Agenda packet — Santa Monica City Council, March 8, 2025 (part 2 of 2)

Figure 1. Importance, Relevance, and Appropriateness of Existing Priorities Participants were then given an opportunity to provide one word to describe other priorities that they thought should be considered by the City. The responses that were provided are listed below. The number of duplicate responses received are indicated in the parentheses. • Aquatics
• Artificial intelligence
• Assistive technology
• Buildings maintained
• Cleanliness
• Community events
• Concerts
• Crime reduction
• Deferred maintenance (2)
• Economic recovery
• Electrification
• Help homeless population (2)
• Increase housing density
• Keep the airport
• Library (10)
• Live music
• More field space
• More housing
• Parks
• Protect small businesses
• Protected bike lanes
• Public events
• Recovery
• Restoring youth services
• Safe streets
• Safety (3)
• School funding
• Small businesses
• Spiritual counselors
• Revitalizing Third Street (3)
• Upgrade the Promenade
• Walkable areas
• Workout access at parks
• Youth (2)
Community Survey
Baker Tilly deployed a survey in English and Spanish to obtain input from community members about areas of priority focus for the City of Santa Monica. The City was interested in hearing from community members about priorities and which City services and programs are most important to them, as staff develops the budget for the next two years. The survey questions were developed by Baker Tilly and were refined with the City’s project team. SurveyMonkey™ was used to conduct the survey and compile the anonymous responses. The questions that were asked in the survey are provided in Attachment A.

The survey was open from January 29 to February 19, 2025, and received a total of 1,293 responses (1,288 in English and 5 in Spanish). It should be noted that the survey is not the same as a statistically 26 26
23 13
19 4
1 5
14 9
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Addressing Homelessness
Clean & Safe Santa Monica
Cultivate Economic Recovery & Expand
Community & Cultural Offerings
Racial Justice, Equity & Social Diversity
Sustainable & Connected Community
Yes No

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valid voter survey conducted by pollsters; however, the response rate was very good, largely due to the City’s efforts pushing the information out to the community.

The survey was designed to elicit feedback from community members in the following areas to provide insight into the allocation and prioritization of City resources. • Quality level of City services
• City services impacted by the pandemic
• Greatest neighborhood needs
• Overarching City strategic priorities
In addition, specific questions regarding how the City can support the local business and non-profit communities were asked of respondents who indicated they were a business owner or employee of a non-profit, respectively.

Key Findings
• The three City services that received the most excellent or good quality responses include:
o Providing clean water and maintaining water infrastructure o Fighting fires and providing emergency services
o Collecting trash and recycling from homes
• The three City services that received the most fair or poor quality responses include:
o Dealing with the regional homelessness crisis
o Addressing crime
o Protecting public safety
• The top three responses for City services that were negatively impacted by the pandemic and not fully recovered include:
o Housing and homeless services
o Library services
o Public safety services
• The top three responses for neighborhood needs include:
o Addressing homelessness
o Public safety
o Affordable housing
• When asked about the City’s existing five priorities, 80% or more respondents answered that Addressing Homelessness and Clean and Safe continue to be very important. By comparison, fewer than 30% indicated that Justice, Equity, and Diversity was very important, and fewer than 40% indicated that Sustainable and Connected was very important.

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City Services
Questions were posed to gauge respondents’ thoughts about the quality of City services that Santa Monia provides. Of the services listed, respondents were asked whether the quality was excellent, good, fair, or poor. If the respondent was neutral or didn’t know, they could indicate that as well. Responses to these questions are presented in Figure 2 below.

Figure 2. Quality of City Services
112
349
91 218
94 342
70 167
154
163
153
157
159
158
62 112
20 70
156
56 89
326
121
31 551
534
430
390
423
468
357
464
483
439
480
503
418
276
230
375
98 164
342
255
332
503
397
130
201
121
248
153
231
156
188
288
239
253
153
169
268
192
253
272
133
220
206
184
263
173
239
229
194
144
214
169
280
89 277
131
203
120
187
204
112
111
177
222
223
183
233
237
157
101
245
157
162
61 260
174
214
92 356
76 148
67 240
179
98 110
242
218
739
333
280
478
178
65 208
386
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
Providing city services overall
Collecting trash and recycling from your home
Keeping traffic on City streets flowing smoothly
Providing library services
Maintaining and repairing streets and sidewalks
Fighting fires and providing emergency services
Keeping City streets and alleys clean
Providing cultural and arts opportunities
Keeping street trees trimmed
Providing recreation and sports programs
Maintaining City parks
Maintaining City beaches
Making Santa Monica environmentally sustainable
Responding to 911 calls
Enforcing City building, zoning, health, and safety codes Communicating with residents
Dealing with the regional homelessness crisis
Providing services for the homeless
Providing enough public parking
Addressing crime and protecting public safety
Preparing for an emergency
Providing clean water and maintaining water infrastructure Cleaning up litter and graffiti
Managing City finances
Excellent Quality Good Quality Neutral Fair Quality Poor Quality

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Respondents were asked to indicate up to three services that they felt were negatively impacted during the pandemic and are not yet fully recovered. Responses to this question are provided in Table 2 below, and are listed in order of response rate.

Table 2. What City services do you feel were most negatively impacted during the pandemic and are still not fully recovered?
Answer Choices Response
Housing and homeless services 600 (46.4%)
Library services 468 (36.2%)
Public safety services 460 (35.6%)
Parks and recreation services (such as neighborhood parks, camps, classes, Swim Center, community gardens) 311 (24.1%)
Maintenance services (such as graffiti removal, tree trimming, street light repair, street sweeping) 310 (24.0%)
Business services (licenses and permits) 267 (20.6%)
Youth services 129 (10.0%)
Transportation services (such as Big Blue Bus, bike and scooter share) 91 (7.0%) Senior services 84 (6.5%)
Other (please specify) 252 (19.5%)
Other services indicated are included in Attachment B.

Respondents were asked to select up to five items that represent their neighborhood’s greatest needs.

Responses to this question are provided in Table 3 below, and are listed in order of response rate.

Table 3. What do you think are the areas of greatest need in your neighborhood? Answer Choices Response
Addressing homelessness 942 (73.1%)
Public safety 668 (51.8%)
Affordable housing 484 (37.4%)
Mental health services 423 (32.6%)
Mobility and safe streets 418 (32.3%)
Street maintenance and repair 347 (26.9%)
Parks maintenance and programs 301 (23.4%)
Economic development and job opportunities 292 (22.5%)
Sustainability and climate change 176 (13.6%)
Childcare 161 (12.4%)
Public transportation 142 (11.0%)
Equity and inclusion 82 (6.4%)
Healthcare 64 (5.0%)
Other (please specify) 315 (24.4%)
Other needs indicated are included in Attachment B.

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Priorities
The survey listed the five existing strategic priorities. Respondents were asked to indicate the importance of each priority. The survey responses are summarized in Figure 3 below. The same information is presented in Table 4.

Figure 3. Please indicate how important each of these priorities is to you as it represents the interests and values of the community.

Table 4. Please indicate how important each of these priorities is to you as it represents the interests and values of the community.

Priority Very
Important
Somewhat
Important Neutral Somewhat Unimportant
Not At All
Important
Don’t
Know / Not
Applicable
Addressing Homelessness 1,001 (80.0%) 138 (11.0%) 40 (3.2%) 24 (1.9%) 43 (3.4%) 6 (0.5%) Justice, Equity, and
Diversity 356 (28.7%) 258 (20.8%) 184 (14.8%) 119 (9.6%) 317 (25.5%) 9 (0.7%) Clean and Safe 1,067 (85.3%) 151 (12.1%) 22 (1.8%) 7 (0.6%) 2 (0.2%) 2 (0.2%) Sustainable and Connected 461 (37.1%) 355 (28.6%) 203 (16.4%) 91 (7.3%) 119 (9.6%) 12 (1.0%) Economic Growth and
Cultural Vitality 668 (53.6%) 368 (29.5%) 124 (9.9%) 39 (3.1%) 38 (3.0%) 10 (0.8%) Respondents had the opportunity to provide additional priorities for the City to consider. Other priorities indicated are included in Attachment B.
1,001
356
1,067
461
668
138
258
151
355
368
40 184
22 203
124
24 119
7 91
39 43
317
2 119
38 0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
Addressing
Homelessness
Justice, Equity, and
Diversity
Clean and Safe Sustainable and
Connected
Economic Growth and
Cultural Vitality
Very Important Somewhat Important Neutral Somewhat Unimportant Not At All Important

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Who Submitted Responses?
Tables 5 through 13 show the percentage breakdown of respondent demographics. The percentages do not always total to 100% because respondents may have indicated “other” in one or more of the responses, and in some cases, respondents were asked to select all options that apply.

Summary
• Nealy one-third of respondents are between 31 to 45 years old; one third is 46 to 60 years old, and the last third is over 60 years old.
• The majority of respondents (62%) are female.
• About half of respondents (52%) are homeowners.
• Most respondents (71%) identify as white.
• Some of the open-ended responses expressed frustration over being asked about race and sexual orientation in a budget survey.

Table 5. What is your age range?
Answer Choices Response
Under 18 years old 2 (0%)
18 to 30 years old 56 (5%)
31 to 45 years old 383 (32%)
46 to 60 years old 383 (32%)
Over 60 years old 376 (32%)
Table 6. What is your gender?
Answer Choices Response
Male 435 (36%)
Female 739 (62%)
Non-binary 10 (1%)
Not listed 10 (1%)
Table 7. Do you own or rent your residence?
Answer Choices Response
Own 626 (52%)
Rent 548 (46%)
Currently occupying without paying monetary rent 17 (1%) Not sure 9 (1%)
Table 8. Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin? Answer Choices Response
Yes 155 (13%)
No 1,006 (87%)

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Table 9. What is your race?
Answer Choices Response
White 880 (71%)
Black or African American 42 (4%)
American Indian or Alaska Native 14 (1%)
Asian 103 (9%)
Other (please specify) 125 (11%)
Table 10. What is your sexual orientation?
Answer Choices Response
Heterosexual (straight) 943 (85%)
Homosexual (gay or lesbian) 46 (4%)
Bisexual 25 (2%)
Pansexual 12 (2%)
Asexual 4 (0%)
Other (please specify) 73 (7%)
Table 11. Are you a member of Santa Monica’s LGBTQIA+ Community? Answer Choices Response
Yes 97 (9%)
No 997 (91%)
Table 12. Including yourself, how many people currently live in your household? Answer Choices Response
1 237 (20%)
2 419 (36%)
3 203 (17%)
4 226 (19%)
5 67 (6%)
More than 5 23 (2%)
Table 13. Which of the following best describes your relationship with the City of Santa Monica? Answer Choices Response
Business owner in Santa Monica 264 (21%)
Employee of a non-profit in Santa Monica 60 (5%)
Resident of Santa Monica 1,134 (90%)
Student 51 (4%)

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Work in Santa Monica 400 (46%)
Shop/do business in Santa Monica 583 (46%)
City of Santa Monica employee 53 (4%)
Member of a board, commission, or committee 112 (9%)
Other (please specify) 97 (8%)
Other relationships with the City of Santa Monica mostly fell into the following categories: parent of SMMUSD students, homeowner, volunteer, member of an organization or group in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica Business Questions
The survey asked business owners to indicate their type of business. Of the 264 respondents who indicated they are business owners, 234 responded to this question. The major categories of businesses that were provided are listed below.
• Arts and entertainment
o Acting coach
o Art
o Entertainment
o Film production / animation
o Music
o Photography
o Talent management and production
• Health and wellness
o Acupuncture clinic
o Beauty/personal care
o Counseling
o Dental practice
o Fitness
o Health and wellness
o Medical care
o Physical therapy
• Business and professional services
o Advertising
o Book marketing
o Business manager
o Consulting services
o Copywriting and marketing communications
o Finance / investment services
o Legal services
o Marketing agency
o Notary public
o Professional services
o Real estate /property management
o Technology
o Writing services
• Construction and home services
o Architecture and planning
o Construction
o Custom window treatments
o Electrical
o Landscaping
• Retail and e-commerce
o Clothing originals
o E-commerce

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o Gift store
o Retail
• Food and hospitality
o Clothing originals
o E-commerce
o Gift store
o Retail
• Freelance and creative/technology services
o Freelance digital artists
o Freelancing writing/producing
o Graphic design
o Interactive media
o Media - travel writer - concierge
o Media tech: interactive, streaming, startups
• Community/miscellaneous services
o Coaching
o Community classes instructor
o Youth programs
o Childcare
o Environmental
o Hobby/community place
o Housing provider
o Pet care
o Taekwondo school
o Trapeze school
o Travel
Business owners were asked to provide the number of employees in their business. Half of the business owners have just one employee. A summary of the responses is provided below.

Table 14. How many employees does your business have?
Answer Choices Response
1 114 (50.0%)
2 to 10 88 (38.6%)
11 to 50 21 (9.2%)
51 to 100 1 (0.4%)
Greater than 100 4 (1.8%)
The survey asked business owners how the City can best support the local business community.

Responses to this question are provided below.

Table 15. How can the City best support the local business community? Please check all that apply.

Answer Choices Response
Restore funding to the Capital Program to provide things like better maintenance, lighting, and other improvements to public spaces. 98 (41.4%) Develop a more robust economic development program to help promote the city as an attractive choice to open a business. 134 (56.5%) Create more flexibility in the payment of city fees over time. 52 (21.9%)

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Invest in technology to improve online services for permitting and business license. 84 (35.4%)
Other (please specify) 110 (46.4%)
The 110 open-ended responses to other ways the City can best support the local business community are summarized into categories below.
• Public Safety & Homelessness
o Reduce crime and clean up the city to make it more attractive for businesses and residents.
o Improve the cleanliness and safety of public areas like parking structures and freeway exits.
o Increase police presence, enforce laws, and ensure public safety in streets, parks, and public spaces to make the city feel safer for residents and visitors. o Ensure protections against fires in older areas and improve disaster preparedness. • Business and Economic Development
o Make it easier for retail and entertainment businesses to exist by reducing red tape, providing business incentives, and offering grants or rent vouchers for small businesses. o Encourage new real estate development, lower city taxes, and provide affordable leases and commercial rental space options.
o Promote business incubators and startup funding, prioritize hiring local businesses for City projects, and provide fast payment options for City suppliers. o Support small businesses through grants and financial assistance, and streamline the permitting process to make it easier to open and maintain businesses in Santa Monica. • Infrastructure and Services
o Improve street safety and cleanliness.
o Install citywide fiber internet.
o Provide more parking options with fewer restrictions. o Enhance public infrastructure by maintaining working-class housing and preventing overdevelopment.
o Ensure proper tree trimming and urban forest maintenance. • Community Engagement and Support
o Become more active in the tech startup community.
o Support local businesses through Chamber of Commerce programming. o Promote the current businesses of residents.
o Encourage community well-being programs and provide safe meeting spaces for businesses.
• Miscellaneous Suggestions & Comments
o Terminate DEI programs.
o Abandon sustainability initiatives.
o Focus on fiscal responsibility over ideology.

Santa Monica Non-Profit Questions
The survey asked non-profit employees to indicate their organization’s primary mission, the 39 responses provided fell into the categories listed below.
• Healthcare
• Community support and development
• Education
• Arts and culture
• Environment and sustainability
• Childcare and youth services
• Animal welfare
• Business and research

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Non-profit employees were asked to indicate whether their non-profit receives any City grant funding. The answers to this question are provided below.

Table 16. Do you receive any grant funding?
Answer Choices Response
Yes 20 (42.6%)
No 22 (46.8%)
Other (please specify) 5 (10.6%)
The five “other” responses are listed below.
• My workplace does, not me as an individual.
• No funding has ever been received. It is urgently needed and would be appreciated. • Not sure.
• Have gotten art of recovery grants.
• I don't know.

The survey asked non-profit employees how the City can best support the local non-profit community.

Responses to this question are summarized below.
• Increase funding and grant opportunities.
• Create more opportunities for city engagement and support for cultural events. • Provide free community events to foster joy and neighborly connection. • Continue to restore sustainability programs.
• Help connect businesses to non-profits for additional support. • Address homelessness with clear information about local resources and expand support beyond residency restrictions.
• Improve library services, support cultural events, and provide spaces for grantees to collaborate.

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Conclusion
Responses to the survey indicate that homelessness, public safety (which is highly correlated to homelessness) and affordable housing are top concerns. That this is the case is not surprising, as these issues are ubiquitous throughout the state’s major metropolitan areas.

Respondents rated several City services highly particularly, the provision of clean water and maintaining water infrastructure, fighting fires and providing emergency services, and collecting trash and recycling from homes.

There was recognition that many City services had been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and had yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels. Given the importance respondents placed on homelessness and public safety in general, it is not surprising to see these two categories mentioned in this regard. The fact that library services were mentioned as the second most impacted service that has yet to recover is an indication of how valued the services are to the community.

Members of the business community who responded to the survey, are most interested in the City developing a more robust economic development strategy and increasing investments in maintaining the City’s appearance so as to create a welcoming environment which would support business activities.

The non-profit community would like to see an expansion of the City grant program as well as more opportunities to engage with the City and community at large. This could take the form of more Citysponsored community events.

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Attachment A – Community Survey Questions
City Services 1. Thinking about the City services listed below, indicate the level of service quality that the City of Santa Monica provides.

Services Excellent
Quality
Good
Quality Neutral Fair Quality
Poor
Quality
Don’t Know /
Not
Applicable
a. Providing city services overall
b. Collecting trash and recycling from your home
c. Keeping traffic on City streets flowing smoothly
d. Providing library services
e. Maintaining and repairing streets and sidewalks
f. Fighting fires and providing emergency services
g. Keeping City streets and alleys clean
h. Providing cultural and arts opportunities
i. Keeping street trees trimmed
j. Providing recreation and sports programs
k. Maintaining City parks
l. Maintaining City beaches
m. Making Santa Monica environmentally
sustainable
n. Responding to 911 calls
o. Enforcing City building, zoning, health, and
safety codes
p. Communicating with residents
q. Dealing with the regional homelessness crisis
r. Providing services for the homeless
s. Providing enough public parking
t. Addressing crime and protecting public safety
u. Preparing for an emergency
v. Providing clean water and maintaining water
infrastructure
w. Cleaning up litter and graffiti
x. Managing City finances

2. What City services do you feel were most negatively impacted during the pandemic and are still not fully recovered? Please select your top three.
• Business services (licenses and permits)
• Housing and homeless services
• Library services
• Maintenance services (such as graffiti removal, tree trimming, street light repair, street sweeping)

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• Parks and recreation services (such as neighborhood parks, camps, classes, Swim Center, community gardens)
• Public safety services
• Senior services
• Transportation services (such as Big Blue Bus, bike and scooter share) • Youth services
• Other (please specify)

3. What do you think are the areas of greatest need in your neighborhood? Please select your top five.

Need First Priority Second
Priority
Third Priority Fourth
Priority
Fifth Priority
Addressing homelessness
Affordable housing
Childcare
Economic development and job
opportunities
Equity and inclusion
Healthcare
Mental health services
Mobility and safe streets
Parks maintenance and programs
Public safety
Public transportation
Street maintenance and repair
Sustainability and climate change
Other (please specify)
Priorities
The City Council’s five strategic priorities highlight the City’s values, inform recommendations on new investments, and focus staff efforts and projects. The five existing strategic priorities are listed below. • Addressing Homelessness Preventing housed Santa Monicans from becoming homeless, increasing the supply of affordable housing, and advocating for regional capacity to address homelessness.
• Justice, Equity, and Diversity Advancing racial equity, justice, and social diversity to improve the well-being of people who live, work, learn, play, and do business here. • Clean and Safe Commitment to maintaining and enhancing an atmosphere marked by clean and safe public spaces and neighborhoods.
• Sustainable and Connected Enhancing our resources, preventing and remedying harm to the natural environment and human health, and benefiting the social and economic wellbeing of the community. • Economic Growth and Cultural Vitality Cultivating economic opportunity and recovery and investing in amenities and programs for all community members.

4. Please indicate how important each of these priorities is to you, as representing the interests and values of the community.

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Priority Very
Important
Somewhat
Important Neutral Somewhat Unimportant
Not At All
Important
Don’t Know /
Not
Applicable
Addressing
Homelessness
Justice, Equity, and
Diversity
Clean and Safe
Sustainable and
Connected
Economic Growth and
Cultural Vitality

5. If you think other strategic priorities should be considered, as the City develops the next budget and allocates resources, please list those items in the spaces below.

Demographic Questions
Please note, all demographic questions except #14 on this page are optional.

6. What is your age range?
• Under 18 years old
• 18 to 30 years old
• 31 to 45 years old
• 46 to 60 years old
• Over 60 years old

7. What is your gender?
• Male
• Female
• Bon-binary
• Not listed

8. Do you own or rent your residence?
• Own
• Rent
• Currently occupying without paying monetary rent
• Not sure

9. Are you of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin?
• Yes
• No

10. What is your race? Please check all that apply.
• White
• Black or African American
• American Indian or Alaska Native
• Asian
• Other (please specify)

11. What is your sexual orientation?
• Heterosexual (straight)
• Homosexual (gay or lesbian)
• Bisexual

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• Pansexual
• Asexual
• Other (please specify)

12. Are you part of Santa Monica’s LGBTQIA+ community?
• Yes
• No

13. Including yourself, how many people currently live in your household? • 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• More than 5

14. Which of the following best describes your relationship with the City of Santa Monica? Please check all that apply.
• Business owner in Santa Monica
• Employee of a non-profit in Santa Monica
• Resident of Santa Monica
• Student
• Work in Santa Monica
• Shop/do business in Santa Monica
• City of Santa Monica employee
• Member of a board, commission, or committee
• Other (please specify)
Santa Monica Business Questions

15. Please indicate your type of business in the space provided.

16. Please provide the number of employees in the space below.

17. How can the City best support the local business community? Please check all that apply. • Restore funding to the Capital Program to provide things like better maintenance, lighting, and other improvements to public spaces.
• Develop a more robust economic development program to help promote the city as an attractive choice to open a business.
• Create more flexibility in the payment of city fees over time. • Invest in technology to improve online services for permitting and business license. • Other (please specify)
Santa Monica Non-Profit Questions

18. What is the primary mission of your nonprofit?

19. Do you receive grant funding?
• Yes
• No
• Other (please specify)

20. How can the City of Santa Monica best support the local non-profit community?

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Attachment B – Open Ended Responses
The electronic survey included a number of open-ended questions, and opportunities for respondents to other options than the answer choices provided. The raw open-ended responses were provided to the City in a separate document. The open-ended responses that have been summarized into overarching themes for city services, greatest needs, and priorities are presented below.

City Services
What other City services do you feel were most negatively impacted during the pandemic and are not fully recovered? (251 responses)

1. Public Safety and Crime
• Addressing crime, drug abuse, gang presence, and ensuring safety in public spaces. • Increasing police presence, improving police response, training, and accountability. • Enforcing traffic laws, loitering, sleeping on streets, EV use on bike paths, speed limits, etc.

2. Homelessness
• Addressing homelessness with a focus on treatment programs, housing solutions, removing encampments, aggressive behavior, etc.
• Separating housing issues from homelessness.

3. Urban Development and Infrastructure
• Streamlining permitting processes, improving infrastructure (roads, sidewalks), addressing overdevelopment concerns.
• Planning for adaptive reuse of commercial properties, strategic urban planning. • Addressing poor city planning, dangerous lane markings.

