|
|
City Council Minutes February 26, 2002 - Hermosa
Beach
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL
of the City of Hermosa Beach, California, held on Tuesday,
February 26, 2002, at the hour of 7:14 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Cub Scout Troop 860 - Color Guard
ROLL CALL
Present: Keegan, Reviczky, Yoon, Mayor Pro Tempore Edgerton
Absent: Mayor Dunbabin
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Pro Tempore Edgerton asked for a moment of silence for
Mayor Dunbabin's husband, John, who was ill and about to
undergo surgery.
Councilmember Reviczky spoke of the ceremony that took place
Saturday at Greenwood Park where veterans from all branches of
the military placed a sign designating Pacific Coast Highway in
Los Angeles County as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Highway.
Councilmember Keegan announced the production over the
upcoming weekend of Cinderella at the Hermosa Theatre with
performances at 7 p.m. Friday and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on
Saturday, noting that his niece was in the play.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT FOR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 12,
2002: NO REPORTABLE ACTIONS.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Coming forward to address the Council at this time were:
- Jennifer Alvarado
- - Hermosa Beach Education Foundation (HBEF) co-president,
extended invitations to the City Council to attend the
Foundation's largest annual fundraiser, the Hearts of Hermosa
dinner, dance and auction on Saturday, March 16, at 6 p.m.,
at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Redondo Beach; said tickets were
$90 each if purchased by Thursday and $100 thereafter;
- Joanne Edgerton
- - representing Hermosa Beach Little League, invited
everyone to the Little League opening ceremonies at 6 p.m.,
Friday, March 1, at Clark Field;
- Shirley Cassell
- - Hermosa Beach, expressed concern about the proposed
development in Redondo Beach south of Herondo Street and the
significant impact it will cause Hermosa Beach; urged the
City to voice objections to Redondo Beach and the Coastal
Commission to either stop the project or reduce its density;
also said the agenda packet for tonight's meeting was not
available at the Police Department for public review;
and
- Peter Tucker
- - Hermosa Beach, said the Beach Cities Health District
had announced it would cut grant funding by six percent due
to economic conditions; questioned their reasoning for the
cut since his taxes had not decreased; noted a vacancy on the
District's Board of Directors and suggested supporting a
Hermosa Beach resident to fill that seat since the City had
no representation on the current board.
In response to the above comments and Council questions,
City Manager Burrell said he would obtain and provide to
Council copies of the Health District's budget. With regard to
the Redondo Beach "Heart of the City" development proposal, he
said the Council had so far taken three separate actions
expressing concerns about traffic and the density of the
project.
-
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
The following written communications were discussed
together and acted upon with one motion.
-
Letter from Redondo Union High School Grad Night
Committee 2002 requesting consideration of a donation
toward their annual Grad Night for the Class of
2002.
- Letter from the Mira Costa G.R.A.D. Booster Club
requesting consideration of a donation toward the 13th
Annual Grad Night for Mira Costa Class of 2002.
City Manager Burrell responded to Council questions with
regard to the Council acting on the items listed as Written
Communications, noting that, as previously directed, he
would report at the next meeting on the issue.
Proposed Action:
To donate $1,000 to RUHS Grad Night for the Redondo Union
High School Class of 2002 Grad Night event and $1,000 to
MCHS G.R.A.D. Booster Club for the Mira Costa High School
Class of 2002 Grad Night event, as requested.
Motion Reviczky. The motion died for lack of a second.
Action:
To table both requests and agendize for Council
consideration at the meeting of March 12, 2002.
Motion Yoon, second Keegan. The motion carried, noting the
absence of Mayor Dunbabin.
-
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Action:
To approve the consent calendar recommendations (a)
through (k), with the exception of item (e) which was
removed from this evening's agenda by staff, and with the
exception of the following items, which were removed for
discussion in item 4, but are shown in order for clarity:
(j) Keegan, and (k) Yoon.
Motion Reviczky, second Yoon. The motion carried, noting
the absence of Mayor Dunbabin.
