CC SR 20241217 01 - Landslide Emergency Extension
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 12/17/2024
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action on the Greater Portuguese Bend-Ancient Altamira
Landslide Complex.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Receive and file an update on current activities and conditions in the Greater
Portuguese Bend-Ancient Altamira Landslide Complex;
(2) Receive and file an update on FEMA’s Voluntary Property Acquisition Buyout
Program;
(3) Receive and file an update on City expenditures for emergency protective and
stabilization measures in response to the acceleration of the Greater Portuguese
Bend-Ancient Altamira Landslide Complex;
(4) Approve an additional appropriation of $1.1 million, allocated from the Capital
Infrastructure Program (CIP) Fund, for the maintenance of the existing deep
dewatering well program through March 31, 2025;
(5) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-___, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, EXTENDING FOR A
TERM OF 90 DAYS THE TEMPORARY PROHIBITION ON TRAVEL BY
BICYCLES, MOTORCYCLES, UNICYCLES AND OTHER SIMILAR WHEELED
VEHICLES ON PALOS VERDES DRIVE SOUTH WITHIN THE LANDSLIDE
COMPLEX DUE TO CONTINUED ROADWAY CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED
WITH THE ON-GOING LAND MOVEMENT;
(6) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-__, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, CONTINUING THE LOCAL
EMERGENCY DECLARATION AS ESTABLISHED BY RESOLUTION NO. 2023 -
47 ADOPTED ON OCTOBER 3, 2023 FOR AN ADDITIONAL 60 DAY PERIOD;
and
(7) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-__, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, EXTENDING THE STATE
OF LOCAL EMERGENCY WITHIN THE GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES OF THE
PORTUGUESE BEND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, PORTUGUESE BEND
BEACH CLUB, AND SEAVIEW NEIGHBORHOODS BASED ON SUDDEN
ENERGY SHORTAGES, PLANNED DEENERGIZING EVENTS, AND INTERNET
SERVICE SHUT OFFS AS ESTABLISHED BY RESOLUTION NOS. 2024-52 AND
2024-57 FOR AN ADDITIONAL 60 DAYS.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Portuguese Bend landslide emergency response is projected to
reach approximately $43.6 million beginning in October 2022 through the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2025. The $43.6 million is funded through various sources, including the
General Fund, CIP Fund, ARPA, Supervisory Hahn’s Social Program Grant, and Metro
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Funds. Of the $43.6 million, approximately $31.9 million is funded in FY 2024-25, of which
$11.4 million, or 36%, comes from the CIP Fund and General Fund reserves (see table
on following page).
In addition to the FY 2024-25 budget of $31.9 million, Staff seeks City Council approval
this evening for an additional appropriation of $1.1 million from the CIP Fund for
monitoring of wells, maintaining and replacing of pumps, and re-drilling as needed.
Amount Budgeted: $31,900,000
Additional Appropriation: $1,100,000 from CIP Fund
Account Number(s): Current funding sources: VR
*If $1.1 million of additional appropriation from the CIP is approved by the
City Council this evening, the overall total in FY 2024-25 will increase to $33
million.
ORIGINATED BY: Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works
Vina Ramos, Director of Finance VR
Brandy Forbes, Director of Community Development
Katie Lozano, Open Space Manager
William Wynder, City Attorney
REVIEWED BY: Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Resolution No. 2024-___ Continuing Local Emergency (Page A-1)
B. Resolution No. 2024-___ Continuing Local De-energization Emergency
(Page B-1)
C. Resolution No. 2024-___ Continuing Temporary Prohibition of Two-
Wheeled Vehicles on Palos Verdes Drive South for 90 Days (Page C-1)
D. Displacement Rate Contour Map up to December 3, 2024 (Page D-1)
E. Landslide Monitoring Survey Report through December 3, 2024 (Page E-1)
forthcoming as late correspondence
F. December 10, 2024 Letter to SCE’s Steven Powell (Page F-1)
Funding Sources FY 2024-25 TOTAL
In Millions
CIP Fund 10.1
CIP Fund (Reserves)5.0
General Fund 3.4
General Fund (Reserves) 6.4
ARPA Fund 3.4
Metro Funds 1.4
Sup. Hahn's Social Program Grant 2.2
TOTAL $31.9
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BACKGROUND:
On October 3, 2023, the City Council conducted a discussion regarding the conditions of
the Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex, sometimes called the Ancient Altamira
Landslide Complex (Landslide Complex). After considering information presented that
evening, including public testimony, the City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No.
2023-47 declaring the existence of a local emergency within the geographic boundaries
of the Landslide Complex and adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 674U to establish a 45-
day moratorium on the acceptance or processing of applications, issuance of permits,
and construction of all structures within the Landslide Complex (Moratorium).
The City Council also requested Staff return in a few weeks with an update on immediate
measures being taken to address the accelerated land movement. At subsequent
meetings, the City Council received updates on conditions in the Landslide Complex as
well as measures underway by various entities to reduce landslide movement . In
response, the City Council extended the local emergency on multiple occasions.
On March 19, 2024, the City Council approved moving forward with emergency work in
the Portuguese Bend Landslide (PBL) consisting of installing two emergency hydrauger
systems with five drain arrays each and associated work. On May 7, 2024, the City
Council awarded contracts for construction of the emergency hydraugers and associated
professional services such as engineering and construction management.
The emergency hydraugers were preceded by vertical test boreholes to obtain current
underground condition data and confirm models developed from historical studies. This
was done to avoid expending significant funds on hydraugers only for them to prove
ineffective because they do not target the correct depth or do not extract water due to
particular soil conditions.
The test boreholes revealed that the deeper slip surface (Altamira slip surface) was
activated and found to be moving at a much faster rate than the shallow PBL slip surface.
Based on those results, it was also likely that the Klondike Canyon Landslide (KCL) and
Abalone Cove Landslide (ACL) were being affected by the deep slip surface. Additionally,
the test boreholes confirmed that artesian water pressure is present in the lower reaches
of the PBL, and confined water is present within the PBL slide surface and also within
and below the Altamira slide surface and the PBL slide surface. This creates artesian
pressure on the PBL and Altamira slide surface.
The confirmed activation of the deeper slip surface where the greatest movement is
occurring represented a significant change in conditions and required changing the
emergency stabilization strategy in response to the new information. Accordingly, on
August 20, 2024, the City Council authorized alternative solutions including deep
dewatering wells (DDWs). Although hydraugers may be part of the long-term strategy;
they will be secondary to the immediate stabilization and protection measures. The City
Council appropriated a total of $9,635,000 for this work.
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On October 1, 2024, the City Council authorized an expansion of the DDW program to
the Abalone Cove area, with associated test boreholes and monitoring wells, and
appropriated $4 million for this work. Additionally, the City Council authorized a
winterization program on City-owned property in the Landslide Complex without waiving
the Abalone Cove Landslide Hazard Abatement District’s (ACLAD) and Klondike Canyon
Landslide Hazard Abatement District’s (KCLAD) responsibilities as identified in their plans
of control and appropriated $4 million for this work.
Tonight, the City Council is being asked to receive and file an update on activities and
conditions in the Landslide Complex, consider appropriating $1.1 million for maintenance
of DDWs, consider adopting a resolution to extend the temporary prohibition of two-
wheeled vehicles on Palos Verdes Drive South (PVDS) for 90 days, and consider
adopting resolutions to extend the local emergency and de-energization emergency
within the Landslide Complex.
DISCUSSION:
1. Current Activities and Conditions
Deep Dewatering Wells
Dewatering Program Status
The DDW component of the emergency stabilization work funded by the City Council is
generally complete, along with the associated test boreholes and monitoring wells. Figure
1 shows the location of the DDWs, test boreholes, and monitoring wells.
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Figure 1: Deep Dewatering Wells
Table 1 below shows the installation dates and dewatering statistics of the 11 DDWs.
Table 1: DDW Current Water Extraction Rates as of December 10, 2024
DDW
No. Date Operational
Current Approximate
Water Extraction Rate
(Gallons Per Minute)
Total Water Extraction to Date
Acre-Ft Million Gallons
1 9/13/2024 105 30.8 10.0
2 9/17/2024 110 32.5 10.6
3 9/21/2024 20 29.2 9.5
4 9/21/2024 50 24.2 7.9
5 9/25/2024 100 32.8 10.7
6 9/28/2024 80 24.7 8.0
7 10/15/2024 20 3.9 1.3
8 10/17/2024 70 18.7 6.1
9 10/25/2024 Decommissioned 11/07/24 2.0 0.7
9A 11/16/2024 65 6.6 2.2
10 10/24/2024 115 23.4 7.6
11 12/03/2024 30 0.2 0.1
Totals 765 229 75
As of the date of publication of this staff report, the total combined water extraction rate
of DDWs 1 through 11 is currently approximately 765 gallons per minute or approximately
1.1 million gallons per day. Since the start of the DDW program, over 75 million gallons,
or approximately 229 acre-feet, of water have been extracted from certain locations of the
toe of Landslide Complex.
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The project team expected each DDW to shear and need to be re -drilled due to land
movement (with the first six DDWs within one week of installation). Due to the
effectiveness of the de-watering on slowing land movement, the first six DDWs remain
operational after more than two months of operation. Following is the status of the DDWs
with respect to shearing:
• DDW 3 has shown a drastic reduction in the water extraction rate; however, this
appears to be due to pump degradation over time rather than shearing. The pump
will be replaced as part of ongoing maintenance.
• DDW 7 and DDW 8 are pinched at the deeper slide plane but continue to extract
water at close to the normal rates. The project geologist, Geo-Logic and
Associates (GLA) is not recommending re-drilling DDW 7 because it has not been
a high producing well. GLA is still studying the benefit of re-drilling DDW 8 against
other priorities.
• DDW 9 sheared on November 11, 2024, and because it was not a very productive
well, based on the advice of GLA, it was relocated and re-named DDW 9A.
• DDW 9A is pinched at the deeper slide plane and is extracting water at a reduced
rate.
• Each well continues to be closely monitored by GLA. Wells are expected to shear
at some point in time due to land movement and will need to be re-drilled.
Dewatering Program Results
To assess the effectiveness of the DDW program, a survey of a select sample of surface
monitoring points at the toe of the landslide is being conducted on an approximately
weekly basis using Global Positioning System (GPS) surveying. To establish a baseline
rate of movement, a survey of the select sample of surface monitoring points was
conducted on September 4, 2024. Figure 2 presents the results of the weekly GPS
surveying as of December 3, 2024.
Figure 2: GPS Survey Movement Rates of Sample Points: Sept 4, 2024 to Dec 3, 2024 (in. / week)
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GPS survey data of land movement in the vicinity of the DDWs near the Portuguese Bend
Beach Club (PBBC) shows that horizontal displacement of the ground surface in the
Seaview Neighborhood and the PBBC has been below instrument error and in random
directions since October 13, 2024. Additionally, the amount of vertical movement for those
areas has been below instrument error since October 29, 2024. GLA, and the project peer
reviewer, Cotton Shires & Associates (CSA), have therefore concluded that due to several
months of dry weather (<0.1 inch of rainfall since June 1, 2024), DDWs 1-6, and
dewatering efforts by KCLAD, there is no measurable land movement in Seaview
Neighborhood and PBBC.
The rate of movement in the vicinity of DDWs 7 and 8, which have been in operation for
nearly two months, is approximately 20% less than the rate of movement further west
towards Abalone Cove where DDWs have been in operation for a shorter period of time.
Extraction of water from DDWs 9A, 10, and 11 does appear to directly correlate with
confirmed reduction in ground movement of nearby surface survey monuments within the
toe region of the ACL; which are moving at a slower rate than monuments further up in
the middle and upper portions of the ACL. Movement rates have been erratic (both
decreases and increases) and inconsistent during the short time of water extraction thus
far. The effectiveness of DDWs 9A, 10, and 11 can be better evaluated after they are
monitored for at least a few additional weeks.
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In addition to the select sample of GPS survey monitoring points showing a very strong
correlation between water extraction and a decrease in the rate of surface movement , the
groundwater monitoring wells within the DDW areas have shown a marked decrease in
water pressure (the main driving force of landslide movement). The GPS survey data for
the select sample of points will continue to be collected on an approximately weekly basis
to continue to monitor this trend.
Dewatering Program Maintenance and Operations
The success of the DDW program relies on continued operations, maintenance, and re-
drilling of the DDWs. That cost for approximately 10 to 15 DDWs at the toe of the slide is
estimated to be several million dollars annually. Due to the de-energization, a significant
component of the operating cost of the DDWs is generators and fuel, which is estimated
to be up to $10,000 per month per well.
To effectively maintain and operate the existing DDWs through March 31, 2025, Staff
recommends that the City Council appropriate an additional $1.1 million to the program
from the CIP (see Fiscal Impact on the cover page).
Dewatering Program Future Steps
GLA envisions the eventual next step in the DDW program consisting of installing
additional DDWs. This could be done in a staged approach as funding resources become
available. The first priority would be installing additional band of DDWs at the toe of the
slide that are easiest to access and least costly to build, monitoring their success, and
then considering others.
The full build-out of the DDW program is envisioned to consist of two additional phases
beyond completing the band of DDWs at the toe of the slide. Additional phases of DDWs
are needed because DDWs at the toe of the slide are too far away to quickly and
significantly reduce water pressure and movement at higher elevations within the
Landslide Complex. The second phase may include a band of approximately 15 DDWs
landward of PVDS. This second band of DDWs is likely to be primarily ACLAD dewatering
wells, with some possible City DDWs depending on proposed locations and targets of the
DDWs. A third and final phase of de-watering is also being explored consisting of the
installation of hydraugers along with long-term drainage improvements as originally
envisioned in the Portuguese Bend Landslide Remediation Project. This third phase is
envisioned to be part of the re-scoped project funded by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
grant.