4. Community Cleanliness and Environment
• Code enforcement
• Maintaining clean streets, alleys, parks; addressing litter, hazardous waste. • Protecting urban forest, planting more trees.
• Addressing climate change impacts, sustainability efforts.

5. Education
• Supporting early childhood programs
• Public school funding, quality education.
• Providing programs for kids (afterschool care).

6. Economic Development
• Supporting small businesses
• More affordable parklets
• Attracting new businesses to empty storefronts.
• Restoring closed businesses, lowering rent (residential/commercial).

7. Public Services
• Improving animal control/shelter services.
• Enhancing library services (hours), community events/programs. • Providing social services for disabled/unhoused/elderly/youth.

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8. Government Transparency and Accountability
• Ensuring fiscal responsibility (cutting waste), government transparency. • Monitoring landlords (slumlords), enforcing ordinances/laws.

9. Community Engagement
• Organizing arts events/local festivals.
• Revitalizing public spaces (promenade), creating communal locations.

10. Health and Well-being
• Providing mental health services/crisis intervention. • Ensuring safety near evacuation zones (toxin risks).

Areas of Greatest Need
What do you think are the areas of greatest need in your neighborhood? (314 responses)

1. Homelessness and safety
• Stop needle distribution in parks
• Address open drug use and remove homeless encampments • Increase safety and crime prevention
• Improve street safety with more stop signs and better traffic law enforcement

2. Funding and finance
• More funding for public schools, libraries, and non-profits • Better financial management
• Reducing taxes

3. Community and infrastructure
• Address issues like alley repaving and streetlight installation • Cleaner streets, parks, and beaches

4. Development and housing
• Concerns about overdevelopment and high commercial rents • Need for affordable housing
• Stop new apartment constructions and preserve single-family neighborhoods

5. Public services
• Improved communication from city services
• Better emergency preparedness
• Enhanced public education
• Better code enforcement
• Streamlined permitting processes

6. Environmental concerns
• Sustainability programs and clean water initiatives
• Proper tree maintenance to prevent diseases

7. Community engagement
• More community events
• Better support for local businesses
• Increased opportunities for city engagement

ATTACHMENT G

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Packet Pg. 222 Attachment: Community Engagement Survey Results (6710 : Council Workshop)

Page 20 ends

Additional Priorities
If you think other strategic priorities should be considered, as the City develops the next budget and allocates resources, please list those items in the spaces below. (1,593 responses) The top 20 priorities that were mentioned most frequently are listed below. • Address empty commercial space
• Address homelessness
• Affordable housing
• Balance the City budget/financial management
• Clean up streets and beaches
• Code enforcement
• Drop DEI programs and spending
• Early childhood education
• Economic development
• Enforcing traffic laws; bike/pedestrian safety
• Expand library services/open hours
• Increase policing
• Keep the Santa Monica airport
• Manage development of apartments and condos
• Mental health services
• More funding/resources for our public schools
• Public safety and crime
• Revitalize downtown
• Street lights, pavement, repair
• Youth programs

ATTACHMENT G

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Packet Pg. 223 Attachment: Community Engagement Survey Results (6710 : Council Workshop)

Page 21 ends

Attachment C – Additional Comments
Some members of the public called or emailed with additional feedback for the City. The comments that were submitted are provided below verbatim.
• To be brief the 'community participation' is required for planning but is a complete waste of time because the decisions by the folks in charge are sometimes good and sometimes bad like the single lane for cars and the bike lane where the car that is parking opens their door in traffic and against the bike lane. The city is going to do what the city does. Like when my wife was sent by ambulance four blocks to St Johns and the bill was $2,400.00 because the city has a contract arrangement with McCormick! We all know that our input is a total waste of time and the council will do whatever they chose! I’m not shooting the messenger! • Whatever you do, please do NOT shut down the airport. It is absolutely needed and generates enormous income for the City. Do NOT close the airport. An absolute community necessity and huge source of income for the city. If closed, the cost to remediate will bankrupt the city. • Last night at the Ocean Park Neighborhood Association a member of the Board and Main Street Merchants Association said that the city is broke. Is that true? Alarming. If possible I would like to have a conversation with the finance department lead before the February 13, 2025 event. • Only if I have full control over the budget....I can do this and do it right! • Thank you for the information.
• I respectfully ask why would you need to provide interpreters for Spanish speakers? If they are doing business in Santa Monica, they should speak English or have someone to represent them who speaks English. Why should the city of Santa Monica sustain the expense of a Spanish interpreter? Will the city of SM also have Chinese and German, and Vietnamese interpreters? Santa Monica city taxes are already too high and this added expense will surely e passed on to us residents.? Please don't enable people who've come to our country to not blend into the American culture. I came from Italy and my parents did not speak English and we, the children had to interpret for them, which forced us to learn to speak English much faster. I AM COMPLETELY AGAINST HAVING SPANISH INTERPRETERS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS and I hope you will reconsider your decision.
• Homeowners pay so much in taxes in Santa Monica. It costs a LOT to live here, and some people are being forced out due to the cost. Not everyone has the right to live here. Yes, we need to address homelessness, but not the way the left-wing City Council thinks we should. We should not be spending more resources on the homeless population and encourage them to stay here, and more to come here. We need to discourage them from being here, make it inhospitable here.

Downtown used to be nice, but now it is dangerous due to crime.

ATTACHMENT G

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Packet Pg. 224 Attachment: Community Engagement Survey Results (6710 : Council Workshop) Organization Roadmap
2025 - 2030
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 225 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Contents
1 - Executive Summary
2 - About the Roadmap
4 - About the Work We Do
5 - City Council Priorities
6 - Summary List of Roadmap Projects
8 - Roadmap Projects by Council Priority
17- The Path to Success
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 226 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Executive
Summary
This Organization Roadmap has been
developed as a guide to some of the City’s
critical projects and initiatives over the next
five years.

These include several major events that are on
the horizon. This Roadmap is to help us as a team
in having a common understanding of our overall
direction. We will use this to track these major
projects and initiatives, and to report our progress.

The projects and initiatives listed in this
Roadmap are a subset of the many activities
and responsibilities of our City departments. The
ongoing services that we provide daily to our
residents, businesses, visitors, and employees
are the foundation of our organization and Santa
Monica’s quality of life. Our City budget and website
details those services.

We will report progress to the Council, community and
organization on a periodic basis. As schedules change,
we will note those in our tracking and reporting.

Santa Monica is a dynamic and evolving
community. Our talented employees are the heart
of our ability to excel at what we are committed to
doing. Our values of accountability, equity, inclusion, innovation, resilience, safety, and stewardship
underpin our efforts.

The Organization Roadmap effort is being
coordinated through the City Manager’s Office.

Organization Roadmap | 1
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 227 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) About the Roadmap
The Organization Roadmap includes a
subset of the many projects and initiatives
underway in our organization. Below
shows the building blocks of the work
we do and the differences between our
various parts.

Organization Roadmap:

Largest, most complex projects requiring regular
reporting and attention. These include several
significant projects focused on Council priorities,
some items with broad organizational or
community impact, and initiatives that are a City
Manager priority.

Citywide Work Plan:

The City Manager’s Office maintains a work
plan containing upwards of 300 projects that are
tracked for reporting purposes. Departments
provide status information to the City Manager’s
Office and a report is prepared to be provided to
the City Council.

Departmental Work Plans:

Every department maintains its own set of work
plans. These include items in the Citywide work
plan and Roadmap, but also many other items
that are at the departmental level.

Ongoing City Services:

The City’s budget document provides
information on the many services offered
to the community and internally to our
organization. These serve as the
foundation of what we do
as a City.
2 | City of Santa Monica
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 228 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Developing the Roadmap
The City Manager’s Office coordinated the process and sought engagement from all City departments in developing this Roadmap. Each director identified major projects which require significant resources and staff attention and meet the criteria used for inclusion in the Roadmap.

The Roadmap is intended to include initiatives to track and focus on an organization-wide basis, ensuring cohesive efforts and resource allocation are aligned with our goals. The Roadmap is intentionally designed to be of a manageable size. The City is carrying out many important initiatives and we did not attempt to name all of those in this document.

The City’s annual budget, capital improvement program, multiple plans, and other documents fully state the City’s commitment to a broad range of critical services and ongoing programs that will continue to be funded and supported.

Opportunities and Obstacles
As our team begins to implement this Roadmap, we are
prepared to leverage opportunities and navigate potential obstacles that may arise along the way.

Committed
Workforce
Engaged
Community
Consistent
Values and
Priorities
Unprecedented
Liabilities Competitive
Labor Market
Fiscal
Uncertainties
Deferred
maintenance of
City Facilities,
Vehicle
Replacement,
and
Technologies
Organization Roadmap | 3
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Packet Pg. 229 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Our City operations are the bedrock of the services we deliver to our community. Our employees serve with dedication and commitment.

The core of what we do is captured in our annual budget.

Data points reflect FY 2023-24 year- end actuals.

About the Work We Do

3.5 162,528
aquatic users
310,576
in person visits to 5
libraries
132
park acres
119,519
police calls for service
17,692
fire/ambulance
calls for service
billion gallons
per year of highquality drinking
water delivered
106
new city-funded affordable
housing units opened
23,810
business licenses
issued
$24.8m
agricultural sales at Santa
Monica Farmers’ Markets
52,907
311 requests
96%
clean Power Alliance
participation in 100% clean
power
28 million gallons
per year of stormwater
captured
funding awarded through
the Human Services Grants
Program
$756.3m $10.1m

8.6 citywide FY
budget
million bus riders
4 | City of Santa Monica
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 230 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) City Council Priorities
The City Council’s Strategic Priorities are embedded in our City operations and many specific projects. Some of the projects have been included in this Roadmap. All of those Strategic Priorities are essential to how we deliver our services. Those Priorities are:
• Clean and Safe: Commitment to maintaining and enhancing an atmosphere marked by clean and safe public spaces and neighborhoods.
• Addressing Homelessness: Preventing unhoused Santa Monicans from becoming homeless, increasing the supply of affordable housing, and advocating for regional capacity to address homelessness.
• Economic Growth and Cultural Vitality: Cultivating economic opportunity and recovery and investing in amenities and programs for all community members. • Justice, Equity and Diversity: Advancing racial equity, justice, and social diversity to improve the wellbeing of people who live, work, learn, play, and do business in Santa Monica. • Sustainable and Connected: Enhancing our resources, preventing and remedying harm to the natural environment and human health, and benefiting the social and economic wellbeing of the community.

The following Organizational Priority is also included in this Roadmap, as follows:
• Good Governance and Modernization: Cultivate a trustworthy and participatory local government through equitable, transparent, and effective delivery of services.

Organization Roadmap | 5
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 231 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Summary List of Roadmap Projects
The following is a list of projects in the Roadmap,
presented in the order they appear in the subsequent section.

Implement Fire Department Strategic Plan
Implement Vision Zero Initiative
Implement Police Department Strategic Plan
Community Infrastructure and Deferred Maintenance
Facilitate production of additional housing, with an emphasis on affordable housing and permanent supportive housing
Develop and implement a comprehensive
Homelessness Strategic Plan
Address Community Behavioral Health Needs
Monitor adopted zoning code and planning tools to allow for more housing and ensure compliance through Housing
Element period
Prepare for 2028 Olympics
Adopt Cannabis Equity Program
Complete Airport Conversion Planning and Closure Process Implement revitalization strategy for Civic Center Auditorium 6 | City of Santa Monica
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 232 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Implement local economic growth and
tourism strategies
Develop and Implement Citywide Equity Plan
Implement workforce development
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) plan
Implement the Reframe Program through
the Arts to create and build equitable
civic spaces
Implement Climate Action and Adaptation
Plan (CAAP) and the Sustainable City Plan
Achieve Water Self Sufficiency
(Sustainable Water Master Plan)
Reach Carbon Neutrality (CAAP)
Achieve Zero Waste
(Zero Waste Strategic Plan)
Big Blue Bus Fleet Electrification conversion
Safeguard City assets through policies that
ensure fiscal solvency and support local
economic growth
Significant Land Use / Planning Initiatives
Organization Roadmap | 7
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 233 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Roadmap Projects By
Council Priority
Projects have been listed on the following
pages by Council Priority for ease of reference.

Where available, links to relevant documents
are included.

Each project and milestone includes an
anticipated completion date, including a
calendar quarter and year.
8 | City of Santa Monica
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 234 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Council Priority: Clean and Safe
= Milestones
Implement the Fire Department Strategic Plan
Q2 - 2028 | Fire Department Sustained organizational vitality focused on employee health, continuous improvement and professional growth
Q2 - 2028 | Fire Department Evaluate that the department is aligned with community values, needs, and service expectations through various strategies
Q1 - 2026 | Fire Department Emergency Medical Services evaluation and assess feasibility of inhouse ambulance services and pursue implementation if approved Q4 - 2026 | Fire Department Improved organizational systems and processes to improve fee collection and technology
Q1 - 2028 | Fire Department Determine if services, programs, and resources are appropriate to carry out the department mission
PROJECT 1 - Q2-2028
Implement the Police Department Strategic Plan
Q2 - 2025 | Police Department Launch Santa Monica Analytical Real Time Center Q2 - 2025 | Police Department Enhance police department recruitment strategy Q1 - 2026 | Police Department Modernize police department technologies Q1 - 2026 | Police Department Reinforce and strengthen employee resilience strategies Ongoing | Police Department Enhance Traffic Safety
Ongoing | Police Department Enhance Community Engagement Ongoing | Police Department Enhance and Improve Field Training Officer Program PROJECT 3 - Q1-2026
Improve community infrastructure and deferred maintenance Q4 - 2027 | Public Works Complete Pier Bridge Replacement Project (demo Q1 - 2026) Q3 - 2028 | Public Works Memorial Park Master Plan Phase - 1 completion (demo Q1 - 2027) Q2 - 2026 | Public Works 2026 CIP Bond Program Recommendations Q4 - 2025 | Public Works Update Park and Recreation Master Plan Q4 - 2026 | Department of Transportation Parking Structure 1 Options PROJECT 4 - Q3-2028
Implement Vision Zero Initiative aiming to bring the number of fatal and severe injury crashes on our streets down to zero by 2026
Q4 - 2026 | Public Works Broadway and Colorado Avenue Improvements Q4 - 2025 | Public Works Six Schools Pedestrian Improvements Q2 - 2026 | Department of Transportation Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Study Q3 - 2027 | Department of Transportation Wilshire Safety Study implementation Phase - 2 PROJECT 2 - Q3-2027
Organization Roadmap | 9
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 235 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Council Priority: Addressing Homelessness
= Milestones
Facilitate production of additional housing, with an emphasis on affordable housing and permanent supportive housing
Q2 - 2029 | Housing and Human Services Complete affordable housing project at 1318 4th Street (previously Parking Structure 3)
Q4 - 2025 | Housing and Human Services Evaluate and Identify an Alternative Location for SaMoShel Q4 - 2025 | Housing and Human Services Advance City-owned sites for future development Q4 - 2027 | Housing and Human Services Complete affordable housing project at 1217 Euclid Street Q4 - 2028 | Housing and Human Services Complete affordable housing project at 1211-1217 14th Street/1402 Wilshire Boulevard Site
PROJECT 1 - Q4-2029
Develop and implement a comprehensive Homelessness Strategic Plan Q1 - 2025 | Housing and Human Services Council approval of the Homelessness Strategic Plan Q1 - 2025 | Housing and Human Services Develop implementation strategy Q1 - 2026 | Housing and Human Services Implementation of plan progress and reporting tool PROJECT 2 - Q1-2026
10 | City of Santa Monica
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 236 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Create and implement a
comprehensive plan to address
community behavioral health needs
Q2 - 2025 | Housing and Human Services
Establish a plan for expanded behavioral
health services for youth
Q2 - 2025 | Housing and Human Services
Expand Department of Mental Health Van
Therapeutic Transport Team
Q1 - 2025 | Housing and Human Services
Present Behavioral Health Strategy
Q2 - 2025 | City Attorney’s Office
Implementation of Prop 47 Grant
PROJECT 3 - Q2-2025
Monitor all adopted zoning code and
planning tools to allow for more housing
and ensure compliance through the
entire Housing Element period
Q4 - 2029 | Community Development
Implement adaptive reuse ordinance and new
construction technologies
Q4 - 2029 | Community Development
Implement Affordable Housing Preservation
Program (AHPP) amendments - Part 2
Q4 - 2029 | Community Development
Implement Bergamot Area Plan amendments
Q4 - 2029 | Community Development
Implement Low Barrier Navigation Center use
Q4 - 2029 | Community Development
Implement Housing Element streamlining
design review for housing projects
PROJECT 4 -Q4-2029
Organization Roadmap | 11
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 237 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Prepare for the 2028 Olympics
Q2 - 2027 | City Manager’s Office Create a mobility plan with transit Q4 - 2025 | City Manager’s Office Examine potential of sponsorship opportunities for Games related activities
Q1 - 2026 (FIFA) and Q1 - 2027 (Olympics) | City Manager’s Office Develop a plan for venue and activation opportunities. (City and private sites) Q1 - 2028 | City Manager’s Office Launch Celebrate28
Q4 - 2026 | City Manager’s Office Create a City volunteer program Q2 - 2026 | Public Works Big Event Sustainability Plan
PROJECT 1 - Q1-2028
Adopt the Cannabis Social Equity Program
Q3 - 2025 | Community Development Cannabis Social Equity Program/ Ordinance
PROJECT 2 - Q3-2025
PROJECT 3 - Q1-2029
Complete the airport conversion planning and closure process Q4 - 2025 | Public Works Council adopted preferred scenario Q2 - 2028 | Public Works CEQA/EIR Certification
Q2 - 2028 | Public Works Closure vote and vote for the municipal code updates Q3 - 2028 | Public Works Send FAA Official Closure notices Q1 - 2029 | Public Works Airport Closure
Implement a revitalization strategy for the Civic Center Auditorium
Q4 - 2025 | Community Development Revitalization Partners Group to submit comprehensive project scope and timeline
PROJECT 4 - Q1-2025
Council Priority:

Economic Growth and Cultural Vitality
= Milestones
12 | City of Santa Monica
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 238 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Implement local economic growth and tourism strategies
Q3 - 2025 | City Manager’s Office Select Film Permitting Partner Q4 - 2026 | Recreation and Arts Implement “Art Everywhere” Q3 - 2025 | Community Development Establish Entertainment Zone Q4 - 2026 | Community Development Entertainment Zone Evaluation Q4 - 2025 | City Manager’s Office Big Event Planning/Brand activations Q2 - 2027 | Information Services Permitting System Implementation Ongoing | Community Development Facilitate Permitting and Construction of Significant Hotel Projects
PROJECT 5 - Q2-2027
Organization Roadmap | 13
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 239 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Council Priority:

Justice, Equity, and Diversity
= Milestones
Implement the workforce development Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) plan Q1 - 2030 | Police Department Police 30 x 30 Initiative Q4 - 2025 | Human Resources Update the City’s Classification and Compensation Methodology Q2 - 2025 | Human Resources Formalize communication strategy for employees without email accounts Ongoing | City Manager’s Office SaMo Mentoring Initiative PROJECT 2 - Q1-2030
Implement the Acknowledge + Reframe Together Program to create and build equitable civic spaces through the arts
Q2 - 2027 | Recreation and Arts City Hall Mural project implementation Q3 - 2025 | Recreation and Arts Creating exhibition space on the 2nd floor of City Hall Q2 - 2028 | Recreation and Arts Bay Street Beach Memorial Q3 - 2027 | Recreation and Arts Historic Monuments Landmarking Criteria and Inventory PROJECT 3 - Q2-2028
Implement the Citywide Equity Plan
Q2 - 2025 | City Manager’s Office Adopt Equity Roadmap
Q2 - 2025 | Finance Begin implementing results of Procurement Disparity Study Q2 - 2025 | City Manager’s Office Recommend structure and approach for a reparations program Q2 - 2025 | Housing and Human Services Launch and implement Senior Aging and People with Disabilities Plan PROJECT 1 - Q2-2025
14 | City of Santa Monica
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 240 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Council Priority: Sustainable and Connected
= Milestones
Achieve Zero Waste through implementation of the Zero Waste Strategic Plan Q3 - 2025 | Public Works Council adopted Zero Waste Plan update PROJECT 4 - Q3-2025
Implement the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) and Sustainable City Plan Q1 - 2026 | Public Works Complete Phase - 3 Beach Dune Project (CAAP) Q4 - 2026 | Public Works Update the Sustainable City Plan PROJECT 1 - Q4-2026
Achieve Water self-sufficiency through the Sustainable Water Master Plan Q3 - 2025 | Public Works Arcadia Water Treatment Plant Upgrades Q4 - 2026 | Public Works Install two new injection wells (City Yards and Olympic Boulevard) Q2 - 2027 | Public Works Expansion of recycled water line PROJECT 2 - Q2-2027
Convert to electrification of the Big Blue Bus Fleet
Q1 - 2028 | Public Works Bus charging infrastructure (Phases 1-6) Q3 - 2031 | Public Works 100% Big Blue Bus fleet conversion and charging infrastructure (Phases 7-9) PROJECT 5 - Q3-2031
Reach Carbon Neutrality
Q1 - 2025 | Public Works Implement Building Electrification: New Construction Q3 - 2025 | Public Works Implement Building Electrification: Existing Buildings Q4 - 2026 | Public Works EV infrastructure upgrades
Q3 - 2025 | Public Works Maintaining Clean Power Alliance participation messaging plan PROJECT 3 - Q4-2026
Organization Roadmap | 15
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Packet Pg. 241 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Organizational Priority: Good Governance and Modernization = Milestones
Safeguard City assets through policies that ensure fiscal solvency and support local economic growth
Q4 - 2026 | Finance Manage financial liabilities, including evaluating community partnerships and bonding Q2 - 2027 | Finance Rebuild City reserves to 15% minimum levels Q4 - 2025 | Information Services Develop recommended approach for a Data, Analytics and AI platform Q2 - 2025 | Information Services Implement Technology Governance Structure Q3 - 2025 | Community Development Land sales and evaluate other potential sites Q3 - 2025 | Department of Transportation Evaluate Citywide Parking Rates Q3 - 2025 | Public Works Establish 2025-2029 Water and Wastewater Rates PROJECT 1 - Q2-2027
Implement significant Land Use and Planning initiatives Q4 - 2027 | Community Development Initiate process with Council study session to update Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE)
Q3 - 2029 | Community Development Complete LUCE update
Q1 - 2025 | Community Development Safety Element update Q4 - 2027 | Community Development Concepts and Framework for Housing Element update Q3 - 2025 | Community Development Local Coasta Plan update PROJECT 2 - Q3-2029
16 | City of Santa Monica
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 242 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) The Path to Success
The success of these projects will take the
collaboration of many people – our City
departments and employees, our elected
officials, and various stakeholders.

The City Manager’s Office will track milestones with
City departments and report progress to the City
Council, community, and employees.

We appreciate the work that went into the Roadmap
by each City department. We know that the projects
listed are significant and are part of the regular,
ongoing work of providing valued services to our
community and internal services to our staff. We
welcome feedback on this document in the spirit of
continuous improvement.

