CC N 918/26
when the family inherits it that could be offered; reported that New York abated all property taxes for new developments going out 10 years to incentivize development and suggested the City could back load their fees instead of front load them and explained the concept.
Nancy Skiba (via Zoom), District 4, commented favorably for the vacuum repair shop and for Grocery Outlet; mentioned the concept of rooftop dining should consider the noise and fumes from vehicles when designing it.
Analyst Villa reported no other hands raised but four eComments in support.
Mayor Light asked if they would be seeing different topics in each Council meeting from here forward.
City Manager Witzansky mentioned the next time they would see this issue is in September and they would hopefully have some draft ordinances for City Council to consider.
More discussion followed on prioritizing items they can immediately change via ordinance and not waiting for a vote.
o. CITY MANAGER ITEMS
City Manager Witzansky pointed out they have 28 Consent Calendar items and thanked staff for all the hard work; reported they re-opened Seaside Lagoon.
P. MAYOR AND COUNCIL ITEMS - None
Q. MAYOR AND COUNCIL REFERRALS TO STAFF
Mayor Light asked to agendize the recommendation to name a park after Mr. Dawidziak from the Public Amenities Commission.
Motion by Councilmember Obagi, seconded by Councilmember Waller, to name the South side of the Eaton Park on Harriman Ln. in honor of Joe Dawidziak.
Councilmember Kaluderovic asked if they could get a complete list of all the social media accounts for the City and list them on the website.
City Manager Witzansky stated he would get that information to all of them.
R. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION - None
R.1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION - The Closed Session is authorized by the attorney-client privilege, Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1).
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Commissioner McCauley mentioned prior discussions about the possibility of the School District and City having a lease for park space and asked for an update.
Commissioner Lang reported that Sunset Little League uses the fields at Alta Vista, on the District side; stated they do not have adequate lighting, at night, have been using diesel generators and asked about installing lighting at Alta Vista Park fields.
Additionally, she mentioned discussions regarding getting clarification from Planning and the PAC's role and purview.
Library Director Vinke stated Planning was intending to attend tonight's PAC meeting but were unable to do so and reported that a discussion item with Planning is tentatively scheduled for the Commission's next meeting agenda.
Vice Chair Maroko reported receiving emails from Steve Vilarino regarding Riviera Village Park and asked for an update.
Library Director Vinke will let staff know so they may follow up.
Additionally, Vice Chair Maroko spoke about last year's Charter Day display and mentioned he would like to start working on a more professional-looking display and Will speak with staff offline. Relative to feedback regarding the role of the merged Commission as well as strengths and weaknesses, Library Director Vinke noted that staff are always open to receiving feedback and suggestions and agreed to add the discussion item on an upcoming agenda.
Vice Chair Maroko referenced a Blue Folder Item for a past meeting where a resident posed questions about Preservation and Library Director Vinke reported it was directed to staff for potential follow up.
Vice Chair Maroko reported that last night's City Council meeting was adjourned in memory of Joe Dawidziak and asked about the possibility of agendizing a discussion recommending that City Council rename one of the two Omar Eaton Parkettes in his honor.
Motion by Vice Chair Maroko, seconded by Commissioner Lang, and approved by voice vote, to place on an upcoming agenda, a discussion about the possibility of recommending that City Council rename one of the two Omar Eaton Parkettes in honor of Joe Dawidziak.
The motion carried 4-0. Commissioners Galassi, Rowe and Chair Yousufzai were absent.
Brief discussion followed regarding directing questions regarding preservation to Planning Manager Sean Scully.
O. ADJOURNMENT - 7:09 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES - PUBLIC AMENITIES COMMISSION
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Motion by Commissioner Maroko, seconded by Commissioner Lang, and approved by voice vote, Item No. F.2.
The motion carried 5-0. Commissioners Galassi and McCauley were absent.
F.4. APPROVE THE REDONDO BEACH PUBLIC AMENITIES COMMISSION MINUTES OF JUNE 11, 2025
Chair Yousufzai noted that he was not in attendance at the June 11, 2025, meeting, was unable to listen to the recording and abstained from voting on this item.
