CITY COUNCIL - December 09, 2025
1. CLOSED SESSION—CALL TO ORDER 5:00 PM
Public Comments:
2. ROLL CALL
Public Comments:
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.
4. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
Public Comments:
4.a
MINUTES: Approval of minutes of Closed Session held on November 17, 2025, November 20, 2025, and December 1, 2025 Public Comments:
4.b
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL (EXISTING LITIGATION)
Public Comments:
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) Name of Case:
George Brunn v. City of Hermosa Beach
Case Number:
23TRCV02212
Name of Case:
Krasnegor v. City of Hermosa Beach
Case Number:
25TRCP00346
Name of Case:
Koerner v. City of Hermosa Beach
Case Number:
25STCP00891
Name of Case:
Fangary v. City of Hermosa Beach
Case Number:
19STCP051134
4.c
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL (THREATENED LITIGATION)
Public Comments:
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) and (e)(4) The City Council finds, based on advice from legal counsel, that discussion in open session will prejudice the position of the City in the litigation Number of Potential Cases:
1 Facts and Circumstances:
Request for reimbursement of assessed administrative citation fees from Jeffrey Knyal
4.d
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL (THREATENED LITIGATION)
Public Comments:
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) and (e)(4) The City Council finds, based on advice from legal counsel, that discussion in open session will prejudice the position of the City in the litigation Number of Potential Cases:
1 Facts and Circumstances:
City of Redondo Beach Housing Element petition
5. OPEN SESSION—CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM
Public Comments:
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Public Comments:
7. ROLL CALL
Public Comments:
8. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Public Comments:
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS—UPCOMING CITY EVENTS
Public Comments:
10. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Public Comments:
This is the time for the City Council to discuss any changes to the order of agenda items.
Recommended Action:
To approve the order of the agenda.
11. PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
Public Comments:
11.a
UPDATE BY CHIEF PHILLIPS REGARDING NOVEMBER 21, 2025 ASSAULT INCIDENT Public Comments:
12. PUBLIC COMMENT
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. SUPPLEMENTAL eComment Report.pdf
2. SUPPLEMENTAL Email Comment.pdf
Adam Morrison
It’s a genuinely sad day for Hermosa Beach. Our City Council has managed to do the impossible: replace a qualified, experienced City Manager with a stooge like Napolitano, who has zero city management experience and a track record that would make any responsible community run in the opposite direction. Instead, they handed the job to a man best known as a horrific slumlord with multiple health and safety violations in his own complexes.
A simple Google search shows Napolitano has tried and failed spectacularly to win every election he’s entered, largely because voters can spot his odious character and abrasive personality from a mile away. And if that weren’t enough, his awful YouTube videos alone should disqualify him from overseeing anything more complex than a ring light. I’ve seen middle-school group projects with better lighting, editing, and basic awareness of how the human face works on camera. If he can’t figure out YouTube, how is he going to figure out city management? We traded competence for chaos. Vision for vanity. A steady hand for a feckless one.
City Council didn’t just make a bad decision. They made an embarrassing one. And Hermosa will be paying the price long after this appointment becomes the cautionary tale it already is. Congratulations City Council on hiring the Anthony Rendon of City Managers. tonyhiggins
Dear City Council
Why is our city clerk refusing to provide any information on WHEN public access will be restored to 20+ years of granicus council & commission videos, minutes, financial reports, council agendas and staff reports.
Ive made 3 requests for info on this with no response from the City Clerk's office A couple months ago this escribe notice suddenly appeared. "The City Clerk’s Office is currently migrating City Council and Commission data from before July 1, 2024, into our updated agenda management system, eScribe. We appreciate your patience as we work through this transition. Past City Council and Commission meetings will be temporarily unavailable. Updates to this project will be made here". 20+ years of data!
To the best of my knowledege there was no advance notice nor any explanation of why this data couldn't be ported over while retaining granicus access.
Public access to city documents is a foundational city clerk duty.
