CC MINS 20080506MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 612008
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 7:21 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 and Information
Technology; Joel Rojas, Director of Planning, Building & Safety, and Code
Enforcement; Jim Bell, Director of Public Works; Greg Pfost, Deputy Planning Director;
Ara Mihranian, Principal Planner; Eduardo Schonborn, Senior Planner; Matt Waters,
Senior Administrative Analyst; Paul Christman, Building Official; Mike Del Rio, Building
Inspector; Mike Wiener, Building Inspector; Sandra Ishman, Building Safety Permit
Technician; Tyna Powell, Staff Assistant; and Carla Morreale, City Clerk.
FLAG SALUTE:
The Flag Salute was led by Councilman Long.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Stern recognized Public Works Assistant Engineer Bindu Vaish for compliments
she received in a letter from residents of the Sea Bluff Homeowners' Association; read a
letter of thanks from the Lomita Sheriff's Department to Palos Verdes on the Net;
introduced Building Safety staff members and acknowledged Building Safety Week;
announced that May is Motorcycle Awareness Month; and, announced the Household
Hazardous & E -Waste Round Up to be held at City Hall on Saturday, May 10, 2008.
RECYCLE DRAWING:
Mayor Stern announced Recyclers of the Month from the April 29, 2008 City Council
meeting, Joseph Fierstein and Sayoki Hashii. 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 Clark moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to approve the
Agenda, as amended, with Item 11 continued to the May 10, 2008 City Council Meeting.
Without objection, Mayor Stern so ordered.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Clark, to approve the
Consent Calendar with Item 3 removed from the Consent Calendar for separate
consideration, to follow immediately after the Regular Business items; and, the Minutes
for March 29, 2008 (Item 2) continued to May 20, 2008.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz and Mayor Stern
NOES:'
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
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 the Minutes (301)
Approved the Minutes of the February 5, 2008 Regular Meeting, with the Minutes of the
March 29, 2008 Adjourned Regular Meeting continued to the May 20, 2008 City Council
Meeting.
Border Issues Status Report (310)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
City Council Minutes
May 6, 2008
Page 2 of 13
Designation of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health as the Local
Enforcement Agency to Enforce the Minimum Standards for Solid Waste Handling
and Disposal (1301)
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2008 -29, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, REQUESTING THAT THE LOS ANGELES
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM BE DESIGNATED AS THE LOCAL ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (LEA) TO
ENFORCE THE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR SOLID WASTE HANDLING AND
DISPOSAL.
Award On -Call Professional Services Agreements for Landscape Architectural
Services (1204)
1) Awarded on -call professional services agreements to LRM, Ltd., Pamela Burton &
Company, Richie -Bray, Inc., and Withers and Sandgren, Ltd. for FY 07 -08 and 08 -09 to
provide landscape architectural services for the City on an on -call basis; and, 2)
Authorized the expenditure of up to $60,000 with each of these firms, with a not to
exceed amount of $25,000 for a single project.
March 2008 Treasurer's Report (602)
Received and filed the March 2008 Treasurer's Report for the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes.
Register of Demands
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2008 -30, 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:
Terranea Resort and Spa - ZON2008 -00206 (Revision `H' to Conditional Use
Permit No. 215, et. al.) (1804)
City Clerk Morreale reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published and written
protests included in the late correspondence distributed prior to the meeting.
Principal Planner Mihranian provided a brief staff report on the item.
Council and staff discussed the following issues: noise and traffic; the possibility of a
trial period of at least 30 days for extended construction hours for the interior work;
holiday and extended construction hours; the original design and proposed reduction in
square footage of the restroom facilities; questions regarding if proposed revisions
City Council Minutes
May 6, 2008
Page 3 of 13
would need to be reviewed by the Coastal Commission; noise monitoring for enclosed
construction areas; the measurement of noise impacts for adjacent properties; and,
other public restroom facilities available at the site.
Mayor Stern declared the public hearing open.
Bob Nelson, Seabluff Homeowners Association, stated that he was available to answer
questions, if any, of the Council.
Todd Majcher, Long Point Development/Terranea Resort, explained the intent of
Terranea in redesigning the kitchen facilities as well as the public restroom facilities;
agreed to a trial period for the extended construction hours; and, answered questions
from Council regarding the matter.
Michael Hardisty, Long Point Development/Lowe Enterprises, explained the motivation
behind the redesign of the restroom facilities, and, the reasoning behind the request for
extended construction hours.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to adopt the staff
recommendation with the following two exceptions: 1) No construction on Veteran's Day
2008 or Memorial Day 2009; and, 2) Specify that no decrease is allowed in the
previously approved 409 square feet area allotted for public restroom facilities.
Mayor Stern declared the public hearing closed.
Councilman Wolowicz offered an amendment to the motion to include a 30 -day trial
period with monitoring included, and excluding extended construction hours on Friday
and Saturday nights and holidays.
Councilman Long, as maker of the motion, agreed to the amendment.
Further Council discussion resulted in allowing extended construction hours on Friday
and Saturday nights from the amendment, subject to a 30 -day trial period.
Mayor Stern reopened the public hearing.
Todd Majcher, Long Point Development/Terranea Resort, responded to a Council
question regarding the length of the trial period by stating that a 30 -60 day period would
be more preferable for the extended construction hours.
Mayor Pro Tern Clark requested that the motion include a trial period of 60 days for
extended construction hours to include independent noise monitoring.
Councilman Long withdrew his original motion and made a substitute motion to ADOPT
RESOLUTION NO. 2008 -31, AS AMENDED, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, APPROVING REVISION `H' TO
City Council Minutes
May 6, 2008
Page 4 of 13
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 215, ET. AL., and adopt all staff recommendations
except as indicated: 1) No Special Construction Permit for work on Veteran's Day 2008
or Memorial Day 2009, but allow the others holidays with regular construction hours of
7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.; 2) Approve extended construction hours recommended by staff
for enclosed interior areas of the Hotel, Spa and Fitness Buildings with independent
noise monitoring provided by the City's consultant at the developer's expense, with the
approval of the extended work hours subject to cancellation or restrictions at the
discretion of the Director with periodic Weekly Report updates to the Council; and, 3)
Direct applicant to redesign the Pacifica Pool Building so that there is no decrease in
the square footage of the public restroom facilities as originally approved by the City
Council in 2002. The motion was seconded by Councilman Gardiner.
Mayor Stern closed public hearing.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
PAUSE TO CONSIDER THE REMAINDER OF THE AGENDA:
REGULAR NEW BUSINESS:
City Advisory Board Chair (106)
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz, to waive the staff report
and appoint Frank Lyon as the Chair of the Oversight Committee for the Water Quality
Flood Protection Program.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz and Mayor Stern
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
City Attorney Lynch recommended that Item 14 regarding the Joint City Council/
Redevelopment Agency item on Affordable Housing be moved forward on the agenda.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Clark, to bring Item 14 forward
on the agenda.
Without objection, Mayor Stern so ordered.
City Council Minutes
May 6, 2008
Page 5 of 13
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Stern called a brief recess from 8:33 P.M. to 8:35 P.M.
At 8:35 P.M., Chair Stern convened the Redevelopment Agency Meeting with the City
Council Meeting.
Redevelopment Agency roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Chair Stern
ABSENT: None
Implementation of Affordable Housing Programs (701)
Deputy Planning Director Pfost provided a brief staff report on the item.
Council and staff discussion included the following issues: whether there was the
willingness or ability to trade inter - district or intra- district dollars with other cities;
provisions by the City to discuss the potential purchase of condominiums as affordable
housing in particular locations in the City; purchase options and the process for
commitment of the affordable housing funds; and, the basis for staff's recommendation.
