4/9/2001MINUTES OF
A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA
APRIL 9, 2001
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order by Mayor
Pernell at 7:31 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road,
Rolling Hills, California.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Heinsheimer, Hill, Lay, Mayor Pro Tem Murdock and
Mayor Pernell.
Councilmembers Absent: None.
Others Present: Craig Nealis, City Manager.
Yolanta Schwartz, Principal Planner.
Marilyn Kern, Deputy City Clerk.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Matters which may be acted upon by the City Council in a single motion. Any
Councilmember may request removal of any item from the Consent Calendar causing
it to be considered under Council Actions.
a. Minutes -Meeting of March 26, 2001.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
b. Payment of Bills.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
C. Correspondence from BFI regarding dates for the Annual Spring Cleanup.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
d. Consideration of correspondence from Southern California Gas Company
regarding notice to customers of proposed increase in rates for earthquake valve
installation and inspection.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Councilmember Heinsheimer moved that the City Council approve the recommendations in
the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Lay seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS
None.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION ITEMS
CONSIDERATION OF A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION
RELATIVE TO THE PALOS VERDES ART CENTER AND THE AMERICAN SOCIETY
OF INTERIOR DESIGN (ASID), LOS ANGELES CHAPTER AFFAIRS
EXTRAORDINAIRE HOME TOUR ON JULY 13,14 AND 15, 2001.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing information regarding the Traffic
Commission's recommendations relative to the proposed homes tour. Hearing no discussion,
Mayor Pernell called for a motion.
Councilmember Heinsheimer moved that the City Council approve the request from the
Palos Verdes Art Center and the American Society of Interior Design, Los Angeles Chapter, to
conduct a homes tour on July 13, 14, and 15, 2001 as recommended by the Traffic Commission.
Councilmember Lay seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION OF A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION
RELATIVE TO THE PALOS VERDES ART CENTER AND PVP ROTARY CLUB CAR
RALLY TO 7 JOHNS CANYON ROAD ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2001.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing information regarding the Traffic
Commission's recommendations relative to the proposed car rally. Mayor Pernell
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commented on the Community Association review of this proposal. Hearing no further
discussion, Mayor Pernell called for a motion.
Councilmember Lay moved that the City Council approve the request from the Palos Verdes
Art Center and the PVP Rotary Club to conduct a Car Rally on September 2, 2001 as
recommended by the Traffic Commission. Councilmember Hill seconded the motion which
carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 900: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS WHICH ESTABLISHES PROCEDURES,
STANDARDS AND FEES FOR PROCESSING RETROACTIVE PERMITS.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing background regarding Resolution
No. 900 and the amendments made by the City Attorney as requested by the City Council at
the meeting of March 26, 2001. Hearing no discussion, Mayor Pernell called for a motion.
Councilmember Heinsheimer moved that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 900. Mayor
Pro Tem Murdock seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
UNDERGROUND UTILITY AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE.
Underground Utility Ad Hoc Subcommittee Member/Councilmember Tom Heinsheimer
presented the recommendations of the Underground Utility Ad Hoc Subcommittee regarding
the length of time for the acceptance of petitions, the number of verified signatures that would
be required to move forward with the project and an extended agreement with the consultant
during the petition phase of the project. Councilmember Heinsheimer reported that the Ad
Hoc Subcommittee will make a presentation regarding underground utilities at an upcoming
Women's Club Neighborhood Meeting. He also reported that the frequently asked questions
will soon be posted on the City's Webpage.
Mayor Pernell commented on the FY 2000/01 budget allocation of $30,000 for the
Underground Utility Feasibility Study and the $10,000 that were expended for the feasibility
report. Councilmember Heinsheimer indicated that the City's share of the proposed
agreement before the City Council this evening would be $7,500 with the understanding that
the Community Association would allocate an equal amount.
Councilmember Hill stated that he cannot support the. recommendations of the Ad Hoc
Subcommittee. He said that he is not opposed to the objectives of the Underground Utility Ad
Hoc Subcommittee and that he respects the time and effort that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee has
spent on this subject. He expressed concern for the timing of the project since the electrical
industry is in such a state of flux. In response to Councilmember Hill, Councilmember
Heinsheimer stated that he agrees that that the timing is not the best and for this reason the
Ad Hoc Subcommittee extended the time to accept petitions until February, 2002. He said that
since the Ad Hoc Subcommittee has generated a certain amount of interest in the subject that
the Ad Hoc Subcommittee owes it to the community to continue providing information
regarding underground utilities and answering questions that residents may have regarding
underground utilities. Councilmember Heinsheimer indicated that if the situation with the
electrical companies worsen that the City would not embark on a project of this nature and
that he feels that this is a wise use of a small amount money given the interest in this project in
the community.
Councilmember Hill explained that new technology is available that turns natural gas into
electricity. He indicated that this source also generates heat which will heat a home or a
swimming pool. He expressed that there are many other alternative energy sources that are
less expensive than the costs for the undergrounding of utility lines.
Mayor Pernell queried whether the Ad Hoc Subcommittee should have the consultant look at
the alternative sources of energy that Councilmember Hill has suggested. In response,
Councilmember Heinsheimer stated that Councilmember Hill's position is very constructive
and that other technologies could be reviewed.
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Councilmember Lay commented on the costs for electricity and stated that he feels that in
time, alternative energy sources may be useful and perhaps appropriate. He said that he feels
that in time more electricity generators will come on line and solve brown -out problems in
California. He commented that he is uncertain if natural gas sources will be as readily
available in the future. Councilmember Lay indicated that he feels that there is not a rush to
look at this project. He commented on the proposed consultant agreement recommended by
the Ad Hoc Subcommittee and indicated that it is his understanding that Exhibit "B" will be
amended to reflect that the basic services will only be provided on an hourly basis upon
formal request by the City Manager. He said that he feels that the City may not spend the
entire amount of this recommendation under this agreement.
Councilmember Lay commented that if alternative energy sources are used in the City that
enabling ordinances may need to be discussed.
Councilmember Heinsheimer stated that it is his understanding that the charter of the
Underground Utility Ad Hoc Subcommittee was to look at the feasibility of undergrounding
utilities including electricity, telephone, cable TV and fax services in the community. He
queried whether the Council wishes to expand that charter to review other alternative energy
sources and stated that the expansion of the purview of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee would
ultimately cost more money.
Councilmember Hill stated that he feels that the costs for an underground utility system in the
City are high and indicated that he would like for the City to explore the other technologies
that may be available that are less costly. He reported that tract homes are being constructed
in San Diego County with photovoltaic energy systems installed. He commented on a Daily
Breeze article entitled "A California tradition continues, build now and pay later".
Councilmember Hill commented on his attendance at a recent energy Summit in the South
Bay. He reported that although this Summit was not very fruitful, that Mr. Eugene Leong,
Executive Director of Association of Bay area Governments, advised those in attendance at the
meeting that cities should do nothing until the energy crisis is worked out.
Mayor Pernell commented on whether the City Council wishes for the Ad Hoc Subcommitee
gather additional information regarding alternative energy sources or whether the
recommendations proposed by the Ad Hoc Subcommittee are satisfactory.
Councilmember Lay moved that the City Council approved the recommendations of the
Underground Utility Ad Hoc Subcommittee that petitions be accepted for the potential
formation of a utility undergrounding assessment district through February 1, 2002 and that
verified petitions shall be required by at least 60% of the Rolling Hills property owners
representing more that 50% of the land area in order to proceed with this process and that the
City Council approve the agreement with MuniFinancial for additional consultant services as
amended in Exhibit "B" which shall specify that the basic services shall only be provided to the
City of Rolling Hills upon formal request by the City Manager. Mayor Pro Tem Murdock
seconded the motion which carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmember Heinsheimer, Lay, Mayor Pro Tem Murdock and Mayor
Pernell.
NOES: Councilmember Hill.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
OPEN AGENDA - APPROXIMATELY 8:00 P.M. - PUBLIC COMMENT WELCOME
Mr. Jay Derman, 88 Saddleback Road, stated that he does not support the formation of an
underground utility assessment district in the City. He indicated that he has heard from 37
residents that are not in favor of this project due to the estimated costs. He said that those
residents that he has discussed the issue with were not concerned with the poles and wires in
their view.
MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Hill reported on his attendance at the South Bay Energy Summit on
Thursday, March 29, 2001.
Councilmember Heinsheimer reported on his attendance at the League of California Cities
meeting on Thursday, April 5, 2001. He indicated that he will represent the City at the City
Selection Committee Meeting on Thursday, April 12, 2001.
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Councilmember Lay reported on his attendance at the staff appreciation luncheon hosted by
Mayor Pernell recently. Mayor Pernell also commented on the lunch and indicated that he
feels that this should become a tradition for future Mayors.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
None.
MATTERS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY
None.
ADTOURNMENT
Hearing no further business before the City Council, Mayor Pernell adjourned the meeting at
8:05 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Monday,
April 23, 2001 in the City Council Chambers, at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling
Hills, California.
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Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn,.�.m
Yn
Deputy City Clerk
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