CC MINS 19770315 MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
March 15, 1977
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 P.M. by Mayor Buerk at the Palos Verdes Unified
School District Building, 30942 Hawthorne Boulevard. Following the Pledge of Allegiance
to the flag, roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: COUNCILMEN: Ruth, Ryan, Dyda and Mayor Buerk
ABSENT: COUNCILMEN: None
Also present were City Manager Leonard Wood, City Attorney Patrick Coughlan, Administrative
Assistant Trish Hanelin, Director of Planning Sharon W. Hightower, Director of Public Works
Dennis Pikus, Community Services Officer Tom Bandy, Administrative Services Officer George
Wunderlin and Deputy City Clerk Mary Jo Lof thus.
AUDIENCE QUESTIONS Mr. Tom Hollingsworth, 3648 Vigilance, requested
the Council to clarify the development of the
coastal area. Council informed Mr. Hollingsworth of the intended development as outlined
in the recently published Coastal Specific Plan. Council noted that there would be
public hearings on the adoption of this plan.
Mr. Frank Macak, 28066 Lobrook Drive, reported back to the Council on the two homes that
he had previously cited as being in violation of the code height restrictions. One of
the houses had been brought in conformance with the code, however, the other house he
felt was in violation.
Direction Hightower stated that the house had been checked by the County and was found
not to be in violation.
Mr. George Shaw, 28101 Lobrook Drive, questioned the process by which the grade of lots is
determined: he requested that new constructions be more compatible with existing structures
After Council discussion on how to establish a permanent benchmark in dealing with the
grade of lots, Councilman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Dyda, and carried, to have
staff come up with suggestions on improvements and to give a report on the details of
the two parcels in question.
Mr. Jan Sikola, 7369 Berryhill Drive, told the Council that since the Cable TV Company and
the Telephone Company had completed their work along Palos Verdes Drive East, the resulting
patching of the road along that area was causing vibrations in his home. The Director of
Public Works stated that Hood Construction Company would be out to repatch those sections
of the street, and if that didn't correct the problem, then the whole area would be re-done.
On motion of Councilman Ryan, seconded by Councilman Dyda, and carried, it was moved that
the Public Works Department would take up the matter of this repair with dispatch.
III APPROVAL OF AGENDA: On motion of Councilman Ryan, seconded by Council-
man Dyda, and carried, the Agenda was approved
as amended, adding discussion of: definition of
two story house; public hearings on Coastal Specific Plan; City building inspectors; Palos
Verdes High School Chamber Choral; Nike Site model; Rolling Hills Estates Master Plan for
Peninsula Center; letter from Mediterranean Homeowners' Association; Rolling Hills Estates
hearing on the CUP for disposal facilities; and League of California Cities headquarters
building assessment.
Councilman Dyda requested that Item No. 3, Sewer Agreement with Palos Verdes Estates, be
removed from the Consent Calendar.
595
WAIVER OF FULL READING OF Councilman Dyda moved, seconded by Councilman
ORDINANCES AND- RESOLUTIONS Ryan, and carried, to waive further reading in
full of all ordinances and resolutions adopted
at this meeting with consent to the waiver of reading to be deemed to be given by
all Council members after the reading of the title, unless specific request was made at
that time for the reading of such ordinances or resolutions.
CONSENT CALENDAR On motion of Councilman Dyda, seconded by
Councilman Ryan, and carried, the Consent
Calendar was approved as follows:
MINUTES Approved as presented, the minutes of the
Council meeting of February 15, 1977. The
Minutes of the March 1, 1977 Council Meeting were corrected to read: "On roll call vote
for the removal of the barrels and barrier:"
FINAL PARCEL MAP NO. 3670 Approved Final Parcel Map No. 3760 located
(PARCEL 1 & 2) west of Crest Road and north of Ganado Drive
(1412) (Parcel 1) , and south of the City of Rolling
Hills to the shoreline (Parcel 2) .
RESOLUTION NO. 77-16 Adopted RESOLUTION NO. 77-16 - A RESOLUTION
ESTIMATE OF ASSESSED VALUATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
(1501) PALOS VERDES REQUESTING THE ESTIMATE OF CITY
ASSESSED VALUATION FROM THE COUNTY ASSESSOR.
SEWER AGREEMENT WITH THE After the Director of Public Works clarified
CITY OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES the terms of the Sewer Agreement with the
(1402) City of Palos Verdes Estates, it was moved
by Councilman Dyda, seconded by Councilman
Ruth, and carried, to adopt the Agreement with the City of Palos Verdes Estates.
