20200616 Late CorrespondenceFrom:
Sent:
To:
Kathy Campbell <kc111 @cox.net>
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 6:29 PM
CityCierk
Subject: Fwd: Tree destruction and unpermitted installation June 2019
Please acknowledge receipt
Begin forwarded message:
From: Kathy Campbell <kclll@cox.net>
Date: June 16, 2020 at 9:35:35 AM PDT
To: kclll@cox.net
Subject: Tree destruction and unpermitted installation June 2019
2
From: Teresa Takaoka
Sent:
To:
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 4:57 PM
Nathan Zweiz ig ; Enyssa Memoli
Subject: FW: Trails Networ·k Plan and Preserve Trails Plan
Late carr
From: Eva Cicoria <cicoriae@aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 4:11PM
To: Ara Mihranian <Ara M@rpvca .gov>; CC <CC@rpvca.gov>
Cc: amohan@pvplc.org; csarabia@pvplc.org; Cory Linder <CoryL@rpvca .go v >; Katie Lozano <Katie L@rpvca .gov>
Subject: Re: Trails Network Plan and Preserve Trails Plan
Thank you, Ara.
Your response underscores the lack of understanding that staff apparent ly has after a ll these years.
Or wors e, I'm sorry to say, it illustrates how the staff thinks of the Preserve and trails therein.
I understand the interest in having a comprehensive map of a ll the trails in the City. What I don't
understand is the need to "consolidate" the Preserve Trails Plan into the Trails Network Plan. The
Preserve Trails Plan shou ld stand alone as a document governing Preserve trails (and uses per the
Public Use Master Plan). To do otherwise is dangerous .
Eva
-----Origina l Messag e-----
From: Ara Mihranian <AraM@rpvca .gov >
To: 'Eva Cicoria' <cicoriae@aol.com >; CC <CC@rpvca.gov >
Cc: amohan@pvplc.org <amohan@pvplc.org >; csarabia@pvplc.org <csarabia@pvplc.org >; Cory Linder
<CoryL@rpvca.gov >; Katie Lozano <KatieL@rpvca .gov >
Sent: Tue, Jun 16, 2020 2:18 pm
Subject: RE: Trails Network Plan and Preserve Trails Plan
Eva ,
You raise some legitimate concerns that I would like to respond to in advance of tonight's meeting .
I need to clarify what is stated in the staff report that the Preserve Trails Plan (PTP), among other plans, will be repealed .
That is not the case. What is happening, and this should have been better communicated in the staff report, is these plans
are being consolidated into one comprehensive document that the public can turn to for information on existing trails in the
City . The PTP cannot be repealed and replaced w ith the Trails Network Plan because it is a requirement of the Council -
adopted NCCP/HCP and Public Use Master Plan (PUMP).
The Council-adopted General Plan sets the goals and policies that are implemented through various City documents,
such as the NCCP/HCP, zoning code , or Trails Network Plan. Having a centralized document that identifies the Citywide-
trails shouldn 't erode nor override the guiding principles of documents such as the NCCP/HCP . They should , and will,
reinforce these principles . I believe the updated Trails Network Plan can achieve that by identifying the trails that are part
of the PTP and providing a narrative that explains their purpose and provides context in regards to the larger network of
trails . This is actually an opportunity to better educate and inform the public on the differences between preserve and non -
preserve trails , even other trails , such coastal trails. That said, the PTP will remain a part of the PUMP . This will be
clarified at tonight's meeting .
1 3.
As for moving the project management of the TNP from Community Development to Recreation and Parks , I made that
move for one important reason , institutiona l know ledge . The current make-up of the Community Development
Departments is not proficient on trails especially when it comes to the City 's trails . The staff in recreation and parks have a
better understanding and familiarity of the trails in the City including the Preserve trails and PUMP document.
Thank you for raising these concerns and a llowing me the opportunity to provide clarification .
Ara
Ara Michael Mihranian
City Manager
C ITY OF
30940 Hawthorne Blvd .
Rancho Palos Verdes , CA 90275
31 0-544 -5202 (telephone)
310-544-5293 (fax)
aram@rpvca .gov
www. rpvca .gov
j; Do you really need to print this e-mail?
