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9/13/1982MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COU14CIL CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA September 13, 1982 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 pro tem Murdock at 7:30 P.M. Monday, September 13, 1982. ROLL CALL 1386 PRESENT: ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Leeuwenburgh, Murdock Councilwoman Swanson,.Mayor Pernell The Mayor arrived at 7:40 P.M. Ronald L. Smith City Manager Michael Jenkins City Attorney June Cunningham Deputy City Clerk Assistant Chief Ray Brunstrom, L. A. County Fire Dept. Randy Woods Palos Verdes Peninsula News Sean Bennett Residents Mrs. B. King Mrs. E. Warmbier The minutes of the meeting of August 23,.1982 were approved and accepted as presented oh a motion made by Councilman Heinsheimer and seconded by Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh. The minutes of the meeting on August 31 1982 were approved and accepted as corrected by Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh on page 3, third line from the bottom, to read "researched 'three' separate streets". Councilman Heinsheimer seconded the motion. Both motions ycarried by the following roll call vote: AYES:..,- Councilmembers Heinsheimer and Leeuwenburgh Mayor pro tem Murdock NOES None ABSENT: Councilwoman Swanson, Mayor Pernell The Mayor arrived at 7:40 P.M. and assumed chairmanship of the Council meeting. PAYMENT OF BILLS Councilman Heinsheimer moved that Demands No.'10656 through 10688 in the amount of $16,328.21 be approved for payment from the General Fund, and that Demand No. 10663 in the amount of $1,152.69 be approved for payment from the Fire and Flood Self Insurance Fund. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Leeuwenburgh, Murdock Mayor Pernell NOES: None ABSENT: Councilwoman Swanson FIRE FIGHTING CAPABILITY IN MAJOR EMERGENCIES - REGIONAL SYSTEM. 1406 Mayor Pernell welcomed Assistant Fire Chief Ray Brunstrom of the Los Angeles County Fire Department,. and invited him to address the Council regarding deployment of fire equipment under a regional system. Chief Brunstrom explained that Engine Company 56, which is located within the boundaries of the City of Rolling Hills, was the first station located on top of the hill, and for many.years-,was the only station in the immediate area, prior to establishment of Engine Company 106.which is located in Peninsula Center. Chief Brunstrom said it was September 131, 1982 noted that in emergency situations more equipment enters the Peninsula than leaves the area, and a modest increase in use of equipment from Engine Company No. 56 is planned. He explained that the system in effect under the jurisdiction of the consolidated fire district is one of regional fire protection, wherein, based on the law of probability, equipment is sent where it is needed when it is needed. A survey of the use of equipment in the southern part of the County revealed that potential use classification of Engine Co. 56 was changed to a higher level, and it is estimated that use in major emergencies in areas outside of the normal first alarm response areas on the Palos Verdes Peninsula will increase from two or three times per year to perhaps eight or twelve time per year, depending on the severity of the fire season. Chief Brunstrom said that when Engine 56 is sent out of the area, Patrol 83 from the Miraleste Fire Station will move into their quarters in Rolling Hills, to provide immediate first-aid and emer- gency medical treatment, and to provide initial response in structural fires, grass fires, etc., so the City would never be left unprotected. Mayor Pernell thanked Chief Brunstrom for his presentation, and said the City has worked closely with the Fire.Department in'adopting requirements for fire retardant roofing materials, and in developing a weed abatement program, and he asked whether there were any other measures the City could employ to reduce the fire potential.. Chief Brunstrom said there has been complete cooperation throughout the years with regard to fire protection. Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh said she wished to ask, as Chairman of the Traffic Commission, how important Chief Brunstrom felt it is to mark fire hydrant locations using blue delineators in the roads. Chief Brunstrom said it is a positive thing to do so, and is helpful to the Fire Department, stating that there are 150 - 200 hydrants in the City, and it is important to see that landscaping does not overgrow the hydrants. Councilman Heinsheimer said he appreciates the information pro- vided by the Fire Department, and the rapid response to a recent structural fire, which could have involved brush in the area. Chief Brunstrom said the origin of the fire was in a car parked in a resi- dential garage, and was compounded by the fuel in the car and an open natural gas connection in the garage. Chief Brunstrom said the first response was by Engine Co. 56 on Crest Road, followed.in approximately four minutes by Engine Co. 106 from Peninsula Center.. Mrs. Beth King, 92 Crest Road East, asked why a larger truck is not kept in Rolling Hills in view of the fire danger. Chief Brunstrom explained that two large trucks, an engine company and a ladder truck, are kept'in Penin- sula