Emergency Stabilization Measures – Winterization
The temporary winterization component of the emergency stabilization work funded by
the City Council is nearly complete. The scope of work included filling and lining of fissures
in six canyons as well as the Seaview neighborhood, among other items. Figure 3 shows
the primary locations of winterization work.
Figure 3: Winterization Program
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Shaping, fissure filling, and installation of pond liners at Altamira and Kelvin Canyons is
complete. Shaping and fissure filling of Portuguese Canyon is also complete. Areas that
have been winterized will be inspected in advance of wet weather forecasts to identify
any repairs (as a result of land movement or otherwise) necessary before a wet weather
event occurs.
Winterization work on Klondike Canyon has started and is expected to be complete by
the end of December 2024. Crews have filled fissures and installed a pond liner from the
bottom of the canyon to the gabion wall at Conqueror Trail. Crews are continuing the
fissure filling and will subsequently install pond liner up towards the City border with
Rolling Hills, to a distance recommended by GLA (which may not be all the way to the
border). A temporary pipe has been installed connecting the existing pipe at the gabion
wall in Klondike Canyon to the inlet at the bottom of the canyon, which will convey water
under Palos Verdes Drive South (PVDS). KCLAD will repair and/or install any additional
needed drainage features to further convey water to the ocean. On December 3, 2024,
City (RPV) Staff gave representatives from the Rolling Hills Community Association
(RHCA) a tour of the completed and ongoing winterization work in Klondike Canyon. RPV
staff will continue coordinating with RHCA to express the importance of winterizing the
canyon in its entirety and maximizing compatibility with the winterization work on both
sides of the RPV-Rolling Hills border, and particularly at the border.
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Work on the graben at the intersection of Dauntless Drive and Exultant Drive has started
and is expected to be complete by the end of December 2024. The work consists of
shaping surface water runoff into the graben and installing a pond liner supported
underneath with 6-12 inches of a combination of compacted material and fill, with pumps
at two low points to convey the water further down Dauntless Drive away from graben s
and fissures towards the natural course of street drainage (the street will be inspected for
cracks to ensure water runoff does not percolate into the ground). When rain is in the
forecast, crews will inspect these improved areas ahead of the rain event to verify that all
passive and active drainage measures are fully functional. Any corrective actions
identified during the inspection will be taken ahead of a rain event. During a rain event,
these areas will be closely monitored by crews, and a contractor will be operating and
monitoring the pumps installed at the intersection of Dauntless Drive and Exultant Drive.
The City is also in the process of establishing a dedicated hotline that will allow residents
living in the Seaview Neighborhood to notify the City of any problems discovered during
a rain event (such as ponding or buildup of water), so that timely action can be taken.
Re-grading and filling of the fissure on Exultant Drive is complete. The roadway elevation
has been raised at the graben so that there is a downward slope through the area where
surface runoff can drain down Exultant Drive to Schooner Drive. Re-grading and filling of
smaller fissures on Admirable Drive has started and is expected to complete by
December 20, 2024.
Filling of the smaller fissures on PVDS is complete. Drainage pipes in the Seaview
neighborhood and along PVDS are being assessed. Some pipes along PVDS are known
to be damaged, and plans to repair them so that water is conveyed properly are being
developed. A design is also being finalized to collect drainage from the northern cul de
sac at the PVDS frontage/residential street and convey it to an existing catch basin further
south along PVDS. This will restore drainage in this section of the street that has settled
as a result of land movement that occurred before the DDW program was implemented
and stabilized the area.
Environmental and cultural monitoring is being conducted in conjunction with the above
construction activities.
The cost of some of the winterizing work has been more costly than originally estimated,
and some has been less than originally anticipated. However, in total, the cost of the
entire scope is projected to be more than estimated. Over the course of winterization work
performed to date, the following unforeseen conditions were encountered that required
additional work that was not a part of the original winterization scope of work:
• The fissures near and within Altamira, Klondike and Kelvin Canyons were deeper
than originally anticipated and required additional labor and equipment hours to be
completely filled.
• Following the re-grading and shaping of fissures near Altamira Canyon, additional
land movement caused some fissures and grabens to start resurfacing. As a result,
additional labor and equipment will be needed to re -grade and re-shape these
areas again before the next forecasted rain event.
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• Following a site survey of the intersection of Exultant and Dauntless Drives, as well
as the section of Exultant Drive to be re-graded, it was discovered that additional
drainage modifications would be required.
• Drainage on the PVDS frontage/residential street needs to be re-constructed as
the street is no longer sloped to existing drainage inlets and pipes.
As a result of these unforeseen conditions, the winterization of Paintbrush and Ishibashi
Canyons may not be completed within the $4 million currently authorized by City Council.
The full build-out of the winterization program is envisioned to consist of permanent/long -
term lining of the canyons. This includes, at a minimum, more substantial shaping of the
canyons to appropriately manage capacity, installation of longer-term lining material in
the canyons, installation drainage swales with longer-term lining material to convey water
from certain canyons, and the re-establishment of damaged drainage pipes under PVDS.
Permanent/long-term winterization of Altamira Canyon and Klondike Canyon are the
responsibility of ACLAD and KCLAD, respectively, as per their plans of control. Moreover,
coordination and possible assistance should be pursued with Los Angeles County Flood
Control District.
Geologic Conditions
The Landslide Complex encompasses four historically active landslide areas in the City:
the PBL, the ACL, the 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 PBL and ACL, within the Landslide Complex as mapped by
various agencies (i.e., U.S. Geological Survey and California Geological Survey) and
other researchers.
Since the November 19, 2024 update to the City Council, the City Geologist, Mike Phipps
of CSA conducted additional field mapping throughout the Landslide Complex; observed
conditions at various site-specific locations impacting residential neighborhoods, public
infrastructure, and where trails have been impacted; reviewed additional survey data;
participated in the weekly Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex Working Group ,
Community Stakeholders, and Q&A meetings; and conducted site-visits and data review
of the emergency stabilization measures.
The City Geologist continues to report that rainfall and the resulting runoff and infiltration
into the Landslide Complex has adversely affected the landslide area, following a
significantly wetter than average rainy season in 2022-23 and 2023-24; which were
approximately 193% and 170% of the season average over the past 67 years of the
Rolling Hills Fire Station rain gauge, respectively. Only 0.09 inches of rain has fallen over
the past 6 months; therefore, the adverse effects of the season’s rainfall are now
manifested as increased groundwater pressures within and beneath the landslide.
Recent GPS survey data published by McGee Surveying Consulting for the approximately
“monthly” monitoring period of October 29, 2024 through December 3, 2024 were
reviewed and analyzed (Attachment E).
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Over the past approximately 5 weeks, land movement rates (velocities) in the Landslide
Complex have variably accelerated or decelerated to a rate of about 3.8 to 5.7 inches per
week in the ACL, and about 0.4 to 4.4 inches per week in the PBL. The greater Altamira
Complex areas outside of the historical ACL and PBL boundaries are moving 2.3 to 5.1
inches per week. The KCL has essentially stopped moving as of October 13, 2024, with
some questionable movement on the margins of the KCL outside of the Seaview Tract
and PBBC. Figure 4 presents scaled displacement rates (i.e., movement velocities)
movement vectors, and contours (aka “heat map”) of displacement rates for the
December 3, 2024 full monitoring period. The contours of movement velocity are largely
unchanged from the October 29, 2024 plot. The fastest moving areas continue to be the
upper portion of the ACL (historical boundary) and in the ancient “Altamira” complex
behind the ACL, at >5 inches per week. The lack of continued deceleration that was
observed from August 1 through October 29, 2024, in a dry period, suggests that the
landslide movement has reached a steady state. In addition, the weekly GPS monitoring
to assess the impact of dewatering indicates that movemen t has generally leveled off
over the past 5 readings (i.e., since October 27, 2024).
Continued on the Next Page
Figure 4: Scaled Displacement Rates for December 3, 2024 Monitoring Period
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For all points monitored across the entire Landslide Complex, following are the key
conclusions over the past approximately 5 weeks (35 days):
• Overall average movement velocity accelerated 2%, with a range of 37%
acceleration to 22% deceleration. However, there is significant variation among
individual points, some of which are close to each other. In general, it appears that
the movement rates are reaching a steady state of significantly reduced movement
due to the DDW program, KCLAD dewatering wells, and dry conditions; with some
variation depending on local conditions. Average movement velocity across the
entire Landslide Complex was 2.7 inches per week, as of December 3, 2024.
• The ACL (within historical boundaries) accelerated 1.6% since October 29, 2024
and had actual land movement of between 1.6 and 2.4 feet over the 35 day
monitoring period.
• The greater ACL (within the Altamira Landslide Complex boundaries) decelerated
approximately 1% and had actual land movement of between 1 to 2.1 feet over the
35 days.
• The PBL accelerated approximately 4.4% and had actual land movement of
between approximately 0.2 to 1.8 feet over the past 35 days. The amount of
acceleration or deceleration compared to October 29, 2024 GPS readings is highly
variable across the PBL area.
• Horizontal movement of the KCL was deemed to have ceased as of October 13,
2024. Since that time, weekly movement readings of selected points in the KCL
that are being evaluated for dewatering impacts indicate horizontal movements
that are less than instrument precision at the 95% Confidence Level; however,
comparison of December 3, 2024 positions of GPS monuments to the October 29,
2024 positions suggest very minor horizontal displacements (0.05 to 0.07 ft) for six
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of the twenty-seven monitoring points. This movement is at a level that is barely
above instrument precision (0.04 ft) at the 95% Confidence Level. Two of those six
points showed movement in a direction more than 10 degrees different than the
long-term movement vector direction; which means that these two points have
large variation in the direction of movement, indicating a greater likelihood of
measurement noise rather than actual movement. Vertical movements for all KCL
points were less than instrument precision. These points are along PV Drive South
and several are in close proximity to the KCL/PBL boundary west of Klondike
Canyon, they are not within the Seaview Tract itself or PBBC. Groundwater levels
in the middle of the KCL (at KC1) are virtually unchanged during this period, while
groundwater levels have fallen significantly in the KCLAD pumping wells (KC5 and
KC6) at the toe of the KCL. Given these factors it is difficult to conclude that this is
actual movement. Ground surface manifestations of such minute movement (0.6
to 0.84 inches) have not been observed.
• The three Burma Road switchback points, which were previously creeping
southwesterly approximately 0.5 inches/week through September 4, 2024 had
ceased moving as of October 29, 2024. The current survey (12/3/24) indicates
minor horizontal and vertical movements at or just above instrument p recision at
the 95% Confidence Level. Horizontal movements are within 2 to 22 degrees of
long-term movement vectors. Slight renewed movement in this area could be
related to a water main break that occurred near the Burma Road water tank on or
about November 3, 2024.
• Perimeter points that have been historically stable are not moving, indicating that
the areas outside the mapped landslide boundaries are currently unchanged.
• New points that were established on Schooner Drive in the Seaview neighborhood
in August to assess and affirm the limits of the Landslide Complex continue to be
stable.
The past year has been marked by a significant and unprecedented change in movement
behavior from historical movements of the PBL, ACL and KCL. The entire active
Landslide Complex (area of major land movement now evident at the ground surface)
continues to represent an expansion of the combined historical boundaries of the
ACL/PBL/KCL of about 380 acres to an estimated 700 acres in size within the Altamira
Landslide Complex.
Creep movement that was occurring on the Burma Road switchbacks between Kelvin
Canyon and Portuguese Canyon had ceased or was below instrument precision as of
October 29, 2024; however, the past movement of this area since early summer may
have contributed to a water line break reported on November 3, 2024 near the upper
Burma Road water tank. The possibility of leakage prior to the water line break, and the
major outflow of water following that break, may have contributed to a slight increase in
ground movement in this area up to December 3, 2024.
No additional GPS data for previously reported land movement in Rolling Hills have been
received beyond what was reported to the City Council on November 19, 2024. New GPS
points added to RPV’s network north of Burma Road between Portuguese Canyon and
Paintbrush Canyon (CR58 and CR59) were not moving or movements were below
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instrument precision and had abnormal movement vectors as of October 29, 2024. One
of those points (CR58) is now showing movement barely above instrument precision and
the incremental movement vector is within 6 degrees of the long -term vector; thus this is
likely creep movement since October 29, 2024. There is still a lack of movement of GPS
points CW06 and FT10 along Burma Road, which continues to suggest that the previously
reported Rolling Hills land movement may be isolated and may not be directly connected
to the Altamira Landslide Complex movement. Further evaluation including additional
GPS monitoring continues to be needed in this area in order to draw firm conclusions.
In summary, the average movement velocity for the Altamira Landslide Complex has
accelerated 2% since October 29, 2024, following an overall 76% deceleration between
September 4 and October 29, 2024 . A 2% average acceleration across the landslide is
not considered to be significant. Based upon review of approximately weekly readings of
20 of the GPS monitoring points, with continued dry weather conditions and the ongoing
dewatering effort which has removed over 75 million gallons from the landslide area , the
overall landslide complex is generally viewed as having reached a steady state of
movement since the end of October.
The City Geologist will be attending the December 17 meeting to provide the City Council
and public with an updated report since the November 19 meeting.
Open Space, Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, Trails, and Beach Conditions
Much of the Portuguese Bend, Filiorum, Abalone Cove, and Forrestal Reserves
(subareas of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve), the open space area commonly referred
to as the Archery Range (east of Portuguese Point), and Abalone Cove Beach, Sacred
Cove Beach, and the beach below the archery rang e are located within the Landslide
Complex and are sustaining substantial landslide-related damage including fissures,
rockslides, sink holes, unstable trails, and large-scale erosion.
