Council Chooses Manager to Maintain 'Community Barn' Feel at City Stables

Despite it being what some members called a riskier choice, the council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to begin negotiations with Gil and Doreen Houle for management of the money-losing Peter Weber Equestrian Center.

The vote rejected candidate Scott Hill, whose tentative plans to not rehire current employees if chosen, in addition to his work schedule as a contractor outside the barn, left some council members uneasy about his role as concessionaire. The council felt the Houles would provide the best community atmosphere at Peter Weber.

"They're both good candidates," Mayor Steven Zuckerman said. "It's important we do get a concessionaire so we can turn this situation around."

In choosing a candidate Tuesday night, the council turned down an option to begin negotiations with both candidates before deciding on a concessionaire.

"This decision could be made in terms of risk versus reward," Zuckerman said. "If we're trying to minimize risk, I think Scott Hill is clearly the superior choice. ... If we're looking for the best possible outcome and willing to take a little more risk, I think Gil Houle would be a wonderful choice.

"They're good in very different ways."

The Houles have stable management experience and are involved in the local equestrian community. Gil Houle is a member of the Rolling Hills Estates Equestrian Committee. The couple was described as the "second most qualified candidate" in a previous report by the Stables Concessionaire Committee because of "the time between their last equestrian operation and the present," among other issues.

In the same report, Hill "was considered the most qualified candidate by the Committee." Hill has operated Seahorse Riding Club, at 26411 Crenshaw Blvd. in Rolling Hills Estates, for about 20 years. He's a self-employed plumbing contractor who also owns and manages rental properties in the South Bay.

During Tuesday night's meeting, council members seemed in favor of a greater focus on family and community that the Houles apparently would bring to the barn. They also agreed Hill's businesslike approach would be a potential benefit.

"I found my priorities are certainly aligned with the community and wanting a community barn," Mayor Pro Tem Susan Seamans said.

Seamans cited Hill's commitment to his contracting jobs and her fear that Hill wouldn't be able to devote enough time to the stables.

"That’s not at all what Peter Weber stables should be," she said.

The only council member to withhold a vote for the Houles, John Addleman, said he felt more comfortable with Hill as the concessionaire choice.

"He gave me a sense of comfort that he could manage this," he said.

Voting in favor of a "community-type barn" under the Houles management, Councilman Frank Zerunyan expressed concern for the current employees at Peter Weber in light of Hill's . 

"It's their livelihood," he said. "I don’t take that lightly in this economy. If I am going to take a little risk ... I am willing to take that risk. ... To me, it's about the people.

"If it is business that you want, [Hill is] probably the right guy ... I am a little bit beyond business here."

Zuckerman also voted in favor of the Houles, in hopes they would boost Peter Weber's success and improve financial struggles at the stables.

"[We'll] take the smallest step possible to continue what we have and try to set the ship in the right direction," he said.