Main Street Business Improvement Association (MSBIA) Board Meeting: Wednesday, May 21. 2025 The city and the consultant presented parking rate information, with a focus on the price of visitor parking in Main Street’s three public parking lots, as well as parking meters, employee parking, and beach parking prices.
Members of the board overall appeared to be supportive of the proposal, emphasizing that due to impacted parking during busy times, they suggested significantly higher parking rates in the summer and on weekends, while suggesting that parking prices in the off-season, particularly on weekdays, remain low given the relative lack of visitors at that time.
Santa Monica Pier Corporation Monthly Board Meeting, April 28, 2025 City staff and the consultant presented to Pier Corporation members and pier staff, with a focus on pier and beach parking pricing. While some Pier Corporation members expressed an interest in reduced rate
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Packet Pg. 796 Attachment: Attachment 2 -Walker Outreach Memo (7095 : Parking Rates) Memorandum
Public Outreach Efforts – City-wide Parking Rate Study
3 parking at the Pier, they also acknowledged that parking prices at the beach and pier tended not to be a deciding for most people wanting to travel to that location.
Santa Monica Pier Lessees Association Monthly Meeting, May 6, 2025 City staff and the consultant presented to members of the association and pier staff, with a focus on pier and beach parking pricing. SMPLA members were not critical of the proposal but suggested that more short term or incremental pricing options for parking would be helpful to serve patrons of their businesses who did not intend to make a longer stay.
Santa Monica Neighborhood Associations Leaders and Members, Tuesday, May 20, 2025 City staff and the consultant presented to members of these associations and additional members of this community who joined the meeting. The feedback received included desires for higher parking pricing in the city, ranging from residential parking permit prices (which have subsequently been increased by the council) to demand-based parking pricing for meters in the downtown area. The reason for the support for higher public parking rates in general came from the myriad policy benefits – goals already expressed in many Santa Monica policies such as the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE), to the city’s Climate Action Plan – that come from pricing parking at market rates.
Annual Joint Board of Directors and Tourism Marketing District (TMD), Wednesday June 4, 2025 City staff and the consultant presented preliminary parking rates to the Board of Directors at this meeting, with a focus on parking rates in commercial locations and the beaches. Board members did not have any comments critical of the proposed parking rates.
Public Survey: issued electronically, through a web-based platform, from June 24, 2025 This electronic survey was issued in June and distributed primarily through a QR code explanation of the survey posted by city staff on parking pay stations around the city. While the answers are too extensive to be provided in the staff report, overall the sentiments expressed that clean and safe parking facilities were a priority, as well as pay-stations that were clearly marked.
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Packet Pg. 797 Attachment: Attachment 2 -Walker Outreach Memo (7095 : Parking Rates) Memorandum
Parking Rate Adjustment Rationale
1 Date: July 16, 2025
To: Zach Pollard, Parking Manager
City: Santa Monica
From: Steffen Turoff, Jonathan Wicks, Walker Consultants Project Name: Santa Monica City-wide Parking Rate Study Rationale for Parking Rate Adjustments
Over the past fourteen months, Walker has reviewed and analyzed Santa Monica’s historical parking transaction, revenue, occupancy, and length of stay data, collected parking data throughout the city, and met with stakeholders, all to inform recommendations for parking rate adjustments that will achieve the city’s goals for the parking system. The following is a brief explanation of parking rate adjustments by location or parking product type.
Background
From its beaches to high-end restaurants along the Third Street Promenade, to mom-and-pop neighborhood businesses along Pico, Santa Monica, and other streets, the City of Santa Monica’s parking system is a large, complex, parking system to operate and maintain. Typically, there are two reasons to charge drivers for parking. The first is to cover, at least partially, the capital, operations, and maintenance costs of providing parking to the public.
