CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

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

Council Chambers

1315 Valley Drive

Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Members Present:

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

Staff Present:

• Interim City Manager Steve Napolitano, 
• Deputy City Attorney Jason Baltimore, 
• Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker, 
• City Clerk Myra Maravilla, 
• Community Development Director Alison Becker, 
• Community Resources Director Lisa Nichols, 
• Human Resources Manager Tiffany Nguyen, 
• Police Chief Landon Phillips, 
• Public Works Director Joe SanClemente, 
• Planning Manager Alexis Oropeza, 
• and Acting Senior Office Assistant Ariana Rodriguez 

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1.

CLOSED SESSION—CALL TO ORDER 5:00 PM

Mayor Saemann called the Closed Session meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

2.

ROLL CALL

City Clerk Myra Maravilla announced a quorum.

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.

Mayor Saemann opened Public Comment.

In Person Public Comment:

• Jim Holtz

4.

RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION

The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 5:05 p.m.

4.a

MINUTES: Approval of minutes of Closed Session held on July 22, 2025

4.b

Conference with Legal Counsel

Existing Litigation—Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
The City finds, based on advice from legal counsel, that discussion in open session will prejudice the position of the City in the litigation. (1 case)

Name of Case: Todd Koerner v. City of Hermosa Beach et al.
Case Number: 25STCP00891
Date of Filing: March 7, 2025

4.c

Conference with Legal Counsel

Existing Litigation—Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
The City finds, based on advice from legal counsel, that discussion in open session will prejudice the position of the City in the litigation. (2 cases)

Name of Case: Jonathan Cruz v. City of Hermosa Beach 
Case Number: EDCV 23-2593 JGB (DTBx)
Date of Filing: March 1, 2023

Name of Case: Jonathan Cruz v. City of Hermosa Beach 
Case Number: 22STRCV01015
Date of Filing: December 5, 2022

5.

OPEN SESSION—CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM

Mayor Saemann called the Open Session to order at 6:09 p.m.

6.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Simon Maddox.

7.

ROLL CALL

City Clerk Maravilla announced a quorum. 

8.

CLOSED SESSION REPORT

Deputy City Attorney Jason Baltimore provided the Closed Session Report. No reportable action was taken.

9.

ANNOUNCEMENTS—UPCOMING CITY EVENTS

Mayor Saemann announced the following:

Hermosa Beach Open will take place Thursday, September 4, through Sunday, September 7, on the volleyball courts north of the Pier.

Hermosa Friends of the Parks will host annual Movies at the Beach on Saturday, September 6 and 13.

Hermosa Beach Concert Series will be held on September 7 and September 14, beginning at 3:00 p.m. on both days.

10.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

• Moved by: Councilmember Keegan
  Seconded by: Mayor Saemann

  To move the City Manager Report to the end of the agenda and to hear Municipal Matter 17.i before Municipal Matter 17.a. 

  Ayes (5)

  Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan

  Motion Carried

11.

PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS

12.

CITY MANAGER REPORT

Interim City Manager Steve Napolitano provided the City Manager Report.

13.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Justin Massey

Mr. Mayor: I respectfully request that you cure and correct the Council's consideration of the agreement with Kiwanis for the tree lot at the Community Center. On July 22, 2025, you pulled the Kiwanis agreement from the consent calendar, advocated for waiving storage fees for Kiwanis (without a prior request to or report from City staff), and deliberated on and voted for the fee waiver, all without disclosing your role as a board member and president-elect of Kiwanis. Disclosure of Councilmembers' personal interests in items before the Council is often required by the Brown Act and helps ensure the public trusts that the Council manages the City's affairs for the benefit of the entire community, rather than for the benefit of those with close relations to or shared interests with Councilmembers. Whether or not your actions were inadvertent, your actions regarding the Kiwanis agreement could cause your constituents to question whether the fee waiver serves the community. I request that you cure and correct this Council action, by bringing it back for reconsideration with disclosure of your interests in Kiwanis and a staff report on the pros and cons of the requested fee waiver for this commercial activity by Kiwanis. Doing so will benefit the Council and the constituents it serves. Thank you.

