1 David Yakobson
From: Dannie Charney <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 11:52 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Natalya Zernitskaya; Douglas Sloan; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Subject: ITEM 16 C GS Oversight Committee
EXTERNAL
We need eyes other than SMRR on this committee.
Vote for Theresa Marasco who will be sure to see these monies used for the purposes they were intended.
This tax was to be earmarked for specific uses. This needs explanation not shuck and jive.
It looks like all year one GS funding has already been used in the March 11, 2025 City Council meeting item the Strategic Plan for Homelessness, including more city staff for the City Attorney's office.
And combining the Human Services and Housing Departments again.
But about the GS funds, look toward the bottom of the staff report. https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?F rame=None&MeetingID=1431&MediaPosition=&ID=6095&CssClass= Danielle Charney
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Karen Croner <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 11:35 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Douglas Sloan Subject: Theresa Marasco for GS oversight committee
EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
I am writing in support of Theresa Marasco. She is passionate, will work hard, truly cares about residents in need from her own personal experience and
Her great knowledge of Santa Monica. She has been a hard working Housing Commissioner and has vast knowledge of both State and Federal laws and HUD regulations . Theresa checks all the boxes for one of the 4 seats reserved for low income tenants, as she is a Housing Choice Voucher holder, she lives in deed-restricted housing, she was formerly homeless during COVID 19, and is someone living with a disability.
I supported GS and hope it will be distributed in an equitable manner. Theresa is non-partisan and will work for all Santa Monicans.
Thank you,
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: info <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 9:13 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Subject: Agenda Item 16C - Support of Theresa Marasco
EXTERNAL
Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
I am writing to express my strong and unwavering support for Theresa Marasco's candidacy for a seat on the GS Oversight Board. Theresa has been a dedicated and tireless advocate for individuals experiencing housing insecurity. Through her extensive research and commitment, she has worked tirelessly to identify and develop ways to enhance the city's housing programs, ensuring they better meet the needs of our residents.
As both a Housing Commissioner and someone with firsthand lived experience of homelessness, Theresa approaches this issue with a deep sense of compassion and understanding. She has consistently advocated for those in need, bringing a unique perspective that only someone with her background and dedication can provide.
Theresa has applied for one of the seats reserved for a low-income resident, and I am confident that her insight, experience, and dedication would make her an invaluable asset to the board. I strongly encourage you to consider her for this important role.
Sincerely,
Christine Parra
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
2 David Yakobson
From: Jarrod Bailey <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2025 10:19 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 16C - Appoint Theresa Marasco to the Measure GS Resident Oversight Committee
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, and Council Members, This letter is in support of Theresa Marasco to be appointed to the Measure GS Resident Oversight Committee.
In the several years that I’ve known Theresa, she has proven to be a compassionate advocate for the underserved community in Santa Monica. I have personally seen her go above and beyond to help at-risk Santa Monica residents with housing information and resources.
She meets four requirements for members of the lower income households, including being someone with a physical disability, living in a deed-restricted unit, she is a Housing Choice Voucher holder, who was formerly homeless both as a child, and as an adult—as recently as during the COVID pandemic, and was a Santa Monica resident when she and her family became homeless.
Theresa works tirelessly as a Housing Commissioner in the seat reserved specially for someone who is a Housing Authority Program Participant and who was formerly homeless, she is an active community volunteer assisting low-income residents who are at risk of becoming homeless or need help obtaining housing, she assists Santa Monica Housing Authority clients with housing issues and HUD information, and works with homeless people in the City who are trying to obtain shelter and/or housing.
Her personal and professional experience make her a uniquely qualified candidate for the Measure GS Resident Oversight Committee.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jarrod Bailey
Santa Monica Resident
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
3 David Yakobson
From: Dannie Charney <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2025 7:22 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Jesse Zwick; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Douglas Sloan; [email protected]
Subject: Meeting Item 16.C. GS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
EXTERNAL
I would like to express my support for Theresa Marasco, who is truly one of the most qualified applicants on this list.
She brings to the table 25 years of experience working for those in need in varying capacities.
She is relentless in her quest to see the common need be addressed, be it housing or help to stop someone from falling into homelessness or to navigate the legal system and public agencies.
We are facing a very tough time locally and god help us.. nationally.
Theresa has in-depth knowledge of how the City works and has hit the ground running since she arrived in Santa Monica in 2014. She has helped many avoid homelessness alone.
I see this list of applicants and honestly, it appears to be a list of the "usual suspects" who will do what is wanted by SMRR not that it is all bad, but we need more diversity. We also need the City not to use those funds to make up for their shortfalls in other areas.
She will do a great job. Be smart. Don't let your personal peeves towards me or her interfere. Appoint the best people ..she is one of them. She loves this town. She will do a great job.
Thank you,
Danielle Charney
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
4 David Yakobson
From: Andres Drobny <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2025 5:05 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Subject: Agenda Item 16C
EXTERNAL
THERESA MARASCO
I write as a resident to support Theresa as a candidate for the GS Oversight Committee.
I only know her via Santa Monica FB sites, but frankly can’t imagine a better qualified candidate. She is civically minded, always up to date on social issues, has a handle on many housing questions in Santa Monica, presents herself sensibly and thoughtfully in writing, and comes off as a solid hard working resident.
I would be comforted to know that she is on the committee.
Andres Drobny
Santa Monica
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Debra Senopole <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2025 3:46 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Theresa H. Marasco Measure GS Resident Oversight Committee Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
EXTERNAL
Hello,
I would like to recommend Theresa Marasco for the position. Theresa is honest, intelligent, hard working, fair individual that would be perfect for the position of GS Resident for the Oversight Committee. Please choose her.
Sincerely,
Debra Senopole
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Debra Shepherd <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2025 4:54 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16C measure GS Resident Oversight Committee
EXTERNAL
Good evening, Council members:
I would like to support Theresa Maraseco for the Measure GS Resident Oversight Committee. Theresa is one of the most knowledgeable people that I know regarding HUD regulations in relation to the Housing Voucher Program. I worked as a news reporter covering government agencies, and I have yet to meet anyone that understands HUD, better than Theresa, unless they are a government employee. I believe with her knowledge and established relationships with voucher holders and other residents, she will be an essential asset to this committee.
I read the requirements for this committee, but there is no substitute for lived experience when it comes to issues of homelessness and permanent housing. I’m glad that this committee is being assembled. I look forward to the implementation of their recommendations to build a better Santa Monica.
Regards,
Debra Shepherd
Santa Monica resident and housing choice voucher participant Sent from my iPad Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: lenore albert <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2025 1:08 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: Theresa Marasco
Subject: Recommendation
EXTERNAL
Dear Council members:
I highly recommend Theresa Marasco for the committee position addressed in Agenda Item 16C, which you will address at your meeting tomorrow.
I don’t make this recommendation lightly. My track record includes helping approximately 1,000 California homeowners avoid foreclosure in 2011, which contributed to the enactment of the California Homeowner's Bill of Rights and the ban on dual tracking. I would not jeopardize my reputation or past efforts by endorsing anyone in the housing sector who has not demonstrated their qualifications to me.
Her knowledge of the HUD Section 8 voucher program and the need to address the homeless problem in your area should make her a valuable asset to the committee.
Sincerely,
Lenore Albert
lenorealbert.com/
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025
Item 16-C
March 25, 2025