Redondo Beach : Councilwoman Walks Out

Councilwoman Kay Horrell abruptly ended Tuesday night’s City Council meeting during the citizen participation period when her departure left the council with fewer than the three members needed for a quorum.

Councilwoman Marcia Martin did not attend the meeting, and Councilman John Chapman left at 11:30 p.m. without explanation. Horrell, 60, walked out at 11:57 p.m., saying she physically could not get through the rest of the meeting, which had begun at 7:30 p.m.

She returned to the council chambers several minutes later and said she wanted the council to hold its scheduled closed session to discuss legal matters. Other city officials decided that the meeting had ended with her departure and that the council could not legally resume it.

Less than an hour before Horrell left, she asked for a brief recess. When Mayor Barbara J. Doerr called a recess, however, Horrell said she had changed her mind and could continue if the rest of the meeting went quickly.

Horrell could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

At the time Horrell walked out, civic activist Tom O’Leary, who often criticizes the City Council, was complaining about cable television service. At least one other person was waiting to address the council, and council members and Doerr were to have time to make comments.