Loading...
11/12/1974MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA November 12, 1974 A regular meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Battaglia at 7:30 P.M. Tuesday, November 1.2, 1974 at the Administration Building, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California. ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmen Crocker, Heinsheimer, Le Conte, Rose Mayor Battaglia City Attorney William Kinley Teena Clifton Douglas Rogers June. Cunningham Patrice Huling Pat Russell Charles Aylesbury Pixie Breitenstein Eugenie Buchanan Allan. Bullard Nancy Bogdanovic Mr. & Mrs. Russell Chase Robin Floren R. E. Hall Carol Hanscom Evie Hankins Nancy Hynes Mr. and Mrs. Jay Kuhne Catherine Partridge E. L. Pearson R. Rihaczek A. Stribley Suzanne Small Dr. S. Wolinsky F. W. Woodbridge Kathy Watts Louise Zimmerman 266 City Manager City Treasurer Secretary Administrative Aides Residents A motion to approve and accept the minutes of the meeting of October 14, 1974 as corrected was made by Councilman Crocker, seconded by Councilman Heinsheimer and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen. Crocker, Heinsheimer, Le Conte, Rose Mayor Battaglia A motion to approve and accept the minutes of the meeting of October 31, 1974 as presented was made by Councilman Crocker, seconded by Councilman Heinsheimer and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Crocker, Heinsheimer, Le Conte, Rose Mayor Battaglia FLAME -X TREATED WOOD SHAKES AND SHINGLES 294 The Manager advised the Council that Mr. Jack Davidson, 100 Saddle- back Road, was unable to attend the meeting in connection with his re- quest that the Council consider use of Flame -X treated wood shakes and shingles, and requested that the matter be held on the agenda. The Mayor so ordered. 0 Sm November 12, 1974 COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY IN ROLLING HILLS 310 Copies of the Report of the Committee to Study Commercial Use of' Property in Rolling Hills dated July 1, 1974 and a Report by the Special Committee on the Philosophy on Commercial Use of Property in Rolling Hills were presented. Councilwoman Le Conte, chairman of the special committee, asked that the word "alleged" be inserted in the first and third paragraphs on page 1. Councilwoman Le Conte stated that all but one of the Committee members are present at the meeting, and it was the unanimous recommendation of the Committee that the Council consider adoption -of the policy and philosophy on commercial use of property in 'Rolling Hills as presented. Mayor Battaglia said he wished to thank members of the committee who had attempted to develop an acceptable philosophy that would be reasonable, but would not permit offensive activity that would be detri- mental to -the. ­.rural character of the community. 00 Residents present at the meeting expressed opposition to adoption of the philosophy as presented, stating that the policy as presented was too general, vague and ambiguous, and presented too much opportunity for violation. The following residents spoke in opposition of adoption of the philosophy as presented: Mrs. Nancy Bogdanovic, 71 Saddleback Road; Dr. Sam Wolinsky, 8 Reata Lane; Mrs. Catherine Partridge, 69 Por- tuguese Bend Road; Mr. Art Stribley, 8 Outrider Road; Mrs. Nancy Hynes, 18 Chuckwagon Road; Mrs. Evie Hankins, 4 Spur Lane; Mr. Russell Chase, 2 Ringbit Road East; Mrs. Dorothy Kuhne, 6 Johns Canyon Road. Following comments by residents Councilman Rose said he considered the philosophy very general in its presentation, and said it should be written more specifically because of the potential impact on residents. Councilman -Le Cbnte said the orcrinance'.'.of the City requires that the matter be referred to the Planning Commission for a recommendation be" fore the Zoning Ordinance could be amended with regard to commercial .activity. Councilman Crocker said the philosophy in its present form was too controversial to be referred to the Planning Commission; fur- �ther,it was hisopinionthat the ultimate decision regarding amendment -of the ordinance should be made by the elected officials of the City 'Council, rather than the Planning Commission, which is an advisory body appointed by the Council. Councilwoman Le Conte explained that there would be a further hearing before the Council on the recommendation of the Planning Commission. Councilman Rose said the philosophy should be made available to members of the community before being referred to the Planning Commission for consideration of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, and he suggested that because of comments ofresidentsduring testimony indicating that the community at large is unaware of the study, the July report and the statement of philosophy should be made available to all residents. Councilman Rose moved that the matter be held on the agenda to give-re-sidenits an opportunity to review the reports. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Le Conte, and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Crocker, Le Conte, Rose, Mayor Battaglia NOES: Councilman Heinsheimer Mayor. Battaglia ordered the matter held on the agenda, and said the next meeting of the Council would be at La Cresta School on Monday November 25 at 7:30 P.M. Councilman Heinsheimer requested that a report be prepared out- lining the legal implic-ations of amending the ordinance to enable the Planning Commission to issue conditional use permits for certain -2- d° U 1N. November 12, 1974 approved activities. The Mayor said that Mr. Kinley is reviewing the matter for the Community Association with regard to Deed Restrictions, and said he would ask him to research the legal implications to the City as a result of amending the ordinance. Further, Councilman Heins- heimer requested that a financial impact statement be prepared by the committee estimating the cost in dollars and time required to implement their recommendations. Councilwoman Le Conte said one possibility con- sidered by the committee was requirement of an impact statement to be the responsibility of the applicant; another was investigation of com- plaints rather than an attempt at general enforcement. Mayor Battag- lia asked that further comments be held for the meeting on November 25. CHESTER NOBLE, 6 RINGBIT ROAD EAST 760 Mayor Battaglia ordered the letter dated October 8, 1974 from Chester Noble, 6 Ringbit Road East, received and filed, since the matter about which he complained, commercial activity at 12 Crest Road East, is no longer conducted in Rolling Hills. COMPLAINTS RE: EQUESTRIAN ACTIVITY FOR NON-RESIDENTS 765 Mrs. Clifton reported that the complaint relating to commercial equestrian activities being conducted for non-residents on property on Williamsburg Lane had been resolved by receipt of letters dated Ocotber 10 from Mr. Robert Foulk, 9 Williamsburg Lane and from Mr. Lee Sawyer, 16 Williamsburg Lane, advising that -the activity had ceased. Mayor Battaglia ordered the correspondence received and filed. HOWARD JENSEN, 70 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD 770 Mayor Battaglia ordered the matter held on the agenda for clari- fication of the ordinance by the City Attorney. COYOTES ON JOHNS CANYON ROAD 775 Councilman Rose reported that Dr. John McDonald, 30 Caballeros Road, had agreed to determine the proper dosage of a tranquilizer to be used to capture the coyotes in the Johns Canyon area so that they may be captured without harm and turned over to the animal control authorities for release in an appropriate area. CITY OF INGLEWOOD 794 Mrs. Clifton reported that on August 27, 1974 the Board of Super- visors adopted a resolution approving the procedure established for implementing the Safe Streets Act. Mayor Battaglia ordered the matter removed from the agenda. LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES 797 Councilman Rose, Council representative to the -League of California Cities, said he had no report on the matter, and requested that the correspondence be received and filed. The Mayor so ordered. RECESS 800 Mayor Battaglia recessed the session at 9:45 P.M. and reconvened the meeting at 10:00 P.M. NOISE ELEMENT 807 Councilwoman Le Conte moved that the Noise Element to the General Plan be adopted as amended by the Planning Commission and forwarded to the Secretary of State as required by law. The motion was seconded by Councilman Crocker and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Crocker, Heinsheimer, Le Conte, Rose Mayor Battaglia -3- November 12, 1974 SCENIC HIGHWAY ELEMENT 844 Councilwoman Le Conte moved that the Scenic Highway Element to the General Plan be adopted as amended by the Planning Commission and for- warded to the Secretary of State as required by law. The motion was seconded by Councilman Crocker and carried by the following roll call ote: AYES: Councilmen Crocker, Heinsheimer, Le Conte, Rose Mayor Battaglia SUB -AGREEMENT AMENDMENT AND APPROVAL FOR GROUNDSKEEPER POSITION 853 The Manager presented an amendment to the Sub -Agreement and Approval for a Groundskeeper Position under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) for the Mayor's signature. Mrs. Clifton explained that funds have been assigned to the City of Rolling Hills for an ad- ditional member of the maintenance force, and the program is fully t,.funded for a period of one year. With additional personnel the main- Xtenance department will assume all gardening,and landscaping for the r—City and some of the work at the Caballeros ring. G:� A motion to approve the amendment and