20150519 Late CorrespondenceCITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
CITY CLERK
MAY 19, 2015
ADDITIONS/REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO
AGENDA**
Attached are additional late revisions/additions and/or amendments to the agenda
material presented for tonight's meeting:
Item No. Description of Material
H Emails from: Kurt Loheit; Andrea Vona
Respectfully submitted,
~~V£6-Carla orreale
W:\AGENDA\2015 Additions Revisions to agendas\20150519 additions revisions to agenda part 2.doc
Subject: FW : Council agenda topic
Importance: High
From: Loheit, Kurt W [mailto :kurt.w .loheit@boeing.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 5:05 PM
To: Ara Mihranian
Subject: Council agenda topic
Re: Continuation of services provided by MRCA rangers
As I am out of town and cannot attend the council meeting tonite, I understand the extension of the contract with MRCA
is on the agenda, and wish to comment . I'll apologize if the message is not crisp, I'm working with limited connectivity.
I highly support the continuation of MRCA rangers for patrol on reserve properties, and encourage the council to extend
their contract to provide the services. I do not recommend the transfer of services to the Sheriff's department. Although
a valuable asset to the community, the Sheriff's department is not necessarily trained in open space or public land
management . There is a continuity associated with and public perception that open space or public lands are serviced by
rangers, not police officers. Further, both entities can only cite based on the codes that exist. The Sheriff's department
does not come with any additional enforcement codes. A ranger can cite for graffiti or vandalism just as a Sherriff's
officer can. And regardless of the citing agency, it is at the discretion of the citing officer as to whether or not a citation
is issued. Excessive citations will eventually be perceived as a heavy-handed attempt to enforce rules and regulations on
public land, and may create backlash from the public . This is further complicated by an insufficient management plan,
and no clarity on management decision making process (why is the topic even on the table). As one of the largest
managers of open space in California, MRCA staff and rangers have significant experience in every aspect of open space.
The city should be leveraging that experience, not debating it.
Thank you,
Kurt Loheit
1 Clipper Rd
RPV, Ca .
1 fl .
PRESERVING LAND AND RESTORING HABITAT FOR THE EDUCATION AND ENJOYMENT OF ALL
Honorable May and Members of City Council
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275-5391
Dear City Council,
May 19, 2015
I am writing related to the item on this evening's council agenda for the contract renewal of the Mountain and
Recreation & Conservancy Authority. We have supported contracting for enforcement and have underscored the need
for enforcement since the formal establishment of the Preserve in 2006. Because enforcement of the Preserve rules is
essential to a well-managed preserve, we continue to support funds being allocated toward these services.
Over the past couple of years, the Land Conservancy has increased the resources it dedicates to the Preserve by adding
a full-time Field Operations Technician as well as the establishing the Volunteer Trail Watch program in collaboration
with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. We believe both of these investments have already yielded positive results
toward the conservation of the lands in the Preserve. The Field Operations Technician is working to install and maintain
signage, to promptly remove graffiti, close unauthorized trails as well conduct general trail maintenance. The Volunteer
Trail Watch had over 600 hours of volunteer time during the first year and the group currently averages from 65 to 80
hours per month in the Preserve. This collection of volunteers is a resource to Preserve patrons and provide support
the enforcement efforts by providing documentation of specific observations. Despite the great traction that these
efforts by the Land Conservancy are making, it is important to note that enforcement remains a critical component
toward the success of a well-managed and respected nature preserve. The ability to enforce the City's municipal codes
is held only through the enforcement body, and for this reason we both support and underscore the need for an active
presence of rangers issuing citations for violations within the Preserve.
We have submitted to City staff an evaluation of the Volunteer Trail Watch program as recommended by the City
Council upon the establishment of the program. This program evaluation along with some additional recommendations,
as referenced in the staff report this evening, will be coming to you at a future meeting. Overall, we look forward to
continuing to work with City staff and bringing in a comprehensive approach, including the focus of enforcement, to
priority areas in the Preserve.
Sincerely,
Andrea Vona
Executive Director
916 SILVER SPUR ROAD# 207. ROLLING HILLS ESTATES. CA 90274-3826 T 310.541.7613 WWW.PVPLC.ORG
fl.
CITY OF RA.NCHO PALOS VERDES
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
CITY CLERK
MAY 19, 2015
ADDITIONS/REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO
AGENDA**
Attached are revisions/additions and/or amendments to the agenda material presented
for tonight's meeting :
Item No.
SS2
H
Respectfully submitted,
Description of Material
Emails from: Ellen November; Jim Parker
Email from Eva Cicoria; Administrative Analyst Lozano
response to Barbara Ailor's email
Email from Sharon Loveys
&d~~
Carla Morreale
**PLEASE NOTE: Materials attached after the color page(s) were submitted
through Monday, May 18, 2015**.
W:\AGENDA\2015 Additions Revisions to agendas\20150519 additions revisions to agenda .doc
Subject: FW: URGENT! Skateboarding is NOT a crime ... YET!
From: Ellen November [mailto:ellen.november@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2015 9:39 PM
To: Jerry Duhovic; Jim Knight <knightjim33@gmail.com>; Anthony Misetich; Carolynn Petru; Doug Willmore
Subject: Fwd: URGENT! Skateboarding is NOT a crime ... YET!
Is this true? Who would start such a conversation and why?
Very disturbing.
Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
From: Skate Park PV <skate@jimparker.us>
Date: May 18, 2015 at 4:39:03 PM PDT
To: ellen.november@gmail.com
Subject: URGENT! Skateboarding is NOT a crime ... YET!
Reply-To: skate@jimparker.us
1
Website Endorsements Mission Let
them Skate Contact Multi-Use Plan
Dear Ellen,
It has come to our attention that the RPV city council is introducing a motion to make
skateboarding illegal in Rancho Palos Verdes. The way that the statute is written would not
allow skateboarding to take place on any "Public Right of Way". This means that
skateboarding on the street in front of a house or on the sidewalk to a friend's house could
result in a ticket or fine from the Sheriff's department. The issue is going to be brought up in
a Study Session and though no action is slated for the agenda there will be public comments
heard on the issue. Please come to the meeting on May 19th at 6:30pm at FRED HESSE
COMMUNITY PARK, 29301 HAWTHORNE BOULEVARD and show your support for
skateboarding and Skate Park PV.
Thank you for your support
RPV City Council Agenda 5-19-15
Revised Skateboarding Ordinance
t)
f
THANK YOU!!
A huge thank you to all who participated in the lntsagram Photo Rally on May 9th. Special
thanks to Alex Gray, Millennium Foam, and Bryce Lowe-White,
Your effort and participation will go a long way to getting this Skate Park realized.
Thank you, THANK YOU!
Skate Park Plaza
We move to PV for our kids, for the outstanding school district, for the views, and to play safet,
But where are kids welcome after school? Where can they play Where can they skateboard?
Skateboarding is the third most popular sport among youth. The time is right for our communit
to provide a place where kids can skate, be safe and feel welcome. Skateboarding is not a crirm
Thank you again for you participation and voice in this effort. This is truly not possible with out
you.
Sincerely,
Skate Park Pv
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
jp@jimparker.us
Tuesday, May 19, 2015 2:41 PM
CC; Jim Parker
Unfair to ban skateboarding on all public right of ways
Attachments: PTA Wave Skate bopard.JPG; St Peters skateJpg; Strand longboard baby.jpg
Honorable Mayor and City Council,
Please do not consider a complete ban on skateboarding for the entire public right of
ways in RPV. I have read the documents leading up to this discussion -just because a
very few offenders bomb the hills the entire community of regular skaters should not be
punished. Downhill skateboards are much different than regular skateboards they
have much larger wider wheels and are much longer. The regular skateboarders do not
even do down hill skateboarding. To outlaw skateboarding on all sidewalks, culdesacs,
all public pavement etc is tantamount to burning down all the buildings or scorching the
entire landscape because a few have termites or pests.
The offenders of downhill speed skateboarding should be given high fine tickets that
double for each offense, we believe in good government and good government is not
making all the people suffer for the actions of just a very few.
