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CC MINS 20101019 MINUTES RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 19, 2010 The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Mayor Wolowicz at Fred Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, and was immediately recessed into the Fireside Room for the National Incident Management System Executive Training Session. The meeting reconvened in the Multi-Purpose Room for the Regular Session at 7:18 P.M. City Council roll call was answered as follows: PRESENT: Campbell, Misetich, Stern, and Mayor Wolowicz ABSENT: Long* *Mayor Pro Tem Long arrived at 7:41 P.M. 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; Eduardo Schonborn, Senior Planner; Nicole Jules, Senior Engineer; Adam Raymond, Senior Administrative Analyst; and Carla Morreale, City Clerk. FLAG SALUTE: The Flag Salute was led by Councilman Stern. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Wolowicz announced that there was a recruitment underway for the following City Advisory Boards: Finance Advisory Committee, Traffic Safety Commission and Emergency Preparedness Committee. Councilman Misetich announced that he addressed Mr. Heffernan's Government Class at Palos Verdes High School and noted that some of the students were present in the audience. RECYCLE DRAWING: Mayor Wolowicz announced Recyclers of the Month from the October 5, 2010 City Council meeting: Linda Safavian; and Michelle Doyle. He indicated that all winners City Council Minutes October 19, 2010 Page 1 of 9 receive a check for $250 representing a year of free refuse service and urged everyone to participate in the City's Recycling Program. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to approve the agenda. Without objection, Mayor Wolowicz so ordered. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Sam Josephson, Peninsula Preservation Committee, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he had concerns regarding the stadium lights at Peninsula High School and the effect on the adjacent streets of Rancho Palos Verdes. He suggested that parking restrictions should be established and implemented to deal with the anticipated school overflow parking on the streets of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes; stated that the Palos Verdes Peninsula School Board should be informed that overflow parking on the streets will not be allowed and that parking will be allowed by permit only on the streets around the high school; and noted that overflow parking at the Peninsula Shopping Center is opposed by three of the major businesses at that location. Sunshine, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that she had concerns regarding the grant applications that have recently be submitted by the City, noting that she is a trails advocate and in favor of funding for trail circulation. She stated that she has concerns with the following: expenditure of money for grant applications to improve the California Coastal Trail because if the City secures the grant, the money will not be going towards opening up the missing trail links; the City's choice not to use local professional volunteers for the grant application pertaining to updating the City's Trails Network Plan; and the grant application on the agenda for Abalone Cove because of the additional cost to the taxpayers which has not been included in the budget; and, the grant application for the construction of a nature center at Abalone Cove since the design did not come from input from the public. Jim Gordon, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he was pleased the owner of the Golden Cove Shopping Center removed the Yes on Measure P message from the shopping center marquee sign; commented that the Measure P was not justified, since Marymount College project is currently operating under the certified Environmental Impact Report and City approved resolutions and conditions. He noted that Marymount College has advertised that they have on campus housing; that the College is a chartered Catholic educational corporation, but is not a church; and that 70 percent of the 10-year timeline in the approval process for the project was caused by the College making additional changes and delays. Jack Karp, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that Marymount College has been stating that they pay real estate taxes, but his search has shown that they do not pay general City Council Minutes October 19, 2010 Page 2 of 9 property taxes as an exempt non-profit organization, noting that they do pay lighting, storm drains, and parcel taxes. He stated that it was reasonable to assume that once the campus density increases with dormitories, they will be utilizing more of the fire, paramedic and Sheriff services, but they will pay no additional taxes. Denes Kassai, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he recognizes that Marymount College is providing an excellent service to the community with high school summer courses through Marymount College, the preschool education, and more recently with its recent conversion to a four-year college. He reported that from a business perspective, the four-year college will be able to bring in additional revenue so that Marymount can renovate and expand the existing college campus. He commented that dormitories do not need to adhere to residential requirements because it is campus housing, and the college is not a residential development. Mayor Pro Tem Long arrived at the meeting at 7:41 P.M. Mike Kassai, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he is a member of the high school government class that Councilman Misetich visited. He reported that he and his