CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
DECEMBER 16, 2025
MINUTES
ADJOURNED CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 16, 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 Zoe Unno, Palos Verdes Library District Board President.
3. ROLL CALL
City Council Members Present: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura City Council Members Absent: Zerunyan
City Staff Present: City Manager Greg Grammer
City Attorney Donald M. Davis
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Community Dev/Public Works Director Jeannie Naughton
City Clerk Lauren Pettit
Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Slawson
Community Services Supervisor Rosa Pinuelas
Public Works Manager Kirsten Graham
4. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
MAYOR STEGURA presented the Peninsula Holiday Prade of Lights’ Susan Seaman Sweepstakes Award trophy to Zoe Unno, Palos Verdes Library District Board President.
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 HUFF moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 5A-F AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura
ABSENT: Zerunyan
A. READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
APPROVED.
B. DEMANDS AND WARRANTS OF NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2025
APPROVED WARRANTS 69094 THROUGH 69162 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$774,573.84 AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 110425 THROUGH
110525; 120125 THROUGH 120325; IN THE AMOUNT OF $235,424.37; FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1,009,998.21 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
C. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 18, 2025
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
D. SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS' NOVEMBER BOARD
MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
RECEIVED AND FILED.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 2
DECEMBER 16, 2025
E. 2025 BIANNUAL CODE COMPLIANCE REPORT OF AUGUST 2, 2025 TO DECEMBER 7, 2025
RECEIVED AND FILED.
F. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 8, 2025
RECEIVED AND FILED.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT / PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
Recommendation: That the City Council consider postponing the selection of the Mayor until the January 27, 2026 City Council meeting and nominate and appoint a Mayor Pro Tem on December 16 to ensure continued Council leadership support and representation during the interim period, with the current Mayor remaining in the role until that time.
City Clerk Pettit 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:
POSTPONE THE SELECTION OF MAYOR UNTIL JANUARY 27, 2026, WITH THE CURRENT MAYOR REMAINING IN THE ROLE UNTIL THAT TIME.
MAYOR STEGURA nominated COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER to serve as the City’s next MAYOR PRO TEM.
PAM BROWN SCHACHTER APPOINTED MAYOR PRO TEM BY
ACCLAMATION.
B. PROPOSAL FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONSULTING SERVICES Recommendation: That the City Council approve: 1) A Master Professional Services Agreement (MPSA) with Architectural Resources Group (ARG) for historic preservation consulting services, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney; and 2) Task Order No. 2025-01, authorizing services to update Rolling Hills Estates Municipal Code (RHEMC) Chapter 17.38 - Landmark Overlay Zones, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
Community Development & Public Works Director Naughton provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Council Members expressed strong support, citing the importance of preserving historic resources and community character, and concerns that protections could be overridden without updated code standards.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3
DECEMBER 16, 2025
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE: 1) A MASTER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
(MPSA) WITH ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP (ARG) FOR
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONSULTING SERVICES, SUBJECT TO
APPROVAL AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY; AND 2) TASK ORDER NO. 2025-01, AUTHORIZING SERVICES TO UPDATE ROLLING HILLS ESTATES MUNICIPAL CODE (RHEMC) CHAPTER 17.38 - LANDMARK
OVERLAY ZONES, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura
ABSENT: Zerunyan
C. MASTER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT AND TASK ORDER WITH
MENDOZA ENGINEERING FOR STREET AND SIDEWALK REPAIR SERVICES Recommendation: That the City Council approve: 1) A Master Professional Services Agreement (MPSA) with Mendoza Engineering for on-call asphalt street and sidewalk repair work, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney; and 2) Task Order 2025-01, under the MPSA, in the not-to-exceed amount of $33,462 ($30,420 plus a 10% contingency) for asphalt and sidewalk repairs at various locations throughout the City, as outlined in this report, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
Public Works Manager Graham provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Council discussed when the City uses on-call services versus bidding each project and confirmed that task order numbering resets with each master agreement.
