Council continues budget hearing after CIP presentation; Seaside Lagoon and Aviation Park pickleball rise as council priorities

Redondo Beach city staff presented the proposed FY 2026–27 budget and a revised five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), highlighted major projects and asked the City Council to confirm priority projects before the hearing continues to June 16.

Capital Projects Manager Jesse Reyes told the council the CIP has been reduced from 108 to 89 projects for the next year through consolidation and deauthorization; the total CIP including carryovers is roughly $199.4 million with the lion's share driven by Measure FP and restricted grant funds. Reyes highlighted near-term work on Seaside Lagoon (design and initial construction), Veterans Park historic library ADA upgrades, residential street rehabilitation, and the proposed Aviation Park pickleball facility, and described a move to ClearGov for more dynamic project tracking.

Council priorities and procurement plan

Councilmembers praised recent project delivery and pressed staff for clearer schedules and cost context. Several members identified top priorities: Mayor Light and others prioritized Wilderness Park work and Seaside Lagoon; Councilmembers Barrett and Oaji made Aviation Park pickleball a joint priority and asked staff to pursue site analysis, phased scope and a design-build procurement with an RFP anticipated in fall 2026 and potential award early 2027. Staff said geotechnical and survey work is underway and a park-architect team is supporting the RFP preparation.

Budget motions and next steps

Councilmembers Barrett and Oaji previewed a draft budget motion that would: adopt CIP decision packages as recommended (unless otherwise noted), pursue grant funding for specific projects, and reallocate limited discretionary funds to safety, bike/pedestrian and neighborhood improvements. They proposed modest additions to key items (lighting for the North Redondo Beach bike path, restriping high-use paths, farmers market barrier solutions, and additional funding toward Aviation Park pickleball), along with revenue measures such as municipal services officers for street-sweeping enforcement and modest towing-fee adjustments. Council moved to receive and file the budget response reports and continued the public hearing to June 16, 2026 to finalize motions and appropriations.

Why this matters

The CIP spending plan reflects multi-year carryovers, restricted funding, and limited discretionary flexibility. Council emphasis on Seaside Lagoon and a city-owned pickleball facility signals prioritization of waterfront amenities and active-transportation infrastructure while staff seeks clearer project schedules and dynamic public reporting to improve accountability.

Attribution note: Staff presentations, multiple council questions and public testimony on the Aviation Park pickleball project and other CIP items are recorded in the council meeting materials and transcript; the council continued the hearing for final action on June 16.