1 May 27, 2025
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MAY 27, 2025
A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Negrete at 5:33 p.m., on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Lana Negrete
Mayor Pro Tem Caroline Torosis
Councilmember Jesse Zwick
Councilmember Dan Hall
Councilmember Ellis Raskin
Councilmember Barry Snell
Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya
Also Present: Interim City Manager Elaine Polachek
City Attorney Douglas Sloan
City Clerk Nikima S. Newsome
CONVENE/PLEDGE On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened at 5:33 p.m., with all members present. Mayor Pro Tem Torosis led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.
STATEMENT OF
ACCOUNTABILITY
(LAND
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)
The City of Santa Monica is located on the land of Tovangaar. With great respect, the City acknowledges the Gabrieleño/Tongva as the First People of this ancestral and unceded territory of Kuruvungna, a village that we know as Santa Monica. We honor their elders, past and present, and the Gabrieleño descendants who are part of the Gabrieleño /Tongva tribes.
We recognize that these peoples are still here, and as settlers and kuyam (guests), we recognize our responsibility and obligation to care for their land in partnership with them. The City of Santa Monica commits to work in partnership with the Gabrieleño/Tongva people to uplift their voices and visibility on their ancestral land.
The City of Santa Monica Statement of Accountability (Land Acknowledgement) was read into the record by Councilmember Zernitskaya.
LEVINE ACT
DISCLOSURE
Pursuant to the Levine Act (Govt Code Section 84308), any party to a permit, license, contract, or other entitlement before the Council is required to disclose on the record any contribution, including Docusign Envelope ID: D2E68E32-D0D4-4F1E-ACF6-FABA4AE6F34D 2 May 27, 2025
aggregated contributions, of more than $500 made by the party or the party's agents within the preceding 12 months to any City official.
Participants and agents are requested to make this disclosure as well.
The disclosure must include the name of the party, participant, or agent, and any other person making the contribution; the name of the recipient, the amount of the contribution, and the date the contribution was made.
No Councilmembers recused from any items on the agenda pursuant to the Levine Act.
PUBLIC INPUT ON
GENERAL PUBLIC
INPUT AND SPECIAL
AGENDA ITEMS:
Members of the public Speaker: Daisy Meza, Aidan Perlitz, Emily Kariya, Jeff Jarrow, Greg Amato, Jacqueline Hinton, Justin Hinton, Margarita, Sylvia, Alex, Judith Serlin, Denise Barton, Jerry Rubin, Jayson Gladstone, John Alle, Walter Lamb, Zoe Muntaner, and Harvey Eder commented on various local issues.
No members of the public commented on Special Agenda items.
PROCLAMATIONS/
COMMENDATIONS/
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS
2.A. Proclamation: Pride Month, was presented.
PUBLIC INPUT FOR
CONSENT CALENDAR
AND CLOSED SESSION
ONLY:
Members of the public Denise Barton and Zoe Muntaner commented on Closed Session items.
Member of the public Kay Ambriz commented on consent calendar items.
AGENDA
MANAGEMENT
Motion by Councilmember Hall, seconded by Mayor Pro Torosis to suspend Council rule 12.J. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote with all members present.
CONSENT CALENDAR: All items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.
At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, Item 4.M. was removed from the Consent Calendar.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, seconded by Mayor Negrete, to approve the Consent Calendar except for Item 4.M., reading resolutions by title only and waiving further reading thereof. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Hall, Zwick, Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, Mayor Negrete
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NOES: None
ABSENT: None
GRAFITTI REMOVAL
SERVICES
4.A. Award Bid #4494 and Authorize Agreement with Woods Maintenance Services, Inc. dba Graffiti Control Systems for Citywide Graffiti Removal Services, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines;
2. Award Bid #4494 to Woods Maintenance Services, Inc. dba Graffiti Control Systems for graffiti removal services for the Public Works Department; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Woods Maintenance Services, Inc. dba Graffiti Control Systems, in an amount not to exceed $697,320 for five years, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
CLEANER AND
DEGREASER PRODUCTS
4.B. Award Bid #4493 and issue Purchase Order to DeltaGreen Products for Heavy Duty Cleaner and Degreaser, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines;
2. Award Bid #4493 to DeltaGreen Products to furnish and deliver heavy duty cleaner and degreaser for the Public Works Department; and
3. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with DeltaGreen Products for the purchase of heavy duty cleaner and degreaser in an amount not to exceed $123,000 for one year, with two additional two-year renewal options, for a total amount not to exceed $615,000 over a five-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
CITYWIDE FURNITURE
PURCHASE AND
INSTALLATION
4.C. Award RFP SP2307-2025 and Agreement to Archi.txture, LLC dba BASK for the Purchase and Installation of Furniture Citywide, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
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1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award RFP #SP2307-2025 to Archi.txture, LLC dba BASK to provide Steelcase systems furniture procurement, installation, and consulting services citywide on an as-needed basis; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an as-needed services agreement with Archi.txture, LLC dba BASK for an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 over a five-year period.
