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CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
September 9, 2025
5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Members Present: Mayor Rob Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Detoy,
Councilmember Ray Jackson, Councilmember Michael D.
Keegan, Councilmember Dean Francois
Staff Present: Interim City Manager Steve Napolitano, Interim City Attorney
Todd Leishman, Administrative Services Director Brandon
Walker, City Clerk Myra Maravilla, Community Development
Director Alison Becker, Community Resources Director Lisa
Nichols, Human Resources Manager Tiffany Nguyen, Police
Chief Landon Phillips, Public Works Director Joe SanClemente,
Planning Manager Alexis Oropeza, Deputy City Clerk Reanna
Guzman, Building and Code Enforcement Official Guillermo
Hobelman, Emergency Management Coordinator Maurice
Wright
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CLOSED SESSION—CALL TO ORDER 5:00 PM
Mayor Saemann called the Closed Session meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Myra Maravilla announced a quorum and provided information about
Councilmember Jackson's remote attendance pursuant to AB 2449 , under the
just cause provision, for traveling on official business as a California Coastal
Commissioner.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
Mayor Saemann 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 August 26,
2025
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Approval of minutes of Closed Session held on August 26, 2025
4.b CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Government Code Section 54957.6
City Negotiator: Cynthia Stafford, Human Resources
Employee Organization: Management Group
4.c PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Attorney
5. OPEN SESSION—CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM
Mayor Saemann called the Open Session to order at 6:23 p.m.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Maurice Wright.
7. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Maravilla announced a quorum and provided information about
Councilmember's remote attendance pursuant to AB 2449 under the just cause
provision for traveling on official business as a California Coastal Commissioner.
8. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Interim City Attorney Todd Leishman provided the Closed Session Report. No
reportable action was taken.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS—UPCOMING CITY EVENTS
Mayor Saemann announced the following:
The City will hold its annual 9/11 Remembrance Wreath Laying Ceremony
on Thursday, September 11th at 7:30 a.m. at the 9/11 Memorial located
on the Greenbelt at Pier Ave. The community was invited to attend.
The Hermosa Beach Friends of the Parks will host another Movie at the
Beach on Saturday, September 13, 2025, south of the Pier. Mamma Mia
will be shown at sunset and more information can be found at hbfop.org.
The Hermosa Beach Concert Series will continue on Sunday, September
14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. More information can be found at
hermosabeach.gov.
National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrated
on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Citizens were invited to check their
voter registration status at lavote.gov/vrstatus and register to vote at
registertovote.ca.gov.
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Councilmember Jackson made an announcement regarding an AB 2449
disclosure requirement.
Mayor Saemann provided information about the Clean Bay Restaurant Certificate
Program and acknowledged the recently awarded Clean Bay Certified
restaurants.
10. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Saemann
To approve the order of the agenda and table item 17.a.
Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember Jackson,
Councilmember Keegan, and Councilmember Francois
Motion Carried
11. PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
11.a PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING CALIFORNIA'S 175 YEARS OF
STATEHOOD
Mayor Saemann introduced the Governor's Office Southern California
Regional Coordinator, Skye Connors, and invited her to the podium.
A video was played celebrating California's 175 years of sta tehood.
Mayor Saemann read a proclamation into the record and presented it to
Skye Connors.
Skye Connors provided comments.
11.b RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 AS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF
PEACE
Mayor Saemann read a proclamation into the record recognizing
September 21, 2025 as International Day of Peace.
11.c LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE SERVICES AND MCCORMICK
AMBULANCE JANUARY - JUNE 2025 SEMI-ANNUAL REVIEW AND
RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER AS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS
MONTH - 25-CMO-058
Emergency Management Coordinator Maurice Wright provided a
presentation.
Mayor Saemann asked various questions.
Mayor Pro Tem Detoy asked various questions.
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Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Saemann
To receive and file the 2025 Los Angeles County Fire Services and
McCormick Ambulance reports for January through June 2025.
Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember
Jackson, Councilmember Keegan, and Councilmember Francois
Motion Carried
12. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Saemann opened Public Comment and the following public comments
were provided.
