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RPVCCA_CC_SR_2015_04_21_03_Abalone_Cove_Parking_FeesCITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES PUBLIC HEARING Date: April 21, 2015 Subject: Abalone Cove Parking Fees Subject Property: Abalone Cove Shoreline Park 5970 Palos Verdes Drive South 1. Report of Notice Given: City Clerk Morreale 2. Declare the Hearing Open: Mayor Knight 3. Staff Report & Recommendation: Director of Recreation and Parks Linder 4. Public Testimony: Appellants: N/A Applicant: City of Rancho Palos Verdes 5. Council Questions: 6. Rebuttal: 7. Declare Hearing Closed: Mayor Knight 8. Council Deliberation: 9. Council Action: Public Hearing Cover Page 11�111Ci ► I N i TO: HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: CORY LINDER, DIRECTOR, RECREATION AND PARKS DATE: APRIL 21, 2015 SUBJECT: ABALONE COVE PARKING FEES REVIEWED: DOUG WILLMORE, CITY MANAGER 01A_J Staff Coordinator: Matt Waters., Senior Administrative Analyst, Recreation and Parks/dw RECOMMENDATION 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2015 -XX, approving a Coastal Permit (ZON2015-00169) making certain findings relating to the proposed parking lot fee increase and automated parking pay machine at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park; and, 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2015 -XX, increasing the public parking fee structure at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park from the current $5 fee to the following fee structure: free for the first 30 minutes, $5 for 30 minutes to 2 hours, and $10 for more than 2 hours; and approving the use of an automated parking pay machine in place of a dedicated Staff attendant. BACKGROUND Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is a multi -use facility that is enjoyed by the public in a number of ways including picnicking, hiking, sight-seeing, and visiting the tide pools and beaches. Abalone Cove parking fees have not increased for over twenty years. The following chart shows the current fees for cars, busses, senior, and disabled parking. PARKING Current Fee ABALONE COVE PARKING — CAR $5 ABALONE COVE PARKING — BUS $15 ABALONE COVE PARKING $5 SUMMER — SENIORS ABALONE COVE PARKING FALL NO CHARGE TO SPRING - SENIORS ABALONE COVE PARKING NO CHARGE DISABLED RATE 1 Abalone Cove Shoreline Park Parking Fees Date: April 21, 2015 Page 2 Abalone Cove parking lot revenue has increased steadily in recent years as shown below: Abalone Cove Parking Fee Revenue FY 10-11 $46,062 Actual FY 11-12 $59,451 Actual FY 12-13 $67,259 Actual FY 13-14 $117,734 Actual The Abalone Cove parking lot and portions of the park grounds were closed for the first few months of FY 14-15 due to construction and improvements related to the Abalone Cove Park Improvement Project and the improvements to the parking lot and staff building. Budgeted FY 14- 15 parking fee revenue is $98,000. An automated payment system has been recently installed which will allow visitors to pay at a pay station using cash or a credit card. Recreation staff conducted a survey of parking rates at other public beaches and nature/marine preserves and tide pools in California and RPV's parking fees are well below the average rates charged at those locations. The average fee for a car is $11.00. The average fee for seniors is $10.57. Of the twenty-two surveyed agencies, six offered a reduction for seniors, with an overall average discount of $.39. Disabled fees were slightly lower, but followed the same pattern with the fees either remaining the same or reduced modestly in most instances. Several locations offered larger reductions for disabled visitors and only one location did not charge any fee. The average fee for disabled visitors was $9.02. Nine agencies offered a reduction for disabled visitors with an overall average discount of $2.39. Among agencies that allowed busses or had a separate bus fee, the average fee for large buses was $59.67. For agencies with an hourly rate, the dollar amounts for the various categories of vehicles / visitors represent the maximum daily charge that would be imposed. Parking Fee Survey Location Hourly Rate Car Bus Senior Disabled Bolsa Chica State Beach Flat Rate $15.00 $100.00 $14.00 $7.50 Cabrillo Beach $1.00/hr $8.00 $8.00 $8.00 $8.00 Cabrillo National Monument Flat Rate $5.00 $100.00 $2.50 Free Coal Oil Point Flat Rate $8.00 na $8.00 $8.00 Corona Del Mar Flat Rate $15.00 na $15.00 $15.00 Crystal Cove Flat Rate $15.00 $30.00 $14.00 $7.50 Doheny Beach Flat Rate $15.00 na $14.00 $7.50 Fitzgerald Reserve Tidepools Flat Rate $6.00 $20.00 $6.00 $6.00 Gerstle Cove Tidepools Flat Rate $8.00 $100.00 $7.00 $3.50 Hermosa Beach $1.25/hr $10.00 na $10.00 $10.00 Huntington Beach $1.50/hr $12.00 $100.00 $12.00 $12.00 MacKerricher Tidepools Flat Rate $8.00 $14.00 $7.00 $4.00 2 Abalone