Loading...
CC MINS 20080429 ADJ MINUTES RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING APRIL 29, 2008 The meeting was called to order at 7:05 P.M. by Mayor Pro Tem Clark at Fred Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard and was immediately recessed into Closed Session, notice having been given with affidavit thereto on file. City Council roll call was answered as follows: PRESENT: Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Pro Tem Clark ABSENT: Mayor Stern (excused) Also present were Carolynn Lehr, City Manager; Carol Lynch, City Attorney; Carolynn Petru, Deputy City Manager; Dennis McLean, Director of Finance and Information Technology; Joel Rojas, Director of Planning, Building & Safety, and Code Enforcement; Jim Bell, Director of Public Works; Ara Mihranian, Principal Planner; and Carla Morreale, City Clerk. FLAG SALUTE: The Flag Salute was led by Councilman Gardiner. CEREMONIAL: Mayor Pro Tem Clark presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Deputy Chris Knox and thanked him for his dedication and service to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. Deputy Knox thanked Captain Anda and Sgt. Creason for the flexibility in his schedule in order to better serve the City, and thanked the Public Works Department for their assistance in addressing technical issues. Responding to Mayor Pro Tem Clark, Captain Anda provided an update on crime statistics in the City. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Pro Tem Clark recognized staff members of Building and Safety and Recreation and Parks for compliments received from residents; and, announced the "Save Our Teachers Now" campaign by the Peninsula Education Foundation. RECYCLE DRAWING: Mayor Pro Tem Clark announced Recyclers of the Month from the April 1, 2008 City Council meeting: Jennifer Ford and John and Mary Otera. 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. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to approve the Agenda as presented. Without objection, Mayor Pro Tem Clark so ordered. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Ed Hallett, Rancho Palos Verdes, expressed concern with possible traffic impacts as a result of an additional 66 proposed condominiums near the Promenade Shopping Center as part of the Peninsula Village Overlay. He noted that the large project was being presented to the City of Rolling Hills Estates on a piece by piece basis which made it harder to measure the impacts and urged the City Council to discuss the proposed development with the staff of the City of Rolling Hills Estates and their Planning Commission. Ruth Hattersley, Rancho Palos Verdes, calculated that there were currently 446 approved residential units to be built in the Peninsula Village Overlay with more being proposed, and noted that the City of Rolling Hills Estates allows a height limit of 44 feet for these residential projects which will result in a large concrete city. Jarel Wheaton, Rancho Palos Verdes, offered to make an aerial photograph he had taken from the Goodyear blimp of the Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center available to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes for its use. Paul Farbman, President, South Bay Archery Club, Rancho Palos Verdes, introduced members of the Archery Club, thanked the City for 52 years of support, and presented the City of Rancho Palos Verdes with a plaque of appreciation. Councilman Wolowicz addressed concerns raised regarding the Peninsula Village Overlay development in the City of Rolling Hills Estates, noting that staff of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has been tracking the project for the past several years and have had a role in preventing the approval of approximately 1,000 units in total. CITY MANAGER REPORT: None. NEW BUSINESS: APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR: City Council Minutes Adjourned Regular Meeting April 29, 2008 Page 2 of 13 City Clerk Morreale reported late correspondence was distributed prior to the meeting on Item Nos. 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11, and noted that staff had requested the continuation of Item No. 11, the Award of Construction Contract and Construction Management Professional Services Contract— McCarrell Canyon Storm Drain Project, to the May 20, 2008 City Council Meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Clark pointed out that Item No. 11 was one of the largest contracts in the City and in response to a question from Mayor Pro Tern Clark, Public Works Director Bell explained that staff was requesting the continuation of the item because additional time was needed to finalize several environmental permits. Council and staff discussed the following issues: the impact of the McCarrell Canyon Storm Drain Project on the City's General Reserves; the need for staff progress reports to Council regarding the project; the impacts to the General Fund Reserve as a measuring device for future items; transfers from the General Fund Reserves to the Water Quality Flood Protection Program for the funding of the $7.5 million project, exclusive of the land costs; and, the ability to go back to the General Fund Reserves, if necessary, to complete the project. Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to approve the Consent Calendar, as amended, with Item No. 5 removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration to follow the Regular Business items, Item No. 11 continued to the May 20, 2008 City Council Meeting, and Items 12a and 12b added to the agenda. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Pro Tem Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Stern ABSTAIN: 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 (301) Approved the Minutes of the January 29, 2008 Special Meeting (Interviews) and March 4, 2008 Adjourned Regular Meeting. Crossing Guard Services for 2008-2009 School Year: Amendment to Contract with All City Management Services (1503) City Council Minutes Adjourned Regular Meeting April 29, 2008 Page 3 of 13 Authorized the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute an amendment to the agreement with All City Management Services, Inc. (AGMs), for an amount not to exceed $17,253.00 to provide crossing guard services at Miraleste Intermediate School and Silver Spur Elementary School for the 2008-2009 School Year. Grant for Seat Belt Compliance Campaign (1206) Authorized the City to act as the pass-through agency for a $3,500 grant awarded to the Lomita Sheriff's Station by the State Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for the 2008 Seat Belt Compliance Campaign. Records Retention and Destruction Schedules (301) This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration after the Regular Business items. Municipal Area Express (MAX) Inter-Agency Agreement (1505) 1) Authorized the City of Rancho Palos Verdes to continue its participation in the commuter transportation transit service, known as Municipal Area Express (MAX) for the period of July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2011; and, 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Agreement for MAX Commuter Bus Service on behalf of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. Pavement Striping Maintenance Project (1404) Authorized a change to the contract with PCI for the subject project to increase the amount of the contract up to an additional $20,000 annually for extraordinary work. The revised contract amount will be up to $70,000 annually. Continuation of Funding for the City/Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC) State Lobbyist (1203) Approved a budget adjustment for $18,000 to fund the services of Mr. Joseph Caves of Conservation Strategy Group for the 2008 calendar year as an advocate of the City for securing state monies for the City's continuing open space acquisitions. Award Construction Contract— Landscape Maintenance Parks and Trails (1201) 1) Awarded a three-year contract for parks and trails landscape maintenance services to Marina Landscape, Inc., in an amount equal to $186,720; 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract with Marina Landscape, Inc.; and, 3) Authorized the expenditure of up to $186,720 for Fiscal Year 2008-2009. Award Construction Contract— Roadside Maintenance (1405) City Council Minutes Adjourned Regular Meeting April 29, 2008 Page 4 of 13 1) Awarded a three-year contract for roadside maintenance services to Merchants Landscape Services, Inc., in an amount equal to $183,040; 2)Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract with Merchants Landscape Services, Inc.; and, 3) Authorized the expenditure of up to $183,040 for Fiscal Year 2008-2009. Award Construction Contract and Construction Management Professional Services Contract - McCarrell Canyon Storm Drain Project (1204 X 602) This item was continued to the May 20, 2008 City Council Meeting. Register of Demands ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2008-28, 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. ADDITIONAL CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: Professional Services Agreement RPV TV Channel 33 Acting Station Manager Contract Extension (305) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign an extension of the existing Professional Services Agreement with Mark Doddy to provide Station Manager duties on an interim basis. Palos Verdes High School Pool Project Grant (602) 1) Reconfirmed the City Council's March 7, 2006 pledge to contribute $20,000 towards the construction of the new swimming pool at Palos Verdes High School; and 2) Authorized staff to complete the contribution to the Sea King Capital Project using Environmental Excise Tax funds. # # # # # # PUBLIC HEARINGS: Appeal of a Height Variation, Grading Permit, Site Plan Review and Extreme Slope Permit (Case No. ZON2007-00179) (5329 Bayridge Road) [Continued from March 18, 2008] (1804) City Clerk Morreale reported that this item was continued from the March 18, 2008 City Council meeting and noted that the applicant was present to answer questions of the City Council Members, if necessary. City Council Minutes Adjourned Regular Meeting April 29, 2008 Page 5 of 13 Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to waive the staff report and continue the public hearing to the June 3, 2008 City Council Meeting, as amended at the request of the applicant. Without objection, Mayor Pro Tern Clark so ordered. PAUSE TO CONSIDER THE REMAINDER OF THE AGENDA: REGULAR NEW BUSINESS: Palos Verdes Nature Preserve — Public Use Master Plan (PUMP) Preserve Trails Plan (PTP) (1201) City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the meeting and there were 6 