1 June 10, 2025
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 10, 2025
A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Negrete at 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, June 10, 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 Newsome
CONVENE/PLEDGE On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened at 5:30 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 Mayor Pro Tem Torosis.
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 Docusign Envelope ID: A05CC378-5445-4AB8-A29E-7BADCFC7E2C8 2 June 10, 2025
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.
No Councilmembers recused from any items pursuant to the Levine Act.
AGENDA
MANAGEMENT
Motion by Mayor Negrete, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis and approved by unanimous voice vote to move Council Travel Announcements and the City Manager’s Report to be heard after Special Agenda Items.
PUBLIC INPUT FOR
GENERAL PUBLIC
COMMENT AND
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS:
Members of the public Jerry Rubin, Cathy Lason, Dean Kubani, Stacy Dalgleish, Zina Josephs, Sylvie Rokab, Brian O'Neil, John Alle, Lauren Chang, Denise Barton, Bob Ramirez, Johnathan Foster, Mark Wagner, Tao Zhang, Pani Apostolidis, Sarah Wauters, and Zoe Muntaner commented on various local issues.
Members of the public Zina Josephs and Elizabeth VanDenburgh commented on Special Agenda items.
PROCLAMATIONS/
COMMENDATIONS/
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS
2.A. Proclamation: Juneteenth Legacy Month, was presented.
2.B. Commendation: Nancy Coleman, was presented.
PUBLIC INPUT FOR
CONSENT CALENDAR
AND CLOSED SESSION
ONLY:
Members of the public Mike Rovner, Diana Flores, Brittany de Guzman, Kiana Achoy, Freddy Luis, Maria Loya, Oscar de la Torre, Samantha Mota, Simon Fraser, Daniel Alonzo, Esther Hickman, Zina Josephs, Hugo Merillo, and Andrew Hoyer commented on Closed Session items.
Members of the public Denise Barton and Zoe Muntaner commented on Consent Calendar items.
CONSENT CALENDAR: All items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.
At the request of Councilmember Raskin, Item 4.C. was removed from the Consent Calendar to recuse.
Motion by Mayor Negrete, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, to approve the Consent Calendar except for Item 4.C., reading resolutions by Docusign Envelope ID: A05CC378-5445-4AB8-A29E-7BADCFC7E2C8 3 June 10, 2025
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
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
FIRE HAZARD
SEVERITY ZONE MAP
4.A. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Adopting the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map, was introduced and approved.
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.
TRACT MAP APPROVAL 4.B. Adoption of Resolution No. 11664 (CCS) Approving Final Parcel Map for the subdivision of 2929 Pennsylvania Avenue, was adopted.
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 attached Resolution No. 11664 (CCS) approving Final Tract Map No. 71974.
TRACT MAP APPROVAL 4.D. Adoption of Resolution No. 11665 (CCS) 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), was adopted.
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 Docusign Envelope ID: A05CC378-5445-4AB8-A29E-7BADCFC7E2C8 4 June 10, 2025
Council certified on March 22, 2022, and in the associated Counciladopted a Statement of Overriding Considerations and Mitigation Monitoring Program on March 22, 2022.
2. Adopt the Resolution No. 11665 (CCS) approving Final Tract Map No. 82302.
MEMORANDA OF
UNDERSTANDING
4.E. Adoption of Resolution No. 11666 (CCS) 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), was adopted.
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 proposed Resolution No. 11666 (CCS) (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 Actions section of this report.
CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS SCHEDULE
4.F. Adoption of Resolution No. 11667 (CCS) 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, was adopted.
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; Docusign Envelope ID: A05CC378-5445-4AB8-A29E-7BADCFC7E2C8 5 June 10, 2025
4. Adopt attached amended Resolution No. 11667 (CCS) 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
REGIONAL FIRES
EMERGENCY
PROCLAMATION
4.G. Adoption of Resolution No. 11668 (CCS) Ratifying Regional Fires Emergency Proclamation and Supplements, was adopted.
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 proposed Resolution No. 11668 (CCS) 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 No. 11669 (CCS) Ratifying
Homelessness Emergency Proclamation, was adopted.
