CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
MAY 13, 2025
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 13, 2025
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
MAYOR STEGURA called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Chief Brian Kane.
3. ROLL CALL
City Council Members Present: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan City Council Members Absent: None
City Staff Present: Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Assistant City Attorney Steve McEwen
Public Works Director David Wahba
Community Development Director Jeannie Naughton
City Clerk Lauren Pettit
Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Slawson
Community Services Supervisor Rosa Pinuelas
4. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
A. PROCLAMATION: DECLARING MAY 2025 “WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS MONTH” MAYOR STEGURA presented a proclamation to Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Chief Kane, declaring May 2025 as Wildfire Preparedness Month.
B. PROCLAMATION: DECLARING MAY 2025 “MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH”
MAYOR STEGURA presented a proclamation declaring May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month.
C. PROCLAMATION: DECLARING MAY 2025 “MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH”
MAYOR STEGURA presented a proclamation declaring May 2025 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ spoke personally about the importance of Maternal Mental Health and resources available.
D. PROCLAMATION: DECLARING MAY 2025 “OLDER AMERICANS MONTH” MAYOR STEGURA presented a proclamation declaring May 2025 as Older Americans Month. The proclamation was presented to members of Palos Verdes Peninsula Village who were in attendance, including Laura Diepenbrock, Judy Bain and Kenneth and Harriet Servis, as well as Peninsula Seniors member Tom Hyatt also in attendance.
E. PROCLAMATION: DECLARING MAY 17, 2025 “NATIONAL KIDS TO PARKS DAY” MAYOR STEGURA presented a proclamation declaring May 17, 2025 as National Kids to Parks Day.
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MAY 13, 2025
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 SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 5A-G AS FOLLOWS BY THE
FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
B. READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
APPROVED.
C. DEMANDS AND WARRANTS OF APRIL & MAY 2025
APPROVED WARRANTS 68462 THROUGH 68504 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$701,719.47 AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 040425 THROUGH
040525; 050125 THROUGH 050325; IN THE AMOUNT OF $205,326.63 FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $907,046.10 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
D. BUDGET AMENDMENTS FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
APPROVED THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25.
E. CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 22, 2025 REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
F. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 22, 2025
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
G. PARK & ACTIVITIES COMMISSION MINUTES OF APRIL 15, 2025 RECEIVED AND FILED.
H. SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS APRIL MEETING BOARD
MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
RECEIVED AND FILED.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT/PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
A. WASTE MANAGEMENT "RECYCLING HERO" DRAWING FOR ONE YEAR OF FREE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REFUSE SERVICE - 2ND QUARTER 2025 Waste Management Senior Account Executive Erick Quintero announced the following winners of the 2nd Quarter drawing for free residential and commercial refuse:
RESIDENTIAL WINNER: 15 Sycamore Lane
COMMERCIAL WINNER: Bristol Farms
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3
MAY 13, 2025
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. WASTE MANAGEMENT REQUEST FOR RATE ADJUSTMENTS
Recommendation: That the City Council approve Waste Management’s request for a rate adjustment on all levels of service as included in the attached FY 2025-26 Collection Service Rate Schedule effective July 1, 2025 and approve the addition of 7x/week commercial service rates and 3x/week manure collection rates.
Assistant City Manager Davis provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ thanked Waste Management for their collaborative partnership with the City.
The increased labor costs were explained by Subcommittee Members COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ and MAYOR PRO TEM ZERUNYAN, as well as Waste Management Senior Account Executive Erick Quintero, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF.
Discussion ensued about the high costs of recycling, high staff turnover and changes in the workforce post-COVID.
Discussion also ensued about the modified route schedule with less missed collections and less complaints.
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 MAYOR PRO TEM
ZERUNYAN, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE WASTE MANAGEMENT’S REQUEST FOR A RATE
ADJUSTMENT ON ALL LEVELS OF SERVICE AS INCLUDED IN THE
ATTACHED FY 2025-26 COLLECTION SERVICE RATE SCHEDULE
EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025 AND APPROVE THE ADDITION OF 7X/WEEK COMMERCIAL SERVICE RATES AND 3X/WEEK MANURE COLLECTION
RATES.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
B. AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO GEOSYNTEC CONSULTING INCORPORATED’S
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL
ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR DRY WELL STORM DRAIN OPERATIONS &
MAINTENANCE (O&M) PROJECT AT PVDE & BRIDLEWOOD CIRCLE
Recommendation: That the City Council approve a Third Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement (PSA) (attached) with Geosyntec Consultants, Inc., to provide one year of Operations & Maintenance (O&M) services of the Dry Wells, located on PVDE and Bridlewood Circle, in a not-to-exceed amount of $27,000, all to the satisfaction of the City Attorney.
Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Public Works Director Wahba explained that the maintenance is not something the City’s maintenance staff would be able to perform, however the City hopes to contract with the subcontractor that installed the Dry Wells to perform maintenance in future years, 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.
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MAY 13, 2025
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE A THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT (PSA) WITH GEOSYNTEC CONSULTANTS, INC., TO
PROVIDE ONE YEAR OF OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (O&M)
SERVICES OF THE DRY WELLS, LOCATED ON PVDE AND BRIDLEWOOD CIRCLE, IN A NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $27,000, ALL TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
C. PROJECT LIST FOR SB 1 FUND ELIGIBILITY; FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 (RESOLUTION NO. 2597)
Recommendation: That the City Council approve Resolution No. 2597, adopting a list of projects for Fiscal Year 2025-26 funded by SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
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 SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2597, ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 FUNDED BY SB 1, THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
City Clerk Pettit read Resolution No. 2597 by title.
D. PARK AND ACTIVITIES COMMISSION ACTION ITEM: MILITARY SERVICE
MEMBER BANNER PROGRAM PROPOSAL
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the coordination of the CGI Community Showcase Banner Program’s 2026 theme to celebrate military service members and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Community Services Supervisor Pinuelas 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:
APPROVE THE COORDINATION OF THE CGI COMMUNITY SHOWCASE
BANNER PROGRAM’S 2026 THEME TO CELEBRATE MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
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MAY 13, 2025
E. ORDINANCE NO. 751 ADOPTING UPDATED FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES AS
RECOMMENDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178
Recommendation: That the City Council 1) Open the Public Hearing; 2) Take public testimony; 3) Discuss the issues related to adoption of the updated Fire Severity Zone maps; 4) Introduce for first reading, Ordinance No. 751; 5) Continue the Public Hearing for a second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 751, to the City Council Meeting of May 27, 2025.
Assistant to the City Manager Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER, TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
Discussion ensued about the changes in the latest fire maps, possible changes in insurance for residents, while also discussing the need to not be complacent or change any precautionary measures the City and residents take to prevent fires.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Chief Kane explained that properties that are no longer in the “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones” will no longer get annual inspections by the Fire Department starting in 2026. Chief Kane further explained that Cal Fire developed these maps independently, using advanced fire modeling including artificial intelligence, weather patterns, historical fire data, wind directions, aspects of slopes and canyons etc.
Discussion ensued about the distinction between building code requirements and the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s requirements related to the map changes.
Assistant City Manager Davis explained that unless there is policy direction otherwise by the Council, staff’s intent is to continue wildfire prevention and preparedness City initiatives, education and outreach.
Community Development Director Naughton explained that portions of the City are located in the “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone” therefore all construction and properties within the City are subject to the requirements under the “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.” That triggers a process for any accessory structures or additions to single family homes to go through a separate review process with a fuel modification where they look at landscaping plans defensible space.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
MAYOR PRO TEM ZERUNYAN moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM
ZERUNYAN, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
INTRODUCE FOR FIRST READING, ORDINANCE NO. 751 AND CONTINUE
THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR A SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 751, TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 27, 2025.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
City Clerk Pettit read Ordinance No. 751 by title.
9. OLD BUSINESS
None.
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MAY 13, 2025
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
None.
11. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF attended the South Bay Cities Council of Governments’ (SBCCOG) Transportation Committee meeting on April 24, and will be attending the California Contract Cities Association’s (CCCA) Annual Municipal Seminar May 15-18.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER attended the Palos Verdes Peninsula Transit Authority Board meeting on April 30.
MAYOR PRO TEM ZERUNYAN attended the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) General Assembly last month with COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF.
MAYOR STEGURA participated in the Arbor Day tree planting with Bennett Landscaping on April 25, attended Assemblymember Muratsuchi’s Wildfire Preparedness community meeting on April 26, attended the Peninsula Public Safety Committee and Regional Law Committee meetings on May 8, and attended the Mayor’s Breakfast Ride last Saturday May 10.
12. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
MAYOR STEGURA reminded the community that the annual Hills Are Alive 5K/10K Race moved from August to May 31, 2025.
MAYOR STEGURA also announced there would be another Community Wildfire Meeting sponsored by Supervisor Janice Hahn on May 29 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at South Coast Botanic Garden.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ plans to attend the Rotary Club of Palos Verdes Peninsula’s Responders Roundup event on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 5:00 pm at the Empty Saddle Club.
13. CLOSED SESSION
None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:19 p.m. MAYOR STEGURA adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a Regular Meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit, City Clerk Debby Stegura, Mayor