CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
OCTOBER 24, 2023
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 24, 2023
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
MAYOR HUFF called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by students from Peninsula Heritage School.
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
City Clerk Lauren Pettit
Community Services Supervisor Rosa Pinuelas
Management Analyst Jessica Slawson
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 5A-K 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
APPROVED.
B. DEMANDS AND WARRANTS OF OCTOBER 2023
APPROVED WARRANTS 66694 THROUGH 66759 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$181,446.26; AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 100123 THROUGH
100323 IN THE AMOUNT OF $116,903.17; FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $882,935.68 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
C. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS REPORT OF SEPTEMBER 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
D. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REPORT OF SEPTEMBER 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
E. BUDGET AMENDMENTS FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024
APPROVED THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 2
OCTOBER 24, 2023
F. CORRECTIVE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 APPROVED AS AMENDED.
G. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MINUTES OF OCTOBER 10, 2023
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
H. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF OCTOBER 10, 2023
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
I. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF OCTOBER 2, 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
J. EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE MINUTES OF AUGUST 28, 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
K. PARK & ACTIVITIES COMMISSION MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 RECEIVED AND FILED.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT/PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
Public comment was received by Eric Teltscher, a resident who lost his home on Peartree Lane, making a plea to the Council to ask the Fire Department for another opportunity to retrieve more belongings.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. ELECTRONIC BICYCLE (E-BIKE) UPDATE AND CONSIDERATIONS Recommendation: That the City Council receive this report and discuss the topic of e-bikes and provide policy direction to City staff.
Management Analyst Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER thanked Management Analyst Slawson for a comprehensive report. Management Analyst Slawson explained the School District’s position in promoting safety and noted that do not handle any type of enforcement at this time, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER. COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER complimented the mobile signage that has been installed, stated that two have disappeared, and enquired about making them more permanent.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER inquired if the Sheriff can identify the types of electric bicycles (e-bikes), or if their focus is just on the speed of the e-bikes. Management Analyst Slawson explained that the Sheriff’s Department enforces the California Vehicle Code (CVC) pertaining to the roadway, not the trails and pathways, and that there can be difficulty in enforcement on the trails.
Management Analyst Slawson explained that many cities do not require registration because of the cost of implementation and enforcement and found that some cities are removing registration from their municipal codes, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER who inquired about the possibility of e-bike registration.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA expressed concern about young riders who do not know the rules of the road, who ride recklessly without helmets on the multi-use paths. She believes all CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3
OCTOBER 24, 2023
the uses of e-bikes can coexist, if they are regulated in a way that promotes safety such as:
class 3 riders must be 16 years or older; lower-level bike riders must wear a helmet if under
17. She would like the City to work with the School District and other stakeholders to introduce voluntary safe riding technique classes with certificates, to provide some practical knowledge about the rules of the road and how to safely use these powerful bikes. She suggested using e-bike registration as a tool to recover stolen bicycles, which is being done in Davis, California.
She stated that she is not seeking to prohibit the use of e-bikes in the City but is seeking to introduce some commonsense regulations that promote safety, especially for young riders who do not yet know the rules of the road.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN agreed with everything said by his fellow Council Members, and asked the City Attorney how much leeway the City has in terms of regulating e-bikes on registration, use of helmets etc. City Attorney Davis stated that some of the general health and safety items would be within the City’s purview, such as helmet wearing, requiring use of separate seats, or registration, but that requiring speed limits would be a different discussion.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN agreed that helmets should be required for riders under the age of 16. He noted that there are good uses for e-bikes, and wants to explore ideas regarding education, and suggested other organizations such as AYSO or Little Leagues also help promote education.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER stated that some riders are using the trails for recreation rather than transportation even though it is not allowed.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN suggested raising the fines to dissuade people from riding e-bikes on the trails.
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ talked about E-Bike Sense who has a contract with Hermosa Valley Unified School District, who provides a 2-hour e-bike safety training course. She agreed with COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN that if we don’t have a large enough fine, it won’t prevent people from riding e-bikes on the trails.
Discussion ensued about bike shop manufacturers locally and online, and their responsibility in education. Assistant City Manager Davis noted that a local e-bike shop in the City is looking into providing educational workshops.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA noted that the law states type-3 e-bikes are not supposed to be used by riders under the age of 16. She summarized other laws as outlined in the table attached to the staff report.
City Manager Grammer summarized the direction to staff from the City Council. He expressed concern about permanent signage getting lost in the background, whereas mobile signage can be moved around to various locations and may be more noticeable. He suggested keeping them mobile for now since it is a new program, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER.
City Manager Grammer stated that staff has budgeted for a changeable message board, and plans on purchasing one this year which can display messaging about prohibiting e-bikes on the City’s trails, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN’s suggestion.
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:
RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT, AND DIRECT STAFF TO CONTINUE
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH REGARDING E-BIKE REGULATIONS AND
SAFETY, PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND LOCAL E-BIKE
SHOP REGARDING COMMUNITY EDUCATION, CONTINUE TO WORK
WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
REGARDING ENFORCEMENT, INCREASE EDUCATION ON CURRENT
STATE AND LOCAL LAWS REGARDING E-BIKES, RETURN TO COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 4
OCTOBER 24, 2023
WITH CURRENT FINES AND OPTIONS TO INCREASE THEM ALONG WITH POTENTIAL MUNICIPAL CODE UPDATES.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
B. WESTFIELD PROPERTY OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR
PRIVATE SECURITY CAMERA EQUIPMENT LOCATED ON CITY PROPERTY Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Westfield Property Owners Association License Agreement as to form by the City Attorney for Private Security Camera Equipment Located on City Property which will allow neighborhood cameras to be installed on City rights-of-way.
Management Analyst Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA clarified that it is a security camera and license plate reading camera.
Management Analyst Slawson explained that the homeowner’s association (HOA) will be responsible for monitoring the camera data, but as part of the grant program, the City requires the HOA share the camera data with the Sheriff’s Department, in response to COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER.
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:
APPROVE THE WESTFIELD PARK, RECREATION AND PARKWAYS
DISTRICT #12 LICENSE AGREEMENT AS TO FORM BY THE CITY
ATTORNEY FOR PRIVATE SECURITY CAMERA EQUIPMENT LOCATED ON
CITY PROPERTY WHICH WILL ALLOW NEIGHBORHOOD CAMERAS TO BE INSTALLED ON CITY RIGHTS-OF-WAY. APPROVED THE WESTFIELD PARK, RECREATION AND PARKWAYS DISTRICT #12 LICENSE
AGREEMENT AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FOR PRIVATE
SECURITY CAMERA EQUIPMENT LOCATED ON CITY PROPERTY WHICH
WILL ALLOW NEIGHBORHOOD CAMERAS TO BE INSTALLED ON CITY RIGHTS-OF-WAY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
9. OLD BUSINESS
None.
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
None.
11. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHMITZ attended the California Contract Cities Association’s (CCCA) Board meeting last week.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEGURA and COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER attended the Palos Verdes Transit Authority meeting last week.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5
OCTOBER 24, 2023
12. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
MAYOR HUFF stated there is renewed interest to discuss gas-powered leaf blowers. City Manager Grammer suggested the item be brought to the Environmental Advisory Committee for discussion.
MAYOR HUFF reported that on October 13-15 was the annual Tracy Austin Doubles Tennis Tournament which was a hugely successful event with a record number of participants. She also reported that this past weekend was the Prepared Peninsula Expo and Natural Disaster Town Hall hosted by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi. MAYOR HUFF stated that this too was a well-attended event and thanked the City’s community partners for participating to help the community learn about preparing and planning for disasters. She noted there was a helpful PowerPoint presentation that was presented, which will be available on the City’s website, and will also be included in the next e-newsletter.
13. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Significant exposure to litigation: one case
NO REPORTABLE ACTION.
B. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Manager (Annual Evaluation)
NO REPORTABLE ACTION
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:40 p.m. MAYOR HUFF adjourned the City Council meeting in memory of Rolling Hills Estates resident Dan Duran. COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN spoke about his neighbor Mr. Duran and the life he led. The meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a Regular Meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit Britt Huff
City Clerk Mayor