City Hall
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA
90254
City of Hermosa Beach
Meeting Minutes - Final
City Council
Mayor
Justin Massey
Mayor Pro Tem
Dean Francois
Councilmembers
Rob Saemann
Mike Detoy
Ray Jackson
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 5:00 PM
Closed Session at 5:00 p.m. and Open Session at 6:00 p.m. 5:00 PM - CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Francois called the Closed Session order meeting to order at 5:07 p.m.
ROLL CALL
City Clerk Myra Maravilla announced a quorum.
Mayor Pro Tempore Francois, Councilmember Saemann, Councilmember Detoy, and Councilmember Jackson
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Mayor Massey
PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
There was no Public Comment.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 5:15 p.m. a) 24-0160 MINUTES: Approval of minutes of Closed Session held on March 12, 2024. b) 24-0157 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) City of Hermosa Beach Page 1 Printed on 4/9/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2024
a) Name of Case: Granite Re, Inc. DBA Granite Surety Insurance Company v. City of Hermosa Beach
Case Number: 2:23-cv-1548
Date of Filing: 03/01/2023
b) Name of Case: EBS General Engineering v. City of Hermosa Beach LASC Case Number: 23TRCV02119
Date of Filing: 06/30/2023
6:00 PM - OPEN SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Francois called the Open Session to order at 6:13 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Trent Larson.
3. ROLL CALL
Mayor Pro Tem Francois presided over the meeting.
City Clerk Myra Maravilla announced a quorum.
Mayor Pro Tempore Francois, Councilmember Saemann, Councilmember Detoy, and Councilmember Jackson
Present: 4 -
Absent: 1 - Mayor Massey
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Patrick Donegan provided a Closed Session Report. No reportable action was taken.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS - UPCOMING CITY EVENTS
Mayor Pro Tem Francois acknowledged the City's recently awarded 'Clean Bay Certified' restaurants. Sixty-Six restaurants from Hermosa Beach were acknowledged. The Baked Bear; Barans; Barnacles; The Best Donuts; Bolt; Bonaparte Bistro; The Bottle Inn; Brews Hall; Brothers Burritos; Café Bonaparte; Capri Gelato; Chef Melbas Bistro; Chicken Shack; Cultured Slice Sandwich Shop; The Cultured Slice; Decadence; El Pollo Inka; El Tarasco Mexican Food; Encanto; Fritto Misto; Fusion Sushi; Gitana Cafe; Good Stuff; Granny’s Grocery; Guisados; The Gum Tree Café; The Habit Burger Grill; Hermosa Brewing Co.; Hermosa Mexican Cuisine; Hermosa Pie and Cake Co.; Hermosa Saloon; Hi-Fi Espresso; Hook & Plow; Japonica; Java Man; Jersey Mike’s; Juiced; Lucky 7 Coffee; Mama D’s; Mickey’s Pizza & Deli; North End Bar & Grill; Oakberry; Oki Doki Sushi; Pacific Rim Cafe; Palmilla; Paradise Bowls; Pedones; Playa Hermosa; City of Hermosa Beach Page 2 Printed on 4/9/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2024
Poke Prince Cafe; Proudly Serving; Rabano; Radici; Red & Louie’s Pizza; RYLA; Scotty’s on the Strand; Slay Hermosa; Sosta; The Source; Spumoni; Starbucks (PCH); Starbucks (Hermosa Ave.); Tacos El Goloso (Pier Ave.); Uncle Stavros; Underground Pub & Grill; Vista; and Vons.
6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tem Francois requested to pull item "f" from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion.
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember Saemann and to approve the remainder of the agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4 - Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson
Absent: 1 - Mayor Massey
7. PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
a) 24-0155 RECOGNIZING TJ BRINJAK AND PETER MICHEL
FOR THEIR SERVICE TO THE CITY
Mayor Pro Tem Francois recognized TJ Brinjak and Peter Michel for their service to the City. TJ provided comments. Peter was not present for the recognition.
8. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Suja Lowenthal provided a City Manager Report. a) 24-0161 PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR UPDATE
Public Works Director Joe SanClemente provided an update on various Capital Improvement Projects.
Councilmember Detoy asked various questions.
Public Works Director SanClemente provided information. b) 24-0111 POLICE CHIEF UPDATE
Police Chief Paul LeBaron provided a Police Chief Update.
