CITY COUNCIL - August 13, 2024
1. CLOSED SESSION—CALL TO ORDER 5:00 PM
Public Comments:
Mayor Francois called the Closed Session meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Public Comments:
City Clerk Myra Maravilla announced a quorum, noting Councilmember Massey absent.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
Public Comments:
This Public Comment period is limited to Closed Session agenda items only. Public Comment is limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.
Mayor Francois opened public comment. No public comment was provided.
4. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
Public Comments:
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 5:05 p.m.
4.a
Closed Session Minutes
Public Comments:
Approval of minutes of Closed Session held on July 23, 2024.
4.b
Conference with Legal Counsel—Anticipated Litigation
Public Comments:
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2) 1 case: Letter regarding BKK Landfill
4.c
Existing Litigation—Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) Public Comments:
The City finds, based on advice from legal counsel, that discussion in open session will prejudice the position of the City in the litigation. (1 case) Name of Case: Robert Higgins v. City of Hermosa Beach
Case No.: Workers' Compensation Appeals Board #: ADJ15278733
5. OPEN SESSION—CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM
Public Comments:
Mayor Francois called the Open Session to order at 6:00 p.m.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Public Comments:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Bill Hallett.
7. ROLL CALL
Public Comments:
City Clerk Maravilla announced a quorum, noting Councilmember Massey absent.
8. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Public Comments:
City Attorney Donegan provided the Closed Session report. No reportable action was taken.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS—UPCOMING CITY EVENTS
Public Comments:
Mayor Francois announced Movies at the Beach on September 7th and 14th after sundown and the Hermosa Beach Open on September 7th.
Mayor Francois requested updated voting procedures be implemented.
Councilmember Jackson provided comments regarding proposed voting procedures.
City Attorney Patrick Donegan provided information regarding Robert's Rules of Order.
Councilmember Detoy provided comments regarding proposed voting procedures.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann provided comments regarding proposed voting procedures.
Councilmember Jackson provided comments.
Moved by:
Councilmember Jackson
Seconded by:
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To maintain the current voting procedure since the implementation of eScribe.
Ayes (3)
Councilmember Jackson, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, and Councilmember Detoy Abstained (1)
Mayor Francois
Absent (1)
Councilmember Massey
Motion Carried
10. 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 Detoy
Seconded by:
Councilmember Jackson
To approve the order of the agenda.
Ayes (4)
Councilmember Jackson, Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, and Councilmember Detoy Absent (1)
Councilmember Massey
Motion Carried
11. PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
Public Comments:
11.a
RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN DOROTHY SCHEID ON HER RETIREMENT AFTER 38 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CITY Public Comments:
Police Chief Paul LeBaron provided a presentation recognizing Captain Dorothy Scheid for her years of service.
Mayor Francois provided a presentation.
Joey Apodaca from Congressman Ted Lieu's office presented Captain Scheid with a certificate.
City Manager Lowenthal presented Captain Scheid with a mini surfboard.
A last call was reproduced in the Council Chambers honoring Captain Scheid.
Captain Scheid shared a few words.
Chief LeBaron and Captain Phillips presented a retired badge, certificate, and street sign to Captain Sheid.
11.b
HERMOSA BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PROVIDES FIESTA HERMOSA RECAP Attachments
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Public Comments
1. SUPPLEMENTAL 11.b PowerPoint.pdf
Outgoing Chamber President Jessica Accamando introduced incoming Chamber President Michelle Crispin.
A presentation recapping Fiesta Hermosa was provided by Director of Membership and Operations Millie Martinez.
Outgoing Chamber President Accamando thanked the City Council for their partnership in this event.
12. CITY MANAGER REPORT
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. SUPPLEMENTAL Item 12 PowerPoint.pdf
City Manager Lowenthal provided the City Manager Report.
12.a
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR UPDATE
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. SUPPLEMENTAL PowerPoint.pdf
Public Works Director Joe SanClemente provided an update on various Public Works projects.
