Council approves emergency aid pacts, grant and equipment purchases; approves job-spec and ADA curb-ramp funding

The El Segundo City Council voted on a series of operational and budget items at its meeting, approving an automatic-aid agreement with the City of Los Angeles Fire Department, accepting a federal grant for emergency-operations upgrades, authorizing replacement of a fire ladder truck, adopting use of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for Americans with Disabilities Act curb ramps, and approving revisions to two public-works job classifications and salary ranges.

The council unanimously approved an automatic-aid and exchange service agreement with the Los Angeles Fire Department intended to shorten response times by dispatching the closest resource across jurisdictional lines. The agreement was described by staff as consistent with the California Mutual Aid framework and presented as a measure to reduce response times in coastal and border areas where Los Angeles has greater resources.

In a separate vote, the council approved a resolution to allocate fiscal-year 2024–25 CDBG carryover and current-year funds—about $94,000 total in staff presentation—for ADA-compliant curb-ramp upgrades across the city. Community Development Director Michael Allen told the council the city receives roughly $60,000 per year through the county and that carryover funds were being combined into this cycle to fund multiple small curb-ramp projects aimed at bringing crosswalk approaches into ADA compliance.

Council also approved revisions to the public-works job classification specifications for Public Works Inspector and Engineering Technician, and adjusted salary placement recommendations after a market survey. Staff said the positions have been vacant (inspector since 2017; engineering technician since October 2022) and the salary adjustments would allow active recruitments without immediate budgetary impact for the current fiscal year because the positions are currently unfilled.

On emergency preparedness, the council authorized acceptance of $322,500 in Community Project Funding (FEMA/OES pass-through) and approved a $107,500 city match from CIP funds to begin upgrades to the city’s Emergency Operations Center. Staff said the grant will fund hardware and communications improvements so the EOC can operate with newer monitoring and coordination equipment.

Public safety equipment was a major item: the council authorized the purchase of a replacement ladder truck and approved staff to take the manufacturer’s prepayment discount (reducing the vehicle price by about 14%). Finance staff reported the city has been saving for the replacement and has set aside nearly $2 million toward apparatus replacement; the purchase was approved 4–1 with Councilmember Boyle recorded as the lone “no.” The chief and operations staff described heavy maintenance costs on the current 2014 quint (roughly $400,000 in maintenance over 11 years) and recommended preordering because manufacturer pricing was projected to rise by 1.5% per quarter if not locked in.

A proposed change to the city’s purchasing thresholds and signature authorities (an ordinance tied to state Assembly Bill 2192) was brought forward for first reading. Staff explained the state raised streamlined public-construction bidding thresholds and recommended aligning the city’s construction thresholds; after discussion the council asked staff to limit the immediate amendment to mirror the state-mandated construction threshold increases and return with a clean ordinance for second reading on Feb. 4.

The council also considered an update to the pension-stabilization trust investment policy statement to permit cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds as an allowable asset class within the city’s 115 pension-stabilization trust. After extended public and staff discussion of risks, public perception, and fiduciary duties, the motion to revise the IPS so it would permit cryptocurrency exposure was defeated, 3–2.

Finally, the council confirmed an administrative order implemented by the city manager to address Los Angeles County fire-related emergencies—temporary suspensions of certain parking, street-sweeping, short-term rental and occupancy-tax rules to facilitate housing of displaced persons—and approved a short list of committee appointments.

Votes at a glance (outcome and key details): - Item 8: Automatic aid and exchange service agreement with City of Los Angeles Fire Department — Approved (unanimous; tally recorded as 5 yes). Note: staff described agreement as limited to emergency response under California mutual-aid dispatch procedures. - Item 10: Resolution approving FY24–25 CDBG use for ADA curb ramps — Adopted (unanimous). Carryover + current year funds combined (~$94,000); annual award roughly $60,000 per staff presentation. - Item 11: Revisions to Public Works Inspector and Engineering Technician job specifications; associated exam plans and salary-range resolution — Adopted (unanimous). Positions vacant; recommended salary placement to improve recruitment. - Item 12: City brand guidelines — Approved (unanimous). Council also introduced and waived first reading of an ordinance to amend the municipal code to recognize the new logo and logo-use rules; second reading scheduled per standard ordinance procedure. - Item 13: Ordinance amending purchasing thresholds pursuant to AB 2192 — Approved for first reading only; council asked staff to limit the immediate amendments to mirror state-required construction threshold changes and return for second reading Feb. 4. - Item 16: Acceptance of a $322,500 community project (FEMA/OES) grant to upgrade the Emergency Operations Center; $107,500 city match authorized — Approved (unanimous). - Item 17: Purchase of fire ladder truck (Pierce Manufacturing quote); council approved prepayment option to capture a manufacturer discount; authorization to execute agreements — Approved (4 yes, 1 no; Councilmember Boyle recorded as opposed). Staff noted a ~4-year manufacturer lead time and rising prices if order is delayed. - Item 19: Amendment to Pension Stabilization Trust IPS to permit cryptocurrency ETFs (proposed cap 2.5% of pension-trust portfolio) — Defeated 3–2. Staff recommended a 2.5% cap and noted trustee approval would be required; advisors and the city’s fiduciary manager expressed caution. - Item 20: Resolution confirming administrative order 1 (temporary suspensions for LA-county fire emergency relief measures) — Adopted (unanimous). Council asked staff to report back if the emergency permissions go unused so they can be repealed early. - Item 21: Appointments to the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee — Approved (motions and appointments recorded on the public record).

Council members, department directors and staff outlined next steps for each item; staff will return with ordinances, second readings and implementation details as required.

Ending: Several items adopted at the meeting are operational in nature and will require follow-up reports from staff on implementation, procurement timelines, and any county or state approvals; the council scheduled ordinance second readings and asked for regular updates on emergency and public-works spending.