by Kevin Cody
Former five-term Manhattan Beach councilmember Steve Napolitano was appointed interim city manager of Hermosa Beach by a 3 to 2 vote of the City Council Tuesday night.
The council was unanimous in its praise of Napolitano, whom they have all worked with on issues common to the two cities.
But Councilmembers Michael Detoy and Raymond Jackson said they voted against his appointment because they disapproved of the appointment process.
“He’s a guy I looked up to when he was a Manhattan Beach official. But based on the process, not the person, I’m not supporting his appointment. The council’s not interviewed him. We’ve not heard his vision,” Detoy said.
“I’m a Steve fan, I worked closely with him,” said Councilman Raymond Jackson. “But we give more scrutiny to the appointment of a parks commissioner. The city manager is the one employee the council hires, and we haven’t interviewed him. This is shameful. This appointment is not earned. Unfortunately, he chose not to be here tonight,” Jackson said.
Mayor Rob Saemann countered that recruiting a permanent city manager is estimated to take three months, and the city needs an interim city manager now.
Saemann mentioned the city budget, and the pending builder’s remedy development as among city issues that need the immediate attention of an interim city manager.
“We’re fortunate Napolitano is here. I can’t imagine anyone more qualified,” Saemann said.
In addition to having served on Manhattan’s city council, Napolitano served as a senior deputy to County Supervisor Don Knabe for 12 years, and is an attorney.
Residents who addressed the council were also divided over Napolitano’s appointment.
Former Councilmember Justin Massey agreed with Detoy and Jackson that the interim city manager should have been selected through an interview process.
He also criticized the council majority for having triggered former City Manager Suja Lowenthal’s resignation, which included six months severance pay.
“Now we’re paying for two city managers for six months,” Massey said. The interim city manager position pays $240,000 per annum and does not have benefits.
Hermosa resident and business owner John Mesko told the council the city needed a change in management. He said he has opened businesses in 10 different cities, and “Hermosa is by far the worst to do business in. I’d like to say my experience has been an anomaly. But ask any other business owner about their relationship with the city, and they’ll say the same thing.”
“Hiring Napolitano is the best news I’ve heard in 20 years. He’ll make you look like heroes,” Mesko said.
Carlene Beste, a former Hermosa School Board member, and former Northrop Grumman public affairs manager, praised Napolitano as “a strategic leader with respect for beach culture.”
She said she had worked with him over a 30-year period on projects ranging from the Marine Avenue sports complex and Manhattan Beach Studios, to preventing the Los Angeles Air Force Base from being closed.
Parks and Rec Commissioner Barbara Ellman agreed with Massey, as did Chat GPT, she said.
“I asked ChatGPT how not to fire a city manager. It said, “City managers are professionals, not politicians, and deserve a fair process.”
Resident Elka Worner addressed the council holding a smiley face helium balloon.
She told the Council the smiley face was designed by a graphic artist in the ‘60s for an insurance company to boost employee morale.
“I’ve brought each of you a balloon as a reminder a little levity goes a long way. Government service is never easy. But don’t forget to smile,” Worner said.
After the vote to hire Napolitano, Saemann expressed hope the Council and the community could put disagreement over Lowenthal’s departure behind them.
“I’ve served on two city commissions and the city council for 14 years. Not for fun. Not to be popular. But because I care about the city. We are all neighbors. We have the same motivation. I hope the five of us can get on with running the city,” the Mayor said. ER
Who shows up for work in sandals ? How unprofessional. Dirty feet on a work desk ? Who can take this guy seriously ?
You are not from around here, my friend.
It’s too bad that certain members of the Hermosa Beach City Council can’t read. They obviously don’t understand the word interim. The current path under the last city manager was a disaster just look at the downtown area alone. Plus the building department for permits closed on Fridays.
There are so many more!
In addition, the current interim city manager has more experience than all of those certain council members combined. He brings a high-level of experience and a caliber and culture that this city desperately needs.
Looks like a file photo taken in a Manhattan Beach Office. Pic of Manhattan Pier on wall.
The sandals are a bit contrived.