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CC MINS 19920421M I N U T E S RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING APRIL 21, 1992 The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. by Mayor McTaggart at the Hesse Park Community Center, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. The Council immediately adjourned to a closed session. The regular meeting was called to order at 7:10 P.M. by Mayor McTaggart. Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, roll call was answered as follows. PRESENT: BROOKS, RYAN, KUYKENDALL, BACHARACH AND MAYOR McTAGGART Also present were City Manager Paul Bussey, Deputy City Manager Mark Rohloff, Assistant to the City Manager Pamela Antil, Acting Environmental Services Director Carolynn Petru, Public Works Director Catherine Reed, Finance Officer Brent Mattingly, City Attorney Carol Lynch, Recreation and Parks Director Mary Thomas and City Clerk Jo Purcell. Mayor McTaggart announced that the meeting would be adjourned in honor of Jim Wike who died this past week. CLOSED SESSION City Attorney Lynch reported that the Council met in closed session to discuss personnel matters. No litigation was discussed. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was modified to add the following: PV Transit Operating Hours (Bacharach) . Closure of Service Stations (Brooks) , and Present use of Ark Gardens (Brooks). Councilman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks and carried to approve the amended agenda. CONSENT CALENDAR The consent calendar was modified with the removal of the item regarding public employees retirement system (PERS) management employee contributions to be discussed prior to the public hearing. The Long Range Transportation Plan for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes was removed and continued to the May 5, 1992 meeting. The consent calendar was then approved as follows on motion of Councilwoman Brooks, seconded by Councilman Ryan. Adopted a motion to waive full reading of all ordinances and resolutions adopted at the meeting with consent to the waiver of reading deemed to be given by all councilmembers after the reading of the title. RESOLUTION NO. 92 -34 - APPROVAL OF MISCELLANEOUS BUDGET APPROPRIATION ( 6 0 2 X 1201 X 101 X 901 X 1101 X 12 0 2) The following adjustments were made to the 1991 -92 City budget: (1) Increased the budgeted revenue and appropriations in the El Prado Fund by $675. (2) Increased the budgeted revenue in the Air Quality Mgmt. Plan Fund by $16,000. (3) Authorized a transfer of the budgeted revenue of $4,000 and budgeted appropriations of $9,700 from Maint. Dist. #2 Fund to Maint Dist. #1 Fund to distribute the consolidated budget. (4) Authorized a transfer of $5,000 from the Public Information Dept. to the City Council Dept. to fund meeting and conference expenses. (5) Authorized a transfer of $2.,000 from the City Manager Dept. to the Personnel Dept, for additional expenses related to the recruitment of the two department head positions. (6) Authorized an increase in the appropriation for salaries and benefits in the Solid Waste Fund by $3,500 for staff time anticipated for AB939 projects. Adopted RESOLUTION NO, 92 -34 OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 91 -33, THE BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 1991 -92, RESOLUTION NO. 92-35 - VACATION OF THE PEDESTRIAN TRAIL ALONG PASEO DE PINO AND PASEO DE CASTANA (450 X 1408) Adopted RESOLUTION NO. 92 -35 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO VACATE THE PEDESTRIAN EASEMENT ALONG PASEO DE PING AND PASEO DE CASTANA WITHIN TRACT 33206. RESOLUTION NO. 92 -36 - REGISTER OF DEMANDS Adopted RESOLUTION NO. 92 -36 ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING FUNDS FROM WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID. RESOLUTION NO. 92 -37 CANVASS OF APRIL 14, 1992 ELECTION RESULTS (501) Adopted RESOLUTION NO. 92 -37 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, RECITING THE FACT OF THE SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON APRIL 14, 1992, DECLARING THE RESULTS AND SUCH -OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW. 2 APRIL 21, 1992 The motion to approve the consent calendar carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: BROOKS, RYAN, KUYKENDALL, BACHARACH AND MAYOR McTAGGART NOES: NONE EXCEPTION: COUNCILWOMAN BACHARACH VOTED NO ON RESOL. 92 -34 PV TRANSIT HOURS OF OPERATION (1505) City Manager Bussey explained that the item of reducing the hours for PV Transit was not published on the Joint Powers Authorities Agenda and consequently at the meeting held last week the Authority was unable to take any action reducing the hours of operation. He explained that the item would be placed on the Authority's next agenda for action. Councilman Kuykendall explained the budget status for the JPA and how the Authority would have a $100,000 deficit for the remainder of the fiscal year if hours of operation were to continue at current levels. He explained that PV Transit cost $60,000 - $70,000 per month to operate; that some cities would have to use their general fund to support the transit if they were to continue operating at current levels; consequently, the board felt that it was