1 January 28, 2025
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 28, 2025
A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Negrete at 5:34 p.m., on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Lana Negrete
Mayor Pro Tem Caroline Torosis
Councilmember Jesse Zwick
Councilmember Dan Hall
Councilmember Ellis Raskin
Councilmember Barry Snell
Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya
Also Present: City Manager David White
City Attorney Douglas Sloan
City Clerk Nikima S. Newsome
CONVENE/PLEDGE On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened at 5:34 p.m., with all members present. Councilmember Raskin led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.
STATEMENT OF
ACCOUNTABILITY
(LAND
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)
The City of Santa Monica is located on the land of Tovangaar. With great respect, the City acknowledges the Gabrieleño/Tongva as the First People of this ancestral and unceded territory of Kuruvungna, a village that we know as Santa Monica. We honor their elders, past and present, and the Gabrieleño descendants who are part of the Gabrieleño /Tongva tribes.
We recognize that these peoples are still here, and as settlers and kuyam (guests), we recognize our responsibility and obligation to care for their land in partnership with them. The City of Santa Monica commits to work in partnership with the Gabrieleño/Tongva people to uplift their voices and visibility on their ancestral land.
The City of Santa Monica Statement of Accountability (Land Acknowledgement) was read into the record by Councilmember Zwick.
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 $500 made by the party or the Docusign Envelope ID: 54A77BEB-64EA-4BAF-95B5-1184C9BEC1EF 2 January 28, 2025
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 items on the agenda pursuant to the Levine Act.
AGENDA
MANAGEMENT
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Zernitskaya, to hear the continued items with the 16 items. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote with all members present.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to continue items 5.A., 5.S., and 14.A. to the February 11th Council meeting.
A substitute motion by Councilmember Hall, seconded by Councilmember Zwick, to continue item 5.A. and 5.S. to the February 11th Council meeting and to move item 14.A. to be heard after the 16 items. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote with all members present.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Zwick, to move items 10.A and 10.B. to be heard before item 7.A. The motion was passed by unanimous voice vote with all members present.
Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Councilmember Hall, to continue items 16.A. through 16.F to the February 11th Council meeting.
The motion was passed by unanimous voice vote with all members present.
GENERAL PUBLIC
INPUT:
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to limit general public input to 1 minute per person. The motion was passed by a vote of 6-1 with Councilmember Hall casting a dissenting vote.
Members of the public Denise Baton, Corin Kahn, Johnathan Foster, Harvey Eder, Daniel Campbell, and Zoe Muntaner commented on various local issues.
Docusign Envelope ID: 54A77BEB-64EA-4BAF-95B5-1184C9BEC1EF 3 January 28, 2025
PUBLIC INPUT FOR
CLOSED SESSION,
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS AND CONSENT
CALENDAR ONLY:
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to limit public input on closed session, special agenda items, and consent calendar to 1 minute per person. The motion passed by a vote of 5-2 with Councilmembers Raskin and Hall casting dissenting votes.
Members of the public Jerry Rubin, Bea Nemlaha, Ann Bowman, Lori Nafshun, Nina Fresco, Mario Fonda Bonardi, and John C. Smith commented on Closed Session items.
Member of the public Ericka Lesley commented on Special Agenda items.
Members of the public Melinda Smith Altshuler, Susan Broussard, Kora Peterson, Aaron Paley, Susan Jain, Carlo Siliotto, Carl Berg, Claudio Santini, Jason Ron, Krista Augius(time donated by Natalie Rafisiman), Yossi Govrin (time donated by Farhad Rafisiman), Jurgita Vanseviciute, Farnaz Haouni, and Marcus Kuiland Nazario commented on the consent calendar.
PROCLAMATIONS/
COMMENDATIONS/
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS
3.A. Proclamation: Black History Month, was presented.
3.B. City Manager Report, was presented.
CLOSED SESSIONS On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 7:01 p.m., to consider Closed Sessions and returned at 8:33 p.m., with all members present, to report the following:
4.A. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1): Stanford Neighbors Against City Overreach v. City, et al; LASC # 24STCP02065
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
4.B. Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8; property - 1855 Main Street (Civic Auditorium) (APN 4290-013-901); City negotiators: Jennifer Taylor, Economic Development Manager, and Nia Tang, Economic Development Administrator; owner of record:
City of Santa Monica; parties to be negotiated with: Tim Sexton, Revitalization Partner Group, LLC; under negotiation: price and terms of payment for lease
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
4.C. Public employee appointment - Gov. Code § 54957(b): consider public employee appointment; title: City Manager/Interim City Docusign Envelope ID: 54A77BEB-64EA-4BAF-95B5-1184C9BEC1EF 4 January 28, 2025
Manager; Gov. Code § 54957.6: conference with labor negotiator; City negotiator: Mayor/Personnel Director; unrepresented employee: City Manager/Interim City Manager
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): Rebecca de la Cruz v. City; LASC # 20STCV01487 [report out only]
The City Attorney advised this matter was a personal injury case settled for $325,000, Settlement Agreement No. 11689 (CCS), with the City paying $225,000 and LandCare paying $100,000. Approved on 7/23/2024 by a vote of 6-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Negrete absent from the meeting.
4.E. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1): Maria Gonzalez v. City, et al; LASC # 23SMCV01759 [report out only]
The City Attorney advised this is a personal injury case, Settlement Agreement No. 11690 (CCS), settled for $150,000 approved on 12/17/2024 by a vote of 6-0 with Councilmember Snell absent from the meeting.
4.F. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE - Government Code Section 54957(b):
Consider the evaluation of performance of a public employee. Title: City Clerk
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
REPORT ON COUNCIL
TRAVEL
Mayor Negrete reported that she traveled to Washington, D.C. for the U.S.
Conference of Mayors.
CONSENT CALENDAR: All items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.
Items 5.A. and 5.S. were continued to the February 11, 2025, Council meeting.
Motion by Councilmember Hall, seconded by Councilmember Zernitskaya, to approve the Consent Calendar except for Items 5.A. and 5.S., reading resolutions by title only and waiving further reading thereof. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Hall, Zwick Docusign Envelope ID: 54A77BEB-64EA-4BAF-95B5-1184C9BEC1EF 5 January 28, 2025
Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, Mayor Negrete
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
DEVELOPMENT
IMPACT FEES
5.B. Approval of Annual Reporting of Development Impact Fees and Adoption of Resolution Making Five-Year Findings as to the Affordable Housing Commercial Linkage Fee and Parks and Recreation Development Impact Fee, 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. Review and accept the FY 2023-24 Annual Reporting of Development Impact Fees per the Mitigation Fee Act (Government Code 66000-66025) and the FY 2023-24 Child Care Linkage Fee Report per SMMC Chapter 9.65; and
3. Approve and adopt the proposed resolution (Attachment B) making the necessary five-year findings for the Affordable Housing Commercial Linkage Fee and the Parks and Recreation Development Impact Fee.
SANTA MONICA
AIRPORT ARTS
PROGRAM
5.C. Award Request for Proposal to Community Arts Resources (CARS) to Manage Arts Program at Santa Monica Airport, 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. Award RFP #143 to Community Arts Resources (CARS), a Los Angeles-based company, to manage the arts program at the Santa Monica Airport for the Recreation and Arts Department; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with CARS, in an amount not to exceed $250,000 per year (including a $50,000 contingency) (for one year, with four additional one-year renewal option(s) in the amount of $250,000 on the same terms and conditions) for a total amount not to exceed $1,250,000 over a 5-year period with future funding contingent on Council budget approval.
PIER ELECTRICAL
UTILITY RELOCATION
5.D. Award Construction Contract to Doty Bros. Equipment Company for Pier Electrical Utility Relocation, was approved.
Recommended Action
Docusign Envelope ID: 54A77BEB-64EA-4BAF-95B5-1184C9BEC1EF 6 January 28, 2025
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemptions pursuant to Sections 15301, 15302, 15303, and 15311 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and find that the project was previously analyzed in the certified Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project Recirculated Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Assessment in accordance with CEQA; and
2. Award Bid #SP2741 to Doty Bros. Equipment Company for construction services for the Pier Electrical Utility Relocation Project for the Public Works Department;
Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Doty Bros. Equipment Company in an amount not to exceed $1,526,929 (including a 10% contingency).
