RPVCCA_CC_DM_2014_03_18_B_20140218_CC_MINS_DRAFTDraft City Council Minutes
February 18, 2014
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DRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 18, 2014
The meeting was called to order at 7:06 P.M. by Mayor Duhovic at Fred Hesse
Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
REGULAR SESSION FOR A STUDY SESSION:
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, and Mayor Duhovic
ABSENT: Misetich (excused)
Also present were Carolynn Petru, Acting City Manager; Carol Lynch, City Attorney;
Dennis McLean, Director of Finance/Information Technology; Joel Rojas, Community
Development Director; Michael Throne, Director of Public Works; Sean Robinson,
Human Resources Manager; Eduardo Schonborn, Senior Planner; and, Carla Morreale,
City Clerk.
Also present were Dr. Allan Colman, The Closers Group, LLC; and Steve Larson, Labor
Negotiator.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE STUDY
SESSION:
None.
DISCUSSION TOPICS:
Review of Tentative Agendas
Discussion ensued among Council Members, City Attorney Lynch, and staff regarding
items on the upcoming Council Meeting agendas as listed on the Tentative Agendas.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Knight, to approve the
Tentative Agendas, as amended.
Without objection, Mayor Duhovic so ordered.
Future Agenda Items Proposed by Council Members to be Prioritized:
Authorization to Initiate Discussions with Respect to the Use of Miraleste
Intermediate School Athletic Facilities
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Mayor Duhovic provided a report regarding this item.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Knight, to approve the
recommendation to: Authorize Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Jerry V. Duhovic to initiate
preliminary discussions with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District
("PVPUSD"), specifically School Board President Erin LaMonte, and Marymount
California University ("MCU"), specifically MCU President Dr. Michael Brophy, to
analyze the feasibility of entering into a tri-party agreement between the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes (“City”), PVPUSD and MCU for the shared use of the Miraleste
Intermediate School ("Miraleste") athletic facilities.
Without objection, Mayor Duhovic so ordered.
Altamira Canyon Drainage Project
Mayor Pro Tem Knight provided a report regarding this item.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and staff.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Mayor Duhovic, to approve the
recommendation to: Direct staff to review the Altamira Canyon Drainage (ACD) Project
as outlined in Mayor Pro Tem Knight’s report and return to Council with
recommendations as to the feasibility of the project, any modifications of the ACD
project or if another type of Altamira Canyon drainage project would be preferable .
Councilwoman Brooks offered an amendment, accepted by the seconder of the motion,
that the Altamira Canyon drainage project be incorporated into the 2014 Infrastructure
Management Plan.
Without objection, Mayor Duhovic so ordered.
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Duhovic called a brief recess from 7:32 P.M. to 7:38 P.M.
REGULAR SESSION:
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, and Mayor Duhovic
ABSENT: Misetich (excused)
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Also present were Carolynn Petru, Acting City Manager; Carol Lynch, City Attorney;
Dennis McLean, Director of Finance/Information Technology; Joel Rojas, Community
Development Director; Michael Throne, Director of Public Works; Ara Mihranian, Deputy
Community Development Director; Sean Robinson, Human Resources Manager;
Eduardo Schonborn, Senior Planner; So Kim, Associate Planner; Kit Fox, Senior
Administrative Analyst; Matt Waters, Senior Administrative Analyst; Mona Dill,
Recreation Program Supervisor II; and, Carla Morreale, City Clerk.
Also present were Dr. Allan Colman, The Closers Group, LLC; and Steve Larson, Labor
Negotiator.
FLAG SALUTE:
The Flag Salute was led by students who participated in the Whale of a Day Poster
Contest.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS/CEREMONIAL:
Mayor Duhovic recognized students and faculty at the three middle schools in the Palos
Verdes Unified School District who participated in the Whale of a Day poster contest;
and thanked longtime docent Jo Woods for her work with the Whale of a Day poster
contest program. He invited Recreation Program Supervisor II Dill to announce the
Whale of a Day Poster Contest winners.
Recreation Program Supervisor II Dill announced the Whale of a Day Poster Contest
winners for 2014. She noted that the posters would be on display at Pt. Vicente
Interpretive Center during the Whale of a Day event on March 1, 2014.
