City Council Action: What Passed, What Didn't

The biggest news to come out of the City Council meeting Tuesday night was the lack of approval for serving beer and wine on the beach during the centennial committee's Sept. 22 Beach Ball.

Council members declined to approve an uncodified ordinance and resolution to allow alcohol on the beach. Council member Richard Montgomery and Mayor Nick Tell were clearly for doing so; Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Powell and council members David Lesser and Amy Howorth were not. A vote was not taken once each council member's position was stated nor was a vote required, according to City Attorney Roxanne Diaz. Staff report here.

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Council voted 3-1 to allow the city manager to execute an agreement with the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors for a concrete walkway on the beach at 42nd Street in El Porto. Councilman Lesser was the lone dissenter. Mayor Pro Tem Powell was not allowed to participate in the discussion or vote because he sits on a beach commission. Staff report here.

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Council voted unanimously to allow the North MB Business Improvement District to pay for the creation and installation of a monument on Rosecrans Avenue near Verandas to tell the public they are entering Manhattan Beach. Staff report here.

In a 3-0 vote, with Mayor Tell and councilman Montgomery recused, the remaining council members voted to amend the city's contract with the Manhattan Beach Country Club to eliminate three membership privileges under city jurisdiction that were added to the contract in 2003. Tell did not vote because he is a member of the club. Montgomery also has a club affiliation that did not allow him to participate in the voting procedure, including discussion, or vote on the amendment. Staff report here.

Much to the chagrin of a Surfrider member and MB resident, council voted 3-2 to amend the city's municipal code to make restaurants exempt from the city’s plastic bag ban prohibition. Mayor Tell and councilman Montgomery cast the dissenting votes. Staff report here.

City council also approved and applauded city staff's recommendation to save $1.06 million dollars by refinancing debt issues into better finance terms. Staff report here.

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