necessary to take some action to balance their budget. He reported that a public hearing had been scheduled to discuss the fare increase and that the Board is also considering requesting more funding from the LACTC . DeWitt Kirk, 4335 Exultant, a member of the now inactive Transit Advisory Committee, complained that the committee was never given any budget inf ormation f or Prop "A" funds and inquired if Prop "A" funds would be used to balance the City's budget. Edith Mayerson, President of the Peninsula Seniors and representing the League of Women Voters, said that one of the biggest needs on the Peninsula is transportation for the seniors and requested that the seniors have some input into what is going on with PV Transit. Marion Smith, 3477 Newr idge , stated that she doesn't know when the Authority's meetings are being held and requested that they be scheduled at a time convenient for working people. She also suggested that the City resume publication of the Newsletter to improve communications between the City Council and the residents. Council announced that the hours of service for PV Transit would be discussed at a meeting on April 29th at 4:30 P.M. at Rolling Hills Estates City Hall. Also, that the rate increase would be discussed 3 APRIL 21, 1992 at a May 13th meeting scheduled to start at 8:00 A.M. also at the Rolling Hills Estates City Hall, RESOLUTION NO. 92 -38 SALARY RANGE FOR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS AND RESOLUTION NO. 92 -39 AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 91 -48 (MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEE PERSONNEL RULES) (12 02 ) Assistant to the City Manager Pamela Antil presented the staff memorandum of April 21st and the following recommendations. (1) Adopt a resolution amending Resolution No. 91 -35 adopting certain salary ranges for full -time employees to establish a salary range for the recently created position of Director of Public Works and to delete duplicate language regarding contributions to the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) , (2) Adopt a resolution amending Resolution No. 91 -48 establishing the Management employee Personnel Rules changing the City's schedule for paying management employees' portions of the PERS contribution. RESOLUTION NO. 92 -38 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 91 -35 ADOPTING CERTAIN SALARY RANGES FOR FULL -TIME EMPLOYEES was presented by title and adopted on motion of Councilman Kuykendall, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks and carried. RESOLUTION NO. 92 -39 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING RESOLUTION NO, 91 -48 ESTABLISHING THE MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEE PERSONNEL RULES was presented by title and adopted on motion of Councilwoman Brooks, seconded by Councilman Kuykendall and carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS: SEARAVEN DRIVE - REVISIONS TO VACATION (1408) Assistant Director of Public Works Kevin Smith presented the staff memorandum of April 21st and the following recommendations. (1) Confirm existing conditions of vacation, or (2) Establish new conditions of vacations. Speaking in support of this vacation were the following: Applicants Dr, Tony Rubino, and Sam Rubino, 32507 Searaven Dr.; James Bowman, 32338 Searaven Drive; Frank Bott, 32325 Searaven Dr.; George Fink, 32353 Searaven Dr.; Sandra Worsham, 58320 Ocean Terrace; Richard Motz, 32413 Searaven Dr.; Steven M. MacNamara, 3519 Heroic Dr. In their statements of support these speakers stressed the nuisance created to the adjacent homeowners as a result of installation of the pedestrian path; expressed concern about the level of maintenance and the cost for that maintenance; cited the trespassing that takes place onto the private property; and expressed concern about the loss of privacy experienced by the adjacent property owners because of the public use of the area; The Rubinos distributed pictures of the area which reflected the 4 APRIL 21, 1992 lack of maintenance, and presented a petition signed by 198 residents of the Ladera Linda tract and 20 residents of the Seacliff Hills Homeowners. Valerie Triblehorn, 3578 Heroic Dr., the other property owner affected by this vacation, requested an update on the status of the deposit that she had made with the City and also requested that when moving the fire hydrant that it not be put on their side of the street. Sunshine, 6 Limetree, suggested that this area be held open and not be developed. Council then requested clarification for the charge for moving the water main for the Rubionos; if this cost could be protested to the Water Company; and, the status of the money on deposit by the Rubinos and Ms. Triblehorn. Councilman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks to direct staff to prepare a resolution with the following conditions: (1) that all existing hardscape be removed; (2) that new curb, gutter and sidewalk be installed along a smooth transition from Heroic to Searaven; and, (3) that the slope drain be routed to the new curb and gutter alignment. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES. BROOKS, RYAN, KUYKENDALL, AND MAYOR McTAGGART NOES: BACHARACH Mayor McTaggart moved, seconded by Councilwoman Bacharach that a letter be written to the California Water Company requesting a cost breakdown for the work being done for the Rubinos and objecting to them not being given any cost breakdowns and being required to pay in advance. The motion carried unanimously. VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT NO. 49067 - TRANSAMERICA (1411) The Mayor declared the hearing open and the City Clerk reported that notice had been duly given. Assistant Planner Fabio de Freitas presented the staff memorandum of April 21st and the recommendation to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration for Environmental Assessment No. 600, approve Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 49067, and deny the appeals of Conditional Use Permit No. 154, Coastal Permit No, 95, Grading No. 1420, and Variance No. 297, thereby upholding the Planning Commission's approval with conditions of these applications. Mr. de Freitas proceeded to summarize the staff memorandum as follows: On April 19, 1991, Transamerica Realty Services submitted an application package to develop a residential planned development with 15 single family residential lots and 3 common area open space 5 APRIL 21, 1992 lots on an 18.33 acre vacant site located within the Portuguese Bend Club. Upon submittal of supplemental materials, the applications were deemed complete on July 19, 1991. The initial study prepared in conjunction with Environmental Assessment No. 600 indicated that the project might produce significant adverse environmental impacts. However, it was the City's determination that by adopting mitigation measures and conditions of approval, the significant impacts could be eliminated or reduced below a level of significance. A Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared and circulated for thirty days as required by CEQA during which time no public comments were received. Mr. de Freitas went on to say that the project before the Council at this meeting was the result of several modifications made by the developer in the course of Planning Commission review. The proposal know as Plan C involved 14 total lots, 10 of which are for single family residential purposes, and the remaining 4 lots would serve as common area open space lots. The middle 8 residential lots were approved at two stories and a total of 5,000 sq, ft., while the two end lots, lot 1 (a split level lot) and lot 10 (a flat pad with a single story height limitation) had been approved to accommodate a 6,000 sq. ft. structure. The project involved 39.,000 yards of cut and 18,,000 cubic yards of fill, theref ore 21,000 cubic yards of earth would be exported from the site. The project, as originally proposed involved a balanced site in terms of grading, but as the project has evolved to mitigate the view impairment issue, the amount of grading had been adjusted accordingly for the lower pads. The remaining improvements included with the project were the realignment of Yacht Harbor Drive and new drainage and utility facilities. He stated that staff would provide a more detailed description of Plan C upon request from Council. Continuing with his report, Mr. de Freitas stated that Mr. Gar Goodson, representing the Save Our Coastline 2000 organization, filed the initial appeal of the Planning Commission's decisions on March 16, 1992. A self appeal was filed by the applicant on March 23, 19 9 2 and finally, Mr . Sharkey filed a third appeal on March 27, 1992. All of the concerns raised by Mr. Goodson and Mr. Sharkey had been previously addressed by the Planning Commission except for the archeological issue and low - moderate income housing issue. With regard to Mr. Goodson' s contention that no attention had been given to the archeological resources on the property, the applicant had an archaeological survey team perform a field and records search of the subject property that yielded no evidence of the presence of significant historic or prehistoric cultural resources. A standard condition of approval had been imposed on the project requiring a professional archaeologist on site to monitor the earth movement operations. With regard to Mr. Sharkey's contention that the 6 APRIL 21, 1992 project should result in the provision for low- moderate housing, that reference was to an invalid policy of the Design Guidelines for Subregion 1 and 7. Mr. de Freitas stated that staff would provide the Council with further information regarding these matters upon request. The applicant appealed the Commission's livable area limits of 51000 & 6,000 sq. ft. The Commission felt that homes in this range along with other approved development guidelines for the tract, would result in homes that would be compatible with the surrounding area. The applicant was now seeking to enlarge the footprints of the 10 residential structures. Staff was now asking for direction from the Council on this matter. Concluding his report, Mr. de Freitas said that the applicant had also appealed the Commission's decision on the designation of lot 14 as a common area open space lot and was now proposing to modify the configuration of residential lot no. 1 to include a portion of lot 14 for passive, private recreational use. Staff at this time was also seeking