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 proposed Resolution No. 11669 (CCS) ratifying the 2025 Proclamation of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica Declaring a Local Emergency on Homelessness.
MINUTES 4.I. Approval of Minutes of City Council - Regular Meeting - May 13, 2025, were approved.
RETIRED BUSES
DONATION
(Councilmember Raskin left
the meeting at 7:14 P.M. )
4.C. Approval of Donation of Retired Buses to Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was approved.
Councilmember Raskin stated that he was recusing himself from this item because his law firm (Hanson Bridgett LLP) represents the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation in various matters. While he has not worked on any of those matters, and he has no financial interest whatsoever in the subject matter of the item, but he is recusing from the item out of an abundance of caution and to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
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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.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, seconded by Mayor Negrete, to approve the motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Hall, Snell, Zernitskaya,
Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, Mayor Negrete
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Raskin
CLOSED SESSIONS
(Councilmember Raskin
returned to the meeting at
7:14 P.M.)
On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 7:15 p.m., to consider Closed Sessions and returned at 8:04 p.m., with all members present, to report the following:
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
The Assistant City Attorney advised this matter was heard with action taken by a vote of 7-0 to approve rehabbing the property with a loan with a right of return for residents at the current rents. Council will return to open session for approval of the loan amount.
CITY MANAGER
REPORT
The City Manager Report was presented.
The SMPD 2024 Annual Crime Report Update was presented.
REPORT ON COUNCIL
TRAVEL
There was nothing to report on Council travel.
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PUBLIC INPUT ON
REMAINING AGENDA
ITEMS:
Members of the public Caro Vilain, Connor Webb, and Eli Gill commented on 7.A.
Members of the public Jonathan Kaye, Ali Bilal, Lucian Tudor, Chris Baca, Kate Powers, Michael Gerber, Andrew Thomas, Dewalt, Dhun May, and Zoe Muntaner commented on 7.B.
Members of the public Caro Vilain and Zoe Muntaner commented on
10.A.
Member of the public Caro Vilain commented on 12.C.
Members of the public Denise Barton, Caro Villain, Eli Gill, and Zoe Muntaner commented on 16.B.
STUDY SESSION:
SANTA MONICA BLVD
SAFETY STUDY
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, was presented.
Recommended Action
1. Staff recommends that the City Council:
2. Adopt a finding that this study session is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
3. Receive, discuss, and provide direction regarding the initial findings and concept level recommendations for the Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Study project.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: what are the goals and metrics including how the city will track measurable outcomes for safety improvements; how will the city prioritize people without vehicles; is the department thinking about the potential trade-offsthat will need to be made to implement the improvements; are there other potential pedestrian/bike crossings being considered between 17th Street and Yale around McKinley and Park Avenue; why aren’t far siding bus stops being done on 26th Street; why is a queue jump not necessary; could the bus lanes exist with the curb extensions; what is being done to reduce travel speeds specifically addressing the speeds on the eastern side of the corridor on Santa Monica Blvd.; how might reducing lane widths and reducing the amount of travel lanes on streets like Wilshire, Lincoln, San Vicente, and Santa Monica Blvd. impact speed and safety on the corridor and why is that not being considered anywhere in this study; what is the relationship between multiple lanes and safety on a corridor; is there data on how many pedestrians and cyclists have been struck on Wilshire Boulevard since the safety improvements were installed; is the city satisfied with the improvements that were done on Wilshire Blvd. in terms of pedestrian safety; are those same improvements being emulated here on Santa Monica Docusign Envelope ID: A05CC378-5445-4AB8-A29E-7BADCFC7E2C8 8 June 10, 2025
Blvd.; why aren’t other options being pursued to alert pedestrians in the roadways and slow down cars besides flashing beacons, paint, etc.; have raised crossings, intersections, speed tables, or things of that nature been considered; why are the intersections at 10th, 18th and Stanford shown with three crosswalks instead of the traditional four; is there data or evidence that indicates that this is safer pedestrians; is it accurate to say that if the three crosswalk option is selected, that the unmarked crosswalk is still a legal crossing for pedestrians; has data been collected on to what degree visual obstructions in daylighting zones particularly have had an effect on crashes or on severity of crashes; is there a plan to improve lighting at these intersections; and when is it anticipated that this project will be implemented and is this timeline faster, slower, or relatively the same as other similar types of projects.