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SHORELINE AT MONTANA AVE
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10 , 2025
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1 David Yakobson
From: Bea Nemlaha <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 10:42 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Subject: Agenda Item 1, Public Comment: Santa Monica Civic Negotiations with RPG
EXTERNAL
Honorable Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Council Members, City Manager, City Attorney, and Community Development StaƯ,
You are a new Council with many exciting opportunities ahead, but also sometimes diƯicult policy and economic decisions to make.
Restoration and re-opening of the Civic Auditorium in partnership with RPG should not be a diƯicult decision. A revitalized Civic is a promising, long-term future investment for the City, both for strengthening its reputation in music and the arts as a destination for visitors, and for the City’s financial stability. The rewards are huge.
Residents are eager to see progress. But take whatever careful attention and time is needed for the strongest possible partnership with RPG. ENA negotiations are just the first step. Stay the course. The community will be behind you every step of the way until opening night.
Bea Nemlaha
Ocean Park
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1 David Yakobson
From: Zoe <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 10, 2025 10:37 PM
To: Lana Negrete
Cc: Douglas Sloan; Josh Kurpies; Lisa Parson; [email protected]; Ramon Batista; David Gardinier; Darrick Jacob; Brigette Garay; Edgar Sernas; Autumn M. Rindels; Caroline Torosis; Everth Gonzalez; Daniel Mick; Maurice Cochee; Daniel J. Costello; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; Clerk Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Re: Business Licensed Operation in Violation of Short Term Rent Share Ordinance and More...
EXTERNAL
Ms. Negrete,
I just learned that this is not an isolated case. Debbie Paperman sued Sean Besser for housing her in an illegal rental unit despite being told by the city of Santa Monica that he was not legally allowed to do so. The place was also not well maintained over the time she lived there. You can check out her lawsuit. It's public record.... 20SMC00343.
Tonight at the OPA meeting at the Ocean park branch of the Santa Monica Public library it became obvious why he is untouchable. He is still the president of OPA and part of the lcan from the political operative that was a former City Council member. This is a sort of pay to play Monopoly play where they get away from jail cards if there is a political connection of influence. Here is the Board of Directors Bio in the OPA website:
"In addition to serving as president, Sean is responsible for publishing our twice weekly "OPA Update" newsletter.
He has chaired our Main Street Task Force for two years and Chaired the 2021 Sharing an Open Main Street series.
He is a community liaison for the Main Street Business Improvement Association (MSBIA), which is responsible for dealing with issues regarding Main Street and the Farmers Market. He has also Chaired the Communications Committee that produces our OPA Update e-newsletter, our social activity and website. Beyond OPA, Sean is a member of the Santa Monica Travel & Tourism Board Experience Management Plan (EMP) Committee.
Sean has lived in Santa Monica for more than 20 years, the past 10 of them in Ocean Park. He is passionate about fostering a sense of community and striking a healthy balance between maintaining its beach town feel, keeping it safe and welcoming, encouraging diversity and openness, while evolving into the 21st Century. His top priorities on the OPA board are driving more community engagement, making Ocean Park more pedestrian/biking friendly, helping local Main St. businesses thrive, addressing homelessness, improving safety, and managing our relationship with city officials to make sure Ocean Park's unique needs and concerns are recognized." Councilmember Ellis Raskin was at the meeting tonight and talked about the multiple lawsuits that have made a serious dent on the city coffers. Yet the negligence continues exposing the city to more litigation.
This is reckless. No other word for it.
On Mon, Feb 10, 2025 at 4:55 PM Zoe <[email protected]> wrote:
Ms. Negrete,
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2 Congratulations on your first Anniversary. You are teaching us all what courage looks like. You definitely inspire me and many other women in our city.
I would like to bring to your attention a conflict of interest in the way the City of Santa Monica executes the Business License Permits. Please discuss with the rest of the Council Santa Monica Beach CoLiving application for residential property lessor. According to City records the business began on October 1, 2022.
The property does not have any disability access requirements, and does not comply with federal construction -related accessibility requirements. Federal and State legal requirements for ADA ACT of 1990 are not in compliance.
As you might remember we discussed the issue of disabilities during your Mocha with the mayor event last December at Starbucks in front of the Santa Monica Courthouse, you have shared that the city staff is working on it in its Citiwide Equity Plan.
