RPVCCA_CC_DM_2013_05_07_B_20130416_CC_MINS_DRAFTDraft City Council Minutes
April 16, 2013
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DRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 16, 2013
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Mayor Brooks at Fred Hesse
Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION:
At 6:00 P.M. the meeting was recessed into Closed Session, with all Council Members
present.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION FOR A STUDY SESSION:
At 6:33 P.M., Mayor Brooks reconvened the meeting to Regular Session for a City
Council Study Session.
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; Joel
Rojas, Community Development Director; Dennis McLean, Director of
Finance/Information Technology; Ron Dragoo, Senior Engineer; and, Carla Morreale,
City Clerk.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE STUDY
SESSION:
None.
DISCUSSION TOPICS:
Review of Tentative Agendas in Light of City Council Goals, Including Questions
of Staff
Discussion ensued among Council Members, City Attorney Lynch, and staff regarding
items on the upcoming Council Meeting agendas as listed on the Tentative Agendas.
Council directed the removal of several items from the Future Agenda Items List.
Councilman Knight moved, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to receive and file the
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Tentative Agendas, as amended.
Without objection, Mayor Brooks so ordered.
Future Agenda Items Proposed by Council Members to be Prioritized:
Renaming of City Council Chambers in Honor of John McTaggart
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting regarding this item.
Mayor Pro Tem Duhovic provided a brief report regarding the Renaming of City Council
Chambers in Honor of John McTaggart.
Discussion ensued between Council and staff regarding this item.
Councilman Misetich moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Duhovic, to direct staff to
place this item on the May 7, 2013 Council Agenda as a regular business item.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Duhovic, Knight, Misetich, and Mayor Brooks
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Brooks called a brief recess from 7:01 P.M. to 7:14 P.M.
REGULAR SESSION:
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 (IT); Joel Rojas, Community
Development Director; Kathryn Downs, Deputy Director of Finance/IT; Nicole Jules,
Senior Engineer; Ron Dragoo, Senior Engineer; Siamak Motahari, Senior Engineer;
Matt Waters, Senior Administrative Analyst; and, Carla Morreale, City Clerk.
FLAG SALUTE:
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The Flag Salute was led by Mayor Brooks. She acknowledged the recent tragedy at the
Boston Marathon, adding that our thoughts and prayers are with those in the City of
Boston.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Brooks announced that April is National Donate Life Month and noted that
California residents can sign up as donors when applying for or renewing their licenses
through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
CEREMONIAL:
Mayor Brooks recognized participants who recently coordinated the Soleado
Elementary School program where twelve students communicated with astronauts
aboard the International Space Station through the NASA/Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station (ARISS) Communication Program. She presented
certificates of appreciation to the following people: Soleado Elementary School
Principal Allen; third grade teachers Lauren Kearns and CC Hlavac; Soleado parent
Lara Hanlon and Brendan Robinson; Dale Hanks, Robert Sylvest, Knut Myhre, Peter
Landon and Clay Davis of the Palos Verdes Amateur Radio Club; Amateur Radio Club
Members and parents Bryant Winchell and Brad Perranoski; and ARISS representative
Charlie Sufana.
RECYCLE DRAWING:
Mayor Brooks announced Recyclers of the Month from the April 2, 2013 City Council
meeting: Joe Linkogle and Marguerite N. Thein. 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.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilwoman Brooks requested that Item 3 (Updated Pension Liability Memorandum
from the Finance Advisory Committee) be moved up on the agenda to be the first item
after the Consent Calendar, at the request of Finance Advisory Committee Member Bill
James.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Duhovic, to approve the
agenda, as amended.
Without objection, Mayor Brooks so ordered.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Audience Comments regarding Items Not on the Agenda)
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Bernie Slotnick, Neighborhood Watch Montemalaga Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes,
stated that he spoke in September requesting modifications to improve the flow and
reduce speeding on Montemalaga Drive. He reported that the residents in the area are
pleased with the improvements and the efforts staff took to make the necessary
modifications.
Ken Dyda, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he understands the City 40th Anniversary
Celebration on May 5th will be a fundraiser for the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land
Conservancy and the Los Serenos de Point Vicente Docents, noting that he found it
inappropriate to celebrate the City’s 40th anniversary of its incorporation with a
fundraiser. He added that the celebratory event should be held on the date of the City’s
incorporation date of September 7th.
Carol Mueller, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated she recently received a PVP Watch
newsletter and opined that there may be some ethical violations on the part of EDCO’s
contract. She added that she received a delinquency notice last year, in spite of the fact
that she had paid her bill in full in advance, and noted she has had problems obtaining
the rate reductions and discounts offered through the EDCO contract.
Lenee Bilski, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that trails across and into Friendship Park
should be included in the San Ramon Canyon Drainage Project plans. She requested
that staff confirm the protection, preservation and construction of trails in the San
Ramon Canyon area, and that the trails network and connections in the area will be
included on the San Ramon Canyon Drainage Project plans.