Howard Lee

Council, City Clerk, Staff and others: Council Resolutions, all of them, originals, amended, etc., all of them, all of them, all of them, going way, way back need to all be placed on the City’s website by number order, for the public as well as the major search robots, Google, etc., to access. The council enacts, or amends Resolutions at almost every meeting. I actually heard a councilmember state once that they don’t want to know about Resolutions that are present for fear they would expose something they or someone was doing wrong. A prior city attorney who wrote an adopted Resolution regarding council-meeting policy sat quietly buy while a later council went on to violate that Resolution. It’s time for all adopted Council Resolutions to come from out from the shadows and deep holes at City Hall and be posted where the public can review them as desired; and where they can also be easily accessed by staff and the council members. Stop hiding Council Resolutions, and for that matter stop adopting so many willy-nilly. They are typically numbered by a year-number followed by a dash number. Thank You. Howard Lee

Robert Aronoff

Now that election fairness has almost everyone’s attention, there is no better time to consider Rank Choice Voting (RCV). Hermosa Beach’s current election proceedurees deprive voters of meaningful choices, create increasingly toxic campaign cycles, advance candidates who lack broad support. It leaves voters feeling like their voices are not heard. Ranked Choice Voting is the solution. Ranked choice voting (RCV) makes our elections better by allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference. RCV is straightforward: Voters have the option to rank candidates in order of preference: first, second, third and so forth. If your first choice doesn’t have a chance to win, your ballot counts for your next choice. RCV works in all types of elections and supports more representative outcomes. RCV means better choices, better campaigns, and better representation. RCV reduces problems like vote-splitting, so-called “spoiler” candidates and unrepresentative outcomes that can arise when more than two candidates run for a single position. With RCV, voters can sincerely rank candidates in order of preference. Voters know that if their first choice doesn’t win, their vote automatically counts for their next choice instead. This frees voters from worrying about how others will vote and which candidates are more or less likely to win.

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.

Mayor Saemann opened Public Comment. The following public comment was provided.

In Person Public Comment:

• Scott Hayes
• Genavieve
• Robert Aronoff
• Jaden Theodora
• Eric Oakes
• Jim Holtz
• Yvonne Bernard
• Charles Bellicker

14.

CITY COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS

Mayor Saemann provided comments about his affiliation with the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club.

Councilmember Jackson provided comments about a vote taken at the July 22nd meeting for the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club annual tree lot.

Councilmember Keegan provided comments about his past affiliation with the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club.

Mayor Saemann provided information about his affiliation with the Hermosa Beach Sister City Association.

Councilmember Francois asked about an action taken by the Planning Commission, ranked choice voting, and the City's historic designation program.

Councilmember Jackson provided comments about the Hermosa Beach Museum 9th Annual Gala, its accreditation process, and thanked staff for providing a crossing guard at a designated crosswalk.

Councilmember Jackson also asked various questions about the Tsunami Siren Program and Emergency Management Coordinator Maurice Wright provided information about it.

14.a

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

Councilmember Francois provided information about the Santa Monica Bay Restoration District meeting he attended.

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.

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan

  Mayor Saemann and Mayor Pro Tem Detoy pulled item 7.a from the July 28, 2025, Planning Commission minutes, listed as item 15.d, to discuss at a future City Council meeting in September 2025, and to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar.

  Ayes (4)	Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan
  Abstained (1)	Councilmember Jackson

  Motion Carried

15.a

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

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan

  To 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.

  Motion Carried

15.b

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - 25-CCO-034

Howard Lee

This item's Attachment-1 has a meaningless esoteric title for the Public viewing same. The correct tile of Attachment-1 should simply be "Staff Report with Recommendation" to remind the public to perhaps review the "Staff report". Also somewhere on the agenda it should clearly indicate to Click or Tap on each item to be sure to be aware that there is a Staff Report and or public eComments. Having the tiny meaningless eScribe icons is insufficient for the lay public not regularly viewing agendas. Thank You.

(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan

  To approve the minutes of the July 22, 2025, Regular Meeting and the July 22, 2025, Special Meeting.

  Motion Carried

15.c

CHECK REGISTERS - 25-AS-066

Howard Lee

This item's Attachment-1 also has a meaningless, esoteric title for the Public viewing same. The correct tile of Attachment-1 should simply be "Staff Report with Recommendation" to remind the public to perhaps review the "Staff report". Essentially every item on this agenda also has a meaningless title for the item’s Attachment-1. Attachment-1 of each item should clearly be labeled as the “STAFF REPORT”. I’ve heard people read me the agenda item’s text and asking what it meant. They had ZERO idea that there was a Staff Report. Hopefully this is not intentional to hide the Staff Reports from the public. The Staff Report for each item needs to be clearly identified as it was years ago. Also somewhere on the agenda it should clearly indicate for the public to Click or Tap on each item to be sure to be aware that there is a Staff Report, other materials, and or public eComments. Having the tiny meaningless eScribe icons is insufficient for the lay public who may not regularly be viewing agendas. Thank You.

(Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker)

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan

  To receive and file the check registers for the period of July 16, 2025, through August 13, 2025. The Administrative Services Director certifies the accuracy of the demands.

  Motion Carried

15.d

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - 25-CDD-110

Scott Hayes

Honorable Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council, I am writing to respectfully request that you reconsider Item 7.a from the July 28th Special Planning Meeting Minutes. I believe the Planning Commission did not adequately address the parking requirements for the proposed project at 54 Hermosa Avenue. The project is a mixed-use development with ground-floor commercial space and two residential units on the upper levels. One of the residential units is designated as an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), a designation that effectively exempts it from the parking and open space requirements that a standard two-unit building would face. As a result, this project will only provide three of the five parking spaces that would be required under a conventional two-unit classification. While I understand that this is largely a result of the State's ADU legislation, its application in this instance will result in a significant parking shortfall that negatively affects the public. Furthermore, I contend that Section 1, Item 4 of Resolution 25-09 is inaccurate in its assertion that the project's characteristics are "compatible with the existing and reasonably foreseeable future land uses and circulation in the vicinity." The approved commercial space is designated as retail, yet the predominant use of neighboring properties is office space. Properties at 30, 34, 44, and 60 Hermosa Avenue are all approved for office space. It is a reasonable and foreseeable that the commercial space at 54 Hermosa Avenue will be occupied by an office tenant, a use that necessitates additional parking. There are 5 parking spaces next door at 60 Hermosa Ave and it is a single residential unit with only 3 bedrooms and a smaller commercial space. The commercial spaces at 30, 34, and 44 Hermosa Ave have a total of 7 parking spaces in addition to the spaces reserved for the residents. If this project is permitted to proceed as currently approved, it will introduce two residential units with a total of four bedrooms and nearly 1,000 square feet of commercial space, all served by only three on-site parking spaces. This deficit will inevitably force residents, visitors, and customers to use the already scarce street parking, negatively impacting the quality of life for nearby residents. I urge the City Council to review this project and require that parking be provided to adequately accommodate the reasonably foreseeable future use of the commercial space. It is critical that this issue be addressed now. If the project is built as currently shown and an office tenant moves in, the City will have no recourse to force the Owner to install additional parking. Thank you for your time and consideration of this critical matter. Scott Hayes

(Community Development Director Alison Becker)

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan

  To receive and file the action minutes of the Special Meeting of July 28, 2025 and the Regular Meeting of August 19, 2025, and Mayor Saemann and Mayor Pro Tem Detoy pulled item 7.a from the July 28, 2025, Planning Commission minutes, listed as item 15.d, to discuss at a future City Council meeting in September 2025.

  Motion Carried

15.e

PLANNING COMMISSION TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - 25-CDD-115

(Community Development Director Alison Becker)

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan

  To receive and file the tentative agendas for the September 8, 2025, Special Meeting and the September 16, 2025, Regular Meeting.

  Motion Carried

15.f

PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - 25-CR-061

Howard Lee

This item's Attachment-1 has an esoteric title "PR Minutes 7-01-2025 - 25-CR-061.pdf". The correct tile of this attachment should simply be "Staff Report with Recommendation". Commission agendas seem to identify the Staff Report correctly however Council Agendas do not. This is very confusing to the public. Kindly correct in the future.

Anthony Higgins

Dear City Council, Inaddition to the reasons cited in my earlier post, there is one more reason i believe all council and commsion meeting agendas should include a future agenda items calendar. The agenda can come out as little as 72 hours before the meeting. Since the parks commission meeting excludes a future agenda items calendar it doesnt allow residents nor the commissioners the best opportunity to adequately prepare. 72 hours advance notice is simply not enough, especially since many times the date the future agenda item will be heard is known many months in sdvance. There is simply no good reason i can think of for the city council and planning commission to have future agenda items tentatively scheduled for hearings AND for the parks commission not to do the same. It would also allow commissioners and the public to push for earlier hearing dates if warranted. Consistency matters. Thanks th

Anthony Higgins

Dear City Council, The Planning Commission and City Council meeting agenda always include a Future Agenda items calendar. The parks commission has many items that should be listed on a future agenda items calendar like dog parks, pools, additional pickleball courts, the approval if their new management software, upcoming contract negotiations and on and on. obviously maintaining a future agenda items calendar is a best practice i hope this consistency can be achieved across all councill & commission meetings thanks th

(Community Resources Director Lisa Nichols)

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan

  To receive and file the action minutes of the July 1, 2025, Regular Meeting.

