City Of Lomita E-Newsletter - January 13, 2023

On March 15, 2022 the City Council approved a resolution extending the City's existing emergency measures until further notice to correspond with the State and County reopening guidelines. These emergency measures can be changed at any time to coincide with further revisions to the State or Los Angeles County Health Officer's Order. 

Visit the City of Lomita's standalone website dedicated to COVID19 https://lomitacoronavirus.info/ to stay up to date on Lomita programs and services.

Districting Changes Coming to Lomita
The City of Lomita is considering the transition to district-based elections, and it's not too late to get involved. The city has announced dates for the remainder of the process of considering districts, and residents now have even more time to draw and submit draft maps with an updated submission deadline of February 28th.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming deadlines and meetings:

- February 28, 2013 - Deadline to submit maps at third hearing

- March 18, 2023 - Community Workshop

- March 21, 2023 - Third public hearing

- April 4, 2023 - Final deadline to submit maps

- April 18, 2023 - Fourth public hearing to select map

- May 2, 2023 - Second reading of ordinance

To stay up to date on meeting dates and materials, click here.

For more information on how to draw and submit your own map, visit https://lomitacity.com/Districting/.

Attention Shutterbugs! 
SBCCOG Seeks Photos of South Bay Landmarks

The SBCCOG is once again in search of your best photographs that showcase what is unique and beautiful about the South Bay and where you find beauty in your community. The SBCCOG’s second annual photo contest is an opportunity for the community to show off their best images.

Last year the SBCCOG received so many stunning coastal shots, making it clear why the community loves the South Bay. This year the contest is inviting your most creative and artistic shots of your city's local landmarks. We want to know what you and others see that instantly reveals it’s your city? Is it a statue, an historic building, a refinery, or a water tower? There is no wrong answer, it’s what speaks to you. 

All photos should reflect places located in the following locations of the South Bay. The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. on February 10, 2023. Click here to enter and learn more.

Now Accepting Applications for Planning Commission

The City of Lomita is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on its Planning Commission with a term ending in June 2023.
Lomita residents who are both 18 and older and registered to vote are encouraged to apply. The Planning Commission consists of seven members appointed by the City Council. The Planning Division serves as staff to the Commission and prepares staff reports and analysis regarding various development applications that require Commission review. The duties and responsibilities of the Planning Commission are governed by State Law and Lomita Municipal Code Section 2, Title I. Meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend a Planning Commission meeting.
Applications and a summary of duties for each commission are available on our website or by contacting the City Clerk's Office at 310-325-7110.

Street Sweeping Services During the Rainy Season

With more wind and rain expected this season, it means more leaves and extra debris on our city streets. For this reason, you can expect to see the street sweeper and parking enforcement at work.
In the event of heavy rain and the streets becoming too wet, the sweepers cannot remove debris, and street sweeping services and related enforcement may be canceled. In such cases, please check our website or social media for rainy day information.

It is always advised to move your vehicle in accordance with the posted 2-hour window indicating the street sweeping parking restriction to ensure you do not receive a parking ticket and get the cleanest possible sweep of your street. This will allow the sweeper to clean the streets, keep trash out of the ocean, and prevent localized flooding due to blocked storm drains. Keep in mind that the sweeper must sometimes travel slower and make multiple passes to effectively do their job.

As a reminder, don't blow yard trimmings in the street, which could hide rocks or other items that pose a safety hazard and can clog up the sweeper's operating system. The Lomita Municipal Code prohibits sweeping litter and other types of discharge into the street and could result hefty fines.

Reporting Abandoned Vehicles
Parking regulations exists because parking is at such a premium. State law authorizes the towing of vehicles parked on a public street that are inoperable, that may have been abandoned, and for managing the storage of vehicles on public streets.

Generally, enforcement of this law is complaint based, however enforcement officers cannot simply tow a vehicle once a complaint is filed. They must inspect and observe the vehicle over a 72-hour period to determine that the vehicle has not been moved. After at least 72 hours have elapsed from the time of inspection and observation, the vehicle may be impounded. 

As a reminder, the street is public property and homeowners do not have the right to limit who can park in front of their homes. Our goal is not to ticket or inconvenience, but balancing the needs of the community and ensuring everyone has equal access to parking to the best of our ability. 

Contact Lomita Parking Enforcement at [email protected] or Lomita Sheriff Station at (310) 539-1661 for assistance. If reporting an abandoned vehicle, please provide the location and description of the vehicle (including license plate number, if available).

Due to forecasted rain, the Lomita Farmers Market will be closed January 15, 2023.
We apologize for the inconvenience but hope to see you at the market soon!

Visit the Lomita Farmers Market page to view a list of upcoming events and entertainment at the market!

City of Lomita Job Openings
The City is currently recruiting for the following positions:

- Payroll Specialist 

- Recreation Leader - Part Time (Parks and Rec)

- Recreation Leader - Part Time (Train Museum)

The job announcements and details on how to apply can be found on the City's website, Careers Page.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

City facilities are open to the public with safety measures in place. Pursuant to AB 361 the public and City Council may participate in these meetings via teleconference as social distancing measures are recommended by State and County officials. 

- Monday, January 16: City Hall closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday

- Tuesday, January 17 at 6pm: City Council Meeting

- Wednesday, January 18 at 6pm: Public Safety and Traffic Commission Meeting

- Friday, January 20: Regularly scheduled City Hall closure

- Tuesday, January 24 at 3:30pm: Cypress Water Production Facility Tour

- Tuesday, January 24 at 6pm: Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

- Saturday, January 28: Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Event

- Friday, February 3: Regularly scheduled City Hall closure

- Tuesday, February 7 at 6:00pm: City Council Meeting

- Monday, February 13 at 6pm: Planning Commissioner Meeting

- Friday, February 17: Regularly scheduled City Hall closure

- Monday, February 20: City Hall closed for Presidents Day holiday

- Tuesday, February 21 at 6:00pm: City Council Meeting

- Wednesday, February 22 at 3:30pm: Cypress Water Production Facility Tour

- Tuesday, February 28: Deadline to submit districting maps