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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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City Clerk