City Hall
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA
90254
City of Hermosa Beach
Meeting Minutes - Final
City Council
Mayor
Ray Jackson
Mayor Pro Tem
Justin Massey
Councilmembers
Dean Francois
Rob Saemann
Mike Detoy
Tuesday, January 10, 2023 5:00 PM
Hybrid virtual/in-person meetings are held pursuant to AB361 Closed Session - 5:00 PM
Open Session - 6:00 PM
5:00 PM - CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Massey called the Closed Session meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
City Clerk Myra Maravilla announced a quorum.
Mayor Jackson, Mayor Pro Tempore Massey, Councilmember Francois, Councilmember Saemann, and Councilmember Detoy
Present: 5 -
Absent: 0
PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
No public comment was received for items on the Closed Session agenda.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to Closed Session.
a) 23-0028 MINUTES: Approval of minutes of Closed Session held on November 29 and December 13, 2022.
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b) 23-0025 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL:
Anticipated Litigation - Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)&(3) The City finds, based on advice from legal counsel, that discussion in open session will prejudice the City in the litigation.
Significant exposure to civil litigation* - Two Matters:
1) Delay Claim by EBS General Engineering, Inc. (“EBS”): Pacific Coast Highway Improvements at Aviation Blvd & Pier Ave Project. 2) Additional Compensation Claim by Aid Builders Inc. (“Aid”): Public Park Restroom Project.
*Significant exposure to civil litigation means that there exists facts and circumstances where the City may face a lawsuit. This does not mean that any potential lawsuit is meritorious or that there is a significant risk that the City will not prevail in any possible lawsuit.
6:00 PM - OPEN SESSION
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Massey called the Open Session meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jameson Lowrey.
III. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Myra Maravilla announced a quorum.
Mayor Jackson, Mayor Pro Tempore Massey, Councilmember Francois, Councilmember Saemann, and Councilmember Detoy
Present: 5 -
Absent: 0
IV. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Patrick Donegan provided a Closed Session Report. No reportable action was taken.
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS - UPCOMING CITY EVENTS
No announcements were made.
VI. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember Saemann to approve the order of the agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:
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VII. PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
a) 23-0015 RECOGNIZING JUNIOR LIFEGUARDS JACKSON LOWREY
AND JAMESON LOWREY FOR THEIR LIFESAVING EFFORTS
Jessalyn Waldron from Supervisor's Mitchell's office presented certificates to Jackson and Jameson Lowrey.
Mayor Pro Tem Massey presented Certificates of Commendation on behalf of the City to Jackson and Jameson Lowrey.
Interim Fire Chief Anthony Marrone presented certificates to Jackson and Jameson Lowrey.
Members of the Fire Department, the City Council, and dignitaries joined the Lowrey family for a group photo.
b) 23-0018 ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WINNER OF THE 13TH ANNUAL
PARKING PERMIT ART CONTEST
Finance Director Viki Copeland announced the winner of the 13th Annual Parking Permit Art Contest is Rebekie Bennington.
Rebekie provided comments.
c) 23-0019 HERMOSA BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESENTS
REVIEW OF 2022 PROGRAMS AND VISION FOR 2023
Chamber President Jessica Accamando presented an overview of the Chamber's activity in 2022 and vision for 2023.
Mayor Pro Tem Massey provided remarks.
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d) 23-0020 STRAND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PRESENTATION
Public Works Director Joe SanClemente provided a presentation.
Councilmember Saemann provided comments.
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.
Councilmember Francois provided comments.
City Manager Suja Lowenthal provided comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Massey provided comments.
Councilmember Francois provided comments.
Mayor Jackson provided comments.
VIII. CITY MANAGER REPORT
a) 23-0029 POLICE CHIEF UPDATE
Police Chief LeBaron provided a Police Chief Update
IX. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
In Person Public Comment:
Beach Cities Board Member Jane Diehl
Liz Ramirez and George Barks presented a Proclamation from Sister City Loreto Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Richard Gotthofer
Virtual Public Comment:
Matt McCool
Laura Pena
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember Saemann to receive and file the written communication. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Mayor Jackson, Massey, Francois, Saemann, and Detoy
Absent: 0
a) 23-0030 WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
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X. CITY COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
a) 23-0032 UPDATES FROM CITY COUNCIL AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES
AND STANDING COMMITTEE DELEGATES/ALTERNATES
Councilmember Francois provided an update on his attendance to the League of California Cities general meeting.
Councilmember Saemann provided an update about his attendance to the Sister Cities Association meeting and its programs.
Mayor Pro Tem Massey requested staff reach out to a public commenter.
Mayor Jackson mentioned interest in a presentation about the beach maintenance plan for the benefit of the public.
XI. CONSENT CALENDAR
Approval of the Consent Calendar
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember Saemann, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Mayor Jackson, Massey, Francois, Saemann, and Detoy
Absent: 0
a) 23-0033 WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES ON THE AGENDA (City Clerk Myra Maravilla)
A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. b) REPORT
23-0021
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)
A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. c) REPORT
23-0013
CHECK REGISTERS
(Finance Director Viki Copeland)
A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. d) REPORT
23-0012
CANCELLATION OF CERTAIN CHECKS
(City Treasurer Karen Nowicki)
A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar.
