Agenda — Santa Monica City Council, March 11, 2023

City of Santa Monica
City Council Meeting
AGENDA

GLEAM DAVIS
MAYOR

PHIL BROCK LANA NEGRETE

COUNCILMEMBER MAYOR PRO TEM

CHRISTINE PARRA CAROLINE TOROSIS

COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER

JESSE ZWICK OSCAR DE LA TORRE

COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER

DAVID WHITE

CITY MANAGER

DOUGLAS SLOAN

CITY ATTORNEY

DENISE ANDERSON-WARREN

CITY CLERK

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR THAT PROMOTE CIVILITY AT ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS:
• Treat everyone courteously; • Give open-minded consideration to all viewpoints; • Listen to others respectfully • Focus on the issues and avoid personalizing debate; • Exercise self-control • Embrace respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights, inherent components of an inclusive public process, and tools for forging sound decisions
Regular meetings are broadcast live on CityTV cable channel 16 and on the internet at santamonica.gov. Cable television re-broadcasts air on Thursday and Saturday at 11:30 AM. The agenda will air on CityTV on Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM, and on Monday and Tuesday at 12:30 PM and 6:00 PM.

City of Santa Monica Generated: 3/10/2023 4:42 PM Page 2

RULES OF ORDER FOR THE CONDUCT OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS (Resolution No.11494(CCS))

WAYS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT
If you are interested in providing public comment at a City Council meeting, there are several ways to participate:
(1) Written public comment. In lieu of oral public comment, the public is strongly encouraged to submit written public comment on agenda items via email to [email protected]. Written public comment submitted before 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting will be available for online viewing. Please note the agenda item number in the subject line of your written comments. (2) Oral public comment. Persons wishing to address the City Council regarding items on the agenda must be present and submit their name and address (optional) to the City Clerk before the public comment section is opened for that item or before the public hearing is opened where one is required by law. Register to speak at the Speaker Kiosk prior to the meeting. Remarks from the public are limited to a total of 6 minutes per City Council meeting, with a maximum of 2 minutes and a minimum of one minute per item. Except for the author of the request, public comment on 15-items are limited to 1 minute. Except on Public Input, speakers appearing at the meeting in person, may donate 2 minutes to another person present in-person at the meeting, who may speak for a total of 4 minutes on that item.

Both the donor of time and the designated speaker must register at the Speaker Kiosk in person together.

Oral public comment from any one individual is limited to a total of 6 minutes per City Council meeting, with a maximum of 2 minutes per agenda item; under some circumstances, Council may change the maximum to 1 minute per agenda item.

ORDER OF BUSINESS (may not be changed except by majority vote of the City Council.)

1. General Public Input
(members of the public may address the City Council
only on items not on the agenda, but within the
subject matter jurisdiction of the City).

2. Public Comment for Closed Session, Special
Agenda, and Consent Calendar Items Only
(Commendations and Proclamations presented).

3. Closed Session.

4. Special Agenda Items (City Manager’s Report,
Presentations, etc.).

5. Consent Calendar (All items considered in one
motion unless removed by a City Councilmember for
discussion. Public comment shall be heard prior
to City Council discussion).

6. Public Comment on remaining Agenda Items

7. Study Session.

8. Continued Items.

9. Administrative Proceedings.

10. Ordinances:
• 1
st Reading
• 2
nd Reading

11. Staff Administrative Item.

12. Public Hearings.

13. Reports of Boards and Commissions.

14. Resolutions.

15. Written Communications (other than
Reports of Commission and Officers).

16. Councilmember Discussion Items.

Agendas and reports are accessible on the City's webpage at smgov.net/council/agendas. They are also available at the City Clerk's Office and in alternate formats upon request. For a free email subscription to the City Council Agendas, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 458-8211 or [email protected].

Si desea comunicarse con alguien en español, llame a nuestra oficina al (310) 458-8211 y pida hablar con Esterlina Lugo.

City of Santa Monica Generated: 3/10/2023 4:42 PM Page 3

AGENDAS

CITY OF SANTA MONICA

SPECIAL MEETING

MAIN LIBRARY, MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM
601 SANTA MONICA BLVD.,
SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2023
MEETING BEGINS AT 9:00 AM
HOW TO PROVIDE WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT:

Written public comment can be submitted via email to [email protected].

Written comments received prior to 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting will be available online. Please note the agenda item number in the subject line of your written comments. . This meeting is an in-person public meeting held at the Main Library, Multipurpose room, at 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Following the in-person meeting, an audio recording of the meeting will posted to the City’s YouTube Channel and santamonica.gov.

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL
(This is a special City Council meeting. Public comment is restricted to only items listed on the agenda.)

1. PUBLIC INPUT (NON-AGENDA ITEMS)
. Public input under this item will not be heard at this meeting. This is a special meeting and public input is limited to agenda items only.

2. PUBLIC INPUT (AGENDA ITEMS UNDER CLOSED SESSION, SPECIAL AGENDA

ITEMS, CONSENT CALENDAR ONLY)

3. CLOSED SESSIONS
No items

4. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS
City of Santa Monica Generated: 3/10/2023 4:42 PM Page 4 No items

5. CONSENT CALENDAR
(All items will be considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion. In accordance with Charter section 615, the adoption of all ordinances and resolutions shall be by reading of title only unless a Councilmember present dissents.)
No items

6. PUBLIC INPUT ON REMAINING AGENDA ITEMS

7. STUDY SESSION
No items

8. CONTINUED ITEMS
No items

9. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS
No items

10. ORDINANCES
(Public comment is permitted on ordinances for introduction and first reading. No public discussion is permitted on ordinances for second reading and adoption.) No items

11. STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS

11.A. 2023 Council Workshop to Select Council Priorities and Provide Direction on the Fiscal Year 2023-2025 Budget
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:

1. Receive the FY 2023-24 through FY 2027-28 Five Year Financial Forecast;

2. Consider and approve the proposed organizational priorities;

3. Discuss and provide direction on items that will inform the preparation of the Fiscal Year 2023-2025 budget, including:
a. A proposed allocation of Measure CS funds;
b. A Strategic Plan to address homelessness, funded on a one-time basis using Measure CS funds;
c. A conceptual framework for a new organizational structure to align and focus the City’s work on Council priorities, the implementation of newly adopted tax measures including Measure GS, and the Moss Adams Homelessness Study;
City of Santa Monica Generated: 3/10/2023 4:42 PM Page 5 d. Potential reallocation of existing resources to reinvest in restorations and initiatives that align with Council priorities.

ADJOURNMENT
Agendas and reports are accessible on the City's webpage at www.smgov.net/council/agendas. They are also available at the City Clerk's Office and in alternate formats upon request. For a free email subscription to the City Council Agendas, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 458-8211 or [email protected].

Members of the public unable to attend a meeting but wishing to comment on an item(s) listed on the agenda may submit written comments prior to the meeting by meeting by mailing them to: City Clerk, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 or to [email protected]. Written comments received from the public by 2 PM on the day of the City Council meeting will be distributed to the City Council prior to the meeting and posted online.

City Hall and the Council Chamber are wheelchair accessible. If you require any special disability related accommodations to either attend or provide public testimony at a Council meeting (i.e. sign language interpreting, access to an amplified sound system, remote option, etc.), please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 458-8211 or TDD: (310) 917- 6626 or via email at [email protected] at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Best efforts shall be made to accommodate requests received after the 72-hour deadline. In the case of special meetings, requests should be submitted as early as possible, but no later than noon the day of the special Council meeting.

Si desea comunicarse con alguien en español, llame a nuestra oficina al (310) 458-8211 y pida hablar con Esterlina Lugo.

Santa Monica Blue Bus Lines #2, #3, #5, #9 and the EXPO Line serve City Hall. Parking is available on Main Street, on Olympic Drive, and in the Civic Center Parking Structure (validation free).

HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIC PLAN
RFP Overview, Timing, & Next Steps
SANTA MONICA’S EVOLVING APPROACH TO ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS • Santa Monica has a long history of investing in housing and supportive services to prevent and address the impacts of homelessness, evolving significantly over the past 40 years in response to a changing environment.
• The recent Moss Adams comprehensive audit of homelessness response and prevention efforts recommended that the City develop a homelessness strategic plan.

HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIC PLAN.

We propose hiring one or more consultants to develop a plan in coordination with City staff.

Goals
The overarching strategic plan will:
• Articulate a clear vision and mission statement
• Establish clear policy direction
• Define actionable objectives
• Promote alignment across City and community stakeholders • Support regional efforts
• Serve as a convening, collaborative tool to facilitate and guide the City’s work addressing homelessness across departments
Components
Timeline
The City intends to adopt a final strategic plan with the May 2024 Homelessness Update • March-April 2023: RFP development and issuance
• May-July 2023: Response evaluation, Vendor selection and contract award • August 2023-February 2024: Community engagement + Drafting • March-May 2024: Finalization & Council adoption
Background &
Context
(building on Moss
Adams audit)
Current state
analysis of plans,
programs, &
achievements
Local and regional
historical
perspective
Strategic Plan
Establishes
objectives,
strategies, and
measurable
indicators
Implementation
Strategy
Partnerships &
Coordination
Internal Alignment &
Staffing
Resources, gaps, &
allocation plan
Data for decisionmaking
Communication
Conclusion
Discusses strategic
descions and
tradeoffs
Establishes timeline
for review &
reporting
Recommendation: Develop a comprehensive homelessness strategic plan that builds on the Four Pillars framework and Moss Adams report to set clear policy direction, promote alignment across City stakeholders, and support regional efforts.

11.A.a
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Attachment: Santa Monica's Homeless Strategic Plan RFP Overview [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) March 5, 2023
Mayor and City Council
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica CA 90401
Dear Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers:

At its workshop on March 11, 2023, Council will consider a proposal to reorganize the City’s operations in order to “align and focus” organizational work efforts. We recommend that the Council reject the proposal so that limited resources can be allocated toward providing core services rather than expensive bureaucrats.

Under the re-organizational proposal, the City’s Community Services Department would be split into two departments, a Housing and Human Services Department and a Recreation and Culture Department.

Creating two departments would require creating a new, expensive department director position, as well as an executive assistant to provide administrative support for the new director. An additional position providing budget and operational support for the new director would also likely be necessary. At minimum, salaries and benefits for the new positions would cost the City several hundred thousand dollars per year.

The proposal would add more high-paid administrative staff at a time when the City has been unable to restore many key services that were reduced due to pandemic-related budget cuts. Notable examples of the City’s continuing challenges include severely reduced after-school programs for low-income youth and significantly reduced hours and services at public libraries.

The reorganization proposal is being presented as having minimal impact on the General Fund. However, the impact is minimal only because the proposal would replace existing General Funds used for several positions with dedicated affordable housing funds, both federal funds and voter-approved funds. The fact is that you cannot create new positions without funding them and the proposal would essentially pay for new Recreation and Culture Department positions using dedicated housing funds.

The shift of funds raises two important questions. First, given that federal housing funds are limited, is it good policy to fund on-going expenses associated with staffing knowing that the funding will eventually be exhausted? Second, in approving Measures GSH in 2016 and GS and 2022, voters expected the City to increase its efforts related to affordable housing, not to simply supplant existing General Funds for such endeavors.

Even if Council were comfortable with relying on limited housing funds and using voter-approved funds to supplant existing funding, Council must grapple with the fundamental question of priorities. Is funding highpaid bureaucrats the City’s top priority when we can’t open our libraries on the weekends and we have scores of needy Santa Monica families struggling to find places for their children when school is out? If Santa Monica is truly a community that is committed to equity, shouldn’t our priority be adding capacity so that Virginia Avenue Park can re-open its Teen Center that serves low-income, mostly youth of color? Shouldn’t our priority be adding capacity so that the Police Activities League can re-open its fitness gym or create opportunities for the 40 low-income youth currently on its waiting list? Shouldn’t our priority be adding capacity so that CREST can restore after-school and school-break programs at all seven elementary Item 11.A
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) schools? Shouldn’t our priority be adding capacity so that the Main Library can open on weekends or that our branch libraries can open more than two or three days per week? Beyond the question of priorities, we believe that creating a department of Recreation and Culture is unnecessary. The synergies between Recreation, Culture, and Human Services in one department benefit the community and should be retained. We have combined experience of leading the City’s recreation and culture efforts for over a decade. With this experience, we can firmly state that while both Community Recreation and Cultural Affairs are essential City divisions that provide key community services, the workload of the two divisions does not warrant a separate department, especially when a high-paid director and support staff would be needed. We do not believe that running such a department would be a full-time job, creating a situation where a director would be looking for things to fill their time. Given the City’s fragile financial state, this is simply a poor investment of funds.

We are also concerned about the impacts of the proposal on the City staff members who are providing actual services every day to support the community. As a part of the pandemic budget restructuring, low-level, boots-on-the-ground positions were cut severely. The Community Services and Public Library Departments suffered staff cuts of approximately 40 percent, with a significant portion of the cuts in direct-service positions such as librarians and community-services specialists. Given community needs, direct-service staff who kept their jobs have been stretched to their extremes, including to the point where some staff members can’t take restroom breaks when needed because there is not enough staff. Morale has suffered as a result. The reorganization proposal tells front-line staff that creating new and expensive bureaucratic positions is more important than providing capacity to serve the public and allow them to do their jobs with dignity.

Thank you for considering our comments regarding the proposed reorganization. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Andy Agle,
Director of Community Services, 2020 – 2022
Director of Housing and Economic Development, 2007 – 2020 25-year Santa Monica Resident
Karen Ginsberg
Director of Community and Cultural Services, 2012 – 2020 Assistant Director of Community and Cultural Services, 1998-2011 27-year Santa Monica Resident

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 1 Vernice Hankins
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 12:29 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 11A.

EXTERNAL
Dear Council members,
Two years ago, the Council took climate and sustainability off the list of priorities! While this is understandable given COVID, we must make sure that sustainability and climate are put back on the list.

This is critical because these priorities will impact resources allocated for staff and projects. AND, it can impact our ability to receive grant funding, and there is lots of it available from state and federal government if we make the investment on our end, applying for grants and developing projects. In addition, Santa Monica plays a leadership role in the sustainability field — we are recognized as leaders and other communities look to our actions. As we do, the rest of the state follows. And what happens here in California ripples across the country. Scientists agree that we need to take action for climate soon — we cannot delay!
Tim Bowler and Ishara Bailis
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 2 Vernice Hankins
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, March 6, 2023 4:52 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: budget mtg

EXTERNAL
We need to go back to making ecological sustainability and responses to climate change a priority. Perhaps you might listen to CASM as to ideas going forward.

Michael Tarbet
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 3 Vernice Hankins
From: martha bardach <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 12:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Regarding Agenda item 11A/ March 11th City Council meeting

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to urge that you give the City of Santa Monica’s renowned sustainability and climate crisis initiatives the highest funding priority when deciding on the upcoming city budget. Santa Monica must continue to be a leading force in this regard.

Sufficient city funding will show communities, both locally and far afield, that Santa Monica is serious about being a forward acting city when it comes to protecting our city and our future generations from the known issues of climate change, food insecurity, essential, wise water use, etc.

As in the past, I know the city council will do the right thing and provide much needed resources to these issues.

The Community Garden community is counting on you!
Thank you in advance.

Respectfully,
Martha Bardach
martha bardach
310/454-2443/h
310/874-3929/c
[email protected]
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 4 Vernice Hankins
From: Leslie Neale <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 4:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Regarding City Council Agenda 11A

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members of Santa Monica,
Santa Monica is one of the most unique cities in the world with visitors coming to visit our beloved city from all over the globe.

I have been a resident and homeowner in Santa Monica for over 35 years. I am proud to live here and be a member of this community as we are an example to others in social services for the unhoused and underprivileged, in sustainability and
conservation.

