CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
MAY 27, 2025
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 27, 2025
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
MAYOR STEGURA called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by Kayla Groenleer, president of Peninsula High School’s Kick Ash.
3. ROLL CALL
City Council Members Present: Brown Schachter, Huff (7:09 pm), Schmitz, Stegura City Council Members Absent: Zerunyan
City Staff Present: City Manager Greg Grammer
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Assistant City Attorney Steve McEwen
Public Works Director David Wahba
Community Development Director Jeannie Naughton
Administrative Services Director Michael Whitehead
City Clerk Lauren Pettit
Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Slawson
4. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
A. PROCLAMATION: DECLARING MAY 31, 2025 “WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY” MAYOR STEGURA presented a proclamation to Kayla Groenleer, president of Peninsula High School’s Kick Ash, declaring May 31, 2025 as “World No Tobacco Day.” B. PROCLAMATION: DECLARING JUNE 2025 “LGBTQIA+ PRIDE MONTH” MAYOR STEGURA presented a proclamation declaring June 2025 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month.
C. RECOGNITION OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DAVID WAHBA ON HIS
RETIREMENT
MAYOR STEGURA presented a Resolution of Commendation to retiring Public Works Director David Wahba, in honor of his 35 years of service to the City of Rolling Hills Estates.
She also presented Director Wahba with a gift, a Rolling Hills Estates Street sign titled “Wahba Way.” Director Wahba thanked the Council, staff and City, and said a few words about his many years with the City. Each Council Member spoke, commending Director Wahba for his years of service, including Mayor Pro Tem Zerunyan as well as City Attorney Donald Davis via pre-recorded video. Lastly City Manager Grammer said a few parting words.
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
ABSENT: Zerunyan
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MAY 27, 2025
B. READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
APPROVED.
C. DEMANDS AND WARRANTS OF MAY 2025
APPROVED WARRANTS 68505 THROUGH 68530 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$257,568.65 AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 050425 THROUGH
050625 IN THE AMOUNT OF $133,099.71 FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $390,668.36 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
D. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS REPORT OF APRIL 2025
RECEIVED AND FILED.
E. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT OF APRIL 2025
RECEIVED AND FILED.
F. BUDGET AMENDMENTS FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
APPROVED THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25.
G. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MAY 13, 2025
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
H. PALOS VERDES PENINSULA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AND REGIONAL
CONTRACT LAW COMMITTEE MINUTES
RECEIVED AND FILED.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT/PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
Katrena Woodson with the Palos Verdes Library District announced upcoming events through the Library that will be happening this summer, including the Picnic on the Peninsula Saturday, June 7.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. MCGOWAN CONSULTING LLC, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) FOR MS4 PERMIT CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THREE FISCAL YEARS (2025- 28)
Recommendation: That the City Council approve a new three-year Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with McGowan Consulting LLC for MS4 Permit compliance assistance for FYs 2025-28 for a not-to-exceed grand total amount of $382,910 ($122,650 in FY 2025-26), all to the satisfaction of the City Attorney.
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
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3
MAY 27, 2025
APPROVE A NEW THREE-YEAR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) WITH MCGOWAN CONSULTING LLC FOR MS4 PERMIT
COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE FOR FYS 2025-28 FOR A NOT-TO-EXCEED GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $382,910 ($122,650 IN FY 2025-26), ALL TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura
ABSENT: Zerunyan
B. TASK ORDER NO. 2025-14 FOR WILLDAN ENGINEERING TO PROVIDE
ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES AND GRANT FUNDING ADMINISTRATION
FOR ROADWAY GUARDRAIL UPGRADES (CITY-WIDE) UNDER THE CALTRANS HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (HSIP), CYCLE 11 GRANT
PROGRAM
Recommendation: That the City Council approve Task Order Number 2025-14 under Willdan Engineering’s Master Professional Services Agreement, in the amount of $57,154, all to the satisfaction of the City Attorney
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 SCHMITZ, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE TASK ORDER NUMBER 2025-14 UNDER WILLDAN
ENGINEERING’S MASTER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $57,154, ALL TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura
ABSENT: Zerunyan
C. ROLLING HILLS COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR PRIVATE SECURITY CAMERA EQUIPMENT
LOCATED ON CITY PROPERTY
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Rolling Hills Country Club Estates Homeowners Association License Agreement for Private Security Camera Equipment Located on City Property which will allow neighborhood cameras to be installed on City rights-of-way.
