CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
DECEMBER 12, 2023
DRAFT MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 12, 2023
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
MAYOR HUFF called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by PV Hills Nursery School.
3. ROLL CALL
City Council Members Present: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan City Council Members Absent: None
City Staff Present: City Manager Greg Grammer
City Attorney Donald Davis
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Administrative Services Director Mike Whitehead
Public Works Director David Wahba
Community Development Director Jeannie Naughton
City Clerk Lauren Pettit
Management Analyst Jessica Slawson
Administrative Aide Gabrielle Swain
4. 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 MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ, TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 5A-J AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
A. READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS BY TITLE ONLY
APPROVED.
B. DEMANDS AND WARRANTS OF NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2023
APPROVED WARRANTS 66825 THROUGH 66929 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$1,381,003.35 AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 110423 THROUGH
110523; 120123 THROUGH 120323; IN THE AMOUNT OF $222,030.62 FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1,603,033.97 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
C. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS REPORT OF OCTOBER 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
D. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT OF OCTOBER 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
E. BUDGET AMENDMENTS FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024
APPROVED THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 2
DECEMBER 12, 2023
F. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 14, 2023
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
G. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 4, 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
H. PALOS VERDES PENINSULA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AND REGIONAL CONTRACT LAW COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MAY 11, 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
I. COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE 2023 ATTENDANCE REPORT
RECEIVED AND FILED.
J. SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS OF NOVEMBER 16, 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
5. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
A. PRESENTATION TO OUTGOING MAYOR BRITT HUFF
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ thanked and recognized MAYOR HUFF by briefly highlighting her many accomplishments as Mayor over the last year.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ presented MAYOR HUFF with gifts including a commemorative framed photo of the 19th Amendment Dedication, and a gavel plaque including her most recent year as Mayor.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ introduced those present to make presentations to MAYOR HUFF:
- Karen Calderon from the office of Congressman Ted Lieu - Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Janice Hahn
- City of Rolling Hills Council Member Bea Dieringer
- Jeff Kiernan, Regional Public Affairs Manager, Los Angeles County Division for the League of California Cities
- Palos Verdes Peninsula School District Board Member Linda Kurt - Palos Verdes Library District Trustee Bob Parke
- Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Lewis MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ indicated that certificates of recognition for MAYOR HUFF were also received from the offices of Senator Ben Allen and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, and the City of Palos Verdes Estates.
MAYOR HUFF thanked all of the dignitaries, her fellow Council Members and City staff, and commented on her year as Mayor.
6. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
MAYOR HUFF nominated MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ to serve as the City’s next Mayor.
VELVETH SCHMITZ APPOINTED MAYOR BY ACCLAMATION.
MAYOR SCHMITZ nominated COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA to serve as the City’s next MAYOR PRO TEM.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3
DECEMBER 12, 2023
DEBBY STEGURA APPOINTED MAYOR PRO TEM BY ACCLAMATION.
***
At 7:49 p.m. MAYOR SCHMITZ adjourned the meeting to a brief reception.
MAYOR SCHMITZ called the meeting back to order at 8:05 p.m. ***
7. PUBLIC COMMENT/PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
Martin Gombert, Administrator for the Palos Verdes Transit Authority (PVTA), spoke regarding the free New Year’s Eve bus services offered across the Peninsula.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. REQUEST TO APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) FOR
USER FEE UPDATE - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
DEPARTMENTS
Recommendation: That the City Council award a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) to Matrix Consulting Group to conduct a comprehensive User Fee Study for the Community Development and Public Works Departments, to the satisfaction of the City Attorney.
Community Development Director Naughton provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
ZERUNYAN, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) TO MATRIX
CONSULTING GROUP TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE USER FEE
STUDY FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
DEPARTMENTS, TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
B. 2023 PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (PMS) REPORT UPDATE PREPARED
BY WILLDAN ENGINEERING
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the 2023 Pavement Management System (PMS) Report prepared by Willdan Engineering.
Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material),and introduced Ron Stein from Willdan Engineering who provided a summary of the PMS report.
MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA inquired about permeable pavement as a future option.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
RECEIVED AND FILED THE 2023 PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
(PMS) REPORT PREPARED BY WILLDAN ENGINEERING.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 4
DECEMBER 12, 2023
So ordered by MAYOR SCHMITZ.
