Wednesday, February 7 Community Update

With this week’s historic atmospheric river now passed, the City would like to thank our residents, fire and law enforcement agencies, fellow Peninsula cities, homeowners associations, Neighborhood Watch, and other community partners for helping us get the word out about storm preparedness. We also thank residents for alerting our Public Works team to clogged storm drains, flooding, mudslides, and fallen trees. In all, 100 cubic yards of sand and 2,500 loose sandbags were distributed to residents, and 3,700 prefilled bags were deployed to slide/flooded areas.

An archive of updates provided during the storm, as well as important emergency preparedness links, can found on a dedicated webpage that will be utilized again for future major rain events: rpvca.gov/storm.

As was discussed during last night’s City Council meeting (more on that below), the City’s geologist believes the impacts of the heavy amount of rain the Peninsula received this past week will be experienced in the landslide complex within days to weeks, and likely extend for months after the rainy season ends, as was the case last year.

It's important to stay prepared. Have an emergency plan for your family, keep supplies for a go-bag, Know Your Zone on the zone map at PVPready.gov, and sign up for Alert SouthBay emergency alerts.

February 6 City Council Meeting Recap

At last night’s City Council meeting, RPV’s local emergency declaration in the landslide complex — which goes up for renewal every 60 days — was extended through April 6, 2024. The Council also moved to explore asking Governor Newsom to declare a state of emergency to help the City leverage additional resources.

The City’s geologist, Mike Phipps of Cotton, Shires and Associates, presented an update on landslide activity, cautioning that the situation “is going to get worse before it gets better.” He expressed concerns about how the recent record rainfall will further accelerate movement in the landslide complex and impact infrastructure, especially roads, sewer lines, and water lines.

Reminder

• Please report water leaks to Cal Water at 855-RPV-LEAK (855-778-5325).
• If you suspect a natural gas leak, evacuate the area immediately, and from a safe location, call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200.
• For urgent matters or observation of any sudden shifts on your property, please call 9-1-1. 

Mr. Phipps shared the most recent GPS monitoring data showing that average land movement velocities since October 2023 have accelerated by a factor of three to four times compared to the previous 12-month monitoring period. In other words, we have seen as much movement (and in some cases, more movement) in the landslide complex in the past three months as we did from October 2022 to October 2023. City staff is developing heat maps to better visualize the City’s land movement data.

Given the landslide complex’s large size and long history of slow-moving behavior, Mr. Phipps does not believe there is risk for a sudden catastrophic landslide.

You can watch a recording of the geologist’s presentation and the entire City Council discussion about the landslide on the meeting video archive on the City website.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Council requested a report at the next meeting on February 20 about what can be done to expedite progress toward implementing the long-term Portuguese Bend Landslide Remediation Project, which remains in the environmental review stage while modifications are being explored.

Stay tuned for details on meeting info.

The City is also working with the state on additional potential short-term measures that can proceed before the project’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is released later this year.

Short-Term Mitigation Measures

During the meeting, the City Council also received an update on the various short-term mitigation measures that are underway to slow the land movement and address its impacts. Below you’ll find a summary of that recent work.

Dewatering Wells

Dewatering wells are a critical tool to slow land movement activity, as they reduce the amount of water percolated belowground contributing to land destabilization. In recent months, the City, alongside the Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District (KCLAD) and Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD), have taken the following steps to expand the dewatering well network in the landslide complex: 

KCLAD

• Recently installed a new dewatering well south of Palos Verdes Drive South (PVDS) in the Portuguese Bend Beach Club, increasing its network to three operational well locations pumping at a combined rate of 182 gallons per minute. These wells are consistently lowering the water table depths in the area at a rate of three to four feet per week.
• Working on a repair plan for a fourth existing well that is currently not operational. 
• Considering installing additional new wells.

ACLAD

• Completed the drilling and development of four City-funded dewatering wells south of PVDS. Pumps are planned to be installed starting this week. ACLAD is working with Southern California Edison to provide power to the wells. 
• Two ACLAD-funded wells were drilled and developed north of PVDS. Pumps for these wells are also planned to be installed starting this week.

Roads Repairs and Fissure Filling

The City is working to fill as many landslide fissures as possible. The City continues to inspect PVDS and roadways in the Seaview neighborhood on a regular basis. Repairs continue to be conducted as needed, particularly on PVDS. A review of existing signs and pavement markings, as well as the speed limit, is planned.