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to consideration of significant tradeoffs; what is going on in terms of bus lanes on Santa Monica Blvd; appreciation for the right turn restrictions and curb extensions at Cloverfield and Santa Monica Boulevard; support for engineering and infrastructure solutions; a desire for boulevard-like design with medians, similar to Broadway or San Vicente; prioritizing builds in the eastern portion of Santa Monica Boulevard due to higher speed rates; concerns that the current approach is not effectively reducing crashes; suggestions for more comprehensive solutions like reducing travel lanes; the necessity for engineering solutions that reduce vehicle travel speeds to 25 miles per hour; comparisons of Santa Monica's approach to Lancaster's street redesign; request to eliminate "beg buttons" for pedestrian crossings; pedestrians to be automatically considered in signal cycles; emphasis on understanding the comprehensive work being done; and support for the improvements on Wilshire Blvd.
Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to approve direction to staff, as provided during discussion. The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote by all members present.
LARGE FORMAT
DIGITAL SIGNAGE
(Councilmember Raskin left
the meeting at 9:47 P.M.)
7.B. Large Format Digital Signage Study Session, was presented.
Councilmember Raskin stated that he was recusing himself from this item because he and his law firm (Hanson Bridgett LLP) represent Outfront Media (a billboard company) in various matter land use and permitting matters in other jurisdictions and that Outfront operates two billboards in Santa Monica. While the Outfront signs are not digital displays, given his representation of Outfront in similar matters, out of an abundance of caution and to avoid any appearance of impropriety, he is recusing himself from the item.
Recommended Action
Docusign Envelope ID: A05CC378-5445-4AB8-A29E-7BADCFC7E2C8 9 June 10, 2025
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.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: West Hollywood’s digital signage program and if their program would work in Santa Monica; could the city have controls for obscenities, tobacco, etc. by using development agreements; how long would it take to establish a program; pursuant to the current development agreements, will the city be engaging in certain studies related to lighting, CEQA, financial analysis, and things of that nature; will that work be funded by the applicant; can these types of signs be placed only on city property; and how would using the digital signs to alert the community regarding emergency situations work.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to how this work will revitalize the Promenade; moving forward with the two development agreements as a pilot; not having a monopoly over signage in our downtown area; not giving blanket approval for digital signs citywide; applicants submitting a development agreement if they are interested participating in this program; crafting a thoughtful Promenade specific ordinance before expanding beyond this pilot; bringing back strong design standards, public oversight, and protections against advertising standards no later than early next year, if feasible; moving forward with a 30 year term, as opposed to 55 years with options to renew; the importance of having financial certainty for the applicant; if there is any opportunity for the city to receive 25% of the gross revenue with a growing minimum annual guarantee, rather than 20% and the minimum annual guarantee, equating to $850,000 per sign by year three, and increasing annually thereafter; appreciation for the offer of a $500,000 bonus paid when the signs go live by the applicant and the desire for the minimum annual guarantee of a million dollars per sign in the first year in terms of the timing of the payments; working with the Arts Commission, Recreation, and Arts Departments to curate art for the program; time given for ad time for local businesses; robust, intermittent auditing to ensure that all of the terms that have been set out are actually being adhered to; concern for vacancies in the buildings where the signs are being located and incentivizing re-occupancy, should a vacancy occur; emphasis on Docusign Envelope ID: A05CC378-5445-4AB8-A29E-7BADCFC7E2C8 10 June 10, 2025
requiring some sort of auditing program, not just on the revenue, but also on the airtime, to make sure that the city is getting the correct community benefits and percentage of airtime that they’re supposed to have; using revenues to the city from the DAs to fund the audits and using remaining funds to repay the Housing Trust Fund, expand operating hours at the libraries, and to the city for programming on the Promenade and cleaning operations in downtown; having the ability for the city to reserve extra time for special city events and celebrations; the expectance of larger public benefits for larger digital signs; requiring a view shed analysis; tying brightness levels to mirror the entertainment zone operating hours; including a city right to reserve coordinated time across all digital signs in this zone; exploring some sort of good neighbor policy framework where there's a clear path for escalation, for reasonable issues; negotiating maximum revenue to the city over increased screen time; prioritizing putting revenue back into the community; revenues supporting capital investments in the downtown area; tying a specific dollar amount or percentage of received revenue to specific improvement needs; pilot program returning to Council so that it gives direction; and reaching out to tenants and residents to include them in the discussions about these DAs.
Motion by Councilmember Hall, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to approve direction to staff, as provided during discussion. The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote with all members present.
ORDINANCES:
TRANSIT-ONLY LANES
(Councilmember Raskin
returned to the meeting at
11:30 P.M.)
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 transit-only lanes, was presented.
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.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: how will outreach and education in multiple languages occur; is language access and visible signage for tourists being explored; will metrics be made publicly available and disaggregated by mode; clarification as to whether the city is now allowing biking in bus lanes; what is being done about biking in bus lanes Docusign Envelope ID: A05CC378-5445-4AB8-A29E-7BADCFC7E2C8 11 June 10, 2025
on Lincoln Blvd.; why isn’t this being done for all bus lanes; would the Director of Transportation only be able to add to transit only lanes under these amendments and not be able to remove any designations of transit only lanes; what are the specific safety benefits expected from sharing bus lanes with bicyclists and how will it be measured over time; has curb separation and colored paint been considered to enhance safety; will any new designations or removal require notification or Council oversight; would it be helpful to have operational flexibility to implement this in certain areas and not others; how will these amendments be communicated to the public including motor coach operators; what would be the timeline for expanding the other bus lanes to biking ridership; and what are the concerns about doing a citywide rollout to allow biking in bus lanes.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including but not limited to expanding the ordinance to allow biking in all bus lanes and the possibility of removing the language “shared” mobility devices as this could preclude people with their own mobility devices.
Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Mayor Negrete, to introduce and hold first reading of the ordinance reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof, with direction to revise language to remove the word “shared” for mobility devices.
Substitute motion by Councilmember Zwick, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to introduce and hold first reading of the ordinance reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof, with direction to revise language to remove the word “shared” for mobility devices and to permit biking in all bus lanes. The substitute motion failed by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Snell, Raskin, Hall,
NOES: Councilmembers Raskin, Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, Mayor Negrete
ABSENT: None
Main motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Snell, Raskin, Hall,
Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, Mayor Negrete
NOES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya and Zwick
ABSENT: None
Councilmember Zernitskaya explained she voted no on the motion because she believed that for consistency, biking should be permitted in bus lanes citywide.
Councilmember Zwick explained that he voted no on the motion because Docusign Envelope ID: A05CC378-5445-4AB8-A29E-7BADCFC7E2C8 12 June 10, 2025
he believed it’s safe to permit biking in all bus lanes citywide based on the results in the City of Los Angeles and doesn’t think this needs to be studied further.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
WATER SERVICE RATE
ADJUSTMENTS
(Councilmember Zwick was
excused at 12:09 A.M.)
(Councilmember Zwick
returned at 12:11 A.M.)
12.A. Public Hearing and Adoption of Resolution No. 11670 (CCS) Establishing Scheduled Five-Year Water Service Rate Adjustments, was presented.
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 Resolution No. 11670 (CCS) establishing five-year schedule of water rate adjustments to go into effect July 1, 2025.
City Clerk Newsome stated for the records that 86 protest letters were received out of 18,000 eligible households.