Assistant to the City Manager Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Assistant to the City Manager Slawson confirmed that the Homeowners Association has applied and qualified for the camera grant program, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF.
Assistant City Attorney McEwen made note of a Scribner’s error in the contract attached to the staff report, in section III “Term” should reference section 14 not 16, which will be corrected before execution.
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 AS AMENDED, THE ROLLING HILLS COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR PRIVATE
SECURITY CAMERA EQUIPMENT LOCATED ON CITY PROPERTY WHICH CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 4
MAY 27, 2025
WILL ALLOW NEIGHBORHOOD CAMERAS TO BE INSTALLED ON CITY RIGHTS-OF-WAY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura
ABSENT: Zerunyan
D. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACTION ITEM: LETTER OF SUPPORT
FOR SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (SCAQMD) PROPOSED AMENDED RULES (PAR) 1111 AND 1121 - TO REQUIRE ZEROEMISSION STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL FURNACES AND WATER HEATERS Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the letter of support to Proposed Amended Rules 1111 (Reduction of NOx Emissions from natural Gas-Fired Furnaces) and 1121 (Reduction of NOx Emissions from Residential Type, Natural Gas-Fired Water Heaters).
Community Development Director Naughton provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
MAYOR STEGURA, as Chair of the Environmental Advisory Committee, explained the split 4- 2 vote by the Committee. She expressed concern about the financial burden that would be put onto residents, the increase burden on the electrical grid, the rebates that will not likely go to the Rolling Hills Estates community. She stated she believes it is not the right time to take a stance on this proposal and that the City should take a no position on this issue.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ expressed concern about targeting a single energy source.
COUNCIL MEMBERS HUFF and SCHACHTER echoed the concerns of the Council related to the electrical grid and impact on residents.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, via email and via eComment.
Public testimony was received from Gary Tavetian on behalf of the Sierra Club in support of the letter.
Discussion ended when no motion was moved.
NO ACTION TAKEN.
9. OLD BUSINESS
A. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 751 ADOPTING
UPDATED 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) Take public testimony; 2) Discuss Ordinance No. 751; 3) Close the public hearing; 4) Conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 751.
Assistant to the City Manager Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
Discussion ensued about the importance of staying vigilant about wildfire risks regardless of changes to the maps.
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 SCHACHTER, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5
MAY 27, 2025
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
CONDUCT SECOND READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 751.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura
ABSENT: Zerunyan
City Clerk Pettit read Ordinance No. 751 by title.
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
None.
11. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ attended the Rotary Club of Palos Verdes Peninsula’s Responders Roundup event on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF attended the California Contract Cities Association’s (CCCA) Annual Municipal Seminar last week along with City Manager Grammer and today attended the California Association of Councils of Governments (CalCOG) Legislative Day in Sacramento.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER attended the Traffic and Safety Committee meeting last week.
MAYOR STEGURA spoke at the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Peninsula Breakfast, attended the Peninsula Mayor’s Lunch and Los Angeles County Sanitation District Board meeting last week, participated in the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) subcommittee meeting exploring a housing trust for the region, chaired the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting, and attended the annual Memorial Day celebration at Green Hills Memorial.
MAYOR SCHMITZ also reminded the community about the Wildfire Preparedness Meeting tomorrow night at South Coast Botanic Garden at 5:30 pm sponsored by Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office.
12. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
None.
13. CLOSED SESSION
None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:14 p.m. MAYOR STEGURA adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. for the purpose of a Budget Study Session.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit, City Clerk Debby Stegura, Mayor