MINUTES OF THE LOMITA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETNG MARCH 7, 2017

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1 MINUTES OF THE LOMITA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETNG MARCH 7, OPENING CEREMONIES a. Call Meeting to Order The regular meeting of the Lomita City Council was called to order at 6:31 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, CA. b. Flag Salute Mayor Pro Tem Savidan led the salute to the flag. c. Invocation Council Member Traina gave the invocation. d. Roll Call Present: and Staff Present: City Manager Smoot; City Attorney Hogin; Assistant City Manager Sugano; Public Works Director McAvoy; Parks and Recreation Director Harding; Administrative Services Director Kamada; and City Clerk Medina. Absent: 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Council Member Sanchez made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Savidan, to approve the agenda. and 3. PRESENTATIONS There were no presentations Page 1 of 7

2 4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chrispen Greco, a Lomita resident, stated that he supports the County Sheriff; however, over the last six months, he voiced concern and complained about the County Sheriff s response time. He stated that he has called the Sheriff s Department a couple of times and it took from one hour to two hours to respond. He also stated that he would like to see the new bike lanes named after former parks and recreation directors. Pamela Tarin, a Lomita resident, spoke relative to the poor condition of the streets, especially Walnut Street. She stated that it is dangerous crossing the street on Walnut as it is uneven, which is due to flooding the last few months. She would like the City to look at Walnut Street and see if it can be repaired. Roxanne Lechuga, a Lomita resident, spoke regarding the Picerne Project to be constructed on Lomita Boulevard and Crenshaw Boulevard. She expressed concern that this project will increase traffic congestion at the intersection. She stated that the City of Lomita does not need another apartment/condo complex of this size, and that Lomita is not able to handle the infrastructure of this size. In her opinion an apartment complex with five stories high with 223 units is way out of scale for the City of Lomita. Ms. Lechuga further stated that the traffic will also increase along Pennsylvania to avoid the traffic from Lomita and Crenshaw. 5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL Council Member Traina reminded everyone that today is voting day and encouraged residents to go out and vote. Mayor Pro Tem Savidan stated that he attended the Lions Club meeting and the meeting was very informative. He stated that the Lions Club is one of the largest groups around. Council Member Gazeley stated that he attended the SCAG meeting last week and the topic of discussion was Vision Zero which is a safety study presented by the City of Los Angeles. This was an interesting subject and very informative. He stated he attended the Kiwanis Dinner Award where the Fire and Police Explorer of the Year were recognized. Council Member Sanchez stated that he met with Dan Rivera relative to the homelessness in the south bay area. Mr. Sanchez stated that he is reading Mr. Rivera s published book. He stated he also attended the Kiwanis Award Dinner to honor the two explorers of the year. He thanked the explorers for volunteering their time. Mr. Sanchez stated he attended a CERT meeting, and there will be new city events in the future. He also stated that he attended the community town hall meeting where the residents were given an opportunity to ask questions relative to the status of repairing the damage done to their homes. stated that he with field representative Cody Bridges, from Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi s Office to discuss current projects in Lomita. He stated that he attended the community town hall meeting and there were many residents that attended the meeting. Mr. Waronek stated there is going to be a follow up meeting with the insurance adjusters. Mr. Waronek stated that the Kiwanis has raised $1,500 for the storm damaged victims. He stated he too attended the Explorer s Award dinner. stated that he and City Manager Smoot read to the 1 st and 2 nd graders at Eshelman Elementary and Lomita Magnet Page 2 of 7

