CC MINS 20080819 MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 19, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Mayor Stern at Fred Hesse Community
Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard and immediately recessed into Closed Session. The
meeting was reconvened at 7:08 P.M.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
ABSENT: None
Also present were Carolyn 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, and Code Enforcement; Jim
Bell, Director of Public Works; Ara Mihranian, Principal Planner; John Alvarez, Senior
Planner; Ron Dragoo, Senior Engineer; Robert Arthur, Senior Information Technician;
So Kim, Assistant Planner; and Teri Takaoka, Deputy City Clerk.
FLAG SALUTE:
The Flag Salute was led by Mayor Pro Tem Clark.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Stern reported on Trader Joe's withdrawal of a proposal to build a market at the
former site of the Golden Lotus Restaurant in the Golden Cove Shopping area. He
recognized the many volunteers who recently participated in the removal of fencing at
the Forrestal Nature Preserve.
RECYCLE DRAWING:
Mayor Stern announced Recyclers of the Month: Mark Mackie, Brad Denton, Charles
Caufield, and Fred Nader. 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 Wolowicz moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to approve the
Agenda.
Without objection, Mayor Stern so ordered.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2008
Page 1 of 14
None.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Lehr reported on the City of Rancho Palos Verdes' participation in the
Cool Cities Program and announced the City's receipt of the Mobile Source Air Pollution
Grant Award.
NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clark, to approve the
Consent Calendar, as amended, with Items 3 and 4 removed to follow immediately after
the Consent Calendar, and Item 7 removed for separate consideration following the
Regular Business items.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Long, Gardiner*, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: None
* Councilman Gardiner voted "no" on Item 6 (Adoption of Ordinance No. 476).
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 July 1, 2008 Adjourned Regular Meeting and July 15, 2008
Special Meeting.
Claim Against the City by Dorian B. Dunlavey (303)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Claim Against the City by Carl Muchnick (303)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Award of Professional Services Agreement to Update the City's Sewer System
Master Plan (1204)
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2008
Page 2 of 14
1) Authorized the award of a Professional Services Contract to Dudek and Associates,
Inc. to update the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan in the not to exceed amount of$122,000;
and, 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Professional Services
Agreement with Dudek and Associates, Inc.
Adoption of Ordinance No. 476 Prohibiting Reckless Use of Trails within the
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (1201)
ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 476, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES, PROHIBITING RECKLESS USE OF TRAILS WITHIN THE PALOS
VERDES NATURE PRESERVE AND AMENDING THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES
MUNICIPAL CODE, with Councilman Gardiner dissenting.
Traffic Safety Commission Mission Statement, Size of Membership, and
Frequency of Meetings (106 x 1502)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Register of Demands
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2008-73, 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.
# # # # # # # #
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR:
Claim Against the City by Dorian B. Dunlavey (303)
Dorian Dunlavey, Rancho Palos Verdes, reported that a City tree damaged her fence
and that if she owned a tree that damaged City property it would not be considered an
"act of nature" and she would be held liable. She suggested the City pay her claim and
save on legal fees.
Discussion between the Council, staff and the claimant included the following issues: an
assertion that the City was constrained to follow the directions of the Joint Powers
Insurance Authority (JPIA) to take their insurer's advice or risk losing coverage;
acknowledgement that if Ms. Dulavey's tree had fallen and caused damage to City
property the City could lawfully make a claim; whether the City had discretion to pay the
claim; and, alternatives for resolution of the matter.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Stern, to reject the claim and notify the
claimant.
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2008
Page 3 of 14
Mayor Pro Tern Clark moved a substitute motion, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to
have the City Attorney follow up with the JPIA Claims Adjuster to obtain more details on
the issue with further discussion at the next City Council meeting.
Further discussion between Council and staff included the following topics: clarification
that the claimant still has the right to pursue the claim if the Council denied it; references
to the confidential report on the matter provided to the City; and, concern with increased
insurance costs and premiums by imposing greater burdens on the JPIA.
The substitute motion failed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark and Gardiner
NOES: Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
The original motion to reject the claim passed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: Clark and Gardiner
Claim Against the City by Carl Muchnick (303)
Carl Muchnick, Rancho Palos Verdes, reported that after two requests, a damaged
sidewalk, and repeated damage to the sewer at his home, the City finally removed the
tree that had been the cause of the problems. He stated that he believed the City was
liable for the claim.
Council, staff and applicant discussion included the following topics: liability for the
issue; the possibility of the claimant following up with his homeowner insurance; which
party has responsibility for lateral sewer lines; the need for the City to take their
insurer's advice; and, the claimant's ability to further negotiate with the insurer and/or
sue the City.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Stern, to reject the claim and direct staff
to notify the claimant.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Gardiner
# # # # # #
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2008
Page 4 of 14
Appeals of View Restoration Permit No. 2006-00007 [Foliage Owners/ Appellants:
Mr. & Mrs. Liehr, 3067 Crest Road; Dr. & Mrs. Wyman, 3069 Crest Road; Mr. & Mrs.
O'Melveny, 3071 Crest Road] (Alvarez) [Continued from July 15, 2008] (1806)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that this public hearing was continued from July 15,
2008.
Council and staff discussion included the following topics: a suggested change in the
proposed resolution included in Late Correspondence distributed prior to the meeting;
and trimming of the redwood trees.
Senior Planner Alvarez provided a brief summary staff report.
Mayor Stern received clarification regarding issues with trimming specific Eucalyptus
trees to a certain height and that the owner had the option to remove the trees and
receive replacement trees.
Councilman Gardiner received clarification that the Planning Commission had excluded
Tree Nos. 19, 20, and 21 from tree trimming and that Council had included those three
additional trees.
Karl Liehr, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that Tree Nos. 19 and 20 were on his property,
but claimed Tree No. 21 was on the Wyman's property, and disputed the City's
conclusions regarding the trees from a UCLA air photo of the Peninsula. He asserted
that the trees, including Tree No. 16 which he recently removed, were view impairing in
1961 and would have to be severely trimmed in order not to impair views.
James Beazell, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he did not believe the view
impairment was a binary function, but rather was shaded by time. He asserted that the
trees might have been partially view impairing in the past, but that view impairment has
increased over time since 1978 when he moved into his home.
Mayor Stern explained his proposed changes to the resolution noting that he accepted
the advice of the City Attorney that the statute of limitations and similar doctrines such
as laches were not applicable, so the applicants were not precluded from seeking the
relief just because they had not done so in a certain amount of time. He noted that the
Council did not find anything with respect to undue delay that prejudiced anyone and
rejected the legal proposition as not applicable.
Mayor Stern declared the public hearing closed.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clark, to ADOPT RESOLUTION
NO. 2008-74, AS AMENDED, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, DENYING THE APPEALS AND AFFIRMING THE
PLANNING COMMISSION'S DECISION, AS MODIFIED, TO APPROVE VIEW
RESTORATION PERMIT NO. 2006-00007 UPON FINDING THAT ALL APPLICABLE
FINDINGS HAVE BEEN CORRECTLY MADE AND ALL PROVISIONS OF SECTION
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2008
Page 5 of 14
17.02.040(C)(2) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH. The
motion passed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: Gardiner
Appeal of a Height Variation, Site Plan Review and Grading Permit (Case No.
ZON2008-00040) at 5335 Rolling Ridge Road (1804)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that notice of the public hearing was duly
published, written protests including with the staff report, and there were eight requests
to speak on the item.
Mayor Stern declared the public hearing open.
Assistant Planner Kim provided a summary staff report on the item.
Council and staff discussion included clarification about whether the Trowbridges were
covered under the CC&Rs for the neighborhood, which prohibited a second story,
noting that the City Council did not enforce private CC&Rs and reasons for the appeal.
Councilmember Long noted that he had recused himself from discussion on a prior
application that the Allmans were associated with, upon reflection was not sure his
reasons for recusal were justified, and noted he did not see the need to recuse himself
from the present item.
Douglas Trowbridge, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that his home was over two stories
in height, but that he had received permission from everyone in the neighborhood to
build it. He stated that the early neighbor consultation process to resolve differences
would have been helpful regarding this project; opined that the bulkiness of the project
was not compatible with the neighborhood; commented on the City not being involved in
enforcing CC&Rs; opined that he and Dr. Allman should work together on resolving the
issues in efforts to prevent litigation; and, pointed out that the Allman's proposed project
for a large house was on a lot half the size of the other large houses in the
neighborhood.
Ralph Allman, Rancho Palos Verdes, reported that neighbor reconciliation had been
unsuccessful; cited recent homes in the area with similar square footages and lot sizes;
and, noted that of the 38 homes they visited regarding their proposed project, the
Trowbridges were the only ones in the neighborhood objecting to it.
Mayor Pro Tern Clark asked for a show of hands from the audience to gauge support for
the Allman project and a show of hands from those opposed to the project.
Mayor Stern asked if any who raised their hands wished to speak and all declined the
opportunity.
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2008
Page 6 of 14
Mayor Stern declared the public hearing closed.
Mayor Pro Tern Clark moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to support the staff
recommendation.
Further discussion between Council and staff included the following topics: bulk and
mass and the size of the Allman lot; neighborhood support for the home; Floor Area
Ratios; compatibility with other homes in the neighborhood; the need for a formulaic
approach in order to remove uncertainty and ambiguity; a plan for a home that is 50%
larger than the average home in the area on a below-average size lot; the unique nature
of the neighborhood and the surrounding homes; an assertion that, based on the
difference in elevation, there would not be a privacy impact; the lot coverage is 38.54
percent which means 60 percent of the lot is not covered; the unanimous Planning
Commission vote; appreciation to staff for their original recommendation to the Planning
Commission to reject the project due to its size; and, using "neighborhoods in transition"
as an excuse to applying the rules inconsistently.
Mayor Stern reopened the public hearing.
Richard Johnson, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that the Allmans planted trees in order
to screen the proposed house, which has also preserved the country nature of the area.
Bob Bothner, Rancho Palos Verdes, asserted that the last two homes built on Rolling
Ridge Road were over 6,000 square feet in size and those homes were much more
obtrusive than the proposed project.
Mayor Stern declared the public hearing closed.
Mayor Pro Tern Clark moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to ADOPT
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-75, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, DENYING THE APPEAL AND UPHOLDING THE
PLANNING COMMISSION'S DECISION TO APPROVE AN APPLICATION TO
CONSTRUCT A NEW 7,067.46ft2 TWO-STORY RESIDENCE WITH A 1,229.59ft2
ATTACHED GARAGE. The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: Long
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Stern called a brief recess from 8:47 P.M. to 8:57 P.M.
PAUSE TO CONSIDER THE REMAINDER OF THE AGENDA:
REGULAR NEW BUSINESS:
2008 Organizational Assessment Final Report— Recommendations Matrix (1101)
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2008
Page 7 of 14
City Manager Lehr provided a brief overview on the item.
Deputy City Manager Petru provided a summary staff report and explained the
seventeen recommendations contained in the Recommendations Matrix for Council
discussion and direction.
Council and staff discussion included the following issues: comprehensively working
through all 65 of the Management Partners' recommendations before the end of the
year; grouping subsets of the different recommendations; recommendations for Council
decision vs. administrative decision; concerns with expenditures on the City Hall facility
before storm drain projects are complete; a suggestion that Council Members send
suggestions to staff rather than consider discussion of each recommendation; different
opinions regarding what constitutes the completeness of an item; and, a request for an
online version of the document.
Mayor Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, that each Council Member
review the recommendations and identify the items that should be addressed by the
Council rather than administratively.
Mayor Pro Tem Clark suggested expanding the motion to include all categories of
recommendations so that Council Members would be able to gauge the status on each
of the items.
Mayor Stern agreed to incorporate that suggestion into the motion.
