1/14/1980 312
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS , CALIFORNIA
January 14 , 1980.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills
was called to order at the Administration Building, 2 Portuguese Bend
Road, Rolling Hills, California by Mayor Swanson at 7 : 30 P.M. Monday,
January 14 , 19800
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmen Heinsheimer, Pernell, Mayor Swanson
ABSENT: Councilmen Crocker, Rose
ALSO PRESENT : Teena Clifton City Manager
William Kinley City Attorney
Brice Stevenson RHCA Manager
June Cunningham Deputy City Clerk
Mrs. R. Becker Residents
T. Cobb
Mr. & Mrs. T. Cipolla
Mrs. D. Friedman
R. Ferris
Mrs. E. Hankins
Mrs. D. Vinter
Dr. B. Weiss
Mrs. L. Zimmerman
APPROVAL OF MINUTES 215
' The minutes of the meeting of December 10, 1979 were approved and
accepted as presented on a motion made by Councilman Pernell , seconded
by Mayor Swanson and carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES : Councilmen Heinsheimer, Fernell, Mayor Swanson
NOES : None '
ABSENT: Councilmen Crocker, Rose
AUDIT REPORT, FISCAL YEAR 1978/79 219
The Audit Report prepared by Cotton and Francisco, Auditors, was
held on the agenda at the request of the City Treasurer.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT 227
The Financial Statement for November 1979 was approved and accepted
as presented on a motion made by Mayor Swanson, seconded by Councilman
Heinsheimer and carried by the following roll call vote :
AYES : � Councilmen Heinsheimer, Pernell , Mayor Swanson
NOES : None
ABSENT: Councilmen Crocker, Rose
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Coancilman Pernell moved that Demands No . 8510 through 8552 , with
the exception of Demands No. 8514, 8526 and 8543 which were voided, be
paid in the amount of $18. 358. 77 from the General Fund. The motion was
seconded by Mayor Swanson and carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES : Councilmen Heinsheimer, Pernell , biayor Swanson
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmen Crocker, Rose
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January 14 , 1980
APPEAL OF PLANNING COM�4ISSION DECISION, THOb4AS CIPOLLA 316
A letter dated January 8, 1980 from Mr . and Mrs. Thomas Cipolla,
14 Buggy Whip, appealing the decision of the Planning Commission on
December 18, 1979 denying a request for a Conditional Use Permit for
construction of a tennis court , was presented to the Council . With
the permission of the applicant who was present at the meeting, Mayor
Swanson set the time for hearing at 7 :30 P.M. Monday, February ll .
PROPOSED CLOSING OF LA CRESTA SCHOOL 320
Mayor Swanson opened discussion of the proposal to close .La Cresta
School , recently announced by the School Board, and she invited residents
present to speak to the matter.
Mrs. Louise Zimmerman, 12 Cinchring Road, advised that the School
Board announced that La Cresta School would be closed because of declining
enrollment , and Rolling Hills students would be sent to one of two other
elementary schools. Mrs . Zimmerman said parents were advised that the
(� capacity of La Cresta is 300, enrollment in 1971 was 291 , and the present
� enrollment is 203, and the recommendation to the Board was that . combining
OLa Cresta students with students in other schools would result in a
heterogeneous student body which would improve the quality of education.
a Mrs. Zimmerman said she and other residents are concerned about the lack
� of involvement by the City Council , and she said many Rolling Hills
Q residents were not aware that the school district property is within
the boundaries of the City of Rolling Hills, since the access road to
the schuol facilities is outside of the City. Mrs. Zimmerman said she
is concerned about what will happen if the property, conslsting of 30
acres ; is sold by the School District . She expressed a concern about
the eventual use if it becomes available for building, and she said the
vacant property would present an open invation for vandalism. Finally,
Mrs. Zimmerman said that in the interest of energy conservation the
schooT should be kept open because of the increased distance to Mira-
leste Elementary and Rancho Vista Schools , and the fact that children
who can now walk .to school would have to be transported a distance of
several miles a day.
Mrs. Zimmerman said a hearing is being held by the School Board
concurrent with the City Council meeting, and the following residents
chose to attend that hearing, but asked that their names be entered
into the record of the Council meeting as opposing the proposal to
close La Cresta School : Mrs. Carole Hoffman, n�irs. Carole Spellberg,
Bill Corette.
Mr. Kinley said the property owned by the School District was
purchased from Palos Verdes Properties in 1960 for use as a school
site, and he said he would obtain a copy of the restrictions which
apply to the property.
Mr. Raymond Ferris, 50 Eastfield Drive, asked that the City Attor-
ney review the deed for the property, and also asked the extent of
power the City Council has in the decision to close the school . Mr .
Ferris said it is his opinion �that the Committee appointed to study
possible closing of schools made a recommendation to the School Board
without a proper foundation or demographic studies . Mr. Ferris said
such studies made in connection with his business show different pro-
jections, and since people move to the Peninsula because of the school
system, he is concerned that the school may be closed prematurely, and
increased elementary school population which is expected toresult from
current and proposed development of properties adjacent to Rolling Hills
will put a burden on the elementary schools. Mr. Ferris said the recom-
mendation to close La Cresta was made after a study made in a short
time frame, and he advised the Council that on a percentage basis a
demographic profile showed that the elementary school population will
be 50% greater than projected by the School District . Mr. Ferris said
� that based on information available to him, he is concerned about
closing Peninsula schools on any level . Councilman Heinsheimer agreed
that the age level of Rolling Hills residents is changing, stating
that at one time people bought homes in Rolling Hills after they had
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January 14 , 1980 �
earned sufficient money, but in today' s economy younger people �vith
young children are responding to the economic situation by assuming
large debts at an early age, and the age level of Rolling Hills
resicients is consequently lower. He recommended that the Council
regulate the zoning of the property to control the use of the pro-
perty.
Councilman Pernell said he has a long-standing interest in the
school because of his involvement with the School District as a long
time resident of Rolling Hills , and he said the Council should develop
a strategy that would be effective. Mr. Ferris asked that members of
the Council contact members of the School Board, either by phone or
letter, express their concern about the proposal to close the schools,
and ask for the reason behind the decision. He also asked that the
CounciT consider zoning the property for use as a school , which would
severely limit the ability of the District to sell the property, and
which would also preserve the site in the event that a private school
might wish to purchase the land.
Other residents who attended the meeting and expressed opposition
to the proposal to close La Cresta School were: Mrs. Evelyn Hankins,
4 Spur Lane; Mrs. Dawn Friedman, 13 Portuguese Bend Road; Mrs. Ruthlee
Becker, 10 Portuguese Bend Road, and Mrs . Dorothy Vinter , 9 Reata Lane.
They advised the Council that a huge effort is being made by concerned
residents, and they urged the Council to take an action.
Councilman Heinsheimer said the School Board should be urged to
postpone the decision to close the school , and should review the
statistical data available, and he suggested that residents take a
position and use available community resources, including office
equipment available in the City Hall to formulate their position for
presentation to the School Board. Mayor Swanson said she agreed
that a letter should be sent to the School Board, advising them of
the concern of Rolling Hills residents and Council members. Council-
man Pernell suggested that the Committee representing the Community
be authorized to represent the Council in their presentation to the
School Board, and he agreed to act as Chairman of the Committee and
represent the Council; also to attend the next hearing before the
School Board on Monday, January 28.
RECESS
The meeting was recess.�d at 9 : 05 P.M. and reconvened at 9 : 15 P.M.
ZONING OF SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY ?60
Mr. Kinley advised the Council that the School District bought �
the property �or a school si.te from Palos Verdes Properties in 1960,
and if the use of the property .changes it was his recommendation that
the property should be down-zoned. Mr. Kinley said that to accomplish
this the Council could adopt a resolution changing the zone, or could
ask the Planning Commission to review the matter and make a recommend-
ation to the City Council. Mr. Kinley said the Planning Commission
could also adopt a resolution recommending a change of zone. Council-
man Pernell said the Committee should have a resolution when they
appear before the School Board, and he suggested that the Council '
adopt a resolution of intent to zone the property. The City Attorney
advised the Council that although the site is occupied by the School
District , and a Conditional Use Permit was obtained as required, the
Zoning Map indicates that the property is zoned RAS-2 .