Yes public access was cut off by our City Clerk without any meaningful council review or public input.
How is that ok?
The clerk has said nothing about what documents will/wont be ported over to escribe nor any info on when access will be restored.
Simply said, this is dereliction of you duty to the public.
I hope the city can do better going forward.
Sincerely,
Anthony Higgins
tony higgins
Dear City Council
Dear City Manager Napolitano
Dear Chief Phillips.
I hope Chief Phillips presentation in the 12/9 CCM will squarely answer questions the community has regarding the HBPD response to the ongoing Ebike-Teen-Thug problems that have plagued our community over the past 3 years.
Hopefully it will not be just another "The King can do No Wrong" presentation .
I think what many are struggling with can be understood by considering Chief Phillips' answer of "No" when asked if retrospectively the HBPD would have handled anything differently in the last town hall.
At least City Manager Napolitano acknowledged in Francois' Dec 1st Town Hall that the city's press release covering the teen-thug beating (url below) "fell short." and "It could have been better and we'll do better in the future.". https://www.hermosabeach.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4461/28 Chief Phillips' said "The goal [of the ill-fated press release] was to put enough information out there to address some of the ***umptions that were going out on social media." Rather than simply admitting the above press release was a mistake and intentionally or not, its effect was to blame the victim , the Chief seemed to try and justify the press release by stating its goals were well intended.
Im sure many read that as still being blind to the fact that his detectives and the city as a whole completely misrepresented the magnitude and characteristics of this attack.
What I think residents are hoping for is that the Chief will speak candidly in his 12/9 CCM presentation about what was done right, what was done wrong, what the plan is and specifically what HBPD will do differently going forward.
Thank You for Considering
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 discussion, and Future Agenda Items). If public comment is provided on a Public Hearing or Municipal Matter item, public comment on the same item will not be accepted when the item is heard at a later part of the meeting.
The public is invited to attend and provide public comment. Public comments are limited to three minutes per speaker from those present in City Council Chambers and via the remote participation options listed on the agenda. This time allotment may be modified due to time constraints at the discretion of the Mayor or City Council.
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 public 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.
13. CITY COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Public Comments:
14. UPDATES FROM CITY COUNCIL AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES AND STANDING COMMITTEE DELEGATES/ALTERNATES Public Comments:
This is the time for members of the City Council to report on their attendance at ad hoc subcommittee or standing committee meetings, conferences, or other official activities as City representatives.
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.
Recommended Action:
To approve the consent calendar.
15.a
WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA Public Comments:
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions on the agenda and declare that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
15.b
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Attachment 1. November 17, 2025 Regular Meeting.pdf
2. Attachment 2. November 20, 2025 Special Meeting .pdf
3. Attachment 3. December 1, 2025 Special Meeting.pdf
(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council approve the minutes of the November 17, 2025 regular meeting, and November 20, 2025 and December 1, 2025 special meetings.
15.c
CHECK REGISTERS - 25-AS-094
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - CHECK REGISTERS - 25-AS-094.pdf
2. Attachment 1. 11-20-25.pdf
(Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council receive and file the check register for November 20, 2025. The Administrative Services Director certifies the accuracy of the demands.
15.d
CITY’S TREASURER’S REPORT - 25-AS-097
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - OCTOBER 2025 CITY TREASURER'S REPORT - 25-AS-097.pdf
2. Attachment 1. October 2025 Treasurer's Report.pdf
(City Treasurer Dave Pedersen)
Recommended Action:
The City Treasurer recommends City Council receive and file the October 2025 City Treasurer’s Report.
15.e
APPROVE THE ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION FOR DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF MONUMENT SIGNAGE - 25-AS-098 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT-ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION - 25-AS-098.pdf
2. Attachment 1. Draft Donation Agreement.pdf
3. Attachment 2. Exhibit A - Proposed Sign Location.pdf
4. Attachment 3. Exhibit B - Existing Sign Locations.pdf Howard Lee brief addendum
Note in my other eComment following below, to see the attachment you need to click/tap on the eComment for the blue attachment link to display in a small window. Just hovering a mouse over the eComment will not display the attachment.
