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EL SEGUNDO HERALD December 7, 2017 Page 17
Divergent from page 3
City Council from front page
two seats on the dais will be up for grabs. The
nomination filing period for candidates to pull
papers begins December 18 and ends January
12 (the date will extend to January 17 if an
incumbent does not file).
Regarding the measure, Councilmember Don
Brann explained that the Council does not want
to raise taxes, but is considering the idea as a
way of “getting the drop on the County”--which
will otherwise receive all the revenues for a
tax increase that citizens would have to pay
regardless. He warned that the item is confusing
and warrants a strong campaign to explain
the reasoning to El Segundo voters. Mayor
Suzanne Fuentes added, “It’s not a matter of
if, but when the County puts a tax measure
on the ballot—and it will pass.” Fuentes also
pointed out that much of the additional sales
tax dollars would be paid by shoppers/diners
outside El Segundo. Under the proposed
increase, a customer would pay an additional
75 cents on each $100 purchase.
Mayor Pro Tem Drew Boyles expressed
concern that the County could also raise the
threshold on the sales tax rate in the future to
exceed the current 10.25 percent cap. “The County
can go back again and again and add something
that will pass,” he said. Boyles was amenable
to a sales tax increase only if the County does
the same, but warned that the City can’t “tax
its way out of” future financial holes. Staff
projects a $400,000 deficit in 2018/19 that will
grow to over $5 million by 2022/23—and that
assumes no recession. “I’d like to see us do
our own austerity measures… and take strides
now [to address the deficit internally],” he said.
Also on Tuesday, Police Chief Bill Whelan
presented a “compromise” solution to deal
with safety concerns about the increasingly
popular Candy Cane Lane that runs in the
1200 block of Acacia Avenue for two weeks
before Christmas. Residents of the adjacent
and impacted 1100 block submitted a signed
petition requesting its own street closure (1200
will be closed off with wooden barricades).
Staff’s initial recommendation was to deny
the request in order to allow further study.
“Closing the street absent a thorough evaluation
with appropriate data will expand the
footprint of the event and has the potential to
displace and/or further exacerbate the safety
and congestion concerns,” the staff report reads.
However, Whelan went “off script” and indicated
he will indeed close off the 1100 block
for part of the time period---on opening night
(December 9) as well as the closing weekend
dates of December 22 and 23 that are expected
to be especially busy. The Council gave its
blessing to the move and Whelan will also
have discretion to close off the 1100 block on
additional nights should he deem it necessary.
The Chief added that there will be message
boards out urging people to drive slowly and
safely--as well as trash cans placed in the area
to curb littering problems. He also spoke of a
“uniformed presence” walking the streets and
personnel having the ability to write citations.
Though Tuesday’s decision will allow some
early evaluation, Whelan emphasized that the
overall issue still needs to be addressed moving
forward (for 2018 and beyond).
Several residents both on Tuesday and at
the previous Council meeting bemoaned a
lack of police response to incident complaints
in previous years. Whelan said there has been
no record of an auto/pedestrian accident at
Candy Cane Lane in the last three years, but
did not dismiss the comments. “If we didn’t
respond… I am truly sorry. It’s not what we
represent and it’s not what we do,” he said,
while promising that the department will stay
on top of things at Candy Cane Lane.
In response to an item brought forth during
public communications by Planning Commissioner
and self-described “concerned citizen”
Ryan Baldino, the Council asked Hensley to
draft a question to the Fair Political Practices
Commission (FPCC) asking for the agency’s
opinion on if Councilmember Brann has a
conflict of interest participating in decisions
related to the Wiseburn Unified School District
and Da Vinci Schools. Brann serves as Vice
President on the Da Vinci Board, a post he
has held for the last six years predating his
current Council term.
Hensley did not see a conflict, explaining
that Da Vinci is completely separate from
Wiseburn, is a not-for-profit government entity,
and Brann receives no compensation for his
role on that board. He added that negotiations
regarding the aquatics facility are with
Wiseburn and that Da Vinci has no authority
in the matter. But even if the latter did have
any say, Hensley asserted that Brann “has no
financial interest in that transaction.”
Baldino presented the Council with an Attorney
General opinion holding that “office of
school board trustees and city council members
are incompatible where the city and the district
have territory in common.” But Hensley pointed
out, “Incompatible office is not something the
City can address. A citizen would need to go
through the proper petition process with the
Attorney General and sue him [Brann] to remove
him from the Da Vinci School Board.”
