Rolling Hills City Council
September 22, 2025

1 City Council
Monday, September 22, 2025, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
City of Rolling Hills
The meeting agenda is available on the City’s website. The City Council meeting will be live-streamed on the City’s website. View both the agenda and the live-streamed video.

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AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Roll Call

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Presentations/Proclamations/Announcements

5. Approve Order of the Agenda
This is the appropriate time for the Mayor or Councilmembers to approve the agenda as is or reorder.

6. Blue Folder Items (Supplemental)
Blue folder (supplemental) items are additional back up materials to administrative reports, changes to the posted agenda packet, and/or public comments received after the printing and distribution of the agenda packet for receive and file.

6.A. For Blue Folder Documents approved at the City Council Meeting RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.

7. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items
This is the appropriate time for members of the public to make comments regarding items not listed on this agenda. Pursuant to the Brown Act, no action will take place on any items not on the agenda.

8. Consent Calendar
Business items, except those formally noticed for public hearing, or those pulled for discussion are assigned to the Consent Calendar. The Mayor or any Councilmember may request that any Consent Calendar item(s) be removed, discussed, and acted upon separately. Items removed from the Consent Calendar will be taken up under the "Excluded Consent Calendar" section below. Those items remaining on the Consent Calendar will be approved in one motion. The Mayor will call on anyone

2 wishing to address the City Council on any Consent Calendar item on the agenda, which has not been pulled by Councilmembers for discussion.

8.A. Approve Affidavit of Posting for the City Council Regular Meeting of September 22, 2025
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.

8.B. Approve Motion to Read by Title Only and Waive Further Reading of All Ordinances and Resolutions Listed on the Agenda
RECOMMENDATION: Approve.

8.C. Approve the following Minutes of August 25, 2025: City Council Regular and Special Meetings; September 11, 2025: Special Meeting
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.

8.D. Payment of Bills
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.

9. Excluded Consent Calendar Items

10. Commission Items

10.A.Zoning Case No. 24-149: Site Plan Review for construction of a new garage with workshop, non-exempt grading and other improvements; Conditional Use Permit for a detached mixed-use accessory structure (garage with workshop) greater than 200 square feet, and a variance for site disturbance of more than 40% and finding the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act for location at 3 Outrider Road (Hoyler & Adams) (Lot 29-A-EF) RECOMMENDATION: Receive and File.

11. Public Hearings

12. Discussion Items

12.A.Receive and file an update on the Emergency Outdoor Siren Notification System project; Authorize the City Manager to seek easement licensing from the Rolling Hills Community Association on the two proposed locations at Upper Blackwater and Portuguese Bend Road (Garden Triangle) and Chesterfield cul-de-sac; and provide direction on a third (or fourth) pole location.

RECOMMENDATION: This evening, staff is seeking City Council direction on the following:

1. Authorize the City Manager to seek easement licensing from the Rolling Hills Community Association (RHCA) for siren pole placement at:
a. Upper Blackwater & Portuguese Bend Road (Garden Triangle) b. Chesterfield cul-de-sac

2. Provide direction on an additional siren location, selecting from:
a. Ringbit (single pole)
b. Southfield and Ringbit intersection (single pole)
c. Flying Triangle & Southfield/Flying Mane (two poles)

3. Provide guidance on preferred strategies for visual mitigation, including camouflage or

3 landscaping, based on vendor proposals.

13. Matters From the City Council

13.A.Approval of Traffic Commission appointment to complete the current term beginning January 2, 2024 and expiring January 1, 2028
RECOMMENDATION: Consider, discuss and approve the appointment of one candidate to assume a seat on the Traffic Commission for the September 25, 2025 meeting.

14. Matters From Staff

14.A.Receive a verbal update on the Rolling Hills Tennis Courts ADA improvements and potential access during construction
RECOMMENDATION: Receive a verbal update

14.B.Receive an update on the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) Voluntary Buyout Program
RECOMMENDATION:

1. Receive and file the determination letter from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) regarding the City of Rolling Hills’ potential participation in the Hazard Mitigation Program (Attachment A); and

2. Direct staff to formally close out the draft Notice of Interest (NOI) submitted in May 2025, thereby concluding the City’s application process for this funding cycle.

14.C.Receive a verbal update on Planning Department Recruitment(s) RECOMMENDATION: Receive a verbal update

15. Recess to Closed Session

16. Reconvene to Open Session

17. Adjournment
Next regular meeting: Monday, October 13, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, Rolling Hills City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California, 90274.

Notice:

Public Comment is welcome on any item prior to City Council action on the item.

Documents pertaining to an agenda item received after the posting of the agenda are available for review in the City Clerk's office or at the meeting at which the item will be considered.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting due to your disability, please contact the City Clerk at (310) 377-1521 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility and accommodation for your review of this agenda and attendance at this meeting.

Item: 6.A.

Meeting Date: 9/22/2025
To: City Council
From: Christian Horvath, Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Thru: Karina Bañales, City Manager
Subject: For Blue Folder Documents approved at the City Council Meeting Background:

Discussion:

Fiscal Impact:

Recommendation:

Receive and file.

Attachments:

1. CL_AGN_250922_CC_Item12A

2. CL_AGN_250922_CC_Item13A

BLUE FOLDER ITEM (SUPPLEMENTAL)
Blue folder (supplemental) items are additional back up materials to administrative reports, changes to the posted agenda packet, and/or public comments received after the printing and distribution of the agenda packet for receive and file.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
September 22, 2025
12A. Receive and file an update on the Emergency Outdoor Siren Notification System project; Authorize the City Manager to seek easement licensing from the Rolling Hills Community Association on the two proposed locations at Upper Blackwater and Portuguese Bend Road (Garden Triangle) and Chesterfield cul-de-sac; and provide direction on a third (or fourth) pole location.

From: Christian Horvath, Assistant to The City Manager / City Clerk CL_AGN_250922_CC_Item12A_SoundPropagationMap(LS30).pdf
CL_AGN_250922_CC_Item12A_SoundPropagationMap(LS120).pdf CL_AGN_250922_CC_Item12A_PublicComment01.pdf
CL_AGN_250922_CC_Item12A_PublicComment02.pdf
CL_AGN_250922_CC_Item12A_PublicComment03a.pdf
CL_AGN_250922_CC_Item12A_PublicComment03b.pdf
CL_AGN_250922_CC_Item12A_PublicComment04.pdf

BLUE FOLDER ITEM (SUPPLEMENTAL)
Blue folder (supplemental) items are additional back up materials to administrative reports, changes to the posted agenda packet, and/or public comments received after the printing and distribution of the agenda packet for receive and file.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
September 22, 2025
13A. Approval of Traffic Commission appointment to complete the current term beginning January 2, 2024 and expiring January 1, 2028
From: Christian Horvath, Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk CL_AGN_250922_CC _Item13A_SupplementHawkins
This Supplemental Item is submitted at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Dieringer

Item: 8.A.

Meeting Date: 9/22/2025
To: City Council
From: Christian Horvath, Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Thru: Karina Bañales, City Manager
Subject: Approve Affidavit of Posting for the City Council Regular Meeting of September 22, 2025
Background:

None.

Discussion:

None.

Fiscal Impact:

None.

Recommendation:

Approve.

Attachments:

1. CL_AGN_250922_CC_AffidavitofPosting

Administrative Report

8.A., File # 2025-139 Meeting Date: 9/22/2025
To: MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL
From: Christian Horvath, City Clerk
TITLE

APPROVE AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING FOR THE CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2025

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

STATE OF CALIFORNIA )

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS

CITY OF ROLLING HILLS )

AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
In compliance with the Brown Act, the following materials have been posted at the locations below.

Legislative Body City Council
Posting Type Regular Meeting Agenda
Posting Location 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, CA 90274 City Hall Window
City Website: https://www.rolling-hills.org/government/agendas_meetings.php https://rollinghillsca.portal.civicclerk.com/
Meeting Date & Time SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 7:00pm Open Session As City Clerk of the City of Rolling Hills, I declare under penalty of perjury, the document noted above was posted at the date displayed below.

Christian Horvath, City Clerk
Date: September 19, 2025

Item: 8.C.

Meeting Date: 9/22/2025
To: City Council
From: Christian Horvath, Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Thru: Karina Bañales, City Manager
Subject: Approve the following Minutes of August 25, 2025: City Council Regular and Special Meetings; September 11, 2025: Special Meeting
Background:

None.

Discussion:

None.

Fiscal Impact:

None.

Recommendation:

Approve as presented.

Attachments:

1. CL_MIN_250825_CC_Special_F

2. CL_MIN_250825_CC_F

3. CL_MIN_250911_CC_Special_F

MINUTES – CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, August 25, 2025

Minutes
Rolling Hills City Council
Monday, August 25, 2025
Special Meeting 6:00 p.m.

1. Call To Order
The City Council of the City of Rolling Hills met in person on the above date at 6:02 p.m. Mayor Pieper presiding.

2. Roll Call
Councilmembers Present: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper Councilmembers Absent:

Staff Present: Karina Bañales, City Manager
Christian Horvath, Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Samantha Crew, Management Analyst
Nicolas Papajohn, City Attorney

3. Pledge Of Allegiance – Mayor Piper skipped the pledge.

4. Blue Folder Items (Supplemental)
Motion by Councilmember Mirsch, seconded by Councilmember Wilson to receive and file Blue Folder Item 7A. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:

AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: None

5. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items – None

6. Consent Calendar

6.A. Approve Affidavit of Posting for The City Council Special Meeting of August 25, 2025 Motion by Councilmember Mirsch, seconded by Councilmember Black to approve the Consent Calendar.

Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:

AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: None

7. Matters From the City Council

7.A. Candidate Interviews and potential approval of Traffic Commission appointment to complete the current term beginning January 2, 2024 and expiring January 1, 2028 Mayor Pieper invited Roger Hawkins to be interviewed first and Bill Varner second after a random drawing of the applicant's names by Mayor Pro Tem Dieringer.

MINUTES – CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, August 25, 2025

Motion by Councilmember Mirsch, seconded by Councilmember Black to table the discussion. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:

AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: None

8. Adjournment: 6:58 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m. on August 25, 2025. The next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled to be held on Monday, August 25, 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 Clerk
Approved,
____________________________________
Jeff Pieper, Mayor

MINUTES – CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, August 25, 2025

Minutes
Rolling Hills City Council
Monday, August 25, 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 7:03 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
Reina Schaetzl, Willdan Contract Senior Planner
Stephanie Grant, Assistant Planner
Nicolas Papajohn, City Attorney

3. Pledge Of Allegiance – Mayor Pro Tem Dieringer
Councilmember Black returned to dais at 7:04 p.m.

4. Presentations / Proclamations / Announcements

4.A. Recognize partners and organizations for their donations, contributions and assistance to Rolling Hills residents in the affected utility shut-off areas during 2024 and 2025 Mayor Pieper recognized members of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club, the Women’s Community Club of Rolling Hills, the Rolling Hills Block Captain Program and the Rolling Hills Community Association in attendance as well as other vendors and partners that donated services.

5. Approve Order of the Agenda
Motion by Councilmember Black, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dieringer to approve the order of the agenda.

Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:

AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: None

6. Blue Folder Items (Supplemental) – None
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Dieringer, seconded by Councilmember Wilson to receive and file Blue Folder Items 7A and 14A. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:

AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: None

MINUTES – CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, August 25, 2025

7. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items
Public Comment: Dustin McNabb, David Brown, Kathleen Hughes, Lola Fantappie, Heather Ramsdell, Benita Schwarz, Daniel Bethencourt

8. Consent Calendar

8.A. Approve Affidavit of Posting for The City Council Regular Meeting of August 25, 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 August 11, 2025: City Council Regular Meeting

8.D. Payment of Bills

8.E. Republic Services Recycling Tonnage and Complaint Reports for July 2025 Motion by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Mirsch to approve the Consent Calendar.

Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:

AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Councilmember Black requested a future item on the SBCCOG dues.

9. Excluded Consent Calendar Items – None

10. Commission Items

10.A. Consideration and discussion regarding potential Rolling Hills Municipal Code changes related to National Weather Service Red Flag Warning Days as recommended by the Traffic Commission and City Staff
Presentation by Willdan Contract Senior Planner Schaetzl Motion by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Mirsch to receive and file. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:

AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: None

10.B. Zoning Case No. 24-121: Site Plan Review for a Residential Addition with a new attached garage, non-exempt grading, walls to exceed 3 feet maximum height, and other improvements; and Conditional Use Permit for a detached accessory structure greater than 200 square feet and finding the same exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act located at 6 Quail Ridge Road North (Schimmel) (LOT 107-RH) Presentation by Assistant Planner Grant

MINUTES – CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, August 25, 2025

Motion by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Wilson to receive and file. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:

AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
The Council made a request to minimize and/or lose full plan sets going forward.

11. Public Hearings – None

12. Discussion Items – None

13. Matters From the City Council

13.A. Consideration of authorizing the Mayor to sign a joint Palos Verdes Peninsula Cities letter to Governor Newsom regarding the expansion of Executive Order N-32-25 and suspension of SB9 applications within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones Presentation by City Manager Bañales
Motion by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Mirsch to approve as presented and authorize the Mayor to sign. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:

AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: None

13.B. Consideration of creating a limited Ad Hoc Committee to discuss potential Red Flag Warning Municipal Code changes related to parking and potential prohibition on high-risk outdoor activities; and appointment of two Council members
Presentation by Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Horvath Motion by Councilmember Wilson seconded by Councilmember Black to nominate Mayor Pieper and Councilmember Mirsch to serve on the Ad Hoc Committee regarding potential Red Flag Warning municipal code violations. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:

AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: None

14. Matters From Staff

14.A. Receive and file a Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Update Presentation by Management Analyst Crew
Public Comment: Mark Ellers, Arlene Honbo, Tom Brody, Martha Bernadette, Michelle Delaconte, Judith Haenel, Marian Visco
Motion by Councilmember Black, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dieringer to receive and file. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:

MINUTES – CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, August 25, 2025

AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: None

15. Recess To Closed Session – 8:51 p.m.

15.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

15.B. 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

16. Reconvene To Open Session – 9:14 p.m.

17. Adjournment: 9:14 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:14 p.m. on August 25, 2025. The next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled to be held on Monday, September 8, 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 Clerk
Approved,
____________________________________
Jeff Pieper, Mayor

MINUTES – CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, September 11, 2025

Minutes
Rolling Hills City Council
Monday, September 11, 2025
Special Meeting 4:30 p.m.

1. Call To Order
The City Council of the City of Rolling Hills met in person on the above date at 4:31 p.m. Mayor Pieper presiding.

2. Roll Call
Councilmembers Present: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper Councilmembers Absent:

Staff Present: Karina Bañales, City Manager
Christian Horvath, Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Nicolas Papajohn, City Attorney

3. Pledge Of Allegiance – Councilmember Black

4. Blue Folder Items (Supplemental) – None

5. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items
Public Comment: James Black

6. Consent Calendar

6.A. Approve Affidavit of Posting for The City Council Special Meeting of September 11, 2025 Motion by Councilmember Mirsch, seconded by Councilmember Wilson to approve the Consent Calendar.

Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:

AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Dieringer, Mayor Pieper
NOES: None
ABSENT: None

7. Recess to Closed Session – 4:33 p.m.

7.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. (2 Cases) A. Name of Case: City Of Rolling Hills v. SCE CPUC Docket No. C.24-10-008 B. Name of Case: City Of Rolling Hills v.

SoCalGas CPUC Docket No. C.24-10-009

7.B. Conference With Legal Counsel – Threat of Litigation Government Code Section 54956.9(D)(2) regarding letter dated September 9, 2025 from attorney Robert E. Reichman on behalf of Danica Iannitti regarding objection to potential siren pole location at Upper Blackwater Canyon and Portuguese Bend Road.

8. Reconvene To Open Session – 5:24 p.m.

MINUTES – CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, September 11, 2025

9. Adjournment: 5:24 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:24 p.m. on September 11, 2025. The next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled to be held on Monday, September 22, 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 Clerk
Approved,
____________________________________
Jeff Pieper, Mayor

Item: 8.D.

Meeting Date: 9/22/2025
To: City Council
From: Christian Horvath, Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Thru: Karina Bañales, City Manager
Subject: Payment of Bills
Background:

None.

Discussion:

None.

Fiscal Impact:

None.

Recommendation:

Approve as presented.

Attachments:

1. CL_AGN_250908_CC_PaymentOfBills_E

2. CL_AGN_250922_CC_PaymentOfBills_E

Item: 10.A.

Meeting Date: 9/22/2025
To: City Council
From: Reina Schaetzl, Wildan Principal Planner
Thru: Karina Bañales, City Manager
Subject: Zoning Case No. 24-149: Site Plan Review for construction of a new garage with workshop, non-exempt grading and other improvements; Conditional Use Permit for a detached mixed-use accessory structure (garage with workshop) greater than 200 square feet, and a variance for site disturbance of more than 40% and finding the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act for location at 3 Outrider Road (Hoyler & Adams) (Lot 29-A-EF)
Background:

Planning Commission Approval
On August 19, 2025, the Planning Commission conducted a morning field trip to the subject property, with all commissioners in attendance. The applicants’ engineer and six neighbors were present; no concerns were raised during the site visit. That evening, the Commission convened a public hearing at City Hall, with all commissioners present. Staff presented the project. The project engineer and property owner were present. No members of the public voiced opposition. Following review and discussion, the Commission voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the project and adopted Resolution No. 2025-07.

Zoning, Location and Lot Description
The lot located at 3 Outrider Road is a rectangular-shaped parcel zoned RAS-1, and the net lot area is 38,750 square feet (0.89 acres). The subject property is currently developed with a 3,906 squarefoot (SF) single-family residence, 513 SF attached garage, 570 SF pool and spa, 25 square feet of pool equipment, 145 SF barbeque with trellis, and a 90 SF service yard.

There are three building pads as follows:
• The first residential building pad is 14,040 square feet and contains the existing house, garage, swimming pool, barbeque, and trellis.
• The second building pad is 3,800 square feet and will include the proposed 825 SF detached garage with workshop, which will be attached to an 800 SF Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).

Pursuant to Rolling Hills Municipal Code (RHMC) Section 17.28.040, ADUs are not subject to discretionary review. The ADU, as shown on the plans, has been reviewed and approved for compliance with the Rolling Hills Municipal Code (RHMC) by Staff.

• The third residential building pad is 2,010 square feet and will include the set-aside area for the stable and corral.

Previous Approvals
On January 17, 1973, the Planning Commission approved Zoning Case No. 122, granting a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the construction of a swimming pool in the front yard. On July 20, 2021, the Planning Commission approved Resolution No. 2021-10, granting Variance and Site Plan Review (SPR) approvals for grading, relocation of the swimming pool, addition of a spa, a barbeque, and a trellis in the front yard area. The swimming pool, spa, barbeque, and trellis are all complete.

Discussion:

Applicant Request
On February 24, 2025, an application was filed by the applicant, Criss C. Gunderson, Architect, on behalf of the property owners Cameron Hoyler and Dara Adams, to request approval to construct the following (collectively referred to as “Project”):
• 825 SF single-story detached garage with workshop; and • 1,000 SF set aside areas for corral and stable.

The Project also includes a new driveway area, walkways, and other improvements. Other improvements, including additional landscaping and hardscape, are not subject to discretionary review.

The Project requires 846 cubic yards (CY) of grading to be balanced on site. This includes 423 CY cut and 423 CY fill, which is not exempt and subject to Site Plan Review.

DISCUSSION:

Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permit
The RHMC requires a Site Plan Review for the construction of any new building or structure pursuant to RHMC Section 17.46.020(A)(2). Additionally, a Conditional Use Permit is required per RHMC Section 17.16.040(A)(3) and 17.16.210(A)(6), respectively, because the garage with workshop area is a mixed-use accessory structure that exceeds 200 square feet. The garage area is 547 square feet and can fit two cars. The workshop area is 243 square feet and contains a separate potting area. As part of the approval, the plans shall comply with the RHMC requirements as referenced herein.

Variance
Since the Project requires site disturbance more than the allowable 40% of the net lot area (RHMC Section 17.16.070(B)), a Variance is being requested to deviate from these provisions to permit a larger buildable area given that the gross area of the lot is 47,920 square feet (1.10 acres) and the net lot area 38,750 square feet (0.89 acres). The applicant is requesting a Variance from the Code to deviate by 19.82% for the grading disturbance area beyond what is permitted for this Project. The disturbed area is already 20,565 square feet, or 53.07% and will increase by 7,680 square feet to

72.89%.

Since the increase is necessary to improve the driveway access and other flatwork areas, Staff requested the Commission to consider this impact on the natural terrain.

MUNICIPAL CODE COMPLIANCE

Setbacks, Lot Coverage and Building Pad Coverage
The Project complies with the remainder of the required setbacks in the RAS-1 Zone. It conforms to Zoning Code lot coverage requirements as well. The net lot area of the property is 38,750 square feet (0.89 acres). The structural net lot coverage is proposed at 6,434 square feet or 16.60% (20% max. permitted), which excludes exempt structures such as the ADU. The total lot coverage proposed, including flatwork, would be 13,734 square feet or 35.44% (35% max. permitted).

Neighbor Concerns
As of the writing of this report, no neighbor concerns have been submitted to the CIty.

Review by RHCA
The Rolling Hills Community Association reviewed the design at the June 17, 2025 meeting and requested that stable access be relocated to the south side of the ADU, which the Applicant has addressed. Upon review and approval of these plans by the City, the RHCA recommended resubmittal to their architectural review board for approval.

Environmental Review
The Planning Commission found the Project to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines pursuant to Section 15303, Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), which exempts the construction and location of a limited number of new, small facilities or structures, including single family residence and accessory structures, including but not limited to garages, carports, patios, swimming pools and fences, as further detailed in Planning Commission Resolution 2025-07.

Fiscal Impact:

None.

Recommendation:

Receive and File.

Attachments:

1. Attachment 1 - PL_ADR_250819_3OutriderRd_VicinityMap

2. Attachment 2 - PL_ADR_250819_3OutriderRd_DevelopmentTable

3. Attachment 3 - PL_ADR_250819_3OutriderRd_Plans

4. Attachment 4 - 2025-07_PC_Resolution_3 OutriderRd_ZC24-149_F_E

5. Attachment 5 - CL_PBN_250807_PH_PC_1HackamoreRd_3OutriderRd_Affidavit

6. CL_AGN_250819_PC_Item10A_PublicComment01

City of Rolling Hills, CA 90274
TITLE VICINITY MAP CASE NO. Zoning Case No. 24-149
OWNER Hoyler and Adams
ADDRESS 3 Outrider Road, Rolling Hills 90274

Development Table
Zoning Case No. 24-149
3 Outrider Road
Site Plan Review &
Conditional Use Permit EXISTING PROPOSED TOTAL
RA-S-1 Zone SINGLE FAMILY

RESIDENCE WITH

POOL/SPA, TRELLIS,

AND BBQ AREA

GARAGE WITH

WORKSHOP, GRADING FOR

BARN/STABLE PAD
Net Lot Area 38,750 SF 0 SF 38,750 SF
Residence 3,906 SF 0 SF 3,906 SF
Garage 513 SF 0 SF 513 SF
Swimming Pools/Spa 570 SF 0 SF 570 SF
Pool Equipment 25 SF 0 SF 25 SF
Guest House (ADU) 0 SF 800 SF 800 SF
Garage and Workshop 0 SF 825 SF 825 SF
Stable minimum: 450 SF 0 SF 450 SF 450 SF
Corral minimum: 550 SF 0 SF 550 SF 550 SF
Raised Deck 0 SF 0 SF 0 SF
Attached Covered Porches 0 SF 0 SF 0 SF
Entryway/Porte Cochere, Breezeways 0 SF 0 SF 0 SF
Attached Trellises 0 SF 0 SF 0 SF
BBQ 145 SF 0 SF 145 SF
Service Yard 90 SF 0 SF 90 SF
Other 0 SF 0 SF 0 SF
Basement Area 0 SF 0 SF 0 SF
Depth of Basement 0 SF 0 SF 0 SF
Primary Driveway 2,290 SF 900 SF 3,190 SF
Paved walkways/Patio Areas/Courtyards 910 SF 0 SF 910 SF Pool Decking 2,310 SF 0 SF 2,310 SF
Other Paved Driveways, Road Easements,
Parking Pads
1,180 SF 0 SF 1,180 SF
Grading (balanced onsite) 0 CY 423 CY CUT
423 CY FILL
846 CY
TOTAL
Structural Lot Coverage 5,159 SF (13.31%) 1,275 SF (3.29%) 6,434 SF (16.60%) Flatwork Lot Coverage 6,690 SF (17.26%) 900 SF (2.32%) 7,590 SF (19.59%) Total Lot Coverage (Structures and
Flatwork): Excl. allowance (ADU deducted)
11,704 SF (12.93%) 2,030 SF (3.29%) 13,174 SF
(33.99%)00
Building Pad 1 Coverage
14,040 SF Existing Pad Area
5,014 SF (35.71 %)
14,040 SF Existing Pad Area
0 SF (0.00%)
0 SF Proposed Pad Area
5,014 SF (35.71%)
14,040 SF Total Pad
Area
Building Pad 2 Coverage
0 SF Existing Pad Area
0 SF (0 %)
0 SF Existing Pad Area
825 SF (21.71%)
3,800 SF Proposed Pad Area
825 SF (21.71%)
3,800 SF Total Pad
Area
Building Pad 3 Coverage
0 SF Existing Pad Area
0 SF (0 %)
0 SF Existing Pad Area
0 SF (0.00%)
2,010 SF Proposed Pad Area
0 SF (0.00%)
2,010 SF Total Pad
Area
Total Disturbed Area
(40% maximum)
20,565 SF (53.07%) 7,680 SF (19.82%) 28,245 SF (72.89%) Building Heights Maximum
Building Heights: 21 FT Maximum
0 FT 12 FT 9IN 12 FT 9IN

20 20 40
20 SCALE: 1" = 20'
SCALE: 1" = 500'

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY
ENGINEERING CORP.

