CC MINS 20071002 MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 2, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Mayor Long at Fred Hesse Community
Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard and was immediately recessed into Closed Session.
The meeting reconvened at 7:01 P.M.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Gardiner, Stern, Wolowicz, and Mayor Long
ABSENT: Clark (absent/excused)
Also present were Carolynn Lehr, City Manager; Carol Lynch, City Attorney; Carolynn
Petru, Deputy City Manager; Joel Rojas, Director of Planning, Building and Code
Enforcement; Dennis McLean, Director of Finance/Information Technology; Jim Bell,
Director of Public Works; Greg Pfost, Deputy Planning Director; Leza Mikhail, Associate
Planner; Siamak Motahari, Senior Engineer; Jack Rydell, Traffic Engineer; and Carla
Morreale, City Clerk
FLAG SALUTE:
The Flag Salute was led by Victoria vonBergman, President, Palos Verdes Peninsula
4-H Club.
CEREMONIAL:
Victoria vonBergman, President, Palos Verdes Peninsula (PVP) 4-H Club, gave a brief
history of the PVP 4-H Club and presented the Council with coffee mugs
commemorating National 4-H Week from October 7 to October 13, 2007.
Councilman Wolowicz talked about the importance of the farming community, and the
values gained by growing up in rural areas.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None.
RECYCLE DRAWING:
Mayor Long announced Recyclers of the Month from the September 18, 2007 City
Council meeting, Pat Kelsey and Sophie Shiang. 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:
Mayor Pro Tern Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to approve the
Agenda.
Without objection, Mayor Long so ordered.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Stan Miles, Public Affairs Specialist/South Bay Representative, South Coast Air Quality
Management District, spoke in support of the Clean Air Congress, and asked for the
City's support on SB1028 and SB886.
Robert Maxwell, Portuguese Bend Community Association, Rancho Palos Verdes
asked that the City increase its efforts to divert runoff water that increases land
movement in the Portuguese Bend area, particularly on Pepper Tree Drive.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Stern, to approve the
Consent Calendar. The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gardiner, Stern, Wolowicz, and Mayor Long
NOES: None
ABSENT: Clark
ABSTAIN: None
EMERGENCY STORM DRAIN PROJECT:
Mossbank Storm Drain Rehabilitation (1204 X 604)
Reviewed and reconfirmed by a four/fifths (4/5) vote, the Council's previous action on
August 21, 2007, authorizing staff to proceed with emergency repairs to the Mossbank
Drive storm drain.
OTHER CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
Motion to Waive Full Reading
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October 2, 2007
Page 2 of 9
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.
Claim Against the City by Eva Kolosvary-Stupler(303)
Rejected the claim and directed staff to notify the claimant.
Border Issues Status Report (310)
Reviewed the current status of border issues.
Neighborhood Beautification Grant Awards (Cycle 18) (1204)
1) Approved forty-five grant applications for the Neighborhood Beautification Program
totaling $168,191.00; and, 2) Denied one grant application from Palos Verdes Seacliff
Hills HOA for reasons that the requested landscaping improvements at Palos Verdes
Drive South and Palos Verdes Drive East are being addressed by a programmed Public
Works Department project.
Acquisition of Three Vehicles for the Department of Planning, Building and Code
Enforcement (302)
Authorized the Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement to execute the
purchase contract for three new vehicles at a total cost of$67,154.11.
Appointment of Board Members to the Miraleste Recreation and Park District
(106 x 1200)
Appointed Keith Harter, Nancy Otto, and Carol Swets to full four-year terms of office
until December 2, 2011, and David Feldman for the unexpired term ending December 4,
2009, on the Miraleste Recreation and Park District Board.
Appointment of Board Members to the Ridgecrest Ranchos Recreation and Park
District (106 x 1200)
Appointed Sherry Skari and Julie Sulman to full four-year terms of office on the
Ridgecrest Ranchos Recreation and Park District Board until December 2, 2011.
2006 Annual Report on the Implementation of the Rancho Palos Verdes Housing
Element (701)
Directed staff to forward the City's Annual Progress Report on the implementation of the
Rancho Palos Verdes Housing Element for the 2006 calendar year to the Department of
Housing and Community Development (HCD).
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October 2, 2007
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Nomination for the League of Women Voters' Certificate of Commendation (305)
Authorized the Mayor to nominate a woman who is a citizen volunteer in the community
to receive the League of Women Voters' Certificate of Commendation.
August 2007 Treasurer's Report (602)
Received and filed the August 2007 Treasurer's Report for the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes.
