1 April 9, 2024
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
APRIL 9, 2024
A regular and special meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Brock at 5:36 p.m., on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Phil Brock
Mayor Pro Tem Lana Negrete (arrived at 5:39 p.m.)
Councilmember Gleam Davis
Councilmember Oscar de la Torre
Councilmember Christine Parra
Councilmember Caroline Torosis (arrived at 5:43 p.m.)
Councilmember Jesse Zwick
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 5:36 p.m., with all members present except Councilmember Torosis and Mayor Pro Tem Negrete. Councilmember Parra led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.
LEVINE ACT
DISCLOSURE
(Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
arrived at 5:39 p.m.)
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.
GENERAL PUBLIC
INPUT:
(Councilmember Torosis
arrived at 5:43 p.m.)
Members of the public Jocelyn Salazar, Arnoldo Paniagua, Charles Fredricks, Jeffrey Cooper, David Clennon, Naibe Montes, David Montes, Jerry Rubin, Sarah Newell, Linda Clark, Joan Sekler, Anya Baroff, Johnathan Foster, Alexandra Anemone, People of California, and Sherna Berger Gluck commented on various local issues.
PUBLIC INPUT FOR
CLOSED SESSION,
No members of the public commented on Closed Session items.
Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A 2 April 9, 2024
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS AND CONSENT
CALENDAR ONLY:
No members of the public commented on Special Agenda items.
Members of the public Boris Suchkov, Caro Vilain, Natalya Zernitskaya and Connor Webb commented on Consent Calendar items.
PROCLAMATIONS/
COMMENDATIONS/
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS
3.A. Proclamation: Library Week, was presented.
3.B. Proclamation: Poetry Month, was presented.
3.C. City Manager Report, was presented.
CLOSED SESSIONS
(Councilmember de la Torre
recused from all Closed
Session items)
On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 6:35 p.m., to consider closed sessions and returned at 8:21 p.m., with all members present, to report the following:
4.A. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code §54956.9(d)(1): John U.N.B. Doe, et al. v. City of Santa Monica, et al.; LASC Case No. 23STCV12746
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
4.B. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code §54956.9(d)(1): Hector Orozco v. John Doe, Does 1-2; LASC Case No. 23SMCV03120
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
4.C. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code §54956.9(d)(1): John Doe 1, et al. v. City of Santa Monica, et al.; LASC Case No. 23STCV15009
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
4.D. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code §54956.9(d)(1): John Doe (A.G.) v. Santa Monica Police Activities League, et al.; LASC Case No. 23SMCV0606
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A 3 April 9, 2024
4.E. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code §54956.9(d)(1): John JPC Doe v. Doe City, et al.; LASC Case No. 23STCV22020
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
4.F. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code §54956.9(d)(1): John AD Doe, et al. v. City of Santa Monica, et al.; LASC Case No. 23STCV26548
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
4.G. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code §54956.9(d)(1): John CW Doe, et al. v. City of Santa Monica, et al.; LASC Case No. 23STCV29623
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
4.H. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code §54956.9(d)(1): City of Santa Monica v. ICSOP, et al.; OCSC Case No. 30-2022-01261243
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
4.I. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code §54956.9(d)(1): Pico Neighborhood Association and Maria Loya v. City of Santa Monica, L.A.S.C. Case No. BC 616804; Second District Court of Appeal Case No. B295935
This item was withdrawn at the request of staff.
4.J. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code §54956.9(d)(1): Daniel Reygosa v. Charlesetta Grant, et al.; LASC Case No. 21STCV39861 [report out only]
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard at the February 27, 2024 Council meeting. Settlement Agreement No. 11639 (CCS) approved in the amount of $250,000.00 by a vote of 6-0 with Councilmember Zwick absent from the meeting.
REPORT ON COUNCIL
TRAVEL
There was nothing to report on Council travel.
Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A 4 April 9, 2024
CONSENT CALENDAR: All items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.
At the request of Councilmember Parra, Item 5.A. was removed from the Consent Calendar.
Motion by Councilmember de la Torre, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, to approve the Consent Calendar except for Item 5.A., 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
AMERICANA IN THE
PARK
5.B. Approval of Third Contract Modification with McCabe's Guitar Shop for their Fourth Annual Production of Americana in the Park, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15323 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a third modification to Agreement No. 11554 (CCS) in an estimated amount of $100,000 with McCabe’s Guitar Shop, a California-based company, to produce, develop, and implement the fourth annual Americana in the Park in September 2024. This will result in an amended Agreement with a new total amount not-to-exceed $302,000, with no future funding expected for this Agreement.
