council discussed the City's long-term CaPERS pension obligations, including funded status, investment assumptions, and the City's pension funding policy goal of achieving a 90 percent funded ratio. The Council
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 24, 2026
reviewed projections indicating the goal could be reached by approximately 2034 Discussin ensuhasized the balance between reiscret person maniles i Discussion emphasized
preserving City liquidity, noting market volatility, the permanence of CaPERS contributions, and the need for cash reserves to address infrastructure, emergencies, and economic uncertainty. The item was received and filed.
ACTION: Item received and filed.
7. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. R26-12 ACCEPTING ALL OF VOLUME 1 AND THE PVE PORTION OF VOLUME 2 WITHIN THE 2026 PALOS VERDES
PENINSULA MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Emergency Preparedness and Community Outreach Coordinator, Kristen Jo along with consultants presented the Peninsula-wide hazard mitigation plan covering earthquakes, landslides, wildfires, and other risks. Adoption of the plan maintains eligibility for FEMA and State funding and supports AB 2140 compliance.
Following the presentation, the City Council discussed the benefits of the Peninsula-wide, multi-jurisdictional approach to hazard mitigation, noting that regional coordination strengthens emergency preparedness and enhances eligibility for State and federal funding. Councilmembers discussed implementation considerations, including prioritization of mitigation strategies, opportunities for both joint and individual grant applications, and the types of infrastructure projects that may qualify for hazard-mitigation funding, such as stormwater improvements, seismic retrofits, and fuel-reduction efforts.
The discussion also addressed long-standing groundwater intrusion concerns in Malaga Cove and the potential for pursuing grant-funded studies or mitigation measures where an appropriate hazard nexus can be demonstrated. Council members emphasized the importance of resilient emergency communications and redundancy during disaster events and discussed opportunities for future enhancements. Staffing capacity and the need for shovel-ready projects to suppor successful grant applications were also noted. Overall, Council expressed support for adoption of the plan as a framework to maintain funding eligibility and guide future hazard-mitigation efforts, recognizing that implementation would occur incrementally based on available resources.
Cynthia Butler addressed the Council with concerns regarding groundwater and aglily to MA es, getoni and geotechnical concems, and suggested potential
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 24, 2026
ACTION: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lazzaro and seconded by Councilmember McGowan to adopt Resolution No. R26-12, thereby adopting the 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Volume 1 and the Palos Verdes Estates portion of Volume 2.
AYES: McGowan, Quinn, Lozzi, Lazzaro and Kemps
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
8. DRAFT FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 - FISCAL YEAR 2030/31 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM (CIP) OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY OF MAJOR CHANGES
Public Works Director, Oscar Antillon presented the draft Fiscal Year 2026-2027 through Fiscal Year 2030-2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), outlining significant infrastructure needs and identifying long-term funding gaps. Mr. Antillon also described the report as a long-range planning document identifying infrastructure needs across major asset categories. He further noted that a significant portion of the CIP remains unfunded, with many projects reliant on restricted funds, grants, or future revenues. The presentation reviewed project prioritization criteria, coordination with engineering studies and condition assessments, funding constraints, and the use of phased implementation to align projects with available resources. In closing, Mr.
Antillon indicated that future workshops are planned to further refine priorities in conjunction with the budget process.
The City Council discussed the draft multi-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), focusing on long-term infrastructure needs, funding constraints, and project prioritization. Council acknowledged that a significant portion of the CIP remains unfunded and that many projects rely on restricted funding or future grant opportunities. Discussion emphasized the need for clearer project descriptions, improved prioritization criteria, and coordination with recent engineering studies and condition assessments.
The Council also considered cash-flow planning, reserve strategies, and phased implementation as tools to manage financial impacts while addressing critical infrastructure risks. The role of grant funding was discussed, including limitations related to staffing capacity and the need for shovel-ready projects. Council expressed support for continued refinement of the CIP and further workshops to prioritize projects and align capital planning with available resources and the upcoming budget process.
John Williams, expressed concerns regarding the condition of City Hall and Malaga Cove Plaza, questioned the effectiveness of proposed drainage and infrastructure solutions, and urged the City to prioritize timely repairs.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 24, 2026
•
ACTION: Received and filed the Draft Fiscal Year 2026/27 through Fiscal Year 2030/31 Capital Improvement Program. Council direction was given to staff to schedule a future workshop to further refine project priorities, funding strategies, and implementation sequencing.
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There were no reports given during this period.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 10:34 p.m. to Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
RESPECTFULLY submitted: APPROVED:
Vale
umera
Tameka J. Cook, City Clerk Michael Kemps, Mayor
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 24, 2026