To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JANE CHUNG, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
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APPROVE A MODIFICATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL MOTION RELOCATING A CROSSING GUARD TO FORD AVENUE AND ARTESIA BOULEVARD BEGINNING APRIL 13, 2026
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On March 17, 2026, the City Council directed staff to relocate the crossing guard assigned to the Harkness Lane and Carlson Lane intersection to the Ford Avenue and Artesia Boulevard intersection, as a pilot program for the remainder of the school year. Following the meeting, staff communicated the proposed relocation with Redondo Beach Unified School District officials, received input from the on-site school principal, and met with the City’s Crossing Guard Subcommittee. Based on discussions with these stakeholders, staff recommends relocating the crossing guard assigned to the Flagler Lane and Morgan Lane intersection, to Ford Avenue and Aviation Boulevard, rather than the guard assigned to Harkness and Carlson. The relocation would take effect on April 13, 2026.
BACKGROUND
As part of the FY 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Report, staff provided a report on the status of the City’s Crossing Guard Program. The City’s budget includes funding for 27 crossing‑guard locations, of which 22 are staffed by City‑employed crossing guards, while the remaining five locations are staffed through contract services provided by All City Management Services, Inc.
Although the City currently employs 24 crossing guards, five serve exclusively as alternates and therefore cannot be assigned to a consistent post. As a result, the City has experienced ongoing challenges in fully staffing all 22 locations. From August 2025 to March 2026, approximately 500 crossing‑guard vacancies occurred. These vacancies are typically filled by Municipal Services Officers, diverting them from their primary responsibilities, including parking enforcement and street‑sweeping support. In addition to hiring difficulties, the City also faces challenges with its contracted crossing guard services. Contract rates have increased each year, with each contracted location costing the City roughly $8,000 more per site. These rising costs, combined with disputed contract terms, have further complicated the City’s ability to rely on contracted staffing.
The Mid-Year Budget report also included an assessment of each crossing guard location and identified which locations met the thresholds for recommending an adult professional crossing guard. Twelve locations did not meet these thresholds, which included the intersections of Harkness Lane and Carlson Lane, and Flagler Lane and Morgan Lane. At the conclusion of the City Council mid-year budget discussion a motion was made to relocate the crossing guard assigned to Harkness Lane and Carlson Lane to Ford Avenue and Artesia Boulevard, effective April 13, 2026. Based on follow-up stakeholder input and the quantitative assessment conducted by the School Crossing Guard Subcommittee, staff recommends modifying the previously approved relocation and to instead relocate the crossing guard currently assigned to Flagler Lane and Morgan Lane to Ford Avenue and Aviation Boulevard.
Moreover, it should be noted, the City is undertaking a broader review of the crossing‑guard program. The City is navigating limited staffing resources, recruitment challenges, rising contract costs, and overall budget constraints. To ensure the City’s limited resources are allocated effectively and equitably, staff is using a more quantitative, data‑driven approach for determining future crossing‑guard placements. As this evaluation continues, additional adjustments are anticipated as part of the FY 2026-27 Budget Development process, that would take effect with the start of the 2026-27 School Year.
COORDINATION
The City Manager’s Office communicated with the Redondo Beach Unified School District and received input from the on-site principal regarding the modified recommendation.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager