CC MINS 20020223 ADJMINUTES
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 23, 2002
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 A.M. by Mayor John McTaggart in the Fireside
Room at Fred Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, notice having
been given with affidavit thereto on file.
PRESENT: Clark, Gardiner, Stern, and Mayor McTaggart
ABSENT: Ferraro
Also present were City Manager Les Evans, and Administrative Staff Assistant Arlene
Jaentsch.
INTERVIEW OF COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE APPLICANTS
Council interviewed candidates for the Planning Commission and Finance Advisory
Committee. No action was taken.
Mayor Pro Tern Stern moved, seconded by Mayor McTaggart, to add Public Comments
and Council Reports to the agenda. There was no objection.
The Council asked about the plans for interviewing the remaining applicants for the
Planning Commission and if it could be accomplished by conference call. The Council
discussed the process and philosophy for making appointments.
This portion of the agenda was completed at 1:30 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Tom Redfield, 31273 Ganado Drive, stated that communication was important and the
Coalition Striving to Improve City Government was working hard to get quality people to
apply for the Commissions and Committee. He suggested that applicants' qualifications
should be discussed in closed session.
RECESS & RECONVENE:
At 2:00 P.M., Mayor McTaggart declared a recess. The meeting reconvened at 2:10
P.M.
Discussion of proposed golf course for County landfill area
City Manager Evans presented the staff report of February 23, 2002, with the
recommendation to Review the Notice of Preparation (NOP) and related materials, and
provide direction to Staff as deemed appropriate. He referenced Joan Davidson's
material.
Councilman Clark said that he had spoken to Rob Katherman about the project in
response to an inquiry from Joan Davidson. Mr. Katherman sent him a packet of
information, which he will provide to staff.
Councilman Gardiner said that he had discussed the matter with Joan Davidson and
encouraged her to bring forth the issue. He believed that there are enough red flags
raised; we are gambling with children's lives; and, we need to have more answers. He
felt it was important for the City to hire someone to help ask the right questions.
Councilman Clark assumed that the City of Rolling Hills Estates has already developed
some information on this issue that Rancho Palos Verdes may be able to use rather
than trying to develop its own information in a very short time.
Councilman Gardiner gave an example of a question to ask: Is adding 200,000 cubic
yards of dirt to landfill "leaving it alone ?"
Councilman Clark wondered if the question of "leaving it alone" was still relevant and
did it apply to the proposed golf use.
Mayor McTaggart suggested drafting a letter to address the following: (1) The impact
on air quality and how will fugitive dust be mitigated? (2) The impact of relocating 115
horses from an equestrian facility and the sewering of a new facility. (3) The impact to
public safety; public protection should be the responsibility of the County, not the cities;
and, a plan should be provided to fund the cost. (4) Without knowing where the
ultimate entry will be, how can traffic impacts be addressed. (5) How can the impacts of
the facility be mitigated?
Councilman Clark stated that Councilmembers should review the material and send
comments to the City Manager.
Councilman Gardiner expressed concern about hazardous materials in the landfill and
the consequences should water touch these materials.
Joan Davidson, 1525 Via Arco, Palos Verdes Estates, stated that there is a high level of
methane gas coming from the landfill and there is a lot of liquid in drains buried in the
landfill. She also said that there is a high water table in the vicinity of the landfill and
City Council Minutes
February 23, 2002
Page 2
that corrosive materials have damaged South California Edison lines. She thought that
the recent Torrance landslide might have been related to the landfill. (A copy of Ms.
Davidson's letter and attachments is on file in the City Clerk's Office.
Ken Dyda, 5715 Capeswood, reminded the Council of the nearby Torrance landslide
and suggested that Rancho Palos Verdes ask Torrance if they have information related
to the landfill and the slide.
Councilman Gardiner pointed out that a portion of the landfill is above the Rancho Vista
School site.
Joan Davidson informed the Council that the landfill does not comply with current laws
governing landfills.
Councilman Clark asked Ms. Davidson about Rolling Hills Estates' reaction to her
questions.
Joan Davidson replied that she was taking the same information to the Rolling Hills
Estates City Council meeting next week. She added that the Palos Verdes Peninsula
Unified School District has never been formally notified of this proposal.
Mayor Pro Tern Stern asked if the comment period for the NOP could be extended.
Councilman Gardiner moved, seconded by Mayor McTaggart, to hire an expert to
develop questions so that the EIR will address the City's concerns, to direct staff to
prepare a letter including Council input to the Los Angeles County Department of
Recreation and Parks and to agendize this matter for the Council meeting on March 11.
Motion carried.
The Council also directed that a letter be sent to the County asking for a 30 -day time
extension for submission of comments on the NOP.
Bob Bush, 6030 Montemalaga Drive, said that he is part of the development team. He
reported that the Los Angeles County Recreation and Parks issued an RFP for golf
about 1-1/2 years ago and there was one group, Meritage, who submitted a proposal.
He stated that the County has no money to build the golf course.
Councilman Clark noted that putting a golf course on an old landfill is not new
technology. For example Industry Hills has a hotel and two 18 -hole golf courses built
on a landfill in the 1970's.
Authorize Mayor to sign letter to FAA regarding:
(1) Object to redesigned FAA air space at LAX
City Council Minutes
February 23, 2002
Page 3
(2) Enforce the turbo props crossing over the PVP shoreline at 5000 msf
(3) Move more of the turbo props off the PVP and fly them over the ocean
and around the PVP.
Mayor McTaggart stated that City needed to learn what the redesigned FAA airspace is
and that he understood the redesign allowed flight paths as low as 3500 feet. He
stressed the importance of addressing these issues: (1) Rather than merely objecting,
it is more important to request documentation on details of the design and to determine
how it relates to "free flight." (2) GPS controllers could clarify comments by an LAX
employee who said that 3500 msl is acceptable at the shoreline. (3) Reiterate
consensus of elected officials that planes fly a minimum of two miles off shore and that
no planes fly over the Peninsula.
Councilman Gardiner moved, seconded by Councilman Clark, to direct the City
Manager to meet with the Mayor to draft an appropriate letter. Motion carried.
COUNCIL REPORTS:
Mayor McTaggart reported that the cities of Palos Verdes Estates and Rolling Hills
declined the concept of the Peninsula -Wide Issues Committee. John Flood, Mayor of
the City of Palos Verdes Estates felt that the Mayor's meeting was a more effective way
to address issues. Mayor McTaggart suggested that Rancho Palos Verdes meet with
the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District and the city of Rolling Hills Estates
to form the committee and said that he would provide an update on this topic at the
Council meeting on March 11.
ADJOURNMENT: At 4:00 P.M. the meeting was adjourned.
MA
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
WA2002 City Council Minutes \02232002 cc min adj.doc
City Council Minutes
February 23, 2002
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