City Council on 2024-04-16 6:00 PM - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER Meeting Time: 04-16-24 18:00
eComments Report
Meetings Meeting
Time
Agenda
Items
Comments Support Oppose Neutral
City Council on 2024-04-16 6:00 PM -
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
04-16-24
18:00
83 88 1 80 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 2024-04-16 6:00 PM - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER 04-16-24 18:00
Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral
F.6. 24-0645 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:
New Commune DTLA, LLC v. City of Redondo Beach; City Council of the City of Redondo Beach; City of Redondo Beach Department of Community Development, et al.
Case Number: 23STCP00426
2 0 2 0
D.2. 24-0521 MAYOR'S COMMENDATION TO THE AYSO REGION 17 GIRLS U12 TEAM FOR EARNING 2024 WESTERN STATES SILVER
MEDALS
1 1 0 0
H.15. 24-0610 RECEIVE AND FILE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH LOGO
REDESIGN COMPETITION ENTRIES
3 0 1 2
J.1. 24-0598 For eComments and Emails Received from the Public 1 0 1 0 N.1. 24-0303 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE
COMPARATIVE DEPLOYMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS
PREPARED BY CITYGATE ASSOCIATES, LLC. OF THE REDONDO
BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT AS COMPARED TO THE CONSOLIDATED
FIRE DISTRICT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE ORGANIZATIONAL
ANALYSIS OF THE REDONDO BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT AND
MASTER PLAN
DIRECTION ON NEXT STEPS (IF ANY) REGARDING THE REPORTS
AND FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS
81 0 76 1
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 F.6. 24-0645 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:
New Commune DTLA, LLC v. City of Redondo Beach; City Council of the City of Redondo Beach; City of Redondo Beach Department of Community Development, et al.
Case Number: 23STCP00426
Overall Sentiment
Jennifer Schreter
Location:
Submitted At: 2:51pm 04-16-24
No reason to outsource something that will cost residents more money when we are happy with our local fire department. Very opposed.
Nitza Montelongo
Location:
Submitted At: 12:52pm 04-16-24
Just the thought of moving our fire department out of our community is unbelievable, disturbing and disgusting.
What’s next? I totally oppose to it.
Agenda Item: eComments for D.2. 24-0521 MAYOR'S COMMENDATION TO THE AYSO REGION 17 GIRLS U12 TEAM FOR EARNING 2024 WESTERN STATES SILVER MEDALS
Overall Sentiment
Daniel Elder
Location:
Submitted At: 5:25pm 04-15-24
Congratulations on incredible season! Our local youth sports programs are important for helping our kids thrive, thank you for supporting them.
Agenda Item: eComments for H.15. 24-0610 RECEIVE AND FILE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH LOGO REDESIGN COMPETITION
ENTRIES
Overall Sentiment
Niki Negrete-Mitchell
Location:
Submitted At: 4:08pm 04-16-24
Nice to see some seasoned professional and worthy submissions. Another breath of fresh air seeing some attractive art, even with too much detail for practical use but still nice to look at, but illustraions can’t be logos.
I hope we end up with something suitable and *less polarizing* than the proposed design that was met with such opposition. A seasoned designer should be able to take feedback and follow through developing further to satisfy concerns. Not enough went into their “explorations”, for instance color which was a big concern by many.
This logo is clearly important to the people who love this city and call it their hometown. It would be a shame to ignore public feedback and force something that makes so many people unhappy. Please listen and consider. Pay particular attention to the professional layouts showing different translations for across the board use.
What we the people need is a professional CREATIVE DIRECTOR to review and select finalists. That would be fair.
As for the mean comments, it’s a thing of beauty to see submissions by kids. Those commenters discredit themselves by being so mean Thanks.
Ryan Tucker
Location:
Submitted At: 12:02pm 04-16-24
No one has made a compelling argument to change the logo, other than some half-baked idea about having a little TM(Trademark) on there.
Keep hearing that a kid should be able to draw it. Pretty sure a kid could handle the current logo.
Nhbubble Bubble
Location:
Submitted At: 4:14pm 04-13-24
Clearly, you get what you paid for. The Stellen logo you paid for is still the best option. All the other submittals to this “competition” are either cheap clip art, a plagiarism/riff of the Stellen Design’s logo, or some elementary school art class crayon drawing. Yes, the mayor’s submittal and others…Enough.
Agenda Item: eComments for J.1. 24-0598 For eComments and Emails Received from the Public Overall Sentiment
Vicky Oetzell
Location:
Submitted At: 10:27am 04-16-24
CM Nils Nehrenheim needs to recuse himself from any discussion or voting about the RB Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD). He currently and worked for the LACFD for over 28 years. He is a lifeguard and has held other various positions with the LACFD. According to a Gov't Code #18701: " "A Public official has a financial interest in any source, whether an individual or an organization, from whom the official has received (or from whom the official has been promised) $500 or more in income within 12 months prior to the decision about which the official is concerned". I find it hard to imagine that Nils Nehrenheim is paid less than $500 per year from the LACFD. I've asked the City Attorney to request CM Nehrenheim's past two years of W-2 and 2024 paystubs. This is the law. It doesn't matter what position he holds with the LACFD, he is paid by them and it's against the law. I'm sure when CM Nehrenheim originally said he had no financial interest in the LACFD, he didn't know about a this code that prohibits him from discussing this issue on the city council.
Agenda Item: eComments for N.1. 24-0303 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE COMPARATIVE DEPLOYMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS PREPARED BY CITYGATE ASSOCIATES, LLC. OF THE REDONDO BEACH
FIRE DEPARTMENT AS COMPARED TO THE CONSOLIDATED FIRE DISTRICT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE REDONDO BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT
AND MASTER PLAN
DIRECTION ON NEXT STEPS (IF ANY) REGARDING THE REPORTS AND FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS Overall Sentiment
Anita Avrick
Location:
Submitted At: 5:59pm 04-16-24
fI urge the City Council to not outsource our fire department. It is not in the best interests of the residents. We have gone down this road before and spent several hundreds of thousands of dollars when it was proven before it is not what the residents wants. We need to prioritize safety first Ian Gallardo
Location:
Submitted At: 5:57pm 04-16-24
Keep the RBFD ! They do a great job . These politicians don’t tell you , it will jack up our property insurance too.
Once they shut down station 2 , there wil be no station close to anyone on the north side and our property insurance will increase . They have gotten busier over the years and I want them close in case anything happens .
Thomas Otto
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Submitted At: 5:57pm 04-16-24
i oppose this action
Diana Otto
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Submitted At: 5:56pm 04-16-24
I oppose.
Andrew Avrick
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Submitted At: 5:55pm 04-16-24
Control of emergency services should remain in the city. The idea of achieving a short term financial gain with an associated long term loss is not fiscally wise nor a decision a responsible person or group should support.
Previous studies have been performed and determined that the fire department should remain with the city. The residents of Redondo Beach do not support the concept of outsourcing a key and very necessary element of our community.
Paul Duncan
Location:
Submitted At: 5:54pm 04-16-24
I oppose the move to contract with LA County fire department. It would not benefit our community to make a decision that will result in longer response times, more expense, and less control at the local level. I hope the council will honor what clearly appears to be the will of the people of Redondo Beach.
Alana Marie
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Submitted At: 5:48pm 04-16-24
KEEP RBFD LOCAL
David Warner
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Submitted At: 5:47pm 04-16-24
Please keep our fire department local. I don’t think our city should give up control.
Denisse De
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Submitted At: 5:43pm 04-16-24
Please KEEP RBFD Local!!!
Wendy Vinzant
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Submitted At: 5:34pm 04-16-24
I urge the city council to keep the Redondo Beach Fire Department local! Susan Higgins
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Submitted At: 5:18pm 04-16-24
Keep RB Fire Department local. We have an excellent fire department with superb response times. Keep local control over public safety.
David Goodman
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Submitted At: 4:27pm 04-16-24
Outsourcing key parts of an organization (in this case fire and emergency services) seldom benefits the organization or its clients. Often promoted as a cost saving measure, it rarely achieves projected savings, while usually reducing end-user services (in this case to citizens of Redondo Beach). It is hard to see why this is being considered (particularly given the report’s findings) when there are so many other issues more deserving of Council and city management attention.
Bethany Landen
Location:
Submitted At: 3:19pm 04-16-24
This is yet another example of poor decision-making and bad managing of finances by our elected (and non elected - in the case of our never elected, only recently appointed with no input from the constituents - Mayor) leaders. They are so bad for the City and need to be held accountable.
Brenda Garcia
Location:
Submitted At: 2:40pm 04-16-24
I oppose LA County absorbing our fire department for emergency services. This is an issue that continues to come up every few years, but the community sentiment does not change- we want and need to keep our fire department local. Per the study paid for by the city, we currently have excellent response time to emergencies, infact better than the best practice measure used in the study. That will end. Less resources will inevitably mean longer wait times for all. Redondo Beach residents need to hold their local representatives accountable.
Charles Hammond
Location:
Submitted At: 2:40pm 04-16-24
No savings and less service, the counsel minority predicted this 5 years ago… and yet Nils Nehrenheim, Todd Lowenstein and Zein Obagi insisted on wasting a hundred grand on this study. It’s truly absurd how much city resources they spent on something the overwhelming majority of the residents don’t want. They are clearly unfit for public service and should resign.
Doris Donlou-Richmond
Location:
Submitted At: 1:47pm 04-16-24
Redondo Beach Fire Department has played a critical part in our RB infrastructure since the beginning of Redondo Beach in 1892 - well over 100 years. They have helped countless individuals in our city over the years, including my family who has resided in Redondo since 1936. The speed of assistance and personal care of our local Fire Dept in coming to the aid of my parents and grandparents in their twilight years has quite literally meant the difference between life and death for them time and time again. RBFD are part of the fabric of our Redondo Beach community. Ceding local control by outsourcing to LA County will pose an incredible disservice to our community and it's residents. Redondo residents have opposed this proposal time and again and this time is no different. I urge our City Council to stand with the residents and vote No on this matter once and for all so we are not saddled with a poor decision that will negatively affect our community not only now, but for generations to come.
Arnette Travis
Location:
Submitted At: 1:46pm 04-16-24
With the conclusion of Citygate Associates LLC’s analysis that examined the pros and cons of turning over to Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD), the Redondo Beach Fire Department’s (RBFD) responsibilities, services and equipment; there is no doubt that any short term benefit gained by cutting services to residents, is outweighed by expensive and without limit, long term costs. In every case in which cities have ‘gone County’, increasing costs for the services provided has occurred, even while service levels decreased.
Also beyond doubt is that RBFD would be of great benefit to LACFD, as it would be the proud owner of all equipment bought and paid for by RBFD, including the recently purchased $1MM Seagrave Capitol Fire Engine #62. LACFD would also benefit from the acquisition of fire personnel - all certified EMTs. Most of the calls RBFD receives and responds to are medical emergencies, and RBFD’s quick response times and immediate medical attention are often the difference between life and death. There is no guarantee that LACFD will have these personnel available whenever Redondo residents make the call.
Putting aside the cost/benefit factors, one thing stands out as a primary reason we must keep our fire department local: ISO ratings. ISO is an agency that “collects information on a community’s public fire protection”... . RBFD has a Class 1 rating, while LACFD has either a Class 2 or 3 rating, which varies based on the many communities in its’ service area.
As one resident says: “ Pay more to get less? Absolutely not. Keep RBFD local! NO to LA County Fire!
AMANDA RILEY
Location:
Submitted At: 1:22pm 04-16-24
Has the idea of a South Bay area fire department been considered recently ? (RB, MB, HB and Hawthorne?) How have Hermosa Beach residents been impacted by their change to the County FD? Jennifer Goldstein
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Submitted At: 1:14pm 04-16-24
Please, please do not do this. We have been down this road too many times and spent too much of our money just to get the same results. Redondo residents DO NOT want this!! Keep our Fire Department local! Raymur Flinn
Location:
Submitted At: 12:31pm 04-16-24
I urge council to oppose a merger with LA County Fire. Redondo prides itself on its independence. A merger is the antithesis of independent and bad for residents. Please keep our local fire department.
Steve Randall
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Submitted At: 12:19pm 04-16-24
.....
Ryan Tucker
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Submitted At: 11:57am 04-16-24
oppose this proposal to transition fire services over to LA County Fire.
