Agenda packet — Hermosa Beach City Council, February 2, 2023

City Council
City of Hermosa Beach
Special Meeting Agenda - Final
City Hall
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA
90254
Mayor
Ray Jackson
Mayor Pro Tem
Justin Massey
Councilmembers
Dean Francois
Rob Saemann
Mike Detoy
Thursday, February 2, 2023 7:00 PM
Hybrid virtual/in-person meetings are held pursuant to AB361 Closed Session - 5:00 PM
Open Session - 6:00 PM
1 City Council Special Meeting Agenda - Final February 2, 2023

PUBLIC MEETING VIEWING OPTIONS
The public may participate via the following:

1. IN PERSON - Council Chambers, 1315 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

2. ZOOM - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89968207828?
pwd=bXZmWS83dmxHWDZLbWRTK2RVaUxaUT092.

3. PHONE - Toll Free: (833) 548-0276; Meeting ID: 899 6820 7828, then #; Passcode: 472825 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 are 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 or log in via ZOOM.

4. CABLE TV - Spectrum Channel 8 and Frontier Channel 31 in Hermosa Beach

5. YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/c/CityofHermosaBeach90254

6. LIVE STREAM - www.hermosabeach.gov and visit the Agendas/Minutes/Videos page If you experience technical difficulties while viewing a meeting on any of our digital platforms, please try another viewing option. View City Council staff reports and attachments at www.hermosabeach.gov and visit the Agendas/Minutes/Video page.

Council Chambers WiFi
Network ID: CHB-Guest
Password: chbguest
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 (310) 318-0204 or at [email protected] at least 48 hours before the meeting.

Submit Supplemental eComments
Submit an eComment via Speak Up Hermosa at hermosabeach.granicusideas.com by 5:30 p.m. on the meeting date.

City of Hermosa Beach Page 2 Printed on 3/25/2024
2 City Council Special Meeting Agenda - Final February 2, 2023

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING AND AGENDA
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Mayor of the City of Hermosa Beach has called a Special Meeting of the City Council to take place on Thursday, February 2, 2023 to consider and take action on only those matters set forth on the agenda below.
7:00 PM - CLOSED SESSION

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
The public is invited to attend and provide public comment. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes per speaker. This Public Comment period is limited to Closed Session agenda items only.

1. IN PERSON - Council Chambers, 1315 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

2. ZOOM - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89968207828?
pwd=bXZmWS83dmxHWDZLbWRTK2RVaUxaUT09 and use 'Raise Hand' feature.

3. PHONE - Toll Free: (833) 548-0276; Meeting ID: 899 6820 7828, then #; Passcode: 472825 Press *9 to 'Raise Hand' and then *6 to unmute yourself line when prompted.

4. EMAIL - Email comments to [email protected] by 3:00 p.m. on the meeting date.

5. ECOMMENT - Submit an eComment via Speak Up Hermosa at hermosabeach.granicusideas.com by 3:00 p.m. on the meeting date.

RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (Meeting will reconvene in the Council Chambers after Closed Session and recess to Open Session)
a) 23-0065 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* - One Matter:
1) Additional Compensation Claim by Aid Builders Inc. (“Aid”):

Public 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.

City of Hermosa Beach Page 3 Printed on 3/25/2024
3 City Council Special Meeting Agenda - Final February 2, 2023 b) 23-0066 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 City in the litigation.

Name of Case: Walters Wholesale Electric v. Genesis Electric et al Case Number: 22TRCV01096, Los Angeles Superior Court
8:00 PM - OPEN SESSION
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. ROLL CALL
IV. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS - UPCOMING CITY EVENTS
VI. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
This is the time for the City Council to discuss any changes to the order of agenda items.

City of Hermosa Beach Page 4 Printed on 3/25/2024
4 City Council Special Meeting Agenda - Final February 2, 2023 VII. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
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, Written Communication, City Councilmember Comments, Consent Calendar items not pulled for separate consideration, and Future Agenda Items).

