On Oct. 7, the Council held a closed session on the same two items which began at 4:00 p.m...and went into a closed session that ran until 7:20 p.m., rankling a number of people left waiting in the Council Chamber for the main (open) Council proceeding to begin.

What took place in the closed sessions is entirely speculative. However, section 301 of the Long beach City Charter provides that the City Manager has the power to appoint an Assistant City Manager BUT the City Manager's choice is subject to "confirmation of the City Council, subject to veto by the Mayor and City Council override by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of its members."

At the Sept. 2 Council meeting, Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal agendized an item (joined by Councilmembers Gonzalez, Price and Mungo) that sought (and received) Council approval for a set of "expectations" for Council confirmation of an Assistant City Manager. To view that agendized item, click here.