Michael Do
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Submitted At: 11:21am 04-16-24
I adamantly oppose the idea of removing our local FD and contracting with LA County. Why is this even up for discussion (again)? It passes no concept of logic:
RB Resident Dissatisfaction w/Current Service Level: NO L.A. County Option Would Offer Better/Broader Services: NO L.A. County Option Would Offer Faster Response Times: NO L.A. County Would Result In A More Cost Effective Option: NO I want RB City Council to 1) be transparent about what the motive/driver is behind this proposal if the above does not pass muster, 2) explain to residents why this has yet to be put to bed after wasting years of time/money continuing to discuss it, 3) explain the fiscally irresponsible decision to put a $ million dollar fire engine into service last year knowing that they may be now voting to contract with LA County and 4) RESPONSIBLY RECUSE THEMSELVES IF ANY VOTING MEMBER(S) MAY HAVE A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST! Erika Snow Robinson
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Submitted At: 11:13am 04-16-24
KEEP RBFD LOCAL! So…y’all want us to save a buck now for a FUTURE of burdens (not very much) later? What about the RB RESIDENTS NOT wanting this do Mr. Light, NEHRENHEIM, Obagi, and Loewenstein NOT understand? From the lack of “get out the word,” it’s ALMOST like this cabal of four (five?) on our city council didn’t want residents to know that this MAJOR decision was being discussed tonite (thankfully Paige K DID let residents know!). NEHRENHEIM shoudn’t even be allowed to discuss this since his EMPLOYER is LA COUNTY FIRE DEPT. On what planet is this NOT a conflict of interest? STOP this nonsense. DO NOT pursue making RBFD go to LACo Fire. We all know the next thing LA County manages correctly would be THE FIRST thing LA County manages correctly and it’s not going to be our piddly fire department in their grand scheme of things once they get ahold of it. Our community would suffer physically (via level of service ESP in times of emergency) and FISCALLY by being at the mercy of the behemoth that is LA COUNTY. Stop acting in your own personal best interests and START doing what is RIGHT and in the BEST INTEREST for Redondo RESIDENTS. Make decisions that WE WANT instead of whatever scheme y’all are concocting behind the scenes for your own personal gains. This is LUDICROUS and NOT the best decision for Redondo. Though I dare say that should y’all make the switch to LACo Fire happen, I would gleefully watch as the ENTIRETY of Redondo FINALLY united together to oust almost every single one of you from our city council and the mayoral seat. (AND would finally be awake to the shenanigans that MANY of us have watched Brand’s Army members like Light, Loewenstein, Nehrenheim - and now Obagi - participate in for decades).
Hanh Archer
Location:
Submitted At: 10:50am 04-16-24
Redondo residents have repeatedly opposed this proposal to contract fire services to LA County Fire Department. Maintaining local fire services within our City is prioritizing public safety first and in the best interest of our residents. I urge the Council to vote No on this matter. To do so otherwise is a contradiction to our self described city as a “full-service city with its own police, fire and public works departments, two public libraries, a performing arts center, 113 acres of parks, parkettes and playgrounds, a large recreational and commercial harbor including King Harbor, a 1,500-slip private craft port…” Diane Lewis
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Submitted At: 10:41am 04-16-24
I definitely wish to keep our Fire Department local as do my neighbors on my block and surrounding streets in District 4...isn't it your job to carry out the wishes of residents. This has been voted on in the past, to keep the FD local ...why are you bringing it up again and again and again...
Vicky Oetzell
Location:
Submitted At: 10:32am 04-16-24
I am against the RBFD being disbanded and going to Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD). It will eventually be more costly to our city, we will loose control of our high class firefighters and their dedicated quick action. HB went to county due to financial reasons, which we don't have any financial need at this time. But, in the future if we go to county, we might have financial problems. Do NOT go to county.
Ronni Do
Location:
Submitted At: 10:23am 04-16-24
We need and love our local fire department! It makes no sense of why we would or should outsource to LA county! Not sure why this keeps coming up but hoping this will end this discussion for good! Please keep our fire department local and let’s focus on how our city can make money to improve our entire city! Lisa Yacoubian
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Submitted At: 9:19am 04-16-24
I strongly oppose moving our fire services over to LA county. We must keep our fire services within our city.
John Aguilera
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Submitted At: 8:24am 04-16-24
We oppose this proposal to transition fire services over to LA County Fire.
Chandra Read
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Submitted At: 7:39am 04-16-24
I don’t know which is known for its stellar service with our community. Do not take away this lovely advantage we have and safeguard for our community.
Michael Ude
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Submitted At: 6:53am 04-16-24
I strongly oppose moving our fire dept to LA County. Redodno must keep their own resources and history of outstanding service to our community.
Peter Aziz
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Submitted At: 6:53am 04-16-24
The council majority constantly ignores Residents' will, specifically on this critical issue. The residents have expressed repeatedly that they are not interested in revisiting this issue to move our fire department to LA County.
There is no benefit to this, and what are the costs when the council majority has bankrupted the city? Vote no to County and yes to LOCAL CONTROL of our Fire Department.
Minh Nguyen
Location:
Submitted At: 11:57pm 04-15-24
Having a local dedicated fire department is one of the main reasons we moved to Redondo Beach as we used to live in a city where we had LAFD.
As residents of Redondo Beach - we want to keep our fire department local. We would vote to keep Redondo Beach Fire Department instead of outsourcing to Los Angeles County.
