20241217 Late CorrespondenceTO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
CITY CLERK
DECEMBER 17, 2024
ADDITIONS/REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Attached are revisions/additions and/or amendments to the agenda material presented
for tonight's meeting.
Item No.
1
2
Description of Material
Email from Madeleine McJones
Agenda Report corrections from Staff
** PLEASE NOTE: Materials attached after the color page(s) were submitted
through Monday, December 16, 2024**.
Respectfully submitted,
L:ILATE CORRESPONDENCE\202412024 Coversheets\20241217 additions revisions to agenda.docx
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Madeleine McJones <homecoding@gmail.com>
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 2:03 PM
CC; Ara Mihranian; LDG and Movement; CityClerk
Late Correspondence Sorry
12_ 17 _2024City Council of Rancho Palos Verdes.pdf
Dear CC and Ara, and City Clerk,
I tried my best but my children are home from the Service.
Please I beg you to read and include my attached PDF correspondence.
Madeleine McJones 3102134392
1 /.
City Council of Rancho Palos Verdes
DATED 12 /1 7/2024
Dear City Council, Manager, Landslide Engineering, Director of Public Works ,
First off, thank you for your support this year 20204, This has been a hard one and you have
managed very well on all fronts, and this is a long problem to face with courage with us your
community.
I am very perplexed that even though the landslide abatement money was originally allocated to
work on the Portugue se Bend Landslid e Complex (PBL C) has re sulted in our location have the
LEAST NUMBER of working Deep or Shallow de watering wells.
Even worse, this PBLC part of the landslide also is not going to get any runoff protection this
winterization, because the city efforts now ran out of money. These Canyons have some of the
Worst open fissures please see images 1 -3.
As a res u lt of these unfo reseen co nd it ions , t he w inte r iza tion of Pa intbrush and Ish ibash i
Canyo n s may not be comp leted w ith in t he $4 m ill ion c u rre nt ly autho r ized by City Counc il.
St aff rep_orU 2-17 -2024
It is troubling that the people who have suffered the longest , and the people who are being privately
sued right now, because we the property owners are forced to live on invalid property lines by the
city. These are the people that are the ones getting the least of your city's solutions.
We are su ff ering too
We are from your maps moving just as fast and seem to be running over the property which has
slowed down make bulges under our neighbor homes. Yes our homes have odd assortment of land
movement solutions, but these solutions are not "magical" it is still a problem for us to have a
mountain grow under a home or a fissure drop under our steel.
Why Skip the PBLC -East Side
Curious to speculate that the West and Seaview which have serious lawsuits against the city are
getting the most of the service, is thi s effort with our with our initial dedicated PBLC funds?
Wha t the Eas t Side Did Get is a Fire Tra p
The PBLC hardly got any wells and the PBLC is not getting any winterization, What the East Side
community did get was a FLOOD of unknown amount of tank water that will increase the landslide
and the acacia fire danger. I have brought thi s up in the working meetings but it ve ry sadly thi s
point do es not make it into th e Staff re port . I know that many people besides myself, have been
asking for professional EAST SIDE weed abatement. I know there where PBCA requests from before
this water tank flood to do weed abatement on City land, now it is imperative as the water off
season is going to spur advanced growth and will burn us out.
Irapped with No Exit for the East Side
What the East side also gets is to live in a Fire Trap, with no exit to Palos Verdes Drive South in a Fire
incident, be clear that in many scenarios Sweet Bay access will not be open for us to follow the
West Side to safety, we really need our own alternative to Peppertree emergency fire evacuation
exit.
Begging
I beg that the city do the much needed much requested Weed abatement around our community, I
beg that you open the short simple location across from the archery range as an emergency exit for
our loop of homes and I beg that you please Install more wells in the PBLC to slow our homes from
running over the homes that have slowed in front of us. Lastly, I beg that you winterize the Canyons
you are skipping as they seem to be some of the worst offending drainage fissures into Burma Road
and the landslide.
Thank you again but it hurts to be getting the short end of the landslide abatement stick,
Madeleine McJones 3102134392 3 Tangerine Road RPV CA 90275
IMAGE 1 Lower PAINTBRUSH Not being Addressed, This is 100% run off directly into the
landslide.1-OWER PAINTBRUSH GOOGLE MAPS
Image 2 ISHIBASHI huge fissures and a drain pipe to the landslide ISHIBASHI CREEK RUN
FISSURES
From:
Sent:
To:
Teresa Takaoka
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 2:24 PM
CityClerk
Subject: FW: Pano Al Staff Report Correction
Pano Al Staff Report Final.pdf Attachments:
Hello,
This is for late corr.