mother were recently walking around their house and removed some of the No on Measure P signs. He explained that a man stopped his car and began to argue with them for doing so and later followed them. He reported that the man punched him several times and causing him to lose consciousness and causing a tooth of his to be knocked out of alignment. He stated that he has attended summer classes and played soccer at Marymount College, noting that it is a great asset to the community. Susan Brooks, Mira Catalina HOA, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that there has been a great deal of tension created in the community due to Dr. Brophy and whoever is behind the funding of Measure P. She reported that she has taught at the school, her daughter has attended Marymount College, and has enjoyed past events at the college as part of the community. She reported that Dr. Brophy is not listed on the 2008 tax returns for Marymount College as an employee or trustee of the college. She stated that if Measure P passes, the residents will not have a right to be heard and the democratic process for which the City was formed will be lost. CITY MANAGER REPORT: City Manager Lehr provided the following announcements: 1) A storm update and report regarding clean-up at the Palos Verdes Drive South/25th Street location; 2) A report regarding the broadcast quality of the City Council and Planning Commission Meetings which has been problematic over the last few meetings and contact that City staff has had with staff at Cox Communications; and, 3) Maria Serrao (host and producer of"Playing the Field") and Mark Doddy (director of "LA Auto Show" and the "Sue Falsone Story") of RPV TV Channel 33 were recently honored as the recipients of two National Telly Awards for 2010 for the best local, regional, and cable City Council Minutes October 19, 2010 Page 3 of 9 television sports coverage. City Manager Lehr introduced a special guest from the Recreation and Parks Department. Special Guest Clown (Nancie Silver, Recreation Program Supervisor II) announced the upcoming Halloween Spooktacular event to be held on Halloween Day from 12:00 noon to 2:00 P.M. at City Hall on October 31, 2010. The free City event will include many fun activities including games, music, pie contest, and pumpkin races. NEW BUSINESS: APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR: City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed regarding Item No. 2 (Approval of the Minutes) prior to the meeting. Councilman Misetich moved, seconded by Councilman Stern, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Campbell, Long, Misetich, Stern, and Mayor Wolowicz 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 September 21, 2010 Adjourned Regular Meeting (Interviews); and September 21, 2010 Regular Meeting. Grant Application to Develop a Western Avenue Corridor Strategy ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2010-95, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, THEREBY APPROVING THE FILING OF A GRANT APPLICATION THROUGH THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (SCAG) "COMPASS BLUEPRINT DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS" PROGRAM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE CORRIDOR AND STREETSCAPE STRATEGY FOR THE WESTERN AVENUE CORRIDOR. City Council Minutes October 19, 2010 Page 4 of 9 Arterial Roads Rehabilitation Design Services Awarded a contract for professional services to CBM Consulting for a not-to-exceed amount of $74,220 for civil engineering design services; KDM Meridian for a not-to- exceed amount of$102,826 for surveying and mapping services; and Geo- Environmental Inc. (GEl) for a not-to-exceed amount of$41,910 for geotechnical services related to the FY 09-10 Arterial Roads Rehabilitation Project and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreements. Register of Demands ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2010-96, 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. # # # # # # PAUSE TO CONSIDER THE REMAINDER OF THE AGENDA: REGULAR NEW BUSINESS: Code Amendment Initiation for Certain Programs Identified in the City's 2008 Housing Element (Case No. ZON2010-00336) Senior Planner Schonborn provided a brief staff report regarding this item. Councilman Misetich moved, seconded by Councilman Stern, to direct Staff to proceed with a Code Amendment to implement certain programs identified in the City's 2008 Housing Element, which include creating a "Reasonable Accommodations" procedure that would remove constraints to the development/ improvement of housing for individuals with disabilities, and identifying a zoning district where emergency homeless shelters would be allowed as a permitted use. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Campbell, Long, Misetich, Stern, and Mayor Wolowicz NOES: None ABSENT: None Resolution Supporting Proposition 22 - The Local Taxpayer, Public Safety and Transportation Act of 2010 Mayor Pro Tem Long stated that he requested that this item be placed on the agenda and provided a brief report regarding Proposition No. 22. Council discussion of the matter ensued. City Council Minutes October 19, 2010 Page 5 of 9 Mayor Wolowicz moved, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2010-97, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 22, THE LOCAL TAXPAYER, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND TRANSPORTATION ACT OF 2010. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Campbell, Long, Misetich, Stern, and Mayor Wolowicz NOES: None ABSENT: None Resolution Opposing Proposition 26 — Proposed Constitutional Amendment: State and Local Fees and Charges: Vote Requirements and Limitations City Attorney Lynch provided a brief staff report regarding Proposition No. 26. Council and staff discussion of the matter ensued. Mayor Pro Tem Long moved, seconded by Councilman Campbell, to endorse a "No" position and approve the staff recommendation to: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2010- 98, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSITION 26, PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT: STATE AND LOCAL FEES AND CHARGES: VOTE REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS. Mayor Wolowicz moved a substitute motion, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to take no position on Proposition No. 26. The substitute motion failed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Misetich and Mayor Wolowicz NOES: Campbell, Long, and Stern ABSENT: None The original motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Campbell, Long, and Stern NOES: Misetich and Mayor Wolowicz ABSENT: None RECESS AND RECONVENE: Mayor Wolowicz called a brief recess from 8:40 P.M. to 8:50 P.M. City Council Minutes October 19, 2010 Page 6 of 9 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Application: Proposed Improvements at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the meeting and there was one request to speak on the item. City Manager Lehr provided a brief staff report regarding this item. Marianne Hunter, Save Our Shoreline (SOS), Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that the new grant application for Abalone Cove seems to be in line with the improvements that the public has supported, but with the deadline for submittal of the grant request less than two weeks away there was little opportunity for public input. She stated that in light of the strong opposition to fundamentally alter Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, SOS had questions regarding the shade structures, the necessity for grading, and the amount and location of proposed grading, and the art modes. She concluded that SOS supports modest improvements that retain the character of the park as an open, natural area while adding interpretive signage that would help protect the natural resources at the site. Ms. Hunter, speaking as an individual, stated that SOS does not object to improvements to Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, as the park is not in good condition. She stated that she enjoys seeing the park used by the public, school groups, others from other communities, and families. She stated that improvements that make the park more comfortable, useable, and safe are absolutely in line with the desires of SOS. She noted that this property is a public park and should have the necessary amenities and should be used as a learning opportunity. Discussion ensued between Council, staff, and the speaker. Mayor Pro Tem Long moved, seconded by Councilman Stern, to approve the staff recommendation to: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2010-99, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND ABALONE COVE SHORELINE PARK PROJECT. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Campbell, Long, Misetich, Stern and Mayor Wolowicz NOES: None ABSENT: None Resident Letter to California Department of Parks and Recreation Regarding Abalone Cove Nature Center Grant City Council Minutes October 19, 2010 Page 7 of 9 City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the meeting regarding this item. Mayor Pro Tem Long provided a brief report regarding the item. City Manager Lehr added that the Community Development Department staff noted that they could provide sufficient analysis of the key proposals and issues raised in the letter so that inconsistencies could be clarified. Lynn Swank, Save Our Shoreline, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that the letter and petition produced by SOS was in response to a need in the community, which was to keep the Rancho Palos Verdes shoreline and unique view in Abalone Cove protected from excessive building, and to share this wonderful resource with the public including those on the Peninsula and in the region. She reported that over 2,100 people signed the petition opposing the proposed construction of a new building at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park and requested that the Abalone Cove Grant application be withdrawn from the State of California. She suggested that the City proceed with improvements to Abalone Cove that reflect the goals established by the City Council. Mayor Pro Tem Long moved, seconded by Councilman Stern, to direct staff to prepare a response to the letter submitted to the State Department of Parks and Recreation regarding the Abalone Cove Nature Center Grant. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Campbell, Long, Misetich, Stern and Mayor Wolowicz NOES: None ABSENT: None CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS: Councilman Campbell and Councilman Misetich stated that they would submit their reports in writing. Councilman Stern reported that he had no items on which to report at this time. Mayor Wolowicz and Mayor Pro Tem Long reported on his attendance at various organization and association meetings since the last City Council Oral Reports were provided on October 5, 2010. City Council Minutes October 19, 2010 Page 8 of 9 ADJOURNMENT: At 9:39 P.M., Mayor Wolowicz adjourned the meeting to Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 9:30 A.M. for an Adjourned Regular Meeting/Emergency Preparedness Drill to be held at City Hall in the Community Room. ► or Attest: / f City Clerk W:\City Council Minutes\2010\20101019 CC MINS.doc City Council Minutes October 19, 2010 Page 9 of 9