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5/28/2002MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA MAY 28, 2002 CALL TO ORDER An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order by Mayor Lay at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present: Murdock, Pernell, Mayor Pro Tem Hill and Mayor Lay. Councilmembers Absent: Heinsheimer (excused). Others Present: Craig Nealis, City Manager. Yolanta Schwartz, Planning Director. 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 May 13, 2002. RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented. b. Payment of Bills. RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented. C. Financial Statement for the month of April, 2002. RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented. d. BFI Recycling Tonnage Report for April, 2002. RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file. Councilmember Murdock moved that the City Council approve the recommendations in the Consent Calendar. Mayor Pro Tem Hill seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS None. TRAFFIC COMMISSION ITEMS CONSIDERATION OF A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION REGARDING THE INSTALLATION OF DELINEATORS ON EASTFIELD DRIVE ADJACENT TO 1 HACKAMORE ROAD. City Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing background regarding the original request from Mr. and Mrs. Paul Grubs for a guardrail and the Traffic Commission's recommendation that the City Council consider the installation of delineators on Eastfield Drive adjacent to 1 Hackamore Road. In response to Councilmember Pernell, City Manager Nealis explained that the Traffic Engineer did not feel that an accepted standard for guardrail placement at the location could be met. He further explained that in response to the Grubs' concern about speeding vehicles and possible damage to their property if an accident were to occur, the Traffic Engineer felt that delineators at the edge of the roadway at that location may cause vehicles to drive slower in the area. Discussion ensued regarding the rocks that were placed in the easement by Mr. and Mrs. Grubs and the fact that the Community Association had requested that they move the rocks further back toward their property for equestrian passage in the area. Mayor Lay expressed concern that the placement of delineators at this location may set the precedent for the placement of delineators at numerous locations throughout the City. Councilmembers discussed the placement of delineators. Mayor Pro Tem Hill stated that what prompted the Traffic Commission to reluctantly recommend delineators was that the Grubs indicated that a number of times that vehicles had gone off the road in that area. Minutes City Council Meeting 05/28102 -1- Mr. Paul Grubs, 1 Hackamore Road, explained that many of the rocks were placed at that location over 32 years ago. He expressed his concern that errant drivers may leave the roadway and slide in the pine needles in the area and come to rest in the trees on his property. He stated that since the rocks had been placed at the location that vehicles that had come off the road incurred minimal damage and had no injuries to occupants. Mr. Grubs explained that he feels that the placement of the delineators would impede equestrian traffic in the area. Mr. Grubs further explained the clearing of the easement at that location by the RHCA. He stated that he would like to keep the rocks or have a guardrail at the location and that he feels that the delineators will not have any effect on vehicles running of the road at that location. In response to Councilmember Pernell, Mr. Grubs explained that this issue had come to light after the clearing of the easement adjacent to his property by the RHCA and the rocks became exposed. He explained how the original horse trail traversed the area. Also in response to Councilmember Pernell, Mr. Grubs stated that he feels that the delineators will not slow vehicular traffic in the area. Hearing no further discussion, Mayor Lay called for a motion. Councilmember Murdock moved that the City Council deny the recommendation from the Traffic Commission. Mayor Murdock stated that the motion to deny the recommendation from the Traffic Commission is based upon not only the feelings of the resident involved, but also the feeling that that this recommendation would obstruct the bridle trail. She commented on Mr. and Mrs. Grubs comfort level with the rocks that the Grubs placed in the easement. Mayor Pro Tem Hill stated that, in his opinion, the trail would not be obstructed. He indicated that the RHCA wanted the trail open in that area and that the Traffic Commission was trying to accommodate both Mr. and Mrs. Grubs and the RHCA's request. City Manger Nealis stated that the rocks placed in the easement by Mr. and Mrs. Grubs are not an accepted traffic safety device. Councilmember Pernell seconded the motion, which, carried unanimously by those Councilmembers in attendance. Mr. William Corette, 35 Eastfield Drive, stated that he feels that the denial of the delineators was the appropriate action. He commented that he agrees with the placement of delineators to mark water outlets on the roadway and expressed concern about the placement of additional traffic signs in the City. Mayor Pro Tem Hill commented that the vast majority of traffic signs are the result of specific requests by residents and that the Traffic Commission is sensitive to the placement of signs. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS CONSIDERATION OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM AND ASSISTED HOUSING PROGRAMS PARTICIPATING CITY COOPERATION AGREEMENT. RESOLUTION NO. 915: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE 2003-2005 COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS AND THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM. City Manager Nealis presented the staff report and Resolution No. 915. Hearing no discussion, Mayor Lay called for a motion. Councilmember Pernell moved that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 915. Mayor Pro Tem Hill seconded the motion, which, carried unanimously by those Councilmembers in attendance. Minutes City Council Meeting 05/28/02 -2- CONSIDERATION OF A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE WILDLIFE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE REGARDING NUISANCE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT. City Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing background regarding this subject and the Wildlife Preservation Committee's recommendation. He explained that members of the Committee discussed this matter at great length at their last meeting and as a result of those discussions, the increased number of coyote reports and concerns expressed by residents, the Committee felt that a more proactive type of coyote management was necessary under certain circumstances. He reported that the recommendations of the Wildlife Preservation Committee are designed to re -instill the natural fear of humans in coyotes and are not designed to complete eradicate these animals from the local environment. He said that these recommendations include: (1) That representatives of the Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture be authorized to shoot coyotes only when safety conditions are present, and prior property owner written permission has been obtained, and when activity by a coyote or coyotes on private property has demonstrated a lack of fear of humans by virtue of the severity of the predatory activity (proximity to humans), time of day, or number of coyotes present. The type of management that will be deployed by the County Department of Agriculture will include electronic calling of coyotes to the specific private property(s) and the safe discharge of a firearm at close proximity to the intended target. (2) That the City extend the existing agreement with the Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture into FY 2002-2003. (3) That trapping efforts by the County Department of Agriculture continue upon request and written approval by private property owners. Discussion ensued regarding the Wildlife Preservation Committee's recommendations. In response to Councilmember Pernell, City Manager Nealis reported that the current agreement with the County Agriculture Department expires at the end of June, 2002. The City Council discussed the circumstances that would warrant the recommended shooting of coyotes. City Manager Nealis explained that he would visit the property and evaluate each reported incident with a County Agriculture representative to confirm the reported behavior. In response to Councilmember Pernell, City Manager Nealis explained that given past reported incidents involving predatory activity by coyotes, that there may be three or four properties where this type of activity may occur again which, under repeated activity, would warrant the shooting of the coyote. He indicated that the feels that if this is successful on one or two properties, that it might not be necessary on future properties. Councilmember Pernell suggested that staff report back to the City Council after the first incident. City Manager Nealis stated that he would keep the City Councilmembers apprised of this level of activity at every step. Councilmember Murdock stated that she feels that this matter has been very well researched and commended the City Manager and the Wildlife Preservation Committee for their handling of this situation. Discussion ensued regarding the increased reports of coyote sightings in the City. City Manager Nealis explained an incident that occurred at 2:00 p.m., with the property owner witnessing the predatory activity against small domestic animals, where a number of chickens were taken by coyotes on a property in the City. He also explained a incident involving coyotes taking cats from a porch on a property. Hearing no further discussion, Mayor Lay called for a motion. Mayor Pro Tem Hill moved that the City Council approve the recommendations from the Wildlife Preservation Committee. Councilmember Murdock seconded the motion, which carried, unanimously by those Councilmembers in attendance. Staff was authorized to execute the recommended agreement with the County Agriculture Department for FY 2002- 03, and was directed to keep the City Council apprised of these efforts. OPEN AGENDA - APPROXIMATELY 8:00 P.M. - PUBLIC COMMENT WELCOME Mr. William Corette, 35 Eastfield Drive, commented in support of the nuisance wildlife management recommendations. He also commented on the placement of traffic warning signage in the City and expressed concern regarding the potential restroom facility proposed by Caballeros at Hesse's Gap. Mr. Corette was directed to provide staff with the locations of signs that he feels are blocking equestrian passage. MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. Councilmember Pernell commented on his attendance at a reception for Congresswoman Jane Harman earlier in the day. Minutes City Council Meeting 05/28/02 -3- Mayor Lay requested that Councilmembers provide their committee assignment preferences to staff in order to make the assignments at the next meeting. MATTERS FROM STAFF None. MATTERS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY None. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further business before the City Council, Mayor Lay adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. in memory of long time Rolling Hills resident Bea Fischer. The meeting was adjourned to the next regular meeting of the City Council to be held on Monday, June 10, 2002, beginning at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California. Approved, Allen La Mayor Minutes City Council Meeting 05/28/02 Respectfully submitted, Marilyn L. I ern Deputy City Clerk -4- 1 I� Lj 1