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6/9/1969MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA June 9, 1969 A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order by Mayor Hesse at the Administration Build- ing, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California at 7:30 P.M. Monday, ,lune 9, 1969. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmen Fay, Klein, Nadal, Sauer, Mayor Hesse ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Teena Clifton City Manager William Kinley City Attorney Marion Welch City Treasurer June Cunningham Secretary Capt. John Peacock Lennox Sheriff's Station Miss Jenny Tufeld League of Women Voters Mrs. Graydon Beeks Resident MINUTES Motion to accept the minutes of the meeting of May 26, 1969 as presented was made by Councilman Fay, seconded by Councilman Nadal and unanimously carried. FINAL MAP, Tract 22083, Graydon Beeks The City Manager presented the final map of Tract 22083, a letter dated May 14, 1969 from Robert M. Moller, Regional Engineer, Los Angeles County Department of County Engineer and a letter dated June 3, 1969 from John A. Lambie, City Engineer, Los Angeles County Department of County Engineer. Mr. Moller made the rollowing recommendations: 1. Corrective grading undertaken to provide an acceptable location for a private sewage disposal area on Parcel 3 has been completed to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. 2. Restricted use area "A" should be shown on the final map as Restricted Use Area. The note should read: "The Restricted Use Area is subject to a geological hazard. Construction of structures within this area is prohibited until corrective grading, subject to the approval of the City Engineer, has been performed to eliminate the hazard." 3. Based on the findings contained in. geology reports submitted by the consultant geologist and reviewed by the Geology Section of the City Engineer's office, area "B" is not subject to a geological hazard if the private disposal systems for new building sites are not located within the area. Restricted area "B" should not be shown as a restricte& area. on the final map, because the location of buildings there is not pro- hibited. A note on the final map stating "Private sewage disposal systems are to be located in an area approved by the City Engineer" could be used but would not be necessary to insure compliance with the recommendations contained in the reports. Mr. Lambie advised that the City Engineer recommends: to Approval of the map. 2. Rejection of the Private Street which is offered, for dedication on said map. 3. That the Council make a find- ing as follows: a. The City Council, pursuant to Section 11587 of the Subdivision Map Act, hereby finds that Graydon. F. Beeks, the subdi- vider of the subject tract, has in good faith attempted to secure the signature of Palos Verdes Properties, a partnership, and Palos Verdes June 9, 1969 Water Company, and has been unable to do so, and a refusal to accept the map for recording would work an undue hardship on the subdivider. In the discussion that followed the City Manager advised that immediately prior to the opening of the meeting of the City Council she had received a telephone call from Mr. John Freiburg of 21 Saddle- back Road, and that he requested that the City Council be asked to delay consideration of the final map, so that he could submit a study made by a qualified geologist of his choice to the Council. Mayor Hesse asked whether Mr. Freiburg had previously objected to the sub- division, and Mrs. Clifton replied that he had objected, both by letter and by personal appearances, but that he had not presented evidence that the subdivision would be unsafe. She stated that she explained to Mr. Freiburg that it was the practice of the City to accept the advice and recommendations of the C}ty Engineer and the -Engineering Geology Section acting in the capacity of City Engineer in such tech- nical matters. Councilman Fay asked whether Mr. Freiburg; had had sufficient time to make the presentation he requested, and Mrs. Clifton said that Mr. Freiburg had appeared before the Planning Commission on January 21, 1969 with reference to his objections to the County Engin- eer's recommendation for corrective grading in an area 25 x 50 x 10 feet deep, and that Mr. Freiburg was notified in advance of all meet- ings at which Tract 22083 would be discussed. Councilman Fay said that in his opinion, Mr. Freiburg had had sufficient time to present a study, and he was not in favor of granting additional time for evidence, and further, that County Certified Engineering Geologists had been hired by Mr. and Mrs. Beeks, and the City of Rolling Hills has the County Engin- eering Geology Section as its consultants. Following the discussion Councilman Sauer moved that the recom- mendations of the City Engineer be accepted, and that the final map be approved. Motion was seconded by Councilman Klein and unanimously carried, and the City.'Clerk signdd the -linen original. PERSONAL APPEARANCES Captain John Peacock - Lennox Sheriff Station Mayor Hesse welcomed Captain John Peacock, new commander of the Lennox Sheriff's Station, and introduced him to other members of the Council. He then invited Captain Peacock to discuss with the City Council the problems of traffic violations and traffic safety'in the' City- of Rolling' Hills .