In Person Public Comment:
Sarah Harper
Eric Horne
Trent Larson
13. CITY COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Jackson thanked and congratulated the Public Works
Department and the Community Resources Department for their work
coordinating the special events that took place over the weekend.
14. UPDATES FROM CITY COUNCIL AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES AND
STANDING COMMITTEE DELEGATES/ALTERNATES
No updates were provided.
15. CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Saemann
To approve the Consent Calendar.
Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember Jackson,
Councilmember Keegan, and Councilmember Francois
Motion Carried
15.a WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES AND
RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Saemann
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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.
Motion Carried
15.b CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Saemann
To approve the minutes of the August 26, 2025, Regular Meeting.
Motion Carried
15.c CHECK REGISTERS - 25-AS -070
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Saemann
To receive and file the check registers for the period of August 21, 2025,
through August 27, 2025. The Administrative Services Director certifies
the accuracy of the demands.
Motion Carried
15.d ACTION MINUTES OF THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY
RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING OF AUGUST 5,
2025 - 25-CR-066
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Saemann
To receive and file the action minutes of the August 5, 2025, Regular
Meeting.
Motion Carried
15.e REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF SPONSORSHIP DONATION TO
GRADES OF GREEN VERTE 2025 GALA - 25-CMO-057
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Saemann
To approve a sponsorship donation of $5,000 to the Grades of Green
Verte 2025 Gala.
Motion Carried
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15.f ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AMENDING HERMOSA BEACH MUNICIPAL
CODE SECTION 2.08.020 TO UPDATE THE CAMPAIGN
CONTRIBUTION LIMIT TO $500 - 25-CCO-035
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Saemann
To waive full second reading and adopt by title only Ordinance No. ORD-
25-1488 amending Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Section 2.08.020, to
update the campaign contribution limit to $500; 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.
Motion Carried
16. PUBLIC HEARINGS—TO COMMENCE AT 6:30 P.M
16.a INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 17.42.180.D OF
THE HERMOSA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE, ZONE TEXT
AMENDMENT (TA 25-02), TO EXTEND THE SHORT-TERM VACATION
RENTAL PROGRAM FOR AN ADDITIONAL TWO YEARS UNTIL
OCTOBER 25, 2027 - 25-CDD-119
Planning Manager Alexis Oropeza provided a presentation.
In Person Public Comment:
Jim Holtz
Eric Horne
Virtual Public Comment:
Anthony Higgins
Mayor Saemann provided comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Detoy provided comments.
Councilmember Jackson provided comments.
Councilmember Francois asked various questions.
Community Development Director Alison Becker and Interim City Manager
Steve Napolitano provided information.
Moved by: Mayor Saemann
Seconded by: Councilmember Jackson
To conduct a public hearing amending Section 17.42.180.D of the
Hermosa Beach Municipal Code, extending the short-term vacation rental
program for an additional two years until October 25, 2027 ; and introduce
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by title only Ordinance No. ORD-25-1489 and waive first reading of an
Ordinance approving the Zone Text Amendment (TA 25-02).
Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember
Jackson, Councilmember Keegan, and Councilmember Francois
Motion Carried
17. MUNICIPAL MATTERS
17.a ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO DECLARE ITS INTENTION TO
ESTABLISH THE HERMOSA BEACH TOURISM IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT AND FIXING THE TIME AND PLACE OF A PUBLIC
MEETING AND A PUBLIC HEARING THEREON AND GIVING NOTICE
THEREOF. - 25-CMO-059
Item 17.a was tabled during item 10. Approval of Agenda.
17.b ADOPT RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGES TO THE
ESTABLISHED RULES FOR THE CONDUCT OF CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS AND SUBSIDIARY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS - 25-
CCO-039
City Clerk Myra Maravilla provided a presentation.
Councilmember Francois asked various questions.
Mayor Saemann provided comments.
Virtual Public Comment:
Matt McCool
Laura Pena
Anthony Higgins
David Grethen
Councilmember Francois provided comments about the use of visual aid
and freedom of speech.