direction from the Council regarding this matter. Council inquiries on this project centered on the timeline for the removal of the fence along the Transamerica property on Palos Verdes Dr. South; and if the design standards should become part of the conditional use permit resolution. (At this point in the discussion Councilmembers Bacharach, Brooks and Kuykendall and Ryan reported that they had met with representatives of Transamerica and discussed this project.) Council resumed its inquiry into the conditions of this tentative tract: if parking on lot 12 was a condition of approval; what happened in the event the applicant wanted to change the location of the parking lot, and if energy conservation methods had been incorporated into the conditions of approval. At 8:55 P.M. the Mayor declared a brief recess. The meeting reconvened at 9:05 P.M. Speaking for the property owner and as an appellant was Lyman Lokken, 1150 South Olive St., Los Angeles, who gave a brief overview of the process that his company has followed in getting Planning Commission approval for the project: that they appeared before the Planning Commission on five occasions between November 12, 1991, and March 4, 1992 and that they approved the project and sent it to Council with their recommendations and conditions of approval. He cited the reasons for larger homes as follows: (1) The change from Plan B to Plan C eliminated one lot: (2) That this was a custom lot development and not a tract. (3) That they have 7 APRIL 21, 1992 prepared extensive, voluntary, self- imposed "Special Rules" that cover architectural style, building materials and modulation of the houses, Courtyards of 600 square feet for all of the lots and an additional 900 sq. feet courtyard for the two end lots were recently added to these rules. Furthermore, most of the custom houses will be more than 100 feet away from Palos Verdes Drive South, (4) All setbacks exceed code. Subject to staff review, Mr. Lokken requested that the Council use the latest version of the rules dated April 13, 1992 and not March 12, 1992 that were included in the staff report. Accordingly, he requested the following revision in liveable house size; (a) End lots: #1 & #10 increase first floor by 500 sq . feet from 6,000 sq. feet to 6,500 sq . feet.. (b) Middle 8 lots: Add 300 sq . feet to the first floor of each; from 5,000 sq . feet to 5,300 sq . feet, ( No change for the second floor size of 2,000 sq. feet. (d) the houses would now be about 42' wide vs. 41' to 45' in Portuguese Bend Club. He requested that 25,600 sq . feet of Lot #14 be annexed to Lot 1 to create a 47,500 sq. feet lot. The 25,600 sq. feet will be restricted by recorded covenant to passive private recreational uses. Permanent structures such as a house, tennis court, the pool would be excluded. Even with this change there would still be 72% common open space land provided within the tract boundaries. He went on to say that since starting this project f ive years ago company representatives have appeared at numerous public hearings and met with the three homeowners groups in this area. He stated that he believed that the development merits Council approval,, with the changes he mentioned. At the conclusion of Mr. Lokken's presentation, Council expressed concern about his request for larger homes; inquired if the location of the groundwater monitoring wells and the design of the wells was adequate and if there would be access to them from Palos Verdes Dr. South; and, inquired of the applicants reason for requesting end lot #1 be enlarged. With the use of an artist's drawing of the various designs of the homes, Leann Kirby and Bruce Arita, representatives of Transamerica, explained the rationale in using a courtyard design for these homes. Appellant Gar Goodson, 1709 Via Zurita, Palos Verdes Estates, and representing Save Our Coastline 2000, expressed his concern for the need for an EIR and presented a prepared statement dated March 12, 1992 which urged the City Council to reject the negative declaration filed on this project and insist upon the completion of a detailed and exhaustive environmental impact report. Mr. Goodson's letter went on to cite resource management factors which would make the property subject to an EIR . Those factors included. RM -1 Seacliff Erosion; RM -2 Extreme Slope; RM -3 High Slope; RM -4 Active Landslide; RM -5 Old Landslide Area; R -M6 Hydrologic Factors; 8 APRIL 21, 1992 RM -7 Marine Resource; RM -8 Wildlife Habitat. (Mr. Goodson's letter is on file with the City Clerk's Office.) Appellant John Sharkey, 30320 Avenida de Calma, presented a prepared statement which declared that he was appealing this project on the basis that it lacked an EIR and that the Negative Declaration was in violation of the City's General Plan and CEQA. Mr. Sharkey's letter cited the geologic nature of the surrounding property and questioned whether it was stable enough to support development. His statement went on to question if there was adequate coastal access provided in this region of the coast; whether this project was compatible with the neighborhood; if view impairment was a problem and if substantial changes would be made in the topography. (Mr. Sharkey's letter is on file with the City