Covering Costs
Parking infrastructure is a valuable public asset that must be maintained through fiscally responsible policies. We note that the city has not increased public parking rates for six years, a period when inflation raised parking operation and maintenance costs significantly. The goal of the proposed parking rates is therefore, first, a fiscally responsible approach to managing the city’s parking supply, from a revenue and expense basis, as well as other city services that cannot fund themselves, from clean and safe programs to library and cultural programs.
Managing Parking Supply and Demand for Convenience and Efficiency Secondly, a city charges for parking to manage parking so that the demand for parking does not exceed the supply at specific locations. Where (and when) the demand for parking exceeds the supply of parking, we cannot always add parking spaces cost effectively. We ensure that parking will be available to the public and that the efficiency of the capital investments will be maximized, through parking management measures.
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Packet Pg. 798 Attachment: Attachment 3 -Walker Rates Memo (7095 : Parking Rates) Memorandum
Parking Rate Adjustment Rationale
2 Additional Considerations when Adjusting Parking Rates A myriad of additional factors are considered when adjusting parking rates. They include but are not limited to the following
1. Customer friendly: Like parking restrictions listed on a street sign, we want the public to understand and not be confused, or surprised, by the parking rates. The rate structure should not be overly complex or variable. At the same time, parking rates must also be enforceable for city staff in charge of parking. For the public and staff, parking prices and time restrictions cannot be overly complicated.
2. Business friendly: Just as one usually does not choose a restaurant, their residence, or type of car solely based on price, nor do they decide where to shop solely based on the price of parking. The destination is the draw, not the parking. When a person decides whether to shop in Santa Monica, Culver City, or The Grove, to go to the beach in Santa Monica, Venice, or Marina del Rey, or to dine at the Promenade, on Main Street, or in a local “mini-mall,” the price of parking may be a factor, but is typically not the only factor. We consider these impacts on businesses and the local economy overall when recommending parking prices.
3. Transportation mode choice: Whether driving, walking, bicycling, e-biking, taking transit, riding a scooter, or taking a Lyft, Uber, or Waymo, the price and availability of parking is often a key determinant of how people get to where they want to go. Parking pricing is therefore a key policy instrument to support mod choice, environmental goals, and to mitigate traffic congestion as well.
4. California Coastal Commission considerations: The commission’s mission of ensuring equitable public access to the coast results in its careful scrutiny of parking pricing policies. However, parking pricing can at times be counterintuitive; if parking rates are too low, parking availability is diminished, particularly for those who live far from the coast and have no option but to drive.
In the following section, we briefly summarize the rationale and considerations behind each parking pricing policy recommendation:
Downtown Parking Structures 1 – 2, 4 – 10, KEC
We recommend reducing parking prices for parking (stays) over ninety minutes and reducing the number of possible rates from eleven different prices per day (prices increasing approximately every thirty minutes) to three tiers of pricing for ease of understanding and to limit anxiety over parking fees creeping up during one’s stay downtown.
The downtown parking structures are the only paid parking location in the city that offer 90 minutes free parking. After 90 minutes, the amount of the price increase varies every 30 minutes, from $1.50 to
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Packet Pg. 799 Attachment: Attachment 3 -Walker Rates Memo (7095 : Parking Rates) Memorandum
Parking Rate Adjustment Rationale
3 $3.00, increasing significantly, to $20 maximum on weekdays to $25 maximum on weekends. Drivers are currently rewarded for staying a short time and longer stays subsidize shorter stays. The rate structure was appropriate when the downtown parking structures regularly reached full capacity and higher rates for longer stays were needed to make sure parking spaces would be available when drivers arrived.
Further, by encouraging longer stays through lower prices, the policy is consistent with California Coastal Commission goals.
Price adjustment rational for the downtown structures therefore include:
• Revenue generation to cover city expenses;
• Business enhancement through lower prices for stays over 90 minutes; • Customer friendliness and business enhancement through a simplified parking rate structure; • Rates that stay consistent with KEC to prevent commercial parking demand from spilling into the KEC civic serving use.
• Facilitate coastal commission approval by reducing the cost of long-term stays.
