City Needs Applicants For Advisory Boards
City
Council Starts Interviews in February
The
City has begun the recruitment process for candidates for the
City's advisory boards. Residents interested in their City government
are encouraged to get involved and apply for appointment to
these various boards. All positions are up for appointment and
applications are being accepted now through February 1st.
The
seven-member Planning Commission oversees major planning applications,
parcel maps, variances, conditional use permits and environmental
impact report drafts. Meetings are held on the 2nd
and 4th Tuesday of each month.
The
Traffic Committee, also with seven members, serves as a public
forum for traffic-related issues including placement of stop
signs, traffic signals, road modifications, safety devices and
posted speed limits. The committee meets on the 4th
Monday of each month.
The
Recreation and Parks Committee is a seven-member committee that
meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. This committee
is charged with gathering public comment on matters of park
planning, development, and financial planning relative to the
utilization of the City's park sites.
The
View Restoration Commission was created in response to a citizen
initiative approved by the voters of Rancho Palos Verdes in
November 1989 and promotes the balancing of the rights of residents
with foliage and the rights of residents to restore views from
their property that have been impaired by foliage.
The
Commission accomplishes its purpose through a process of view
restoration permit application, site inspections, public hearings
and decisions on the application. This Commission meets on the
1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. In
addition, Commission members also participate in pre-application
mediation meetings that are held 1-2 times a month. Serving
on this Commission are ten members, including three alternates.
The
Equestrian Committee addresses the issues associated with the
maintenance of large domestic animals. Preferably, applicants
for this Committee should be horse owners and be knowledgeable
in the keeping and maintenance of large domestic animals. The
Committee oversees the issuance of conditional large domestic
animal permits pursuant to certain procedures, and the initiation
of proceedings for abatement of public nuisances not in compliance
with certain sections of the City code. This Committee meets
on the 2nd Thursday of the month and consists of
up to nine members.
The
seven member Finance Advisory Committee participates in the
long-range analysis of the City's financial future during its
annual review of the Five Year Financial Model prepared by staff.
The Committee assists the City Council by reviewing other projects
that may have a financial impact on the City.
These
appointments are non-paying volunteer positions that require
attendance at evening meetings; all appointments have a four-year
term of office. To qualify for appointment, applicants must
be a resident of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Interviews
for these boards will start during the month of February and
applicants will be advised of the interview schedule by the
City Clerk's Office.
Interested
residents may request an application in writing or by telephoning
the City Clerk's office, City Hall, 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard,
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, telephone number 310-544-5208.
Requests can also be e-mailed to CityClerk@rpv.com. More information
about these advisory boards and an application can be downloaded
from the City's website www.palosverdes.com/rpv.
Contents
Area "G" Helps City With Disaster Preparedness
Pooling
Resources and Making the Right Connections
At the height
of the Cold War when people were concerned about the threat
of nuclear war, cities in Los Angeles County formed what used
to be known as "civil defense" areas. The goal of
these areas was to pool and improve coordination of resources.
Cities in the South Bay formed Area "G" that included
El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale,
Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos
Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills Estates, Rolling Hills,
Torrance and the unincorporated portions of Los Angeles County
within the South Bay. Similar "areas" were formed
throughout all of Los Angeles County.
Since the
formation of these civil defense areas, and particularly after
the breakup of the former Soviet Union, the areas broadened
their scope of responsibility and developed an "all hazards"
approach to disaster planning. The Cold War was replaced with
earthquakes, fires, windstorms, floods, land movement, and technical
hazards such as transportation accidents and incidents involving
dangerous chemicals.
In the last
few years, new issues have come under the purview of disaster
planning: events such as tsunamis, power shortages, terrorism,
cyber terrorism, and the threat of a pandemic.
Standardization
of Equipment and Terminology
In 1991
the Oakland-Berkeley Hills fire destroyed 3000 homes. Efforts
to extinguish that fire were hampered by the lack of standardization
in terminology and equipment used by fire fighting agencies.
For example, when the local fire department requested "aerial
support," the California Division of Forestry (CDF) responded
with a spotter aircraft that reports the location of a fire.
Instead, the fire department wanted a water dropping aircraft
to help fight the fire. Surrounding area fire companies that
responded to the fire found that their hose couplings did not
fit the local fire hydrants. Oakland had the necessary adapters
in the fire stations, but not at the scene of the fire.
The Oakland
tragedy resulted in the California Legislature passing the Standardized
Emergency Management System (SEMS) legislation that set uniformity
throughout the State for all disaster management efforts.
Local
Support And Training: Mutual Aid
In times
of normalcy, Area G assists its members with disaster planning
and training, and plays the very important role of liaison between
the cities and the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management
(OEM), the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), and
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Along with
our neighboring cities on the Peninsula, Rancho Palos Verdes
provides financial support for Area G according to a cost sharing
formula developed in the 1960's.
To help
other cities in times of disaster, Area G has a mutual aid or
reciprocal arrangement and, when needed, our coordinator reports
to the Los Angeles County Emergency Operations (EOC) center
to serve as the liaison for the affected cities.
Mike Martinet
is our Area "G" Coordinator and he has 13 years of
experience in emergency and disaster management in addition
to training at OES' California Specialized Training Institute
and FEMA's Emergency Management Institute. The next training
session that Mr. Martinet has planned for Rancho Palos Verdes
employees is how to deal with the process of post disaster cost
recovery.
Contents
City To Paint House Numbers On Curbs
Although
curb painting serves a useful purpose for emergency service
vehicles and for visitors trying to locate a home, over the
years the City has received many complaints from residents about
the pricing and collection tactics used by some of the private
contractors who do this work.
Starting
this coming spring, the City will start painting house numbers
on street curbs as part of the annual residential overlay and
slurry seal program. Residents will be notified well in advance
of the start of this program and will be given the opportunity
to notify the City if they do not wish their house number to
be painted on the curb.
The annual
cost to the City for this program is $7,500 and it will be paid
for out of the City's general fund.
Contents
Docents Can Take You On A Hike At Ocean Trails
Offered
Free To The Public
Los Serenos
de Point Vicente docents continue to conduct guided tours of
Ocean Trails. These hikes begin at the public parking lot on
La Rotonda Drive just off Palos Verdes Drive South and take
place on paved, gently sloping trails along the bluff edge and
though the habitat corridor. Docents provide information about
the history, geology, marine ecology, and habitat restoration
work of the Ocean Trails project. Participants are advised to
wear comfortable shoes and a hat and to bring bottled water.
Tours last about an hour and reservations are not required.
Upcoming tours are scheduled for Sunday, February 24 at 3:00
p.m. and Sunday, March 24 at 3:00 p.m.
The docents
also offer hikes at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park and at Ladera
Linda Community Center. These hikes are ideal for scout groups,
schools, families or anyone interested in learning more about
the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Reservations are required for these
hikes and there is a nominal fee. For more information, call
the hike line at (310) 377-0360, extension 309.
Contents
Going Downtown? Get On The Bus
PV
Transit Provides Regional Connections
PV Transit,
the little green and white buses you see around the Peninsula,
provides connections to regional transit lines serving downtown
Los Angeles and other areas. PV Transit operates Monday through
Friday and runs five routes that serve residential, school,
and commercial areas on the Peninsula; four of the routes connect
at the Peninsula Library.
The adult
PV Transit fare is $2.00 and transfers to the MTA routes are
free. You can contact PV Transit at 544-7108 or at their website
at palosverdes.com/pvtransit/ for more information on how to
transfer between PV Transit and the following routes:
MTA Route
444 provides daily service between the Peninsula communities
and downtown Los Angeles. The route begins on PV Drive South
and travels north on Hawthorne Boulevard to Artesia Boulevard.
The route travels on the Harbor Transitway to downtown Los Angeles.
Service is provided between 5:00 a.m. and 8:38 p.m. and operates
every 30-60 minutes. For additional information call 1-800-COMMUTE
or use the MTA's website at www.mta.net.
The Los
Angeles Department of Transportation's (LADOT) Route 448
provides service between the Peninsula and downtown Los Angeles.
The route starts on Crest Road at Crenshaw and then travels
north on Hawthorne Boulevard to Pacific Coast Highway. Route
448 serves downtown Los Angeles via the Harbor Transitway. Four
trips are operated daily during the AM/PM periods. For additional
information call 1-800-COMMUTE or use LADOT's website at www.ladottransit.com.
Contents
Citizen Guide for More Effective Participation in Government
As part
of his graduate work in earning a Master's degree in Public
Administration, Greg Pfost, the City's Deputy Planning Director,
prepared a study on citizen participation in government. The
purpose for conducting the study was to provide citizens with
better tools to effectively approach decision-makers.
Greg polled
32 planning directors in Orange County for this study. The survey
instrument was a self-administered survey/questionnaire that
focused on the approach that citizens use in working with decision-makers.
A total of 29 questions were asked of the respondents. Of the
32 surveys mailed, 21 (or 65.6%) were returned and used in the
study.
The study
found that there might be a better way for citizens to more
effectively work with decision-makers and build more productive
relationships. It is Greg's opinion that any improvement in
the process that would create a more participatory and effective
citizenry would result in a positive effect on cities and the
country, thus creating a better place to live.
The final
product of his research, survey and analysis was the preparation
of a brochure entitled, "How to be More Effective with Decision
Makers - A Guide for Citizens on What to Do and What Not to
Do When Approaching Decision Makers". The brochure gives
citizens direction on the best and worst ways to approach decision-makers.
The City
has elected to use Greg's brochure as a handout at City Council
and Planning Commission meetings and at City Hall. Feel free
to pick up a copy at City Hall or call the City and one can
be mailed to you.
Contents
Household Hazardous
Hermosa
Beach to Host Winter Round-Up
Rancho Palos
Verdes holds annual roundups year during the late spring and
early summer months. If you need to dispose of paint, household
and car batteries, cleaners, turpentine, pesticides, herbicides,
etc. sooner, try the Hermosa Beach roundup on Saturday January
26, 2002. The roundup starts at 9:00 a.m. and runs until 3:00
p.m. at Clark Stadium located on Valley Drive between 8th
Street and 11th Street in Hermosa Beach.
Contents
Holiday Refuse Pickup Schedule
Leave all
containers at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day.
Waste
Management (310) 830-7100
January
2002: There will no service on New Year's Day, Tuesday, January
1. Trash and recyclables scheduled for pick up on that date
will instead be picked up on Wednesday, January 2. There will
be no change in the Thursday and Friday collections.
February,
March and April: No Changes
Ivy
Rubbish (310) 530-2899
January:
There will be trash collection as usual. Recycling pick-up scheduled
for Tuesday, January 1 will instead be picked up on Friday,
January 4.
February,
March and April: No Changes
Remember,
if you are you 65 or older, call your hauler and ask for the
senior citizen discount.
Contents
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Year-round
Part-time
Recreation Leader
The Rancho Palos Verdes Recreation and Parks Department
is accepting applications for the position of
Recreation Leader.
The
pay range is $6.98 - $9.09 per hour.
Opportunities
are also available for working with REACH, a dynamic program
for youth, teens and adults with developmental disabilities.
Program hours are weekdays, evenings and weekends.
Applicant
must be a high school graduate,
have a valid California Driver's License,
and be at least 18 years old.
Call
310-377-0360
For an City application.
If
you enjoy working with the public in a variety of park settings,
learning about the daily operations of local
government,
and maintaining a flexible work schedule, apply
NOW!
Contents
Go Native: Use California Plants
Homeowners
looking for ways to decrease their monthly utility bills should
consider planting drought tolerant native plants as part of
their landscaping plan. Our climate on the Palos Verdes Peninsula
is semi-arid and prone to long term drought conditions. California
native plants are adapted to this type of climate and will thrive
under dry conditions that cause many other common species to
wither away. As an added bonus, California native plants are
often pest resistant and require less care and fertilizer than
non-natives.
Besides
saving money on your water bill, the use of native plants makes
sense from an environmental point of view as well. Although
the City is striving to protect as much of the remaining open
space as possible, the fact is that most of the original natural
habitat has been lost due to development. By incorporating native
plants into your landscaping, you can help to provide support
for the native animals and insects that remain on the Peninsula.
