The Weekly Newspaper of El Segundo
Herald Publications - El Segundo, Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Lawndale, & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 107, No. 8 - February 22, 2018
Inside
This Issue
Best of The Best........6-7,20
Certified & Licensed
Professionals.....................16
Classifieds............................4
Crossword/Sudoku.............4
Entertainment......................8
Legals............................ 14,15
Pets......................................18
Police Briefs......................16
Real Estate.....................9-13
Sports.............................. 5,17
Weekend
Forecast
Youth Hoopsters Celebrate Title
at the South Bay Lakers Facility
Participants from El Segundo Youth Basketball celebrate their 5/6 Grade League Championship at the UCLA Health Training Center (home of the South Bay Lakers). Left to right: Vinny Baldino, James
Baldino, Zachary Patterson, Jake Croxall, Dorian Lawson, Jake Kroskrity, Coach Nick Naea. Photo: Tyler Fujii.
Council Agrees to Slow Down the
RFP Process for The Lakes Site
By Brian Simon
More than 10 citizens came to the podium
on Tuesday night to urge the El Segundo City
Council not to rush through the request for
proposal (RFP) process for The Lakes at El
Segundo site. The Council majority previously
Flight Industries Land Major Vote
of Confidence to Stay Competitive
By Rob McCarthy
South Bay’s space and air defense companies
are one step closer to having a state
commission to make sure their industry
remains competitive and stays grounded
in California.
Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance,
introduced a measure to create a
California Aerospace and Aviation Commission.
Its purpose would be to advise
policymakers about what the $100 billion
flight and defense sector in the state’s
economy needs from state elected officials.
The commission would “serve as a central
point of contact” for the flight and space
mission companies and “support the health
and competitiveness” of the businesses --
including those in the South Bay -- that
form the backbone of the aerospace and
aviation industries in California, according
to the bill.
The Assembly voted 75-0 to create a
commission dedicated to smoothing the way
for the industry’s growth as the nation sets
its sights toward missions to Mars someday.
The 15-member commission would operate
without taxpayer dollars and be overseen
by the Governor’s Office.
“The goal is to bring together the
stakeholders and bring together policy
recommendations so we can continue to
grow and lead the nation and the world in
innovation, advanced manufacturing and
See Flight Industries, page 14
directed staff to aim for an expedited
timeline in the hope of releasing the RFP
by March 1, holding a pre-bid meeting and
site walk on March 12, receiving proposals
by April 3, interviewing qualified bidders on
April 9 and selecting the preferred proposer
on April 17. The last date will be the final
public meeting for outgoing Mayor Suzanne
Fuentes and Councilmember Mike Dugan.
That timeline, described by Recreation
and Parks Director Meredith Peitit as “ambitious,”
became a point of contention despite
recent progress made by The Lakes RFP
Task Force in reviewing background and
historical documents, conducting a community
needs assessment survey, and addressing
the condition of the nine-hole course, driving
range and clubhouse. Petit noted other
outstanding items still requiring discussion
and direction, including the type of deal
structure to consider (a lease agreement versus
management contract); a minimum acceptable
annual rent/return for the City; and a
rundown of capital improvements – as well
as to what extent the City might be willing
to invest in those improvements.
As one example, staff conducted an inhouse
assessment of the clubhouse building
that identified areas needing repair such as in
the building itself, patio, landscape, restroom
and kitchen. But without extra time to hire
a third-party expert, the City won’t know
the true condition of structural systems
such as plumbing, roofing and sewer systems.
Also in question is how to figure in the
City’s $5.6 million loan to The Lakes that
has not been paid back. Additionally, City
Manager Greg Carpenter reported that in
the case of a lease agreement, the recent tax
code changes will result in “a new expense
somebody has to incur.”
See City Council, page 15 Friday
Sunny
61˚/44˚
Saturday
Sunny
61˚/46˚
Sunday
Sunny
65˚/48˚