Votes at a glance: key actions from the July 22 Hermosa Beach City Council meeting

Below are the meeting’s formal votes and immediate outcomes. This item aggregates consent, hearings and municipal actions that resulted in final council decisions during the July 22, 2025 council meeting.

1) Delinquent solid-waste collection charges (Public hearing) - Action: Adopt resolution requesting the Los Angeles County Assessor place delinquent solid-waste/refuse charges and associated fees on the LA County tax roll. - Outcome: Approved (roll call: unanimous). - Notes: Notices sent annually; about 70 delinquent accounts were identified; customers have until August 1 to resolve delinquent bills to avoid placement.

2) Annual sewer service charge (Public hearing — 12b) - Action: Increase sewer service charge by 3.5% (CPIW-based, within 5% cap) and place annual sewer-levy assessments on LA County tax roll; find no majority protest and adopt associated resolution. - Outcome: Approved (unanimous roll call). Estimated $5/year increase for a single-family home. - Notes: Eligibility for 100% rebate for seniors and permanently disabled residents meeting income criteria.

3) Greenwich Village North Underground Utilities Assessment District (13a) - Action: Award construction contract to CEM Construction (~$2.3M apparent low bid) with 20% contingency; authorize issuance of assessment bonds up to $4M for 20 years; approve NV5 contract amendment (+$100,000) for construction inspection; enroll assessments on LA County tax roll. - Outcome: Approved (unanimous). - Notes: Prepayment deadline for property owners (to save interest) targeted for August 10; staff cited $8,000 estimated district savings if deadline met.

4) Kiwanis Club tree lot storage fee (Consent pulled) - Action: Approve three-year agreement with Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club to operate annual tree lot, and waive the $225-per-month storage fee for the garage used to store tree-lot equipment (motion amendment approved). - Outcome: Approved (roll call: 4 yes, 1 no — Councilmember Jackson opposed). - Notes: Council discussed long-term history of the storage arrangement and comparability with other nonprofit leases.

5) Letter opposing LA County lifeguard-tower advertising (11q) - Action: Approve staff recommendation to send an opposition letter to the California Coastal Commission regarding Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County application No. 5020981 (after-the-fact advertising amendment). - Outcome: Approved (4–1). Councilmember Keegan voted no.

6) City Manager recruitment firm selection (13c) - Action: Select Peckham & McKinney to conduct the executive search for the city manager position and authorize the mayor to execute a professional services agreement (subject to city attorney approval). - Outcome: Approved (vote: 4 yes, 1 no — Councilmember Jackson opposed). - Notes: Two finalist firms were considered; staff reported a flat-fee range; council authorized contract execution without returning for a separate agenda item.

7) Police department vehicle purchases (13d) - Action: Approve purchase of two pursuit patrol vehicles (Chevrolet Tahoes) and outfitting; appropriate funds from equipment replacement fund. - Outcome: Approved (unanimous). - Notes: Total estimated cost ~ $231,000 for two vehicles and outfitting; item aims to maintain sufficient daily patrol capability given recent additions of electric vehicles constrained by charging cycles.

How to read these results: The council approved fees and assessments that will be placed on the LA County tax roll when applicable, moved significant infrastructure projects into the implementation phase (Greenwich Village undergrounding), and approved operational decisions (vehicles, tree-lot agreement, recruiting firm). Several items required follow-up (bond closing, construction notices, prepayment deadlines, and staff reports to council).