Table of Contents
- REDUCTION IN BURGLAR ALARM FINES
- WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ELECTRICITY RESTRUCTURING
- JULY 4th INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
- DON'T GET A $30 TICKET PUT ON THAT FRONT LICENSE PLATE
- PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR APPOINTED CITY MANAGER
- NOT YET A MEMBER OF NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH?
- SUMMER HOURS AT CITY PARKS
- TAKE A HIKE
- POETRY BY THE SEA
- RPV IS TUNED IN & WIRED FOR THE NET
- NO HIDDEN AGENDAS
- ROAD RAGE - A SERIOUS THREAT
- RECREATION CLASSES OFFERED AT CITY PARKS
- WHAT'S HAPPENING ALONG THE COAST?
- HOLIDAY TRASH SCHEDULE
- COMING SOON, TWO NEW PLACES TO ENJOY THE VIEW
- BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR - WATCH YOUR WASTE CONTAINERS
REDUCTION IN BURGLAR ALARM FINES
- The City has simplified its burglar alarm policies and reduced the
fines assessed for false alarms. The old ordinance required that
a $50 alarm permit be assessed after the first false alarm incident and
that a $100 and $150 fine be levied for the second and third incidents
respectively. The requirement for the $50 alarm permit has now been
eliminated and there is no fine assessed for the first two false alarms.
- With the third and all subsequent false alarms occurring within the
fiscal year, July 1 through June 30, a $100 fine will be assessed.
Allowing these two "free" false alarm incidents annually will give residents
the opportunity to remedy any mechanical problems they may be encountering
with their alarm system without being penalized.
False alarms continue to be defined as "any alarm signal which the alarm owner cannot prove was activated by commission or attempted commission of an unlawful act which the alarm system is designed to detect."
When a false alarm does occur, the Sheriff will leave a "doorhanger" notifying the resident that they have responded; this will be followed-up by a notice from the City summarizing the incident.
This new ordinance became effective in May and will be applied to all false alarm incidents which occurred after November 30, 1997. Residents having questions about this ordinance should contact the False Alarm Coordinator at (310) 377-0360.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ELECTRICITY RESTRUCTURING
- Until recently the Edison Co. was the only entity that could sell electricity.
That changed when the State of California opened the electricity market
to competition. Now, entities known as electrical service providers
or ESPs can sell electricity directly to consumers. While ESPs may
be telling you how their service, price or package deals are better than
what you are currently getting, there are a few things you should know
about restructuring.
There are three components to your electricity service: 1) generation; 2) transmission; and, 3) distribution. Generation is the creation of the electricity; transmission is transporting that power from the generator to the consumer; and, distribution is the delivery of that power. The component now subject to competition is generation. This generally constitutes about one quarter of your electric bill: the other two components are still owned and maintained by Edison. New providers will have no ability to affect this portion of your service or the monthly cost.
Beginning this past January, Edison's rates were reduced by 10% in response to State law. In addition, electric rates were frozen at that level until the year 2002. Keep this in mind when the ESPs start talking about "discounts" or how much less you will pay if you switch to their service.
You may have noticed that your Edison bill is now more detailed and lists a charge for "Trust Transfer Amount." This is not a new charge, but rather is a payment to enable Edison to recoup certain capital infrastructure investments and has always been included in the general rate charged to consumers. Recent changes by the Public Utilities Commission requires that this charge be shown separately. This can be verified by comparing a recent bill with one from last year which has the same kilowatt usage.
Carefully read how prices for service contracts are presented in initial offerings. Look for the price of energy to be disclosed separately as cents per kilowatt hour. Some ESPs may offer a total or "bundled" package with one monthly charge, without disclosing separately the price for electricity. For example, they might offer you Internet service, cable TV and electricity for $150. Offers like this are difficult to evaluate; fortunately, ESPs are required to disclose the cost of electricity separately form all other services and products. This separate disclosure of electricity costs enables you to compare the bundled offer on an equal basis with others that are for electricity only.
If an ESP offers "free" electricity for a certain amount of time, find
out if your charges will increase later to make up for the free period.
Also, ask how you will receive this "free" electricity. Will it show
up as a credit on your bill. If so, ask how they will calculate the
credit. Does it mean that for the advertised period of time you won't
be billed for your electricity consumption, no matter how much you use.
Find out about terms and conditions and get their offer in writing.
