CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
MARCH 24, 2026
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
MAYOR ZERUNYAN called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Slawson.
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
Assistant City Attorney Steve McEwen
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Administrative Services Director Mike Whitehead
Community Development/PW Director Jeannie Naughton
City Clerk Lauren Pettit
Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Slawson
Public Works Manager Kirsten Graham
Senior Accountant Fernando Estrada
Senior Planner Katrina Kawagoe
4. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
None.
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 abstained from item 5E as she was not present for the February 24, 2026 City Council meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 5A-I AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
A. READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
APPROVED.
B. DEMANDS AND WARRANTS OF FEBRUARY & MARCH 2026
APPROVED WARRANTS 69344 THROUGH 69435 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$439,635.24; AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 020126 THROUGH
020526; 030126 THROUGH 030326; IN THE AMOUNT OF $266,549.58 FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $706,184.82 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
C. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS REPORT OF FEBRUARY 2026
RECEIVED AND FILED.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING
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D. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT OF FEBRUARY 2026
RECEIVED AND FILED.
E. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 24, 2026
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
F. PLANNING COMMISSION DRAFT MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 2, 2026 RECEIVED AND FILED.
G. PARK & ACTIVITIES COMMISSION MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 17, 2026 RECEIVED AND FILED.
H. NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 ANNUAL STREET RESURFACING PROJECT BY SEQUEL CONTRACTORS, INC.
ACCEPTED THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 STREET RESURFACING
PROJECT AS COMPLETE; AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY CLERK TO FILE
THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION FORM WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
REGISTRAR-RECORDER/COUNTY CLERK, AND IF NO CLAIMS ARE FILED WITHIN 35 DAYS AFTER RECORDATION, DIRECT STAFF TO RELEASE THE 5% CONSTRUCTION RETENTION PAYMENT TO SEQUEL CONTRACTORS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,129.09.
I. SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS' BOARD MEETING
HIGHLIGHTS
RECEIVED AND FILED.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT / PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
Public comment was received from Mike Lacey regarding a dispute between him and the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy.
Written public comment was received and provided to the City Council from Christina Costantini regarding environmental concerns associated with Little League Parade.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. RESOLUTION NO. 2618 ADOPTING THE 2026 PALOS VERDES PENINSULA
MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve Resolution No. 2618 adopting the Palos Verdes Peninsula Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan; and 2) Direct staff to return with General Plan amendments at a future meeting.
Assistant to the City Manager Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material) and a PowerPoint presentation, highlighting the MJHMP Planning Partnership, process overview, planning schedule & milestones, mitigation goals for the Palos Verdes Peninsula, community & stakeholder outreach, natural hazard risk ranking and MJHMP Integration with the General Plan Safety Element.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA commended staff, specifically Assistant to the City Manager Slawson on their work on this plan, and emphasized that this is a mitigation plan, noting the City also has a robust response plan for emergencies.
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COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA emphasized that approving this makes the City eligible for state and federal hazard mitigation grant funding.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ highlighted the preapproval of the Hazard Mitigation plan, which expedites the process, and the fact that this plan is a six-agency collaborative effort.
Assistant to the City Manager Slawson confirmed that the utility companies were involved in the plan, 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.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2618 ADOPTING THE PALOS VERDES
PENINSULA MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN AND
DIRECT STAFF TO RETURN WITH GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS AT A FUTURE MEETING.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
City Clerk Pettit read Resolution No. 2618 by title.
**ITEM TAKEN OUT OF ORDER**
9. OLD BUSINESS
A. TASK ORDER AMENDMENT WITH WILLDAN ENGINEERING FOR ADDITIONAL
ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, AND INSPECTION SERVICES
FOR THE PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH AT DAPPLEGRAY SCHOOL PROJECT Recommendation: That the City Council provide direction regarding the previously approved “No Right Turn on Red” restriction, including whether to maintain the restriction as approved, modify it (such as limiting it to peak hours), or rescind it.
Public Works Manager Graham provided a staff report (as per the agenda material), and introduced the City’s Deputy Traffic Engineer, Wes Pringle who provided a presentation including the analysis, traffic counts, video observations, alternative improvements and his recommendation.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA noted that it was a unanimous decision at the last discussion, and that nothing presented has shifted her opinion on this item, with the top goal being public safety. She also suggested not having time restrictions for the no-right-turn.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ appreciated the recommended time restrictions from the City Engineer.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHACHTER inquired if equestrians were observed crossing the street and noted that that corner has been a concern brought to the Equestrian Committee in the past. She also noted that the Traffic & Safety Committee considered the new Nature Center that will add to pedestrian use of the intersection in the future.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chamber, via email and via eComment.
Public testimony was received from Lynn Yes in favor of the recommendation, and Jim Deutsch in opposition of the recommendation.
Discussion ensued about the possibility and timing of a leading pedestrian interval.
Assistant City Attorney McEwen explained that the Council’s consideration is whether to continue, modify, or rescind a previously approved safety enhancement at the intersection, which had been adopted in December based on documented concerns regarding its alignment CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 4
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and supporting data, including prior analyses and photographic evidence. He emphasized that the Council’s primary objective should be public safety rather than determining whether the intersection meets the legal definition of a “dangerous condition” under the Government Code.
