MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
AND IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY
AUGUST 5, 2025
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular Meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council for the purpose of a Closed Session was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Seo at 6 02 P M at Fred Hesse Jr Community Park, McTaggart Hall, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard This meeting took place both in person and remotely Remote participation by any Councilmember was in accordance with Government Code Section 54953 Members of the public could observe and participate using the Zoom participation feature and with options called out in the public participation form provided under a separate cover with the agenda Notice having been given with affidavit thereto on file
City Council roll call was answered as follows
PRESENT: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo and Mayor Bradley ( Via Zoom) ABSENT: None
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager, William Wynder, City Attorney, Pam Lee, Labor Counsel, Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager, Vina Ramos, Director of Finance, Brandy Forbes, Director of Community Development, Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works, Vanessa Godinez, Human Resources and Risk Manager, Nathan Zweizig, Acting Deputy City Clerk ( Via Zoom), and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR CLOSED SESSION:
None
CLOSED SESSION ITEM( S) ANNOUNCED:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54957 6, with the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and City Attorney, acting as its negotiators, regarding labor negotiations with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees District Council 36 (AFSCME DC36)
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION A closed session will be held, pursuant to Government Code § 54956 9( d)( 2) or d)( 3) and ( e)( 1) because there is a significant exposure to litigation in one case where the facts and circumstances giving rise to an exposure to litigation are not known to plaintiff(s)
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION A closed session will be held pursuant to Government Code § 54956. 9( e) because the City is considering whether to initiate litigation in two ( 2) cases At 6 03 P M the Council recessed to Closed Session I
RECONVENE TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7. 06 P. M the Closed Session was reconvened to the Regular meeting REGULAR MEETING — OPEN SESSION
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and Improvement Authority was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Seo at 7 06 P M at Fred Hesse Jr Community Park, McTaggart Hall, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, notice having been given with affidavit thereto on file
ROLL CALL:
City Council roll call was answered as follows
PRESENT: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo and Mayor Bradley ( Via Zoom) ABSENT: None
Also present were Ara Mihranian, City Manager, Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager, William Wynder, City Attorney, Vina Ramos, Director of Finance, Ramzi Awwad, Director 111 of Public Works; Brandy Forbes, Director of Community Development, Daniel Trautner, Director of Recreation and Parks, Robert Moya, Deputy Director of Finance, Jennifer Schmid, Public Safety Manager, Lukasz Buchwald, IT Manager, Mike Phipps, City Geologist ( Via Zoom), Nathan Zweizig, Acting Deputy City Clerk ( Via Zoom), and Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
Also present was Captain Kimberly Guerrero of the Lomita Sheriff's Station who joined the meeting at 7 31 P M
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Deputy City Manager Jun CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder provided the closed session report and reported on the three items that were on closed session
City Attorney Wynder reported that for Item 1 regarding ongoing labor negotiations with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees District Council 36 AFSCME DC36), the authority to meet in closed session was Government Code § 111 54957 6 There was a privileged and confidential briefing on the status of the negotiations City Council Regular Minutes
August 5, 2025
Additional negotiating authority was given to the City' s negotiating team, and no reportable action was taken
Regarding Items 2 and 3, the items were placeholders on the agenda that were not needed and not discussed in Closed Session
MAYOR' S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Pro Tem Seo and the entire City Council recognized August 5, 2024, as " National Night Out" day Celebrating the incredible efforts by our public safety officers and first responders This National Night Out, the City Council paused and mourned the passing of the three Los Angeles County Sheriff' s Detectives, Detective Joshua Kelley- Eklund, Detective Victor Lemus, and Detective William Osborn who were assigned to the Special Enforcement Bureaus Arson Explosive Detail and made the ultimate sacrifice to their country
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
City Clerk Takaoka noted due to Mayor Bradley participating via Zoom, a motion and roll call vote would be required for this item, instead of proceeding via acclamation.