Mayor Francois asked various questions about street resurfacing priorities.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann asked various questions about an illegal tree removal incident on Loma Drive.
Director SanClemente provided information.
Councilmember Jackson asked various questions.
City Manager Lowenthal provided information about the siren alert system.
12.b
POLICE CHIEF UPDATE
Public Comments:
No Police Chief update was provided.
13. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments
Anthony Higgins
Dear City Council,
Dear Concerned Citizens,
Re: Blatent Assault on Public Participation
Please see the PDF document attached above that describes a truly arbitrary, capricious, blatant discriminatory cutback on the public participation & community engagement options afforded to the elderly, mobility-disabled and immunocompromised citizens.
The rollback of Zoom access that allows this population to speak to the council directly disproportionately impacts the above population and was sold to the public on false-pretenses.
The rollback in public participation options for the elderly & disabled was approved in a split-decision, by a 3-2 vote, by Councilmen Detoy, Jackson and Massey.
This decision should weigh heavily on any endorsement for Councilman Detoy by the sitting city council or any other group when he stands for re-election in November 2024.
Please read the above PDF and decide for yourself if Councilman Detoy is deserving of your vote.
Anthony Higgins
Anthony Higgins
Dear City Council,
Have you ever wondered how much the city spends in total on full & part time employee wages, salaries and benefits AND staff augmentation costs associated with all of its Consulting and Contractor Services contracts and how that looks trended over time and projected into the future? Have you ever wondered how staff cost projection compare to the City’s projected revenue streams?
I have.
And I’ve watched and/or attended hundreds of Council & Commission meetings, but to the best of my knowledge our Councilmen have never asked for this data publicly, nor has this data ever been shared in an understandable, easily digestible format.
Intentionally or not it has been parsed and buried in a 400 page budget document, never to see the light of day.
I mean, how hard can it be to sum, trend, and chart wage, salary benefits data with staff augmentation costs associated with Consultant and Contractor Services and graph this data in a simple, easy to understand format and project these trends into the future?
There is off-the-shelf spreadsheet software that can easily present this data ON A SINGLE EASY TO UNDERSTAND GRAPH AS A FUNCTION OF BOTH DOLARS AND PERCENT OF THE TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET.
This is not rocket science!
Yet a recent July 2, 2024 Public Records Request submitted by another citizen seemed to confirm that the Council has never asked for this data nor has the financial office responded to my request for this data.
It seems like a stone wall.
Once again, the reality is this data exists, but it’s spread across a 400 page budget document and not rolled up into a single easy-to-understand graph and the question is why and how could the Council possibly exercise the best fiduciary oversight without this data?
Some Councilman might say so what!
Why is this data important?
And how does it relate to tonight’s August 13th agenda item to authorize a $113,000 consulting contract with CSG Consultants Inc?
I realize you probably won’t stop the so called wheels-of-progress to consider whether the CSG Consulting Services contract should be a new General Fund expense or whether it should be offset by cuts elsewhere in the budget and base that decision on spending trends and revenue projections.
BUTjust because there is money in the budget doesn’t mean you need to spend it.
I believe the staff an some Councilmen have fallen into a trap; believing it’s more expedient to ignore cost trends and revenue projections and just raise sales taxes, utility taxes, transit occupancy taxes, permit fees, administrative citation and even parking ticket fines.
But many residents want cost cutting to be given more of a priority and believe staff & staff augmentation costs are out of control.
I hope the council uses this opportunity to request staff provide the aforementioned cost trends and projections and compare that to existing revenue streams and use that data to implement a leaner and more targeted budget.
Thank You,
Anthony Higgins
END
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, 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 two minutes per speaker and shall only be taken from those present in City Council Chambers. No remote public comment will be taken during this time unless required by the Brown Act. A total of thirty minutes will be allocated to this initial public participation item. This time allotment may be modified due to time constraints at the discretion of the Mayor or City Council. Another period is also reserved for general comment later in the meeting for those who could not be heard at this time.
No action will be taken on matters raised during public comment, except that the Council may take action to schedule issues raised during public comment 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.
