The Redondo Beach City Council on Tuesday approved a fourth amendment to the employment agreement for the city manager after discussion in closed session and an extended open-session debate.

Councilmember Abagi, who led the motion, recounted recent accomplishments under the city manager's leadership and said the city manager's performance justified an above-proposed increase. "What we have here in Mike Wachanski is a $350,000-a-year city manager. He's here because he loves our city," Abagi said, arguing for raising the proposed $10,000 increase to $15,000 this year.

Councilmember Barron seconded the motion and emphasized the workload and pace of delivery the administration had achieved, while other councilmembers expressed concern about the city's fiscal position and the optics of moving beyond staff's recommendation during a deficit year.

Members of the public who addressed the council during the excluded-consent item spoke in support of the city manager and endorsed the additional pay. City Manager Mike Wachanski thanked the council and credited staff, saying the city's accomplishments were collective.

The motion to approve the amendment with the additional $5,000 passed 3–2. The council recorded the vote on the motion and the item carried.