MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Hermosa Beach, California, held on Tuesday, January 30, 2001, at the hour of 7:35 P.M.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Public Works Superintendent Mike Flaherty

 

ROLL CALL :

Present: Dunbabin, Edgerton, Oakes, Reviczky, Mayor Bowler
Absent: None

 

PIER RENOVATION - PHASE III WORKSHOP

Public Works Director Williams presented the staff report and responded to Council questions. He said the main issues for discussion and direction this evening were: (1) whether or not to create a walk-only zone on the Strand and repave the area; and (2) whether or not to construct the proposed access ramp from the lifeguard tower, noting the potentially high cost, estimated at about $80,000. He said exterior building samples would be available at the next Pier renovation meeting.

Jim Pickel, consultant with Purkiss-Rose, reviewed the drawings on display and responded to Council questions. He discussed the proposed tower buildings, and said in order to meet ADA requirements a ramp must have a grade of 8.33% or less.

City Manager Burrell also responded to Council questions

 

1. DISCUSS POSSIBILITY OF WALK-ONLY ZONE ON THE STRAND AS PART OF THE PIER PLAZA

Discussion ensued with regard to the issue of imposing a walk-only zone between 10th and 14th streets rather than continuing to use signal lights.

In response to Council questions, Public Works Director Williams said the walk-only zone could be accomplished with signage and enforcement, and said a different pavement treatment would signal that it was a different zone.

City Manager Burrell said if the Council wanted to pursue a walk-only zone, staff would develop an enforcement program for Council review and consideration, and said if a change of pavement material were desired, a possibility would be to make it consistent with the Pier Plaza pavement.

Action : To direct staff to investigate ways to make a pedestrian-only zone on the Strand between 10th and 14th streets for consistency with the current signaled section, with the times of day to be determined at a later date, and with direction to staff to report back to the Council on enforcement issues.
Motion Reviczky, second Oakes. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Proposed Action : To repave the Strand between 10th and 14th streets with the same material that was used on the Pier Plaza.
Motion Reviczky, second Oakes. The motion was subsequently withdrawn.

Action : To direct staff to report back on the square footage cost of the same material that was used on the Pier Plaza, with the cost broken down for repaving the area in front of the Plaza and between 10th and 14th streets, or perhaps 11th and 13th streets.
Motion Reviczky, second Edgerton. The motion carried unanimously.

2. DISCUSS OPTIONAL HANDICAP RAMP

Discussion ensued with regard to the issue of having an additional handicap ramp from the lifeguard tower. Suggestions for stair access instead of the ramp were discussed -- one to have stairs facing north with access from the mezzanine area directly to the pier.

Mr. Pickel said it would be possible to delete the proposed additional ramp and include stairs. He said he would review the options, including cost, and report back to the Council.

3. OTHER PROJECT-RELATED ITEMS

Council discussion ensued with regard to a suggestion to use the design of the old foot-of-the Pier structure with the archway instead of the two towers.

A straw vote showed no interest in using the design of the old building, due to the dissenting votes of Oakes, Reviczky, and Mayor Bowler.

Mr. Pickel responded to Council questions concerning the placement of the plaques, including two memorial plaques. City Manager Burrell said he would like to show the plan to the donors, and asked for an enlargement of the plan. It was suggested that the plan also include a person for scale.

It was requested that drawings be prepared showing the design features that had been discussed and that all of the proposed materials be durable and graffiti-proof.

A majority of the Council expressed no interest in a suggestion to eliminate the proposed planters at the base of the Plaza.

A lifeguard representative said their tallest vehicle was 7 feet 7 inches in height and expressed concern about potentially losing a parking place. He said they were trying to keep their facility more of a compound area, with a small ramp leading to their door, but without access to their rooftop and ledges.

Mr. Pickel said he would have the drawings and building material samples at the next Pier renovation meeting.

City Manager Burrell said another workshop would be scheduled in about one month, and he requested the drawings in advance.

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS

Coming forward to address the Council at this time were:

Pete Tucker - Hermosa Beach, asked how this plan integrated a new bike path, if one is built in the future; suggested erecting something to simulate the proposed towers so people could see how it would look; suggested looking at a product called mat-crete since pavers were rough and hard to take care of; and

John Hales - Hermosa Beach, objected to the towers being 20 feet tall, noting they seem to be squeezed in as tight as they could get; suggested moving each tower ten feet, to the north and south; suggested a simplified model which would make the project easier to envision than looking at plans.

In response to Council questions, Mr. Pickel said preparing a model would be an extra service and that he would provide the Council with the cost of a simple study model, as well as the cost of a full-blown model showing everything, including light fixtures, once all the materials are selected.

 

ADJOURNMENT - The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach adjourned on Tuesday, January 30, 2001, at the hour of 9:32 P.M. to the Regular Meeting of Tuesday, February 13, 2001, at the hour of 7:10 P.M.