Mayor Francois opened public comment. The following public comment was provided.
In Person Public Comment:
Bill Hallett
Michael Kuehl
Diana Mausser
Gia Humelbaugh
Matt McCool
14. CITY COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Public Comments:
Mayor Francois provided comments regarding the illegal tree removal on Loma Drive.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann provided comments regarding the illegal tree removal on Loma Drive.
Councilmember Jackson provided various comments and provided an update on his attendance to have a post office renamed after U.S Marine Corps Private First Class, James Anderson.
14.a
UPDATES FROM CITY COUNCIL AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES AND STANDING COMMITTEE DELEGATES/ALTERNATES Attachments
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Public Comments
1. SUPPLEMENTAL 14.a PowerPoint.pdf
Mayor Francois participated in the Triathlon awards, National Night Out, and attended the Beach Cities Health District Volunteer Recognition Brunch.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann invited the community to the Hermosa Beach Sister City Association Annual Gala on October 5th at 3 p.m. at St. Cross Episcopal Church.
Mayor Francois and Mayor Pro Tem Saemann participated in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Hermosa Beach Sister City Association.
Councilmember Detoy and his daughter attended various National Night Out events. An announcement was made that Dustin Roberto, an LA County Firefighter, passed away.
15. CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comments:
The following matters will be acted upon collectively with a single motion and vote to approve with the majority consent of the City Council. Councilmembers may orally register a negative vote on any Consent Calendar item without pulling the item for separate consideration before the vote on the Consent Calendar. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Councilmember removes an item from the Consent Calendar, either under Approval of the Agenda or under this item before the vote on the Consent Calendar. Items removed for separate discussion will be provided a separate public comment period.
Moved by:
Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by:
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To approve the Consent Calendar with Mayor Francois voicing a no vote on item 15. h.
Ayes (4)
Councilmember Jackson, Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, and Councilmember Detoy Absent (1)
Councilmember Massey
Motion Carried
15.a
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - 24-CCO-054
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. (Staff Report) Minutes - 24-CCO-054.pdf
2. 1. July 15, 2024 Special Meeting.pdf
3. 2. July 23, 2024 Special Meeting.pdf
4. 3. July 23, 2024 Regular Meeting.pdf
(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)
Moved by:
Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by:
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To approve the minutes for the Monday, July 15, 2024 Special Meeting, Tuesday, July 23, 2024 Special Meeting, and the Tuesday, July 23, 2024 Regular Meeting.
Motion Carried
15.b
2024 LOCAL AGENCY BIENNIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE CITY’S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE - 24-CCO-053 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Staff Report (2024 Conflict of Interest Code Biennial Notice) - 24-CCO-053.pdf
2. 1. Conflict of Interest Code 2024.pdf
3. 2. Conflict of Interest Code 2024 (Redlined).pdf
4. 3. Draft Resolution.pdf
5. 4. Notice of Intention.pdf
6. 5. Regulation 18730.pdf
(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)
Moved by:
Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by:
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To adopt Resolution No. RES-24-7451 approving and adopting the amended Conflict of Interest Code pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974.
Motion Carried
15.c
CHECK REGISTERS - 24-AS-016
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Check Registers 8-13-2024 - 24-AS-016.pdf
2. 1. 7-10-24.pdf
3. 2. 7-16-24.pdf
4. 3. 7-17-24.pdf
5. 4. 7-24-24.pdf
(Administrative Services Director Viki Copeland)
Moved by:
Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by:
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To ratify the following check registers.
Motion Carried
15.d
ACTION MINUTES OF THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 2, 2024 - 24-CR-012 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. PR Minutes 7-02-2024 - 24-CR-012.pdf
2. 1. Action Minutes of the July 2, 2024 Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Advisory Commission Meeting.pdf (Community Resources Director Lisa Nichols)
Moved by:
Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by:
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To receive and file the action minutes of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Advisory Commission meeting of July 2, 2024.
