9/10/24 Agenda item 15.m
oosafetymomoo <[email protected]>
Tue 9/10/2024 11:09 AM
To:City Clerk <[email protected]>
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important [Please redact email address]
RE:
15.m
APPROVAL OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE BY THE HERMOSA BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 481 - 24-PD-004
Please pull this item to provide a verbal staff report.
Thank you,
SafetyMom
9/10/24, 11:13 AM Mail - City Clerk - Outlook
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/[email protected]/inbox/id/AAQkADAyMGRlZDE4LTc5ZGEtNDIwZS04NjA4LTlmMzhmY2QwNzA3ZgAQ… 1/1 ITEM 15M
September 10, 2024
To: City Council
Subject: Opposition to Increase in In-Lieu Parking Fees for Local Businesses Dear City Council,
We, the Board of Directors of the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce, write to express our opposition to any proposed increase in in-lieu parking fees for businesses within our community. After consideration, we believe that such an increase would have detrimental effects on our local economy and would hinder the growth and sustainability of businesses in Hermosa Beach. At a time when we are trying to increase sales tax revenue for the City, any prohibitive actions to discourage business development should be avoided.
Our opposition is grounded in a few key concerns:
1. Comparative Analysis with Neighboring Communities: The current in-lieu parking fees in Hermosa Beach are already aligned with those of neighboring cities such as Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach. Raising these fees would place our city at a competitive disadvantage, potentially discouraging new businesses from establishing themselves in Hermosa Beach. In an environment where businesses have numerous location choices, such a policy could steer them towards more favorable conditions in nearby communities.
2. Economic Impact on Local Businesses: The local business environment is already facing significant challenges. Introducing additional financial burdens through increased in-lieu parking fees would only exacerbate these difficulties.
Our local economy, which is still recovering from recent economic disruptions, cannot afford policies that impose further strain on our small and medium-sized businesses. The proposed fee increase could lead to reduced profitability for existing businesses and discourage potential entrepreneurs from entering our market.
3. Current Commercial Vacancy Rates: The high volume of commercial vacancies in Hermosa Beach reflects the existing struggles businesses face in ITEM 17B
our area. Many of these vacancies are a testament to the broader economic challenges and the difficulties new and existing businesses encounter. Adding to these challenges with increased parking fees would not address the root causes of these vacancies but rather compound the problem by making it even harder for businesses to thrive.
We urge you to consider these points when reviewing tonight’s agenda topic. We invite you to engage in a more in-depth dialogue with the business community to understand the full impact of such a decision. Our shared goal should be to support and enhance the vitality of Hermosa Beach’s business environment, rather than imposing measures that could hinder its growth.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. We look forward to working collaboratively to find solutions that benefit both our community and the businesses that are vital to its prosperity.
Sincerely,
Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
comments
Carolyn Petty <[email protected]>
Tue 9/10/2024 2:45 PM
To:City Clerk <[email protected]>
Myra
I just tried to enter in an ecomment and the comment period closed, so how am I supposed to provide comments? This was for the in lieu agenda item 17.b. I thought comments closed at 4pm (?) Can you publish this?
Thank you,
Carolyn Petty
If money is such a problem for the city that you are seeking to raise taxes, then why did you pay Kosmont to do this evaluation? Exorbitant in lieu fees don't magically bring in revenue. Take a look at how many businesses have paid the current fee – very few. In lieu fees discourage any change of use that would result in higher intensity of parking requirements. It rarely makes financial sense to pay the fee at today’s current rate. If your goal is to stop change of use or expansion, just say that and be transparent. But given our current economic conditions, if a downtown business closes, and the best use of that space is restaurant or another food type of establishment, this exorbitant in lieu fee will ensure the property remains vacant if the determination is that parking requirements will increase. Are shuttered businesses in the best interest of the city? This study was a waste of taxpayer money when the real question is – do you want to let the free market dictate use? Justin Massey had previously said that he wants to control the types of businesses in the downtown. In lieu fees is a form of control. If control is your goal, you could have saved money and not done the study, and had an honest conversation about this – which by the way, has already happened numerous times. 9/10/24, 3:14 PM Mail - City Clerk - Outlook
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/[email protected]/inbox/id/AAQkADAyMGRlZDE4LTc5ZGEtNDIwZS04NjA4LTlmMzhmY2QwNzA3ZgAQ… 1/1 ITEM 17B
Communications Protocol Public Comment
Laura <[email protected]>
Tue 9/10/2024 2:59 PM
To:City Clerk <[email protected]>
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important Hello Myra,
I tried to leave a public comment but the window closed. It's 2:58pm Dear Mayor, Council Members, and Staff – I am writing to offer feedback on the City Communications Plan and Protocols. I am glad to see a review of these guidelines for efficiency purposes but I caution to streamline procedures so much that we may limit input from our elected officials who represent us.
PRESS RELEASES: I agree with staff’s recommendations to handle press releases with the City Manager having the final decision, but what necessitates changing the procedure with the Communication Subcommittee (Mayor/Mayor Pro Tem) for feedback? What factors will influence which quotes from the individual council members are included? By limiting their role, the city could be seen as distancing itself from elected officials who are the community’s direct link to government. With a fully staff-driven process, there’s a possibility of press releases reflecting only the internal view of the city’s administration without sufficient balance which could impact public perception.
MEDIA RESPONSE: I support ensuring accuracy and timely messaging on city communication, but do we run the risk of potential bottlenecks in communication if our Public Information Officer (PIO) isn’t available or the city is closed on Friday’s and the weekend? This could lead to delayed or missed opportunities to communicate with the media in a timely manner. While ensuring consistency in messaging is important, limiting direct communication between city officials and the media might create a perception that the city is overly controlling its narrative or attempting to filter information. This could undermine public trust, especially if responses appear overly managed or opaque.
These policies attempt to create consistency and impartiality in communications but also carry the risk of limiting flexibility, transparency, and full Council participation which are the representatives of our community. While a staff-driven process would likely create clearer, more efficient communications, it could also create challenges around feeling represented.
As always, I appreciate your thoughtful consideration.
Laura Pena
9/10/24, 3:13 PM Mail - City Clerk - Outlook
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/[email protected]/inbox/id/AAQkADAyMGRlZDE4LTc5ZGEtNDIwZS04NjA4LTlmMzhmY2QwNzA3ZgAQ… 1/1 ITEM 17C