On November 2, 2024, a CalWater break caused severe damage to upper Burma Road
Trail and surrounding areas, necessitating the closures of upper Portuguese Bend and
Filiorum Reserves. With this additional damage, all of the Portuguese Bend Reserve and
upper Filiorum remain temporarily closed until repairs are completed. Additionally, land
movement had previously obliterated most of Burma Road Trail, which is no longer
accessible by vehicle or safely passable by the public. Numerous other damaged trails
within Portuguese Bend, Filiorum, Abalone Cove, and Forrestal Reserves continue to
experience increased damage and elevation changes and further widening of fissures.
In July, the City temporarily closed the Abalone Cove and Sacred Cove Beach access
trails and the beaches themselves due to land movement -related conditions. On
September 27, the City additionally temporarily closed the open space area commonly
referred to as the “Archery Range” and the beach below the Archery Range due to land
movement-related conditions. In October, the City temporarily closed Eucalyptus, Kelvin
Canyon, part of Zote’s Cutacross, and Rattlesnake Trails, because these trails are in
close proximity to the winterization project in Filiorum Reserve and will not be safe to
access during the project’s duration.
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In summary, out of concern for public safety and in consultation with the City Geologist,
the City Manager has temporarily closed large areas of the Preserve and open space
areas consisting of approximately 16 miles of passive recreation trails. The City Manager
has also closed Abalone Cove Beach, Sacred Cove Beach, and the beach below the
Archery Range in close coordination with the City Geologist, Los Angeles County
Lifeguards, and the California Coastal Commission. Staff continue to monitor these and
other areas, and extensive repairs will likely be needed before these trails can be
reopened for public use after the area has been stabilized.
Natural Gas
On July 29, 2024, Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) shut off natural gas to
the PBCA; stating that engineers determined the system could no longer be safely
operated due to a confluence of issues such as excessive breaks, lines suspended in the
air, and swing joints in tension.
On August 30 and September 6, 2024, SoCalGas shut off natural gas to the part of the
Seaview neighborhood affected by land movement for the same reasons noted above.
On August 2, 2024, SoCalGas began installing isolation valves to create multiple shut-off
points, so that if service needs to be shut off for a short-term repair or for long-term
reasons, the number of homes impacted would be significantly reduced. The installation
was completed, separating homes west of Schooner Drive from those east of Schooner
Drive, and separating the gas lines west of Schooner on a street-by-street basis.
On September 6, 2024, SoCalGas shut off natural gas to the PBBC community for the
same reasons noted above. SoCalGas has stated that re-routing gas lines supplying the
neighborhoods experiencing shutoffs would not resolve the problems with the system
within the neighborhood.
On October 21, 2024, the City Manager and Public Works Director met with Transtech
Engineers, Cotton Shires & Associates, and SoCalGas to enhance coordination efforts
for service restoration in response to recent movement data trends. The meeting s
focused on updates regarding progress, service restoration efforts, and strategies for both
short- and long-term risk management with an emphasis on restoring gas to the Seaview
and PBBC neighborhoods due to recent GPS data previously discussed in this report .
Discussions emphasized monitoring, safety protocols, and the development of long-term
strategies for stabilization. SoCal Gas emphasized the priority of safety in determining
when gas service could be restored, with a focus on monitoring pipeline strain limits.
The team explored scenarios for safely restoring service to neighborhoods while
maintaining the ability to shut off gas services if land movement resumes. One challenge
identified by SoCalGas was assessing the integrity of underground pipelines, which have
accumulated strain over time, and considering temporary above -ground piping solutions
as needed.
Data sharing and monitoring plans were discussed to ensure alignment between the City
and SoCalGas. Both parties agreed to collaborate on refining monitoring protocols.
Regular data sharing will help establish thresholds for safely restoring utilities. Spe cific
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monitoring points were also discussed to generate actionable data for future decision -
making.
The potential impact of heavy rainfall on land movement was a concern raised during the
meeting. SoCalGas stressed the importance of monitoring stability through the rainy
season before fully restoring service. In response, the City is developing a plan to collect
data during the rainy season for use in assessing future risk.
As part of the next steps, the teams agreed to review additional data over the coming
weeks and reconvened in November to assess progress and plan the path forward. A
single point of contact was designated to streamline data sharing between the City and
SoCalGas.
The meeting concluded with both the City and SoCalGas recognizing the importance of
continued monitoring and analysis. The focus remains on balancing safety with the goal
of restoring utilities, with conditions to be reassessed following the winter season.
On November 11, 2024 and on November 25, 2024, the City Manager and Public Works
Director reconvened with representatives from Transtech Engineers, Cotton Shires &
Associates, and SoCalGas to discuss ongoing efforts and progress for reinstating gas
service to the affected communities, particularly the PBBC and Seaview communities,
where there has been no recorded land movement for four consecutive GPS surveys.
SoCalGas reported that while significant efforts have been made, they are not yet in a
position to restore service due to safety concerns that involve potential pipeline strain,
leaks, or damage that could lead to fires or other hazardous incidents. While some area s
have shown reduced or no land movement, SoCalGas continues to conduct detailed
system integrity assessments to determine the feasibility of safe restoration outlining that
existing infrastructure strain and potential residual stress on pipelines pose add itional
risks, requiring detailed assessments and mitigation strategies.
SoCalGas highlighted the complexity of the restoration process, which involves multiple
steps such as performing system integrity tests and ensuring safe re -pressurization and
re-connection of the pipeline system. Despite the challenges, SoCalGas is exploring a
phased approach, potentially restoring service incrementally. Proposed solutions include
the use of advanced safety measures, such as valves and swing joints, to mitigate
potential hazards. SoCalGas may also use natural gas “pods” as a means of provi ding
service to some residences as noted at the December 12 team meeting.
The City emphasized its commitment to supporting the process by expediting permits and
offering resources as needed. To assist with prioritization, the City will share updated data
on affected properties, including red- and yellow-tagged homes. This collaboration aims
to identify opportunities for safe and efficient phased restoration.
SoCalGas will continue testing and developing solutions while maintaining open
communication with the City. Continued meetings between the City and SoCalGas are
planned as both parties expressed a shared urgency to address community concerns and
expedite the process while ensuring the safety and reliability of the infrastructure for all
affected residents.
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Electricity
On August 31, 2024, Southern California Edison (SCE) notified 193 metered accounts
(which equates to approximately 140 households and 53 business or city accounts) in the
PBCA that power will be turned off to their property on September 1, 2024 for an indefinite
period of time. SCE stated that the accounts will not be reenergized until land movement
is controlled to a level acceptable to SCE, without specifying the threshold of land
movement. The power shut off not only affects residents in the PBCA, but also the ability
to power the City’s sewer system in the area and the ACLAD’s dewatering wells.
SCE issued a further notice that on September 2, 2024, homes in the Seaview
neighborhood would be subject to the following service shut offs: 75 properties will be
deenergized for varying hours ranging from 24 hours to 1-3 weeks while a box loop is
constructed and 30 properties will be deenergized indefinitely. This was done to prevent
the risk of wildfires from equipment damaged by the land movement.
On September 6, 2024, SCE notified customers that power would be shut off in the PBBC
neighborhood. SCE followed through, de-energizing the area on September 9th.
Also, on September 9, 2024, SCE restored power to the 38 properties that had been
planned to be without electricity for 1-3 weeks. At this time, 30 properties remain without
electricity in Seaview.
On October 21, 2024 and on November 21, 2024, the City Manager and Public Works
Director met with representatives from Transtech Engineers, Cotton Shires & Associates,
and SCE to address power disruptions, infrastructure challenges, and explore potential
solutions to support re-energization efforts in response to recent land movement data
trends. Like the meeting with SoCalGas, the focus was on updates regarding progress,
re-energization efforts, and strategies for managing both short- and long-term risks.
SCE informed the City that it planned to re-energize 16 customers located primarily on
Fruit Tree Road, Plumtree Road, and Narcissa Drive in the western portion of the
Landslide Complex.
A key topic of discussion was the importance of aligning land survey data with
infrastructure assessments to ensure re-energization efforts are conducted safely and
effectively. SCE emphasized that its ability to design a system to restore power to
impacted customers depends on the collection of data that consistently demonstrates
land stability over time. The City offered to prioritize ongoing monitoring in areas that will
further support re-energization and service restoration efforts.
SCE will continue to evaluate conditions and explore alternative methods to enable safe
power restoration. As part of this effort, the City will collaborate with SCE to share land
movement trends, noting that some areas have consistently returned to pre-2023 levels.
To support long-term solutions, SCE announced the establishment of a Project
Management Office (PMO) structure to provide sustained oversight and coordination.
This structure will focus on developing engineering strategies such as tension relief
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systems and exploring the potential use of microgrid applications. Both short - and long-
term strategies are being developed to address risks, particularly with the approaching
winter rains, which could introduce additional challenges.
Future meetings were scheduled to maintain progress, including technical discussions
with geologists to refine mitigation strategies. The meeting concluded with participants
reaffirming their commitment to collaboration and ongoing efforts to restore power safely
while ensuring the long-term stability of the area’s infrastructure.
On December 10, 2024, the City Manager sent a letter to Steven D. Powell and Pedro J.
Pizarro the Presidents and CEO of SCE and Edison International to request an in person
meeting at the earliest opportunity to discuss an action plan with specific steps and
thresholds for restoring power (Attachment F).
Sanitary Sewer
Portuguese Bend Community
The sanitary sewer system in the PBCA is known as the Abalone Cove Sanitary Sewer
System and is owned, maintained, and operated by the City. The system includes grinder
pumps that pump wastewater from individual buildings to the main sewer lines at
approximately 40 locations where buildings are at a lower grade than the main sewer
lines, requiring pumping to overcome the grade . The system also includes four pump
stations that receive wastewater from low-lying areas and pump it up to higher elevations
where it can continue to flow via gravity. The grinder pumps and pump stations require
power to operate.
Crews continue to regularly inspect the sewer lines and make repairs as breaks are
identified through inspections or resident notification. Parts of the system have been
brought above ground and have had flexible components installed. Engineers continue
to evaluate the system to determine where additional sections need to be brought above
ground or otherwise modified.
Seaview Neighborhood
The sanitary sewer system in the Seaview neighborhood is maintained and operated by
the Los Angeles County Public Works (LACPW), which has been inspecting the sewer
system in areas affected by the landslide and performing repairs when needed. No recent
damage has been observed to the sanitary sewer mains in the Seaview neighborhood
and accordingly no repairs have recently been made recently. LACPW continues to
conduct regular inspections.
Portuguese Bend Beach Club
The sanitary sewer system in the PBBC is privately owned, operated, and maintained
and discharges into the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LA CSD) sewer trunk
line on PVDS. LACSD have been coordinating with the PBBC, so that the sewer line
integrity is maintained. It should be noted that this sanitary sewer system is also powered
by SCE.
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Palos Verdes Drive South Main Lines
The sanitary sewer main lines adjacent to PVDS are owned, maintained, and operated
by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (San Districts). These main lines convey
an average of 1.4 million gallons of wastewater per day from roughly Sea Cove Drive to
Yacht Harbor Drive. They consist of approximately 1,400 linear feet of single 14” buried
ductile iron pipe, 7,200 linear feet of dual above -ground rigid steel pipes, and
approximately 1,180 linear feet of newly installed above -ground flexible dual 16” high-
density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes.
Due to continued ground movement, the San Districts has decided to replace the
remaining 8,600 linear feet of aging and inflexible steel pipe with flexible HDPE pipe to
both increase the force main’s resilience to ground movement and to provide more
effective redundancy preventing single points of failure. The San Districts will schedule
the work to occur during off-peak hours to limit the impacts to traffic on PVDS, though
some delays due to lane closures are expected. The work will likely begin in early January
2025, once all materials have been acquired, and is expected to be completed in early
February 2025.
Water
On November 2, 2024, a CalWater break was reported by area residents. CalWater
responded to the break and made repairs. Staff have requested a written report from
CalWater detailing the event including, at a minimum, the time that the break was known
to have occurred, the time water discharge stopped, and the amount of water that was
discharged. CalWater has informed the City that it is compiling information on the break
and will provide more specifics as their research is complete.
The City Geologist opined that this water main break may have been caused by the
accumulation of slow movement in this area over a number of months. The July 1, 2024
GPS survey data showed movement at a rate of approximately 0.14 to 0.19 feet per
month in that area. The cumulative movement of approximately six inches may have
contributed to the water main break. Staff are scheduling a meeting with CalWater to
better assess the conditions surrounding this incident. Additionally, Staff will seek to
understand the water distribution system vulnerabilities in this area and discuss actions
that may mitigate those vulnerabilities.
In other areas, Cal Water continues to install above ground water lines to minimize the
risk of breaks associated with land movement.
Cal Water has completed all work on the above ground line at the five-point intersection
of Narcissa Drive, Cinnamon Lane, and Ginger Root Lane. The water line has been in
service as of December 2, 2024. Exhibit 1 shows the location.
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Exhibit 1: Completion of Above Ground Water Line at Five-Point Intersection
Along Vanderlip Drive, Cal Water has installed an additional segment to the above ground
water line to minimize the risk of breaks associated with land movement. Exhibit 2 shows
the location and scope of work.
Exhibit 2: Above Grounding Water Lines at Vanderlip Drive
Communications
There are two providers of communications infrastructure in the Landslide Complex area,
Cox Communications and Frontier Communications (Frontier). On September 9, 2024,
Cox Communications disconnected 146 customers in the PBCA. Frontier has indicated
to the City that they will keep their facilities operational so long as they have power supply.