Motion Carried
15.e
LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE AND AMBULANCEMONTHLY REPORT FOR JUNE 2024 - 24-CMO-028 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE AND AMBULANCE MONTHLY REPORT FOR June 2024 - 24-CMO-028.pdf
2. 1. Fire and Ambulance Monthy Report June 2024.pdf
(Emergency Management Coordinator Maurice Wright)
Moved by:
Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by:
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To receive and file the
June
2024 Fire and Ambulance monthly report.
Motion Carried
15.f
APPROVAL OF FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH STAFFORD HR CONSULTING FOR INTERIM HUMAN RESOURCES SUPPORT - 24-CMO-027 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Stafford HR Consulting for Human Resources Support First Amendment - 24-CMO-027.pdf
2. 1. Agreement with Stafford HR Consulting.pdf
3. 2. Proposed First Amendment to Agreement with Stafford HR Consulting.pdf (Deputy City Manager Angela Crespi)
Moved by:
Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by:
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To approve the proposed first amendment to the agreement with Stafford HR Consulting to provide interim Human Resources support, increasing the not-to-exceed amount by $70,000, for a total of $100,000; and authorize the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest to the attached first amendment subject to approval by the City Attorney.
Motion Carried
15.h
APPOINTMENTS TO CIVIL SERVICE BOARD - 24-CCO-055
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Appointment to Civil Service Board - 24-CCO-055.pdf
2. 1. Anne Williams Application.pdf
3. 2. Doug Collins Application.pdf
4. 3. Ira Ellman Application.pdf
(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)
Moved by:
Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by:
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To review the applications of Anne Williams, Doug Collins, and Ira Ellman; and consider appointing to the Civil Service Board Anne Williams and Doug Collins to terms ending July 15, 2028, and Ira Ellman to a term ending July 15, 2027.
Motion Carried
15.i
ACTION MINUTES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD MEETING - 24-AS-017 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 2024-08-13 Minutes of June 18, 2024 Civil Service Board - 24-AS-017.pdf
2. 1. Action Minutes of the June 18, 2024 Civil Service Board Special Meeting.pdf (Interim Human Resources Manager Cyndi Stafford)
Moved by:
Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by:
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To receive and file the action minutes of the Civil Service Board meeting of June 18, 2024.
Motion Carried
15.g
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF SPONSORSHIP DONATION TO GRADES OF GREEN VERTE 2024 GALA - 24-CMO-030 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 2024-08-13 Request for Approval of Sponsorship Donation to Grades of Green Verte 2024 Gala - 24-CMO-030.pdf
2. 1. Grades of Green 2024 Verte Sponsorship Packet.pdf
3. 2. Overview of Grades of Green.pdf
4. 3. Recommendation Report for HBCSD.pdf
(City Manager Suja Lowenthal)
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann requested item 15.g. be pulled for separate discussion.
City Manager Lowenthal provided information about the sponsorship donation to Grades of Green Verte 2024 Gala. The donation request was included in the 2024-25 budget approved by the City Council.
Virtual Public Comment:
Kent Allen
Craig Cadwallader
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann provided comments.
Moved by:
Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by:
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To approve a sponsorship donation of $5,000 to the Grades of Green Verte 2024 Gala.
Ayes (4)
Councilmember Jackson, Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, and Councilmember Detoy Absent (1)
Councilmember Massey
Motion Carried
16. PUBLIC HEARINGS—TO COMMENCE AT 6:30 P.M
Public Comments:
17. MUNICIPAL MATTERS
Public Comments:
17.a
CREATION OF AN AD HOC CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE TO CONSIDER RENAMING THE GREENBELT PEDESTRIAN TRAIL - 24-CR-011 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Creation of a City Council Subcommittee to Consider Renaming the Greenbelt Pedestrian Trail - 24-CR-011.pdf
2. 1. Municipal Naming, Monument, and Sponsorship Policy Guide.pdf
3. SUPPLEMENTAL 17.a PowerPoint.pdf
(Community Resources Director Lisa Nichols)
Community Resources Director Lisa Nichols provided a presentation.
Mayor Francois asked various questions.
