A framework for a potential agreement has been reached between the city and county of Los Angeles that would continue lifeguard services at city beaches — particularly outer Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro.
County lifeguards have provided free services at outer Cabrillo Beach since 1975, with the inner beach overseen by city lifeguards. But recently, there had been uncertainty over whether that relationship would continue, with the county citing budget concerns.
“Last year,” Supervisor Janice Hahn said this week, “the county gave the city of Los Angeles notice that they would need to end the agreement and negotiate a new agreement where some of the costs (would be shared).”
The total annual cost of lifeguard services at Cabrillo Beach is about $4.5 million, said Hahn, whose Fourth District includes San Pedro. (Including Venice and other city beaches for which the county provides lifeguard services, the total costs are about $8.7 million, according to an October letter that county CEO Fesia Davenport sent to Jimmy Kim, general manager of the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks.) During the city’s budget season, word came that county lifeguard services would soon go away, 15th District Councilmember Tim McOsker said this week — and the two sides have been negotiating ever since.
A September deadline for coming to an agreement looms.
After sending letters back and forth for months, county and city officials — including Hahn, McOsker, county fire Chief Tony Marrone and other city officials — met on Monday, June 29, and came up with the framework for a possible agreement.
Details on the framework were relatively light this week, since negotiating is still ongoing. But ultimately, Hahn said, the cost-sharing would be phased in, with the city, which is dealing with its own budget issues, eventually paying about $1.05 million to have the county continue providing lifeguard services at outer Cabrillo.
“I want to thank Supervisor Janice Hahn for bringing all of the parties together to ensure there is no disruption in lifeguard services at Outer Cabrillo Beach,” McOsker said in a Thursday, July 2, written statement. “It was a very productive meeting, and I appreciate her leadership in helping move these discussions forward.
“Together, we worked on a mutually beneficial proposal that shows real promise,” he added. “City staff is currently reviewing the supporting materials, and we will continue working closely with the county through this process to reach a final resolution shortly.
Until then, details will remain scant, the council member said. Once the final deal has been reached, the City Council and the county Board of Supervisors will both have to approve it.
Hahn, in a statement, thanked McOsker for his “willingness to find a cost-sharing arrangement that works for both the city of Los Angeles and the county.”
“My goal,” Hahn added, “is keeping L.A. County lifeguards at Cabrillo Beach.”