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, February 27, 2024  
5:00 PM  
5:00 PM - CLOSED SESSION  
CALL TO ORDER  
ROLL CALL  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois called the Closed Session to order 5:10 p.m.  
Councilmember Detoy joined the meeting from an alternate location listed  
on the agenda.  
Mayor Massey was not present for the Roll Call.  
4 -  
Present:  
Absent:  
Mayor Pro Tempore Francois, Councilmember Saemann, Councilmember Detoy,  
and Councilmember Jackson  
1 - Mayor Massey  
PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CLOSED SESSION AGENDA  
No Public Comment was provided for the Closed Session agenda.  
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION  
The City Council recessed to hear the Closed Session items.  
24-0094  
24-0093  
a)  
b)  
MINUTES: Approval of minutes of Closed Session held on January 23, 2024.  
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. (2 cases)  
1. Name of Case: Michael Frilot v. City of Hermosa Beach  
WCAB No. ADJ15551402;  
2. Name of Case: Debra Lynn Faris v. City of Hermosa Beach  
Case No. 22STCV26754  
6:00 PM - OPEN SESSION  
1. CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Massey called the Closed Session to order at 6:08 p.m.  
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
Ashley Tull led the Pledge of Allegiance.  
3. ROLL CALL  
City Clerk Myra Maravilla announced a quorum.  
5 -  
Present:  
Absent:  
Mayor Massey, Mayor Pro Tempore Francois, Councilmember Saemann,  
Councilmember Detoy, and Councilmember Jackson  
0
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT  
City Attorney Patrick Donegan provided a Closed Session Report and  
announced that Mayor Massey joined the City Council during the Closed  
Session.  
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS - UPCOMING CITY EVENTS  
Mayor Massey announced the following events:  
Hermosa Beach Little League Opening Day will take place on Saturday,  
March 2, 2024. More information about this event is available on the  
Hermosa Beach Little League website.  
Hermosa Beach Concert Series Talent applications to participate in the  
2024 Concert Series are due by Sunday, March 3, 2024. More information  
is available on the City's website.  
The Presidential Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.  
The City will host a Mobile Vote Center at the Civic Center Parking Lot on  
Monday, March 4, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A drop box is  
available in front of the Hermosa Beach Library.  
6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
A motion was made by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore  
Francois to approve the order of the agenda. The motion carried by the following  
vote:  
5 - Mayor Massey, Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson  
0
Aye:  
Absent:  
7. PROCLAMATIONS / PRESENTATIONS  
24-0077  
a)  
PROCLAMATION DECLARING FEBRUARY  
AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH  
Mayor Massey proclaimed February as Black History Month.  
8. CITY MANAGER REPORT  
City Manager Suja Lowenthal provided a City Manager Report and  
welcomed new City staff: Jonathan Ortiz, Public Works Inspector; Hailey  
Sandoval and Eric Cuiper, Maintenance Worker I.  
Public Works Director Joe SanClemente provided an update on various  
Capital Improvement Projects.  
Mayor Massey asked various questions on a Caltrans project scheduled on  
Pacific Coast Highway.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois asked various questions on a Caltrans project  
scheduled on Pacific Coast Highway.  
Councilmember Saemann asked various questions on the Bard Trailer  
renovations.  
City Manager Lowenthal celebrated that earlier on February 27, 2024 six  
out of the eight team members assigned from the Police Department were  
female, and it was an all female police force earlier in the day which makes  
it the City's first female shift in the Police Department. The recruitment team  
was thanked for their ongoing efforts.  
24-0078  
a)  
POLICE CHIEF UPDATE  
Police Chief LeBaron provided a Police Chief Update.  
Councilmember Jackson asked a question about the requirements for  
having a front-facing license plate on vehicles.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois asked about enforcement on the Strand.  
Chief LeBaron provided information about enforcement on the Strand.  
9. PUBLIC COMMENT  
In Person Public Comment:  
Sarah Harper  
Jim Rosenberger  
Jessica Accamando  
Elka Worner  
Trent Bernard Larson  
Jonathan Cruz  
Janet Cruz  
Jennifer Kennedy  
Nick Wilson  
Mike McMalton  
Carolyn Petty  
Adam Malovani  
David Bolog  
24-0113  
SUPPLEMENTAL ECOMMENTS FOR ITEM 9  
10. CITY COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS  
24-0079  
a)  
UPDATES FROM CITY COUNCIL AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES  
AND STANDING COMMITTEE DELEGATES/ALTERNATES  
Councilmember Saemann provided comments regarding the vaccine  
mandate and minor special event permits.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois provided comments regarding the vaccine  
mandate and the sales tax discussion from a previous meeting.  