Sondra Segall
Location:
Submitted At: 11:32pm 04-15-24
Moving to county would mean higher costs; lower staffing levels; losing our Class I rating; and irrevocably sending our equipment and personnel to a giant bureaucracy from which we could never afford to buy it back. And for what? It doesn't save money - it would cost more for lower staffing levels.
Jeanne Sinsheimer
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Submitted At: 10:48pm 04-15-24
I recommend we keep RBFD local. LA County will not put the needs of Redondo Beach first. Please vote no.
Glen Kau
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Submitted At: 10:27pm 04-15-24
While there maybe initial savings, within a few years the savings will be gone and the contract increases will be coming. Check with any city that uses LA County safety services and you'll see the increases that are passed along to the residences. Please keep the Redondo Beach Fire Department a city sponsored service. I've for cities that use County services and they wish they could go back. Thank you.
Robert Casillas
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Submitted At: 10:04pm 04-15-24
Keep RBFD local, it’s what’s best for this community! Vote NO on contracting from County Sujei Sierra
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Submitted At: 9:54pm 04-15-24
Please vote NO on contracting with LAFD! Keep RBFD local, there are no benefits to the alternative. We will have less dedicated staff here in the city, it will cost more money, and we lose control over the performance of the department. Please vote no!!!
Katie Vorsilak
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Submitted At: 9:23pm 04-15-24
Why would we pay more for people who are not as invested in our community as our local firefighters? This is a bad idea.
Kate Hairrell
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Submitted At: 8:45pm 04-15-24
Please keep RB Fire department local! I stand with so many other residents, we are so fortunate to have our services local. Nothing positive about the proposed change. Keep RB Fire department local! Matt Puterbaugh
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Submitted At: 8:41pm 04-15-24
Keep Redondo Beach fire department local! The only benefit would be that the firefighters would be eligible for more overtime, there is no cost benefit to Redondo. It is understandable the firefighters want higher pay, it should only be done if everybody benefits, not just a select view. We have an outstanding fire department that should be compensated accordingly. By losing our local fire department, people will have longer wait times when they call 911 and it is potentially life-threatening. Please do the right thing and keep our fire department local. It makes no sense to pay more to get less. Keep Redondo Beach fire department! Ashley Hingley
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Submitted At: 8:32pm 04-15-24
I value the Redondo Beach firefighters and first responders. I have had personal experience with them ariving at our home within five minutes to help our son who was having an emergency health need. Please maintain our highly qualified and extremely responsive firefighters and first responders. The are quick to respond and extremely professional. My father had a similar need just outside of our town and it took the county responders 30 minutes to respond. The response time can be a life or death difference. Please continue to fund our fire department and RB emergency responders. A fire department so close to our home is one of the main reasons why we chose to live in Redondo Beach. The beach cities all share DMV services with our neighboring cities. I want you all to think about your experiences at these shared DMV locations. A simple drivers license renewal took me over three trips and a total of 4 hours to resolve. A renewal is a three step process and the shared DMV response time was a over an hour a task. Please let that sink in and think about your child having a medical emergency or a fire that requires a quick response.
Andre Leroux
Location:
Submitted At: 8:23pm 04-15-24
It is critical to keep our Redondo Beach Fire Department. Once we lose local control, we can never regain it. It would be cost prohibited to even consider return to local control.
Local control is crucial for fire departments because it ensures quick response times tailored to each community's needs. By being situated within their areas, firefighters can swiftly reach emergencies, minimizing damage.
Tailoring services to local risks, whether it's wildfires in rural areas or high-rise fires in cities, enhances effectiveness. Moreover, local control fosters community engagement, enabling firefighters to educate residents on fire prevention and disaster preparedness. It also ensures accountability and transparency in resource allocation, with residents having a say in decision-making. This autonomy allows fire departments to adapt swiftly to new challenges, such as investing in updated equipment or adjusting staffing levels. Furthermore, it promotes cultural sensitivity, ensuring emergency responses are inclusive and respectful of community norms. Overall, local control empowers fire departments to provide efficient, community-oriented services, enhancing public safety and resilience.
Charlie Ball
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Submitted At: 8:18pm 04-15-24
Why should we spend more money for worse services, and needlessly degrade quality of life for everyone in Redondo Beach? Keep our local FD!!
Nico Acosta
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Submitted At: 7:45pm 04-15-24
Absolutely not. This is a hard-to-reverse decision to fix something that is not broken. Let's build forward not backward.
