3/9/1981484 MINUTES OF A
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA
March 9, 1981
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 Crocker at 7:30 P.M. Tuesday,
March 91, 1981.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Swanson,
ABSENT: Councilmen Pernell, Rose
ALSO PRESENT: Teena Clifton
William Kinley
June Cunningham
L. Amerine
S. Arnold
Dr. W. D. Basque
Mrs. C. Bennett
J. Brogdon
L. Brown
Mrs. K. Borden
Mr. & Mrs. T. Cipolla
Dr. L. David.
Mr. & Mrs. E. Doak
Mr. & Mrs. L. Fain
Mr. & Mrs. M. Goodman
Mrs. L. Gelles
R. Gray
Mrs. S. Henke
Mrs. F. Hummel
Dr. & Mrs. R. Hoffman
Dr. L. Kelly
M. Langer
Mr. & Mrs. E. Lyle
Mrs. J. Murdock
R. Nahrwold
Dr. J. Po
N. Pedersen
Mrs. E. Pedersen
C. Raine
Mrs. B. Raine
J. Roe
Mrs. L. Ryan
Mrs. S. Tyndall
Mr. & Mrs. G. von Mueffling
Mrs. M. Wagner
Mrs. C. Watts
A. Weber
J. Welbourn
APPROVAL OF MINUTES 805
Mayor Crocker
The minutes of the meeting on February 23, 1981 were approved and
accepted as corrected on a motion made by Councilwoman Swanson,.secon-
ded by Mayor Crocker and carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Swanson, Mayor Crocker
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmen Pernell, Rose
PAYMENT OF BILLS 825
Councilman Heinsheimer moved that Demands No. 9462 through 9477
and 9478 through 9489 in the amount of $7,622.12 be paid from the
General Fund and that Demand No. 9481 in the amount of $3,721.20 be
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March 9, 1981
approved for payment from the Fire, Flood and Self Insurance Fund.
The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Swanson and carried by the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Swanson, Mayor Crocker
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmen Pernell, Rose
PALOS VERDES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 833
Mayor Crocker said that Councilwoman Swanson was recently honored
as Citizen of the Year by the Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce, and in
recognitionof the honor the Rolling Hills City Council wished to pre-
sent a gift with their congratulations. The Mayor presented Council-
woman Swanson with a gold pen and pencil set, engraved with her initials,
and a picture of the Mayor making the presentation to Councilwoman
Swanson was taken by the local newspaper representative. Councilwoman
co Swanson expressed her appreciation to the Council.
CO RECOGNITION OF ROLLING HILLS OUTSTANDING SENIOR CITIZEN 842
O
Q A letter dated February 6, 1981 from the Department of Senior
Q Citizens Affairs, County of Los Angeles, announcing the sixteenth
Q Annual Countywide Older Americans Recognition Day on May 30, 1981.
was presented to the Council. Mayor Crocker said he wished to recom-
mend that Dr. and Mrs. Paul Saffo be nominated for the honor, since
the City Manager had determined that such a dual nomination'coizld be .
made.
Councilwoman Swanson moved that Mayor Crocker's recommendation be
approved and that the names of Dr. and Mrs. Saffo be presented to the
County with the appropriate information. The motion was seconded by
Councilman Heinsheimer and carried unanimously.
1980 PARK BOND ACT 849
The Manager reported that under provisions of the 1980 Park Bond
Act the City of Rolling Hills is eligible to receive'a grant of $20,.000
for parkland development approved by the voters in November, 1980.
The City of Rolling Hills traditionally allocates their funds to an
adjoining City, and the Manager said that last year the grant was allo-
cated to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes for development of Pt. Vicente
Park. The City of Rolling Hills Estates has requested that this year's
grant, which cannot be split between two cities, be allocated to them
for completion of Dapplegray Park.
