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, May 12, 2026
6:00 PM
City Council Chambers
City Council Adjourned Regular Meeting
May 12, 2026City Council Adjourned 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.
ROLL CALLC.
Mayor Lesser led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call led by City Clerk Liza Tamura.
City Staff:
City Clerk Liza Tamura, Assistant City Clerk Patricia Matson, City Manager Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Attorney Quinn Barrow, Planning Manager Adam Finestone, Community Development Director Masa Alkire, Building Official Ryan Heise, Field Operations Manager Sean Roberts, Interim Public Works Director Joseph DeFrancesco, Parks and Recreation Director Mark Leyman, Senior Management Analyst Nicky Petroff, Principal Civil Engineer Marzena Laskowska, City Engineer Gilbert Gamboa, Utilities Manager Jeffrey Page, Finance Director Libby Bretthauer, Financial Services Manager Emy-Rose Hanna, Management Analyst John Albi, Lead Account Specialist Josh Grady, Information Technology Director Miguel Guardado, Senior Management Analyst Tayana Roujenova-Peltekova, Budget and Financial Analyst Alexis Motonaga, Police Chief Rachel Johnson, Deputy Fire Chief Tony Gomes, Senior Management Analyst Julie Dahlgren (Zoom), Senior Management Analyst Linda Robb, Senior Management Analyst Nhung Huynh, Administrative Analyst Carianne Lopez, Deputy City Clerk Breana Contreras, Revenue Services Supervisor Toni Page (Zoom), and Traffic Engineer Erik Zandvliet.
Mayor Lesser, Mayor Pro Tem Franklin, Councilmember Tarnay, Councilmember Charelian and Councilmember Howorth
Present: 5 -
May 12, 2026City Council Adjourned Regular
Meeting
Meeting Minutes - Final
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDAD.
A motion was made by Councilmember Tarnay, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Franklin, to approve the agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian and Howorth Nay: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS (3 MINUTES PER PERSON)E.
Mayor Lesser opened the floor to public comments. The following individual(s) spoke:
Paul Wafer - Operating Budget
Alan Franz - Scout House
Beth Gessner -Scout house
Auvi Khurania - Scout House
Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Lesser closed the floor to public comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR (APPROVE)F.
A motion was made by Councilmember Howorth, seconded by Councilmember Tarnay, to reconsider approval of the agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian and Howorth Nay: 0
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Franklin, seconded by Councilmember Howorth, to approve the Consent Calendar with Agenda Item No. 1 being removed from the Consent Calendar for individual consideration. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian and Howorth Nay: 0
May 12, 2026City Council Adjourned Regular
Meeting
Meeting Minutes - Final
1. 26-0308Consideration of Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code Relating to Bicycles to:
(1) Supplement Safety and Operational Requirements for Electric and Motorized Bicycles; and (2) Institute a Juvenile Diversion Program for Juvenile Violators of the Ordinance (No Budget Impact) (Police Chief Johnson).
ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 26-0007
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar a for individual consideration.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tem Franklin stated that he pulled the item to benefit the public, noting that the ordinance includes additional regulations governing the use of bicycles, including e-bikes. He emphasized that this action is an amendment to existing regulations and confirmed this information to ensure the public is aware of the enhanced requirements.
Mayor Lesser opened the floor to public comments.
Seeing no requests to speak, Mayor Lesser closed the floor to public comments.
A motion was made by Councilmember Howorth, seconded by Councilmember Tarnay, to adopt Ordinance No. 26-0007, amending Manhattan Beach Municipal Code Chapter 3.01 relating to electric and motorized bicycles and making an environmental determination pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian and Howorth Nay: 0
May 12, 2026City Council Adjourned Regular
Meeting
Meeting Minutes - Final
2. 26-0293Conduct a Public Hearing and Consideration of an Informational Report Regarding the Status of Vacancies and Recruitment Efforts, Pursuant to AB 2561, and Authorize the Over Hire of One Police Captain on an Ongoing Basis. (No Budget Impact) (Human Resources Director Jenkins) (Estimated Time: 30 Mins.)
A) CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING
B)
RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT
C) DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Human Resources Director Lisa Jenkins provided the PowerPoint presentation.
Human Resources Director Jenkins and Police Chief Rachel Johnson responded to City Council questions.
Mayor Lesser opened the floor to public comments. The following individual(s) spoke:
Paul Wafer
Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Lesser closed the floor to public comments.
A motion was made by Councilmember Tarnay, seconded by Councilmember Howorth, to receive and file an informational report regarding the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts; and authorize the over hire of one Police Captain position on an ongoing basis. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4 - Lesser, Tarnay, Charelian and Howorth
Nay: 1 - Franklin
At 7:38 PM, the City Council recessed and reconvened at 7:49 PM with all City Councilmembers present.
G. PUBLIC HEARINGS
May 12, 2026City Council Adjourned Regular
Meeting
Meeting Minutes - Final
3. 26-0281Consideration of Business License Tax Study Results and Feedback from Business License Tax Forum (No Immediate Revenue Impact) (Finance Director Bretthauer).
(Estimated Time: 1.5 Hr.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Mayor Lesser, Councilmember Charelian and Councilmember Howorth each disclosed that they have a business licence with the City.
City Attorney Quinn Barrow responded to City Council questions.
Finance Director Libby Bretthauer introduced Financial Services Manager Emy-Rose Hanna who provided the PowerPoint presentation on Business License Tax Modernization Plan Update - Phase 2.
HDL Operations Director Eric Meyers continued the PowerPoint presentation on Preliminary Tax Study Results.
HDL Operations Director Meyers and City Manager Talyn Mirzakhanian responded to City Council questions.
HDL Operations Director Meyers continued the PowerPoint presentation on Model 1 - Gross Receipts Cap Removed.
HDL Operations Director Meyers, Financial Services Manager Hanna, and Finance Director Bretthauer responded to City Council questions.
Financial Services Manager Hanna continued with the PowerPoint presentation on the Last Polling Question from Business License Tax Forum.
Mayor Lesser opened the floor to public comments. The following individual(s) spoke:
Tim Ryan
Stefan Kampe
Michael Zislis
Kyle Ransford
Jill Lamkin
Chandra Shaw
Diane Forte
Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Lesser closed the floor to public comments.
Finance Director Bretthauer and HDL Operations Director Meyers responded to City Council questions.
H. GENERAL BUSINESS
May 12, 2026City Council Adjourned Regular
Meeting
Meeting Minutes - Final
At 10:12 PM, a motion was made by Councilmember Howorth, seconded by Councilmember Tarnay, to extend the meeting time past 11:00 PM. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian and Howorth Nay: 0
Financial Services Manager Hanna and City Manager Mirzakhanian responded to City Council questions.
A motion was made by Councilmember Tarnay, seconded by Councilmember Howorth, to direct staff to proceed with community polling using Model No. 3, with the minimum flat tax set at $100, the rate per thousand reduced to $2.60 and the cap (maximum tax to be paid) set at $100,000. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian and Howorth Nay: 0
At 10:32 PM, the City Council recessed and reconvened at 10:43 PM with all City Councilmembers present.
May 12, 2026City Council Adjourned Regular
Meeting
Meeting Minutes - Final
4. 26-0313Resumption of the Presentation of the Proposed Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 through Fiscal Year 2030-2031 (Not Budgeted) (Interim Public Works Director DeFrancesco).
(Estimated Time: 30 Mins.)
A) DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
B)
APPROVE
City Engineer Gilbert Gamboa provided the PowerPoint presentation.
City Engineer Gamboa, City Manager Talyn Mirzakhanian, Finance Director Libby Bretthauer, and Building Official Ryan Heise responded to City Council questions.
Mayor Lesser opened the floor to public comments. The following individual(s) spoke:
Kyle Ransford
Tim Lilligren
Julie McGinity
Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Lesser closed the floor to public comments.
City Manager Mirzakhanian responded to City Council questions.
A motion was made by Councilmember Howorth, seconded by Mayor Lesser, to direct staff to proceed with the Senior and Scout House project under Debt Service Option No. 2, as provided in the staff report, which also reprioritizes funds from other CIP projects in the amount of $4.7 million. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian and Howorth Nay: 0
City Engineer Gamboa responded to City Council questions.
A motion was made by Councilmember Howorth, seconded by Councilmember Charelian, to direct staff to proceed with approval of the State Pier and Lot Fund modifications as provided in the staff report and slide 12 of the PowerPoint Presentation for the Upper Pier Parking Lots Railing Replacement Project. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Lesser, Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian and Howorth Nay: 0
May 12, 2026City Council Adjourned Regular
Meeting
Meeting Minutes - Final
5. 26-0290
Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Operating Budget and Consideration of CERT Funding Request (Continued) (Not Budgeted) (Finance Director Bretthauer).
(Estimated Time: 1 Hr.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Finance Director Libby Bretthauer provided background on the item and began the PowerPoint presentation.
The following staff members provided the PowerPoint overview of their departmental budgets:
Management Services:
Assistant City Clerk Patricia Matson presented.
Finance
Finance Director Bretthauer presented.
Human Resources
Human Resources Director Lisa Jenkins presented.
Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation Director Mark Leyman presented.
Police
Police Chief Rachel Johnson presented and responded to City Council questions.
Fire
Fire Chief Jesse Alexander presented.
Fire Chief Alexander and City Manager Talyn Mirzakhanian responded to City Council questions.
Community Development
Community Development Director Masa Alkire presented and responded to City Council questions.
Public Works
Interim Public Works Director Joseph DeFrancesco presented.
Information Technology
Information Technology Director Miguel Guardado presented and responded to City Council questions.
Finance Director Bretthauer continued with the PowerPoint presentation on Next Steps/Recommendation, and responded to City Council questions.
City Manager Mirzakhanian provided that staff would incorporate answers to any additional City Council questions in the report returning to City Council on June 2, 2026.
May 12, 2026City Council Adjourned Regular
Meeting
Meeting Minutes - Final
ADJOURNMENTI.
At 12:56 AM, Mayor Lesser adjourned the meeting to the May 19, 2026, Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting at 5:00 PM.
_____________________________
Breana Contreras
Recording Secretary
_____________________________
David Lesser
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Liza Tamura
City Clerk