  Motion Carried

15.g

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT AS OF AUGUST 18, 2025 - 25-PW-051

(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan

  To receive and file the Capital Improvement Program Status Report as of August 18, 2025.

  Motion Carried

15.h

ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE OCEAN PROTECTION COUNCIL FOR SEA LEVEL RISE ADAPTION PLAN AND VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS AND EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT - 25-CMO-054

(Environmental Programs Manager Douglas Krauss)

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan

  To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7510 to accept $583,307 from Senate Bill 1 Sea level rise adaptation planning grant funds from the Ocean Protection Council (OPC) for the implementation of a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan (SLRAP) and a Vulnerability Analysis and authorize the City Manager to execute the grant agreement and the City Clerk to attest, subject to approval by the City Attorney. 

  Motion Carried

15.i

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE AND AMBULANCE MONTHLY REPORT FOR MAY 2025 - 25-CMO-052

Howard Lee Typo Correction

RESUBMITTING TO Include the missing word "NOT" below. Thank You. This significant item's Attachment-1 additionally has a meaningless, esoteric title for the Public viewing same. Why is this Attachement-1 NOT clearly labeled as the “Staff Report”? The correct tile of Attachment-1 should simply be "Staff Report with Recommendation" with or without additional wording to remind the public to perhaps review the "Staff report". Essentially every item on this agenda also has a meaningless title for the item’s Attachment-1. Attachment-1 of each item should clearly be labeled as the “STAFF REPORT”. I’ve heard people read me the agenda item’s text and asking what it meant. They had ZERO idea that there was a Staff Report. Hopefully this is not intentional to hide the Staff Reports from the public. The Staff Report for each item needs to be clearly identified as it was years ago. Also somewhere on the agenda it should clearly indicate for the public to Click or Tap on each item to be sure to be aware that there is a Staff Report, other materials, and or public eComments. Having the tiny meaningless eScribe icons is insufficient for the lay public who may not regularly be viewing agendas. Thank You.

Howard Lee

This significant item's Attachment-1 additionally has a meaningless, esoteric title for the Public viewing same. Why is this Attachement-1 clearly labeled as the “Staff Report”? The correct tile of Attachment-1 should simply be "Staff Report with Recommendation" with or without additional wording to remind the public to perhaps review the "Staff report". Essentially every item on this agenda also has a meaningless title for the item’s Attachment-1. Attachment-1 of each item should clearly be labeled as the “STAFF REPORT”. I’ve heard people read me the agenda item’s text and asking what it meant. They had ZERO idea that there was a Staff Report. Hopefully this is not intentional to hide the Staff Reports from the public. The Staff Report for each item needs to be clearly identified as it was years ago. Also somewhere on the agenda it should clearly indicate for the public to Click or Tap on each item to be sure to be aware that there is a Staff Report, other materials, and or public eComments. Having the tiny meaningless eScribe icons is insufficient for the lay public who may not regularly be viewing agendas. Thank You.

(Emergency Management Coordinator Maurice Wright)

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan

  To receive and file the May 2025 Fire and Ambulance monthly report.

  Motion Carried

15.j

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE AND AMBULANCE MONTHLY REPORT FOR JUNE 2025 - 25-CMO-053

(Emergency Management Coordinator Maurice Wright)

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan

  To receive and file the June 2025 Fire and Ambulance monthly report.

  Motion Carried

15.k

APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH THE WOMAN’S CLUB OF HERMOSA BEACH FOR USE OF THE CLARK BUILDING - 25-CR-058

CEQA: Approval of the agreement with the Woman’s Club of Hermosa Beach for use of the Clark Building would be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15304 (e). The proposed agreement would allow for a minor, temporary use of an indoor City facility wth negligible or no permanent effect on the environment.
(Community Resources Director Lisa Nichols)

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan

  To approve an agreement with the Woman’s Club of Hermosa Beach (Woman’s Club) for use of the Clark Building beginning September 2025 through December 2028; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and the City Clerk to attest, subject to approval by the City Attorney.