Public Works Staff have been reaching out directly to wireless carries and installers to
increase the number of small wireless facilities (SWFs) and improve cellular service.
Carriers and installers are currently determining feasible locations to install SWFs but
have indicated that the use of Communications on Wheels (mobile facilities) are not
feasible for economic reasons. Once applications for new facilities are received, Public
Works Staff will work to expedite those applications.
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Public Works Staff have engaged in conversations with Frontier about installing fiber optic
communications lines in the PBCA. Frontier has investigated the feasibility and is
prepared to move forward with a preliminary solution to install fiber in the PBCA. Frontier
and Public Works Staff will coordinate the upcoming work as Frontier completes their
planning.
Building Division Programs and Permitting
Urgency Ordinance for Temporary Repairs and Housing on Private Property:
Pursuant to City Council direction on July 2, 2024, in response to public concerns
regarding the land movement’s impacts on residences, City Staff explored options for
interim housing solutions within the Landslide Complex.
Examples of hardening and stabilizing solutions to preserve existing structures include,
but are not limited to, placing homes on cargo structures and other leveling systems such
as I-beams and installing alternative foundation systems to help maintain the integrity of
the structure as the land shifts. These measures would be temporary, require a permit to
be issued by the Building and Safety Division, and need the owner to hold the City
harmless. The structure could be occupied if it has adequate ingress/e gress, utility
connections and service, and fire department access.
For temporary housing, this may include temporary structures such as mobile homes that
would not require a foundation. The temporary housing would be on the same site as the
current residence. These structures would be temporary and require a permit issued by
Building and Safety Division and need the owner to hold the City harmless. The temporary
housing would require a stable location (City Geologist’s review), adequate
ingress/egress, above ground utility connections and service, fire department access, and
no major filling.
All temporary housing and storage, as well as stabilizing solutions to shore up existing
structures, may be utilized within the Landslide Complex until December 31, 2026, unless
extended by the City Council. All temporary measures must be approved by the City’s
Building Official to ensure safety.
On September 3, 2024, City Council adopted an Urgency Ordinance establishing
regulations and procedures to install temporary measures to preserve existing structures
and to authorize temporary housing on the same site as an existing residence within the
Landslide Complex. Staff is working collaboratively with the community to preserve
existing structures within the Landslide Complex and consider potential options for
temporary housing. All permit fees are being waived.
Utility Conversion Education and Permitting:
Due to the recent de-energization to many homes in the Landslide Complex by the utility
companies, the City’s Community Development Department prepared informational
handouts related to energy conversion.
• The Alternatives for Natural Gas Service handout outlines alternatives for natural
gas service to continue serving key home appliances and equipment including, but
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not limited to, stoves, furnaces and water heaters. The handout also provides
requirements for permit issuance and inspections.
• The Solar Energy Systems handout highlights the City’s solar energy submittal and
permit requirements, which include online permitting and expedited plan review.
The handouts have been made available to area residents, posted on the City’s
website and placed at the Building & Safety Division public counter.
• The Community Development Department also prepared an information handout
related to the safe installation of generators.
Waiver of Permit and Application Fees:
The City is waiving all permit fees and is waiving the planning process for the above
energy conversions with the understanding that the permits are being issued during the
duration of the City’s declared local state of emergency. It should be noted that waived
fees apply to properties within the mapped landslide area as an attached exhibit to the
resolution declaring a local state of emergency.
The City has the ability waive any permit or application fees associated with the proposed
reconstruction of a building or other structure that has been damaged or destroyed by a
landslide (see Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code ((RPVMC)) below). The applicant
does need to demonstrate that these fees are not covered by the applicant’s
homeowners’ insurance policy. At this time, they would still have to pay the City’s
consultant review fees (geologist, plan check), but City Staff are waiving permit and
application fees as applicable, based on the following:
RPVMC 17.78.010
F. Any permit or application fees (excluding city consultant review fees) associated
with the proposed reconstruction of a building or other structure (or portion thereof)
that has been damaged or destroyed by fire, earthquake, landslide or an
involuntary act of the property owner shall be waived, provided that the rebuilt
building or structure is no more than 250 square feet larger than it was prior to the
damage or destruction, and provided that the applicant can demonstrate that said
fees are not covered by the applicant's homeowners' insurance policy. In the event
that three or more properties are affected by any single incident, the city council
may, in its discretion:
1. Grant a fee waiver without making the findings specified in subsection
(B) of this section; or
2. Deny the waiver in its entirety or grant only a partial waiver, based upon
a finding of adverse fiscal impact to the city.
These are applications/permits that would fall under Exceptions A or C of the moratorium
in Urgency Ordinance 686U (moratorium described below). The City is documenting
these exceptions in the permit tracking software and referencing this section of code when
waiving the permit/application fees.
In addition to waiving fees where applicable, Staff are expediting application and permit
processing for these temporary measures.
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Moratorium Exception and Waiver of Statement from Geotechnical Consultant:
On October 3, 2023, the City Council, pursuant to the RPVMC Chapter 2.24 and
Government Code § 8630 and § 8680.9, proclaimed a state of local emergency within the
Landslide Complex. In the event of a proclamation of local emergency, the City Manager,
as Director of Emergency Services, is empowered to make and issue rules and
regulations on matters reasonably related to the protection of life and property as affected
by such emergency, provided such rules and regulations must be confirmed at the earliest
practicable time by the City Council.
On October 3, 2023, the City Council further adopted Interim Urgency Ordinance No.
674U, approving a moratorium on all construction in the Landslide Complex, renewed the
moratorium by adopting Interim Urgency Ordinance 675U on November 14, 2023 , and
further renewed the moratorium by adopting Urgency Ordinance 686U on September 3,
2024 (the “Moratorium”). The Moratorium will expire on October 2, 2025. Subject to
certain exceptions, “during the effective period of [the moratorium], no application for
permit will be accepted, no consideration of any application for any permit will be made,
and no permit will be issued by the City for any construction on any property within the
Landslide Complex until this Ordinance has expired or has been repealed according to
applicable law.”
Emergency structural and foundation repairs to a home impacted by the significant land
movement qualify under the Exception A category set forth in Section 2 of the Moratorium
(“Exception A”). This Exception is for “[c]onstruction necessary for repair or m aintenance
of existing structures, roadways, and any infrastructure such as water lines, sewer lines,
electrical or traffic installations, etc.”
Chapter 15.20 of the RPVMC provides that certain building permits require the applicant
to obtain a geologist report. Based on the speed of land movement, however, no such
geologist report can be obtained. Thus, in order to move forward with temporary repa irs,
a waiver of this requirement is necessary.
The City Manager, through his authority under RPVMC 2.24.060 and Resolution No.
2023-47, as renewed, has authorized waivers for the required geologist reports for these
emergency repairs qualifying under Exception A of the Moratorium, due to the significant
land movement and that these repairs are for temporary emergency repairs. Staff are
requiring that the applicant acknowledges that these repairs are for temporary repairs
during the significant land movement and are being approved under emergency
conditions. The property owner must agree to hold the City harmless, and recognize that
once the emergency is lifted, the temporary foundation or structural repairs may need to
be replaced with permanent repairs and a statement from the geotechnical consultant.
The applicant is also required to sign a waiver acknowledgement form.
On July 2, 2024, the City Council confirmed the City Manager’s action as Director of
Emergency Services to waive the requirement of applicants of permits for emergency
repairs to obtain a statement from the geotechnical consultants.
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The City Council is being asked to receive and file an update on activities and conditions
in the Landslide Complex and consider appropriating $1.1 million for maintenance of
DDWs funded from the CIP.
2. FEMA Voluntary Property Acquisition Buyout Program
On October 28, 2024, the City, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) announced a $42
million Voluntary Property Acquisition Buyout Program (Buyout Program) for property
owners in the Landslide Complex whose homes have been damaged or threatened by
land movement. Established with funding from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
(HMGP), which is a grant not disaster assistance, the Buyout Program is intended to help
eligible homeowners relocate to safer areas by offering a fair market value for their
properties based on pre-disaster appraisals. Properties acquired by the City through this
Buyout Program will be permanently converted to open space and deed -restricted,
protecting the community from future redevelopment risks in these vulnerable areas.
Generally speaking, FEMA’s HMGP is funded whenever a federal disaster is declared by
the President. Funding that becomes available through the HMGP can be applied to any
city in a state for which a federal disaster is declared and is not limited to the aff ected
City. FEMA is funding this Buyout Program in the amount of $42 million to the City based
on the Federally declared California disaster for the winter storms that occurred between
January 31 and February 9, 2024. Additional future grant funds for the Buyout Program
cycles may become available to affected residents depending on whether a federal
declared disaster occurs in California.
The application deadline for property owners of interest with structures that are destroyed,
damaged, or imminently at-risk to be considered eligible within this first round of the
Program offering was November 8, 2024. The City received 85 applications.
In an effort to expedite the review of applications, Cal OES will initially review the property
applications for red-tagged homes to ensure that each property meets FEMA’s eligibility
requirements and will pass cost-effectiveness (Benefit Cost Analysis ((BCA)),
environmental and historic preservation (EHP) reviews. The City along with Cal OES and
FEMA must ensure that each application follows program rules/regulations and comply
with BCA and EHP laws and guidance. Properties deemed eligible by FEMA for the
Program will then proceed to the selection process.
Minimum eligibility includes:
• The property is not bank owned (mortgages do not constitute bank ownership for
purposes of this Program). This Program does not apply to properties currently
owned in title by a bank or other institutional financial institution through a
foreclosure or other similar means nor a Monks or Blacks litigation property;
• The property has not sold since December 1, 2022 (based upon Los Angeles
County Tax and/or parcel records;
• The property must be improved with a legally permitted structure(s) based on
records on file with the City’s Building and Safety Division; and,
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• Applicants must be the legal owners of the improved structures according to the
Assessor’s records and building permit records on file at the City’s Building and
Safety Division.
A property will be selected by the City to proceed with escrow based on the following
prioritization order:
• Properties with a structure that has been red-tagged by the City’s Building Official;
• Properties with a structure that has been yellow-tagged by the City’s Building
Official;
• Properties with structures that are in imminent jeopardy of becoming red - or yellow-
tagged due to their close proximity to land movement elements (i.e. fissures,
grabens, sinkholes, etc.);
• Properties that have been de-energized indefinitely;
• Properties that may benefit the City’s Landslide stabilization and winterization
efforts as determined by the City’s Public Works Director; and,
• Properties that contribute to the overall value of the adjacent Palos Verdes Nature
Preserve as determined by the City’s Recreation and Parks Director.
Property owners interested in the provisions of this Buyout Program were encouraged to
request a voluntary inspection by the City’s Building Official. By the application deadline,
78 inspections were conducted. Of those, 20 homes were red-tagged and 37 were yellow-
tagged. Prior to the October 28, 2024 announcement of the program, only 2 homes had
been red-tagged and 4 homes had been yellow-tagged, due to the voluntary nature of
property inspections.
If a property owner voluntary chooses to participate in this Buyout Program, FEMA’s grant
funding will pay 75% of the total fair market value as established on December 1, 2022 .
The total fair market value will include the following:
a. Property value as established by licensed real-estate appraiser
b. Appraisals costs
c. Title search costs
d. Lot survey costs, if necessary
e. Real estate transaction fees
f. Closing costs
g. Demolition costs
h. Environmental/hazardous waste remediation (lead-based paint, asbestos, etc.)
costs
i. Site restoration (grading, seeding) costs
The remaining cost share of 25% for these costs will be borne by the seller (property
owner) except for certain in-kind costs borne by the City estimated at approximately
$330,000 or less than 1% of the total grant program . The contribution of these costs will
be done as a reduction in the final payment at closing to the property owner.
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Questions have been raised regarding how the cost share will be addressed. Below is the
City’s general explanation of the buyout monetary explanation relating to the 75% / 25%
cost share formula:
The demolition costs would generally come from the 25% that is withheld. For a
hypothetical case for demonstrative purposes, assume the value of the property with the
improvements is appraised at $3.5 million and that the remaining b. through i. of "Eligi ble
Costs" are approximately $180,000. Of those remaining “Eligible Costs”, the property
owner’s share would be $45,000 (25%). The total costs of items a. through i. would be
$3,680,000. In this scenario, the property owner would cover 25% of that ($920,000)
through the reduced payout from FEMA ($3,500,000-$920,000 = $2,580,000). Another
way to calculate is subtracting the $45,000 from the reduced purchase price (($3,500,000
* .75) - $45,000 = $2,580,000). The property owner would not be required to front the
costs for b. through i., rather they would contribute their 25% through t he reduced payout.
This Program is strictly voluntary. Homeowners are not being forced to relinquish their
property and the City will not use eminent domain to acquire a property. Property owners
who have been selected to proceed with the purchase of their property may withdrawal
at any time prior to closing. Once closing occurs, the real estate transaction is complete
and final.
More information on this program and application materials can be found at the City’s
website at www.rpvca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/22752/Voluntary-Property-Buyout---
Guidelines-and-Application.
The City Council is being asked to receive and file an update on the FEMA Voluntary
Property Acquisition Buyout Program.
3. Financial Report
Expenditures to Date and FY 2024-25 Year-End Estimates
Overall, the City’s estimated expenditures for the Portuguese Bend Landslide from
October 2022 through June 2025 are approximately $43.6 million. Of the $43.6 million,
as presented and approved by the City Council on October 1, 2024, the total budget in
FY 2024-25 is approximately $31.9 million as follows:
• $23.9 million for emergency response, boreholes and deep dewatering wells.
This amount also includes the $9.6 million approved on May 7, 2024 and $6.1
million on October 1, 2024.
• $4 million for emergency stabilization measures for additional deep dewatering
wells approved on October 1, 2024.
• $4 million for winterization approved on October 1, 2024.
As shown in Table 5 on the next page, total expenditures for FY 2022-23 are $1.9 million,
followed by an increase of 416% to $9.8 million in FY 2023-24. In the current fiscal year,
$23 million has been incurred and encumbered, with an additional $8.9 million projected
by June 30, 2025 for a total of $31.9 million, reflecting a 226% increase from the prior
year. These costs include emergency response efforts such as test boreholes, deep
dewatering wells, winterization, fissure filling, road repairs, sewer repairs, estimated time
27
and costs for personnel dedicated to the project, legal services, loans to districts, and
increased tax assessments.
Table 5 – PB Landslide Costs – Emergency Response/Other – October 2022 - June 2025
ACLAD/KCLAD Loans Update
On August 20, 2024, the City received the signed loan agreements from ACLAD and
KCLAD for loans to the Geologic Hazard Abatement Districts (GHADs) in the amounts of
$1.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively. The loan amounts are included as projected
expense in FY 2024-25 as shown in Table 5 above.
Since the City Council’s loan approval in July 2024, the Public Works team has been
working with KCLAD on their projects as outlined in the agreements. KCLAD submitted a
loan drawdown in the amount of $343,756 of eligible costs (July 2024-September 2024)
for dewatering wells. The City Geologist reviewed the completed work and determined
that it has been beneficial to stopping the KCL movement. Staff has processed and
disbursed the eligible amount on December 13, 2024.
ACLAD has not made any requests for loan drawdowns.
Funding Sources
The $43.6 million is funded through various sources, including the General Fund, CIP
Fund, ARPA, Supervisory Hahn’s Social Program Grant, and Metro Funds (Table 6). Of
the $43.6 million, approximately $32 million is funded in FY 2024-25, of which $11.4
million, or 36%, comes from the CIP Fund and General Fund reserves.
DESCRIPTION
FY 22-23
ACTUAL
FY 23-24
ACTUAL
FY 24-25
YTD + PO'S
As of 11/30/24
FY 24-25
BALANCE TOTAL
Stabilization Measures in millions
DDW Program ($4M approved Oct.1)1.9 13.4 0.0 15.3
Winterization (approved Oct. 1) 4.0 0.0 4.0
Emergency Response
Other (Prof/Tech, Sheriff, Misc) 1.2 1.0 0.3 2.5
Fissure Filling 0.6 0.05 1.2 1.8
Road Repairs 1.0 2.8 1.2 2.3 7.3
Ab Cove Sewer Repairs 0.04 0.8 1.0 0.3 2.1
Personnel Costs 0.1 1.2 1.0 1.6 3.9
Legal Services 0.02 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.4
PBL Remediation 0.5 1.1 0.1 0.0 1.6
ACLAD/KCLAD Loans 0.3 3.2 3.5
Tax Assessments 0.2 0.2 0.7 0.0 1.1
TOTAL: October 2022 - June 2025 1.9 9.8 23.0 8.9 43.6
28
Table 6 – PB Landslide Funding Sources – Emergency Response/Other for Oct 2022 - Jun 2025
Additional Appropriation for Operations and Maintenance of DDW
As previously mentioned, the success of the DDW program relies on continued
operations, maintenance, and re-drilling of the DDWs. To effectively maintain and operate
the existing DDWs through March 31, 2025, Staff estimates approximately $1.1 million is
necessary for monitoring of wells, maintaining and replacing wells and pumps, and re-
drilling as needed. At this time, in line with how other landslide emergency responses are
funded, Staff recommends allocating $1.1 million from the CIP Fund. If approved, Staff
recommends allocating the $1.1 million from the CIP Fund, which is estimated to end FY
2024-25 with an estimated fund balance of $28 million, net of the $5 million that was
approved on October 1, 2024 for stabilization and winterization measures.
Cost Recovery and Other Sources (Non-Guaranteed)
Up until September 12, 2024, Table 6 on the next page summarizes the City’s requests
for cost recovery from CalOES and FEMA in the amount of $61.4 million (Table 7). Of this
amount, $39.4 million is public assistance (City) and $22 million of individual assistance
(residents).
As reported in previous staff reports, according to FEMA and CalOES natural disaster
recovery funds will not be provided for landslide remediation efforts. Out of the $39.4
million application for public assistance (City), Staff is projecting only approximately $1.5
million in potential disaster recovery funds from the Winter Storm and Energy Shutoff.
These recovery funds are still in the application stage and are not guaranteed. If deemed
eligible, the reimbursement process could take anywhere from one to three years before
the City receives the funds. Due to the uncertainty of these funds, $1.5 million is not
included as part of funding sources at this time. When more information becomes
available, Staff will update the funding sources and report the change in a future City
Council report.
Funding Sources TOTAL
In Millions
CIP Fund 18.1
CIP Fund (Reserves)5.0
General Fund (Reserves) 6.4
General Fund 5.2
ARPA Fund 3.4
Metro Funds 3.3
Sup. Hahn's Social Program Grant 2.2
TOTAL $43.6
29
For the $22 million individual assistance application that the City submitted on behalf of
the residents, the City has been notified that these funds will not become available.
However, the City continues to seek funding assistance from all levels of government and
will continue to pursue disaster recovery including potentially appealing decisions.
Table 7 – Cost Recovery Applications
Staff is asking the City Council to receive and file a financial report on the emergency
protective and stabilization measures in response to the acceleration of the Landslide
Complex since October 2022, and to approve an additional appropriation of $1.1 million
from the CIP Fund for monitoring and maintaining the DDW program.
4. Palos Verdes Drive South Bicycle, Motorcycle, Unicycle and Other Similar
wheeled Vehicle Prohibition
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 , reviewing
survey and rainfall data; and participating in various discussions with stakeholders. While
the City’s geologist reports the rate of subsidence and land movement has slowed,
pavement conditions on PVDS remain very poor, with cracks, bumps, fissures, and other
irregularities. Moreover, recent roadway experience indicates the roadbed of PVDS will
show evidence of emerging cracks, bumps, fissures, and potholes sometimes forming
almost overnight. The rate of movement on PVDS is up to four inches per week in certain
areas.
Although four-wheeled vehicles (i.e. cars) can, with due care, navigate the road under
these conditions, the impact on two-wheeled vehicles remains pronounced. Despite the
added signs prohibiting bicyclists and motorcyclists from traversing the landslide, there
remain those who ignore the prohibition at their peril. Were the City Council to end the
current prohibition, the Office of the City Attorney remains of the considered legal opinion
that permitting two-wheeled vehicle and unicycle traffic across the landslide will pose a
liability risk to the City and that the same is not presently safe for these vehicles to travel
on PVDS, even using due care, across the landslide for the reasons noted above. Staff
and the City Attorney recommend extending the existing resolution prohibiting two -
wheeled vehicles on PVDS for an additional 90 days.
The City Council is being asked to adopt Resolution No. 2024 -__ thereby extending the
temporary prohibition of bicycles, motorcycles, and other two-wheeled vehicles on PVDS
by 90 days (Attachment C).
Agency Description Event Amount
In Millions
FEMA Public Assistance (City)Winter Storm
(Jan/Feb 24)38.4
CalOES Public Assistance (City) Energy Shutoff 1.0
CalOES Individual Assistance (Residents) Energy Shutoff 22.0
TOTAL $61.4
30
5. Extension of the Local Emergency Declaration
On October 3, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-47 declaring a local
emergency. The emergency declaration is deemed to continue to exist until its termination
is proclaimed by the City Council in accordance with law. Government Code § 8630
requires the City Council to review of the need for continuing the local emergency at least
once every 60 days until the City Council determines the local emergency within the
geographic boundaries of the Landslide Complex has been abated or mitigated to
insignificance.
The state of emergency was continued by the City Council on November 14, 2023,
pursuant to Resolution No. 2023-56, again on December 19, 2023, pursuant to Resolution
No. 2023-61, again on February 6, 2024, pursuant to Resolution No. 2024 -05, again on
March 19, 2024, pursuant to Resolution No. 2024 -13, again on May 7, 2024 pursuant to
Resolution No. 2024-20, again on July 2, 2024 pursuant to Resolution No. 2024-44, again
on August 6, 2024 pursuant to Resolution No. 2024-51, on October 1, 2024 pursuant to
Resolution No. 2024-50, and again on November 19, 2024 pursuant to Resolution No.
2024-70. At this time, the City Council is being asked to extend the local emergency
declaration an additional 60 days through February 17, 2025, which does not require a
public hearing. If extended this evening, the Council would consider renewing the local
emergency declaration again during the next landslide update on February 4, 2025.
The City Council is being asked to adopt Resolution No. 2024 -__ thereby extending the
Declaration of Local Emergency by 60 days (Attachment A).
6. Extension of the Local Emergency Declaration for Utility Shutoffs
On August 6, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024 -52 declaring a local
state of emergency because of a sudden and severe energy shortage caused by shutting
off of natural gas service to approximately 135 homes in the Portuguese Bend Community
Association due to safety concerns. On September 3, 2024, the City Council adopted
Resolution No. 2024-57, declaring a local state of emergency because of a sudden and
severe energy shortage caused by shutting off of natural gas service, planned
deenergization events, and internet shut-offs in the PBCA, Seaview, and PBBC. The
emergency declaration is deemed to continue to exist until its termination is proclaimed
by the City Council in accordance with law. Government Code § 8630 requires the City
Council to review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days
until the City Council determines the local emergency because of a severe energy
shortage has been abated or mitigated to insignificance.
The state of emergency was continued by the City Council on October 1, 2024, pursuant
to Resolution No. 2024-61, and again on November 19, 2024 pursuant to Resolution No.
2024-71. At this time, the City Council is being asked to extend the local emergency
declaration an additional 60 days through February 17, 2025, which does not require a
public hearing. If extended this evening, the Council would consider renewing the local
emergency declaration again during the next landslide update on February 4, 2025.
31
The City Council is being asked to adopt Resolution No. 2024 -__ thereby extending the
Declaration of Local Emergency due to a severe and sudden energy shortage by 60 days
(Attachment B).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Continuing the Emergency Work and Emergency Contract
As a separate item on tonight’s agenda, the City Council is being provided with an update
on the Portuguese Bend Landslide Emergency construction contracting and being asked
to reconfirm the need to continue the emergency work.
Water Source Study
The City Council previously requested a study into the source of water contributing to land
movement, including water originating outside City limits and from upper watersheds.
Staff issued a request for proposals (via the PlanetBids online platform) for qualified
engineering firms to perform a study into the source of water contributing to land
movement and solutions to re-direct water away from the landslide. Proposals are due to
the City on December 13, 2024. Staff will then evaluate the proposals and present a
recommendation for the City Council’s consideration to enter into an agreement with a
qualified firm to perform the study. Staff expect to present the agreement in January or
February 2025, depending on the length of time needed to complete the negotiation
process.
CalOES and FEMA Meetings
On September 11, 2024, the City Manager and Public Works Director met with Nancy
Ward, Director of CalOES; Robert Fenton, FEMA District 9 Administrator; and Kevin
McGowan, Director of Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management and their
respective staff. The meeting was in response to the City’s repeated requests for state
and federal assistance with the Landslide Complex; including individual assistance (IA),
public assistance (PA), and technical assistance (TA). The City was informed that IA and
PA would not be deployed for the reasons detailed in the October 1, 2024 staff report.
CalOES and FEMA informed the City that TA would be provided to the City and that
various agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA), USGS, and CGS would be deployed. On September
26, 2024, the City Manager, Public Works Director, ACLAD, and K CLAD met with
geologists from USACE, FEMA, CalOES, and CGS. The purpose of the meeting was to
scope the specific TA that would be provided. Representatives of the agencies clearly
stated that they would not provide engineering, project management, or construction
assistance. The City and Districts requested TA in the form of sharing new ideas for
landslide mitigation, peer reviewing planned actions, and providing surveying and/or other
measurements of the landslide. The agencies stated that they would provide peer review
services and consider any other assistance that may be available after consulting with
their leadership.
On November 7, 2024, the City Manager and Public Works Director met with
representatives of FEMA and CalOES for an update on the TA efforts. At that meeting,
32
the City was informed that the USACE had declined to provide TA. Staff are working to
schedule a meeting with USACE to better understand why USACE was not participating.
On December 5, 2024, CalOES sent the City a draft report prepared by the California
Geological Survey on the assessment of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes landslide
movement using remote sensing techniques. The City geologist is reviewing the draft
report, and the City will be requesting a meeting with CalOES to ask questions and
discuss the draft report prior to finalizing the report.
BRIC Grant Update
In January 2023, the City applied for a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) FY22 cycle grant for the
Portuguese Bend Landslide Remediation Project (PBL Remediation Project). The grant
application was for the entire project including five hydrauger arrays with five drains each,
surface drainage swales with a flow reduction area, and fissure infilling. The total cost of
construction as well as associated professional services was estimated in Nov ember
2022 to be approximately $33.3 million. The City applied for funding for 70%, or $23
million, of the cost of the project. The BRIC program requires the $10 million balance of
the project cost to be funded through non-federal sources.
On August 28, 2023, FEMA announced the PBL Remediation Project was selected, with
$23.3 million being allocated, not obligated, for the City’s project. This means that the
project met the basic eligibility requirements and enters the next phase of the awar ds
review process.
