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CC MINS 20101207 MINUTES RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 7, 2010 The meeting was called to order at 7:07 P.M. by Mayor Wolowicz at Fred Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. City Council roll call was answered as follows: PRESENT: Campbell, Long, Misetich, Stern, and Mayor Wolowicz ABSENT: None Also present were Carolyn Lehr, City Manager; Carolynn Petru, Deputy City Manager; Carol Lynch, City Attorney; Dennis McLean, Director of Finance/Information Technology (IT); Joel Rojas, Community Development Director; Tom Odom, Interim Recreation and Parks Director/Deputy Director of Public Works; Paul Christman, Building Official; Judy Huey, Senior Administrative Analyst; Abigail Harwell, Assistant Planner; Katie Howe, Administrative Analyst II, and Carla Morreale, City Clerk. Also present: Diana Cho, Community Development Block Grant Consultant. FLAG SALUTE: The Flag Salute was led by RPV TV Channel 33 Station Manager Liz Brown-Swanson. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Wolowicz announced that Santa Claus will be visiting Rancho Palos Verdes neighborhoods in his sleigh in the upcoming weeks, courtesy of the Lomita Sheriff's Station. Deputy Brandon Epp announced that the Lomita Sheriff's Station recently updated its website and highlighted areas that may be of interest to the community. Mayor Wolowicz highlighted the Gifts for Parks donations and expressed the City's thanks for Gifts for Parks donations that have been received by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes since March 2010. Mayor Wolowicz expressed his thanks to Council Members, staff and the community for the past year while he served as Mayor of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes; and, he announced the recent passing of Jack Kyser, Chief Economic Advisor for the Southern California Association of Governments. RECYCLE DRAWING: City Council Minutes December 7, 2010 Page 1 of 10 Mayor Wolowicz announced Recyclers of the Month from the November 16, 2010 City Council meeting: David Zahniser and Catherine Fresch. He indicated that all winners receive a check for $250 representing a year of free refuse service and urged everyone to participate in the City's Recycling Program. COUNCIL REORGANIZATION: Selection of Mayor: City Clerk Morreale declared the floor open for nominations for Mayor. Councilman Campbell nominated Mayor Pro Tem Long for Mayor. The nomination was seconded by Councilman Stern. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Campbell, Long, Misetich, Stern, and Mayor Wolowicz NOES: None ABSENT: None Selection of Mayor Pro Tem: Mayor Long called for nominations for Mayor Pro Tem. Councilman Wolowicz nominated Councilman Misetich for Mayor Pro Tem. The nomination was seconded by Councilman Campbell. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Campbell, Misetich, Stern, Wolowicz, and Mayor Long NOES: None ABSENT: None RECESS AND RECONVENE: Mayor Long called a recess for a brief celebratory reception from 7:29 P.M. to 7:43 P.M. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Misetich, to approve the agenda. Councilman Wolowicz noted a correction to be made to the public hearing information sheets which incorrectly state that he is the Mayor. City Council Minutes December 7, 2010 Page 2 of 10 Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Misetich, to approve the agenda, as amended. Without objection, Mayor Long so moved. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Dennis Cross, Battalion Chief, Los Angeles County Fire Department, introduced himself as the new Battalion Chief for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, noting that he is a Public Information Officer for the Fire Department and that he looks forward to working with the City and community. Joe Farlo, M.D., Watermen's Alliance, Manhattan Beach, thanked the City for its involvement in the Marine Life Protection Act over the last several months; and noted that he would continue to address the Fish and Game Commission for shore-based fishing access and spear fishing at Pt. Vicente along the Fishing Access Trail for the City. He requested that the City continue to be engaged with the Fish and Game Commission regarding shore-based angling, spear fishing for pelagic fish and white sea bass, and kelp restoration efforts by the Santa Monica Bay Keepers inside the Pt. Vicente Fishing Access area. Mark Wells, Rancho Palos Verdes, thanked staff members and Council Members for governing in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes where more than 68 percent of the registered voters participated in the November 2010 Election, which was not a General Election nor a Presidential Election. He stated that it was remarkable that the voters of the City decided to use the democratic process to state their opinions by their votes. CITY MANAGER REPORT: City Manager Lehr announced that Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at Fred Hesse Community Park. Interim Director of Recreation and Parks Odom announced that the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Recreation and Parks 2010-2011 Winter Activity Guide is now online, which highlights upcoming events and classes offered by the City. NEW BUSINESS: APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR: City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence regarding Item No. 2 (Approval of the Minutes) was distributed prior to the meeting. Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to approve the Consent City Council Minutes December 7, 2010 Page 3 of 10 Calendar with Item No. 2 (Approval of the Minutes), as amended. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Campbell, Misetich, Stern, Wolowicz, and Mayor Long NOES: None ABSENT: None Motion to Waive Full Reading Adopted a motion to waive reading in full of all ordinances presented at this meeting with consent of the waiver of reading deemed to be given by all Council Members after the reading of the title. Approval of the Minutes Approved the Minutes of the November 16, 2010 Regular Meeting, as amended. Approval of Annual Commercial Hauler Agreements for 2011 1) Authorized the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute one-year non-exclusive commercial refuse collection and disposal services agreements for 2011 with ten companies: California Waste Services LLC; CalMet Services, Inc.; Consolidated Disposal Service, LLC; Easy Roll Off Services; EDCO Disposal Corporation; JJK Roll- Offs, Inc.; S & H Disposal Company & Recycling Services; Universal Waste Systems, Inc.; USA Waste of California, Inc., dba Waste Management of Los Angeles; and West Coast Waste & Roll Off Service; and, 2) ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2010-104, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, LIMITING THE NUMBER OF HAULERS AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND RECYCLING SERVICES FROM COMMERCIAL PREMISES, AND ROLL OFF SERVICES TO RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PREMISES IN THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES IN CALENDAR YEAR 2011. Gifts for Parks Accepted Gifts for Parks donations and directed staff to prepare donor letters of appreciation for the Mayor's signature. October 2010 Monthly Report of Cash Balances Received and filed the October 2010 Monthly Report of Cash Balances for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. Register of Demands City Council Minutes December 7, 2010 Page 4 of 10 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2010-105, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING FUNDS FROM WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID. # # # # # # PUBLIC HEARINGS: Proposed 2011-2012 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program City Clerk Morreale reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published, no written protests received, and there were no requests to speak on the item. Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Mayor Long, to waive the staff report and go directly to questions. Without objection, Mayor Long so ordered. Mayor Long declared the public hearing open. As there were no requests to speak on the item, Mayor Long declared the public hearing closed. Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Misetich, to adopt the staff recommendation to: 1) Approve the proposed CDBG projects and budget; 2) Authorize the Director of Public Works to execute agreements for CDBG projects with the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission; and, 3) Authorize the Director of Public Works to adjust the program budget as necessary to take into account the final CDBG allocation and any amounts unexpended at the close of the fiscal year. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Campbell, Misetich, Stern, Wolowicz, and Mayor Long NOES: None ABSENT: None Adoption of Ordinance for New LA County 2011 Fire Code and New 2010 State Building Codes City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the meeting, notice of the public hearing was duly published, no written protests were received, and there were no requests to speak regarding the item. Mayor Long declared the public hearing open. City Council Minutes December 7, 2010 Page 5 of 10 Building Official Christman provided a staff report regarding the adoption of an ordinance for the new County Fire Code and new State Building Codes. Council and staff discussion ensued. Roy Dull, Assistant Fire Chief& Fire Marshall, Los Angeles County Fire Department, stated that the Fire Department does not collect fees for the review of sprinkler plans for commercial buildings, which results in a deficit to the Fire Department. He noted that the new residential sprinkler code that is going into effect January 1, 2011 is a new plumbing code requirement, and that it should be more efficient and alleviate redundancy for the City building inspectors to perform the sprinkler plumbing inspections since they will be performing other related inspections. Henry Wind, California Water Service Company (Cal Water), noted that Cal Water Service will be charging the full fee for a 1-inch meter for those properties that have a 1-inch meter until the fees are adjusted. He reported on the monthly fees charged by the Cal Water based on size of the water meter. Mayor Long declared the public hearing closed. Councilman Campbell moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Misetich, to approve the staff recommendation to: ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 516, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2010 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING, RESIDENTIAL, GREEN BUILDING, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CODES, WHICH ARE CODIFIED IN TITLE 24 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, THE 2011 LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE CODE, WHICH IS TITLE 32 OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE, CHAPTER 7A OF TITLE 26 OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE, THE UNIFORM CODE FOR THE ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS 1997 EDITION, THE UNIFORM HOUSING CODE 1997 EDITION, AND THE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, 2006 EDITION, WITH APPENDICES AND AMENDMENTS THERETO; AND AMENDING THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Campbell, Misetich, Stern, Wolowicz, and Mayor Long NOES: None ABSENT: None REGULAR NEW BUSINESS: Conceptual Designs for Grandview Park City Council Minutes December 7, 2010 Page 6 of 10 City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the meeting and there were two requests to speak regarding the item. Interim Director of Recreation and Parks Odom provided a brief staff report regarding the Conceptual Designs for Grandview Park. He noted that one adjacent property owner, who was unable to be present for the meeting, reported concerns regarding the privacy of his property and requested a wall in addition to the buffer landscaping. Mia Lehrer, Landscape Architect and Design Consultant, Mia Lehrer &Associates, provided a detailed report and PowerPoint presentation of the two proposed park design plans for Grandview Park. She provided an overview of the design components of the Oak Plan and the Sycamore Plan to address the needs of the community, such as the activity lawn and meadow, walking trails, picnic areas, parking lot, outdoor activity and day camp areas, playground, small park office and restroom building, viewing nodes, fitness stations, flexible cycling area and nature discovery area. She discussed landscape buffer zones around the perimeter of Grandview Park to provide privacy to the neighbors without blocking views. Discussion ensued between Council, Ms. Lehrer, and staff members. Jim Juneau, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he is an adjacent property owner to the park and stated that the improvements to Grandview Park will be an asset to the community, noting that he appreciated the changes to the plan after input from the community and neighbors. Candy Fletcher, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that the immediate neighbors are discouraged that the community's input does not count. She stated that she objects to the construction of an office building/public restroom facility and parking lot at the site. Bernie Slotnick, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated he argued and debated with staff regarding the park and reported that Mia Lehrer and staff have done an exceptionally nice job creating the conceptual designs for the park. He offered insight as to the history regarding the Chopra residence. Discussion ensued between Council, Ms. Lehrer, and staff members. Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Misetich, to: 1) Select the Sycamore Plan for Grandview Park with proposed phasing of construction; 2) Direct staff to construct a silhouette of the proposed building during the environmental review to assess impacts; and, 3) Direct staff to work with Mr. Chopra to address issues regarding privacy and views. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: City Council Minutes December 7, 2010 Page 7 of 10 AYES: Campbell, Misetich, Stern, Wolowicz, and Mayor Long NOES: None ABSENT: None RECESS AND RECONVENE: Mayor Long called a brief recess from 9:25 P.M. to 9:37 P.M. PAUSE TO CONSIDER THE REMAINDER OF THE AGENDA: Code Amendment Initiation to Eliminate or Amend the Current Program that Allows Non-Commercial Organizations to Place Temporary Special Event Signs or Other Temporary Signs in the City's Rights-of-Way City Clerk Morreale reported that there were two requests to speak regarding this item. Assistant Planner Harwell provided a brief report and PowerPoint presentation regarding the current program allowing non-commercial organizations to place temporary special event signs and banners in the City's Rights-of-Way. John Freeman, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that the proliferation of signs is an important issue for many residents, since the City has evolved from having many open spaces to limited locations for the placement of signs. He reported on his two concerns regarding the placement of signs at Hesse Park: 1) the park is for the enjoyment of the natural environment; and, 2) the numerous signs advertising events that are not in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. He concluded that when one drives by a park, he wants to see the park, trees and beautiful ocean, not numerous signs. Norbert Nastanski, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he concurs with staff's recommendation and noted his concerns with the large and out of place signs at Hesse Park. He suggested that the City discontinue the use of two side-by-side signs at the corner of Hawthorne and Locklenna. Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to approve the staff recommendation to suspend the approval of any new temporary banner sign applications and initiate a code amendment process involving fully noticed public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council to eliminate the program that allows non-commercial organizations to place temporary special event signs or other signs in the City's rights-of-way. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Campbell, Misetich, Stern, Wolowicz, and Mayor Long NOES: None City Council Minutes December 7, 2010 Page 8 of 10 ABSENT: None Certification of Election Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Misetich, to waive the staff report and second the staff recommendation to: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2010-106, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, RECITING THE FACTS OF THE SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD IN SAID CITY ON NOVEMBER 2, 2010, DECLARING THE RESULTS THEREOF AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Campbell, Misetich, Stern, Wolowicz, and Mayor Long NOES: None ABSENT: None Marymount College Response Regarding Commitment to Election Cost Reimbursement City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed regarding this item. City Manager Lehr provided an update regarding the Marymount College response regarding its commitment to reimburse the City for Election expenses, and read into the record a letter received that day from Dr. Brophy. She noted that City staff has provided invoices to the College of the expenses incurred to date regarding the November 2, 2010 Election. Mark Wells, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he had a conversation with Dr. Brophy regarding the Marymount Plan initiative, where he noted that elections are paid for by the taxpayers. Mr. Wells reported that he was not surprised when Dr. Brophy later offered to pay for the election and suggested an option of an alternate arrangement such as the College's consideration of a donation to the building of the new Civic Center, since the College advertised that they would pay for the election as a marketing tool. Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to reaffirm the City Council's prior acceptance of Marymount College's gift as stated in the College's letter dated May 25, 2010. Council and staff discussion ensued. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: City Council Minutes December 7, 2010 Page 9 of 10 AYES: Campbell, Misetich, Stern, Wolowicz, and Mayor Long NOES: None ABSENT: None CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS: Councilman Stern stated that he had no report to provide. Each of the other Council Members reported on his attendance at various organization and association meetings since the last City Council Oral Reports were provided on November 4, 2010. ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Stern noted that this evening's meeting would be adjourning to Saturday, December 18, 2010 at Hesse Park. Discussion ensued regarding the time to begin that meeting as there were 28 applicants to be interviewed for openings on three of the City's Advisory Boards. At 10:27 P.M., Mayor Long adjourned the meeting to Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 8:00 A.M. to Hesse Park (the Fireside Room) to conduct interviews of applicants for the Finance Advisory Committee, Traffic Safety Commission, and Emergency Preparedness Committee. He adjourned the meeting in the memory of those who served and lost their lives at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and in the memory of Mr. Jack Kyser. , N. Mayor Attest: Ai (11---/biaed(A_ City Clerk W:\City Council Minutes\2010\20101207 CC MINS.doc City Council Minutes December 7, 2010 Page 10 of 10