CC RES 2024-039 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-39
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, TEMPORARILY PROHIBITING
TRAVEL BY BICYCLES, MOTORCYCLES AND OTHER TWO
WHEELED VEHICLES ON PALOS VERDES DRIVE SOUTH
WITHIN THE LANDSLIDE COMPLEX DUE TO THE
ACCELERATED RATE OF LAND MOVEMENT
WHEREAS, the Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex (the
Landslide Complex) encompasses four historically active landslide areas in the
City: the Portuguese Bend Landslide (PBL), the Abalone Cove Landslide (ACL),
the Klondike Canyon Landslide (KCL), and the Beach Club Landslide (BCL).
However, it also includes areas outside of the City's historical boundaries of those
known landslides predominantly uphill from the Portuguese Bend and Abalone
Cove landslides, within the Ancient Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex as
mapped by various agencies (i.e., U.S. Geological Survey, California Geological
Survey) and other researchers.
WHEREAS, following the 2022-23 rainy season, the Landslide Complex's
movement has accelerated exponentially. Therefore, on October 3, 2023, the City
Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes adopted Resolution No. 2023-047
based on its authority pursuant to Section 8610 et seq. and Section 8630 et seq.
of the Government Code, and Chapter 2.23 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal
Code, declaring a state of local emergency for the Landslide Complex based on
the accelerated movement of the land. The declaration of emergency was renewed
as required by law and currently applies.
WHEREAS, following the City Council's declaration of a local emergency,
the City experienced another record-setting rainy season.
WHEREAS, since the City Council's declaration of a local emergency, the
City Geologist, Mike Phipps of Cotton, Shires, and Associates, Inc. (CSA) has
been regularly conducting field mapping throughout the Landslide Complex;
observing conditions at various locations, and reviewing survey and rainfall data.
WHEREAS, the City Geologist most recently reported to the City Council
on May 7, 2024, in summary, that the Landslide Complex continues moving at
unprecedented rates, predominantly in response to the two consecutive seasons
of significantly above average rainfall.
WHEREAS, the City Geologist stated that land movement continued to
manifest at the ground surface in the form of landslide scarps, fissures,
grabens/sinkholes, tensional cracking, shear zones and thrust features; and that
due to the continued acceleration, the ground movement features have continued
to enlarge, expand, widen, or grow depending on the type of feature and location,
which also affects Palos Verdes Drive South (PVDS) as it traverses the Landslide
Complex area.
WHEREAS, the City Geologist summarized that road conditions on PVDS
continue to be adversely impacted due to differential rates of land movement
ranging from about 5 to 8 inches per week, at the time of the report to the City
Council on May 7, 2024.
WHEREAS, traffic signs on PVDS in the landslide area include various
signs warning of the landslide conditions, with some specifically directed at
bicyclists and motorcyclists. Out of an abundance of caution, Staff (through a
consultant), conducted a review of signs on PVDS. As a result, additional signs
were installed, including signs installed on June 1, 2024 specifically directed at
bicyclists and motorcyclists.
WHEREAS, despite the existing bicycle warning signs, Staff have been
anecdotally informed of bicycle crashes, and at least one claim has been filed
against the City (which was prior to the additional bicycle and motorcycle signs
installed on June 1).
WHEREAS, Section 8610 of the Government Code provides the local
disaster council with broad powers to "develop plans for meeting any condition
constituting a local emergency or state of emergency, including, but not limited to,
earthquakes, natural or manmade disasters specific to that jurisdiction, or state of
war emergency...."
WHEREAS, Chapter 2.24 designates the City Council, the director of
emergency services, the assistant director of emergency services, and the chiefs
of emergency services as the City's Disaster Council.
WHEREAS, the director of emergency services (the city manager), "[i]n the
event of the proclamation of a local emergency [...], the director [of emergency
services] is empowered: a. To make and issue rules and regulations on matters
reasonably related to the protection of life and property as affected by such
emergency...."
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that despite consistent and recently
increased signage, riders of bicycles and motorcycles continue to use PVDS, and
that the land movement is creating frequent localized deviations in the road, which
can be navigated safety in cars and trucks, but that are more dangerous for 2-
wheeled vehicles such as bicycles and motorcycles.
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the safety of bicycle and motorcycle
riders is a compelling interest.
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that in order to further the City's
compelling interest in the safety of riders, it is appropriate to temporarily route
bicycles and motorcycles away from the portion of PVDS within the Landslide
Complex, until such time as the City may be able to slow the land movement
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Resolution No.2024-39
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sufficiently to reduce the frequency and severity of road deviations to minimize the
risk of injury.
NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein
by reference.
Section 2: Until further notice, the portion of PVDS within the Landslide
Complex shall be closed to bicycle and motorcycle traffic. This prohibition will
expire in 180 days, unless extended by the City Council on the same basis as
stated in this Resolution.
Section 3: Updates on the rate of movement and repair of PVDS will be
provided at each City Council meeting where the Council is considering extending
the local state of emergency, including an assessment of the relative safety of
traveling on PVDS by bicycles and motorcycles through the Landslide Complex,
with the purpose of lifting the prohibition as soon as possible.
Section 4: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption by
the City Council upon a majority vote.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 18th day of June 2024.
• 11
John s ruikshank, Mayor
•
Attest:
V.-44agek.,
tere4a- akaoka, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
Resolution No.2024-39
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I, Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby
certify that the above Resolution No. 2024-39 was duly and regularly passed and
adopted by the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on June 18,
2024.
eresa akaoka, City Clerk
Resolution No.2024-39
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