ON-CALL SURVEYING
SERVICES
4.D. Award RFP SP2539 and Agreements to PSOMAS and KDM
Meridian for On-Call Surveying Services, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of exemption pursuant to Section 15262 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award RFP #SP2539 to PSOMAS and KDM Meridian to provide on-call surveying services for the Public Works Department; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute agreements for on-call surveying services with PSOMAS and KDM Meridian, in an amount not to exceed $250,000 for each agreement, over a five-year period, with one (1) five-year renewal option under the same terms and conditions as the original period. Prior to the end of the initial term, staff will present the extended term to the City Council for ratification
AIRPORT MECHNICAL
EQUIPMENT
REPLACEMENT
PROJECT
4.E. Authorization of First Modification to Agreement #11583 with ACCO Engineered Systems, Inc. for the Airport Mechanical Equipment Replacement Project, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15302 (Replacement and Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to agreement #11583 (CCS) in the amount of $1,055,945 (including no additional contingency) with ACCO Engineered Systems, Inc. (ACCO), a California-based company, for additional equipment and construction work to complete the Airport Mechanical Equipment Replacement Project. This will result in an amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $3,049,035 (including 6% contingency) with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
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WATER HEATER
INSTALLATION
SERVICES
4.F. Authorize First Modification to Agreement #5059 with Water Heater Warehouse for Heat Pump Water Heater Installation Services, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15311 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to agreement #5059 in the amount of $250,000 with Water Heater Warehouse for heat pump water heater installation services for the Public Works Department. This will result in a fiveyear amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $500,000, which includes funding for future heat pump water heater services.
RESIDENTAL RENTAL
PRICES
4.G. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Prohibiting Sale and Use of Algorithmic Devices to Set Residential Rental Prices, was heard and approved with direction for staff to reach out and coordinate with the Rent Control Board.
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 the attached Ordinance amending the text of the Santa Monica Municipal Code by adding Chapter 4.58 Algorithmic Rental Price Fixing.
RESIDENT
REPRESENTATION
4.H. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica Adding Section 2.32.300 to the Santa Monica Municipal Code Requiring Resident Representation for Council Appointees to Non-Profits, was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
ANIMAL CODE 4.I. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the City's Animals Code, was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
CITY’S ZONING
ORDINANCE
4.J. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Text of the City’s Zoning Ordinance to Eliminate Parcel Size Threshold Docusign Envelope ID: D2E68E32-D0D4-4F1E-ACF6-FABA4AE6F34D 6 May 27, 2025
for Streamlined Review of Housing Projects, Increase the Maximum Square Footage for Accessory Dwelling Units, Revise Provisions Related to Ministerially Approved Lot Splits and Duplexes on Parcels Zoned Single-Unit Residential, Adjust the Criteria for Streamlined Review of Housing Projects on Large Sites Within Bergamot Zoning Districts, Provide Extensions for Projects Approved prior to January 6, 2025, Convert Parcel Coverage Development Standards to Floor Area Ratio for the City’s Residential Zoning Districts, and Align Density Standards for the City’s Multiple-Unit Residential Zoning Districts with the Intensities Envisioned in the Land Use and Circulation Element; for Consistency With Recent Updates to State law; and Making Other Minor Changes, Corrections and Clarifications, was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
BUILDING PERMIT
APPLICATION
DEADLINES
4.K. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 8.08 to Extend Expiration for Building Permit Applications Complete as of January 6, 2025, was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
4.L. Approve Resolution Adopting the 2025 Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment, was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15307 and Section 15308 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Hold a public meeting and receive public comment for the 2025 Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment Report for the Public Works Department, Water Resources Division; and