CONSULTING SERVICES 5.E. Award Proposal and Enter into Agreement with Illuminating SOL Therapy Inc. for LEAD Program Master of Social Work Consultation Services, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that the agreement is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
2. Award RFP# 412 to Illuminating SOL Therapy Inc. for Master of Social Work Consultation Services for the LEAD Program for the Police Department; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Illuminating SOL Therapy Inc. in an amount not to exceed $250,000 over a five-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
FALL PROTECTION
SERVICES
5.F. Approval of Second Modification to the Agreement with Safeguard US Inc. for Fall Protection Services, 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 Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guideline; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a second modification to agreement #11149 in the amount of $1,524,350 (including a 15% contingency) with Safeguard US, Inc. to provide fall protection infrastructure in response to the findings of a fall hazard locations report conducted as part of the City’s Risk Management program. This will result in a five-year amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $3,455,307 for Docusign Envelope ID: 54A77BEB-64EA-4BAF-95B5-1184C9BEC1EF 7 January 28, 2025
Phase III, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
MEMORIAL PARK
REDEVELOPMENT AND
EXPANSION PROJECT
5.G. Approval of Seventh Modification with WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. to Provide Additional Scope of Work to the Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that the modification to the agreement is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a seventh modification to agreement #9910 (CCS) in the amount not to exceed $53,700 (including a 10% contingency) with WSP USA
Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. for additional environmental consulting services related to the Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project. This will result in an amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $202,700, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
TRANSIT BUS REPAIRS 5.H. Award Contract to Western States Converters and Transmissions, Inc. for Transit Bus Allison Transmission Repairs, 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 Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award Bid #4492 to Western States Converters & Transmissions, Inc. to provide parts and repairs for transit bus Allison transmission systems for the Department of Transportation; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Western States Converters & Transmissions, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $902,500 over a five-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
FINAL TRACT MAP 5.I. Adoption of a Resolution Approving Final Tract Map No. 80306 for a 21-Unit Condominium Mixed-Use Project at 1448 7th Street, was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council take following actions:
Docusign Envelope ID: 54A77BEB-64EA-4BAF-95B5-1184C9BEC1EF 8 January 28, 2025
1. Adopt a finding of Statutory Exemption (Approval of Final Subdivision Map) pursuant to Section 15268 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
2. Adopt the attached resolution approving Final Tract Map No. 80306.
CEMETERY PLOTS 5.J. Approval of purchase agreement to purchase thirty-five (35) cemetery plots back from the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 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. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a purchase and sale agreement with the Independent Order of Oddfellows, in an amount not to exceed $175,000 for the purchase of thirty-five (35) cemetery burial plots; and
3. Authorize budget amendment as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of this report (requires 5 votes).
EMERGENCY WEBSITE
DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES
5.K. Approval of Purchase Order to Lombiq Technologies Ltd. for Emergency Website Development 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. Acknowledge the Procurement Manager’s authority to approve and issue a one-time emergency purchase order with Lombiq
Technologies Ltd. for emergency website development services for the Information Services Department. This purchase order was approved as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 2.24.250(i) and was for a total amount not to exceed $6,625.
CANNABIS RETAILER
OPERATING HOURS
5.L. Second Reading and Adoption of an Interim Zoning Ordinance Amending Interim Zoning Regulations Established by Interim Zoning Ordinance 2764 (CCS) and Extended by Interim Zoning Ordinance 2770 (CCS) to Extend the Operating Hours for the City’s Existing Cannabis Retailers Consistent with State Law, was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
Docusign Envelope ID: 54A77BEB-64EA-4BAF-95B5-1184C9BEC1EF 9 January 28, 2025
MINUTES 5.M. Approval of Minutes of City Council - Regular Meeting - May 14, 2024 5:30 PM, were approved.
