1 March 19, 2024
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 19, 2024
A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Brock at 5:32 p.m., on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA and 7575 E.
Princess Dr., Scottsdale, AZ.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Phil Brock
Mayor Pro Tem Lana Negrete (via teleconference)
Councilmember Gleam Davis
Councilmember Oscar de la Torre
Councilmember Christine Parra
Councilmember Caroline Torosis (Arrived at 5:37 p.m.)
Councilmember Jesse Zwick (Arrived at 5:37 p.m.)
Also Present: City Manager David White
City Attorney Douglas Sloan
Interim City Clerk Nikima S. Newsome
CONVENE/PLEDGE On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened at 5:32 p.m., with all members present except Councilmembers Zwick and Torosis.
Councilmember Davis led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.
LEVINE ACT
DISCLOSURE
Pursuant to the Levine Act (Govt Code Section 84308), any party to a permit, license, contract, or other entitlement before the Council is required to disclose on the record any contribution, including aggregated contributions, of more than $250 made by the party or the party's agents within the preceding 12 months to any City official.
Participants and agents are requested to make this disclosure as well.
The disclosure must include the name of the party, participant, or agent, and any other person making the contribution; the name of the recipient, the amount of the contribution, and the date the contribution was made.
No Councilmembers recused themselves from any items pursuant to the Levine Act.
AGENDA
MANAGEMENT
(Councilmembers Torosis and
Zwick arrived at 5:37 p.m.)
Motion by Councilmember de la Torre, seconded by Councilmember Parra, to continue items 8.A. and 16.C. to a meeting to be determined and to hear items 16.J., 16.L., and 16.M. immediately after item 6, Public Input on Remaining Agenda Items, and to hear items 16.L. and 16.M. concurrently.
The motion passed by a vote of 4 to 3 with Councilmembers de la Torre, Docusign Envelope ID: CC8DBE4F-953D-4247-AB90-AE759F3F6762 2 March 19, 2024
Parra, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Mayor Brock voting in the affirmative and Councilmembers Torosis, Davis, and Zwick voting against the motion.
GENERAL PUBLIC
INPUT:
Members of the public Jerry Rubin, Laurence Cohen, Jacqueline Martin, Maritza Villeda, Dora Hernandez, Patricia Ibanez, Anahi Ortiz, Gregorio Hernandez, Jose Torres, Ellis Raskin, Irv Hershenbaum, Kathleen Yasuda, Caroline Luce, Michael Pitkin, Dillon Foster, Mike Royce, Julie Serlin, Rev Khan, Andy Moss, Cathie Gentile, Louis Watenabe, Rabbi Comess Daniels, Danielle Jones, Johnathan Foster, Simret Habte, Liam Karl, Carlos Rodarte, Ilse Escobar, Denise Barton, Zoe Muntaner, John Medlin, and Ericka Lesley commented on various local issues.
PUBLIC INPUT FOR
CLOSED SESSION,
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS AND CONSENT
CALENDAR ONLY:
No members of the public commented on Closed Session items.
No members of the public commented on Special Agenda items.
No members of the public commented on Consent Calendar items.
PROCLAMATIONS/
COMMENDATIONS/
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS
3.A. Proclamation: Red Cross Month, was presented.
3.B. City Manager Report, was presented.
CLOSED SESSIONS
(Mayor Pro Tem Negrete left
the meeting at 6:58 p.m.)
On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 6:58 p.m., to consider closed sessions and returned at 7:36 p.m., with all members present, to report the following:
4.A. Conference with legal counsel, existing litigation; Gov. Code §54956.9(d)(1): Murcia v. City of Santa Monica, et al.; U.S. Dist. Court, Central District of California, Case No. 22-cv-05253-FLA-MAR The City Attorney advised this matter was heard and Settlement Agreement No. 11616 (CCS) was approved in the amount of $475,000.00 by a vote of 6-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Negrete absent.
4.B. Conference with legal counsel, significant exposure to litigation; Gov. Code §54956.9(d)(2),(4): Sovereign Restoration Partners, Ltd., 205 Washington Ave.
This item was removed at the request of the opposing counsel.
REPORT ON COUNCIL
TRAVEL
(Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
returned at 7:45 p.m.)
Mayor Brock, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Councilmember Parra and de la Torre attended the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference in Washington D.C.
Councilmember Zwick attended the YIMBYtown conference in Austin, Docusign Envelope ID: CC8DBE4F-953D-4247-AB90-AE759F3F6762 3 March 19, 2024
Texas.
