HERMOSA BEACH CITY COUNCIL RECAP: February 3, 2026

Link to Regular (Council) Post-Meeting HTML Agenda and Timestamped Meeting Video

BELOW ARE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH’S February 3, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING:

🧑‍💻 Approved First Reading of Amendments to Planning Commission Appeal Periods & Transmissions (Video Timestamp: 2:45:38)

Council introduced an ordinance that would amend the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code to standardize Planning Commission appeal periods (15 days, beginning the day after a decision is issued), clarify the Planning Commission’s role in transmitting decisions to City Council and find the action exempt from CEQA. This item will return for second reading at a future meeting.

Motion Approved 5-0

Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Keegan and Councilmember Francois

Noes (0)

✉️ Approved MOU Side Letters for Employee Unions (Video Timestamp: 3:05:38)

Council adopted two resolutions approving Side Letters to the Memoranda of Understanding with the General and Supervisory Employees’ Bargaining Unit (Teamsters Local 986) and the Professional and Administrative Employee Group, to grant both groups Education Incentive Pay in alignment with the City’s unrepresented employee group.

Motion Approved 5-0

Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Keegan and Councilmember Francois

Noes (0) 

🏠 Received & Filed Update on Homelessness Efforts (Video Timestamp: 3:12:00)

Council received and filed staff’s update on the City’s ongoing homelessness efforts.

Motion Approved 5-0 

Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Keegan and Councilmember Francois

Noes (0) 

🏖️ Approved Vendor Sales on Beach (Video Timestamp: 3:22:30)

Council approved amendments to the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code to allow the sale of prepared food, non‑alcoholic beverages and/or merchandise on the beach by vendors associated with approved special events. Council also established a per‑vendor daily fee with a discounted rate for Hermosa Beach‑based businesses holding a valid City business license.

Motion Approved 4-1

Ayes (4): Mayor Saemann, Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Keegan and Councilmember Francois

Noes (1): Mayor Pro Tem Detoy

⛰️ Amended Land Value Recapture Ordinance (Video Timestamp: 4:04:03)

Council approved amendments to the City’s Land Value Recapture (LVR) Program, including exempting 1‑2 unit lots from LVR fees and temporarily reducing LVR fees for 3‑4 unit lots. Council further directed staff to explore zoning updates to encourage residential development on small lots.

Motion Approved 4-1

Ayes (4): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember Keegan and Councilmember Francois

Noes (1): Councilmember Jackson

💵 Received & Filed Economic Development Strategy Progress Report (Video Timestamp: 5:04:27)

Council received and filed staff’s Economic Development Strategy Progress Report, retired the City’s 2022 Economic Development Strategy and directed staff to return with options to form a new Economic Development Committee.

Motion Approved 5-0

Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Keegan and Councilmember Francois

Noes (0) 

🚔 Renewed HBPD Military Equipment Use (Video Timestamp: 5:50:41)

Council received a report and renewed the City’s Military Use Equipment ordinance in accordance with Assembly Bill 481, authorizing HBPD to continue the use of military equipment to support public safety operations.

Motion Approved 5-0

Ayes (5): Mayor Saemann, Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, Councilmember Jackson, Councilmember Keegan and Councilmember Francois

Noes (0)

• Recognized Black History Month
• Presentation from the HB Chamber of Commerce on 2025 programs and vision for 2026
• New police K-9, Arco, introduced by HBPD
• Approved Minutes & Reports

📅 Looking Ahead:

• Moved item on fees for commercial encroachment areas to future meeting
• Directed staff to return with an informational item on potential bid packages for future St. Patrick's Day parades and the Memorial Day and Labor Day fiestas
• Directed staff to prepare a letter of support in favor of modifying SB84 to protect small businesses from litigation related to ADA cure periods

🕖 Adjournment

The regular Council meeting began at 6:10 p.m. and adjourned at 10:48 p.m. on February 3, 2026.