City of Santa Monica
City Council Meeting
AGENDA
LANA NEGRETE
MAYOR
ELLIS RASKIN CAROLINE TOROSIS
COUNCILMEMBER MAYOR PRO TEM
DAN HALL BARRY SNELL
COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER
JESSE ZWICK NATALYA ZERNITSKAYA
COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER
OLIVER C. CHI
CITY MANAGER
HEIDI VON TONGELN
INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY
NIKIMA S. NEWSOME
CITY CLERK
STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR THAT PROMOTE CIVILITY AT ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS:
• Treat everyone courteously; • Embrace respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights, inherent components of an inclusive
public process, and tools for forging sound decisions
• Hate has no place in Santa Monica. The City opposes
abusive or threatening hate speech, intolerance, or
dehumanization, and supports basic civil respect and
human decency.
• Listen to others respectfully;
• Exercise self-control;
• Give open-minded consideration
to all viewpoints;
• Focus on the issues and avoid
personalizing debate;
Regular meetings are broadcast live on CityTV cable channel 16 and on the internet at santamonica.gov. Cable television re-broadcasts air on Thursday and Saturday at 11:30 AM. The agenda will air on CityTV on Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM, and on Monday and Tuesday at 12:30 PM and 6:00 PM.
City of Santa Monica Generated: 10/24/2025 8:38 AM Page 2
RULES OF ORDER FOR THE CONDUCT OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS (Resolution No.11663(CCS))
WAYS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT
If you are interested in providing public comment at a City Council meeting, there are several ways to participate:
(1) Written public comment. In lieu of oral public comment, the public is strongly encouraged to submit written public comment on agenda items via email to [email protected]. For written public comment submitted by 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting, best efforts shall be made to have them available online for viewing. Please note the agenda item number in the subject line of your written comments.
(2) Oral public comment.
- In-person: Persons wishing to address the City Council regarding items on the agenda must be present and submit their name and address (optional) to the City Clerk before the public comment section is opened for that item or before the public hearing is opened where one is required by law. Register to speak at the Speaker Kiosk prior to the meeting. - Telephone: Persons wishing to address the Council by telephone must register at santamonica.gov/public-comment no later than 5:00 p.m. the day before a meeting. Showing electronic presentation materials are not permitted when commenting by telephone.
Oral public comment from any one individual is limited to a total of 6 minutes per City Council meeting, with a maximum of 2 minutes per agenda item if speaking on multiple items. A member of the public may allocate time between items in one-minute increments up to 2 minutes and those requesting to speak on only one agendized item for the meeting may speak for up to 4 minutes on that one item. Except for noticed public hearings or quasi-judicial items, if more than 25 speakers are registered to speak during a public input section, the amount of time shall be reduced to 1 minute per speaker during that section.
Except for the author of the request, public comment on 15-items are limited to 1 minute.
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 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. Information regarding the Levine Act can be found here or you can contact the FPPC.
ORDER OF BUSINESS (may not be changed except by majority vote of the City Council.)
1. General Public Input
(Members of the public may address the City Council
only on items not on the agenda, but within the
subject matter jurisdiction of the City and on Special
Agenda Items.)
2. Special Agenda Items (Commendations and
Proclamations presented).
3. Public Comment for Consent Calendar and Closed
Sessions Only.
4. Consent Calendar (All items considered in one
motion unless removed by a City Councilmember for
discussion. No public comment is permitted on
second readings.)
5. Closed Sessions.
6. Public Comment on remaining Agenda Items
7. Study Session.
8. Continued Items.
9. Administrative Proceedings.
10. Ordinances:
• 1
st Reading
• 2
nd Reading (No public comment is
permitted on second readings.)
11. Staff Administrative Item.
12. Public Hearings.
13. Reports of Boards and Commissions.
14. Resolutions.
15. Written Communications (Other than
Reports of Commission and Officers.)
16. Councilmember Discussion Items.
Agendas and reports are accessible on the City's webpage at smgov.net/council/agendas. They are also available at the City Clerk's Office and in alternate formats upon request. For a free email subscription to the City Council Agendas, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 458-8211 or [email protected].
Si desea comunicarse con alguien en español, llame a nuestra oficina al (310) 458-8211 y pida hablar con Esterlina Lugo.
City of Santa Monica Generated: 10/24/2025 8:38 AM Page 3
AGENDAS
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1685 MAIN STREET, ROOM 250,
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025
MEETING BEGINS AT 5:30 PM
HOW TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT BY TELEPHONE
Persons wishing to address the City Council by telephone must register at santamonica.gov/public-comment no later than 5:00 p.m. the day before a meeting.
