CC MINS 19771115 M I N U T E S
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
November 15, 1977
The meeting was called to order at 7 : 40 p.m. by Mayor Robert E. Ryan
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: SHAW, DYDA, BUERK & MAYOR RYAN
ABSENT: RUTH
Also present were City Attorney Patrick Coughlan, City Manager
Leonard G. Wood, Administrative Assistant Trish Hanelin, Director of
Planning Sharon W. Hightower, Director of Public Works Dennis J. Pikus,
Community Services Officer Tom Bandy, Director of Parks & Recreation
Maynard Law, Administrative Services Officer George Wunderlin and
Deputy City Clerk Mary Jo Lofthus.
AUDIENCE QUESTIONS : Robert King, 30764 Via La Cresta
and Russ Schweiger, 30828 Via
La Cresta, requested council clarification of the status of CUP No. 26
(Peninsula Racquet Club) .
The City Attorney stated that if, after viewing the new lights, the
Council decides not to go along with the resolution presented, then
a new public hearing should be held. If the Council decides to go
along with the original resolution, no new hearing would be necessary.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA On motion of Councilwoman Shaw,
seconded by Councilman Dyda, the
agenda was approved, adding dis-
cussion of : Taxes (Ryan) , Annexation (Ryan) , and Clarification of
Public Notices (Ryan) . The City Manager requested the addition of
Housing & Community Development Act and testing the lights at the
Peninsula Racquet Club.
There being no objection, MAYOR RYAN SO ORDERED.
WAIVER OF FULL READING OF Councilman Dyda moved, seconded
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS by Councilwoman Shaw, to waive
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 councilmembers after reading of the title, unless specific re-
quest was made at that time for the reading of such ordinance or resolution.
CONSENT CALENDAR: Councilman Dyda requested the
removal of Item No. 1 (City Audit
Report for Fiscal Year 1976-77)
and the Register of Demands.
On motion of Councilman Dyda, seconded by Councilwoman Shaw, the Consent
Calendar was approved as follows:
APPROVAL OF WALL Approved wall and release of
TRACT NO. 29594 faithful performance Bond No.
(1411) 228489 for Tract No. 29594 .
RESOLUTION NO. 77-92 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 77-92 OF
PROVIDING FOR PROHIBITED THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
STOPPING ZONES RANCHO PALOS VERDES PROVIDING
(1503) FOR PROHIBITED PARKING ZONES FROM
10 : 00 A.M. TO 3 : 00 P.M. EVERY DAY
BETWEEN VARIOUS LOCAL STREETS.
729
RESOLUTION NO. 77-93 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 77-93 OF
ADOPTING REGULATIONS THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FOR CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIVE RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA,
OFFICE ADOPTING REGULATIONS FOR CANDIDA-
(501) TES FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE, PERTAINING
TO MATERIALS SUBMITTED TO THE
ELECTORATE AND THE COSTS THEREOF
FOR THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
TO BE HELD IN SAID CITY ON
TUESDAY, THE 7TH DAY OF MARCH, 1978 .
RESOLUTION NO. 77-94 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 77-94 OF
PERMITTING LOS ANGELES THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
COUNTY CLERK TO RENDER RANCHO PALOS VERDES REQUESTING
CERTAIN SERVICES THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE
(501) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TO PERMIT
THE COUNTY CLERK OF SAID COUNTY
TO RENDER SPECIFIC SERVICES TO
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ,
RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF A
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE
HELD IN SAID CITY ON MARCH 7 , 1978.
RESOLUTION NO. 77-95 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 77-95 OF
GIVING NOTICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
HOLDING ELECTION RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA,
(501) CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE
HOLDING OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION TO BE HELD IN SAID CITY
ON TUESDAY THE 7TH DAY OF MARCH
1978 , FOR THE ELECTION OF CERTAIN
OFFICERS OF SAID CITY AS REQUIRED
BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RELATING
TO GENERAL LAW CITIES.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR:
CITY AUDIT REPORT Councilman Dyda moved that be-
FOR FISCAL 1976-77 cause of some errors in the
(107) report that the recommended
"receive and file" be delayed
and that staff send a letter
asking correction of the minor
deficiencies in Exhibit "B" .
