Loading...
CC MINS 19970409 ADJ MINUTES RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING APRIL 9, 1997 The meeting was called to order at 5:00 P.M. by Mayor John McTaggart at the Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall Community Room, 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard, notice having been given with affidavit thereto on file. Roll call was answered as follows: Present: Byrd, Hollingsworth, Lyon, Ferraro & Mayor McTaggart Absent: None Also present were City Manager Paul D. Bussey, Assistant City Manager Brent Mattingly, Public Works Director Les Evans, Recreation & Parks Director Ron Rosenfeld, Planning, Building & Code Enforcement Director Carolynn Petru, Finance Director Dennis McLean, and City Clerk Jo Purcell. Fiscal Year 1997-98 Budget Policy Issues (602) City Manager Bussey presented the staff memorandum of April 8 and the recommendation to discuss the budget policy issues and provide direction to staff regarding the inclusion of such items in the Fiscal Year 1997-987 budget. Prior to discussing these items, however, it was the consensus of Council to take public testimony. Recreation & Parks Committee Chair Carol Hildreth, summarized the discussion and the meetings that the Committee held to determine what development should be made to Lower Hesse Park. She then introduced Shelby Jordan, 29208 Posey Way, President of the Pacific View Homeowners Association who was responsible for leading the effort on the development of Lower Hesse Park. Mr. Jordan introduced the members of the association present who were in favor of this development. He then summarized the high volume usage of the park and, he explained the survey of the neighborhood residents to reach a consensus about the park's development. He also explained that the plan was the result of a lot of hard work by their association and the subcommittee composed of R&P Committee members, staff, a volunteer landscape architect and their association representatives. With the use of drawings of the proposed park development, he showed the location of the various components: vehicle and pedestrian entries, parking and turnaround areas, buffer zones, casual picnic areas, trail/paths and explained that plantings would be drought tolerant and would require little, if any, irrigation. He stated that the plan decided upon recommended that it be developed in phases with the first phase laying g the foundation for the logical addition of other desirable elements when funding becomes available. He noted that it was estimated that the initial phase would cost approximat4ely $500,000 and would provide the basics for the public's enjoyment now, would be aesthetically pleasing enough to not embarrass the City and would complement the amenities already provided in upper Hesse Park. Council inquired about the possible blockage of views by the 250 trees planned for the area; the effects this development may have on the neighborhood; if, because of the lack of funds, residents would be satisfied with only partial development of the site; if the estimated $12,000 annual maintenance budget was adequate; and, whether the committee had considered less costly components such as sand volley ball courts. Representing the South Bay Free Clinic was Liz West, 1807 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, who explained the area and clientele served by that Clinic and requested q that the Council consider their request for a $1,500 donation. Representing the Harbor Free Clinic was Barbara Gleghorn, 28850 Crestridge Road, who stated that her organization worked closely with the So. Bay Free Clinic. She then summarized the work performed and the clientele served by her organization. Representing the Community Helpline was Dick Lohrer, who expressed appreciation to the Council for their continued support over the last ten years. Representing Peninsula Pet Rescue & Placement League, was Dr. Betty Garrett, who explained the work done by her organization in rescuing abused and unwanted animals. She requested that the Council consider giving them a donation of$2500. Representing the Los Serenos docents was their president Ken Riedman, 3668 Clifffsite, who spoke in support of purchasing the furnishings and equipment for the Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center expansion. Concerned about the continued maintenance of Vanderlip Park was Na Jacobs, Nagy 6519 Baron Drive. Mr. Jacobs expressed his concern about the possible reduced maintenance of the park as a result the restrictions on the use of the Citywide Landscaping & Lighting funds imposed by Proposition 218. Lou McCreight, 2763 San Ramon Drive, spoke in support improving the landscaping in p g the area of Marymount College along Palos Verdes Drive East. He said that the homeowner associations in that area are willing to contribute labor and resources for this project. Representing the Peninsula Symphony was Joseph Valenti, 1 Rollingwood Drive, who requested that the Council give that organization a donation so they can continue to conduct their free concerts and train young people. City Council Minutes April 9, 1997 Page 2 Council then proceeded to discuss each of the following budget policy issues as follows and, with exceptions noted, approved "placeholders" in the budget as follows: Requests from Nonprofit Agencies Staff Recommendation: Include funding at last year's levels. The two new requests for funding were not included in the draft budget and the grants for existing entities had not been increased. The amount of the increased requests and the two new requests represented an increase of$5,650 (about 33%) from what was included in the FY 96- 97 budget. The General Fund provides the source for these grants. . With regard to the Community Contributions, it was the consensus of Council to donate $2000 to the Harbor Free Clinic, $1150 to Pet Rescue. and $9450 to the South Bay Youth Project. The other donations would be as follows: Community Helpline $2,500; Peninsula Seniors $2,625, and Peninsula Symphony $1,000. Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center Expansion - Purchase of Furnishings & Equipment Staff Recommendation: Include $96,000 for the purchase of furnishings, equipment, supplies, displays, display cases, etc., for inclusion in the expansion of the Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center. Council requested that staff consider whether leasing a photocopy machine would be more economical and that consideration be given to making some of the suggested furnishings "built-ins" so they could be paid for with Measure "A" funding. Natural Communities Conservation Planning (NCCP) Program Staff,Recommendation: Include $200,000 for the preparation of Phases II and III of the NCCP program. Council urged staff to seek grants to help defray the cost of this program. It was the consensus to budget $75,000 in the budget for this program. Permit Tracking Computer Software System Staff Recommendation: Budget $60,000 in FY 1997-98 for the acquisition and implementation of a permit tracking system. Council requested that staff provide more detailed information on what the program will actually provide and asked staff to inquire about the program that the City of Rolling Hills Estates uses for their permit tracking system. Recess and Reconvene: At 7:35 P.M. Mayor McTaggart declared a recess. The meeting reconvened at 7:45 P.M. City Council Minutes April 9, 1997 Page 3 NPDES Professional Services Staff Recommendation: Include $50,000 in the budget for the consulting services to implement the activities of this National Pollution Discharge Elimination System. Council discussion focused on the quality of water found in one of the wells tested in the Portuguese Bend area and the need to determine the origin of this water which contained fecal coliform. It was the consensus that this proposed budget was only to take the first mandatory steps of this program and not yet solve the problem of the wells. Electric Vehicle and Charging System Staff Recommendation: Purchase an electric pickup truck and install two charging stations at a net cost of approximately $41,250. It was the consensus to start with one of these trucks to see how it performs on some the City's hilly terrain. Also, it was suggested that staff seek AB2766 funding for this item. Citywide Street Name Sign Replacement Staff Recommendation: Replace approximately 170 old street signs annually for the next three years. Continued Maintenance of Clovercliff and Vanderlip Parks Staff Recommendation: Reduce maintenance levels at Clovercliff and Vanderlip Parks to annual weed abatement only. It was the consensus of Council to continue to maintain these two parks at current levels utilizing approximately $8,620 of General Funds. Using Landscaping & Lighting District Funds for Montemalaga Dr. Median Improvements & Maintenance Staff Recommendation: Rehabilitation of the median landscape on Montemalaga Drive in coordination with the pavement maintenance program in order to minimize future pavement damage and to enhance the appearance of the landscaped median. Council inquired about the inspection of the sprinkler system and how staff intended to monitor it. Use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)funds for the Construction of Improvements required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) City Council Minutes April 9, 1997 Page 4 Staff Recommendation: Include $102,000 of CDBG funds to implement these ADA improvements at various City facilities. Ladera Linda Community Center Irrigation Repair Staff Recommendation: Repair the irrigation systems at the Ladera Linda Community Center if an agreement can be obtained from the School District for the ongoing use of the fields. Upgrade of Storm Drains Staff Recommendation: Include an estimated amount of$125,000 in the budget for a phased pipe rehabilitation program for the City's drainage systems. Landscaping Improvements to Selected Medians on Major Thoroughfares ,Staff Recommendation: Include $50,000 of Recycling Funds in the draft budget to proceed with any particular median landscaping project. Council may wish to have staff update the existing median inventory and establish a priority ranking to each of the potential projects. Priority could be based upon: (1) cost of design and construction being within the approved budget; and (2) an available source of funds for the on-going maintenance of the new improvements. Council concerns centered on the time it would require to develop such a priority list; the wisdom of putting in medians in an area where fog is a problem; whether homeowners could get together and apply for grants; and, if installing any of these medians created a traffic problem. It was the consensus that staff should develop a priority list for these medians and that prevailing weather conditions should be determined to address the concern of traffic safety. Development of Lower Hesse Park Staff Recommendation: Include $550,000 in the budget for the development of the first phase of Lower Hesse Park. Measure "A"funds in the amount of$235,000 are available for this project. The remaining $314,000 of funds could be provided by a combination of the Quimby fund (use $220,000 of the $300,000 available) and the Environmental Excise Tax Fund (use $95,000 of the $150,000 available). Council expressed concern about exhausting all of the Quimby funds on this project especially since there already is a developed park on the site. Inquiries were made about how much additional maintenance expense this development would add; the aggregate cost of maintenance for all parks; and, what improvements remained to be done at Ladera Linda. The suggestion was made that perhaps the Recreation & Parks Committee should consider less expensive and lower maintenance components for this City Council Minutes April 9, 1997 Page 5 park. It was the consensus to leave this item in the budget but that staff should consider less costly alternatives and continue to work with the homeowners association. Electronic Document Imaging, Storage, Search and Retrieval System Staff Recommendation: Include $35,000 in the FY7-98 budget to acquire an electronic indexing system. Before the expenditure of funds staff will prepare a detailed report and specific proposal for Council review and acceptance. Council suggested that some consideration be given to making certain information available to Council on such a system. Concern was expressed that adequate security be built into the system to protect City documents and that no draft documents be put on the system. Merit Compensation Pool, Incentive Pool, and Salary Range Adjustment Staff Recommendation: Include a total of$128,000 for the City's merit pay play pool and for awards under the City's bonus program. Adjust the formal salary ranges by 2% without adjusting any employee salaries. Council requested a report on the distribution of the bonus funds and salary increases for the past year. Creation of a General Fund Reserve to Establish a "Sinking Fund" for the payment of Los Angeles County Bond Lien assessments on property owned by the Redevelopment Agency and the City Staff Recommendation: Establish a reserve in the General Fund to create a "sinking fund" of$2 million for the payment of the liens on the City and RDA owned property. All or a portion of this lien could be paid to the County if an acceptable revised agreement is achieved. It was the consensus of Council to discuss this matter in closed session prior to the start of the next Regular meeting. Western Avenue Specific Plan Staff Recommendation: Although this item had appeared in the budget for the last few years, no monies had been spent. therefore, no monies had been suggested for the FY 97-98 budget. It was the consensus of Council to include $50,000 in the budget in the event a project City Council Minutes April 9, 1997 Page 6 on Western Avenue presented itself in the next fiscal year and the City wanted to support it. Adjournment: At 9:44 P.M. the meeting adjourned on motion of Councilman Byrd. MAYO Attest: CIN CLERK City Council Minutes April 9, 1997 Page 7