CC DM 20151006 B - 20150915 CC MINS REG DRAFTDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 15, 2015
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Mayor Knight at Fred Hesse
Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, and was immediately recessed into
Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION FOR A STUDY SESSION:
At 7:29 P.M., Mayor Knight reconvened the meeting to Regular Session for a City
Council Study Session.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Brooks, Campbell, Duhovic, Misetich and Mayor Knight
ABSENT: None
Also present were Doug Willmore, City Manager; David Aleshire, City Attorney; Michael
Throne, Director of Public Works; Deborah Cullen, Director of Finance; Ara Mihranian,
Deputy Community Development Director; Nicole Jules, Deputy Director of Public
Works; Sean Robinson, Human Resources Manager; and, Carla Morreale, City Clerk.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE STUDY
SESSION:
None.
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Review of Tentative Agendas and 2014 City Council Goals and Priorities
Discussion ensued among Council Members and staff regarding items on the upcoming
Council Meeting agendas as listed on the Tentative Agendas.
Mayor Pro Tem Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to approve the
Tentative Agendas, as amended.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Brooks, Campbell, Duhovic, Misetich and Mayor Knight
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
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September 15, 2015
Page 1 of 12
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Knight called a brief recess from 7:39 P.M. to 7:44 P.M.
REGULAR SESSION:
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Brooks, Campbell, Duhovic, Misetich and Mayor Knight
ABSENT: None
Also present were Doug Willmore, City Manager; David Aleshire, City Attorney; Joel
Rojas, Community Development Director; Michael Throne, Director of Public Works;
Deborah Cullen, Director of Finance; Ara Mihranian, Deputy Community Development
Director; Nicole Jules, Deputy Director of Public Works; Sean Robinson, Human
Resources Manager; and, Carla Morreale, City Clerk.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Attorney David Aleshire.
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Mayor Knight announced the upcoming Brush Clearing Events starting on October 3,
2015 and to be held for five Saturdays concentrating on different neighborhoods in
Rancho Palos Verdes.
Mayor Knight introduced new City Attorney David Aleshire with the firm of Aleshire &
Wynder, LLP.
Councilman Misetich announced the recent passing of longtime Peninsula resident Bill
Bloch and requested that the meeting be adjourned in his memory.
RECYCLE DRAWING:
Mayor Knight announced Recyclers of the Month from the September 1, 2015 City
Council meeting: Premindra Chandraratna and Martin Dixon. He indicated that all
winners receive a check for $250 representing a year of free refuse service and urged
everyone to participate in the City's Recycling Program.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilman Duhovic moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brooks, to approve the
agenda, as presented.
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September 15, 2015
Page 2 of 12
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Brooks, Campbell, Duhovic, Misetich and Mayor Knight
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Audience Comments regarding Items Not on the Agenda)
Rayme Sherman, PV Concours d'Elegance, Rancho Palos Verdes, provided comments
regarding the upcoming PV Concours d'Elegance to be held at Los Verdes Golf
Course/Country Club this year on September 20, 2015.
Elizabeth Ryan, Rancho Palos Verdes, provided comments regarding the need for a
swimming pool, gym, and a Civic Center for the approximately 42,000 residents of the
City which were all included as part of the original Coastal Vision Plan. She spoke in
opposition to the proposal for a skate park at the Civic Center location, noting such a
skate park would be in direct opposition to the intent of the City's Founders.
Ana Haase -Elliott, Rancho Palos Verdes, provided comments regarding the need for
recreational facilities in the City, including a public swimming pool for the youth and the
aging population who need low impact exercise. She spoke in favor of a community
center at the Civic Center to promote community involvement and to serve all ages.
She spoke in opposition to a skate park at the Civic Center due to the inherent risks and
liabilities involved in youth accessing the Civic Center skate park location via the steep
street of Hawthorne Blvd.
Jim Reeves, Interim President, Marymount California University, provided comments
regarding the withdrawal of the athletic field on the Marymount California University
campus, noting that they have sought several other locations for appropriate venues to
support the University's athletic activities.
Ted Shirley, Rancho Palos Verdes, provided comments in opposition to a proposed
skate park facility at the Civic Center, noting a public gymnasium and pool would be
more greatly utilized by the general public; and raised concerns regarding liability
issues, view impacts, and the financial impact of a privately run skate park facility at a
public site.
Sharon Yarber, Rancho Palos Verdes, provided comments regarding her opposition to
moving the start time of the Council meeting and suggested leaving the start time at
7:00 p.m. so that the public can attend, and instead consider changing the day of the
week of the meeting; concern regarding the installation of a new median island in the
City of Rolling Hills Estates at Silver Spur Road and Palos Verdes Drive North and
encouraged staff collaboration on border issues; and opposition to the use of former
City Attorney Lynch for the Green Hills Memorial Park issue.