Further, that the accounting
firm be put on notice that the
City would not accept slip-shod
work. The motion was seconded
by Councilwoman Shaw.
There being no objection, MAYOR RYAN SO ORDERED.
RESOLUTION NO. 77-96 Council expressed concern about
REGISTER OF DEMANDS the number of dry runs indicated
(1504) on the County billing for ambu-
lance service. The suggestion was
made that perhaps the paramedics could handle the call for an ambulance
and help to cut down on the number of dry runs . Councilman Dyda moved,
seconded by Councilwoman Shaw, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 77-96 OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS
AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $84 ,107. 25, DEMAND NUMBERS 4145 THROUGH 4201.
The motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES : SHAW, DYDA, BUERK & MAYOR RYAN
NOES : NONE
ABSENT: RUTH
# # # # #
Council 730 November 15, 1977
PUBLIC HEARING:
TENTATIVE TRACT NO. 33358 The Clerk reported that notice
LOCATION: PALOS VERDES DRIVE SO. of this public hearing had been
AT S.EAHILL DRIVE duly published and that the
APPLICANT: MERCURY ENTERPRISES City had not received any written
(1411) protests. Mayor Ryan then declared
the hearing open.
The staff report of November 15 describing this tract as a 3 . 38 acre
site which the applicant proposed dividing into a 22 lot residential
condominium development was presented by Associate Planner Gary Weber.
The report further indicated that the Planning Commission had reviewed
this tract and recommended its approval. Additionally, an environmental
impact report was finalized on February 9, 1977 and was part of the
agenda package presented to the Council for their study.
Mr. Weber noted that one of the major issues identified at the Planning
Commission hearings on this tract was the problem of access for St.
Peter' s By-The-Sea Church which was located across from the site. The
developer of this property indicated that he would put in an access
road to the church but did not feel that the homes in this project
should be responsible for the maintenance of the road.
Staff recommendation was that the City Council adopt the proposed
resolution, subject to the conditions listed in Exhibit "A" as amended.
In response to Council ' s questions regarding the safeguarding of possible
archaeological finds on this site, Mr. Weber told them that the arch-
aeologist was on site when grading took place and that special digs had
been made to determine if anything of historical value existed in the
area. It was determined that none existed.
Mr. Ron McAlpine, representing South Bay Engineering, emphasized to
the Council that the present plan had been dramatically changed from
that initially submitted. The design alleviated the impact on view
from Palos Verdes Drive and view corridors were now incorporated into
its design. He said that the developer would consider including in
the plan access to the church, but felt that the cost for such access
should not have to be borne by the future owners of the homes in that
area.
William Hagan, 23 Packet Road, representing the West Portuguese Bend
Homeowners Association, requested that Council delay action on approv-
ing this tract until the homeowners, church representatives and the
developer had an opportunity to get together and work out a solution
to the parking problems.
Robert Pelton, 2 Packet Road, told the Council that people presently
park on the vacant land and he was concerned about the additional
parking problems that would be created by the development of this
project. He also requested that Council delay action on the project.
Mr. Clausex, representing St. Peter' s By-The-Sea Church, requested that
the Council delay action on the resolution since he felt that adequate
consideration had not been given to the environmental impact of this
project. He requested a meeting between the developer, the homeowners
group and church representatives in order to find a solution for the
parking problem.
Mr. Keith Martin, president of the board of trustees of St. Peter' s
By-The-Sea Church, reiterated the earlier requests to hold off action
on approving this tract.
Mrs. Norco, 6 Packet Road, described for the Council the difficulty
for emergency vehicles getting into and out of the area.
Mr. Frank Friedman, 13 Seacove Drive, felt that this project would
further burden the residents of the lower Abalone Cove area.
Council 731 November 15, 1977
Mr. Richard Miller, 6350 Tarragon Road, told the Council that he did
not receive notice of the public hearing. He too requested Council
delay acting on this project.
