CC DM 20191106 B - 20190917 CC MINS DRAFTDRAFT
MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL/REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
CALL TO ORDER:
A special meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council for the purpose of a Closed
Session was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank at 5:40 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, Dyda, and Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank
ABSENT: Mayor Duhovic (excused)
City Clerk Colborn announced that Mayor Duhovic would be participating via
teleconference from Windgate by Wyndham, 108 Saluda Pointe Court, Lexington, SC
29072.
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 Sessio n.
1. PENDING LITIGATION – INITIATION OF LITIGATION BY CITY
GC 54956.9(d)(4)
Based on existing facts and circumstances, the legislative body of the local agency
has decided to initiate or is deciding whether to initiate litigation in two cases.
2. PENDING LITIGATION – EXISTING LITIGATION
GC SECTION 54956.9 (d)(1)
Name of case: York Point View Properties, LLC v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes,
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BS174116
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3. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
GC SECTION 54957
Title: City Manager
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (FIRESIDE ROOM):
At 5:50 P.M., the Council recessed to Closed Session.
Mayor Duhovic was called at his teleconference location at 5:51 P.M. and participated in
the discussions for Closed Session.
RECONVENE TO STUDY SESSION (MCTAGGART HALL):
At 7:15 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 meetings as listed on the tentative agendas.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Alegria, to approve the
tentative agendas as presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Brooks, Dyda, Cruikshank, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
SS2. Consideration of Tongva Memorial at Abalone Cove
Tom Steers, Chairman, Tongva Monument Committee, gave a presentation on the
proposed memorial.
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ADJOURN TO REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:30 P.M. the Study Session was adjourned to the Regular meeting.
REGULAR MEETING – OPEN SESSION
CALL TO ORDER:
A Regular meeting of the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council was called to order by
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank at 7:32 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, Dyda, Cruikshank, and Mayor Duhovic
ABSENT: None
Mayor Duhovic was called at his teleconference location at 7:35 P.M. and participated in
the discussions for the regular meeting.
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; Octavio Silva, Senior Planner; Elias Sassoon,
Director of Public Works; James O’Neill, Engineering Assistant; Cory Linder, Director of
Recreation and Parks; Teresa Takaoka, Deputy City Clerk; and Emily Colborn, City
Clerk.
Also present was Captain James Powers, Lomita Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Dyda.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney Wynder reported that with regards to Closed Session Item No. 1, matter
was discussed with no reportable action taken; Closed Session Item No. 2, the Council
authorized the City Attorney and Staff to move forward with recommended strategy; and
Closed Session Item No. 3, selected executive search firm Peckham & McKenney to
conduct the recruitment of a new City Manager.
MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank shared the following: announced that Ara Mihranian,
Director of Community Development, has been selected as the Interim City Manager. A
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subcommittee comprised of Councilman Alegria and himself has been created to assist
with the selection of a new City Manager.
RECYCLE AND EMERGENCY PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS KIT DRAWING:
Mayor Duhovic announced the Recycle Winners for the September 3, 2019, City
Council meeting: Edna Yoshii and Eric Bernard. 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:
Councilman Alegria moved, seconded by Councilman Dyda, to approve the agenda as
presented.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Brooks, Cruikshank, Dyda, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank announced that public comments would be limited to two
minutes due to the large amount of speakers.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Jon Sansom, Noel
Park, Larry Maizlish, Roger Hawkins, Sharon Loveys, Debbie Landes, Noel Weiss, and
Lori Brown.
CITY MANAGER REPORT:
City Manager Willmore announced the following: the City achieved the Platinum Level
tier on the Southern California Edison Energy Leader Partnerships program causing a
$0.12 per kWh reduction in cost to power City facilities; Public Works has launched a
new service request portal accessible on the City’s website; San Pedro Pet Pals is
having an adoption event on Sunday, September 22 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at City
Hall, 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes; and candidate forums for the
November 5 general municipal election have been scheduled for September 18,
October 10, October 17, and October 23. Additional details can be found at
www.rpvca.gov.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Clerk Colborn reported that late correspondence was distributed prior to the
meeting regarding items B and E.
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Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Alegria, to approve the
Consent Calendar, as amended.
