MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

of the City of Hermosa Beach, California, held on Tuesday, August 5, 2003, at the hour of 7:10 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Commissioner Stephen Francis

ROLL CALL (City Council):

Present: Dunbabin, Reviczky, Mayor Keegan
Absent: Edgerton, Yoon

ROLL CALL (Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Advisory Commission):

Present: Bell, Francis, Hollander, Sigler, Chairman Fishman
Absent: None

1. Discussion of Community Picnic

   Commissioner Francis, Picnic Committee Chair, provided an overview of the events planned for the picnic scheduled for Sunday, September 21, 2003, noting that the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs were sponsoring a small beer garden.

   Discussion between the Council, Commission, and staff included the following points:

   • Council concern about low attendance in the first two years;
   • Attendance was 600-800 people the first year, 800-1000 the second year, and if this third year did not attract 1200-1500 attendees, the Commission felt the picnic should probably not be repeated;
   • Staff said the Municipal Code did not prohibit a beer garden;
   • The Commission felt the beer garden might increase attendance;
   • The Council agreed to allow the beer garden but wanted it closely monitored to make sure that it did not change the family atmosphere;
   • Other beverages to be sold would be soft drinks and bottled water;
   • Funds raised by the picnic would be used toward the following year's picnic, if one is held;
   • All non-profit organizations within the City will be honored;
   • The Commission will provide a post-picnic report to the Council.

2. Discussion of Friends of the Parks Community Foundation

   Commissioner Hollander reported on the foundation, stressing that this non-profit 501c organization would provide an opportunity for the community to work with the Commission in prioritizing recreation and park needs, applying for grants, and coordinating fundraising efforts.

   Discussion between the Council, Commission, and staff included the following points:

   • Commissioner Hollander will act as a liaison between the Foundation, Commission, and City staff;
   • Parks often suffer during a downturn in the economy;
   • A needs assessment has been performed for two parks;
   • Services will be provided which the City might not otherwise be able to fund;
   • The possibility of having sponsors for parks versus naming parks (even temporarily) for sponsors was raised, and the Council felt further discussion was needed;
   • A 2004 City calendar with photographs and sponsors was discussed.

3. Discussion of Sunset Concert Series

   Commissioner Sigler presented the topic, stating people would like more concerts, maybe up to eight each summer, and if budget constraints were a problem, perhaps less expensive bands could be booked, more in line with Manhattan Beach concerts. He suggested that people attended the events because of the social aspects, rather than to hear a particular band, and that sponsors could be sought to fund all the sunset concerts.

   Discussion between the Council, Commission, and staff included the following points:

   • The cost of putting on a concert regardless of the talent aspect is currently about $3,000 to $4,000;
   • Staff suggested that possibly the Commission could select the dates and talent, and solicit sponsors;
   • There was some Council concern that having the Commission make talent recommendations to the Council for approval might waste staff time and make the process inefficient;
   • Staff suggested dividing the process with the Commission assisting with funding and the Council selecting the talent;
   • There was a consensus that a more orderly process which started earlier would provide more funding from sponsors because it would allow companies to fit the donations into their budget;
   • Staff indicated that sponsorships could be solicited through advertising agencies, providing City demographics, noting that sponsorship of these concerts is probably worth more than has been received in the past;
   • There was concern about too many concerts and too much publicity which would increase the local resident crowd to an unmanageable number of attendees;
   • The promoter currently used is satisfactory and the type of music being played encourages a family atmosphere;
   • It was felt by some Councilmembers that no more than six concerts should be held and that the Hermosa Beach concerts are unique because they do have the big name bands;
   • Some commissioners suggested more variety in the kinds of music and to book bands which younger residents were familiar with, such as groups that play at Caf矂ugaloo or Sangria;
   • Holding the concerts on Sunday sometimes provides a savings because groups are already in the area to play on Saturday night;
   • There may need to be a second set of speakers back into the crowd to improve sound for those not as close to the stage.

4. Discussion of Special Event Fees and Relative Impact

   Chairman Fishman said this item had been agendized in order to request City Council direction because of past Council concerns about special events which were held for longer than one day and to determine if fees were appropriate to cover staff time.

   Discussion between the Council, Commission, and staff included the following points:

   • Staff reported that information about multi-day events was usually presented to the Council in March or April because most of the events were scheduled during the summer months except the Saint Patrick's Day Parade and related events in mid-March, which could be presented to the Council earlier;
   • There was some Council concern that events presented later than Spring should be postponed until the following year unless the events were relatively small;
   • Council agreed that fees should be reviewed to ensure that Police and workman's compensation costs were covered;
   • Staff indicated that even events in the low impact category were charged an application fee of $500, that there are many applications for this type of event, and that applications from non-profit groups were handled by a different process;
   • Council requested additional information on these low-impact events.

5. Discussion of Recreational Opportunities for Resident Seniors

   Commissioner Francis said he had been working with Staff on senior issues and had met with the Seniors Program Coordinator for the City of Redondo Beach, which has an extensive seniors program. He noted that attendance at some Hermosa Beach senior events had been poor, that a greater effort needed to be made to get the word out to seniors, and that there were also programs offered in neighboring cities and local organizations which were available to Hermosa Beach seniors.

   Discussion between the Council, Commission, and staff included the following points:

   • Excursions were well attended and maybe the program should be expanded;
   • Make sure information about The Wave, taxi vouchers, Beach Cities Health District, and South Bay Adult School is published in the Recreation Brochure and on the City's website;
   • Additional programs may be needed since the average age of Hermosa Beach residents is 38;
   • Hermosa Beach is not capable of day care or Meals on Wheels type of programs;
   • Even though computer classes are offered by the South Bay Adult School, they fill up quickly and maybe classes just for seniors could be offered in the City, possible at the Kiwanis Club;
   • The City of Redondo Beach is working on a Community Resource Director for Seniors which might be made available by a cooperative effort between the two cities;
   • Monthly bingo nights might be considered.

6. Discussion of Pacific Coast Highway Beautification Projects

   Commissioner Sigler said there was a three-commission committee (comprised of members of the Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Advisory Commission, the Public Works Commission, and the Planning Commission), which meets regularly to consider a list of trees for Pacific Coast Highway and ideas to beautify Aviation Boulevard, and to present proposals and tentative budgets to the Council.

   Discussion between the Council, Commission, and staff included the following points:

   • A meeting must be scheduled with the business owners on Aviation;
   • An MTA grant with 50/50 matching funds to be collected by a non-profit organization and donated by business owners would provide funding for medians and staff agreed to furnish further information;
   • Business owners could plant foliage with an approved theme;
   • The possibility of City entry signs on Aviation and the pepper trees on that street were discussed, noting that trees needing minimal care are best.

7. Surfers' Walk of Fame

   City Manager Burrell raised the issue, suggesting that the Commission could coordinate the submission of nominees and an induction ceremony each spring, possibly with assistance from the Surfers' Museum.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Coming forward to address the Council and the Commission at this was:

Robert Aronoff

- Hermosa Beach, spoke in opposition to the Bike Path advisory measure being placed on the ballot.

ADJOURNMENT

- The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach adjourned on Tuesday, August 5, 2003, at the hour of 8:45 p.m. to a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2003, at the hour of 7:10 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT