CC MINS 20081007 MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 7, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Mayor Stern at Fred Hesse Community
Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard and was immediately recessed into Closed Session.
The meeting reconvened at 7:03 P.M.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
ABSENT: None
Also present were Carolynn Lehr, City Manager; Carol Lynch, City Attorney; Carolynn
Petru, Deputy City Manager; Dennis McLean, Director of Finance/Information
Technology; Joel Rojas, Director of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement; Jim
Bell, Director of Public Works; Ara Mihranian, Principal Planner; Leza Mikhail, Associate
Planner; and Carla Morreale, City Clerk.
FLAG SALUTE:
The Flag Salute was led by the Jessica Kwan of the Palos Verdes Peninsula 4-H Club.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Stern made the following announcements: 1) The last day to register to vote is
October 20, 2008; 2) The upcoming 35th Anniversary Celebration of the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes is to be held on October 11, 2008 at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center;
3) The City held a successful Abalone Cove Beach Clean-Up event on September 20,
2008; 4) The introduction of new City Council Rules of Procedure to assist in the more
efficient handling of City Council meetings; and, 5) The new free annual neighborhood
bulk/excess green waste collection offered by Waste Management in October or
November.
Mayor Pro Tem Clark reported on his attendance at a recent meeting with Mayor Stern,
staff, and the owner of the Golden Cove Shopping Center which resulted in the redesign
and re-submittal of the Trader Joe's Market project.
Councilman Gardiner commended the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Los
Angeles County Sheriffs Department for their successful response in extinguishing a
fire in the vicinity of Martingale Drive the previous week.
RECYCLE DRAWING:
City Council Minutes
October 7, 2008
Page 1 of 14
Mayor Stern announced Recyclers of the Month from the September 16, 2008 City
Council meeting: David Ida and Daniel Falcon. 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 Gardiner, to approve the Agenda
with the Closed Session Report to precede Public Comments.
Without objection, Mayor Stern so ordered.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Lynch reported on the discussion of the following two items in Closed
Session: 1) the recent decision from the Court of Appeals regarding the Monks vs. the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes case, where the Court reversed the decision of the Trial
Court that had been in favor of the City and the City Council voted unanimously, with all
members present, to authorize the filing of a Motion for Reconsideration with the Court
of Appeal and a Petition for Review with the California Supreme Court; and, 2) the City
Council voted unanimously, with all members present, to direct the City Attorney to send
a letter to Ms. Andrea Joannou advising that there would be no further negotiations
regarding an easement on the Redevelopment Agency property at this time due to the
decision on the Monks case.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Jessica Kwan, President of Palos Verdes Peninsula 4-H Club, announced that National
4-H Week would be the week of October 6-12, 2008.
Gordon Leon, Portuguese Bend, thanked the Council for quick action on the Monks
issue noting that several speakers had chosen not to speak since the issue was settled.
He also received confirmation from Public Works Director Bell that Universal Waste
Services will offer a free annual neighborhood bulk/excess green waste collection.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Lehr reported on the following items: 1) the Los Angeles County Beach
Report Card, where all of the beaches of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes received the
highest grade of A+; and, 2) a brush fire caused by a spark from an electrical
transformer on the City's property at Crenshaw Boulevard and Crestridge Road earlier
that day, which was quickly extinguished.
NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Council Minutes
October 7, 2008
Page 2 of 14
City Clerk Morreale reported that there was late correspondence distributed prior to the
meeting on Item Nos. 8 and 9.
Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Councilmember Long, to approve the
Consent Calendar with Item 8 (Consultant for Solid Waste Procurement Process)
removed for separate discussion after the Regular Business items.
Councilman Wolowicz noted that Item 3 of the Consent Calendar was a Notification of
the Resignation of Traffic Safety Commission (TSC) Chair Ava Shepherd. He and
Mayor Pro Tem Clark praised Ms. Shepherd, for the many years that she served on the
TSC.
