Hermosa Beach City Council voted to raise on-street parking meter rates across the city after a lengthy debate on Tuesday night.

Council members approved the staff-recommended increase — a $1 per-hour across-the-board raise for the meter categories under consideration — after a subcommittee recommendation and public comment. The motion passed with two votes against it: Council member Keegan and Council member Francois.

Supporters said higher meter rates are one of a limited set of revenue sources available to the city as it faces long-term fiscal pressure and that updating rates brings Hermosa into alignment with nearby beach cities. Opponents pressed for a smaller, 50-cent increase, warned of harm to small businesses and residents, and urged the city to pursue other revenue or enforcement options first.

Council member Francois said he would vote against the motion and asked for a smaller increase: “I’ll be voting against the motion. I’m hoping we could bring it down to a 50¢ increase,” he told colleagues during the deliberation.

After public comment and additional council discussion about meter hours, demand-based pricing and enforcement, the council adopted the increase. The motion was seconded by Council member Jackson and was approved by majority vote.

The council directed staff to continue work on demand-responsive pricing and to return with implementation steps and updated equipment details. The exact effective date will be included in the final ordinance and subsequent staff reports.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Approve staff recommendation to increase parking meter rates by $1 across the board.
- Outcome: Approved (3–2)
- No votes: Council member Keegan, Council member Francois

Context: The city has seen public debate over parking permits, meter availability and revenue; council members cited comparisons with surrounding beach cities and the city’s fiscal outlook in support of the change.

What’s next: Staff will return with implementation details and timing for the new rates and with work on the demand-responsive pricing system previously discussed.