1 Vernice Hankins
From: Barbara Kaplan <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 10, 2022 3:44 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich
Subject: Barbara Coffman for ARB-July 14 agenda, Item 8A
EXTERNAL
July14,2022 Agenda, Item 8A Annual Appointments ARB
Dear Councilmembers:
I encourage you to reappoint Barbara Coffman for a second term as a Boardmember on the Architectural Review Board. Barbara is a great asset to the ARB and for the community. She is an articulate and balanced participant in discussions. She has practiced Architecture for many years in Southern California and Santa Monica and understands good design. I have known her professionally for many years.
Sincerely,
Barbara Kaplan
ARB Boardmember
‐‐
Barbara Kaplan | KCK ARCHITECTS
2526 Eighteenth Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310 | 452 | 7505
www.kckarchitects.com
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From: Bonnie Johnstone <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2022 10:20 AM
To: councilmtgitems; councilmtgitems
Subject: PSROC
EXTERNAL
Hi. When you make your selections for new members of the PublicSafety Reform & Oversight Commission this week, please please keep in mind that we no longer need members of the "old guard" with old time attitudes toward policing. We do need members who are forward thinking and are ready for 21st. century reform!! Hoping you'll decide accordingly,
Bonnie Johnstone
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1 Vernice Hankins
From: Ruthann Lehrer <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2022 12:35 PM
To: Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Phil Brock; Oscar de la Torre; Gleam Davis; councilmtgitems
Subject: July 14 City Council Meeting Item 8A Commission Appointments: Landmarks Commission
EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
One of the vacancies on the Landmarks Commission is a position dedicated to an architectural historian, as required by the Santa Monica landmarks ordinance. This position was last held by Dr. Kenneth Briesch, who retired in June. An application has been submitted by a former student of his who received a certificate in historic preservation from USC. I am writing to ask for your support for the appointment of Jonathan Kaplan as architectural historian on the Landmarks Commission.
Jonathan Kaplan has outstanding qualifications for this position. His current employment is with the Los Angeles Department of Historic Resources, where he is responsible for the management of five historic districts (which they call HPOZs). His charge is to work with property owners to ensure that the historic preservation guidelines are followed and to assist them in making changes to their structures that they may initiate. He is not only thoroughly familiar with historic preservation principles and practice, but also with working with property owners, thereby engaging in balancing preservation with change that is the very essence of connecting the past with the future.
I myself served as Landmarks Commission architectural historian and realize that finding a volunteer in this field with professional experience is very challenging. I met with Jonathan Kaplan and was impressed by his dedication and understanding, as well as his desire to serve the community in which he resides. I urge your support of his appointment.
Thank you for your consideration.
Ruthann Lehrer
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From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2022 2:40 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Library Board Re-appointment
For 7/14 meeting.
From: Judith Meister <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2022 2:22 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Library Board Re‐appointment
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
I was gratified that I received a unanimous vote for appointment to the Library Board in February, 2022. Since I was filling a term that ended on June 30, 2022, I have applied for re‐appointment. I hope to again have your support so that I might serve a full term on the Board. At our Library Board meeting last week, I was elected Chair and look forward to the opportunity to support our dedicated library staff, and be a strong advocate for our libraries.
Your action at budget adoption to direct one‐time funds to expand service hours is an important signal to the community that you have heard from residents and are committed to restore the central place the libraries hold in our City, as funding permits. This action is a big boost for library staff morale. We are all grateful for your leadership on this issue.
Best regards,
Judith Meister
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From: Church in Ocean Park
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 13A July 14 Council Meeting
Date: Thursday, July 14, 2022 8:32:54 AM
EXTERNAL
Council Members,
I am writing to express concern regarding who might be chosen to be a member of the PSROC tonight. As you probably realize, there are members on the PSROC currently who do not actually want to take a serious look at police policies and actions. There are some whose words and actions indicate that they do not wish to fulfill the mandate of this commission.
They have been effective in slowing and in some cases stopping any possibility for meaningful reform. To reform something one first needs to be willing to look at what is happening without fear of what you might find.
I have 3 suggestions.
1. This Commission needs to have at least one, possibly 2 members who are black, if this Commission has a chance at making meaningful change. (Craig A. Walter, Xavier H.
