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CC SR 20230221 04 - Coast Guard Maintenance Issues CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 02/21/2023 AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business AGENDA TITLE: Consideration and possible action to receive an update on maintenance and repair issues at U.S. Coast Guard properties in Rancho Palos Verdes. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: (1) Receive and file a report on maintenance and repair issues at the two U.S. Coast Guard properties in Rancho Palos Verdes; and, (2) Direct Staff to send a letter, under the Mayor’s signature, expressing a continued interest in acquiring both U.S. Coast Guard Properties that are currently under divestiture consideration. FISCAL IMPACT: None Amount Budgeted: N/A Additional Appropriation: N/A Account Number(s): N/A ORIGINATED BY: Matt Waters, Senior Administrative Analyst REVIEWED BY: Cory Linder, Recreation and Parks Director APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: A. February 10, 2023, email from U.S. Coast Guard (page A-1) B. Draft Letter to U.S. Coast Guard (page B-1) BACKGROUND: On October 18, 2022, then-Mayor Bradley requested that this item be added to a future City Council agenda based on his observations of conditions at the two U.S. Coast Guard sites within the City. The two sites are the Point Vicente Lighthouse complex located off Palos Verdes Drive South and Battery Barnes, a 3.9 -acre site adjacent to the Ken Dyda Civic Center that houses a World War II-era bunker. DISCUSSION: Recreation and Parks Staff recently reached out to the Coast Guard regarding safety , maintenance, and aesthetic concerns at the two locations. 1 Recreation Director Cory Linder and Senior Administrative Analyst Matt Waters met with Coast Guard personnel including Lt. Jamen Descartes, on February 8, 2023, to discuss the following issues: Battery Barnes: • Unused radio tower masts - Several of the guyed wire cables have failed and no longer support the vertical infrastructure, creating a potential earthquake or wind hazard. • Access/ vegetation clearance on main paths for emergency access Point Vicente • Exterior painting of the light house lens and lantern catwalk area • Repainting the main concrete portion of the lighthouse structure • Patching and repainting the exterior of the base housing units • Repairing and patching roofs of the base housing units • Removing decommissioned/unused radio tower masts • Repairing damaged and sagging perimeter fencing along Palos Verdes Drive South Lt. Descartes sent a follow-up email on February 10, 2023 (Attachment A) noting both properties are being evaluated for possible divestiture in the future and that funding would only be available for major safety and security matters. He added that funds would likely not be available during the divestiture review process for any aesthetic improvements, including the ones listed above, such as painting, patching, and repairing roofs on the lighthouse property. Lt. Descartes stated that the Coast Guard had determined that several trees that were noted to be overgrowing into the walkway leading to Battery Barnes are actually on City property. Staff will follow up with the City’s landscaping crew to address that concern. He noted that the perimeter fence on Palos Verdes Drive South, while damaged, was deemed by the Coast Guard to still be intact with existing signage clearly indicating the area is federal property with no trespassing allowed. Lt. Descartes’ email noted that a request will be submitted to the Coast Guard’s Civil Engineering Office regarding the two towers at Battery Barnes with failed guyed wires. However, given the limited funding available and competing priorities throughout California, he could not provide a timeline or a guarantee that the work would be done. Acquisition of the Point Vicente Lighthouse property has been a long-standing goal of the City. Battery Barnes prime location immediately adjacent to the Ken Dyda Civic Center, along with its tremendous views, makes it a desirable addition to the ongoing Civic Center Master Plan process. At the City Council’s pleasure, Staff will send a letter to the Coast Guard under the Mayor’s signature indicating the City’s continued interest in pursuing the acquisition of both properties as part of the divestiture process (Attachment B). The letter will also be sent to federal representatives including U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, and Representative Ted Lieu. 2 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Lighthouse Tours For many years the Coast Guard opened the Point Vicente Lighthouse for tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. This practice, which stopped with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed this month. Some 495 guests from 18 states and 12 countries toured the lighthouse on February 11 , 2023. The lighthouse will also be open for tours on April 15, 2023, as part of the City’s annual Whale of a Day event. CONCLUSION: Staff recommends the City Council receive and file the report on maintenance and repair issues at the Point Vicente Lighthouse and Battery Barnes. If the City Council wishes, Staff will continue to follow up with the Coast Guard on safety-related issues. Staff also prepared a letter for the Mayor’s signature expressing interest in acquiring either or both Coast Guard properties as part of the divestiture process. ALTERNATIVES: In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative action is available for the City Council’s consideration: 1. Take other action, as deemed appropriate. 3 February 10, 2023 Email from USCG LT Jamen Descartes Good Morning Matt, Thanks again for meeting with me yesterday. As discussed, both the Battery Barnes and Point Vicente properties are being evaluated for possible divestiture. As a result, the Coast Guard is not authorized to use appropriated funding to maintain the properties with the exception of major safety and security items which can be evaluated, considered, and prioritized. This precludes funding for the aesthetic concerns on the Point Vicente property. The perimeter fence is also intact and indicated as federal property/no trespassing to protect the public. Regarding the Battery Barnes property, after looking at the property line map, the two trees that we discussed as the cause of the access/clearance concern are actually not on the Coast Guard property. Lastly, we will submit a request to our civil engineering office regarding the two towers on this property with failed guy wires. Our civil engineering office will have to weigh the issue against other facility maintenance priorities throughout California with limited funding, so it is not possible for us to guarantee if/when this will be addressed. Very Respectfully, LT Jamen Descartes Base LALB Facilities Engineer Office: (310) 521-6011 Mobile: (310) 345-8349 A-1 30940 HAWTHORNE BLVD. / RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA 90275-5391 / (310) 544-5207 / FAX (310) 544-5291 / WWW.RPVCA.GOV February 21, 2023 Via Email Commander Lisa M. Sharkey United States Coast Guard Base Los Angeles/Long Beach 1001 S. Seaside Ave. San Pedro, CA 90731 SUBJECT: Letter of Interest in Battery Barnes and Point Vicente Lighthouse Properties Dear Commander Sharkey, Thank you for arranging for Lt. Jamen Descartes and other Coast Guard personnel to meet with Recreation and Parks Director Cory Linder and Senior Administrative Analyst Matt Waters recently regarding maintenance and aesthetic issues at the Battery Barnes and the Point Vicente Lighthouse properties. Lt. Jamen Descartes graciously provided information about the ongoing divestiture process at Base Los Angeles/Long Beach and the possibility that Battery Barnes and the lighthouse may become available at some point in the future. The City would also be open to discussion of a joint use arrangement. While we appreciate that this will likely be a long and complicated process with many competing interests, please consider this letter as a follow-up formal statement of the City’s interest in the two sites. We fully understand and appreciate that the operational needs of the U.S. Coast Guard are a priority and the City has no desire whatsoever to interfere with those potential plans. We understand that Battery Barnes and the lighthouse are two separate parcels, as the Battery Barnes is physically separated from the lighthouse property by the City-owned Alta Vicente Nature Reserve. As we discussed with you last year, the City has begun a master planning process for the 17-acre Civic Center property which is located immediately to the east of the Battery Barnes site. Acquiring that property or entering into a long-term joint use agreement with the Coast Guard would be very advantageous for the City’s long -term planning for the Civic Center. The City hopes to have a preliminary site design by the fall, but the full length of the project, from early design to construction, is a multi-year project. Following extensive civic engagement, the City Council has approved a program document for the B-1 Cmdr. Sharkey February 21, 2023 Page 2 site, including a new City Hall, Council Chambers, a small Community Center, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), a children’s playground, improved trails, paths, and landscaping. One of our goals would be to celebrate the rich history of Battery Barnes from its role in World War II, the Cold War, and with the Coast Guard. Allowing appropriately managed public access via well-maintained trails and pathways and improved landscaping would be an important element of our planning efforts. The City would also commit to properly maintaining and managing the antennas, light poles and other infrastructure on the site. Establishing a linkage to the legacy of Japanese American farming on the Palos Verdes Peninsula would be another historical connection. The acquisition or joint use agreement of the Point Vicente Lighthouse has been a goal and aspiration of the City practically since its founding. We understand that this is a long- term proposition and that the Coast Guard may have plans that supersede the wishes of the City. Just like with Battery Barnes, the focus would be on well-managed public access, proper care of the grounds and facility, and deep respect for this iconic site’s historical importance and its significance to our residents. Again, thank you very much for your assistance and professionalism, and please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or guidance regarding the next steps in this process. Sincerely, Barbara Ferraro Mayor cc: Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator, California Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator, California Ted Lieu, U.S. Representative, 36th Congressional District Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and City Manager B-2