Written Comments — Santa Monica City Council, May 23, 2023

1 Xavier Mota
From: Carol Lemlein <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2023 4:00 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Re: May 23, 2023 Agenda Item 7A Five-Year Financial Forecast Update, FY 2023-25 Proposed Biennial Budget….

Attachments: 2023-05-23 Council Item 7 A 2023-2027 Budget.pdf

EXTERNAL
Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete and Council Members, Please see the attached letter regarding the FY 2023-2035 Biennial Budget from the Board of Directors of the Santa Monica Conservancy.

Thank you,
Carol Lemlein
Vice President
Santa Monica Conservancy
[email protected]
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
P.O. BOX 653
SANTA MONICA, CA 90406
310-496-3146
www.smconservancy.org
1 May 18, 2023
Via email to [email protected]
Re: May 23, 2023 Agenda Item 7A Five-Year Financial Forecast Update, FY 2023-25 Proposed Biennial Budget….

Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete and Council Members, Our city’s once admirable Historic Preservation Program has been virtually shut down by budget cuts of the past three years. In spite of laws and policies of our LUCE, Historic Preservation Element, and Zoning Ordinance, the purview of the quasi-judicial Landmarks Commission has been stripped down causing months-long delays in application processing, and astronomically high fees have discouraged new applications. We recognize that the City’s financial resources are under great stress, but at the same time intense development pressures including the state-mandated Housing Element threaten big changes in our built environment. Historic preservation can provide a balance with new development in ways that ensures preservation of the authenticity that makes Santa Monica such an attractive place to live, work and visit. When a historic resource is lost, it is lost forever.

Historic preservation activity has dropped to
ZERO due to:
• highest filing fees for historic designation
applications in California
• limitations on staff time due to workload
resulting in processing delays
• six or fewer Landmarks Commission meetings
per year resulting in loss of program
stewardship
• reduction of Landmarks Commission purview
eliminating review of demolition permits
A two-phase process could restore the effectiveness of our Landmarks Ordinance and Historic Preservation program and offset the damage done by the budget cuts of the past three years.

Phase I: budget neutral optimization to reduce the cost burden on applicants.

The following adjustments to the program could be implemented in the coming fiscal year:
• Restore monthly meetings of the Landmarks Commission, resuming discussions that ensure city-wide stewardship of historic resources.
• Reduce the cost of Landmark Applications by streamlining consultant and staff reports to focus exclusively on the analysis necessary to meet the City’s criteria for designation. • Reduce Certificate of Appropriateness analysis for proposed changes to a landmark to simply address conformance to the standards.

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
2 • Return Demolition Review to the Landmarks Commission using the process devised by the City Attorney to pass legal scrutiny and defined in the November 2018 Interim Zoning Ordinance.

Phase II: restoration of the Preservation Planner position which was approved by City Council in 2019.

A Preservation Planner with professional credentials in planning and historic preservation can take the lead on assessing applications, assisting property owners in understanding how preservation works, policy recommendations, permit review and processing, and Mills Act applications, with less need for consultants, and free other members of the overburdened planning Staff from interruptions to support the Historic Preservation Program:
• Landmark Application Analysis would be conducted in house by the Preservation Planner just as all other discretionary building permits are evaluated, reducing or eliminating the need to hire costly outside consultants and streamlining the process.
• Further reduce Landmark Application Fees by the elimination of outside consultants in many cases. • Restoring the fee waiver for applications from nonprofit organizations (application and consultant fees) would have minimal impact on the City budget but would greatly advance access to landmarking for groups reflecting our cultural diversity.
• Improve Applicant Awareness of Incentives during processing of Certificate of Appropriateness and Architectural Review Board applications involving Historic Resource Inventory properties. The Preservation Planner can encourage the use of the State Historic Building Code and Zoning Ordinance exceptions to help achieve owners’ programmatic goals while preserving historic features.

The budget cuts have had unintended consequences. Historic Preservation is a tool for social justice education, but recognition of important histories that honor all people remains out of reach to those who still struggle to be seen. Cost increases have put participation in Historic Preservation out of reach for all but the wealthy - at a time when preservation organizations from the National Trust to municipalities nationwide have broadened their efforts to increase access to preservation to “tell all the stories” of their diverse communities.

A robust preservation program with a broad emphasis on our heritage can create jobs and business opportunities. A recent publication by the National Advisory Council on Historic Preservation states “A high percentage of domestic and international travelers participate in cultural and/or heritage activities while traveling, and those that do stay longer, spend more, and travel more often.” Tourism is a major component of our local economy and the opportunities created by expanding heritage tourism are amplified by the approaching 150th Anniversary of the city’s founding and the 2028 Olympics. The Conservancy looks forward to being an active partner in this effort as we revitalize our tour programs.

Revitalization of our Historic Preservation Program will address the unintended inequities now embedded in the program, contribute to the city’s economic recovery, and ensure that the significant places that tell our city’s story are recognized and preserved.

We urge you to make these recommendations part of your direction to staff for the fiscal budget of 2023-2025.

Sincerely,
Carol Lemlein
Vice President, Santa Monica Conservancy Board of Directors ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Gloria Garvin <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2023 10:11 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 23, 2023, Agenda Item 7A Five-Year Financial Forecast Update, FY 2023-2025 Proposed Biennial Budget

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete and Council Members, In the past several years, the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission has been radically diminished and will require Council action to restore it back to health.

Historic preservation activity has dropped to near zero in the past year due to:
(A) Extremely high filing fees for historic designation applications (B) Processing delays due to limitations of staff time
(C) Six or fewer meetings per year of the Landmarks Commission (D) Elimination of Landmarks Commission review of demolition permits The Santa Monica Conservancy has recommended a two-phase process that could restore the effectiveness of our Landmarks Ordinance and Historic Preservation program and offset the damage done by the budget cuts of the past three years. I agree with their recommendations.

The following adjustments to the program could be implemented in the coming fiscal year:

Phase I:
(1) Restore monthly meetings of the Landmarks Commission, resuming discussions that ensure city-wide stewardship of historic resources.
(2) Reduce the cost of Landmark Applications by streamlining consultant and staff reports to focus exclusively on the analysis necessary to meet the City’s criteria for designation. (3) Reduce Certificate of Appropriateness analysis for proposed changes to a landmark to simply address conformance to the standards.
(4) Return Demolition Review to the Landmarks Commission using the process devised by the City Attorney to pass legal scrutiny.

Phase II:
(1) Restoration of the Preservation Planner position which was approved by City Council in 2019. This would reduce or eliminate the need to hire costly outside consultants and would streamline the process. (2) Restore the fee waiver for applications from nonprofit organizations. This would have minimal impact on the City budget, but would greatly advance access to landmarking for groups reflecting our cultural diversity.

Our city's budget cuts have had unintended consequences that we must now reverse. Historic Preservation is not only a tool for social justice and education, but a way to recognize important histories that honor all people. Cost increases have put participation in Historic Preservation out of reach for all but the wealthy. We urge you to make these recommendations part of your direction to staff for the fiscal budget of 2023-2025.

Sincerely,
Gloria Garvin, PhD
Santa Monica resident
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Randall Klarin <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2023 9:43 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 23, 2023 Agenda Item 7A Five-Year Financial Forecast Update, FY 2023-25 Proposed Biennial Budget

EXTERNAL
Landmark applications are in sharp decline and Santa Monica may already be losing significant historic resources that we can never get back.

What’s Going Wrong?
Landmark applications cost $6,000-$7,000 to file, the most in California! Timelines for landmark nominations see untenable delays of nine months or more.

Owners have little incentive to consider landmarking without reinstatement of planning division fee waivers and reasonable timelines.

Relying on the public to review demolition permits is not sustainable; Landmarks Commission review of demolition permits for buildings 40-years or older must be reinstated! Without a timely and affordable process, we cannot seek out and recognize resources significant to historically marginalized and underrepresented groups that will contribute to the city’s stated commitment to social justice.

RW Klarin
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Katharine Dreyfuss <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2023 8:13 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please restore the Santa Monica Historic Preservation Program

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I strongly urge you to adopt the two-phased plan proposed by the Santa Monica Conservancy.

Restore the Preservation Program in 2 Phases
Phase I: budget neutral optimization to reduce the cost burden on applicants right away  Restore monthly meetings of the Landmarks Commission to ensure city-wide historic resources.
 Return Demolition Review to the Landmarks Commission.  Reduce the cost of Landmark Applications by streamlining consultant and staff reports.  Streamline Certificate of Appropriateness analysis to focus on conformance with the standards.

Phase II: restoration of the Preservation Planner position in 2024  Landmark Application Analysis by Preservation Planner credentialed in preservation and planning with skills in historical research and analysis, eliminating costly outside consultants, and shortening processing time.
 Applicant Awareness of Incentives by Preservation Planner who supports use of the State Historic Building.
 Code and Zoning Ordinance exceptions to achieve programmatic goals while preserving historic features.
 Restore fee waivers for nonprofit organizations to ensure equitable access to the program.

Sincerely,
Katharine R. Dreyfuss
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Geoffry White <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2023 8:51 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Anne Rimer
Subject: Preserve the Preservation Program

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I strongly urge the City Council to adopt the two-phased plan proposed by the Santa Monica Conservancy.

Restore the Preservation Program in 2 Phases
Phase I: budget neutral optimization to reduce the cost burden on applicants right away  Restore monthly meetings of the Landmarks Commission to ensure city-wide of historic resources.
 Return Demolition Review to the Landmarks Commission.  Reduce the cost of Landmark Applications by streamlining consultant and staff reports.  Streamline Certificate of Appropriateness analysis to focus on conformance with the standards.

Phase II: restoration of the Preservation Planner position in 2024  Landmark Application Analysis by Preservation Planner credentialed in preservation and planning with skills in
 historical research and analysis, eliminates costly outside consultants, and shortens processing time.
 Applicant Awareness of Incentives by Preservation Planner who supports use of the State Historic Building
 Code and Zoning Ordinance exceptions to achieve programmatic goals while preserving historic features.
 Restore fee waivers for nonprofit organizations to ensure equitable access to the program.

Sincerely,
Geoffry D. White, Ph.D.
1425 Stanford St. #9
Santa Monica, CA 90404
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Geoffry White <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2023 9:12 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Anne Rimer
Subject: Preservation Program Restoration (Follow up letter.)

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
My family and I have been residents of Santa Monica for 50 years. Our kids went through their entire K-12 education in our school system here. We walked them to school and took them to all sorts of activities across and back over the beautiful and welcoming city. Part of what we enjoyed were the monuments, historical homes and landmarks that are special and characterize our fair city.

I was shocked and dismayed when I learned what was gradually happening to those structures mentioned above. This may seem like an extreme example, but hear me out. When I was doing humanitarian work in the Balkans during the Bosnia war and genocide, it was pointed out to me that genocide is more than killing people. It is also destroyed the cultural landscape that expresses and describes the identity of a people.

Thats what was done in Europe during the Holocaust, in Turkey during the Armenian genocide and in Bosnia as I mentioned. It's not a luxury to preserve landmarks, architecture and monuments. It's protecting culture from extinction.

I strongly urge the City Council to adopt the two-phased plan proposed by the Santa Monica Conservancy.

Restore the Preservation Program in 2 Phases
Phase I: budget neutral optimization to reduce the cost burden on applicants right away  Restore monthly meetings of the Landmarks Commission to ensure city-wide of historic resources.
 Return Demolition Review to the Landmarks Commission.  Reduce the cost of Landmark Applications by streamlining consultant and staff reports.  Streamline Certificate of Appropriateness analysis to focus on conformance with the standards.

Phase II: restoration of the Preservation Planner position in 2024  Landmark Application Analysis by Preservation Planner credentialed in preservation and planning with skills in
 historical research and analysis, eliminates costly outside consultants, and shortens processing time.
 Applicant Awareness of Incentives by Preservation Planner who supports use of the State Historic Building
 Code and Zoning Ordinance exceptions to achieve programmatic goals while preserving historic features.
 Restore fee waivers for nonprofit organizations to ensure equitable access to the program.

Sincerely,
Geoffry D. White, Ph.D.
1425 Stanford St. #9
Santa Monica, CA 90404
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Ruth Punt <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 4:19 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Preservation Program

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I strongly urge the City Council to adopt the two-phased plan proposed by the Santa Monica Conservancy.

Restore the Preservation Program in 2 Phases
Phase I: budget neutral optimization to reduce the cost burden on applicants right away  Restore monthly meetings of the Landmarks Commission to ensure city-wide of historic resources.
 Return Demolition Review to the Landmarks Commission.  Reduce the cost of Landmark Applications by streamlining consultant and staff reports.  Streamline Certificate of Appropriateness analysis to focus on conformance with the standards.

Phase II: restoration of the Preservation Planner position in 2024  Landmark Application Analysis by Preservation Planner credentialed in preservation and planning with skills in
 historical research and analysis, eliminates costly outside consultants, and shortens processing time.
 Applicant Awareness of Incentives by Preservation Planner who supports use of the State Historic Building
 Code and Zoning Ordinance exceptions to achieve programmatic goals while preserving historic features.
 Restore fee waivers for nonprofit organizations to ensure equitable access to the program.

Sincerely,
Ruth Punt
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Isabelle Edwards <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 10:56 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Santa Monica Historic Preservation Program

EXTERNAL
Hello,
I am writing in support of City Council to restore Santa Monica’s Historic Preservation Program by, among other things, re-establishing monthly Landmarks Commission meetings, returning demolition review to the Landmarks Commission, reducing the cost of landmark applications, and restoring the Preservation Planner position to the Planning Department.

I have grown up in Santa Monica and am a current resident of the city, which cares about it maintaining its integrity and history. Beautiful old historic buildings should continue to be landmarked and that process is important to generations going forward. The great character of this city is bundled into many of these beautiful buildings, please restore the Santa Monica Historic Preservation Program.

Many thanks,
Isabelle Edwards
Santa Monica resident
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Billy Nistico <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 11:05 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Restore the land marking process

EXTERNAL
Hello, I’m writing today to show my support in restoring Santa Monica’s Landmarking process. Re establishing monthly Landmarks Commission meetings, returning demolition review to the Landmarks Commission, reducing the cost of landmark applications, and restoring the Preservation Planner position to the Planning Department is imperative in preserving the balance in our amazing city between being responsible stewards of the past and embracing the future including development and planning.

Thank you. Billy Nistico

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Kara Fox <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 11:07 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please restore our landmarking process...

EXTERNAL
It’s so sad that developers who don’t even live here are doing their best to ruin our besautiful city for their own personal gain. Please try to stop this. Kara Fox 14 th st
kara fox
_________________________
Glamourproject.org
[email protected]
Instagram: @infinitelyolive
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Laurie Harmon <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 11:18 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: restore Santa Monica Preservation Program

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I urge you to adopt the 2 phase plan proposed by the Santa Monica Conservancy.

Phase 1 - budget neutral optimization to reduce the cost burden on applicants right away. restore monthly meetings of the Landmark Commission
return Demolition review of the Landmark Commission
reduce the cost of Landmark applications
streamline Certificate of Appropriateness anakysis
Phase 2 - restoration of theAnakysis Preservation Planner position in 2024.

Landmark Application Analysis
Applicant awareness of Incentive
Code and Zoning Ordinance exceptions
restore fee waivers for non profit organizations
Sincerely,
Laurie Harmon
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Joan Goldsmith Gurfield <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 12:01 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Preserving historic buildings

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I urge you to reconsider the importance of preserving historical buildings in our city. They are part of the heritage we should pass on to future generations. In our (understandable) haste to provide more housing, let's not neglect the important and often beautiful structures that are signs of our past.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Joan Gurfield
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Beth Greulich <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 2:36 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please restore landmarking process!

EXTERNAL
To whom it may concern, PLEASE restore the Santa Monica landmarking process. Preserving history is extremely important!
Beth and Geoff Greulich
620 12th St
Santa Monica 90402
Sent from my iPhone
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: April Smith <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 2:51 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Restore Santa Monia's Historica Preservation!

EXTERNAL
Nothing is more essential to the character of a city than its architectural history. Ours is eroded every day. Landmarking homes and commercial structures is an enduring way of honoring the folks who built this town and those who are farsighted and generous enough to pass that history on to future generations as well as a statement of our values as a community. We own one of three houses on Seventh Street built in the 1920s, each in a different historical style. I am also lucky to have an office in an historic medical building on Second Street that is once again in danger of being destroyed by redevelopment. Priceless.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
April Smith
427 7th Street
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Elizabeth Lerer <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 3:11 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick
Subject: Budget to Protect Our History

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
We’re losing it. The city’s historic preservation process has been insanely deprioritized. Please protect our history:
- Return the Landmarks Commission to regular monthly meetings and restore their ability to review demolitions. - Reduce the costs associated with attaining a historic designation. - Resume efforts to hire an experienced preservation planner.