At 7:42 P.M., the order of the agenda was suspended to
go to public hearing item 5.a.
-
Recommendation to approve the following
minutes:
-
Minutes of the
Adjourned Regular meeting held on January 22, 2002
; and,
-
Minutes of the Adjourned
Regular meeting held on February 5, 2002.
Action:
To approve as presented the City Council minutes of the
Regular Meeting of January 22, 2002, and the Adjourned
Regular Meeting of February 5, 2002. (Mayor Dunbabin
absent)
-
Recommendation to ratify check register.
Action:
To ratify the check register, as presented. (Mayor
Dunbabin absent)
-
Recommendation to receive and file Tentative
Future Agenda Items.
(PDF file)
Action:
To receive and file the tentative future agenda items,
as presented. (Mayor Dunbabin absent)
-
Recommendation to receive and file the January
2002 financial reports:
-
Revenue and expenditure report
(PDF file)
;
-
City Treasurer's report
(PDF file)
; and,
-
Investment report
(PDF file)
.
Action:
To receive and file the January 2002 Financial Reports,
as presented. (Mayor Dunbabin absent)
-
Recommendation to authorize the purchase and
installation of a new video monitoring system for the
Police Department jail to be accomplished by awarding a
contract in the amount of $15,494.12 to Advanced
Electronics of Gardena, California.
Memorandum from Police Chief Michael
Lavin dated February 19, 2002.
(PDF file)
This item was removed from the agenda by City Manager
Burrell, to be brought back at a future meeting. (Mayor
Dunbabin absent)
-
Recommendation to authorize the purchase of
Herman Miller office furniture for the Police Department
from Jules Seltzer Associates of Los Angeles, California
for $13,495.77 (includes tax, shipping and
installation).
Memorandum from Police Chief Michael Lavin dated
February 19, 2002.
Action:
To authorize the purchase of Herman Miller office
furniture for the Police Department from Jules Seltzer
Associates of Los Angeles, California for $13,495.77
(includes tax, shipping and installation), as recommended
by staff. (Mayor Dunbabin absent)
-
Recommendation to
receive and file action minutes from the Parks,
Recreation and Community Resources Advisory Commission
meeting of February 5, 2002.
Action:
To receive and file action minutes from the Parks,
Recreation and Community Resources Advisory Commission
meeting of February 5, 2002. (Mayor Dunbabin absent)
-
Recommendation to adopt resolution ordering the
preparation of a report for the annual levy of
assessments within the Hermosa Beach Landscaping and
Street Lighting District during fiscal year
2002-03.
Memorandum from Public Works Director
Harold Williams dated February 14, 2002.
(PDF file)
Action:
To approve the staff recommendation to adopt Resolution
No. 02-6189, entitled
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ORDERING THE DIRECTOR OF
PUBLIC WORKS TO PREPARE A REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
ARTICLE 4 OF CHAPTER 1 OF THE "LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING
ACT OF 1972," BEING DIVISION 15, PART 2 OF THE STREETS
AND HIGHWAYS CODE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, FOR THE
MAINTENANCE, OPERATION AND SERVICING OF STREET AND
SIDEWALK LANDSCAPING LIGHTING AND APPURTENANT WORK IN THE
CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
COMMENCING JULY 1, 2002 AND ENDING JUNE 30,
2003.
(Mayor Dunbabin absent)
-
Recommendation that, pending Fire Department
review and supervision, Council approve the request from
Hermosa Beach Little League to do a minor firework during
Opening Day, March 1, 2002.
Memorandum from Community Resources
Director Mary Rooney dated February 19, 2002.
(PDF file)
Action:
To approve, pending Fire Department review and
supervision, the request from Hermosa Beach Little League
to do a minor firework show during Opening Day, March 1,
2002. (Mayor Dunbabin absent)
-
Recommendation to receive and file
action minutes from
the Planning Commission meeting of February 19, 2002
and letter from Jim Lissner dated February 20,
2002.
