Agenda packet — Santa Monica City Council, July 8, 2025 (part 8 of 8)

16.E.a
Packet Pg. 2135 Attachment: 20250708 16 Item - Reforming Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant Programs 16 ITEM BY COUNCILMEMBERS HALL, RASKIN, AND MAYOR PRO TEMPORE TOROSIS Reforming Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations

1.11.3. Landmarks processes.

2. Further, direct the City Manager to:

2.1. Suspend distribution of funds to the Neighborhood Association Grant Program until a new policy framework is adopted, except as specified below.

2.2. Continue funding 501(c)(3) organizations for FY2025-2027 solely for open-invitation, community-building events (e.g., block parties, Make Music Day, Open Main Street), subject to independent audit and compliance with nonpartisan activity restrictions.

3. Direct the City Clerk to make any appropriate and necessary changes to comply with the above direction.
# # #

Page 3 of 3 ends

16.E.a
Packet Pg. 2136 Attachment: 20250708 16 Item - Reforming Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant Programs Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2137 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2138 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2139 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2140 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2141 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant Pograms) “SECOND SATURDAYS”
SEPT 13

R E E D P A R K , S A N T A M O N I C A

P R ESE N TS

LIVE MUSIC
& MOVIES
AUG 9 OCT 11
F R E E P O P C O R N F O R K I D S !
M U S I C @ 6 : 3 0
M O V I E @ D U S K
W W W . W I L M O N T . O R G
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2142 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant Pograms) Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2143 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant Pograms) 1 David Yakobson
From: Chasen Daniels <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 11:52 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Item 16E – Reforming Recognition of Community Organizations Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I support the motion’s efforts to:

Ensure that recognized organizations have publicly available bylaws, regular officer elections, and clear term limits,
Prevent political endorsements made under the banner of official recognition, Audit public funds and confirm nonprofit compliance,
Create new, inclusive pathways for residents to form community groups, Reach more people through direct engagement via schools, libraries, and public spaces.

These reforms will help rebuild trust, protect public resources, and make our civic process more equitable and accessible.

Please vote yes on Item 16E and move forward with these much-needed changes.

Sincerely,
Chasen Daniels
DTSM
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2144 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 2 David Yakobson
From: Chasen Daniels <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2025 9:21 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Support Items 10.A and 16.E
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Councilmembers,
I am writing to join Santa Monica Forward in supporting adoption of item 10.A bringing a permanent entertainment zone on the Promenade, and item 16.E, on the creation of an additional entertainment zone at the Pier as part of bringing back large-scale concerts at the Pier. Thank you for your work on these items and to Councilmembers Hall and Zwick and Mayor Negrete for bringing forward item 16.E.

Thank you,
Chasen Daniels
90401
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2145 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 3 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 11:16 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Agenda Item 16E
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
To: Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, July 7, 2025 at 08:59:03 PM PDT
Subject: Item 16E
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Council,
I am astonished and very disappointed to see item 16 E, that includes suspending the Neighborhood Association Grants program which was just approved by a majority of the City Council on June 24th, on the July 8th revised City Council meeting agenda.

The purpose of this proposal is to “ensure taxpayer dollars are used transparently, lawfully, and for the benefit of all residents.” There is a current process for the Neighborhood Association Grant program that clearly defines what the grant money can be spent on, includes a City review and approval process including documentation, a signed agreement between the City and the organization and a process to submit invoices/receipts and materials paid for with grant funds to the City for the grant amount.

Where is the transparency from the City on the millions of dollars being spent with a very expensive law firm to fight against having district elections that align with the laws of California? By having open elections instead of district elections, the neighborhood organizations are an essential part for neighborhood representation and safety.

So what issue is this addressing? The City Manager mentioned that the proposed elimination of the $49,000 grant program was to get the neighborhood organizations to move from printed materials and mailings (which is what the grant money must be used for) to electronic communications. There Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2146 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 4 was no recommendation from the City that the Neighborhood Organizations needed any additional review or modernization.

In the May 27th City Staff report on the 2025-27 Biennial Budget, it’s mentioned that the budget process is where the City Council gives their direction to City staff for the upcoming year. At the meeting to adopt the budget on June 24th, the decision was made to continue the grant program for the neighborhood groups. Now 9 days after that decision, a minority wants the City to waste their precious resources to “present options to reform the conditions for official recognition of community organizations and participation in grant programs.”

This proposal does not fall under any of the City’s three priorities of Economic Opportunity and Growth, Clean Streets and Safe Neighborhoods or Affordable, Livable and Secure Housing for All. As stated in the Staff report for the May 27th City Council Biennial Budget meeting, the new large number of item 16 councilmember directives “instigates a process of reprioritization whereby some projects must be postponed to accommodate new priorities. This can prove to be very disruptive and slow staff’s work to implement the adopted budget and council priorities.”

The proposal mentions being transparent, equitable, responsive and fair. I don’t believe the supporters of this proposal are being open, transparent or fair. I can’t help feel that this is a Trump like process to weaken and eliminate organizations that don’t fully support what they support.

The City is in a fiscal crisis. Spending any of the precious City staff resources and City Council time on this is wasteful and more costly than any savings that may come out of eliminating the grant programs.

Please do not approve moving forward with this proposal and don’t spend any more precious time on it.

Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2147 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 5 David Yakobson
From: Nancy Coleman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 11:11 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16 E
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Date: July 8, 2025

Re. Item 16 E

Mayor Negrete and Council Members,

I was surprised to see that The Council is considering whether neighborhood organizations should continue to receive funding. The funding is deminimous given the size of the City's budget. The limits placed on speaking at Council Meetings makes it very difficult for the Council to hear what residents feel about various complex issues.

You honored me in June for the efforts that I had made over the last twelve years. Part of my efforts were made through the leadership of one of the City's neighborhood organizations. I worked with the other neighborhood groups to consider cross city issues. The Council wants to examine how each organization uses it's $7000. I would hope that they would take the same concern of other expenses made by the city.

There are only a few groups that examine city-wide issues. I would hope that the Council consider this factor as they look at neighborhood associations. The NOMA Board letter on 16 E explains the full role that they provide to the neighborhood and the City as a whole.

Nancy Coleman

Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2148 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 6 David Yakobson
From: Dannie Charney <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 11:09 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Douglas Sloan; Elaine Polachek; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Dan Hall
Cc: JohnAlleCompany
Subject: Item K OPPOSE ANOTHER DIME TO DTSM GROUP
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Why you keep throwing money away to this
useless group is very sad. They do nothing
worthy of existing.

Yet- you throw millions at them while they punish merchants, have no ideas and have questionable alliances with many.

No wonder DT is such a mess.

The fish stinks from the head.

Danielle Charney
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2149 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 7 David Yakobson
From: Tracey Alexander <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 11:08 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Item 16E – Reforming Recognition of Community Organizations Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

Santa Monica values civic participation, but the current framework for recognizing neighborhood groups and awarding public funds lacks the transparency and accountability that taxpayers expect.

Groups that receive public benefits should follow clear, fair rules that promote openness, democratic governance, and broad-based community representation.

I support the motion’s efforts to:

Please vote yes on Item 16E and move forward with these much-needed changes.

Sincerely,
Tracey Alexander
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2150 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 8 David Yakobson
From: Dannie Charney <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 11:06 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Douglas Sloan; Elaine Polachek; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Dan Hall
Subject: ITEM 16 B rescind appt of Larissa Shadchina - AMAZING MESS Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
B. Recommendation to rescind the appointment of Larissa Shadchina to the Housing Commission seat for an affordable housing program participant who is or was unhoused, for a term ending on June 30, 2027
To help
protect your
privacy,
Micro so ft
Office
prevented
auto matic
download of
this picture
from the
Internet.New Item Received. 7/03/2025
It is both pathetic and amazing that you would have appointed this person to any commission. You did it to work over
the best Housing Commission and one of the smartest, hardest working and honest
commissioners we have ever had. Just payback again.

Payback seems to be all you petty SMRR/SMF
forward people have
while acting so self- righteous. How you even begin
to justify your actions is beyond me. This is a city with residents who
have needs, this is not some parlor game. I doubt any of you ever read her
application, because if you had- or if the clerk who makes 30 K a month had actually done her job, you would have known she was
not qualified..for this or any position anywhere.

Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2151 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 9 You should all be totally ashamed of yourselves. Every single one of you.

Danielle Charney
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2152 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 10 David Yakobson
From: Dannie Charney <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 10:51 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Douglas Sloan; Elaine Polachek; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Dan Hall
Subject: July 8 CC Mtg. ITEM 16G/ OPPOSE -
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
G. Request of Councilmembers Hall, Zwick, and Mayor Pro Tempore Torosis that the City Council direct the City Clerk, as part of her quinquennial boards and commissions review, to return with a study session by September 30, 2025 that examines possibilities to reorganize, consolidate, and deprecate where necessary to streamline processes for residents and businesses and reduce duplicative workstreams and additional costs to the taxpayer.

You should resent the few dollars given to the commissions or neighborhood groups. You want to control all groups, all voices, and it is very obvious . The only thing more obvious is how much you support Scott Wiener and YIMBY. I don't se one ounce of caring from any of you with affordable housing - only a lot of talk. Your actions speak otherwise.

Danielle Charney
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2153 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 11 David Yakobson
From: Tony Huizar <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 10:34 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Lana Negrete; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick
Subject: ITEM 16 E - 06-08-2025 agenda
Attachments: ITEM 16 E 06082025 PICO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.pdf

EXTERNAL
July 8 2025
Dear Mayor Lana Negrete and Councilmembers,
As Chair of the Pico Neighborhood Association (PNA), I write to express our deep alarm, disappointment, and strong opposition to item 16E on the July 8, 2025 agenda- brought forth by Councilmembers Hall, Raskin, and Mayor Pro Tempore Torosis that seeks to "reform the conditions" for neighborhood recognition and suspend the Neighborhood Association Grant Program.

Let’s call this motion what it is: a dangerous and deeply cynical attempt to defund community voices under the guise of “transparency” and “governance reform.” This proposed action is not just administrative—it is punitive. It punishes historically underrepresented communities like ours for having the courage to speak out. It is especially chilling that this motion arrives at a time when civil liberties are under siege across our country—from ICE overreach and to racial profiling of Mexicanos/Latinos and to the silencing of the voices of dissent against injustice. Santa Monica should pave the road that continues to lead to democratic engagement, not a case study in how to strip it away.

The Pico Neighborhood Association has served our community faithfully since **1979**. We are not newcomers to civic life—we are its backbone. We have long disseminated critical city and safety updates to our residents, including during events like the Palisades fire. We have consistently worked with the Santa Monica Police Department, who attend our monthly meetings to keep neighbors informed. We participate in community-building events such as the Arts and Literacy Fair and lead cleanups throughout the Pico Neighborhood.

In fact, we have taken this a step further—reaching out to every neighborhood association in Santa Monica with a vision to schedule monthly citywide community cleanups. We’ve already led successful collaborations in Mid-City and Downtown Santa Monica, including one organized in response to a request from the Palisades High School Ambassadors, who wished to give back to the community for hosting their temporary campus. In session, Mayor Negrete, and both Councilmembers Ellis Raskin and Dan Hall can attest to the community building witnessed at these cleanup events, as they have participated. This is just one example of how neighborhood associations serve as nimble, grassroots engines of civic pride and public good, powered by the people for the people.

Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2154 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 12 And yes—we do this with full transparency. We comply with the City's strict guidelines on how Neighborhood Association Grant Program funds are spent. We submit detailed reports, and the funds—**capped at just \$7,000 per year**—barely cover outreach, communications, and modest community events. The insinuation that these grants are being used for political purposes is not only misleading—it is an insult to the community leaders who donate their time to serve Santa Monica residents with integrity.

Let’s be clear, the real issue is not partisanship. The real issue is power. Who has it, and who doesn’t. This motion is a response to neighborhood associations—especially those in historically marginalized areas like ours—finding their voice, building coalitions, and holding public officials accountable. That is not a misuse of democracy. That is democracy working.

Instead of lifting up grassroots leadership, this motion threatens to replace it with a city-controlled system that is sanitized, centralized, and disconnected from those it claims to serve. It risks turning Santa Monica into a city where community input is only welcome when it is convenient or easy to manage. That should terrify all of us.

We urge the Council to reject this motion, end the false narrative that neighborhood associations are misusing public funds, and reaffirm its commitment to democratic inclusion by fully restoring the Neighborhood Association Grant Program—without strings designed to muzzle us.

We are not afraid of reform. We are afraid of erasure.

Sincerely,
Tony Huizar
Chair, Pico Neighborhood Association
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2155 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant

PICO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
July 8 2025
Dear Mayor Lana Negrete and Councilmembers,
As Chair of the Pico Neighborhood Association (PNA), I write to express our deep alarm, disappointment, and strong opposition to item 16E on the July 8, 2025 agenda- brought forth by Councilmembers Hall, Raskin, and Mayor Pro Tempore Torosis that seeks to "reform the conditions" for neighborhood recognition and suspend the Neighborhood Association Grant Program.

PICO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION | SANTA MONICA 90404 | [email protected] Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2156 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant

PICO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
And yes—we do this with full transparency. We comply with the City's strict guidelines on how Neighborhood Association Grant Program funds are spent. We submit detailed reports, and the funds—**capped at just \$7,000 per year**—barely cover outreach, communications, and modest community events. The insinuation that these grants are being used for political purposes is not only misleading—it is an insult to the community leaders who donate their time to serve Santa Monica residents with integrity.

We are not afraid of reform. We are afraid of erasure.

Sincerely,
Tony Huizar
Chair, Pico Neighborhood Association
PICO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION | SANTA MONICA 90404 | [email protected] Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2157 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 13 David Yakobson
From: Cynthia Rose <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 10:15 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Dan Hall; Elaine Polachek; Oliver Chi Subject: Agenda Item 16E – Support Reforming Conditions for Community Organizations Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Torosis and City Council Members:

I'm writing to express support for Agenda Item 16E - Reforming Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant Programs - Councilmembers Hall, Raskin, and Torosis
In Santa Monica we value deeply our civic engagement and inclusive community participation, however the current framework for neighborhood organizations and the awarding public funds is lacking in transparency and accountability that our community expects. Any group that receives public benefits should be expected to follow clear, fair rules that promote transparency, clear democratic governance, and prioritize broad-based community representation.

The 16E motion reaffirms the belief that public trust is built through fairness and transparency. By modernizing the City’s recognition framework, we can foster stronger neighborhood partnerships, expand opportunities for inclusive participation of residents, and ensure that City support for community organizations aligns with our values of equity, stewardship, and civic integrity. In order to modernize our civic engagement infrastructure, protect public funds, and strengthen institutional trust structures guiding these partnerships must be open, equitable, and responsive to evolving community needs.

Restructuring the funding will mutually benefit the city and community as Orgs with recognition receive public funding, access to information, and are included in planning outreach--- with those benefits comes responsibility.

We must:
 Ensure that recognized organizations have publicly available bylaws and regular officer elections  Actively work to reach more people through direct and documented outreach and engagement  Create new, inclusive pathways for residents to join or form recognized community groups  Prevent political endorsements made under the banner of official recognition  Audit public funds and confirm nonprofit compliance
Reforms and clarity will help rebuild trust, increase value and protect public resources, and help further democratize our civic process to be more equitable and accessible.

Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2158 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 14 Please vote yes on Item 16E to help build a more robust and transparent community engagement process
--
Cynthia Rose

I acknowledge with respect and gratitude the Tongva, Kizh, and Chumash Peoples on whose traditional territory I live and work.

Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2159 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 15 David Yakobson
From: Elizabeth Lerer <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 10:01 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick
Cc: Oliver Chi
Subject: 16.E. (7/8/25) unnecessary and a waste of time & resources Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
Please reject wasting time and resources on a study session about the neighborhood organizations.

These official groups follow the rules and annually provide evidence that the city allocated grants are not used for political purposes.

This agenda item is wholly unneighborly if not mean spirited.

I, like many, will remember this when filling out my City Council election ballot.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth Lerer
Resident of Santa Monica
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2160 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 16 David Yakobson
From: Mike Terranova <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 9:56 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Item 16E – Reforming Recognition of Community Organizations Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
I’m writing as a Santa Monica resident to express strong support for Item 16E and the proposal by Councilmembers Hall, Raskin, and Mayor Pro Tem Torosis to reform how the City recognizes and funds community organizations. Santa Monica values civic participation, but the current framework for recognizing neighborhood groups and awarding public funds lacks the transparency and accountability that taxpayers expect.

Groups that receive public benefits should follow clear, fair rules that promote openness, democratic governance, and broad-based community representation. I support the motion’s efforts to: Ensure that recognized organizations have publicly available bylaws, regular officer elections, and clear term limits, Prevent political endorsements made under the banner of official recognition, Audit public funds and confirm nonprofit compliance, Create new, inclusive pathways for residents to form community groups, Reach more people through direct engagement via schools, libraries, and public spaces.

These reforms will help rebuild trust, protect public resources, and make our civic process more equitable and accessible.

Please vote yes on Item 16E and move forward with these much-needed changes.

Sincerely,
Mike Terranova
SM Sunset Park Resident
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2161 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 17 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica Forward <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 9:29 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell; councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Item 16E – Reforming Official Recognition of Community Organizations Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
On behalf of Santa Monica Forward, we write in strong support of Item 16E and the motion introduced by Councilmembers Hall, Raskin, and Mayor Pro Tempore Torosis to reform the City’s policies around official recognition of community organizations and participation in grant programs.

Santa Monica has long valued civic engagement, but our current system of recognizing and funding neighborhood organizations lacks the transparency, accountability, and equity that our community deserves. Public funds and influence should never be distributed without clear standards, democratic governance, and meaningful oversight.

This motion presents an opportunity to modernize our civic infrastructure and ensure that groups receiving public support are inclusive, nonpartisan, and genuinely representative of the communities they claim to serve. We especially support efforts to:
 Require annual officer elections and public bylaws,
 Prohibit political endorsements made under the banner of official recognition,  Ensure compliance with nonprofit tax status and federal regulations,  Create fair pathways for new organizations to participate,  Shift City engagement efforts to reach a broader and more diverse segment of residents.

We also support suspending further disbursements through the Neighborhood Association Grant Program until a stronger, fairer policy framework is adopted.

Good governance requires constant reflection and reform. Item 16E is a critical step toward restoring trust, protecting public resources, and building a more inclusive and transparent civic process in Santa Monica.

Thank you for your leadership on this important issue.

Sincerely,
Bradley Ewing, Carl Hansen
Co-Chairs, Santa Monica Forward
--
We are working for a diverse, progressive, sustainable and equitable Santa Monica.

SantaMonicaForward.org
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2162 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 18 David Yakobson
From: Sam Shapiro-Kline <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 9:24 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Item 16E – Reforming Recognition of Community Organizations Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I support the motion’s efforts to:

These reforms will help rebuild trust, protect public resources, and make our civic process more equitable and accessible.

Please vote yes on Item 16E and move forward with these much-needed changes.

Sincerely,
Sam Shapiro-Kline
90403
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2163 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 19 David Yakobson
From: Jacob Wasserman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 9:23 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Cc: Council Mailbox
Subject: Support for Item 16E: Reforming Recognition of Community Organizations Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
Sent in my personal capacity:

I am writing as a Santa Monica resident to express strong support for Item 16E and the proposal by Councilmembers Hall, Raskin, and Mayor Pro Tem Torosis to reform how the City recognizes and funds community organizations.

I support the motion’s efforts to:

These reforms will help rebuild trust, protect public resources, and make our civic process more equitable and accessible.

Please vote yes on Item 16E and move forward with these much-needed changes.

Sincerely,
Jacob Wasserman
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2164 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 20 90403
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2165 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 21 David Yakobson
From: Jason Mastbaum <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 9:18 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Item 16E – Reforming Recognition of Community Organizations Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

Santa Monica values civic participation, but the current framework for recognizing neighborhood groups and awarding public funds lacks the transparency and accountability that taxpayers expect. Groups that receive public benefits should follow clear, fair rules that promote openness, democratic governance, and broad-based community representation. Most of the current groups do not do that. They're hostile to newcomers and those with political viewpoints opposed to their own, resulting in insular groups where the meetings are just the same handful of people every meeting, who then get to represent themselves to the city as being the official voice of their neighborhood of thousands or tens of thousands of people.

I attended the last Wilmont meeting on Zoom because multiple councilmembers and the police chief were billed as being there, and there were only about 30 people in the meeting, and a full half of those people were not regular Wilmont members--they were the councilmembers, the police chief, other police staff, etc, as well as myself and a few other people who were also interested in hearing what the police chief had to say but who I know do not live in Wilmont and/or do not regularly attend the Wilmong Org's meetings. This was a really over the top use of city resources to speak to a group of approximately 14 people that the city grants recognition to as the officially recognized city representation of over 20k residents, but this is par for the course for these groups, which are run like private membership clubs, not open community organizations. Many do not even let you vote in their officer elections unless you pay the membership fee.

The last time I attended a Wilmont meeting in person, the then-mayor was speaking, and when when I and another new attendee tried to ask him questions, the Wilmont Org's executive board ran interference for him, insisting that he "shouldn't be put on the spot like that"--when the entire point was that it was supposed to be an open meeting where you can ask your mayor questions! They were very clearly treating the event as a campaign event for the mayor and trying to make sure he only got friendly softball questions.

I support the motion’s efforts to:

Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2166 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 22 Ensure that recognized organizations have publicly available bylaws, regular officer elections, and clear term limits,
Prevent political endorsements made under the banner of official recognition, Audit public funds and confirm nonprofit compliance,
Create new, inclusive pathways for residents to form community groups, Reach more people through direct engagement via schools, libraries, and public spaces.

These reforms will help rebuild trust, protect public resources, and make our civic process more equitable and accessible.

Please vote yes on Item 16E and move forward with these much-needed changes.

Sincerely,
Jason
Wilmont
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2167 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 23 David Yakobson
From: John Lin <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 9:08 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Item 16E – Reforming Recognition of Community Organizations Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I support the motion’s efforts to:

These reforms will help rebuild trust, protect public resources, and make our civic process more equitable and accessible.

Please vote yes on Item 16E and move forward with these much-needed changes.

Sincerely,
John Lin
500 Broadway
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2168 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 24 David Yakobson
From: Eli Gill <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 9:08 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Item 16E – Reforming Recognition of Community Organizations Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I support the motion’s efforts to:

These reforms will help rebuild trust, protect public resources, and make our civic process more equitable and accessible.

Please vote yes on Item 16E and move forward with these much-needed changes.

Sincerely,
Eli Gill
Wilmont Resident
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2169 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 25 Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2170 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 26 David Yakobson
From: John Cyrus Smith <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 3:07 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16.e. Neighborhood Grants - John Cyrus Smith Attachments: 1 WILMONT NEW LOGO W QR CODE.png; 2 NC Flyer all 7 groups.jpg; 3 nancy with council.jpg; 4 Neighborhood Group Reductions.png; 6 second saturday 2025 flyer no logo.pdf; 7 STATE OF CITY FLYER.jpg; 5 second saturday FINALE 2024.jpg Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear City Clerk,
Please have the following visual items ready in order when I speak on Item 16.e.

John Cyrus Smith
[email protected]

Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2171 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2172 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2173 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2174 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2175 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2176 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant Pograms) “SECOND SATURDAYS”
SEPT 13

R E E D P A R K , S A N T A M O N I C A

P R ESE N TS

LIVE MUSIC
& MOVIES
AUG 9 OCT 11
F R E E P O P C O R N F O R K I D S !
M U S I C @ 6 : 3 0
M O V I E @ D U S K
W W W . W I L M O N T . O R G
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2177 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant Pograms) Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2178 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant Pograms) 27 David Yakobson
From: John Cyrus Smith <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 2:55 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Item 16 E Neighborhood Grant Program
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica,
As a longtime resident, Recreation and Parks Commissioner, and Board member of the Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition (Wilmont), I’m reaching out to you with strong conviction about why the Santa Monica City Council should continue its modest but essential funding for neighborhood groups.

If they kill us, cut us or shackle us, everyone loses.

Wilmont (www.Wilmont.org) is one of seven city-recognized neighborhood organizations. We’ve been around since 1990, older than some current Council members. Every council for the past 35 years has supported us, worked with us and respected us. Contrast that with certain members of the current council, who almost killed our funding just two weeks ago. Our 100% volunteer-powered organization has always worked not with fanfare or partisanship, but with steady grassroots dedication to our neighborhoods and our city. Our primary mission is to increase civic engagement, strengthen community ties, and bring understanding and information to our members, neighbors and friends.

Thanks to just $7,000 a year from the city, Wilmont and six other neighborhood groups host monthly zoom meetings that give city officials simple and convenient forums to reach residents about programs, issues and concerns. Wilmont also hosts neighborhood-building events such as our three “Second Saturdays” (Aug. 9th, Sept. 13th and October 11th) featuring free live music and movies for kids at Reed Park. We host yoga or tai-chi every Saturday at 8 a.m. Our Summer Finale last September was our biggest ever. City officials attended and good things kept happening. The city found money to reopen the Miles Playhouse. SMPD stepped up its presence at Reed. And now the city is preparing to hold the Annual State of the City Address there, kicking off a series of events celebrating Santa Monica’s 150th Birthday. A lot of people have worked hard to pull it all together, but I don’t think it would be happening at Reed if not for Wilmont.

And we do more. Neighborhood groups co-hosted the biggest City Council candidate forum of 2024. Every current Council member has attended our meetings, along with city staff from virtually every city department. If Council eliminates, reduces or handcuffs funding for the Neighborhood Grant Program, some groups may not survive.

In the coming days and weeks, certain Council members will be telling you all about how they admire and support neighborhood groups, resident input and public discourse. When they do, please remember this… They were planning to kill our funding just two weeks ago. Only a last-ditch effort by a handful of residents, and the eloquent guidance and leadership of Santa Monica’s Police Chief, convinced a 4-3 majority of Council members to keep neighborhood groups alive.

Now some Council members are gunning for us again.

Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2179 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 28 Why? The most obvious reason is because the smallest of seven neighborhood groups decided to endorse four other Council candidates last November.

Wilmont has never endorsed Council candidates, even though the IRS says we and most of the groups are “501(c) 4” non-profits, which are allowed to do so by law. Our main goal is to inform, enlighten, discuss and explain city issues to our members and residents. We’ve always followed the rules and provided receipts to account for every penny of the $7,000 dollar grant we receive each year.

I wish the Council gave the rest of its $800-million dollar budget such scrutiny and attention. Perhaps they should focus their magnifying glass on the many real and pressing challenges and problems bombarding our city every day.

So why is THIS Council the first in 35 years to make such a big stink about funding neighborhood groups? Certain members even took the rare step of releasing a statement to the media, claiming it’s all about issues such as fairness and accountability.

All I know is a guy in the White House says the same things and I don’t believe him either.

Sincerely,
John Cyrus Smith,
Wilmont Board Member,
Santa Monica Recreation and Parks Commissioner
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2180 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 29 David Yakobson
From: Andrew Hoyer <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:29 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell
Subject: City Council July 8, 2025 Agenda Item 16-E
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
My name is Andrew Hoyer and I am the past and current President of Santa Monica Mid City Neighbors (SMMCN). I would like to provide the council (and the public) with some information about Community Neighborhood Organizations and the city’s Neighborhood Grant Program. I can describe the program as it existed when I joined the organization, but I thought I would start with its origin as told to me by members of the board from the previous iteration of Mid City Neighbors (MCN).

In the 1980’s NCOs were provided with meeting rooms and storage space at the Ken Edwards Center. The city also provided a staff member and access to copiers to make flyers and posters with. The Water Garden and the Colorado Center developments were being negotiated at that time. The lovely park where for the last ten years SMMCN has hosted their Make Music Day event and the beautiful quiet watery oasis in the middle of the industrial eastside were the direct result of that board of Mid City Neighbors’ involvement.

At some point, the city decided to inhabit the whole of the Ken Edwards Center and the grant system was created to compensate for the loss of space, staff time, and materials. This system is what was in place when I joined SMMCN in 2011 and became Vice-President. The city would provide an annual one-page mailer to each organization’s residential address with a pre-printed return envelope. We could fit our membership form on it and our members would remember that we need ANNUAL memberships to continue our efforts. We would also receive a ‘matching grant’ of $4,000 to cover expenses used for promoting our existence such as flyers or websites, Annual Meetings with food for the members, and Directors and Officers Insurance. But it could also include documented volunteer hours granted a wage of $15/hour for a limited number of activities, such as sitting in a booth at National Night Out. Or perhaps spending an evening running a community meeting where the new fire chief is being introduced to the residents he is being tasked with protecting and up next a developer will be providing insight into what is being proposed in the heart of our neighborhood. We only had to prove that we spent $4,000 every year promoting our cityrecognized community neighborhood organization under their very specific terms and the city would send a mailer to every address for us utilizing their maximum volume discount. (Maybe they did it in house?)
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2181 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 30 Covid-19 hurt us all, in many varied and significant ways. We understood when the program could not be supported. We fell back on our small reserves as we all encountered new experiences and their associated limitations/costs. Our membership shrank as we learned how to migrate online. It was a relief when city funding returned, but the loss of the mailer meant the loss of a significant portion of our membership and their dues. The seven NCOs cover vastly different territories with a significant range of addresses. Some organizations could still cover the cost of a mailer, but Wilmont and SMMCN could not even come close. Especially since costs for everything else has risen and the use of our vital community space for our long-established monthly in-person meeting has been given to another organization, we are running on fumes.
============================================
What is the purpose of Santa Monica Mid City Neighbors? I have always viewed it as providing the community with information about what is going on in their city. Something changes and residents wonder why they weren’t told about it. City staff frequently sends us information to pass on to our membership. Every one of the NCOs acts as a conduit for city staff and council members who have news to share to meet with the community and answer questions.

Following the contentious public meeting that Hollywood Community Housing Corporation had with the community about the proposed affordable housing project on Wilshire, I invited then councilmember and former mayor Gleam Davis to join us and explain all the steps that were taken to get this affordable housing project created. It was at this meeting of SMMCN that the city council became aware of a misunderstanding regarding the proposed public access to the supportive services the building. That project has changed because of input from the community.

Police Chief Ramon Batista came to our last meeting and explained how the preparations for No Kings Day Protest were different from previous years. He gave the rundown on the events of the day and wound up speaking for over an hour. Except he came a half hour early and many folks missed the beginning so I made the effort to post it the same night to our YouTube channel (@MidCityNeighbors) so anyone could watch it at will. 52 people have now taken that opportunity.

I honestly thought I was going to make a list of all the speakers we have had at our meetings since 2011 but that would be absurd and really shouldn’t be necessary. ====================================
I welcome any other neighborhood organization to jump through all the hoops SMMCN went through to become a city recognized non-profit community neighborhood organization. You may have noticed earlier that I made a distinction between MCN and SMMCN and that is because there is a legal difference. MCN was the pre-existing organization that had faded away. I was recruited by the group trying to rekindle the ashes back into flames. They had been told by city staff that they would have to start from scratch and tax law mandates a new Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2182 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 31 name. A few years too late, we learned it would have been possible to resuscitate the original Mid City Neighbors (which may have been a 501(c)3) but we missed the deadline.

Remember how the Citizens United decision created the influx of dark money into political non-profits and the ensuing crackdown by the IRS? Guess who was applying for non-profit status back then? SMMCN submitted their application for 501(c)3 status and was denied because the early board members sat outside a City Council Candidate Squirm Night and gave away cookies while trying to interest people in joining. That simple act was considered spending money at a political event and therefore we would be REQUIRED to become a 501(c)4. We CANNOT change this. One significant difference between a 501(c)3 and a 501(c)4 is that one’s donation to the former is tax-deductible and the latter is not. Even though we could spend our membership dues to do so, SMMCN has never endorsed candidates for city offices.

Somebody asked me at Make Music Day a few weeks ago why they should bother joining if they can get any email we do send out and sit in on our public meetings for free and I was at a loss for a reason why. I suck at asking people for money. But here I am asking you. Please find a way to revive the former program with the mailer so I can continue to serve the community in the manner that I have been for the last fourteen years. ===================
To be clear on my record, I have never logged for compensation, a single volunteer hour for Santa Monica Mid City Neighbors. I have been and always will be a volunteer.

Andrew Hoyer
SMMCN Board President
There is only one moment in time when it is essential to awaken. That moment is now. - Buddha
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2183 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 32 David Yakobson
From: Daniel Galamba <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 7, 2025 10:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Please OPPOSE Item #16E City Council Meeting July 8, 2025 Attachments: Item #16E.docx
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
July 7, 2025
Dear City Council,
Even though Mid City Neighbors is not a 501(c)(3) organization, Mid City Neighbors does NOT endorse candidates for City Council. Furthermore, the City Grant supports not only events like Make Music Day and National Night Out but also helps pay for our overhead that is necessary in order to have these events. Mid City Neighbors is fully transparent when it comes to how we spend the grant dollars and details are contained in our report to the City.

Therefore Item #16E is completely unnecessary and the Board of Mid City Neighbors requests that the City Council reject Item #16E in its entirety. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Dr Daniel Galamba
Secretary, Mid City Neighbors
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2184 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant July 7, 2025
Dear City Council,
Even though Mid City Neighbors is not a 501(c)(3) organization, Mid City Neighbors does NOT endorse candidates for City Council. Furthermore, the City Grant supports not only events like Make Music Day and National Night Out but also helps pay for our overhead that is necessary in order to have these events. Mid City Neighbors is fully transparent when it comes to how we spend the grant dollars and details are contained in our report to the City.

Therefore Item #16E is completely unnecessary and the Board of Mid City Neighbors requests that the City Council reject Item #16E in its entirety. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Dr Daniel Galamba
Secretary, Mid City Neighbors
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2185 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 33 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, July 7, 2025 9:32 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Natalya Zernitskaya; Elaine Polachek
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: City Council 7/8/25 item 16-E -- Neighborhood Organization Grant Program Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
July 7, 2025
To: Mayor Negrete and City Council members

From: Zina Josephs

RE: Neighborhood Organization Grant Program
Friends of Sunset Park (FOSP) was founded in 1989. We are a nonprofit and all volunteer group dedicated to improving the quality of life for renters and homeowners in the Sunset Park neighborhood.

Along with the other 6 city-recognized neighborhood organizations, we are listed on the city website. If you search for “neighborhood organizations,” our names are linked to our websites. https://www.santamonica.gov/neighborhood-organizations
If you scroll down, there is information about the grant program. https://www.santamonica.gov/media/CMO/neighborhood%20grants/Neighborhood%20Org%20Grant%20Progr am%202023-2024%20final%20(1).pdf
As you can see from the application form, we need to list how we plan to spend the grant, get it approved by city staff, and in the end-of-the-year Final Report, provide invoices and copies of any materials we may have copied for for approval by City staff. This year, Friends of Sunset Park used our grant for 1) a membership appeal letter that was mailed to all residents in Sunset Park, and 2) a newsletter which was flyered to all residents in Sunset Park.

Our newsletters, which are flyered to the entire neighborhood 1 to 4 times per year, are posted here:
https://friendsofsunsetpark.org/newsletter/
Our weekly "What's new" emails include city announcements, the weekly SMPD Blue Notebook, a calendar of events, including city meetings, library events, summer swimming pool schedules, National Night Out, fun events, etc., plus titles and links to articles from the previous week in our local newspapers. Various city departments email us information to share with our members.

Our monthly meeting agendas include updates from our SMPD NRO and Crime Prevention Coordinator, and information about upcoming meeting dates and agendas of the City Council, Planning Commission, Airport Commission, Recreation & Parks Commission, Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment, SMC Board of Trustees, SMMUSD Board of Education, and events at Fairview Library.

Our guest speakers in past years have included the City Manager, City Council members, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Public Works Director, Airport Director, Planning Director, City Traffic Engineer, head of Emergency Management, Urban Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2186 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 34 Forester, Water Resources Manager, and other city staffOur FOSP website and FOSP Facebook page provide additional information for our members.

We donate to Samohi’s Grad Nite and participate in National Night Out every year. This year we also participated in Art in the Alley and Art in the Park, plus we are planning a large meeting/celebration in Clover Park on July 19th. We also participate in the 4th of July Parade on Main Street with our FOSP Beach Towel Drill Team. ach year, our members tell us on their membership forms what they like best about living in Sunset Park and what their greatest concerns are. That helps our board establish priorities, such as getting additional crossing guards assigned near neighborhood schools, advocating for Runway Safety Areas at both ends of the Santa Monica Airport runway, opposing the sale of Fairview Library, and encouraging residents to participate in organics recycling, free paper shredding and electronics recycling, and free and safe disposal of hazardous household waste.

We also encourage members to sign up for SM Alerts, get an emergency preparedness kit, have a plan, and participate in CERT classes.

FOSP members have served on the City Council and on the Airport, Arts, Housing, Landmarks, Planning, Recreation and Parks, Senior Community, and Social Services Commissions, Architectural Review Board, Personnel Board, Urban Forest Task Force, Lincoln Boulevard Task Force, Pico/Lincoln Action Team, Pico Improvement Organization, SMC Board of Trustees, SMC Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, SMMUSD Board of Education, Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City, Santa Monica Transparency Project, and the Santa Monica Neighborhood Council.

Our members tell us that they appreciate our efforts to keep them informed and to keep them engaged in the life of the city.

Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2187 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 35 David Yakobson
From: Karen Melick <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 7, 2025 8:43 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Agenda Item 16.E
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Council members,
I have been a member of my Santa Monica neighborhood groups since I moved to Santa Monica in 1992. I find these organizations essential for getting information about what's going on in the City and to have representation and advocates for the interests of the citizens of our neighborhood. Without district elections, these neighborhood groups are critical for the residents to have a voice.

Please do not suspend the distribution of the Neighborhood Grant funds that were just approved on June 24th.

While I believe the neighborhood groups have nothing to hide due to the strict processes already in place for the grant program and the IRS requirements for their non-profit status, doing all of what is being requested in the item 16 E description including an audit for the past 25 years, will be expensive, probably costing much more than the $49,000 grant program.

This is not aligned with any of the three City budget priorities, and will take City staff's time away from working on projects that align with the City's priorities.

I haven't heard of any problems with this program, just that some council members don't like that these groups can advocate for the interests of their constituents, efforts they characterize as lobbying or endorsements.

I hope this isn't being done to try to mute or eliminate entities that do not fully support the council members agendas.

Please do not support this item which should not be a priority for the City at this time.

Thank you.

Karen Melick
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2188 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 36 David Yakobson
From: Dannie Charney <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 7, 2025 5:39 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Elaine Polachek; Douglas Sloan; Ellis Raskin; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick
Subject: ITEM 16 E..RESCIND FUNDING OF COMMUNITY GROUPS - OPPOSE Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Please do not silence resident's voices anymore than
they already are. The community groups do a great job of educating ( yes what a bad word that is to you ) about what is going on in this City.

This is strictly a wrong move no matter how you spin it.

And it can't be about the money. No sir.

When I have questioned the expense of travel money, I have been told "this is peanuts", yet quite a bit is spent on it. I would say Lana's travel money plus Gleam's trip probably add up to more than half the $49,000. for the community groups who offer a hell of a lot more than anyone has brought back from these trips.

We have too many up there who want to silence and control our voices.. who are threatening and punishing in their rhetoric. Not one head of a community group I have ever seen has done anything but give equal time to all sides. This is punishment and payback. It is abuse and control. You want us to shut up and do as told.

That is out of the Donald Trump Playbook. I get the vitriol from Dan Hall who was a Republican and switched to the Democrats to promote himself. Jesse Zwick does not have any business being on Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2189 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 37 that dais. He is in Colorado all the time, and never really lived in Santa Monica. His parent's house is on the Palisades side.

But to see both Ellis and Caroline slinking to this new low and thinking we are all so stupid as to buy this spin and don't know what you are doing is beneath all of you.

Except Zwick and Hall.

Stop this absurdity or admit you are Republicans.

Danielle Charney
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2190 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 38 David Yakobson
From: Kevin McKeown <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 7, 2025 1:54 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16-E -- SUPPORT
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
The brouhaha over this item is overblown and overstated. All you are doing tonight is scheduling a study session, and all it may require from various groups is a commitment to transparent bookkeeping.

Northeast Neighbors Chair Tricia Crane has made the case for your action in the Santa Monica Lookout: ""Because we didn't endorse them, they put a target on our heads.” No one should ever have to wonder if Councilmembers approved funding with taxpayer money in hope, or in fear, of political payback.

I write as the former chair of a neighborhood group. Amplification of resident voices is essential to our local democracy. Some non-profits are allowed political endorsements, but that is a federal matter and not under your jurisdiction.

Our job locally is to make sure public money doesn’t go to partisan use. Please direct staff to develop options where the City retains more control over grants of taxpayer money, and where separating outreach from endorsements is clearly defined and appropriately enforced.

Thanks,
Kevin McKeown
Retired former Mayor, Santa Monica
Retired former Chair, Wilmont
————————————
K e v I n M c K e o w n
https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.mckeown.net__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!tc8oZOTOht3E6JY7D5O2u0ZdhywAD_55S0ZsLwVg6hX_ajyS-R-z7WEaY691nZ8v8V7vUAQFeVtVXBQLUpqD5-FnbU$ Choose to be conscious
————————————
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2191 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 39 David Yakobson
From: Noma Boardmember <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 7, 2025 1:15 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Oliver Chi; councilmtgitems
Cc: Bruce Leddy
Subject: Agenda Item 16E
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

TO: Mayor Negrete and City Council Members
RE: Agenda Item 16E
As you know, NOMA (the North of Montana Association) is one of Santa Monica's 7 officially recognized neighborhood organizations. Pursuant to item 16E, we want to explain to Council in detail how our group functions and the services we provide to the community, hoping this information will alleviate Council's concerns, and obviate the need to spend City staff time and money on a Study Session.
16E calls for a Study Session to ensure that grants to neighborhood organizations like NOMA are used transparently and without partisan bias.

This exercise is likely unnecessary as we are currently required to provide full annual accounting for the funds we receive, to demonstrate that City money is never used for political purposes. Since our founding nearly thirty years ago, NOMA has never endorsed candidates for office, even though our status as a 501(c)4 non-profit corporation legally permits us to do so. We consider it critically important to remain an impartial provider of information for our residents.

The extent of NOMA's advocacy is to speak and write letters to Council and other agencies which champion our residents' opinions on current issues and Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2192 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 40 causes. In this way, we provide a valuable service to Council, providing direct resident feedback which can be factored into decision making. Do our opinions sometimes conflict with Council proposals and positions? Of course, but that exchange of ideas and differing opinions is bedrock democracy and a hallmark of the historically progressive nature of our City.

To stifle dissent by defunding organizations who challenge those in power would be deeply anti-democratic.

The greater mission of NOMA and the other neighborhood organizations is to encourage community involvement. Santa Monica prides itself on its active and involved community, and the neighborhood organizations play a vital role in that goal. We hold monthly meetings with local experts and leaders (including Council members) to educate and inform our residents on everything from recycling programs, to transportation initiatives, to homeless programs, to police and safety reports. These meetings are free and open to the public and encourage robust discussion about the issues of most concern to residents. Getting to know City leaders in a more informal atmosphere like our monthly meetings increases public trust in government and allows residents to feel heard in their community.

When City staff and local leaders need to explain new programs to residents, or are interested in getting resident input on proposed initiatives, neighborhood organization meetings provide the ideal forum. Recent speakers at NOMA meetings include:
 SMPD Chief Ramon Batista
 SM Director of Housing and Human Services Heather Averick  SM Water Resource Manager Sunny Wang
 SM City Arborist Matthew Wells
 SM Parks Director Tony Lopez
 Homeless provider leaders from Chrysalis, West Coast Care, the Santa Monica Fund, and The People Concern
 SMMUSD COO Carey Upton
 SM Dir. of Code Enforcement Dan Micks
 Community Corp. of Santa Monica Exec. Director Tara Barauskus  And recently elected Council members Dan Hall, Natalya Zernitskaya, Barry Snell, and Ellis Raskin
In addition to monthly meetings, NOMA maintains a website with information about new City programs and City requests for community input, and we send out regular email blasts to our residents to inform them of upcoming City events or items coming before Council that might be of interest. We sponsor community-wide events like Make Music Day – where hundreds of Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2193 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 41 people bring picnics to listen to local musicians and celebrate the start of summer together as a community – and The Candidates' Forum during election years which allows all candidates for City Council to present their positions to residents. Every month, we invite new Montana Avenue businesses to come to our meetings and introduce themselves to our residents, to help them thrive here. We participate in the Montana Art Walk and National Night Out, informing residents not only about what NOMA is, but also ways that they can get involved in our community. All of these efforts are undertaken with the idea that a more involved and informed resident base will result in a healthier, happier, and more equitable Santa Monica.

NOMA also provides critical information to residents during an emergency, such as the fires earlier this year. On the night of the Palisades fire, the City Manager's office contacted NOMA's Chair to help get the word out about the Evacuation Warning issued for all of NOMA, by using our email lists. The following day, CA Assembly member Rick Zbur contacted the Chair to discuss the now Mandatory Evacuation order for portions of NOMA and find out what needs the affected areas would have, including the use of National Guard to protect vulnerable homes in the evacuation zone. Through close contact with the City, the Chair continually sent email blasts to residents throughout the event and its aftermath, to keep them well informed as conditions changed on the ground. We helped residents in the area north of San Vicente – who were without potable water for weeks after the event – to connect with City water managers and local hotels who provided them with shower facilities. NOMA's next monthly meeting featured our SMFD Chief and Fire Marshal, SM Mayor, a CalFire Chief, and state and county emergency officials in a discussion of lessons learned and fire preparedness best practices for the future. It was attended by nearly 150 people online and viewed many times after. In a time of crisis, NOMA was vital in assisting and informing residents.

The grants the City provides the neighborhood organizations are critical to our mission of serving the community and its residents. They pay for basic operating expenses such as website hosting, Zoom accounts, Mailchimp services, insurance, an annual newsletter to residents, and promotional materials in support of upcoming events. A detailed accounting is sent to City staff annually, ensuring 100% transparency on our expenditures, and is available to you at any time.

We are grateful for your continued support and hope that this detailed information allays your concerns. We are happy to provide any additional information as needed.

Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2194 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 42 The NOMA Board
NOMA'S Next Meeting: THUR. AUGUST 7th
at 7PM on ZOOM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81526517066
smnoma.org
[email protected]
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2195 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 43 David Yakobson
From: Tricia Crane <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 11:56 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: Douglas Sloan; Elaine Polachek
Subject: Withdraw Agenda Item 16E and 16Ea from July 8, 2025 City Council meeting as it is not in the public interest
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
To: Santa Monica City Council
From: The Board of Northeast Neighbors
Re: Agenda Item 16E and 16Ea, Tuesday July 8, 2025 Council Agenda Mayor Negrete and members of the Santa Monica City Council, We are writing to propose that the makers of Item 16E withdraw that item from the July 8, 2025 City Council Agenda as it is not necessary or in the public interest.

We offer in this letter information that should answer questions that are being asked about how we and other neighborhood associations function and the details of how we make legitimate use of the City Grant funds for events, activities and projects that foster understanding of City policies and practices and help to build a sense of community among neighbors.

Northeast Neighbors is one of Santa Monica's seven City recognized all-volunteer non-profit neighborhood organizations. We are one of five City recognized groups that have an IRS designation as a 501(c)4 non-profit corporation, which permits us to endorse candidates.

Our work on behalf of the community includes planning and holding monthly meetings with guest speakers that are open to the public. We maintain a website with links to upcoming Zoom meetings and video recordings of past speakers. Our monthly meetings offer community members the opportunity to hear from and interact with experts and guest speakers who include City staff, elected and appointed officials, reports form our SMPD chief and neighborhood resource officer.

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2196 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 44 with generating our annual membership outreach newsletter, including printing and mailing, Board & Officer insurance fees, and promotional materials such as flyers to support of events, including Make Music Day and National Night Out.

Transparency and accountability with our use of City funds are assured because in the Closeout Report we detail all expenditures of City grant funds with complete documentation and receipts that support these eligible expenditures. We return to the City any unused grant funds as required.

Documentation of our current non-profit status is provided as required. Never have we failed to meet the City staff’s requirements for full documentation of the Grant expenditures.

We take very seriously our responsibility to the community. The City has chosen to support neighborhood associations because they are beneficial. This proposed investigation into our functioning is unwarranted and not in the public interest.

Sincerely,
Members of the Board of Northeast Neighbors
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2197 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 45 David Yakobson
From: Nikki Kolhoff <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 11:58 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell
Subject: 7/8/2025 City Council Items 16 E and G Silencing of Neighborhood Organizations, Boards and Commissions - OPPOSE
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Council –
In the backdrop of the death of democracy, it is absolutely shameful that you would prioritize silencing neighborhood organizations, board and commissions. In the City of Santa Monica, these are the few places that residents have to impact our government and seek accountability from our elected officials.

But you know that, and that is why you are doing this. It wasn’t enough that you, the developers really, won this last election. No, you are taking the additional Trumpian step of silencing your critics.

Let’s be honest. You are mad that some groups endorsed other candidates and you are now punishing all the groups. Again, very Trumpian rule by fear and retaliation.

This isn’t about the money. The neighborhoods get all of $49,000 of a $750 million budget. And we already have to apply for the grant, submit receipts and get approval from staff. The fact that you don’t know this, or are pretending not to know this, shows how political this item is.

The neighborhood organization structure is older than some of you have been alive. Most of you never even set foot in one of our meetings before you were elected simply because you didn’t have to. You landed here with all of your developer endorsements and the money that comes with it so you didn’t actually have to engage with the residents to win.

You have no idea what the Neighborhood Organizations really do and you have no respect for all of the volunteer work we do. Both Caroline Torosis and Ellis Raskin were guests at Neighborhood Organization meetings last week, using us as a platform, but neither of them made any mention of the press release and 16 Item they would be issuing two days later.

Here are just a few things we do, all as VOLUNTEERS.
 We hold monthly meetings that include the police officers in charge of our beat, where we learn what to keep an eye out for and the police learn from us as well.  We have speakers that include other city staff so our residents can learn about different programs and provide feedback to staff.
 We have a weekly newsletter and website that keep residents informed of the myriad meetings and issues coming up, which is nearly impossible for a normal human to follow based on city communications.

Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2198 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 46  We review your agendas, which feel like a constant assault on the residents, and inform our members what you are doing and how they can provide comments.  We attend these meetings that go on way too long, often discussing issues and projects the residents didn’t as you to take on, and summarize what happened to our residents.  We participate in local community-building events.
 We donate to local causes.
 And yes we do, from time to time, make endorsements on issues so important to our residents that we need to speak out. All in compliance with the law and IRS rules.

Your priorities are not always ours. And that is ok, because this is a democracy. But you don’t get to silence us. You have already engaged in your own DOGE mission of squashing public input by limiting speaking time and eliminating the donation of speaking time in the name of “efficiency”. How much time and money are you going to waste auditing $49,000 that you already have receipts for? You have also usurped the public process by ruling via 16 Item, the equivalent of skipping the legislative process and ruling by executive order. You direct staff to work with developers – not the residents - to build giant projects that impact us. You have created chaos and more work for volunteers. As a result, the Neighborhood Organizations are needed now more than ever.

You clearly don’t want to hear from us, and you don’t want anyone else to hear us either. You are being petty and vindictive and Trumpian. Both our city and this country are in crisis and you profess to be progressives. What world are you living in, and how out of touch can you be, to prioritize squashing speech and dissent, and punishing those who disagree with you? Regards,
Nikki Kolhoff
Member of the Board of Friends of Sunset Park
Santa Monica Resident since 1997
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2199 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 47 David Yakobson
From: David Norwood <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 12:15 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Support Item 16E – Reforming Recognition of Community Organizations

EXTERNAL
Mayor and Councilmembers,
I live in the WilMont neighborhood in 90403 and strongly support Item 16E, the proposal by Hall, Raskin, and Torosis to reform how the city recognizes and funds community organizations.

I sincerely appreciate community participation, however the neighborhood groups lacks the accountability and visibility we need. Orgs receiving public benefits should follow clear rules which garner transparency, democratic governance, and broad-based community representation.

I support the motion’s efforts to:
 Ensure that recognized organizations have publicly available bylaws, regular officer elections, and clear term limits,
 Prevent political endorsements made under the banner of official recognition,  Audit public funds and confirm nonprofit compliance,
 Create new, inclusive pathways for residents to form community groups,  Reach more people through direct engagement via schools, libraries, and public spaces.

Thanks so much for all you do,
David Norwood
WilMont, 90403
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2200 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 48 David Yakobson
From: Ryan Olson <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 12:24 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Subject: Support 16E

EXTERNAL
I was really upset when I found out that these neighborhood organizations that really are political advocacy organizations receive money from the city and I am ready for that to end immediately.

My neighborhood association (Friends of Sunset Park) has meetings Tuesdays at 7:30pm, generally when I'm spending time/eating dinner with my family. They send out a monthly email with a list of upcoming in-person events in Santa Monica, and a bunch of news items about development that they oppose.

They circulate a flyer to all the houses in the neighborhood that feels mostly like a solicitation for membership, and once a year they send out a physical mailer for board elections. I've never seen any information in the emails they send about how one could put themselves up for one of those board seats, it must be discussed in those Zoom calls I find it difficult to attend. (I suspect that is because it is run by a small group of people with specific views and they want to keep the organization within their control, which is their right, I suppose.) They also make endorsements for local elections and send out action alerts asking their membership to contact city council and legislators regarding votes on upcoming bills or council resolutions. (Usually opposing anything that could lead to more housing being built, limiting housing construction seems to be their raison d'être as an organization.) I disagree with their recommendations nearly 100% of the time, and I guess I find these alerts useful because I know that I need to weigh in myself to make it clear that they are not the only local opinion on these matters.

It is completely inappropriate for these organizations to both receive funding from the city and also to make political endorsements and engage in lobbying activities. If they want to continue running their little closed lobbying organization, go ahead, but I don't want my limited tax dollars going to it.

Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2201 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 49 David Yakobson
From: greg chasen <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 12:39 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Item 16E – Reforming Recognition of Community Organizations

Santa Monica values civic participation, but the current framework for recognizing neighborhood groups and awarding public funds lacks the transparency and accountability that taxpayers expect.

Groups that receive public benefits should follow clear, fair rules that promote openness, democratic governance, and broad-based community representation. I support the motion’s efforts to:

Ensure that recognized organizations have publicly available bylaws, regular officer elections, and clear term limits
Prevent political endorsements made under the banner of official recognition, Audit public funds and confirm nonprofit compliance,
Create new, inclusive pathways for residents to form community groups, Reach more people through direct engagement via schools, libraries, and public spaces.

These reforms will help rebuild trust, protect public resources, and make our civic process more equitable and accessible. Please vote yes on Item 16E and move forward with these much-needed changes. Sincerely,
Greg Chasen, 1318 10th St, Santa Monica, Ca 90401
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2202 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 50 David Yakobson
From: Gavin Scott <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:16 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Douglas Sloan; Elaine Polachek Cc: Nicola Scott
Subject: Agenda Item 16E and 16Ea

EXTERNAL
Mayor Negrete and members of the Santa Monica City Council, My wife Nicola and I are writing to request that the makers of Item 16E withdraw that item from the July 8, 2025 City Council Agenda as it is not necessary or in the public interest.

We offer in this letter information that should answer questions that are being asked about how neighborhood associations function and the details of how they make legitimate use of the City Grant funds for events, activities and projects that foster understanding of City policies and practices and help to build a sense of community among neighbors.

We are members of Friends of Sunset Park, one of five City recognized groups that have an IRS designation as a 501(c)4 non-profit corporation, which permits us to endorse candidates.

Our work on behalf of the community includes planning and holding monthly meetings with guest speakers that are open to the public. We maintain a website with links to upcoming Zoom meetings and video recordings of past speakers. Our monthly meetings offer community members the opportunity to hear from and interact with experts and guest speakers who include City staff, elected and appointed officials, reports from our SMPD chief and neighborhood resource officer.

The City grant funds are used as permitted to cover our operating expenses. These include the costs associated with website hosting, Zoom license and cloud storage to create remote access to our meetings and access to videos of past meetings, website maintenance and updating, software to generate emails, maintaining a post office box to receive membership applications, costs associated with generating our annual membership outreach newsletter, including printing and mailing, Board & Officer insurance fees, and promotional materials such as flyers to support of events, including Make Music Day and National Night Out.

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2203 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 51 these eligible expenditures. We return to the City any unused grant funds as required. Documentation of our current non-profit status is provided as required. Never have we failed to meet the City staff’s requirements for full documentation of the Grant expenditures.

Sincerely,
Gavin and Nicola Scott
1801 Marine Street
Santa Monica
CA 90405
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2204 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant 52 David Yakobson
From: Connor Webb <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 5:04 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Item 16E – Reforming Recognition of Community Organizations

EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
I’m writing as a Santa Monica resident to express strong support for Item 16E and the proposal to reform how the City recognizes and funds community organizations.

These reforms will help rebuild trust, protect public resources, and make our civic process more equitable and accessible.

Please vote yes on Item 16E and move forward with these much-needed changes.

Sincerely,
Connor Webb
90404
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025
Item 16-E
July 8, 2025

16.E.b
Packet Pg. 2205 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 2] (7167 : Conditions for Official Recognition of Community Organizations and Participation in Grant City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: July 8, 2025
Agenda Item: 16.F
1 of 1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Nikima Newsome, City Clerk, Records and Election Services Department Subject: Request of Councilmembers Zwick and Hall that the City Council direct the City Manager and Community Development Department to report back within 30 days on how the City plans to change its processes to comply with new timing mandates for housing approvals contained within budget trailer bill AB 130, under which ministerial housing development project entitlements must be approved or denied within two months of application completeness or are otherwise deemed approved.

Prepared By: Nikima Newsome, City Clerk
Approved Forwarded to Council

16.F
Packet Pg. 2206
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: July 8, 2025
Agenda Item: 16.G
1 of 1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Nikima Newsome, City Clerk, Records and Election Services Department Subject: Request of Councilmembers Hall, Zwick, and Mayor Pro Tempore Torosis that the City Council direct the City Clerk, as part of her quinquennial boards and commissions review, to return with a study session by September 30, 2025 that examines possibilities to reorganize, consolidate, and deprecate where necessary to streamline processes for residents and businesses and reduce duplicative workstreams and additional costs to the taxpayer.

Prepared By: Nikima Newsome, City Clerk
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:

A. 20250708 16 Item - Quinquennial Boards and Commissions Review Guidance - Hall Torosis Zwick
B. Written Comments

16.G
Packet Pg. 2207
Meeting: July 8, 2025
16 ITEM BY COUNCILMEMBERS DAN HALL, JESSE ZWICK, AND MAYOR PRO

TEMPORE CAROLINE TOROSIS
Request of Councilmembers Hall, Zwick, and Mayor Pro Tempore Torosis that the City Council direct the City Clerk, as part of her quinquennial boards and commissions review, to return with a study session that examines possibilities to reorganize, consolidate, and deprecate where necessary to streamline processes for residents and businesses and reduce duplicative workstreams and additional costs to the taxpayer.

Santa Monica’s boards and commissions (inclusive of formally recognized and informal, Council and Staff-appointed task forces and advisory bodies) are a vital part of our local democracy—giving residents, businesses, and property owners a voice in decision-making, surfacing community expertise, and creating pathways for civic engagement. For decades, these bodies have provided invaluable recommendations to the City Council and oversight to City Staff. But as the needs of our community evolve, so too must the structures that support public participation.

Today, Santa Monica maintains twenty-six standing boards and commissions—some with overlapping missions, uneven workloads, or persistent vacancies. This fragmentation can confuse residents, create unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and delays for businesses, families, and individuals interacting with City processes and services, and ultimately strain City resources and voter patience. In the context of ongoing fiscal challenges and our shared responsibility to govern efficiently and transparently, we have an obligation to periodically assess whether our current commission structure is truly serving the public interest.

Every five years, the City Clerk is tasked with reviewing the City’s boards and commissions, to ensure our public engagement and service opportunities meet the needs of the time. By using this review to remove redundancies, streamline overlapping functions, and examine new opportunities, space is created for deeper public engagement, clearer pathways for service, and more responsive local government. This is not about scarcity—it’s about designing a civic structure that makes participation and engagement easier, not harder; that empowers residents to contribute meaningfully; and that channels our shared resources toward impact, not process.

In order to make government more accessible, efficient, representative, and fiscally responsible,
WE THEREFORE MOVE THAT THE COUNCIL:

1. Direct the City Clerk to return to Council with a study session by September 30, 2025 that presents options based on our commitment to equity, transparency,

16.G.a
Packet Pg. 2208 Attachment: 20250708 16 Item - Quinquennial Boards and Commissions Review Guidance - Hall Torosis Zwick (7169 : Boards and 16 ITEM BY COUNCILMEMBERS HALL, ZWICK, AND MAYOR PRO TEMPORE TOROSIS Boards and Commissions Reorganization
and representation to create, reduce, or consolidate boards, commissions, task forces, and advisory bodies by examining duplicative purposes, with special consideration to examine areas where:

1.1. Costs to the taxpayer are greater than return on investment,

1.2. Unnecessary steps are added to City processes (e.g. permitting for renovations or constructio) for residents or businesses,

1.3. Staff time to support is escalating,

1.4. The original mission of the board, commission, or task force has expired.

2. Additionally direct the City Clerk to examine best practices from other similarly-situated municipalities and propose changes based on that research.

3. Direct the City Manager and Department Heads to support the City Clerk in identifying bodies that could be created, restructured, re-organized, or deprecated to better serve the public amidst emerging needs.

4. Direct the City Attorney to advise the Clerk on legal barriers and opportunities to such a reorganization, and if any ballot measures or new ordinances might be required to effectuate streamlining to better serve the public. # # #

Page 2 of 2 ends

16.G.a
Packet Pg. 2209 Attachment: 20250708 16 Item - Quinquennial Boards and Commissions Review Guidance - Hall Torosis Zwick (7169 : Boards and 1 David Yakobson
From: Gina Debaca <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 12:02 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Boards Commissions

EXTERNAL
Good Afternoon Council Members
Please Remember the Importance of the Neighborhood Boards and the Committees.

The Housing Commission is crucial as well as the other committees.

Please when reviewing any Boards & Committees that ONLY Santa Monica Residents be allowed to serve on any Board or committee.

Our current Commissions & Neighborhood Boards are the voices of Your Constituents.

Thank You,
Gina DeBaca
310-266-2810
Item 16-G
July 8, 2025
Item 16-G
July 8, 2025

16.G.b
Packet Pg. 2210 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (7169 : Boards and Commissions 5-Year Review) 1 David Yakobson
From: Dannie Charney <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 10:51 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Douglas Sloan; Elaine Polachek; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Dan Hall
Subject: July 8 CC Mtg. ITEM 16G/ OPPOSE -

Danielle Charney
Item 16-G
July 8, 2025
Item 16-G
July 8, 2025

16.G.b
Packet Pg. 2211 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (7169 : Boards and Commissions 5-Year Review) 1 David Yakobson
From: Nikki Kolhoff <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 11:58 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell
Subject: 7/8/2025 City Council Items 16 E and G Silencing of Neighborhood Organizations, Boards and Commissions - OPPOSE
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

Let’s be honest. You are mad that some groups endorsed other candidates and you are now punishing all the groups. Again, very Trumpian rule by fear and retaliation.

Item 16-G
July 8, 2025
Item 16-G
July 8, 2025

16.G.b
Packet Pg. 2212 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (7169 : Boards and Commissions 5-Year Review) 2  We review your agendas, which feel like a constant assault on the residents, and inform our members what you are doing and how they can provide comments.  We attend these meetings that go on way too long, often discussing issues and projects the residents didn’t as you to take on, and summarize what happened to our residents.  We participate in local community-building events.
 We donate to local causes.
 And yes we do, from time to time, make endorsements on issues so important to our residents that we need to speak out. All in compliance with the law and IRS rules.

16.G.b
Packet Pg. 2213 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (7169 : Boards and Commissions 5-Year Review)

Santa Monica City CouncilJuly 8, 2025

Santa Monica City Council
July 8, 2025