The Weekly Newspaper of El Segundo
Herald Publications - El Segundo, Hawthorne, Lawndale & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 108, No. 52 - December 26, 2019
Inside
This Issue
Calendar of Events.............2
Certified & Licensed
Professionals.....................10
Classifieds............................9
Crossword/Sudoku.............9
Entertainment....................10
Herald in...............................2
Legals.................................7,8
Police Reports.....................3
Real Estate.......................5-6
Sports.............................. 4,11
Weekend
Forecast
Friday
Sunny
64˚/46˚
Saturday
Sunny
62˚/46˚
Sunday
Partly
Cloudy
60˚/48˚
Moose Lodge Helps Spark Love
Every year El Segundo’s Moose Lodge participates in the Spark of Love Toy Drive by hosting a large fundraising event to complete their drive. On December 7, their hard work and fundraising efforts
enabled them to donate $4,500, which is the largest amount raised to date since their involvement. Provided by Alan Rush
The City of El Segundo:
2019 Year in Review
By Brian Simon
In 2019 the economic good times continued
for the City of El Segundo with another budget
surplus for the latest fiscal year, but future
projections weren’t so rosy. Finance Director
Joe Lillio predicted deficits on the way in
the next few years as pension costs continue
to escalate along with other expenditures.
For the 2019/20 fiscal year budget, the El
Segundo City Council approved over $3 million
in capital improvement projects (and then
okayed, in October, the first-ever three-year
plan for such projects). Though the members
agreed to move forward with a long-desired
renovation of Acacia Park, they opted to scrap
a planned pool at the site. Those monies ($1
million) will instead go towards the future
restoration of The Plunge. The group also
prioritized Teen Center improvements and
City Hall safety upgrades, among other key
items. The Council also lowered general fund
reserves from 19 percent to 17 percent and
set aside additional dollars to further pay
down long-term pension liability. Through
various actions, the Council has saved $11.7
million in future pension interest payments.
On a related note, the City also finalized all
remaining union contracts. While the deals
included pay raises, the bargaining units agreed
for employees to assume a larger portion of
their pension costs moving forward.
With the retirement of Greg Carpenter in
June, the Council voted to approve Scott
Mitnick as the new city manager after an
extensive search and background check
process. Mitnick arrived with over 20 years
of executive level experience as both a city
manager and county administrator, along
with private sector stints. He advocated a
team approach to leadership as staff looks
to achieve strategic plan priorities outlined
by the Council. One of the items unveiled
in 2019 was a full-scale communications
plan spearheaded by Deputy City Manager
Barbara Voss.
After running more than a dozen personnel
below the allotted 62 sworn personnel,
the El Segundo Police Department is now
back to full force after hiring several new
employees over the past year. An aggressive
marketing plan launched in April and a
generous incentive bonus for lateral officers
to come here from other departments were
two key reasons for the news.
The City’s new trash agreement went into
effect in May after the Council in January
chose EDCO as the hauler – replacing
the longtime previous contractor Republic
Services. Under the arrangement, one- and
two-unit residential property owners began
to pay for trash collection for the first time
in El Segundo history. The fee: $45 a quarter
($15 per month). Those in larger residential or
commercial units have to contract separately
with approved haulers (who must follow
certain guidelines and pay permit fees set by
the Council in October). EDCO’s service is
automated, as opposed to the prior unlimited
manual curbside service, with larger rolling
bins corresponding in color to trash, recycling
and green waste.
After nary a peep of news the entire year,
TopGolf was again back in the spotlight in
the fall after Council members Scot Nicol and
Chris Pimentel wrapped up negotiations with
CenterCal regarding the future operations of
the driving range and nine-hole course at The
Lakes at El Segundo. The Council voted 4-1
(with Don Brann dissenting) to move forward
with the project, which specifies a $1.3 million
annual ground lease plus percentage of
beverage sales and other contributions. The
new facility will also feature a three-story
driving range with more than double the
current hitting bays; a new pro shop and
clubhouse; meeting space; restaurant; and
the TopGolf venue. The revised deal outlined
protections for open space, programs for
youths and schools, discounts for residents,
night lighting, a reconfigured golf course and
more. Meanwhile, opponents of the project
launched a signature campaign hoping to put
a voter referendum on a future ballot aiming
to overturn the Council decision.
The Council looked at regulating shortterm
rentals in town, spurred initially by
complaints about a local party house that
abused the system and disturbed neighbors.
Staff recommended starting an 18-month
pilot program requiring local airbnb (or other
short-term rental unit) operators to obtain an
annual permit and business license, live on the
premises at least half the year, pay transient
occupancy taxes, and follow guidelines such
as providing off site parking and keeping
their properties free of trash. The Council
will revisit the matter in January.
Due to state mandates, the City will consolidate
its next election with that of Los
Angeles County – with the date moving up
to March 3 instead of the usual April. The
City Clerk will not tally the votes going
forward and a new ballot system will replace
the old technology. The City held two events
explaining the new process. Meanwhile,
three spots will be open on the City Council.
Incumbents Drew Boyles and Carol Pirsztuk
filed to run again,. Don Brann had no plans
to run, but announced he would leave the
Council before the end of 2019 due to state
legislation (going into effect on Jan. 1) forcing
him to choose between the Council or
See Year in Review, page 7