MINUTES 5.N. Approval of Minutes of City Council - Regular Meeting - Dec 10, 2024 5:30 PM, were approved.
MINUTES 5.O. Approval of Minutes of City Council - Special Meeting - Dec 23, 2024 8:30 AM, were approved.
MINUTES 5.P. Approval of Minutes of City Council - Special Meeting - Jan 10, 2025 2:30 PM, were approved.
MINUTES 5.Q. Approval of Minutes of City Council - Special Meeting - Jan 21, 2025 5:30 PM, were approved.
MINUTES 5.R. Approval of Minutes of City Council - Regular and Special Meeting - Dec 17, 2024 5:30 PM, were approved.
INTERIM MANAGER 5.T. Approval of Agreement for Service as Interim City Manager – Elaine Polachek, was approved.
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. Approve the two agreements with Elaine Polachek for her services as Interim City Manager; and
3. Authorize the Mayor to sign the agreements on behalf of the City.
SANTA MONICA
LEGISLATIVE
PLATFORMS
5.A. Approval of the City of Santa Monica Legislative Platforms for the 2025-2026 Federal and State Legislative Sessions, was continued to the February 11, 2025 Council meeting.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve the attached 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platform Drafts; and
2. Adopt a finding that the action above does not constitute a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Docusign Envelope ID: 54A77BEB-64EA-4BAF-95B5-1184C9BEC1EF 10 January 28, 2025
ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS 5.S. Adoption of a Resolution Adopting a Policy Regarding Acceptance of Gifts by Councilmembers, was continued to the February 11, 2025 Council meeting.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the Resolution adopting a policy regarding acceptance of gifts by Councilmembers.
PUBLIC INPUT ON
REMAINING AGENDA
ITEMS:
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to limit public input on remaining agenda items to 2 minutes for minors and 1 minute for adults. The motion was passed by a vote of 6-1 with Councilmember Hall casting a dissenting vote.
Members of the public Jack A. Abrams, Jerry Rubin, Neil Carrey, Denise Barton, Ellie Kay, Cody Kay, Michael Brodsky (time donated by Vivien Flitton), John Fairweather (time donated by Nicole Faries), Patti Braum (time donated by Erika Bell), Cristina Santiago, Robb Brown (time donated by Tina Tan), Lupe Stevenson, Cristina Navarro, Karen Ginsburg (time donated by Christine Harding), Diane Reynolds, Cris Guitierrez (time donated by Susan Jain), Steven Johnson, Liliana Hernandez, Roberton Mazariegos, Dylan Jericiau, Dean Kubani, Kathy Knight, Marlene Suzuki, Emmy Fay, Nicole Suzuki, Nickolaus Stevenson, Frank Gruber, Pam O’Connor, Claire Thomas, Andrew Wilder, Daphen Wilder, John Given, Alison Kendall, Matthew Hom, Vivian Rothstein, Andrew Moss, Louis Watanabe, Gina Frazier, Joanne Leslie, Joan Ling, Helen Sklar, Matthew Thorson, Lynn Naliboff, Dana Cuff, Penelope Mehra, Alan Levenson (time donated by Joseph Hardin), Karen Melick, John Cyrus Smith, Lisa Demsky, Miguel Lima, Blanca Malpartida-Girard, Ben Marcus (time donated by Alex Silver), Jose Palomares, Eve Lopez, Barbara Osborn, Daniel Tamm, Zina Josephs, Ann Bowman, Michael Soloff (time donated by Denny Zane), Ralph Mechur, and Ian Dutton commented on item 7.A.
Members of the public John C. Smith and Kyle Rebar commented on item
16.K.
Members of the public Kyle Rebar and Ian Dutton commented on item 16.L.
Members of the public Kathy Knight and Denise Barton commented on item
16.M.
STUDY SESSION:
SANTA MONICA
AIRPORT CONVERSION
PROJECT
7.A. Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Guiding Principles, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
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1. Adopt the finding that the recommended actions herein do not constitute a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and are exempt under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15262, and 15306, and file a notice of exemption pursuant to CEQA Guideline 15062;
2. Hold a study session to review and comment on the five Guiding Principles for vetting and evaluating the feasibility of features, amenities, programs, technical performance requirements, financial strategies, phasing, and planning scenarios related to the closure of the Airport and alternative land-use scenarios post-closure (collectively, “the Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project, or the Project”);
3. Consider the commencement of feasibility analysis for three planning scenarios for the Airport Conversion Project (“Phase 3”), based on the draft Guiding Principles; and
4. Provide direction to staff on how to proceed with respect to Phase 3 Questions asked and answered of staff includedwere: would any of the guiding principles preclude exploring housing as an option; was any random sampling of residents in Santa Monica done as part of outreach; is staff familiar with any research on which populations typically participate in community outreach; how can it be determined if the participants of the survey are representative of the entire community; how is the project engaging with Native people and Native tribes during the input process; how will potential conflicts within the guiding principles be reconciled; will there be further public engagement in phases 3A and 3B; how is what is being presented tonight going to tee up what will be presented to the public in phases 3A and 3B; does the city have the discretion to do something else; can phased uses be incorporated into the project timeline; are different types of financing models being evaluated; is there an example of how a public, recreational, cultural facility could be economically self sustaining; can the use of a building be changed to be of commercial use that is not currently a commercial building; if the city decides to go the route of an environmental impact report (EIR) process, will there be a proposed project and a reasonable range of economically and legally feasible alternatives, including potentially a no project alternative; at what point would the city need to do an EIR and what is the timeline and cost; if there are uses in the preferred scenario that would require a vote under Measure LC, at what point would it need to be put on the ballot; how will the city tease out the differences with these three scenarios; as it pertains to housing, how is the preference between deed restricted affordable housing versus market rate determined; in terms of commercial uses, how is the city teasing out differences between a public golf course versus cafes and beer gardens; is the city taking into account legal risks from the Surplus Lands Act; is the city consulting with HCD about future housing obligations; can small-scale commercial uses be explored without requiring a new ballot measure; and will housing be explored among Docusign Envelope ID: 54A77BEB-64EA-4BAF-95B5-1184C9BEC1EF 12 January 28, 2025
the non LC compliant uses.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to concerns about an outdated definition of what environmentalism is based on the guiding principles; inserting a clause to state that the project design should consider the impact of any future intervention on the natural environment and its consequential life cycle, greenhouse gas reduction potential, as well as land’s ability to regenerate species and build community resilience against climate change; having a day one plan; needing a staged process as the city will be unable to implement or fund the final vision for what the land will inevitably be used for; exploring the feasibility of the three alternative scenarios; encouraging the use of a voting system that ranks choices or a preferential voting system instead of a simple plurality; concerns about the economic feasibility of the project; needing to meet people of color where they are instead of asking them to come to you; reminding the public of the realities of when this project will come to fruition; focusing on making more sports fields should the city go down the path of building a park; the value of mixing recreational space with commercial and housing; emphasizing the importance of the financial aspect; being realistic about the potential options financially; having a range of alternatives that do not result in the permanent sale of airport lands to private parties; needing a long term operation strategy when it comes to building a park and who is going to do it; the survey not being demographically representative of the Santa Monica community; and making sure renters and communities of color are better represented in future outreach.
CONTINUE MEETING
PAST 11:00 P.M.
Motion by Councilmember Hall, seconded by Councilmember Zernitskaya, to continue past 11:00 p.m. The motion was passed unanimously by voice vote with all members present.
CONTINUED ITEMS: Continued items were heard in conjunction with the 16 items.
8.A. Appointments to Vacant Seats on the Audit Subcommittee (CONTINUED FROM 12/17/2024), were made.
On order of the Mayor, the floor was opened for nominations.
Motion by Councilmember Hall, seconded by Councilmember Zernitskaya, to appoint Councilmembers Snell, Zernitskaya, and Hall to the Audit Subcommittee. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote with all members present, thereby appointing them to the Audit Subcommittee with Councilmember Hall’s term ending on June 30, 2025 and Councilmembers Snells’s and Zernitskaya’s terms ending June 30, 2027.
8.B. Designate a Councilmember as a Governing Board
Representative to the Westside Cities Council of Governments (COG) Docusign Envelope ID: 54A77BEB-64EA-4BAF-95B5-1184C9BEC1EF 13 January 28, 2025
and designate an Alternate Governing Board Representative. The Joint Powers Authority and By-laws require each City Council to designate one of its Councilmembers as a Governing Board Representative and one Councilmember as an Alternate Governing Board Representative. (CONTINUED FROM 12/17/2024), were made.
On order of the Mayor, the floor was opened for nominations.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to nominate Councilmember Zwick as Governing Board Representative and Mayor Negrete as the Alternate Governing Board Representative. Motion was approved by unanimous voice vote with all members present, thereby appointing them to the COG.
8.C. Designation of City's voting delegate and alternate to Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) 60th Annual Regional Conference and General Assembly Business Meeting from May 1-2, 2025 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA (CONTINUED FROM 12/17/2024), were made.
On order of the Mayor, the floor was opened for nominations.
Motion by Councilmember Snell, seconded by Councilmember Zernitskaya, to nominate Mayor Negrete as voting delegate and Mayor Pro Tem Torosis as the alternate. Motion was approved by unanimous voice vote with all members present, thereby designating them to attend the SCAG Conference.
8.D. Designation of a Councilmember to the Independent Cities Association (CONTINUED FROM 12/17/2024), were made.
On order of the Mayor, the floor was opened for nominations.
Motion by Mayor Negrete, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to nominate Mayor Negrete as delegate and Mayor Pro Tem Torosis as the alternate.
Motion was approved by unanimous voice vote with all members present, thereby appointing them to the ICA.
8.E. Designation of voting delegate and alternate(s) for the CalCities Annual Conference and Expo, to be held October 8 -10, 2025, in Long Beach, California. (CONTINUED FROM 12/17/2024), were made.
On order of the Mayor, the floor was opened for nominations.
Motion by Councilmember Snell, seconded by Councilmember Zernitskaya, to nominate Mayor Negrete as voting delegate and Councilmember Zernitskaya as the alternate. Motion was approved by unanimous voice vote Docusign Envelope ID: 54A77BEB-64EA-4BAF-95B5-1184C9BEC1EF 14 January 28, 2025
with all members present, thereby designating them to attend the CalCities Annual Conference.
DISABILITIES
COMMISSION
8.F. Appointment to three unscheduled vacancies on the Disabilities Commission for two seat terms ending on June 30, 2025 and one on June 30, 2026. (CONTINUED FROM 1/23/2024 and 3/19/2024), were made.
On order of the Mayor, the floor was opened for nominations.
Mayor Pro Tem Torosis nominated Arlene Frames and Mila Royale.
Arlene Frames and Mila Royale were appointed unanimously by acclamation, with all members present.
TRANSIENT
OCCUPANCY TAX
8.G. Appointment to one seat on the Transient Occupancy Tax Advisory Committee for a partial-term ending on 6/30/2025. (CONTINUED FROM 5/24/2023), was continued to a future meeting.
ORDINANCES:
ISSUANCE OF
PROHIBITION ORDERS
10.A. Introduction and first reading of an ordinance amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 3.36 to establish provisions for the issuance of prohibition orders for the Santa Monica Department of Transportation pursuant to Sections 99171 and 99172 of the Public Utilities Code, was introduced and held first reading.
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. Introduce for first reading an ordinance amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 3.36 to establish provisions for the issuance of prohibition orders, and to create a prohibition order advisory committee to the Santa Monica Department of Transportation, pursuant to recent amendments to State Law adopted by SB 1417.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: how does a driver know if a rider has a citation; how large will the advisory committee be; and is there a way to cross reference a rider’s name when they pay the bus fare with a TAP card.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to introduce and hold first reading of the ordinance reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Hall, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Docusign Envelope ID: 54A77BEB-64EA-4BAF-95B5-1184C9BEC1EF 15 January 28, 2025
Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, Mayor Negrete
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
USE OF CITY SEAL AND
SYMBOLS
10.B. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Municipal Code Section 2.32.020 Concerning Use of the City Seal and Other City Symbols, was introduced and held first reading.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council introduce for first reading an Ordinance amending Section 2.32.020 concerning the use of the City Seal and other City symbols.
Question asked and answered of staff included if an image of the seal and logo could be included in the municipal code.
Motion by Councilmember Hall, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, to introduce and hold first reading of the ordinance reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Hall, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, Mayor Negrete
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
EMERGENCY INTERIM
ZONING ORDINANCE
10.C. Introduction and Adoption of an Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance Extending Interim Zoning Regulations Established by Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance Number 2796 (CCS) Exempting City Projects From Temporary Use Permit Requirements During a Declared Local or State of Emergency, was continued to the February 11, 2025 Council meeting.
Recommended Actions
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) and 15303 (New Construction and Conversion of Small Structures) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Introduce and Adopt an Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance to Extend Interim Zoning Regulations Established by Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance 2796 (CCS) Exempting Projects on CityOwned Property and that Use City Funds From Temporary Use Permit Requirements During a Declared Local or State of Emergency.
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STAFF
ADMINISTRATIVE
ITEMS:
SAFETY ELEMENT
12.A. Adoption of Amended Safety Element of City’s General Plan; Introduction and First Reading of Ordinances to Require Environmental Site Assessments for Multiple-Unit Dwellings in Nonresidential Zoning Districts and to Designate City Hall East as an Essential Facility for Consistency with the Amended Safety Element, was continued to the February 11, 2025 Council meeting.
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) and a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15308 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Adopt Resolution to Adopt an Amended Safety Element of the City’s General Plan;
3. Introduce for First Reading an Ordinance Amending the Text of Section 9.31.195 of the Zoning Ordinance for Consistency with the Amended Safety Element; and
4. Introduce for First Reading an Ordinance Amending the Text of Section 8.12.040 of the Building Code for Consistency with the Amended Safety Element.
RESOLUTIONS:
COUNCIL RULES AND
PROCEDURES
14.A. Adoption of a Resolution Amending the Council Rules of Procedure, was presented.
Recommended Action
Adopt the attached resolution amending the Council Rules of Procedure pursuant to Council direction.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to rank choice voting for boards and commissions, allowing staff time to find solutions to implement rank choice voting and Councilmember discussion time limits; removing the provision regarding rules governing the use of title by the Mayor Pro Tem in Rule 9(c); and reading into the record a provision to break ties or when there are only two nominees to a seat on a board or commission.
Motion by Councilmember Zernitskaya, seconded by Councilmember Hall, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Hall, Zwick, Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, Mayor Negrete
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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COUNCILMEMBER
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
In accordance with Council Rule 6(x), all Councilmember Discussion items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.
In accordance with Council Rule 6(x), items 16.G, 16.H, and 16.I were heard separately.
Motion by Mayor Negrete, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, to approve items 16.J through 16.N. Motion was approved by unanimous voice vote with all members present.
HUMAN SERVICES
COMMISSION
16.A. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Human Services Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2027, was continued to the February 11, 2025 Council meeting.
PERSONNEL BOARD 16.B. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Personnel Board for a term ending on June 30, 2026, was continued to the February 11, 2025 Council meeting.
PUBLIC SAFETY
REFORM AND
OVERSIGH
COMMISSION
16.C. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Public Safety Reform and Oversight Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2027, was continued to the February 11, 2025 Council meeting.
RECREATION AND
PARKS COMMISSION
16.D. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Recreation and Parks Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2026, was continued to the February 11, 2025 Council meeting.
SANTA MONICA PIER
CORPORATION
16.E. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Santa Monica Pier Corporation for a term ending on June 30, 2026, was continued to the February 11, 2025 Council meeting.
SANTA MONICA
TRAVEL AND TOURISM,
INC.
16.F. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, Inc. for a term ending on June 30, 2026, was continued to the February 11, 2025 Council meeting.
TRANSIENT
OCCUPANCY TAX
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
16.G. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Transient Occupancy Tax Advisory Committee for a term ending on June 30, 2025, was heard.
On order of the Mayor, the floor was opened for nominations.
Dennis Puri was appointed unanimously by acclamation, with all members present.
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RECREATION AND
PARKS COMMISSION
16.H. Recommendation to accept Greg Morena's resignation from the Recreation and Parks Commission and authorize the City Clerk to publish the vacancy, was accepted.
Motion by Councilmember Snell, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, to accept the resignation with regret.
The motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote, with all members present.
DESIGNATION OF
VOLTING DELEGATE
16.I. Designation of voting delegate and alternate for the Los Angeles County Division of CalCities, was heard.
On order of the Mayor, the floor was opened for nominations.
Motion by Mayor Negrete, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to nominate Mayor Negrete as voting delegate and Mayor Pro Tem Torosis as the alternate. Motion was approved by unanimous voice vote with all members present, thereby appointing them to the Los Angeles Division of CalCities.
RESIDENT
REPRESENTATION FOR
COUNCIL APPOINTEES
16.J. Request of Councilmembers Hall and Snell for Council to direct the City Attorney to return with an ordinance codifying resident representation for Council appointees to the governing boards of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, Inc., and the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, Inc, was approved.
16.K. Request of Councilmembers Hall, Snell, and Mayor Pro Tempore Torosis for Council to direct the City Attorney to return with an ordinance that amends Santa Monica Municipal Code Section
4.08.095 prohibiting certain comfort items for unhoused individuals, was approved.
DETERRENCE OF
DANGEROUS DRIVING
16.L. Request of Councilmembers Zwick and Hall that the City Council direct the City Manager to work with the Chief of Police to prioritize the deterrence of dangerous driving within Santa Monica that poses an immediate threat to the safety of residents. Specifically, the department shall 1) prioritize a greater number of high-visibility enforcement operations against dangerous driving, 2) provide data reporting to City Council and the public on an ongoing quarterly basis detailing the monthly total number of Traffic/Vehicle Stops and enforcement actions, including subtotals for each moving violation, as well as a comprehensive breakdown of data and trends in city traffic enforcement from 2019 through 2024 as part of the department’s annual report to City Council, and 3) develop a proposal as part of the 25/26 budget process to restore the department’s traffic enforcement capabilities and outcomes to pre-2020 levels, was approved with direction Docusign Envelope ID: 54A77BEB-64EA-4BAF-95B5-1184C9BEC1EF 19 January 28, 2025
to add the inclusion of obscured and missing license plates.
AFTER ACTION REVIEW 16.M. Request of Councilmember Hall and Mayor Pro Tempore Torosis, that, in order to accurately capture lessons learned during the City’s response to the Palisades Fire and to better prepare for the next natural disaster or emergency crisis, the Council direct the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk’s Offices to conduct an After Action Review across all City Departments and to return to Council no later than 12 months from now with a public report, improvement action items, and implementation plan, was approved.
DIVERSE HOUSING
CHOICES
16.N. Request of Councilmembers Zwick, Zernitskaya, and Hall that, in conjunction with necessary updates arising out of SB 450, and in order to facilitate diverse housing choices in the City’s highest opportunity areas, the City Council directs the City Manager and the City Attorney to return with an ordinance to amend the City’s regulations governing ministerial approval for certain lot splits and duplexes on parcels zoned for single-unit residential by: (1) removing the owner-occupancy requirement for lot splits and duplexes and clarifying that vacant or demolished parcels, as well as lots with approved demolition permits, are eligible for lot splits and duplexes, (2) allowing one roof deck per unit, and (3) ensuring that no standard within this ordinance or the underlying zoning district shall preclude the construction of 2 units, not including ADUs, of at least 1200 square feet each. One year after implementation, city staff shall return with a report on any impacts of the ordinance, as amended, including data on net new housing units permitted, effects on displacement (if any), concentration of ownership, and other pertinent information to evaluate its success in affirmatively furthering fair housing and creating more affordable “missing middle” homes, was approved.
ADJOURNMENT On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting adjourned at 12:36 a.m. in memory of Judith Mershon.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Nikima S. Newsome Lana Negrete
City Clerk Mayor
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