11/24/2003MINUTES OF
A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA
NOVEMBER 24, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order by Mayor
Hill at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling
Hills, California.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Black, Lay, Pernell, Mayor Pro Tem Heinsheimer and Mayor
Hill.
Councilmembers Absent: None.
Others Present: Craig Nealis, City Manager.
Mike Jenkins, City Attorney.
Yolanta Schwartz, Planning Director.
Nan Huang, Finance 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. (1) Minutes - Meeting of November 10, 2003; (2) Meeting of November 12, 2003.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
b. Payment of Bills.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
C. 'Financial Statement for the month of October, 2003.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
d. Correspondence from California Water Service Company regarding changes in
its tariff schedules applicable to its Palos Verdes District, Advice Letter No. 1592.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
e. BFI Recycling Tonnage Report for October, 2003.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
f. Consideration of attendance. at the California Contract Cities Association Annual
Sacramento Legislative Orientation Tour, January 12-14, 2004.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
g. Notice of Completion for the FY 03-04 Citywide Street Striping and Pavement
Marking Project.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
Mayor Pro Tem 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
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - CONTINUED
CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL OF A PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION TO
DENY A REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE TO ENCROACH INTO THE NORTH SIDE
YARD SETBACK WITH A PARTIALLY CONSTRUCTED BLOCK WALL AT AN
EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE IN ZONING CASE NO. 671 AT 6
PACKSADDLE ROAD EAST. (LOT 31 -SF) (MURRELL).
City Manager Nealis presented the applicant's request for a continuance. Hearing no
objection, at the applicant's request, the public hearing was continued to the next regular City
Council meeting scheduled to be held on Monday, December 8, 2003. Councilmember Black
requested that the minutes of the RHCA Architectural Committee relative to this property be
forwarded to the City Council.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2003-22. A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL TO THE CITY
COUNCIL OF A VESTING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 22333, SUBDIVISION NO.
85, A REQUEST TO SUBDIVIDE A 5.15 ACRE EXISTING LOT, DEVELOPED WITH ONE
RESIDENTIAL UNIT, INTO TWO SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LOTS FRONTING
ON PINE TREE LANE IN ZONING CASE NO. 665. (ULLRICH).
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report outlining the applicants' request and providing
background regarding the property. He indicated that the City Council conducted a field
review of the property on November 12, 2003. Mayor Hill opened the public hearing.
Hearing no testimony or discussion, he . closed the public hearing and called for a motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Heinsheimer moved that the City Council direct staff to prepare a resolution
approving a Vesting Tentative Parcel Map No. 22333, Subdivision No. 85. Councilmember
Pernell seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 292: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
ROLLING HILLS MODIFYING THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE ON TREES
AND VIEWS AND AMENDING TITLE 17 (ZONING) CHAPTER 17.26 OF THE
ROLLING HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing background regarding Ordinance
No. 292. Mayor Hill opened the public hearing.
Mr. John Nunn, 1 Crest Road West, indicated that he feels that consideration should be given
to a balance of the members of the Commission who serve in this capacity between those who
may be sensitive to having trees remain in the community and those who may not. Mayor
Hill commented that he feels that the Planning Commission has the reputation of being fair
and objective in their decisions.
Hearing no further testimony or
for a motion. Mayor Pro Tem
reading and adopt Ordinance No
carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
discussion, Mayor Hill closed the public hearing and called
Heinsheimer moved that the City Council waive further
. 292. Councilmember Lay seconded the motion, which
OPEN AGENDA - APPROXIMATELY 8:00 P.M. - PUBLIC COMMENT WELCOME
Mr. Richard Colyear, 35 Crest Road West, commented on a recent downed power line and
transformer failure near his property, which caused a small fire and requested assistance from
the City to work with Edison to find a solution for this ongoing problem. He indicated that
this had happened several times in the past. Mr. Colyear also commented the costs associated
with the undergrounding of utilities. In response to Mayor Hill, City Manager Nealis
explained that after this event occurred, staff met with area property owners and Edison
Company representatives to discuss this situation and that Edison representatives have
indicated that their engineering department will review this problem. Mr. Colyear further
explained that in previous power outages that occurred in the area that the Edison Company
had suspected that birds or small animals had interfered with the wires in this location.