Register of Demands
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-107, 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:
Revision "GG" to the Trump National Golf Course Project— Proposed Ficus Trees
Near Driving Range (1411)
City Clerk Morreale reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published and
written protests were included with the staff report and late correspondence distributed
prior to the meeting and that there were 13 requests to speak on the matter.
Mayor Long summarized the public rules of speaking.
Mayor Pro Tem Stern announced that he and Councilman Gardiner had met with
residents and Trump representatives in the Portuguese Bend Area and had observed
the ficus trees in the area in question.
Deputy Planning Director Pfost provided a staff report, including a history of the project,
slides of the area in question, and staff's recommendations. He reported that the Trump
National organization had requested a continuance of the item due to the sudden illness
of their key representative, Mr. Russo.
City Attorney Lynch clarified for Mayor Long that granting a continuance of the item was
a matter for the City Council to decide and suggested that speaker testimony be taken.
She noted that it would be appropriate for Council to consider the continuation of the
item due to Mr. Russo's illness.
Council and staff discussion included the following topics: 1) the public trail on the
Trump National property; 2) clarification of the height and position of the wall to be built
as part of the original conditions of approval for the Trump National project; 3) the height
and location of the ficus hedges on the Trump National property and trees on adjacent
City Council Minutes
October 2, 2007
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properties; 4) the permanence of the driving range and the possibility of that area being
converted to residential lots; 5) implications of using the word "significant" in the
conditions of approval; 6) the future ownership of Lot D by the City and the ability of the
City to remove any trees on the property once the City owns the lot; 7) the number of
residents whose views are affected by the hedges in question; 8) the enforceability of
view obstruction as currently written in the Municipal Code; and, 9) the fact that ficus
trees are neither native, nor drought-resistant vegetation as was called for in the
conditions of approval of the project.
Mayor Long declared the public hearing open at 7:50 P.M.
Mayor Long stated that he was not persuaded about the view issue but opined that the
planting of ficus trees was not in compliance with the conditions of approval and wanted
to see drought resistant foliage instead.
Mike Vandergoes, General Manger, Trump National Golf Club, clarified information for
the Council regarding the hedges and walls on the property, but stated that he was
unable to answer many questions as Mr. Russo was the Trump representative involved
in the matter.
Council and the applicant discussed the potential of changing the driving range to
housing with Mayor Pro Tem Stern asserting that Mr. Trump claimed to have the right to
do so. Mr. Vandergoes reiterated his request to continue the item so that Mr. Russo
could give Council a more informed reply.
The following residents spoke in support of the staff recommendation: Elizabeth Sax;
Edward Stevens; Jeff Sax; George Fink, Ladera Linda Homeowner's Association;
Barbara Sattler, President South Coast Chapter, California Native Plant Society; Joseph
Wang,; Craig Douglas, Co-Chair Nautilus Homeowners Association; Mary Casaburi; Ali
Derek, Nautilus Homeowners Association; Robert Voll,; Jessica Leeds; Uday Patil,;
Lenee Bilski; David Gakenheimer, President of Portuguese Bend Club; and Richard
Meyer. Their comments focused on the following concerns: the nature of ficus trees
and their adverse effects on people and surroundings; a lack of faith in Trump National's
maintenance of the vegetation; view impairment as a result of the ficus trees; use of the
word significant in the condition and the implications; the flagpole incident as a reason
not to trust the developer; the lack of a landscape plan by the developer; and, the view
impairment's potential negative impact on home values.
Chip Zelt, Rancho Palos Verdes, spoke in opposition to the staff recommendation as he
felt the ficus trees provided privacy.
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Long called a brief recess from 8:38 P.M. to 8:47 P.M.
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October 2, 2007
Page 5 of 9
Mike Vandergoes, applicant representing the Trump National organization, reiterated
that Trump National representative Ed Russo who was the lead on the issue was not
able to be in attendance due to a heart attack that he suffered the previous Friday. In
response to a question from Councilman Gardiner, he indicated that the Trump National
organization would be willing to work out a plan with the Portuguese Bend Club
Homeowners Association.
Council and staff discussion included the following issues: previous conditions of
approval made under Revision W; the pros and cons of agreeing to a continuance; the
developer's violation of good faith with residents; and, the burden on the Trump National
organization to resolve the matter.
Mayor Pro Tem Stern suggested that the Council continue the matter because of the
Trump National representative's heart attack. He asserted that it was reasonable to
accommodate the applicant and important that Mr. Russo have an opportunity to
respond to Council's questions and concerns.