requests to speak on the item. Principal Planner Mihranian provided a summary staff report and PowerPoint presentation on the item. Council and staff discussed the following topics: State restrictions with respect to the Ecological Reserve and clarification that bicycle use was prohibited in the Ecological Reserve except on designated roads; and, confirmation that there should be no possible conflicts with the adjoining Redevelopment Agency property. Abalone Cove Vic Quirarte, Rancho Palos Verdes, requested that the Abalone Cove Reserve be designated as pedestrian only as it is the most popular venue for the community with many children using the area. He stated that horses and pedestrians were compatible, but that bicycles were not. Eva Cicoria, Rancho Palos Verdes, voiced opposition to horses on the beach and clarified that the PUMP Committee had intended that bicycles were proposed to be permitted on roads only, not over very fragile terrain in a habitat sensitive area. Mark Jacobowitz, Rolling Hills, PUMP Committee member, spoke in support of allowing horse access to the Abalone Cove beach area. Council and staff discussed the following issues: clarification that the water quality off the Rancho Palos Verdes beaches is A+ as tested and indicated by the Los Angeles Public Health Department; an ordinance that has been in effect since 1978 prohibiting animals, including horses on the City's beaches; City ordinances regarding the regulation that requiring dog owners to clean up after their dogs, but the lack of such a rule regarding horses; and, if trash receptacles were available on the beach or beach trails. City Council Minutes Adjourned Regular Meeting April 29, 2008 Page 6 of 13 John Stevens, Rolling Hills Estates, reported that the County of Los Angeles does not allow dogs on any beaches. Mayor Pro Tern Clark pointed out that a City, not County beach was under discussion. Troy Braswell, PUMP Committee member, stated that he supported the PUMP recommendations; noted that he wanted to see the Chapel View Trail and Beach School Trail (which is actually a paved road) added as multiuse trails so children could ride their bikes on them; and, discussed the safety range of the Bow and Arrow trail despite its proximity to the Archery Range and suggested that it also be designated as a multiuse trail. Council and staff discussed the following topics: concerns with and proposed repairs of the Olmstead Trail and if bikes were encouraged on that trail; clarifications between the Olmstead Trail and the Sea Dahlia Trail; bicycle access to the beach; the Chapel View Trail which is a fire road designated as pedestrian/equestrian only; the possibility of installing bike racks at the end of trails; and, concerns with allowing bikes on areas other than paved roads. Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to restrict the Chapel View Trail to pedestrian only and the Abalone Cove Trail restricted to pedestrian use only with the sole exception that bicycle use only be allowed on the Olmstead Trail from Palos Verdes Drive South to where the paved road ends, and no equestrian uses allowed on the beach. Staff and Council discussed the following issues: if there was a history of horses on the beach; clarification that the Municipal Code indicates that animals (including horses) are not permitted on the beaches in the City; the designation of Smuggler's Trail as pedestrian only which would limit beach access; providing safe trail routes for equestrians; and, impacts to the Palos Verdes Loop Trail. Councilman Long amended his motion to allow Chapel View to remain pedestrian/ equestrian and all other trails pedestrian only except for the specified paved roads and gravel trails as necessary for bicycles to get to the end of the Olmsted Trail with the Beach School Trail to be designated pedestrian/equestrian. Councilman Wolowicz agreed to the amendment. Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to: 1) Review the PUMP Committee's recommended trail routes and trail uses, as identified in the proposed Preserve Trails Plan and restrict Abalone Cove Reserve trails to pedestrian use only with the following exceptions: the upper portion of the Portuguese Point Loop Trail (between Palos Verdes Drive South and the intersection with the Olmstead Trail) and the Olmstead Trail (paved and unpaved portions) to be designated for pedestrian and bicycle use, and the upper portion of the Beach School Trail (between the intersection of the Chapel View Trail and PVDS) and the Chapel View Trail to be designated for pedestrian and equestrian uses. City Council Minutes Adjourned Regular Meeting April 29, 2008 Page 7 of 13 The motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Pro Tem Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Stern ABSTAIN: None RECESS AND RECONVENE: Mayor Pro Tem Clark called a brief recess from 8:34 P.M. to 8:42 P.M. Three Sisters Reserve Trails Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clark, to waive the staff report regarding the next topic of discussion. City Clerk Morreale reported that there were seven requests to speak on the item. Troy Braswell, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he supported the PUMP Committee recommendation, commented on the photographs submitted by Mr. Wedemeyer and noted that the portion represented was not part of the PUMP