CC MINS 19960220MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 20, 1996
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Mayor Marilyn Lyon at the Fred Hesse
Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. The City Attorney announced that a
closed session was being held so that the City Council could consider the items listed
on page 5 of the agenda which included giving directions to the City's negotiators, the
City Manager and the City Attorney to negotiate with the representatives of Palos
Verdes Land Holdings Company with respect to the possible purchase by the City of
aproximately 75 acres in the northeast corner of the Palos Verdes Land Holdings'
properties located in the Portuguese Bend area of the City, landward of Palos Verdes
Drive South. The meeting was then recessed to the closed session. The meeting
reconvened at 7:00 P.M. and was called to order by Mayor Lyon.
The flag salute was led by members of Girl Scout Troop No. 135 comprised of girls in
the 5th grade from Mira Catalina School.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call was answered as follows:
Present: McTaggart, Byrd, Ferraro, Hollingsworth & Mayor Lyon
Absent: None
Also present were City Manager Paul Bussey, Planning and Building and Code
Enforcement Director Bret Bernard, Interim Public Works Director Joe Lopez, Senior
Planner Joel Rojas, Associate Planner Donna Jerex, Associate Planner Terry
Silverman, City Clerk Jo Purcell, Senior Administrative Analyst Rick Otto and City
Attorney Carol Lynch.
CEREMONIAL MATTER: Mayor Lyon presented Associate Planner Donna Jerex with
a City plaque upon her departure from the City at the end of the month. Donna had
been with the City since 1990, starting as an Assistant Planner and was then promoted-
to Associate Planner in 1993. The Mayor and Council wished Donna good luck.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilman Byrd moved, seconded by Councilman
Hollingsworth to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR: Lois Larue commented on the following
items on the Consent Calendar: the adequacy of the closed session announcement
and the minutes of February 6, 1996. The City Clerk announced the removal two items
from the calendar: CDBG projects and the Purchase of the Radar Speed Board Trailer
at the request of Councilmembers Ferraro and Hollingsworth respectively. Councilman
Byrd moved, seconded by Councilman McTaggart 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.
Minutes (301)
Approved the minutes of January 16 and February 6, 1996.
ANNUAL STREET TREE TRIMMING -
FY 1995 -96 - LANDSCAPE WEST, INC. - (1204 X 1407)
Awarded the FY 1995 -96 Fiscal Year Annual Street Tree Trimming contract to
Landscape West, Inc. for $40,000 and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute
the contract documents.
RESOL. NO. 96 -08 - DRAINAGE FACILITY AT
PACIFIC UNITARIAN CHURCH (1204 X 604 )
(1) Authorized staff to obtain a title report for the property at 5621 Montemalaga for an
amount not to exceed $1,000; (2) Authorized staff to select a sole source consultant to
perform a damage assessment, make minor repairs, and prepare a drainage easement
for the storm drain at 5621 Montemalaga for an amount not to exceed $2,250; (3)
authorized staff to use the City's maintenance contractor, at the current contract rates,
to provide the necessary labor and materials to perform an investigation of the storm
drain and make minor repairs for an amount not to exceed $5,000; and (4) adopted
Resol. No. 96 -08 A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT TO THE CITY'S CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,250 FOR THE
INVESTIGATION, REPAIR, AND CONVEYANCE OF THE STORM DRAIN AT 5621
MONTEMALAGA TO THE CITY.
CLAIM AGAINST CITY - LOTHAR & MARGOT MAERTENS - (301 X 303)
Rejected the claim and directed the City Clerk to notify the claimants.
City Council Minutes
February 20, 1996
Page 2
CLAIM AGAINST CITY - ROBERT HILL (301 X 303)
Rejected the claim and directed the City Clerk to notify the claimant.
RESOL NO. 96 -09 - REGISTER OF DEMANDS
Adopted Resol. No. 96 -09.
The motion to approve the Consent Calendar carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: McTAGGART, BYRD, FERRARO, HOLLINGSWORTH &
MAYOR LYO N
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: HOLLINGSWORTH ON THE FEBRUARY 6 MINUTES.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
CODE AMENDMENT NO. 34 - AMENDMENTS TO
TITLES 16 & 17 - MUNICIPAL CODE (1203 X 1801)
Senior Planner Joel Rojas presented the staff memorandum of February 20 and the
following recommendations: (1)That Council proceed with the review of draft
Chapters 17.02, 17.04, 17.06, and 17.08 of the amended Development Code as
provided in the approved review schedule; and , (2) Continue consideration of the
amended Development Code to March 11, 1996.
Council then proceeded to review the sections as listed on Page 2 of the staff report
and made amendments and recommendations as indicated to the following sections
only:
Chapter 17.02 Single Family Residential Districts
Five bee hives allowed in all RS Districts except in RS.A.5 where 10 are allowed but
subject to staff review.
Chapter 17.02.040 View Preservation and restoration. Definition of Viewing Area:
agreed with the Planning Commission definition of the "one best and most important
view." Also, clarified that there should be a consistent definition for use by both the
View Restoration Commission and Planning Commission.
Chapter 17.02.040 A. 5. Removed the 50% open space credit for turf block driveways.
City Council Minutes
February 20, 1996
Page 3
Chapter 17.02.040 A. 6. Neiahborhood Character. Staff to add comment to identify
more specifically what this means. Also clarify "scale" to mean total square footage of
the whole house or the footprint. With regard to fees, clarify that there is a graduated
fee system for multiple permits against one offending tree. City Attorney to investigate
if we can have an absolute number of dwelling units that cannot be exceeded by a
proposed second unit.
Chapter 17.02.040. B. Regulations. City Attorney to prepare for Council review a
method for measurement of foliage for upslope lots.
Chapter 17.04. MultiDle- Family Residential (RM) districts. Staff instructed to insert a
phrase stating that the granting of one second story does not grant the right for
everybody to have a second story addition; that these are decisions were made on a
case -by -case basis.
Recess and Reconvene: At 8:28 P.M. the Council recessed to conduct the business
of the Redevelopment Agency. The meeting reconvened at 9:30 P.M. and Council
resumed discussion of the development code amendments.
Chapter 17.08 Home Occupations J. Limit to one outside employee. Also, staff to
develop wording specifying the definition of an outside employee and clarify the
regulations for delivery of bulk materials.
TRACT NO, 24423 - AMENDMENT NO. 1 - 5901 CLINT PLACE
(MASHOUF) (1411 X 1203)
Mayor Lyon announced that this was a continued public hearing from January 15,
1996.
Associate Planner Donna Jerex presented the staff report of February 20 and the
following recommendations: (1) Grant the applicant's request to continue this item to a
date certain to allow for additional discussion, including the applicant's participation in
the costs for future retaining walls. (2) Require the applicant to establish a Public
Works trust deposit to reimburse the City for future department costs associated with
this application.
The applicant, Mr. Al Mashouf, 5901 Clint Place, thanked the Council and staff for their
work on this matter and requested that the matter be continued to April 2.
Council requested that Mr. Mashouf consider a driveway that was no narrower than the
proposed code; also, staff was requested to assure that the residents along Mossbank
Drive be notified of potential change to the roadway easement and, that the property
City Council Minutes
February 20, 1996
Page 4
owner of the canyon also be notified.
It was the consensus to continue this matter to April 2.
RESOL. NO. 96 -10 - FEE FOR LANDSLIDE MORATORIUM
EXCEPTION PERMITS & ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUST
DEPOSIT BILLING SYSTEM FOR FINAL TRACT MAPS
(1203 X 1801)
Mayor Lyon opened the public hearing on adoption of fee for Landslide Moratorium
Exception Permits. The City Clerk announced that notice of the public hearing had
been duly published and that no written protests had been received by the City.
Director Bernard presented the staff report of February 20 and the recommendation to
adopt a resolution amending Resol. No. 92-68 (The City's fee Resolution) to: (1)
Establish a Fee for Landslide Moratorium Exception Permits; and, (2) Establish a Trust
Deposit Billing System for Final Tract Maps.
There being no response to the Mayor's call for public testimony, Councilman
McTaggart moved, seconded by Councilman Hollingsworth to close the public hearing.
Motion carried.
Resolution No. 96 -10 AMENDING RESOL. NO. 92-68 (THE CITY'S FEE
RESOLUTION) TO: (1) ESTABLISH A FEE FOR LANDSLIDE MORATORIUM
EXCEPTION PERMITS; AND, (2) ESTABLISH A TRUST DEPOSIT BILLING SYSTEM
FOR FINAL TRACT MAPS was introduced by title and adopted on motion of
Councilman McTaggart, seconded by Councilman Hollingsworth and carried.
FRIENDS OF FRIENDSHIP PARK (1101 X 1201)
Senior Analyst Rick Otto presented the staff report of February 20 and the following
recommendations: (1) Determine whether to contribute to the Friends of Friendship
Park in support of their efforts in challenging the County's approval of the development
of Friendship Park; and, (2) If the Council wished to contribute, adopt a Resolution
authorizing a budget amendment to the FY 1995 -96 budget for a specified amount of
funds.
Councilman McTaggart moved, seconded by Councilman Hollingsworth, to approve the
staff recommendation and ADOPT RESOL. NO. 96 -11 AMENDING RESOL. NO. 95 -501
THE BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 1995 -96, FOR A BUDGET
ADJUSTMENT TO PROVIDE FOR A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE FRIENDS
OF FRIENDSHIP PARK. The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
City Council Minutes
February 20, 1996
Page 5
Ayes: McTaggart, Byrd, Ferraro, Hollingsworth & Mayor Lyon
Noes: None
DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO THE
ENCROACHMENT PERMIT POLICY
(1203 X 1804)
Associate Planner Terry Silverman presented the staff report of February 20 and the
recommendation to adopt a policy statement regarding Encroachment Permits to
include guidelines for construction of observation booths and similar structures within
the City public right -of -way.