Member of the public Denise Barton, spoke to the recommended action.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: how will the increase impact renters and multifamily housing; is this program maintaining the low income subsidy that's funded by the General Fund at approximately $115,000 annually; how does the city’s low income program compare to other cities; are there plans to expand the program; what capital projects have been deferred during the last five-year plan; and what are the risks if these projects are deferred any longer and revenues are not raised.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including but not limited to the impressive infrastructure of the city’s water supply and how beneficial this was during the wildfires.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Zernitskaya, 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
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ABSENT: None
WASTEWATER RATE
ADJUSTMENTS
12.B. Public Hearing and Adoption of Resolution No. 11671 (CCS) Establishing Scheduled Five-Year Wastewater Rate Adjustments, was presented.
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 attached Resolution No. 11671 (CCS) establishing five-year schedule of sewer rate adjustments to go into effect July 1, 2025.
City Clerk Newsome stated for the records that 86 protest letters were received out of 18,000 eligible households.
No members of the public spoke to the recommended action.
Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Mayor Negrete, to adopt the staff recommendation. 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
SENATE BILL 1123 12.C. Public Hearing and Adoption of Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance No. 2816 (CCS) 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, was presented.
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 Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance No. 2816 (CCS) Permitting the Establishment of Accessory Dwelling Docusign Envelope ID: A05CC378-5445-4AB8-A29E-7BADCFC7E2C8 14 June 10, 2025
Units (ADUs) as Part of Projects Utilizing Senate Bill (SB) 1123 on Vacant Parcels Zoned for Single-Unit Residential.
No members of the public spoke to the recommended action.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: whether state law already permits the ministerial subdivision up to 10 lots in any zone; does the definition of vacant, for the purpose of SB 1123 include structures that have a demolition permit; and would there be any specific implications to expanding the definition of vacant to include sites where there is a an approved demolition permit.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including but not limited to allowing ADUs in all zoning districts in order to create more units; leveraging the tools that are available to open up new housing opportunities and permanently further fair housing where it hasn't been available before; concerns about the inclusionary housing loophole; referring the item to the Planning Commission with direction to look at how the city can potentially figure out a way to implement HPP and inclusionary housing in a way that's consistent with state law, and come back with recommendations to Council; support for adding ADU use; passing the IZO now, regardless of whether there is a desire to study the issue; making it easier to build multiple units to fill the gap of missing cheaper middle options; needing at least seven units to support an inclusionary which would be difficult in Santa Monica as the average lot in Santa Monica at 7500 square feet and would probably only support around five units with allowance for setbacks; direction to ask for the city attorney and planning staff to come back when this IZO is renewed, to impose similar standards on the accompanying ADUs, not imposing inner setbacks among the ADUs so they too, can adjoin each other like the townhome units; direction to exempt SB 1123, projects from all upper story setbacks so that townhomes don't have to get smaller at each floor; and then allowing for three stories and 33 feet and a maximum of 1.5 FAR; allow for reduced setbacks in the case of SB 1123 projects in the R1 zone and exempt these projects from the in lieu fees; and concerns regarding exempting the in lieu fees that are needed to replenish the Housing Trust Fund.
Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Mayor Negrete, to allow ADUs in all zones and to refer the item to the Planning Commission.
Substitute motion by Councilmember Zernitskaya, seconded by Councilmember Hall, to adopt the staff recommendation with direction.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Hall, Zwick
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Mayor Pro Tem Torosis
NOES: Councilmember Raskin and Mayor Negrete
ABSENT: None
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.
SANTA MONICA
LIBRARY BOARD
16.A. Request from the Santa Monica Library Board to assign a Council member as the Board’s Council Liaison, was heard.
Motion by Councilmember Hall, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, to reject the request. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote with all members present.
MARKET-RATE
HOUSING PROJECTS
16.B. Request for Pilot Program Allowing Market-Rate Housing Projects, was heard.
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-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.
Mayor Negrete stated that she was removing her name from the item.
Motion by Councilmember Zwick, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to approve the item. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-1 with Mayor Negrete voting no.
ADJOURNMENT On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting adjourned at 1:00 a.m. in memory of Marty Rubin.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Nikima S. Newsome Lana Negrete
City Clerk Mayor
Docusign Envelope ID: A05CC378-5445-4AB8-A29E-7BADCFC7E2C8