CC SR 20160802 03 - Outdoor Exhbit Lower Pt VicenteRANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: 08/02/2016
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA DESCRIPTION:
Consideration and possible action to approve the Los Serenos de Point Vicente
Docents' proposal to reconsider outdoor education exhibits at Lower Point Vicente.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Provide direction to Staff and the Docents regarding the proposal to include
outdoor education exhibits at Lower Point Vicente.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Daniel Trautner, Deputy Director of Recreation and Parks pT
REVIEWED BY: Cory Linder, Director of Recreation and Parks t.a
APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager.`'"'
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Minutes of July 7, 2015, City Council meeting (page A-1)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
On September 2, 2008, after an extensive public workshop process, the City Council
adopted the Rancho Palos Verdes Coast Vision Plan (Vision Plan). Lower Point
Vicente was one of the key sites identified in the Vision Plan. As a result of the
withdrawal of the Annenberg proposal, a community focus committee was assembled to
develop a new vision for Lower Point Vicente. A revised plan for the site was approved
by the City Council on July 7, 2015, and subsequently included in the Parks Master Plan
Update which was approved by Council on October 6, 2015. The Parks Master Plan
incorporated the Lower Point Vicente proportion of the Vision Plan with the exception of
a portion of the Vision Plan that was to be incorporated into the Trails Network Plan.
The plan for Lower Point Vicente that was considered by Council on July 7, 2015,
proposed the following features:
1
Phase I
• Trail system — the majority of the trail system is ADA -compliant.
• Trailheads
• Grassland planted with native grasses (not a manicured lawn)
• Improved vehicular and pedestrian access including crosswalks and
drop-off areas
• Expanded parking lot with added ADA spaces and timed loading zones
adjacent to the picnic areas (a total of approximately 150 parking
spaces)
• Overlooks
• Picnic and seating areas (throughout site)
• 150 -foot native plant zone (Fuel Modification Zone) at the northern
property line
• Installation of bioswales within the existing and proposed parking lots
• Enhanced storm drains
• Wall of Honor
• Converting the existing asphalt parking lot east of PVIC to lawn area
Phase II
• Outdoor education stations to be sponsored and funded by the Los
Serenos de Point Vicente Docents, consisting of the following exhibits:
o Tongva Village
o Geology and Fossil Exhibit
o Archaeological Dig
o Spanish Rancho Exhibit
o Dry Farming
o WW II Exhibit
o Outdoor restroom (attached to the WW II structure)
After much discussion (Attachment A), City Council voted to amend the Lower Point
Vicente portion of the Vision Plan, adopting the Phase 1 elements and eliminating the
Phase 2 elements (i.e., outdoor education stations). The City Council also directed that
the "Wall of Honor" would be renamed the "Recognition Wall" and relocated to Upper
Point Vicente; and that a wildlife habitat corridor at Lower Point Vicente would be
provided.
On August 4, 2015, the Los Serenos de Point Vicente Docents' (Docents) Board voted
to develop a Lower Point Vicente Outdoor Exhibits Viability Plan. The goal of this plan
was to gather Docent Membership feedback and determine if there was enough support
to present a new plan to City Council that addressed feedback received at the July 7,
2015, City Council meeting that resulted in the outdoor education exhibits being
removed from the Lower Point Vicente portion of the Vision Plan.
The Docents held three meetings in April 2016 to present the plan to the Docent
Membership. Over 51 active Docents viewed a presentation on the outdoor exhibits
2
and provided input and feedback. The presentation was also available at the Point
Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC) and emailed to any Docent who wished to provide
feedback. The feedback received was overwhelmingly positive in support of moving
forward with a plan to get the outdoor education exhibits included again at Lower Point
Vicente.
On July 5, 2016, the Docent Board voted to present the plan for the outdoor education
exhibits to City Council for its consideration. During the "Study Session" portion of the
July 19, 2016, City Council directed Staff to work with the Docents to prepare a
presentation on the Lower Point Vicente outdoor education exhibits for tonight's
meeting. If the City Council does approve the Docents' requested changes to Lower
Point Vicente, they will be incorporated into the City's Parks Master Plan.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available
for the City Council's consideration:
1. Approve the Docents' proposal to modify the Lower Point Vicente section
of the Parks Master Plan to include outdoor education exhibits.
2. Take no action and keep the existing Lower Point Vicente section of the
Parks Master Plan as approved at the July 7, 2015, City Council meeting.
9
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES,
APPROVING INCREASED DAILY USE FEES FOR FILMING ON CITY PROPERTIES
AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY.
Mayor Knight declared the public hearing closed.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Brooks, Campbell, Duhovic, and Mayor Knight
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
Misetich
Adoption of Annual Conformance Resolution Certifying Compliance with the Los
Angeles County Congestion Management Program (CMP)
City Clerk Morreale reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published, no
written protests received, and there were no requests to speak regarding this item.