Using natives can also help to decrease the risk of invasive
plants escaping from our gardens and crowding out native species
in the remaining open spaces.
The size
and diversity of native California plants is truly impressive
and many of them offer beautiful foliage, interesting forms
and abundant flowers. In recent years, the availability of these
plants has greatly improved, making it easier to incorporate
them into your landscaping. Here are just a few of the wonderful
native plants that are available.
Black
Sage (Salvia mellifera) - An upright plant, 2 to 5 feet
tall, with very aromatic dark green leaves and noticeable pale
blue flower clusters at nodes on long branches from April through
June. This plant is most frequently used for slope stabilization
and is highly adaptable to all dry, exposed landscapes.
Bush
Poppy (Dendromecon sp.) - A large evergreen shrub that offers
rich grey-green foliage and produces an intense display of sulpher
yellow flowers from early spring into summer. Loose, well-drained
soils, full sun and no summer water are basic requirements.
California
Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) - The California state
flower, this perennial shrub is 6 to 15 inches high with grey
to green divided foliage and basal branches. Showy pale to deep
yellow, or orange flowers occur early spring through summer.
This plant prefers heavy, well-draining soil and regular winter
moisture. In many gardens it is treated as an annual and can
be encouraged to bloom longer if the dead flowers are removed.
Best if grown from seed.
California
Sunflower Bush (Encelia californica) - A many-branched evergreen
shrub, 2 to 4 feet high and spreading 3 to 6 feet wide. Showy
displays of yellow daisy-like flowers cover the plant from May
through June. It is a popular slope and naturalizing plant that
tolerates clay soils, sun and wind.
California
Tree Mallow (Lavatera assurgentiflora) - A large evergreen
shrub to small tree, growing 10 to 15 feet high and 10 to 18
feet wide. Maple-like leaves are pale green and 2 to 4 inches
across. Showy rose and white flowers, with distinctive veins,
occur most heavily from March through June. It grows rapidly
from seed or containers and is used for quick effects. Pruning
can control size, density of foliage and can reveal the strong
branch structure. Considered short-lived, to 10 years, but makes
a good accent and specimen plant at early ages.
Catalina
Perfume Currant (Ribes viburnifolium) - An evergreen clumping
plant, that grows to 3 feet high and 4 to 5 feet wide, with
many long basal branches. It has rich, dark green leathery leaves
that provide a pleasant fragrance when wet or crushed. Use as
a ground cover under trees and in other areas of shade and dry
soils. Tolerates heavy and clay soils on well draining slopes
and works well on banks for erosion control.
Lemonade
Berry (Rhus integrifolia) - An evergreen shrub 4 to 15 feet
high and 6 to 15 feet wide. This plant has thick, leathery leaves
that are rounded with lightly toothed edges and strong veins
on the underside. Noticeable clusters of pink to white flowers
occur February through March, followed by flat berries ¼ to
½ inch long which taste like sour lemon. Tolerates salt air
and constant wind. It can be easily shaped into a hedge, small
tree or can be espaliered.
Wild
Lilac (Ceanothus sp.) - With over 40 varieties to choose
from, this is one of the most popular California natives. This
plant species can be found in the form ground covers, shrubs
and small trees. Most varieties have small dark green deeply
veined leaves and deep blue flowers that occur in dense clusters.
A great accent plant, but tends to be short-lived, 8 to 15 years,
and prefers coarse, well-draining soils (can be subject to root
rot if over watered).
Woolly
Blue Curls (Trichostema lanatum) - A small evergreen shrub,
with an open branching habit. Distinctive blue-purple flowers
on long stalks occur from spring into summer. Leaves are narrow,
1 to 2 inches long, dark green on top and covered with white
hairs below. This is a striking accent plant when in bloom,
in mixed wildflower beds and for naturalizing. It needs good
drainage, full sun to part shade, and no summer water.
This is
just a small sample of the many wonderful plants that are available.
So the next time you are considering new plants for your garden,
go native and use California native plants. They're beautiful,
practical and they can save you money.
Contents
Got Old Appliances To Get Rid Of?
If you have
old appliances-refrigerators, microwaves, and ovens that are
in good working condition, call and donate them to one of the
various charities such as Goodwill (562) 435-7741, Salvation
Army (800) 958-7825 or, United Cancer Research (800) 443-4224.
Contents
Peninsula Emergency Response Team
Volunteer
To Do The Most Good For The Most People
The Peninsula
Emergency Response Team or "PERT" is a group of Peninsula
residents trained to assist their families, neighbors and the
community in the event of any disaster. PERT is used to supplement
the efforts of fire, law enforcement and other emergency response
teams during disasters such as earthquakes, fires and severe
weather. Members are trained in fire suppression, search and
rescue efforts, first aid and CPR, utility control, disaster
medicine and how to handle hazardous materials.
The goals
of PERT are to prepare your family and home to survive, to protect
yourself first so you will be able to help others, to assist
your family and neighbors in the event of a disaster and, to
work as part of an emergency response team. Rancho Palos Verdes
has been providing support to the PERT program since 1995 by
purchasing supplies and jackets for its members.
The next
training session for PERT starts on Wednesday, January 9, 2002
and will run for seven consecutive Wednesday nights through
February 20. Classes are held at Peck Park Community Center
located at 560 North Western Avenue in San Pedro. Classes are
from 7:00 P.M. until 9:30 P.M. Registration for the classes
is limited to 30 students.
Participants
must be at least 18 years old, be a resident of Rancho Palos
Verdes, Rolling Hills or Rolling Hills Estates, be willing to
make a long term commitment to the group and be physically capable
of moderately strenuous activity. For more information, contact
Sergeant Dave Rozas with the Los Angeles County Sheriff - Lomita
Station - at (310) 891-3227.
Contents
City Adopts Ordinance Regulating Skateboards
Signs
to be Posted Citing Municipal Code
The City
Council just recently adopted an ordinance prohibiting the use
of skateboards, roller skates, inline skates and scooters on
public and private property where notice of the prohibition
has been posted. This ordinance becomes effective in early January
2002.
This ordinance
was adopted after the City had received complaints from local
shopping centers about the danger to pedestrians and motorists
posed by the use of these devices.
Violation
of this ordinance is an infraction and is punishable by a fine
not exceeding one hundred dollars for the first violation. The
second and third violations within a one year period carry a
fine of two hundred and five hundred dollars respectively.
Contents
Recreation Classes Offered At City Parks
Winter
2002 privatized recreation classes will be held at City park
sites. If you are interested in attending these classes, please
call the following instructors or pick up registration information
at Hesse Park.
Cherie Ackerman (310) 547-5073
Tap and Children's Combo Dance (4 years - Adult)
Miwa
Aiba (310) 371-5330
Love Yourself, Heal Your Life workshop (Adult)
Ann
Bosma (310) 375-2064
Aerobic Dancing: Lite Impact (Adult)
Kim
Egan (310) 530-8762
Mommy & Me (Birth to Crawling)
Jacquelyn
Fernandez (310) 377-2965
Exercise & Dance Fitness (Adult)
Richard
Goodman (310) 548-3207
Tai Chi Chuan (Adult)
Janusz
Haka (310) 944-9550
Art Class for Kids (8 years & older)
Karin
Koralek (310) 374-6612
Yoga (Adult)
Sean
McRoberts (310) 293-4890
Tennis -Beg./Int./Adv. (7 years-Adult)
Pee Wee Tennis (4-6 years)
Jeanne
Murphy (310) 377-8507
Ladies Exercise (Adult)
Sachiye
Nakano (310) 544-1624
Bones for Life (Adult)
Walt
Ordway (310) 541-4007
Amateur Radio for the Beginner (Teen, Adult)
Christina
Ross (310) 377-3927
Movement for Health: Tao Yin Fa - Chi Gong (Adult)
Barry
Sacks (310) 519-4622
Mommy & Me (18 - 30 months)
Wee Tots (2 ½ - 4 years)
Winter Outdoor Adventures (5-10 years)
Suika Education, Inc. (310) 323-5221
Suika Baby Club (Birth-3 years)
Suika Toddlers Club (3-5 years)
Carla
Walker (310) 521-9471
Tennis for Youth (2-10 years)
The
Recreation & Parks Department is seeking instructors for
a variety of classes for all ages, including children's cooking
classes, youth arts & crafts classes, adult ESL classes,
youth science & nature classes, youth sports programs, and
more. If you are interested in teaching at one of the City park
sites, please call the Recreation Program Supervisor at (310)
544-5267.
