City of Santa Monica
City Council Meeting
AGENDA
LANA NEGRETE
MAYOR
ELLIS RASKIN CAROLINE TOROSIS
COUNCILMEMBER MAYOR PRO TEM
DAN HALL BARRY SNELL
COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER
JESSE ZWICK NATALYA ZERNITSKAYA
COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER
ELAINE POLACHEK
INTERIM CITY MANAGER
DOUGLAS SLOAN
CITY ATTORNEY
NIKIMA NEWSOME
CITY CLERK
STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR THAT PROMOTE CIVILITY AT ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS:
• Treat everyone courteously; • Embrace respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights, inherent components of an inclusive
public process, and tools for forging sound decisions
• Hate has no place in Santa Monica. The City opposes
abusive or threatening hate speech, intolerance, or
dehumanization, and supports basic civil respect and
human decency.
• Listen to others respectfully;
• Exercise self-control;
• Give open-minded consideration
to all viewpoints;
• Focus on the issues and avoid
personalizing debate;
Regular meetings are broadcast live on CityTV cable channel 16 and on the internet at santamonica.gov. Cable television re-broadcasts air on Thursday and Saturday at 11:30 AM. The agenda will air on CityTV on Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM, and on Monday and Tuesday at 12:30 PM and 6:00 PM.
City of Santa Monica Generated: 6/11/2025 9:33 AM Page 2
RULES OF ORDER FOR THE CONDUCT OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS (Resolution No.11663(CCS))
WAYS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT
If you are interested in providing public comment at a City Council meeting, there are several ways to participate:
(1) Written public comment. In lieu of oral public comment, the public is strongly encouraged to submit written public comment on agenda items via email to [email protected]. For written public comment submitted by 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting, best efforts shall be made to have them available online for viewing. Please note the agenda item number in the subject line of your written comments.
(2) Oral public comment.
- In-person: Persons wishing to address the City Council regarding items on the agenda must be present and submit their name and address (optional) to the City Clerk before the public comment section is opened for that item or before the public hearing is opened where one is required by law. Register to speak at the Speaker Kiosk prior to the meeting. - Telephone: Persons wishing to address the Council by telephone must register at santamonica.gov/public-comment no later than 5:00 p.m. the day before a meeting. Showing electronic presentation materials are not permitted when commenting by telephone.
Oral public comment from any one individual is limited to a total of 6 minutes per City Council meeting, with a maximum of 2 minutes per agenda item if speaking on multiple items. A member of the public may allocate time between items in one-minute increments up to 2 minutes and those requesting to speak on only one agendized item for the meeting may speak for up to 4 minutes on that one item. Except for noticed public hearings or quasi-judicial items, if more than 25 speakers are registered to speak during a public input section, the amount of time shall be reduced to 1 minute per speaker during that section.
Except for the author of the request, public comment on 15-items are limited to 1 minute.
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 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. Information regarding the Levine Act can be found here or you can contact the FPPC.
ORDER OF BUSINESS (may not be changed except by majority vote of the City Council.)
1. General Public Input
(Members of the public may address the City Council
only on items not on the agenda, but within the
subject matter jurisdiction of the City and on Special
Agenda Items.)
2. Special Agenda Items (Commendations and
Proclamations presented).
3. Public Comment for Consent Calendar and Closed
Sessions Only.
4. Consent Calendar (All items considered in one
motion unless removed by a City Councilmember for
discussion. No public comment is permitted on
second readings.)
5. Closed Sessions.
6. Public Comment on remaining Agenda Items
7. Study Session.
8. Continued Items.
9. Administrative Proceedings.
10. Ordinances:
• 1
st Reading
• 2
nd Reading (No public comment is
permitted on second readings.)
11. Staff Administrative Item.
12. Public Hearings.
13. Reports of Boards and Commissions.
14. Resolutions.
15. Written Communications (Other than
Reports of Commission and Officers.)
