5/12/2014MINUTES OF
A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA
MONDAY, MAY 12, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order by Mayor Lay at
7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Black, Hill, Pieper and Mayor Lay.
Councilmembers Absent: Dieringer (excused).
Others Present: Raymond R. Cruz, City Manager.
Michael Jenkins, City Attorney.
Yolanta Schwartz, Planning Director.
Terry Shea, Finance Director.
Heidi Luce, City Clerk.
Leah Mirsch, 4 Cinchring Road.
It was noted that there will be no conference call location for this meeting.
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 April 28, 2014.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
B. Payment of Bills.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
C. City Council Finance/Budget/Audit Committee meeting notes of April 28, 2014.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Councilmember Hill moved that the City Council approve the items on the consent calendar as
presented. Councilmember Black seconded the motion. Following brief discussion regarding the
invoices for coyote control services and attorney services, the motion carried without objection.
PRESENTATION
Special Presentation to Leah Mirsch
in recognition of her nomination for the 66`" Assembly District
Women of Distinction Award
Councilmember Hill presented Leah Mirsch with a Certificate of Commendation in recognition of her
nomination for the 66th Assembly District Women of Distinction Award and thanked her for her service
to the community.
COMMISSION ITEMS
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-07. A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS GRANTING APPROVAL FOR A SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR
GRADING AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW RESIDENCE AND A SWIMMING POOL
AND A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A STABLE AND
CORRAL, IN ZONING CASE NO. 846, 11 UPPER BLACKWATER CANYON ROAD, (LOT
99-B-RH), (HANG JA YOO). THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA).
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Mayor Lay introduced the item and asked for staff's comments. Planning Director Schwartz stated that
this case at 11 Upper Blackwater Canyon Road was approved by the Planning Commission on a 4-1
vote. She reviewed the applicant's request for a new residence, swimming pool, stable and corral on an
11 -acre lot at 11 Upper Blackwater Canyon Road. She stated that the applicant proposes to demolish the
existing house and pool as well as various other structures and to construct a new home proposed at
10,175 sq. ft. with a 1,566 sq. ft. garage, an 8,900 sq. ft. basement and 1,300 sq. ft. swimming pool and
other miscellaneous accessory structures. She reviewed the plans for the project showing that the
applicant proposed to combine the three existing pads into one pad. She further stated that grading is
proposed at 4,138 cu. yds. of fill and 5,300 cu. yds. of cut with some of the dirt from the basement being
exported; and some of the dirt being used on the property to even out the corral area. She stated that the
Planning Commission held six public hearings and made four field trips regarding this case and each
time, the applicant was responsive to the concerns raised by the Planning Commission and made
changes to the proposal. She stated that Commissioner Smith voted against the Resolution citing that she
can not make the necessary findings regarding mass and scale; compatibility with the neighboring
properties; and preserving the natural terrain to the maximum extent possible. Brief discussion ensued
concerning the grading, the locations of the trees as proposed in the landscaping plan and the concerns
raised by the neighbors. Planning Director Schwartz commented that the neighbor's concerns have been
addressed. She further commented that the development standards are within the Zoning Code with
structural net lot coverage at 4.2% and total lot coverage at 10.7%; and the stable meets the requirement
for location, size and usage of the space. Councilmember Black suggested that the dirt from the
basement that is proposed to be exported be used instead to make a better shoulder on Upper Blackwater
Canyon Road and Sagebrush Lane.
Councilmember Black moved that the City Council receive and file Planning Commission Resolution
No. 2014-07 granting approval of the applicant's request in Zoning Case No. 846 at 11 Upper
Blackwater Canyon Road. Mayor Pro Tem Pieper seconded the motion. Mayor Lay expressed his
concern that the house is very large and 47% larger than the average house in the area. He expressed
concern that approving this house will lead to approval of larger houses in the future and stated that he
agrees with Commissioner Smith in that this project does not meet the findings relative to mass and
scale. Following brief discussion concerning the landscaping, compliance with the Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance requirements and the drainage Mayor Lay called for a roll call vote. The motion to
receive and file Resolution No. 2014-07 carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Black, Hill and Mayor Pro Tem Pieper.
NOES: Mayor Lay.
ABSENT: Councilmember Dieringer.