There being no objection, Mayor Buerk so ordered.
RESOLUTION NO. 77-17 The Director of Planning summarized the
AMENDMENT OF FEES CHARGED analysis that was presented to the Council
UNDER THE DEVELOPMENT CODE at the meeting of March 1, 1977. She cited
(1801) that in accordance with Council instruction,
the 20% charge for administration costs had
been deleted from the fees: in its place was added the direct cost for accounting time.
It was also determined that additional staff time would be required for EIRs and a fee
of $125.00 was now included in the resolution. Additionally, the requirement of a
Certificate of Compliance under the Subdivision Map Act was included, and the fee for
that was $65.00 plus $5 for each additional lot. It was the Director's recommendation
that Council adopt the resolution.
City Manager Wood introduced RESOLUTION NO. 77-17 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING THE FEES TO BE CHARGED UNDER THE DEVELOP-
MENT CODE, RESOLUTION NO. 77-14, AND OTHER POLICIES OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
AMENDING RESOLUTION 76-6, by title and upon motion of Councilman Ruth, seconded by
Councilman Ryan, RESOLUTION NO. 77-17 was adopted.
There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered.
Council 596 March 15, 1977
VERDE RIDGE BARRIER The Director of Public Works reported on the
(1503) Traffic Committee Meeting that had taken place
on March 14, 1977. At that meeting it was
decided to install large warning signs (38" x 48") reading "BRAKES WORKING?" Traffic
Advisor Dave Diestel reported that the installation of stop signs would not be effective
in the event of a runaway vehicle and concurred in the recommendation of the install-
ation of these large warning signs. Councilman Ruth suggested that all residents in
the area be informed of their installation.
Mrs. Pat Pruitt, 6981 Verde Ridge Road, requested the Council to consider installation
of planters in the public right-of-way in front of her home.
Mr. John Gale, 6976 Verde Ridge Road, requested the Council to consider the matter of
installing planters in certain areas and inquired as to the time schedule on the
dismantling of the barriers and barrels.
The Director of Public Works responded that since these signs were not stock items, that
it would take from 14 to 30 days to get the signs.
After discussion, the motion was made by Councilman Ruth, seconded by Councilman Ryan,
that the warning signs as recommended by the Traffic Committee be installed. Motion
carried.
Council discussed the sequence of events that would now take place on the Verde Ridge
barrier matter: installation of signs, removal of barrier and barrels and development
of recommendations on the installation of planters in certain areas on Verde Ridge Road.
Upon motion of Councilman Ryan, seconded by Councilman Dyda, and carried, it was moved
that this matter go to the Traffic Committee.
There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered.
It was noted that the Traffic Committee would put this matter on a future agenda and
interested parties would be notified.
STREET SWEEPING CONTRACT The Director of Public Works summarized the
(1405) status of the current street sweeping con-
tract as outlined in his memorandum of March 8,
1977, to the City Manager. , This memorandum
listed the alternatives that could be taken by the City on the present and future
contracts. Mr. Pikus also referred the Council to the letter of March 8, 1977 from
Mr. James C. Robinson, president of Sweep-it-Rite.
It was the staff's recommendation that the contract with Sweep-it-Rite be continued
until its expiration date of June 30, 1977, and in the interim the City would seek
bids for a three year contract at a set price, with a 30 day cancellation clause and
with such contract being revised and reviewed by the City Attorney. Councilman Ryan
moved that staff's recommendation be adopted. The motion was seconded by Councilman Dyda
and was carried.
There being no objection, Mayor Buerk so ordered.
USE OF SCHOOL MEETING ROOM Community Services Officer Tom Bandy re-
(305 x 1401) viewed his memorandum of March 15, 1977 to
the City Manager which outlined the requested
usage of the School District Building, noting that the requested funding from the City
was $1,684.
Mrs. Agnes Moss reiterated some of the facts as presented in her letter of February 16,
1977 to the Council, citing the need for a facility that could be used by local groups.
City Manager Wood stated that the City was still uncertain as to the length of time
that this facility could be used and warned of possible displacement at any time from
three months to three years because it was anticipated that the School District would
have other uses for that building.
Council March 15, 1977
597
The motion to approve staff's recommendation and authorize expenditure of $1684 was
made by Councilman Ryan. Councilman Dyda seconded, and the motion was carried by the
following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEN: Ryan, Ruth, Dyda, and Mayor Buerk
NOES: COUNCILMEN: None
FOURTH OF JULY, 1977 The Community Services Officer described
CELEBRATION for the Council the tentative program of the
(305) July 4th Celebration Committee.