Skateboarding is now the number three most popular sport for young people.
I will speak tonight at the council meeting with ideas on how to stop or curb the
problem.
Respectfu I ly,
Jim Parker T------
M
jimparker.us
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1 SS~
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
E Cicoria <cicoriae@aol.com>
Tuesday, May 19, 2015 8:39 AM
cc
Cory Linder; Katie Lozano; avona@pvplc.org; dlefer@pvplc.org; barbailor@gmail.com
Consent Calendar Item H: Contract renewal for MRCA
Mayor Knight, Mayor Pro Tern Brooks, and Council Members Campbell, Duhovic, and Misetich,
I do not see a staff report regarding the one year contract renewal for MRCA, so I'm not sure of the
extent to which the City staff recommendation to renew the contract is because we have no better
option at present versus because Staff believes MRCA has been effective. I support the one year
contract renewal, because we have no better option at present.
We are making strides to improve the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, both from a habitat and land
preservation perspective and from a user experience perspective, but we can do better. The
Volunteer Trail Watch continues to educate preserve users and report violations such as dogs off
leash, unsafe behavior, use of unauthorized trails and habitat damage, and the MRCA rangers have
issued a few citations for infractions related to some of these activities. The Land Conservancy's
hiring of a full time staff person to close off spur trails has made a big difference, in that many, many
spur trails have been closed off (and re-closed repeatedly as barriers have been vandalized). City
staff has been more prompt to respond on their side of things to some violations, such as cleaning up
graffiti. To my knowledge, however, the perpetrators of barrier vandalism and graffiti, for
example, have never been "caught" in the act. No doubt that is a challenge as the perpetrators may
be anywhere at any given time and the ranger can only be in one place at a time and has limited
hours, but we ought to reevaluate our procedures to be more effective, it seems to me. Moreover, we
need everyone, particularly those in leadership roles, to buy into our rules and policies; to take to
heart the goals of protecting the habitat and lands as well as trail users.
It is my understanding that Cory Linder and his staff are working with MRCA to increase their
effectiveness. I hope that is true. I believe it is appropriate that with any MRCA contract renewal City
Council issue a strong statement that MRCA follow the City Council and PVPLC's lead, including the
PUMP document which seeks to protect the land, habitat, and users. For example, the PUMP
designates approved trails and authorizes uses of the trails, and, among other things, disallows
widening of the trails. These rules must be enforced uniformly, yet don't seem to be. Several years
ago the excuse that signage was inadequate had merit. Now we have signs all over the
place. Considerable community input went into the PUMP document before it was finalized and
approved by City Council. It may not be just what the rangers, or any single user, or even any one
group of users prefers, but is nonetheless what we are all bound by. We need consistency in
enforcement of it.
Sincerely,
Eva Cicoria
H.
From :
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Hello Ms. Ailor,
Katie Lozano
Tuesday, May 19, 2015 4:43 PM
Barbara Ailor (barbailor@gmail.com)
CC; 'Andrea Vona' (avona@pvplc.org); 'Danielle LeFer' (dlefer@pvplc.org); Cory Linder
FW: MRCA Ranger Contract
I apologize for omitting you in my original response . Thank you for your email. Staff wanted to provide some feedback
on concerns you have raised. Attached are your original comments.
Concern #1: A MRCA Ranger stated that a particular non-bike trail "SHOULD be multiuse." This is an opinion and
contrary to Preserve rules. This attitude could lead to fewer citations on trails where they are necessary. The Rangers
serve at the pleasure of the RPV City Council and play a key role in enforcing Preserve regulations on trail -use defined by
the City Council. The Rangers should be committed to enforce the Preserve regulations and not be influenced by their
personal opinions on trail use.
Staff response : Rangers understand and enforce all existing Council designated trail use designations and rules without
bias. When deciding whether to educate or issue a citation, rangers take into account the totality of the situation; they
consider whether a violation of the municipal code has been committed, and what corrective action will bring about
compliance and resource protection immediately, and in the future.