He noted that the Council has discretion to proceed with the improvement, modify it, take no action, or rescind it entirely. He further advised that maintaining the safety enhancement could help mitigate potential liability risks to the City in the event of an accident, while rescinding it could increase exposure to such risk, though he stopped short of characterizing the situation as a legally defined dangerous condition.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHACHTER clarified that this intersection issue has been under consideration for several years, not just recently, explaining that during her approximately six years on the Traffic and Safety Committee, the matter was raised multiple times by different individuals with varying concerns. She noted the issue has also been reviewed from an equestrian perspective when it was brought before the Equestrian Committee, and emphasized that this has been an ongoing effort involving repeated evaluation, including signal timing considerations, rather than a sudden or new initiative, and expressed appreciation for the recent work done on the matter.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ asked about the hours of an existing “no right turn” restriction at Crenshaw Boulevard and Palos Verdes Drive North, and expressed concern that having different rules at nearby intersections could confuse drivers and reduce the effectiveness of signage due to overuse. Other Council Members responded that, while consistency is generally desirable, the intersections in question have different physical constraints and safety considerations, making uniform rules impractical. They noted that the specific intersection discussed presents greater safety challenges due to its geometry and nearby pedestrian activity, justifying a different approach despite concerns about signage and varying time restrictions.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
UPHOLD THE CITY COUNCIL’S PREVIOUSLY APPROVED “NO RIGHT TURN ON RED” RESTRICTION.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Stegura, Zerunyan
NOES: Schmitz
ABSENT: None
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ noted that she wanted to ask about maintaining the restriction with the same 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekday hours but acknowledged support from others for treating the intersection differently due to its unique physical constraints.
There was general agreement on the need to act proactively to prevent accidents, along with a suggestion for staff to evaluate additional measures such as a leading pedestrian interval to improve safety.
8. NEW BUSINESS
B. 2025 HOUSING ELEMENT AND GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTS Recommendation: That the City Council direct staff to submit the City of Rolling Hills Estates’ 2025 General Plan and Housing Element APRs to LCI and HCD by April 1, 2026.
Community Development & Public Works Director Naughton and Senior Planner Kawagoe 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.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
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DIRECT STAFF TO SUBMIT THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ESTATES’ 2025
GENERAL PLAN AND HOUSING ELEMENT APRS TO LCI AND HCD BY APRIL 1, 2026.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
C. TASK ORDER NO. 2026-17 - CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION
SERVICES FOR THE PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH AT DAPPLEGRAY SCHOOL
PROJECT
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute Task Order No. 2026-17, with Willdan Engineering, in a not to exceed amount of $228,208 for construction management and inspection services for the Palos Verdes Drive North at Dapplegray School Project, approved as to form by the City Attorney.
Public Works Manager Graham 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 STEGURA moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE TASK ORDER NO. 2026- 17, WITH WILLDAN ENGINEERING, IN A NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $228,208 FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION
SERVICES FOR THE PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH AT DAPPLEGRAY SCHOOL PROJECT, APPROVED AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
D. TASK ORDER NO. 2026-18 - PROPOSAL FOR THE 2026 PAVEMENT
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (PMS) REPORT
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute Task Order No. 2026-18 with Willdan Engineering to prepare the 2026 Pavement Management System (PMS) Report update in the amount of $48,410, approved as to form by the City Attorney.
Community Development & Public Works Director Naughton 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.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE TASK ORDER NO. 2026- 18 WITH WILLDAN ENGINEERING TO PREPARE THE 2026 PAVEMENT
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (PMS) REPORT UPDATE IN THE AMOUNT OF
$48,410, APPROVED AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
E. LETTER OF SUPPORT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 2517 (CALDERON): FIRE HAZARD
SEVERITY ZONE MAPS
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MARCH 24, 2026
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the Letter of Support to AB 2517 (Calderon): Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps.
Assistant to the City Manager Slawson 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 STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE LETTER OF SUPPORT TO AB 2517 (CALDERON): FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE MAPS.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
F. MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Mid-Year Budget Report.
Senior Accountant Estrada 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 MAYOR ZERUNYAN, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
RECEIVE AND FILE THE MID-YEAR BUDGET REPORT.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
None.
11. CITY COUNCIL / REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA will be attending the Clean Power Alliance (CPA) Board meeting on April 2.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ attends the California Contract Cities Association’s (CCCA) Legislative Committee meetings twice monthly and will be attending tomorrow’s meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF will be attending the Cal Cities Los Angeles Division’s "Government Connections Networking Seminar" tomorrow in downtown Los Angeles.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHACHTER attended a Cal Cities Legislative webinar this morning, as well as the Los Angeles County Sanitation District Board meeting last week on behalf of Mayor Zerunyan.
12. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
None.
13. CLOSED SESSION
None.
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14. ADJOURNMENT
MAYOR ZERUNYAN adjourned the meeting at 8:29 p.m. to Monday, March 30, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. for the purpose of an adjourned meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit, City Clerk Frank V. Zerunyan, Mayor