Howard Lee
Please click/tap the blue attachment to this eComment to review the letter. ' style='font-weight: normal; width:100%;' >Mayor, Councilmembers, and others:
Thanks go to former Mayor Chuck Sheldon and Missy Sheldon for their generous gift. However, notwithstanding, there are far better uses in City for this donation to benefit for long-term remembrance of the Sheldon's contributions to the city.
I submitted a letter appearing on the Council agenda of the December 9, 2008 agenda (ironically, exactly 17 years to the day of this December 9, 2025 council meeting). Please click/tap the attachment to this eComment to review that letter.
Most Respectfully,
Howard Lee
Again> Please click/tap the blue attachment to this eComment to review the letter. tonyh
Please note i apologize i that i can't delete my previous post. There is more to consider.
Dear City Council,
I appreciate the well intended community spirit behind this donation.
But one has to wonder if a large digital billboard wont degrade the ambience of our Historic 1930's era Community Center Building.
But I think its fair to ask if there anyone besides the Chamber of Commerce, local business owners and event promoters that actually want this sign or other digital billboards? Can anyone see this expanding up and down PCH or Pier Ave or Downtown along Hermosa Ave Could it be a slippery slope to digital billboard way-fairer signs on Artesia, Aviation or Gould.
Will the city sell advertising spots on this billboard? I hope the council is clear on this and establishes digital billboard guardrails.
A good argument can also be made that digital billboards significantly increase distracted driver rear-end and sideswipe accidents.
PCH in Hermosa is already inundated with road closures due to auto accidents. Is it in our resident's interest to increase this risk? No the sky is not falling. More like drip drip drip
Many coastal cities do not permit digital billboards Malibu, La Jolla, Carmel, San Simeon, Cambria and most coastal cities in San Diego County. Yes i appreciate that Long Beach, Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach do.
But again, before you commit to this i think its fair to ask about guardrails.
Thank you for considering
tonyhiggins
David Grethen
This agenda item should probably be pulled from Consent. While grateful for such a generous donation, we should acknowledge the potential for conflict between the donor's and public's preferences for the location and design of the sign. I was encouraged to see provisions in the agreement that begin to address this. But a discussion of adequacy of those provisions, and review of the history, prior discussion and public engagement on this matter would be worthwhile.
Daviid Grethen - Public Works Commission
tony higgins
Dear City Council,
One has to wonder if a large digital billboard wont degrade the ambience of our Historic 1930's era Community Center Building.
Is there anyone besides the Chamber of Commerce and local business owners that actually want this sign? Its a slippery slope.
tonyhiggins
Robert Aronoff
Thank you Chuck an Missy. I have always admired you suport of our comuninty. (Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council approve acceptance of a donation of $500,000 for the design and installation of a monument signage.
15.f
REPORT ON RECENT ACTIONS BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF CALL UP DE NOVO REVIEW UNDER HBMC SECTION 2.52.040 - 25-CDD-174 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - PC MEETING MINUTES - 25-CDD-174.pdf
2. Attachment 1. PC Meeting Minutes of Nov. 18, 2025.pdf (Community Development Director Alison Becker)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council receive and file the final action minutes by the Planning Commission at their Regular Meeting of November 18, 2025, and forgo the call-up de novo review of said final actions.
15.g
PLANNING COMMISSION TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA - 25-CDD-173 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - PC TENTATIVE AGENDA - 25-CDD-173.pdf
2. Attachment 1. Planning Commission Tentative Agenda for December.pdf (Community Development Director Alison Becker)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council receive and file the tentative future agenda for the Planning Commission regular meeting of December 16, 2025.
