City of Manhattan Beach
1400 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mayor Amy Thomas Howorth
Mayor Pro Tem David Lesser
Councilmember Joe Franklin
Councilmember Nina Trieu Tarnay
Councilmember Steve S. Charelian
Meeting Minutes - Final
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
6:00 PM
Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers and Zoom
City Council Regular Meeting
March 4, 2025City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CITY ARCHIVES THE VIDEO RECORDINGS OF ALL
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND THE VIDEO FOR THIS MEETING IS HEREBY INCORPORATED BY THIS REFERENCE. ALSO IN SUPPORT OF
MORE TRANSPARENCY AND THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) COMPLIANCE, THE CITY OFFERS CLOSED CAPTIONING FOR REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS. FOR A COMPLETE RECORD OF THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING, GO TO:
www.manhattanbeach.gov/departments/city-clerk/city-council-meetings-agendas-and-minutes CALL MEETING TO ORDERA.
Mayor Howorth called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE TO THE FLAGB.
Janet Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALLC.
Roll Call led by City Clerk Liza Tamura.
Mayor Howorth, Mayor Pro Tem Lesser, Councilmember Franklin, Councilmember Tarnay and Councilmember Charelian
Present: 5 -
March 4, 2025City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final CEREMONIAL CALENDARD.
1. 25-0097Presentation of Certificates of Recognition to the Mira Costa High School Cheer Team for Winning First Place in the 2025 CIF State Championship Invitational.
PRESENT
Mayor Howorth announced that the presentation of Certificates of Recognition to the Mira Costa High School Cheer Team for winning first place at the 2025 CIF State Championship Invitational will continue to a future City Council meeting.
2. 25-0098Presentation of Certificates of Recognition to Dunkin’, GG’s Family Foundation, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Kinecta, Torrance Memorial Medical Center Trinity Lutheran Church and a Special Recognition to Kim Family (Manhattan Grocery) and Richstone Family Center for their Sponsorship to the Single Mom Project.
PRESENT
On behalf of the City Council, Mayor Howorth and Janet Jones presented Certificates of Recognitions to the following for their sponsorship of the Single Mom Project: Dunkin’, GG’s Family Foundation, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Kinecta, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Trinity Lutheran Church, The Kim Family, and Richstone Family Center.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF ORDINANCESE.
A motion was made by Councilmember Tarnay, seconded by Councilmember Charelian, to approve the agenda and waive full reading of ordinances. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Howorth, Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay and Charelian5 - Nay: 0
March 4, 2025City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final
CITY COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS (1 MINUTE PER PERSON)
F.
Librarian Lauren Wubbels announced two special events: a discussion with best-selling author Adam Gidwitz about his newest book, “Max in the Land of Lies”, on March 5, 2025, from 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, and a Magic Show for adults featuring Allen Oshiro on March 11, 2025, from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
Cultural Arts Coordinator Andrew Booras invited the community to the Juneteenth Listening Session at the Manhattan Beach Library Community Room on March 8, 2025, from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM.
Police Chief Rachel Johnson invited the community to attend the upcoming Town Hall Meeting at the Joslyn Community Center on April 2, 2025, from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM, as well as the Strategic Plan Community Workshop at the Police/Fire Community Room on March 5, 2025, from 6:00 PM-7:00 PM.
Financial Services Manager Libby Bretthauer invited the community to participate in the City's online budget survey, available on the City website through March 31, 2025. The results will be shared at a future City Council meeting.
Waste Management Recycling Education Representative Bobby Bell reminded residents that batteries cannot be disposed of in landfills. Battery collection bins are available at all Manhattan Beach Unified School District schools, as well as at City Hall and the Joslyn Community Center. Improper disposal of lithium batteries has been causing fires.
Mayor Howorth informed the public about a Public Alert regarding sea lions and other marine mammals on local beaches due to domoic acid toxicosis in Los Angeles County. Residents are urged not to approach these animals, as it is both dangerous for them and for people. Disturbing them can cause additional stress.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (3 MINUTES PER PERSON)G.
Mayor Howorth opened the floor to public comments. The following individual(s) spoke:
Dana Taylor Old
Jackie May
Jim Burton
Scott Yanofsky
Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Howorth closed the floor to public comments.
March 4, 2025City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final CONSENT CALENDAR (APPROVE)H.
A motion was made by Councilmember Franklin, seconded by Councilmember Charelian, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Howorth, Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay and Charelian5 - Nay: 0
3. 25-0099
City Council Minutes:
This Item Contains Minutes of the Following City Council Meeting(s):
a)
City Council Adjourned Regular Meeting Minutes of February 18, 2025 b) City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of February 18, 2025 c) City Council Special Meeting Minutes of February 21, 2025 d) City Council Adjourned Regular Meeting Minutes of February 24, 2025 (City Clerk Tamura).
APPROVE
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
4. 25-0090
Declaration of Proclamations for the Following:
a)
March 7, 2025, as National Employee Appreciation Day
b) March 8, 2025, as International Women’s Day
c) March 29, 2025, as National Vietnam War Veterans Day d) March 9 - March 15, 2025, as Girl Scout Week
e) March 2025, as National Procurement Month
f) March 2025, as American Red Cross Month
g) March 2025, as National Women’s History Month
PROCLAIM
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
5. 25-0102
Consideration of City Council Assignments Appointing Councilmember Franklin and Councilmember Charelian to the KHHR Communities Network Committee (CNC) (No Budget Impact) (City Clerk Tamura).