ZERO WASTE PLAN
UPDATE
5.C. Award Contract No. 11555 (CCS) to R3 Consulting Group, Inc. for the 2024 Zero Waste Plan Update, 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 RFP# 399 to R3 Consulting Group, Inc. for the City’s 2024 Zero Waste Plan Update for the Public Works Department; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11555 (CCS) with R3 Consulting Group, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $113,430 (including a $18,905 contingency) for one year.
Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A 5 April 9, 2024
TRANSIT BUS SUPPLIES 5.D. Award Bid to Southern Counties Lubricants, LLC for the Purchase of Engine Oils and Fluids for Transit Buses, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption (Class 1 Existing Facilities) pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award Bid #4480 to Southern Counties Lubricants, LLC for the purchase of transit bus engine oil, coolant, and lubricants as needed by the Department of Transportation; and
3. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Southern Counties Lubricants, LLC for the purchase of transit bus engine oil, coolant, and lubricants in the amount not to exceed $147,193, for one year with five additional one-year renewal options to extend on the same terms and conditions, for a total amount not to exceed $809,561including a $10% contingency, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
SANTA MONICA PIER
CAROUSEL
5.E. Award Request for Proposal and enter into Agreement No. 11556 (CCS) with Roth Management for Operation and Maintenance of the Santa Monica Pier Carousel, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 and Section 15331 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Award RFP# 398 to Roth Management for operation and
maintenance of the Santa Monica Pier Carousel for the Community Development Department.
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11556 (CCS) with Roth Management, in an amount not to exceed $897,235 for three years, with two additional one-year renewal option(s) in the amount of $643,916, on the same terms and conditions.
ANNENBERG
COMMUNITY BEACH
HOUSE
5.F. Approval of Amendment to Contract No. 11557(CCS), formerly known as Contract No. 3896 with Bounce, Inc. for Specialty Recreation Classes at the Annenberg Community Beach House, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council
Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A 6 April 9, 2024
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15601(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a second modification to an agreement with Bounce, Inc. #3896 to increase the amount of the agreement by an additional $171,696 and permit the City to exercise its remaining two options to extend the agreement through FY 26-27. This will result in a total not-to-exceed amount of $420,696 with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
EXECUTIVE
SEARCH/PLACEMENT
SERVICES
5.G. Approval of Agreement No. 11558 (CCS) through No. 11563 (CCS) for As-needed Executive Search Services / Placement Services, 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 RFP #368 to Teri Black and Company, LLC; Mosaic Public Partners; Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc.; Baker Tilly US, LLP; WBCP, Inc.; and Ralph Andersen & Associates for as-needed Executive Search Services / Placement Services for the Human Resources Department;
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute six agreements with the following firms: Teri Black and Company, LLC; Mosaic Public Partners; Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc.; Baker Tilly US, LLP; WBCP, Inc.; and Ralph Andersen & Associates for as-needed Executive Search Services / Placement Services, for a total aggregate amount for the six agreements, not to exceed $250,000 over a fiveyear period.
SALARY RESOLUTION 5.H. Adoption of Salary Resolution No. 11579 (CCS) for the Establishment of Job Classifications, was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15601(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Adopt attached Salary Resolution No. 11579 (CCS) to establish a new classification of Library Program Specialist-Literary Services and restore the recently abolished classification of Public Information Coordinator.
Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A 7 April 9, 2024
LIFEGUARD SERVICES 5.I. Approval of Second Amendment to Contract No. 9045 (CCS) with the County of Los Angeles for Lifeguard Services on Santa Monica State Beach, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that 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. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Second Modification to Agreement No. 9045 (CCS) in the amount of $3,962,000 with the County of Los Angeles for lifeguard services for the Community Development Department. This will result in a 16- year amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $47,495,594.
STEWART STREET &
PENNYSYLVANIA AVE
SAFETY
ENHANCEMENT
PROJECT
(Councilmember de la Torre
recused from the item at 8:28
p.m.)
5.A. Award Construction and Construction Observation Contracts for Stewart Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Safety Enhancement Project, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 and Section 15311 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and Section 21080.25 of CEQA;
2. Award Bid #SP2653 to PALP Inc. dba Excel Paving Company, a California-based company, for the construction of the Stewart Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Safety Enhancement Project for the Public Works Department;
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute construction Contract No. 11552 (CCS) with PALP Inc. dba Excel Paving Company in an amount not to exceed $5,817,320 (including a 10% contingency);
4. Authorize the Director of Public Works to issue any necessary change orders to complete additional work within contract authority;
5. Award Request for Proposal (RFP) #SP2653 & #SP2662 to Willdan Engineering to provide construction management and materials testing services for the Stewart Street & Pennsylvania Avenue Safety Enhancement Project and the Olympic Boulevard & 26th Street Project for the Public Works Department;
6. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute construction management Agreement No. 11553 (CCS) with Willdan Engineering in an amount not to exceed $530,672 for a term of three year; and
7. Authorize budget changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of this report.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: what type of material will Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A 8 April 9, 2024
be used for the proposed protected bike lanes; how will handicap spaces on Stewart Street be impacted; would the two lanes remain on Stewart Street; when is construction anticipated to begin; what other types of bollards could be used that don’t cause a hinderance; would funding be lost if the item was not approved tonight; relating to their width, what protections did the concrete barriers provides.
Motion by Councilmember Davis, seconded by Councilmember Torosis, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Davis, Torosis,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
PUBLIC INPUT ON
REMAINING AGENDA
ITEMS:
(Councilmember de la Torre
returned at 9:00 p.m.)
Members of the public Judy Krueger; Denise Barton; and Mike Sullivan commented on Item 11.A.
Members of the public Chuck Powell; Herbert Hardy; Crispin Carrasco; and Theresa Marasco commented on Item 11.B.
Members of the public Jennifer Smith; Nicole Faries; and Denise Barton commented on Item 16.B.
Members of the public Jerry Rubin; Johnathan Foster; and Denise Barton commented on Item 16.C.
Member of the public Michael Masucci; Jeff Gordon; Frederico Galavis; Deepa Subramaniam; Janet Owen Driggs; Mona Kuhn; and Robert Berman commented on Item 16.F.
Member of the public Johnathan Foster, John Alle (time donated by Jessica Rogers); and Denise Barton commented on Item 16.I.
ARTS COMMISSION 8.A. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Arts Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2027 (Continued from 3/19/2024), was presented.
On order of the Mayor, the floor was opened for nominations.
Councilmember Parra nominated Bob Ramirez.
Bob Ramirez was voted by acclamation to the Arts Commission, for a term ending June 30, 2027, with all members present.
Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A 9 April 9, 2024
HOUSING COMMISSION 8.B. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Housing Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2025 (Continued from 3/19/2024), was presented.
On order of the Mayor, the floor was opened for nominations.
Mayor Brock nominated Deborah Lynch.
Councilmember Torosis nominated Lynda Rush.
Lynch: Councilmembers de la Torre, Parra,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
Rush: Councilmembers Torosis, Davis, Zwick
Councilmembers Zwick, Davis and Torosis changed their votes to Deborah Lynch, thereby appointing Deborah Lynch by acclamation to the Housing Commission for a term ending June 30, 2025, all members present.
STAFF
ADMINISTRATIVE
ITEMS:
BUSINESS LICENSE TAX
MODERNIZATION
11.A. Business License Tax Modernization, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Consider the proposed Business License Modernization and associated business license tax rate changes;
2. Direct staff to draft changes, as applicable to section of Article 6 Business, Professions and Trades;
3. Prepare a draft measure for the Business License Modernization and a proposed resolution to place the measure on the November 2024 ballot: and
4. 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.
Questions asked and answered of staff included what was the purpose of the $75.00 fee; is there anything being done to incentivize workers to return to the office in the City; what is the history of the tax cap; would the proposed staggered rate be counter-productive to bringing more employers back into the office; will the tax rate be fixed or will it increase over time and can the definitions of businesses be expanded.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Davis, Torosis, de la Torre, Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A 10 April 9, 2024
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
AFFORDABLE HOUSING 11.B. Approval of Design Concept for Affordable Housing Development located on City-owned Site located at 1318 Fourth Street and Negotiate Ground Lease and Disposition and Development Agreement, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Select Design Concept #1 for the affordable housing development located at 1318 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (PS3) – 122 apartments with 2 levels of underground parking;
2. Direct staff to proceed with negotiations of the Ground Lease and Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) with developer EAH, Inc.; and
3. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect on the environment for providing direction on development concept pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and find that the future development of affordable housing on the City-owned properties at 1318 Fourth Street is consistent with the certified 6th Cycle Housing Element Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse No. 2020100575).