C1
PROPERTY ADDRESS:

LEGAL DESCRIPTION:

RECORD OWNER:

ZONING SUMMARY:

WORK DESCRIPTION:

LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT
CONSULTANTS:
1235
LEGEND

ACRONYMS

VICINITY MAP
SCALE: 1" = 10'

SECTION A
SCALE: 1" = 10'

SECTION B

PRELIMINARY GRADING PLAN

EARTHWORK EXHIBIT
EARTHWORK ESTIMATE:

PLANS J O B N O R T H

PROPOSED ADU
NO. 3 OUTRIDER RD. , ROLLING HILLS , CA 90274
FOR CAMERON HOYLER & DARA ADAMS DATE: 2/28/2025 0 TOTAL NET LOT AREA 38,750 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 38,750 RESIDENCE 3,906 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 3,906 sq.ft GARAGE 513 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 513 sq.ft SWIMMING POOL/SPA 570 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 570 sq.ft POOL EQUIPMENT 25 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 25 sq.ft GUEST HOUSE(ADU) 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft GARAGE AND WORKSHOP 0 sq.ft 825 sq.ft. 825 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 450 sq.ft 450 sq.ft RAISED DECK 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft ATTACHED COVERED PORCHES 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft
0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft
ATTACHED TRELLISES 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft*DETACHED STRUCTURES:(circle all that applies) 145 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 145 sq.ft
0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft SERVICE YARD 95 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 95 sq.ftOTHER: 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftBASEMENT AREA: 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft(Volume to be included in grading quantities)DEPTH OF BASEMENT 0 sq.ft 0 ft 0 ftTOTAL STRUCTURE 5,254 sq.ft 1,275 sq.ft 6,529 sq.ft%STRUCTURAL COVERAGE 13.56% sq.ft 3.29% sq.ft 16.85% sq.ftTOTAL STRUCTURES 5,254 sq.ft 1,275 sq.ft 6,384 sq.ft
(ADU deducted from total)
% STRUCTURAL COVERAGE 13.56% sq.ft 3.29% sq.ft 16.47% sq.ft ZONING CASE NO.: ADDRESS: 3 Outrider

ALL STRUCTURES MUST BE SHOWN ON THE PLAN

CALCULATION OF LOT COVERAGE
EXCLUDING UP TO 5 AND UP TO 800 sq.ft. detached structures that are not higher than 12 ft. ENTRYWAY/PORTE COCHERE, BREEZEWAYSAREA AND STRUCTURESSTABLE (dirt volume to be included in grading quantities

EXISTING PROPOSED
BBQ
over 15 ft. high and over 120 sq.ft. in area
DATE: 2/28/2025 0
TOTAL
PRIMARY DRIVEWAY 2,290 sq.ft 900 sq.ft 3,190
910 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 910 sq.ft
POOL DECKING 2,310 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 2,310 sq.ft
1,180 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 1,180 sq.ft
TOTAL FLATWORK 6,690 sq.ft 900 sq.ft 7,590 sq.ft

17.26% 2.32% 19.59%
11,944 sq.ft 2,175 sq.ft 14,119 sq.ft

30.82% 5.61% 36.44%
11,944 sq.ft 1,375 sq.ft 13,174 sq.ft
(ADU deducted from total)

30.82% 3.55% 34.00%
TOTAL DISTURBED AREA 20,565 sq.ft 7,680 sq.ft 28,245 sq.ft% DISTURBED AREA 53.07% 19.82% 72.89%GRADING QUANTITY 846 C.Y. (include future stable, corral, and
access way; basement and all other
areas to be graded)
*Free standing accessory structures such as sheds, trellises, covered patios, gazebo, fountains, barbecue, outdoor fireplace, etc. are not counted towards coverage and disturbed area unless their combined area exceeds 800 sq.ft., or if there are more than 5 such structures on the property.%TOTAL COVERAGETOTAL STRUCTURAL & FLATWORK COVERAGEExcl. the allowance of up to 5- 800 sq.ft. structures from previous page. % TOTAL COVERAGE
PAVED WALKS, PATIO AREAS, COURTYARDSOTHER PAVED DRIVEWAYS, ROAD EASEMENTS, PARKING PADS%TOTAL FLATWORK COVERAGETOTAL STRUCTURAL & FLATWORK COVERAGEAll structures (attached and detached) must be listed.

EXISTING PROPOSED
ZONING CASE NO.: ADDRESS: 3 Outrider

ALL FLATWORK MUST BE SHOWN ON THE PLAN
DATE: 2/28/2025 0
TOTAL
BUILDING PAD 14,040 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 14,040RESIDENCE 3,906 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 3,906 sq.ftGARAGE 513 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 513 sq.ftSWIMMING POOL/SPA 570 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 570 sq.ftPOOL EQUIPMENT 25 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 25 sq.ftGUEST HOUSE 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0CABANA 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft
SPORTS COURT 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftSERVICE YARD 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftATTACHED COVERED PORCHES Primary Residence 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftAccessory Structures 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft
ATTACHED TRELLISES 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft*DETACHED STRUCTURES: 145 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 145 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft
OTHER: 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftPORCHES THAT EXCEED 10% OF THE SIZE OF RESIDENCE/ACCS. STRUCTURES(From 1st page not including allowed deductions)ENTRYWAY/PORTE COCHERE, BREEZEWAYSALL DETACHED STRUCTURES ZONING CASE NO.: ADDRESS: 3 Outrider

STABLEAREA OF ATTACHED COVERED

EXISTING PROPOSED

CALCULATION OF BUILDING PAD COVERAGE
BUILDABLE PAD AREA AND STRUCTURESPAD NO. 1- Main House Pad DATE: 2/28/2025 0
TOTAL
BUILDING PAD 0 sq.ft 3,800 sq.ft 3,800 sq.ftRESIDENCE 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftGARAGE 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftSWIMMING POOL/SPA 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftPOOL EQUIPMENT 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftADU 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0DETACHED GARAGE 0 sq.ft 825 sq.ft. 825 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft
SPORTS COURT 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftSERVICE YARD 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftATTACHED COVERED PORCHES 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft ATTACHED TRELLISES 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft*DETACHED STRUCTURES: 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft(From 1st page) 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft
OTHER: - sq.ft - sq.ft 0 sq.ft(From 1st page not including allowed deductions) ZONING CASE NO.: ADDRESS: 3 Outrider
STABLEAREA OF ATTACHED COVERED PORCHES THAT EXCEED 10% OF THE SIZE OF RESIDENCE/ACCS. STRUCTURESENTRYWAY/PORTE COCHERE, BREEZEWAYSPAD NO. 2- Garage and ADUALL DETACHED STRUCTURES

CALCULATION OF BUILDING PAD COVERAGE

BUILDABLE PAD AREA AND STRUCTURES

EXISTING PROPOSED
DATE: 2/28/2025 0
TOTAL
BUILDING PAD 0 sq.ft 2,010 sq.ft 2,010RESIDENCE 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftGARAGE 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftSWIMMING POOL/SPA 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftPOOL EQUIPMENT 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftGUEST HOUSE 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftCABANA 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft. 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 450 sq.ft 450 sq.ft
SPORTS COURT 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftSERVICE YARD 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftATTACHED COVERED PORCHES Primary Residence 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftAccessory Structures-Stable 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft
ATTACHED TRELLISES 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft*DETACHED STRUCTURES: 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft(From 1st page) 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft
OTHER: 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ftTOTAL STRUCTURES ON PAD NO. 3 0 sq.ft 450 sq.ft 450 sq.ft%BUILDING PAD COVERAGE 0.00% sq.ft 22.39% sq.ft 22.39% sq.ftTOTAL STRUCTURES ON PAD NO. 2 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft 0 sq.ft
% BUILDING PAD COVERAGE 0.00% sq.ft 0.00% sq.ft 0.00% sq.ftand incl. the area of covered porches that exceed 10% of the size of the residence / accs structures(From 1st page not including allowed deductions)Not incl. attached trellises,Not incl. allowed deductions,STABLEAREA OF ATTACHED COVERED PORCHES THAT EXCEED 10% OF THE SIZE OF RESIDENCE/ACCS. STRUCTURESENTRYWAY/PORTE COCHERE, BREEZEWAYSALL DETACHED STRUCTURESBUILDABLE PAD AREA AND STRUCTURES

EXISTING PROPOSED
ZONING CASE NO.: ADDRESS: 3 Outrider

CALCULATION OF BUILDING PAD COVERAGE
PAD NO. 3- Stable
19 BEDROOM FAMILY ROOM GARAGE POTTING AREA CL. BATH PANTRY REF. S D/W

LINE OF ROOF OVERHANG LINE OF ROOF OVERHANG
ENTRY
PORCH 23' 7'-3"
37'-8" 44'-2" 7' 14'-4"
81'-10" 21'-4"
37'-2" 17'-3" 5'-4" 17'-6" 4'-7"
81'-10" WORKSHOP 11'-6" UPP. CAB. UPP. CAB. LEGEND :PROPOSED 2X4 STUD WALLS PROPOSED 2X6 STUD WALLS 4 :12 4 :12 RIDGE 1'-3"
2'-2" 3"
2'-2" RIDGE VALLEY VALLEY
1'-3" 1'-3" 2'-2" 2'-2" 2'-2" 2'-2" PITCH BREAK
2 :12 4 :12 4 :12 RIDGE 4 :12 4 :12
RIDGE @ADU 154.00
RIDGE @ GARAGE & WORKSHOP 153.75

12 4
8'-6" FIN. GRD.

S N
8'-6" PL. @ FAMILY ROOM
NO. 3 OUTRIDER RD. , ROLLING HILLS , CA 90274

FOR CAMERON HOYLER & DARA ADAMS

EAST ELEVATION
S N
8'-6" FIN. FLR. PL. @ BEDROOM
± 12
4 FIN. GRD. PL. @ POTT. SHED
8'-6" FIN. FLR.

S N PITCH BREAK PER ROOF PLAN BOARD OVER BOARD VERT SIDING (TYP) SIDING W.P BASE PER DET (TYP) 8'-6"
S N
N
8'-6" BOARD OVER BOARD VERT SIDING (TYP) SIDING W.P BASE PER DET (TYP) STONE VENEER - ROUGHLY COURSED LAID IN STRATA 8'-0" FIN. FLR. PL. @ CLOSET FIN. GRD. 12
4 12
2 S N CLASS "A" SHINGLE ROOF TO MATCH EXIST'G RESIDENCE (TYP.) 7'-10" WDW. HD'R FIN. FLR. PL. @ GARAGE
8'-6"
8'-6"
P
± PL. @ BEDROOM
8'-10" PL. @ CLOSET FIN. FLR. FIN. FLR. PL @ LIVING

PROPOSED GARAGE & ADU ELEV
13'-0"
RIDGE @ ADU 154.00 FIN FLR @ ADU 141.00 PL RIDGE @ WORKSHOP 153.75 RIDGE @ GARAGE & WORKSHOP153.75 PL. @ GARAGE CLASS "A" SHINGLE ROOF TO MATCH EXIST'G RESIDENCE (TYP.) 12'-9"
12'-9"
RIDGE @ ADU 154.00
13'-0"
FIN FLR @ ADU 141.00 CLASS "A" SHINGLE ROOF TO MATCH EXIST'G RESIDENCE (TYP.) 12'-9"
RIDGE @ GARAGE & WORKSHOP153.75 RIDGE @ ADU 154.00
13'-0"
FIN FLR @ ADU 141.00
13'-0"
RIDGE @ ADU 154.00
12'-9"
RIDGE @ GARAGE & WORKSHOP153.75

1 Resolution No. 2025-07 (ZC 24-149)
3 Outrider Road (Hoyler and Adams)
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-07

A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS GRANTING APPROVAL OF ZONING CASE NO. 24-149: SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR

CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GARAGE WITH WORKSHOP, NON-EXEMPT GRADING AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS; CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A DETACHED

MIXED-USE ACCESSORY STRUCTURE (GARAGE WITH WORKSHOP) GREATER THAN 200 SQUARE FEET, AND A VARIANCE FOR SITE DISTURBANCE OF MORE THAN 40 PERCENT AND FINDING THE PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FOR LOCATION AT 3 OUTRIDER ROAD (LOT 29-A-EF) (HOYLER & ADAMS)

THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS DOES HEREBY FIND, RESOLVE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. On July 31, 2025, a complete application was duly filed by Criss Gunderson Architect (“Applicant”), on behalf of the property owners, Cameron Hoyler and Dara Adams, with respect to real property located at 3 Outrider, Rolling Hills (Lot 29-A-EF) requesting: Site Plan Review for construction of a new garage with workshop (mixed-use), non-exempt grading, and other improvements; Conditional Use Permit for a detached accessory structure greater than 200 square feet (garage with workshop (mixed-use)); and a Variance for site disturbance of more than 40 percent.

Section 2. The lot is rectangular shaped and narrows towards the rear of the property.

The net lot area is 0.89 acres (38,750 square feet), which excludes roadway easements and ten feet along property lines. Outrider Road has a 30-foot-wide roadway easement. The property is developed presently with a 3,906 square-foot single-level residence built in 1953.

Section 3. The Planning Commission conducted duly noticed public hearings to consider the application at a field trip meeting and regular meeting on August 19, 2025. Neighbors within a 1,000-foot radius were mailed the public hearings notice on August 9, 2025 and a notice was published in the Daily Breeze on August 9, 2025. The Applicant was notified of the public hearings in writing by first-class mail, and the Applicant was in attendance at the morning field trip and the evening hearing.

Section 5. The Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines pursuant to Section 15303, Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), which exempts the construction and location of a limited number of new, small facilities or structures, including accessory structures, including but not limited to garages, carports, patios, swimming pools and fences. Here, the proposed Project includes a new residence, new tennis cabana, retaining walls, driveway, stable/corral set-aside areas, and related improvements.

Accordingly, the Project qualifies for the exemption pursuant to Section 15303. There is no reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. Much of the site has already been graded and developed.

Section 6. Site Plan Review. Site Plan Review is required for the construction of any new building or structure pursuant to Rolling Hills Municipal Code (RHMC) Section 17.46.020(A). The

2 Resolution No. 2025-07 (ZC 24-149)
3 Outrider Road (Hoyler and Adams)
Project is for construction, non-exempt grading, and other improvements. With respect to the Site Plan Review for the development, the Planning Commission hereby makes the following findings:

A. The Project complies with and is consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan and all requirements of the zoning ordinance.

The proposed development is compatible with the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.

The proposed structures comply with the General Plan requirement of low-profile, low-density residential development with sufficient open space between surrounding structures. The development is located on the existing building pad, which will reduce the visual impact from neighboring properties.

The Project conforms to Zoning Code lot coverage requirements. The net lot area of the lot is 38,750 square feet (.089 acres) per RHMC Section 17.16.060(A). The structural net lot coverage is proposed at 6,434 square feet or 16.60% (20% max. permitted) excluding exempt structures; and the total lot coverage proposed, including flatwork, would be 13,734 square feet or 34.99% (35% max. permitted). The disturbed area is 28,245 square feet or 72.89% (40% max permitted, provided that no more than fifty percent of the slopes resulting from the grading are greater (steeper) than 3:1, or three units horizontal (run) to one unit vertical (rise).

B. The project substantially preserves the natural and undeveloped state of the lot by minimizing building coverage. Lot coverage requirements are regarded as maximums, and the actual amount of lot coverage permitted depends upon the existing buildable area of the lot.

The topography and the configuration of the lot have been considered, and the Project will not adversely affect or be materially detrimental to adjacent uses, buildings, or structures; the Project will be on an existing building pad, which enables Project elements to be the least intrusive to surrounding properties. Further, the Project will be a sufficient distance from nearby residences so views and privacy of surrounding neighbors will not be impacted. The lot has an existing building pad, which is disturbed with the remaining area either landscaped or left in a natural state. The new garage structure will be sited generally within the rear of the yard in a prior set-aside area that has been disturbed.

C. The project is harmonious in scale and mass with the site, the natural terrain and surrounding residences.

The proposed development, as conditioned, is harmonious in scale and mass with the site, and is consistent with the scale of the neighborhood when compared to new residences in the vicinity of said lot. The development plan takes into consideration the visibility of the Project primarily from Outrider Road and is located in the rear of the lot. The front of the property has already been developed and landscaped.

D. The project preserves and integrates into the site design, to the greatest extent possible, existing topographic features of the site, including surrounding native vegetation, mature trees, drainage courses and land forms (such as hillsides and knolls).

3 Resolution No. 2025-07 (ZC 24-149)
3 Outrider Road (Hoyler and Adams)
The Project will be located on an existing building pad. Additionally, there will be no significant changes to the overall drainage features on the lot. The Project minimizes the need for import/export of soil by balancing cut and fill as much as possible, reducing major alterations to the natural landform. The property will also be landscaped in accordance with the approved landscape plan.

E. Grading has been designed to follow natural contours of the site and to minimize the amount of grading required to create the building area.

The cut and fill quantities are relatively balanced, reducing the need for excessive soil import/export, which indicates that the design works with the land rather than requiring significant reconfiguration.

F. Grading will not modify existing drainage channels nor redirect drainage flow, unless such flow is redirected into an existing drainage course.

The grading plan ensures that existing drainage channels remain intact, with modifications only occurring where necessary to direct flow into pre-established drainage courses.

G. The project preserves surrounding native vegetation and mature trees and supplements these elements with drought-tolerant landscaping which is compatible with and enhances the rural character of the community, and landscaping provides a buffer or transition area between private and public areas.

Surrounding native vegetation and mature trees will not be affected or will be replaced.

New vegetation will be installed in accordance with the approved landscape plan. The development will be considerate of the environment and will enhance the rural character of the community. As such, the rural character of the community is maintained, and privacy is maintained with neighbors.

H. The project is sensitive and not detrimental to the convenience and safety of circulation for pedestrians and vehicles.

There are no changes to the existing circulation patterns for pedestrians or vehicles. The driveway and motor court will be redesigned to allow emergency vehicle access, better vehicular circulation, and more off-street parking.

I. The project conforms to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The Project is exempt from the CEQA Guidelines pursuant to Section 15303, Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), which exempts the construction and location of a limited number of new, small facilities or structures, including single family residences and accessory structures, including but not limited to garages, carports, patios, swimming pools and fences. Here, the Project includes a new cabana and additional floor area to an existing

4 Resolution No. 2025-07 (ZC 24-149)
3 Outrider Road (Hoyler and Adams)
house. Accordingly, and as further described herein, the Project qualifies for the exemption pursuant to Section 15303. Further, no exceptions to the exemption apply; there is no reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. Much of the site has already been graded and developed.

Section 7. Conditional Use Permit Findings. RHMC Section 17.16.040(A)(3) and

17.16.210(A)(6), respectively, require a Conditional Use Permit for a detached accessory structure greater than 200 square feet and for mixed-use structures. The Applicant is proposing a new 825-square-foot detached garage with workshop and potting area. Given the foregoing, in accordance with RHMC Section 17.42.050, the Planning Commission makes the following findings:

A. That the proposed conditional use is consistent with the General Plan.

The granting of a Conditional Use Permit for the proposed use is consistent with the purposes and objectives of the Zoning Ordinance and General Plan because the use is consistent with similar uses in the community, and meets all the applicable code development standards for such use. The Project is compatible with existing land uses, as other properties in the same zone have such accessory uses. The Project is consistent with the Circulation Element Goal 1, Policy 1.3, which aims to accommodate various forms of transportation in Rolling Hills, including vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, and equestrians. The addition of a garage will allow for multiple vehicle accommodations on-site.

B. That the nature, condition, and development of adjacent uses, buildings, and structures have been considered, and that the use will not adversely affect or be materially detrimental to these adjacent uses, buildings or structures.

The nature, condition, and development of adjacent structures have been considered, and the Project will not adversely affect or be materially detrimental to these adjacent uses, buildings, or structures because the proposed uses are located on a developed property with sufficient proximity to neighboring buildings and structures.

C. That the site for the proposed conditional use is of adequate size and shape to accommodate the uses and buildings proposed.

The net lot area is 38,750 square feet and is adequate to support the proposed use. The property is developed and adequate in size and shape to accommodate the proposed use, a garage with a workshop.

D. That the proposed conditional uses comply with all applicable development standards of the RAS-1 Zone.

The proposed conditional uses comply with all applicable development standards in the RAS-1 Zone, with the exception of the Variance requested herein.

E. That the proposed use is consistent with the portions of the Los Angeles County Hazardous Waste Management Plan relating to siting and siting criteria for

5 Resolution No. 2025-07 (ZC 24-149)
3 Outrider Road (Hoyler and Adams)
hazardous waste facilities.

Granting the proposed conditional use for the Project will be consistent with the applicable portions of the Los Angeles County Hazardous Waste Management Plan related to siting criteria for hazardous waste facilities. The Project site is not listed on the current State of California Hazardous Waste and Substances Sites List. The proposed Project would not constitute a hazardous waste facility.

F. That the proposed conditional use observes the spirit and intent of this title.

The proposed Project allows the Applicant to enjoy the same rights as other residents in the City. The proposed uses are consistent with the residential character and spirit of the City and Title 17 of the RHMC.

Section 8. Variance Findings. RHMC Section 17.38.050 sets forth the required findings for granting Variances. The Applicant is seeking relief from RHMC Section 17.16.070(B) with regard to the amount of grading disturbance area. With respect to this request for a Variance, the Planning Commission finds as follows per RHMC Section 17.38.050:

A. That there are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances or conditions applicable to the property that do not apply generally to other properties in the same vicinity and zone.

There are extraordinary circumstances applicable to this property. The subject property is rectangular in shape, but narrows towards the rear, which makes development difficult. The resulting narrowing has, in essence, limited the developable area and at the same time, increased the disturbed area. The Variance is warranted due to the unique and limited size of the property, that does not apply generally to the other properties in the vicinity.

B. That such variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of substantial property rights possessed by other properties in the same vicinity and zone but which is denied to the property in question.

Granting the requested Variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of property rights on the property. The existing building pads have been hindered by the shape of the property, thus creating limited developable area. The property is already 53.07% disturbed, and the additional disturbance by 19.82% is warranted to allow a garage with a workshop and additional parking area. Other properties in the vicinity enjoy these types of improvements.

C. That the granting of such variance will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity.

Granting the Variance to exceed the maximum allowable 40% disturbance will not be detrimental to the public welfare and will not be injurious to properties in the vicinity because the increased disturbed areas have been planned to maximize usable space while minimizing intrusion. Further, the Project will improve the appearance of the property by placing buildings, including a garage with a workshop, away from public view. Landscaping will be provided to

6 Resolution No. 2025-07 (ZC 24-149)
3 Outrider Road (Hoyler and Adams)
screen structures on the subject lot.

D. That in granting the variance, the spirit and intent of this title will be observed.

In granting the Variance, the spirit and intent of the Zoning Code will be observed. The City’s Zoning Code ensures that the growth and development of the City is orderly, attractive, and enhances the rural character of the community. The proposed single-story garage will add value to the property and add an attractive ranch-style design to the property. This is visually harmonious with the rural aesthetic of the community and is at scale with adjacent residential development.

E. That the variance does not grant special privilege to the applicant.

The Variance does not provide any special privileges to the Applicant; the proposed Project is a new development that does not impact the footprint of the existing home or existing garage. Rather, the Variance will grant the Applicant the ability to provide more offstreet parking for the property, in a garage, that surrounding properties currently enjoy. The Project, together with the Variance, will be compatible with the objectives, policies, general land uses, and programs specified in the General Plan.

F. That the variance is consistent with the portions of the County of Los Angeles Hazardous Waste Management Plan relating to siting and siting criteria for hazardous waste facilities.

Granting the Variance for the Project will be consistent with the applicable portions of the Los Angeles County Hazardous Waste Management Plan related to siting criteria for hazardous waste facilities. The Project site is not listed on the current State of California Hazardous Waste and Substances Sites List. The proposed Project would not constitute a hazardous waste facility.

G. That the variance request is consistent with the General Plan of the City of Rolling Hills.

Approvals granting the Variance to exceed the maximum allowable 40% disturbance will be consistent with the General Plan of the City of Rolling Hills, which encourages accessory uses to residential uses.

Section 9. Based upon the foregoing findings and the evidence in the record, the Planning Commission hereby approves Zoning Case No. 24-149 subject to the following conditions of approval:

A. Approval for the Site Plan Review, Conditional Use Permit, and Variances shall expire within two years from the effective date of approval as defined in RHMC Section

17.38.070 of the Zoning Ordinance unless otherwise extended pursuant to the requirements of this section.

7 Resolution No. 2025-07 (ZC 24-149)
3 Outrider Road (Hoyler and Adams)
B. If any condition of this resolution is violated, the entitlement(s) granted by this resolution shall be suspended and the privileges granted hereunder shall lapse and upon receipt of written notice from the City, all construction work being performed on the subject property shall immediately cease, other than work determined by the City Manager or his/her designee required to cure the violation(s). The suspension and stop work order will be lifted once the Applicant cures the violation to the satisfaction of the City Manager or his/her designee. In the event that the Applicant disputes the City Manager or his/her designee’s determination that a violation exists or disputes how the violation must be cured, the Applicant may request a hearing before the City Council. The hearing shall be scheduled at the next regular meeting of the City Council for which the agenda has not yet been posted; the Applicant shall be provided written notice of the hearing. The stop work order shall remain in effect during the pendency of the hearing. The City Council shall make a determination as to whether a violation of this Resolution has occurred. If the Council determines that a violation has not occurred or has been cured by the time of the hearing, the Council will lift the suspension and the stop work order. If the Council determines that a violation has occurred and has not yet been cured, the Council shall provide the Applicant with a deadline to cure the violation; no construction work shall be performed on the property until and unless the violation is cured by the deadline, other than work designated by the Council to accomplish the cure. If the violation is not cured by the deadline, the Council may either extend the deadline at the Applicant’s request or schedule a hearing for the revocation of the entitlements granted by this Resolution pursuant to Chapter 17.58 of the Rolling Hills Municipal Code (RHMC).

C. All requirements of the Building and Construction Ordinance, the Zoning ordinance, and of the zone in which the subject property is located must be complied with unless, otherwise, a variance to such requirement has been approved.

The lot shall be developed and maintained in substantial conformance with the site plan on file at City Hall and approved by the Planning Commission on August 19, 2025, except as otherwise provided in these conditions. The working drawings submitted to the Department of Building and Safety for plan check review shall conform to the approved development plan. All conditions of the Site Plan Review, Conditional Use Permit, and Variance approvals shall be incorporated into the building permit working drawings, and where applicable, complied with prior to issuance of a grading or building permit from the building department.

The conditions of approval of this Resolution shall be printed onto a separate sheet and included in the building plans submitted to the Building Department for review and shall be kept on site at all times.

Any proposed modifications and/or changes to the approved Project, including those resulting from field conditions, shall be discussed with staff so that staff can determine whether the modification is minor or major in nature. Minor modifications are subject to approval by the City Manager or his or her designee. Major modifications are subject to approval by the Planning Commission after a public hearing. Applicant shall not implement modifications or changes to the approved Project without the appropriate approval from the City Manager or designee or the Planning Commission, as required.

D. Prior to submittal of final working drawings to the Building and Safety Department

8 Resolution No. 2025-07 (ZC 24-149)
3 Outrider Road (Hoyler and Adams)
for issuance of building and grading permits, the plans for the Project shall be submitted to City staff for verification that the final plans are in compliance with the plans approved by the Planning Commission.

E. A licensed professional preparing construction plans for this Project for Building Department review shall execute a Certificate affirming that the plans conform in all respects to this Resolution approving this Project and all of the conditions set forth herein and the City’s Building Code and Zoning Ordinance.

Further, the person obtaining a building and/or grading permit for this Project shall execute a Certificate of Construction stating that the Project will be constructed according to this Resolution and any plans approved therewith.

F. Structural lot coverage of the lot shall not exceed 6,434 square feet or 16.60% of the net lot area (20% maximum). The flatwork coverage is 7,300 square feet or 18.88%. The total lot coverage proposed, including structures and flatwork, shall not exceed 13,734 square feet or 34.99% (35% maximum).

G. The lot is already developed and the total disturbed area will be 28,245 square feet or 72.89% (maximum 40% permitted, provided that no more than fifty percent of the slopes resulting from the grading are greater [steeper] than 3:1, or three units horizontal [run] to one unit vertical [rise]). Grading for this Project shall not exceed 423 cubic yards of cut and 423 cubic yards of fill for a total of 846 cubic yards being graded.

H. The total proposed building pad net lot coverage for the residential main pad is 5,159 square feet or 36.75% (30% maximum guideline).

I. Driveway access shall be provided per the Fire Department requirements, and the driveway shall be roughened, and the first 20 feet of the driveway shall not exceed 7% in slope.

J. Access to the stable and the corral shall be decomposed granite or 100% pervious roughened material; it shall not be wider than 12 feet.