15.h
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT AS OF NOVEMBER 13, 2025 - 25-PW-093 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - CIP STATUS REPORT NOVEMBER 2025 - 25-PW-093.pdf
2. Attachment 1. Capital Improvement Program Status Report as of November 13, 2025.pdf
3. Attachment 2. Estimated CIP Project Schedule FY 2025-2026 - Updated Nov 13, 2025.pdf (Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council receive and file the Capital Improvement Program Status Report as of November 13, 2025.
15.i
REQUEST TO APPROVE REVISIONS TO MULTIPLE CLASS SPECIFICATIONS - 25-AS-100 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - REQUEST TO APPROVE REVISIONS TO MULTIPLE CLASS SPECIFICATIONS - 25-AS-100.pdf
2. Attachment 1. Police Lieutenant Job Specification - Draft (Redlined).pdf
3. Attachment 2. Police Sergeant Job Specification - Draft (Redlined).pdf
4. Attachment 3. Senior Engineer Job Specification - Draft (Redlined).pdf
5. Attachment 4. Equipment Mechanic Job Spec - Draft (Redlined).pdf (Tiffany Nguyen Human Resources Manager)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommend City Council approve the revisions for the following classification specifications:
Police Lieutenant
Police Sergeant
Senior Engineer
Equipment Mechanic
16. PUBLIC HEARINGS—TO COMMENCE AT 6:30 P.M
Public Comments:
16.a
ADOPT AN URGENCY ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, INCLUDING ALL APPLICABLE ADOPTED PARTS; ADOPTING THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE; ADOPTING LOCAL AMENDMENTS; REPEALING OUTDATED PROVISIONS - 25-CDD-123 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - ADOPT ORDINANCE 2025 CA BUILDING STANDARDS CODES, 2024 IPMC, WITH AMENDMENTS - 25-CDD-123.pdf
2. 1. Urgency Ordinance 25-XXX.pdf
3. 2. Redline 2025 BSC Adoption.pdf
4. 3. Building Standards Commission Filing Packet Summary.pdf
5. 4. Exhibit A - Findings for Local Amendments.pdf
6. 5. Exhibit B - Proposed Ch. 15.02.pdf
7. 6. Exhibit C - Proposed Ch 15.04.pdf
8. 7. Exhibit D - Proposed Ch 15.06.pdf
9. 8. Exhibit E - Proposed Ch. 15.08.pdf
10. 9. Exhibit F - Proposed Ch 15.10.pdf
11. 10. Exhibit G - Proposed Ch 15.12.pdf
12. 11. Exhibit H - Proposed Ch 15.14.pdf
13. 12. Exhibit I - Proposed Ch. 15.16.pdf
14. 13. Exhibit J - Proposed Ch. 15.18.pdf
15. 14. Exhibit K - Proposed Ch. 15.20.pdf
16. 15. Exhibit L - Proposed Ch. 15.22.pdf
17. 16. Exhibit M - Proposed Ch. 15.24.pdf
18. 17. Exhibit N - Proposed Ch. 15.26.pdf
19. 18. Exhibit O - Proposed Ch. 15.28.pdf
20. 19. Exhibit P - Proposed Ch. 15.30.pdf
21. 20. Exhibit Q - HBMC Consistency Amendments.pdf
22. SUPPLEMENTAL Presentation for item 16. a.pdf
Jon David
I recognize the urgency ordinance must be adopted tonight to meet the state's January 1, 2026, deadline for the 2025 California Building Standards Code, ensuring continuous enforcement authority.
However, our local amendments go beyond state requirements in ways that create inefficiencies and burdens for staff, residents and businesses—such as requiring $30k in undergrounding for a simple $3k electrical panel change, which isn't mandated by the California Electrical Code. Even worse, things like this have unintended consequences that result in the shutting down of business.
We also need to eliminate outdated, legacy code provisions to prevent more frustrated residents and "Becker building stories" that highlight inconsistent enforcement and regulatory hurdles.
I understand now is not the time because of the urgent nature of this ordinance but this should be brought back when there is less urgency so there is enough time for meaningful public comment.
