Minutes
r
o,„•, Redondo Beach City Council
J I' „ x•.' Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Closed Session - Adjourned Regular Meeting 4: 30 p. m.
Open Session - Regular Meeting 6: 00 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER
Via Teleconference, an Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Redondo Beach City Council was called to order by Mayor Pro Tern Obagi at 4:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 415 Diamond Street, Redondo Beach, California.
B. ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Nehrenheim, Loewenstein, Horvath, Emdee, Mayor Pro Tem Obagi Councilmembers Absent: Mayor Brand
Officials Present: Michael W. Webb, City Attorney
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Vickie Kroneberger, Chief Deputy City Clerk
C. SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND INVOCATION — NONE
D. BLUE FOLDER ITEMS— ADDITIONAL BACK UP MATERIALS — NONE E. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS Mayor Pro Tern Obagi called for public comment via Zoom and eComment. There being no comments, Mayor Pro Tern Obagi closed the public comment period.
F. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION: 4: 32 p. m.
F. 1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR -
The Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Section 54956. 8.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
PROPERTY:
239 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
a portion of APN: 7503- 029- 900)
NEGOTIATING PARTY:
Allen Sanford - Sanford Ventures
UNDER NEGOTIATION:
Both Price and Terms
F. 2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORThe Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Section 54956. 8.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
MINUTES— CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 11. 2022
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
PROPERTY:
Portions of the Redondo Beach Marina Parking Lot and Seaside Lagoon (portions of APN # s 7503- 029-900 and 7503-033-903)
NEGOTIATING PARTY:
Allen Sanford, Sanford Ventures, Inc.
UNDER NEGOTIATION:
Both Price and Terms
F. 3. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR -The Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Section 54956. 8.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
PROPERTY:
105 W. Torrance Blvd. Suite 202, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 a portion of APN: 7505-002- 908)
NEGOTIATING PARTY:
Vic Braden, Cornerstone Construction Group, Inc.
UNDER NEGOTIATION:
Both Price and Terms
F. 4. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR -The Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Section 54956.8.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
PROPERTY:
125 W. Torrance Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA 90277
a portion of APN: 7505- 002-908)
NEGOTIATING PARTY:
Sineenart Klinmalai, Suptawee, Inc., dba The Shrimp Lover UNDER NEGOTIATION:
Both Price and Terms
F. 5. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION - The Closed Session is authorized by the attorney-client privilege, Government Code Section 54956.9( d)( 1).
Name of case: Redondo Beach Waterfront, LLC v. City of Redondo Beach Case Number: B315774
Motion by Councilmember Emdee, seconded by Councilmember Horvath, to recess at 4:32 p. m. to conduct Closed Sessions attended by City Manager Mike Witzansky, City Attorney Mike Webb, Assistant City
MINUTES- CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Attorney Cheryl Park, Outside Real Estate Advisor Brian Campbell, Outside Legal Counsel Jon Weiner and Acting Waterfront and Economic Development Director Laurie Koike. Motion carried unanimously, with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Nehrenheim, Loewenstein, Horvath, Emdee, Mayor Pro Tern Obagi NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Brand
G. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
H. ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Nehrenheim, Loewenstein, Horvath, Obagi, Emdee, Mayor Brand Councilmembers Absent: None
Officials Present: Eleanor Manzano, City Clerk
Michael W. Webb, City Attorney
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Vickie Kroneberger, Chief Deputy City Clerk
I. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS— NONE
J. ADJOURN TO REGULAR MEETING
Motion by Councilmember Horvath, seconded by Councilmember Loewenstein, to adjourn at 6: 01 p. m. to a regular meeting. There being no objections, Mayor Brand so ordered.
A. CALL TO ORDER
Via Teleconference, a Regular Meeting of the Redondo Beach City Council was called to order by Mayor Brand at 6: 02 p. m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 415 Diamond Street, Redondo Beach, California.
B. ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Nehrenheim, Loewenstein, Horvath, Obagi, Emdee, Mayor Brand Councilmembers Absent: None
Officials Present: Eleanor Manzano, City Clerk
Michael W. Webb, City Attorney
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Vickie Kroneberger, Chief Deputy City Clerk
C. SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND INVOCATION
At the request of Mayor Brand, the audience and Councilmembers rose to salute the flag followed by a moment of silence, in memory of Firefighter Jonathan Flagler of Rancho Palos Verdes.
D. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Nehrenheim announced his online Community Meeting taking place tomorrow night at 6: 30 p. m., the Residential Design Guidelines update last night and noted a survey link to help update the residential design. He also thanked City Manager Witzansky for attending his meeting on Saturday, stated Ragin Cajun Cafe was a victim of a Dine and Dash and the manager was injured, and encouraged people to put their Christmas Trees out in view for pick up.
Councilmember Loewenstein announced his Community Meeting taking place on January 19, 2022 on Zoom from 6 to 7: 30 p. m. with the Mayor attending speaking about housing bills and a statewide initiative to keep local control.
MINUTES— CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Councilmember Horvath announced his District 3 Community Meeting taking place on January 20, 2022 at 6 to 7: 30 p.m. on Zoom speaking with the Friendship Foundation regarding their project at the old Franklin School Site.
Councilmember Obagi provided his condolences to the family of Firefighter Jonathan Flagler and Police Officer Fernando Uriel Arroyos from LAPD, and announced his District 4 Community Meeting taking place on the 24th at 6: 30 p. m. with the City Manager in attendance.
Councilmember Emdee announced the Christmas Tree Recycling Program taking place until January 28, the Slack Key Festival on Sunday at 2 p.m., the Martin Luther King event on Monday at 3 p. m. at the Redondo Union Auditorium, a shred event on January 29 from 8 a. m. to noon, and thanked Public Works for the cleaning of Dale Page Park.
Mayor Brand stated he will be doing a Facebook Live with the Director of Emergency Services for LA County Dr. Marianne Gausche on Thursday at 5:30 p. m., and remembrance of Firefighter Jonathan Flagler.
E. APPROVAL OF ORDER OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Nehrenheim, seconded by Councilmember Emdee, to approve the Order of Agenda as presented. There being no objections, Mayor Brand so ordered.
F. AGENCY RECESS— NONE
G. BLUE FOLDER ITEMS— ADDITIONAL BACK UP MATERIALS
Motion by Councilmember Horvath, seconded by Councilmember Nehrenheim, to receive and file additional Items for J. 1 and N. 1. There being no objections, Mayor Brand so ordered.
H. CONSENT CALENDAR
H. 1. APPROVE AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING FOR THE CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING AND REGULAR MEETING OF January 11, 2022
CONTACT: ELEANOR MANZANO, CITY CLERK
H. 2. APPROVE MOTION TO READ BY TITLE ONLY AND WAIVE FURTHER READING OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS LISTED ON THE AGENDA.
CONTACT: ELEANOR MANZANO, CITY CLERK
H.3. APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:
A. DECEMBER 7 2021 REGULAR MEETING
B. DECEMBER 14, 2021 ADJOURNED MEETING & REGULAR MEETING CONTACT: ELEANOR MANZANO, CITY CLERK
H.4. CONTINUATION OF REMOTE CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION MEETINGS DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2022 PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF AB 361 CONTACT: MIKE WITZANSKY, CITY MANAGER
H. 5. ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. 3227-22, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADDING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 36 TO TITLE 4 REGARDING LIBRARIES AND MEETING FACILITIES. FOR SECOND READING AND ADOPTION.
CONTACT: SUSAN ANDERSON, LIBRARY DIRECTOR
H. 6. EXCUSE ABSENCES OF VARIOUS COMMISSIONERS FROM VARIOUS COMMISSION
MEETINGS
MINUTES— CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
CONTACT: ELEANOR MANZANO, CITY CLERK
H. 7. APPROVE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE SOUTH BAY CITIES
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR USE OF COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES INNOVATION GRANT
FUNDS TO EXPAND THE CITY' S HOUSING INITIATIVE COURT, ALSO KNOWN AS HOMELESS COURT, AS WELL AS FOR BRIDGE HOUSING FOR THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $ 306,299 FOR THE TERM OF JANUARY 1, 2022 UNTIL JUNE 30, 2023.
ADOPT BY 415 VOTE AND BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC- 2112- 124, A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING A FISCAL YEAR 2021- 2022 BUDGET MODIFICATION TO APPROPRIATE $ 121, 169 IN
INNOVATION GRANT FUNDS FROM THE SBCCOG TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL GRANT FUND.
CONTACT: MICHAEL W. WEBB, CITY ATTORNEY
Motion by Councilmember Horvath, seconded by Councilmember Loewenstein, to approve Items H. 1 through H. 7. Motion carried unanimously with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Nehrenheim, Loewenstein, Horvath, Obagi, Emdee
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Brand called for public comment via Zoom and eComment. There being no comments, Mayor Brand closed the public comment period.
City Clerk Eleanor Manzano read all ordinances and resolutions by title only which were included on the Consent Calendar.
I. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS— NONE
J. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON NON- AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Brand called for public comment via Zoom and eComment.
Holly Osborne, District 5, stated she collected signatures again this weekend for the Local Control Initiative, and expressed concern with so many people not knowing what SB9 does and asked that people be kept informed.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Vickie Kroneberger read the comments submitted via eComment by Mark Nelson.
There being no further comments, Mayor Brand closed the public comment period.
K. EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS
L. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
M. ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS AGENDAS —NONE
N. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION PRIOR TO ACTION
N. 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT'S RESPONSE TO THE CITY'S 6TH CYCLE ( 2021- 2029) ADOPTED HOUSING ELEMENT SUBMITTAL FOR STATE CERTIFICATION.
CONTACT: BRANDY FORBES, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
MINUTES— CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Community Development Director Forbes gave a report and discussed the following:
Background and timeline
HCD Letter— additional revisions necessary
Comments to City Council
120 day deadline by February 11
Virtual meeting with HCD rep
Concern —north end location
Other sites considered
HCD doesn' t credit inclusionary housing ordinances or density bonuses ADU' s may be increased
Room to make adjustments to bring Housing Element into compliance Recommendation
Mayor Brand stated more analysis is needed regarding affordable housing in certain areas but noted Redondo Beach is ahead in addressing this in the South Bay. He supported staff continuing to work with HCD and achieving affordable housing.
Councilmember Obagi thanked staff and the Mayor for their help, and requested staff revise the housing overlay and explanation and narrative for it based on affordable housing with the lowest carbon footprint on the City. He also supported Veronica Tam for her work and noted nonstop bills coming out of Sacramento.
Mayor Brand encouraged staff to exhibit all flexibility needed.
In response to Councilmember Emdee, Community Development Director Forbes explained the Housing Element either needs to have the certification by February 11 or adopted then later certified. If the Housing Element deadline isn' t met, zoning will have to be completed by October 15, 2022.
City Manager Witzansky said that staff cannot meet the October ' 22 zoning execution deadline due to environmental work that still needs to be done before bringing to a public vote.
Councilmember Emdee asked staff for a map ready showing the lots with the APN numbers mentioned in the letter. Community Development Director Forbes and Planning Manager Sean Scully reviewed the locations.
Mayor Brand asked about the lot just east of the Pancake House which is sitting vacant and zoned for 30- 35 units/acre. Community Development Director Forbes stated this should be included in the Mixed Use.
In response to Councilmember Nehrenheim regarding the timeline, Community Development Director Forbes explained that the City Council would be adopting a Housing Element meeting the State Housing Law for certification, but the question is having to have the actual certification letter by the 11" which would be difficult to meet; we want to work towards getting it adopted before February 11.
Councilmember Nehrenheim asked about the letter to the landowner on the corner of Inglewood, Marine and the 405 and noted they have done projects similar. Community Development Director Forbes said it helps the City to count the site but not all of it towards affordable. She also suggested looking at the Kingsdale site if needed, noting many changes were made for the landowner.
City Manager Witzansky pointed out that staff may have to actually identify a RHNA count above the mandated amount on the aggregate in order to meet the affordability minimum.
Mayor Brand believed there is much more detail in what property owners have planned than in the past and as a result, other areas would be looked at as well.
MINUTES— CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Mayor Brand called for public comment via Zoom and eComment.
Wayne Craig expressed concern with false statements and reviewed the actual letters from HCD just asking for clarifications and revisions. He also said the AES site is the worse location for any housing development and reviewed his concerns.
