a) 22-0811 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL:
Existing Litigation - Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
The City finds, based on advice from legal counsel, that discussion in open session will prejudice the position of the City in the litigation.
Name of Case: Michael Frilot v. City of Hermosa Beach, et al.
Case Number: 20TRCV00045, Los Angeles Superior Court
Comment for Hermosa Beach council meeting closed session 12/13/2022 5-PM.
HB City Council and others interested:
The Council needs to clarify in open session as to why at the November 29, 2022 council meeting there was a closed session item with City Manager as negotiator regarding the purchase of a Pier Plaza property which is itself on of the two properties on which the "American Junkie" bar business is located. I.e., 68 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach, itself being approximately a 30’ x 90’ parcel with structure priced at about $5.55 Million.
It's my understanding that there was previously no discussion by a City Council quorum regarding the matter in any open public meeting or public event. Thus how is it that perhaps a sub-quorum of the city council could have given direction or permission to City Manager Suja Lowenthal for such esoteric negotiation and then have a closed session item on the matter, or is the tail again wagging to dog? Is this more abuse of those considering themselves Mayor in a General Law City that gives no such powers to a Mayor?
This seems just too creative, and now with a new City Attorney (supposedly not, hopefully not) following in the footsteps of Michael Jenkins) such stuff needs to be done properly and honorably, with the public's right to know what this is about, being of primary concern.
If this is some kind of creative public / private partnership going on, the public still has a right to know what it’s about; notwithstanding that a negotiation to purchase a property itself might me in closed session.
Instead though it appears like this is just more rotten Hermosa Beach government with Hermosa Councilmembers and their political, over-compensated City Manager thinking they are God's gift to Hermosa Beach and know what's best and how to do such big time wheeling and dealing behind closed doors. I’d call that, in such case, a de facto dictatorship made up of ignoramuses.
Suja Lowenthal can’t keep employees from departing, that she herself hires, and she’s got zero track record of any major government accomplishment here or anywhere else, or she’d be blabbing it all over under her boiler plate “warmly” signature thingy, so what is this all about? And if it’s now dead, the people of this community should be informed as to what it was about prior to its death. Enough with the “No Reportable Actions” stuff.
Bottom line; do not believe for a second that you on the City Council know best what’s best for the Hermosa public to know. The new Council should involve the people and not follow in the dirt of the last City Council.
Comment for Hermosa Beach council meeting closed session 12/13/2022 5-PM.
HB City Council and others interested:
The Council needs to clarify in open session as to why at the November 29, 2022 council meeting there was a closed session item with City Manager as negotiator regarding the purchase of a Pier Plaza property which is itself on of the two properties on which the "American Junkie" bar business is located. I.e., 68 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach, itself being approximately a 30’ x 90’ parcel with structure priced at about $5.55 Million.
It's my understanding that there was previously no discussion by a City Council quorum regarding the matter in any open public meeting or public event. Thus how is it that perhaps a sub-quorum of the city council could have given direction or permission to City Manager Suja Lowenthal for such esoteric negotiation and then have a closed session item on the matter, or is the tail again wagging to dog? Is this more abuse of those considering themselves Mayor in a General Law City that gives no such powers to a Mayor?
This seems just too creative, and now with a new City Attorney (supposedly not, hopefully not) following in the footsteps of Michael Jenkins) such stuff needs to be done properly and honorably, with the public's right to know what this is about, being of primary concern.
If this is some kind of creative public / private partnership going on, the public still has a right to know what it’s about; notwithstanding that a negotiation to purchase a property itself might me in closed session.
Instead though it appears like this is just more rotten Hermosa Beach government with Hermosa Councilmembers and their political, over-compensated City Manager thinking they are God's gift to Hermosa Beach and know what's best and how to do such big time wheeling and dealing behind closed doors. I’d call that, in such case, a de facto dictatorship made up of ignoramuses.
Suja Lowenthal can’t keep employees from departing, that she herself hires, and she’s got zero track record of any major government accomplishment here or anywhere else, or she’d be blabbing it all over under her boiler plate “warmly” signature thingy, so what is this all about? And if it’s now dead, the people of this community should be informed as to what it was about prior to its death. Enough with the “No Reportable Actions” stuff.
Bottom line; do not believe for a second that you on the City Council know best what’s best for the Hermosa public to know. The new Council should involve the people and not follow in the dirt of the last City Council.
These are of course my views.
Howard L.