10/9/2007 MINUTES
ADJOURNED
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
AND
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ESTATES
MEETING
• OCTOBER 9, 2007
The adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills Estates
and City Council of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order at 5:38 p.m. at
the City Council Chambers, 4045 Palos Verdes Drive North, by MAYOR PRO
TEM ZERUNYAN.
ROLL CALL
Rolling Hills Estates City Council Members
Present: Mitchell, Seamans**, Zerunyan, Zuckerman*
Absent: Addleman
'COUNCILMAN ZUCKERMAN arrived at 5:51 p.m.
"MAYOR SEAMANS arrived at 6:30 p.m.
City Staff Present: Doug Prichard, City Manager
Sam Wise, Assistant City Manager
. David Wahba, Planning Director
Andy Clark, Community Services Director.
Mike Whitehead, Administrative Services Director
Rolling Hills City Council Members
Present: Black, Hill, Lay, Pernell
Absent: Heinsheimer
City Staff Present: Tony Dahlerbruch, City Manager
Marilyn Kern, Deputy City Clerk
AUDIENCE ITEMS
NONE
ITEM FOR DISCUSSION
A. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
MAYOR PRO TEM ZERUNYAN welcomed everyone in attendance.
1. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW, INCLUDING THE ROLE
OF THE CITY, COUNTY AND AREA G DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Mike Martinet, Area G Disaster Management, noted that a City
Council Members Guide to Disasters is available. He reported that
there are a number of systems in place throughout the region that
will provide mutual aid from various agencies and stressed that
city staffs are in need of support in terms of time and financial
commitment necessary to undertake training of those systems. He
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noted the importance of reassuring the public that their city is in
capable hands.
Mr. Martinet noted that the media can be a powerful ally to
effectively release reports and updates to the community.
2. LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY
RESPONSE OVERVIEW
Tony Iacano, Battalion Chief, noted that their primary role is to
provide a qualified well-trained work force to prepare for and
respond to emergencies. He was proud to report that they are
working with the Coast Guard on a tsunami task force.
' In the event of a major earthquake, Chief Iacano explained the
procedures they would implement such as sending reports to
command and control, establishment of an incident command
post, as well implementing disaster communications. If additional
assistance is necessary to establish multiple staging areas, cities
would open their Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and identify
what the region needs. He noted that once a short-term prognosis
is made of the damage, every street, hazardous facility and school
must be surveyed. Residents should plan on being able to take
care of themselves in a non-life threatening situation as
paramedics will be overwhelmed with emergency injuries.
RH COUNCIL MEMBER PERNELL inquired as to the unified
command and how that would be established.
Battalion Chief Iacano noted that, in the event of a major disaster,
the Los Angeles County Sheriff s Department will take over as
incident commander. He noted that high ranking officers will
report to the city councils and relay that information back to the
command center.
RHE COUNCIL MEMBER MITCHELL inquired if there is sufficient
personnel to deal with the Peninsula if a County-wide disaster
should occur.
Battalion Chief Iacano noted that they are prepared, but that
mutual aid may be required. He noted that Topanga Canyon has a
plan for their area and suggested designing a plan specifically
geared to the Peninsula.
3. LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY
RESPONSE OVERVIEW
Sgt. David Rozas, Lomita Sheriff's Station, announced their annual
Open House scheduled for Saturday, November 3 from 10:00 a.m.-
3:00 p.m. He then reported on the governing•codes and policies to
handle an emergency with the Sheriff acting as the Director of
Emergency Operations. He noted that in case of a disaster,
emergency information will be disseminated to the public whereby
a declaration of disaster may be made. He then recommended that
everyone be prepared for at least a week before assistance may be
available.
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Sgt. Rozas noted that unit commanders are responsible for pre-
planning for critical facilities and continuation of government. He
noted that disaster routes are pre-designated but are subject to
change depending on conditions. He noted that the role of Sheriff's
units is to provide disaster intelligence, but added that volunteers
are an integral part of the disaster program. He then stated that
the Sheriff's Department must also prepare their facilities as well
as schools, pharmacies, and pet identification programs.
RH City Manager Dahlerbruch inquired as to what the city's role is
in the EOC.
Sgt. Rozas indicated that cities will set up in their EOC with a staff
member and/or CORE Deputy acting as a communication link.
4. LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF DISASTER WORKER
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AND PVP COMMUNITY EMERGENCY
RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) OVERVIEW
John Douglas, Volunteer Program Coordinator, Los Angeles
County Sheriff's Department, commented that it . is everyone's
responsibility to assist in a disaster as there are many
opportunities to participate in volunteer organizations on the hill.
He provided a brief history of volunteer disaster service stating that
there are over 400 Peninsula residents in the CERT program. He
then referred to the Equine Response Team which has trained
volunteers to deal with horses and livestock as well as the Lomita
Mounted Posse and Mounted Search and Rescue. He encouraged
anyone who might be interested to attend a CERT neighborhood
response seminar.
5. DISASTER COMMUNICATION SERVICE (DCS)
Jim Johnson, DCS Operator, noted they have a local station at
Rolling Hills Estates City Hall. He explained their organization and
the duties they perform. He noted that the majority of agencies on
the hill have a radio station and emphasized the importance of
radio communications.
In response to RHE COUNCILWOMAN MITCHELL, Deputy Corey
Johnston noted that other agencies' have mutual aid stations that
can be tapped for assistance.
Battalion Chief Iacano reported that a $40 million dollar County-
wide radio project is in progress that will convert radios as well as
computers over to digital for interconnectivity.
6. PALOS VERDES PENINSULA SCHOOL DISTRICT EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS UPDATE
Pearl Iizuka, Deputy Superintendent of Business Services, noted
that there are 19 coordinated school sites in position to address an
emergency. She noted that their role is to ensure the children's
safety. She noted that ongoing training is provided as well as
conducting district-wide test drills. She then stated that although
they have sufficient supplies for least 72 hours, they are looking to
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extend that timeframe and that each school site and district office
has a ham radio on site. Additionally, she noted that they have a
"parent link" system that has the ability to call each parent who
has submitted their number for an emergency contact.
RHE COUNCILMAN ZUCKERMAN inquired as to the transportation
district with respect to buses. Deputy Johnston noted that the
Sheriff's Department has their own bus system, but that PV
Transit provides swift and excellent service assistance when a
quick response is needed.
7. PALOS VERDES PENINSULA LIBRARY DISTRICT EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS UPDATE
Dallas McMillan, Human Resources Manager, noted she is in
charge of purchasing first aid kits and supplies for the libraries as
their peak time includes many children. She stated that they have
400 volunteers trained in emergency response procedures and are
attempting to upgrade their communications as well as provide 72
hours of preparation.
8. FEDERAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE OVERVIEW
Fadi Essmaeel, Homeland Security Director, U.S. Congressman
Dana Rohrabacher's Office, commended everyone on their role in
coordinating this meeting. He noted that there is a distinct
difference between the roles of tactical operations and policy-
making and that both professional first responders and elected
officials should understand and appreciate the role of.the other.
Mr. Essmaeel briefly explained how the federal government will
provide assistance, noting that the Governor's office may ask the
President for a declaration of a disaster. He noted that many
federal agencies also have staff on site who will go to the various
cities if there is a major incident. He also noted that Los Angeles
County provides ongoing training courses.
COUNCILMAN ZUCKERMAN inquired into FEMA assistance and
how they respond.
Mr. Essmaeel indicated that this is not a response agency, but
rather a recovery agency.
RHE City Manager Prichard assured everyone that the Peninsula cities
have a well-prepared plan in place that involves communication
agencies, volunteers and a tremendous amount of resources. He noted
that the city councils' "pre-disaster" role is to lead and communicate with
staff on threat assessment, emergency supplies, budgets, training, and
provide information to the public on how they can prepare for at least
two to seven days on their own during an emergency.
ADJOURNMENT
RHE MAYOR SEAMANS adjourned the meeting to the regular Rolling Hills
Estates City Council meeting of Tuesday, October 9 at 7:30 p.m. and RH
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MAYOR BLACK adjourned the meeting to the next regular Rolling Hills City
Council meeting on Monday, October 22, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Approved,
/s/ Hope J. Nolan /s/ Douglas R. Prichard
Hope J. Nolan Douglas R. Prichard
Deputy City Clerk City Clerk
City of Rolling Hills Estates City of Rolling Hills Estates
Approved;
- _._._ .
James Black
Mayor
City of Rolling Hills
,
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