In response to Council 's questions regarding the lists used to
notify residents of public hearings , the Director of Planning stated
that the latest tax assessor' s rolls were used to compile these lists.
Speaking in rebuttal to some of the speakers, Mr. McAlpine said that
his firm had made application in the prescribed manner, had presented
their plan to the Planning Commission and that proper notice had been
given of the hearings held. He requested the Council approve the
tract as presented.
John McTaggart, Chairman of the Planning Commission, told the Council
that the Commission considered the church access problem and suggested
parking on other side streets. Additionally, the Planning Commission
took a great deal of time seeing that the view from Palos Verdes Drive
was preserved.
Council then discussed the City' s policy with regard to the appropriate-
ness of private streets and it was the consensus of Council that the
Street Standards Subcommittee should take this matter under study.
After considerate of other a ss possib' ies, such a ifting a
certain numbe f the home n the pro ' , it was t - inal consensus
that the m er be sen ack to the anning Co ' ' sion to find a z,_44)
solutio o the par 'rig problem.
Anae--01- 4? *
-�
Councilman Buerk moved, seconded by Councilwoman Shaw, to delay
approval of this until the second meeting in December and ask the
parties (developer, church and the West Portuguese Bend Homeowners
Association) to find a solution to the Church parking problem.
Councilman Buerk noted that, except for the parking problem, he was
basically happy with the design of the project and complimented the
Planning Commission for their work. Councilwoman Shaw noted that this
was a matter between the church and the developer of the project.
With the consent of the maker and the second, Councilman Dyda requested
that the motion be amended to include consideration of other alterna-
tive solutions , such as increasing the number of services to reduce
the parking problem.
There being no objection, MAYOR RYAN SO ORDERED.
RECESS At 9 :45 p.m. Mayor Ryan declared
a brief recess. At 10 : 00 p.m. the
meeting reconvened with the same
members present.
TRACT NO. 32991 The Community Services Officer
DEDICATION OF LAND TO presented the Parks and Recrea-
THE CITY tion Committee report of November
(1411) 7 , 1977 containing their recommen-
dation on the dedication of land
to the City.
The Committee recommended the acceptance of the remainder of Parcel B
based upon the facts that the area is now used by hikers, equestrians
and sightseers. Additionally, the area is geographically similar to
the dedicated portion of Parcel B and Parcel A, and that the acceptance
of this parcel would fill a void in publicly owned recreation land on
the east side of the City.
The Committee' s rejection of Parcel C was determined by that parcel ' s
lack of potential to be used for recreational purposes since the majority
of its terrain was in excess of 35% slope. The report also noted that
with the building of this tract, access to the area would be almost
eliminated.
Council 732 November 15, 1977
Parks & Recreation Committee Chairman Al Rosenthal commented that
Parcel C had no potential value with respect to Parks & Recreation
for the City.
Councilman Dyda moved to accept the remaining portion of Parcel B
for dedication to the City. Councilwoman Shaw seconded the motion.
Councilman Buerk noted that the City consider the streets and how
much of the property had to be improved. With the consent of the
second, Councilman Dyda amended his motion to include that this
acceptance was done without prejudice, subject to the improvement of
roads as the Council determined in their discussion of the street
standards.
There being no objection, MAYOR RYAN SO ORDERED.
Councilwoman Shaw moved not to accept Parcel C. Councilman Buerk
seconded the motion. Councilwoman Shaw noted that this parcel did not
meet the criteria set by Council , that the area was not easily access-
ible and that the tract would benefit from the open space and, therefore,
it would be more appropriate if the tract maintained the area. Mayor
Ryan noted that he did not agree with turning down the opportunity for
the City to accept this land.
Council then discussed the problem of weed abatement, how it would be
accomplished, and who would pay the cost.
Councilman Dyda then moved to accept Parcel C. The motion was seconded
by Mayor Ryan and failed on the following roll call vote:
AYES : DYDA AND RYAN
NOES : SHAW AND BUERK
ABSENT: RUTH
Councilman Dyda moved not to accept Parcel C. The motion was seconded
by Councilwoman Shaw and failed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: SHAW AND BUERK
NOES : DYDA AND MAYOR RYAN
ABSENT: RUTH
Councilman Dyda moved to defer a decision on this parcel until the
next meeting when a full quorum was present. The motion was seconded
by Mayor Ryan. Councilman Buerk noted that he opposed continuing the
matter.
Russ McGuire, representing South Bay Engineering, stated that the
City didn' t have to accept the land until the presentation of the
tentative tract map. The City Attorney noted that the City's desires
should be made known prior to his drawing up the CC&Rs for this tract.
STREET STANDARDS The Director of Public Works
(1403) presented the staff memorandum
of November 9 , 1977 . This memo
outlined the Council' s direction to the Street Standards subcommittee
to give top priority to the development of the design concept for Palos
Verdes Drive South in the vicinity of Palos Verdes Drive East so the
developer of Tract No. 32991 could proceed with his design work.
Council discussion followed with regard to the cost of the improvements
suggested and who should pay these costs.
Lengthy Council discussion followed with great concern being expressed
for the cost of these improvements , since it was determined that each
of the 57 homes in this development would be assessed $6251 for these
improvements.
In a letter dated November 11, 1977 to the Council , the developer re-
quested that the Council consider the possibility of repaying from
future street funds a portion, perhaps half, of the cost of these
improvements.
Council 733 November 15, 1977
Mr. Don Dawson, representing the developer, Western American Devel-
opment, stated he felt that this amount was an abnormal burden just
for the development of roads , and asked if it was possible for the
City to reimburse some of these costs.
Councilman Buerk moved to adopt Recommendation #4 with the additional
provision that the developer provide curbs on Palos Verdes Drive East
up to a total cost of $55, 000. The motion was seconded by Councilman
Dyda. Councilman Dyda requested amending the motion to include that
if and when the City adopts a policy to provide a formula of sharing
the cost of major arterials between benefitting developments, reim-
bursement consistent with the policy will be applied to this particular
tract before lot sales are commenced not to exceed $125, 000. The
amendment was accepted by the maker of the motion. The motion failed
on the following roll call vote:
AYES: BUERK
NOES : DYDA, RYAN AND SHAW
ABSENT: RUTH
Councilwoman Shaw moved to accept, as presented, staff recommendations
#1 through #5. The motion was seconded by Councilman Dyda and carried
on the following roll call vote :
AYES : SHAW, DYDA AND MAYOR RYAN
NOES: BUERK
ABSENT: RUTH
Mayor Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Buerk, that the policy decision
for private streets be referred to the street standards subcommittee
for study.
There being no objection, MAYOR RYAN SO ORDERED.
UNDERGROUNDING BOUNDARY The Public Works Director re-
LINE PROJECT ported that originally this
(901) project was estimated to cost
approximately $80 ,000 and it was
now anticipated that it would cost $140 , 000. The City of Palos Verdes
Estates had decided that they wanted to go along with this underground-
ing project.
If the City decided to go ahead with this project, undergrounding
funds would be committed through 1978 .
Mayor Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Dyda, to approve the Edison
Company' s plans with regard to bids and have them move ahead on this
project.
There being no objection, MAYOR RYAN SO ORDERED.
APPLICANTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL Councilman Buerk requested that
COMMITTEE this matter be delayed until the
(1205) next council meeting.
LETTER FROM THE CITY OF Mayor Ryan moved, seconded by
ROLLING HILLS ESTATES REGARDING Councilman Dyda to send a letter
DISPOSABLE SOFT DRINK CONTAINERS to the City of Rolling Hills
(310) Estates expressing the City 's
support for such an ordinance
but recommending advocating
legislation on a statewide basis rather than on a local level .
There being no objection, MAYOR RYAN SO ORDERED.
LETTER FROM MR. GRICKIS Mr. Joseph J. Grickis, 6212
REGARDING FENCE Via Subida, requested the
(1806) Council extend his appeal time
on a fence he had built. Mr.
Grickis told the Council that he was remodeling his home and in the
rush of things he had forgotten the time limit.
Council 734 November 15, 1977
Mayor Ryan moved to grant Mr. Grickis ten (10) working days to file
an appeal. The motion was seconded by Councilman Dyda.
