CC MINS 20101130 ADJMINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 30, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 7:11 P.M. by Mayor Wolowicz at Fred Hesse
Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, notice having been given with affidavit
thereto on file.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Campbell, Long *, Stern, and Mayor Wolowicz
ABSENT: Misetich (excused)
*Mayor Pro Tem Long was present via teleconference from 7:11 P.M. to 10:21 P.M.
from the Flatotel, 135 West 52nd Street, New York, New York 10019.
Also present were Carolyn Lehr, City Manager; Carolynn Petru, Deputy City Manager;
Carol Lynch, City Attorney; Dennis McLean, Director of Finance /Information Technology
(IT); Greg Pfost, Deputy Community Development Director; Tom Odom, Interim
Recreation and Parks Director /Deputy Director of Public Works; Kathryn Downs, Deputy
Director of Finance /IT; Eric Mausser, Human Resources Manager; Adam Raymond,
Senior Administrative Analyst; and Carla Morreale, City Clerk.
FLAG SALUTE:
The Flag Salute was led by Councilman Campbell.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None.
RECYCLE DRAWING:
None.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Campbell, to approve the agenda
with the Recycle Drawing removed from the Agenda.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Long, Stern, and Mayor Wolowicz
NOES: None
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November 30, 2010
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ABSENT: Misetich
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Sharon Yarber, Rancho Palos Verdes, offered an apology to the Council Members for a
recent email which contained an inappropriate insinuation and thanked the Mayor for his
patience during the recent long meetings and his politeness and respectful treatment of
residents.
Noel Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he was present in support of friends in
Rancho Palos Verdes and San Pedro who live near and have concerns regarding the
liquid petroleum gas (LPG) facility tanks located on North Gaffey Street. He noted the
potential for problems and extreme danger at this facility and the need for resolution of
the problem.
Jeanne Lacombe, President, Rolling Hills Riviera Homeowners Association (HOA),
Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that she had concerns regarding the LPG propane and
butane gas tanks in the Rancho LPG area located on Gaffey Street. She requested that
the City Council send a letter to the Mayor of Los Angeles requesting the use of the City
of Los Angeles' Redevelopment funds to relocate the tanks away from the nearby
residences to remove the existing danger. She also requested a letter to the Los
Angeles City Fire Department regarding the upcoming closure of the HazMat
Containment Facility in San Pedro, since the temporary funding of that facility has been
discontinued, and this raises concerns in the event of an emergency. In addition, she
requested the adoption of a resolution regarding the findings of the Quantitative Risk
Analysis of October 2010 and the vulnerability of the residents of Rancho Palos Verdes
and surrounding County of Los Angeles residents to vapor cloud explosions at the
Rancho LPG facility.
Janet Gunter, San Pedro Peninsula Homeowners, San Pedro, stated that she was very
concerned about a potential catastrophe at the LPG facility which originally was built
without a risk analysis study and submitted a letter from her HOA group. She stated
that the facility should be relocated as it qualifies as an ultra- hazardous facility which is
a problem that has not been dealt with legally. She noted that the blast radius of the
facility was immense considering its close proximity to the Conoco Phillips refinery, the
Harbor with multiple marine oil sources, and location over at least 50 pipelines of
various chemicals running to and from the Port of Los Angeles and inland.
Jody James, Board Member, San Pedro Peninsula Homeowners United and San Pedro
and Peninsula Homeowners Coalition, San Pedro, stated that the Quantitative Risk
Analysis was recently sent to the Council and noted that the Environmental Protection
Act personnel were unable to release some information to the citizen groups. She
stated that the 25- million gallon butane and propane facility was installed in piecemeal
after the surrounding residences were already in existence. She reported that the
homeowners have sought assistance from several officials on the State, local and
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November 30, 2010
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Federal levels, noting that a catastrophe at the facility would with a 7 -mile radius take
out the entire Peninsula; and requested the support of the City and Council in the efforts
to relocate the facility.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Campbell, to approve the Consent
Calendar as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Long, Stern, and Mayor Wolowicz
NOES: None
ABSENT: Misetich
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
Approved the Minutes of the November 4, 2010 Regular Meeting.
Status Report on 2010 Tactical Goals
Received and filed this report.
Request to File a Conditional Use Permit Revision Application from AT &T Mobility
Authorized the City Manager to sign the Conditional Use Permit Revision application,
allowing AT &T Mobility to seek approval to modify its existing wireless telephone
installation on the monopole at City Hall.
REGULAR NEW BUSINESS:
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Pension Workshop
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting regarding this item.
Human Resources Manager Mausser provided an introduction to the item.
Senior Administrative Analyst Raymond highlighted the topics to be discussed regarding
the City's current pension plan, the current trends, and other pension plans available as
to be presented by the two guest speakers, Kung -pei Hwang and John Bartel. Mr.
Raymond introduced Mr. Kung -pei Hwang.