Minas Yerelian, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he was in support of the planting of
trees in the medians of Hawthorne Blvd. to help with the following: City curb appeal;
increase in property values which would bring more tax revenue; clean air; climate
moderation; more rain; reduction of urban heat island effect. He added that global
warming begins locally.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Lehr provided a report regarding Mayor Pro Tem Duhovic’s suggestion to
more accurately manage the City’s website in an effort to keep the City’s website
updated with current information. She reported that staff plans to develop a protocol to
keep the City’s website content fresh and useful, while managing improvements to the
City’s website.
City Manager Lehr provided background information regarding the City’s 40th
Anniversary. She explained that the City is working with Los Serenos de Pt. Vicente
and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC) who is celebrating their
25th Anniversary. She added that in particular the PVPLC has been working on a video
production in partnership with the City and will be setting up educational display tables,
native plant samples, and giveaways at the pre-event at Terranea.
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She reported that Betty Reidman and Lynn Swank, of the Los Serenos de Point
Vicente, have partnered with the City in the design of the invitation, creation of
promotional materials, event planning, and the compilation of historic materials. She
added that the Los Serenos Docents will be setting up tables featuring their programs,
hiking, outreach and the history of the Peninsula.
NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilman Duhovic moved, seconded by Councilman Knight, to approve the Consent
Calendar, as presented.
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
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 April 2, 2013 Regular Meeting.
Access Agreement with Palos Verdes Mobile Estates, Ltd.
Authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an agreement with Palos Verdes
Shores Mobile Estates, Ltd. (PV Shores) to permit construction access through the
mobile home park for the construction of the San Ramon Canyon Stormwater Flood
Reduction Project.
Award Contract for RPV California Coastal Trail Project (Supports 2013 City
Council Goal No. 10, City Trail System Enhancement)
1) ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2013-16, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2012-
43, THE BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012-13, FOR A BUDGET
ADJUSTMENT TO THE CITY’S PARKS, TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE
IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FUND,
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IN THE AMOUNT OF $69,041 AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURE OF THIS AMOUNT
FOR ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
CALIFORNIA COASTAL TRAIL PROJECT; 2) Awarded a construction contract for the
Rancho Palos Verdes California Coastal Trail Improvement project to Jeff Tracy, Inc.
dba Land Forms Construction in the amount not to exceed $461,978.05 and authorized
staff to spend an additional 10% contingency in the amount of $46,197.80 for
unforeseen conditions for a total authorization of $508,175.85; and, 3) Authorized the
Mayor to execute the construction contract with Jeff Tracy, Inc. dba Land Forms
Construction.
Approve the First Amendment to Agreement with Fire Grazers, Inc. for Fuel
Modification by Grazing Animals (Supports 2013 City Council Goal No. 5 –
Government Efficiency, Fiscal Control and Transparency)
1) Approved the first amendment to the agreement for one fiscal year effective July 1,
2013 through June 30, 2014, with Fire Grazers, Inc. for Fuel Modification by Grazing
Animals in an amount not to exceed $89,645; and, 2) Authorized the Mayor and City
Clerk to execute the first amendment to the agreement with Fire Grazers, Inc. for Fuel
Modification by Grazing Animals.
Crossing Guard Services for 2013-2014 School Year: Amendment to Contract with
All City Management Services
Authorized the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute an amendment to the agreement
with All City Management Services, Inc. (ACMS), for an amount not to exceed $18,044
to provide crossing guard services at Miraleste Intermediate School and Silver Spur
Elementary School for the 2013-2014 School Year.
Approve the First Amendment to Agreement with the Los Angeles Conservation
Corps (LACC) for As-Needed Maintenance Services (Supports 2013 City Council
Goal No. 5 – Government Efficiency, Fiscal Control and Transparency)
1) Approved the first amendment to the agreement for one fiscal year effective July 1,
2013 through June 30, 2014, with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, for As-Needed
Maintenance Services in an amount not to exceed $125,000; and, 2) Authorized the
Mayor and City Clerk to execute the first amendment to the agreement with the Los
Angeles Conservation Corps for As-Needed Maintenance Services.
Register of Demands
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2013-17, 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.
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REGULAR BUSINESS:
Updated Pension Liability Memorandum from the Finance Advisory Committee
(FAC) (Supports 2013 City Council Goal of Government Efficiency, Fiscal Control
and Transparency)
Mayor Brooks noted that the recommendation for this item was to receive and file the
March 6, 2013 updated version of the memorandum from the FAC regarding the
“Calculation of the City’s Unfunded Pension Liability” and invited FAC Member James to
address some of issues the FAC considered.
Bill James, Finance Advisory Committee Member, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that the
FAC made two recommendations, with which he opined staff was in agreement.
Deputy Director of Finance/IT Downs provided a brief staff report and synopsis of the
FAC recommendations to: 1) Include the market value information in the City’s
Comprehensive Annual Financial Statements with very clear footnote disclosures
regarding the CalPERS pension estimate information as of a particular date, to avoid
any misleading information to the public; and, 2) Inquire with CalPERS regarding the
names and reasons that approximately 20 agencies have requested termination
valuation estimates with CalPERS.
Mr. James provided additional information regarding the two proposed FAC
recommendations.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, staff, and Mr. James.
Minas Yerelian, Rancho Palos Verdes, spoke in opposition to public run pension funds,
unions, and CalPERS. He spoke in support of a 401 K investment pension fund with
matching funds for the employees, which should be based on performance.
Councilman Campbell moved, seconded by Mayor Brooks, to: 1) Adopt the Finance
Advisory Committee’s (FAC) recommendation with the addition of a clarifying notation to
the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report regarding the City’s Unfunded Pension
Liability; and, 2) Direct that the FAC continue to monitor the City’s relationship with
CalPERS, including but not limited to, contacting other agencies that have sought
termination data from CalPERS, and report their findings, and if appropriate make
recommendations, to the City Council at a future date.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Duhovic, Knight, Misetich, and Mayor Brooks
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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Marymount California University – Award of Contract for Consultant Services to
Prepare an Environmental Document for the City that Assesses the
Environmental Impacts of the University’s Request to Reconfigure the 2010
Council Approved Athletic Field
Mayor Brooks suggested continuing this item to the May 7, 2013 Council meeting so
that it could be considered at the same meeting as the Marymount California University
Time Extension.
City Clerk Morreale reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting regarding this item.
Mayor Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to continue this item to the
May 7, 2013 Council meeting.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Duhovic, Knight, Misetich, and Mayor Brooks
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Brooks called a brief recess from 8:15 P.M. to 8:28 P.M.
Matrix Citywide Organizational Assessment (“The Matrix Report”)
Mayor Brooks provided introductory remarks regarding the Matrix Citywide
Organizational Assessment.
Mayor Pro Tem Duhovic provided a brief report regarding the retention of the Matrix
Consulting Group to provide a Citywide Organizational Assessment which was
designed to provide an assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of City
operations, specifically identifying strengths and opportunities for improvement relating
to the organization, staffing, and management.
Richard Brady, President, Matrix Consulting Group, provided a detailed report regarding
the scope of the project as defined by the Council; project methodologies used in the
study, including best management practices and performance metrics utilized; positive
findings and key themes identified from the study; and an overview of the suggested
recommendations that the City Council and City Manager can use to meet the service
needs in a sustainable way in the City at the present time and in the future.
Discussion ensued among Council Members, Mr. Brady, and staff.
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Ken Dyda, Rancho Palos Verdes, provided comments regarding several
recommendations and topics addressed in the Matrix Report, including the following:
succession development; compensation review; City Attorney services; separation of
the Finance Department from the Information Technology Department; Action Minutes
vs. the current style of Minute preparation; Emergency Preparedness should be
coordinated under the City Manager’s Department; expansion of transparency regarding
Employee Compensation beyond the required State Controller’s Report; application of
full costing of services for charges for individual services, but not basic services
included under payments of taxes; and, outreach to the community regarding the Matrix
Report.
Discussion continued among Council Members, Mr. Brady, and staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Duhovic moved, seconded by Mayor Brooks, to receive and file the
report and direct the Compensation Subcommittee to consider, with input from the City
Manager, the creation of an overall plan and an implementation plan, to address the
proposed study recommendations over time, and return to the Council with the
suggested plan at a future meeting within 90 days.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Duhovic, Knight, Misetich, and Mayor Brooks
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
None.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Councilman Campbell stated that he would submit his City Council Oral Report in
writing. Councilman Campbell left the dais at 10:13 P.M. and returned to the meeting at
10:16 P.M. during the City Council Oral Reports.
Each of the remaining Council Members reported on his/her attendance at various
organization and association meetings since the last City Council Oral Reports were
provided on April 2, 2013.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Lynch reported on the following Closed Session items: 1) With respect to
the existing litigation in the case of City of Agoura Hills et. al. v. County of Los Angeles
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et. al., the Council provided unanimous direction, with all Council Members present, to
reject a settlement offer that had been proffered by the County of Los Angeles; and,
2) With respect to the existing litigation in the case of Cherine Medawar; Jill Medawar v.
City of Rancho Palos Verdes, et. al., a report was provided and no action taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 10:18 P.M., Mayor Brooks adjourned the meeting in honor of those who suffered
losses as a result of the incident that occurred at the Boston Marathon on April 15,
2013, to 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 for a Closed Session to be followed by
an Adjourned Regular Meeting/Budget Workshop to be held at Fred Hesse Community
Park.
___________________
Mayor
Attest:
___________________
City Clerk
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