This item was removed from the consent calendar by
Councilmember Keegan for separate discussion later in the
meeting.
Action:
To schedule a public hearing on April 9, 2002 for
Council review and reconsideration of the Pavilion
project (PC agenda item 8), and to receive and file the
action minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of
February 19, 2002.
Motion Keegan, second Yoon. The motion carried, noting
the absence of Mayor Dunbabin.
-
Recommendation to receive and file
action minutes from
the Public Works Commission meeting of January 16,
2002
.
This item was removed from the consent calendar by
Councilmember Yoon for separate discussion later in the
meeting.
Action:
To receive and file the action minutes of the Public
Works Commission meeting of January 16, 2002.
Motion Yoon, second Keegan. The motion carried, noting
the absence of Mayor Dunbabin.
-
CONSENT ORDINANCES
None
-
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE
DISCUSSION
Items 2(j) and (k) were heard at this time but are shown
in order for clarity.
Public comments on items removed from the Consent
Calendar are shown under the appropriate item.
-
PUBLIC HEARINGS - TO COMMENCE AT 7:30 P.M.
-
CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST BY HERMOSA BEACH CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE TO HOLD FIESTAS HERMOSA ON MEMORIAL DAY (MAY
25, 26 & 27, 2002) AND LABOR DAY (AUGUST 31,
SEPTEMBER 1, AND 2, 2002).
Memorandum from City Manager Stephen
Burrell dated February 20, 2002.
(PDF file)
City Manager Burrell presented the staff report and
responded to Council questions.
The public hearing opened at 7:44 P.M. Coming forward
to address the Council on this item were:
- Carla Merriman
- - Chamber of Commerce executive director, discussed
the request for two Fiestas;
- Mark Conte
- - Conte Productions, distributed to Councilmembers
the preliminary operation plans for the Fiesta;
- Travers Devine
- - Chamber of Commerce, read letters of support from
some downtown merchants unable to attend tonight's
meeting, stating that the events helped their
businesses;
- John Hales
- - Hermosa Beach, representing the Historical
Society, spoke in support of the two annual events;
said a significant amount of the Society's funding is
raised at the Fiestas;
- Betty Ryan
- - Hermosa Beach, said she was a long-time resident
and had been a member of the Improvement Commission
that put on the City's first Festival of the Arts; said
the Fiestas were enjoyed by the residents, many of whom
work in the booths;
- Sam Abrams
- - resident and Kiwanis Club president; spoke in
support of the events; said although the Fiesta was not
the Club's main fundraiser, the members enjoyed working
in the booth and the chance to recruit potential new
members;
- Shirley Cassell
- - Hermosa Beach, said the Fiestas should be held on
weekends that are not three-day holiday weekends;
- Steve Roberts
- - resident and Café Boogaloo owner, said he
did not oppose having two Fiestas a year, but was
against having them on three-day holiday weekends;
- Lisa Moore
- - Hermosa Beach, said she did not oppose having one
Fiesta to kick off the summer, but requested that the
City explore other ways to fund the Chamber; said when
the event began, there was probably not a lot of
activity downtown; spoke of parking and trash
problems;
- No name given
- - Hermosa Avenue retail business owner, spoke in
favor of the two Fiestas; said other events draw crowds
to the Plaza but the Fiesta is the only one that brings
people along the Avenue; said the events have taken
place for 31 years and primarily attract Hermosa and
other beach-city residents; said eliminating one
Fiesta, which is a family-oriented event, would create
drinking problems in the area like on the 4th of
July;
- Pete Tucker
- - Hermosa Beach, said he recalled the two Fiestas
being approved for a five-year period and suggested
that the issue be researched and the time period
honored; said better signage was needed to direct
people away from the area and toward the parking areas