RESOLUTION NO. 459
Councilwoman Swanson moved that Resolution No. 459 entitle A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS AUTHOR-
IZING ITS GRANT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA PARKLANDS BOND ACT OF 1981 TO
BE UTILIZED BY THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ESTATES 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: Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Swanson, Mayor Crocker
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmen Pernell, Rose
APPROVAL OF WATER SYSTEM, RELEASE OF WATER SYSTEM AGREEMENT, TRACT 31906 871
In a letter dated February 19, 1981 from the Department of County
Engineer -Facilities, the City Engineer reported that the water system
for Tract 31906 has been completed in accordance with the plans and
specifications on file and the fire flow was tested to the satisfaction
of the Fire Chief. The Engineer recommended that the Council find that
all work has been completed as required by the Subdivision Water System
Agreement, release the Subdivision Water System Agreement between the
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March 9, 1981
City of Rolling Hills and Robert and Marilynne Stander, 11 Saddleback
Road, subdividers of Tract No. 31906, and reduce the assignment of
shares on deposit with Imperial Bank, 21200 South Hawthorne Blvd.,
Torrance, by $4,000. The Manager reported that this a routine recom-
mendation as subdivision improvements are completed.
Councilwoman Swanson moved that the recommendations of the City
Engineer be accepted by the Council. The motion was seconded by
Councilman Heinsheimer and carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Swanson, Mayor Crocker
NOES: None I
ABSENT: Councilmen Pernell, Rose
TRAFFIC COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 880
A recommendation made by the Traffic Commission following a field
trip to the southerly terminus of Portuguese Bend Road on December 2,
1980 was presented to the Council. Councilman Heinsheimer moved that
the recommendation that,the sign reading ROAD ENDS, which is located
at the southerly side of the Hoffman driveway at 73 Portugese Bend
Road, across from the entrance to the Nahrwold driveway at 74 Portu-
guese Bend Road, should be moved to the south of the Raine driveway At
71 Portuguese Bend Road, and that the street be marked halfway between
the relocated sign and the sign on the southwest corner of Running Brand
and Portuguese Bend Road reading DEAD END 400 FEET AHEAD;.street mark-
ing to indicate DEAD END ROAD, as recommended by the Traffic Commission,
be approved by the Council. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman
Swanson and carried by the following roll call vote: -
AYES: Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Swanson, Mayor Crocker
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmen Pernell, Rose
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA EDUCATION FOUNDATION. 890
In a letter dated February 20, 1981 Jeanne Jones, Administrative
Director of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Education Foundation advised
that the Board of Trustees of the Foundation requested that the City
of Rolling Hills pass a resolution favoring,the efforts being put
forth to -raise one million dollars for the schools. Councilwoman
Swanson moved that the Council pass a resolution supporting the
Foundation, similar to the resolution passed by the City of Rolling
Hills Estates.
Councilman Heinsheimer questioned whether the City should support
the Foundation and he suggested that it should be supported by individ-
uals rather than the City Council. Mayor Crocker tabled the motion for
consideration by the full Council.
RESOLUTION NO. 460
MW
Mayor Crocker said that following reorganization of the Council
it was necessary to appoint an alternate to the Sanitation District,
and with the consent of the Council he appointed Councilman Heinsheimer
moving adoption of Resolution No. 460 entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS APPOINTING AN ALTERNATE MEMBER TO
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SANITATION DISTRICT NO. 5, and waiving read-
ing in full. The motion was seconded by Councilman Heinsheimer and
carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Swanson, Mayor Crocker
NOES: None
ABSENT: 'Councilmen Pernell, Rose
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March 9, 1981
RESOLUTION NO. 461 898
Councilwoman Swanson reported that it is time for the Dial -A -Ride
program to apply for funding for the next fiscal year, and she asked
that the Council adopt a resolution similar to one adopted last year,
designating Rolling Hills Estates as the lead agency in applying for
funding. Councilwoman Swanson -moved that Resolution No. 461 entitled.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS AUTHOR-
IZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF
ROLLING HILLS ESTATES APPOINTING THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ESTATES AS
THE LEAD AGENCY IN APPLYING FOR AN ARTICLE 4.5 COMMUNITY LEVEL TRANSIT
CLAIM FOR PROVIDING A COMMUNITY LEVEL TRANSIT PROGRAM FOR SENIOR CITI-
ZENS RESIDING IN THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS be adopted, and that reading
