CITY OF ROLNS Minutes
CALIFORNIA Rolling Hills City Council
Monday, January 12, 2026
Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Call To Order
The City Council of the City of Rolling Hills met in person on the above date at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Pieper presiding.
2. Roll Call
Councilmembers Present: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer Councilmembers Absent: Pieper
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
Nicolas Papajohn, City Attorney
3. Pledge Of Allegiance - Councilmember Wilson
4. Presentations / Proclamations / Announcements - None
5. Approve Order of the Agenda
Mayor Dieringer requested that Item 12A be moved to the end of the agenda in case Councilmember Pieper arrived later. Without objection, so ordered.
6. Blue Folder Items (Supplemental)
Motion by Councilmember Wilson, seconded by Councilmember Mirsch to receive and file Blue Folder Item 12A. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pieper
7. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items
Public Comment: Lisa Tun
Motion by Councilmember Mirsch, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Black to receive and file submitted images from Ms. Tun. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pieper
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Black, seconded by Councilmember Wilson to return to the original Order of the Agenda after receiving word Councilmember Pieper would be unable to attend. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, January 12, 2026
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pieper
Councilmember Mirsch asked if it was possible to continue Item 12A to the next meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Black advised that he would not be present.
Consent Calendar
8.A. Approve Affidavit of Posting for the City Council Regular Meeting of January 12, 2026
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 December 9, 2025: City Council Regular Meeting
8.D. Payment of Bills
8.E. Republic Services Recycling Tonnage and Complaint Reports for November 2025
8.F. Approve Republic Services' 2026 Clean-Up and Communal Bin Schedules
8.G. Approve Annual Vendor List for Calendar Year 2026
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Black, seconded by Councilmember Mirsch to approve the Consent Calendar.
Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pieper
9. Excluded Consent Calendar Items - None
10. Commission Items
10.A. Receive and file Zoning Case No. 25-101: Site plan review for new construction, non-exempt grading and related improvements; variances for a detached garage within front and side yard area, detached pool house within rear yard area, deck exceeding 12", import of soil, and te exceed 40 percent disturbance: conditional use permit to exceed 200 square feet for accessory structures, and finding the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act for location at 10 Saddleback Road (Birkett) (LOT 17-2-RH) Presentation by Willdan Contract Senior Planner Schaetzl Deborah Richie-Bray
Public Comment: Deborah Richie-Bray
Motion by Councilmember Mirsch to receive and file. Motion failed for lack of a second.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Black, seconded by Councilmember Wilson to take the item under consideration.
Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, January 12, 2026
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pieper
11. Public Hearings
11.A. A Public Hearing for Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 389 amending Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) of the Rolling Hills Municipal Code and determining the ordinance exempt from CEQA
Presentation by City Attorney Papajohn
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Black, seconded by Councilmember Mirsch to adopt Ordinance No. 389. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pieper
12. Discussion Items
12.A. Consideration and Discussion of the City's Outdoor Emergency Warning System Contractual Framework
Presentation by Management Analyst Crew
Public Comment: Martha Bernadette, Don Swanson
Motion by Mayor Dieringer, seconded by Councilmember Mirsch to table the item to the February 9, 2026 City Council meeting and request further information from staff. Motion carried unanimously with the following AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pieper
12.B. Approve Third Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Bennett Landscape for a One-Year Extension providing Landscaping Services on the City Hall campus Presentation by Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Horvath Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Black, seconded by Councilmember Wilson to approve as presented. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pieper
12.C. Consideration of awarding a construction contract to Pacific Power Engineering Technology Inc. providing construction services on the City Hall Emergency Backup Dual-Fuel Generator Project No. 2025-04 in an amount not-to-exceed $288,150.00 (inclusive of a 10% contingency):
Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, and finding the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, January 12, 2026
Presentation by Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Horvath Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Black, seconded by Councilmember Mirsch to approve as presented. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pieper
12.D. Consideration and Approval of Proposed Fiscal Year 2026/27 Budget Calendar Presentation by Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Horvath Motion by Councilmember Wilson, seconded by Councilmember Mirsch to approve as presented. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pieper
12.E. Approve the Proposed 2026 City Council Meeting Calendar Presentation by Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Horvath Motion by Councilmember Wilson, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Black to approve as presented. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pieper
13. Matters From the City Council
13.A. Consider and approve the updated City Council Committee Assignments For 2026 Presentation by City Manager Bañales
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Black, seconded by Councilmember Wilson to approve Section 1 of the Committee Assignment matrix except for Line 1H. Motion carried with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black
NOES: Mayor Dieringer
ABSENT: Pieper
Motion by Councilmember Mirsch, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Black to approve Section 2 of the Committee Assignment matrix and eliminate the alternate designation on Lines I and K. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pieper
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, January 12, 2026
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Black, seconded by Mayor Dieringer to approve Section 3 of the Committee Assignment matrix and correct the Fire Fuel Committee assignment to note Councilmember Pieper as a member. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pieper
14. Matters From Staff
14.A. Receive and file a Verbal Update on Code Cases #443 - 77 Portuguese Bend Rd, #452 - 2 Crest Rd. E., and #453 - 6 Running Brand Rd.
Presentation by City Manager Bañales
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Black, seconded by Councilmember Mirsch to receive and file. Motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
AYES: Mirsch, Wilson, Black, Mayor Dieringer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pieper
Mayor Dieringer inquired about making a referral to the Planning Commission regarding the consideration of a provision for ADU set asides. Mayor Pro Tem Black opined that he was not interested. City Manager Bañales provided information on the administrative staff actions that are required within 15 days of receiving an ADU application, and some allowances for ensuring compliance or applicant appeal to the Planning Commission. She noted that staff could add a checkbox to the ADU framework and procedures that staff currently utilize.
City Attorney Papajohn noted that BB&K can evaluate if any City action may be required and inform the City Manager.
City Manager Bañales provided verbal updates on the previously expressed concerns regarding traffic signal timing at Rolling Hills Road / Palos Verdes Drive North as well as coyote management concerns.
Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk Horvath reported that the City Hall ADA parking space and striping had been repaired utilizing Metro TDA3 funds. He also noted that staff would return with a future items) 'egarding the recent passage of SB707 which affects brown act meeting rules, potential upgrades to th council Chambers to ensure compliance, and a reminder about new and repeat required Council trainin‹ and form 700 filings for the year.
15. Recess To Closed Session: 9:48 p.m.
15.A. Public Employee Performance Evaluation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 (B)(1) Title: City Manager
16. Reconvene To Open Session: 10:32 p.m.
17. Adjournment: 10:32 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:32 p.m. on January 12, 2026. The next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled to be held on Monday, January 26, 2026 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, January 12, 2026
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,
Ben Risinger
Bea Dieringer, Mayor
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, January 12, 2026