Councilmembers briefly discussed the process for homeowners to privately join together to
underground their utilities. Mr. John Nunn, 1 Crest Road West, explained an electrical
problem at his residence that was rectified by the Edison Company's placement of a new
transformer in the area.
Mayor Hill indicated to Mr. Colyear that staff will continue to work with the area property
owners and Edison to correct this situation.
MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
In response to Councilmember Black, Mayor Hill explained that the City's Traffic Engineer
was directed to study and provide a report on the request for a guardrail on Southfield Drive.
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Mayor Hill indicated that unless there were any objections that the City will provide a table at
the Holiday Open House for the Women's Community Club to display and sell their
community recipe book. No objections were expressed.
CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION RELATING TO FIRE SAFETY ISSUES.
Mayor Hill reported that he had received comments from Mayor Pro Tem Heinsheimer
relative to fire safety. He reported that the RHCA has been discussing fire safety as it relates
to architectural designs and indicated that he had reported to the RHCA Board President that
the City has also been studying this issue. Councilmembers discussed the issue of fire safety
and Councilmember Pernell reported that as members of the Emergency Services/Disaster
Preparedness Subcommittee that he and Councilmember Black would be discussing this issue
and reviewing information related to this subject to be obtained by the City Manager.
Councilmember Pernell also commented on the types of trees and shrubs that are
recommended by the Fire Department for planting and fuel load in the City. Councilmember
Pernell also commented on building regulations implemented in other communities who had
experienced a wildfire and the difficulties they encountered.
Discussion ensued regarding other measures such as building regulations that may be
implemented and the use of fire valves on pool pump systems. City Manager Nealis provided
a brief update on the information on fire safety he had received to date. He indicated that
once all information has been received that an Emergency Services/Disaster Preparedness
Subcommittee meeting will be scheduled. Councilmember Black indicated that he would like
to have fire safety information available to be presented at the RHCA Annual meeting in
January. Councilmembers discussed what information and handouts that should be presented
at this meeting. Councilmember Lay commented on fire safety measures as they relate to the
retention of trees and the ambiance that trees provide to the City.
Councilmember Lay moved that the City. Council request an item to be placed on the RHCA
Annual Meeting Agenda relating to Fire Safety Issues to provide the opportunity for
member(s) of the City Council Emergency Services/ Disaster Preparedness Subcommittee
(Black/Pernell) to advise those in attendance that the City is studying the subject of fire safety
and that staff prepare informational handouts relating to existing fire safety regulations (weed
clearance, roofing, information on plants to avoid as well as pool pump information) for
distribution at the RHCA Annual meeting. Councilmember Black seconded the motion, which
carried unanimously.
Mr. John Nunn, 1 Crest Road West, commented on brush clearance regulations in the City and
indicated that he feels that this clearance is important in preventing the spread of a fire.
CONSIDERATION OF MEMORANDUM FROM THE ROLLING HILLS COMMUNITY
ASSOCIATION REGARDING THE LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION.
Mayor Hill reported that the RHCA had asked if the City would consider June 1, 2003 as the
commencement date of the lease.
Councilmember Lay moved that the City Council amend the Lease between the City and the
Community Association to reflect a commencement date of June 1, 2003. Mayor Pro Tem
Heinsheimer seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
City Manager Nealis indicated that if there were no objections, the City will honor the request
from PV High School Sea Kings Baseball Team to sponsor an ad in their upcoming program.
He indicated that the cost for the smallest ad is $95. No objections were expressed and the
Mayor was directed to determine the appropriateness of future requests.
At 8:20 p.m., the meeting was recessed and reconvened in closed session.
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.
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City Council Meeting
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Existing Litigation:
G.C. 54956.9(a)
Silver Sage Partners, Ltd. v. City of Desert Hot Springs and PERMA as Garnishee.
No reportable action was taken in closed session.
ADTOURNMENT
Hearing no further business before the City Council, Mayor Hill adjourned the meeting at 8:31
p.m. in memory of long time Rolling Hills resident Phil Kelly and long time former resident
and Traffic Commissioner Tom Weiner who both passed away recently. The meeting was
adjourned to the next regular meeting of the City Council to be held on Monday, December 8,
2003, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend
Road, Rolling Hills, California.
Respectfully submitted,
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Marilyn Kern
Deputy City Clerk
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Frank E. Hill
Mayor
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