City Manager Lowenthal provided information.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann provided information.
Virtual Public Comment:
Craig Cadwallader
John Burry
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann shared interest in serving on the subcommittee and shared information about his work on ADA accessibility.
Councilmember Detoy provided information.
Councilmember Jackson expressed interest in supporting Mayor Pro Tem Saemann and Councilmember Detoy to serve on the subcommittee to consider renaming the Greenbelt Pedestrian Trail.
Moved by:
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
Seconded by:
Councilmember Jackson
To apppoint Mayor Pro Tem Saemann and Councilmember Detoy to a subcommittee to explore renaming the Greenbelt Pedestrian Trail in honor of individuals who have been advocates for accessibility in the City with the addition of two members from the Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Commission.
Ayes (4)
Councilmember Jackson, Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, and Councilmember Detoy Absent (1)
Councilmember Massey
Motion Carried
17.b
APPROVAL OF A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH STARCHASE - 24-PD-003 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Approval of a three-year agreement with StarChase - 24-PD-003.pdf
2. 1. StarChase Pricing Quote.pdf
3. 2. StarChase Terms and Conditions.pdf
4. 3. Hermosa Beach Police Department Vehicle Pursuit Policy O3.20.pdf (Police Chief Paul LeBaron)
Captain Cahalan provided a staff report.
Mayor Francois asked various questions.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann asked various questions.
Councilmember Detoy asked various questions.
Virtual Public Comment:
Anthony Higgins
Mayor Francois asked various questions.
Captain Cahalan provided information.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann provided comments.
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.
Moved by:
Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by:
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To authorize the City Manager to execute a sole source three-year contract with StarChase to purchase GPS Tags for Public Safety System for a total contract amount of $61,710 from the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF), approved in the Fiscal Year 2024–25 Budget.
Ayes (4)
Councilmember Jackson, Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, and Councilmember Detoy Absent (1)
Councilmember Massey
Motion Carried
17.c
APPROVAL OF FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH CSG CONSULTANTS, INC FOR ON-CALL STAFF AUGMENTATION SERVICES - 24-CDD-034 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. CSG_Amendment 1_Staffing - 24-CDD-034.pdf
2. Agreement with CSG Consultants, Inc.pdf
3. Proposed First Amendment to Agreement with CSG Consultants, Inc.pdf
4. SUPPLEMENTAL 17.c PowerPoint.pdf
(Community Development Director Carrie Tai)
Community Development Director Carrie Tai provided a presentation.
Mayor Francois asked various questions.
Director Tai and City Manager Lowenthal provided information.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann provided various comments.
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.
Virtual Public Comment:
Laura Pena
Anthony Higgins
Moved by:
Councilmember Jackson
Seconded by:
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To approve the proposed first amendment to an agreement with CSG Consultants, Inc. for staff augmentation services to increase the not-to-exceed amount by $85,000, resulting in a total not-to-exceed amount of $115,000; and authorize the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest the attached first amendment subject to approval by the City Attorney.
Ayes (4)
Councilmember Jackson, Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, and Councilmember Detoy Absent (1)
Councilmember Massey
Motion Carried
18. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Public Comments:
This is the time for Councilmembers to schedule future agenda items and to ask questions about the status of previously approved future agenda items. No discussion, debate, or public comment will be taken. Councilmembers should consider the city's work plan when considering new items. The tentative future agenda items document is provided for information only.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann requested support for an item to have the Public Works Commission initiate the review of fines and other consequences involved with illegal tree removal and return to the Council for discussion and deliberation. Mayor Francois and Councilmember Detoy provided support for this item.
18.a
TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - 24-CMO-031
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. 2024-08-13 Tentative Future Agenda - 24-CMO-031.pdf
2. 1. Tentative Future Agenda.pdf
Attached is the current list of tentative future agenda items for Council’s information.
19. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments:
This time is set aside for the public to address the Council on any item of interest within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council that could not be heard under the first public comment opportunity because there were too many prior public speakers and the thirty-minute maximum time limit was exhausted.
20. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
The meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.