- Captain Peacock advised the Council that the problems of traf- fic safety are becoming worse, and the solutions fewer. However, he said that there were fewer citations given for traffic violations this year than last, and a corresponding decrease in the number of accidents; as enforcement increases accidents decline, Captain Peacock said, and because of the attention given to traffic safety in Rolling Hills, there are few reported accidents. He did say, however, that speed citations have increased during the past month, although the accidents reported have not increased. Captain Peacock said he wished to bring two things to the attention of the Council: 1) Accidents are reported only if bodily injury or property damage result, and because of the unique characteristics of terrain and winding roads in RollingHills, there are many accidents in. which cars go off the road into a canyon, and neither bodily injury nor property damage result, and therefore the accident is not reported. He stated, however, that a memorandum is made without a file number on each accident in Rolling Hills, many of which are single car accidents with no injury or property damage. He said that this was requested by the City Manager to aid in plotting statistical data for pinpointing trouble spots in the City. 2) In increasing the number of citations for speeding, the discretionary powers of the officers is im- paired, and, the area in which the officer operates is restricted. Many times, depending on contributing factors, the officers have issued a -2- 1 1 June 9, 1969 warning, or have cautioned drivers about unsafe practices, but in re- sponse to requests from the -Council, that descretionary action has been eliminated, and more citations have been given as a result. Mayor Hesse said that there are three topics of concer in. the realm of traffic control: philosophy, policy and procedure. Regarding the first, safety of the citizens of Rolling Hills is the goal of the City. Regarding the second, the City expects both a) clear communi- cation of its traffic rules, and b) emphatic but intelligent enforcement of those rules. Regarding the third, the sheriff, rather, should de- termine the degree of discretion allowed to enforcement officers in implementing that policy. Captain Peacock explained that the posted. speed limits in. Rolling Hills are a combination. of the California basic speed law and reasonable speed for the local conditions, terrain, roads, etc. He advised that clocking speed by radar is more effective than cruising, but can not be done as we'll in Rolling Hills because of the terrain. :Mayor nesse commented that he had earlier proposed reduction, in. the maximum posted limits in the City, but that the Council had not accepted this. He still felt that posted limits were too high in some areas, particularly Portuguese Pend Road and Crest Road. Councilman Klein. stated that people have a tendency to drive at the maximum posted speed and to ignore other conditions that might make the maximum posted speed an, un.sa.fe speed, and it is that lack of judgment that: contributes to traffic problems within the City. Councilman Fay stated that speeders don't pay attention to posted speed limits, and because no record is kept of warnings issued he is in favor of more citations to control chronic. speeders. Councilman,Sauer said that there are many serious accidents that the sheriff is not aware of, because if the person involved is able to leave the scene the accident is not reported, and on Crest Rd. there is a very limited area safe for walking, and a high incidence_ of speeding cars in that area. Councilman Klein said that there are more complaints about speeding on. Crest Road because there.is more opportunity for observ- ation of speeders, and it was his opinion that there is also much speeding on. Portuguese Pend Road northbound. He expressed the opinion that the City must live with these problems or spend more money on law enforcement and speed control. Captain Peacock said he had visited the Administration. Office with. his Administrative Lieutenant, Lt. hays, and Traffic Sergeant Rentsch, and that Mrs. Clifton toured the City with them and showed them many of the problem areas, especially on Crest Road and Portuguese Bend