1 David Yakobson
From: John Alle <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 12:50 PM
To: The Santa Monica Coalition Organizer
Cc: John Alle
Subject: Tuesday March 11, 2025
EXTERNAL
In Santa Monica this past week it was easy to see the open use and sale of meth and crack return as temperatures rose and the sun reappeared. All of the activity occurred in public spaces, adjacent to residents and visitors. Do Santa Monica's Mayor and City Council honestly believe Code Enforcement Officers and Downtown Ambassadors would even consider confronting these transients, most of whom are armed with knives, guns and sharp objects? More Police presence and sworn officers walking sidewalks would end this. Many residents and restaurant workers have to jaywalk more than once on a single block to avoid danger. Many choose to avoid Santa Monica altogether.
Insta
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHEgVmIC_p6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== YouTube
https://youtu.be/7BnyINdJiBk
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1 David Yakobson
From: Wendy Dembo <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 7:18 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Cc: Elaine Polachek; Douglas Sloan
Subject: FYI -- NYC wants to fund libraries 7 days a week, Not Sell them
EXTERNAL
https://gothamist.com/news/more-nyc-libraries-would-open-7-days-a-week-in-council-speakersbudget-proposal?fbclid=IwY2xjawI9JP5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTC9xcTYCi_M3C_ZryfcT6e31JFnSuy7hph9-OSMXykzcATuj6CAdHpaw_aem_THqjZDASL7-d70DaD9WTzA Item 1
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2 David Yakobson
From: Ken Freimann <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2025 3:44 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: DONT LOWER OUR EDUCATION BUDGET !!
EXTERNAL
Office of the City Mayor and City Council
1685 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
10 March, 2025
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 Meeঞng and Council Budget Workshop, we wanted to take the opportunity to share our perspecঞve on prioriঞes 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 volaঞlity of income planning and made possible the District’s renowned curriculum and moderate class sizes.
As you assess prioriঞes 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 execuঞve 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 conঞnued funding of the educaঞon system. The benefits are well known: excellent schools lead to developing a cohort of producঞve and responsible ciঞzens and taxpayers, and also aract residents from around the world.
We have graঞtude for the City’s longঞme commitment to the District and responsiveness to us as ciঞzens. You can count on this community to conঞnue 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 impacঞng children, youth, and families in Santa Monica, and wish all the best for the future.
Sincerely,
Ken Freimann
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1 David Yakobson
From: Wendy Dembo <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 7:18 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Cc: Elaine Polachek; Douglas Sloan
Subject: FYI -- NYC wants to fund libraries 7 days a week, Not Sell them
EXTERNAL
https://gothamist.com/news/more-nyc-libraries-would-open-7-days-a-week-in-council-speakersbudget-proposal?fbclid=IwY2xjawI9JP5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTC9xcTYCi_M3C_ZryfcT6e31JFnSuy7hph9-OSMXykzcATuj6CAdHpaw_aem_THqjZDASL7-d70DaD9WTzA Item 1
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1 David Yakobson
From: Elizabeth Stone <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 9, 2025 5:42 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Montana Avenue apartment house
EXTERNAL
Hello,
I wish to STRONGLY PROTEST ANY NEW 4-STORY APARTMENT BUILDINGS ON MONTANA AVENUE! The rent is too high — there is not enough parking available…this is a community avenue with lots of people, elderly, strollers, walking about.
FOR AN ALTERNATIVE I PROPOSE:
Wilshire Blvd — anywhere 20th Street and west — Lots of empty office and retail buildings. Lots more space for parking.
Thank you,
Elizabeth Stone
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1 David Yakobson
From: Zoe <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2025 10:51 AM
To: Brandon Avila
Cc: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Douglas Sloan; Josh Kurpies; [email protected]; Ramon Batista; David Gardinier; Clerk Mailbox Subject: Re: OPA Police report presentation/Missing Police Reports Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
EXTERNAL
Officer Avila,
In your absence, I met with two officers of the SMPD to update them on the harassment and criminal behavior of Sean Besser, the former landlord of 643 Pacific Street Unit #3 where I reside. I just wanted to let you know that as you probably know, there is another OPA meeting. Last Saturday Sean Besser once again came to the building unannounced to take property that does not belong to him, sell property from other units, and harass me in the process. Three Santa Monica Police Officers showed up at my door and refused to take a report and criminal complaint of trespass, claiming this is a civil matter. Trespass is not a civil matter. Sean Besser and his business partner claimed in Court the day before (March 7, 2025) THAT THEY NO LONGER OPERATE SANTA MONICA BEACH COLIVING. Hence, they have no business in the property, yet continue to show up to harass me and remove property that does not belong to them. I have a video of the incident, and SM Police Officers refused to receive it as evidence for an investigation. Also, Sean Better kicked me on camera, that is considered assault, which is a criminal complaint (in International Women's Day). This is not a good look for the Santa Monica Police Department and further exposed them to litigation.