11. CONSENT CALENDAR  
Approval of the Consent Calendar  
A motion was made by Councilmember Jackson, seconded by Councilmember  
Saemann, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following  
vote:  
5 - Mayor Massey, Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson  
0
Aye:  
Absent:  
24-0100  
a)  
b)  
c)  
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  
24-0080  
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  
(City Clerk Myra Maravilla)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
REPORT  
24-0072  
CHECK REGISTERS  
(Finance Director Viki Copeland)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
d)  
e)  
REPORT  
24-0091  
REVENUE REPORT, EXPENDITURE REPORT, AND CIP REPORT  
BY PROJECT FOR DECEMBER 2023  
(Finance Director Viki Copeland)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
REPORT  
24-0062  
2022-23 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT (ACFR)  
(INCLUDING REPORT FROM INDEPENDENT AUDITOR)  
(Finance Director Viki Copeland)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
f)  
REPORT  
24-0073  
CITY TREASURER’S REPORT AND CASH BALANCE REPORT  
(City Treasurer Karen Nowicki)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
g)  
REPORT  
24-0069  
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT  
AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 2024  
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
h)  
REPORT  
24-0089  
ACTION MINUTES OF THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND  
COMMUNITY RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING OF  
JANUARY 8, 2024  
(Community Resources Manager Lisa Nichols)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
i)  
REPORT  
24-0088  
ACTION MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION  
REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 20, 2024  
(Community Development Director Carrie Tai)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
j)  
REPORT  
24-0087  
PLANNING COMMISSION TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA  
(Community Development Director Carrie Tai)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
k)  
REPORT  
24-0059  
LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE AND AMBULANCE  
MONTHLY REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2023  
(Emergency Management Coordinator Maurice Wright)  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
l)  
REPORT  
24-0090  
SOUTH BAY WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD  
QUARTERLY SUMMARY  
A motion was made to approve the recommendation on the Consent Calendar.  
12. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION  
There were no items pulled from the Consent Calendar for separate  
discussion.  
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS - TO COMMENCE AT 6:30 P.M.  
a)  
REPORT  
24-0071  
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A NEW IMPACT LEVEL III  
SPECIAL EVENT  
(Community Resources Manager Lisa Nichols)  
Community Resources Manager Lisa Nichols provided an oral report.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois provided comments.  
Sarah Schuler, Vice President, Game Presentation & Experimental  
Marketing at Los Angeles Rams, provided comments.  
In Person Public Comment:  
Jessica Accamando  
Trent Larson  
Alexi Waul  
Jani Lange  
Virtual Public Comment:  
Anthony Higgins  
Richard Gotthoffer  
Laura Pena  
Mayor Massey asked various questions.  
Councilmember Detoy asked various questions.  
Councilmember Jackson made comments.  
Councilmember Saemann provided comments.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois provided comments and asked about the status  
of a CIP.  
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.  
Mayor Massey provided comments.  
A motion was moved by Councilmember Jackson, seconded by Councilmember  
Saemann to approve Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Advisory  
Commission's recommendation to include a new Impact Level III Special Event,  
the Rams Draft Experience, Proposal B, on Schumacher Plaza, Pier Plaza, and  
the beach south of the Pier on Monday, April 22 through Friday, May 3, including  
load-in and load-out, on the 2024 Special Events Calendar. The motion was  
carried by the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Massey, Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson  
0
Aye:  
Absent:  
14. MUNICIPAL MATTERS  
a)  
REPORT  
24-0058  
REJECT ALL BIDS AND AUTHORIZE THE RE-ADVERTISEMENT  
OF CIP 689 CLARK BUILDING RENOVATIONS  
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)  
Director SanClemente provided a presentation.  
Councilmember Detoy asked various questions.  
Councilmember Jackson asked various questions.  
John Oskoui, PE., Senior Engineer of Transtech Engineers, Inc., spoke.  
Councilmember Saemann asked various questions.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois asked various questions.  
In Person Public Comment:  
John Burry  
Trent Larson  
David Grethen  
Virtual Public Comment:  
Kent Allen  
Anthony Higgins  
Lauren Pizer Mains  
Matt McCool  
Councilmember Saemann asked various questions.  
