Council updates parking rules and ParkMobile contract
Manhattan Beach City Council introduced new paid parking rules while advancing a ParkMobile contract change tied to a $1.1 million compensation increase.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — paid parking update includes parkmobile contract, american red cross, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The city says ParkMobile should begin operating after Christmas, as new rules clear the way for kiosks, mobile payments, and license-plate-based enforcement.
Parking is getting a digital rewrite in Manhattan Beach. Manhattan Beach City Council introduced an ordinance that would update the city’s paid parking rules for kiosks, mobile payments, electronic payments, and license-plate-based enforcement. The change is meant to align city code with the way the system will actually work once the new program is in place.
Before approving consent items, staff walked through a ParkMobile contract amendment that shifts merchant-of-record duties to ParkMobile. Staff said operations are expected after Christmas. That explanation came after a resident questioned the amendment, focusing on the $1.1 million compensation increase and asking how the city plans to notify the public when the new system begins.
The discussion put two tracks side by side: the legal update needed to run a modern paid parking system, and the contract change needed to launch it. The ordinance was introduced, not finally adopted, so it will return for another step before taking effect. In the meantime, the city is preparing for a rollout that relies on app-based and electronic payments, while residents are looking for clear notice on when the switch happens and what drivers will need to do differently.
American Red Cross: Blood drive announcement
A fall blood drive is back on the calendar. An American Red Cross representative told the Council that the 26th annual Matt and Mike Johnson Memorial Blood Drive will be held at the Manhattan Beach Library meeting room.
The drive is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4. Each session will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The representative said the need remains steady because of a chronic blood shortage.
Donors will get a small incentive, including a gift card, and the representative made a brief plug for snacks. The announcement closed with thanks to the Council and the community, along with a straightforward request: sign up and give blood if you can.
Council extends MB Wave Rider pilot
Council voted 3-2 to extend the MB Wave Rider microtransit pilot for seven months starting December 1 under a reduced service option. During public comment, a Chamber representative urged a longer extension so the city can judge ridership growth and compare subsidies with Dial-a-Ride.
Riders and businesses keep the service for now, but at reduced levels and with a split council vote.
Council prioritizes 400 MBB redevelopment path
Staff brought Project Pulse concepts for Parking Lot 3 and 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, and the Council directed work to focus first on 400 MBB. The Council rejected a tunnel connection to Metlox Plaza, backed interim paid parking with kiosks, and asked staff to keep limited talks going with the adjacent Von’s site owners.
Council debated redevelopment options for downtown city properties, parking, plaza uses, and a development partner.
Residents press city on Edison outages
Downtown speakers told the Council that repeated non-storm outages are hurting businesses, damaging equipment, and leaving residents with unreliable restoration messages. David Lesser said the city would respond to the issues raised, noting an Edison subcommittee and a push for answers.
Downtown residents and businesses described repeated Edison outages, losses, and demanded accountability.
Police announce coffee, etching, car show
The Police Chief promoted three upcoming Manhattan Beach Police Department events: Coffee with a Cop, a catalytic converter VIN etching event on September 19, and the 7th annual Manhattan Beach car show on September 26. The car show will be held in downtown Manhattan Beach and benefits the Manhattan Beach K9 Foundation.
Police announced upcoming Coffee with a Cop, VIN etching, and a September 26 car show.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
MANHATTAN BEACH had 24 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEManhattan Beach Library: Author event and Hello Kitty library card partnership. Library staff announced a speaker series event with bestselling author Michael Connelly on October 24 at Mira Costa High School, with the first 1,000 attendees receiving a signed copy of his upcoming book. Staff also announced a Hello Kitty partnership and specialty library card launching Friday.
- GOVERNANCEWaste Management: Battery safety and drop-off reminders. A Waste Management outreach educator urged residents to recycle batteries safely to prevent truck fires and listed battery drop-off locations, including city facilities and MBUSD schools. He answered a question about taping battery terminals, stating batteries can be dropped off without tape.
- GOVERNANCECity Council requests and reports: North Manhattan Beach Stroll cost recovery waiver reconsideration. A councilmember requested bringing back the North Manhattan Beach Stroll item for reconsideration regarding a full or partial waiver of recovery of third-party costs. The Mayor noted it would follow a reconsideration process and return at the next meeting for discussion.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comments (non-agenda): Request to reinstate free exercise program via volunteer framework. A resident asked the City to address liability concerns without shutting down a free exercise program that drew about 50 participants, proposing the City absorb the instructor into a formal volunteer program to manage insurance and oversight.
- GOVERNANCECity Council requests and reports: Midyear update on modernize business license initiative. Councilmembers requested a discussion and direction item to continue the initiative to modernize the business license program, including a midyear update. The request received the required third vote to be placed on a future agenda.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comments (non-agenda): Dog urine and street cleaning concerns near El Porto. A resident requested improved cleaning and clearer accountability for an area near El Porto described as heavily affected by dog urine, stating prior contacts with Public Works had not produced change and asking for a response by email.
- GOVERNANCECeremonial calendar. The Mayor announced there were no ceremonial calendar items.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comments (non-agenda): Single Mom Project fundraising results. A nonprofit founder reported that the first Single Mom Project Day in Manhattan Beach raised $10,000 despite bad weather and expected to approach $20,000, describing how $1,000 grants help low-income single mothers with urgent needs.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comments (non-agenda): Appreciation for storm cleanup response. A long-time resident thanked the Police Department and Public Works for a quick response after a large tree fell across a street, describing immediate street closure and overnight cleanup work.
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No resident comments recorded this week.