CC MINS 19991207MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
December 7, 1999
The meeting was called to order at 7:06 P.M. by Mayor Hollingsworth at Fred Hesse
Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call
was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Byrd, Ferraro, Lyon, McTaggart, and Mayor Hollingsworth
ABSENT: None
Also present were City Manager Les Evans, Assistant City Manager Carolynn Petru;
City Attorney Carol Lynch; Director of Planning, Building & Code Enforcement Joel
Rojas; Director of Public Works Dean Allison; Director of Finance Dennis McLean; City
Clerk/Administrative Services Director Jo Purcell; Senior Planner Fox; Associate
Planner Mihranian; and, Recording Secretary Jackie Drasco.
Mayor Hollingsworth listed City Council accomplishments over the past four years and
thanked Councilmembers and staff for their dedication.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilmember Lyon moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Byrd, to approve the
agenda as presented. Motion carried.
CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION:
Resol. No. 99 -87 - Certification of Election Results (301 x 501)
City Clerk Purcell presented the results of the November 2, 1999 election and the
recommendation to adopt the proposed resolution reciting the facts of the election.
Councilmember Lyon moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Byrd, to ADOPT RESOL.
NO. 99 -877 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES RECITING THE FACTS OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
HELD IN SAID CITY ON NOVEMBER 2, 1999, DECLARING THE RESULTS
THEREOF AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW. Motion carried.
Swearing in of newly elected councilmembers (106 x 301)
City Clerk Purcell administered the oath of office to John C. McTaggart, Barbara
Ferraro, and Douglas W. Stern.
Council Reorganization(106 x 301 x 306)
Selection of Mayor
City Clerk Purcell asked for nominations for the position of Mayor.
Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilman McTaggart, nominated Mayor Pro Tem
Byrd as Mayor. Motion carried.
Selection of Mayor Pro Tem
Mayor Byrd moved, seconded by Councilman MCTaggart, to nominate Councilmember
Lyon for Mayor Pro Tem. Motion carried.
CEREMONIAL EVENT: (304 x 1101)
Mayor Byrd presented a gift and a City tile to outgoing Mayor Tom Hollingsworth in
appreciation and recognition of his tenure as Mayor.
Mary Lou Echternach, field representative for Assemblyman Alan Lowenthal, presented
an Assembly resolution to Mayor Hollingsworth in recognition of his service and
accomplishments as Mayor.
RECESS & RECONVENE:
Recess and Reconvene: At 7:35 P.M., Mayor Byrd declared a recess. The meeting
reconvened at 7058 P.M.
# # # # # # # # # # #
RECYCLING DRAWING: (1204 x 1301)
The winner from the last drawing was Robert Fong, who would receive a check for
$250, representing a year of free refuse service. Another card was selected.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, commented on the appointments to the Abalone
Cove Landslide Abatement District.
City Council Minutes
December 7, 1999
Page 2
Councilman McTaggart moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Lyon, to approve the
Consent Calendar as follows:
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.
Minutes (301)
Approved the minutes of November 16, 1999.
Adoption of Ord. No. 353 — Ordinance Amending the Uniform Administrative Code
(201 x 1203)
ADOPTED ORD. NO. 3537 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES ADOPTING THE 1997 EDITION OF THE UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE
CODE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE. (This ordinance was introduced at the
October 19, 1999 meeting.)
Annual Report Regarding the General Plan Implementation Status Report
(1101)
Directed Staff to forward the City's Annual Report on the Rancho Palos Verdes General
Plan to the State Governor's Office of Planning and Research, and to the Department
of Housing and Community Development regarding the current status of the General
Plan and the progress on its implementation during the 1998 calendar year.
