RPVCCA_DM_2011_04_19_02_20110315_DRAFT_CC_MINSDraft City Council Minutes
March 15, 2011
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DRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 15, 2011
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 P.M. by Mayor Long at Fred Hesse Community
Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Campbell, Misetich, Stern, Wolowicz, and Mayor Long
ABSENT: None
Also present were Carolyn Lehr, City Manager; Carolynn Petru, Deputy City Manager;
Carol Lynch, City Attorney; Joel Rojas, Community Development Director; Dennis
McLean, Director of Finance/Information Technology (IT); Ray Holland, Director of
Public Works; Greg Pfost, Community Development Deputy Director; Ron Dragoo,
Senior Engineer; Eduardo Schonborn, Senior Planner; Adam Raymond, Senior
Administrative Analyst; Judy Huey, Senior Administrative Analyst; and Teresa Takaoka,
Deputy City Clerk.
Also present: Planning Commissioners Dave Tomblin (Chair), William Gerstner and
Paul Tetrault (Vice Chair).
FLAG SALUTE:
The Flag Salute was led by Betty Wheaton.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Long introduced Los Serenos de Point Vicente Docent Herb Raymond who
provided an overview of the Junior Docent Program recently developed and
implemented by the Docents. Junior Los Serenos de Pointe Vicente Docent Serena
Williams shared the benefits and experiences she has enjoyed while participating in the
program.
Deputy Knox from the Lomita Sheriff’s Station gave a presentation regarding the use of
hand-held devices while driving; the perils of “distracted driving” and his gratitude over
recent Public Service Announcements that the Sheriff’s department has been able to
develop with the assistance of RPVTV regarding these issues.
Mayor Long introduced Rebecca Kim, Field Deputy, who replaces Mike Gin in
Supervisor Don Knabe’s Fourth District in Los Angeles County. Ms. Kim said she is very
excited to learn more about the cities on the Peninsula and is looking forward to working
with our communities.
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RECYCLE DRAWING:
Mayor Long announced Recyclers of the Month from the March 1, 2011 City Council
meeting: Al Mashouf and Hisahide Kimura. 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 Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Misetich, to approve the agenda.
Without objection, Mayor Long so ordered.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Audience comments for items not on the agenda)
Sharon Yarber, Rancho Palos Verdes, commented on the pending Annenberg
application and the San Ramon/Tarapaca project . She strongly recommended that no
funds be expended on projects like Grandview Park or studies for a new City Hall until
the issue of San Ramon Canyon be addressed.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Long requested that Item No. 7 (Establish Four-Way Stop Controls at the
Intersection of Ambergate Drive and Brookford Drive) be removed from the agenda.
Councilman Campbell asked that Item 3 (Claim Against the City by Zachary Freeman)
be removed from the Consent Calendar to be immediately discussed after Regular
Business.
Councilman Wolowicz moved, seconded by Councilman Stern, to approve the Consent
Calendar with Item No. 7 removed and Item 3 to follow immediately after Regular
Business.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Misetich, Stern, Wolowicz, and Mayor Long
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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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 the Minutes
Approved the Minutes of the February 28, 2011 Adjourned Regular Meeting and the
March 1, 2011 Regular Meeting.
Claim Against the City by Zachary Freeman
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Claim Against the City by James Reuter
Rejected the claim and directed staff to notify the claimant.
Claim Against the City by Alfred Voce
Rejected the claim and directed staff to notify the claimant.
Authorization to Increase the Expenditure Amount to the City’s Maintenance
Contract
Approved an increase in the expenditure limit to the maintenance contract with Hardy &
Harper, Inc.
Establish Four-Way Stop Controls at the Intersection of Ambergate Drive and
Brookford Drive
This item was removed from the agenda.
Register of Demands
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2011-11, 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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Code Amendment to Implement Certain Programs Identified in the City’s Housing
Element (Case No. ZON2010-00183) / Citywide
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published
and no written protests received, late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting.
Senior Planner Schonborn presented an overview of the code amendment as identified
in the City’s housing element.
Mayor Pro Tem Misetich inquired about the emergency shelter provision and the level of
public outreach that had been pursued prior to bringing this forward. Senior Planner
Schonborn explained that due to state legislation that requires such facilities to be
allowed by right, Senate Bill (SB2), the City is compelled to comply.
Councilman Wolowicz inquired whether there could be a negative impact to residents
embedded in the legislation that could affect our residents at a later time. City Attorney
Lynch opined that the uses would have to fall within the parameters of the law,
otherwise the City could use Code Enforcment as one means to bring the use into
compliance.
Discussion ensued between Council and staff.
Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Campbell to adopt staff
recommendation to: 1) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-12, A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES CERTIFYING A
NEGATIVE DECLARATION; AND, 2) INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 518, AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, AMENDING TITLE 17
(DEVELOPMENT CODE) OF THE CITY’S MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ESTABLISH
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS PROCEDURES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
DISABILITIES, TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR SINGLE-ROOM OCCUPANCY
FACILITIES, TO IDENTIFY A ZONE IN WHICH EMERGENCY SHELTERS ARE A
PERMITTED USE, AND TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF TRANSITIONAL AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING (CASE NO. ZON2010-00183).
The Public Hearing was held on this matter and there were no requests to speak on the
item.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Misetich, Stern, Wolowicz, and Mayor Long
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Revision “WW” to the Trump National Golf Course Project
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Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published
and no written protests were received.
Deputy Community Development Director Pfost provided a very brief staff report
regarding the item.
