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MINUTES
VIEW RESTORATION COMMITTEE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
AUGUST 2, 1990
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Chairman Clark
at Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
PRESENT Committeemembers Boudreau, Burrage, Cartwright ,
Eastwood, Lorenzen, Murphy, Quatrochi , Sweetnam,
Weisz , Chairman Clark
ABSENT None
Also present were Director of Environmental Services Robert
Benard, Senior Planner Carolynn Petru, Assistant City Attorney
Deborah Hakman and Recording Secretary Lucile Rogers.
COMMUNICATIONS
Senior Planner Petru reported that the Point Vicente Interpretive
Center has invited Committeemembers and other members of the
community to see their new shell and fossil collection at a
wine and cheese reception on Friday, August 10 from 7:00 to
9:00 p.m.
Assistant City Attorney Hakman summarized her memorandum of
July 18, 1990 regarding "Committee Jurisdiction over the Palos
Verdes Peninsula Unified School District , " stating that the
View Restoration Ordinance gives the Committee jurisdiction
over the school district ; however , state law allows the schools
to exempt themselves from city zoning ordinances. Mr. Benard
said staff is not aware of any action by the school district
to exempt themselves. If a case arises involving school property
the "good neighbor policy" should be invoked first. Ms. Burrage
commented that in the past the school district has removed trees
whenever they have been asked to do so.
CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no items on the consent calendar.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearings have not been held to date , and no members of
the public were present.
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CONTINUED BUSINESS - Draft View Restoration Committee Rules
of Procedure
Vice Chairman Sweetnam noted that the Committee should be
uniformly referred to as "the View Restoration Committee"
throughout the Rules of Procedure. He also suggested that the
second sentence of Paragraph 4. 1 . 1 be changed to read: "A quorum
consists of four (4) Committee members or alternates. "
Chairman Clark questioned Paragraph 4. 1 .6 regarding absentees .
After discussion it was agreed the first sentence would be
amended to read: "A Committee member who is otherwise qualified
but is absent from any portion of a hearing . . . had he or
she personally attended the entire hearing . "
Committeemembers agreed that Paragraph 2.4 will be amended to
show that procedures for closing and reopening public hearings
would be by motion and majority vote.
Regarding Paragraph 2.8, Chairman Clark asked whether the
Committeemembers might have direct access to the City Attorney.
It was explained by Mr. Benard that in order to maintain control
over legal costs it is City policy to require committee or
commission members to make such requests through the Director
of Environmental Services. In case of a conflict , the matter
would be brought to the City Manager for a final determination.
There was a discussion of Paragraph 4. 1 and agreement to leave
it as it reads in the draft.
Vice Chairman Sweetnam moved that the Draft Rules of Procedure
be accepted as amended. The motion was seconded by Committee
Member Quatrochi and carried unanimously,
NEW BUSINESS
An article on the View Restoration Committee which appeared
in the August 1 Daily Breeze was read, and the general feeling
was that it was accurate as far as it went . More information
needs to be disseminated so the public will really understand
the functions of the Committee.
Chairman Clark advised he will be meeting with the City Manager
to discuss the concept of a spot on Channel 3 and other forms
of media coverage to ensure the accurate and complete coverage
of the Committee 's purposes and accomplishments.
It was suggested that the press be invited to the first public
hearing, on September 6. Staff will make the arrangements.
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STAFF REPORTS
Senior Planner Petru advised that eight applications for View
Restoration Permits have been received to date, as indicated
in her memorandum of August 2, 1990. It is anticipated that
the first three applications will be considered at the meeting
of September 6, 1990. Site visits by Committeemembers may begin
after August 6 (only to the first three applicants) . Staff
was requested to provide to the Committee the status of future
applications as they are received , but without the specific
addresses.
The question of the personal liability of Committeemembers
arising out of the performance of their duties was addressed
by Assistant City Attorney Hakman. She explained that the
likelihood is extremely remote, the only areas of possible
liability being defamation, civil rights violations (due process
or discrimination) , or violations of the Brown Act or Fair
Political Practices Act (illegal meetings or conflicts of
interest) . State law requires cities to defend and indemnify
any employee acting within the scope of his employment , and
Attorney Hakman added that appointees would be considered
"employees" in this context. Committeemembers expressed their
pleasure with the reported obligation of the City to defend
them.
Director of Environmental Services Benard cautioned Committee-
members and staff to be sure they have valid authorization to
go onto a specific property . The foliage owners as well as
the applicants will be directed by Staff to provide written
authorization as to when it is permissible to enter their
property. Name tags and business cards will be provided to
Committeemembers and should be carried on all site visits .
In addition, business cards should be left in mailboxes or
elsewhere if the property owner is not at home during the visit.
By show of hands, Committeemembers preferring to make site visits
during the week were: Burrage, Lorenzen, Murphy, Sweetnam and
Weisz. The remaining Members (Boudreau, Cartwright , Clark,
Eastwood and Quatrochi) indicated their preference for weekend
visits. Staff will provide maps with the packets sent to
Committee Members .
Chairman Clark inquired as to the status of mileage reimbursement
for Committeemembers and Mr. Benard replied it is being held
in abeyance until the issue of Council compensation has been
dealt with.
In response to an inquiry, staff reported that they met with
Dr. Frank to discuss his correspondence to the Committee. As
a result of the meeting , Dr . Frank will be asked to restate
his concerns to the City and appropriate action will be taken.
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Committeemember Cartwright mored the August 16 meeting be
dispensed with. The motion was seconded by Committeemember
Murphy and passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. to September 6, 1990
at 7:00 p.m.
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