CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
JANUARY 14, 2025
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 14, 2025
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
MAYOR STEGURA called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by Mark Waronek, Mayor of the City of Lomita.
3. ROLL CALL
City Council Members Present: Brown Schachter, Huff, Stegura, Zerunyan City Council Members Absent: Schmitz
City Staff Present: City Manager Greg Grammer
Assistant City Attorney Steve McEwen
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Public Works Director David Wahba
Administrative Services Director Mike Whitehead
City Clerk Lauren Pettit
Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Slawson
Senior Accountant Fernando Estrada
4. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
A. PROCLAMATION: DECLARING JANUARY 27, 2025 AS INTERNATIONAL
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY
MAYOR STEGURA declared January 27, 2025, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
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.) MAYOR STEGURA removed item 5G from the Consent agenda which contained the incorrect attachment.
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM ZERUNYAN, TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 5A-F, 5H-J 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 DECEMBER 2024 & JANUARY 2025 APPROVED WARRANTS 68059 THROUGH 68143 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$806,554.59 AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 120324 THROUGH
120524; 010125 THROUGH 010325; IN THE AMOUNT OF $274,667.95 FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1,081,222.54 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
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JANUARY 14, 2025
C. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS REPORT OF NOVEMBER 2024
RECEIVED AND FILED.
D. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT OF NOVEMBER 2024
RECEIVED AND FILED.
E. BUDGET AMENDMENTS FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
APPROVED THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025.
F. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 2, 2024
RECEIVED AND FILED.
H. PARK & ACTIVITIES COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 2024 RECEIVED AND FILED.
I. COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE 2024 ATTENDANCE REPORT
RECEIVED AND FILED.
J. 2024 BIANNUAL CODE COMPLIANCE REPORT, JUNE 1, 2024 TO DECEMBER 31, 2024
RECEIVED AND FILED.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT/PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Chief Brian Kane provided a community update as it relates to the recent Palisades and Eaton Fires, and dangerous wildfire weather conditions. Chief Kane also discussed fire response and readiness on the Peninsula and the redundancies that are in place for resources and communication.
A. 2024 MUNICIPAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA (MISAC) EXCELLENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - PRESENTATION BY
RICH CASTILLION
Rich Castillion presented the City of Rolling Hills Estates with the 2024 Municipal Information Systems Association of California (MISAC) Excellence in Information Technology Award.
B. SOUTH COAST BOTANIC GARDEN'S INTERIM CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER,
KATRYN HEISE - UPCOMING PROJECTS
Mark Waronek, Vice President of the South Coast Botanic Garden Board of Directors and Mayor of Lomita, introduced Interim Chief Operating Officer Katryn Heise, who announced upcoming programs and events coming this spring to the South Coast Botanic Garden.
Executive Director of Peninsula Friends of the Library Merlin David announced upcoming events.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. RESOLUTION NO. 2593 APPROVING THE PROPOSED USE OF FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Open the Public Hearing; 2) Receive any public testimony; 3) Close the Public Hearing; and, 4) Waive further reading and approve Resolution No. 2593 authorizing execution of a contract with the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission for participation in the program for funding of the ADA Access Ramp and Sidewalk Improvement Program as identified CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3
JANUARY 14, 2025
in the Program and Conditions Assessment Report dated April 2, 2014 in the amount of $21,773.
Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM ZERUNYAN, TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
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 ZERUNYAN, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
Director Wahba explained that the ADA Access Ramp and Sidewalk Improvement Program is a 14-year program, in response to MAYOR STEGURA.
MAYOR PRO TEM ZERUNYAN moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2593 AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A
CONTRACT WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM
FOR FUNDING OF THE ADA ACCESS RAMP AND SIDEWALK
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AS IDENTIFIED IN THE PROGRAM AND
CONDITIONS ASSESSMENT REPORT DATED APRIL 2, 2014 IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,773.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Stegura, Zerunyan
ABSENT: Schmitz
City Clerk Pettit read Resolution No. 2593 by title.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
Recommendation: That the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills Estates receive and file Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
Senior Accountant Estrada provided a staff report (as per the agenda material), and introduced Demi Hite, CPA, Senior Auditor with Rogers, Anderson, Malody & Scott, who presented a summary of the FY 2024-2025 audit.
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 MAYOR PRO TEM ZERUNYAN, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
RECEIVE AND FILE THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT (ACFR) FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Stegura, Zerunyan
ABSENT: Schmitz
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM
ZERUNYAN, TO ADJOURN TO THE PEPPER TREE FOUNDATION BOARD MEETING.
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JANUARY 14, 2025
**ADJOURN TO PEPPER TREE FOUNDATION BOARD MEETING**
B. PEPPER TREE FOUNDATION ANNUAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING Recommendation: That the Rolling Hills Estates Pepper Tree Foundation Board of Directors receive and file this report.
Community Services Supervisor Pinuelas provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Supervisor Pinuelas provided an update on the fundraising campaign, noting that staff has been actively developing materials and establishing preliminary connections with prospective large donors, in response to BOARD MEMBER HUFF.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
VICE CHAIR ZERUNYAN moved, seconded by BOARD MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
RECEIVE AND FILE.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Stegura, Zerunyan
ABSENT: Schmitz
BOARD MEMBER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by BOARD MEMBER HUFF, TO RECONVENE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
**RECONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING**
9. OLD BUSINESS
A. QUARTERLY WORK PLAN UPDATE
Recommendation: Receive and file.
City Manager Grammer provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
City Manager Grammer explained the purpose and goals of the Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF.
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:
RECEIVE AND FILE.
There being no objection, MAYOR STEGURA so ordered.
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
None.
11. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF attended the Steering Committee meeting for the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) and plans to attend the City Selection Committee meeting on January 21.
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JANUARY 14, 2025
12. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
A. 2025 CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Recommendation: That the City Council review and discuss the proposed Council/Committee assignments and approve as presented.
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS:
APPROVE AS PRESENTED.
B. COMMISSION/COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS AND RE-APPOINTMENTS Recommendation: That the City Council reappoint the current Commission and Committee members and make appointments to fill the vacancies on the Traffic and Safety Committee and Environmental Advisory Committee from the recently interviewed candidates.
City Clerk Pettit provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
REAPPOINT CURRENT COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Stegura, Zerunyan
ABSENT: Schmitz
It was the consensus of the Council that all of the candidates were excellent, thanked them all for their willingness to serve the City, and encouraged them all to remain engaged and reapply if they are not appointed to a Committee.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPOINT LYLE HALL AND TALEEN TERTZAKIAN TO THE TRAFFIC & SAFETY COMMITTEE.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Stegura, Zerunyan
ABSENT: Schmitz
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPOINT JEFFREY MCBURNEY AND ANDY REIN TO THE
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Stegura, Zerunyan
ABSENT: Schmitz
13. CLOSED SESSION
None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:44 p.m. MAYOR STEGURA adjourned the meeting in memory of those who lost their lives and homes in the recent Palisades and Eaton fires, as well as in memory of former President Jimmy Carter. The meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a Regular Meeting.
[signatures on following page]
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JANUARY 14, 2025
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit, City Clerk Debby Stegura, Mayor