CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
AUGUST 8, 2023
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 8, 2023
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
MAYOR HUFF called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by MAYOR HUFF.
3. ROLL CALL
City Council Members Present: Brown Schachter, Huff, Stegura, Zerunyan City Council Members Absent: Schmitz
City Staff Present: City Manager Greg Grammer
City Attorney Don Davis
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Public Works Director David Wahba
Community Development Director Jeannie Naughton
City Clerk Lauren Pettit
4. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
None.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
The following routine matters will be acted upon by one vote to approve with the majority consent of the City Council. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless good cause is shown by a member prior to the roll call vote. (Items removed will be considered under New Business.) COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN, TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 5A-I AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Stegura, Zerunyan
ABSENT: Schmitz
A. READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS BY TITLE ONLY
APPROVED.
B. DEMANDS AND WARRANTS OF JULY & AUGUST 2023
APPROVED WARRANTS 66422 THROUGH 66510 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$480,914.34, AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 070223 THROUGH
070723; 080123 THROUGH 080223; IN THE AMOUNT OF $563,961.77; FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1,044,876.11 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
C. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS REPORT OF JULY 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
D. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT OF JULY 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
E. BUDGET AMENDMENTS FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024
APPROVED THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024.
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AUGUST 8, 2023
F. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JUNE 27, 2023
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
G. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JULY 11, 2023
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
H. PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MINUTES OF JULY 10, 2023 RECEIVED AND FILED.
I. SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS OF JUNE 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER requested that the Peartree Lane expenditures be broken out into more detailed line-item expenditures within the Budget Amendments. City Manager Grammer agreed and noted that all expenses related to this emergency are being carefully tracked.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT/PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
A. WASTE MANAGEMENT "RECYCLING HERO" DRAWING FOR ONE YEAR OF FREE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REFUSE SERVICE - THIRD QUARTER 2023 Erick Quintero, Waste Management Public Sector Services Manager, presented the following winners of Waste Management’s 3rd quarter Recycling Hero drawing:
RESIDENTIAL WINNER: 2249 CARRIAGE DRIVE
COMMERCIAL WINNER: RED ONION, 736 BART EARLE WAY
Erick Quintero provided a few updates related to the recent reroutes which began July 31, as well as updates related to the Peartree Lane land movement.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. TASK ORDER FOR TRIPEPI SMITH FOR DISASTER RESPONSE
COMMUNICATION SUPPORT
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve a Task Order under the Tripepi Smith Master Professional Services Agreement for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year for communication support for disaster response in an amount not to exceed $50,000; and 2) Adjust the Public Information contract services budget in the amount of $50,000 to include the added cost of communication support services under the currently declared disaster.
City Manager Grammer provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
MAYOR HUFF expressed concern about the proposed task order for $50,000, noting that she would like to see the funds go towards helping those affected and displaced by the disaster.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA stated this was a good precautionary measure to have in place, noting that the City Manager explained there is no expectation to spend much more on this particular service. COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA noted that our hearts go out to those affected, and that these particular sources of funds are not appropriate for residents’ relief. She stated that she supports approving the staff recommendation.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3
AUGUST 8, 2023
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN agreed with MAYOR HUFF that the focus should be on supporting the displaced residents, but also agreed with COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA about the need for the funds as a precautionary measure. He stated that we need to continue to be transparent and responsive in providing information.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER shared positive feedback she received from the community about the communications related to the land movement. She also agreed that communications are expected to slow as the emergency stabilizes. She also provided feedback about her positive experience visiting the Local Assistance Center.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
MAYOR HUFF confirmed that the $50,000 task order includes the $26,840 that has already been spent.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA noted that the amount spent was near the City Manager’s signing limit.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
1) APPROVE A TASK ORDER UNDER THE TRIPEPI SMITH MASTER
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR THE 2023-24 FISCAL YEAR
FOR COMMUNICATION SUPPORT FOR DISASTER RESPONSE IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000; AND 2) ADJUST THE PUBLIC
INFORMATION CONTRACT SERVICES BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF
$50,000 TO INCLUDE THE ADDED COST OF COMMUNICATION SUPPORT SERVICES UNDER THE CURRENTLY DECLARED DISASTER.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Stegura, Zerunyan
ABSENT: Schmitz
9. OLD BUSINESS
A. FOUNDERS PARK PROJECT-REQUEST TO REJECT BID AND CONSIDER
PROJECT ALTERNATIVES
Recommendation: That the City Council 1) Reject the bid from KASA Construction Inc. received on July 27, 2023 for Founders Park; and 2) Direct this project back to the Park & Activities Commission for further study.
Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER inquired if Eagle Scouts or other volunteer groups could help with this project. She agreed with staff’s recommendation to proceed with the landscaping and address equipment at a later time.
Public Works Director Wahba explained that a significant portion of the revised bid was for preparing the ground and drainage, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA and MAYOR HUFF.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN stated he supports rejecting the bid, suggested a phased approach to complete the project, and echoed the idea of possibly using community volunteers.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 4
AUGUST 8, 2023
1) REJECT THE BID FROM KASA CONSTRUCTION INC. RECEIVED ON JULY 27, 2023 FOR FOUNDERS PARK; AND 2) DIRECT THIS PROJECT BACK TO THE PARK & ACTIVITIES COMMISSION FOR FURTHER STUDY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Stegura, Zerunyan
ABSENT: Schmitz
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
None.
11. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA attended the July South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Board Meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN announced California Contract Cities Association’s annual Fall Educational Summit will be held September 8 – 10 in San Diego.
MAYOR HUFF attended the Cal Cities Los Angeles Division’s Installation Dinner, installing Rolling Hills Council Member Bea Dieringer as the new President.
12. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
A. APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING COMMISSIONER
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
ZERUNYAN, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPOINT SHERI REPP-LOADSMAN TO FILL THE ONE VACANCY ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Stegura, Zerunyan
ABSENT: Schmitz
13. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Significant exposure to litigation: one case
NO REPORTABLE ACTION.
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:46 p.m. MAYOR HUFF adjourned the City Council meeting to Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a Regular Meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit Britt Huff
City Clerk Mayor