authorize the Mayor to =execute the agreement was made by Councilman Crocker, seconded by Councilwoman Le Conte and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Crocker, Heinsheimer, Le Conte, Rose NOES: Mayor Battaglia TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE 886 tent Councilman Crocker moved to expand his recommendation for place- nt of stakes with reflectors, approved on October 14, 1974 for an ea on Cinchring Road, to other potential problem areas in the City ioned in a memorandum dated September 20, 1974 from Charles Sutton, Traffic Engineer, specifically: On the west side of Southfield Road between Flying Mane Road and Ringbit Road, 142 feet; On the north side of Crest Road, at drain east of Portuguese Bend Road; On the east side of Eastfield Drive, between premises 40 and 46 The motion was seconded by Councilman Rose and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Crocker, Heinsheimer, Le Conte, Rose Mayor Battaglia UNDERGROUND UTILITIES: PROGRESS REPORT 967 Portuguese Bend Road South Councilwoman Le Conte reported that the underground utilities roject on Portuguese Bend Road South is under way and will be com- leted in the near future. Mrs. Clifton said sand will be required or three-fourths of the distance of the trenching, which will require dditional funds. Portuguese Bend Road North The Manager reported that the underground utilities project on Portuguese Bend Road North will commence on Monday, November 18. -4- November 12, 1974 PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Councilwoman Le Conte advised the Council that her Administrative Aide, Mrs. Pat Russell, is working on the matter of applications by utilities for rate increases, and a report will be made to the Council as soon as additional information is available. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1022 Councilman Crocker moved that the Financial Statements for Septem- ber 1974 be approved as presented. The motion was seconded by Council- man Rose and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Crocker, Heinsheimer, Le Conte, Rose Mayor Battaglia PAYMENT OF BILLS 1158 Councilman Crocker moved that Demands No. 4073 through 4083 in the amount of $10,250.24 dated October 29, 1974 and Demands No. 4084 through 4128 in the amount of $8,027.34 dated November 12, 1974 be approved for payment from the General Fund. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rose and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Crocker, Heinsheimer, Le Conte, Rose Mayor Battaglia CITY ATTORNEY 1167 Amendment to Ordinance No. 33, Zoning Mayor Battaglia said he wished to Ordinance No. 33, ARTICLE III, Section ing of November 25 at La Cresta School Attorney. CITY DEPARTMENTS DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL CONTROL 1239 hold the proposed Amendment to 3.02 on the agenda for the meet - for presentation by the City The Department of Animal Control Report of Activities for the Fiscal Quarter July 1, 1974 through September 1974 was presented to the Council. The report was received and filed. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE Vandalism 1257 Mr. R. E. Hall, 16 Outrider Road, said he wished to bring to the Council's attention the repeated vandalism on mailboxes in the Out- rider Road section of the City. Mr. Hall said he and his neighbors had lost mailboxes due to explosion on several occasions, and said it is a Federal offense. Councilman Rose said the problem of vandalism is widespread through- out the City, and extends to demolition of signs and personal property. Mayor Battaglia said the matter would be covered later in the meeting. MATTERS FROM THE COUNCIL Increased Insurance Coverage Councilman Crocker moved City's liability limit from an increased cost of $1,577 tional costs this year, and 1277 that the Council approve increasing the one million to five million dollars, at per year, with the City paying the addi- the additional cost pro -rated between the -5- 1 November 12, 1974 City and the Association in the next budget. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rose and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Crocker, Le Conte, Rose, Mayor Battaglia NOES: Councilman Heinsheimer edroom Tax on New Construction 1302 Councilwoman Le Conte suggested that the Council consider imposing a bedroom tax on new construction, with the funds being applied to recreational purposes. Councilman Heinsheimer said he had included the suggestion in his memorandum dated March 5, 1973, requesting that the Council consider amending the net/gross requirements for subdivision and felt it should be again considered after resolution of the net/gross question by adoption of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. �.. Councilwoman Le Conte requested that the Council be given a fee Wschedule for development of property in Rolling Hills, and Mayor Battag- r--Ilia stated that :to; be meaningful, the fee schedules for other cities 'Z on the Peninsula should also be provided. C=� Vandalism 1344 Councilwoman Le Conte said she had been informed that vandalism in the City is increasing. Mayor Battaglia said he felt it was becoming a serious problem, especially with increased sheriff's services that the City had contracted for in the current fiscal year. The Manager said she planned to meet with the Sheriff at the Lennox station the following day, and would report to the Council at the next jeeting. Damage to personal property has increased, the Manager said, nd severe damage was recently done to equipment parked overnight 'by he trash collectors at a location approved by the Manager. The Mayor aid that with known locations of repeated vandalism, he felt the problem should be easier to deal with to eliminate repeated incidents. Following discussion, Councilwoman Le Conte moved that the City Manager be instructed to report at her meeting with the Sheriff: 1. That the Council is generally dissatisfied with the repeated vandalism in the Community and the lack of traffic citations issued in the last reporting period, and 2. That the Council requests that the Sheriff make recommendations to the Council for possible solution, including stake -outs, to deal with the particular problems encountered. The motion was seconded by Councilman Heinsheimer and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Crocker, Heinsheimer, Le Conte, Rose Mayor Battaglia Speed Bumps Mayor Battaglia stated that although speed bumps are generally iscoura.ged by both(. the Sheriff and Fire Department as a speed con- rol measure, he wished the Council to consider limited use of speed lumps on Crest Road in the vicinity of the Barnard residence at 63 Crest Road East because of continuing problems of speeding, and resulting property damage in the area. Specified Truck Route 1557 Councilman Rose requested that the City Council consider an ordi- nance which would require all large vehicles serving Crest Road or, November 12, 1974 residences south of Crest to enter the City through the Crenshaw Gate, using Crenshaw Boulevard rather than Portuguese Bend Road. Mayor Battaglia referred the matter to the Rolling Hills Community Association for consideration of establishing a specified truck route. Joint Meeting with Board of Directors 1600 Mayor Battaglia said he felt a joint meeting of the City Council and Board of Directors of the Community Association would be beneficial to both bodies, and requested that the Manager attempt to find a date that would be convenient for all members. The Manager reported that a recent report of non -approved construction of a two story addition to a residence on Blackwater Canyon should be considered by both the Board and City Council, because of violations of Deed Restrictions and City Ordinances. Keeping of Animals and Fowl 1626 Councilman Rose suggested that when the Rolling Hills booklet is next printed, Ordinance No. 91 relating to keeping of animals and fowl be enlarged on, since there is confusion among residents about the kind and number of animals permitted in Rolling Hills. Swimming Pool Fences 1649 Councilman Crocker said he had been advised by Mrs. Clifton that the Department of Building and Safety declined to comment by letter on lack of a requirement for swimming pool fences in Rolling Hills, simply stating that the County ordinance requires a fence five feet high around all swimming pools. Councilman Rose said he would bring a sign that was given to him by his pool man. Since required by County ordinance, Councilman Rose make them available at the office to residents Ordinance Regulating Taxi Rates 1901 to a Council meeting posting the sign is suggested that the City at cost. Mrs. Clifton reported that the City receives applications on an increasingly frequent basis from persons wishing to operate a taxi service in Rolling Hills. A requirement at present is that the oper- ator show proof of adequate liability insurance; however, the City of Palos Verdes Estates has recently adopted an ordinance regulating operation of taxis in that city, and Mrs. Clifton said she has re- quested a copy of the ordinance, which will be presented to the Council for review. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Battaglia adjourned the meeting to a personnel session at 11:50 P.M. The meeting reconvened at 12:10 A.M. and was adjourned at 12:15 A.M. on the motion of Councilman Heinsheimer, seconded by Council- man Crocker and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Crocker, Heinsheimer, Le Conte, Rose Mayor Battaglia City Clerk APPROVED: Mayor -7- 1