KCLAD recently completed filling a fissure identified by geologists as the highest priority fissure, because it is located at the boundary of the landslide where water infiltration causes greatest movement. KCLAD is working to identify additional measures needed in this area as a long-term solution to preventing water intrusion.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Volunteer Trail Crew is assisting Recreation, Parks and Open Space with repairing fissures and erosion on trails to keep as many trails within the landslide area open as possible.

Water Pipelines

In recent months, Cal Water has completed work bringing water mainlines at select locations above ground and plans to do the same in other areas of the City. Moving water pipelines above ground is a key strategy to protecting utility infrastructure from the impacts of land movement.

To date, Cal Water has completed work moving water mainlines above ground at these locations:

• Dauntless Drive
• Exultant Drive
• Admirable Drive

Other streets and neighborhoods where Cal Water has plans to move water mainlines above ground include:

Portuguese Bend Community Association

• Clovetree Place (work is expected to be complete in four to six weeks)
• Vanderlip Drive (a schedule is being developed for the work)
• Cal Water plans to install swing joints for the water distribution pipes that are already above ground on PVDS near Wayfarers Chapel. Materials have been ordered and the work is expected to be complete in four to six weeks.
• In certain areas of the Portuguese Bend Community Association, Cal Water is planning to replace all water distribution pipes with new pipes made of flexible materials. 

Seaview

• Cal Water plans to replace all water distribution pipes with new pipes made of flexible materials west of Schooner Drive. In consultation with the City, Cal Water is also studying the possibility of bringing additional pipes above ground in this area, if advised to do so by geologists. A schedule for this work is under development.
• Cal Water, in consultation with the City, is studying the possibility of bringing additional pipes above ground in this area, if advised to do so by geologists. A schedule for this work is under development. 

Drainage

The City and its partners are working to improve local drainage systems to reduce water percolation. Below is a summary of the recent steps taken:

• KCLAD developed a concept plan to install a drainage pipe in the area beneath the Seaview neighborhood and above PVDS. This is to drain a localized low area and prevent surface water infiltration into the ground which is believed to be contributing to the ground water table. KCLAD is proceeding with design documents to obtain construction bids.
• Repairs to the culvert carrying Altamira Canyon under PVDS have been completed. The repairs were made to 11 large cracks ranging from 1 to 6 inches.
• ACLAD and the City are working to clear vegetation to provide access to the Kelvin Canyon Spring and assess potential actions to drain water from the spring so that it does not infiltrate into the ground. 
• The ACLAD and the City continue to hold discussions with Los Angeles County Public Works and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District to develop a plan for Altamira Canyon.

Sandbags Update 

A limited amount of sandbags are back in stock at RPV City Hall on a first-come, first served basis.

Unfilled sandbags are located at the City Hall info desk and are available to RPV residents during regular business hours (7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday). There is a limit of 10 sandbags per household with valid ID or proof of residency. Fill sand is located at City Hall in a designated area for residents to use. Please bring your shovels and tools as they are not provided. If you need additional bags, they can be purchased at local hardware stores. For sandbag placement tips, please visit: ow.ly/yh0O50H9HuC

Storm Damage Relief for Property Owners Now Available

In the aftermath of the storm, the Los Angeles County Assessor's Office is providing critical financial relief to property owners who have experienced damage due to natural disasters through the Misfortune and Calamity Tax Relief program. This initiative aims to mitigate the financial impact on affected homeowners by offering a reassessment of their property's value, reflecting the damage incurred and potentially lowering their tax obligations.

To be eligible for this relief, property owners must submit an Application for Reassessment: Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity (Form ADS-820) (PDF) within 12 months of the damage occurrence. The program stipulates that the property loss must amount to more than $10,000 in current market value to qualify.

Key Aspects of the Relief Program

• Filing Requirements:  Eligibility hinges on filing the reassessment application within the 12-month window following the damage, ensuring that losses meet the minimum financial threshold.
• Tax Bill Adjustment: Qualifying properties will see a reduction in tax liability for the portion of the property that was damaged or destroyed, effective from the damage date and maintained until the property is repaired or rebuilt.
• Reconstruction Considerations: Rebuilding efforts that closely resemble the original structure will not result in an increased property tax rate, maintaining the pre-disaster tax base value. However, any enhancements or expansions will be assessed at their full market value.

For detailed information on how to apply for the Misfortune and Calamity Tax Relief, visit the Los Angeles County Assessor's website at: assessor.lacounty.gov/disaster-relief

Media Inquiries

If you have a media inquiry related to land movement in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, please contact the City's communications partner, Tripepi Smith, with your questions at RPVMedia@TripepiSmith.com. They will also add you to our media list so you receive our listserv updates, press releases and media advisories.