HBNA candidate forum format and outline of time constraints:

Location:                    Hermosa Beach City Council Chambers

                                    1315 Valley Drive

                                    Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Date and Time:          May 25, 2006 

                                    Candidates need to arrive by 6:45 p.m.

HBNA Candidate Forum Schedule and Outline of Debate Topics

I - 6:45 p.m.                

Alan Benson will meet with the candidates to go over the debate format, draw lots for the seat assignments and answer any questions. 

The order when each candidate will be asked questions will follow the seat assignment.  The number 1 candidate seat will be the seat on the south end of the dais.  Seats 2, 3, and 4 will be to the north of the number 1 candidate seat.

The candidates’ opening statements will start with seat number 1, then seat 2, then seat 3, and then seat 4.

The debate questions will continue to follow with seat 1 going first, then seat 2, then seat 3 and then seat 4 for the entire candidate forum, concluding with the closing statements.

II - 7 p.m.                    

Start of Candidate Forum

Alan Benson will open the candidate forum, introduce each candidate and go over the debate format.

III - 7:10 p.m.              

Candidates’ Opening Statements

Each candidate will introduce themselves, state their occupation, and then read or speak the body of their official candidate statement that will appear on the June 6, 2006 election ballot. 

When each candidate has completed their official candidate statement, they will have 3 minutes to talk about their vision for Hermosa Beach regarding the 3 debate topics for tonight’s candidate forum.  The debate topics are:

1.  Public Safety in Hermosa Beach

2.  Quality of Life Issues in Hermosa Beach

3.  The Future of Residential and Commercial Development in Hermosa Beach

Each candidate should mention each debate topic with at least one sentence somewhere in the 3 minutes. 

Each candidate can talk as much as they want about any of the 3 debate topics for the 3 minute time period. 

The 3 minutes starts after the each candidate’s reading of the official candidate statement.

Each candidate can talk about the debate topics in any order and spend more time on any of the 3 topics.  But include at least one sentence for each of the 3 debate topics for the 3 minute opening statement.

When your 3 minute response reaches 2 minutes 40 seconds you will be shown a 20 seconds left sign.  When your response reaches 2 minutes 50 seconds you will be shown a 10 seconds left sign.  You will be asked to stop at 3 minutes.

IV - 7:20 p.m.             

Debate Topic 1.  Public Safety in Hermosa Beach

Each candidate will be asked questions regarding their HBPD ride-along, HBPD Crime Statistics, the experience on Pier Plaza with the HBPD officers from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

In a 2004 report to the Hermosa Beach City Council, HBPD Chief Lavin stated that there is, “an ever-increasing level of violence in the downtown.”  At that time, the HBPD also stated that it has had problems with bars and restaurants in regards to: over-serving of alcohol, over-crowding and underage drinking in the Hermosa Beach downtown and Pier Plaza. 

Using what you have learned and your recent contacts with the HBPD, you are being asked the following questions regarding the Hermosa Beach downtown and Pier Plaza.

Use about 100 words for less to answer each of the following 6 questions. 

Submit written answers the following questions to hbna@adelphia.net by May 23, 2006.

1.  What are the top three problems for the HBPD in the downtown and Pier Plaza?  Has there been any permanent solution to the, over-serving, over-crowding and underage drinking?  How big of a factor is the sales and service of alcohol regarding the HBPD operations on Pier Plaza?

2.  Using 2004 as a benchmark, assume the future numbers of the same groups of intoxicated young adults does not change in the Hermosa Beach downtown and Pier Plaza.  Also assume, the numbers of all alcohol outlets; bars and restaurants has not changed.  And also assume the way all alcohol outlets operate, has not and will not change.   Will the problems the HBPD has with downtown Pier Plaza stay about the same?  What would you change?

3.  What would be the effect on HBPD operations by; adding more alcohol outlets, or by upgrading existing alcohol outlets, by extending hours, upgrade ABC license to serve hard liquor, increase seating capacity, adding a live entertainment or adding dance floors?

4.  Would reducing the number alcohol outlets by attrition be helpful to HBPD operations?  Such as, when an alcohol outlet is closed, the new Conditional Use Permit for the location would not make it practical to open again, as a new alcohol outlet.

5.  What would be the effect on HBPD operations, of stopping all alcohol sales and consumption at all ABC licensed locations at 12 midnight every night?  What about additional city fees/taxes or stronger CUP restrictions to limit alcohol sales and service at all ABC licensed locations after 12 midnight?

6. What plans would you want to implement regarding Public Safety in Hermosa Beach?

Submit written answers the above questions to hbna@adelphia.net by May 23, 2006. 

During this portion of the HBNA candidate forum you will be asked follow up questions to your written responses to the above Public Safety in Hermosa Beach questions.

Each debate topic in the candidate forum will have a format where numerous questions will be asked of each candidate.

The questions for each candidate will be specific and each question will relate to the written response the candidate provided to the above debate topic questions.

Be prepared to keep your verbal response to the candidate forum questions to about 20 to 30 seconds.

Your written responses to the above questions will give you a good starting point to keep your verbal answers in the 20 to 30 second range.

When your response reaches 20 seconds you will be shown a sign that 10 seconds are remaining.  At 30 seconds you will be asked to stop.