3. Approve the attached resolution adopting the 2025 Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment Report.
MUSIC FESTIVAL 4.N. Authorization of Fourth Contract Modification with McCabe's Guitar Shop for Single Day Music Festival, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15323 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a fourth modification to agreement #4820 in the amount of $35,000 with Docusign Envelope ID: D2E68E32-D0D4-4F1E-ACF6-FABA4AE6F34D 7 May 27, 2025
McCabe’s Guitar Shop for a single day music festival in September 2025. This will result in a four-year amended agreement with a new total Not-to-Exceed amount of $337,000, with no future funding expected for this Agreement.
MINUTES 4.O. Approval of Minutes of the City Council - Special Meeting - May 15, 2025 8:00 AM, were approved.
MINUTES 4.P. Approval of Minutes of the City Council - Special Meeting - May 20, 2025 5:00 PM, were approved.
COUNCIL RULES OF
PROCEDURE
4.M. Adoption of a Resolution Amending the Council Rules of Procedure, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt:
1. The attached resolution amending the Council Rules of Procedure to account for modification to rules for public input; and
2. 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.
Questions of staff included who prepares ordinances and resolutions and what is stated in the Charter as to who is responsible for drafting ordinances and resolutions.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to adding further clarification to the Council rules to affirmatively state that the City Attorney is responsible for drafting and bringing back to Council all ordinances and resolutions; collaboration between the City Manager’s Office and the City Attorney’s Office on matters of policy necessary to draft legislation; and correction to rule number three regarding quorum and action on quasi-judicial matters
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, seconded by Mayor Negrete, to adopt the staff recommendation, as amended was to add clarifying language to section 5(d) of the Council rules, specifically stating that unless Council directs otherwise, the City Attorney shall be responsible for preparing and bringing back ordinances and resolutions and to insert the words, “at least” in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Rule 3 so that it states, “However, in the case of a quasi-judicial hearing, if only 4 Councilmembers are participating, the applicant or appellant shall be entitled to request 3 and receive a continuance of the hearing, until such time as at least 5 Councilmembers are participating.” The motion was approved by the following vote:
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AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Hall, Snell, Zernitskaya,
Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, Mayor Negrete
NOES: Councilmember Raskin
ABSENT: None
Councilmember Raskin explained that his no vote was due to his concerns with the discontinuation of time donation for public comment and public participation in meetings.
CLOSED SESSIONS On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 6:47 p.m., to consider Closed Sessions and returned at 7:19 p.m., with all members present, to report the following:
5.A. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1): Jane Doe 1, et al. v. City, et al; LASC # 24STCV06207 [report out only]
The City Attorney reported this matter settled in the amount of $1.42 million at the April 22, 2025 Council meeting by a vote of 7-0.
5.B. Conference with labor negotiator - Gov. Code § 54957.6: agency designated representatives: Interim City Manager Elaine Polachek, Human Resources Director Dana Brown, and Human Resources Manager Sarah Rebensdorf; bargaining units: Administrative Team Associates (ATA), AFSCME Local 4819- Management Team
Association (MTA), California Teamsters Local 911 (IBT), Municipal Employees Association (MEA), Public Attorney’s Legal Support Staff Union (PALSSU), Public Attorney’s Union (PAU), Santa Monica Fire Executive Management Association (FEMA), Santa Monica Firefighters Local 1109 (LOCAL 1109), Police Officers Association (POA), Supervisory Team Association (STA) and SMART TD - International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers - Transportation Division, Local 1785 (SMART TD)
The City Attorney advised this matter was not heard.
5.C. Public employee performance evaluation - Gov. Code § 54957(b):
City Attorney
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard not heard at this time.
5.D. Public employee appointment - Gov. Code § 54957(b): consider public employee appointment; title: City Manager; Gov. Code § 54957.6: conference with labor negotiator; City negotiator:
Mayor/Personnel Director; unrepresented employee: City Manager The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action Docusign Envelope ID: D2E68E32-D0D4-4F1E-ACF6-FABA4AE6F34D 9 May 27, 2025
taken.
AGENDA
MANAGEMENT
Motion by Mayor Negrete, seconded by Mayor Pro Torosis, to hear Item
11.A. before Public Input on Remaining Agenda Items. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote with all members present.
CITY MANAGER
REPORT
The City Manager Report was presented.
REPORT ON COUNCIL
TRAVEL
There was nothing to report on Council travel.
PUBLIC INPUT ON
REMAINING AGENDA
ITEMS:
Members of the public Jerry Rubin, Cris Gutierrez, Zoe Muntaner, Zina Josephs, and Gleam Davis commented on item 7.A.
STUDY SESSION:
FY 2025-27 BIENNIAL &
FY 2025-26 CIP BUDGETS
7.A. Proposed FY 2025-27 Biennial Budget and FY 2025-26 CIP Budget, was heard.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Receive the FY 2025-26 through FY 2029-30 Five-Year Financial Forecast Update;
2. Review and provide direction to staff on the FY 2025-27 Proposed Biennial Budget, including the FY 2025-26 Proposed ExceptionBased Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget (Attachment A);
3. Review and provide direction to staff on proposed changes to the City’s Fees and Fines (Attachment E);
4. Provide direction to staff on revising the Council Travel Funds policy;
5. Direct staff to proceed with setting the FY 2025-27 Budget Adoption public hearing on June 24, 2025.
Questions asked and answered of staff included questions regarding a 16 Item relating to a banner program and if there is any value in continuing the program; the vacancy fee program; to what degree is the Advanced Provider Unit (APU) equipped to service people with mental and behavioral heath concerns; is there a plan for how the APU will fit in with the other emergency and non-emergency responses to homelessness concerns; attrition in police department staffing; what is the City’s hybrid work policy concerning the amount of required days to work onsite; what is the vacancy savings rate; is there costs savings from the vacancy rate; which funds have been borrowed from the Housing Trust Fund and how much has each fund borrowed; position reclassifications in ISD and how they support technology; what would be the impacts of the elimination of the sports field fertilization; where is the additional increase in demand for custodial services at the airport Docusign Envelope ID: D2E68E32-D0D4-4F1E-ACF6-FABA4AE6F34D 10 May 27, 2025
coming from; is additional revenue anticipated with the addition of the Senior Real Estate Property Manager position for the airport and if so, when will that funding be realized; is there anticipation that the additional costs associated with RRR for landfill services, hazardous waste management, and rent will be offset by new fees or increasing fees; are the new positions of Water Quality Supervisor and Water Chemist new positions or restorations; how would they fit in with the existing department infrastructure; does the city get funding or subsidies for the Pier and Beach Recreation Funds; the definition of beach encroachment; how many applications for beach encroachment fees expected annually; how successful could the city be in collecting investigation/inspection fees in Code Enforcement; how does the increase in traffic enforcement and dangerous driving citations compare to prior years; is the police department looking into leveraging technology to augment and support traffic safety; were any of the traffic stops “pretextual stops;” how does the budget support enhanced officer foot and bike patrols as part of the overall plan to eventually build out the downtown services unit; are the anticipated expenditures for apparatus replacements for the fire department for equipment that has already been order but not yet delivered and what kind of impact will the consolidation of providers of these types of apparatus be for having those needs met; is the construction of mobility enhancements on Stewart and north of Kansas connected to the bike lanes project or is it a separate project that just happened to align; what will the Safe Routes to School and Safe Routes for Seniors programs entail; explanation of the process for the creation or training of a drone operator; what is the required staffing to add additional capacity to the drone as a first responder program; what is the city’s current capacity to put drones in the air and how would adding an additional drone impact the additional sworn officers per shift; what is the status of the after action report from the Palisades fires; what is the status of Council direction for the Big Blue Bus to participate in the AB 1904 program for yield signs on Big Blue Bus; what is the status of Council’s direction for CDD staff to work with the Landmarks Commission to implement the additional recommendations from their report “A Place for Everyone in Santa Monica’s History;” what is