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RDA MINS 19890626 MINUTES RANCHO PALOS VERDES REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TOWN HALL MEETING II/ JUNE 26, 1989 PRESENT: Member_ Hughes, Member H i nchl i f fe, Member McTaggart and Chairwoman Bacharach. Also present were Director of Environmental Services Robert Benard, Director of Public Works George Wentz , City Attorney Steve Dorsey, Executive Director Dennis McDuffie, Finance Director Kevin Smith, City Geologist Perry Ehlig , Associate Engineer John Taylor, Chairman of ACLAD David Gilmore, Richard Meehan Technical Committee Member, Chairman of the Klondike Canyon Hazard Abatement District John McCarthy. The meeting was called to order at 7: 35 p.m. by Chairwoman Bacharach, who reviewed the agenda and explained the format of the meeting . HISTORICAL OVERVIEW Member Hughes presented an historical overview of the slide effort, including identification of the underlying structure of the land, water movement, and what efforts have been made to abate the in the slide. The major projects that have into put nto place n the initial phases of the abatement project have included the addition of wells and removal of large portions of land. Member Hughes next reviewed the formation of the Redevelopment Agency and the challenges the agency has encountered, and noted that it was formed by the City Council to carry out, in a cohesive manner, all projects to abate the landslide deemed necessary by the geologist. Charts were then reviewed which were used as a baseline for the Redevelopment Agency in 1986, and which showed the significant decreases in land movement that had occurred by January 1989. Member Hughes explained the purpose and significance of the Horan suit and its effect on the Redevelopment Agency, and reviewed the panel of experts the Agency works with in trying to achieve lasting and permanent stability of the slide. He emphasized that the purpose of the Agency is to abate the slide and return the land to normalcy for all the residents in the moratorium area, but the Agency has never intended to restore the land for development. JUNE 26, 19 89 -2- KLONDIKE CANYON John McCarthy, Chairman of the Klondike Canyon Hazard Abatement District, discussed the work that has been accomplished in successfully abating the Klondike Canyon landslide. He added that the Klondike Canyon District has expressed a desire to work cooperatively with the Portuguese Bend landslide Redevelopment Agency in reviewing the causes of the Klondike Canyon slide. PORTUGUESE BEND Perry Ehl ig, City Geologist, stated that the rate of movement in the Portuguese Bend slide area has remained fairly steady over the past year. Ground water levels have been holding steady, and it is hoped that horizontal drills#uguese Bend slide. The major projects that have been put into place in the initial phases of the abatement project have included the addition of wells and removal of large portions of land. LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES Chairwoman Bacharach then discussed the legislative efforts in Washington and with elected representatives in Sacramento to secure funds to study the shoreline erosion problems, including putting into place HR6 which will require the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct this study to show what kinds of biotic resources might be restored. The funding and language to direct this additional study is currently being organized. The next active project involves working with the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to begin mitigation plans. ABALONE COVE David Gilmore reported that activities involving the Abalone Cove landslide paralleled many of the activities that were discussed, and reviewed the projects that have already occurred. He noted that a few projects have been delayed, mainly because of the Horan Settlement, and he expressed appreciation on behalf of the Abalone Cove Slide Abatement District to the Redevelopment Agency and to the City Council for their assistance in abating the Abalone Cove slide. Jon Taylor concurred that all indications are that there is no movement in the Abalone Cove landslide. This will be confirmed by Los Angeles County surveyors. He reviewed the projects that are being carried out, including surveying of the houses that would contribute water to the slide area, a hydraulic study to identify points of concentration, analysis of existing structures, and a sanitary sewer study. The technical panel is also involved in considering the possibility of installing a toe berm, and the JUNE 26, 1989 -3- County is preparing an Environmental Impact Report as part of the Horan Settlement. Draft copies of the Report are available at the libraries and at City Hall. City Attorney Dorsey presented an overview and summary of the Horan Settlement. He reviewed the terms of the agreement, funding mechanisms and assessment districts that were agreed to be g formed. Mr. Dorsey also responded to questions regardin g the Horan Settlement that were raised by the audience, clarified that there will be two separate districts, and described the boundaries for each district. Regarding liens, Chairwoman Bacharach explained that the City was very concerned about this issue and Y its effect on the liability i li ty of the residents in the area but analysis has shown and continues to show that the Agency can meet its debt payments and not call in any of its liens. Finance Director Kevin Smith presented a spreadsheet which showed the initial $10 million that will be issued by the County, how these funds are being expended, how the bonds are secured, and the rate in earnings received by the Redevelopment Agency. Mr. Smith also reviewed a flowchart which showed the secondary $5 million, the funds owed to the City by the Redevelopment Agency, and the rate of repayment of the debt. Chairwoman Bacharach pointed out that with the Horan Settlement, title was also received to Abalone Cove beach by the Agency and will be maintained by the City. Picnic benches and handicapped facilities are being added to improve the site for the public. AUDIENCE QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION Steve Goppert, 36 Cinnamon, expressed concerns about security and pay back of the bonds and about making decisions under economic pressure. He urged the Redevelopment Agency to service the $10 million debt and not to spend more than could be repaid. Mr. Goppert also pointed out that the Redevelopment Agency is redundant with ACLAD. Erica Stuart, 80 Narcissa, reviewed her understanding of the agreement between the City and the County and the requirement for the dewatering wells . She questioned City Attorney Dorsey 's statement in a rebuttal to the Y lawsuit which specifies certain projects to be undertaken by the Redevelopment Agency, and questioned whether two separate assessment districts are being proposed. JUNE 26, 1989 -4- City Attorney Dorsey clarified that there is no intent to have more than one assessment district to cover the Abalone Cove area. Director of Public Works George Wentz clarified the primary differences between the 1911 and 1913 acts. Andy Sargent, 1 Peppertree, questioned the mechanics of the lien if his house were to be sold after the lien is in place. City Attorney Dorsey indicated that meetings are being held with the judge on this issue. Jack Downhill, 20 Vanderlip Drive, presented an overview of the Abalone Cove slide situation in the form of a parable in order to substantiate his point regarding the Abalone Cove slide. David Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road , reported that he has expertise in the area of landslides, and has written several scientific papers on the Abalone Cove and Portuguese Bend slides. He expressed disapproval of the way in which the land is being treated, addressed the aesthetic effects of the projects that are being undertaken, presented points in opposition to a toe berm, and proposed that sand studies be provided in the beach areas. City Attorney Dorsey , Mr. Ehlig and Mr. Meehan concurred that the sand budget study is a very interesting point, but currently no decision has been made as to whether studies will be conducted in this area. Kay Bara, 1 Peppertree Drive, questioned whether the Portuguese Bend assessment formula will be the same as the Abalone Cove assessment formula, and whether the developers Hon and Monaghan will be subject to the the same formula as the homeowners. She also questioned the contract bidding process on the proposed seawall , and the role of Charles Abbott in the bidding. She noted that the Hon developers have received permission to do borings, which could possibly set future developments in motion. Chairwoman Bacharach replied that Charles Abbott Company will be involved in the bidding process to the extent that they are the administrators for the Public Works Department. City Attorney Dorsey reviewed the guidelines and formula that will be used at the time the district is to be formed. With regard to the issue of borings, Director of Environmental Services Benard noted that the landslide moratorium does not preclude geologic investigation, and any landowner has the right to perform investigations with the appropriate permits. Mr. JUNE 26, 1989 -5- Benard stressed that a geologic investigation permit does not include any other type of project for modification or improvement on a property. H .N. Titzler, 3 Ginger Root Lane, addressed the lien and tax increments and the Redevelopment Agency's responsibilities and operation. He added that he was pleased that efforts are being made to abate the slides. Richard Bara, 1 Peppertree Drive, requested clarification on what areas will be included in the Portuguese Bend and Abalone Cove assessment districts. It was his opinion that the bond mechanism within the two areas are inequitable, and there are properties which would benefit from abatement of the slide. The areas in question were explained by Member Hughes. Marina Simes, 22 Seacove Drive, asked about installation of a sewer system in the affected areas. Maureen Griffin, 5 Ginger Root Lane, reported that she was very satisfied with the efforts of the Redevelopment Agency in abating the slides. Susan Goppert, 36 Cinnamon, expressed concern about pressures if the payback efforts were to fail, the moratorium areas, and the clauses. She was also concerned about future development and requested guidelines on added risk and on lifting the moratorium. Chairwoman Bacharach explained that areas that can be developed are identified in the General Plan, and that there are pockets of land that can be built on only when it is determined that they are stable. City Attorney Dorsey added that he would not advise the C i t Y to build on unstable land because of the potential liability. Director of Environmental Services Benard reviewed the specific plan studies in Regions 7 and 8, and clarified that there are currently no golf course proposals. Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine, stated that the General Plan was written after the discovery of the Abalone Cove landslide. She also questioned whether the bond would still be issued if the Friends of the Bend appeal the case, and questioned the validity of the figures on the spreadsheet that was presented by Mr. Smith. JUNE 26, 1989 -6- Bill Griffin, 5 Ginger Root Lane , commented that no resident in Abalone Cove will ever be required to pay for the work that is being done on the slide under the Redevelopment Agency. In summary , Chairwoman Bacharach noted that the issues discussed are important for all concerned, and members of Redevelopment Agency are committed to making themselves as available as possible in order to participate in providing the appropriate responses to the questions and comments of the residents. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was duly adjourned at 10: 17 p.m. to July 5, 1989, 7 : 30 p.m. at Hesse Park. Gu' F 4L('A1ALfJ'.61,0,1 I ii,:i.A_ ( ' CHAIR ATTEST: 1 i ,, 1/ AGETC'Y` SECRETARY