RECYCLE DRAWING:
Mayor Duhovic announced Recyclers of the Month from the February 4, 2014 City
Council meeting: Michael Lew and Alex Haidos. 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:
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Knight, to approve the
agenda.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: Misetich
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PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Audience Comments regarding Items Not on the Agenda)
City Clerk Morreale reported that there were seven requests to speak regarding this
item.
Rascha Hall, RPV Residents for Fair Elections, Rancho Palos Verdes, requested the
Council’s support of a resolution to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision in 2010
which eliminated spending limits for corporations, unions, political action committees,
and individuals in political campaigns. She noted she was in support of the resolution to
restore the citizens’ power to control campaign funding for local city elections.
Camille Feldman, Palos Verdes Estates, spoke in opposition to the state proposed
Common Core curriculum and testing program in the Palos Verdes Unified School
District and noted the District has the opportunity to opt out of the proposal. She noted
the Common Core program will lower the educational standards.
Desiree Myers, Palos Verdes Estates, stated that the Common Core Program would
result in a reduction in standards of education, and will not prepare students for
entrance into the elite colleges. She noted that the Common Core Program is failing on
the east coast and is on hold or under consideration for cancellation in 22 states.
Noel Weiss, Marina del Rey, provided a revised resolution for Council’s consideration
and spoke regarding his concerns about safety issues at the Rancho LPG Tank facility.
Barry Hildebrand, Rancho Palos Verdes, spoke in opposition to the Common Core
program which is proposed for the Palos Verdes Unified School District, as it will
weaken the public education standards.
Joan Davidson, Palos Verdes Estates, stated that all of the New York state teachers
unions have joined to withdraw support of the Common Core program standards. She
also noted that 26 New York school districts have opted out of the program so far, due
to the release of personally identifiable student data to third party vendors and
contractors. She expressed concern regarding the reduction in standards, provision of
private student information in the iCloud, and loss of teachers as a result of the
program.
Lenee Bilski, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that she spoke in support of the comments
by Mr. Weiss and all of those who have concerns regarding the safety issues of the
Rancho LPG tanks. She also noted that she would like the Council to work to restore
the integrity of the Rancho Palos Verdes Coastal Specific Plan, which has served the
City well for over 25 years, but has more recently been subject to an interpretation
resulting in the approval of several projects in the coastal zone which did not comply
with the details of the Coastal Specific Plan.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
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None.
NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting regarding Item No. F (Award Construction, Construction Management and
Inspection, and Arborists’ Services Contracts, and Amend Existing On-Call Engineering
and On-Call Land Surveying Contracts, for the Arterial Roads Rehabilitation Project –
FY 2011-2012 Palos Verdes Drive East).
Mayor Pro Tem Knight moved, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks, to approve the
Consent Calendar, with the incorporation of the expanded explanation on the fiscal
impact section of the staff report as provided in late correspondence regarding Item No.
F (Award Construction, Construction Management and Inspection, and Arborists’
Services Contracts, and Amend Existing On-Call Engineering and On-Call Land
Surveying Contracts, for the Arterial Roads Rehabilitation Project – FY 2011-2012 Palos
Verdes Drive East).
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: Misetich
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
Approved the Minutes of the January 21, 2014 Special Meeting (Interviews) and
January 21, 2014 Regular Meeting.
Gifts for Parks
Accepted the Gifts for Parks donations and directed staff to prepare donor letters of
appreciation for the Mayor’s signature.
Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Collection Program Site Liability
Agreement with County of Los Angeles
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Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Household Hazardous and
Electronic Waste Collection Program Site Liability Agreement with the County of Los
Angeles and County Sanitation District No. 2 of Los Angeles County.
Register of Demands
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2014-06, 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.
