CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
MAYOR ZERUNYAN called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by Los Angeles County Fire Department Acting Assistant Chief Wade Kelsey.
3. ROLL CALL
City Council Members Present: Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan City Council Members Absent: Brown Schachter
City Staff Present: City Manager Greg Grammer
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Assistant City Attorney Steve McEwen
Administrative Services Director Fernando Estrada
City Clerk Lauren Pettit
Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Slawson
4. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
A. PROCLAMATION: DECLARING SEPTEMBER "NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH"
MAYOR ZERUNYAN presented the proclamation to Los Angeles County Fire Department Acting Assistant Chief Kelsey and declared September 2026 as “National Preparedness Month.”
B. PROCLAMATION: DECLARING SEPTEMBER 15 - OCTOBER 15 "HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH”
MAYOR ZERUNYAN declared September 15 – October15, 2026 as “Hispanic Heritage Month.”
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 STEGURA, TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 5A-F AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan
ABSENT: Brown Schachter
A. READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
APPROVED.
B. DEMANDS AND WARRANTS OF AUGUST 2026
APPROVED WARRANTS 70091 THROUGH 70118 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$518,320.78, WITH PROPER AUDIT.
C. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MINUTES OF AUGUST 20, 2026
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 2
SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
D. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF AUGUST 25, 2026
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
E. SPECIAL EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE MINUTES OF AUGUST 24, 2026 RECEIVED AND FILED.
F. SBCCOG BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
RECEIVED AND FILED.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT / PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
Public comment received from Merlin David, Development Director of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Education Foundation, announcing the upcoming Toast on the Coast fundraising event on September 26, 2026.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. ORDINANCE AMENDING AND RESTATING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 10.44
REGARDING THE REGULATION OF BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES AND OTHER MOTORIZED DEVICES, AND CHAPTER 10.46 REGARDING THE
REGULATION OF WHEELED VEHICLES ON PUBLIC EQUESTRIAN PATHS AND TRAILS
Recommendation: That the City Council introduce Ordinance No. 764 for a first reading, and bring it back for a second reading and adoption at the September 22, 2026 City Council Meeting.
Assistant to the City Manager Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA expressed appreciation for staff’s work and support for regulating the use of e-bikes in the community.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN supported updating the code to accommodate necessary trail access for equestrian-related services, including veterinarians and hay deliveries.
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 HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 764 FOR A FIRST READING AND DIRECT
STAFF TO BRING BACK FOR SECOND READING AND ADOPTION AT THE SEPTEMBER 22, 2026, CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
AYES: Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan
ABSENT: Brown Schachter
City Clerk Pettit read Ordinance No. 764 by title.
B. ADOPTION OF FY 2026-27 PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3
SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
Recommendation: That the City Council approve a Publicly Available Pay Schedule for the 2026-27 fiscal year in accordance with California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) regulations.
Assistant City Manager Davis 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:
APPROVED A PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULE FOR THE 2026-27
FISCAL YEAR IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM (CALPERS) REGULATIONS.
AYES: Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan
ABSENT: Brown Schachter
9. OLD BUSINESS
None.
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
A. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 762 AMENDING AND RESTATING CHAPTER 2.12 OF THE ROLLING HILLS ESTATES MUNICIPAL
CODE PERTAINING TO THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
DIRECTOR
Recommendation: That the City Council hold the second reading and adopt proposed Ordinance No. 762 amending and restating Municipal Code Chapter 2.12 (Office of Administrative Services Director).
Assistant City Attorney McEwen provided a staff report (as per the agenda material), noting minor typographical errors in Ordinance No. 762 and recommended they be corrected as clerical corrections.
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:
ADOPTED PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 762 AMENDING AND
RESTATING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 2.12 (OFFICE OF
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR).
AYES: Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan
ABSENT: Brown Schachter
City Clerk Pettit read Ordinance No. 762 by title.
11. CITY COUNCIL / REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA reported on attending the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) and Clean Power Alliance (CPA) Board meetings, noting that Clean Power Alliance successfully implemented a new electronic voting platform to streamline voting for its 37-member board.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ reported on attending the California Contract Cities Association’s (CCCA) Legislative Committee meeting and noted that three legislative bills remain on the Governor’s desk for consideration and that information was provided to cities CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 4
SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
regarding potential support or opposition letters. She also noted an upcoming special CCCA meeting will be held to review and discuss the proposed budget prior to its consideration at the end of the month.
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF reminded the Council that the Cal Cities Annual Conference will be held in Anaheim this year, with the Los Angeles County Division luncheon scheduled for Wednesday, September 23.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN reported attending Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and CCCA Board meetings, where discussions focused on the next Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) cycle, housing methodology, and potential improvements to the process. He also noted discussions regarding the public health and safety challenges associated with homeless encampments.
12. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF asked staff to provide an update on the Palos Verdes Drive North / Dapplegray School Intersection Improvement Project. City Manager Grammer reported ongoing performance challenges with the project contractor and indicated staff is working with Willdan to get the project back on schedule. Traffic remains open in both directions, with a protected pedestrian path maintained for school children and other users. Phase 1 construction remains ongoing with no estimated completion date; City Manager Grammer noted that the contract includes provisions addressing delays but emphasized that the priority is getting the work completed.
13. CLOSED SESSION
None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
MAYOR ZERUNYAN extended warm wishes for a peaceful, healthy, and happy New Year to those celebrating Rosh Hashanah. He then adjourned the meeting in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, honoring those who lost their lives, the bravery of first responders, and all those impacted by the tragedy.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m. to Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a regular City Council meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
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Lauren Pettit, City Clerk Frank V. Zerunyan, Mayor