Manhattan Beach Intel · SBI

The five-ish things worth knowing about Manhattan Beach this week.

Independent, source-backed reporting on City Hall, schools, streets, and neighborhood life.

Issue #2 · June 18, 2026 · 5 minutes

What Matters This Week

  • MBUSD authorized $14.2 million in planned certificated staffing and benefit reductions over two years; the final budget outcome remains unconfirmed.
  • Filed budget resolutions redirect $4.7 million from four capital projects to the Senior and Scout Community Center renovation.
  • The city secured nearly $2.9 million in federal funding for World Cup security with no local match required.
  • The 12-year-old Rosecrans bike lane project was authorized at no expected city cost.
  • State-required ADU rules passed a first reading 4-1 and are not yet effective.

Schools· $14.2M

MBUSD planned $14.2 million in staffing and benefit reductions over two years

Board of Education · December 10, 2025

MBUSD's Board of Education adopted Resolution 2025-33, planning $6.65 million in certificated staffing and benefit reductions for FY2026-27 and $7.52 million for FY2027-28.

Certificated positions generally include teachers, counselors, and other credentialed employees. No classified support-staff reductions appear in the December resolution.

The board's final FY2026-27 budget adoption outcome has not been confirmed from accessible official district records.

Staffing and benefit reductions

The resolution uses California's Particular Kinds of Service process for reducing certificated positions. Final adopted totals may differ if later state funding changed the budget.

MBUSD planned certificated reductions
CategoryFY2026-27FY2027-28
Certificated salaries$4,826,926$5,994,506
Statutory benefits$1,087,410$1,350,443
Health and welfare benefits$737,410$179,436
Year total$6,651,746$7,524,385

Source: MBUSD Resolution 2025-33, December 10, 2025.

City budget· $4.7M

Manhattan Beach redirects $4.7 million to the Senior and Scout Community Center

City Council · June 2, 2026

Manhattan Beach's FY2027 operating-budget resolutions are on file marked adopted. Finalized minutes and the complete General Fund total have not yet been posted.

The clearest confirmed change is a capital reallocation: $4,702,357 previously spread across four projects — including the project at 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard — was removed and redirected to the Senior and Scout Community Center renovation.

The resolution does not say how much of that combined total belonged to any individual project. Separately, the General Fund was reduced by roughly $763,000 through cost containment described by the city as having minimal to no service-delivery impacts.

Budget changes detail
  • $4,702,357 de-obligated across City Facility Renovations, 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Begg Pool, and Sand Dune Park.
  • $4,702,357 reallocated to the Senior and Scout Community Center renovation.
  • $280,000 added to the State Pier and Parking Fund.
  • The FY2027 Gann appropriations limit is $114,799,772.

Source: Resolutions 26-0049 and 26-0050, Manhattan Beach City Council, June 2, 2026.

Public safety

Manhattan Beach secured nearly $2.9 million for World Cup security operations

City Council · June 2, 2026

The city accepted a $2,898,597 federal grant covering World Cup security operations through July 31. The FEMA/CalOES grant requires no local match.

The agreement covers police overtime and security infrastructure around the Westdrift Hotel area, including officer deployments at venues, hotels, and transportation hubs.

A separate $200,000 barrier-rental authorization was also considered. The available official record does not yet confirm whether that entire purchase is reimbursable under the grant.

Grant spending detail
Selected World Cup security grant items
ItemAmount
Federal grant$2,898,597
Security barrier rentals$33,075
Security gate rentals$148,837.50
Local match required$0

Source: Resolution 26-0053 and LAWCHC Grant Agreement, Appendix D, June 2, 2026.

Transportation

Rosecrans Avenue bike lanes authorized after 12 years

City Council · June 16, 2026

The council voted 5-0 to authorize agreements for Class II bike lanes on Rosecrans Avenue between Highland and Sepulveda — 12 years after the project was first approved in concept.

Funding comes from a $1 million Caltrans reimbursement grant and $750,000 in Measure R funds. No net cost to Manhattan Beach is expected.

The westbound lane requires a coordination agreement with El Segundo because the alignment crosses the city boundary. Construction timing has not been announced.

Project timeline

The project was first approved in concept around 2014. Resolution 26-0055 authorizes the city manager to execute project documents, including the El Segundo cooperation agreement.

Source: Manhattan Beach City Council, Resolution 26-0055, Item 26-0383, June 16, 2026.

Housing

Manhattan Beach moves to update what homeowners can build as ADUs

City Council · June 16, 2026

State housing law sets minimum standards for accessory dwelling units, and cities must keep local codes in compliance. The council gave first-read approval to Ordinance 26-0009.

The first reading passed 4-1, with Mayor Franklin dissenting. His stated objection has not been confirmed from the available record.

A second reading is required before the ordinance takes effect. Until then, existing ADU rules remain in place.

Rules and exemptions

The ordinance updates the municipal code and Local Coastal Program to implement five programs from the city's state-required Housing Element.

The detailed code exhibits address local development standards. The ordinance has passed only its first reading and is not yet effective.

Source: Manhattan Beach City Council official transcript, Item 26-0382, June 16, 2026.

In brief

Two more things worth knowing

Short-term-rental fines

A filed ordinance sets statutory maximums for short-term-rental violations.

Fine amounts and next steps
  • Final adoption status pending — effective date not yet confirmed
  • Council vote details remain pending
Short-term rental violation fines
ViolationMaximum fine
First violation$1,500
Second violation (within one year)$3,000
Each additional violation$5,000

Source: Ordinance 26-0008, June 2, 2026.

November election

Two City Council seats will be on the November 3 ballot. The election action passed 5-0.

Source: Manhattan Beach City Council, June 16, 2026.

Upcoming dates

Upcoming Dates

Tue, Jul 7 · 6:00 PM
City Council
Wed, Jul 8 · 3:00 PM
Planning Commission — 309 Manhattan Beach Boulevard returns

One Thing to Watch

309 Manhattan Beach Boulevard

The Planning Commission reviewed the restaurant's one-year operating record, found it in general compliance, and voted 5-0 to continue the item to July 8.

Staff was directed to return with a resolution making the current expanded hours permanent and removing the restriction on indoor live music. That formal vote is still pending.

Compliance review and timeline
  • Prior conditions: one-year operating review required
  • Compliance finding: general compliance
  • Current hours: expanded (proposed permanent)
  • Indoor live music: restriction to be removed
  • June 11 action: continued to July 8 (vote 5-0)
  • Next step: formal resolution vote still pending

Issue archive

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Issue #2: School reductions, a major capital reallocation, and movement on streets and housing.5 minutes →