The public is invited to attend and provide public comment. Public comments are limited to three minutes per speaker. This time allotment may be reduced due to time constraints at the discretion of the City Council.

1. IN PERSON - Council Chambers, 1315 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

2. ZOOM - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89968207828?
pwd=bXZmWS83dmxHWDZLbWRTK2RVaUxaUT09 and use 'Raise Hand' feature.

3. PHONE - Toll Free: (833) 548-0276; Meeting ID: 899 6820 7828, then #; Passcode: 472825 Press *9 to 'Raise Hand' and then *6 to unmute yourself line when prompted.

4. EMAIL - Email comments to [email protected] by 3:00 p.m. on the meeting date.

5. ECOMMENT - Submit an eComment via Speak Up Hermosa at hermosabeach.granicusideas.com by 3:00 p.m. on the meeting date.

No action will be taken on matters raised in oral and written communications, except that the Council may take action to schedule issues raised in oral and written communications 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. a) REPORT
23-0070

SUPPLEMENTAL GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE
PUBLIC
VIII. CITY COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
IX. MUNICIPAL MATTERS
a) REPORT
23-0067

CITY PARK RESTROOMS AND RENOVATIONS PROJECT
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)
Recommendation: Staff recommends City Council consider and approve direction to City Manager or designee to take all action necessary in the City Manager's reasonable discretion to cause the City Park Restrooms and Renovations Project-CIP 669 to be promptly completed and, if necessary, appropriate funding in connection therewith.

X. ADJOURNMENT
City of Hermosa Beach Page 5 Printed on 3/25/2024
5 City Council Special Meeting Agenda - Final February 2, 2023

FUTURE MEETINGS AND CITY HOLIDAYS
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS:

February 14, 2023 - Tuesday - No Meeting (Dark)
February 28, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session, 6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
March 14, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session,
6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
March 28, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session,
6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
April 11, 2023 - Tuesday - No Meeting (Dark)
April 20, 2023 - Thursday - 6:00 PM - CIP Study Session April 25, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session,
6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
May 9, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session,
6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
May 23, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session,
6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
May 31, 2023 - Wednesday - 6:00 PM - Budget Study Session June 13, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session,
6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
June 27, 2023 - Tuesday - No Meeting (Dark)
July 11, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session,
6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
July 20, 2023 - Thursday - 6:00 PM - Joint Meeting with all Boards and Commissions
July 25, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session,
6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
August 8, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session,
6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
August 22, 2023 - Tuesday - No Meeting (Dark)
September 12, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session, 6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
September 26, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session, 6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
September 28, 2023 - Thursday - 6:00 PM - Mayor Transition Ceremony October 10, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session,
6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
October 24, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session,
6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
November 14, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session, 6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
November 28, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session, 6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
December 12, 2023 - Tuesday - 5:00 PM - Closed Session, 6:00 PM - City Council Meeting
December 26, 2023 - Tuesday - No Meeting (Dark)
City of Hermosa Beach Page 6 Printed on 3/25/2024
6 City Council Special Meeting Agenda - Final February 2, 2023 BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