When adopting this, please direct staff to bring back the ordinance and related code change recommendations to Council early next year for refinements that align better with our city's current needs, reducing burdens without sacrificing safety. This could be part of a larger conversation about finally completing the comprehensive update that was to be done years ago.
CEQA:
Determine the urgency ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. (Community Development Director Alison Becker)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council:
Determine the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act; and Introduce and adopt an urgency ordinance titled “An Urgency Ordinance adopting by reference the 2025 California Building Standards Codes; adopting the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code; repealing legacy codes; adopting local amendments; declaring the Urgency Ordinance to be an urgency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety; and finding the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act”; and Authorize staff to file the adopted amendments and findings with the California Building Standards Commission.
17. MUNICIPAL MATTERS
Public Comments:
17.a
ADOPT A RESOLUTION AND APPROVE A CONTRACT FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF STEVEN NAPOLITANO AS CITY MANAGER - 25-AS-102 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - NAPOLITANO CITY MANAGER AGREEMENT - 25-AS-102.pdf
2. Attachment 1. Draft Resolution Appointing Napolitano as City Manager.pdf
3. Attachment 2. Employment Agreement with Napolitano.pdf
4. Attachment 3. City Salary Schedule Fiscal Year 2025-26.pdf
5. SUPPLEMENTAL Presentation for item 17. a.pdf
Laura Pena
Dear Mayor, Council Members, and Staff - First, I want to express my appreciation for the selection of Steve Napolitano as our new City Manager. As the staff report highlights, he brings a long track record of success in areas such as economic development, public safety, homelessness, infrastructure, regional partnerships, and community engagement. Given the importance of these areas, many residents naturally want to understand how his performance will be measured and what indicators will be used to show progress on these priorities.
The City Manager Employment Agreement requires the Council and City Manager to jointly establish performance goals and objectives within 45 days of the effective date (Section 9). These goals form the basis of the City Manager’s evaluation and should guide the work of the organization.
I fully respect that personnel evaluations must be conducted in closed session and remain confidential. However, the performance goals themselves are not confidential, and publicly sharing them does not disclose any private evaluation content. It simply communicates what the Council is asking the City Manager to accomplish.
For Council Members who believe that performance expectations should not be disclosed:
• Confidentiality applies to the evaluation meeting and discussion, not to the goals the Council sets for the City Manager. • Sharing goals does not critique, praise, or expose anything about the City Manager’s performance, it merely communicates the City’s priorities. • The public has a legitimate interest in understanding how the City’s top executive is being directed, especially on major issues such as economic development, public safety, homelessness, and infrastructure.
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Guidance in Performance Management for Local Government emphasizes that performance management works best when organizations clearly define what they are trying to accomplish and align performance expectations with strategic plans and publicly stated priorities.
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) explicitly recommends that governments identify, track, and communicate performance measures, noting they should be communicated “internally and externally” to promote accountability and understanding.
These principles support transparency in expectations not public disclosure of evaluations.
Publishing the City Manager’s agreed upon performance goals would:
• Strengthen trust in Council’s oversight role as elected public officials • Allow the community to understand how major priorities such as economic development, public safety, and organizational performance will be measured • Demonstrate responsible stewardship of tax dollars
• Align our City with widely accepted performance management practices • Maintain full confidentiality for personnel evaluations For these reasons, I recommend our City Council consider publicly sharing the mutually agreed upon performance objectives and offering periodic, high level updates on progress. This maintains full compliance with personnel privacy laws while enhancing transparency and confidence in the City’s leadership.
As always, I appreciate your thoughtful consideration.
Laura Pena
(Human Resources Manager Tiffany Nguyen)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council:
Adopt a Resolution appointing Steven Napolitano (“Napolitano”) to the position of City Manager (“CM”), approving an employment agreement (“Agreement”) with Napolitano, and setting the CM’s compensation (Attachment 1)
; and
Approve the contract with Napolitano
(Attachment 2)
.