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 August 6, 2019, August 20, 2019, and September 3,
2019, City Council meetings
C. Register of Demands
Adopted Resolution No. 2019-41, 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 extend the County Sanitation Districts
Contract #3059- Eastview Park Property Lease Agreement for an additional
five (5) year term
Approved the County Sanitation District Eastview Park Lease Agreement for an
additional five (5) years
E. Consideration and possible action to receive and file a report on the California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s designation of Very High Fire
Hazard Severity Zones
Received and filed report
F. Consideration and possible action to amend the existing list of City streets on
which the use of skateboards, roller skates, inline skates, scooters, and
similar non-motorized wheeled devices is prohibited to include Nuvola Court
and Albero Court
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Adopted Resolution No. 2019-42, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE
PROHIBITION AGAINST THE USE OF SKATEBOARDS, ROLLER SKATES,
INLINE SKATES, SCOOTERS, AND SIMILAR NON-MOTORIZED WHEELED
DEVICES ON DESIGNATED PUBLIC STREETS
G. Consideration and possible action to approve the July 2019 Cash
Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report
Approved the July 2019 Cash Balances/Monthly Treasurer’s Report
H. Consideration and possible action for second reading and adoption of
Ordinance No. 624, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING AND REPLACING
CHAPTER 12.20 (SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS) OF TITLE 12 (STREETS,
SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES
MUNICIPAL CODE
Adopted Ordinance No. 624, regarding special event permits, as amended
I. Consideration and possible action to receive and file a second quarter report
on the implementation of the City’s Wireless Telecommunications Facilities in
the Public Right-of-Way Ordinance (Case No. PLCA2019-0002)
Received and filed report
J. Consideration and possible action to authorize Staff to submit veto requests
to Governor Newsom in the event of the passage of SB 13 (Accessory
Dwelling Units) and/or AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019) by the state
Legislature.
Authorized Staff to prepare and submit veto requests for the Mayor’s signature
regarding SB 13 and/or AB 1482, if passed by the state Legislature
K. Consideration and possible action regarding a claim against the City by John
Meek
Rejected the claim and directed Staff to notify the claimant
L. Consideration and possible action regarding a claim against the City by Betsy
Niksefat
Rejected the claim and directed Staff to notify the claimant
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Consideration and possible action to receive and file a report on the updated
draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) for the Zone 2 Landslide
Moratorium Ordinance revisions and obtain comments from the general public
and the City Council
City Clerk Colborn reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published, no
written protest was received, late correspondence was received and distributed prior to
the meeting, and there were requests to speak.
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank declared the public hearing open.
Octavio Silva, Senior Planner, presented a staff report and introduced Joe Powers,
Project Lead, Rincon Consultants, who presented a PowerPoint presentation.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Robert Crockett, Neil
Siegel, Maria Gutierrez, Leanne Tidwell, Peter Nopper, Jennifer Mendonca, Larry
Maizlish, Cassie Jones, Suzanne Griffith, Jim Knight, and Gordon Leon.
With no other requests to speak, Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank declared the public
hearing closed.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilmember Dyda, to receive and file
the report.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Brooks, Cruikshank, Dyda, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank called for a brief recess at 8:24 P.M. The meeting
reconvened at 8:40 P.M.
2. Consideration and possible action to amend the City Council-adopted Master
Schedule of Fees and Charges to establish new fees to process minor
wireless telecommunications facilities applications and eligible facilities
requests (EFR)
City Clerk Colborn reported that notice of the public hearing was duly published, no
written protest was received, late correspondence was received and distributed prior to
the meeting, and there was a request to speak.
Mayor Duhovic declared the public hearing open.
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Ara Mihranian, Director of Community Development, presented a brief staff report.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council: Mickey Rodich.
With no other requests to speak, Mayor Duhovic declared the public hearing closed.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilman Alegria moved, seconded by Councilman Dyda, to adopt Resolution No.
2019-43, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2010-77, THE MASTER SCHEDULE
OF FEES AND CHARGES FOR CITY SERVICES, AND RESOLUTION NO. 2018-37
REGARDING FEES FOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES PERMITS,
TO UPDATE THE FEES FOR THE PROCESSING OF WIRELESS
TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY PERMITS IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT -OF-WAY.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Brooks, Cruikshank, Dyda, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
REGULAR BUSINESS:
3. Consideration and possible action to appropriate additional funding in support
of the City’s fuel modification efforts and to support the City’s new goal to
eradicate acacia; award a three-year contract to Fire Grazers; award a contract
amendment to Hardy & Harper; authorize Staff to negotiate contracts for tree
trimming and removal; and authorize Staff to negotiate a contract with
Interwest Consulting Group to oversee and manage the City’s efforts, and
coordinate with associated agencies and manage associated contracts
City Clerk Colborn reported that late correspondence was received and distributed prior
to the meeting and there were requests to speak.
