Former Manhattan Beach Mayor Finds New Gig Close To Home

HERMOSA BEACH, CA — The Hermosa Beach City Council has selected a new city manager, a familiar face to the South Bay with more than 30 years of experience in local government, city officials announced Thursday.

Steve Napolitano, a South Bay native and five-time Manhattan Beach City Council Member, will be named city manager, pending an official vote on his contract during the upcoming city council meeting on Dec. 9, city officials said.

For the past six months, Napolitano has served as the interim city manager following the departure of City Manager Suja Lowenthal, the city said.

“During his time as Interim City Manager — from 7:00 a.m. on day one — Steve has worked tirelessly to lead and support our City staff. He brings to our community years of experience in city government and a lifelong understanding of our beach culture,” Hermosa Beach Mayor Rob Saemann said in a written statement.

If the city approves his contract, Napolitano will assume his full-time position, overseeing 150 employees and a $55.5 million annual budget, on Dec. 10 and earn an annual salary of $270,000, officials said.

Napolitano was selected following a nationwide search for a city manager, spearheaded by a recruitment firm, wherein 56 candidates were considered, officials said.

“I’m grateful for Council’s continued trust, and for the honor and privilege of serving the great city of Hermosa Beach,” Napolitano said in a written statement. “Growing up in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa has always been a second home to me, and I’m well acquainted with its people and its culture.”

Napolitano served for five terms as a Manhattan Beach City Council Member and was the youngest and the longest-serving elected official in the city’s history, officials said.

“During his tenure, Napolitano presided over significant investments in city infrastructure; increased city funding through several voter-approved tax and fee measures; hired additional police officers and firefighters and improved city services,” officials said.

In between his time on the city council, Napolitano worked for more than a decade as a senior deputy to former Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe.

“He oversaw several departments for the Supervisor and worked on several key initiatives, including the revitalization of County libraries, establishment of the Clean Power Alliance, creating a one-stop shop for businesses and expanding affordable housing in Marina del Rey,” officials said.