Further discussion between the Council and staff included the following topics:
modifications to the Recommendations Matrix to include a column for Council
comments; the addition of a GANT chart; and, a concern with micromanaging the
process for staff.
Mayor Stern agreed to the amendment to the motion to incorporate the preparation of a
GANT chart to accompany the Recommendations Matrix. Councilman Wolowicz
agreed to accept the amendment as the seconder of the original motion.
Without objection, Mayor Stern so ordered.
Overnight Parking Restrictions of All Vehicles Including Oversized Vehicles
(1502)
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to
the meeting and there was one request to speak on the item. She distributed an
additional piece of late correspondence received at the meeting.
Public Works Director Bell presented a summary staff report on the item with further
explanation by Senior Engineer Ron Dragoo.
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2008
Page 8 of 14
Council and staff discussion included the following topics: issuance of parking permits
and the types of labor associated with the process; restriction of overnight parking on
City streets; current permit parking in the City; parking programs of other cities
compared to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes; neighborhood exceptions due to one car
garages, short driveways, and other parking difficulties in the City; phasing out parking
of Recreational Vehicles (RVs) in the City; permit parking with restrictions for owners of
RVs vs. those who temporarily rent an RV; non-resident RV parking in the City; permits
allowing parking on limited days vs. an annual sticker; permit requirement to prove the
vehicle parked on the street will not fit on your property; parking difficulties due to
multiple drivers in one family; parking in alleys and on side streets; parking of trailers,
boats, and other recreational vehicles; the proximity of the parked vehicle to the house;
a process for appeals due to unique lots; and, the annual number of RV and overnight
parking complaints.
Ernie Giannioses, Good SAM Club, Rancho Palos Verdes, reported that there were
approximately 300-400 registered owners of recreational vehicles on the Peninsula, with
approximately 100-200 oversized vehicles parked on City streets and suggested that
the City take the following actions: 1) identify streets where RV parking is prohibited;
2) require registration of all oversized vehicles with the City, identified with a decal, with
the vehicle parked in front of the owner's house; 3) impose and enforce the 72-hour
parking rule on violators; 4) do not allow parking of an oversized vehicle within 100 feet
of an intersection; and, 5) target problem areas. He discussed the enforceability of the
rules and the impracticality of comparing the City of Rancho Palos Verdes to the City of
Rolling Hills Estates.
Further discussion between Council and staff included the following issues: severity of
the problem; practicality of the proposed solution; on-street parking in the City; input and
approval from the Sheriff's Department; concern with the possibility of penalizing
families who have multiple drivers; requiring City permits for RV parking to restrict
parking by residents from other cities; 56 complaints regarding oversized vehicles over
a three-year period; and, a review of oversized vehicle parking complaint statistics for
the City.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to direct staff to provide
more data and information regarding complaints received regarding RV and overnight
parking on the City streets with no further action at this time.
Council discussion continued including the following topics: safety concerns with
oversized vehicle parking; review of the matter by the Traffic Safety Commission and
the length of time the item has been under consideration; the availability of accident
data; the need for more data, if available, to formulate an appropriate solution; concern
with creating bureaucracy; concern with evaluating the issues based on complaints
received; and, the viability of the proposed solution.
Councilman Long restated the motion, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to direct staff
to provide more information regarding the date, number, type, and locations of the
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2008
Page 9 of 14
complaints received regarding oversized vehicle parking and related traffic accidents if
applicable, with staff to bring the item back to Council within 60 days.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gardiner, Long, and Mayor Stern
NOES: Clark and Wolowicz
Proposed Temporary Program for Penalty Fee Waiver (1203)
Planning Director Rojas provided a summary staff report regarding the item.
Council and staff discussion included the following issues: penalties and fees related to
unpermitted work at residences; limiting the waiver of penalty fees program to minor
projects; encouraging residents to ensure that their remodeling projects are permitted;
the need for a proactive approach; the waiver of penalty fees program as applied to
those coming forward or those identified by the City; the length of time to allow the
program; increased workload to staff; clarification that the project had to comply with the
applicable Codes and that the penalty fee waiver program did not offer amnesty; a belief
that most cases presented would be to cover project overlooked by homeowners as
requiring permits; the goal of compliance to the applicable Codes; and, the importance
of publicizing the program.