February 7, 2023 - Tuesday - 7:00 PM - Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting February 15, 2023 - Wednesday - 5:00 PM - Civil Service Board Meeting February 21, 2023 - Tuesday - 6:00 PM - Planning Commission Meeting March 7, 2023 - Tuesday - 7:00 PM - Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting March 15, 2023 - Wednesday - 5:00 PM - Civil Service Board Meeting March 15, 2023 - Wednesday - 6:00 PM - Public Works Commission Meeting March 21, 2023 - Tuesday - 6:00 PM - Planning Commission Meeting April 17, 2023 - Monday - 7:00 PM - Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting April 18, 2023 - Tuesday - 6:00 PM - Planning Commission Meeting April 19, 2023 - Wednesday - 5:00 PM - Civil Service Board Meeting May 2, 2023 - Tuesday - 7:00 PM - Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting May 16, 2023 - Tuesday - 6:00 PM - Planning Commission Meeting May 17, 2023 - Wednesday - 5:00 PM - Civil Service Board Meeting May 17, 2023 - Wednesday - 6:00 PM - Public Works Commission Meeting June 6, 2023 - Tuesday - 7:00 PM - Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting June 20, 2023 - Tuesday - 6:00 PM - Planning Commission Meeting June 21, 2023 - Wednesday - 5:00 PM - Civil Service Board Meeting July 5, 2023 - Wednesday - 7:00 PM - Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting July 18, 2023 - Tuesday - 6:00 PM - Planning Commission Meeting July 19, 2023 - Wednesday - 5:00 PM - Civil Service Board Meeting July 19, 2023 - Wednesday - 6:00 PM - Public Works Commission Meeting August 1, 2023 - Tuesday - 7:00 PM - Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting August 15, 2023 - Tuesday - 6:00 PM - Planning Commission Meeting August 16, 2023 - Wednesday - 5:00 PM - Civil Service Board Meeting September 5, 2023 - Tuesday - 7:00 PM - Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting September 19, 2023 - Tuesday - 6:00 PM - Planning Commission Meeting September 20, 2023 - Wednesday - 5:00 PM - Civil Service Board Meeting September 20, 2023 - Wednesday - 6:00 PM - Public Works Commission Meeting October 3, 2023 - Tuesday - 7:00 PM - Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting October 17, 2023 - Tuesday - 6:00 PM - Planning Commission Meeting October 18, 2023 - Wednesday - 5:00 PM - Civil Service Board Meeting November 7, 2023 - Tuesday - 7:00 PM - Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting November 13, 2023 - Monday - 6:00 PM - Planning Commission Meeting November 15, 2023 - Wednesday - 5:00 PM - Civil Service Board Meeting November 15, 2023 - Wednesday - 6:00 PM - Public Works Commission Meeting December 5, 2023 - Tuesday - 7:00 PM - Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting December 11, 2023 - Monday - 6:00 PM - Planning Commission Meeting December 20, 2023 - Wednesday - 5:00 PM - Civil Service Board Meeting CITY OFFICES CLOSED FRIDAY-SUNDAY AND ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS:

February 20, 2023 - Monday - President’s Day
May 29, 2023 - Monday - Memorial Day
June 19, 2023 - Monday - Juneteenth
July 4, 2023 - Tuesday - Independence Day
September 4, 2023 - Monday - Labor Day
November 23, 2023 - Thursday - Thanksgiving Day
December 25, 2023 - Monday - Christmas Day
January 1, 2024 - Monday - New Year's Day
City of Hermosa Beach Page 7 Printed on 3/25/2024
7 City of Hermosa Beach
Staff Report
City Hall
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Staff Report
23-0065
Honorable Mayor and Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council Closed Session of February 2, 2023
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* - One Matter:
1) Additional Compensation Claim by Aid Builders Inc. (“Aid”):

City of Hermosa Beach Page 1 of 1 Printed on 2/1/2023
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City of Hermosa Beach
Staff Report
City Hall
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Staff Report
23-0066
Honorable Mayor and Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council Closed Session of February 2, 2023
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 City in the litigation.

Name of Case: Walters Wholesale Electric v. Genesis Electric et al Case Number: 22TRCV01096, Los Angeles Superior Court
City of Hermosa Beach Page 1 of 1 Printed on 2/1/2023
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City of Hermosa Beach
Staff Report
City Hall
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Staff Report
REPORT 23-0070
Honorable Mayor and Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council Special Meeting of February 2, 2023

SUPPLEMENTAL GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Attachments:

1. SUPPLEMENTAL Email from Tony Higgins

2. SUPPLEMENTAL eComments
City of Hermosa Beach Page 1 of 1 Printed on 3/25/2024
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From: tony higgins
To: City Clerk
Cc: Suja Lowenthal; Joseph SanClemente; Angela Crespi; City Council Subject: - No eComment button
Date: Thursday, February 2, 2023 9:47:35 AM
Dear City Clerk
I must point out that the open session public participation agenda item for the special Feb 2 special-meeting has no eComment button.

