CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 14, 2022
1 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 14, 2022
1. ALL 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 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall and remotely via teleconference, in accordance with Assembly Bill 361 (AB 361) and City Council Resolution Nos. 2487, 2490, 2491, 2493, 2498, 2499, 2503, 2505 and 2507 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 MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF
3. ROLL CALL
City Council Members Present: Zuckerman, Stegura, Schmitz, Huff, Zerunyan City Staff Present: City Manager Greg Grammer
City Attorney Don Davis
Administrative Services Director Mike Whitehead
Community Development & PW Director David Wahba
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Administrative Assistant Carol Corea
4. CEREMONIAL
A. PROCLAMATION: DECLARING JUNE 2022 “PRIDE MONTH”
MAYOR ZERUNYAN expressed the importance of recognizing equality and declared June 2022 “Pride Month” and presented a proclamation. He introduced Lisa Augustine, resident of Rolling Hills Estates.
Lisa Augustine thanked the City for their support and commended the City on being a safe city; recognizing “Pride Month” shows that the City is one of acceptance and inclusiveness.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA stated that recognizing “Pride Month” is especially important this year since the City adopted Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement. She thanked Ms.
Augustine for her attendance and activism.
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 SCHMITZ moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF, TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 5A-D AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Zuckerman, Stegura, Schmitz, Huff, Zerunyan
A. READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
APPROVED
B. DEMANDS AND WARRANTS OF JUNE 2022
APPROVED WARRANTS 65132 THROUGH 65186 IN THE AMOUNT OF
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 14, 2022
2 $428,378.64; AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 050422 THROUGH 050522; 060122 THROUGH 060322; IN THE AMOUNT OF $242,394.17; FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $670,772.81 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
C. EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE MINUTES OF APRIL 25, 2022
REVIEWED AND APPROVED
D. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JUNE 6, 2022
REVIEWED AND APPROVED
6. PUBLIC COMMENT / PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
NONE
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
NONE
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. MCGOWAN CONSULTING LLC, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) FOR MS4 PERMIT CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THREE FISCAL YEARS (2022- 25)
Recommendation: That the City Council approve a three-year Professional Services Agreement with McGowan Consulting LLC for MS4 Permit compliance assistance for FYs 2022-25 in the not-to-exceed grand total amount of $346,429 ($109,890 in FY 2022-23), all to the satisfaction of the City Attorney.
Director Wahba provided a summary of the staff report (as per the staff report).
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ inquired if there is a point when the City will meet MS4 Permit compliance. Director Wahba explained that the Torrance Airport project that was just approved is designed to divert stormwater to the sanitary sewer. He stated that the proposed Drywell Siting Project will divert stormwater to an infiltration basin. These various projects take time, but they are in progress.
In response to a question by COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA, City Manager Grammer stated that the city has been working Kathleen McGowan for more than 20 years on stormwater permit compliance issues.
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF asked about the Public Participation Guidelines referenced in the Task Order. Kathleen McGowan responded that all of the activities the city is involved with are reported on an annual basis. She further explained that the permit that became effective in September 2021 requires that specific metrics on engagement are tracked. She also provided examples of their outreach efforts including educating on illicit discharge into the storm drain.
Ms. McGowan stated that the Torrance Airport and Drywell Siting project are both working towards capturing the 1-inch of rainfall, which is the minimum to bring the city in compliance; this would move the city into only having to do baseline maintenance, and consulting costs would be reduced.
In response to a question by MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF, Ms. McGowan responded that she and Director Wahba attend the Peninsula Watershed Management Group (WMG) meetings, which are helpful to coordinate efforts with the other cities.
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE A THREE-YEAR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH MCGOWAN CONSULTING LLC FOR MS4 PERMIT COMPLIANCE
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 14, 2022
3 ASSISTANCE FOR FYS 2022-25 IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $346,429 ($109,890 IN FY 2022-23), ALL TO THE
SATISFACTION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
AYES: Zuckerman, Stegura, Schmitz, Huff, Zerunyan
B. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) TO RETAIN GEOSYNTEC CONSULTANTS INC. TO CONDUCT A DRY WELL SITING STUDY
Recommendation: That the City Council approve a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. to conduct a Dry Well Siting Study in the amount of $169,883, all to the satisfaction of the City Attorney.
