Letters to the Editor 10-17-24

Bottomless pockets

Dear ER:

Redondo Beach Measure FP sounds all fine and dandy. But can we upgrade our police and fire facilities without gouging property owners with another property tax levy? With an estimated assessment of $28.32 per $100,000 of valuation, that’s an extra $509.76 on property value at $1.5 million. I just got my new property tax bill. It includes $2,918 in voted indebtedness and $2,424 in direct assessments. Our pockets are not bottomless.

Ron Henry

Redondo Beach

A City at work

Dear ER:

I want to address a resident’s letter in last week’s Easy Reader (“What’s wrong with this downtown,” ER October 10, 2024). While the resident’s letter demonstrates genuine care for Hermosa Beach’s future, I must respectfully correct some misconceptions. Hermosa Beach’s thriving downtown and robust business community are no accident. Alongside Hermosa’s hard-working residents and business owners, the City has helped foster a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where locals and visitors alike can enjoy a mix of charming shops, oceanfront dining and a laid-back, coastal atmosphere that’s truly unique to our community. 

The claim that Hermosa lacks vision is also inaccurate. Our Economic Development Strategy, which is currently underway, is a collaborative effort to update infrastructure, encourage investment and enhance business vitality while maintaining our city’s historic character. Meanwhile, our City Council and staff continue to support economic growth while balancing the unique challenges of being a small, coastal city with strict state and regional regulations. To fully implement the Economic Development Strategy, additional resources are needed.

We were further disappointed to see that our efforts to support Hermosa’s business community in recent years, especially during and after COVID, were not represented in the resident’s letter. Over the years, the City has introduced a variety of measures to bolster local businesses. These include permitting outdoor music, offering complimentary holiday parking, appointing a dedicated Business Liaison and fostering strong relationships with the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. 

In response to the unique challenges posed during and after the pandemic, the City also provided economic support to a number of local businesses through a series of $10,000 grants, and provided restaurants with outdoor dining space in the public right of way at no cost for 18 months before later launching an Outdoor Permit Program. The City further provided the business community, which has recently indicated that a Tourism Improvement District is their current priority, with funding and support to establish a local Business Improvement District. The City also developed a comprehensive Downtown Revitalization Strategy, which we are implementing incrementally through various projects. 

The resident’s letter further addressed concerns about the City’s 2021–2029 Housing Element (which was certified in August), zoning updates and parking requirements. It is important to note that Hermosa Beach is not alone in facing hurdles with zoning, housing compliance and parking. Cities throughout Los Angeles County, including our neighbors in Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, faced similar delays in obtaining their respective state Housing Element certifications. As everyone knows, parking is limited in our community, and City staff works diligently to ensure that public space in Hermosa Beach is provided fairly and equally. Coastal Commission oversight is a reality for every coastal city.

I should also note that community input, including 20 City Council, Planning Commission and other local meetings, and the City’s collaboration with local business owners and residents, both key components of developing any City’s Housing Element, took significant time to complete. Recent staffing shortages have also impacted our progress on our current zoning update, which the City is taking steps to address.

Lastly, raising sales taxes is a community decision that ensures the financial health of the City, allowing the City greater flexibility to maintain essential services while continuing to improve economic conditions. To effectively “prioritize economic development,” as the resident’s letter states, we must address currently unfunded infrastructure and neighborhood improvement projects — projects that this tax could help fund, and that will benefit both our residents and business community in equal parts.

Suja Lowenthal

City Manager, Hermosa Beach

School funding lesson

Dear ER:

The Manhattan Beach Unified School District receives funding on a yearly basis from the state through the Local Control Funding Formula (“LCFF”). LCFF provides all public schools in California with money on a per-student basis, with additional funds provided for low income, foster, and English language students. Under LCFF, MBUSD is one of the lowest-funded districts in California. While funds provided allow MBUSD to pay for ongoing operations, there are no resources provided to renovate or construct new buildings.

In the spring of 2024, MBUSD updated its long-term Facilities Master Plan. The Plan shows that much of our infrastructure is 70-plus years old. The English buildings at Mira Costa were built in 1950 and 40 of our 50 portable classroom buildings on all campuses are past their 20 year lifespan. Plumbing is outdated, roofs need repair, and gas and sewer lines need replacement. The cost to make these much needed improvements exceeds $400 million.

The bond to Repair Local Schools (RLS) on the November ballot is for $200 million. It was proposed at that value strategically so that property owners would not be subject to an increase on their tax bill. It was intended to be equivalent to the amount of taxes coming off from expiring bonds passed many years ago.

If RLS passes, the District qualifies for matching state bond funding, assuming voters approve Prop 2, California’s School Facilities Bond measure this November. Prop 2 will distribute money across eligible California schools on a first-come basis, so passing RLS allows MBUSD to get in line for those matching funds.

In the past, our community has graciously supported MBUSD. Most recently, in 2016, we passed Measure C and those funds were used to replace aging facilities on all campuses, with citizen oversight to ensure that money was spent appropriately and all projects were completed on time and under budget. RLS is the next step in ensuring safe facilities for our students for years to come.

Money matters

Dear ER:

Niche, an established district evaluation website, recently ranked Manhattan Beach 25th, El Segundo 24th, and Redondo Beach 5th in the state. The top school district, Palo Alto, implemented a $1,000 parcel tax in the ’80s because they understood the vulnerability of underfunded school district formulas provided by the state. Manhattan Beach has relied on the generosity of a phenomenal education foundation to stay competitive. More than 10 years ago, the state introduced a formula that dictated wealthier districts would receive less funding per student because lower-income communities could not support private funding at the same level. Two years ago, members of our City Council campaigned against education funding for the first time in Manhattan Beach’s history, preventing over $30 million in revenue from being realized. As a result, the district now faces a shortage of at least $9 million, with most campuses in urgent need of repairs.

A new group of dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate parents, who have volunteered for years, are working to educate the community about the opportunity to address some of these shortfalls without raising taxes. The chance for the State to match tens of millions of dollars through this measure is a one-time opportunity.

Stewart Fournier

Hermosa Beach

Don’t count on it

Dear ER:

Recent letters published from proponents of Manhattan Beach School Bond Measure RLS are a bit deceptive. They are stating if State Bond Measure Proposition 2 is passed the district “is eligible” or “could” get reimbursement for $58 million of the bond. This claim is at best disingenuous and why other school districts in our area are not making it.

Here’s why:

Fund reimbursements are biased toward schools with lower property values and low income. That means schools in less affluent areas will be prioritized. Reimbursement can only be for approved projects which Manhattan Beach is years away from finalizing. As with past state construction bonds, Proposition 2 would put approved school projects at the front of a new line so they would get first dibs on the new money. Other school districts already in the queue with approved project applications account for at least $4 billion of the potential $10 billion available. 

The chances of the Manhattan Beach School District Bond Measure RLS, or any school district in our area getting Proposition 2 reimbursements are slim at best.

Wayne Craig

Redondo Beach

Universal education

Dear ER:

As a resident of Manhattan Beach and vice president of the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation (MBEF), I have witnessed firsthand how strong public schools are the foundation of thriving communities. My international background — born and raised in Delhi, India, and having studied in India, the UK and the US — has shown me the profound impact high-quality, public education systems have on a community’s success. When my wife and I decided to relocate to Manhattan Beach in 2016, our top priority was finding excellent public schools for our two boys. We found that in MBUSD.

With over 22 years advising Fortune 100 clients, including over 10 years as partner at Deloitte, my experience in finance reinforces the importance of sound fiscal management. I firmly believe Measure RLS (Repair Local Schools) is a smart investment. It allows us to modernize and repair our schools without raising taxes — an accomplishment that reflects careful planning, thoughtful leadership, and provides strict fiscal oversight. Additionally, Proposition 2, also on the November ballot, enables us to access up to $58 million in state matching funds. But we can only receive this critical funding if we pass our local bond measure, Measure RLS. Measure RLS will ensure our schools offer safe, modern facilities equipped to meet today’s educational standards, particularly in STEAM.

Raj Mehrotra

Manhattan Beach

Colleagues’ support

Dear ER:

We strongly support Steve Charelian for City Council. I worked with Steve Charelian for nearly 20 years at the City of Manhattan Beach. Stephanie worked with him for more than seven years. As a key member of the Finance Department, Steve was always exceptionally knowledgeable, dedicated and solution-oriented in helping both the Community Development and Public Works Departments find the resources they needed to implement projects that benefitted Manhattan Beach residents and businesses. As the former Finance Department Director for the last six years, Steve has worked tirelessly to find solutions that benefit everyone. He is a person of the utmost integrity, committed to financial prudence, and has a deep understanding of city operations, which will make him a highly effective City Councilmember. We cannot overstate the value of having someone on the City Council who truly understands what’s possible and how to get there. 

Richard Thompson

Former Manhattan Beach Community Development Director, Interim City Manager

Stephanie Katsouleas

Former Manhattan Beach Public Works Director

A balanced thinker

Dear ER:

I worked with Manhattan Beach neighbors to create Chill The Build, our local resident group that advocates for responsible building and opposed the Highrose project. Joe Franklin focused on preventing the Highrose developer from potentially turning the project into a short-term rental hotel. He had the insight to realize that’s what this project might have become had he not acted. Joe Franklin took a huge risk in opposing the Measure A parcel tax. I believe that was the only school initiative he ever opposed, and he did so because he realized it was too big a tax ask with too long a timeframe (12 years) and too little accountability for where the money would actually go. His position was in touch with the majority of Manhattan Beach residents, as evidenced by the Measure A landslide loss.

Joe Franklin is the balanced thinker and doer we need to keep our city safe and on track. He recognized the growing e-bike concerns and took action. He is behind the school youth training program and fining e-bike offenders. Joe Franklin exemplifies the Manhattan Beach values I’ve enjoyed during my 25 years living here as part of this fantastic beach community.

Rick Ralph

Manhattan Beach

Fiscally, but not structurally sound

Dear ER:

Our City has more than $200 million in critical infrastructure needs. While fiscally sound, the City lacks sufficient revenue to fix all its aging infrastructure. Please vote Yes on Measure MMB. It will add one-half cent for every taxable dollar spent in our city to fund projects here. Purchases of essentials such as groceries and medications are exempt. The measure is projected to raise over $5 million annually. Funds can be used to fix potholes and sidewalks, maintain our parks, repair our aging community centers and parking lots, and retain our high quality of life. 

Over 60% of our sales tax is paid by visitors. 100% of proceeds from Measure MMB will remain in our city to address our needs.  

Our sales tax is currently 9.5 cents per dollar spent. If we pass Measure MMB, we will preserve the funds it generates for investment here. Los Angeles County cannot use the proceeds elsewhere in the County. What future do we want for our community? Many of our community buildings are beyond their useful lives. They have structural problems, outdated electrical, plumbing, and roofs, and require earthquake safety upgrades. Existing revenue is insufficient to pay for all the improvements needed. A delay will result in higher construction costs.  

Please support a future of safe, clean, and updated public infrastructure in Manhattan Beach.   Vote YES on Measure MMB.

Councilmember David Lesser

Manhattan Beach

Hermosa pride

Dear ER:

We have plenty of challenges in Hermosa Beach. Some, like homelessness and aging infrastructure, are common to cities all around the state. Others, like excessive spending and over reliance on outside experts, are specific to us. As we head to the polls, let’s think about what we can do to get a handle on the very solvable problems right in front of us. We can be more open and transparent in the way the city does business. We can be more available and more accessible. We can think on our feet and adapt to changing situations.  I’m running for City Council because I know we can do all those things and more. We can foster and support everything we love about Hermosa Beach, and we can do it while proving what I’ve always believed to be true, that government should work for you, not against you. I’m proud of Hermosa. I’m proud of my parents who established my family here and I’m proud of the daughter I raised here. And if you will do me the great honor of electing me, I will be proud of representing you on the city council.

Elka Worner

Hermosa Beach

Educate or advocate?

Dear ER:

“A fundamental precept of this nation’s democratic electoral process is that the government may not ‘take sides’ in election contests….,”’ according to California’s Fair Political Practices government Commission (FPPC) website. Such is precisely what the present Hermosa city regime has done with its shady expenditure of some $60,000 of the Hermosa treasury’s tax receipts for the creation of pro Measure HB campaign mailers and TV videos. Measure HB, if passed, will increase the sales tax rate to a whopping 10.25% on purchases made in Hermosa, online, or, in the case of new or used vehicles purchased anywhere.

Howard Lee

Hermosa Beach

Agree to disagree

Dear ER:

Some of my friends on both sides think being “undecided” in national politics is just a temporary state, easily fixed with more information. But one of the perks of being an undecided centrist is that you get to watch the political circus from the best seat in the house—and trust me, the view can be pretty wild. From where I’m sitting, it’s like both parties have set up their own blind spots and completely ignore what’s right in front of them. It’s like watching two people argue over who’s driving the car while it’s clearly veering off a cliff.

And then there’s local Hermosa politics. The drama has gotten so ridiculous you practically need a team of editors just to ensure your public comment doesn’t offend anyone or get twisted into something it’s not. I half-expect a “Hermosa Comment Review Board” to pop up, where we submit thoughts for pre-approval before daring to speak at a meeting. Who knew trying to engage with local government would feel like an episode of Survivor?

At the end of the day, neither party—local or national—is perfect. It’d be refreshing if they could just admit they have flaws, instead of pretending they don’t. So, can we all agree to stop, take a breath, and use the non-partisan approach to actually  fixing things ? 

Ed Hart

Hermosa Beach

Pay it back

Dear ER:

As a dedicated volunteer in MBUSD, I have witnessed the incredible impact that bond measures have had on our kids and our community. Our boys were at Grandview Elementary when Measures C & EE passed, which they benefited greatly from when they went to Mira Costa. With a sophomore in college and a senior at Costa, I’m more committed than ever to supporting Measure RLS. When my kids were at Grandview, parents with graduating students were passionate about improving district facilities for my kids. Now, I’m that parent with kids preparing to graduate, and I realize the importance of investing in the future of MBUSD to ensure success for our kids.

Please join me in supporting Measure RLS.

Rachel Disser

Manhattan Beach