Thank you,
Elizabeth Lerer
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Karen Melick <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 3:59 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Clare Thomas; [email protected]; Joelle Simmons; Arati Desai Wagabaza; Jeanette Gant; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Zina Josephs; Clay Evans; Kathryn Iannucci; Albin Gielicz; Maryanne LaGuardia; Steven Johnson; Lori Brown; Andrew Gomez; John Smith; David White
Subject: Item 7.A Input for 2023-25 Proposed Biennial Budget - Recreation and Arts Director positions

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council members,
My name is Karen Melick and I have been a resident in Santa Monica for 41 years. I am the chairperson of the Santa Monica Aquatics Advisory Committee, an advisory group to the Recreation and Parks Committee. My wife, Clare Thomas, is the president of the Friends of Sunset Park neighborhood group. We raised our son here who attended the SMMUSD schools and participated in a variety of City run youth programs including CREST, sports leagues and swim lessons. We are writing this letter as individuals, not as the position of our groups as this topic has not been discussed with those groups.

We whole-heartedly support elevating the importance of Recreation and Arts in our city, but adding 3 new permanent executive positions of a Director of Recreation and Arts, an Executive Administrative Assistant and an Administrative Services Officer, at a new cost of approximately $600,000 a year including benefits, is not the way to do it.

The previous directors of the Community Services department, Andy Agle and Karen Ginsberg, have come out against this proposal. With my MBA and 42 years of work experience including at the director level, I agree with Andy and Karen that adding these 3 high level positions is not necessary and a wasteful use of scarce budget resources. The resources needed are for front-line workers, not more managers, assistants and administrators. Also, in this day and age, a director should not need two full time assistants.

The existing Community Recreation manager is the person who is responsible for the direction and support of recreation programs in the city. The new director of Recreation and Arts seems like they would have significant overlapping responsibilities with this position. The Recreation department already has many management and administrator positions. Of the current 24.6 FTE permanent employees, 10 employees are manager, supervisor or coordinator positions. Another 4 are staff assistants or administrators. That leaves only 10.6 as front-line workers directly providing services to the community. With 26.4 FTE temporary staff members in 2022-2023, this is already a very top-heavy department.

While the permanent staffing level is what it was pre-COVID, the number of swim instructor/lifeguard temporary FTE has not returned to the pre-COVID number. Because of that, the Swim Center hours and programming are less than preCOVID. There is no plan in the 2023-2024 budget to increase the Swim Center hours and programming.

Drowning is the #1 cause of unintentional injury-related deaths in children ages 1-4. Santa Monica, as a beach town, should have an obligation to ensure our youth are water safe. Currently, youth swim classes fill up in about 2 minutes after enrollment opens, so many children are unable to learn this critical life-saving skill. We need to do better.

As seniors, we know that swimming is one of the best exercises for seniors. More hours and programming at the Swim Center are needed to service our city’s youth and seniors. The $600,000 for the new director and their two staff members ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
2 could instead be used to hire about 12 swim instructors/lifeguards to significantly expanded services to the citizens of Santa Monica.

Recommendation
Instead of hiring these 3 new positions, elevate the Community Recreation manager’s position to be the Recreation and Arts director. Have the Cultural Affairs (6.7 FTE) and Beach House (13.3 FTE) groups report into that upgraded position along with the current groups, the Aquatics Programs (13 permanent FTE) and Community Services (10.6 permanent FTE). Existing assistant and administrative support should be used. Or just don't split the current Community Services department into two departments. Then the $600,000 can be spent on front-line workers to expand services.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Karen Melick and Clare Thomas
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Barbara Wallace <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 4:02 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Building preservatio

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
As a resident of this city, I urge you to re-establish the Preservation Council to protect historically significant buildings from demolition. There needs to be a voice for protecting these structures. The pressure for obtaining space to build high density housing will make it difficult to protect these older buildings. We need to have a voice that advocates for their preservation.

Thank you,
Barbara Wallace
Ocean Park Neighborhood Resident
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Margaret Bach <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 4:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 23, 2023 Agenda Item 7A Five-Year Financial Forecast Update, FY 2023-25 Proposed Biennial Budget

EXTERNAL
To the honorable City Council,
Recognizing the current budget constraints of the city, I nonetheless urge you to restore Santa Monica's historic preservation program in a manner that would optimize scarce budget resources while returning the City's preservation program to a more robust and responsive initiative.

For priority action, I urge:
 Return Landmarks Commission meetings to a monthly schedule, to ensure effective review and management of historic resources and preservation opportunities.
 Streamlining consultant and staff reports, thereby reducing the cost of Landmark application.  Streamlining Certificate of Appropriateness applications and review.  Demolition Review -- restoring that review function to the Landmarks Commission. This review process has served the city well in the past, ensuring that potential resources up for demolition receive a timely review.

With the various pressures on our existing built environment, the City must strengthen its tools to protect and celebrate the historic resources in our diverse neighborhoods.

Sincerely,
Margaret Bach
Former member, Landmarks Commission
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Libby Pachares <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 6:23 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 23, 2023 Agenda Item 7A Five-Year Financial Forecast Update, FY 2023-25 Proposed Biennial Budget

EXTERNAL
Honorable Council Members,
I am writing to urge you to implement those actions to revitalize the City’s Historic Preservation Program recommended by The Santa Monica Conservancy in its May 16 letter to you As a long-time resident of Santa Monica, I appreciate all that the City has done to preserve our diverse and amazing history, while I also am saddened that so much has been lost. While I do acknowledge the many challenges posed by the recent budget crisis, I am hopeful that as we reemerge from the pandemic (hopefully on more solid financial footing), Council will prioritize restoring funding for our Preservation Program.

Sincerely,
Libby Pachares
414 16th Street,
Santa Monica, CA. 90402
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Julie Cantor <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 7:26 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please Protect Santa Monica Landmarks

EXTERNAL
Hello —
I am a longtime Santa Monica resident and fan, and I write to urge the City Counsel to restore our city’s Historic Preservation Program by, among other things, re-establishing monthly Landmarks Commission meetings, returning demolition review to the Landmarks Commission, reducing the cost of landmark applications, and restoring the Preservation Planner position to the Planning Department.

Thank you!
Julie D. Cantor MD | JD
Attorney
J. Cantor Law
The information contained in this communication is confidential and should be considered to be attorney work product and/or attorney-client privileged. This communication is the property of J. Cantor Law and is intended only for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender, delete the message, and note that any distribution or copying of this message is prohibited. Any discussion of tax matters contained herein is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed under federal tax laws.

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Julie Cantor <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 12:19 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Re: Please Protect Santa Monica Landmarks

EXTERNAL
Correcting an autocorrect error — City *Council*
Thank you!
On May 21, 2023, at 7:26 PM, Julie Cantor <[email protected]> wrote:

Hello —
I am a longtime Santa Monica resident and fan, and I write to urge the City Counsel to restore our city’s Historic Preservation Program by, among other things, re-establishing monthly Landmarks Commission meetings, returning demolition review to the Landmarks Commission, reducing the cost of landmark applications, and restoring the Preservation Planner position to the Planning Department.

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Susan hires <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 8:06 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Restore Historic preservation program.

EXTERNAL
Thank you for all your hard work. Please please please restore Santa Monica’s Historic Preservation Program. We are doing what we can to maintain and preserve our 60 year old condo building, Oceanaire on Ocean Ave. Your future efforts toward preservation will pay big dividends by restoring iconic structures of Santa Monica as an attractive place to live, work and play. Thank you.

An appreciative resident owner, Susan Hires.

Sent from iPhone 812-343-5182
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Ryan Olson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 8:37 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 23, 2023 Agenda Item 7A Five-Year Financial Forecast Update, FY 2023-25 Proposed Biennial Budget

EXTERNAL
I understand that this year's budget is considering funding for the Landmarks Commission. I would like to respectfully request that council further reduce funding for the Landmarks Commission. In a time of fiscal cutbacks, this is absolutely not where the city should be spending its dwindling finances. Further, in my opinion, the commission has shown questionable judgement in what buildings they protect. I try not to be cynical, but it seems to me that the commission is more concerned with their power to stop development than with any good faith effort to preserve truly historic buildings.

I submit as evidence 1655 Appian Way:

This building was an absolute blight on our city, yet was designated historic by the Landmarks Commission. I am heartened that City Council overturned this terrible decision on the part of the Landmarks Commission, but I think this goes a long way to show how fundamentally unserious the commission is. Please do not restore their funding or take any actions to make it easier for this process to be abused like this in the future.

Ryan Olson
1021 Pine St.

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Noma Boardmember <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 9:51 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Re: Please Protect Santa Monica Landmarks

EXTERNAL
Thank you!
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[email protected]
On Sun, May 21, 2023 at 7:26 PM Julie Cantor <[email protected]> wrote:

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Noma Boardmember <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 10:25 AM
To: councilmtgitems; [email protected]; Lana Negrete; Phil Brock; [email protected]; Jesse Zwick; [email protected]; Oscar de la Torre
Cc: David Martin; David White; [email protected] Subject: Subject: Budget and Landmarks Commission items

EXTERNAL
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Mayor Davis and Council Members,
Think of any great city in the world and the first thing that comes to mind are its historic landmarks: Paris’s Eiffel Tower, London’s Big Ben, Rome’s Colosseum. Or closer to home, the Griffith Observatory, and our own Santa Monica Pier.

These landmarks exist because past generations ensured that they survived.

As previous generations have done for us, so too must we be responsible stewards of our past. In a rapidly changing city like Santa Monica -- under constant development pressure -- preserving our diverse and historic architecture (from early Craftsman homes, to historic bungalows, to sleek mid-century buildings) is vital to preserving the character of our city.

Unfortunately, at a time when the pipeline is about to be flooded with new housing projects, our preservation program has been cut back so far as to be non-functional.

Our City has made landmarking increasingly difficult. The result has been the number of landmarked buildings in Santa Monica have decreased from about 5.8 designations per year through 2020, to under two designations in 2022, to zero designations so far this year. Zero.

The problem: processing times have increased from 60-days to months and months. The cost to applicants have skyrocketed. Demolition review has been delegated to the Santa Monica Conservancy which struggles under the burden of taking over so much of the Landmarks Commission work, while the Landmarks Commission barely meets (they have only met twice this year, so far).

NOMA is joining with other groups to encourage our City Council to restore Santa Monica’s Historic Preservation Program by, among other things, re-establishing monthly Landmarks Commission meetings, returning demolition review to the Landmarks Commission, reducing the cost of landmark applications, and restoring the Preservation Planner position to the Planning Department.

The NOMA Board
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
2 smnoma.org
[email protected]
Nancy Coleman - Chair
Danilo Bach - Vice-Chair
Victor Fresco - Treasurer
Jeff Brecht
Phillis Dudick
Sue Edwards
Jeff Gordon
Ann Greenspun
Todd James
Evelyn Lauchenauer
Bruce Leddy
Elizabeth Lerer
Steve Lissik
Sonya Fox Sultan
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Ann Hoover <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 10:57 AM
To: David White; [email protected] Cc: councilmtgitems; Susan Cline; Anuj Gupta
Subject: 05-23-23 Council Meeting - Item 7.A. - Proposed Biennial Budget Study Session - Thank you!

EXTERNAL
Dear Mr. White, Ms. Decavalles-Hughes, & all other relevant City Staff members - I just want to say thank you for all the work that's clearly gone into the financial forecasting and preparation of the proposed budgets for Council consideration tomorrow night.

You've obviously worked incredibly hard to address both Council's priorities and community requests for restored fundamental services like additional hours at the libraries and youth afterschool programs like Playground Club (formerly the long-standing Playground Access afterschool free play).

These are the sorts of basic community services that dramatically enhance and support the lives and well-being of our seniors, our working families, and our young people.

So, again, thank you!
Sincerely,
Ann Bowman
Resident, 26+ years
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Peter Altschuler <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 12:12 PM
To: Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de la Torre; Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems; David White; Douglas Sloan; David Martin Subject: May 23, 2023 Agenda Item 7A Five-Year Financial Forecast Update, FY 2023-25 Proposed Biennial Budget

EXTERNAL
The character of Santa Monica has been eroding for years, but preserving its landmarks and architecturally notable structures can ensure that the things that made the city desirable don’t vanish.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation recognizes the importance of the built environment that helped define cities and towns across America. The Landmarks Preservation Commission in New York has protected countless irreplaceable buildings that connect the present with the past. Our own Landmarks Commission was doing the same… and needs to do so again.

Funding for the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission needs to be restored. Fees for designated structures as landmarks need to be affordable for average homeowners and non-profit organizations. Oversight of demolition needs to be reviewed by Landmarks to prevent the destruction of noteworthy buildings and structures.

It’s convenient to think, in the digital age, that nothing valuable occurred more than 20 minutes ago or that history began on the birthday of a Millennial. Yet, just as people who don’t know history are doomed to repeat its mistakes, people who do know history can help retain what worked so that others can apply its lessons today.

The City Council has a role to play in ensuring that the past has a future. p
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Roxanne Tanemori
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 2:12 PM
To: Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de la Torre
Cc: councilmtgitems; Jim Ries; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Planning Commission's Recommendation for Council Budget Study Session - Item 7A Attachments: Planning Commission to Council 2023-05-23 Budget Recommendations-signed.pdf Dear Council Members,
Please find the aƩached leƩer from the Planning Commission with their recommendaƟons for consideraƟon during your May 23rd FY 2023-25 biennial budget study session.

Thank you,
Roxanne Tanemori
Roxanne Tanemori, AICP
Acting Planning Manager
(310) 458-2201 ext. 8202
[email protected]
santamonica.gov
Reach the City Planning team anytime at 311!
Zoning Code | Applications & Forms | Plans & Projects
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 • (310) 458-8411 • [email protected] santamonica.gov • @cityofsantamonica • @santamonicacity Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main St,
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Re: City Council Meeting May 23, 2023; Agenda Item No. 7A regarding the City budget.

Honorable Councilmembers,
Item 7A on your agenda is a discussion regarding the City’s budget for the next fiscal term.

Given the City’s numerous priorities and limited resources, we understand that finalizing this City’s budget will be no simple task. However, it is essential for this City to provide the Planning Department the resources it needs to help us all build a stronger future for all residents.

The Planning Commission discussed and voted on recommendations which include the following priorities:

Right size the Planning Department: The City Planning Department needs a stable and appropriately sized workforce to complete its significant workload. This workload includes creating critical land use planning documents such as the Local Coastal Program (LCP). The successful approval of the LCP will claw back some local land use control, while also streamlining the permit process. Speaking of Santa Monica’s economic recovery, the Planning Commission also recommends the retention of a full time economic development administrator. This position will focus on supporting existing and new businesses in the City and facilitate and coordinate opportunities for both public and private stakeholders to support the City’s ongoing economic recovery.

The end goal of both of these positions is to promote economic development urgently needed.

Promote public participation by allowing for remote public testimony: The pandemic presented numerous challenges for City governments. However, one positive aspect was the creation of remote public hearings. This allowed a new, and for some easier, ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 • (310) 458-8411 • [email protected] santamonica.gov • @cityofsantamonica • @santamonicacity format for constituents to interact with City government. As we move past the pandemic, we should hold on to these good government practices which promote public participation and enhance the transparency of the planning process. We urge the Council to approve a budget that permits in person City Planning Commission meetings at City Hall while also accommodating remote testimony.

Landmarks Commission: The Planning Commission requests that the City Council reestablish the City of Santa Monica’s commitment to historic preservation. A key to that is to allow the Landmarks Commission to re-engage in the land use development process. Consistent with written recommendations provided to us at our public hearing by current Landmarks Commissioners, we urge the City to adopt a budget that allows for the following: (1) a return to monthly Landmarks Commission meetings; (2) restore Landmarks Commission authority to conduct preliminary reviews of demolition applications for structures over 40 years old; (3) retention of an experienced professional preservation planner; (4) provide fee subsidizes for landmark designation applicants; and (5) provide fee waivers to encourage designations by property owners (in particular, we urge the City Council to approve fee waivers for not-for-profit organizations).

We appreciate this opportunity to provide our recommendations and urge you to consider them closely.

Sincerely,
Jim Ries
Planning Commission, Chair
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Michelle Jonas Sroka <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 2:29 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 7.A Input for 2023-25 Proposed Biennial Budget - Recreation and Arts Director positions

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council members,
My name is Mimi Sroka and I have been a resident in Santa Monica for 12 years. I am a member of the Santa Monica Aquatics Advisory Committee, an advisory group to the Recreation and Parks Committee. I am also on the upcoming executive board for Franklin Elementary's PTA. I have two children who attended the SMMUSD schools and participated in a variety of City run youth programs including CREST, sports leagues and swim lessons. I am are writing this letter as an individual, not from the position of my groups as this topic has not been discussed with those groups.

I whole-heartedly support elevating the importance of Recreation and Arts in our city, but adding 3 new permanent executive positions of a Director of Recreation and Arts, an Executive Administrative Assistant and an Administrative Services Officer, at a new cost of approximately $600,000 a year including benefits, is not the way to do it.

The previous directors of the Community Services department, Andy Agle and Karen Ginsberg, have come out against this proposal. I agree with Andy and Karen that adding these 3 high level positions is not necessary and a wasteful use of scarce budget resources. The resources needed are for front-line workers, not more managers, assistants and administrators. Personally, in this day and age, a director should not need two fulltime assistants.

While the permanent staffing level is what it was pre-COVID, the number of swim instructor/lifeguard temporary FTE has not returned to the pre-COVID number. Because of that, the Swim Center hours and programming are less than pre-COVID. There is no plan in the 2023-2024 budget to increase the Swim Center hours and programming.