3 schools in honor of Dr. Seuss Day. He announced that Golden Apple Award will be on April 28, 2017 at the Doubletree Hotel in Torrance. 6. CITY MANAGER S REPORT There was no report given. 7. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Gazeley made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Savidan, to approve Consent Calendar Items 7 a-c with Item 7d being pulled from consent. a. Motion to Waive Further Reading b. Approve the Minutes of the Regular meeting of February 21, 2017 ACTION: That the minutes be approved. c. Approve the Demands and Payroll ACTION: That the demands and payroll be received and filed. d. Receive and File Human Resources Audit prepared by Koff and Associates. The Council discussed the list of recommendations listed as top priority and requested that city staff inform the City Council when these recommendations are implemented. Council Member Sanchez made a motion, seconded by Council Member Traina that the Human Resources Audit report be received and filed, and that the City Council be kept abreast of when the recommendations listed as a liability or high priority are being implemented. Page 3 of 7

4 SCHEDULED ITEMS: 8. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE DELETING THE EIGHT YEAR TERM LIMIT FOR CITY COMMISSIONERS AND BOARD MEMBERS AND SETTING THE EXPIRATION DATE FOR ALL TERMS OF COMMISSIONERS AND BOARD MEMBERS FOR JUNE 1 ST OF YEAR APPLICABLE City Manager Smoot stated this is a follow up from the previous meeting where City Council directed staff to come back with an ordinance to eliminate the eight year term limit for all boards/commission and to change the month of the expiration terms for the Park Commissioners from January 1st to June like all the other boards/commissions. The ordinance before the City Council today will implement these changes. City Attorney Hogin read the title of the ordinance. ORD 785 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LOMITA AMENDING SECTIONS , , , AND OF TITLE II (ADMINISTRATION) OF THE LOMITA MUNICIPAL CODE DELETING THE EIGHT (8) YEAR TERM LIMITS FOR CITY COMMISSIONERS AND BOARD MEMBERS AND SETTING THE EXPIRATION DATE FOR ALL TERMS OF COMMISIONERS AND BOARD MEMBERS FOR JUNE 1 ST OF YEAR APPLICABLE TO EACH COMMISSIONER OR BOARD MEMBER. (First Reading) Council Member Gazeley made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Savidan that the City Council introduce the first reading of an ordinance amending Section , , , and of Title II (Administration) of the Lomita Municipal Code deleting the eight (8) year term limits for city commissioners and board members and setting the expiration date for all terms of commissioners and board members for June 1 st of year applicable to each commissioner or board member. Council Members: Sanchez, Gazeley, Mayor Pro Tem Savidan, Mayor Waronek Council Member Traina 9. CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO APPROVING A COMPLETE STREETS POLICY Public Works Director McAvoy stated the term Complete Streets describes a comprehensive, integrated transportation network with infrastructure and design that allows safe, comfortable and convenient travel along and across the streets. This include all users, such as pedestrians, public transit, motorists, persons with disabilities, seniors, children, emergency responders and movers of commercial goods. The State of California has emphasized the importance of complete streets by enacting the California Complete Streets Act of This act requires when cities or counties make substantive revisions to the circulation elements of their general plan, that they identify how they will provide for the mobility needs of all users of the roadways. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Page 4 of 7

5 Transportation Authority requires that all jurisdictions consider complete streets policies at the local level through the adoption of a resolution, which should include the Elements of an Ideal Complete Street Policy developed by the National Complete Street Coalition or through the general plan that complies with the California Complete Streets Act of 2008 in order to be eligible for Metro Capital Grant funds. Mr. McAvoy stated that the Public Traffic and Safety Commission approved this Complete Street Policy and now it is before the City Council for consideration. Council Member Gazeley stated that through Metro there are grant funds available for cities who have adopted a complete streets policy. RES A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMITA, ADOPTING A COMPLETE STREETS POLICY. Council Member Traina made a motion, seconded by Council Member Gazeley, Staff and the Public Safety and Traffic Commission recommend that the City Council approve Resolution No , adopting a Complete Streets Policy for the City of Lomita. 10. CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST TO RESTRIPE A PORTION OF NARBONNE AVENUE Public Works Director McAvoy stated that before the City Council for consideration is a request to restripe a portion of Narbonne Avenue between Pacific Coast Highway and Lomita Boulevard to include a single lane in each direction, center turn lane, bicycle lanes, and parking. He stated that the City received a recommendation from Nelson/Nygaard, the consultant hired to conduct research and prepare a long range bicycle/pedestrian master plan for the City to provide an active transportation plan. The consultant provided the recommendation at this time due to the upcoming pavement rehabilitation project on Narbonne Avenue that is slated to begin construction in the near future. He stated that the roadway width curb-to-curb is 60 feet and Narbonne Avenue functions as the City s centermost north/south corridor with a posted speed limit of 35 mph. Mr. McAvoy stated that between 2005 and 2013, 22% of pedestrian-involved collisions and 28% of bicyclist involved collisions occurred along this stretch of Narbonne Avenue. He pointed out that Narbonne north of Lomita Boulevard consists of a single lane in each direction with parking on both sides. The proposed re-design by Nelson/Nygaard would trim the excess capacity along this roadway section from two lanes in each direction to a single lane in each direction, along with adding a center turn lane, and a Class II bike lane while maintaining the same parking. Mr. McAvoy stated that Narbonne Avenue is currently a designated Class II bike route per the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans). This item was approved by the Public Safety and Traffic Commission, and is now before the City Council for consideration. Page 5 of 7