This is a deviation from standard procedure.

Following is my comment.

February 2, 2023
Dear City Council
I hope that in tonight’s special session the council will demand a transparent & honest accounting of how we got into the public restroom fiasco in the first place to ensure that processes are in place to catch & avoid these kind of project management failures in the first place.

And while I have every confidence in Director SanClement’s ability, its not surprising the city is in this mess since if memory serves me correctly, we have had 3 Public Works Directors and an acting director during our city manager’s tenure.

But more to the point, I believe there is strong evidence of significant project oversight failings in nearly every city department with the possible exception of the Police and Finance.

For instance, the city more than two years into the outdoor dining program and our city manager could NOT ensure the public that these rooftop venues are fire-safe at the last council meeting.

This speaks volumes about our city managers project oversight performance.

I also want you to consider that in 2023 US covid death are still hovering around 4000 per week.

Let that sink in.

The shame is the vast majority of these deaths were preventable with vaccinations.

One common thread is that our politicians and city officials all across our country took active steps to undermine the credibility of health officials & health orders and Hermosa Beach LED THE WAY in subverting LA county health orders by providing public space and even tables for outdoor dining.

This occurred even against the repeated advice of the city’s own medical experts at a time when LA was the epicenter of the covid crisis.

Still another project oversight failing affecting public safety Then consider using the covid emergency to manipulate and unnecessarily delay CEQA protections afforded to vulnerable neighborhoods; denying residents likely experiencing significant direct and indirect health, safety and quality of life impacts their due process.

There is much more including bogus traffic noise measurements and meaningless departmental activity reports. 11 These are not small things and without strong council oversight I believe our city manager will continue to glibly dismiss these issues and sweep under the carpet any facts that might call into question the wisdom of her agenda.

Anthony Higgins
12 City Council Special Meeting (Closed Session - 7:00 PM and Open Session - 8:00 PM) 02-02-23 19:00
Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral
VII. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: ORAL AND WRITTEN

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
1 1 0 0
Sentiments for All Agenda Items
The following graphs display sentiments for comments that have location data. Only locations of users who have commented will be shown.

Overall Sentiment
Agenda Item: eComments for VII. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC Overall Sentiment
Anthony Higgins
Location:

Submitted At: 10:19am 02-02-23
February 2, 2023
_Dear City Council
I hope that in tonight’s special session the council will demand a transparent & honest accounting of how we got into the public restroom fiasco in the first place to ensure that processes are in place to catch & avoid these kind of project management failures in the first place.

But more to the point, I believe there is strong evidence of significant project oversight failings in nearly every city 13 department with the possible exception of the Police and Finance.

For instance, the city is more than two years into the outdoor dining program and our city manager could NOT ensure the public that these rooftop venues are fire-safe at the last council meeting.

This speaks volumes about our city managers project oversight performance.

I also want you to consider that in 2023 US covid death are still hovering around 4000 per week.

Let that sink in.

The shame is the vast majority of these deaths were preventable with vaccinations.

This occurred even against the repeated advice of the city’s own medical experts at a time when LA was the epicenter of the covid crisis.

There is much more including bogus traffic noise measurements and meaningless departmental activity reports.

These are not small things and without strong council oversight I believe our city manager will continue to glibly dismiss these issues and sweep under the carpet any facts that might call into question the wisdom of her agenda.

Anthony Higgins
14 City of Hermosa Beach
Staff Report
City Hall
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Staff Report
REPORT 23-0067
Honorable Mayor and Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council Special Meeting of February 2, 2023

CITY PARK RESTROOMS AND RENOVATIONS PROJECT
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)
Recommended Action:

Staff recommends City Council consider and approve direction to City Manager or designee to take all action necessary in the City Manager’s reasonable discretion to cause the City Park Restrooms and Renovations Project-CIP 669 to be promptly completed and, if necessary, appropriate funding in connection therewith.

