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We look forward to hosting several family-friendly events throughout the year. New this year, the City will host a Tennis Center Open House. In spring, the annual Earth Day Celebration on April 19 will provide opportunities to learn more about sustainability, organic waste recycling, water conservation, storm water pollution prevention and energy efficiency. Shortly after this, it will be time to saddle up at our annual Mayor’s Breakfast Ride on May 13, a unique community event that starts at Chandler Park. I look forward to you joining me on an enjoyable horseback ride along our scenic bridle trails followed by breakfast at Ernie Howlett Park.
As we move into summer, there are more exciting events on the horizon, like our Summer Movie Nights and Concert in the Park at Ernie Howlett Park, followed by the annual Tracy Austin Doubles Tennis Tournament (dates to be determined), National Night Out on August 1, and the Hills Are Alive 5k/10k Race on August 5. We will commemorate our City’s 66th birthday with our annual City Celebration on September 23. In October, we partner with the other Peninsula cities in hosting Prepared Peninsula, a tremendous resource for our community in preparing and planning for disasters. We will cap off the year and welcome the start of the holiday season with our ever-popular Holiday Parade of Lights on December 2. To showcase the unique character of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, community and civic groups, school and youth organizations, marching bands, drill teams, equestrian units, local businesses, and others are encouraged to participate in the parade!
In terms of upcoming and ongoing projects in the City, there are a few items to note for your information:
Public Safety
RHE partners with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and neighboring cities to enhance public safety in our region. We, as a community, should continue to strive to protect ourselves, our families, and each other. The best way to do that is to report any suspicious behavior to local authorities as soon as you see it. The Lomita Sheriff’s Station non-emergency number is (310) 539-1661. When you see something… say something.
Over the years, we have developed a robust Neighborhood Watch group to work on crime prevention in our community. These are residents in your own neighborhood that meet every other month on topics of safety, security and preparedness. The RHE program has grown from an “extra eyes and ears” approach to crime prevention to a much more proactive, community-oriented endeavor. Neighborhood Watch groups are now incorporating activities that not only address crime prevention issues, but also restore pride and unity to a neighborhood. To learn how to get involved, or if your neighborhood is not represented, I encourage you to reach out to our Management Analyst Jessica Slawson at (310) 377-1577, ext 122 or email JessicaS@RollingHillsEstates.gov.
You can also stay connected with RHE urgent alerts and notifications through our Alert South Bay system, a partnership with fourteen South Bay cities working together to keep our communities informed about major disasters and emergencies. Sign up to receive texts or emails by texting “RHEalerts” to 888-777, registering online at www.alertsouthbay.com or downloading the Everbridge app on your mobile device and search for “AlertSB.” You can sign up for your hometown of Rolling Hills Estates, but also for the cities in which you may work or play.
Equine emergency preparedness efforts continue with the collaboration of our local equestrian community and partnership with Los Angeles County. Equestrians are encouraged to sign up for the City’s equestrian notification system by texting “RHEhorses” to 888-777. Specialized workshops and additional efforts in addressing equine emergency preparedness are in the works, so be sure to stay connected with the City to learn more.
Infrastructure Improvements
This year, the City is scheduled to undertake a number of infrastructure projects, including paving, sidewalk and ADA ramp rehabilitation on Silver Spur Road in the Commercial District. We also plan to complete a number of storm drain projects throughout the city and are engaged in septic-to-sewer engineering studies in the Marloma and Harbor Sight neighborhoods.
We continue to work on design plans for improvements to Rolling Hills Road and enhancements to the intersection at Palos Verdes Drive North and Dapplegray Elementary School to ease traffic congestion.
The City is in the process of finalizing a new playground structure at Rockbluff Park and enhancing the perimeter pathway at Ernie Howlett Park with new adaptable fitness equipment. The perimeter pathway has been improved to replace sections of the trail pathway with decomposed granite, removal of old fitness equipment course stations and installation of five new outdoor adaptive fitness stations thanks to the Los Angeles County RPOSD grant funding.
Metropolitan Water District (MWD) Pipe Relining Project
Metropolitan Water District (MWD) has commenced construction of a pipe re-lining project at the corner of Palos Verdes Drive North and Palos Verdes Drive East.