Councilman Heinsheimer moved that the Council ask the Planning
Commission to review the status of the zoning and the restrictions on
the property with the City Attorney, review the advisability of changing
the zoning, and advise the Council, and that the School Board be noti-
fied of the action. The motion was seconded by Mayor Swanson and
carried by the following roll call vote :
AYES: Councilmen Heinsheimer, Pernell , Mayor Swanson
NOES : None
ABSENT: Councilmen Crocker, Rose
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January 14 , 1980
Mayor Swanson said that since the next hearing before the School
Board is scheduled for the same date and time as the next,_ regular
City Council meeting, a decision would be made whether to adjourn the
Council meeting to a different hour so all members of the Council
could attend the School Board meeting, or whether to meet at the
regular time, with one member of the Cour�cil attending the School �
Board meeting.
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIFS RE : PERIPHERAL CANAL SUPPORT 910
A letter dated December 19, 1979 from the League of California
Cities was distributed to the Council. The Council was advised that
the Los Angeles County Division' s Board of Directors unanimously
adopted a motion supporting the construction of the Peripheral Canal
on December 6, 1979, and each city in the district was requested to
support the construction.
A motion to support the Peripheral Canal construction was made
by Mayor Swanson, seconded by Councilman Heinsheimer arid carried
� unanimously. �
� LOS ANGELES REGIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING BOARD , 929
�
Q A letter dated December 21 , 1979 from the Los Angeles Regional
a Criminal Justice Planning Board, announcing the availability of a
a request for proposal for juvenile justice and delinquency prevention
funds was presented to the Council . Mayor Swanson ordered the matter
held on the agenda until the next meeting for appointment of a member
of the Community to the Advisory Board.
DEPARTMENT OF COUNTY ENGINEER-FACILITIES RE: I'IRE STATION PROPERTY 941
, A letter dated December 26, 1979 giving notification of intent
to dispose of County-owned. excess property was presented to the .
Council. Mrs. Maureen Neary, Real Property Agent , Department of
� . County Engineer, advised that the property consisting of 1.07+ acres,
adjacent to the Fire Station, has been determined to be excess to
County Government needs, and is being processed for sale and restor-
ation to the tax rolls . �
Mr. Kinley advised the Council that the parcel is not a building
site. He recommended that the matter be referred to the Planning
Commission for a determination of whether disposal of the property
con�orms with the City' s General Plan.
DR. AND MRS. RICHARD SPELLBERG APPEAL OF FINDINGS RE : DOG ATTACK 959
In a letter dated December 27, 1979 Dr. and Mrs. Richard Spellberg.,
5 Chestnut Lane, advised that they wish ta file an appeal of the find-
ings� of the City Manage� ..on December 17 in connection with a complaint
filed by Pamela Burnett , 4 Chesterfield Lane, reporting an attack by .
the Spel lberg' s dog on a dog �owned�by Pds: Burneti�:
jUith the consent of the Council Mayor Swanson said the matter
would be heard in February, on a date convenient for Dr. Spellberg.
The Manager was requested to contact the Spellbergs, and advise
Mayor Swanson when they would be available for an appearance:
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ESTATES RE: DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS FAU FUNDS 972
A copy of a letter dated December 28 , 1979 from Harry Peacock,
City Manager of Rolling Hills Estates pertaining to distribution of
Rolling Hills surplus FAU finds to Rolling Hills Estates was presented
to the Council.
Mr. Peacock advised that current construction est 'imates indicate
that the contemplated improvements at the intersection of Palos Verdes
Drive North with ftolling Hills Road and Portuguese Bend Road will be
in excess of $100,000, and funds in the amount of $51,400 available to
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January 14, 1980
Rolling Hills would be most helpful in assisting the City of Rolling
Hills Estates to make the needed and expensive improvements. Copies
of a resolution approving assignment to the City of Rolling Hills
Estates available Federal Aid Urban System Funds apportioned to the
City of Rolling Hills , and a resolution of the City of Rolling Hills
Estates approving and accepting the assignment of funds were sent with
the letter.