Director SanClemente provided information.  
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.  
Councilmember Jackson provided comments.  
Mayor Massey provided comments.  
Mayor Massey requested to move item 14b after 14e.There was no  
expressed dissent from the Council on this change.  
A motion was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Francois, seconded by Councilmember  
Detoy to reject all bids for CIP 689 Clark Building Renovations; and direct staff to  
work with the project design team and Council appointed subcommittees to  
evaluate options to reduce project scope and cost, and refine the project design,  
subject to Council approval prior to re-advertisement; and direct staff to re-open  
the Clark Building on an interim, limited use basis subject to completion of the  
sewer line replacement and other necessary minor maintenance items. The  
motion was carried by the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Massey, Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson  
0
Aye:  
Absent:  
b)  
REPORT  
24-0060  
MIDYEAR BUDGET REVIEW 2023-24  
(Finance Director Viki Copeland)  
Finance Director Viki Copeland provided a presentation.  
Councilmember Saemann asked various questions.  
Virtual Public Comment:  
Matt McCool  
It was moved by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember Jackson to  
approve the revisions to estimated revenue, appropriations, budget transfers, and  
fund balances as shown herein and in the attached Revenue Detail Report,  
Additional Appropriations Report, Budget Transfers Report, and Budget Summary  
Report; and approve the following transactions from the General Fund: Transfer  
$137,905 of unspent funds from 2023-24 Midyear to the assigned fund balance for  
Contingencies in order to maintain the City’s target of 20 percent of  
appropriations for this fund; Transfer $6,374 of unspent funds from 2022-23 to the  
Lighting/Landscaping District Fund to cover the deficit balance; Transfer  
$1,419,308 of unspent funds from 2022-23 to the Insurance Fund to bring the fund  
up to the funding goal of $3 million; Transfer $198,866 of unspent funds from  
2022-23 to the Equipment Replacement Fund; Transfer $1,076,441 of unspent  
funds from 2022-23 for use in the Capital Improvement Fund; Transfer $729,769 of  
unspent funds from the Midyear Budget Review 2023-24 from the unassigned fund  
balance category to the assigned fund balance category; and receive and file the  
City Council Travel Summary. The motion was carried by the following vote:  
5 - Mayor Massey, Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson  
0
Aye:  
Absent:  
d)  
REPORT  
24-0092  
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY PROGRESS REPORT  
(Community Development Director Carrie Tai)  
Community Development Director Carrie Tai provided a presentation.  
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.  
Councilmember Jackson provided comments.  
Councilmember Saemann spoke.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois provided comments.  
City Manager Lowenthal provided information.  
In Person Public Comment:  
Jessica Accamando  
Virtual Public Comment:  
Matt McCool  
Laura Pena  
It was moved by Councilmember Jackson, seconded by Councilmember  
Saemann to receive a staff presentation; and receive and file Economic  
Development Strategy Progress Report #3. The motion was carried by the  
following vote:  
5 - Mayor Massey, Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson  
0
Aye:  
Absent:  
c)  
REPORT  
24-0074  
ADOPT RESOLUTIONS ESTABLISHING  
OPERATIONAL AND DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR  
ON-STREET COMMERCIAL ENCROACHMENT  
AREAS CITYWIDE AND ESTABLISHING  
FEES FOR COMMERCIAL ENCROACHMENT  
PERMITS AND ANNUAL PERMIT REAPPLICATION  
(Environmental Programs Manager Doug Krauss)  
Environmental Programs Manager Doug Krauss provided a presentation.  
Councilmember Jackson asked various questions.  
City Attorney Donegan provided information.  
Mayor Massey asked various questions.  
Councilmember Detoy asked various questions.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois asked various questions.  
City Manager Lowenthal provided comments.  
In Person Public Comment:  
Jessica Accamando  
Dana Ireland  
Millie Velasco  
Virtual Public Comment:  
Raymond Dussault  
Matt McCool  
Laura Pena  
Mayor Massey provided various comments.  
Councilmember Saemann provided various comments.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois provided various comments.  
Councilmember Detoy provided various comments.  
Councilmember Jackson provided various comments.  