K. A minimum of a five-foot level path and/or walkway, which does not have to be paved, shall be provided around the entire perimeter of all of the proposed structures or as otherwise required by the Fire Department.

L. The Applicant shall comply with all requirements of the Low Impact Development requirements for storm water management on site (RHMC Chapter 8.32).

M. Hydrology, soils, geology, and other reports, as required by the Building and Public Works Departments, and as may be required by the Building Official, shall be prepared.

N. Prior to issuance of a final construction approval of the Project, all graded slopes shall be landscaped. Prior to issuance of a building permit, the landscape plan shall meet the requirements of the City, shall be submitted to the City in conformance with Fire Department Fuel Modification requirements, and shall be approved by the City’s landscape consultant.

9 Resolution No. 2025-07 (ZC 24-149)
3 Outrider Road (Hoyler and Adams)
O. Any new landscaping shall be subject to the requirements of the City’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (RHMC Chapter 13.18). If applicable, any new landscaping may be subject to review and approval by the City’s landscape consultant. Additionally, any new landscaping shall be maintained at a height no higher than the roof line of the nearest structure.

Any new landscaping shall also be planted in an offset manner, so as to prevent it from growing into a solid hedge. Any new landscaping shall utilize, to the maximum extent feasible, plants that are native to the area, are water-wise, and are consistent with the rural character of the community. Plants listed as high hazardous plants under RHMC Section 8.30.015 are prohibited.

P. Pursuant to RHMC Chapter 8.30, the property shall at all times be maintained free of dead trees and vegetation.

Q. The setback lines and roadway easement lines in the vicinity of the construction for this Project shall remain staked throughout the construction. A construction fence may be required.

R. Perimeter easements, including roadway easements and trails, if any, shall remain free and clear of any improvements to advance equestrian use and emergency preparedness for evacuation within the City. Where the Rolling Hills Community Association (RHCA) has demonstrated authority over the easement, the City’s Planning Director may grant relief from this condition upon satisfactory proof of permission from RHCA and a legitimate showing that there is no need for the condition to advance equestrian uses and emergency preparedness.

S. A minimum of 65% of any construction materials must be recycled or diverted from landfills. The hauler of the materials shall obtain the City’s Construction and Demolition permits for waste hauling prior to the start of work and provide proper documentation to the City.

T. Prior to demolition of the existing structures, an investigation shall be conducted for the presence of hazardous chemicals, lead-based paints or products, mercury, and asbestoscontaining materials (ACMs). If hazardous chemicals, lead-based paints or products, mercury, or ACMs are identified, remediation shall be undertaken in compliance with California environmental regulations and policies.

U. The property owner and/or his/her contractor/Applicant shall be responsible for compliance with the no-smoking provisions in the Municipal Code. The contractor shall not use tools that could produce a spark, including for clearing and grubbing, during red flag warning conditions. It is the sole responsibility of the property owner and/or his/her contractor to monitor the red flag warning conditions.

V. Development shall drain in accordance with the approved grading and drainage plan. Drainage dissipaters shall be constructed outside of any easements. The drainage system shall be approved by the Department of Building and Safety. If an above ground swale and/or dissipater is required, it shall be designed in such a manner as not to cross over any equestrian trails or discharge water onto a trail, shall be stained in an earth tone color, and shall be screened from any trail, road and neighbors’ view to the maximum extent practicable, without impairing the function of the drainage system.

10 Resolution No. 2025-07 (ZC 24-149)
3 Outrider Road (Hoyler and Adams)
W. Prior to construction, an on-site inspection and site walk-through, including through all existing structures as needed, shall be scheduled with City Staff and the Applicant.

X. During construction, conformance with the air quality management district requirements, storm water pollution prevention practices, county and local ordinances and engineering practices so that people or property are not exposed to undue vehicle trips, noise, dust, objectionable odors, landslides, mudflows, erosion, or land subsidence shall berequired.

Y. During construction, to the extent feasible, all parking shall take place on the Project site, on the new driveway, and, if necessary, any overflow parking may take place within the unimproved roadway easements along adjacent streets, and shall not obstruct neighboring driveways, visibility at intersections or pedestrian and equestrian passage. During construction, to the maximum extent feasible, employees of the contractor shall carpool into the City. To the extent feasible, a minimum of 4’ wide path, from the edge of the roadway pavement, for pedestrian and equestrian passage shall be available and be clear of vehicles, construction materials, and equipment at all times.

Z. During construction, the property owners shall be required to schedule and regulate construction and relate traffic noise throughout the day between the hours of 7 AM and 6 PM, Monday through Saturday only, when construction and mechanical equipment noise is permitted, so as not to interfere with the quiet residential environment of the City of Rolling Hills.

AA. During construction, dust control measures shall be used to stabilize the soil from wind erosion and reduce dust and objectionable odors generated by construction activities in accordance with the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Los Angeles County and local ordinances and engineering practices.

BB. During construction, an Erosion Control Plan containing the elements set forth in Section 7010 of the 2022 County of Los Angeles Uniform Building Code shall be followed to minimize erosion and to protect slopes and channels to control storm water pollution.

CC. The property owners shall be required to conform to the Regional Water Quality Control Board and County Health Department requirements for the installation and maintenance of storm water drainage facilities and septic tanks.

DD. The Applicant shall pay all of the applicable Building and Safety and Public Works Department fees and Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District fees, if any.

EE. Prior to final inspection of the Project, “as graded” and “as constructed” plans and certifications shall be provided to the Planning Department and the Building Department to ascertain that the completed Project is in compliance with the Planning Commission approved plans. In addition, any modifications made to the Project during construction shall be depicted on the “as built/as graded” plan.

FF. The Applicant shall execute an Affidavit of Acceptance of all conditions of the Site Plan Review, Conditional Use Permit and Variance approvals, or the approvals shall not be

11 Resolution No. 2025-07 (ZC 24-149)
3 Outrider Road (Hoyler and Adams)
effective.

GG. All conditions of this Resolution, when applicable, must be complied with prior to the issuance of a grading or building permit from the Building and Safety Department.

HH. Any action challenging the final decision of the City made as a result of the public hearing on this application must be filed within the time limits set forth in Section 17.54.070 of the Rolling Hills Municipal Code and Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6.

II. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Applicant shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of Rolling Hills (“City”), its City Council, its officers, employees and agents (the “indemnified parties”) from and against any claim, action, or proceeding brought by a third party against the indemnified parties and the Applicant to attack, set aside, or void any permit or approval for this Project authorized by the City, including (without limitation) reimbursing the City its actual attorney’s fees and costs in defense of the claim, action, or proceeding. The City may, in its sole discretion, elect to defend any such action with attorneys of its choice. The Applicant shall reimburse the City for any court and attorney's fees which the City may be required to pay as a result of any claim or action brought against the City because of this permit. Although the Applicant is the real party in interest in an action, the City may, at its sole discretion, participate at its own expense in the defense of the action, but such participation shallnotrelieve theApplicant of any obligation under this condition.

JJ. The future stable and corral shall comply with all requirements in RHMC Sections 17.18.060 and 17.18.090, unless otherwise approved herein.

KK. New landscaping in the RHCA easement is prohibited unless previously approved by RHCA. Landscaping not approved by RHCA in the easement shall be removed from the final landscape plan.

PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED THIS 19th DAY OF AUGUST, 2025.

BRAD CHELF, CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST:

CHRISTIAN HORVATH, CITY CLERK
Any action challenging the final decision of the City made as a result of the public hearing on this application must be filed within the time limits set forth in Section 17.54.070 of the Rolling Hills Municipal Code and Civil Procedure Section 1094.6.

12 Resolution No. 2025-07 (ZC 24-149)
3 Outrider Road (Hoyler and Adams)

STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) §§

CITY OF ROLLING HILLS )
I certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2025-07 entitled:

A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS GRANTING APPROVAL OF ZONING CASE NO. 24-149: SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW GARAGE WITH WORKSHOP, NONEXEMPT GRADING AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS; CONDITIONAL USE

PERMIT FOR A DETACHED MIXED-USE ACCESSORY STRUCTURE (GARAGE WITH WORKSHOP) GREATER THAN 200 SQUARE FEET, AND A VARIANCE FOR SITE DISTURBANCE OF MORE THAN 40 PERCENT AND FINDING THE

PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FOR LOCATION AT 3 OUTRIDER ROAD (LOT 29-A-EF) (HOYLER & ADAMS)
was approved and adopted at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission on August 19, 2025, by the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:
and in compliance with the laws of California was posted at the following:

Administrative Offices.

CHRISTIAN HORVATH, CITY CLERK

CL_PBN_250807_PH_PC_1HackamoreRd_3OutriderRd_ - Page 1 of 1 2615 Pacific Coast Highway #329
Hermosa Beach, California 90254
(310) 543-6635
[email protected]
City of Rolling Hills
2 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, California 90274
Account Number: 5007827
Ad Order Number: 0011750163
Customer's Reference/PO Number:

Publication: Daily Breeze
Publication Dates: 08/09/2025
Total Amount: $764.31
Payment Amount: $0.00
Amount Due: $764.31
Notice ID: uThxodcFy2UMZ9SSvKTv
Invoice Text: NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND FIELD TRIP PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Planning Commission of the City of Rolling Hills will conduct public hearing field trip visits starting at 7:30 AM on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the following properties for the purpose of receiving public input on the projects described below: 1st field trip 7:30 AM 1 HACKAMORE ROAD, ROLLING HILLS, CA 90274 (LOT 30-EF) ZONING CASE NO. 25-033: SITE PLAN REVIEWS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW

TWO-STORY STABLE, NON-EXEMPT GRADING, EXPANSION OF BUILDING PAD, WALLS TO EXCEED 3 FEET HEIGHT NOT TO EXCEED MAXIMUM 5 FEET HEIGHT, AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS; CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR STABLE TO EXCEED MAXIMUM 200 SQUARE FEET; AND VARIANCES TO EXCEED 40 PERCENT DISTURBANCE AND FOR CONSTRUCTION IN THE

FRONT YARD SETBACK AND FINDING THE SAME EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (MAHLER & NUCCIO) 2nd FIELD TRIP AT 7:50 AM 3 OUTRIDER ROAD, ROLLING HILLS, CA 90274 (LOT 81-EF) ZONING CASE NO. 24-149: SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW

GARAGE WITH WORKSHOP, NON-EXEMPT GRADING AND OTHER
IMPROVEMENTS; CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A DETACHED MIXED-USE ACCESSORY STRUCTURE (GARAGE WITH WORKSHOP) GREATER THAN 200 SQUARE FEET, AND A VARIANCE FOR SITE DISTURBANCE OF MORE THAN 40

PERCENT, AND FINDING THE SAME EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (HOYLER & ADAMS) The purpose of these field

CL_PBN_250807_PH_PC_1HackamoreRd_3OutriderRd_ - Page 1 of 1 Daily Breeze
2615 Pacific Coast Highway #329
Hermosa Beach, California 90254
(310) 543-6635
0011750163
City of Rolling Hills
2 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, California 90274

PROOF OF PUBLICATION
(2015.5 C.C.P.)

STATE OF CALIFORNIA
County of Los Angeles
I am a citizen of the United States and
a resident of the County aforesaid; I
am over the age of eighteen years, and
not party to or interested in the aboveentitled matter. I am the principal clerk of the printer of Daily Breeze, a
newspaper of general circulation,
printed and published in the City of
Torrance*, County of Los Angeles, and
which newspaper has been adjudged a
newspaper of general circulation by the
Superior Court of County of Los
Angeles, State of California, under the
date of June 15, 1945, Decree No.

Pomo C-606. The notice, of which the
annexed is a printed copy (set in type
not smaller than nonpareil), has been
published in each regular and entire
issue of said newspaper and not in any
supplement thereof on the following
dates, to wit:
08/09/2025
I certify (or declare) under the penalty
of perjury that the foregoing is true and
correct.

Dated at Hermosa Beach, California
On this 9th day of August, 2025.
______________________________
Signature
*Daily Breeze circulation includes the following
cities: Carson, Compton, Culver City, El
Segundo, Gardena, Harbor City, Hawthorne,
Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale,
Lomita, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Manhattan
Beach, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Palos Verdes,
Rancho Palos Verdes, Rancho Palos Verdes
Estates, Redondo Beach, San Pedro, Santa
Monica, Torrance and Wilmington

Item: 12.A.

Meeting Date: 9/22/2025
To: City Council
From: Samantha Crew, Management Analyst
Thru: Karina Bañales, City Manager
Subject: Receive and file an update on the Emergency Outdoor Siren Notification System project; Authorize the City Manager to seek easement licensing from the Rolling Hills Community Association on the two proposed locations at Upper Blackwater and Portuguese Bend Road (Garden Triangle) and Chesterfield cul-de-sac; and provide direction on a third (or fourth) pole location.

Background:

Staff have been working closely with HQE Systems and the Rolling Hills Community Association (RHCA) to identify additional locations for the Emergency Outdoor Siren Notification System. Initiated in 2019, this capital improvement project has involved extensive technical evaluations, community input, and site feasibility studies. This staff report summarizes information and requests from the City Council’s August 11, 2025, meeting. A detailed project timeline is included as Attachment A for reference.

On August 11, 2025, the City Council directed staff to:

1. Demonstrate siren pole height to residents and the City Council;

2. Identify an alternative site to the Ringbit cul-de-sac that would provide coverage for the Flying Triangle and Southfield areas;

3. Consult HQE and RHCA on the viability of a pole in the Flying Triangle, specifically sound propagation and truck/access logistics;

4. Assess feasibility of a higher-elevation site on Southfield;

5. Obtain a firm installation date for the SAFE Network indoor receivers;

6. Provide costs to camouflage poles and determine whether trees could be planted/maintained at appropriate heights to soften visual impacts.

Staff will also seek City Council direction on securing easement licenses with the Rolling Hills Community Association (RHCA) for siren pole placement at Upper Blackwater and Portuguese Bend Road (Garden Triangle) and the Chesterfield cul-de-sac. In addition, staff requests direction regarding a potential third (or fourth) pole location and visual mitigation strategies, such as camouflage or landscaping, based on vendor proposals.

Discussion:

The City of Rolling Hills is advancing efforts to expand its Emergency Outdoor Siren System to enhance public safety and improve community-wide emergency notification capabilities. In coordination with the Rolling Hills Community Association (RHCA) and the City’s siren system vendor, HQE, staff has identified proposed installation sites and conducted on-site demonstrations to illustrate the visual and operational impact of a fully installed siren pole. Between September 10 and September 16, 2025, staff and RHCA representatives hosted field mock-ups at two primary locations, Upper Blackwater & Portuguese Bend Road (Garden Triangle) and the Chesterfield cul-de-sac, providing Council Members, residents, and contractors an opportunity to assess the proposed 50-foot pole height in context with surrounding properties and terrain. Feedback gathered during these demonstrations highlighted community concerns, particularly regarding traffic safety at the Garden Triangle and view impacts at both Upper Blackwater and Chesterfield. In parallel, HQE provided sound propagation analyses, demonstrating expected coverage and performance across Rolling Hills’ challenging topography. These studies underscore the importance of strategic placement to ensure effective emergency communication while minimizing community impacts. Council guidance on licensing easements and selecting additional siren locations is now needed to advance project coordination with HQE, initiate utility location reviews through Dig-Alert, and prepare for RHCA Board consideration.

The following section summarizes community input, site evaluations, and technical analyses that provide the basis for staff’s request for City Council direction. Staff is seeking authorization to secure easement licenses with the Rolling Hills Community Association (RHCA) for siren pole placement at the Garden Triangle and Chesterfield cul-de-sac, selection of one of three options for an additional siren location, and guidance on preferred visual mitigation strategies.

1. Authorize staff to proceed with securing easement licenses with the Rolling Hills Community Association (RHCA) for siren pole placement.

City staff and RHCA conducted a field demonstration to illustrate the approximate height of a fully installed siren pole. Using a measuring device, the proposed 50-foot height was marked so that both the City Council and nearby residents could visualize the scale of the structure in relation to surrounding homes, landscaping, and natural features. During these one-hour demonstrations, staff gathered input from homeowners who participated. While it is not possible to capture every comment or nuance of those conversations, residents were encouraged to submit their support, concerns, or other feedback in writing (Attachment B) to ensure their viewpoints are accurately represented. The summary below reflects the primary observations and comments received during the demonstrations.

A. Upper Blackwater & Portuguese Bend Road (Garden Triangle) Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Monday, September 15, 2025 | 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | 2:00-3:00 p.m.

September 10 Site Visit Feedback
At the Garden Triangle demonstration, one homeowner, one contractor, and one Council Member joined staff, and while neighbors observed as they drove by during the one-hour pole display.

The homeowner who attended expressed support for public safety initiatives but voiced strong opposition to placing a siren pole at the Garden Triangle. Multiple concerns were raised, with the primary issue being that the triangle itself poses a traffic hazard. The homeowner asserted that the addition of a pole at this location could heighten those risks and noted that placing public safety

infrastructure where it might create additional safety concerns does not seem logical.

That same homeowner recalled a serious accident that occurred several years ago at the triangle, when a vehicle overturned and caught fire, which heightened her concern about the safety impacts for nearby residents. She further shared that these concerns had previously been brought to the City’s Traffic Commission (Attachment C), where she explained her view that the Garden Triangle should be removed due to the risks associated with vehicles speeding around that low-visibility bend.

Staff found that on July 22, 2021, during public comment, a resident of Upper Blackwater told the Traffic Commission the corner is dangerous, citing multiple accidents over the years due to a visibility-blocking wall in the easement. RHCA’s Maintenance Supervisor concurred about blind spots.

The Commission directed staff to agendize the item for a future meeting. On September 23, 2021, staff brought back the item with a Willdan Engineering traffic safety review. The recommendations included short-term measures such as working with the property owner to remove a mature tree and wall on a nearby property along Upper Blackwater Canyon Road, adjusting roadway striping, and reconfiguring lanes around the median. A long-term option to remove the median island and realign the intersection to 90 degrees was also suggested to improve sight distance.

In addition, an opposing property owner raised concerns regarding view impacts from the proposed siren pole, as well as potential loud sound transmission that could negatively affect their child. The homeowner emphasized that the proposed siren pole would exacerbate existing hazards at this location, describing the project as deeply burdensome to her property and highlighting the documented history of community concern regarding this intersection. She also indicated that she may seek legal counsel if the project moves forward at this site.

September 15, 2025, Site Visit Feedback
At the Garden Triangle demonstration, one Council Member joined staff, and several neighbors observed as they drove by during the one-hour pole display. No comments or feedback were received during this mock-up.

September 16, 2025, Site Visit Feedback
At the Garden Triangle demonstration, one homeowner and two Council Members joined staff, and some neighbors observed as they drove by during the one-hour pole display. The homeowner in attendance had previously communicated their support for the project during a phone call with City staff. They reiterated their enthusiasm for the siren installation and offered no negative feedback, either during the call or on site. The homeowner emphasized that it is important for all residents to be able to hear the siren and expressed that they are pleased and reassured knowing they will be adequately alerted.

B. Chesterfield Cul-de-sac
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 5:00–6:00 p.m.

Monday, September 15, 2025 | 10:30–11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | 3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.

September 10, 2025, Site Visit Feedback
At the Chesterfield cul-de-sac demonstration, several homeowners and two City Council Members attended. Staff displayed the proposed 50-foot siren pole at both of the potential installation locations within the cul-de-sac, position 1 and position 2 (Attachment D), so attendees could observe the height from both perspectives.

Following a brief question-and-answer period, participants were invited to a nearby residence to view the potential visual impacts from the property. The homeowner expressed strong opposition to the

siren installation, stating that the pole would significantly impact their views.

In addition, staff, residents, and Council Members visited two other nearby properties that would be affected by the visibility of the proposed poles. One homeowner, who has previously voiced objections, reiterated their opposition and previously indicated they are considering potential litigation against the City. That homeowner has also sent a package to the City Council, including documentation of their concerns.The other property owner, while supportive of public safety initiatives in general, expressed concern about the pole being fully visible from their property if located at Position 2 and noted that this placement could create challenges for a nearby neighbor when entering or exiting their gate. It is important to note that at a previous site visit, the property owner at the potential pole location supported the project and recognized its public safety importance. However, they requested that the pole be placed far enough from their gate to allow for regular access to their property.

September 15, 2025, Site Visit Feedback
At the Chesterfield cul-de-sac mock-up, several homeowners and one City Council Member attended.

Residents were able to take photographs from their home vantage points, and the one-hour time allotment provided an opportunity for discussion with City staff and the attending Council Member.

Staff noted that one homeowner was in full support of the proposed siren location, stating that while the installation would affect their view, they felt the public safety benefits outweighed the impact. Two other homeowners who had also attended the September 10 demonstration reiterated their earlier perspectives: one remained in full opposition of the installation, and the other, while preferring an alternate location, acknowledged the importance of the siren as a public safety measure. Another homeowner expressed strong opposition, citing view concerns and urging the City to explore alternative sites, emphasizing that view preservation should remain a priority. Staff also noted that some homeowners were out of town but had previously communicated their opposition to the proposed location.

September 16, 2025, Site Visit Feedback
At the Chesterfield cul-de-sac mock-up, a couple of homeowners and one City Council Member attended. Staff accompanied one homeowner and a Council Member to nearby residences to observe potential viewpoints. The homeowners asked questions and expressed their objections to the proposed siren site.

On September 18, staff spoke to a resident whose home is at the corner of Chuckwagon and Chesterfield, stating that the siren pole would impact their view from the kitchen table when facing down toward Chesterfield.

Sound Sensitivity
To be mindful of residents who may have heightened sensitivities to sound, the City will provide ample advance notice prior to conducting any audible testing. In addition, City staff will work directly with any identified households that may be impacted to understand their specific needs and take steps to minimize potential discomfort.

Sound Propagation
The effectiveness of outdoor warning sirens depends on several environmental and operational conditions. Weather patterns such as humidity, altitude, wind, and rain can affect how sound carries.

Terrain features, including hills, mountains, and tall buildings, as well as existing environmental and mechanical noise (traffic, aircraft, landscaping activity, machinery, wildlife), can further impact how far and how clearly siren tones and voice messages are heard. Additionally, building materials and the reflective or absorptive properties of the materials influence sound reach and intelligibility. Because of these combined factors, consistent sound levels cannot be guaranteed across all properties, and

indoor audibility cannot be assured. These variations underscore the importance of designing a layered emergency communication system that does not rely on a single notification method.

At the speaker source, maximum output reaches approximately 91-95 dB. At 1,000 meters, the sound is projected at 70 dB, meeting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standard for intelligible voice and tone alerts. SiRcom LS-120 Outdoor Acoustic Speakers, were selected for their ability to deliver clear, intelligible voice and tone alerts across Rolling Hills’ varied terrain. The equipment is specifically designed for outdoor early-warning and mass-notification purposes.

Sound Coverage Analysis - SiRcom LS 30 Model vs SiRcom LS 120 Model HQE has provided sound propagation maps illustrating two levels of siren coverage. The SiRcom LS 30 model, equipped with four 30-watt speakers, is designed for localized coverage. At one-quarter the power of the SiRcom LS 120 model, it requires additional amplifiers and supporting equipment to achieve comparable sound levels, resulting in higher overall costs than the LS120 system. Both models are omnidirectional sirens capable of projecting clear voice and tone signals.

Initially, HQE estimated the cost of each SiRcom LS 30 siren pole at $21,323 (Attachment F). HQE now recommends the SiRcom LS 120 model to ensure broader coverage, with an updated cost of $48,335.96 per pole (Attachment E). HQE has noted that the higher cost reflects recent increases in material prices and that the SiRcom LS 120 model offers the most effective coverage for these areas.

This evening, staff, along with HQE leadership, will present sound propagation maps to illustrate how the siren sound carries across Rolling Hills’ unique terrain. These maps will also highlight why HQE recommends focusing on the primary proposed sites rather than secondary alternatives. Overall, the maps are intended to demonstrate projected sound coverage and show how environmental conditions and topography influence audibility throughout the community.

Model Cost per Pole Coverage Notes Notes on Allocation / Recommendation
SiRcom LS 30 $21,323 Immediate area
coverage
Initial estimate
SiRcom LS 120 $48,335.96 Wider coverage for
maximum audibility
Recommended by HQE

2. Provide direction on an additional siren location(s) Staff is requesting City Council direction on the selection of a third, and potentially a fourth, siren location to enhance the City’s emergency notification system. Three installation options have been identified, each with associated costs and site considerations. Based on Council’s discussion, if staff is authorized to proceed, staff will return at a future meeting with the findings of a feasibility study for the recommended pole location(s). It should be noted that this work has already been completed for the Ringbit cul-de-sac, which HQE has confirmed as a viable site. As part of this process, staff can also arrange a siren pole height mock-up to allow residents and Council Members to view the proposed height in context.

Three options are available for consideration:

Location Option Number of Poles
Option 1: Ringbit 1
Option 2: Southfield & Ringbit Intersection 1

Option 3: Flying Triangle + Southfield & Flying Mane 2
City staff confirmed with RHCA that placing a siren pole in the Flying Triangle is feasible. HQE also confirmed that if the City Council approves the Upper Blackwater & Portuguese Bend Road (Garden Triangle) and Chesterfield cul-de-sac locations, it would not interfere with the process of identifying a potential third or fourth siren pole.

Council direction on a preferred option will allow staff to coordinate with HQE and DigAlert to confirm site viability. Once verified, staff will present the project to the RHCA Board of Directors for consideration and to advance the next phase.

Following authorization of the easement licenses, staff will return to the City Council with a proposed HQE contract amendment to include the additional work.

3. Provide guidance on preferred strategies for visual mitigation (camouflage, landscaping), selecting from vendor proposals.

Camouflage
HQE Systems has submitted a proposal (Attachment E) offering three options for camouflaging or installing emergency siren poles within the City of Rolling Hills. The proposal outlines three main options with cost breakdowns, timelines, and support services.

The vendor has indicated that camouflaging a siren pole would result in less than a 1% impact on sound conveyance, meaning the effect on system performance is negligible.

Option 1: Involves camouflaging three existing poles by adding artificial tree branches. The total project cost after discounts is $108,646.50, with installation expected to take six workdays.

Option 2: Proposes installing three new 50-foot poles with camouflage. This option includes both siren equipment and artificial branches at a final cost of $253,654.38. Installation is estimated at twelve workdays.

Option 3: Offers the installation of a single new 50-foot camouflaged pole. This option is priced at $84,551.46 and requires about four workdays for installation.

It should be noted that the utility boxes, speakers, and the brackets on the solar panels can be painted to better blend into their surroundings. In keeping with the wooden material of the pole, neutral tones such as brown or green are recommended, as these colors minimize visual contrast and allow the equipment to recede into the landscape. The estimated cost to paint the components on the pole is approximately $2,500 per pole. This cost reflects the need for HQE to rent specialized equipment, specifically a bucket truck, in order to safely reach the full height of the pole. In addition, the process requires the application of two full coats of paint, ensuring both durability and adequate protection against weathering and environmental exposure.

While the use of artificial branches to camouflage the poles has been explored, staff are not recommending this option due to both the high cost and the artificial aesthetic it creates. Artificial foliage often appears out of place, particularly in areas with natural vegetation, and can detract from the overall visual character of the community. Painting the components offers a more subtle, costeffective, and context-sensitive approach to reducing visual impacts.