16. Councilmember Discussion Items.
Agendas and reports are accessible on the City's webpage at smgov.net/council/agendas. They are also available at the City Clerk's Office and in alternate formats upon request. For a free email subscription to the City Council Agendas, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 458-8211 or [email protected].
Si desea comunicarse con alguien en español, llame a nuestra oficina al (310) 458-8211 y pida hablar con Esterlina Lugo.
City of Santa Monica Generated: 6/11/2025 9:33 AM Page 3
AGENDAS
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
REGULAR MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1685 MAIN STREET, ROOM 250,
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025
MEETING BEGINS AT 5:30 PM
HOW TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT BY TELEPHONE
Persons wishing to address the City Council by telephone must register at santamonica.gov/public-comment no later than 5:00 p.m. the day before a meeting.
Donation of time and showing electronic presentation materials are not permitted when commenting by telephone.
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ROLL CALL
City of Santa Monica 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.
LEVINE ACT DISCLOSURES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS / PROCEDURAL
MOTIONS
City of Santa Monica Generated: 6/11/2025 9:33 AM Page 4
1. GENERAL PUBLIC INPUT AND COMMENT ON SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS (For regular meetings, public comment is permitted on Special Agenda Items and items not on the agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City. State law prohibits the City Council from taking any action on items not listed on the agenda, including issues raised under this agenda item. For special meetings, public input is limited to scheduled Special Agenda Items only.)
. Written Comments
2. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS
2.A. Proclamation: Juneteenth Legacy Month
2.B. Commendation: Nancy Coleman
3. PUBLIC INPUT (ITEMS UNDER CONSENT CALENDAR AND CLOSED SESSION ONLY)
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
(All items will be considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion. In accordance with Charter section 615, the adoption of all ordinances and resolutions shall be by reading of title only unless a Councilmember present dissents. No public discussion is permitted on ordinances for second reading and adoption.)
4.A. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Adopting the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map
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 adopt a finding of categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15307 and Section 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines; and
2. Introduce for first reading an ordinance to add chapter 8.46 to the Santa Monica Municipal Code to designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones as pursuant to California Government Code Section 51178.
4.B. Adoption of a Resolution Approving Final Parcel Map for the subdivision of 2929 Pennsylvania Avenue
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council take following actions:
1. Adopt a finding of Statutory Exemption (Approval of Final Tract Map) pursuant to Section 15268(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act; and
2. Adopt the attached resolution approving Final Tract Map No. 71974.
4.C. Approval of Donation of Retired Buses to Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
City of Santa Monica Generated: 6/11/2025 9:33 AM Page 5 Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effects pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) for donation of decommissioned transit buses in support of the LA28 Olympic Games. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process as LA Metro has requested donations of decommissioned transit buses for use in the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games.
4.D. Adoption of a Resolution approving a Final Tract Map for Providence Saint John’s Health Center to address inconsistencies with legal descriptions of various Health Center parcels. No development or construction is proposed with this subdivision map (25ENT-0081)
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council take following actions:
1. Adopt a finding of Statutory Exemption (Approval of Final Subdivision Map) pursuant to Section 15268(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act and affirm that the approval of the Final Subdivision Map was analyzed in the Final EIR that Council certified on March 22, 2022, and in the associated Council-adopted a Statement of Overriding Considerations and Mitigation Monitoring Program on March 22, 2022.
2. Adopt the attached resolution approving Final Tract Map No. 82302.
4.E. Adoption of a Resolution Accepting the Tentative Agreements and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Memoranda of Understanding with the Fire Executive Management Association (FEMA), Public Attorneys' Legal Support Staff Union (PALSSU), and Public Attorneys Union (PAU), and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Revised Confidential Unrepresented Employees (CUE) Pay Plan and a Revised Executive Pay Plan (EPP).
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15324 (Class 24 Regulations of Working Conditions) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Adopt the proposed Resolution (Attachment A) accepting the Tentative Agreements (TA) and authorizing the City Manager to execute Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the Fire Executive Management Association (FEMA), Public Attorneys' Legal Support Staff Union (PALSSU), and Public Attorneys Union (PAU), and authorizing the City Manager to execute a revised Confidential Unrepresented Employees (CUE) Pay Plan and a revised Executive Pay Plan (EPP);
3. Adopt the salary schedule (Attachment B); and
4. Authorize budget changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget City of Santa Monica Generated: 6/11/2025 9:33 AM Page 6 Actions section of this report.
