To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOY A. FORD, CITY ATTORNEY
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ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2603-012 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, GRANTING THE APPEAL OF THE DECISION OF THE HEARING OFFICER DESIGNATED BY THE CITY MANAGER, WHICH REVOKED BUSINESS LICENSE #330177 ISSUED TO THE MANHATTAN BEACH SMOKE SHOP DBA REDONDO SMOKE SHOP AND HOOKAH LOCATED AT 2205 ARTESIA BOULEVARD, UNIT A, REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA 90278 UNDER THE OWNERSHIP OF FERAS ADAMO, WHICH THEREBY GRANTED A REINSTATEMENT OF BUSINESS LICENSE #330177 BUT ONLY UPON COMPLETION OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS AND SUBJECT TO NEW CONDITIONS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On February 24, 2026, the City Council granted an appeal of the revocation of Business License #330177 issued to the Manhattan Beach Smoke Shop Inc. (Manhattan Beach Smoke Shop) located at Unit A of 2205 Artesia Boulevard. The decision of the City Council was to suspend the business license until certain requirements were met. Upon completion of those requirements, the business license would be subject to certain conditions. The resolution for the decision of the appeal is now before the City Council for approval.
BACKGROUND
On February 24, 2026, the City Council considered an appeal of the revocation of Business License #330177. After hearing testimony and admitting all exhibits into evidence, the City Council found that by a preponderance of the evidence the Manhattan Beach Smoke shop offered for sale and was in possession with intent to sell flavored tobacco and cannabis products, which are prohibited under California law and constitute a violation of Health and Safety Code Sections 104599.5(b) and Redondo Beach Municipal Code Sections 5-9.205(c) and 10-5.1626(c)(1). The City Council further found that there was substantial evidence to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that illegal products were lawfully seized by the CDTFA pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 22974.2.
Based on those violations, the City Council found that:
1. Action was required to preserve public health, safety and peace;
2. The licensee of business license #330177 violated Redondo Beach Municipal Code and state law; and
3. The licensee has conducted the business in an immoral or disorderly manner.
(Redondo Beach Municipal Code, § 6-1.26, subs. (a), (b) & (d).) The City Council on a 3-2 vote granted the appeal of the Administrative Hearing, and suspended Business License #330177. During the suspension, the Manhattan Beach Smoke Shop was ordered to do the following:
1. Pay a fine to the City equivalent to the amount of costs for the investigation, hearings and personnel involved, which was estimated and rounded to $40,000;
2. Remove any advertising or signage indicating the availability of tobacco products from the exterior and entry of the retail establishment;
3. Remove any tobacco products that is visible from the exterior of the retail establishment; and
4. A sign shall be displayed at the front of the business with font at least two (2) inches in size that states, “This shop does not sell cannabis or flavored tobacco products.”
Upon completion of the requirements outlined above, Business License #330177 would be reinstated subject to the following conditions:
1. No sales of any cannabis and flavored tobacco product;
2. No smoking shall be permitted on the premises at any time;
3. No sales may be solicited or conducted on the premises to minors;
4. No self-service tobacco, tobacco product, or tobacco paraphernalia displays shall be permitted;
5. No distribution of free or low-cost tobacco, tobacco products or tobacco paraphernalia as well as coupons for said items, shall be permitted;
6. No advertising or signage indicating the availability of tobacco products shall be visible from the exterior nor from entry of the retail establishment to the maximum extent possible;
7. The sale of tobacco products and tobacco paraphernalia are subject to the conditions contained in the Tobacco Retail Permits provisions contained in Title 5, Chapter 9, Article 2 of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code;
8. The City and any governmental agency shall have the right to inspect all rooms, surrounding grounds, garages, storage rooms, safes, containers, trash containers, other parts of the business establishment, and any buildings of any kind located on the property;
9. A sign shall be displayed at the front of the business with font at least two (2) inches in size that states, “This shop does not sell cannabis or flavored tobacco products;” and
10. Bring all signs into compliance within ninety (90) days of the City of Redondo Beach amending the Municipal Code with regards to a sign ordinance.
Any violation of the above requirements or conditions will result in immediate and permanent revocation of Business License #330177 with no further rights to challenge or administrative appeal.
Upon approval of the attached resolution, the Manhattan Beach Smoke Shop would be required to complete the tasks above, and upon proof of completion, the Business License would be reinstated subject to the conditions stated.
Mayor Veto
Section 8.4 of the Charter provides:
The Mayor shall have the right to veto any action of the City Council, provided, however, that in the case of a resolution or ordinance the Mayor shall exercise the veto power in writing, expressing the Mayor’s reasons therefor, and the Mayor shall have five (5) days, after delivery to the office of the Mayor of such resolution or ordinance, in which to exercise the veto. The City Council may override the action of the Mayor by four (4) affirmative votes.
A veto by the Mayor would nullify the City Council’s vote. Section 6-1.27 of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code states, “The business of the licensee or holder shall remain subject to the condition of the hearing decision during any period of appeal.” In this case, the Hearing Officer’s decision is still pending, so in the event of a Mayoral veto, the revocation of Business License #330177 would remain.
COORDINATION
The City Attorney prepared this administrative report.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding to conduct the appeal and prepare related materials is included in the involved departments’ annual operating budgets.
Submitted by:
Joy A. Ford, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution No. 2603-012 Granted a Reinstatement of Business License #330177