CC DM 20190402 B - 20190319 CC MINS DRAFTDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 19, 2019
CALL TO ORDER:
A regular meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council for the purpose of a Closed
Session was called to order by Mayor Duhovic at 6:09 P.M. at Fred Hesse Community
Park, McTaggart Hall, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, notice having been given with
affidavit thereto on file.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Alegria, Brooks, Cruikshank, Dyda, and Mayor Duhovic
ABSENT: None
Also present were Doug Willmore, City Manager; Gabriella Yap, Deputy City Manager;
William W. Wynder, City Attorney, Teresa Takaoka, Deputy City Clerk; and Emily
Colborn, City Clerk.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ANNOUNCED:
City Attorney Wynder announced the items to be discussed in Closed Session.
1. PENDING LITIGATION – EXISTING LITIGATION
GC SECTION 54956.9 (d)(1)
a. Name of case: Mark J. Doddy v. City of Palos Verdes [sic]; L.A. Superior Court,
Case No. YC072950
b. Name of case: Cherie Townsend; Jalen Lapree Hamler v. City of Rancho Palos
Verdes; United States District Court Central District of California, Case No. 2:18-
cv-10011
c. Name of case: City of Rancho Palos Verdes v. Indian Peak Properties, LLC, Los
Angeles Superior Court Case No. 18STCV03781
d. Name of case: Indian Peak Properties, LLC v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes, et
al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 18STCP02913
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2. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
GC 54957(b)
Title: City Manager
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (FIRESIDE ROOM):
At 6:12 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO STUDY SESSION (MCTAGGART HALL):
At 7:16 P.M., the Council reconvened the meeting for a Study Session.
STUDY SESSION
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE STUDY
SESSION:
None.
DISCUSSION TOPICS:
SS1. Review of Tentative Agendas and Ongoing City Council Goals and
Priorities
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff regarding items on the upcoming
City Council meeting agendas as listed on the tentative agendas.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank, to approve the
tentative agendas as amended.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Brooks, Cruikshank, Dyda, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ADJOURN TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:19 P.M. the Study Session was adjourned to the Regular meeting.
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REGULAR MEETING – OPEN SESSION
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council was called to order by
Mayor Duhovic at 7:19 P.M. at Fred Hesse Community Park, McTaggart Hall, 29301
Hawthorne Boulevard, notice having been given with affidavit thereto on file.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Alegria, Brooks, Cruikshank, Dyda, and Mayor Duhovic
ABSENT: None
Also present were Doug Willmore, City Manager; Gabriella Yap, Deputy City Manager;
William W. Wynder, City Attorney; Deborah Cullen, Director of Finance; Ara Mihranian,
Director of Community Development; So Kim, Deputy Director of Community Development;
Elias Sassoon, Director of Public Works; Daniel Trautner, Deputy Director of Recreation
and Parks; Teresa Takaoka, Deputy City Clerk; and Emily Colborn, City Clerk.
Also present was Sergeant Tina McCoy, Lomita Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Deborah Cullen, Director of Finance.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder reported that with regards to all matters under Closed Session
Item No. 1, matters were discussed with no reportable action taken. With regards to
Closed Session Item No. 2, the City Council continued the City Manager evaluation.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Whale of a Day Poster Contest Winners Presentation.
Mayor Duhovic recognized and thanked the faculty and participants of the two Palos
Verdes Intermediate Schools who participated in the 2019 Whale of a Day Poster
Contest. The City Council also thanked contest coordinator Rochelle Port. Ms. Port
announced the Whale of a Day Contest winners for 2019.
Mayor Duhovic also shared the following: retirement of Sergeant Doug Shive with the
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; Rancho Palos Verdes ranked #7 Safest City
in California in the 2019 SafeWise Report; Palos Verdes Peninsula High School ranked
#9 and Palos Verdes High School ranked #89 Best Public High School in the 2019
Niche report; proclaimed the month of March as National Red Cross month.
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RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Duhovic announced the Recycle Winners for the March 5, 2019, City Council
meeting: Connie Magraudy and Erin Gartland. He indicated that all winners receive a
check for $250 and urged everyone to participate in the City’s Recycling Program. He
noted that in addition to winning the Recycler Drawing, the two individuals also won a
Personal Emergency Preparedness Kit from the City valued at $60.00.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank, to approve the
agenda as amended: Item No. 3 will be heard before Public Hearing Item No. 1.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Brooks, Cruikshank, Dyda, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Noel Weiss, Jake
Ridout, and Joanna Jones-Reed.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Willmore announced the following: Whale of a Day Festival on Saturday,
April 13, 2019, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Point Vicente Interpretive Center.
Mr. Willmore referred to City Attorney Wynder for further announcements.
City Attorney Wynder announced the following: read a letter received from the State Bar
of California in response to a complaint filed by former Council Member Brian Campbell
accusing City Attorney David Aleshire of professional misconduct. Mr. Wynder went on
to report that after a thorough investigation the State Bar found no validity to the claim
and exonerated Mr. Aleshire of the allegations filed against him. Mr. Wynder also
reported on the matter regarding an Order to Abate an unpermitted above-ground pool
and deck located at 8 Roseapple Road stating that the property owner has complied
with the abatement order and has removed the deck and pool.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Clerk Colborn reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting regarding Items F and G and there were requests to speak on Item F.
