RPVCCA_CC_DM_2014_03_04_B_20140204_CC_MINS_DRAFTDraft City Council Minutes
February 4, 2014
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DRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 4, 2014
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Mayor Duhovic at Fred Hesse
Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, and was immediately recessed into
Closed Session. The meeting reconvened at 7:09 P.M.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, Misetich and Mayor Duhovic
ABSENT: None
Also present were Carolynn Petru, Acting City Manager; Carol Lynch, City Attorney;
Dennis McLean, Director of Finance/Information Technology (IT); Joel Rojas,
Community Development Director; Michael Throne, Director of Public Works; Cory
Lindor, Director of Recreation and Parks; Sean Robinson, Human Resources Manager;
Greg Pfost, Deputy Community Development Director; Kathryn Downs, Deputy Director
of Finance/IT; Leza Mikhail, Associate Planner; Kit Fox, Senior Administrative Analyst;
and, Carla Morreale, City Clerk.
FLAG SALUTE:
The Flag Salute was led by Councilwoman Brooks.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Duhovic acknowledged Carolyn Lehr for her cooperation and proactive
accommodation since her recent announcement that she would not be renewing her
contract. Mayor Duhovic thanked Carolynn Petru for agreeing to serve as the Acting
City Manager.
Mayor Duhovic recognized Rancho Palos Verdes resident, Ms. J. Martin, for her
accomplishment in recently climbing Mt. Annapurna in the Himalayan Mountains in
Nepal.
Mayor Duhovic announced that the City’s auditors recently completed an audit of three
Agreed Upon Procedures which resulted in a clean audit. In addition, he noted that staff
recently created an Employee Compensation and Benefits Analysis spreadsheet that
will be placed on the City’s website and sent to the State Controller’s office.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
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Mayor Duhovic announced Recyclers of the Month from the January 21, 2014 City
Council meeting: Ralph Galante and Leo Rippo. 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. He 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:
Council discussion ensued regarding the reordering of agenda items or continuance of
items to a future agenda. The agenda items were reordered in the following manner:
Consent Calendar; Item No. 8 (Five-Year Municipal Law Enforcement Services
Agreement with Los Angeles County); Item No. 2 (Review of the Carillon Bells and
Exterior Lighting of the Sanctuary for the St. John Fisher Master Plan); Item No. 1
(Certification of a Negative Declaration and Adoption of a Final General Plan Housing
Element Amendment); Item No. 5 (City Manager Recruitment Plan); Item No. 6 (City
Council Goal-Setting Exercise); Item No. 7 (Matrix Report Status Update); Item No. 4
(Updated Pension Liability Memorandum from the Finance Advisory Committee); and,
Item No. 3 (Banking Services – Bank of the West).
Mayor Duhovic moved, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks, to approve the agenda, as
amended.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, Misetich and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Audience Comments regarding Items Not on the Agenda)
Jody Rice, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he cancelled his Cox Communications
service almost one year ago and in doing so, he lost the right to use the email account
he created and all of the email data in the system, including important documents and
photographs without prior notice from the cable operator. He wanted to warn other Cox
subscribers about the potential loss of personal and sensitive information.
Minas Yerelian, Rancho Palos Verdes, provided comments regarding the benefits of
turning off or dimming the street lights in the City to save money and energy.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
Director of Public Works Throne provided a report regarding upcoming renovations to
the McTaggart Memorial Hall and Council Chambers to improve lighting for video
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purposes during City Council and Planning Commission meetings, as well as daily uses
at the facility.
Acting City Manager Petru announced that the City would be holding a City Council
Meeting/Infrastructure Workshop on Monday, February 10, 2014 at 6:30 P.M. at the Pt.
Vicente Interpretive Center. She noted the items to be discussed will include the City’s
Infrastructure Report Card; financing options; and, a Comprehensive Infrastructure
Management Plan.
NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting regarding Item E (December 2013 Monthly Report of Cash Balances) and Item
G (Border Issues Status Report).
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Mayor Duhovic, to approve the Consent
Calendar, as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, Misetich and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Motion to Waive Full Reading
Adopted a motion to waive reading in full of all ordinances presented at this meetin g
with consent of the waiver of reading deemed to be given by all Council Members after
the reading of the title.
Approval of Minutes
Approved the Minutes of the January 7, 2014 Adjourned Regular Meeting and January
8, 2014 Adjourned Regular Meeting.