Contents
Recycling Facts
- Last
year the City received $120,000 of revenue from the California
Redemption Value (CRV) for recycling of aluminum cans, glass
and plastic bottles.
- This
money was spent on beautification grants, median improvements
and a total of $6,000 was awarded to the 24 residents who
won the "Recycler of the Month" awards.
- The City
also received $80,000 from the sale of all recyclables such
as paper, cardboard, aluminum, glass and plastics.
- Newspaper
has the highest collection rate, followed by glass and plastics
(milk, water and soda bottles).
- To-date
the City is in the low 40 percentile in meeting the State
mandated fifty percent reduction in the amount of refuse sent
to landfills.
- Over
30% of the City's waste is "green waste" but only
15% of it is being recycled.
- Green
Waste is picked up on the second collection day of the week.
Contents
Christmas Tree Recycling
Leave your
Christmas trees at the curb on your regular green waste recycling
day (last pickup of the week). Make sure you remove the base
and any ornaments (including any tinsel or garlands) before
putting the tree out at the curb. You don't have to cut the
tree into smaller pieces. Flocked trees will also be picked
up and recycled.
If you live
in a multi family complex such as a condominium, apartment or
town home, ask your management company or homeowners association
where the designated drop-off location is for the trees.
Contents
Live Webcasting Of City Council Meetings
Visit
Website For This Pilot Project
The City
had its first "livecasting" of Council meetings on
December 4. The success of this event was due to the diligent
efforts of Palos Verdes on the Net (PVNet). This is a pilot
project and its goal is to enable anyone at any location to
to view a live City Council meeting over the Internet. To view
this livecasting, you need only Real Player software on your
computer and connection to the City's website over the Internet.
Instructions
to obtain Real Player are already on the Video page at http://www.palosverdes.com/rpv/video.
A Quick Link to the live webcast can be found on the City Council
page as well as at the News, Information and Other Links page
of the City's website.
The RPV
website already provides on-demand archived video replays of
recent City Council and Planning Commission meetings. On-demand
archived replays are available to view within two business days
after the meeting. To view the meeting, just go the News, Information
and Other Links page of the City's website, scroll down to the
"Videos And Public Service Announcements" tab.
Contents
Mark Your Calendar For March 2 - Whale Of A Day
Tour
the Historic Point Vicente Lighthouse
The
18th Annual Whale of a Day Celebration is scheduled
for Saturday, March 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Plans are
currently underway for the event to be held at the Coast Guard
site at the Pt. Vicente Lighthouse. Due to the tragic events
of September 11 and the need for additional security at military
installations, however, the event may be moved to the Upper
Point Vicente Park/Civic Center site. Check the City's web site
at www.palosverdes.com/rpv or the local newspapers for updates.
This
event, which celebrates the Pacific Gray whale's annual migration
from the frigid waters of the Artic to the warm lagoons of Baja
California, is co-hosted by the docents of Los Serenos de Point
Vicente and the City.
The
educational department from Sea World, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium,
the Natural History Museum, George F. Canyon Nature Center,
the Native Plant Society, South Bay Wildlife Rehab, Madrona
Marsh, Cabrillo Whale Watch, the Marine Mammal Care Center,
the P.V.P. Land Conservancy, and the Aquarium of the Pacific
are among those expected to participate in this day-long event.
Other
highlights include children's crafts, activities and games,
a marching band, whale watching from the cliffs, storytelling,
exhibits, and craft and food vendors. Parking will be located
at Long Point (formerly Marineland). Admission, parking and
shuttle service are FREE! Join us for a Whale of a Day! For
additional information, contact Holly Starr at (310) 544-5264.
Contents
Contributing Writers:
Lauren Ramezani,
Mike Martinet, Nancie Silver, Carolynn Petru, Gina Park, Dennis
McLean, Holly Starr, Greg Pfost and Jo Purcell.
Contents
|