Why this particular individual (Sean Besser) who is the former President of the OPA Neighborhood Association breaks the law with impunity without any consequence. His wife came to the unit unannounced months ago, when I asked her to identify herself she refused to do so. As I followed her to her vehicle she called me trash. She returned to the building once again, trespassed the unit, was asked to leave and said she was not who she is (Robyn Haas Besser). I brought this to the attention of The City Attorney and the City Manager on December 20, 2024. See attachments.
It is evident that the law works differently for people of color in Santa Monica. I was arrested for entering my apartment on 500 California Avenuene Unit 12 back in 2011. Back in 2015 Fay Wells suffered the same trauma as I did. It became national News. Why has Robyn Haas Besser not been arrested and prosecuted for trespassing? She is white, belongs to the dominant race in the city and gets a pass. The discrimination is obscene. That is why the mural in City Hall is an affront to the democratic values that some of the City Council members publicly profess. It is colonialism at its best.
On another note, a former resident of the building from France that was renting a short term unit in the building, sent me a message on Friday that Sean Beser and his wife are trying to scam him.
Charging him ridiculous extra fees. They are saying that for three months that he rented they never received rent. Three weeks after he moved out they claim they never received the rentand are asking him for an extra $2,000.00 in "late fees". His name is Maël Ravassard. Sean Besser is taking advantage of him because the resident is young and lives in another country.
This needs to STOP. I am asking the City Clerk to add this email to the agenda for tomorrow's City Council Meeting.
Zoё Muntaner
“Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?"- Tao Te Ching IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed to and may contain privileged and confidential information. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it safely, securely, and confidentially.
Unauthorized re-disclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality may subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify me by return email and delete this message from your computer.
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3 --
Zoё Muntaner
“Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?"- Tao Te Ching IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed to and may contain privileged and confidential information. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it safely, securely, and confidentially.
Unauthorized re-disclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality may subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify me by return email and delete this message from your computer.
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1 David Yakobson
From: Kelli Kirkle <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 11:46 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: An Essential City Resource
EXTERNAL
Hi,
I'm writing today to emphasize the importance of our city having an airport. With the recent wildfires, we finally had an opportunity to highlight how important an airport is to our community. Supporters of the airport said repeatedly that its use was vital during emergencies, and the fires gave us a chance to see how grateful we should be to have this resource.
I voted every chance I could to save the airport. I live in the airport neighborhood and am proud to support the airport. It’s inexplicable to me that it’s being driven out of our city when it was specifically designed to stay an airport. Please use this disaster as an eye-opener to see how necessary our airport is.
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2 David Yakobson
From: Justin <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 11:43 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Santa Monica Airport on Agenda
EXTERNAL
Good afternoon,
I want to voice my concern and opinion that the Santa Monica Airport is a critical piece of local infrastructure that should remain in place. Please consider my following points:
1. The airport is a historic landmark for aviation. Removing the airport will decrease the diversity of aviators who visit the airport.
2. The airport is critical for local transportation and disaster response as seen during the Palisades fire.
3. The airport can have potential to attract tourism and generate its own revenue.
4. Any potential site replacement to include shopping centers, housing, or park space will not add value to the community, and will have the potential to increase crime and the homeless problem in the area.
5. The city has not explored ways to utilize the airport to generate revenue to include community events, air shows, etc.
6. The airport is the first airport for aviators travelling route 66 from the air, removing the airport will decrease tourist revenue. Personally, other than the Santa Monica Pier, I have no other reason to travel to or through the Santa Monica Airport.
Thank you,
-Justin Ducut
323-333-8713
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3 David Yakobson
From: John Alle <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 10:45 AM
To: The Santa Monica Coalition Organizer
Cc: John Alle
Subject: Your Thoughts?
EXTERNAL
The Santa Monica Coalition continues to document the 15 to 20 homeless encampments on our beach, adjacent to hotels, in our parks, residential carports, near the Metro and in dumpsters alongside the 3rd Street Promenade.
