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State of the City: 'What We've Learned Is How Interconnected We Are'

Mar 18, 2022 08:49AM ● By Jeanne Fratello

Manhattan Beach State of the City speakers, left to right: City Manager Bruce Moe, Mayor Hildy Stern, Chamber of Commerce President and CEO David Archer, and Public Works Director Erick Lee.

As more than 200 gathered on Thursday for the first in-person State of the City address in two years, Manhattan Beach city leaders spoke on the theme of collaboration and recovery.

The State of the City Address, hosted at the Joslyn Community Center by the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, featured Manhattan Beach Mayor Hildy Stern, Manhattan Beach Police Chief Derrick Abell, Manhattan Beach Unified School District Superintendent John Bowes, Manhattan Beach Chamber President and CEO David Archer, and top city staffers.

City leaders reflected on how the past two years of the pandemic have created difficult situations for many across the city, and yet the community has risen to the challenge. 

"What we've really learned is how interconnected we all are," said Stern, noting partnerships between the city and its residents, businesses, public safety officials, schools, and neighboring cities.

Attendees also gave a standing ovation to Abell, who is retiring after 31 years of service in Manhattan Beach. Abell has been a visible and widely respected figure in the city throughout the pandemic and beyond.

"I can't even begin to tell you what it means to the police department to have all of this support from the community," said Abell.

 (Manhattan Beach City Manager Bruce Moe embraces Manhattan Beach Police Chief Derrick Abell at the State of the City event.)

Abell has agreed to stay on as interim chief until his replacement is named.

City is Rebounding


From a budget standpoint, Stern said that the city has survived the COVID-19 pandemic reasonably well.

 

"We went into COVID with a very strong foundation, and we weathered it from a city standpoint pretty well," she said in a Q-and-A session with Archer. "We are seeing a strong recovery and growth in major aspects of our revenue sources."

In a brief budget presentation, Manhattan Beach City Manager Bruce Moe said that city’s fiscal year 2022 surplus is projected to be $8,484,469 after all expenditures have been paid.

Moe noted that property tax revenue, which represents 46 percent of the city's general fund, has shown a steady upwards growth. It is projected to total $39.2 million - or 3% higher than anticipated - for the fiscal year.

Additionally, city sales and use tax revenue, which had dropped during the pandemic, is now on the rebound, according to Moe. The revenue, which makes up about 11% of the general fund, is projected to total $9.7 million, or 4.8% higher than anticipated.

 


Similarly, the city's Transient Occupancy Tax, which makes up about 5% of the city's general fund, is also on the rebound. It is estimated to hit $4.6 million, or 14.6% higher than anticipated.

The city's top 25 revenue-producing businesses also reflect a diverse array of industries, noted Moe. Those 25 (in alphabetical order, because the city does not release the names in order of revenue produced), include: Apple, Barnes & Noble, BevMo, Chevron, CVS Pharmacy, Joey Manhattan Beach, The Kettle, Macy's, Manhattan Beach Toyota Scion, Nick's Manhattan Beach, Old Navy, Olive Garden, Ralph's, REI, Sephora, Skechers, The Strand House/Strand Bar, Target, The Arthur J, Tin Roof Bistro, Toyota Lease Corp, Trader Joe's, Vons, Vuori, and Wrights.

Speakers Cite Priorities, Opportunities Ahead


The State of the City speakers also took the opportunity to look ahead at new projects and collaborations.

Public Works Director Erick Lee spoke of multiple city improvement projects that have been completed or are in the works, including Fire Station #2, scrambled crosswalks, an advanced traffic signal upgrade, utility undergrounding, the new water tower and Peck reservoir, and two rainbow crosswalks.

Community Development Director Carrie Tai also gave a report on the city's 6th Cycle Housing Element plans, as well as housing legislation SB 9, new building permits, and city improvement projects such as the beach dune restoration program in North Manhattan Beach.

And Bowes spoke of the pursuit of excellence in higher education at MBUSD, with the goal of keeping Manhattan Beach as a "destination for top-tier education."

Manhattan Beach Residents Express Satisfaction


Regarding residents' satisfaction, Moe cited a recent survey showing that residents are overall pleased with the quality of life and services in Manhattan Beach. According to the survey, 94% of respondents favorably reviewed the overall quality of life in Manhattan Beach; 93% considered Manhattan Beach a safe place to live; and 88% are pleased with the city’s overall efforts to provide municipal services.

Building on the St. Patrick's Day theme, Moe said that a popular saying from Park City -  "When you're lucky enough to live in Park City, you're lucky enough," could apply equally to Manhattan Beach. "I know I feel very fortunate, very lucky to be an employee of Manhattan Beach," he said.

To watch the State of the City event, click here.



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