Cove Shoreline Park Parking Fees Date: April 21, 2015 Page 3 Manhattan Beach $1.50/hr $12.00 na $12.00 $12.00 National Bridges Tidepools Flat Rate $10.00 na $9.00 $5.00 Point Lobos Marine Preserve Flat Rate $9.00 $100.00 $9.00 $5.00 Redondo Beach $1.50/hr $12.00 na $12.00 $12.00 San Onofre State Beach & Tide Pools Flat Rate $15.00 na $14.00 $7.50 Santa Monica - North Beach Flat Rate $8.00 $48.00 $8.00 $8.00 Santa Monica - Pier $3/hr $24.00 na $24.00 $24.00 Santa Monica - South Beach Flat Rate $12.00 $72.00 $12.00 $12.00 Santa Monica - Central Beach Flat Rate $8.00 $24.00 $8.00 $8.00 Torrance Beach Flat Rate $7.00 na $7.00 $7.00 Average Fees: $12.00 $59.67 $10.57 $9.02 Average Discount ---- ----- $0.39 $2.39 City of Rancho Palos Verdes $5.00 $15.00 $5.00 $0.00 Since Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is within the City's Coastal Zone, staff contacted the California Coastal Commission staff regarding the proposed parking fee increase and was informed that any increases to existing public parking fees in the Coastal Zone that exceed a 25% increase in one year or a 50% increase in 3 years requires the approval of a Coastal Permit. While the City has the ability to issue its own Coastal Permit for a parking fee increase, said City decision is appealable to the Coastal Commission since Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is located in the "Appealable Area" of the City's Coastal Zone. Raising the parking fees incrementally on an annual basis to avoid the need for a Coastal Permit would result in multiple rate changes which could cause confusion and consternation to residents and regular park visitors. It would take six years and four separate rate increases to reach the above survey's $11.00 average fee. Further details of this option are in this report's "Alternatives" section. Coastal Commission Staff informed Community Development Director Joel Rojas and Deputy Director Ara Mihranian in December 2014 that the Coastal Commission typically looks more favorably on an hourly parking rate or lower-cost options for visitors who are only staying at a coastal location for a short period of time, rather than a flat rate. In response to this information, City staff followed-up with Coastal Commission staff on March 23, 2015 to further discuss these issues and to identify a fee structure that would likely be acceptable to the Coastal Commission. Coastal Commission staff indicated that they had no objection to a $10 parking fee as long as there was an accompanying lower -fee or no -fee option for shorter -duration visits. Coastal Commission staff had a positive reaction to a proposed $5 fee for 0-2 hours (with an initial 30 minute no -charge period) and a $10 fee for more than two hours. Coastal Commission staff noted that while they did not anticipate an appeal to this parking fee proposal from the Coastal Commission, it could be appealed by any member of the public. 3 Abalone Cove Shoreline Park Parking Fees Date: April 21, 2015 Page 4 DISCUSSION Recommended Approach Staff recommends that the City Council approve a Coastal Permit to restructure parking fees at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park as shown in the following table: PARKING Current Fees Proposed New Fees ABALONE COVE First 30 minutes free PARKING — CAR $5 $5 30 min -2 hours $10 >2 hours ABALONE COVE $15 $55 PARKING — BUS ABALONE COVE First 30 minutes free SUMMER — SENIORS $5 $5 30 min -2 hours $10 >2 hours ABALONE COVE FALL TO First 30 minutes free SPRING - SENIORS NO CHARGE $5 30 min -2 hours $10 >2 hours ABALONE COVE First 30 minutes free DISABLED RATE NO CHARGE $5 30 min -2 hours $10 >2 hours As described above, the current reduced fees for disabled and senior visitors would be eliminated. Previously, disabled visitors were not charged and seniors were only charged during the summer. Disabled parking spaces would still be available. The proposed changes would align Rancho Palos Verdes parking fees with rates charged at similar locations. With the approval of a Coastal Permit this evening, the fees would go into effect 60 days after resolution adoption, provided an appeal from the City Council's decision is not filed with the Coastal Commission. Below are justifications for this proposed increase and standardization of fees. • First, as stated before, Abalone Cove parking fees have not been increased for over twenty years. • The current $5 automobile fee is only 45% of the parking survey average of $11. The proposed increase would bring it to over 90% of the average fee. Bus fees would also be raised to over 90% of the average fee. • Most locations in the survey either do not charge lower rates for senior or disabled visitors, or offer modest reductions. Charging all vehicles the same rate would bring Abalone Cove in line with standard practice at most surveyed