New Year’s eve event to celebrate power plant closure

A ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31, to mark the closing of the AES power plant, after 69 years of operation. [Easy Reader previously reported the ceremony was on New Year’s Day, January 1]. 

State Senator Ben Allen, Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, Mayor Bill Brand and others plan to attend.

The plant was originally scheduled to close in 2020, but was extended for three years as a backup for the state’s power grid. It is set to permanently close at midnight Dec. 31. 

The State Water Resources Control Board first voted in 2010 to phase out ocean-water cooled power plants. 

Holly Mitchell secures $800,000 for Redondo pallet shelter expansion

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell announced an $800,000 award to the Redondo Beach homeless pallet shelter Tuesday night, to add 25 units to the 20-unit facility. The money comes from the county’s Second District Homelessness Fund.

“We’re fighting every day to find options for our unhoused,” Mitchell said. 

The Redondo Beach city council voted Nov. 7 to expand the shelter to 45 units, if it could find the funding. 

City reaches deal with two of three employee unions

The City of Redondo Beach has agreed to a deal with two of its three major employee unions (outside of Police and Fire), increasing wages and benefits up to 19 and 24 percent over the next three years. 

A third union, the Redondo Beach Professional and Supervisory Association (RBPSA), has yet to reach a deal. 

RBPSA President Lina Carillo and fellow employees spoke at the city council meeting Tuesday, including a principal engineer in Public Works and Kirsten Dossett, executive assistant to Police Chief Joe Hoffman. Carillo, in her remarks, went through the current city council agenda noting how many administrative reports were written by RBPSA employees. She said the city’s current offer of 15 percent raises over three years is unacceptable.

The city council approved Tuesday a new contract for another union, the Redondo Beach City Employees Association (RBCEA), which includes emergency dispatchers, building inspectors, code enforcement and more. This group may earn as much as 19 percent more over three years. 

“I think everybody was pleased with it,” said Peter Tucker, RBCEA President. “We didn’t get everything we wanted and the city didn’t get everything they wanted, but we came to an agreement. So, Merry Christmas.”

Tucker noted what he thought is the most important aspect of the contract.

“Retaining people,” he said. “To be able to keep employees on the job here versus leaving to other cities for more pay. With new people coming in so often, you don’t have that continuity. Once you get in rhythm and stay in rhythm, the city’s more productive.”

Teamsters Local 911 approved a deal with the city two weeks ago. The agreement increases wages up to 24 percent over the next three years.

Teamsters represent mainly Redondo Beach Public Works employees.  

“These agreements are a significant investment in our workforce,” said City Manager Mike Witzansky. “It makes us more competitive in the marketplace and helps our recruitment and retention efforts.”

As for Carillo, she and the RBPSA will continue to work without a new contract.

“We hope that come January, the city’s willing to come back to the table with us,” she said. “We’re hoping the city council gives additional economic leeway.” ER