Mariam Butler
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Submitted At: 7:38pm 04-15-24
Now that the study is done, we can rest assured knowing the local RB fire department can stay local! It makes sense financially both short and long term. We don’t want worse service for more money. Local control is always better. Keep RBFD local!!
Tonya McKenzie
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Submitted At: 6:55pm 04-15-24
There is no good reason to continue to revisit something that the residents have stated over and over again that they did not want to see happen. Other than those that have ulterior motives, there is no support for getting rid of our fire department. Drop this terrible idea and move on to doing something positive for the city.
Dixie Duncan
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Submitted At: 6:40pm 04-15-24
I oppose contracting with Los Angeles County Fire. Please keep Redondo Beach Fire Department local.
Kim Binegar
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Submitted At: 6:22pm 04-15-24
Loss of control will negatively impact our quality of service, response times, and level of service. Not the right move for our great community.
Tara James
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Submitted At: 6:18pm 04-15-24
Strongly oppose eliminating RBFD and contracting LA County.
Jennifer Embler
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Submitted At: 5:38pm 04-15-24
Keep RB fire local
Alisa Beeli
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Submitted At: 5:37pm 04-15-24
Clearly there is overwhelming resident support to keep our beloved Class 1 Redondo Beach Fire Department local. If resident support is not enough reason to keep our fire department intact, then please adhere to the findings in the $97K Citygate study. The study states that “…a contract with County-fire is more expensive for fewer personnel on duty in the City limits considering the reduction of a three-firefighter engine company”. This engine and 3-firefighter staff elimination would be taken from the North Redondo station on Grant Ave. Why would we consider DECREASING the number of engines and fire personnel on duty in North Redondo, particularly when there are plans to INCREASE housing and density in the same part of the city? This makes no sense. City Council, you have done your due diligence and now it is time to put this matter to rest. Keep our fire department local. It’s what the residents want, it’s fiscally responsible and it’s likely the safer route as well.
Daniel Elder
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Submitted At: 5:35pm 04-15-24
Local control over public safety is important to our community. Outsourcing them should have very clear benefits to our community but there's not even a financial benefit based on the results in this study.
Betsy Pioletti
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Submitted At: 5:14pm 04-15-24
I oppose any action that would cause Redondo Beach to lose its local fire department. It is not financially sound Ana Mendoza
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Submitted At: 4:40pm 04-15-24
I absolutely OPPOSE this change. We want our own Fire Department and especially not sharing it with this LA County.
Theresa Cannon
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Submitted At: 4:39pm 04-15-24
Please do not do this. It is shortsighted. We will lose local control and jeopardize our excellent fire department.
Please vote NO.
George Bradbury
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Submitted At: 3:21pm 04-15-24
I am not sure why this is coming back again, the answer before was no, and continues to be no. I opposed eliminating RBFD, or moving to LA County.
Thank you
Sandy Marchese
Location:
Submitted At: 2:36pm 04-15-24
Having a Fire Department that is dedicated to our city is important. Should there be a major event (earthquake or other event) having our own Fire Department will be important. There will not be the need of a Fire Department deciding which City is more important to help. Additionally, if fire personnel and equipment are located outside our City the delay in getting to a problem can be detrimental. Minutes are important when life and property are at stake. As a property owner having our own Fire Department is important on why I live in this city. Additionally, this is a big decision. Choosing to go to a County plan it is highly unlikely that it can ever be reversed! Also our City Fire Department reports to our City and answers to our City officials. We will lose control of accountability if we transfer to L.A. County.
Yamina Jordan
Location:
Submitted At: 2:02pm 04-15-24
Dear Council Members and Redondo Beach Residents;
Our local Fire Department makes our families the priority, by responding rapidly, 24/7, and within minutes of receiving a call for help. This beautiful community prides itself on quality, cleanliness, and safety. We pay higher property taxes, rents, and due to increasing population density - those rates are increasing steadily. A major benefit of living in this residential community is knowing that your local fire and police departments are just minutes away. Furthermore, the South Bay is very inclusive. We all know each other and have grown up here.
With so many new residents entering and Senior Citizens who have lived here their entire lives, how would the city propose taking away the very foundational Service Men, which we rely on every day to keep us safe? The local Redondo Beach Fire Departments are made of our own family members, which our community of affluent peoples have become accustomed to trusting with their/ our lives. To consider these Men of Service as replaceable, poses a great insult to the very history of where we live - furthermore, it marks steps towards destroying what future is ahead.
