Manhattan Beach City Council recesses into closed session to consider litigation

The Manhattan Beach City Council on Tuesday, Aug. 19 recessed into closed session to consider two anticipated litigation matters under Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2) and (e)(1) and an existing case, SC Group 3400 Fletcher LLC v. City of Manhattan Beach, Assistant City Attorney David Snow said.

The announcement came after a routine roll call and a 5-0 vote to approve the meeting agenda. Council members recorded present during roll call were Council Member Tarnay, Council Member Cerillion, Council Member Haworth, Mayor Pro Tem Franklin and Mayor Lesser. A motion to approve the agenda was noted in the record as moved by Council Member Charillion and seconded by Council Member Haworth; the council voted 5-0 to adopt the agenda.

“There will be a recess into closed session to consider the items on the agenda, which include two matters of anticipated litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2) and (e)(1), as well as one existing litigation matter, which is SC Group 3400 Fletcher LLC v. City of Manhattan Beach,” Assistant City Attorney David Snow said in open session. Snow was identified by the presiding official later in the open-session announcements.

No members of the public addressed the council in chambers and there were no requests to speak on Zoom during the public comment period. After the announcement, the council recessed into closed session; no further actions or votes were taken in open session.

Votes at a glance Approve agenda — motion by Council Member Charillion; second by Council Member Haworth. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no.

The council did not disclose details of the litigation items in open session. Closed-session deliberations are confidential under state law, and the council did not state a public timetable for any follow-up disclosures.