City Council on 2022-11-15 6:00 PM - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER Meeting Time: 11-15-22 18:00
eComments Report
Meetings Meeting
Time
Agenda
Items
Comments Support Oppose Neutral
City Council on 2022-11-15 6:00 PM -
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
11-15-22
18:00
70 19 8 5 3
Sentiments for All Meetings
The following graphs display sentiments for comments that have location data. Only locations of users who have commented will be shown.
Overall Sentiment
City Council on 2022-11-15 6:00 PM - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER 11-15-22 18:00
Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral
J. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS 2 0 0 2
J.1. 22-5115 For eComments and Emails Received from the Public 1 0 0 0 N. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION PRIOR TO ACTION 1 0 0 0
N.1. 22-5120 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE
SELECTION OF A NEW WEBSITE PROVIDER
APPROVE A THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH REVIZE, LLC. TO
PROVIDE A NEW CITY WEBSITE AND CONTENT MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM FOR A TOTAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $120,000 AND THE
TERM NOVEMBER 15, 2022 THROUGH NOVEMBER 14, 2025 WITH
TWO OPTIONAL ONE-YEAR EXTENSIONS
2 0 0 1
N.3. 22-4947 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING
RECOMMENDED AGREEMENTS NEEDED TO REVIEW THE BEACH
CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT HEALTHY LIVING CAMPUS PROJECT
APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH RINCON CONSULTANTS, INC. FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW SERVICES FOR PEER REVIEW OF THE
BEACH CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT HEALTHY LIVING CAMPUS PHASE
ONE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $97,108 AND THE TERM NOVEMBER 15,
2022 THROUGH NOVEMBER 14, 2023
APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH PLACEWORKS, INC. FOR
PROFESSIONAL PLANNING SERVICES FOR LAND USE
ENTITLEMENT REVIEW OF THE BEACH CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT
HEALTHY LIVING CAMPUS PHASE ONE PROJECT FOR AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $119,647 AND THE TERM NOVEMBER 15, 2022
THROUGH NOVEMBER 14, 2023
APPROVE A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH BEACH CITIES
HEALTH DISTRICT FOR THE COSTS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL
PEER REVIEW SERVICES, PROFESSIONAL PLANNING SERVICES,
AND OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL NEEDED TO CONSIDER THE
BEACH CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT HEALTHY LIVING CAMPUS PHASE ONE PROJECT FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $316,755 AND
THE TERM NOVEMBER 15, 2022 THROUGH THE DATE WHEN ALL
DISCRETIONARY ACTIONS AND ANY RELATED APPEALS INVOLVING
THE PROJECT ARE CONCLUDED
4 0 4 0
N.4. 22-5127 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE
ADDITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC
WORKS COMMISSION'S SCOPE OF DUTIES
3 2 1 0
P.1. 22-5157 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ADOPT A
RESOLUTION CONDEMNING FLYERS RECENTLY POSTED IN
REDONDO BEACH CONTAINING RACIALLY MOTIVATED HATE
SPEECH
5 5 0 0
P.2. 22-5165 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ADOPT A
RESOLUTION URGING THE LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT THE
GENDER EQUALITY MOVEMENT BY THE BRAVE WOMEN AND MEN
OF IRAN
1 1 0 0
Sentiments for All Agenda Items
The following graphs display sentiments for comments that have location data. Only locations of users who have commented will be shown.
Overall Sentiment
Agenda Item: eComments for J. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Overall Sentiment
Michael Sachs
Location:
Submitted At: 4:09pm 11-15-22
Although I agreed with the result of the Redondo Beach special election, it left a bad taste in my mouth. Not just because our city spent over $100K to have a separate election from the midterm (which I consider to be a waste of taxpayer money) but also because I feel the low turnout is an indirect disenfranchising of voters. We already know less voters show up for our elections in March as opposed to November. Mayor Brand and his supporters have built an active grass roots movement in our city and good for them. They should feel confident bringing their views on the issues to as many voters as possible, but this is not what has happened. They have voted against aligning our elections with the November elections as many other cities have done in coordination with wellintentioned SB 415, and now have paid to move an election about cannabis. When a city has a turnout of 15K as opposed to 40K two weeks later- the process is flawed. The Equal Protection Clause of our Constitution refers mostly to apportionment but there may come a day a case can made that equal protection could apply to the timing of elections. Our country has seen many examples of different sides trying to gain election advantage whether it be from gerrymandering, suppression, and apportionment and many of us want it to stop. I want all sides to play by the same rules and when my side wins, I want to know that those who disagreed with me had every chance to be heard and considered. When that does not occur, the result becomes less credible and less defendable.
Marie Puterbaugh
Location:
Submitted At: 2:26pm 11-14-22
Today's LA Times article "Crude emails reveal nasty side of a California beach city’s crusade to halt growth" noted "..others believe that Brand’s emails show that the city’s top leaders are promoting an undercurrent of racism and nastiness to push their agenda." Bill Brand has relationships with California leaders - what will they think when they read this? What is the plan? Are you going to claim fake news (again)? If you are the target of angry developers, isn't that a bit on you? The other beach cities don't seem to have these problems, why can't we work with builders? I see tons of new construction in Manhattan Beach - new offices, a Sunrise, a new Starbucks. That will impact traffic for Redondo, but we won't enjoy any tax revenue. I appreciate the slow growth, but at some point, not greenlighting any meaningful projects goes too far. If Redondo wants more parks, we need to pay more taxes; developers aren't going to buy properties and convert them to greenspace for us. Maybe you should talk to Manhattan Beach and El Segundo to figure out how they are doing it - they seem to avoid these problems.
Agenda Item: eComments for J.1. 22-5115 For eComments and Emails Received from the Public Overall Sentiment
Angela Klipp
Location:
Submitted At: 4:22pm 11-15-22
I would like to submit for public record my outrage at the disgusting language used by our Mayor as outlined by the recent LA Times piece. While I appreciate the resolution brought up to speak out against the racist flyer recently passed around, I am not sure a condemnation of such public displays of racism can be believed when our Mayor is willing to use racially insensitive and derogatory language to forward his agenda.
As public officials, it is no great leap to imagine that the words you use in private may one day become public. It is a sign of your hubris to believe that a public official's repeated insensitive language will never be publicly scrutinized. And it is further hubris to believe this language doesn't speak to a willing bias against marginalized communities to progress their agenda. I humbly request that all City employees look inward as they condemn external symbols of racism and consider their own biases and the effects they have on our City. Exclusion is a poison in our community that need be expelled and I hope our officials will start within themselves.
Agenda Item: eComments for N. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION PRIOR TO ACTION Overall Sentiment
Sheila Lamb
Location:
Submitted At: 11:28am 11-15-22
As a member of the website subcommittee, I want to thank City Manager Witzansky for his forward thinking to prioritize the upgrade of the Redondo Beach website. The new website will increase residents’ access to timely information, to give feedback about important issues and increase resident participation in civic life. Residents will have greater access to important services, increased ability to pay for a wide range of permits and programs, give feedback on issues using of surveys, and through the implementation of a new search engine, residents will be able to find the information they need when they need it.
I want to also thank Luke Smude, who led the subcommittee team, for his positive engaging manner and leadership in the task of evaluating the potential web site developers. Luke created an evaluative process and web-based tool that made our decision-making task expeditious, objective, and high in quality. Our meetings began and ended on time, our work product was delivered on time, and through the entire process Luke kept the pace forward moving without seeming rushed. It is through this high-quality process that Revize was chosen as the best web site developer to serve the needs of the city and residents of Redondo Beach.
With the ability to engage residents with more resources, more information and greater understanding, this new online engagement will improve community capacity to understand local issues and empower residents to participate in their community more fully. Diverse groups can weigh in on issues that matter them. I look forward to the launching of this new website that will catapult Redondo Beach into the 21st century digital age.
Agenda Item: eComments for N.1. 22-5120 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE SELECTION OF A NEW
WEBSITE PROVIDER
APPROVE A THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH REVIZE, LLC. TO PROVIDE A NEW CITY WEBSITE AND CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR A TOTAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $120,000 AND THE TERM NOVEMBER 15, 2022 THROUGH NOVEMBER 14, 2025 WITH TWO OPTIONAL ONE-YEAR EXTENSIONS Overall Sentiment
Mark Nelson
Location:
Submitted At: 6:55pm 11-15-22
Was there a fully hosted solution that would not require any City development and would also provide discipline to the process? If not, why not? Hosted solutions have many benefits since they don't require any City labor investment.
Sheila Lamb
Location:
Submitted At: 11:29am 11-15-22
As a member of the website subcommittee, I want to thank City Manager Witzansky for his forward thinking to prioritize the upgrade of the Redondo Beach website. The new website will increase residents’ access to timely information, to give feedback about important issues and increase resident participation in civic life. Residents will have greater access to important services, increased ability to pay for a wide range of permits and programs, give feedback on issues using of surveys, and through the implementation of a new search engine, residents will be able to find the information they need when they need it.
I want to also thank Luke Smude, who led the subcommittee team, for his positive engaging manner and leadership in the task of evaluating the potential web site developers. Luke created an evaluative process and web-based tool that made our decision-making task expeditious, objective, and high in quality. Our meetings began and ended on time, our work product was delivered on time, and through the entire process Luke kept the pace forward moving without seeming rushed. It is through this high-quality process that Revize was chosen as the best web site developer to serve the needs of the city and residents of Redondo Beach.
With the ability to engage residents with more resources, more information and greater understanding, this new online engagement will improve community capacity to understand local issues and empower residents to participate in their community more fully. Diverse groups can weigh in on issues that matter them. I look forward to the launching of this new website that will catapult Redondo Beach into the 21st century digital age.
Agenda Item: eComments for N.3. 22-4947 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING RECOMMENDED
AGREEMENTS NEEDED TO REVIEW THE BEACH CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT HEALTHY LIVING CAMPUS PROJECT APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH RINCON CONSULTANTS, INC. FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW SERVICES FOR PEER
REVIEW OF THE BEACH CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT HEALTHY LIVING CAMPUS PHASE ONE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $97,108 AND THE TERM NOVEMBER 15, 2022 THROUGH NOVEMBER 14, 2023
APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH PLACEWORKS, INC. FOR PROFESSIONAL PLANNING SERVICES FOR LAND USE
ENTITLEMENT REVIEW OF THE BEACH CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT HEALTHY LIVING CAMPUS PHASE ONE PROJECT FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $119,647 AND THE TERM NOVEMBER 15, 2022 THROUGH NOVEMBER 14, 2023
APPROVE A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH BEACH CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT FOR THE COSTS OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL PEER REVIEW SERVICES, PROFESSIONAL PLANNING SERVICES, AND OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL
NEEDED TO CONSIDER THE BEACH CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT HEALTHY LIVING CAMPUS PHASE ONE PROJECT FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $316,755 AND THE TERM NOVEMBER 15, 2022 THROUGH THE DATE WHEN ALL DISCRETIONARY
ACTIONS AND ANY RELATED APPEALS INVOLVING THE PROJECT ARE CONCLUDED Overall Sentiment
Ann Wolfson
Location:
Submitted At: 6:51pm 11-15-22
Unfortunately the public has been blindsided by the proposed study and funding agreements between City of Redondo Beach and consultants, fully funded by the applicant BCHD for their massive HLC project BEFORE submitting a final project for consideration. These consultants will work closely with the City Attorney, Planning Director and BCHD and present at the Redondo Beach Planning Commission and City Council Hearings on BCHD’s HLC project, apparently in a vacuum. The details of the agreements reveal that the proposed consultant communications and work products are potentially “closed to the public” starting immediately. The reimbursement and outside legal counsel term is “Nov. 15, 2022 through the date when all discretionary actions and any related appeals are concluded.”
Why contract now, before a final project and final CUP application is submitted to the City of Redondo Beach Planning Commission?
Why rush tonight into agreements with consultants that are on the record as having dense-pack urban development stance?
We urge you, the City Council members to take the appropriate time to delve deeply into the hundreds of pages of contractual agreements, consider their scope of work, and allow for public input before being forced to make a hasty decision that may put an ill-conceived and damaging project on the fast-track.
The details of the agreements reveal that the proposed consultant communications and work products are potentially “closed to the public” starting immediately. The reimbursement and outside legal counsel term is “Nov. 15, 2022 through the date when all discretionary actions and any related appeals are concluded.” The public must have access and input to information leading up to the CUP final application submittal and hearings.
geoffrey gilbert
Location:
Submitted At: 6:18pm 11-15-22
I'm a Redondo Beach resident and have been living directly next door to the BCHD hospital campus since 1992. I have also served on the Community Working Group for the HLC until BCHD prematurely disbanded the group when community input became more intensely against the project. BCHD has, from the earliest public presentation of the project, failed to accurately describe to the public its primary intention to turn the Hospital campus into a commercial, for profit Elder Care Facility, managed and controlled by a third party developer with no oversight by the Beach City citizens and Beach City governments. For over five years BCHD has promoted the HLC as a "community" project emphasizing the gym, "aquatics center", and other "healthy" services such as PACE and Youth Center (the last three services were conjured up very recently).
The commercial business operation of the Elder Care Facility was never fully explained to the public, although if it were such a great thing for the Beach Cities, you would expect full disclosure, including a business model which BCHD has never produced. It did, however, prepare a Marketing Study focusing on the commercial viability of a ECF showing less than 30% of patients would be from OUTSIDE the Beach Cities.
The design of the buildings as brought a tidal wave of protests from surrounding residents, including those on Diamond St. where BCHD plans to demolish the Green Space between our homes and replace it with a So. Cal.
Edison electric substation with a locomotive size diesel engine (or two) and fuel to power the emergency generator for up to 72 hours. Estimates are that the above ground fuel tanks will exceed 10,000 gallons, all within 100 feet of our homes.
The details the the Electric Substation were never disclosed in the EIR which was prepared and approved by BCHD.
In conclusion, this project must not be fast tracked in any way which will avoid public and government scrutiny and approval, something BCHD has carefully planned since the onset of the project (as a member of the Community Working Group I can attest to this scheme).
Sincerely,
Geoff Gilbert
1406 Diamond St. Redondo Beach
krista allen
Location:
Submitted At: 5:12pm 11-15-22
Item N3,
RE: the discussion to contract with Beach Cities Health District to pay the City more than $316,000.00 in reimbursement fees for consultant studies.
At first glance, this scheme appears to be a Conflict of Interest.
I am concerned that the City, as the gatekeeper and approver, is considering a financial contract from BCHD as they seek City approval for BCHDs $300 million construction project.
Please remember that we do not need to rush such an agreement.
Mark Nelson
Location:
Submitted At: 10:07pm 11-10-22
The agreement between BCHD and the City fails to include the taxpayer owners of BCHD and the taxpayers of Redondo Beach. There is much language about confidentiality, attorney client privilege, etc. that serve to obscure transparency by design. Further, there are no citizens involved and we are all well aware that the consult to the City is very pro dense development from its prior work. This agreement and process was developed in the shadows and the agreements intend to keep it in the shadows - thereby assuring the need for litigation on any approvals by the City of the BCHD private, commercial Phase 1 building due to the City's lack of transparency and public participation.
Agenda Item: eComments for N.4. 22-5127 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE ADDITION OF
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION'S SCOPE OF DUTIES Overall Sentiment
Mark Nelson
Location:
Submitted At: 4:40pm 11-15-22
With regard to N.4. 22-5127 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE ADDITION OF
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION'S SCOPE OF DUTIES There is not even a rudimentary discussion or definition of "environmental policy" in the scope expansion. This proposal needs to go back to the authors and they need to provide a definitive scope of their intent. The public should not be required to GUESS.
Niki Negrete-Mitchell
Location:
Submitted At: 4:39pm 11-15-22
I definitely support having environmental scoping duties added to our Public Works commission. We obviously need it. The sheer magnitude of the C-Line (Green) Extension to Torrance project coming to a head and residents like myself feeling the pressure of trying to ensure we have the proper kind of analyses and studies to present in our own defense is just too much. There have been no channels for us to go through in order to function as a WHOLE city in a way that is so vital.
With what has happened to residential developments from lightweight maintenance activity this current Metro project sure does spell impending disaster and it is nothing short of reckless to be dismissive of this fact. It is also reckless to predict it would be perfectly safe to multiply that kind of activity x1,000 with the heaviest kind of construction one can dream of on such fragile ground. To think of all these years us homeowners being told, meh it's gonna happen, shut it with the fear mongering, it's a small price to pay for public transportation, the city will never conduct studies so don't even ask... yet 2 & 1/2 years later the sinkhole and townhome infrastructure damage brought on by routine gas pipeline maintenance still has NEVER been fixed! Why wouldn't the city think it's their duty to protect the integrity of our homes, our health and safety? Of course this is a necessity. Please get someone to do it! Thank you! Brianna Egan
Location:
Submitted At: 2:45pm 11-15-22
I am in support of adding an environmental policy scope to either Public Works or Recreation & Parks Commission. To be most effective, I think the name of the commission should be modified to reflect the added scope (e.g. Public Works & Environmental Commission or Public Works & Climate Action Commission), so that those interested in enhancing the city's environmental programs would know to apply for that specific commission.
With this added scope, the commission can attract and empower individuals engaged on climate and environmental issues. This commission can then advocate for forward-thinking projects like protected bike lanes, mobility lanes, street trees, stormwater infiltration gardens, green roofs, rainwater catchment, and enhanced greenbelts for pedestrian, cyclist, and habitat connectivity.
Agenda Item: eComments for P.1. 22-5157 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING
FLYERS RECENTLY POSTED IN REDONDO BEACH CONTAINING RACIALLY MOTIVATED HATE SPEECH Overall Sentiment
Toby Rider
Location:
Submitted At: 12:00am 11-16-22
Most unfortunate. Not surprising.
Debby Zhou
Location:
Submitted At: 5:19pm 11-15-22
I echo the comments before mine, thank you to Todd Loewenstein for bringing a referral to staff to introduce this resolution. I would also ask that Mayor Brand make a formal apology for the crude, derogatory email comments reported by LA Times this week. Regardless of the intent, the language used was demeaning and offensive.
Without acknowledgement of this, resolutions such as this one feel empty and give the impression that they're only for optics.
Mark Nelson
Location:
Submitted At: 4:50pm 11-15-22
I agree completely with Michael Sachs view - simple - condemn it and stand on the right side of morality.
With regard to the signs in question that were posted on Nextdoor, when I first saw them, I immediately thought it to be a False Flag/Wag-the-Dog operation meant to further incite divisiveness and hate. Either way - no more! Michael Sachs
Location:
Submitted At: 4:18pm 11-15-22
Keep it simple because it is- We believe there is no place for hate speech, and we condemn any form of antisemitism.
Brianna Egan
Location:
Submitted At: 3:25pm 11-15-22
As I shared during non-agenda comments last week, it's important that the city council takes a public stand condemning these racist and hateful flyers. Thank you to Todd Loewenstein for bringing a referral to staff to introduce this resolution. Let this be an earnest and not performative resolution.
This resolution is especially timely, especially in light of reporting in the LA Times this week revealing email comments written by Mayor Brand that were derogatory and racially-tinged–in which he mocked a councilmember's appearance, described the Coastal Commission as "increasingly Latino-laden," and joked about someone else's inner "angry Black woman." Often what is said in private is an honest reflection of one's beliefs.
So-called jokes about race and physical appearance can never be in good taste. I hope that Mayor Brand would disavow the language he used and recognize that his language was demeaning and offensive. There was no apology or remorse in his quotes in the LA Times piece. As much as one might consider themself to be an ally to communities of color, making racially-offensive and gendered comments in private puts it all into question, and this applies to anyone.
This moment calls for a period of self-reflection for the mayor and the council. Don't simply condemn all forms of racism and leave it at that. Look deep and examine your own biases. Apologize when you do not live up to that ideal. Make amends. Publicly disavow the network of hateful Facebook pages that attack women and people of color that have been spreading deceit and hate in Redondo for years (Redondo Chamber Unmasked, Batsh#t Crazy Redondo, D4 Deserves More than Tonya McKenzie), the latter of which grotesquely mocks AAVE. If you are affirming your commitment to an inclusive and safe culture in Redondo Beach, it starts with you.
Agenda Item: eComments for P.2. 22-5165 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION URGING THE
LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT THE GENDER EQUALITY MOVEMENT BY THE BRAVE WOMEN AND MEN OF IRAN Overall Sentiment
Michael Sachs
Location:
Submitted At: 4:14pm 11-15-22
We must do everything we can to support the protestors in Iran risking their lives. The actions of Iranian leaders must be condemned.