Council Preview: October 6, 2026

The Planning CommissionA seven-member body that reviews development proposals, zoning requests, and land use applications before they go to City Council previously denied this application for an exemption declaration and variance to exceed building height requirements. The applicant is now appealing directly to the City Council for final determination.

Cryogenic storage tanks store materials at extremely low temperatures and are typically used in industrial manufacturing processes. The additional 8 feet above the standard height limit may be necessary for the technical requirements of the equipment, but raises questions about visual impact and precedent for future industrial expansions.

This is a public hearing item, meaning residents can speak for or against the proposal. The Council will either uphold the Planning Commission's denial or grant the appeal and approve the variance.

The election will be consolidated with the Redondo Beach Unified School District and conducted entirely by mail ballot. Multiple resolutions will establish election procedures, candidate statement regulations, and coordinate with Los Angeles County for election services.

Ranked choice votingA voting system where voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than choosing just one. If no candidate gets a majority, the last-place finisher is eliminated and their votes redistributed to voters' second choices, continuing until someone reaches a majority. allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed to voters' second choices, continuing until someone reaches a majority.

The agenda includes approval of agreements with multiple vendors: ballot design and tabulation equipment ($76,400), print and mail services ($152,497), ballot tracking software ($16,000), and voter education services ($5,000). This represents a significant investment in modernizing the city's election infrastructure.

The $2,694,885 contract with Chen Ryan Associates will run through October 2028 for design services on the "Riviera Village Pedestrian and Multi-Modal Enhancements Project." This is funded entirely byMeasure MA half-cent sales tax approved by Los Angeles County voters in 2016 to fund transportation projects including transit, highway improvements, bike paths, and pedestrian infrastructure, the county transportation sales tax approved by voters.

Riviera Village is already one of Redondo Beach's most walkable commercial districts, but this project suggests significant infrastructure improvements are planned. Multi-modal enhancements typically include better pedestrian crossings, bike facilities, transit connections, and streetscape improvements.

This is a consent calendar item, meaning it's expected to pass without discussion unless pulled by a council member. The substantial budget suggests this will be a comprehensive redesign of the area's transportation infrastructure.

Municipal code changes to elected official compensation require two readings at separate meetings. These ordinances (3320-26 through 3323-26) passed first reading previously and are now up for final adoption.

While the agenda doesn't specify the new compensation amounts, updates to elected official pay typically reflect cost-of-living adjustments or benchmark comparisons with similar cities. This affects the Mayor, all five City Council members, City Clerk Eleanor Manzano, and City Treasurer Eugene Solomon.