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MARCH 12, 2022 (PDS)
MINUTES
ADJOURNED CITY COUNCIL MEETING
POLICY DEVELOPMENT / STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION
MARCH 12, 2022
An adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills Estates was called to order at 9:08 a.m. on the Council Chambers patio, 4045 Palos Verdes Drive North, by MAYOR ZERUNYAN.
1. FLAG SALUTE
2. ROLL CALL
City Council Members Present: Huff, Mitchell, Schmitz, Zerunyan City Council Members Absent: Zuckerman**
City Staff Present: City Manager Greg Grammer
City Attorney Don Davis
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Administrative Services Director Mike Whitehead
Community Development/PW Director David Wahba
Planning Manager Jeannie Naughton
City Clerk Lauren Pettit
Community Services Supervisor Rosa Pinuelas
Management Analyst Jessica Slawson
3. PUBLIC COMMENT / PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
A. AVENU INSIGHTS & ANALYTICS PRESENTATION ON PROPERTY TAX TRENDS,
SALES TAX OUTLOOK AND BUSINESS LICENSE ADMINISTRATION
Administrative Services Director Whitehead introduced Tom Adams and Laura Burnett of Avenu Insights & Analytics, who provided an update on the current state of the City’s Sales Tax, Property Taxes and Business Licenses, including:
- Current Sales Tax Performance
- Los Angeles County Pool: Use Tax
- Sales Tax Revenue Forecast
- Property Tax Allocation & Forecast
- Business license Administration Update
- Discovery Recovery Services
- Revenue Summary for 2022
Discussion ensued about the impact of the pandemic on sales tax.
Discussion ensued about the business license process and challenges, with direction to provide the City Council with monthly reports for the processing time of business licenses to provide accountability and transparency to the community.
**COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN joined the meeting at 9:45 a.m.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN so ordered this item to be received and filed.
B. KNN PUBLIC FINANCE PRESENTATION
City Manager Grammer introduced Mark Young of KNN Public Finance, who presented a comprehensive analysis of the City’s CalPERS Unfunded Accrued Liability, reviewed the City’s long-term strategy, and advised the City to adopt a City policy regarding the funded percentage of the CalPERS Unfunded Accrued Liability.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN so ordered this item to be received and filed.
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MAYOR ZERUNYAN called for a recess at 10:45 a.m.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN reconvened the meeting at 11:08 a.m.
C. PRESENTATION BY KATHLEEN MCGOWAN, ENVIRONMENTAL/STORMWATER
CONSULTANT
City Manager Grammer introduced Kathleen McGowan of McGowan Consulting, who provided an update on the funding of the City’s stormwater Capital projects, the Torrance Airport project, the Machado Lake Watershed and Drywells projects, Palos Verdes Peninsula Multi-benefit Flow Diversion, Palos Verdes Drive East stormwater redevelopment and the Marloma project.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN so ordered this item to be received and filed.
4. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
A. MID-YEAR REPORTS
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file these reports.
City Manager Grammer reported that the attached mid-year reports were provided from each department regarding the status of activities at mid-year (FY 2021-22).
Administration Department mid-year report provided by Assistant City Manager Davis (as per the agenda material).
Administrative Services Department mid-year report provided by Director Whitehead (as per the agenda material).
Community Development & Public Works Department mid-year report provided by Director Wahba (as per the agenda material).
Community Services Department mid-year report provided by Assistant City Manager Davis (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVE AND FILE THE MID-YEAR REPORTS.
There being no objection, MAYOR ZERUNYAN so ordered.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN called for a recess at 12:20 p.m.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN reconvened the meeting at 12:45 p.m.
B. POLICY DEVELOPMENT SESSION ITEMS
Recommendation: That the City Council consider the items presented and prioritize them on the work plan for the coming fiscal year.
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) PROPOSED EXPENDITURE PLAN City Manager Grammer and Assistant City Manager Davis provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Following discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to approve the proposed ARPA expenditure plan, directing staff return with a more detailed grant program for local non-profit organizations and small businesses in the coming months.
ELECTRIC BICYCLES
Management Analyst Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
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Following discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to update the City’s Municipal Code to define and permit electric bicycles and include provisions for speed limits, and for staff to explore educational/outreach programs.
OUTDOOR SMOKING PROHIBITION
Assistant City Manager Davis provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Following discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council direct staff to work with “Kick Ash” and Behavioral Health Services and other groups to develop an educational outreach campaign focused on voluntarily restrictions on outdoor smoking at commercial centers and potentially gaining support for future City regulation of such areas.
COYOTE AND PEAFOWL MANAGEMENT
Management Analyst Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Following discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to obtain services with Los Angeles County for additional coyote management beyond the City’s existing coyote management program.
Following discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to consider modifying the current peafowl management program to charge the City’s cost ($200 per bird) to the person requesting each permit, consider limiting the number of birds per request, and return to the City Council with an updated program.
FIREWORKS
Management Analyst Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Following discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to return to the City Council with options to impose stricter penalties and fines, and to get a quote from the Sheriff’s Department in the cost of utilizing Fire Suppression Units.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Management Analyst Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
This item is informational for the Council.
SOLID WASTE/RECYCLING UPDATES
Assistant City Manager Davis provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
This item is informational for the Council.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW
Administrative Services Director Whitehead provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
This item is informational for the Council.
FISCAL HEALTH REPORT, FY 2010-11 THROUGH FY 2019-20
Administrative Services Director Whitehead provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
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COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVE AND FILE THE FISCAL HEALTH REPORT.
There being no objection, MAYOR ZERUNYAN so ordered.
FINANCE UPDATE
Administrative Services Director Whitehead provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
This item is informational for the Council.
FINANCE UPDATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
Administrative Services Director Whitehead provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
This item is informational for the Council.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
PLANNING POLICY ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
Building & Safety Services
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material), outlining the consideration of moving Building & Safety services from Los Angeles County entirely to Willdan.
Following discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council move Building & Safety Services from Los Angeles County, all to Willdan, as summarized in the staff report, and for staff to obtain a Task Order and scope of services from Willdan to effectuate this change effective July 1.
PUBLIC WORKS POLICY ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
Road & Sidewalk Repairs
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material), outlining the concerns of response times and costs with the current use of Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LACOPW) for large roadway pothole repairs/patches and sidewalk, driveway apron, handicapped ramps, and curb and gutter repairs.
Following discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to meet with Hardy & Harper for their pricing strategy and also conduct an RFP from other similar companies, all of which pay prevailing wages.
Commercial District Improvements
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Following discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to return at a future meeting with the conceptual plans for commercial district improvements that was prepared in the early 2000s, to be revisited and discussed further in deciding how to move forward.
Stormwater Programs Update
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material), providing updates on planning for stormwater capital projects, the Torrance Airport Stormwater Basin Regional Project, Distributed Stormwater Retention DRAFT ADJOURNED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5
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via Dry Wells and future funding pursuits. He also provided an update on the following Supplemental/Future Stormwater Projects: Palos Verdes Peninsula Multi-Benefit Flow Diversion Project, Harbor City Park Multi-Benefit Stormwater Capture Project, Rolling Hills Road Green Street and Palos Verdes Drive East Green Street/Redevelopment.
This item is informational for the Council.
PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS UPDATES:
Street Re-Surfacing & Sidewalk Repair Projects
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
This item is informational for the Council.
Dapplegray School and PVDN Intersection Improvements
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
This item is informational for the Council.
Rolling Hills Road Improvements
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
This item is informational for the Council.
Stormdrain Repair Program
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
This item is informational for the Council.
Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP)
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
This item is informational for the Council.
Metropolitan Water District (MWD) Re-Lining Project
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
This item is informational for the Council.
Butcher Park
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to continue moving forward with the plans and specifications for the park, inform the residents of the additional delays, and include images of the planned park emphasizing the importance of the infrastructure work being done by MWD.
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Nature Center
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
This item is informational for the Council.
Marloma Septic to Sewer Project
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
This item is informational for the Council.
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
COMMUNITY SERVICES PROJECT UPDATES:
Nature Center Update
Assistant City Manager Davis provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Following discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to bring this item back for future discussion and consideration.
Other Capital Projects
Assistant City Manager Davis provided a staff report (as per the agenda material), outlining other park capital projects identified to be considered over the next few fiscal years.
This item is informational for the Council.
PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
Assistant City Manager Davis and Community Services Supervisor Pinuelas provided a staff report (as per the agenda material), providing an overview of league sport field usage, tennis operation review, contract recreation class overview, class registration, proposals and contracts, fees, park usage and City parks and rights-of-way water conservation.
This item is informational for the Council. It was the consensus of the City Council to move forward with CalWater on the proposed turf removal program at Highridge Park and City Hall.
5. ADJOURNMENT
At 3:12 p.m. MAYOR ZERUNYAN adjourned the City Council meeting to the adjourned City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. on the Council Chambers Patio at Rolling Hills Estates City Hall, 4045 Palos Verdes Drive North, Rolling Hills Estates, California.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit Frank V. Zerunyan
City Clerk Mayor