Kindloy reply, thank you.
On Wed, Mar 5, 2025 at 4:40 PM Zoe <[email protected]> wrote:
Officer Avila,
I am following up on the concerns I brought to your attention 12 days ago. Are you available to meet this week?
Kindly reply, thank you.
On Fri, Feb 21, 2025 at 11:27 AM Zoe <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Officer Avila,
Two days ago, Officer Chabot and Officer Navarro told me to contact you regarding the missing reports from the presentation to the Ocean Park Association last meeting. Sean Besser is the Landlord of my Unit at 643 Pacific Street. He has been harassing me since October when I found multiple violations to the Santa Monica Rent Control Ordinance of Short Term Rental, Building Item 1
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2 Code Enforcement and Violations to the Tenant Harassment Ordinance from the City Attorney's office. I reported it to the three separate agencies and he is supposed to be under investigation.
Three different City agencies are involved investigating Besser and his partner Maureen Morris, owners of Santa Monica beach CoLiving. Besser's wife trespassed the unit and refused to identify herself, she entered unit #3 without giving notice, refused to answer who she was and how she accessed the unit and when followed to her vehicle with complete knowledge I was recording her on my phone she called me: trash. This is recorded, this is trespassing and the police had not taken a report or investigated this incident. Sean Besser also entered the unit without previous notice, came to my bedroom and began to take pictures of me in my pajamas. This incident has not been investigated.
It has come to my attention that Sean Besser's ties with the political establishment of Santa Monica for Renters Rights and particularly his ties and friendship with recently elected Councilmember Ellis Raskin and his wife Rent Control Board Commissioner Kay Ambriz. that is the insurance that give them free reign to break the law without facing consequences. That behavior is a pattern that exposes the City of Santa Monica to scandal and litigation. Last night at the 2025 Homeless Count at St. Monica Catholic Community I recorded the interactions of Sean Besser and his wife Robyn Haas Besser with Ellis Raskin and his wife Kay Ambriz. Robyn Haas Besser with the entitlement of a privileged woman who has faced no consequences for breaking the law asked police officers to remove me from the event which I was covering as a citizen journalist. Ironically I am a member of the Church as well, which shows you how far an entitled white woman will go to use the privilege.
The biggest threat to democracy is corruption, this is also a classic example of white supremacy.
Kindly reply if you are serious in pursuing these incidents. In the midst of study sessions on reparations and a Citywide Equity plan, this is not a good look.
Thank you. Have a blessed weekend. I would like this email to be included in the record for next Tuesday's City Council Meeting.
Zoё Muntaner
“Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?"- Tao Te Ching IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed to and may contain privileged and confidential information. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it safely, securely, and confidentially.
Unauthorized re-disclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality may subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify me by return email and delete this message from your computer.
--
Zoё Muntaner
“Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?"- Tao Te Ching Item 1
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3 IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed to and may contain privileged and confidential information. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it safely, securely, and confidentially.
Unauthorized re-disclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality may subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify me by return email and delete this message from your computer.
--
Zoё Muntaner
“Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?"- Tao Te Ching IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed to and may contain privileged and confidential information. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it safely, securely, and confidentially.
Unauthorized re-disclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality may subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify me by return email and delete this message from your computer.
