City of Manhattan Beach
1400 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mayor Joe Franklin
Mayor Pro Tem Nina Trieu Tarnay
Councilmember Steve S. Charelian
Councilmember Amy Thomas Howorth
Councilmember David Lesser
Meeting Minutes - Final
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
6:00 PM
Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers and Zoom
City Council Regular Meeting
City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final September 15, 2026
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-agen das-and-minutes
A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Franklin called the meeting to order.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
Charlie Case and his parents Mason and Charlotte led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. ROLL CALL
Roll Call by City Clerk Liza Tamura.
Mayor Franklin, Mayor Pro Tem Tarnay, Councilmember Charelian, Councilmember Howorth and Councilmember Lesser
Present: 5 -
Mayor Franklin requested that all active duty or those that previously served to stand and be recognized.
D. CEREMONIAL CALENDAR
None.
E. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND WAIVER OF FULL READING OF ORDINANCES A motion was made by Councilmember Howorth, seconded by Councilmember Lesser, to approve the agenda and waive full reading of ordinances. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian, Howorth and Lesser Nay: 0
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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final September 15, 2026
CITY COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCEMENTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS (1 MINUTE PER PERSON)
F.
Cultural Arts Commissioner Suzanne Karger announced the Public Art Walking Tour which starts at the Manhattan Beach Art Center on September 19, 2026, at 2:00 PM.
Senior Cultural Arts Supervisor Eric Brinkman announced a series of input sessions to update the Public Art Master Plan. The sessions will be held at the Farmers Market on September 22, 2026, Hometown Fair on October 3-4, 2026, and the Manhattan Beach Library on October 9, 2026, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM.
Library Manager Cassandra Sargent announced the Manhattan Beach Library Speaker Series with best-selling author Michael Connelly on October 24, 2026, at 2:00 PM; and a new partnership with Sanrio that includes specialty library cards.
Waste Management Recycling Education Representative Bobby Bell announced the WM Battery Collection program which started at the beginning of the school year and continues through June 10, 2027.
Police Chief Rachel Johnson announced Coffee with a Cop on September 16, 2026, at REI from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM; a catalytic converter Etching Event on September 19, 2026, at Kinecta Federal Credit Union from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM; and the 7th Annual Downtown Manhattan Beach Car Show on September 27, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Mayor Franklin announced the 26th Annual Matt and Mike Johnson Memorial Blood Drive at the Manhattan Beach Library, October 3-4, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final September 15, 2026 G. PUBLIC COMMENTS (3 MINUTES PER PERSON)
Mayor Franklin opened the floor to public comments. The following individual(s) spoke:
Janet Jones - Single Mom Project
Patrick McBride - Exercise program concern
Terese Laurence - Strand cleaning in El Porto area
Mitchell Aasted - Density bonus projects
Laura Matyas - 12th Street housing density project
Roseanne Wegrich - Fire and life safety review request at 1446 12th St.
Fred Taylor - Thanks to the Police Department and Public Works regarding a fallen tree
Steve Packwood - Housing element and housing projects
City Manager Mirzakhanian responded to City council questions and provided that the community can locate information regarding residential overlay districts and multifamily density bonus projects outside of the residential overlay zone through dedicated webpages on the City’s website.
Public Comments continued with the following individual(s):
Stefan Kampe - Agenda Item Nos. 6 and 7
Jill Lamkin - MB Wave Rider
Michael Zislis - Power outage concerns
Jim Burton - Power outage concerns
Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Franklin closed the floor to public comments.
Councilmember Howorth provided information regarding the public comment process and also stated that the City will be scheduling a meeting with Southern California Edison.
Finance Director Libby Bretthauer introduced Financial Services Manager Emy-Rose Hanna who provided a brief explanation of Agenda Item No. 7, regarding the amendment to the agreement with ParkMobile, LLC.
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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final September 15, 2026 H. CONSENT CALENDAR (APPROVE)
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Tarnay, seconded by Councilmember Lesser, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian, Howorth and Lesser Nay: 0
1. City Council Minutes: 26-0511
This Item Contains Minutes of the Following City Council Meeting(s):
a) City Council Adjourned Regular Meeting Minutes of August 18, 2026 b) City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of August 18, 2026 c) City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 1, 2026 (Cancelled)
(No Budget Impact) (City Clerk Tamura).
APPROVE
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
2. Declaration of Proclamations for the Following: 26-0526 a) September 15, 2026, as National Voter Registration Day b) September 15, 2026, as National IT Professionals Day c) September 21, 2026, as International Day of Peace
d) September 26, 2026, as Human Resources Professionals Day e) September 2026, as National Preparedness Month
f) September 2026, as National Service Dog Month
g) September 2026, as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month h) September 15 - October 15, 2026, as National Hispanic Heritage Month
PROCLAIM
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
3. Financial Report: 26-0523
a) Schedule of Demands: July 2026
b) Investment Portfolio for the Month Ending July 31, 2026 c) Month End Report for July 2026
(No Budget Impact) (Finance Director Bretthauer).
ACCEPT REPORT AND DEMANDS
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
4. Consideration of a Resolution Approving the Amended City of Manhattan 26-0403 Beach Conflict of Interest Code (No Budget Impact) (City Clerk Tamura).
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-0104
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final September 15, 2026
5. Consideration of a Resolution Approving a Right-of-Way Encroachment 26-0399 Agreement with the City of Hermosa Beach for Construction and Maintenance of a Stormwater Trash Capture Device on the 1st Street City Boundary Limit (No Budget Impact) (Public Works Director Awwad) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-0100
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
6. Consideration of a Resolution Approving a Three-Year Agreement with 26-0495 Dell for Microsoft Enterprise Software Licensing in the Amount of $768,126 and Authorizing the City Manager to Approve Additional Payments for Contingency Services for a Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $1,322,818 (Budgeted) (Information Technology Director Guardado).
A) WAIVE FORMAL BIDDING DUE TO COOPERATIVE
PURCHASING
B) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-0102
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
7. Consideration of a Resolution Approving Amendment No. 1 to the 26-0530 Agreement with ParkMobile, LLC for Credit Card Merchant Processing Services Related to Parking Pay Stations and the Mobile Parking Payment System, in the Amount of $1,100,000 for the Remaining 27 Months in the Agreement, for an Updated Not-to-Exceed Amount of $3,528,310. (Budgeted) (Finance Director Bretthauer).
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-0106
The recommendation for this item was approved on the Consent Calendar.
I. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
J. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final September 15, 2026
8. Consideration of a First Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance 26-0509 Amending Manhattan Beach Municipal Code Chapter 3.24 (Parking Meters) of Title 3 (Public Safety) and Chapter 14.01 (Definitions) of Title 14 (Traffic) and Adding a New Chapter 14.42 (Paid Parking) to Title 14 (Traffic) to Modify Paid Public Parking Regulations, and Making a Determination of Exemption Under the California Environmental Quality Act (Budgeted) (Community Development Department Director Alkire). (Estimated Time: 30 Min.)
INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 26-0011
Community Development Director Masa Alkire introduced the item and City Traffic Engineer Erik Zandvliet.
Community Development Director Alkire responded to City Council questions.
City Traffic Engineer Zandvliet provided the PowerPoint presentation.
City Traffic Engineer Zandvliet and Police Chief Rachel Johnson responded to City Council questions.
Mayor Franklin opened the floor to public comments. The following individual(s) spoke:
Jim Burton
Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Franklin closed the floor to public comments.
Police Chief Johnson, City Traffic Engineer Zandvliet, Finance Director Libby Bretthauer, and City Manager Talyn Mirzakhanian responded to City Council questions.
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K. GENERAL BUSINESS
City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final September 15, 2026 A motion was made by Councilmember Howorth, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tarnay, to introduce Ordinance No. 26-0011.
City Attorney Quinn Barrow read the title of Ordinance No. 26-0011 into the record:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH AMENDING MANHATTAN BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 3.24 (PARKING METERS) OF TITLE 3 (PUBLIC SAFETY) AND CHAPTER 14.01 (DEFINITIONS) OF TITLE 14 (TRAFFIC) AND ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 14.42 (PAID PARKING) TO TITLE 14 (TRAFFIC)
TO MODIFY PAID PUBLIC PARKING REGULATIONS, AND MAKING A
DETERMINATION OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian, Howorth and Lesser Nay: 0
At 7:26 PM, the City Council recessed and reconvened at 7:41 PM with all City Councilmembers present.
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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final September 15, 2026
9. Project Pulse Status Update and Discussion Related to Redevelopment 26-0426 Options for City-Owned Properties Located at 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard (Former US Bank Building) and 1155 Morningside Drive (Parking Lot 3) (No Immediate Budget Impact) (Community Development Director Alkire).
(Estimated Time: 1.5 Hours)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Community Development Director Masa Alkire introduced the item and Associate Planner Tari Kuvhenguhwa.
Associate Planner Kuvhenguhwa began the PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council questions.
Associate Planner Kuvhenguhwa resumed the presentation with the section on Parking Lot 3.
Associate Planner Kuvhenguhwa, Community Development Director Alkire,City Manager Talyn Mirzakhanian, and City Traffic Engineer Erik Zandvliet responded to City Council questions.
Associate Planner Kuvhenguhwa resumed the presentation with the section on 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard (400 MBB) and then introduced consultants from Gensler.
Gensler Principal Peter Barsuk introduced their portion of the PowerPoint presentation along with Gensler Design Director, JT Theewes who provided the presentation.
City Traffic Engineer Zandvliet, Gensler Design Director Theewes, Gensler Principal Barsuk, City Manager Mirzakhanian, Associate Planner Kuvhenguhwa, and Kosmont Companies Senior Vice President Will Soholt responded to City Council questions.
Associate Planner Kuvhenguhwa resumed the presentation with the section on 400 MBB Pedestrian Plaza.
Associate Planner Kuvhenguhwa, City Traffic Engineer Zandvliet, and Kosmont Companies Senior Vice President Soholt responded to City Council questions.
Associate Planner Kuvhenguhwa resumed the presentation with the section on Vons Outreach Update.
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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final September 15, 2026 Associate Planner Kuvhenguhwa and Community Development Director Alkire responded to City Council questions.
At 9:13 PM, City Council recessed and reconvened at 9:27 PM with all City Councilmembers present.
Mayor Franklin opened the floor to public comments. The following individual(s) spoke:
Shadi Sazoufin
James Dibbo
Michael Zislis
Stefan Kampe
Richard Montgomery
Jim Burton
Kelly Stroman
Kyle Ransford
Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Franklin closed the floor to public comments.
City Traffic Engineer Zandvliet, Community Development Director Alkire, and City Manager Mirzakhanian responded to City Council questions.
Associate Planner Kuvhenguhwa restated staff's understanding of the City Council's direction with concurrence from the City Council.
The City Council provided the following direction to staff:
Separate the discussion of the two sites moving forward (Parking Lot 3 and 400 MBB) and do not pursue an underground parking connection to Metlox as it pertains to Parking Lot 3.
Regarding the 400 MBB site:
Establish a 90-day limit to continue discussions with the owners of the Vons site regarding potential partnership opportunities and provide an update to City Council by December 1, 2026, including an update regarding the current bond financing and associated timeline; Continue to explore a combination of uses for a future mixed-use development with a focus on alternative tenant space size(s) for the first floor and alternatives for the proposed creative office use on the second floor;
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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final September 15, 2026 Continue to explore a pedestrian plaza concept on Morningside Drive while addressing concerns about traffic, deliveries, and the potential loss of diagonal parking spaces in the affected area;
Proceed with next steps for an alternative interim use as paid public parking (substantially maintaining the existing conditions and install parking kiosks);
Contact Vons to explore utilizing their backlot for interim overflow commercial parking permit holders instead of Parking Lot 7; Explore revisions to the preliminary conceptual design of the building to increase the size of the building and reduce the size of the parking lot and number of spaces provided; and
Take the next steps related to pursuing a public-private partnership to develop the site.
At 10:20 PM, a motion was made by Councilmember Lesser, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tarnay, to extend the meeting past 10:30 PM. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Franklin, Tarnay, Charelian, Howorth and Lesser Nay: 0
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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final September 15, 2026
10. Consideration of a Seven-Month Extension to an Agreement with Circuit 26-0243 Transit Inc. to Provide an On-Demand Local Microtransit Service Pilot Program and Adoption of a Resolution to Appropriate Proposition A Local Return Funds and Fare Revenue (Unbudgeted) (Community Development Department Director Alkire)
(Estimated Time: 1 hr.)
A) DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
B) ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-0103
C) APPROPRIATE FUNDS
Community Development Director Masa Alkire provided brief comments regarding the item.