CONSENT CALENDAR: All items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Davis, to approve the Consent Calendar, except Item 5.B., reading resolutions by title only and waiving further reading thereof. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers de la Torre, Torosis, Davis, Parra, Zwick, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
2800 AIRPORT AVENUE
RENOVATION PROJECT
5.A. Approval of First Modification to Agreement No. 11449 (CCS) with Olympos Construction Inc. for 2800 Airport Avenue Renovation Project, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), of the California Environment Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to Agreement No. 11449 (CCS) in the amount of $1,746,250 (including contingency) with Olympos Construction Inc. (Olympos) for costs associated with additional scope related to the multiple buildings at 2800 Airport Avenue for the Public Works Department. This will result in an amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $5,058,350, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval;
3. Authorize the Director of Public Works to issue any necessary change orders to complete additional work within contract authority; and
4. Authorize budget changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts and Budget Actions section of this report.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
VACATION
5.B. Adoption of Resolution to Vacate Public Right-of-Way on 1717 19th Street Parcel, was not heard.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 and Section 15305 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
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2. Adopt the attached resolution to vacate public right-of-way on the 1717 19th Street parcel.
FACILITIES SECURITY
ANALYSIS
5.C. Award Professional Services Contract No. 11545 (CCS) to Arcadis U.S. for Site Security Analysis & Updates to the City's Water, Wastewater, & Recycled Water Facilities, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15262 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award RFP #381 to Arcadis U.S., Inc. to analyze and design updates to the City’s current water, wastewater, and recycled water facilities’ physical security systems; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11545 (CCS) with Arcadis U.S., Inc. in the amount not to exceed $845,000 over a 3-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
CITYWIDE PARKING
STUDY
5.D. Award Contract No. 11546 (CCS) Walker Parking Consultants Engineers, Inc. for Comprehensive Citywide Parking Supply, Demand, and Rate Analysis Study, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Award RFP# 386 to Walker Parking Consultants Engineers, Inc., a California-based company, for consulting services to prepare a citywide comprehensive parking supply, demand, and rate analysis for the Department of Transportation, Parking Division.
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11546 (CCS) with Walker Parking Consultants Engineers, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $280,000 (including a $50,225 contingency) over a five-year period.
3200 AIRPORT AVENUE
RENOVATION PROJECT
5.E. Approval of First Modification to Agreement No. 11365 (CCS) with Swinerton Builders for 3200 Airport Avenue Renovation Project, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15302
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(Replacement/Reconstruction), of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to Agreement No. 11365 (CCS) in the amount of $500,000 (including a $50,000 contingency) with Swinerton Builders Corporation for the additional costs related to unforeseen conditions and electrical upgrades, for the Public Works Department. This will result in an amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $9,584,792, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval; and
3. Authorize the Director of Public Works to issue any necessary change orders to complete additional work within contract authority.
CLAIM MANAGEMENT
SOFTWARE
5.F. Approval of Fourth Modification to Agreement No. 10275 (CCS) with Origami Risk, Inc. for Claims Management Software Subscription Services, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a fourth modification to Agreement No. 10275 (CCS) in the amount of $810,525 with Origami Risk, Inc., an Illinois-based company, for Risk Management Information System software subscription services for the Finance Department. This will result in a thirteenyear amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $1,764,278 with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval; and
2. Adopt a finding of no significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
WATER AND SANITARY
SEWER MASTER PLANS
5.G. Approval of First Modification to Agreement No. 11295 (CCS) with Arcadis U.S., Inc. for Updating the City's Water and Sanitary Sewer Master Plans, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to Agreement No. 11295 (CCS) in the amount of $105,550 with Arcadis U.S., Inc and extend the agreement to June 30, 2026, for updating the City’s Domestic Water and Wastewater Master Plans. This will result in a four-year amended agreement with Docusign Envelope ID: CC8DBE4F-953D-4247-AB90-AE759F3F6762 6 March 19, 2024
a new total amount not to exceed $910,710, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
CANNABIS EQUITY
GRANT
5.H. Adoption of Resolution No. 11578 (CCS) Authorizing Receipt of State of California Cannabis Equity Grant Funding for $40,000 for Preparation of a Cannabis Equity Assessment and Authorization for City Manager to Execute All Necessary Associated Documents, was approved and adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Adopt attached Resolution No. 11578 (CCS) authorizing the acceptance of a grant awarded in the amount of $40,000 from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development for the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions.
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to accept the grant and all grant renewals.
