[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6183596,"mediaKeyId","5096600-58bc8cb6d73c6c1501f7318d2f60e0cb","parentId",5096600,"title","Council approves reclassification of three public‑works roles after heated budget and staffing debate","audioSeconds",1508,"startMs",6822000,"endMs",8330000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5096600-58bc8cb6d73c6c1501f7318d2f60e0cb&start=6822&end=8330","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5096600-58bc8cb6d73c6c1501f7318d2f60e0cb/thumbnail_6822000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6183596/Seal-Beach/Orange-County/California/Council-approves-reclassification-of-three-publicworks-roles-after-heated-budget-and-staffing-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183596-de0db1810f469a5d122d26f870525a82/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169600&Signature=oRHZ-BaaqyF3MqnaWdoK6unDgpxHouUeaXyJwzUio7y2JMlytN8iGJxejwaQYQWaIaUYWKN9W7YOFZokcO71Zt0lr97a-5~ev5MSSE5S3N5HCWIdk4h48bLzvtKM5~5KPzfKtDtHUWHPBbt60~3XrZSU0T999ELS~BqJ43t7eEK3i1MRAxLQQPCscJoaKRV5ptntIZxaurx2x43dDaRHq0lsgFk4T~xy3q5vH-5ZTIVH9J6P4YqBhXttUySvMJa5ATr21ACLPQGMwwlIjR8Nvxl~qtRmAehG2pMR6l-X-ZW8QDNDIDe9Z6o1Zd6Vstf74~dqrOLizgCBe-0dal8D3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seal Beach Council, California","date","2025-06-29T12:26:57.583Z","article","The Seal Beach City Council on June 23 approved a reclassification of three public‑works positions after extended debate over staffing, budget offsets and operational continuity.

Public‑works Director Lee presented the proposal as \"the reclassification for 3 public works position[s],\" saying the changes reflect expanded duties after an earlier vacancy redistributed responsibilities for beach operations, buildings and facilities, streets, sewer and storm drain. The proposed reclassifications would not increase the city’s full‑time equivalents and staff said the fiscal 2025–26 budget already anticipates a net decrease of one FTE.

The council debated whether the reclassifications merely formalized duties that employees have been performing in an acting capacity or whether the timing was premature given other fiscal pressures. \"A 5% acting pay is temporary in nature and not intended to be permanent,\" one council member said, arguing the permanent reclassification would be more appropriate. Another council member urged caution and asked whether filling previously vacated positions would be preferable.

Staff said the changes were funded in part by eliminating a vacant maintenance services supervisor position and that the reclassifications are intended to keep operational oversight in place for critical services. The cross‑connection control specialist reclassification was described as required by a new state mandate for certified cross‑connection/backflow testing and compliance; staff said the city preferred reclassifying an existing, certified operator rather than hiring a new full‑time employee or contractor.

After discussion, the council voted to adopt the reclassifications and new job descriptions and pay grades as presented (motion carried 4–1). The lone dissenting vote came from a council member who said the city should not finalize promotions during a period of water‑and‑sewer rate deliberations and other financial pressures. City staff said the positions will receive the negotiated 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment consistent with the city’s labor agreements and that the cross‑connection role will require AWWA certifications.

Council directed staff to implement the reclassifications, update classification descriptions and reflect the changes in payroll and budgeting processes. The action does not create additional FTEs, staff said.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - June 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Seal Beach City Council on June 23 approved a reclassification of three public‑works positions after extended debate over staffing, budget offsets and operational continuity.","taxTitle","Seal Beach, Orange County, California","taxId",72161,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183601,"Council debates short‑term rental restrictions near schools; decides on monitoring and enforcement review",209,3187000,3396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5096600-58bc8cb6d73c6c1501f7318d2f60e0cb&start=3187&end=3396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5096600-58bc8cb6d73c6c1501f7318d2f60e0cb/thumbnail_3187000.jpg","/articles/6183601/Seal-Beach/Orange-County/California/Council-debates-shortterm-rental-restrictions-near-schools-decides-on-monitoring-and-enforcement-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183601-53b168569a95f10dcbdcc11e599596bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169600&Signature=Bq60aX2vvF2~zNaIXw7TfIUfmCqACoPARQxy9AO0kvPI3p7YKr56eX-sBDgs1m9NmPfThng9pzmUK2PYZBxd504q5~bDYT6PTqgdTJo8aJ5jhJ5txSZGEnQPQfmpfhDW858LaTkzKbGuaiRfGmE1fiyKlkuP0xcrE82ShtJ0DYJYsGij~dKev8YjUyQxZ~duTgIfo0URad~juJgUrFxnUAVOPqVPhO~UoNNOZqi~-gKs-YNtO30Ds~UEI116s7lkYNYviv6712IvUSONDDy65z6gR5DHdeV0iV4sAt6ADgyEyJ~vUS2PNLi0~DC0BnPQ8rgFooEtyFt~SytaQMPrFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seal Beach council members on June 23 debated whether to ban short‑term rentals (STRs) near schools after residents raised concerns about an STR advertised near McGaw School. The city did not adopt a new ban and instead directed staff to monitor complaints and enforcement for three months and return to council with a report.