Many of the transients are armed. Those who pass out are themselves frequent victims of crime. Nonprofits generously funded by Santa Monica are not spending their money wisely. The Santa Monica Coalition has not yet taken a position on this ordinance in Fremont. What are your thoughts? Insta
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DF8TpQVCbnU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== YouTube
https://youtu.be/mVfm9ZOd4Ws
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4 David Yakobson
From: Neal Bharadwaj <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 9:58 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: KSMo
EXTERNAL
Santa Monica Airport is an essential piece of infrastructure for emergency and disaster relief. Having the airport available for the Palisades fire saved our neighborhood from burning down! What will happen if a major earthquake destroys 405 or the 10? Or a fire overtakes and closes 405? The fires approached the highways multiple times, just last month! How would we get necessary emergency/disaster relief quickly to West LA and surrounding areas? Thank you,
Neal-Resident of West LA/Brentwood
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1 Edgar Sernas
From: Peter DiChellis <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, February 7, 2025 2:23 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 1: Public Comment
EXTERNAL
Following tragic deaths and injuries to bicyclists and pedestrians in Santa Monica, many are jusƟfiably calling for “safer streets” here.
Unfortunately, in its zeal in to make Santa Monica "bikeable" and "walkable" our city envisions only one-sided soluƟons that falsely blame drivers for all ills.
But Santa Monica Department of TransportaƟon data show bicyclists nearly equally at fault in serious crashes, while they receive safety violaƟon citaƟons far less oŌen.
Meanwhile, recent pedestrian vicƟms include a homeless individual pushing a cart down Lincoln Boulevard in 1 a.m. darkness and another lying down on Wilshire Boulevard at night.
Opinion: “Enforce Traffic Laws for Bicyclists,” Santa Monica Lookout, February 6, 2025 hƩps://urldefense.com/v3/__hƩps://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/leƩers/LeƩers2025/02_06_2025_LETTERS_Enforce_Traffic_Laws_for_Bicyclists.html__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!qc5EeGM7M4MaFqCG6 mPuM2B0GYRJZ74VBQP0SWp6yzaoKLjaflH8OTwcJDn2-VT2H0C1QioB2ok1WEoI4WifPgyspgJdpQw$ Peter DiChellis
Santa Monica
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2 On another note, a former resident of the building from France that was renting a short term unit in the building, sent me a message on Friday that Sean Beser and his wife are trying to scam him.
Charging him ridiculous extra fees. They are saying that for three months that he rented they never received rent. Three weeks after he moved out they claim they never received the rentand are asking him for an extra $2,000.00 in "late fees". His name is Maël Ravassard. Sean Besser is taking advantage of him because the resident is young and lives in another country.
This needs to STOP. I am asking the City Clerk to add this email to the agenda for tomorrow's City Council Meeting.
Zoё Muntaner
“Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?"- Tao Te Ching IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed to and may contain privileged and confidential information. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it safely, securely, and confidentially.
Unauthorized re-disclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality may subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify me by return email and delete this message from your computer.
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Gmail - Second Class Citizen-Trespass Consequences-Citywide Equity 2/10/25, 4:28 PM https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=3b31a130d8&view=pt&search=…gid=msg-a:r3913691289678380066&simpl=msg-a:r3913691289678380066 Page 1 of 1 Zoë Muntaner <[email protected]>
Second Class Citizen-Trespass Consequences-Citywide Equity Zoe <[email protected]> Fri, Dec 20, 2024 at 1:08 PM
To: [email protected], David White <[email protected]>, [email protected] Cc: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Folks,
I forgot to add something critical to consider. The entitlement of a former employee from the Santa Monica Government, Eric Uller, cost the city millions of dollars for not being investigated after decades of coverup. I read Lisa Parsons's Justice, Equity & Diversity: Equity and Inclusion Officers implement projects in 2024 press release, published on December 6, 2024.
It would be an embarrassment of epic proportions if the City chooses to ignore arresting and filing charges against Samantha Robyn Hass Besser and treating her the same way I was treated in 2011, when I was wrongly accused of trespassing in my apartment, because Pat Cramer the owner of the property at 500 California Avenue Unit 12 has connections with the city as is part of the entrenched political power that runs the city. I would like to mention including mugshot and publishing it in the Santa Monica Daily Press Crime Section despite Besser being a contributor:
"Stay informed about public safety in Santa Monica through our responsible crime reporting coverage. We provide timely updates on significant incidents, police activity, and community safety initiatives in partnership with the Santa Monica Police Department. Our balanced reporting includes crime statistics, safety alerts, neighborhood watch updates, and positive community policing efforts. Follow important developments in public safety, crime prevention programs, and law enforcement initiatives that affect our community. Whether tracking local safety trends or staying informed about your neighborhood, rely on Santa Monica Daily Press for accurate, contextualized coverage of public safety matters."