Clerk's Office.) Jack Jones, 4225 Palos Verdes Dr. South, spoke in support of this project. He cited the responsiveness of the developer to meet with concerned neighbors. J.J.D. McLaren, 3925 Palos Verdes Dr. South, questioned whether this development followed the plans of the City and if the dewatering wells were necessary. John McCarthy, 105 Spindrift, representing the Portuguese Bend Homeowners Assoc., told the Council that the Association was not aware of this appeal. He described the negotiation process that the association went through to purchase their property from Transamerica. He said that the Association was concerned about the condition of the 24 inch outlet pipe and the fact that it did not function correctly during the last storm. Representing Transamerica was their Civil Engineer Ronald Kendrick, 616 West Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, who described the process that the design of the drainage would go through when that phase of the project is being developed. He went on to explain the existing drainage course and hydrology of the area and how the proposed drainage would mitigate any problems in that area. Responding to the Council's inquiry about the necessity of an EIR, City Attorney Lynch explained that the contention of Appellants Sharkey and Goodson that the City's General Plan required an Environmental Impact Report be prepared for this project was incorrect. The General Plan glossary defined "Environmental Impact Report" (at page 249) as: "A document which discusses the impact that a particular development will have on the surrounding environment." Policy Number 16 of the General Plan requires "all projects with any natural resource management district factors falling within their project boundaries to deal with these areas in an Environmental Impact Report ". Staff interpreted policy No. 16 in light of the definition in the 9 APRIL 21, 1992 General Plan glossary to require an environmental assessment of a project, which is comprised of an initial study and either a negative declaration or an environmental impact report. That interpretation was consistent with the definition of environmental impact report set forth in the General Plan and also complied with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Code of Regulations which implements CEQA. Ms. Lynch went on to say that Section 15162 of the California Code of Regulations states that an EIR is required only when "there is substantial evidence that a project may have a significant effect on the environment." (Section 15064) That determination is to be based, to the extent possible, "on scientific and factual data." Therefore, she said, unsupported assertions did not provide the factual basis for requiring an EIR. Moreover! Section 15063 stated that one of the purposes of an initial study is to "eliminate unnecessary EIRs." Accordingly, CEQA recognizes that an EIR is not necessary in every instance, and that unnecessary EIRs should be eliminated. Ms. Lynch said that the appellants' interpretation of Policy No. 16 on Page 44 of the General Plan could lead to absurd results. For example, if someone wished to add a very small addition to their home, such as 200 square feet, and their home happened to be located in one of the resource management districts, according to appellants, an EIR would be required. Obviously such a result would fly in the face of CEQA because there would be no substantial evidence that such a project would have a significant effect on the environment. With regard to this application, Ms. Lynch said that the record demonstrated that there is no substantial evidence that the project would have a significant affect on the environment. In -depth geologic studies were performed on the site, which she said would be discussed by Ms. Petru. Furthermore, because the site was regularly disked, as noted by Councilman Ryan, the sensitive biologic habitat which otherwise might have existed had been eliminated. For these reasons, Staff had determined that there was no substantial evidence in the record demonstrating that the project would have a significant effect on the environment. Accordingly, staff required a negative declaration rather than an environmental impact report for the Transamerica project. Acting Environmental Services Director Petru, gave a brief overview of the geology done in this project area: the applicant had performed extensive geologic investigation on the subject property since 1986. All of the accumulated geotechnical information had been reviewed by Dr. Perry Ehlig and a Geotechnical Review Board. In November of 1988, Dr. Ehlig confirmed the Geotechnical Review Board's findings and found that the proposed development was geotechnically feasible. 10 APRIL 21, 1992 Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Kuykendall to close the public hearing. The motion carried. Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Ryan to deny the appeals, approve the project as approved by the Planning Commission; and, require that the drain line be designed to the satisfaction of the Public Works Dept. The motion carried unanimously. With regard to the "Special rules governing the processing of the residents within Tract No, 49067" Councilwoman Bacharach moved to adopt Conditions W.1 and W.3 (Design Guidelines) and include the condition that the Architectural Committee be able to modify any associated fees with respect to the PBC's A.C. review process and that the City not get involved with the details. The motion died for a lack of a second. AUDIENCE COMMENTS: Responding to the Mayor's call for audience comments for items not on the agenda were the following: Elizabeth Kelly, 6611 Vallon Dr., who inquired about the adequacy of the City's charges to developers and whether they were sufficiently high. Roy Fulwider, 28219 Hazelridge, expressed his objection to the expenditure of funds on the beautification of Granvia Altamira, Peter Glusac, 6456 Via de Anzar, inquired about the possibility of getting the City's help to solve the parking problem around Peninsula High School. School Board Member Barry Hildebrand, told the Council that he will pursue this matter with the principal of Peninsula High School to insure that the car pooling is being enforced as well as the local exemption on parking permits. J.J.D. McLaren, 3923 Palos Verdes Dr. South, stated several questions regarding the Planning Commission. MIRALESTE SWIMMING POOL COST OF PROGRAM (1201) City Manager Bussey presented the April 15th memorandum and the recommendation to request the Palos Verdes Unified School District Board to waive the District's fixed costs associated with City use of the Miraleste swimming pool. Speaking to this item was School Board Member Barry Hildebrand, 3560 Vigilance Dr., who summarized his recollection of a meeting with members of the City Council and School District Representative John White. At that meeting it was the consensus that the City would contact other organizations to determine the level of interest in sponsoring the summer swim program at Miraleste. 11 APRIL 21, 1992 Recreation and Parks Director Thomas explained that the staff had contacted Marymount College, the San Pedro YMCA and the American Red Cross, Ms. Thomas stated that due to the budget process for these organizations that there was no interest in getting involved in the swim program at this time. A lengthy Council discussion then followed about whether the City could really afford this level of support for this program; if a citizen's group could be formed to increase the participation in the program; the lead time necessary to hire the personnel necessary to conduct the program; and, if the School District would be willing to split the difference in the cost of operating the pool for this program. Councilwoman Bacharach moved to terminate this swim program and request that the School Sub - committee meet with the Palos Verdes Unified School District and discuss getting use of the pool at a reduced cost; that the City get involved insofar as liability coverage is concerned; that the community be asked to come up with a budget to satisfy the deficit; and, that the community develop some kind of a program by the next meeting. The motion died for lack of second. Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Mayor McTaggart that pending approval of a least $5,000 from the Palos Verdes Unified School Dist. in reduced costs that the program move ahead. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: BROOKS, RYAN, AND MAYOR McTAGGART NOES: KUYKENDALL AND BACHARACH BENEFIT ASSESSMENT DISTRICT (901) City Manager Bussey presented the staff memorandum of April 16th and the recommendation to consider the establishment of a 1972 Act Lighting and Landscaping district for maintenance of park landscaping, median maintenance, traffic signal maintenance and other related public facilities. Councilman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Kuykendall to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion carried unanimously. John Sharkey, 30320 Avenida de Calma, stated his objection to the formation of this assessment district. It was the consensus that the Mayor and the City Manager would prepare a schedule of the public meetings that would be held to explain this process to the residents. FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION (1201) City Manager Bussey presented the staff memorandum of April 17th 12 APRIL 21, 1992 and the recommendation that the City not hold a Fourth of July celebration this.year. He went on to explain that traditionally this event required a City subsidy and because of staff cutbacks it was more difficult to devote adequate time to the event. The projected net subsidy was $7,554, and to -date 95 hours of staff time has been spent on the pre - planning. Councilman Kuykendall moved, seconded by Councilman Ryan to hold a July Fourth celebration and that the event be turned over to an outside vendor with a net cost to the City not to exceed $2,500; and, that the City look at doing this on a permanent basis. Motion carried unanimously. A brief discussion then ensued and concern was expressed whether there was adequate time to get a vendor to handle this project and prepare it in time for the July Fourth date; what would happen in the case that a vendor could not go ahead with this program; and, if it was possible to combine one of the summer concerts with the July Fourth celebration. Councilman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Kuykendall