CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
JUNE 27, 2023
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 27, 2023
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
MAYOR HUFF called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by MAYOR HUFF.
3. ROLL CALL
City Council Members Present: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura City Council Members Absent: Zerunyan
City Staff Present: City Manager Greg Grammer
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
City Attorney Don Davis
Administrative Services Director Mike Whitehead
Public Works Director David Wahba
Community Development Director Jeannie Naughton
Senior Accountant Fernando Estrada
Administrative Aide Gabrielle Swain
4. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
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 SCHMITZ TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 4A-G AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura,
ABSENT: Zerunyan
A. READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS BY TITLE ONLY
APPROVED.
B. DEMANDS AND WARRANTS OF JUNE 2023
APPROVED WARRANTS 66332 THROUGH 66394 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$316,486.09, AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 060323 THROUGH
060523; 66310 VOID; IN THE AMOUNT OF $114,661.11 FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $431,147.20 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
C. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS REPORT OF MAY 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
D. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT OF MAY 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 2
JUNE 27, 2023
E. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JUNE 13, 2023
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
F. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF JUNE 14, 2023 RECEIVED AND FILED.
G. NOTICE OF COMPLETION - INSTALLATION OF STORMWATER DETENTION
BASIN AND DIVERSION INFRASTRUCTURE ON PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH (SOUTH SIDE OF STREET, WEST OF ROLLING HILLS ROAD) PROJECT BY E.C.
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
1) ACCEPTED THE STORM WATER DETENTION BASIN PROJECT
(LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH
(PVDN), JUST WEST OF ROLLING HILLS ROAD) AS COMPLETE; 2)
AUTHORIZED THE CITY CLERK TO FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION FORM WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY RECORDER’S OFFICE ON
JUNE 28, 2023; AND 3) IF NO CLAIMS ARE FILED WITHIN 35 DAYS AFTER RECORDATION, DIRECTED STAFF TO RELEASE THE 5%
CONSTRUCTION RETENTION PAYMENT TO E.C. CONSTRUCTION IN
THE AMOUNT OF $4,008.15.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT/PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. FY 2023-24 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION
Recommendation: That the City Council 1) Open the Public Hearing and take any public testimony related to the budget adoption, including fees and charges, fund balance policy, investment policy, and pension funding policy; 2) Close the Public Hearing; and 3) Review and adopt Resolutions 2547, 2548, and 2549, Statement of Fund Balance Policy, Statement of Investment Policy, and Statement of Pension Funding Policy.
Senior Accountant Estrada provided a summary of the staff report (as per the staff report).
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA to:
OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING
There being no objection, MAYOR HUFF so ordered.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ thanked Administrative Services Director Whitehead and Senior Accountant Estrada for their work on the budget.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER to:
CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING
There being no objection, MAYOR HUFF so ordered.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3
JUNE 27, 2023
ADOPT RESOLUTION 2547.
AYES: Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura,
ABSENT: Zerunyan
Assistant City Manager Davis read Resolution No. 2547 by title.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT RESOLUTION 2548.
AYES: Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura,
ABSENT: Zerunyan
Assistant City Manager Davis read Resolution No. 2548 by title.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
SCHACHTER TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT RESOLUTION 2549.
AYES: Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura,
ABSENT: Zerunyan
Assistant City Manager Davis read Resolution No. 2549 by title.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ moved, seconded by MAYOR HUFF TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT STATEMENT OF FUND BALANCE POLICY, STATEMENT OF
INVESTMENT POLICY, AND STATEMENT OF PENSION FUNDING POLICY.
AYES: Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura,
ABSENT: Zerunyan
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. PERSONNEL RESOLUTIONS FY 2023-24
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt 1) Resolution 2551, adopting the 2023-2024 Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Rolling Hills Estates Employees’ Association, and 2) Resolutions 2552, 2553, 2554 authorizing the number of positions and salary ranges for Professional, Management and PartTime employees in the City service.
Administrative Aide Swain 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.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
SCHACHTER TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT RESOLUTION 2551.
AYES: Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura,
ABSENT: Zerunyan
Assistant City Manager Davis read Resolution No. 2551 by title.
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JUNE 27, 2023
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT RESOLUTION 2552.
AYES: Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura,
ABSENT: Zerunyan
Assistant City Manager Davis read Resolution No. 2552 by title.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
SCHACHTER TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT RESOLUTION 2553.
AYES: Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura,
ABSENT: Zerunyan
Assistant City Manager Davis read Resolution No. 2553 by title.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
SCHACHTER TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT RESOLUTION 2554.
AYES: Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura,
ABSENT: Zerunyan
Assistant City Manager Davis read Resolution No. 2554 by title.
B. AWARD OF PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT TO HARDY & HARPER INC. FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 ANNUAL STREET RESURFACING PROJECT FOR STRAWBERRY
AND DAPPLEGRAY LANES
Recommendation: That the City Council 1) Accept the bid from Hardy & Harper Inc. in the amount of $557,000, plus a 10% contingency ($55,700) for a grand total of $612,700; and 2) Direct the Mayor, City Clerk and City Attorney to execute a Public Works Contract between the City of Rolling Hills Estates and Hardy & Harper Inc., all to the satisfaction of the City Attorney.
Public Works Director Wahba 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 MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
1) ACCEPT THE BID FROM HARDY & HARPER INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $557,000, PLUS A 10% CONTINGENCY ($55,700) FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF $612,700; AND 2) DIRECT THE MAYOR, CITY CLERK AND CITY ATTORNEY
TO EXECUTE A PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
ROLLING HILLS ESTATES AND HARDY & HARPER INC., ALL TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AYES: Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura,
ABSENT: Zerunyan
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5
JUNE 27, 2023
C. FOUNDERS PARK PROJECT-REQUEST TO REJECT BIDS AND RESOLICIT BIDS Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Reject the bids received on May 25, 2023 for Founders Park; and, 2) Authorize staff to resolicit bids for the construction of Founders Park, with a sealed bid opening date of Thursday, July 27, 2023, all to the satisfaction of the City Attorney.
Public Works Director Wahba provided a staff report (as per the agenda material.) Public Works Director Wahba explained the estimate was reduced by Willdan by simplifying the project scope, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER.
Public Works Director Wahba explained that a large part of the estimate is due to the drainage necessary on the lot, in response to MAYOR HUFF.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ expressed concern that the City runs the risk of estimates coming in even higher if the project goes out to bid again. Discussion ensued about construction costs, how they can change during the course of a project, and negotiating costs.
City Attorney Davis noted that negotiating after the project begins is not an ideal practice.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA stated that the project could also be done incrementally, throughout multiple fiscal years if needed.
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
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
1) REJECT THE BIDS RECEIVED ON MAY 25, 2023 FOR FOUNDERS PARK; AND, 2) AUTHORIZE STAFF TO RESOLICIT BIDS FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF FOUNDERS PARK, WITH A SEALED BID OPENING DATE OF THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2023, ALL TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AYES: Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura,
ABSENT: Zerunyan
D. AMENDMENTS TO BUSINESS LICENSE TAX CHAPTER (Section 5.04.180) Recommendation: That the City Council introduce for first reading Ordinance No. 748, and bring the Ordinance back for a second reading and adoption at the regular meeting of the City Council on July 11, 2023.
Administrative Services Director Whitehead and City Attorney Davis 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
SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
INTRODUCE FOR FIRST READING ORDINANCE NO. 748, AND DIRECTED
STAFF TO BRING THE ORDINANCE BACK FOR A SECOND READING AND
ADOPTION AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON JULY 11, 2023.
AYES: Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura,
ABSENT: Zerunyan
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6
JUNE 27, 2023
Assistant City Manager Davis read Ordinance No. 748 by title.
E. DROUGHT UPDATE AND CITY RESPONSE
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2550, declaring a water shortage response level 1, consistent with Cal Water’s AL No. 2481.
Community Development Director Naughton provided a staff report (as per the agenda material.)
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER noted that we should continue to encourage the community to be wise with their water usage.
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 MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2550, DECLARING A WATER SHORTAGE
RESPONSE LEVEL 1, CONSISTENT WITH CAL WATER’S AL NO. 2481.
AYES: Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura,
ABSENT: Zerunyan
Assistant City Manager Davis read Resolution No. 2550 by title.
9. OLD BUSINESS
None.
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
None.
11. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA reported that she attended the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Board Meeting last week.
COUNCIL MEMBER SEGURA attended the Doors Open Peninsula 2023 event, including the Malaga Cove Public Officials event.
MAYOR HUFF and City Manager Grammer joined Cal Water, Los Angeles County Fire, and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes for the commissioning of a new HeloPod on the Peninsula.
MAYOR HUFF attended the Sanitation District meeting last week.
12. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
A. AUTHORIZATION TO ATTEND AND DESIGNATION OF VOTING DELEGATES AND
ALTERNATES- THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES' ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXPO IN SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 20 - 22, 2023 MAYOR HUFF will serve as the delegate, and COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER as the alternate. It was the consensus of the City Council to allow any/all Council Members to attend the conference.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ reminded the public that fireworks are illegal on the Peninsula.
City Manager Grammer added that Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department would be doing patrols for firework use.
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JUNE 27, 2023
13. CLOSED SESSION
A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Manager (Quarterly Evaluation)
NO REPORTABLE ACTION.
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:01 p.m. MAYOR HUFF adjourned the City Council meeting to Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a Regular Meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit Britt Huff
City Clerk Mayor