by Kevin Cody
The choice of locations for a new Hermosa Beach City Hall were significantly narrowed at the Tuesday, January 28 City Council meeting.
On a 3 to 2 vote, the council approved a motion to remove from consideration, building a new City Hall on the 4.8 acre Community Center site, where the theater, historical museum skate park and tennis courts are located.
The other sites under consideration for a new or remodeled City Hall are the current, 2.5 acre City Hall and Police Station; and the 1.7 acre Self Storage Facility, south of City Hall.
Prior to last November’s Council election, the Council majority appeared to favor consolidating the City Hall, the Police Station, and other civic buildings on the Community Center site because construction could take place without displacing employees at the current City Hall and Police Station.
Additionally, financing of the new Civic Center could be made “revenue neutral,” in the words of city consultant Jeffrey Fullerton, by selling or leasing the current City Hall site to a hotel developer after the city staff and police moved into the new Civic Center.
But with Michael Keegan’s election to the Council last November, council majority sentiment shifted to remodeling rather than rebuilding the City Hall.
Keegan, who campaigned in support of the remodeling option, replaced Councilmember Justin Massey, who did not seek reelection in November. Massey, and Councilmembers Raymond Jackson and Michael Detoy had formed the majority that favored the Community Center site.
Mayor Dean Francois and Mayor Pro Tem Rob Saemann favored remodeling. Massey’s resignation and Keegan’s support for remodeling put Francois and Saemann in the majority driver’s seat.
Eliminating the Community Center as a potential City Hall site strategically advanced the remodeling option. According to the staff report prepared for the recent council meeting by Deputy City Manager Angela Crespi, “Eliminating the Community Resources (Center) site from consideration now would predetermine a conclusion that renovating the existing Civic Center would also be cheaper than building new, without a comprehensive renovation plan.”
A Civic Facilities Community Advisory Group, composed of 12 residents, has been reviewing site options since last November.
“Keeping the Community Center option in there sends the wrong message, that we need to build something really big and grandiose,” Mayor Francois said at the start of Council’s January 28 Civic Center discussion.
“The existing city hall is a great place. It’s beautiful. It was built in the ‘60s. Studies have shown it can last at least another 50 years, if not more.”
“And it sends a message to this community that we try to renovate things instead of bulldozing,” the Mayor said.
Councilmembers Jackson and Detoy voted against the motion to eliminate the Community Center option.
“To say our facilities are beautiful is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard. There’s nothing beautiful about our facilities. There’s nothing that invokes civic pride. Our facilities are a dump… plain and simple,” Jackson said.
Detoy argued limiting a new City Hall to the current Civic Center site, would require building on the city-owned public storage facility south of City Hall, costing the city $270,000 in annual lease revenue.
“Eliminating [site] options this early in the game is ill advised, especially with our financial situation,” Detoy said. “Building it [a new Civic Center] without the cost hitting the general fund is very important,” he added.
Administrative Services Director Brandon Walker said, in his council presentation, “You have an old car. You’re throwing a lot of money at it to keep it running. Or you buy a new car. Obviously, there’s a higher upfront cost. But the long-term savings are all obviously there.”
Mayor Pro Tem Saeman took exception to Walker’s analogy.
“To say it’s like having an old car that doesn’t run very well…. And wouldn’t it be smarter to buy a new car? That’s kind of insulting…. It’s not that simple.”
“The Civic Center presentation has been skewed in favor of the [Community Center] option. And a hotel to pay for it.”
“I think we should have a little more honesty in the presentation to the public. We need more engagement with the public.
“Maybe we should put the hotel downtown, where it belongs, by the water. With retail and a parking lot–a [Manhattan Beach] Metlox-type development. That could pay for it.
“Or maybe we should put the hotel and a big parking structure up by the Community Theater,” Saemann said.
Following Saemann’s remarks, City Manager Suja Lowenthal asked Mayor Francois,
“Would it be okay if I addressed some of the concerns that the Mayor Pro Tem raised? They’re valid concerns and perhaps if I can just add some perspective?”
“To be quite frank, Madam City Manager,” Francois responded, “the five of us need to deliberate. If any member of the body would like to ask specific questions of staff, I think that would be great.”
Jackson placed fault on the public for the lack of public engagement Saemann complained about.
“Part of the challenge,” Jackson said, “as with most things in this city, is most people just don’t know and don’t care, quite frankly.”
Francois countered, “I’m not sure I agree with that characterization…. There are a lot of people in this community who really care.”
Francois then turned to Keegan, who had been silent during the hour long discussion.
“You haven’t said anything. You have nothing to say? The three of us voted at the last meeting to put this on the agenda.”
When Keegan still declined to speak, Francois said, “I’ll make a motion to formally take a position in opposition to building a new City Hall on the east side of Valley Drive [on the Community Center site].”
“Eliminating an option in this early stage is absolutely silly to me,” Detoy said. He noted that the Mayor’s motion would still allow the police station, library and fire station to be built on the Community Center site.
After the motion passed, over Jackson’s and Detoy’s objections, Jackson asked, “Can I just make one comment, Mr. Mayor.”
“Sure,” Francois answered.
“It’s a far cry from your commitment to transparency and community input–this ridiculous neutering of our Civic Facilities Community Advisory Group.”
Francois responded, “Thank you very much. Those comments are not appreciated and not professional.” ER
I’d like to see more discussion as to the costs involved with each option.