CC MINS 19960115 ADJMINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 15, 1996
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Marilyn Lyon at the Fred Hesse
Park Community Center, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, notice having been given with
affidavit thereto on file. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call was answered as
follows:
PRESENT: MCTAGGART, HOLLINGSWORTH, FERRARO, BYRD & MAYOR
LYON.
ABSENT: NONE
Also present were City Manager Paul Bussey, City Attorney Carol Lynch, City Clerk Jo
Purcell, Public Works Director Trent Pulliam, Planning & Building Director Bret
Bernard, Assistant City Manager Brent Mattingly, Associate Planner Terry Silverman,
Assistant Planner Fabio de Freitas, Senior Analyst Veronica Dolleschel, and Senior
Analyst Rick Otto.
RECYCLE DRAWING: One card was drawn from the recycle drum; the winner will
be announced at the next meeting.
CEREMONIAL EVENT: (304) In appreciation of his three years of service to the
City, Mayor Lyon presented departing Public Works Director Pulliam with a City the and
on behalf of the City Council wished him well in his new job with the City of Moreno
Valley.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilman Byrd moved, seconded by Councilman McTaggart to approve the agenda
as presented. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine, spoke to several items on the Consent Calendar:
completion of the Civic Center drainage project, claim against the City by the Monaco
Homeowners Association, and the Register of Demands.
Councilman McTaggart moved, seconded by Councilman Hollingsworth to approve the
Consent Calendar as follows:
WAIVER OF FULL READING
ADOPTED A MOTION TO WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES AND
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT THIS MEETING WITH CONSENT TO THE WAIVER
OF READING DEEMED TO BE GIVEN BY ALL COUNCILMEMBERS AFTER THE
READING OF THE TITLE.
CABLE STUDIO BLDG. -LEASE EXTENSION (605 x 1101)
AUTHORIZED THE EXTENSION OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH COX CABLE
FOR THE USE OF THE FORMER CABLE STUDIO BUILDING FOR A PERIOD NOT
TO EXCEED TWO YEARS.
CIVIC CENTER DRAINAGE PROJECT - NOTICE OF COMPLETION
(1201 x 1204)
(1) ACCEPTED THE WORK AS COMPLETE; (2) AUTHORIZED THE CITY CLERK TO
FILE A NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH THE COUNTY RECORDER; AND, IF NO
CLAIMS ARE FILED 35 DAYS AFTER RECORDATION, AND UPON THE
CONTRACTOR POSTING AN ACCEPTABLE WARRANTY BOND, CITY CLERK IS
DIRECTED TO NOTIFY THE SURETY COMPANY OF THE EXONERATION OF THE
PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE BONDS; AND (3) AUTHORIZED THE FINANCE
DIRECTOR TO RELEASE THE 10% RETENTION PAYMENT 35 DAYS AFTER
RECORDATION OF THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION BY THE COUNTY RECORDER
CONTINGENT UPON NO CLAIMS BEING FILED ON THE PROJECT AND THE
CONTRACTOR POSTING AN ACCEPTABLE WARRANTY BOND.
SLURRY SEAL AGREEMENT WITH RHE (1204 x 1404)
(1) APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ESTATES TO
INCLUDE A PORTION OF HAWTHORNE BOULEVARD IN THAT CITY IN THE
RANCHO PALOS VERDES FISCAL YEAR 1995 -96 SLURRY PROGRAM; AND, (2)
AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT
WITH THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ESTATES.
CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY - PV MONACO HOMEOWNERS
(301 x 303)
REJECTED THE CLAIM AND DIRECTED THE CITY CLERK TO NOTIFY THE
CLAIMANT.
RESOL. NO. 96-02 REGISTER OF DEMANDS (602)
ADOPTED RESOL. N0. 96 -02.
The motion to approve the Consent Calendar carried on the following roll call vote:
City Council Minutes
January 15, 1996
Page 2
AYES:
NOES:
PUBLIC HEARING:
McTAGGART, BYRD, FERRARO, HOLLINGSWORTH & MAYOR
LYON
NONE
1996 -97 CDBG - PROPOSED PROGRAMS (601 x 1204)
Mayor Lyon opened the public hearing on these proposed Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) programs for the year 1996 -97. City Clerk Purcell announced that
notice of this public hearing had been duly published and that no written protests had
been received by the City.
Ms. Dolleschel presented the staff report of January 15 and the recommendation to (1)
Conduct the public hearing to receive citizen input on the proposed 1996 -97 CDBG
program; (2) approve proposed CDBG projects and budget; and (3) authorize the City
Manager to execute agreements for CDBG projects with the Los Angeles County
Community Development Commission.
Lois Larue spoke in opposition to the use of these funds for the Portuguese Bend
grading.
There being no further speakers on this matter, Mayor Lyon declared the hearing
closed.
Council discussion of these projects clarified that the following projects had already
been approved: funding to provide overall CDBG program administration: REACH
program; American with Disabilities Act Compliance Project: East Portuguese Bend
Grading; and, Portuguese Canyon Erosion Control Project. Applications had been
submitted but no construction had been done and only the environmental review had
been conducted. Council inquired relative to what was considered a "neutral area" and
it was the consensus that a report would be made to Council on that matter.
Councilwoman Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilman McTaggart to approve
projects one through five as listed on the staff report and to authorize the City Manager
to execute agreements for CDBG projects with the Los Angeles County Community
Development Commission. The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: HOLLINGSWORTH, FERRARO, McTAGGART, BYRD & MAYOR
LYON
NOES: NONE
City Council Minutes
January 15, 1996
Page 3
TRACT NO. 24423, AMENDMENT N0.1 (1203 x 1411)
Mayor Lyon opened the public hearing on this request to move or remove the easement
from the buildable pad area of a residential lot located on Clint Place. The City Clerk
reported that notice of the hearing had been duly published and that no written protests
had been received by the City.
Associate Planner Jerex presented the staff report of January 15 and the
recommendation to refer the project to the Traffic Committee to review circulation
issues with regard to the possible construction of a connector street between the upper
and lower Mossbank Drives. Continuing with her report, Ms. Jerex then presented a
detailed review of her report stating that this Tract Amendment concerns a residential
property located at 5901 Clint Place; that the property is currently developed with one
single story residence, and the applicant has filed an application for a tentative parcel
map to subdivide this parcel into two lots. On the proposed second lot for this tract, a
note exists which designates an easement to the County of Los Angeles for slope
purposes. When the City incorporated in 1973 this easement transferred to the City
since it is related to a public roadway. The applicant has requested this Amendment
to remove or relocate the easement off the buildable pad area of this lot in order to
meet the City's minimum requirements for development as a residential lot.
Continuing, she said that the City's Municipal Code allows the amendment of tract
maps to make modifications when there are changes in circumstances which make any
of the conditions of the map no longer appropriate or necessary and which do not
impose any additional burden on the present fee owner of the property.
At the time of the easement dedication, Ms. Jerex stated, that it was anticipated that
Mossbank Drive would be connected through the canyon between Grayslake Road and
Basswood Avenue, as shown on exhibit 2 of the Staff Report. City records do not
clearly demonstrate the reason for the easement's substantial encroachment into what
amounts to roughly 30% of the total lot area of proposed Lot 2. Exhibit 3 to the Staff
Report shows that the proposed slope easement ends abruptly at the eastern property
line of the subject property. It appears that when this neighboring property was
subdivided into two lots, any notes regarding a slope easement may have been
dropped from the parcel map.
She said that the City's Public Works Director has reviewed this request and
recommended that the City's Traffic Committee review circulation issues with regard to
the development of the connector street between upper and lower Mossbank Drives
prior to making any modifications to this easement. In the event that Committee
recommends that the connector street is desirable with future development of the
canyon parcel, an engineering study should be prepared for a preliminary
determination of the road placement and related easement modification. At that time, a
determination could be made if the current configuration of the easement is required
City Council Minutes
January 15, 1996
Page 4
for the street; if the easement could be modified to accommodate both the property
owner and the construction of the street; or, whether the easement should remain as it
currently exists.
Lastly, she said that the issue of modifying the slope easement for this property must
be resolved prior to processing the application for subdivision. As the slope easement
analysis is based on whether the City believes upper and lower Mossbank Drives will
be connected, Staff recommends that the project be referred to the Traffic Committee
to review a circulation study to determine potential effects of modification of the existing
slope easement, specifically with regard to the possible future construction of a
connector street between upper and lower Mossbank Drives.
Al Mashouf, 5901 Clint Place, the applicant in this matter, mounted a picture board for
Council viewing which depicted the project site. He clarified that his application is for
relocating the easement within his own property from its existing location closer to
Mossbank; that he was not suggesting that Mossbank be connected; that all of the
easements in the area have been vacated; and, that a correct route for Mossbank could
be accommodated by this proposed easement re- location.
Speaking on behalf of the applicant was his architect Ed Gulian, 2710 Montair Avenue,
Long Beach, who explained the his client's property has over 100 ft. from the property
line to the slope easement; that they have gone through the codes to assure that what
they have proposed is realistic and that they want to utilize the Mashoufs lot to its full
potential.