Center, which is centrally located. Sean Bennett, 3 Eastfield Drive, asked who would respond if trucks from Crest Road and Peninsula Center were out of the stations. Chief Brunstrom said the City is served by a regional system, and equipment will be sent in as needed. Mrs. King expressed a concern about equipment with lesser capacity, being used. The City Manager said that although the auxilliary trucks have smaller capacity when they arrive, they can be hooked up to a hydrant and provide initial response. Mayor Pernell asked that the Council be advised when the larger equipment will be out of the City. Chief Brunstrom said the City Manager could be advised if the equipment will be away from the City for more than a few hours, but he stressed that in order to serve 42 cities in the consolidated fire district it is necessary to move equipment. Chief Brunstrom said it is his opinion that Rolling Hills will benefit from participation in a regional system. In advising that the equipment could be used out of the City 8 to 12 times during the year, he said he used a high estimate; actual checking of equipment in a similar area indicated that it had been used only 3 - 4 times in a twelve month period. Councilman Heinsheimer said he thinks the plan will work to the City's benefit. Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh reported that her neighbors were well pleased with the response to the recent structural fire described by Chief Brunstrom. The Mayor and Council thanked Chief Brunstrom for his appearance and presentation. GANN APPROPRIATION LIMITATIONS 1612 The Mayor directed that the report by the City removed from the agenda until Mr. Courtright advises present at a meeting and will present the report. -2- Treasurer be that he will be -i September 13, 1982 269 PROPOSED CONSOLIDATION OF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS 1618 The City Manager reported that a recent Senate Bill authorizes municipal elections to be consolidated with either school district elections in November of odd numbered years, or with general elections in June and November of even numbered years. Mr. Smith said, further, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes adjusted their municipal election to coincide with school district elections by adoption of an ordinance; the City of Rolling Hills Estates placed the matter of a change on the ballot and it was approved by an overwhelming majority of .the electorate. Mr. Smith said it is not known how.such a change would impact costs of an election, or whether there would be a saving., and he advised that the cost of the. 1982 municipal election was 52,514. In discussing the matter Councilman Heinsheimer said an effort should be made to generate local interest, and it was his opinion that there probably would not.be a cost saving, but there probably would be a greater turn out and a better election if Rolling Hills elections coincide with municipal elections in Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills Estates. Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh reported that Palos Verdes 0 Estates has not taken any action to date. Councilman Heinsheimer O suggested that a draft ordinance consolidating the municipal election with the school district election be prepared,.that residents be ad- vised in the Newsletter, encouraged to make their wishes known, and in that a public hearing be scheduled on the matter later in the year. m Members of the.Council concurred, and the Mayor so ordered. Q MATTERS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL 1729 FOCUSED ENVIRONMENTAL:REPORT - CHACKSFIELD-MERIT, TRACT 33871 1729 Councilwoman Murdock reported that she and Councilwoman Leeuwen- burgh would meet with representatives of Chacksfield-Merit Homes, subdivider of Tract 33871, with regard to development of a focused impact report addressing noise and traffic safety, on Tuesday, September 14. .LA CRESTA SCHOOL SITE COMMITTEE MEETING 1735 Councilwoman Murdock reported that a meeting of the La Cresta School Site Committee and representatives of the School Board will be held on Wednesday, September 22. Mayor Pernell asked that the Committee obtain the enrollment figures for the school district. TRAFFIC COMMISSION APPOINTMENT 1746 Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh asked that discussion of an additional appointment to the Traffic Commission be deferred until Councilwoman Swanson is present. The Mayor so ordered. MATTERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 1749 TABATABAY PROPERTY, 5 CREST ROAD WEST. The City Manager reported that a letter has been received from the Building and Safety Division of the Los Angeles County Engineer advising that the building on the Tabatabay property at 5 Crest Road `gest has been declared unsafe, and the matter is being processed in' accordance with the Building Code with respect to unsafe buildings, a public nuisance. EFFLUENT DISPOSAL IN FLYING TRIANGLE AREA 1753 In a letter dated September 2, 1982 regarding an evaluation of usage of pits and leach lines in the active and inactive Flying Tri- angle Landslide, Mr. Arthur Keene, County Geologist, advised that elimination of effluent disposal into the active landslide had been effected at Nos. 53, 54, 56 and 62 Portuguese Bend Road, and he recom- mended that