Adoption of Ordinance No. 555 - Amendment of Municipal Code Section 17.56.020
(Conduct of Construction and Landscaping Activities) to Reduce the City’s
Existing Allowable Construction Hours, Codify an Existing Requirement related to
Construction Vehicle Staging and Clarify other Provisions of the Section (Case
No. ZON2013-00420)
ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 555, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES, AMENDING SECTION 17.56.020 OF THE RANCHO PALOS
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VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE TO REDUCE THE CITY'S EXISTING ALLOWABLE
CONSTRUCTION HOURS, CODIFY AN EXISTING CONDITION OF APPROVAL
REGULATING THE IDLING OF CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES AND CLARIFY
CERTAIN OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE SECTION (CASE NO. ZON2013-00420).
Authorize License Agreement for Work on Private Property for Storm Drain
Improvements (Supports 2013 City Council Goal #4 Public Infrastructure)
Approved and authorized the Acting City Manager to execute a License Agreement with
Miraleste Recreation and Parks District, owner of parcel 7561-010-900, in Rancho
Palos Verdes, for installation of storm drain improvements and appurtenant work.
December 2013 Monthly Report of Cash Balances
Received and filed the December 2013 Monthly Report of Cash Balances for the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes.
Register of Demands
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2014-03, 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.
Border Issues Status Report
Received and filed the current report on the status of Border Issues.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
Five-Year Municipal Law Enforcement Services Agreement with Los Angeles
County
Acting City Manager Petru provided a brief staff report regarding this item.
Capt. Bolin thanked the Council for its support of the men and women at the Lomita
Sheriff’s Station.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff, and City Attorney Lynch.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to authorize the
Mayor and City Clerk to execute the 2014 Five-Year Municipal Law Enforcement
Services Agreement.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
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AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, Misetich and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Review of the Carillon Bells and Exterior Lighting of the Sanctuary for the St.
John Fisher Master Plan (Location: 5448 Crest Road – Corner of Crest Road and
Crenshaw Blvd.)
City Clerk Morreale reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published, written
protests included in the staff report, late correspondence distributed prior to the
meeting, and there were two requests to speak regarding this item.
Mayor Duhovic declared the public hearing open.
Associate Planner Mikhail provided a brief staff report regarding the review of the
Carillon Bells and Exterior Lighting of the Sanctuary for the St. John Fisher Master Plan
project.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff, and City Attorney Lynch.
Monsignor Sork, applicant, St. John Fisher, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated he was
concerned with the requirement to turn off the exterior lighting in the parking lot by 9:00
P.M. due to safety issues, and noted the parking lot lighting should be considered as
security lighting. He provided comments regarding the subjectivity of the sound of the
carillon bells and noted the church is trying to figure out the appropriate level to serve
the church’s needs.
Joan Ortolano, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that she has concerns regarding the time
restrictions regarding the exterior lighting in the parking lot for safety and security
reasons. She noted that the staff report notes that other exterior lighting will not be
reviewed until fall 2014 or winter 2015. She suggested that Community Development
Director Rojas be allowed to use his discretion to remove the restrictions on the parking
lot lighting to address the issues of safety hazards.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff, and City Attorney Lynch.
Mayor Duhovic declared the public hearing closed.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to approve the staff
recommendation to determine that the carillon bells and exterior sanctuary lighting
associated with the St. John Fisher Master Plan are in compliance with the applicable
conditions of approval.
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The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, Misetich and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Directed Community Development Director Rojas to meet with church representatives
to discuss issues regarding security lighting at the site.
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Duhovic called a brief recess from 8:18 P.M. to 8:31 P.M.
Certification of a Negative Declaration and Adoption of a Final General Plan
Housing Element Amendment
City Clerk Morreale reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published, no
written protests included in the staff report, and there were no requests to speak
regarding this item.
Mayor Duhovic declared the public hearing open.
Deputy Community Development Director Pfost provided a brief staff report regarding
this item.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff, and City Attorney Lynch.
Mayor Duhovic declared the public hearing closed.
Mayor Duhovic moved, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks, to: 1) ADOPT
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-04, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CERTIFYING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND
MAKING CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE
GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT AMENDMENT; and, 2) ADOPT RESOLUTION
NO. 2014-05, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES, ADOPTING THE FINAL HOUSING ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL
PLAN.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Knight, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: Campbell
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Misetich
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REGULAR BUSINESS: (Continued)
City Manager Recruitment Plan
Human Resources Manager Robinson provided a staff report and PowerPoint
presentation regarding this item.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff, and City Attorney Lynch.
Mayor Duhovic moved, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks, to use an external
recruitment firm for the City Manager recruitment.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, Misetich, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Duhovic moved, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks, to create the City Manager
Recruitment Firm Selection Ad Hoc Subcommittee to specifically and solely work with
Human Resources Manager Robinson in the selection of a slate of potential executive
recruiting firms.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, Misetich, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Duhovic moved, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to appoint Councilwoman
Brooks and Councilman Campbell to the City Manager Recruitment Firm Selection
AdHoc Subcommittee.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, Misetich, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
REORDER OF THE AGENDA:
Mayor Duhovic suggested moving Item No. 4 (Updated Pension Liability Memorandum
from the Finance Advisory Committee) up on the agenda.