Tim Mulrenan, consultant with Tierra West Advisors, explained the process for
purchasing condominiums as affordable housing units and outlined the First Time
Homebuyers /Silent Second Program.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Stern, to approve the staff
recommendation for both the Council and the Redevelopment Agency, to approve
Staff's approach to first implement the Affordable Housing Program that entails
purchasing existing market -rate units for conversion to affordable housing (Program 1)
and authorize the expenditure of up to $500,162 of RDA set -aside funds and $338,018
of in -lieu funds towards the purchase of two market -rate condominium units for
conversion to affordable housing units.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz and Mayor Stern
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
Member Long moved, seconded by Chair Stern, to approve the Redevelopment Agency
staff recommendation.
A roll call vote on the motion carried as follows:
City Council Minutes
May 6, 2008
Page 6 of 13
AYES:
Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz and Chair Stern
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
Chair Stern recessed the Redevelopment Agency Meeting at 8:59 P.M.
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Stern called a brief recess of the City Council from 8:59 P.M. to 9:12 P.M.
RPV Coast Vision Plan — Issues Matrix (1201)
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting on this item.
Mayor Pro Tern Clark left the dais from 9:13 P.M. to 9:16 P.M.
Principal Planner Mihranian presented a brief staff report on the item, provided an
update on the overall project as a result of direction received from the Council and the
public, and introduced Melani Smith of Melendrez.
Upper Pt. Vicente
Melani Smith, Partner, Melendrez, provided a PowerPoint presentation and overview of
the five key sites of the RPV Coast Vision Plan and the issues that were received from
the Council and the public. She began with a review of the Upper Pt. Vicente site
including the early suggested range of uses including the Civic Center, Council
Chambers, Amphitheatre, Village Green, Art Center, shared parking areas, and
Gymnasium/ Recreation Facility. She stated that additional suggested amenities for the
site included active sports fields; a proposed Community Center with multipurpose
rooms for use by different community groups; overflow parking areas; a community
pool; Cultural Center complex; and, temporary maintenance yard. Ms. Melendez noted
that the Vision Plan for the Upper Pt. Vicente site would be evolving over time; could be
implemented in short, mid, and long -term phases as partners in development and
funding sources emerge for the different aspects of the site. She stated that at some
point in time consideration should be given to the preparation of a formal master plan,
including the creation of a formal space program to serve the range of potential uses; a
parking needs analysis; the site utility study, which is underway; and the incorporation of
design guidelines to address noise concerns for the site.
Council and staff discussion included the following topics: clarification on the
expectations from Council on the item before them; dog park issues; design guidance,
general guidelines, and implementation of the Vision Plan; architectural and site design
as part of the Master Plan; locations to be considered for the maintenance yard; the
City Council Minutes
May 6, 2008
Page 7 of 13
differentiation between a Master Plan and Vision Plan; short, mid, and long -term
strategies; funding issues; and, Council's opinions on a phased -in approach.
Sunshine, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that the Open Space Recreation and Parks
Task Force Strategic Plan was intended to be the update to the Parks and Recreation
Master Plan and the Council should initiate a zone change for the site.
Mayor Pro Tern Clark moved, seconded by Mayor Stern, to affirm to staff and
Melendrez that Council believes a phased approach to the vision for Upper Pt. Vicente
is appropriate and that they continue the work as proposed.
Further Council discussion on the process ensued.
Councilman Long suggested amending the motion to include direction to staff to create
a proposal for use of vacant areas.
Mayor Pro Tern Clark agreed to the amendment to the motion to include Councilman
Long's suggestion and added that he would also include noise control as stated in
staff's recommendation. As seconder to the original the motion, Mayor Stern agreed to
the amendment.