the residence at No. 51 Portuguese Bend Road be included in the restriction. Mr. Smith reported that Mr. Robert Barth, owner of the property, is working with the County Geologist and with Dr. Perry Ehlig to implement the recommendations., -3- 27® September 133, 1982 SEWER SYSTEM IN FLYING TRIANGLE Mayor Pernell asked the status of the study of a sewer system for the Flying Triangle. The City Manager reported that the County Sani- tation District is still reviewing the proposal for a low pressure sewer system,by Lowry and Associates, and the Sanitation District and the Regional County Engineer in Lomita agree that the problem of build up of odor and pressure has not been resolved. Mr. Smith said it is not considered a serious problem by Lowry, but it is his opinion that the standards set by the Sanitation District and County Engineer should be met, and if the designs which have been submitted do not meet those standards, they should not be accepted. Ile said the County Engineer has indicated that a gravity flow system would be preferable, even though considerably more expensive, since the maintenance costs of a low pressure system make it an expensive system to operate. Mr. Smith said a gravity flow system has not been studied for the area, and additional funds would be required to determine the depth at which the installation should be made, the effect on the strata, and other details pertinent to a gravity flow sewer system. Mayor Pernell asked that an evaluation of cost and time require- ments for study of a gravity flow sewer system for the Flying Triangle area be submitted to the Council at the next meeting. MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE FEE APPORTIONMENT REDUCTION 1821 The City Manager reported that the Controller of the State of California has advised,all cities that no apportionment of motor vehicle *Iic.en.se. fee subventions will be made until a reduction of $264 million total in subventions has been achieved. Mr. Smith said budgetary adjustments and constraints would have to be made by the City, and would be discussed at a personnel session. APPEAL FROM PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION, DR. MIRK0 GIACONI 1835 Mr. Smith reported that Dr. Mirko Giaconi, 92 Saddleback Road, has submitted a letter and required fee, appealing the decision of the Planning Commission in denying his request for a tennis court in the front yard of his residence. Mr. Smith said the hearing would be scheduled for the City Council meeting on October 11, 1982.. LICENSING OF DOGS 1838 Mr. Smith reported that there is a high proportion of dogs in the City which have not been licensed, and he is concerned about whether dogs are being vaccinated as required. He said a letter has been sent to residents who have not registered their dogs, asking that proof of vaccination be submitted and that dogs be licensed. Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh asked that copies of letters sent to residents in regard to general problems be sent to the Council. Mr. Smith agreed to do so. INSURANCE BID FOR CITY 1850 The City Manager reported that the City's insurance coverage will expire in November, and bids will be requested for City cover- age, Association coverage, and combined coverage, with bids requested from the City's broker and the Association's broker. LEGISLATION RE: SALE OF FIREWORKS 1854 The City Manager reported that recent legislation removes the control by cities over sale of fireworks within their territory. He said the Council can, if they wish, ask the Governor to veto the legislation; the action must be taken before September 30, after which time it becomes law. Councilman Heinsheimer moved that the Mayor be authorized to take the necessary action to contact the Governor in opposition to the Senate Bill. With the concurrence of the Council the Mayor directed that a lettergram be sent to the Governor, urging that he veto the bill. -4- 2'7 1 September 133. 1982 ABSENCE FROM COUNCIL MEETINGS 1862 Councilman Heinsheimer said he will be out of the country,"and will not be present at the next.two meetings of the Council. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION 1867 Mayor Pernell.recessed the meeting to a closed session at 8:35 P.M. Mayor Pernell reconvened .the meeting and reported.that the progress of the parties in. the antenna case had been discussed in the closed session. Reduction 'arid[or.-elimination of a personnel position was' dis- cussed, due to budgetary restrictions, and the Mayor asked that.the City Manager and Personnel Officer meet to discuss the matter and make a recommendation to the Council at the next meeting.. Councilman Heinsheimer moved that the Personnel Officer be authorized to.take- whatever action is necessary to reduce staff expenditures in conform - 0 ance with the new budget realities, and to take the necessary action in coordination with the City Manager,. advising the Council of their.,::>; TA action at the next meeting. Members of the Council concurred,,; and C0 the Mayor so'ordered. m ' Q ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 P.M. to Monday,.September 27,. 1982 at 7:30 P.M. APPRO' W City. Clerk -5-;: Wit, �,,�2 ,gn; . �s^':q . .. ... ....`*�4sn.. J. r�U.4.21X?6.`'It� .S '•s -C ; ...,r -..�T m• .:.AX:... iL�r �-..' ,na.: ra: 4"1