El Segundo edition Issue #2 · June 18, 2026

El SegundoIntel

A $214.6 million budget, a major park rebuild, and a temporary new housing rule. About 5 minutes.

What Matters This Week

  • El Segundo adopted a $214.6 million budget for the year starting July 1, with police appropriations rising approximately 9.4%.
  • The city approved a $5.6 million rebuild of Recreation Park's Teen Center, Skate Park, and plaza.
  • A 45-day emergency ordinance now blocks approvals for multifamily projects over 10 units unless they include affordable housing.
  • Rock & Brews' outdoor expansion was approved, but its request to extend a parking payment deadline was denied.
  • Three transit contracts were renewed, while the charter-city decision moved to July.

Government & spending· $214.6M

El Segundo adopts $214.6 million budget as General Fund spending rises

City Council · June 2, 2026

El Segundo's spending plan for the year starting July 1 is now set. Total city appropriations for FY2026-27 come to $214,556,081. The General Fund — covering police, fire, parks, public works, and core city services — is $108,385,859, up from approximately $104.6 million the prior year.

Police spending accounts for a notable share of that increase. General Fund police appropriations are approximately $27.2 million, up about $2.3 million, or 9.4%. Staff has flagged a structural deficit projected for FY2027-28.

The budget passed 3-1, with one council member voting no and a fifth absent. Within minutes, a motion to reconsider failed 2-2. The budget stands and takes effect July 1.

Budget breakdown

Resolution No. 5601 was adopted June 2. The budget vote was 3-1; the same-night reconsideration vote failed 2-2.

El Segundo FY2026-27 budget summary
LineAmount
Total city appropriations$214,556,081
General Fund$108,385,859
General Fund, prior year~$104,600,000
Police appropriation~$27,200,000
Police increase~$2,300,000 (+9.4%)
Salaries and benefits, citywide~$67,900,000

Source: El Segundo City Council minutes and budget packet, June 2, 2026, Item B.9 (Resolution No. 5601).

Parks & projects· $5.6M

Recreation Park's Teen Center, Skate Park, and plaza are getting a $5.6 million rebuild

City Council · May 19, 2026

The council approved a $4.5 million construction contract for a full renovation of Recreation Park's Teen Center, Skate Park, multi-use courts, and surrounding plaza.

With construction management and contingency funds included, the total project cost is $5,644,891. It is fully funded within the existing FY2025-26 budget, requiring no additional appropriation.

The construction schedule and whether facilities will remain open during the work have not been confirmed in available official records.

Project costs and funding

Contractor: SS+K Construction, Inc. Construction manager: MIG, Inc. Funding comes from the CIP Fund and Measure W Fund.

Recreation Park project costs
ItemAmount
Construction contract$4,543,981
Construction contingency$900,000
Construction administration$150,910
Administration contingency$50,000
Total project cost$5,644,891

Source: El Segundo City Council minutes and packet, May 19, 2026, Item 15.

Housing

Emergency housing moratorium takes effect — the 45-day clock is running

City Council · June 16, 2026

El Segundo enacted its first emergency housing restriction. The urgency ordinance temporarily blocks new land-use approvals and permits for multifamily projects with more than 10 units unless they meet an affordability threshold.

The ordinance took effect June 16 and expires approximately July 31. Staff is studying a permanent inclusionary housing ordinance expected to return before the moratorium lapses.

Rules and exemptions
  • Projects must include at least 9% extreme-low-income, 13% very-low-income, or 17% lower-income units.
  • ADUs, disaster reconstruction, small additions, and complete applications filed before June 16 are exempt.
  • The temporary ordinance applies to new residential projects with more than 10 units.
Timeline and next steps
  • Effective date: June 16, 2026
  • Expiration: approximately July 31, 2026 (45-day emergency ordinance)
  • Permanent inclusionary-housing ordinance is under study
  • Expected to return before the moratorium expires
  • Council action: urgency ordinance adopted June 16

Source: El Segundo City Council packet and official meeting video, June 16, 2026, Item 9.

Downtown

Rock & Brews gets its outdoor expansion — but not a parking extension

Planning Commission · June 11, 2026

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a new aluminum truss structure at 139–147 Main Street and expand the restaurant's outdoor alcohol service area and live entertainment permit.