Mayor Pro Tem Misetich Moved, seconded by Councilman Stern, to adopt the staff
recommendation to: 1) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2011-13, A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, ADOPTING
ADDENDUM 42 TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NO. 36; 2) ADOPT
URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 519U, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 11 TO THE TRUMP NATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, AUTHORIZING AN EXTENSION TO THE
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT TO SEPTEMBER 21, 2011 AND DECLARING THE
URGENCY THEREOF; 3) Authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to Execute the
documents on behalf of the City; 4) Extend Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 50666
consistent with the term of the Development Agreement; and, 5) ADOPT RESOLUTION
NO. 2011-14, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES, AMENDING GRADING PERMIT NO. 1541 TO ALLOW AN
EXTENSION TO THE OPERATION OF THE DRIVING RANGE TO SEPTEMBER 21,
2011.
The Public Hearing was held on this matter and there were no requests to speak on the
item.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Stern, Misetich, Wolowicz and Mayor Long
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Long called a brief recess from 7:53 P.M. to 8:01 P.M.
REGULAR NEW BUSINESS:
Municipal Area Express – Update
Deputy City Clerk Takaoka reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to
the meeting and there were five requests to speak regarding this item.
Finance/IT Director McLean and Senior Administrative Analyst Raymond provided a
PowerPoint presentation regarding this item.
Director McLean stated that due to dwindling Prop A funds, the City was faced with
using General Funds to cover the shortage needed by MAX, something that has never
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been done in the history of the City, to his knowledge. He also voiced his concern that
requests to MAX for an audit were summarily rejected, MAX currently holds over 1
Million in reserves yet no financial statements are available, and MTA funding to MAX
is currently not audited. Directly McLean also stated that at a recent Policy Steering
Committee meeting Mayor Pro Tem Misetich made a motion asking that financial
statements audited, unfortunately that motion died for lack of a second. The Policy
Steering Committee’s response to staff’s request for an audit was that an audit would be
available at the requestor’s expense and staff felt that this was not acceptable.
Council and staff discussion ensued.
Alan Jenkin, Rancho Palos Verdes, asked that staff use the funds that will be saved to
work with Palos Verdes Peninsula Transit Authority to possibly modify the routes so the
MAX transit riders can make the connection at Hawthorne and Pacific Coast Highway.
Lubo Jocic, Rancho Palos Verdes, asked staff to consider reducing the number of MAX
buses instead of completely withdrawing as he believes in the value of public
transportation. He also opined that perhaps more could be done to synchronize the
MAX buses and the PVP Transit buses.
Thomas Wei, Rancho Palos Verdes, felt that the MAX buses could be better suited to
serve the students as he has observed many students waiting in the morning at about
the same time the MAX bus routes through. He also believes that ridership will increase
as fuel costs increase.
Omid Kayvan, Rancho Palos Verdes, commented on the reliability of MAX buses verses
the PVP Transit buses. He also mentioned that he also believes that ridership will see
an increase as gas prices increase. He also asked Council to consider the increase in
pollution created by having more vehicles on the road if commuters are forced to drive.
Melissa Jolliff, Rancho Palos Verdes, expressed concern that staff is basing their
findings on a one day survey. She felt that perhaps a two or three week survey would
have proven more accurate. She also asked that staff consider how much opting out of
MAX will be as opposed to the cost saving of remaining with MAX.
.
Councilman Wolowicz shared that Martin Gombert, Director of Palos Verdes Transit
Authority, was aware of this upcoming agenda item and had offered to work with the
City once a consensus/direction was received.
Councilman Wolowicz moved seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Misetich to approve staff’s
recommendation.
The motion passed, with an amendment to direct staff to deliver the notice to the parties
to include exactly 90 days prior to the effective date, on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Misetich, Stern, Wolowicz, and Mayor Long
NOES: None
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ABSENT: None
RECESS AND RECONVENE:
Mayor Long called a recess from 9:08 P.M. to 9:20 P.M.
Proposal to Develop a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) For Residential Property (ZON2010-
00332)/Citywide
Senior Planner Schonborn provided a staff report regarding the item. Planning
Commission Chair Tomblin summarized how the Planning Commission came to their
decision to support staff’s recommendation that the neighborhood compatibility review
process works well to preserve the character of existing neighborhoods. Further
research has determined that development has not occurred uncontrolled and
structures fit in with the neighborhoods that they are located in.
Commissioner Gerstner concurred with staff’s findings and explained that the FAR was
developed originally to control the size of structures in urban environments in order to
prevent too much density. Rancho Palos Verdes lot sizes are generally not a uniform
size so using the FAR would instead create homes that are not compliant with the intent
of the code.
Council and staff discussion ensued.
Councilman Stern moved, seconded by Councilman Wolowicz to adopt staff
recommendation.
The motion failed on the following vote:
AYES: Stern and Wolowicz
NOES: Campbell, Misetich and Mayor Long
ABSENT: None
Mayor Long moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Misetich to direct staff to begin
studying FAR to augment the existing neighborhood compatibility review process.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Campbell, Misetich, and Mayor Long
NOES: Stern and Wolowicz
ABSENT: None
Claim Against the City by Zachary Freeman
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Councilman Campbell had requested that this item be pulled for separate consideration
however upon realizing that the wrong item was pulled Council voted to reject the claim
and directed staff to notify the claimant.
Claim Against the City by Alfred Voce
Councilman Campbell moved to have this item reheard as it was the item he wanted
considered separately on the consent calendar. This motion died for lack of a second.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Council Member reported on his attendance at various organization and
association meetings since the last City Council Oral Reports were provided on March
1, 2011.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Lynch stated that reports were provided for all items listed for the Closed
Session and no action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 10:36 P.M., Mayor Long adjourned the meeting.
_____________________
Mayor
Attest:
__________________________
City Clerk
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