  Motion Carried

16.

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

17.

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

17.a

ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH AND THE POLICE MANAGEMENT GROUP EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025 – JUNE 30, 2028 - 25-AS-057

(Human Resources, Cynthia Stafford)

Cyndi Stafford provided a presentation.
Mayor Pro Tem Detoy asked various questions.

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Mayor Saemann

  To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7510 approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Hermosa Beach and the Police Management Group for Fiscal Years 2026-2028.

  Ayes (5)

  Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan

  Motion Carried

17.b

ADOPT A RESOLUTION FOR WAGES AND EMPLOYMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025 – JUNE 30, 2028 - 25-AS-065

(Human Resources, Cynthia Stafford)

Cyndi Stafford provided a presentation under item 17.a.

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Mayor Saemann

  To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7512 approving wages and terms and conditions of employment in Exhibit A for the Unrepresented classifications for the Fiscal Years (FY) 2026-2028.

  Ayes (5)

  Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan

  Motion Carried

17.c

ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH AND THE GENERAL AND SUPERVISORY EMPLOYEES’ BARGAINING UNIT, TEAMSTERS LOCAL 986, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025 – JUNE 30, 2028 - 25-AS-057

(Human Resources, Cynthia Stafford)

Cyndi Stafford provided a presentation under item 17.a.

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Councilmember Francois

  To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7513 approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Hermosa Beach and the General and Supervisory Employees’ Bargaining Unit, Teamsters Local 986 (Teamsters) for the Fiscal Years (FY) 2026-2028.

  Ayes (5)

  Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan

  Motion Carried

17.d

ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE SIDE LETTER TO THE PROFESSIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEE GROUP MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR FISCAL YEARS 2026-2028 - 25-AS-058

(Human Resources, Cynthia Stafford)

Cyndi Stafford provided a presentation under item 17.a.

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Mayor Saemann

  To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7514 to adopt the Side Letter to the Professional and Administrative Employees (PAE) Memorandum of Understanding.

  Ayes (5)

  Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan

  Motion Carried

17.e

ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH AND THE HERMOSA BEACH POLICE OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION BARGAINING GROUP EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025 – JUNE 30, 2028 - 25-AS-067

(Human Resources Manager Tiffany Nguyen)

Human Resources Manager Tiffany Nguyen provided a presentation. 

Councilmember Jackson provided comments.

Mayor Saemann provided comments. 

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Councilmember Francois

  To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7515 approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Hermosa Beach and the Hermosa Beach Police Officers’ Association (POA) Bargaining Group for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.

  Ayes (5)

  Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan

  Motion Carried

17.f

ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO RETROACTIVELY APPROVE A SECTION 125 CAFETERIA PLAN AND ADOPTION AGREEMENT - 25-AS-064

(Human Resources Manager Tiffany Nguyen)

Human Resources Manager Tiffany Nguyen provided a presentation.

• Moved by: Mayor Saemann
  Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy

  To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7516 to approve a Section 125 Cafeteria Plan, retroactive to January 1, 2023; and authorize the City Manager to execute a Section 125 Cafeteria Plan Adoption Agreement, subject to approval by the City Attorney.

  Ayes (5)

  Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan

  Motion Carried

17.g

AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES FOR CIP 699 PARKING LOT C IMPROVEMENTS TO H.W. LOCHNER, INC. - 25-PW-050

(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)

Public Works Director Joe SanClemente provided a presentation.

Councilmember Francois asked various questions.

• Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
  Seconded by: Mayor Saemann

  To award a contract for construction management and inspection services for CIP 699 Parking Lot C Improvements to H.W. Lochner, Inc. at a not-to-exceed amount of $256,720.60 for a term of one year ending August 26, 2026, with an option to allow the City manager to extend up to one additional year; authorize the Public Works Director to establish a 10 percent project contingency of $25,672; authorize the City Manager to approve contract amendments up to the amount of the approved project contingency; and authorize the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest the proposed agreements subject to approval by the City Attorney.

