RPVCCA_CC_DM_2013_03_05_B_20130205_CC_MINS_DRAFTDraft City Council Minutes
February 5, 2013
Page 1 of 8
DRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 5, 2013
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Mayor Brooks at Fred Hesse
Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, and was immediately recessed into
Closed Session. The meeting reconvened at 7:03 P.M.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Campbell, Duhovic, Knight, Misetich and Mayor Brooks
ABSENT: None
Also present were Carolyn Lehr, City Manager; Carolynn Petru, Deputy City
Manager/Interim Director of Recreation and Parks; Carol Lynch, City Attorney; Dennis
McLean, Director of Finance/Information Technology; Joel Rojas, Community
Development Director; Les Jones, Interim Director of Public Works; Kit Fox, Senior
Administrative Analyst; Sean Robinson, Interim Human Resources Manager; Steve
Larson, Designated Labor Negotiator; and, Carla Morreale, City Clerk.
FLAG SALUTE:
The Flag Salute was led by Recreation Services Manager Holly Starr.
CEREMONIAL:
Mayor Brooks introduced Recreation Services Manager Starr who announced the
Whale of a Day Poster Contest Winners for 2013. She noted that the posters would be
on display in the Sunset Room at Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center during the Whale of a
Day event on March 2, 2013. Mayor Brooks thanked Recreation Services Manager
Starr and longtime docent Jo Woods for their work with the Whale of a Day poster
contest program.
City Manager Lehr and Deputy City Manager/Interim Director of Recreation and Parks
Petru announced that Recreation Services Manager Starr has worked for the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes for 25 years, thanked her for her service, and presented her with
her 25-Year Service Pin.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Brooks provided comments regarding the proposed Clean Water, Clean Beaches
Fee, noting that the Board of Supervisors public hearing date regarding this proposed
B-1
Draft City Council Minutes
February 5, 2013
Page 2 of 8
fee has been continued to March 12, 2013. She encouraged residents wishing
additional information to contact the Board of Supervisors office.
Mayor Brooks announced that the meeting would be adjourned in the memory of a local
young man, Sean Heffernan, who recently lost his life.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Brooks announced Recyclers of the Month from the May 1, 2013 City Council
meeting: John Heron, Jr. and Steve Soldoff. She 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. She noted that in addition to winning the
Recycler Drawing, the two individuals had also won a Personal Emergency
Preparedness Kit from the City at a value of $60.00.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilman Knight moved, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to approve the agenda,
as presented.
Without objection, Mayor Brooks so ordered.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Audience Comments regarding Items Not on the Agenda)
Ken Dyda, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that at a recent Past Mayor’s Luncheon, City
Manager Lehr announced that the City’s signature event for the 40th Anniversary would
be held on May 5, 2013. He opined that the signature event should be held instead on
the date of the incorporation of the City, which is September 7th. He added that
recognition of those involved in the City’s incorporation should be of a general nature,
listing organizations and adjacent cities that were involved, instead of individuals.
Laura Walters, Los Angeles County Fire Department, provided an announcement
regarding recent home fires caused by poorly maintained fireplaces and chimneys. She
stated that residents should have spark arrestors on the top of the chimney and that
regular maintenance should be performed on fireplaces and chimneys. She added that
only wood should be burned in fireplaces, not cardboard, paper or magazines.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting regarding this agenda item.
Kathy McCune, Deputy Program Manager, Los Angeles County Metro Express Lanes,
provided a brief report and PowerPoint presentation regarding the new Metro Express
Lanes program on the Interstate 110 and 10 Freeways.
B-2
Draft City Council Minutes
February 5, 2013
Page 3 of 8
Discussion ensued among Council Members, speaker and staff.
Mayor Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Campbell, to approve the signing of a
letter, as suggested by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, in support of
waiving the monthly maintenance fee for users of the Express Lanes.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Duhovic, Knight, Misetich and Mayor Brooks
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City Manager Lehr provided an update regarding the City’s 40 th Anniversary plans.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and staff.
NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilman Campbell requested that Item F (Median Maintenance Budget Adjustment
FY 12-13) be removed from the Consent Calendar.
Councilman Misetich moved, seconded by Councilman Campbell, to approve the
Consent Calendar, with Item No. F (Median Maintenance Budget Adjustment FY 12-13)
removed from the Consent Calendar and to be heard after Regular Business.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Duhovic, Knight, Misetich and Mayor Brooks
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Motion to Waive Full Reading
Adopt 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
Approve the Minutes of the January 8, 2013 Adjourned Regular Meeting and the
January 15, 2013 Adjourned Regular Meeting.
B-3
Draft City Council Minutes
February 5, 2013
Page 4 of 8
Adoption of Ordinance No. 544 – Massage Establishments and Technicians
ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 544, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES, AMENDING THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING THE REGULATION OF MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND
TECHNICIANS.
December 2012 Monthly Report of Cash Balances
Received and filed the December 2012 Monthly Report of Cash Balances for the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes.
Gifts for Parks
Accepted Gifts for Parks donations and directed staff to prepare donor letters of
appreciation for the Mayor’s signature.
Median Maintenance Budget Adjustment FY 12-13
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Approve Agreements with ICMA-RC as the Replacement Plan Administrator of the
Existing Retirement Health Savings Plan
1) Authorized the Mayor to sign the Adoption Agreement, Trust Agreement and
Administrative Services Agreement between the City and ICMA-RC, the proposed
replacement plan administrator of the existing retirement health savings plan; and,
2) ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2013-03, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, ADOPTING A RETIREE
HEALTH SAVINGS PLAN AND 115 TRUST.
Register of Demands
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2013-04, 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.
# # # # # #
REGULAR BUSINESS:
Appointments to the Traffic Safety Commission and Emergency Preparedness
Committee
B-4
Draft City Council Minutes
February 5, 2013
Page 5 of 8
City Clerk Morreale reported that the City Council conducted interviews of applicants on
January 15 and January 29, 2013 and distributed ballots for the Council’s selection of
three members for the Traffic Safety Commission and two members for the Emergency
Preparedness Committee.
After one round of balloting, the Council appointed David Kramer, Jessica Vlaco and
James Guerin to the Traffic Safety Commission, each with a four year term of office until
February 5, 2017.
After one round of balloting, the Council appointed Diana Feinberg and Marty Foster to
the Emergency Preparedness Committee, each with a four year term of office until
February 5, 2017.
Border Issues Status Report
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting and there was one request to speak regarding this item.
Mayor Pro Tem Duhovic moved, seconded by Councilman Campbell, to waive the staff
report.
Without objection, Mayor Brooks so ordered.
Jeanne Lacombe, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that it is unacceptable that Rancho
LPG is delaying the release of their insurance information to the public. She added that
Rancho LPG has also not released their emergency plan to the public.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff and the speaker.
By acclamation, the Council took the following action: 1) Received and filed the current
report on the status of Border Issues with direction to staff for a request for insurance
information from Rancho LPG and the City of Los Angeles; and, 2) Staff directed to
obtain follow-up on the required reporting requirements regarding flare-ups and leaking
butane tanks at the Rancho LPG facility.
Steve Highter, Supervising Engineer, Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County and
Project Manager, Clearwater Program, provided a report and PowerPoint presentation
regarding the Clearwater Program which concentrates on the joint outfall system
managing 400 million gallons of waste water a day.
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Brooks called a brief recess from 8:42 P.M. to 8:53 P.M.
B-5
Draft City Council Minutes
February 5, 2013
Page 6 of 8
Discussion ensued among Council Members and the speaker regarding the proposed
Clearwater Program. By acclamation, the presentation was received and filed.
Completion of Pension Revision Process and Status of Vacant Positions
City Clerk Morreale reported that there was one request to speak regarding this matter.
