4/12/2004MINUTES OF
A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA
APRIL 12, 2004
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, Mayor Pro Tem Heinsheimer and Mayor Hill.
Councilmembers Absent: Pernell (excused).
Others Present: Craig Nealis, City Manager.
Mike Jenkins, City Attorney.
Yolanta Schwartz, Planning Director.
Marilyn Kern, Deputy City Clerk.
Lt. Greg Ahn, LACSD, Lomita Station.
Lt. Jenny Bethune, LACSD, 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 March 22, 2004.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
b. Payment of Bills.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
C. Correspondence from California Water Service Company regarding Advice
Letter No. 1624 filed with the Public Utilities Commission regarding filing
changes in its tariff schedules applicable to its Palos Verdes District.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Mayor Pro Tem Heinsheimer moved that the City Council approve the recommendations in
the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Lay seconded the motion. In response to
Councilmember Black regarding Check No. 16633 (PERMA), City Manager Nealis explained
that this payment involves prior litigation involving the City's previous insurance provider,
PERMA, and that these payments will most likely require two more installments. After the
explanation, the motion carried unanimously by those Councilmembers in attendance.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS
None.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION ITEMS
CONSIDERATION OF A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION
RELATIVE TO A REQUEST FROM THE SOUTH COAST CHAPTER OF THE
CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FOR A GARDEN TOUR AT 4 APPALOOSA
LANE AND 20 CINCHRING ROAD.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report outlining the request from the South Coast
Chapter of the California Native Plant Society and the Traffic Commission's recommended
approval. Hearing no discussion, Mayor Hill called for a motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Heinsheimer moved that the City Council approve the recommendation of
the Traffic Commission for the South Coast Chapter of the Native Plant Society to conduct a
Garden Tour at 4 Appaloosa Lane and 20 Cinchring Road on May 1, 2004. Councilmember
Black seconded the motion, which carried unanimously by those Councilmembers 11 in
attendance.
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City Council Meeting
04/12/04 -1-
CONSIDERATION OF A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION
RELATIVE TO A REQUEST FROM THE PALOS VERDES WOMAN'S CLUB FOR A
GARDEN TOUR AT 24 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report outlining the request from the Palos Verdes
Woman's Club and the Traffic Commission's recommended approval. Hearing no discussion,
Mayor Hill called for a motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Heinsheimer moved that the City Council approve the recommendation of
the Traffic Commission for the Palos Verdes Woman's Club to conduct a Garden Tour at 24
Portuguese Bend Road on May 1, 2004. Councilmember Black seconded the motion, which
carried unanimously by those Councilmembers in attendance.
CONSIDERATION OF A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION
RELATIVE TO THE INSTALLATION OF A SIGN INDICATING "IMPAIRED
VERTICAL CLEARANCE" ON PINE TREE LANE.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing background regarding a request
from the Rolling Hills Community Association that the Traffic Commission review a tree that
is located in the easement adjacent to 10 Pine Tree Lane that was reported to the Association
by Mr. Robert Ruth, 7 Pine Tree Lane, and described by Mr. Ruth as a safety hazard. City
Manager Nealis explained the Traffic Commission recommendation to install a sign indicating
"Impaired Vertical Clearance" for uphill traffic due to this situation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Black, which was seconded by Councilmember Lay,
for the City Council to take jurisdiction of this recommendation of the Traffic Commission and
that it be considered at a future meeting after notice is given to all parties.
Councilmembers discussed the original request from the Association and the Traffic Engineers
initial recommendation. Councilmember Black indicated that this tree had been struck by
vehicles twice and expressed concern about a potential liability of the City.
Mayor Hill commented on the Traffic Commission's review of the information that was
submitted by Mr. Ruth, 7 Pine Tree Lane, in his correspondence and the oral testimony offered
by Mr. and Mrs. Hassoldt, 10 Pine Tree Lane and their engineer Mr. Gary Wynn. He also
commented on the Traffic Engineer's measurements and recommendation.
After discussion it was determined that the City Council could consider this matter without
formally taking jurisdiction of the matter since the Traffic Commission is a recommending
body to the City Council. Therefore, Councilmember Black withdrew his motion and
Councilmember Lay withdrew his second and the City Council continued consideration of this
matter to its April 26, 2004 regular meeting for consideration of safety issues, the Traffic
Commission's recommendation and any other possible alternative courses of action. Staff was
directed to give notice to the affected parties and to obtain additional information regarding
vehicular vertical clearance from the Traffic Engineer.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM CABALLEROS FOR PERMISSION TO
COMPLETE TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE STORM HILL PROPERTY.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report outlining the request from Caballeros to
complete the trail improvements to the Storm Hill property. Hearing no discussion, Mayor
Hill called for a motion.
Councilmember Black moved that the City Council approve the request from Caballeros for
permission to complete trail improvements to the Storm Hill property. Mayor Pro Tem
Heinsheimer seconded the motion, which carried unanimously by those Councilmembers in
attendance.
