CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
MAYOR SCHMITZ called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by members of Happy Hoofers and the Palos Verdes Junior Drill Team.
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 Don Davis
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Public Works Director David Wahba
Community Development Director Jeannie Naughton
City Clerk Lauren Pettit
Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Slawson
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 ZERUNYAN moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA, TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 5A-F 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 SEPTEMBER 2024
APPROVED WARRANTS 67776 THROUGH 67841 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$331,603.91, AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 080724; 090124
THROUGH 090424; IN THE AMOUNT OF $138,561.59; FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $487,508.50 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
C. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS REPORT AUGUST 2024
RECEIVED AND FILED.
D. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT OF AUGUST 2024
RECEIVED AND FILED.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 2
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
E. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
F. NOTICE OF COMPLETION - FOUNDERS PARK (PHASE 1) - KORMEX CONSTRUCTION, INC.
1) ACCEPTED PHASE 1 OF FOUNDERS PARK COMPLETE, 2)
AUTHORIZED THE CITY CLERK TO FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION (NOC) WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY RECORDER’S OFFICE, AND 3) IF NO CLAIMS ARE FILED WITHIN 35 DAYS AFTER RECORDATION, DIRECTED STAFF TO RELEASE THE 5% CONSTRUCTION RETENTION PAYMENT TO KORMEX CONSTRUCTION, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF
$12,792.50.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT/PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. COST RECOVERY POLICY/ANNUAL UPDATE MECHANISM FOR THE USER FEE
UPDATE - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS Recommendation: That the City Council review the draft cost recovery policy and annual update mechanism proposed for the Community Development and Public Works Departments, discuss the issues, and direct staff to return at the next regularly scheduled meeting with a recommended cost recovery policy, annual increase mechanism, and fee schedules for City Council consideration and adoption.
Community Development Director Naughton provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Community Development Director Naughton explained the Planning fee schedule had not been revisited in approximately 15 years, and the Building and Safety fees follow the County’s fee schedule and are adopted by reference, which were last updated in 2015, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF.
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF explained that residents have complained to her that permit fees are too high and expressed concern about the annual increase mechanism as proposed.
Community Development Director Naughton explained that many Building Permit fees were identified as too high and will be significantly reduced.
Community Development Director Naughton explained that the Community Services department will also be analyzing its fees and will do a comprehensive user fee study later this year, so this policy was written to be applicable for other departments to use as well, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN stated he supports the policy of recovering the City’s overhead and thinks its good policy to use an unbiased outside resource to do the study.
MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA confirmed that once approved, the new fee schedule will be available for the public on the City’s website.
Community Development Director Naughton explained that best practices for performing a user fee study is to update every three to five years, in response to MAYOR SCHMITZ. She further explained that because there is an annual increase mechanism within the policy, staff thinks five years would be appropriate.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, 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:
DIRECT STAFF TO RETURN WITH A RECOMMENDED COST RECOVERY
POLICY, ANNUAL INCREASE MECHANISM, AND FEE SCHEDULES FOR CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
B. ROAD REPAIRS ON PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH, EAST OF ROLLING HILLS ROAD / WESTBOUND LANE. REQUEST TO AWARD A PUBLIC WORKS
CONTRACT TO MENDOZA ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.
Recommendation: That the City Council award a Public Works Contract to Mendoza Engineering Company, Inc., in the amount of $65,619.50, plus a 20% contingency ($13,124) for a total of $78,743.50 to repair a portion of Palos Verdes Drive North (PVDN), including the adjacent walk path and curb and gutter, all located just east of Rolling Hills Rd. in the westbound lane.
Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Public Works Director Wahba explained the working hours for the project, including the traffic control and construction noise, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER inquired about the impacts to the trail in this location. She emphasized the importance of signage, and asked staff to inform the Palos Verdes Horseman’s Association on the work that will be done.
Public Works Director Wahba discussed the 20% contingency, in response to MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA.
