RDA MINS 19900307 ADJ MINUTES
RANCHO PALS VERDES REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
March 7, 1990
The meeting was called to order at 7 : 40 pm by Chairman
Hughes.
PRESENT: RYAN, McTAGGART, CHAV4MAN 1 +U E$_ , t ,
Z• E i
ABSENT: HINCHLIFFE, BACHARACH
Also present were City Manager Bill Cornett, Deputy City
Manager Mark Rohloff, Technical Panel Representative James
Slosson, Agency Attorney Bill Strausz, Associate Engineer Jon
Taylor, and sewer manufacturer representative Richard Foss.
Chairman Hughes introduced the experts. ire end ,an4 sta fdi : •
that the evening' s meeting was to Preent t6 'the public
possible options on how to bring Abalone Cove onto the sewer
system. Mr. Slosson noted that the sewers were an important
factor in the landslide abatement program.
Mr. Foss gave a brief explanation of how either gravity or
grinder pump/pressure sewer systems could work in this unique
situation, and described in detail the preliminary layout for,
the various sub areas. For the Vanderlip Drive, Cinnamon,
Fruit Tree and Plum Tree sub areas, since they are steep,
either pressure or gravity systems would work well . In the
Narcissa/Sweet Bay sub area, either all pressure, all gravity
with pumps, or a combination of both is indicated. For
Abalone Cove, pressure sewers would be appropriate in the
active slide areas, gravity in the stable areas, and both
would be pumped into the Los Angeles County system. In the
Portuguese Bend area, due to instability, the entire sub area
would have to be a pressure system with pressure expansion
lines and steel pipes to prevent damage above ground.
Mr. Foss pointed out that these preliminary design layouts
can be examined on a cost-effective basisr�fgr t e f4na _tf,�l ,
recommendation. He then presented slides and a piomoidoñál l ' E
videotape showing the proposed 60-gallon grinder pumps and
sample grinder pump installations.
The floor was then opened for public input.
Steve Goppert, 36 Cinnamon, expressed, aoncerns about
financing the program. He referred to his letter to the RDA,
asking for a complete accounting of the Horan funds.
Chairman Hughes noted, that , the bond,,sa 1 e will -het, 5510 million
and after the pane" 'f‘experts determines project p r iorities,
the sewer system will eita�er b icy for, Duff of those monies
a
or from a district ssessment. Cha*irman Hughes also stated
that on a monthly basis, the RDA would make their financial
status available to the public.
Member Ryan asked Mr. Foss for a preliminary estimate on the
project, and Mr. Foss stated that a minimum of $2 million I/
plus legal , engineering, district formation costs, etc. , was
possible.
Bill Griffin, 5 Ginger Root Lane, asked what priority the
sewer project would have and how long it would take to
complete.
Mr. Foss estimated it would take about 1 to 1-1/2 years to
complete. Chairman Hughes stated that the panel of experts
would examine landslide abatement projects, and bring a
prioritized list back to the RDA with recommendations.
K. Snell, 8 Vanderlip Drive, objected to the current seawall
assessment and the potential sewer assessment, and stated
that a proposed sewer line was crossing her property, on the
preliminary design. Ms. Snell also asked if there would be a
problem with the system during the frequent area power
outages, and how the sewer district assessment would work in
relation to adjoining areas.
Mr. Foss stated that the designs were only preliminary, but
Mr. Strausz said that if it was necessary for the sewage line
to cross the Snell property, an easement would have to be
obtained or condemned. Regarding the electricity question,
Mr. Foss said that the pumps were large and could store waste
until the system was operative again. Chairman Hughes noted
that the County would require that all septic tanks be
disconnected, so they would not be available for backup.
Mr. Strausz addressed the question regarding adjoining
neighborhoods slated to tie into the system, stating that the
total cost of all of the work would be apportioned among all
the properties benefitting from the work, based on any number
of criteria.
Kay Bara, 1 Peppertree, asked what the per-household cost.
would be if a grinder pump was used. Mr. Foss stated that
the unit itself retailed for $3000, installation was usually
$3000, and there would be fees to hook it into the main
system, so the total cost could run up to $10, 000.
Sunshine, 6 Limetree Lane, asked why East Pcrtuguese,Bend
on a pressure system, and Mr. Foss replied that gra�i}thy ;
systems cannot be installed above ground. Sunshine also
asked if the capacity was designed for existing homes or for
RDA -2- March 7, 1990
•
potential new construction ai well . Mr. Foss stated that the
design includes both.
Jeanne Smolley, 56 Limetree, asked if the East Portuguese
Bend section of the system could bd"} fundedNfrrb�m` H&rain ' '`"'`
settlement. Chairman Hughes said it could not, and that
there would probably be two assessment districts, one paid
for out of the Horan settlement (Abalone Cove) , and
Portuguese Bend. Ms. Smolley also asked if vacant lots would
be included in the district, and ChaiTMail'HUghetrrepkib& th6t4
if there would be a benefit to the vacant lot owners, they
would be included in the assessment formation. Ms. Smolley
also asked about pipe maintenance in the landslide areas, and
Mr. Strausz stated that the Horan settlement provided for
maintenance, unless all the monies were used, in which case a
sewer maintenance assessment district would be formed.
Chairman Hughes said he would look ,into"'who ' 3oul 'taints .izi"m"
the pipes from the property line to the main system.
Don Fraser, 26 Peppertree, asked if there had been other
sewer system proposals submitted. Chairman Hughes answered
that the entire concept was only one possible alternative on
how to handle the problem most cost-effectively.
Charles Shriver, 21 Pomegranate, asked why a step system was
not proposed, and Mr. Foss replied that it was ineffective
and expensive. Mr. Shriver also asked why the pipes could
not cross the scarp, and Mr. Foss stated that it would
require too many repairs.
Terry Kenney, 1916 Carnegie "Lane, Redondo Beach, owner of
14 Cinnamon, asked for clarification about the possible sewer
maintenance assessment district.
H. N. Titzler, 3 Ginger Root Lane, asked to see a schedule
for disbursement of the $10 million. Chairman Hughes pointed
out that the Horan lawsuit settlement table identifies
projects needed to abate the landslide and the estimated cost
as well as the proposed dates of completion.
Richard Bara, 1 Peppertree, asked for clarification on the
possible assessment districts. Mr. Strausz stated that the
Horan language was broad enough to permit tax increments to
be used for improvements in any location as seen fit by the
panel of experts. Member Ryan asked if the whole tax
increment would go to pay off the Horan bonds, and Mr.
Strausz replied that he believed that was true. Member
McTaggart noted that the original area covered by the RDA was
quite large, but as protests were received, more and more
areas were removed, but if they had been included, there
would be much more money available.
Mr. Bara asked if the drainage ditch project was assessed
against the $10 million, and Mr. Taylor stated that it was,
RDA -3- March 7, 1990
•
with funds advanced by the County. Mr. Bara also asked if
the existing septic tanks could discharge useable water, but
none of the members had heard of the process.
Dave Ruth, 40 Cinnamon Lane, asked if an assessment district
could be stopped if enough people objected to it, and Member
Ryan noted that the City Council could override such
objections.
Bill Ruth, 4 Thyme Place, asked how upline users of the
I/
proposed system could be notified if there was a breakdown in
the system, and if there were check valves. Chairman Hughes
said there are check valves in the system to prevent backup,
and that he would look into how to notify users in case of
breakdown.
Charles Stuart, 80 Narcissa, asked if it would be possible to
meet with the panel of experts making the abatement
recommendations. Mr. Taylor stated that the regularly
scheduled meeting dates are not published.,.,.but: that., he, f, .
public is welcome to attend and give testimony. He also said
that even though the public is not legally required to be
noticed, he will put the information on Channel 3.
The meeting was adjourned at 14: 3Qpm,_ , --4-/ T-T -.. , ; it ,- ,
/-/
/ 3
/ 2 i - -
. Wrrnan. ,/ 74
J
* t 's - ha ' , 1 1 +J
`.-1 1 -, 1
Attest:
41.. 49 {
,,,, , AA„ , / I 0 -
ency- Secretary
r 4 i : , • i
1
RDA -4- March 7, 1990