HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-11-CC-R-MIN
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CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
March 11, 2025
5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Members Present: Mayor Dean Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Rob Saemann,
Councilmember Mike Detoy, Councilmember Ray Jackson,
Councilmember Michael D. Keegan
Staff Present: City Manager Suja Lowenthal, City Attorney Patrick Donegan,
Deputy City Manager Angela Crespi, Administrative Services
Director Brandon Walker, City Clerk Myra Maravilla, Community
Resources Director Lisa Nichols, Lieutenant Joe Poelstra, Public
Works Director Joe SanClemente, Senior Office Assistant Holly
Honma
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1. CLOSED SESSION—CALL TO ORDER 5:00 PM
Mayor Francois called the Closed Session meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Myra Maravilla announced a quorum.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
City Attorney Patrick Donegan reported that item 4.b will not be discussed.
Mayor Francois opened Public Comment. No public comment was provided.
4. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 5:05 p.m.
4.a MINUTES: Approval of minutes of Closed Session held on February
25, 2025
4.b CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL: Work Comp Litigation
4.c CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL: Workers Comp Litigation
5. OPEN SESSION—CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM
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Mayor Francois called the Open Session to order at 6:03 p.m.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Hanna and a friend from Mira Costa High
School.
7. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Maravilla announced a quorum.
8. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Donegan provided the Closed Session Report. No reportable action
was taken.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS—UPCOMING CITY EVENTS
Mayor Francois announced:
St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15, 2025.
10. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved by: Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by: Councilmember Jackson
To approve the order of the agenda and continue item 17.c to the next meeting
and pull 15.i from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion.
Ayes (5): Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, Councilmember Detoy,
Councilmember Jackson, and Councilmember Keegan
Motion Carried
11. PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
11.a PROCLAMATION DECLARING MARCH 2025 AS RED CROSS MONTH
Mayor Francois recognized March 2025 as Red Cross Month.
11.b PROCLAMATION DECLARING MARCH 2025 AS WOMEN'S HISTORY
MONTH
Mayor Francois declared March 2025 as Women's History Month.
12. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Suja Lowenthal provided the City Manager Report.
12.a PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR UPDATE
Public Works Director Joe SanClemente provided an update on various
Public Works projects.
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Mayor Francois requested additional information about the timeframe for
the repaving on Pier Avenue and the closure schedule.
Mayor Francois asked Acting Assistant Director of Capital Projects and
Facilities Greg McQueen to provide comments on the library project.
Acting Assistant Director McQueen provided information.
12.b POLICE CHIEF UPDATE
Lieutenant Joe Poelstra provided a Police Department update.
13. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Francois opened public comment. The following public comment was
provided.
In Person Public Comment:
Chad Kroeger
Sarah Harper
JT Parr
Anna Jung and Brian Jung
Carla Burk
Nick Wilson
Jennifer Kennedy
Julie C. Henderson
Frank Khulus
Rory Barish
Salli Harris
Trent Larson
Todd Koerner
Elka Worner
Josh K.
Frank P. Angel
Anna Simonenko
Nancy Schwappach
Jim Houtz
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Rob Perez
14. CITY COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Francois provided comments about his attendance to the Hermosa Beach
Little League Opening Day.
14.a UPDATES FROM CITY COUNCIL AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES AND
STANDING COMMITTEE DELEGATES/ALTERNATES
Mayor Francois asked various questions about the project on Palm Drive.
City Attorney Donegan provided information about the project on Palm
Drive.
Councilmember Jackson asked about an opportunity to have the Parks,
Recreation, and Community Resources Commission create a
subcommittee to take the lead on the dog park discussion.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann expressed interest in proposing a future agenda
item for a dog park.
Councilmember Keegan requested that the dog park be addressed as part
of future agenda items.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann provided comments.
City Manager Lowenthal provided information.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann spoke.
15. CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved by: Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To approve the consent calendar as amended.
Ayes (5): Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, Councilmember Detoy,
Councilmember Jackson, and Councilmember Keegan
Motion Carried
15.a WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES AND
RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA
Moved by: Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions on the agenda
and declare that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be
determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
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Motion Carried
15.b CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - 25-CCO-016
Moved by: Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To approve the minutes for the February 25, 2025 Regular Meeting and
February 25, 2025 Special Meeting.
Motion Carried
15.c CHECK REGISTERS - 25-AS-021
Moved by: Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To ratify the check registers for the period February 19, 2025 through
February 26, 2025. The Administrative Services Director certifies the
accuracy of the demands.
Motion Carried
15.d REVENUE REPORT, EXPENDITURE REPORT, AND CIP REPORT BY
PROJECT FOR JANUARY 2025 - 25-AS-022
Moved by: Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To receive and file the January 2025 Financial Reports.
Motion Carried
15.e LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE AND AMBULANCE MONTHLY
REPORT FOR JANUARY 2025 - 25-CMO-018
Moved by: Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To receive and file the January 2025 Fire and Ambulance monthly report.
Motion Carried
15.f ACTION MINUTES OF THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY
RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 4,
2025 - 25-CR-021
Moved by: Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
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To receive and file the action minutes of the Parks, Recreation, and
Community Resources Advisory Commission meeting of February 4,
2025.
Motion Carried
15.h ACTION MINUTES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD MEETING OF
SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - 25-AS-024
Moved by: Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To receive and file the action minutes of the Civil Service Board meeting
of September 18, 2024.
Motion Carried
15.g APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED CLARK BUILDING USE POLICY AND
RESERVATION RATES - 25-CR-023
Councilmember Keegan pulled the item and provided comments on the
amplified sound permit.
Community Resources Director Lisa Nichols provided information.
Mayor Francois asked various questions.
City Manager Lowenthal provided information.
City Attorney Patrick Donegan provided information.
Councilmember Keegan provided comments.
Mayor Francois asked about the single-use plastics.
City Manager Lowenthal provided information.
Councilmember Keegan asked questions.
Councilmember Detoy asked questions.
Director Nichols provided information.
Virtual Public Comment:
Laura Pena
Matt McCool
Councilmember Jackson provided comments.
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann provided comments.
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Moved by: Councilmember Keegan
Seconded by: Councilmember Jackson
To approve the amended Clark Building use policies to include the
removal of the prohibition on hard liquor.
Ayes (5): Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, Councilmember
Detoy, Councilmember Jackson, and Councilmember Keegan
Motion Carried
15.i ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE REPEALING HERMOSA BEACH
MUNICIPAL CODE (“HBMC”) SECTIONS 12.28.010(H) AND 12.20.240
AND ADDING CHAPTER 12.40 TO THE HBMC REGULATING
CAMPING IN PUBLIC AREAS - 25-CA-004
Mayor Francois pulled the item to further discuss the language of the
ordinance.
Councilmember Keegan asked various questions.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann provided information.
In Person Public Comment:
Nancy Swappach
Donald Santiani
The City Council continued deliberation.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann requested to swap A with B under Section
12.41.030.
Mayor Francois made various comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Semann discussed supporting the fourth citation in a
week being filed as a misdemeanor.
Moved by: Councilmember Jackson
Seconded by: Councilmember Detoy
To waive the full second reading and adopt by title only Ordinance No. 25-
1486 of the City of Hermosa Beach, California, repealing Hermosa Beach
Municipal Code (“HBMC”) sections 12.28.010(H) and 12.20.240 and
adding Chapter 12.40 to the HBMC regulating camping in public areas
and finding the ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”); and direct the City Clerk to print and publish a
summary ordinance in a newspaper of general circulation within 15 days
following adoption and post a copy on the City’s bulletin for 30 days.
Mayor Francois verbally changed his vote to vote "no".
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Ayes (2): Councilmember Detoy, and Councilmember Jackson
Noes (3): Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, and Councilmember
Keegan
Motion Failed
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
Seconded by: Mayor Francois
To reintroduce the ordinance as amended to allow the officer the
discretion to charge a person violating the Hermosa Beach Municipal
Code with a misdemeanor or citation, and to only allow an officer to
charge a person with a maximum of three consecutive administrative
citations in a week. A fourth administrative citation within the same 7-day
period is prohibited from being issued.
Ayes (3): Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, and Councilmember
Keegan
Noes (2): Councilmember Detoy, and Councilmember Jackson
Motion Carried
16. PUBLIC HEARINGS—TO COMMENCE AT 6:30 P.M
17. MUNICIPAL MATTERS
17.a PURCHASE OF MOBILE DIGITAL COMPUTERS FOR POLICE
DEPARTMENT REAL-TIME CRIME CENTER - 25-PD-002
Lieutenant Poelstra provided a presentation.
No Public Comment was provided.
Moved by: Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by: Councilmember Jackson
To authorize the purchase of 29 Mobile Digital Computers (MDCs),
supporting hardware, and warranties from Code 3 Technology through a
Cooperative Sourcewell Agreement, in an amount not to exceed
$168,793.
Ayes (4): Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, Councilmember Detoy,
Councilmember Jackson, and Councilmember Keegan
Absent (1): Mayor Francois
Motion Carried
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17.b DISCUSSION ON DOWNTOWN PARKING LOT REGULATIONS
INCLUDING THE EMPLOYEE PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM. - 25-
AS-023
Director Brandon Walker provided a presentation.
Virtual Public Comment:
Matt McCool
Councilmember Jackson provided comments.
Councilmember Keegan asked various questions.
Director Walker provided information.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann provided comments.
Councilmember Detoy provided comments supporting monthly or quarterly
passes.
Moved by: Councilmember Keegan
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To create two separate monthly employee permits. One employee permit
would allow employee parking on the upper level of Lot C. A second
employee permit would restrict parking for the yellow meters to only
Hermosa Avenue via a new sticker. Both permits would be available on a
quarterly basis and maintain the current annual price which would be
divided into quarterly rates, and the hours would be updated to a twelve-
hour maximum. The twelve-hour maximum would apply to all four lots.
Ayes (5): Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, Councilmember
Detoy, Councilmember Jackson, and Councilmember Keegan
Motion Carried
17.c REPORT ON THE CITY’S REGULATION OF SHORT-TERM VACATION
RENTALS - 25-CA-005
Item 17.c was continued to the March 25, 2025 City Council meeting.
17.d REPORT ON THE CITY’S PARKING REGULATIONS FOR AREAS
SURROUNDING CLARK FIELD, CITY YARD, SOUTH PARK, AND
VALLEY PARK - 25-PD-004
Community Services Supervisor Carlos Burgos provided a staff
presentation.
Mayor Francois provided comments.
No Public Comment was provided.
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Councilmember Jackson provided comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann provided comments.
Community Services Supervisor Burgos provided information.
Councilmember Detoy suggested to wait to make changes until the new
software is purchased.
Councilmember Keegan agreed to wait on making changes.
Councilmember Jackson provided comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Saemann provided comments.
Moved by: Councilmember Detoy
Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan
To receive the informational report on the parking regulations for areas
surrounding Clark Field, City Yard, South Park, and Valley Park.
Ayes (4): Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, Councilmember
Detoy, and Councilmember Keegan
Absent (1): Councilmember Jackson
Motion Carried
17.e REPORT ON THE ROLE OF THE MAYOR AND MAYORAL POWERS
IN RUNNING COUNCIL MEETINGS AND REPORT ON VOTING
OPTIONS FOR CITY OFFICIALS - 25-CA-003
City Attorney Patrick Donegan provided a staff presentation.
Mayor Francois provided comments.
No Public Comment was provided.
Moved by: Councilmember Keegan
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Saemann
To receive a report on the role of the Mayor and Mayoral powers under
Robert’s Rules of Order that govern City Council meetings; and receive a
report on the voting options for City officials.
Ayes (5): Mayor Francois, Mayor Pro Tem Saemann, Councilmember
Detoy, Councilmember Jackson, and Councilmember Keegan
Motion Carried
18. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
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Mayor Francois requested support to take a position on the Metro's C Line
(Green) Extension to Torrance. Mayor Pro Tem Saemann and Councilmember
Keegan supported the item.
The City Council provided direction to refer the dog park discussion to the Parks,
Recreation, and Community Resources Commission.
Councilmember Jackson requested support for staff to facilitate a discussion to
clarify the role of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Commission
and event producers, and to clarify and define a partnership versus a long-term
agreement and the support that the City can provide in each. Councilmember
Detoy provided support.
18.a TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - 25-CMO-019
19. PUBLIC COMMENT
In Person Public Comment:
John Burry
20. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Francois announced the next Mayor's Town Hall Forum, to be held on
March 24, 2025, and the State of the City, to be held on April 10, 2025. The
meeting was adjourned at 10:36 p.m.