Staff presented results of a review that found no coastal coastal‑zone cities with school setbacks comparable to the example list the community provided; staff noted the city’s existing prohibition on STRs applies outside the coastal zone but the California Coastal Commission limits local authority within the coastal zone. Councilman Cynical (as identified in the transcript) asked for a three‑month monitoring period to assess complaints and outreach effectiveness; the body agreed to a September report.

An attorney who identified himself as a local resident and the retained counsel for a property owner said he \"found no empirical data\" linking STR proximity to schools with predatory crime and cautioned that the Coastal Commission has historically restricted local limits on STRs in the coastal zone. He also said the listing at issue had been removed \"almost immediately the next day after that initial meeting.\" The city confirmed the listing was removed.

Council debate centered on enforcement of existing ordinance versus creating a new zoning buffer. Several council members urged caution because an STR ban in the coastal zone could trigger mandatory review by the Coastal Commission and face legal challenges. One council member summarized the outcome: continue enforcement efforts, track calls for service and complaints, and report back in three months with findings and recommendations.

City police reported four calls for service related to the property in question, described as low‑level noise complaints and largely from a single reporting party. Staff said the city has 44 licensed STRs in the coastal zone and that unlicensed listings do appear occasionally; staff continues to work with platforms to remove unpermitted listings.

No ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; the council asked staff to continue enforcement and monitoring and return with a report in September.","Council members discussed a proposed buffer to ban short‑term rentals near schools after public concerns about a property listed near McGaw School; staff reported that state coastal jurisdiction limits the city's ability to add coastal‑zone bans, and the council asked police and staff to monitor complaints and report back in three months.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183606,"Seal Beach and OCFA stress drowning prevention after lifeguards, volunteers revive man at youth baseball game",1191,2345000,3536000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5096600-58bc8cb6d73c6c1501f7318d2f60e0cb&start=2345&end=3536","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5096600-58bc8cb6d73c6c1501f7318d2f60e0cb/thumbnail_2345000.jpg","/articles/6183606/Seal-Beach/Orange-County/California/Seal-Beach-and-OCFA-stress-drowning-prevention-after-lifeguards-volunteers-revive-man-at-youth-baseball-game","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183606-7d34a198d531490ceb0e08e403ffa608/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169600&Signature=lLglVxFMoqTUTWVIfi1VpmBNlXvOxJgysUBKz5QME0TAgif1x-RXJkZ202O-7oCYPG7C5ceBTdSG9CYR2Sd8gDxHbo7Uyr1pvfGAKQvzQMZaxxNyK-0tJzDPdRHu4PBbMeJERWEPcoZE9tFzDXb4U-mqvvsmPaXRXdbXi5GaVGSWngyiRqIKJ71qCHTKPpjdWlv1MgxV492c0RLWqpU-ulKpx6ExkUFbaIql-rRDV5aLttI0kLi3GY1eGSeD1jlELDfH~KJYqaD1AT4QqftvXsQZeYJYyqLwVnXUJO3l5c~BUTVBQ0zs5eOkLFhFexTZqjHpeIZVVfV5N35ye8Em9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City and county public‑safety officials on June 23 emphasized drowning prevention and training after presenters described regional drowning statistics and a recent local cardiac arrest that nearby lifeguards and bystanders helped reverse.

Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief (name given as) said nine drownings had already occurred in 2025 and noted the statewide scale of the problem. \"The key to that whole thing is it's preventable,\" he told the council during a presentation marking Drowning Prevention Month. He urged the ABCs of drowning prevention: active adult supervision, barriers and classes — particularly swim lessons.

During public comment, Eric Doshbock, a board member of Seal Beach Pony Baseball, described a heart‑attack incident at a tournament where lifeguards arriving from a nearby pool used an AED and administered three shocks before medics arrived. \"They were able to get 3 shocks in before the medics got there,\" Doshbock said; he added the patient was later stabilized and expected to survive. City and county chiefs confirmed the quick response and praised the lifeguards and bystanders.

Chiefs from the Orange County Fire Authority and Seal Beach lifeguard command credited recent investments in AEDs and training. \"Having people willing that are trained, having AEDs nearby ... that gym that I was at now has an AED in it,\" an OCFA chief said, summarizing the chain of survival. Council members agreed to fund an AED for the Pony Baseball snack shack; one council member said colleagues would split the cost so an AED could be purchased and delivered promptly.

Officials reiterated practical steps for families: teach children to swim, swim near lifeguards, adopt constant water‑watcher supervision (no phones or other distractions), use appropriate pool barriers and drain covers, and secure small pets. The city said OCFA and the Seal Beach lifeguards offer community training that the public can access, and staff circulated water‑watcher tags and other outreach materials.

The council directed staff and members to coordinate with Pony Baseball to get an AED in place quickly; the conversation included an offer by council members to help fund the device for the snack shack. No formal council vote was required for the outreach steps.

The city and OCFA urged residents to treat drownings as largely preventable and to prioritize supervision and training during the summer.","Orange County Fire Authority and Seal Beach officials used presentations and a recent near-fatal rescue to urge swim lessons, constant supervision and barrier use; a lifeguard‑delivered AED shock helped revive a coach, prompting council members to fund an AED for the Pony Baseball snack shack.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183611,"Seal Beach officials outline updated coyote management plan, urge resident hazing and attractant removal",1527,388000,1915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5096600-58bc8cb6d73c6c1501f7318d2f60e0cb&start=388&end=1915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5096600-58bc8cb6d73c6c1501f7318d2f60e0cb/thumbnail_388000.jpg","/articles/6183611/Seal-Beach/Orange-County/California/Seal-Beach-officials-outline-updated-coyote-management-plan-urge-resident-hazing-and-attractant-removal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183611-98adacefb77b7b8dab1fb887a99e67d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169600&Signature=MwiN-1fHtteJXGtFZ3ln-~kOCzDePJl3QVZt~gAokvGx1Ec-e8~MNlyiLRsfNvk6BICvwH93IsvCvVF3CiLZ-Zvge2fFVpwaNk5G-NWSqf2pKezTvxFlBHDHbJOJWxhk72aCJVarAAmUtcaRW7-phtf~EjvEUuIvuu5ua5BWkeP0LnqJzqH6BbzdvJxZuQnD0OdUaSiKBq6P~qIDuZc6LYted0T4WUElP7emhJWtNIo8gnJYRCWKu~SqrP30bv2wu~LhGhRVmD6QAl1L5hum7tXKk-QaksenB34z9mr9iZQd-pWOWZn~69ouls-NWQeqpUQcNALyKoeH5ZCL6ZSCOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seal Beach officials on June 23 said the city will update its Coyote Management Plan and emphasized resident education, targeted removal of aggressive animals and removal of attractants after a presentation by a Cal State Long Beach researcher and Seal Beach police staff.

Dr. Stankiewicz, a professor who directs the mammal lab at California State University, Long Beach, told the council coyotes have become common in urban areas and that \"urban coyotes may show reduced fear of humans\" when food and other attractants are available. He said typical urban densities are 0.5 to 2.5 coyotes per square mile and estimated Seal Beach could have \"30 to 40 animals in the area,\" noting coyotes cross city boundaries.

Captain Nick Nicholas of the Seal Beach Police Department summarized how the city will apply the science. \"Our current Coyote Management Plan was first adopted in 2015 and is being refined this spring with the assistance of Dr. Stankiewicz,\" he said. Nicholas described a three-pronged approach of education, enforcement of no-feeding laws and a tiered response that escalates only when coyote behavior becomes aggressive. He highlighted the city's new reporting portal and mobile app for residents to pin sightings so staff can map hotspots and look for den sites.

Dr. Stankiewicz recommended a mix of strategies: passive wildlife monitoring with trail cameras, targeted removal of hyper‑aggressive problem animals and community-wide hazing to re-establish fear of people. \"Negative reinforcement, encouraging hazing of all coyotes to reinstate fear, not just the aggressive ones,\" he said, adding that removing only dominant aggressive individuals can shift the population toward less bold behavior. He cautioned that widespread lethal removal without targeting problem animals often fails because vacant territory is quickly reoccupied.