Thank you.
Teresa Takaoka
City Clerk
terit@rpvca.gov
Phone -(310) 544-5217
Address:
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Website: www.rpvca.gov
AYnilnble In th..-App Sto,., or,d Go<>gl<e Ploy
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contains infonnai:ion hc!onq!nq to the C:ily of !<.ancho Palos Verdes, V-JhkJ: rnay be privi!cqed 1
:m(l!or ;rntcctcd from disc/csurc, ·r11c information :s intcncled only for use of the ;nd:viclual or ent;ty
Ur1<1utr1ori1cd d1ss<~rn!nat:or1; cLs1Jibution, or copyifWJ i'.; strictly prohibited. H you received this crnaH in error,
,ntenc1ccl rcdpi0~nt.1 p!c,1sc notify l:he sender lrnrrecliatc!y, Thank you for your ,:r,;sist<)ncc and
cuopcr<1tior1.
From: Luna Mohammad <lmohammad@rpvca.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2024 9:58 AM
Cc: Teresa Takaoka <TeriT@rpvca.gov>
Subject: RE: Pano Al Staff Report Correction
Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers,
Apologies, I did not include the updated staff report in my previous email, it is attached to this email.
Indented below is the snippet from the staff report that shows the modifications.
However, there have been delays in the installation of the fourth camera, due to ongoing
negotiations over the use of the existing pole infrastructure between SoCal Gas, Cal Water,
American Tower Corporation (ATC), and Pano Al. SoCalGas delivers a power connection to the
existing pole, which is owned and located on Cal Water's property and is leased to ATC by
a on r's Per the current leases for the pole, Pano Al must obtain
consent from all parties to effectuate an agreement to install the fourth camera.
1
Best wishes,
Luna Mohammad
Emergency Management
Coordinator
LMohammad@rpvca.gov
Work: (310) 544-5209
Cell: (310) 923-3282
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
www.rpvca.gov
From: Luna Mohammad
Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2024 9:41 AM
Cc: Teresa Takaoka <TeriT@rpvca.gov>
Subject: Pano Al Staff Report Correction
Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers,
I apologize, there was an error on the Pano Al Staff Report for today's Council Meeting. The bullet points
below contain the two corrections, please let me know if have any questions or concerns. I look forward
to presenting about this project tonight at the City Council Meeting.
• Cal Water owns the land, not the pole.
• ATC owns the pole; they do not lease it.
Best wishes,
Luna Mohammad
Emergency Management
Coordinator
LMohammad@rpvca.gov
Work: (310) 544-5209
Cell: (310) 923-3282
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
www.rpvca.gov
2
CITYOF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA TITLE:
MEETING DATE: 12/17/2024
AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
Consideration and possible action to receive a status update on the City's Pano Al
Camera for Peninsula-wide wildfire detection services.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Receive and file a status update on the installation and performance of the
City's Pano Al Camera.
FISCAL IMPACT: The $140,000 annual cost for the Pano Al cameras is included in the
FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget under State Grant. This amount comes from $1.5 million in
state funding secured by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi in November 2022. IIR
Amount Budgeted:
Additional Appropriation:
Account Number(s):
$140,000
N/A
332-400-1430-5106
(State Grant-Rents & Leases) IIR
ORIGINATED BY: Lubna Mohammad, Emergency Management Coordinator \...I'll
REVIEWED BY: Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager OJ
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager A-ii
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Master Customer Agreement with Pano Al (page A-1)
B. October 18 , 2022 staff report
C. July 19 , 2022 staff report
D. November 2, 2021 staff report
BACKGROUND
The majority of the Palos Verdes Peninsula falls within a Cal Fire-designated Very High
Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFSZ), and early detection of brush fires may prevent them
from escalating into a major wildfire that endangers lives and property. As such, the City
of Rancho Palos Verdes entered into a five-year Master Customer Agreement
(Agreement) with Pano Al on October 18, 2022 (Attachment A) to install a network of four
(4) high-mounted cameras that are monitored 24/7 to detect wildfire smoke across the
Peninsula. Currently, three of the four cameras have been installed, and Los Angeles
County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and staff at the
Peninsula cities receive text and email alerts when smoke is detected.