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Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Mayor Duhovic, to approve the Consent
Calendar with Items F, G, and H removed from the agenda and to be heard at a future
meeting not yet determined.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Brooks, Cruikshank, Dyda, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
A. 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.
B. Approval of Minutes.
Approved the Minutes of the February 19, 2019, and March 5, 2019, Regular
meetings.
C. Register of Demands.
Adopted Resolution No. 2019-09, 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.
D. Consideration and possible action to authorize the City Manager to sign the
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Palos Verdes Peninsula
Unified School District (PVPUSD) for the use of gymnasiums and recreational
facilities at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (PVPHS) and Miraleste
Intermediate School (MIS).
Authorized the City Manager to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District (PVPUSD) for the use of
gymnasiums and recreational facilities at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School
(PVPHS) and Miraleste Intermediate School (MIS).
E. Consideration and possible action to adopt Ordinance No. 619 amending
Chapters 17.02 (Single-Family Residential (RS) Districts) and 17.10 (Second
Unit Development Standards) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to
require Neighborhood Compatibility review for residential second units over
12’ in height and to clarify the trigger that requires the Neighborhood
Compatibility finding for structures over 16’ in height (Case No. PLCA2018-
0008).
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Adopted Ordinance No. 619, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING CHAPTERS 17.02 (SINGLE-
FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RS) DISTRICTS) AND 17.10 (SECOND UNIT
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE RANCHO PALOS
VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE TO REQUIRE NEIGHBORHOOD COMPATIBILITY
REVIEW FOR RESIDENTIAL SECOND UNITS OVER 12’ IN HEIGHT AND TO
CLARIFY THE TRIGGERS REQUIRING THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMPATIBILITY
FINDING.
F. Consideration and possible action to direct Staff to proceed with the design of
traffic signals installation at the intersections of Hawthorne Boulevard & Via
Rivera, and Palos Verdes Drive South & Palos Verdes Drive East.
This item was removed from the agenda to be heard at a future meeting not yet
determined.
G. Consideration and possible action to award a Professional Services
Agreement to Geo-Logic Associates, Inc. for design services associated with
Palos Verdes Drive South Realignment, at the east end of the Portuguese
Bend Landslide.
This item was removed from the agenda to be heard at a future meeting not yet
determined.
H. Consideration and possible action to contract with Blais & Associates, Inc. for
continued grant management services regarding the Santa Monica Bay Catch
Basin Insert Project.
This item was removed from the agenda to be heard at a future meeting not yet
determined.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
Per the re-order of the agenda, Mayor Duhovic moved to Business Item No. 3.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
3. Consideration and possible action to appoint one member to the Finance
Advisory Committee.
City Clerk Colborn reported that late correspondence was received and distributed prior
to the meeting. City Clerk Colborn also announced that ballots were distributed earlier
in the evening to appoint one (1) member to the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC)
and announced the vote of each Council Member.
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After one round of balloting, Raquel Brown was appointed to the Finance Advisory
Committee, with an unexpired term of office ending in February 2020.
Per the re-order of the agenda, Mayor Duhovic moved to Public Hearing Item No. 1.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Consideration and possible action to conduct the 2018 Annual Review of
Green Hills’ compliance with the Conditions of Approval associated with
Conditional Use Permit No. 55.
City Clerk Colborn reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published, late
correspondence was received and distributed prior to the meeting and there were
requests to speak.
Mayor Duhovic declared the public hearing open.
So Kim, Deputy Director of Community Development, presented a staff report and
PowerPoint presentation.
Nick Resich, Applicant, Green Hills, and Ellen Berkowitz, Counsel for Green Hills, spoke
in support of the project.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Nadia G., Sharon
Loveys, Debbie Landes, and Lori Brown.
With no other requests to speak, Mayor Duhovic declared the public hearing closed.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Dyda, to receive and file the
report, and make an express finding, for each and all of the reasons set forth in the staff
report and based upon the oral communications received during consideration of the
item that Green Hills Memorial Park is in compliance with the Conditions of Approval of
its Conditional Use Permit.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Brooks, Cruikshank, Dyda, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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REGULAR BUSINESS:
2. Consideration and possible action to receive information related to the
collection of Business License Tax from businesses not located within the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
City Clerk Colborn reported that late correspondence was received and distributed prior
to the meeting.
Deborah Cullen, Director of Finance, presented a brief staff report.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank moved, seconded by Councilmember Alegria, to (1) receive
and file the report related to Business License Tax collected from businesses not located
within the City of Rancho Palos Verdes; and, (2) directed Staff to return at a later date
with a revised business license application and ordinance clarifying that a business
license is not required by a business located outside the City that does not conduct
physical work within the City. Motion carried without objection.
3. Consideration and possible action to appoint one member to the Finance
Advisory Committee.
City Clerk Colborn reported that late correspondence was received and distributed prior
to the meeting. City Clerk Colborn also announced that ballots were distributed earlier
in the evening to appoint one (1) member to the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC)
and announced the vote of each Council Member.
After one round of balloting, Raquel Brown was appointed to the Finance Advisory
Committee, with an unexpired term of office ending in February 2020.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
None.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Council Member present reported on his/her attendance at various organization
and association meetings.
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ADJOURNMENT:
At 9:55 P.M., Mayor Duhovic adjourned to 6:00 P.M. on April 2, 2019, for a Closed
Session meeting and 7:00 P.M. for a Regular meeting.
/s/ Jerry V. Duhovic
Mayor
Attest:
/s/ Emily Colborn
City Clerk