The motion to approve the Consent Calendar carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: 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 Minutes (301)
Approved the Minutes of the May 6, 2008 Regular Meeting and May 20, 2008
Adjourned Regular Meeting (Interviews).
Notification of Resignation of a Member of the Traffic Safety Commission
(106x 1502)
Received and filed the resignation of Ava Shepherd.
Acquisition of Vehicle for the Public Works Department (302)
Authorized the Director of Public Works to execute a purchase contract for a new
vehicle in the amount of$20,845.73.
Temporary Penalty Fee Waiver Program (1203)
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2008-91, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, THEREBY ESTABLISHING A
TEMPORARY PROGRAM TO WAIVE PENALTY FEES FOR CERTAIN
CONSTRUCTION PERFORMED WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE PLANNING
APPROVALS AND/OR BUILDING PERMITS.
City Council Minutes
October 7, 2008
Page 3 of 14
Reckless Use of Trails within the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Violation Fee
Schedule (1201)
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2008-92, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2008-44,
WHICH ESTABLISHES ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE
RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH AMENDED
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE ORDINANCE THAT PROHIBITS RECKLESS
USE OF TRAILS WITHIN THE PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE.
Annual Holiday Reception (304)
Selected Monday, December 1, 2008 at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center for the
2008 City Holiday Reception.
Consultant for Solid Waste Procurement Process (1301)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
July 2008 Monthly Report of Cash Balances (602)
Received and filed the July 2008 Monthly Report of Cash Balances for the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes.
Register of Demands
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2008-93, 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 Special Assessment to Recover Expenses Incurred by the City in the
Abatement of a Nuisance on the Property Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Semelka at
26105 Barkstone Drive (1806 x 1701)
City Clerk Morreale reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published, no
written protests were received, and there were no requests to speak on the item.
Mayor Stern declared the public hearing open.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clark, to waive the staff report.
City Council Minutes
October 7, 2008
Page 4 of 14
Without objection, Mayor Stern so ordered.
As there were no requests to speak from the public, Mayor Stern declared the public
hearing closed.
Mayor Pro Tern Clark moved, seconded by Councilman Long, and to ADOPT
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-94, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, THEREBY CONFIRMING THE PROPOSED SPECIAL
ASSESSMENT OF $6,151.99 TO RECOVER CITY INCURRED EXPENSES IN
BRINGING THE PROPERTY AT 26105 BARKSTONE DRIVE INTO COMPLIANCE
WITH THE DECISION OF VIEW PRESERVATION PERMIT NO. 64 AND DIRECTING
STAFF TO PROCEED WITH THE RECORDATION OF A LIEN AGAINST THE
PROPERTY AT 26105 BARKSTONE DRIVE FOR SAID EXPENSES.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: None
Terranea Resort and Spa -ZON2008-00322 (Revision `I' to Conditional Use Permit
No. 215, et. al) (1804)
City Clerk Morreale reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published, no
written protests were received, late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting, and there were seven requests to speak on the item.
Mayor Stern declared the public hearing open.
Principal Planner Mihranian provided a summary staff report on the item.
Councilman Wolowicz received clarification that signs would be posted on the Terranea
Resort property indicating that the beach would be accessible to the general public as
well as hotel guests and that the Coastal Commission might also place a similar
condition on the project.
Principal Planner Mihranian further clarified that the conditions of approval
recommended by staff were included in the staff report and fully supported by the
applicant.
Melvin Pasley, Lakewood, So Cal Beach Scuba Divers Sandeaters, stated he is a
regular scuba diver and expressed concern with the following issues: the location of the
mean high-tide lines referenced in the staff report; sand displacement as a result of
storms; improvements to the beach area; the drainage swale; and, the lack of access to
the actual point of Long Point for scuba diving.
City Council Minutes
October 7, 2008
Page 5 of 14
Principal Planner Mihranian explained the method for determining the location of the
tidal line and acknowledged that under extreme weather conditions some sand will be
dispersed, but noted that vegetation would be planted to minimize that occurrence.
