INCORPORATED 1659
OALFORNE
MINUTES
OF THE FEBRUARY 14, 2023
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CALIFORNIA
CALL TO ORDER Mayor Roos called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Lozzi, Kemps, McGowan, Mayor Pro Tem Murdock, Mayor Roos.
Also Present: City Attorney Rusin, City Manager Prestwich, Public Works Director Seims, Acting Police Chief Hellinga, City Treasurer Greenberg, City Support Services Director Hannah, Acting Community Development Director Brady, and City Clerk Chaney.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
ACTION: Moved by Councilmember Lozzi, and seconded by Councilmember Murdock, • approve the Agenda, with Council concurrence, to move Item 12 to the Consen genda. The motion unanimously carried by the following vote AYES: Lozzi, Kemps, McGowan, Murdock, and Roos
NOES: None.
MAYOR'S REPORT - MATTERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
Mayor Roos thanked everyone who attended the meeting in this frigid weather on Valentine's Day; he also thanked everyone who submitted comments on the conceptual terms for La Venta Inn. All comments received by February gth have been posted on media, and asked everyone to contact the Mayor Pro Tem or himself if they had questions.
Mayor Roos introduced Mr. David Ready who will be appointed as the Interim City Manager under Item 9. He provided a brief background of Mr. Ready's career acknowledging the City was lucky to have him.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Prestwich reported on a mailing sent out by the Los Angeles County Fire Department last week regarding weed abatement inspections and process. He clarified the letter and added that because the entire Peninsula is in a very high fire hazard safety zone, it is important for everyone to take clearance related to weed and brush guidance seriously. He noted the item on the agenda tonight to begin the RFP process for the City's annual clearance later this year. He advised there will be some changes coming in the number of inspections that will be held and some changes in State law that will not take effect until 2024. The public will see more communications on that in the coming months.
Mr. Prestwich advised the City will host its annual e-waste and shredding event at Palos Verdes High School on Saturday, March 4th from 8:00 am to Noon.
The City Manager announced that the City will go to bid next week for the repaving of Paseo Del Mar and following the bid process, the City will award a contract and work with the contractor to provide public notice to the community about the project.
Acting Police Chief Hellinga advised the City Council that yesterday the Police Department filmed its first "Your PD under Three" video. It will be ready next week and will be uploaded onto the Department's social media page.
He also announced that today was the 29th anniversary of the Department losing two officers in the line of duty. He noted Captain Tracy and Sergeant Vanderpool lost their lives sacrificing for their fellow employees including City Hall staff while at a training seminar in the City of Torrance. He mentioned there are memorial items around the station, including a plaque with their pictures and a newspaper with the article of the event that remains in the Chiefs office. He also presented a PowerPoint tribute to Captain Tracy and Sergeant Vanderpool and requested a moment of silence in their memory.
CEREMONIAL/PRESENTATIONS
• 100th Anniversary Update
• Memorial for Officers Vanderpool and Tracy
Mayor Roos provided a PowerPoint presentation the Ad Hoc Committee created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Verdes Estates Project which was the forerunner to Palos Verdes Estates. The project was conceived by Frank Vanderlip and E.D. Lewis who enlisted the help of renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr.
Mayor Roos described the history of the design of the City. The Palos Verdes Land Company, a subsidiary of Vanderlip's Palos Verdes Corporation, began promoting the development to prospective homebuyers at a rally in the summer of 1923 on what would eventually become the site of the Malaga Cove School.
The Ad Hoc Committee consisting of he and Councilmember McGowan, proposes to honor that moment in three ways: 1) by considering the restoration of the original names of Granvia LaCosta and Granvia Del Monte; 2) by commissioning an aerial photograph of residents to honor the 100th anniversary of the Palos Verdes Project; 3 by celebrating the 100m anniversary at the site of the 1923 rally with a concert and fireworks display on July 4th, 2023.
Mayor Roos advised that he has already engaged leaders of the Palos Verdes Unified School District, the three homeowners' associations, and the Palos Verdes Library District, who have all expressed their support. He went on to add that although the project was founded in 1923, the Great Depression set the project back quite considerably. After World War Il, things picked up and we have the beautiful community we have today. He described the photograph shown in the presentation. He went on to describe some of the evets and introduced Mr. Erik Jay who will do the aerial photographs and asked him to share his vision.
Mr. Jay shared he would take a series of aerial drone shots of various members of the community, including the first responders and city workers integrated within the community. He also shared some of the areas throughout the community that he would photograph.
Mayor Roos added that there will also be a July 4t concert supported by Palos Verdes resident and founder of the Beach Life Festival, Allen Sanford. He briefly described the concert venue, and ticketing, and the fireworks coordinated with the Riviera Village fireworks display on the barge off Avenue I. He noted that the proceeds would benefit the City of Palos Verdes through the Palos Verdes Foundation and other Local charities.