A roll call vote on the motion carried as follows:
AYES:
Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz and Chair Stern
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
Lower Pt. Vicente
Ms. Smith provided a PowerPoint presentation and overview on the Lower Pt. Vicente
site and the vision and goals for the site as a place of connectivity between the ocean
and marine life to terrestrial life including native wildlife, native habitat, the community,
indigenous animals, and companion animals. She explained the general emphasis of
the area to be that of focusing on extensive grassland and habitat restoration, which are
coastal and native in character; a connection with local wildlife rehabilitation and rescue
groups; the goal to use the natural contours of the land to unobtrusively situate the
contemplated Annenberg Foundation Facility sensitively on the site; the outdoor history
museum including a Tongva Village, geological and archeological display, dry farming
and water wise landscaping demonstration areas including a focus on water
conservation; open space areas; picnic areas; use as a passive recreation site; and, the
vision and goals for the site as an interpretive educational learning and community hub
linking other significant open space areas within the City, that is consistent with the
City's Coastal Specific Plan which identifies the area as an attractor /generator location;
and, the naming of the Annenberg facility should reflect its community educational
mission.
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May 6, 2008
Page 8 of 13
Leonard Aube, Annenberg Foundation, stated that the Annenberg Foundation
supported the recommendations and Vision Plan as presented by staff and Melendrez
and clarified the intended purpose of the animal facility as an educational component.
He reported that this project is an outright gift to the community from the Annenberg
Foundation working in partnership with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, with no net
costs to the City.
Council discussion included the following topics: support for the proposed Vision Plan;
educational opportunities; .cooperation with established wildlife and conservation
groups; clarification of and opposition to the farm land in the area; maintenance of
nearly 80 percent of the site as open space and in a natural state; and, the percentage
of focus -on companion animals versus wildlife at the Annenberg Facility.
Bruce Meg owan, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that there was the need for a dog park
on the Peninsula.
Holly Cain, Rancho Palos Verdes, spoke in opposition to the proposed Annenberg
Facility asserting that it was hugely inappropriate for the site.
Sunshine, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that adding the Annenberg Facility would make
the use of Lower Pt. Vicente too dense; clarified that the Hatano farm is irrigated
farming; and, expressed concern regarding lighting issues to the adjacent properties.
Ann Shaw, Rancho Palos Verdes, asserted that the Annenberg Facility was a high end
animal shelter and that the City founders did not envision this type of facility for Lower
Pt. Vicente.
Council discussion included the following issues: additional proposed picnic areas in the
Vision Plan; the proposed number of animals in the Annenberg Facility at approximately
22 to 24; the evolutionary nature of the Vision Plan; and, opposition to the domestic
animal focus of the Annenberg Animal Care Facility.
Mayor Pro Tern Clark moved, seconded by Mayor Stern, that City Council direct staff to:
1) Affirm that the concept design for the Upper Pt. Vicente site be considered in a
phased (short, mid, and long -term) approach in order to move forward on the
completion of the Vision Plan, to initiate the preparation of a formal master plan after the
adoption of the Vision Plan document, and to address noise concerns in the Design
Guidance section of the Vision Plan document; 2) Affirm the concept designs of the
Vision Plan for the Lower Pt. Vicente site with the continuing commitment of Melendrez
and the Annenberg Foundation to: a) incorporate information regarding the indigenous
animal component in the displays; b) forge strong connections with local wildlife rescue
and rehabilitation groups; and, c) work with the nomenclature for the Companion Animal
Facility to reflect the community educational mission.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
City Council Minutes
May 6, 2008
Page 9 of 13
AYES:
Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Stern called a brief recess from 11:23 P.M. to 11:32 P.M.
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Stern, to bring Item No. 12 forward on
the Agenda to be discussed.
Without objection, Mayor Stern so ordered.
Land Acquisition Purchase Agreement
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to waive the staff report
and approve the staff recommendation to approve the Purchase and Sale Option and
Donation Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions with York Long Point Associates, LP
and authorize the Mayor to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City.
City Attorney Lynch provided a brief staff report on the item for the benefit of the public
and clarified that the land acquisition did not require additional funding to approve the
$613,000 purchase, except for the obligation of $7,500 for the purchase of the option
and the necessary operational costs, such as weed abatement costs estimated at
approximately $30,000 annually.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
RPV Coast Vision Plan — Issues Matrix (continued)
Ms. Smith noted that there were no recommendations relating to the Abalone Cove key
site.
