CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH
CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Agenda

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Closed Session - 5:00 PM and Open Session - 6:00 PM

Council Chambers

1315 Valley Drive

Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

CITY COUNCIL
Rob Saemann, Mayor  
Mike Detoy, Mayor Pro Tem
Ray Jackson, Councilmember 
Michael D. Keegan, Councilmember
Dean Francois, Councilmember

David Pedersen, City Treasurer

APPOINTED OFFICIALS
Steve Napolitano, Interim City Manager
Todd Leishman, Interim City Attorney 

EXECUTIVE TEAM
Brandon Walker, Administrative Services Director
Myra Maravilla, City Clerk
Alison Becker, Community Development Director
Lisa Nichols, Community Resources Director
Landon Phillips, 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 and via teleconference/Zoom at the Businesses Center at the Island Palms Best Western at 2051 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106. 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. Writings distributed to all, or majority of all, of the City Council after the agenda has been posted shall be available for inspection at the City Clerk's Office located at 1315 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 during regular business hours.

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
• Cablecast App: Available on supported devices and smart TVs

If you experience technical difficulties while viewing a meeting on any of our digital platforms, please try another viewing option. 

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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

MINUTES: Approval of minutes of Closed Session held on June 10, 2025

4.b

CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR

Government Code Section 54957.6
City Negotiator: Cynthia Stafford, Human Resources
Employee Organizations: Teamsters and Hermosa Beach Police Officers' Association 

4.c

CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR

Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 552 11th Place, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
City Negotiator: Mayor Pro Tem Mike Detoy and Councilmember Michael Keegan
Negotiating Party: Thielscher-Randall Financial Corporation
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment for Hermosa Self Storage Standard Industrial/Commercial Single-Tenant Lease

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

LEADERSHIP HERMOSA BEACH CLASS OF 2025 PROJECT PRESENTATION

12.

CITY MANAGER REPORT

13.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Howard Lee

Please Click/Tap this comment and then Click/Tap the eComment attachment to read 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).  If public comment is provided on Public Hearing or Municipal Matter items, public comment on the same item(s) will not be accepted when the item(s) are heard at a later part of the meeting.

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 - 25-CCO-030

(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council approve the minutes for the June 10, 2025 Special Meeting and June 10, 2025 Regular Meeting.

15.c

CHECK REGISTERS - 25-AS-050

(Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council receive and file the check register for the period of June 4, 2025, through June 12, 2025. The Administrative Services Director certifies the accuracy of the demands.

15.d

ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE ANNUAL TAX APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 - 25-AS-048

CEQA: Determine the recommended action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council adopt a Resolution (Attachment 1) approving and adopting the annual Tax Appropriations Limit for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2025–26.

15.e

ADOPT A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CITY’S INVESTMENT POLICY - 25-AS-053

(Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution amending the City’s Investment Policy (Attachment 1).

15.f

APPROVAL OF LEASE EXTENSION FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 552 11TH PLACE (HERMOSA SELF STORAGE). - 25-AS-054

Jon David

Please read the attached PDF with my storage lot comment.

(Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Approve the extension of a month-to-month lease; and
  2. Direct the City Manager to execute the extension of the lease (Attachment 1).

   

15.g

PLANNING COMMISSION TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA FOR JULY 15, 2025 - 25-CDD-098

(Community Development Director Alison Becker)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council receive and file the July 15, 2025 Planning Commission tentative future agenda.

15.h

APPROVAL OF THE SIXTH AMENDMENT AGREEMENT WITH WILLDAN ENGINEERING FOR STAFF AUGMENTATION SERVICES FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - 25-CDD-101

CEQA: Determine the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Building and Code Enforcement Official Guillermo Hobelman)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Approve the proposed sixth amendment to an agreement with Willdan Engineering for plan review and staff augmentation services to increase the not-to-exceed amount by $70,000, resulting in a total not-to-exceed amount of $565,000 and an extended term ending August 31, 2025 (Attachment 1); and
  2. Authorize the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest the attached sixth amendment subject to approval by the City Attorney.

15.i

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT AS OF JUNE 16, 2025 - 25-PW-040

(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council receive and file the Capital Improvement Program Status Report as of June 16, 2025.

16.

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

16.a

ANNUAL STAFFING VACANCIES REPORT – ASSEMBLY BILL 2561 (AB 2561) - 25-AS-051

(Human Resources Manager Tiffany Nguyen)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Conduct a Public Hearing in compliance with the requirements of AB 2561; and
  2. Receive and file the FY 2024-25 annual employee vacancy report as required by AB 2561 (Attachment 1).