The emergency protective and stabilization measures are a separate scope from the PBL
Remediation Project; therefore, the BRIC grant funds cannot be used for the emergency
protective and stabilization measures. Because some of the emergency protective and
stabilization measures overlap with portions of the PBL Remediation Project footprint , the
City was required to submit a revised BRIC grant to exclude any overlap between the
emergency protective and stabilization measures footprint and PBL Remediation Pro ject
footprint. The revised PBL Remediation Project BRIC grant amount is now approximately
$16.4 million, with a required non-federal match of approximately $7 million.
On July 31, 2024, CalOES received notification that FEMA approved Phase 1 of the City’s
application which includes project management, final engineering, environmental
deliverables, construction documents, project agreements, and permits. The total
obligation amount (corrected from what was reported at the July 31 Neighborhood Q&A
and the August 6 Council meeting) is $2,295,091, up to actual approved costs, and a non -
federal share of 30% up to $718,138. A funding decision for Phase 2, or the construction
and related activities phase, will be made upon completion of Phase 1.
KCLAD Activities
• Well Inventory: Two active wells (KCLAD 5 and KCLAD 6) with submersible pumps
set at 105 feet.
• Current Production: Two wells are producing a combined 300 gallons per minute,
with a water depth of about 81 feet. The flow was reduced to protect pumps located
at 105 feet.
33
• Future Development: Winterization and maintaining extraction rates from the
existing wells are the current priority.
• Additional Data: Weekly readings are uploaded to the KCLAD website.
KCLAD and Staff continue to discuss implementation of KCLAD’s 5 -Step Plan and
coordinate areas of overlap that includes filling fissures and installing drainage solutions.
ACLAD Activities
ACLAD continues to repair wells and drainage lines as jams and breaks occur. ACLAD
also continues to coordinate with the City on winterization efforts.
CONCLUSION:
The DDW component of the emergency stabilization work funded by the City Council is
generally complete, along with the associated test boreholes and monitoring wells.
Extraction of water from the most recently installed DDWs, 9A, 10, and 11, does appear
to directly correlate with confirmed reduction in ground movement of nearby surface
survey monuments within the toe region of the ACL; which are moving at a slower rate
than monuments further up in the middle and upper portions of the ACL. Mov ement rates
have been erratic (both decreases and increases), and inconsistent during the short time
of water extraction thus far. The effectiveness of DDWs 9A, 10, and 11 can be better
evaluated after they are monitored for at least a few additional weeks.
Overall, the rate of movement at the toe of the Landslide Complex varies from no
movement in the KCL, to approximately 2 inches per week in the PBL, to approximately
four inches per week in the ACL. Movement landward of PVDS ranges from no
measurable movement in the Seaview Tract and PBBC, to approximately one to two
inches per week in the PBL, to approximately four inches per week in the ACL. In general,
the rate of movement is larger further away from the toe of the slide where the DDWs are
located.
The success of the DDW program relies on continued operations, maintenance, and re -
drilling of the DDWs. To effectively maintain and operate the existing DDWs through
March 31, 2025, Staff recommends that the City Council appropriate an additional $1.1
million to the program.
The temporary winterization component of the emergency stabilization work funded by
the City Council is nearly complete. The scope of work included filling and lining of fissures
in six canyons as well as the Seaview neighborhood, among other items. The cost of
some of the winterizing work has been more than originally estimated due to unforeseen
conditions such as many fissures being more substantial than anticipated. As a result, the
winterization of Paintbrush and Ishibashi Canyons may not be completed within the
budget currently authorized by the City Council.
Due to ongoing high rates of movement and associated impacts in certain parts of the
Landslide Complex, Staff recommend that the City Council extend the temporary
prohibition on two-wheeled vehicles by 90 days, extend the local emergency declaration
34
for an additional 60 days, and extend the de-energization emergency declaration for an
additional 60 days.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Take no action, and receive and file this report.
2. Do not appropriate $1.1 million for maintenance of DDWs, thereby beginning to
conclude the program.
3. Do not extend the temporary prohibition of two-wheeled vehicles on PVDS by 90
days and allow two-wheeled to begin using PVDS again.
4. Do not adopt one, or both, of the resolutions continuing the local emergency
declarations.
35
01203.0023/1027433.1
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA,
CONTINUING THE LOCAL EMERGENCY
DECLARATION AS ESTABLISHED BY
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-47 ADOPTED ON
OCTOBER 3, 2023 FOR AN ADDITIONAL 60 DAY
PERIOD
WHEREAS, on October 3, 2023, the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes adopted Resolution No. 2023 -47, declaring a local state of emergency because
of the alarming increase of land movement in the Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide
Complex, as depicted in Resolution No. 2023-47 Exhibits “A” and “B”. Resolution No.
2023-47, and the exhibits thereto, is incorporated by reference;
WHEREAS, on October 3, 2023, the City Council by a 4/5 vote also adopted
Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 674U, establishing a moratorium on all construction in the
Landslide Complex;
WHEREAS, on November 14, 2023, the City Council by a 4/5 vote adopted
Resolution No. 2023-56, extending the state of emergency for an additional 60 days;
WHEREAS, on December 19, 2023, the City Council by a 4/5 vote adopted
Resolution No. 2023-61, extending the state of emergency for an additional 60 days;
WHEREAS, on February 6, 2024, the City Council by a 4/5 vote adopted
Resolution No. 2024-05, extending the state of emergency for an additional 60 days;
WHEREAS, on March 19, 2024, the City Council by a 5-0 vote adopted Resolution
No. 2024-13, extending the state of emergency for an additional 60 days;
WHEREAS, on May 7, 2024, the City Council by a 5-0 vote adopted Resolution
No. 2024-20, extending the state of emergency for an additional 60 days;
WHEREAS, on July 2, 2024, the City Council by a 5-0 vote adopted Resolution
No. 2024-44, extending the state of emergency for an additional 60 days;
WHEREAS, on August 6, 2024, the City Council by a 5-0 vote adopted Resolution
No. 2024-51, extending the state of emergency by an additional 60 days ;
WHEREAS, on October 1, 2024, the City Council by a 5-0 vote adopted Resolution
No. 2024-50, extending the state of emergency by an additional 60 days ;
WHEREAS, on November 19, 2024, the City Council by a 5-0 vote adopted
Resolution No. 2024-70, extending the state of emergency by an additional 60 days;
A-1
Resolution No. 2024-__
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, the state of emergency is deemed to continue to exist until its
termination is proclaimed by the City Council in accordance with law. Government Code
§ 8630 requires the City Council to review of the need for continuing the local emergency
at least once every 60 days until the City Council determines the local emergency within
the geographic boundaries of the Landslide Complex has been abated or mitigated to
insignificance; and,
WHEREAS, after consideration of all facts reasonably available the City Council
now desires to extend the declaration of a state of local emergency within the Landslide
Complex.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CALIFORNIA, HEREBY FINDS, DETERMINES, AND RESOLVES AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals. The City Council hereby determines that the above recitals
are true and correct and incorporates the same as the findings of the City Council.
Section 2. Proclamation of Emergency. The City Council finds, pursuant to
RPVMC Chapter 2.24 and Government Code §§ 8630 and 8680.9, there exists an actual
condition of peril to the safety of persons and property exiting within the Greater
Portuguese Bend Landslide, comprised of the Portuguese Bend Landslide, the Abalone
Cove Landslide, and the Klondike Canyon Landslide), as depicted in Exhibits “A” and “B”
of Resolution No. 2023-47, and based on the staff report and recommendations and
public testimony, and hereby proclaims that a state of local emergency continues to exist
throughout the same.
Section 3. Authority Granted. It is further proclaimed and ordered that during
the existence of said local emergency, the powers, authority, functions and duties of the
Disaster Council, Director, and the City’s emergency services organizations shall be
those prescribed by State Law, City ordinances, Resolution No. 2023-47 and any other
applicable resolutions, and approved plans of the City in order to mitigate the effects of
the local emergency.
Section 4. Immunity Invoked. To the maximum extent permitted by law, and
pursuant to Government Code § 866, the City Council hereby invokes the immunity
afforded to the City of Rancho Palos Verds in adopting and implementing the declaration
of local emergency within the Landslide Complex
Section 5. Duration. The local emergency shall be deemed to continue to exist
until its termination is proclaimed by the City Council in accordance with law.
Section 6. Continuing Declaration. Government Code § 8630 requires the
City Council to review of the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every
60 days until the City Council determines the local emergency within Landslide Complex
has been abated or mitigated to insignificance.
Section 7. Severability. If any subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of
this Resolution or any application of it to any person, structure, gathering, or circumstance
A-2
Resolution No. 2024-__
Page 3 of 3
is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction,
then such decision will not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of
this Resolution.
Section 8. Effectiveness. This Resolution shall take effect immediately. A copy
of the Proclamation and this Resolution shall be forwarded to the California Emergency
Management Agency. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
resolution..
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 17th day of December, 2024.
________________________________
, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
I, Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that
the above Resolution No. 2024-__ was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the
said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on December 17, 2024.
___________________________
City Clerk
A-3
01203.0023/1027441.1
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, EXTENDING
THE STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY WITHIN THE
GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES OF THE PORTUGUESE
BEND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, PORTUGUESE BEND
BEACH CLUB, AND SEAVIEW NEIGHBORHOODS,
BASED ON SUDDEN ENERGY SHORTAGES, PLANNED
DEENERGIZING EVENTS, AND INTERNET SERVICE
SHUT OFFS AS ESTABLISHED BY RESOLUTION NOS.
2024-52 AND 2024-57 FOR AN ADDITIONAL 60 DAYS
WHEREAS, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes is home to four out of five sub -slides
that comprise the Greater Portuguese Landslide Complex (Landslide Complex): the
Portuguese Bend Landslide, Abalone Cove Landslide, Klondike Canyon Landslide, and
Beach Club Landslide. The Portuguese Bend Landslide encompasses the Portuguese
Bend Community Association (PBCA), the Seaview Neighborhood (Seaview), and the
Portuguese Bend Beach Club (PBBC). The Landslide Complex has been active since the
1950s;
WHEREAS, the 2022-2023 rainy season brought exceptional amounts of rain to
the region, dumping 20.9” of rain or 190% of the average annual rainfall in the region ;
WHEREAS, by April 26, 2024, total rainfall for the 2023-24 season (beginning Oct
1, 2023) was 23.01" or 169% of the historical 67-year average of 13.63" for this rain
gauge. (All data based on LACDPW Rainfall Gauge No. 1011B at Rolling Hills FS.);
WHEREAS, beginning in 2018, but particularly since May 2023, the land
movement in the Landslide Complex has increased significantly due to increased rainfall
in the last two rainy seasons, which caused the water table to rise dramatically and
destabilize the landslides. The City has established, via repeated geologic studies, that a
significant factor in the speed of land movement in the Landslide Complex is the amount
of water in the soil;
WHEREAS, on October 3, 2023, the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes adopted Resolution No. 2023-47, declaring a local state of emergency due to the
alarming increase of land movement in the Landslide Complex. The state of emergency
based on the land movement has been extended as required by law and is still active;
WHEREAS, on August 6, 2024, the City Council by unanimous vote adopted
Resolution No. 2024-52, declaring a local state of emergency because of a sudden and
severe energy shortage caused by shutting off of natural gas service to approximately
135 homes in the PBCA due to safety concerns;
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2024, the City Council by unanimous vote adopted
Resolution No. 2024-57, declaring a local state of emergency because of a sudden and
severe energy shortage caused by shutting off of natural gas service, planned de-
energization events, and internet shut-offs in the PBCA, Seaview, and PBBC;
B-1
Resolution No. 2024-__
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, on October 1, 2024, the City Council by unanimous vote adopted
Resolution No. 2024-61, declaring a local state of emergency because of a sudden and
severe energy shortage caused by shutting off of natural gas service, planned
deenergization events, and internet shut-offs in the PBCA, Seaview, and PBBC;
WHEREAS, on November 19, 2024, the City Council by unanimous vote adopted
Resolution No. 2024-71, declaring a local state of emergency because of a sudden and
severe energy shortage caused by shutting off of natural gas service, planned
deenergization events, and internet shut-offs in the PBCA, Seaview, and PBBC;
WHEREAS, after consideration of all facts reasonably available the City Council
now desires to extend the declaration of a state of local emergency within the Landslide
Complex.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CALIFORNIA, HEREBY FINDS, DETERMINES, AND RESOLVES AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals. The City Council hereby determines that the above recitals
are true and correct and incorporates the same as the findings of the City Council.
Section 2. Extension of Local State of Emergency. The City Council finds,
pursuant to RPVMC Chapter 2.24 and Government Code §§ 8630, 8680.9, and 8558
there exists an actual condition of peril to the safety of persons and property existing
within the PBCA, Seaview, and PBBC, as established by Resolutions No. 2024-52 and
2024-57, and based on the staff report and recommendations and public testimony, and
hereby proclaims that a state of local emergency continues to exist throughout the same.
Section 3. Authority Granted. It is further proclaimed and ordered that during
the existence of said local emergency, the powers, authority, functions and duties of the
Disaster Council, Director, and the City’s emergency services organizations shall be
those prescribed by State Law, City ordinances, Resolution Nos. 2023-52 and 2024-57,
and any other applicable resolutions, and approved plans of the City in order to mitigate
the effects of the local emergency.
Section 4. Immunity Invoked. To the maximum extent permitted by law, and
pursuant to Government Code § 866, the City Council hereby invokes the immunity
afforded to the City of Rancho Palos Verds in adopting and implementing the declaration
of local emergency within the Landslide Complex.
Section 5. Duration. The local emergency shall be deemed to continue to exist
until its termination is proclaimed by the City Council in accordance with law. Government
Code § 8630 requires the City Council to review of the need for continuing the local
emergency at least once every 60 days until the City Council determines the local
emergency within the geographic boundaries of the Landslide Complex has been a bated
or mitigated to insignificance.