which, along with incentives to make people take the
shuttle, would resolve the parking and traffic
problems;
- John Bowler
- - Hermosa Beach, said most residents like the event
and that parking problems were part of living at the
beach and would exist in any case, noting that all
parking spaces were taken on any sunny day in July;
said the Fiesta was a historical part of Hermosa a
benefit to businesses;
- Joyce Bichlmeier
- - owner of a Pier Avenue insurance business, said
the Chamber is a non-profit organization that years ago
was funded by the City; said the Fiesta was a
tradition, a wonderful family event, and a fundraiser
that supports the Chamber;
- Tracy Lizotte
- - County Lifeguard; spoke in favor of the Fiestas;
said the lifeguard booth raises 60 to 70 percent of the
funding used for public education and youth programs;
said it was a good event;
- Bill Robb
- - owner of Treasure Chest; spoke in favor of the
events; said the Fiesta helped his business and he
wished they took place 12 weekends a year instead of
only two;
- Rick Koenig
- - Hermosa Beach; spoke in favor of the Fiestas,
noting that he lived nearby; spoke of the video tape he
shot at the last event; said everyone who attends has a
good time;
- Mick Felder
- - a 50-year resident and 35-year business owner,
representing the Rotary Club, spoke in favor of the
Fiesta; said the event was needed and that the Rotary
Club raises about $4,500 at each one;
- Patricia Spiritus
- - resident and downtown business owner, said the
Fiesta now benefits her business and that it would be
unfair to eliminate the events without having something
else lined up to replace the funding for the Chamber;
said Ms. Merriman had done a great job since taking
over as director, and asked that she be given a chance
to work things out;
- Warren Barr
- - Hermosa Beach; spoke in favor of the Fiestas;
said he would rather eliminate the Beach Bash; said
other cities provide funding to their Chambers of
Commerce; urged the Council to keep what was a good
community event and eliminate what was not;
- Ron Newman
- - Pier Avenue business owner, said he was recently
billed $200 at his Newport store to support that city's
Chamber of Commerce; said the second Fiesta may need to
be tweaked, but noted the advertising money that each
business would have to spend to attract the number of
people brought in by the Fiesta; urged the Council to
approve the request;
- Donley Falkenstien
- - Hermosa Beach; said the Fiesta was too big and
adversely affected him and other downtown residents who
had the right to enjoy their homes without the impacts
every three-day weekend; suggested eliminating one of
the events or shortening their duration; and
- Earl Feys
- - Hermosa Beach, spoke in favor of the Fiestas;
said he enjoyed the events and that his friends and
relatives come from out of town to attend them as
well.
The public hearing closed at 8:29 P.M.
Action:
To approve the staff recommendation to:
- Approve the request for the two Fiesta Hermosa
events;
- Waive application, banner and amplification fees as
a non-profit organization and bill only for actual
costs incurred by Police and Public Works for various
direct services provided; and
- Approve the requested use of Proposition C funds
for the shuttle bus. Motion Reviczky, second Yoon. The
motion carried, noting the absence of Mayor
Dunbabin.
The meeting recessed at 8:47 P.M.
The meeting reconvened at 8:59 P.M.
-
MUNICIPAL MATTERS
-
RECONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING A VETERAN'S
PREFERENCE PROGRAM FOR OPEN COMPETITION CIVIL SERVICE
EXAMINATIONS.
Memorandum from Personnel Director/Risk
Manager Michael Earl dated February 20, 2002.
(PDF file)
Supplemental letter from Peggy Fontenot, president of
America's Veterans, The Living Wall. Supplemental minutes
from the City Council meetings of December 11, 2001 and
January 8, 2002.
Personnel Director/Risk Manager Earl presented the
staff report and responded to Council questions. City
Attorney Jenkins also responded to Council questions.
