REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Minutes
Redondo Beach City Council
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Closed Session – Adjourned Regular Meeting 4:30 p.m.
Open Session – Regular Meeting 6:00 p.m.
4:30 PM - CLOSED SESSION – ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Redondo Beach City Council was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Mayor Light in the City Hall Council Chambers, 415 Diamond Street, Redondo Beach, California.
B. ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Waller, Castle, Kaluderovic, Obagi, Behrendt, Mayor Light
Councilmembers Absent: None
Officials Present: Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Joy Ford, City Attorney
Emily Bodkin, Administrative Specialist/Liaison
C. SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND INVOCATION - None
D. BLUE FOLDER ITEMS – ADDITIONAL BACK UP MATERIALS - None E. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS AND NONAGENDA ITEMS Liaison Bodkin reported no eComments and no Zoom attendees.
F. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
F.1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED POTENTIAL LITIGATION - The Closed Session is authorized by the attorney-client privilege, Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4).
One potential case
F.2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION - The Closed Session is authorized by the attorney-client privilege, Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1).
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Name of case:
Jiro Koyanagi v City of Redondo Beach; County of Los Angeles; State of California; Jeremy C. Casner; Joshua R. Casner and DOES 1 through 50, inclusive
Case Number: 23TRCV01318
F.3. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - The Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Section 54956.8.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Elizabeth Hause, Community Services Director
Katherine Buck, Acting Waterfront & Economic Development Director PROPERTY:
Portions of the Redondo Beach Marina Parking Lot
(portions of APN #s: 7503-029-900 and 7503-029-903)
Portions of King Harbor turn basin and hand launch
NEGOTIATING PARTIES:
Adam Brzyski, Game On Live Studio, Water Polo Program Coordinator UNDER NEGOTIATION:
Price and Terms
F.4. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - The Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Section 54956.8.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Elizabeth Hause, Community Services Director
PROPERTY:
Portions of the Redondo Beach Marina Parking Lot and Seaside Lagoon (portions of APN #s: 7503-029-900 and 7503-029-903)
Portions of Harbor Drive, Pacific Avenue, Catalina Avenue, Gertruda Avenue, Herondo Street, and Esplanade
NEGOTIATING PARTIES:
Kellie Hawkins, Englander Knabe & Allen on Behalf of Nike, Inc.
UNDER NEGOTIATION:
Price and Terms
F.5. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - The Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Section 54956.8.
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Tuesday, March 17, 2026
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Katherine Buck, Acting Waterfront & Economic Development Director Luke Smude, Assistant to the City Manager
Jon Goetz, Redwood Public Law
PROPERTY:
Portions of the Redondo Beach Marina Parking Lot and Seaside Lagoon (portions of APN #s: 7503-029-900 and 7503-029-903)
NEGOTIATING PARTIES:
Allen Sanford, BeachLife Festival
UNDER NEGOTIATION:
Price and Terms
F.6. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL AND LABOR NEGOTIATOR - The Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Sec. 54957.6.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Diane Strickfaden, Director of Human Resources
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS:
Redondo Beach Part Time Employees
F.7. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - The Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Sec. 54956.8.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Luke Smude, Assistant to the City Manager
PROPERTY:
200 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(a portion of APN: 750-500-9902)
715 Julia Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(portion of parcels APN: 750-702-0900 and APN: 750-702-1900) 3007 Vail Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(a portion of APN: 415-001-7931)
1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(APN: 404-900-8903)
Parking Lot at the Corner of Felton Ln. and 182nd St., Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(APN: 415-803-3900)
807 Inglewood Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90278
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Tuesday, March 17, 2026
(a Portion of APN: 408-302-4900)
NEGOTIATING PARTIES:
Dr. Nicole Wesley, Superintendent Redondo Beach Unified School District UNDER NEGOTIATION:
Both Price and Terms
Liaison Bodkin read titles to be discussed at Closed Session.
City Manager Witzansky announced the following would be participating in Closed Session: City Manager Mike Witzansky, City Attorney Joy Ford, Assistant City Attorney Cheryl Park, Public Works Director Andrew Winje, Outside Legal Counsel Dana McCune, Human Resources Director Diane Strickfaden, Deputy Public Works Director Mike Klein Community Services Director Elizabeth Hause, Acting W.E.D. Director Katherine Buck, Assistant to the City Manager Luke Smude, Outside Legal Counsel John Goetz, and Human Resources Director Diane Strickfaden.
Motion by Councilmember Obagi, seconded by Councilmember Waller, to recess to Closed Session at 4:36 p.m.
Motion carried 5-0 by voice vote.
G. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Mayor Light reconvened to Open Session at 6:12 p.m.
H. ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Waller, Castle, Kaluderovic, Obagi, Behrendt, Mayor Light
Councilmembers Absent: None
Officials Present: Eleanor Manzano, City Clerk
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Joy Ford, City Attorney
Laura Diaz, Records Mgmt. Supervisor
I. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
City Manager Witzansky stated that there were no reportable items.
J. ADJOURN TO REGULAR MEETING
Motion by Councilmember Castle, seconded by Councilmember Kaluderovic, to adjourn
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to the Open Session at 6:13 p.m.
Motion carried 5-0 by voice vote.
6:00 PM – OPEN SESSION – REGULAR MEETING
A. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Redondo Beach City Council was called to order at 6:13 p.m. by Mayor Light in the City Hall Council Chambers, 415 Diamond Street, Redondo Beach, California.
B. ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Waller, Castle, Kaluderovic, Obagi, Behrendt, Mayor Light
Councilmembers Absent: None
Officials Present: Eleanor Manzano, City Clerk
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Joy Ford, City Attorney
Laura Diaz, Records Mgmt. Supervisor
C. SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND INVOCATION
Mayor Light invited veterans and active-duty military to stand and be recognized for their service.
Elise, 7th grader at Adams Middle School, led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Light asked all to remain standing for a moment of silent invocation.
D. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/AB 1234 TRAVEL D.1. MAYOR’S COMMENDATION TO LILA OMURA FOR RECEIVING THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY COMMISSION FOR WOMEN “WOMEN OF THE YEAR
AWARD”
Mayor Light reported that Lila Omura had been recognized as an award recipient for Woman of the Year by the Los Angeles County Commission for Women; noted that the recognition was presented as part of the Commission’s 40th Anniversary Woman of the Year Commemorative Celebration entitled Moving Forward Together, Women Educations and Inspiring Generation and it also marked the 50th anniversary of the Commission for Women; provided some information and background on the Commission for Women and stated Lila represented the district of Holly J. Mitchell, Supervisor of the
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Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors; reported that it was not the first time Lila’s dedication and leadership have been recognized and stated she was named the City’s Employee of the Year in 2025 and honored as Woman of the Year by Al Muratsuchi in 2024; reported that the official awarding took place last week at the Historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel but they wanted to celebrate her achievement with the community; presented on behalf of himself, City Council, and the community a Certificate of Recognition commemorating Lila’s selection as the LA County Woman of the Year honoree and thanked her for her service to the City.
Lila Omura said none of it would be possible without the support of the City staff, RBPD, RBFD, the non-profits, her supervisors, the Mayor, and City Council past and present; thanked the community for reaching out to her when they see people in need of help.
Mayor Light stated that Lila Omura is the City’s First Responder to the homeless in Redondo Beach; gave the floor to Councilmember Kaluderovic.
Councilmember Kaluderovic spoke how Lila Omura goes out every day helping people and what an inspiration she is.
City Attorney Ford thanked Supervisor Mitchell for recognizing Lila for all her hard work and dedication; noted that it is not just a job for Lila but that she pours her heart into it and that is what makes her exceptional; spoke about her impact on the community and on every department in the City.
Senior Deputy City Prosecutor Johnson spoke of Lila Omura’s passion and motivation to make the world, especially Redondo Beach, a better place; stated she is very deserving of the award and that the City is lucky to have her.
D.2. MAYOR’S PROCLAMATION OF MARCH 2026 AS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Mayor Light stated he was proud to recognize Women’s History Month and spoke about how contributions from women throughout history have shaped and impacted all our lives; noted that in Redondo Beach women have led in every field from education to business; announced that March 8th was also International Women’s Day; presented Councilmember Kaluderovic with a proclamation recognizing Women’s History Month and spoke of her being an example of a woman making a difference in the community through her leadership and service.
Councilmember Behrendt announced that the District 4 and 5 Joint Meeting was changed to Thursday, April 2nd at 6:00 p.m. at the RBPAC; reported that RBFD Chief Butler and Division Chief Jason May would be special guests and refreshments would be served.
Councilmember Obagi echoed the announcement of the Joint Meeting; stated that he reported graffiti on different parts of the Waterfront on Access Redondo Beach and within 48 hours it was gone so he thanked the dispatchers and Code Enforcement for that.
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Councilmember Kaluderovic reported attending the ECRC on Monday and has a parking expense she will be submitting; stated she co-hosted, along with the Mayor, a Brownie Troop to learn about civic engagement and community leadership last Friday; invited any Brownie Troop Boy Scouts to also visit them in the Council Chambers; announced she would be attending Something Rotten at RUHS on Friday.
Councilmember Castle reported attending RUHS’s Redondo Invitational track meet sponsored by Nike; announced the ribbon cutting on March 19th at 2:00 p.m. for the new lower pond at Wilderness Park, which had been renovated and refurbished.
Mayor Light announced on Wednesday they would do the ribbon cutting for the Alta Vista courts.
Councilmember Waller reported he attended the St. Patrick’s Day Run in Riviera Village; thanked Public Works and the City’s First Responders for their help in making the event run safely and smoothly; announced the ribbon cutting for the Alta Vista Pickleball Courts for Wednesday, March 18th at 1:00 p.m.; announced Coffee with a Cop for Saturday, March 21st 9:00 a.m. to noon at Mickey’s Deli, State of the City on March 24th at the Sonesta Hotel ballroom at 7:00 a.m., and the South Bay’s Council of Governments general assembly on March 26th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the West Drift in Manhattan Beach with Community Services Director Elizabeth Hause on the panel; reported that the Knights of Columbus have been holding fish fry’s and the last one will be on March 27th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 214 Avenue I in Redondo Beach.
Mayor Light announced he would be on the panel of Mayors representing The Crown Jewel of the South Bay, Redondo Beach, at the COG event.
E. APPROVE ORDER OF AGENDA
Mayor Light referred to an earlier conversation with Councilmember Obagi and suggested moving a portion of N.2 forward.
Councilmember Obagi stated he wanted to allow people to discuss the crossing guards during J but that the crossing guards are represented in the title of N.2 so he wasn’t sure if that would be improper but there is an attachment associated with N.2.
Mayor Light said he would like to bring that portion of N.2 forward.
City Manager Witzansky stated the challenge would be they would be providing two disjointed presentations and the crossing guard portion is a limited component of the Mid-Year Budget Review; suggested Council take general public feedback under NonAgenda Items unless City Attorney Ford disagreed.
Discussion followed that they could take public testimony on N.2 right then as long as they didn’t have the staff presentation associated with it.
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Motion by Councilmember Obagi, seconded by Councilmember Waller, to allow public comments during J for items within N.2.
Discussion followed that they had 21 speaker cards just for N.2, so they would need to extend the time limit, or else no other comments could be made for other items.
City Attorney Ford recommended that they start with public comments on N.2 and then move to N.2.
Councilmember Waller offered a friendly amendment to move public comment for N.2 immediately following approving the order of agenda.
Councilmember Obagi agreed to the friendly amendment and Councilmember Waller seconded the motion.
More discussion followed that they are allowing it because several children were in the audience to speak on the crossing guards; there was clarification that they were moving only the public comment portion of N.2 up and not the presentation considering the number of children there to speak.
Motion carried 5-0 by voice vote.
Mayor Light announced they were going into the public comment on N.2 related to the crossing guards.
Otis Schlaff, 4th grader at Jefferson Elementary School, thanked the Mayor and Council for putting the item on the agenda; stated he was there to speak about the safety at Ford and Aviation and noted that he brought a lot of his friends with him; reported that he rides his bike to school and crossing the intersection at Ford and Aviation feels dangerous; asked that the City put a crossing guard at that intersection right away and for the remainder of the school year; said they have 54 days left and want to be safe; reported that he collected 133 signatures from Jefferson students and 107 signatures from the community; noted that everyone there supports having a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation and they are just kids trying to get to school safely; stated that his classmates took time to write notes to share their thoughts and asked if he could present them to the Council.
Motion by Councilmember Obagi, seconded by Councilmember Waller, to receive and file.
Motion carried 5-0 by voice vote.
Otis Schlott asked the Council to please help them get a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation and thanked them for their consideration.
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India Hickson stated she is speaking on behalf of her little brother who wrote the speech; reported that he and his friends have a bike group and they ride to school together every day because they have crossing guards; explained that because Otis does not have a crossing guard he can’t ride to school with them; asked that Council provide more crossing guards so he can join them.
