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Home My WebLink About06-29-2021 - CC Adj Mtg. MinutesHermosa Beach City Council Adjourned Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 29, 2021 6:00 P.M. Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget Workshop and Public Hearing Hybrid Meeting City Council Justin Massey, Mayor Michael Detoy, Mayor Pro Tern Stacey Armato, Councilmember Mary Campbell, Councilmember Ray Jackson, 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 6:03 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The pledge of allegiance was led by Mayor Massey. III. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers Jackson, Campbell, Armato, Mayor Pro Tern Detoy, and Mayor Massey Absent: None IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Massey provided a few brief announcements regarding recent events beginning with the unveiling of the pride tower on Saturday June 26, 2021 and encouraged everyone to go out and see it. He then mentioned the Valley for All project unveiling at Valley Park on Sunday June 27, 2021, by the Leadership Hermosa 2021 class which includes upgrades to the BBQ area at Valley Park. He wrapped up the weekends events by sharing that the tenth and final mural was unveiled by the Hermosa Mural Society, which is in the back of the Bijou Theatre. He added that the mural is huge and depicts the wall peeling back to reveal the sand and surf club which is known as the Biltmore Hotel which used to stand where noble park is. Mayor Massey concluded his announcement by reminding everyone to enjoy the upcoming July 4th weekend safely and responsibly. V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICAITON FROM THE PUBLIC The following people spoke during public comment: 1. Geoff Hirsch 2. 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: June 29, 2021 Public Participation Oral and Written Communication from the Public) VI. OPENING REMARKS City Manager Sula Lowenthal City Manager Lowenthal provided opening remarks prior to turning it over the Finance Director Viki Copeland to go over the budget presentation. Ms. Lowenthal reflected on the difficult and challenging events of the previous year and how being in an altered state of living required the budget to be prepared in a way that would be prudent and establish projections and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. She shared her goals as the Hermosa Beach City Manager, including protecting city services while maintaining quality of life for residents. She added that the City Council and City staff made many difficult decisions given finite resources and found creative ways of modifying operations while continuing critical services. She went on to share that the last twelve months were spent doing what all other cities had to do during a pandemic, which is act with certainty and decisiveness on matters under circumstances no one in recent times had experienced before professionally or personally to serve the community and stakeholders without interruption of services. The City committed to staying open, trying new things, and being nimble to be the government the community and its stakeholders needed through this crisis. She emphasized that cities are on the front lines of responding to any major crisis and play a key role in implementing nationwide measures and serving as laboratories for bottom up and innovative recovery strategies. COVID-19 accelerated the shift toward a new urban paradigm of inclusive, green, and smart cities. Ms. Lowenthal then shared the pride she felt in the City staff accomplishments in the face of significant deficits. Staff addressed projected fiscal year 2020-21 deficits by not immediately filling vacant positions, reprioritizing funds allocated to capital projects, and creating other operational efficiencies. Core services were protected by investing in critical technologies to make services available digitally. Even with restrained funds staff prioritized assistance for residents and local businesses through the suspension of fees of certain services, relaxation of enforcement of some parking regulations, and the creation of pilot programs for outdoor expansion of business activities. The overall theme and approach for the last fiscal year was of fiscal prudence and creative solutions. After fifteen months of this crisis, she looked back at the unprecedented time with disbelief for what was endured, sadness for the losses and struggles experienced, and reverence for the overall strength of Hermosa as an organization and community. The connections and partnerships created and strengthen during these difficult times will serve the City for decades to come and for that she thanked members of the community and business community as well. Ms. Lowenthal then invited everyone to review the Hermosa Shines community reopening recovery and resilience plan in its entirety on the City website. The plan covers efforts completed but also outlines the major objectives that will be the focus of City staff in the next twelve to eighteen months. As the City emerges from the pandemic looking and operating a little differently these future objectives and tasks were the focus in making the budget for the fiscal year 2021-22 budget and the recommendations presented to City Council. This important document serves as the fiscal capital plan for the coming year and beyond. More specifically as the primary policy document for the organization. The budget sets city wide service levels, identifies the funds capital project, and establishes the financial and human resources necessary to accomplish community objectives. City Manager Lowenthal closed by stating that as the City emerges from this pandemic it is presented with a unique opportunity to rethink, to discuss, and determine as a community how it would like to live, work, and play in the future. This is an opportunity to reinforce and protect the most valued assets while making modifications in areas that can be improved. It's the duty of City staff to continue to refine daily operations to achieve efficiencies where possible and bring forward projects, initiatives, and ideas that align with the mission, vision, and guiding principals of the City while recommending priorities to the City Council that serve the community. (Complete audio and video are available upon request at the City Clerk's office or can be accessed by clicking the following link: June 29, 2021 Opening Remarks) VII. OVERVIEW OF 2021-22 BUDGET Finance Director Viki Copeland provided a slideshow presentation on the fiscal year budget 2021-22, followed by a questions and answers portion at the conclusion of her presentation to address questions from the City Councilmembers. (Complete audio and video are available upon request at the City Clerk's office or can be accessed by clicking the following link: June 29, 2021 Overview of 2021-22 Budget) VIII. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS City Council engaged in a thorough discussion regarding fiscal year budget for 2021-22 and provided feedback to staff to ensure Councilmembers and staff are in sync regarding strategies to respond, reinforce, and act on current and upcoming budgetary needs of Hermosa Beach. (Complete audio and video are available upon request at the City Clerk's office or can be accessed by clicking the following link: June 29, 2021 Questions/Comments from Councilmembers IX. CONSENT CALENDAR a. ADOPTION OF THE 2021-22 APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT MOTION: Councilmember Armato moved to approve the consent calendar, seconded by Councilmember Campbell. Motion carried by unanimous consent. AYES: Councilmembers Jackson, Campbell, Armato, 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: June 29, 2021 Consent Calendar) X. PUBLIC HEARING a. ADOPTION OF FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 BUDGET The following people provided public comment: 1. Laura Pena 2. Geoff Hirsch MOTION: Councilmember Armato moved to continue the Public Hearing on the adoption of fiscal year 2021-22 budget to July 13, 2021, seconded by Councilmember Jackson. Motion carried by unanimous consent. AYES: Councilmembers Jackson, Campbell, Armato, 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: June 29. 2021 Public Hearing) X. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Massey Adjourned the meeting to Tuesday July 13, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. for Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Advisory Commission applicant interviews, closed session at 5:00 p.m., and a regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. The City Council meeting concluded at 9:42 p.m. (Complete audio and video are available upon request at the City Clerk's office or can be accessed by clicking the following link: June 29, 2021 Adjournment) Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk