4/13/1987MINUTES OF A
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
April 13, 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, April 13, 1987.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
ALSO PRESENT:
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Leeuwenburgh, Murdock,
Swanson, Mayor Pernell
None
Terrence L. Belanger City Manager
Secretary
General Telephone
Los Angeles Times
Residents
Carley
Kathy Uros
Kevin Peterson
Ann Johnson
Thomas R. Boyd
Mr. and Mrs. James
Robert Solima
Mrs. Betsy'Raine
Councilwoman Swanson moved that items on the Consent Calendar
be approved and submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman
Murdock and carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of a regular meeting on March 23, 1987 were approved
and accepted as presented.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Demands No. 1994 through 2029 in the amount of $28,494.16
were approved for payment from the General Fund.
PRESENTATION BY KEVIN PETERSON, DISTRICT MANAGER, GENERAL TELEPHONE
Mr. Kevin Peterson, District Manager for General Telephone
Company, advised the Council that April has been designated by
the State of California as Earthquake Preparation Month. Mr.
Peterson said it has been predicted that a major earthquake will
occur within the next 20 - 30 years, and General Telephone Company
has taken steps to prepare the company and employees for the
predicted disaster. A video tape has been prepared entitled
"Earthquake: Being Prepared for the Emergency at Home". While
the tape was initially intended for viewing by employees of General
Telephone Company, a decision has been made to make it more widely
available. Mr. Peterson said that on behalf of General Telephone
Company he was present at the meeting to donate' two copies of the
video tape to the City for use by the residents, and he suggested
that the tape, which is 26 minutes in length, could be used in
conjunction with the community's Neighborhood Watch Program.
Mayor Pernell accepted the tapes on behalf of the City Council,
and he thanked Mr. Peterson for his presentation. Further, the
Mayor expressed his appreciation to Mr. Peterson for his high
visiblity and ready response to the Community in his position as
District Manager for General Telephone Company.
Mayor Pernell *presented the tapes to Mrs. Ann Carley, president
of the Rolling Hills Women's Community Club. Mrs. Carley said
the tapes would be used at the Club's meeting in May, when a
Neighborhood Watch Program will be presented. She thanked Mr.
Peterson and Mayor Pernell for the tapes.
April 13, 1987
INTRODUCTION OF CITY SECRETARY
The City Manager introduced Kathy Uros, who was recently hired
for the position of City Secretary.
NEW RECORDING EQUIPMENT
Mr. Belanger said the current meeting is being recorded on
a cassette recorder which is being considered as a replacement
for the reel to reel recording equipment that has been used. The
Manager explained that among the advantages of cassette recording
is the convenience of having a cassette available for anyone who
wishes to listen to the proceedings on their personal equipment:
AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF ROLLING -HILLS AND ASL -CONSULTING -ENGINEERS
The City Manager distributed copies of an Agreement for
Consulting Services between the City of Rolling Hills and ASL
Consulting Engineers, which was prepared by the City Attorney.
In a staff report the Manager recommended that the City Council
approve the agreement and authorize the Mayor to execute it:
Councilwoman Swanson moved that the agreement be approved
and that Mayor Pernell be authorized to execute the agreement: The
motion was seconded by Councilwoman Murdock and carried unanimously.
AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR AERIAL/TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING
In a memorandum to the City Council dated April 13, 1987,
the City Manager recommended that the Council direct staff to
negotiate an agreement with Pictorial Sciences, Inc., in conjunction
with ASL Consulting Engineers. Mr. Belanger advised that the City
received five responses to a Request for Proposal for aerial
photography mapping services. He explained that unknown to him
when the RFP was sent out, ASL already had an agreement with
Pictorial Sciences for the type of information required, at a price
lower than the bid submitted to the City of Rolling Hills. The
Manager advised the Council that it is his belief that a lower
price can be negotiated with Pictorial Sciences through ASL than
that received through the RFP, and it was his recommendation that
the decision regarding an aerial survey firm be deferred until
the April 27, 1987 Council meeting.
In discussing the matter, it was determined that Pictorial
Sciences would be working for the City of Rolling Hills as a sub-
contractor for ASL, the prime contractor. Mr. Belanger said the
appropriate agreement would be provided by the City of Rolling
Hills to Pictorials Sciences, Inc., either as a direct sub or an
assigned sub contractor. With the concurrence of the City Council
Mayor Pernell directed the City Manager to proceed in accordance
with his recommendation to the Council.
BUDGET AMENDMENT - ATTORNEY SERVICES
The City Manager said the City had an agreement with George
Wise to provide legal services to the City in connection with the
City's insurance coverage relating to the Flying Triangle lawsuit.
Mr. Belanger said the contract, when approved, was not to exceed
$5,000. The total amount ultimately expended was $5,400, and the
Manager requested that an additional $400 be allocated so the account
can be closed. Mr. Belanger explained that the additional funds
resulted from additional time spent to obtain the necessary
information and services in accordance with the City's wishes.
A motion to pay the additional funds was made by Councilwoman Swanson
and seconded by Councilwoman Murdock.
In discussing the matter Mayor Pernell said that although
the over -run is less than 10%, it is his opinion that an effort
should be made by a contractor to operate within the amount approved
in advance of the project. Councilwoman Swanson asked whether
a record of the hours expended was kept. Councilman Heinsheimer
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April 13, 1987
asked whether it was a fixed' Pt'.ib-6 or level of effort contract.
The manager said that Mr. Harry Gershon, on behalf of the City,
arranged a level of effort contract with Mr. wise, and the contract
exceeded the previously approved allocation by $400. Councilman
Heinsheimer said that if the approved allocation of funds was to
be exceeded, a letter advising the Council of - the additional costs
should have been ' sent. Mr. Belanger said it is his impression
that Mr. wise did not realize that a precise amount had been
approved, since he worked through Richards, Watson and Gershon,
the City's attorneys.
The motion to approve payment of an additional $400 passed
on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Heinsheimer, Leeuwenburgh, Murdock,
Swanson, Mayor Pernell
NOES: None
(D
Lo ABSENT: None
M STATUS OF FLYING TRIANGLE
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co The Manager said the status of the Flying Triangle is tied
< in with HR -6, which, Mayor pro tem Swanson - will address later in
the meeting.
OPEN AGENDA
The Mayor advised that the Open Agenda portion. of the meeting
is reserved for comment by persons present who wish to address
the Council on any matter which is not on the agenda for the meeting.
Mayor Pernell invited comment. There was none, and the meeting
proceeded.
MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
Councilwoman Swanson Report - HB -6
Councilwoman Swanson reported that the City of Rolling Hills
has been included in legislation known as HR -6, the Omnibus Water
Bill, which authorizes the -Corps of Engineers to perform a
reconnaissance study of the landslide in Rancho Palos Verdes and
Rolling Hills. Upon completion of the first stage of the study
recommendations will be made to the cities regarding the next step
to pursue. Councilwoman Swanson said initially the City of Rolling
Hills was not included, and Congressman Dan Lundgren, the author
of a portion of the bill, has been instrumental in getting the
City of Rolling Hills included, and in contacting the House
Sub -Committee on Appropriations stating that it was the intent
of the bill that both Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills be
included in the project. Councilwoman Swanson suggested that a
letter be sent to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes requesting a
mutual agreement to assure a cooperative partnership assuring that
the provisions of HR -6 pertaining to the south Peninsula landslide
be funded and implemented. Councilwoman Swanson said she considers
this action a necessary first step to a clear understanding that
there is to be a partnership in the effort.
Councilman Heinsheimer said that in his testimony - before the
Energy and Water Appropriations Sub -committee, Congressman Lundgren
stated specifically that language in the bill specifies that the
Corps must look at both areas as part of the reconnaissance study.
Councilwoman Swanson -explained that representatives of Rancho Palos
Verdes went to Washington at an earlier date and requested funding
for a study of the shoreline. Representatives of Rolling Hills
subsequently were in Washington and advised Congressman Lundgren
that it would be beneficial that the study include both cities.
As a result, funding of approximately $250,000 for a reconnaissance
study will address the situation in Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling
Hills, due to the efforts of Congressman Lundgren, the author of
that portion of the bill, testifying before the Appropriations
Sub -committee that he intended that both cities be included.
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April 13, 1987
With reference to Councilwoman Swanson's suggestion that a
letter be written to Rancho Palos Verdes regarding a mutual agreement
for a cooperative effort in the project, Mayor Pernell said he
would not oppose the action; however, it was his impression that
the City of Rancho Palos Verdes is not especially open to the joint
approach, and he asked whether there was any indication that this
has changed. The City Manager explained that through the processing
of the legislation for funding of a water bill for this year for
projects, Congressman Lundgren has continued to assert that it
is the intent of the bill that both cities be included. Rancho
Palos Verdes officials, when discussing the matter with Congressman
Lundgren and lobbyists, have also indicated a sincere desire to
act cooperatively to coordinate with the City of Rolling Hills.
Mr. Belanger said he would agree with the recommendation that the
City of Rolling Hills acknowledge the spirit of cooperation.
Councilman Heinsheimer suggested that rather than initiating a
letter to Rancho Palos Verdes, he would recommend that the Rolling
Hills Mayor be authorized by the Council to contact the Mayor of
Rancho Palos Verdes in an effort to create a mutual agreement or
letter of understanding as part of the process. Mayor Pernell
agreed that rather than recommend that a letter be written, the
recommendation should be changed to request that -the Mayor
communicate with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, and Councilwoman
Swanson agreed.
Councilwoman Swanson suggested that a Washington -based lobbyist
should be interviewed by either staff or a member of the -Council
assigned by the Mayor, regarding the possibility of assisting the
City in acquiring funding for the implementation of HR -6. She
said the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has already. enlisted the help
of a Washington -based lobbyist to assist in obtaining funds for
their city, and it is reasonable for the City of Rolling Hills
to consider taking similar action. Councilman Heinsheimer suggested
that the City of Rolling Hills could consider discussing with the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes sharing the cost of a single lobbyist
to secure funds for both cities. Councilwoman Swanson said Rancho
Palos Verdes has already hired a lobbyist, and she recommended
that the City of Rolling Hills take separate action. Mayor Pernell
said he agrees with Councilman Heinsheimer's suggestion that unified
approach would be preferable, rather than hiring a separate lobbyist.
Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh said she considers it necessary
to determine the position of Rancho Palos Verdes before proceeding
in the matter, and she recommended that that be pursued as the
first step. Councilwoman Swanson reiterated that the primary
objective of the City of Rolling Hills is to obtain funding to
enable the Corps of Engineers to perform a reconnaissance study
of the slide area that would include the City of Rolling Hills.
As part of that objective, the City of Rolling Hills will seek
the cooperation of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, through contact
by the Mayor with that city. Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh said
Congressman Lundgren has assured the City of Rolling Hills of his
support.
Councilwoman Murdock said she agrees with the recommendation
that the City of Rolling Hills attempt to develop an agreement
with Rancho Palos Verdes for a cooperative effort; beyond that,
she said a decision should be made about whether to hire a lobbyist
before proceeding with the interview process. Councilwoman Swanson
said that the matter is proceeding rapi=dly, and she said it is
necessary to make a simultaneous effort. Councilwoman Swanson
said, further, a sub -committee should be assigned to meet with
representatives of the Corps of. Engineers to determine the scope
of the work that will be done in the project. Councilwoman Murdock
said the Corps will be given their instructions as far as the bill
is concerned, and she did not consider it necessary to meet with
anyone from the Corps, since the City Council could not bring any
expertise to them. Councilman Heinsheimer said he considers it
important to meet with the Corps, especiallysince the funding
has been approved for the two cities, and it is essential that
there be an equitable distribution of the funding. The City Manager.
said it is vital for the City to become involved with the Corps,
to emphasize the involvement of the City of Rolling Hills in the
project.
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April 13, 1987
Finally, Councilwoman Swa 4 ns6n,,:, i46dommended that the City Manager
be directed to assist the personnel sub -committee in their
assignments, tasks and responsibilities. The Mayor so ordered.
Mayor Pernell said that except for a divergence of opinion
regarding retaining a legislative advocate or lobbyist, the Council
concurs with Councilwoman Swanson's recommendations. Councilwoman
Swanson said she feels that the only thing the Council could lose
in the interviews would be the time expended. Mayor Pernell said
he would be meeting informally with the Mayors of the Peninsula
cities within a few days, and he asked that further discussion
be deferred until after he has an opportunity to evaluate the
situation at that time. The City Manager advised the Council that
the two lobbyists who should be considered will be in California
during the next two weeks, and there will be an opportunity for
members of the Council to meet with them. Councilwoman Swanson
said Del Smith, the lobbyist who has been retained by Rancho Palos
Verdes, will be in the area next week. Mayor Pernell said
(0 Councilmembers Heinsheimer and Swanson are on the personnel
Lo sub -committee, and with the concurrence of the Council, the Mayor
0) asked them to meet informally with the lobbyists and the City
LL Manager.
Mayor Pernell asked the City Manager to attempt to determine
whether there will be any duplication of effort in the proposed
sewer feasibility study and the renaissance study by 'the Corps
of Engineers, and whether any portions, specifically the aerial
survey, will be required by both, in an effort to curtail
expenditures.
Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh asked whether the City's special
counsel is being kept informed of the City's actions in conjunction
with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. The City Manager, said he
has discussed HR -6 and the attempt at a cooperative effort with
Mr. Graham, and he was supportive.
Mayor Pernell thanked Councilwoman Swanson for her report-.
Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh
Coastal Commission Election, City Selection�Committee
Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh reported that Ron Cawdrey from Redondo
Beach and Jacque ' line Ryerson from Lakewood were nominated for office,
and Nell Mirels from Rolling Hills Estates was re-elected the
alternate by acclamation.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
Status: Fiscal Year.1987-88 Budget.
The City Manager advised the -Council that the procedure for
preparation of the Budget for Fiscal Year 1987-88 has been initiated,
and the proposed budget calendar has been sent. to the Council'.
He said the Budget Committee will meet to discuss and ' formalize
the budget, which will be presented to the Council.in May or June-.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Pernell recessed the meeting at 8:15 p*m' to a closed
session to discuss litigation.
MEETING RECONVENED
The meeting was reconvened at 8:30 p.m.
PRESENTATION BY DAVID TOMA,
Councilwoman Swanson noted that members of the Council had
received a notice that David Toma has been hired by a group of
Palos . Verdes parents who have raised money for his appearance at
April 13, 1987
the local high schools. Councilwoman Swanson said that Mr: Toma,
an ex -narcotics officer, will present a program on alcohol and
drugs, and because his appearance has caused some controversy,
it is being arranged by a private group, rather than by the
Juvenile Diversion Program. Councilwoman Swanson said funding has
been allocated to the Juvenile Diversion ' Program for counselling
of young people who are expected to seek help after hearing Mr.
Toma's presentation.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. to Monday, April 27,
1987 at 7:30 p.m.
APPROVED:
Mayor
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City Clerk