Appointment of members to the Miraleste Recreation and Park District and the
Ridgecrest Recreation and Park District (301 x 1200)
Made the following appointments: Miraleste Recreation & Park District: (1) Appoint
George J. Picciotto, Kimberly Lynn Stull and Carol Swets for a full term ending
December 5, 2003. (2) Appoint Peter Glusac and Dawn Evon Henry for the unexpired
terms ending December 7, 2001. Ridgecrest Recreation &Park District: Appoint
Endsley Collett, Jr. and E. Wayne Fager to serve a full term until December 5, 2003.
Appointment of members to the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District and
the Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District (301 x 2000 x 2100)
City Council Minutes
December 7, 1999
Page 3
Made the following appointments: Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District:
Appoint Stephen King, Sharon Nolan and Neil Seigel to a four -year term until
September 2003. Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District: Appoint Tyler
McCoy and John M. McCarthy to a four -year term until September 2003.
FY 1998 -99 Audit Management Letter and Independent Auditors' Report on
Compliance (602)
Received and file the attached audit management letter and report on compliance letter
for FY 1998 -99.
Professional Services Agreement for the Citywide Landscaping and Lighting
District (901 x 1204)
(1) Awarded a professional services contract to Harris and Associates for the
preparation of the Engineer's Report for the Citywide Landscaping and Lighting District
for FY 1999 -2000, FY 2000 -2001, and FY 2001 -2002, for a not to exceed amount of
$7,000, annually. (2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a professional
services agreement with Harris and Associates.
October 1999 Treasurer's Report (602)
Ordered received and filed the October 1999 Treasurer's Report for the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes.
Resol. No. 99 -88 - Register of Demands (602)
ADOPTED RESOL. NO. 99 -88, 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.
The motion to approve the Consent Calendar carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lyon, McTaggart, Stern, and Mayor Byrd
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Stern (Minutes of November 16, 1999)
PUBLIC HEARING:
City Council Minutes
December 7, 1999
Page 4
Code Amendment No. 44 - ACity- initiated Proposal to Amend the Development
Code: Establishment of Equestrian Facilities and Programs by Registered
501(C)(3) Non - Profit Organizations (1203 x 1808)
Mayor Byrd opened the public hearing on this request to app -rove Code Amendment
No. 44. City Clerk Purcell announced that notice had been duly published and that all
protest letters were included as part of the agenda package.
Senior Planner Fox presented the staff report of November 16, 1999 and the
recommendation to introduce the proposed ordinance of the City Of Rancho Palos
Verdes amending Chapter 17.46 (Equestrian Overlay (Q) District), Chapter 17.76
(Miscellaneous Permits and Standards) and Chapter 17.78 (Miscellaneous) of Title 17
of the Municipal Code.
Council discussion centered on setting a time limit for a permit, the consequences of a
501(C)(3) losing its non - profit status; the City keeping an active file of all 501(C)(3)'s
which would include copies of annual reports to the State; and, the fact that no permits
were being approved with this item, only an ordinance to allow an organization to apply
for a permit.
Joseph Gallagher, 9 Ginger Root Lane, stated that his home is the only one in visual
range of the Ride to Fly facility and he objected to the noise, flies, smells, water
collection in the corrals, and illegal parking. He felt the Portuguese Bend Community
Association should be studying the issue, not the Equestrian Committee.
Lucy Brooks, 5405 Bayridge, described the physical therapy benefits aspects of Ride to
Fly and her use of the program.
Robert Maxwell, 7 East Pomegranate Road, distributed photographs of certain corrals
in the area which he felt were illegal and requested that they be brought into code
compliance. He made reference to the Portuguese Bend Community Association
survey and five years of public hearings to amend the code which was intended to cure
these problems.
Roger Grove, 4923 Hafison Street, Torrance, CA 90503, representing Ride to Fly,
urged the Council to approve the ordinance to allow his group to apply for a permit and
said that they intended to continue being a good neighbor. He described improvements
made to the property since they began using it.
George Twidwell, 32 Sweetbay Road, owner of the property being used by Ride to Fly,
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December 7, 1999
Page 5
spoke in support of the proposed ordinance.
