CC MINS 20140704 SPC MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
JULY 4, 2014
The meeting was called to order at 10:05 A.M. by Mayor Duhovic at City Hall,
Community Development Department Conference Room, 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard,
notice having been given with affidavit thereto on file.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, Misetich, and Mayor Duhovic
ABSENT: None
Also present were Carolynn Petru, Acting City Manager and Carol Lynch, City Attorney.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (On items listed on the Special Meeting Agenda):
None.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilwoman Brooks moved, Mayor Pro Tem Knight, to reorder the agenda to move
Item No. 2 (Support Letter for Trump National Golf Club Flagpole) to be the first item on
the agenda.
By acclamation, the Council approved the agenda, as amended.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
Support Letter for Trump National Golf Club Flagpole
Mayor Duhovic recused himself from discussion of this item and left the room at 10:11
A.M.
Acting City Manager provided a brief staff report regarding this item.
Bob Nelson, Rancho Palos Verdes, submitted late correspondence and spoke in favor
of a letter of support to the California Coastal Commission regarding the Trump National
Golf Club Flagpole. He opined that the flagpole does not obscure a significant view.
Anonymous, stated that her father was a WWII Veteran, but she questioned the need
for the flagpole. She spoke in favor of preserving the coastline in its natural state
without a flagpole, as it interfered with the natural environment and appeared to be a
statement of wealth.
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting
July 4, 2014
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Lenee Bilski, stated that she was not in favor of the Council's letter of support to the
California Coastal Commission as it encourages others not to follow the law. She
stated that City staff knew this issue was coming forward since May, and questioned
why there was not earlier notice of this matter. She added that other property owners
have had to modify unpermitted projects due to height issues.
Jill Martin, Attorney, VH Property, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that this issue is about
the American Flag. She noted that the City's Conditions of Approval require the
flagpole to be on City property and the flag was dedicated to veterans; and Trump
National Golf Club was simply asking the City to renew its prior support of the flagpole.
She added that most people do not want to see the flagpole reduced in size.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff and City Attorney Lynch.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to approve the staff
recommendation to: Authorize Mayor Pro Tem Knight to sign a letter to the California
Coastal Commission, expressing the City Council's support for the Trump National Golf
Club flagpole at its current height and location.
Mayor Pro Tem Knight offered an amendment to the motion, seconded by Councilman
Misetich, to authorize Mayor Duhovic to sign the letter to the California Coastal
Commission, instead of Mayor Pro Tem Knight. The maker and seconder of the motion
accepted the amendment.
The motion, as amended, was the following: Authorize Mayor Duhovic to sign a letter to
the California Coastal Commission, expressing the City Council's support for the Trump
National Golf Club flagpole at its current height and location.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, and Misetich
NOES: Knight
ABSENT: Mayor Duhovic (recused)
Mayor Duhovic returned to the meeting at 10:46 A.M.
Additional Agenda Item for the July 15, 2014 City Council Meeting Regarding the
City's Utility Users Tax
City Attorney Lynch provided a brief staff report regarding this item.
Lenee Bilski, stated that she was generally opposed to the continuance of the UUT in its
entirety, although she was not aware of all of the issues associated with the matter.
She agreed the Council should consider the item at the July 15, 2014 meeting for a full
public discussion.
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting
July 4, 2014
Page 2 of 3
Discussion ensued among Council Members and City Attorney Lynch.
Councilman Misetich moved, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks, to approve the staff
recommendation to place an item on the July 15, 2014 City Council agenda so the City
Council can determine whether to call a Special Election to be held on November 4,
2014, regarding the reduction of the 3% rate and modernization of the City's Utility
Users Tax.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, Misetich and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION:
At 10:51 A.M., the meeting was recessed to Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION:
At 11:01 A.M., the meeting was reconvened to Open Session.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Lynch reported that with respect to the Potential Litigation against the City,
a report was provided and no action taken, with all Council Members present.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 11:02 A.M., Mayor Duhovic adjourned the meeting.
Mayor
Attest
City Clerk
W:\City Council Minutes\2014\20140704 CC MINS SPEC MTG.doc
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting
July 4, 2014
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