CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
DECEMBER 10, 2024
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 10, 2024
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
MAYOR SCHMITZ called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by Rosemary Vivero, Los Angeles County Fire Department.
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
Senior Planner Whitney Berry
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.) MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 5A-L 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 2024
APPROVED WARRANTS 67928 THROUGH 68058 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$1,629,787.59; AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 110424 THROUGH 110524; 120124 THROUGH 120224; IN THE AMOUNT OF $212,742.05; FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1,842,529.64 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
C. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS REPORT OF OCTOBER 2024
RECEIVED AND FILED.
D. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT OF OCTOBER 2024
RECEIVED AND FILED.
E. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 12, 2024
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
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DECEMBER 10, 2024
F. EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 18, 2024
RECEIVED AND FILED.
G. PARK & ACTIVITIES COMMISSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 19, 2024 RECEIVED AND FILED.
H. TRAFFIC & SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 20, 2024 RECEIVED AND FILED.
I. RESOLUTION NO. 2592 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 REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
J. PALOS VERDES PENINSULA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AND REGIONAL CONTRACT LAW COMMITTEE MINUTES OF AUGUST 8, 2024
RECEIVED AND FILED.
K. 2024 TRACY AUSTIN DOUBLES TENNIS TOURNAMENT DEBRIEF
RECEIVED AND FILED.
L. SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS BOARD MEETING
HIGHLIGHTS
RECEIVED AND FILED.
5. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
A. PRESENTATION TO OUTGOING MAYOR VELVETH SCHMITZ
MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA thanked and recognized MAYOR SCHMITZ by briefly highlighting her many accomplishments as Mayor over the last year.
MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA presented MAYOR SCHMITZ with gifts including a commemorative photo collage from her year as Mayor, and a gavel plaque including her most recent year as Mayor.
MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA introduced those present to make presentations to MAYOR SCHMITZ:
- Senator Ben Allen (via video recording) + representative Edward Feves - Representative from Supervisor Janic Hahn’s office, Jennifer LaMarque - City of Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor John Cruikshank
- Palos Verdes Library District Vice President Jonathan Beutler and Trustee Bob Parke
- Los Angeles County Fire Department representative Rosemary Vivero MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA indicated that recognitions for MAYOR SCHMITZ were also received from the offices of Congressman Ted Lieu, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, the City of Rolling Hills and the City of Palos Verdes Estates.
MAYOR SCHMITZ thanked all the dignitaries, her fellow Council Members and City staff, and commented on her year as Mayor.
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DECEMBER 10, 2024
6. OATH OF OFFICE
The Oath of Office was performed by City Clerk Pettit for MAYOR VELVETH SCHMITZ, MAYOR PRO TEM DEBBY STEGURA and COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK ZERUNYAN.
7. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
MAYOR SCHMITZ nominated MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA to serve as the City’s next Mayor.
DEBBY STEGURA APPOINTED MAYOR BY ACCLAMATION.
MAYOR STEGURA nominated COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN to serve as the City’s next MAYOR PRO TEM.
FRANK ZERUNYAN APPOINTED MAYOR PRO TEM BY ACCLAMATION.
***
At 7:47 p.m. MAYOR STEGURA adjourned the meeting to a brief reception.
MAYOR STEGURA called the meeting back to order at 8:08 p.m. ***
8. PUBLIC COMMENT/PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
Public comment was received by Rosemary Vivero of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, who provided an update on the Franklin Fire in Malibu. Public Comment was also received by Merlin David, with Peninsula Friends of the Library announcing upcoming events, as well as Daniel Houk from La Collina HOA regarding pedestrian safety on Deep Valley Drive.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 230516 CONSIDERATION OF A DEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENT, AND AN ADDENDUM TO THE GENERAL PLAN FINAL PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE 2040 GENERAL PLAN (SCH NO. 2021050450) FOR A 90-UNIT APARTMENT PROJECT ON A 2-ACRE SITE APPLICANT: RYAN ASH ON BEHALF OF VESTAR LOCATION: 27525 NORRIS CENTER DRIVE (APN 7589-005-020)
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Take public testimony; 2) Discuss Ordinance No. 750; 3) Close the public hearing; 4) Conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 750.
Senior Planner Berry 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.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
CONDUCT SECOND READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 750.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
City Clerk Pettit read Ordinance No. 750 by title.