It was moved by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember Saemann  
to adopt a resolution establishing operational and design guidelines for on-street  
commercial encroachment areas citywide and the determination that the project  
is Categorically Exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);  
and and adopt a resolution establishing fees for commercial encroachment  
permits and annual permit reapplication; and amend Section 22 to read as  
follows: installation of a bike rack(s) adjacent or affixed to the dining deck are  
strongly encouraged for both existing and new Off-Street Commercial Outdoor  
Dining Encroachment decks if space is available. A proposed location for a  
bicycle rack or bicycle corral will be considered and evaluated by Public Works  
staff before approval. The City of Hermosa Beach will provide and install bike  
racks, where feasible, unless deck permittee chooses to provide and install their  
own, in which case the rack design, specifications and installation must be  
reviewed and inspected by Public Works staff. Bike racks are to be placed on the  
downstream side of decks provided the area is safe, they do not obstruct parking,  
vehicular or pedestrian traffic and must not encroach into the 2-foot offset  
between the deck and the adjacent parking stall. To request a review of the bike  
rack location, it must be shown on the site plan when submitting the application  
for review. The area dedicated to a bike rack will be deducted from the cost of  
the encroachment area square footage. The motion was carried by the following  
vote:  
5 - Mayor Massey, Francois, Saemann, Detoy, and Jackson  
0
Aye:  
Absent:  
e)  
REPORT  
24-0084  
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA,  
AMENDING HERMOSA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION  
1.10.040 PARAGRAPH (A) TO INCLUDE VIOLATIONS PERTAINING  
TO PARTIES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, SOLID WASTE  
COLLECTION, SPECIAL EVENTS, OUTDOOR FITNESS CLASSES  
FOR CITY PARKS AND BEACH, AND USE OF CITY SEAL, LOGO,  
AND INSIGNIA, IN THE LIST OF VIOLATIONS SUBJECT TO  
ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION PROCEDURES AND FINDING THE  
SAME EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL  
QUALITY ACT  
(Community Development Director Carrie Tai)  
Community Development Director Carrie Tai provided a presentation.  
Councilmember Jackson asked various questions.  
Councilmember Detoy asked various questions.  
City Attorney Donegan provided information.  
Director Tai provided information.  
Councilmember Saemann provided information.  
Virtual Public Comment:  
Raymond Dussault  
Kent Allen  
Laura Pena  
Matt McCool  
Mayor Massey provided comments.  
Councilmember Detoy provided comments.  
City Manager Lowenthal provided information.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois provided information.  
Councilmember Jackson asked various questions.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois made a substitute motion to approve staff  
recommendation with the removal of the solid waste collection. The motion  
failed for a lack of a second.  
A substitute motion was made by Councilmember Saemann, seconded by  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois to approve staff's recommendation ordinance  
with the exception of the Solid Waste Collection. The motion failed by a 3-2  
vote. Noes: Mayor Massey, Councilmember Detoy and Councilmember  
Jackson.  
A substitute motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Francois, seconded by  
Councilmember Saemann to approve staff's recommendation and bring  
back the fines at 50 percent of the current rates for Solid Waste Collection.  
The motion failed by a 3-2 vote. Noes: Mayor Massey, Councilmember  
Detoy and Councilmember Jackson.  
It was moved by Councilmember Detoy, seconded by Councilmember Jackson to  
introduce on first reading an ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance of the City of  
Hermosa Beach, California, Amending Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Section  
1.10.040 Paragraph (A) to Include Violations Pertaining to Parties on Private  
Property, Solid Waste Collection, Special Events, Outdoor Fitness Classes for City  
Parks and Beach, and Use of City Seal, Logo and Insignia, in the List of  
Violations Subject to Administrative Citation Procedures”. The motion was  
carried by the following vote:  
3 - Mayor Massey, Detoy, and Jackson  
2 - Francois, and Saemann  
Aye:  
No:  
0
Absent:  
15. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS  
24-0096  
a)  
TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois made comments regarding the COVID-19  
vaccine mandate on the pending items on the Tentative Future Agenda.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois requested support to review the temporary minor  
event permit rules. Councilmember Saemann expressed support for this  
item.  
Mayor Pro Tem Francois requested support to revisit the recruitment and  
appointment process of the citizens advisory committee for the Civic  
Center Project. Councilmember Saemann expressed support for this item.  
16. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FROM THE PUBLIC  
There was no Public Comment for this item.  
17. ADJOURNMENT  
Mayor Massey adjourned the Council meeting at 12:56 a.m.