Mice vote, lem No. Fier Caldwel, seconded by Commissioner Rowe, and approved by The motion carried 4-0-1. Chair Yousefzai abstained and Commissioners Galassi and McCauley were absent.
H. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
H.1 For eComments and Emails Received from the Public
There were no public comments on this item.
I. EX PARTE COMMUNICATION - None
J. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
K. ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS AGENDAS - None
Chair Yousefzai moved to Item No. M.
L. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION PRIOR TO ACTION
L.1. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE CITY'S HISTORIC RESOURCES
PRESERVATION ORDINANCE AND PROGRAM
This Item was tabled to the August PAC meeting.
L.2. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL TO NAME A PARK IN HONOR OF JOSEPH "JOE" CARL
DAWIDZIAK
Commissioner Maroko reported that the PAC voted to agendize this item at its las! neeting; noted the attendance of Claire, daughter and Kyle (not Brian as was mentioned), son-in-law of Mr. Joe Dawidziak; spoke about his service to the State,
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES - PUBLIC AMENITIES COMMISSION
Wage aeday, July 8, 2025
County and City and suggested recommending to the City Council to rename one of the Homer Eaton parkettes in his honor.
Discussion followed regarding the location of the parkettes.
Commissioner Caldwell voiced his support of the item but stated he would not feel comfortable specifying the location.
Commissioner Maroko reiterated his support for one of the Homer Eaton parkettes, as there are two, currently.
Chair Yousufzai invited public comments.
Kyle Pretsch spoke in support of the recommended action; addressed Mr. Dawidziak's service and legacy and talked about the importance of telling his story.
There were no other public comments.
Members of the Commission commented favorably about honoring Mr. Dawidziak by renaming one of the Homer Eaton parkettes.
Discussion followed regarding the accomplishments of Homer Eaton and notifying the family of the changes being considered.
Motion by Commissioner Maroko to recommend to the City Council, consideration of renaming one of the two Homer Eaton parkettes in honor of Joseph "Joe" Carl Dawidziak.
Commissioner Caldwell reiterated he would support recommending to City Council to name a park after Mr. Dawidziak, but not a specific location and preferred letting the City Council make that decision.
Commissioner Lang spoke about City Council being busy and the research done by Commissioner Maroko, adding that Council should be aware of that research. She supports the renaming of one of the parks.
Commissioner Rowe is fine with the renaming of one of the parks as long as it is not taking anything away from Homer Eaton.
Chair Yousufzai mentioned naming a park compared to other commemorative donations and the pros and cons of recommending a specific location.
Discussion followed regarding Mr. Dawidziak's contributions to the community and the Ito parkette.
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES - PUBLIC AMENITIES COMMISSION
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Commissioner Caldwell felt that if the PAC is to recommend a specific location, it and staff needs to do the necessary research; stated that stripping a park of its name sets a precedent and opined that family members should be involved.
Amended motion by Commissioner Maroko, seconded by Commissioner Caldwell, and approved by voice vote, to recommend that City Council consider naming a park, in honor of Joseph "Joe" Carl Dawidziak.
The amended motion carried 4-0-1. Chair Yousufzai abstained and Commissioners Galassi and McCauley were absent.
Chair Yousufzai returned to Item No. F.
M. ITEMS FROM STAFF
Library Director Vinke spoke about the success of the Summer Reading Program Commissioner Maroko spoke about the upcoming program of Main Library's 30th anniversary on July 26th at the Main Library.
N. COMMISSION MEMBER ITEMS AND FUTURE COMMISSION AGENDA TOPICS
Commissioner Maroko noted no one from Planning attended tonight's meeting and requested an outline regarding what topics they will cover when presenting to the PAC; referenced an annual state report due around May and asked whether it has been filed and if so to be given a copy. He offered to provide information to Director Vinke, offline.
Commissioner Lang commented on a group forming in the City, to encourage tree preservation and planting and announced they will meet this coming Sunday in the Redondo Room at Beach Cities Health District.
Commissioner Rowe provided a brief update of the Volunteer Subcommittee.
Chair Yousufzai mentioned the Bylaws Subcommittee, continuing the overall conversation about subcommittees and requested an update at the next meeting.
O. ADJOURNMENT - 7:17 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Public Amenities Commission, motion by Commissioner Maroko, seconded by Chair Yousefzai, to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. to a regular meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in the Redondo Beach Council Chambers 415 N. Pacific Coast Hwy. Redondo Beach, California.
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES - PUBLIC AMENITIES COMMISSION
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Administrative
Report
L.2., File # PA25-0992 Meeting Date: 7/9/2025
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL TO NAME A PARK IN HONOR OF JOSEPH "JOE" CARL DAWIDZIAK
27 •
Joe Dawidziak
1946-2025
"I have been involved in public service my entire life." Service to the Country
Joe enlisted in the U.S. Marines. After being stationed in Washington, D.C., he transferred to serve a combat tour in Vietnam. After separating from active duty in 1968, he served with distinction for over three decades in the Marine Corps Reserve. He retired in 2003 with the rank of CW4. Chief Warrant Officer 4 is one of the highest ranked of all the enlisted personnel.
Service to the Community
While still in the Marine Corp Reserves, in 1974 Joe graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Academy and served the community as a Deputy Sheriff and was a investigator in the Los Angeles County Public Defender's office.
Service to Redondo Beach
In 1993, Joe was elected as the District 1 representative on the Redondo Beach City Council.
Recently, he served on the City's Charter Review Committee, which resulted in successful changes to our City's governing documents.
28 On Local Government: Redondo
Councilmember Dawidziak saved library
@ Special Contributor # June 9, 2025
on local
government
easyreadernews.com
by Bob Pinzler
"He was an honorable man." Shakespeare had Marc Antony damn Brutus with such faint praise.
However, Joe Dawidziak was someone who not only embraced the concept but lived it and lived it well.
https://easyreadernews.com/on-local-government-redondo-councilmember-dawidziak-saved-librarv/ 29 7/3/25, 10:27 AM On Local Government: Redondo Councilmember Dawidziak saved library - Easy Reader & Peninsula Magazine • I first met Joe when we were elected to the Redondo Beach City Council in 1993. We had beaten incumbents. (Yes, it is possible.) Neither of us was expected to win.
There was little we agreed upon politically on a national scale, but we found common ground on local issues. We both became involved in regional government through the Southern California Association of Governments (with the unfortunate acronym: SCAG.) We came to see local issues through a different prism. And when a problem arose that we could work on together, we did.
In the mid-1990s, our area suffered a severe recession after we dared to win the Cold War.
Aerospace contracts dried up, dramatically affecting the local economy. The City Manager at the time saw an opportunity to "repurpose" a City property on Artesia Boulevard called the David Hayward Center. It was a neglected meeting room building with a small branch of the City library attached to it. The City Manager had been squeezing that branch dry to make it more palatable for its closure, perhaps making the property available for sale to gain instant revenue.
During those days, the divide between north and south in Redondo was even more vituperative than it is now. There was even a serious secession movement in its infancy.
Marilyn White and I, the two councilmembers from the north, wanted to save the branch, but we needed a third vote. Joe not only raised his hand but also found a means to pay for it.
At that time, there was very little access to the Internet in people's homes. A few libraries provided access at speeds that would now be considered outrageously unacceptable, but were exceptional then. Joe figured out that the State would provide funds if a city could prove it was saving "vehicle miles traveled." He determined how many miles it would take for North Redondo residents to drive to the newly opened main branch near City Hall. Along with the help of Assemblywoman Debra Bowen's office, the City obtained a grant to install two computers in the North Branch based on that calculation.
Suddenly, there were lines out the door. The branch was not only saved, but a new City Manager who loved libraries, Lou Garcia, started the process of creating the new building we have today.
It wouldn't have happened without Joe, a Council member for the District farthest from the North Branch.
I knew Joe for over 30 years. We recently served on the Charter Review Committee and enjoyed it very much. No one has cared as much about this City as he did.
This honorable man will be sorely missed.
https://easyreadernews.com/on-local-government-redondo-councilmember-dawidziak-saved-library/ 230 7/3/25, 10:27 AM On Local Government: Redondo Councilmember Dawidziak saved library - Easy Reader & Peninsula Magazine Dawidziak passed away last month, at age 78. The Redondo Beach City Council adjourned in his Flemory at its Tuesday, June 10 meeting.