CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
FEBRUARY 13, 2024
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 13, 2024
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
MAYOR SCHMITZ called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Led by Los Angeles County Sheriff Captain Kimberly Guerrero.
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 Donald Davis
Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis
Public Works Director David Wahba
Community Development Director Jeannie Naughton
Community Services Supervisor Rosa Pinuelas
Management Analyst Jessica Slawson
4. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
A. PROCLAMATION: DECLARING FEBRUARY 2024 AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH MAYOR SCHMITZ declared February 2024 as Black History Month.
B. PROCLAMATION: DECLARING FEBRUARY 2024 AS AMERICAN HEART MONTH MAYOR SCHMITZ declared February 2024 as American Heart Month.
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 HUFF moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER
SCHACHTER, 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 JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2024
APPROVED WARRANTS 67016 THROUGH 67105 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$1,123,181.62 AND SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTS 020124 THROUGH
020324; IN THE AMOUNT OF $126,536.36 FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1,249,717.98 WITH PROPER AUDIT.
C. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 2024
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
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FEBRUARY 13, 2024
D. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 2024
REVIEWED AND APPROVED.
E. PARK AND ACTIVITIES COMMISSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 16, 2024 RECEIVED AND FILED.
F. SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS OF JANUARY 25, 2024
RECEIVED AND FILED.
G. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2564 AMENDING THE PARK AND ACTIVITIES
COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2564 APPROVING A CHANGE TO THE
REGULAR MEETING DAY OF THE PARK AND ACTIVITIES COMMISSION
FROM THE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH TO THE THIRD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH.
H. PALOS VERDES PENINSULA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AND REGIONAL CONTRACT LAW COMMITTEE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 9, 2023
RECEIVED AND FILED.
I. RESOLUTION NO. 2565 CONTINUING THE PROCLAMATION OF THE LOCAL
EMERGENCY ARISING FROM SIGNIFICANT LAND MOVEMENT ALONG AND IN
THE VICINITY OF PEARTREE LANE IN THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ESTATES ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2565 CONTINUING THE PROCLAMATION
OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY CAUSED BY SIGNIFICANT LAND MOVEMENT ON PEARTREE LANE.
J. BUDGET AMENDMENTS FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024
APPROVED BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024.
K. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF JANUARY 17, 2024 RECEIVED AND FILED.
Assistant City Manager Davis read Resolutions 2564 & 2565 by title.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT/PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
A. WASTE MANAGEMENT "RECYCLING HERO" DRAWING FOR ONE YEAR OF
FREE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REFUSE SERVICE -FIRST QUARTER 2024 + PRESENTATION ON SUN VALLEY RECYCLING CENTER
RESIDENTIAL WINNER: 76 CYPRESS WAY
COMMERCIAL WINNER: JP MORGAN CHASE
Waste Management representative Erick Quintero provided an overview of the City’s waste collection data and of the recycling process at the Sun Valley Recycling Center.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Captain Kimberly Guerrero introduced Deputy Page to the City Council and community.
Public comment was received from Merlin David from the Peninsula Friends of the Library announcing a Black Heritage event to be held at Peninsula Center Library from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm on February 17, 2024.
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FEBRUARY 13, 2024
Public comment was also received from Brandee Kieth from the South Coast AQMD inviting residents and businesses to take part in their Electric Lawn and Garden programs.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN
THE CITIES OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES, RANCHO PALOS VERDES, ROLLING
HILLS, AND ROLLING HILLS ESTATES RELATING TO THE PLACEMENT AND
MAINTENANCE OF AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION CAMERAS
AROUND THE PALOS VERDES PENINSULA
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the First Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between the cities of Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates for the replacement purchase and installation of the Regional Automatic License Plate Recognition Camera system, approved as to form by the City Attorney.
Management Analyst Slawson provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
Discussion ensued about the lifespan of the camera equipment and the need for replacement seven years after installation.
