Bits and Pieces 52

Open Space Hazard Zoning is here on the east side of our city, particularly in the Miraleste, Rolling Hills Riviera, Mira Costa Terrace and possibly the Mira Vista area, as well.

City staff have been working on issues concerning residents living in the designated zoning area wishing to do improvements on their property and the steps and costs necessary to have the work get approved.

Right now, property owners within the O.S.H.Z. area usually need to have a zoning change if they wish to improve the portion of their property that lies within the boundaries of the zone.

Currently, owners can apply for a zoning change for no more than 30 of their property inside the zone and they must pay the costs to have that done.

Staff is working on moving the length out to up to 100 feet and they are also working on plans to bring to the Planning Commission a way for property owners, have a portion of the property within the zone re designated, to be done by having the fees waived.

Currently and until action is taken early next year, property owners who want to make improvements should probably wait until the City Council has voted on the changes so they can waive the fees now imposed and not have to pay to get the limit lines on their property changed to have their space removed from being within the Open Space Hazard Zone.

If you think your property is within the area and you want more information, please contact the Planning Department.

There are a number of residents with the Rolling Hills Riviera and Mira Costa Terrace areas that are affected and I still need to look at the maps for the Mira Vista area to see if that neighborhood has any of that type of zoning.

Did you like how I led off this post by not mentioning the retiring City Council members and the new ones that just took over?

It was like three lions left their den, two new lions entered along with one lioness that provided more smirks and quizzical looks that we have see for some time.

Both Tom Long and Susan Brooks offered books to the new makeup of the council.

Tom included a book about some negativity towards conservatives and their politics and a copy of The U.S. Constitution. He did this after what could be described as some negative words about conservatism.

Susan offered a book about finances for communities.

I'm not going to go into some of the other things Councilwoman Brooks talked about in her inaugural remarks but I must admit there were more than a few folks looking around in disbelief at what she talked about and what could surely be offered as 'three commercials'.

What I will write is that I have opened a new file that will contain items I may use in future posts. My first thought about most of her remarks was that the word "zany" came to mind, more than once.

I was pleasingly impressed with the meeting held by the new council makeup.

As it was natural and supposed to happen, Mr. Anthony Misetich is now Mayor Anthony Misetich and that is a good thing, for me at least.

Also as expected and natural, Councilman Brian Campbell is now Mayor Pro Tem Brian Campbell and that is also as it should be.

Councilwoman Brooks brought forth some proposals for changes in the way council meetings are conducted and eliminating the One Hour Rule.

All five members did a fair, balanced and honest job at dealing with the One Hour Rule, the length of council meetings and whether applause from the gallery would be allowed.

The council voted unanimously to drop the One Hour Rule completely and to end council meetings by 11:00 PM.

There was a split vote on whether applause would be allowed at council meetings. The majority (Brooks, Campbell and Misetich) voted to allow limited applause and that the Mayor has the authority to determine what is appropriate or not.

Councilmembers Knight and Duhovic desented, both for good reasons, I feel. But what it also demonstrated was our first vote where a more progressive member sided with a more conservative on a particular vote. This is more encouraging to me and I hope to see more of that become the majority, as time goes by.

Doug Stern served on the council for twelve years.

Stefan Wolowicz, I believe, served 10 years.

Tom Long served 8 years.

All three men served our city better than very well, in my opinion.

We became and remain a better city because of the work of these three fine gentlemen.

It is now time to look forward and hope their efforts aren't going to become memories because of regression by a majority on the new council.

Remember, a certain 'jolly old elf' is going to be in our area the next few evenings. If you would like him to stop by your house, please call the Lomita Sheriff's Station to find out where Mr. Claus will be over the next three evenings.

Goodbye Bally's, Hello L.A. Fitness

On December 1, 2011, the Bally's Total Fitness facility on Western Avenue in Rancho Palos Verdes became part of the LA Fitness family.

Terri and I took to the pools there earlier today and we noticed right away that something was afoot.

When we went to have our membership cards scanned, there was no scanner and it looked like there was only one person working at the site.

Later I found more workers there but they seemed very reluctant to provide much information.

Below is a link to the Web site for the new LA Fitness location:

https://www.lafitness.com/Pages/clubhome.aspx?clubid=773

It looks like The Australian Swim School is still operating at the facility as well as the physical therapy business, on the site.

The most I could garner out of one of the workers at the check in table was that my account was good for the remainder of the month and that I may have to have some changes made to it, but I hope that doesn't come to pass.

Right now, I was told that work is being done to convert Bally's membership cards to LA Fitness membership cards.

Terri and I have been members of Bally's at that location, for many years. It is close to our house and the pools and equipment really were beneficial for my recovery from the hip surgeries I have had.

What was a pleasant surprise to me is that the facility didn't close its doors and lock out members, when the changeover occurred. So many time folks will try for their regular visit to their gym only to find it closed down, out of business, with not even a 'thank you and goodbye' taped to the door.

I don't think I was paying attention to any Email that may have come to me about the changeover and even though I haven't shed my old Emails for a couple of weeks, I think I saw an address from Bally's that I must have 'lost' or can't find.

So, the changeover happened. It is fairly stark in the place on a Sunday afternoon. All the products in the coolers are gone and it looks like the minions of trainers attempting to secure more members are nowhere in sight, today.

The pools continue to be not as clean as we would like them to be, but they are all currently available and the temperature of the larger pool is about 80 degrees, with the smaller pool at about 90 degrees. The big jacuzzi-type pool is hot and the dry sauna also continues to offer folks who sweat exiting it.

See folks, things do change on the east side of Rancho Palos Verdes.

Bits and Pieces 51

This Tuesday, our city will have a new Mayor, new Mayor Pro Tem and three new City Council members.

I hope and expect to watch Mr. Anthony Misetich sworn in as Mayor and Mr. Brian Campbell to be elected and then sworn in as Mayor Pro Tem.

I hope this happens, but I can't be sure it will. Boy, do I wish I could be more sure.

As of the end of the meeting on Tuesday, there will not be three 'former' Mayors sitting on the Council, but there will be one. Also, that former Mayor will have more time on the Council than all other members.

I want everyone to remember what Anthony Misetich and Brian Campbell have been doing these past two years and understand that, while I don't necessarily agree with them on many issues, I feel they have earned leadership positions and should be the next Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem.

Now, I am going to get myself in some really, truly HOT WATER with the following.

MIGHT, and I really mean MIGHT there be something going on at Miraleste Intermediate School and the lack of proper heating, there?

As you may know, my wife Terri works in the school's library and today she finally felt she 'had enough' of being cold in the library where the heat has not been turned on.

Terri went so far as calling the District's office to complain.

What she was told MIGHT be shocking and really should be investigated.

Here is my hypothesis, but I have no proof and it is simply MY conjecture and not from any other person, including Terri:

MIGHT it be that heat throughout at least parts of the Miraleste I.S. campus be turned off for reasons other than what one MIGHT expect?

MIGHT an official at either the campus or the School District be attempting to 'save money' or earn some other type of credit by keeping the heat off, in at least parts of the school?

I would like an investigation. I want District monitors to sit in the library, classrooms, the gymnasium, T.A.B. and other rooms, with thermometers, to study what the temperatures are inside the rooms, on days in the not too distant future are forecasted to be 'cool' to 'cold' days.

I think parents and others should be provided the information about the environment where students are being instructed or having other learning being conducted.

It may take monitors at other school campuses to create a study to determine which schools have heat turned on, or not and which campuses provide the most comfortable setting possible, for students to do their best, in those schools.

I HOPE nobody within any school or the District is attempting to gain favors for themselves or others if it turns out that adequate heat is not being provided.

The wind last night did some minor 'trimming' of our jacaranda tree. I think more 'trimming' will occur tonight.

A potted ficus was blown over and one of the four periaktoi blew over and onto the fence, also with the wind. Thankfully for me, the side that hit the fence was covered with luan and not one of the two sides covered with muslin.

Please remain safe, warm, cozy and comfortable during these windy times. The Low Pressure area is pretty far south, as viewed on a map and it is expected that there will be strong winds coming from a more northern area, as opposed to where last night's winds came from.

A certain 'right jolly old elf' is coming to R.P.V. and the Lomita Sheriff's Station is helping him with his travels through our city. It is wonderful for us to hear joy and laughter from the younger residents living on our block. For so many years, there were no 'little ones' on our block and there were some gaps of time that were measured in years and years, where the 'little ones' were not around.

There are now reasons for the 'elf in the red suit' stopping by our block. Welcome, Santa!