Is Sean Besser an official employee of the Santa Monica government? He is using the logo of the city of Santa Monica Government in his LinkedIn Profile.
Kindly reply; thank you.
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Gmail - Second Class Citizen-Trespass Consequences-Citywide Equity 2/10/25, 4:27 PM https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=3b31a130d8&view=pt&search=a…gid=msg-a:r-741831987304888225&simpl=msg-a:r-741831987304888225 Page 1 of 3 Zoë Muntaner <[email protected]>
Second Class Citizen-Trespass Consequences-Citywide Equity Zoe <[email protected]> Fri, Dec 20, 2024 at 10:17 AM To: [email protected], David White <[email protected]>, [email protected] Cc: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Dear Mr. Sloan & Mr White,
After my remarks during public comment on Tuesday's Santa Monica City Council meeting. I want to bring an example supporting my short speech that myst be addressed today.
Two days ago, I found a stranger in my apartment living room. While I was writing in my bedroom, she entered the unit, apparently knowing the combination code of the door. I asked her what she was doing in the unit and asked her to identify herself several times. The entitlement of her behavior prompted me to ask her to leave the apartment. I was confused and shaken because the night before, a box addressed to a neighbor was in the living room and disappeared the following morning. Since I reported the property to the City Attorney, Rent Control, and Code Enforcement for running an illegal short-term rental, there has been escalating harassment that has not been addressed by the Santa Monica City Attorney's Consumer Protection Unit.
The woman defiantly told me to call the police, as if she was entitled to do whatever she wished in the apartment and she would not face any consequences. She is white, blonde, and blue-eyed. After closing the door, I decided to go outside and see the car she was driving to identify her for a trespass call to the Santa Monica Police Department. I followed the woman to her car and she called me trash. Immediately, I messaged Sean Besser to let him know an unauthorized person was in the apartment and the exchange that took place with the female trespasser. The woman returned one more time and entered the unit and again I asked her to identify herself. I noticed a resemblance to Sean Besser's wife in Facebook pictures, so I asked her if she was Besser's wife. She said no that she was not Bersser's wife and left holding a bundle of 5 towels she was using to dry the floors of water from a refrigeration issue reported earlier to Maureen Morris.
It seems that multiple people have the combination code of the door, I told Besser that I will be changing the lock and putting cameras inside the unit for my safety. I called the police and they said they would send someone but I never heard them knocking on the door. I locked myself in my bedroom and went to sleep. I had nightmares all night and was awake at 4:00 Am. and was able to go back to sleep at 6:00 AM, and the nightmares continued. A flare-up of PTSD is common when I do not feel safe. Last night I did some research and found her image on Sean Besser's Facebook page. She is his wife indeed. I texted Besser several images to question why his wife was in the unit and why she denied it while being recorded that she was his wife.
Besser claims in his LinkedIn profile (attached) that he works in the Santa Monica Government as a Community Leader, perhaps that is why he believes he can get away with this type of violation. I sent an image to Brigitte Garay, who wrote to me last week she was doing an investigation of the previous harassment complaint. She has not returned my message.
Last Friday, I spoke to Deputy Chief Daniel Jacobs about the SMPD role in Tenant/Property Owner disputes. Jacobs minimized it as a civil issue with no criminal implications. However, trespass is a criminal offense that I am familiar with because in 2011 the SMPD was called by the manager of the building where I was living (500 California Avenue) and the police showed up immediately to arrest me. The City Attorney at the time filed charges and took me to court. the case was dismissed when my Public Defender showed the evidence that I was allowed to be in the unit since I was a legal renter. Perhaps you are familiar with the 2015 Fay Wells case, which also supports the remarks of last Tuesday's public comment at City Council Chambers:
"Santa Monica Police Department had dispatched 19 officers after one of my neighbors reported a burglary at my Item 1
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Gmail - Second Class Citizen-Trespass Consequences-Citywide Equity 2/10/25, 4:27 PM https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=3b31a130d8&view=pt&search=a…gid=msg-a:r-741831987304888225&simpl=msg-a:r-741831987304888225 Page 3 of 3 Profile.pdf
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