agenda-report 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. New Item Received. 9/17/2026
- Document
- agenda-report 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. New Item Received. 9/17/2026
- Meeting
- March 19, 2024
- Body
- Santa Monica City Council
- Original file
- 124 KB
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: March 19, 2024
Agenda Item: 16.L
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Nikima Newsome, Interim City Clerk, Records and Election Services Department
Subject: 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.
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Prepared By: Nikima Newsome, Interim City Clerk
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Returning Ebony Beach Club Property to Its Rightful Owners_Final B. Written Comments