Road. Councilman Nadal expressed the opinion. that 'residents who enter the City of Rolling Hills change their driving attitudes after passing the gates; after driving competitively and defensively on the freeways and on, streets that they are familiar with, and they tend to relax their atten.ti.on to speed limits and as a, result 'they exceed safe and posted speeds. Mayor Hesse requested. that Mrs. Clifton, City Manager, Council- man Klein., Chairman. of the Traffic Safety Committee and Captain Peacock meet in an effort to review further traffic enforcement :in the City. Mayor Hesse asked Captain Peacock whether budgetinL time of the patrol vehicles was a factor, and Captain Peacock stated that traffic control and speed control depend a great deal. on. the impressive impact of the presence of a black and white car, and to accomplish an appreciably -3- June 9, 1969 better safety record the only alternative is more man -power. Councilman Nadal asked whether a record is kept of warnings issued, and Captain Peacock said no such record was kept. Council- man Nadal asked the ratio of warnings vs. citations, and Captain Peacock said it would not be possible to say without records to sub- stantiate the figures. Mayor Hesse asked that a record of warnings be kept, if reasonably possible, for reporting to the City Council, and agreed with Captain Peacock that more and better enforcement will lead to more and better safety. City Attorney Kinley advised the Council and Captain Peacock that he is in the process of preparing a new traffic ordinance for presentation to the Council and the Sheriff's office by the en.d of the month. Councilman Nadal suggested that guards at the gates should remind all who enter the City to -observe rules for safety, and Mayor Hesse said that consideration may be given to re -instituting a printed greeting reminding visitors to observe the speed limits, as was done during a safety program several years ago. Mayor Hesse then thanked Captain Peacock for his appearance before the Council, and for the hel�ful, meaningful discussion. He said he appreciated Captain Peacock s approact to the problem of traffic safety in Rolling Hills, and hoped that with continued cooperation between the City Council and the Sheriff's Department the desired safety can be achieved. CORRESPONDENCE Hafif & Shernoff re: Proposed Resolution for Additional Superior Court judges A letter dated May 27, 1969 from the law offices of Hafif and Shernoff, and a resolution endorsing efforts to increase the number of judges for Los Angeles County by a minimum of twenty additional judges for Los Angeles County by a minimum of twenty additional Superior Court judges was presented by the City Manager. City Attorney William Kinley recommended that the proposed resolution be adopted. Mayor Hesse ordered the matter held on the agenda until sufficient time could be given to a report on the matter by the City Attorney. Los Angeles County Department of County Engineer Approval of Water System, Tract 2731.6, Clark Leonard The City Manager presented a letter dated March 12, 1969 from the County of Los Angeles, Department of County Engineer. Mr. john A. Lambie, City Engineer, advised that the instal- lation of the water main system and appurtenances for Tract 27316 has been. completed in, accordance with plans and specifications ap- proved by and in a manner satisfactory to the City Engineer, and he recommends that the City Council find that all work has been completed as required, and notify the subdivider of the Council's action. Motion to accept Mr. Lambie's recommendations and approve re- lease of the Subdivision Water System Agreement was made by Councilman Klein, seconded by Councilman Pay and unanimously carried. -4- 1 1 June 9, 1969 TENTATIVE TRACT NO.. 304409 Joseph T. Abdo Mayor Hesse opened discussion of the tentative map of Tract No. 30440, Joseph T. Abdo, which had been held on the agenda to allow members of the Council to make a field trip. Councilman Fay advised the Council that he had visited the site, and approved of the proposed drive. Although in two locations the grade of the drive is 20%, the maximum allowed, Councilman Fay said that the building site and the drive have been planned to give the most benefit to the eventual build- er, and would not be objectionable to surrounding properties. Following the discussion, motion to approve the tentative map subject to conditions imposed by the City Council at the meeting of May 12, 1969 was made by Councilman Fay, seconded by Councilman Sauer and unanimously carried. PAYMENT OF BILLS Councilman Sauer moved that Demands No. 1139 through 1153 be paid from the General Fund. DEMAND NO. PAYEE AMOUNT 1139 Addressograph Mul.tigraph 33.68 1140 Gateway National Bank 165.40 1141 County of Los Angeles 1.73.51 1142 General Telephone Company 148.23 