the value in increasing the community garden fees; when was the last time these fees were increased; if Council doesn’t increase these fees, how would Public Works otherwise cut their budget; are there any low income programs that people can apply for to offset the increase in community gardens fees; are Measure GSH funds tax revenues being paid directly to the housing business fund; what are the risks in dipping further into reserve funds; if another massive financial crisis fell to the city, would the city consider needing to go out to bond; with respect to the Measure K enhancements, how is labor in the affected departments being impacted and what is the financial impact with respect to labor; has there been any discussion as to how revenue can be increased so that the beach fund can meet its demands; is there a timeline for implementing the rent registry; is housing staff working with rent control to establish the rent registry; is it anticipated that the city will be able to serve Docusign Envelope ID: D2E68E32-D0D4-4F1E-ACF6-FABA4AE6F34D 11 May 27, 2025
all households in need of right to counsel and/or flexible cash assistance for tenants facing eviction within the current year; are there any funds in the housing trust fund specifically allocated for preserving rent controlled and deed restricted buildings and if so, what is the specific allocation; are efforts being coordinated with rent control to determine a formula to assess which of these buildings require maintenance and preserving; has the city investigated revenue generating resources to assist in sourcing the community gardens in lieu of raising fees; have departments looked into augmenting their work with AI tools; are there more cost effective options that can be utilized until the APU is implemented; what areas of the community will be impacted by the cut in the overtime budget of the police department; why has the OT budget line been consistently overdrawn; and is there any projection for how the city can benefit financially from events being held in the area such as FIFA and the 2028 Olympics.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to concerns about depleting reserves by $60 million over five years; potential fiscal risks and economic uncertainty; the need to protect the city's financial health; adjustments to reduce sworn officer positions; replacing some sworn officers with public safety officers; reallocating funds to preserve overtime and fund specific programs; debate about the effectiveness of public safety officers vs. sworn officers; concerns about maintaining community safety; traffic enforcement and drone program expansion proposal to freeze vacant positions; criteria for hiring new staff during the hiring freeze period; potential impacts on departmental operations due to the hiring freeze; proposal to increase parking permit fees; exploring alternative revenue sources and the potential for automated bike lane enforcement.
Motion by Councilmember Zwick, seconded by Councilmember Hall, to give direction to staff including:
Enact the following adjustments to the overall budget:
● Freeze all currently vacant positions in the city
○ Exempt all vacant sworn-officer positions in PD and FD ○ Exempt new FTEs proposed as part of the city’s budget reduction and new revenue generating initiatives, new FTEs funded through Measure K, and net-zero staffing adjustments in the proposed biennial budget
○ Adopt a zero-based budgeting approach, in which vacancies deemed vital to health and safety or core to basic functioning may be approved by the City Manager and submitted for City Council approval in the final 2025-2026 budget and on an ongoing basis
○ Giving the City Manager the discretion to determine which positions are deemed necessary based on the operation needs of the department Docusign Envelope ID: D2E68E32-D0D4-4F1E-ACF6-FABA4AE6F34D 12 May 27, 2025
● Amend the PD budget to create a line item that includes funding for the 9 currently vacant sworn positions and all sworn officer overtime ○ Additional sworn positions beyond the currently approved 232 may be filled using funds from this line item.
○ Council approval shall be required to add or transfer funds to this line item or purpose.
● Raise the annual price of Residential and Visitor Parking Permits – from $23 to $40 for 1st Residential, $28 to $50 for 2nd Residential, $46 to $92 for a 3rd Residential, and $72 to $144 for 4th+ Residential, and $35 to $70 for Visitor (Max 2). Grant exemptions to applicants who complete a Hardship Waiver.
○ Utilize 25% of new revenues generated from this increase to reimburse the Housing Trust Fund for the next 4 years.
○ Allocate $25k annually to the Early Childhood Taskforce.
Enact the following adjustments to Measure K:
● Remove proposed 5 additional sworn SMPD FTE positions. ● Allocate $500k annually for 4 additional Public Services Officer FTEs to augment safety and address quality-of-life issues in the city’s downtown business district and parks.
● Allocate $650k annually to Advanced Provider Unit program to improve services for persons experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations.