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to approve the Recycle Winners for July 15, 2025, as Kathy Anderson and Sondra Behrens The winners will each receive a check for $ 250 as well as a personal emergency preparedness kit from the City valued at $ 40
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Perestam, to approve the agenda as presented
The motion passed on the following roll call vote
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR NON- AGENDA ITEMS:
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were two requests to speak The following members of the public addressed the City Council Carol Mueller and Eva Albuja ( Via Zoom)
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Council Regular Minutes
August 5, 2025
City Manager Mihranian provided updates on the following 1 The City celebrated its Sister City Fifth Anniversary with Sakura City, Japan via Zoom on August 4
2 National Night Out was held on August 5 at Hesse Park prior to the start of the City Council meeting
3. St John Fisher presents Music for Contemplation Bells of Nagasaki 4 LA County Board of Supervisors supports AB 986
5 Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Quarterly Public Forum will be held at the City Hall Community Room and via Zoom on August 21 starting at 6 00 P M 6 The Rancho Palos Verdes Recreation and Parks Programs and Classes Interest Surveys ( Adult Survey and Youth/ Teen Survey) have launched The surveys will be active until September 30
7 Recreation and Parks will be hosting a Softball Camp at Ryan Park on August 15- 17 8 The third Movie in the Park for summer 2025 will take place at the Ken Dyda Civic Center on August 9 with the event starting at 7 00 P M and the movie The Wild Robot starting at dusk
9. Oldies and Classic Rock Concert in the Park at the Ken Dyda Civic Center on August 23 from 4 00 P M to 6. 00 P M
10 Fall 2025 Leadership Academy is underway There are 25 spots available Applications are now being accepted through August 20 on a first- come, first- serve basis
11 Happy National Lighthouse Day
CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Clerk Takaoka noted that late correspondence was distributed earlier regarding Items E and H and there were no requests to speak
Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Perestam, to approve the Consent Calendar
The motion passed on the following roll call vote
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
A. Approval of Minutes ( Zweizig)
Approved the Minutes of July 15, 2025 ( Regular Meeting) B. Registers of Demands ( Anguiano)
Adopted Resolution No 2025- 52, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING FUNDS FROM WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID City Council Regular Minutes
August 5, 2025
C. Consideration to receive the June 2025 Preliminary Cash Balances/ Monthly Treasurer' s Report. ( Lin)
Received and filed the June 2025 Cash Balances/ Monthly Treasurer' s Report for the City and the Improvement Authority
D. Consideration to accept Gifts for Parks donations. ( Fox) Accepted Gifts for Parks donations and directed Staff to prepare donor letters of appreciation for the Mayor' s signature
E. Consideration to execute a professional service agreement and approve an additional appropriation for exhibit improvements at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. ( Rodin)
1) Directed staff to execute a professional services agreement ( PSA) with Show Ready Inc to complete the requested exhibit improvements at the PVIC, and, 2) Approved an additional appropriation of$ 22, 300 from the Donor Restricted Contribution Fund allocated for Point Vicente Interpretive Center ( PVIC) exhibits F. Consideration to approve the submittal of a grant application to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ( CalFire) Wildfire Prevention Grants Program for a Peninsula- wide Mass Care and Evacuation Plan. ( Mohammad) 1) Approved the submittal of a grant application for $ 200, 000 to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ( CalFire) Wildfire Prevention Grant Program to fund the development of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Mass Care and Evacuation Plan, and, 2) Adopted Resolution No 2025- 53, " A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AUTHORIZING THE
SUBMITTAL OF A CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE
PROTECTION ( CALFIRE) WILDFIRE PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM
APPLICATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PALOS VERDES PENINSULA MASS CARE AND EVACUATION PLAN"
G. Consideration to approve the submittal of a grant application to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ( CalFire) Wildfire Prevention Grants Program for fuel modification activities. ( Hevener)
1) Approved the submittal of a grant application for $ 948,000 to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ( CalFire) Wildfire Prevention Grants Program to fund fuel modification ( brush clearing) activities, 2) Adopted Resolution No 2025- 54, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF THE CALIFORNIA City Council Regular Minutes
August 5, 2025
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION ( CALFIRE) WILDFIRE
PREVENTION GRANTS PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR FUEL MODIFICATION ACTIVITIES; 3) Approved Amendment No. 3 to the professional services agreement with Blois & Associates for grant support services thereby increasing the contract authorization amount for Fiscal Year ( FY) 2025- 26 by $ 40, 664 from $ 59, 336 to a total not-to-exceed amount of $ 100, 000, and, 4) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute Amendment No 3 in a form approved by the City Attorney H. Consider amendments to the Neighborhood Public Safety Reimbursement Program guidelines. ( Schmid)
Approved the proposed amendments to the Neighborhood Public Safety Reimbursement Program guidelines thereby increasing the annual reimbursement amount for neighborhood security camera maintenance fees from $ 2, 000 to $ 2, 500, effective July 1, 2025
I. Consideration to continue the emergency justification for work and emergency contracting for the Greater Portuguese Bend- Ancient Altamira Landslide Emergency Project. ( Copp)
1) Reconfirmed, by a four- fifths vote, there is a need to continue the work on the Emergency Project declared by Council- adopted Resolution No 2024- 20 on May 7, 2024, finding an emergency exists requiring immediate action in the Greater Portuguese Bend- Ancient Altamira Landslide Complex ( Landslide Complex) to seek to mitigate the movement of the landslide, and, 2) Directed the City Clerk to confirm the same in the minutes of this City Council meeting, via Minute Order, reflecting this action
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM( S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None
REGULAR BUSINESS:
1. Consideration to receive a status report on recommended traffic measures for Palos Verdes Drive East between Crest Road and Palos Verdes Drive South.