Gateway Park
Ms. Smith presented a brief staff report regarding the Gateway Park; conceptual plans
for potential uses including an Equestrian Park, camping, and educational aspects; and,
.discussed conceptual ideas related to parking areas for the site.
City Council Minutes
May 6, 2008
Page 10 of 13
Mayor Pro Tern Clark moved, seconded by Mayor Stern, to observe the status of the
concept designs as presented, indicate support for the continuation of the Vision Plan
for the Gateway Park, but reserve the specific decisions regarding the design of the
Equestrian Park until the final Vision Plan is presented to Council.
Gordon Leon, Rancho Palos Verdes, spoke in favor of the proposed Equestrian Park at
Gateway Park.
Sunshine, Rancho Palos Verdes, spoke in favor of the proposed Equestrian Park at the
Gateway Park.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Clark, Gardiner, Long, and Mayor Stern
NOES: Wolowicz
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Del Cerro Park
Ms. Smith presented a brief staff report regarding Del Cerro Park. She explained the
coordination of efforts between Melendrez and Palos Verdes Peninsula Land
Conservancy (PVPLC) in incorporating the conceptual components of suggested
phased work for the site, including signage, trails, and the consideration of nighttime
access to the site.
Council and staff discussion included the following topics: issues raised by the Silent
Flyer group; hang glider issues; and, inadequate parking and public restroom facilities at
the site.
Mayor Pro Tern Clark moved, seconded by Councilman Gardiner, to approve the
revised concept plan for the Del Cerro Park site, defer modification of the Municipal
Code regarding nighttime access, and consider enhancing the public amenities to
include public restrooms and additional parking.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Clark, Gardiner, Long, and Wolowicz
NOES:
Mayor Stern
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
Review of Job Descriptions (1202)
Mayor Stern moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Clark, to waive the staff report and to
approve the job description for Senior Engineer (Traffic Emphasis) in the Public Works
Department and authorize staff to proceed with recruitment to fill the position.
City Council Minutes
May 6, 2008
Page 11 of 13
Council and staff discussion included the following topics: clarification on the staffing
numbers; hiring priorities for the positions; and, the necessary budget resources to
address the staffing issues as a result of the Organizational Assessment Final Report.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Clark, Gardiner, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
Mayor Pro Tern Clark moved, seconded by Councilman Long, to approve the job
description for Human Resources Manager in the City Manager's Office and authorize
staff to proceed with recruitment to fill the position.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Clark, Long, Wolowicz and Mayor Stern
NOES:
Gardiner
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
Border Issues Status Report (310)
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Clark, to continue the item to
the May 10, 2008 Adjourned Regular Meeting /Budget Workshop.
Without objection, Mayor Stern so ordered.
Mayor Pro Tern Clark and Councilman Gardiner left the meeting at 12:17 A.M.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Councilman Long moved, seconded by Mayor Stern, to continue the City Council Oral
Reports to the meeting of May 20, 2008.
Without objection, Mayor Stern so ordered.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION & SUGGESTION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Councilman Long suggested a discussion on the Floor Area Ratio Ordinance proposed
by the City of Los Angeles.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Council Minutes
May 6, 2008
Page 12 of 13
City Attorney Lynch reported that with respect to the item regarding Potential Litigation,
unanimous direction was given to her to prepare a letter to Ms. Joannou with prior City
Council review; and, with respect to the item regarding the Conference with Real
Property Negotiators, a report was given to Council by the City Attorney and no action
was taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Stern adjourned the meeting at 12:22 A.M. to Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 9:00
A.M. for the Community Leaders' Breakfast to be followed by e ctical Plan and
Budget Workshop.
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
WACity Council Minutes \2008\20080506 CC MINS.doc
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