James O’Neill, Engineering Assistant, presented a staff report and announced a
correction on recommendation No. 4, which will be reflected in the motion.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council: Noel Park, Mickey
Rodich, Barbara Sattler, and Al Sattler.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Dyda, to (1) Authorize an
additional appropriation of $399,800 in support of the City’s Fuel Modification efforts; (2)
Award a three-year contract amendment to Fire Grazers for two goat herds to be
utilized for Fuel Modification in the amount of $450,000 (with an annual expenditure of
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$150,000, of which $140,000 is already included in the adopted budget); (3) Authorize
staff to negotiate contracts up to $200,000 for tree trimming, “up-limbing” and tree
removal related to Fuel Modification, as well as removal of Acacia shrubs; (4) Authorize
staff to negotiate an agreement with a geologist for professional services tree trimming,
“up-limbing” and tree removal related to Fuel Modification, as well as removal of Acacia
shrubs, not to exceed $25,000; (5) Award a contract amendment to the Hardy & Harper
contract to make necessary repairs to the Peppertree Trail and Water Tank trails in the
amount of $39,800; and (6) Authorize staff to negotiate a contract up to $125,000 with
Interwest Consulting Group to oversee and manage the City’s Fuel Modification efforts
and associated contracts
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Brooks, Cruikshank, Dyda, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Councilman Alegria moved to extend the meeting to 10:45 P.M. Without objection,
Mayor Duhovic so ordered.
4. Consideration and possible action to amend all advisory board and Planning
Commission terms to expire on June 30 of even-numbered years
City Clerk Colborn reported that late correspondence was received and distributed prior
to the meeting.
Mayor Duhovic moved to waive the staff report on this item. Without objection, Mayor
Duhovic so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Mayor Duhovic, to (1) Approve adjusting
future terms to expire on June 30 of even-numbered years; and (2) Approve City Council
Policy No. 6 pertaining to advisory board recruitment and selection processes, as
amended; (3) Introduce Ordinance No. 627, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES AMENDING SECTION 2.20.020 (MEMBERS) AND
SECTION 2.20.060 (ORGANIZATION) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL
CODE AMENDING TERM EXPIRATION DATE OF PLANNING COMMISSIONERS AND
SELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRPERSON; and (4) directed staff to stagger Emergency
Preparedness Committee (EPC) terms for better ratio. Adjustments will be made as EPC
terms expire.
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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5. Consideration and possible action to advise the City’s voting delegate on the
City Council’s positions regarding the League of California Cities’ 2019 Annual
Conference Resolutions
Mayor Pro Tem Cruikshank moved to waive the staff report on this item. Without
objection, Mayor Duhovic so ordered.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff.
Councilwoman Brooks moved, seconded by Councilman Alegria, to (1) Authorize the
City Council’s voting delegate to support the adoption of League of California Cities
General Assembly Resolution No. 1 (Amendment to Rule 20A) and support Resolution
No. 2 (International Transboundary Pollution Flows) instead of taking no position.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Brooks, Cruikshank, Dyda, and Mayor Duhovic
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER:
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
The following items were raised by Council Members as future agenda items:
Councilwoman Brooks requested that a discussion regarding the future placement of
“Bubbles” be scheduled.
Councilman Alegria requested a report on the status of the Regional Housing Needs
Assessment 6th Cycle Allocation Plan.
Councilman Dyda requested a discussion regarding a possible Tongva memorial
plaque.
CITY COUNCIL ORAL REPORTS:
Each Council Member present reported on his/her attendance at various organization
and association meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:39 P.M., Mayor Duhovic adjourned to 6:00 P.M. on October 1, 2019 for a Closed
Session meeting and 7:00 P.M. for a Regular meeting.
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/s/ Jerry V. Duhovic
Mayor
Attest:
/s/ Emily Colborn
City Clerk