New city manager Steve Burrell discusses the library

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New city manager reveals soft
touch that leaves impression
by Kalle Matso
Hermosa Beach City Manager Steve
Burrell, who took over from Acting City
Manager Mary Rooney Jan. 1, believes
in making changes a little at a time and
had no intention of coming into the city
and "cleaning house."
"Before you start tinkering, you have
to see what's going on," Burrell said. "My
style is to do things more gradually."
Despite Burrell's soft-spoken manner,
he has already made an impression on
the community and is gearing up for
some substantial tasks in the near future.
In his six months with the city, Burrell
can point to several advancements,
especially with regard to the library.
While the Hermosa Beach Friends of the
Library have done most of the work in
the fight to keep the facility open despite
a lack of L.A. County funds, the city
manager has been integral in getting
tough questions answered.
It was Burrell who researched and
introduced to the Friends of the Library
the idea of hiring a private service to run
the library. The City Council is now
Steve Burrell
seriously considering giving notice to the
county and going independent.
The next several months should hold
some challenges as well. The first budget
meeting is scheduled for June 6 and the
council must adopt the budget by the end
of the month.
Although Burrell is not facing the
massive reorganization that his prede-
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rell
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cessor, Rick Ferrin, dealt with last year,
he has his share of concerns.
of the paper stage."
"We have a continuing shortfall of
The key to success for the community,
revenue," he said. "This doesn't neces-
said Burrell, is in effective communi-
sarily mean that things have been done
cation between the City Council and the people.
badly, but it does mean that things have to change."
"It's important that the (citizen)
With regard to City Hall staff, the
participation comes at an early stage.
changes will come in the form of a net
When people protest toward the end of
reduction of two positions in building
a project, it's more difficult to deal with
inspection and planning.
and sets up a contentious environment," he said
A number of studies are also due in
the near future involving topics such as
Despite the challenges ahead, Burrell
fire consolidation, sewer maintenance
is looking forward to the summer. While
and pavement management.
this could be due to an aggressive
"A lot of (City Council) goals are
approach to work, it might also have
something to do with the recent sale of
starting to move out of the idea stage,"
his home in Capitola, which will allow
Burrell said, pointing to the many
projects in the downtown areas as an
his wife and son to finally make the
example. "There's a lot of potential down
permanent move down to Hermosa Beach.there and it can be frustrating getting out