locations. Preferred parking spaces would still be reserved for visitors with official disabled placards. • Free public parking lots are available within the City's coastal zone for senior or disabled visitors at Ocean Front Estates, Point Vicente Interpretive Center, Pelican Cove, Terranea Resort, and Trump National Golf Club. • Attendance at Abalone Cove has increased dramatically in recent years as evidenced by a doubling of parking fee revenue since FY 11-12. Increased awareness of the site, 12 Abalone Cove Shoreline Park Parking Fees Date: April 21, 2015 Page 5 particularly through social media, has certainly been a factor in its attendance growth. It is not possible to accurately forecast the ongoing impact of social media or an increase in parking fees on future attendance. Increased part-time recreation staff presence is planned to patrol Abalone Cove's ecological reserve and tide pool areas during the peak season of May -September to help educate the public and enforce rules at an estimated annual cost of $3,120.00 (240 part- time staff hours at $13/hr). Due to Abalone Cove's increased attendance, staffing hours may need to be increased. Staff would be able to enforce park rules, provide deterrence to poachers, and would be able to assist motorists who have questions or are experiencing difficulties with the automated pay system. The City has recently made a significant fiscal investment to improve the upper portion of the park, including new landscaping, shade structures, park furnishings, trails, signs, the public parking lot and the parking system, and other public amenities that enhance public access to and enjoyment of the park. The increase in parking fees will partially off -set the on-going costs for maintenance of these new improvements. Coastal Permit Since Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is located within the City's Coastal Zone, approval of a Coastal Permit is required for the proposed fee increase and automated pay station. In considering an application for a Coastal Permit for appealable development, Section 17.72.090 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC) requires the City Council, in this case, to make the two (2) following findings regarding the proposed parking fee increase and automated parking pay station (RPVDC language is boldface, followed by Staff's analysis in normal type): 1. The proposed development is consistent with the Coastal Specific Plan. The project site lies within an appealable portion of Subregion 5 of the City's Coastal Specific Plan and the project site is designated as Recreation - Parkland. According to the Coastal Specific Plan, the property is identified as providing recreational opportunities revolving around the terrestrial and marine environment. The proposed increase to the parking fee and the installation of an automated parking pay station is intended to off -set operational and maintenance costs at Abalone Cove for the public's benefit and enjoyment. The City recently completed specific improvements to an approximately 1 -acre portion of the park that was partially funded by the State grant awarded to the City through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Specifically, the improvements include new public trails and viewing areas around swathes of land that have been replanted with native plants. These improvements, along with a significant increase in park visitors requires the City to increase the upkeep of the park grounds which results in costs borne by the City. Moreover, the automated parking pay station will allow City Staff to canvas the park grounds rather than serving as a parking attendant providing the public access to City personnel during park hours. Based on the foregoing, Staff believes that the proposed project is consistent with the City's Coastal Specific Plan in that public access will be maintained for free for the first 30 minutes and a nominal fee for the time thereafter. 5 Abalone Cove Shoreline Park Parking Fees Date: April 21, 2015 Page 6 2. The proposed development, when located between the sea and the first public road, is consistent with applicable public access and recreation policies of the Coastal Act. The proposed parking fee increase and automated parking pay station will have no adverse impact to public access and recreational opportunities at Abalone Cove. This is because the proposed fee structure is designed to provide the public with free access to the park for the first 30 minutes (currently a $5 fee is charged), and the parking fee of $5 for the time after the first 30 minutes up to two hours will remain unchanged to provide the general public continued access to the park. As previously noted, the new fee of $10 for the time spent at the park in excess of two hours is to offset City costs for operating and maintaining the park for the public's use. Based on the aforementioned, Staff believes that the proposed project remains consistent with the applicable public access and recreation policies of the Coastal Act. For all of the above-mentioned reasons, Staff believes that granting the required Coastal Permit is warranted. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This item was originally on the November 4, 2014 City Council agenda with a recommendation to increase the parking fee to a $10 all day rate. The item was continued and eventually included as part of the April 21, 2015 agenda. Late correspondence was received from Rancho Palos Verdes resident Eva Cicoria on November 4, 2014 inquiring about 1) Considering an hourly rate, rather than a flat fee; and 2) Exempting Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy volunteers from parking fees while they are performing approved work in the area, such as the Volunteer Trail Watch. Hourly Rate Ms. Cicoria states in her email that she believes $10 for a day at the beach is not "excessive or unreasonable," but $10 for a 1 or 2 hour walk along the shoreline or hike along the bluffs is excessive." While staff does not have any quantifiable numbers on the average length of time that visitors stay at Abalone Cove, Ms. Cicoria is presumably correct that the length of stay does fluctuate significantly. That said, flat fees are the more common approach based on the survey results shown previously. Sixteen of the twenty-two sites surveyed charge a flat fee, instead of an hourly rate. It is also worth noting that all of the nature preserve/tide pool areas listed in the survey charge a flat rate. # of Sites Surveyed Average Fee Total Sites Surveyed 22 $11.00 Flat Fee Sites 16 $10.25 Hourly Sites 6 $1.62/per hour While not hourly, the recommended proposal, with no charge for visits under 30 minutes and $5 for first two hours, effectively addresses Ms. Cicoria's concerns about providing more affordable �0 Abalone Cove Shoreline Park Parking Fees Date: April 21, 2015 Page 7 options for short-term visitors. Exempting Volunteers From Fees Volunteers are currently not charged for parking at Abalone Cove when performing approved work or services. This applies to any volunteer or volunteer organization performing sanctioned work including Los Serenos de Point Vicente Docents and Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy volunteers and staff, and volunteers participating in "Clean -a -Beach" days. Volunteers perform a vital function in educating the public and maintaining the quality and vitality of Abalone Cove. Staff is not proposing any changes to this long-standing approach. Automated Pay Parking Machine Coastal Commission staff also opined that the automated pay parking machine, which was installed in late 2014, requires the approval of a coastal permit (it was not included in the Coastal Permit for the new Abalone Cove parking lot). Coastal Commission staff indicated that the machine could be included as part of the Coastal Permit for a proposed fee increase. An automated parking pay machine will allow customers to pay for parking at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park with cash or credit card. Staff would not need to be present for the transaction, which would enable them to play an enhanced role in enforcing rules and educating the public about the area's protected habitat and tide pools. Staff would still be able to assist motorists who have questions or are experiencing difficulties with the automated pay system. The machine would be configured to allow the public to utilize the proposed fee structure outlined above. California Environmental Quality Act Pursuant to the provision of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), there is no evidence that the parking lot fee increase and automated parking pay station at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park would have a significant effect on the environment, and, therefore, the proposed project has been found to be Categorically Exempt (Class 23, Section 15323) because the project is related to the normal operation of the park grounds and the fees generated for parking will be used to offset costs for maintaining and operating the public park. In addition, the revision to the parking fees at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Sections 21080 et seq.), pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(8)(A). FEE ALTERNATIVES 1) Same as recommended option (30 minute grace period, Y2 hr -2 hours $5, >2 hours $10), but maintains subsidies for seniors and disabled. 2) First hour no -charge "grace" period, and $10 flat fee. Subject to possible Coastal Commission appeal. 