CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH
CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Agenda

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

5:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

1315 Valley Drive

Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

CITY COUNCIL
Dean Francois, Mayor  
Rob Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem
Mike Detoy, Councilmember 
Ray Jackson, Councilmember
Justin Massey, Councilmember

Karen Nowicki, City Treasurer

APPOINTED OFFICIALS
Suja Lowenthal, City Manager 
Patrick Donegan, City Attorney 

EXECUTIVE TEAM
Brandon Walker, Administrative Services Director
Myra Maravilla, City Clerk
Lisa Nichols, Community Resources Director
Angela Crespi, Deputy City Manager
Paul LeBaron, Police Chief 
Joe SanClemente, Public Works Director
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990 

To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) are available for check out at the meeting. If you require special assistance to participate in this meeting, you must call or submit your request in writing to the Office of the City Clerk at [phone] or at at least 48 hours before the meeting. 

 

PARTICIPATION AND VIEWING OPTIONS  

Hermosa Beach City Council meetings are open to the public and are being held in person in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 1315 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Public comment is only guaranteed to be taken in person at City Hall during the meeting or prior to the meeting by submitting an eComment for an item on the agenda. As a courtesy only, the public may view and participate on action items listed on the agenda via the following: 

 

• Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89968207828? pwd=bXZmWS83dmxHWDZLbWRTK2RVaUxaUT092 
• Phone: Toll Free: [phone]; Meeting ID: 899 6820 7828, then #; Passcode: 472825 
• Comment:  Submit an eComment no later than three (3) hours before the meeting start time.
• Supplemental Email: Supplemental emails are available for agenda items only and must be sent to . Supplemental emails should indicate the agenda item and meeting date in the subject line and must be received no later than three (3) hours before the meeting start time. Emails received after the deadline but before the meeting ends will be posted to the agenda the next business day. 

 

Please be advised that while the City will endeavor to ensure these remote participation methods are available, the City does not guarantee that they will be technically feasible or work all the time. Further, the City reserves the right to terminate these remote participation methods (subject to Brown Act restrictions) at any time and for whatever reason. Please attend in person or by submitting an eComment to ensure your public participation.  

 

Similarly, as a courtesy, the City will also plan to broadcast the meeting via the following listed mediums. However, these are done as a courtesy only and not guaranteed to be technically feasible. Thus, in order to guarantee live time viewing and/or public participation, members of the public shall attend in Council Chambers. 

 

• Cable TV: Spectrum Channel 8 and Frontier Channel 31 in Hermosa Beach 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CityofHermosaBeach90254 
• Live Stream: www.hermosabeach.gov/agenda 

 

If you experience technical difficulties while viewing a meeting on any of our digital platforms, please try another viewing option. View City Council staff reports and attachments at www.hermosabeach.gov/agenda.  

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1.

CLOSED SESSION—CALL TO ORDER 5:00 PM

2.

ROLL CALL

3.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CLOSED SESSION AGENDA

This Public Comment period is limited to Closed Session agenda items only. Public Comment is limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.

4.

RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION

4.a

Closed Session Minutes

Approval of minutes of Closed Session held on October 22, 2024.

4.b

Conference with Legal Counsel: Workers Comp Litigation

Existing Litigation—Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)—(2) Cases

The City finds, based on advice from legal counsel, that discussion in open session will prejudice the position of the City in the litigation.

Name of Case: Robert Higgins vs City of Hermosa Beach, administered by Adminsure
WCAB Case Number(s): ADJ11093995, ADJ15309858, ADJ Unassigned AdminSure Claim Number(s): 17-1323861, 21-157252, 17-132278
DOI: 9/18/07 – 9/18/17, 07/04/2021, 07/04/2017

Name of Case: Jonathan Sibbald v. City of Hermosa Beach
WCAB Case Number: ADJ17934866
CLAIM Number: 23-172878
DOI: 06/30/23

4.c

Conference with Labor Negotiator

Government Code Section 54957.6
City Negotiator(s): Mayor Dean Francois and City Attorney Patrick Donegan
Unrepresented Employee: City Manager

5.

OPEN SESSION—CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM

6.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

7.

