CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
FEBRUARY 8, 2022
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 8, 2022
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills Estates was called to order by MAYOR ZERUNYAN at 7:01 pm remotely via teleconference, in accordance with Assembly Bill 361 (AB 361) and City Council Resolution Nos. 2487, 2490, 2491, 2493 and proposed Resolution 2498, due to the continuing state of emergency, including masking and social distancing directives as a result of the threat of the COVID-19 virus.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputy Tami Bouse.
3. ROLL CALL
City Council Members Present: Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan and Zuckerman City Council Members Absent: None
City Staff Present: City Manager Greg Grammer
City Attorney Don Davis
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Administrative Services Director Mike Whitehead
City Clerk Lauren Pettit
Management Analyst Jessica Slawson
4. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
A. RESOLUTIONS OF COMMENDATION: DEPUTY TAMI BOUSE AND DEPUTY
REECE SOUZA, LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, LOMITA
STATION
Deputy Tami Bouse (present) and Deputy Reece Souza were presented with Resolutions of Commendation in recognition of their many years of service to the community.
Each Council Member spoke, expressing their gratitude towards both retiring Deputies.
Sheriff Captain James Powers also spoke, recognizing both Deputies for their dedication to the community.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
The following routine matters will be acted upon by one vote to approve with the majority consent of the City Council. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless good cause is shown by a member prior to the roll call vote. (Items removed for individual consideration will be voted on separately.)
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF, TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 5A-F AS FOLLOWS BY THE
FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan and Zuckerman
ABSENT: None
A. READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS BY TITLE ONLY
APPROVED.
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FEBRUARY 8, 2022
B. DEMANDS AND WARRANTS OF NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2021
APPROVED WARRANTS 64747 THROUGH 64817 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$437,139.08; AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 020122 THROUGH
020322; 64793V; IN THE AMOUNT OF $125,148.36; FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $562,287.44 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
C. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JANUARY 25, 2022
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
D. PARK & ACTIVITIES COMMISSION SPECIAL MINUTES OF JANUARY 18, 2022 RECEIVED AND FILED.
E. EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE MINUTES OF JANUARY 24, 2022
RECEIVED AND FILED.
F. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CONTINUED USE OF
TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY PROCEDURES TO CONDUCT PUBLIC MEETINGS PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 361
ADOPTED RESOLUTION 2498 TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT AND UTILIZE TELECONFERENCE
ACCESSIBILITY PROCEDURES TO CONDUCT PUBLIC MEETINGS
PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 361.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT / PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
NONE.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
NONE.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT WITH PETER WEBER EQUESTRIAN CENTER ENTERPRISES, INC.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the attached amended and restated Concessionaire Agreement with Peter Weber Equestrian Center Enterprises, Inc. for the operation of the Peter Weber Equestrian Center.
Assistant City Manager Davis provided a brief staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN confirmed that the Concessionaire annually submits a certificate of insurance to the City, and thanked Concessionaire Gil Houle for exceeding expectations as the Concessionaire for Peter Weber Equestrian Center.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA thanked Gil Houle for giving her a tour of the facility.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA stated that the City-approved agreements with the horse trainers would be an appropriate place to require all trainers to have a City business license.
Both Assistant City Manager Davis and City Attorney Davis stated they would confirm this is included in the agreement.
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF, as the Chair of the Equestrian Committee, reported that the Committee has appreciated Gil Houle’s cooperation throughout the survey process. She also reported that there was discussion at the last Equestrian Committee meeting about difficulties completing the online forms for the business licenses.
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FEBRUARY 8, 2022
MAYOR ZERUNYAN also thanked Concessionaire Gil Houle for being a great partner to the City.
Public comment was invited via email, via eComment on the City’s website, and during the live Zoom Webinar as noticed on the Agenda and on the City’s website and social media platforms.
No additional public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CONCESSIONAIRE
AGREEMENT WITH PETER WEBER EQUESTRIAN CENTER
ENTERPRISES, INC. FOR THE OPERATION OF THE PETER WEBER
EQUESTRIAN CENTER.