17.b
CONTINUED REVIEW OF THE CITY’S RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM - 25-AS-099 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT-CONTINUED REVIEW OF THE CITY'S RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM - 25-AS-099.pdf
2. SUPPLEMENTAL Presentation for item 17. b.pdf
Robert Aronoff
The City needs to restore reasonalbly priced one-day event passes (party passes) for residents. They residents to introduce new people would not normally come to HB to stay long enought to explore the shops and other advantages of HB, without being forced to leave because the meter is expiring. (Revenue Services Supervisor Paul Avila)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council:
Receive an update on the City’s Residential Parking Permit Program; and Consider any changes or modifications to the Program.
17.c
PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS TO STREAMLINE BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATIONS PROCEDURES FOR COMMERCIAL BUSINESS LICENSE AND HOME OCCUPATION. - 25-CDD-166 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS TO STREAMLINE BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATIONS PROCEDURES - 25-CDD-166.pdf
2. Attachment 1. Draft Ordinance Amending HBMC 17.08.020 (D) – Home Occupations .pdf
3. Attachment 2. Draft Updated Home Occupation Application.pdf
4. Attachment 3. Current Home Occupation Application.pdf
5. Attachment 4. Draft Updated Zoning Business License Review Application.pdf
6. Attachment 5. Current Zoning Business License Review Application.pdf
7. Attachment 6. Draft Updated Business License Application .pdf
8. Attachment 7. Current Business License Application.pdf
9. SUPPLEMENTAL Presentation for item 17. c.pdf
Laura Pena
Dear Mayor, Council Members, and Staff - I appreciate the streamlining efforts by our Community Development Director and staff regarding the home occupation and business license processes. The draft revisions clearly demonstrate progress in this area.
I recommend our City take the next step and update the underlying home occupation provisions in the application so they better reflect how people actually work today particularly as new technologies, AI-driven work patterns, and digital micro-enterprises rapidly reshape our economy.
The current code restricts activity based on business type rather than actual neighborhood impacts. It bans employees, client visits, vehicle signage, equipment over 120 volts, and even the listing of a business address. These restrictions were crafted in a different era long before remote professional services, online commerce, digital content creation, the gig economy, or AI-enabled work became mainstream. Today, nearly half of all U.S. small businesses are home-based, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Importantly, most of these home-based enterprises are quiet, low-impact, and entirely compatible with residential neighborhoods. They involve laptops, video meetings, creative digital tools, consulting, teaching, or remote professional services not the high impact business types the old rules were designed to regulate.
Updating the ordinance to regulate actual impacts (noise, traffic, parking, safety, and exterior appearance), rather than prohibiting entire business categories would protect neighborhoods and allow residents to participate in the evolving economy. This approach is also consistent with the staff report’s framing that home occupations are typically “limited” and “low-impact,” and that our goal is to foster local economic vitality.
I also recommend the City involve our business community, Chamber of Commerce, and local entrepreneurs as partners in these updates. Their lived experience and perspectives will ensure that the revised code is practical, forward-looking, and supportive of the kinds of innovative work now emerging. With AI and digital tools accelerating new forms of income generation from consulting to robotics to creative and analytical services we should position our City to welcome, not unintentionally restrict, this next generation of small business activity.
Supporting low-impact home-based businesses is not only a matter of fairness, it is an investment in the long-term health of our local economy. These entrepreneurs often become the future tenants of our commercial districts, the employers of local residents, and the contributors to our tax base. Modernizing our home occupation rules so they reflect current work realities will help ensure our City remains a place where small businesses can start, grow, and thrive.
As always, I appreciate your thoughtful consideration.
Laura Pena
(Community Development Director Alison Becker)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council:
Review and provide feedback on the proposed amendments to streamline Business License Applications Procedures for Commercial Business License and Home Occupation Application; and Direct staff to forward the proposed amendments for the Hermosa Beach Planning Commission to review and hold a public meeting on said changes.
