MANHATTAN BEACH — The
held a special meeting Tuesday, June 16, to interview two candidates for the city’s vacant mayor position, a seat that has been empty since the spring, marking
from the council.
Isaac Wannebo and Mark Johnson, both on the city’s planning and zoning commission, appeared before the council to answer questions about their qualifications, priorities and vision for Manhattan Beach.
The vacancy stemmed from the resignation of former Mayor Kevin Larson, who stepped down following the council’s April 7 meeting. Larson, who had served as mayor since Sept. 2, 2025, cited the passing of his wife as the reason he was unable to continue with city business.
A second vacancy opened when longtime council member Barb Hanson resigned on May 6, the day after the May council meeting.
Hanson, who served on the council for more than 20 years, said in a phone interview that city business had become difficult amid a doubling-up of duties with City Clerk Marlene Yurek.
She added that she had concerns about some staff pay and the way the council and its business were being conducted, changes she said were not in keeping with how the city had historically operated.
With two seats open, Betty Worts, a former city clerk who had initially expressed interest in the vacant mayor position, was appointed to fill Hanson’s council seat on June 2 and was designated mayor pro tem at the same meeting.
At the June 16 special meeting, Wannebo and Johnson fielded questions from the council and members of the public on topics including their familiarity with rules of order, public safety contracts, housing affordability and their vision for keeping the character of the small city intact.
Both candidates said their top priority would be restoring stability and a sense of calm to council operations. Johnson said recent issues, including resignations and internal conflict, had made the council “look incompetent” and called for members to remember their shared purpose of serving the city.
Wannebo echoed that sentiment, saying he hoped to “bring a little common sense back to the table” and cut problems off before they escalated.
On public safety, the council and audience discussed the city’s existing contract with the Crosslake Police Department and whether or not to continue it. Both candidates said they would review the city’s contracts before making any decisions, with Wannebo noting he wanted to examine all agreements to ensure the city was getting the best service and value.
When asked about housing affordability, a concern raised by a resident who noted that workers and young families are being priced out of the broader Crosslake area, both candidates acknowledged the challenge but said Manhattan Beach has limited space for new development.
Neither candidate expressed an overwhelming desire to be mayor specifically. Wannebo said his original intent was simply to fill one of the vacant seats and help stabilize the council, and that he would be content to run for a council seat in the November election if Johnson were appointed mayor.
The council is expected to appoint a mayor at its regular meeting July 7, at which time the new mayor would be sworn in.
Both Worts’ council seat and the mayor’s position will be on the ballot in the November election.
Tom Fraki is a news reporter for the Pineandlakes Echo Journal, covering news in Crosslake, Breezy Point and Pequot Lakes. He reports on Crosslake and Breezy Point city councils, as well as the Pequot Lakes School Board.
He also writes a personal column called Tom’s Take where he writes stories about himself and life in the lakes area.
Contact him at tom.fraki@pineandlakes.com or 218-855-5863 (be sure to leave a message).