7 Abalone Cove Shoreline Park Parking Fees Date: April 21, 2015 Page 8 3) Incremental rate increase, 20% the first year and 50% over three years; this approach would not trigger the need to process a Coastal Permit. The following chart outlines one scenario for an incremental increase approach: PARKING Current Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 ABALONE COVE $5 $6 PARKING — CAR 6 $7.50 ABALONE COVE $15 $18 PARKING — BUS 18 P22.50 4) No Change to Current Status: Maintains the current parking fee structure. FISCAL IMPACT The fiscal impact of the recommended approach and alternatives cannot be determined precisely. • Recommended Option: Doubles the fee for visits over 2 hours from $5 to $10, but offers a grace period of 30 minutes. Assuming that half of visitors stay over two hours, this option may result in a 50% increase of parking fee revenue from the current budgeted $98,000 to $147,000, presuming there was no accompanying decrease in attendance. This increase includes the elimination of the subsidy for senior and disabled visitors. 584 seniors and 28 disabled visitors received free admission in FY 13-14 which, at an averaged $7.50 rate, would be $4,590 in revenue. • Alternative One: Same as recommended option but maintains subsidies: May result in estimated 40% revenue increase. • Alternative Two: One hour grace period/$10 flat fee: Unknown how many visitors stay for less than an hour and if the higher rate would lower attendance. May result in estimated 60% increase in parking fee revenue from $98,000 to $156,800. • Alternative Three: Incremental Increase/not appealable: May result in an estimated 20% increase in parking fee revenue in year one ($117,600) with an overall 50% increase in revenue by year three ($147,000). • Alternative Four: No change to status quo: No financial impact. CONCLUSION Abalone Cove parking fees are below the norm for similar surveyed nature areas and beaches in California and have not increased in over 20 years. Attendance and revenue figures have increased dramatically in recent years and significant City resources have been expended at Abalone Cove to improve the public's experiences and enjoyment of the park. 0 • Abalone Cove Shoreline Park Parking Fees Date: April 21, 2015 Page 9 Attachments Resolution No. 2015- Modifying parking rates charged atAbalone Cove Shoreline Park (page 10) Resolution No. 2015- Approving a Coastal Permit to increase the parking lot fees and an automated parking pay machine at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park (page 13) November 4, 2014 Eva Cicoria Email (page 17) 9 RESOLUTION NO. 2015- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING RESOLUTION 2010- 77 TO MODIFY PARKING RATES CHARGED AT ABALONE COVE SHORLINE PARK. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: WHEREAS, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes ("City") currently has established a parking fees at Abalone Park Shoreline, as set forth in Resolution 2010-77 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Master Schedule of fees and charges for City services; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to modify the parking lot fees at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park as follows; PARKING FEE EFFECTIVE PROPOSED FEE 11/8/2010 EFFECTIVE 06/20/2015 First 30 minutes free ABALONE COVE PARKING — CAR $5 $5 (30 min to 2 hours) $10 (more than 2 hours) ABALONE COVE PARKING — BUS $15 $55 ABALONE COVE PARKING First 30 minutes free SUMMER — SENIORS $5 $5 (30 min to 2 hours) $10 (more than 2 hours) ABALONE COVE PARKING First 30 minutes free FALL/SPRING - SENIORS NO CHARGE $5 (30 min to 2 hours $10 more than 2 hours) ABALONE COVE PARKING First 30 minutes free DISABLED RATE NO CHARGE $5 (30 min to 2 hours) $10 (more than 2 hours WHEREAS, on April 21, 2015, the City Council conducted a duly noticed public hearing concerning the proposed revision of the parking fees; and WHEREAS, the adoption of this Resolution approving the revision to the parking fees at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Sections 21080 et seq.), pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(8)(A); and WHEREAS, all requirements of California Government Code Sections 66016 and 66018 are hereby found to have been satisfied; NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes does hereby resolve as follows: Section 1. The facts set forth in the Recitals of this Resolution are true and correct and are hereby incorporated herein by reference as though set forth in full. Section 2. The City Council hereby approves and adopts the revisions to the Parking Fees at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, as set forth above, and hereby amends the relevant provisions of Resolution 2010-77 to incorporate the revised Parking Fees. Section 3. The modified Parking Fees specified in this resolution shall become effective on June 20, 2015, provided that an appeal to the California Coastal Commission is not filed from the City Council's determination. Section 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage, approval, and adoption of this Resolution, and shall cause this Resolution and her certification to be entered in the Book of Resolutions of the City Council of the City. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 21St day of April 2015. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk 11 State of California ) County of Los Angeles ) ss City of Rancho Palos Verdes ) I, Carla Morreale, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that the above Resolution No. , was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on April 21, 2015. City Clerk 12 RESOLUTION NO. 2015 -XX A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING A COASTAL PERMIT (ZON2015-00169) MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS TO INCREASE THE PARKING LOT FEE AND TO INSTALL AN AUTOMATED PARKING PAY MACHINE AT ABALONE COVE SHORELINE PARK. WHEREAS, Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is a multi -use City park facility that is enjoyed by the public in a number of ways including picnicking, hiking, sight- seeing, and provides public access to natural resources such as the tide pools and beaches. The parking fees currently in place have not increased in over twenty years and are based on the following rates for cars, busses, senior, and disabled parking, and: PARKING Current Fee ABALONE COVE PARKING - CAR $5 ABALONE COVE PARKING - BUS $15 ABALONE COVE PARKING $5 SUMMER - SENIORS ABALONE COVE PARKING FALL NO CHARGE TO SPRING - SENIORS ABALONE COVE PARKING NO CHARGE DISABLED RATE WHEREAS, Recreation staff conducted a survey of parking rates at other public beaches and nature/marine preserves and tide pools in California and found that the City's parking fees are below the rates charged at other locations in that the average parking fee for a car is $11.00 and the average parking fee for seniors is $10.57. Of the twenty-two surveyed agencies, six offered a reduction for seniors, with an overall average discount of $.39. While disabled fees were slightly lower, the fees followed the same pattern with by either remaining the same or reduced modestly in most instances. Several locations offered larger reductions for disabled visitors and only one location did not charge any fee. The average fee for disabled visitors was $9.02. Nine agencies offered a reduction for disabled visitors with an overall average discount of $2.39. Among agencies that allowed busses or had a separate bus fee, the average fee for large buses was $59.67; and, WHEREAS, the City proposes to increase its parking fees at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park as described in the following Table; and, 13 PARKING Current Fees Proposed New Fees First 30 minutes ABALONE COVE $5 free $5 30 min -2 PARKING - CAR hours $10 >2 hours ABALONE COVE $15 $55 PARKING - BUS First 30 minutes ABALONE COVE $5 free $5 30 min -2 SUMMER - SENIORS hours $10 >2 hours First 30 minutes ABALONE COVE FALL NO CHARGE free $5 30 min -2 TO SPRING - SENIORS hours $10 >2 hours First 30 minutes ABALONE COVE NO CHARGE free $5 30 min -2 DISABLED RATE hours $10 >2 hours WHEREAS, in addition to increasing the parking fees, the City will install an automated parking pay station which will enable park Staff to increase their presence around the park grounds particularly by patrolling the natural resources, such as the tide pools and potential poachers, and enforcing park rules; and, WHEREAS, since Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is located within the City's Coastal Zone, approval of a Coastal Permit is required for the proposed fee increase and automated pay station based on Section 17.72.090 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC) for property located in the appealable portion of the Coastal Zone; and, WHEREAS, on April 2 and 9, 2015, pursuant to the City's Municipal Code, a public notice was published in the Peninsula News and on April 2, 2015 a public notice was mailed to property owners within and adjacent to the City's Coastal Zone, and within a 500 -foot radius of the project site inviting public comments on the proposed parking fee increase and automated pay parking station; and, WHEREAS, pursuant to the provision of the California Quality Act, Public Resources Code Section 21000 et.seq. ("CEQA"), the State's CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulation, Title 14, Section 15000 et.seq., the City's Local CEQA Guidelines, and Government Code Section 65962.5(F) (Hazardous Waste and Substances Statement), the City Council found no evidence that the parking lot fee increase and automated parking pay station at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park would have a significant effect on the environment, and, therefore, the