The City Council asked clarifying questions and discussed the renaming of the streets. 2 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
The following Individuals addressed the City Council: Karen Logan regarding Palos Verdes Neighborhood Watch; Victor Rivera, Public Affairs Manager for SoCal Gas; Bill Reed regarding parking tickets received by his tenants on Via Campesina, which is a residential street.
CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 1-4)
ACTION: Moved by Councilmember McGowan, and seconded by Councilmember Kemps, to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 1 through 4, and Item 12.
The motion unanimously carried by the following vote:
AYES: Lozzi, Kemps, McGowan, Murdock, and Roos
NOES: None.
1. CITY COUNCIL ACTION MINUTES
a) Minutes of October 25, 2022 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and Approve.
2. WARRANTS
Recommendation: Review and Approve Warrant Register of February 14, 2023.
3. RECEIPT AND FILING OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022
Recommendation: Receive and File.
4. CONSIDERATION OF SPECIAL EVENT APPLICATION FOR PALOS VERDES HIGH SCHOOL'S ANNUAL "REMEMBER THE TRITONS WALK" SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2023 FROM 12:45 P.M. TO 3:00 P.M.
Recommendation: Review and Approve.
12. RECOMENDED CHANGE IN CITY PURCHASING POLICY
Recommendation: Approve the increase from $1,000 to $3,000 for the requirement of three bids to be obtained before a Purchase Order (PO) can be issued for the procurement of goods and Services and from $1,000 to $3,000 for the requirement of City Manager approval for invoices.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
5. UPDATE OF THE PALOS VERDES ESTATES SCHEDULE OF FEES AND
CHARGES BASED ON AN INFLATIONARY BASED ADJUSTMENT
Recommendation: Open the public hearing, receive public testimony, close the public hearing, and adopt the proposed resolution adopting the comprehensive fee schedule.
Mayor Roos opened the public hearing and City Support Services Hannah presented the staff report indicating the schedule of fees increase is based on CPI increases for the years January through December 2021 and 2022, with a maximum increase amount of 11.82%. He noted the item was first brought to Council on January 24th and staff was given further direction which has been included in this new update. increase is the first since Fiscal Year 2020-2021 using calendar year 2018 CPI for the basis of its update. The new fee schedule will go into effect on March 15'h, giving staff 3 time to pertorm the update in the system's operations and notify certain people in the public of the increase in fees.
In response to Council's question regarding the peafowl trapping fee, City Manager Prestwich responded that staff needs to have a policy discussion with the City Council to seek clarity on when to apply the fee since there is a past practice of, certain circumstances, under which the fees are not charged.
There being no public comment, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing.
Councilmember Lozzi reminded staff that the City Council wants a comprehensive fee study done in the next fiscal year.
ACTION: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Murdock, and seconded by Councilmember Lozzi, to adopt the proposed resolution adopting the comprehensive fee schedule effective March 15, 2023. The motion unanimously carried by the following vote:
AYES: Lozzi, Kemps, McGowan, Murdock, and Roos
NOES: None
OLD BUSINESS
6. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF REVISED AND RESTATED CONCESSION
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES AND
THE PALOS VERDES TENNIS FOUNDATION WITH MODIFICATIONS
Recommendation: Approve the restatement and renewal of the Concession Agreement between the City of Palos Verdes Estates and the Palos Verdes Tennis Foundation for the operation of the Palos Verdes Tennis Club.
Councilmembers Lozzi and Kemps recused from the meeting since they are members of the Tennis Club and left the Council Chambers.
City Manager Prestwich provided a brief staff report detailing the extension terms of the Agreement and the increase in projected revenues.
Mayor Pro Tem Murdock who was part of the Ad Hoc Committee with Mayor Roos, stated that at the request pf the Tennis Club, the effective date should be changed from December 7, 2022, to February 14, 2023.
Councilmember McGowan expressed his concerns with the Agreement. He suggested that a condition to the agreement, if it is approved, be the Tennis Club and Golf Club work together and perform an independent study of the residents, review and examine the results, collaborate how best to respond to those needs and provide a report or recommendation to the Council no later than July 31, 2023.
Thereafter the City Council discussed the issues expressed by Councilmember McGowan and determined that they did not believe that the recommendation be a condition of approval of the agreement; but rather the two clubs work together and come ant min the resident dubs work together and come up with thoughts that are consistent with the residents.
Discussion continued on what the two organizations should do and the City Attorney cautioned the City Council that, while Council can recommend the two organizations collaborate on how to meet the residents' needs, the City Council could not give them specific details on how they work together or what they should be doing. He recommended their recommendations be brought to the City Manager who will put it on the Agenda for the City Council to consider.