Mayor Pro Tem Francois provided comments.
Councilmember Saemann provided comments.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT
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REPORT
24-0165
SUPPLEMENTAL ECOMMENTS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
In Person Public Comment:
Trent Larson
Kent Allen
Michele Hampton
Xavier Haase
Matt McCool
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10. CITY COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
a) 24-0139 UPDATES FROM CITY COUNCIL AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES
AND STANDING COMMITTEE DELEGATES/ALTERNATES
Mayor Pro Tem Francois asked various questions.
City Manager Lowenthal provided information.
Councilmember Detoy was in attendance at the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) meeting and announced an update from NASA regarding super sonic jets and other related information.
Mayor Pro Tem Francois was in attendance at the Los Angeles Sanitation District meeting and provided an update on fee increases.
Councilmember Jackson expressed appreciation for the sponsors and volunteers that run the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation. He provided a brief summary of the Prom Night event in the city.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
Approval of the Consent Calendar
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember Saemann to remove item "f" from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion and approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4 - Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson
Absent: 1 - Mayor Massey
a) REPORT
24-0156
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar. b) REPORT
24-0148
CHECK REGISTERS
(Finance Director Viki Copeland)
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar. c) REPORT
24-0154
REVENUE REPORT, EXPENDITURE REPORT, AND CIP REPORT
BY PROJECT FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2024
(Finance Director Viki Copeland)
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A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar. d) REPORT
24-0142
CITY TREASURER’S REPORT AND CASH BALANCE REPORT
(City Treasurer Karen Nowicki)
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar. e) REPORT
24-0143
ACTION MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION
MEETING OF JANUARY 17, 2024
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar. g) REPORT
24-0123
APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION
OF A REPORT FOR THE ANNUAL LEVY OF ASSESSMENTS
WITHIN THE HERMOSA BEACH LANDSCAPING AND
STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT DURING FY 2024-2025
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar and adopt Resolution No. RES-24-7422.
h) REPORT
24-0149
ACTION MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 19, 2024
(Community Development Director Carrie Tai)
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar. i) REPORT
24-0151
PLANNING COMMISSION TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA
(Community Development Director Carrie Tai)
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar. j) REPORT
24-0138
BROWN ACT DEMAND FILED BY TONY HIGGINS
(City Attorney Patrick Donegan)
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar. k) REPORT
24-0150
ACTION MINUTES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 15, 2023
(Human Resources Manager Vanessa Godinez)
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar. l) REPORT
24-0146
RECOMMENDATION TO REJECT CLAIMS
(Risk Management Analyst Vanessa Lassooy)
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.
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12. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION f) REPORT
24-0144
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT
AS OF MARCH 18, 2024
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)
Mayor Pro Tem Francois asked questions about the Capital Improvement Program.
Public Works Director SanClemente provided updates on CIP numbers 111, 692, 193, and 108.
Councilmember Jackson asked various questions.
In Person Public Comment:
John Burry
Trent Larson
Virtual Public Comment:
Laura Pena
Councilmember Jackson asked various questions.
Public Works Director SanClemente provided information.
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Francois provided comments.
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember Jackson to receive and file the Capital Improvement Program Status Report as of March 18, 2024. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4 - Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson
Absent: 1 - Mayor Massey
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS - TO COMMENCE AT 6:30 P.M.
There were no Public Hearings.
14. MUNICIPAL MATTERS
There were no Municipal Matters.
15. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
a) 24-0159 TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
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Councilmember Detoy requested support to oppose AB2560 Density Bonus Law affecting housing in the Coastal area, density bonuses, and other bills stripping away local control. Councilmember Jackson and Mayor Pro Tem Francois supported this item.
Councilmember Detoy requested support to oppose the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act measure on the November ballot. Councilmember Jackson and Mayor Pro Tem Francois supported the item.
City Attorney Donegan provided comments.
Councilmember Detoy modified his original request to include other similar bills. Councilmember Jackson and Mayor Pro Tem Francois gave support.
Councilmember Jackson requested support for an action item on April 9th to amend the RAM’s event application. Councilmember Detoy and Mayor Pro Tem Francois supported the item.
City Manager Lowenthal provided comments.
16. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FROM THE PUBLIC
No Public Comment was provided.
17. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Francois adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m.
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