Public Works previews FY 2025–26 capital improvement program; pier repairs, paving, and playgrounds among priorities

Public Works Director Joe San Clemente presented the City of Hermosa Beach’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025–26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at the May 21 Public Works Commission meeting, outlining 36 projects and highlighting both recent completions and continuing unmet needs.

San Clemente said the department completed an unusually large number of projects in the prior year and has reduced carryover backlog while adding several new program elements. “We completed as many projects as the 7 years that predated that,” he told commissioners, describing a “milestone year” and noting the department’s recent hires and staff changes that increased delivery capacity. The presentation also reported about $34 million in total proposed spending across the 5-year program and a projection of roughly $60 million in recurring and unfunded needs over the next five years.

Key near-term priorities and updates in the staff presentation included:

- Pier repairs: A detailed inspection identified substantial deck repair needs and an order‑of‑magnitude estimate near $7 million for required work over the next five years; permitting through the Coastal Commission and phased construction scheduling will be required. San Clemente said sensor testing showed some scope reductions may be possible and the highest‑priority repairs will be advanced first.

- Paving and slurry: The city proposes a major paving program and a separate slurry‑seal program to preserve roads in good condition. Staff proposed increasing the paving allocation to about $3.62 million for FY 25–26 to address high‑priority residential and corridor segments.

- Lot C structural work: A second phase of repairs and interior/exterior painting remain partially funded; staff recommended pursuing design funding and returning for construction funding when costs are better defined.

- Sidewalks and ADA: A continued sidewalk and curb‑ramp program will include two pedestrian crossing upgrades on Ardmore (at 20th Street and Longfellow) with potential rectangular rapid flashing beacons.

- Playground replacements and shade: Plans include replacing aging playground structures and rubberized surfacing at Valley Park, Seaview Park and South Park; proposed FY25–26 funding is roughly $450,000 for multiple equipment replacements and surfacing work.

- Metering and parking management: Staff proposed a pilot multi‑space meter deployment (Pier Avenue and Lot D) under a phased plan; a full citywide conversion would be a larger, multi‑year project.

- Other: Completed items and in‑progress projects cited included the Clark Building nearing energization, purchase and activation of electric vehicle chargers behind City Hall, utility‑box art wraps, and a county partnership on Hermosa Avenue green‑street stormwater work.

San Clemente emphasized funding constraints and staff capacity as primary limits on how many projects can be completed in a year. He described two unplanned, midyear needs — an electrical incident at the Base 3 facility and a gas service issue at the Community Center — that required adding projects to the current‑year program and absorbing cost and schedule impacts.

Commissioners asked for follow‑up on design delivery method options (traditional design–bid–build versus progressive design–build) for the proposed city yard and suggested early design input for projects such as civic facilities windows, lot reuse, and pedestrian/street improvements. Council direction from a prior study session — to remove the Fourteenth Street restroom and Lot D projects from the CIP and to form subcommittees to explore downtown lighting and storage‑lot reuse — was noted.

The commission voted 3-0 to receive and file the CIP presentation; staff will return with budget documents and, where requested, additional scoping and design‑delivery options for commission and council review.