Award Construction, Construction Management and Inspection, and Arborists’
Services Contracts, and Amend Existing On-Call Engineering and On-Call Land
Surveying Contracts, for the Arterial Roads Rehabilitation Project – FY 2011-2012
Palos Verdes Drive East
1) ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2014-07, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2013-
43, THE BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013-14, FOR A BUDGET
ADJUSTMENT TO THE CITY’S STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM WITHIN THE
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT FUND; 2) Approved the construction plans and
contract documents for the FY 2011-2012 Arterial Roads Rehabilitation Project – Palos
Verdes Drive East; 3) Awarded a construction contract to All American Asphalt, Inc. in
the amount of $2,768,000 for the project; 4) Awarded a professional services agreement
to AndersonPenna, Partners, Inc. in the amount of $226,760 for Construction
Management, Project Inspection, Materials Testing and Quality Assurance services;
5) Approved the first amendment to the on-call land surveying services agreement with
KDM Meridian, which requires that prevailing wages be paid for the surveying work
performed for the Arterial Roads Rehabilitation Project – Palos Verdes Drive East
project; 6) Approved the first amendment to the on-call engineering and public works
support services agreement with Charles Abbott Associates, Inc., which requires that
prevailing wages be paid for the surveying work performed for the Arterial Roads
Rehabilitation Project – Palos Verdes Drive East project; 7) Awarded a professional
services contract to GS Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $4,000 for arborists services;
8) Authorized staff to utilize an additional 5% ($152,190) for contingency; 9) Authorized
the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreements; and, 10) Incorporated the
expanded explanation on the fiscal impact section of the staff report as provided in late
correspondence.
# # # # # #
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Appeal of a Conditional Use Permit Revision, Grading Permit and Minor
Exception Permit (Case No. ZON2013-00063) [Location: 2902 Vista Del Mar]
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City Clerk Morreale reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published and no
written protests received regarding this item.
Mayor Duhovic declared the public hearing open.
Associate Planner Kim provided a brief staff report regarding this item.
City Clerk Morreale reported that there were two requests to speak on this item.
Goitom Tekletsion, AGA Design Group, representing property owner Jia H. Zhang,
stated that this project was approved with the previous owner, and the new owner had
requested an increase in square footage which impacted the grading, lot coverage and
the square footage. He requested the opportunity to return to the Planning Commission
with a revised plan for consideration.
Eric Lin, owner’s representative, stated that the owner understands that the community
is very unique, the location is sensitive, and noted the owner is willing to work with the
City and Planning Commission to minimize the impact on the environment and make
sure the plan is compatible with the community.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and staff.
Mayor Duhovic declared the public hearing closed.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Knight, to approve the request
by the appellant, to remand the revised project back to the Planning Commission for
review and consideration, with no refund of the appeal fee.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: Misetich
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Duhovic called a brief recess from 8:18 P.M. to 8:28 P.M.
Marymount California University – 6-Month Review of the Expanded Parking Lot
Project (Planning Case No. ZON2003-00317) / 30800 Palos Verdes Drive East
City Clerk Morreale reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published, written
protests included with the staff report and late correspondence, and there were six
requests to speak regarding this item.
Mayor Duhovic declared the public hearing open.
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City Attorney Lynch reported that Marymount California University has requested a
continuance of the public hearing to the April 1, 2014 City Council meeting. She
recommended that the Council grant the continuance as requested.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Knight, to continue the
public hearing to the April 1, 2014 City Council meeting, with public comments to be
heard this evening from those who were present to speak.
Don Davis, attorney for Marymount California University, stated that he received late
notice of the lengthy staff report and was referred to the City’s website , as noted in the
letter he submitted in late correspondence. He stated that he requested the
continuance to the April 1, 2014 meeting due to the concerns regarding staff’s
recommendation to modify the conditions and reduce existing entitlements such as the
use of the parking lot which was recently completed.
Jim Reeves, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, Marymount California
University, stated he was aware of the neighbors’ concerns regarding the new parking
lot, operational issues including the timing of the gate and students smoking in the area.
He noted that the University voluntarily closes the parking lots on weekends and
extended holidays, turns lights off when the lot is not needed, and prohibits access to
the timed gates. He expressed the desire to continue to collaborate to reach solutions
to benefit everyone.
Erin Harris, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that she and her husband have concerns with
the following issues: the proximity (40 feet instead of 80 feet) of the Outdoor Classroom
“Project Grow” from her backyard deck; view obstruction of 50% of their ocean view if
the fence is placed on the ridgeline; and problems with students smoking outdoors near
their residence.
Gregory Lash, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he was in support of the staff
recommendation.
Laura McSherry, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that she spoke at the Planning
Commission meeting in 2002 regarding the Marymount project noting that she had
concerns regarding the geology, San Ramon Canyon, and the parking lot. She noted
that the concerns she raised then have become reality, including the following: noise,
car alarms, a sound tunnel effect that carries students’ voices to her residence, and
lighting issues. She expressed concern that the neighbors adjacent to the University
cannot enjoy their backyards.