This e-mail message contains information belonging to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes , which may be privileged . confidential and/or protected from
disclosure . Tile informat ion is intended only for use of the individua l or enti ty named. Unauthorized dissemination , distribution . or copy ing is stnctly prohibited . If
you received this email in error , or are not an intended recip ient , please notify the sender immediately . Thank you for your assistance and cooperation
From: Eva Cicoria <cicoriae@aol.com >
Sent: Tuesday , June 16, 2020 9:40AM
To: CC <CC@rpvca .gov>
Cc: amohan@pvplc.org ; csarabia@pvplc.org
Subject: Trails Network Plan and Preserve Trails Plan
Mayor Cruikshank, Mayor ProTem Alegria, and Councilmembers Bradley , Dyda , and Ferraro ,
I hope this finds you a ll well. I am opposed to the repeal of the Preserve Trai ls Plan and the Preserve Publ ic Use Master
Plan as well as the transfer of the management of the Preserve Trails Plan to the Recreation and Parks Department. The
Trails Network Plan can refer to the Preserve Trails Plan for mapping trail connections , but there shou ld not be one policy
guide that covers all trails.
Fundamental to the issue is whether you believe that the Pa lo s Verdes Nature Preserve warrants greater protection and
different considerat io ns than land outside the Preserve . Do you value the donor dollars and volunteer hours contributed to
the care and keeping of the Preserve lands? I do . It's extraordinary . I don 't be li eve the general public knows , let alone
values all of that. Honestly , I'm not sure whether many current staff members understand or value the history and the
differences between the parks and the Preserve. Merging the Preserve Tra il s Plan into the Trails Network Plan will
exacerbate that problem. The Preserve Trails Plan shou ld stand alone as part of the NCCP, getting separate attention
and consideration , with policy guided by the NCCP and habitat and wildlife protection concerns above pub li c recreation .
2
The function of the trails outside of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve differs significantly from the function of the trails
within the Preserve. Trails outside of the Preserve function as routes to get from one place to another and for
recreation. Trails within the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve serve to protect the surrounding habitat while providing a
secondary recreational function. I foresee problems by merging the Preserve trails with the trails outside the Preserve as
the public and staff become increasingly oblivious to and/or ignore the distinctions in the interest of facilitating recreation
and administrative ease. For example, staff may have an interest in creating uniform trails outside the Preserve. That
would run contrary to the goals of the NCCP and the emphasis on conservation values over recreation value in the
Preserve.
The text in the Staff Report underscores these issues as it refers to the Trails Network Plan guiding policy development
and "a trail system to meet current conditions and public desires". Policies must differ between trails within the Preserve
and outside of the Preserve. The Preserve Trails Plan should stand alone and policies must be guided by habitat and
wildlife protection, not recreational interests.
Note that the Trails Network Plan can still refer to the Preserve Trails Plan for mapping trail connections, but there seems
to me to be no good reason to have one policy guide that covers all trails, unless the intent is to obscure the differences
between the Preserve and park lands and their management.
As for the transfer of the management of the Preserve Trails Plan to the Recreation and Parks Department, that should
have its own vetting. There is much that City Council does not know about what is going on in the Preserve. Lumping the
Preserve in with parks contributes to erosion of, rather than garnering respect for, the Preserve lands and all that has and
continues to go into the protection and restoration of these lands.
A recent example of the parks and Preserve being lumped together, differences being ignored, and wrong information
being conveyed: When parks and trails were opened up after the pandemic-related lockdown, City staff announced (in
CV-related updates and Weekly Administrative Reports) that the public was generally in compliance with the distancing
and mask requirements integral to the phased opening. Perhaps that was true in parks. It certainly wasn't in the PV
Nature Preserve. We saw then, and continue to see, 50%-90% non-compliance within the Preserve.
A related concern is the erosion of rules enforcement efforts that had been intended to focus on the Preserve but
apparently are now being diluted by diverting some resources to parks. While we are seeing reports of minimal, if any,
citations being issued, we're seeing many infractions within the Preserve, and often infractions that raise safety
concerns. Do you have an accurate picture of what is going on in the Preserve? It's alarming and demoralizing for those
of us who contribute thousands of hours to attempting to educate the public and protect the Preserve lands. We need
more staff support, not less. We need greater consistency in messaging regarding the Preserve lands, not greater
confusion with park lands.
As an aside, I do not mean to minimize the efforts or Recreation and Park staff including rangers, particularly during these
CV times. I know they are working hard and the challenges are many.
Lumping the Preserve in with park lands, Preserve trails in with City trails, ignores the important differences between them
and over time the differences will be increasingly obscured by staff as well as the public, whether intentional or not.
Please show that you value the PV Nature Preserve as unique and worthy of independent attention and reject the staff
recommendation to repeal the Preserve Trails Plan and Public Use Master Plan, authorize consultants to include maps of
the Preserve trails in the Trails Network Plan for making trail connections only, and take such other steps as prudent to
expand staff's focus on the important distinctions between park lands and Preserve lands, City trails and Preserve trails.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Eva ()coria
3
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
CITY CLERK
JUNE 16, 2020
ADDITIONS/REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Attached are revisions/additions and/or amendments to the agenda material presented
for tonight's meeting.
Item No. Description of Material
N Email from City Manager, Ara Mihranian; Updated Attachment A
3 Emails from Eva Cicoria and Donna Mclaughin
Respectfully submitted,
L:ILATE CORRESPONDENCE\2020 Cover Sheets\20200616 additions revisions to agenda .docx
Enyssa Momoli
To: Enyssa Memoli
Subject: RE: SRO -June 16 Agenda
From: Ara Mihranian
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 2:30 PM
To: John Cruikshank <John .Cruikshank@rpvca.gov >
Subject: SRO-June 16 Agenda
John,
As we discussed during our 1:1 meeting regarding tonight's agenda item on the SRO, I asked Shane
to follow-up on your two questions.
Currently, both SROs are well qualified and trained in the matters of security and forced procedures.
Allied Universal requires a Security Guard License, which involves application to the California
Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. Through this application, they conduct a Department of
Justice background check, which includes a finger print scan and a criminal record check. Both SROs
have licenses to carry firearms and Allied Universal provides Fire Arm Training/Certification as a part
of their security detail.
Moreover, the two SROs, Mr. Dave Rozas and Mr. Steve Moses, are both Retired Sergeants from the
Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. Mr. Steve Moses has had 30 years of experience with the Sheriff's
Department, has worked alongside Captain Powers, and has previous experience working as a
School Resource Officer at Lakewood High School. This experience includes working to secure the
students and campus after the Columbine High School tragedy/mass shooting.
Lastly, the two CORE Team Deputies from the Lomita Sheriff's Station are often times also at our
local schools. They have a vast range of duties that includes training teachers and students for
active-shooter situations. A briefing of their duties has been attached as well.
Ara
Ara Michael Mihranian
City Manager
CITY OF
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
31 0-544-5202 (telephone)
1
31 0 -544-5293 (fax)
aram@rpvca.gov
www . rpvca .gov
Do you really need to print this e-mail?
This e-mail message contains information belonging to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, which may be privileged, confidential and/or protected from
disclosure. The information is intended only for use of the individual or entity named. Unauthorized dissemination, distribution, or copying is strictly prohibited. If
you received this email in error, or are not an intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately. Thank you fat· your assistance and cooperation
2
SI+AD-32A (8/17)
FROM:
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
"A Tradition qf'Service Since 1850"
DATE: March 21, 2018
FILE NO:
OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE
DOUG SHIVE, SERGEANT
LOMITA STATION
TO: DAN BERINGER, CAPTAIN
LOMITA STATION
SUBJECT: LOMITA STATION CORE DEPUTIES JOB DUTIES
Lomita Station CORE deputies serve the cities of Rancho Palos Verdes,
Rolling Hills Estates, and Rolling Hills. Deputy Tami Bouse and Deputy
Reece Souza are the current CORE deputies, and their duties include the
following :
• Provide a direct point-of-contact for city managers/city staff.
o Provide a direct point-of-contact for school administrators. These
relationships enable the CORE deputies to be intimately familiar with
students experiencing disciplinary or behavioral issues requiring law
enforcement intervention.