C. REQUEST TO APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) FOR TRANSTECH ENGINEERS, INC. TO PROVIDE BIDDING SUPPORT AND PROJECT
MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE GEORGE F CANYON NATURE CENTER REPLACEMENT PROJECT. LOCATION: SOUTHWEST CORNER OF PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH & PALOS VERDES DRIVE EAST (27305 PALOS VERDES
DRIVE EAST)
Recommendation: That the City Council 1) Award a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) to Transtech Engineers, Inc., for Project Bidding and Construction Management Services, for the George F Canyon Nature Center Project (all to the satisfaction of the City Attorney) in the amount of $249,700.00; and 2) Direct staff to solicit construction bids for the George F Canyon Nature Center Project.
Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF inquired about the comparison of hours estimated between HR Green and Transtech Engineers, with almost 300 more hours estimated by HR Green. Public Works Director Wahba noted that staff works closely with the coordination of hours and billing for the project, and that staff feels comfortable with Transtech’s estimated hours.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER echoed COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF’s concerns. City Attorney Davis explained the not-to-exceed amount included within the Professional Services Agreement.
Public Works Director Wahba noted that the $250,000 is included in the total cost of $3.99M, in response to MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA.
MAYOR SCHMITZ clarified that the complexities of the management of this project necessitates an outside firm, and highlighted the amount of work staff has done towards finding grants and donations for this project.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
1) AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) TO
TRANSTECH ENGINEERS, INC., FOR PROJECT BIDDING AND
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES, FOR THE GEORGE F
CANYON NATURE CENTER PROJECT (ALL TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY) IN THE AMOUNT OF $249,700.00; AND 2) DIRECT
STAFF TO SOLICIT CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR THE GEORGE F CANYON NATURE CENTER PROJECT.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
D. RESOLUTION NO. 2561 - AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE CALRECYCLE SB 1383 LOCAL ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
Recommendation: That City Council adopt the attached Resolution No. 2561, authorizing staff to apply to CalRecycle’s SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant program and designating the City Manager, or his designee, as a “Signature Authority.” Administrative Aide Swain provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5
DECEMBER 12, 2023
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2561, AUTHORIZING STAFF TO APPLY TO CALRECYCLE’S SB 1383 LOCAL ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM AND
DESIGNATING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, AS A
“SIGNATURE AUTHORITY.”
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
City Clerk Pettit read Resolution No. 2561 by title.
E. ADOPTION OF FY 2023-24 PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULE Recommendation: That City Council approve a Publicly Available Pay Schedule for the 2023-24 fiscal year in accordance with California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) regulations.
Administrative Aide Swain provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
ZERUNYAN, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE A PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULE FOR THE 2023-24
FISCAL YEAR IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM (CALPERS) REGULATIONS.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
10. OLD BUSINESS
A. RESOLUTION NO. 2562 - CONTINUING THE PROCLAMATION OF THE LOCAL
EMERGENCY ARISING FROM SIGNIFICANT LAND MOVEMENT ALONG AND IN
THE VICINITY OF PEARTREE LANE IN THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ESTATES Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2562 continuing the Proclamation of a Local Emergency caused by significant land movement on Peartree Lane.
Management Analyst Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE A PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULE FOR THE 2023-24
FISCAL YEAR IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM (CALPERS) REGULATIONS.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
City Clerk Pettit read Resolution No. 2562 by title.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6
DECEMBER 12, 2023
11. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
None.
12. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF attended the California Association of Councils of Governments (CALCOG) State meeting in Riverside on Friday and was elected 1st Vice President.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN noted that the entire Council will be attending the California Contract Cities Association’s Legislative Tour in January in Sacramento.
MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA attended the Clean Power Alliance (CPA) Board meeting and attended the SBCCOG Steering/Board Committee meeting in December. She also participated in the SBCCOG’s recognition with the Southern California Regional Energy Network in which the City of Rolling Hills Estates was awarded the “Gold Level Achievement” for the 2023 South Bay Climate Energy Recognition Program.
13. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
A. COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE REAPPOINTMENTS
Recommendation: That the City Council reappoint the current Commission and Committee members
City Clerk Pettit provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
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
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
REAPPOINT THE CURRENT INTERESTED COMMISSION AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
14. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Significant exposure to litigation: one case
NO REPORTABLE ACTION.
15. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:58 p.m. MAYOR SCHMITZ adjourned to Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at 8:50 p.m. for the purpose of a Regular Meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit Velveth Schmitz
City Clerk Mayor