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4 David Yakobson
From: Zoe <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2025 10:33 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Douglas Sloan; Brigette Garay; Autumn M. Rindels; [email protected]; [email protected]; Ramon Batista; Darrick Jacob; Clerk Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Notice of Ex Parte for 24BHSC02835
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
EXTERNAL
Please take notice that on March 11, 2025, at 8:30 AM or soon after that as the matter can be heard, in Department 304 of the Beverly Hills Courthouse, located at 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, Plaiontiff Zoë Muntaner will and does move the Court by an Ex Parte Application for Notice of Motion and Motion for Order to have case evaluated by a Judge of the Court, and supply documents of the continued harassment and statements by Sean Besser (business partner of Defendant Maureen Morris) on Saturday March 8, 2025, to the first available hearing date or in the alternative shortening time for the hearing, because Petitioner will suffer irreparable prejudice, as per violations of the MS-410 accommodation declaration previously field and granted by the court.
Zoё Muntaner
“Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?"- Tao Te Ching IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed to and may contain privileged and confidential information. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it safely, securely, and confidentially.
Unauthorized re-disclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality may subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify me by return email and delete this message from your computer.
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5 David Yakobson
From: John Alle <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2025 9:41 AM
To: The Santa Monica Coalition Organizer
Cc: John Alle
Subject: Santa Monica's Mayor and City Council Purposely Avoid Seeing Transient Addicts Blocking Public Entryways
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
EXTERNAL
Santa Monica's City Council, and Staff could care less about PUBLIC SAFETY. This was the scene 20 minutes before Saturday's Special Meeting commenced at the Main Public Library. The Mayor, Councilmembers, and Staff purposely avoided the transients smoking meth and sleeping against the entry doors. Councilmembers entered the Library by underground parking, elevator or side stairway. Mayor Negrete refused to hold the meeting in City Council Chambers with adequate seating and audio visual recording. The size of the Library's meeting room and number of occupants violated Fire Code. The Mayor tried unsuccessfully to limit Public Comment to 1 minute instead of 2 minutes per person, but was successful in increasing each Council Member's comment to beyond the allowable 10 minute limit.
Insta
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHBff2uiD4h/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== YouTube
https://youtu.be/-Eoean69ChM
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6 David Yakobson
From: Wally Perkins <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 6:23 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Council Mailbox
Subject: No On Raises; Return City Services for Taxpaying Residents; Evict the Homeless Lunatics Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
I am at the end of my time in Santa Monica it seems.
Last week, I had to take a family member to the ER. It was so inundated with lunatic homeless, we had to wait for 6 hours with broken bones. The homeless were not in any emergency state, they were just visiting and taking up services because they have nothing else to do. The firemen would repeatably come in and say they were going to leave the person there even though they were just discharged as non emergency because people would keep calling. Employees were called down to talk to the person that keep showing up. They parked one guy outside in a wheelchair with a blanket over his head. Meanwhile, real emergency situations had to wait and witness sick children in need of care having to wait for hours because the ER was bogged down with these lunatics who contribute nothing to our society or City.
Our libraries are closed and you're going to cut more to give employees raises? That is wrong. Open libraries full time now!
Our parks are inundated with these same crazed lunatics sleeping all day, drinking, doing drugs. It is so unfair. Why do we need to live like this? We don't - but you want us to. It is unconscionable what you are making citizens suffer through.
Services in this City should be for taxpaying residents - not the homeless population you have invited into our City. No raises the City that refuses to serve citizens! You're pathetic.
Evict these homeless nuts. It is just so wrong that this City has been destroyed by the horrific government that wants to serve a non-Santa Monica population instead of people that actually live here.
Grants Pass means Cities can enforce the law against these people. Enforce the law now.
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7 David Yakobson
From: Zoe <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 8, 2025 8:01 PM
To: Santa Monica CoLiving
Cc: Douglas Sloan; Josh Kurpies; Lisa Parson; [email protected]; Ramon Batista; David Gardinier; Darrick Jacob; Brigette Garay; Edgar Sernas; Autumn M. Rindels; Caroline Torosis; Everth Gonzalez; Daniel Mick; Maurice Cochee; Daniel J. Costello; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; Clerk Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Re: Restraining Order Hearing
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
EXTERNAL
Sean Besser & Maureen Morris,
As per Maureen Morris testimony at Beverly Hills Courthouse Room 304 yesterday, you dissolved the Santa Monica Beach CoLiving company that previously offered short term rentals in two properties of the Ocean Park neighborhood. Hence you no longer operate Santa Monica Beach CoLiving. The Beverly Hills Courthouse commissioner who heard the case yesterday said you cannot serve papers personally and you have to hire the services of a professional process server.The Los Angeles Sheriff department has such service, you can contact them in order to have the legal service performed. You were once a licensed attorney in California, you should know that.