In addition, landscaping around the base of each siren pole is recommended as a complementary

measure to further soften views. Should the Council wish to pursue this option, staff can return at a later date with cost estimates for consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SAFE Network
The SAFE Network is a stand-alone, redundant emergency communication system designed to operate independently of cellular, internet, and traditional power infrastructure. This feature is particularly valuable in Rolling Hills, where power outages and connectivity disruptions may occur during emergencies. In addition to outdoor siren poles, the system offers indoor alerting units that provide both audible and visual notifications, ensuring residents inside their homes can receive critical warnings even when phone service is down or devices are silenced. Indoor units are equipped with battery backup capable of operating for several days without external power and can be supported by alternative energy sources such as solar. The units also incorporate a display screen for clear text messaging, with the ability to broadcast alerts in multiple languages, enhancing accessibility for residents with diverse communication needs. By supplementing outdoor sirens with indoor receivers, the SAFE Network addresses one of the primary limitations of traditional siren systems: the lack of guaranteed indoor audibility due to environmental conditions, mechanical variables, or building construction materials. This layered approach provides a more reliable and comprehensive notification system for the community during emergencies.

Timeline for installation of SAFE Network
HQE Systems is currently in the process of installing the SAFE Network in the Town of Paradise, California. Once that project is completed, HQE intends to begin work in the City of Rolling Hills.

Based on current scheduling, installation of the SAFE Network within Rolling Hills is anticipated to begin in late fall 2025.

The system is being offered by the vendor, HQE, through a grant at no cost to the City. Individual homeowners who wish to purchase an in-home receiver unit will be able to do so for approximately $100 per unit. The City anticipates that the SAFE Network infrastructure and the ordering system for residents will be fully operational by the end of 2025.

The SAFE Network system is designed exclusively for indoor use and does not account for outdoor coverage. Therefore, to ensure equitable and reliable outdoor siren coverage throughout the City, additional siren poles are needed.

HQE expressed confidence that the installation of three SAFE Network gateways on the existing siren poles would provide coverage to the entire community. If any coverage gaps were to occur, which is not anticipated, repeaters, small devices approximately the size of an iPad, could be installed on other structures, such as stop signs or nearby buildings, to ensure full system performance. These devices operate using radio frequency (RF) signals, which are electromagnetic waves that carry digital data between units. Unlike audible siren sounds that can be influenced by terrain, weather, or building materials, RF signals travel at much higher frequencies, allowing them to cover greater distances and maintain reliable communication across the community. This distinction ensures that even if the siren sound is less audible in certain locations, the SAFE Network’s communication system remains consistent and dependable.

Conclusion
The Emergency Outdoor Siren Notification System is a critical component of the City’s broader public safety and emergency preparedness strategy. Ensuring equitable sound coverage across the community is essential to providing timely alerts and maximizing resident safety during emergencies.

Staff will return to the City Council at an upcoming meeting with additional information regarding contractual obligations, funding sources, and detailed financial considerations. These elements will assist in finalizing the implementation approach. City Council feedback this evening on the desired site locations will allow staff to coordinate with the RHCA and advance the project into its next phase.

Fiscal Impact:

The following table summarizes the City’s expenditures from 2019 to the present, as well as projected costs associated with the installation of additional siren poles.

Description Date Budget Allocation Expensed Remaining
Balance
PSA Turnkey
Emergency
Communication
System
June 26,
2023
$261,000.00 Milestones
include 50% upon parts on
order. 40% upon installation.

Final 10% upon full test and
acceptance by the City
$130,500.00 Invoice
8/16/23
$117,450.00 Invoice
10/08/24
$13,050.00
1st Amendment to
June 26, 2023 PSA
– Time extension to
February 28, 2025
December
11, 2024
$0 $130,500.00 Invoice
8/16/23
$117,450.00 Invoice
10/08/24
$13,050.00
2nd Amendment to
June 26, 2023 PSA
– Time extension to
April 30, 2025
February
24, 2025
$130,500.00 Invoice 8/16/23
$117,450.00 Invoice
10/08/24
$13,050 $13,050.00
3rd Amendment to
June 26, 2023 PSA
– Time extension to
October 31, 2025
Effective
April 30,
2025
$130,500.00 Invoice
8/16/23
$117,450.00 Invoice
10/08/24
$13,050 $13,050.00
Recommendation:

This evening, staff is seeking City Council direction on the following:

1. Authorize the City Manager to seek easement licensing from the Rolling Hills Community Association (RHCA) for siren pole placement at:
a. Upper Blackwater & Portuguese Bend Road (Garden Triangle) b. Chesterfield cul-de-sac

2. Provide direction on an additional siren location, selecting from:
a. Ringbit (single pole)
b. Southfield and Ringbit intersection (single pole)
c. Flying Triangle & Southfield/Flying Mane (two poles)

3. Provide guidance on preferred strategies for visual mitigation, including camouflage or landscaping, based on vendor proposals.

Attachments:

1. Attachment A - CL_AGN_250922_CC_EmergencySirenProgramHistoryAndDevelopment (3)

2. Attachment B - CL_AGN_250922_CC_Public Correspondance

3. Attachment C - CL_AGN_250922_CC_09.23.21TrafficCommissionAgenda_Final

4. Attachment D - CL_AGN_250922_CC_ChesterfieldPosition1&2

5. Attachment E - CL_AGN_250922_CC_HQECamouflagingProposalRH

6. Attachment F - 20250425_HQE System Expansion

1 – V-09/25
Emergency Siren Program: History and Development
Fiscal Years 19/20 and 20/21
The City Council allocated funding for the Block Captain Program to evaluate communication platforms that could function during a complete power outage in the community. With these funds, two-way radios were initially purchased; however, when handheld radios proved ineffective, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify alternative communication systems.

March 25, 2021
Through the RFP process, the City received one proposal from HQE Systems, Inc. (HQE).

April 26, 2021
Staff recommended that the City Council engage HQE to assist with the Block Captain Communications Project and prepare a feasibility study. However, the Council chose to delay consideration of the item and directed Councilmember Jeff Pieper to work with staff to better understand the progression of the Communications Project, from the initial purchase of handheld radios to the development of a siren system, as well as to clarify the scope of the proposed feasibility study.

August 23, 2021
The City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with HQE Systems, Inc. to conduct a feasibility study for implementing a Mass Notification System in Rolling Hills.

January 10, 2022
The final Feasibility Study was presented to the City Council. As part of the study, HQE conducted a detailed site survey to identify potential constraints that could affect the system’s operational and technical performance. In addition, HQE performed a sound propagation analysis using the company’s proprietary outdoor siren planning software to model optimal signal distribution. The coverage models accounted for Rolling Hills’ varied topography, as well as environmental factors such as foliage and building density.

HQE recommended two installation options for the outdoor siren system:
• Solution A – Low-visibility installation: Nine (9) 30-foot poles distributed throughout the City at an estimated cost of $310,602.
• Solution B – Low-cost installation: Three (3) 50-foot poles with intelligible horns mounted in a 360-degree transmission position at an estimated cost of $144,573.

2 – V-09/25
Following the presentation, the City Council requested additional information regarding the estimated annual maintenance cost of the proposed system, as well as street-level coverage maps for both Solution A and Solution B.

February 28, 2022
The following maintenance package, provided by HQE, was presented to the City Council:
• Full-Service Package - $12K (increased at 3% inflation rate per year) • Customer support 24/7 Service call support 24/7 (remote and onsite) • One annual preventative maintenance inspection/service • All parts and labor for corrective maintenance (exceptions to improper use, vandalism, Acts of God, etc.)
April 25, 2022
The City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the PSA with HQE, authorizing an additional not-to-exceed allocation of $3,500 to evaluate potential additional siren pole locations.

July 20, 2022
HQE submitted a revised Feasibility Study that presented two additional options for consideration:
• Solution C - Installation at the three gate locations (Main, Crest, and Eastfield Gates) along with the FAA Radar Station, at an estimated cost of $423,683. Due to the significant time and resources required to obtain federal approval for use of the Radar Station site, staff did not recommend this option. • Solution D - Installation limited to the three gate locations, at an estimated cost of $334,748. The higher cost was attributed to the need for specialized equipment, including directional speakers in place of omni-directional horns, as well as additional expenses for design, construction, and labor.

January 23, 2023
The City Council selected four potential siren pole locations as follows:
• City Hall Fire Station 106 (12 Crest Road West)
• Cal Water Facility (3960 Crest Road)
• Easement at Crest Road East gate

3 – V-09/25
March 27, 2023
The City Council approved HQE’s proposal in the amount of $4,195 to conduct a second sound propagation analysis at three of the previously identified locations.

May 15, 2023
Representatives from HQE met with City staff and members of the Rolling Hills Community Association (RHCA) to conduct site visits at the three proposed locations. Prior to these visits, Cal Water informed staff that its facility would no longer be available as an option.

Consequently, the RHCA easement at the Crest Road East Gate was identified as an alternative site.

June 12, 2023
The City Council received HQE’s updated sound propagation report, which confirmed that the installation of three siren poles would provide 70-decibel coverage throughout the City.

Based on these findings, the Council approved moving forward with the installation of the siren tone and intelligible voice system utilizing three (3) 50-foot poles, as outlined in Exhibit A of the Professional Services Agreement. HQE also confirmed that the selected turnkey installation option was estimated at a discounted cost of $261,000, with an optional annual maintenance package of $13,981.

June 26, 2023
The City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with HQE for the installation of an emergency outdoor siren system in an amount not to exceed $261,000, with the system designed to deliver 70 decibels (dB) at each residence in the City. On July 6, 2023, HQE executed the contract, submitting minor correction requests and inquiring whether the City intended to pursue the maintenance option. Following review, the City Attorney revised the document, and a final City-executed contract was provided to HQE on July 25, 2024. The Professional Service Agreement, executed on June 26, 2023, was in effect through December 31, 2024.

August 16, 2023
The City submitted payment for 50% ($130,500.00) of the project cost to allow HQE time to procure equipment as necessary.

August 22, 2023
A kick-off meeting was conducted onsite at all proposed locations.

4 – V-09/25
September 1, 2023
HQE submitted initial plans to City Planning staff / RHCA staff.

October 23, 2023
The development plans were presented at the City Council meeting. The item was tabled to a future meeting based on Council feedback.

November 13, 2023
An update on pole siting locations was presented to the City Council, based on feedback from the October 23, 2023 Council meeting. The Council expressed support for re-siting poles to the Fire Station and City Hall.

December 14, 2023
The City Council unanimously voted to approve development plans for three siren locations.

February 2, 2024
The legal counsel for the Rolling Hills Community Association (RHCA) advised that the RHCA Board would need to issue a license agreement for the two locations in the RHCA’s easements.

March 4, 2024
HQE received clearance from Southern California Edison to begin installation at Crest Road East.

March 7, 2024
The RHCA Board stated a revocable license for the installation on RHCA easements was approved with the condition that "if technically feasible a communications antenna could be put on the antenna in the future."
April 3, 2024
HQE submitted a permit application with Los Angeles County Building and Safety (LACBS).

April 29, 2024
City staff received a notification from LACBS acknowledging the submittal of the project, that it was screened and accepted for submission into their queue.

June 27, 2024

5 – V-09/25
City staff requested that HQE provide contacts for other cities where sirens had been installed for the purpose of compiling a list of best practice policies and procedures that could be presented/discussed by the subcommittee for a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

July 11, 2024
City staff participated in a demo training for the SiRcom SMART Alert Software.

July 29, 2024
City staff received a notification from LACBS acknowledging plans had been reviewed and contain corrections.

July 31, 2024
HQE connected City staff with the Recovery and Economic Development Project Manager for the Town of Paradise.

August 15, 2024
LACBS returned plans with additional corrections impacting the timeline.

August 16, 2024
HQE visited the City for Dig Alert preparation.

August 19, 2024 City staff connected HQE with the RHCA to address their requests for trimming/removals to gain permission and/or information on their preferred vendor.

October 15, 2024
HQE provided a draft of the Alert and Warning SOP.

October 16, 2024
HQE performed their first test after installation. This test was not at full volume but rather at 10% capacity.

November 6, 2024
A second siren test was performed. After this test they determined that the 500 to 800Hz range was best suited for the Rolling Hills topography.

November 18, 2024
After review and additions, Staff send a draft of the SOP to the Siren Ad Hoc Committee for

6 – V-09/25
review.

December 3, 2024
HQE performed the third siren test. They performed impedance testing on each speaker to ensure that the 500-800 Hz frequency would sound at the maximum volume without overloading the amplifiers. The voltage and impedance balance were not to HQE’s satisfaction, and the test was canceled. No sirens were sounded.

December 11, 2024
A First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement was executed, extending the term through February 28, 2025.

January 12, 2025
HQE awarded Rolling Hills a Community SAFE Grant, providing the SAFE Network System at no cost to the City. The grant, valued at over $65,000 in public safety enhancements, includes at-cost pricing for up to 1,200 Indoor SAFE Units for residents.

Following the December 3 siren test, HQE reconfigured the system to correct a wattage issue and installed an additional speaker at the Fire Station for improved sound balance.

January 13, 2025
HQE presented the first draft of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to staff. The draft was reviewed by staff, Chief Kane from the LA County Fire Department, Captain Guerrero from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, and our Area G Disaster Management Area Coordinator, Brandy Villanueva and a revised version was also reviewed by the Siren Ad Hoc Committee.

January 27, 2025
Council directed staff to continue working with HQE on meeting contractual obligations for the outdoor siren installation / sound coverage and, once completed, future implementation of the SAFE Network as an augmented service.

February 24, 2025
A Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement was executed, extending the term through April 30, 2025.

March 4, 2025
HQE successfully completed the siren test, collecting data during the three-hour test period and gathering resident feedback through a post-test survey. The test revealed coverage gaps in several areas.

7 – V-09/25
March 24, 2025
Council determined that residents may purchase SAFE units directly from HQE, if desired.

The Standard Operating Procedure document was adopted as a living document.

April 4, 2025
HQE conducted sound testing with mobile units, examining two speaker types, the L30 and L120, with the goal of determining which model was best suited for each location. Using sound meters, they measured output levels and, based on the results, developed new propagation maps. These maps identified both the existing pole sites and potential new locations, leading to the determination that 5 to 7 additional poles would be needed to maximize siren coverage. Most of the proposed installations would utilize 30-foot poles, with the possibility of one 60-foot pole.

April 8, 2025
City staff received training on the SiSA siren system.

April 23, 2025
HQE hosted a community webinar addressing frequently asked questions and explained how the SAFE network functions.

April 30, 2025
A Third Amendment to Professional Services Agreement was executed extending the term through October 31, 2025.

May 12, 2025
HQE selected the following sites based on modeling, community feedback, and RHCA input.

1. At the end of Ringbit Road W in the cul-de-sac

2. Chesterfield Road and Chuckwagon Rd

3. Pinetree Lane and Portuguese Bend Rd
HQE proposed a funding shift in which the City would cover the cost of equipment and materials for the three proposed sirens, while HQE would provide labor and other direct costs. The total fiscal impact to the City is $63,969.23, which includes LS30 sirens, an amplifier, control system, solar and battery backup, and communications components.

The City had previously understood there would be no additional costs associated with the system expansion.

8 – V-09/25
August 11, 2025
The City Council directed staff to add story pole flags at the Upper Blackwater Canyon & Portuguese Bend Road (Garden Triangle) and at the Chesterfield cul-de-sac site; identify another potential location on Southfield or in general area; ask about the possibility of adding a pole in the Flying Triangle area; ask if trees can be planted adjacent to poles; find out the costs to use "camouflaged poles"; and get potential dates on the SAFE Network installation.

1 HOMEOWNER CHERYL MARCZ’ NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENTAL OPPOSITION TO

INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL OUTDOOR SIRENS WITHOUT ALTERNATIVE

STUDIES

TO THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, THE ROLLING HILLS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, AND ROLLING HILLS RESIDENTS:

Homeowner Cheryl Marcz respectfully submits notice of her Supplemental Opposition to the City of Rolling Hills’ proposal to install additional outdoor warning sirens without further study of alternative indoor alerting methods; including a specific opposition to the placement of an outdoor warning siren at the Chesterfield Rd Cul-de-sac (coordinates 33.760673’N – 118.337931’W).

This Supplemental Opposition is based upon and supported by this Notice and attached Memorandum of Points and Authorities, the previous Notice of Opposition, together with its Memorandum of Points and Authorities and corresponding Exhibits submitted August 25, 2025, which are all hereby incorporated by reference, the complete agendas and minutes and records on file with City Council, and on such other evidence or argument as may be presented at or before the City Council meeting scheduled for September 22, 2025 at 7:00pm.

DATED: September 18, 2025
By:

Cheryl Marcz
Homeowner, 8 Chesterfield Road
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F7EC08E-AF20-455B-846F-1B9F5E42D52B

2 MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES
This Opposition supplements the Opposition submitted August 25, 2025. The facts and information contained in August 25th Opposition will not be restated here for the sake of brevity, though they still apply. The purpose of this Supplemental Opposition is to provide additional facts, information, and arguments that have arisen since the August 25, 2025 City Hall meeting.

Subsequent to the August 25th City Hall meeting, City Staff conducted three neighborhood meetings at the Chesterfield Cul-de-sac to demonstrate via mock-up pole the impact that the proposed 50-foot poles would have on the neighborhood’s views and character.

Of note, the mock-up pole was an inches-wide pole that did not accurately reflect the true diameter of the proposed pole, nor did it accurately reflect the width of the actual sirens and protruding solar panels. To demonstrate the width of these items, City Staff brought a stick with markings on it and showed residents what the width of the proposed pole would be at various sections.

While this demonstration required residents to visualize something that was not right in front of them, the impact of even the inches-wide pole was abundantly apparent to all present – the 50-foot pole towered over the existing trees and existing telephone poles, and very clearly impacted views from nearly each residents’ property.

For the sake of allowing a better visualization of what the proposed pole might actually look like, we have taken a photo of an existing siren pole that had been installed by HQE Systems and superimposed it over images of the mock-up pole.

These illustrations are on the following page and demonstrate the enormous footprint these poles would inflict on the neighborhood should they be installed at the cul-de-sac. As seen in the illustrations on the following page, the installation of this pole would destroy the character of the area and the views that the City and Community Association have been entrusted to preserve.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F7EC08E-AF20-455B-846F-1B9F5E42D52B

3 Docusign Envelope ID: 6F7EC08E-AF20-455B-846F-1B9F5E42D52B

4 The above illustrations show how imposing the proposed 50-foot poles will be; but it is likely that the impact could be even greater. If history is any indication of the future (it usually is), City Staff indicated that the existing siren at City Hall was originally supposed to be 50 feet, but was later changed to 57 feet. When questioned why that was, no answers were given; and when questioned whether the City was confident that the increase in height would not happen again, the City indicated that it was confident (but could not explain why).

Residents are not confident in the City’s non-answers as to these issues, not just because HQE now has a history of proposing one thing and doing another – but more relevantly, because HQE also has a history of failing to deliver on its more substantive promise of achieving emergency sound coverage throughout the City, which was not achieved (thus the proposal to install additional 50-foot poles throughout the City).

Moreover, as discussed in the August 25th Opposition, the emphasis on additional outdoor sound propagation is misplaced, understudied, and should not be prioritized ahead of using existing pole infrastructure to install wireless communications for the indoor SAFE Network. The installation of the SAFE network can and should occur before any consideration is given to installing additional methods of sound-propagation throughout the City. To delay installation of the SAFE network for the sake of installing additional poles is negligent and could cost residents lives in the event of a catastrophe.

After the SAFE network is installed with existing infrastructure, then it might make sense for continued consideration to be given to the idea of outdoor sound coverage.

But even still, additional information must be presented to residents, the City, and the Community Association to fully evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the detriments.

At a minimum, (1) the Person Most Knowledgeable at HQE Systems should be compelled to attend a City Hall meeting to present on what is really important for emergency communications and what can and cannot be done to improve emergency communications in the City; and (2) a clearly delineated map (showing street names) must be produced that clearly indicates current sound coverage levels from existing siren infrastructure.

Docusign Envelope ID: 6F7EC08E-AF20-455B-846F-1B9F5E42D52B

5 Residents have sought this information from City Staff and have not received it.

Residents have also reached out to HQE directly. Below is the text of an email sent to David Ditto at HQE Services, that has not been replied to:

David,
I have left a couple voicemails for you at 843-872-7020 but have not received a call back. We are attempting to contact you for clarification around some questions we have about the HQE proposal to install additional siren poles in Rolling Hills, California. Please call me back when you are available; or if there is a better contact person, please direct me to that person.

Ideally, we would like to set an appointment with the person most knowledgeable (PMK) at HQE to visit the proposed sites with us to help us better understand the challenges that are present with the current topography and landscaping at various proposed sites.

We are seeking further information from the PMK about the feasibility studies conducted to date; and, in particular, what changes may need to be made to increase the effectiveness of signal and sound propagation from a proposed siren pole at the corner of Chuckwagon Rd. and Bowie Rd.

For example, would removing some of the existing greenery/plants/landscaping at the site improve the effectiveness of this location?
We would also like to better understand whether there is a measurable difference in effectiveness between the various proposed sites, how it was measured, and what those measurements are.

We surely would appreciate any clarification HQE can provide so that we can help the City, its residents, and the Community Association make an informed decision how best to proceed. Thank you for your help, and I look forward to your reply. ///
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Docusign Envelope ID: 6F7EC08E-AF20-455B-846F-1B9F5E42D52B

6 Absent this due diligence, the City is negligently proceeding with misplaced ideas, and with a Company that has already let the City down, and is on its way to destroying the character of the area and the views that the City and Community Association have been entrusted to preserve.

The City should cease any plans to install additional outdoor sirens until a less intrusive and more effective indoor emergency system such as the SAFE Network has been installed and tested, and until more thorough due diligence can be conducted as to the matters at hand.

DATED: September 18, 2025
By:

Cheryl Marcz
Homeowner, 8 Chesterfield Road
Docusign Envelope ID: 6F7EC08E-AF20-455B-846F-1B9F5E42D52B

Law Offices of Robert E. Reichman
2658 Griffith Park Blvd., No. 270  Los Angeles, California 90039 Phone (323) 683-5593  Fax (800) 878-6043
September 9, 2025

VIA EMAIL ONLY
City Council
City of Rolling Hills
2 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
Re: Objection to Siren Tower / 20 Upper Blackwater Canyon, Rolling Hills Estates File No.: Sept2025-113

Dear Mayor Pieper & Members of the City Council:

On behalf of my client, Danica Iannitti, a long-time resident of Rolling Hills, I write to respectfully object to the current proposed placement of an emergency siren tower at the triangle in front of 20 Upper Blackwater Canyon -- directly adjacent to Ms. Iannitti’s residence at 1 Pine Tree Lane.

While my client supports the City’s goal of enhancing emergency preparedness, placing the device at her property line creates an unreasonable and unnecessary health and safety issue for my client and her family. Particularly, Ms. Iannitti’s twelve-year-old son recently and unexpectedly lost his father. In addition to the mental and emotional toll that took, the child currently suffers from Acute Acoustic Trauma and is therefore highly sensitive to noise and vibration. The loud, startling noise that will emanate from a siren tower placed so close to the residence will cause severe and lasting physical and emotional harm to this already vulnerable child if the proposed location so close to the residence moves forward without change.

Further, the immediate roadway adjacent to Ms. Iannitti’s house has been a known safety hazard in its current state and condition. Not long ago, a vehicle flipped on the road, caught fire, and came to rest on my client’s property, due in part to dangerous roadway and visibility conditions. Adding a siren tower will only serve to further impair and impede problematic visibility in an already dangerous driving and pedestrian location.

As California law dictates in California Code of Civil Procedure §1094.5, an administrative decision by a governmental body may be challenged in court since the section authorizes judicial review of administrative decisions where there has been a prejudicial abuse of discretion. A decision is deemed an abuse of discretion if it is arbitrary, capricious, or lacking in evidentiary support. Here, selecting my client’s property frontage—when equally effective, nearby, nonresidential sites are available at negligible additional cost (if any)—falls squarely within that definition. Courts have recognized that land-use actions that unfairly single out an individual property, without rational relation to public welfare, cannot withstand review.

We therefore urge the Council to direct staff to relocate the siren to an alternative nearby site that avoids these serious health, safety, and welfare concerns. This minor adjustment imposes no

City Council
City of Rolling Hills
September 9, 2025

material cost or delay yet would resolve the issue. If the City declines, my client will be compelled to pursue a writ of mandate and related remedies. Please be aware that under Code of Civil Procedure § 1021.5, courts may award attorneys’ fees where litigation enforces important public rights.

We trust the Council will resolve this matter cooperatively and avoid unnecessary litigation.

Respectfully,
ROBERT E. REICHMAN
cc: File

1 To: Rolling Hills City Council
From: Block Captains and Residents
Re: Siren Project – Additional Poles
Date: August 25, 2025
cc: RHCA Board of Directors
Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council,
The devastating and deadly January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires accentuated a fatal flaw in our emergency outdoor warning system. As reported by HQE to the City Council on January 27, 2025, the Outdoor Warning Siren System cannot be heard throughout all the city of Rolling Hills. Approximately 212 homes or 30% of Rolling Hills potentially cannot hear the outdoor sirens (See Appendix 1) including but not limited to Poppy Trail, Portuguese Bend South, Pinto, Southfield, Packsaddle, Chesterfield, Chuckwagon, Appaloosa, Pine Tree, Buggy Whip, Hummingbird Lane, and other streets.

The loss of 31 lives, especially 19 in the Eaton Fire, underscores the tragic consequences when emergency notifications fail. In an area prone to wildfire risk like Rolling Hills, effective emergency communication is paramount to saving lives, especially during the loss of power, cellular service, and internet connectivity that often accompanies major disasters, rendering other alert methods like Alert SouthBay potentially ineffective.

During the July 2025 Texas floods, sirens in the town of Comfort provided a crucial alert, enabling residents to evacuate safely and avoid fatalities. This stands in stark contrast to other areas where the death toll soared to over a 100 adults and children, with experts saying better early warning systems could have reduced casualties, highlighting the urgent need for a robust system here in Rolling Hills.

While we value the aesthetic charm of our community, prioritizing view preservation over essential lifesaving emergency alerts is a dangerous gamble that could cost our residents their lives.

We urgently call upon City Council leadership and staff to take the following concrete steps, demonstrating a clear commitment to the safety and well-being of all residents:

1. Direct staff to work with the vendor to IMMEDIATELY identify and present additional locations for siren poles ensuring 100% audible coverage for every resident in our community.

2. Schedule and conduct a comprehensive public hearing focused on the proposed siren locations.

This is crucial to address concerns from all residents, not just those directly impacted by pole proximity.

3. Prioritize the public safety of all residents above all else. This means allocating necessary resources, including financial, to expedite the Outdoor Warning Siren System expansion.

4. Commit to completing the installation of all additional poles and sirens, along with a full system test, by the end of this calendar year, 2025. One year is more than enough time to assess, plan, and execute this crucial phase of the project. This deadline creates a necessary sense of urgency to ensure the community is protected as quickly as possible.

The time for action is now. Delays in expanding and testing the Outdoor Warning Siren System put lives at risk.

