by Dan Blackburn
Details of a costly agreement settling a lengthy court dispute remain shrouded by court order, but Hermosa Beach residents have learned their contribution to the battle against a Cypress Avenue fitness gym has cost them more than $1.25 million.
The city paid CrossFit Horsepower $950,000, authorized by the city council Tuesday; legal costs paid to City Attorney Michael Jenkins’ firm, Best, Best & Krieger, have so far added an additional $302,200 to taxpayers’ tab.
Some elements of the agreement appear in court documents obtained by Easy Reader, notably that all parties agreed to limiting public comment, and that no party would have to admit wrongdoing or improper action. The document showed that city officials “are pleased” by the outcome.
Hermosa taps out in match against CrossFit Horsepower
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by Daniel Blackburn
Hermosa Beach will be paying a cash settlement to owners of a now shuttered fitness gym following an agreement approved in closed session May 25 by the city council.
Notice of the currently-confidential agreement was filed in federal court on June 15.
The city’s amount to be paid to Jed Sanford and his business partner Dan Wells, who owned CrossFit Horsepower on Cypress Avenue, has not been disclosed, but should be known July 13 when it will appear on a check register as part of a city council meeting packet. City officials are currently negotiating the taxpayers’ share with its insurance carrier.
Plan to limit public input on hold
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An attempt by Hermosa Beach city officials to eliminate some written communications from residents from city council meeting agendas went down in flames Tuesday perhaps only temporarily following vigorous resident complaints.
The issue had been scheduled for discussion at this week’s meeting, but it was not included on the agenda. City Attorney Michael Jenkins explained at the meeting’s outset that the proposal was “staff driven” and simply an effort to make council agenda packages “a little more user-friendly.”
City Manager Suja Lowenthal unveiled her plan to limit “general written communications” not addressing “specific” agenda items near the end of the council’s Dec. 8 meeting.
CrossFit fight with council gets personal
SHARE Hermosa Beach Councilmember Michael Detoy, announced at Tuesday’s City Council Zoom meeting that he has tested positive for COVID-19. He said he feels fine, but will be quarantining. Detoy is a Riverside firefighter. He and his wife have a young child. Easy Reader file photo
Hermosa Beach Councilmember Michael Detoy, announced at Tuesday’s City Council Zoom meeting that he has tested positive for COVID-19. He said he feels fine, but will be quarantining. Detoy is a Riverside firefighter. He and his wife have a young child. Easy Reader file photo
CrossFit Horsepower gym co-owner Jed Sanford has alleged Mayor Justin Massey and Council Member Stacey Armato voted illegally to appeal a recent judicial ruling. That ruling invalidated the council’s September 2018 designation of the CrossFit Horsepower gym as a “public nuisance.” The ruling led to the gym’s closing.