To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: MICHAEL W. WEBB, CITY ATTORNEY
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DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION TO STAFF ON EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTRACTING TO PROVIDE PROSECUTION SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Attorney's Office prosecutes State misdemeanors and Municipal Code violations that occur in Redondo Beach at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Southwest District. In addition, the City Attorney’s Office provides misdemeanor prosecution services for the City of Hermosa Beach pursuant to a contract that was approved by the City Council in 2014. The City of Manhattan Beach has recently expressed interest in contracting with the City of Redondo Beach for Prosecution services including Homeless Court services. Based on preliminary research this may be feasible and of benefit to both cities. My office needs direction from the Mayor and City Council on whether to explore this further.
BACKGROUND
The City Attorney's Office prosecutes all criminal cases arising from misdemeanor violations of State law, the City Charter and City ordinances. This includes felony arrests referred back to the City Attorney's Office from the District Attorney.
The City Prosecutor's Division handles every criminal case from its inception, i.e. filing of a criminal case to trial and sometimes the appellate process. The prosecutors handle all the criminal cases (other than Homeless Court) at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Southwest District in Torrance, which is the same courthouse the City of Manhattan Beach cases are handled.
Our City Prosecutors are familiar with the types of criminal cases that are handled in the Beach Cities and are obviously familiar with the courthouse, the other prosecutors, the defense bar and the judges.
In 2014 the City Council adopted as one of its strategic goals, the provision of services to other entities to increase revenue and achieve savings while maintaining a high level of service. The contract with Hermosa Beach has helped meet that goal. If directed by the Mayor and City Council, I can fully explore whether a similar contract with Manhattan Beach would also accomplish that goal.
The request from Manhattan Beach seems to be driven both by dissatisfaction with the drastic change in the misdemeanor prosecution policy of the District Attorney’s Office (see attachment of item K 13 on tonight’s Manhattan Beach City Council Agenda “Consideration of Resolution Expressing a Vote of No Confidence in Los Angeles County District Attorney, George Gascón”) and the success of our Homeless Court model (see attached news article regarding the City of Long Beach’s plans to implement a similar model).
On the Manhattan Beach City Council Agenda tonight is an item where their staff is requesting direction as to whether they should continue exploring the possibility of contracting with the City of Redondo Beach for prosecution services and explore options to fund a homeless court program for the City of Manhattan Beach (see attachment).
In my initial research, I have determined that it may be feasible and of benefit to both cities for my office to provide prosecution services to Manhattan Beach similar to the services we provide to Hermosa Beach . I am seeking direction from the Mayor and City Council on whether to explore this further.
COORDINATION
The City Attorney's Office coordinated with the City Manager’s Office in connection with the preparation of this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
An unknown increase to the General Fund depending upon a number of factors such as the number of cases expected to be submitted for criminal filing consideration each year. By way of example, the City of Redondo Beach receives $16,667.00 per month under the contract to provide prosecution services to the City of Hermosa Beach. Further evaluation will need to be done to arrive at a fair contract price for providing similar services to Manhattan Beach.
ATTACHMENTS
• Staff Report for Item K13 on tonight’s Manhattan Beach City Council Agenda
• “City Council to vote on funding for new Homeless Court pilot program,” Long Beach Post, May 10, 2021
• Staff Report for Item K14 on tonight’s Manhattan Beach City Council Agenda
• Map of the Los Angeles County City Prosecutor Jurisdictions