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.
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Treasurer be
that he will be
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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.,
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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.
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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.,::>;
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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'
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City. Clerk
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