Key Contact:

City Manager’s Office
Sergio Ramirez, Chief of Staff
[email protected]
Organization Roadmap | 17
Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 243 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) 1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-8411 | santamonica.gov
Prepared by:

Attachment H

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Packet Pg. 244 Attachment: Organizational Roadmap [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop)

CITY OF SANTA MONICA, CA

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
2025-2026
The City of Santa Monica, California is an innovative, progressive, and diverse beachfront community of approximately 93,000 residents on the Southern California coast.

Historically, the City Council’s key legislative priorities have been focused in the following policy areas:
 Affordability
 Addressing Homelessness
 Climate Change
 Keeping Neighborhoods Safe
 Enhancing Mobility and Access
 Engaged and Thriving Community
This document continues a focus on the following priorities:
• Addressing Homelessness: Prevent housed Santa Monicans from becoming homeless and increase the supply of affordable housing, address the behavioral health needs of vulnerable individuals and advocate for regional capacity to address homelessness. • Clean & Safe Santa Monica: Create an atmosphere marked by clean and safe public spaces and neighborhoods, including parks for recreation and leisure activities. • Cultivate Economic Recovery & Expand Community & Cultural Offerings: Cultivate economic opportunity and recovery and invest in community and cultural amenities and programs for all community members, focused on expanding opportunities for youth, teens and seniors.
• Racial Justice, Equity & Social Diversity: The City of Santa Monica acknowledges the effects of generational and institutional racism and discrimination, and their consequences that continue to impact our residents and businesses. These lessons of our history cannot be ignored. The City is committed to advancing racial equity and social diversity to improve the wellbeing of people who live, work, learn, play, and do business in our City and creating a community where differences in life outcomes cannot be predicted by race, class, gender identity, disability or other identities.

Everyone in Santa Monica must have an opportunity to thrive. • Sustainable & Connected Community: Ensure that City policies and programs enhance our resources, prevent and remedy harm to the natural environment and human health, and benefit the social and economic wellbeing of the community for the sake of current and future generations.

The City’s priorities are reflected in the policy positions outlined below for engagement in federal policy and regulatory initiatives and to secure resources (e.g., grants, authorizations and appropriations) to invest in priority projects and programs.

Attachment I

11.B.i
Packet Pg. 245 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop)

ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS
Homelessness
• Support legislation and secure federal resources, either directly or in partnership with other entities, that address and prevent homelessness with innovative strategies that maintain and expand the inventory of affordable housing; protect low-income renters from discrimination and eviction; promote income stability; provide direct services and varied housing options for people experiencing homelessness or at high risk of homelessness including veterans, older adults and people with disabilities; • Support funding for alternatives to incarceration for adults and youth, regardless of housing status;
• Support legislation to ensure individuals are utilizing Housing First when offered suitable housing options and seeks to minimize individuals declining these resources when they are offered.
• Support legislation that allows for data sharing between municipalities and treatment providers;
• Support legislation that safeguards against the criminalization of homelessness; • Support legislation that expands and increases flexibility of affordable housing funding to allow for construction of varied housing types in one development, such as transitional housing paired with permanent supportive housing; • Support legislation that expands and increases flexibility of affordable housing funding to provide for development of in-patient and higher need beds to ensure individuals are not placed into permanent supportive housing due to lack of other adequate housing options.

Health
• Support legislation and secure federal resources that support mental health care (e.g., access to psychiatric facilities, behavioral health care treatment, and mobile and streetbased services). • Support legislation that expands the definition of “gravely disabled” and allows for additional flexibility in conservatorship as a tool in mental health care treatment, behavioral health care treatment, or substance use treatment to ensure individuals are not discharged to the streets;
• Secure federal resources for education and training of paramedics and other emergency medical service personnel and uniformed officers in their ability to be responsive to those individuals experiencing homelessness and living in our community, including how to utilize the expanded criteria under SB43;

11.B.i
Packet Pg. 246 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop) • Support legislation to reform mental health and substance use disorder treatment access, including legislation that destigmatizes and normalizes behavioral health as part of primary health care to be covered by public and private health plans; • Support legislation to increase federal funding that is flexible for building varied housing options to support individuals as they move through the spectrum of behavioral health services;
• Support legislation that removes barriers to and expands the availability of mental health and substance use disorder treatment;
• Support legislation to expand funding to provide adequate mental, behavioral health, and substance use treatments for youth, as well as funding to cover construction costs to develop these services where lacking and funding staff positions related to these areas within schools or via service providers;
Housing/Tenant Protection
• Support legislation and expand funding resources to provide for the creation of safe, decent and affordable housing to meet the City’s diverse needs and contribute to the well-being of all residents;
• Support legislation that allocates funding to provide services to individuals who have housing vouchers but are unable to find eligible housing; • Support legislation that secures additional federal resources for HUD-funded affordable housing programs (e.g., HOME, Section 8);
• Support legislation to allocate federal resources and regulatory support for the “Preserving our Diversity” (POD) program;
• Support legislation to expand funding to provide support to housing unstable individuals to cover basic needs such as food and medicine;
• Support legislation to prevent CalFRESH benefits being reduced for unstably housed individuals receiving support for basic necessities;
• Support legislation and secure federal resources to provide housing opportunities combined with effective and ample supportive services, including healthcare services. • Support legislation to increase the funding for the Section 8 Housing Voucher program and increase the payment standards.
• Support legislation to expand HUD voucher types to allow more flexibility for allowable Area Median Income (AMI) to support individuals who are above the 80-100% AMI range but are still rent burdened;
• Support legislation to expand affordable housing funding to provide housing to a broadened demographic, including individuals who are above the 100% AMI level, as well as a broadened array of housing types;

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Packet Pg. 247 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop)

CLEAN AND SAFE SANTA MONICA
• Support legislation and secure federal resources that enhance law enforcement and emergency services to maintain a safe environment and quality of life for City residents and visitors.
• Support legislation that provides funding for debris removal for structures burned following a wildfire
• Support legislation that would provide resources to local governments to respond and remove graffiti from and litter from Interstate Highways. • Support legislation that provides funding and resources to implement improved security measures for major transportation corridors (eg. Interstate freeways) to increase safety and reduce unauthorized access.
• Support legislation to provide full funding for the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant; additional funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program; the Byrne/Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) programs as well as integrated public safety communications systems.
• Support legislation authorizing providing federal resources to support the Police Department’s current and ongoing equipment needs (i.e., real-time crime center, tablets, in-car camera system, mobile command center equipment, forensic equipment, records management and system updates, and data tracking systems). • Support legislation that provides resources to provide mental health training for public safety officers and first responders and to hire mental health professionals to support local law enforcement activities in the community.
• Support legislation that provides federal resources to cover costs of implicit bias and cultural training for sworn and non-sworn personnel.
• Support legislation and federal resources that promote the safety and constitutional rights of our citizens and bring greater transparency and accountability to law enforcement.
• Support legislation and secure federal resources that advances the model of community-based 21st century policing.
• Support common sense gun safety legislation including a ban on assault weapons, ghost guns and high-capacity magazines and a requirement for a federal background check before the purchase of a gun or high-capacity ammunition. • Support legislation and federal funding for the advancement of the Safe Systems Approach and the realization of Vision Zero, to end crashes resulting in fatal or severe injuries, through infrastructure, policy, enforcement, education, and vehicle safety standards.

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Packet Pg. 248 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop) • Support legislation that provides federal resources for mobile crisis intervention programs or other alternate dispatch strategies that provide response to mental health or addiction crises where public safety is not at risk
• Support legislation to provide federal funding for community paramedic and Mobile Integrated Health(MIH) initiatives which play a critical role in addressing behavioral health, supporting vulnerable adults , and assisting individuals with substance use challenges.

CULTIVATE ECONOMIC RECOVERY & EXPAND COMMUNITY & CULTURAL OFFERINGS • Support legislation that provides for new direct, flexible emergency fiscal relief for all cities, with an equitable funding formula not solely calculated by population size. • Support legislation that would provide federal resources to assist localities in high-speed broadband, and public space projects, and /workforce development. • Support legislation that provides flexible funding and specific set-asides for tourism and hospitality sectors, including businesses in these sectors and their workers. • Support legislation that creates opportunities for and invests in artists and other creative workers.
• Support legislation/seek funding that supports working families in regard to securing affordable, high-quality childcare.
• Support legislation that provides financial stabilization to local childcare providers to remain operational.

Support legislation and federal resources for cities impacted by the expected increase in visitors due to the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.RACIAL JUSTICE, EQUITY & SOCIAL DIVERSITY • Support legislation that assures everyone the right to equal treatment in all government-sponsored benefits or funded programs.
• Support legislation to protect the civil, fair housing, and equitable employment rights of all persons.
• Support legislation that promotes equal opportunity and treatment for people of all races and addresses systematic racism against African Americans. • Support legislation to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
• Support legislation that calls for comprehensive immigration reform and border security that is thoughtful in manner and guided by our nation's principles of due process, human rights, accountability, and equal protection for all under the law. • Support legislation that promotes LGBTQ+ inclusion and stands firmly against homophobia and transphobia.

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Packet Pg. 249 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop)

SUSTAINABLE & CONNECTED COMMUNITY
• Support legislation and secure resources for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and protection and preservation of our environment and public health. • Support legislation and secure federal resources to enhance the City’s continued investment in renewable energy, green buildings, green public transit and infrastructure, to meet the City’s carbon neutrality goal. • Support legislation and secure federal resources that allow for the creation of sustainable water and wastewater infrastructure, including reuse, treatment, conservation and sustainability, in order to reach the City’s water self-sufficiency goal. • Support legislation and secure federal resources that assist local governments in developing and implementing energy efficiency, conservation, and generation strategies that maximize available resources, reduce costs, and expand community access. • Support legislation and secure federal resources that assist municipalities in their composting, recycling and waste reduction efforts to reach the City’s zero waste goal. • Support legislation and secure resources that assist municipalities in their sustainable procurement, extended producer responsibility and circular economy efforts • Support legislation and secure federal funding that support community resiliency efforts regarding climate change, sea level rise, biological and radiological events. • Support federal incentives that assist local governments in developing and implementing transportation, land use and building policies that encourage maximum use of resources and lower energy consumption.
• Support legislation and secure federal resources to increase usage of green modes of transportation among residents and visitors through infrastructure projects (such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities and transit facility enhancements) and supportive programs (such as safe routes to school and Vision Zero). • Support continued funding of the Federal Highways Program especially the Highway Bridge Rehabilitation Program.
• Support legislation to secure federal rsoursces for roadway maintenance. • Support legislation to provide funding for ADA upgrades (accessible pathway) along the Pier.
• Secure federal resources to adapt infrastructure for Smart City needs (signaling system, transit signal priority, parking system, data sensors, security cameras, autonomous vehicles).
• Support federal resources to expand EV infrastructure, including parking structures and charging stations, and to incentivize property owners to install EV infrastructure in single-family and multi-family dwellings.
• Support legislation that ensures local governments can continue, without preemption, their efforts to electrify buildings and secure resources for alternative energy solutions,

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Packet Pg. 250 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop) such as solar plus storage, to enhance emergency preparedness, community resiliency, and public facility EVs and charging infrastructure.

For more information:

Charmayne Anderson
Partner
The Ferguson Group
(202) 261-6016
[email protected]

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Packet Pg. 251 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop) City of Santa Monica
State Legislative Platform
2025-2026

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Packet Pg. 252 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop)

CITY OF SANTA MONICA
2025-2026 STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
The City of Santa Monica, California is an innovative, progressive, and diverse beachfront community of approximately 93,000 residents on the Southern California coast.

Addressing Homelessness: Prevent housed Santa Monicans from becoming homeless and increase the supply of affordable housing; address the behavioral health needs of vulnerable individuals; and advocate for regional capacity to address homelessness.

Clean and Safe Santa Monica: Create an atmosphere marked by clean and safe public spaces and neighborhoods, including parks for recreation and leisure activities.

Cultivate Economic Recovery & Expand Community and Cultural Offerings: Cultivate economic opportunity and recovery and invest in community and cultural amenities and programs for all community members, focused on expanding opportunities for youth, teens and seniors.

Racial Justice, Equity, and Social Diversity: The City of Santa Monica acknowledges the effects of generational and institutional racism and discrimination, and their consequences that continue to impact our residents and businesses. These lessons of our history cannot be ignored. The City is committed to advancing racial equity and social diversity to improve the wellbeing of people who live, work, learn, play, and do business in our City and creating a community where differences in life outcomes cannot be predicted by race, class, gender identity, disability or other identities. Everyone in Santa Monica must have an opportunity to thrive.

Sustainable and Connected Community: Ensure that City policies and programs enhance our resources, prevent and remedy harm to the natural environment and human health, and benefit the social and economic wellbeing of the community for the sake of current and future generations.

The priorities are reflected in the policy positions outlined below, which also includes other noted goals and objectives separately identified, but consistent with City priorities, to guide engagement with state Legislators and the Governor’s Administration on legislative and regulatory matters.

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Packet Pg. 253 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop)

ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS

HOMELESSNESS
 Support legislation and secure resources, either directly or in partnership with other entities, that address and prevent homelessness with innovative strategies that maintain and expand the inventory of affordable and permanent supportive housing; protect low-income renters from discrimination and eviction; promotesincome stability; provide direct services and varied housing options for people experiencing homelessness or at high risk of homelessness.
 Support funding for alternatives to incarceration for adults and youth, regardless of housing status.
 Support legislation to ensure individuals are utilizing Housing First when offered suitable housing options and seeks to minimize individuals declining these resources when they are offered.
 Support legislation that allows for data sharing between municipalities and treatment providers;
 Support legislation that safeguards against the criminalization of homelessness;  Support legislation to expand and add flexibility for affordable housing funding to allow for construction of varied housing types in one development, such as transitional housing paired with permanent supportive housing;  Support legislation to expand affordable housing funding to provide for development of in-patient and higher need beds to ensure individuals are not placed into permanent supportive housing due to lack of other adequate housing options.
 Support a balanced approach in addressing homelessness legislatively that considers the need for assistance and services for people experiencing homelessness while providing for the health, safety, and welfare of all people in Santa Monica, and advocate for regional initiatives involving county, state, and federal governments to reduce chronic homelessness.
 Support legislation that would provide state resources to address and prevent homelessness directly to cities.
 Seek resources for street based multi-disciplinary outreach and street medicine teams for those affected by homelessness and behavioral health issues.  Support state investment for homeless services, homelessness prevention, and rapid re- housing/supportive housing to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness and the chronically homeless veterans in the City.  Support legislation aimed at reforming the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act so that individuals who are gravely mentally ill can be placed under a court-ordered conservatory to prevent harming themselves or others.
 Support legislation that requires the appointment of local educational agencies to identify homeless youth.
 Support efforts to end youth homelessnessin the state.

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Packet Pg. 254 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop)  Support legislation and resources that facilitate the expedited identification, assessment, and linkage of homelessindividuals to housing and supportive services.  Support legislation that allows for appropriate data sharing between municipalities and treatment providers.
 Support legislation that safeguards against the criminalization of homelessness.  Support legislation to strengthen the Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Act, which provides for the Judicial Council to appoint legal representation for unrepresented low-income parties in civil mattersinvolving critical issues affecting basic human needs, including in unlawful detainer matters.
 Support legislation that would allow for the establishment of community paramedicine programs.
 Support legislation that would allow first responders to take those experiencing acute behavioral health crises to alternate destination healthcare facilities.  Support legislation and resources to provide mental health training for public safety officers and to hire behavioral health and other social work professionals for alternative responses to non-violent calls for service.
 Support the Care Act, which creates a new pathway to deliver mental health and substance use disorder services to the most severely impaired Californians to help prevent them from falling into homelessness or incarceration.  Oppose legislation addressing homelessness that fails to prioritize a housing-first approach as the foundation for effective and sustainable solutions.

HOUSING
 Support increase in funding from the state to develop affordable housing.  Support increase in funding from the state to rehabilitate aging and dilapidated buildings into affordable housing.
 Support legislation and resources that would provide housing and other services for veterans at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration site.  Support legislation allowing local governments to utilize state facilities such as armories to provide emergency housing to the homeless.
 Support legislation that exempts from CEQA the construction of emergency shelters, supportive housing, and affordable housing, including motel and hotel conversions to transitional housing.
 Support legislation and secure resources that provide for the creation and preservation of affordable housing and permanent supportive housing in the City.  Support legislation and budget resources that fund and support the construction of affordable housing and permanent supportive housing programs.  Support the expedited CEQA administrative and judicial review procedure established by the Jobs and Economic Improvement Through Environmental Leadership Act for “environmental leadership development projects” and expands the Act’s eligibility to include smaller housing projects.
 Support legislation that would call for the zoning and building of affordable housing on

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Packet Pg. 255 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop) surplus or underutilized state properties.
 Support legislation that streamlines the RHNA planning process.  Support legislation that establishes a fair and equitable formula for how allocations are made to localities under the RHNA planning process and seek state resources to fund the construction of affordable housing in furtherance of those allocations.  Support legislation and state programs that create an inventory of potentially seismically vulnerable buildings and/or provide funding resources for the seismic retrofit of such properties.
 Support legislation that prohibits discrimination in housing based on veteran or military status.
 Support legislation that repeals Article 34 of the California State Constitution.  Support legislation that incentivizes the supply of social housing and co-housing in the state.
 Support legislation that incentivizes and streamlines the process to construct accessible dwelling units.
 Support legislation that promotes the production of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in the Coastal Zone by removing onerous parking requirements in existing laws and regulations.
 Support legislation that exempts all urban infill housing development from CEQA.  Support legislation to increase the debt service when cities are developing affordable housing on a city-owned sites.
 Support legislation, and seek amendments to proposed legislation, that recognize the achievements of Pro-Housing Designated Cities by upholding local autonomy over land-use decision and excluding these cities form onerous new regulations, provided they remain in compliance with their HCD-approved housing plans.

CLEAN AND SAFE SANTA MONICA

PUBLIC SAFETY
 Support legislation and resources available to local first responders in the event of wildfires, earthquakes, and other events.
 Support legislation to authorize superior courts to develop and implement mental health courts, which may operate as a pre-trial diversion program or a deferred entry of judgment program.
 Supports legislation that restricts the manufacture, importation, and sale of any device capable of converting an ammunition-feeding device into a high-capacity magazine.  Support legislation that will require a person to apply to obtain, from the Department of Justice, a unique serial number or other mark of identification prior to manufacturing or assembling a firearm in order to restrict the use of “ghost guns”.  Support legislation that restricts the quantity of firearms and ammunition sold in this state, including expanding the list of persons prohibited from purchasing a firearm;

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Packet Pg. 256 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop) prohibit individuals under the age of 21 from purchasing a firearm; requiring background checks of those wishing to purchase a firearm; and supporting additional taxes on retailers who sell firearms or ammunition.
 Support legislation that maintains local control on cannabis cultivation, distribution, and sales within the City.
 Support legislation that seeks to eradicate human trafficking.  Support legislation that prohibits a law enforcement agency from authorizing the use of a carotid restraint or choke hold.
 Support legislation that will have the state Department of Justice review local use-offorce policies upon the request of local law enforcement agencies.  Support legislation that promotes alternatives to incarceration and that aim to end systemic racism and disparities in the treatment of people of color within the criminal justice system.
 Support legislation and initiatives that seek to reform the criminal justice system’s sentencing guidelines and practices that have disproportionately impacted people of color.
 Support legislation that improves California’s existing conceal-carry weapon laws to address the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in New York Rifle and Pistol Association v Bruen by ensuring that those carrying firearms in public are law-abiding citizens who do not pose a danger to themselves or others; are at least 21 years of age; and identify certain areas where guns may not be carried.
 Support legislation and resources that support the behavioral health needs and wellbeing of public safety personnel.
 Support legislation that requires adequate funding and resources accompany any proposed training mandates for officers.

PARKS AND OPEN SPACE
 Support legislation and resources to protect and expand access to the City’s beaches.  Support legislation that bans smoking and vaping on state beaches and parks.  Support legislation and resources to protect existing parks, wetlands, community open spaces, and coastal resources.
 Support legislation that provides funding for rehabilitation, development, and capital improvements of local parks and community facilities.
 Support legislation and bond measures that provide grants to local governments to fund parks and capital improvements, as well as recreation programs that enhance the quality of life for residents.

CULTIVATE ECONOMIC RECOVERY & EXPAND COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL OFFERINGS

DIRECT RELIEF FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

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Packet Pg. 257 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop)  Support legislation or regulatory efforts to ensure that local governments can provide essential city services in a safe and efficient manner, including securing budget resources to improve existing city infrastructure.
 Support legislation that allocates state revenues to backfill local government loses due to major disruptions or significant emergencies, like pandemics, wildfires, and other disasters. Funding should be determined with an equitable funding formula not solely calculated by population.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
 Support legislation that provides funding and other resources to aid in the recovery of the tourism and hospitality sectors, including businesses in these sectors and their workers, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic or recent wildfires.  Support legislation and administrative efforts to provide regulatory flexibility to allow local businesses to re-open in a safe manner.
 Support legislation that provides local governments more flexibility in permitting outdoor dining and entertainment to support local business and community needs.  Support legislation that streamlines the process and provides incentives for small businesses to open and expand operations in California while maintaining local control.  Support legislation and funding resources to streamline state and local permitting processes for cannabis businesses while maintaining local control.  Support legislation to provide greater protections to businesses in California regarding third-party Americans with Disability Act frivolous claims and lawsuits.  Support legislation to allow municipalities to adopt and incentivize local purchase preferencesin support of buying local, small businesses and minority-owned businesses.

TENANT PROTECTION/ACCESS TO HOUSING
 Support legislation that provides rent relief to commercial and residential tenants impacted by major disruptions or significant emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or recent wild fires.
 Support legislation and resources for eviction prevention, including legal aid.  Support legislation that protects local governments’ ability to regulate transient residential hosting platforms.
 Support legislation that increases the renter’s tax credit.  Support legislation that amends or repeals the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act.  Support legislation that increases tenant protections and eliminates the incentive for property owners to remove rent control eligible properties from the rental market through the Ellis Act or other means.
 Support legislation and secure resources to advance local efforts to advance the goals of the Fair Housing Act including ending the historic racial discrimination in housing and to satisfy Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing.
 Support legislation and secure resources that expand diverse opportunities for

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Packet Pg. 258 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop) affordable home ownership and allow for the transition from renters to owners by residents.
 Support legislation that increases equitable and affordable housing access, with a particular focus on areas that historically excluded diverse populations and affordable housing.
 Support legislation that facilitates increased housing production in the City without undermining the City's adopted affordability and inclusionary requirements.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
 Support legislation to implement any new or alternative approaches to replace redevelopment funding mechanisms.
 Support legislation that protects the City’s transient occupancy tax revenues.  Support legislation that strengthens and expands ongoing revenuesfor the City.  Support legislation and resources that will provide tangible and productive tools and incentives to support job creation and retention.
 Support legislation to increase the amount of state tax credits for qualified expenditures of motion pictures in California.
 Support legislation that creates opportunities for and invests in artists and other creative workers.
 Support legislation that streamlines the process and provides incentives for street vendors to go through the applicable local permitting process.  Support legislation and resources to support and encourage partnerships with public schools, colleges, universities, and local municipalities to expand workforce development efforts, with a focus on career pathways and employment in high growth sectors.
 Support legislation that protects and reinforces local authority over taxes and fees, ensuring cities maintain the ability to address community needs effectively

COMMUNITY WELLBEING
 Support legislation and resources that support mental health (e.g., access to psychiatric facilities, behavioral health care treatment, and street-based services).  Support legislation and resources for youth mental health services, including suicide prevention services.
 Support legislation that mandates schools to offer one or more coursesin mental health education in middle school or high school.
 Support legislation that mandates requirement on health plans and disability insurers to cover medically necessary treatment of mental health and substance use disorders under the same terms and conditions applied to other medical conditions.  Support legislation that requires the state Department of Public Health to provide opioid antagonist kits free of charge to as many designated facilities as possible in counties experiencing an opioid overdose crisis, along with easy-to-understand instructions on the administration of the opioid antagonist nasal spray.