Mayor Swanson deferred discussian of the request to a time later
in the meeting when she would report on discussion with an engineering
consult�.nt and�:a representative of Los Angeles County-�Road Department . .
The correspondence and resolutioris were held on the agenda.
COST ESTIl�7ATES FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTION SERVICES 1005 .
A letter dated December 20, 1979 from Martin & Chapman Co.
advising that the estimate for election services for the Municipal
Elec�ion to� be held April 8, 1980 is $568 .90, was presented to the
Council. Mrs. Clifton advised that $840. 00 was allocated in the
Budget for the election, and she recommended thai the estimate
furnished by Martin and Chapman be approved and accepted.
Mayor Swanson moved that the cost estimate of $568. 90 be _
approved. The motion was seconded by Councilman Heinsheimer and
carried on the following roll call vote :
AYES : Councilmen Heinsheimer, Pernell. , Mayor Swanson
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmen Crocker, Rose
RESOLUTION N0. 426 1020
Councilman Pernell moved that Resolution No. 426 entitled
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS,
CALIFORNIA CALLING AND GTVING NOTICE OF THE HOLDING OF A GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN SAID CITY ON APRIL 8, 1980 FOR
THE ELECTION OF CERTAIN OFFICERS OF SAID CITY AS RERUIRED BY THE
PROVISIONS OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RELATING TO
GENERAL LAW CITIES be adopted, and that reading. in full be waived.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Heinsheimer and carried by
the following roll call vote :
AYES: Councilmen Heinsheimer, Pernell , Mayor Swanson .
NOES : None �
ABSENT: Councilmen Crocker, Rose
RESOLUTION N0. 427
Mayor Swanson moved that Resolution No. 42? entitled A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS REQUESTING THE
ASSESSOR OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY TO FURNISH THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
AN ESTIMATE OF ASSESSED VALUATION OF ALL PROPERTY �9ITHIN ITS JURIS-
DICTION be adopted, and that reading in full be waived. The motion
was seconded by Councilman Heinsheimer and carried by the following
roll call vote :
AYES : Councilmen Heinsheimer, Pernell , 1�4ayor Swanson
NOES : None
ABSENT: Councilmen Crocker, Rose
RESOLUTION, �TO. 428
Councilman Heinsheimer moVed that Resolution No. 428 erititled
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January 14, 1980
3 I�.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
SUPPORTING THE SOUTH BAY JUVENILE DIVERSION PROJECT IN SEEKING
FUNDING UNDER THE UNIFORM COUNTY JUSTICE SYSTE:t�I SUBVENTION PROGRAM
OR OTHER APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS be adopted, and that reading in full
be waived. The motion was seconded by Councilman Pernell and car-
ried by the following roll call vote :
AYES : Councilmen Heinsheimer, Pernell , Mayor Swanson �
NOES : None
ABSENT: Councilmen Crocker, Rose
AMEND14iENT TO GENERAL PLAN 1060
In a letter dated January 2, 1980 to Mayor Swanson, Mr. Kinley
recommended that the Council amend the .General Plan by adding to the
"Open Space Element" a prohibition against the construction of dwell-
ings or other structures in the canyons. To do this Mr.� Kinley said
� it wi.11 be necessary to come up with a definition of .what a canyon is,
� and the change would not only provide open spaces for the City, but
would also assure that the natural drainage of az� area is not inter-
� fered with.
Q
Q The Manager was requested to contact other cities for inform;.
Q ation to aid in developing a definition of canyons, and the matter
was held on the agenda.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGREEMENT 1130 �
Mr. Kinley reported that he is preparing an Administrative Agree-
ment which would provide for hiring certain employees of the Rolling .