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City Council Meeting
04/12/04 -2-
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CONSIDERATION OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES REVISED COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM ANNUAL CONTRACT.
RESOLUTION NO. 950: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A REVISED REIMBURSABLE
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
PROGRAM.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report and Resolution No. 950. He indicated that this
contract would maintain the existing relationship between the City and the County of Los
Angeles for the Community Development Block Grant Fund Program.
Mayor Pro Tem Heinsheimer moved that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 950.
Councilmember Lay seconded the motion. In response to Councilmember Black, City
Manager Nealis explained that in the past, these funds have been allocated to the cities of
Lomita and Rancho Palos Verdes for low and moderate income housing and residential
improvement programs as part of the advancement of the City's Housing Element.
The motion carried unanimously by those Councilmembers in attendance.
CONSIDERATION OF PREPARATION OF A LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
PURSUANT TO THE DISASTER MITIGATION ACT OF 2000 AND CONSIDERATION
OF AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE PREPARATION OF A LOCAL HAZARD
MITIGATION PLAN.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report outlining the City's requirement to develop a
Hazard Mitigation Plan pursuant to the adoption of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 by the
U.S. Congress. He reported that a plan to identify local hazards is necessary in order for the
City to receive disaster relief funds in the future should a disaster occur in the City. He further
reported that FEMA is trying to minimize the likelihood of having to fund rebuilding efforts in
areas where repetitive similar hazards occur. He commented on the research completed with
other local cities and the Area G Coordinator to identify a contractor to complete the City's
plan. He indicated that due to the uniqueness of the City it would be difficult to join in a
cooperative effort with other cities to complete a plan for Rolling Hills. He explained the
difficulties that may be encountered in preparing a plan for Rolling Hills due to the private
status and nature of the City.
Councilmembers discussed the plan requirement. In response to Mayor Pro Tem
Heinsheimer, City Manager Nealis explained that if the City were to not develop a plan and a
disaster occurred, the City would not be able to apply for disaster mitigation funds for the
repairs. He also said that not having a plan might limit the private residents' ability to apply
for low interest loans following a disaster. Councilmember Black commented on the example
of work on terrorism hazard mitigation completed by the contractor cited in the staff report
and expressed concern about the costs association with the preparation of a plan. In response
to Councilmember Black, City Manager Nealis explained that a complete plan has not been
completed yet because the guidelines for plan requirements are new. Planning Director
Schwartz indicated that the guidelines for the preparation of a Hazard Mitigation Plan had
only been created a few months ago. Councilmember Black expressed concern about the
costs associated with these plans and indicated that he would like to see an example of a plan
before hiring the consultant. City Manager Nealis indicated that staff had researched ways for
the City to be entirely exempt from the requirements for a plan and explained that having a
plan may serve as an insurance policy if a disaster were to occur in the future.
Further discussion ensued regarding the development of a plan, the single bidder and the
costs associated with completion of a basic plan for Rolling Hills. Councilmembers also
discussed the deadline of November 2004 for the completion of a plan. City Attorney Jenkins
stated that in his experience with other municipalities relative to this subject that the cost for
Rolling Hills is relatively low. Hearing no further discussion, Mayor Hill called for a motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Heinsheimer moved that the City Council authorize staff to proceed and hire
Emergency Planning Consultants to prepare the Hazard Mitigation Plan at a cost not to exceed
$10,000. Councilmember Lay seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call
vote:
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City Council Meeting
04/12/04 -3-
AYES: Councilmember Lay, Mayor Pro Tem Heinsheimer and Mayor Hill.
NOES: Councilmember Black.
ABSENT: Councilmember Pernell.
ABSTAIN: None.
OPEN AGENDA - APPROXIMATELY 8:00 P.M. - PUBLIC COMMENT WELCOME
Mr. Lon Clearwaters, 4 Cinchring Road, expressed appreciation for the City Council
approving the trail improvements by Caballeros and thanked them for their support of
Caballeros' efforts in the Community.
Mr. Gerry Routt, 1 Southfield Drive, expressed appreciation for the hard work that the City
Council does on behalf of Rolling Hills' residents.
MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Hill commented on the Women's Community Club's recent Neighborhood Meeting
and indicated that it was well attended.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
None.
At 7:56 p.m., the City Council recessed to a 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.
At 8:05 p.m. the meeting reconvened in open session and City Attorney Jenkins reported that
no reportable action was taken in closed session.
ADIOURNMENT
Hearing no further business before the City Council, Mayor Hill adjourned the meeting at 8:05
p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Monday, April
26, 2004, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend
Road, Rolling Hills, California.
Approv ,
Fran E. Hill
Mayor
Minutes
City Council Meeting
04/12/04
Respectfully submitted,
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Lrh
Marilyn Kern
Deputy City Clerk
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