BLUE FOLDER ITEM
Blue folder items are additional back up material to administrative reports and/or public comments received after the printing and distribution of the agenda packet for receive and file.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 9, 2024
H.12 INTRODUCE BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. 3272-24, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING SECTIONS 2-
9.201 THROUGH 2-9.303, AND SECTIONS 2-9.1101 THROUGH 2-9.1203 OF THE
REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE HISTORICAL, PRESERVATION, LIBRARY, AND RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSIONS, AND ADDING SECTIONS 2-
9.1501 THROUGH 2-9.1503 REGARDING THE CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC AMENITIES COMMISSION. FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING.
CONTACT: LUKE SMUDE, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
From: Colin
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2024 1:10 PM
To: Gary Margolis <[email protected]>; Gary Margolis <[email protected]> Cc: Elizabeth Hause <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Reorganization of City Commissions
CAUTION: Email is from an external source; Stop, Look, and Think before opening attachments or links.
Hello Mr. Margolis and Ms. Hause.
Thank you for the email letting me know about tonight's City Council meeting, and the consent calendar item that seeks Council approval to consolidate certain City Commissions. First, let me say that I am opposed to this consolidation. As you both know, City Commissioners serve on the commissions voluntarily and do not charge the city for their time or volunteer efforts. City staff is paid, as well as the Mayor and Council members.Before the City considers the cost of staff to oversee these commissions, it should also calculate the time invested by citizen volunteers in these commissions and their volunteer efforts. Many are professionals, and professionals charge money when they work.
When Bill Brand was Mayor, it was his goal to fill as many seats on commissions as he could. Bill favored public participation. We all know his time ran out. This attempt to eliminate commissions is directly in conflict with what Bill did all the years he was Mayor. Bill sought public participation on city commissions and I don't think you would find him advocating elimination of commissions. You can label this latest move by Jim Light a consolidation, but really, it is elimination of public participation by Jim Light. Let me be quite frank about this latest Jim Light maneuver: I do not think there's been any public outcry about these commissions being unnecessary. Let's remember that Jim Light is not an elected Mayor. He was only appointed on a split 3-2 vote of the Council after his friends got up and lied to the Council that Bill Brand said he wanted Jim Light to appoint him as Mayor after Bill passed. Jim Light was not Bill's choice to succeed him as Mayor. I know. I was Bill's lawyer for the last seven years of his life and not once did Bill ever suggest his replacement be Jim Light. Bill had someone else in mind. We spoke daily, and usually multiple times a day. That person's identity is not really at issue now because the appointment has been made. He (Light) ran twice for the District 1 Council seat and lost both times. This should tell you that he is out of touch with the public. Additionally, Jim Light was appointed to the Public Works Commission years ago, and when he did not like it, he quit.
I did make comments last week to you both, and I noticed that my comments were not included in the staff report submitted for tonight's agenda. What's really appalling in this latest act of eliminating public participation in city affairs, is the dismissive manner in which this decision is going to be made - on the consent calendar. No one at City Hall could be bothered to put this on as a public hearing. Really ? -----Original Message-----
From: Gary Margolis <[email protected]>
Sent: Jul 8, 2024 11:35 AM
To: Gary Margolis <[email protected]>
Cc: Elizabeth Hause <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Reorganization of City Commissions
Hello CommissionersI’m following up on the email below.
As shown below, at its meeting tomorrow tonight (July 9), City Council will consider a proposal to amend the Municipal Code to merge four city commissions (including the Historical Commission) into one new commission. This item is currently scheduled as a Consent Item. That means that it will not be discussed unless a council member or a member of the public requests that it be “pulled” from the consent agenda and discussed. If you click on the link below (24- 119), you’ll find letters in opposition to the proposal submitted by the Library Commission and the Recreation and Park Commission. If you want council to know how you feel about this proposed change, you should attend and speak at tomorrow’s meeting. This is the “first reading” of the ordinance, so technically, the item will return to council one more time, but expressing your opinions tomorrow would be ideal. Consent items are considered early in the agenda, so you shouldn’t have to wait a long time to speak.
24-1119 H.12. Consent
Item
INTRODUCE BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. 3272-24, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING SECTIONS 2-9.201 THROUGH 2-9.303, AND SECTIONS 2-9.1101 THROUGH 2-9.1203 OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE HISTORICAL, PRESERVATION, LIBRARY, AND RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSIONS, AND ADDING SECTIONS 2-9.1501 THROUGH 2-9.1503 REGARDING THE CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC AMENITIES COMMISSION. FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Gary
From: Gary Margolis
Sent: Monday, July 1, 2024 5:35 PM
To: Gary Margolis <[email protected]>
Cc: Elizabeth Hause <[email protected]>
Subject: Reorganization of City Commissions
Hello CommissionersBecause your last two meetings had to be cancelled due to lack of quorums, you have been unable to discuss City Council’s proposed reorganization of city commissions. Specifically, the proposal calls for the elimination of the following 4 commissions and the creation of 1 new commission to assume the duties and responsibilities of the four commissions to be eliminated.
Proposed commissions to be eliminated:
1. Historical
2. Historic Preservation
3. Library
4. Recreation & Park
Proposed new commission:
Pubic Amenities
Details about the reorganization can be found at the link below.
HI24-1037 J.2. Discussion
Items
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE RESPONSE TO CITY COUNCIL’S ACTION REGARDING CONSOLIDATION OF CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROCESS TO CANCEL
COMMISSION MEETINGS
City Council will probably make a final decision on the proposal at its July 16 meeting. If you would like to send me any comments you have on this topic, I’ll prepare a memo to the Mayor and City Council on your behalf combining the comments I receive from all of you. Please send me your comments by this Friday, July 5.
Of course, you are always free to communicate with elected officials directly if you prefer.
Happy 4th!
Thank you,
Gary
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