Compare prices by checking your old utility bills and determine your average
monthly usage--expressed in kilowatt hours (Kwh)-- and cost. Finally, ask
how and by whom you will be billed. There are three possibilities:
1) one consolidated bill from the utility company; 2) one consolidated
bill from the ESP; or, 3) two bills, one from each entity.
If you make the decision to switch to a new service provider, you have a three day right of rescission. This means that if you change your mind, you can cancel the contract with the ESP.
Switching to an ESP does not mean you need a new meter or wire installation. You may be offered a new meter which can do other things besides metering electricity. Or, the offer might come in the form of new appliances that perform various energy conservation, home automation, security, or other functions, in addition to electricity metering.
Reliability of service will still be the responsibility of the existing utility company which will continue to own and maintain the transmission and distribution systems and the Independent System Operator (ISO), which dispatches power to consumers throughout the state.
Some ESPs are claiming that their electricity is "green power," "cleaner," or comes from "renewable sources." These terms imply that the electricity is generated from non-fossil fuel sources, such as wind, hydro or solar energy, and is considered cleaner than that generated from fossil fuel or nuclear sources. Find out how the price of this energy compares with fossil fuel-generated electricity. In most cases, you will probably pay a premium for "green power" since it is more expensive to produce. If contributing to cleaner and renewable sources of energy is important to you, then the additional cost may be okay. If you are considering switching to a "green power" supplier, you can confirm these marketing claims by contacting the California Energy Commission.
If you have further questions about restructuring or if you wish to determine whether an ESP is registered with the California Public Utilities Commission, contact the CPUC's Outreach Office at (213) 897-9324 or access its web page at http://www.cpuc.ca.gov.
JULY 4th INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
- This year the City will conduct its 23rd Annual Independence Day Country
Fair celebration on Saturday, July 4th at the Point Vicente Park/Civic
Center, located at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard. The celebration starts
at 11:00 a.m. and continues through 5:00 p.m. Admission is
free, however, there is a small fee for on-site parking. Plan now
to bring your family and friends to enjoy the fun and entertainment for
all ages.
The Palos Verdes Symphonic Band, country western music, line dancing, and Jim Gamble and his Puppets are among the entertainment scheduled for your enjoyment. Games of skill, kiddie cars, ferris wheel, chair rides, super slide, balloon bounce, and face painting will be located on the popular midway. Pony rides and a petting zoo will be available for the younger set, and old-fashioned games, hula hoop dancing and pie eating contests will be conducted by the Recreation & Parks Committee. Once again, the exciting helicopter rides over the coastline will be offered by Bravo Helicopters.
Over 40 artisans will be present to offer shoppers a variety of unusual arts and crafts. Clowns, jugglers, and balloon artists will delight all and an international food pavilion will feature a variety of dishes. Vendors will be selling popcorn, cotton candy, pretzels, and ice cream.
The color guard for the opening ceremonies will be provided by Boy Scout Troop #213 and Mayor Barbara Ferraro and City Councilmembers will be present to welcome the community.
Booths will be available for local civic and community groups to present
information about their organizations. For booth reservation, please
call Conte Productions at (310) 781-2020. For additional information
about this country fair, call the Recreation & Parks Department at
(310) 541-4566.
DON'T GET A $30 TICKET PUT ON THAT FRONT LICENSE PLATE
- The State of California Vehicle Code requires that every automobile
have both a front and back license plate. With cars being a prime
target for theft, both license plates are important in identifying your
vehicle. Often, car thieves will steal a front license plate
and place it on a stolen car. This method is used to mask their activities
and that is why the likelihood of being stopped by a police officer is
high if your car does not have a front license plate.
There is a myth circulating among some motorists that the front license plate is the primary target that law enforcement radar reflects off to detect speeding vehicles. The belief is that with the front license plate removed, radar will not detect the car. This is not true. Law enforcement radar reflects off the skin of the entire car. Removing the front license plate does not foil radar detection.
All cars sold in the State of California have a place designated for mounting both the front and rear license plates. Help yourself and law enforcement by making sure that both license plates are attached to your car. Not having both plates properly attached can result in being cited and fined $30. That fine is reduced to $10.00 upon proof of correction.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR APPOINTED CITY MANAGER
- On May 19 the City Council appointed Public Works Director Les Evans
to the position of City Manager, effective July 1. Mr. Evans
has been the City's Public Works Director for two years and has a distinguished
career in both the public and private sector. As announced
in the Spring Newsletter, City Manager Paul Bussey who has served as the
City Manager since 1990, will be retiring at the end of June.