Jim Light expressed concern with the new interpretation validating property owners building a percentage, putting housing on top of parking lots, noted Redondo residents support housing development and conversion of industrial and commercial sites, and changing school property to residential. However, residents have opposed residential development and supported parkland on the AES site. He also said the AES site is impactful for high density residential.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Vickie Kroneberger read the comments submitted via eComment by Alisa Beek, Mark Nelson, Sheila Lamb and Peter Aziz.
There being no further comments, Mayor Brand closed the public comment period.
Councilmember Obagi pointed out that there are over 66,000 residents that have voted to preserve open space at the AES site and said there is a great opportunity to enrich the City with open space.
Motion by Councilmember Obagi, seconded by Councilmember Nehrenheim, that staff revise the Housing Plan, increase the narrative explanation as to the housing location, that affordable housing needs to be reduced from the North Tech section down to the Kingsdale area, 190th, and the Sprouts parking lot area, and that staff try to get this passed, minimizing the carbon footprint of new housing, reducing trips through the middle of the City and to set the hearing for February 1, 2022. Motion carried, with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Nehrenheim, Loewenstein, Obagi
NOES: Horvath, Emdee
ABSENT: None
N.2. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE CITY'S 2022 BUDGET CALENDAR CONTACT: JENNIFER PAUL, FINANCE DIRECTOR
Finance Director Jennifer Paul gave a report and reviewed the annual calendar.
In response to Mayor Brand, City Manager Witzansky stated the March 29'" and April 14th budget meetings are new with the community.
Councilmember Nehrenheim supported having the additional community workshops and transparency.
Councilmember Obagi supported public outreach on the budget and suggested posting a flyer prior to the meetings.
Councilmember Emdee also supported having the budget workshops.
Mayor Brand called for public comment via Zoom and eComment.
There being no comments, Mayor Brand closed the public comment period.
MINUTES— CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Motion by Councilmember Obagi, seconded by Councilmember Emdee, to approve the City' s 2022 Budget Calendar. Motion carried unanimously, with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Nehrenheim, Loewenstein, Horvath, Obagi, Emdee
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
N. 3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION PERTAINING TO A POSSIBLE CHARTER/ ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT FOR VOTERS TO APPROVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ALTERNATIVE
VOTING METHOD TO REPLACE SEPARATE OR DELAYED RUNOFF ELECTIONS (AKA
INSTANT RUNOFF) FOR CITY ELECTIVE OFFICES)
CONTACT: ELEANOR MANZANO, CITY CLERK
City Clerk Manzano gave a report and presented videos on STAR Voting and Rank Choice Voting.
In response to Councilmember Obagi and Mayor Brand regarding a tie, City Clerk Manzano noted a resolution available to flip a coin or draw straws.
City Clerk Manzano noted that Rank Choice Voting has numerous resources. She also requested direction from City Council regarding the election dates and the availability.
In response to Mayor Brand, City Clerk Manzano reviewed the costs for each election date. She also said the questions for tonight would include which election and the type of vote to provide to the voters.
Sara Wolk, Executive Director, Equal Vote Coalition, spoke on STAR Voting which she supported and said it can be certified which takes about a year. She also said the municipality would need to request it.
Diane Silver, Fair Vote, stated they advocate for Ranked Choice Voting which has been in use for over a hundred years in many countries and is very effective. She noted concerns about STAR Voting which is not an upgrade to Ranked Choice Voting, doesn't deliver all of the benefits and is a hybrid model with each method being incompatible, which hasn' t taken into account actual voter behavior. She suggested voters being able to vote honestly and expressed concern with bullet voting. She also said the runoff ballot would not count if the score is the same. She supported ranking with no strategy involved.
Steve Chessin, President Californians for Electoral Reform, supported Ranked Choice Voting and provided slides illustrating issues with STAR Voting. He also spoke on campaigning and supported strong first choice support from voters.
Ms. Wolk stated that the City's Code requires that a majority of ballots pass for either candidate but the winner has the majority vote. She also said that STAR Voting always counts every ballot but Ranked Choice Voting does not count every ballot in the final round. She said Ranked Choice Voting is not necessarily strategically safe to vote for your favorite.
Councilmember Obagi asked what percentage of ballots in the Ranked Choice Voting elections are disqualified because someone voted incorrectly. Diane Silver stated that nearly 10% of ballots were unable to be counted in the final round in the New York election, and 9% of all ballots were exhausted because the voters chose not to use all of the rankings. She also said the percentage of ballots disqualified because the person put two people in the same ranking was less than 1%.
Councilmember Obagi noted concerns about Star Voting and said manipulation of ballots already exists in the current system because people don' t want to vote for a loser. He noted strategic strategy in all voting occurred. He suggested putting this on the March 2023 Election due to incurring the cost if done sooner of a runoff election.
MINUTES— CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
City Clerk Manzano stated a district runoff would be $ 20,000 to $ 50,000 and citywide would be $80, 000 to 100,000. She also said the City has until December 6, 2022 to call that election.
Councilmember Obagi suggested giving the residents a choice between Ranked Choice Voting and STAR Voting on the ballot.
Councilmember Loewenstein expressed concern with the choice of STAR Voting and Ranked Choice Voting to the voters which will cause confusion and suggested this take place from Council. He also asked about the cost estimates which seem high. City Clerk Manzano stated the $ 515, 000 would be the cost to do the first alternative method of voting based on Ranked Choice Voting and is for voter education and outreach.
Councilmember Loewenstein suggested the cost be more clear and when it will be put in the budget. City Clerk Manzano stated there is an estimate of$ 300K for the March 2023 ballot for just putting on the measure.
Councilmember Loewenstein stated it will cost less in March 2023 and there will be a more engaged electorate. He supported the motion but suggested coming back earlier than October.
Councilmember Nehrenheim expressed concern with groups competing and suggested putting both voting choices on the election ballot as long as STAR is certified by someone in California. City Clerk Manzano stated the state certifies the equipment and the actual program that tabulates the ballots.
Councilmember Nehrenheim asked about how many municipalities have used the STAR Voting methodology in the United States. Ms. Wolk explained that STAR Voting is new and has been used at the statewide level.
Councilmember Nehrenheim did not support getting into the thought process of the voter. He believed the City has to upgrade the system and supported a simpler system.
Councilmember Emdee explained the vote tonight is to consider on the March 23 Election is just to change the Municipal Code and doesn't have to detail any system. She also believed that STAR not being certified by the Secretary of State is a huge disadvantage. She further noted community partners to help with the transition and outreach, and believed there is money saved by not having the runoff elections.
Councilmember Horvath leaned more toward the RCV point of view and agreed with Councilmember Loewenstein that Council choose the model. He also said RCV has been used in San Francisco since 2004 and has been working. He also asked if Fair Vote does outreach. Ms. Silver stated they do some outreach and education to help people understand what RCV is, but generally there are other organizations that provide implementation education.
Councilmember Horvath supported avoiding runoffs, if possible, and suggested putting this on a general election which provides more turnout. City Clerk Manzano explained that three measures is $ 175K, per the County calculator; and one measure on a November statewide general election would cost —$170K, and confirmed that it is more than the$ 144K set aside, which covers the differential of running the March election with a ballot measure. Councilmember Horvath also supported including in the motion changing the charter and Council choosing which one is used beyond it.
Councilmember Obagi suggested amending the motion to include in the October discussion in " pursuant to the Charter that the power to set the type of election that should occur shall be vested in the City Council by ordinance," as a third option, which can be changed by Council. Councilmember Nehrenheim accepted the amendment.
MINUTES— CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Ms. Wolk spoke on the advantages and disadvantages of Ranked Choice Voting and STAR Voting, and suggested a committee to look at this in more depth before returning in October.
Mayor Brand called for public comment via Zoom and eComment.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Vickie Kroneberger read the comments submitted via eComment by Peter Aziz and Grace Peng.
There being no further comments, Mayor Brand closed the public comment period.
Councilmember Obagi said it is important to get STAR Voting certified to be considered.
Motion by Councilmember Obagi, seconded by Councilmember Nehrenheim, to come back by next October with a discussion regarding putting a charter amendment on the March 2023 Election to go to Ranked Choice Voting or STAR Voting, and to include as a third option" that the power to set the type of election that should occur shall be vested by the City Council by ordinance." Motion carried unanimously, with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Nehrenheim, Loewenstein, Horvath, Obagi, Emdee
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
O. CITY MANAGER ITEMS— NONE
P. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS
P. 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING COUNCIL PARTICIPATION IN FUTURE PUBLIC MEETINGS VIA TELECONFERENCE PURSUANT TO THE BROWN ACT.