Casi l/ Sch mid)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were two requests to speak Director of Public Works Awwad and Public Safety Manager, Jennifer Schmid presented a detailed staff report and PowerPoint presentation Director of Public Works City Council Regular Minutes
August 5, 2025
Awwad introduced Traffic Safety Committee Chair, Mark Grossman who was available for questions
Council Members asked questions of Staff
The following members of the public addressed the City Council Eva Albuja ( Via Zoom)
Discussion ensued among Council Members, and questions were asked of Staff Mayor Bradley made a motion to continue to focus on enforcement, but not to change the speed limit, continue maintaining the 40 MPH speed limit between Palos Verdes Drive East at Crest Road to the top of the switchbacks and 40 MPH in the switchbacks, and to add more advisory signs where there are drastic changes The motion was not considered for lack of a second
Mayor Pro Tern Seo moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve Staff Recommendation as amended' 1) Received and filed a status report on the City Council approved traffic measures for Palos Verdes Drive East ( PVDE) between Crest Road and Palos Verdes Drive South ( PVDS); 2) Adopted Resolution No. 2025- 55, A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
APPROVING THE ENGINEERING TRAFFIC STUDY RECOMMENDATION AND ESTABLISHING A SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MPH FOR THE SEGMENT OF PALOS
VERDES DRIVE EAST ( PVDE) BETWEEN CREST ROAD AND PALOS VERDES DRIVE SOUTH ( PVDS), 3) Directed Staff to conduct an after- action study one year after implementation of the traffic measures and speed limit change( s) for the City Council' s review to determine whether additional measures should be considered, 4) Received and filed an update on the 10- day Enforcement Plan, 5) Received and filed the proposed Speed Management Plan and directed staff to provide the City Council Public Safety Subcommittee with quarterly updates, 6) To increase signage, and, 7) Directed Staff to continue collecting data and return to City Council in 6 months on enforcement efforts
The motion passed on the following roll call vote
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam and Mayor Pro Tern Seo
NOES: Mayor Bradley
2. Consideration to repeal and replace Chapter 15. 20 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code on building regulations within the Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex. ( Forbes/ Bobbett)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed and there were six requests to speak
City Manager Mihranian provided an introduction and brief summary of the item and introduced the Community Development Director Forbes who presented a City Council Regular Minutes
August 5, 2025
comprehensive staff report and PowerPoint presentation
Community Development Director Forbes shared that Cotton Shires & Associates consultant, Geologist Mike Phipps, was available Via Zoom for questions Council Members asked questions of City Geologist Mike Phipps The following members of the public addressed the City Council Ellen Tuberose, Sheri Hastings; Gordon Leon, John Colich; Ben Eilenberg (Via Zoom), Dr Kit Song ( Via Zoom), and Eva Albuja ( Via Zoom)
Discussion ensued among Council Members and City Attorney Wynder.