ACTION: Moved by Councilmember Murdock, and seconded by Councilmember McGowan, to approve the restatement and renewal of the Concession Agreement between the City of Palos Verdes Estates and the Palos Verdes Tennis Foundation with the change of the effective date to February 14, 2023. The motion unanimously carried by the following vote:
4 AYES: McGowan, Murdock, Roos
NOES: None
RECUSED: Lozzi, Kemps
Councilmembers Lozzi and Kemps returned to the Council Chambers.
7. RECEIVE REPORT BACK AND CONSIDER OPTIONS AND PROJECT
IMPLICATIONS FOR POSSIBLE PALOS VERDES DRIVE WEST CORRIDOR
IMPROVEMENTS
Recommendation: Receive report back and consider options and project implications for possible future Palos Verdes Drive West (PVDW) corridor improvements, and provide direction to the City Manager Public Works Director Seims provided a brief staff report discussing the four key points in relation to some options that can be considered for the corridor, describing what the options were.
Councilmember Lozzi who is on the Ad Hoc Committee for the improvement project, commented the Ad Hoc Committee looked at some things that is less impactful, and a minimally invasive project. She also noted the City needs to look at the entire corridor from the triangle to Via Corta holistically. She suggested staff and H.R. take everything back to the Traffic Safety Committee to take a holistic view of the entire corridor starting the analysis over with opportunities for public input as well.
Councilmember Kemps explained the options that were made available at the time the Ad Hoc Committee went through the process, He didn't think that members of the public had the opportunity to consider minor improvements, traffic Light, or do nothing so sending it back to the Traffic Safety Committee so they can assist the City Council, take public input, discuss the issue, and bring back a recommendation. He emphasized there is a problem at that intersection and the question is how the city maintains its tranquility and history, and concerns of the neighbors very close to that Intersection. He felt additional personnel should be an option and he would not take the traffic light off the table.
The City Council discussed the issues and the options and directed staff to take this matter back to the Traffic Safety Committee for further consideration of the options, receive the public's input, and work with staff to determine if there are adequate resources to accomplish what needs to be done, and have the City Manager report back to the City Council at a future date for an update.
City Manager Prestwich confirmed that the City Council is not Interested in considering additional appropriations to facilitate additional studies, but should it be necessary for a study or a request for additional data with cost implications, it should be presented to the City Council.
REQUEST BY PROPERTY OWNER FOR AMENDMENT TO LICENSE
AGREEMENT AT 1524 VIA FERNANDEZ TO WAIVE OR SEEK ALTERNATE
TERMS RELATED TO PERFORMANCE BOND REQUIREMENT
Recommendation: Provide direction to the City Manager.
Public Works Director Seims provided a brief staff report noting that a license agreement was approved at the October 11, 2022, Council meeting for non-standard encroachment in the public right of way at 1524 Via Fernandez which included a curve driveway and stairs. Since that time, the property owner has requested the license agreement be changed to either remove the bond requirement or to allow a cash deposit in a smaller amount instead of the bond requirement.
The property owner Robert Schumer addressed the City Council relating to this item. 5 The City Council addressed the issue and asked clarifying questions to which the City Attorney responded.
The City Council directed staff to return this item to Council, on consent, with an updated license agreement that removes the bond requirement and does not require a cash deposit.
NEW BUSINESS
9. CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT OF DAVID READY AS INTERIM CITY
MANAGER AND APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Recommendation: Pass a motion to 1) appoint David Ready as Interim City Manager effective February 21, 2023, and 2) approve Interim City Manager Employment Agreement.
City Attorney Rusin provided a brief staff report indicating City Manager Prestwich is leaving at the end of the week. The City Council considered a number of candidates and is moving forward with Mr. David Ready who is present and ready to assist the City.
Mr. Rusin provided Mr. Ready's background and experience, including over 20 years with the City of Palm Springs. Mr. Ready has reviewed the employment agreement and has agreed to it.
David Ready addressed the City Council stating he was looking forward to being the Interim City Manager and will do everything in his power to make sure Council's trust in him is not misplaced.
ACTION: Moved by Councilmember McGowan, and seconded by Councilmember Kemps, appoint David Ready as Interim City Manager effective February 21, 2023, approve the Employment Agreement, Attachment A, and adopt the Resolution, labeled Attachment C. The motion unanimously carried by the following vote:
AYES: Lozzi, Kemps, McGowan, Murdock, Roos
NOES: None
10. PROPERTY OWNER APPLICATION FEES REFUND REQUEST FOR NC- 1761-22, M-1572-22. AND G-1684-22 AT 244 VIA ACALONES
Recommendation: Provide direction to City Staff.
Interim Community Development Director Brady provided a brief staff report explaining the reason the property owner is requesting the application fees be refunded.
The City Council asked various questions of staff and deliberated on the issue expressing their view that fees should not be refunded due to the level of additional work that was required of City staff.