in full be waived. the motion was seconded by Mayor Crocker and carried
by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Swanson, Mayor Crocker
NOES:. None
co ABSENT: Councilmen Pernell, Rose
co
0 EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS 910.
Councilwoman Swanson reported that at the direction of the Council
she contacted other cities on the Peninsula regarding development of a
4% plan for emergency action in the event of an earthquake.' She received
replies from two of the cities advising that emergency preparedness -
plans are coordinated in the South Bay by'the Area 11G" Disaster Pre-
paredness Council and its full time coordinator, and the local programs
a*
are coordinated by the Sheriff's Departmen't.oper at
from the Lomita,
Sub -station. Because all plans are updated per iodi cal ly-through Area
11G11 it was the consensus that a meeting between cities is not needed.
, Mayor Crocker asked the City Manager to comment. Mrs. Clifton
said there is a lot of good information available in publications which
should be provided to members of the community for use in-an'emergency,
including instructions about how to turn off utilities, and she would
give the information to CouncilwomanSwansonfor review. The Mayor so
ordered.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE, 925
Planning' Commission Chairman Jody Murdock addressed the, Council
and advised that at the next meeting the Planning Commission will re-
view and discuss proposed amendments totheZoning Ordinance. She
asked that the Council review the proposed am mobile
especially in
connection with recent legislation mandating mobile homes and afford-
able housing, which becomes effective on July 1, 1981. Mrs. Murdock
said the amendments have been prepared by Regional Planning and have
been reviewed by the City Attorney and the Planning Advisor. Mayor
Crocker asked that the changes be summarized for the Council by Mr.
Kinley, And that after discussion by the Planning Commission the
summary, the proposed amendments and the minutes of the meeting be
forwarded to'the Council for consideration at the next Council meeting.
ANTENNA TOWER AND TRANSMITTER SITE, . 952
Councilman Heinsheimer said that Mr. William King, owner of
property located at 92 Crest Road East, was requested to sign a
waiver regarding his concern about the safety of the antenna tower,
and if the waiver was not signed, the motion approving a permit for
the construction "as built" was to be voted on; he asked the status
of the matter.
Mr. Kinley reported that`'thewaiver presented was notacceptable,
and he worked with Mr. King"s attorney on developing an acceptable
waiver for execution by Mr. King, which has not been returned. Mayor
Crocker said the matter has been deferred for consideration at the
next meeting when all members of the Council will be present..
we
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March 9, 1981
Mayor Crocker said that at the last meeting several complaints
about television reception and one complaint about activation of a
mobile communication system were presented to the Council, and a
letter was sent to the Federal Communication Commission by the Manager
and by Mr. Mohr, president of Advanced Electronics. Councilman Heins-
heimer requested that the discussion at the next meeting address two
issues; whether or not the waiver on safety has been signed, and in
the event it has not been signed and delivered to the City, the Council
should vote on the motion to approve. The City Attorney said the wai-
ver was required if the.matter is to be sent back to the Planning Com-
mission. If the waiver has been executed, Councilman Heinsheimer said
it would then be proper for the Council to pursue the matter of inter-
ference with television reception and other complaints; Mayor Crocker
agreed, and ordered the matter placed on the next agenda.
DIAL - A - RIDE INFORMATION 993
Councilwoman Swanson reported that a new brochure containing
information about the Dial - A - Ride Program has been printed and will
be distributed to all City Halls on the Peninsula.
AAUW CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 1001
Councilwoman Swanson said she was contacted by the president of -
the Palos Verdes Peninsula Branch of AAUW with a request that the
Council proclaim March 15 - 21, 1981 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY
WOMEN'S WEEK. Mayor Crocker said the City does not generally issue
proclamations, but with the concurrence of the Council he would write
an appropriate letter of congratulations.