Questions asked and answered of staff included are union workers not being employed for this project; has there been discussions as to what type of grocery store will being going into this space; what elements will be part of the design as it pertains to the availability of natural light and nature; how many parking spaces; what is the vision for the grocery space as far as parking; will the entire first floor be a grocery store and what is the proposed square footage; will the grocery store hire locally; how does the size of the grocery store compare to others; will the work/live concept be prioritized so that those who work in the City will receive priority with obtaining housing; is there anyway to build this project more quickly; is there any possibility of lowering the per unit cost and will any concessions need to be made to increase the building by one floor.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to community serving space; holding subcontractors accountable to pay prevailing wage and concerns with the amount of proposed parking spaces.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Davis, to adopt the staff recommendation.
Councilmember Zwick proposed a friendly amendment to Staff Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A 11 April 9, 2024
Recommendation 1 to evaluate adding an additional story to the design concept. The amendment was considered friendly by the maker and seconder.
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
CONTINUE MEETING Motion by Councilmember Davis, seconded by Councilmember Zwick, to continue past 11:00 p.m. The motion was passed by unanimous voice vote with all members present.
REPORT ON MEETING
COMPENSATION
Pursuant to State law, Interim City Clerk Nikima Newsome announced that Council will receive $50.00 in compensation for meeting as the Housing Authority Board.
SPECIAL MEETING On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened to a special meeting of the Housing Authority at 11:45 p.m., with all members present, except Authority Member Cochran.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
FY 2024-25 ANNUAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE
PLANS
12.A. Public Hearing and Adoption of Santa Monica Housing Authority Draft Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual and Administrative Plans, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Santa Monica Housing Authority Board:
1. Hold a public hearing and receive public comment;
2. Adopt the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Santa Monica Housing Authority Annual Plan;
3. Adopt the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Santa Monica Housing Authority Administrative Plan;
4. Authorize the Submission of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual and Administrative Plans to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and
5. 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.
Member of the public Richard Hilton, spoke to the recommended action.
Motion by, Authority/Councilmember Davis, seconded by
Authority/Councilmember Torosis, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A 12 April 9, 2024
AYES: Authority/Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Davis, Torosis, de la Torre,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: Authority Member Cochran
ADJOURNMENT OF
SPECIAL JOINT
MEETING
On order of the Chair/Mayor, the special joint meeting was adjourned at 11:57 p.m. and the regular meeting of the City Council, was reconvened with all members present.
COUNCILMEMBER
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
DISCRETIONARY FUNDS
16.A. Request of Councilmembers Zwick, Torosis, and Davis that the City Council allocate a total of $10,000 from its Discretionary Fund to support our city’s public libraries. Specifically, the funds will support programming around the Pico Branch’s 10th Anniversary Celebration on June 29, which will include oral history kits for community members and organizations to check out and record their personal stories, as well as programming and after-hours staff support for the Main Library’s special Friday preview event to Yallwest, the teen book festival at Samohi, and book giveaways, library activities, storytellers, and performers at the Arts & Literacy Festival on April 27, was heard.
Items 16.A., 16.B., 16.F. and 16.H. were voted on concurrently.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Zwick, to Approve Items 16.A., 16.B., 16.F. and 16.H. in one vote.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Zwick, Parra, Davis, Torosis, de la Torre, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
DISCRETIONARY FUNDS 16.B. Request of Councilmembers Zwick, Torosis, and Davis that the Council allocate $20,000 of its discretionary funds to Santa Monica High School Grad Nite, a 501(c)(3), to support a safe and fun graduation night celebration for all Santa Monica High School seniors, was heard.
Items 16.A., 16.B., 16.F. and 16.H. were voted on concurrently.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Zwick, to Approve Items 16.A., 16.B., 16.F. and 16.H. in one vote.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A 13 April 9, 2024
AYES: Councilmember Zwick, Parra, Davis, Torosis, de la Torre, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
YOUTH COMMISSION
ESTABLISHMENT
16.C. Request of Mayor Brock and Vice Mayor Negrete that the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk develop and return to City Council with recommendations to establish a Youth Commission (or Council) based on best practices. The City currently engages youth at PAL (Youth Leadership Council), Virginia Avenue Park (Teen Leadership Council), and the Library (Teen Leadership Council) and a Youth Commission (or Council) would represent an opportunity to expand opportunities for youth to be involved in city government. In addition to evaluating a Youth Commission (or Council), the City Manager and City Attorney are also encouraged to explore other opportunities such as evaluating the potential to add dedicated seats for youth on existing boards or commissions, was heard.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, seconded by Mayor Brock, to approve the item.
