Wildlife Preservation Committee Agenda 03-18-96ei`LJ oil
Rolling ri/'f6 INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957
NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD
ROLLING HILLS, CALIF. 90274
(310) 377.1521
FAX: (310) 377-7288
ROLLING HILLS WILDLIFE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
AGENDA
March 18, 1996
6:00 P.M.
City Administration Building
No. 2 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
1. MINUTES
1.1 Meeting of January 30, 1996 Gales
1.2 Meeting of February 27, 1996 Staff
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MINUTES AND ANY ITEM NOT ON THE
AGENDA
3. OLD BUSINESS
3.1 Guzzler Report Gales
3.2 Wildlife Release, Sightings, and Activities Team
13 Status of Video Manuscript (Storyboard) Crane
3.4 Publicity on WPC Projects Crane
4. NEW BUSINESS
4.1 Brochure on Relandscaping DeRoy
4.2 Strategic Planning for WPC Future Projects / Goals Team
4.2 Annual Nature Fair (1997) Team/DeRoy
4.3 Possible Wildlife Committee Event w/Caballeros in May Team/DeRoy
5. SPECIAL PRESENTATION - 7:00 PM •
5.1 "What is Happening To Our Bird Population?" - Mitch Heindel
6. ADJOURNMENT
Wildlife Preservation Committee Agenda
March 18, 1996
Printed on Recycled Paper.
niNUIES OF ROLLING HILLS WILDLIFE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Feb. 27, 1996 Recorder: Donald Sales
Presents Roger Sommer presiding, Ralph Black, Loren DeRoy, Don Gales,
Steve Shultz.
Staffs Craig Nealis who introduced his new intern, Craig Mooneyham, a
USC graduate in the MA program; from Atwater CA. He lives near USC.
Absents Brent Barnes, Pam Crane, Margaret Higgins, Arvel Witte.
Meeting called to order 6:30 p.m.
1.1 Minutes of January meeting approved.
1.2 Minutes of Special Meeting of Jan. 30 delayed.
2.1 PUBLIC COMMENTS; none.
OLD BUSINESS Agenda Items:
3.1 Don found the Hix Ring Guzzler water turned off. Vink said pipes
had broken due to recent rains and land movement. The City is going to
completely redo the grading and fencing of the ring. H■ will advise
workers about buried pipes. Reopening is likely in May.
3.2. Sightings; No sightings from the public. Loren saw a large
squirrel on Crest near the big white barn. Steve has four red -tail
hawks, two crows, quail and a peregrine falcon.
Craig found a City map from 1990 with canyon open space (vegetation)
depicted. Copies were dictributed for future reference.
3.3 No report on the Video. ACTION: Pam will report at next meeting.
3.4 No report on publicity with Pam absent. ACTION: Craig will
publicize the next WPC meeting's guest speaker on birds, Mitch Heindel.
Loren presented a pamphlet on Remediation for the March agenda.
ACTION; Craig will publicize Earth Day, April 20, in the Newsletter
as date approaches.
NEW BUSINESS:
4.1 Strategic Plan Action Reports held over in Arvel's absence.
4.2 Annual Nature Fair discussed. With so many events in the spring, it
was decided to hold off until 1997, but keep it on a future agenda.
4.3 The Wildlife Sighting Map by WPC Wes discussed and shown to Mr.
Mooneyham who will place pins for future sighting reports.
4.4 The proposed WPC -Caballeros joint event for May was discussed. It
was agreed th■t WPC should initiate action by a letter, probably having
a Nature Walk, a bird release and perhaps a barbecue at the Ring on cr
about May 12. ACTION: Next agenda, and Loren will present a letter to
Caballeros and report their response.
3. Meeting adjourned 730 pm. Next meeting 6 pm March 18 at City Hall
followed at 7 pm by the guest speaker.
TOOL
CU,VA •4 fO •m'rt
rrnr •..r r... .. _.
MINUTES OF A
SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS WILDLIFE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
JANUARY 30, 1996
CALL TO ORDER
A special meeting of the City of Rolling Hills Wildlife Preservation Committee was
called to order by Chair Sommer at 6:07 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, at City
Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California.
ROLL CALL
Committee Members Present: Barnes, Black, Crane, DeRoy, Gales, Witte
and Chair Sommer.
Committee Members Absent: Higgins and Shultz (excused).