SUPPORT OF PERIPHERAL CANAL 1009
Mayor Crocker reported that he received a request from Supervisor
Mike Antonovich for a resolution of support for the peripheral canal.
Members of the Council agreed that resolutions should be reserved for
matters affecting the City. Councilwoman Swanson moved that Mayor
Crocker write a letter to the legislators supporting the peripheral
canal. The motion was seconded by Councilman Heinsheimer and carried
unanimously.
IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY, REPORT BY CITY ATTORNEY 1014
Mr. Kinley reported that under the provisions of Sections 866 and
867 of the Government Code, the City can take an action regarding
freedom from liability for actions taken to abate a landslide if
findings have been set forth as required by those Sections. Mr. Kinley
presented a resolution which he prepared setting forth the findings.
RESOLUTION NO. 462
Councilman Heinsheimer moved that Resolution No. 462 entitled
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A GRADUAL EARTH MOVEMENT IN SAID CITY,
AND CLAIMING IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES RESULTING THERE-
FROM, PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 866 be adopted, and that
reading in full be waived. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman
Swanson and seconded by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Swanson, Mayor Crocker
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmen Pernell, Rose
UNDERGROUND UTILITIES FUND 1047
Copies of a letter dated March 2, 1981 from K. S. Avera,
Southern California Edison Company, were distributed to the
Council. Mr. Avera advised..that at -present there is .a balance
of $14,045 available to the City to accomplish and Underground
Conversion Project under Rule 20-A. Mrs. Clifton advised the
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March 9, 1981
Council that the utility poles on Middleridge Lane South are a safety
hazard because of.their location immediately adjacent to the road,
and she recommended that if the Community Association, is considering
paving that portion of Middleridge Lane, the Board should be asked
to consider use of the available funds by making up the difference
for a conversion project. In January 1981 the Edison Company esti-
mated that the total project, including trenching, ducting, paving,
cable and labor would cost $22,820, plus a small additional amount
for installation of General Telephone Company cables.
Councilwoman Swanson said she concurred with the recommendation
that the poles on Middleridge South be removed, since she made a field
trip to the area with the Manager and confirmed her statement that the
four or five poles on the upper part of the road have been damaged by
cars because of their location. Mr. Kinley recommended that the
Council accept the City Manager's recommendation and forward it to the
Board of Directors for consideration as part of their budget preparation.
CLAIMS FILED AGAINST THE CITY, FLYING TRIANGLE SLIDE AREA 1081
co
Mayor Crocker reported that claims in the amount of $8,700,000
co for property damage; $1,500,000 for personal injury, totaling $10,200,000
0. have been filed against.the City by residents in the Flying Triangle
Q in order to protect them under the statute of limitations and preserve
Q their rights to sue to collect the amounts from the City .
Q The City Attorney recommended that the following claims -filed by:
Dr. Larry and Cathleen Kelly in the sum of $1,500,000; Robert and
Susan Barth, $700,000; R. A. (Alan) and Dicky Russell,.$700,000,•
Laurence and Corrine David, $700,000; Anton and Marie Weber, $1,250,000;
Major and Shirley Langer,.$650,000; Margaret Wagner,.$1,250,000;
Kenneth and Catherine Watts, $700,000; Jim and Sonya Evans, $1,750,000;
James and Marilyn Perona, Robert and Marvia Perry, and Major and Shirley
Langer, $300,000 and Dr. Jonathan and Harriet Po, $700,000 be denied by
action of the Council.
Councilman Heinsheimer moved that the City Attorney's recommendation
be accepted, and that the total claim filed in the amount of $10,200,000
be denied. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Swanson and carried
b;; the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Swanson, Mayor Crocker.
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmen Pernell, Rose
Mr. Kinley said copies of the claims and the report of the
Council's rejection should be forwarded immediately to the City's
insurance carrier, and the Mayor directed that the information be
sent by certified mail, to document the mailing.
