CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

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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 Napolitano, 
  • Interim City Attorney Todd Leishman, 
  • City Clerk Myra Maravilla, 
  • Community Development Director Alison Becker, 
  • Community Resources Director Lisa Nichols, 
  • Police Chief Landon Phillips, 
  • Deputy City Clerk Reanna Guzman, 
  • Planning Manager Alexis Oropeza, 
  • Public Works Director Joe SanClemente, 
  • Human Resources Manager Tiffany Nguyen, 
  • and Environmental Programs Manager Doug Krauss 

Mayor Saemann called the Open Session to order at 6:22 p.m.

2.

  

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Morgan Sliff.

3.

  

City Clerk Myra Maravilla announced a quorum, noting Councilmember Keegan was in attendance virtually. City Clerk Maravilla announced that on Monday, July 21, 2025, Councilmember Keegan requested to join the Council meeting virtually pursuant to AB 2449 under the "just cause" clause due to medical reasons. The Council was notified of the request on Monday, July 21st of Councilmember Keegan's request. It was further announced that all votes would be taken via roll call and that virtual public comments would be accepted during the general public comment period. 

4.

  

Interim City Attorney Todd Leishman provided the Closed Session Report. No reportable action was taken.

Mayor Saemann invited the public to attend and support the Hermosa Beach Sister City Association's annual gala themed Carnival Magico on July 26, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the St. Cross Episcopal Church.  

6.

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

    To approve the order of the agenda and hear items 11.h, 11.m, and 11.q for separate discussion. 

    Ayes (5)Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan
    Motion Carried

7.

  

Mayor Saemann invited Christian Stutzman to the podium to introduce Morgan Sliff. 

Mayor Saemann presented a Certificate of Recognition and mini surfboard to Morgan Sliff. 

Mayor Saemann invited Beach Cities Health District CEO Tom Bakaly to the podium to provide a Beach Cities Health District update. 

Councilmember Francois provided comments and asked various questions.

Councilmember Jackson provided comments and asked various questions.

Chamber of Commerce President Michelle Crispin and Director of Membership and Operations Millie Martinez Stordeur provided a Fiesta Hermosa recap.

Councilmember Francois asked various comments.

President Crispin provided information about profits. 

Interim City Manager Steve Napolitano provided the City Manager Report.

10.

  

Councilmember Francois announced his attendance to the Los Angeles County Library Commission meeting.  

Mayor Saemann provided an update on an incident that occurred with the Los Angeles County Sanitation District. 

11.

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

    To hear items 11.h, 11.m, and 11.q separately and approve the balance of the Consent Calendar.

    Ayes (5)Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan
    Motion Carried
  • Moved by:Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
    Seconded by:Councilmember Jackson

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

    To approve the minutes for the June 24, 2025, Special Meeting (Commission Interviews) and the June 24, 2025, Regular Meeting.

    Motion Carried
  • Moved by:Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
    Seconded by:Councilmember Jackson

    To receive and file the check registers for the period of June 18, 2025, through July 9, 2025. The Administrative Services Director certifies the accuracy of the demands.

    Motion Carried
  • Moved by:Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
    Seconded by:Councilmember Jackson

    To receive and file the April 2025 and May 2025 Cash Balance Reports.

    Motion Carried
  • Moved by:Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
    Seconded by:Councilmember Jackson

    To receive and file the April 2025 and May 2025 City Treasurer’s Reports.

    Motion Carried
  • Moved by:Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
    Seconded by:Councilmember Jackson

    To receive and file an update on the City’s Downtown Parking Lot Hours.

    Motion Carried
  • Moved by:Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
    Seconded by:Councilmember Jackson

    To approve a third amendment to an agreement with CSG Consultants, Inc. for staff augmentation services to increase the not-to-exceed amount by $114,990, resulting in a total not-to-exceed amount of $352,166 for the remainder of the two-year term ending June 30, 2026; and authorize the City Manager to execute and the City Clerk to attest the third amendment subject to approval by the City Attorney.