Downtown Surface Parking Lots
Hourly rates to align with nearby on-street meters ($3.00/hour). Daily maximum rate is unchanged at $17.50.
• Revenue generation to cover city expenses;
• Ease of use and convenience
• Facilitate coastal commission approval by not raising the daily maximum rate.
Downtown Parking Meters
We recommend increasing hourly parking rates from $2.50/hour to $3.00 hour. The demand for onstreet parking generally exceeds the demand for off-street parking; if the price of on-street parking is less than off-street parking, drivers often cruise the streets in search of available spaces, increasing traffic and frustration rather than simply parking in an off-street space.
Price adjustment rational:
• Revenue generation to cover city expenses:
• Parking management and ease-of-use policy that creates more short-term parking availability at the curb, for small business customers, ride share customers, and deliveries. • Consistency with higher on-street parking rates in premium locations in the region.
Main Street Surface Lots
We recommend increasing parking rates during the summer and on weekends to $2.00 to $2.50/hour.
More modest price increases during the off-season to $1.50/hour. The Main Street Business Improvement Association (MSBIA) expressed concern over parking availability during the summer, and
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Packet Pg. 800 Attachment: Attachment 3 -Walker Rates Memo (7095 : Parking Rates) Memorandum
Parking Rate Adjustment Rationale
4 an acceptance of higher parking rates at that time but was concerned about significantly higher parking rates during the off-season and less busy period.
Price adjustment rational:
• Revenue generation to cover city expenses:
• Parking management through demand-based pricing approach that acknowledges higher summer parking demand in the area.
• Ease of understanding for the public. Ease of application and enforcement by city staff.
Main Street On-street Parking Meters
We recommending increasing hourly rates from $1.25 to $1.50 for:
• Revenue generation to cover city expenses:
• Ease of understanding for the public and ease of application and enforcement by city staff through consistency with city-wide on-street parking meter rates.
Beach Parking Lots
We recommend that the largest parking price increases be for the busiest periods at the busiest parking lots (Lot 1N), $15 to $20 on summer weekends. Smallest increases during the slowest periods ($7 to $8) during off-peak weekdays. Free ADA parking to ½ price ADA parking. • Revenue generation to cover city expenses;
• Demand-based pricing and parking management through higher rate increases during the busy season and weekends.
• Demand based pricing through increased rates at the busy hourly parking locations, to help ensure the availability of short-term parking.
• ADA pricing adjustments to ensure access for people with disabilities and to curb placard abuse.
Civic Center Structure, Main Library Structure, Civic Center Lot, Main Library Lot Free period and daily maximum rate remain. 30 minutes to 1.00 hour rate increases from $0.50 to $1.00. Fees charged hourly not half hourly simplifies rates and increases fees for some stays. • Revenue generation to cover city expenses.
• Customer service:
o 30 minute free period and modest increase in parking rates, in recognition of Santa Monica city residents’ use of the facilities for civic purposes. o No increase in the daily maximum rate.
o Simplification of rate structure, every hour fee instead of every 30 minutes.
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Packet Pg. 801 Attachment: Attachment 3 -Walker Rates Memo (7095 : Parking Rates) Memorandum
Parking Rate Adjustment Rationale
5 • Ease of understanding and enforcement: consistency of parking rates between the two structures remains.
• Coastal Commission approval: no increase in the daily maximum rate.
City-wide parking meters
We recommend a modest $0.25 increase in hourly on-street parking rates in most of the city, from $1.25 to $1.50/hour
• Revenue generation to cover expenses
• User friendly: easy to understand and enforce due to city-wide consistency. Modest increase.
Holidays, Events, Other
Holiday rates and event parking up to $75 approach beach holiday rates at some Orange County beaches and are lower than event parking rates at other locations Los Angeles. • Revenue generation to cover city expenses.
• Parking demand management to ensure parking availability during periods of the highest demand.
ADA Parking with Placard in off-street Surface Lots
Free parking to ½ price of paid parking.
• Parking management to curb parking placard abuse.