The Agreement requires an annual cost of $140,000 for a minimum of five years, with the
option to extend annually. The total cost of the contract is $700,000, which is currently
funded using $1.5 million in state funding secured by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi in
November 2022.
At the October 15 City Council meeting, then-Mayor Cruikshank requested a status
update on the installation of the fourth Pano Al camera.
DISCUSSION
Status of Camera Installations
In May 2023, Pano Al installed the first two cameras on existing poles located at Rancho
Palos Verdes City Hall and on a commercial building in the City of Torrance (Lomita Blvd
& Hawthorne); a third camera was installed several months later in August 2023 at
Terranea Resort. The fourth and final camera was scheduled for installation shortly
thereafter at the Cal Water Tanks in San Pedro Hills.
However, there have been delays in the installation of the fourth camera, due to ongoing
negotiations over the use of the existing pole infrastructure between SoCal Gas, Cal
Water, American Tower Corporation (ATC), and Pano Al. SoCalGas delivers a power
connection to the existing pole, which is owned by ATC and located on Cal Water's
property. Per the current leases for the pole, Pano Al must obtain consent from all parties
to effectuate an agreement to install the fourth camera.
Pano A-I Station Deployments
with Rancho Palos Verdes
Following additional discussion and requests for clarification, SoCal Gas assisted in
pushing the discussion forward in May 2024 and requested blueprints for the electrical
load required at the site. Since then, Pano Al and SoCalGas have been engaged in
approving electrical plans and finalizing a lease agreement, while Pano Al and ATC are
finalizing a separate lease agreement. All required agreements are expected to be in
place by or before early January 2025, with the fourth camera currently scheduled to be
installed in the same month.
Performance of Existing Cameras
Since May 2023, the three existing Pano Al cameras have been monitoring and detecting
smoke. In 2024 alone, Pano Al issued over 100 alerts for fire smoke, along with other
forms of smoke (i.e. emanating from nearby refineries), which Pano Al is working to
differentiate from one another. Pano Al is refining its technology to reduce alerts for these
other forms of smoke, as well as fire smoke coming from outside of the Peninsula, by
geofencing against these common sources and focusing alerts to smoke only on the
Peninsula. This effort is expected to be completed in 2025. It should be noted however
that Pano Al can differentiate between different types of substances in the air such as
pollution or fog and does not alert for them. •
One example of an alert for a fire smoke occurred August 2023 when early signs of smoke
were picked up and confirmed by the Pano Al system. An alert was sent to the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes within 6 minutes of detection, as the alert must be verified by a
human to decrease false alarms. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire without loss
of life or property or extensive damage of any kind.
Alternately, on the evening of December 10, 2024, a structure fire occurred at 3
Pomegranate Rd. in the Portuguese Bend Community Association (PBCA). Fortunately,
the fire was contained and immediately extinguished by the Los Angeles County Fire
Department. However, it was not detected by the Pano Al cameras, because it occurred
behind a hill that blocked the cameras' line of sight. It should also be noted, unless there
is visible smoke, the Pano Al cameras may not detect a structure or small fire.
Pano Al has been notified, and staff is working with representatives to determine if the
fourth camera could potentially improve the line of sight in this area. However, one
solution such as Pano Al cannot mitigate or help navigate all fire emergencies. Often,
layers of emergency preparedness are required, particularly for neighborhoods that are
difficult to reach. For example, one PBCA resident informed Staff that several neighbors
during the December 10 structure fire used General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) radios
to communicate and coordinate the opening of additional evacuation routes across
private property. GMRS radios are short-range, hand held radios that can cost under $100
and require a license from the FCC. Staff is currently working with Alert South Bay to
explore the possibility of obtaining a blanket FCC license for PBCA.
CONCLUSION:
Staff will continue to work with Pano Al to ensure the fourth camera is installed in January
2025 and to determine if it helps improve its reach within the Peninsula. Staff will also
continue, to provide feedback to Pano Al that will finetune the camera technology and its
ability to provide alerts for fire smoke specifically on the Peninsula.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council's consideration:
1. Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly
2. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
CITY CLERK
DECEMBER 16, 2024
ADDITIONS/REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Attached are revisions/additions and/or amendments to the agenda material received
through Monday afternoon for the Tuesday, December 17, 2024, City Council meeting:
Item No.