Interim City Manager Napolitano provided information about the visual aid
policy.
City Clerk Maravilla provided information about the visual aid policy.
Mayor Pro Tem Detoy asked various questions.
Interim City Attorney Todd Leishman provided comments.
The City Council continued to deliberate on this item.
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MOTION 1
Moved by: Councilmember Keegan
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7519, aligning subsidiary boards and
commissions with City Council by adopting the 3-minute time limit per
speaker for general public comment, removing the 30-minute total time
limit, and allowing for remote participation to be consistent with public
comment for items on the agenda.
Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember
Jackson, Councilmember Keegan, and Councilmember Francois
Motion Carried
MOTION 2
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
Seconded by: Councilmember Jackson
To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7519, striking the language in the
resolution allowing for visual aid to be submitted to the City Clerk and
displayed live at meetings.
Ayes (4): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember
Jackson, and Councilmember Francois
Noes (1): Councilmember Keegan
Motion Carried
MOTION 3
Moved by: Councilmember Francois
Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan
To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7519, adopting Robert's Rules of Order
for City Council and its subsidiary boards and commissions.
Mayor Saemann proposed a friendly amendment to include a training for
boards, commissions, and City Council. The friendly amendment was
acknowledged.
Ayes (4): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember
Keegan, and Councilmember Francois
Noes (1): Councilmember Jackson
Motion Carried
MOTION 4
Moved by: Councilmember Jackson
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Councilmember Jackson requested that Rosenberg's Rules of Order be
adopted for City Council and its subsidiary boards and commissions.
The motion failed due to lack of second.
Motion Failed
17.c APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS FOR ON
CALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW AND STAFF AUGMENTATION
SERVICES TO TRB & ASSOCIATES, INC AND WILLDAN
ENGINEERING. - 25-CDD-120
Building Official Guillermo Hobelman provided a staff presentation.
Mayor Pro Tem Detoy asked various questions.
Administrative Services Director provided information.
Mayor Saemann provided information.
Interim City Manager Napolitano provided information.
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
Seconded by: Mayor Saemann
To award a contract for on-call development plan review and staff
augmentation services to TRB & Associates, Inc at a not-to-exceed
amount of $200,000 per year for a five year term; award a contract for on -
call development plan review and staff augmentation services to Willdan
Engineering at a not-to-exceed amount of $200,000 per year for a five
year term; and authorize the City Manager to execute the proposed
agreement, approve minor modifications if necessary, and execute all
related documents, with the City Clerk attesting the agreements subject to
approval by the City Attorney.
Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember
Jackson, Councilmember Keegan, and Councilmember Francois
Motion Carried
17.d ADOPT A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CITY’S PARKING
VIOLATION BAIL SCHEDULE INCREASING PENALTY AMOUNTS -
25-AS -068
Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker provided a presentation.
Mayor Pro Tem Detoy asked various questions.
Councilmember Francois asked various questions.
Virtual Public Comment:
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Anthony Higgins
Matt McCool
Laura Pena
Councilmember Jackson provided comments.
Councilmember Francois asked various questions.
Director Walker provided information.
Mayor Saemann asked various questions.
Councilmember Jackson asked various questions.
The City Council continued to deliberate.
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
Seconded by: Councilmember Jackson
To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7520 and raise the Parking Violation Bail
Schedule fines by $10 each year for the next 3 years.
Mayor Pro Tem Detoy appealed his motion to:
Year 1, all fines but Street Sweeper go to $55
Year 2, $65
Year 3, $75
For Street Sweeper the fine would increase as follows:
Year 1, maintain status quo fine of $38
Year 2, $45
Year 3, $55
SUBSTITUTE MOTION
Moved by: Councilmember Keegan
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
To adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7520 and amend the Parking Violation
Bail Schedule by increasing current violations by $10 on Year 1, and
further increase any remaining balance required to reach the Proposed
Total over Years 2 and 3; and table any increases to the Fire Hydrant,
Parking Over 72 Hours, and Red Zone and Red Curb violations for further
discussion by the Finance Subcommittee.
Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember
Jackson, Councilmember Keegan, and Councilmember Francois
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Motion Carried
17.e CITY YARD PROJECT STATUS UPDATE - 25-PW-056
Public Works Director Joe SanClemente provided a presentation.
Mayor Saemann asked various questions.
Councilmember Keegan provided comments.
Mayor Saemann provided comments.
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
To direct staff to proceed with issuing the Request for Qualifications for
Owners Representative services for the City Yard Project; advance the
environmental assessment; and commence project programming phases
of the project.
Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember
Jackson, Councilmember Keegan, and Councilmember Francois
Motion Carried
17.f AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION FOR CIP 630-COMMUNITY CENTER
GAS REPAIRS - 25-PW-052
Public Works Director SanClemente provided a presentation.
Moved by: Councilmember Keegan
Seconded by: Councilmember Jackson
To award a construction contract for Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Project 630–Community Center Gas Repairs to New Power Contracting
for Building Mechanicals in the amount of $233,000; Authorize the Director
of Public Works to establish a project contingency amount of $46,600 and
to approve contract change orders up to the amount of the approved
project contingency; Adopt Resolution No. RES-25-7521 entitled “A
Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach Approving the
Construction of CIP 630–Community Center Gas Repairs Pursuant to
Government Code Section 830.6 and Establishing a Project Payment
Account”; Authorize the Mayor to execute the construction contract and
the City Clerk to attest, subject to approval by the City Attorney; and
authorize the Director of Public Works to file a Notice of Completion
following final completion of the project.
Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember
Jackson, Councilmember Keegan, and Councilmember Francois
Motion Carried
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17.g DESIGNATION OF VOTING DELEGATE & ALTERNATE FOR THE
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES 2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE. - 25-
CMO-061
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Detoy
Seconded by: Councilmember Keegan
To designate Mayor Saemann as the voting delegate and Councilmember
Francois as the alternate, for the League of California Cities General
Assembly taking place on Friday, October 10, 2025 at the Long Beach
Convention Center.
Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember
Jackson, Councilmember Keegan, and Councilmember Francois
Motion Carried
18. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Saemann requested to discuss the call up of the Planning Commission
decision regarding 54 Hermosa Avenue. Interim City Attorney Leishman provided
comments and Councilmember Jackson recused himself.
Mayor Saemann moved to remove the call up of the Planning Commission
decision regarding 54 Hermosa Avenue. Councilmembers Keegan and Francois
provided support to rescind the call up. Councilmembers Francois and Keegan,
Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, and Mayor Saeamann provided an affirmative vote.
Mayor Pro Tem Detoy with the support of Councilmember Jackson requested
that Rosenberg's Rules of Order and Robert's Rules of Order be agendized for
discussion at the next City Council retreat.
Councilmember Keegan, with the support of Mayor Saemann, requested an item
to change the name of the Community Resources Department to the Parks and
Recreation Department.
Councilmember Jackson, with the support of Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, requested
an item to discuss identification requirements for alcohol-serving establishments,
and if feasible, include input from the Alcoholic Beverage Control, and include
available technology that is available to combat fake identifications.
Councilmember Jackson, with the support of Mayor Saemann, requested to refer
an item to the Public Works Commission to study maximizing and expanding the
street parking inventory through the analysis of the City's red curb standard to
include studying golfcart parking spaces for reduced streets and the Driveway
Parking Permit.
Councilmember Jackson, with the support of Mayor Saemann, requested an item
to review the feasibility of collecting Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) for short -
term vacation rentals that are out of compliance, and collecting unpaid fines from
illegal short-term vacation rentals.
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18.a TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - 25-CMO-062
19. CITY MANAGER REPORT
Interim City Manager Napolitano provided a City Manager Report.
20. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
20.a PARKING CITATION AND REVENUE REPORT - AUGUST 2025
21. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Saemann adjourned the meeting at 9:53 p.m. in memory of James "Jim"
Karlock and read a eulogy into the record.