Drowning is the #1 cause of unintentional injury-related deaths in children ages 1-4. Santa Monica, as a beach town, should have an obligation to ensure our youth are water safe. From first-hand experience, I know youth swim classes fill up in about 2 minutes after enrollment opens online, so many children are unable to learn this critical life-saving skill. We need to do better.

More hours and programming at the Swim Center are needed to service our city’s youth and seniors. The $600,000 for the new director and their two staff members could instead be used to hire about 12 swim instructors/lifeguards to significantly expanded services to the citizens of Santa Monica.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
2 into that upgraded position along with the current groups, the Aquatics Programs (13 permanent FTE) and Community Services (10.6 permanent FTE). Existing assistant and administrative support should be used. Or just don't split the current Community Services department into two departments. Then the $600,000 can be spent on front-line workers to expand services.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Mimi Sroka
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Ted Winterer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 2:32 PM
To: Gleam Davis; Lana Negrete; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick
Cc: nicole faries; David White; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 7, 5/23/23 Council agenda
Attachments: CEPS letter to Council for retreat.docx

EXTERNAL
Mayor Davis and Honorable Councilmembers,
We at Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) are grateful that you agreed with the principles in our letter sent prior to your retreat (see attached) and that you made youth programs and services a priority for the FY 23/24 municipal budget.

We look forward to the City's use of deferred pension liability paydown dollars to fund investments in our children.

Thank you,
Nicole Faries
Ted Winterer
CEPS Co-Chairs
--
Ted Winterer
Realtor @Compass, 2115 Main Street Santa Monica
DRE #02047989
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ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
Mayor Davis and Honorable Councilmembers,
Community for Excellent Pubic 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 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.

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
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 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 our budget priorities.

Thank you,
Nicole and Ted
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

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

Thank you,
Nicole and Ted
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Mike Bonney <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 3:54 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: “May 23, 2023 Agenda Item 7A Five-Year Financial Forecast Update, FY 2023-25 Proposed Biennial Budget”

EXTERNAL
HiThis historic preservation group is a joke, I don’t want money going to whatever it is that they do. I want this on the record. ThanksMike Bonney
2503 28th st #4
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Ted Winterer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 6:08 PM
To: Gleam Davis; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Jesse Zwick; Oscar de la Torre; Caroline Torosis; Phil Brock
Cc: David White; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 7, 5/23/23 agenda, SM Conservancy concerns

EXTERNAL
Mayor Davis and Honorable Councilmembers,
I am aware of the Conservancy's concerns about budgeting and staffing for the City's historic preservation initiatives, which I believe have never been a priority compared to the other elements of our LUCE.

We can reasonably expect significant changes to our built environment in upcoming years due to the zoning changes implemented by the Housing Element update. I believe as new buildings are constructed we can also honor the most outstanding architecture of the past -- let's seek diversity in our built environment as well as in our population.

So I offer these suggestions for your consideration:

1. Given the current high cost of a landmark application, if it's legal you could allocate Council discretionary dollars to the Conservancy to defray these costs in the short term -- perhaps as a match to the Conservancy's private fundraising. If not legal for some reason, there may be another entity which can accept and utilize such funds in the same manner.

2. My recollection is that the Woodys case (https://www.law.com/therecorder/almID/1202716654543/) may make it challenging for the Landmarks Commission to review demolition permits and then rule on landmark designations.

However, I urge you to consult with the City Attorney to find some way for demolition permit applications to be reviewed in a public forum, whether it's the Landmarks Commission or another body (Planning Commission?). The public deserves the chance to opine on the future of structures on the Historic Resources Inventory.

3. While the City's fiscal health is not sound, surely there is a way in the short term to reduce some of the costs associated with applications for landmark status and Certificates of Appropriateness.

4. As the City's revenues recover, consider in future budgets restoring the preservation planner position in place before the COVID budget crisis.

Let's build the new housing so desperately needed for the future of our region, but at the same time let's respect and value the iconic design of the past.

Regards,
Ted Winterer
--
Ted Winterer
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
2 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.

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Annspun <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 7:51 PM
To: Gleam Davis; Christine Parra; Phil Brock; Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please restore the SM Historic Preservation Program.......from Ann Greenspun/SM resident

EXTERNAL
Good evening City Council Members,
If you have ever gone to a meeting or function of the SM Conservancy, it is easy to recognize the unmistakable passion and respect so many of us residents have for our cultural and architectural history. Many mightily passed these gifts on to us.

Our responsibility is to pass that on to our posterity.

It takes dedicated volunteer work and cooperation with the city for us have these elements preserved and enjoyed by our future generations.

I am hoping each of you adopts the two-phased, recommended plan below to save and protect the Santa Monica Historic Preservation Program.

While planning for our future, please continue heartily to respect the past, and work hand in hand to preserve the elements that continue to make Santa Monica special and loved by each of us.

Below is the proposal taken from the Santa Monica Conservancy's suggestions.

I strongly urge the City Council to adopt it.

With respect,
Ann Greenspun
46 years of being an involved SM resident
Restore the Preservation Program in 2 Phases
Phase I: budget neutral optimization to reduce the cost burden on applicants right away
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
2  Restore monthly meetings of the Landmarks Commission to ensure city-wide of historic resources.
 Return Demolition Review to the Landmarks Commission.  Reduce the cost of Landmark Applications by streamlining consultant and staff reports.
 Streamline Certificate of Appropriateness analysis to focus on conformance with the standards.

Phase II: restoration of the Preservation Planner position in 2024  Landmark Application Analysis by Preservation Planner credentialed in preservation and planning with skills in
 historical research and analysis, eliminates costly outside consultants, and shortens processing time.
 Applicant Awareness of Incentives by Preservation Planner who supports use of the State Historic Building
 Code and Zoning Ordinance exceptions to achieve programmatic goals while preserving historic features.
 Restore fee waivers for nonprofit organizations to ensure equitable access to the program.

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Heather Staves <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 7:58 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Restoration of the Preservation Program in 2 Phases

EXTERNAL
Please support the Santa Monica Conservancy plan to restore the Landmarks Program, including streamlining processing and hiring a trained preservation professional.
--
Heather
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Alexandra Sundell <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 8:58 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Landmarks Program restoration

EXTERNAL
Please adopt the restoration of the Santa Monica Landmarks Program.

Thank you,
Alexandra Sundell
90405
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Mike Layton <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 9:24 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item: Pickleball & Budget Meeting 5.23.23

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
As many of you may know, Santa Monica racquet/paddle sports have been facing significant challenges caused by a shortage of available "court" space. Please review the suggestions below, which I believe are reasonable steps to support pickleball and the other "court" sports involved. "Courts Advisory Committee": I endorse the proposal put forth by the Santa Monica Parks and Recreation Commission to establish a Committee for Court Facilities. This committee would be responsible for devising strategies and solutions aimed at supporting sports such as tennis, pickleball, volleyball, and basketball—sports that rely on court facilities.

Valid Santa Monica Resident Pickleball Player Information: It is important to note that the data regarding pickleball participants from Santa Monica residents has yet to undergo current thorough verification and processing by the city.

The Santa Monica Pickleball Club, a private organization, has presented their estimate of Santa Monica resident pickleball involvement (*Approx: 470) during a meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 16, 2023.

However, it is necessary for the city to obtain precise participant data through their established verification and screening procedures, such as ID verification and utility bill confirmation. This process should mirror the approach used for collecting participant data in other sports within the city. Consequently, the actual number of Santa Monica residents who actively enroll and engage in pickleball within the city remains unknown. - While not explicitly mentioned in the recommendations put forth by the Parks and Recreation Commission, this is a crucial aspect missing from the overall pickleball process. It is highly significant and warrants further consideration.

City Controlled Pickleball: I stand behind the efforts of pickleball enthusiasts to locate suitable and equitable venues for their sport. The Parks and Recreation Commission has proposed that the city resumes its oversight of pickleball programs offered by the municipality. This measure aims to address disparities, eliminate confusion, and establish a more organized framework. For instance, the management of public "open play" pickleball should be entrusted to the city rather than a private entity, as is presently the case.

Thank you for acknowledging this email, and I am hopeful we can discover fair and balanced solutions for racquet and paddle sports which benefit all players involved.

Warm Regards,
Mike Layton
Santa Monica Resident
Santa Monica Small Business Owner
PTM Ambassador
USPTA Elite Professional
USPTA Examiner (former)
Coach of #1 ITF USA Junior (former)
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Soloff, Michael <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 11:06 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: [email protected]; Santa Monica Democratic Club; Gleam Davis; Lana Negrete; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Caroline Torosis; Caroline Torosis; David White; Douglas Sloan
Subject: 5.23.2023 SM CC Meeting Agenda Item 7A-Joint SMRR and SMDC Letter Opposing Diversion of Affordable Housing Funds .pdf;
Attachments: 5.23.2023 SM CC Meeting Agenda Item 7A-Joint SMRR and SMDC Letter Opposing Diversion of Affordable Housing Funds .pdf

EXTERNAL
Please find attached a joint letter from Santa Monicans For Renters’ Rights and the Santa Monica Democratic Club regarding Agenda Item 7A for the May 23, 2023 City Council meeting.

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 May 22, 2023
Re: Agenda Item 7.A for May 23, 2023 City Council Meeting (Budget Study Session) – Opposition to Proposed Diversions of Housing Trust Funds Without Concrete and Binding Plans for Prompt Repayment
Dear Councilmembers:

Both Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (“SMRR”) and the Santa Monica Democratic Club (“SMDC”) urge you to act immediately to revise Staff’s proposed ongoing diversions—without any concrete and binding plan for prompt repayment—of Housing Trust Fund (“HTF”) monies, including the GSH sales tax revenues that more than 70% of Santa Monica voters stated should be used equally for funding affordable housing programs for lower and moderate income households and for funding the public schools. As explained in detail below, not only are the proposed diversions of HTF monies therefore contrary to the democratic intent of the voters, as well as contrary to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.90.30(e) (a provision which the voters added in 2022 through new Measure GS), the proposed diversions also are wholly inconsistent with the City and this Council’s claimed intentions to promote racial justice, equity, and social diversity, to comply with the approved Housing Element, and to comply with City Charter Section 630.

The specific Staff proposals at issue are the following.

First, based upon SMRR and SMDC’s reviews of the Staff report for this budget study session and the supporting materials, it appears that no provision is being made for the previously promised repayment of the $5.3 million in GSH sales tax revenues diverted from the HTF to other uses in FY 2020-2021 in response to the City’s pandemic-induced fiscal emergency.

In particular, at its April 13, 2021 meeting, when considering how to use American Rescue Plan funds, the City Council—including Mayor Davis and Councilmembers Brock, de la Torre, and Parra—voted unanimously both to reject any further diversions of GSH sales tax revenues from the HTF during the upcoming FY 2021-2022 fiscal year, and to repay as soon as possible the GSH sales tax revenues diverted from the HTF during FY 2020-2021. Accordingly, the Staff Report for the FY 2021-2022 budget study session held on May 25, 2021 stated on page 11 that “[t]he [five-year] forecast also includes payments, over three years, of the deferred FY 2020-21 ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
2 Measure GSH Housing Trust Fund allocation beginning in FY 2023-24.” (emphasis added). But there is no evidence in the materials for this study session that this promised repayment will occur.

Second, at the April 25, 2023 City Council meeting, the City Attorney announced Council’s approval of a new $122.5 million settlement to resolve pending lawsuits alleging child molestation by Eric Uller. The City Manager spoke briefly about how the settlement would be funded. As he stated at that time, and as confirmed in an email to the NOMA Board by the City's Director of Finance, the City plans to finance the settlement include—in addition to drawing down reserves in the General Fund, borrowing "from" the general fund portion of the workers compensation fund, and borrowing "from" the Water Fund—both (1) "[s]uspending a substantial portion of contributions of Measure GSH (2016) funds to affordable housing for FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24," and (2) borrowing "against" the general fund portion of the Housing Trust Fund.

No plan for the repayment of these HTF fund diversions was provided, let alone a binding and concrete plan for prompt repayment. And no plan appears in the materials for this budget study session.

Based on a unanimous vote of SMRR’s Steering Committee, and on the unanimous vote of the SMDC Political Action Committee and the SMDC Executive Committee, it is SMRR and SMDC’s positions that:

1. The City must honor its prior commitment to repay the Measures GS/GSH funds that it diverted from the Housing Trust Fund in the first year of the pandemic.

2. No funds should be taken from the Housing Trust Fund, and no sales tax revenues that would have been placed in the Housing Trust Fund should be diverted, to pay for the Uller settlement without a concrete plan and binding commitment to promptly repay those funds from future insurance recoveries, litigation recoveries, or other general funds.

Here are the reasons why you, our City Council, should vote to adopt these same positions.

First, diverting monies from the HTF and using them for purposes other than affordable housing programs for lower and moderate income households is anti-democratic and contrary to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.90.30(e).1
In 2016, more than 70% of Santa Monica voters—
by passing measure GS—stated that one-half of the Measure GSH sales tax revenues should go to affordable housing programs and one-half to the public schools. Then, in 2022, Santa Monica voters confirmed their 2016 choice when they approved the new Measure GS, including the provisions stating that the transfer tax funds raised for affordable housing programs and for the schools by the new GS are in addition to and not in replacement of the existing funding for these programs and for the schools, including funding provided in accordance with prior advisory measures. These provisions—now found at Santa Monica Municipal Code Sections

1 SMRR and SMDC are political organizations, and therefore take no position regarding the legal consequences to the City should it violate Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.90.30(e).

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MAY 23, 2023
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3 4.90.20(c)2 and 4.90.30(e)3—were expressly called out by the City Attorney in both the Ballot Title and Summary appearing on the first page of each signature petition, and in the Impartial Analysis of Measure GS found in the November 2022 General Election Official Sample Ballot voter pamphlet: “The School Fund and the Homelessness and Affordable Housing Fund are intended to provide additional support and not replace any existing funding under current agreements or prior advisory measures.” (emphasis added).

At the same 2022 election, the voters had the option to pass Measures DT/DTS in order to provide funding for a different set of priorities as described in Measure DTS. But more than 65% of Santa Monica voters rejected this option.

In short, in 2021 the City Council—including Mayor Davis and Councilmembers Brock, de la Torre and Parra—recognized the importance of honoring the voters’ will regarding the use of GSH funds, including by voting to direct repayment as soon as possible of the GSH sales tax revenues diverted from the HTF during the first year of the pandemic. The City Council should continue to respect the will of the voters, rather than renege on the promised repayment to the HTF of the diverted FY 2020-2021 GSH sales tax revenues and/or authorize the further diversion of HTF funds and GSH sales tax revenues for the Uller settlement in the absence of a concrete and binding plan for their prompt repayment.

Second, diverting monies from the HTF and using them for purposes other than affordable housing programs for lower and moderate income households is wholly inconsistent with the City and this Council’s claimed intentions to promote racial justice, equity, and social diversity, and to comply with the approved Housing Element.

There is no doubt that maximally available affordable housing funding is necessary to promote racial justice, equity, and social diversity in Santa Monica.

The City—together with SMCC and SMMUSD—invited Heather McGhee (author of The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together) to be the keynote speaker last Thursday evening at the John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center.

Mayor Davis introduced Ms. McGhee, and Councilmember Brock was announced as one of the V.I.P.’s in attendance. As Ms. McGhee states in her book:

2 “In enacting this Initiative, it is the intent of the voters that any funds allocated to the SMMUSD or any future school district pursuant to this Section should be additional to, and not a replacement of, any funds the City otherwise provides to the school district, including any funds provided according to existing agreements or in accordance with prior advisory measures regarding City funding for public education.”
3 “In enacting this Initiative, it is the intent of the voters that any funds allocated to the Homelessness Prevention and Affordable Housing Fund should be additional to, and not a replacement of, any funds the City otherwise provides for the purposes described above, including any funds provided in accordance with prior advisory measures regarding City funding for affordable housing.”
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4 Because of our deliberately constructed racial wealth gap, most black and brown families can't afford to rent or buy in places where white families are, and when white families bring their wealth into black and brown neighborhoods, it more often leads to gentrification and displacement than enduring integration. The solution is more housing in more places that people can afford on the average incomes of workers of color. What gets in the way is objections about costs--to real estate developers, to public budgets, and to existing property owners. (emphasis added).

In Santa Monica, "places that people can afford on the average incomes of workers of color" means deed-restricted or rent-subsidized housing for lower and moderate income households.

The Los Angeles Almanac, using 2017-2021 American Community Survey data from the Census Bureau, reports the following regarding median household income by race in Los Angeles County and in Santa Monica:

City/Community All White Alone Asian Hispanic/ Black/
(not Hispanic) Latino African American
LA County $77,456 $95,193 $90,444 $66,929 $51,841
Santa Monica $99,847 $107,112 $117,500 $69,681 $45,613
While Santa Monica has a long way to go to help undo systemic racism and to more fully integrate our community, it is not a coincidence that the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law found each of the following in its 4/1/20 report entitled ASSESSMENT OF FAIR HOUSING City of Santa Monica (emphasis added):

1. “The City of Santa Monica has enacted numerous policies to prevent displacement and increase the supply of affordable housing, including rent control, just-cause eviction, anti-tenant harassment laws, source of income protections, and anti-discrimination laws that afford protections beyond the federal Fair Housing Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

Santa Monica has also enacted mandatory inclusionary housing and spends significant local resources on affordable housing creation and rental subsidies.