Emily Starkey, 6734 Los Verdes Drive, Apt. 2, spoke in support of the Pony Club.
Stacy Dye, 7035 Hartcrest Drive, spoke in support of the Pony Club.
Megan Leon, 38 Narcissa, spoke in support of the Pony Club.
Gordon Leon, 38 Narcissa, spoke in favor of the Pony Club and said that it taught
responsibility to young people.
Christina Smith, 38 Pony Lane, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274, spoke in favor of the
Pony Club.
Jack Smith, 38 Pony Lane, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274, spoke in favor of the Pony
Club and said that it might not be able to continue without this ordinance. He said that
he would not object to a ten -year permit limit as long as the Pony Club was allowed to
re -apply for a permit.
Janis Lukstein, 26203 Basswood Avenue, spoke in support of the Pony Club and said
that it taught riding safety and horse care and was a positive activity.
Joe Deeble, 3 East Pomegranate Road, spoke in favor of a process to allow the Pony
Club and Ride to Fly to operate but was opposed to re- zoning the area. He was
concerned about other 501(C)(3) organizations that might want to be established in the
area, but which may be may be commercial.
Leanne Twidwell, 32 Sweetbay Road, owner of the property being used by Ride to Fly,
said that the area is being well maintained by Ride to Fly and that there are four horses
on the property with no expansion planned to increase the number of horses.
Council discussion centered on the role of the Equestrian Committee and if permits
should be heard by the Committee but approved by the City Council; and that the use
of these 501(C)(3)'s should be limited to altruistic organizations serving a worthy need.
City Attorney Lynch noted that the ordinance would be revised to reflect these
suggestions.
Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Councilman McTaggart, to conceptually
approve Code Amendment No. 44 with .revisions and continue the public hearing to
December 21, 1999. Motion carried.
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December 7, 1999
Page 6
Recess and Reconvene: At 9:17 P.M., Mayor Byrd declared a recess. The meeting
reconvened at 9:27 P.M.
Consider Support for El Segundo's LAX Lawsuit (1101 x 305)
City Manager Evans presented the staff report of December 7, 1999 and the
recommendation to consider a request from Councilwoman Barbara Ferraro to discuss
the City of El Segundo's lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles for alleged violation of
the California Environmental Quality Act.
After a brief discussion, Council consensus was to direct the City Attorney to obtain a
copy of the El Segundo lawsuit and provide it to the Council and to discuss the issue at
a future meeting.
Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, commented on her experience testifying before the
Airport Commission.
Code Amendment No. 46: Maximum Structure Size, Lot Coverage, and Roof
Decks (1203 x 1801)
Mayor Byrd opened the public hearing on this request to approve Code Amendment
No. 46. City Clerk Purcell announced that notice had been duly published and that no
protest letters were received by the City.
Associate Planner Mihranian presented the staff report of November 16, 1999 and the
recommendation to introduce the proposed ordinance of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes, aCity- initiated proposal, to amend Chapter 17.02 (Single - Family Residential
Districts), Chapter 17.48 (Development Standards), and Chapter 17.96 (Definitions) of
Title 17 of the Municipal Code.
Council discussion focused on the definition of a roof deck, the wisdom of maintaining
the requirement for a variance to allow a roof deck and, insuring privacy for surrounding
residents when a roof deck is allowed.
Ken Dyda, 5715 Capeswood Drive, provided a handout to the Council which contained
two suggested amendments _to this section of the Code. (A copy of Mr. Dyda's handout
is on file with the City Clerk's Office.)
Lorraine Dyda, 5715 Capeswood Drive, requested that the Council require foliage on
roof decks to be restricted to a height of eight feet, the same height restriction which
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December 7, 1999
Page 7
has been placed on outdoor furnishings and accessories.
Further Council discussion centered on neighborhood compatibility as it related to the
maximum structure size issue and it was suggested that the 100% expansion of the
original permitted structure which would trigger a review of structure size be reduced to
25 %.
Council consensus was to direct staff to provide data on the number of residential
additions within the past year which would have required the neighborhood
compatibility review if this percentage was reduced.
Mayor Byrd moved, seconded by Councilman McTaggart, to continue the public hearing
to December 21, 1999. Motion carried.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
Resol. No. 99 -89 - Health Insurance Contributions (902 x 1101 )
Assistant City Manager Petru presented the staff report of November 16, 1999 and the
recommendation to adopt the proposed resolution amending the City contribution
amounts for employee insurance premiums.
Councilwoman Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilman McTaggart to ADOPT
RESOL. NO. 99 -897 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING THE CITY CONTRIBUTION AMOUNTS FOR
EMPLOYEE INSURANCE PREMIUMS.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Ferraro, Lyon, McTaggart, Stern and Mayor Byrd
NOES: None
Workshop Schedule for the Year 2000 (307 x 1101)
City Manager Evans presented the staff report of November 16, 1999 and the
recommendation to Identify issues that the City Council should discuss in workshop
sessions and set dates for those workshops.
After discussion, Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Lyon, to
continue this item to December 21 and to have Councilmembers provide any additional
topics of interest. Motion carried.
City Council Minutes
December 7, 1999
Page 8
Set Commission /Committee Interviews (106 x 301)
City Clerk Purcell presented the staff report of November 16, 1999 and the
recommendation to set a date for the interviews.
After discussion, Council consensus was to extend the application date to January 14
and to hold the interviews in February 2000.
Recess and Reconvene: At 10:25 P.M., Mayor Byrd declared a recess. The meeting
reconvened at 10:30 P.M.
Review City Council Rules of Procedures (307 x1101)
Assistant City Manager Petru presented the staff report of November 16, 1999 and the
recommendation to review the proposed revisions to the City Council Rules of
Procedures and to provide staff with direction.
Council consensus was to continue this item to January 4, 2000.
Adjustment to the Budgeted Personnel Schedule for the Department of Planning,
Building and Code Enforcement (602 x1202 x 1203)
Staff recommendation was to approve the recommended adjustment to the
Department's budgeted personnel schedule.
Councilman McTaggart moved, seconded by Councilwoman Ferraro, to adopt staff
recommendation. Motion carried.
25th Anniversary Tapes (305 x 1101)
Recommendation was to request Blockbuster on Hawthorne Boulevard
and the Wherehouse on Western Avenue to sell tapes and also to sell tapes at the
Hesse Park gift shop.
After a short discussion, Mayor Pro Tern Lyon moved, seconded by Councilwoman
Ferraro to direct staff to write letters to any appropriate local establishment concerning
selling these videos and to sell the videos in the Hesse Park gift shop. Motion carried.
ORAL CITY COUNCIL REPORTS:
City Council Minutes
December 7, 1999
Page 9
Councilman Stern reported that he had received a call on November 4 from Jim York
and then visited the Filiorum property with Mr. York on November 6. He also said that
he received a call regarding Mr. York's property from Mike Mohler who offered a
preview of the plan being submitted in the future. Councilman Stern said that he
advised Mr. Mohler that he would prefer to study the plan when it was submitted
through official channels.
Mayor Byrd told Councilmembers that staff was preparing a description of City Council
assignments for representation at outside organizations and that assignments would be
made at the Council meeting on January 4, 2000.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS:
Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, commented on potential use of the Long Point
property, on of the City's geotechnical consultants, and on the Oceanfront housing
development.
Recess and Reconvene: At 11:00 P.M., Mayor Byrd declared a recess to a Closed
Session per Brown Act Checklist attached to the addendum to the City Council. Agenda.
The meeting reconvened at 11:30 P.M. The City Attorney announced that no action
had been taken by the City Council.
ADJOURNMENT:
Adjourned at 11:30 P.M. on motion of Councilman McTaggart.
ATTEST:
1999`0 207ccmin
MAY R
City Council Minutes
December 7, 1999
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