2 Respectfully submitted,
Block Captains and Support Team
Marita Geragthy, Block Captain Lead, Southfield Drive
Debra Shrader, Block Captain Lead, Saddleback Road
Marian Visco, Block Captain Lead, Cinchring Road
Arun Bhumitra, Buggy Whip Drive
Ralph Black, M.D., Saddleback Road
Jeffrey Bogosian M.D., Ringbit Road East
Pam Crane, Caballeros Road
Judith Haenel, Eastfield Drive
Shahla Hemmat, Eastfield Drive
Maureen Hill, Cinchring Road
Nancy Hoffman, Packsaddle Road West
Arlene and Gene Honbo, Portuguese Bend Road
Kathleen Hughes, Caballeros Road
John Lacey, Poppy Trail
Kay and Paul Lupo, Georgeff Road
Melissa McNabb, Quail Ridge Road South
Tony Mian, Palos Verdes Drive North
Diane and Ron Montalto, Quail Ridge Road South
Michele Mottolo, Flying Mane Road
Maureen and John Nunn, Crest Road West
Kathy Patman, Chuckwagon Road
Clint Patterson, Georgeff Road
Charlie Raine, Pinto Road
Dr Carmen Estrada Schaye, Portuguese Bend Rd
Michael and Sandy Sherman, Crest Road East
Giancarlo Starinieri, Palos Verdes Drive North
Nicole Tangen, Johns Canyon Road
Doris Tse, Georgeff Road
Leslie Stetson, Saddleback Road
Ed Swart, Meadowlark Lane
Rae Walker, Wagon Lane
Residents
Laurie and Tom Brodie, M.D., Hummingbird Lane
Kathleen Conzen, Wrangler Road
Donald Crocker, Cinchring Road
Carol and Shawn deMiranda, El Concho Lane
Kevin and Brittany Gardner, Eastfield Drive
Richard and Sally Leibfried, Chuckwagon Road
Carol Marrone, Southfield Drive

3 Residents (continued)
Debby Mcdonald, Caballeros Road
Sharon and Mark Minkes, Elizabeth Minkes Bell, Chuckwagon Road Anne-Merelie Murrell, Packsaddle Road East
Kim Rosenfield, Chuckwagon Road
Murray Smith, Upper Blackwater Canyon Road
Jim Scharffenberger, M.D., Appaloosa Lane
Miriam and Ron Sommer, M.D., Poppy Trail
Lisa and Gerry Van Nortwick, Chuckwagon Road
Appendix 1 – Streets Where Sirens Cannot Be Heard
Block Addresses
# of
Homes
6a 51-63 PORTUGUESE BEND RD, RANCHERO, WRANGLER (14) 14 6b 65-end PORTUGUESE BEND RD., PINTO, RUNNING BRAND (15) 15 7a
31 and 33 PORTUGUESE BEND RD., UPPER BLACKWATER CYN., APPALOOSA, SAGEBRUSH LANES (16) 16
8a 21-29 PORTUGUESE BEND RD., PHEASANT LANE (10) 10
8b PINE TREE LANE (11) 11
17a 7-10 SOUTHFIELD; RINGBIT EAST & WEST (16) 16
17b 12, 14, 16, 18 SOUTHFIELD + PACKSADDLE WEST (11) 11 17c 11,13,17,19 SOUTHFIELD + PACKSADDLE EAST (11) 11
21a BOWIE + 1-6 CHUCKWAGON (23) 23
21b 7-30 CHUCKWAGON (excl 29) (18) 18
21c 29-44 CHUCKWAGON (excl 30) + CHESTERFIELD (19) 19
3a 1-12 BUGGY WHIP (11) 11
3b 13-end BUGGY WHIP (12) 12
23b HUMMINGBIRD LANE + 0-9, 11, 13 EASTFIELD (15) 15
14a POPPY TRAIL (10) 10
TOTAL HOMES 212

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. ROLL CALL

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

3.A. JULY 22, 2021 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.

4. PRESENTATION
NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD
ROLLING HILLS, CA 90274
(310) 377-1521
FAX (310) 377-7288
AGENDA
Regular Traffic Commission
Meeting

TRAFFIC COMMISSION
Thursday, September 23, 2021

CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
8:30 AM
This meeting is held pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20 issued by Governor Gavin Newsom on March 17, 2020.

The meeting agenda is available on the City’s website. A live video of the Traffic Commission meeting will be available on the City’s website. Both the agenda and the live video can be found here:
https://www.rollinghills.org/government/agenda/index.php Members of the public may observe and orally participate in the meeting via Zoom and or submit written comments in real-time by emailing the City Clerk’s office at [email protected]. Your comments will become part of the official meeting record. You must provide your full name, but please do not provide any other personal information that you do not want to be published.

Zoom access: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82332801730?
pwd=UlRYRW5ZRXVPZktMYXZ5cDRld1hrQT09
Or dial (669) 900-9128 meeting
ID: 823 3280 1730
Passcode: 514342
Recordings to all the Traffic Commission meetings can be found here:
https://cms5.revize.com/revize/rollinghillsca/government/agenda/index.php

07.22.21 TC Min_F.pdf
1

4.A. LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT LOMITA STATION, TRAFFIC STATISTICS FOR THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS FOR JULY AND AUGUST 2021. (VERBAL REPORT)
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.

5. OLD BUSINESS

6. NEW BUSINESS

6.A. RESIDENT'S REQUEST TO REVIEW AND MITIGATE SAFETY CONCERNS AT

THE CORNER OF UPPER BLACKWATER CANYON ROAD AND PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD.

RECOMMENDATION: Review recommendations from the Traffic Engineer and provide direction to staff.

7. OPEN AGENDA - COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA

8. MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION

9. MATTERS FROM STAFF

9.A. CONSIDER RESCHEDULING OR CANCELLING THE NOVEMBER 25, 2021 TRAFFIC COMMISSION IN OBSERVANCE OF THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.

RECOMMENDATION: Consider rescheduling or cancelling the November 25, 2021 meeting.

10. ADJOURNMENT
Next meeting: Thursday, November 25, 2021 at 8:30am in the City Council Chamber, Rolling Hills City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California, 90274.

Memo - 9-17-21.pdf
Notice:

Documents pertaining to an agenda item received after the posting of the agenda are available for review in the City Clerk's of ice or at the meeting at which the item will be considered.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting due to your disability, please contact the City Clerk at (310) 377-1521 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility and accommodation for your review of this agenda and attendance at this meeting.
2

Agenda Item No.: 3.A
Mtg. Date: 09/23/2021
TO: HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC

COMMISSION
FROM: ELAINE JENG, CITY MANAGER
THRU: ELAINE JENG P.E., CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: JULY 22, 2021 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
DATE: September 23, 2021
BACKGROUND:

None.

DISCUSSION:

None.

FISCAL IMPACT:

None.

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve as presented.

ATTACHMENTS:

07.22.21 TC Min_F.pdf
3

MINUTES OF

A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE

TRAFFIC COMMISSION OF THE

CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021

1. CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Traffic Commission of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order by Chair Wilson at 8:31 a.m. on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in the City Council Chamber, at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California.

2. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Bobit, Margeta, Vice Chair Virtue, and Chair Wilson.

Commissioners Absent: Raine
Others Present: Elaine Jeng, City Manager
Meredith Elguira, Planning and Community Services
Director
Janely Sandoval, City Clerk/Executive Assistant
Ashford Ball, Senior Management Analyst
Stephanie Grant, Code Enforcement
Officer/AssistantPlanner
Vanessa Munoz, Traffic Engineer
Arty Beckler Jr., Rolling Hills Community Association
(RHCA) Maintenance Supervisor
Tami Bouse, Deputy LA County Sheriff’s Department
Kristen Raig, RHCA Manager

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3A. MARCH 25, 2021 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
TRAFFIC COMMISSION.

Chair Wilson presented item.

MOTION: Commissioner Bobit motioned to approve, and Commissioner Margeta seconded the motion.

AYES: COMMISSIONER: Chair Wilson, Vice Chair Virtue, Bobit, and Margeta NOES: COMMISSIONER: None.
4

ABSENT: COMMISSIONER: Raine.

ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONER: None.

4. PRESENTATION
4A. LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT LOMITA

STATION, TRAFFIC STATISTICS FOR THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS (ORAL REPORT).

Deputy Tami Bouse presented the item. Discussion ensued.

MOTION: Commissioner Bobit motioned to receive and file, and Commissioner Margeta seconded the motion.

AYES: COMMISSIONER: Chair Wilson, Vice Chair Virtue, Bobit, and Margeta.

NOES: COMMISSIONER: None.

ABSENT: COMMISSIONER: Raine.

ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONER: None.

5. OLD BUSINESS
None.

6. NEW BUSINESS
6A. RECOMMEND THE APPROVAL OF THE FY 2021-2022

SUPPLEMENTAL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT CONTRACT WITH THE
LOS ANGELES SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT FOR A NOT-TO-EXCEED
AMOUNT OF $27,650.

Planning and Community Services Director Elguira presented the item.

Deputy Tami Bouse provided additional information regarding the item. Discussion ensued.

MOTION: Commissioner Bobit motioned to approve and Commissioner Margeta seconded the motion.

AYES: COMMISSIONER: Vice Chair Virtue, Bobit, and Margeta.

NOES: COMMISSIONER: Chair Wilson.

ABSENT: COMMISSIONER: Raine.

ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONER: None.
5

6B CONSIDER THE ROLLING HILLS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION’S

REQUEST TO ALLOW COMMUNICATION COMPANY TO PLACE

COMMUNICATION DEVISES ON TRAFFIC SIGNS TO ENHANCE
CELLULAR SERVICE WITHIN THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS.

Senior Management Analyst Ball presented the item. Discussion ensued.

RHCA Manager Raig provided additional information regarding the item.

Planning and Services Director Elguira provided additional information regarding code compliance in regards to the item. Discussion continued.

MOTION: Commissioner Bobit motioned to approve the request to place node throughout the city and Vice Chair Virtue seconded the motion.

AYES: COMMISSIONER: Chair Wilson, Vice Chair Virtue, and Bobit.

NOES: COMMISSIONER: Margeta.

ABSENT: COMMISSIONER: Raine.

ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONER: None.

7. OPEN AGENDA – COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Resident Sue Breiholz, 6 Upper Blackwater, commented regarding a dangerous corner between Upper Blackwater and Portuguese Bend Road. She mentioned that there have been multiple accidents over the course of the years due to a wall located at the edge of the property, in the easement. The wall blocks driver’s views. She recommended the commission review the area, remove the wall, soften the land, and expand the street curve to improve drivers’ visibility when turning. The resident also provided the commission with pictures of the location.

RHCA Maintenance Supervisor Beckler supported Mrs. Beiholz’s comments on the blind spots caused by the wall.

MOTION: Commissioner Bobit motioned to put this item on the next meeting and provided direction to staff, and Vice Chair Virtue seconded the motion.

AYES: COMMISSIONER: Chair Wilson, Vice Chair Virtue, and Bobit.

NOES: COMMISSIONER: Margeta.

ABSENT: COMMISSIONER: Raine.

ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONER: None.
6

8. MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION
None.

9. MATTERS FROM STAFF
9A CREST ROAD STORM DRAIN SAFETY CONCERNS.

Code Enforcement Officer/Assistant Planner Grant presented the item.

City Manager Jeng and Traffic Engineer Munoz provided additional information regarding the item. Discussion ensued.

MOTION: Commissioner Bobit motioned to receive and file, and Commissioner Margeta seconded the motion.

AYES: COMMISSIONER: Chair Wilson, Vice Chair Virtue, Bobit, and Margeta.

NOES: COMMISSIONER: None.

ABSENT: COMMISSIONER: Raine.

ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONER: None.

10. ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no further business before the Traffic Commission, Chair Wilson adjourned the meeting at 9:35 a.m. The next meeting of the Traffic Commission is scheduled for September 23, 2021 at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Rd., Rolling Hills, CA.

Respectfully submitted,
Janely Sandoval
City Clerk
Patrick Wilson
Chair
7

Agenda Item No.: 4.A
Mtg. Date: 09/23/2021
TO: HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC

COMMISSION
FROM: ELAINE JENG, CITY MANAGER
THRU: ELAINE JENG P.E., CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT LOMITA

STATION, TRAFFIC STATISTICS FOR THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS FOR JULY AND AUGUST 2021. (VERBAL REPORT)
DATE: September 23, 2021
BACKGROUND:

In the month of July 2021, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported that 24 hours were used for traffic enforcement. In the month of August 2021, a total of 12 hours were used for traffic enforcement.

DISCUSSION:

There were no citations issued in July and August 2021.

FISCAL IMPACT:

None.

RECOMMENDATION:

Receive and file.

ATTACHMENTS:
8

Agenda Item No.: 6.A
Mtg. Date: 09/23/2021
TO: HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC

COMMISSION
FROM: ELAINE JENG, CITY MANAGER
THRU: ELAINE JENG P.E., CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: RESIDENT'S REQUEST TO REVIEW AND MITIGATE SAFETY

CONCERNS AT THE CORNER OF UPPER BLACKWATER CANYON
ROAD AND PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD.

DATE: September 23, 2021
BACKGROUND:

At the July 22, 2021 Traffic Commission meeting, resident Sue Breiholz noted a safety concern at the corner of Upper Blackwater Canyon Road and Portuguese Bend Road. Mrs. Breiholz discussed that there is a wall in the easement that impairs drivers' visibility at the said corner. The Traffic Commission directed staff to place this item on the September 23, 2021 Traffic Commission agenda for discussion.

DISCUSSION:

Willdan Engineering Traffic Engineer Vanessa Munoz investigated the safety concerns expressed by resident Mrs. Breiholz and prepared a report. To improve the visibility for drivers at this location, Willdan Engineering recommended short-term and long-term improvements.

Recommended short-term improvements
Work with the property owner to remove the mature tree and the wall at 20 Blackwater Canyon Road
Narrow the approach of the southbound right turn from Portuguese Bend Road to Upper Blackwater Canyon Road by modifying the striping
Reconfigure the intersection to have one inbound lane north of the median island and one outbound lane south of the median island
Willdan Engineering advised to take step up approach by first implementing the recommended the short-term improvements, evaluate the effectiveness of the recommended short-term improvements and then implement the long-term improvements.

Recommended long-term improvements
Remove the median island; realign the intersection to have Portuguese Bend Road be at a 90 degrees angle with Upper Blackwater Canyon Road; and arrow the road along Upper Blackwater 9

Canyon Road
FISCAL IMPACT:

The service fee for Willdan Engineering to investigate and provide recommendations to mitigate the safety concerns at the intersection of Portuguese Bend Road and Upper Blackwater Canyon is included in operating cost for FY2021-2022.

RECOMMENDATION:

Review recommendations from the Traffic Engineer and provide direction to staff.

ATTACHMENTS:

Memo - 9-17-21.pdf
10

September 17, 2021
Ms. Elaine Jeng
City Manager
City of Rolling Hills
2 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
Subject: Portuguese Bend Road and Upper Blackwater Canyon Road Traffic Safety Review
Dear Ms. Jeng:

The City of Rolling Hills
has received comments
from concerned
residents regarding
speeding and visibility
concerns at the
intersection of
Portuguese Bend Road
at Upper Blackwater
Canyon Road. At the
intersection there is a
median island that
divides Upper
Blackwater Canyon
Road. On both sides of
the median there is an
inbound lane and
outbound lane to and
from Portuguese Bend Road. The outbound lanes are stop controlled at Upper Blackwater Canyon Road. The speed limit of Portuguese Bend Road is 35 miles per hour and Upper Blackwater Canyon Road has a prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour. Both roadways have one lane of travel in each direction. Portuguese Bend Road at the intersection with Upper Blackwater Canyon Road has a 90-degree angle curve.

The driveway for 20 Upper Blackwater Canyon Road is located on the northwest corner.

The driveway is not easily visible from Portuguese Bend Road. Motorists that travel southbound on Portuguese Bend Road and make a right onto Upper Blackwater Canyon Road have trouble seeing this driveway. During the field review of existing conditions, the resident for 20 Upper Blackwater Canyon Road confirmed previous removal of trees, clearing of brush, and foliage in an effort to improve the driveway visibility. From the conversation with the resident, we were told the line of sight did improve, but from my observation the line of sight is not totally clear as mature trees N
c
Portuguese Bend Road
11

City of Rolling Hills
September 17, 2021

and the wall are still in the line of sight. Contributing to the difficulty is that the roadway of Portuguese Bend Road is at higher elevation than the driveway at 20 Upper Blackwater Canyon Road. The resident from 20 Upper Blackwater Canyon Road also shared that there have been many near-miss collisions at the driveway. Additionally, motorists northbound on Portuguese Bend Road making a left onto Upper Blackwater Canyon Road have a limited sight distance of southbound vehicles which is due to the curve of the roadway (see Attachment A).

To improve the line of sight we recommend short-term and long-term improvements.

One short-term recommendation would be to remove the mature trees and the wall at 20 Blackwater Canyon Road. However, this may not be feasible as the resident may feel burdened by all the privacy being eliminated with these removals. Another shortterm recommendation would be narrowing the approach of the southbound right turn from Portuguese Bend Road to Upper Blackwater Canyon Road by modifying the striping, this would slow inbound traffic and move them toward the median allowing for greater visibility (see Attachment B1). By slowing inbound traffic, a motorist exiting the driveway at 20 Blackwater Canyon Road would be allowed more reaction time.

Additionally, sight distance can be improved by reconfiguring the intersection so there is only an inbound lane north of the median island and only one outbound lane south of the median island. This would allow northbound motorists turning left from Portuguese Bend Road onto Upper Blackwater Canyon Road to only enter the roadway north of the median. At this location they can be better seen by southbound traffic on Portuguese Bend Road, allowing for a greater stopping sight distance (see Attachment B2).

Should the short-term configuration provide an improvement to the visibility and operation of the intersection, in the long-term, the median island could be removed and the intersection can be realigned to have Portuguese Bend be at a 90-degree angle with Upper Blackwater Canyon Road. Additionally, the road width would be narrowed (see Attachment C).

Thank you for the opportunity to be of continuing service to the City of Rolling Hills.

Should you have any questions regarding this evaluation, please contact me at (562) 368-4848 or [email protected].

Respectfully submitted,

WILLDAN ENGINEERING
Vanessa Muñoz, PE, TE
Attachment A — Existing Sight Distance
Attachment B1 — Short-term Proposed Sketch
Attachment B2 — Improved Sight Distance
Attachment C — Long-term Proposed Sketch
12

Attachment A
Existing Sight Distance
13

City of Rolling Hills
Attachment A - Existing Sight Distance Northbound Left Turn Portuguese Bend Road at Upper Blacwater Canyon Road UPPER BLACKWATER CANYON ROAD PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD PINE TREE LANE 10' 10' 11' 8' 10' 10' 10' 10' 12' 12' 14

Attachment B1
Short-term Proposed Sketch
15

City of Rolling Hills
Attachment B1 - Short-term Proposed Sketch
Portuguese Bend Road at Upper Blacwater Canyon Road
UPPER BLACKWATER CANYON ROAD PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD PINE TREE LANE 12' 12' 10' 10' 10' 10' 10' 10' Proposed Single inbound lane & single outbound lane Proposed striping edge lines moved inward from the edge of pavement to narrow lane width Proposed striping approaching median 11' 10' Proposed Stop Bar and Stop Legend 16

Attachment B2
Improved Sight Distance
17

City of Rolling Hills
Attachment B2 - Improved Sight Distance Northbound Left Turn Portuguese Bend Road at Upper Blacwater Canyon Road UPPER BLACKWATER CANYON ROAD PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD PINE TREE LANE Stopping sight distance is improved for SB vehicles on Portuguese Bend Rd; there is
more time to stop to avoid a collision with a
NB vehicle on Portuguese Bend Rd turning
left onto Upper Blackwater Canyon Rd
18

Attachment C
Long-term Proposed Sketch
19

City of Rolling Hills
Attachment C - Long-term Proposed Sketch
Portuguese Bend Road at Upper Blacwater Canyon Road
UPPER BLACKWATER CANYON ROAD PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD PINE TREE LANE Proposed centerline striping Proposed narrowing
of roadway width
12'
12' 10' 10' 12' 12'
Proposed removal of median island
20

Agenda Item No.: 9.A
Mtg. Date: 09/23/2021
TO: HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC

COMMISSION
FROM: ELAINE JENG, CITY MANAGER
THRU: ELAINE JENG P.E., CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: CONSIDER RESCHEDULING OR CANCELLING THE NOVEMBER 25, 2021 TRAFFIC COMMISSION IN OBSERVANCE OF THE
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.

DATE: September 23, 2021
BACKGROUND:

The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 25, 2021. In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, City Hall will be closed on November 25, 2021.

DISCUSSION:

In light of the holiday, the Traffic Commission can reschedule the November meeting Monday, November 22, 2021 or cancel the meeting.

FISCAL IMPACT:

None.

RECOMMENDATION:

Consider rescheduling or cancelling the November 25, 2021 meeting.

ATTACHMENTS:
21

The City of Rolling Hills
MNS Tower - Artificial Tree Options
Proposal Reference Number: 006cw00000AvioB
Date Submitted: September 9th, 2025
Prepared For
The City of Rolling Hills
ATTN: Karina Banales
POC Title: City Manager
POC Phone: 310 377-1521
POC Email: [email protected]
2 Portuguese Bend Rd
Rolling Hills, CA, 9027
Approved By
HQE Systems, Inc.

POC Name|Title: Qais Alkurdi | CEO
POC Phone: (800) 967-3036
POC Email: [email protected]
27348 Via Industria, Temecula, CA 92590

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

The City of Rolling Hills
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Legal Disclaimer
This proposal contains proprietary and confidential information owned by HQE Systems, Inc. Unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of this document, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action, including but not limited to injunctive relief, financial damages, and the recovery of attorney’s fees. The Client shall be liable for damages for any unauthorized disclosure, in addition to any actual damages incurred by HQE. If a version of this document must be shared, the Client must request a sanitized copy by contacting [email protected]. By accessing, reviewing, or considering this proposal, the Client agrees to the following: This proposal is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a binding agreement. No contractual relationship exists until a formal, written agreement is signed by an authorized HQE Systems, Inc. (“HQE”) representative. HQE reserves the right to modify or withdraw this proposal at any time without notice or liability. The Client acknowledges that no statements, descriptions, pricing, or specifications in this proposal shall be relied upon as a promise or commitment by HQE. The Client expressly waives any claim of reliance on the information contained herein. This proposal contains proprietary and confidential information. Unauthorized disclosure, distribution, or reproduction is strictly prohibited.

The Client may not share this proposal with any third party without HQE’s prior written consent. Any unauthorized disclosure may result in legal action, including injunctive relief, financial damages, and recovery of legal fees. If the Client does not agree to these confidentiality terms, this document must be deleted or destroyed immediately. The Client may not use HQE’s name, logo, or proposal content in any marketing, public statements, or third-party discussions without HQE’s prior written approval. Any third-party brands, logos, trademarks, or product images used in this proposal are for informational purposes only and do not imply sponsorship, endorsement, or affiliation. The Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold HQE harmless from any claims, disputes, or legal actions arising from the unauthorized use, misrepresentation, or reliance on third-party trademarks or references. All products, software, and services are provided “as is” without warranty. HQE does not guarantee uninterrupted operation, error-free performance, or fitness for a particular purpose. The Client assumes all risks related to the selection and use of HQE’s products and services. By accessing this proposal, issuing a purchase order, or awarding a contract to HQE, the Client automatically accepts and agrees to HQE’s Service Level Agreement ("SLA"), available at www.HQESystems.com/SLA. No additional signature is required—acceptance is automatic. HQE is not responsible for ensuring the Client has read the SLA. The Client waives any claim of not receiving or reviewing the SLA. HQE shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, including lost profits or data loss. Total liability is strictly limited to the lesser of (a) the total amount paid to HQE for the proposed services or (b) $10,000. HQE is not liable for delays or failures caused by events beyond its control, including but not limited to natural disasters, cybersecurity incidents, supply chain disruptions, or government actions.

This proposal and any disputes arising from it shall be governed exclusively by the laws of California, without regard to conflict of law principles. The exclusive venue for any disputes shall be the state or federal courts of Riverside County, CA, and the Client waives any objection to jurisdiction or venue. The Client is solely responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to FAR, DFARS, ITAR, GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, NIST 800-171, and any other compliance requirements it may require. HQE is not liable for any non-compliance penalties or fines imposed on the Client. The Client shall not copy, reproduce, reverse engineer, or otherwise use this proposal or its contents for any purpose other than evaluating HQE’s offerings. Any misuse of this proposal, including sharing with competitors or using HQE’s proprietary methodologies for commercial advantage, shall result in legal action. This legal notice constitutes the entire understanding between HQE and the Client regarding the terms of this proposal. No verbal agreements or modifications shall have legal effect unless confirmed in writing by HQE.

HQE SYSTEMS, INC. | Minority Owned-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) 1 | Page Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal

The City of Rolling Hills
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Cover Letter
Thank you for considering HQE Systems, Inc. We are a Minority-Owned, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) and a trusted partner for advanced Electronic Security Systems (ESS). We specialize in installations and upgrades, including Mass Notification Systems (MNS), Visual Surveillance Systems (VSS), Access Control Systems (ACS), and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). Our cutting-edge technology is designed to enhance the safety and security of your organization, effectively protecting people, property, and operations.

Why Choose HQE Systems?
● Seamless Integration: Easily integrates with your existing infrastructure, including mass notification and fire alarm systems, for a unified and efficient security solution. ● Scalable Solutions: Flexible systems designed to grow alongside your organization, accommodating expansions or evolving security needs.
● Compliance-Driven Design: All installations and upgrades adhere to the latest regulatory standards and industry best practices, ensuring operational reliability and peace of mind. ● Enhanced User Control: Centralized, user-friendly management platforms to monitor and control all ESS components securely from desktop or mobile devices. ● Proven Reliability: Durable hardware and systems engineered for 24/7 operation, supported by real-time health diagnostics to reduce downtime and maximize system performance.

Thank you for this opportunity, and we look forward to working with you.

Qais Alkurdi
USMC Retired/Disabled Veteran
Chief Executive Officer | HQE Systems
Offer Point of Contact
Charles West
951-541-3793
[email protected]
HQE SYSTEMS, INC. | Minority Owned-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) 2 | Page Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal

The City of Rolling Hills
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Cost Summary
Option 1 - Camouflage 3 (Three) Existing Poles
# Proposed Project Cost Quote Quote Breakdown
1 Total Labor $ 14,379.02
2 Total Other Direct Costs (ODC's) $ 42,450.33
3 Total Equipment/Material $ 108,646.50
4 Initial Quote Total $ 165,475.85
5 Offered Discount % 34.34%
6 Total Discount $ $ 56,829.35
7 Total After Discount $ 108,646.50
8 Total Tax % 0.00%
9 Total Tax $ $ -
10 Final Quote Total $ 108,646.50
Option 1 - Bill Of Materials
# Part # Equipment Descriptions QTY Price Extended Price 1 HQE: Misc Custom Facade Branches 3 $ 36,215.50 $ 108,646.50 Total Equipment $ 108,646.50
Option 1 - Terms
# Offer Details & Terms
1 ❖ Offer Summary
➢ Delivery and Installation: Includes 3 (three) sets of artificial tree branches for existing mass notification siren poles.
2 ❖ Included Support Services
➢ Training: Hands-on training for Maintenance best practices to ensure long-term system performance.
3 ❖ Schedule/Timeline
➢ Installations: Estimated 6 workdays to complete the installation and commissioning of the solution.
➢ Upgrades: Estimated 2 workdays to complete the upgrades, including testing and integration of the solution.

HQE SYSTEMS, INC. | Minority Owned-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) 3 | Page Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal

The City of Rolling Hills
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 4 ❖ Offer Terms & Conditions
➢ This proposal is valid for 30 days from the date issued. ➢ Initial Payment: 85% of the total contract amount is due upon contract signing. ➢ Final Payment: 15% of the total contract amount is due upon the successful delivery of the quoted services and formal acceptance by the client.
➢ Payment Terms: Payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date ("NET 30"). A late payment fee of 1.5% of the total outstanding invoice amount will be assessed monthly for any payments not received by the due date. This fee will continue to accrue on the unpaid balance until full payment is received, subject to a maximum penalty of 18% of the invoice amount. These terms ensure a clear, fair, and structured payment process while maintaining flexibility for the client’s requirements. A credit card processing fee of 3.5% may apply.

Option 2 - 3 (Three) New Poles with Camouflage
# Proposed Project Cost Quote Quote Breakdown
1 Total Labor $ 24,756.98
2 Total Other Direct Costs (ODC's) $ 80,418.30
3 Total Equipment/Material $ 253,654.38
4 Initial Quote Total $ 358,829.66
5 Offered Discount % 29.31%
6 Total Discount $ $ 105,175.28
7 Total After Discount $ 253,654.38
8 Total Tax % 0.00%
9 Total Tax $ $ -
10 Final Quote Total $ 253,654.38
Option 2 - Bill Of Materials
# Part # Equipment Descriptions QTY Price Extended Price 1 SiRcom: LAS-4-120
SLA, Digital, 4 LAS-120 Line
Arrays, PA-11D, Complete Set
3 $ 48,335.96 $ 145,007.88
2 HQE: Misc Custom Facade Branches 3 $ 36,215.50 $ 108,646.50 Total Equipment $ 253,654.38
HQE SYSTEMS, INC. | Minority Owned-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) 4 | Page Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal

The City of Rolling Hills
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Option 2 - Terms
# Offer Details & Terms
1 ❖ Offer Summary
➢ Delivery and Installation: Includes 3 (Three) 50’ Class II wood poles with camouflage branches.
2 ❖ Included Support Services
➢ Training: Comprehensive training is provided for system administrators and general users.

Training sessions cover system operation, basic troubleshooting, and maintenance best practices.

Includes access to training documentation, quick-reference guides, and recorded sessions if applicable.
3 ❖ Schedule/Timeline
➢ Installations: Estimated 12 workdays to complete the installation and commissioning of the solution.
➢ Upgrades: Estimated 6 workdays to complete the upgrades, including testing and integration of the solution.
4 ❖ Offer Terms & Conditions
➢ This proposal is valid for 30 days from the date issued. ➢ Initial Payment: 85% of the total contract amount is due upon contract signing. ➢ Final Payment: 15% of the total contract amount is due upon the successful delivery of the quoted services and formal acceptance by the client.
➢ Payment Terms: Payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date ("NET 30"). A late payment fee of 1.5% of the total outstanding invoice amount will be assessed monthly for any payments not received by the due date. This fee will continue to accrue on the unpaid balance until full payment is received, subject to a maximum penalty of 18% of the invoice amount. These terms ensure a clear, fair, and structured payment process while maintaining flexibility for the client’s requirements. A credit card processing fee of 3.5% may apply.

Option 3 - Installation of 1 (One) New Pole with Camouflage # Proposed Project Cost Quote Quote Breakdown
1 Total Labor $ 8,354.66
2 Total Other Direct Costs (ODC's) $ 29,088.39
3 Total Equipment/Material $ 84,551.46
4 Initial Quote Total $ 121,994.51
5 Offered Discount % 30.69%
6 Total Discount $ $ 37,443.05
7 Total After Discount $ 84,551.46
8 Total Tax % 0.00%
9 Total Tax $ $ -
HQE SYSTEMS, INC. | Minority Owned-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) 5 | Page Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal

The City of Rolling Hills
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 10 Final Quote Total $ 84,551.46
Option 3 - Bill Of Materials
# Part # Equipment Descriptions QTY Price Extended Price 1 SiRcom: LAS-4-120
SLA, Digital, 4 LAS-120 Line
Arrays, PA-11D, Complete Set
1 $ 48,335.96 $ 48,335.96
2 HQE: Misc Custom Facade Branches 1 $ 36,215.50 $ 36,215.50 Total Equipment $ 84,551.46
Option 3 - Terms
# Offer Details & Terms
1 ❖ Offer Summary
➢ Delivery and Installation: Includes 1 (One) 50’ Class II wood pole with camouflage branches 2 ❖ Included Support Services
➢ Training: Comprehensive training is provided for system administrators and general users.

Training sessions cover system operation, basic troubleshooting, and maintenance best practices.

Includes access to training documentation, quick-reference guides, and recorded sessions if applicable.
3 ❖ Schedule/Timeline
➢ Installations: Estimated 4 workdays to complete the installation and commissioning of the solution.
➢ Upgrades: Estimated 2 workdays to complete the upgrades, including testing and integration of the solution.
4 ❖ Offer Terms & Conditions
➢ This proposal is valid for 30 days from the date issued. ➢ Initial Payment: 85% of the total contract amount is due upon contract signing. ➢ Final Payment: 15% of the total contract amount is due upon the successful delivery of the quoted services and formal acceptance by the client.
➢ Payment Terms: Payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date ("NET 30"). A late payment fee of 1.5% of the total outstanding invoice amount will be assessed monthly for any payments not received by the due date. This fee will continue to accrue on the unpaid balance until full payment is received, subject to a maximum penalty of 18% of the invoice amount. These terms ensure a clear, fair, and structured payment process while maintaining flexibility for the client’s requirements. A credit card processing fee of 3.5% may apply.

HQE SYSTEMS, INC. | Minority Owned-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) 6 | Page Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal

The City of Rolling Hills
_____________________________________________________________________________________ HQE Systems
HQE Systems, Inc. is a Minority-Owned, Disabled
Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) with over a
decade of experience delivering innovative,
high-performance solutions for emergency alert,
security, and communications systems. With a
proven record of executing over 100 large-scale
projects, HQE has earned its reputation as a
trusted partner in the design, installation,
integration, and maintenance of systems critical to
safety and operational success.

HQE excels in addressing complex technical
requirements, offering solutions that are fully
compliant with industry standards such as FEMA
IPAWS, NFPA 72, ADA, and Department of Defense
cybersecurity certifications. Our approach ensures not only system performance but also long-term reliability, scalability, and value.

Streamline operations, lower costs, and ensure your organization is protected and prepared! Products & Services
❖ Mass Notification Systems (MNS): Clear and timely communication across any environment:
➢ Outdoor Systems: Sirens and voice-tone systems for wide-area alerts with real-time monitoring.
➢ Indoor Systems: Public address, digital signage, and networked TVs for internal messaging. ➢ Electronic Alerts: FEMA IPAWS-compliant SMS, email, voice calls, and social media integration. ❖ Electronic Security Systems (ESS): Solutions to protect people, property, and operations:
➢ CCTV Systems: High-definition video surveillance for monitoring and analysis. ➢ Access Control: Secure entry points with credentialing and monitoring. ➢ Intrusion Detection: Automated alerts for unauthorized access. ❖ Software Engineering: Custom software to optimize performance:
➢ Custom Applications: Scalable and tailored to your needs. ➢ AI-Driven Technology: Automate decision-making and improve efficiency. ➢ Seamless Integration: Smooth connectivity across platforms. ❖ Technical Services: Installation, upgrades, and long-term maintenance. ➢ Preventive Maintenance: Regular checks to address issues early. ➢ Upgrades: Transition to state-of-the-art systems with minimal disruption. ➢ Corrective Maintenance: Rapid action to restore functionality. ❖ Consulting Services: Expert guidance in IT, MNS, ESS, and safety/security strategies.

HQE SYSTEMS, INC. | Minority Owned-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) 7 | Page Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal

The City of Rolling Hills
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Why HQE is the Right Partner
HQE Systems delivers innovative, reliable solutions to protect people, property, and operations. ● Proven Expertise Across Disciplines: HQE combines expertise in Mass Notification Systems (MNS), Electronic Security Systems (ESS), and advanced software development. This allows us to provide integrated, turnkey solutions tailored to meet specific client requirements, reducing complexity and ensuring seamless system performance.
● Financial Stability: HQE’s strong financial foundation and resource availability enable us to manage projects of any size without delays or disruptions. Our financial resilience ensures that your investment is secure and that we can deliver on-time and within budget. ● Commitment to Compliance: Our deep understanding of industry standards ensures that every system we design and deploy meets or exceeds regulatory requirements. Whether it’s emergency notification compliance with FEMA IPAWS or cybersecurity protections mandated by the Department of Defense, HQE has the expertise to navigate and address complex compliance landscapes.
● Scalable and Future-Ready Solutions: HQE designs systems with scalability in mind, ensuring that they can grow alongside your organization’s evolving needs. Whether upgrading legacy systems or preparing for future expansions, HQE ensures you stay ahead of industry advancements.

Dedicated, Certified Team: Every HQE project is handled by a team of certified professionals with deep expertise in safety and security systems. Our staff includes:
● Certified Systems Engineers: Experts in designing and integrating compliant MNS and ESS solutions.
● PMP Certified Project Managers: Skilled leaders who ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
● Certified Installation Specialists: Trained low and high-voltage technicians who meet all client and regulatory standards for system deployment.

Our team is committed to understanding your technical requirements and operational goals, ensuring precision and attention to detail from start to finish.

HQE SYSTEMS, INC. | Minority Owned-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) 8 | Page Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal

The City of Rolling Hills
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Exceptional Past Performance
Comprehensive Training, Warranty, and Support Services
Recognition for Excellence: Over the last three years, HQE has earned a 5-star performance rating from the Department of Defense for delivering projects with exceptional quality, timeliness, and customer satisfaction.

Training: HQE offers customized training sessions to empower client teams with the skills to operate and maintain systems effectively. This includes:
❖ Hands-on training for system operation and troubleshooting. ❖ Emergency response protocols tailored to real-world scenarios. ❖ Maintenance best practices to ensure long-term system performance.

Warranty: Our warranty services cover hardware, software, and updates to protect against defects and performance issues. We also offer extended warranty options for long-term peace of mind.

Support Service: HQE Systems provides comprehensive
support services to ensure your systems remain
reliable, secure, and optimized for performance:
❖ 24/7 Technical Support: Our certified experts are
available around the clock to resolve critical
issues quickly via hotline, email, or portal,
minimizing disruptions and keeping your systems
operational.
❖ Remote Diagnostics: Using advanced tools, we
can securely diagnose and resolve most issues
remotely, reducing downtime and eliminating
unnecessary on-site visits, saving time and costs.
❖ Proactive Health Monitoring: With real-time alerts, predictive maintenance insights, and detailed system health updates, HQE identifies and addresses potential issues before they impact performance.

HQE SYSTEMS, INC. | Minority Owned-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) 9 | Page Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal

The City of Rolling Hills
_____________________________________________________________________________________ End of Proposal
“Our goal at HQE is to continue to serve our veterans through our ‘Hire Veterans Policy HQE-2015-2025’.

We appreciate our current and past customers who have helped us meet our goals of hiring veterans throughout the years. Your support in HQE is directly impacting the support of our incredible veterans.

Thank you for your consideration and support of Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)!” Thank You from the team of HQE Systems Inc.

Qais Alkurdi
CEO, Disabled Veteran / Retired
HQE SYSTEMS, INC. | Minority Owned-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) 10 | Page Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal

City of Rolling Hills
System Expansion
April 25, 2025
Prepared For
City of Rolling Hills
ATTN: [Client POC Name]
POC Title: [Position Title]
POC Phone: [Phone Number]
POC Email: [Email Address]
[Street Address]
[City, State Zip]
Prepared By
HQE Systems, Inc.

POC Title: Qais Alkurdi
POC Phone: (800) 967-3036
POC Email: [email protected]

Summary
HQE Systems, Inc., a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), is pleased to present the following cost estimate for the proposed system expansion at the City of Rolling Hills. This proposal is in response to the City's request for the addition of four (3) outdoor warning sirens. This offer is valid for 90 days. To proceed, please submit any resulting purchase order or contract to:
[email protected]
Proposed Cost
# Description QTY
1 LS 30 Omnidirectional Clear Voice & Tone Sirens
To Include:
● SiRcom LS30 Clear Voice and Tone Sirens on 30’ Poles
● Amplifer
● Siren Control System
● Communications
● Solar with Battery Backup
3 Confidentiality Notice:

This document contains proprietary pricing information. Do not share or distribute. Pricing reflects HQE’s internal at-cost rates and is provided exclusively for consideration by the City of Rolling Hills.

SENSITIVE - PROPRIETARY DATA - HQE’s AT COST PRICING

DO NOT RELEASE - SANITIZE BEFORE SHARING
# Budget Summary At Cost Pricing
1 Total Labor (Covered by HQE) $36,051.67
2 Other Direct Costs (Covered By HQE) $28,785.28
3 LTE/SIM Service - 3 Additional Locations - 2 Year PKG (Covered By HQE) $2,794.00 4 Equipment and Materials At Cost Pricing (To Be Covered By The City of RH) $63,969.23 HQE’s Actual Cost To Perform This Work $131,600.18
To continue providing valuable support to the City, HQE Systems is offering to cover 100% of the costs for all Labor, Other Direct Costs (ODCs), and the Cellular Communications Data Package associated with the project — a total contribution valued at $67,630.95.

HQE respectfully requests that the City cover only the cost of the equipment and materials, provided at cost with no markup. The total for these equipment and material costs is $63,969.23.

HQE SYSTEMS, INC. | A Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal.

Value Added Offer - Additional Services and Products
At HQE Systems, we are deeply committed to supporting the safety, preparedness, and resilience of the City of Rolling Hills. As a gesture of our dedication to public service and community partnership, we are proud to offer, at no cost to the City, a comprehensive package of critical services and technologies. This includes a Bumper-to-Bumper No Hassle Full Maintenance Service Plan valued at $29,274.22 for one year, 25 Portable Alert Units ("SAFE Units") valued at $4,875.00, access to our cutting-edge Alert and Warning Software Package (supporting up to 100,000 alerts across SMS, voice calls, emails, social media posts, foreign language support, and visitor management) valued at $5,000, and expert Emergency Management Operations Plans Development Support valued at $15,000. We make this contribution in good faith, with no expectation of future obligation, because we believe in delivering real value and standing behind our word. It is our honor to assist the City of Rolling Hills in enhancing its emergency preparedness and public safety capabilities.
# Description QTY Value
1 ● Bumper-To-Bumper No Hassle Full
Maintenance Service Plan
The plan includes:
● Full system diagnostics and proactive
maintenance
● On-site and remote technical support
● Unlimited parts and labor for repairs
● Firmware and software updates
● Priority response times for service
requests
● Equipment replacement if necessary
● Annual system health checks and
performance audits
1 Year $29,274.22
2 ● Portable Alert Units (“SAFE Units”)
25 $4,875.00
Pre-Tax and S&H
3 ● Use of the Alert and Warning Software
Package
○ SMS/Voice Calls
○ Emails
○ Social Posts
○ Foreign Language Support
○ Visitor Management
○ 1 Year Coverage Period
100,000
Alerts
$5,000
4 ● Emergency Management Operations
Plans Development Support
1 $15,000
HQE SYSTEMS, INC. | A Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal.

End of Estimate
“Our goal at HQE is to continue to serve our veterans through our ‘Hire Veterans Policy HQE-2015-2025’.

We appreciate our current and past customers who have helped us meet our goals of hiring veterans throughout the years. Your support in HQE is directly impacting the support of our incredible veterans.

Thank you for your consideration and support of Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)!.” Thank You from the team of HQE Systems Inc.

Qais Alkurdi
CEO, Disabled Veteran / Retired
HQE SYSTEMS, INC. | A Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal.

Item: 13.A.

Meeting Date: 9/22/2025
To: City Council
From: Christian Horvath, Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Thru: Karina Bañales, City Manager
Subject: Approval of Traffic Commission appointment to complete the current term beginning January 2, 2024 and expiring January 1, 2028
Background:

At the May 12, 2025 City Council meeting, the Council voted to declare a vacancy on the Traffic Commission and directed staff to publicly notice the opening.

The appointment process for filling expiring Commission terms calls for the incumbents and the public to be informed of the openings before the expiration of the current terms. During a normal term expiration window, staff will provide approximately four weeks of public notification by:

1. Posting the notices at City Hall per the Maddy Act;

2. Sending letters to each incumbent advising them of the process to be considered for reappointment; and

3. Advertising the openings in the City Blue Newsletter.

Incumbents or interested individuals must submit Letters of Interest to the City Clerk by a set date and time. Once received, staff will schedule interviews with the candidates and the City Council Personnel Committee, ahead of the publication and posting of the last City Council agenda before the new year and the beginning of new terms.

In the event a vacancy occurs before the term expiration, the vacancy is publicly noticed by posting at City Hall and advertising in the City Blue Newsletter within 20 days of the vacancy, consistent with Government Code Section 54974(a). A final appointment shall not be made by the City Council for at least 10 working days after the notice has been posted.

Upon the May 12, 2025 Declaration of a Traffic Commission vacancy, staff posted notices at City Hall as well as advertised the vacancy and process for submission in multiple Blue Newsletter printings.

Letter of interest submissions were due on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 12pm. Two candidates responded by the due date: Mr. Roger Hawkins and Mr. Bill Varner.

At the July 28, 2025 City Council meeting, staff verbally updated the Council that the Personnel Committee had been unable to find consensus on an appointment recommendation to the full Council. Discussion ensued, and the City Council opted to hold interviews with each candidate during a Special Meeting to be held on August 25, 2025. Staff were directed to return with potential interview questions that the City Council could choose from in preparation for the special meeting.

At the August 11, 2025 City Council meeting, staff presented potential questions for consideration to be used during the interview process as part of the Traffic Safety Committee Interview process.

At the August 25, 2025 Special City Council meeting, the Council interviewed Mr. Roger Hawkins (Attachment A) and Mr. Bill Varner (Attachment B). Concluding the interviews, the City Council voted to table the item for further discussion and selection until their next regular meeting.

Discussion:

None.

Fiscal Impact:

None.

Recommendation:

Consider, discuss and approve the appointment of one candidate to assume a seat on the Traffic Commission for the September 25, 2025 meeting.

Attachments:

1. Attachment A - CO_TRC_250617_TC_LOI_Hawkins

2. Attachment B - CO_TRC_250523_TC_LOI_Bio_Varner

From: Bill Varner
To: City Clerk
Subject: Traffic Commission Application
Date: Friday, May 23, 2025 9:35:37 AM
Attachments: LWV Bio with photo.docx
EXTERNAL EMAIL - This email was sent by a person from outside your organization. Exercise caution when clicking links, opening attachments or taking further action, before validating its authenticity.

Christian,
I would like to apply for the Traffic Commission vacancy, as noted in the May 20 edition of the RH newsletter. You may recall that I applied for a vacancy last November, however the vacancy was cancelled. I’m sending essentially the same letter (below) and bio that I used in November since there have been no changes to any of the data.

Will this serve as my application, or is there an actual form I need to submit?
Attached is my professional bio. I also wanted to note a few of my community service activities that may be applicable to the Traffic Commission, per below. Thanks for your consideration, and please forward as appropriate.

I served on the Rolling Hills Estates Traffic and Safety Committee from 2021 until we left RHE to move here last summer. I attended all meetings and was a regular contributor to the discussions and decisions. My particular interest (in addition to improving traffic flow, of course!) was to encourage good communications between all of the cities on the peninsula. If there is an issue in any one of the cities, it affects all of us.

I have served on HOA Boards of Directors nearly everywhere we have lived, beginning with my first home when we lived in Virginia. I was a member of the initial Board when we transitioned the HOA from the builder to the residents.

Most recently I served on the Board of Directors of The Vantage Pointe (VP) HOA in RHE, where we lived until moving to Rolling Hills. In addition to being Board Secretary, I was Head of the Special Security Committee. I also organized the first Neighborhood Watch program. My role was to help residents understand how to protect their homes, and I was the interface to the Lomita Sheriff’s Station for the VP, as well as to RHE City Hall.

Since “retiring” from full time work a few years ago, I have been on four corporate Boards of Directors, several Academic Engineering Boards, and several corporate Advisory Boards. I am currently on two corporate Boards and am a strategic advisor to a small security start-up in Torrance. It would be an honor and a pleasure to apply my experience to help my new community in any way that I can.
--------
Best Regards,
Bill Varner
Palos Verdes Strategic Solutions LLC
[email protected]
703-475-7909

Bill Varner ([email protected])
Bill Varner is a Consultant to the Intelligence and National Security communities, providing services in the areas of leadership, strategy, engineering management, mergers and acquisitions, mission support, systems engineering, cyber security, and full-service security support.

Mr. Varner is a consultant to the Carlyle Group, is a member of the ManTech Board of Directors, and is a member of the Board of Directors of Applied Research Solutions (a subsidiary of Riverside Research Corporation). He is also a member of the ManTech MCIS Advisory Board and is a Strategic Advisor to P11 Security. He was formerly on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation (VT-ARC), Novetta (until the sale of the company), and Cornerstone Defense LLC. He is also a member (Emeritus) of the George Washington University National Engineering Advisory Council, and the Purdue University Engineering Advisory Board. He is a former member of the Board of Directors and the Board of Advisors of the Intelligence and National Security Association (INSA) and a former member of the University of Maryland Cyber Think Tank. In 2011, Mr. Varner was inducted to the George Washington University School of Engineering Hall of Fame, and in 2016, he was awarded the Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineer Award from Purdue University. He was elected to the Wash 100 in 2013 and 2017.

From 2009 through 2017, Mr. Varner was president of ManTech’s Mission, Cyber, & Intelligence Solutions (MCIS) group. In this role, he led an organization of 3,300 people supporting the Intelligence and Defense communities, including cyber security, computer network operations, forensics, insider threat, specialized systems engineering, operations and mission support, enterprise IT, and full-service security support. Mr. Varner personally led the strategy, diligence, and integration of seven acquisitions and one divestiture while working at ManTech.

Before joining ManTech, Mr. Varner was vice president of Intelligence Operations for Northrop Grumman TASC, where he led more than 1,000 employees in delivering innovative technical solutions and operations support to the Defense and Intelligence Communities.

Previously, Mr. Varner was vice president of TASC’s Signal and Information Processing Group, with responsibility for hardware and software development and specialized systems engineering. Before joining TASC, Mr. Varner was with ESL, Inc., where he developed adaptive-speech and signal-processing systems and advanced simulations of complex National Security systems.

Mr. Varner holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from The George Washington University (Special Honors in Electrical Engineering), a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Virginia Tech.

Item: 14.A.

Meeting Date: 9/22/2025
To: City Council
From: Christian Horvath, Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Thru: Karina Bañales, City Manager
Subject: Receive a verbal update on the Rolling Hills Tennis Courts ADA improvements and potential access during construction
Background:

None.

Discussion:

None.

Fiscal Impact:

None.

Recommendation:

Receive a verbal update
Attachments:

None

Item: 14.B.

Meeting Date: 9/22/2025
To: City Council
From: Samantha Crew, Management Analyst
Thru: Karina Bañales, City Manager
Subject: Receive an update on the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) Voluntary Buyout Program
Background:

Since late 2024, the City Council has received presentations and updates from both Rolling Hills staff and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs, with particular focus on the Voluntary Buyout Program.

On November 25, 2024, staff presented an overview of RPV’s program as a potential model for hazard mitigation strategies in the Rolling Hills community. See Attachment B.

On December 10, 2024, Cal OES provided a presentation on FEMA and Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs (Attachment C). At the June 23, 2025, City Council meeting, Robyn Fennig, Assistant Director of the Hazard Mitigation Branch at Cal OES, presented an overview of current grant funding opportunities, the status of programs that are no longer available, and preliminary information on a potential, if feasible, buyout program for the City of Rolling Hills. Her presentation also included an update on FEMA’s HMGP and the recent Presidential Declaration (DR-4856), which enables eligible agencies to apply for federal hazard mitigation funding. See attachment D (Sub attachment C).

In connection with DR-4856, declared in response to the California wildfires, Ms. Fennig advised that the City may benefit from participating in the current funding cycle, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding future federal funding opportunities. In April 2025, Cal OES released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for DR-4856 (Attachment D, Sub attachment D), allowing Los Angeles County jurisdictions to apply for disaster recovery funds. To preserve eligibility, City staff submitted a non-binding draft Notice of Interest (NOI) by the May 29, 2025 deadline. This preliminary submission did not obligate the City to pursue the grant but ensured the option remained available.

Following the presentation, staff sought City Council direction on whether to proceed with the DR4856 opportunity by finalizing and officially submitting the NOI.

At the conclusion of the June 23, 2025, City Council meeting, staff was directed to work with Cal OES to determine what information was required to perform a Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) for the Voluntary Buyout Program. Council emphasized focusing on properties directly impacted by the September 2024 land movement and utility shutoff, and asked staff to determine whether the City could qualify to move forward as a sub-applicant. Because the BCA is the critical first step in establishing eligibility under FEMA’s cost-effectiveness criteria, staff were further instructed to complete this process as promptly as possible, in recognition of the program’s deadlines.

This evening, staff is presenting the City Council with a letter from Cal OES providing its determination regarding the City of Rolling Hills’ potential participation in the program (Attachment A).

Discussion:

Since June 2025, City staff have engaged in sustained coordination with Cal OES regarding the potential applicability of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Voluntary Buyout Program to the City of Rolling Hills. As part of this process, homeowners were required to complete a detailed Property Information Request Form and sign a waiver authorizing the City to disclose property-specific information to Cal OES for the sole purpose of evaluating eligibility under the program. The request included information pertaining to acquisition logistics, long-term post-acquisition maintenance responsibilities, and hazard risk documentation. City staff were able to provide certain administrative details, while the participating homeowner was highly responsive in supplying the detailed property information necessary for Cal OES to advance the analysis. The Cal OES Hazard Mitigation team diligently utilized this material to perform the BCA in accordance with FEMA guidance, which is a central threshold requirement for determining program eligibility.

City staff worked closely with one homeowner (see correspondence - Attachment E) who submitted an Information Request Form and executed the required waiver authorizing the release of propertyspecific information for Cal OES review. Although two households initially expressed interest in potential participation, one resident ultimately concluded they could not dedicate the time and documentation required to pursue the program at this stage.

During this same period, the City also received an inquiry from an additional property owner who controls a vacant, unimproved lot within the affected area. To ensure clarity, staff sought confirmation from Cal OES regarding the eligibility of such parcels. Cal OES advised that FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs, including the HMGP Voluntary Buyout Program, require the presence of a legally permitted structure on the parcel to qualify. While vacant, unimproved lots may be considered eligible only if acquired concurrently as an adjacent parcel under common ownership with an improved property, they cannot be purchased as stand-alone projects.

Following the completion of this due diligence and consultation with Cal OES, it has been determined that the City of Rolling Hills does not qualify for the Voluntary Buyout Program for the following reasons:
• The BCR calculated using FEMA-approved methodology was 0.83, which is below the required minimum of 1.0 to demonstrate cost-effectiveness. • The project cost was based on a Zillow Zestimate of $5 million (as of December 2022), plus 2% closing costs and $100,000 for demolition, site stabilization, and debris removal, leading to a high total investment.
• A building replacement value of $433 per square foot was applied. While this figure is considered particularly low for the area, the State is required to use a FEMA-approved

insurance industry tool to establish the value. The tool validated $433 per square foot as the applicable rate in effect in fall 2022.
• Data from the tax assessor was used to establish square footage and lot size. • A project useful life of five years was used as the default value. In order to use this value, a geologic assessment must be conducted to show the structure is at imminent risk of failure.