I urge all members to please vote to include back in our city budget climate and sustainability allocation! While during Covid,
understandable adjustments had to be made, it is time to put it back in the budget to allow the city to qualify for State and Federal grants and to once again be a leader.

With the Covid crisis now manageable, it is now time to list climate and sustainability as a priority again for Santa Monica!
Thank you,
Leslie Neale
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 1 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 12:22 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Agenda Item 11A, Santa Monica: Continue to be a Climate and Sustainability Leader! From: Susie Pickett <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 11:58 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Agenda Item 11A, Santa Monica: Continue to be a Climate and Sustainability Leader!

EXTERNAL
To the Council:

Please continue Santa Monica's legacy as a climate and sustainability leader by adding them back as budget priorities.

Climate impacts will continue to worsen and we need to be doing all we can to address them. Air quality, drought and excessive heat are just some of the impacts felt by residents of our city. Santa Monica plays a leadership role in the sustainability field and other communities look to our actions. As we do, the rest of the state follows. And what happens here in California ripples across the country. Scientists agree that we need to continue to take action on the climate — we cannot waiver.

My husband and I love the walkability of this city. We live near Montana and walk everywhere: our doctor’s offices, church, our favorite restaurants, the beach. We are doing everything we can do reduce our carbon footprint: we eat a plant-based diet, recently purchased an induction cooktop to reduce our gas stove use, and replaced all of our bulbs with LEDs.

Santa Monica is our home, and we want the local government to do all it can to mitigate climate change with sustainability efforts.

All our best,
Susie and Jim Pickett
Santa Monica Residents
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 2 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 11:00 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Item 11-A - Budget Workshop
From: gerda newbold <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 10:55 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Item 11‐A ‐ Budget Workshop

EXTERNAL
Dear Council People,
Thank you for continuing to take climate and sustainability seriously. From our electrification ordinance to the new storm water system, your work is helping to reduce emissions and to make us more resilient in the face of a changing climate. Please continue Santa Monica's legacy as a climate and sustainability leader by adding them back as budget priorities. Climate impacts will continue to worsen and we need to be doing all we can to address them. Air quality, drought and excessive heat are just some of the impacts felt by residents of our city.

Santa Monica plays a leadership role in the sustainability field and other communities look to our actions. As we do, the rest of the state follows. And what happens here in California ripples across the country. Scientists agree that we need to continue to take action on the climate — we cannot waiver.

Again, thank you for all the work you have done and will do on this issue! Gerda Newbold
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 3 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 10:34 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Reducing youth budget
From: Helen Lopez <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 5:32 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Reducing youth budget

EXTERNAL
To whom this may concert, I was informed that the city wants to reduce the youth budget to open other programs. I am also aware that by doing this there will be less money going into the currents programs. Please stop this as students are already placed on waiting list. MORE students will be placed on waiting lists and current programs will be affected.

Helen.

Sent from my iPhone
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 4 Vernice Hankins
From: Ann Maggio <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 8:44 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Saturday - Let's hear the report before the public speaks

EXTERNAL
That is all.

Ann Maggio Thanawalla
"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." ‐ Albert Einstein Item 11.A
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 5 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 12:19 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Urging an Addition to the Recommended 2023-2025 Council Priorities Attachments: City Council letter.Priorities (002).docx
From: laurie lieberman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 8:47 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Urging an Addition to the Recommended 2023‐2025 Council Priorities

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete and City Council members, I am writing as a longtime Santa Monica resident who was fortunate to be able to raise children here. While I currently serve on the School Board, I am writing as an individual and not on behalf of the SMMUSD Board of Education. I urge you to designate “Youth Services, Education and Lifelong Learning” as one of the City’s top priorities. The five ”Recommended FY 2023‐2025 Council Priorities” proposed by City staff are all important priorities for the City, however none of those make explicit mention of young people and/or education. I propose that the City Council add a sixth priority called Youth Services, Education and Lifelong Learning, reaffirming the commitment of our City Council and the commitment of Santa Monica voters to young people and their needs. There are many inter‐connections between and among the five proposed priorities; youth services and education is a thread that arguably relates to, and runs through, the other five priorities but I respectfully suggest that it be called out expressly. For example, racial equity and social diversity cannot be achieved without ensuring that our young people are well educated and otherwise provided for. And a well‐educated community is a safer community and one that is committed to sustainability.

The City has implicitly treated this as a priority for many years and I ask that the City’s commitment be made explicit. No matter what challenges the City faces for years to come, it will be important that we keep an eye out for young people. Our youth will build the future of our City and the larger society. We owe them the best education and support we can afford. The success of our community along with other communities rests on our ability to support younger generations in reaching their potential and in becoming fully participating citizens who shape what will be their world.

Providing support for our youth and their schooling is vital to a thriving, successful community. It is an area where – generally speaking – people with wide‐ranging political views agree. Most everyone cares about young people and serving their needs, including but not limited to their education. This is an area where we should come together. My suggestion is in no way intended to challenge the City’s other priorities but rather to seek articulation of a priority whose absence is notable.

One of Santa Monica’s many special characteristics is the strong partnership that has been built between the City and the school district. Adding this priority recognizes the importance of the issue and of the collaboration. Adding a priority that explicitly acknowledges the importance of youth services, lifelong learning and education complements the five priorities proposed by City staff; it is not intended to compete with but rather to augment the priorities being considered.

Sincerely and in partnership,
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 6 Laurie Lieberman

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 1 Vernice Hankins
From: Ted Winterer <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 4:57 PM
To: Gleam Davis; Lana Negrete; [email protected]; Phil Brock; Oscar de la Torre; Jesse Zwick; Christine Parra
Cc: councilmtgitems; David White; Gigi Decavalles; nicole faries Subject: CEPS input for City Council agenda item 11, March 11th, 2023

EXTERNAL
Mayor Davis and Honorable Councilmembers,
Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) is very aware of the challenges you face in approving a balanced budget by June 2023, and we are sympathetic to the tradeoffs you will have to make given the demands of multiple interest groups.

After all, CEPS was founded to help SMMUSD with its chronic budget shortfalls, a predicament for the District which continues to this day with 5% annual cuts required over the next two years.

We believe that the potential purchase by SMMUSD of either the Civic Auditorium or the acquisition of the Civic and the nearby sports field (our preference) presents a remarkable opportunity to create one‐time funds for the City’s staggering legal liabilities while expediting the completion of the Santa Monica High campus upgrade. We encourage you to explore this option vigorously, as it would benefit both public agencies.

As for funding the City’s operational budget, we urge you to preserve your long term commitment to municipal funding for education and youth services. Too often when public agencies have to trim their budgets, items such as parks and kids bear the brunt of cuts while expenditures backed by more organized and influential lobbying are spared the chopping block. Yet what better commitment is there to a diverse and equitable city than an investment in our children and their future? In fact, we believe the Council should adopt an additional budget priority:

Youth Services and Lifelong Education.

Consequently, we urge you to postpone the pension liability pay down in your new budget and to use those funds for the continuation of Playground Club and youth Item 11.A
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 2 sports at our schools and for the restoration of other youth programs and services, including those at Virginia Avenue Park.

Please make funding for our children your top priority in your budget discussions.

Thank you,
Nicole Faries
Ted Winterer
Co‐Chairs, CEPS
cepssm.org
‐‐
Ted Winterer
Realtor @Compass, 2115 Main Street Santa Monica
DRE #02047989
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 3 Vernice Hankins
From: gerda newbold <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 2:59 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 11 A - Budget Priorities

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
Thank you for continuing to take climate and sustainability seriously. From our electrification ordinance to the new storm water system, your work is helping to reduce emissions and to make us more resilient in the face of a changing climate. Please continue Santa Monica's legacy as a climate and sustainability leader by adding them back as budget priorities. Climate impacts will continue to worsen and we need to be doing all we can to address them. Air quality, drought and excessive heat are just some of the impacts felt by residents of our city.

