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MOMENT IN REDONDO BEACH HISTORY
July 2024
BACKGROUND
As voted at the September 18, 2019 regular meeting of the Redondo Beach Historical Commission, a brief item of Redondo Beach historical interest would be included as part of our commission meetings. Starting at the April 21, 2021, the Moment of History became the Albert P. Arizmendez Moment in Redondo Beach History in honor and memory of Albert P. Arizmendez, who served as the Chairperson of the Historical Commission from 2017- 2020.
The last Moment in Redondo Beach History on the Historical Commission agenda was for the April 19, 2023 meeting.
THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
On April 26, 1965, the Redondo Beach City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1882 creating a Historical Commission. On July 16, 2024, almost sixty years later, the Redondo Beach City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3274- 24, dissolving the Historical Commission on September 30, 2024, but including it as part of the newly formed Public Amenities Commission.
The Historical Commission is the " oldest" commission not specifically described in the Charter ( in 1997, by vote of the public, Article XV of the Charter was amended authorizing the City Counsel to create by ordinance any number of commissions as in its judgment may be required to promote the interests of the City of Redondo Beach...").
The first Commissioners, appointed at the April 26, 1965 meeting, were: Mrs.
Frank Perry for a one- year term; Mrs. Lillian M. Sweetser for a two- year term; Mr.
Andy Colmer for a three-year term; and Mr. Foster Day for a four-year term.
Mayor Czuleger appointed Foster Day as the initial Chairperson. On May 10, 1965, Mr. Theo Eichorst was also appointed to a four- year term. As described in Ordinance No. 1882, there were to be five commissioners on the Historical Commission. That number was increased to seven in 1967; increased again to ten in 1976; and reduced to its current size of seven in 1997.
The first Historical Commission meeting was held on July 14, 1965, at the Golden Hull Restaurant on the Horseshoe Pier. City Manager F. E. Hopkins called the meeting to order. A quorum was present.
On April 17, 1967, Ordinance No. 1933, placed the Historical Commission in Title 2 of the Municipal Code — adding it as Chapter 9 - and increased its membership roster from five to seven persons.
Between 1965 and 2024 there have been about 700 meetings calendared and about 100 commissioners appointed. While it is likely that no Historical Commission meeting was ever cancelled during that time for lack of business, the commitment, vision, and dedication by these Commissioners, past and present, helped make Redondo Beach a better community.
compiled by Ron Maroko, Historical Commissioner 2019- 2023; Chairperson 2020- 2023.