4. Authorize budget changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of this report.
SMPD VIDEO
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
5.I. Award Bid and Enter into Agreement No. 11547 (CCS) with Convergint Technologies LLC. for a Video Management System, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Award Bid #387 to Convergint Technologies, LLC, a Californiabased company for installation and maintenance of a Video Management System.
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11547 (CCS) with Convergint Technologies, LLC for installation of a Video Management System in an amount not to exceed $424,318 (including a 20% contingency for adding potential cameras in the future). This sum includes installation, programming, and maintenance for a total of 5 years of service, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
LAAFCA MAPPING
SOLUTION
5.J. Award Bid to Intterra for Los Angeles Area Fire Chief’s Association (LAAFCA) Mapping Solution, was approved.
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Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award RFP# 383 to Intterra, LLC to provide a cloud-based common operating platform to share data across multiple computer-aided dispatch systems across the region for the Los Angeles Area Fire Chief’s Association; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11548 (CCS) with Intterra, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $789,251 (including a $60,000 contingency) for 2 years, with one additional 3-year renewal option in the amount of $1,346,479 (including a 15% contingency), for a total amount not to exceed $2,135,730 over a 5-year period, with future year funding contingent on grant funding and Council budget approval.
PUBLIC INPUT ON
REMAINING AGENDA
ITEMS:
Members of the public Michael Pitkin, Caro Vilain, Denise Barton, Michael Soloff, John Medlin commented on Item 11.A.
Member of the public Albin Gielicz spoke on Item 16.F.
Members of the public Nicole Blaine and Albin Gielicz spoke on Item 16.H.
Members of the public Ellis Raskins, Caro Vilain, Emily Hsiung, Connor Webb, Varum Bhatnagar, Dustin Shahan and Albin Gielicz on Item 16.I.
Members of the public Ellis Raskins, Michael Pitkin, Kay Ambriz, Steven Johnson, Jon Katz, Denise Barton, Lynn Cervini, John Medlin, Sonya Fox Sultan, John C. Smith and Jonathan Foster commented on Item 16.J.
Members of the public Khansa Jones Muhammad, Ellis Raskin, Ericka Lesley, Kay Ambriz, Nicole Faries, Eliza Jane Franklin Leggett, Blaine Pope, Hajar, Tara B., Chance Davis, Kavon Ward, Autumn Breon, Milana Davis, Mykael Cammorto, Robbie Jones, Caro Vilain, Connor Webb, Jon Katz, Allen Kwab, Justin Brick Howze, Xavier Howze, Joanne Berlin, Antrell George, Khat Smith, Michael Soloff, John Medlin, Vienna Hayes, Varum Bhatnagar, Nichelle Monroe, Sonya Fox Sultan, Giavanni Glover, Joette Reid Marks, John M. Forbes, Jonathan Gregory, April Anderson, Janet Gollery McKeithen, Andrina Seals, Gina Frazier, Danielle Borgia and Jonathan Foster commented on Item 16.L.
Members of the public Ellis Raskin, Kay Ambriz, Kavon Ward, Milana Davis, Connor Webb and Justin Brick Howze commented on Item 16.M.
STUDY SESSION:
CANNABIS SOCIAL
7.A. Cannabis Social Equity Study Session, was continued to a future meeting.
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EQUITY
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Review and discuss the presentation on cannabis social equity programs from other cities;
2. Provide direction on two potential policy options for approach to a cannabis social equity program within the City of Santa Monica which will determine the expansiveness of a social equity program and timeline by which staff returns with an ordinance; and
3. Discuss options and provide direction to staff on locational restrictions for the adult-use cannabis ordinance.
CONTINUED ITEMS:
DISABILITIES
COMMISSION
8.A. Appointment to two unscheduled vacancies on the Disabilities Commission for both terms ending on June 30, 2025 (Continued from 1/23/2024), was continued to a future meeting.
STAFF
ADMINISTRATIVE
ITEMS:
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
11.A. Award Request for Proposal and enter into Agreement with Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (HCHC) as the Selected Development Team for Affordable Housing on Three City-owned Sites Adjacent to Wilshire Boulevard, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Award RFP #365 to Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (HCHC) for the future development of affordable housing on Cityowned property at 1217 Euclid Street, 1211-1217 Fourteenth Street and 1146 Sixteenth Street; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Exclusive Negotiating Agreement No. 11549 (CCS) with HCHC; and
3. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect on the environment for selection of a development team pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and find that future development of affordable housing on the City-owned properties at 1217 Euclid Street, 1211-1217 Fourteenth Street, and 1146 Sixteenth Street is consistent with the certified 6th Cycle Housing Element Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse No.
2020100575).
