by Garth Meyer
In a 3-2 vote, the City of Redondo Beach will rejoin the League of California Cities, after dropping out of it in March, ending more than 80 years of membership.
The matter came back up after two new councilmembers were sworn-in in April.
Jeff Kiernan, the League’s Southern California advocate, regional public affairs manager, again was on hand for input.
With Redondo Beach dropped out, the League had 462 cities as members, of California’s 482 total.
Councilman Nils Nehrenheim asked Kiernan what has changed since March. Has the League endorsed “Our Neighborhood Voices” yet? he asked, referring to the organization co-founded by Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand that seeks a 2024 ballot initiative to counter state housing bills SB-9 and 10.
No, it has not taken a position, Kiernan answered.
Nehrenheim asked about process changes, referring to what Councilman Todd Loewenstein described before as viewpoints being shut down at the League’s annual conference last fall in Long Beach.
“The process was really the issue last year,” said Nehrenheim. “I want us to stay focused in on us here in Redondo Beach, until others start showing up and fighting hard.”
Tiernan noted past involvement by Redondo Beach officials in the League and stated that someone from Redondo Beach should join a committee, as part of membership.
Nehrenheim then said that whoever on the council would make a motion to re-join the League, needs to commit to taking on “hundreds of hours” to lead this for the city, as he has in the Independent Cities Association (ICA), for which he is president.
“Redondo Beach has been very active in the past,” said Kiernan.
For the overall question of housing, Kiernan cited polls.
“It looks as though Californians are not willing to accept slow-downs in housing. No matter where they came from,” he said.
“Polls are only as good as the questions,” said Councilman Todd Loewenstein, expressing doubt about the information; whether the polls asked if residents would approve of a “10-story apartment building built next to their house.”
Councilman Zein Obagi, Jr., asked if the city re-joined, would it be at a pro-rated basis since it is August.
Kiernan said it would not, the annual fee of $22,897 would be the price.
“I do not expect systematically for Cal Cities to do anything but echo the policies we are seeing from the state legislature,” Obagi said. “I don’t ever expect Cal Cities to be the champion of ‘stop shoving density down our throats in the state of California.’”
Then, however, he made a motion to reinstate, seconded by Councimember Paige Kaluderovic.
“They do a valuable service apprising us of legislation coming down the pipeline,” said Obagi. “We have to take every shot we can to counter the state, we need an ally, (and there are no others) but Cal Cities and their legal advocacy group. I think we’ve made our point to Cal Cities.”
City Attorney Mike Webb was asked about his experience with the organization.
“They have been very helpful,” he said. “… I’d like to be able to fight without one hand tied behind my back.”
Nehrenheim reiterated his call for a councilmember to get on the board, otherwise he is opposed.
“We need someone on the council to step forward, I think Behrendt, he is an attorney… and it’s going to take hundreds of hours per month.”
Loewenstein concluded by saying he still did not think it was worth it.
“I don’t see the fight in there at all,” he said.
The vote passed with Obagi, Behrendt and Kaluderovic in favor.
Nehrenheim followed with a motion to appoint delegates and alternates as official representatives of the city for the League’s board, and perhaps other agencies, which passed too.
The council was set to choose someone Tuesday night, Aug. 8, but the item was tabled due to the absence of Behrendt. Councilmember Kaluderovic volunteered to be the city delegate if Behrendt is unable to. ER