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Mayor Duhovic moved, seconded by Councilman Campbell, to reorder the agenda to
consider Item No. 4 (Updated Pension Liability Memorandum from the Finance Advisory
Committee) next.
Without objection, Mayor Duhovic so ordered.
Updated Pension Liability Memorandum from the Finance Advisory Committee
(FAC) (Supports 2013 City Council Goal of Government Efficiency, Fiscal Control
and Transparency)
City Clerk Morreale reported there was one request from the public to speak and FAC
Member James was present to answer questions.
Deputy Director of Finance/IT Downs provided a brief staff report and PowerPoint
presentation regarding this item.
Minas Yerelian, Rancho Palos Verdes, provided comments regarding pension systems
in local and state governments and withdrawing from the CalPERS system to save the
City money.
Bill James, Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) Member, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated
that there were three things Council should focus on from the update: 1) The actuarial
number provided by CalPERS is not a true number; 2) The current contribution rates
are anticipated to be increasing at least one percent a year for the next five years; and,
3) The importance of the public knowing the true market value liability of the City in the
CalPERS program. He added that the CalPERS return numbers for the second half of
the year reflect an improvement, but cautioned that there is a continuing liability for the
City.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff, and FAC Member James.
Mayor Duhovic moved, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks, to approve the staff
recommendation to: Receive and file the December 11, 2013 updated version of the
Memorandum from the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) titled “Update #2 re the
City’s Unfunded Pension Liability.”
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, Misetich, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Duhovic called a brief recess from 9:52 P.M. to 10:02 P.M.
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City Council Goal-Setting Exercise
Dr. Colman continued with the City Council goal-setting exercise and highlighted the
following two issues still to be reviewed by Council: 1) Government Efficiency, Fiscal
Control and Transparency; and, 2) Intergovernmental Issues.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff and Dr. Colman regarding the goals
and specific topics under each goal.
Mayor Duhovic moved, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to extend the meeting until
11:00 P.M.
Without objection, Mayor Duhovic so ordered.
Discussion continued among Council Members, staff and Dr. Colman regarding the
goals and specific topics under each goal. There was a general consensus that Dr.
Colman and staff would compile the input from Council and present a final 2014 Goals
document at an upcoming meeting.
RECONSIDERATION OF AGENDA:
Mayor Duhovic moved, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to reschedule Item No. 3
(Banking Services – Bank of the West) and Item No. 7 (Matrix Report Status Update) to
future Council meetings.
Without objection, Mayor Duhovic so ordered.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting regarding this item.
The following items were raised by Council Members as future agenda items:
Potential Plan for the Alta Mira Canyon project (Knight)
Transparency regarding upcoming Labor Negotiations with Rancho Palos Verdes
Employee Association (Campbell) [From April 2, 2013]
Tri-Party Agreement between the City, Palos Verdes Peninsula School District, and
Marymount California University regarding use of Miraleste Intermediate School Athletic
Field in lieu of the proposed Marymount proposed athletic field (Duhovic)
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
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Mayor Duhovic suggested the City Council Oral Reports be deferred to the next regular
meeting.
Without objection, Mayor Duhovic so ordered.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Lynch reported on the following Closed Session items: 1) With respect to
existing litigation of the Nakamura, et al. v. Southern California Edison, unanimous
direction was given by the City Council to the City Attorney’s Office, with all Council
Members present; 2) With respect to the potential litigation against the City, unanimous
direction was given to the City Attorney’s Office, with all Council Members present;
3) With respect to the potential litigation against the City regarding a Green Hills
Memorial Park matter, the Council ran out of time and did not have the opportunity to
discuss this item; therefore, no action was taken or direction given; and, 4) With respect
to two cases under the potential initiation of litigation, no action was taken on either item
and staff and the City Attorney will be reporting back to the Council.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION:
At 11:14 P.M., the meeting was recessed to Closed Session for a Conference with
Labor Negotiators, Labor Counsel Peter Brown and Steve Larson, with all Council
Members present.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION:
At 11:55 P.M., the meeting was reconvened to Open Session.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
Labor Attorney Brown reported that no reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 11:57 P.M., Mayor Duhovic adjourned the meeting to an Adjourned Regular Meeting
to be held on Monday, February 10, 2014 at 6:30 P.M. at Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center
for an Infrastructure Workshop, which will be preceded by a 6:00 P.M. Closed Session.
___________________
Mayor
Attest:
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___________________
City Clerk
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