4.F. Adoption of a Resolution Rescheduling Regular City Council Meetings Scheduled for July 22nd to July 29th, September 23rd to September 30th, and Cancelling August 26th and November 25th Council Meetings Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the following:
1. Reschedule regular Council meeting scheduled for July 22, 2025, to July 29, 2025;
2. Cancel the regular Council meetings scheduled for August 26, 2025 and November 25, 2025, for summer recess and the Thanksgiving holiday, and due to a lack of quorum;
3. Reschedule regular Council meeting scheduled for September 23, 2025, to September 30, 2025, in observance of Rosh Hashanah;
4. Adopt attached amended resolution approving changes to the regular Council meeting schedule; and
5. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant environmental effects pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
4.G. Adoption of Resolution Ratifying Regional Fires Emergency Proclamation and Supplements
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption). 15268 (Ministerial Projects), and 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Adopt the proposed resolution ratifying the Executive Order issued by the Director of Emergency Services declaring the existence of a local emergency in the City of Santa Monica and the Supplements to that Order.
4.H. Adoption of Resolution Ratifying Homelessness Emergency Proclamation 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. Adopt the proposed resolution ratifying the 2025 Proclamation of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica Declaring a Local Emergency on Homelessness.
4.I. City Council - Regular Meeting - May 13, 2025 5:30 PM
5. CLOSED SESSIONS
City of Santa Monica Generated: 6/11/2025 9:33 AM Page 7
5.A. Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8: properties: 2033- 2101 Virginia Avenue; owner of record: Community Corporation of Santa Monica; City negotiators: Heather Averick, Director of Housing and Human Services, and Natalie Verlinich, Housing Manager; owner negotiator: Tara Barauskas; under negotiation: price and terms of payment
CITY MANAGER REPORT
. City Manager Report: SMPD 2024 Annual Crime Report Update
TRAVEL ANNOUNCEMENT AND MAYOR'S HIGHLIGHT
6. PUBLIC INPUT ON REMAINING AGENDA ITEMS
. Public Input for 12-Items will be heard at the time when the Public Hearing is called.
7. STUDY SESSION
7.A. Study Session to review draft analysis, findings, and recommendations of the Santa Monica Blvd Safety Study, funded by a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning grant.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that this study session is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
2. Receive, discuss, and provide direction regarding the initial findings and concept level recommendations for the Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Study project.
7.B. Large Format Digital Signage Study Session
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that this study session is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act;
2. Authorize City staff to initiate negotiations with the applicant for the Development Agreements for new outdoor digital displays located at 301 Arizona Avenue and 1202 Third Street Promenade;
3. Provide direction to Staff regarding desired project parameters and approach to community benefits; and
4. Discuss the approach for future large-format digital signage with off-site advertising, including the adoption of an ordinance to establish a pilot program to limit this signage to the Third Street Promenade area.
8. CONTINUED ITEMS
No items
City of Santa Monica Generated: 6/11/2025 9:33 AM Page 8
9. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS
No items
10. ORDINANCES
(Public comment is permitted on ordinances for introduction and first reading. No public discussion is permitted on ordinances for second reading and adoption. In accordance with Charter section 615, the adoption of all ordinances and resolutions shall be by reading of title only unless a Councilmember present dissents.)
10.A. Introduction and First Reading of an ordinance amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 3.12.675 to allow bicycles and other devices in transitonly lanes Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines; and
2. Introduce for first reading the attached ordinance amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 3.12.675 to allow bicycles and other devices to operate in transit-only designated lanes, and to permit the Director of the Department of Transportation to administratively designate new transit-only lanes.
11. STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
No items
12. PUBLIC HEARINGS
12.A. Public Hearing and Adoption of a Resolution Establishing Scheduled FiveYear Water Service Rate Adjustments Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Hold a public hearing for the proposed five-year water rate adjustment;
2. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15273 of the CEQA Guidelines for the five-year water rate adjustment public hearing;
3. Receive public comments pursuant to Proposition 218 requirements;
4. Consider all protests against the proposed water rate adjustments that have been submitted in accordance with Proposition 218; and
5. Adopt the resolution establishing five-year schedule of water rate adjustments to go into effect July 1, 2025.
12.B. Public Hearing and Adoption of a Resolution Establishing Scheduled FiveYear Wastewater Rate Adjustments City of Santa Monica Generated: 6/11/2025 9:33 AM Page 9 Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Hold a public hearing for the proposed five-year sewer rate adjustment;
2. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15273 of the CEQA Guidelines for the five-year sewer rate adjustment public hearing;
3. Receive public comments pursuant to Proposition 218 requirements;
4. Consider all protests against the proposed sewer rate adjustments that have been submitted in accordance with Proposition 218; and
5. Adopt the attached resolution establishing five-year schedule of sewer rate adjustments to go into effect July 1, 2025.
12.C. Public Hearing and Adoption of an Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance to Permit the Establishment of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as Part of Projects Utilizing Senate Bill 1123 on Vacant Parcels Zoned for Single-Unit Residential.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Statutory Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Government Code Section 65913.4.5(b).
2. Introduce and Adopt an Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance Permitting the Establishment of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as Part of Projects Utilizing Senate Bill (SB) 1123 on Vacant Parcels Zoned for Single-Unit Residential.
13. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
No items
14. RESOLUTIONS
No items
15. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS OTHER THAN REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND
OFFICERS
No items
16. COUNCILMEMBER DISCUSSION ITEMS
16.A. Request from the Santa Monica Library Board to assign a Council member as the Board’s Council Liaison
16.B. Request for Pilot Program Allowing Market-Rate Housing Projects Request of Councilmember Zwick, Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, and Mayor Negrete that the City Council direct the City Manager to return with a pilot program allowing market-rate housing projects more flexibility in how they provide affordable housing units off-site as a means to incentivize housing production for approved projects that are unable to proceed due to economic uncertainty. The pilot program should include provisions to ensure that the off- City of Santa Monica Generated: 6/11/2025 9:33 AM Page 10 site affordable housing units are constructed and also allow housing projects to be eligible for density bonus, incentives/concessions, and modifications under State density bonus law.
ADJOURNMENT
Agendas and reports are accessible on the City's webpage at www.smgov.net/council/agendas. They are also available at the City Clerk's Office and in alternate formats upon request. For a free email subscription to the City Council Agendas, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 458-8211 or [email protected].
Members of the public unable to attend a meeting but wishing to comment on an item(s) listed on the agenda may submit written comments prior to the meeting by meeting by mailing them to: City Clerk, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 or to [email protected]. Written comments received from the public by 12 PM on the day of the City Council meeting will be distributed to the City Council prior to the meeting and posted online. Members of the public who submit written public comment on an agenda item may be subject to the Levine Act which requires disclosure of campaign contributions of more than $500 to an officer of the City within the preceding 12 months.
City Hall and the Council Chambers are wheelchair accessible. If you require any special disability related accommodations to either attend or provide public testimony at a Council meeting (i.e. sign language interpreting, access to an amplified sound system, remote option, etc.), please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 458-8211 or TDD: (310) 917- 6626 or via email at [email protected] at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Best efforts shall be made to accommodate requests received after the 72-hour deadline. In the case of special meetings, requests should be submitted as early as possible, but no later than noon the day of the special Council meeting.
Si desea comunicarse con alguien en español, llame a nuestra oficina al (310) 458-8211 y pida hablar con Esterlina Lugo.
Santa Monica Blue Bus Lines #1, #2, #3, #5, #9 and the EXPO Line serve City Hall.
Parking is available on Main Street, on Olympic Drive, and in the Civic Center Parking Structure (validation free).