The commission denied the request to extend the parking in-lieu fee repayment term. The restaurant still owes $271,476.19 under existing agreements, due by 2033. Staff concluded that neither the city's program nor the property agreements allow an extension.

The applicant could appeal the parking denial to the City Council. Whether an appeal was filed has not been confirmed in available official records.

Approval details

Resolution No. 2977. Vote: unanimous.

Rock & Brews Planning Commission action
ItemStatus
Aluminum truss structure at 139–147 Main StreetApproved
Outdoor alcohol service area expansionApproved
Live entertainment permitApproved
Parking in-lieu fee repayment extensionDenied
Parking agreement history
  • 2009: Downtown parking in-lieu program established
  • 2012 and 2014: Property agreements executed
  • Amount owed: $271,476.19
  • Current repayment deadline: 2033
  • Extension requested and denied
  • Staff reasoning: neither the city's program nor the property agreements allow an extension
  • Appeal path: applicant may appeal to City Council
Sources and records
  • Resolution No. 2977 (approval and denial)
  • Official Planning Commission packet, June 11, 2026, Item B.2

Watch the official Planning Commission video →

Source: El Segundo Planning Commission packet and official meeting video, June 11, 2026, Item B.2.

Transportation

Transit contracts renewed — Dial-A-Ride grows as ridership rises

City Council · June 16, 2026

El Segundo renewed all three transit contracts. Beach Cities Transit Line 109 drew one dissenting vote after a council member questioned the lack of current ridership data.

Swoop received $79,000 for shuttles and day trips. Lyft received $175,000 for Dial-A-Ride and medical appointment rides. The Lyft contract increased from approximately $120,000 because ridership has been growing.

All three contracts use Proposition A transportation funding.

Transit contract breakdown
El Segundo transit contracts
ServiceAmountPurpose
Beach Cities Transit Line 109$69,152Regional fixed-route bus
Swoop$79,000Event shuttles and day trips
Lyft$175,000Dial-A-Ride and medical rides
Total$323,152Proposition A funded

Source: El Segundo City Council packet and official meeting video, June 16, 2026, Items 5 and 6.

November ballot

Charter city question heads to July — Town Hall first

City Council · June 16, 2026

The council did not take a ballot-placement vote on June 16. After extended discussion, the charter-city item was continued to July 7 by apparent consensus.

A public Town Hall is scheduled for June 24 at 6 p.m. If the council proceeds in July, the charter question could appear on the November 3 ballot alongside two council-seat races.

What a charter could change

El Segundo is a general-law city operating under a framework set largely by California law. A charter can provide more authority over certain municipal affairs, including some contracting and election rules.

State law would continue to govern matters considered statewide concerns.

Source: El Segundo City Council packet and official meeting video, June 16, 2026, Item 8.

Upcoming dates

Upcoming Dates

Sat, Jun 20 · 6:30 PM
Sunset Cinema (Vivo)
Sun, Jun 21 · 4:00 PM
Summer Concert in the Park: Upstream
Tue, Jun 23 · 5:00 PM
Board of Education Meeting
Wed, Jun 24 · 6:00 PM
Charter City Town Hall
Thu, Jun 25 · 12:00 PM
USA Watch Party / Gundo Comedy & BBQ Festival Kick Off
Thu, Jun 25 · 5:30 PM
Planning Commission Meeting
Tue, Jun 30 · 5:30 PM
Neighborhood Watch Community Meeting
Wed, Jul 1 · 6:00 PM
Summer Concerts at The Point
Tue, Jul 7 · 7:00 PM
City Council; charter ballot-placement decision expected

One thing to watch

Measure C — El Segundo's effort to keep new sales-tax revenue local

Measure C is El Segundo's own 0.75% transactions-and-use tax. On May 19, the council voted 5-0 to direct the state tax authority to prepare for collection beginning October 1, 2026.

The city estimates approximately $9 million in annual revenue if collection starts. The unresolved question is how the local measure now interacts with Los Angeles County's Measure ER and changes in state tax law.

Measure C timeline
  • 2018: El Segundo voters approved Measure C with 83% support.
  • May 19, 2026: Council directed preparation to collect the full 0.75%.
  • July 13, 2026: CDTFA filing deadline for an October 1 start.
  • The county-measure result and completed filing remain the next facts to confirm.
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