Others Present:
NEW BUSINESS
Craig R. Nealis, City Manager.
Kevin Ennis, Assistant City Attorney.
Lola Ungar, Principal Planner.
Marilyn L. Kern, Deputy City Clerk.
CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES FOR ZONING
CASE NO. 453, SUBDIVISION NO. 86 AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO.
21444
Request for a proposed 3 -lot subdivision of land at Lots 89 -A -RI -I, 89-C-RH,
and 92 -RI -I, and currently, 25 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, CA, an
existing lot that has one residential unit, to be implemented by Mrs. Dotha S.
Welbourn. Lots 89-A-RH, 89 -C -RI -I, and 92-R-1, consist of 13.7 acres gross to be
divided into three parcels as follows: Parcel 1 - 8.40 acres gross, 6.53 acres net;
Parcel 2 - 3.02 acres gross, 2.39 acres net; and Parcel 3 - 2.8 acres gross, 2.12 acres
net.
City Manager Nealis introduced Mrs. Dotha Welbourn and her representatives
Doug McHattie, South Bay Engineering; Stanley Lamport, Cox, Castle and
Nicholson; John Anderson, John Anderson and Associates and Callyn D. Yorke,
Ph.D. He also introduced Assistant City Attorney Ennis, Principal Planner Lola
Ungar and Deputy City Clerk Marilyn Kern.
Minutes
Wildlife Preservation Committee Meeting
01/30/96
-1-
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report outlining the background relative to
the Planning Commission's request that the Wildlife Preservation Committee
review the mitigation measures suggested by the applicant's biologist, Dr. Callyn D.
Yorke. City Manager Nealis outlined the applicant's request and the Planning
Commission's action relative to this zoning case. City Manager Nealis stated that
the staff report presented to the Committee indicates the removal of 0.28 acres of
natural habitat and the replacement of up to 1.1 acres. He reported that the
mitigation measures that have been proposed by the applicant are designed to
minimize the adverse impact on the natural habitat.
Principal Planner Ungar explained the conditions outlined in Section 81 of the draft
Planning Commission Resolution related to the preservation of natural habitat and
Section 82 which sets forth conditions regarding Site Plan Review approval for
Parcel 1 related to the revegetation of at least 1.1 acres of natural habitat.
• Mr. Doug McHattie, South Bay Engineering, the applicant's consulting engineer,
provided the Committee with an overview of the proposed project and pointed
out on the plans the elevations at various points, the area previously disturbed
for soils and geology studies and the areas affected by the proposed mitigation
measures.
The Committee discussed the proposed mitigation measures outlined in Section 81.
In response to the Committee's questions, staff provided an explanation to the
Committee regarding the Fire Department weed clearance requirements, the City's
ability to accept and evaluate an applicant's expert's report or hire a consultant of its
own for this review, and the condition that the applicant shall have a biologist or
native plant specialist present on the site during grading and brush removal
associated with the implementation of development.
Discussion ensued regarding the requirements for Site Plan Review approval for
Parcel 1. Committee Member Don Gales noted that in Section 82(c) regarding
revegetation that a reference to California sage should read California sage brush.
• Dr. Callyn D. Yorke, the applicant's consulting biologist presented highlights
of his report entitled "Summary of Biological Resources Report on 25 Portuguese
Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California" dated January 1996. Dr. Yorke discussed the
types, size and spacing of planting material. Committee Member Gales suggested
that the applicant consider planting smaller size plants and allowing them grow
since those in larger containers may tend to become root bound. Dr. Yorke also
discussed the irrigation of the proposed plantings. Mr. Lamport stated that there is a
condition that requires that the applicant cause the plants to become established.
• Mr. Stanley Lamport, attorney for the applicant, presented an aerial photograph
with overlays depicting the proposed subdivision. He pointed out the various
Minutes
Wildlife Preservation Committee Meeting
01/30/96
-2-
locations where native vegetation will be lost as the result of grading and the
Fire Department weed clearance requirements. He stated that they took into
consideration the "worst case" removal of vegetation. He also stated that the
Planning Commission requested that they examine to what extent this property
is a wildlife habitat and presented an overview of the report submitted by the
applicant's consulting biologist. He also stated the applicant's willingness to
maintain natural habitat on her property.
Committee Members discussed the presence of red fox on the property. Mr.