Our local Redondo Beach Fire Departments are irreplaceable. Do not make the mistake of considering otherwise.
A bold decision such as this, will cause current residents to mistrust the direction of our local government. This is not Los Angeles. We live in beautiful Redondo Beach; a destination. A place where people flock to year round, for peace, calmness, fresh ocean, night life, and good vibes. Changing any part of it would be a mistake.
Sincerely,
Resident & and First Time (local) Home Buyer
Paul Moses
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Submitted At: 1:53pm 04-15-24
I am in strong opposition to any changes in the status of our Redondo Beach Fire Department. Residents demand that the Redondo Beach Fire Department remain under local control. The City Council should take no action on this item. Redondo residents want to maintain local control over fire department budgets, facilities and equipment. Any change in the status of the Redondo Beach Fire Department is unwarranted and did not originate from the community. Redondo residents overwhelmingly support our local fire department and want to keep their services under local control. Any change in the status of the Redondo Beach Fire Department is against the will of Redondo residents.
Jessica Mentesoglu
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Submitted At: 1:50pm 04-15-24
I echo many of my fellow residents' comments and would advise caution in moving RBFD to LA County. The attached reports provide a lot of information that really need greater review and consideration by all residents before any actions are taken.
Cynthia Burgess
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Submitted At: 1:42pm 04-15-24
Even if there is a cost savings to moving from our local RB fire department to the County, I would be opposed.
Some things are worth paying for.
Lisa Rodriguez
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Submitted At: 1:28pm 04-15-24
I am writing to OPPOSE any action that would cause Redondo Beach to lose its local fire department for the reasons:
1. It is not financially feasible
2. It will not be an improvement to our current services Steve Goldstein
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Submitted At: 12:37pm 04-15-24
There is NO WAY we should consider outsourcing our Class 1 Rated RB Fire Department. We would end up paying more for a lower quality of service. I stand with the majority of voters who are vehemently opposed to this action. Thank you.
Cee-Cee Murphy
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Submitted At: 12:17pm 04-15-24
I am unequivocally against farming out our beloved and valued local FD to LA County. The fact this is coming back up again (after John Gran’s analysis years ago that this would neither be cost effective NOR for the best benefit of the City for many reasons) concerns me. It will cost more for the City to have LA Fire involved and yet we will get less (loss of an engine and personnel). This smacks of special interest involvement. At the very least at I hope this goes to a vote of The People and I hope the D1 Councilman/employee of LA County Lifeguards recuses himself. The appearance of impropriety does not go unnoticed.
Ron Iacopucci
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Submitted At: 12:06pm 04-15-24
My wife and I both oppose consolidating RBFD with any other fire departments. The RBFD has served this community extremely well over the decades! In the long run consolidating RBFD with any LA County Fire Department will cost our city more money,more problems, having to deal with a less efficient Fire Department and a drop in property values. Let's keep this great Fire Department local!! - Sincerely, Ron & Valerie Iacopucci Marie Puterbaugh
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Submitted At: 11:35am 04-15-24
First, do you think perhaps soliciting feedback from residents as Paige did would have been helpful? Looking at your social media accounts, it appears you ask more about the logo versus important decisions like who should be mayor and keeping our fire department local. By doing so, it looks like you do not value feedback, rather you hope to be able to make decisions without resident input. The Redondo Beach Fire Department is designated as a Class 1 Fire Department by the Insurance Services Office. Less than 1% of all fire departments in the country receive a Class 1 rating. There appears to be no cost savings from losing our own fire department. I believe at one time the argument was Redondo was an inferior work environment, and it was beneficial to fire fighters to make the move, but is that the case? Also, if Nils is employed by the Los Angeles County Fire Department per his LinkedIn page, doesn't that create a conflict of interest? If Christian, Paige, Laura had a similar conflict, would Todd, Nils and Zein make a case that they should recuse themself? It is very unsettling that if Paige had not emailed the community, this could have happened under the radar as there has been zero communication about an issue that impacts so many residents. Please Redondo City Council, can you at least try to do the right thing and solicit ample resident input (like you are doing for the logo) before making these decisions? Why do you not do so? It almost appears like you don't want to know what residents want so you can accomplish your own agenda. I hope I am wrong, but it is extremely unsettling we have to advocate for spending less to have a superior fire department. Any other sane City Council would make the obvious choice and keep the fire department local.
