Transit Issues on City Council's Agenda

Transportation issues will be addressed at a City Council meeting Tuesday as recommendations to disband the PCH-Aviation Improvement Committee, amend a parking permit program and continue funding for Beach Cities Transit are all up for deliberation.

As the city moves forward in its effort to revamp Pacific Coast Highway, the council will consider breaking up the PCH-Aviation Improvement Committee and structuring a new group to perform the enhancement program's next phase of work.

The committee has met twice since being established on March 9. At its most recent meeting, a mission statement was created, reiterating its goal "to develop collaboration with the city, business and property owners… to improve the aesthetics and economic well-being of these vital transportation and business corridors" along PCH.

But the next phase of the program development needs to be preceded by a period of careful review, Councilmen Howard Fishman and Jeff Duclos wrote in a recommendation. Mayor Michael DiVirgilio and the council plan to discuss this next phase at Tuesday's meeting.

The city's preferential parking program for residents and visitors is also up for discussion. The program was designed to allow drivers to purchase a parking permit for areas where parking is usually scarce, but the city is concerned people are abusing it.

The types of permits available for purchase are residential; permits for guests of residents; property owner permits; driveway permits, which allow someone to park on the street in front of a driveway; event parking; employee parking; and daily passes, which are available to anyone for $6 a day.

Concerns that people with adequate onsite parking are still purchasing permits, as are some whose primary residence is not in Hermosa Beach, were first discussed in April.

The council will discuss in more detail whether or not to raise prices for these parking permits at Tuesday's meeting, as well as considering inviting a parking management consultant to help amend the parking program's structure. If any changes occur, there will be a public hearing to notify all permit holders and residents. 

Whether to renew funding for one Beach Cities Transit line is also on the council's agenda. The bus service is seeking two-year funding from the city for its Route 109 line, which connects Pier Avenue to LAX. 

The city, along with Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and El Segundo, has participated in two-year funding for the bus line since July 2006. Hermosa Beach's share of the cost will be $18,939.57 which is 10.9 percent of the total needed to operate the bus service.

If the council votes to participate in this funding arrangement again, the expenditure will be taken from Proposition A funds, which have been used for the joint program before.

The council meeting is July 27 at 7 p.m. in council chambers.