Lamport stated that Dr. Yorke's report indicates that fox and feral cats act as an
unchecked predator on the property. He also stated that they are not dependent on
the native vegetation on this property. Further discussion ensued regarding the
types of natural vegetation and wildlife that exist on the property.
In response to Committee Member Black, it was explained that there would be a link
between the vegetation on the three parcels. Discussion ensued regarding the
amount of time that it will take for the revegetation to become established. Mr.
Lamport stated that the applicant has accepted a condition which would ensure that
the revegetation would become established.
In response to Commissioner Witte, Mr. McHattie explained that it is the general
practice of a grading contractor to construct a fence along the top of a slope to
prevent soil from spilling over the side and onto the surrounding vegetation.
Committee Member DeRoy expressed concern that Dr. Yorke classified this property
as an island. She stated that she feels that wildlife in Rolling Hills is subject to street
boundaries, however, wildlife crosses streets and flying wildlife naturally enters the
property. Dr. Yorke explained that this property is a transient habitat and does not
sustain mulitgenerational populations. Dr. Yorke further explained that he based
using the term island in his report on the island concept in ecology.
Assistant City Attorney Ennis reported on various amendments to Section 82 that
he would suggest and stated that he would be reviewing these suggested
amendments with Mr. Lamport.
Assistant City Attorney Ennis reviewed the revisions suggested relative to requiring
the restrictions only to those areas which would involve natural habitat loss,
creation of a sliding scale method of revegetation and adjusting the size of planting
material. Assistant City Attorney Ennis stated that he would review the minor
modifications to the draft Planning Commission Resolution with the applicant's
legal counsel.
Committee Member Black moved that the Wildlife Preservation Committee
recommend that the Planning Commission accept the mitigation measures as
Minutes
Wildlife Preservation Committee Meeting
01/30/96
-3-
amended. Committee Member Witte seconded the motion which carried
unanimously.
AD!OURNMENT
Hearing no further business before the Wildlife Preservation Committee, Chair
Sommer adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting
of the Wildlife Preservation Committee to be held on Monday, February 12, 1996.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn L. Kern
Deputy City Clerk
Minutes
Wildlife Preservation Committee Meeting
01/30/96
-4-
City o/ Rof/Mg
INCORPORATiD JANUARY 24, 1957
NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAO
ROLLING HILLS. CALIF. 9027♦
(310)777.1521
FA7t: (3101377.7288
WILDLIFE SIGHTING REPORT
Date: Z-26.-4 (p Reported By: co- cMAki ALA
(not requi red)
Time: Phone No.
(not Tow red)
Location: g GE0C4AUP AtaaL. M0.t,Oetc
Type and Number of Birds/Animals: Apra* 2 otuAr
Length/Size:
Color:
Markings:
What was it doing?
Have these been seen at this location before?
When?
Have these been seen in other locations before?
Na
When?
(Rev. 970S1H
w
MINUTES OF ROLLING HILLS WILDLIFE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Mar. 10, 1996 Recorder: Donald Gales
Present: Roger Sommer presiding, Ralph Black, Pam Crane, Don Gales,
Steve Shultz, Arvel Witte. Staff: Craig Mooneyhae.
Absent: Brent Barnes, Loren DeRoy, Margaret Higgins.
Meeting called to order 6:13 p.m.
1.1 Minutes of special meeting of Jan. 30 (about mitigation measures on
the Wellbourn property development) was approved except on page 2, (1)
paragraph 4, line 6 on page 2. add after "presentments well as a WPC
member on eite...etC. (21 end of per. 41 Gales offered the name of a
local expert biologist who could be hired to be present during grading:
A74Wrika Busi-Brinkmann (319 B164), and t3) words missing at end of p.2.
1.2 Minutes of February meeting aproved.
2.1 PUBLIC COMMENTS: Fred Ripley of 91 E. Crest Rd. sought solutions to
his peafowl problem. Hs recently counted 79 peafowl on his 1.2 acres
damaging his property. He has permission from the sheriff to shoot
blank shells after notifying his neighbors. WPC suggested trapping,
'74aving a dog on property, offering them to a zoo, and asking Steve
Shultz or our guest speaker tonight of any ideas.
OLD BUSINESS Agenda Items:
3.1 Don found the Him Ring Guzzler being used from rainwater in it
since the water is turned off for maJor work at the ring. It was
suggested Dan be present during grading operations there.
3.2. Sightings: One sighting from the public (attached). Arvel saw a
Squirrel on Crest near Bisignano's, and a report of possibly a coyote
on Eastfield near Chuckwagon. Don sees a Coopers hawk at home.
8.3 Pam reported no progress an the video. ACTION: Don volunteered
=gain to help editing. ACTION: Pam will get material to Don and maybe
rr can set up • meeting with Cox Cable (10 am to 8 pm).
3.4 No report on publicity except Loren put posters at the three gates
about tonight's special public meeting.
NEW BUSINESS: was sent to all
4.1 Loran's proposed WPC brochure on Relandscaping
members for review. It was discussed and praised. Some additions and
changes were suggested. ACTION: Loren to revise and resubmit.
4.2 Strategic Plan. Arvel requested this be tabled until April meeting.
4.3 Annual Nature Fair for 1997. Table the subject until January.
4.4 The proposed WPC -Caballeros Joint event for May was discussed. Don
reported that Loran found them receptive to the idea. The Joint affair
date was approved by WPC for Sat., May 11 at 9 am when WPC could work
nn their area and Caballeros would work at the Ring as needed, then
followed by a bird release by Steve, then lunch, all subject to
Caballeros' approval. ACTION: Loren will coordinate with Caballeros and
report their response.
Ralph reported the picnic area in need of weed removal which should be
done by Roger Vink's crew.
ACTION far WPC, It was agreed to have • workday Sat., April 6,8:30 am.
5.1 SPECIAL PRESENTATION Local bird expert from the Audubon Society
addressed a full Council Room of RH residents on the subject often
asked, "Where have all the birds gone?" Summary attached.
6. Meeting adJourned 0:30. Next WPC meeting 6 pm
April 15 at City Hall.
WHERE HAVE ALL THE BIRDS GONE:
Talk by Mitch Heindel of the Palos Verdes Audubon Society
to Rolling Hills Wildlife Preservation Committee, March 18, 1996
PVP is a unique place, 50-70,000 years ago it was an island. Some
animal and plant species we have are more closely related to those
on the Channel Islands than on the mainland.
Some native animals here have been extirpated by non -natives. The
Horned Lizard has been done in by the Argentine ants, the house
pest. (5.e "Last Animals •t the Zoo" by Tudge.) When native coyotes
were exterminated here some 30 years ago, non-native red foxes
increased. Now all the roadrunners and most quail are gone. Ground -
nesting birds are vulnerable to animal predators, and many tree -
nesting birds are vulnerable to craws, ravens and some other bird
species.
On the 1'2 acres o4 coastal HMDI property north of Pt. Vicente,
he used to see hundreds o4 birds o4 many species, many migrants.
Mitch recently went there and saw no migrants, Just two birds and
100 feral cats.
If one cat eats one bird a day, that is 365 birds gone yearly;
with 100 cats, that is 36,500 birds a year!! He cited other bird
species that have disappeared or are almost gone from the annual
Audubon Christmas Bird Counts all over the Peninsula.
At Royal Palms there are no Rock Wrens now, but 28 cats. 14 the
population of a bird becomes less then 50, in two years it is gone.
Causes of losses are:
1. Habitat loss, usually man made, and the fragmentation of habitat
(breaking o4 habitat continuity);
2. Hunting of birds;
'.. Humans and their pollution, from fertilizers to automobile
pollution;
4. Introduction of alien animal species. Cats are the worst
problem. A Wisconsin study tracked movements of cats by radio
collars. Their food was 40Z birds, 607. mammals. Bells on cats
don't work during stalking; birds may even be drawn to the
sounds by curiosity. Well-fed cats are better bird -hunters than
hungry cats. He has a photo of a plateful of cat food and behind
it a cat stalking a bird. It is their nature to stalk birds.
Dr. Diamond of UCLA declared when cats come, extinction begins.
The answer is, Mitch declared, :: to control the movement of cats.
Some solutions he suggested are:
1. We need cash bounties on certain non-native birds (e.g., crows
and ravens) and animals;
2. Eliminate free -roaming cats)
3. Make cat owners responsible for their cats;
4. Collect feral cats. Cat colonies exist with spayed and neutered
animals, but strangers add fertile cats, spoiling the plan.
5. Licence cats and require their sterilization.
In closing he quoted from Albert Schweitzer, "Animals and plants
are our brothers and sisters. We are obliged to take care of thee."
Don Gales, recorder