Discussion ensued about the bids received and the estimated line items of each bidder.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, 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:
AWARD A PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT TO MENDOZA ENGINEERING
COMPANY, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $65,619.50, PLUS A 20%
CONTINGENCY ($13,124) FOR A TOTAL OF $78,743.50 TO REPAIR A
PORTION OF PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH (PVDN), INCLUDING THE
ADJACENT WALK PATH AND CURB AND GUTTER, ALL LOCATED JUST EAST OF ROLLING HILLS RD. IN THE WESTBOUND LANE.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
C. GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICY REVIEW
Recommendation: That the City Council review the draft Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy and provide direction to staff. Alternatively, if the policy meets City Council goals, it may choose to proceed with adoption.
Assistant City Manager Davis provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
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SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
Assistant City Manager Davis noted that the policy covers legal compliance and copyright concerns, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN commended staff for the well written policy.
MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA stated she was pleased to see the proposed policy includes a human element to everything that is generated.
MAYOR SCHMITZ discussed generative AI and its widespread use.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
DIRECT STAFF TO PROCEED WITH ADOPTION OF THE PROPOSED
GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) POLICY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
D. MASTER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CITYGREEN CONSULTING FOR SB 1383 COMPLIANCE REVIEW AND CITYGREEN CONNECT
SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTION
Recommendation: That the City Council approve 1) Master Professional Services Agreement (MPSA) approved as to form by the City Attorney with CityGreen Consulting, and 2) Task Order 1-2024, under the MPSA in the not-to exceed amount of $20,000 for CityGreen Connect, compliance review and implementation record development, utilizing CalRecycle grant funds.
Assistant City Manager Davis provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Assistant City Manager Davis explained that Waste Management will be an active partner in this project, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE 1) MASTER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (MPSA)
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY WITH CITYGREEN CONSULTING, AND 2) TASK ORDER 1-2024, UNDER THE MPSA IN THE NOT-TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $20,000 FOR CITYGREEN CONNECT,
COMPLIANCE REVIEW AND IMPLEMENTATION RECORD DEVELOPMENT, UTILIZING CALRECYCLE GRANT FUNDS.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
E. SB 450 (ATKINS) VETO REQUEST LETTER- HOUSING DEVELOPMENT:
APPROVALS
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign and submit the letter requesting that the Governor veto SB 450.
Assistant to the City Manager Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
Assistant to the City Manager Slawson explained that the Governor will sign or veto bills on his desk before the end of the month, and that staff will send the letter tomorrow, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND SUBMIT THE LETTER
REQUESTING THAT THE GOVERNOR VETO SB 450.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
9. OLD BUSINESS
A. QUARTERLY 2024-2025 WORK PLAN UPDATE
Recommendation: Receive and file.
City Manager Grammer provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
RECEIVE AND FILE.
MAYOR SCHMITZ so ordered.
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
None.
11. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF chaired the South Bay Cities Council of Governments’ (SBCCOG) Senior Working Group meeting this morning.
City Manager Grammer and Community Development Director Naughton highlighted that the City of Rolling Hills Estates has been selected as one of the Institute of Local Government’s (ILG) 2024 Beacon Spotlight Award Winners and will be receiving a Platinum Level Award in recognition of our Community Greenhouse Gas Reductions and Sustainability Best Practices, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER chaired the Equestrian Committee meeting last night.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN also congratulated staff on the ILG Beacon award and noted that Assistant City Manager Davis is a finalist for the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority’s (CJPIA) Capstone Award again this year.
MAYOR SCHMITZ attended the Los Angeles County Sanitation District meeting this month.
12. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
MAYOR SCHMITZ thanked the community for attending the annual City Celebration on September 14 and commended the City team for defeating Lomita Station in the annual City vs. Sheriff volleyball game.
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13. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Significant exposure to litigation: one potential case
NO REPORTABLE ACTION.
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:15 p.m. MAYOR SCHMITZ adjourned the meeting to in honor of Horrace Higgins who turns 102 years old on October 9. The meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a Regular meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit, City Clerk Velveth Schmitz, Mayor