CITY OF HERMOSA BEACHCITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTESTuesday, April 29, 2025 6:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.Council Chambers1315 Valley DriveHermosa Beach, CA 90254Members Present:Mayor Dean Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Rob Saemann, Councilmember Mike Detoy, Councilmember Ray Jackson, and Councilmember Michael D. Keegan Staff Present:City Manager Suja Lowenthal, Interim City Attorney Todd Leishman, Interim Deputy City Manager Leo Zalyan, Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker, Acting City Clerk Reanna Guzman, Community Resources Director Lisa Nichols, Public Works Director Joe SanClemente, Planning Manager Alexis Oropeza, and Office Assistant Ariana Rodriguez 1.OPEN SESSION—CALL TO ORDER Public Comments: Mayor Francois called the Open Session to order at 6:10 p.m. Mayor Francois welcomed State and County representatives, neighboring city colleagues, former Mayors and Councilmembers, Board Members, School District and Beach Cities Health District representatives, and residents.2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Public Comments: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Laura.3.NATIONAL ANTHEM Public Comments: The National Anthem was performed by Paula Fong. Mayor Francois introduced Paula as an American singer-songwriter and Southbay native, and read a brief biography.4.ROLL CALL Public Comments: Acting City Clerk Reanna Guzman announced a quorum. All members were present.5.APPROVAL OF AGENDA Public Comments: This is the time for the City Council to discuss any changes to the order of agenda items.Moved by:Councilmember DetoySeconded by:Mayor Pro Tem SaemannTo approve the order of the agenda.Ayes (5)Councilmember Jackson, Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, Councilmember Detoy, and Councilmember KeeganMotion Carried6.PUBLIC COMMENT Attachments | Public Comments1.Supplemental eComment 2025-08-13.pdfBob Wolfe I strongly believe in keeping national politics away from our beloved, laid-back beach city. At the federal level, we’re witnessing a deplorable campaign to decimate and politicize our professional civil service – to move fast, to break things, and to throw away talent and experience. Last week, we saw a parallel effort here in Hermosa to topple our outstanding city manager, and to throw our city government into turmoil. All under cloak of speed, stealth and darkness. I thought that this malign effort by a few would have ended after last week’s outpouring of support for our city manager and staff. We heard report after report about the city’s positive culture of teamwork, hard work, and decency. I have never been prouder to be a Hermosan. I fully expected that DOGE-like purge attempt to stop there and then. Silly me. Rather than listening to heart-felt testimony of our city’s own employees —many of whom have worked here for decades — some detractors questioned their sincerity. It’s ironic that people who purport to be so concerned about the public fisc are willing to throw away money on contract buyouts and unnecessary staff turnover. The illegitimate closed session review of our city manager should never have happened. It must be put to an end. Tonight’s much-needed mayoral transition brings the promise of a clean slate and a fresh start. Ever the optimist, I am hopeful that our new mayor and mayor pro tem will pledge to work with City Manager Lowenthal and Police Chief LeBaron and their staff on the real issues of the day. If so, they will find willing partners, and strong community support. Let’s move away from forces of chaos, discord and negativity. Let’s embrace the best of our beach culture: public spirit, mutual respect, connectedness. Let’s be worthy of the great people who now work for us. Thank you. This is the time for members of the public to address the City Council on item(s) listed on the special meeting agenda only. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes per speaker. This will be the only public comment taken. No public comment was provided.7.PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS Public Comments: 7.aELECTION OF MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEMPORE AND COUNCIL COMMITTEE REORGANIZATION – APRIL 2025 - 25-CCO-022 Attachments | Public Comments1.Election of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem 2025 - 25-CCO-022.pdf2.1. Resolution No. 20-7265.pdf3.2. Committee List as of January 2025.pdf4.3. Committee Information 2025.pdf5.4. Draft Resolution (South Bay Cities Sanitation District Appointment).pdf(Deputy City Clerk Reanna Guzman)Acting City Clerk Guzman provided a staff presentation. Acting City Clerk Guzman requested the gavel from Mayor Francois and announced the opening of nominations. Mayor Francois nominated Mayor Pro Tem Saemann as Mayor and Councilmember Detoy as Mayor Pro Tem. No additional nominations were made. Acting City Clerk Guzman closed the nominations. Acting City Clerk Guzman opened voting.Moved by:Mayor FrancoisSeconded by:Councilmember KeeganTo elect Mayor Saemann for a 9.6 month term ending February 12, 2026 upon the election of another Mayor; elect Mayor Pro Tempore Detoy for a 9.6 month term ending February 12, 2026 upon the election of another Mayor Pro Tempore.Ayes (5)Councilmember Jackson, Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, Councilmember Detoy, and Councilmember KeeganMotion Carried7.bRECOGNITION OF OUTGOING MAYOR Public Comments: Mayor Saemann announced the reorganization of various committees. Acting City Clerk Guzman conducted a new roll call and announced a quorum. Councilmember Keegan provided comments about outgoing Mayor Francois. Mayor Pro Tem Detoy provided comments about outgoing Mayor Francois. Mayor Saemann provided comments about outgoing Mayor Francois and provided additional remarks.Moved by:Councilmember KeeganSeconded by:Councilmember DetoyTo appoint Mayor Saemann to the Los Angeles County-City Selection Committee; and approve Resolution No. RES-25-7485 to appoint Mayor Saemann to the South Bay Cities Sanitation District Board of Directors and Councilmember Francois to serve as Alternate Director.Ayes (5)Councilmember Jackson, Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, Councilmember Detoy, and Councilmember KeeganMotion Carried8.ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Comments: Mayor Saemann invited the public to the Hermosa Brewing Company immediately following the meeting for a reception.9.ADJOURNMENT Public Comments: The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m. in memory of Kathleen Midstokke. Councilmember Keegan delivered a eulogy in memory of Kathleen Midstokke.No Item Selected Attachments (0) | Public Comments (0)This item has no attachments.1.Election of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem 2025 - 25-CCO-022.pdf2.1. Resolution No. 20-7265.pdf3.2. Committee List as of January 2025.pdf4.3. Committee Information 2025.pdf5.4. Draft Resolution (South Bay Cities Sanitation District Appointment).pdf1.Supplemental eComment 2025-08-13.pdfThis item has no public commentBob Wolfe (No Position) I strongly believe in keeping national politics away from our beloved, laid-back beach city. At the federal level, we’re witnessing a deplorable campaign to decimate and politicize our professional civil service – to move fast, to break things, and to throw away talent and experience. Last week, we saw a parallel effort here in Hermosa to topple our outstanding city manager, and to throw our city government into turmoil. All under cloak of speed, stealth and darkness. I thought that this malign effort by a few would have ended after last week’s outpouring of support for our city manager and staff. We heard report after report about the city’s positive culture of teamwork, hard work, and decency. I have never been prouder to be a Hermosan. I fully expected that DOGE-like purge attempt to stop there and then. Silly me. Rather than listening to heart-felt testimony of our city’s own employees —many of whom have worked here for decades — some detractors questioned their sincerity. It’s ironic that people who purport to be so concerned about the public fisc are willing to throw away money on contract buyouts and unnecessary staff turnover. The illegitimate closed session review of our city manager should never have happened. It must be put to an end. Tonight’s much-needed mayoral transition brings the promise of a clean slate and a fresh start. Ever the optimist, I am hopeful that our new mayor and mayor pro tem will pledge to work with City Manager Lowenthal and Police Chief LeBaron and their staff on the real issues of the day. If so, they will find willing partners, and strong community support. Let’s move away from forces of chaos, discord and negativity. Let’s embrace the best of our beach culture: public spirit, mutual respect, connectedness. Let’s be worthy of the great people who now work for us. Thank you.