Council rescinds March action on pickleball fees and orders cost-recovery study

The Hermosa Beach City Council voted to rescind its March 24 action that had been interpreted as approving new pickleball reservation and membership fees, adopting a cure-and-correct approach after receiving formal objections about public notice. The rescission passed unanimously.

City staff said the March motion did not contain the documentation or a formal fee resolution required under the Ralph M. Brown Act process. Council followed staff's recommendation to rescind the prior action and to direct staff to conduct a cost-recovery analysis and market comparison for pickleball fees. Council also directed staff to present the study to the Parks & Recreation Commission for public input prior to returning to council. The motion to rescind and the motion directing the fee study both passed 5-0.

Council members discussed timing because the new pickleball courts are expected to open in June; several members suggested allowing current rates to remain in effect during the study period and then adjust fees if the analysis justifies it. Staff estimated courts would likely open in June but said a full schedule for fee adoption could require multiple meetings and a second reading before implementation, possibly pushing new rates to July or later.

Speakers during public comment urged clear performance metrics and explicit timelines for recovering construction and operating costs. Staff said the study would include comparable city fees, cost-recovery analysis and options for phased implementation; council asked staff to bring recommendations back as soon as practicable, ideally before court openings if feasible.