The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote, with all members present.
DISCRETIONARY FUNDS 16.D. Request of Councilmembers Davis, Torosis and Zwick that the City Council allocate up to $8,333 of their discretionary funds to the Public Policy Institute at Santa Monica College to support the 2024 Public Policy Symposium - an event jointly sponsored by Santa Monica College and Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, was not heard.
HUMAN SERVICES
COMMISSION
16.E. Recommendation to accept Helen Finkelstein's resignation from the Human Services Commission and authorize the City Clerk to publish the vacancy, was heard.
Motion by Councilmember Davis, seconded by Mayor Brock, to accept the resignation with gratitude.
The motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote, with all members present.
DISCRETIONARY FUNDS 16.F. Request of Mayor Brock, Councilmember de la Torre, and Councilmember Parra that the City Council allocate up to $10,000 from its Discretionary Fund to Santa Monica College to spend on expenses related to inaugural Santa Monica Digital New Arts Festival – an innovative, inclusive, and diverse six-month long festival that celebrates the synthesis of art and science by focusing on the diverse and highly fascinating work of Digital Art. The DNA Festival brings together Santa Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A 14 April 9, 2024
Monica’s leading cultural institutions: Santa Monica College, Bergamot Station Arts Center, and 18th Street Arts Center in cooperation with the Santa Monica Arts Commission’s Media Arts Subcommittee, LA ACM SIGGRAPH and the EZTV Online Museum, offering free admission to more than 16 events across 12 venues from June 22, 2024 to November 21, 2024, was heard.
Items 16.A., 16.B., 16.F. and 16.H. were voted on concurrently.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Zwick, to Approve Items 16.A., 16.B., 16.F. and 16.H. in one vote.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Zwick, Parra, Davis, Torosis, de la Torre, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
DISCRETIONARY FUNDS 16.G. Request of Mayor Brock that the City Council allocate $5,000.00 from the Council Discretionary funds to the Elks Lodge of Santa Monica to cover costs associated with the rental of sound system, small stage, chairs, and related event expenses for the Memorial Day event the Elks Lodge and American Legion Post are hosting at Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica on May 27, 2024 and direct the City Manager to promote the event on the City’s social media platforms, was not heard.
CITY EVENT FEES 16.H. Request of Vice Mayor Negrete, Councilmember Davis, and Councilmember Parra that the City Council, as part of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, approve City Sponsorship of Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s “Take Action for Mental Health” event taking place on June 1, 2024 on the Santa Monica Pier by directing the City Manager to waive all City Fees for Purpose Driven Solutions, the event has contracted with to produce the event and collect sponsorships. City Fees related to the “Take Action for Mental Health” event include, but are not limited to, the application, administrative, neighborhood notification, business license, parking, and zero waste plan fees associated with the use of the Pier in an amount up to $15,482.08 of waived fees, was heard.
Items 16.A., 16.B., 16.F. and 16.H. were voted on concurrently.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Zwick, to Approve Items 16.A., 16.B., 16.F. and 16.H. in one vote.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A 15 April 9, 2024
AYES: Councilmember Zwick, Parra, Davis, Torosis, de la Torre, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
CLEAN NEEDLE
DISTRIBUTION
16.I. Request of Mayor Brock, Vice Mayor Negrete, and
Councilmember Parra that the City Council adopt attached Resolution No. 11580 (CCS) objecting to the County of Los Angeles’ Implementation of the Clean Needle Distribution Program in the City of Santa Monica, was heard.
Motion by Councilmember Parra, seconded by Mayor Brock, to the resolution by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Parra, de la Torre
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: Councilmembers Davis, Zwick, Torosis
ABSENT: None
ADJOURNMENT On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting adjourned at 12:31 a.m. in memory of Bob Rosenbloom, Charlene “Chris” Volaski, and Sofia Wolpert.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Nikima S. Newsome Phil Brock
Interim City Clerk Mayor
Docusign Envelope ID: 899D63C2-99D4-4C93-8132-2F4959AD153A