Council to Interview City Manager Candidates Thursday

Mayor Rob Saemann has called a special meeting of the Hermosa Beach City Council for Thursday morning to conduct interviews for the permanent City Manager position. Under state law, interviews for the position will be conducted behind closed doors

Interim City Manager Steve Napolitano is believed to be among the candidates being interviewed. Napolitano, a former Manhattan Beach mayor and attorney, has served in the interim role since May while the search progressed. The identity of other candidates and the total number on the final shortlist has not been disclosed.

The interviews represent the culmination of a months-long recruitment process that began when former City Manager Suja Lowenthal resigned in May, after losing the support of a majority of the council. A $30,000 contract with executive search firm Peckham & McKenney was approved in July to conduct a formal search, with applications closing October 2.

The position oversees the city's seven departments, a $60 million budget, and its 167 employees.

The Council previously held a closed session on November 17, likely to refine the process before Thursday's interviews.

While the interviews will be conducted in private, any final appointment must be ratified in a public session of City Council. However, no Council meeting is currently scheduled until January, meaning residents may wait several weeks to learn the outcome officially.

The City Manager serves as chief executive of municipal operations, implementing Council policy, managing city properties, appointing department heads, and coordinating intergovernmental relations. In addition, the City Manger appoints and manages the Chief of Police. The position reports directly to the five-member City Council.