REPORT OF MEETING RE: FLYING TRIANGLE GEOLOGY 1122
Mayor Crocker asked Councilman Heinsheimer to report on the
Meeting held in the City Hall on March 3, and he asked first that
the City Manager • state for the record who was present at the meeting.
Mrs. Clifton reported that the following persons attended: Arthur
Keene, Chief Geologist for Los Angeles County; Bob Thomas, Geologist
for Los Angeles County; Chuck Sudduth, Soils Engineer and Civil Engin-
eer, Los Angeles County, the agency that prepared the report; Dr. Perry
Ehlig, a consultant geologist hired by the City of Rolling Hills; Doug
Moran and Eric Chase, geologists representing Douglas E. Moran Company;
Bruce Lockwood and Awtar Singh of Lockwood -Singh Associates; Council-
men Heinsheimer and Pernell; residents Dr. Larry Kelly and Harry Gelles;
Mrs. Peggy Minor, Rolling Hills Community Association, and Mrs. Teena
Clifton, City Manager.
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March 9, 1981
Councilman Heinsheimer said that one of the items discussed was
the difference of opinion among the geologists about whether or not
there was any value in filling all or part of the canyon. There was
general agreement that soil should not be imported into the active
slide area for that purpose; there was not yet agreement on whether or
not soil from the area could be used. There was general agreement
that the area at risk right now is the area defined by a yellow bound-
ary on the map exhibited. The map was further marked in red to show
Portuguese Bend Road, and the names of the owners of the properties
within the yellow boundaries were added to the map. Councilman Heins-
heimer said the geologists were all in agreement that the motion in
the area would continue to be a relatively slow motion, with no danger
to the houses outside of the yellow boundary or to the road of a sud-
den catastrophic failure. It was agreed that the road could be main-
tained by relatively simple and inexpensive means, even if nothing is
done to stabilize the area. Councilman Heinsheimer said all the geol-
ogists present agreed on these matters. There is general agreement
about the direction of the slide, but there is some uncertainty about
the angle; whether -it is a due south movement, or whether it is moving
slightly into the canyon. Councilman Heinsheimer said there is a dis-
agreement amounting to 20 or 30 degrees, which makes some difference
in the opinion of whether or not soil should be put into the canyon.
After it was agreed by all the geologists in attendance that access
was not a problem that had to be handled immediately, it was deter-
mined that the question of whether the canyon should be filled should
be resolved. After a lengthy technical discussion a particular set of
solutions was determined by the geologists and the agreement was that
all of the consulting geologists and private geologists would write a
letter to Mr. Keene indicating that it was their opinion that certain
tests, not solutions, could be pursued. Following receipt of the
letters from the individual geologists Mr. Keene would write a letter
to the Council, incorporating the recommendations and if the Council
approved the work recommended the tests would be made and the results
would be evaluated, after which the group would meet again. It was
estimated that it would take 2 - 3 weeks to get the letters done, a
week to ten days to do the work and evaluate it, and the geologist
would need an additional week to make sure that there was a total con-
sensus about the direction the slide was moving, and whether or not
putting dirt into the canyon would be helpful. Since all'of the
geologists agreed that dirt should.not be imported, a discussion of
where to get dirt locally took place, but no conclusion was reached.
Sub -surface water was also discussed, and there was a general
agreement that watering landscape and light surface use of water was
not a problem; water injection at the sub-terranean surface of the
slide was a concern. The impact of the slide on sewerage disposal
systems of the older houses could be a major problem within a year
or two after activation of the slide,'which is moving about 1/4" per
week. Disposal of gray water was discussed, and Councilman Heinsheimer
said that although gray water separation is technically easy to do, it
is not legal, and therefore it is not a recommendation. Mrs. Clifton
said the cesspool locations have been marked on the individual plot
plans of the affected properties.
The third area discussed was permits for "self-help" projects,
where individuals may wish to do some work to protect their improve-
ments while solutions to the movement are still being investigated.
Since the process of arriving at a solution and then implementing it
will take 4 - 6 months, and individuals may wish to take interim steps
regarding damage to their properties, it may be necessary to expedite
the permit processing to help them.
