CL_MIN_240513_CC_FMINUTES – CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, May 13, 2024
Page 1
Minutes
Rolling Hills City Council
Mon day, May 13, 2024
Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of the City of Rolling Hills met in person on the above date at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Mirsch
presiding.
2. ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pro Tem Pieper, Mayor Mirsch
Councilmembers Absent: None
Staff Present: Karina Bañales, City Manager
Christian Horvath, City Clerk / Executive Assistant to the City Manager
John Signo, Planning & Community Services Director
Robert Samario, Finance Operations Lead Consultant
Pat Donegan, City Attorney
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Councilmember Black
4. PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Manager Bañales introduced the new Administrative Assistant Serna Lopez. Mayor Mirsch invited Ms.
Lopez to speak. Ms. Lopez thanked the City Manager and City Council for the opportunity to officially join
the organization.
5. APPROVE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
Mayor Mirsch requested that all New Business Items be moved before Commission Items. Without objection,
so ordered.
6. BLUE FOLDER ITEMS (SUPPLEMENTAL)
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Pieper, seconded by Councilmember Black to receive and file Blue Folder Item
13A. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Pieper, Mayor Mirsch
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
7. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comment: Kathleen Hughes
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
8.A. APPROVE AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING FOR THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF MAY
13, 2024
MINUTES – CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, May 13, 2024
Page 2
8.B. APPROVE MOTION TO READ BY TITLE ONLY AND WAIVE FURTHER READING OF ALL
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS LISTED ON THE AGENDA
8.C. APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: APRIL 22, 2024 REGULAR MEETING
8.D. PULLED BY COUNCILMEMBER WILSON
8.E. PULLED BY MAYOR MIRSCH
8.F. ADOPT RESOLUTIONS NOS. 1362 AND 1363 PERTAINING TO A GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION CONSOLIDATED WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Pieper, seconded by Mayor Mirsch to approve Consent Calendar except Items
8D and 8E. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Pieper, Mayor Mirsch
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
9. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
8.D. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Pieper, seconded by Councilmember Wilson to approve as presented. Motion
carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Pieper, Mayor Mirsch
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
8.E. REPUBLIC SERVICES RECYCLING TONNAGE AND COMPLAINT REPORTS FOR MARCH 2024
Mayor Mirsch requested staff discuss the required diversion rate not being met for multiple months with
Republic Services.
Motion by Mayor Mirsch, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Pieper to receive and file. Motion carried unanimously
with the following vote:
AYES: Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Pieper, Mayor Mirsch
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Mirsch moved to New Business.
13. NEW BUSINESS
13.A. FISCAL YEAR 2024/25 PROPOSED BUDGET - REPORT ON FINANCE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS
Presentation by Finance Operations Lead Consultant Robert Samario
MINUTES – CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, May 13, 2024
Page 3
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Pieper, seconded by Councilmember Wilson to approve Finance/Budget/Audit
Committee and staff recommendations as presented. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Wilson, Black , Pieper, Mayor Mirsch
NOES: Dieringer
ABSENT: None
13.B. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO PROCEED WITH IRS CODE SECTION 170(C)(1)
FOR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS USED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES
Presentation by City Clerk / Executive Assistant to the City Manager Christian Horvath
Public Comment: Jim Aichele
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Pieper, seconded by Councilmember Dieringer to receive and file and directing
staff to return with a formal policy for accepting gifts and donations for public purposes based on Council
comments and direction. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Wilson, Black , Dieringer, Pieper, Mayor Mirsch
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Mirsch moved to Item 10B
10. COMMISSION ITEMS
10.B. ZONING CASE NO. 23-056: SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR GRADING AND VARIANCE TO RETAIN
GRADING IMPORT FOR A PROPERTY LOCATED AT 29 MIDDLERIDGE LANE SOUTH, AND
FINDING THE PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (LOT 239-A-6-MS) (JOHNSON)
Presentation by Planning & Community Services Director John Signo
Public Comment: Ken Johnson
Motion by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Wilson to receive and file. Motion carried
unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Pieper, Mayor Mirsch
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Mirsch recused herself from Item 10A due to her residence being within proximity of the Zoning Case
subject and left the dais at 8:40 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Pieper assumed the presiding officer duties.