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
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE: 1) A MASTER PUBLIC WORKS AGREEMENT (MPWA) WITH
MENDOZA ENGINEERING FOR ON-CALL ASPHALT STREET AND
SIDEWALK REPAIR WORK, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY; AND 2) TASK ORDER 2025-01, UNDER THE MPWA, IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $33,462 ($30,420 PLUS A 10%
CONTINGENCY) FOR ASPHALT AND SIDEWALK REPAIRS AT VARIOUS
LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY, AS OUTLINED IN THIS REPORT, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura
ABSENT: Zerunyan
D. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 759 AMENDING RHEMC CHAPTER 3.38 (UPCCAA ADOPTION) AND ORDINANCE NO. 760 ADDING RHEMC CHAPTER 3.40 (PUBLIC PROJECT CONTRACTING POLICY)
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Introduce for a first reading proposed Ordinance No. 759 amending and restating municipal code chapter 3.38 (re-titled “Public Project Contracting - UPCCAA Adoption”) and bring back the ordinance for a second reading and adoption at the City Council meeting on January 13, 2026; and 2) Introduce for a first reading proposed Ordinance No. 760 adding municipal code chapter 3.40 (“Public Project Contracting Policy”) and bring back the ordinance for a second reading and adoption at the City Council meeting on January 13, 2026.
City Attorney Davis provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 4
DECEMBER 16, 2025
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:
INTRODUCE FOR FIRST READING PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 759
AMENDING AND RESTATING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 3.38 (RETITLED “PUBLIC PROJECT CONTRACTING - UPCCAA ADOPTION”) AND
DIRECT STAFF TO BRING BACK THE ORDINANCE FOR SECOND
READING AND ADOPTION AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON JANUARY 13, 2026.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura
ABSENT: Zerunyan
City Clerk Pettit read Ordinance No. 759 by title.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
INTRODUCE FOR FIRST READING PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 760
ADDING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 3.40 (“PUBLIC PROJECT
CONTRACTING POLICY”) AND DIRECT STAFF TO BRING BACK THE
ORDINANCE FOR SECOND READING AND ADOPTION AT THE CITY
COUNCIL MEETING ON JANUARY 13, 2026.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura
ABSENT: Zerunyan
City Clerk Pettit read Ordinance No. 760 by title.
E. REVIEW OF PROPOSED PUBLIC PROJECT CONTRACTING POLICY Recommendation: That the City Council review and provide comments on the proposed Public Project Contracting Policy, and direct staff to bring back the Policy for adoption by resolution at the City Council meeting on January 13, 2026.
City Attorney Davis provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Council discussed consistency of “may” vs. “will” language regarding awarding contracts, authority limits, budget safeguards, ethics/conflict-of-interest compliance (including staff Form 700 filing), and the operational benefit of clear procedures and on-call contracting for routine repairs.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
DIRECT STAFF TO RETURN THE PROPOSED PUBLIC PROJECT
CONTRACTING POLICY FOR ADOPTION BY RESOLUTION AT THE
JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura
ABSENT: Zerunyan
F. TRAFFIC & SAFETY COMMITTEE ACTION ITEMS: 1) SPEED LIMIT SIGN RECOMMENDATIONS AND 2) RIGHT-TURN ON RED AT THE NORTHWEST
CORNER OF PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH AND PALOS VERDES DRIVE EAST CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5
DECEMBER 16, 2025
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the Traffic and Safety Committee’s recommendation to install three speed limit signs along Palos Verdes Drive North (PVDN) as reviewed and recommended by the City’s Traffic Engineering Deputy; and 2) Approve the Committee’s recommendation to install an additional edge lit speed limit sign in front of City Hall to enhance visibility of the newly adopted speed limit; and 3) Approve the installation of a “No Right Turn on Red” sign at the northwest corner of Palos Verdes Drive North and Palos Verdes Drive East based on the safety analysis provided by the City’s traffic engineering consultant; and 4) Authorize staff to proceed with procurement and installation of the signs.
Public Works Director Graham provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Staff confirmed the edge-lit sign would be replacing as current speed limit sign, and not be an additional sign in the location, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION TO INSTALL AN
ADDITIONAL EDGE LIT SPEED LIMIT SIGN IN FRONT OF CITY HALL TO ENHANCE VISIBILITY OF THE NEWLY ADOPTED SPEED LIMIT.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura
ABSENT: Zerunyan
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, via email and via eComment.
