City Council Meeting Highlights

Highlights from the December 19 City Council meeting:

• The Council voted to extend the City’s local emergency declaration in the Portuguese Bend landslide complex through February 10, 2024.
• The City’s geologist gave an update on ground movement, reporting continued and expanded activity. The accelerated movement is believed to be the result of the 2022-23 rainy season, which saw more than 200% of the historical average rainfall.
• Approximately 7 miles of trails have been closed in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve due to land movement. City staff and Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy volunteers are prioritizing trail maintenance to repair fissures and erosion to keep as many trails within the landslide area open as possible.
• City staff gave an update on the next steps (Stage 2) for the proposed redevelopment of the Ken Dyda Civic Center, including soliciting proposals to bring on a project management firm and developing criteria for a design competition.
• SCE provided an update on its plan to address recurring power outages in the Grandview Estates neighborhood, including a circuitry project expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2024. SCE is being asked to return in February 2024. 
• The Council adopted next year’s Legislative Platform encompassing crucial areas such as landslide remediation, civic center planning, housing, public safety, community services, environmental quality, and government transparency. 
• Key modifications from the 2023 platform include updates to priority projects, the inclusion of the Civic Center Master Plan, and public safety concerns related to hate incidents. Additionally, the platform opposes environmental pollutants, promotes collaborative housing solutions, underscores the importance of mental health resources, and supports regional considerations.

For all City Council actions from the meeting, watch video at rpvca.gov/agendas.