City staff said the updated plan will include outreach materials, yard-audit offers to identify attractants, and training for humane hazing techniques validated by the professor's lab. The police captain reminded residents that California Fish and Wildlife regulations restrict relocation of coyotes without state approval and reiterated that for life‑threatening attacks residents should call 911.

No council vote was required; staff said an updated plan will be published in the coming weeks and the reporting portal (sealbeachca.com/coyote) remains active for non‑emergent reporting.

The presentation included data caveats: Dr. Stankiewicz said there has been no formal coyote population study in Seal Beach and his density estimate was an extrapolation from typical urban densities and city geography.

City staff and the researcher encouraged residents to remove attractants, keep small pets indoors or secured and to report aggressive interactions through the portal so officers can prioritize response and, when necessary, seek state approval for removal of specific problem animals.","City presenters and a Cal State Long Beach mammal lab director told the City Council that targeted removal of aggressive coyotes, resident hazing, and removing food attractants are the best tools to reduce human–coyote conflicts; the city said it will update its 2015 Coyote Management Plan and expand outreach and reporting tools.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6183591,"Seal Beach council appoints interim city manager as permanent city manager, approves salary amendment 4–1",507,9099000,9606000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5096600-58bc8cb6d73c6c1501f7318d2f60e0cb&start=9099&end=9606","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5096600-58bc8cb6d73c6c1501f7318d2f60e0cb/thumbnail_9099000.jpg","/articles/6183591/Seal-Beach/Orange-County/California/Seal-Beach-council-appoints-interim-city-manager-as-permanent-city-manager-approves-salary-amendment-41","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183591-31f77f4b02560c039413ec6b397e0727/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169600&Signature=GNtz72q0Gy3lGJ240jji~9Lr0GN3ttLNZURvdkHDDD8f~OBB5hZkGHKv7DF~HypQuMZIAHTjcHW4i-~aQaNU1Z0iecD~IAjpqQj2qSrHDylauUkAVMnp6A4n-5aXWO~SUBW59~BlhwiG0~5dINqDGxFZ30glPp0v8IVQ1oeUARGumKm07wUt7JuPYm5-hMSUt2KozdHHESHgDLB14HvDWina~zOOc0VwRAROSpGXE0PTMbzGwrOu07AOFxxNQIuFmjpePtUXd1ivQLiZvovZn6-vfiHmflk8awAdS~gWsffZZFnlR3BMVGUog87xqVPbaKloySo-rAq~fy0sTg0XwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seal Beach City Council on June 23 approved an amendment making Interim City Manager Patrick Gallegos the permanent city manager and adjusted his base salary; the council vote was 4–1.

City attorney (presenting summary) said the amendment changes the annual base salary from the interim figure to a flat $270,000 per year (an increase of roughly $3,000 in base pay compared with the interim contract's full‑time equivalent base) and requires a council‑conducted performance evaluation every January. The attorney described other terms of the employment agreement as unchanged.

Interim City Manager Gallegos told the council he had worked in Seal Beach for 13 years and pledged to \"always work hard, and I will always listen.\" Several council members publicly expressed support, saying his local knowledge and continuity were assets; one council member said the contract terms still included lower PERS and other executive costs compared with previous city manager contracts.

One council member voted no, saying the presentation did not show the fully burdened compensation package in the staff report and that contract terms should be consolidated into a single, restated document for clarity on total cost. The city attorney noted the council had the required oral summary under the Brown Act before the closed‑session hiring action and that other contract provisions remain unchanged.

The council approved the amendment by roll call (4‑yes, 1‑no). The city finance director said the fully burdened increase is \"just under $4,000.\" The action formalizes Gallegos' appointment; staff said other benefits and allowances in his agreement remain as previously negotiated and that the city will prepare a consolidated contract draft in the future if council requests it.

Gallegos thanked the council and said he would continue to prioritize listening and incremental improvements; the meeting adjourned after the vote.","The council voted 4–1 to amend and confirm an employment agreement appointing interim City Manager Patrick Gallegos as permanent city manager with a modest salary increase and annual January performance evaluations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves reclassification of three public‑works roles after heated budget and staffing debate

Council debates short‑term rental restrictions near schools; decides on monitoring and enforcement review

Seal Beach and OCFA stress drowning prevention after lifeguards, volunteers revive man at youth baseball game

Seal Beach officials outline updated coyote management plan, urge resident hazing and attractant removal

Seal Beach council appoints interim city manager as permanent city manager, approves salary amendment 4–1