proposed project has been found to be Categorically Exempt (Class 23, Section 15323) because the project is related to the normal operation of the park grounds and the fees generated for parking will be used to offset costs for maintaining and operation the public park. In Resolution No. 2015 -XX Page 2 of 4 14 addition, the revision to the parking fees at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Sections 21080 et seq.), pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(8)(A); and, WHEREAS, on April 21, 2015, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing to consider, among other things, the required Coastal Permit; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The project site lies within an appealable portion of Subregion 5 of the City's Coastal Specific Plan and the project site is designated as Recreation - Parkland. According to the Coastal Specific Plan, the property is identified as providing recreational opportunities revolving around the terrestrial and marine environment. The proposed increase to the parking fee and the installation of an automated parking pay station is intended to off -set operational and maintenance costs at Abalone Cove for the public's benefit and enjoyment. The City recently completed specific improvements to approximately 1 -acre portion of the park that was partially funded by the State grant awarded to the City through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Specifically, the improvements include new public trails and viewing areas around swathes of land that have been replanted with native plants. These improvements, along with a significant increase in park visitors requires the City to increase the upkeep of the park grounds which results in costs borne by the City. Moreover, the automated parking pay station will allow City Staff to canvas the park grounds rather than serving as a parking attendant providing the public access to City personnel during park hours. Based on the foregoing, the City Council finds that the proposed project is consistent with the City's Coastal Specific Plan in that public access will be maintained for free for the first 30 minutes and a nominal fee for the time thereafter. Section 2. The proposed parking fee increase and automated parking pay station will have no adverse impact to public access and recreational opportunities at Abalone Cove. This is because the proposed fee structure is designed to provide the public with free access to the park for the first 30 minutes (currently a $5 fee is charged), and the parking fee of $5 for the time after the first 30 minutes up to two hours will remain unchanged to provide the general public continued access to the park. The new fee of $10 for the time spent at the park in excess of two hours is to offset City costs for operating and maintaining the park for the public's use. Based on the aforementioned, the City Council finds that the proposed project remains consistent with the applicable public access and recreation policies of the Coastal Act. Section 3. The time within which judicial review of the decision reflected in this Resolution, if available, must be sought as governed by Section 1094.6 of the California Code of Civil Procedure and other applicable short periods of limitation. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 21St day of April 2015. Resolution No. 2015 -XX Page 3 of 4 15 Mayor Attest: City Clerk State of California ) County of Los Angeles ) ss City of Rancho Palos Verdes ) I, Carla Morreale, the City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, do hereby certify that the above Resolution No. 2015 -XX was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on April 21, 2015. City Clerk Resolution No. 2015 -XX Page 4 of 4 16 From: cicoriae@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2014 9:49 AM To: CC Subject: Abalone Cove parking fee Mayor Duhovic, Mayor Pro Tem Knight, and Councilmembers Brooks, Campbell, and Misetich, I support modifying the Abalone Cove parking fee structure, but I wonder if you would consider two suggestions. 1) Change to an hourly rate, rather than a flat fee. This will enable more individuals to enjoy Abalone Cove for a shorter time. $10 for a day at this particularly special beach is not, in my view, excessive or unreasonable. $10 for a 1 or 2 hour walk along the shoreline or hike along the bluffs is excessive. With an automatic pay system, it should be relatively easy to manage an hourly fee structure. 2) Exempt PVPLC volunteers doing volunteer work, such as monitoring for the KEEPER program and patrolling for the Volunteer Trail Watch. This is particularly important if you implement at $10 daily rate. Paying $10 in order to volunteer to monitor or patrol this area is steep. Thank you for your consideration. Eva Cicoria 17