Bannister)
2. This Commission could benefit from an incredibly skilled researcher who has been involved in Police Reform for many years (Including regular meetings with the various Police Chiefs) (Michelle Wittig)
3. This Commission has already benefitted greatly from a highly skilled and courageous member who has worked diligently and steadily to fulfill the Commissions mandate, in spite of the tremendous obstacles continually placed before the Commission (Incumbent: Craig Miller)
Tonight you have a choice to move towards reform, or leave things status quo. Status Quo is more comfortable to many of us who benefit from it. Change is uncomfortable and it takes courage.
I appreciate the courage you've had in the past and look forward to it tonight.
With appreciation for your thoughtfulness on this important matter, --
Rev. Janet Gollery McKeithen
Minister, Church in Ocean Park
Member of the Steering Committee, Committee for Racial Justice Item 8.A
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From: OZ
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Christine Parra; Phil Brock; Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete; Kristin McCowan; Gleam Davis; Sue Himmelrich; David White
Subject: 8-A: OPPOSE reappointment of Leonora Camner to Housing Commission Date: Thursday, July 14, 2022 11:38:01 AM
EXTERNAL
In February 2022 the Council attempted to boot Ms. Camner from the Housing Commission.
Surprisingly, none of the sponsors of the item articulated the reason why Ms. Camner should be removed from the Commission.
Let me state it here:
Ms. Camner draws a salary to direct the operations of a legislative advocacy organization called Abundant Housing LA, whose goal and purpose is to advance through legislation a specific political agenda: one of forced urban density. Her participation on the Housing Commission creates a conflict of interest and breach of ethics.
What better way to advance AHLA's agenda than to get on an advisory body to the City Council, e.g. the Housing Commission, and influence legislation this way? Ms.
Camner has been using the Santa Monica Housing Commission as a platform to advance the goals of her organization, e.g. upzoning, which is a wealth transfer from the public to the private sector.
Abundant Housing LA’s 2021 Annual Report reads in part, “In 2021, we co-sponsored AB 1401, a bill to reform local parking requirements, and mobilized members to support SB 9 and 10. The victories of SB 9 and 10 were a major victory and a symbolic renouncement of the exclusionary single family zoning, driving housing scarcity and high costs throughout the state. Finally, AHLA formed a PAC, and is planning to make endorsements and campaign for pro-housing candidates in 2022. In order to make a difference in the 2022 elections, we will need Item 8.A
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all hands on deck! Please get involved in volunteering and campaigning for housing change.”
For the past six months, since there was a political shift within the Housing Commission due to new appointments, Ms. Camner has been engaging in disruptive behavior during Commission meetings. For example, she used an agenda item to launch into a seven-minute monologue about an issue unrelated to the agenda item.
When reminded by the presiding officer that she was off topic and the Commission had to move on, Ms. Camner threw a tantrum claiming that her right to free speech was infringed upon. She later proceeded to file an unsubstantiated formal complaint with the city regarding the incident. The truth about what transpired is available for anyone – the video of the Commission meeting can be watched online.
Recently Ms. Camner vigorously opposed the proposal by one of the commissioners to invite a guest to speak on the cost of housing in Santa Monica. Ms. Camner does not like the proposed speaker. Ms. Camner attempted to blackmail the Commission by saying that if that guest is invited, another guest must also be invited, one that she likes and approves of…
Both Ms. Camner and her organization Abundant Housing LA have been under investigation by the Fair Political Practices Commission since June 30, 2021 – for over a year now.
Regards,
Olga Zurawska
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From: OZ
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete; Kristin McCowan; Gleam Davis; Sue Himmelrich; David White; Sam Catanzaro; Douglas Sloan Subject: 8-A: OPPOSE appointment of Michael Jolly to Housing Commission Date: Thursday, July 14, 2022 11:24:31 AM
EXTERNAL
Mr. Jolly submitted a practically blank application for a Housing Commission seat. https://www.smgov.net/uploadedFiles/Departments/Clerk/Boards_and_Commissions/Applications/HOUSING.Jolly.20210720.pdf In his Santa Monica Mirror opinion piece "Santa Monica – Dawn of the Downtown Dead Now Playing in Santa Monica," Mr.
