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CC MINS 19760921 MINUTES RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting September 21, 1976 Mayor Buerk called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. at the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District Building, 30942 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes. Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, roll call was answered as follows: PRESENT: Councilmembers M. Ryan, Dyda and Mayor Buerk ABSENT: Councilmembers R. Ryan and Ruth LATE ARRIVAL: Councilman Ruth arrived at 7:35 p.m. and Councilman Ryan arrived at 7:40 p.m. Also present were City Manager Leonard Wood, City Attorney Pat Coughlan, Planning Director Sharon Hightower, Administrative Assistant Trish Eby, Director of Public Works Dennis Pikus, Community Relations Deputy Charles Engelbart, Community Services Officer Tom Bandy, and Deputy City Clerk Mary Jo Lofthus. CEREMONIAL MATTER Administrative Intern Gurpreet Kohli ap- peared before the Council to introduce to the Council the six Peninsula area youths who were to be presented with the City's Certificate of Appreciation for their par- ticipation in the City's CETA program. Mr. Kohli cited some of the achievements and aspirations of these youths and the Mayor congratulated and presented each of them with their Certificate of Appreciation. The youths so honored were: Christy Barkley, PalosNerdes Estates Tammy Boschert, Rancho Palos Verdes Nicole Brown, Rancho Palos Verdes Bill Hu, Rancho Palos Verdes Curt Morrison, Rancho Palos Verdes Ann Rengel, Rolling Hills Estates Following the presentation, the Mayor complimented Mr. Kohli on his coordination of the Summer Youth Program. AGENDA APPROVAL Council requested that Item 10 (AYSO) be moved and discussed after completion of Item 5. Councilman Ryan requested that discussion of Development Code interpretation and administrative policy on fences, the We TIP Program and the tree trimming service in the City at the present time be added to the Agenda. City Attorney Patrick Coughlan requested inclusion of a discussion of legal matters and the City Manager requested to discuss the Council schedule in October. The Mayor requested the addition of a discussion of the election of a representative to the APCD. On motion of Councilman Dyda, seconded by Councilman Ruth, and unanimously carried, the Agenda was approved as amended. WAIVER OF FULL READING OF It was moved by Councilman Dyda, seconded by ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Councilman Ruth, and carried unanimously, to waive further reading in full of all ordi- nances and resolutions adopted at this meet- ing with consent to the waiver of reading deemed to be given by all Councilmembers after reading of the title, unless specific request was made at that time for the reading of such ordinance or resolution. Council 523 September 21, 1976 CONSENT CALENDAR Councilman Dyda moved, seconded by Councilman Ryan, and unanimously carried, that the Consent Calendar be approved and staff recom- mendation accepted as follows: ANNEXATION TO COUNTY Approved annexation to the County Lighting LIGHTING DISTRICT Maintenance District No. 1865, Petition (1405) No. 81-65 (Peacock Ridge) . ORDINANCE NO. 85 Ordinance No. 85 of the City of Rancho Palos FIREARMS Verdes Prohibiting the Discharge of Firearms (1206) and Regulating Possession Thereof Within the City and Amending the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code, was read by title, first reading having been given on September 7, 1976. It was moved by Councilman Dyda, seconded by Councilman Ryan, to waive further reading and adopt the ordinance on the following roll call: AYES: R. Ryan, M. Ryan, Dyda, Ruth and Buerk NOES: None ABSENT: None VERDE RIDGE Public Works Director Pikus informed the AWARD OF CONTRACT Council of the September 13 opening of the (1404) (1503) bids received for this project. Bids were received from Christopher Construction Co. for $36,343; Ryco Construction for $33,233; Modern Alloys Inc. for $26,244; with the lowest bid being that of Jan G. Earnest Construction Co. for $24,782.75. He continued to brief the Council on the budget and expenditures for this project as outlined in his memorandum of September 14, 1976, to the City Manager and submitted to the Council in their Agenda package. Councilman Dyda moved, with seconding by Councilman Ryan, to allocate the addi- tional $7,272.13 for the additional expenditures. Councilman Dyda moved, seconded by Councilman Ryan to accept the bid of the Jan G. Earnest Co. for $24,782.75 and reject all other bids and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract. Director Pikus said that construction would be completed November 1st of this year. On roll call vote: AYES: R. Ryan, M. Ryan, Dyda, Ruth and Buerk NOES: None ABSENT: None ANTENNA ORDINANCE Lou Rosenberg appeared before the City (1804) Council and gave his views on the back- ground on the development of the Antenna Ordinance. He cited the provisions of the ordinance as they existed today applied only to future antenna