● Fund equipment and subscription costs for proactive security monitoring solutions for Library, Miles Playhouse and Camera Obscura, as well as additional equipment funds necessary to expand Drone as a First Responder Program (DFR).
○ Direct Chief of Police to designate 2 of 9 vacant FTE sworn positions in SMPD to operationalize expansion of DFR program.
● Fund the city-operated Ambulance Operator (AO) Program, proactive streetlight repair program, no right on red signage, Safe Neighborhood Streets Program, and Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) revenue replacement as recommended in the budget.
● Replace proposed Z Gate capital improvement project with funding for Automated Bike Lane Enforcement Program to increase public safety and raise additional revenues.
● Add parking meters on Neilson Way to increase public safety and raise additional revenues.
● Fund revenue-positive expansion of the License Plate Recognition (LPR) system with General Fund (GF) Non-Restricted Reserve Balance in lieu of Measure K.
● Allocate $1.5 million ($200k above proposed $1.3 million) to preserve overtime for Special Deployments in the Police Department.
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● Allocate $708k to fill 1 vacant custodian position and keep funding for custodial services impacting restroom maintenance at the Beach, Pier and City Parks and $369k to continue to fund 3 Vacant Positions - Assistant Planner, Code Enforcement Officer, and Combination Building Inspector - as recommended in the budget.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Hall, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Pro Tem
NOES: Mayor Negrete
ABSENT: None
Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, to provide direction to staff on revising the Council Travel Funds policy, selecting Alternative 2, to redistribute funds with greater allowance for Mayor and set aside funds for required travel for Councilmember representatives Council Travel Funds. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Hall, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, Mayor Negrete
NOES: Mayor Negrete
ABSENT: None
Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to provide direction to staff to proceed with setting the FY 2025-27 Budget Adoption public hearing on June 24, 2025. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Hall, Zwick Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, Mayor Negrete
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
STAFF
ADMINISTRATIVE
ITEMS:
11.A. Appointment of City Manager and Authorization to Execute Agreement, was heard.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that Council:
1. 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 15601(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines;
2. Appoint Oliver C. Chi as City Manager commencing July 14, 2025; Docusign Envelope ID: D2E68E32-D0D4-4F1E-ACF6-FABA4AE6F34D 14 May 27, 2025
3. Approve the employment agreement with Oliver C. Chi for his services as City Manager, beginning effective July 14, 2025; and
4. Authorize the Mayor to sign the employment agreement on behalf of the City.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Hall, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, Mayor Negrete
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
STAFF VACANCIES
REPORT
12.A. Public Hearing on the Status of Staff Vacancies in the City of Santa Monica as Required by Government Code Section 3502.3, was heard.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that this report is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act; and
2. Hold a public hearing and receive the informational report on City of Santa Monica staff vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3.
No members of the public spoke to the recommended action.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: is there an ask for Council from the police union; what is the percentage of sworn officers on desk duty versus in the field; is it correct that there has been an increase in the hiring for the police department as stated by the Police Chief and what is the net hiring versus retirement numbers for police officers.
Motion by Councilmember Zernitskaya, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, to receive and file the report. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote with all Councilmembers present.
COUNCILMEMBER
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
In accordance with Council Rule 6(y), all Councilmember Discussion items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.
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TRANSIT SECURITY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
16.A. Recommendation to rescind the May 13, 2025, appointment of Frederick Foy Jr. to the Transit Security Advisory Committee, and consider new appointment to the vacancy on the Committee with a term ending June 30, 2029, was approved.
Motion by Councilmember Hall, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, to rescind the appointment and appoint Frederick Foy, Jr. to the non-designated member seat.
The motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote, with all members present.
CLOSED SESSIONS On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 11:40 p.m., to consider Closed Sessions and adjourned at 12:32 a.m., with no reportable action.
5.C. Public employee performance evaluation - Gov. Code § 54957(b):
City Attorney
ADJOURNMENT On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting adjourned at 12:32 a.m. in memory of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Nikima S. Newsome Lana Negrete
City Clerk Mayor
Docusign Envelope ID: D2E68E32-D0D4-4F1E-ACF6-FABA4AE6F34D