CONTACT: CITY MANAGER MIKE WITZANSKY AND CITY CLERK ELEANOR MANZANO City Manager Witzansky gave a report and noted the emergency order provides mass flexibility in how to conduct the public meetings, and he did not recommend implementing the former teleconference opportunity until at the tail end of the pandemic and when ready to come back to the City Council Chambers. He believed that the Council would like to make permanent the opportunity to meet via teleconference, but three of the Councilmembers would need to be in the Council Chambers when back to the Brown Act process. He noted there is now the technology in the currently upgraded Council Chambers to accommodate video teleconferencing for the meetings. He also recommended providing two standby laptops. He said if participation takes place remotely, the agenda has to be posted at the location and available to the public.
He also noted there is now remote technology available to the public, adding another element of transparency, but this will need to be clarified by City Attorney Webb.
Councilmember Emdee suggested having a limited number of teleconference meetings per Councilmember and how many can be reserved in advance. She also suggested considering if a Zoom meeting would take place during a public hearing.
Councilmember Obagi suggested having a medical exemption available and not being subject to the limitations.
Councilmember Loewenstein suggested expanding, allowing more people to participate with Zoom.
In response to Councilmember Loewenstein, City Manager Witzansky stated that the three members that must be present are members of the Council.
Councilmember Loewenstein expressed concern with people coming to your home.
MINUTES— CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Councilmember Nehrenheim suggested updating eComments accordingly, to have them submitted as emails are as well, and did not support people coming to your home when sick. He also suggested limiting teleconferencing meetings to 10 per year per Councilmember.
Mayor Brand called for public comment via Zoom and eComment.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Vickie Kroneberger read the comments submitted via eComment by Peter Aziz and Lezlie Campeggi.
There being no further comments, Mayor Brand closed the public comment period.
Councilmember Horvath believed that eComments could go with emails and also suggested considering teleconferencing in an emergency situation.
Motion by Councilmember Nehrenheim, seconded by Councilmember Emdee, to approve the Rules of Conduct for the meetings to allow for teleconferencing, and have the request come in by Wednesday at 5 p. m., to limit teleconferencing meetings to 9 per year per Councilmember, subject to Council approval thereafter, and to bring this item back at the appropriate time. Motion carried unanimously, with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Nehrenheim, Loewenstein, Horvath, Obagi, Emdee
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
P.2. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ALTERNATE MEMBER TO THE CLEAN POWER ALLIANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
CONTACT: PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTION TED SEMAAN
Motion by Councilmember Nehrenheim, seconded by Councilmember Loewenstein, to appoint Councilmember Loewenstein as an alternate member to the Clean Power Alliance Board of Directors.
Motion carried unanimously, with the following roil call vote:
AYES: Nehrenheim, Loewenstein, Horvath, Obagi, Emdee
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Brand called for public comment via Zoom and eComment.
There being no comments, Mayor Brand closed the public comment period.
O. MAYOR AND COUNCIL REFERRALS TO STAFF
Councilmember Horvath referred to the 1383 letter from Athens and suggested putting an explanation on the website regarding the situation.
Councilmember Obagi requested a BRR for broadcast equipment for events that can streamline to the public channel and You Tube channel and the cost involved.
Mayor Brand thanked staff for fixing the rail at Veteran' s Park.
R. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION— NONE
MINUTES— CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
S. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION —NONE
T. ADJOURNMENT: 9: 26 p. m.
IN MEMORY OF LANCE WIDMAN, FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTH BAY
CENTER FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Motion by Councilmember Emdee, seconded by Councilmember Loewenstein, to adjourn the meeting at 9:26 p.m. to an Adjourned Regular meeting to be held at 4: 30 p. m. ( Closed Session) and a Regular meeting to be held at 6: 00 p. m. ( Open Session) on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 415 Diamond Street, Redondo Beach, California, via teleconference. Motion carried unanimously, with no objection.
All written comments submitted via eComment are included in the record and available for public review on the City website.
Respectfully submitted,
ekattn
Eleanor Manzano, City C
MINUTES— CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 11, 2022