1/13/2003 MINUTES OF
A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS;�CALIFORNIA
JANUARY 13, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order by Mayor
Lay at 7:33 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling
Hills,California.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Heinsheimer, Pernell, Murdock, Mayor Pro Tem Hill and
Mayor Lay.
Councilmembers Absent: None.
Others Present: Craig Nealis, City Manager.
Mike Jenkins, City Attorney.
Yolanta Schwartz,Planning Director.
Marilyn Kern, Deputy City Clerk.
Lt. Gregg Ahn, LASD, 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 25, 2002.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
b. Payment of Bills - December 9, 2002, December 23, 2002 and January 13, 2003.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
c. Financial Statement for the month of November, 2002. •
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
d. Budget Calendar for Fiscal Year 2003-2004.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
e. BFI Recycling Tonnage Report for November, 2002.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
f. Consideration of a continued agreement between the City of Rolling Hills and
Mac Solutions for computer consulting services.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
g. Correspondence from California Water Service Company regarding Advice
Letter No. 1530, Palos Verdes District, that has been filed with the California
Public Utilities Commission.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file. �
h. Correspondence from Southern California Gas Company regarding notice of
proposed increase in gas rates,Application No. 02-12-XXX.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Councilmember Heinsheimer moved that the City Council approve the recommendations in
the Consent Calendar. Mayor Pro Tem Hill seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CIT'IES REPRESENTATNE
ANN MARIE WALLACE.
League of California Cities Representative Ann Marie Wallace presented information relating
to the League of California Cities Local Coalition and Grassroots campaign. She highlighted
State legislation that was focused on in Sacramento on behalf of local government.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS
None.
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TRAFFIC COMMISSION ITEMS
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS '
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL AND ESTABLIS�IMENT OF A NON-ASSESSMENT
RULE 20A UNDERGROUND UTTLTTY DISTRICT ON SPECIFIC PROPER'TIES ON
CREST ROAD.
RESOLUTION NO. 924: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF TI� CITY OF
ROLLING HILLS, CALIFOItNIA ORDERING TI� FORMATTON OF AN
UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff�report indicating that since the proposed boundaries
for this non-assessment Rule 20A Underground Utility District have been revised, that it is
recommended that the City Council close this public hearing and not act on Resolution No.
924. Hearing no testimony, Mayor Lay closed the public hearing and Resolution No. 924 was
received and filed without objection.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL AND ESTABLIS�IMENT OF A NON-ASSESSMENT
RULE 20A UNDERGROUND UTILTTY DISTRICT ON SPECIFIC PROPER'I�S ON
CREST ROAD.
RESOLUTION NO. 929: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF TI� CITY OF
ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA ORDERING TI� FORMATION OF AN
UNDERGROUND UTTLITY DISTRICT.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing background regarding the
establishment of a Rule 20A Underground Utility District in Rolling Hills and the inclusion of a
seventh pole in the District at the request of two property owners. He reported on the revised
Engineer's Report and the revised costs to complete the work for the various utility companies
involved in this District.
Mayor Lay opened the public hearing. Hearing no public testimony or discussion, he closed
the public hearing called for a motion. Councilmember Heinsheimer moved that the City
Council adopt Resolution 729. Councilmember Murdock seconded the motion, which carried
unanimously.
ZOIVING CASE NO. 653, REQUEST FOR A STTE PLAN REVIEW AND A
CONDTITONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A DETACHED GARAGE; REQUEST
FOR A SITE PLAN REVIEW AND A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A
GUESTHOUSE;REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE TO PERMIT ENCROACHMENT OF TI�
PROPOSED DETACHED GARAGE INTO THE SIDE YARD SETBACK; AND REQUEST
FOR A VARIANCE TO LOCATE THE GUESTHOUSE IN TI� REAR YARD AREA ON
A THROUGH LOT AT AN EXISTIl�TG SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE AT 40 EASTFIELD
DRIVE, (LOT 91-EF), ROLLING HILLS, CA. AN ADDITTON TO THE MAIN
RESIDENCE, WHICH DOES NOT REQUIRE DISCRETIONARY APPROVAL IS ALSO
PROPOSED. (TONSICH)
Councilmember Murdock stated that she will abstain from consideration of this Zoning Case
due to the proximity of her property to the subject property and excused herself from the
Council Chambers.
City Manager Nealis presented a brief synopsis of the staff report outlining the applicant's
request and providing background regarding the property and that this case had been taken
under jurisdiction by the City Council. Mayor Lay opened the public hearing and called for
testimony.
Mr. Nick Tonsich, applicant, presented photographs of the property for the City Council to
review. He provided an explanation of the proposed improvements to the property and
pointed out on the photographs where the various improvements are located. He
commented on the review of the proposal by the Planning Commission as well as their
deliberations and requested that the City Council not conduct a field review. Mayor Lay
reported on the City Council's practice of viewing projects that they take under their
jurisdiction in the field.
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Following discussion regarding proposed dates for a field review, the public hearing was
continued to Thursday, February 6, 2002 beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the subject site for the
purpose of conducting a field review of the property.
Mayor Lay noted the return of Councilmember Murdock to the Council Chambers.
OPEN AGENDA-APPROXIMATELY 8:00 P.M.-PUBLIC COMMENT WELCOME
None.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF RE-APPOINTMENTS TO THE PLANNING CONIMISSION.
Mayor Lay announced that Planning Commissioner Roger Sommer has indicated that he
wishes to be re-appointed to the Commission and called for a motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Hill moved that the City Council re-appoint Roger Sommer to a three-year
term on the Planning Commission. Councilmember Heinsheimer seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION OF RE-APPOINTMENTS TO THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION.
Mayor Lay announced that Traffic Commissioner pon Robertson has indicated that he wishes
to be re-appointed to the Commission and called for a motion.
Councilmember Heinsheimer moved that the City Council re-appoint Don Robertson to a
two-year term on the Traffic Commission. Mayor Pro Tem Hill seconded the motion, which
carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION OF SUPPORT FOR A RESOLUTION OF TI-� SOUTH BAY CITTES
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS SUPPORTIl�TG A COOPERATTVE EFFORT AMONG
SOUTH BAY CITIES TO COORDINATE HOMELAND SECURITY, PROVIDE MUTUAL
AID FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF INCIDENTS, AND WORK TOGETI�R AFTER A
DISASTER TO RESTORE PEACE AND NORMALCY TO THE SOUTH BAY AREA.
Mayor Lay reported that he had asked staff to place this resolution on the agenda for
consideration by the City Council. He indicated that he feels that this resolution states what
we would all intend to happen should there be a local disaster and asked the City Council to
support it.
Councilmembers discussed the resolution and the City's participation in the County of Los
Angeles' coordinated disaster preparedness plan and mutual aide with the Fire Department,
Sheriff's Department and Area G. After the discussion,Mayor Lay called for a motion.
Councilmember Pernell moved that the City Council support the South Bay City Cities
Council of Governments Resolution No. 2002-3 and that staff be directed to forward
correspondence to the South Bay Cities Council of Governments expressing the City Council's
support for this resolution. Mayor Pro Tem Hill seconded the motion, which carried
unanimously.
CONSIDERATION OF ALLOCATION OF ROBERTI-Z'BERG-HARRIS BLOCK GRANT
AND 2000 PARK BOND ACT PER CAPITA FUNDS.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report indicating that the City does not utilize these
funds because there is not an eligible public property in the City. He further indicated that,
pursuant to previous City Council direction, the peninsula cities were given the opportunity to
submit a request to receive these funds. He outlined the project descriptions submitted by the
Cities of Palos Verdes Estates and Rolling Hills Estates.
Councilmembers discussed the project descriptions submitted by Palos Verdes Estates and
Rolling Hills Estates and how these projects would most benefit the residents of Rolling Hills.
Councilmembers further discussed a way to equitably divide these funds between the two
cities. In response to Councilmember Heinsheimer, City Manager Nealis explained that it
took approximately 5-6 years to build these funds to the current levels.
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Mrs. Sheri Clewis, Rolling Hills Estates Parks arid Activities Commission Chairperson,
commented on the Americans with Disabilities Act and the difficulties with bringing their park
facilities up to the standards of these regulations.
Mr. Allan Rigg, Palos Verdes Estates Public Works/Planning Director, commented on the
proposed pathway improvements.
Various methods of allocating the funds were discussed. After discussion, Mayor Lay called
for a motion.
Councilmember Pernell moved that the City Council allocate the Roberti-Z-Berg-Harris Block
Grant funds to the City of Palos Verdes Estates for improvements to pathways along Palos _
Verdes Drive North and West and the 2000 Park Bond Act Per Capita Funds to the City of
Rolling Hills Estates to be earmarked for the Georgeff Canyon Nature Center improvements
and that any of the remaining funds be utilized for equestrian enhancements in Rolling Hills
Estates.
MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Pernell reported that he had requested the City Manager to ask the Area G
Disaster Preparedness representative about the policy on and distribution of potassium iodine
used to protect people in case of a nuclear facility accident.
Councilmember Pernell queried the process that the City Council uses to re-appoint
Commissioners and Committee Members. After brief discussion, staff was directed to include
an item on the January 27, 2003 City Council agenda for discussion of this subject.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
City Manager Nealis provided an update on the Governor's proposed budget cuts. He
indicated that the Governor is proposing to remove the vehicle license fee (VLF) "backfill"
from local governments, but that prudent budgeting by the City Council Finance/Budget
Subcommittee may prevent any negative financial impact in FY 2002-03 because a 20%
reduction in vehicle license fees was anticipated.
MATTERS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council finds, based on advice from legal counsel, that discussion in open
session will prejudice the position of the local agency in the litigation.
Existing Litigation:
G.C. 54956.9(a)
Judith Hassoldt and William Hassoldt, Individuals, Plaintiffs, vs City of Rolling Hills, et.
al., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. BC275012.
No closed session was held. However, City Attorney Jenkins reported on recent
developments in this case and indicated that an amended complaint has not yet been received.
He stated that he would keep the City Council informed about developments related to this
case.
ADTOURNMENT
Hearing no further business before the City Council, Mayor Lay adjourned the meeting at
8:35 p.m. to the next regular meeting of the City Council to be held on Monday, January 27,
2003, beginning at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend
Road,Rolling Hills,California.
Respec:tfully submitted,
�y�Ov��.,� �- •���.e��
Marilyn L. Ker
Deputy City Clerk
Approved,
B. Allen La
Mayor
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