1143 Klinger Retirement Dinner 20.00 1144 The Jack Kramer Club 1.2.60 1145 Lomita Maintenance Service 100.00 1146 L. A. County Road Dept. 20.37 (to be reimbursed) 1147 Walter Parker Painting 65.00 1148 Palos Verdes Water Co. 18.37 1149 Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 15.00 1150 Philp's Tractor Service 50.00 1151 voided' 1152 South Bay Daily Breeze 115.70 - 1.153 Southern Calif. Gas Co. 6.56 $ 944.42 Motion was seconded by Councilman Fay and carried by the follow- ing roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Fay, Klein, Nadal, Sauer, Mayor Hesse NOES: None ABSENT: None AGENDA ITEMS HELD OVER Highway Plan Amendment No. 707 Mayor Hesse stated that he wished to confer with. City Attorney Kinley and City Manager Clifton about proposed Highway Plan Amendment No. 707, and ordered the matter held on the agenda until a meeting could be scheduled. Palos Verdes Water Company Replacement Plans Councilman Sauer reported that representatives of the Palos Verdes Water Company had attended a meeting with representatives of the City, and although they did not present a replacement schedule, they did make a verbal commitment. Mr. Charles Nollenberger advised that financing had been obtained by the Water Company, and work within the City could commence within -5- June 9, 1969 30 - 45 days on an additional line on lower Portuguese Bend Road South. Mr. Nollenberger stated it would improve conditions for all in the area. Mayor Hesse requested that the City Manager send a letter to Mr. Nollenberger thanking him for his attention to the problems of Rolling Hills, and emphasizing that the City Council appreciates his cooperation, but the answer has not yet been presented, and the City Council will not support any request for rate increases without a sched- ule of completion for the entire city for bringing the service to present fire flow requirements. The Mayor then ordered the matter held on the agenda. Councilman Fay requested that Councilman Klein replace him as alternate on the Utilities and Related Services Committee, inasmuch as Councilman Klein, had been attending the meetings Joint Meeting_ re: Green Areas, City of Rolling Hills The matter was ordered removed from the agenda. West Basin Water Association The City Manager advised the Council that she had been ad- vised that a resolution presented by the South Bay Councilmen's Association entitled RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WEST BASIN WATER ASSOCIATION APPROVING AND SUPPORTING THE DETERMINATION OF LOS ANGELES REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD THAT ONLY CLASS III INERT NON -DECOMPOSABLE WASTES SHALL BE DEPOSITED IN CHANDLER'S PALOS VERDES SAND AND GRAVEL PITS UNDER AN APPLICATION FOR A WASTE DISPOSAL OPERATION FILED BY COMMERCIAL LANDFILL, INC. had been pre- sented at the meeting of the West Basin Water Association on May 29, 1969 and was adopted. MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL Intercom -'6,9- Mayor 69Mayor Hesse read a letter advising the Intercom '69 would be held at Rolling Hills High School on June 28, 1969. He then invited comment about the event from members of the Council. Councilman Nadal advised that he had spent several hours at the exhibit last year, and found it very worth while. He did say, however, that there were many more people from Watts in attendance than residents from the Peninsula, and expressed the belief that more people from the Peninsula area should try to visit and discuss the project with the interested people from Watts and other areas. Mrs. Clifton said that she also attended last year, and felt that it was a very worthwhile exhibit. Miss Jenny Tufeld, representative of the League of Women Voters reported that many 'Members of the League are working on the Human Relations Council as representatives of the League, which is one of the sponsors of the event. Mayor Hesse advised the Council that he would write a letter expressing the Council's view on the project. MATTERS FROM CITY OFFICERS Proposed Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 33 The City Attorney presented a proposed ordinance, Ordinance No. 82 entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 33 PROVIDING FOR ZONING IN SAID CITY, for first reading. -6- June 9, 1969. reading. Motion to introduce the ordinance and waive reading in full was made by Councilman. Nadal, seconded by Councilman Klein and adopted by the .following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Fay, Klein., Nadal, Sauer, Mayor Hesse NOES: None ABSENT: None City of Torrance - ZC 69-18 The City Manager advised that notice of application for a change of zone from A-1 to C-3 on a parcel of land on. Rolling Hills Road near Crenshaw Boulevard in the City of Torrance. Mrs. Clifton. said that when, the notice was received a telephone