Concern #2: At a Quarterly Public Forum on November 20, 2013, the Volunteer Trail Watch requested that the Rangers
and volunteers work together on busy weekends or holidays to improve enforcement of Preserve rules but it never got
off the ground. Just last week, it came up again and we would appreciate City Council support of this concept during this
contract period.
Staff response: City and PVPLC staff have recently been discussing a concentrated effort to focus on specific key problem
areas for PVPLC and the City to target using a team approach and using multiple resource management tools. We are
looking forward to implementing this approach within the coming weeks, and recording its success.
Concern #3: The Rangers should be encouraged to cite recalcitrant individuals because it is a critical part of the process
of acquainting users of the proper use of the trails.
Staff response: When deciding on corrective action, Rangers take the totality of the situation into consideration,
including whether the activity is in violation of the municipal code, whether the individual is aware a rule is being
broken, whether the citation will stand up in court, and more. Rangers consider what action will result in immediate and
future compliance and resource protection. Typically, when an individual is in violation of a citable Preserve rule and is
aware they are breaking the rule, a citation is the result.
Thank you,
Administrative Analyst
Recreation and Parks Department
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
310 -5 44-5267
1 H.
katiel@rpvca.gov
WE ARE IN PROCESS OF SWITCHING TO A NEW WEB AND EMAIL DOMAIN. PLEASE NOTE MY NEW EMAIL AND
IF I AM IN YOUR CONTACTS, SWITCH MY EMAIL FROM KATIEL@RPV.COM TO l<ATIEL@RPVCA.GOV
2
Dear Mayor Knight and members of the City Council,
For the following reasons, I believe the City Council needs to provide explicit directions to the
Rangers as to what is expected for the contract to be renewed for another year:
1) A MRCA Ranger stated that a particular non-bike trail "SHOULD be multiuse." This is an
opinion and contrary to Preserve rules. This attitude could lead to fewer citations on
trails where they are necessary. The Rangers serve at the pleasure of the RPV City
Council and play a key role in enforcing Preserve regulations on trail-use defined by the
City Council. The Rangers should be committed to enforce the Preserve regulations and
not be influenced by their personal opinions on trail use.
2) At a Quarterly Public Forum on November 20, 2013, the Volunteer Trail Watch
requested that the Rangers and volunteers work together on busy weekends or holidays
to improve enforcement of Preserve rules but it never got off the ground. Just last
week, it came up again and we would appreciate City Council support of this concept
during this contract period.
3) The chart below from the VTW Annual Report, 2013 -2014, shows that 19% Mountain
Bikers (14 out of 74) refused education (e.g., used insulting language and left) and
another 60% (44 more) were unable to be educated because of speed. Eleven percent
(26 out of 233) of dog walkers had a similar response to education on the importance of
leashing their dogs. Citation may be the only form of education that is effective with
particular individuals. The Rangers should be encouraged to cite recalcitrant individuals
because it is a critical part of the process of acquainting users of the proper use of the
trails. Over the same period of time, the Rangers cited 8 mountain bikers for
unauthorized trail use. (Reference: Quarterly Public Forum Meeting Minutes)
For these reasons, if the M RCA Rangers' contract is to be extended for another year,
expectations should be clarified and enforced.
