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3/23/1987MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF ROLLING HILLS. March 23, 1987 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 Pernell at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 23, 1987. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Leeuwenburgh, Murdock, -.Swanson, Mayor Pernell ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Terrence L. Belanger City Manager L. D. Courtright City Treasurer June Cunningham Deputy City Clerk Capt. E. Omohundro L. A. County Sheriff Capt. D. Gillard Lomita Station Ann Johnson L. A. Times Bill Bennett ASL Consulting Steve Tedesco Engineers Dr. Frank Grant James Montgomery Paul Skager Consulting Engineers William Cross Residents Mr. and Mrs. Mark Friedman Victor Martinov John Pollock Fritz Ripley Miss Becky Raine Mrs. Betsy Raine CONSENT CALENDAR Councilwoman Murdock moved that items on the Consent Calendar be approved as submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Swanson and carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of a regular meeting on March 9, 1987 were approved and accepted as presented. PAYMENT OF BILLS Demands No. 1964 through 1993 in the amount of $18.313.07 were approved for payment from the General Fund. Demands No. 1986 and 1987 in the amount of $882.26 were approved for.payment from the Municipal Self Insurance Fund. FINANCIAL STATEMENT The Financial Statement for February 1987 was approved and accepted as presented. PRESENTATION OF PLAQUE TO CAPTAIN OMOHUNDRO Mayor Pernell noted that Captain Elmer Omohundro, who has served as Commander of the Sheriff's Lomita Station since May 1984 has been assigned to the Sheriff's Lakewood Station effective April 1, 1987. Mayor Pernell expressed his appreciation to Captain Omohundro personally and on behalf of the City Council for his service and attention to the City of Rolling Hills during his assignment to Lomita, and thanked him for his regular attendance at City Council meetings. The Mayor presented a plaque to Captain Omohundro, engraved to express the appreciation of the City Council. 411 March 23, 1987 Captain Omohundro said his .tour of duty in Lomita has been one of the most pleasant and satisfying in his career, and he thanked Mayor Pernell and the Council for. the plaque and for the support he has received. INTRODUCTION OF NEWLY APPOINTED COMMANDER Captain Omohundro introduced Captain Denny Gillard, who will assume command of the Sheriff's Lomita Station on April 1, 1987. Captain Omohundro said Captain Gillard has worked with the community for many years, and served as Operations Lieutenant and Acting Captain during seven years assignment to the Lennox Station, which served Rolling Hills before the Lomita Station was built. Captain Gillard has been a resident of Torrance for twenty five years, and is familiar with the South Bay area. Mayor Pernell and the Council welcomed Captain Gillard. He said he is looking forward to working with the community and the City of Rolling Hills. C� SANITARY SEWER FEASIBILITY STUDY In a report to the Council the City Manager advised that the Sanitary Sewer Feasibility Study Engineering Service Evaluation m Committee recommended that the City Council retain either ASL Consulting Engineers or James M. Montgomery, Consulting Engineers, Q Inc., as the firm to provide engineering services relative to the feasibility study of waste water disposal alternatives. Mr. Belanger reported that the Committee also recommended that the City Council approve an allocation of $20,000 for the purpose of creating a complete correlated set of aerial base map photographs. The Manager said representatives of the two firms have been invited to make separate presentations to the Council, after which selection of one of the firms will be discussed. ASL CONSULTING ENGINEERS The City Manager introduced Mr. William Bennett of ASL Consulting Engineers. Mr. Bennett said his firm has been doing .consulting engineering work in Southern California since 1949, and is experienced in the full spectrum of sewer and waste water engineering from the initial planning through construction. Mr. Bennett said ASL Consulting Engineers has experience in the area, particularly in Rolling Hills Estates and Manhattan Beach. Mr. Bennett introduced Mr. Steven Tedesco, Project Engineer for ASL. Mr. Tedesco described the proposed study plan, referring to a map which was marked to show the possible location of sewer lines, relative to existing County Sanitation District facilities. Mr. Bennett explained that the County Engineer has jurisdiction over collection lines which are local lines, and the County Sanitation District has jurisdiction over trunk sewers, which serve more than one area. The trunk lines and collection lines were shown on the map, and Mr. Tedesco said he and Mr. Bennett had verified by visual inspection that the lines are installed as shown on the map. He said a new topographic map of Rolling Hills would be required to proceed with the study if ASL is selected. After completion of an aerial survey, the information would be verified in the field before a study is begun. Drainage patterns were illustrated on the map. Mr. Tedesco said his firm would provide three alternative plans, with detailed cost estimates. When