CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING - December 01, 2025
1. CLOSED SESSION—CALL TO ORDER 11:00 AM
Public Comments:
Mayor Saemann called the Closed Session meeting to order at 11:01 a.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Public Comments:
City Clerk Myra Maravilla announced the virtual attendance of Mayor Pro Tem Detoy, in accordance with AB 2449 "just cause" clause, due to childcare needs. All members were present, and a quorum was announced.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. eComment Report.pdf
Howard Lee comment revised as attached PDF
Please Tap This and then Tap on the Blue attachement for my revised comment. Thank You.
Howard Lee for the process
The public would best understand that a City Manager Contract prior to appearing as an item on an open session agenda with a contract acceptable to both the HB City Council and the Contractor, usually an independent arbitrator negotiates between the proposed C.M. contractor-applicant and the City Council (for the city) via closed. If a council-selected applicant cannot reach agreement on a contract the council may choose another applicant while still in closed such Special closed session(s) Just being selected in closed session is no guarantee of a contract. Once a contract agreement is reached, it still has to have a hearing in an open session where-then the public will know who the selected applicant is, and where-then they can present their testimony if any as to why such applicant should or should not be accepted.
City Manager Contracts and Amendments to such contracts receive final approval in Open Session where the public has a right to weigh in, NOT IN CLOSED SESSION.
Usually, except in extremely rare situations, those occurring with the rare and extremely-obnoxious, dysfunctional councilmember(s) would this be other than a very harmonious approval by all five councilmembers (no matter differences in closed session) welcoming the new permanent City Manager.
I personally would assume that for all concerned, the actual contract approval will be consummated in the open session of the HB City Council REGULAR meeting to be held Tuesday, in a week, December 9, 2025. Six months is long enough! The prior eCommenter to this eComment, again, perhaps knows something, perhaps leaked improperly by one of the five HB councilmembers, i.e. perhaps the King of the f-bombs in closed sessions? If Steve Napolitano is the selected C.M. applicant for permanent City Manager, then for one - he obviously is entitled to a pay and benefit package equal to, or more than that which the incompetent, absentee Suja was more-than-gratuitously receiving. (Close to Half Million Dollars Per Year) Good God again, good riddance to Suja.
My views of course but acquiring the expertise of Steven Napolitano (if such is the case) is truly a gift for the holidays after the Suja disaster, assuming the prior eCommenter knows something of that which again perhaps the King of closed-session f-bombs has leaked. mc guerry
I oppose the appointment of the interim City Manager as the City Manager. That this is attempting to be done in a special session just announced a few days ago shows the Mayor knows this is corrupt. We need a transparent and comprehensive process to appoint the City Manager. Furthermore, the city has seen a decline since last Spring. The interim City Manager who presided over this should not be rewarded for doing a less than satisfactory job.
This Public Comment period is limited to the Closed Session agenda item only. Public Comment is limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.
Mayor Saemann opened Public Comment.
Virtual Public Comment:
Matt McCool
4. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
Public Comments:
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 11:05 a.m.
4.a
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT/EMPLOYMENT
Attachments
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Public Comments
1. SUPPLEMENTAL emailed comment for item 4.a.pdf
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title:
City Manager
Subject:
Negotiation of City Manager Employment Contract
5. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Public Comments:
Interim City Attorney Jason Baltimore provided the Closed Session Report. No reportable action was taken.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Public Comments:
The meeting was adjourned at 11:48 a.m.