CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
APRIL 11, 2023
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 11, 2023
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 HUFF at 7:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputy Daniel Okamoto.
3. ROLL CALL
City Council Members Present: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan City Council Members Absent: None
City Staff Present: City Manager Greg Grammer
City Attorney Don Davis
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Public Works Director David Wahba
Community Services Supervisor Rosa Pinuelas
Community Services Coordinator Matt Morrrow
4. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
A. RECOGNITION OF SHERIFF DEPUTY OKAMOTO
MAYOR HUFF presented Sheriff Deputy Okamoto with a Certificate of Recognition.
B. PROCLAMATION DECLARING APRIL AS DMV/DONATE LIFE MONTH MAYOR HUFF declared April as DMV/Donate Life Month.
C. PROCLAMATION DECLARING APRIL AS EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS MONTH MAYOR HUFF declared April as Earthquake Preparedness Month.
D. PROCLAMATION DECLARING APRIL 24, 2023 AS A "DAY OF REMEMBRANCE" OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915 - 1923
MAYOR HUFF declared April 24, 2023 as a “Day of Remembrance” of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 – 1923, and COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN spoke about the history of the Armenian Genocide and the importance of this day of remembrance.
Public comment was received from Taleen Tertzakian.
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 SCHMITZ, TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 4A-F AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
A. READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS BY TITLE ONLY
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APRIL 11, 2023
APPROVED.
B. DEMANDS AND WARRANTS OF MARCH 2023
APPROVED WARRANTS 66113 THROUGH 66144 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$114,724.95, AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 030623 THROUGH
030723 IN THE AMOUNT OF $92,316.06 FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $123,941.01 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
C. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MARCH 28, 2023
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
D. SPECIAL EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 27, 2023 RECEIVED AND FILED.
E. PARK AND ACTIVITIES COMMISSION MINUTES OF MARCH 20, 2023 RECEIVED AND FILED.
F. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS REPORT OF FEBRUARY 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
F. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF APRIL 3, 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT/PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. PARK AND ACTIVITIES COMMISSION ACTION ITEM: PORTUGUESE BEND HORSE SHOW REQUEST FOR ARENA #2 RENOVATION
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the renovation of Arena #2 at Ernie Howlett Park in the total amount of $123,272, for a City cost of $61,636.
Community Services Supervisor Pinuelas provided a staff report (as per the agenda material.) Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
Public testimony was received from Portuguese Bend Horse Show Chair Carol Rowe.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA stated that she feels it is important to attract world class riders to the City, which puts Rolling Hills Estates on the map and reinforces the rural character of the City.
COUNCIL MEMBER SHACHTER emphasized how important these horse shows are to the community.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE THE RENOVATION OF ARENA #2 AT ERNIE HOWLETT PARK IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $123,272, FOR A CITY COST OF $61,636.
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APRIL 11, 2023
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
B. PARK AND ACTIVITIES COMMISSION ACTION ITEM: SPORTS FIELD USE POLICY Recommendation: That the City Council review and approve the proposed Sports Field Use Policy.
Community Services Coordinator Matt Morrow provided a staff report (as per the agenda material.)
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN spoke about the importance of keeping public parks public.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA expressed concern about setting limits on what groups can charge for private sports clinics and stated that she could not support the policy as written.
Assistant City Manager Davis highlighted some of the challenges the City has faced with youth sports leagues over the past few years, noting that private coaching has taken away from some of the public programming.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ confirmed that groups A, B, C and D have priority in that order.
Community Services Coordinator Morrow explained how the use of fields would be allocated within each group. MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ requested the allocation process be delineated within the policy. Community Services Supervisor Pinuelas added that in-season sports also get priority over other sports.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ inquired how the policy works with groups that have contracts with the City. Community Services Supervisor Pinuelas explained that the policy will work in tandem with any contracts made with specific groups.
Community Services Supervisor Pinuelas confirmed that all contracts held by various groups for field use would not conflict with the proposed policy, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA.
Assistant City Manager Davis explained that penalties are incorporated into the policy, which do not exist now for the groups not complying with City rules, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA.
City Manager Grammer suggested a City Council Subcommittee to refine the policy and bring back to the City Council at a future date.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA stated she would like to see no cap on the cost of clinics, and suggested the policy be more explicit by putting private contractors lower on the priority list.
Further discussion ensued about concerns about the policy as written.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
Public testimony was received by Lou Persichina, Park and Activities Commissioner.
CONSENSUS TO CREATE A SUBCOMMITTEE INCLUDING COUNCIL
MEMBER STEGURA AND MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ TO WORK WITH THE
CURRENT YOUTH SPORTS SUBCOMMITTEE AND STAFF TO REVISE THE
SPORTS FIELD USE POLICY AND RETURN TO COUNCIL AT A FUTURE DATE.
MAYOR HUFF so ordered.
C. NAMING OF FUTURE PARK SITE LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF
PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH AND PALOS VERDES DRIVE EAST
Recommendation: That the City Council select “Founders Park” as the name for the future park site located at the northeast corner of Palos Verdes Drive North and Palos Verdes Drive East and direct staff to install a plaque acknowledging the City’s founders at the future park.
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APRIL 11, 2023
Community Services Supervisor Pinuelas provided a staff report (as per the agenda material.) Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
ZERUNYAN, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
SELECT “FOUNDERS PARK” AS THE NAME FOR THE FUTURE PARK SITE
LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF PALOS VERDES DRIVE
NORTH AND PALOS VERDES DRIVE EAST AND DIRECT STAFF TO
INSTALL A PLAQUE ACKNOWLEDGING THE CITY’S FOUNDERS AT THE FUTURE PARK.
MAYOR HUFF so ordered.
D. PARK PROJECT-AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT BIDS
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize staff to solicit bids for the construction of a new park at the northeast corner of Palos Verdes Drive North and Palos Verdes Drive East, with a sealed bid opening date of Thursday, May 25, 2023, all to the satisfaction of the City Attorney.
Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material.) City Attorney Davis explained that public works contracts typically involve a sealed bid process, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AUTHORIZE STAFF TO SOLICIT BIDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
FOUNDERS PARK AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF PALOS VERDES
DRIVE NORTH AND PALOS VERDES DRIVE EAST, WITH A SEALED BID OPENING DATE OF THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023, ALL TO THE
SATISFACTION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
E. LETTER IN OPPOSITION TO SB 423 (WIENER) - LAND USE: STREAMLINED HOUSING APPROVALS: MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the attached letter in opposition to SB 423 (Wiener).
City Manager Grammer provided a staff report (as per the agenda material.) COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA suggested the second paragraph be deleted.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN suggested “housing crisis” be called “affordability crisis.” Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
Public testimony was received from John Owens and Lynn Yen.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
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APRIL 11, 2023
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE LETTER IN OPPOSITION TO SB 423 (WIENER), AS AMENDED.
MAYOR HUFF so ordered.
9. OLD BUSINESS
None.
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
None.
11. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA attended the Clean Power Alliance Board meeting last week.
MAYOR HUFF reported that she and COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA attended the ribbon cutting for the Teen Annex at the Library, and MAYOR HUFF will be attending the Cal Cities City Leaders Summit in Sacramento this weekend.
12. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
None.
13. CLOSED SESSION
A. 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
NO REPORTABLE ACTION
B. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Manager (Quarterly Evaluation)
NO REPORTABLE ACTION
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:13 PM MAYOR HUFF adjourned the City Council meeting in memory of Los Angeles County Fire Fighter Specialist Jeffrey Windle. The meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a Regular Meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit Britt Huff
City Clerk Mayor