and carried that if necessary staff should bring back some data to the Council on the vendor's availability and that the item be placed on the May 4th work session agenda. ORDINANCE NO. 280 - ADOPTION OF REVISED BUILDING CODES ( 2 01 x 1203) Acting Director Petru presented the staff memorandum and the recommendation of April 21st as follows: (1) Adopt the 1991 Uniform Building Code as amended. (2) Adopt the 1991 Uniform Plumbing Code as amended. (3) Adopt the 1991 Uniform Mechanical Code as amended. (4 ) Adopt the 1990 National Electrical Code as amended. ( 5 ) Adopt the 1991 Uniform Administrative Code as amended. (6) Adopt the 1991 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings. (7) Adopt the 1991 Uniform Housing Code. ORDINANCE NO. 280 OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE, UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE, UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE, UNIFORM HOUSING CODE, UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, UNIFORM CODE FOR THE ABATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS BUILDINGS, 1991 EDITIONS, AND NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 1990 EDITION AND MAKING AMENDMENTS TO SAID CODES AND AMENDING THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE was presented by title and introduced and set for public hearing on May 19, 1992 on motion of Councilman Ryan, seconded by Councilman Kuykendall and carried. LANDSLIDE MORATORIUM EXCEPTION NO. 1 - 48 SEAWALL LANE (1801) Assistant Planner Kimberly Klopfenstein, presented the staff memorandum of April 21st and the recommendation to deny this request for an exception for the remodel and addition of 1,173 square feet to the structure. 13 APRIL 21, 1992 Representing the applicant was their architect Richard M. Linde, 2200 Ampola Ct., who summarized the changes that they were now willing to make to this project. In light of the extent of the changes the City Attorney opined that the City Council could deny this application without prejudice and that she did not think it was advisable to approve this project without having seen any plans of the changes. Councilman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Kuykendall to deny this application without prejudice. Motion carried. STATUS OF DIRECTIVES: Peninsula -Wide Park & Recreation System (12011 The City Manager presented the staff memorandum of April 20th and the recommendation that each Peninsula City Council appoint a subcommittee to begin formal discussions regarding formation of a Peninsula -wide recreation and park system. Councilman Kuykendall moved, seconded by Councilman Ryan to approve the staff recommendation. The motion carried unanimously. CLOSURE OF SERVICE STATIONS Mayor Pro Tem Brooks cited her concern for the announced closing of several stations on the Peninsula including stations in Rancho Palos Verdes. She stated that this limited the availability for residents to conveniently obtain auto service and places an economic hardship on the local operators. In addition, the City may lose needed sales tax revenues as a result of these closings. She requested that the City Council consider the ordinance that was recently adopted by the City of San Francisco which required that whenever a gas station is closed by a major oil company that the owner of the property not be allowed to change the use of the property to a different type of use without first applying for and receiving a Conditional Use Authorization. Council discussion then focused on getting the support of organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and perhaps the Coordinating Council to convey the City's concern about this trend. Councilman Kuykendall moved, seconded by Councilman Ryan and carried to request that the City Attorney investigate this San Francisco ordinance and prepare a report for the Council; also, that the City Manager prepare a press release to the major newspapers and service organizations in the City stating the City's concern about this problem and request their support. ARK GARDENS - CURRENT USE 14 APRIL 21, 1992 Mayor Pro Tem Brooks expressed her concern about the condition and the current usage of the location known as the Ark Gardens. She described what appeared to be a auto repair station in what used to be a nursery location. It was the consensus that staff would follow up on this matter to determine if there has been a code violation. LETTER TO CONGRESSMAN ROHRABACHER Councilman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks to send a letter to Congressman Rohrabacher thanking him for his help on behalf of the City and for the special attention given to the RDA problems. Motion carried unanimously. LONG RANGE FINANCE COMMITTEE (602) Councilman Kuykendall moved, seconded by Mayor McTaggart that the City go ahead with the creation of this Long Range Finance Committee even though the Parcel Tax failed. The motion carried unanimously. It was the consensus that staff would start the recruitment process for this committee. ADJOURNMENT: At 1:15 A . M . the City Council adjourned to 7:00 P . M . on Monday, May 41 1992 for a worksession to discuss the MSI retort. 'IrPTESTI TY LERK 192MIN 15 APRIL 21, 1992