Hills Community Association by the City of Rolling Hills under contract
in order to protect their participation in PERS. Mr. Kinley said the
agreement should be for a period of one year to reflect annual adjust-
ments in salaries.
REORGANIZATION PROCEDURES FOR SEPARATION OF ADMINISTRATION
Mayor Swanson reported that she met with Mr. Stringfellow and
Mr. Brice Stevenson to discuss �eparation of administration for the
City and Community Association. Matters discussed included duties
of the Association Manager, responsibilities of two CETA employees, ,
maintenance during emergencies, and County billing procedures. The
Mayor said certain issues need to be resolved by the next meeting, .
including compensation for the City Manager.
DIAL-A-RIDE
Mayor Swanson sai.d Dial-A-Ride transportation may become available
on the Peninsula. The Mayor said she will attend a meeting on the sub-
ject in Torrance, and will keep the Council advised.
SOUTH BAY CITIEB MEETING � .
Mayor Swanson urged members of the Council, the City Manager and
the City Attorney to attend the South Bay Cities meeting on January 24
at Del Conte's Restaurant . The program will be a three-member panel
discussion on Low Cost Housing.
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA COORDINATING COUNCIL
A letter requesting the City's support of the Palos Verdes Penin-
sula Coordinating Council, and a membership application were presented
to the Council.
A motion to join the Coordinating Council was made by Councilman
Pernell, seconded by Councilman Heinsheimer and carried by the follow-
ing roll call vote :
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318 .
January 14 , 1980
AYES : Councilmen Heinsheimer, Pernell , Mayor Swanson
NOES : None �
AB�ENT: Councilmen Crocker, Rose
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES S�MINAR 1165
Mrs. Clifton reported that she and P�[rs. Youn�, the City' s Account-
an� , had attended a seminar on Proposition 4 sponsored by the League of
California Cities. Mrs. Clifton said she would maxe a report a� the
next Council meeting.
PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH IMPROVEMENT 1185
Mayor Swanson asked Councilman Pernell to review the joint me�ting
of the Rolling HilTs Council with the Rolling Hills Estates Council for
Councilman Heinsheimer and the City hlanager, who were unable to attend
the joint meeting. Minutes of the meeting prepared by the City Attorney' s
secretary were reviewed.
Mayor Swanson reported that she had discussed the proposed improve-
ment of the intersection with Mr. McHattie of South Bay Engineering and
with Mr. Warren Heer of the L. A. County Road Department , based on the
items discussed at tlie joint meeting. Mr. McHattie presented a sketch
with his recommendation that the concrete forms marking the depth of ;
parking spaces in front of the City Hall be moved to the edge of the �
pavement , to preserve the parking spaces if the palm trees are re-located
as discussed.
Mr. Heer came to Rolling Hills and made a visual inspection of the
intersection and the portion of Portuguese Bend Road between the gates
and Palos Verdes Drive North with the Mayor and the Deputy City Clerk.
It was his recommendation that the project should be engineered as a
fully improved intersection, rather than a three-part improvement by
Rolling Hil1s Estates and a one-part improvement by Rolling Hills.
Mr. Heer said the portion of Portuguese Bend Road between the palm trees
and Palos Verdes Drive North is public domain, and qualifies for improve-
ments paid for with FAU funds. The FAU funds can be used for road con-
. struction within dedicated roadways , and to adjust existir.g roads on
private property to join new elevations created by new road constructio.n.
Mr. �eer advised Mayor Swanson that gas tax funds may also be used to do
similar work. 117r. Heer recommended that the Council request a plan
showing the proposed traffic lane striping, to determitie the alignment '
of the through lanes, and that the intersection improvement be incorpor-
ated in a single project , to avoid the extra cost that would result from
having two c�ntractors become involved. It was his opinion that the
requests would be reasonable, if Rolling Hills allocates FAU funds to
the project .
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The meeting was recessed to Executive Session at I0:35 P.M. to
discuss possible litigation.
ADJOURNI�IENT
' The meeting was reconvened and adjourned at 11 :00 P.M.
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City C
APPROVED :
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Mayor
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