The construction area may impact traffic along Palos Verdes Drive East from Narbonne Avenue past Palos Verdes Drive North to the George F. Canyon Nature Center. Please consider alternate routes if possible. MWD is prioritizing school safety during this project. Construction vehicles will not be moving pipe sections during school drop-off or pick-up times. Pipe transport will also stop during commute times for school-wide events. We expect the project will be completed by June 2023. We appreciate your patience.
New Park at Palos Verdes Drive North/Palos Verdes Drive East
After the MWD projects concludes, the City will begin the development of a new park located at the northeast corner of Palos Verdes Drive East and Palos Verdes Drive North. Approved by the City Council in 2021, the conceptual plan includes natural-looking play structures and native landscaping. The plans and specifications have been completed, and we expect to solicit bids in the spring and break ground in the summer.
EV Charging Stations at City Hall
Work is almost complete on the installation of 12 new grant-funded EV charging stations at City Hall. The work areas have been fenced off, which has temporarily limited the number of parking spaces in the City Hall parking lot.
The City is participating in the SCE Charge Ready Program that covers the entire infrastructure costs for the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
We look forward to having these stations online soon for your use!
Nature Center Replacement
After a few years of gathering invaluable input from the community, the City Council approved a Nature Center conceptual design to replace the outdated building, and the City is in the process of developing final plans and specifications for the new facility.
The Nature Center has been re-imagined from the existing 1,450 square feet facility including the outdoor deck, to a 3,290 facility to provide a welcoming gateway to the City. The new building will offer enhanced educational opportunities as well as a community facility and outdoor education and viewing decks, all with the purpose of promoting the canyon, trails and native habitat of the area. For more information, visit www.RHE.city/NatureCenter
We are pleased to share that the City has been awarded $1.2 million from the California Department of Parks and Recreation to support the construction of a new Nature Center at George F Canyon. This was made possible by Senator Ben Allen who requested the funds through Governor Newsom’s signed Budget Act of 2022 (AB 179), which implements funding for key priorities throughout the state.
Construction costs are estimated at approximately $2 million but will be confirmed when plans and specifications and interpretive education elements are finalized in the coming months. To date, the City has secured an additional $575,000 in other public fund sources, including a contribution from the neighboring City of Rolling Hills in the amount of $179,108 from its unused allocation of Prop 68 funds. The City also has Park Facilities Fee funds available for the project, which are restricted for park, open space and recreational improvements.
Additional funds to support the project will be sought through donations to the City’s Pepper Tree Foundation, a non-profit established by the City in 1982, that supports City owned parks, trails, open space, and recreation facilities to make the community a better place to live, work, and play.
For more information about the Nature Center project, visit www.RHE.city/NatureCenter
Pepper Tree Foundation
Originally established in 1982, the Pepper Tree Foundation supports City owned parks, trails, open space, and facilities, and community arts, ceremonial, cultural, educational, entertainment, and recreational events and programs in our city.
The Pepper Tree Foundation helps us to enhance and preserve the quality of life in Rolling Hills Estates through funding special projects in the City and is supported by generous donations as well as our annual Tracy Austin Doubles Tennis Tournament and Hills Are Alive Run events.
Through this unique approach, tax-deductible donations can be made. Memorial donations, Memorial trees, benches, and other donated items are also accepted by the Foundation for the enhancement of the City parks, open space, and community events.
If you would like to consider such a donation, or are interested in additional information regarding the Pepper Tree Foundation, please contact
Community Services Supervisor Rosa Pinuelas at (310)377-1577, ext 109 or email RosaP@RollingHillsEstates.gov or visit www.RHE.city/peppertree
Connect with the City
To stay up to date on the latest news, please subscribe to our E-blast mailing list by visiting www.RHE.city/News and completing the online sign-up form.
Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube @cityofRHE.
I look forward to being your Mayor in 2023, and I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and/or your neighborhood through Homeowners’ Association meetings or other neighborhood gatherings. To coordinate, please contact our staff member, Gabrielle Swain at (310) 377-1577, ext 123 or GabrielleS@RollingHillsEstates.gov
I thank my colleagues on the City Council, members of our City Commissions and Committees, and the dedicated City staff who make all these activities possible – and to you, our residents, for making Rolling Hills Estates such a wonderful place to call home.
Respectfully,
Britt Huff
Mayor
City of Rolling Hills Estates
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