AYES: Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan and Zuckerman
ABSENT: None
B. ADOPTION OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION POLICY STATEMENT Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Policy Statement.
Assistant City Manager Davis provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA thanked staff for their participation and guidance in the creation of this policy. She stated that it is important to make it publicly known that we as a City embrace diversity and work towards equity and inclusion, noting that the next steps will be to return to the City Council with ways to develop initiatives to make this happen.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ added that this is how the City currently operates, and will continue to operate in a respectful and inclusive way.
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF thanked COUNCIL MEMBERS STEGURA and SCHMITZ for volunteering to serve on the subcommittee to develop this policy, and stated that it is an important statement to have in place, and that she looks forward to future discussions about developing initiatives.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN echoed the other Council Members.
Public comment was invited via email, via eComment on the City’s website, and during the live Zoom Webinar as noticed on the Agenda and on the City’s website and social media platforms.
No public testimony was received.
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN, AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION (DEI) POLICY
STATEMENT.
AYES: Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan and Zuckerman
ABSENT: None
9. OLD BUSINESS
A. UPDATE ON LOS ANGELES COUNTY SAFER AT HOME ORDER AND STATUS OF
CITY EVENTS (VERBAL REPORT)
City Manager Grammer reported that in Los Angeles County, the positivity rate, daily case rate and hospitalization rate for COVID-19 all continue to steadily decline. The death rate continues to be high, consisting of mainly those who are unvaccinated. He also reported that the State plans to lift the indoor mask mandate effective February 15 for those who are vaccinated. Los Angeles County, however, will continue the indoor mask mandate until hospitalization rates fall CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 4
FEBRUARY 8, 2022
below 2,500 for seven straight days and the number of cases falls below 50 cases per 100,000 people for a two-week period, which is the “moderate” transmission level as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Currently cases stand around 1,000 per 100,000.
City Manager Grammer also reported that City Hall remains open to the public with a half-staff rotating schedule, and appointments are still encouraged. The City has also completed a number of equipment upgrades, allowing for the possibility to hold hybrid (virtual + in-person) meetings, should the Council be interested in doing so. Face masks will still be required indoors, per the Los Angeles County mandate.
City Manager Grammer suggested limiting public participation during City Council meetings to virtual comments only, rather than in-person, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN stated that he plans to participate in-person in the Council Chamber for the next City Council meeting, along with any other Council Members that wish to as well.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN also discussed his frustration with the inconsistent mandates and requirements between the State and County.
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF confirmed that masks would be required for anyone participating in the City Council meeting in-person in the Council Chamber.
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
NONE.
11. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ reported on the annual gala for Congregation Ner Tamid next month, honoring Eve Wechsberg on her 100th birthday, and the Congregation for its 60th Anniversary. The City has sent a congratulatory letter and certificate of recognition for Eve Wechsberg.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN reported on items discussed at the recent South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) meeting that he was unable to attend. He noted the Board’s approval of a Housing Trust Fund Subcommittee, as well as the SBCCOG’s General Assembly to be held on March 24.
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF also reported on the SBCCOG meeting, where the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) solar rate change was discussed, and tabled by the CPUC.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA also commented on the SBCCOG’s Housing Trust Fund Subcommittee, and discussion ensued regarding recent and current legislation related to local control and housing bills.
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF attended the Neighborhood Leadership Council meeting at the end of January, where they thanked retiring Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputy Tami Bouse for her years of service and were introduced to Deputy Ben Russell.
12. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
NONE.
13. CLOSED SESSION
A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Manager (Quarterly Evaluation)
NO REPORTABLE ACTION.
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B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Initiation of litigation: one potential case
NO REPORTABLE ACTION.
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:50 pm MAYOR ZERUNYAN adjourned the City Council meeting to the next regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 7:00 pm for the purpose of a Regular meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit Frank V. Zerunyan
City Clerk Mayor