  Ayes (5)

  Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan

  Motion Carried

17.h

ADOPT TWO RESOLUTIONS AND RATIFY THE EMERGENCY CONTRACT FOR THE SINKHOLE AND STORM DRAIN REPAIRS ON VALLEY DRIVE - 25-PW-049

Howard Lee adddendum

Due to an additional defect in the system, my prior comment, (following this comment) does not completely display in the yellow background pop-up. It does not scroll or anything. The viewer sees only part of the comment. It's necessary to click on the comment to then get a small popup window which is very difficult to read the text within but which has scroll bars. This needs to be improved for the public's ability to view agendas and read materials from same, especially on tablets and phones. I am using a desktop with large monitors and it's difficult to utilize this poorly designed interface. Sorry but it's awful. The Staff and Council may be seeing a different viewing version than the public is forced to see. The public should come first. I’ve noticed other eComments that were truncated in prior agendas. If a pop-up yellow background text window is to work it needs to have a scroll function for the public not just end displaying the comment as if that was the entire comment. The eComments would far better be posted in chronological order. Last one in, then appearing at the end, etc.

Howard Lee

Council, City Clerk, Staff and others: This significant item's Attachment-1 additionally has a meaningless, esoteric title for the Public viewing this agenda and this item, if the public even becomes aware there are attachments to this item, of which they won't know if they don't actually click or tap on the item. Why is this item’s Attachment-1 not clearly labeled as the “Staff Report”? The correct tile of Attachment-1 should simply be "Staff Report with Recommendation" with or without additional wording as desired, and to remind the public to perhaps review the "Staff report". Essentially every item on this agenda also has a meaningless title for its Attachment-1. Attachment-1 of each item should clearly be labeled as the “STAFF REPORT”. I’ve heard people read me the agenda item’s text and asking what it meant. They had ZERO idea that there was a Staff Report. Hopefully this is not intentional to hide the Staff Report(s) from the public. The Staff Report for each item needs to be clearly identified as it was in the past. Also somewhere on the agenda it should clearly indicate for the public to Click or Tap on each item to be sure to be aware that there is a Staff Report, other materials, and or public eComments. Having the tiny meaningless eScribe icons is insufficient for the lay public who may not regularly be viewing agendas. Thank You. Howard Lee

CEQA: Determine the Annual Storm Drain Improvements project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) and Section 15269 (Emergency Repairs). The proposed work is emergency replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)

Public Works Director Joe SanClemente provided a presentation.

Mayor Pro Tem Detoy identified that he lives within 500 feet of the emergency repair site and recused himself from the dais. He did not participate in the discussion or vote.

• Moved by: Mayor Saemann
  Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan

  To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7517, requiring a four-fifths (4/5) vote of the City Council, pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22050, to declare an emergency in response to a sink hole on Valley Drive due to storm drain failure, ratify the action taken by the City Manager, and authorize the City Manager to take further action as may be necessary (Attachment 2); adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7518 proclaiming the termination of the existence of a local emergency (Attachment 2); and authorize the Director of Public Works to file a Notice of Completion following completion of the project.

  Ayes (4)	Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, and Councilmember Keegan
  Recused (1)	Mayor Pro Tem Detoy

  Motion Carried

17.i

CONSIDERATION OF REVERTING GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER AND INCLUDING REMOTE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - 25-CCO-032

Justin Massey

Mr. Mayor & Council: This is a performative solution in search of a problem. Remote comment was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic when the public could not attend Council meetings in person. There is no credible argument that the general public benefits by extending Council meetings with three-minute remote general comments (that is, comments on matters NOT on the meeting agenda) that can be made by e-Comment, in person at the meeting, or by writing or calling Councilmembers or the City.