Council inquiries centered on the drainage for the lot, if they can tie into the existing
storm drains, if they intended to provide off - street parking for guests, whether any
geological investigations had been done, how wide a driveway they proposed, and how
much of pad No. 2 would be used for the footprint of the house.
Kevin Rhem, 5925 Clint Place, spoke in favor of the easement relocation.
Marian Zimmerman, 26847 Basswood, representing the Upper Basswood Homes
Association said they had no opinion about the easement, however they would oppose
having the road connected to lower Mossbank.
Council then discussed the rationale of the staffs recommendation to send this matter
to the Traffic Committee and whether that was indeed necessary. After further
discussion, Councilman McTaggart moved, seconded by Councilwoman Ferraro to
continue this hearing to February 20 and to direct staff to explore if the easement
could be removed or reduced from the applicants' property, but not with the intent to
preclude the building of Mossbank. Motion carried.
Recess and Reconvene: At 8:15 P.M. Mayor Lyon declared a recess. The meeting
reconvened at 10:00 pm. upon completion of the Redevelopment Agency agenda.
City Council Minutes
January 15, 1996
Page 5
REGULAR BUSINESS:
STOP SIGNS - BLOOMWOOD ROAD AT MT. ROSE
(11204 x 1502)
Senior Engineer Allison presented the staff report of January 15, and the
recommendation to consider the Traffic Committee's recommendation to install three
stop signs at the intersection of Bloomwood Road and Mt. Rose Drive.
Speaking in favor of this installation were the following residents of the area: Jeanne
Dambrosi, 1123 Bloomwood Road; Kathy Gonzales, 1108 Bloomwood Road; Kathy
Khaledi, 1114 W. Bloomwood Road; and Gregory Kleve, 1120 W. Bloomwood Road.
Ms. D'Amnbrosi presented a prepared statement which detailed the safety problems
experienced on that street because of excessive speed by motorists. (Ms. D'Ambrosi's
letter is on file with the City Clerk's Office.) The concerns of the other speakers also
focused on the excessive speed and how installation of these suggested stop signs
would serve to somewhat ameliorate the dangerous conditions on their street.
Councilman Byrd moved, seconded by Councilwoman Ferraro to approve the staff
recommendation and to install two stop signs on Mt. Hood at Bloomwood Road;
additionally, that these stop signs would be installed for a six month trial period. Motion
carried.
ENCROACHMENT PERMIT PROCEDURE (1804 x 1203)
Associate Planner Silverman presented the January 15 staff report and the
recommendation that Council provide staff with direction regarding the amendment of
the current city council policy adopted on May 15, 1984.
Trish Malin, 43 Santa Catalina Drive, representing the Island View Homeowners
Association explained their application for the vacation of a portion of Whitley Collins
Drive and a request to allow the construction of a guard shack within a landscaped
median located in the middle of the existing roadway. She said that the neighborhood
was originally planned as a gated community, that the turning radius in the area is
adequate, that it was not their intent to privatize the streets, but simply to increase
safety for walkers and homeowners. Mr. John Malin also stated his support for this
guard shack.
After Council discussion of the process for approving such encroachments and whether
they would first go to the Planning Commission and be appealed to the City Council,
Councilman Byrd moved, seconded by Councilman McTaggart, that staff be directed to
prepare a new policy statement to include guidelines for such encroachment permit
applications which shall include provisions for Planning Commission review of all
City Council Minutes
January 15, 1996
Page 6
applications. Motion carried.
WESTERN AVENUE PROJECT -AWARD OF CONTRACT
(1203 x 1505)
Senior Planner Rojas presented the January 15 staff report and the recommendation to
award the contract to the consulting firm of Moore lacofano Goltsman, Inc. (MIG); and,
authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a professional services agreement with
MIG to conduct a Western Avenue Community Participation Program for a cost of
$23,100.
Continuing with his report, Mr. Rojas summarized the Background on this 1994
departmental proposal to create a unified specific plan for the entire Western Avenue
Commercial corridor. Additionally, he detailed the RFP Process and the Consultant
Selection process which led to the recommendation of MIG.
Representing MIG was Jim Oswald, Principal and Director of the Los Angeles Office,
4676 Admiralty Way, who gave an overview of his company's July 1995 proposal which
outlined the proposed Work Plan which included various tasks: Project Initiation and
Issues Identification Meeting; Project "Kickoff '/Initiation Meeting; Issues Identification
Session with Special Interest Groups; Community Workshops; Community Workshop;
Walking Tour and Issues Identification; Meetings\VWorkshops Presentations /Graphics;
Community Workshop/Walking Tour/ Presentation Materials/ Graphics; and, Final
Summary Report. He said that they have designed dozens of projects for communities
through the state and county and overseas.