Mayor Knight declared the public hearing open.
Councilman Duhovic moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brooks, to waive the staff
report.
Director Rojas provided comments regarding the annual requirement.
As there were no requests to speak, Mayor Knight declared the public hearing closed.
Councilman Duhovic moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brooks, to approve the staff
recommendation to: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2015-59, A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, THEREBY ADOPTING
THE CITY'S 2015 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT (LDR) AND SELF -CERTIFYING
THE CITY'S CONFORMANCE WITH THE CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
(CMP) FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Brooks, Campbell, Duhovic, and Mayor Knight
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
Misetich
REGULAR BUSINESS:
Amendment to the Lower Point Vicente Portion of the Rancho Palos Verdes Coast
Vision Plan (Supports 2014 City Council Goal - Continue Community Workshops
City Council Minutes
July 7, 2015
Page 5 of 10
A-1
for Issues such as Safe School Routes, Cross -walks, Coast Vision Plan,
Park/Preserve Improvements, etc.)
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting and there were five requests to speak regarding this item.
Deputy Community Development Director Mihranian provided a staff report and
PowerPoint presentation regarding this item.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff, and City Attorney Lynch.
Ken Dyda, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that it was his understanding that the Lower Pt.
Vicente site was being discussed, not the Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC), yet he
noted that the staff report included information regarding PVIC. He opined there should
be a broad view of the preservation of history of the Peninsula at PVIC, including the
ocean museum, Portuguese Bend Landslide, archaeological artifacts, agricultural
history, etc.
John Wessel, Rancho Palos Verdes, suggested that there should be the inclusion a
native habitat zone along the stretch of Palos Verdes Drive West to provide a continuing
corridor for avian life, such as the gnatcatcher. He added that Amenities 5
(Geology/Fossil), 6 (Archaeological Dig), and 7 (Spanish Rancho), as identified on the
Lower Point Vicente Concept Plan (LPV Plan), be moved closer to the parking lots to
allow for minimal impact on native avian species.
Sharon Yarber, provided commentary regarding initial reservations raised by Mr.
Seigenthaler, National Park Service, regarding the LPV Plan, noting he had concerns
regarding the excessive development and was interested in knowing if there was public
support for the suggested plan. She noted the LPV Plan needs additional detail,
including information regarding the use of space at the site, cost and maintenance
estimates, and funding information. She commented on the site attracting more visitors;
relocation of the parking lot; opportunities for public input; native versus manicured
grass areas being consistent with proposed activities; and the use of grey water to
irrigate the property.
V, submitted a letter from an attorney and provided comments regarding the objectivity
of the small focus group; lack of public input regarding the LPV site; and concerns
regarding the use of the land for the proposed exhibits as they are not consistent with
the passive activity of the site. She noted she was in favor of the preservation of
"natural ground" and opposed the proposed outdoor exhibits, and dry farming
landscaping and suggested moving the path further away from private properties.
Eva Cicoria, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that she served on the Focus Group and
noted that she gathered input from other members of the public during this process.
She noted the proposed LPV Plan was a compromise from those who represented
City Council Minutes
July 7, 2015
Page 6 of 10
A-2
relative extremes, with some members of the public in favor of the exhibits and historical
aspects of the plan while others were minimalists. She noted she was in favor of Phase
1 of the LPV Plan.
David Sundstrom, stated that he served on the Focus Group and noted he was strongly
in favor of the Phase I improvements to enhance the natural features of Lower Pt.
Vicente and opposed to the Phase 2 improvements of outdoor exhibits and expanded
parking areas. He opined that education at Lower Pt. Vicente should focus on the
attributes of the Pacific Ocean and the indigenous flora and fauna in compliance with
the Program of Utilization for the site; noting he was not in favor of additional paved
parking at the site.
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Knight called a brief recess from 8:23 P.M. to 8:34 P.M.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff, and City Attorney Lynch.
Councilman Duhovic moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brooks, to adopt Phase 1
and eliminate Phase 2 of the Lower Point Vicente Plan.
Clarification was provided to staff regarding the renaming of the "Wall of Honor" to
"Recognition Wall" and the removal of that feature from the Lower Point Vicente site,
with that element added to the Upper Point Vicente/Civic Center site; and ensuring
there is a true wildlife habitat corridor at Lower Point Vicente for native species, such as
the gnatcatcher, with the appropriate setback from Palos Verdes Drive West.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Duhovic, and Mayor Knight
NOES: None
ABSENT: Misetich
Approval of Final Design for the Sunnyside Ridge Trail Segment Project
(Supports 2014 City Council Goals — Citizen Involvement and Public Outreach and
City Trail System Enhancement)
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting and there were three requests to speak regarding this item.
Principal Civil Engineer Dragoo provided a staff report and PowerPoint presentation
regarding this item.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff, and City Attorney Lynch.
City Council Minutes
July 7, 2015
Page 7 of 10
A-3