1/14/2002 MINUTES OF
A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA
JANUARY 14, 2002
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order by Mayor
Murdock at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road,
Rolling Hills,California.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Heinsheimer, Hill, Pernell, Mayor Pro Tem Lay and Mayor
Murdock.
Councilmembers Absent: None.
Others Present: Craig Nealis, City Manager.
Nan Huang, Finance Director.
Yolanta Schwartz, Principal Planner.
Marilyn Kern, Deputy City Clerk.
Marsha Mayeda, Director, Los Angeles County Department
of Animal Care & Control.
Raymond B. Smith, Supervising Agricultural Inspector, Pest
Management Division Department of Agricultural
Commissioners/Weights & Measures, County of Los
Angeles.
Mark S. Adams, Agricultural/Weights &Measures Inspector
III, Pest Management Division, Department of
Agricultural Commissioners/Weights &Measures,
County of Los Angeles.
Lt. Gregg Ahn, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department,
Lomita Station.
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 - Regular Meeting of November 26, 2001.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
b. Payment of Bills - December 10, 2001, December 24, 2001 and January 14, 2002:
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
c. Financial Statement for the month of November, 2001.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
d. Budget Calendar for Fiscal Year 2002-2003.
� RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
e. Notice of Completion for the FY 2001-02 Citywide Street Striping and Pavement
Marking Project.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
f. Southern California Gas Company Amended Notice of Proposed Changes to
Gas Rates, Biennial Cost Allocation Proceeding, Application No. 01-09-024.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
g. Correspondence from California Water Service Company regarding Advice
Letter No. 1507, Palos Verdes District which has been filed with the California
Public Utilities Company.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
h. BFI Recycling Tonnage Report for November, 2001.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
i. Consideration of attendance at the League of California Cities City Managers
Department Meeting February 13-15, 2002.
j. Proposed schedule for Rule 20A Non-assessment Underground Utility District to
remove six utility poles along Crest Road.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
k. Draft correspondence to be sent to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School
District regarding initial study for the proposed high school reopening and
relocation of existing district programs.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
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City Council Meeting
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1. Correspondence from California Water Service Company regarding Advice
Letter No. 1509, All Districts, Department of Health Services Office of Drinking
Water Fees Surcharge, which has been filed with the California Public Utilities
Commission.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Councilmember Hill moved that the City Council approve the recommendations in the
Consent Calendar. Councilmember Heinsheimer seconded the motion, which carried
unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS
ZONING CASE NO. 625 MOD.
RESOLUTION NO. 2001-25: A RESOLUTTON OF THE PLANNIlVG CONIlVIISSION OF
T�-� CITY OF ROLLING HILLS GRANTIlVG A MODIFICATTON TO PLANNING
COMMISSION RESOLUTTON NO. 2001-02 AND APPROVIl�TG MODIFICATIONS OF
CERTAIN CONDTTIONS FOR A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED VARIANCE TO
CONSTRUCT AN OUTDOOR FIREPLACE AT AN EXISTTNG SINGLE FAMILY
RESIDENCE AT 37 CHUCKWAGON ROAD IN ZONING CASE NO. 625-
MODIFICATION. �
Mr. Mark Elliott, 37 Chuckwagon Road, (Lot 19-CF).
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report outlining the applicant's request and providing
background regarding the property and the Planning Commission's action relative to Zoning
Case No. 625 Mod.
Hearing no discussion or objection, Mayor Murdock ordered that Resolution No. 2001-25 be
received and filed.
ZONING CASE NO. 643.
RESOLUTION NO. 2001-26: A RESOLUTION OF TI� PLANNIlVG COMMISSION OF
TI� CITY OF ROLLING HILLS DENYING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO
CONVERT AN EXISTING STABLE TO A GUESTHOUSE, AND DENYING A REQUEST
FOR A VARIANCE TO PERMIT THE GUESTHOUSE TO REMAIN IN TI� FRONT
YARD AREA AND TO CONTINUE TO ENCROACH INTO THE NORTHEAST SIDE
YARD SETBACK AT AN EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE AT 3 JOHNS
CANYON ROAD IN ZONING CASE NO 643.
Mrs. Harlyne Norris, 3 Johns Canyon Road, (Lot 173-B-MS).
Councilmember Heinsheimer stated that he would abstain from consideration of Planning
Commission Resolution No. 2001-26 due the proximity of his residence to the subject
property. Principal Planner Schwartz presented the staff report outlining the applicant's
request and providing background regarding the property and the Planning Commission's
action relative to Zoning Case No. 643.
Hearing no discussion or objection, Mayor Murdock ordered that Resolution No. 2001-26 be
received and filed.
ZONING CASE NO. 644.
RESOLUTTON NO. 2002-01: A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING CONIMISSION OF
THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS GRAN'TIl�TG A STTE PLAN REVIEW REQUEST TO
PERMIT SUBSTANTTAL GRADING FOR SLOPE FAILURE REPAIR AT AN EXISTIl�IG
SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE AT 10 POPPY TRAIL IN ZONING CASE NO. 644.
Mr.James Wang, 10 Poppy Trail, (Lot 3-PT).
Principal Planner Schwartz presented the staff report outlining the applicant's request and
providing background regarding the property and the Planning Commission's action relative
to Zoning Case No. 644. In response to Councilmember Pernell, Principal Planner Schwartz
stated that the slope failure does not have an effect on the neighboring city to the north east of
the subject property.
Hearing no further discussion or objection, Mayor Murdock ordered that Resolution No. 2002-
01 be received and filed.
RECONSIDERATTON OF DATE FOR A CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNIlVG
COMNIISSION JOINT MEETING.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report outlining the Planning Commission's request
that the City Council consider rescheduling the joint meeting between the City Council and
the Planning Commission.
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City Council Meeting
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Councilmembers discussed several dates on which the meeting could be held. Mayor Pro Tem
Lay indicated that he would be unable to attend the meeting on February 11, 2002 and City
Manager Nealis indicated that the City Attorney has reported that he would be available at
either March meeting, or on February 11, 2002. Councilmembers rescheduled the City
Council/Planning Commission Joint Meeting for March 11,2002,beginning at 7:30 p.m.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION ITEMS
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS �
CONSIDERATION OF RE-APPOINTMENTS TO TI�PLANIVING COMMISSION.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report indicating the desire of Planning
Commissioners Allan Roberts and Arvel Witte to continue to serve on the Commission.
Hearing no objection, Mayor Murdock called for a motion.
Councilmember Heinsheimer moved that the City Council reappoint Allan Roberts and Arvel
Witte to three year terms on the Planning Commission which will expire on January 1, 2005.
Mayor Pro Tem Lay seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION OF RE-APPOINTMENTS TO THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report indicating the desire of Traffic Commissioners
V'Etta Virtue and Val Margeta to continue to serve on the Commission. He also stated that
the RHCA indicated that they will be considering a representative for the Traffic Commission
at their meeting on February 7, 2002. Hearing no further discussion, Mayor Murdock called
for a motion.
Councilmember Hill moved that the City Council reappoint V'etta Virtue and Val Margeta for
two year terms on the Traffic Commission which will expire on January 1, 2004, and permit
Commissioner Howroyd to continue to serve until the action of the RHCA Board is
determined next month. Mayor Pro Tem lay seconded the motion, which carried
unanimously. _
CONSIDERATION OF RECONIlVIENDATTON FROM TI� WILDLIFE PRESERVATTON
COMMITTEE REGARDING COYOTES.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing background regarding the Wildlife
Preservation Committee's recommendation that the City Council consider rreducing the
number of coyotes in the community and that the City Council consider an educational
program to advise residents of the potential danger of coyotes and methods to discourage
coyote activity on their property. He reported that at the January 7, 2002 Wildlife
Preservation Committee meeting, residents in attendance, reported multiple coyote sightings,
predatory activity by groups of coyotes against pets and their fear of potential coyote
interaction with small children due to the number of coyotes in the community. City Manager
Nealis also reported that the Committee recommendations were based upon the increased
number of contacts that residents have made to City Hall concerning coyotes, the increase of
coyote sightings at various times of the day, the severity of predatory activity that has been
reported and the testimony offered at the Committee meeting. He also indicated that the
Committee was concerned about the notable change in the number of coyotes in groups
being spotted at one time and their proximity to residential dwellings.
City Manager Nealis also reported on his inquiries regarding the subject of coyotes with the
State Department of Fish and Game and the County Agricultural Department. Mr. Nealis
indicated that additional correspondence from Debra Fournier, 30 Crest Road East, regarding
this subject had been placed before the City Council this evening.
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City Council Meeting
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Mr. Ray Smith,Supervising Agricultural Inspector, Pest Management Division, Department of
Agricultural Commissioners/Weights & Measures, County of Los Angeles, provided an
overview of the responsibilities of the Department. He explained that coyotes have been in
the area for years as well as throughout the County. He explained that the Department has
been contracted to reduce the coyote population in other cities and explained that a collarum
trap in used to do this and that these traps do not completely eradicate a local coyote
population,but,assist in establishing a natural balance and cause the coyotes to fear humans.
He stressed the importance of educating people to not feed the coyotes. In response to
Councilmember Pernell,Mr. Smith explained that staff from the Department has a number of
years experience reducing coyote populations with the collarum trap as well as other methods.
He explained that sometimes non-target animals are captured in the collarum trap and that
these animals are not harmed but rather turned over to animal control. He indicated that
since Rolling Hills does not have a leash law that domestic animals captured inadvertently
would be released. In response to Councilmember Pernell regarding the success rate of
reducing coyote population by trapping, Mr. Smith indicated that the results range from
extremely successful to dismal and that there is no guarantee, but should re-install the fear of '
man into coyotes.
Councilmember Heinsheimer suggested that since Rolling Hills does not have a leash law that
residents should be advised of the trapping activity. Councilmember Heinshimer also
suggested that residents with unaltered dogs should be warned about the possibility of coys
becoming introduced into the community as they did a number of years ago.
Councilmember Heinshimer stated that he feels that any program for the reduction of coyotes
in the City should include educational efforts as well as trapping. He suggested that staff work
with the County Agricultural Department to initiate such an integrated program, which, will
maintain a balance in the ecology of the City. In response to Councilmember Heinsheimer,
Mr. Smith stated that the County Agricultural staff has worked with other cities to initiate such
programs and that they could work with staff on newsletter articles and other educational
materials.
Councilmember Lay commented on the possibility of residents being able privately deploy
the collarum trap on their property or the possibility that the City could make these traps
available for residents to deploy in the same manner that the Have-A-Heart devices that are
currently available. Councilmember Lay concurred with the suggestion by Councilmember
Heinsheimer that an integrated approach be implemented to reduce the coyote population.
Mr. Roger Sommer, Chair of the Wildlife Preservation Committee, commented on the
recommendation of the Committee and stated that the Committee is currently working on an
educational flyer on coyotes. He stated that he feels that the suggested integrated approach is
consistent with the Committee's recommendation.
Mr. Ed Myers, 9 Wagon Lane, commented on his concern for the number of coyotes in the
City and indicated that he is concerned about the safety of his small children. Mr. Myers
commented on the number of missing cats as well as a missing small dog in his neighborhood.
In response to Mr. Myers, Mr. Smith and Mr. Adams indicated that natural predators of
coyotes are mountain lions and bears.
Mrs. Marianne Wishner, 30 Portuguese Bend Road, expressed concern about the
aggressiveness of the coyotes and explained that two coyotes took a cat from her porch as she
watched. She reported that she sees and hears coyotes in the canyon near her home and that
she feels that there are new pups in the canyon.
Following a motion by Councilmember Heinsheimer, which was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Lay and hearing no objection by the entire City Council, Mayor Murdock so ordered that the
recommendations from the Wildlife Preservation Committee be approved and that staff be
directed and authorized to enter into an agreement as soon as possible with the Los Angeles
County Department of Agriculture to implement an Integrated Coyote Management
Program which shall include educational efforts as well as trapping to reduce and manage the
number of coyotes in the community. The City Council also authorized the expenditure of
funds to conduct this program. �
OPEN AGENDA-APPROXIMATELY 8:00 P.M. -PUBLIC COMMENT WELCOME
None.
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City Council Meeting
01/14/02 -4-
MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
In response to Councilmember Pernell, Lt. Ahn, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
briefly reported on the recent homicide at PVPUSD Facility in the City.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
None.
MATTERS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY
None.
ADTOURNMENT
Hearing no further business before the City Council, Mayor Murdock adjourned the meeting
at 8:30 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Monday,
January 28, 2002 in the City Council Chambers, at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling
Hills,California.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn L. ern
Deputy City Clerk
Approved,
Jody M rdo
Mayor
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