With over 25 years of city government experience in the Southern California area, Mr. Evans has served as the city engineer for Huntington Beach and Carlsbad and has contracted with the cities of Signal Hill, San Jacinto and Colton as a public works department head. Throughout his career, Mr. Evans has been recognized for his ability to put plans into action and get things accomplished.
Mr. Evans received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Stanford University and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from U.C. Riverside. In addition to his impressive professional qualifications, he also has the distinct advantage of being familiar with the community. Les commented "For me, the appointment as City Manager is the capstone of a long career in public and private service and I intend to make every effort to insure that this phase of my life is the most successful and productive of my career."
NOT YET A MEMBER OF NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH?
- JOIN UP AND GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS .
With seventy-five percent of the City's single family homes participating, Rancho Palos Verdes has one of the most dynamic and effective Neighborhood Watch programs in Los Angeles County. There's no doubt that this level of participation is a major deterrent to crime in our City. Constituting this community supported program are 350 block captains, 41 area coordinators and over 1000 block assistants.
Information about criminal activity, possible scams and suspicious sightings in residential neighborhoods is disseminated through the efficient citywide telephone and e-mail network which has been spearheaded by Gail Lorenzen, the City's Volunteer Neighborhood Coordinator.
To get all the details about starting a Neighborhood Watch program in your area, call City Hall at (310) 377-0360. If you are on the Internet, go to the City's website @ www.palosverdes.com/rpv and click on Neighborhood Watch.
SUMMER HOURS AT CITY PARKS
- Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
Everyday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fred Hesse Community Park
Mon. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. - dusk
Sat. & Sun. 10:00 a.m. - dusk
Ladera Linda Community Center
Mon. - Fri. 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat. & Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Point Vicente Interpretive Center
Everyday 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Robert E. Ryan Community Park
Everyday
10:00 a.m. - dusk
TAKE A HIKE
- The heavy rains of El Nino have lavished our hillsides with beautiful
flowers. Check out this local splendor by taking a hike!!
With summer quickly approaching you may be looking for something unique and interesting to do-- consider booking a group hike with Los Serenos de Point Vicente and tour the nature area adjacent to the Ladera Linda Community Center and Abalone Cove Shoreline Park. Many of these tours are for school children, but reservations are accepted from a variety of groups.
Call the Hike Line at (310) 377-0360, extension 309 to schedule your own group hike. A minimum of eight people are required, but groups as large as 80 can be accommodated. One adult supervisor is required for every seven children.
Tour fees are $1.00 per child and $2.00 per adult. Abalone Cove tours have an additional cost of $5.00 per car for parking. Reservations should be made at least three weeks in advance.
- The Fifth Annual Poetry by the Sea will be held on Sunday, August
16, 1998, at Point Vicente Interpretive Center from noon until 3:00 p.m.
Readings will begin at 1:00 p.m.
Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon listening to local poets reading their original works. This year's theme is "Where the Land Meets the Sea."
June 1, 1998 is the deadline for submitting poems. For more information
contact Nita Shidler at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center at (310)
377-5370.
RPV IS TUNED IN & WIRED FOR THE NET
- You can contact Rancho Palos Verdes City staff via Email at
rpvcomments@palosverdes.com. Also, you can find out about the PV Transit Authority, the July Fourth Celebration, City ordinances, announcements, and all kinds of general information that will make you a more informed resident. Go ahead, check out our Web site at www.palosverdes.com/rpv .
NO HIDDEN AGENDAS
- The City Council meetings are generally held every first and third
Tuesday of the month. Residents can find out what is on the Council's
Agenda at www.palosverdes.com/rpv. Agendas are posted the Friday
before the meeting.
ROAD RAGE - A SERIOUS THREAT
- Just when you thought the only things to worry about while driving
on a highway were road debris, vehicle parts or potholes, a much larger
problem has developed over the past few years. According to the L.
A. County Sheriff, overly-aggressive drivers are quickly becoming the bane
of cautious, law-abiding motorists nationwide.
This latest road hazard, called "road rage" by some, is responsible for approximately two-thirds of the nation's highway fatalities. Aggressive drivers are more likely to speed, tailgate, fail to yield, weave in and out of traffic, make improper lane changes, and run stop signs and lights. They make hand and facial gestures, scream, honk excessively and flash their lights.
