Barragan requests discussion of publicist contract
At the Dec. 10 City Council meeting, Councilwoman Nanette Barragan issued a request to review the $10,000 monthly retainer that the city of Hermosa Beach pays Fiona Hutton Associates for public relations services. Barragan argued that the expense seemed excessive as she spoke with residents during her campaign, and she requested additional information about the services and hours FHA has provided. Barragan said that Manhattan Beach recently ended their publicists’ contract in an effort to save money.
City Manager Tom Bakaly agreed to collect data in preparation for the January strategic planning session, and enter into a discussion with council members about the council’s operating guidelines and intended communication policy. Currently, the FHA contract serves as the Public Information Officer role defined by the city for external communications.
Mayor Pro Tem Peter Tucker requested a full background on the history of how the city entered into a contract with FHA, including the timeline and reason for staying ahead of oil discussions, to shed additional light on the contract, while Mayor Michael DiVirgilio pointed to the PR firm’s efforts for the Fourth of July community calming notices over the summer.
Council thanks PCH/Aviation Improvement Committee, vows to form two new advisory committees
The City Council unanimously voted to publicly thank the Pacific Coast Highway/Aviation Committee members for their three years of service, and requested an opportunity to recognize the members at a future City Council meeting. At the same time, the committee was officially dissolved, and council directed staff to form two new advisory committees.
One advisory committee, the name and format to be determined by Bakaly and staff, will be responsible for the streetscape updates and continued discussion with Katherine Spitz Architects, the landscape design firm that developed the initial streetscape plans. The advisory committee will likely be made up of former PCH/Aviation Aesthetics Subcommittee members. Resident George Barks was the former chair of the subcommittee, and expressed a strong interest in continued involvement.
A second advisory committee will be created to deal with citywide economic development, made up of former PCH/Aviation Economic Development Subcommittee members, as well as representatives from the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of Hermosa Beach Economic Development. Resident Gila Katz chaired the previous Economic Development subcommittee.
Bakaly will return to council with a plan of action.
Street cleaning schedule update
The City Council voted unanimously to update the street cleaning schedule in the downtown corridors, in an effort to respond proactively to business and customer complaints along Pier and Hermosa avenues.
The new schedule will allow for weekly street cleaning by Athens Services from May through September, and bi-weekly to monthly street cleaning from October through April.
Public Works Superintendent Ells Freeman said that the majority of complaints were centered on vomit, spilled sodas and dog feces, and the city has installed doggie cleanup bags along The Strand and greenbelt to reduce waste.
Councilman Hany Fangary recommended a mailed notice to all of the businesses in the downtown area to alert them of the frequency change and encourage them to prepare their businesses for the increased cleaning schedules and maintain a clean storefront following the street cleaning. The city has the authority to fine non-compliant businesses up to $10,000 per incident, and Fangary felt a notice prior to enforcement would be fair. Fellow council members agreed.
Council approves ADA retrofits at Civic Center, Community Center and Clark Building
The City Council unanimously approved $70,059 to pay for a project to retrofit three city buildings to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. The project will remove barriers to entrances and provide automated ADA compliant doors. The $70,059 matches the Community Development Block Grant program revenue. CDBG revenue has limited use, and must be approved by the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission.
The LA CDC determined the removal of architectural and material barriers and automated ADA compliant doors is an eligible project for funding.
According to Bakaly, the project will go to bid and city engineering staff will return in mid-February with a detailed cost estimate, project schedule and bid documents at that time.
Gila Katz recognized for Chaplain service
The City Council recognized Hermosa Beach resident Gila Katz for a decade of service as the H.B. Police Chaplain and thanked her for her efforts. Rabbi Katz recently decided to retire.
Recently, Katz offered her blessing to new Police Chief Sharon Papa during the swearing in ceremony this fall.