1
3
Description of Material
Email exchange between Staff and Steve Morenberg
Email from Sharon Yarber
Respectfully submitted,
~~
TereaTakaoka
L:\LATE CORRESPONDENCE\2024\2024 Coversheets\20241217 additions revisions to agenda thru Monday.docx
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Attachments:
Hi Steve,
Ara Mihranian
Monday, December 16, 2024 4:32 PM
Steve Morenberg
LDG and Movement; lasmith58@yahoo.com; CC; CityClerk
FW: Bicycle Prohibition
image007.wmz; Rick's injury.jpg
First and foremost, thank you for being there for the injured cyclist.
And thank you for bringing this incident to the City's attention especially as the Council is being asked to
consider extending the bicycle prohibition an additional 90 days.
Your email and the attached photo will be provided to the City Council as late correspondence.
Ara
From:
Ara Michael Mihranian
City Manager
aram@rpvca.gov
Phone • (310) 544-5202
Address:
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Website: ww_w .rpvca .goy_
Sent: Friday, December 13, 2024 5:38 PM
~ GETfl'ON
V' Google Play
To: Ara Mihranian <AraM@rpvca.gov>; LDG and Movement <landmovement@rpvca.gov>
Cc: lasmith58@yahoo.com
Subject: Bicycle Prohibition
Hello,
Just thought I should send you another "data point" as it relates to this topic (I know the Council is discussing this
next week).
On Friday 6-December my step-daughter noticed a gentleman sitting on the aboveground water main opposite our
front door (at 4329 PVDS) and thought I should see if he needed any help. It turns out he was riding his E-bike on
Palos Verdes Drive, going north, and hit one of the 'wrinkles' in the asphalt road. He took a tumble and hit the
curb~his handlebars were twisted and the front tire wen: flat. Luckily, one of the sewer utility workers saw this,/•
and gathered him and his bike out of the traffic and onto our road. At that point Rick, who is retired and lives in
Torrance, just wanted to rest up and call his daughter to come retrieve him and his bike.
By this time I went out to check on him. He said he was OK, just waiting for his daughter, but then started
complaining about difficulty breathing and not being able to raise his arms. He made the decision to call 911, and
EMTs were dispatched. They came quickly, checked him out and put him on a gurney and transported him to the
hospital.
He kept in touch with me and let me know that he was released the next day. In his words:
Sunday-"I am bruised quite badly but no broken bones or internal injuries. I came home late last
night."
Yesterday-"My wife snapped this picture last night to show me why I still hurt." (The photo is attached,
but (warning), a bit gruesome).
I did ask him if he saw the sign about the road being closed to bikes. He admitted he had, but didn't think it was
that bad-until he hit the bump.
I'm a former biker, but think it's still a good idea to maintain the prohibition a while longer, at least until the bumps
can be ground down or repaired. Rick could have easily broken something or gotten run over by a car and killed. I
would rather not have that on my conscience ~ .
Anyway, just wanted you to be aware of this incident so that you have as much factual information as possible.
Regards,
Steve Morenberg
Managing Director
POL YFAB USA LLC
E-mail: steve@PolyfabUSA.com
Mobile: (440) 503-9056
Fax: (310) 626-9639
Website: www.PolyfabUSA.com
[Please note that we have experienced some 'phishing' scam emails, sent to our customers, impersonating
Polyfab USA, claiming to be our accounts receivable manager and asking to discuss open invoices-we assume
to change payment methods. This is NOT US. If you have any questions, please respond to
steve@polyfabusa.com ONLY. Sorry for the inconvenience].
2
CELEBRATING
polyt~p·
XTRA~isthe
next generation
in shadecloth
~
polyfab·
USA
From: Ara Mihranian <AraM@rpvca.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 5:00 PM
To: Steve Morenberg <steve@polyfabusa.com>; LDG and Movement <landmovement@rpvca.gov>
Cc: lasmith58@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: Terranea Thanksgiving meals
Thank you for letting me know.
I have cancelled your reservation.
Happy thanksgiving.
Ara
Ara Michael Mihranian
City Manager
aram@rpvca.gov
Phone• (310) 544-5202
Address:
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Website: www .rpvca .go','
From: Steve Morenberg <steve@polyfabusa.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 4:50 PM
-
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p~ Google Play
To: Ara Mihranian <AraM@rpvca.gov>; LDG and Movement <landmovement@rpvca.gov>
Cc: lasmith58@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Terranea Thanksgiving meals
3
Hello-I wanted to thank everyone for setting this up!