I have included all the members of the Santa Monica City Council, the Chief of the Santa Monica Police De[partment and his Deputy Chief, who was the one to advise me on all the complaints I needed to file with the City of Santa Monica to stop you from harassing me at my home. Also I included members of the Santa Monica City Attorney's office for them to have a record of the continued harassment from you and your partner.
I did not receive anything on 3/7/2025. I cannot open the links you sent me, they are locked. Please send them by USPS. Your attorney has my postal address, I do not receive mail at 643 Pacific Street.
Avraham Sinai knows that and has followed my request that all mail is sent to my Postal Address.
On other fronts the Santa Monica Police came to the building after you left with property that does not belong to you. You trespassed the building. You are not welcome to come to the building anymore as you wrote in previous communication that you turned the property to the registered owner. You do not work for him anymore or are in the short term rental business any longer.
Please do not email any more. All communication should be in writing sent ny US Postal Service to my p;ostal and not residential adress since you have access to the mail box.
Best,
Zoë
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8 On Sat, Mar 8, 2025 at 4:43 PM Santa Monica CoLiving <[email protected]> wrote:
Attached is the restraining order filing that was served on you on 3/7/25 and video proof of the serving. See you in court on 3/19.
To help
protect your
privacy,
Micro so ft
Office
prevented
auto matic
download of
this picture
from the
Internet. Serving Papers on Zoe.MOV
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Zoё Muntaner
“Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?"- Tao Te Ching IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed to and may contain privileged and confidential information. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it safely, securely, and confidentially.
Unauthorized re-disclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality may subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify me by return email and delete this message from your computer.
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9 David Yakobson
From: Zoe <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 8, 2025 10:58 AM
To: George Centeno
Cc: Jaime Cruz; Dante Harrington; Craig Miller; Adya Mohanty; Manju Raman; Angela D.
Scott; Paul Winnemore; Brian Stedge-Stroud; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Douglas Sloan; Josh Kurpies; [email protected]; Ramon Batista; David Gardinier; Caroline Torosis
Subject: March Meeting Cancellation-Meeting to Discuss SMPD Protection for Tennant Harassment
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
EXTERNAL
Sir,
I was looking to speak to you and the rest of the Commissioners tonight at the Commission meeting but learned it was cancelled. I have serious concerns about how Santa Monica Police and the Santa Monica City Attorney's Office handle egregious tenant harassment by landlords in Santa Monica. This is escalating at a rapid pace and it potentially exposing the City of Santa Monica to litigation that would exacerbate the fiscal crisis of the budget.
Kindly reply with a day you are available to meet ( option: after Ash Wednesday St. Monica Catholic Community Mass tomorrow).
Thank you.
Zoё Muntaner
“Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?"- Tao Te Ching IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed to and may contain privileged and confidential information. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it safely, securely, and confidentially.
Unauthorized re-disclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality may subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify me by return email and delete this message from your computer.
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10 David Yakobson
From: John Alle <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 8, 2025 7:34 AM
To: The Santa Monica Coalition Organizer
Cc: John Alle
Subject: Corrupt Beach Management
EXTERNAL
What's your thought? Supervisor LINDSEY HORVATH representing LA County's 3rd District, approved Will Rogers Beach Parking as a toxic waste dump site. Lindsey Horvath did NOT listen to LA City Council Member Traci Park's opposition and suggestions for alternate sites. Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete and Santa Monica's City Council remained silent. Do you think Supervisor Horvath cares about residents and visitors in Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, or our seashore?
Insta
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG8XoFUi1iN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== YouTube
https://youtu.be/JxJbRl1_XwY
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11 David Yakobson
From: John Alle <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 8:02 AM
To: The Santa Monica Coalition Organizer
Cc: John Alle
Subject: Change
EXTERNAL
For many younger residents who grew up, work and play in Santa Monica this encompasses what they think and know of the city. Many of us remember Santa Monica, the 3rd Street Promenade, Pier and parks differently. Safe and fun. Tomorrow the City Council will come together with the Public to lay out priorities and discuss economic development. Let's hope the Council listens and gets it right.
Insta
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG5tbzKiE-h/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== YouTube
https://youtu.be/6uqqTP1E8YA
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12 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
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