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
JANUARY 20, 2026
J.1 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
• PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
From: Khatirah Nazif
To: Khatirah Nazif
Subject: FW: PUBLIC COMMENT - PRIVATE CLUB NON-DISCRIMINATION ON PUBLIC COASTAL ZONE LAND Fwd: CPRA Request
Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 12:59:25 PM
From: Mark Nelson (Home Gmail) <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2026 1:21 PM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>
Cc: Joy Ford <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Scott Behrendt <[email protected]>; Zein Obagi <[email protected]>; James Light <[email protected]>
Subject: PUBLIC COMMENT - PRIVATE CLUB NON-DISCRIMINATION ON PUBLIC COASTAL ZONE LAND Fwd: CPRA Request
CAUTION: Email is from an external source; Stop, Look, and Think before opening attachments or links.
Public Comment Mayor and Council:
I'm concerned that the private California Surf club's membership process may be in violation of California law and rulings. I'm even MORE CONCERNED that the City has NO documents that demonstrate that the Surf Club is fully compliant. I realize a number of lawyers have been spanked for using AI for legal research, but I'm a mere property owner and AI subscriber with no limitations on AI use. The way that I read this, the Surf Club seems non-compliant and the City caused the noncompliance by failing to enforce state law and legal precedents.
None of us like having the City get sued, so perhaps the City needs to take a more proactive approach on this contract and lease from the prior City Attorney.
A plain English reading of the arbitrary restrictions on membership (see below) in a Coastal Zone publicly leased facility appear to restrict access for membership to "south bay" residents and a host of other arbitrary conditions. First come, first serve must be required on Coastal Zone leases. Agree? And if not, what analysis does the City have to contradict Coastal Act by affirmatively allowing a lessee to limit coastal access?
In
California
, a private club generally cannot use discriminatory or arbitrary membership selection processes if it utilizes leased public facilities, especially within the California Coastal Zone.
1. The "Business Establishment" Rule (Unruh Act)
The Unruh Civil Rights Act (Civil Code § 51) prohibits all "business establishments" from discriminating based on race, sex, religion, and other protected characteristics.
Expansion to Private Clubs: The California Supreme Court ruled in Warfield v.
Peninsula Golf & Country Club (1995) that most private clubs are considered "business establishments" if they engage in commercial activities, such as hosting non-member events or receiving significant revenue from business activities.
Arbitrary Selection: The Unruh Act prohibits "arbitrary discrimination," meaning clubs cannot use subjective or "vague" criteria to exclude individuals based on protected status.
2. Use of Public Facilities and Land
Leasing public land or using government facilities triggers additional antidiscrimination mandates:
Government Code § 11135: Prohibits discrimination in any program or activity that is conducted by the state, funded by the state, or receives financial assistance from the state.
State Action: Under the "state action" doctrine, a private entity leasing public property may be legally viewed as an extension of the state. Because the state itself cannot discriminate, it cannot lease land to a club that does.
3. Coastal Zone Specifics (Jonathan Club Ruling)
The California Coastal Commission has specific authority to regulate membership policies for clubs in the Coastal Zone.
Development Permits: In the landmark case Jonathan Club v. California Coastal Commission, the court upheld the Commission's power to require a club to pledge it would not discriminate as a condition for receiving a development permit on leased public beach property.
Public Access Mandate: The California Coastal Act mandates "maximum public access" to the coast. Any exclusionary membership practice on public coastal land is viewed as a violation of this core mandate.
Summary of Legal Constraints
Factor Legal Constraint
Club Type Most social clubs are "business establishments" subject to the Unruh Act.
Public Leases Leases often contain anti-discrimination clauses; even if missing, state law prohibits discrimination on state-funded/leased property.
Coastal Zone The Coastal Commission can mandate non-discriminatory membership as a permit condition.
Arbitrary
Committees
Membership committees cannot use selection processes that result in arbitrary discrimination against protected groups.
From the Surf Club membership publications
A social club designed for work and play.
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Please find the available memberships below, along with corresponding amenities, rates, and privileges. Please note that Memberships may be limited due to a maximum quantity of memberships set to ensure the tranquility and comfort of the California Surf Club. For this reason, all membership applications will be time-stamped and considered as such. 131443787_m_normal_none.png
Classic Membership
Standard Membership
The Classic Membership is our standard membership package, which is currently on Waiting List Status. This membership is for those that want to participate in the energy and stoke of the club, and enjoy the amenities of membership. Classic Memberships Phase I & Phase II are both Sold Out, and Phase III Membership is currently in Waiting List Status. Thank you for your patience as we begin to open membership approvals up this month.
Apply Now
See Amenities & Pricing
JUNIOR Membership
Accepting Applications
Very important to the value system of the California Surf Club is the sense of tribe & community, and without young people to carry on our values & traditions, we have nothing. For this reason, we have decided to open up a new class of memberships to young beachlife individuals under 34 years of age that are making their way in the world, building their lives, but are not quite ready for the financial commitment of belonging to a club. Club membership will include significant rate reductions, and allow us to build and foster the next generation of ocean-loving individuals doing good things at the California Surf Club. Coming November 1st, 2025.
Apply Now
See Amenities & Pricing
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NEW
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Ambassador Membership
Community Leaders
In every community, there are individuals that stand out as leaders, exemplifying the values that we strive to live by. It is those individuals that we as a community desire to surround ourselves with, to make ourselves better, to reach a little higher, to accomplish a little bit extra. We have chosen several individuals in our community to be Ambassadors to the California Surf Club, such as USA Gold Medalist Eric Fonoimoana, surfer Chris Frohoff, and legendary local Annie Seawright. If you know someone that fits this description, we'd love to consider them as an Ambassador to our club & culture.
Apply or Refer Someone
Groundswell Membership
Exemplary Community Members
At California Surf Club, we are committed to building a vibrant community that lives and demonstrates our values, and our goal for this program is to offer membership to people within the Redondo Beach area who may otherwise may NOT have the means to join.
Apply Now
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The Groundswell Membership candidate lives the California Surf Club values, they demonstrate the following attributes, and all applications will be considered based on the following criteria:
> Candidate lives the beach lifestyle, and embrace the unique culture, spirit, and activities that come with living near the ocean.
> Candidate is inclusive and curious, looking to learn from, collaborate with, and celebrate others. > Candidate is deeply rooted in the community and actively give back. > Candidate possesses unyielding integrity. Honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior are a must at CSC.
> Candidate is a steward of the environment and are committed to participating in CASC philanthropic and environmental events.
Groundswell memberships have the same rights and privileges as a Classic Member, but are limited to the Individual membership type, and will be chosen on application merit through an application process. Memberships are valid for 12 months, renewable annually only through the Membership Committee. Requirements for a Groundswell membership are that the applicant is:
Over the age of 21
Lives in the South Bay
From RB CPRA Response Unit
Good afternoon,
In response to your California Public Records Act request received by the City of Redondo Beach on January 12, 2026, there are no responsive records.
This notification is autogenerated; please do not respond to this email.
Please respond directly to Laura Diaz at [email protected] or via phone at (310) 697-3181.
Best regards,
Valentine Gonzales
Program Coordinator
City of Redondo Beach
(310) 697-3179
[email protected]
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Mark Nelson (Home Gmail) <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, Jan 10, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Subject: CPRA Request
To: Eleanor Manzano <[email protected]>
Please provide documents or links to documents that demonstrate that the California Surf Club which leases public, coastal zone land from the City is fully compliant with all required nondiscriminatory requirements and oversight in its private membership selection process.