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Packet Pg. 259 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop)  Support legislation that would require schools (K-12 and Higher Education), stadiums, concert venues, and amusements parks to maintain doses of naloxone hydrochloride or other opioid antagonists.
 Support legislation that authorizes a pharmacist to furnish an opioid antagonist approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, subject to completion of continuing education on the use of opioid antagonists.
 Support legislation and resources for school and college facility maintenance and construction.
 Support legislation and resources, including bonding authority for library construction and maintenance.
 Support legislation that encourages partnerships between libraries and local school districts.
 Support legislation and resources encouraging the provision of accessible, affordable, high-quality childcare.
 Support legislation and resources to expand the development of quality before- and after-school programs.
 Support legislation that provides for aging with dignity.  Support legislation and resources for local arts activities and historic preservation in community life.
 Support legislation and funding for the restoration and/or enhancement of arts programs in public schools.
 Support legislation that allows for the continuation of virtual public meetings to allow for flexibility and greater participation, particularly during a state of emergency.  Support legislation and funding for community broadband and infrastructure investments in public parks, beaches, libraries and other public facilities, affordable housing developments and neighborhood commercial districts.  Support legislation to address the issue of noise pollution caused by illegally modified or otherwise out of compliance exhaust systems.

RACIAL JUSTICE, EQUITY & SOCIAL DIVERSITY
 Support legislation and resources for the development of restorative justice programs at the state level and in local communities.
 Support legislation that would ensure cities and counties provide adequate opportunities for the development of multi-family mixed-income and affordable housing within high-opportunity areas, while simultaneously protecting and investing in sensitive communities at risk of displacement.
 Support legislation that establishes community anti-displacement and preservation programs.
 Support legislation that limits the circumstances under which local law enforcement officials can interact with and assist federal immigration officials and oppose the use of local resources to aid in federal immigration enforcement efforts.  Support legislation and resources to increase consumer protection efforts, including

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Packet Pg. 260 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop) preventing predatory lending.
 Support legislation that would implement a single payer universal health care delivery system.
 Support legislation that requires the state Department of Education to finalize the development of training programs/platforms to support LGBTQ cultural competency training for teachers and other certificated employees and then require one hour of training annually for teachers and certificated employees.  Support legislation that mandates gender-neutral multi-stall bathrooms.  Support legislation to enhance, increase, and expand voting opportunities to eligible voters throughout the state.
 Support legislation and state resources to encourage the development and implementation of cannabis social equity programs designed to enable communities that were negatively impacted by cannabis criminalization to become legal participants in the cannabis marketplace.

SUSTAINABLE & CONNECTED COMMUNITY

CLIMATE CHANGE/SUSTAINABILITY
 Support legislation and secure resources for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and protection and preservation of our environment.
 Secure resources to enhance the City’s continued investment in renewable energy, sustainable procurement, green buildings, green public transit and infrastructure, and socially and environmentally responsible businesses to meet our climate goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.
 Support legislation and secure resources that would allow for the creation of sustainable water and wastewater infrastructure that is more resilient with a smaller impact on the environment.
 Support legislation and funding for transportation electrification including electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
 Support a climate resiliency bond that will provide funding for wildfire prevention, safe drinking water, drought preparation, improving ocean water quality, addresses sea-level rise, and provides parks funding.
 Supports legislation and resourcesto address the issue ofsea-level rise.  Support legislation and resources that assist local governments in developing and implementing energy efficiency and conservation strategies that maximize available resources, reduce costs, expand community access, and protect public health.  Support legislation that ensures local governments can continue, and not be preempted in, their efforts to achieve economic improvements through increased energy efficiency and conservation plans that seek to decrease carbon emissions.  Support legislation that calls for the elimination ofsingle use plastics.

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Packet Pg. 261 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop)  Support legislation that assists municipalities in their recycling and waste reduction efforts and incentivizes efforts to increase the market for recycling.  Support legislation and regulatory efforts that call for building electrification.  Support legislation regarding Extended Producer Responsibility programs.  Support legislation and regulatory efforts that strengthen storm water pollution control standards.
 Support legislation strengthening the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard.  Support the ability of local governments to implement Community Choice Aggregation for the purchase of electricity and oppose legislation that would place new burdens and requirements on the establishment of CCAs and/or procurement activities of CCAs.  Support legislation that expands the use of solar energy systems on residential and commercial properties.
 Support legislation focused on water re-use, wastewater treatment, water conservation, and stormwater quality improvements.
 Support legislation and resources that assist local governments in developing and implementing transportation, land use and building policies that encourage maximum use of resources and lower energy consumption.
 Support legislation that would authorize the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board to impose a transaction and use tax within the district to supplement existing revenues to improve and protect air quality.
 Support legislation and revenues for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.  Support legislation and regulatory actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from passenger cars and trucks.
 Support efforts to incentivize outdoor water-efficiency programs including droughtfriendly landscaping, while preserving local control.  Support legislation requiring manufacturers to be responsible for safe disposal or for reuse of their products and by-products.
 Support resources for the California Green Business Program to develop standards for local green business certification programs.
 Oppose legislative efforts to impose a statewide water tax or fee.

MOBILITY AND ACCESS
 Support legislation and resources that will improve and enhance mobility throughout the City and the region while ensuring access to a range of equitable transportation options for our residents. This includes local control of our shared mobility programs, ensuring a robust and efficient public transit system, and encouraging active transportation.
 Support legislation and funding resources to restore connectivity among communities that have been separated and negatively impacted by freeway construction.  Support legislation that reforms existing state statutes and regulations that impede community connectivity and removes those barriers, thereby promoting an

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Packet Pg. 262 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop) environment conducive to attracting investment and fostering economic growth.  Support legislation and resources that would provide the maximum share of funding for local and regional transportation programs.
 Support legislation and funding for the expansion of bus service throughout the Big Blue Bus service area, as well as rail service into the City.  Support legislation that would give transit agencies priority access to electricity when confronted with grid disruptions caused by natural or man-made disasters, rolling blackouts, utility company “Public Safety Power Shutoffs,” or increasing demand on California’s electrical grid.
 Support legislation to reduce or remove demand charges for transit fleet electrification projects.
 Support legislation that would require expanding mandatory data requirements for sharing autonomous vehicle incident data with local government in the interest of greater public safety.
 Support legislation to improve the safety of State Route 1 (PCH) and to extend the beach bike path north from the current terminus at Will Rogers State Beach.  Support legislation and resources to transition our Big Blue Busfleet to a zero-emission fleet and build out the necessary charging infrastructure.  Support legislation to create a Division of Active Transportation within the California Department of Transportation and other efforts to prioritize pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
 Support legislation to protect SB 1 (2017) transportation fund from being diverted for other uses.
 Support legislation and resources to streamline and incentivize the deployment of zeroemission passenger vehicles and the build-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.  Support legislation for State to explore building electric vehicle charging infrastructure on underutilized state property.
 Support legislation and resources for the maintenance and upgrade of pedestrian bridges and the beach bike path.
 Support legislative efforts to reduce traffic fatalities through the use of alternate methodologies for determining speed limits.
 Support legislation and resources for traffic enforcement and pedestrian safety.  Support legislation that provides local governments authority to enact “Slow Streets” to limit vehicular traffic and encourage recreational uses.  Support legislation to pilot automated speed enforcement cameras to enhance the safety of vulnerable roadway users while addressing equity and privacy issues.  Support legislation that continues the state’s involvement in the Safe Routes to School program.
 Support legislation to improve speed in bus lanes through the implementation of an automated bus lane enforcement program.
 Support legislation that exempts from CEQA various transit-related projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities projects, transit prioritization projects, and projects for

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Packet Pg. 263 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop) the institution or increase of new bus rapid transit, bus, or light rail service on existing public rights of-way or existing highway rights-of-way.  Support legislation that restores and strengthens local governments' authority over parking enforcement, including towing, and the management of fines and fees for parking citations, enabling cities to effectively address local parking needs  Oppose legislation that would restrict local control over the operation of shared mobility devices in the City, including a City’s ability to collect the data necessary to maintain safe, equitable program operations and to effectively manage the public right of way, with appropriate privacy safeguards in place.

ADDITIONAL PRIORITIES
MISC.
 Support legislation that bans the importation, sale, or intent to sell of any part or product of an exotic animal, regardless of when the parts or dead body were imported.  Support legislation that prohibits the unnecessary and harmful practice of the declawing of animals in the state of California.
 Support legislation that promotes the humane and effective management of rodent populations, prioritizing methods that minimize harm to animals and the environment  Support legislation that provides flexibility to local governments regarding the rules around meetings held via teleconference.
 Support legislation that extends the timeline to complete public records requests from 10 calendar days to at least 10 business days to address limited staff resources at the City level.

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Packet Pg. 264 Attachment: Updated 2025-26 Federal and State Legislative Platforms (6710 : Council Workshop) City funding required to con
Stop program/services - no
Department Description Current
Budget
Committed
Expenses
Potential
Impact
Projected
Future Need
Federal Funding Source Define what this is funding
One-time and ongoing implications of loss of funding and impact Implications
City Manager's
Office
FEMA ALL-HAZARDS MIT 135,000 - (135,000) - U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal
Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA)
One time funding for a social vulnerability analysis studying how to create communitydriven mitigation measures focused on disadvantaged communities (Pico neighborhood focus). FYI has “DEI” terms written all over the grant application. Also a lot of the data that we would use for this project’s analysis are disappearing on federal websites.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated
City Manager's
Office
2021 EOC TRAINING CADRE
GRANT
305,000 - (305,000) - U.S. Department of Homeland
Security (DHS), Federal
Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA)
Funding for training and learning management software supplies and actual FEMA and Cal OES training for emergency managers across LA County.

City funding required to
continue initiative in
progress
Fire 2020 UASI 37,017 31,716 (5,301) - U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal
Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA)
The UASI and SHSP grants are federal grants but managed by LA County (SHSGP) and LA Mayor's Office (UASI). For the 2020 UASI Grant Program, the Fire Department was awarded funding to be used for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Training, Hazardous Materials Training (HazMat), Urban Search and Rescue Training, Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) equipment, equipment and props for the Training Center, Cyber-security planning project, and programs on behalf of the Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs’ Association Regional Training Group (LAAFCA RTG).

Because the City has an agreement with LA County and LA Mayor's Office for each of these grants, SMFD does not anticipate any impacts to these grant programs. However, because these are all reimbursement-based programs, if the federal government decided to cancel a binding agreement, we would not be able to recover what we spent already. We would just stop further purchases or trainings. SMFD currently has 3 contracts funded with UASI and SHSP grants - Fire Resources, Advanced Problem Solving, and Intterra. These contracts have provisions that tie to the receipt of grant funds. If we did not have grant funding, we are not obligated to continue the contract. Future UASI and SHSP grants that we are in discussion with LA County and LA Mayor's Office are up in the air. They have not been finalized and are the most at risk. They are not listed here because they technically don't exist and haven't been submitted to Council for acceptance. SMFD cannot list projected actuals because that depends on what's reimbursed this fiscal year. We are doing what we can do submit grant reimbursements as soon as we can.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated
FY 2024-25
FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review
Identification of Potential Risk

Page 1 of 8 ends

Attachment J

11.B.j
Packet Pg. 265 Attachment: FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review (6710 : Council Workshop) City funding required to con
Stop program/services - no
Department Description Current
Budget
Committed
Expenses
Potential
Impact
Projected
Future Need
Federal Funding Source Define what this is funding
One-time and ongoing implications of loss of funding and impact Implications
FY 2024-25
FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review
Identification of Potential Risk
Fire 2021 UASI 1,361,915 1,210,899 (151,016) - U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal
Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA)
The UASI and SHSP grants are federal grants but managed by LA County (SHSGP) and LA Mayor's Office (UASI). For the 2021 UASI Grant Program, the Fire Department was awarded funding to be used for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Equipment, Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Training and Equipment, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Training and Equipment, Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) equipment, equipment and props for the Training Center, and programs on behalf of the Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs’ Association Regional Training Group (LAAFCA RTG). Because the City has an agreement with LA County and LA Mayor's Office for each of these grants, SMFD does not anticipate any impacts to these grant programs.

However, because these are all reimbursement-based programs, if the federal government decided to cancel a binding agreement, we would not be able to recover what we spent already. We would just stop further purchases or trainings. SMFD currently has 3 contracts funded with UASI and SHSP grants - Fire Resources, Advanced Problem Solving, and Intterra. These contracts have provisions that tie to the receipt of grant funds. If we did not have grant funding, we are not obligated to continue the contract. Future UASI and SHSP grants that we are in discussion with LA County and LA Mayor's Office are up in the air.

They have not been finalized and are the most at risk. They are not listed here because they technically don't exist and haven't been submitted to Council for acceptance. SMFD cannot list projected actuals because that depends on what's reimbursed this fiscal year.

We are doing what we can do submit grant reimbursements as soon as we can.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated

Page 2 of 8 ends

11.B.j
Packet Pg. 266 Attachment: FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review (6710 : Council Workshop) City funding required to con
Stop program/services - no
Department Description Current
Budget
Committed
Expenses
Potential
Impact
Projected
Future Need
Federal Funding Source Define what this is funding
One-time and ongoing implications of loss of funding and impact Implications
FY 2024-25
FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review
Identification of Potential Risk
Fire 2022 UASI 1,903,900 - (1,903,900) - U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal
Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA)
The UASI and SHSP grants are federal grants but managed by LA County (SHSGP) and LA Mayor's Office (UASI). The 2022 UASI grant program is used to fund Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Training and Equipment, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Training and Equipment, and consumables for the Training Center. Santa Monica Fire will allocate funds on behalf of the Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs’ Association Regional Training Group (LAAFCA RTG) for training programs. The grant will also provide a secure cloudbased mapping portal for the operational area to be used for all hazard operational situational awareness, incident management, pre-planning, and reporting/analytics.

The project mitigates threats to communications continuity and supports resiliency by allowing the region to purchase software that allows agencies to share data through the system as a redundant solution in case of a cyber-attack; Because the City has an agreement with LA County and LA Mayor's Office for each of these grants, SMFD does not anticipate any impacts to these grant programs. However, because these are all reimbursement-based programs, if the federal government decided to cancel a binding agreement, we would not be able to recover what we spent already. We would just stop further purchases or trainings. SMFD currently has 3 contracts funded with UASI and SHSP grants - Fire Resources, Advanced Problem Solving, and Intterra. These contracts have provisions that tie to the receipt of grant funds. If we did not have grant funding, we are not obligated to continue the contract. Future UASI and SHSP grants that we are in discussion with LA County and LA Mayor's Office are up in the air. They have not been finalized and are the most at risk. They are not listed here because they technically don't exist and haven't been submitted to Council for acceptance. SMFD cannot list projected actuals because that depends on what's reimbursed this fiscal year. We are doing what we can do submit grant reimbursements as soon as we can.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated

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11.B.j
Packet Pg. 267 Attachment: FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review (6710 : Council Workshop) City funding required to con
Stop program/services - no
Department Description Current
Budget
Committed
Expenses
Potential
Impact
Projected
Future Need
Federal Funding Source Define what this is funding
One-time and ongoing implications of loss of funding and impact Implications
FY 2024-25
FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review
Identification of Potential Risk
Fire 2023 UASI 1,229,865 - (1,229,865) - U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal
Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA)
The UASI and SHSP grants are federal grants but managed by LA County (SHSGP) and LA Mayor's Office (UASI). The 2023 UASI grant program is used to fund the Regional Training Delivery Model which creates and disseminates regional training on behalf of LAAFCA; Regional Training Officer who works on regional training on behalf of LAAFCA; Regional Tactical Emergency Medical Technician training; SMFD satellite training center and maintenance; Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue training and equipment; and Fire Department Tactical Emergency Medical Technician training and equipment.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated
Fire 2021 SHSGP 185,000 - (185,000) - U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal
Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA)
The UASI and SHSP grants are federal grants but managed by LA County (SHSGP) and LA Mayor's Office (UASI). The 2021 SHSGP grant program funds LAAFCA’s Training Officer contract. Because the City has an agreement with LA County and LA Mayor's Office for each of these grants, SMFD does not anticipate any impacts to these grant programs.

We are doing what we can do submit grant reimbursements as soon as we can.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated

Page 4 of 8 ends

11.B.j
Packet Pg. 268 Attachment: FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review (6710 : Council Workshop) City funding required to con
Stop program/services - no
Department Description Current
Budget
Committed
Expenses
Potential
Impact
Projected
Future Need
Federal Funding Source Define what this is funding
One-time and ongoing implications of loss of funding and impact Implications
FY 2024-25
FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review
Identification of Potential Risk
Fire 2022 SHSGP 239,000 - (239,000) - U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal
Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA)
The UASI and SHSP grants are federal grants but managed by LA County (SHSGP) and LA Mayor's Office (UASI). The Fire Department will use the 2022 SHSP grant funds to host the Los Angeles Area Fire Chief’s Association Training Officer contractor. The Training Officer will coordinate the facilitation of regional training opportunities. The Training Officer also performs regional research, prepares reports, presentations, and briefings for the regions’ Fire Chiefs, executive and other fire service audiences on relevant fire service issues. Deploying these funds, as recommended by the Fire Department, helps ensure response readiness for incidents of national significance including, but not limited to acts of terrorism, natural disasters, public health threats and other large-scale incidents that pose a threat to public or first-responder safety. Because the City has an agreement with LA County and LA Mayor's Office for each of these grants, SMFD does not anticipate any impacts to these grant programs. However, because these are all reimbursement-based programs, if the federal government decided to cancel a binding agreement, we would not be able to recover what we spent already. We would just stop further purchases or trainings. SMFD currently has 3 contracts funded with UASI and SHSP grants - Fire Resources, Advanced Problem Solving, and Intterra. These contracts have provisions that tie to the receipt of grant funds. If we did not have grant funding, we are not obligated to continue the contract. Future UASI and SHSP grants that we are in discussion with LA County and LA Mayor's Office are up in the air. They have not been finalized and are the most at risk. They are not listed here because they technically don't exist and haven't been submitted to Council for acceptance. SMFD cannot list projected actuals because that depends on what's reimbursed this fiscal year. We are doing what we can do submit grant reimbursements as soon as we can.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated
Housing and
Human
Services
SECTION 8 ADMIN 2,382,423 2,309,765 (72,658) 2,476,069 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Funding for Administration of the City's HCV rental subsidy program. Any reduction in future funding would negatively impact the City's efforts to address homelessness and to provide very low-income or otherwise vulnerable households with housing stability.

City funding required to
continue initiative in
progress
Housing and
Human
Services
SECTION 8 HAP VOUCHERS 21,372,282 20,573,528 (798,754) 22,180,736 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Key rental subsidy program. Any reduction in future funding would negatively impact the City's efforts to address homelessness and to provide very low-income or otherwise vulnerable households with housing stability.

City funding required to
continue initiative in
progress
Housing and
Human
Services

SERIAL INEBRIATE GRANT
ADMIN
242,390 281,967 39,577 266,606 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Funding for administration of the Continuum of Care (CoC) serial inebriate program. If any of the funding is cut, then these programs will be impacted and may need to be paused/discontinued until new funding can be secured.

City funding required to
continue initiative in
progress
Housing and
Human
Services

SERIAL INEBRIATE GRANT

LEASING
4,580,016 3,697,747 (882,269) 4,555,800 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Funding for the Continuum of Care (CoC) serial inebriate program. If any of the funding is cut, then these programs will be impacted and may need to be paused/discontinued until new funding can be secured.

City funding required to
continue initiative in
progress

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11.B.j
Packet Pg. 269 Attachment: FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review (6710 : Council Workshop) City funding required to con
Stop program/services - no
Department Description Current
Budget
Committed
Expenses
Potential
Impact
Projected
Future Need
Federal Funding Source Define what this is funding
One-time and ongoing implications of loss of funding and impact Implications
FY 2024-25
FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review
Identification of Potential Risk
Housing and
Human
Services
EHV ADMIN FEES 125,617 155,144 29,527 157,020 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Funding for Administration of the City's Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) rental subsidy program. Any reduction in future funding would negatively impact the City's efforts to address homelessness and to provide very low-income or otherwise vulnerable households with housing stability.

City funding required to
continue initiative in
progress
Housing and
Human
Services
EHV HAP VOUCHERS 1,131,409 1,445,444 314,035 1,401,372 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Key rental subsidy program. Any reduction in future funding would negatively impact the City's efforts to address homelessness and to provide very low-income or otherwise vulnerable households with housing stability.

City funding required to
continue initiative in
progress
Housing and
Human
Services
CDBG Current Allocation 1,144,558 1,144,558 - 1,144,558 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
CDBG is a critical source of funding for capital projects in low-mod income areas. CDBG also allows for up to 20% of annual funding for Administration (staff time and consulting services) and 15% for public services funded through the Human Services Grants Program. Should future funding be pulled, there would be no impact on existing CIPs, as CDBG funds are committed to capital projects on an annual basis. CDBG- funded public services would likely reduced by an amount proportional to lost funding. However, the General Fund would be required to fill the gap for any staff time funded under CDBG Administration, which totaled $109K in FY 2023-24.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated
Housing and
Human
Services

HOME INVESTMENT

PARTNERSHIPS
634,974 509,965 (125,009) 509,965 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
At present, HHS is able to maintain funding for all current recipients of HOME-funded Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA). However, if the reduction persists in future years, the HOME program will eventually need to reduce the number households supports by TBRA. This will be accomplished through attrition and is not projected to impact any current participants.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated
Information
Services
2022 UASI 370,000 293,092 (76,908) 76,908 U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal
Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA)
The UASI 2022 one-time funding has been used to fund the City's Data Loss Prevention platform and associated vendor support services. These funds have already been spent and the City of LA grant team is confident the reimbursement will be received. However, should that not be the case, the City will need to absorb the costs for this. Future year funding for cybersecurity programs has been approved in the FY 2024-26 CIP budget, which may be leveraged for this platform and services once this grant funding is exhausted. Otherwise, the program would need to be discontinued, which would put the City at considerable risk of non-compliance with various data regulations such as PCI and HIPAA, which require strict control of how certain types of data are shared or interacted with. It also increases the risk of sensitive data breaches which would result in fines and other costs associated with clean up and remediation. Failure to comply with PCI regulations specifically could also see the City barred from processing credit-card payments, which would be an overwhelming impact.

