During the Dec. 13 Signal Hill City Council meeting, officials took part in a study session concerning a Courtyard Residential Condominiums project. Scott Charney, director of community development, led the session, in which the council discussed the recent revisions that the applicant— High Rhodes Property Group— has made to the plans for the 10-unit condominium project proposed on Temple Avenue.
Councilmembers Larry Forester and Michael Noll exited the meeting room during the study session due to their close residence to the proposed building site.
High Rhodes Property Group began working on the project in the spring of 2014.
The original plans reported two-story dwellings with rooftop decks. City officials advised the applicant that rooftop decks were considered a third-story building and not permitted in that specific city zone.
In response, the applicant elected to propose a specific plan to allow the inclusion of three-story units. The main concern that residents already living in the surrounding complexes had with the project was the height of the condos’ rooftops.
The City’s Planning Commission conducted two workshops at which neighbors requested that the developer rework the plans to eliminate rooftop decks, reduce building heights and revise setbacks. They also expressed concerns about view and shade impacts.
After several workshops leading up to Tuesday’s council meeting, surrounding neighbors are asking High Rhodes Property Group to continue to look into building height and view obscurity.
The council stated that based on the most recent update following the meeting’s study session on the reworked specific plan, they would not approve it as the best and final design. No vote was taken on the matter.
Auto repair
The council approved Ray Neveau’s, owner of Class Auto Center Inc. for Mercedes-Benz of Long Beach, request to operate an automotive-collision and repair center as an auto center accessory use in a 12,000-square-foot tenant space in a general industrial zone of the City. The center moved to an industrial building located at 2750 Rose Ave.
Class Auto Center provides specialized body shop services for multiple dealerships in Signal Hill. It is the “sole service provider” to Mercedes-Benz of Long Beach, which is located in Signal Hill.
A negative declaration was filed in order to understand what environmental impacts the relocation of the automotive repair center may have on the surrounding area. It states that there is little to no negative impact as the location moves from one industrial building to another.
Councilmember Edward Wilson asked the representative in the audience from Class Auto Center Inc. why they wish to relocate. The representative said that operations are expanding and more space is required.
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Screen-Shot-2016-12-15-at-1.58.23-PM.png” align=”left” lightbox=”on” caption=”During the Dec. 13 Signal Hill City Council meeting, Mayor Lori Woods (left) presents outgoing Police Chief Michael Langston with a proclamation honoring his retirement from the police department.” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off”] Guidelines
Acting as the successor agency to the City’s former redevelopment agency, councilmembers discussed a resolution adopting a manual of procedural guidelines for the conduct of city council and constituent body/commission meetings. The manual establishes procedures for the conduct of all meetings and includes a process to censure a member of the city council, commission or board.
During the public-comment portion of the Nov. 8 city council meeting, members of the audience expressed their discontent with the manual. They stated that the manual suppressed public input during meetings, and audience members stated that the manual was unnecessary because there are federal laws already put in place to protect those involved in public political gatherings. At that meeting, councilmembers decided to table the agenda item concerning the manual.
Before the discussion began, Vice Mayor Tina Hansen had to leave because she said her husband was in the hospital and she had to be with her children.
“I have a lot to say about this,” she said. “But my husband’s in the hospital, and I have to finish homework with my kids.”
Hansen understood that she was not able to share her ideas. However, members of the public and fellow councilmembers decided they did not want to continue with discussion about the procedure manual without the vice mayor present.
The agenda item was moved to the first meeting in January.
Commissions
The council hosted a second reading and adoption of ordinance No. 2016-11-1493, which raises compensation for commission members by 35 percent. The ordinance was proposed in June.
City commissions that would be affected by the ordinance include the parks and recreation, planning and civil service.
Captain
The city council voted to appoint Richard Rocchi as the interim Signal Hill police captain. Starting on Dec. 31, current Signal Hill Police Captain Chris Nunley will begin his appointment as chief of police. As a result, the police department requires an interim police captain for a limited term while the City completes an internal recruitment for the position.
A Signal Hill class specification bulletin states that the central role of a police captain is to plan, organize, direct and coordinate the activities of either the Operations or Administrative Services Division and to provide highly responsible and technical assistance to the chief of police.
MTA
The council agreed to consider Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia as a potential member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board of Directors—Long Beach.
The MTA is the lead transportation planning and programming agency for Los Angeles County. It manages various transportation funding programs such as Proposition A, Proposition C, Measure R and Measure M. It is also a major construction agency that oversees bus, rail, highway and other mobility-related projects.
Other government officials interested in the board position include Diane DuBois, councilmember for the City of Lakewood, and Ali Saleh, councilmember for the City of Bell.
Trustee
The council voted to appoint a community member to the Board of Trustees of the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District. Mayor Lori Woods said she knows someone interested in the opening seat.
On Dec. 4, 2012, the council appointed Dr. Hazel Wallace as a member of the board of trustees for a term of four years, which expires on Jan. 2. Wallace requested not to be reappointed.
The Vector Control District serves more than 6 million residents in a 1,340-square-mile area, making it the largest district in Los Angeles County.
Presentations
Woods presented a proclamation to the Calvary Chapel of Signal Hill to congratulate it on its 10th anniversary. The chapel has a long history of service with the City, from hosting after-school activities to working with police to advise troubled individuals.
Woods also introduced Alison Dobay, the new community-services manager, and Raul Ramirez, who was recently promoted to the senior police officer assignment.
As the year comes to a close, Signal Hill Police Chief Michael Langston prepares to enter his retirement. The chief closed out his five years of service with the City with a proclamation from Woods.
Connie Sziebel, field deputy to former Los Angeles County supervisor Don Knabe, received a standing ovation as she was recognized for her retirement.
“I looked up ‘retirement’ in the thesaurus,” she said. “I did not like its connotations, so I like to call it my permanent vacation.”
With tears in her eyes, Sziebel said she was grateful for the friends she has made while working with the City.