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e) REPORT
23-0010
REVENUE REPORT, EXPENDITURE REPORT, AND CIP REPORT
BY PROJECT FOR SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 2022
(Finance Director Viki Copeland)
A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. f) REPORT
23-0011
CITY TREASURER’S REPORT AND CASH BALANCE REPORT
(City Treasurer Karen Nowicki)
A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. g) REPORT
23-0001
LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE AND AMBULANCE
MONTHLY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2022
(Deputy City Manager Angela Crespi)
A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. h) REPORT
23-0006
APPROVAL OF RETURNING IMPACT LEVEL III SPECIAL EVENT
(Community Resources Manager Lisa Nichols)
A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. i) REPORT
23-0022
FINDINGS TO HOLD REMOTE TELECONFERENCE/MEETINGS,
PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 361
(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)
A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. j) REPORT
23-0003
ACTION MINUTES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD
MEETINGS OF OCTOBER 19, 2022 AND NOVEMBER 16, 2022
(Human Resources Manager Vanessa Godinez)
A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. k) REPORT
23-0004
APPROVAL OF A REQUEST TO RECLASSIFY THE
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT POSITION IN THE PUBLIC WORKS
DEPARTMENT TO MANAGEMENT ANALYST
(Human Resources Manager Vanessa Godinez)
A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar.
XII. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION There were no items removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion.
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XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS - TO COMMENCE AT 6:30 P.M.
XIV. MUNICIPAL MATTERS
a) REPORT
23-0002
AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS FOR
ON-CALL PLAN CHECKING SERVICES
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)
Public Works Director SanClemente provided a staff report.
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.
No public comment provided.
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember Francois to award a contract for on-call plan check services to Transtech Engineers, Inc. at a not-to-exceed amount of $500,000 for a term of five years ending January 10, 2028, with an option to allow the City Manager to extend up to one additional year; and award a contract for on-call plan check services to Bureau Veritas, Inc. at a not-to-exceed amount of $500,000 for a term of five years ending January 10, 2028, with an option to allow the City Manager to extend up to one additional year; and authorize the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest the proposed agreements subject to approval by the City Attorney. Motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Mayor Jackson, Massey, Francois, Saemann, and Detoy
Absent: 0
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b) REPORT
23-0008
APPROVAL OF SECOND AMENDMENT TO AN
AGREEMENT WITH MILLER PLANNING ASSOCIATES
TO PREPARE THE UPDATE TO THE SUBDIVISION ("TITLE 16")
AND ZONING ("TITLE 17") ORDINANCES OF THE
HERMOSA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
(Interim Community Development Director Corrie Kates)
Senior Planner and Business Liaison Christy Teague provided a staff report.
Councilmember Francois provided comments.
City Manager Lowenthal and Interim Community Development Director Kates provided information.
Virtual Public Comment:
Laura Pena
Councilmember Saemann provided comments.
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.
A motion was made by Councilmember Saemann, seconded by Councilmember Detoy to approve the proposed second amendment to an agreement with Miller Planning Associates for the preparation of the update to the Subdivision ("Title 16") and Zoning ("Title 17") Ordinances of the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code increasing the not-to-exceed amount by $30,000 resulting in a total amended not-to exceed amount of $287,100; and authorize the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest the attached second amendment, subject to approval by the City Attorney. The motion carried by the following vote c) REPORT
23-0023
PLANNING COMMISSION-VACANCY
FOR THE UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING JUNE 30, 2023
(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)
City Clerk Myra Maravilla provided a staff report.
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.
Councilmember Francois provided comments.
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy,seconded by Councilmember Saemann to direct staff to immediately advertise and request applications from interested parties for one Planning Commission Member for the unexpired term ending June 30, 2023; and schedule the presentation of applicants and applicant interviews for Tuesday, February 28, 2023 with the option to make an appointment at the regular City Council meeting on the same date. The motion carried by the following vote:
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Aye: 5 - Mayor Jackson, Massey, Francois, Saemann, and Detoy
Absent: 0
XV. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
a) 23-0027 TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Saemann requested an agenda item to discuss adding parking space to CIP 682.
Mayor Jackson provided support for an informational item.
Mayor Jackson requested an agenda item to discuss the residential parking program.
Councilmembers Francois and Councilmember Detoy supported the item.
Councilmember Francois requested an action item to discuss the temporary barrier on the Strand. There was no additional support.
Councilmember Francois requested an action item to discuss the cost analysis of the blinking lights. There was no additional support.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Massey adjourned the meeting in memory of Richard McCurdy. Councilmember Saemann delivered a eulogy and asked for a moment of silence in his memory .
The meeting adjourned at 9:33 p.m. The next regular City Council meeting is on January 24, 2023.
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