Executive Summary:

In August 2022, the City terminated the Contractor (AID Builders) for Capital Improvement Project (CIP) 669-City Park Restrooms and Renovations. Since that time, the City has been working with the “the surety,” the company that guarantees work will be completed according to contract, to formalize a plan for successful project completion. Due to the ever-changing nature of this process, staff will verbalize an update on the project during the open session.

Respectfully Submitted by: Joe SanClemente, Public Works Director Noted for Fiscal Impact: Viki Copeland, Finance Director Legal Review: Patrick Donegan, City Attorney
Approved: Suja Lowenthal, City Manager
City of Hermosa Beach Page 1 of 1 Printed on 3/25/2024
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City Council Special Meeting (Closed Session - 7:00 PM and Open Session - 8:00 PM) 02-02-23 19:00
Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral
a) REPORT 23-0067 CITY PARK RESTROOMS AND RENOVATIONS

PROJECT
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)
4 1 1 1
Sentiments for All Agenda Items
The following graphs display sentiments for comments that have location data. Only locations of users who have commented will be shown.

Overall Sentiment
Agenda Item: eComments for a) REPORT 23-0067 CITY PARK RESTROOMS AND RENOVATIONS PROJECT (Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)
Overall Sentiment
Howard Laddendum
Location:

Submitted At: 1:37pm 02-02-23
With all duje respect the staff recommendation essentially gives the city manager a blank check by stating.

That's absolutely unconscionable.
"Recommendation,
Staff recommends City Council consider and approve direction to City Manager or designee to take all action necessary in the City Manager’s reasonable discretion to cause the City Park Restrooms and Renovations Project-CIP 669 to be promptly completed and, if necessary, appropriate funding in connection therewith." Whomever wrote that, or directed that PW Director SanClemente put that in his report, I assume City Manager Suja Lowenthal, obviously could not care about anything affecting the city's treasury. The City Attorney should point out that that language is way too loosey goosey. These are the kind of specifications that have gotten this 16 city in legal trouble time and again. Can you say "oil settlement" contract with EB worked up in former city attorney Michael Jenkins office?
Anthony Higgins
Location:

Submitted At: 9:40am 02-02-23
February 2, 2023
_Dear City Council
I hope that in tonight’s special session the council will demand a transparent & honest accounting of how we got into the public restroom fiasco in the first place to ensure that processes are in place to catch & avoid these kind of project management failures in the first place.

But more to the point, I believe there is strong evidence of significant project oversight failings in nearly every city department with the possible exception of the Police and Finance.

For instance, the city more than two years into the outdoor dining program and our city manager could NOT ensure the public that these rooftop venues are fire-safe at the last council meeting.

This speaks volumes about our city managers project oversight performance.

I also want you to consider that in 2023 US covid death are still hovering around 4000 per week.

Let that sink in.

The shame is the vast majority of these deaths were preventable with vaccinations.

This occurred even against the repeated advice of the city’s own medical experts at a time when LA was the epicenter of the covid crisis.

There is much more including bogus traffic noise measurements and meaningless departmental activity reports.

Anthony Higgins
Howard L
17 Location:

Submitted At: 2:18am 02-02-23
Four and a half years of City Manager Suja Lowenthal’s amateur city management of Hermosa Beach, along with the prior four years of absolutely clown-show council anti-transparency and behind the scenes running down of Hermosa Beach by private cell phone and private text-messaging has brought about this incredible C-l-u-s-t-e-r F-$-%-k of these parks-bathrooms projects.

Suja Lowenthal has run the Public Works Department into the proverbial toilet with her Queen-Bee method of over-compensated trainee hires. This is just another mess brought about by the Massey-Armato-Campbell City Council troika and their cell-phone-texting partner, the almost $400K per year, way-over-compensated in salary and benefits, mostly-absentee, City Manager Suja Lowenthal, the absolute worst city manager in Hermosa’s 100+ year history.