City funding required - not
mandatory
Police 2023 UASI 203,742 - (203,742) - U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal
Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA)
Project to fund PPE equipment (I.E. Hazmat suits in case of terrorist attack). The Department's current suits are expired and there are no funds available to purchase new suits. PD does not foresee any implications, however, if federal funding is cut, the department will not procure the additional PPE.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated

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11.B.j
Packet Pg. 270 Attachment: FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review (6710 : Council Workshop) City funding required to con
Stop program/services - no
Department Description Current
Budget
Committed
Expenses
Potential
Impact
Projected
Future Need
Federal Funding Source Define what this is funding
One-time and ongoing implications of loss of funding and impact Implications
FY 2024-25
FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review
Identification of Potential Risk
Police 2024 UASI 120,000 - (120,000) - U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal
Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA)
Grant to fund the purchase and upfitting of 4 MUV's for the beach. PD does not foresee any implications, however, if federal funding is cut, the department will not fund this project.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated
Police Justice Assit Grant 2024 44,021 - (44,021) - U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Justice Programs
Grant provides funding for Overtime details specifically to address Organized retail thefts. PD does not foresee any implications, however, if federal funding is cut, the department will reduce the number of OT details.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated
Police OTS STEP Grant 2024 300,000 - (300,000) - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Traffic Enforcement grant which primarily funds OT details to conduct traffic enforcement (I.E. DUI checkpoints). This is a Federal pass-through grant with the CA Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). PD does not foresee any implications, however, loss of funding would reduce the number of these details, which directly addresses traffic safety.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated
Police 2024 LEMHWA 200,000 - (200,000) - U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Community Oriented
Policing Services
Grant aimed at improving the mental health of law enforcement personnel. This grant provides funding to provide training and online services to Law enforcement. PD does not foresee any implications, however, if federal funding is cut, the department will not continue the program.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated
Public Works EECBG E-BIKE PROGRAM 157,730 119,498 (38,232) 38,232 U.S. Department of Energy The projected decrease in revenue for FY 2024-25 is noted as $38,232.44. This grant has an end date in early 2026. Due to delays in executing contracts to start the work funded by this grant, the entire amount will likely not be spent within the current fiscal year. This is a one-time grant award that Department of Energy (DOE) staff have assured the City is secure and allocated. Office of Sustainability (OSE) staff anticipate spending down the remaining $38,232 next fiscal year. The EECBG funding did not pay for staff time. The onetime funding from the grant exclusively paid for e-bike vouchers, up to $2,000 per resident.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated
Public Works ONE WATER PLAN 961,033 400,000 (561,033) 561,033 U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Staff will receive $400K for FY 2024-25 via reimbursements, with the remaining balance reimbursed in FY 2025-26. Staff secured up to $961,033 in grant funding from the United States Bureau of Reclamation under the WaterSMART Water Recycling and Desalination Planning Grant Program. Please note that no potential risk is anticipated, as this grant has already been awarded and allocated. The one-time grant is paying for professional services. The deliverable is a feasibility study and preliminary design documents.

City funding required to
continue initiative in
progress
Public Works Reconnecting Communites
& Neigborhoods
2,000,000 (2,000,000) - U.S. Department of
Transportation
The City was awarded funding to conduct a thorough investigation into the feasibility and optimal placement of cap parks along the I-10 freeway segment from 11th to 20th street in the Pico Neighborhood. By strategically planning for cap parks along the I-10 freeway, this project aims to reconnect the Pico neighborhood to vital economic opportunities and essential services, as well as begin to redress historic injustices for the residents of Pico and the broader Santa Monica community. If the funding is rescinded, the City would not be able to pursue capping sections of the I-10 freeway to restore connections between neighborhoods, provide direct access, and create new parkland.

Stop program/services -
not mandatory or initiated

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Packet Pg. 271 Attachment: FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review (6710 : Council Workshop) City funding required to con
Stop program/services - no
Department Description Current
Budget
Committed
Expenses
Potential
Impact
Projected
Future Need
Federal Funding Source Define what this is funding
One-time and ongoing implications of loss of funding and impact Implications
FY 2024-25
FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review
Identification of Potential Risk
Public Works Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles
(CHDV)
945,000 (945,000) - U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA)
The City was awarded funding through the CHDV grant program to purchase EV sweepers.

If the funding is rescinded, the City would not be able to purchase the three (3) EV sweepers and one (1) CNG sweeper and would purchase only two (2) CNG sweepers.

City funding required - not
mandatory
Transportation CAPITAL GRANTS REV-REV
EQUIP
14,518,136 14,518,136 - - Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Per a recent America Public Transit Association legislative briefing, the expectation is FY 2026 FTA 5307 Capital Formula Funding which DOT uses to purchase zero emission transit buses will be reduced at a minimum of 8%, which is consistent with what the Republican controlled House of Representatives passed in their version of the FY 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Act. The expiration of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2026 will allow the President and Congress to create a new transportation reauthorization bill which could reduce public transit funding levels on a long term basis. These changes could include a reduction in on-going FTA 5307 Capital Formula Funding and other programs DOT typically applies for such as FTA Bus Discretionary and Low or No Emission Grant opportunities. Future federal grant opportunities for transit and mobility related projects may decrease as the new administration priorities will likely change.

City funding required - not
mandatory
Transportation 421,000 (421,000) Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
One-time awarded funds for Dial-A-Ride program already in approved grant. Staff may apply in 2026 for future supplemental funding for MODE. Operating funds 50/50 ratio.

City funding required - not
mandatory
TOTALS 57,251,028 46,691,459 (10,559,569) 33,368,300

Page 8 of 8 ends

11.B.j
Packet Pg. 272 Attachment: FY 2024-25 Midyear Federal Funding Review (6710 : Council Workshop) 1 David Yakobson
From: Melanie O <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 8, 2025 8:27 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please prioritize education and library services Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Lana Negrete and Councilmembers,
As a Santa Monica resident, proud of alumna of SMMUSD schools, and parent of a child at Edison Language Academy, I wanted to take the opportunity to urge you to continue prioritizing SMMUSD and library services in light of the March 8 Special Joint Meeting and Council Budget Workshop.

My educational experience at John Adams and Samohi was second to none and I was admitted to several highly selective colleges and fully prepared for the rigors of the one I eventually selected (Amherst College). When my husband and I were considering where to ultimately settle down, I knew that if we had children, there would be no better school district for them than the one I attended. And so we moved to SM 10 years ago, and now we have a kindergartener. :)
We all know what makes a great school - quality teachers, challenging curriculum, and small class sizes. This takes sustained financial support and as you assess priorities for the current year, I urge you to put the school district at the highest level of support.

I also wanted to share my experiences with SM’s library services. When I first had my daughter I attended the weekly storytime at the Fairview Branch with my 4 month old. The librarian would read three books, have several others on display, and lead us in songs with props that were specially selected for young children - I still sing some of those songs today! Then there would be a free play session with provided toys and the babies could crawl around and look at each other and parents could chat. Those weekly sessions were invaluable to me as a stay at home parent. The ability to connect with other parents who were going through the same whirlwind transition that I was, to be provided with resources for my infant, and to be able to walk to such a destination never failed to fill me with gratitude.

The Fairview library (my local Sunset Park library) has been shuttered now for years. Yes, I know it’s on that self serve model, but without the librarians, the hustle and bustle from other patrons, the programming it loses its luster. Please restore library services to the prepandemic levels. The libraries are the crown jewel of the city serving constituents of all ages and we need them at their best. Now is the time to support them.

Thank you for your consideration,
Melanie Overby
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 273 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 2 David Yakobson
From: Hunter Hall <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 8, 2025 8:06 AM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems Cc: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Kara Taub; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Albin Gielicz; Jenny Rice
Subject: Re: City Budget Request

EXTERNAL
WHAT SHE SAID.

May the force be with you all! 뇉뇄뇅뇆뇇뇈뇊
-Hunter
314.323.4663
On Mar 8, 2025, at 7:08 AM, Kara Taub <[email protected]> wrote:

Good Morning City Council Members,
As you are meeting today to discuss the city’s budget I would like to remind you of Main Street & Montana Avenue's request for a line item inclusion into the budget that will provide for about half of the mandated and required fees associated with our very popular Open Street Events. We are asking for 12K per event. These funds go right back to city departments to cover the required fees. We are planning for 2 events on Montana Ave. and 2 on Main Street - 4 total per year.

We need your support.

Thank you
Kara Taub
Montana Ave. Merchant's Association - Chair
Ten Women Gallery - 1128 Montana Ave.
www.ktwf.com
www.ktwf.etsy.com
[email protected]
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 274 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 3 To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 275 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 4 David Yakobson
From: RE Wolfe <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 8, 2025 8:02 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Preserve Santa Monica Public Libraries - Ocean Park Resident Advocate

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members,
I am writing as a concerned resident of Ocean Park to express my strong opposition to any potential closures or reductions in funding for Santa Monica's public libraries, including the vital Ocean Park branch.

Our public libraries are indispensable community assets that provide crucial services and resources for residents of all ages and backgrounds. I believe maintaining our libraries is an investment in a stronger, more equitable, and more vibrant Santa Monica.

Specifically, I urge you to consider the following invaluable contributions of our libraries:
 Equal Access to Information and Resources: Libraries provide free and equal access to books, technology, and educational materials, ensuring that everyone in our community has the opportunity to learn and thrive, regardless of their socioeconomic status. This is fundamental to a just and equitable society.
 Support for Lifelong Learning: Libraries offer programs and resources that foster lifelong learning, from early literacy initiatives for children to computer literacy classes for seniors. They empower individuals to acquire new skills, pursue their passions, and adapt to an ever-changing world.
 Promoting Literacy and a Love of Reading: Libraries cultivate a love of reading and promote literacy through engaging programs and events. They create welcoming spaces where individuals can discover the joy of reading, develop essential literacy skills, and expand their horizons.

The potential closure of any of our libraries would be a devastating loss for our community. I urge you to prioritize the preservation and enhancement of our public libraries, ensuring that they continue to serve as vital centers of learning, community building, and cultural enrichment for generations to come.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,
RE Wolfe, Ocean Park Residen
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 276 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 5 David Yakobson
From: Kara Taub <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 8, 2025 7:08 AM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya Cc: Hunter Hall; Albin Gielicz; Jenny Rice
Subject: City Budget Request

EXTERNAL
Good Morning City Council Members,
As you are meeting today to discuss the city’s budget I would like to remind you of Main Street & Montana Avenue's request for a line item inclusion into the budget that will provide for about half of the mandated and required fees associated with our very popular Open Street Events. We are asking for 12K per event.

These funds go right back to city departments to cover the required fees. We are planning for 2 events on Montana Ave. and 2 on Main Street - 4 total per year.

We need your support.

Thank you
Kara Taub
Montana Ave. Merchant's Association - Chair
Ten Women Gallery - 1128 Montana Ave.
www.ktwf.com
www.ktwf.etsy.com
[email protected]
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 277 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 6 To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 278 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 7 David Yakobson
From: Wendy Dembo <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 8, 2025 6:58 AM
To: [email protected]; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Have your read the Library Book?

EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
Have you read The Library Book by Susan Orlean about the fire at the main Los Angeles library? It goes into the history of libraries and how they have changed. Current libraries are a hub for unhoused people and others who want to read a book.

Please fully fund all of the Santa Monica libraries.

The other day, my daughter needed a book SAMO didn't have. I ordered it that day and went to pick it up at the main library the next day. It wasn't there because it was at a library which was closed, and it couldn't be transferred until the next day.

Please. Librarians are so nice.

Wendy Dembo
Santa Monica resident, Wilmont board member and voter
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 279 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 8 David Yakobson
From: Eric Fournier <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 8, 2025 6:29 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Library Funding

EXTERNAL
Hello - my name is Eric Fournier.

I am a home owner in Santa Monica and the parent of a two-year-old who makes extensive use of different library resources throughout Santa Monica.

The present situation where individual libraries are only open with partial hours or partial access to resources is wholly unacceptable.

We must restore the library system’s operational budgets, such that these facilities can maintain open for all residents and provide all services, just as they were able to do so prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is essential infrastructure for our children.

Thank you,
Eric Fournier
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 280 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 9 David Yakobson
From: Eden Kusmiersky <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 9:57 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Natalya Zernitskaya; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis
Subject: March 8, 2025 Special Joint Meeting of City Council and the Housing Commission – Item 11B

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council -
I am writing to request that you prioritize essential resident services in our budget. Please fully fund our libraries. Our whole family of 5 deeply miss the Fairview branch. It was an integral part of our involvement in the local community.

Eden Kusmiersky
Sunset Park Santa Monica resident, voter, SMC/SMMUSD family Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 281 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 10 David Yakobson
From: Sirinya Matute <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 9:25 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fwd: Please prioritize EDUCATION in the FY26-28 Biennial Budget

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and Councilmembers,
I recognize the difficult financial decisions facing the City. As an active member of a PTA and Community for Excellent Public Schools, I strongly urge you to prioritize sustained and ongoing support for SMMUSD.

Similar to the City, SMMUSD is navigating financial strain due to high labor costs, necessary downsizing, and the significant impact of the Palisades fire, which resulted in 150 newly homeless students and a $3.4 million cost. Additionally, the district faces uncertainty regarding Title 1 funding and property tax revenues (due to properties lost due to the Palisades fire).

City funding provides crucial, stable revenue for SMMUSD, enabling essential long-term budgeting.

These funds are vital for maintaining our excellent public schools. In a complex world polarized by misinformation and outright lies, I believe it's essential to educate our kids so they can become engaged and productive citizens. And many students come from low-income households in which one or both parents work in the city; a good education is their path to a better quality of life for their families.

I also wish to register concern regarding potential diversions of Measure K funds from their intended purpose. Voters passed Measure K and its advisory measure overwhelmingly. And Santa Monica-Malibu PTA Council and CEPS backed Measure K expressly because it called for restoring safe routes to school programming, which was gutted during the 2020 budget crisis and no, it hasn't been the same (although I credit the District for trying.) You need a dedicated person to run a year-round program, who can provide leadership to recruit and retain parent volunteers to really make mode shift away from driving really stick. (Not saying this person has to be a city staffer. But it has to be someone, for whom this is a decent chunk of their job).

This is all to say that I will support the difficult tradeoffs and decisions you will have to make as you grapple with the City's financial woes, but also urge you to make sustained and ongoing support of SMMUSD and using Measure K for its original purpose of restoring safe routes to school as two of your highest priorities.

Sincerely,
Sirinya Matute
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 282 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 11 David Yakobson
From: Ann Hoover <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 9:10 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick
Subject: March 8, 2025 - COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP - Item 11.B - A few thoughts

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, and Esteemed Councilmembers - I really wanted to attend tomorrow's Budget Workshop and provide brief public comment but I'm under-the-weather.

So here's a quick summary of what I wanted to share with sincere apologies in advance to Councilmember Hall who I know is an avid biker - my son is too, but both he and I think some of what we're doing now with the bike lanes is verging into overkill, see below, at least given these times of financial challenge for the City.

Thanks so much for your consideration. Hope you have a good and productive morning! Best wishes,
Ann Bowman
Resident, 28+ years
 Nice to have vs. Need to have - For as long as the City operates under a deficit that requires reserves infusions to meet the annual operating budgets, I strongly encourage Council to be very cognizant of and make decisions based exclusively on what is "nice to have or do" right now vs. what is "need to have or do" right now. And to not spend any more money for now on the "nice to haves" until economic recovery is clear.
 If it's not an essential service that is, just as examples, directly benefiting new openings of or support for existing struggling businesses, the housing insecure, or residents/families with meaningful offerings like afterschool programs and recreation classes (which help pay for themselves through fees anyway), maybe press pause for a year? o An example of "nice to have" right now is building more protected bike lanes. o An example of "need to have" always is regular trash pick up. o An example of "nice to have" right now is implementing Vision Zero initiatives. o An example of "need to have" always is clean, safe water. o An example of "nice to have" right now is a City Wide Equity plan. o An example of "need to have" always is a well-staffed, well-resourced police department.
o None of us would allow our personal/household budget to overextend itself without a course correction; we all know to live within our means and defer things we'd like to do but can't afford to do until a future time of greater solvency. That goes for cities too. If our means are uncertain, sources of revenue are down or more modest than before, it's important and prudent to adjust and press pause in some instances until recovery is Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 283 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 12 more sure. I know it's hard because many programs and initiatives take on a life of their own and are hard to say no to but someone has to draw the bright line.  Be careful of approving projects that start with grant funding because how will it all end?? So projects that start with grant funding at some point tend to tap into the General Fund or other non-grant funding sources to continue and sustain themselves. Protected bike lanes is a great example of this, again with sincere apologies to avid biker Councilmember Hall for calling this one out as an example!
o So the protected bike lanes on 17th Street originated with grant funding. But when Mobility wanted to expand the program, they came to Council to get General Fund money ($500,000) to design more protected bike lanes on 14th Street and 11th Street.

That General Fund outlay was just for the DESIGN. Additional likely non-grant money will be required to actually build them.
o And then of course Council within the past year then had to approve $2,500,000 spending from, I believe again, the General Fund for SPECIAL PROTECTED BIKE LANE STREET CLEANING EQUIPMENT, because regular street sweepers are not equipped to do the job.
o So it's important to maybe dig in a little when an initiative is being paid for with grant funding - how will the program be paid for long-term it it's successful? Am sure you'll see at least a few other examples of initiatives like this as you go through the budget process and review.
o Santa Monica had a terrific bike lanes network even before the protected bike lanes were built. But as an example of implementing a need to have vs. nice to have evaluative framework - adding even more protected bike lanes is nice to have but not need to have at the present time.
 Homelessness Funding - Santa Monica spends about $50 million dollars annually dealing with homeless/transient individuals. That is almost 7% of the City's annual budget! Housing and Human Services has confirmed that our "homeless" population is a transient population and not a homegrown population. So I would recommend not spending a penny more in this category unless the spending promises to dramatically decrease visibility, which will be both responsive to one of the top concerns expressed in the Budget Survey and will also further Council's goals vis a vis economic development.

Local business owners continually express distress and frustration over the degree to which they have to deal with transients both inside and outside of their businesses, with all the attendant problems. The Budget Survey reveals that a top area people say needs improvement is dealing with Homelessness. I think it's important for Council to discuss what Council thinks people actually meant when they flagged that as a top issue and maybe that is something to mull over also in connection with the Tuesday Council Meeting review of the Homelessness Strategic Plan. What I think people meant (which is what I would have meant) is that homelessness is too visible and people feel depressed seeing impacted individuals all the time. They may feel that all the spending is a waste of money and that no one is really being helped and also people sometimes just feel scared or threatened by it all. I know I do, especially when I'm using an ATM machine at the corner of 15th Street and Wilshire Boulevard and have to keep glancing over both of my shoulders. So I think people don't want just to see more spending on homelessness that doesn't make any difference in the visibility and feelings of being under attack (even where there isn't an imminent threat, the psychic load becomes real after you're exposed to high/addicted and mentally-ill people year after year as you run your errands and do the simple everyday tasks of your lives out in the community). If we spend even more money yet people still are faced with the same amount of or increased visibility and feelings of not being safe, which you may get by spending even more money on this because more $$ may bring even more impacted individuals to town, then the public will consider that spending a very big fail.

Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 284 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 14 David Yakobson
From: Johanna Kracke <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 8:09 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; Natalya Zernitskaya
Subject: Re: budget items

EXTERNAL
Hello,
As a resident and small business owner in Santa Monica, I implore you to fully fund our libraries, opening them again with librarians at all locations. I am trying my best to raise 3 children in this city and my business, FIT4MOM Santa Monica, serves families with young children - over the past number of years, it has been nothing short of heartbreaking to watch the erosion of many of our favorite things to do with our kids in this city. With my first born I spent many hours dropping in to swi at the SMC pool - that has become utterly impossible with the huge decrease in rec swim hours. I used to attend the best library programming at the Ocean Park branch library, such as PJ storytime and great arts and crafts, and we made many friends through these activities. And now with the ocean questionable for swimming for the foreseeable future, it feels extremely bleak here for our kids.

I realize there are many constraints on the budget. I would ask that you make every effort to funnel money toward programs that support families and youth in this city - including funding our public schools. It's what makes this a great place to raise kids - without these, we are just a tourist city, and young families like mine will simply not have any incentive to pay the rent that we do to stay here, or decide to make the investment to purchase a home here. Thank you.

Johanna Kracke
Resident, 90404
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 285 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 15 David Yakobson
From: Anika Rast. <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 7:22 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Ocean Park Library

EXTERNAL
Hi -
I'm a Santa Monica (Ocean Park) resident and I'm writing to express that funding the Ocean Park library should be a priority. It's already limited, open two hours a week, but it's integral to the neighborhood. The closest library is not as walkable or as accessible to Ocean Park residents.

This is a direct community benefit and certainly more integral than sending city council members to Vienna.

If resources are needed, has the city council thought about incorporating volunteers to help? Thanks,
Anika
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 286 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 16 David Yakobson
From: Holly Silvers <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 7:16 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Ellis Raskin
Cc: councilmtgitems; Dennis Granelli
Subject: Agenda Item 11.B: Support continued City funding for SM Schools

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers of Santa Monica,
Thank you for your service to our wonderful City. As an involved community member and parent of children in SMMUSD schools, a home owner and business owner in Santa Monica (2 children at Grant Elementary), I'm writing to ask that the City maintain its long-standing funding for our City's public schools, early childhood education and youth services.

I see the positive impact of our strong public schools on children, their families and our community on a weekly basis. This investment directly translates to enriched learning experiences, enhanced student well-being, and a stronger community fabric. It is inspiring and makes me proud to live in a City that places such a high value on public education.

We are investing in the infrastructure through the bond measures, but the more important component of our school system is our wonderful and immensely dedicated teachers and administrative staff. It is critical to continue to reward and preserve their job security.

I look forward to the continued, vital partnership between the City and SMMUSD.

Most sincerely,
Holly Granelli
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 287 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 17 David Yakobson
From: Sarah Zeitlin <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 6:14 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Agenda Item 11.B: Support continued City funding for SM Schools

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
Thank you for your service to our wonderful City. As an involved community member and parent of children in SMMUSD schools, I'm writing to ask that the City maintain its long-standing funding for our City's public schools, early childhood education and youth services.

I look forward to the continued, vital partnership between the City and SMMUSD.

With Gratitude,
Sarah and Owen Miehe
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 288 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 18 David Yakobson
From: kelly capp <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 5:46 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: RE: March 8, 2025 Special Joint Meeting of City Council and the Housing Commission - Item 11B

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
I am writing to request that you prioritize essential resident services in our budget. Please fully fund our libraries.

Thank you,
Kelly Capp
Santa Monica resident, voter
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 289 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 19 David Yakobson
From: Amanda Robertson <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 5:04 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: TIME SENSITIVE: PLEASE SAVE City Funding for SMMUSD Public Schools! Attachments: City Council-specialmeeting-letter-v1.docx; PTA-council-budget-factsheet-20250225 (1).docx

EXTERNAL
I am a proud parent of 2 kids in SMMUSD schools-- one at JAMS and one at Grant. It has come to my attention that there is a crucial budget meeting tomorrow which could impact discretionary funding for our public schools. My sincere hope is that you will recognize this funding as vital for our district, and protect these budgets for the benefit of our schoolchildren. Quality education for Santa Monica's kids should be a top priority.

Our schools are dependent on this funding for vital staffing needs, which provide continuity of education, ensure that our kids receive quality time in shaping their futures, and keep class sizes manageable. The strength of SMMUSD's public school system played a primary role in our family moving to Santa Monica.