LASD Captain Guerrero emphasized the importance of the technology being compatible with that of the Sheriff’s Department, and the importance of the ALPR cameras for not only stolen vehicles, but for amber alerts.
MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA stated that in the future, if there is another technology compatible with the LASD data retention policies and capabilities, staff should consider upgrading to a less expensive and equally effective option.
MAYOR SCHMITZ shared the discussion held during the Peninsula Public Safety meeting about the consideration of this MOU amendment. She emphasized that it was very well vetted by staff and the entire Committee, and that this is a culmination of many months of work.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZERUNYAN moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITIES OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES,
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, ROLLING HILLS AND ROLLING HILLS ESTATES
FOR THE REPLACEMENT PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF THE
REGIONAL AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION CAMERA
SYSTEM, APPROVED AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
B. PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 240054
DETERMINATION THAT UNLISTED USE OF VIRTUAL REALITY ELECTRONIC
SPORTS AND GAMES IS SIMILAR TO AND NOT MORE OBJECTIONABLE THAN USES ALREADY LISTED IN SECTION 17.04.030 OF THE ROLLING HILLS ESTATES
MUNICIPAL CODE
LOCATION: 550 DEEP VALLEY DRIVE, UNIT 139
Recommendation: That the City Council discuss the issues and adopt Resolution No. 2566, determining that a Virtual Reality Esports business is similar to and not more CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 4
FEBRUARY 13, 2024
objectionable than other service uses already listed in RHEMC Section 17.30.020, and determining that in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code § 21000 et seq.: “CEQA”), the application is Categorically Exempt under Class 1, Section 15301 Existing Facilities.
Community Development Director Naughton provided a staff report (as per the agenda material).
MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA made note of the letter received by the City from the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce in support of opening this new business.
The applicant explained the hours of operation are planned to be 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and possibly until 9:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, in response to MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA. He also noted the target age group for this business is 6 – 12-year-olds.
Public comment was invited in-person in the Council Chambers, via email and via eComment.
No public testimony was received.
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF moved, seconded by COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER, TO APPROVE AS FOLLOWS BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE:
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2566, DETERMINING THAT A VIRTUAL REALITY
ESPORTS BUSINESS IS SIMILAR TO AND NOT MORE OBJECTIONABLE
THAN OTHER SERVICE USES ALREADY LISTED IN RHEMC SECTION
17.30.020, AND DETERMINING THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (PUBLIC RESOURCES
CODE § 21000 ET SEQ.: “CEQA”), THE APPLICATION IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT UNDER CLASS 1, SECTION 15301 EXISTING FACILITIES.
AYES: Brown Schachter, Huff, Schmitz, Stegura, Zerunyan ABSENT: None
Assistant City Manager Davis read Resolution No. 2566 by title.
9. OLD BUSINESS
None.
10. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
None.
11. CITY COUNCIL/REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFF attended the Neighborhood Council meeting, as well as the CalCOG Annual Conference in Monterey last week.
COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER noted that the Traffic & Safety Committee will meet next week, and highlighted the discussions held during the last Equestrian Committee meeting.
MAYOR PRO TEM STEGURA stated that she, along with MAYOR SCHMITZ AND COUNCIL MEMBER SCHACHTER, attended the Jan Ball plaque dedication ceremony at Peter Weber Equestrian Center and the Carol Dean Porter plaque dedication ceremony at Ernie Howlett Park this week. She also attended the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Board of Directors meeting last month.
12. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
MAYOR SCHMITZ thanked City staff, specifically the Maintenance crew for their hard work during the heavy rains last week.
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FEBRUARY 13, 2024
13. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Significant exposure to litigation: two cases
NO REPORTABLE ACTION.
14. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:03 p.m. MAYOR SCHMITZ adjourned the meeting in memory of Malcolm Sharp, Carol Ritscher, Bill Brand. The meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a Regular Meeting.
Submitted by, Approved by,
Lauren Pettit Velveth Schmitz
City Clerk Mayor