There being no objection, MAYOR RYAN SO ORDERED.
CITY COUNCIL/PARKS AND RECREATION Council agreed to set aside
COMMITTEE JOINT WORK SESSION RE December 10th and December 17th
PLAN OF ACTION as tentative dates for work
(1201) sessions on the PLAN OF ACTION.
JULY 4TH CELEBRATIONS Community Services Officer Bandy
(305) presented the Parks & Recreation
Committee recommendations of
November 8 , 1977 regarding the City' s sponsoring of July 4th celebrations.
Al Rosenthal, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, said the
Committee recommended the City sponsoring an annual July 4th celebration;
that no entry fee should be charged, and that the Department of Parks
and Recreation be assigned the primary responsibility for planning this
celebration.
Councilman Dyda said he felt that the City ' s anniversary party was
important and should take precedence over a July 4th celebration.
Councilman Buerk expressed the opinion that such an event should be
citizen supported and he did not feel that the City staff should have
to be involved.
Councilwoman Shaw said she felt the City should sponsor some kind of
activity and moved to adopt recommendation #1. The motion was seconded
by Mayor Ryan but failed on the following roll call vote:
AYES : SHAW AND MAYOR RYAN
NOES : DYDA AND BUERK
ABSENT: RUTH
REPORT ON PATHS AND Councilwoman Shaw reported that
TRAILS COMMITTEE the Trails and Paths Committee
(701) met and presented maps which
delineated both equestrian and
walking trails. The Committee will be maintained for another three or
four months until the staff can get further into the study.
TAXES The City Attorney reported on the
(310) status of the tax suit being
filed by the City of Hermosa Beach.
It was his opinion that the cost would be very high on instigating a
similar suit. He recommended that the City look into the new plan of
assessment that was currently being considered by the Board of Super-
visors of Los Angeles County.
It was the general consensus of Council that the City should send a
letter to the Board of Supervisors asking them to query the candidates
for County Assessor on their position with regard to their method of
reassessment.
CLARIFICATION OF NOTICE Mayor Ryan suggested that staff
(1203) should investigate a way to see
if developers could provide more
up-to-date lists for notices on public hearing. The suggestion was
made that a special stamp be considered for use on the mailing envelopes
of such notices.
PALOS VERDES DRIVE EAST Public Works Director Pikus
- WEED ABATEMENT reported that clearance of these
(17 01) weeds had begun and the work
should be nearing completion.
Additionally, letters were sent to residents requesting that they cut
back bushes or trees that were blocking the road. These residents
were given ten (10) days to accomplish this removal . If they did not
respond, legal action would be taken.
Council 735 November 15, 1977
REPORT ON PRECINCT BOUNDARIES Administrative Services Officer
AND POLLING LOCATIONS Wunderlin presented the staff
(501) memorandum of November 9 , 1977
outlining the subcommittee' s
recommendation for consolidation of polling places throughout the City.
Councilwoman Shaw moved that staff should proceed to coordinate the
recommended changes with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Dyda.
There being no objection, MAYOR RYAN SO ORDERED.
HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT It was the general agreement
ACT among councilmembers not to
(6 01) accept these funds .
TESTING OF PENINSULA Director Hightower suggested
RACQUET CLUB LIGHTS (1804) that the Council make an on-site
visit to examine the effects of
the retrofitted lights on the tennis courts . Council agreed to recess
the November 22nd Work Session to make this inspection. Council also
set November 28th at 7 :30 p.m. as the date for another Work Session
on the Coastal Plan.
ADJOURNMENT: At 12 : 55 a.m. Councilman Buerk
moved, seconded by Councilman
Dyda to adjourn the meeting to November 22nd at 7 : 30 p.m. in council
chambers for a work session on the Coastal Specific Plan.
There being no objection, MAYOR RYAN SO ORDERED.
Lib1-721b
A.446-72
/// 400 OR
LEONARD G. WOOD, CITY CLERK AND
EX OFFICIO CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
B y /.. L '.
, pfuty AO Council 736 November 15, 1977