Kimberly Halloran
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Submitted At: 10:32am 04-15-24
My husband and I both oppose eliminating RBFD. Living in a city with its own fire and police departments was the number 1 requirement/consideration in purchasing a home. As tax payors without children, we feel we are getting our tax dollars' worth by having our own city safety departments. Redondo Beach would not have been considered as a place to purchase, if it relied on county services. PLEASE don't take away the major reason we bought our home. We have attended meetings in the past when this idea was first mentioned and wish we could be there in person on the 16th. Our voices may be heard but, they are never considered. I feel the council has its own agenda -- we elected you to represent us and we our counting on you to keep RBFD; we would rather pay higher city taxes than lose RBFD. Thank you. Kim and Rich Halloran James Vita
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Submitted At: 9:44am 04-15-24
Look at LA County’s incompetence with their out of control Sheriff’s Department and Homeless Authority and say we should be comfortable with letting them run our Fire Department. Why do this when it will cost more in the long run. Our excellent Firefighters do a fantastic job. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I would like to know who is responsible for bringing this up over and over again and what is their motive? John Nguyen
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Submitted At: 9:43am 04-15-24
This is such a terrible idea. Who keeps bringing this up for discussion? We need to keep our fire department in local control and not outsource to LA County. We see how LA County Sheriff is doing, and we don't need anything like that in our city. Please stop bringing this up for discussion.
Carol Persinger
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Submitted At: 9:35am 04-15-24
Why does this subject keep coming up for debate? The residents of RB have repeatedly said they want the Fire Department to stay local. If it costs more money, vote NO. Why on earth would the City Council want to spend MORE to outsource services? Shouldn’t that money be used within our community? karen Rock
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Submitted At: 8:34am 04-15-24
I have paid attention to this issue for years. I strongly support keeping the Fire Department local. KEEP the Redondo Beach Fire Department and please stop spending more money on this issue.
Jaime Streem
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Submitted At: 8:25am 04-15-24
Keep our FD local!
Karan Millan
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Submitted At: 7:49am 04-15-24
No more analysis. We want our Fire Department to be LOCAL. This is as true now as it was back 2019 when it was voted 3-2 to not go any further with a study looking at the feasibility of merging its Fire Department with Los Angeles County. Leave our Redondo Beach Fire Department alone.
LOREN BLUMBERG
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Submitted At: 5:59am 04-15-24
I am a long-time Redondo Beach resident. I vehemently oppose the elimination of the Redondo Beach City Fire Department. We need to keep our current staffing levels. The city is not reducing the city population. We are growing. Contracting with the LA County Fire Department would not offer the level of service our residents need and deserve. Thank you for considering my comment.
Karen Yoder
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Submitted At: 10:00pm 04-14-24
Please keep RB Fire Department. I do not want to see our fire department replaced with LA County Fire department.
Grace Peng
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Submitted At: 9:14pm 04-14-24
Why should we pay more for less service?
Why take on heavier pension obligations than we currently have? Let's remain independent and use the millions of dollars saved towards modernizing and expanding Station 2.
Station 2, serving North RB and making the most service calls is also the smallest at 3,000 sf.
Station 1, serving South RB, is the largest at 5,600 sf.
Our city plans to put most of the new housing in NRB, thus, we desperately need money to modernize & expand Station 2.
We don't need to spend money joining LACFD. We need the money right here, in NRB.
Eric Andrews
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Submitted At: 8:28pm 04-14-24
When my parent's house on Fisk Lane in North Redondo caught on fire a few years ago, the fire department was there in about 3 minutes. From the time we heard the sirens on Grant Ave to the time they arrived, it was 3 minutes. An electric lawnmower spontaneously caught fire while charging. The company's recommended idle state was plugged in and charging. We followed the instructions. If the fire department was further away, part of a consolidated LA County station, we would have been forced to wait longer and the house would have been lost.
That's why we have separate Fire, Police, Schools, and other departments, so we can give our city special attention. I suspect that debt and pensions are driving this conversation, but this is a bad idea. FInd another way.
Tammy Skeath
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Submitted At: 8:06pm 04-14-24
Do not vote to eliminate our Redondo beach fire department to join with LA county. This is bad for Redondo beach residents. Our town deserves our own fire department and nothing good will come to our residents by joining the ever bureaucratic and inefficient LA county.
Linda Marr
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Submitted At: 9:03am 04-14-24
This is ridiculous. RB fire needs to remain local. Getting involved in the LA County only means we will drain our resources without getting anything valuable in return. MOST of the Beach cities have chosen to remain local for good reason. The Council has a reputation for bully-voting agendas through 3-2. I hope it does not happen here as it will severely hurt Redondo Beach.