B-2
Resolution No. 2024-__
Page 3 of 3
Section 6. Continuing Declaration. Government Code § 8630 requires the
City Council to review of the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every
60 days until the City Council determines the local emergency within the PBCA has been
abated or mitigated to insignificance.
Section 7. Severability. If any subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of
this Resolution or any application of it to any person, structure, gathering, or circumstance
is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction,
then such decision will not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of
this Resolution.
Section 8. CEQA. The City Council finds that this Resolution is proposed to allow
the City to continue to address and mitigate an imminent threat to public health and safety
and therefore is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code, Section
21080(b)(4) and CEQA Guidelines, Section 15269.
Section 9. Effectiveness. This Resolution shall take effect immediately. A copy
of the Proclamation and this Resolution shall be forwarded to the California Office of
Emergency Management. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 17th day of December, 2024.
________________________________
, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
I, Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that
the above Resolution No. 2024-__ was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the
said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on December 17, 2024.
___________________________
City Clerk
B-3
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, EXTENDING
FOR A TERM OF NINETY (90) DAYS THE
TEMPORARY PROHIBITION ON TRAVEL BY
BICYCLES, MOTORCYCLES, AND OTHER TWO-
WHEELED VEHICLES ON PALOS VERDES DRIVE
SOUTH WITHIN THE LANDSLIDE COMPLEX DUE
TO CONTINUED ROADWAY CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, the Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex (t he
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). It also
includes the Flying Triangle Landslide (FTL) in the City of Rolling Hills as mapped
by various agencies (i.e., U.S. Geological Survey, California Geological Survey)
and other researchers; and
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 has been
renewed as required by law and currently applies; and
WHEREAS, following the City Council’s declaration of a local emergency,
the City experienced another record-setting rainy season; and
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;
and
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; and
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 groun d 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; and
C-1
Resolution No. 2024-__
Page 2 of 4
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; and
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; and
WHEREAS, despite the existing bicycle warning signs, Staff has 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); and
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….”; and
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; and
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….”; and
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 safely in cars and trucks, but that are more dangerous for two-
wheeled vehicles such as bicycles and motorcycles; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the safety of bicycle, motorcycle and
other two-wheeled riders is a compelling interest; and
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
C-2
Resolution No. 2024-__
Page 3 of 4
Complex, until such time as the City may be able to slow the land movement
sufficiently to reduce the frequency and severity of road deviations to minimize the
risk of injury to persons or property; and
WHEREAS, on June 18, 2024, the City Council duly adopted Resolution
No. 2024-39 prohibiting, for a period of six (6) months, bicycles, motorcycles, and
other two-wheeled vehicles from traversing PVDS with the Landslide Complex;
and
WHEREAS, staff and the Office of the City attorney are of the opinion that
conditions on PVDS have not stabilized to the point that this prohibition should be
allowed to terminate and is of the further opinion the existing prohibition should be
extended for an additional ninety (90) day period.
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: For a period of ninety (90) calendar days from and after the date
of this resolution, the portion of PVDS within the Landslide Complex shall be closed
to bicycle, motorcycle, and other two-wheeled vehicle traffic.
Section 3: Updates on the rate of movement and repair of PVDS will be
provided at City Council meetings where the City Council is considering extending
the local state of emergency, including an assessment of the relative safety of
traveling on PVDS by bicycles, motorcycles, and other two-wheeled vehicles
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 at a regular meeting of the City
Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, on this 17 day of December
2024.
, Mayor
C-3
Resolution No. 2024-__
Page 4 of 4
ATTEST:
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
I, Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, do hereby certify
that the foregoing Resolution No. 2024-__, was duly and regularly passed and
adopted by the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on December
17, 2024.
__________________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
C-4
No
r
t
h
No
r
t
h
0 250 500 1000
(feet)
PONY TRAIL
PORTUGUESE
BEND
LANDSLIDE
FLYING
TRIANGLE
LANDSLIDE
KLONDIKE
CANYON
LANDSLIDE
ABALONE
COVE
LANDSLIDE
ABALONE
COVE
PORTUGUESE
POINT
INSPIRATION
POINT
SACRED
COVE
APPROXIMATE BOUNDARY OF
ANCIENT PORTUGUESE BEND
LANDSLIDE COMPLEX
BURMA ROAD
PALOS VERDES DRIVE SOUTH
EXPLANATION
Limits of the Ancient Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex
Limits of Historically Mapped Landslides
2023/2024 Landslide Mapping
SEAVIEW TRACT
Current Limits of Major
Landslide Movement (March
2024)
CURRENT LIMITS OF
MAJOR LANDSLIDE
MOVEMENT (MARCH 2024)
GPS Monument Displacement
Rate (July 1, 2024 to August 1,
2024) Displacement Vector
Scale 1"= 8"/week
10.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
11.0
12.0
5
.
0
10
.
0
3.04.06
.
0
7
.
0
8
.
0
9
.
0
11
.
0
Displacement Rate Table
Minimum Rate
(inch/week)
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
Maximum Rate
(inch/week)
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
10.00
Color
10.00 11.00
11.00 12.00
1.00 2.00
AB04
9.20
AB13
10.64
AB16
7.49
AB17
0.01
AB24
11.23
AB51
8.95
AB53
11.29
AB58
11.00
AB59
12.65
AB60
10.19
AB62
7.08 AB63
9.11
AB65
8.88
AB66
10.10
AB68
9.79
AB70
11.69
AB71 no data
0.00
AB73
10.75
AB74
5.16
AB75
11.99
AB76
0.24
CR07 no data
0.00
CR50
0.33
CW08
0.05
FT06
9.37
KC05
2.41
KC07
0.03
KC13
1.46
KC15
3.91
KC17
3.53
KC18
7.84
KC19
3.40
KC20
3.45
KC23
2.72
KC26
4.09
KC27
3.88
KC30
9.21
PB06
10.07
PB08
10.84
PB12
11.45
PB13
8.82
PB18
11.89
PB20
10.83
PB21
10.41
PB27
10.91
PB55
11.13
PB59
11.36
PB67
12.29PB68
11.15
PB69
11.13PB70
11.58
PB71
12.96
PB72
11.81
PB73
9.39
PB74
11.39
PB75
11.54
RP01
0.02
RP02
0.03
UB02
9.98
AB01
0.06
AB02
0.06
AB05
8.55
AB21
12.43
AB50
6.86
AB57
9.39
AB64
0.48
AB67
7.48
AB77
0.08
CR51
0.47
CR53
0.49
CR54
11.80
CR56
0.07
CW01
0.06
CW05
0.52
CW06
0.05
CW07
0.04
FT08
0.02
FT09
0.01
KC06
3.89
KC14
0.08
KC16
0.03
KC21
0.04KC22
4.09
KC24
5.16
KC25
0.23
KC28
5.60
KC29
6.48
KC31
8.23
KC33
3.84
PB04
11.34
PB07
11.68 PB09
9.92
PB26
9.87
PB29
9.36
PB54
11.89
1
0
.
0
9.
0
1
1
.
0
1
2
.
0
12
.
0
11.0
12.0
5.0
1
0
.
0
3.0
4.0
6
.
0
7.
08.
09.0
"Creeping Area"
Approximately 0.5 inch/week
?
?
?
?
?
??
??
?
12.00 13.00
0.00 1.00
COTTON,S HIRES AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA
SC6163
POS
MP
August 18, 2024
1"=500'
FIGURE NO.
PROJECT NO.
DATE
SCALE
APPROVED BY
GEO/ENG BY
GPS MONITORING DISPLACEMENT RATE
CONTOUR MAP (8/1/24 DATA)
4
Abalone Cove, Portuguese Bend, Klondike Canyon
Hillshade basemap produced from publicly available LiDAR:
"2015 - 2016 LARIAC Lidar DEM: Los Angeles Region, CA"
D-1
No
r
t
h
No
r
t
h
0 250 500 1000
(feet)
PONY TRAIL
PORTUGUESE
BEND
LANDSLIDE
FLYING
TRIANGLE
LANDSLIDE
KLONDIKE
CANYON
LANDSLIDE
ABALONE
COVE
LANDSLIDE
ABALONE
COVE
PORTUGUESE
POINT
INSPIRATION
POINT
SACRED
COVE
BURMA ROAD
PALOS VERDES DRIVE SOUTH
CREST
ROAD
EXPLANATION
Limits of the Ancient Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex
Limits of Historically Mapped Landslides
2023/2024 Landslide Mapping
SEAVIEW TRACT
Current Limits of Major
Landslide Movement (March
2024)
CURRENT LIMITS OF
MAJOR LANDSLIDE
MOVEMENT (MARCH 2024)
GPS Monument
Displacement Rate
(August 1, 2024 to
September 4, 2024)
Displacement Vector
Scale 1"= 8"/week
AB04
8.20
AB16
7.30
AB17
0.00
AB21
10.90
AB50
6.20
AB53
10.70
AB57
9.10
AB59
11.70
AB60
9.70
AB62
6.70 AB63
8.10
AB64
0.30
AB66
9.70
AB67
6.80
AB70
11.00
AB73
9.40
AB74
5.30
AB75
10.60
AB76
0.20
AB77
0.00
CR50
0.50
CR53
0.60
CR54
10.70
KC05
2.00
KC06
3.60
KC14
0.10
KC16
0.00
KC17
2.70
KC19
3.10
KC21
0.10KC22
4.00
KC23
2.40
KC24
4.60
KC28
4.70
KC31
7.50
KC33
3.70
KC36
0.10
PB07
9.60
PB09
7.90
PB13
8.50
PB18
11.00
PB20
10.50
PB21
10.40
PB26
9.20
PB29
8.30
PB59
9.70
AB01
0.10
AB02
0.10
AB13
10.10
AB24
10.80
AB51
8.60
AB58
10.40
AB65
8.40
AB68
9.40
CR51
0.60CR56
0.10
CW01
0.00
CW05
0.60
CW06
0.00
CW07
0.00
CW08
0.10
FT06
8.00
FT08
0.00
FT09
0.10
KC07
0.10
KC13
1.30
KC15
3.40
KC18
6.80
KC20
2.60
KC25
0.20
KC26
3.50
KC29
5.50
KC30
7.70
KC34
0.00
KC35
0.00
KC37
0.10
PB04
9.20 PB06
8.00
PB08
8.70
PB12
10.80
PB27
10.70
PB54
10.90
PB55
10.30
PB67
10.10PB68
9.30
PB69
9.60
PB70
10.00
PB71
11.40
PB72
9.80
PB74
9.70
PB75
10.60
RP01
0.00
RP02
0.00
UB02
8.20
5.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
6.0
10
.
0
7
.
0
8
.
0
9
.
0
9.0
9
.
0
10.0
1
1
.
0
11.0
10
.
0
10.
0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10
.
0
7.0
8
.
0
9
.
0
7.0
8.0
"Creeping Area"
Approximately 0.5 inch/week
Displacement Rate Table
Minimum Rate
(inch/week)
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
Maximum Rate
(inch/week)
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
10.00
Color
10.00 11.00
11.00 12.00
1.00 2.00
12.00 13.00
0.00 1.00
APPROXIMATE BOUNDARY OF
ANCIENT PORTUGUESE BEND
LANDSLIDE COMPLEX
COTTON,S HIRES AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA
SC6163
POS
MP
September 25, 2024
1"=500'
FIGURE NO.
PROJECT NO.
DATE
SCALE
APPROVED BY
GEO/ENG BY
GPS MONITORING DISPLACEMENT RATE
CONTOUR MAP (9/4/24 DATA)
3
Abalone Cove, Portuguese Bend, Klondike Canyon
Hillshade basemap produced from publicly available LiDAR:
"2015 - 2016 LARIAC Lidar DEM: Los Angeles Region, CA"
D-2
No
r
t
h
No
r
t
h
0 250 500 1000
(feet)
PONY TRAIL
PORTUGUESE
BEND
LANDSLIDE
FLYING
TRIANGLE
LANDSLIDE
KLONDIKE
CANYON
LANDSLIDE
ABALONE
COVE
LANDSLIDE
ABALONE
COVE
PORTUGUESE
POINT
INSPIRATION
POINT
SACRED
COVE
BURMA ROAD
PALOS VERDES DRIVE SOUTH
CREST
ROAD
EXPLANATION
Limits of the Ancient Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex
Limits of Historically Mapped Landslides
2023/2024 Landslide Mapping
SEAVIEW TRACT
Current Limits of Major
Landslide Movement (March
2024)
CURRENT LIMITS OF
MAJOR LANDSLIDE
MOVEMENT (MARCH 2024)
GPS Monument
Displacement Rate
(September 4, 2024 to
October 8, 2024)
Displacement Vector
Scale 1"= 8"/week
1.0
2.0
5.0
3.0
4
.
0
6.0
7.
0
5.0
6.0
7.
0
6.0
7.0
6.0
"Creeping Area"
Approximately 0.5 inch/week
Displacement Rate Table
Minimum Rate
(inch/week)
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
Maximum Rate
(inch/week)
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
10.00
Color
10.00 11.00
11.00 12.00
1.00 2.00
12.00 13.00
0.00 1.00
AB01
0.05
AB04
6.09
AB13
7.23
AB16
5.42
AB17
0.04
AB21
7.29
AB24
7.88
AB50
3.88
AB51
6.18
AB53
7.37
AB57
6.17
AB58
7.44
AB59
7.90
AB60
6.74
AB62
5.03 AB63
6.23
AB64
0.17
AB65
6.14
AB66
6.91
AB67
5.09
AB68
6.82
AB70
7.85
AB73
6.04
AB74
3.86
AB75
7.18
AB76
0.11
AB77
0.06
AB78
1.78
AB79
0.04
AB80
0.04
CR50
0.35 CR51
0.44
CR53
0.43
CR54
6.85
CR56
0.07
CR57
0.11
CR58
0.36
CR59
0.03
CR60
0.00
CW01
0.03
CW05
0.47
CW06
0.07
CW08
0.02
FT08
0.03
FT09
0.04
FT10
0.03
KC05
1.05
KC06
1.57
KC07
0.04
KC13
0.55
KC14
0.05
KC15
1.53 KC16
0.02
KC17
1.34
KC18
2.49 KC19
1.35
KC20
1.29
KC21
0.04
KC22
1.80
KC23
1.05
KC24
1.75
KC25
0.08
KC26
1.34KC28
1.98
KC29
2.27
KC30
3.33
KC31
3.23
KC33
1.67
KC34
0.05
KC35
0.05
KC36
0.03
KC37
0.04
KC38
2.47
PB04
5.74
PB06
4.58
PB07
5.11 PB08
4.62 PB09
4.08
PB12
4.21
PB13
3.04
PB18
6.95
PB20
4.99
PB21
4.96
PB26
4.01
PB27
5.05
PB29
3.42
PB54
6.99
PB55
5.26
PB59
5.88
PB67
4.63PB68
5.71
PB69
5.64PB70
6.03
PB71
7.08
PB72
5.77
PB74
4.54
PB75
6.28
PB76
3.84
RP01
0.04
RP03
0.00
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
UB02
3.74
APPROXIMATE BOUNDARY OF
ANCIENT PORTUGUESE BEND
LANDSLIDE COMPLEX
COTTON,S HIRES AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA
SC6163
POS
MP
November 8, 2024
1"=500'
FIGURE NO.
PROJECT NO.
DATE
SCALE
APPROVED BY
GEO/ENG BY
GPS MONITORING DISPLACEMENT RATE
CONTOUR MAP (10/8/24 DATA)
2
Abalone Cove, Portuguese Bend, Klondike Canyon
Hillshade basemap produced from publicly available LiDAR:
"2015 - 2016 LARIAC Lidar DEM: Los Angeles Region, CA"
D-3
No
r
t
h
No
r
t
h
0 250 500 1000
(feet)
PONY TRAIL
PORTUGUESE
BEND
LANDSLIDE
FLYING
TRIANGLE
LANDSLIDE
KLONDIKE
CANYON
LANDSLIDE
ABALONE
COVE
LANDSLIDE
ABALONE
COVE
PORTUGUESE
POINT
INSPIRATION
POINT
SACRED
COVE
BURMA ROAD
PALOS VERDES DRIVE SOUTH
CREST
ROAD
EXPLANATION
Limits of the Ancient Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex
Limits of Historically Mapped Landslides
2023/2024 Landslide Mapping
SEAVIEW TRACT
Current Limits of Major
Landslide Movement (March
2024)
CURRENT LIMITS OF
MAJOR LANDSLIDE
MOVEMENT (MARCH 2024)
GPS Monument
Displacement Rate
(October 8, 2024 to
October 29, 2024)
Displacement Vector
Scale 1"= 8"/week
1.
0
2.0
1.0
3.0
4.
0
5.
0
4.0
4.0
4.0
Displacement Rate Table
Minimum Rate
(inch/week)
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
Maximum Rate
(inch/week)
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
10.00
Color
10.00 11.00
11.00 12.00
1.00 2.00
12.00 13.00
0.00 1.00
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
UB02
0.68
AB01
0.13
AB04
4.32
AB13
5.32
AB16
3.91
AB17
0.09
AB21
4.63
AB24
5.64
AB50
2.07
AB51
4.17
AB53
4.51
AB57
4.83
AB58
5.10
AB59
5.04
AB60
5.29
AB62
3.64 AB63
4.37
AB64
0.62
AB65
4.21
AB66
4.74
AB67
3.61
AB68
4.72
AB70
5.46
AB73
3.53
AB74
3.06
AB75
4.70
AB76
0.11
AB77
0.06
AB78
0.13
AB79
0.12
AB80
0.07
CR50
0.08 CR51
0.10
CR53
0.01
CR54
4.68
CR56
0.04
CR57
0.09
CR58
0.07
CR59
0.08
CR60
0.03
CW01
0.02
CW05
0.08
CW06
0.08
CW08
0.16
FT08
0.04
FT09
0.06
FT10
0.07
KC05
0.19
KC06
0.22
KC07
0.11
KC13
0.12
KC14
0.11
KC15
0.19 KC16
0.13
KC17
0.11
KC18
0.14
KC19
0.28
KC20
0.16
KC21
0.04
KC22
0.19
KC23
0.20
KC24
0.11
KC25
0.09
KC26
0.08KC28
0.17
KC29
0.12
KC30
0.16
KC31
0.22
KC33
0.24
KC34
0.14
KC35
0.12
KC36
0.10
KC37
0.16
KC38
0.22
PB04
3.25 PB06
2.21
PB07
2.46 PB08
1.97
PB09
1.67
PB12
1.28
PB13
0.38
PB18
4.01
PB20
2.03
PB21
2.48
PB26
0.56
PB27
2.08
PB29
0.36
PB54
4.23
PB55
2.88
PB59
3.38
PB67
1.14PB68
3.25
PB69
3.63PB70
3.47
PB71
4.36
PB72
3.22
PB74
0.97
PB75
3.49
PB76
1.55
RP01
0.11
RP03
0.01
UB02
0.68
APPROXIMATE BOUNDARY OF
ANCIENT PORTUGUESE BEND
LANDSLIDE COMPLEX
COTTON,S HIRES AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA
SC6163
POS
MP
November 8, 2024
1"=500'
FIGURE NO.
PROJECT NO.
DATE
SCALE
APPROVED BY
GEO/ENG BY
GPS MONITORING DISPLACEMENT RATE
CONTOUR MAP (10/29/24 DATA)
1
Abalone Cove, Portuguese Bend, Klondike Canyon
Hillshade basemap produced from publicly available LiDAR:
"2015 - 2016 LARIAC Lidar DEM: Los Angeles Region, CA"
D-4
No
r
t
h
No
r
t
h
0 250 500 1000
(feet)
PONY TRAIL
PORTUGUESE
BEND
LANDSLIDE
FLYING
TRIANGLE
LANDSLIDE
KLONDIKE
CANYON
LANDSLIDE
ABALONE
COVE
LANDSLIDE
ABALONE
COVE
PORTUGUESE
POINT
INSPIRATION
POINT
SACRED
COVE
BURMA ROAD
PALOS VERDES DRIVE SOUTH
CREST
ROAD
EXPLANATION
Limits of the Ancient Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex
Limits of Historically Mapped Landslides
2023/2024 Landslide Features
(based on CSA field mapping)
SEAVIEW TRACT
Limits of 2023-2024 Major Landslide Movement
(based on CSA field mapping and bathymetry survey)
LIMITS OF 2023-2024
MAJOR LANDSLIDE
MOVEMENT
GPS Monument Displacement Rate
(October 29, 2024 to December 3, 2024)
Displacement Vector Scale 1"= 8"/week
1
.
0
2.0
5.0
3.0
4.0
4.0
5
.
0
3.0
4.0
3.0
4.0
Displacement Rate Table
Minimum Rate
(inch/week)
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
Maximum Rate
(inch/week)
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
10.00
Color
10.00 11.00
11.00 12.00
1.00 2.00
12.00 13.00
0.00 1.00
RP03
0.03
APPROXIMATE BOUNDARY OF
ANCIENT PORTUGUESE BEND
LANDSLIDE COMPLEX
AB01
0.05
AB17
0.03
AB64
0.09
AB77
0.04
AB78
0.15
AB79
0.02
AB80
0.04
CR53
0.14
CR56
0.05
CR57
0.06
CR59
0.07
CW01
0.02
CW05
0.07
CW06
0.07
CW08
0.09
FT08
0.07
FT09
0.06
FT10
0.08
KC06
0.06
KC07
0.04
KC13
0.04
KC14
0.02
KC15
0.06 KC16
0.04
KC19
0.08
KC20
0.06
KC21
0.03
KC23
0.04
KC24
0.05
KC25
0.06
KC26
0.02KC28
0.06
KC29
0.08
KC33
0.10
KC34
0.04
KC35
0.05
KC36
0.02
KC37
0.06
KC38
0.10
AB04
4.41
AB13
5.32
AB16
3.84
AB21
4.52
AB24
5.73
AB50
2.27
AB51
4.63
AB53
4.83
AB57
4.12
AB58
4.97
AB59
5.13
AB60
4.80
AB62
3.77 AB63
4.56
AB65
4.46
AB66
4.90
AB67
3.57
AB68
4.83
AB70
5.47
AB73
3.37
AB74
2.80
AB75
4.52
AB76
0.13
CR50
0.13 CR51
0.16
CR54
4.46
CR58
0.14
CR60
0.17
KC05
0.11
KC17
0.14
KC18
0.16 KC22
0.11
KC30
0.17
KC31
0.17
PB04
3.41 PB06
2.45
PB07
2.54 PB08
2.13
PB09
1.76
PB12
1.23
PB13
0.39
PB18
4.25
PB20
1.93
PB21
2.31
PB26
0.77
PB27
1.98
PB29
0.49
PB54
4.16
PB55
2.25
PB59
3.46
PB67
1.32PB68
3.43
PB69
3.15PB70
3.50
PB71RP
4.07
PB72
3.31
PB74
1.10
PB75
3.57
PB76
1.43
UB02
0.87
BEACH CLUB
LANSDSLIDE
COTTON,S HIRES AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA
SC6163
POS
MP
December 12, 2024
1"=500'
FIGURE NO.
PROJECT NO.
DATE
SCALE
APPROVED BY
GEO/ENG BY
GPS MONITORING DISPLACEMENT RATE
CONTOUR MAP (12/03/24 DATA)
1
Abalone Cove, Portuguese Bend, Klondike Canyon
Hillshade basemap produced from publicly available LiDAR:
"2015 - 2016 LARIAC Lidar DEM: Los Angeles Region, CA"
D-5
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
December 10, 2024
Via email and U.S. Mail
Steven D. Powell
President and Chief Executive Officer
Southern California Edison
2244 Walnut Grove Avenue
Rosemead, CA 91770
SUBJECT: Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide – Southern California Edison’s
(SCE) Deenergizing of Equipment
Dear Mr. Powell,
I am sending you this letter on behalf of the Mayor, City Council and RPV community.
As you are aware, on August 31, 2024, SCE notified the customers of 193 metered
accounts (which equates to approximately 140 households and 53 business or City
accounts) in the Portuguese Bend Community Association (PBCA) that power would be
turned off to their property indefinitely on September 1, 2024. SCE stated that the
accounts will not be reenergized until land movement is controlled to a level acceptable
to SCE, without specifying the threshold of land movement. The power shutoff not only
affects residents in the PBCA, but the ability to power the City’s sewer system in the
area as well as the operation of the City’s and the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement
District’s (ACLAD) dewatering wells, an undertaking which has been very costly to both
agencies.
SCE issued a further notice on September 2, 2024, that homes in the Seaview
neighborhood would be subject to service shutoffs. Currently, 30 properties remain
without electricity in Seaview community. On September 6, 2024, SCE notified
customers that power would be shut off in the Portuguese Bend Beach Club (PBBC)
neighborhood. SCE followed through, de-energizing the area on September 9, 2024.
On October 21, 2024, my team and I met with representatives from SCE to address
power disruptions, infrastructure challenges, and explore potential solutions to support
re-energization efforts in response to recent data trends demonstrating land movement
had stopped in the Seaview and PBBC neighborhoods. The focus was on updates
F-1
President and CEO Steve Powell
December 10, 2024
Page 2
regarding progress, re-energization efforts, and strategies for managing both short- and
long-term risks.
A key topic of discussion was the importance of aligning land survey data with
infrastructure assessments to ensure re-energization efforts are conducted safely and
effectively. SCE emphasized that its ability to design a system to restore power to
impacted customers depends on the collection of data that consistently demonstrates
land stability over time. The City offered to prioritize ongoing monitoring in areas that will
further support re-energization and service restoration efforts.
To support long-term solutions, SCE announced the establishment of a Project
Management Office (PMO) structure to provide sustained oversight and coordination.
On November 21, 2024, my team and I met with various PMO representatives to
discuss short- and long-term strategies. While we appreciate the PMO’s efforts to
identify re-energizing solutions, we don’t believe SCE is moving quickly enough to find a
permanent solution to re-energizing our community.
While I and the City Council have been in communication with Caroline Choi, Larry
Chung and several other SCE executives and personnel, we don’t believe SCE is doing
enough to communicate with the City, customers and the public at large about SCE’s
restoration efforts. As such, the Mayor and I would like to schedule an in-person
meeting with you before year-end to learn firsthand SCE’s short-term and long-term
efforts to restore power. We are also requesting to discuss the specific thresholds for
restoring power immediately.
I look forward to meeting you in person. Please provide me with your availability at your
earliest convenience to schedule the in-person meeting.
Best regards,
Ara Michael Mihranian, AICP
City Manager
cc: Pedro J. Pizarro, President and Chief Executive Officer, Edison International
Caroline Choi, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy, SCE
Larry Chung, Vice President, Customer Engagement Division, SCE
Haig Kartounian, Senior Advisor of Local Public Affairs, SCE
Celina Luna, Government Relations Manager, SCE
Rancho Palos Verdes City Council
William Wynder, City Attorney
Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager
F-2