TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Liza Tamura, City Clerk
Martha Alvarez, Assistant City Clerk
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of the Reintroduction of the Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) Schools to the City Council Assignments (No Budget Impact) (City Clerk Tamura).
(Estimated Time: 15 Mins.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding the reintroduction of MBUSD schools into the City Council Assignments.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
City Council assignments have been a longstanding organizational tool used to designate Councilmember representation on various governmental, regional, and community committees. The City’s first set of City Council assignments was approved at the inaugural City Council meeting on December 16, 1912, when the newly formed Board of Trustees appointed members to committees such as Finance, Streets, Literature, Public Utilities, and Rules.
Over time, the City Council has periodically reviewed and updated its assignments to reflect evolving community needs and intergovernmental relationships. Following several discussions regarding City Council assignments, the City Council formally approved and added the “Adopt a School” to the City Council assignments at the November 5, 2008, City Council meeting.
At the June 7, 2022, City Council reorganization, the City Council appointed Mayor Napolitano and Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery. As is customary, the preparation of proposed City Council Assignments (a prerogative of the Mayor) is presented for City Council consideration and approval at the reorganization meeting or continued to the following regular meeting. At the June 21, 2022, City Council meeting, the proposed City Council Assignments were provided for City Council consideration and were approved under the Consent Calendar. The proposed changes at that time included the removal of the “Adopt a School” assignments (see attachment).
Historically, the City Council has included an “Adopt a School” component within the assignments. This structure designated individual Councilmembers as liaisons to specific MBUSD schools to support communication, attend events, and share City updates.
At the December 16, 2025, City Council meeting, Mayor David Lesser, with a second by Councilmember Howorth, and a third by Councilmember Tarnay, directed staff to return with a discussion item regarding the potential reintroduction of MBUSD schools into the City Council Assignments.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this report is to present the City Council with the opportunity to consider reinstating MBUSD school assignments also known as “Adopt a School” within the broader City Council Assignments framework.
Adopt a School - Prior Structure
Under the previous model, each Councilmember was assigned as a delegate to one or more MBUSD schools. Responsibilities included:
• Serving as a liaison between the City Council and the assigned school
• Attending school events, meetings, or recognition ceremonies as appropriate
• Sharing City Council updates with school leadership
• Reporting school-related information back to the full City Council
This structure supported relationship-building between the City and MBUSD, enhanced visibility of City leadership within the school community, and provided a consistent communication channel for school-related matters.
Considerations for Reintroduction
If the City Council elects to reintroduce MBUSD school assignments, staff has prepared a draft City Council Assignments table that includes the “Adopt a School” section for City Council consideration. Should the City Council wish to proceed and make appointments at this meeting, the draft may be used as the basis for finalizing assignments.
Alternately, the City Council can allow Mayor Lesser to propose appointment of the “Adopt a School” section and provide it for City Council consideration at the next regular City Council meeting.
A proposed description of the “Adopt a School” assignment is also included for City Council review.
Following City Council action, staff will implement any approved changes, finalize the City Council Assignments and make the updated assignments publicly available or provide the proposed changes by Mayor Lesser at the next meeting.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
After analysis, staff determined that public outreach was not required for this issue.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. No environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed and Approved City Council Assignments of June 21, 2022
2. Draft City Council Assignments
3. Draft Assignments/Committee Descriptions