City Manager Steve Burrell to Retire in March

When Hermosa Beach Mayor Howard Fishman announced the news at the start of a City Council meeting Tuesday night, residents in the audience audibly gasped.

"Our city manager after 18 years has announced his retirement effective March 29," the mayor said.

Just hours before the council meeting, Burrell released the retirement news in a statement to the press, calling his tenure with the city "quite a ride."

"I’ve been proud to serve the city, and I appreciate the opportunity I’ve had to work with an outstanding city staff that has made possible the many successes we have enjoyed over the past 18 years," Burrell said in the statement. "I’ve been a city manager for more than 30 years in Hermosa Beach and Capitola. It is time now to try other ventures. I leave this position confident in the current state of the city and optimistic about its future, knowing that the next person in this job will face many challenges but will enjoy the community’s support, as I have."

In the same statement, Fishman said Burrell, 64, has overseen many of the developments that have shaped downtown Hermosa Beach in recent years—from the creation of Pier Plaza to upper Pier Avenue renovations.

"His wisdom and wit, his easy-going manner and his extensive knowledge of the city and its history will be missed. We wish him the best as he embarks on the next phase of his life," Fishman said, adding that the City Council will discuss a process for choosing the next city manager.

Burrell came to Hermosa Beach from Capitola, where he had served as city manager for 15 years. From a group of 87 applicants, the Hermosa Beach City Council selected Burrell for Hermosa's city manager position in October 1993.

During Burrell’s tenure in Hermosa, the city undertook several initiatives, including the renovation of the as well as the founding of an agreement with Los Angeles County to fund the construction of a downtown parking garage and in exchange for part of the parking proceeds. The project also led to the construction of the on the Strand.

Burrell helped the city secure state and federal funds to complete two projects— the and —which each won awards, particularly for their environmental efforts.

"You have been a tremendous champion in our green efforts here in town… in my mind, you’re irreplaceable," said Hermosa Beach resident Dency Nelson to Burrell during Tuesday's council meeting.

Burrell earned an annual income of about $258,000 as city manager, according to posted on the city's website. The Southern California native said after he retires he plans to continue to live in the South Bay with his wife, Janice.

Correction: In the original version of this article, the quote from Dency Nelson was incorrectly attributed to Joe Galliani. A correction has been made.

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