Don Robarge, Founder of the Palos Verdes Divers Association, Rancho Palos Verdes,
stated that he was the past Director of Research Diver Training for Santa Catalina
Island Conservancy, has been a diver since 1975, and has mentored high school
students in artificial reefing projects at the former Marineland site. He stated that he
was in support of the staff recommendation.
Bob Lowe, Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that it was the desire of
Lowe Enterprises to make improvements and rehabilitate the beach area below the
Resort. He stated that the beach site is an important amenity to the public and hotel
guests, and pointed out the necessity for improvements to enhance public access. He
added that according to experts, only extreme weather conditions occurring every 50 to
100 years might disperse sand, which would be taken far out into the ocean by the tide.
Mayor Stern reported that he and Mayor Pro Tem Clark had met earlier in the day with
Mr. Lowe and his staff to visit the site.
Councilman Wolowicz received clarification from Mr. Lowe that he was in agreement
with staff's recommendations.
Mayor Stern declared the public hearing closed.
Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to adopt the staff
recommendation.
Councilman Long disclosed that he had spoken to Mr. Lowe about the beach
improvement project on the phone. He disclosed that his firm had contracted to have its
2010 Annual Retreat at Terranea Resort, under the normal terms available to all others,
and noted that he did not believe a conflict of interest was created.
Mayor Pro Tem Clark mentioned that this item would be coming before the Coastal
Commission perhaps as early as December.
Councilman Wolowicz noted that he had also spoken with Mr. Lowe by phone and
pointed out that public access to the beach area was his main concern.
Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to ADOPT
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-95, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, APPROVING REVISION `I' TO CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT NO. 215, ET. AL., BY AMENDING THE COUNCIL ADOPTED CONDITIONS
OF APPROVAL TO ALLOW SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LOWER BEACH
AREA CONSISTING OF IMPORTING SAND TO THE AREA LANDWARD OF THE
EXTREME-HIGH TIDE LINE, INSTALLING SECURITY FENCING ADJACENT TO THE
City Council Minutes
October 7, 2008
Page 6 of 14
TOE OF THE BLUFF EDGE, CONSTRUCTING A VEGETATED DRAINAGE
CHANNEL WITH NATIVE PLANTINGS TO DIVERT STORM WATER, AND
CONSTRUCTING A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER THE PROPOSED DRAINAGE
CHANNEL.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: None
An Ordinance of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Adopting by Reference Title 10,
Animals, of the Los Angeles County Code, and Amending Chapter 6.04 of the
Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (104)
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 Wolowicz moved, seconded by Councilman Long, to waive the staff report.
Without objection, Mayor Stern so ordered.
Mayor Stern declared the public hearing open.
Council and staff discussion focused on Los Angeles County regulations as part of the
Animal Ordinance and the issue of cat licensing.
Mayor Stern declared the public hearing closed.
Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to 1) Incorporate into
the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code certain changes that were made previously to
the Los Angeles County Animal Control Ordinance; and, 2) ADOPT ORDINANCE NO.
479, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, ADOPTING BY
REFERENCE TITLE 10, ANIMALS, OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE, AND
AMENDING CHAPTER 6.04 OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: None
PAUSE TO CONSIDER THE REMAINDER OF THE AGENDA:
REGULAR NEW BUSINESS:
Border Issues Status Report (310)
City Council Minutes
October 7, 2008
Page 7 of 14
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clark, to waive the staff report.
Without objection, Mayor Stern so ordered.
Councilman Wolowicz stated that he saw merit in the City conducting its own traffic
analysis for the proposed development of the Medical Office Condominium project in
the City of Rolling Hills Estates.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to 1) Receive and file the
current report on the status of border issues; and, 2) Direct the City's Traffic Engineer
and the City Geologist to review the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Silverdes
project in the City of Rolling Hills Estates.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Clark
Request for Waiver of the Application Fee for a Fence, Wall and Hedge Permit on
a Property Located at 2018 Jaybrook Drive (Planning Case No. ZON2007-00589)
(1203)
City Clerk Morreale reported that there was one request to speak on the item.
Associate Planner Mikhail provided a summary staff report on the item.
Council and staff discussion included the following issues: clarification on instances
when the ordinance allows fee waivers, including the requirement that the applicant
demonstrate a financial hardship to pay the application fee, which is determined by the
City Council on a case by case basis; and, the fact that insufficient information had been
provided to demonstrate financial hardship regarding this application.
Councilman Wolowicz received clarification that the additional fee was not due to any
delay but would be charged to all applicants at the time of application submittal.
Ali Esteva, Rancho Palos Verdes, questioned the fee imposed for erecting a solid wall
on his property, noting that he needed the wall to protect his family and property from
neighbor harassment.
Mayor Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Long, to deny the requested fee waiver
due to the lack of demonstrated financial hardship.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: None
City Council Minutes
October 7, 2008
Page 8 of 14
Advisory Board Membership Composition Process
(106 x 602 x 401 x 1502 x 1808)
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting and there were no requests to speak on the item.
Deputy City Manager Petru provided a brief staff report on this item.
Discussion between Council and staff included the following topics: a suggestion by
staff to forgo Advisory Board Member interviews until after the holidays; clarification
about the submission of an application or supplemental application by existing Advisory
Board Members; a suggestion to establish a limit on the number of people to be
interviewed on the make-up interview date prior to the Regular Council Meeting or the
possibility of foregoing interviews on the same night as a Regular Council Meeting;
concern about the continuing increase in the number of City Council meetings and
additional work for staff; and, a suggestion that attrition be used to reduce the
Commission or Committee size to five instead of using the interview process.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Stern, to adopt staff Recommendation
Nos. 1 and 2 and not adopt Alternative 2.
Councilman Long stated that he was in favor of individual interviews based on the past
interview process where interviews were scheduled prior to regular meetings, which
necessitated the use of group interviews, with decisions based almost entirely on the
written application.
Mayor Stern stated that he was not satisfied with the previous interview process and
noted that the staff recommendation was consistent with the decisions Council had
made regarding the restructuring of Committees and Commissions.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Stern, to 1) Authorize Staff to start the
recruitment process for Advisory Board appointments to the Emergency Preparedness
Committee, Equestrian Committee, Finance Advisory Committee, and Traffic Safety
Commission; and, 2) Set Saturday, December 6, 2008 to interview and appoint the new
Advisory Board Members and Thursday, December 4, 2008 as an alternative date for
candidates who could not make the Saturday interview due to prior commitments.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: Gardiner
Consider Council Position on Proposition No. 11 — Redistricting Constitutional
Amendment (306)
City Council Minutes
October 7, 2008
Page 9 of 14
Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Councilman Long, to waive the staff report.
Without objection, Mayor Stern so ordered.
Council and staff discussion included the following issues: specific details related to the
topic of redistricting and the background on Proposition No. 11; concern that the
Proposition was well intended but badly executed; an assertion that members of the
State Legislature had repeatedly chosen its voters by drawing district boundaries; the
consideration to withhold support of the Proposition because the measure is not
perfectly written; the difficulty of appropriate reapportionments; fairness of elections in
the State; a belief that the City Council should not take any positions on State Measures
or Propositions; and, the need for better redistricting guidelines.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clark, to support Proposition
No. 11 - Redistricting Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute on the statewide
ballot measure scheduled for the November 4, 2008 General Election.
The motion passed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: Gardiner
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Stern called a brief recess from 8:27 P.M. to 8:33 P.M.
Conduct of Council Meetings: Proposed Rules Changes (307)
City Manager Lehr provided a summary staff report on the item.
