City Hall  
1315 Valley Drive  
Hermosa Beach, CA  
90254  
City of Hermosa Beach  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
City Council  
Mayor  
Justin Massey  
Mayor Pro Tem  
Dean Francois  
Councilmembers  
Rob Saemann  
Mike Detoy  
Ray Jackson  
Tuesday, November 28, 2023  
5:00 PM  
5:00 PM - CLOSED SESSION  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Massey called the Closed Session to order at 5:00 p.m.  
ROLL CALL  
City Clerk Myra Maravilla announced a quorum.  
5 -  
Present:  
Mayor Massey, Mayor Pro Tempore Francois, Councilmember Saemann,  
Councilmember Detoy, and Councilmember Jackson  
0
Absent:  
PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CLOSED SESSION AGENDA  
No Public Comment for Closed Session was provided.  
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION  
Mayor Massey recessed to Closed Session at 5:01 p.m.  
23-0721  
23-0722  
a)  
b)  
MINUTES: Approval of minutes of Closed Session held on November 14,  
2023.  
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR:  
Government Code Section 54957.6  
City Negotiator:  
Mayor Massey  
Unrepresented  
employee:  
City Manager  
23-0727  
c)  
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL:  
Existing Litigation - Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)  
The City finds, based on advice from legal counsel, that discussion in open  
session will prejudice the position of the City in the litigation.  
Name of Case: EBS General Engineering v. City of Hermosa Beach  
LASC Case Number: 23TRCV02119  
Date of Filing: 06/30/2023  
6:00 PM - OPEN SESSION  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Massey called the Open Session to order at 6:37 pm.  
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ben Padnos.  
III. ROLL CALL  
City Clerk Maravilla announced a quorum.  
5 -  
Present:  
Absent:  
Mayor Massey, Mayor Pro Tempore Francois, Councilmember Saemann,  
Councilmember Detoy, and Councilmember Jackson  
0
IV. CLOSED SESSION REPORT  
City Attorney Patrick Donegan provided a Closed Session Report. No  
reportable action was taken.  
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS - UPCOMING CITY EVENTS  
Councilmember Saemann invited the public to visit the Kiwanis Club  
Hermosa Beach Christmas Tree Lot through December 22, 2023 and  
announced pictures with Santa Claus are free to visitors.  
Mayor Massey invited the community to the following events: the 31st  
Annual Beach Cities Toy Drive on Saturday, December 2nd from 10:00  
a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the City Hall Parking Lot; the Sand Snowman Contest  
on Saturday, December 9th; and to the Jeff Duclos Community Garden  
Dedication on December 9th at South Park at 1:00 p.m.  
VI. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember  
Saemann to approve the agenda.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois made a substitute motion to remove Consent Calendar  
item "i" for separate discussion. Mayor Massey seconded the motion. The  
substitute motion carried by the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Massey, Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson  
Aye:  
0
Absent:  
VII. PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS  
23-0715  
a)  
PRESENTATION FROM ANTHONY PADNOS ON OPEN DIALOGUE  
Police Chief LeBaron introduced Anthony Padnos.  
Anthony Padnos provided a presentation on open dialogue.  
Mayor Massey provided comments.  
Councilmember Saemann provided comments.  
23-0706  
b)  
PRESENTATION FROM MARINE MAMMAL CARE CENTER  
John Warner, CEO from Marine Mammal Care Center, provided a  
presentation.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois provided comments.  
John Warner asked the public to call 1-800-39-WHALE if a marine  
mammal is found on the beach.  
Mayor Massey provided comments.  
VIII. CITY MANAGER REPORT  
City Manager Suja Lowenthal provided a City Manager Report.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois asked various questions.  
City Manager Lowenthal provided additional information.  
IX. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE  
PUBLIC  
In Person Public Comment:  
Sarah Harper  
Jonathan Cruz  
Nick Wilson  
Michael Sribney  
Virtual Public Comment:  
Matt McCool  
23-0728  
a)  
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION  
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember  
Jackson to receive and file the written communication. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
5 - Mayor Massey, Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson  
0
Aye:  
Absent:  
X. CITY COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS  
23-0712  
a)  
UPDATES FROM CITY COUNCIL AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES  
AND STANDING COMMITTEE DELEGATES/ALTERNATES  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois announced his attendance to the Sanitation  
District Board of Directors Meeting on November 15, 2023.  
