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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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