recommendation and was scheduled to be closed. Eva Cicoria, Rancho Palos Verdes, urged caution noting that several of the trails were steep, rugged, rocky, and inappropriate as a multiuse trail. Lowell Wedemeyer, Rancho Palos Verdes, provided a PowerPoint presentation of progressive erosion damage from bicycle use on the trails in Three Sisters Reserve from October 2007 to February 2008. Sunshine, Rancho Palos Verdes, provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding four necessary trail links for continuity to the Palos Verdes Loop Trail and urged the City to keep all of Section 3, Trail 8 in the City's Trails Network Plan. Bob Endicott, San Pedro, supported staff's recommendation that all of the trails be multiuse trails. John Stevens, PUMP Committee Member, Rolling Hills Estates, supported the multiuse of trails, commented on access issues to some of the trails, and stated that some of the upper trails were steep and needed to be contoured so that they were not going straight down the fall line. Ruth Braswell, Rancho Palos Verdes, expressed support for the multiuse designation of the trails as recommended by the PUMP Committee and staff. City Council Minutes Adjourned Regular Meeting April 29, 2008 Page 8 of 13 Council and staff discussed the following issues: trail conditions and trail management; erosion control to be provided by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy; and, ingress, egress and connectivity matters. Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to approve the staff recommendation. Council and staff discussion continued regarding concerns regarding the steepness of some of the trails with possible damage caused by undefined trails and the feasibility of enforcement. Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, that the Three Sisters Reserve trails be designated as multi-purpose trails per staff's recommendation with bicycles to be walked downhill on a portion of the Sunset Trail at the slope near the Barkentine Trail spur, until the Sunshine Trail on the slope is improved. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Pro Tem Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Stern ABSTAIN: None San Ramon Reserve Trails Mayor Pro Tem moved to waive the staff report. Without objection, Mayor Pro Tem so ordered. City Clerk Morreale reported that that there were two requests to speak on the item. When called to speak, the speakers passed on the opportunity. Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, that the San Ramon Reserve Tails be designated for pedestrian and bicycle use per staffs recommendation. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Pro Tem Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Stern ABSTAIN: None Ocean Trails Reserve Principal Planner Mihranian provided a summary staff report regarding this item. City Council Minutes Adjourned Regular Meeting April 29, 2008 Page 9 of 13 Council and staff discussed historic use of the property, conditions of the trails, and downhill issues regarding the use of bicycles and pedestrians on the trails. Troy Braswell, PUMP Committee Member, Rancho Palos Verdes, commented that not many people used the trails in the Ocean Trails Reserve and suggested monitoring the situation to see if problems arise. Eva Cicoria, Rancho Palos Verdes, spoke in opposition to the use of bikes on the Ocean Trails Reserve trails. Bob Endicott, San Pedro, supported the staff recommendation for bicycle use on the trails in the Ocean Trails Reserve. Council and staff discussed the requirement for bicycles to be walked in steep areas of the Catalina Trail; the historic designation of the Catalina Trail as pedestrian only; and, management of portions of the trails by Trump National personnel. Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to adopt staff recommendation for the Ocean Trails Reserve which consists of pedestrian only trails, pedestrian/bicycle trails, and no equestrian trails proposed for the area as indicated in staff's recommendation, with direction that staff, at its discretion, designate the steep areas and areas with steps along the Catalina Trail and the Gnatcatcher Trail as walk- only for bicycles in both the uphill and downhill directions The motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Pro Tem Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Stern ABSTAIN: None Palos Verdes Loop Trail and Coastal Access Segments Principal Planner Mihranian provided a review of the Palos Verdes Loop Trail and Coastal access segments. Alfred Peschel, Rancho Palos Verdes, provided a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the position of the advocates of the Palos Verdes Loop Trail Project which is to create, maintain, and legally preserve public access and trail connectivity along the Palos Verdes Loop Trail. Sunshine, Rancho Palos Verdes, clarified that the Conceptual Trails Plan was written in 1990 and stated it should remain as is. She expressed concern that trail continuity and connectivity was being lost with the proposed PUMP Committee changes; pointed out that the PVPLC recommended that the California coastal access trail be three separate City Council Minutes Adjourned Regular Meeting April 29, 2008 Page 10 of 13 corridors for pedestrians, equestrians and bicycles; and, noted that separate trail idea should have been incorporated for the trails in the Abalone Cove area. Council and staff discussed issues including the steepness of trails, parking access to trails, and connectivity of the trails where possible. Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to approve the staff recommendation to approve the trail routes located within the Preserve identified as segments of the City's Palos Verdes Loop Trail system (A-category trails per the CTP) and the City's Coastal Access Trail system (D-category trails per the CTP). The motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Pro Tem Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Stern ABSTAIN: None Tiered Penalty System for Violations in the Preserve Eva Cicoria, Rancho Palos Verdes, presented photographs and emphasized the importance of speed limits and enforcement on the trails within the Preserve and expressed concern with bicycles being allowed on the trails. Council and staff discussion focused on the lack of and need for specific penalties tied to enforcement of trail rules; the development of a tiered penalty system; and, possible funding for enforcement and signage. Mayor Pro Tem Clark moved, seconded by Councilman Long, to direct staff to prepare the appropriate Code amendment language to Section 12.16.080 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to establish a tiered penalty system for violators of the Preserve Trail Plan, along with staff direction to bring back for Council approval a proposal for enforcement of the Preserve Trails Plan at the same time. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Pro Tem Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Stern ABSTAIN: None Review of Job Descriptions and Personnel Chart (1202) Deputy City Manager Petru provided a brief staff report. City Council Minutes Adjourned Regular Meeting April 29, 2008 Page 11 of 13 Council and staff discussed the standard format for job descriptions; a reconciliation of staffing numbers; and, the request for a pyramid organizational chart. Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to approve the staff recommendation to: 1) Review the job descriptions for Senior Accountant in the Finance/IT Department and Senior Administrative Analyst in the Public Works Department; 2)Authorize staff to proceed with recruitments to fill these two positions; and, 3) Direct staff to return with a pyramid organizational chart. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Pro Tem Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Stern ABSTAIN: None Responding to Councilman Wolowicz, City Manager Lehr indicated that the true costs for staffing could be isolated and had already been incorporated into the budget. Records Retention and Destruction Schedules Council and staff discussion focused on the following issues: paper vs. electronic records; the City's filing methods; metadata; Federal regulations requiring documents in their original format; exposure to litigation due to record retention policies; different policies for different departments; a balance between reasonable retention in reasonable formats; determination of what is part of public records requests; consistency with policies of other cities; and, compliance with the Government Codes. Councilman Long suggested that portions of the Records Retention and Destruction Schedules relating to the City Clerk's Department be amended to clearly indicate the retention policies for the Statement of Economic Interests and the Campaign Statements. Mayor Pro Tem Clark moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to continue this item to the May 20, 2008 meeting and direct staff to gather data on common practices regarding email retention policies; the retention of electronic versus paper records; relevant information regarding metadata; and, pending State legislative bills regarding record retention consistency with Federal statutes with regard to policy decisions to retain documents in their native format. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Pro Tem Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Stern ABSTAIN: None City Council Minutes Adjourned Regular Meeting April 29, 2008 Page 12 of 13 CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS: Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clark, to continue City Council Oral Reports to the meeting of May 6, 2008. Without objection, Mayor Pro Tem Clark so ordered. COUNCIL DISCUSSION & SUGGESTION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Councilman Wolowicz requested that a status update and clarification regarding the Committee/Commission hiatus be placed on a future agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Clark requested that an item be placed on a future agenda regarding Proposition 98 and 99 pertaining to Eminent Domain, which are on an upcoming ballot. Councilman Long requested an item regarding signage on Palos Verdes Drive East to be placed on the agenda for the May 20, 2008 City Council Meeting. ADJOURNMENT: At 10:30 P.M., Mayor Pro Tem Clark adjourned the meeting to •:- ' M. on May 6, 2008 in the Fireside Room at Hesse Park for interviews of the :pplica s fo hair of the Oversight Committee for the Water Quality Flood Protection Pr.•ram. Mayor Attest: ff City Clerk W:\City Council Minutes\2008\20080429 CC MINS.doc City Council Minutes Adjourned Regular Meeting April 29, 2008 Page 13 of 13