While there was no action on the item when
brought up at the beginning of the meeting,
Councilmember Mike Dugan revived it at the
evening’s end—feeling it important to at least
ask the question of the FPPC and because he
wasn’t satisfied that Brann’s lack of financial
interest was enough to put the issue to rest.
Boyles thought the City should look at the
matter from a risk management standpoint
and determine where it may be vulnerable.
“Don can do nothing [wrong], but perception
is reality,” he said.
After the discussion, resident Lance Giroux
spoke of the “confusion about Da Vinci and
Wiseburn” and that people wonder if they are
the same because the two are intertwined. “It
creates questions,” he said, adding that there’s
“no harm asking” the FPPC for an opinion and
that it’s “nothing against Dr. Brann.”
Additionally on Tuesday, the Council gave
direction to the newly formed The Lakes Task
Force as the latter begins work on drafting a
Request For Proposal on the future opportunities
for the golf course/driving range site.
Criteria include upholding the original deed
restrictions to keep it a golf or other public
recreation facility, ensure it serves most El
Segundo residents (versus outside neighbors), is
profitable/self-sustaining, and requires minimal
or no City investment outlay.
The Council also authorized changes to the
City’s internal purchasing policies to allow the
City Manager, department heads and authorizing
managers higher dollar-amount thresholds
designed to reduce red tape, bolster customer
service, and put El Segundo in line with other
municipalities surveyed.
During presentations, proclamations recognized
the 1200 block of East Acacia Avenue as
Candy Cane Lane from December 9 through
December 23; and Sunday, December 10 as
the 54th Annual El Segundo Holiday Parade
down Main Street from 1 to 3 p.m. with a
Centennial theme. Local resident Cheryl Bailey
received a commendation as the El Segundo
Police Department’s RSVP (Retired Senior
Volunteer Program) of the year for providing
routine patrol duties as well as additional hours
working a number of major community events
and conducting outreach. She also assisted the
Crime Prevention Unit with additional duties.
Bailey has been an RSVP since November 2014.
Another commendation recognized El Segundo
Police Officers Armando Rodriguez
and Luke Muir, and citizen Jeremy Gomez for
their roles in saving a woman’s life after she
threatened to jump from the eighth floor of a
parking structure on Grand Avenue in October.
Chief Whelan also lauded the efforts of Gomez’
co-worker John Flores, who was first to the
scene but not able to attend Tuesday’s meeting
since he lives in Houston.
In the final presentation, Fire Chief Chris
Donovan introduced the community to newly
appointed Fire Captain Ryan Allee and Fire
Paramedic Evan West.
As per past practice, the Council canceled
its first session in January. The final meeting
of 2017 will take place on December 19. •
of the half-billion cost to erect and equip.
With 3D printers running on computer-assisted
design programs, a big box warehouse could
be easily outfitted into an auto assembly plant,
Divergent’s founder says.
Divergent 3D has made a promise to its
investor that it can build a production line for
20,000 cars a year, equipped with industrialsized
3-D metal printers, laser cutters and
assembly robots, for close to $50 million.
That would allow carmakers to shave $6,700
off their production costs per vehicle, the
company estimates.
Divergent 3D expects to build prototypes
for customers next year and then open a
small-production factory in 2019 in the Los
Angeles area, according to published reports.
The company is fully funded for the research
and development work ahead, its founder says.
This technology has put Detroit and Japanese
carmakers on notice.
“Divergent will continue its strong momentum
in leading the adoption of an economically
and environmentally transformative manufacturing
solution—building safer, stronger
and more profitable eco-friendly vehicles at
mass volumes,” said Czinger, who worked
as a Wall Street banker before launching his
manufacturing venture.
Software-guided manufacturing--at the heart
of the car manufacturing revolutionaries at
Divergent--also has applications for South Bay’s
aerospace industry. Printers can make single
aircraft parts from metal or plastic, saving
time and keeping the manufacturing on site.
Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno drove
a prototype car made by Divergent for an
episode of Jay Leno’s Garage. The show is
posted on YouTube at www.youtube.com/
watch?v=vPv7PwS50OE. •
Police Reports
Thursday, November 23
One male adult was arrested at 0817 hours
from Concord Street and El Segundo Boulevard
for burglary, possession of burglary tools,
possession of vandalism tools and possession
of drug paraphernalia.
A petty theft report was taken at 0822 hours
from the 700 block of North Nash Street.
Taken were two cell phones.
Friday, November 24
A lost/stolen plate(s) recovery report was
taken at 0008 hours from Rosecrans Avenue
and Sepulveda Boulevard. Recovered plate(s)
were reported stolen out of Bell Gardens PD
on 10/23/17.
One male adult was arrested at 0154 hours
from Rosecrans Avenue and Continental
Circle for aiding/abetting exhibition of speed
in a vehicle.
One male adult was arrested at 0156 hours
from Rosecrans Avenue and Continental
Circle for aiding/abetting exhibition of speed
in a vehicle.
One male adult was arrested at 0430 hours
from Hermosa Beach PD for one outstanding
El Segundo PD misdemeanor warrant.
A grand theft report was taken at 1402 hours
from the 100 block of East Oak Avenue. A
wallet, a backpack and a pair of shoes were
taken from an unlocked vehicle.
A battery report was taken at 1520 hours from
the 500 block of North Sepulveda Boulevard.
One male adult was arrested at 1626 hours
from El Segundo Boulevard and Sepulveda
Boulevard for one outstanding LASD felony
warrant. Saturday, November 25
A burglary (vehicle) report was taken
at 0740 hours from the 700 block of
North Sepulveda Boulevard. Unknown
suspect(s) gained entry into the victim’s vehicle
by smashing a window. Taken were a backpack
and luggage containing miscellaneous items.
A burglary (residential) occurred between
11/24/17 and 11/25/17 in the 600 block of
California Street. A rear window was smashed
and the residence was ransacked.
A vandalism report was taken at 1042 hours
in the 700 block of South Sepulveda Boulevard.
A vehicle was keyed.
A found property report was taken at 1257
hours from the 100 block of Sierra Street. A
beach cruiser was found.
A dog bite report was taken at 1310 hours
from the 700 block of West Acacia Avenue.
Victim sustained a dog bite on his arm.
A vandalism report was taken at 1416 hours
from the 400 block of Main Street. Unknown
suspect(s) damaged the victim’s mailbox.
A burglary (residential) report was taken
at 1451 hours from the 200 block of Virginia
Street. Unknown suspect(s) gained entry into
a carport storage cabinet by breaking the lock.
Taken were a purse and a lamp.
An annoying phone call(s) report was
taken at 1721 hours from the 200 block
of West Palm Avenue. Known suspect repeatedly
calls and sends text messages to the victim.
A petty theft report was taken at 2240 hours
from the 1000 block of East Imperial Avenue.
Taken were miscellaneous tools and photographs.
Sunday, November 26
One male adult was arrested at 0110 hours
from Redondo Beach PD for one outstanding
El Segundo PD misdemeanor warrant.
A burglary report was taken at 0644 hours
from the 200 block of Kansas Street. Unknown
suspect(s) smashed a window and took property.
A burglary report was taken at 0644 hours
from the 200 block of Kansas Street. Unknown
suspect(s) smashed a window and gained access
into the office.
One male adult was arrested at 1339 hours
from the 800 block of Virginia Street for
criminal threats and battery.
One male adult was arrested at 1346 hours
from the 100 block of West Imperial Avenue
for one outstanding LASD felony warrant and
two outstanding LASD misdemeanor warrants.
One male adult was arrested at 1734
hours from the 200 block of Main Street for
battery.
One male adult was detained at 2258 hours
from the 900 block of Cedar Street and transported
to Harbor UCLA Medical Center for
evaluation and treatment.
Monday, November 27
One male adult was arrested at 0125 hours
from LAPD 77th Division for one outstanding
ESPD misdemeanor warrant.
A vehicle was reported stolen at 0752 hours
from the 300 block of Main Street.
A found property report was taken at 0939
hours from the 100 block of West Imperial
Avenue. Found was a cell phone.
A fraud report was taken at 0955 hours from
the 2100 block of Grand Avenue. Unknown
suspect(s) cashed fraudulent checks.
A fraud report was taken at 1214 hours
from the 700 block of Main Street. Known
suspect used the victim’s bank account to
make purchases.
One female adult was arrested at 1719 hours
from the 700 block of East Grand Avenue for
domestic violence.
Tuesday, November 28
A burglary report was taken at 0936 hours
from the 200 block of Virginia Street. Taken
were coin boxes from a laundry room.
A traffic accident (with injuries) occurred at
0957 hours on Utah Avenue and South Douglas
Street, vehicle versus vehicle.
A petty theft report was taken at 1456 hours
from the 1900 block of East Mariposa Avenue.
Unknown suspect took a surveillance camera
from the exterior of a building. •