Minutes
CALIFORNIA Rolling Hills City Council
Monday, June 9, 2025
Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of the City of Rolling Hills met in person on the above date at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Pieper presiding.
2. ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Mirsch, Wilson, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper Councilmembers Absent: Black
Staff Present: Karina Bañales, City Manager
Christian Horvath, Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Samantha Crew, Management Analyst
Robert Samario, Finance Operations Lead Consultant
Norma Tabares, Assistant City Attorney
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Councilmember Wilson
4. PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Pieper announced that the City Council would be adjourning the meeting in memory of Dr. Arvel B.
Witte a longtime resident.
5. APPROVE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Wilson, seconded by Councilmember Mirsch to move Excluded Consent Calendar Items after Public Hearings. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: Black
6. BLUE FOLDER ITEMS (SUPPLEMENTAL) - NONE
7. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comment: Judith Haenel
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
8.A. APPROVE AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING FOR THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF JUNE 9, 2025
8.B. APPROVE MOTION TO READ BY TITLE ONLY AND WAIVE FURTHER READING OF ALL
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS LISTED ON THE AGENDA
8.C. APPROVE THE FOLLOWING MINUTES OF MAY 28, 2025: CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, June 9, 2025
8.D. PAYMENT OF BILLS
8.E. APPROVE EIGHTH AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH MCGOWAN CONSULTING LLC. FOR SERVICES RELATING TO STORMWATER MANDATE
COMPLIANCE
8.F. APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH JTL CONSULTANTS FOR A THREE-YEAR PERIOD AT A NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $5,000 PER FISCAL YEAR
PROVIDING ON-CALL ARBORIST SERVICES TO SUPPORT STAFF IN FIRE FUEL
ABATEMENT CODE ENFORCEMENT CASES
8.G. APPROVE A FIFTH AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
LSL, LLC TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL AUDIT SERVICES FOR THE THREE FISCAL YEARS STARTING WITH FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 FOR AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $114,900
8.H. PULLED BY MAYOR PRO TEM DIERINGER
8.l. PULLED BY MAYOR PRO TEM DIERINGER
8.J. FOR SECOND READING AND ADOPTION: ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. 387
DESIGNATING FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES WITHIN THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS,
CALIFORNIA BASED ON MAPS PROVIDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION AND AMENDING TITLE 15 (BUILDINGS AND
CONSTRUCTION) OF THE ROLLING HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE, AND FINDING THE
ORDINANCE NOT SUBJECT TO CEQA
Motion by Councilmember Wilson, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dieringer to approve the Consent Calendar except for Item 8H and 8l. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: Black
Mayor Pieper moved to Public Hearings.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.A. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING POTENTIAL INCREASE TO REFUSE RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26
Presentation by Finance Operations Lead Consultant Samario Public Comment: Judith Haenel
Motion by Councilmember Mirsch, seconded by Councilmember Wilson to approve Resolution No. 1394.
Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: Black
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mage ay, June 9, 2025
11.B. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 1390 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 CITY OF ROLLING HILLS BUDGET INCLUDING THE GENERAL FUND; REFUSE COLLECTION FUND; TRANSIT FUND - MEASURE R; TRANSIT FUND - MEASURE M; TRANSIT FUND - PROPOSITION A; TRANSIT FUND - PROPOSITION C; COPS FUND; MEASURE W FUND; AND RESOLUTION NO. 1391 ESTABLISHING THE ANNUAL FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 APPROPRIATIONS GANN LIMIT FOR
THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
Presentation by Finance Operations Lead Consultant Samario Motion by Councilmember Mirsch, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dieringer to approve as presented. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: Black
Mayor Pieper moved to Excluded Consent Calendar Items.
9. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
8.H. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 1392 APPROVING THE UPDATED FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 PAY
SCHEDULE TO COMPLY WITH CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM (CALPERS) STATUTORY AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPENSATION
EARNABLE AND PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULES
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Dieringer, seconded by Mayor Pieper to approve the recommended salary levels for all positions with the exception of the Administrative Assistant changing to a minimum monthly salary level of $4,121 and Management Analyst to a minimum monthly salary level of $5,851. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Wilson, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: Mirsch
ABSENT: Black
8.I. FOR SECOND READING AND ADOPTION: ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. 386 AMENDING CHAPTER 17.16 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE HEIGHT LIMITS OF SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL HOMES, STABLES AND BARNS; AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM CEQA UNDER SECTION 21080.17 OF THE PUBLIC
RESOURCES CODE
Public Comment: Jim Aichele, Judith Haenel
Motion by Mayor Pieper, seconded by Councilmember Wilson to change the maximum height from finished floor to roof peak on homes, barns and stables to 21 feet with all else within that limit and direct staff to remove any potentially ambiguous language. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Mayor Pieper
NOES: Dieringer
ABSENT: Black
10. COMMISSION ITEMS - NONE
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
onday, June 9, 202!
ace!
12. OLD BUSINESS - NONE
13. NEW BUSINESS
13.A. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 1393 MEMORIALIZING THE 2024 UTILITIES DE-ENERGIZATION
DUE TO HISTORICAL LAND MOVEMENT WITHIN ROLLING HILLS AND SUBSEQUENT
ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS AND UTILITY PARTNERS Presentation by City Manager Bañales
Public Comment: Melissa McNabb
Motion by Councilmember Wilson, seconded by Councilmember Mirsch to not approve Resolution No. 1392.
Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: Black
Mayor Pieper called for a two-minute recess at 8:28 p.m.
Mayor Pieper resumed the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
14. MATTERS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
14.A. CONSIDERATION OF SENDING A LETTER IN OPPOSITION REGARDING SB 79 (WIENER) TO
CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLYMEMBER MURATSUCHI (MIRSCH)
Presentation by Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Horvath Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Dieringer, seconded by Councilmember Mirsch to authorizing the Mayor to sign the letter, but send separate versions to Senator Wiener, Senator Allen and Assemblymember Muratsuchi.
Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: Black
Councilmember Mirsch requested that staff research and provide any information specific to a public comment letter from the May 28, 2025 meeting and ask Cal Water if a representative would attend.
Councilmember Wilson requested that if a member is absent at a meeting where a Blue Folder Supplemental Item is added, that it be provided to the absent member in their next agenda packet.
15. MATTERS FROM STAFF
15.A. RECEIVE AND FILE A VERBAL UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
AUDIO/VISUAL SYSTEM MODIFICATIONS
Presentation by Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Horvath Motion by Councilmember Wilson, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dieringer to receive and file. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, June 9, 2025
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: Black
16. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION - 8:50 P.M.
16.A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(D)(1) THE CITY FINDS, BASED ON ADVICE FROM LEGAL COUNSEL,
THAT DISCUSSION IN OPEN SESSION WILL PREJUDICE THE POSITION OF THE CITY IN THE LITIGATION. (3 CASES)
A. NAME OF CASE: CONNIE ANDERSEN, ET AL. V. CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY, ET AL. (SEAVIEW CASE) CASE NO.: 24STCV20953
B. NAME OF CASE: CITY OF ROLLING HILLS V. SCE CPUC DOCKET NO. C.24-10-008 C. NAME OF CASE: CITY OF ROLLING HILLS V. SOCALGAS CPUC DOCKET NO. C.24-10- 009
16.B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - INITIATION OF LITIGATION GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(D)(1) THE CITY FINDS, BASED ON ADVICE FROM LEGAL COUNSEL, THAT
DISCUSSION IN OPEN SESSION WILL PREJUDICE THE POSITION OF THE CITY IN THE LITIGATION. (1 CASE) RECOMMENDATION: NONE
16.C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - INITIATION OF LITIGATION A CLOSED SESSION WILL BE HELD, PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(C) AND (D)(4) REGARDING THE DECISION OF WHETHER TO INITIATE LITIGATION (1 CASE) RECOMMENDATION: NONE
17. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION - 9:24 P.M.
18. ADJOURNMENT: 9:24 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m. on June 9, 2025 in memory of Dr. Arvel B. Witte, a longtime resident.
The next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled to be held on Monday, June 9, 2025 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California. It will also be available via City's website link at: https://www.rolling-hills.org/government/agenda/index.php All written comments submitted are included in the record and available for public review on the City website.
Respectfully submitted,
christian Horvath, City Cler
Approved,
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, June 9, 2025