    Motion Carried

11.j

This item has attachments.  
  • Moved by:Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
    Seconded by:Councilmember Jackson

    To authorize staff to modify Transit Service Operation Agreement to revise and include additional performance management reporting requirements from Beach Cities Transit (BCT) with future funding contingent upon substantial updates to Line 109 that will generate additional ridership and improve service delivery; and approve participation in the Beach Cities Transit Line 109 along with the other beach cities; and authorize the City of Hermosa Beach a financial contribution of $17,183 for Fiscal Year 2025–26 paid from budgeted Proposition A funds for the BCT Line 109; and authorize the Mayor to sign and the City Clerk to attest to the Transit Service Operation Agreement subject to approval by the Interim City Attorney.

    Motion Carried
  • Moved by:Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
    Seconded by:Councilmember Jackson

    To determine that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act; adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7503, approving Final Parcel Map No. 84115, which is consistent with the approved Vesting Tentative Parcel Map; and authorize the City Clerk to endorse the certificate for said map.

    Motion Carried
  • Moved by:Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
    Seconded by:Councilmember Jackson

    To receive and file the action minutes of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Advisory Commission meeting of June 3, 2025.

    Motion Carried
  • Moved by:Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
    Seconded by:Councilmember Jackson

    Staff recommends City Council receive and file the action minutes of the Public Works Commission regular meeting of May 21, 2025.

    Motion Carried
  • Moved by:Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
    Seconded by:Councilmember Jackson

    Staff recommends City Council receive and file the Capital Improvement Program Status Report as of July 10, 2025.

    Motion Carried
  • Moved by:Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
    Seconded by:Councilmember Jackson

    To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7504, approving the updated Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP); and authorize the Legally Responsible Official (LRO) to certify and submit the updated SSMP to the California State Water Resources Board (SWRCB).

    Motion Carried

Councilmember Francois pulled item 11.h to request additional information on when the Land Value Recapture would be heard by the Planning Commission. Director Becker provided information that Land Value Recapture would be heard in the fall. 

Virtual Public Comment:

  • Jon Davis

Councilmember Francois asked various questions. 

Mayor Saemann asked various questions. 

Councilmember Keegan asked various questions.

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

    To receive and file the July 28, 2025 Planning Commission Special Meeting agenda and the August 19, 2025 Planning Commission Regular Meeting agenda.

    Ayes (5)Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan
    Motion Carried

Interim City Manager Steve Napolitano provided a presentation. 

Mayor Saemann pulled the item to request that the garage fee be waived.

In-Person Public Comment:

  • Rick Koenig

Councilmember Francois asked various questions.

Interim City Attorney Leishman asked various questions.

Councilmember Jackson provided comments. 

Councilmember Francois asked various questions.

Councilmember Detoy asked various questions.

  • Moved by:Mayor Saemann
    Seconded by:Councilmember Keegan

    To approve a three-year agreement with the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club (Kiwanis Club) for its annual tree lot through 2025–2027 as amended, waiving the $225 storage fee, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and the City Clerk to attest, subject to approval by the City Attorney.

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

11.q

This item has attachments.  

Interim City Manager Steve Napolitano provided a presentation.

Councilmember Francois asked various questions.

Councilmember Keegan provided comments. 

Virtual Public Comment:

  • Kent Allen

Councilmember Jackson provided comments.

Councilmember Francois provided comments.

Councilmember Keegan provided comments.

  • Moved by:Mayor Saemann
    Seconded by:Councilmember Francois

    To approve sending a letter to the California Coastal Commission opposing Application Number 5-02-009-A1; Permit Application by the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County (LA County Fire) for After-The-Fact Approval Regarding Expanded Advertising on LA County Owned Lifeguard Towers from Cabrillo Beach to Will Rogers State Beach.

    Mayor Pro Tem Detoy provided a friendly amendment to hold the letter until it is agendized by the California Coastal Commission. The friendly amendment was not accepted.

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

Environmental Programs Manager Doug Krauss provided a presentation.

Councilmember Detoy asked various questions.

Mayor Saemann asked various questions.

Environmental Programs Manager provided comments.

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

    To conduct a public hearing and receive testimony from affected property owners regarding delinquent refuse bills; and adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7505 authorizing and requesting the County Assessor to place delinquent refuse charges for Athens Services as a special assessment for collection through the County tax collection process.

    Ayes (5)Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan
    Motion Carried

Public Works Director Joe SanClemente provided a presentation.

Mayor Pro Tem Detoy asked various questions.