17.d
APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH FLOWBIRD AMERICA, INC., TO REPLACE PARKING METERS IN LOTS A, B, AND C - 25-CMO-079 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - FLOWBIRD MULTI-SPACE PARKING METER REPLACEMENT - 25-CMO-079.pdf
2. Attachment 1. Beach Parking Lots Meter Allocation Plan - Transition to Flowbird.pdf
3. Attachment 2. Professional Services Agreement - Flowbird America Inc.pdf
4. Attachment 4. Flowbird vs IPS Total Cost of Ownership Analysis.pdf
5. SUPPLEMENTAL Presentation for item 17. d.pdf
(Senior Management Analyst Ken Bales)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council:
Authorize the purchase of multi-space parking meters from Flowbird America, Inc. through a cooperative purchasing agreement with Omnia Partners for an amount not to exceed $400,000 (Attachment 2
)
;
Authorize the City Attorney to authorize modifications to the proposed agreement, if needed; and Authorize the City Manager to execute the proposed agreement, with the City Clerk attesting the proposed agreements, subject to approval by the City Attorney.
Appropriate $115,000 to the Police Department Equipment Replacement Fund to cover the purchase of Beach Lot multi-space meters
17.e
INFORMATIONAL ITEM ON THE RENAMING OF THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT - 25-CR-089 Attachments
|
Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - COMMUNITY RESOURCES DEPARTMENT NAME CHANGE - 25-CR-089.pdf
2. SUPPLEMENTAL Presentation for item 17. e.pdf
Requested by Councilmember Keegan and supported by Mayor Saemann (Community Resources Director Lisa Nichols)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends the City Council receive and file the informational item on renaming the Community Resources Department to Parks and Recreation Department.
17.f
INFORMATIONAL ITEM REGARDING ALLOWING ALL VEHICLES TO PARK IN PUBLIC ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) PARKING SPACES. - 25-CMO-074 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - EV PARKING ITEM SPACES - 25-CMO-074.pdf
2. Attachment 1. Map of Citywide EV Chargers.pdf
3. SUPPLEMENTAL Presentation for item 17. f.pdf
Requested by Mayor Saemann and supported by Councilmember Keegan (
Environmental Programs Manager Douglas Krauss
)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council receive and file this Informational Item regarding allowing all vehicles to park in public EV parking spaces.
17.g
APPROVE THE PROPOSED TREE REPLANTING PLAN FOR VALLEY PARK AND THE GREENBELT - 25-PW-091 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - PROPOSED TREE REPLANTING PLAN - 25-PW-091.pdf
2. Attachment 1. List of Trees Removed.pdf
3. Attachment 2. Certified Arborist Tree Species Recommendations for Replanting.pdf
4. Attachment 3. Proposed Tree Planting Locations and Species Map.pdf
5. SUPPLEMENTAL Presentation for item 17. g.pdf
MC Guerry
The city should only be planting native Californian trees. I ask the council reject the suggested list of trees and ask instead for one that only has native Californian trees.
Our region has lost over 90% of local butterflies and songbirds since the beginning of the twentieth century due to replacing local native habitat with exotic non-natives. Many of these species exist nowhere else and are now threatened. Planting non-native trees and plants means a future where the only birds you will hear are gulls, crows, and a few invasive European species.
There is no such thing as a "California Friendly" tree or plant that is not native. Our native pollinators evolved hand-in-hand with native plants. Native butterflies will not lay eggs on non-native plants/trees. The primary food source for local baby songbirds is native butterfly caterpillars. Most native bees cannot utilize non-native flora, no matter how pretty the blooms are. 90% of insects cannot co-exist with any non-native trees/plants, making every non-native planting unfriendly to California. (Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council:
Approve the tree replanting plan for Valley Park and the Greenbelt (
A
ttachment 3
)
;
Authorize an increase of $15,000 to the annual project contingency for the landscape maintenance services contract with Merchants Landscape Services, Inc., increasing the total annual contingency from $50,000 to $65,000 for the remainder of the contract; and Authorize the City Manager to approve contract amendments up to the amount of the revised contract contingency.