Mrs. Agnes Moss described the costs, activities and the anticpated sales for this
celebration.
After Council discussion, Councilman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Dyda and
carried, that: (1) The Council approve the Contract with B & C Tinkertown Carnival
Company; (2) approve in concept the plans of the July 4th Celebration Committee,
and (3) come back with a budget which is essentially self supporting.
RECESS At 9:45 P. M. Mayor Buerk declared a
ten minute recess. At 10:00 P.M. the
meeting reconvened with the same members present.
LETTER FROM METROPOLITAN WATER The Director of Public Works briefly
DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA summarized the letter received from the
Water District, wherein it was requested
that the City adopt the suggested resolution of the Water District. Councilman Ruth
stated that he thought the City should take a more meaningful approach to this problem.
Councilman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Dyda and carried to express support for
the District's water conservation measures in the minutes of the Council Meeting and
send a copy of the minutes, along with a copy of the most recent issue of the City's
NEWSLETTER, to the Metropolitan Water District. On roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEN: Ryan, Dyda, and Mayor Buerk
NOES: COUNCILMEN: Ruth
COUNCIL REORGANIZATION Mayor Buerk stated that there were two
(306) considerations to be taken up at the meet-
ing: (1) Selection of a new mayor; and
(2) selection of Mayor Pro Tempore, referring to the procedure outlined in Reso-
lution No. 75-31.
Mayor Buerk moved to nominate Councilman Bob Ryan for Mayor. The motion was seconded
by Councilman Ruth for the purpose of discussion. Councilman Ruth stated that he felt
it would be better to wait until there was a five member council present before
nominating a new mayor.
After Council discussion of the matter on whether or not to delay this reorganization
until there was a five member council, Mayor Buerk withdrew his motion and asked for
a roll call vote on Councilman Ruth's suggestion.
Councilman Ruth made a motion, seconded by Councilman Ryan, to table the reorgani-
zation of the Council as referred to in Section 1, Resolution 75-31, until the next
Regular Meeting at which time there would be five council members present. The motion
failed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEN: Ruth and Ryan
NOES: COUNCILMEN: Dyda and Mayor Buerk
Mayor Buerk then reintroduced his motion to nominate Mayor Pro Tem Bob Ryan as Mayor.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Ruth, and carried.
There being no objection, Mayor Buerk so ordered.
Council 598 March 15, 1977
Councilman Buerk moved, seconded by Councilman Ruth, and carried, to nominate Council-
man Ken Dyda as Mayor Pro Tem.
There being no objection, Mayor Ryan so ordered.
PORTUGUESE BEND TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT Public Works Director Pikus summarized from
(1502) his memorandum of March 8, 1977 to the City
Manager which outlined the request for
traffic enforcement in the Portuguese Bend area. It was the staff's recommendation
that the City Council set April 5, 1977 at 7:30 P.M. as the time for the date for a
public hearing on the application of the vehicle code in the Portuguese Bend area.
Councilman Dyda moved to adopt the staff recommendation to hold a public hearing on
the matter on April 5, 1977. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ruth and carried.
There being no objection, Mayor Ryan so ordered.
HEIGHT VARIATION APPLICATIONS Councilman Dyda cited some misleading
ON TWO STORY HOUSES statements that had existed in the old
(1804) variance application, however, this situation
was remedied by the issuance of new forms
on this procedure.
Mayor Ryan requested that the City Attorney further illuminate on the ordinance deal-
ing with view obstruction at the Council/Planning Commission joint work session.
REGISTER OF DEMANDS The Administrative Services Officer intro-
(605) duced RESOLUTION NO. 77-15 - A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $461,863.76, DEMAND
NUMBERS 3212 THROUGH 3266, AND DEMAND NO. 3268 by title. Councilman Dyda moved that
RESOLUTION NO. 77-15 be adopted. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ruth and
carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEN: Ruth, Buerk, Dyda and Mayor Ryan
NOES: COUNCILMEN: None
COASTAL SPECIFIC PLAN After briefly discussing any possible con-
(701) flicts that existed between the Coastal
Commission guidelines and the City's Coastal
Specific Plan, it was the consensus of Council that each member should present their
comments at the joint Planning Commission/Council work session to be held on March 23.
Also, at that meeting, the Council would designate a member to attend the Coastal
Commission hearing on the 29th.
CITY BUILDING INSPECTORS Council inquired if the City was considering
(201) doing a feasibility study on whether or
not the City should have its own building
inspectors or if this service could be performed by an outside contract service. City
Manager Wood responded that the City was considering that as a projected budget item
for next year.