Council inquired whether there was a method to insure that the insurance coverage on
these encroachment permits was kept in force and if there was a requirement for a
minimum amount of coverage. Additionally, it was requested that the language defining
the ingress and egress lanes specifically indicate whether it would be one of two lanes
wide for both the entry and exit travel lanes.
It was the consensus that this policy be amended to reflect the aforementioned
concerns.
RESOL. NO. 96 -12 - PLANNING AGREEMENT - NATURAL COMMUNITIES
CONSERVATION PROGRAM (NCCP) (1203)
Associate Planner Terry Silverman presented the staff report of February 20 and the
recommendation to adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Planning
Agreement for the preparation of a Natural Communities Conservation Program
(NCCP) plan for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, in conjunction with the California
Department of Fish and Game and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Continuing with her report, Ms. Silverman said that this program benefits both the City
and developers by establishing a program for preserving habitat areas while balancing
the needs for development and growth in the community. This would be accomplished
by prioritizing the quality of the existing habitat, establishing important corridors to
maintain and /or enhance habitat areas which could be "taken" without jeopardizing the
success of the program. These planning efforts, she said, would result in the
combination of resources not only between private and public lands, but also across
jurisdictional boundaries. She said that the City is taking the lead in embarking on
this project not only by coordinating the preparation of the plan for the Palos Verdes
Peninsula but also by being the first to enter into the agreement with the resource
agencies; this, it was felt might encourage other local agencies to follow suit and also
participate. Because the majority of the species and habitat areas are found in this City
City Council Minutes
February 20, 1996
Page 6
she said that our participation is supported by the resource agencies; however, if other
local agencies joined, this would lead to a more cohesive program.
Council discussion focused on the following concerns: what funds would be used to
pay for this participation; if there would be some matching funds from State agencies; if
the City of Rolling Hills Estates would be participating; and, if there was data to
support how much acreage it takes to support one pair of gnatcatcher. Additional
discussion clarified how this program would benefit both the City and future developers
and also that this plan has to show restoration of what would be disturbed during
development of a site. It was noted that both the State Department of Fish & Game and
the United States Fish & Wildlife Service are encouraging participation in this plan.
Continuing, Council expressed additional concerns: how the City could be reimbursed
by developers for associated costs especially if it could be proven that there was a
direct connection between a project and habitat restoration /mitigation; the effect of
surrounding cities not participating; the number of species that would in reality be
saved; and, the practicality of how this whole plan will work on a state -wide basis.
Richard Bara, 1 Peppertree Lane, spoke in favor of this plan and explained how it
would accommodate the restoration of endangered flora and flora. He offered his
suggestion of replacing everything destroyed by development to be replaced tenfold.
Lois Larue reported that Councilwoman McGuire in the City of Rolling Hills Estates was
in favor of this program.
Councilman Byrd moved, seconded by Councilman McTaggart to approve the staff
recommendation but require that staff report on a quarterly basis what the rest of the
state is doing about this program; and, adopt RESOL. NO. 96 -12 DIRECTING THE
MAYOR TO EXECUTE A PLANNING AGREEMENT FOR THE PREPARATION OF A
NATURAL COMMUNITIES CONSERVATION PROGRAM (NCCP) PLAN FOR THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME AND THE UNITED STATES FISH AND
WILDLIFE SERVICE.
Additional discussion continued wherein concern was again expressed for the cost as
well as the fact that this seemed to be an open -ended expensive program whose
benefits were questionable. The suggestion was made that perhaps we could
participate at a lower level and that a part -time student could be hired to help staff with
this project.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
City Council Minutes
February 20, 1996
Page 7
Ayes: MCTaggart, Byrd & Ferraro
Noes: Hollingsworth & Mayor Lyon
Recess and Reconvene: At 11:02 P. M. Mayor Lyon declared a recess; the meeting
reconvened at 11:15 P. M.
BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETINGS (346 X 1101)
Senior Analyst Rick Otto presented the staff report of February 20 and the following
recommendations: (1) select a date in mid -March for the Council budget policy issues
workshop. (2) Select two dates in late April /early May for the City Council budget
review workshops.
It was the consensus to hold a Policy Issue Workshop on Thursday, March 14, 1996
and the Redevelopment Agency Workshop on Saturday, March 16.
Because of the lateness of the hour, it was the consensus to postpone discussion of
the remainder of the agenda to the next Council meeting on March 11, 1996.
Report on Closed Session: City Attorney Lynch reported that no action was taken by
the City Council regarding the two items listed on the agenda, which were: (1) to confer
with and give directions to the City's negotiators, the City Manager and the City
Attorney, regarding negotiations with the representatives of Palos Verdes Land
Holdings Company with respect to the possible purchase by the City of approximately
75 acres in the northeast corner of the Palos Verdes Land Holdings' properties located
in the Portuguese Bend area of the City, landward of Palos Verdes Drive South; and (2)
to conver with and give direction to the City's designated representative, the City
Manager, in connection with negotiations between the City and its unrepresented
employees (all classifications) concerning salaries and benefits.
ADJOURNMENT: AT 11:30 P.M. Council adjourned on motion of Councilman
MCTaggart.
ATTEST:
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City Council Minutes
February 20, 1996
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