It concerns me greatly that there may be an outcome from this budget workshop that reduces funding for our kids. It is simply not enough to rely on bond measures in this climate. The parent and educator community is strong here and we are eager to do our part to support the city in its effort to meet the needs of our students.

Thank you for being receptive to our feedback-- please consider the devastating impact of reducing these budgets on our kids, and help us continue to promote excellence in education.

Amanda Robertson
Santa Monica resident, JAMS mom and Grant mom
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 290 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) Office of the City Mayor and City Council
1685 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
XX March, 2025
Dear Honorable City Councilmember [you may customize with the name of each Councilmember],
As involved and concerned Santa Monica residents and parents of school-age children, and in advance of the March 8 Special Joint Meeting and Council Budget Workshop, we wanted to take the opportunity to share our perspective on priorities for the City of Santa Monica.

The City has long been a powerful partner to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. We moved to Santa Monica in part on the strength and quality of the school system; as parents of two children who have come through the District, we truly appreciate the support the City has provided. This ongoing financial support has helped the District to minimize (but not eliminate) the volatility of income planning and made possible the District’s renowned curriculum and moderate class sizes.

As you assess priorities for the coming biennial budget, we urge you to place sustained and ongoing support of the SMMUSD at the very highest level of priority. This week, the SMM Council of PTAs executive board pledged its support of maintaining current City funding to the District into the future. We cannot imagine a greater investment in the future of our city than continued funding of the education system. The benefits are well known:
excellent schools lead to developing a cohort of productive and responsible citizens and taxpayers, and also attract residents from around the world.

We have gratitude for the City’s longtime commitment to the District and responsiveness to us as citizens. You can count on this community to continue to work with the City to best meet the needs of the largest number of our students and families, with a focus on our most vulnerable.

We truly appreciate your work and success on issues impacting children, youth, and families in Santa Monica, and wish all the best for the future.

Sincerely,
Sarah and Casper Casparian
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 291 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) City of Santa Monica – SMMUSD Budget Fact Sheet
February, 2025
For the 2024-25 SMMUSD Adopted Budget
Total SMMUSD Revenues $211,465,883
Total Available Funds $252,740,208
City of Santa Monica and Malibu contributions to SMMUSD Budget City of Santa Monica Joint Use revenue $10,978,200
Measure Y(YY), GS(GSH) (2016) revenue $18,000,000
Measure GS (2022) revenue $10,000,000
TOTAL contributions to SMMUSD from Joint
Use and tax revenues
$38,978,000
Source: SMMUSD 2024-25 Adopted Budget
Joint Use (also known as Master Facilities Use) is an agreement that sets terms for the shared use of school district facilities by the City and the District. The agreement specifies the facilities subject to the agreement as well as the annual payments to be made by the City for use of the facilities, and to support the District’s educational programs. Payments made are subject to adjustment based on usage, additional facilities, and inflation. The current agreement will expire in 2027.

Measure Y (2010) and its accompanying advisory Measure YY is a transaction and use tax increase (of 0.5%), that indicates a portion of revenue should go to education.

Measure GSH (2016) is an additional transaction and use tax increase of 0.5%.

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March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 292 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) ● The City is not obligated by Measure Y or GSH to give revenue from transaction and use taxes to the SMMUSD. Allocation of Measure Y and GSH revenue to the District is at the discretion of the City of Santa Monica. ● By existing agreement, the SMMUSD has received from the City 50% of the transaction and use tax revenue of Measure Y and GSH.
● There is no expiration date for Measure Y or GSH. The revenue agreement between the City and SMMUSD will expire in 2028.

Measure GS (2022) is a documentary transfer tax of 5%, that applies to real estate transactions of $8 million or more. By the terms of the measure, the first $10 million of annual revenue from this tax is directed to the SMMSUD. ● In referencing earlier measures and agreements, Measure GS specifies:
“...any funds allocated to the SMMUSD … should be additional to, and not a replacement of any funds the City otherwise provides to the school district, including any funds provided according to existing agreements or in accordance with prior advisory measures.”
There are several other contributions to SMMUSD available funds, but those listed above are specifically from the City, and within City Council control.

CAPTA Authorities

1. Resolution: School Funding
http://downloads.capta.org/res/SchoolFunding.pdf
The Resolution states in relevant part:

WHEREAS, Stability, consistency and responsible fiscal planning are necessary for a quality educational system; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the California State PTA urge its units, councils and districts to study, support and encourage the education of the parents, teachers and community regarding the financing of their school districts.

2. Resolution: Financing Public Schools
http://downloads.capta.org/res/FinancingCaliforniasPublicSchools.pdf The Resolution states in relevant part:

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March 8, 2025
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Packet Pg. 293 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) WHEREAS, The California State PTA recognizes the need to determine and secure an adequate level of funding and resources for public schools that ensures a quality education for every student; and WHEREAS, To assure the opportunity for all students to reach their full potential, funds must be available to provide for the diverse needs of students and the differential costs to school districts; and WHEREAS, The California State PTA recognizes that a stable and consistent finance system and responsible fiscal planning are necessary for a quality public education; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the California State PTA and its units, councils and districts continue to make financing our public schools, both programs and facilities, a top priority in order to ensure a quality education for every student.

3. Resolution: PTA Priority – Supporting Public Education http://downloads.capta.org/res/PTAPrioritySupportOfPublicEd.pdf The Resolution states in relevant part:

WHEREAS, Every citizen should be encouraged to voice suggestions to local governing boards and state agencies and elected officials for the improvement of our schools; and
WHEREAS, Public education without adequate funding is not feasible; and WHEREAS, The National PTA has pledged that its number one priority is: “To preserve, maintain and strengthen the public education system;” now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the California State PTA focus its resources on obtaining adequate financing for public education; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the California State PTA, its units, councils and districts, affirm as a top priority its commitment to the preservation, maintenance and strengthening of our public school system, as pledged by the National PTA Item 11-B
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Packet Pg. 294 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) Budget Detail
● About 4% of California schools are “Basic Aid” districts, meaning that property taxes in these areas exceed the minimum guaranteed per-pupil spending in the local control funding formula.
● Santa Monica-Malibu USD is a basic aid district – considered to be self-funded, and receives a minimum amount of financial support from the state. ● Basic aid districts are also called “self-funded” or “community-supported.” Source: Ed100
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Packet Pg. 295 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) City of Santa Monica – City Council Contacts
City Hall
1685 Main Street, Room 209
Santa Monica, California 90401
Phone: (310) 458-8201
Fax: (310) 458-1621
To contact the Council Office: [email protected] To provide input on Council meeting items: [email protected] Mayor Lana Negrete [email protected]
Mayor Pro Tem Caroline Torosis [email protected] Councilmember Jesse Zwick [email protected]
Councilmember Dan Hall [email protected]
Councilmember Ellis Raskin [email protected] Councilmember Barry Snell [email protected]
Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya [email protected] Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 296 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 20 David Yakobson
From: Nikki Kolhoff <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 4:50 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Cc: Zina Josephs
Subject: March 8, 2025 Special Joint Meeting of City Council and the Housing Commission – Item 11B

EXTERNAL
To: City Council
From: Board of Directors, Friends of Sunset Park
Re: March 8, 2025 Special Joint Meeting of City Council and the Housing Commission – Item 11B Dear Mayor Negrete and Councilmembers:

On behalf of Friends of Sunset Park, thank you for your dedicated service to our community.

A majority of the Friends of Sunset Park Board are writing to express concerns regarding the City’s upcoming budget process and potential bond financing for discretionary projects. We believe that the City’s focus on increasing revenue by taxing the residents, instead of revitalizing commercial activity to jump start commercial revenue generation growth, is the wrong approach. It allows the City to pass the buck to residents without being accountable for the commercial harm caused by City policies that don’t improve the City’s quality of life and safety profiles, resulting in revenue stagnation.

We respectfully ask the Council to focus on a strategic plan to revitalize the commercial sector, capitalizing on the unique combination of world-class assets and locale that is already available prior to considering resident taxes and bonds. We also request that you defer any non-essential, unfunded projects until Santa Monica’s fiscal outlook and core revenue streams are able to support such expenditures.

1. Budget Challenges
According to the latest City budget documents and analyses, Santa Monica’s General Fund reserves are significantly lower than in the early 2010s. While our City’s goal is to maintain at least 15–20% of operating expenditures in reserves, reports indicate that our current “months of reserves” have declined substantially compared to previous years, that we now have only 4 months of reserves, and that we are in a downward trend. Furthermore, the City plans to “balance” the general fund deficit with the use of what appears to be $60.8 million in one-time reserves ($33.2 million General Fund reserve balance plus $27.6 million Working Capital reserves). We believe this diminished reserve level places the City in a vulnerable position, particularly if new unfunded initiatives move forward.

2. Decline of Downtown Revenues and Failure to Focus on City’s Core Strengths Historically, a vibrant commercial sector, especially the downtown core centered around the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place, generated substantial sales tax and tourist revenue, as it should. We were and can be a world-class destination. Policy shortcomings have caused businessrelated revenues to flatline and, in some areas, decline. The last robust sector, auto sales, are now stumbling. If our commercial transaction flows aren’t fundamentally improved, increasing revenues Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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Packet Pg. 297 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 21 through business tax increases will also stall, both by placing even more pressure on our remaining businesses and by not addressing the core problem of declining visitors in a visitor-driven economy.

Public data from LA County and local studies suggest that factors such as increased unhoused and reduced parking options have contributed to a downturn in the downtown's revenue. Despite this data, staff continues to blame Covid and other technical issues, not the crumbling safety and homeless-impacted business environment created by inappropriate or absent City policies. Even though there has been overwhelming resident focus on homelessness and safety, the City is calling itself safe and refuses to change any of its policy priorities in response to both resident and business feedback.

The City’s decision to repurpose certain public parking infrastructure (e.g., Parking Structure 3, Parking Structure 1, and the Main Street parking lots, just to name the most prominent) further discourage visitor traffic, contributing to a decline in millions of dollars in revenue generated by the structures themselves. In comparison, nearby shopping destinations (Century City Mall, Marina del Rey) remain highly competitive. Yet the City refuses to acknowledge the holistic and direct costs of removing the parking infrastructure.

There is a huge opportunity to anchor Santa Monica’s commercial revitalization with the Civic Center as an entertainment destination by entering into an ENA with RPG. But the absence of a holistic view of the commercial potential of the City’s destination assets has led to the unimaginative and economically destructive consideration of selling off this irreplaceable asset. This plan is a continuation of managing each of the key destination assets in a silo, and not being interested in policy that takes advantage of their combined economic power, which is greater than the sum of its parts. The only mention of active management is the hiring of the Civic Center Consultant and even that sounds like a stopgap activity on the ultimate path to declare the Civic a stranded asset in need of demolition.

3. Concerns About the Proposed Bond
We understand the City is exploring a bond measure to finance capital improvements. The total unfunded capital project list has skyrocketed from $113 million in FY22 to $460 million in FY26. We can’t help but think this has been done to inflate the amount of money the City will ask for in a General Obligation Bond.

The City launches into the need for a capital projects Bond without prioritizing any of the projects or making any reference to the capital financial management problems identified by the internal auditors.

Passing a general obligation bond simply creates another revenue stream that will become permanent, just like the school district’s bonds, with no accountability for the spending, no requirement to spend on the listed projects, and no responsibility for the destructive policies that are killing the commercial activity in the city that would otherwise pay for the improvements. We strongly urge the Council to assess how much revenue a fully revitalized and optimized commercial sector would generate, how quickly such policies could be implemented and what the minimum resident needs would need to be addressed by in the interim by issuing long-term debt.

4. Recommendations

1. Prioritize Coordinated Revitalization of our Core Assets: Focus on initiatives that enhance safety, parking accessibility, and overall visitor experience in the Third Street Promenade, the Santa Monica Place, the Civic Center Auditorium, Main Street, and nearby surrounding areas. Enter into the ENA with RPG. Encourage developers to repurpose privately owned and under-occupied office buildings in the downtown as low-income housing to fulfill our housing mandates, rather than building elsewhere in the city, so that there will be more residents downtown to shop.

Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 298 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 22 2. Prioritize Basic Resident Services – Fully Reopen Libraries: Fund essential services prior to discretionary programs. It is unacceptable that our libraries have not been fully restored to pre-Covid levels of operation. The failure to prioritize this most essential service and foundation of democracy is shameful.

3. Suspend Non-Essential Projects: Delay purely discretionary projects until the City’s reserve levels reach a more prudent threshold, ensuring Santa Monica can weather unforeseen economic changes.

4. Maintain Strategic Public Land: Fully evaluate and disclose all economic consequences, direct and indirect, before selling or converting city-owned structures that are critical to supporting local businesses and revitalizing our core assets.

5. Ensure Bond Accountability: If a bond measure is pursued, provide legallyenforceable specific projects to be funded by the bond, and transparent regular reporting and analysis of its financial sustainability and alignment with core city needs.

Thank you for considering these concerns. We appreciate your leadership and remain committed to working alongside the City Council to help ensure Santa Monica’s continued prosperity.

Sincerely,
Friends of Sunset Park
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 299 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 23 David Yakobson
From: Rachael Bloom <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 3:52 PM
To: Caroline Torosis; Lana Negrete; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; councilmtgitems
Subject: Subject: Agenda Item 11.B: Support continued City funding for SM Schools

EXTERNAL
As involved and concerned Santa Monica residents and parents of school-age children, and in advance of the March 8 Special Joint Meeting and Council Budget Workshop, we wanted to take the opportunity to share our perspective on priorities for the City of Santa Monica.

We truly appreciate your work and success on issues impacting children, youth, and families in Santa Monica, and wish all the best for the future.

Rachael
www.rachaelbloomtherapy.com
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 300 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 24 David Yakobson
From: Inessa Manevich <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 3:09 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Agenda Item 11.B: Support continued City funding for SM Schools

EXTERNAL
Office of the City Mayor and City Council
1685 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

03.07.25 Dear Honorable City Councilmember.

As involved and concerned Santa Monica residents and parents of school-age children, and in advance of the March 8 Special Joint Meeting and Council Budget Workshop, we wanted to take the opportunity to share our perspective on priorities for the City of Santa Monica.

We truly appreciate your work and success on issues impacting children, youth, and families in Santa Monica, and wish all the best for the future.

Sincerely,
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 301 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 25 Inessa Manevich
--
Inessa Manevich, Ph.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PSY 25319
Clinical Instructor, The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA www.drinessamanevich.com
310.804.6339
Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Please keep in mind that privacy of healthcare data sent via email can not be assured. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and please destroy the original message and any and all copies. Unauthorized use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited.

Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 302 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 26 David Yakobson
From: Nisha Mendelsohn <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 3:27 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Subject: Agenda Item 11.B: Support continued City funding for SM Schools

I look forward to the continued, vital partnership between the City and SMMUSD.

With gratitude,
Nisha Mendelsohn
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 303 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 27 David Yakobson
From: Danny Bitar <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 2:44 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell; Ellis Raskin; councilmtgitems
Cc: erin.bitar
Subject: Agenda Item 11.B: Support continued City funding for SM Schools

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
Thank you for your service to our wonderful City. As involved community members and parents of children in SMMUSD schools, We are writing to ask that the City maintain its long-standing funding for our City's public schools, early childhood education and youth services.

We see the positive impact of our strong public schools on children, their families and our community on a weekly basis. This investment directly translates to enriched learning experiences, enhanced student well-being, and a stronger community fabric. It is inspiring and makes me proud to live in a City that places such a high value on public education.

We look forward to the continued, vital partnership between the City and SMMUSD.

With Gratitude,
Danny and Erin Bitar
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 304 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 28 David Yakobson
From: Mike Flaxman <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 2:18 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Agenda Item 11.B: Support continued City funding for SM Schools

I look forward to the continued, vital partnership between the City and SMMUSD.

With Gratitude,
Mike Flaxman
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 305 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 29 David Yakobson
From: Jill Bentley <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 2:10 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Agenda Item 11.B: Support continued City funding for SM Schools

I look forward to the continued, vital partnership between the City and SMMUSD.

With Gratitude,
Jill Bentley
Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 306 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 30 David Yakobson
From: Kristin Julie Viola <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 1:44 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Agenda Item 11.B: Support continued City funding for SM Schools

EXTERNAL
Hello Councilmembers,
Thank you for your service to the city of Santa Monica. As a resident of Santa Monica and parent of two children in SMMUSD schools, I'm writing to ask that the City maintain its long-standing funding for our City's public schools, early childhood education and youth services.

I look forward to the continued, vital partnership between the City and SMMUSD.

Best,
Kristin Flaxman
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 307 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 31 David Yakobson
From: Ann Kelly <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 1:38 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Agenda Item 11.B: Support continued City funding for SM Schools

I look forward to the continued, vital partnership between the City and SMMUSD.

With Gratitude,
Ann Kelly
SM Resident & Parent of 3 children at Grant Elementary (Kinder, 3rd, 4th grades) Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 308 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 32 David Yakobson
From: Peter DiChellis <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 1:38 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Budget Discussion

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
Cutting spending on the myriad of city programs and policies that attract criminal drifters and homeless drug addicts will help restore fiscal health both by reducing expenditures and by creating a safer and more attractive environment for tourism and business formation.

After all, who wants to visit or operate a business here when headlines scream crime and unconscious derelicts litter sidewalks?
Sincerely,
Peter DiChellis
Santa Monica
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 309 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 33 David Yakobson
From: Nichole Delansky <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 12:59 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: PLEASE SAVE City Funding for SMMUSD Public Schools!

EXTERNAL
Councilmembers,
I am a proud parent of 2 kids in SMMUSD schools-- one at JAMS and one at Grant. It has come to my attention that there is a crucial budget meeting tomorrow which could impact discretionary funding for our public schools. My sincere hope is that you will recognize this funding as vital for our district, and protect these budgets for the benefit of our schoolchildren. Quality education for Santa Monica's kids should be a top priority.

Thank you for being receptive to our feedback-- please consider the devastating impact of reducing these budgets on our kids, and help us continue to promote excellence in education.

Nichole Delansky
Santa Monica resident, JAMS mom and Grant mom
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 310 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 34 David Yakobson
From: Yvonne Kawano <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 12:40 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please continue City funding for our public schools

EXTERNAL
Office of the City Mayor and City Council
1685 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
March 7th, 2025
Dear Honorable City Councilmembers,
As an involved and concerned Santa Monica resident and parent of school-age children, at Grant Elementary and John Adams Middle School, and in advance of the March 8 Special Joint Meeting and Council Budget Workshop, I wanted to take the opportunity to share my perspective on priorities for the City of Santa Monica.

The City has long been a powerful partner to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. My family moved to Santa Monica in part on the strength and quality of the school system; as parents of two children who have come through the District, I truly appreciate the support the City has provided. This ongoing financial support has helped the District to minimize (but not eliminate) the volatility of income planning and made possible the District’s renowned curriculum and moderate class sizes.

As you assess priorities for the coming biennial budget, I urge you to place sustained and ongoing support of the SMMUSD at the very highest level of priority. This week, the SMM Council of PTAs executive board pledged its support of maintaining current City funding to the District into the future. I cannot imagine a greater investment in the future of our city than continued funding of the education system. The benefits are well known:
excellent schools lead to developing a cohort of productive and responsible citizens and taxpayers, and also attract residents from around the world.

I have gratitude for the City’s longtime commitment to the District and responsiveness to us as citizens. You can count on this community to continue to work with the City to best meet the needs of the largest number of our students and families, with a focus on our most vulnerable.

I truly appreciate your work and success on issues impacting children, youth, and families in Santa Monica, and wish all the best for the future.

Sincerely,
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 311 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 36 David Yakobson
From: KelsHarrison11 <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 12:24 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Funding for Ocean Park and Fairview Branches

EXTERNAL
Hello,
I am an ocean park resident writing to request an increase in funding so that full service support at the Fairview and ocean park library branches can be restored to at least 2 days a week.

The libraries are a critical part of our community—they provide open safe spaces for people to gather and learn.

The self service option does not provide the same level of resources as the full service option. The self service felt necessary in Covid, but now limits our communities ability to gather and learn.

Please provide additional funds for the Ocean Park and Fairview library branches! Sincerely,
Kelsey Harrison, Santa Monica resident
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 312 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 37 David Yakobson
From: Zoë Muntaner <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 12:16 PM
To: Cecilia Tovar; councilmtgitems
Cc: Karen Reitz; Jennifer Ullrich; Natalie Marrero; Lana Negrete; Elaine Polachek; Susan Cline; David Gardinier; Lisa Parson
Subject: Re: Jai Chakribarti Reading Cross Pollination with Cultural Affairs

EXTERNAL
Hi Cecilia,
Today I decided to come to the Beverly Hills Library. What a difference in the courtesy and cooperation from library staff! Very welcoming, I even applied for a library card to use it since the limit of access hours of Santa Monica Library creates a deficit in the time I can spend studying in a clean and quiet environment.

I am baffled by your reply; once again the lack of cooperation to do an event that could have been a fundraiser for the library. As you shared in our meeting The Library funding is limited and you are asking for money from the 2025 Budget. I am confused.

Today I received an email from one of the Santa Monica Neighborhood Associations. Urgent Timing Regarding Library Funding: The City Council budget meeting is this Saturday and they need to hear from residents that funding the libraries needs to be a priority. The Group is asking neighbors to write tothe City Council about concerns and here are some facts from the library staff:
 The Library Budget is still only 88% of 2019 funding levels and 66% of 2019 staffing levels  2 branches do not have any full-service hours and are only accessible 2 days per week  The reduction in staff also impacts the availability of new books since processing times are slower with reduced staff
 At the February Library Board meeting, Director Cuyugan provided a preliminary estimate of $550,000 to $650,000 to restore full service at Fairview and Ocean Park branches for two days per week plus one day of self-service.
 This small increase, compared to the City's overall General Fund operating budget of $450 million for FY 24-25, would make a meaningful difference for the approximately 28,000 residents of Ocean Park and Sunset Park.

If Library funding should be a funding priority, why would you and the Library Board pass on an opportunity to do a Fundraiser for the Santa Monica Library? It does not make sense. How does that decision reflect on the mission of the library? Asking for a friend reads the website of the Santa Monica Friends of the Public Library:"Your support fuels the mission of the Santa Monica Public Library. Help cultivate wellbeing by providing essential resources, programs, services and spaces to connect."
Isn't that ironic? If the Library wants to pass on an opportunity to do a Fundraiser it means the finances are stable, otherwise you would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the Compassionate Santa Monica event.

Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 313 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 38 On Wed, Mar 5, 2025 at 5:40 PM Cecilia Tovar <[email protected]> wrote:

Hello Zoe,
It was nice to see you today! I had the opportunity to connect with my team, Karen Reitz, and Jen Ullrich, who oversee the events and programs proposal process for the library.

As indicated on the library website, event proposals typically take about 4–6 weeks to review.

Additionally, our team plans library programs on a quarterly basis. As I mentioned earlier, the library has faced significant budget cuts, which have resulted in limited staff capacity. Due to these constraints, we can only coordinate a few events each month.

Our March calendar for library events is already full and has been published, so unfortunately, we won’t be able to host your event at this time. However, the library is currently planning events for May and June if you wish to for us to consider another event with us. Karen Reitz can answer any questions about the library program events proposal process and timelines.