PALOS VERDES HIGH SCHOOL Councilman Ruth reported on an inquiry he
CHAMBER CHORAL had received from the Palos Verdes High School
Chamber Choral for assistance in their raising
funds to attend a jazz jamboree in Switzerland.
It was the consensus of Council that this groups should contact Agnes Moss, Chairwoman
of the July 4th Celebration Committee and see if they could have a booth at that cele-
bration.
Council 599 March 15, 1977
VANDERLIP MODEL OF Councilman Ruth briefed the Council on a
CITY VILLAGE model of the City that was owned by Mr. Frank
(301) Vanderlip and which he wanted to donate
its to the City. Since Councilman Dyda was
anticipating a business trip back East, he told the Council that he would make a trip to
Mr. Vanderlip's home to view this historical model.
ROLLING HILLS ESTATES PENINSULA Councilman Ruth reported on a meeting he had
CENTER PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT attended at which the revision of the Rolling
Hills Estates Peninsula Center was discussed.
The City of Rolling Hills Estates indicated that they will keep the City informed of
the planned revisions for the Center.
ROLLING HILLS ESTATES On motion of Councilman Buerk, seconded
C.U.P. FOR USE OF by Councilman Dyda, and carried, Council
DISPOSAL FACILITY authorized staff to write a letter to the
City of Rolling Hills Estates expressing
their support of the City in their consideration of an amendment to the C.U.P.
for disposal.
LANDSCAPING OF MEDIAN ALONG Councilman Buerk referred to a letter
PALOS VERDES DRIVE EAST received from the Mediterranea Homeowner's
(1405) Association which reported the bad condi-
tion of the landscaping in the median
along Palos Verdes Drive East. The Public Works Director was requested to increase
the watering in this median.
PUBLIC ACCESS TO TRAIL (1203) On motion of Councilman Buerk, seconded
by Councilman Dyda, and carried, staff was
requested to establish the exact location of the entrance to Georgeff Canyon and
contact the property owners in order to retain public access to the trail.
FURTHER AUDIENCE QUESTIONS Mel Hughes, 28017 San Nicolas Drive, re-
quested the Council to consider use of the
school district room for use during the evening hours and not just limit its use to
daytime use.
Councilman Dyda moved to provide Council with a copy of the study that was made for
providing security for the Nike Site during after-business hours. The motion was
seconded by Councilman Buerk and carried.
DEPARTMENT OF BEACHES Mayor Ryan reported that he will attend the
HEARING ON APRIL 1, 1977 hearing of the County of Los Angeles Depart-
(109) ment of Beaches to be held on April 1, 1977.
STATUS REPORT ON SPECIAL Administrative Services Officer George Wun-
MUNICIPAL ELECTION (501) derlin summarized his memorandum of March 10,
1977 regarding the outcome of the Special
Municipal Election held on March 8. Since the County of Los Angeles cannot issue its
official results of the election until March 25, it was the consensus of the Council
that Ann Shaw would be seated on March 29th.
COMMISSIONERS' HANDBOOK Council will provide the City Manager
(307) with their individual comments on the
draft of this handbook.
LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR The Administrative Services Officer reported
PUBLIC OFFICIALS (902) that he was researching available liability
insurance for public officials and would
have more information at the next council meeting in addition to what was outlined in
his memorandum of March 15, 1977.
Council 600 March 15, 1977
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA City Manager Wood reported that the City
CITIES HEADQUARTERS BUILDING (306) had been assessed $8,120.00 as its share -of
the cost for the building of the League
Headquarters in Sacramento. It was the consensus of opinion that since this assessment
was based on a population of 59,925, the assessment should be reduced to reflect the
actual population of 42,000. Staff was instructed to write a letter to the League
requesting the re-assessment under the actual population figures.
RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION At 11:50 P.M. Councilman Buerk moved,
seconded by Councilman Dyda, and carried,
to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss matters of pending litigation, reconvening
at 12:13 A.M. with the same members present.
111 ADJOURNMENT: At 12:15 A.M. on motion of Councilman Dyda,
seconded by Councilman Ruth, and carried,
the meeting was adjourned to work session with the Parks and Recreation Committee on
Saturday, March 19, 1977 at 9:00 A.M.
// 1, )0'
7,101
/ OR
LEONARD G. WOOD, CITY CLERK AND
EX OFFICIO CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
BY 1L4
/ DETY 40
Council 601 March 15, 1977