City Manager Placed On Paid Leave In Manhattan Beach

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA – The Manhattan Beach City Council placed City Manager Mark Danaj on paid administrative leave in a unanimous vote. Finance Director Bruce Moe will assume Danaj's responsibilities in the interim, according to a statement from City Attorney Quinn Barrow and obtained by Daily Breeze.

“In that this is a personnel matter, the City Council will have no additional comments at this time,” the statement obtained by Daily Breeze said. “Mr. Moe will work with city staff to continue to serve residents and businesses during the absence of Mr. Danaj."

The decision surprised many, including Danaj himself, according to The Beach Reporter. As part of his leave, the council told Danaj not to speak with any current or former employees, or anyone doing business with the city.

"We find it perplexing," Alison Berry Wilkinson, an attorney and employment law specialist, told The Beach Reporter. "I've never seen anything like this in the jurisdictions I've worked in."

Danaj received notice that he was placed on paid leave due to the way he handled eliminating the assistant city manager position in November, according to Wilkinson. The city manager handles hiring decisions, and City Council can approve or reject budgets and make recommendations – Wilkinson claims the council went too far.

Read more at The Beach Reporter

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