City of Manhattan Beach
1400 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mayor David Lesser
Mayor Pro Tem Joe Franklin
Councilmember Nina Trieu Tarnay
Councilmember Steve S. Charelian
Councilmember Amy Thomas Howorth
Meeting Minutes - Final
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
6:00 PM
Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers and Zoom
City Council Regular Meeting
April 7, 2026City 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 Lesser called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE TO THE FLAGB.
Mayor Lesser led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALLC.
Roll Call led by City Clerk Liza Tamura.
Mayor Lesser, Mayor Pro Tem Franklin, Councilmember Tarnay, Councilmember Charelian and Councilmember Howorth
Present: 5 -
CEREMONIAL CALENDARD.
1. 26-0204Presentation to the Neptunian Women’s Club with a Proclamation Declaring April, 2026, as National Volunteer Month and a Certificate of Recognition for their Exceptional Dedication, Leadership, and Impactful Service to the Community.
(Estimated Time: 5 Mins.)
PRESENT
On behalf of the City Council, Mayor Lesser presented a Proclamation to the Neptunian Women’s Club declaring April 2026 as National Volunteer Month, along with a Certificate of Recognition for their exceptional dedication, leadership, and impactful service to the community.
Representatives present:
Mary Reggie - Parliamentarian
Val Rae - Financial Administrator
Mary Chieffe - Vice President of Philanthropy
April 7, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF ORDINANCESE.
A motion was made by Councilmember Howorth, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Franklin, to approve the agenda and waive full reading of ordinances. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian and Howorth5 - Nay: 0
CITY COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS (1 MINUTE PER PERSON)
F.
Waste Management Recycling Education Representative Bobby Bell announced that it is Earth Month and noted that the organization will be participating in several community events. He also provided tips on home organics recycling, including freezing food scraps before placing them in the organics bin to reduce odors on collection day and adding baking soda to help minimize smells.
Library Manager Cassandra Sargent thanked the Fire Department for hosting a successful story time event last week, noting that several attendees learned about fire safety. She announced an upcoming Writer’s Workshop titled “How to Start Writing Your Book,” scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. She also announced the launch of a new speaker series, presented in collaboration with the City’s Library Commission, featuring best-selling author Julia Quinn at the Mira Costa High School Auditorium on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM.
Environmental Programs Administrator Britny Coker-Moen invited the community to the City’s Earth Day Tree Planting event, held in partnership with Grades of Green, at Veteran’s Parkway on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. She also announced a “Bioblitz by the Dunes” event, in collaboration with the Bay Foundation and other organizations, at Rosecrans Avenue and The Strand on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. In addition, she shared that the City is offering a full month of activities for the community and that participants may pick up a stamp card at City Hall to track completed activities for a chance to earn a prize.
Mayor Lesser introduced the City’s new Assistant City Clerk, Patricia Matson, noting that she has worked for the City for several years and welcomed her to the role. He also invited the community to attend his final “Coffee with the Mayor” at Metlox Plaza on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
April 7, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final PUBLIC COMMENTS (3 MINUTES PER PERSON)G.
Mayor Lesser opened the floor to public comments. The following individual(s) spoke:
Mike Quagletti - People with cameras recording conversations were recently in the City
Richard Haft - More comments about the above topic
Steve Packwood - Housing Element
Jill Lamkin - Legislative Subcommittee, ADA laws & North Manhattan Beach Parking Code
Jacqueline Sanders - Mira Costa High School Field Lights (Environmental Impact Draft Report)
Sara Williams - Mira Costa High School Field Lights (Environmental Impact Draft Report)
Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Lesser closed the floor to public comments.
City Attorney Barrow and City Manager Talyn Mirzakhanian responded to City Council questions.
CONSENT CALENDAR (APPROVE)H.
A motion was made by Mayor Lesser, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Franklin, to approve the Consent Calendar and register a “No” Vote under Agenda Item No. 5 for Mayor Lesser. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian and Howorth Nay: 0 (Lesser - Agenda Item No. 5)
2. 26-0205City Council Minutes:
This Item Contains Minutes of the Following City Council Meeting(s):
a) City Council Special Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2026 b) City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of March 17, 2026 (No Budget Impact) (City Clerk Tamura).
APPROVE
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
April 7, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final
3. 26-0174Declaration of Proclamations for the Following:
a) April 2, 2026, as World Autism Awareness Day
b) April 12-18, 2026, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators (RCC) Week
c) April 12-18, 2026, as Animal Control Officers Appreciation Week d) April 14, 2026, as International Be Kind to Lawyers Day e) April 19-25, 2026, as National Library Week
f) April 20-24, 2026, as Preservation Week (Collection of Written Material and Artifacts/History)
g) April 22, 2026, as National Administrative Professionals Day h) April 24, 2026, as National Arbor Day
i) April 2026, as National Earth Month
j) April 2026, as National Records and Information Management Month k) April 2026, as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month (No Budget Impact) (City Clerk Tamura)
PROCLAIM
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
4. 26-0160
Consideration of a Resolution Waiving Formal Bidding and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Sole-Source Three-Year Agreement with Peregrine Technologies, Inc. for Public Safety Unified Data Platform in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $460,000 (Budgeted) (Police Chief Johnson).
A) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-0028
B) WAIVE FORMAL BIDDING
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
5. 26-0133
Consideration of a Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 26-0006, Amending Section 10.90.060 of the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code to Specify that Public Art Funds May Be Used for Performance Arts and Other Forms of Art (No Budget Impact) (Community Development Alkire)
ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 26-0006
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar by Majority Vote with Mayor Lesser registering a "No" Vote.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDARI.
None.
April 7, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final
6. 26-0201Conduct Public Hearing and Consideration of a Resolution Approving a Coastal Development Permit to approve the City Parking Management Study Report, and Discussion of Metered Parking and Merchant Permit Parking Rates (Unbudgeted) (Community Development Director Alkire) (Estimated Time: 1 Hour)
A) CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING
B) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-0030
C) DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Community Development Director Masa Alkire provided background on the item and introduced Traffic Engineer Erik Zandvliet who provided the PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council questions.
Mayor Lesser opened the floor to public comments. The following individual(s) spoke:
Michael Zislis
Kelly Stroman
Jim Burton
Paiwei Wei
Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Lesser closed the floor to public comments.
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet and City Manager Talyn Mirzakhanian responded to City Council questions.
A motion was made by Councilmember Charelian, seconded by Councilmember Tarnay, to adopt Resolution No. 26-0030, approving a Coastal Development Permit to approve the City Parking Management Study Report; directed staff to prioritize returning with the commercial parking strategies as soon as feasible; to review the Local Coastal Program for potential opportunities related to the 100 spaces adjacent to Live Oak Park and the 50 spaces adjacent to the Shade Hotel (Parking Lot 8); and to incorporate best practices into the future update of the Merchant Parking Program. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian and Howorth Nay: 0
At 7:51 PM, the City Council recessed and reconvened at 8:05 PM with all City Councilmembers present.
J. PUBLIC HEARINGS
April 7, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final
7. 26-0202Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Circuit Transit Inc. for a Six-Month On-Demand Point-to-Point Local Microtransit Service Pilot Project and Appropriation of up to $540,626 in Proposition A Local Return Funds (Unbudgeted) (Community Development Department Director Alkire).
(Estimated Time: 1 Hr. and 30 Mins.)
A) DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
B) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-0031
C) APPROPRIATE FUNDS
Community Development Director Masa Alkire provided background on the item and introduced Traffic Engineer Erik Zandvliet who provided the PowerPoint presentation.
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet, Finance Director Libby Bretthauer, Circuit Transit Inc. Vice President of Business Development Daniel Kramer and Parks and Recreation Director Mark Leyman responded to City Council questions.
Mayor Lesser opened the floor to public comments. The following individual(s) spoke:
Stefan Kampe
Jim Burton
Kelly Stroman
Jill Lamkin
Carol Patterson
Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Lesser closed the floor to public comments.
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet responded to City Council questions.
Councilmember Tarnay made a motion to direct staff to proceed with a hybrid of Service Alternatives 1 and 2; to explore a reduced fare for seniors so the rate is lower than $5.00, with a regular fare for non-seniors; to adjust the service hours to 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday; to evaluate the feasibility of charging vehicles at the Public Works Yard to offset costs; and to include advertising revenue opportunities.
Councilmember Howorth inquired if Councilmember Tarnay would consider adjusting the start time to 11:00 AM, if needed during the pilot program, and postponing the use of vehicle advertisements while exploring corporate sponsorship opportunities that do not include alcohol.
Councilmember Tarnay accepted the request.
K. GENERAL BUSINESS
April 7, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final A motion was made by Councilmember Tarnay, seconded by Councilmember Howorth, to adopt Resolution No. 26-0031, authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement between the City of Manhattan Beach and Circuit Transit Inc. for on-demand point-to-point local microtransit pilot project services in an amount not to exceed $540,626 and allocating Proposition A Funds for the services; and directed staff to proceed with a hybrid of Service Alternatives 1 and 2, as identified in the staff report; to explore a reduced fare for seniors so the rate is lower than $5.00, with a regular fare for non-seniors; and to adjust the service hours to 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday, with the option to change the start time to 11:00 AM, and adjust the end time, if needed, based on Dial-A-Ride data. City Council further directed staff to evaluate the feasibility of charging vehicles at the Public Works Yard to offset costs; and to explore the opportunity for advertising via corporate sponsorships, excluding alcohol sponsors, and return to City Council with potential cost reductions if sponsors are identified. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Lesser, Tarnay and Howorth
Nay: Franklin1 -
Abstain: Charelian1 -
CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS AND REPORTS INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTSL.
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMSM.
Councilmember Tarnay requested to agendize a discussion to explore code amendments that would align the North Manhattan Beach business parking requirements with those of the Downtown Manhattan Beach area.
Councilmember Charelian concurred.
Councilmember Charelian requested information to further educate the public and downtown businesses regarding interactions with people with cameras.
City Attorney Quinn Barrow stated that staff will research.
Mayor Pro Tem Franklin requested to agendize a discussion to consider opposing Los Angeles County’s June 2 ballot measure, the Essential Services Restoration Act, which would add a 0.5% increase to the Countywide general sales tax for homelessness services. Mayor Lesser concurred.
April 7, 2026City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final CITY MANAGER REPORTN.
None.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTO.
None.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMSP.
8. 26-0206Agenda Forecast (City Clerk Tamura).
INFORMATION ITEM ONLY
This item was received and filed by order of the Chair.
CLOSED SESSIONQ.
None.
ADJOURNMENTR.
At 9:49 PM, Mayor Lesser adjourned the meeting to the April 13, 2026, Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting at 3:30 PM.
_____________________________
Breana Contreras
Recording Secretary
_____________________________
David Lesser
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Liza Tamura
City Clerk