16.b

ADOPTION OF FISCAL YEAR 2025–26 BUDGET - 25-AS-052

Laura Pena

Dear Mayor, Council Members, and Staff - I recommend further consideration be given to the Storage Lot Reuse Project into a public parking lot with flexible use capabilities. This project represents a rare opportunity to solve an ongoing downtown parking shortage, generate significant long-term revenue, support local businesses, provide essential temporary facilities during capital improvement projects, and position our City to fully capitalize on historic global events approaching our region. I've included in the attached document six (6) key areas: 1. Parking Utilization Study Findings: The Supply Gap & EDAC Placer Ai Data. We have parking utilization that reaches 102% across downtown, with numerous blocks exceeding legal capacity overflow. Visitors can either continue to search through our neighborhoods looking for open space or leave the city altogether and visit other destinations that are more accommodating. Downtown Hermosa attracts 1.2 million unique visitors annually, generating 4.5 million total visits. Of these, approximately 670,000 visitors only came once. If just these first-time visitors were converted into repeat customers even one additional time, downtown businesses could generate an estimated $25 million in additional sales. With Hermosa Beach receiving approximately 1% in local sales tax, this equates to an additional $250,000 in new tax revenue for the City annually. 2. Current Lease Limitations. The lease renewals have consistently locked the City into a below-market position, with no escalation protections beyond CPI adjustments. A rolling 6 month termination clause allows for indefinite short-term extensions. Is this this best and highest use for this property? 3. Revenue and Economic Multiplier: A Missed Financial Opportunity. The proposed 155 space public lot offers not only relief to strained parking demand but also generates substantial new city revenue (see attached document). 4. Multi-Use Flexibility: Supporting City Operations. In addition to its long-term benefits, this site presents immediate operational advantages. As the City moves forward with the renovation of City Hall and the City Yard, this site could serve as vital temporary flex space. 5. Positioning Hermosa Beach for Global Events. A new parking lot will expand our capacity to host visitors, attract major activations, and serve as a legacy asset long after the final event concludes. 6. A Strategic Long-Term Asset. Converting the Self Storage property into a public parking lot with flexible utility is fiscally prudent, economically catalytic, operationally strategic, and fully aligned with our General Plan goals for economic development, business support, and balanced visitor-resident needs. By seizing this opportunity, our City can: • Relieve long-standing parking pressure in downtown • Generate millions in long-term revenue • Support the health and stability of local businesses • Provide critical flex space to support ongoing City Hall and City Yard projects • Capitalize on major global events coming directly to our region • Expand coastal access and visitor-serving infrastructure consistent with Coastal Act and LCP goals I respectfully request Council to reconsider the Storage Lot Reuse Project and unlock the full potential of this city-owned property for the benefit of our entire community. As always, I appreciate your thoughtful consideration. Laura Pena

Claudia Berman

The budget mentions key staff who have left. Can you report on the total amount of money the city spent on the departure of city manager Lowenthal? Thank you.

CEQA: Determine the (i.e. project, ordinance, etc.) is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Receive public testimony regarding the Fiscal Year 2025–26 Budget (Link 1);
  2. Approve contracts for services contained in the table herein;
  3. Approve the revisions to the Preliminary Budget as shown in the Staff Report;
  4. Approve transfer of $90,000 from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund for future Capital Improvement Project (CIP) needs; and
  5. Adopt a Resolution approving the 2025–26 Budget as presented in Exhibit A (Attachment 1).

16.c

ADOPT A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE DIAGRAM AND LEVYING ASSESSMENTS FOR THE HERMOSA BEACH LANDSCAPING AND STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT FISCAL YEAR 2025–2026 - 25-PW-036

(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Conduct a public hearing in connection with the levy of assessments for the Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting District for Fiscal Year 2025–26; and
  2. Adopt a Resolution (Attachment 1) confirming the diagram and assessment found in the Engineer’s Report (Attachment 2) for Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting District 2025–2026 and levying an assessment for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026.

16.d

APPROVAL OF NEW 2025 SPECIAL EVENT, MINDTRAVEL LIVE-TO-HEADPHONES ‘SILENT’ PIANO CONCERT - 25-CR-047

CEQA: Approval of the new 2025 special event would be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under State CEQA Guidelines section 15304(e). The event is a minor temporary use of land in the form of a ‘silent’ piano concert. This type of temporary event will have negligible or no permanent effect on the environment.
(Special Events and Filming Coordinator Austin DeWeese)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council conduct a public hearing to consider approval of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Advisory Commission’s (Commission) recommendation to approve inclusion of Impact Level II new special event;

  MindTravel Live-to-Headphones ‘Silent’ Piano Concert south of the Pier on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 and Sunday, October 19, 2025, on the 2025 Special Event Calendar.

17.

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

17.a

THREE APPOINTMENTS TO THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMISSION - 25-CCO-029

(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council appoint three members to the Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Advisory Commission to fill three terms ending June 30, 2029.

17.b

AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS FOR ON-CALL STAFF AUGMENTATION SERVICES TO TRANSTECH ENGINEERS AND Z&K CONSULTANTS - 25-PW-038

(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council:

  1. Award a contract for on-call staff augmentation services to Transtech Engineers, Inc. at a not-to-exceed amount of $750,000 for a term of five years ending June 25, 2030, with an option to allow the City manager to extend up to one additional year (Attachment 6);
  2. Award a contract for on-call staff augmentation services to Z&K Consultants at a not-to-exceed amount of $750,000 for a term of five years ending June 25, 2030, with an option to allow the City Manager to extend up to one additional year (Attachment 7); and
  3. Authorize the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest the proposed agreements subject to approval by the City Attorney.

17.c

A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH AND THE PROFESSIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE BARGAINING GROUP FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2025 – JUNE 30, 2028 - 25-AS-055

(Human Resources, Cynthia Stafford)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council adopt a Resolution (Attachment 1) approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Hermosa Beach and Professional and Administrative Employee Group (PAE) (Attachment 2) for the 2025-2028 fiscal years.

17.d

INFORMATION ON REQUEST FOR CLOSED SESSION MINUTES FROM MAY 5, 2025 (ITEM 4B) AND MAY 13, 2025 (ITEM 4B) BE PUBLICLY DISCLOSED - 25-CA-013

(Interim City Attorney Todd Leishman)

• Recommended Action:

  Staff recommends City Council receive and file this report on an informational-only item regarding a request for the closed session minutes from May 5, 2025 (item 4b) and May 13, 2025 (item 4b) to be publicly disclosed.

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 - 25-CMO-045

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