Something came up-change of plans-and we won't be around to accept delivery. I wanted to let you
know so that we don't waste that great food! Hopefully you can find someone who will be around
tomorrow?
Thanks again!
Regards,
Steve Morenberg
Managing Director
POLYFAB USA LLC
E-mail: steve@PolyfabUSA.com
Mobile: (440) 503-9056
Fax: (310) 626-9639
Website: www.PolyfabUSA.com
From: Ara Mihranian <AraM@rpvca.gov>
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2024 4:33:54 PM
To: Steve Moren berg <steve@polyfabusa.com>; LDG and Movement <landmovement@rpvca.gov>
Cc: lasmith58@yahoo.com <lasmith58@yahoo.com>
Subject: RE: Terranea Thanksgiving meals
Hi Steve,
The City and Terranea are in receipt of your reservation and delighted to confirm your reservation for
three individually packaged Thanksgiving dinners.
Your Thanksgiving dinner will be delivered to your front door on Thursday, November 28
(Thanksgiving) between 1 :00 and 2:30 p.m. Someone must be home to receive the dinners being
delivered by volunteers from Rancho Palos Verdes' Council of Homeowners Associations (CHOA),
Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary, PV Association of Realtors, St. Peters by the Sea, and other
community members.
More than ever, together as a community, we celebrate the meaning of giving thanks and gratitude,
Ara
4
Ara Michael Mihranian
City Manager
aram@rpvca.gov
Phone -(310) 544-5202
Address:
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Website: www.rpvca.gov
From: Steve Morenberg <steve@polyfabusa.com>
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2024 3:58 PM
To: LDG and Movement <landmovement@rpvca.gov>
Cc: lasmith58@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Terranea Thanksgiving meals
Hello again,
I guess our address would come in handy •• ?
4329 Palos Verdes Dr S
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. 90275
Thanks!
Steve Morenberg
Managing Director
POLYFAB USA LLC
E-mail: steve@PolyfabUSA.com
Mobile: (440) 503-9056
Fax: (310) 626-9639
Website: www.PolyfabUSA.com
From: Steve Morenberg
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2024 2:55:24 PM
To: LDG and Movement <landmovement@rpvca.gov>
Cc: lasmith58@yahoo.com <1asmith58@yahoo.com>
Subject: Terranea Thanksgiving meals
Hello,
-
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Google Play
Can we please request three meals for our household? (Steve, Laura and Amanda).
5
Thanks for your support!
Regards,
Steve Morenberg
Managing Director
POLYFAB USA LLC
E-mail: steve@PolyfabUSA.com
Mobile: (440} 503-9056
Fax: (310} 626-9639
Website: www.PolyfabUSA.com
[Please note that we have experienced some 'phishing' scam emails, sent to our customers, impersonating
Polyfab USA, claiming to be our accounts receivable manager and asking to discuss open invoices-we assume
to change payment methods. This is NOT US. If you have any questions, please respond to
steve@polyfabusa.com ONLY. Sorry for the inconvenience].
APPROVED BY
MELANOMA
rtNTERNATIONAL
FOUNDATION
\,,~~~•····· polyfab
USA
CELEBRATING
6
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USA
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Dear Council Members,
sharon yarber <momofyago@gmail.com>
Saturday, December 14, 2024 12:25 PM
cc
CityClerk; Ara Mihranian
Agenda item re: Junket to Japan
A large delegation of congress members just took a junket to Luxembourg ostensibly to celebrate Battle
of the Bulge remembrances at taxpayers' expense. What a lovely way to sneak in a little free vacation.
I find it an unnecessary expense for a delegation of up to 7 people (5 council members and two staff) to
trek to Japan to see the cherry blossoms at RPV taxpayers' expense, on the basis that we're celebrating
our sister city relationship with Sakura. Do it over ZOOM and pretend COVID is still an issue. We have so
many unfounded expenses already this is an unnecessary expenditure that we simply cannot afford, and
it's just unfair as well.
If, however, you are going to send a delegation, may I suggest that you offer a paid trip to up to 5 residents
(none of which can be council or staff) whose names will be selected by a random drawing. The winners
can then be accompanied by two council members. Or you could ask for volunteers in the community.
Consider my hand raised!:)
Sincerely,
Sharon Yarber
1