Director Wahba provided a summary of the staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA referenced an attachment to the proposed contract where Geosyntec notes a confluence of drainage points with a point in Rancho Palos Verdes, and states that if an agreement could be reached the drywell siting would be done there. She asked if this would be a cost savings to the overall project. Ms. McGowan clarified that this would not be part of this project and stated that the scope of this study is to look at siting the wells in the city.
Chris Wessel, Geosyntec, stated that it may provide cost saving, but other factors such as long-term maintenance would need to be considered; this was included since it came up as part of their initial analysis.
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF asked about community engagement and disruptions to the community due to noise and activities related to this project. Mr. Wessel explained that, at this stage, there will be minimal noise and it would be for less than a day. He further explained that the community engagement portion is in part driven by the MS4 Permit and with Measure W and stated that this is a driving factor in any future funding applications. He added that community engagement is important to keep residents informed and provide an opportunity to ask questions and provide input. Director Wahba added that staff will be notifying the HOAs and immediate neighbors about activities related to this project.
Ms. McGowan added that the potential for an area in Rancho Palos Verdes only applies to the portion that is going to the Harbor; the drywell that is needed to comply with is going to Machado Lake and would not be shared with Rancho Palos Verdes.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) WITH
GEOSYNTEC CONSULTANTS, INC. TO CONDUCT A DRY WELL SITING STUDY IN THE AMOUNT OF $169,883, ALL TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AYES: Zuckerman, Stegura, Schmitz, Huff, Zerunyan
C. PROJECT LIST FOR SB1 FUND ELIGIBILITY (RESOLUTION NO. 2508) Recommendation: That the City Council Approve Resolution No. 2508, adopting a list of projects for Fiscal Year 2022-23 funded by SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
Director Wahba provided a summary of the staff report (as per the agenda material).
MAYOR ZERUNYAN asked if the streetscapes would still be done this summer. Director Wahba confirmed that this is still the plan and the contract should be presented at the next City Council meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 14, 2022
4 APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2508, ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 FUNDED BY SB 1, THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017.
AYES: Zuckerman, Stegura, Schmitz, Huff, Zerunyan
9. OLD BUSINESS
A. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 741 AMENDING AND RESTATING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 17.60 (SIGNS)
Recommendation: That the City Council (1) conduct the second reading of Ordinance No. 741; and (2) adopt Ordinance No. 741
Director Wahba stated that there have been no comments or changes since the first reading and introduction.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE TO CONDUCT THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO.
741 AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 741
AYES: Zuckerman, Stegura, Schmitz, Huff, Zerunyan
B. UPDATE ON LOS ANGELES COUNTY SAFER AT HOME ORDER (VERBAL
REPORT)
City Manager Grammer reported that the number of COVID cases and hospitalizations have fluctuated and are currently trending upward; staff will be monitoring whether changes are made to the Health Officer Order . The County is currently in a “medium level” of transmission, as defined by the CDC. City Manager Grammer also reported that earlier this week, the CDC announced that they would not be requiring pre-departure COVID testing for those entering the United States from international travel.
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
NONE
11. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
NONE
12. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF reported that South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) will be transitioning officers on June 23, 2022. El Segundo Mayor Drew Boyles will be ending his term. Staff will be preparing a certificate to present to him. Rancho Palos Verdes’ Council Member, John Cruikshank, is scheduled to be the next Chair.
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF also reported that on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a presentation by Dr. Christopher Thornberg, Vice President of Beacon Economics, who will be providing an annual economic forecast follow-up entitled, “The Post Covid World: Will the Sweet turn Sour.” COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ thanked the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce for a successful street fair, which she and her family attended.
13. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
NONE
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 14, 2022
5 14. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Significant exposure to litigation: one potential case
B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representatives: City Manager and Assistant City Manager Employee Organization: City of Rolling Hills Estates Employees' Association
15. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS ADJOURNMENT
At 7:56 p.m. MAYOR ZERUNYAN adjourned the meeting in memory of Dandi O’Connor.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN and COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA expressed their sympathies to her family.
The meeting was adjourned to the next regular City Council meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Carol Corea on behalf of Frank V. Zerunyan
Lauren Pettit, City Clerk Mayor