Quality of Life in Hermosa Beach

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Charles Johnston
5 years ago
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1 Quality of Life in Hermosa Beach Community Dialogue Committee December 3, 2013 Committee Members: Mike Collins Julian Katz Julie Hamill Koch Louisa Cushman Andrea Valcourt 1.4 square miles of The Best Little Beach City

The Committee s Challenge Answer the following questions Why did you move to Hermosa Beach and what keeps you here? What are the community s (the people s) strengths and weaknesses?

2 The Committee s Challenge Answer the following questions Why did you move to Hermosa Beach and what keeps you here? What are the community s (the people s) strengths and weaknesses? What are the city s (the government s) strengths and weaknesses? What are the city s (the environment s) strengths and weaknesses? What would make you leave? How are these things linked together? What do you hope Hermosa Beach will be like in 20 years?

3 Physically, Hermosa Beach lives up to its slogan the best little beach city. The beach is broad and clean The ocean water is clean (A+ from Heal the Bay) The air is fresh and clean When the fog rolls in you can hear the fog horn The city is only 1.4 miles square But, there is more to living here

4 Hermosa is a clean city Beach maintenance is done regularly. Our streets are clean, our downtown sidewalks create an interesting dialogue. Storm water basins help keep contaminates and debris out of the ocean. Businesses are regulated to properly dispose of oil and other contaminates.

Reputation for being a small-town, friendly beach community Surfing, swimming, walking, and volleyball bring like-minded people together Rollerblading, biking, jogging, and walking

5 Reputation for being a small-town, friendly beach community Surfing, swimming, walking, and volleyball bring like-minded people together Rollerblading, biking, jogging, and walking keep folks talking Pier Avenue, with its sidewalk dining, promotes camaraderie Art shows and music festivals draw the people out of their homes Movies in the Park bring families together

6 Reputation for being a party town Bars attract a party crowd Early 20 s crowd rent in the south end, sharing houses or apartments Late night patrons are disruptive and destructive

Hermosa is health conscious People walk, jog and bike for exercise, and to get from place to place The city joined the Beach Cities Health District s Blue Zone Project Hermosa was the first South Bay

7 Hermosa is health conscious People walk, jog and bike for exercise, and to get from place to place The city joined the Beach Cities Health District s Blue Zone Project Hermosa was the first South Bay city to be certified as a Blue Zone city The city enhanced the Green Belt with workout stations. The city maintains several large and small parks Citizens shop at the Farmers Market Children and adults get exercise playing all sports

8 Accessible city government Council meetings are open to the public and available on TV City council members provide office hours The council provides opportunities for public input on major issues Teenagers asked for and received a skate park People wanted a community garden and that is in process The city has a bike plan but has not added a bikeway in four years

9 Hermosa is a safe city Police respond quickly to calls The crime rate is one of the lowest Businesses put products and produce on the sidewalks, without supervision People walk safely about the city

zones: along the beach, many parks, Pier Plaza, and more but the ban is not uniformly enforced.

10 Hermosa is a green city A major city goal is for a carbon neutral footprint The city received awards for green activities Council provided storm drain filtration systems Several smoke-free zones: along the beach, many parks, Pier Plaza, and more but the ban is not uniformly enforced. Styrofoam food containers are banned Our Lady of Guadalupe church uses solar panels for its energy source

11 Hermosa schools are some of the best The schools test in the top 10 percentile Parents and teachers collaborate and support the students The community participates in major fundraisers to offset state shortfalls

12 Hermosa is a small, scenic town Zoning keeps building heights at 30 feet The town has kept historic buildings Mansionazation has not become a priority There are original clapboard beach cottages and newer beach-type homes The city continues to maintain streets and infrastructure

Hermosa has involved citizens People participate at council meetings and com Citizens join Leadership Hermosa and make a dif Folks volunteer at schools and

13 Hermosa has involved citizens People participate at council meetings and com Citizens join Leadership Hermosa and make a dif Folks volunteer at schools and philanthropic organi Citizens and the council collaborate on the latest technology and p Local business owners are working with the city to attract new bus

Hermosa wants to maintain its unique character Maintain or enhance current building limits Limit large developments and/or big box stores Recruit small, green businesses Work with the school district

14 Hermosa wants to maintain its unique character Maintain or enhance current building limits Limit large developments and/or big box stores Recruit small, green businesses Work with the school district to maintain and improve schools The Council, police, and business are partnering to reduce late Plaza activities Increase children s beach play areas by adding swings and slides Encourage artist development such as an art district

15 Hermosa wants to maintain unique character without added cost Continue having a balanced budget. No debt. Investigate whether regionalizing services would be beneficial Encourage volunteerism for projects, adopt-a grandparent for schools Enlist colleges/universities to invest in technology projects here Seek out movie/tv filming projects Continue to apply for grants Citizens and/or businesses donate roof tops for solar to benefit the city and schools Rent out city facilities to private and/or philanthropic events Implement a strategy to attract businesses that citizens want

The city has maintained its small town feel and kept large structures at a minimum.

16 Hermosa Beach 20 years from now The city attracts families and small businesses to its safe streets. Hermosa is profitable, with small businesses as its base. The city has maintained its small town feel and kept large structures at a minimum. Hermosa Beach s PCH and Aviation corridors are thriving. Pier Plaza is a more family-friendly place, with limited rowdy night life. Hermosa Beach is a model green beach city. Hermosa is a consultant to other cities, which want positive change.

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE INTRODUCTION Name: Blondell Reynolds Brown Seeking The Office Of: Philadelphia City Council At-Large Political Party Affiliation: Democrat Campaign Website and/or Facebook page: