MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
of the City of Hermosa Beach, California, held on Monday, January 6, 2003, at the hour of 7:17 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- Public Works Commissioner Robert Beste
CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL
Present: Dunbabin, Keegan, Reviczky, Yoon, Mayor Edgerton
Absent: None
JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE HERMOSA BEACH CITY COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION
COMMISSION ROLL CALL:
Present: Beste, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek, Chairman Cheatham
Absent: None
Also present were City Manager Steve Burrell, Public Works Director Harold Williams, Administrative Assistant Rhea Punneo, City Clerk Elaine Doerfling, and Deputy City Clerk Jackie Drasco.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Mayor Edgerton announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of Dennis Pugh.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Coming forward to address the Council at this time was:
- Bruce Robles
- - Hermosa Beach, said he was happy about upcoming street repairs but disappointed to learn that Loma Drive, between 19th Street and Park Avenue, was not on the list; described it as the worst in the City with its potholes, grooves, and shoddy repair work by utility companies, mainly cable TV; requested that the City make the utility companies more responsible for competent repairs; asked that the City try to fit this section of Loma into the street repair budget. (Mayor Edgerton explained that the section of Loma Drive south of Pier Avenue was being repaired in connection with undergrounding; noted that the State budget crisis could possibly change even the current schedule for street repairs.)
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COMMENTS BY CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
- Confirmed that repaving streets was a major City Council goal, and that the current five-year plan prioritized arterials and then residential streets.
- Identified funding sources for City street repairs, noting State funding for arterial streets, UUT funds if connected with sewer repairs, and the City's General Fund for residential streets.
- Noted the need to establish the width of streets without curbs and gutters, which would mean addressing the encroachment of some properties into the public right-of-way.
- Noted the need to hold utility companies accountable to make adequate, lasting repairs after making street cuts, and suggested that staff review the ordinances adopted by other cities to minimize street erosion by utility companies.
- Noted the need to establish objective criteria for street repair prioritization and to make this information available to the public by placing it on the City's website.
- Commented that after completing the phase of the "putting out fires" approach to street repair, repairs could be approached more efficiently and predictably in the future.
- Raised the possibility of street repair funding by bonds or a street and lighting tax, but directed that alternatives be explored so that the cost would be equally borne by all who benefit, not just property owners.
- Stressed the need for a permanent funding source for street repair.
- Noted that the lifestyles of Hermosa Beach residents must be considered when making decisions about encroachments into the right of way, installation of sidewalks, etc., and to avoid wasting money on improvements that are not wanted by property owners.
- Encouraged the Commission to be creative and to think independently.
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COMMENTS BY PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONERS
- Suggested re-establishment of the Infrastructure Public Works Subcommittee (after the City budget is adopted and the State budget impacts are known) to re-examine the priorities in the five-year repaving plan and add the next phase of repaving.
- Noted that repaving schedules must be flexible to allow for emergencies.
- Noted that there would be better tracking and cost efficiency if street repairs were handled by doing sections of the City rather than doing piece-meal projects.
- Suggested the possibility of submitting City complaints to the Public Utilities Commission if a City ordinance requiring utility companies to make timely street cuts (barring any true emergencies) and responsible repairs did not prove to be effective.
- Suggested the possibility of seeking grants to fund street repair.
- Requested City Council guidance, which would be helpful, especially when dealing with issues such as speed humps, or encroachments on uncurbed streets.
- Suggested that the Council consider providing the Public Works Department with additional project management staff to handle CIP projects and cutting back on outside consultants.
Staff Comments:
- The current Pavement Management Study, required by law every five years and paid for by Proposition C funds, will soon expire, and the timing of this study will coincide well with the re-establishment of the Infrastructure Subcommittee.
- Property owners on some streets don't have want repaving and that is taken into consideration.
- An ordinance would establish better coordination on the timing of utility company street cuts and proper repairs.
- A more consistent level of funding in the last three years has made possible more street repairs; staff will research additional funding resources.
- Some funding requires consultants with specific expertise not found or able to be maintained in the Public Works Department.
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DOWNTOWN GATEWAY SIGN - PIER AND PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY. GENERAL DISCUSSION OF PROPOSAL.
Memorandum from Community Development Director Sol Blumenfeld dated December 26, 2002 (PDF File).
City Manager Burrell briefly reviewed the staff report and responded to Council questions, clarifying that this item would be considered by the Public Works Commission at its January 15 meeting and was presented this evening only for City Council input.
Council comments included: (1) the need for inspecting the existing theatre marquee for structural stability and retaining an informational sign at that location; (2) the need to erect a monument sign on both corners (north and south) of Pier and Pacific Coast Highway; (3) the desirability of considering all signage (marquee and monument) for the intersection at the same time; and (4) the possibility of the future placement of a smaller monument sign on Gould Avenue.
Public Works comments included: (1) the suggestion to incorporate the City's surfer statue as part of a monument sign; and (2) the opinion that it would not be aesthetically pleasing to have two identical signs on each corner.
Coming forward to address the Council on this item was:
- Cathy McCurdy
- - Hermosa Beach, provided photos of signage in other cities as examples of low monument signs, one of which showcased all of that City's service organizations; supported the retention of an informational marquee.
ADJOURNMENT
The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach adjourned in memory of Dennis Pugh on Monday January 6, 2003, at the hour of 9:25 P.M. to the Regular Meeting of Tuesday, January 14, 2003, at the hour of 7:10 P.M.