City Manager Lehr introduced Interim Human Resources Manager Sean Robinson ,
noting that the City would be retaining Steve Larson, who was also present that
evening, on a part-time basis.
Interim Human Resources Manager Robinson provided a brief staff report regarding this
item.
Sharon Yarber, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that the City has retained a consultant
currently reviewing City staffing, efficiencies and other issues. She suggested it would
be fiscally prudent to wait for the completion of that process before hiring additional
staff. She raised concerns with the City’s fiscal health when factoring in the unknowns
regarding the City’s infrastructure, the City’s unfunded pension liability, and the impact
of negotiations with the Employee Association.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff, and the speaker.
Mayor Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Knight, to allow the recruitment for
Position 1 (Senior Administrative Analyst – Emergency Services, City Manager’s
Office), Position 2 (Human Resources Manager, City Manager’s Office), and Position 3
(Staff Assistant II, City Clerk’s Office) and allow staff to move forward with the
preliminary recruitment process on the other four staff positions, with direction to the
City Manager to return to Council before any decisions or offers are made.
Discussion continued among Council Members, staff, and the speaker.
Mayor Pro Tem Duhovic moved a substitute motion, seconded by Councilman Knight,
to direct staff to move forward with the recruitment for Position 1 (Senior Administrative
Analyst – Emergency Services, City Manager’s Office) and Position 3 (Staff Assistant II,
City Clerk’s Office), and direct staff to initiate the preliminary recruitment process on the
other five staff positions listed in the staff report, with direction to the City Manager to
return to Council before any decisions or offers are made.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Duhovic, Knight, Misetich and Mayor Brooks
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
B-6
Draft City Council Minutes
February 5, 2013
Page 7 of 8
ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR:
Median Maintenance Budget Adjustment FY 12-13
City Clerk Morreale reported that Councilman Campbell requested that this item be
removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Councilman Campbell stated that he requested this item be removed from the Consent
Calendar for clarification of the date when the Recycling Fund rebate should begin.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, City Attorney Lynch and staff.
Councilman Campbell moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Duhovic, to remove this
item from the agenda until the Solid Waste Subcommittee meets with staff to work out
the mechanics of how to wrap up the Beautification Grant Program on February 18,
2013, and returns to Council with its recommendation.
Discussion continued among Council Members and staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Duhovic moved, seconded by Councilman Knight, to reaffirm that the
retroactive date for the refund of Recycling money to the residents was to be January 1,
2013, and that the mechanics of the refund be discussed by the Solid Waste
Subcommittee on February 18, 2013, with the Subcommittee to return to the Council
with its recommendation.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Duhovic, Knight, Misetich and Mayor Brooks
NOES: Campbell
ABSENT: None
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Councilman Knight stated that the Future Agenda item regarding the Business
Exposition could be removed from the list, as he would be working with staff regarding
this item.
The following items were raised by Council Members as future agenda items:
Mayor Brooks requested an item be placed on a future agenda regarding an invocation
at the start of the City Council meetings.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
B-7
Draft City Council Minutes
February 5, 2013
Page 8 of 8
Each Council Member reported on his/her attendance at various organization and
association meetings since the last City Council Oral Reports were provided on January
15, 2013.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Lynch reported that with respect to the Closed Session item titled
Nakamura, et al. v. Southern California Edison Case, a report was provided and the City
Council gave unanimous direction to the City Attorney’s Office (4 -0), with Councilman
Campbell absent from the Closed Session.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION:
At 10:18 P.M., City Attorney Lynch reported that the Council would be recessing to
Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION:
At 10:59 P.M., the Council reconvened to Open Session.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
Labor Attorney Brown reported that the Council gave direction to its Labor Attorney and
there was no reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 11:00 P.M., the meeting was adjourned in the memory of Sean Heffernan.
___________________
Mayor
Attest:
___________________
City Clerk
W:\City Council Minutes\2013\20130205 CC MINS DRAFT.doc
B-8