ROLL CALL

8.

CLOSED SESSION REPORT

9.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—UPCOMING CITY EVENTS

10.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

This is the time for the City Council to discuss any changes to the order of agenda items.

• Recommended Action:

  To approve the order of the agenda.

11.

PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS

11.a

RECOGNIZING SHARON STINE ON HER RETIREMENT AND SERVICE TO THE CITY

12.

CITY MANAGER REPORTS

12.a

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR UPDATE

12.b

POLICE CHIEF UPDATE

13.

PUBLIC COMMENT

This is the time for members of the public to address the City Council on any items within the Council's jurisdiction and on items where public comment will not be taken (City Manager Reports, City Councilmember Comments, Consent Calendar items not pulled for separate consideration, and Future Agenda Items).

The public is invited to attend and provide public comment. Public comments are limited to two minutes per speaker and shall only be taken from those present in City Council Chambers. No remote public comment will be taken during this time unless required by the Brown Act. A total of thirty minutes will be allocated to this initial public participation item. This time allotment may be modified due to time constraints at the discretion of the Mayor or City Council. Another period is also reserved for general comment later in the meeting for those who could not be heard at this time.

No action will be taken on matters raised during public comment, except that the Council may take action to schedule issues raised during public comment for a future agenda. Speakers with comments regarding City management or departmental operations are encouraged to submit those comments directly to the City Manager. Members of the audience will have a future opportunity to speak on items pulled from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion, Public Hearings, and Municipal Matters when those items are heard.

14.

CITY COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS

14.a

UPDATES FROM CITY COUNCIL AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES AND STANDING COMMITTEE DELEGATES/ALTERNATES

15.

CONSENT CALENDAR

The following matters will be acted upon collectively with a single motion and vote to approve with the majority consent of the City Council. Councilmembers may orally register a negative vote on any Consent Calendar item without pulling the item for separate consideration before the vote on the Consent Calendar. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Councilmember removes an item from the Consent Calendar, either under Approval of the Agenda or under this item before the vote on the Consent Calendar. Items removed for separate discussion will be provided a separate public comment period.

• Recommended Action:

  To approve the consent calendar.

15.a

WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA

Recommendation: 
Staff recommends City Council waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions on the agenda and declare that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.

15.b

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - 24-CCO-076

(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council approve the minutes for the October 22, 2024, Regular Meeting.

15.c

APPROVAL OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH PEGASUS STUDIOS FOR PROVIDING VIDEO BROADCASTING SERVICES - 24-CCO-072

(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Approve the proposed first amendment to an agreement with Pegasus Studios for video broadcasting services to align the agreement with the fiscal year, extend the expiration term to June 30, 2028, increase the annual not-to-exceed amount to $73,900 beginning July 1, 2025, and authorize the City Manager to extend the agreement up to two additional years (Attachment 1); and
  2. Authorize the City Manager to execute and the City Clerk to attest the proposed first amendment subject to approval by the City Attorney.

15.d

LIST OF REGULAR AND ONGOING CITY BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTIVE TERMS THAT WILL EXPIRE DURING THE 2025 CALENDAR YEAR - 24-CCO-071

(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council receive and file the 2025 Local Appointments List (Attachment 1), prepared for posting pursuant to State law, of all regular and ongoing Hermosa Beach board, commission, and committee appointive terms, which will expire during the 2025 calendar year.

15.e

APPOINTMENT OF A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY WEST VECTOR AND VECTOR-BORNE DISEASE CONTROL DISTRICT BOARD - 24-CCO-069

(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Review the application of Jim Fasola (Attachment 1); and
  2. Consider appointing Jim Fasola as the Hermosa Beach representative to the Los Angeles County West Vector-Borne Disease Control District Board for a two-year term ending December 31, 2026.

15.f

CHECK REGISTERS - 24-AS-045

(Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council ratify the check registers from October 16, 2024, October 23, 2024, October 29, 2024, and October 30, 2024. The Administrative Services Director hereby certifies to the accuracy of the attached demands.

15.g

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING OFFICERS TO ORDER DEPOSIT AND WITHDRAWAL OF MONIES IN THE LOCAL AGENCY INVESTMENT FUND (LAIF) - 24-AS-042

(Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution (Attachment 1) authorizing the City Manager, Administrative Services Director, and Finance Manager to order deposit and withdrawal of monies in the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF).

15.h

APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXAMINATION OF SALES AND USE TAX RECORDS - 24-AS-040

(Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution of the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach, California authorizing examination of sales and use tax records (Attachment 1).

15.i

INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE REPEALING H.B.M.C. SECTION 3.08.020., ADOPT A RESOLUTION SETTING THE SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY MANAGER FOR GENERAL LIABILITY AND WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIMS, AND ADOPT A LITIGATION/CLAIMS MANAGEMENT POLICY - 24-AS-047

CEQA: Determine the Ordinance is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act.(Interim Human Resources Manager Cynthia Stafford)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Introduce by title only and waive first reading of an Ordinance of the City of Hermosa Beach, California, repealing Section 3.08.020 of the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code (Attachment 1); and
  2. Adopt a resolution to increase the settlement authority of the City Manager for General Liability and Workers’ Compensation Claims to meet statutory limits set forth in Government Code §935.4 and to adopt a litigation/claims management policy (Attachment 2).

15.j

AN UPDATE FOR THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH TO ACHIEVE GENDER EQUITY THROUGH ITS WORKFORCE, OPERATIONS, AND SERVICES - 24-AS-024

(Interim Human Resources Manager Cynthia Stafford)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council receive and file an update to Resolution No.19-7218 to achieve gender equity through its workforce, operations and services.

15.k

ACTION MINUTES OF THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 1, 2024 - 24-CR-031

(Community Resources Director Lisa Nichols)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council receive and file the action minutes of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Advisory Commission meeting of October 1, 2024.

15.l

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE AND AMBULANCE MONTHLY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2024 - 24-CMO-051

(Emergency Management Coordinator Maurice Wright)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council receive and file the September 2024 Fire and Ambulance monthly report.

15.m

APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FROM WEST BASIN WATER DISTRICT WATER BOTTLE FILLING STATION GRANT - 24-CMO-050

(Environmental Programs Manager Douglas Krauss)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Accept $2,000 in grant funds from the West Basin Water District;
  2. Approve estimated revenue of $2,000 in the Grant Fund; and
  3. Appropriate $2,000 in the Grant Fund for the purchase of a water bottle filling station.

15.n

VEHICLE PURCHASE FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT - 24-PD-006

(Public Works Director Joseph SanClemente)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council authorize the sole-source purchase of one Tesla Model Y to replace a 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid S in an amount not to exceed $60,000.

15.o

APPROVAL OF 2023 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM GRANT SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT - 24-PD-007

(Police Chief Paul LeBaron)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Accept $65,000 in grants funds from the County of Los Angeles for the 2023 State Homeland Security Program Grant;
  2. Authorize City Manager to execute and the City Clerk to attest to the Subrecipient Agreement subject to approval by the City Attorney; and
  3. Appropriate $65,000 and add estimated revenue of $65,000 in the Grants Fund for the State Homeland Security Program grant.

15.p

PLANNING COMMISSION TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND PLANNING COMMISSION TENTATIVE 2025 MEETING SCHEDULE - 24-CDD-079

(Planning Manager Director Alexis Oropeza)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council receive and file the December 16, 2024 Planning Commission tentative future agenda and the tentative Planning Commission meeting schedule for 2025.

15.q

CONSIDERATION TO REMOVE THE UPDATE OF TEMPORARY MINOR SPECIAL EVENT REGULATIONS FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING CODE UPDATE - 24-CDD-071

(Planning Manager Alexis Oropeza)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommend City Council direct staff to update the temporary minor special event regulations separate and apart from the comprehensive zoning code update.

16.

PUBLIC HEARINGS—TO COMMENCE AT 6:30 P.M

16.a

APPROVAL OF NEW 2025 SPECIAL EVENTS AND FIND THE SAME EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT - 24-CR-035

(Senior Recreation Supervisor Brian Sousa)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council hold a public hearing to approve the Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Advisory Commission’s recommendation to include the following new special events on the 2025 Special Event Calendar:

  1. Winter Challenge on the volleyball courts north of Pier on Friday, February 7 through Saturday, February 8, 2025; and
  2. “Maya and the Wave” at the Community Theatre and courtyard on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

16.b

CONSIDERATION OF ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT 24-03, VIA REGULAR ORDINANCE AND URGENCY ORDINANCE, AMENDING CHAPTER 17.21 OF THE HERMOSA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS - 24-CDD-072

CEQA: Determine the action is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Section 21080.17 of the Public Resources Code.

(Planning Manager Alexis Oropeza)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Conduct a public hearing to consider amendments to Hermosa Beach Municipal Code, Title 17, pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units;
  2. Determine whether the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act;
  3. Introduce, on first reading, the proposed ordinance approving zone text amendment 24-03 (Attachment 1); and
  4. Adopt via urgency ordinance the proposed ordinance approved the proposed zone text amendments (Attachment 2).

16.c

RESOLUTION APPROVING THE USE OF FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) COMPLIANT SIDEWALK PANELS AND CURB RAMPS - 24-PW-039

(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2024–25 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program allocating and authorizing the use of $69,398 of funds and acknowledging that an estimated $69,000 in Fiscal Year 2025-26 CDBG funds may be added, after July 1, 2025, to construct Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk panels and curb ramps (Attachment 1).

17.

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

17.a

THREE APPOINTMENTS TO THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION - 24-CCO-073

(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council appoint three members to the Public Works Commission for terms ending October 31, 2028.

17.b

REVIEW AND ADOPT THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH PARKS MASTER PLAN AND FIND THE SAME EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) - 24-CR-034

(Community Resources Director Lisa Nichols)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Approve and adopt the 2024 Parks Master Plan; and
  2. Provide feedback on the priorities supported by the Community Resources and Public Works Commissions.
  3. Direct staff to advance the goals outlined in the 2024 Parks Master Plan as future funding and staff resources allow.

17.c

REJECT BID RECEIVED FROM CSI SERVICES AND PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF FOR CIP 682 PARKING LOT D IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT - 24-PW-041

(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Reject the bid received from CSI Services for CIP 682 Parking Lot D Improvements Project; and
  2. Direct staff on how to proceed with the project based on the available options as outlined in this report.

17.d

APPROVAL OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITIES OF TORRANCE, HERMOSA BEACH, MANHATTAN BEACH, AND REDONDO BEACH FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE BEACH CITIES GREEN STREETS PROJECT FOR THE BEACH CITIES WATERSHED MANAGEMENT GROUP - 24-CMO-054

(Environmental Programs Manager Douglas Krauss)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Adopt a resolution approving the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Torrance, the City of Hermosa Beach, the City of Manhattan Beach, and the City of Redondo Beach for Implementation of the Beach Cities Green Streets Project for the Beach Cities Watershed Management Group (Attachment 1);
  2. Authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement (Attachment 2); and
  3. Adopt a resolution approving construction of the Hermosa Avenue Green Street project pursuant to Government Code Section 830.6 and establishing a project payment account (Attachment 5).

17.e

CITY MANAGER CONTRACT AMENDMENT - 24-CA-008

(City Attorney Patrick Donegan)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council approve a resolution (Attachment 1) approving the fifth amendment to the City Manager’s employment agreement increasing her compensation for her seventh year of employment and awarding her a one-time bonus pursuant to the terms of her employment agreement.

18.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

This is the time for Councilmembers to schedule future agenda items and to ask questions about the status of previously approved future agenda items. No discussion, debate, or public comment will be taken. Councilmembers should consider the city's work plan when considering new items. The tentative future agenda items document is provided for information only. 

18.a

TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - 24-CMO-055

Attached is the current list of tentative future agenda items for Council’s information.

19.

PUBLIC COMMENT

This time is set aside for the public to address the Council on any item of interest within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council that could not be heard under the first public comment opportunity because there were too many prior public speakers and the thirty-minute maximum time limit was exhausted. 

20.

ADJOURNMENT