17.h
PURCHASE OF VEHICLES FOR THE CITY FLEET - 25-PW-088
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPOR T- PURCHASE OF VEHICLES FOR CITY FLEET - 25-PW-088.pdf
2. Attachment 1. Aerial Bucket Truck Quote.pdf
3. Attachment 2. Ford F 250 Quote.pdf
4. Attachment 3. Toyota Sienna XLE Hybrid Quote.pdf
5. SUPPLEMENTAL Presentation for item 17. h.pdf
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council:
Authorize the purchase of one Class C Aerial (Bucket) Truck with Service Body for a total amount of $286,826 from PB Loader Corporation via the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program (Contract No. 080521-PBL) to replace a 2003 Chevrolet 6500; Authorize the purchase of one Ford Super Duty F-250 with Service Body for a not to exceed amount of $75,000 from National Auto Fleet Group via the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program (Contract No. 091521), or other Cooperative Purchasing Program, or on equal or better terms through purchase from a dealership as vehicles become available, to replace a 2019 Ford F-250; Authorize the purchase of a Toyota Sienna XLE Hybrid, for a not to exceed amount of $57,100 from the Manhattan Beach Toyota through a Cooperative Purchasing Program, or on equal or better terms through purchase from a dealership as vehicles become available, to replace a 2014 Ford Explorer; Add estimated revenue of $45,912 in the Equipment Replacement Fund; Appropriate $51,196 to the Public Works Lighting/Landscaping/Medians Equipment Replacement Fund to cover the purchase and estimated outfitting costs of the Ford Super Duty F-250; and Appropriate $63,600 to the Police Department Equipment Replacement Fund for the purchase and estimated outfitting of the Toyota Sienna.
17.i
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REORGANIZATION DECEMBER 2025 - 25-CCO-045 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REORGANIZATION DECEMBER 2025 - 25-CCO-045.pdf
2. Attachment 1. Committee List as of 10-14-25.pdf
3. Attachment 2. Draft Resolution.pdf
4. Attachment 3. Hermosa Beach Leaders Guide - Governance.pdf
5. Attachment 4. City Council Committee Information 2025.pdf
6. SUPPLEMENTAL Presentation for item 17. i.pdf
(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council:
Reassign committee delegates/alternates or reaffirm current appointments; Adopt a resolution to reflect delegate/alternate changes, if any, to the South Bay Cities Council of Government (Attachment 2)
; and
Add and/or delete any committees or temporary subcommittees, as appropriate.
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.
18.a
TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - 25-CMO-081
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. STAFF REPORT - TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA 12-09-25 - 25-CMO-081.pdf
2. Attachment 1. Tentative Future Agenda.pdf
Attached is the current list of tentative future agenda items for Council’s information.
19. CITY MANAGER REPORT
Public Comments:
20. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Public Comments:
This is reserved for items that do not require City Council action. The City Council may request a future agenda item to discuss an informational item. Otherwise, discussion of informational items will not be taken.
20.a
PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Action Minutes of the November 4, 2025 Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Advisory Commission Meeting 11.04.25.pdf (Office Assistant Amari Gilbert)
20.b
PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION MINUTES
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. September 17, 2025 Meeting.pdf
(Associate Engineer Andrew Nguyen)
20.c
LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE AND AMBULANCE MONTHLY REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2025 - 25-CMO-080 Attachments
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Public Comments
1. LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE AND AMBULANCE MONTHLY REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2025 - 25-CMO-080.pdf
2. STAFF REPORT - FIRE AND AMBULANCE MONTHLY REPORT - 25-CMO-080.pdf (Emergency Management Coordinator Maurice Wright)
20.d
PARKING CITATION AND REVENUE REPORT—NOVEMBER 2025
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. Parking Citation and Revenue Report from November 2025.pdf (Senior Management Analyst Ken Bales)
21. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments: