CC MINS 20090112 SPC MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
MEETING WITH STATE LEGISLATORS
MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 10:31 A.M. in State Assembly Member Bonnie
Lowenthal's office in the State Capitol Building (Room 2175), Sacramento, notice
having been given with affidavit thereto on file.
Present: Councilman Long, Councilman Stern, Mayor Pro Tem Wolowicz,
and Mayor Clark
Absent: Councilman Gardiner (excused)
Also present were City Manager Carolyn Lehr, Deputy City Manager Carolynn Petru
and Will Shuck, Chief of Staff for Assembly Member Lowenthal.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Wolowicz, to approve the
Agenda.
Without objection, Mayor Clark so ordered.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
The Council members provided an overview for Assembly Member Lowenthal on the
lawsuit recently filed against the City by Donald Trump. Regarding the state budget,
Mayor Clark reported on the suspension of the payment to the City of$640,000 in
Proposition 1B funds that were slated for roadway repairs. Councilman Long conveyed
the City's hope that the proposed federal economic stimulus package would provide
funds that will enable the City to accelerate infrastructure renewal projects in the
community. Mayor Clark noted that the payment of$6 million in Proposition 42 funds
from the California Coastal Conservancy has placed in jeopardy the City's ability to
complete the last purchase of open space land needed to complete the Palos Verdes
Nature Preserve. The Council members present requested Assembly Member
Lowenthal's assistance in seeing that the Proposition 1B and Proposition 42 funds are
released to the City in a timely manner so that these two important initiatives may
proceed for the public benefit.
Additional discussion focused on:
• California Public Records Act Reform
• Technology and Traffic Safety projects
• State Budget & projected shortfall
Mayor Clark extended an invitation to Assembly Member Lowenthal to tour the Palos
Verdes Nature Preserve and noted that invitations would be forthcoming for the grand
opening of the Terranea Resort Hotel and the Del Cerro Park donor recognition site.
No action was taken.
Recess & Reconvene: Mayor Clark called a recess at 11:05 A.M. The meeting was
reconvened at 11:25 A.M. for a meeting with State Assembly Member Ted Lieu at the
State Capitol (Room 3173).
Present: Councilman Long, Councilman Stern*, Mayor Pro Tem Wolowicz,
and Mayor Clark
Absent: Councilman Gardiner (excused)
* Councilman Stern arrived at 11:45 A.M.
Also present were City Manager Carolyn Lehr, Deputy City Manager Carolynn Petru
and Cliff Costa, Legislative Director for Assembly Member Lieu.
With input from the other Council members present, Mayor Clark briefed Assembly
Member Lieu on the following topics:
• Suspension of 2nd payment of Proposition 1B Funds
• Suspension of release of Proposition 42 grant Funds
Mayor Clark addressed the issue of military students being able to attend school in the
Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. Assembly Member Lieu indicated that
he still had an interest in this area and suggested created a working group, including the
PVPUSD Superintendent to study the issues and identify a possible way forward.
No action was taken.
Recess and Reconvene: Mayor Clark called a recess at 12:00 P.M. The meeting
was reconvened at 1:30 P.M. for a meeting with State Senator Roderick Wright at the
State Capitol (Room 2048).
Present: Councilman Long, Councilman Stern, Mayor Pro Tem Wolowicz,
and Mayor Clark
Absent: Councilman Gardiner (excused)
Also present were City Manager Carolyn Lehr, Deputy City Manager Carolynn Petru
and Howard Hoffman, Mayor of the City of Lawndale.
City Council Minutes
January 12, 2009
Page 2 of 3
Senator Wright briefed the Council members on some legislation he is contemplating
that would require satellite dish network providers to pay an equivalent franchise fee to
cities for doing business in their communities. He noted that these companies are
currently exempt from this requirement and, as a result, have an unfair competitive
advantage over other video network providers, such as telephone and cable
companies.
Mayor Clark addressed the delay in the payment of$6 million in Proposition 42 funds
from the California Coastal Conservancy has placed in jeopardy the City's ability to
complete the last purchase of open space land needed to complete the Palos Verdes
Nature Preserve. The Council members present requested Senator Wright's
assistance in helping to release these funds.
No action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 2:10 P.M., Mayor Clark declared the meeting adjourned to Tuesday, January 13,
2009 at 9:30 A.M. for a meeting at the office of the Conservation Strategy Group.
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Mayor
Attest:
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City Clerk
W:\City Council Minutes\2009\20090112 CC MINS SACTO SPEC MTG.doc
City Council Minutes
January 12, 2009
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