Again, thank you for all the work you have done and will do on this issue! Gerda Newbold
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 4 Vernice Hankins
From: Libby Bradley <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 2:43 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Open hours for Santa Monica track

EXTERNAL
Hello,
I am writing to request that the Council consider ways to increase the hours that the Santa Monica track is open to the public. As a City that is known for promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, and considering this track was previously open at more frequent hours to the general public, it is concerning and saddening that the managers of this track have decided to close it to the public much more often.

The City does a great job at ensuring that many outdoor amenities are offered to the public ‐‐ community gardens, safe places to walk, libraries, the beach path, etc. I would love if the City could dedicate more resources and time to working with Santa Monica College to figure out how the track can remain open to the public for most of the mornings (e.g., starting at 6am for those who need to exercise before work). Many local track clubs, triathlon clubs and other athletic organizations considered this space to be a focal convening point for their workouts ‐ especially in the mornings before work. These groups ‐‐ in addition to people young and old who want a safe, clean, and fun place to exercise ‐‐ are now not given this opportunity. There are very limited track offerings in the City ‐‐ I can think of just one other at Lincoln and 16th ‐‐ however this one is not actually even the standard size for a track (1600 meters) and also has very limited hours.

I understand it is not as simple as just opening the gates earlier and closing later; there are politics and money and time involved. However, I hope there is some way the City and College can re‐open this beautiful and functional space for the community to the hours it previously had (or even more often!). It is a shame that such a beautiful place that promotes well‐being and mental health is closed during hours when many folks would use it.

Many thanks in advance for your consideration, and thank you for all the work you do.

Best,
Libby
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 5 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 2:22 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Continue Climate Sustainable Actions
From: Diana Spears <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 12:23 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Continue Climate Sustainable Actions

EXTERNAL
Councilmembers
I moved to Santa Monica with my mother in 1955. I went to Will Rogers Elementary, John Adams Junior High School, Santa Monica High School, and SMC before transferring to Northridge to get a BA.

We moved here after my mother, Marguerite Runk Spears, had finished a job she had been called to by Barry Goldwater and Stu Udall (before either in National politics)to Phoenix to work on getting the city to comply with Brown vs Board of Education. She got Franklin Williams of the Western Region NAACP to come an argue the case with her. [Later Mr.

Williams would become Ambassador to Ghana].

Marguerite worked as the Director of the Beverly Hills YWCA. However, it was her longtime work with the World Federalists that brought her in touch with Eleonor Roosevelt and later to drive her along with me to San Francisco to sign the Human Rights Amendment to the UN Charter.

After her work with the YWCA, Marguerite took a job with LA County Department of Community Services. First she worked in the downtown office making acquaintance with Otis Chandler of the LA TIMES to promote the Countywide Conferences on Delinquency Prevention she along with others led. Later she moved to an office in Santa Monica her staff and she shared with the County Probation Department.

We enjoyed our time together in an apartment we shared mostly until 2015 when she fell and broke her hip. I had to move her to first an Assisted Living facility, but as our money ran low to a Board and Care facility in February 2020. She died of Covid 6months short of her 104th birthday in December 2020.

I have a long history here in Santa Monica. I've worked 25 years part‐time for former County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl as well as a former food writer for the LATIMES and other publications. I love this city and the support it has given to renters and hopefully will continue to support for CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY.

THANK YOU.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 1 Vernice Hankins
From: jaime morrison <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 10:28 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de la Torre; Denise Anderson-Warren
Subject: Agenda Item 11.a

EXTERNAL
Dear Honorable Mayor and Santa Monica City Council Members, I am writing to address the proposal made by the city manager, David White, which this council has endorsed, to redirect revenue funding toward the creation of two separate departments out of an existing department.

This plan is out of line with the values of this diverse, vibrant city. While important, the issues of homelessness and crime are not the only concernsresidentsface. As a long‐time resident of Santa Monica as a renter and now as a homeowner, I am surprised that the needs of our children are being left behind so blatantly, as the council determines the best use of funds. As a community, we do not need to pay for more staff positions or high‐level directorsalaries. What we need are fully restored servicesforfamiliessuch aslibrary access, youth programming and affordable housing. As a full‐time working single mother, I relied on CREST throughout my daughter’s time at Franklin Elementary and I cannot imagine reducing or not fully restoring this program. Likewise, we have been disappointed at the lack of access to the libraries of Santa Monica. I have always considered our Main Library a jewel of your city, however it is now rarely open. Santa Monica is the home of many hard‐working families with children who need access to quality programming – something that has always distinguished this community. I urge you to consider what is best for the families who live here now as you move forward with your decision‐ making process about how to best utilize these new funds.

Sincerely,
J’aime Morrison, PhD.

Santa Monica Resident, 21 years

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 2 Vernice Hankins
From: Nicholas Rolston <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 10:20 AM
To: councilmtgitems; [email protected]; David White Cc: Anuj Gupta
Subject: Council Budgeting Priorities & Process

EXTERNAL
Hello Council & City Manager White,
Best of luck as you embark on the upcoming budgeting & budget prioritization process. I know the process is difficult as there are many considerations with difficult outcomes & decisions.

I wanted to share with you my perspective on priorities & approach to our City's budget & future.

Top Priorities
 Housing: Affordable Living Opportunities for Renters & Homeownership o I hope that we will continue to look for avenues to strengthen support for renters not only through official Affordable Housing designations but also through focusing on & strengthening Tenant Rent Control Rights, while also looking for continued ways to support affordable primary home ownership.  After School Youth Programming
 We offer amazing public school opportunities for our community's youth. While After School Programming is always important, it's taken on greater importance as we look to fill the gap created during COVID ‐ both with in‐class instruction & social education. This gap simply cannot be made up during school hours. We can make a huge impact on our youth, our community, and our future by prioritizing our After School Youth Programming  Sustainable Infrastructure
o Continued to be future‐forward leaders in creating and investing in a sustainable infrastructure A few additional notes/thoughts:
 The best way to generate growth & revenue is via investment. To use an analogy, the almost sure fire way to know that a restaurant is close to going out of business is when they start cutting back on hours & services as opposed to investing; let us not cut back but rather invest in our growth  I urge you to avoid Public/Private partnerships that sacrifice long‐term community control of public assets  I do not know what the proper ratio is, but I hope that we will over‐index on preventative/proactive measures vs. reactive measures; this applies not only to Public Safety but many other areas of life as well This moment calls for Visionary Leadership, not Populism. I wish you all the best of luck in confronting that challenge, making hard decisions, and considering the long‐term consequences of short‐term decisions. As someone recently said, 'Budgets reflect values'.

Thank you all for all the time, energy & emotion you put into this role, this City, and our lives.

You are appreciated.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 3 Best,
Nick Rolston
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 4 Vernice Hankins
From: John Adler <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 9:37 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 11A

EXTERNAL
Dear Honorable Council Members,
I am writing to ask you to add back climate and sustainability as budget priorities. Climate impacts will continue to worsen and we need to be doing all we can to address them for the benefit of future generations.

Thank you,
John Adler
Santa Monica resident
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 5 Vernice Hankins
From: Kathy Seal <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 8:37 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Budget priorities: climate and sustainability

EXTERNAL
Dear Council members,
As a longtime resident, I hope you are willing to continue our city's climate and sustainability leadership by adding them back as budget priorities.

Climate change impacts are unfortunately going to keep getting worse --this year is a wake up call. Our residents suffer from the consequent air pollution, drought, and increasing number of very hot days.

What we do matters. Other cities look at us as a model. When we lead the way, that helps the whole country and planet.

We need to continue taking strong action NOW, given the climate emergency.

I love Santa Monica and our strong stance on climate is one of the reasons. Please prioritize climate and sustainability in our budget.

Thanks for all that you do for us.

Kathy Seal
2431 32nd St
‐‐

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 6 Vernice Hankins
From: Laurene Von Klan <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 7:50 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 11a 3/9

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members:

I am writing to urge you to establish climate and sustainability as top priorities for our city. By doing so, you can help bring funds to our city, keep our city safer during extreme weather events, and help us lead in innovation that will create a future‐oriented economy.

