MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
of the City of Hermosa Beach, California, held on Thursday, June 1, 2006, at the hour of 7:15 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Betty Ryan
ROLL CALL
Present: Edgerton, Keegan, Reviczky, Mayor Tucker
Absent: None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Coming forward to address the Council at this time were:
No Name Given – referred to a letter she had submitted to the City Manager about the Clark Building, which she said needed some cosmetic improvements and is used by many age groups; asked about the timelines for phases 1 and 2 of the proposed renovation (City Manager Burrell said the proposal would be on the June 13 Council agenda);
Rick Koenig – Hermosa Beach Historical Society, regarding agenda item #3; said they planned to have the museum expansion completed in time for the Centennial, but needed additional money; requested that the City provide $20,000 for the project, which would be a matching fund, noting that the museum was a City asset; and
Betty Ryan – Hermosa Beach, regarding agenda item #2, requested $5,000 of City funding for the proposed “envelope of life” project, noting that pledges have been received from several local nonprofit groups to provide the rest of the money needed; said they hoped to have the project underway in the fall; questioned the disclaimer required by the City Attorney, noting that the program has existed in Manhattan Beach for nine years with no problems (City Manager Burrell said the City Attorney was still working on the wording of the disclaimer).
City Manager Burrell said a matter of threatened litigation was brought to the City’s attention after the posting of the agenda and requested that the City Council add a closed session to the close of tonight’s meeting to deal with this urgency item.
Action: To add to the end of tonight’s agenda a Closed Session for consideration of a matter of threatened litigation based on the findings that the issue arose after the posting of the agenda and required immediate action.
Motion Keegan, second Reviczky. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
-
PRELIMINARY BUDGET REVIEW
-
OVERVIEW OF BUDGET CHANGES
-
OVERVIEW OF REVENUE CHANGES
-
REVIEW OF DEPARTMENT EXPENDITURES
-
PROPOSITION A – FIXED ROUTE SHUTTLE SERVICE
A supplemental letter was received on May 31, 2006, from Teresa Price, Transit Manager for the City of Redondo Beach.
-
2006-07 DRAFT WORK PLAN
Supplement work plan received on June 1, 2006, from City Manager Burrell
City Manager Burrell presented an overview of the budget, noting that the Lotus dealership was doing very well selling lots of cars, and that property tax continues to rise.
Finance Director Copeland presented a PowerPoint presentation, providing information on revenues and appropriations. She reviewed new recreation fees, and said the proposed infrastructure policy would be presented to Council at the midyear budget review. She noted a recent IRS ruling that could have a detrimental effect on the City’s UUT.
Council discussion ensued about installing a signal at Pacific Coast Highway and Aviation Boulevard that would stop the flow of northbound PCH traffic turning right onto Aviation when southbound PCH traffic has a left-turn arrow.
Public Works Director Morgan said CalTrans has indicated preliminary agreement with the City’s assessment that a signal would work better for the safety of both drivers and pedestrians than the existing yield sign, which is often ignored, noting that a signal would probably cost about $30,000.
City Manager Burrell said he would add that item to the work plan, and could send a letter to CalTrans requesting that as a priority.
Other discussions included the use of parking attendants vs. meters in Lot A; the installation of ATMs on the Plaza (City Manager Burrell said that issue would come back at a future meeting for a policy decision); improvement of the appearance of the Greenbelt; the proposed new City marquis; and the use of solar power and alternative fuels.
City Manager Burrell noted that the Code Red program, which would allow for 911 call-backs, was in the work plan, budgeted for $10,000. He responded to questions about the use of Prop A funds, noting that the proposed fixed-route shuttle service would just circulate in Hermosa Beach.
-
Report from City Manager regarding Envelope of Life.
(Betty Ryan spoke on this matter earlier, under Public Participation.)
There was Council consensus to provide the $5,000 requested to fund this project, and direction to staff to work on resolving all concerns.
-
Letter from the Hermosa Beach Historical Society requesting $20,000 funding for their museum expansion project.
(Rick Koenig spoke on this matter earlier, under Public Participation.)
In response to questions, City Manager Burrell said last year the City Council had approved funding $10,000 pending submittal of a budget plan, which was just received, noting that the matter would need a separate agenda item.
There was Council consensus to provide an additional $10,000, for a total of $20,000 as requested, provided that the plan, including a list of items, costs and a timeline, is submitted to the City.
City Manager Burrell said $10,000 would be added to the budget, and that he would work with the Historical Society president to obtain the necessary information and would agendize the project for a future Council meeting.
-
Recommendation from Community Resources Director to authorize a Kraft Foods Promotion event on the Beach, west of Noble Park on June 28, 2006.
Community Resources Director Lisa Lynn presented the staff report and responded to Council questions, noting that the City would receive a $10,000 donation for the 2007 summer beach concert series in exchange for the four-hour promotional opportunity on the beach. City Manager Burrell responded to Council questions, noting that this would be the largest beach towel in the world.
Action: To approve, as recommended by staff, the request from Upstage Right Productions Inc. for a promotional “beach towel” event on the beach, directly west of Noble Park, on Wednesday, June 28, 2006, with a request that the towel be given to the City.
Motion Keegan, second Edgerton. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Council discussion ensued about the Centennial, and the Community Resources staff was directed to provide a monthly report to the Council about money raised for the Centennial events.
ANNOUNCEMENT IN OPEN SESSION OF ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AS FOLLOWS:
-
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
The City Council finds, based on advice from legal counsel, that discussion in open session will prejudice the position of the City in the litigation.
Threatened Litigation: Government Code Section 54956.9(b)
(One item added this evening)
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach, adjourned on Thursday, June 1, 2006, at the hour of 9:04 p.m. to a closed session.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The Closed Session convened on Thursday, June 1, 2006 at 9:05 p.m. At the hour of 9:55 p.m., the Closed Session adjourned to the Regular Meeting.
ORAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no decisions made requiring a public announcement.
ADJOURNMENT
The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach adjourned on Thursday, June 1, 2006, at the hour of 9:56 p.m. to the Regular Meeting of June 13, 2006, at 7:10 p.m.