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DECEMBER 10, 2024
10. NEW BUSINESS
A. TRAFFIC AND SAFETY COMMITTEE ACTION ITEM FROM MEETING OF NOVEMBER 20, 2024: IMPLEMENT “LEADING PEDESTRIAN INTERVAL” (LPI) AT
THE INTERSECTION OF PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH (PVDN) AND PALOS
VERDES DRIVE EAST (PVDE)
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the re-programing of the traffic signals at PVDN and PVDE to implement the use of “Leading Pedestrian Interval” (LPI) for the pedestrian signals for all four crosswalks.
Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Director Wahba explained how the leading pedestrian intervals work with the addition of four seconds to the designated crossing times to give pedestrians a head start to be more visible by motorists, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, via email and via eComment.
Public testimony was received from resident Lynn Yen.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE THE RE-PROGRAMING OF THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT PVDN AND PVDE TO IMPLEMENT THE USE OF “LEADING PEDESTRIAN
INTERVAL” (LPI) FOR THE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS FOR ALL FOUR CROSSWALKS.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
B. CIVIC PLUS MULTI-DEPARTMENTAL SOFTWARE AGREEMENT FOR
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC WORKS, AND ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENTS
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Service Agreement with CivicPlus for Multi-Department Software for the Community Development, Public Works, and Administration Departments.
Assistant City Manager Davis provided a staff report (as per the agenda material), followed by Community Development Director Naughton.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ noted that in the event we needed to terminate the contract, prior to any termination we should download any applicable data, as Civic Plus has the right and ability to destroy it 30 days later.
Assistant City Manager Davis explained that other cities have reported that the number of complaints has increased slightly after using this software but phone calls received generally decrease, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER.
Assistant City Manager Davis explained that business licenses would be handled through a different portal, in response to MAYOR PRO TEM ZERUNYAN. She further explained the backend process, in which the system notifies multiple staff members depending on the nature of the complaint, and additionally tracks all communication throughout the entire process of complaint’s resolution, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN.
Assistant City Manager Davis explained that staff will do a public education campaign once implemented, in response to MAYOR STEGURA. She further explained that residents can always contact City staff via phone.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
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DECEMBER 10, 2024
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE THE SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH CIVICPLUS FOR MULTIDEPARTMENT SOFTWARE FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC WORKS, AND ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENTS.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
11. OLD BUSINESS
A. REQUEST TO RECORD A NOTICE OF COMPLETION (NOC) FOR STORM DRAIN
REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT PROJECT ON PALOS VERDES DRIVE EAST (PVDE)
AND CONSTRUCTION OF A DRY WELL INFILTRATION SYSTEM ON PVDE & BRIDLEWOOD CIRCLE. CONTRACTOR: BONADIMAN WATER INC. (BWI) Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Accept the work performed by Bonadiman Water Inc. (BWI) as complete for storm drain repairs/replacement on Palos Verdes Drive East (PVDE), and construction of a dry well infiltration system on PVDE, behind 9 Bridlewood Circle (Project), in the amount of $1,752,750, and 2) Authorize the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion (NOC) with the Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office, and if no claims are filed within 35 days after recordation, direct staff to release the 5% construction retention payment to BWI in the amount of $87,637.50.
Public Works Director Wahba 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.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
1) ACCEPT THE WORK PERFORMED BY BONADIMAN WATER INC. (BWI)
AS COMPLETE FOR STORM DRAIN REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT ON PALOS
VERDES DRIVE EAST (PVDE), AND CONSTRUCTION OF A DRY WELL INFILTRATION SYSTEM ON PVDE, BEHIND 9 BRIDLEWOOD CIRCLE (PROJECT), IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,752,750, AND 2) AUTHORIZE THE CITY
CLERK TO FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION (NOC) WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY RECORDER’S OFFICE, AND IF NO CLAIMS ARE FILED WITHIN 35 DAYS AFTER RECORDATION, DIRECT STAFF TO RELEASE THE 5% CONSTRUCTION RETENTION PAYMENT TO BWI IN THE AMOUNT OF $87,637.50.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
12. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
None.
13. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ attended various events recognizing those who have been reelected on the Peninsula
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF attended the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year dinner.
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF attended the CALCOG State Board meeting and was elected State President.
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DECEMBER 10, 2024
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER chaired the Traffic & Safety Committee meeting and Equestrian Committee meeting this month.
14. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
MAYOR PRO TEM ZERUNYAN will be attending the All-Cities holiday reception tomorrow evening.
MAYOR STEGURA attended the 2024 South Bay Energy & Climate Recognition award program, where the City of Rolling Hills Estates, for the second year in a row, received the highest-level of recognition for energy, efficiency and sustainability efforts.
15. CLOSED SESSION
None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:23 p.m. MAYOR STEGURA adjourned the meeting in memory of John Slawson. The meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a Regular Meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit, City Clerk Debby Stegura, Mayor