I urge you to provide increased budget in these areas so we can take advantage of the numerous programs available to create local clean energy resilience, new transportation options, power system upgrades, and public health protection through clean air and healthy water supply.

Let’s keep Santa Monica a proud leader in this arena.

Thank you
Laurene von Klan
Sent from my iPhone
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 1 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:31 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Thea Cappiccille From: Thea Cappiccille <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 8:47 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Thea Cappiccille

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

Subject Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs Message Body As a Santa Monica resident and/or a parent/guardian, I urge you to increase funding for before-and-after-school programs, specifically to meet the needed-demand of children and
families.

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

As you, our City Council members, begin the Fiscal Year 2023- 25 budget process, it is important to prioritize Santa Monica children, youth, and families, and take actions to ensure program capacity meets child and family demand. Sufficient and sustainable funding of school-site-based, before-and-afterschool programs is needed, to provide for program costs, and to pay wages that are competitive and commensurate with
inflation and the rising cost of living.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 2 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Thea Cappiccille
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member
Santa Monica Business Owner

Message forwarded on behalf of Thea Cappiccille,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 3 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:31 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Karen Ginsberg From: Karen Ginsberg <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 7:30 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Karen Ginsberg

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 4 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Karen Ginsberg
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident

Message forwarded on behalf of Karen Ginsberg,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 5 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:30 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Nichole Delansky From: Nichole Delansky <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 4:56 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Nichole Delansky

EXTERNAL

Take Action: Urge Your City Council to Increase Funding for Before-and-After School Programs

Subject Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs Message Body As a Santa Monica resident and a full-time working parent of two school aged children in SMMUSD after care programs, I urge you to increase funding for before-and-after-school programs. Children and families in our community desperately need this support.

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 6 school programs is needed, to provide for program costs, and to pay wages that are competitive and commensurate with
inflation and the rising cost of living.

As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Nichole Delansky
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member

Message forwarded on behalf of Nichole Delansky,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 7 Vernice Hankins
From: Ann Hoover <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 11:44 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Caroline Torosis; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; David White
Cc: Susan Cline; David Martin; Douglas Sloan; Douglas Sloan Subject: March 11, 2023 Council Meeting - Council Priorities

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Davis, City Manager White, and Esteemed Councilmembers - A few quick thoughts and feedback:
 I second all calls by others providing public input to make CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABILITY again a top priority of our City. Of course, work in this area is in head to head conflict with the outsized state mandate to zone to build an impossible amount of housing in our built-out City between now and 2029.  I recommend you limit your priorities to only 3-4 this time around, with clear & quantifiable goals to be reviewed via regular touch-base reports from City Staff on progress. Pasts Councils typically bite off more than they can chew. Don't over-commit!
 I also second all calls to continue to support our children, education and youth services, particularly as they support our local working parents. Important after-school, City-provided programs were cut by Council and former Interim City Manager Lane Dilg during the pandemic budget cuts. Current City Manager White and Council have restored some of these to a certain extent - thank you - but not all of those services by far and I'd like to see further restored programming in this area to support our working families, e.g., a return the CREST sports program & expanded Playground Access, if it seems there is a need.  I object to a sale of the Civic Auditorium and/or the nearby field to the school district. This is our civic space and public land. The Auditorium is landmarked and I believe a magnificent public, civic use is still in it's future. Don't offload it now in a short-sighted, weak moment. One possibility is to lease the Auditorium space to the district for a period of years & allow them to make sufficient but not opulent improvements to allow the space to be used by the high school. That way the City would be getting income from the Auditorium property. The City, with ample notice, could end the lease at such time as a plan to revitalize the Auditorium falls into place. If I were the District, of course, I'd just proceed with the lavish Samohi Campus plan at this point and build the second gym there. There is zero reason for the City to sell the field to the District. It and the surrounding historical commemoration are an important recent addition to the City's meagre park system now. No one thinking clearly would sell our desperately needed park & field space. I hope none of you wants to be the Council or the City Manager responsible for SELLING park land and developed public land that has been our City's civic heart for close to 70 years now, used by millions of people.  Lastly, I SUPPORT the restoration of the current Community Services department to be TWO separate departments. This is how it was before the pandemic budget cuts and it makes great sense. Housing and Item 11.A
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 8 Cultural services are apples and oranges, potentially destined to come into conflict. Resources CAN be preserved for things like restoring CREST programs and more library hours by promoting within so that you are not hiring new personnel to create new positions as some have noted might happen in their comments should the current department be split.

As always, thank you each one of you for your tremendous service to our community.

Sincerely,
Ann Bowman
Resident, 26+ years
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 9 Vernice Hankins
From: Susie Pickett <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 11:09 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fwd: Agenda Item 11A, Santa Monica: Continue to be a Climate and Sustainability Leader!

EXTERNAL
In case I sent it to the wrong email:

Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:

From: Susie Pickett <[email protected]>
Date: March 9, 2023 at 11:58:28 AM PST
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 11A, Santa Monica: Continue to be a Climate and Sustainability Leader! To the Council:

Please continue Santa Monica's legacy as a climate and sustainability leader by adding them back as budget priorities. Climate impacts will continue to worsen and we need to be doing all we can to address them. Air quality, drought and excessive heat are just some of the impacts felt by residents of our city. Santa Monica plays a leadership role in the sustainability field and other communities look to our actions. As we do, the rest of the state follows. And what happens here in California ripples across the country. Scientists agree that we need to continue to take action on the climate — we cannot waiver.

My husband and I love the walkability of this city. We live near Montana and walk everywhere:
our doctor’s offices, church, our favorite restaurants, the beach. We are doing everything we can do reduce our carbon footprint: we eat a plant-based diet, recently purchased an induction cooktop to reduce our gas stove use, and replaced all of our bulbs with LEDs.

Santa Monica is our home, and we want the local government to do all it can to mitigate climate change with sustainability efforts.

All our best,
Susie and Jim Pickett
Santa Monica Residents
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 10 Vernice Hankins
From: Karen Melick <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 10:37 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Clare Thomas
Subject: March 11 Council Meeting Agenda item 11.A

EXTERNAL
Hello,
We have reviewed the staff report, 2023 Council Workshop to Select Council Priorities and Provide Direction on the Fiscal Year 2023-2025 Budget, and have the following input to consider for your discussion and decisions.

I have lived in Santa Monica for 31 years and our son was raised here attending the SMMUSD and participated in the City sports programming. He is now 25.

What strikes me about the City's priorities is that the City Services to the youth and residents of the City do not seem to be a priority. During the pandemic cuts, these services were disproportionally affected by the staff cuts. The staffing numbers in the report show the much greater staffing cuts to the Community Services Department and Library Services than the rest of the cities departments, currently at 24% and 39% decrease in staffing, versus an overall staffing decrease of 12%.

These two departments only employed 13% of the City's FTE before the pandemic, and 10% now. These departments should have first priority in restoring staffing.

I think it's disgraceful that these smaller departments and the most direct services the City provides to the youth and residents of the City were cut to the greatest extent during the pandemic and are not currently included in the budget plan to be restored. This should be changed before the 2023-25 budget is approved.

The Library services, and the City programs for youth including CREST, sports programs, Playground Club, the Swim Center and summer lunch should be restored fully for the coming years. These programs take a comparatively small portion of the City's annual budget and are very important for our City's youth and residents.

During the pandemics, the one City Park Planner position was eliminated which was odd considering the City was just about to distribute an updated Recreations and Parks Master Plan and the need for planning for the Airport to Park transition. This position should be restored to a permanent FTE position.

Also, for the Capital Improvement Programs, the Memorial Park Expansion project should be a priority as it has been a very long time since the city residents voted to acquire the Fisher Lumber property to expand the park. The parks and the Swim Center are services to the youth and residents of the City that should be a priority.

Thank you for your consideration of this information.

Karen Melick
Clare Thomas
2602 25th St
Santa Monica
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 1 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:32 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Elizabeth Kaupas From: Elizabeth Kaupas <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 7:16 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Elizabeth Kaupas

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 2 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Elizabeth Kaupas
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member

Message forwarded on behalf of Elizabeth Kaupas,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 3 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:32 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Jillian Cipresso From: Jillian Cipresso <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 7:11 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Jillian Cipresso

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 4 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Jillian Cipresso
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member
SMMUSD Teacher/Staff

Message forwarded on behalf of Jillian Cipresso,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 5 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:32 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Mary Christian From: Mary Christian <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 6:56 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Mary Christian

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

Item 11.A
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 6 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Mary Christian
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent

Message forwarded on behalf of Mary Christian ,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 7 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:32 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Steven Atamian From: Steven Atamian <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 6:35 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Steven Atamian

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 8 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Steven Atamian
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member

Message forwarded on behalf of Steven Atamian,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 9 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:31 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Morgan Ruvolo From: Morgan Ruvolo <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 5:34 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Morgan Ruvolo

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 10 It is vital that we fix problems before they even start. If we can help give every student a solid foundation, we should have less issues as they grow older. We would not just be helping now, but for generations. Youth services should be our highest priority. (I just want to mention that I do not need these services for my own children, so I am advocating because I love this city and want it to grow in a positive way, and I believe starting at youth is the way to build up Santa Monica.)
As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Morgan Ruvolo
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member
SMMUSD Teacher/Staff

Message forwarded on behalf of Morgan Ruvolo,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 11 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:31 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Trinedy Krusell From: Trinedy Krusell <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 4:32 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Trinedy Krusell

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

Subject Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs Message Body As a Santa Monica resident and parent of 3 SMMUSD students, I urge you to increase City funding for before-and-after-school programs. With rising cost of living in Santa Monica, many families don’t have the ability to have single-income
households. Short school day schedules, and multiple dismissal times, make it difficult, or impossible to maintain a regular job shift, forcing one parent to stay home.

We choose to have one parent (me) stay home to
accommodate the fluctuating school schedules. But every year we feel the burden of the single-income and it is getting difficult to make ends meet. I don’t feel I have the option to even look for work until my youngest is in middle school and able to make his way home on his own.

Private childcare is out of reach for our family, and the only affordable option, our school’s CDS Aftercare, has been

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 12 waitlisted since the start of the school year.

As you begin the budget process, PLEASE prioritize Santa Monica children, youth, and families. Keep us in the forefront of your minds when deciding how to allocate funds, and take actions to ensure program capacity meets child and family demand.

As a resident, voter, SMMUSD parent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-after-school program demand and invest further in youth services. Thank you for your consideration.

Name Trinedy Krusell
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member
Santa Monica Business Owner

Message forwarded on behalf of Trinedy Krusell,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 13 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:31 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: SMMPTA Budget Ask for Youth Services
Attachments: SMMPTA City Council Letter_March 9 2023.pdf From: Erika Bell <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 10:33 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: SMMPTA Budget Ask for Youth Services

EXTERNAL
Dear Honorable City Council Members,
Ahead of your Special Meeting, we very much appreciate the opportunity to share with you our community’s concerns and our priorities for children, youth, and families in the city of Santa Monica.

On behalf of the Santa Monica Council of PTAs’ Executive Board and Association, we are writing to you to ask you to increase funding for before-and-after-school programs, specifically to meet the needed-demand of children and families. Please see our letter below.

We want you to know that this comes with gratitude for what you have already accomplished, encouragement to find ways to provide more, and a commitment from us to work with the City to best meet the needs of the largest number of our students and families with a focus on our most vulnerable.

We look forward to continuing to work with you and hope we can be a resource to you on issues impacting children, youth, and families in Santa Monica.

Sincerely,
Erika Bell
Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAs President
...

Office of the City Mayor and City Council
1685 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
March 9, 2023
Dear Honorable City Council Members,
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 14 On behalf of the Santa Monica Council of PTAs’ Executive Board and Association, we are writing to you to ask you to increase funding for before-and-after-school programs, specifically to meet the needed-demand of children and families.

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school. Please consider how the City’s ability to serve ALL children and families that need before-and-after-school programs could positively impact our community, as you deliberate on budget commitments:

Inadequate funding adversely affects the equity and safety of the community. The current funding and staffing for these programs has created an equity issue and a safety concern. More city funding is needed to close the opportunity gap caused by inequities in access to youth programs outside of the regular school day to keep all our city’s children in need of these services safe and engaged. As confirmed in your staff report, there remains a persistent gap between staff’s ability to deliver services and the expectations of the community.

Before-and-after-school programs have demand that is far greater than the supply, leaving a great many children on waitlists and without care. Crest Club and Playground Club were waitlisted prior to the start of the school year, and have remained waitlisted throughout the year. (Afterschool Sports and Playground Club one-time funding ends in June.) Youth service programs at Virginia Avenue Park, and at the Police Activities League at Memorial Park are full too, and moreover, they are inaccessible to young ones without transportation.

Lack of access to before-and-after-school programs may put families in the position of leaving children unsupervised at too early an age. Unsupervised children, at best, are without academic support and social engagement; at worst, they are unsafe and at risk. “The likelihood of youth exposure to drug use and other criminal behavior increases dramatically in the hours after school ends. RAND research has shown that the availability of quality after-school activities can reduce participation in and victimization as a result of illicit activities and can boost academic performance.” (RAND Corporation) Increased funding, to ensure access to all, will benefit the entire community. “These programs improve school attendance and graduation rates, develop workforce skills, prevent crime and substance abuse, and enable low-income parents to work by filling a critical child care need.” (California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance) Equitable access to programming that helps keep children safe and engaged is right in line with the City’s guiding values and should be funded as such. School programs should continue to include play supervision, homework support, before-and-after-school care, and enrichment classes. These increases will reap rewards immediately in the academic, social and emotional, and physical development of children, and over the long term, as envisioned by our City’s Cradle to Career initiative.

The City’s staff report lists “equity” and “safety” among Santa Monica’s highest priorities; therefore restoring and increasing funding for youth services should be top of mind. Access to opportunity is not equal; before and after school programs work to bridge gaps across many of the systemic inequities that exist in our community, especially for the historically marginalized, and they help keep our children safe. As you, our City Council members, begin the Fiscal Year 2023-25 budget process, it is important to prioritize Santa Monica children, youth, and families, and take actions to ensure program capacity meets child and family demand. Sufficient and sustainable funding of school-site-based, before-and-after-school programs is needed, to provide for program costs, and to pay wages that are competitive and commensurate with inflation and the rising cost of living. Any delay in funding commitment will only add to hardships for students and their families.

We ask you to give your focused attention to finding and supporting budget solutions. We are grateful for Santa Monica’s long-standing commitment to our schools, for historic city-school district partnerships, and for past and current investment in youth services for our children. We are hopeful that you, our city leaders, will find creative ways to further systemize equity in our city, and will collaborate with our excellent schools and community organizations to ensure all Santa Monica children have access to critical learning and development opportunities, and all Santa Monica families have free or affordable access to safe and engaging care for their children.

The Santa-Monica Malibu Council of PTAs requests that you strongly consider the safety and equity of children and families and fully fund the before-and-after-school programs. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to continuing to work with you and hope we can be a resource to you on issues impacting children, youth, and families in Santa Monica.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 15 Sincerely,
Erika Bell, President, Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs Item 11.A
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 1 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Kelly Snopek From: Kelly Snopek <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 10:35 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Kelly Snopek

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 2 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Kelly Snopek
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent

Message forwarded on behalf of Kelly Snopek,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 3 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Mary Squillace From: Mary Squillace <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 10:29 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Mary Squillace

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

Subject Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs Message Body As a parent of a Roosevelt Elementary student who is fortunate enough to participate in the aftercare program, I urge you to increase funding for before-and-after-school programs,
specifically to meet the needed-demand of children and
families.