Mayor Pro Tem Clark moved, seconded by Mayor Stern, to direct staff to return with a
resolution that includes the following: 1) incorporates the fact that the program is
voluntary; 2) establishes a defined time line in which residents can apply for the penalty
fee waiver; 3) stipulates that this program is not an amnesty program; 4) stipulates that
Code compliance will be required and only penalty fees will be waived; 5) clarifies that
this is a one-time only program; and, 6) establishes that outside consultants' fees would
need to be paid. The Council also recommended an extensive public outreach to
promote this program.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: None
City Council Rules of Procedure (307)
Councilman Long provided a brief staff report on the item.
Council and staff discussion included the following topics: clarification that the City
Manager can initiate agenda items and that Council Members can instruct the City
Manager to place an item on the agenda; the City has always allowed a single Council
Member to initiate agenda items; a suggestion that Council Members be required to
raise the suggestion of a future agenda item at a Council meeting prior to that item
being agendized; the potential for the City Manager to decide not to place a requested
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2008
Page 10 of 14
item on an agenda; concerns with misuse and abuse of adding items to the agenda;
suggested changes to the Rules of Procedure; and, an open agenda process.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Stern, to add Section 5.9 as amended to
read as follows: This section of the agenda provides an opportunity for Council
Members to suggest items to be added to a future agenda. Unless there is a
compelling reason to do otherwise, Council Members will seek to agendize new items in
this manner, in public.
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Stern called a brief recess from 11:10 P.M. to 11:12 P.M.
City Council Rules of Procedure (continued)
Further discussion between the Council and staff included the following issues: concern
that the City Manager could be put in a position to have to deny a Council Member's
requested agenda item; an assertion that agenda items would be better framed with
Council consideration; an assertion that agendas had been inefficient, resulting in
lengthy meetings; a recollection of past experiences as a give and take situation;
consideration of allowing members of the public to submit agenda items; concerns that
the new requirement would inhibit the process; and, questions regarding the need for a
change to the process.
Councilman Long reiterated his motion, seconded by Mayor Stern, to add Section 5.9
as amended to read as follows: This section of the agenda provides an opportunity for
Council Members to suggest items to be added to a future agenda. Unless there are
exigent circumstances, Council Members will first propose new agenda items in this
section of the agenda.
Councilmember Wolowicz moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to amend the
original motion by deleting the second sentence.
The motion on the amendment passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, and Wolowicz
NOES: Long and Mayor Stern
Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Mayor Stern, to add section 5.9 indicating
that this section of the agenda provides an opportunity for Council Members to suggest
items to be added to a future agenda.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
ABSTAIN: Long
NOES: None
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2008
Page 11 of 14
Discussion between the Council and staff included the following topics: adding the word
"individual" to clarify that one Council Member can initiate an agenda item; formalizing
an existing practice; the City's open process; and, the Council's discretion to discuss
agenda items together as a body.
Mayor Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to insert the word "individual"
to clarify that one Council Member can initiate an agenda item.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: Long
Mayor Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO.
2008-76, AS AMENDED, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, AMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL RULES OF
PROCEDURE REGARDING THE PLACEMENT OF ITEMS ON A FUTURE CITY
COUNCIL AGENDA.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote.
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: Long
Traffic Safety Commission Mission Statement, Size of Membership, and
Frequency of Meetings (106 x 1502)
Councilman Wolowicz stated that he requested this item be removed from the Consent
Calendar because he disagreed with reducing the size of the Traffic Safety Commission
and wanted to split the vote on that matter.
Mayor Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to adopt the Traffic Safety
Commission Mission Statement, and frequency of meetings.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: None
Mayor Stern moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clark, to authorize that five members
serve on the Traffic and Safety Commission.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Long, and Mayor Stern
NOES: Gardiner and Wolowicz
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2008
Page 12 of 14
Mayor Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Long, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO.