Kate Hickson, Redondo Beach resident, urged the Council to place a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation and asked that they take action now so the kids could walk and ride to school safely.
Amalie McLaughlin, Redondo Beach resident, stated there are 54 more days left in the school year and urged the Council to place a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation now so that they could walk and bike to school safely now instead of waiting till next year.
Olura McLaughlin, parent in Redondo Beach, strongly supported the placement of a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation and asked that they do it now so that they could be safe for the remaining 54 days of the school year.
Councilmember Behrendt asked the speaker if it was for Jefferson Elementary, which she confirmed was correct; he asked if it was possible for them to go to Aviation and Grant to use that crossing guard.
Olura McLaughlin said it would take an extra 20 minutes for them to do that.
Miles McLaughlin, student at Redondo Beach, asked the Council to approve a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation so they don’t have to walk the extra 20 minutes to cross at Aviation and Grant plus it is safer.
George Dunbar supported his neighbors with their requests for a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation; stated it would ease the minds of their parents and make walking or biking to school safer.
Sabrina Dunbar, parent in Redondo Beach, strongly supported the placement of a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation; stated that her son has almost been hit by a car every day and has witnessed an accident as he was crossing; urged them to put a crossing guard at that intersection.
Dean Corral, 9 years old, referenced a previous meeting where Otis spoke about the dangers of the Ford and Aviation intersection; reported since that meeting they collected signatures from residents tired of seeing accidents at that intersection; spoke of his mom being scared when his dad, little sister, and himself ride to school every morning and said everyone should feel safe and happy on their way to school; requested they put a crossing guard at that intersection because he knows they care about keeping the neighborhood safe.
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Isiah Sukali, 6th grader at Parras Middle School, stated he lives in the Jefferson Elementary School neighborhood and crossing Aviation Blvd. to get to school is scary because of the traffic and speed of cars; said a crossing guard at that location would make everyone feel safer when walking or biking to school and would alert drivers when people are crossing; hoped the Council would consider putting a crossing guard at that location.
Charles Miller, Redondo Beach, strongly urged the Council to place a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation now so that they don’t have to wait until next year to walk or ride to school safely; thanked the Council for their consideration.
Alexandra Pearce and Genevieve Sajewich strongly urged the Council to consider placing a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation now so that they could walk and bike to school safely with 54 more days of school left.
Carolina Pearce stated she was proud to stand with her neighbors in their requests for a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation; noted it would ease the minds of parents and make walking and biking to school safer for students.
Margo Schlaff, 2nd grade at Jefferson Elementary School, stated she rides on the back of her parents’ bike with her sister; spoke of how scary it is to cross the intersection of Ford and Aviation and asked if the Council could help put a crossing guard there to keep them safe.
River Nagy Kraus said he would appreciate it if they could add a crossing guard between Ford and Aviation because many kids ride their bikes to school and it is very dangerous there; thanked the Mayor and Council for their consideration.
Jackie Dantuono, Redondo Beach resident, stated a crossing guard at Aviation and Ford would allow their kids to get to school safer and faster if they didn’t have to go down Grant to cross Aviation with a crossing guard; asked that Council approve a crossing guard at Ford/Aviation now.
Councilmember Behrendt asked the speaker if she lives closer to the crossing guard on Grant and Aviation or Prospect and Aviation.
Jackie Dantuono responded that they live in the middle; added that there’s a pocket of families that live on Ford and their kids go to Jefferson.
Giovani Sajewich stated he is proud to stand with his neighbors and their request for a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation; said it would ease the minds of parents and make walking or biking to school safer for students; thanked the Council for protecting the youth of the City.
John Sajewich, Redondo Beach resident, strongly urged the Council to place a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation and to take that action immediately; noted that there are 54
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days of school left and they want to feel safe biking to school now.
Trisha Murakawa addressed Councilmember Behrendt’s question regarding why they can’t walk from their residence over to Grant and explained that her daughter’s legs are a lot shorter than hers and it adds a lot of time to have to take that route; wanted to make sure they understood why the community is asking for the crossing guard at Ford and spoke about the conditions of Aviation and the speeding of cars; stated they have photos of peak hour traffic with all the kids walking from Ford and Aviation; thanked the Council for considering the item and allowing the kids to speak.
Lucy Schlaff, 1st grader at Jefferson Elementary, stated she would like her brother and all kids to be safe when they walk or bike to school; said she rides with her mom or dad now but one day hopes to ride on her own and doesn’t want her mom to worry; asked the Council for their help in getting a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation.
Evan Schlaff, father of three, thanked everyone for showing up to speak that evening; said he lives in Redondo Beach and a crossing guard at Aviation and Ford would allow the kids to get to school safer and faster; urged Council to approve a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation now.
Leo Ricevuto, Redondo Beach resident, strongly urged them to place a crossing guard at Ford and Aviation now so that kids would feel safer walking or biking to school for the remainder of the 54 days left of school.
Amy Ricevuto stated that she has five kids and the logistics of getting the kids out the door in the morning is difficult to explain; spoke of how Jefferson is zoned and that the kids have no other choice but to cross at Ford and Aviation; noted that the goal would be to have the kids bike or walk to school and that Grant is not a realistic option; opined that the crossing guard at Ford and Aviation is really the only solution and the goal is to keep the kids safe.
Mayor Light thanked the audience for being respectful and allowed everyone to applaud.
Councilmember Kaluderovic complimented all the speakers for being direct and brief with their comments.
Councilmember Obagi noted that he would not speak about the item at that time but informed the audience he pulled up a map of the school district and what schools people are assigned to; stated he would show the Council when they got to that item so they could better understand why a crossing guard is needed at that location.
Motion by Councilmember Obagi, seconded by Councilmember Kaluderovic, to continue N.2 after N.1.
Motion carried 5-0 by voice vote.
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Laura Diaz reported no hands raised on Zoom and no eComments.
F. AGENCY RECESS - None
G. BLUE FOLDER ITEMS - ADDITIONAL BACK UP MATERIALS
G.1. For Blue Folder Documents Approved at the City Council Meeting Laura Diaz reported three. Blue Folder items for H.7, J.1, N.2.
Motion by Councilmember Kaluderovic, seconded by Councilmember Waller, to receive and file the Blue Folder items.
Motion carried 5-0 by voice vote.
H. CONSENT CALENDAR
H.1. APPROVE AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING FOR THE CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED AND REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 17, 2026
CONTACT: ELEANOR MANZANO, CITY CLERK
H.2. APPROVE MOTION TO READ BY TITLE ONLY AND WAIVE FURTHER
READING OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS LISTED ON THE AGENDA
CONTACT: ELEANOR MANZANO, CITY CLERK
H.3. APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:
A. FEBRUARY 17, 2026 ADJOURNED AND REGULAR MEETING
CONTACT: ELEANOR MANZANO, CITY CLERK
H.4. PAYROLL DEMANDS
CHECKS 30567-30568 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,599.00, PD. 2/27/26 DIRECT DEPOSIT 308640-308641 IN THE AMOUNT OF $425.39, PD. 2/27/26 CHECKS 30569-30579 IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,522.75, PD. 3/13/26 DIRECT DEPOSIT 308642-309278 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,542,807.00, PD. 3/13/26
EFT/ACH $10,835.18, PD. 2/27/26 (PP2605)
EFT/ACH $485,009.83, PD. 3/9/26 (PP2604)
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE DEMANDS
CHECKS 123842-124071 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,883,095.52
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CONTACT: STEPHANIE MEYER, FINANCE DIRECTOR
H.5. APPROVE CONTRACTS UNDER $35,000:
1. APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES FOR
PARTICIPATION IN THE LOS ANGELES REGION IMAGERY ACQUISITION CONSORTIUM 8 (LARIAC8) PROJECT TO ACQUIRE NEW DIGITAL
ORTHOGONAL AND OBLIQUE AERIAL IMAGERY IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $27,688 UNTIL TERMINATED
CONTACT: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
2. APPROVE A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PUBLIC
SERVICES FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
HOUSING RIGHTS CENTER FOR FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $12,000 AND THE TERM JULY 1, 2025 TO JUNE 30, 2026
CONTACT: ELIZABETH HAUSE, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
H.6. APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH ABM ELECTRICAL & LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, INC. TO REPLACE THE UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLY
UNIT THAT SUPPORTS EMERGENCY EGRESS LIGHTING AT THE
REDONDO BEACH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER FOR A COST NOT TO
EXCEED $337,468, INCLUDING A 10% CONTINGENCY
CONTACT: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
H.7. APPROVE A FUNDING AMENDMENT FOR PROJECT #9200000000M550213
BETWEEN THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH AND THE LOS ANGELES
COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FOR THE
REDONDO BEACH AVENUE BIKE IMPROVEMENTS AND PEDESTRIAN
SAFETY PROJECT
CONTACT: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
H.8. AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 1708, WHICH, IF APPROVED BY THE STATE, WOULD CREATE ROUND 7 OF CALIFORNIA’S HOMELESS HOUSING, ASSISTANCE, AND
PREVENTION (HHAP) PROGRAM, AND ASSEMBLY BILL 2152, WHICH, IF
APPROVED BY THE STATE, WOULD PROVIDE TARGETED EXEMPTIONS
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FOR CERTAIN FIRE STATION PROJECTS RECEIVE AND FILE A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO SENATE BILL 922, WHICH,
IF APPROVED BY THE STATE, WOULD ALLOW FOR CITIES TO RECOVER
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STREET MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR COSTS CAUSED BY HEAVY
ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES
CONTACT: JANE CHUNG, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
H.9. Pulled by Councilmember Obagi
H.10. AUTHORIZE STAFF TO INITIATE THE PROPOSITION 218 PROCESS TO
CONSIDER PROPOSED ADJUSTMENTS TO SOLID WASTE RATES AND
FEES BEGINNING IN FY 2026-27 AS PART OF THE PROPOSED SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE CITY’S SOLID WASTE HANDLING SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH ARAKELIAN ENTERPRISES, INC., DBA ATHENS
SERVICES, AND FOR FUTURE RATE ADJUSTMENTS USING THE SPECIFIC
FORMULAS LISTED IN THE SERVICES AGREEMENT
SET MAY 19, 2026 AS THE PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR CONSIDERATION
OF THE SOLID WASTE REFUSE COLLECTION RATES AND THE
TABULATION OF ALL PROTESTS RECEIVED
CONTACT: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
H.11. APPROVE AN OPTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF REDONDO
BEACH AND MARINE MAMMAL CARE CENTER LOS ANGELES PROVIDING
AN EXCLUSIVE PERIOD TO FUNDRAISE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A
NEW MARINE MAMMAL CARE CENTER AND TO LEASE THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 230 PORTOFINO WAY
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN A LETTER OF SUPPORT REQUESTING $15 MILLION IN ONE-TIME FUNDING FROM CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 4
TO SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW MARINE MAMMAL CARE
CENTER
CONTACT: KATHERINE BUCK, ACTING WATERFRONT AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
H.12. APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH RANEY PLANNING & MANAGEMENT, INC.
TO PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTATION SERVICES FOR MEASURE FP PROJECTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $42,000 AND THE TERM MARCH 18, 2026 TO DECEMBER 31, 2026
CONTACT: LUKE SMUDE, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
H.13. RECEIVE AND FILE THE 2025 GENERAL PLAN AND HOUSING ELEMENT
ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE STATE
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE
STATE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH
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CONTACT: MARC WIENER, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
H.14. APPROVE THE AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH AND RICHARD F. ANTHONY LAW, LTD
CONTACT: JOY A. FORD, CITY ATTORNEY
H.15. APPROVE THE AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL AND CONSULTING SERVICES
WITH LIEBERT CASSIDY WHITMORE
CONTACT: JOY A. FORD, CITY ATTORNEY
H.16. APPROVE CANCELLATION OF THE APRIL 7, 2026 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND AGENCY MEETINGS AND RESCHEDULE TO APRIL 14, 2026 CONTACT: LUKE SMUDE, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
Motion by Councilmember Waller, seconded by Councilmember Kaluderovic, to approve the Consent Calendar items H.1 to H.16.
Wayne Craig spoke about the item regarding putting $100,000 towards a consultant for a gun range; questioned the decision and noted they are at a time where the Mid-Year Budget shows the City is falling short, missing targets, and struggling to keep up with basic financial obligations; spoke of the Council continuing to spend taxpayer money on a consultant for an unfunded $19 million gun range project that the City cannot afford to build or operate if it gets built; opined it was irresponsible of the City to do that when there are other emergency repairs, infrastructure failures, and budget gaps that need to be addressed; noted that there is still $1.1 million tied up in the gun range project and that the Council’s priorities are out of alignment with the needs of the people they represent; opined it is time to stop funding the $19 million gun range project, stop wasting money on consultants, and return the $1.1 million back to the General Fund; suggested putting $100,000 of that money towards a crossing guard on Ford Ave. as a start.