Questions asked and answered of staff included: what target population will be prioritized for new housing; apart from The People Concern, is the City partnering with any other non-profits to provide services; will the City be providing any funding; how much public parking will be lost as a result of this project and have surrounding businesses been contacted regarding the impact to parking; what funds would the City use to cover the $5 million dollar cost for the potential additional parking; legally, how can housing trust Docusign Envelope ID: CC8DBE4F-953D-4247-AB90-AE759F3F6762 9 March 19, 2024
funds be used to pay for new parking; how was the building height determined and how substantial are the costs imposed to build above a certain height; how will this project be financed; is site control necessary to apply for proposed financing options and were any other supportive housing providers considered.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Zwick, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers de la Torre, Torosis, Davis, Parra, Zwick, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
COUNCILMEMBER
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
ARTS COMMISSION
16.A. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Arts Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2027, was continued to the April 9, 2024 Council meeting.
HOUSING COMMISSION 16.B. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Housing Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2025, was continued to the April 9, 2024 Council meeting.
DISABILITIES
COMMISSION
16.C. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Disabilities Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2026, was continued to a future meeting.
TRANSIENT
OCCUPANCY TAX
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
16.D. Recommendation to accept Sam Jagger's resignation from the Transient Occupancy Tax Advisory Committee and authorize the City Clerk to publish the vacancy, was presented.
Motion by Mayor Brock, seconded by Councilmember Davis, to accept the resignation with regret.
The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote, with all members present, except for Mayor Pro Tem Negrete.
SUSTAINABILITY,
ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE, AND THE
ENVIRONMENT
16.E. Recommendation to accept Alexandra Sokol's resignation from the Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment and authorize the City Clerk to publish the vacancy, was presented.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Davis, to accept the resignation with regret.
The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote, with all members Docusign Envelope ID: CC8DBE4F-953D-4247-AB90-AE759F3F6762 10 March 19, 2024
present, except for Mayor Pro Tem Negrete.
DISCRETIONARY FUNDS 16.F. Request of Council Members Davis, Torosis, and Zwick that the City Council allocate a total of $22,500 out of its Discretionary Fund to Pico Improvement Organization, Montana Merchants, and Main Street Business Improvement Association, with each organization receiving $7,500. The money shall be used for programs and events that promote local businesses and build community, was presented.
Motion by Mayor Brock, seconded by Councilmember Torosis, to allocate $5,000 to each bid, for a total of $15,000. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Torosis, de la Torre, Mayor Brock
NOES: Councilmember Davis
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
SCAG VOTING
DELEGATE AND
ALTERNATE
16.G. Designation of City’s voting delegate and alternate to Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) 59th Annual Regional Conference and General Assembly Business Meeting from May 2-3, 2024 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA, was presented.
Motion by Councilmember de la Torre, seconded by Mayor Brock, to select Mayor Brock the voting delegate and Councilmember Zwick as the alternate.
The motion was approved by voice vote with all members present except Mayor Pro Tem Negrete.
LGBT+ PRIDE ON THE
PIER EVENT
16.H. Request of Councilmembers Davis, Torosis, and Zwick that the City Council approve City Sponsorship of the LGBTQ+ Pride on the Pier Event taking place on June 15, 2024 on the Santa Monica Pier by directing the City Manager to waive half of all associated permit and security fees associated with getting their required event permit and promote the event via city communications and social media as well as allocate up to $10,000 to Crow Comedy, Inc., a Santa Monica-based non-profit, to produce an LGBTQ+-focused storytelling class & showcase as part of Santa Monica Pride, was presented.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Davis, to approve the item. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Davis, Torosis, de la Torre, Mayor Brock
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NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
CYCLIST ANTIHARRASSMENT 16.I. Request of Councilmembers Zwick, Torosis, and Davis that the City Council direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to prohibit the harassment of cyclists. In drafting, the City Attorney’s Office should consider the prohibited activities and remedies within Los Angeles’ cyclist anti-harassment statute (LAMC 45.96 et seq.), as well as consult additional available legislation and best practices, was presented.
Motion by Councilmember Zwick, seconded by Councilmember Torosis, to approve the item.
The motion was approved by voice vote with all members present except Mayor Pro Tem Negrete.
NEEDLE EXCHANGE
PROGRAM
16.J. Request by Mayor Brock, Vice Mayor Negrete, and
Councilmember Parra to direct the City Manager and City Attorney to prepare and return for Council approval within 30 days a resolution expressing the City’s disapproval of the County’s implementation of the “Harm Reduction Services” program, or “needle exchange program,” in the City of Santa Monica. The resolution should reflect the City’s opposition to the program in Santa Monica, as it is misguided and does not achieve the goal of reducing harm. The program encourages continued use of illegal and dangerous drugs, and people are dying as a result. Residents should not have to see people shooting up in our neighborhood parks, nor the behavior that results from illegal drug use. Drug use and needles simply do not belong in our parks and other public spaces, was presented.