This parks bathrooms project fiasco-mess is a textbook example of the prior-Hermosa Beach City Council – Suja Lowenthal sneaky operation of Hermosa Beach. Who pays as a result of their incompetence? Not them. The taxpayers do.

The prior City Council and Suja Lowenthal clearly learned absolutely nothing after the secret workup of the Teen Challenge beach event, and the Cypress Gym lawsuit. Nothing! Instead the prior council railroaded through a big pay raise for Lowenthal in a meeting held when the new council should have already been seated. I often wonder if Lowenthal has something on members of Hermosa’s former council to be rewarded so gratuitously by them for such incompetence.

The relatively new City Council needs to bite the bullet and fire Suja Lowenthal, and hire a Real City Manager, one who will operate from the City Manager’s office rather than from the ether via cell phone from who knows where; one who will be in the city manager’s office with an open door policy to all, employees, residents, visitors, business people. Not a Queen Bee who’s scared of the people she is paid by and is supposed to be serving.

Lowenthal serves no one but herself, that’s clear to me.

A real city manager needs to be hired who will immediately restore the City Clerk’s operation to its proper former office space and independence rather than being relegated as a puppet operation of Suja Lowenthal in a tiny prison-window office and hallway cubical. How outrageous is that which Suja did.

This Lowenthal (she’s the City Manager) screwed-up this parks bathroom project under the her watch, and under the prior 4 years of City Council egotistical self-serving members’ personal agendas. That says it all! They can blame it on whomever. But they run the town and own the mess.

This failed, long-overdue project will teach the new council absolutely nothing if they don’t wake up, smell the coffee, and get Lowenthal out of Hermosa Beach City government.

There needs to be a complete top to bottom audit of this parks-bathrooms 5-year fiasco including all the time expended/wasted by city staff; that audits never seemingly include.

Suja Lowenthal needs to be returned to running perhaps the transit/bus operations in Santa Monica or something else, along with any employees or former neighbors she’s unethically dragged into her Queen Bee operation from her former work in Santa Monica and then overcompensated to be truly beholden to her, the Queen Bee.

Hermosa Beach is not a “transit operation”.

My views of course after seeing enough of the 4.5 years of utterly senseless mostly absent from the city, city management by Suja Lowenthal. Btw, can anyone give an answer as to when Prospect Avenue from Aviation Blvd North is going to be ground and repaved, or for that matter any street, or is street rehabilitation now no longer to be accomplished under the Massey & Lowenthal secretive reign? I.e. will it take bankruptcy of Hermosa Beach to get, then with L.A. County running of the city, Prospect Avenue rehabilitated North of Aviation Blvd? This parks-bathroom disaster by the incompetence of the prior four years of the City Council and City Manager Suja Lowenthal ineptness should display to every Hermosa resident and business person precisely why nothing 18 of real substance is getting done except for endless expansion of the Suja Lowenthal bloated-office mismanagement while regular City Council meetings are interestingly becoming non-existent and replaced with 24-hour noticed last-minute special meetings.

And by the way in my view, this is truly an improper use of a “special” meeting notwithstanding what, in his view, the City Attorney past and present might state. Lowenthal and staff had plenty of time to get their act together and agendize on a regular meeting this parks-bathrooms mess that’s been going on for the last two years especially.

Again just my views and contribution besides, the taxes I pay as a resident. Howard L. kathy dunbabin
Location: 90254, hermosa beach
Submitted At: 7:06pm 02-01-23
Although all the Hermosa Beach park restrooms need to be completed, I think Clark Field restrooms should be of primary concern. Hermosa Beach Little League players, their families and friends are at the field for generally 2 hours at a time playing, practicing or watching baseball and need completed, cleaned, well maintained restrooms during the Little League season which begins soon. The players are Hermosa Beach residents. Their families are Hermosa Beach residents. Their friends are most likely Hermosa Beach residents. All of them deserve decent restrooms. Hopefully the HB City Council can find the funds... Thank you. 19

Hermosa Beach City CouncilFebruary 2, 2023

Hermosa Beach City Council
February 2, 2023