APPROVE
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
6. 25-0100
Consideration of a Resolution Approving the Donation of Surplus Fire Equipment to El Camino College Fire Academy and Rio Hondo Fire Academy and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Associated Agreements (No Budget Impact) (Interim Finance Director Jones and Fire Chief Lang).
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-0019
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
March 4, 2025City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final
7. 25-0113Consideration of a Revision to the Special Events Policy (No Budget Impact) (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
APPROVE
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
8. 25-0038
Consideration of Accepting as Complete Work Performed by EBS General Engineering, Inc. Regarding the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Cycle 3 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Curb Ramp Project (No Budget Impact) (Public Works Director Lee).
A) ACCEPT
B) AUTHORIZE
C) RELEASE RETENTION
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
9. 25-0121
Lot 3 Parking Structure Local Emergency Update (Unbudgeted) (Public Works Director Lee).
DETERMINE THAT THERE IS A NEED TO CONTINUE THE
EMERGENCY ACTION
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDARI.
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGSJ.
None.
March 4, 2025City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final GENERAL BUSINESSK.
10. 25-0068Consideration of Approving Fee Waivers Associated with Legacy Special Events for Fiscal Years 2026-2030 (Partially Budgeted) (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
(Estimated Time: 30 Mins.)
APPROVE
Parks and Recreation Director Mark Leyman introduced Senior Management Analyst Linda Robb who provided the PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council questions.
Mayor Howorth opened the floor to public comments.
Seeing no requests to speak, Mayor Howorth closed the floor to public comments.
Senior Management Analyst Robb and Parks and Recreation Director Leyman responded to City Council questions.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Lesser, seconded by Councilmember Franklin, to approve as amended, to include the Catalina Classic event as proposed by staff, the Fee Waivers for Legacy Special Events for two years and directed staff to return at that time with criteria used by other cities to evaluate special events and to propose criteria for determining legacy status for the City’s special events moving forward. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Howorth, Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay and Charelian Nay: 0
March 4, 2025City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final
11. 25-0093Review and Discussion of the Boards and Commissions Interview Process (No Budget Impact) (City Clerk Tamura).
(Estimated Time: 15 Mins.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
City Clerk Liza Tamura introduced Deputy City Clerk Breana Contreras who provided the staff presentation.
City Clerk Tamura and Deputy City Clerk Contreras responded to City Council questions.
Mayor Howorth opened the floor to public comments.
Seeing no requests to speak, Mayor Howorth closed the floor to public comments.
A motion was made by Councilmember Franklin, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lesser, to direct staff to reimplement the speed-style interviews starting with the 2025 Annual Boards and Commissions Interview Process and to notify all applicants that interviews will be conducted in person. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Howorth, Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay and Charelian Nay: 0
March 4, 2025City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final
12. 25-0125Consideration of a Resolution Approving an Agreement for Prosecutorial Services on an As-Needed Basis (No Budget Impact) (City Manager Mirzakhanian and City Attorney Barrow).
(Estimated Time: 15 Mins.)
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-0023
City Attorney Quinn Barrow provided the staff presentation.
City Attorney Barrow and City Manager Talyn Mirzakhanian responded to City Council questions.
Dapeer Rosenblit Litvak LLP Partner Bill Litvak provided background regarding the item.
Mayor Howorth opened the floor to public comments. The following individual(s) spoke:
Jim Burton
Rita Crabtree-Kampe
Heather Kim
Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Howorth closed the floor to public comments.
A motion was made by Councilmember Tarnay, seconded by Councilmember Charelian, to adopt Resolution No. 25-0023, a resolution of the Manhattan Beach City Council authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement between the City of Manhattan Beach and Dapeer Rosenblit & Litvak LLP for Prosecutorial Services. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Howorth, Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay and Charelian5 - Nay: 0
March 4, 2025City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS AND REPORTS INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTSL.
Mayor Howorth provided an update on AB 1272, which seeks to expand a mobile parking payment pilot program. The committee and staff supported the City's interest in opting in, as it aligns with the City's legislative platform and could offer new parking payment options. If the bill passes, participation would not be mandatory and would require future City Council approval. This initiative also aligns with the City's ongoing exploration of parking meter and kiosk options.
Mayor Pro Tem Lesser added that the City faced a deadline to express interest in being listed as a potential pilot city. Due to time constraints, there was not enough time to place the item on a City Council agenda beforehand.
As a result, the City opted in, pending full City Council approval and emphasized the importance of the Mayor’s report to ensure transparency with the community and colleagues. The item will come before the City Council for discussion, but timely action was necessary to be considered for the pilot program.
Councilmember Franklin shared that he attended the Independent Cities Association Conference and found the agenda informative, covering topics such as the homeless update and functional zero, among others.
Councilmember Tarnay also attended the Independent Cities Association Conference and highlighted discussions on the Olympics and its potential impact on the City.
City Attorney Quinn Barrow stated that the Independent Cities Association Conference program materials are available in the City Clerk’s office for public review.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMSM.
None.
CITY MANAGER REPORTN.
None.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTO.
None.
City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final March 4, 2025 P
13. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Agenda Forecast (City Clerk Tamura)
INFORMATION ITEM ONLY
CLOSED SESSION
None
ADJOURNMENT
ATT
Liza Tamura
City Clerk
This item was received and filed by odet of the Chair.
25-0094
B na Contreras
Recording Secretary
Amy omas H owo rth
Mayor
o
R,
At 7:42 PM, Mayor Howorth adjourned the meeting to the March 10, 2025, Adjoumed Regular City Council Meeting at 4:30 PM.
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