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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-13-2021 - CC Regular Mtg. MinutesHermosa Beach City Council Adjourned Regular Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Closed Session 5:30 P.M. Regular Session 6:00 P.M. Virtual Meeting via Zoom City Council Justin Massey, Mayor Michael Detoy, Mayor Pro Tern Stacey Armato, Councilmember Mary Campbell, Councilmember I. CALL TO ORDER The City Council Regular Meeting of the City of Hermosa Beach met via a virtual meeting held pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20 issued by Governor Gavin Newsom March 17, 2020 on the above date. Meeting was called to order by Mayor Massey at 6:01 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The pledge of allegiance was led Mayor Massey. III. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers Armato, Campbell, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Mayor Massey Absent: None IV. CLOSED SESSION REPORT City Attorney Michael Jenkins reported that Closed session was called to order at 5:00 p.m. with no members of the public providing public comment. Attorney Jenkins stated that three cases were listed on the closed session agenda, and no reportable action was taken by City Council. Attorney Jenkins added that Councilmember Campbell recused herself from items B and C of the closed session agenda. V. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Massey provided a reminder regarding the upcoming May 11, 2021 Special Municipal Election. He shared that the Los Angeles County Registrar/Recorder's Office began mailing the ballots on April 12, 2021. The May 11 election will be conducted through the mail, which will help to ensure safety during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The winning candidate will serve 22 months, the remaining term of office for that seat. The official sample ballot booklet, which contains the candidates' names, occupations, and statements, will be mailed to registered voters on April 20. Hermosa residents interested in voting must register to vote or transfer voter registration by April 26 to be eligible to vote in the May 11 election. Once they are registered and have received their ballot, voters can then return the ballot through the U.S. Post Office or any "bona fide" private mail delivery company. Voters may also drop off a ballot at the Vote -By -Mail drop box located behind the Hermosa Beach library across from City Hall. These ballots must be dropped off before 8 p.m. on May 11 to be counted. Mayor Massey also emphasized that mailed ballots must arrive no later than May 14 to be counted. This date includes a three-day grace period for mail delivery. Counting of the ballots will begin May 13, and election results will be certified on May 24. The candidate with the most votes will be declared the winner. There will be no runoff election. To learn more about the Special Municipal Election and the individual candidates, please visit the Elections page on the City's website. Mayor Massey then shared that the next Coffee with the Mayor event is Saturday, April 17t" at 10am. He instructed those who would like to attend please visit the City's online events calendar for more information and to register. Mayor Massey then shared that Behavioral Health Services, Inc. in collaboration with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) will host an alcohol awareness event called PowerTalk 21, on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm, which will highlight MADD's national day for parents to talk about alcohol with their kids. The City will recognize April 21, 2021 as PowerTalk21 Day in Hermosa Beach. He added that Hermosa Beach Chief of Police Paul LeBaron will be the keynote speaker for this special event, and the Beach Cities Health District youth advisory committee will also be taking part to address the issues around alcohol. Mayor Massed instructed anyone interested in participating please visit the City's online events calendar for more information and to register. Mayor Massey moved on to announce the celebration of "Earth Day" on April 22, 2021. He emphasized that every one of us needs a healthy Earth to support our jobs, livelihoods, health & survival, and happiness. Mayor Massey added that together, we can prevent the coming disasters of climate change and environmental destruction. He when on to say how we must remember that this is a year-round effort. He then thanked resident, Gary Clark for reminding the City Council that we can all do more. He encourage all Hermosa Beach residents to visit the City's Environmental Programs webpage to find out more about energy savings and water conservations programs and to participate in Earth Day events on April 22"d Mayor Massey concluded he announcements with a reminder about the Wyland National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation that began on April 1,2021 and continues until April 30, 2021. The nonprofit national community service campaign encourages residents to make a series of simple pledges at My Water Pledge.com to use water more efficiently, reduce pollution and save energy. It also reminds residents that simple individual actions can add up to big changes in protecting the environment. In addition, it offers physical hands-on projects or actions that can be done to decrease water consumption in a neighborhood or backyard at My Volunteer Water Project. Over the past 10 years, the City of Hermosa Beach has used over 300 million gallons of recycled water at its parks and public areas to conserve water and protect the environment. Mayor Massey asked Hermosa residents to join him — and the City — in taking the pledge to personally conserve water. (Complete audio and video are available upon request at the City Clerk's office or can be accessed by clicking the following link. April 13, 2021 Regular City Council Meeting). VI. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Armato motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Campbell. Motion carried by unanimous consent. AYES: Councilmembers Armato, Campbell, Mayor Pro Tern Detoy, and Mayor Massey NOES: None VII. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS a. COVID-19 HEALTH UPDATE FROM BEACH CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT b. PROCLAMATION DECLARING APRIL 2021 AS DONATE LIFE MONTH IN HERMOSA BEACH C. PRESENTATION FROM CALRECYCLING ON SIB 1383 MANDITORY ORGANICS RECYCLING REGULATION (Complete audio and video are available upon request at the City Clerk's office or can be accessed by clicking the following link. April 13. 2021 Regular Citv CouncA Meetinq) VIII. CITY MANAGER REPORTS City Manager Lowenthal began by sharing the many adjustments in City operations over the last year to ensure Hermosa continues providing services to residents in a safe manner. She added that additional information will provide in a more detailed report on our COVID-19 response and our recovery, re -opening, and resilience plan at the April 27, 2021 City Council Meeting. In response to COVID-19 restrictions on in -person meetings, the Community Development Department and Public Works Departments modified their operations last year to allow for electronic submittals and processing of permit applications and plans. To accommodate large electronic files, Community Development increased its capacity for data sharing. Both departments also established a drop-off system at City Hall for large documents. While splitting some staff schedules to allow for social distancing, the departments maintained in -person staffing to handle phone calls and email and had staff working from home who also responded to emails and voicemails. In addition, Community Development and Public Works inspectors continued to provide in -person field inspections. Public Works staff also continued to provide in -person maintenance of our buildings, property, vehicles, parks and more. The Finance Department also arranged to meet residents outside City Hall when they needed help in person. The Finance Department also kept in -person staffing on a split schedule to ensure someone was there to respond to these requests and help with phone calls, and staff working from home also responded to emails and phone calls. The Police Department helped by providing an option for the public to pick up licenses or parking permits at its front desk. In addition, the Police Department continued its operations throughout the pandemic and even expanded its crime prevention and detection programs. The Community Resources Department continued to find ways to support outdoor recreation and the overall health of our community. Staff worked with the local business community to temporarily provide access to open space areas for private health and wellness classes. They provided monitors to comply with Public Health requirements for the opening of the tennis courts and skate park. Staff also provided in -person staffing for public inquiries. At a time when parents and children needed it the most, staff re- established the STAR Hermosa Program for students. The Human Resources Department continued to handle risk management, provide guidance for employee safety and to fill critical vacancies. During this time, the Office of the City Manager has been leading the City team and coordinating responses to the pandemic. Staff has provided ongoing communications, including regular COVID-19 Updates, a business resources webpage that is frequently updated, social media updates and other City communications. Staff led the implementation of the initiatives to support our businesses and ensured access to public meetings by taking advantage of tools that made possible remote participation. Ms. Lowenthal went on to highlight how the pandemic has led to some positive enhancements to services in the community — including online services and opportunities for remote public participation during public meetings. City Manager Lowenthal provided an update on the downtown lane reconfiguration. She pointed out that with the warmer weather Hermosa has seen an increase in visitors, triggering questions on social media about the Lane Reconfiguration Project. In response the City indicated that the lane reconfiguration is a temporary project launched in January in response to the requests of local businesses in need of more space for outdoor dining, retail and personal services. This temporary project reconfigured lanes on Hermosa Avenue between 8th Street and 14th Street, and on Pier Avenue between Hermosa Avenue and Valley Drive to allow businesses to better utilize public right-of- way for their outdoor operations. The project includes bicycle lanes to provide safer travel for bicycles and other non -motor vehicles through the lane reconfiguration area. The bike lanes also divert cyclists from using sidewalks, which are now being utilized more widely by outdoor dining and associated activities. The bike lanes also provide a buffer zone between vehicles lanes and the outdoor decks to create a more comfortable environment for patrons of the deck areas. She closed her comments by stating that City Council committed to maintaining the project for only six months, at which point it will be reevaluated. City Manager Lowenthal then introduced Police Chief Paul LeBaron for an update on enforcement measures. Chief LeBaron gave an overview of efforts being taken by Hermosa Police to address increased theft around the City. He requested all residents do their part in locking doors, vehicles, and avoid leaving valuables in plain sight. He also provided a summary of Police efforts to increase bike safety and an increase in citations being issued to bikers for not making proper stops. (Complete audio and video are available upon request at the City Clerk's office or can be accessed by clicking the following link. April 13, 2021 Regular City Council Meeting). IX. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS/ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS The following members of the public provided public comment: 1. Kent Allen 2. Sarah Harper 3. Laura Pena (Complete audio and video are available upon request at the City Clerk's office or can be accessed by clicking the following link. A dl 13 2021 Regular City Council Meeting) a. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS MOTION: Councilmember Armato moved receive and file written communications, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Detoy. Motion carried by unanimous consent. AYES: Councilmembers Armato, Campbell, Mayor Pro Tern Detoy, and Mayor Massey NOES: None X. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS a. UPDATES FROM CITY COUNCIL AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES AND STANDING COMMITTEE DELEGATES/ALTERNATES Mayor Pro Detoy provided an update from the monthly meeting of the Economic Development Committee. He shared information provided from a presentation given by the Chamber of Commerce President Jessica Accamando related to a recent business survey conducted in Hermosa Beach. Approximately 100 people responded to the survey and indicated areas in need of improvement like dinning decks, streets, way finding, music in Hermosa, and lighting. In terms of businesses the survey's revealed 63% of respondents want to see the dinning decks remain permanently, 17% of respondents reserved their opinion until the temporary measure is fully implemented, and 20% would like to see all temporary measures removed after the state of emergency is lifted. He also shared that discussions related to Fiesta Hermosa and the need to modify the event to make it more local. Lastly, he shared an update on the small business grant program and announcements of the grant money lottery winners. Councilmember Campbell underscored a comment made by City Manager Lowenthal during her report related to the recent initiatives like outdoor dining. She commented that the initiatives are being studied, which will lead to further discussion by the Council and community to access impacts. Mayor Pro Tern Detoy quickly shared the site where the Chamber of Commerce survey results can be accessed hbchamber.net/survey. (Complete audio and video are available upon request at the City Clerk's office or can be accessed by clicking the following link. April 13. 2021 Regular City Council Meeting) XI. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Councilmember Campbell moved to approve the consent calendar, seconded by Councilmember Armato. Motion carried by unanimous consent. AYES: Councilmembers Armato, Campbell, Mayor Pro Tern Detoy, and Mayor Massey NOES: None a. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES b. CHECK REGISTERS C. LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE SERVICES AND AMBULANCE MONTHLY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2021 d. APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION OF A REPORT FOR THE ANNUAL LEVY OF ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE HERMOSA BEACH LANDSCAPING AND STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT DURING FY 2021-2022 e. APPROVAL OF A SPECIAL EVENT LONG TERM AGREEMENT WITH BEST DAY FOUNDATION FOR ITS ANNUAL BEACH DAY EVENTS HELD ON THE BEACH f. AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF THREE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS 9. APPROPRIATION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO THE 2018 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT FUND h. RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGES TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE HERMOSA BEACH POLICE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION TO MODIFY ARTICLE 29, SECTION E XII. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION None XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS — TO COMMENCE AT 6:30 P.M. a. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR A TENANT IMPROVEMENT WITHIN SUITE 103 OF THE BIJOU BUILDING, A HISTORICAL LANDMARK, LOCATED AT 1227 HERMOSA AVENUE AND DETERMINATION THAT THE PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) MOTION: Councilmember Armato moved receive and file written communications, seconded by Councilmember Campbell. Motion carried by unanimous consent. AYES: Councilmembers Armato, Campbell, Mayor Pro Tern Detoy, and Mayor Massey NOES: None XIV. MUNICIPAL MATTERS a. UPCOMING VACANCIES: THREE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMISSION TERMS EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2021 MOTION: Councilmember Campbell moved to approve the consent calendar, seconded by Councilmember Armato. Motion carried by unanimous consent. AYES: Councilmembers Armato, Campbell, Mayor Pro Tern Detoy, and Mayor Massey NOES: None (Complete audio and video are available upon request at the City Clerk's office or can be accessed by clicking the following link. April 13, 2021 Regular City Council Meeting) XV. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. COUNCILMEMBER ARMATO REQUESTS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL CONSIDER ADOPTING A SAFE GUN STORAGE ORDINANCE, AS PRESENTED BY MOMS DEMAND ACTION City Council unanimously supported the request to have staff prepare an agenda item related to adoption of a safe gun storage ordinance proposed by Councilmember Armato. b. TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT Mayor Massey adjourned the City Council meeting to April 21, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. for the Capital Improvement Project Program study session meeting. The Council meeting concluded at 8:05 p.m. Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk