El Segundo City Council adopts ADA curb‑ramps plan, approves emergency grants and equipment purchases; rejects cryptocurrency investment change

The El Segundo City Council on Jan. 21 adopted a resolution to use Community Development Block Grant funds to install Americans with Disabilities Act‑compliant curb ramps, approved city brand guidelines and introduced a municipal code amendment on logo use, adopted salary‑range adjustments for selected public works classifications, authorized acceptance of a $322,500 grant for emergency operations center upgrades, and approved the purchase of a replacement ladder truck. The council voted against adding cryptocurrency to the city's permitted investments in its investment policy.

The curb‑ramp resolution was adopted during a public hearing; council members did not specify project locations in the hearing summary. Human Resources Director Rebecca Redick presented revisions to job classifications, exam plans, and salary ranges for public works inspector and engineering technician positions; the council approved those revisions and adopted a resolution to modify the salary ranges.

Deputy City Manager Barbara Voss and communications consultant Kristen Bergevin presented draft brand guidelines establishing standards for the city's visual identity. The council approved the brand guidelines, waived the first reading and introduced an ordinance amending the El Segundo Municipal Code to update the city logo, related use regulations, and penalties; a second reading is scheduled for Feb. 4, 2025.

Assistant City Attorney Joaquin Vasquez presented a separate ordinance to adjust procurement thresholds consistent with California Assembly Bill 2192 and to add federal procurement regulations for purchases involving federal funds. Counsel said it would not approve an increase in staff and management signature authority; the council approved the procurement‑threshold adjustments and scheduled a second reading for Feb. 4, 2025.

Chief Financial Officer Paul Chung proposed adding cryptocurrency to the city's local investment policy and to the city's trust programs; after discussion the council voted not to revise the policy to include cryptocurrency.

City Manager Darryl George requested authorization to accept a $322,500 grant for upgrades to the city's emergency operations center and to execute associated agreements; council unanimously authorized acceptance. Fire Chief George Avery and Battalion Chief Evan Seth Key requested council approval to purchase a replacement ladder truck using money set aside in the Equipment Replacement Fund; council approved the purchase (cost as presented in the meeting summary was not specified clearly in the transcript).

The council also adopted a resolution confirming rules and regulations in a city manager administrative order issued Jan. 14, 2025 to address Los Angeles County fire‑related emergencies. Mayor Chris Pimentel announced several appointments to advisory committees and reported draft council assignments to intergovernmental and local agencies.

Votes at a glance - CDBG curb‑ramps resolution: adopted (vote not specified in transcript summary). - Salary range revisions (public works inspector, engineering technician): approved; resolution adopted (vote not specified). - Brand guidelines: approved; ordinance introduced, waived first reading; second reading Feb. 4, 2025. - Municipal code procurement adjustments (AB 2192 compliance and federal procurement regs): introduced/approved for second reading; increase to staff signature authority denied. - Investment policy (cryptocurrency): proposal rejected (vote not specified). - Authorization to accept $322,500 EOC grant: authorized unanimously. - Replacement ladder truck purchase: approved (vote not specified). - Resolution confirming administrative order for LA County fire emergencies: adopted.

Why this matters: The actions move forward multiple city projects that affect accessibility, public safety preparedness and the city's visual and procurement policies. The council's decision to reject cryptocurrency for city investments leaves the existing investment policy unchanged, while the brand and procurement code changes will return for final readings.

What's next: Several items (logo ordinance and procurement threshold adjustments) return for second readings on Feb. 4, 2025; staff will return with an ordinance amendment if council directs changes to the Cultural Development Program fee rules.