Public Works Commission backs Little League plan for Clark Field, asks staff to limit review to MOU this fiscal year

Hermosa Beach Public Works commissioners voted at their September meeting to recommend that city officials negotiate a memorandum of understanding with the Hermosa Beach Little League to advance a multi-element improvement plan for Clark Field, with the Little League funding design and construction.

Staff told the commission the project concept would relocate and improve backstops and dugouts, repave portions of the loop road adjacent to fields with permeable materials, add more comfortable seating, install a new scoreboard and signage, and address lighting and drainage as needed. Staff estimated conceptual total cost at about $900,000 and said Little League proposed to fully fund design and construction while city staff would review plans, issue permits and inspect work.

Scott (Public Works staff) explained that the proposed work would all occur on public property and, as with prior Little League-led projects, require city plan review, permitting and construction oversight by Public Works and Operations & Maintenance. He told commissioners the Parks and Recreation Commission had already voted unanimously to support advancing the idea and that staff would return to council with a proposed MOU if commissions wanted to proceed.

Representatives of Hermosa Beach Little League described a multi-phase approach in which an initial package of improvements could be completed while later elements would be advanced as fundraising permits. Mark Mamber, a Little League board member, said the group planned a phased fundraising campaign and emphasized bringing in firms experienced with athletic-field projects for design and construction. Architect and board member Jim Fasola said the Little League seeks a single, complete design package before construction so the group can avoid mid-construction changes that drive cost and delay.

Commissioners asked about staffing and timing: staff said the MOU would require considerable engineering and operations involvement and that full design review likely would take many months; staff also said prevailing-wage rules and permit requirements would apply even though the Little League would pay contractors directly. Commissioners pressed for clarity about procurement and maintenance responsibilities and how construction would be phased to avoid heavy disruptions to field use and events (AYSO games, Little League season, Friday farmers market).

The commission approved a motion recommending that staff negotiate and return a draft MOU to city council, but with an addendum limiting Public Works staff time during the current fiscal year to preparing the MOU and deferring start of design/construction review to the following fiscal year unless council directs otherwise. The motion was moved by Chairperson Hayes and seconded by another commissioner; the recorded vote in the transcript shows the motion passed with affirmative votes from the commissioners present. The Parks & Recreation Commission had already voted in favor of proceeding.

Next steps identified during the meeting: staff will draft an MOU that outlines scope, responsibilities, maintenance and warranty terms, insurance and indemnity requirements, permitting and inspection roles, and an approach to phasing tied to fundraising; staff will bring the draft MOU to council for formal approval before significant design or construction activity begins.