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

    To conduct a public hearing to receive public comment related to the collection of sewer service charges on the property tax roll for Fiscal Year 2025-2026; determine the presence of a majority protest; make an official finding that a majority protest by property owners within the City of Hermosa Beach does not exist; and adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7506, approving the Engineer’s Report and authorizing the placement of sewer service charges on the annual County of Los Angeles Tax Roll.

    Ayes (5)Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan
    Motion Carried

13.

  

Public Works Director Joe SanClemente provided a presentation.

Interim City Manager Napolitano provided comments. 

Mayor Saemann provided comments.

Mayor Pro Tem Detoy provided comments.

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

    To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7507 awarding a Construction Contract to CEM Construction Corporation for the CIP 114 Greenwich Village North – Underground Utilities Assessment District in the Amount of $2,307,500, Authorizing Contract Change Orders up to $461,500, Approving Project Design and Plans Pursuant to Government Code Section 830.6, and Establishing a Project Payment Account” to approve the construction contract; authorize the Director of Public Works to file a Notice of Completion following final completion of the contract; approve the Third Amendment to an agreement with NV5, Inc. to provide professional services for construction management and inspection services during construction which increases the contract amount by $100,000, resulting in a total amended not-to-exceed contract amount of $600,000, and extends the term of agreement to July 12, 2027; adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7508 authorizing the issuance of Limited Obligation Improvement Bonds, approving and directing the execution of a Paying Agent Agreement and a Placement Agent Agreement, authorizing sale of bonds, and other related documents and actions with respect thereto to issue district bonds up to $4,031,600, appointing the City Finance Manager as paying agent, and authorize the execution of the Paying Agent Agreement, and appointing Hilltop Securities, Inc. as Placement Agent and authorize the execution of the Placement Agent Agreement; adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7509 directing the County of Los Angeles Auditor-Controller to place the direct assessments for the Greenwich Village North Underground Utilities Assessment District on the County Tax Roll”; and authorize the Mayor to execute the proposed contracts and the City Clerk to attest, subject to approval by the City Attorney.

    Ayes (5)Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan
    Motion Carried

Eric Horne and Rick Koenig provided a presentation.

Interim City Manager Steve Napolitano provided comments.

Councilmember Francois asked various questions about library funding. 

In Person Public Comment:

  • David Grethen
  • Jennifer Rosenfeld

Virtual Public Comment:

  • Laura Pena

Mayor Pro Tem Detoy provided comments.

Councilmember Jackson provided comments.

  • Moved by:Mayor Saemann
    Seconded by:Councilmember Francois

    To receive and file the recommendations from the City Manager’s Civic Facilities Project Advisory Group.

    Ayes (5)Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan
    Motion Carried

Human Resources Manager Tiffany Nguyen provided a presentation.

Councilmember Jackson asked various questions.

Councilmember Francois asked various questions.

In Person Public Comment:

  • Rick Koenig

Councilmember Jackson provided comments.

  • Moved by:Councilmember Keegan
    Seconded by:Mayor Saemann

    To select executive recruitment firm Peckham & McKenney for the City Manager recruitment; and authorize the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest to a professional services agreement with the selected firm subject to approval by the City Attorney.

    Ayes (4)Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan
    Noes (1)Councilmember Jackson
    Motion Carried
  • Substitute Motion 1
    Moved by:Councilmember Jackson

    To add a future agenda item to discuss appointing Interim City Manager Steve Napolitano as City Manager. The item failed due to a lack of a second.

13.d

This item has attachments.  

Public Works Director Joe SanClemente provided a presentation. 

Virtual Public Comment:

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

    To authorize the purchase of two Chevy Tahoes, through the State of California’s General Services Department Statewide Contract for Fleet Vehicles, or other cooperative purchasing program, for a total amount of $131,520; and appropriate $231,520 in the Equipment Replacement Fund for the purchase and outfitting of the two Chevy Tahoe Police Patrol Vehicles.

    Ayes (5)Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Francois, Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan
    Motion Carried

14.

  

Councilmember Jackson requested support to discuss providing a 6-month notice of termination to the Hermosa Beach Self Storage. No support was provided for this item.

Mayor Pro Tem Detoy requested support to update the campaign contribution limits to match surrounding cities. Councilmember Francois and Councilmember Keegan provided support.

15.

  

16.

  

The meeting was adjourned at 9:34 p.m.

No Item Selected