We also have meeting rooms for rent if you wish to proceed with your event in March. Please visit our meeting room information for rentals santamonica.gov - How to Book a Meeting Room at the Library

Sincerely,

Cecilia Tovar
Assistant City Librarian
Administration & Business Services
Santa Monica Public Library
(310) 458-8640
smpl.org
Facebook | X | Instagram
View the Library Calendar of Events

Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 314 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 39 From: Zoë Muntaner <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 1:42 PM
To: Cecilia Tovar <[email protected]>
Subject: Fwd: Jai Chakribarti Reading Cross Pollination with Cultural Affairs

EXTERNAL

Proyecto de Podcast Lecture

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Zoë Muntaner <[email protected]> Date: Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Subject: Jai Chakribarti Reading Cross Pollination with Cultural Affairs To: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]> CC: <[email protected]>

I am working with a writer friend of mine from New York who is travelling to be in a panel at the AWP Conference next month. The AWP Conference & Bookfair is the essential gathering for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers.

Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 315 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 40 Having Jai Chakribarti will draw a significant audience from the Jewsih and Indian audiences. I can fill the house. I was producing a reading of the author's last book with a Q & A, a sound bath experience, Indian music,dance, and food. A full cultural experience. After last night's event at the Annenberg Beach House I thought that this would dovetail perfectly with the programming Natalie marrero is doing at the Annenberg and would love to host it there as part of the Santa Monica Library and Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Let me know if you have time to meet on Monday in person or via ZOOM to further explain what I have in mind. I filled out the SM Library Event proposal, however it says the library will get back to me in 6-8 weeks and the AWP is on March 25-29, 2015.

Have a blessed weekend. Kindly reply, thank you.

Zoë Muntaner
Founder & Chief Compassion Officer
Building a COMPASSIONATE City Since 2013
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. --
Zoë Muntaner
Founder & Chief Compassion Officer
Building a COMPASSIONATE City Since 2013
To help
protect your
privacy,
Micro so ft
Office
prevented
auto matic
download of
this picture
from the
Internet.

Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 316 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 41 David Yakobson
From: adam monaghan <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 10:48 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Agenda Item 11.B: Support for continued City funding for Santa Monica's public schools

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
Thank you for your service to our wonderful City. As a member of the Grant Elementary PTA Executive Committee and a parent of children in SMMUSD schools, I'm writing to urge you to maintain the City's long-standing funding for our public schools, early childhood education, and youth services.

In my role on the PTA Executive Board, I witness firsthand the profound positive impact of our strong public schools on students, their families, and our community. Every week, I see the dedication of our teachers, the engagement of our students, and the supportive network that makes our schools thrive. This investment directly translates to enriched learning experiences, enhanced student well-being, and a stronger community fabric. It is truly inspiring and reinforces my pride in living in a City that prioritizes public education.

I look forward to the continued, vital partnership between the City and SMMUSD.

With Gratitude,
Adam Monaghan
Grant Elementary PTA Auditor
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 317 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 42 David Yakobson
From: Wes L <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 10:47 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Agenda Item 11.B: Support for Santa Monica's public schools

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
Thank you for your service to our wonderful city. As PTA Finance Secretary and a parent of children in SMMUSD schools, I'm writing to urge you to maintain the city's long-standing funding for our public schools, early childhood education, and youth services.

As a parent and in my PTA role, I witness firsthand the profound positive impact of our strong public schools on students, their families, and our community. Every week, I see the dedication of our teachers, the engagement of our students, and the supportive network that makes our schools thrive. This investment directly translates to enriched learning experiences, enhanced student well-being, and a stronger community fabric. It is truly inspiring and reinforces my pride in living in a city that prioritizes public education.

I look forward to the continued, vital partnership between the city and SMMUSD.

Sincerely,
Wes Larmore
Grant Elementary PTA Financial Secretary
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 318 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 43 David Yakobson
From: Sara Benyaminy <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 10:40 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please Continue City Funding for our Public Schools

I see the positive impact of our strong public schools on children, their families and our community on a weekly basis. It is inspiring and makes me proud to live in a City that places such a high value on public education.

I look forward to the continued partnership between the City and SMMUSD.

With Gratitude,
Sara Benyaminy
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 319 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 44 David Yakobson
From: girltunes <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 10:37 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please fund the Ocean Park & Fairview Libraries

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
It is imperative that you properly fund the Ocean Park and Fairview libraries.

The article, "Role of Library In Society," posted by the Library and Information Science Education Network summarizes the vital importance of libraries:

Introduction: Libraries are often regarded as the quiet, unassuming pillars of society, yet their role is nothing short of transformative. In the tapestry of modern civilization, they are the custodians of knowledge, the keepers of stories, and the gateways to a world of information. As we delve into the essential role of libraries in society, we embark on a journey that transcends the dusty shelves and the hushed whispers within these hallowed halls. Libraries are not merely repositories of books; they are vibrant hubs of learning, innovation, and cultural enrichment.

With that in mind, here are some facts (source: OPA 3-7-25 email) about the state of our libraries in Santa Monica:
 The Library Budget is still only 88% of 2019 funding levels and 66% of 2019 staffing levels  2 branches do not have any full-service hours and are only accessible 2 days per week  The reduction in staff also impacts the availability of new books since processing times are slower with reduced staff
 At the February Library Board meeting, Director Cuyugan provided a preliminary estimate of $550,000 to $650,000 to restore full service at Fairview and Ocean Park branches for two days per week plus one day of selfservice.  This small increase, compared to the City's overall General Fund operating budget of $450 million for FY 24-25, would make a meaningful difference for the approximately 28,000 residents of Ocean Park and Sunset Park.

Please fund our Ocean Park & Fairview libraries in full.

Sincerely,
Ferris Gluck
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 320 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 45 David Yakobson
From: Grace DeVoll <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 9:09 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please prioritize funding the libraries

EXTERNAL
Hi,
My name is Grace DeVoll and I’m a resident of Sunset Park Santa Monica (3020 17th St 90405). I am writing to urge the city council to prioritize library funding during the budget meeting this weekend. The Fairview branch has barely been open for the past five years and is an important community space for the neighborhood.

Thanks for your consideration.

Warmly,
Grace
Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 321 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 46 David Yakobson
From: Teresa Mendez <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 8:34 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Santa Monica Library

EXTERNAL
Good morning,
I am a proud Santa Monica resident- I live across from Ozone Park. There are a lot of things our city does well. But one thing that could be improved is our libraries!
I am the mother of a 2 year old. The local libraries are so important to us. We visit the library at least once a week.

More in the winter when it gets dark early or when it’s raining. But we are constantly being frustrated by the limited hours of the Main Street branch and the Fairview Branch.

The staff who work these branches are so dedicated and great. We would like to go more often and to go on more days of the week.

Libraries are vital community resources for children. Please restore funding levels for the library.

Thank you for your time.

Tessa Mendez
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 322 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 47 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica Families for Safe Streets <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 8:12 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Lana Negrete; Natalya Zernitskaya
Subject: Protecting Measure K Money for Safe Streets in the Biennial Budget Attachments: Measure K March 2025.pdf

EXTERNAL
Mayor and Councilmembers,
Last November Measure K passed with overwhelming support, earning approval from 74% of voters. This decisive mandate reflects the community’s clear expectation that the city will uphold the measure’s intended purpose.

Please see the attached letter from organizations that supported Measure K and led the successful campaign that led to the overwhelming approval of measure K.

Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 323 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
Last November Measure K passed with overwhelming support, earning approval from 74% of voters. This decisive mandate reflects the community’s clear expectation that the city will uphold the measure’s intended purpose.

It is unfortunate that the staff report sets forth a plan to use funding from the most recent voter-approved tax increase for a purpose other than that which was intended by the voters.

Ignoring the will of the voters would erode public trust in the city’s commitment to responsive and transparent governance. Measure K funds must be used for their intended purpose: safe streets and public safety.

The city surveyed the top areas of greatest need and mobility and safe streets were in the top five. Additionally, with 68% of our greenhouse gas emissions coming from transportation, it is clear that we cannot meet our sustainability goals without investing in safe, multimodal streets that enable people to drive less and choose cleaner, more efficient ways to get around.

Restoring the city’s Safe Routes to Schools Program and leveraging local Measure K revenues as local matches for grant applications to Metro, SCAG, and Caltrans for street safety projects should be priorities.

We ask that you ensure that Measure K funds are used as the voters intended: to make the streets of Santa Monica safer and more multimodal.

Sincerely,
Juan Matute, Co-Founder, Santa Monica Families for Safe Streets Michael Schneider, Founder & CEO, Streets For All
Brad Ewing and Carl Hansen, Co-Chairs, Santa Monica Forward Eli Gill, Abundant Santa Monica Chapter Lead
Cynthia Rose, Director, Santa Monica Spoke
Cris Gutierrez & Cynthia Rose, Co-Chairs, Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 324 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 48 David Yakobson
From: Katherine McNamara <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 11:24 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Library funding

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
I am writing to urge you to address the disastrous cuts in library funding that have affected the Ocean and Sunset Park branches. Our beloved Fairview Branch was a hub in our neighbourhood, but has been sitting mostly dormant since 2020. Without library staff and programs, the self serve atmosphere creates an uncomfortable space to bring my kids, as there are rarely more than one or two individuals present. So many neighbors are stymied by their inability to access the security code at the door. Putting books on hold and requesting transfers involves weeks of waiting if you miss their limited Tuesday and Friday hours. If this continues your client base will disappear completely. These budget cuts are extremely short sighted. For a tenth of a percent of the City budget, we could staff Fairview and Ocean Park with knowledgeable librarians and restore them to full function, even if on a limited schedule. The nearly 30,000 residents of Ocean and Sunset Park deserve this. It is more critical than ever to make device-free reading materials accessible to residents of all ages. Please address this funding gap in your next budget.

Thank you,
Katherine McNamara
 The Library Budget is still only 88% of 2019 funding levels and 66% of 2019 staffing levels
 2 branches do not have any full-service hours and are only accessible 2 days per week
 The reduction in staff also impacts the availability of new books since processing times are slower with reduced staff
 At the February Library Board meeting, Director Cuyugan provided a preliminary estimate of $550,000 to $650,000 to restore full service at Fairview and Ocean Park branches for two days per week plus one day of self-service.  This small increase, compared to the City's overall General Fund operating budget of $450 million for FY 24-25, would make a meaningful difference for the approximately 28,000 residents of Ocean Park and Sunset Park.

Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 325 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 49 David Yakobson
From: William Purdy <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 7:48 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 11-B

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council members,
I will do my best to attend the Saturday morning meeting to make this point in person. We need to increase the operating hours of the Fairview branch ASAP. If that means more open hours to the public, then great! yet even more self-service hours, all weekdays and Saturdays for example, would do nicely.

We need to re-introduce families and kids to the wonderful things our libraries provide.

We raise readers, from toddlers to teenagers, at our libraries. Don't let them down, Thanks!
Bill Purdy
Sunset Park rez
Voter
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 326 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 50 David Yakobson
From: Henry Molofsky <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 9:15 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Ocean park and Fairview libraries

EXTERNAL
Hi there,
I’m a Sunset Park resident and my daughter and I regularly use these libraries with her grandmother. She loves reminding me to whisper there.

A library makes a community better in innumerable and irreplaceable ways. Please keep kids curious and keep funding our libraries.

Henry Molofsky
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 327 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 51 David Yakobson
From: Anastasia Foster <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 9:16 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Support for schools

EXTERNAL
I hope the city will continue to maintain the funding it’s been sharing with the schools. My family has relied upon the after school programs in particular when we were struggling. I know others do as well. Our budget reflects our values, and I know each of you value the long relationship our city and schools have always had.

Thank you
> Anastasia Foster
>
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 328 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 52 David Yakobson
From: Joy Moini <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 6:15 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Please continue City funding for our public schools

EXTERNAL
Dear Honorable City Councilmembers:

The City has long been a powerful partner to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. We stayed in Santa Monica in part on the strength and quality of the school system; as parents of two children who are currently in the District, we truly appreciate the support the City has provided. This ongoing financial support has helped the District to minimize (but not eliminate) the volatility of income planning and made possible the District’s renowned curriculum and moderate class sizes.

As you assess priorities for the coming biennial budget, we urge you to place sustained and ongoing support of the SMMUSD at the very highest level of priority. We cannot imagine a greater investment in the future of our city than continued funding of the education system. The benefits are well known: excellent schools lead to developing a cohort of productive and responsible citizens and taxpayers, and also attract residents from around the world.

We truly appreciate your work and success on issues impacting children, youth, and families in Santa Monica.

Sincerely,
Joy Moini and Howard Padwa
Parents of SMMUSD Grant 2nd grader & JAMS 6th grader
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 329 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 53 David Yakobson
From: AJ Mildenberg <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 6:08 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please Protect Ocean Park & Fairview Libraries

EXTERNAL
Santa Monica City Council,
I’m writing to express my strong support for keeping Ocean Park and Fairview libraries open and fully funded. These libraries are an essential part of our community, and reducing their services—or worse, closing them—would be a huge loss.

For many of us, these libraries are more than just a place to borrow books. They’re where kids develop a love of reading, where students find a quiet place to study, and where residents of all ages can access resources they might not have at home. They provide a safe, welcoming space for everyone, and that kind of community hub is irreplaceable.

Personally, I’ve seen firsthand how valuable these spaces are. I’ll never forget bringing my neice to the Ocean Park library for storytime—watching their face light up as they listened, surrounded by other kids and families. It wasn’t just about the books; it was about fostering curiosity and connection. These libraries offer that experience every day, and without them, we lose a piece of what makes our community special.

I understand the challenges of balancing budgets, but cutting library services would take away something that so many people rely on. I urge you to prioritize keeping Ocean Park and Fairview libraries open and fully operational.

Thank you for your time and for considering the voices of those who care deeply about our local libraries.

Best,
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 330 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 55 David Yakobson
From: Allison Dollar <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 5:56 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Santa Monica libraries

EXTERNAL
Hi, I've been distressed to see the state of our library services. To find locked doors and self service was heartbreaking. And I'm thinking of people who don't know how or have the resources to use QR codes that lose out altogether.

I presume this budget erosion reflects the usage/visitor rates dropping, which has been a long slide due to the migration to digital media. And I'm sure the branches and various committees have been discussing the redefinition of libraries' structures and services. But the fundamental need for libraries as beacons of civil civic society remains.

Perhaps we could run a campaign, a la Adopt a Highway, for support from larger corporations/brands and established local companies.

Bottom line is that we need libraries to be supported and healthy.

Allison Dollar
[email protected]
310 428 5079
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 331 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 56 David Yakobson
From: Clare Driscoll <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 5:28 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Library Funding

EXTERNAL
Please prioritize funding for Santa Monica’s library. A robust library system that is accessible to residents in all parts of the city is foundational for a thriving community. The library provides countless resources and is a reflection of what a city values.

Thank you,
Clare Driscoll
Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 332 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 57 David Yakobson
From: nicole faries <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 4:53 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Barry Snell; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Council members -
I’m writing to you as longtime Santa Monica resident and parent of 2 SMMUSD graduates and one current student.

I am very aware of the challenges you face in approving a balanced budget by June and am sympathetic to the tradeoffs you will have to make given the current economic realities. When funding the City’s operational budget, I urge you to preserve your long term commitment to municipal funding for education and youth services.This unique partnership between the City of Santa Monica and SMMUSD is envied by other districts. Too often when public agencies have to trim their budgets, it is items such as libraries and kids programs which bear the brunt of cuts, while expenditures backed by louder, more organized lobbying are spared the chopping block. Strong, well-funded schools are the backbone of any community.

What better commitment is there to a diverse and equitable city than an investment in our children and their future? School funding is in alignment with 2 City Strategic Priorities, Economic growth and Cultural Vitality and Justice Equity& Diversity.

Please include funding for the children of Santa Monica in your budget priorities by continuing to honor the voter approved revenue sharing agreements with the School District , Y/YY and GS/GSH and the Master Facilities Use Agreement. I will add that the money from GS 2022 is meant to supplement not replace the money from the other agreements. The children in our community and I thank you in advance for making public school support a Budget Priority .

Sincerely,
Nicole Faries
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 333 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 1 David Yakobson
From: Tom Brown <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 4:19 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: SMPL

EXTERNAL
Hello council members
As a long-term Sana Monica resident (40 plus years) and lifelong library patron, I have grown to appreciate the SM Public Library more and more over the years I have resided here. As a matter of fact, I worked there for a few years in the 90s. My most memorable shift was in the AV Dept on Sunday afternoons. As a patron I miss the Sunday and Friday hours, the 9:00 pm closing time during the week, and the friendly faces at the Ocean Park and Fairview branches. Santa Monica has a long tradition of strong community support for our library system as evidenced by the construction of the new Main Library some years ago. We need full funding for the library to be restored to pre-pandemic levels for so many reasons. Please give us back the library service we need and want in an enlightened community such as Santa Monica.

Tom Brown
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 334 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 1 David Yakobson
From: Louise Jaffe <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 3:58 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 11-A: please continue strong support for children and their families Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Council Members, and Interim City Manager Polachek! I understand that you are facing a very difficult fiscal situation. Nevertheless, I hope you will be strong in continuing your support for our community's children and their families. Please maintain or increase funding for early childhood education, after school programs, youth services including library services, and the school district. I know all of you understand the importance of quality education, including early education, in the lives of all Santa Monicans, the future of the city, and advancing equity. I appreciate your willingness to serve, to stand strong for children, and to tackle the challenges ahead.

Thank you.

Louise
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 335 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 1 David Yakobson
From: Susanna Wise <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 3:27 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Libraries

EXTERNAL
Hello!
I'm a Sunset Park resident and want to express my support for the libraries. I'm a recent college grad who just moved back to Santa Monica and I LOVE the libraries. I need the resources they provide and love the free coworking space aspect. Please don't reduce hours and services.

Thanks!
Susanna Wise
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 336 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 2 David Yakobson
From: Tricia Crane <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 3:23 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Cc: Douglas Sloan; Elaine Polachek; Susan Cline; Christopher J. Smith Subject: Support our Public Libraries - Special Joint Meeting of City Council and the Housing Authority

EXTERNAL
March 6, 2025
To: Mayor Negrete and City Council members
From: Northeast Neighbors Board of Directors
RE: Special Joint Meeting of the City Council and Housing Authority 3/8/25 Mayor Negrete and Councilmembers,
Our public libraries play an indispensable and unique role in benefiting Santa Monica’s community fabric and well-being and they must not be subjected to further budget cuts.

The losses to library services resulting from recent budget cutbacks have been hurtful to residents.

Our libraries depend upon the General Fund for operations and staffing.

The budget for our libraries is approximately 2% of the General Fund budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025: $11.5 million out of $458 million.

We send this letter to support the Library Board’s request for an increase of $600,000, which would provide at least 2 days of full service at all five branches throughout our city.

The Board of Northeast Neighbors
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 337 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 3 David Yakobson
From: Tom Larmore <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 2:54 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Budget Discussion

EXTERNAL
In the context of your discussion on Saturday morning, I want to express my strong support for continued funding of the School District in accordance with existing agreements and other funding that is necessary in order to support school age kids and their parents such as after-school programs, playground supervision, other your services and early childhood education. The well-being of our youth is critical to the future of our City.

Tom Larmore
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 338 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 4 David Yakobson
From: Jayanthi K. Daniel <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 2:44 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Request to Keep SMMUSD Funding Whole During Budget Negotiations -- Attachments: Jayanthi_Daniel_City_Council_Budget_Request.docx

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
Attached is a letter from myself, a Franklin Elementary School parent, to request to the City Council to not reduce funding to SMMUSD during the current budget negotiations.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Jayanthi
--
Jayanthi K. Daniel
[email protected]
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 339 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) Office of the City Mayor and City Council
1685 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
March 6, 2025
Dear Honorable City Councilmembers,
As involved and concerned Santa Monica residents and parents of school-age children, and in advance of the March 8 Special Joint Meeting and Council Budget Workshop, we wanted to take the opportunity to share our perspective on priorities for the City of Santa Monica.

We truly appreciate your work and success on issues impacting children, youth, and families in Santa Monica, and wish all the best for the future.

Sincerely,
Jayanthi Daniel
Franklin Elementary School Parent
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 340 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 5 David Yakobson
From: Daniella Geller <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 2:15 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Library

EXTERNAL
Hello!
Our family are frequent users of the library and we truly value the system. We take out books physically and digitally, and my kids also enjoy the youth programming.

Before the pandemic, our regular library was the beautiful OPB branch. When it reduced hours and essentially became a kiosk, we switched to the Main Library.

As patrons of the library and Santa Monica residents, we value continued investment in the library system, particularly for kids and young adults, and would advocate for bringing the branches currently on limited hours back into service.

This is a protection in the future for the education of our population, and a way for people to access tech when they may not be able to otherwise. Libraries serve a critical need, and Santa Monica should be at the forefront.

Best Regards,
Daniella
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 341 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 6 David Yakobson
From: Todo Sher <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 2:04 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Library funding

EXTERNAL
As our country experiences uncertainty because of Trump’s DOGE cuts, it becomes more imperative that our libraries are funded on every level possible. They should remain the refuge that they have been for generations.

Please insure that libraries do not become extinct!
Thank you.

Arthur Sher
2050 Neilson Way #5-307
Santa Monica
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 342 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 7 David Yakobson
From: Carolyn Day <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 1:55 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Introduction Growing Hope Gardens

EXTERNAL
Hello Santa Monica COuncil folks,
We are a social and environmental nonprofit that was founded in Santa Monica in 2019 at Samoshel and continues to grow within Santa Monica.

I would like to come to a City Council meeting to introduce our impactful work in a public speaking portion of your meeting. COuld you please share when your next 2 meetings are.

In 2024:
- We lead a total of 20 Resident Gardens, with 14 in Santa Monica, in affordable and permanent supportive housing and homeless shelters. These are available to over 2000 low income residents - We lead a 1/4 acre regenerative farm across from the Virginia Park that grows 68varieties of edible vegetables, herbs and fruits
- We donated 65,000 pounds of fresh produce to Santa Monica low income residents - We collaborate with your Office of Sustainability
- We receive funding from the Saint John's Foundation, UC Davis, 3rd Supervisor District and the Annenberg Foundation
- We hosted 500 volunteers with many of them being Santa Monica residents - We collaborate with the LA LGBTQ Center to offer paid Urban Farm internships to their clients - We provide 22x $80 monthly humanitarian stipends for resident onsite garen ambassadors positions.

Thank you for letting us know when we can come to the City Council meeting and introduce ourselves. 3 of 4 employees are Santa Monica Residents and 2 of 5 Board members are also Santa Monica Residents
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 343 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 8 Regards,
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

Carolyn Day
Founder & Executive Director
Growing Hope Gardens
c. (310) 467-4949
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Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 344 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 9 David Yakobson
From: Hannah G <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 12:20 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: SMPL Libraries - March 6 Comment

EXTERNAL
SM Public Libraries have never been restored to their formerly healthy community-serving selves since the pandemic.

Ocean Park has become a strange transactional book warehouse staffed by security two days a week.

No idea where the kids have gone who used to go there after school to study, read, use computers and play chess.

Fairview used to serve the Sunset Park community beautifully. All the kids after school, the neighbors dropping in, the staff greeting people. Did it ever reopen? Find our libraries so that the community, particularly kids, seniors and families can lean into their services. They are an important reflection of the health of our community.