At the end of this debate topic you will be given 1 minute to outline their plans for Public Safety in Hermosa Beach.

When your response reaches 50 seconds you will be shown a sign that 10 seconds are remaining.  At 60 seconds you will be asked to stop.

V – 7:50 p.m.              

Debate Topic 2.  Quality of Life Issues in Hermosa Beach

Each candidate will be asked to rank from 1 to 10, in order of importance the following Quality of Life Issues in Hermosa Beach.

Use about 100 words to state your position on each of the following 10 Quality of Life Issues.

Submit written answers the following questions to hbna@adelphia.net by May 23, 2006.

Put the most important Quality of Life Issues at the top your list, with the ones of lesser below the first one.

What problems do you see and what solutions do you propose for each of the following Quality of Life Issue?

1.  Traffic Safety / Congestion

2.  Residential Parking Problems

3.  Neighborhood Crime Problems

4.  Pedestrian and Crosswalk Safety

5.  Downtown / Pier Plaza Crime Problems

6.  Commercial Growth / Development Plans

7.  Quality of Hermosa Beach Schools

8.  Candidate’s Option 1 – Pick the Quality of Life Issue You Want to Focus On.

9.   Candidate’s Option 2 – Pick the Quality of Life Issue You Want to Focus On.

10.  Candidate’s Option 3 – Pick the Quality of Life Issue You Want to Focus On.

            What plans would you implement regarding Quality of Life Issues in Hermosa Beach?

Submit written answers the above questions to hbna@adelphia.net by May 23, 2006.

During this portion of the HBNA candidate forum you will be asked follow up questions to your written responses to the above Quality of Life Issues in Hermosa Beach questions.

Each debate topic in the candidate forum will have a format where numerous questions will be asked of each candidate.

The questions for each candidate will be specific and each question will relate to the written response the candidate provided to the above debate topic questions.

Be prepared to keep your verbal response to the candidate forum questions to about 20 to 30 seconds.

When your response reaches 20 seconds you will be shown a sign that 10 seconds are remaining.  At 30 seconds you will be asked to stop.

At the end of this debate topic you will be given 1 minute to outline their plans for Quality of Life Issues in Hermosa Beach.

When your response reaches 50 seconds you will be shown a sign that 10 seconds are remaining.  At 60 seconds you will be asked to stop.

VI – 8:20 p.m.             

Debate Topic 3.  The Future of Residential and Commercial Development in Hermosa Beach

Use about 100 words for less to answer each of the following 6 questions. 

Submit written answers the following questions to hbna@adelphia.net by May 23, 2006.

What problems do you see and what solutions do you propose for the Future of Residential and Commercial Development in Hermosa Beach?

The City of Hermosa Beach currently allows, or has plans for, is considering, or is implementing the following:

1.  Current zoning or by granting a variance, the City of Hermosa Beach does allow the building of two or more single family townhouses on one residential lot.  Is this a good idea?

2.  The City of Hermosa Beach is planning on extending the Pier Plaza theme to Upper Pier Avenue with wider sidewalks for restaurants to add outdoor dining, traffic mediums with palm trees and removing two traffic lanes.  Is this a good idea?

3.  The City of Hermosa Beach is considering the construction of a 400 car multi-level parking garage at City Hall, and the construction of a new Police and Fire Public Safety building above the 400 car parking garage.  Is this a good idea?

4.  What kind of new businesses do you think will being added to Upper Pier Avenue?

5.  Currently Mixed Use projects in commercial zones allow for the demolition of single story commercial buildings, to be replaced with 30 foot tall buildings with condominiums or townhouses on top of the commercial building.  Is this a good idea?  Should all single story commercial buildings be allowed to rebuild as a Mixed Use project. 

6.  What plans would you want to implement regarding the Future of Residential and Commercial Development in Hermosa Beach?

Submit written answers the above questions to hbna@adelphia.net by May 23, 2006.

During this portion of the HBNA candidate forum you will be asked follow up questions to your written responses to the above, Future of Residential and Commercial Development in Hermosa Beach questions.

Each debate topic in the candidate forum will have a format where numerous questions will be asked of each candidate.

The questions for each candidate will be specific and each question will relate to the written response the candidate provided to the above debate topic questions.

Be prepared to keep your verbal response to the candidate forum questions to about 20 to 30 seconds.

When your response reaches 20 seconds you will be shown a sign that 10 seconds are remaining.  At 30 seconds you will be asked to stop.

At the end of this debate topic you will be given 1 minute to outline their plans for the Future of Residential and Commercial Development in Hermosa Beach.

When your response reaches 50 seconds you will be shown a sign that 10 seconds are remaining.  At 60 seconds you will be asked to stop.

VIII – 8:40 p.m.           

Candidates’ Closing Statements

Each candidate will be given 3 minutes describe the end results of what they want for Hermosa Beach.  What do you want to implement?  What exactly will be different if you are elected?

When your response reaches 2 minutes 40 seconds you will be shown a 20 seconds left sign.  When your response reaches 2 minutes 50 seconds you will be shown a 10 seconds left sign.  You will be asked to stop at 3 minutes.

IX – 9:00 p.m.            

HBNA Candidate Forum End Time – Thank you to the Hermosa Beach City Council Candidates.