10.A. ZONING CASE NO. 23-150: SITE PLAN REVIEW TO CONSTRUCT ADDITIONS TO AN EXISTING
RESIDENCE AND STABLE GREATER THAN 999 SQUARE FEET, NEW BASEMENT,
SWIMMING POOL, OUTDOOR KITCHEN, RETAINING WALLS, COVERED DECKS/PORCHES,
GRADING, HARDSCAPE, LANDSCAPE, AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS; AND VARIANCES
FOR CONSTRUCTION IN T HE FRONT AND REAR YARD SETBACKS FOR A PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 2 POSSUM RIDGE ROAD, AND FINDING THE PROJECT CATEGORICALLY
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (LOT 123-RH)
(WHITCOMBE)
MINUTES – CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, May 13, 2024
Page 4
Presentation by Planning & Community Services Director John Signo
Public Comment: Jim Aichele
Motion by Councilmember Black, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Pieper to receive and file. Motion carried with
the following vote:
AYES: Wilson, Black , Dieringer, Mayor Pro Tem Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Mirsch
Mayor Mirsch returned to the dais at 9:19 p.m.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS – NONE
12. OLD BUSINESS – NONE
14. MATTERS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
14.A. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE BI-PARTISAN HOMELESSNESS,
DRUG ADDICTION, AND THEFT REDUCTION ACT (INITIATIVE 23 -0017A1) FOR TARGETED
REFORMS TO PROPOSITION 47 (COUNCILMEMBER DIERINGER)
Presentation by City Manager Karina Bañales
Councilmember Dieringer
Motion by Councilmember Black, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Pieper to support the initiative and direct staff
to return with the draft resolution as amended by Mayor Mirsch for adoption. Motion carried unanimously
with the following vote:
AYES: Wilson, Black , Dieringer, Pieper, Mayor Mirsch
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
15. MATTERS FROM STAFF
15.A. CONSIDERATION OF SUPPORTING RETAIL THEFT LEGISLATION IN THE CALIFORNIA
LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD STRENGTHEN PUBLIC SAFETY
Presentation by City Clerk / Executive Assistant to the City Manager Christian Horvath
Councilmember Dieringer introduced a revised Letter of Support for AB 2943.
Motion by Councilmember Black, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Pieper to receive and file Councilmember
Dieringer’s submission. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Wilson, Black , Dieringer, Pieper, Mayor Mirsch
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Public Comment: Jim Aichele
MINUTES – CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, May 13, 2024
Page 5
Motion by Councilmember Dieringer, seconded by Councilmember Black to send Letters of Support for all
pending legislation presented except AB 1772, AB 1779 and AB 1794; and to accept Councilmember
Dieringer’s amendments to the letter supporting AB 2943. Motion carried unanimously with the following
vote:
AYES: Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Pieper, Mayor Mirsch
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
16. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION – 9:38 P.M.
16.A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL: THREATENED LITIGATION GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 54956.9(D)(2) AND (E)(3) THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS, BASED ON ADVICE FROM
LEGAL COUNSEL, THAT DISCUSSION IN OPEN SESSION WILL PREJUDICE THE POSITION
OF THE CITY IN THE LITIGATION NUMBER OF POTENTIAL CASES: 1(GOVERNMENT CLAIMS
ACT FORM SUBMITTED BY MR. DONALD SCHMID AGAINST THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
ALLEGING DAMAGE TO PROPERTY IN RANCHOS PALOS VERDES)
17. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION – 10:50 P.M.
18. ADJOURNMENT: 10:50 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 p.m. on May 13, 2024. The next regular adjourned meeting of the City
Council is scheduled to be held on Mon day, June 10, 202 4 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council
Chamber at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California. It will also be available via City’s
website link at: https://www.rolling-hills.org/government/agenda/index.php
All written comments submitted are included in the record and available for public review on the City website.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________________
Christian Horvath, City Clerk
Approved,
____________________________________
Leah Mirsch, Mayor