Councilmember Obagi asked to pull H.9.
Mayor Light stated another motion would need to be made.
Motion by Councilmember Obagi, seconded by Councilmember Waller, to approve all Consent Calendar items except H.9 and pull H.9.
Motion carried 5-0 by voice vote.
I. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
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H.9. APPROVE AN ON-CALL CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH MCCLAREN, WILSON & LAWRIE, INC. TO ASSIST WITH DESIGN OF THE POLICE SHOOTING RANGE, FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000 AND A TERM THROUGH MARCH 16, 2028
APPROVE AN ON-CALL CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
GEOSYNTEC CONSULTANTS, INC. FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SERVICES, FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000 AND A TERM THROUGH MARCH 16, 2028
CONTACT: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
Councilmember Obagi stated he pulled H.9 because he had a discussion with the City Manager to get an update on the item and thought the public needed to know where they are on the shooting range issue; noted that the current range is open air and causes noise to residents and to Torrance so when they want to shoot they need to call dispatch to warn them about all the calls they will receive; reported that potential particles are also shot into the air; explained that the current range is in need of an upgrade and it helps to have good facilities in order to retain and recruit officers; stated that the City was close to getting a grant or partnership from the DOD to build the $19 million shooting range but they asked that some modification be made to the renderings and drawings and that is why they are hiring the architect; addressed Wayne Craig by saying he has a lot of respect for him but that he felt he was wrong on this issue.
Motion by Councilmember Obagi, seconded by Councilmember Waller, to support and approve H.9.
Councilmember Kaluderovic commented that it is an enormous quality of life issue; stated it is an open-air range built in 1947, it cannot be operated during school hours, and she received complaints from a traumatized resident that drove by it and was a freshman at Columbine in 1999; spoke in support of the range, noted that they are seeking a grant to fully fund the capital improvement of the range, and stressed the importance of the officers having a place to train.
Councilmember Waller said he has heard the shooting and have had people complain about the noise in District 1.
Nancy Skiba suggested they build the shooting range in the basement or some part of the building of the new Police Station and noted that El Segundo has done that and other cities as well.
City Manager Witzansky responded that the current level of funding for the replacement facility and renovation does not include funding for a gun range in the two facilities; noted that an indoor gun range is very expensive and the City is hopeful to receive the grant funding to allow for the off-site facility; stated that is how they funded the projects and that is how they are pursuing the effort; stated that the “not to exceed” contract amount in the
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Staff Report of $100,000 is an on-call amount but the estimated value for the drawings is $30,000 to $35,000 and if they receive the grant the City will have spent about $100,000 to $150,000 for a $19 million federal grant.
Motion carried 5-0 by voice vote.
Laura Diaz reported no one on Zoom and no eComments.
J. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
J.1. For eComments and Emails Received from the Public
Mike Shields II mentioned that on his way to the meeting that evening he was asked by the crosswalk button to change his password and asked if the City could have someone from IT look at that; stated he was there that evening to speak about the City’s need for a Film Commissioner and opined the City cannot afford to wait until October when two Cultural Arts Commission seats turn out to do it; spoke about the City’s need for revenue and questioned where would it come from and how quickly would the City move; spoke about the money Hollywood has available for cities that photograph well and have a cooperative local government; opined that Redondo has all that but needs a person to make the calls to get Hollywood to film there and by not doing it they will lose out on millions of dollars in revenue in hotel stays, restaurant business, crew and permits; reported that he is a member of the South Bay Filmmakers Group on Facebook, a lifetime member in the Academy of Magical Arts, and has direct working relationships throughout the industry; asked the Council to make an immediate appointment to a compensated Film Commissioner role.
Commissioner Obagi asked what he would want the compensation to be.
Mike Shields II responded that $4,000 per month should be enough.
Melissa DeChandt thanked the Mayor for recently vetoing to remove the license of a smoke shop on North Redondo and the two Councilmembers that supported that removal; provided background on her expertise and stated she gives lectures on vaping and cannabis often and the effects it has on the youth; stated that data shows just the presence of smoke shops normalize the use of the products; thanked the Mayor and Council for all they do for the City.
Laura Diaz reported no hands raised on Zoom and one eComment in support of J.1.
K. EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Light reported speaking to several Councilmembers and the City Manager.
Councilmember Waller reported discussing it with the City Manager, Councilmember Behrendt, and the Mayor.
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Councilmember Castle reported speaking with the City Manager, Councilmember Behrent, the Mayor, City staff, and residents and businesses of District 2.
Councilmember Waller said it must not have been Councilmember Behrendt he spoke to but maybe Councilmember Obagi, he just knew it was not someone Brown Acted with Councilmember Castle.
Councilmember Kaluderovic reported speaking to the Mayor and the City Manager.
Councilmember Obagi reported speaking to the Mayor and staff.
Councilmember Behrendt reported speaking with the Mayor, Councilmember Castle, and staff.
L. PUBLIC HEARINGS
L.1. PUBLIC HEARING FOR CONSIDERATION OF AN EXEMPTION
DECLARATION AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT TO CREATE A
PREFERENTIAL PARKING ZONE FOR THE RESIDENCES ABUTTING THE SOUTHERN 400 FEET OF THE 500 BLOCK OF NORTH GERTRUDA AVENUE.
THE PROPOSED ZONE WOULD BE IN EFFECT FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. DURING THESE HOURS, ON-STREET
PARKING WOULD REQUIRE A VALID PERMIT FOR VEHICLES PARKED WITHIN THE DESIGNATED AREA. PERMIT ELIGIBILITY WOULD BE LIMITED TO RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES LOCATED ALONG 500-522 NORTH
GERTRUDA AVENUE.
ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2603-013, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA,
ADOPTING A CEQA EXEMPTION DECLARATION, APPROVING COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT NO. 2025-0359, AND APPROVING A
PREFERENTIAL PARKING ZONE FOR THE RESIDENCES ABUTTING THE SOUTHERN 400 FEET OF THE 500 BLOCK OF NORTH GERTRUDA AVENUE;
AND ESTABLISHING THE TIME LIMITS OF THE PREFERENTIAL PARKING ZONE AS FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY APPLICANT: City of Redondo Beach
LOCATION: 500-522 N. Gertruda, Redondo Beach e.g., both sides of N Gertruda Ave south of the City's Public Works Facilities.
CASE NO: 2025-0359
PROCEDURES:
1. Open the public hearing and take testimony;
2. Close the public hearing and deliberate;
3. Determine whether the required findings can be made to adopt the
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attached resolution by title only, waiving further reading.
CONTACT: MARC WIENER, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Motion by Councilmember Castle, seconded by Councilmember Waller, to open the public hearing.
City Traffic Engineer Ryan Liu stated the public hearing is a joint presentation between the Public Works and Community Development Department; noted the public hearing is for the Preferential Parking Zone (PPZ) at the 500 block of North Gertruda and provided information on the general process and facts on the item including it is governed by the municipal code, requires two-thirds resident support, meets parking study findings in the MC, public hearing at the Public Works Safety and Sustainability Commission, and, if recommended by the PWSSC, Council approval; stated that the City’s PPZs only allow residents to park during the posted hours with the parking permit on the designated streets; reported that the petition was submitted to the City in late 2022 and a parking study was conducted in 2023 and it met RBMC thresholds where the parking was over 75% occupied with a substantial number of cars not registered to residential addresses on that block; reported that, at the August 2023 PWSSC, the Commission approved the PPZ at a public hearing and subject to Coastal Commission approval and also recommended outreach to the area businesses; reported that, in December 2023, the Council approved the PPZ Resolution subject to a Coastal Development Permit since the PPZ is within the California Coastal Zone; stated the proposed hours for the “resident only” parking are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and that the Coastal area within the City is any area west of PCH; turned the floor over to Steven Giang.
Senior Planner Steven Giang provided a slide with a site plan of the existing parking conditions and went over the information; noted that the area in question currently allows four-hour increments from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven days a week; stated the proposed parking regulations will only apply to the area shown on the slide in purple and the City is proposing parking permit only in that area Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m.; provided another slide with the surrounding zoning and stated the Coastal site is about 0.3 miles from the nearest Waterfront property; noted, in regards to the Coastal Development Permit findings two and three could be satisfied but finding one is less clear; said they could support a finding in conformity but staff has identified concerns about setting a broader precedent for similar requests in the Coastal Zone; said that staff also noted that the Coastal Commission has generally not supported projects of this type and observed that during major Waterfront events people may park in the area to walk along Beryl St. to reach the shoreline; provided a slide with staff’s recommendations.
Community Development Director Marc Wiener stated that of the three findings, two of the findings are not applicable to the City’s Local Coastal Program, and that finding one is the one they need to determine is in compliance with the City’s Local Coastal Program.
Mayor Light asked Director Wiener to state what the three findings were.
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Community Development Director Wiener reported: 1) the Coastal Development Permit complies with the City’s Local Coastal Program, 2) the proposed development is between the sea and the shoreline which is ruled out because of the location, and 3) deals with CEQA, which is not applicable in this case; referenced the finding 1 deals with Coastal Program compliance and noted that the area is some distance from the shoreline so it is questionable whether Coastal access is impacted; pointed out that the Coastal Commission generally does not allow preferential parking in the Coastal Zone and they did contact staff regarding this item and expressed concern; noted there is concern about setting a precedent but it is Council’s decision; stated that staff has included a resolution for approval if the Council determined it could make the finding and it supports the Coastal Development Permit.
City Manager Witzansky stated outreach to the business community was done, they Public Works Yard is adjacent to that block of Gertruda, many employees rely on street parking, and they have businesses that abut the area (particularly a poke restaurant that relies on the parking in that cul-de-sac); stated that many residents would like to see preferential parking in that area but they are hesitant to recommend that the City proceeds with it due to the general concerns raised by businesses and Planning staff.
Discussion followed.
Mayor Light asked if the businesses in the area commented.
Senior Planner Giang responded that a few of the businesses submitted public comments during the initial public noticing for the Coastal Development Permit Waiver; reported that one business owner requested the item be brought before the City Council as laid out in the RBMC.
Mayor Light asked if the business opposed it and City Manager Witzansky stated that, in general, the businesses opposed it.
City Traffic Engineer Liu pointed out that the businesses did not get a vote in the earlier petition process because only residents were allowed.
More discussion followed regarding the parking situation.
Councilmember Castle stated his primary concern is the Coastal access since the block in discussion is only 0.3 miles from the Waterfront; noted when the City runs events all of the parking at the Marina is full so the spillover goes into the neighborhood; spoke of the unique circumstances of the area and that only a quarter to a third of the square footage of the front of the properties is residential versus commercial; reported that the vote for permitted parking was only open to the residential tenants and not the businesses; stated that, after speaking to the business owners and conducting a survey of who parks on the block at certain times, it is mostly employees or customers of the surrounding businesses; said that he does not feel preferential parking will work for the area due to demand for Coastal parking and because of the businesses that reside there.
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Mayor Light confirmed Councilmember Castle would vote against the CDP and the CEQA and Councilmember Castle confirmed that was correct.
Councilmember Waller spoke of his experiences parking in that area, felt that it would severely impact the businesses there, and was not in support of a parking permit for that area; stated if Councilmember Castle was in support of it he would possibly change his mind, but without his support, he was not in support of either item.
Councilmember Behrendt asked the City Manager if the Council had the option to rescind the December 2023 resolution that spoke to a preferred parking zone in the first instance.
City Manager Witzansky responded that they do have that option, they could come back with a specific item to nullify that resolution, but he believed the way the resolution was written it was subject to the implementation approval of a CDP; explained further that the Council’s action that evening would complete that process and if they were to vote no on the CDP then that would be the end of it; noted that the Council could bring back the resolution for reconsideration but it could not be rescinded that evening since they are limited to only the CDP.
Councilmember Behrendt asked if they needed to find that one of the three findings in the CDP was not met.
City Manager Witzansky pointed out that it has already been determined that one of the three findings is not applicable since they are not dealing with construction, the second finding is a CEQA finding that has been met, and the first finding is the actual preeminent finding in this case; stated the City is struggling to recommend that the PPZ comports to the City’s Local Coastal Program.
Councilmember Behrendt asked, if the City Council determined that any one of the three findings was not met, then it would not go forward.
City Manager Witzansky responded correct, the CDP would not be sufficiently supported.
Councilmember Behrendt asked if he believed the Council has the discretion to determine that finding 1 has not been met.
City Manager Witzansky responded yes, they have the discretion to make that determination collectively as a group; said he would not recommend they make that determination; noted that the Council has the discretion to make that choice but staff’s best professional recommendation based on their assessment of what that finding would entail is that the City cannot support it.
Motion by Councilmember Behrendt to determine that finding 1 has not been met and the resolution shall not be adopted.
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Motion died for lack of a second.
