4/13/1992MINUTES OF A
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA
April 13, 1992
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling
Hills was called to order by Mayor Pernell at 7:35 p.m. on Monday,
April 13, 1992 in the City Council Chambers at the City Hall/
Administration Building, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills,
California.
ROLL CALL
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ALSO PRESENT:
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Leeuwenburgh,
Murdock, Mayor Pro Tem Swanson, Mayor Pernell
None
Craig Nealis
Michael Jenkins
Lola Ungar
Lucile Rogers
City Manager
City Attorney
Principal Planner
Minutes Secretary
Councilmember Leeuwenburgh moved approval of the Consent
Calendar, Councilmember Heinsheimer seconded and the motion passed
without objection. Councilmembers Leeuwenburgh and Murdock noted
that they were abstaining from voting on the minutes of.the March
23, 1992 meeting due to their absence from that meeting.
a. Minutes - Regular Meeting of March 23, 1992.
(Approved as presented)
b. Payment of Bills - Demands Number 6313 through 6358 dated
April 13, 1992 in the amount of $55,448.02 were approved for
payment from the General Fund. City Manager Nealis later reported
that Check No. 6357 had been voided, bringing the total demands for
payment from the General Fund to $29,043.28.
C. Correspondence from West Basin Municipal Water District
requesting support for Congressional enactment of H.R. 429.
(Received and filed)
d. Budget Preparation Process.
(Received and filed)
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Rolling Hills City Council Meeting - 4/13/92
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Mayor Pernell presented a plaque to Captain Ernest Riutta,
Commander of the Coast Guard Cutter Chase stationed at Terminal
Island, with the thanks of the City Council for an enjoyable and
informative visit aboard the ship. After expressing his thanks and
inviting Councilmembers to visit again at any time, Captain Riutta
presented a plaque to the Rolling Hills City Council from the
officers and crew of the Chase.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS
A. ZONING CASE NO. 458: A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
APPROVING A REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE TO ENCROACH INTO THE FRONT
YARD SETBACK FOR A RETAINING WALL AND GRANTING SITE PLAN
REVIEW APPROVAL. RESOLUTION OF APPROVAL NO. 92-15. OWNER:
MR. RICHARD COLYEAR. ADDRESS: 0 CHESTNUT LANE (FORMERLY 18
JOHNS CANYON ROAD) (LOT 241 -A -1 -MS).
Principal Planner Ungar reported that this Resolution was
approved by the Planning Commission at their meeting of March 28,
1992. It was noted that perimeter easements which are required to
be recorded, as a condition of approval of the Site Plan Review,
have not yet been recorded. This requirement must be met before
any permits,are issued.
Resolution of Approval No. 92-15 was accepted by the City
Council without objection.
B. ZONING CASE NO. 478: A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
APPROVING A VARIANCE TO PERMIT THE EXPORTATION OF A
SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF SOIL FROM A LOT IN THE CITY AND A
REQUEST FOR SITE PLAN REVIEW TO PERMIT GRADING FOR A NEW
PARKING LOT, RETAINING WALLS AND LANDSCAPING AT THE CITY HALL
COMPLEX. RESOLUTION OF APPROVAL NO. 92-16. OWNER: CITY OF
ROLLING HILLS. ADDRESS: 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD (LOT 21-A-RH
AND A PORTION OF LOT 21-B-RH).
Principal Planner Ungar reported that Site Plan Review
approval is requested for construction of a new parking lot,
retaining walls and landscaping for the City Hall Complex in
conjunction with the remodeling of the garage building to serve as
offices for the Community Association. A Variance is needed to
permit the exportation of 1,100 cubic yards of soil from the City
Hall complex. At its meeting of March 28, 1992, the Planning
Commission approved the subject Resolution.
Rolling Hills City Council.Meeting - 4/13/92
Mayor Pro Tem Swanson requested assurance that the soil and
debris that is removed will really leave the City. Councilmember
Heinsheimer suggested that some of the material might be used to
repair existing trail damage or for other purposes. Mayor Pro Tem
Swanson recommended that asphalt and concrete debris not be used as
fill for the bridle trails, as the soil covering it can be washed
away in heavy rains and the exposed material can be dangerous to
horses.
It was agreed to refer the subject to the Community
Association for their determination of the appropriate course of
action. Resolution of Approval No. 92-16 was accepted by the City
Council without objection.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION ITEMS
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS (CONTINUED)
A. ZONING CASE NO. 461: CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL OF PLANNING
COMMISSION ACTION REAPPROVING A VARIANCE FOR THE ENCROACHMENT
OF A RETAINING WALL INTO THE SIDE YARD SETBACK, REAPPROVING A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A PREVIOUSLY
CONSTRUCTED CLAY SPORTS COURT, AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NO.
91-27.
OWNER: DR. AND MRS. MOHAN W. BHASKER.
ADDRESS: 42 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD (LOT 120-RH).
City Manager Nealis reported that this case, which was
approved by the Planning Commission, was taken under jurisdiction
by the City Council and has been continued from the March 23 City
Council meeting. A field trip was made to the site on March 16,
1992. Three letters objecting to the proposed plans have been
received from nearby property owners, primarily because of noise
concerns.