2008-77, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES, ESTABLISHING THE TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION MISSION
STATEMENT, SIZE OF MEMBERSHIP AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS.
AYES: Clark, Long, and Mayor Stern
NOES: Gardiner and Wolowicz
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Mayor Stern reported on his attendance at the following events: a meeting with three
representatives of the Los Angeles Unified School District on June 25, 2008 regarding
the Eastview School Boundary issue; a meeting with Janice Hahn on July 2, 2008
regarding San Ramon/Tarapaca Canyon issues; the Los Angeles West Vector Control
District meeting on July 10, 2008; the Mayor's Luncheon and the Los Angeles County
Sanitation District meeting on July 16, 2008; the Ginsburg Dedication Ceremony on July
16, 2008; a tour of the Terranea Resort project on July 26, 2008; the Mayor's Breakfast
on August 1, 2008; a breakfast briefing by the Annenberg Foundation on August 13,
2008; and, the Peninsula Regional Law Enforcement Commission meeting on August
14, 2008.
Councilman Wolowicz reported on his attendance at the following events: a meeting
with Elaine Currey regarding traffic and signage issues on Basswood Avenue on July 8,
2008; the Mayor's Breakfast on July 11, 2008; and, a meeting with a group of neighbors
from the Marymount College neighborhood regarding the proposed College expansion
project on July 31, 2008. He reported that resident Peter Jensen recently completed a
lifelong goal of riding a bicycle from the Santa Monica Pier to the Coney Island Pier and
suggested that he should be interviewed for this accomplishment on RPVTV; and, he
reported that he had graduated from high school with Kay Ryan, the most recent Poet
Laureate of the United States.
Mayor Pro Tem Clark suggested that a Rancho Palos Verdes resident, who recently
successfully climbed Mount Everest, would also be an interesting person to interview on
the City's television channel.
Councilman Long reported meeting with constituents regarding the Annenberg
Foundation proposal on August 2, 2008 and attending the recent annual Joint Powers
Insurance Authority (JPIA) meeting.
Councilman Gardiner reported speaking with Emergency Preparedness Committee
Chair Mel Hughes regarding issues with water supplies on the Peninsula in the event of
a fire, noting that Chair Hughes expressed interest in having the Emergency
Preparedness Committee investigate the matter. Councilman Gardiner reported on
requesting information regarding the ramifications of the City's approval or non-approval
of traffic mitigation measures dealing with the Ponte Vista EIR.
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2008
Page 13 of 14
City Manager Lehr reported that staff was preparing a written response to the Ponte
Vista EIR and the possible role of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes regarding the
conditions of approval and mitigation measures associated with that project.
Mayor Pro Tem Clark reported that on August 18, 2008, he and Councilman Long
attended a dinner with Council Members from other cities in the South Bay where one of
the topics discussed was the length of RPVCity Council meetings.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION & SUGGESTION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Councilman Wolowicz indicated that he was delinquent in providing information to the
City Manager regarding a future agenda item regarding pension reform.
Councilman Long requested a future agenda item regarding the redesign of the HSA
program due to low enrollment in the plan by City employees.
Mayor Pro Tern Clark requested an agenda item to discuss the establishment of a
Sister City with Rancho Palos Verdes.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Lynch provided a report regarding the following items discussed in Closed
Session: 1) Potential Threat of Litigation, No Action Taken (4-0, with Councilman Long
absent); 2) Threat of Litigation by Ms. Joannou, direction given to the City Attorney (4-0-
1, with Councilman Long abstaining); 3) Taniform litigation, a report provided and
direction given to the City Attorney (4-0-1, with Councilman Long abstaining); and,
4) In the case of the People of the State of California versus Spiropoulous, the Council
approved the settlement agreement, a copy of which will be on file with the City Clerk's
Office (3-0, with Councilman Clark and Councilman Long absent.)
ADJOURNMENT:
At 11:54 P.M., Mayor Stern adjourned the meeting.
441
Mayor
Attest:
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City Clerk
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August 19, 2008
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