City Council on 2026-03-03 6:00 PM - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER Meeting Time: 03-03-26 18:00
eComments Report
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Time
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City Council on 2026-03-03 6:00 PM -
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
03-03-26
18:00
86 21 1 16 4
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City Council on 2026-03-03 6:00 PM - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER 03-03-26 18:00
Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral
D.2. 26-0288 MAYOR'S COMMENDATION TO COMMUNITY LEADERS
REGARDING THE METRO C LINE EXTENSION PROJECT
1 0 0 1
F.1. 26-0129 REGULAR MEETING OF THE REDONDO BEACH
HOUSING AUTHORITY
1 0 0 1
H.15. 26-0299 ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2603-012
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH,
CALIFORNIA, GRANTING THE APPEAL OF THE DECISION OF THE
HEARING OFFICER DESIGNATED BY THE CITY MANAGER, WHICH
REVOKED BUSINESS LICENSE #330177 ISSUED TO THE
MANHATTAN BEACH SMOKE SHOP DBA REDONDO SMOKE SHOP
AND HOOKAH LOCATED AT 2205 ARTESIA BOULEVARD, UNIT A,
REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA 90278 UNDER THE OWNERSHIP OF
FERAS ADAMO, WHICH THEREBY GRANTED A REINSTATEMENT OF
BUSINESS LICENSE #330177 BUT ONLY UPON COMPLETION OF
CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS AND SUBJECT TO NEW CONDITIONS
19 1 16 2
Sentiments for All Agenda Items
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Agenda Item: eComments for D.2. 26-0288 MAYOR'S COMMENDATION TO COMMUNITY LEADERS REGARDING THE METRO C
LINE EXTENSION PROJECT
Overall Sentiment
Alex Fineman
Location:
Submitted At: 4:46pm 03-03-26
While it is appropriate to recognize the community leaders who engaged in the recent Metro C Line alignment process, it is important to remember that the selection of the route is only the beginning. We have spent the last month celebrating the result of the alignment selection; now, the focus must shift to delivery.
As the City stated in its own support letter for Supervisor Mitchell’s motion, "Redondo Beach looks forward to working in partnership with Metro, Caltrans, and neighboring communities to deliver high quality transit to the region."
The Council and the community leaders being recognized tonight have the "game plan" they advocated for. The focus now must be on executing the plan, and the true win would be completed rail to Torrance and beyond. I urge the Council to move forward in a spirit of true partnership to ensure that "high quality transit" is not just a phrase in a letter, but a reality that is built and delivered to our residents without further delay.
The hard work of construction and regional coordination starts now. Let’s get to work.
Agenda Item: eComments for F.1. 26-0129 REGULAR MEETING OF THE REDONDO BEACH HOUSING AUTHORITY Overall Sentiment
Erica Foster
Location:
Submitted At: 6:09pm 03-03-26
The agenda packet claims that HUD is allocating funds through the end of the year for EHV households. I would like clarification if this is a fiscal year or calendar year. Notices were sent that funding is scheduled to sunset May 31, 2026. However this agenda reports seems to reflect an expectation of funding through December 31,2026.
Agenda Item: eComments for H.15. 26-0299 ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2603-012 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, GRANTING THE APPEAL OF THE DECISION OF THE HEARING OFFICER DESIGNATED BY THE CITY MANAGER, WHICH REVOKED BUSINESS LICENSE #330177 ISSUED TO THE MANHATTAN BEACH SMOKE SHOP DBA REDONDO SMOKE SHOP AND HOOKAH LOCATED AT 2205 ARTESIA BOULEVARD, UNIT A, REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA 90278 UNDER THE OWNERSHIP OF FERAS ADAMO, WHICH THEREBY GRANTED A REINSTATEMENT OF BUSINESS LICENSE #330177 BUT ONLY UPON COMPLETION OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS AND SUBJECT TO NEW
CONDITIONS
Overall Sentiment
Susan Reuben
Location:
Submitted At: 8:42pm 03-03-26
I oppose the Manhattan Smoke Shop being able to stay open. I think the students coming home from RUHS on the bus should not have to see a business across the street continue to operate after they failed to keep harmful fruit flavored tobacco items off of their shelves. Heck, I went by the Manhattan smoke shop the other day after the last council meeting and saw a cardboard stand with the words "Freeze Dried Candy" through the window. While that stuff was truly just candy--it's provocative to me that this particular display is left behind and clearly visible through the window. Almost as though they were saying, "Hey, even though we are currently closed we are still going to have fruit flavored stuff when we are open again!" They broke the smoke shop ordinance before and they will probably do it again. How many smoke shops do we really need on Artesia? It's ridiculous and we should have not had any mercy for that smoke shop owner. I think all the smoke shops on Artesia should have regular visits from the authorities to make sure they are following our laws here in REDONDO BEACH.
Jonatan Cvetko
Location:
Submitted At: 6:23pm 03-03-26
Respectfully ask the mayor to veto the city council decision and not reinstate the business licenses. Redondo must not tolerate illegal activities.
Fernando Garcia
Location:
Submitted At: 4:57pm 03-03-26
I oppose the reinstatement of this smoke shop's business license. It's bad enough that we have so many in Redondo, but allowing one to stay after breaking the law is madness. Why are we concerned about what kind of business might replace this smoke shop? Isn't this something the city can control? What exactly is the concern here? Don't our elected officials determine who can do business in our city? I cannot imagine only smoke shops and liquor stores want to set up shop on Artesia.
Incidentally, one council member said something along the lines of "I don't want Redondo to appear unfriendly to business." Fear of appearing "unfriendly to business" because we enforce the rules is asinine. I'm tired of living in an age where money trumps the rule of law. If you're so concerned with appearing unfriendly to business, you would do far more good for our city by reducing or eliminating regulations that needlessly hinder small businesses from establishing themselves here.
Do the right thing and deny this appeal. Then work towards attracting and keeping businesses that build positive relationships with our residents and elevate our city's reputation. We don't have to choose between a business environment that benefits our families and one that only benefits our city's coffers — we can have both.
Verena ST
Location:
Submitted At: 4:39pm 03-03-26
I am urging our mayor to veto the city council vote and our council to vote “no” on allowing the MB Smoke Shop to continue to operate.
Debra Koven
Location:
Submitted At: 4:09pm 03-03-26
I am a local resident, living literally around the corner from this smoke shop. I urge Mayor Light to veto and vote no.
Elizabeth Corte
Location:
Submitted At: 4:09pm 03-03-26
As a RB D4 resident, homeowner and mother of 3 teenagers I urge Mayor Light to revoke the business license of MB Smoke Shop. As adults and leaders, we can do better for our children and our community.
Thank You,
Elizabeth Corte
Brenda Garcia
Location:
Submitted At: 4:00pm 03-03-26
I found it deeply disappointing that some council members voted to support a business owner who violated the law. The justification one member offered was preferring the “devil you know” over the “devil you don’t,” and expressing concern that a liquor store “might” occupy the space in the future if this business is shut down. That argument shifts the focus away from the central issue: a clear violation of the law.
City staff and law enforcement dedicated significant time and resources to thoroughly investigate this matter and issued a clear recommendation to revoke the business license. To disregard those findings raises serious concerns about accountability and the integrity of the process. Thanking staff for their work while ultimately dismissing their evidence undermines both their efforts and the rule of law.
Mariko Fair
Location:
Submitted At: 3:58pm 03-03-26
I urge the Mayor to vote “no” and revoke the business license of MB Smoke Shop, after the owner knowingly sold illegal substances. Protect our residents and youth!
- District 3 resident
Kari Chatterji
Location:
Submitted At: 3:54pm 03-03-26
My letter:
March 3, 2026
Dear Mayor Light and City Council Members,
I wanted to thank the council, for supporting the smoke shop ordinance.
I am urging our mayor to veto the city council vote that will allow the MB Smoke Shop to continue to operate.
District 5 resident,
Kari Chatterji
Mariam Butler
Location:
Submitted At: 3:46pm 03-03-26
I would like to express my gratitude for the councilpersons in District 3 and 2 for upholding the standards needed for any smoke shop only to be in business. Our police department annd city attorney recommend revoking the license of this smoke shop owner. I agree. This particular owner has admit to purposely violating the law. Even if he had not admitted, and claimed ignorance, this is also not acceptable because if you own a smoke shop, you need to know all of the rules and regulations to be a operating such a business. The smoke shop owner has not been a good neighbor. His lights are bright and on all night long and it takes away from the class and character of our city. Redondo residents have made it clear that we do not want smoke shops or cannabis dispensaries operating in the city, so if somebody is going to be operating a smoke shop, they need to be held at the highest standards in terms of how the business looks and how they operate. Additionally, if you are lenient with this owner, you will have to be lenient with anyone else operating a smoke shop who violates the law. Otherwise, they can claim disparate treatment and discrimination, which puts our city at risk for litigation. It will be better for the mayor to veto the council and take the recommendation of the police department and our city attorney and revoke Manhattan Smoke Shops license.
Pastora Cayuri
Location:
Submitted At: 2:19pm 03-03-26
The approval of the smoke shop ordinance marked an important step in protecting public health, especially for young people. I urge our mayor to veto the city council vote and our council to vote “no” on allowing the MB Smoke Shop to continue to operate. Research shows that smoke shops normalize tobacco use among youth, so limiting their number is essential to safeguarding their health and preventing substance use.
Jimena Cabrera
Location:
Submitted At: 2:14pm 03-03-26
I am urging our mayor to veto the city council vote and our council to vote “no” on allowing the MB Smoke Shop to continue to operate.
yolanda jordan
Location:
Submitted At: 1:29pm 03-03-26
I urge the mayor to vote "no" on allowing the Manhattan Smoke Shop to continue to operate.
Joanna Edwards
Location:
Submitted At: 12:46pm 03-03-26
Dear Mayor Light and Councilmembers,
I am writing to express my gratitude to the Council for passing the smoke shop ordinance. If strictly enforced, this measure promises significant benefits for the health and safety of our young people. I also wish to express my appreciation to Councilmembers Castle (District 2) and Kaluderovic (District 3) for backing the license revocation of an establishment knowingly selling illicit goods, such as flavored tobacco and unregulated hemp and cannabis products. However, more council members need to understand and follow their lead.
For years, smoke shop operators have treated fines as a mere cost of doing business, outweighed by the profits from selling banned inventory. The owner in question has openly admitted to transporting and selling years-old stock of flavored tobacco from a previous location, in blatant violation of the law. These operators have access to real-time data regarding product recalls and illegal status, yet choose to ignore it. How many second and third chances will you give to this shop owner? I would argue that it doesn’t matter how many second and third chances you provide, he will not stop doing what he wants to do until he is no longer given the chance to do it.
With this, I strongly urge the Mayor to veto the recent Council vote that would permit the MB Smoke Shop to remain in business.
Sincerely,
Joanna Edwards
District 1 Resident
Shari Strulson
Location:
Submitted At: 12:26pm 03-03-26
I urge the mayor to vote no. The Manhattan Smoke Shop should not be in operation.
Christina Rizzoni
Location:
Submitted At: 12:23pm 03-03-26
I urge the mayor to vote "no" on allowing the Manhattan Smoke Shop to continue to operate.
Tijen Loubert
Location:
Submitted At: 12:20pm 03-03-26
I am opposed to reinstating MB Smoke Shop’s license as this sends a clear message to other smoke shop owners that it is ok to violate our city’s smoke shop ordinance as long as you pay a fine, a small price to pay for the money coming in from flavored tobacco sales.
In order for the smoke shop ordinance to be effective in curbing illegal sales and protecting children, it must actually be enforced to the full extent of the law.
During the last city council meeting, the owner openly admitted to knowingly selling illegal products in the past to offload inventory. I understand leniency if this was a first-time offense but it is not. I urge the mayor to step up where our district representatives did not and veto the city council vote to reinstate this smoke shop.
Thank you,
Tijen Loubert, District 1 resident
Nikki Vasquez
Location:
Submitted At: 11:52am 03-03-26
When the city council passed the smoke shop ordinance, it was an important step to protect the health and safety of our community, especially our youth. If the rules are strongly enforced, it will make a real difference. I urge the mayor to veto the recent vote and ask the council to vote "no" on allowing MB Smoke Shop to keep operating.
Smoke shops make tobacco, cannabis, and hemp products seem normal and acceptable, which increases the risk that young people will use them. Flavored tobacco has already been banned in California, and vaping has been called a youth epidemic because of its serious health risks. This shop has repeatedly sold illegal products over several years, showing that fines alone have not stopped the behavior.
Thank you,
Nikki Vasquez
Long time D3 Resident
Melissa Dechandt
Location:
Submitted At: 11:28am 03-03-26
When the city council approved the smoke shop ordinance, it was a huge step forward with regards to protecting our citizens, particularly our youth’s, health and safety. If regularly and decisively enforced, this is a big win resident health and safety.
I am urging our mayor to veto the city council vote and our council to vote “no” on allowing the MB Smoke Shop to continue to operate.
Smoke shops normalize the use of tobacco, cannabis and hemp products for our youth (for all) and there is ample peer-review data from across the US and in CA specifically that support this normalization. The city’s efforts to cull the existing smoke shops down to five and limit new smoke shops is important for the health and safety of our youth and will prevent the use of tobacco, hemp and cannabis products.
Additionally, the passage of CA State Proposition 31, which banned the sale of flavored tobacco, was a hard fought win for hundreds of health organizations and advocates, including the CA State PTA, who endorsed this legislation. Vaping has been classified as an epidemic for our youth and is dangerous for all ages. Data suggests that 80% of youth who use tobacco products will also use cannabis and the reverse is also true, indicating that both tobacco and cannabis are a gateway to the use of both.
For the last several years, smoke shops have openly operated under the premise that a fine is a small price to pay for the thousands of dollars of product that they have in inventory and continue to sell, whether it be the previously illegal hemp products, illegal flavored tobacco or cannabis formulations. This shop owner in question openly stated that he had inventory from a previous store that he moved to a Redondo Beach store from the past three years and was openly selling flavored tobacco. Smoke shop owners are provided with real-time information on products that are recalled and illegal.
This is not a first time occurrence; it is multiple occurrences over several years.
Melissa TM DeChandt, District 1 Resident