Other items discussed were a sewage system evaluation, which will
be a long term project and will affect the entire area. Councilman
Heinsheimer said a staff report will be made regarding the sewage
system study. The shear pin study was discussed and the opinion of the
people at the meeting was that it appeared to be a costly and perhaps
technically questionable issue, and they wished to consider the canyon
fill proposal more thoroughly before investigating the shear pin solu-
tion further.
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MITI
IRALIPAP
March 90 1981
Planning for the special district was discussed and will be covered
later in the meeting, Councilman Heinsheimer said, and the final item
discussed was utilities management and access road. The discussion was
focused on making sure that utilities and vehicular access would be
maintained to all homes in the affected area. Since the road did not
appear to be at risk and could be fairly easily maintained that does
not appear to be much of a problem; the greater problem was pipes in
the area providing utilities to the area and t . o the individual homes.
Mrs. Clifton reported that California Water Service has advised that
the water main on Ranchero Road will be placed above ground in the
vicinity of Portuguese Bend Road within the next few weeks. The Gas
Company still feels that their lines are satisfactory, but the lines.
are monitored constantly, and may eventually be changed, the Manager
said. Additional cracking and noticeable widening of existing cracks
will be reported to the Gas company, Mrs. Clifton. said.
Mayor Crocker opened the discussion to residents. 'Mr. John Wel-
bourn, 25 Portuguese Bend Road, asked whether anyone had considered
putting in a sewer system in the City. Councilman Heinsheimer said
a system has been discussed-for.the entire city or for individual areas
for the past ten years, and the cost for an underground sewer system
for the entire city would be extremely costly; it may be worthwhile
on a limited basis. Newer modern technology developed within recent
years is being studied by the Manager and Pier report on possible
solutions for isolated problems will be made to the Council, he said.
Larry Fain, 4 Ringbit Road West, asked whether the -slide area is
clearly defined on any map. Councilman Heinsheimer said the area is
shown on a map dated January 1981, Active Portion, Flying Triangle
Landslide; it is part of the report prepared by the County Engineer
and is available for inspection by anyone who wishes to see it. Jim
Brogdon, 5 Maverick Lane, asked about costs to the City for the geo-
logical work. Councilman.Heinsheimer explained that in addition to
the County Geologists the City has hired a consultant geologist who
is serving at no cost to the City; geologists have been hired by
residents, and.the Lockwood -Singh firm has been participating because
of their long involvement in the area. Thecoststo the City have
essentially been authorizing and funding the geological investigation
and report. Should the report be approved there will be further costs
to the City. Councilman Heinsheimer said that to date all costs have
been shared equally with the Community Association. The Manager said
that to date each organization has spent approximately $30,000. Coun-
cilman Heinsheimer said that by the time the problem is defined, the
community will have spent approximately $75,000.
Dr. Richard Hoffman, 73 Portuguese Bend Road, asked what the
prognosis is if nothing is done. Councilman Heinsheimer said that
it was agreed that with time, eventually motion would occur which
would cause dirt to go into the canyon and motion would stop. He
emphasized that in talking to the geologists it is a long slow process,
and would not endanger homes other than those in the yellow area, and
possibly a few to the north and just adjacent to the active slide area,
west or northwest, which could be undercut by the continuing motion.
The motion would be slow, with no catastrophic failure of the road
and access to the Flying Triangle area could be maintained, with some
possible interruption of utilities, which could be taken care of. .
Mayor Crocker said the additional testing is to determine whether or
not filling the canyon might work,' and the shear pin idea which . was
originally considered the primary corrective treatment is no longer
the focus of the evaluation. To fill the canyon would cost approxi-
mately half a million dollars; the cost of the shear pins would be in
excess of two million dollars Mayor Crocker said. Richard Nahrwold,
74 Portuguese Bend Road, asked that the canyon be defined on the map;
Councilman Heinsheimer defined the area..