Public testimony was received from resident and Traffic and Safety Committee member David Rowe, who spoke in support of the additional speed limit signs.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE THE TRAFFIC AND SAFETY COMMITTEE’S
RECOMMENDATION TO INSTALL THREE SPEED LIMIT SIGNS ALONG
PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH (PVDN) AS REVIEWED AND
RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY’S TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DEPUTY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura
ABSENT: Zerunyan
Public Works Director Graham provided further information on the “no right turn on red” sign at the northwest corner of Palos Verdes Drive North and Palos Verdes Drive East and introduced the City’s Traffic Engineer Wes Pringle.
The Traffic Engineer cited skewed intersection geometry, sightline obstructions (including a median signal pole and tree), and increased pedestrian activity (including park/playground area). He noted that acciddent history did not show recorded collisions at the intersection, but staff recommended the restriction as a precautionary safety measure. Staff noted that if queuing issues arise, signal timing could be evaluated.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, via email and via eComment.
Public testimony was received from resident Lynn Yen, who spoke in support of the “no right turn on red” sign.
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF A “NO RIGHT TURN ON RED” SIGN AT
THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH AND
PALOS VERDES DRIVE EAST BASED ON THE SAFETY ANALYSIS
PROVIDED BY THE CITY’S TRAFFIC ENGINEERING CONSULTANT; AND
AUTHORIZE STAFF TO PROCEED WITH PROCUREMENT AND
INSTALLATION OF THE SIGNS.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6
DECEMBER 16, 2025
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura
ABSENT: Zerunyan
G. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2613 ESTABLISHING THE DROP-IN OPEN PLAY
PICKLEBALL PROGRAMMING FEE
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2613 updating Section 5 of the City’s Fees and Charges Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-26 to include a dropin open play pickleball fee of $5 per person per day/visit.
Community Services Supervisor Pinuelas provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Staff explained that the Park and Activities Commission reviewed the pilot program and recommended the fee and scheduling adjustments; Council previously approved program recommendations, and this resolution formally updates the adopted fee schedule.
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
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2613 UPDATING SECTION 5 OF THE CITY’S FEES AND CHARGES SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 TO INCLUDE A DROP-IN OPEN PLAY PICKLEBALL FEE OF $5 PER PERSON PER DAY/VISIT.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura
ABSENT: Zerunyan
City Clerk Pettit read Resolution No. 2613 by title.
9. OLD BUSINESS
A. FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 WORKPLAN UPDATE
Recommendation: Receive and file.
City Manager Grammer provided a staff report (as per the agenda material), highlighting the progress toward George F Canyon Nature Center project with construction coordination and inspection services anticipated to return to the Council in January and groundbreaking anticipated in early 2026. He also highlighted the Palos Verdes Drive North / Palos Verdes Drive East intersection improvement project funding update (including Measure M components), with construction timing coordinated around school session. He provided updates on the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan process and anticipated committee and commission review schedule of early 2026, as well as updates on the parks & recreation study and code/process improvements (including alarm permit/false alarm changes). Lastly, he provided a status update regarding the Peter Weber Equestrian Center monitoring/coordination and ongoing work program items.
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:
RECEIVE AND FILE.
There being no objection, MAYOR STEGURA so ordered.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 7
DECEMBER 16, 2025
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
City Attorney Davis reported that the City Attorney’s office has created a compilation of the text of Brown Act in effect as of January 1, 2026, which will be provided to the City Council, Commissions and Committees before the end of the year in order to comply with new requirements established by Senate Bill 707.
11. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ attended the Hazard Mitigation Plan Ad-Hoc Committee meeting, and applauded City Manager Grammer and Assistant to the City Manager Slawson for their professionalism and work with the Committee.
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF attended the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce’s Salute to Business award dinner, the December meeting of the Neighborhood Watch Leadership Group, and the La Sevilla Ribbon Cutting event along with MAYOR PRO TEM SCHACHTER.
MAYOR STEGURA attended the City Selection Committee meeting on December 11, and announced the City received a Gold Level Award at the South Bay Energy and Climate Recognition Program Award Ceremony that same day.
12. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
None.
13. CLOSED SESSION
None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:47 p.m. MAYOR STEGURA adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of an adjourned meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit, City Clerk Debby Stegura, Mayor