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Hermosa Beach council recesses to closed session after divided public comments on city manager Suja Lowenthal
Summary
After more than an hour of public comment sharply divided over City Manager Suja Lowenthal's performance, the Hermosa Beach City Council recessed to closed session to consider a personnel matter; the city attorney later reported no reportable action under the Brown Act.
The Hermosa Beach City Council recessed to closed session May 5 to consider a personnel matter involving City Manager Suja Lowenthal after an extended, at times heated, public-comment period that split residents and local officials.
The public comment period included several dozen speakers who urged the council either to retain Lowenthal, citing staff morale and city accomplishments, or to consider removal, citing late or over-budget projects, a controversial parking-permit rollout and delays connected to the city's housing element. After the closed session the city attorney reported that "no action was taken in the closed session that needs to be reported under the Brown Act." (City Attorney.)
The debate unfolded primarily during public comment, with supporters and critics both voicing…
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