City Traffic Engineer stated that the previous Council motion in Section 5 says that the resolution and all provisions contained therein shall become null and void if the City does not obtain an approved Coastal Development Permit from the California Coastal Commission; noted that would also make the whole resolution adopted in 2023 null and void or immaterial.
Community Development Director Wiener said that is for the prior resolution but, for the resolution prepared for the Coastal Development Permit, the City Council would need to deny it due to the inability to make finding number 1.
Motion by Councilmember Behrendt, seconded by Councilmember Castle, to deny the resolution based on the inability to make finding number 1 determined by the Council.
Mayor Light invited public testimony.
Jesse Bulen, owner of Beach Cities Rover, spoke about his history living and owning businesses in Redondo Beach; understood the difficulty of parking in the area and said the neighbors have been very good but sometimes it does not always work out; opined that there are plenty of places to park for the homes; noted that the homes were built after the businesses were already there and there are three businesses that share the same lot; reported his business was built in 1974 and that the homeowners knew what they bought into since their building has been there; noted that many neighbors and City workers park in the area and a lot is taken by the poke restaurant; stated it is sad to see all the vacant commercial lots and that businesses can’t survive in Redondo Beach; pointed out that the homes have garages, some owners choose to use their garages as storage, and park on the street; said it is only fair to the businesses that they and the City workers have a place to park and operate.
Brad Horne, 515 North Gertruda, stated that everyone uses their garages but that cars have gotten bigger and the garages cannot hold two cars anymore; reported that no one parks west of the area on the weekends to go to the beach, everyone parks west of Catalina down towards Herondo St.; reported Just Poke’s parking lot is empty and patrons park on his street, the Rover lot has 8 to 10 spots available and they move all their cars out so they can access them which they park on his street, and stated that is not fair; explained that the actions of the Rover business is to park cars on the street to save spots for later is awful; pointed out on the map that there is plenty of parking for City workers west and the Rover business could park there too; mentioned that his wife hates to leave because she knows she will not have a spot when she comes back and that is why they need permit parking; stated that the City recognized that the businesses don’t pay taxes for that street, they pay on PCH, residents pay on Gertruda, and the residents should have first access to it; hoped the Council would change their minds and vote in support.
Councilmember Obagi asked if they have a garage why would they park on the street.
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Brad Horne explained that they have SUV’s and when the garages were built they were smaller and they can’t accommodate the size of larger vehicles.
Ricardo de la Espriella said according to the Administrative Report dated August 28, 2023, there are six businesses and 28 residences in the 500 block of North Gertruda; noted that the businesses do not have a North Gertruda address but use 60% or more of the parking during the day; reported that the auto repair business at 529 North PCH conducts most of their business on North Gertruda such as employee parking, deliveries, customer service, waste/oil/coolant pickups, etc.; reported that on Sunday, March 15th at 10:00 p.m. a tow truck dropped off a Land Rover and described the incident as noisy and disruptive; stated that it is his understanding that an industrial business license on a residential street or zone is not allowed and said the 500 block of North Gertruda is zoned R-3A and that is why the business addresses are on PCH; asked that the Council consider the residents and asked that the businesses educate their customers on where to drop vehicles at night.
Phil Mattia, resident of the 500 block of North Gertruda, stated he understands that the businesses and the residents need to work together and everyone needs to be considerate of each other; supported having local businesses and mentioned he doesn’t have concerns with event parking since there are usually enough options for those; spoke of customers not parking all day so that is fine but residents are concerned with the noncustomer business parking; said that most residents can only fit one of their cars in a garage and need to use street parking for their other vehicle; suggested that the Public Works Yard park their vehicles in the yard if possible; hoped the Council would reconsider and take everything into account.
Mayor Light asked if he had a driveway.
Phil Mattia stated it is a common driveway.
Councilmember Obagi asked if the vehicles parked on the street are City owned vehicles.
Phil Mattia responded that he has not noticed that but reported they are Land Rovers and Mercedes during the day.
Carl Henkel, 509 Gertruda, reported there are four sources of cars that stay all day:
employees that work at the maintenance yard, the mechanics businesses with their cars and customers’ cars, the poke restaurant employees, and the residents that live there; stated that the mechanic businesses take up a large percentage because there are several cars that take up spaces; said the issue is only during the week and not the weekends; asked what the harm would be to ask the Coastal Commission if they qualify for finding number 1 and wondered why the Council had to make that decision, granted they supported it; urged the Council to help them with the problem.
Councilmember Obagi asked if they could allow the permit for only weekdays.
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Mayor Light replied it is only weekdays.
Carl Henkel stated it is not a problem for the events or weekends and the residents are only asking for a solution for the weekdays.
Mayor Light referred to the question of why the Council is making the decision asked by the speaker; explained that they wrote a Coastal Development Program, an LCP, that was approved by the Coastal Commission and Council is charged with administering it; noted that the Coastal Commission already provided an opinion.
City Manager Witzansky reported that they discussed it with the Coastal Commission staff, not the Commission itself, and they were not supportive of it; confirmed that it would not go to the Coastal Commission since they are not charged with it but they could bring action against the City if they are not complying with the City’s LCP.
Mayor Light stated so the answer to the early question from the speaker is the City is making the decision because they are administering the Local Coastal Program.
Wayne Craig, District 1, suggested the employees could park at the Whole Foods since there is a subterranean parking structure there that is hardly ever used and that may help solve the problem.
Nancy Skiba commented that people tend to take up the street parking because they have multiple cars in the household; hoped they could figure out how to alleviate the problem.
Mayor Light referenced the zoning map from the presentation and asked about some commercial on the R-3 side.
Senior Planner Giang noted on the map that there is a portion in yellow that is commercial use within the R-3 zone.
City Traffic Engineer Liu added that there are a couple residential homes in the C-2A zone as well.
Mayor Light confirmed those were pre-existing uses before the zoning was changed so they are non-conforming but allowed; asked if any of the businesses mentioned have any CUPs that would require them to keep parking on their site.
City Traffic Engineer Liu responded he believed the auto shop’s CUP is from a very long time ago.
Mayor Light asked if there are conditions for parking.
Community Development Director Wiener said they would need to do some research and get back to the Council and Mayor.
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Mayor Light asked Jesse Bulen to come to the podium; asked Mr. Bulen if he had a rebuttal to the complaints from the neighbors regarding his businesses’ parking habits.
Jesse Bulen responded that they occasionally shuffle cars around during the day and are respectful of the neighbors; stated they try to park from their lot and asked if the City were to move forward with permits would that mean they would receive parking in front of their building or not; explained that their lot is unique and is a drive-thru lot which faces North Gertruda and PCH; stated that residents walk through his property all the time and that there is give and take.
Mayor Light said he did not want to get into that and asked Mr. Bulen if it is true that his employees park on that street.
Jesse Bulen responded that his employees do park on the street, noted that the City workers get there earlier and take all the spots.
Mayor Light asked if they could control where the tow-trucks drop off.
Jesse Bulen said that the speaker made an accurate statement and that if the drivers are not directed, they sometimes pull to the back.
Councilmember Obagi commented that he felt everybody’s testimony was honest and appreciated that; said he views the situation differently than his fellow Councilmembers and he thinks the commercial uses are preventing the Coastal access by taking up a lot of the parking spots; noted that the repair shop admitted that their employees and cars being repaired park on the street and understood why residents would have no parking available; wondered if there was a solution short of the PPZ for the area such as a commercial parking prohibition.
City Manager Witzansky said the City could build a new corporation yard with on-site parking and free up half of the parking.
City Traffic Engineer Liu said that would be a solution but they have limited space in the Public Works Yard and it would be extremely challenging to differentiate the purpose of each car parked; noted that any member of the public would be able to park in accordance to the posted regulations.
City Manager Witzansky noted that it is predominantly City employees, and not just the poke place and the repair shop, that park in the area.
Mayor Light referenced the slide that said 4-hour 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 7 days a week and noted that is what confused Councilmember Obagi and wanted clarification that staff had said it would only be weekdays.
City Traffic Engineer Liu reported that is the existing parking regulation on that block.
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Mayor Light asked if the action would be for preferential parking just during the weekdays.
City Traffic Engineer Liu responded that would be correct and it would remove the 4-hour limit and replace it with the permit.
More discussion followed on other areas that offer parking and don’t offer parking around Gertruda, Catalina, and PCH and the enforcement of the current 4-hour parking limit.
Jesse Bulen stated the discussion of the 4-hour limit is inaccurate and spoke of the areas that have a 4-hour limit and ones that have a 72-hour limit; mentioned there’s lots of signs there for parking.
Mayor Light took the vote on the floor.
Motion carried 4-1 by voice vote. Councilmember Obagi was opposed.
Motion by Councilmember Castle, seconded by Councilmember Kaluderovic, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 5-0 by voice vote.
Motion by Councilmember Behrendt, seconded by Councilmember Castle, to recess for an 8-minute break.
Motion carried 5-0 by voice vote.
Laura Diaz read by title only Resolution No. CC-2603-013.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION FROM RECESS
Mayor Light reconvened to Open Session at 8:13 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Waller, Castle, Kaluderovic, Obagi, Behrendt, Mayor Light
Councilmembers Absent: None
Officials Present: Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Joy Ford, City Attorney
Cheryl Park, Assistant City Attorney
Marc Wiener, Community Development Director
Laura Diaz, Records Mgmt. Supervisor
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M. ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS AGENDAS - None
N. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION PRIOR TO ACTION
N.1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE DRAFT USER FEE STUDY
PREPARED FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
CONTACT: MARC WIENER, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Community Development Director Wiener announced he was joined by Eric Johnson from Revenue and Cost Specialist, Planning Manager Sean Scully, and Building Official Lorena Soules; stated that they have been working on the Fee Study for over a year and that is what they were presenting that evening; noted that the item is just a discussion item and they are not bringing forward a resolution to adopt new fees; stated they were there to discuss the results of the study and recommendations.
Mayor Light clarified that they would adopt any changes during the budget.
City Manager Witzansky clarified that for that evening they are seeking general reaction to the study, take feedback and questions, and then any direction associated with changes would migrate through the normal fee schedule process; stated that would be part of the 26-27 budget adoption where the City does a notice and public hearing of proposed changes to the Master Fee Schedule.
Eric Johnson, Revenue and Cost Specialist (RCS), provided some background on RCS and himself; reported that RCS was founded in 1980 in the wake of Prop 13 and Prop 4; stated he has been in the industry since 1990 and has worked with 150 different agencies; stated RCS was created to recast city budgets with a business orientation because in 1978 voters passed Prop 13 and a year later passed Prop 4; said that voters wanted government to act more like a business and know its cost but that governmental accounting was not designed to identify what it cost to provide services to customers; reported that RCS creates the information needed because it doesn’t exist and they do that by taking with staff and identifying times and costs; provided an example using a can of corn and explained the cost of the can of corn includes the grower, the shipper, the grocery store, the distributor, and the store clerk; stated they assist with providing costs to services to the public that are fully loaded similar to a business; said they help match costs with revenues, updated current fees, and added/removed redefined fees since costs have changed since the Fee Schedule was originally designed for both Planning and Building; stated they made sure the fees are legally defensible and looked at the revenues to identify what are the revenues on a larger scale that are being collected; reported that rents and fines are exempted from cost recovery limitations; stated in 1996 voters passed Prop 218 which placed limits on the creation and update of property related fees and, in 2010, Prop 26 was passed to codify a lot of the existing fee practices and identified that fees must be for a service directly benefiting the fee payer; reviewed RCS’s methodology which included: establishing service and time spent, reviewing the budget and calculate overhead, determining community vs. personal choice, and cost recovery
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and recommendations; explained each step of the process; stated their goal was to identify 100% of staff costs (which he noted they call Tax Supported Services) either in spending time on overhead administrative services or spending time on services to the public such as charged fees or counter services that are not charged; stated they want to make sense of time allocated by staff on services and then they develop a fully allocated hourly rate for every position; noted that they looked at actual salaries that employees were making, fringe benefits, applied general operating expenses from the City budget, Citywide overhead from the City Cost Allocation Plan, and then calculated a departmental overhead for clerical and administrative support which gave them a fully allocated hourly billing rate for every position; stated they take the fully allocated hourly rate and match it up with the time detail and then they know what all the various different services cost; stated they went back to each division within each department to make sure their findings made sense so that if the Fee Schedule were to be adopted it is something that would work on an everyday basis at the counter; said they talked about Community Supported Services vs Personal Choice Services; defined Community Supported Services (aka Tax Supported Services) as services that typically benefit the community as a whole such as Police/Fire, streets, and parks and Personal Choice Services (aka Fee Services) as being the customer identifiable, the service is measurable, and the benefit is to an individual or group and not the larger community; noted the City could decide to subsidize the services based on any reasons they feel are appropriate; stated that for Personal Choice Services when fees do not cover costs it comes from taxes; explained that for each Community Supported Service there are about $1.2 million in subsidies from communities from taxes to support current fee services but if taxpayer money is going towards those services there is less money for Police, Fire, streets, and parks; referenced the report RCS created and said the summary schedule provides the total cost, total revenue, and what is subsidized or if the current fee is higher than the cost for each service they’ve identified; stated that the City would have to decrease the costs that they have shown that exceed the cost reasonably born; explained that each service fee has an “S” number and reviewed the information regarding the Summary Schedule, Appendix A (current and proposed fees) and Appendix B (revenue and cost summary with cost detail worksheets).
Mayor Light asked how they get the unit time; commented that he did it as a federal contractor and their time sheets had to back up what they used as their unit cost for time; said his understanding is that the City’s timesheets aren’t that granular to figure that out.
Eric Johnson agreed with the Mayor regarding the City’s timesheets and explained it would be too tough to do that anyways; reported that he sat down with staff and went through how much time was being spent for each of the applications which took hours; said that software helps them determine if a person is spending the right amount of time on their step in the process.
Community Development Director Wiener stated their estimates are on the conservative side, they did reality checks multiple times, and made adjustments; noted that they are averages and they will vary depending on the application; noted there was a side benefit to the process because it made staff look at their own internal processes and they made some adjustments that have helped improve efficiency in Planning.
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More discussion followed regarding the Fee Study and the process and results of it.
Mayor Light asked when it’s an outsourced service, do they just apply what is paid.
Eric Johnson stated yes; continued with his presentation; showed a slide for Appendix C (detail of building and safety fees); noted that Building and Safety is a lot different regarding the services and how it is charged; stated that they are transitioning from a valuation based new construction fees permit system to a square footage and type of construction based system; explained why they felt that was more fair in evaluating of cost.
Community Development Director Wiener added that another issue with valuation is it is subjective and the applicants will provide a value that will affect the building permit fee; stated that the square footage system is more standardized and the norm in most cities and the Staff Report noted that Hermosa and Manhattan use the square footage system and they attached an ICC table in the report.
Eric Johnson provided a slide with RCS’s final tax subsidy decision which stated: 1) the project goal was to identify the full costs for the various services, 2) RCS and City staff made fee recommendations for every service, and 3) City Council decides which services should be charged the full costs and which services are subsidized with tax dollars.
Community Development Director Wiener stated there were a few Planning fees that they highlighted in the Staff Report that staff felt were too high; noted that staff recommended the CUP be at 50% of what RCS recommended and then have it partially subsidized and reviewed a few other permit types shown on the slide; pointed out a few other fees the Council should consider subsidizing but mentioned the City is in line with the current fees; stated, as noted in the Staff Report, the revenue for the departments over the past few years averaged about $4.1 million and the expenses were about $4.9 million; mentioned this FY has been an anomaly and they weren’t able to fully factor it in because it is not complete; said the proposed fee updates would net approximately $1 million or more in annual revenue, would close the gap between revenue and expenses, and support expenses associated with enhanced service delivery; stated, as part of the agreement with RCS, the contract has RCS evaluating the City’s current development impact fees using a Nexus study; reported the City has three impact fees: Quimby fees, which are $25,000 per new subdivided unit, Public Art fee, which is 1% of the project valuation, and Parks and Recreation fee, which is $430; noted in light of many of the state housing mandates cities are looking to address some of the costs being borne by the city for the housing projects; stated staff recommended that the Council receive and file the report, provide direction on the fee study and proposed fee updates, and provide direction on the agreement for the impact fee study.
Mayor Light asked Director Wiener to go back to the slide titled Development Impact Fees; stated he supported the updating of the agreement with RCS to evaluate adding new impact fees; noted at the Mayors Conference multiple cities throughout California stated they are doing or have done Nexus studies to recoup and balance out the rezoning
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impacts that the new developments had on their cities which they had no control over; added they should look over other areas such as impact on roadways and other public infrastructure that the City can’t balance since they didn’t have a say in the development; asked Director Wiener to go back to the slide on Fee Reductions and commented that the City’s process for appealing are tougher and more expensive than appealing to the Coastal Commission; stated he didn’t want residents who don’t agree with a decision to have to pay thousands of dollars to appeal a decision and felt it was anti-democratic.
City Manager Witzansky commented that is why Director Wiener included the process fee on that slide; stated it is traditionally an area where cities subsidize the process, noted it is expensive, takes a lot of time and energy from staff, and there is a lot involved with appeals.
Mayor Light stated he went through the other fees and was shocked to know a water heater replacement is $151 and it is three connections; felt that would force people to do it under the table and said it would make sense if it was not a like-for-like replacement such as a tankless water heater.
Discussion followed on the ability to distinguish or differentiate it on the fee schedule.
Councilmember Kaluderovic commented that it might discourage residents to upgrade their units to a more efficient one.
Assistant City Attorney Park reported that the plumbing code is changing so tanks are going away and heat pumps are the replacement so new construction will have heat pumps; noted eventually it will all be electric at a certain point.
Mayor Light stated the bill that forced all natural gas appliances to be phased out by 2030 was defeated.
Assistant City Attorney Park and City Manager Witzansky both commented that the building code and plumbing codes are different and still apply.
Mayor Light said he still thought they could say like-for-like vs if it’s a change in type of apparatus or material and used roof replacement as an example.
More discussion followed.
Community Development Director Wiener commented that what they presented that evening was the results of the study and that there was room for refinements or adjustments; noted that Council and the City want to encourage business and they are looking for feedback on the results of the study; spoke of his experience with the appeal fee at other cities and said the general theme is to subsidize that fee.
Mayor Light asked what staff is looking for that evening.
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City Manager Witzansky noted any feedback would be helpful regarding the fees, and as they evaluate the fees consider lowering the City’s subsidy to the department services so that the City can improve their General Fund position; stated they want to ensure there is a clear nexus and they are appropriately charging fees for certain types of services.
Mayor Light stated he supported a nexus study to look at development fees to address more than just the three brought forward that evening and subsidizing heavily on the appeals, so they don’t raise the amount to do an appeal.
Councilmember Castle referenced the slide Fee Reductions and asked how other cities compare in terms of Planning fees with Manhattan and Hermosa basing theirs on square footage.
Eric Johnson clarified that he was speaking about planning entitlement and noted those fees are trickier because every city defines it differently; stated that it is difficult to compare when comparing planning fees across cities.
Community Development Director Wiener noted building codes are similar across the board and apply uniform standard code but the planning process is unique to the jurisdictions.
City Manager Witzansky noted that it is a much smaller overall revenue category for the City and the high preponderance of the City’s revenue generated comes through building.
Mayor Light noted the City transitioned over to iWorQ and asked if they took the efficiencies with iWorQ into account when they went through the report.
Community Development Director Wiener stated most of the planning involves staff reports and review time and meetings and not much of the handling and the process is through the system; reported that most of the improvements they see in the process is through the outsourcing of the building plan checks and they are exceeding turnaround times.
Discussion followed regarding taking the turnaround times into consideration, clerical processing time, and time spent on the whole process.
Community Development Director Wiener pointed out that the payment to the consultants for outsourcing is based on a percentage of the fees that the City would be collecting so potentially those fees could go up.
Discussion followed on whether iWorQ was a factor in determining the fee schedule.
Councilmember Obagi asked if there was anything from an internal standpoint that they could do to cut costs of providing the services to the public and if outsourcing helps or hurts in the effort to provide affordable services to the public.
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Community Development Director Wiener responded that on the Planning side the use of CUPs are fairly expensive and if the City made more uses Permit-By-Right or Administrative-Use-Permit then it would reduce the overall cost, noted they plan on bringing an item to the City Council on that; responded that on the Building side it is based on set rates that the City can set, felt it would be a good practice to base it on square footage, it gets complicated with regards to outsourcing of the plan checks which has increased the cost and expense to the department.
City Manager Witzansky highlighted Director Wiener’s statement regarding the outsourcing and noted that, even though they are turning the plan checks around faster, the City is covered through the fees and they are getting a smaller percentage; stated that the fee is already set and the City has agreed to pay 60% of that fee to the contractor so that process isn’t driving the fee structure; stated the contract bench allows the City to produce and process more work more quickly; clarified that the City is sharing some of their revenue with the contractor in order to expedite performance for the applicants.
Councilmember Obagi asked if the City is increasing the permitting fees will the contractors still get 60% of the new increased rate or does the City pay the original amount.
City Manager Witzansky reported that contractors will get paid 60% of the new rate based on their current agreements, but as they negotiate new agreements, they can reconsider adjustments; noted what they have is industry standard.
More discussion followed on whether they need to reconsider negotiating the agreements to keep money in the City but keeping the efficiencies they have gained from outsourcing.
Councilmember Obagi asked Eric Johnson how RCS would do a nexus study on the Public Art Fee.
Eric Johnson mentioned his partner would conduct that study since he is the expert on impact fees but said his partner has acknowledged it is very difficult to come up with a defendable nexus for Public Art.
Councilmember Obagi questioned whether they hire RCS to do that if that is the case.
Eric Johnson stated RCS would have discussions with staff on whether it is really an impact fee or an in lieu of fee that is negotiated with the client; questioned the impact of Public Art and whether there is a deficiency in the community for art in public places.
Councilmember Obagi said alternatively they could just keep collecting the fee until somebody challenges it and then the City would have to defend it.
City Manager Witzansky commented that when they established the fee the purpose of it was an in lieu of fee, the condition is to provide public art as an obligation of the development and if they can’t just contribute to the City’s Public Art Fee.
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Councilmember Obagi referenced the Quimby fees and asked if the nexus study would take into consideration projects that the City needs to fund.
Eric Johnson responded that they would to the extent that its impact is because of new development; noted they cannot make up for current deficiencies on the back of new development; clarified that it is only their impact that they are funding.
Motion by Councilmember Obagi to approve the schedule recovering the full cost of the City’s services, to have a fee reduction of 50% where RCS proposed except the Planning Commission and City Council appeal and reduced that fee to $600 instead.
Councilmember Obagi stated he is concerned about the ability of people to appeal to the Planning Commission and City Council, and also if a developer building housing gets wrongfully denied by the Planning Commission he felt they should keep the barriers to appeal low.
Councilmember Castle offered a friendly amendment that if the appeal is denied they would have to pay the proposed fee or higher fee.
Staff commented that they cannot do that.
Councilmember Obagi stated he would also support authorizing staff to explore all the nexus studies to pursue development impact fees.
Councilmember Kaluderovic asked if there is a cost associated with nexus studies.
City Manager Witzansky responded there are costs and it would come back for Council approval; stated they have anticipated providing nexus for the City’s current fees, which are in the contract structure that was pre-negotiated, but will need to amend it if they start exploring new fees.
Community Development Director Wiener stated that the current agreement for the impact fee study was about $30,000 and likely would be about $50,000 if they amend it.
Councilmember Waller asked if it was a one fiscal year study of everything, FY 24-25.
Eric Johnson stated it was a snapshot in time, and they did update the 25-26 salary and benefit cost; said they do look historically and prospectively so they can update to reflect what the trends are showing for the current and upcoming year.
Councilmember Waller said what he would like to see in the fee impacts are the bottom line of the full impact of changing the fees and if it is a small difference that they leave it as is; opined they should concentrate on the things that make a bigger impact; commented that the table was not easy to read and understand; wanted to make sure the fee increases were reasonable and that the developer impact fees are accountable and
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defensible legally.
City Manager Witzansky commented that the comparative analysis with other cities showed that moving to the square footage calculation was more in line with neighboring cities.
Councilmember Waller agreed that using square footage makes more sense; spoke about the permit for water heaters and was not concerned about that but that the roof permit made sense; stated he would just like the costs to stay reasonable, would not support increasing appeal costs, but wouldn’t vote against a $600 for appeals; confirmed that they are not approving numbers at that time and it would have to come back.
City Manager Witzansky replied he was correct, but the feedback is helpful direction.
Councilmember Behrendt thanked staff for the work; said the methodology is imperfect but sound and arguably probably the best way to proceed under the circumstances; commented that the approach was balanced and reasonable and the revenue earned by the City will help from a fiscal perspective; noted that the City Treasurer is in the audience and he is very involved; stated he is reluctant to pick apart each and every fee; spoke of his initial reaction to the water heater and roofing permit fees being similar to that of the Mayor’s but he has come to appreciate that the City has a high quality team and expenses for staff associated with the permits are valid; spoke in support of what is being proposed but also felt strongly about the appellate fee being subsidized; commented that if they have a situation in the future, where they have lots of appeals coming in, they can revisit it and make adjustments; stated he supported whatever number staff are in favor of for appeal fees for the Planning Commission and for City Council; stated he is in favor of doing the impact fee studies for both existing fees and nexus in exploring a development impact fee; supported Councilmember Obagi’s motion.
Councilmember Waller seconded Councilmember Obagi’s motion.
City Manager Witzansky wanted the Council to understand there is risk in the exercise and if they do the nexus for $25,000 the other fees could show they need to raise them or show they need to be decreased and they will need to adhere to the ceilings that are identified in the study.
Councilmember Behrendt asked if the City Manager recommended that they hold off on doing the other nexus studies or to move forward and do them.
City Manager Witzansky said there are risks to both scenarios and stated the City feels the nexus fee is the best way to substantiate whatever value is appropriate; mentioned it will be necessary at some point and would rather not have the City subject to challenge because they didn’t take the time to create the nexus; recommended doing it but wanted to make everyone understand it may not be a positive outcome for them on the fees.
Discussion followed.
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Mayor Light invited public comments.
Wayne Craig noted that putting up new buildings requires work done on sewer lines and water connections since they weren’t designed for it and it costs a lot of money and a lot of effort which the City gets stuck paying for; said they need to be careful because the City has already raised parking fees twice and other fees across the City; agreed with the Mayor that it would cause problems if they raised the appeal cost too high and mentioned a situation that occurred with him and the Mayor; highlighted that the cost for a singlefamily addition went from $5,000 to $14,459 and commercial tenant improvement went from $6,700 to $12,887 which he felt was a big jump and suggested they look at those again; referenced a project where the project was denied but the Planning Commission had approved it and the outcome resulted in a better project and thanked the Council for allowing them to make the changes; cautioned the Council that raising fees too high may bring push back from the residents; stated just because the neighboring cities are raising theirs doesn’t mean Redondo Beach should.
Laura Diaz reported no one online and no eComments.
Motion carried 5-0 by voice vote.
N.2. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 MIDYEAR BUDGET REVIEW
RECEIVE AND FILE A PRESENTATION ON THE STATUS OF THE CITY’S
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
PROVIDE DIRECTION ON IDENTIFIED FY 2026-27 COST SAVINGS
STRATEGIES
ADOPT BY 4/5THS VOTE AND BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. 2603-014,
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, MODIFYING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 CONTACT: STEPHANIE MEYER. FINANCE DIRECTOR
Mayor Light noted N.2 is a continuation from earlier in the meeting.
City Manager Witzansky reported that Finance Director Stephanie Meyer would start the presentation and Capital Projects Program Manager Jesse Reyes would go over the status of the CIP.
Finance Director Meyer summarized what she would be covering in her presentation of the City’s Mid-Year Report:
- Fund Balance Summary
- Recommended Revenue and Expenditure Adjustments
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- Decision Packages
- Capital Project Status Updates
- FY 2026-27 Cost Savings/Considerations
- Commission Input
- Recommendations
Finance Director Meyer reported that their estimated starting balance for the current year is about $3.15 million and the total revenue adjustments that they are proposing for that evening was $3.4 million; spoke about offsets in taxes and lease rental and offset by increases to charges for service and one-time revenues; stated they are recommending about a $7.7 million increase to expenditures and a $2.3 million increase representing anticipated payments to the City’s Lender Health Authority funded reserve related to their hotel site specific tax agreement; stated they are also recommending a $600,000 deduction to their total tax category and said particularly in TOT the trends how reductions are consistent with the region and the hotel sector may be hit harder than some of the surrounding areas; stated they have some proposed increases primarily in development fees, higher than expected ambulance fees, and parking meter revenue which are offset by decreases to the City’s rental revenue; noted that they are accounting for some onetime unanticipated payments and recommending a $1.4 million increase for the City’s annual overhead costs; explained the increase would be offset by expense to the General Fund so it is net zero and the increase is about 9%; reported they have two major categories to look at on the spending side; said one is their payment to the City’s Authority Funded Reserve which reflects the impact of their weaker tourism demand on their specific hotel properties.
Councilmember Castle commented that all the TOT is softer than they anticipated and asked if the Marine Ave. properties are back to not contributing to any TOT to the General Fund and it is all going back into the separate reserve account.
Finance Director Meyer replied yes.
City Manager Witzansky stated, with the City’s current auditor’s request, they are receiving TOT but now they have the associated expense back to the Authority Funded Reserve so the net impact for the year is roughly net zero.
Discussion followed.
City Manager Witzansky noted that the current projection and the refreshes are now largely complete and next fiscal year should not be impaired in the same way as long as the market doesn’t do anything worse.
Councilmember Castle voiced his concern that every year the City almost gets to a point where they should start receiving but then something happens and the City never actually sees a net payment.
City Manager Witzansky stated they have done a long litany of auditing of their process,
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they have completed three brand refreshes, and they completely depleted the fund which put the City in a $3 million hole; explained their concerns now are largely just due to weaker demand but the forecast next year is better but he and Director Meyer are more cautious about incorporating that cash flow into the projections until they see it.
Finance Director Meyer continued her presentation; stated the City’s next large item is contributions to the City’s internal services which is at about $2.9 million which is led by a significant increase to the City’s self-insurance fund and expects them to level off in the next few years since the number reflects a bit of catch up from their 23-24 audit; reported they have a smaller increase to vehicle maintenance; reported they estimated about $2.4 million in salary savings for the year due which is reflected in budget methodology changes they made for the current year budget and regular staffing turnover; provided a slide with the entire City cost for internal services and explained that the $2.9 million is the General Fund share and the other funds contribute as well, reported overall it is about a 14% increase; reported the next highest overall number is the City overhead which is largely their ongoing operational personnel costs.
City Manager Witzansky added another delta there is that internal overhead departments had been running lean for a number of years and they are now caught up on staffing; noted they will see year over year increases at full staffing, so it is not unanticipated given the trend they have had over the last few years.
Finance Director Meyer reviewed the City’s Decision Packages which included General Fund and Other Funds; provided a slide noting the General Fund program changes had a net zero impact; explained that the format the City intended to use for the Paramedic Assessment Fee contract is not how they proceeded and are proposing a change that increases both revenue and expenditure so they can pay the contract; reported that the program has been in place since August, it has shown consistent revenue, and they fully anticipate meeting their budget in that area; stated they also had changes for the City’s Contract Building Plan Review related to contracting out plans which requires large onetime payments so they recommend increasing that to another $950,000; explained that expenditure increase will be segregated from other costs so the only expense they charge there will be more than offset by the revenues and anything unspent will return to the fund balance; reported for Other Funds they primarily have adjustments related to external funding and reviewed the funding sources: CDBG, Prop 68, Measure A, and John Parsons; stated they are proposing staffing reorganizations in IT and Public Works which would be fully offset by reductions to contractual and professional services for IT and overall staff adjustments for Public Works; reported the City has a regular refuse rate adjustment, which is always proposed at Mid-Year because they don’t have the data available earlier, and is offset by revenue; stated they have two Vehicle Replacement Fund purchases: 1) an advanced purchase for a backhoe, which is required due to the condition of the vehicle, and 2) they are asking for an additional appropriation for a fuel island, which is in addition to existing funding and is needed to complete the project; reported that they have enough in the City’s Vehicle Replacement Fund for both of the purchases.
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Mayor Light questioned the staffing reorganization for IT and Public Works; asked if they are really reorganizing.
City Manager Witzansky responded that they are making a change in personnel structure; stated for the Public Works Department they are taking a series of positions and modifying them and for IT they are repositioning a vacancy they have had into a more supervisory capacity; noted both are either cost neutral or will have savings to the General Fund.
Mayor Light asked for clarification regarding the fuel island.
City Manager Witzansky stated they are repairing the current fuel island and not getting a new one.
Finance Director Meyer continued with the presentation; reported, for the General Fund, they anticipate ending the fiscal year with about $1.27 million in available fund balance, including all the recommended adjustments and decision packages and do not recommend taking any additional action at that time; turned the floor over to Capital Projects Manager Reyes.
CIP Manager Reyes stated he would be giving Council a brief overview of the City’s CIP up to date; reported that they currently have 108 projects in the CIP and it continues to be a robust program; noted that the Street category continues to be the largest category with 41 projects driven by funding opportunities, mostly from Metro grants and stated they have completed or substantially completed 21 projects; noted that “substantially complete” means as it hasn’t been formally accepted as complete by Council, still has some punch list items to finish, but for all intents and purposes is complete; provided a slide with the current year project summary broken down into: Projects currently in design, Projects currently in procurement, Projects currently in construction, and completed projects as of March 11, 2026 with a column showing numbers as of March, 11, 2026 and a column projecting numbers through the end of the fiscal year (June 2026); reported that eight new projects were added to the CIP in the last fiscal year; provided a slide titled FY 2026 CIP Fund Type and Totals and reported that the $75.6 million of total budgeted FY 2026 included carryovers ($45.3 million) and net appropriations ($30.3 million); noted that grants account for roughly 49% or $37 million of the budgeted amount and that the City is always looking for outside funding opportunities to try to move the projects forward; said the projects that have been the drivers this year were the Herondo PCH open space improvements, Wilderness Park, residential rehab, Artesia/Aviation right turn lane (which is an active project), Kingsdale resurfacing, Artesia safety improvements, North Redondo Beach bikeway extension, Grant Ave. resurfacing (phase 1), sanitary sewer facilities, and the City’s traffic signal communication network (phase 2).
Mayor Light asked why there was so much budgeted for Tidelands and Uplands but so little expended.
CIP Manager Reyes responded it was mainly the Seaside Lagoon grant and that is why they don’t see a large expenditure.
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City Manager Witzansky added they also have the encumbrance for the Moonstone Park Project in the $2.6 million in the Tidelands that they have not advanced.
Mayor Light questioned that they now have money for Moonstone.
City Manager Witzansky said they have set money aside but it may not be fully available for use for that purpose; stated, of the $2.7 million in the Tidelands, $2.4 million of it is for Moonstone Park; clarified the money that has been spent in grants associated with the Seaside Lagoon design development would be in the Grants category.
CIP Manager Reyes stated his last slide features the Five-Year History snapshot of the program; noted that, besides the 21-22 Covid year, the City has had a steady output over the last three to four years; stated CIP remains robust and they have some level of activity in about 65 projects, which is probably the maximum level of output they can provide given the current level of staff; said even though the total expenditures are trending downward for this fiscal year, estimated at about $15 million, the number of projects being worked on remains steady.
City Manager Witzansky added this year they are entering more projects into the design phase, whereas prior years they have had more projects in procurement and in construction.
Finance Director Meyer announced they would move onto proposed cost reductions and considerations.
City Manager Witzansky said he will cover those; stated they are introducing three different topics that they are monitoring as they look forward to the 26-27 budget development process; stated the first topic is crossing guards; reported that the City spends about $550,000 a year staffing 27 different crossing guard locations but they are only able to internally staff 22 of the 27 locations; stated that the five locations that are serviced by their outside contractor is at a 50% premium per location and that they need to find ways to reduce the overall cost of the program; spoke of all the work and thought put into evaluating the 27 crossing guard locations and that three other locations have been requested recently for consideration; stated he would not recommend that the City staff 30 locations in the 26-27 budget and noted that in an ideal world they would staff 22 or fewer; stated if they look at the various metrics attached to their report they have provided good cause to create different tiering for locations based on need but it does not have to be determined that evening; voiced that intention for that evening was just to elevate the conversation, share the data prepared by staff including conversations they have had with the subcommittee, consider it, and provide general input on what Council would like to do as it pertains to the budget going forward; opined that they need to reduce the number to 22 or fewer locations; provided a map of the current crossing guard locations and noted that the metrics associated with the number of pedestrian crossings, vehicle travel, etc. were attached to the report; stated his recommendation going forward is to reduce the number of locations to 22 or fewer in 27-28; stated another big issue that
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the City has been looking at is their level of earthquake insurance and wanted specific direction from Council that evening; reported that the City currently pays $1.7 million a year in overall premium costs for property insurance, $1 million of that is specific to earthquake coverage; reported that the City has $234 million of assessed structures and with the earthquake program only $100 million would be paid out for a single event which is potentially shared with at least two neighboring cities; commented that it is silly for them to have that broad a level of coverage if they are never going to see payout at that level; stated staff strongly recommended reducing the number of facilities covered in the plan to something less than $100 million and possibly lower given that Manhattan Beach and Hawthorne would share the impact; said another option, which other cities are doing, is to provide no coverage at all and said that their insurance agent has shared privately with staff that he would recommend not to have earthquake coverage; provided some options in the attachment for Council to consider which spanned from reducing the number of properties covered to save half a million to eliminating the coverage entirely which would save them $1 million the next fiscal year in premium costs; stated the reason he is daylighting the earthquake coverage now is the City needs to make a decision in March for it to be effective for the 26-27 budget; provided a slide with information on other insurance considerations that do not need immediate action that evening but they would want to act on going into the 26-27 discussion; reported that the City has a Self-Insured Retention (SIR) level of half a million and they are evaluating if it makes sense fiscally to increase that SIR to greater than half a million to $1 million because they estimate it may save them and additional $700,000 in the City’s general liability premium coverage costs; noted that some risk assessment needs to be done and evaluation on how often the pierce the SIR of a half a million; stated that they will need to notify Prism and their rep on the 2027 premium costs next fall or earlier since their coverages for it have already been decided for 2026; noted that another area for the Council to consider is the property damage category which has a $50,000 deductible; stated, in the 20 years he has been with the City, he can’t recall the City ever making a property damage claim for one of their facilities; suggested they might want to make adjustment, mentioned there doesn’t show a significant change to their premium costs but there would be marginal savings; noted it doesn’t make sense on an actuarial basis if they are not going to make a claim; stated the last property damage claim they can recall the City making was in the late 80’s when the Cattleman’s at the Pier burned down due to an electrical fire; showed a pension liability update slide which showed the current status at $51 million UAL, 92.9% funded, and a $4.2 million annual payment; noted that current projections have improved over the last 18 months and they went from having no UAL to having a forecasted $60 million UAL; reported they have had two consecutive years of better than expected returns and they are on track for another positive year this year; said that would trend the City to that level of funding going forward including a possibly super funded status on the miscellaneous category, which would lower the City’s UAL payment in the 27-28 year from over $4 million to around $3 million; cautioned that global events may suddenly affect markets which could turn it into a negative; stated they are tracking it and it has validated them isolating it and a standalone payment as opposed to treating it as a recurring expenditure; turned the floor back to Director Meyer.
Finance Director Meyer presented the Budget & Finance Commission’s input; stated the
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comments they wanted to share with the Council was centered around financial sustainability being a strong priority for the City and they strongly recommended the City plan for multiple scenarios when looking at the 26-27 budget, including potential further revenue decreases; stated next steps would be presenting the City’s 26-27 budget to the Council on May 16th; provided a slide with staff’s recommendations to the City Council which included: receive and file the report, receive and file the presentation on the CIPs, provide direction on the City’s 26-27 cost savings and adopt the resolution modifying the budget for FY 25-26.
City Manager Witzansky noted that City staff Diane Strickfaden, Brian Long, Ryan Liu, and Jane Chung were also in attendance and available to answer questions along with department heads.
Mayor Light commented that he was not clear regarding the budget modification for MidYear.
City Manager Witzansky responded that it was the Decision Packages and some of the adjustments to transfer insurance; noted that the earthquake insurance needed input that evening, but it would not affect the 25-26 budget, but it would affect the 26-27 budget; stated that any decision made to the earthquake insurance wasn’t permanent and that it could be decided year over year.
Discussion followed.
Mayor Light mentioned the testimony they heard earlier regarding a crossing guard for Ford and Aviation and asked if they could move a crossing guard from one location to another without affecting the budget.
City Manager Witzansky replied that they could redirect or reallocate an existing location, but they would need to provide notice to the community to let them know where and why it was occurring.
Mayor Light asked if the item was agendized properly for the Council to make the decision on the crossing guard reallocation that evening.
City Manager Witzansky said they would effectively be giving direction, but it is ultimately his decision to relocate the crossing guard.
Mayor Light asked the City Treasurer if he had any thoughts.
City Treasurer Eugene Solomon stated that he supported staff recommendations for leaving the Decision Packages and the $1.2 million as unallocated; when asked about the earthquake insurance, he stated he did not want to step on Human Resources Director Strickfaden’s toes but commented that commercial earthquake insurance is labeled as DIC (difference in conditions) Earthquake Insurance; agreed with the City Manager’s statements about the dilution of resources but noted that they might want to
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consider DIC as “difference in coverages” instead; explained that if the earthquake causes a fire and the fire damages the building then it would be covered by “peril of Fire’ and not earthquake insurance, or a pipe bursts due to the earthquake and causes water damage, it would be due to the pipe bursting; noted that structure damage as a result of a seismic event needs to be an identifiable seismic event for it to be covered by earthquake insurance; stated they should consider those likelihoods as they determine whether or not they are going to go forward with the earthquake insurance or not.
Mayor Light asked if he had a recommendation.
City Treasurer Solomon commented that it is more likely to have an event that damages a structure, with the efficient causation of that damage, resulting from fire, water damage, or an explosion; provided his views on the Self-Insured Retention and said it is important to look at the cost savings of the SIR; explained that the SIR is normally absorbed by the City so getting out from under the SIR is a consideration.
Councilmember Obagi asked if he meant have a lower SIR so that the insurance company is on the hook.
City Treasurer Solomon clarified that the City should have a lower SIR so that Council is using the insurance company’s counsel less.
Discussion followed regarding the SIR and using the insurance company’s approved counsel.
City Manager Witzansky stated Prism has been a good partner and has allowed the City some autonomy over the decisions under the $500,000 SIR limit; noted Prism has signed off on the City’s attorneys carrying the matter beyond the limit even while Prism is paying the bills.
More discussion followed.
Councilmember Castle referenced that the City has been working on a number of CIP projects and have money tied up in anticipation of grant funding; asked if Treasurer Solomon has seen any increase in the City’s investable cash.
City Treasurer Solomon replied that they have seen an increase in investable cash this quarter from previous quarters and they have seen less of a drain since the City has been more in the design process rather than towards the end of the completion process for their CIPs.
Councilmember Obagi voiced his support for no earthquake insurance; reported that he had a long discussion with the City Manager on the subject and found the City’s most vulnerable structure would be the parking structure; explained that if everyone draws from the pot of $100 million then the City would not be able to get enough money to rebuild the parking structure; said, in the five years he has been with the City, they have gone beyond
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the SIR twice so he would be interested in potentially going up to $1 million or $750,000 if it would result in immediate cost savings; reported, in regards to Decision Package 1, residents and himself have experienced issues in reporting a claim to the insurance company without the City’s taxpayer ID number and asked if staff could ask Whitman to include the City’s taxpayer ID number on the initial bill they send to insurers.
City Manager Witzansky stated staff is currently working on correcting that issue.
Councilmember Obagi spoke of all the safety improvements he has done during his term on Council in his district and stated he is not interested in adding any more crossing guards; provided a slide with a map showing Jefferson’s district and pointed out that the streets in the Golden Hills are feeding into Jefferson and that is why kids need to cross there; showed where he would like to remove a crossing guard at Havemeyer and Flagler and reallocate that crossing guard to Aviation and Ford; noted that Havemeyer and Flagler is a four-way stop, the CDC is there, there is a parking lot close by, and the area is much more controlled than it is on Ford and Aviation; urged they make the change immediately because there are only 54 more days in the school year, the public has requested it, it is budget neutral, and if there is blowback from the public it can rest on him and they can change it again if needed; hoped the Council would support him.
Councilmember Kaluderovic asked if he could allow a two-week notice of the change.
Councilmember Obagi agreed to that.
Mayor Light summarized Councilmember Obagi’s statements as: no earthquake insurance, moving the SIR to $1 million, and moving the crossing guard with notice from Havemeyer and Flagler to Ford and Aviation.
Councilmember Waller agreed with Councilmember Obagi to cut the earthquake insurance to zero or strongly cut it; provided reasons to support his decision; supported the increase in the SIR from $500,000 to $1 million; referenced the crossing guard subcommittee and asked if Ford and Aviation was the most needed location; stated he has had three requests for other locations for crossing guards.
City Manager Witzansky noted that an attachment was sent with the bike path slide; pulled up the attachment on the screen which was an analysis showing the number of bikes, pedestrians, and vehicles at each of the different locations; reviewed the information on the attachment; pointed out that Jefferson has a higher concentration of total guards so moving one from Jefferson is different than moving one from other locations; stated the analysis was an objective metric that Ryan Liu had put together with the subcommittee.
City Traffic Engineer Liu stated they need to keep in mind that the analysis is only a comparison of three intersections that don’t currently have crossing guards; noted that there may be other intersections the public is concerned about and said it is difficult to make decisions just based on input; reported that they know for a fact that Aviation and Ford is a smaller intersection than Inglewood and Grant; stated he can’t give a
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recommendation where they should put a guard but has provided objective facts; explained that Inglewood and Grant has multiple turn lanes, three lanes in each direction, and Grant is much wider than Ford; stated that Aviation and Inglewood are a bit more similar to each other but as lanes are increased it is more for a pedestrian to negotiate with drivers in order to cross; mentioned when complexity is increased with intersections more risk for a conflict can occur; agreed with Councilmember Obagi when there is a fourway stop, single-lane, and lower speeds there is less complexity for a pedestrian to walk across.
City Manager Witzansky felt it was safe to say the Havemeyer and Flagler intersection is on the lighter side based on the statistics.
City Traffic Engineer Liu stated all four crossing guards around Jefferson have narrow, one-way streets with parking on one side, and all-ways stops so they are less complex than crossing at Aviation and Ford; noted that last year they did implement the 4-second head start on Aviation and Ford for pedestrians.
Councilmember Kaluderovic stated, through their discussions about the intersections, she knows there are a lot of intersections and to do an analysis at each would be a heavy lift for staff; opined they should identify the ones that would most likely benefit from infrastructure changes.
City Traffic Engineer Liu reported at Inglewood and Grant they have discussed the map project and the mobility hub they are going to put at the southeast corner and the intersection will receive comprehensive upgrades to make sure cyclists and pedestrians can cross in all directions; noted, since they are extending the North Redondo bike path down to that area, once those improvements come online it should improve the safety and lower speeds in that intersection; reported, specific to Artesia and the North Redondo bike path, they receive requests to change the timing, increase walk time, and countdown timers were added; spoke about curb extensions being an easy project but that they need funding to rebuild the ramps and modify the signal in that area.
Councilmember Obagi noted that they funded the artistic crosswalk for that intersection and that Traffic Engineer Liu may want to get involved in that project since the idea was to increase the prevalence and visibility of that crosswalk.
City Traffic Engineer Liu said they would need to look into the confines of state and federal standards for crosswalk visibility; mentioned that the intersection of Aviation and Ford is a more difficult intersection given the limited right-of-way and if the parking is up for consideration there are things they can do there to improve safety; noted it would require some severe trade-offs; stated they have a clear path to making improvements at Artesia/NRBB and Inglewood and Grant.
Councilmember Obagi stated he would love to get other crossing guards at the other locations but the community have voiced they need it at Aviation and Ford; noted that accidents do continue to occur at that intersection and it can be experimental since they
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are just moving a crossing guard to another location.
Councilmember Waller voiced his support for the crossing guard movement.
Mayor Light said there was mention of removing two other crossing guards from two other intersections and asked if they could fill all three of the bottom locations from the slide provided by City Traffic Engineer Liu with the other two moves.
Councilmember Waller commented that the City is doing traffic improvement changes in those areas so they should see how those go.
Councilmember Behrendt asked the City Manager if they needed a decision on the SIR that evening.
City Manager Witzansky replied no, he was just foreshadowing it and they have yet to get credible estimates on how it would affect the 2027 premium costs; reported staff is working with their rep to better determine what adjustments could be made and how it would lower their premium costs beginning 2027 calendar year.
Councilmember Behrendt asked if they would be able to do a risk assessment.
City Manager Witzansky responded yes and that is part of the analysis; stated they are getting closer to the half million dollar mark more often than they used to.
Councilmember Behrendt commented it would be good to know if the City could retain their own counsel and that the City has spent time handpicking counsel; asked the City Manager if he could look into the impacts of that; asked if Human Resources Director Strickfaden had any opinions or insights on the earthquake insurance issue.
Human Resources Director Strickfaden stated just for reference the City has multiple lines of insurance; reported their regular all risk property insurance which covers all City facilities and there are 120 total facilities on the property insurance; reported they have 40 City facilities listed separately on earthquake shock and clarified (as City Treasurer Solomon stated) is only for the actual shock and not the event that follows; stated just for the earthquake shock they are being charged $1 million; reported that their insurance broker, in private, told her that most cities either don’t carry earthquake insurance or they only insure their most critical facilities; explained, since they have FP, which covers the funding to replace Fire, Police, and City Hall, they should consider getting rid of the whole thing; mentioned if they reduced the coverage to just revenue producing items, such as International Boardwalk and the three parking structures at the Pier, the City could save $700,000 and still be covered.
Councilmember Behrendt asked Director Strickfaden her opinion on what a sound decision would be for coverage.
City Manager Witzansky spoke that Director Strickfaden’s initial reaction was to eliminate
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coverage at the Pier parking structure and the argument to be made is that with or without coverage the structure would be down for three to five years; noted the current valuation of the parking structure is $44 million and the likelihood of it being rebuilt at that cost is nil and they would end up borrowing bonding for the delta anyway; said the scenario that concerns him is if the Palos Verde fault erupts and the City gets hit harder than the rest of the Southland and the Pier structure collapses they could have effectively gone after the $44 million unfettered; stated the more likelihood event would be in an event such as that the City would not be the only ones drawing on coverage and, if the California Earthquake Authority is no longer available to make any payments, everybody’s got their hand out for FEMA money; noted they may be eligible for FEMA money so they have other places they could turn to for help; said they have continued to spend more money on insurance than they probably should be doing, it is a difficult choice, but they could safely say that their public safety facilities are funded with Measure FP and the should not include it in their coverage going forward; noted that most of the newer community centers, modernized structures, the North Branch Library, the Main Branch Library, and City Hall are unlikely to collapse in an earthquake; stated if they do not want to do what Torrance and most cities are doing by having no earthquake coverage, they could give staff direction to just pick the most vulnerable buildings and then they make the cut and they can reevaluate the situation next year; suggested at the minimum they make a reduction that evening, if not full elimination.