Councilmember Saemann provided comments.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois provided comments.  
XI. CONSENT CALENDAR  
Approval of the Consent Calendar  
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore  
Francois to move Consent Calendar item "i" for separate discussion and approve  
the remainder of the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following  
vote:  
5 - Mayor Massey, Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson  
0
Aye:  
Absent:  
23-0716  
a)  
b)  
c)  
d)  
WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES ON THE AGENDA  
(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
REPORT  
23-0713  
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  
(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
REPORT  
23-0702  
CHECK REGISTERS  
(Finance Director Viki Copeland)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
REPORT  
23-0704  
REVENUE REPORT, EXPENDITURE REPORT, AND CIP REPORT  
BY PROJECT  
FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2023  
(Finance Director Viki Copeland)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
e)  
f)  
REPORT  
23-0701  
CITY TREASURER’S REPORT AND CASH BALANCE REPORT  
(City Treasurer Karen Nowicki)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
REPORT  
23-0695  
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT  
AS OF NOVEMBER 22, 2023  
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
g)  
h)  
REPORT  
23-0699  
ACTION MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION  
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 AND THE PUBLIC WORKS  
COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING OF OCTOBER 18, 2023  
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
REPORT  
23-0705  
ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 12.09 TO THE  
HERMOSA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH A CITYWIDE  
PAVEMENT MORATORIUM AND TO MODIFY CHAPTER 1.10 OF  
HBMC TO INCLUDE VIOLATION OF THE PAVEMENT MORATORIUM  
AS A CODE VIOLATION SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY  
PROCEDURES AND DETERMINE THE ORDINANCE TO BE  
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT  
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
j)  
REPORT  
23-0718  
PLANNING COMMISSION TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA  
(Community Development Director Carrie Tai)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
k)  
REPORT  
23-0717  
ACTION MINUTES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD  
SPECIAL MEETING OF AUGUST 30, 2023  
(Human Resources Manager Vanessa Godinez)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
l)  
REPORT  
23-0708  
SOUTH BAY WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD  
QUARTERLY SUMMARY  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
m)  
REPORT  
23-0707  
LIST OF REGULAR AND ONGOING CITY BOARD  
AND COMMISSION APPOINTIVE TERMS THAT WILL  
EXPIRE DURING THE 2024 CALENDAR YEAR  
(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
n)  
o)  
REPORT  
23-0666  
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF SPONSORSHIP DONATION TO  
THE BEACH CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT’S 25th ANNUAL  
HOLIDAY GIFT BAG PROJECT  
(Executive Assistant Ann Yang)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
REPORT  
23-0720  
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION EXTENDING CITY’S DEADLINE TO  
ESTABLISH AN ONLINE PERMITTING SYSTEM FOR  
POST-ENTITLEMENT PERMIT TO JANUARY 2026 AND FINDING  
THE SAME EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL  
QUALITY ACT  
(City Attorney Patrick Donegan)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
XII. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION  
i)  
REPORT  
23-0714  
ACTION MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION  
REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 13, 2023  
(Community Development Director Carrie Tai)  
Community Development Director Carrie Tai provided a staff presentation.  
City Attorney Donegan provided comments.  
Mayor Massey provided comments.  
Councilmember Saemann and Mayor Pro Tem Francois expressed  
support to pull item 6.b from the November 13, 2232 Planning Comission  
minutes for City Council consideration at a future Public Hearing.  
City Manager Lowenthal provided comments.  
Virtual Public Comment:  
Laura Pena  
It was moved by Councilmember Saemann, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem  
Francois to bring Planning Commission item 6.b. before the City Council for a  
Public Hearing. The motion was carried by the following vote:  
3 - Francois, Saemann, and Jackson  
Aye:  
No:  
1 - Mayor Massey  
0
Absent:  
1 - Detoy  
Abstain:  
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember  
Jackson to receive and file the remainder of the action minutes of the Planning  
Commission regular meeting of November 13, 2023. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
5 - Mayor Massey, Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson  
0
Aye:  
Absent:  
XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS - TO COMMENCE AT 6:30 P.M.  
a)  
REPORT  
23-0657  
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ALLOCATION OF $147,148  
OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS  
TO CONSTRUCT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)  
COMPLIANT SIDEWALK PANELS AND CURB RAMPS  
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)  
Public Works Director Joe SanClemente provided a staff presentation.  