4obert Gray, 1 Outrider Road, said that he reviewed the County
report, which defined levels of safety which would result from instal-
lation of various numbers of shear pins; he asked what level of safety
would result from filling the canyon. Councilman Heinsheimer explained
that the stability level projected ranged from 1.0, which would stop
the movement, to 1.5, the level at which additional building permits
could be issued, depending on the number of shear pins.installed.
Cost would range from 1.5 million for the minimum stability to 4.0
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1PAVAL2
March 9, 1981
million for 1.5 stability. Councilman Heinsheimer said the costs were
projected for planning purposes. He said the first recommendation was
for filling the canyon; that was suspended while shear pin installation
was considered present investigations are to determine whether the
canyon can be filled, depending on the direction of the slide, and the
amount of stability has not been discussed.
Mayor Crocker said the meeting lasted more than three hours, and
a full transcript of the meeting is being prepared for the partici-
pants, and will also be available to anyone who wishes to review it.
The Manager said the transcript should be ready at the end of the week.,,,
Mayor Crocker asked the City Attorney to address the procedure to
be followed in formation of a Hazard Abatement District. The Manager
distributed copies of the proceedings prepared by Mr. Kinley. Mr.
Kinley said the first step would be adoption of a resolution by the
City Council declaring that the City of Rolling Hills is subject to
the provisions of the geological hazard abatement act as contained in
the Public Resources Code, and a copy of the resolution must be for-
warded to the State Comptroller. The next step would be a petition
signed by the owners of not less than 10% of the real property to be
included within the proposed district. Mr. Kinley reviewed the out-
line of procedure prescribed escribed by the Public Resources Code relating to
formation of such Districts by petition of the owners of property with-
in the District only. Mayor Crocker said the information has been
furnished to residents toadvisethem of the procedures, not to advise
them legally on the formation of a district. The Mayor said that at
his request a projection of fund balances was made to June 30, 1981 and
to June 30, 1982. The estimated fund balance for June 30, 1981 is
$83,411; the projected fund balance on June 30, 1982 would decline to
$65,832 because of changes in revenues from the State budget. Be-
cause of declining revenues available to the City,-Mayor,Crocker said -
it is incumbent on the owners of 10% of the.' real-Pr6perty located within
a specific are ' a, either the area bounded by the yellow marking, Which is
the active slide, or the larger ancient landslide area, to petition
for formation of an abatement district. Councilman Heinsheimer said
additional work will be required prior to formation of a district if
it is determined that filling the canyon is the best solution, and he
estimated that the required work will co ' st $50,000 - $100,000. Coun-
cilwoman Swanson said the experiences of Rancho Palos Verdes will be'
of great help in forming the district, and that City is very willing
to share their knowledge and experience with Rolling Hills, particu-
larly with regard to landslide and hazard abatement district formation
Major Langer, 1 Runningbrand Road, said that when a district is
formed the properties within the district must be specially benefited,
the properties do not have to be contiguous, but an entire property
must be in the district; it is not possible to take a portion of a
property. Mr. Langer asked how the Community Association's ease-
ments and roadways would be considered in forming a district. Mayor
Crocker said the Community Association has a valuable property right
within a district, and he said the matter was dealt with in Rancho
Palos Verdes in relation to the City's easement with regard to Palos
Verdes Drive South. Dr. Larry David, 5 Ranchero Road, asked how many
properties were within the ancient slide; it was determined that there
are 22 parcels within the ancient slide area. Councilman Heinsheimer
said a district could also consist of the entire City, since the aim
is to create a district small enough so that everyone would benefit,,
but large enough to afford to solve the problem, and it has been
argued that solving the problems would be of benefit to everyone in
the City for reasons beyond the actual sliding. He said a sensible
boundary should be determined, and the district should not be so
limited in size that the people within it cannot afford to do anything.
RECESS
The meeting was recessed at 9:50 P.M. and reconvened at 10:00 P.M.