Santa Monica also has among the highest [Section 8 voucher] exception payment standards in the country, and is undoubtedly implementing more programs to address its fair housing needs than other actors in the region. These actions have resulted in a drastically expanded [affordable] housing stock in the City.”

2. “The City of Santa Monica provides most of the affordable housing in the West Los Angeles area.”

3. "Since 1990, segregation has decreased in Santa Monica at a faster rate than within the greater region."
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MAY 23, 2023
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5 There also is no doubt that maximally available affordable housing funding is necessary to comply with the approved Housing Element. The Housing Element is replete with affordable housing programs and policies for which the City states a need to locate funding. See, e.g., Program 2B (right of first refusal ordinance for non-profit affordable housing providers); Program 2E (commit to the production of affordable housing on City-owned/publicly-owned land); Program 3C (facilitate the conservation of restricted and non-restricted at-risk housing); Program 3D (maintain an acquisition and rehabilitation program); Program 6B (seek funding sources to support rental assistance for vulnerable individuals and households at-risk of displacement); Program 6C (maintain and expand the preserving our diversity (POD) program).

Moreover, the RHNA allocation to Santa Monica called for the creation 6,158 deed-restricted affordable housing units, 69% of the total RHNA allocation. The Housing Element cites lack of available funding as the reason for setting its quantified objectives for these deed-restricted affordable units at just 2,249 (just 36.5% of the RHNA allocation).

Finally, there is no doubt that maximally available affordable housing funding is necessary for the City Council to comply with Section 630 of the City Charter. That provision, added by the voters of Santa Monica in 1990 through Proposition R, provides:

The City Council by ordinance shall at all times require that not less than thirty percent (30%) of all multifamily-residential housing newly constructed in the City on an annual basis is permanently affordable to and occupied by low and moderate income households. For purposes of this Section, “low income household” means a household with an income not exceeding sixty percent (60%) of the Los Angeles County median income, adjusted by family size, as published from time to time by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and “moderate income household” means a household with an income not exceeding one hundred percent (100%) of the Los Angeles County median income, adjusted by family size, as published from time to time by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. At least fifty percent (50%) of the newly constructed units required to be permanently affordable by this Section shall be affordable to and occupied by low income households.
(emphasis added). This provision reflects the desire of Santa Monicans to live in an economically diverse community, rather than an economically-gated community like Beverly Hills, Brentwood, or Pacific Palisades.

Given the Council’s recent establishment of a uniform inclusionary zoning requirement of 15%, and the fact that the State Density Bonus Law effectively reduces that inclusionary zoning requirement to just 11% as demonstrated by the recent Gelson’s project, it is patent that maximally available funding is needed for Council to meet its obligations under Section 630 of the Charter.

In short, the Housing Element states: “The City Council has prioritized funding and land use policies to develop affordable housing.” In order to stay true to its stated priorities and legal responsibilities, City Council must continue to do so, rather than renege on the promised ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
6 repayment to the HTF of the diverted FY 2020-2021 GSH sales tax revenues and/or authorize the further diversion of HTF funds and GSH sales tax revenues for the Uller settlement in the absence of a concrete and binding plan for their prompt repayment. * * *
In conclusion, SMRR and SMDC appreciate the problems created by Eric Uller, and does not challenge the wisdom of settling the pending Uller-related lawsuits. But that cannot excuse taking HTF funds to pay that settlement without some concrete and binding plan to promptly repay those HTF funds from insurance recoveries, litigation recoveries, or other general revenues of the City that are not subject to specific voter direction. Nor can it excuse the City reneging on it prior promise to repay as soon as possible the GSH sales tax revenues diverted from the HTF fund during the first year of the pandemic. Please do not do permit such inexcusable diversions of desperately needed affordable housing funds.

Thank you for considering SMRR and SMDC’s views on this important subject.

Sincerely,
Denny Zane Jon Katz
Co-Chair, Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights President, Santa Monica Democratic Club Mike Soloff
Co-Chair, Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Debbie Mahdessian <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 9:54 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 23 Meeting Item-Fiscal Year 2023-25 biennial budget (Pickleball)

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
I am writing in support of the recommendation from Recreation and Parks Commission recommendation to approve reinstating a modified and revenue-supported City-run pickleball program that is staffed with City staff, gives priority access to residents, and charges nominal fees for high-demand open-play session time.

As a Santa Monica resident, business owner, homeowner, parent of 5 and USTA NJTL Youth non-profit organization I strongly urge council to approve this in the budget for the following reasons:
 EQUITY-To create equity between the two sports that are sharing tennis courts, both sports and their users (residents, instructors and organizations) should be subject to the same oversight and rules for access. Currently, tennis users are overseen by City rules and fees, pickleball users are overseen by an outside, private organization that is permitted on a monthly basis by the city. There are no rules currently governing the permit holder regarding what hours instruction and clinics are allowed(unlike tennis). This discrepancy in governance is a large contributor to unnecessary friction between the two sports sharing the tennis courts. There is no other sport in the City that is conducted in the manner pickleball currently is.  FINANCIAL-The cost of creating and hiring personelle to staff the oversight will be recouped through reservation card fees, court fees and city run programming through community class pickleball (which is currently not offered)
 DATA-Gathering current and accurate data on the number and proportion of resident and non resident pickleball players (as the city has on teens through reservation cards and community class registrations) as well as the age demographics of the player. The City has accurate data on the number and ages of tennis players, but has no reliable or verifiable data on pickleball. Without accurate data, informed decisions on allotment of financial and space resources for the sports.

I support the growth of BOTH pickleball and tennis in our community, proportional to the demand by residents based on accurate data. Creating this position in the budget will allow this and alleviate much of the friction that has unfortunately defined the relationship between the two sports in our common city.

I welcome any questions and would love to be a part of the solution.

Sincerely,
Debbie Mahdessian
310-430-1962
Website
Instagram
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
2 ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 11:29 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 7A, biennial budget review

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
The current staffing level for the city library services is 60% of pre-pandemic level. This next budget only increases it to 65% of pre-pandemic level.

These cuts are particularly critical to lower income, youth, and senior citizens of our city. Please prioritize more resources to restore these library services.

Thank you,
Clare Thomas
2602 25th St
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Kathy Knight <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 11:41 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 23, 2023 Agenda Item 7A Five-Year Financial Forecast Update, FY 2023-25 Proposed Biennial Budget”

EXTERNAL
May 23, 2023
To: Santa Monica City Council
From: Kathy Knight
Sunset Park resident for 30 years
[email protected]
(310) 613-1175
Dear City Council Members:

Please support the request by the Santa Monica Conservancy to lower the costs of landmarking our precious resources here in Santa Monica that are so important for the enjoyment of our City life.

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS REQUEST so that we can have monthly Landmarks Commission meetings again, give the commission more responsibilities to protect our landmarks, and lower the cost of designation applications, so that not only the rich can apply for landmark protections.

Our landmarks are so important to preserve, for us and future generations, and they make our City more attractive for tourists and business - which helps our economy over all.

I know many people that are getting very unhappy with places being torn down and huge Mega buildings being put up that are not that attractive to tourists and local residents.

Most residents cannot afford to live in them.

PLEASE RESTORE THE BUDGET FOR OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM.

Thank you.

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Esther Hickman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 12:46 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: “May 23, 2023 Agenda Item 7A Five-Year Financial Forecast Update, FY 2023-25 Proposed Biennial Budget” in the subject line.

EXTERNAL
Dear Honorable City Council Members,
Acknowledging the city’s current funding constraints, we are asking Council to recommend Restoration of the Preservation Program in 2 Phases.

Phase 1 (NOW): Budget neutral optimization to reduce the cost burden on applicants right away!
 Restore monthly meetings of the Landmarks Commission to ensure city-wide review of historic resources.
 Reduce the cost of Landmark Applications by streamlining consultant and staff reports.  Streamline Certificate of Appropriateness analysis to focus on conformance with the standards.
 Return Demolition Review to the Landmarks Commission.

Phase II (NEXT YEAR): Restore the 2019 Preservation Planner position (a credentialed professional in preservation and planning with skills in historical analysis) so that:
 Landmark Application Analysis can be conducted in house just as all other discretionary building permits are evaluated, eliminating the need to hire costly outside consultants, and streamlining the process.
 Applicants can be informed of Incentives such as encouraging the use of the State Historic Building Code and Zoning Ordinance exceptions to achieve programmatic goals while preserving historic features.
 With reduced costs, fee waivers for nonprofit organizations can be restored to ensure equitable access to the program.

With Gratitude for all you do for all of us!
--
Esther Hickman
310.600.7306
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: PNA90404 <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 1:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis
Cc: [email protected]; David White
Subject: Save the Historic Preservation Program

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members and City Manager, The PNA Board is writing this letter to demonstrate support to restore the Historic Preservation Program in two phases. We feel that it is important for our city to do its part in preserving the character and scale of our neighborhoods and in doing so protecting long-term renters and small locally owned businesses.