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.  
Councilmember Jackson provided comments.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois provided comments.  
No Public Comment was provided.  
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember  
Saemann to adopt a resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Community  
Development Block Grant (CDBG) program allocating and authorizing the use of  
$147,148 of funds to construct Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant  
sidewalk panels and curb ramps; and approve an appropriation of $13,831 from  
the CDBG funds to CIP 624-CDBG Improvements. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
5 - Mayor Massey, Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson  
0
Aye:  
Absent:  
XIV. MUNICIPAL MATTERS  
a)  
REPORT  
23-0700  
PURCHASE OF VEHICLES FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT  
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)  
Director SanClemente provided a staff presentation.  
Councilmember Saemann provided comments.  
Police Chief LeBaron provided information.  
Director SanClemente provided information.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois provided comments.  
Mayor Massey provided comments.  
Councilmember Jackson provided comments.  
City Manager Lowenthal provided comments.  
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.  
Virtual Public Comment:  
Matt McCool  
Dency Nelson  
The City Council continued to deliberate on this item.  
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember  
Jackson to authorize the purchase of four patrol pursuit vehicles in an amount  
not to exceed $312,000 from National Auto Fleet Group, the State of California's  
General Services Department Statewide Contract for Fleet Vehicles, or sole  
source from a dealership as the vehicle becomes available; and authorize the  
outfitting of each of the vehicles, not to exceed $108,000 for all four vehicles,  
through National Auto Fleet Group; and approve an additional appropriation of  
$195,000 to the Equipment Replacement Fund's fund balance to the Police  
Department Equipment Replacement Fund to fund the purchase and outfitting of  
the vehicles.that this Action Item be adopted. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
5 - Mayor Massey, Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson  
0
Aye:  
Absent:  
b)  
REPORT  
23-0709  
CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2024  
(Executive Assistant Ann Yang)  
Executive Assistant Ann Yang provided a staff presentation.  
Virtual Public Comment:  
Matt McCool  
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois provided comments.  
Mayor Massey provided comments.  
City Manager Lowenthal provided comments.  
Executive Assistant Yang provided information.  
City Attorney Donegan provided comments.  
City Clerk Maravilla provided comments.  
Councilmember Jackson provided comments.  
A motion was made by Mayor Massey, seconded by Councilmember Jackson to  
approve the City Council meeting schedule for 2024 with modifications, and  
approve the resolution establishing the meeting dates and times of the CIty  
Council for calendar year 2024 with the modifications as follows: establish the  
standard start time of 5:00 p.m. for Closed Session and 6:00 p.m. for Open  
Session with the exception of July 11, 2024 meeting to begin at 5:00 p.m; and add  
the following meeting dates to the 2024 City Council meeting dates: June 11,  
2024, July 15, 2024, October 22, 2024, and December 5, 2024; and remove the  
following meeting dates: June 19, 2024, July 18, 2024, November 26, 2024, and  
December 10, 2024. The motion carried by the following vote:  
There was a substitute motion by Mayor Pro Tem Francois to change the  
standard start time for the 2024 City Council meetings to 6:00 p.m. for Closed  
Session and 7:00 p.m. for Open Session. The motion failed for a lack of a second.  
The original motion was carried by the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Massey, Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson  
Aye:  
0
Absent:  
XV. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS  
23-0723  
a)  
TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS  
Councilmember Saemann requested to bring back the City's COVID-19  
requirements for employment and update the City's position at a future  
meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Francois provided support for an informational  
item only.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois requested to bring forth a private citizen issue  
related to the cost of a tree removal. No support was provided for this item.  
Public Works Director SanClemente provided comments.  
Mayor Massey provided comments.  
City Manager Lowenthal provided comments.  
City Attorney Donegan provided comments.  
XVI. ADJOURNMENT  
Mayor Massey adjourned the meeting at 10:06 p.m.