CC MINS 20080114 SPC MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
MEETING WITH STATE LEGISLATORS
JANUARY 14, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 10:01 A.M. in Assembly Member Karnette's office in
the State Capitol Building (Room 2136), Sacramento, notice having been given with
affidavit thereto on file.
Present: Mayor Stern, Mayor Pro Tern Clark and Councilmen Long and
W o l ow i cz
Not Present: Councilman Gardiner
Also present was City Manager Carolyn Lehr, Deputy City Manager Carolynn Petru and
Assembly Member Karnette's Senior Legislative Assistant Robert Simpson.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Mayor Stern moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Clark, to approve the Agenda.
Hearing no objection, Mayor Stern so ordered.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
Mayor Stern briefed the Assemblymember on the City's desire to amend or reform the
California Public Records Act to be more in line with the federal Freedom of Information
Act (FIOA) in order to allow cities to recoup the cost of staff time spent responding to
large and/or unfocused records requests. He stressed that the City did not object to
providing to the public, but did have concerns about its ramifications as an unfunded
mandate that can unduly burden cities with limited resources. Following on the Mayor's
statement, Mayor Pro Tern Clark noted that the FOIA allows agencies to provide an
estimate of the cost, including staff time, and then require the requestor to submit a
deposit before any work is undertaken.
The Council members present requested the Assemblymember's continued assistance
in scheduling a meeting with the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Palos
Verdes Peninsula Unified School District to address the Eastview School District
boundary adjustment. Mayor Pro Tern Clark indicated that the City was also interested
in re-energizing the issue related to allowing students at Fort McArthur in San Pedro the
option of attending school in the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District as a
mechanism to attract qualified personnel to serve at the Los Angeles Air Force Base
and to keep this important facility in the South Bay.
Mayor Stern briefed the Assemblymember on the limitation of the current California
Vehicle Code regarding the use of technology, such as cameras, to reduce speeding
and promote traffic safety in residential areas. The Council members indicated that
Rancho Palos Verdes would be interested in being a pilot test area for such new
technology.
Additional discussion focused on:
• Funds for the purchase of open space
• Redistricting and Term Limits
• State Budget & projected shortfall
Councilman Wolowicz stressed the importance of the state legislators adhering to the
provision of Proposition 1A to protect cities' revenue sources and financial stability.
No action was taken.
Recess & Reconvene: Mayor Stern called a recess at 10:56 A.M. The meeting was
reconvened at 11:05 A.M. for a meeting with Senator Alan Lowenthal's Chief of Staff
John Casey at the State Capitol (Room 2032).
Present: Mayor Stern, Mayor Pro Tem Clark and Councilman Wolowicz
Not Present: Councilmen Gardiner and Long
Also present was City Manager Carolyn Lehr and Deputy City Manager Carolynn Petru.
With input from the other Council members present, Mayor Stern briefed Mr. Casey on
the following topics:
• California Public Records Act Amendment/Reform
• Funds for purchase of open space
• Eastview School District boundary adjustment
• Technology and traffic safety
• Redistricting and Term Limits
• State Budget & projected shortfall
Councilman Wolowicz stressed the importance of the state legislators adhering to the
provision of Proposition 1A to protect cities' financial interests.
No action was taken.
Recess and Reconvene at 11:50 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. with State Senator Edward
Vincent's Legislative Consultant Erric Garris at the State Capitol (Room 5052).
City Council Minutes
January 14, 2008
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Present: Mayor Stern, Mayor Pro Tern Clark and Councilman Wolowicz
Not Present: Councilmen Gardiner and Long
With input from the other Council members present, Mayor Stern briefed Mr. Garris on
the following topics:
• State Budget & Projected Shortfall
• California Public Records Act Amendment/Reform
• Funds for Purchase of Open Space
• Eastview School District boundary adjustment
• Technology and Traffic Safety
• Redistricting and Term Limits
No action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 4:45 P.M., the meeting adjourned to Tuesday, January 15th at 9:00 A.M. for a
meeting at the Office of the Conservation Strategy Grou .
Mayo
Attest:
4ALL__ 0 I -
City Clerk
W:\City Council Minutes\2008\20080114 CC MINS ADJD SACTO MTG.doc
City Council Minutes
January 14, 2008
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