a final decision is made on the best alternative of the three presented, Mr. Tedesco said all recommendations for installation of lines would be field verified. Also, after the selection has been made, information pertaining to assessments would be provided. Mr. Bennett said that in attempting retro -fit a system around existing septic tanks rather than designing a new sewer system it has been necessary to determine the location of all septic tanks in the area to be developed. He said the first step would be to send a questionnaire to all residents requesting the location of the septic tank on each property. -2- March 23, 1987 Mr. Bennett said ASL representatives will meet with members of the community at neighborhood meetings or on site to discuss the homeowners' preference or to investigate problems, and he said the one-on-one communication has been extremely successful. With regard to cost, Mr. Bennett said he would caution the City Council to avoid giving a number, because things change and a price given in an early stage may not be the final cost, and exceeding a stated price because of circumstances that cannot be foreseen causes problems. Mr. Bennett said the price will be developed as the work proceeds. He then invited questions. Mayor Pernell said Rolling Hills has 680 homes in three square miles; one area consisting of eight lots has sewers. The Mayor said part of the impetus for considering the study results from problems with underground water, and he asked whether the proposed study will establish a priority, since some areas can tolerate underground water better than other areas. Mr. Bennett said a priority system will not be part of the study, since that would require a soils and geotechnical firm to make such an evaluation. He said ASL has a long term relationship with soils firms that could conduct a paper search, not drilling, which would give an indication of the groundwater situation from records. Mayor Pernell said he considers this an important feature, since the cost will be significant, and it may be necessary to approach the project in phases. Councilman Heinsheimer said it should be clear that this is an evolutionary program consisting of separate parts, and that the Council wishes to have a final report which will permit them to evaluate the results and decide whether to proceed with the total project, or whether to proceed with the parts in sequence. Mr. Bennett said the ASL master planning units are typically geared that way; a total cost would be given, and they would work with the City Manager and Council on an implementation program to derive the maximum benefit from the dollars spent. With respect to the groundwater problem, Councilman Heinsheimer said there is concern about the stability in certain areas, and before construction is started there must be an evaluation of the risks that could impact the success of the project. Mr. Bennett said area -specific criteria would be included in the study, including mitigation measures which would be included in the design criteria. Councilwoman Swanson asked Mr. Bennett to state the cost of the preliminary study for persons present at the meeting. Mr. Bennett said it is $28,700. He outlined the time required as follows: 4 - 6 weeks to obtain the aerial base mapping, which is the first step; at the same time questionnaires will be sent to the residents to assist in locating septic tanks; it will also take 4-5 weeks to develop the preliminary study. Mr. Bennett said the Council should figure on eight weeks for the report to be ready for review by the City staff. He estimated total time as 2 - 3 months. Mayor Pernell invited questions from the floor. Mr. Mark Friedman, 11 Flying Mane Road, asked what the goal of the preliminary study is and what the Council will get for the money. Mr. Bennett said that when the preliminary study has been completed all areas will be mapped out, sewer lines and drainage areas will be defined, preliminary costs for the proposed improvements will be determined, and negotiations and coordination with the County will be initiated. In summary, he said the intent of the preliminary study is to determine system and cost, and after the study has been completed the Council will have a document that can be presented to the County Engineer to show what has been designed. Mr. Fritz Ripley, 91 Crest Road East, said this is the third analysis of a sewer system in the past 35 years, and he asked whether anything new has been added, and whether record has been kept of other studies. Mayor Pernell explained that this is the first time sewers for the entire community have been considered; he said previous studies were for specific areas in the City. Mr. Ripley said some homes in Rolling Hills have problems, others do not. Mayor Pernell said there would be ample opportunity for input by all residents. -3- LO co a 413 march 23, 1987 Mr. Friedman asked whether it would be possible to get a range of the costs. Mr. Bennett said, his firm would provide the cost of the entire system, not assessment sipread. Councilman Heinsheimer said the cost for the study would be about $50 per home, and the study would provide an opportunity for evaluation of sewers on a city-wide basis. Councilwoman Swanson noted that the cost of the preliminary study is a budgeted item, and would not be passed on to the individual property owners. The City Treasurer asked. whether the report would address specific areas of the City so it would be possible to estimate the cost of installation of a sewer system in regions rather than in the entire city. Mr. Bennett said such costs would be part of the report. Mayor Pernell thanked Mr. Bennett and Mr. Tedesco for their presentation, and explained that another firm would be interviewed before a decision is made. OPEN AGENDA Mayor Pernell stated the floor which are not on be taken. There were none. MEETING RECESSED that the agenda is open for items from the agenda, and on which no action will The meeting was recessed at 8:20 p.m. MEETING RECONVENED The meeting was reconvened at 8:30 p.m. JAMES M. MONTGOMERY, CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC. 1700 The City Manager introduced Dr. Frank Grant, Manager, of the Pasadena office of James M. Montgomery, Consulting Engineers, Inc. and Mr. Paul Skager, Project Manager. Mr. Belanger said they are aware that a presentation on a proposal for consulting engineering services for a sewer system study has been made, and they wish to also make a presentation and answer questions. Dr. Grant advised the Council that he manages the waste water and industrial services department in his firm's Pasadena office, and he said the firm has been working on a similar but much more controversial project in Malibu. Issues similar to those which would be encountered in Rolling Hills have been addressed, and Dr. Grant said he would answer questions about how the projects are related. Dr. Grant distributed pictures of the Malibu project, and said he also has cost information. Dr. Grant introduced Mr. Paul Skager, and said he would describe the firm and how they would approach a project in Rolling Hills. Mr. Skager said that in addressing the request for a preliminary feasibility study of a sanitary sewer system, his firm offers a strong company background; an organized approach to a project; an experienced project team; project engineer, and specific related experience. Mr. Skager said the firm, which was established in 1945, has had extensive experience in waste water disposal over the past forty years, and as a local firm, they are familiar with the area in which the study would be made. He said the proposed report would include a review of City of Rolling Hills data supplied by the City Manager;. with that data and with other in-house information and reports available to them they would develop alternatives for disposal; an analysis of County Sanitation District facilities available to a system in Rolling Hills, with details of operation maintenance and cost; environmental information pertinent to the project would be obtained and analyzed. A draft report addressing the environmental aspects would be prepared for the City's review, and the final step would be preparation of the final report. Meetings with City personnel would be held throughout the report preparation process. Mr. Skager said it is possible that two systems would be recommended for Rolling Hills, since a downhill disposal system for the south end of the City where there is instability, which is the major problem in the City. Since there do not appear to be problems in the remainder of the community, another system may be recommended. z - A March 23, 1987 Councilwoman Swanson asked Mr. Skager whether the sewer systems which have been implemented and completed by Montgomery are those on which his firm did the preliminary study. Mr. Skager said the firm has done complete systems on which they did the preliminary study, and they have also completed projects on which the preliminary study was done by another source. Councilwoman Swanson asked Dr. Grant when a cost projection for the system is made. Dr. Grant said cost is projected early in the project; Mr. Skager said cost estimates should be available two months into the project, and he said it is proposed that a draft report would be ready in three months. Mr. Skager said the cost for the preliminary study would be $21,000. Mr. Courtright asked whether an Environmental Impact Report would be required. Dr. Grant said that would depend on the amount of opposition to the project. He said that objections based on environmental issues would require an EIR; for objections based on cost issues or easily solved issues, the report would not be necessary. Dr. Grant said Ms Janet Fahey, Project Enviromental Scientist for Montgomery, is preparing an environmental checklist for the project, but at this time a full Environmental Impact Report has not been prepared. Mayor Pernell thanked Dr. Grant and Mr. Skager for the presentation, and explained that a decision would be made after the two presentations were evaluated by the City Council. MEETING RECESSED The meeting was recessed at 9:00 p.m. MEETING RECONVENED The meeting was reconvened at 9:05 p.m. DISCUSSION OF PRESENTATION RE: PRELIMINARY STUDY 1915 Mayor Pernell opened discussion of the presentations by representatives of ASL Consulting Engineers and James M. Montgomery, Consulting Engineers, Inc. Councilman Heinsheimer moved that the project be approved for ASL, stating that they know the area, work in an adjacent city on the Peninsula, and have indicated