Both my partner and I have full time jobs that we rely on for our income, and without this program, I’m honestly not sure how we would manage to continue to be able to work. As a working parent, I often feel like I’m faced with a puzzle I just can’t solve in order to fulfill my responsibilities as a parent, an employee, and a financial provider for my family. But the on-site aftercare program has helped enormously.

We’ve been so pleased with the aftercare program, but it shouldn’t be a privilege only few can enjoy. ALL children deserve safe, accessible, free and affordable programs before

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 4 and after school!
As you begin budget planning, I implore you to prioritize Santa Monica families, and take actions to ensure these programs can accommodate as many children as need the service at a price that doesn’t put added financial stress on families.

Sufficient and sustainable funding of these programs is so essential to make sure that families have access to them and can afford them and also that the care workers who are SO valuable are paid fair wages, even as cost of living continues to rise.

As your constituent and a parent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-after-school program demand and invest further in youth services. Thank you for your consideration. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for more information.

Name Mary Squillace
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent

Message forwarded on behalf of Mary Squillace,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 5 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Aimée Koeplin From: Aimée Koeplin <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 9:28 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Aimée Koeplin

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 6 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Aimée Koeplin
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member

Message forwarded on behalf of Aimée Koeplin,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 7 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: nallely gutierrez From: nallely gutierrez <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 9:24 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: nallely gutierrez

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 8 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name nallely gutierrez
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member
SMMUSD Teacher/Staff

Message forwarded on behalf of nallely gutierrez,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 9 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Johanna Kracke From: Johanna Kracke <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 8:28 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Johanna Kracke

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

Subject Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs Message Body As a Santa Monica resident and a parent of 2 children attending Will Rogers Elementary School, I urge you to increase funding for before-and-after-school programs, specifically to meet the needed-demand of children and families.

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

As you, our City Council members, begin the Fiscal Year 2023- 25 budget process, it is CRITICALLY important to prioritize Santa Monica children, youth, and families, and take actions to ensure program capacity meets child and family demand.

Sufficient and sustainable funding of school-site-based, beforeand-after-school programs is needed, to provide for program costs, and to pay wages that are competitive and
commensurate with inflation and the rising cost of living. These

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 10 programs should be free and available to ALL students, (which LAUSD is able to provide on their campuses), and similar to the model that has been adopted for our school lunch program. It has been wildly frustrating for me as a parent to use the affordable Boys and Girls Club sponsored Playground Club, because they are canceled every time it rains (a lot this year!) I depend on after school care so that I can work, and this program is near useless in its current model. Other after care options are wildly more expensive and additionally do not even have any spaces. The reality is that this burden falls much heavier on mothers, and as a result you are keeping mothers who would like to work more OUT of the work force. If we had dependable care that did not cost an arm and a leg, we would be more able to work and contribute to the economic success of our city.

As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Johanna Kracke
Name Johanna Kracke
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
Santa Monica Business Owner

Message forwarded on behalf of Johanna Kracke,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 11 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Dolores Romo From: Dolores Romo <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 7:55 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Dolores Romo

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 12 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Dolores Romo
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent

Message forwarded on behalf of Dolores Romo ,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 13 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:32 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Yeva MCCLOSKEY From: Yeva MCCLOSKEY <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 7:45 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Yeva MCCLOSKEY

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 14 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Yeva MCCLOSKEY
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
SMMUSD Student
Santa Monica Business Owner

Message forwarded on behalf of Yeva MCCLOSKEY,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 1 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Jo An Joseph-Peters From: Jo An Joseph‐Peters <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:12 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Jo An Joseph‐Peters

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 2 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Jo An Joseph-Peters
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
Past SMMUSD PARENT

Message forwarded on behalf of Jo An Joseph-Peters,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 3 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Sarah Starks From: Sarah Starks <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 11:56 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Sarah Starks

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

Subject Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs Message Body As a Santa Monica resident and SMMUSD parent, I urge you to increase funding for before-and-after-school programs,
specifically to meet the needed-demand of children and
families. My children, now 14 and 10, benefited substantially from city-funded after-school services when they were younger, and some of these programs are no longer available to children in our community or have extensive waitlists that limit their availability.

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 4 sustainable funding of school-site-based, before-and-afterschool programs is needed, to provide for program costs, and to pay wages that are competitive and commensurate with
inflation and the rising cost of living.

As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Sarah Starks
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member

Message forwarded on behalf of Sarah Starks,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 5 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Karen E Mozes From: Karen E Mozes <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 11:54 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Karen E Mozes

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 6 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Karen E Mozes
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member

Message forwarded on behalf of Karen E Mozes,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 7 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Task Force Input to Item 11: Council Workshop to Select Council Priorities and Provide Direction on the Fiscal Year 2023-2025 Budget
Attachments: TF letter to City Council Special Meeting 3.11.2023.docx From: Early Childhood Task Force <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 11:48 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Task Force Input to Item 11: Council Workshop to Select Council Priorities and Provide Direction on the Fiscal Year 2023‐2025 Budget

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers:

As the City Council considers and approves the organizational priorities in preparation for the FY 2023-2025 budget, the Santa Monica Early Childhood Task Force is pleased to submit our thoughts about the priorities to advance the City's path to recovery that is equitable, fair, and reflective of the values of our community.

For the 2023-2025 budget, the Task Force supports the current priorities of Addressing Homelessness, Clean & Safe Santa Monica, and Equitable & Inclusive Economic Opportunity & Recovery. The last three years have been a tremendous loss for our children and families who were already struggling, particularly our most vulnerable families. The pandemic only exacerbated issues already present. To prevent housed Santa Monicans from becoming homeless, creating clean and safe public spaces and neighborhoods, which include parks and leisure activities and cultivating economic opportunities, means protecting the current city investments and resources.

Affordable, high-quality childcare is critical so parents do not lose their jobs and become unhoused.

Families' access to affordable housing, behavioral health support, and other services addresses their ability to face challenges, adversity, and trauma that leads to improved outcomes and keeping them housed. These resources are vital for their economic and emotional recovery and children's social and emotional needs.

A clean and safe neighborhood means continued investment in available activities and programming for our children out of school time. The Task Force supports that council investments go to support CREST, the Playground Club supervised afterschool care at all elementary schools, and the restoration of programs and capacity for City operated youth programs and recreation in our parks.

The Task Force supports the council's recommendation of adding the two priorities of Racial Equity and Social Diversity and a Sustainable & Connected Community.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 8 In the statement on Racial Equity and Social Diversity, we recommend adding “learn” to the last sentence, so it is "improve the wellbeing of people who live, work, learn, play, and do business in our City and create a community where differences in life outcomes cannot be predicted by race, class, gender, disability, or other identities.

Equitable economic opportunity begins with investment and commitment to address the inequality facing our families to access high-quality early education programs and the resources necessary to sustain our families and their children. Research has consistently demonstrated that starting young can impact children's social, educational, and economic opportunities and parents' economic opportunities. Thus, addressing equity gaps for our community families begins with their access to our public schools, libraries, and community-based organizations supported through the City's current infrastructure.

At the heart of a sustainable & connected community is a supported community that expands opportunities for children, youth, and families.

We recommend adding Sustainable, Connected and “Supportive" Community to the priority. Within the priority, we suggest emphasizing the following: "Ensure that City policies and programs enhance our resources and preserve opportunities for children, youth, and families that support a strong safety net, especially for our most vulnerable community members. The City is committed to addressing affordable lifelong learning experiences, which prevents harm to the natural environment and human health and benefits the social and economic wellbeing of the community for the sake of current and future generations."
We urge the City Council to increase the Human Services Grants program funding so that ALL residents within our diverse City can be safe and healthy and access the resources necessary to thrive. Santa Monica has a historic commitment to making a positive difference for its children and families because it is not only a great place – it connects around common values and relationships with each other and ensures the resources that help them flourish. Ultimately, these investments have an impact on the day-to-day operations of the City.

On behalf of the Santa Monica Early Childhood Task Force and its 4,500 children under five, we thank you for considering our recommendations. Please contact us if you have questions.