Coming forward to address the Council on this item
were:
- Steve Crecy
- - Hermosa Beach, said this issue was important to
the veterans who differed from firefighters and police
officers in that they had to leave or forego careers in
order to serve in battle; said this should be called
veterans credit, not preference; said veterans came
back to civilian life with valuable skills and
leadership abilities, noting that they must be
qualified for the job before the credit would come into
play; said this would benefit those currently serving
and protecting the country;
- Jerry Yamamoto
- - president of the VVA South Bay Chapter 53, said
veterans make many sacrifices and when they come back
to civilian life, their service should be recognized;
thanked the City of Hermosa Beach for its past support
of veterans;
- Charles Nelson
- - veteran, said anyone who hires a veteran would be
getting an employee who can make decisions; said the
program would give a veteran some recognition for the
training and experience that is not obtained as a
college students;
- Dean Bougenhagin
- - veteran, said his first tour of duty was in 1972,
and when he returned and applied with the City of
Torrance, he received points; urged the Council to
approve the program or take necessary measures so that
it can be approved;
- Shirley Cassell
- - Hermosa Beach, said the City would not be giving
anything that veterans do not deserve or have not
earned; said if veterans are entitled to points, they
should be given;
- Kirk Gillette
- - veteran, said honorably discharged veterans have
classified status and have demonstrated their
reliability;
- Earl Feys
- - Hermosa Beach, said he was a Korea era veteran
and when he left the military at age 20, he was able to
make decisions; said he received points when seeking
employment; No name given
- - veteran, said Hermosa Beach was unusual in not
allowing veterans preference;
- Paul Warner
- - former Marine, said 36 years ago he left his job
of three months to join the military and that his
employer was required to offer him a job when he got
out; said he was grateful when that employer called and
he has stayed with the company ever since; and
- Charlie Cheatum
- - Hermosa Beach, Department of Defense senior
manager, said they extensively use veterans preference;
said the system works well with a large pool of
candidates and sometimes veterans lack the expertise
needed for a particular position.
Action:
To direct that the issue of a Veteran's preference
program be placed on the ballot of the November 2003
Municipal Election.
Motion Keegan, second Reviczky. The motion carried,
noting the dissenting vote by Yoon and the absence of
Mayor Dunbabin.
Further Action:
To agendize the issue of the City giving pension credit
to veterans for their years of military service.
Motion Reviczky, second Yoon. The motion carried, noting
the absence of Mayor Dunbabin.
-
PRESENTATION BY MAYOR DUNBABIN AND
COUNCILMEMBER KEEGAN ON PROPOSED COLORS FOR THE
COMMUNITY CENTER RE-PAINTING PROJECT.
Councilmember Keegan, subcommittee member, reported on
his and Mayor Dunbabin's participation with the Community
Center repainting project, noting that the services of
the Art Deco Society president were paid for by the
Hermosa Beach Arts Foundation. As requested by Mayor
Dunbabin last night, he submitted the gray-green color
she said she preferred to go with the burgundy trim. City
Manager Burrell responded to Council questions.
Coming forward to address the Council on this item
were:
- Mitzi March Mogul
- - president of Art Deco Society of Los Angeles,
said two schemes were being presented to the Council,
and referred to the color schemes on display; said the
burgundy and gray colors would have a more
sophisticated effect, while the blue and yellow color
scheme would represent a playful, fun building; said
either color scheme would be appropriate for the
building and would wear well;
- Brian McNally
- - paint subcommittee member, presented renderings
showing the existing building and his proposal using a
warm tone style; said the building is nearly always in
shadow and opposed gray or neutral toned colors; said a
strong warm color would punch through the blandness
created by the lack of direct sunlight and would be
more inviting;
- Ashley Beck
- - showed Council a book he had on WPA posters; said
a lighter color scheme would be better since the
building is in shadow;
- P.K. Phillips
- - paint subcommittee chair, said they took a lot of
time over the three month period and through a thorough
process of elimination were able to arrive at the
schemes presented this evening; said the proposed color
schemes were appropriately accurate and a lot of
thought went into the choices;
- John Hales
- - Hermosa Beach, asked if the wall that runs along
Ardmore Avenue would be painted to match (he was told
that it was part of the project and would be the same
colors); and
- Rick Koenig
- - Hermosa Beach, said there was a fiberglass window
on the market that could be painted and, therefore,
would be cost effective as well as energy
efficient.