The applicant, Dr. Mohan Bhasker, stated that the proposed
sports court is less than a third the size of a tennis court and is
to be -used for private purposes by his family of three. He feels
that there will be no noise problem, especially because the court
will be 4 ft. below ground level with a 5-6 ft. shield around it.
Dr. Bhasker stated that he would comply with any recommendations
made by the City Council for landscaping to help alleviate any
noise concerns.
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Rolling Hills City Council Meeting - 4/13/92
Councilmember Murdock suggested that a sound study be made to
determine the decibel level of court use. She stressed that the
potential effect of usage of the property by other future owners
must be considered, in deference to the concerns expressed by the
neighbors.
Mr. Doug McHattie, South Bay Engineering, said that his
company has a decibel reader and can easily perform a sound study.
Such studies have been done in the past and have shown that the
game of tennis does not make an appreciable sound in that setting.
Councilmember Murdock mentioned that there were other concerns
regarding the location of the court --its proximity to the house,
the canyon, easements, and other homes. A plan of the present and
proposed configuration was studied and discussed by Councilmembers
and Mr. McHattie.
It was agreed that the sound study would be performed at 8:00
a.m. on Saturday, April 18, beginning at the Bhasker residence at
42 Portuguese Bend Road. The City Council will attend and the
concerned neighbors will be notified so they may participate if
they so choose.
Dr. Bhasker asked if there were other concerns so he could be
working on them, and Mayor Pernell replied that all necessary
information had been provided other than the sound study.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CONSIDERATION OF NUISANCE ABATEMENT AT 54 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD
(LOT 8 -FT). OWNER: MR. & MRS. KENNETH THOMAS.
RESOLUTION NO. 675: A Resolution of the City Council of the
City of Rolling Hills declaring a substandard structure,
stored vehicles and a dumpster located on property at 54
Portuguese Bend Road (Lot 8 -FT) a Public Nuisance pursuant to
Chapter 8.24 and 8.28 of the Rolling Hills Municipal Code and
ordering the abatement thereof.
City Manager Nealis reported that his inspection of the
property on this date revealed that the unsafe garage structure and
dumpster have been removed; however, several vehicles remain on the
property.
Mr. Wardie Clarke, Rehabilitation Inspector from the Building
and Safety Division of the Los Angeles County Department of Public
Works, testified that his office began their investigation of this
matter on June 26, 1991. Notices sent to the property owner were
not complied with. His latest inspection of the property on this
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Rolling Hills City Council Meeting e 5/11/92
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In reply to Mayor Swanson's question regarding the backgrounds
of the two contractors, Mr. Hilliard stated he is licensed as a
general contractor as well as holding landscape and electrical
contracting licenses. He has been self-employed since 1979 and has
an M.H.A. Mr. Bennett said,he has a R.S. in landscape architecture
from Cal Poly Pomona and has been in business since 1983.
Councilmember Pernell moved approval of the staff
recommendation to grant the contract to Peninsula Landscaping
Services. Mayor Swanson added that Staff is to provide to the
Council quarterly reports on the performance of the contractor.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Murdock and passed on a
4-1 roll call vote, with Mayor Swanson dissenting.
NEW BUSINESS
A. RESOLUTION NO. 676: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING H%LLSn CALIFORNIA APPOINTING AN ALTERNATE
DIRECTOR TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COUNTY SANITATION
DISTRICT.
Councilmember Heinsheimer moved approval of the staff
recommendation to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Murdock as Alternate
Director to the Los Angeles County Sanitation District's Board of
Directors in place of Mayor Swanson. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Pernell and passed without objection.
B. PROPOSED FLOOR PLAN FOR ADMINISTRATION FACILITY.
City Manager Nealis requested approval by the City Council of
the modified building plan, noting that the plans represent the
minimum modifications to the building to make it work effectively.
Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh expressed concerns regarding the
absence of outside entry to the City Council chambers from the
parking area. Councilmembers Pernell and Heinsheimer said they
have been working on the plans with Staff and details of the
internal configuration can be decided later but a decision on the
outside walls needs to be made now before the hardscape is
finalized. The question of fire safety was raised and County Fire
Department Captain Jay Corbett said he did not think there would be
a problem but would be glad to review the detailed plans later.
Mayor Pro Tem Murdock moved that Staff be directed to proceed
with the proposed floor plan as presented, with the understanding
I� that the Fire Chief will look at the safety issues. The motion was
seconded by Councilmember Heinsheimer and passed without objection.
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Rolling Hills City Council Meeting e 5/11/92
C. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
It was agreed to hold this matter over to the City Council
meeting of May 26, 1992.
MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL,,
None.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
City Manager Nealis reported that the Palos Verdes association
of Realtors had earlier requested City participation in the funding
of a map of Palos Verdes. The Rolling Hills association of
Realtors has now joined with the Palos Verdes association of
Realtors to again request the funding of $234, which would allow
the City to buy maps at $.45. The other Peninsula cities have
agreed to the funding request. after a short discussion City
Councilmembers again agreed not to participate in this venture.
City Manager Nealis reported that landscaping plans are being
finalized and it is hoped that the request for bid will be
completed next week and the documents ready for presentation to the
Council at their next meeting.
MATTERS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY
None.
CLOSED SESSION
There was no need for a closed session.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. to Tuesday, May 26,
1992 at 6:45 p.m. at 1 Morgan Lane, and thereafter to City Hall at
7:30 p.m.
APPROVED:
J Mayor
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