City Traffic Engineer Erik Zandvliet provided the PowerPoint presentation.
City Traffic Engineer Zandvliet, Community Development Director Alkire, Circuit Transit Client Success Manager Mark Iannon, and City Manager Talyn Mirzakhanian responded to City Council questions.
Mayor Franklin opened the floor to public comments. The following individual(s) spoke:
Paiwei Wei
Stefan Kampe
Kyle Ransford
Mike Zislis
Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Franklin closed the floor to public comments.
City Traffic Engineer Zandvliet responded to City Council questions.
A motion was made by Councilmember Howorth to approve Option 3 as presented in the staff report.
City Traffic Engineer Zandvliet responded to City Council questions.
A motion was made by Councilmember Howorth, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tarnay, to approve an extension of the City’s agreement with Circuit Transit Inc. to operate the MB Wave Rider for an additional seven months and selected reduced service level “Option # 3” as identified in the staff report which includes three vehicles operating Friday-Sunday for a total of 30 hours; adopt Resolution No. 26-0103, authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement between the City of Manhattan Beach and Circuit Transit Inc., to extend on-demand point-to-point local microstransit pilot program services for an additional seven months in an amount not-to-exceed $214,438 and allocating Proposition A Local Return Funds for the services, and to allocate City of Manhattan Beach Page 11
City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final September 15, 2026 related microstransit pilot program revenue to Proposition A fund; and authorize the City to pursue non-alcohol related advertising revenue opportunities for the vehicles without further review by the City Council. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Tarnay, Howorth and Lesser
Nay: 2 - Franklin and Charelian
City Traffic Engineer Zandvliet and Financial Services Manager Emy-Rose Hanna sought clarification regarding the motion.
Financial Services Manager Hanna responded to City Council questions.
L. CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS AND REPORTS INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS
11. City Council AB 1234 Reports. 26-0512
RECEIVE AND FILE
None.
12. Consideration of a Request by Mayor Franklin and Councilmember 26-0514 Charelian to Discuss Receiving a Midyear Update on Sixth Cycle Housing Element Progress (City Manager Mirzakhanian).
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Councilmember Lesser provided that he would be the third vote in order to have the item return on a future agenda.
The City Council directed staff to provide a comprehensive report regarding receiving a midyear update on Sixth Cycle Housing Element progress.
13. Consideration of a Request by Councilmember Howorth and 26-0515 Councilmember Charelian to Discuss and Provide Direction on Continuing the Initiative to Update and Modernize the Business License Tax (City Manager Mirzakhanian).
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Mayor Pro Tem Tarnay provided that she would be the third vote in order to have the item return on a future agenda.
The City Council directed staff to provide a comprehensive report continuing the initiative to update and modernize the business license tax.
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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final September 15, 2026 M. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tem Tarnay requested to agendize and revisit the discussion regarding a full or partial waiver for recovery of third-party costs for the North Manhattan Beach Holiday Stroll. Councilmember Howorth concurred.
N. CITY MANAGER REPORT
None.
O. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
None.
P. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
14. Agenda Forecast (City Clerk Tamura). 26-0510
INFORMATION ITEM ONLY
This item was received and filed by order of the Chair.
15. Commission Minutes: 26-0507
This Item Contains Minutes of the following City Commission Meetings:
a) Finance Subcommittee Action Meeting Minutes of December 18, 2025
(Finance Director Bretthauer)
b) Parking and Public Improvements Commission Meeting Minutes of April 23, 2026
(Community Development Director Alkire)
c) Parking and Public Improvements Commission Meeting Minutes of May 28, 2026
(Community Development Director Alkire)
d) Parking and Public Improvements Commission Meeting Minutes of June 25, 2026
(Community Development Director Alkire)
e) Parking and Public Improvements Commission Meeting Minutes of July 23, 2026
(Community Development Director Alkire)
f) Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 12, 2026 (Community Development Director Alkire).
INFORMATION ITEM ONLY
This item was received and filed by order of the Chair.
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City Council Regular Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final September 15, 2026 Q. CLOSED SESSION
None.
R. ADJOURNMENT
At 11:43 PM, Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting to the October 6, 2026, Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting at 5:00 PM.
_____________________________
Patricia Matson
Recording Secretary
_____________________________
Joe Franklin
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Liza Tamura
City Clerk
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