As we move forward to meet the growing needs for housing and new development projects, City leaders must ensure that the infrastructure established to adequately support laws and policies in our LUCE, Historic Preservation Element, and Zoning Ordinance is fully funded. Unfortunately, due to budgets cuts resulting from the COVID lockdown the preservation program has come to a halt. The purview of the quasi-judicial, wellqualified Landmarks Commission has been stripped down. Months-long delays in application processing and astronomically high fees have discouraged new applications. The work is not getting done. Landmarks applications are in sharp decline, not a single new application has come in since November 2022. The city may already be losing significant historic resources that we can never get back.

We urge that you consider restoring the Historic Preservation Program in 2 Phases. This will provide the City the ability to sufficiently fund as development projects move forward.

Phase I: budget neutral optimization to reduce the cost burden on applicants right away • Restore monthly meetings of the Landmarks Commission to ensure city-wide of historic resources. • Return Demolition Review to the Landmarks Commission. • Reduce the cost of Landmark Applications by streamlining consultant and staff reports. • Streamline Certificate of Appropriateness analysis to focus on conformance with the standards.

Phase II: restoration of the Preservation Planner position in 2024 • Landmark Application Analysis by Preservation Planner credentialed in preservation and planning with skills in historical research and analysis, eliminates costly outside consultants, and shortens processing time. • Applicant Awareness of Incentives by Preservation Planner who supports use of the State Historic Building Code and Zoning Ordinance exceptions to achieve programmatic goals while preserving historic features. • Restore fee waivers for nonprofit organizations to ensure equitable access to the program.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

PNA Board of Directors
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: june Jones <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 2:29 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Landmarks

EXTERNAL
Continue seeking and renewing Santa Monica’s landmarks.

Sent from my iPhone
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Mike Salazar <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 2:39 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 7A Budget to restore Preservation Program Attachments: Item7a-May23-2023-CityCouncil-Salazar.pdf

EXTERNAL
May 23, 2023
City Council, May 23, 2023, Item 7A
Please distribute the attached letter in support of the restoration of the Preservation Program as a budget priority to the City Council, City Manager, Planning Department and all appropriate city staff.

Thank You in advance,
Mike Salazar, Architect
Ocean Park/Santa Monica
--
Mike Salazar
The information contained in this e-mail message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or is not the employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify us by telephone or reply by e-mail and promptly delete the message.

Thank you.

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Leonora <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 3:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 7.A for May 23, 2023 City Council Meeting (Budget Study Session) – Opposition to Proposed Diversions of Housing Trust Funds Without Concrete and Binding Plans for Prompt Repayment

EXTERNAL
Subject: Opposition to Proposed Diversions of Housing Trust Funds Without Concrete and Binding Plans for Prompt Repayment
Dear Councilmembers,
I'm writing as a deeply concerned resident of Santa Monica regarding the proposed ongoing diversions of Housing Trust Fund (HTF) monies, specifically GSH sales tax revenues intended for affordable housing programs and public schools funding. I've noted with alarm that there is no clear plan for repayment of the $5.3 million in GSH sales tax revenues diverted from the HTF in FY 2020-2021. Equally worrying is the recent approval of a $122.5 million settlement, funded partially by suspending a considerable portion of Measure GSH funds and borrowing against the HTF, again without any indication of a repayment plan.

As a Santa Monica resident, I believe it is crucial that the city adheres to its prior commitment to reimburse the HTF for the diverted Measures GS/GSH funds. Furthermore, any funds borrowed from the HTF to settle the Uller lawsuit must come with a guarantee of swift repayment from future insurance recoveries, litigation recoveries, or other general funds. It is essential to respect the will of Santa Monica's voters who supported the use of GSH funds for affordable housing and public schools and continue to strive for racial justice, equity, and social diversity.

While I understand the challenges brought about by the Eric Uller-related lawsuits, I believe it's crucial to maintain a strong commitment to affordable housing and schools funding, especially in light of H0using Element commitments. Any proposed diversions of HTF monies should come with concrete and binding plans for quick repayment. I urge you to consider the long-term implications of these decisions and act in the best interest of our community.

Sincerely,
Leonora Camner
Santa Monica resident
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Tara Barauskas <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 3:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 7A
Attachments: item7a.pdf

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Davis and Members of the City Council, please find attached a letter regarding Item 7A. Thank you.

Tara Barauskas, LEED AP
Executive Director
Community Corporation of Santa Monica
1423 2nd Street, Suite B
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 394-8487 ext. 133
[email protected]
www.communitycorp.org
I acknowledge with respect and gratitude the Tongva, Kizh, and Chumash Peoples on whose traditional territory I live and work.

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 3:50 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Tonight's Meeting Agenda Item 7A Budget Study Session From: Kurt Gonska <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 2:24 PM
To: Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Phil Brock <[email protected]>; Gleam Davis <[email protected]>; Christine Parra <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Oscar de la Torre <[email protected]>
Cc: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Tonight's Meeting Agenda Item 7A Budget Study Session City Councilmembers,
In addition to my position as a Rent Control Board Commissioner, I'm a member of SMRR and Santa Monica Democratic Club. I'm writing in support of the positions taken by those organizations in their letter to you dated 5/22/23 (Re: Agenda Item 7.A for May 23, 2023 City Council Meeting (Budget Study Session) – Opposition to Proposed Diversions of Housing Trust Funds Without Concrete and Binding Plans for Prompt Repayment).

I urge you to avoid diverting funds from affordable housing – as do your constituents who made this clear on Election Day in November.

It is crucial to prioritize funding for affordable housing.

Thank you.

Kurt Gonska
Commissioner, Santa Monica Rent Control Board
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Helen Landon <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 4:55 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: “May 23, 2023 Agenda Item 7A

EXTERNAL
I know that I’m late, but I want to voice my support for funding that supports city landmarks. I believe we benefit from preserving our past.

Thank you for all you do,
Helen Z. Landon, PhD
Santa Monica resident since 1986 ish.

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
1 Xavier Mota
From: Elan Glasser <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 5:03 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems; David White; Finance Mailbox
Subject: City Budget / Item 7-A on tonight's agenda

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council, City Manager and Mayor:

I am writing regarding the budget study session on tonight’s agenda (item# 7-A).

In 2020, during the height of the city’s pandemic budget crisis, the city council decided to make draconian cuts to our public libraries. I believe that this was the most drastically cut department in the city at that time, by a wide margin. The library laid off well over half its full-time equivalent staff and 80% of its Youth Services (children’s) librarians.

Loud voices of outcry from residents followed, and city council promised residents numerous times that the cuts were short-term and that they would be restored. The recent ballot measures passed by voters specifically promised restoration of library services and that is what many residents believed they were voting for, among other priorities.

Since 2020, a few very modest increases in library funding have occurred, however branch libraries remain gutted, with 2 of them open only 2 days week, and unstaffed. The others have severely restricted hours and have gutted programs such as story time and after school tutoring for low-income families.

In the current city staff proposal, a measly additional 600K in funding is proposed for fiscal year 2023-24. The original library budget, pre-pandemic was around $13M. A full restoration of the library budget would cost approximately 2 million additional dollars. To put this in perspective, in an annual city budget of well over $400M, we are talking about under 0.5% of the city budget to restore library funding to pre-pandemic levels.

Residents have patiently waited 3 long years for their beloved libraries to fully reopen, only to feel blindsided by this latest staff proposal.

Libraries are not self-organizing. They are not only about opening hours and checking books in and out. Libraries rely on professionals to curate, update and support collections, and to plan community services such as adult and child literacy programs, ESL and after-school tutoring programs, as well as internet and information services that are especially important for low income community members. Now that the pandemic has ended, it is essential that we restore these programs and services.

The staff proposal talks about increasing library opening hours, but in reality, without full funding restoration, there is not enough staff to restore branch library story times, tutoring and other services. A generation of children are growing up without their beloved neighborhood story times, not to mention without consistent access to branch libraries for safe places to study and learn.

Cutting libraries hits the poorest and most vulnerable amongst us the hardest, including seniors and people who wouldn’t otherwise have access to books and safe study spaces, to free internet access, to a variety of children’s services like tutoring, and to education for adults including ESL.

ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
2 Now is the time for City Council to direct staff to restore library funding and to not only make annual piecemeal adjustments.

I urge the Council to direct staff to reallocate under 0.5% of the city budget in order to fully restore the library’s budget.

Thanks for your time and consideration,
Elan Glasser
Longtime Santa Monica Resident
c 310.720.6075
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023
ITEM 7.A.

MAY 23, 2023

Santa Monica City CouncilMay 23, 2023

Santa Monica City Council
May 23, 2023