Sincerely,
The Santa Monica Early Childhood Task Force Steering Committee McKenna Belgarde and Julie Taren
Co-Chairs Santa Monica Early Childhood Task Force
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 9 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Winnie Yeh From: Winnie Yeh <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 11:48 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Winnie Yeh

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 10 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Winnie Yeh
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
SMMUSD Student

Message forwarded on behalf of Winnie Yeh,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 11 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Alison Havel From: Alison Havel <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 11:31 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Alison Havel

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

Subject Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs Message Body As a Santa Monica resident and a parent in the Santa Monica school district, I urge the City of Santa Monica to increase funding for before-and-after-school programs, specifically to meet the support of our neediest children and families.

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school and unfortunately, our district does not have the funds to provide these services.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 12 inflation and the rising cost of living.

As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services in a way that you used to do before COVID hit. Thank you very much for your consideration!
Name Alison Havel
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member

Message forwarded on behalf of Alison Havel,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 13 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Staci Verk From: Staci Verk <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 11:25 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Staci Verk

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

As you, our City Council members, begin the Fiscal Year 2023- 25 budget process, it is important to prioritize Santa Monica children, youth, and families, and take actions to ensure program capacity meets child and family demand. More than half of the community at Grant take advantage of after school programs and access to these programs benefits the children, the parents and hence the community.

Sufficient and sustainable funding of school-site-based, before-

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 14 and-after-school programs is needed, to provide for program costs, and to pay wages that are competitive and
commensurate with inflation and the rising cost of living.

As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Staci Verk
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member

Message forwarded on behalf of Staci Verk,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 15 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Akiko Nakai From: Akiko Nakai <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 11:19 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Akiko Nakai

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 16 inflation and the rising cost of living.

As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Akiko Nakai
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member

Message forwarded on behalf of Akiko Nakai,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 1 Vernice Hankins
From: Mathew Millen <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 2:45 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Oscar de La Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Caroline M. Torosis; Caroline M. Torosis; Jesse Zwick
Subject: 3/11 BudgetMeeting/ Don't Use Measure GS to perpetuate segregation

EXTERNAL
To The City Council Members:

The State rejected the initial Housing Element based on a finding the City dumped low income housing in the Pico Neighborhood that
"perpetuated segregation"...this was partially accomplished via the Pico Neighborhood Housing Trust Fund...the terms of the fund limited the
development of low income housing to the historically segregated Pico Neighborhood.

To Implement Government Code 8899.50 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing WE NEED TO FLIP THE scenario.

NO MEASURE GS FUNDS CAN BE USED TO DEVELOP LOW INCOME HOUSING IN THE HISTORICALLY

SEGREGATED
PICO NEIGHBORHOOD...USE THE FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT GOV. CODE 8899.50 and build the housing someplace BUT the Pico Neighborhood. Don't use Measure GS funds to perpetuate segregation.

Mathew Millen
16th St. 90404
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 2 Vernice Hankins
From: Peter DiChellis <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 2:20 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 11A - Budget - Public Safety vs. Homeless Services

EXTERNAL
As a substantial portion of police and fire resources are dedicated exclusively to Homeless Services, please reimburse first‐responder budgets so those dedicated Homelessness resources are not charged against overall police and fire budgets. It would be non‐transparent to present the entirety of Police and Fire spending as Public Safety spending when a substantial portion is exclusively dedicated to Homeless Services.

Let’s take an honest step forward in solving Santa Monica’s (related) crime and homelessness problems with a true and transparent accounting of how much the City spends on each.

Thank you,
Peter DiChellis
Santa Monica 90403
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 3 Vernice Hankins
From: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:53 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: To consider in the budgeting discussion on your retreat

EXTERNAL
First, Thank You for your service, and for taking the Ɵme to listen to all of us as you do this important work. It means something.

I am in the parent/resident/renter/small business category, and have always been proud of our city’s strong, proud history of supporƟng children and families. The city has long provided financial and leadership to educators – and it’s been a great investment.

I urge you to add a sixth budget priority category, called Youth Services & EducaƟon (or similar). Our children and families are so important – most of you were (or at least had) Santa Monica Kids, and city‐supported programs helped you get where you are today. Please, as you balance things out, keep our shared future in mind.

Yours with grateful respect,
Ben SweƩ
Santa Monica
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 4 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:44 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Funding for youth programs
From: Ricardo Rubio <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:43 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Funding for youth programs

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
My children are a part of the after school programs that are offered by the city of Santa Monica. I believe it is a bad idea to create a new Dept. when that money can be used to restore funding for the youth programs. A new Dept. would need high cost positions. The CREST, VAP, and PAL programs are very important to the Santa Monica youth and their Families.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Ricardo Rubio
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 5 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:44 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Kristin Flaxman From: Kristin Flaxman <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:41 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Kristin Flaxman

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

Subject Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs Message Body As a Santa Monica resident and a parent of two elementaryaged children, I urge you to increase funding for before-andafter-school programs, specifically to meet the needed-demand of children and families.

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 6 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Kristin Flaxman
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent
PTA or PTSA Member

Message forwarded on behalf of Kristin Flaxman,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 7 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:43 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Splitting the City's Community Services Department into Two Departments From: Neil Carrey <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 12:44 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Splitting the City's Community Services Department into Two Departments

EXTERNAL
I read the letter from Andy Agle and Karen Ginsberg opposing splitting the City's Community Services Department into two departments and I could not agree with them more. In my more that 12 years as a Recreation and Parks Commissioner and my many other activities involving the City, I have worked with and got to know both of them very well. From their experience and expertise, they are two individuals who know what they are saying and opposing. Because of the pandemic, funds for direct services for youth, especially our most vulnerable and at risk youth, were greatly cut and the longer this lasts, the more vulnerable these youth will become.

The City's additional limited funds should not be spent on more high paid bureaucrats but rather reopening the PAL Fitness Gym, reopening the Teen Center at Virginia Avenue Park and enhancing the Crest program. From my 26 years on the PAL Board, on numerous committees for our School District and years as a youth sports coach, I know that spending for direct services for our youth works and were these extra funds should go. I hope you do the right thing. Thanks for listening.

Neil Carrey
[email protected]
[email protected]
(T) 310-451-9188
(C) 310-200-5067
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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 1 Vernice Hankins
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Polina Zhitomirsky From: Polina Zhitomirsky <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:15 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>; David White <[email protected]>; Gigi Decavalles <[email protected]> Subject: Letter from Santa Monica Community Member: Polina Zhitomirsky

EXTERNAL

Increase Funding for Before-and-After-School Programs

There is a significant need for ALL children to have safe, accessible, free and affordable programs that engage and support them before and after school.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 2 As your constituent, I urge you to fully fund the before-and-afterschool program demand and invest further in youth services.

Thank you for your consideration.

Name Polina Zhitomirsky
Email [email protected]
Your Role in the
Community Santa Monica Resident
SMMUSD Parent

Message forwarded on behalf of Polina Zhitomirsky,
by Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
[email protected]

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop) 3/10/2023
To Honorable Mayor Davis and esteemed Council members:

At your March 11 workshop, it has been announced that Council will consider a proposal to reorganize the City’s operations to “align and focus” organizational work efforts. You have been urged by former senior staff members Ginsberg and Agle to reject the proposal. I support that recommendation for all the reasons those veteran city employees have articulated and would like to reiterate support for restoring youth program funding.

A diverse offering of youth services programing means opportunities that the most vulnerable in our community simply wouldn’t receive any other way. Restoring that funding means that those students have access to tutoring programs and standardized test prep, nutrition assistance that decreases food insecurity, fitness programs, youth sports, and access to funding for higher education.

Santa Monica has a proud legacy of lifting up the underserved, I urge you, please don’t leave behind those who need you most and restore funding to crucial youth programs so that the city staff already positioned to help can make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who need them most.

Sincerely,
Rob Schwenker
Santa Monica resident and Police Activities League Board Vice President, marketing.

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Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (5560 : Council Workshop)

Santa Monica City CouncilMarch 11, 2023

Santa Monica City Council
March 11, 2023