Manhattan Beach City Council approves two year-end appropriations
Manhattan Beach City Council approved $2,175,000 for insurance and $43,000 for parking lots as preliminary results showed a General Fund surplus.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — fiscal year 2025–2026 preliminary year-end financial, library plans michael connelly event and, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The $17.6 million General Fund surplus includes one-time bond proceeds, and the results remain preliminary while the city completes its year-end audit.
Two city funds finished the year beyond their spending limits. The Manhattan Beach City Council unanimously approved an additional $2,175,000 for the Insurance Reserve Fund and $43,000 for the County Parking Lots Fund after the Finance Director presented preliminary fiscal year 2025–2026 results. Both funds had spent more than their budgeted appropriations, requiring Council approval under city financial policies. The Manhattan Beach City Council also received and filed the preliminary reports.
The Finance Director reported a $17.6 million General Fund surplus, but that figure includes one-time bond proceeds tied to a land purchase in April 2025. The debt was issued in August, crossing fiscal years. The purchase had reduced the General Fund balance by $25 million at the end of fiscal year 2025. The balance stood at $43 million at the end of fiscal year 2026, with $1.4 million in encumbrances carried forward.
Higher insurance claims and premiums contributed to the Insurance Reserve Fund overage. The parking fund needed more spending authority because its transfer to the General Fund was underbudgeted. Looking ahead, the adopted fiscal year 2026–2027 budget projects a General Fund balance of $36 million, including planned transfers of $10 million to the Insurance Reserve Fund and $4 million to the capital improvement fund. The Finance Director introduced a 17-page financial performance indicators document to give the Manhattan Beach City Council more long-term context. The next budget update is scheduled for November 17.
Library plans Michael Connelly event and selects its moderator
The Manhattan Beach Library Commission selected a commissioner to moderate an October 24 author event at Mira Costa High School. County library staff described a 2:00 PM conversation followed by a book signing. The program will buy 1,000 copies of the guest author's forthcoming book and give signed copies to the first 1,000 attendees, ahead of its October 27 release. Staff plan to distribute the books at the auditorium doors rather than leave them on seats.
The Manhattan Beach Library Commission discussed ways to make entry and the signing more accessible. Options included opening side entrances earlier for attendees with mobility limitations and their companions, and providing a shorter signing line for people who cannot stand in the general line. Staff will coordinate with the school on access and wheelchair seating. At the time of the presentation, 137 people had registered.
County library staff outlined plans for email, website and digital promotion, along with a related program at Manhattan Beach Library. They also previewed possible guests and costs for a 2027–2028 speaker series. Those plans remain preliminary; the Manhattan Beach Library Commission's decision at this meeting was its choice of moderator for October.
City Council directs staff to pursue poet program
The Manhattan Beach City Council unanimously directed staff to move ahead with a proposed two-year Poet Laureate program, despite staff's recommendation to wait because of workload and expertise constraints. The proposal sets aside $13,000 from the Public Art Fund for a stipend and materials, but that amount does not cover staff time.
The program would bring original poems to city events and offer poetry activities for older adults and other ages.
City Council waives Holiday Stroll safety costs
The Manhattan Beach City Council unanimously waived $12,500 in estimated third-party public safety costs for the North Manhattan Beach Holiday Stroll. Staff distinguished those outside costs from an estimated $59,688 in city staff time and services; the Council's decision concerned only the $12,500 portion.
The waiver means the North Manhattan Beach BID will not have to cover those outside safety costs for the event.
City Council creates nine-member housing task force
The Manhattan Beach City Council approved a nine-resident Housing Task Force with a Council liaison and alternate for a three-year term, with one dissenting vote. The task force will meet under the Brown Act and advise on regional housing allocation methods, the next housing element and public engagement.
Residents will have a public forum to weigh in before the next housing element, covering 2029–2037, is completed.
Residents press City Council on storm project
The Manhattan Beach City Council heard residents' concerns about delays at the 28th Street storm infiltration project near Bruce's Beach. Residents cited parking and emergency-access problems, dust and rain risks; Public Works said the project remains a priority and has reduced on-site staffing to control costs while maintaining coordination.
Nearby residents face parking and access disruptions while the unfinished stormwater project remains a concern ahead of rain.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
MANHATTAN BEACH had 16 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEUpdate on the City’s homelessness initiative. Staff presented data on homelessness outreach and outcomes, including the 2026 count and functional zero metrics. Council and the public discussed the accuracy of the annual count, vehicle homelessness, enforcement limits, the Reach app, and potential additional tools such as homeless court and resource support for outreach.
- GOVERNANCEFuture agenda items and requests. Council members requested future agenda attention to undergrounding district updates (District 12/14) and potential code/policy work related to air conditioner/mini-split placement and cooling centers.
- GOVERNANCERecognition of Kalista Young (Tough Cookie Inc.). The City recognized Kalista Young, CEO of Tough Cookie Inc., as the 2026 winner of the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneurs Academy and third-place winner at the 2026 YEA National Competition.
- GOVERNANCEConsent calendar approval (item 5 excluded) and reconsideration request regarding item 4. The Council approved the consent calendar excluding item 5. During the process, a request was raised to pull item 4 for clarification about an ordinance related to kiosks versus meters; after clarification, the Council proceeded with the consent calendar vote excluding item 5.
- GOVERNANCECouncil member reports and conference updates. Council members reported on attendance at the League of California Cities conference, including discussion of a policy initiative related to working with Sacramento on housing solutions and a coastal communities meeting. The Mayor also mentioned a pavement-life extension product to share with Public Works.
- GOVERNANCECity Manager report and City Attorney report. The City Manager and City Attorney each reported no substantive items beyond what had been discussed; the City Attorney stated there was nothing further for the evening.
- GOVERNANCEPublic Comments (Opening). The Mayor opened the public comment period and called for speakers. No public comments were received in chambers or online, and the public comment period was closed.
- GOVERNANCEClose session report and reconvene to open session. The City Council reconvened to open session after closed session. The City Attorney announced the Council had discussed two closed-session items and gave direction on item number one; no reportable action was stated.
- GOVERNANCEExtend meeting past 10:30 p.m. and past 11:00 p.m.. The Council voted to extend the meeting beyond the normal end time, first past 10:30 p.m. and then past 11:00 p.m., to complete remaining items.
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