City Council · Regular meeting

Item 1 · 4:08–10:34

Recognizing Retirement of Assistant Planner, Maria Baldenegro

The city recognized Assistant Planner Maria Baldenegro upon her retirement after 35 years in local public service, including 23 years with El Segundo. Community Development staff highlighted her work on development projects and assistance to residents and businesses, then presented her with a city plaque.

• Baldenegro worked in local public service for 35 years.
• She spent 23 years working for El Segundo.
• Her work included development projects, permitting and entitlement assistance.
• The city presented her with a plaque recognizing her service.

Item 2 · 10:34–11:37

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation

Mayor Chris Pimentel presented a proclamation recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. He said the annual nationwide campaign promotes public awareness, early detection, regular screenings and research into treatments and a cure.

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed annually in October.
• The campaign promotes early detection, regular screenings and research into treatments and a cure.

Item 2 · 11:37–13:23

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation

Mayor Chris Pimentel proclaimed October 2026 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in El Segundo. The proclamation encouraged residents to learn about risk factors, participate in recommended screenings, support fundraising and awareness efforts, and show compassion for people affected by breast cancer.

• October 2026 was proclaimed Breast Cancer Awareness Month in El Segundo.
• The proclamation emphasized early detection, regular screenings and awareness of risk factors.
• It recognized survivors, people currently undergoing treatment, affected families, medical professionals and researchers.

Item 3 · 13:23–16:59

National Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation

Council Member Lance Giroux presented a proclamation designating Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, 2026, as National Hispanic Heritage Month in El Segundo. A Human Resources analyst accepted the proclamation and said the city’s different cultures and traditions provide opportunities to learn from one another.

• The city designated Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, 2026, as National Hispanic Heritage Month.
• The 2026 theme is “Honoring Our Roots, Building Our Future.”
• The proclamation recognizes Hispanic and Latino communities’ cultural, educational, economic and political contributions to El Segundo.

Item 4 · 16:59–20:27

International Day of Peace Proclamation

Council Member Michelle Keldorf read a proclamation recognizing Sept. 21, 2026, as International Day of Peace in El Segundo. The proclamation encouraged residents to promote peace through compassion, community engagement, understanding and cooperation, and it was accepted by a local pastor.

• Sept. 21, 2026, was proclaimed International Day of Peace in El Segundo.
• Residents were encouraged to participate in acts of compassion and community engagement.
• The proclamation emphasized justice, equity, inclusion, diversity and constructive dialogue.

20:27–20:44

Procedural motions

The council approved a procedural motion allowing all motions on the agenda to be read by title only. The motion passed 5-0.

• Agenda motions may be read by title only.
• The motion passed 5-0.

20:44–1:11:01

Public communications

Five members of the public addressed the council about accountability for undisclosed business affiliations, transparency around project revenue, appreciation for city service and Hispanic Heritage Month. Mayor Chris Pimentel responded that agenda reports generally include fiscal impacts and estimated that about 1% to 1.5% of a retail sale returns directly to the city.

• Each speaker was allotted three minutes.
• Three people attended by Zoom, but none raised a virtual hand to speak.
• The mayor said agenda reports typically identify fiscal impacts.
• The mayor estimated that about 1% to 1.5% of retail sales returns directly to the city.

Public comment: 5 speakers. Themes: Accountability for undisclosed business affiliations related to Tesla, Transparency about tax revenue and project fiscal impacts, Appreciation for city staff and council service, Hispanic Heritage Month and Latino resilience.

Item 7 · 1:11:36–1:14:50

Third Amendments to Professional Service Agreements with Willdan Engineering and True North Compliance Inc. for Building Plan Check Review and Inspection Services

The City Council considered third amendments with Willdan Engineering and True North Compliance Inc. for outside building plan review and inspection services. Council approved the amendments for three years but removed subsequent annual extension options, requiring the agreements to return for council review after month 36.

• The amendments extend both professional services agreements for three years.
• The council removed options for subsequent annual extensions.
• The agreements must return for council review at month 37.
• Staff described the consultant services as a relief valve because two budgeted plan-check engineering positions remain unfilled.