John Burry

It's ironic that this item has been placed almost at the end of the agenda. Why schedule an item about public comment at a time when it is likely that the fewest members of the public will be able to comment ? The motion last year that reduced public comment last year was carried out after midnight. It was made and pushed through by Jackson and Massey using two fallacious arguments. Firstly, that allowing the public a whole three minutes was the cause of overly long meetings. Plainly nonsense, completely unsupported by the data. Councilmember Jackson might do better to rein in his endless prepared speeches before blaming the residents again. Secondly, that allowing remote general public comment would result in our meetings being hijacked by bad actors from out of town. It happened once, and the mute button exists in the event of it happening again. To punish general public participation as a response is a gross overreach and does nothing to support local democracy. In the past year, we have had several instances of organized 'protest' by out of town unions that have soaked up public comment and meeting time. We have also seen City Manager and Police Chief reports become longer and longer, meaning that the start time of General Public comment has become completely unpredictable. Since the appointments of Interim City Manager Steve Napolitano and Police Chief Phillips, these reports have become more reasonable in length, but all councilmembers and city staff should remember that public participation is a right, not a privilege, and it should be respected rather than minimized. Engagement by the public in city business should be celebrated - we should seek to broaden it where possible, and to make it as simple as we can. With regard to online general public comment, you should remember that there are members of the community who find it difficult to attend in person. Some for reasons of disability, and some simply because of child care and busy schedules. Show them the respect that they deserve. And finally, you might do well to remember that it can be difficult to frame a complex argument in just two minutes, especially for those unaccustomed to speaking in public. Councilmembers give themselves unlimited time to make their own arguments - maybe you should try putting yourselves under the same pressure.

(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)

City Clerk Myra Maravilla provided a presentation.

Mayor Pro Tem Detoy requested information about the Informational Items category on the agenda.

Councilmember Francois provided comments and asked about separating out the Updates from City Council Ad Hoc Subcommittees and Standing Committee Delegates/Alternates from the City Councilmember Comments category.

In Person Public Comment:

• Elka Worner
• John Burry

Virtual Public Comment:

• Kent Allen
• Laura Pena

Mayor Pro Tem Detoy provided comments.

Councilmember Jackson provided comments.

Councilmember Keegan provided comments in support of reverting to three minutes per speaker for general Public Comment and to allow remote participation. 

Mayor Saemann provided comments in support of remote participation during general Public Comment, eliminating the 30-minute time limit, reverting to 3 minutes per speaker, and to allow visual aids for items on the agenda.

• Moved by: Councilmember Francois
  Seconded by: Mayor Saemann

  To amend Resolution No. RES-24-7414 as follows:

  1. To revert General Public Comment to 3 minutes and to allow a remote participation option;
  2. To move the City Manager Report before the second General Public Comment opportunity;
  3. To add a new Informational Items category after the second General Public Comment opportunity;
  4. To separate the City Councilmember Comments from the Updates from City Council Ad Hoc Subcommittees and Standing Committee Delegates/Alternates item; and
  5. To eliminate the 30-minute time limit for the first General Public Comment opportunity.

  A friendly amendment was made by Mayor Saemann, accepted by Councilmember Francois, to allow visual aids to be displayed during live meetings by public commenters for items listed on the agenda only and to be provided to the City Clerk at least 24 hours before the meeting and subject to approval by the City Clerk.

  Ayes (3)	Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, and Councilmember Keegan
  Noes (2)	Councilmember Jackson, and Mayor Pro Tem Detoy

  Motion Carried

17.j

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE UPDATING THE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMIT - 25-CCO-033

(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)

• Moved by: Councilmember Keegan
  Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy

  To introduce by title only and waive first reading of Ordinance No. ORD-25-1488 updating the campaign contribution limit to five hundred dollars.

  Ayes (5)

  Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan

  Motion Carried

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. 

Mayor Saemann with the support of Mayor Pro Tem Detoy and Councilmember Jackson, requested an action item to discuss amending Ordinance No. ORD-98-5937 no later than September 2025. 

Mayor Saemann with the support of Councilmember Keegan, requested an informational item to discuss allowing any vehicle type to park at any parking stall with a charging station which are currently reserved for electric vehicles. 

Councilmember Jackson with the support of Mayor Saemann and Councilmember Keegan, requested an action item to direct the Public Works Director and the Community Resources Director to commence discussions with the Hermosa Beach Museum to renovate the unused vacant space adjacent to their location.  

Councilmember Francois with the support of Mayor Saemann and Councilmember Jackson, requested an action item to consider adding another accessible mat, extending the "T" to the water line, and to seek grant funding to study a permanent solution to the current accessible mat setup. 

The City Council directed the Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Advisory Commission to review all rules, regulations, and ordinances governing the sale of merchandise on the beach, and to assess Manhattan Beach's sale of merchandise on the beach policies and procedures for professional volleyball tournaments. 

18.a

TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - 25-CMO-056

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

Councilmember Keegan read a eulogy in memory of Hermosa Beach resident Maggie Moore, who passed away on  August 8, 2025. Mayor Saemann adjourned the meeting in memory of Maggie Moore at 8:59 p.m.