Donation of time and showing electronic presentation materials are not permitted when commenting by telephone.
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ROLL CALL
City of Santa Monica 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.
LEVINE ACT DISCLOSURES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS/PROCEDURAL MOTIONS
1. PUBLIC INPUT
1.A. Written Comments
2. PUBLIC INPUT (ITEMS UNDER SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS, CONSENT
CALENDAR, CLOSED SESSION ONLY)
City of Santa Monica Generated: 10/24/2025 8:38 AM Page 4
3. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS
3.A. Proclamation: Library Lover's Month
3.B. Commendation: David White
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
(All items will be considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion. In accordance with Charter section 615, the adoption of all ordinances and resolutions shall be by reading of title only unless a Councilmember present dissents. No public discussion is permitted on ordinances for second reading and adoption.)
4.A. Award Request for Proposal to Meeder Public Funds, Inc. for NonDiscretionary Investment Advisory and Portfolio Management Services 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# 431 to Meeder Public Funds, Inc. for non-discretionary Investment Advisory and Portfolio Management services for the Finance Department; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Meeder Public Funds, Inc., in an estimated amount not to exceed $510,000 for three years, with two additional one-year renewal options in the amount of $340,000, on the same terms and conditions for a total amount not to exceed $850,000 over a five-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
4.B. Approval of Seventh Modification to Agreement with Trapeze Software Group for Vehicle and Operator Scheduling Technology Service
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant environmental effects 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 seventh modification to agreement #8928 (CCS) in an amount not to exceed $251,379 with Trapeze Software Group to extend maintenance support of the Trapeze operator and vehicle scheduling systems for the Department of Transportation for one additional year through June 30, 2026. This will result in a 14-year amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $3,918,370, with future year funding contingent on budget approval.
4.C. Approval of Second Modification to Agreement with Alexander's Contract Services, Inc. for Water Meter Reading Services
City of Santa Monica Generated: 10/24/2025 8:38 AM Page 5 Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that the contract modification is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a second modification to Agreement #12215 (CCS) in an amount of $170,000 with Alexander’s Contract Services, Inc. and to extend the term an additional 11 months for meter reading services for the Public Works Department. This will result in a five-year amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $780,000, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
4.D. Approval of First Modification to Agreement with Herc Rentals, Inc. for Heavy Duty Vehicle Rentals
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant environmental effects pursuant to Section 15061(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 #4823 in an amount of $200,000 with Herc Rentals, Inc. for heavy duty construction vehicle rentals for the Public Works Department. The term of the contract will remain the same and will result in a five-year amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $450,000, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
4.E. Approval of Second Modification to Agreement with Swiftly, Ltd. for Real Time Bus Arrival Predictions and BBB Performance Analytics
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant environmental effects 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 #11000 in the amount of $311,150, with Swiftly Corporation for a cloud-hosted Software as a Service (SaaS) solution for customer-focused real-time schedule information and service performance metrics for staff for the Department of Transportation. This will result in a six-year agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $1,684,454, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
4.F. Approve Acceptance of Environmental Protection Agency Grant and Purchase of Four Street Sweepers for the Resource Recovery and Recycling Division - Item Pulled at the Request of Staff. 10/14/2025
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
City of Santa Monica Generated: 10/24/2025 8:38 AM Page 6
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines;
2. Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant awarded in the amount of $945,000 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program for the City of Santa Monica Street Sweeper Replacement Project in the Public Works Department, and to accept all grant renewals;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to accept the grant, all grant renewals, and modifications;
4. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Municipal Maintenance Equipment (“MME”), a California-based company, for the purchase of three Ravo Electric R5-eSeries sweepers for the Public Works Department, Resource Recovery and Recycling Division.
This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250 (c) and is for a total amount not to exceed $2,428,833;
5. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Tymco Equipment Company for the purchase of one Tymco Model 600 sweeper for the Public Works Department, Resource Recovery and Recycling Division. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250 (c) and is for a total amount not to exceed $330,000 with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval; and
6. Authorize budget amendment as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of this report (requires 5 votes).
4.G. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica Creating Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 3.36.300 to Establish a Department of Transportation Prohibition Order Program as Authorized by Public Utilities Code Sections 99171 and 99172 Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
4.H. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 2.32.020 Concerning Use of the City Seal and Other City Symbols
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance. . SPECIAL MEETING OF THE REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY . ROLL CALL
4.I. Approve City's Updated Investment Policy and Extend the Delegation of Investment Authority
City of Santa Monica Generated: 10/24/2025 8:38 AM Page 7 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 approve the City’s revised Investment Policy.
