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Work Plan

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The City Council develops a Work Plan document that outlines the key priorities and projects that City Council directs staff to focus on over a specific period of time (typically the fiscal year). These items may require many hours of staff time or substantial financial resources, high community involvement or community interest, or have a significant impact on City operations. 

Current Work Plans, Related Documents, and Accomplishments

Through periodic updates and an annual review, staff provides updated information regarding the projects in the Work Plan and offers the City Council the opportunity to add new projects or remove them, as desired.

The City Council Work Plan features a consistent layout with priority levels on projects, funding sources, department and commission involvement, and completed and pending actions. Priority levels are assigned to each item with the following definitions: A (critical), B (important), and C (normal).

Based on direction provided at the February 25, 2025 City Council meeting, staff updated the Work Plan to reflect the priorities identified by City Council. The City Council’s current Work Plan was approved at the May 20, 2025, City Council meeting and an additional update was approved at the October 21, 2025, City Council meeting.

The City Council held the annual Work Plan meeting on February 24, 2026 to develop the FY 26-27 City Council Work Plan. The FY 26-27 Work Plan will return for adoption in May. 

Currently, the City Council Work Plan contains 18 items across nine City departments.

Department Work Plan Items

The list below summarizes projects and initiatives City of Manhattan Beach staff is concurrently dedicating significant time and resources to that are not currently on the City Council Work Plan. This list was provided at the February 24, 2026, Work Plan meeting and will be refreshed as additional updates are provided to the City Council. 

MANAGEMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT

  1. Enhance the Municipal Code to increase transparency and user experience, including the addition of the Local Coastal Program and General Plan.
  2. Evaluation of the Public Records Request portal and streamlining public access to online records.
  3. Preparations to conduct the 2026 General Municipal Election.
  4. Acquisition and implementation of a centralized citywide contract management system.
  5. Maintenance of ongoing homelessness initiatives.
  6. Maintenance of the City Council Work Plan and related documents.
  7. Review of legislation impacting the City in conformance with the City’s Legislative Platform.
  8. Collaborate with legislators on potential bills to protect the City’s interests.
  9. Creation and maintenance of ongoing employee engagement initiatives.
  10. Implement the Teams Governance Committee to implement changes to internal communication platform.
  11. Enhancements to the City website and email communications.
  12. Collaborate with the Community Development Department to notify and engage the community regarding Project Pulse.
  13. Collaborate with the Public Works Department on an informational campaign regarding the Pacific Gravity Line Project.
  14. Collaborate with the Fire and Police Departments to initiate an educational campaign encouraging residents to sign-up for Alert South Bay emergency messages.
  15. Planning and development of the State of the City with the Chamber of Commerce.
  16. Providing support to the City Council in the development of initiatives and policies as needed.
  17. Ensuring compliance with SB 707 regarding meeting and teleconference requirements.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

  1. Review and update Finance-related Municipal Code sections, including § 6.01 Business Licensing Regulations and § 8.20 Uniform Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax.
  2. Simplify, clarify and modernize the Business License Tax Structure to be more fair and equitable while maintaining long-term fiscal sustainability.
  3. Implementation of online processing platform for Hotel and Short-Term Rental Transient Occupancy Taxes.
  4. Conduct audits on City Land Lease agreements and significant taxpayers of Hotel and Short-term Rental Transient Occupancy Taxes.
  5. Analyze and update City Ground Leases and potential amendments.
  6. Development of a Citywide program for grant and project tracking and communication.
  7. Provide financial analysis for capital projects, including the Scout House and downtown opportunity sites (400 MBB and Lot 3), and identify potential funding options.
  8. Implement Development Impact Fee Program as approved by the City Council in February 2026.
  9. Address new accounting standards (i.e. GASB 102, 103 and 104) and upgrade payroll processes to address recent changes in tax laws (e.g. Federal “No Tax on Overtime”).
  10. Continue development of training materials for financial processes and procedures for new employees and existing users.

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

  1. Development of the Senior and Scout House Community Center.
  2. Implementation of the Parks and Recreation Department 2024-2027 Strategic Plan.
  3. Implementation of a Public Art Maintenance Program based on the Public Art Collection Survey.
  4. Development of 2026 Juneteenth events.
  5. Oversee completion of the Bruce’s Beach Art Project.
  6. Explore activities to enhance FIFA experience for residents.
  7. Explore enhancements for the City’s future Veteran’s Day ceremonies.
  8. Explore activities to enhance Olympic experience for residents.
  9. Collaborate with LoveMB to identify potential alternative funding sources to support ongoing operations.
  10. Replacement of the current activity registration software.

      Notable Accomplishments

      The list below summarizes notable projects or initiatives that City departments have accomplished. This list was provided for the February 24, 2026 Annual City Council Work Plan meeting and will be updated again for the next annual meeting.

      MANAGEMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT

      1. Held ribbon cuttings for the following projects: Polliwog Park Dog Run, Live Oak Park Kiln, and Pier Railing Replacement.
      2. Updated City’s Records Retention Schedule and conducted a review of Citywide records.
      3. Continued to update the Boards and Commission Handbook and related Municipal Code sections as needed.
      4. Finalized the onboarding of City Commissions to the City’s existing agenda management software.
      5. Refreshed the City’s social media accounts to encourage civic engagement, resulting in an increase of our audience by approximately 14%.
      6. Successfully hosted the City’s Juneteenth celebration through collaboration with the Parks and Recreation Department and community partners, fostering cultural awareness, inclusivity, and civic engagement.
      7. Launched the internal City Manager’s blog, “Talyn’s Take”, to improve communication across departments, enhance employee engagement, and keep staff informed about key City initiatives.
      8. Supported the Community Development Department in their outreach effort to ensure residents and the community were engaged in the planning process for Project Pulse.
      9. Revised the Finance Department’s outreach efforts related to the budget planning process, successfully engaging with over 600 community members on their key budget priorities.
      10. Transitioned the management of the North Manhattan Beach Business Improvement District to the North Manhattan Beach Business and Professional Association.
      11. Finalized and received approval of the Public Safety Camera System Policy.
      12. Completed the 2025 Annual Board and Commissions interview and appointment process that included 73 applicants, 11 appointments, and 6 orientations for brand new appointees.
      13. Collaborated with the Finance Department for the acquisition of the property at 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard.

      FINANCE DEPARTMENT

      1. Issued $15.8 million (par amount) of Certificates of Participation for the purchase of the property at 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard and public safety radio equipment replacements.
      2. Created City’s first Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) and implemented new “OpenFinance” financial transparency portal.
      3. Earned the coveted GFOA “Triple Crown” Award for receiving excellence awards for the City’s Budget, Annual Financial Comprehensive Report (ACFR) and PAFR.
      4. Completed Development Impact Fee Nexus Study and Development Impact Fee Program, which was presented to City Council for approval in February 2026.
      5. Implemented new business licensing “Discovery and Compliance” program to ensure every business operating within the City complies with City business licensing regulations, resulting in $829,000 in new Business License Tax revenue.
      6. Implemented new online animal licensing portal.
      7. Implemented OpenGov procurement portal Citywide.
      8. Completed comprehensive update to Citywide Cost Allocation Plan and cost recovery User Fee Study.
      9. Updated rates for Parking Citations, Parking Meters and Parking Permits.

      PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

      1. Received approval of the Parks Master Plan update.
      2. Resurfaced tennis courts at Live Oak and Manhattan Heights, including pickleball lines at Manhattan Heights.
      3. Completed the Polliwog Park Dog Run upgrade and expansion.
      4. Successfully executed the 2nd City of Manhattan Beach Juneteenth Celebration.
      5. Completed Marine Field Turf Replacement and Begg Field and MBMS Field upgrades.
      6. Partnered with the Manhattan Beach Library and local authors for new Speaker Series events and StoryWalk installations featuring local authors.
      7. Installed two new murals – SEQUENCE, at the pier comfort station, and Equanimity at the City Hall underground parking lot.
      8. Completed renovations of the 9-11 Memorial.
      9. Installed new AEDs at recreation facilities.
      10. Offered 1,749 Recreation classes and activities in FY 2025, serving nearly 17,000 participants.
      11. REC and Teen Center programs welcomed over 29,000 total visits from youth during the year.
      12. Adopted the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan for 2024-2027.
      13. Provided and supported new Public Art, including 24 new utility boxes, 4 exhibitions and relocated “Egrets in Flight.”

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