Manhattan Beach City Council: Adjourned Regular Meeting - May 12, 2026

The City of Manhattan Beach held an adjourned regular meeting on May 12, 2026, focusing extensively on procurement and budget-related matters. Key procurement discussions included the approval of an overhire for one police captain to address staffing challenges without reducing patrol officers, with council approving the motion 4-1. The council also reviewed and deliberated on a comprehensive business license tax modernization plan, considering multiple tax models aimed at simplifying the tax structure and increasing equity, with a consensus to proceed with a hybrid model (Model 3) featuring a $100,000 cap and a reduced tax rate to generate approximately $800,000 in additional revenue. Additionally, the council discussed the Senior and Scout House capital improvement project, approving a funding plan involving $14.6 million in bond proceeds, $4 million in city contributions, and $2.1 million in donations, with an annual debt service of $645,000. The council also reviewed the five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal years 2026-27 through 2030-31, including proposed funding reductions and prioritization metrics, and authorized maintenance repairs for the upper pier parking lot railings. Staff presentations covered departmental budgets, staffing, and operational metrics across various city departments. The meeting concluded with plans to continue budget discussions in upcoming sessions.