• Parking management to increase parking turnover and availability during busy periods in busy locations.
• Customer service to improve access for people with disabilities. • Revenue generation to cover city expenses.
• Ease of understanding and enforcement: discounted rate always in effect compared to beach parking that discounts ADA only on weekdays or during the off-season.
Parking Permits and Mid City Surface lots
Decrease in employee monthly permit costs downtown to be consistent with lower downtown parking structure rates. Modest increases for already low resident and senior annual and partial beach passes. • Revenue generation (lower subsidies) to cover city expenses. • Parking demand management: lower rates in downtown parking structures that have capacity.
Higher rates for permits at the beach.
• Higher rates in higher demand lots such as Main Street.
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Packet Pg. 802 Attachment: Attachment 3 -Walker Rates Memo (7095 : Parking Rates) 1 David Yakobson
From: Alec Torgan <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 12:01 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Subject: Santa Monica City Council - Item 11A Parking Rate Restructuring
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I am sending you this email with regards to the proposed increase in parking rates. I also attended the DTSM Board of Directors meeting when Walker Consultants presented their proposed increase. Following their presentation, the Board of Directors all agreed that parking rates should NOT be increased but decreased. As a broker that represents a lot of landlords in Santa Monica and have been tirelessly working to bring great tenants and amenities to the area, increasing parking rates would hurt everyone. At the very least, parking rates should remain the same or be lowered. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Santa Monica has been struggling to get back to its pre-pandemic levels. As a broker that has numerous conversations with landlords, tenants, and brokers daily, Santa Monica is already a tough sell due to its high vacancy and crime, and this would make it even harder.
As someone who grew up going to Santa Monica and went to school in the area, I have seen the greatness that the 3 rd St Promenade and Santa Monica has to oƯer. Between its unmatched landscape, scenic views, strong demographics, and diverse population of retail, residential, oƯice, and hospitality, this city has the potential to return to its glory days and even better. However, increasing the parking rates will only make matters worse and deter people from coming to this city. Outside of being a broker that does most of there business in Santa Monica, I have numerous colleagues and friends who all agree that the parking rates should NOT be increased.
John Reed for example is one of the many tenants that will directly be negatively impacted from this. If you are an individual that goes to the gym 5 times per week, the increased rates would now mean that you have to pay $2 -$3 for working out when you originally had to pay ZERO dollars. Now, you are faced with making a financial decision of spending that additional $480 - $720 per year or switching to a diƯerent gym that is likely not located in Santa Monica.
Thank you for accepting my input as well as the publics.
Best Regards,
Alec Torgan
Senior Associate | El Segundo | Matthews Real Estate Investment Services Direct +1 310 919 5799 | Mobile +1 310 486 1639
Main +1 866 889 0550 | Fax +1 310 388 0788
[email protected]
License No. 02120321
Click Here For All Available Inventory
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 803 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 2 Matthews Real Estate Investment Services
2321 Rosecrans Ave, Suite 1225 | El Segundo, CA 90245 | USA www.matthews.com
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE and DISCLAIMER: This email message is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. If you are the intended recipient but do not wish to receive communications through this medium, please so advise the sender immediately. Nothing in this communication should be interpreted as a digital or electronic signature that can be used to authenticate a contract or other legal document. The recipients are advised that the sender and Matthews Retail Advisors are not qualified to provide, and have not been contracted to provide, legal, financial, or tax advice, and that any such advice regarding any investment by the recipients must be obtained from the recipients’ attorney, accountant, or tax professional.
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 804 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 1 David Yakobson
From: Safa Kadri <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 5:17 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Concern: Downtown Parking Fee Changes May burden shoppers (Council Vote – Aug 12)
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members,
I’m writing as a resident of Santa Monica and a frequent visitor and shopper of the third street promenade . I frequent multiple shops located on the promenade and almost always finish within 30 minutes of parking. Having the first 90 minutes of parking free makes it much easier to shop consistently at the third street promenade. On August 12, 2025, you will vote on replacing the 90-minute free parking with a $2 weekday / $3 weekend fee for the first 3 hours. This will make short and quick shopping runs much more difficult and less enticing. The cost of everything has been on the rise and I still shop locally and provide my city business owners with business. This will make it much more difficult to continue and will have to look elsewhere to spend my money. Whether it’s a local food shop, clothing store, apple store, and banks, I would consider taking my business elsewhere. Thank you for considering this.
