City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: May 13, 2025
Agenda Item: 4.L
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Douglas Sloan, City Attorney, City Attorney's Office, Administration Nikima Newsome, City Clerk, Records & Elections Services Department Subject: Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Adding Municipal Code Section 2.32.300 Requiring Residency for DTSM, Pier Corp, and SMTT Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Introduce for first reading an ordinance adding Section 2.32.300 to the SMMC requiring resident representation for a minimum of half of Council appointees to non-profits; and
3. Apply the residency requirement to appointments and reappointments upon the resignation or expiration of current board member’s terms.
Summary
At the January 28, 2025, Council meeting, the City Council directed the City Attorney to return to Council with an ordinance codifying resident representation for Council appointees to the governing boards of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, Inc., and the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, Inc. and for the ordinance to be presented to Council so that the second reading and adoption can occur in advance of the annual boards and commissions appointments.
Discussion
Council appoints members to certain nonprofits that play an important role as community partners providing economic, cultural, and recreational opportunities for 2 of 5
businesses, residents, and visitors.
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM), is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting economic stability, growth, and community life within the Downtown District and Downtown of the City through responsible planning, development, management, and coordination of programs, projects, and services designed to benefit the community as a whole, including the District’s businesses, property owners, visitors, and residents.
The City Council appoints six directors to the 13-member DTSM board of directors, and board members must be City residents or persons who are employed, own property, or hold business licenses in the City of Santa Monica.
Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, Inc.
Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, Inc. (SMTT), works to strengthen the local economy by enhancing and promoting the community as a distinctive, compelling and welcoming travel destination. The City Council appoints five directors of the eleven-member SMTT board, and directors are drawn from Santa Monica’s community and business leadership.
Santa Monica Pier Corporation
Santa Monica Pier Corporation (SMPC) provides services to develop, implement, and maintain certain programs and functions in connection with the Santa Monica Pier, including marketing and promoting the Pier as a destination, producing community events, coordinating private special events, providing community outreach, monitoring street performers, and assisting the City with public review and discussion of planning and policy matters related to the Pier objectives. The City Council appoints all seven members to the SMPC board of directors, and members must either be residents of the City or do business or be employed in the City.
Resident representation on the governing boards of DTSM, SMTT, and SMPC is an asset to the community, as residents provide oversight and feedback on programming, operations, and leadership for these critical organizations that help steer the local economy and promote the Santa Monica band, history, and culture. 3 of 5
While Council requested that this ordinance include a process for the Council to reappoint any Council appointed seats currently occupied by non-residents, as these are independent nonprofits, the director removal process is governed by state law and each organization’s bylaws. SMPC and DTSM’s bylaws allow that members appointed by Council may be removed without cause by a vote of five Councilmembers. SMTT”s bylaws do not contain such a provision.
Below is a list of current Council appointments to these non-profit organizations and their residency status based on the response applicants provided on their application. It is the City Manager’s recommendation that the residency requirement apply only to appointments and reappointments upon resignation or expiration of the term of currently serving board members.
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
(Council-Appointed Members)
Name Term End
Date
Title *Santa
Monica
Resident
*Work in
Santa Monica
Lucian Tudor June 30,
2026
Member N** Y
Luke M. Cain June 30,
2026
Vice
Chair
Y Y
Leonid Pustilnikov June 30,
2026
Member N** Y
Berta Negari June 30,
2028
Vice
Chair
N** Y
Michelle Cardiel June 30,
2028
Member Y Y
Jon Farzam June 30,
2028
Member N** Y
*Based on response provided on application
**No home address provided on application
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Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, Inc.
(Council-Appointed Members)
Name Term End
Date
Title *Santa
Monica
Resident
*Work in
Santa Monica
Lauralee Asch June 30,
2025
Member –
Secretary
Y N
Neil Carrey June 30,
2025
Member Y N
Tim Defuria June 30,
2026
Member Y Y
Karen Ginsberg June 30,
2026
Member –
Treasurer
Y N
Darlene Evans June 30,
2026
Member Y Y
*Based on response provided on application
Santa Monica Pier Corporation
Name Term End
Date
Title *Santa
Monica
Resident
*Work in
Santa
Monica
Peter Trinh June 30,
2026
Member N Y
Carter Rubin June 30,
2026
Chair Y Y
Nicholas Rolston June 30,
2026
Member Y Y
Misti Kerns June 30,
2026
Member Y Y
Julieta Giner June 30,
2028
Member Y Y
David L. Newberg June 30,
2028
Member Y Y
Randi Parent June 30,
2028
Vice
Chair
Y N
*Based on response provided on application
Environmental Review
This report is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to 5 of 5
Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines, which states that CEQA does not apply, “where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” This report is administrative in nature, and no action is being undertaken. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate fiscal impact or budget action necessary as a result of the recommended action.
Prepared By: Katie Doerr, Deputy City Attorney III
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Residency Ordinance
B. Written Comments