Councilmember Behrendt asked, with respect to the revenue generating properties, is there any other insurance that would cover the business operation if an earthquake were to happen.
Human Resources Director Strickfaden responded that loss of business operations are covered under the property all-risk coverage; stated that their broker would need to evaluate it but stressed that there’s $100 million total limits and, in Prism, it’s mostly counties and they put all the public agencies into groups; explained the groups are called towers and it is priced based on distance from the San Andreas fault since that is the only fault that would produce an 8.0 or greater; reported that Redondo Beach is very far from that fault.
Councilmember Behrendt asked if the insurer would lock them out from increasing their coverage at a later date if they reduced their coverage for earthquake insurance now.
Human Resources Director Strickfaden stated she would have to look into that.
Councilmember Behrendt asked if a decision needed to be made tonight even if they have incomplete information.
City Manager Witzansky responded that it is the last opportunity for Council to give them direction, but staff has a bit of time to work with the City’s broker and give them final determination.
Human Resources Director Strickfaden stated they have until the end of March to make
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a decision on insurance coverage.
Councilmember Behrendt asked if it would be prudent to do a partial reduction in coverage to specific structures since they have to make a decision now or does staff feel comfortable making a recommendation to pull the earthquake insurance in its entirety.
City Manager Witzansky replied that he is fine with going to zero but if there was one item he may continue to ensure it would be the parking structure.
Human Resources Director Strickfaden noted that not every item was listed in the report just the items they were talking about reducing.
More discussion followed regarding the parking structure having the potential to be destabilized and damaged; scenarios from other earthquakes having seismic damage to other structures in previous years.
City Manager Witzansky reminded them that the program is backed by the California Earthquake Authority along with several others and there is a chance the City will not have access to coverage; stated the only item that has potential impact in his mind is the parking structure which is $165,000 premium a year for that asset only.
Councilmember Behrendt summarized if they go to zero and there’s a seismic event none of the City’s structures would be covered but they will not be paying a premium on it and there’s a chance they don’t get the money anyway.
City Manager Witzansky noted that the City would be saving $1 million a year in premium savings.
Councilmember Behrendt asked if both the City Manager and Human Resources Director recommend going to zero.
Both the City Manager and Human Resources Director replied yes. Director Strickfaden reminded them that they would be splitting $100 million with two other public agencies and they have $234 million worth of assets.
Councilmember Behrendt confirmed with the City Manager that he and Councilmember Kaluderovic would be able to meet with staff to discuss and finalize the crossing guard locations, of which City Manager Witzansky responded yes; asked if they have a recommendation on how they will do it sequentially.
City Manager Witzansky said he believed most of the improvements are eligible for some of their active transportation resources; noted that there is a funding agreement for studies of those types of improvements that evening but that the funding would not be available immediately.
More discussion followed regarding infrastructure improvements and what that would
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mean going forward.
City Manager Witzansky said they could do a BRR on how they could fund the improvements and mentioned they have traffic calming project funding; noted they could assess the issue in the CIP presentation for 26-27.
Councilmember Behrendt asked the City Attorney what the adequate buffer time would be if they reallocate a crossing guard to another location.
City Attorney Ford stated it is not a matter of time rather than the process of whether the School District is willing to cooperate with the City in noticing parents and if they are not, then it will take more time and money to notice the entire area.
Discussion followed on the cost of noticing the area; City Traffic Engineer Liu said it would be about $1000; many felt the School District would assist.
City Manager Witzansky noted that with spring break maybe April 13th would be an appropriate target for the change if Council is supportive.
More discussion followed regarding noticing.
Mayor Light asked Councilmember Behrendt where he stood on earthquake insurance.
Councilmember Behrendt said he is open to going to zero or reserving coverage on specific structures.
Councilmember Kaluderovic supported reducing the SIR and increasing the limit; stated she is open to going to zero or having coverage for specific structures after exploring the information requested; asked Traffic Engineer Liu his opinion on the intersection of Havemeyer and Flagler.
City Traffic Engineer Liu spoke about the intersection being a two-way street intersecting another two-way street; pointed out that there is an intersection with an existing crossing guard at Harkness and Carlson that has two one-way streets that have just two approach lanes and said that was even simpler and has lower vehicle volume.
Councilmember Kaluderovic asked Councilmember Obagi his opinion since he drives it every day.
Councilmember Obagi opined that the crossing guards surrounding Jefferson is a luxury and where there is main thorough ways such as Inglewood and Grant, the bike path and Artesia, and Aviation and Ford are more necessities.
Councilmember Kaluderovic said she didn’t disagree with him; pointed out that Traffic Engineer Liu said that Harkness and Carlson were a lower risk area and if they have considered that.
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Discussion followed.
Councilmember Obagi stated that although Harkness and Carlson have less lanes it is a busy area and explained cars are parking, pulling out, parents are crossing, and people come from all different directions; opined that the other location is less busy.
City Traffic Engineer Liu reported that Carlson goes away from the intersection, so the two approach lanes are actually both in the direction of Harkness.
Councilmember Obagi reviewed the data from the report and asked Engineer Liu what he would recommend.
City Traffic Engineer responded based on the data they have he is more concerned about the number of cars and number of approach lanes since those add to the risk side of the situation and not demand.
Councilmember Kaluderovic said it goes to their point that they have evaluated the data and have criteria to review all the locations; spoke of the ability to participate or partner with the School District on noticing the parents; noted it also opens up the opportunity to have a larger discussion about the remaining crossing guards; welcomed Councilmember Obagi to host a meeting with her regarding the Jefferson locations.
Mayor Light noted Councilmember Kaluderovic is on a subcommittee with Councilmember Behrendt and asked about the Brown Act.
Councilmember Kaluderovic retracted her statement; stated based on the objective criteria that has been evaluated she thought Carlson would be the better intersection to move the crossing guard.
Motion by Councilmember Obagi, seconded by Councilmember Waller, to eliminate the City’s earthquake insurance, explore increasing the City’s SIR, approve all the decision packages, make the line item changes that are necessary, relocate the crossing guard from Harkness and Carlson to Aviation and Ford with notice for an April 13th start, and receive and file the presentation on the status of the City’s CIPs.
Mayor Light invited public comments.
Mark Nelson (via Zoom) commented that the discussion that evening turned into one on risk management; noted he has been on a few committees and reviewed a few papers on risk evaluation of intersections; suggested that they look at quantitative ways and apply science to their evaluation which would give them more ranking that is defensible; reported that he spent a significant amount of time doing earthquake management for San Onofre and stated the City’s greater damage would come from the Rose Canyon Newport Inglewood fault which is 10 to 15 miles away, rather than the San Andreas being 50 miles away from the City; stated he is not advocating that the City does or doesn’t have earthquake insurance but he also does not and agreed that the parking structure
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would be the most likely structure to be damaged by a large earthquake; recommended the City do more risk management in a formal quantitative way.
Laura Diaz reported no more on Zoom and no eComments.
Motion carried 5-0 by voice vote.
Laura Diaz read adopt by 4/5th vote and by title only Resolution No. 2603-014.
O. CITY MANAGER ITEMS
City Manager Witzansky announced that he would like to start recognizing members of staff for their hard work under the City Manager Items periodically; stated that a letter of appreciation written to Marc Wiener was received earlier that day from Eduardo Santa Cruz, principal architect with SCDS Consulting Design working at Northrop Grumman, read the letter that thanked Director Wiener for the care his staff provided in the Northrop Grumman TF One Project; noted that Building Department staff, led by Lorena Soules, helped them with the plan approval for permit issuance and Steve Shiang guided them towards compliance with the code on the project; stated he felt the letter was worth sharing and wanted to recognize Lorena Soules, Steve Shiang, and the Building staff for all their hard work; reminded the Mayor and Council that the adjournment that evening was to a 12:00 p.m. Closed Session.
P. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS - None
Q. MAYOR AND COUNCIL REFERRALS TO STAFF
Councilmember Castle asked for a referral to staff for the repair of the basketball court lighting, noted that some students had come to request that item.
City Manager Witzansky confirmed the one on Anderson; stated it did not need Council action since it is a staff customer service item.
Councilmember Castle asked for a BRR for the creation of a Senior Analyst position for Community Service for special events.
Councilmember Kaluderovic requested a BRR for the Ensenada Parkette, reported that details were emailed to Mike Klein regarding it, a BRR for a report with added value on the Harbor Patrol positions that were added from the budget last year, and a BRR to add a total of three concrete benches at Heritage Square, similar to the style at Franklin Park; noted there is an extra one at Franklin Park that they could take; asked about the curb extension for the bike path at Artesia but was told it is part of the evaluation already; requested a BRR to evaluate the contracts for the street landscape and lighting district, as well as tree trimming, for potential reductions from the City’s General Fund.
Discussion followed.
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R. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
R.1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED POTENTIAL LITIGATION - The Closed Session is authorized by the attorney-client privilege, Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4).
One potential case
R.2. 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:
Jiro Koyanagi v City of Redondo Beach; County of Los Angeles; State of California; Jeremy C. Casner; Joshua R. Casner and DOES 1 through 50, inclusive
Case Number: 23TRCV01318
R.3. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - The Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Section 54956.8.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Elizabeth Hause, Community Services Director
Katherine Buck, Acting Waterfront & Economic Development Director PROPERTY:
Portions of the Redondo Beach Marina Parking Lot
(portions of APN #s: 7503-029-900 and 7503-029-903)
Portions of King Harbor turn basin and hand launch
NEGOTIATING PARTIES:
Adam Brzyski, Game On Live Studio, Water Polo Program Coordinator UNDER NEGOTIATION:
Price and Terms
R.4. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - The Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Section 54956.8.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Elizabeth Hause, Community Services Director
PROPERTY:
Portions of the Redondo Beach Marina Parking Lot and Seaside Lagoon
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(portions of APN #s: 7503-029-900 and 7503-029-903)
Portions of Harbor Drive, Pacific Avenue, Catalina Avenue, Gertruda Avenue, Herondo Street, and Esplanade
NEGOTIATING PARTIES:
Kellie Hawkins, Englander Knabe & Allen on Behalf of Nike, Inc.
UNDER NEGOTIATION:
Price and Terms
R.5. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - The Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Section 54956.8.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Katherine Buck, Acting Waterfront & Economic Development Director Luke Smude, Assistant to the City Manager
Jon Goetz, Redwood Public Law
PROPERTY:
Portions of the Redondo Beach Marina Parking Lot and Seaside Lagoon (portions of APN #s: 7503-029-900 and 7503-029-903)
NEGOTIATING PARTIES:
Allen Sanford, BeachLife Festival
UNDER NEGOTIATION:
Price and Terms
R.6. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL AND LABOR NEGOTIATOR - The Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Sec. 54957.6.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Diane Strickfaden, Director of Human Resources
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS:
Redondo Beach Part Time Employees
R.7. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - The Closed Session is authorized by the Government Code Sec. 54956.8.
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
Luke Smude, Assistant to the City Manager
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PROPERTY:
200 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(a portion of APN: 750-500-9902)
715 Julia Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(portion of parcels APN: 750-702-0900 and APN: 750-702-1900) 3007 Vail Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(a portion of APN: 415-001-7931)
1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(APN: 404-900-8903)
Parking Lot at the Corner of Felton Ln. and 182nd St., Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(APN: 415-803-3900)
807 Inglewood Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(a Portion of APN: 408-302-4900)
NEGOTIATING PARTIES:
Dr. Nicole Wesley, Superintendent
Redondo Beach Unified School District
UNDER NEGOTIATION:
Both Price and Terms
S. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION – None
T. ADJOURNMENT – 10:51 P.M.
Motion by Councilmember Obagi, seconded by Councilmember Castle, to adjourn the meeting at 10:51 p.m.
Motion carried 5-0 by voice vote.
The next meeting of the City Council of the City of Redondo Beach will be an Adjourned Regular meeting to be held at 12:00 p.m. (Closed Session) and an Adjourned Regular meeting (Strategic Planning Session) to be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
The meeting will open in the City Council Chamber, 415 Diamond Street, and reconvene in the Redondo Beach Main Library Meeting Room (2nd Floor) at 303 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, California.
All written comments submitted via eComment are included in the record and available for public review on the City website.
Respectfully submitted:
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Eleanor Manzano, CMC
City Clerk