ABSTAIN: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ORDINANCES NO. 338 AND 338-U. AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
ROLLING HILLS AMENDING TITLE 15 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADOPTING BY REFERENCE TITLE
32 OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE (FIRE CODE), RATIFYING THE MORE
RESTRICTIVE FIRE STANDARDS CONTAINED IN THAT CODE, AND DELEGATING
ENFORCEMENT OF THE FIRE CODE IN THE CITY TO THE FIRE CHIEF, AND
DECLARING THE URGENCY THEREOF. THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM THE
PROVISIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 15061(B)(3).
Mayor Lay introduced the item and asked for staff's comments. Planning Director Schwartz stated that
the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recently adopted the Fire Code that went into effect on
April 24, 2014. She stated that there are two Ordinances before the City Council one is an Urgency
Ordinance which will make the Ordinance effective immediately and a regular Ordinance. She
recommended that the City Council adopt the Urgency Ordinance so that the City can be in compliance
with the Fire Code implemented by the County of Los Angeles and at the same time introduce the
regular Ordinance for first reading. She further noted that the City has the option of adopting the more
restrictive Fire Code as adopted by the County or adopting the Fire Code as adopted by the State Fire
Code. She commented that the primary difference between the two Codes is that the County Fire Code
does not allow arbors over driveways and requires clearance to the sky. She further reviewed the
additional provisions of the Ordinance.
Mayor Lay opened the public hearing and called for public comment. Hearing none, he closed the public
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hearing.
Following brief discussion, Councilmember Hill moved that the City Council waive full and further
reading of Ordinance No. 338-U and adopt the Urgency Ordinance adopting the Los Angeles County
Fire Code disallowing arbors over driveway's 'and introduce Ordinance No. 338 adopting the Los
Angeles County Fire Code for first reading, waive full reading and schedule the Ordinance for second
reading. Councilmember Black seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Black, Hill, Pieper and Mayor Lay.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Dieringer.
ABSTAIN: None.
OPEN AGENDA - APPROXIMATELY 8:00 P.M. - PUBLIC COMMENT WELCOME
A student at El Camino College introduced himself and commented that he is a journalism major and he
is attending the City Council meeting as one of his final projects.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF FISCAL YEAR 2013-2014 BUDGET
ADJUSTMENT NO.4
Mayor Lay introduced the item and asked for staff's comments. Finance Director Shea presented the
proposed budget adjustment stating that this adjustment is to correct an error in the budgeted amount for
the Sheriff's Dept. Contract and to increase the building permit and property tax revenue. He noted that
with this adjustment, the budget is still balanced.
Mayor Pro Tem Pieper moved that the City Council approve -the budget adjustments as presented.
Councilmember Hill seconded the motion, which carried without objection.
MATTERS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS
UPDATE ON THE PALOS VERDES PENINSULA REGIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING (ORAL).
Councilmember Hill provided an overview of the discussions from the May 8, 2014 Regional Law
Committee meeting. He commented that the City receives excellent ambulance service and crime is
relatively low. He cautioned the City Council to beware of identity theft crime, which is increasing
everywhere. He further commented that the Committee recommended approving a fixed percentage
formula for determining each City's annual portion of the Regional Sheriff's Dept. contract. Brief
discussion ensued concerning the formula.
Mayor Lay commented that he attended the Enhanced Watershed Management Program/Coordinated
Integrated Monitoring Program meeting regarding stormwater management last week noting that it was
a public meeting held by the Peninsula Cites to educate the public on the cities' stormwater management
practices. Brief discussion ensued concerning stormwater management.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
REPORT ON CONSIDERATION OF CHANGING THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
BUILDING CODE PERMIT RELATED FEES.
Mayor Lay introduced the item and asked for staff comments. City Manager Cruz reported that at the
direction of the City Council, staff reviewed the building code permit related fees and recommends no
change at this time given the limited income the City receives and the cost associated with providing the
service. Following brief discussion and a motion by Councilmember Black that died for lack of a
second, the report on consideration of changing the City of Rolling Hills Building Code Permit related
fees was received and filed. No action was taken.
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PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
None.
CLOSED SESSION
None.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no further business before the City Council, Mayor Lay adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m. The
next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled to be held on Monday, June 9, 2014 beginning at
7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California.
Approved,
B. Allen Lay
Mayor
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Respectfully submitted,
4vi &h
Heidi Luce
City Clerk
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