call was made to the. City of Torrance, and Mr. Besse., planner assigned to ZC 69-18 stated that no plans were submitted with the petition for change of zone from A-1 (Light agricultural district) to R-3 (Limited multiple family residential district.) Following discussion Councilman Klein moved that a letter be sent to the City of Torrance expressing disapproval of the requested zone change because multiple residential development would add to the traffic congestion in the area, and would add to the tax obligations of the City without adding to the tax base. Motion was seconded by Councilman Nadal and unanimously carried. Regional Planning Commission - Zone Exception Case #9140-4 Mrs. Clifton presented copies of a notice of public hearing before the Zoning Board, Regional Planning Commission scheduled for Wednesday June 18, 1969. The request is for an exception to the A-1-20,000 (Light Agriculture -20,000 sq. ft. minimum required area) Zone in order to develop and construct 25 single family residences on lots with an average area of 7,000 square feet on property located on the east side of Crenshaw Boulevard and south of Crest Road in the Rolling Hills Zoned District. Mrs. Clifton explained that the land in ques- tion is owned by Congregation Ner Tamid, and is situated between St. John Fisher Catholic Church and Del Cerro homes, on Crenshaw Blvd. The City Manager said that the land under consideration was the subject of Zone Exception Case 8922(4) heard by Regional Plan- ning on September 26, 1968. The request at that time was for an exception in order to establish, operate and maintain a residential planned development on an approximately eleven acre site; said devel- opment to consist of 102 single family detached residences and two- family duplexes, a maximum of three stories in height, a recreation building and facilities, open space areas, tot lots, parking, etc. Mrs. Clifton attended the hearing and presented to Regional Planning Commission the objections of the City Council. Subsequently, the exception was denied by the Board of Supervisors. The City Manager presented letters from Mr. Louis Hribar, president of Del. Cerro Homeowner's Association and advised that the plan submitted to Regional Planning by Congregation Ner Tamid was not acceptable to Del Cerro, an -.d a revised plan for 29 lots instead of 102 was subsequently submitted to Del Cerro. The second plan was unacceptable on several points, and Del Cerro Homeowner's Association enlisted the services of Mr. Hai C. Tan, a professional architect and land planner, for the purpose of developing a plot plan that would be satisfactory to Congregation Ner Tamid and the community of Del Cerro. -7- June 9, 1969 After receipt of the latest notice Mr. Hirbar advised Mrs. Clifton that the Del Cerro Homeowners were planning to meet on June 9, 1969 to consider the latest request for zone exception, and it is his feeling that they will oppose the plan for 25 lots, but will consider an alternate plan with 21 lots as a compromise, because other details such as road location and access are more satisfactory than any of the other plans submitted. After general discussion Mayor Hesse stated that he is opposed to the progressive exacerbation of Land, and directed that a letter be sent to Regional Planning Commission opposing any change of zone that would result in greater density than Del Cerro as undes:ireable, unnec- essary, and an. additional burden to the entire Peninsula and its facilities. The Mayor directed the City Manager to attend the Regional Planning Commission meeting on June 18th and present the views of the Council. Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Mrs. Clifton advised that a telephone call to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce provided the following information: The City of Rolling Hills Estates contributed $1,000.00 to the Chamber in 1967-68; $2,000.00 in 1968-69. An allocation of $4,000.00 has been included in the Rolling Hills Estates budget for 1969-70, but the budget had not yet been approved. The City of Palos Verdes Estates has not made any contribution, and none is expected this year. Mayor Hesse stated that he applauds the actions and purposes of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerct, but said the City of Rolling Hills is without any commercial area, and a contribution could not be justified. He then directed the City Manager to send a letter respond- ing to the Chamber's letter dated May 6, 1969 requesting a contribution. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the meeting, Mayor Hesse recessed the meeting to a personnel session at 10:30 P.M. The meeting reconvened at 11:40, and was adjourned at 11:45 P.M. on the motion of Councilman Fay, seconded by Councilman Nadal and unani- mously carried. APPROVED: Mayor City C' 1