Based on the FEMA Benefit Cost Analysis conducted with standardized and credible data inputs, the proposed acquisition-demolition project in Rolling Hills does not meet the required cost-effectiveness threshold, with a Benefit-Cost Ratio of 0.83. As a result, the project is not eligible for funding through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program.

It should be noted that the increased discount rate, effective April 2025, applies to RPV, and funding for their current buyout program has not yet been disbursed.

Conclusion
The City of Rolling Hills has thoroughly explored hazard mitigation funding opportunities, including the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Voluntary Buyout Program and the recent DR-4856 Presidential Disaster Declaration. Staff have engaged with Cal OES, reviewed program eligibility, submitted a draft Notice of Interest (NOI) in May 2025, and presented findings to the City Council.

Based on Cal OES’s determination, the Voluntary Buyout Program is not a viable option for the City at this time.

City Council is being asked to receive and file the Cal OES determination letter and provide direction to staff regarding the closure of the draft NOI, concluding the City’s participation in this funding cycle.

Staff will continue to monitor federal and state hazard mitigation programs and pursue alternative strategies to support resilience and planning efforts for properties affected by land movement and utility disruptions.

Fiscal Impact:

None.

Recommendation:

1. Receive and file the determination letter from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) regarding the City of Rolling Hills’ potential participation in the Hazard Mitigation Program (Attachment A); and

2. Direct staff to formally close out the draft Notice of Interest (NOI) submitted in May 2025, thereby concluding the City’s application process for this funding cycle.

Attachments:

1. Attachment A - CL_AGN_250922_CC_RollingHillsBCAResult

2. Attachment B - CL_AGN_241125_CC_Item15B

3. Attachment C - CL_AGN_241210__CC_CalOES_StateHMP_Presentation

4. Attachment D - CL_AGN_250623_CC_Item12.A.

5. Attachment E - CL_AGN_250922_CALOES_Homeowner_CityCorrespondance

GAVIN NEWSOM

GOVERNOR

NANCY WARD

DIRECTOR
3650 SCHRIEVER AVENUE  MATHER, CA 95655
RECOVERY SECTION  HAZARD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE BRANC
PHONE: (916) 328-7450  EMAIL: [email protected]
www.CalOES.ca.gov
September 17, 2025
Karina Banales,
City Manager
City of Rolling Hills
2 Portuguese Bend Road
Rolling Hills, CA, 90274
Subject: Preliminary Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) Screen Dear City Manager Banales:

Thank you for expressing interest in the Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs managed by Cal OES. With inputs provided by the property owner, City staff, and publicly available sources, our team completed an analysis using FEMAcredible methodology in the FEMA Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) Toolkit Version 6.0 to calculate the requisite Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) for a proposed pilot acquisition-demolition project within Rolling Hills. In order to be eligible to apply for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants, a BCR of 1.0 or greater must be established to show that calculated anticipated net present benefits outweigh the net present value of project costs to construct and maintain a proposed project over the useful life.

The Benefit-Cost Ratio for this property using FEMA-credible data inputs is 0.83.

Many of the data inputs needed to be adjusted to meet requirements for FEMA, as established by a similar project in a neighboring Los Angeles County community:
• Initial Project Costs were determined by the Zestimate on Zillow.com from December 2022 ($5 million), with an additional 2% for closing costs, and estimated costs for site demolition, stabilization, and debris disposal at approximately $100,000.
• Building Replacement Value: $433 per square foot was validated and accepted by FEMA.
• Data from tax assessor was used to establish square footage and lot size. • Project Useful Life of five years was used as the default value.

Based on this determination, the project is not deemed cost-effective and not eligible for funding through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs at this time.

It should also be noted that this BCA screen was conducted with baseline assumption that explicitly links the screened property to imminent landslide failure. To be eligible, it must be established that the property is at imminent risk of landslide or land movement failure within five years, as determined by a licensed professional. This is a requirement in the current Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide.

Please let our team know if you have any additional questions.

Sincerely,
Robyn Fennig, CFM
Assistant Director, Hazard Mitigation
State Hazard Mitigation Officer
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Cc: Samantha Crew, City of Rolling Hills

Agenda Item No.: 15.B
Mtg. Date: 11/25/2024
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: KARINA BAÑALES, CITY MANAGER
THRU: KARINA BAÑALES, CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: RECEIVE AND FILE A VERBAL UPDATE ON FEDERAL EMERGENCY

MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) GRANT PROGRAMMING

ADMINISTERED BY CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF
EMERGENCY SERVICES (Cal OES)
DATE: November 25, 2024
BACKGROUND:

On October 29, 2024, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (RPV), in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), introduced a $42 million Voluntary Property Buyout Program aimed at assisting property owners in the Greater Portuguese Bend landslide area. This program, funded by FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), is designed to help homeowners whose properties have been damaged or are at risk of imminent failure from ongoing land movement. This program offers homeowners fair market value for their properties based on pre-disaster appraisals based on property conditions in December 2022.

Through this initiative, eligible homeowners will have the option to relocate to safer areas, while the acquired properties will be converted into permanently protected open space. These properties will be deed-restricted to prevent future redevelopment, enhance community resilience, and reduce future risks in vulnerable areas.

This evening, staff will present an overview of RPV’s program as a potential model for hazard mitigation strategies in the Rolling Hills community. Following the presentation, staff seek direction from the City Council on the following actions:

1. Authorize staff to arrange a meeting with Cal OES for a site visit to the City of Rolling Hills and attend a future City Council meeting; and

2. Direct staff to begin coordinating with Cal OES specifically to apply for available grant programs and return to the Council with updates and any required approvals.

These efforts explore proactive measures for addressing natural hazards while protecting 1

community safety and resilience.

DISCUSSION:

On November 11, 2024, staff provided the City Council with an update on recent discussions held with Cal OES representatives to explore the Voluntary Buyout Program, along with other potential Cal OES funding and mitigation programs. This briefing aimed to inform the Council of Staff's research efforts into state-supported hazard mitigation options that could enhance community resilience in Rolling Hills. City Council members inquired about specific program criteria and funding requirements and requested that staff conduct a more detailed assessment of the Voluntary Buyout Program’s applicability and feasibility for the City of Rolling Hills. This follow-up analysis will consider program eligibility, funding structures, and potential outcomes for affected residents and the community.

PROGRAMS:

This section outlines summaries of programs for which the City of Rolling Hills may be eligible.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program
Cal OES administers the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program (HMA Program), which focuses on reducing the risks posed by natural hazards. These programs aim to fund projects that help communities mitigate the impact of disasters, including floods, wildfires, and other natural hazard threats. By supporting hazard mitigation efforts, Cal OES plays a critical role in enhancing public safety and resilience across California.

The FEMA HMA Programs are designed to support state, local, tribal, and territorial efforts to reduce the impact of future disasters by funding cost-effective, technically feasible, eligible projects that mitigate risks associated with natural hazards. These programs focus on longterm risk reduction and help communities minimize the impact of natural disasters before they happen. The key programs under HMA include:

1. Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation (LPDM): This program funds projects that reduce the risk of natural disasters before they occur through coordination with Congressional representatives (e.g., the House and Senate). Funding appropriated to selected communities can be used to strengthen infrastructure, improve resilience, and protect lives and property.

2. Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA): This annual nationally competitive program is specifically aimed at reducing the risk of flood damage for structures backed by policies in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This program provides funding for projects that reduce the financial and physical impacts of flooding, such as elevating buildings or improving drainage systems to reduce the losses to the NFIP.

3. Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC): This annual, nationally competitive all-hazards program was established as part of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 and focuses on funding proactive projects that improve resilience to natural hazards, such as wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods.

4. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMPG): This all-hazards post-disaster funding program is one of the opportunities made available following a Presidentially declared disaster through the Stafford Act. This funding can be used statewide to implement costeffective projects that reduce the impacts of natural hazards across California. 2

The HMA programs help fund initiatives like elevating structures, retrofitting buildings, flood control projects, and creating early warning systems. Their ultimate goal is to reduce the loss of life, property damage, and economic impact of disasters, thereby increasing the resilience of communities to future hazards.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Funding (HMGP)
Funding for HMGP is triggered by a Presidentially-declared major disaster declaration. When a natural disaster, such as a wildfire, flood, earthquake, or hurricane, meets the severity and impact thresholds to qualify for federal assistance in the Public Assistance (PA) Program and/or Individual Assistance (IA) Program, the president may issue a disaster declaration, allowing FEMA to activate HMGP funding. This funding is then made available to state emergency management agencies (e.g., Cal OES) to pass funding through to state, tribal, and local governments, some private non-profit organizations, and eligible special districts to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures aimed at reducing future disaster risks.

Once a major disaster is declared and HMGP is made available, Cal OES works with FEMA to identify and prioritize eligible projects. The amount of funding allocated to HMGP is based on a percentage of the total federal assistance provided for disaster response and recovery, meaning larger disasters generate more HMGP funding that is awarded to California. Projects eligible for HMGP funds include property buyouts, infrastructure improvements, wildfire mitigation efforts, and other community resilience initiatives that align with FEMA’s goal of minimizing the impact of future disasters on people and property.

All sub-applications must be eligible in the FEMA HMA Program guidance, be technicallyfeasible, cost-effective, and pass an environmental and historic preservation (EHP) review.

Cal OES and FEMA work with sub-applicants (local governments, state agencies, federallyrecognized tribal nations, some private non-profits and special districts) to go through this application process.

Cal OES has 12-months, with additional time extensions available, to identify interested communities, scope eligible, complete sub-applications, and submit them to the FEMA Region IX office located in Oakland, California. During this 12-month period, FEMA Region IX will provide estimated amounts of funding available in the HMGP for that disaster declaration at 30-day, 6-month, and 12-month timelines. This funding amount is determined by 20% of the total amount of PA damages and IA claims submitted to FEMA for reimbursement by these pre-determined time increments.
2023 saw three federally-declared disaster declarations for California, bringing three separate allocations of HMGP:

Severe atmospheric rivers in January and March brought widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and landslides across California, prompting DR-4683 (Attachment B) and DR-4699 (Attachment A) to be declared by the President several federal declarations to facilitate funding for response and rebuilding efforts.

Hurricane Hilary in July caused damage in Southern California, resulting in DR4750 (Attachment C).

In early 2024, California continued to experience severe weather impacts, with another series of two major disaster declarations from events in Southern California, DR-4758 (Attachment D) and DR-4769 (Attachment E) from January and March storms/flooding, respectively.
3

RPV leveraged leftover funds from DR-4699 (Attachment A) after several sub-applicants unexpectedly withdrew from the program. Although there are three open HMGP application periods, communities have submitted applications exceeding the amount of funding available, leaving no current HMGP opportunities for the City of Rolling Hills to participate. However, there is a potential opportunity if the President declares the large wildfires in summer 2024 Borel and Park Fires, a major disaster declaration.

APPLICATIONS
Cal OES is currently accepting applications for future Presidentially-Declared Disasters, recognizing that gathering the necessary documentation and conducting analyses requires significant time. A critical element of the application process is completing a benefit-cost analysis to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of proposed mitigation efforts. This process requires a lot of technical documentation, which often takes more than the 12-month application timeframe allowed by FEMA for the HMGP.

Staff are seeking direction from the City Council to authorize collaboration with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). This collaboration would involve the following key actions:

This evening, staff will present an overview of RPV’s program as a potential model for hazard mitigation strategies in the Rolling Hills community. Following the presentation, staff seek direction from the City Council on the following actions:

1. Authorize staff to arrange a meeting with Cal OES for a site visit to the City of Rolling Hills and attend a future City Council meeting; and

2. Direct staff to begin coordinating with Cal OES specifically to apply for available grant programs and return to the Council with updates and any required approvals.

Staff will report back to the City Council on the next steps and whether to proceed with a particular grant.

FISCAL IMPACT:

None.

RECOMMENDATION:

Receive and file. Provide direction to staff.

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment A DR-4699-CA Public Notice.pdf
Attachment B DR-4683-CA Public Notice.pdf
Attachment C 4750-DR-CA Public Notice.pdf
Attachment D 4758-DR-CA Initial Notice.pdf
Attachment E 4769-DR-CA Initial Notice.pdf
4

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An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know DR-4699-CA Public Notice 001
English
Notice Date April 4, 2023
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice to the public of its intent to provide financial assistance to the State of California, local and Indian tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations under major disaster declaration FEMA-4699-DR-CA. This notice applies to the Individual Assistance (IA), Public Assistance (PA), and Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMGP) programs implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207. This public notice concerns activities that may affect historic properties, activities that are located in or affect wetland areas and the 100-year floodplain, and may involve critical actions within the 500-year floodplain. Such activities may adversely affect the historic property, floodplain or wetland, or may result in continuing vulnerability to flood damage.

I. Public Notice – Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4699-DR-CA and Overview of Authorized Assistance
The President declared a major disaster for the State of California on April 3, 2023, as a result of the severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that began on February 21, 2023 and are continuing, pursuant to his authority 5

under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Pub. L. No. 93- 288 (1974) (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq.) (Stafford Act).

This declaration, numbered FEMA-4699-DR-CA, has authorized Individual Assistance (assistance to individuals and households) for Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare, and Tuolumne Counties.

The following counties have been authorized for Public Assistance (Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities): Calaveras, Los Angeles, Monterey, and Tulare Counties.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards) is available statewide.

Additional counties may be designated at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Individual Assistance is authorized by Section 408 of the Stafford Act. FEMA may provide IA program funding for disaster-related emergency housing. These actions may adversely affect a floodplain/wetland, or may result in continuing vulnerability to floods. These actions may include repair, restoration or construction of housing or private bridges, purchase and placement of travel trailers or manufactured housing units, or repair of structures as minimum protective measures. This will be the only public notice concerning these actions.

The Public Assistance Program is authorized by Sections 403, 406, and 407 of the Stafford Act. FEMA may provide financial assistance under the Public Assistance Program for the State of
California, local and Indian tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations to perform debris removal and emergency protective measures.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is authorized by Section 404 of the Stafford Act.

Under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, FEMA may provide financial assistance for the State of California, local and Indian tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations to implement mitigation measures to reduce the risk of life and property from future disasters during the recovery from the major disaster. In the course of developing project proposals, subsequent public notices will be published if necessary, as more specific information becomes available.
6

II. Public Notice – Financial Assistance for Activities that Affect Historic Properties or Located in or that Affect Wetlands Areas or Floodplains Some of the activities for which FEMA provides financial assistance under the Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs may affect historic properties, may be located in or affect wetland areas or the 100-year floodplain, and may involve critical actions within the 500-year floodplain. In accordance with all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), all federal actions must be reviewed and evaluated for feasible alternatives. FEMA must also comply with Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management; Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands; the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Pub. L. No. 89-655 (1966) (codified as amended at 16 U.S.C. § 470 et seq.) (NHPA); and the implementing regulations at 44 C.F.R. pt. 9 and 36 C.F.R. pt. 800. The executive orders, NHPA, and regulations require FEMA to provide public notice for certain activities as part of approving the award of financial assistance for specific projects.

A. Federal Actions in or Affecting Floodplains and Wetlands FEMA has determined for certain types of facilities there are normally no alternatives to restoration in the floodplain or wetland. These are facilities meeting all of the following criteria: 1) FEMA’s estimate of the cost of repairs is less than 50% of the cost to replace the entire facility and is less than $100,000; 2) the facility is not located in a floodway; 3) the facility has not sustained major structural damage in a previous Presidentially declared flooding disaster or emergency; and 4) the facility is not critical (e.g., the facility is not a hospital, generating plant, emergency operations center, or a facility containing dangerous materials). FEMA intends to provide assistance for the restoration of these facilities to their pre-disaster condition, except certain measures to mitigate the effect of future flooding or other hazards may be included in the work. For example, a bridge or culvert restoration may include a larger waterway opening to decrease the risk of future washouts.

For routine activities, this will be the only public notice provided. Other activities and those involving facilities not meeting the four criteria are required to undergo more detailed review, including the study of alternate locations. Subsequent public notices regarding such projects will be published if necessary, as more specific information becomes available.

In many cases, an applicant may have started facility restoration before federal involvement. Even if the facility must undergo detailed review and analysis of alternate 7

locations, FEMA will
fund eligible restoration at the original location if the facility is functionally dependent on its floodplain location (e.g., bridges and flood control facilities), or the project facilitates an open space use, or the facility is an integral part of a larger network which is impractical or uneconomical to relocate, such as a road. In such cases, FEMA must also examine the possible effects of not restoring the facility, minimizing floodplain or wetland impacts, and determining both an overriding public need for the facility clearly outweighs the Executive Order requirements to avoid the floodplain or wetland, and the site selected is the only practicable alternative. The State and local officials will confirm to FEMA the proposed actions comply with all applicable federal, state, and local floodplain management and wetland protection requirements.

The Public Assistance (PA) Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) partial implementation policy, effective for all major disasters declared on or after June 3, 2022, applies to PA projects in the 1% annual chance floodplain (1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains for critical actions) involving new construction of structures, structures that have a substantial damage determination, or structures that require substantial improvement. The policy applies regardless of the cause of damage.

The Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) FFRMS partial implementation policy applies to non-critical actions involving structure elevation, dry floodproofing, and mitigation reconstruction in the 1% annual chance floodplain. For all FEMA programs and project types, if a state, local, tribal, or territorial government has its own higher elevation standard, FEMA requires use of the higher standard. FEMA program policies also reference additional consensus codes and standards, such as ASCE-24-14, that incorporate additional elevation requirements beyond the base flood elevation.

B. Federal Actions Affecting Historic Properties
Section 106 of the NHPA requires FEMA to consider the effects of its activities (known as undertakings) on any historic property and to afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) an opportunity to comment on such projects before the expenditure of any federal funds. An Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, or Hazard Mitigation Grant Program activity is an “undertaking” for the purposes of the NHPA, and a historic property is any property which is included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). For historic properties which will not be adversely affected by FEMA’s undertaking, this will be the only public notice. FEMA may provide additional public notices if a proposed FEMA undertaking would adversely affect a historic property.
8

III. Further Information or Comment
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the civil rights of persons with disabilities. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by the federal government, federal contractors, and by recipients of federal financial assistance. Any recipient or subrecipient of federal funds is required to make their programs accessible to individuals with disabilities. Its protections apply to all programs and businesses receiving any federal funds. This applies to all elements of physical/architectural, programmatic and communication accessibility in all services and activities conducted by or funded by FEMA. FEMA intends to comply with the Rehabilitation Act in all federally conducted and assisted programs in alignment with the principals of whole community inclusion and universal accessibility.

Executive Orders 13985 and 14008 further address the need to achieve environmental justice and equity across the federal government. The issuance of the new executive orders more than 20 years after Executive Order 12898 was signed indicates the administration’s directive to federal agencies to renew their energy, effort, resources, and attention to environmental justice. FEMA is working with applicants/sub-applicants to identify communities with Environmental Justice concerns and provide an avenue for local groups and non-profits with an Environmental Justice mission to self-identify so FEMA Programs can start to work with them on specific projects from the beginning of the application process.

FEMA also intends to provide HMGP funding to the State of California to mitigate future disaster damages. These projects may include construction of new facilities, modification of existing, undamaged facilities, relocation of facilities out of floodplains, demolition of structures, or other types of projects to mitigate future disaster damages. In the course of developing project proposals, subsequent public notices will be published if necessary, as more specific information becomes available.

This will be the only public notice regarding the actions described above for which FEMA may provide financial assistance under the Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs. Interested persons may obtain information about these actions or a specific project by writing to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region RIX Office, Acting Regional Environmental Officer, Scott Fletcher, 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94607. All comments concerning this public notice must be submitted in writing to the Region RIX Office within 30 days of its publication. 9

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An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know DR-4683-CA Public Notice 001
English
Notice Date January 27, 2023
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice to the public of its intent to provide financial assistance to the State of California, local and Indian tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations under major disaster declaration FEMA-4683-DR-CA. This notice applies to the Individual Assistance (IA), Public Assistance (PA), and Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMGP) programs implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207. This public notice concerns activities that may affect historic properties, activities that are located in or affect wetland areas and the 100-year floodplain, and may involve critical actions within the 500-year floodplain. Such activities may adversely affect the historic property, floodplain or wetland, or may result in continuing vulnerability to flood damage.

I. Public Notice – Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4683-DR-CA and Overview of Authorized Assistance
The President declared a major disaster for the State of California on January 14, 2023, and amended January 17, 2023, as a result of the severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that began on December 27, 2022 and are continuing, pursuant to his authority under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 12

Assistance Act, Pub. L. No. 93-288 (1974) (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq.) (Stafford Act).

This declaration, numbered FEMA-4683-DR-CA, has authorized Individual Assistance for Calaveras, Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz Counties; and reimbursement through the Public Assistance Program, including direct federal assistance, for emergency work (Categories A-B) for Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz Counties.

The following counties have been designated as eligible for Public Assistance, Category C through G for permanent work: Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz Counties.

The following counties have been designated as eligible for Public Assistance: San Benito, Tulare, and Ventura Counties.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is available statewide. Additional counties may be designated at a later date.

Amendment No. 1, issued January 17, 2023, to the notice of major disaster declaration for the state of California (FEMA DR-4683-CA), dated January 14, 2023, identified the following counties as eligible for Individual Assistance: Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara Counties, and identified the following counties as eligible for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program: Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara Counties.

Amendment No. 2 issued January 18, 2023, to the notice of major disaster declaration for the state of California (FEMA DR-4683-CA), dated January 14, 2023, identified the following county as eligible for Individual Assistance: San Joaquin County.

Amendment No. 3 issued January 23, 2023, to the notice of major disaster declaration for the state of California (FEMA DR-4683-CA), dated January 14, 2023, identified the following county as eligible for Individual Assistance: Calaveras County.

Amendment No. 4 issued January 26, 2023, to the notice of major disaster declaration for the state of California (FEMA DR-4683-CA), dated January 14, 2023, identified the following county as eligible for Individual Assistance: San Mateo County. The following counties have also been identified as eligible for Public Assistance, Category C through G 13

for permanent work: Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz Counties (already designated for Individual Assistance and assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures [Categories A and B] including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program). Additionally, the following counties have been identified as eligible for Public Assistance: San Benito, Tulare, and Ventura Counties.

Individual Assistance is authorized by Section 408 of the Stafford Act. FEMA may provide IA program funding for disaster-related emergency housing. These actions may adversely affect a floodplain/wetland, or may result in continuing vulnerability to floods. These actions may include repair, restoration or construction of housing or private bridges, purchase and placement of travel trailers or manufactured housing units, or repair of structures as minimum protective measures. This will be the only public notice concerning these actions.

The Public Assistance Program is authorized by Sections 403, 406, and 407 of the Stafford Act. FEMA may provide financial assistance under the Public Assistance Program for the State of California, local and Indian tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations to perform debris removal and emergency protective measures.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is authorized by Section 404 of the Stafford Act.

Under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, FEMA may provide financial assistance for the State of California, local and Indian tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations to implement mitigation measures to reduce the risk of life and property from future disasters during the recovery from the major disaster. In the course of developing project proposals, subsequent public notices will be published if necessary, as more specific information becomes available.

II. Public Notice – Financial Assistance for Activities that Affect Historic Properties or Located in or that Affect Wetlands Areas or Floodplains Some of the activities for which FEMA provides financial assistance under the Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs may affect historic properties, may be located in or affect wetland areas or the 100-year floodplain, and may involve critical actions within the 500-year floodplain. In accordance with all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), all federal actions must be reviewed and evaluated for feasible alternatives. FEMA must also comply with Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management; Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands; the National Historic Preservation
14

Act of 1966, Pub. L. No. 89-655 (1966) (codified as amended at 16 U.S.C. § 470 et seq.) (NHPA); and the implementing regulations at 44 C.F.R. pt. 9 and 36 C.F.R. pt. 800. The executive orders, NHPA, and regulations require FEMA to provide public notice for certain activities as part of approving the award of financial assistance for specific projects.

A. Federal Actions in or Affecting Floodplains and Wetlands FEMA has determined for certain types of facilities there are normally no alternatives to restoration in the floodplain or wetland. These are facilities meeting all of the following criteria:
1) FEMA’s estimate of the cost of repairs is less than 50% of the cost to replace the entire facility and is less than $100,000; 2) the facility is not located in a floodway; 3) the facility has not sustained major structural damage in a previous Presidentially declared flooding disaster or emergency; and 4) the facility is not critical (e.g., the facility is not a hospital, generating plant, emergency operations center, or a facility containing dangerous materials). FEMA intends to provide assistance for the restoration of these facilities to their pre-disaster condition, except certain measures to mitigate the effect of future flooding or other hazards may be included in the work. For example, a bridge or culvert restoration may include a larger waterway opening to decrease the risk of future washouts.

For routine activities, this will be the only public notice provided. Other activities and those involving facilities not meeting the four criteria are required to undergo more detailed review, including the study of alternate locations. Subsequent public notices regarding such projects will be published if necessary, as more specific information becomes available.

In many cases, an applicant may have started facility restoration before federal involvement. Even if the facility must undergo detailed review and analysis of alternate locations, FEMA will fund eligible restoration at the original location if the facility is functionally dependent on its floodplain location (e.g., bridges and flood control facilities), or the project facilitates an open space use, or the facility is an integral part of a larger network which is impractical or uneconomical to relocate, such as a road. In such cases, FEMA must also examine the possible effects of not restoring the facility, minimizing floodplain or wetland impacts, and determining both an overriding public need for the facility clearly outweighs the Executive Order requirements to avoid the floodplain or wetland, and the site selected is the only practicable alternative. The State 15

and local officials will confirm to FEMA the proposed actions comply with all applicable federal, state, and local floodplain management and wetland protection requirements.

The Public Assistance (PA) Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) partial implementation policy, effective for all major disasters declared on or after June 3, 2022, applies to PA projects in the 1% annual chance floodplain (1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains for critical actions) involving new construction of structures, structures that have a substantial damage determination, or structures that require substantial improvement. The policy applies regardless of the cause of damage.

The Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) FFRMS partial implementation policy applies to non- critical actions involving structure elevation, dry floodproofing, and mitigation reconstruction in
the 1% annual chance floodplain. For all FEMA programs and project types, if a state, local, tribal, or territorial government has its own higher elevation standard, FEMA requires use of the higher standard. FEMA program policies also reference additional consensus codes and standards, such as ASCE-24-14, that incorporate additional elevation requirements beyond the base flood elevation.

B. Federal Actions Affecting Historic Properties
Section 106 of the NHPA requires FEMA to consider the effects of its activities (known as undertakings) on any historic property and to afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) an opportunity to comment on such projects before the expenditure of any federal funds. An Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, or Hazard Mitigation Grant Program activity is an “undertaking” for the purposes of the NHPA, and a historic property is any property which is included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). For historic properties which will not be adversely affected by FEMA’s undertaking, this will be the only public notice. FEMA may provide additional public notices if a proposed FEMA undertaking would adversely affect a historic property.

III. Further Information or Comment
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the civil rights of persons with disabilities. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by the federal government, federal contractors, and by recipients of federal financial assistance. Any recipient or subrecipient of federal funds is required to make their programs accessible to individuals 16

with disabilities. Its protections apply to all programs and businesses receiving any federal funds. This applies to all elements of physical/architectural, programmatic and communication accessibility in all services and activities conducted by or funded by FEMA. FEMA intends to comply with the Rehabilitation Act in all federally conducted and assisted programs in alignment with the principals of whole community inclusion and universal accessibility.