Diane Smith, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that she has been a neighbor of Marymount
for 35 years and raised concerns regarding the following issues which have affected her
backyard ambience and view: brightness of the parking lot lights, noise, trash,
cigarettes and smoking, Project Grow (a public garden) near the residences adjacent to
Marymount California University, and leaking pipes saturating an area in the parking lot.
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Kathleen Higashi, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated she had concerns regarding the bright
lights, noise and trash at the new parking lot at Marymount California University. She
stated she was surprised at the brightest of the lights on the parking lot, the lighting from
car headlights, and noise from student voices, music, and car alarms. She noted that
she was in support of a fence and hedge to alleviate the problems at the site.
Michael Brophy, President, Marymount California University, stated that he welcomed
the comments received from the neighbors regarding this matter. He added that the
University would be discussing the issues with staff in preparation of the April 1, 2014
Council meeting.
Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Knight, to continue this
public hearing to the April 1, 2014 City Council meeting.
Without objection, Mayor Duhovic so ordered.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
City Council Goal-Setting Exercise
Dr. Colman, The Closers Group, LLC, reported that the Council has done a fair amount
of work over three meetings as they considered and created the Mission Statement,
Vision Statement, Core Values Statement and 2014 City Council Goals and Priorities.
He added that staff has provided a copy of the Council’s Priorities as previously
discussed and indicated next to each priority the department to which the item is
assigned and suggested due dates for a response to Council. He inquired of the
Council if there were any other issues to discuss.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and staff.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Mayor Duhovic, to approve the Mission
Statement, Vision Statement, Core Values Statement and 2014 City Council Goals and
Priorities, as amended.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: Misetich
Banking Services – Bank of the West (Supports 2013 City Council Goal #5 –
Government Efficiency, Fiscal Control & Transparency)
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City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting regarding this item.
Director of Finance/IT McLean provided a staff report and PowerPoint presentation
regarding this item.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff, and City Attorney Lynch.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Knight, to approve the staff
recommendation to: 1) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2014-08, A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, AUTHORIZING THE
MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE UMBRELLA AGREEMENT FOR GENERAL BANKING
SERVICES WITH BANK OF THE WEST AND DESIGNATING SIGNATORIES FOR
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UMBRELLA AGREEMENT; and, 2) Approve and direct
the Acting City Manager to sign the proposed Exhibits to the Umbrella Agreement
between the City and Bank of the West.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: Misetich
Adoption of Baseline Memorandum of Understanding between the Rancho Palos
Verdes Employees Association and City of Rancho Palos Verdes
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting regarding this item.
Labor Negotiator Larson provided a brief report regarding this item.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and staff.
In response to a question by Mayor Pro Tem Knight, staff noted that the resolution
would include the exhibits distributed as part of the late correspondence.
Mayor Duhovic moved, seconded by Councilwoman Brooks, to approve the staff
recommendation to: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2014-09, AS AMENDED, A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES,
ADOPTING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES AND THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES EMPLOYEES
ASSOCIATION.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, and Mayor Duhovic
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NOES: None
ABSENT: Misetich
Creation of Sustainable South Bay Transportation and Land Use Implementation
Framework
Mayor Pro Tem Knight provided background information regarding this item.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and staff.
Councilman Knight moved, seconded by Mayor Duhovic, to authorize the Mayor to sign
a letter of support for the creation of a Sustainable South Bay Transportation and Land
Use Implementation Framework.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Brooks, Campbell, Knight, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: Misetich
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
The following items were raised by Council Members as future agenda items:
Review of City Council Policy No. 43 regarding Banking Services Procurement (Knight)
Presentation regarding the Coastal Specific Plan (Duhovic)
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Council Member present reported on his/her attendance at various organization
and association meetings since the last City Council Oral Reports were provided on
January 21, 2014.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 10:17 P.M., Mayor Duhovic adjourned the meeting to an Adjourned Regular Meeting
to be held at 6:00 P.M. on March 4, 2014 at Hesse Park to conduct interviews of the
second group of applicants for the Planning Commission.
___________________
Mayor
Attest:
___________________
City Clerk
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