• Attend school disciplinary hearings upon request of administrators
• Provide a direct point of contact for neighborhood watch/community
leaders for quality of life issues, crime prevention, and emergency
preparedness.
• Support and organize city events such as parades and marathons.
• Attend neighborhood meetings.
• Attend disaster drills with city staffs and emergency operations
centers.
0 Resolve long term neighbor disputes/quality-of-life issues and
complaints.
• Assist PVP Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) with
training, drills, and community involvement.
• Teach student and the law at Peninsula High School and Rancho Del
Mar High School (2 Days Per Week).
• Train with teachers/school staff on active-shooter situations.
Responsible for dealing with homeless encampments on the
Peninsula.
CORE DEPUTIES March 21, 2018
The deputies who serve as CORE deputies typically work Monday through
Friday from 7:00am to 3:00pm; however, they are on a flexible schedule so
as to allow them to adjust their hours for after-hour events (i.e. weekend
events , evening meetings, etc.).
As the direct point-of-contact for school administrators, the CORE deputies
typically get information firsthand from school principals, assistant principals,
and safe-school coordinators about potential school threats. Oftentimes, it
can be something a student said or posted on one of the many social-media
sites. Each occurrence is vetted by the CORE deputies through the use of
available resources (interviews, warranted home searches, detective
investigations, etc.). The CORE deputies also created and maintain all of
the school safety plans tor the 29 schools in the Palos Verdes Peninsula
region.
The CORE deputies attend school question-and-answer talks with students
and teachers as well as attend school career day events.
The CORE deputies teach Student and the Law at Peninsula High School
and Rancho Del Mar. The class fosters a positive relationship between the
youth of our future society and law enforcement.
As the direct point-of-contact for the neighborhood-watch groups, CORE
deputies are regularly called upon to attend meetings where they provide
current crime trends as well as give advice on preventing crime.
Additionally, the CORE deputies assist in organizing the annual National
Night Out events.
As the direct point-of-contact for city managers/city staff, the CORE deputies
have attended city council meetings when council members have asked for
a deputy to provide extra security or to answer law-enforcement questions.
City managers and city staff also use the CORE deputies to help resolve
quality-of-life issues between residents within the community. CORE
deputies also assist with providing law enforcement and safety plans for city
events such as, holiday parades, marathons, fairs, etc.
In addition, these uniform deputies are a force multiplier when a significant
incident occurs on the Peninsula. They may assist patrol deputies in
searching for and apprehending suspects when crimes, such as residential
burglaries occur.
These tasks highlight the many duties carried out by the CORE team on a
daily basis. As with all law enforcement assignments , these tasks can
evolve at a moment's notice, based upon emergency and criminal activity.
2
---·---·-----------------------·--------------------------------------
CORE DEPUTIES March 21 , 2018
The deputies who serve as CORE deputies typically work Monday through
Friday from 7 :00am to 3:00pm; however, they are on a flexible schedule so
as to allow them to adjust their hours for after-hour events (i.e. weekend
events, evening meetings, etc.).
As the direct point-of-contact for school administrators , the CORE deputies
typically get information firsthand from school principals, assistant principals ,
and safe-school coordinators about potential school threats. Oftentimes , it
can be som ething a stude nt sa id or posted on one of the many so cia l-m edi a
sites. Each occurrence is vett ed by the CORE dep uties through the use of
available resources (interviews, warranted home searches , detective
invest igatio ns , et c.). The COR E dep uties also c rea t ed and maintain all of
the sch oo l sa f et y plans for the 29 sc hools in the Palos Verd es Pe ninsula
region .
The CO RE deputies att end sch ool quest ion-and-an sw e r talks with students
and te ac he rs as well as attend school career d ay ev ents.
The CORE deputies teach Student and the Law at Peninsula High School
and Rancho Del Mar. The class fosters a positive relationship between the
youth of our future society and law enforcement.