Sincerely,
Safa Kadri
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 805 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 2 David Yakobson
From: Fraz Ahmed <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 6:18 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Martin Ronzio-Garcia
Subject: Item 11A Parking Rate Restructuring - Public Comment
EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
My name is Fraz and I am the owner of Anytime Fitness in downtown Santa Monica. We are a brand-new gym located on 4th St., between Broadway and Santa Monica Blvd.
I am reaching out regarding the proposed change to the downtown garage parking pay structure, where the free 90- minute parking will be replaced with either $2 or $3 for a 3-hour window on the weekday or weekend, respectively.
While this may initially seem attractive from a revenue stand-point for the city, there are concerns I would like to address:
1. Reduced Quality Of Life For Residents – Santa Monica residents rely on the free parking to access key and essential amenities in downtown such as gyms, therapy centers, medical facilities, and many others. A parking fee would add a barrier to accessibility to the area, limiting the availability of essential services for Santa Monica residents. There are public transportation options available, however, there are safety concerns in downtown Santa Monica as well as a limited infrastructure to support easy public transportation. Therefore, the added fee would discourage residents from going to the gym and utilizing basic amenities in downtown.
2. Decrease In Parking Turn Rate – Another concern is if there is a 3-hour parking implemented, a significant majority of the guests will use the entire 3-hour window. There is already overcrowding in the garages. With the extended parking window, there will minimal incentive for guests to leave prior to the end of their allotted time. This will reduce the turn-rate of the parking garage, leading to overcrowding of the garages. This inadvertently will help tourists who are visiting the beach for extended periods as opposed to residents who use recurring services that are typically limited to ~ 60 – 90 min.
3. Negative Impact To local businesses, particularly recurring services oriented businesses – With a decreased turn rate of the garages, there will be fewer customer turns at the local businesses, impacting sales of the respective business. Furthermore, the added parking fee will disincentivize residents to sign-up for recurring service type of businesses in downtown Santa Monica. This will directly impact recurring services like gyms.
I understand the desire to increase city revenues, however, we must also ensure that we are enhancing the overall life value of Santa Monica residents. Here are a couple of alternatives:
Validation For Recurring Service Businesses - A validation program where guests/residents who use a crucial amenity/recurring service, i.e., gyms, therapy, medical facilities, etc., continue to get 90-minute free parking with validation. If they overstay 90 minutes, they pay the $2 (or $3) for the 3-hour window. Recurring services are predominately utilized by residents. Therefore, this option will provide higher value for residents as opposed to tourists.
Validation For All Businesses – A validation program where guests/residents who use ANY business get a discounted rate, e.g., 50% off, for 90 min. If they overstay 90 minutes, they pay the $2 (or $3) for the 3-hour window.
Item 11-A
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Packet Pg. 806 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 3 Either option would be a win-win where guests who have validation but exceed the 90-minute window can pay the proposed rate for the 3-hour window. This will encourage members to visit multiple local businesses during their time in downtown Santa Monica.
Thank you for your consideration and support!
Regards,
Fraz Ahmed
(424) 479-3330 | [email protected] | Anytimefitness.com Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 807 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 4 David Yakobson
From: Laurie Sasson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 8:46 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Laurie Sasson
Subject: Downtown Parking Rates
EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
I am writing regarding the proposed downtown Santa Monica parking rates.
I like the idea to lower the rates overall, however, I think completely removing any Free Parking in the downtown Santa Monica Parking structures will elicit negative media headlines like “ NO MORE FREE PARKING IN DOWNTOWN SANTA MONICA” and then potentially cause a backlash and customers may choose other shopping areas instead.
As a compromise, keep the new proposed rate schedule but add "First Hour Free Parking" to accommodate anyone who may just need to run a quick errand. This will give them time to go do what they came for then get back to their car.
You could also do “ First 30 Minutes Free Parking” but it may not be long enough for the full turnaround of a single errand.
The lower rates will be much appreciated by everyone who comes into our downtown.
Thank you for your consideration,
Laurie Romano Sasson
Commercial Property Owner: 1201, 1215-1221, 1338 Third Street Promenade Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 808 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 5 David Yakobson
From: Mohamad Ahmad <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 9:20 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Proposed Parking Fee Increases Impact on Business Tax Revenue
EXTERNAL
Hello,
I’m a Santa Monica resident bordering West LA and although it may seem trivial the convenience of a free 90 minute grace period encourages me and countless others to come out west and shop at local businesses and dine at local restaurants. I think the loss in business taxes from decreased revenue will render this a financial mistake.
Regards,
Mohamad Ahmad
[email protected]
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
11.A.d
Packet Pg. 809 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 1 David Yakobson
From: Sara Surti <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 12:14 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Public Parking
EXTERNAL
Dear council members,
I am writing to let you know that I am not pleased to hear about the parking rate increase in the public parking structures off of the promenade. The only reason I shop at the promenade or come to the farmers market is because I get free parking. If I had to pay for parking, I’d rather go to Century City and shop at a higher end Mall and not have to worry about my safety. If you still want shoppers coming to the promenade and spending their dollars in the city, I think you should rethink increasing the parking fees. Instead of removing free parking altogether, my suggestion is to give at least 60 minutes of free parking, and maybe charge a nominal fee of one or two dollars per hour extra that shoppers are spending at the promenade and the retailers beyond the promenade.
I hope you take my suggestions into consideration. I care about the city and hope that we can put our efforts in increasing revenue in the city for the shopkeepers and retailers and other businesses so that we can have a thriving city. A thriving city will bring more tax revenue, power the local economy, and encourage our residence and those who visit our city to shop in Santa Monica.
Sincerely,
Sara Jooma Surti
Resident
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 810 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 2 David Yakobson
From: BODYROK Santa Monica <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 1:52 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: Ciria Mariscal
Subject: Reconsider Free 90-Minute Parking Please.
EXTERNAL
Good afternoon council members of Santa Monica,
Thank you for your service and everything you do for our community.
My name is Ciria Mariscal, I am the owner of BODYROK Santa Monica a Pilates Studio. We just hit our first year being open last month! We are doing great and hoping to open another one very soon.
I am writing to you about the removal of the Free 90 Minute Parking at the City's Parking Structures.
The number one question we receive when selling classes and memberships is: "What is the Parking situation at your Studio".
The Free 90-minute parking is a game changer for us as a fitness studio and I am sure for ALL fitness studios and any business in the area.
The free 90-minute parking is an important service Santa Monica residents receive and it only helps your main goal as Council Members of this beautiful City:
Increase traffic to the city to increase tax revenue. Increase traffic to the businesses that choose to open here - increasing tax revenue. Facilitate people coming in to the businesses in Santa Monica - increasing tax revenue. Facilitate access to the City so people shop, eat and spend time - increasing tax revenue. Employ many people in the City allowing them to live and work here - increasing tax revenue.
Please don't create another reason to move or take client's business elsewhere out of our city into Brentwood, Culver or Century City.
I know for me I prefer to work out and shop in Santa Monica if I know I have 90-minute free parking.
If I don't, I may reconsider and take a fitness class in Brentwood and then go to the Century City Mall. I know all my friends think this way as well which is why I again ask for you to please Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 811 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 3 reconsider removing this free 90-minute parking. It is a win-win for you, for our clients, for us, to provide and keep this service.
Thank you very much for considering our request as a small business in Santa Monica.
Thank you for your time and for your consideration.
All my best,
Ciria Mariscal
(858) 442-4506
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. #rokyourbody
Santa Monica BODYROK Team
#rokyourbody
www.bodyrok.com
To
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To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. #rokyourbody
ID0EC
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
11.A.d
Packet Pg. 812 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 4 David Yakobson
From: BODYROK Santa Monica <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 2:06 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: Ciria Mariscal
Subject: August 12th Meeting: Item 11A Parking Rate Restructuring: Reconsider Free 90-Minute Parking Please.
EXTERNAL
Good afternoon council members of Santa Monica,
Thank you for your service and everything you do for our community.
My name is Ciria Mariscal, I am the owner of BODYROK Santa Monica a Pilates Studio. We just hit our first year being open last month! We are doing great and hoping to open another one very soon.
I am writing to you about the removal of the Free 90 Minute Parking at the City's Parking Structures.
The number one question we receive when selling classes and memberships is: "What is the Parking situation at your Studio".
The Free 90-minute parking is a game changer for us as a fitness studio and I am sure for ALL fitness studios and any business in the area.
The free 90-minute parking is an important service Santa Monica residents receive and it only helps your main goal as Council Members of this beautiful City:
Increase traffic to the city to increase tax revenue. Increase traffic to the businesses that choose to open here - increasing tax revenue. Facilitate people coming in to the businesses in Santa Monica - increasing tax revenue. Facilitate access to the City so people shop, eat and spend time - increasing tax revenue. Employ many people in the City allowing them to live and work here - increasing tax revenue.
Please don't create another reason to move or take client's business elsewhere out of our city into Brentwood, Culver or Century City.
I know for me I prefer to work out and shop in Santa Monica if I know I have 90-minute free parking.
If I don't, I may reconsider and take a fitness class in Brentwood and then go to the Century City Mall. I know all my friends think this way as well which is why I again ask for you to please Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
11.A.d
Packet Pg. 813 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 5 reconsider removing this free 90-minute parking. It is a win-win for you, for our clients, for us, to provide and keep this service.
Thank you very much for considering our request as a small business in Santa Monica.
Thank you for your time and for your consideration.
All my best,
Ciria Mariscal
(858) 442-4506
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. #rokyourbody
Santa Monica BODYROK Team
#rokyourbody
www.bodyrok.com
To
he
lp
pr
ot
ec
t
yo
ur
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. #rokyourbody
ID0EC
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
11.A.d
Packet Pg. 814 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 6 David Yakobson
From: zeke vurgec <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 2:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Parking input
EXTERNAL
Hello all,
My family and I own 2 buildings in the 1300 block of the promenade. My input for the parking rates you're requesting is 90 minutes free is not enough as it's deterring people from staying longer. We need to go back to 3 hours free to persuade people to stay longer. All of our tenants even though are pop ups are practically there for a small fraction of the rent. We let them stay at those rates to just basically cover our costs and don't want anymore vacancies on the promenade as there are already enough and not a good look for the street.
Best regards,
Zeke Vurgec
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 815 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 7 David Yakobson
From: ferzaad MOOSA <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 2:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Parking fees adjustment
EXTERNAL
Please do not increase the parking fees as it is not justified Get Outlook for iOS
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 816 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 1 David Yakobson
From: Keetje Berndt <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 5:55 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: EMERITUS KEEP FREE !!!!
EXTERNAL
Please, Please keep the 3 hour VALIDATION FREE FOR
EMERITUS
PLEASE !!!!
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 817 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 1 David Yakobson
From: Dympna Madeley <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 4:06 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Ye Olde Kingshead Shoppe 132 Santa Monica blvd
EXTERNAL
Good Afternoon,
From our business perspective I would prefer to keep the 90 mins FREE or at least 60 mins free- we can then say we offer Limited free parking.
As you know the sales and foot traffic are down since fires in January and to entice people back we should offer free parking then after 60/90 min charge $2 hour or something.
