1 David Yakobson
From: Cynthia Rose <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 11:57 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Gleam Davis; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra Cc: David White; [email protected]
Subject: Agenda item 16C Gratuities - support
Attachments: 2024-10 CC item 16C Gratuities.pdf
EXTERNAL
Please find our letter of support attached
Cynthia Rose and Cris Gutierrez
--
Cynthia Rose
Co-Chair
Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance
SaMoSafeStreets.org
I acknowledge with respect and gratitude the Tongva, Kizh, and Chumash Peoples on whose traditional territory I live and work.
Item 16-C
October 8, 2024
Item 16-C
October 8, 2024
October 8, 2024
RE: Agenda item16C
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
Following up on our support of the August 27th agenda item in reference to accepting gratuities, the Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance would again like to express support of this common sense, ethical and accountable approach to preventing any appearance of bias, conflict of interest – or dare we say personal benefit or corruption – would there be acceptance of gratuities by our public officials. Trust is the primary currency of public service, and it is essential for the community to embrace public trust in our staff or elected officials.
To foster and nourish public trust and constructive collaborative leadership, those in authority must set and adhere to a high standard and be an example to those served, in particular to our children and youth and to those new to public engagement.
We agree that it is appropriate to use the definitions of gifts and exceptions in the California Political Reform Act, adding an exception for entry and meals when attending events in an official City capacity.
A vibrant and inclusive city, a destination for world-wide visitors, leads with ethics. Local community stakeholders, the region, and the world at-large are paying attention to Santa Monica’s reputation whose leadership, progressive values and influence on many fronts must be embodied in the norms, practices and habits of those in positions of authority.
We look forward to unanimous approval of the 16C Gratuities Ordinance.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Rose Cris Gutierrez
Co-Chair, Santa Monica Safe Street Alliance Co-Chair, Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance SaMoSafeStreets.org
Item 16-C
October 8, 2024
Item 16-C
October 8, 2024
2 David Yakobson
From: Jason Mastbaum <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 10:16 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Phil Brock; Oscar de la Torre; councilmtgitems
Subject: Re: Phil Brock and Oscar de la Torre voted to exempt themselves from ethics as councilmembers--again! (10/8/24 item 1 public comment)
EXTERNAL
They voted to exempt themselves from ethics and now they voted with no explanation to delay imposing gift rules on themselves. Sure seems like you guys should scrutinize candidates more closely if ethics is your number one issue! https://santamonicanext.org/2024/09/brock-negrete-parra-and-de-la-torrevote-to-delay-on-passing-rules-prohibiting-council-from-accepting-tips-for-votes/ On Mon, Sep 23, 2024 at 10:21 AM Jason Mastbaum <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello, Mayor Phil Brock of Santa Monica recently posted on Facebook that he and his slate have secured the Los Angeles Taxpayers Association's endorsement for their city council election bid this year. According to your website, your organization's number one issue is ethical political leadership, so I assume you were not aware that Mayor Brock and Councilmember de la Torre recently voted to exempt themselves from ethics as city councilmembers. https://santamonicanext.org/2024/07/city-councilpunts-on-passing-ethics-rules-for-itself-until-after-election-ponders-possibly-creating-ethics-forfuture-councils Best regards,
Jason
Item 16-C
October 8, 2024
Item 16-C
October 8, 2024
1 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, October 7, 2024 8:35 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Gleam Davis
Subject: Re: Opposition to Item 16.C., City Council Meeting 20/8/2024 5:30 p.m
EXTERNAL
Ms. Davis’s proposal is nothing more than a pointless political stunt less than a month before the election of four members to the Council. She hopes that Mr. Brock and Mr. De La Torre will oppose her proposal, and that such opposition may be used by other candidates to help defeat them.
State law - the California Political Reform Act
(https://www.fppc.ca.gov/content/dam/fppc/NSDocuments/LegalDiv/The%20Political%20Reform%20Act/2024-pra/2024_Act.pdf) - already covers each and every rule, standard and exception in the proposed Ordinance and is applicable to City Council members. It is enforceable by the California Attorney General, which is beneficial since the proposed Ordinance would be enforced by the City Attorney (SM City Charter 708(g)) who would have an actual and apparent conflict of interest. Ironically, Ms. Davis over her career has violated the Act more than any member by failing to timely file required Statements and proposing to vote on matters in which her husband (and she by virtue of marriage) have a substantial financial interest.
Rather than playing into Ms. Davis’s hands and voting in opposition to the proposal, the Council should table the matter until the first meeting of the City Council following the election.
The Council should censure Ms. Davis for attempting to use the Council’s legislative powers purely for political purposes without any legitimate purpose.
Item 16-C
October 8, 2024
Item 16-C
October 8, 2024