Executive Orders 13985 and 14008 further address the need to achieve environmental justice and equity across the federal government. The issuance of the new executive orders more than 20 years after Executive Order 12898 was signed indicates the administration’s directive to federal agencies to renew their energy, effort, resources, and attention to environmental justice. FEMA is working with applicants/sub-applicants to identify communities with Environmental Justice concerns and provide an avenue for local groups and non-profits with an Environmental Justice mission to self-identify so FEMA Programs can start to work with them on specific projects from the beginning of the application process.

FEMA also intends to provide HMGP funding to the State of California to mitigate future disaster damages. These projects may include construction of new facilities, modification of existing, undamaged facilities, relocation of facilities out of floodplains, demolition of structures, or other types of projects to mitigate future disaster damages. In the course of developing project proposals, subsequent public notices will be published if necessary, as more specific information becomes available.

This will be the only public notice regarding the actions described above for which FEMA may provide financial assistance under the Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs. Interested persons may obtain information about these actions or a specific project by writing to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region RIX Office, Regional Environmental Officer, Kenneth Sessa, 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94607. All comments concerning this public notice must be submitted in writing to the Region RIX Office within 30 days of its publication.

Last updated February 3, 2023
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An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know 4750-DR-CA Public Notice 001
English Español Tagalog 简体中文
Notice Date December 27, 2023
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice to the public of its intent to provide financial assistance to the State of California, local and Indian tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations under major disaster declaration FEMA-4750-DR-CA. This notice applies to the Public Assistance (PA) and Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMGP) programs implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207. This public notice concerns activities that may affect historic properties, activities that are in or affect wetland areas or the 100-year floodplain, and critical actions within the 500-year floodplain. Such activities may adversely affect an historic property, floodplain, or wetland, or may result in continuing vulnerability to flood damage.

I. Public Notice – Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4750-DR-CA and Overview of Authorized Assistance
The President declared a major disaster for the State of California on November 21, 2023, as a result of flooding resulting from Tropical Storm Hillary that began on August 19, 2023, and ended on August 21, 2023, pursuant to his authority under the Robert T. 19

Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Pub. L. No. 93-288 (1974) (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq.) (Stafford Act).

This declaration has designated as eligible for Public Assistance, Categories A and B emergency work, and C thru G permanent work, for the following Counties: Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Riverside, and Siskiyou Counties. Additional counties may be designated at a later date.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is available statewide.

The Public Assistance Program is authorized by Sections 403, 406, and 407 of the Stafford Act. FEMA may provide financial assistance under the Public Assistance Program for the State of California, local and Indian tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations to perform debris removal and emergency protective measures.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is authorized by Section 404 of the Stafford Act.

Under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, FEMA may provide financial assistance for the State of California, local and Indian tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations to implement mitigation measures to reduce the risk of life and property from future disasters during the recovery from the major disaster. In the course of developing project proposals, subsequent public notices will be published, if necessary, as more specific information becomes available.

II. Public Notice – Financial Assistance for Activities that Affect Historic Properties or Located in or that Affect Wetlands Areas or Floodplains Some of the activities for which FEMA provides financial assistance under the Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs may affect historic properties, may be in or affect wetland areas or the 100-year floodplain, and may involve critical actions within the 500-year floodplain. In accordance with all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), all federal actions must be reviewed and evaluated for feasible alternatives. FEMA must also comply with Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management; Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands; the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Pub. L. No. 89-655 (1966) (codified as amended at 16 U.S.C. § 470 et seq.) (NHPA); and the implementing regulations at 44 C.F.R. pt. 9 and 36 C.F.R. pt. 800. The executive orders, NHPA, and regulations require FEMA to provide public notice for certain activities as part of approving the award of financial assistance for specific projects.
20

A. Federal Actions in or Affecting Floodplains and Wetlands FEMA has determined that for certain types of facilities there are normally no alternatives to restoration in the floodplain/wetland. These are facilities that meet all of the following criteria: 1) FEMA’s estimate of the cost of repairs is less than 50-percent of the cost to replace the entire facility, and is less than $100,000; 2) the facility is not located in a floodway; 3) the facility has not sustained major structural damage in a previous presidentially declared flooding disaster or emergency; and 4) the facility is not critical (e.g., the facility is not a hospital, generating plant, emergency operations center, or a facility that contains dangerous materials). FEMA intends to provide assistance for the restoration of these facilities to their pre-disaster condition, except that certain measures to mitigate the effects of future flooding or other hazards may be included in the work.

For example, a bridge or culvert restoration may include a larger waterway opening to decrease the risk of future washouts.

For routine activities, this will be the only public notice provided. Other activities and those involving facilities that do not meet the four criteria are required to undergo more detailed review, including study of alternate locations. Subsequent public notices regarding such projects will be published, if necessary, as more specific information becomes available.

In many cases, an applicant may have started facility restoration before federal involvement. Even if the facility must undergo detailed review and analysis of alternate locations, FEMA will fund eligible restoration at the original location if the facility is functionally dependent on its floodplain location (e.g., bridges and piers), or the project facilitates an open space use, or the facility is an integral part of a larger network that is impractical or uneconomical to relocate, such as a road. In such cases, FEMA must also examine the possible effects of not restoring the facility, minimize floodplain/wetland impacts, and determine both that an overriding public need for the facility clearly outweighs the Executive Order requirements to avoid the floodplain/wetland, and that the site is the only practicable alternative. The State of California and local officials will confirm to FEMA that proposed actions comply with all applicable state and local floodplain management and wetland protection requirements.

The Public Assistance (PA) Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) partial implementation policy, effective for all major disasters declared on or after June 3, 2022, applies to PA projects in the 1% annual chance floodplain (1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains for critical actions) involving new construction of structures, structures that 21

have a substantial damage determination, or structures that require substantial improvement. The policy applies regardless of the cause of damage.

The Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) FFRMS partial implementation policy applies to non-critical actions involving structure elevation, dry floodproofing, and mitigation reconstruction in the 1% annual chance floodplain. For all FEMA programs and project types, if a state, local, tribal, or territorial government has its own higher elevation standard, FEMA requires use of the higher standard. FEMA program policies also reference additional consensus codes and standards, such as ASCE-24-14, that incorporate additional elevation requirements beyond the base flood elevation.

B. Federal Actions Affecting Historic Properties
Section 106 of the NHPA requires FEMA to consider the effects of its activities (known as undertakings) on any historic property and to afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) an opportunity to comment on such projects before the expenditure of any federal funds. A Public Assistance or Hazard Mitigation Grant Program activity is an “undertaking” for the purposes of the NHPA, and a historic property is any property which is included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). For historic properties which will not be adversely affected by FEMA’s undertaking, this will be the only public notice. FEMA may provide additional public notices if a proposed FEMA undertaking would adversely affect a historic property.

III. Further Information or Comment
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the civil rights of persons with disabilities. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by the federal government, federal contractors, and by recipients of federal financial assistance. Any recipient or subrecipient of federal funds is required to make their programs accessible to individuals with disabilities. Its protections apply to all programs and businesses receiving any federal funds. This applies to all elements of physical/architectural, programmatic and communication accessibility in all services and activities conducted by or funded by FEMA. FEMA intends to comply with the Rehabilitation Act in all federally conducted and assisted programs in alignment with the principals of whole community inclusion and universal accessibility.

Executive Orders 13985 and 14008 further address the need to achieve environmental justice and equity across the federal government. The issuance of the new executive orders more than 20 years after Executive Order 12898 was signed indicates the 22

Disasters & Assistance
Grants
Floods & Maps
Emergency Management
administration’s directive to federal agencies to renew their energy, effort, resources, and attention to environmental justice. FEMA is working with applicants/sub-applicants to identify communities with Environmental Justice concerns and provide an avenue for local groups and non-profits with an Environmental Justice mission to self-identify so FEMA Programs can start to work with them on specific projects from the beginning of the application process.

FEMA also intends to provide HMGP funding to the State of California to mitigate future disaster damages. These projects may include construction of new facilities, modification of existing, undamaged facilities, relocation of facilities out of floodplains, demolition of structures, or other types of projects to mitigate future disaster damages. In the course of developing project proposals, subsequent public notices will be published, if necessary, as more specific information becomes available.

As noted, this may be the only public notice regarding the above-described actions under the PA and HMGP programs. Interested persons may obtain information about these actions or a specific project by writing to the FEMA Region IX office at FEMA-RIX-EHP[email protected] or by mail to the Regional Environmental Officer, 111 Broadway, Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94607-4052 at either address within 30 days of the date of this notice.

Last updated December 27, 2023
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Apply for Assistance
An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know 4758-DR-CA Initial Notice
English
Notice Date February 19, 2024
Billing Code 9111-23-P

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
[Internal Agency Docket No. FEMA-4758-DR]
[Docket ID FEMA-2024-0001]
California; Major Disaster and Related Determinations
AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of California (FEMA-4758-DR), dated February 19, 2024, and related determinations.

DATE: The declaration was issued February 19, 2024.
25

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dean Webster, Office of Response and Recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-2833.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that, in a letter dated February 19, 2024, the President issued a major disaster declaration under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the “Stafford Act”), as follows:

I have determined that the damage in certain areas of the State of California resulting from a severe storm and flooding during the period of January 21 to January 23, 2024, is of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the “Stafford Act”). Therefore, I declare that such a major disaster exists in the State of California.

In order to provide Federal assistance, you are hereby authorized to allocate from funds available for these purposes such amounts as you find necessary for Federal disaster assistance and administrative expenses.

You are authorized to provide Individual Assistance in the designated areas and Hazard Mitigation throughout the State. Consistent with the requirement that Federal assistance be supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the Stafford Act for Hazard Mitigation and Other Needs Assistance under section 408 will be limited to 75 percent of the total eligible costs.

Further, you are authorized to make changes to this declaration for the approved assistance to the extent allowable under the Stafford Act.

The time period prescribed for the implementation of section 310(a), Priority to Certain Applications for Public Facility and Public Housing Assistance, 42 U.S.C. 5153, shall be for a period not to exceed six months after the date of this declaration. 26

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice that pursuant to the authority vested in the Administrator, under Executive Order 12148, as amended, N. Allison Pfaendler, of FEMA is appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this major disaster.

The following areas of the State of California have been designated as adversely affected by this major disaster:

San Diego County for Individual Assistance.

All areas within the State of California are eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

The following Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (CFDA) are to be used for reporting and drawing funds: 97.030, Community Disaster Loans; 97.031, Cora Brown Fund; 97.032, Crisis Counseling; 97.033, Disaster Legal Services; 97.034, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA); 97.046, Fire Management Assistance Grant; 97.048, Disaster Housing Assistance to Individuals and Households In Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas; 97.049, Presidentially Declared Disaster Assistance - Disaster Housing Operations for Individuals and Households; 97.050, Presidentially Declared Disaster Assistance to Individuals and Households - Other Needs; 97.036, Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters); 97.039, Hazard Mitigation Grant. /s/
_______________________________________
Deanne Criswell,
Administrator,
27

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Last updated February 29, 2024
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An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know 4769-DR-CA Initial Notice
English
Notice Date April 13, 2024
Billing Code 9111-23-P

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
[Internal Agency Docket No. FEMA-4769-DR]
[Docket ID FEMA-2024-0001]
California; Major Disaster and Related Determinations
AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of California (FEMA-4769-DR), dated April 13, 2024, and related determinations.

DATE: The declaration was issued April 13, 2024.
30

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dean Webster, Office of Response and Recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-2833.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that, in a letter dated April 13, 2024, the President issued a major disaster declaration under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the “Stafford Act”), as follows:

I have determined that the damage in certain areas of the State of California resulting from severe winter storms, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides during the period of January 31 to February 9, 2024, is of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the “Stafford Act”). Therefore, I declare that such a major disaster exists in the State of California.

In order to provide Federal assistance, you are hereby authorized to allocate from funds available for these purposes such amounts as you find necessary for Federal disaster assistance and administrative expenses.

You are authorized to provide Public Assistance in the designated areas and Hazard Mitigation throughout the State. Consistent with the requirement that Federal assistance be supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the Stafford Act for Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation will be limited to 75 percent of the total eligible costs.

Further, you are authorized to make changes to this declaration for the approved assistance to the extent allowable under the Stafford Act.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice that pursuant to the authority vested in the Administrator, under Executive Order 12148, as amended, Andrew F. Grant, of FEMA is appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this major disaster.

The following areas of the State of California have been designated as adversely affected by this major disaster:

Butte, Glenn, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Sutter, and Ventura Counties for Public Assistance.
31

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Grants
All areas within the State of California are eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

The following Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (CFDA) are to be used for reporting and drawing funds: 97.030, Community Disaster Loans; 97.031, Cora Brown Fund; 97.032, Crisis Counseling; 97.033, Disaster Legal Services; 97.034, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA); 97.046, Fire Management Assistance Grant; 97.048, Disaster Housing Assistance to Individuals and Households In Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas; 97.049, Presidentially Declared Disaster Assistance - Disaster Housing Operations for Individuals and Households; 97.050, Presidentially Declared Disaster Assistance to Individuals and Households - Other Needs; 97.036, Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters); 97.039, Hazard Mitigation Grant. /s/
_______________________________________
Deanne Criswell,
Administrator,
Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Last updated April 22, 2024
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California Office of Emergency Services
State Hazard Mitigation Program
Robyn Fennig, CFM
https://www.caloes.ca.gov/office-of-the-director/operations/recovery-directorate/hazard-mitigation/ December 10, 2024

FEMA’s Definition of Hazard Mitigation
Hazard Mitigation is any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people, property and the environment from natural hazards and their effects.

Mitigation Program
Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Program | 3
• Planning (state and local) informs development and selection of projects • Technical assistance provides to support community subapplications • Grants division manages FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants • Quality Assurance Division provides support to monitor and measure effectiveness of program
• Coordination with other federal, state, local and non-profit partners o FEMA Region IX
o California Department of Water Resources (DWR)
o California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) o California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) o US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

State Hazard Mitigation Plan
Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Program | 4
• Sets statewide mitigation priorities and documents
statewide program efforts
• Provides the foundation for strategies that should
be considered in the Local Mitigation Plans
(LHMPs)
• Outlines actions to be implemented upon adoption
• State agencies are covered by the SHMP for the
purposes of Mitigation Grant Funding
• Approved August 30, 2023

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Funding Authorization
Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Program | 5
• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP): Funding for California hazard mitigation actions. Available after federal major disaster declarations. Ongoing acceptance of proposals (Notices of Interest or NOIs).
• Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC): Annual, nationally-competitive program funding mitigation actions. Process starts each year in fall. • Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA): Annual, nationally-competitive program funding mitigation actions that protect properties insured by National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Process starts each year in fall.
• FMA Swift Current: provides funding to mitigate buildings insured through the National Flood Insurance Program after a major disaster declaration following a flood-related disaster event to reduce risk against future flood damage.
• Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program (LPDM): Annual earmark program overseen by the DHS Appropriations Committee
• Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) Grant Program: provides technical, planning, design, and construction assistance in the form of grants for rehabilitation of eligible high hazard potential dam in jurisdictions that address dam hazards in their LHMPs (managed by DWR) Page 196 of 251 Eligible Subapplicant Entities
Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Program | 6
• State Agencies
• Local Governments: Counties, Cities, Towns, etc.
• Special Districts
• Federally Recognized Tribes
• Private Nonprofit Organizations (PNPs) (not eligible for BRIC) • The entity must have a FEMA-approved and locally adopted LHMP • PNPs in HMGP are exempt from this requirement

Application Requirements (FEMA)
Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Program| 7
• Must have a FEMA-approved and locally-adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan • Participating in a multijurisdictional process with Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, and two geologic hazard abatement districts (Klondike Canyon and Albalone Cove) – grant awarded kickoff took place October 2024
• Would not be eligible for a grant until the planning process is complete and it’s been adopted • Long-term, standalone solution
• Cost-effective using FEMA’s Benefit Cost Analysis toolkit; benefit cost ratio 1.0 or greater • 48 month period of performance
• 25% non-federal cost share match required
• No work can begin until it’s approved by FEMA
• City of Rolling Hills has had several HMGP subgrants
• DR-4382 – wildfire mitigation project to underground power lines in partnership with SoCal Edison • DR-4382 – vegetative management/fuel break/erosion control • DR-4344 – wildfire/seismic mitigation project to underground power lines

Eligible Activities
Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Program | 8
• Planning Grants: deliverable is a FEMA-approved LHMP (new or update) • Planning-related activity grants aim to integrate LHMPs to other planning mechanisms, outreach/education for your LHMP or floodplain management
• Project scoping should be used when the mitigation problem and solution are not known, and you need to evaluate a potential intervention (i.e. the proposed activity results in a resource, strategy, or tangible mitigation product that will reduce or eliminate risk and damage from future flooding and increase resilience)
• Construction projects: structural mitigation (A/D, elevation, reconstruction), wildfire mitigation, nature-based solutions. • Nature-based solutions include, but are not limited to, restoration of grasslands, rivers, floodplains, wetlands, dunes, and reefs; living shorelines; soil stabilization; aquiver storage and recovery; bioretention systems

Submitting a Subgrant – Cal OES Process
Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Program| 9
• Request a Project Scoping Call
• Submit a Notice of Interest (NOI) – accepted anytime, priority given to subapplicants who submit by deadlines for specific NOFOs in online system • NOI reviewed by Cal OES, subapplicants with eligible activities will be invited to attend a subapplication development webinar/workshops • Subapplication submitted to Cal OES in our online system • Cal OES reviews subapplications
• Request for Information (RFI)
• Cal OES submits all subapplications to FEMA
• FEMA may have additional RFIs

Cal OES Assistance – Technical Assistance
Additional Points:
 Ensure detailed Scope of Work
(SoW)
• Location
• Purpose
• Approach
• Feasibility
• Expected outcomes
• Benefits of the activity
 Cost estimate and narrative
describing the anticipated costs
 Data collection for costeffectiveness screening
 A FEMA credible BCA is key. If the
project is preliminary, phase the
project and include a rerun of the
BCA as a Phase I deliverable
Identification of
the Problem
• Problem statement
and history of hazards
• What is the hazard
and risk?
• How long has it been
occurring?
• What are the
damages and loss of
function/service?
• Note quantitative and
qualitative losses
• Future conditions (SLR,
climate impacts,
demographic
changes, etc.)
• How is climate
change worsening the
problem?
Potential
Projects/Solutions
• Include:
• Hazard Mitigation
Planning
• Planning Studies
• Feasibility Studies
• Capital Project Plans
• New budgetary
need requests
• Comprehensive
stakeholder
engagement for
project identification
• Do you know if solution
is feasible?
• What may be the
challenges with
implementation?
Technical
Assistance (TA)
• Assistance with project
scoping
• How to quickly identify
projects that may be
eligible, feasibility,
cost-effective, and
competitive
• Goal is to identify
projects that will be
competitive with
FEMA’s priorities for

BRIC & FMA
• Focus time and
resources on good,
fundable projects
Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Program| 10

BRIC Funding by Year
Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Program | 11
$95,448,982.00
$180,180,256.00
$501,828,488.00
$238,226,147.00
$404,551,018.00
$819,819,744.00
$1,798,171,512.00
$761,773,853.00
BRIC 2020
BRIC 2021
BRIC 2022
BRIC 2023
Funding Available by Year
California Rest of Nation

California BRIC History
Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Program| 12
CA BRIC 2021 (Fed Share)
$66,274,460
$180,180,256
CA BRIC 2023 (Fed Share)
$338,363,247
$238,226,147
CA BRIC 2022 (Fed Share)
$501,828,488
CA BRIC 2020 (Fed Share)
$377,721,964
$95,448,982
BRIC 2021 (Competitive)
 Total Funding Available:
$1 billion
 California Selected:
$180 million (18%)
 Projects Submitted: 11
 Projects Selected: 9
BRIC 2020 (Competitive)
 Total Funding Available:
$500 million
 California Selected:
$95.5 million (19.1%)
 Projects Submitted: 26
 Projects Selected: 4
BRIC 2023 (Competitive)
 Total Funding Available:
$1 billion
 California Selected:
$238 million (24%)
 Projects Submitted: 24
 Projects Selected: 13
BRIC 2022 (Competitive)
 Total Funding Available:
$2.3 billion
 California Selected:
$501.8 million (21.8%)
 Projects Submitted: 19
 Projects Selected: 19
Not Selected Selected

Next Steps
Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Program| 13
• Submitting a Notice of Interest
• Discuss what data is available, specifically for the BCA • Outline what goes into a budget, scope of work, and schedule • Complete the local planning process – adopt the plan! • Recommend meeting with other communities

Thank you!

Agenda Item No.: 12.A
Mtg. Date: 06/23/2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SAMANTHA CREW, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
THRU: KARINA BAÑALES, CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: RECEIVE AND FILE A PRESENTATION REGARDING CALOES/FEMA

BUYOUT PROGRAM
DATE: June 23, 2025
BACKGROUND:

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes faced significant land movement in areas such as Seaview, Portuguese Bend Beach Club, and the Portuguese Bend Community Association. These areas lie atop a complex ancient landslide system that was reactivated in 1956 and further accelerated by heavy rainfall in 2023 and 2024. The area’s bentonite-rich clay soil contributes to ongoing ground instability, resulting in significant damage to roads, utilities, and homes.

Some residents were forced to abandon their properties or implement structural shoring to stabilize their homes against the shifting terrain.

In September 2024, the City of Rolling Hills experienced unexpected utility shutoffs in the Flying Triangle, Cinchring Road, and Quail Ridge Road South areas due to land movement, impacting electricity, gas, and telecommunications services. In response, the City worked with its residents to mitigate disruptions, engaging legal counsel, hosting community meetings, coordinating emergency communications, expediting permits for alternative power sources, and working closely with utility providers, local organizations, and regional partners. Relief and support measures were launched, including donations, neighborhood outreach, and advocacy at the state and federal levels. While power and gas outages affected dozens of homes, the City continues to coordinate with agencies and utility companies to restore services, communicate updates, and support long-term resiliency planning.

Overall, the scale and severity of damage in Rancho Palos Verdes significantly exceeds that of Rolling Hills.

In October 2024, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, in partnership with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), launched a $42 million Voluntary Property Buyout Program to support homeowners in the Greater Portuguese Bend landslide area. The Cal OES Voluntary Buyout Program,

administered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and funded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), is intended to help local governments reduce long-term risks to people and property in areas prone to recurring natural hazards such as wildfires, flooding, and landslides. The program provides financial assistance to acquire high-risk properties, with the goal of removing structures from hazardous areas and converting the land to permanent open space.

By the program’s application deadline of November 8, 2025, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes received 85 applications. Of these, 52 (61%) came from residents in the Portuguese Bend Community Association, 21 (25%) from the Seaview community, and 12 (14%) from the Beach Club. Following the program’s announcement and the City’s release of minimum eligibility criteria, 20 properties were red-tagged and 37 yellow-tagged, compared to just two red-tagged and four yellow-tagged homes before October 28, 2024.

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes was able to mobilize quickly, and the successful award of funds was a direct result of its years of research, consistent grant application efforts, comprehensive data collection, and the ongoing land movement impacting the area.

Beginning in November 2024, Rolling Hills City staff initiated a series of coordination meetings with Cal OES to discuss the framework, requirements, and strategic considerations for implementing a Voluntary Buyout Program in Rolling Hills. These discussions have continued consistently through December, January, February, April, and May, reflecting the City’s commitment to thoroughly understanding the program’s structure before making any formal decisions. Each meeting focused specifically on how the buyout process could be tailored to the City’s unique circumstances, including eligibility criteria, property valuation procedures, funding mechanisms, and long-term implications for residents and the City. Staff sought to clarify regulatory expectations, outline potential roles and responsibilities, and gather insight into how similar programs have been successfully executed elsewhere in California.

On November 25, 2024, staff provided the City Council with an update on federal emergency management grant programs administered by Cal OES in partnership with FEMA (Attachment A). The update focused on the $42 million Voluntary Property Buyout Program introduced by RPV, which now serves as a model for potential hazard mitigation strategies applicable to the City of Rolling Hills. Staff shared that the RPV program, funded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), assisted property owners in areas at risk of imminent failure due to ongoing land movement by offering fair market value for their properties and converting acquired parcels into permanently protected open space. Staff also shared that a Presidentially-declared major disaster triggers HMGP funding. Once a disaster meets federal assistance thresholds, FEMA activates the program, allowing funds to flow through state agencies like Cal OES to eligible local governments, special districts, and nonprofits for longterm hazard mitigation projects.

On December 10, 2024, Robyn Fennig, Assistant Director of the Hazard Mitigation Branch at Cal OES, visited Rolling Hills to tour impacted areas and engage with residents, staff, and City Council. That evening, she delivered a presentation to the Rolling Hills City Council during its regularly scheduled meeting (Attachment B). Her presentation provided an in-depth overview of the State Hazard Mitigation Program, addressing topics such as funding authorization, FEMA application requirements, eligible project activities, BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) funding, and the process for submitting a Notice of Interest (NOI). Since the December 10 meeting, staff have continued to meet with Ms. Fennig and her

team to review potential funding pathways and have also spoken with residents interested in participating in such a program.

This evening, Ms. Fennig will present to the City Council an overview of current grant funding opportunities, the status of programs that are no longer available, and information regarding a potential, if feasible, buyout program for the City of Rolling Hills. Her presentation will also include an update on FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the recent Presidential Declaration (DR-4856), which enables eligible agencies to apply for federal hazard mitigation funding (Attachment C).

In connection with the DR-4856 declaration for the California wildfires, Ms. Fennig advised that the City may benefit from participating in the current funding cycle, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding future federal funding opportunities. In April, Cal OES released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for DR-4856 (Attachment D), opening the door for Los Angeles County jurisdictions to apply for available disaster recovery funds. To preserve eligibility, City staff submitted a non-binding draft Notice of Interest (NOI) by the May 29 deadline. This preliminary submission does not obligate the City to pursue the grant but keeps the option open.

After the presentations, Staff will seek City Council direction on whether to proceed with the DR-4856 grant opportunity by finalizing and officially submitting the NOI. Should the Council choose to move forward, the next step would be to prepare and submit a subapplication by the September 15, 2025 deadline. Cal OES will then review and develop the subapplications for submission to FEMA by April 2026. Alternatively, the Council may direct staff to conduct additional research and return at a future meeting for further discussion.

DISCUSSION:

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
The Voluntary Buyout Program (part of FEMA’s HMGP) allows the City to acquire residential properties that have been damaged or are at imminent risk from natural hazards. Participation is entirely voluntary, and eligible properties must include permitted residential structures. The City purchases qualifying properties at fair market value, based on a predetermined appraisal date, demolishes any existing structures, and converts the land to permanently protected open space, as required by FEMA regulations.

A city must act as the sub-applicant and submit an application to Cal OES on behalf of interested property owners. If the application is approved, participating homeowners are offered fair market compensation for their property, based either on pre-disaster or current appraised value, depending on program criteria and timing. Acquired properties are deedrestricted to remain undeveloped in perpetuity and may only be used for open space, recreation, or natural floodplain functions.

FEMA funds up to 75% of eligible project costs under the Voluntary Buyout Program, with the remaining 25% covered either by the property owner or through in-kind contributions from the City. The program is administered by Cal OES and locally managed by the City, which selects properties for participation based on criteria such as structural damage, program eligibility, and overall community benefit. Homeowners must apply through the City, not directly to FEMA or Cal OES. Once acquired, properties must be demolished and permanently maintained as