Item 8 · 1:14:50–1:55:17

Approval of a New Wave Pool Commercial Recreation Facility Located at 100-200 South Nash Street within the El Segundo South Campus Specific Plan (El Segundo Surf Club Project).

Staff and the developer presented a nine-acre surf club at 100-200 South Nash Street with five pools, restaurant and recreation buildings, parking and bicycle improvements. The council adopted a resolution approving the environmental assessment and project entitlements, then waived the first reading and introduced an ordinance amending the development agreement, specific plan and prior conditions to remove a direct pedestrian-passage requirement; the ordinance will return at the next regular meeting.

• The site is slightly more than nine acres and would contain five pools, including an approximately 600-foot surfing pool and a standing-wave pool.
• Plans include 161 vehicle parking spaces, 18 bicycle spaces and a two-way bicycle path connecting the Metro station area with El Segundo Boulevard and South Nash Street.
• The developer estimated annual water use at about 5 million gallons and said the higher peak figure represented refilling the pools after a complete draining, not routine daily use.
• The amendment removes a requirement for a direct pedestrian passage through the property to the Metro K Line station.

Public comment: 3 speakers. Themes: Water consumption and possible drought mitigation, Youth and community access, partnerships and discounts, Bicycle and e-bike access and parking, Support for surfing as a youth recreation option.

Item 9 · 1:55:17–2:14:22

Fiscal Year 2025-26 3rd and 4th Quarters Financial Report

Finance staff presented preliminary year-end figures showing $98.3 million in general fund revenue and $101.7 million in expenditures, with final results expected after the books close and the audit is completed. Council members asked about delayed capital projects, plunge donations, utility-user tax revenue and the financial-system rollout, then agreed by consensus to receive and file the report.

• General fund revenue totaled $98.3 million, or 96% of budget, and was expected to approach $100 million after closing entries.
• General fund expenditures totaled $101.7 million, or 96% of the $106.2 million budget.
• Capital spending was under budget by $15.3 million in the general fund CIP, $2.8 million in the water fund and $2.6 million in the wastewater fund; unspent project funding rolled forward.
• The city had received $1 million of an expected $2.3 million in plunge donations, with the remaining $1.3 million expected over four years.

Item 10 · 2:14:22–2:17:16

Fiscal Year 2026-27 Adopted Budget Adjustment for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Continuing Appropriations and Year-End Budget Clean-Up

The council reviewed three fiscal adjustments: carrying forward unfinished purchase-order appropriations, reducing the capital improvement program budget, and allocating Prop A funds for shuttle services. It approved all three adjustments on a 5-0 vote.

• Continued purchase-order appropriations total $2,855,512.59.
• The capital improvement program budget was reduced by $1.23 million.
• The council allocated $65,000 in Prop A local return funds to Recreation and Parks shuttle services.

Item 11 · 2:17:16–2:44:41

Major Events Committee Update

Staff reviewed the Major Events Committee’s work on World Cup activities and Olympic-related facility rentals, and asked whether the committee should be redefined or temporarily suspended. The council received and filed the report by consensus, then voted 5-0 to recess the committee so it can be reactivated if needed.

• The committee had met monthly or as needed for about a year.
• The World Cup match viewing party drew an estimated 200 to 300 attendees.
• Four Olympic teams have aquatics facility contracts for 2028: France, Great Britain, the United States and Australia.
• The four Olympic contracts total $95,840 in revenue; discussions are also underway with German, Turkish and Spanish federations.

2:44:41–2:55:00

Reports - council members

Council members reported on the 9/11 remembrance ceremony, business openings, economic-development meetings and upcoming regional activities. The mayor asked staff to examine traffic at Utah Avenue and Douglas Street and improve public messaging during major police incidents, while city updates covered Scattergood noise, Hyperion operations and hydrogen sulfide alerts near Chevron.

• California Bank and Trust planned a ribbon cutting at 909 North Pacific Coast Highway.
• A traffic study was requested for Utah Avenue and Douglas Street after reports of congestion and near misses.
• AQMD received 14 Hyperion odor complaints since the previous council meeting and issued no notices of violation.
• The next Hyperion community forum was scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.