Motion by Councilmember de la Torre, seconded by Mayor Brock, to approve the item, with direction to express that “the City supports a harm reduction needle exchange program within health clinics and other facilities, not in City parks or around public or private schools.” The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Parra, de la Torre,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: Councilmembers Zwick, Davis, Torosis
ABSENT: None
CONTINUE MEETING
PAST 11:00 P.M.
Motion by Councilmember de la Torre, seconded by Councilmember Torosis, to continue the meeting past 11:00 p.m. The motion was approved by the following vote:
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AYES: Councilmembers de la Torre, Torosis, Davis, Parra, Zwick, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
EXCESSIVE NOISE 16.K. Request by Mayor Brock and Councilmember Parra to direct the City Manager and City Attorney to prepare and return for Council approval amendments to existing ordinances to prohibit excessive noise as it may affect City residents in their homes; the ordinance should include time restrictions, reasonableness limits, and objective decibel limit standards, was withdrawn.
EBONY BEACH CLUB
(Mayor Brock left the meeting
at 11:13 p.m.)
(Mayor Brock returned to the
meeting at 11:17 p.m.)
16.L. Request of Councilmembers Torosis, Zwick and Davis to direct the City Manager and City Attorney, in consultation with relevant departments, to report back to the Council in 90 days with:
1)Historical records documenting Silas White’s interest in the Ebony Beach Club Property at 1811 Ocean Avenue including chain of title and a record of any lease-to-purchase agreements that may exist, as well as the record of actions taken by the City of Santa Monica to seize this property by eminent domain. 2)Contemporaneous public writings, government communications, court documents, and other evidence that indicates the City of Santa Monica exercised racial animus in its decision to seize the property at 1811 Ocean Avenue.
3)Recommendations that include, at a minimum, steps the City of Santa Monica should take to repair past harm that the City perpetuated against Silas White and his descendants related to the Ebony Beach Club property at 1811 Ocean Avenue. Recommendations could include, as appropriate: a. Options for financial compensation for the closest living descendant(s) of Silas White inclusive of wealth lost since the property was seized by the City of Santa Monica; and b.
An outline of steps that may be required to transfer the parcel(s) of land referred to as “Ebony Beach Club” at 1811 Ocean Avenue or equivalent parcels in the portion of land within the area currently occupied all or in part by the Viceroy Hotel. Priority factors to be analyzed as part of the next steps should include: i. Any needs to amend the deed to the property to allow for such a transaction; ii.
Identifying and addressing land and zoning restrictions; iii.
Performing due diligence to determine the rightful legal heirs; iv.
Understanding the tax implications upon the heirs in the event of transfer; and v. Assessing the operational and fiscal impact to the City and the Viceroy hotel, if any, was presented and heard with Item 16.M.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, seconded by Councilmember Parra, to approve the item. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Davis, Torosis, de la Torre, Docusign Envelope ID: CC8DBE4F-953D-4247-AB90-AE759F3F6762 13 March 19, 2024
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
EMINENT DOMAIN 16.M. Request of Vice Mayor Negrete, Councilmember Parra, and Councilmember de la Torre that the City Attorney and City Manager should evaluate the use of eminent domain by the City to acquire property where Silas White intended to open the Ebony Beach Club and report back to the City Council. This analysis should include a review of historical ownership of the property, a review of City Council actions, and a review of court proceedings on the matter, was presented and heard with Item 16.L.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, seconded by Councilmember Parra, to approve the item. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Davis, Torosis, de la Torre, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PARK SIGNAGE
PROGRAM
(Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
excused at 11:40 a.m.)
16.N. Request of Mayor Brock that the City Council direct the City Manager to develop a park signage program that celebrates the history of the City’s parks that includes elements such as: (1) City of Santa Monica’s name and logo (2) Park name and (3) Narrative of Park History. The signs that are designed for each park pursuant to this program shall enliven the experience of residents and visitors to our parks modeled after the attached photo, was presented.
Motion by Councilmember Zwick, seconded by Councilmember Torosis, to approve the item.
The motion was approved by voice vote with all members present except Mayor Pro Tem Negrete.
ADJOURNMENT On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting adjourned at 1:06 a.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Nikima S. Newsome Phil Brock
Interim City Clerk Mayor
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