ACTION: Moved by Councilmember Kemps, and seconded by Councilmember Lozzi, to deny the refund request for application fees for NC-1761-22, M-1572-22, and G-1684- 22 at 2244 Via Acalones. The motion unanimously carried by the following vote:
AYES: Lozzi, Kemps, McGowan, Murdock, Roos
NOES: None
11. CONSIDERATION OF SCOPE OF WORK FOR FIRE SAFETY WEED
ABATEMENT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Recommendation: Discuss and provide feedback on the proposed scope of work for the Fire Safety Weed Abatement Request for Proposals (RFP).
Public Works Director Seims provided a staff report noting the City was located in a very high fire hazard severity zone, and has to meet fire codes requiring 200 feet of clearance from residences. She explained the scope of the project and the work to be completed 6 in the contract noting a 5% completion bonus to encourage the contractor to complete the work by August 31st. Ms. Seims then explained the abatement division of the abatement areas and the zones withing those areas. She described what the clearance would consist of in each zone and identified the outreach that will take place before the start of the project to inform the public of what to expect.
The City Council asked clarifying questions and discussed the clearance areas which differed from what the City Council discussed last year.
City Manager Prestwich explained staff made some changes to the design of the current scope of work that is geared toward the cost of the project, describing the changes to the footage of the clearance areas. He further explained the difference in work that will be performed in each of the areas. He noted that based on the bids received staff will need to negotiate and pull back from 170 feet to something shorter. He also noted the City may not be able to fully fund all the extra add-on options and may want to prioritize based on location. He reminded Council that the project was not completed last year so staff believed that an completion incentive was needed to complete the work by August may be too late, and staff will work with the contractor to adjust the completion term. He mentioned State Assembly Bill 3074 which is a requirement that won't be enforced until 2024, but this is going relate to space within 5 feet of any structure on the property.
In response to Council questions on what the cost would be in the current fiscal year, Public Works Director Seims indicated the bid that was received last year was $734,000 for the cost to do the 200 feet, and based on some of the additions, this year It will be between $700,000 and $800,000.
The City Council discussed the issue and expressed their approval for the new approach that staff came up with this year to manage the costs and get the work done.
After brief discussion, the City Council directed staff to proceed with the project as presented.
13. FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 BUDGET PREPARATION CALENDAR
Recommendation: Receive and File.
City Support Services Director presented a brief staff report noting this is an informational item for the City Council to receive and file.
City Manager Prestwich added the workshops have been designed to space out a little more time between meetings to provide staff time to receive feedback from the Council.
He explained staff would like to work directly with the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem this year to bring them closer to the process, and provide information in advance of these workshops by holding individual briefings with the other councilmembers in advance of the workshops. This year the department budgets have been and, in addition to that, direction was provided last year to take a zero-based approach to both the Public Works budget and the Planning Budget rigorous work is planned with both those departments.
Councilmember Lozzi requested the City's property tax consultant make a presentation this year. Councilmember Kemps also asked for a sales tax update.
MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Kemps reported on his and Mayor Roos' meeting with the Acting Community Development Director and CSG, the Housing Element Consultants regarding RHNA numbers. He also had further review and discussion with the PVHA regarding the CC&Rs at the St. Francis Church site. He also reported that the incoming Interim City Manager has some experience with ERP. He, Mayor Pro Tem Murdock, and the City Treasurer met with Opengov and the next step is to bring the City Support Services and Interim City Manager into the discussion and reach out to other perspective competing vendors regarding their products, project management requirements, and RFP development.
7 Councilmember McGowan reported that he and Mayor Roos have been working on the 100th anniversary celebration. He also reported that he and Councilmember Kemps spent time with the Golf Club this past week on a number of different issues and they will be coming forward in a subsequent meeting with a couple of recommendations.
Councilmember Lozzi attended a South Bay COG meeting last month and this week she attended the Steering Committee meeting. She advised the COG is contemplating a dues increase and she will bring more information back on that. She and Councilmember Kemps have a meeting with South Bay Transit this Thursday, and they are presenting their audit. She also requested the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Audit be added to an agenda. Mayor Kemps replied that the Audit Committee has not been able to schedule a meeting of the Audit Committee to review that.
Mayor Pro Tem Murdock and Councilmember Lozzi have been working on the Tree Ad Hoc application for a grant from CalFire to prepare a tree inventory and they just found out today that they have defunded that grant program due to California's budget deficit.
They are also working on enhancing the Tree Management policy and making it more robust. She and Mayor Roos will be meeting to discuss the LaVenta Inn now that the public comment period has closed.
Mayor Roos thanked outgoing City Manager Prestwich who brought with him expertise that he had not seen before, and he appreciated everything Mr. Prestwich was doing.
Mayor Pro Tem Murdock thanked staff for writing very good staff reports.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:43 pm, to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 6:30 pm.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
cano okay, emer cook out
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