CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
SEPTEMBER 27, 2022
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 27 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 7:06 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall and remotely via teleconference, in accordance with Assembly Bill 361 (AB 361), 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 an unnamed member of the public.
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 Davis
Administrative Services Director Mike Whitehead
Community Development & PW Director David Wahba
City Clerk Lauren Pettit
4. CEREMONIAL
None.
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 will be considered under New Business.) COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF, TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 5A-H 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.
B. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
C. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
D. DEMANDS AND WARRANTS OF SEPTEMBER 2022
RECEIVED AND FILED.
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SEPTEMBER 27, 2022
E. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS REPORT OF AUGUST 2022
RECEIVED AND FILED.
F. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT OF AUGUST 2022
RECEIVED AND FILED.
G. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CONTINUED USE OF
TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY PROCEDURES TO CONDUCT PUBLIC MEETINGS PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 361
ADOPTED RESOLUTION 2530 TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT AND UTILIZE TELECONFERENCE
ACCESSIBILITY PROCEDURES TO CONDUCT PUBLIC MEETINGS
PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 361.
H. ADJOURNED PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 RECEIVED AND FILED.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT / PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
A. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Public comment was received by Gat and Gerald Lum, thanking the City Council for the Certificate of Recognition presented to Gerald for his 34 years of service to the City on the Traffic & Safety Committee.
Public comment related to the Promenade and the Palos Verdes Performing Arts (PVPA) was received by: Ulrike Ziegner Hokanson, Elana Landau, Stefanie & Sadie Sanders, Elizabeth & Montana Birkett, Monica De La Cruz Povolo, Sophia Galletti, Danny Ryan, Helen Chung, Sally Stoler, Elise Vu and Katrina Von Kriegenbergh.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. PROPOSED ORDINANCE ADOPTING MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENTS REGARDING: (1) UPDATE TO CHAPTER 17.76 (DENSITY BONUS AND OTHER INCENTIVES), (2) AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 17.30 (COMMERCIAL-GENERAL DISTRICT) TO PROVIDE FOR BONUS LEVEL DEVELOPMENT, AND (3) NEW CHAPTER 17.82 (DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS)
Recommendation: That the City Council 1) conduct the public hearing on the ordinance adopting the proposed zoning code amendments; 2) vote to introduce the ordinance for first reading; and 3) direct that the ordinance be brought for a second reading and adoption at the next regular City Council meeting.
City Attorney Don Davis provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF, TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN so ordered.
City Attorney Davis explained that the 25% community benefit number listed in the report is a target, the exact number will be negotiated, and that the applicant will select the appraiser while the City provides direction as to how they approach the evaluation, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN’s questions.
Discussion ensued about the process of selecting an appraiser.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZUCKERMAN noted that he feels “art” should be removed because it is too subjective.
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SEPTEMBER 27, 2022
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA inquired about the parking requirement language in section
17.76.050, as it relates to recent legislation that was passed to not require parking within a high-quality transit area. City Attorney Davis stated that he would look into the latest legislation, noting that we can more easily remove things from the City’s Municipal Code than add to it.
City Attorney Davis explained that Rolling Hills Estates does not have a major transit stop within the City, so certain sections would not be applicable, in response to MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email, via eComment, 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 SCHMITZ, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN so ordered.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
ZUCKERMAN, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 744 FOR FIRST READING AND DIRECTED
THAT THE ORDINANCE BE BROUGHT FOR A SECOND READING AND
ADOPTION AT THE NEXT REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
AYES: Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan and Zuckerman
ABSENT: None
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. NORTHGATE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT INC. MASTER PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES AGREEMENT (MPSA) FOR CONTINUED WATER QUALITY
MONITORING SERVICES AT THE PETER WEBER EQUESTRIAN CENTER (PWEC) FOR FIVE YEARS (2022-27)
Recommendation: That the City Council approve a five-year Master Professional Services Agreement with Northgate Environmental Management Inc. to provide consulting services for continued water quality monitoring at the Peter Weber Equestrian Center in the not-to-exceed grand total amount of $108,285, all to the satisfaction of the City Attorney.
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Consultant Nicky Robinson, Senior Engineer of Northgate Environmental Management, explained that a 3% rate increase was included in the proposal, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA. She also noted that wet weather monitoring is also done with the City of Torrance, whose contract is extending for one more year and anticipated to be renewed, but since it is not guaranteed the rates are higher in the proposal for years two through five.
Community Development & Public Works Director Wahba and City Attorney Davis explained that the contract will have the option to terminate at any time, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email, via eComment, 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.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
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SEPTEMBER 27, 2022
APPROVE A FIVE-YEAR MASTER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH NORTHGATE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT INC.
TO PROVIDE CONSULTING SERVICES FOR CONTINUED WATER
QUALITY MONITORING AT THE PETER WEBER EQUESTRIAN CENTER IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $108,285, ALL TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AYES: Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan and Zuckerman
ABSENT: None
9. OLD BUSINESS
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF, to adjourn to the Pepper Tree Foundation Board Meeting.
**ADJOURN TO PEPPER TREE FOUNDATION BOARD MEETING**
A. PEPPER TREE FOUNDATION FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Recommendation: That the Rolling Hills Estates Pepper Tree Foundation Board of Directors appoint the following individuals to the Fundraising Committee: Eileen Hupp, Robert Medawar, Julia Parton-Rosas, Lisa Pope and Suzy Zimmerman.
Assistant City Manager Davis provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email, via eComment, 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.
BOARD MEMBER ZUCKERMAN moved, seconded by VICE-CHAIR HUFF, AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPOINT THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO THE PEPPER TREE
FOUNDATION FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE: EILEEN HUPP, ROBERT
MEDAWAR, JULIA PARTON-ROSAS, LISA POPE AND SUZY ZIMMERMAN.
AYES: Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan and Zuckerman
ABSENT: None
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA, to reconvene the City Council Meeting.
**RECONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING**
B. UPDATE ON LOS ANGELES COUNTY SAFER AT HOME ORDER (VERBAL
REPORT)
City Manager Grammer reported that Los Angeles County remains in the low transmission level. He also reported that last Friday, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Health Order to no longer require masks on public transportation or public transit areas. He added that the updated booster shots are now available for those 12 years and older.
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
City Attorney Don Davis reported that new legislation has been passed affecting the Brown Act, and that he would provide more details at a future meeting.
11. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF reported that the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will be holding its annual Legislative Forum & Luncheon on Monday, October 3 at 11:30 a.m.
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SEPTEMBER 27, 2022
MAYOR PRO TEM HUFF also reported that the City Celebration on September 17 was a successful and fun event for the community.
12. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
MAYOR ZERUNYAN reported that he would be attending the California Contract Cities Association’s (CCCA) Fall Educational Seminar in Lake Arrowhead, along with Management Analyst Jessica Slawson.
MAYOR ZERUNYAN also reported that CCCA would be holding its annual City Manager’s Summit on October 27.
13. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Significant exposure to litigation: one potential case
NO REPORTABLE ACTION
B. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Manager (Annual Evaluation)
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:17 p.m. MAYOR ZERUNYAN adjourned the City Council meeting to Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a Regular Meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit Frank V. Zerunyan
City Clerk Mayor