Although the majority of these actions are citeable offenses, law enforcement
officers are not available to witness most of them. However,
according to the Sheriff, there are some safety precautions all of
us can take when encountering an aggressive driver.
One of the easiest ways to avoid becoming a victim of "road rage" is
simply not to get caught up in the situation. Refuse to get angry
or cause a confrontation with an aggressive driver.
Don't try to "get back" at such persons, for example, by racing ahead to cut off a driver who has cut you off. If someone behind you is tailgating your car, simply pull over to the right and allow that driver to pass, even if he or she is speeding. By doing this, you remove yourself from the problem.
If the problem continues or a confrontation is developing, drive to the nearest law enforcement facility and report the incident. Make every effort possible to describe the vehicle which caused the problem and its occupants.
Interestingly enough, a recent study of over 10,000 aggressive driving incidents occurring between 1990-97 revealed that the majority of aggressive drivers were males between the ages of 18-26.
While people up to age 75 have been identified as the culprits in aggressive driving incidents, most of the aggressive drivers are relatively young and poorly educated males who have a criminal past, a history of violence and either drug or alcohol problems.
The bottom line is that people should recognize there is strong possibility that an encounter with an overly-aggressive driver can rapidly escalate into a dangerous situation. In the case of aggressive-driving incidents, discretion truly is the better part of valor.
Allow aggressive drivers to pass without confrontation and to be handled by professional law enforcement officers. Doing so will give you one less thing to worry about while you are using the roadway.
RECREATION CLASSES OFFERED AT CITY PARKS
- Privatized recreation classes for the Summer session will be
held at City parks. Residents interested in attending these classes
can pick up registration information at Hesse Park, or can call any of
the following instructors.
- Cherie Ackerman (310) 547-5073
Tap and Children's Combo Dance Classes (4 years - Adult)
Vi Ballard (310) 373-9740
Mommy & Me (Birth to Crawling)
Mommy & Me for Working Parents (Birth to Crawling)
Ann Bosma (310) 375-2064
Aerobic Dancing: Lite Impact (Adult)
Magda Cianciara (310) 466-1195
Yoga Classes (Adult)
Stan Corzine (310) 318-2690
Tai Chi Chuan - Beg/Int/Adv
(Teen/Adult)
Jacquelyn Fernandez (310) 377-2965
Exercise & Fitness Class (Adult)
Larry Johnson (310) 831-5307
Tennis - Beg/Int/Adv (7 years-Adult)
Pee Wee Tennis (4-6 years)
Kaplan Education Center (800) 527-8378
SAT-PSAT Classes (Grades 9-12)
Loyola Marymount (800) 964-1020
University
Reading Programs-All Grade Levels (4 years-Adult)
Tom Maier (310) 547-0667
Summer Soccer Camp (5 -12 years)
Michele (310) 517-0295
Yoga Revitalization (Adult)
Jeanne Murphy (310) 377-8507
Ladies Exercise (Adult)
Sachiye Nakano (310) 544-1624
Awareness Through Movement - Feldenkrais Method (Adult)
Bones for Life (Adult)
Barry Sacks
(310) 519-4622
Mommy & Me (18 - 30 months)
Wee Tots (2 1/2 - 4 years)
P.V. Summer Sports Camps (5-10 years)
Summer Outdoor Adventures (5-10 years)
San Pedro &
Peninsula YMCA (310) 832-4211
Summer Day Camp (Grades K-9)
Suika Education, Inc. (310) 323-5221
Suika Baby Club (Birth - 3 years)
Susan Tsai (310) 377-2603
Hatha Yoga (Adult)
I.M.P.A.C.T Training & Development
Communication Competence
(14 - 18 yrs) (310) 543-0390
Mad Science of L.A. Bay
Educational & Entertaining Science for
children - Summer Science Camps
(5-12 yrs) (310) 376-0193
Paddle Tennis - Carla Walker
(310) 521-9741
If you are interested in teaching classes at any of the City's parks,
contact the Facility Coordinator at Hesse Park at (310) 541-8114.
WHAT'S HAPPENING ALONG THE COAST?
- Six years after they were originally approved, two large development
projects are now transforming nearly 400 acres of coastal real estate in
Rancho Palos Verdes. The Ocean Trails project is underway at Palos
Verdes Drive South and Palos Verdes Drive East. The development of
Subregion 1 is proceeding at Palos Verdes Drive West and Hawthorne Boulevard.
When completed, these projects will provide homes for more than 150 families.
Both of these projects are consistent with the General Plan adopted in 1975 shortly after the City's incorporation and the City's Coastal Specific Plan, which was certified by the California Coastal Commission in 1983. These residential projects will result in less than one dwelling unit per acre, in sharp contrast to the densities that were previously allowed by the County of Los Angeles which allowed 18 to 20 units per acre (witness the Ocean Terrace condominiums on La Rotonda Drive).
Ocean Trails
This 261-acre site is located on the seaward side of Palos Verdes Drive South at Palos Verdes Drive East, bounded on the west by the Portuguese Bend Club community, and on the east by the City's undeveloped Shoreline Park. The project will include 75 single-family residential lots, four units of on-site affordable housing, an 18-hole public golf course and clubhouse, and public parklands, trails and habitat preserves. The project will also involve the realignment of portions of Paseo del Mar and Palos Verdes Drive South. Rough grading is currently underway and is expected to continue until late this summer. Habitat restoration along the bluff top began this spring. Controlled public coastal access has been provided during grading and habitat restoration, and a temporary off-street parking area and trailhead has been created on the seaward side of Palos Verdes Drive West, just west of the intersection with Paseo del Mar/Forrestal Drive. The City recommends observing appropriate caution when using these unimproved, temporary trails.
For more information regarding the Ocean Trails project, please contact Barbara Dye of Ocean Trails LP at (310) 265-5525, or Assistant City Manager Carolynn Petru at (310) 377-0360.
Subregion 1
The 132-acre site is located on the seaward side of Palos Verdes Drive West at Hawthorne Boulevard, bounded on the north by the Lunada Pointe community, and on the south by the City's Point Vicente Interpretive Center. The project will include 79 single-family residences, public parklands, trails, and habitat preserves. Rough grading is currently underway and is expected to continue until late this summer. The existing coastal access trail to the north of the project site will remain open during rough grading. However, no public access to or through the site will be provided during grading, construction or habitat restoration processes. When completed, the project will provide permanent public coastal access in the form of a bluff-top loop road, scenic turnouts, and pedestrian and bicycle trails.
For more information regarding the Subregion 1 project, please contact Melody Liddell of RPV Associates LLC at (714) 622-8400, or Associate Planner Kit Fox at (310) 377-6008.
HOLIDAY TRASH SCHEDULE
- Waste Management
July: No changes. Trash will be picked-up on Saturday, July
4, 1998.
August: No Changes.
September: There will be no trash pick-up on Monday, Labor Day. Trash
scheduled for Monday, September 7 will instead be picked-up on Tuesday,
September 8; Tuesday trash will be picked-up on Wednesday, September 10;
Wednesday trash will be picked-up on Thursday, September 11; Thursday trash
will be picked-up on Friday, September 12; and, Friday trash will
be picked-up on Saturday, September 13. There is no change to the
Saturday pick-up schedule.
Ivy Rubbish Disposal
July: No Changes.
August: No Changes.
September: No Changes.
COMING SOON, TWO NEW PLACES TO ENJOY THE VIEW
- We can all agree that one of the many jewels in our City is the exquisite
view of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Catalina and the other channel islands
from Palos Verdes Drive South and West. Soon there will be two new
places to stop and enjoy this view when scenic turnouts are constructed.
These turnouts are proposed to be located opposite the Wayfarers' Chapel and across from Rue Beaupre near Golden Cove. They will provide a welcomed opportunity for motorist and bicyclists to enjoy a sunset, or, if they're lucky, a chance sighting of a passing whale. Pictured here is the view from the turnout to be located across from the Wayfarers' Chapel.
Funding for these turnouts comes from an award won by the City in a competition with other cities and agencies. The primary source of the money is from a federal tax on gasoline. Construction is scheduled for early 1999. For more information call the Public Works Department at (310) 541-6500.
BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR - WATCH YOUR WASTE CONTAINERS
- Refuse and trash containers should not be left out at the curb any
earlier than 8:00 A.M. the day preceding the pick-up. This includes
green waste, recyclable material and regular trash. All containers
should be removed from the curbside by 8:00 P.M. on the day of the pick-up.
If your gardener comes on Friday or Saturday, that means the green waste cannot be left out at the curb until your pick-up day which may be following Monday or Tuesday.
Calls from residents about lingering trash cans at the curbside is the highest volume complaint received by the City's Code Enforcement Department.