Hermosa Beach approves broker panel, pavement maintenance and environmental monitoring contracts

At the June 9 meeting Hermosa Beach council approved three procurement actions intended to improve financial operations and maintain public infrastructure.

City Treasurer Dave and staff presented a refreshed on-call broker-dealer pool made up of seven firms selected from a recent RFQ. Treasurer Dave said the expanded bench is intended to increase competition, improve pricing and provide the city with more market perspective when purchasing allowable short-term fixed-income securities. Council approved the panel by voice/roll call; staff emphasized there are no upfront fees and that trades will be executed under existing investment policies.

Public Works recommended award of a slurry-seal contract (CIP 107) to the lowest responsive bidder for approximately $222,000 plus a standard contingency to cover additional work — the bid package came in under the engineer’s estimate. The preventive maintenance project will crack‑seal and slurry roughly two miles of residential streets; staff said the work is scheduled to begin in July and finish in roughly 35 working days, with a tentative late‑August reopening window. Council approved the award and a 20% contingency.

Finally, staff recommended two five‑year on-call contracts (not‑to‑exceed $200,000 each) for environmental monitoring and testing services (asbestos, lead, mold) to allow construction work to proceed promptly when hazardous materials are encountered. Staff explained these contracts reduce the risk of project delays caused by unanticipated materials in older buildings. The council approved those agreements as well.

All three procurement actions were approved without dissent. Council asked staff to coordinate public notifications and resident coordination for the slurry‑seal work because cured slurry surfaces require vehicular access restrictions for several hours after placement.