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Frank O'Brien, San Pedro, provided comments regarding the potential closure of the
Navy Fuel Depot in San Pedro noting concerns regarding environmental issues, safety
concerns, and the preservation of the natural habitat at the site.
Noel Weiss, provided comments regarding the Rancho LPG Tank Facility in the City of
Los Angeles and urged City Attorney Aleshire to review and weigh in on the matters of
concern regarding this border issue; and, spoke in support of the concept of a sports
and athletic facility at the Civic Center.
Sandra Sandoval, provided comments regarding the danger of large groups of bicyclists
riding five deep and blocking access to vehicular traffic on Palos Verdes Drive East,
noting that she understood bicyclists are required to ride single file.
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City Manager Willmore announced that the City's new Human Resources Analyst,
Sylvana Tamura, is on board and welcomed her to the City. He provided
announcements regarding the following: 1) Installation of new Automated License Plate
Reading cameras at 25th Street and Palos Verdes Drive South to be used for proactive
and reactive assistance with crimes; 2) New broadcast equipment which is scheduled to
be changed at Hesse Park beginning in September; 3) Transition on October 20, 2015
to exclusive viewing of the City Council meetings on RPVty Cox Channel 33 and FIOS
Channel 38; and, 4) Annual Local Beach Clean-up at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park on
September 19thfrom 9:00 a.m. to noon.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting regarding Item F (Letter Opposing Assembly Bill No. 718 Regarding Sleeping
and/or Resting in Parked Vehicles) and Item H (Rejection of Bids received for the
Sunnyside Ridge Trail Segment Project); and that there were requests to speak
regarding Item B (Approval of Minutes) and Item H (Rejection of Bids received for the
Sunnyside Ridge Trail Segment Project).
Councilman Duhovic requested that Item D (FY14-15 Fiscal Year -End Budget
Adjustments and Continuing Appropriations) be removed from the Consent Calendar for
separate consideration.
Mayor Pro Tem Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Duhovic, to approve the
Consent Calendar, as amended, with Item B (Approval of Minutes) and Item H
(Rejection of Bids received for the Sunnyside Ridge Trail Segment Project) removed
and to be heard immediately after the Consent Calendar, and Item D (FY14-15 Fiscal
Year -End Budget Adjustments and Continuing Appropriations) to be heard after Regular
Business.
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September 15, 2015
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The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Brooks, Campbell, Duhovic, Misetich and Mayor Knight
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
Motion to Waive Full Reading
Adopted a motion to waive reading in full of all ordinances presented at this meeting
with consent of the waiver of reading deemed to be given by all Council Members after
the reading of the title.
Approval of Minutes
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Register of Demands
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2015-87, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING FUNDS FROM WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID.
FY14-15 Fiscal Year -End Budget Adjustments and Continuing Appropriations
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Letter Supporting Senate Bill No. 485 (SB 485) regarding the Sanitation Districts
of Los Angeles County
Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter to Governor Brown supporting Senate Bill No. 485
(SB 485) regarding the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County.
Letter Opposing Assembly Bill No. 718 (AB 718) Regarding Sleeping and/or
Resting In Parked Vehicles
Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter opposing Assembly Bill No. 718 (AB 718)
regarding sleeping and/or resting in parked vehicles, which could effectively invalidate
the City's current prohibition against using a parked vehicle as a dwelling unit for human
habitation.
Award a Contract for GPS Monitoring in the Landslide Area
1) Awarded a contract to Michael R. McGee, PLS, d/b/a McGee Surveying Consulting in
the amount of $58,320 to perform GPS surveys of all existing points within the
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Portuguese Bend/Abalone Cove/Klondike Canyon Landslide areas and to prepare the
associated report; 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement
with Michael R. McGee, PLS, d/b/a McGee Surveying Consulting for GPS surveys and
the associated report; and, 3) Authorized the expenditure of $58,320 for the required
surveys and associated report; and authorized the expenditure of up to $5,500 as a
project contingency in the event additional work is identified during the field surveys and
is determined to be required by the Director of Public Works.
Rejection of Bids received for the Sunnyside Ridge Trail Segment Project
(Supports 2014 City Council Goal, Infrastructure)
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Gifts for Parks
Accepted Gifts for Parks donations and directed staff to prepare donor letters of
appreciation for the Mayor's signature.
Designation of Management Representatives for Labor Negotiations
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2015-88, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2015-61
TO CHANGE THE DESIGNATION OF THE CITY'S LEAD NEGOTIATOR FROM
PETER BROWN, ESQ. OF THE LAW FIRM LIEBERT CASSIDY WHITMORE TO
COLIN J. TANNER, ESQ. OF THE LAW FIRM OF ALESHIRE & WYNDER, LLP.
Award Contract for Catch Basin Cleaning Services
1) Approved the award of the Catch Basin Cleaning Maintenance Contract with Ron's
Maintenance, Inc.; and, 2) Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the contract.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR:
Approval of Minutes
Noel Weiss, opined that the Council's action taken at the September 1, 2015 City
Council meeting regarding the Green Hills Memorial Park, as reflected in the Minutes,
should be an administerial act only with the adoption of the resolutions, and opined that
the Minutes should be augmented and clarified along those lines.
City Attorney Aleshire stated that he disagreed with the speaker's comments, noting
that the Minutes reflect the action taken that night, and that the action of the City
Council was not final until the adoption of the resolutions by the City Council.
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September 15, 2015
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Councilman Misetich moved, seconded by Councilman Duhovic, to approve the
Minutes.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Brooks, Campbell, Duhovic, Misetich and Mayor Knight
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
Rejection of Bids received for the Sunnyside Ridge Trail Segment Project
(Supports 2014 City Council Goal, Infrastructure)
Sharon Yarber, Rancho Palos Verdes, provided comments regarding the Sunnyside
Ridge Trail Project, noting there was a need for the construction of the trail and
expressed her concerns with delays, in light of the predicted coming rains this winter.
She suggested breaking the bids down to multiple bids for the different portions of the
project, requested clarity for the project, as the City was in peril of losing the grant.
Sandra Sandoval, spoke in support of the construction of the Sunnyside Ridge Trail
Project, noting the project needs to move forward with no further delays, and cautioned
about the possible loss of the grant for the project.
Director of Public Works Throne provided a brief staff report, explaining components of
the base bid and commenting on the three bids received which were all above the
allocated budget.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff, and City Attorney Aleshire.
Councilman Duhovic moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brooks, to approve the staff
recommendation to modify the scope of work, with staff directed to return with
alternatives to address the essential elements of the construction of the trail, focusing
on trailheads, unimproved trails and necessary drainage, with the goal of decreasing
construction costs, and re -advertise the project as soon as possible.
Councilman Duhovic amended his motion to include the rejection of bids. Mayor Pro
Tem Brooks accepted the amendment to the motion.
The motion as amended is reiterated as the following: Councilman Duhovic moved,
seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brooks, to approve the staff recommendation to modify
the scope of work, with staff directed to return with alternatives to address the essential
elements of the construction of the trail, focusing on trailheads, unimproved trails, and
necessary drainage, with the goal of decreasing construction costs, and re -advertise the
project as soon as possible; and reject all bids received for the Sunnyside Ridge Trail
Segment Project.
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The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Brooks, Campbell, Duhovic, Misetich and Mayor Knight
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Knight called a brief recess from 8:58 P.M. to 9:13 P.M.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
Assessment of Arterial Street Walls and Fences along Major Corridors
City Clerk Morreale reported that there was no request to speak regarding this item.
Deputy Community Development Director Mihranian provided a staff report and
PowerPoint presentation regarding the assessment of the condition of arterial street
walls and fences along segments of Hawthorne Blvd., Crest Road, and Palos Verdes
Drive West, including chain-link fences, stone and block walls, Palos Verdes stone
columns, and wrought iron fences. He noted that the majority of the arterial walls were
not engineered as retaining walls, and illustrated the failure of some walls due to the
sloughing of material from the adjoining slopes, which has compromised the integrity of
the walls.
Deputy Director of Public Works Jules provided an overview of possible fence and wall
improvement options, including voluntary repairs; beautification program which could be
a public/private partnership; Right -of -Way improvements, including landscaping in front
of the walls; proactive code enforcement; or maintaining the status quo, with the
inclusion of two upcoming projects: Hawthorne Blvd. Beautification Project and
Hawthorne Blvd. Pedestrian Linkage Project. She displayed an illustration from a 2001
Beautification Study that proposed robust landscaping along a portion of Hawthorne
Blvd.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff, and City Attorney Aleshire.
City Clerk Morreale reported that a request to speak had been received.
Ken Dyda, Rancho Palos Verdes, suggested that the early median improvement studies
included the use of drought -resistant, non-invasive landscaping in the medians that
does not obstruct views; and noted the work should be prioritized and performed in
phases based on available funding.
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Mayor Pro Tem Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to direct staff to
return with a strategic code enforcement plan to focus on the medians; repair chain-link
fencing; work with the 2001 Beautification Study; and research the use of Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for improvements where appropriate.
Councilman Duhovic moved an amendment to the motion, seconded by Councilman
Misetich, to immediately address all public safety issues with fencing; direct staff to
move forward with median improvements; direct City Attorney Aleshire to look into legal
issues involved with the removal of chain-link fencing on private property; direct staff to
come back with a strategic code enforcement plan; and, direct staff to move forward
with an overall beautification plan, with the location and possible utilization of
components of the 2001 Beautification Study.