Council and staff discussion included the following topics: clarification that 5:30 P.M.
was suggested as the standard start time for Closed Session even though they may
generally start at 6:00 P.M., in order to make special noticing unnecessary; clarification
that any meeting could be extended to any time by a majority rule vote of those present;
the enforcement of time limits for public speakers; concerns regarding lengthy dialogue
among Council Members; questions directed to staff when deliberations are in process;
a suggestion to use a Council report card as an evaluation tool; and, the Council's duty
to uphold the ordinance and follow the law by reviewing and either agreeing or
disagreeing with findings from staff.
Ken Dyda, Rancho Palos Verdes, congratulated staff and the Council for reviewing the
meeting procedures in order to establish time goals for items, noting that the revised
procedures regarding the appeal process would eliminate repetition and focus on
findings and the pertinent issues.
City Council Minutes
October 7, 2008
Page 10 of 14
Councilman Long opined that there should be an additional opportunity for questions of
staff following public input; disagreed with the proposed change to the Consent
Calendar to allow for Council comments; and encouraged staff reports to clarify issues,
focus on pertinent issues, and remind the Council of the findings required by the City's
ordinance.
Councilman Long moved to adopt the staff recommendation with the following
exceptions: additional questions allowed of staff based upon public input; the proposed
change to the Consent Calendar to be deleted; clarification that the Council be
reminded to make each of the findings required by the ordinance and focus its attention
on controversial findings; and, during Council deliberation the Mayor should allow each
Council Member to speak once on an item prior to allowing Council Members to speak
again on the item, with Council Members striving to avoid repetition and being permitted
to engage in dialogue with each other to clarify their positions.
Councilman Wolowicz seconded the motion with the suggestion to delete the portion
regarding the Consent Calendar.
Councilman Long agreed to strike the portion related to the Consent Calendar.
Councilman Gardiner proposed an amendment to the motion to strike the changes
made to the revised start time for the Closed Session meeting as most Closed Sessions
should be 30 minutes in length, unless more time is needed.
Mayor Pro Tem Clark seconded the amendment to the motion and added that the hard
stop at the end of the night should be at 11:00 P.M.
Councilman Gardiner agreed to the hard stop time as suggested by Mayor Pro Tem
Clark.
Council discussion ensued regarding the hard stop time for meetings and agreed to split
the motion; and City Attorney Lynch clarified that if the Council was not going to change
the beginning time of the meeting, there was no need to adopt the ordinance.
Councilman Gardiner moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clark, to determine the start
time for the Closed Session meeting to remain at 6:00 P.M. (or 6:30 P.M. depending on
the number of items to be discussed) and the Regular Session to begin at 7:00 P.M.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: None
Council discussed concerns with imposing a rule that the Council would not obey and
not allowing enough time to consider public business.
City Council Minutes
October 7, 2008
Page 11 of 14
Councilman Gardiner moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clark, to have the hard stop
end time of the City Council meetings at 11:00 P.M., with no new business taken after
10:00 P.M.
The motion failed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark and Gardiner
NOES: Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
The Council then decided to vote on the main motion as amended.
Further Council discussion included acknowledgement of Mayor Pro Tem Clark's
schedule and working together to accommodate it.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz to: 1) Determine the hard
stop end time at 11:30 P.M., with no new business to be taken up after 10:30 P.M.; 2)
Add a step permitting Council to ask further questions of staff based upon the public
input; 3) Permit Council Members to engage in dialogue or ask questions to clarify each
others' positions; and, 4) Direct staff to return with a resolution commemorating
Council's decision at the next meeting.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: None
City Council Meeting Schedule (307)
Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Councilman Long, to waive the staff report.
Without objection, Mayor Stern so ordered.
Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Councilman Long, to reschedule the
Regular City Council meeting of Tuesday, November 4, 2008 to Thursday, November 6,
2008.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: None
ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR:
Consultant for Solid Waste Procurement Process
Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Councilman Long, to waive the staff report.
City Council Minutes
October 7, 2008
Page 12 of 14
Council and staff discussion included the following issues: concern with meeting bid
requirements; concerns with previous flaws in the 2006 RFP for Solid Waste contracts;
concern with consultants in the previous decision-making process and a lack of advice
and guidance from the consultant; acknowledgement that the market is always
changing; clarification that HF&H Consultants is a different consultant than the one used
in the prior RFP process; consideration of negotiating a Sole Source Contract; different
Solid Waste contract options, including a price adjustment downward if applicable; the
possibility of considering the expiration of the contract to coincide with the expiration of
the City of Rolling Hills Estates contract, so that a joint negotiation could be considered;
and, a request for information regarding the expiration dates of the City of Rolling Hills
Estates' contracts.
There were no requests to speak from the public.
Mayor Stern moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clark, to 1) Award a professional
services contract to HF&H Consultants, LLC to assist the City in the residential solid
waste procurement process; and, 2) Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a
professional services agreement with HF&H Consultants, LLC, with the amount not to
exceed $137,500.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES: None
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Councilman Gardiner reported on recently speaking at the Council of Homeowner
Associations Meeting, where he noted he referred several matters to the attention of
City Manager Lehr. He added that coyotes had been seen on Basswood Avenue and
noted that a newsletter regarding coyotes would soon be distributed.
Councilman Long deferred his oral report to the next meeting since he did not have his
notes with him.
Mayor Stern reported on his attendance at the following events: the City Council Team
Building Session on September 20, 2008; the Concours d'Elegance function at Trump
National Golf Course on September 21, 2008; the Mayor's Breakfast on September 26,
2008; the Los Angeles County Sheriff's City Council Training Academy on September
27, 2008; and, the California Contract Cities Executive Board Meeting on October 1,
2008. He also reported on driving Sheriff's vehicles for another Sheriffs City Council
Training Session on October 4, 2008.
Mayor Pro Tem Clark reported on his attendance at the following events: the League of
California Cities Breakfast Meeting on September 26, 2008; the South Bay Annual
City Council Minutes
October 7, 2008
Page 13 of 14
Economic Forecast Conference Luncheon in Torrance on September 25, 2008; the
Annual Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum on October 3, 2008;
and, a Community Leaders' Annual Breakfast meeting hosted by Southern California
Edison.
Councilman Wolowicz reported on his attendance at the following events: the California
Contracts Cities Association Board of Directors' Dinner Meeting on September 17,
2008; the South Bay Annual Economic Forecast Conference Luncheon in Torrance on
September 25, 2008; the League of California Cities Breakfast Meeting with Mayor Pro
Tem Clark on September 26, 2008; the Los Angeles County Sheriffs City Council
Training Academy on September 27, 2008; a conference call with Councilman Long and
the City's Auditors on October 2, 2008; the Annual Palos Verdes Chamber of
Commerce Legislative Forum on October 3, 2008; and, a meeting with City Manager
Lehr and Deputy City Manager Petru on October 4, 2008.
Councilman Long reported that the conference call between the Audit Subcommittee
and the City's Auditors included routine recommendations.
Mayor Stern reported participating in a Trash Subcommittee meeting on October 6,
2008 with Mayor Pro Tem Clark and staff members.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION & SUGGESTION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Councilman Gardiner asked the City Manager to investigate the circumstances
regarding three fires started by Southern California Edison transformers.
Mayor Stern suggested that the details regarding the fires be included in the Weekly
Report rather than as an agenda item.
Councilman Long requested that an item be placed on the agenda regarding the
Council's consideration of taking positions on Proposition No. 1 and Measure R, noting
that he would provide the necessary materials to staff regarding these items.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 9:52 P.M., Mayor Stern adjourned the meeting.
Nor
Mayor
Attest:
dd.41.61.- i /, /1
City Clerk
W:\City Council Minutes\2008\20081007 CC MINS.doc
City Council Minutes
October 7, 2008
Page 14 of 14