Mayor Crocker said that after a recommendation is made to the
Council on what the probability of success would be if the canyon is
filled a meeting of all the residents should be scheduled in an effort
to get community support, with people signing a petition for formation
of a district at the meeting, if possible.
March 9, 1981
Councilwoman Swanson said that in considering boundaries for a
district, the Flying Triangle Tract, which includes, but is not
limited to both the active and the ancient landslides, could be con-
sidered for an assessment district.
Jim Roe, 37 Chuckwagon Road, asked whether the Council intends
to spearheada movement to form a hazard abatement district, or if
.the Council intends to foster a movement among Association members
for formation of a district. Mayor Crocker said he considers.it far
more effective if spearheaded by the residents with the cooperation
and consent of the Council.. The Mayor asked Mr. Kinley to prepare a
legal opinion for the next meeting, in cooperation with Mr. Coughlan,
on whether the City could be considered to benefit from a hazard abate-
ment district, or whether such a district must be a geographic area
consisting only of properties which are directly affected by the hazard.
Mrs. Cherie Bennett, 3 Eastfield Drive, asked whether the action be-
ing considered will set a precedent. Councilman Heinsheimer said he
considers the action a moral precedent, not a legal precedent. Jim
Brogdon asked to have the ancient landslide defined. Councilman
Heinsheimer showed the area surrounded by a blue boundary on.the map,
marked as'the U.S—Geological Survey 1946 Boundary. He said there
is no record of movement within the area in modern memory, but the
area showed evidence of.motion at one time in the .distant past.
Richard Nahrwold asked if the geologists agree that the ancient slide
.is essentially stable. Councilman Heinsheimer said that they seem
to agree that the present problem is not a precursor of motion in
the ancient slide. He said the motion.in the area during the past
20 - 30 years is in-areas.in which there has not been motion for
thousands of years.
Dr. Jonathan Po, 68 Portuguese Bend Road, asked whether the
geologists made any mention of construction of two residences in
the active slide area as contributing causes of the movement.
Mayor Crocker said the properties referred to are the Evans and
Brown properties. Mayor Heinsheimer said it was discussed and there
was general consensus that the trenching was not sufficient to acti
vate the slide, but records about the depth of the excavation will
be researched by Mr. Lockwood. Mr. Lockwood did report that the
excavation was done quickly and was not left open,, so water was not
accumulated -on the sites:' -Mrs. Flora Hummel, 3 Ringbit Road West,
asked if the district is formed and homeowners are assessed, when
the work is done if it is not successful -
assessed again for additional work. Mayor Crocker said each problem
would have to be faced, and a decision be made for each one. Mrs.
Hummel asked if the district could cover more than one occurrence.
Mr. Kinley said it could. Mayor Crocker said Rancho Palos Verdes
has had the Portuguese Bend slide, the Abalone Cove slide, and there
is now a new slide at.the bottom of Klondike. Canyon in a large.tract:
Councilman Heirisheimer said the procedure prepared by Mr. Kinley
indicates that a plan of control must be reviewed and approved by
the Council, and it was his opinion that the Board of Directors of a
District should not be given unlimited powers. He suggested that the
agreement be written in a way to require public support for additional
work, rather than an open ended plan of control. Mayor Crocker agreed
that tho extent of power of,the Board of Directors of the District
should be limited.
Mayor Crocker said certain legal issues have to be resolved,
including whether the area that will be benefitted can include the
entire city, or whether it must be limited to the area in which
the problem is located. When that is determined, what constitutes
10% of the owners of the landmass and 51% of the assessed valuation
can be determined. Mayor Crocker said the matter will be discussed
.further at the next meeting.
PERSONNEL SESSION
..130
The meeting was adjourned to a personnel session at 10:20 P.M.
The meeting was reconvened and Mayor Crocker announced that the City
Council had accepted Mr. William Kin.ley's letter dated.March 9, 1981
resigning as City Attorney effective no later than the end of the
fiscal year, June 30) 1981, with regret and appreciation for lengthy
able service.
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March 9, 1981
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Crocker.
APPROVED:
1 Mayor
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City Clerk