As the direct point-of-contact for the neighborhood-watch groups, CORE
deputies are regularly called upon to attend meetings where they provide
current crime trends as well as give advice on preventing crime.
Additionally , the CORE deputies assist in organizing the annual National
Night Out events.
As the di re ct point-of-contact for city managers/city staff, the CORE deputies
have atten ded city council meet ings when council members have asked for
a deputy to provide extra security or to answer law-enforcement questions .
City managers and city staff also use the CORE deputies to help resolve
quality-of-life issues between residents within the community . CORE
deputies also assist with providing law e nfo rcem ent and safe t y plans for city
events such as , holiday parades, marathon s , fai rs, etc. T hey also handle
parking issues, such as on Crest Road, at the request of the city manager.
In addition , these uniform deputies are a force multiplier when a significant
incident occurs on the Peninsula . They may assist patrol deputies in
searching fo r a nd apprehending suspects when crimes, such as residential
burglaries occu r .
These tasks highlight the many duties carried out by the CORE team on a
daily basis. As with all law enforcement assignments, these tasks can
evolve at a moment's notice, based upon emergency and criminal activity.
2
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Follow Up Flag:
Flag Status:
Shane Lee
Friday, June 12, 2020 1:08 PM
cc
Late Correspondence: Item N. SRO MOU Renewal
(A-1) Amendment to MOU for SRO.pdf; 06.16.2020 SRO MOU Renewal.pdf
Follow up
Completed
Good Afternoon Honorable Mayor and City Council Members,
Attached is late correspondence for Agenda Item N. School Resource Officer MOU Renewal. This document is
attachment A, categorized as late correspondence, and it is an Amendment to the existing MOU.
The corresponding staff report has been included as well. Our City Clerk's Office will be updating the agenda so that the
late correspondence attachment will be in its appropriate placement.
Best Regards,
Shane Lee
Shane Lee
Administrative Analyst
City Manager's Office, Public Safety
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Ph: 310.544.5305
slee@rpvca.gov
City Hall is open to the public during regular business hours. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, visitors are required to
wear face coverings and adhere to physical distancing guidelines. Some employees are working on rotation and may be working
remotely . If you need to visit City Hall, please schedule an appointment in advance by calling the appropriate department and
follow all posted directions during your visit. Walk-ups are limited to one person at a time. Please note that our response to your
inquiry could be delayed . For a list of department phone numbers, visit the Staff Directory on the City website .
Everbridge is the emergency communication notification system for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. Please register to receive critical
emergency communication notifications. Register online at alertsouthbay.com, text the message "alertsb" to 888-777 to receive a link to
register for Everbridge, or download the free Everbridge app on your smartphone from the App Store or Google Play.
1
FIRST AMENDMENT TO MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
THE PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, THE CITY OF
PALOS VERDES ESTATES, AND THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
FOR SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICERS
This First Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU"), is effective as of
2020 ("Effective Date") and is between the PALOS VERDES
PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ("District"), on the one hand, and the CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ("Rancho Palos Verdes"),a general law city & California
municipal corporation, the CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ESTATES ("Rolling Hills Estates"),
a California municipal corporation, the CITY OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES ("Palos
Verdes Estates"), a California municipal corporation, and the CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
("Rolling Hills"), a California municipal corporation, on the other hand. (These entities may
be referred to collectively or individually as "Parties" or "Party").
RECITALS
A The Parties entered into a one-year term Memorandum of Understanding
dated August 26, 2019, whereby District agreed to hire two security officers to provide
education, training, and intervention services at the District Sites (as therein defined), and
whereby Cities (as therein defined) agreed to contribute general municipal funds towards
hiring and maintaining one of the two security officers for the purpose of increasing public
safety (the "Memorandum of Understanding"); and
B. The Parties desire to amend the Memorandum of Understanding to extend
the term for another three (3) years and to require such security officers to generate
monthly written activity reports so that the Parties may evaluate the performance of the
security officers.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows :
1. The one-year Term set forth in Section 2 is hereby extended for an
additional three (3) years, and this Memorandum of Understanding will expire on August
26, 2023.
2. Paragraphs (c) and (f) of Section 3 are amended to read as follows:
Section 3. District Obligations .
c. Cooperation . The Security Officers shall work at the District Sites for the
purpose of protecting persons thereon. The Security Officers' work
hours shall generally coincide with school operation hours but can be
adjusted by the District as reasonably necessary. The Security Officers
Page 1 of 7
A-1
shall act under the control and superv1s1on of the District's
Superintendent or designee. The Security Officers shall work in
cooperation with the District's Superintendent, District Site principals,
faculty, and staff to establish duties, responsibilities, and priorities. The
Security Officers shall generate activity reports on a monthly basis
describing their activities and provide such activity reports to the District
by a date determined by the District.
f. Updates to the Cities. The District shall provide updates regarding the
names, duties, responsibilities, priorities, and monthly costs of the
Security Officers as well as the monthly activity reports generated by the
Security Officers to the Cities on a monthly basis pursuant to Section
8(a) of this MOU.
3. All terms and conditions of the Memorandum of Understanding not
amended by this First Amendment remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this First Amendment
to be executed by their duly authorized representatives and affixed as of the date of
signature of the Parties:
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
Page 2 of 7
A-2
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
By : __________________ _ Date : ____________ _
Alex Chern iss, Superintendent
ATTEST:
By : __________________ _
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By : ------------------
Page 3 of 7
A-3
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
By : __________________ _ Date: -------------
John Cruikshank, Mayor
ATTEST:
By: __________________ _
Emily Colborn, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By : ------------------
William Wynder, City Attorney
Page 4 of 7
A-4
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ESTATES
By : __________________ _ Date:-------
Velveth Schmitz, Mayor
ATTEST:
By: __________________ _
Lauren Pettit, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By : ------------------
Donald Davis, City Attorney
Page 5 of 7
A-5
CITY OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES
By : __________________ _ Date : ____________ _
David McGowan, Mayor
ATTEST:
By: __________________ _
Kylynn Chaney, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By : -------------------
Christi Hogin, City Attorney
Page 6 of 7
A-6
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
By : __________________ __ Date : ____________ _
Jeff Pieper, Mayor
ATTEST:
By: __________________ _
Yohana Coronel, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By: __________________ _
Michael Jenkins, City Attorney
Page 7 of 7
A-7
From: Teresa Takaoka
Sent:
To:
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 9:45AM
Nathan Zweizig; Enyssa Momoli
Subject: FW: Trails Network Plan and Preserve Trails Plan
Follow Up Flag:
Flag Status:
Late corr
Follow up
Completed
From: Eva Cicoria <cicoriae@aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 9:40AM
To: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>
Cc: amohan@pvplc.org; csarabia@pvplc.org
Subject: Trails Network Plan and Preserve Trails Plan
Mayor Cruikshank, Mayor ProTem Alegria, and Councilmembers Bradley, Dyda, and Ferraro,
I hope this finds you all well. I am opposed to the repeal of the Preserve Trails Plan and the Preserve
Public Use Master Plan as well as the transfer of the management of the Preserve Trails Plan to the
Recreation and Parks Department. The Trails Network Plan can refer to the Preserve Trails Plan for
mapping trail connections, but there should not be one policy guide that covers all trails.
Fundamental to the issue is whether you believe that the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve warrants
greater protection and different considerations than land outside the Preserve. Do you value the
donor dollars and volunteer hours contributed to the care and keeping of the Preserve lands? I do. It's
extraordinary. I don't believe the general public knows, let alone values all of that. Honestly, I'm not
sure whether many current staff members understand or value the history and the differences
between the parks and the Preserve. Merging the Preserve Trails Plan into the Trails Network Plan
will exacerbate that problem. The Preserve Trails Plan should stand alone as part of the NCCP,
getting separate attention and consideration, with policy guided by the NCCP and habitat and wildlife
protection concerns above public recreation.
The function of the trails outside of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve differs significantly from the
function of the trails within the Preserve. Trails outside of the Preserve function as routes to get from
one place to another and for recreation. Trails within the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve serve to
protect the surrounding habitat while providing a secondary recreational function. I foresee problems
by merging the Preserve trails with the trails outside the Preserve as the public and staff become
increasingly oblivious to and/or ignore the distinctions in the interest of facilitating recreation and
administrative ease. For example, staff may have an interest in creating uniform trails outside the
Preserve. That would run contrary to the goals of the NCCP and the emphasis on conservation
values over recreation value in the Preserve.
The text in the Staff Report underscores these issues as it refers to the Trails Network Plan guiding
policy development and "a trail system to meet current conditions and public desires". Policies must
differ between trails within the Preserve and outside of the Preserve. The Preserve Trails Plan should
stand alone and policies must be guided by habitat and wildlife protection, not recreational interests.
1 3.
Note that the Trails Network Plan can still refer to the Preserve Trails Plan for mapping trail
connections, but there seems to me to be no good reason to have one policy guide that covers all
trails, unless the intent is to obscure the differences between the Preserve and park lands and their
management.
As for the transfer of the management of the Preserve Trails Plan to the Recreation and Parks
Department, that should have its own vetting. There is much that City Council does not know about
what is going on in the Preserve. Lumping the Preserve in with parks contributes to erosion of, rather
than garnering respect for, the Preserve lands and all that has and continues to go into the protection
and restoration of these lands.
A recent example of the parks and Preserve being lumped together, differences being ignored, and
wrong information being conveyed: When parks and trails were opened up after the pandemic-related
lockdown, City staff announced (in CV-related updates and Weekly Administrative Reports) that the
public was generally in compliance with the distancing and mask requirements integral to the phased
opening. Perhaps that was true in parks. It certainly wasn't in the PV Nature Preserve. We saw
then, and continue to see, 50%-90% non-compliance within the Preserve.
A related concern is the erosion of rules enforcement efforts that had been intended to focus on the
Preserve but apparently are now being diluted by diverting some resources to parks. While we are
seeing reports of minimal, if any, citations being issued, we're seeing many infractions within the
Preserve, and often infractions that raise safety concerns. Do you have an accurate picture of what is
going on in the Preserve? It's alarming and demoralizing for those of us who contribute thousands of
hours to attempting to educate the public and protect the Preserve lands. We need more staff
support, not less. We need greater consistency in messaging regarding the Preserve lands, not
greater confusion with park lands.
As an aside, I do not mean to minimize the efforts or Recreation and Park staff including rangers,
particularly during these CV times. I know they are working hard and the challenges are many.
Lumping the Preserve in with park lands, Preserve trails in with City trails, ignores the important
differences between them and over time the differences will be increasingly obscured by staff as well
as the public, whether intentional or not. Please show that you value the PV Nature Preserve as
unique and worthy of independent attention and reject the staff recommendation to repeal the
Preserve Trails Plan and Public Use Master Plan, authorize consultants to include maps of the
Preserve trails in the Trails Network Plan for making trail connections only, and take such other steps
as prudent to expand staff's focus on the important distinctions between park lands and Preserve
lands, City trails and Preserve trails.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Eva Cicoria
2
From:
Sent:
To:
Teresa Takaoka
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 1:42 PM
Enyssa Memoli; Nathan Zweizig
Subject: FW: Trails Network Plan & Preserve Trails Plan
Late carr
From: Donna Mclaughlin <ddmclaughlin@cox.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 1:33 PM
To: CC <CC@rpvca.gov>
Subject: Trails Network Plan & Preserve Trails Plan
Mayor Cruikshank, Mayor Pro Tern Alegria, and Councilmembers Bradley, Dyda, and
Ferraro,
I oppose the repeal of the Preserve Trails Plan and the Preserve Public Use Master
Plan. I am also against the transfer of the management of the Preserve Trails Plan to
the Recreation and Parks Department. I volunteer on The Trail Watch and also monitor
the Cactus Wrens and do Coyote Tracking and hike the Preserve five days a
week. Stricter rules need to be implemented especially with the increase in people on
the trails. The management plan should stay as it is with stricter enforcement and
more Ranger presence.
Donna Mclaughin
Rancho Palos Verdes
1 3.