Councilmember Lewis moved, seconded by Councilmember Ferraro, to approve staff recommendations as follows 1) Introduced Ordinance No 692, AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA,
DETERMINING THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIROMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND REPEALING CHAPTER 15 20 ( MORATORIUM ON LAND USE PERMITS) OF TITLE 15 ( BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) OF
THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE AND REPLACING IT WITH CHAPTER 15. 20 ( GREATER PORTUGUESE BEND LANDSLIDE COMPLEX REGULATIONS ON LAND USE PERMITS) AND AMENDING § 15 04 040 ( BUILDING CODE AMENDED — SPECIALIZED FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS) OF TITLE 15 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) AND AMENDING § 16 40. 030 ( PARCEL REQUIREMENTS) OF CHAPTER 16 40 ( URBAN LOT SPLITS) OF TITLE SUBDIVISIONS) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE 16II TO PROPERLY REFERENCE CHAPTER 15 20, and, 2) Initiated Code Amendment proceedings to the Zoning Code ( Title 17 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code) thereby having the Planning Commission, in an advisory role, make recommendations to the City Council on proposed text amendments to § 17 09 030 ( Requirements) of Chapter 17 09 ( Second Units and Two- Unit Developments in Single-Family Zones), 17 32 030 ( Uses and development permitted) of Chapter 17 32 ( Open Space Hazard OH) District), and § 17 76 780 ( Cargo Containers) of Chapter 17 76 ( Miscellaneous Permits and Standards) of Title 17 ( Zoning) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to update references associated with proposed amendments to Chapter 15 20 The motion passed on the following roll call vote
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
Mayor Pro Tem Seo called for a brief recess at 9 14 P M Without objection, it was so ordered The meeting was reconvened at 9 26 P M.
3. Consideration to initiate the process to establish a new third Geologic Hazard Abatement District. ( Wynder)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were two requests to speak City Council Regular Minutes
August 5, 2025
City Manager Mihranian and City Attorney Wynder presented a detailed staff report and PowerPoint presentation
The following members of the public addressed the City Council Nikki Noushkam, Ben Zask, Eva Albuja ( Via Zoom), and Tashia Hinchcliffe
Discussion ensued among Council Members and questions were asked of Staff Councilmember Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to approve staff recommendations as follows 1) Reviewed the advantages and procedures to forming a new third Geologic Hazard Abatement District ( GHAD) not currently part of an existing GHAD, and, 2) Directed staff to initiate the formal process to form a third GHAD to be called the " Portuguese Bend Landslide Abatement District" ( the " PBLAD") The motion passed on the following roll call vote
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
4. Consideration to amend Section 12. 16. 090 ( Closed Areas) of Title 12 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code ( Jun)
City Clerk Takaoka reported that there were no requests to speak Deputy City Manager Jun presented a comprehensive staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion ensued among Council Members
Mayor Bradley moved, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, to approve staff recommendation as follows. Introduced Ordinance No. 693, " AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING SECTION 12. 16 090 ( CLOSED AREAS) OF CHAPTER 12 16 ( STREETS, PARKS, PRESERVE AND
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES) OF TITLE 12 ( STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC
PLACES) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCLUDE CITY
STREETS, SIDEWALKS, FACILITIES AND TRAILS TO BE WITHIN THE CITY
MANAGER OR DESIGNEE' S AUTHORITY TO CLOSE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND WHEN NEEDED"
The motion passed on the following roll call vote
AYES: Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam, Seo and Mayor Bradley
NOES: None
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM( S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
None
City Council Regular Minutes
August 5, 2025
Page, 9 of 10
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Mayor Pro Tern Seo requested to consider requiring markets to provide paper coupons CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Councilmember present reported on his attendance at various organization and association meetings
ADJOURNMENT:
At 10 07 P M , Mayor Pro Tern Seo adjourned to 6 00 P M on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, for Interviews for the Traffic Safety Committee followed by the Closed Session and then to 7 00 P. M for a Regular meeting
Mayor Pro Tern Seo adjourned the meeting in honor and memory of the three Los Angeles County Sheriff' s Detectives, Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Detective Victor Lemus, and Detective William Osborn
se: 0)
David L Bradle , ayor
Attest
eres_ TaCaoka, City Clerk
City Council Regular Minutes
August 5, 2025