that they can move forward with the study. Councilwoman Swanson said she agrees with Councilman Heinsheimer's recommendation, but selection of the firm is not on the agenda, and she suggested that the action be deferred until the next meeting. The City Manager said the selection could be discussed and determined, and the decision could be ratified at the next meeting. Councilwoman Murdock said she considered ASL the suitable choice to work in Rolling Hills, since they have established a good relationship with Rolling Hills Estates, which has been verified by the City Manager. Mayor Pernell asked the City Manager whether he had checked references for both firms. -Mr. Belanger said he had, and in both cases the references were excellent. He said he was advised that both were professional in their approach, worked well with City staff, members of the community and elected bodies, and it was his opinion that both were equally highly recommended. Mr. Belanger said, further, both are local firms; ASL has worked on the Peninsula and is familiar with the area. Following discussion of both presentations, Mayor Pernell asked that the Council indicate by a show of hands their individual preference: ASL - Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Murdock, Swanson; James M. Montgomery - Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh and Mayor Pernell. The Mayor directed that the matter be placed on the agenda for the next City Council meeting for ratification of the selection, and he asked that the necessary notification of the firms be prepared by staff. STATUS OF FLYING TRIANGLE The City Manager said he has no report at this time. -5- March 23, 1987 MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE -COUNCIL 2065 Fiesta des Flores Councilman Heinsheimer said the City has received a request for support from Fiesta des Flores fund raising celebration to be held at the Botanic Garden May 11 - 18. He suggested that a notice be placed in the Newsletter giving residents information about the event. Aerial Base Map Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh reported. that at the last meeting of the Board of Directors members of the Board agreed that the Community Association would share with the City the cost of the aerial base map for the sewer study. Applicability of HR -6 to Rolling Hills Councilwoman Swanson reported that Congressman Lungren has testified that it was the intent that the language in HR -6 apply to the City of Rolling Hills as well as the City of Rancho Palos Verdes regarding funding for the project the Corps of Engineers-. Women's Community Club Annual Fundraiser Councilwoman Murdock reported that the annual fund raising event of the Rolling Hills Women's Community Club will be held on June 13. The event will be a Concourse de Elegance, using classic cars owned by residents of the community. Requirements of Brown Act re: Posting Meeting Notice Councilwoman Swanson said she has been advised that the notice of any public meetings attended by a member of any elected body will have to be posted by the participating agency, in compliance with requirements of the Brown Act. She said notices of meetings of the South Bay Steering Committee will be posted, and a determination will be made reqarding requirements for posting notices of South Bay Cities meetings. Proposed Re-orqanization of Transportation Agencies Councilwoman Swanson reported that two bills (AB -18 and SB -2) have been introduced, proposing re -organization of the transportation agencies in Los Angeles. The author of each bill is the co-author of the other bill, and the legislation is moving very rapidly in Sacramento, and Councilwoman Swanson said the major impact is that if the bills pass the cities will have less representation on transportation issues than at present. Elected Officials/Students Mayor Pernell reported that which included elected officials and it was an enjoyable experience MATTERS FROM STAFF Secretarial Position he participated in a recent event working one-on-one with students, The Manager reported that Ms. Kathy Uros, a resident of Rancho Palos Verdes, has accepted the part time secretarial position with the City,, effsmc�tive Monday, March 30. Mr. Belanger said Ms: Uros has excellent secretarial skills, as well as extensive data processing e3perience. Supervisor Deane Dana Reception The Manager reported that members of the Council have been invited by Supervisor Deane Dana to a reception to introduce Richard Dixon, the newly appointed Chief Administrative Officer for -6- March 23, 1987 Los Angeles County. The reception will be held in the Blue Ribbon Room at the Music Center on Tuesday, March 31. Mr. Belanger said the invitation will be accepted on behalf of Council members who advise that they plan to attend. South Bay Cities Meetinq The Manager reported that the South Bay Association will meet on Thursday, March 26 at Filippone's Restaurant. Developer Fee Leqislation The Manager reported that the School District has taken the initial steps to implement AB 2926, the developer fee legislation. CLOSED SESSION There were no items of litigation or personnel to be considered at a closed session. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. to Monday, April 13, 1987 at 7:30 p.m. APPROVED: Mayor -7- City Clerk