6 The Council discussed if there were would be adequate space to have a single lane with a left turn out and also a Class II bicycle lane. A discussion was held relative to the increased traffic over the years on Narbonne Avenue and expressed concerned with changing the street to a single lane street. A discussion was held whether a traffic study was completed for Narbonne Avenue to determine if it could handle being reduced to a single lane. Joe McGrath, a Lomita resident, stated that if the City eliminates the second lane, there would have to be certain conditions to allow for the flow of traffic. He further stated that with one lane there may not be enough room for parking. He further stated that there are not enough pedestrian cross walks which are a problem on Narbonne Avenue. Mr. McGrath stated that overall he does not like this concept without imposing strict conditions. Sharon Battelle, a Lomita resident, is not in support of having Narbonne Avenue as a single lane. She asked how this item was noticed as this is a major change to Narbonne Avenue, and is used by residents as the main thoroughfare. She stated that she sees more people walking their dogs than people on bicycles. Ms. Battelle also stated that with all the new development it does not make sense to reduce Narbonne to one lane. Jennifer Navarro, a Lomita resident, stated that currently it s not safe with the current traffic, because many of the vehicles traveling through Lomita cut through Oak Street. The vehicles use Oak Street to avoid Narbonne Avenue traffic. Ms. Navarro also stated that with the elimination of the two lanes, more vehicles will be using Oak Street to travel. Cindy Segawa, a Lomita resident, stated as being a resident on Pennsylvania Street, she has great concern with the traffic, especially when drivers try to cut across to Narbonne Avenue. She stated with Narbonne Avenue being a four-lane street, in an emergency situation, traffic is diverted to Narbonne so changing Narbonne to a single-lane street will be a problem. Michael Graf, a Lomita resident, stated he lives on Eshelman Avenue is a single one lane street with a left out and still vehicles travel fast on the street. The left turn lane is used as a passing lane which increases traffic speed. Mr. Graf stated there are not a lot of people on bicycles, but there are more pedestrians walking the streets. He stated that he does not see the need for bicycles lanes. Mayor Pro Tem Savidan made a motion, seconded by Council Member Gazeley to continue the matter and that a traffic study be conducted. Page 6 of 7

7 11. ADJOURNMENT At 7:37 p.m. the meeting adjourned in memory of Jean Button Mcelligott and Jeanette Weister to the next Regular Meeting to be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, CA. Respectfully Submitted Sandra M. Medina, MMC City Clerk Page 7 of 7

CITY OF LOMITA CITY COUNCIL REPORT

CITY OF LOMITA CITY COUNCIL REPORT TO: FROM: City Council Ryan Smoot, City Manager Item No. SCH 12 PREPARED BY: Mark A. McAvoy, P.E., Public Works Director/City Engineer MEETING DATE: August 1, 2017 SUBJECT: