The National City Council moved into closed session to discuss public employment for the city manager following a period of public comment that raised concerns about turnover, public-records practices and a multimillion-dollar jury verdict against the city.

Public commenters asked the council to involve residents in the city manager selection process and to ensure the next manager adheres to open-government laws. "We would like to see a meeting where you consider asking the public what they'd like to see in a city manager," said Ted Gottschalk, a National City resident. Maria Severson, a resident, urged that the next manager and city attorneys adhere to the Public Records Act and the Brown Act so that city records and open-meeting duties are preserved and provided when requested. "...adhere to the Public Records Act," Severson said.

Several speakers linked concerns about recent leadership changes to larger governance issues. "This is the third city manager in the last few months," said Michael Garrity, a community member, and later referenced a "$10,000,000 verdict" that he said undermined public confidence in city departments. Another commenter, Alexander Guthrie, pointed to what he described as an abrupt change to the city's published claim form and submission procedures shortly after public-records requests: "the city abruptly changed its published claim form and the procedures on how to submit a claim."

A speaker also invoked the municipal code while urging the council to ensure the city manager performs duties set by law. One public commenter cited "National City Municipal Code 2.01 0.02" in arguing the city manager should be responsible for efficient administration and for enforcing city laws. The council then held a closed session; the city attorney stated on the record, "The item on tonight's closed session involves public employment and the position to be filled is the city manager." No appointment or vote was recorded in the public portion of the meeting transcript provided.

The meeting notice and public-comment procedures were read at the start of the session: residents may submit general or item-specific comments in person using the salmon-colored speaker slips or by email up to four hours before the meeting; oral comments were limited to two minutes. After the closed session, the council returned to open session and recessed for about five minutes to gather materials before continuing the regular meeting. The transcript does not record any formal appointment of a city manager or a public vote on the matter during the portions provided.