Mayor Pro Tem Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to continue the item
to December 4 or 18, 2007.
Council discussion focused on the continuance, December's busy schedule, November
as an alternative, and Mayor Long's objection to granting a continuance of the item.
Mayor Long offered a substitute motion to direct staff to enforce a previous condition to
remove the ficus trees. The motion died for lack of a second.
Discussion of the original motion focused on the proposed date with Mr. Vandergoes,
who suggested that it would be necessary to continue the item until December in order
to give Mr. Russo time to recuperate and then have time to participate in discussions
with staff and residents in the area.
Mayor Pro Tem Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to continue the item
to the December 4, 2007 City Council meeting.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Wolowicz, Gardiner, and Stern
NOES: Mayor Long
ABSENT: Clark
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Long called a brief recess from 9:48 P.M. to 9:58 P.M.
Use of State Funding for Supplemental Police Services — CORE Police Team
(602 x 1206)
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October 2, 2007
Page 6 of 9
City Clerk Morreale reported that notice of the public hearing wms duly published and no
protests were received and there were no requests to speak on the item.
Mayor Long opened and closed the public hearing with no public speakers.
Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to waive the staff
report and approve the continued use of the Citizen Option for Police Services (COPS)
grant in FY07-08 to partially fund the Community Resource Police Team (CORE).
The roll call vote on the motion passed unanimously.
PAUSE TO CONSIDER THE REMAINDER OF THE AGENDA:
REGULAR NEW BUSINESS:
Speed Zone Surveys, Various Rancho Palos Verdes Streets (1502)
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting and there were no requests to speak on the item.
Councilman Gardiner moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to waive the staff
report and adopt.the staff recommendation.
Councilman Wolowicz inquired if representatives of the Sheriffs Department, who were
present, wished to speak on the item.
Mayor Pro Tem Stern inquired as to the timeline for implementation of the Speed Zone
Survey resolution.
Deputy Chris Knox, Sheriffs Department, Lomita Station, reported that the updated
traffic surveys would assist him in the performance of his job.
Traffic Engineer Rydell clarified certain specifics of the staff report and responded to
Council's questions.
Councilman Gardiner left the meeting at 10:05 P.M.
City Attorney Lynch read the Speed Zone Resolution into the record.
Before leaving the meeting, Councilman Gardiner moved, seconded by Councilman
Wolowicz, to 1) Approve Speed Zone Limits as approved by the Traffic Safety
Commission at the August 27 and September 24, 2007 Regular Meeting for Portions of
Palos Verdes Drive East, Crenshaw Boulevard, Crest Road, and Hawthorne Boulevard;
and, 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2007-108 as read into the public record by the City
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October 2, 2007
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Attorney to approve speed zone limits as recommended by the Traffic Safety
Commission.
A roll call vote reflected the following:
AYES: Wolowicz, Stern, and Mayor Long
NOES: None
ABSENT: Clark, Gardiner
City Council Meeting Schedule (307)
Mayor Long suggested that the item be continued to a meeting when all Council
members are present.
Mayor Pro Tem Stern and Councilman Wolowicz voiced opposition to the staff
recommendation to cancel the City Council meeting of November 7, 2007.
Mayor Long moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to continue the item to the
October 16, 2007 City Council meeting.
Without objection, Mayor Long so ordered.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Councilman Wolowicz reported on his attendance at the following meetings: the
Contract Cities meeting at the County Fire headquarters facility in East Los Angeles on
September 19, 2007; a visit to City Hall where he addressed a troop of Boy Scouts on
September 25, 2007; the 50th anniversary celebration of Rolling Hills Estates on
September 25, 2007; a special Closed Session meeting of the City Council regarding
open space on September 26, 2007; the Grand Opening of the new field office of the
State Board of Equalization on September 27, 2007; a site visit regarding ficus trees at
Trump National Golf Course on September 30, 2007; and, an interview session with
Management Partners, Inc. as part of the management assessment on October 2,
2007.
Mayor Long reported on his attendance at the following meetings: the 50th anniversary
celebration of Rolling Hills Estates on September 25, 2007, where he presented a
plaque to commemorate the occasion; and, the Peninsula Coordinating Council meeting
on September 26, 2007, where he presented a state of the City speech, noting that
Supervisor Knabe was also in attendance.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION & SUGGESTION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
None.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
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October 2, 2007
Page 8 of 9
City Attorney Lynch reported that no action was taken in Closed Session.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 10:23 P.M. Mayor Long adjourned the meeting.
Mayor
Attest:
1
City Clerk
City Council Minutes
October 2, 2007
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