Mayor Pro Tem Brooks and Councilman Misetich, as the maker and seconder of the
motion, accepted this amendment.
Mayor Knight suggested the inclusion of immediately addressing all encroachment
issues in the public right-of-way. The maker and seconder of the motion accepted this
amendment.
The motion as amended is reiterated as the following: Mayor Pro Tem Brooks moved,
seconded by Councilman Misetich, to immediately address all public safety and
encroachment issues with fencing; direct staff to move forward with median
improvements; direct City Attorney Aleshire to look into legal issues involved with the
removal of chain-link fencing on private property; direct staff to come back with a
strategic code enforcement plan; and, direct staff to move forward with an overall
beautification plan, with the location and possible utilization of components of the 2001
Beautification Study.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Brooks, Campbell, Duhovic, Misetich and Mayor Knight
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
Mayor Pro Tem Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Duhovic, to continue the
meeting to 11:00 P.M. for the consideration of new business.
Without objection, Mayor Knight so ordered.
League of California Cities 2015 Annual Conference Resolutions
Councilman Duhovic moved to waive the staff report.
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Councilman Misetich moved a substitute motion, seconded by Councilman Duhovic, to
waive the staff report and approve the staff recommendation to: Authorize the City
Council's Voting Delegate to support the adoption of League of California Cities General
Assembly Resolution No. 1 (League Bylaw Amendment); League of California Cities
General Assembly Resolution No. 2 (Overconcentration of Alcohol & Drug Treatment
Facilities); League of California Cities General Assembly Resolution No. 3 (Residential
Rentals, Support for SB 593 (McGuire)); and, League of California Cities General
Assembly Resolution No. 4 (Compensation for Prolonged Electrical Power Outages).
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Brooks, Campbell, Duhovic, Misetich and Mayor Knight
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
Preparations for the 2015-16 Winter Season (Supports City Council Goal, Public
Infrastructure)
Director of Public Works Throne provided a brief staff report and PowerPoint
presentation regarding this item.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and staff.
Councilman Duhovic moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brooks, to approve the staff
recommendation to: Receive and file a presentation from the Public Works Department
on the preparations being made for the upcoming 2015-16 winter season.
Without objection, Mayor Knight so ordered.
ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR:
FY14-15 Fiscal Year -End Budget Adjustments and Continuing Appropriations
City Clerk Morreale reported that Councilman Duhovic requested this item be removed
from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
At the request of Councilman Duhovic, Director of Finance Cullen provided an overview
of the proposed change in policy which will be used during the next budget process.
She explained that staff would appropriate funds for only those Capital Improvement
Projects (CIPs) that would be started in the next fiscal year; and commit funds for other
CIPs as designated for a specific future purpose, knowing that if a project is committed
in year one but not started until year 3, the estimated cost of the project will change.
Director of Finance Cullen emphasized that the funding in this scenario would be
committed, but not appropriated. She noted that if there were a large CIP, funds would
only be appropriated for the portion of the project that would be completed in that fiscal
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September 15, 2015
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year; noting that this new policy would provide a more accurate real time picture of the
budget.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and staff.
Councilman Duhovic moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brooks, to: 1) ADOPT
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-89, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2014-41, THE
BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR FY14-15, TO REDUCE THE BUDGET FOR THE
APPROVED CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS; 2) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2015-
90, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2015-47, THE BUDGET APPROPRIATION
FOR FY15-16, TO INCREASE THE BUDGET FOR THE APPROVED CONTINUING
APPROPRIATIONS; 3) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2015-91, A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, AMENDING
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-41, THE BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR FY14-15, TO
ADJUST THE BUDGET IN VARIOUS FUNDS OF THE CITY; and, 4) ADOPT
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-92, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2015-47, THE
BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR FY15-16, TO ADJUST THE BUDGET IN VARIOUS
FUNDS OF THE CITY.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Brooks, Campbell, Duhovic, Misetich and Mayor Knight
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
The following item was raised by a Council Member as a future agenda item:
Direct the City Attorney to look into insurance, potential liability and indemnification
issues of the LPG Tank Facility (Duhovic)
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
This item was deferred to the next regular meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Aleshire reported on the following Closed Session items: 1) With respect
to the Potential Litigation against the City regarding Green Hills, no reportable action
was taken; and, 2) With respect to the Conference with Labor Negotiators, no reportable
action was taken.
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ADJOURNMENT:
At 11:05 P.M., Mayor Knight adjourned the meeting in the memory of Bill Bloch.
Attest:
City Clerk
W:\City Council Minutes\2015\20150915 DRAFT CC MINS.docx
Mayor
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