Proposed Action:
To approve the silver, gray and burgundy/maroon color
scheme proposed by the committee for the Community Center
repainting project.
Motion Yoon, second Reviczky. The motion failed, due to
the dissenting votes of Mayor Pro Tempore Edgerton and
Keegan, and the absence of Mayor Dunbabin.
Councilmember Keegan said although he preferred the
blue and yellow color scheme, because he knew Mayor
Dunbabin would prefer the gray/burgundy colors
recommended by the committee over the blue/yellow
proposal, he would change his vote rather than hold up
the project for a full Council vote at the next
meeting.
Action:
To approve the silver, gray and burgundy/maroon color
scheme proposed by the committee for the Community Center
repainting project.
Motion Yoon, second Reviczky. The motion carried, noting
the absence of Mayor Dunbabin.
The meeting recessed at 10:45 P.M.
The meeting reconvened at 11:00 P.M., at which time the
order of the agenda returned to item 4.
-
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS AND REPORTS - CITY
MANAGER
-
AB680 (STEINBERG) SPOT BILL TO REALLOCATE LOCAL
SALES TAX IN SACRAMENTO REGION.
Memorandum from City Manager Stephen
Burrell dated February 20, 2001.
(PDF file)
City Manager Burrell presented the staff report and
responded to Council questions.
Action:
To direct staff to prepare a letter of opposition to
AB680 (Steinberg), which proposes to reallocate local
sales tax in the Sacramento region, with further
direction to staff to track the bill.
Motion Reviczky, second Keegan. The motion carried,
noting the absence of Mayor Dunbabin.
-
REQUEST FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR
PLACEMENT OF AN ADVERTISEMENT IN THE 2002 CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Memorandum from City Manager Stephen
Burrell dated February 21, 2000.
(PDF file)
City Manager Burrell presented the staff report and
responded to Council questions.
Action:
To place an advertisement in the 2002 Chamber of
Commerce business directory, using a letter deemed
acceptable to the City Council with a montage of
photographs.
Motion Reviczky, second Yoon. The motion carried, noting
the dissenting vote by Keegan and the absence of Mayor
Dunbabin.
-
STREET IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED AS A RESULT OF NEW
CONSTRUCTION OR REMODELING; REVISED REVIEW PROCESS FOR
STREET IMPROVEMENTS; AND PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE MUNICIPAL
CODE.
Memorandum from City Manager Stephen
Burrell dated February 21, 2002.
(PDF file)
Coming forward to address the Council on this issue
was:
- Pete Tucker
- - Hermosa Beach, suggested keeping the current
process and the existing Code until there is a master
plan for street improvements.
Action:
To direct staff to bring the proposed change adding the
category of alley to the Municipal Code back in ordinance
form for consideration.
Motion Keegan, second Reviczky. The motion carried, noting
the absence of Mayor Dunbabin.
-
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS AND REPORTS - CITY
COUNCIL
None
-
OTHER MATTERS - CITY COUNCIL
-
Proposal from Councilmember Yoon to include Redondo
Beach in the Beach Cities Committee, along with Manhattan
Beach and have as the first item of discussion the Heart
of the City Plan and the impacts that the proposal will
have on all of the Beach Cities.
Councilmember Yoon spoke to his request.
City Manager Burrell responded to Council
questions.
Action:
To reinvigorate the Beach Cities Committee and invite
other cities to a meeting to begin a dialogue.
Motion Yoon, second Keegan. The motion carried, noting
the absence of Mayor Dunbabin.
Coming forward to address the Council at this time
was:
- Ashley Beck
- - said Valley Drive between Sixth and Seventh streets
was a raceway and no one stopped for pedestrians; asked
about a crosswalk in that area; spoke of the current
program in Manhattan Beach to curtail speeding.
ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Hermosa Beach adjourned on Tuesday, February 26, 2002, at the
hour of 11:44 P.M. to an Adjourned Regular Meeting on Monday,
March 4, 2002, at the hour of 7:10 P.M., to conduct a City
Council goals session.
|