Hannah Galloway
2800 Nelson Way
Santa Monica 90405
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 345 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 10 David Yakobson
From: Laura Adery <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 12:00 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please fund the Libraries!

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council members,
I am an Ocean Park resident and library constituent urging you to prioritize funding for the libraries. Libraries open accessibility for all people to a wide variety of crucial resources to help keep our community thriving. In addition the Library Budget is still only 88% of 2019 funding levels and 66% of 2019 staffing levels. At the February Library Board meeting, Director Cuyugan provided a preliminary estimate of $550,000 to $650,000 to restore full service at Fairview and Ocean Park branches for two days per week plus one day of self-service. This small increase, compared to the City's overall General Fund operating budget of $450 million for FY 24-25, would make a meaningful difference for the approximately 28,000 residents of Ocean Park and Sunset Park.

Thank you very much,
Laura Adery, PhD
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 346 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 11 David Yakobson
From: Rev. Jim Conn <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 10:59 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Supporting Libraries

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor and Council Members...

I am hoping that in the struggle with budget issues, you are able to provide support for our libraries. They matter!
JIM
Rev. Jim Conn
230 Pacific St #108
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310/392-5056
Associations:

CLUE - A Founding Member: www.cluejustice.org
Climate Action Santa Monica - Advisory Board
Asset Based Community Development: www.abcdinstitute.org/ United Methodist Minister - Retired: www.calpacUMC.org
Former Council Member and Mayor of Santa Monica
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 347 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 12 David Yakobson
From: Alexandra Morgan <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 10:37 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Library Funding

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
I urge you to make funding Santa Monica Library a priority. I am an English instructor with with SMMUSD, and currently teach ESL to immigrants at both the Mail Library and Virginia Park. I have enormous respect for the librarians and staff members who are passionate about providing education and service to our community.

The Library Budget is still only 88% of 2019 funding levels and 66% of 2019 staffing levels. 2 branches do not have any full-service hours and are only accessible 2 days per week.

The reduction in staff also impacts the availability of new books since processing times are slower with reduced staff.

At the February Library Board meeting, Director Cuyugan provided a preliminary estimate of $550,000 to $650,000 to restore full service at Fairview and Ocean Park branches for two days per week plus one day of self-service.

Please vote for this small increase, which compared to the City's overall General Fund operating budget of $450 million for FY 24-25,would make a meaningful difference for the approximately 28,000 residents of Ocean Park and Sunset Park.

Thank you.

Alexandra Morgan, MPW
125 Fraser Ave
Santa Monica 90405
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 348 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 13 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 10:36 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: I support FULL funding for ALL of our Santa Monica Library branches

EXTERNAL
Members of the City Council:

We see again and again what an invaluable asset our libraries are to our community and our residents. Please – especially with the slash and burn approach to all things democratic at the federal level – restore our library branch’s funding.

Our Ocean Park branch is such a valued part of our community. 2 days a week + 1 of self-service do not seem unreasonable to ask or expect.

The facts as I understand them are:
 The Library Budget is still only 88% of 2019 funding levels and 66% of 2019 staffing levels  2 branches do not have any full-service hours and are only accessible 2 days per week  The reduction in staff also impacts the availability of new books since processing times are slower with reduced staff
 At the February Library Board meeting, Director Cuyugan provided a preliminary estimate of $550,000 to $650,000 to restore full service at Fairview and Ocean Park branches for two days per week plus one day of self-service.
 This small increase, compared to the City's overall General Fund operating budget of $450 million for FY 24-25, would make a meaningful difference for the approximately 28,000 residents of Ocean Park and Sunset Park.

I look forward to hearing from you.

With appreciation for your service,
Prisclla Burton
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 349 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 14 David Yakobson
From: Maggie Minogue <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 10:26 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Fairview Library

EXTERNAL
Santa Monica Councilmembers,
I write to express my support and love for the Fairview branch. It is a calm, consistent and cozy place for us to explore a world of books. It would be a real loss to our community if it were no longer available.

Appreciate your consideration,
Maggie, Sean, Armour (5) and Dot (2) Minogue
--
Maggie Minogue (she/her) | Head of Industry - Specialty Retail | P: 310.309.6801 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 350 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 15 David Yakobson
From: Randall Klarin <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 10:25 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Library

EXTERNAL
Please reopen the libraries at Ocean Park and Fairview. They are the foundations of COMMUNITY.

Randall Klarin
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 351 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 16 David Yakobson
From: President Grant PTA <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 10:20 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Agenda Item 11.B: Support for Santa Monica's public schools

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
Thank you for your service to our wonderful City. As PTA President and a parent of children in SMMUSD schools, I'm writing to urge you to maintain the City's long-standing funding for our public schools, early childhood education, and youth services.

In my role as PTA President, I witness firsthand the profound positive impact of our strong public schools on students, their families, and our community. Every week, I see the dedication of our teachers, the engagement of our students, and the supportive network that makes our schools thrive. This investment directly translates to enriched learning experiences, enhanced student well-being, and a stronger community fabric. It is truly inspiring and reinforces my pride in living in a City that prioritizes public education.

I look forward to the continued, vital partnership between the City and SMMUSD.

With Gratitude,
Steven Atamian
Grant Elementary PTA President
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 352 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 17 David Yakobson
From: Jean-Paul Buchanan <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 10:18 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Libraries - South of Pico Blvd - Fairview and Ocean Park

EXTERNAL
I write to urge the city to fund all libraries equitably and provide services equitably across the city.

I am a resident of Ocean Park and I was a regular user of the Ocean Park library.

I believe that the equitable provision of services demands that the city must provide Ocean Park and Sunset Park the same library access that is provided to other neighborhoods.

I prefer that the city increases budget allocations to improve access in Ocean Park and Sunset Park.

However, if equitable access to libraries and services requires a shifting of funds from other branch libraries so be it.

Thank you
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 353 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 18 David Yakobson
From: Catherine Bidart <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 10:07 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: please restore library funding

EXTERNAL
Greetings,
I live in Ocean Park and used to regularly use our local library. I urge you to restore funding to our library.

Here are some key facts from Ocean Park Association, from library staff:
 The Library Budget is still only 88% of 2019 funding levels and 66% of 2019 staffing levels
 2 branches do not have any full-service hours and are only accessible 2 days per week
 The reduction in staff also impacts the availability of new books since processing times are slower with reduced staff
 At the February Library Board meeting, Director Cuyugan provided a preliminary estimate of $550,000 to $650,000 to restore full service at Fairview and Ocean Park branches for two days per week plus one day of self-service.  This small increase, compared to the City's overall General Fund operating budget of $450 million for FY 24-25, would make a meaningful difference for the approximately 28,000 residents of Ocean Park and Sunset Park.

Thank you so much for considering all of this.

Best,
Catherine
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 354 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 19 David Yakobson
From: Ana Martinez <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 8:50 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: We love our libraries
Attachments: 20250306_084842.jpg

EXTERNAL
Hello,
I'm writing in support of our local libraries in Santa Monica. We love to get electronic books to read from home, checking out the library at Virginia Park when we go to the farmers market, and visiting our local Ocean Park library as a self serve location.

Please prioritize this important service to the community in the budget! Ana Martinez
Marine st. Santa Monica CA 90405
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 355 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 356 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 20 David Yakobson
From: Kaitlin Palmer <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 8:44 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Save the libraries

EXTERNAL
To whom it may concern,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to kindly request that the city council continues to allocate funding for the library programs dedicated to young children. These programs play a crucial role in fostering early literacy, creativity, and a love of learning in our community’s youngest members. My husband and baby have enjoyed walking the aisles and joining for story times. What a magical way to introduce the love and importance of reading at such a young age.

Access to these resources is vital for their development, and the library is an invaluable space for children and families. I strongly urge you to support continued funding to ensure these opportunities remain available.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Kaitlin Palmer Martini
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 357 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 21 David Yakobson
From: Grace Sobey <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 8:34 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Importance of Ocean Park Library for My Infant Daughter - Budget Considerations

EXTERNAL
Dear Council members
I am writing to express the immense value that the Ocean Park Library holds for my family, particularly for my 5-month-old daughter.

Even at this early age, the library has become a cherished part of our routine. The vast collection of board books and age-appropriate materials provides essential opportunities for early literacy development and sensory exploration.

The library offers a calm and welcoming environment where I can introduce my daughter to the joy of books and foster a love of reading from the very beginning. It's a safe and stimulating space for her to explore, and I know it will be an invaluable resource as she grows. The ability to browse and borrow books is a crucial service that benefits our family immensely.

As the council considers budget allocations, I implore you to recognize the profound impact that the Ocean Park Library has on young families like mine. It is a vital community resource that supports early childhood development.

Please prioritize funding for the Ocean Park Library to ensure that it can continue to provide these essential services to our youngest residents and future generations.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Grace Chapman, 2520 5th St, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Tel: 650-680-8555 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 358 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) 22 David Yakobson
From: Paula Larmore <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 11:34 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 11.B: Support for continued City funding for Santa Monica's public schools

I look forward to the continued partnership between the City and SMMUSD.

With Gratitude,
Paula Larmore
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.l
Packet Pg. 359 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (6710 : Council Workshop) Council Workshop
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 360 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop)

OVERVIEW

WELCOME
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 361 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Foundation Setting
3 Creating alignment between City Council
and the organization to serve Santa Monica
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 362 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop)

OVERVIEW
Five-year Forecast
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 363 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) General Fund Financial Update – May 2024
5 Three Year Gap of $27.6M
(expenditures exceed revenues)
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 364 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) General Fund Financial Update – May 2024
6 Budget balanced
using Fund Balance:
$27.6M one-time funds
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 365 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) General Fund Financial Update – March 2025
7 $59.6 M in new costs
• $15.6 M General Liability and
Workers Compensation Insurance
(average $7.8 M each of two years)
• $12.4 M Pension Costs – CALPERs
Unfunded Accrued Liability
($2.5 M average annual)
• $18.4 M POA MOU obligation: 5%
salary raise effective January 2025
($3.4 M average annual)
• $7.2 M County Lifeguard Services
(Phased $1.5 M average annual)
• $6.0 M Legal Costs – CVRA
(over two years)
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 366 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) General Fund Financial Update – March 2025
8 $38.5 M in Adjustments related to
Revenue Reductions
• $51.1 M in decreased revenue from
tourism, visitor and consumer
spending
• $4.2 M decrease in Fees & Charges
for Service (timing of digital kiosk
program revenue, Fire Inspection
Fees, EMS charges, Broadband
Services)
Reductions mitigated by increases in:
• $10.9 M BLT & PFT base
• $5.9 M in other revenues,
including UUT, Property &
Other Local Tax and
reimbursement for indirect
administrative costs
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 367 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) General Fund Financial Update – March 2025
9 • $11.9 M Measure F (BLT)
• $3 M annual – 3 year phased
• $36.2 M Measure K (PFT)
• $6.7 M annual
• Extraordinary times - these
revenues are critical to
addressing the deficit
• Staff acknowledges the will of
the voters around the advisory
measure and strives to
address as the financials
improve
$48.1 M in new revenue from
Tax Measures approved
November 2024
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 368 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) General Fund Financial Update – March 2025
10 $18.9 M in savings implemented
• $11.3 M - No S&E Inflator for
2025-26 and 2026-27; limited
to 2% increase thereafter
• $7.6 M - Increase vacancy
savings by 0.5% to 1.5%
throughout
Applying budget management
strategies
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 369 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) General Fund Financial Update – March 2025
11 • $60.8 M total used over three
years
• $27.6 million working
capital
• $33.2 million additional
Fund Balance needed
Balancing the budget requires
using additional reserves
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 370 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) General Fund – Increasing Deficit without Reserves
12 May 2024
Deficit: $27.6 million
over three years
February 2025
$119 million over
forecast period
(before applying the tax
measure revenues and
cost reduction
strategies)
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 371 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) • Think of Reserves as INSURANCE,
providing financial stability and
a cushion against financial
shocks, revenue losses
• Unrestricted reserves are 61%
below pre-COVID levels
• Reserves are needed for
contingent liabilities and working
capital
• Increase in FY 23-24, primarily
from $16.5 M one-time insurance
proceeds, lower unrealized
investment losses
General Fund Reserve Levels - Fund Balance
13 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 372 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) $157 M Fund Balance
• $100.6 M Assigned: set aside for
contingent liabilities, other
identified/anticipated cost increases,
the cost of accrued employee vacation
time, prior year funded capital projects,
and service contract obligations
encumbered from prior year budgets
• $57.1 M Rainy Day Fund/Contingency:

13.5% of operating costs
• Equivalent to approximately two and a half
months of compensation/benefit expenses
• Should be 15% of operating costs
2023-24 General Fund Reserve - Fund Balance Funds Assigned Total $157.7
14 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 373 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Other Financial Considerations
Liabilities • Uller/Condon claims
 CVRA legal costs
• LA28 Olympics
 Lifeguard services
• Impacts of wildfires on tourism & consumer spending
• Impacts of wildfires on overtime - unplanned
Restoring
Services
• Library & youth services
• Community programming
• Deferred infrastructure maintenance
• Capital Improvement Program
Financial
Stewardship
• Rebuild reserves
• Repay other funds, including Housing Trust Fund
• Labor negotiations in a competitive labor market
Future
Considerations
• Fiscal impacts of federal changes
• Unfunded CIP projects
• Equity Plan and reparations
• Homelessness, Police & Fire Strategic Plans
• Behavioral Health Study
• Renters’ Right to Counsel
• Airport Conversion Project 15
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 374 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) • Lost $195 M in
revenues through
June 2024 -
reflected by gap
between the two
lines
General Fund Revenues Still Lagging
16 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 375 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) FY 2024
-25 - $458.8M

33.4%
Tourism &
Consumer
Parking
revenue is

7.3%
With parking

40.7%
Tourism &
Consumer
17 General Fund Revenues
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 376 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) % cumulative growth
(FY 18-19 through FY 23-24)
Costs
CPI (Inflation) 25.3%
Revenues
Sales & TUT
TOT (Hotel Tax)
Parking Revenue
Property Tax
-1.2%

8.4% -18.6%

37.0%
18 General Fund Revenue Trends
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 377 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Year over year comparison through September 2024
19 General Fund Sales Tax
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 378 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) FY 2024
-25
Adopted Budget
$79.3 million
General Fund Revenue Trends
20 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 379 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) FY 2024
-25
Adopted Budget
$73.7 million
21 General Fund Revenue Trends
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 380 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Capital Improvement Program - Underfunded
Capital needs unmet
• FY24-25 at 61% of pre-COVID level
• Costs with inflation outpace annual
funding
• Continued deferred maintenance
is not sustainable
• No additional investments through
forecast period
• $459.6 M in projects unfunded
across all funds – not including
outcome of Airport Conversion
Project
Adjusted for Inflation
22 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 381 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Capital Improvement Program
Unfunded Projects (Not Comprehensive)
• Parking Structure 1 seismic
retrofit
• Memorial Park Expansion
• Lincoln Neighborhood Corridor
Streetscape
• Street light upgrades
• Vehicle and computer
replacement
• Gandara Park Restoration
• Airport Park Expansion
• Memorial ParkPhases 2-3
• Fire Station facilities
• City Hall North Wing building
system upgrade
• Pier Deck upgrades
• Pier West End upgrade
• Public Landscape relocation
23 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 382 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Right of way maintenance Streetlight maintenance Copper wire theft Capital Improvement Program – Deferred Maintenance
24 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 383 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) $68.7 Million
Funds Borrowed from Other Funds
25 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 384 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Uller • 28 Active Cases: 157 Plaintiffs
Condon • 1 Active Case: 4 Plaintiffs
• Significant expense defending and CVRA fees may be owed if Plaintiffs prevail Magnitude of Legal Liabilities
26 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 385 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) One-time, short-term
• Continue to litigate with insurance providers demanding compensation for prior settlement payments
• Land sales
• Parking rates
• Water and Wastewater rates
• General obligation bond
Focused, Sustainable, Strategic
• Partnership/sponsorships/events
• Renewed, reinvigorated focus on economic development
Strategies to address fiscal challenges
27 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 386 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Self-Sustaining: Airport, Big Blue Bus (BBB), Resource Recovery & Recycling (RRR), Housing Authority and Cemetery
Water & Wastewater: 5-year rate study to keep pace with costs Requiring Attention: Housing Trust Fund, Information Technology, Vehicle Management - future year repayments of suspended contributions General Fund Impact: Beach and Pier subsidies to offset revenue losses and support critical capital expenditures
Measure GS: $46.3 million as of February 2025 to support SMMUSD, homelessness prevention and affordable housing efforts
Other Funds
28 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 387 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop)

OVERVIEW
FY 2024-25 Midyear Changes
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 388 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) General Fund
Total $2,815,864
• Decrease in Sales and Use Tax,
Transient Occupancy (Hotel)
Tax, and Other Misc. Revenues
• Increase in Business License
Tax, Parking Facility Tax,
Property tax, and ParkingRelated charges
FY 2024-25 Midyear Revenue Adjustments
30 Other Funds
Total $12,486,984
• Decrease in Airport, BBB,
Housing Authority,
Wastewater and Water Funds
• Increase in Beach, Gas Tax,
Misc. Grants, Pier, and Special
Revenue Source Funds
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 389 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) General Fund
Operating Budget Changes
Total $2,183,860
• Anticipated legal costs -
ongoing litigation CVRA
• Equity adjustments POA
• Reduction of Measure GSH
allocations to school districts
and the Housing Trust Fund
FY 2024-25 Midyear Expenditure Adjustments
31 Other Funds
Capital & Operating Changes
Total $544,242
• Increase in CalTrans-funded Pier
Bridge Replacement Project
(Capital)
• Decrease in Housing Authority
Fund (Operating)
• Increase in Misc. Grants and
Special Revenue Source Funds
(Operating)
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 390 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) City Council and Housing Authority

9. Appropriate FY 2024-25 midyear expenditure and revenue budget adjustments.

City Council

1. Receive the FY 2025-26 through FY 2029-30 Five Year Financial Forecast.

7. Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant award in the amount of $19,155 from the U.S. Department of Transportation and to accept all renewals.

8. Adopt a finding that the actions are not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines.

Recommended Actions
32 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 391 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop)

OVERVIEW
Council Priorities +
Legislative Platform
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 392 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop)

1. Clean & Safe Santa Monica

2. Sustainable & Connected Community

3. Addressing Homelessness

4. Racial Justice, Equity & Social Diversity

5. Cultivate Economic Recovery & Expand Community & Cultural Offerings
34 Adopted Council Priorities
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 393 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) 35 Organization Roadmap • Outlines 23 city initiatives and 94 milestones advancing City Council and
organizational priorities
• Incorporates major planning efforts for
safety, homelessness, behavioral health
and equity
• Serves as a dashboard for department
workplans that features 302 department
work plan projects and services and 91
budget performance metrics
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 394 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) • Used for federal and state lobbying of City positions and priorities • Statement of Council legislative priorities
• Includes specific and broad statements that enable staff to rapidly weigh in on legislation
• Used with City lobbyists and in partnership with national advocacy organizations
• Can be amended at any time
Council Legislative Platform
36 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 395 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop)

OVERVIEW
Community Impacts from
Presidential Transition
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 396 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Local Response
• Immigrant rights
• LGBTQ+ support
• Rapid response coordination with City departments
• Fiscal impact analysis
• Connecting with community through new partnerships and engagement events • Know Your Rights Event Series
• Next Event: March 10 - LAFLA Clinic
• Dedicated website for resources:
• Santamonica.gov/SafeAtHome
• Santamonica.gov/lgbtqia-inclusion
38 Federal Changes
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 397 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Local Response - Grantees
• Agencies concerned about protecting clients, employees from immigration raids • Agency with two satellite facilities outside of Santa Monica had been visited by ICE • Many clients, including minors that are seen by youth and family providers, are frightened
• Employment agencies are concerned that workers with green cards will have not work certifications approved
• Participation in programs down for some youth that identify as non-binary or trans • One agency’s operational budget is made up of 85% federal funds 39 Federal Changes
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
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March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 398 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Fiscal Impacts for Santa Monica
• Funding in question for key projects, including Pier Bridge Replacement • Transportation and Housing receive federal funding
• Public Safety receives federal grants
• Broader concerns from nonprofits and other partners about economic disruptions and tariffs driving up project costs
40 Federal Changes
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 399 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop)

OVERVIEW
Economic Growth & Cultural Vitality
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 400 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Four categories of actions to address current fiscal challenges  Expenditure controls and cost shifts
 Service delivery changes and efficiencies
 Service reductions or eliminations
 Revenue enhancements
Strategic Plan for Economic Development is needed!
Facing Financial Challenges
42 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 401 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) • What is economic development?
• Land, labor, capital - all coupled with business growth • Why is it important?
• Nucleus of everything we do
Santa Monica's Economic Development Program
• Where are we headed?
• Council subcommittee on Economic Development
• Council & Interdepartmental Economic Development Task Force Reimagine, Reinvent, Reinvest
43 Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 402 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop)

OVERVIEW
Timeline + Recommended Actions
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025
Item 11-B
March 8, 2025

11.B.m
Packet Pg. 403 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) May 27, 2025
Proposed FY 2025-27 Biennial
Operating Budget and second
year of the Biennial CIP Budget
Fall 2025
Staff reports on FY 2024-25
year-end budget performance
May 2026
Proposed FY 2026-27
Operating Budget and FY
2026-28 Biennial CIP Budget
presented to City Council
January-February 2025
Community Engagement for the
FY 2025-27 Biennial Operating
Budget and priorities
March 8, 2025
Council Priority setting for the
FY 2025-27 Biennial
Operating Budget and staff
reports on FY 2024-25
midyear budget
performance and updated
forecast
June 24, 2025
Public Hearing and adoption
of the firstyear of the Biennial
Operating Budget and
second year of the Biennial
CIP Budget
Winter 2026
Staff reports on midyear
budget performance,
updated forecast, proposes
adjustments
June 2026
Public Hearing and
Adoption of the 2nd
year of the Biennial
Operating Budget
and 1st year of the
Biennial CIP Budget
Fiscal Year 2025-27 Budget Process
45 Item 11-B
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Packet Pg. 404 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Appoint Ad Hoc Committee

5. Establish and appoint an Economic Development Ad Hoc Subcommittee focused on developing an economic development strategy.

Adopt Priorities & Legislative Platforms

3. Consider and affirm the Council priorities.

4. Adopt the Council federal and state legislative platforms.

Provide Direction

6. Provide direction on parking rate restructuring and components of the parking rates and fees to target.

2. Discuss and provide direction on items that will inform the preparation of the Fiscal Year 2025-27 Operating Budget.
46 Recommended Actions
Item 11-B
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Packet Pg. 405 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop) Recommended direction on parking rate restructuring

1. Advance scenarios that include the reduction or elimination of the 90- minute free parking period in downtown structures, which could allow for significant rate reductions for many customers in these structures while raising up to $2.2 million in revenue.

2. Target an additional $8.6 to $9.4 million annual revenue from a strategic rate restructuring of meter rates, parking permit costs, and rates and other off-street facilities.

3. Pursue passing along parking-related processing fees and charges to customers, consistent with Council action for all other credit/debit card payments in 2020.

Parking Rates
47 Item 11-B
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Packet Pg. 406 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation [Revision 1] (6710 : Council Workshop)

Santa Monica City CouncilMarch 8, 2025

Santa Monica City Council
March 8, 2025