CITY MB NEWS
To the left is the current condition of the beach dunes in Manhattan Beach covered in invasive non-native plants. Above is a rendering design by RIOS of the beach dunes five years after completion of the dune restoration project which includes seeding of native coastal plants.
ENHANCING THE DUNES IN MANHATTAN BEACH The Manhattan Beach Dune Restoration Project has begun. This project will enhance approximately three acres of the existing dunes along the Manhattan Beach shoreline from 23rd to 26th Streets and 28th to 36th Streets through the removal of invasive non-native plants and seeding native coastal plants. As a result of the project, the dune will be a self-sustaining beautiful native system that helps the coastline and beaches become more resilient to climate change impacts. Join the City of Manhattan Beach, The Bay Foundation, the California State Coastal Conservancy, and L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors to restore the dunes by volunteering in one of the upcoming events. Visit the Manhattan Beach Dune Restoration Project at www.manhattanbeach.gov/ beachdunerestoration to learn more about the project and to register for one of the upcoming events. Photo (below): Manhattan Beach Dune Restoration Event on Friday, January 28, 2022, Daily Breeze
VOLUNTEER TO HELP RESTORE THE BEACH DUNES
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM February 11, 12, 18, 25, and 26, 2022. March 4, 11, 18, 19, 25, and 26, 2022 Lifeguard Tower at 34th Street, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 www.manhattanbeach.gov/beachdunerestoration
7 WAYS TO CELEBRATE EARTH MONTH IN MANHATTAN BEACH As we head into Earth Month and look forward to Earth Day on April 22, now is a great time to start planning how you might want to celebrate! Here are seven ideas to help get you started: 1
Gather your friends and family for a casual outdoor yoga or stretching session on the beach during sunrise or sunset, and soak in the beauty of the outdoors.
2 Create a checklist with some short-term and
long-term goals, or jot down some ecominded ideas in a journal to inspire you to treat every day like Earth Day!
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Take a rejuvenating walk on the beach and clean up trash along the way.
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Shop at the Manhattan Beach Farmers Market.
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Unplug electronics and turn out lights.
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Volunteer at the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden.
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Participate in a park clean up.
For more information about ways to celebrate Earth Month, visit: www.manhattanbeach.gov/earthmonth
The annual Keep It Green, Keep It Clean Earth Day Celebration is back in-person at the Roundhouse Aquarium. Join the fun on Saturday, April 23 from 10 AM - 2 PM Enjoy interactive booths by local community partners, Sustainable MB, and school organizations. Learn hands-on approaches to promote sustainable living. Create a reusable bag out of a t-shirt, plant your own seed, and check out other features of the aquarium throughout the day.
APPLY NOW TO CITY COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS! Looking for an opportunity to support your community and help provide guidance to the City Council on key projects and programs? Serving on a City Commission is a great way to do so. Currently, there are vacancies in the following Commissions: • Cultural Arts Commission; • Library Commission; • Parks and Recreation Commission; • Parking & Public Improvements Commission; and • Los Angeles County West Vector Control Board Trustee. Submit an electronic application today and learn more about each Board & Commission on our website. The application deadline is 5:30 PM, Thursday, April 14, 2022. www.manhattanbeach.gov/boardsandcommissions
WE WANT YOUR INPUT FOR THE NEXT POLICE CHIEF The City of Manhattan Beach has launched a statewide recruitment to select the next Chief of Police for the Manhattan Beach Police Department (MBPD). As part of the recruitment process, you are invited to submit input regarding the desired qualities by submitting your comments through February 27, 2022, to PoliceChief-CommunityInput@manhattanbeach. gov. Throughout the recruitment and selection process, feedback from the community, and input from various stakeholders regarding the ideal candidate’s qualifications and personal characteristics will be considered. The first review of applications will occur during the week of March 7, 2022 and will be followed by a robust selection process. Retired Chief Derrick Abell is leading the Police Department as the interim Chief of Police during the recruitment. Please visit Manhattan Beach Police Department for more information about the Police Department strategies, priorities, programs, and services.
WE'RE HIRING!
ELEVATE YOUR CAREER BY THE BEACH. JOIN OUR TEAM Join our skilled and dedicated team by applying for one of the jobs listed at www.manhattanbeach.gov/jobs www.roundhouseaquarium.org/earthday
MANHATTAN BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESENTS
STATE OF THE CITY MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA Please join Mayor Hildy Stern for the 2022 State of the City at 9 AM, March 17 at Joslyn Community Center 1601 North Valley Drive Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 For more information, please visit www.manhattanbeachchamber.com
FY 2022-2023 BUDGET TIMELINE COMMUNITY BUDGET MEETINGS AND STUDY SESSIONS
The City is currently preparing a single year budget for presentation to the City Council for adoption. This year's budget development process is scheduled to include the following dates and meetings below. Visit www.manhattanbeach.gov/budget for detailed information about the FY 2022-2023 Budget timeline.
PROPOSED BUDGET PRESENTED TO CITY COUNCIL After reviewing requests from each department and input from the community a proposed budget is prepared and presented to City Council.
MAY 3 FEBRUARY 15 MID-YEAR BUDGET REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL The Finance Department presents projected budget estimates for the current year to City Council.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Potential Budget Study Session during regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
BUDGET BEGINS The new fiscal year 2022-2023 (July 1 June 30) begins.
JULY 1
MAY 17 MAY 10 & 24 BUDGET STUDY SESSIONS Study sessions are set up for the City Council to review and refine the proposed budget. These study sessions are open to the public.
JUNE 7 PUBLIC HEARING & BUDGET ADOPTION City Council's final review of the budget. Adoption of the budget occurs based on a majority vote.
CITY OFFICIALS
Hildy Stern . . . . . . . . . . . . Mayor Steve Napolitano. . . . . . . . Mayor Pro Tem Richard Montgomery . . . . Councilmember Joe Franklin. . . . . . . . . . . . Councilmember Suzanne Hadley . . . . . . . . Councilmember Tim Lilligren. . . . . . . . . . . City Treasurer
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS
Bruce Moe. . . . . . . . . . . . . City Manager Liza Tamura . . . . . . . . . . . City Clerk Quinn Barrow. . . . . . . . . . City Attorney City Council meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at City Hall, 6 PM
REMEMBER TO SIGN-UP AND OPT-IN FOR ALERT SOUTH BAY
PLANNING COMMISSION
The City of Manhattan Beach has enhanced its emergency communication platform and will begin to transition all emergency messaging from NIXLE to Everbridge. You can now choose to receive notifications about events that may affect your home, workplace, schools, and more. Locally, the new Everbridge system is known as Alert Southbay.
Planning Commission meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at City Hall, 6 PM Kristin Sistos. . . . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large James Dillavou. . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Joseph Ungoco . . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Robert Tokashiki. . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Gerry Morton . . . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large
As a reminder, NIXLE will eventually be phased out and the Everbridge/Alert Southbay system will be the City of Manhattan Beach's only emergency alert system. Remaining NIXLE users will be notified when the City will be discontinuing notifications.
PARKING AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS COMMISSION
HOW TO REGISTER 1
GO TO ALERTSOUTHBAY.COM TO MAKE A PROFILE
2 TEXT ALERTSB TO 888777
TO RECEIVE THE LINK TO REGISTER
3 DOWNLOAD THE
EVERBRIDGE APP FROM THE APP STORE
Your information is protected and will only be used to notify you in the event of an emergency, or for the categories you subscribe to. www.alertsouthbay.com
BECOME A MBCERTA MEMBER
Sharpen your skills, learn how to respond to emergencies, and how to survive in case of a disaster. For more information, contact Jeanne (1certtraining@gmail.com). ARE YOU PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY? Manhattan Beach Community Emergency Response Team Association (MBCERTA) is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization created to enhance disaster preparedness and emergency response for our City. We work under the auspices of the Manhattan Beach Fire Department. Our 22-hour class teaches you how to take care of yourself, your family and neighbors in the event of a disaster, such as an earthquake. It includes: disaster preparedness, fire suppression, light search & rescue, medical triage & victim treatment, communication and more. Friday, May 13 Saturday, May 14 Sunday, May 15
6 PM - 10 PM 8 AM - 5 PM 8 AM - 5 PM
The class is free to those who live and work in Manhattan Beach. For more information, please email info@mbcerta.org. mbcerta.org
Parking and Public Improvements Commission meets the 4th Thursday of each month at City Hall, 6 PM Allen Kirschenbaum. . . . . . Member At-Large George Apostol. . . . . . . . . . Business Community Kathleen Paralusz. . . . . . . . Member At-Large Steve Murillo . . . . . . . . . . . Business Community Bob DaGiau . . . . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
Parks and Recreation Commission meets the 4th Monday of each month at City Hall, 6 PM Suzanne Karger. . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Bruce Greenberg. . . . . . . . . MBUSD District Nominee Ken Weiner. . . . . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Stephen Doran. . . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Laurie McCarthy. . . . . . . . . Older Adult Representative J.J. Turkmany, Jr.. . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Skylar Grampp.. . . . . . . . . . Student Representative
CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
Cultural Arts Commission meets the 3rd Monday of each month at City Hall, 6 PM Joe Marcy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Art Experience Fred Manna. . . . . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Rod Spackman . . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Karen Tokashiki . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Elizabeth Rubino. . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Lauren Ryan.. . . . . . . . . . . . Student Representative
LIBRARY COMMISSION
Library Commission meets the 2nd Monday of each month at City Hall, 6 PM Stefanie Bond. . . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Tracey Windes. . . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Bob Siemak. . . . . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Roberta Schreiner. . . . . . . . Member At-Large Janet Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . Member At-Large Aleena Parikh.. . . . . . . . . . . Student Representative
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TRAFFIC SIGNAL TIMING RESPONSIVENESS & BROADBAND NETWORK IMPROVEMENTS
The Manhattan Beach Advanced Traffic Signal (MBATS) Project aims to integrate signal timing and operations into a broadband network to be more responsive to changing traffic conditions and emergency situations. An important element of the project includes the design and construction of a complete citywide fiber network with connection points to City Hall, South Bay Fiber Network, and remote workstations for command and control of the traffic signal network. The project will also upgrade intersections when necessary with new controllers, signals, poles, accessible pedestrian system, and video detection, which will ultimately improve efficiency, safety and accessibility. In addition, dynamic message signs will be installed along main access routes to provide better traffic management. For more information, please visit the Manhattan Beach Advanced Traffic Signal System Project webpage at www.manhattanbeach.gov/mbats.
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COMMUNITYWIDE OPINION SURVEY RESULTS
Between December 6 and December 12, 2021, True North conducted a statistically valid survey to 560 registered Manhattan Beach residents. The survey data was collected by phone and online. Residents were recruited to participate in the survey through email, text, and phone. The survey was designed to have a margin of error of + 4.1% at a 95% confidence interval. Key conclusions are that residents are satisfied with Manhattan Beach and the City’s performance in terms of overall quality of life, overall performance in providing municipal services, and Manhattan Beach being a safe place to live. The results indicate if discretionary funds were available, maintenance and infrastructure, repairing and improving City streets and sidewalks, and repairing and upgrading the City’s sewer and wastewater systems are the top spending priorities. This is followed by improving the maintenance of parks and park amenities including restrooms, sports courts, and dog runs. While residents may support
redesigning public spaces to allow for outdoor dining, and additional park and recreation facility renovations, improvements, and replacements, the items were not identified as a high priority in comparison to the City’s maintenance and infrastructure. Please see the Manhattan Beach Community Opinion Survey for the full report at www.manhattanbeach.gov
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SEPULVEDA BOULEVARD EXPANDS TO 7 LANES BETWEEN 33RD STREET AND ROSECRANS AVENUE
To provide a consistent roadway width for vehicles traveling northbound on Sepulveda Boulevard and minimize traffic between 33rd Street and Rosecrans Avenue, the Sepulveda Bridge Widening Project is underway. Additionally, this project will expand the sidewalks to ensure ADA compliance and enhance the aesthetics of the bridge. The project is anticipated for completion in mid-April 2022. Please visit the Sepulveda Bridge Widening Project at www.manhattanbeach.gov/cip for more information.
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FIRE STATION NO. 2 UNDERGOING CONSTRUCTION
Manhattan Beach Fire Station No. 2, located at 1400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, was constructed in 1954. A needs assessment identified a number of deficiencies, which made the station inadequate to continue functioning as an essential facility. Therefore, in 2021, City Council approved the station replacement. During construction of the new facility, the firefighters are temporarily housed at Fire Station No. 1. In addition, they have modified their daily activities to maintain a regular, physical presence on the eastside of Sepulveda Boulevard. Demolition of the existing fire station has occurred, and compaction and excavation continue on the land. The project is anticipated for completion in April 2023.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OTHER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
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PECK RESERVOIR PREPARES TO BE FILLED AND TESTED WITH 8 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER
After reaching its useful life, the City of Manhattan Beach began renovations on the Peck Reservoir in October 2020. Contributing to the City’s drinkable water supply and serving as an emergency storage source of water, the replacement facility is anticipated to re-open in May/June 2022. The replacement facility will include an upgraded groundwater filtration treatment facility that will allow the City to use more of its own local groundwater supply, an additional 500,000 gallons of water storage capacity than the old reservoir tank, a new electrical and pump station building, and a replacement of the operations control building. Once completed, the site will be buffered by and decorated with native drought tolerant plants, shrubs, and grasses.
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TRANSFORMING THE LOWER PLAYGROUND AT POLLIWOG PARK INTO AN ADVENTUROUS PLAYGROUND
Demolition and construction of the lower playground at Polliwog Park are anticipated to begin in late May 2022, with completion projected for late summer 2022. While this project was scheduled for completion in spring 2022, due to supply chain shortages related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the equipment, which is manufactured in Europe, is unavailable for procurement and shipment until May 2022. With nostalgic elements like the reimagined galleon, updated ADA accessible walkways and structures, and new structures for all ages, this playground will be a great source of fun for years to come.
www.manhattanbeach.gov/cip
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MANHATTAN BEACH ADVANCED TRAFFIC SIGNAL (MBATS)
SEPULVEDA BRIDGE
5 PECK RESERVOIR
4 FIRE STATION NO. 2
6 POLLIWOG PARK PLAYGROUND