At the October 1 City Council meeting, the City’s geologist will present the latest land movement data in the Portuguese Bend Landslide complex. Since August, the overall average rate of movement has decelerated 13% to 8 inches per week, with a range of 1% acceleration to 27% deceleration, depending on the area.
The Council will discuss various efforts to continue slowing the movement and prepare for the next rainy season. This includes the recent activation of five deep vertical dewatering wells at the toe of the Portuguese Bend Landslide that are removing about 600 gallons of water per minute to relieve water pressure that is fueling the sliding. Preliminary data shows movement has slowed down at a greater rate in the area since the wells were activated.
The City Council will consider how to allocate $5 million in landslide relief funding recently received from the office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Hahn. City staff is proposing providing $10,000 in individual financial assistance to property owners of residences impacted by the landslide in the Portuguese Bend Community Association, including Vanderlip Drive, Seaview and the Portuguese Bend Beach Club. The remaining funds could be used for the City’s landslide response and stabilization efforts.
The Council will also consider the extending the local emergency declarations in the landslide area that were put in place to bolster the City’s response to the land movement and utility shutoffs. Both declarations must be extended every 60 days to remain in effect.
A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.
Meeting Info
The meeting will take place on October 1 at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live at rpvca.gov or on Cox 33/FiOS 38. To participate in public comment during the meeting, fill out a speaker slip if you are attending in person, or complete a form online at rpvca.gov/participate to participate virtually or leave a pre-recorded voice message. Email your comments on this topic to cc@rpvca.gov.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.