installations: that the existing antenna regulations are covered by the provisions of the Development Code and that the Planning Commission was trying to put controls on future installa- tions. He cited the fact that the City is undergrounding all of its utilities and working on the development of a tree trimming ordinance all of which measures were being taken to insure and safeguard the views of homeowners and keep the skyline uncluttered and he felt permitting HAM radio antennas was inconsistent with these policies. He felt that antennas should be allowed under very strict controls, that neighbors and homeowners associations should be notified so they have an opportunity to make ob- jections. He felt that the proposed amendment did not allow adequate notification requirements. Council 524 September 21, 1976 After a discussion of the proposed ordinance, the additions or changes that should be made, it was the consensus of the Council to separate and consider individually each of the features that the Council would like to have reworked by the Planning Commission. On motion of Councilman Ryan, seconded by Councilman Dyda, it was moved to have the Planning Commission consider the legal issues presented by the City Attorney in his letter to the Director of Planning dated September 15, 1976. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Councilman Ryan moved that the proposed ordinance be sent back to the Planning Commission to take another look at the notification re- quirements because at the present time they were not consistent with the City's stated policy of 300 foot notification requirement for obstruction of this type and asked that, if possible, they be a little innovative and come up with a unique noti- f ication for use in this area. The Mayor requested that the Commission take into consideration that an antenna structure was unlike that of a wall insofar as the visual impact was somewhat dimi- nished with distance. The Mayor then requested a more specific motion, whereupon Councilman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Dyda and carried, that the Planning Commission reconsider this in the light that the notification requirements are not consistent with the City's policy of 300 feet, taking into account the special nature of the antenna, and, if possible, to try to develop some innovative notification process. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. DECISION CRITERIA: The Mayor requested the discussion of guidelines on which deci- sions were based for either approval or denial by applicants. At this point in the discussion, Councilman Dyda introduced data which he had gathered on antenna ordinances and requested that it be passed along to the Planning Commission for their use and consideration. Councilman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Dyda and carried, that the Planning Commission develop certain criteria findings for denial or approval of permits and, also, that crank up, crank down features as a mitigating measure be incorporated. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. IMPACT ON TV ANTENNAS: The Mayor cited concern that this ordinance would have on TV antennas and requested a motion be made for investigation of this point. Concern was expressed over the possible number of permits that might be requested not only for amateur radio operators' antennas, but also TV antennas, and it was the con- sensus of the Council that the standards for all antennas should be coordinated. The Mayor stated his concern with burdening the Planning Commission with on-going planning matters and, therefore, a criteria should be developed whereby routine decisions could be made on the staff level. Councilman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Dyda and carried, that a study be made on the impact and evaluation of the possible number of TV antenna permits coming in and then make a decision if all antennas could be heard by the Planning Commission, how many antennas would be coming in, and to what degree it should be differentiated for decision by the staff and the Planning Commission. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. The Mayor requested to know if there were additional facts that the Council wanted considered by the Planning Commission. Councilman Dyda moved, seconded by Councilman Ryan and carried, that the Planning Commission determine the number of recurring temporary permits that would be appro- priate to specify the number of renewals that would be permitted. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. Ann Shaw, Chairwoman of the Planning Commission, came before the Council and stated that the Commission had considered some of these items, but would be willing to re- consider and rework these aspects of the ordinance. Council 525 September 21, 1976 DeDe Hicks, 6120 Scotmist, cited the restriction of other cities and didn't agree with the reduction of restriction on antennas. She further stated that it was her feeling that the citizens of the City opposed the construction of these antennas. A discussion followed on the amount of staff and Planning Commission time would be required for the development of this ordinance and how it conflicted with work on other Planning projects, such as the grading ordinance and the Coastal Plan. It was the decision of the Council to schedule a Work Session for October 7, 1976, to work on the scheduling and coordination of the various Planning Department projects. ABALONE COVE City Manager Wood reviewed his letter of (109) July 23, 1976, to Mr. Fitzgerald, Director of Department of Beaches, which outlined the concerns of the Council as discussed at the July 6, 1976, Council Meeting, and then reviewed the September 8, 1976, response of the Department of Beaches. The City Manager further presented the September 7, 1976, letter from the West Portuguese Bend Community Association which revealed the fact that the barricading of certain streets and the installation of "No Stopping-Tow Away" zones had relieved considerably the earlier parking problems created in that area. The request of the Association for creation of a cul-de-sac on Seacove Drive was considered by the Council to have a lot of merit. On motion of Councilwoman Ryan, seconded by Councilman Ryan and carried, it was moved to send this recommendation to the Traffic Committee and to consider possible alternatives which the staff may identify. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. Councilwoman Ryan directed that a copy of Mr. Fitzgerald's letter be sent to the Beach Committee. Ann Shaw, Beach Committee member, reported to the Council the up-dated information she had received on the development of a Master Plan for the Abalone Cove area. She reported that the funds for the development of this plan had been cut; that there would be no new Environmental Impact Report; the request for an ecological preserve had been forwarded to the State Department of Fish and Game; and, that a meeting to discuss State Fish and Game matters had been scheduled to be held in San Francisco. Councilwoman Ryan suggested that two Councilmembers on the Beach Committee should attend the San Francisco meeting. AYSO Al Rosenthal, Chairman of the Parks and (1201 x 1705) Recreation Committee, reviewed his commit- tee's study and assessment of the City's support of construction of a Recreational facility on the unused Portuguese Bend Intermediate school site as presented to the Council at their meeting of May 18, 1976. It was the Committee's recommendation that the AYSO proposal be tabled until completion of the Committee's Master Plan recommendation which was scheduled to be presented to the City Council in late December, 1976. Councilman Ryan pointed out that this request was sent to the Committee so these field improvements could be made in time for this playing season. RECESS At 9:44 p.m. Mayor Buerk declared a 15- minute recess. At 9:54 p.m. the meeting reconvened with the same members present. PUBLIC WORKS Director of Public Works, Dennis Pikus, sum- EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1976 marized for the Council the features of this (601 x 1404) bill as presented in his memorandum of September 15, 1976, to the City Manager. Assuming that the Bill is approved by the President, 250 million dollars would be made available to the State for Public Works Projects. Since there was a 90-day start-up requirement, the City was limited to projects with complete or near com- plete plans and the only project which fell within this category was the Hawthorne Boulevard project (between Silver Spur and Palos Verdes Drive North) . In order to submit this project, however, the plans and specifications would have to be updated. Council 526 September 21, 1976 Director Pikus further told the Council that it was also the desire of Rolling Hills Estates to present this project. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes would be the lead agency on this project and that as soon as the Federal funds became avail- able, the City had 30 days to submit their application. After submittal of the project plans, project construction must start within 90 days. In order to submit the plans in time for this funding, work would have to start immediately on the up- dating of these plans. The Council then questioned the cost of hiring a consultant and the status of the plans that had already been prepared for this project. Councilwoman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Ryan, to authorize a maximum of $5,000 for hiring a consultant to update the project plans. On roll call vote: AYES: R. Ryan, M. Ryan, Dyda, Ruth and Buerk NOES: None ABSENT: None GUIDE SIGNS Director Pikus reported to the Council on (1503) the requests received from the Point Vicente Lighthouse and Salvation Army for installa- tion of guide signs as indicated in his memorandum of September 15 to the City Manager. Presently,it was the City's policy to post signs for those public or pri- vate facilities which generated significant amounts of traffic and also to have the requestor pay for the installation of such signs. Since the existing staff policy was designed to limit the proliferation of signs in the public right-of-way, while giving guidance to those facilities that generated significant traffic volumes, these two requests did not meet that criteria. Upon motion of Councilwoman Ryan, seconded by Councilman Dyda, and unanimously car- ried, it was moved to refer this matter to the Traffic Committee for development of a policy. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. SPECIAL ANIMAL PERMIT #6 Director of Planning Sharon Hightower re- (1804) ported that the applicant in this matter was appealing one portion of a special animal permit which was denied by the Planning Commission at their meeting of August 19, 1976. The request was made to allow a corral fence with two 2 x 4 rails instead of three as required by the Code. The Director reported that the fence was in good condition and therefore, it was the Staff's recommendation to grant the appeal. Councilwoman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Ryan, and unanimously carried, to grant the appeal. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. TRAFFIC CONTROL LARKVALE/AMBERGATE/ Director of Public Works Pikus briefed the Council on the two resolutions pertaining MONERO & BROOKFORD to the traffic control at locations dis- (1503) cussed under Items 9A and 9B on the Agenda. Traffic Engineer Tom Brohard reported to the Council on the study he had conducted as outlined in his letter of July 28, 1976, to the City Manager and gave further background on the nature of the pedestrian traffic in this area and layout of this intersection, and the excessive speed used in getting up and down this hill. He proceeded to tell the Council that studies have shown that "stop" signs are not an effective or appropriate speed control device as motorists quickly resume their desired speeds. Based on the criteria used in the past, he could not recommend using a stop sign, but recommended posting speed limit of 30 m.p.h. and radar en- forcement by the Sheriff's Department. Dave Diestel, Chairman of the Traffic Committee, appeared before the Council and briefed them on the characteristics of the streets involved and told the Council that the Committee felt that the installation of the stop signs plus the additional warning signs would reduce the speed in this area. Council 527 September 21, 1976 Appearing before the Council to express concern over the hazardous conditions exist- ing in this area were the following residents of the area: Shirley Hoff, 28205 Ambergate; Jody Linen, 7018 Larkvale; Daphne Ragle, 7003 Larkvale; George Shaw, 6921 Larkvale; William Taylor, 6924 Larkvale Drive; Marvin Stone, 28125 Ambergate; Ann Stone, 28125 Ambergate; Meredith Stone, 7026 Larkvale; William S. Banner, 28027 Ambergate; Bob Giltzow, 27919 Ambergate; and J. E. Koines, 28133 Ambergate. Councilwoman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Ryan, and carried, to follow the recommendation of the Traffic Committee and that a four-way stop sign be installed on Ambergate Drive. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. The Council recommended that the Traffic Committee address itself to finding better ways of controlling traffic. Director Pikus commented that once the installation is made, it would take 60 to 90 days to see what was accomplished and that a report would be made to the Traffic Committee. RHONE & CARTIER Councilwoman Ryan moved, seconded by Council- LA CROIX & SATTES man Dyda and carried, to accept the recom- (1503) mendation of the Traffic Committee on both these items and replace the yield signs at Rhone and Cartier with stop signs, and to install a stop sign at the intersection of La Croix and Sattes. Mr. T. C. Shishido, 30217 Cartier Drive, appeared before the Council and said he would like to see a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Rhone and Cartier. He described for the Council the characteristics of the intersection and reiterated his belief that it should have a four-way stop sign. Councilwoman Ryan moved, seconded by Councilman Dyda and carried, to send the recom- mendation of a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Rhone and Cartier to the Traffic Committee for installation of the four-way stop sign. City Manager Wood introduced Resolution No. 76-68 by title, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ESTABLISHING YIELD REGULATIONS AT CERTAIN INTERSECTIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES. Councilman Dyda moved, seconded by Councilwoman Ryan and carried, to adopt Resolution No. 76-68. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. Resolution No. 76-69 was introduced by City Manager Wood - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ESTABLISHING STOP REGULATIONS AT CERTAIN INTERSECTIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES. Councilman Dyda moved, seconded by Councilman Ryan and carried, to adopt Resolution No. 76-69. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. CROSSING GUARD Director Pikus briefed the Council on the pro- WARRANTS & POLICY posed warrants developed by the Traffic Com- (1503) mittee as outlined in his memorandum of September 15, 1976, to the City Manager. The warrants proposed were basically the same as those of Los Angeles County with some exceptions as pointed out in his memorandum. He recommended that the City Council adopt the recommended crossing guard warrants but did not recommend the method of providing the crossing guards since the cost savings were not sufficient to compensate for the additional administrative burden and recommended that the City continue to use the Sheriff's Department for providing crossing guards. Dave Diestel, Chairman of the Traffic Committee, gave the background on the consi- derations given to this matter by the Committee. Community Relations Officer Charles Engelbart informed the Council of the Sheriff's Department's lack of success in recruiting crossing guards in this area. Councilwoman Ryan's motion to refer the matter back to the Traffic Committee for con- sideration in using their recommendations for one school as a pilot program failed for lack of support. Council 528 September 21, 1976 After a discussion of the possible savings that could be realized and the use of staff time in the implementation of such a program, it was moved by Councilman Ryan, seconded by Councilwoman Ryan and carried, to adopt the recommended warrants. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. A separate discussion on the crossing guard policy followed and Councilman Dyda moved, seconded by Councilman Ryan and carried, to retain the current procedure for providing crossing guards. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. The Mayor suggested that, for the sake of the record, there should be a motion to establish the fact that the Council would like to see a pilot program on this started. Director Pikus responded that this would be communited to the Traffic Committee. Mayor Buerk moved, seconded by Councilman Dyda, that the next approved request for a crossing guard be considered for use as a pilot program as recommended by the Traffic Committee. On roll call vote: AYES: R. Ryan, M. Ryan, Dyda, Buerk NOES: Ruth ABSENT: None The Mayor so ordered. REGISTER OF DEMANDS Councilman Dyda moved, seconded by Council- (1504) woman Ryan, that RESOLUTION NO. 76-67 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $744,328.70, DEMAND NUMBERS 2684 THROUGH 2691, DEMAND NUMBERS 2693 THROUGH 2734 be adopted. On roll call vote: AYES: R. Ryan, M. Ryan, Dyda, Ruth and Buerk NOES: None ABSENT: None LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE Councilwoman Ryan reported on the upcoming (306) ballot issue for the secession of Canyon County and stated she would like to see the Council go on record as supporting Canyon County. Councilwoman Ryan then moved, seconded by Councilman Ryan, that the Council support the proposal for the secession of Canyon County and urge other cities in the South Bay area to do so. She further recommended that a letter stating the Council's position be sent to the cities in the South Bay. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. INTERPRETATION OF A discussion of the interpretation of the ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY following items on the Development Code took UNDER DEVELOPMENT CODE place: interpretation of a back-to-back (1801) six-foot fence and the establishment of ad- ministrative guidelines on minor changes in the Development Code. The City Attorney advised the Council that it was neces- sary to follow the required procedure for any changes to the Development Code. The Mayor stated that whenever there was an administrative interpretation of the Development Code, it should be considered carefully, and a motion should be passed by the Council and made the way the ordinance was to be interpreted. WE TIP Councilman Ryan reported to the Council on (Turn In Pushers) Lawndale Councilwoman Cruz's project to try Council 529 September 21, 1976 to coordinate efforts of this program and requested Council's authorization to get the City of Rancho Palos Verdes involved. AIR POLLUTION Mayor Buerk reported to the Council on the CONTROL BOARD letter received from Rolling Hills re Mr. (306) Heinsheimer's bid for election to the APCD. Councilman Ryan moved, seconded by Council- man Dyda, that the Mayor be authorized to cast the Council's vote in support of Mr. Heinsheimer's election to the APCD. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. OCTOBER 19th City Manager Wood reminded the Council of CITY :COUNCIL MEETING the conflict in schedule between the League (307) of California Cities and the second Council meeting in October. It was decided to adjourn the meeting of October 19 to October 20. There being no objection, the Mayor so ordered. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT Pat Coughlan, City Attorney, made a brief report on the progress of the Dayton law suit. ADJOURNMENT At 12:01 a.m. it was moved by Councilman Dyda, seconded by Councilman Ruth and carried to adjourn the meeting. 45.4-4.4„,d1 MAYOR LEONARD G. WOOD, CITY CLERK AND EX OFFICIO CLERK OF THE COUNCIL By / ,o irDepu Council 530 September 21, 1976