Kung -pei Hwang, Senior Pension Actuary, CaIPERS, provided a detailed report and
PowerPoint of the history, overview of the investments, returns, employee benefits,
costs, and alternatives of the CaIPERS retirement system, as well as the 2009 actuarial
valuation of the City's plan.
Discussion ensued between Council, staff and Mr. Hwang.
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Wolowicz called a brief recess from 8:59 P.M. to 9:09 P.M.
Senior Administrative Analyst Raymond introduced Mr. John Bartel.
John Bartel, President, Bartel Associates, LLC, provided a detailed PowerPoint and
report regarding Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution pension plans and the basic
principles of pension reform, as well as terminology, pension trends, and
recommendations made by the League of California Cities.
Discussion ensued between Council, staff, and Mr. Bartel.
Mayor Pro Tem Long left the meeting at 10:21 P.M.
Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Campbell, to receive and file the
report.
Without objection, Mayor Wolowicz so ordered.
Municipal Area Express (MAX)
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting and there were three requests to speak regarding this item.
Finance /IT Director McLean provided a brief staff report regarding this item.
Council and staff discussion ensued.
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Jim Mills, Transit Administration Manager for the City of Torrance Transit System and
Program Manager for the MAX Service, Torrance, stated that he learned of the
concerns of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes after the November 16, 2010 Council
Meeting and provided information to Mr. Raymond. He commented that the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes has participated in the MAX Program since its inception in 1990
and appreciated the City's concerns and would like to resolve the issues that have been
raised. He reported that Torrance staff has had limited success identifying the
documentation that specifically details the methodology for the formula regarding the
proportionate share of payment by each of the participating agencies. He noted that
one of the elements in the formula is boarding in addition to other variables and
normalization of the formula. He stated that if the City of Rancho Palos Verdes desires
the formula to be revisited Councilman Misetich, as the City's representative, should
make that request at the Policy Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting on December 6,
2010. He noted that the MAX PSC appreciates the City's participation over the years
and desires to continue the partnership.
Discussion ensued between the Council, staff, and Mr. Mills.
Sam Osofsky, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he has used the MAX System, which is
the only system that provides direct transportation during the commute hours to and
from the El Segundo area for residents of Rancho Palos Verdes. He stated that he
reviewed the statistics provided with the staff report and there seem to some
inaccuracies regarding the boarding statistics. He opined that the Rancho Palos Verdes
ridership levels would be better estimated at 9.5 to 11% of all travelers rather than the
3 -4% current estimate. He noted that his commute time would double on the alternate
public transportation choices such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
He urged the City to continue its participation in the MAX Program as it serves the riders
and citizens of Rancho Palos Verdes and the environment.
Alan Jenkin, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he works for the Aerospace Corporation
in El Segundo. He reiterated that the statistics used to estimate the ridership is a
significant underestimate and opined that the estimate is closer to 10 -12% from his
observations over the years that he has been riding the MAX bus since 1997. He stated
that he thought the 16% share of cost for Rancho Palos Verdes and recent
expenditures by MAX appeared to be high, and suggested that the City negotiate with
MAX Transit. He noted that the benefit to the community of Rancho Palos Verdes has
been underestimated in the report.
Council and staff discussed ensued.
Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Campbell, to: 1) Direct Staff to
immediately notify the City of Torrance (Lead Agency) and the other Member Agencies
that Rancho Palos Verdes is withdrawing from Municipal Area Express (MAX) Transit,
effective June 30, 2011; and, 2) Direct staff to explore with the City of Torrance,
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November 30, 2010
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Torrance Transit Staff, an alternate agreement that more adequately represents
ridership of each participating agency and includes additional protections needed to
address fiscal concerns, and advise the City Council if additional or revised financial
information is dramatically different than currently indicated by City Staff.
Council and staff discussion continued.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Stern, and Mayor Wolowicz
NOES: None
ABSENT: Long and Misetich
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Wolowicz called a brief recess from 11:35 P.M. to 11:41 P.M.
Adoption of 2010 Standardized Emergency Management System (BEMs)/ National
Incident Management System (NIMS) Multi- Hazard Functional Emergency
Operations Plan
Councilman Stern moved to waive the staff report.
Without objection, Mayor Wolowicz so ordered.
Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Campbell, to: ADOPT
RESOLUTION NO. 2010 -103, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, ADOPTING THE 2010 SEMS /NIMS MULTI - HAZARD
FUNCTIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN; and, 2) Authorize the Mayor to sign
the Letter of Promulgation adopting the SEMS, the NIMS, and the Incident Command
System (ICS) by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Mayor Wolowicz offered a friendly amendment that the sections that relate to the Mayor
and Council Members be presented in a summary form for the Council Members.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Stern, and Mayor Wolowicz
NOES: None
ABSENT: Long and Misetich
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
This item was deferred to the next Regular Council Meeting.
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November 30, 2010
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ADJOURNMENT:
At 11:44 P.M., Mayor Wolowicz adjourned the meeting.
Attest:
174,teek,
City Clerk
W: \City Council Minutes\201O\20101130 CC MINS.doc
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