Jolly compared mentally disabled unhoused people to zombies.
Such dehumanizing and prejudicial language and attitude are not what Santa Monicans look for in a public official like a city commissioner.
Please do not appoint Mr. Jolly to the Housing Commission.
Regards,
Olga Zurawska
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From: OZ
To: councilmtgitems; Douglas Sloan
Cc: Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Kristin McCowan; Gleam Davis; Sue Himmelrich; David White; Denise Anderson-Warren; Jorge Casuso; Clara Harter; Catanzaro Sam; David Ganezer Subject: 8-A: Mayor must recuse herself from HC appointments due to self-reported bias Date: Thursday, July 14, 2022 11:47:27 AM
EXTERNAL
Mayor Himmelrich must recuse herself from item 8-A (Housing Commission appointments) due to a long personal history, and a well documented and selfreported bias concerning the Housing Commission.
Due to this bias, Mayor Himmelrich recently attempted to suspend the Housing Commission – once her husband was no longer on it and the Mayor's political affiliates lost the majority on it.
Additionally, the Mayor has recently stated her desire to dissolve the Housing Commission altogether – now that she has no political influence over it. This was a year after the Mayor’s husband advocated before the Council for the Housing Commission to be able to return to its normal operations, i.e. monthly meetings, due to the important role of the Commission and the substantial workload the Commission is faced with amid the affordability and homelessness crises. The Council agreed with the Mayor’s husband at the time…
Here’s the Mayor’s dramatic and emotional recusal from a Housing Commission related item four months ago when the Council attempted to remove Leonora Camner from the Housing Commission:
Santa Monica City Council Meeting February 22, 2022 – starting at 8:09:56.
Text of the Mayor's recusal on 2/22/22:
“I’ll be recusing from item 13-G. This has been very painful for me. I want you to know Santa Monica City Council Meeting February
22, 2022
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this whole thing. I believe that this Council mistreated my husband to advance the political agendas of various of its members when it refused to let him serve out his term on the Housing Commission. Because of that, I have become personally embroiled in this controversy and have a strong bias around this item, that I can’t separate from my personal feelings, which are very strong and very hurt, and I am therefore recusing myself from this matter. Thank you.” Mayor Himmelrich can't have it both ways, i.e. recuse herself from a Housing Commission/Leonora Camner related item due to self-reported inability to be objective, and now participate in the appointments to the Housing Commission, especially since Leonora Camner's application for reappointment will be considered.
The Mayor's long history of bias related to the Housing Commission must stop now – she must recuse herself from participating in the annual appointments to the Housing Commission.
Regards,
Olga Zurawska
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From: Joanne Berlin
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: input for items 8 A & C on the 7/14 City council agenda Date: Thursday, July 14, 2022 9:56:19 AM
EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I’m writing to you again about tonight’s Council agenda items 8A and 8C.
I am asking you to consider 3 candidates for the 3 openings in the Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission. I am very well acquainted a person who has years of experience in dealing with police reform issues and would be an active and helpful member to this commission – namely, Michele Wittig. She is a smart and balanced researcher and would be a most valuable asset to the body. Likewise, I have known Craig A. Walter for years and find him to be a most thoughtful, knowledgeable, and committed Black man when it comes to justice issues. I haven’t known Craig Miller as long, but have found him to be very committed to the work of this commission, always present at meetings and a subcommittee chair. These 3 people would be of much help to the PSROC.
And to repeat what I said in an earlier email to you all, Paul Winnemore has submitted an application to become a voting member of the PSROC. My understanding is that the SM Police Officers’ Association was given the opportunity to name who would sit on the commission as a non-voting member. He was their and Chief Batista’s choice. If he is placed into a voting slot on the commission, would not the POA expect to be able to nominate another non-voting person to that slot? All of this would raise further questions about whether or not there is a good faith attempt in Santa Monica to have civilian oversight of police. I think it would not be in the spirit of the formation of this still new commission to move Mr. Winnemore into a voting slot.
It is important to add other clear voices of reform to this body.
Thank you for reading this,
Joanne Berlin
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