Council discussion focused on the following: how revitalization of Western would
benefit the City; how to the cooperation and participation of the City of Los Angeles and
CALTRANS was important inasmuch as traffic should be a major part of this project; the
time and effort spent on selecting these consultants and the fact that this was probably
the best way to finally determine what the merchants in the area really wanted.
Councilman Byrd moved, seconded by Councilman McTaggart to put this matter on
hold for four months and use the Mayor's office to seek cooperation from the City of Los
Angeles, CALTRANS and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The motion
carried on a four - one vote with Councilwoman Ferraro voting no.
PALOS VERDES ON THE NET (I 101)
Senior Analyst Rick Otto presented the January 15 staff report and the
recommendation to (1) support the efforts of the Palos Verdes on the Net; and (2) direct
staff to forward to Palos Verdes on the Net any relevant City informatio and press
releases for inclusion on their Internet Web site.
City Council Minutes
January 15, 1996
Page 7
Lois Larue spoke in favor of this matter.
Ted Vegvari, 4033 Via Nivel, said that he developed this program over a year ago as a
free community service.
Councilman Byrd moved, seconded by Mayor Lyon to adopt the staff recommendation;
additionally, that staff should develop a policy governing input to the Internet; that
individual councilmembers advise through the City Manager's office what they putting
on if publishing as a councilmember; however, members of Council can publish as
individuals not representing the City.
JULY 4TH _CELEBRATION (1201)
Recreation Administrator Ron Rosenfeld presented the January 15 staff report and the
recommendation to accept Conte Productions' proposal to produce the City's annual
July 4TH Independence Day Celebration and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to
execute the proposed three -year agreement.
Mark Conte, 212 Yacht Club Way, Redondo Beach, said that he was looking forward to
doing another event for the City.
Council inquired about the amount of money raised from the parking and how that
defrayed expense to the City; and, about the possibilities of using .more local non - profit
organizations such as the PV Symphony. Additionally, they suggested that more
crafters be made a part of the celebration.
Councilwoman Ferraro moved, seconded by Councilman Hollingsworth to approve the
staff recommendation. Motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: FERRARO, McTAGGART, HOLLINGSWORTH, BYRD &MAYOR
LYON.
NOES: NONE
CODE AMENDMENT NO. 34 (1203 x 1801)
It was the consensus to continue discussion of this matter to February 6.
REVIEW OF UTILITY TAX & 1972 ACT ASSESSMENTS (I 101 x 1501)
City Manager Bussey presented the staff report of January 15 and the recommendation
that Council direct staff to return by the end of March with documents for consideration
by the Council which would repeal the Utility Users Tax (UUT),and to begin those steps
City Council Minutes
January 15, 1996
Page 8
necessary to place the matter of readopting the tax before the voters at an upcoming
election. Continuing with his report, Mr. Bussey detailed the background on the
adoption of this 3% utility user Tax and presented a detailed Analysis which focused on
the following: Mid -Year Budget Review; Five Year Financial Projections; and, the 1972
Landscaping and Street Lighting Act. The fiscal impact of staff s recommendation cited
that if the UUT tax was repealed at the end of March, the 1995 -96 fiscal year revenue
loss from this source would be approximately $350,000. If the tax is place don the
November 1996 ballot and approved by the electorate, the loss during the 1996 -97
fiscal year would still be approximately $600,000. However, if the ballot measure fails
the City would sustain an annual reduction in revenue of about $1.4 million adjusted
upward for inflation in each succeeding year.
Councilman McTaggart moved, seconded by Councilman Byrd to instruct staff to
continue to include the 1972 act in the budget and take the necessary steps to go
through the annual public hearings. The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: McTAGGART, FERRARO, HOLLINGSWORTH, BYRD AND mayor
LYON
NOES: NONE
Council then discussed the use of the utility user tax revenue and the fact that it was
being used to pave and build roads and, alternatively, what would be the result of
reducing the tax to 2.5 %.
Councilman Byrd moved, seconded by Councilman McTaggart, to maintain the utility
tax at its current level and to place a question on the November 1996 ballot validating
that tax. The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: BYRD, FERRARO, McTaggart, HOLLINGSWORTH AND MAYOR
LYON
NOES: NONE
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Lois Larue spoke to several matters: violation of the brown act;
cost of press kit; and, the condition of the pipeline in the landslide area.
City Council Minutes
January 15, 1996
Page 9
ADJOURNMENT: At 12:10 A.M. the meeting adjourned on motion of Councilwoman
Ferraro.
ATTEST:
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City Council Minutes
January 15, 1996
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