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
ELAINE POLACHEK
INTERIM CITY MANAGER
DOUGLAS SLOAN
CITY ATTORNEY
NIKIMA 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: 2/25/2025 1:21 PM Page 2
RULES OF ORDER FOR THE CONDUCT OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS (Resolution No.11642(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. 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. Remarks from the public are limited to a total of 6 minutes per City Council meeting, with a maximum of 2 minutes and a minimum of one minute per item. Except for the author of the request, public comment on 15-items are limited to 1 minute. Except on Public Input, speakers appearing at the meeting in person, may donate 2 minutes to another person present in-person at the meeting, who may speak for a total of 4 minutes on that item.
Both the donor of time and the designated speaker must register at the Speaker Kiosk in person together.
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; under some circumstances, Council may change the maximum to 1 minute per agenda item.
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).
2. Public Comment for Special Agenda Items, Consent
Calendar and Closed Sessions Only.
3. Special Agenda Items (Commendations and
Proclamations presented).
4. Consent Calendar (All items considered in one
motion unless removed by a City Councilmember for
discussion. Public comment shall be heard prior
to City Council discussion).
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
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: 2/25/2025 1:21 PM Page 3
AGENDAS
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
REGULAR MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1685 MAIN STREET, ROOM 250,
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025
MEETING BEGINS AT 5:30 PM
HOW TO PROVIDE WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT:
Written public comment can be submitted via email to [email protected].
Written comments received prior to 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting will be available online. Please note the agenda item number in the subject line of your written comments.
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
(Public comment is permitted only on items not on the agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City. State law prohibits the City Council from taking any action on items not listed on the agenda, including issues raised under this agenda item.)
1.A. Written Comments
City of Santa Monica Generated: 2/25/2025 1:21 PM Page 4
2. PUBLIC INPUT (ITEMS UNDER SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS, CONSENT
CALENDAR, CLOSED SESSION ONLY)
3. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS
3.A. Proclamation: Women's History Month
3.B. Proclamation: Kidney Disease Awareness Month
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. Receive and File Emergency Procurement and Approval Agreement with Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts for Emergency Solid Waste Disposal Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 and 15308 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Receive and file emergency procurement report on emergency procurement with Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts – Puente Hills Material Recycling Facility for emergency landfill disposal services for the Public Works Department. The emergency procurement was made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250 (g) and is for a total amount not to exceed $1,800,000 (including a 20% contingency) through March 31, 2025; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts – Puente Hills Material Recycling Facility for landfill disposal services for the Public Works Department. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250 (g) and is for a total amount not to exceed $38,022,585 (including a 20% contingency) for 5 years, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
4.B. Approve Acceptance of Environmental Protection Agency Grant and Purchase of Street Sweepers for the Resource Recovery and Recycling Division Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
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 City of Santa Monica Generated: 2/25/2025 1:21 PM Page 5 $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 including a 10% contingency;
5. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Mar-co Equipment Company for the purchase of one Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) 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 $185,987 including a 10% contingency 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).
If the grant is not received, pending the outcome of the Presidential Executive Order:
7. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Mar-co Equipment Company for the purchase of two Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Tymco Model 600 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 $996,976 including a 10% contingency with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
4.C. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Text of Section
9.31.195 of the Zoning Ordinance for Consistency with the Amended Safety Element
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
4.D. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Text of Section
8.12.040 of the Building Code for Consistency with the Amended Safety Element
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
4.E. Adoption of Resolution Ratifying Regional Fires Emergency Proclamation and Supplements
City of Santa Monica Generated: 2/25/2025 1:21 PM Page 6 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; and
2. Adopt the proposed resolution ratifying the Executive Order issued by the Director of Emergency Services declaring the existence of a local emergency in the City of Santa Monica and the Supplements to that Order.
4.F. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.08.095, Prohibition Against Camping in Public Places
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; and
2. Introduce for First Reading an Ordinance to Amend Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.08.095, Prohibition Against Camping in Public Places, to omit from the definition of “camp facility” certain items.
5. CLOSED SESSIONS
5.A. Public Employee Appointment - Gov. Code § 54957(b): consider public employee appointment; title: City Manager/Interim City Manager; Gov. Code § 54957.6: conference with labor negotiator; City negotiator: Mayor/Personnel Director; unrepresented employee: City Manager/Interim City Manager
5.B. Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8: properties: 2019 - 2219 5th Street; owner of record: Ocean Park Villas, L.P.; City negotiators:
Heather Averick, Director of Housing and Human Services, and Natalie Verlinich, Housing Manager; owner negotiators: Angel Herrera and Mark Wagner; under negotiation: price and terms of payment for sale or option
5.C. Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8: properties: 2033- 2101 Virginia Avenue; owner of record: Community Corporation of Santa Monica; City negotiators: Heather Averick, Director of Housing and Human Services, and Natalie Verlinich, Housing Manager; owner negotiator: Tara Barauskas; under negotiation: price and terms of payment The following is the order of business for items to be heard no earlier than 7:00 p.m.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
TRAVEL ANNOUNCEMENT AND MAYOR'S HIGHLIGHT
City of Santa Monica Generated: 2/25/2025 1:21 PM Page 7
6. PUBLIC INPUT ON REMAINING AGENDA ITEMS
7. STUDY SESSION
No items
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
11.A. Adoption of Resolution and Approval of Release of Request for Proposals for City-Owned Sites Designated for Affordable Housing Development in the City's 6th Cycle Housing Element and Declaration of Sites as "Exempt Surplus Land" in Accordance with the Surplus Land Act
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Declare City-owned properties located at Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013-919 and 4268-014-900) as “surplus land” within the meaning of the Surplus Land Act (Government Code sections 54220 et. seq.)(“SLA”), adopt a resolution declaring the Bergamot Station Arts Center as surplus land, authorize the City Manager or his or her designee to advance the Notice/Request for Proposal (RFP) by June 30, 2025 and take implementing actions necessary to comply with the SLA and the City’s Housing Element.