3. Extend the delegation of investment authority to the Director of Finance, as City Treasurer, from March 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026.
Staff also recommends that the Redevelopment Successor Agency Governing Board:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exception) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Review and approve the City Investment Policy for Redevelopment Successor Agency Investments.
3. Extend investment authority to the Treasurer of the Redevelopment Successor Agency, from March 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026.
4.J. Approval of Minutes for Redevelopment Successor Agency Meeting - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Redevelopment Successor Agency approve the minutes of the December 17, 2024 meeting.
. ADJOURNMENT OF SPECIAL MEETING
5. CLOSED SESSIONS
5.A. Public employee performance evaluation - Gov. Code § 54957(b): City Attorney; conference with labor negotiator - Gov. Code § 54957.6: City negotiator: Mayor; unrepresented employee: City Attorney. - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
5.B. Conference with labor negotiator – Gov. Code § 54957.6: agency designated representatives: City Manager David White, Interim City Manager Elaine Polachek, Human Resources Director Dana Brown, and Human Resources Manager Sarah Rebensdorf; bargaining units: Administrative Team Associates (ATA), AFSCME Local 4819 - Management Team Association (MTA), California Teamsters Local 911 (IBT), Municipal Employees Association (MEA), Public Attorney’s Legal Support Staff Union (PALSSU), Public Attorney’s Union (PAU), Santa Monica Fire Executive Management Association (FEMA), Santa Monica Firefighters Local 1109 (LOCAL 1109), Police Officers Association (POA), Supervisory Team Association (STA) and SMART TD - International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation WorkersTransportation Division, Local 1785 (SMART TD) - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
The following is the order of business for items to be heard no earlier than 7:00 p.m.
City of Santa Monica Generated: 10/24/2025 8:38 AM Page 8
CITY MANAGER REPORT
TRAVEL ANNOUNCEMENT AND MAYOR'S HIGHLIGHT
6. PUBLIC INPUT ON REMAINING AGENDA ITEMS
. Public Input for 12-Items will be heard at the time when the Public Hearing is called.
7. STUDY SESSION
7.A. Reparations Study Session
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that Council provide direction on the key areas of focus for a City Reparations & Landback Program to study the historical harms done to Santa Monica’s marginalized communities and provide recommendations on how to address those harms.
8. CONTINUED ITEMS
No items
9. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS
No items
10. ORDINANCES
(Public comment is permitted on ordinances for introduction and first reading. No public discussion is permitted on ordinances for second reading and adoption. In accordance with Charter section 615, the adoption of all ordinances and resolutions shall be by reading of title only unless a Councilmember present dissents.)
No items
11. STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
No items
12. PUBLIC HEARINGS
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 - (CONTINUED FROM JANUARY 28, 2025) - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
City of Santa Monica Generated: 10/24/2025 8:38 AM Page 9 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.
13. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
13.A. Landmarks Commission Recommendations to Create a Framework for Social Justice/Equity in Preservation
14. RESOLUTIONS
14.A. Adoption of a Resolution Adopting a Policy Regarding Acceptance of Gifts by Councilmembers
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the Resolution adopting a policy regarding acceptance of gifts by Councilmembers.
15. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS OTHER THAN REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND
OFFICERS
No items
16. COUNCILMEMBER DISCUSSION ITEMS
16.A. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Human Services Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2027. (CONTINUED FROM 1/28/2025) - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
16.B. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Personnel Board for a term ending on June 30, 2026. (CONTINUED FROM 1/28/2025) - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
16.C. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Public Safety Reform and Oversight Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2027. (CONTINUED FROM 1/28/2025) - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
City of Santa Monica Generated: 10/24/2025 8:38 AM Page 10
16.D. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Recreation and Parks Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2026. (CONTINUED FROM 1/28/2025) - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
16.E. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Santa Monica Pier Corporation for a term ending on June 30, 2026. (CONTINUED FROM 1/28/2025) - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
16.F. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, Inc. for a term ending on June 30, 2026. (CONTINUED FROM 1/28/2025) - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
16.G. Recommendation to accept Edward Scott's resignation from the Architectural Review Board and authorize the City Clerk to publish the vacancy - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
16.H. Recommendation to accept Luis Barrera Castañón's resignation Human Services Commission and authorize the City Clerk to publish the vacancy - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
16.I. Request of Councilmembers Hall and Zernitskaya that in order to reaffirm our commitment to efficient and safe public transit, safe streets, and efforts to increase BBB ridership and reduce unnecessary delays, the Council direct the City Manager and Department of Transportation to explore implementing Yield Right-of-Way Signage for Big Blue Bus as authorized pursuant to Assembly Bill 1904 and direct the City Attorney to draft a resolution as required by Assembly Bill 1904 to implement such yield right-of-way signage program for BBB. - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
16.J. Establish and appoint a temporary ad hoc Council committee for the City Manager recruitment process. - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
16.K. Request of Councilmembers Torosis, Hall and Raskin to Strengthen Tenant Protections: Moving Forward with a Rent Registry and Funding Its Implementation in the Upcoming Biennial Budget - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
City of Santa Monica Generated: 10/24/2025 8:38 AM Page 11
16.L. Request of Councilmember Zwick, Mayor Negrete, and Mayor Pro Tem Torosis that the City Council direct the City Manager and City Attorney to expedite the issuance of Building Permits in Santa Monica without reducing building integrity and still adhering to life and safety requirements through the development of a Voluntary Self-Certification Pilot Program for non-structural commercial tenant improvements, single-family home improvements, and accessory dwelling units. The Self-Certification Program shall allow Licensed Professionals who agree to self-certify that building plans are compliant with all California codes and local ordinances to bypass the normal plan review process and get approval for permits in one to five business days, facilitating our city’s economic recovery and reducing the workload on plan check professionals, allowing them to focus on the more complex projects that require their attention. City staff shall return to City Council with recommendations for program design and implementation within six months. - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
16.M. Request of Councilmembers Zwick and Raskin that the City Council direct the City Manager and City Attorney to adjust the Administrative Approval criteria for housing projects within the Bergamot Area Plan (BAP) and present them for Council consideration and adoption at the April 22 meeting. Specifically, to ensure that housing projects are feasible, street and pathway requirements shall be limited to those envisioned in the BAP (p. 207) and interpreted liberally in favor of ensuring the production of new housing, their exact location shall be flexible so as to avoid bisecting parcels and limiting site feasibility, they shall be credited towards the 14% open space requirement at a ratio of 1.5:1, and subject to staff discretion for sites under 2 acres. - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
16.N. Request of Councilmembers Zwick and Zernitskaya that the City Council direct the City Manager and City Attorney to prepare an ordinance granting all development, land use, or subdivision applications as allowed by applicable State law (including any such applications granted on appeal) that were approved prior to January 6, 2025 an extension of two years beyond their current expiration dates and all complete building permit applications submitted or issued prior to January 6, 2025 an extension of one year beyond their current expiration dates (including dates to start and complete work), provided that applicant attests project will comply with current code. For approved Development Agreement projects that are not yet under construction, provide an administrative pathway for the applicants to opt in to this two-year extension to the building permit issuance date as a subsequent code change that developer can elect to consent to in writing. - New Item Received. 10/10/2025
ADJOURNMENT
17. Staff Reports
Agendas and reports are accessible on the City's webpage at www.smgov.net/council/agendas. They are also available at the City Clerk's Office and in City of Santa Monica Generated: 10/24/2025 8:38 AM Page 12 alternate formats upon request. For a free email subscription to the City Council Agendas, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 458-8211 or [email protected].
Members of the public unable to attend a meeting but wishing to comment on an item(s) listed on the agenda may submit written comments prior to the meeting by meeting by mailing them to: City Clerk, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 or to [email protected]. Written comments received from the public by 12 PM on the day of the City Council meeting will be distributed to the City Council prior to the meeting and posted online. Members of the public who submit written public comment on an agenda item may be subject to the Levine Act which requires disclosure of campaign contributions of more than $500 to an officer of the City within the preceding 12 months.
City Hall and the Council Chambers are wheelchair accessible. If you require any special disability related accommodations to either attend or provide public testimony at a Council meeting (i.e. sign language interpreting, access to an amplified sound system, remote option, etc.), please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 458-8211 or TDD: (310) 917- 6626 or via email at [email protected] at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Best efforts shall be made to accommodate requests received after the 72-hour deadline. In the case of special meetings, requests should be submitted as early as possible, but no later than noon the day of the special Council meeting.
Si desea comunicarse con alguien en español, llame a nuestra oficina al (310) 458-8211 y pida hablar con Esterlina Lugo.
Santa Monica Blue Bus Lines #1, #2, #3, #5, #9 and the EXPO Line serve City Hall.
Parking is available on Main Street, on Olympic Drive, and in the Civic Center Parking Structure (validation free).