Barbara Ailor
Volunteer, VTW Co-Coordinator
17 May 2015
39 (21 %)
82 (44%)
4 (2%)
33 (18%)
16 (22%)
44 (60%)
14 19%)
233 (96%)
166 (71 %)
41 (18%) 1 (50%)
26 (11 %) 1 (50%)
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Willmore
Carla Morreale
Tuesday, May 19, 2015 2:49 PM
Teresa Takaoka
FW: consent calendar tonight
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 2:29 PM
To: Carla Morreale
Subject: FW: consent calendar tonight
-----Original Message-----
From: Sharon.Loveys [mailto:sharon.loveys@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 2:00 PM
To: Doug Willmore
Subject: consent calendar tonight
Dear Doug,
It appears that your office has placed our concerns relating to the Development at Green Hills Memorial Park on the
Consent Calendar. It has been brought to my attention that being placed on the Consent Calendar no public comment
can be addressed. I am requesting you remove it so public comment can be addressed. If you have any questions you
can reach me at:
Thank you,
Sharon Loveys
Treasure VVOA
1 I
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
CITY CLERK
MAY 18, 2015
ADDITIONS/REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO
AGENDA
Attached are revisions/additions and/or amendments to the agenda material received
through Monday afternoon for the Tuesday, May 19, 2015 City Council meeting:
Item No. Description of Material
H Email from Barbara Ailor
2 Email from Don Reeves
Respectfully submitted, c ~~L£_
Carla Morreale
W:\AGENDA\2015 Additions Revisions to agendas\20150519 additions revisions to agenda thru Monday.doc
Dear Mayor Knight and members of the City Council,
For the following reasons, I believe the City Council needs to provide explicit directions to the
Rangers as to what is expected for the contract to be renewed for another year:
1) A MRCA Ranger stated that a particular non-bike trail "SHOULD be multiuse." This is an
opinion and contrary to Preserve rules. This attitude could lead to fewer citations on
trails where they are necessary. The Rangers serve at the pleasure of the RPV City
Council and play a key role in enforcing Preserve regulations on trail-use defined by the
City Council. The Rangers should be committed to enforce the Preserve regulations and
not be influenced by their personal opinions on trail use.
2) At a Quarterly Public Forum on November 20, 2013, the Volunteer Trail Watch
requested that the Rangers and volunteers work together on busy weekends or holidays
to improve enforcement of Preserve rules but it never got off the ground. Just last
week, it came up again and we would appreciate City Council support of this concept
during this contract period.
3) The chart below from the VTW Annual Report, 2013 -2014, shows that 19% Mountain
Bikers (14 out of 74) refused education (e.g., used insulting language and left) and
another 60% (44 more) were unable to be educated because of speed. Eleven percent
(26 out of 233) of dog walkers had a similar response to education on the importance of
leashing their dogs. Citation may be the only form of education that is effective with
particular individuals. The Rangers should be encouraged to cite recalcitrant individuals
because it is a critical part of the process of acquainting users of the proper use of the
trails. Over the same period of time, the Rangers cited 8 mountain bikers for
unauthorized trail use. (Reference: Quarterly Public Forum Meeting Minutes)
For these reasons, if the MRCA Rangers' contract is to be extended for another year,
expectations should be clarified and enforced.
Unauthorized trail use
Evidence of unauthorized trail use I
Near miss
Speeding complaint
Dogs off leash
Education: yes, received
Education: unable to provide
Education: refused
Barbara Ailor
Volunteer, VTW Co-Coordinator
17 May 2015
Mountain
Biker (186)
39 (21 %)
82 (44%)
4 (2%)
33 (18%)
16 (22%)
44 (60%)
14 (19%)
Hiker(244) Et1ucstrian (3)
44 (18%) 1 (33%)
233 (96%)
166 (71 %)
41 (18%) 1 (50%)
26 (11 %) 1 (50%)
H·
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Missed your new address -
Don
dreeves895@aol.com
Subject: The Budget
Good Afternoon
Don <dreeves895@aol.com>
Thursday, May 14, 2015 8:07 AM
cc
The Budget
At least 3 of you seem to be determined to try to con the citizenry into continuing the SDUF . I will not even attempt to
address the logic of true zero based budgeting at this point in time as it would be a waste of my time as some who claim
fiscal conservatism really don't have much credibility . The only point I wish to raise is who has a right to vote on any such
measure . As you know, only those who pay voted by mail the first time . It has been a long time since I thought about it but
we/I may have made a strategic blunder in putting the repeal of the SDUF on the general ballot thus allowing everyone to
vote and, of course, taking a 20% hit right from the start. The good news was that we forced the sunsetting of the
measure which we knew future tax and spenders would try to corrupt. I do believe , however, that any future vote would be
like the first mail -in ballot per Proposition 218. I also learned that some things were hidden in the adopted ordinance and
would not be surprised if there is st ill more to be learned . It is my fault for being careless about this previously but we will
try to learn from our mistakes. I know that KD has already been in touch with you and we will try to do better this time .
Someone might care to comment on who is eligible to vote if it gets to that point.
Don Reeves
dreeves895@aol.com