2. Declare two City-owned properties located at 1333 4th Street (APNs 4291-011- 909 and 4291-011-910) and 1324 5
th Street (APNs 4291-011-
900, 4291-011-901, 4291-011-902, 4291-011-903, 4291-011-904, 4291- 011-905 and 4291-011-908) as “surplus land” within the meaning of the SLA, adopt a resolution declaring the 4
th/5th and Arizona as surplus land,
authorize the City Manager or his or her designee to advance the Notice/Request for Proposal (RFP) by June 30, 2027 and take implementing actions necessary to comply with the SLA and the City’s Housing Element.
City of Santa Monica Generated: 2/25/2025 1:21 PM Page 8
3. Declare City-owned property at 1234 4th Street (currently operated as a public parking structure, Parking Structure 1,(PS1) as “exempt surplus land” within the meaning of the SLA; authorize staff to begin the process of obtaining necessary permits, including a Coastal Development Permit, for demolition of PS1 if demolition is approved by the California Coastal Commission, authorize staff to proceed with developing bidding documents for the demolition to prepare the site for a future 100% affordable housing development.
4. Adopt the findings stated in the Environmental Review section of this staff report, including, without limitation, a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15312 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, a finding of no possibility of significant effect on the environment pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption), and a finding that the development of affordable housing on City-owned property was previously analyzed in the 6th Cycle Housing Element Environmental Impact Report.
11.B. Approval of First Modification to Contracts with Social Emotional Wellness Initiative, St. Joseph Center and Family Service of Santa Monica for Behavioral Health Strategy – Adult Crisis and Step-Down Services and Youth Behavioral Health Programming Recommendations
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Receive reports: Adult Crisis & Children and Youth Behavioral Health Care Study and the Strengthening the System of Intensive Behavioral Healthcare Services for Adults in Santa Monica and Service Planning Area 5.
2. Adopt and approve Transitional Approach 3 – Decentralized Expansion from the Strengthening the System of Intensive Behavioral Healthcare Services for Adults in Santa Monica and Service Planning Area 5 report to build out behavioral health services locally.
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to agreement #11439 in the amount of $400,000 with Social Emotional Wellness Initiative to provide behavioral health support for children and youth in the City’s after school programs (Police Activities League (PAL), CREST, and Virginia Avenue Park (VAP)).This will result in a four-year amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $995,194, with future funding contingent upon Council budget approval.
4. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to agreement #11440 in the amount of $388,254 with St. Joseph Center to expand the capacity of behavioral health services for youth ages 10-24 enrolled in the Youth Resource Team (YRT) program. This will result in a four-year amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $6,907,777, with future funding contingent upon Council budget approval.
5. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to agreement #11431 in the amount of $900,000 with Family Service of Santa Monica to increase the capacity of behavioral health services available to children birth – 5
th grade and to expand substance use treatment services for middle and high school-aged youth. This will result in a four-year amended City of Santa Monica Generated: 2/25/2025 1:21 PM Page 9 agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $3,617,970, with future funding contingent upon Council budget approval.
6. 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.
12. PUBLIC HEARINGS
No items
13. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
No items
14. RESOLUTIONS
No items
15. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS OTHER THAN REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND
OFFICERS
No items
16. COUNCILMEMBER DISCUSSION ITEMS
16.A. Recommendation to accept James Kennedy's resignation from the Clean Beaches & Ocean Parcel Tax Citizens Oversight Committee and authorize the City Clerk to publish the vacancy.
16.B. Recommendation to rescind the January 28, 2025, appointment of Dennis Puri to the Transient Occupancy Tax Advisory Committee; and, continue the appointment to a future meeting.
16.C. Request of Councilmembers Hall and Zernitskaya that in order to reaffirm our commitment to the protection of Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Intersex persons, the Council direct the City Attorney to draft a resolution banning the use of City resources and personnel to aid the federal government or other states in blocking gender-affirming healthcare.
16.D. Request of Councilmembers Hall, Raskin, and Zernitskaya that in order to promote free and fair elections, the Council direct Staff to return with options to raise the individual contribution limit during political campaigns.
City of Santa Monica Generated: 2/25/2025 1:21 PM Page 10
16.E. Request of Councilmember Zwick, Hall, and Zernitskaya that, to align with the Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCCOG) initiative to evaluate and design bus rapid transit (BRT) and related bus infrastructure on priority corridors in the subregion including Santa Monica Boulevard west of Beverly Hills and Caltrans’ efforts to implement bus lanes on Santa Monica Boulevard between Centinela Avenue and the 405, the City Council direct the City Manager to present transit priority measures and tradeoffs, including bus lanes, as part of the planned study session about the Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Study in summer 2025.
16.F. Request of Mayor Negrete and Councilmember Snell that the City Manager and City Attorney survey other cities and bring amendments to the Gift Resolution and Gratuity Ordinance to create exceptions for attending City of Santa Monica economic development and cultural events in which Councilmembers are expected to attend to represent the City.
ADJOURNMENT
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 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).