9/30/1957MINUTES OF THE
ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA
The adjourned meeting of the City Council of 23
September 1957*was reconvened at 7:30 p.m. Monday, 30
September 1957s to afford a public hearing for the
proposed motor vehicle ordinance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmen Bullard and Elliott
later, Mayor Goodman
Absent: Councilmen Tourtelot and Weitzel
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Mr. Nelson stated that he had heard that signs
setting speed limits had to be posted at certain intervals.
Mr. Kinley informed him that this matter was not necess-
arily applicable here but that a posting of the commence-
ment and end of the zone with possible other provisions
in the ordinance would cover the matter for. us.
Councilman Elliott, chairman of the Commission,
indicated that the present thinking was to set an absolute
speed limit of 35 mph end to end of Crest Road and on
Portuguese Bend Road from the main gate to Crest Road,
all other roads to have an absolute speed limit of 25 mph.
Mr. Fenn raised the question of weight limits for
trucks and the excessive speeds which they might attain,
particularly when running down hill on Portuguese Bend
Road. The use of "Shift to Low Gear's signs was suggested.,
The City Clerk informed the meeting that as of December,
1956 the load limits had been raised on trucks to permit
8 tons on 6 tires, 12 tons on 10 tires, and 16 tons on
14 tires. He said that we hope to raise the quality of
our roads to meet county specifications and eventually
eliminate.the need for 1rQad limits. Mr. Fenn suggested
that trucks: over some prescribed weight should have a
lesser speed limit.
Also Present: City Clerk Gilbert Myers, Deputy City
Clerk Phyllis Stockdale, City Attorney
William Kinley, Mrs. McCoy, Dr. Ruthella
Wilcox, Mrs. Margaret Orcutt, and Messrs.
F.T. Regan, Geoirge Fenn, Cutt Nelson,
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Sam Good, C.W. Beck.
Mayor pro tempore Bullard observed that a quorum was
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not present because Mayor Goodman was obliged to attend
the inaugural ceremonies of the City of Rolling Hills
Estates and was expected to appear shortly. He stated
that the purpose of this meeting was to hear comments of
citizens present regarding the proposed vehicle.ordinance
and for that purpose a quorum was not necessary.
Mr. Kinley reviewed the enabling bill passed by the
State Legislature effective 11 September 1957 and the
action of the Council in establishing a Traffic Commission.
He further stated that the Commission had based the rough
draft of a proposed vehicle ordinance under consideration
this evening upon selected portions of the State Motor
Vehicle Code.
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Mr. Nelson stated that he had heard that signs
setting speed limits had to be posted at certain intervals.
Mr. Kinley informed him that this matter was not necess-
arily applicable here but that a posting of the commence-
ment and end of the zone with possible other provisions
in the ordinance would cover the matter for. us.
Councilman Elliott, chairman of the Commission,
indicated that the present thinking was to set an absolute
speed limit of 35 mph end to end of Crest Road and on
Portuguese Bend Road from the main gate to Crest Road,
all other roads to have an absolute speed limit of 25 mph.
Mr. Fenn raised the question of weight limits for
trucks and the excessive speeds which they might attain,
particularly when running down hill on Portuguese Bend
Road. The use of "Shift to Low Gear's signs was suggested.,
The City Clerk informed the meeting that as of December,
1956 the load limits had been raised on trucks to permit
8 tons on 6 tires, 12 tons on 10 tires, and 16 tons on
14 tires. He said that we hope to raise the quality of
our roads to meet county specifications and eventually
eliminate.the need for 1rQad limits. Mr. Fenn suggested
that trucks: over some prescribed weight should have a
lesser speed limit.
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Discussion centered upon the need for slowing vehicles
as they go through the gates. It was believed that this
should be covered in the ordinance.
In response to the. question of adopting the California
State Code by reference,, Mr. Kinley observed that the defini-
tion of highways and roads would be at variance, as would
the difference in penalties permitted by the State and by
a city.
Further discussion centered upon the probability that
initially the limitation of truck weight would be better for
the Rolling Hills Community Association to set with possible
later= -ir corporation :in the ordinance.
A -general discussion elicited that vehicles on Rolling
Hills roads should be only those licensed by.� the State of
California and manned by individuals possessing State of
California operators licenses.
At 8.00 pwm. Mayor Goodman entered and the discussion
continued.. The definition of ".vehicles" was discussed:- This
matter was to be worked out by -the Traffic Commission.
Mr. Fenn suggested that the ordinance cover in some way,
the entrance of vehicles from driveways.upon the road, as he
had observed near -accidents where perspns were careless in
not stopping and looking first. In Section 85 it was suggested
that it be stop and yield the right of ways" instead of just
"yield the right of way."
Mr. Nelson spoke at some length about the dangers of
motorscooters, particularly those driven by children.
Dr. Ruthella Wilcox spoke regarding the importance of
handling young people.carefully and that a solution which
might be satisfactory in some other municiga- area might
not necessarily solve.our problem. She requested that she
be informed when any meeting regarding scooters was held
so she could attend.
Mr. Regan observed that it might be well to make.the use
of flares on the road legal. (Section 90)
Mr. Fenn suggested that there be some provision for
covering the matter of defacing traffic signs.
The Mayor stated that the fraction of this meeting was
to afford interested parties.a chance to comment on the
proposed traffic ordinance. He further observed that the
Traffic Commission was established:
1. To produce a traffic ordinance.
2. To deal with matters pertaining to traffic,
such as the placement of signs and the
establishment of speed -limits.
He further observed that the Traffic Commission would be in
a position to employ the services of the County Engineers
Department or, other traffic experts under contract.
Mr.. Nelson questioned whether or not the proposed
ordinance could be voted on by the .citizens at large. Mayor
Goodman replied that this could be done through refbrendum.
This process requires a petition.and involves expense and
delay. The Mayor said the Council wished to do what the
residents wanted done and that he did not believe it would
prove necessary to go to referendum, although that process
was an absolute right of the people.
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The Mayor observed that when the traffic ordinance
is effective that arrangements will be made for the
Sheriffs Department to enforce its measures.
There being ,no further business to come before the
meeting, it was moved by Councilman Elliott, seconded
by Councilman Bullard, and unanimously carried that the
meeting be adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
At A
City Cle
APPROVED:
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Mayor