Thanks
Dympna
--
Dympna Madeley (Shoppe Manager)
Ye Olde Kings Head Gift Shoppe
132 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica
California
90401
(310) 394 8765
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 818 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 1 David Yakobson
From: Avi Hakim <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 3:09 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please do not raise parking rates, LOWER THEM
Importance: High
EXTERNAL
Please do not raise parking rates, LOWER THEM
With great respect and kind regards,
Avi Paul Hakim
WILSHIRE MANAGEMENT
Office (323) 655-1212 Ext 2
Cell (310) 508-1008
DRE No 0617409
1245 Smithwood Drive, Suite 101
Los Angeles, California 90035
www.wilshiremanagement.com
THIS MESSAGE IS PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS E-MAIL ARE PROPOSALS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL REVIEW OF THE RECIPIENT(S) NAMED ABOVE. NO COMMUNICATION IN THIS E-MAIL SHALL BE BINDING, OR CONTRACTUAL IN NATURE. IF THE READER OF THIS
MESSAGE IS NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT OR AN AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING IT TO THE INTENDED
RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS DOCUMENT IN ERROR AND THAT ANY REVIEW AND DISSEMINATION, DISTRIBUTION, OR COPYING OF THIS MESSAGE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE
RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY BY E-MAIL, AND DELETE THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE.
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 819 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 2 David Yakobson
From: Lauren Akmaeva <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 3:09 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: parking rate DTSM
EXTERNAL
Hi Council! The 90 minutes free is a very big part of my life.
On Sundays it's nice to have 90 minutes of parking at structure 1 so I can attend church and leave knowing I have just enough time not to have to pay.
During the week if I have visitors to my office at 4th and Broadway it's nice to tell them they have 90 minutes free at parking structure 5 (I'm a monthly parker in that one).
The 90 minutes free also is often enough for me to pop over into downtown to buy stuff instead of ordering it on amazon.
Thanks!
Lauren Akmaeva
--
Lauren Akmaeva
310-621-6286 - cell
310-260-9557 - home
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 820 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 3 David Yakobson
From: Lisa Powers <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 3:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: parking increase proposal
EXTERNAL
Hi There,
Just looking over proposed parking changes. I personally think that the current 90 minutes free parking is a great draw to Santa Monica, especially as we are compeƟng with Century City etc. I understand that everything has to go up but think maybe you could offer one hour free parking and then add the proposed changes? Business is slow and parking is a massive issue and complaint from our customers, I think adding the 1 hour free parking would be a nice touch and you can also use it as a promo for the City to encourage people to the City.
Many Thanks,
Lisa
Best regards,
Lisa J. Powers
Operations Manager
Ye Olde King’s Head
116 Santa Monica Blvd,
Santa Monica.
CA 90401
Tel: 310 451 1402
Fax: 310 393 6869
www.yeoldekingshead.com
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 821 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 4 David Yakobson
From: David Khedr <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 3:48 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Opposition to Agenda Item 11A – Elimination of Free 90-Minute Parking and Increased Fees
EXTERNAL
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council,
My name is David Khedr, and I have been a proud resident and property owner in Santa Monica since 1980. I am writing to express my strong opposition to Agenda Item 11A, particularly the staff recommendation to increase parking fees and eliminate the 90-minute free parking in downtown parking structures.
This proposal is deeply concerning for several reasons:
Historical Context Matters
When the Santa Monica Mall was developed in 1965, there were no parking structures in the downtown area.
The City utilized eminent domain to create space for the first parking structures, and bonds were issued— paid for by local property owners—to fund their construction.
In 1996, the City again issued $13 million in bonds, which were shouldered by property owners and businesses on Third Street. These investments helped transform the area into what became the successful Third Street Promenade.
It is essential to recognize that these structures were not built by the City alone—they were funded through the financial contributions of those of us who live and do business here. We believe we deserve a meaningful say in how these assets are managed.
The Impact of Eliminating Free Parking
The proposed elimination of the 90-minute free parking will have serious negative consequences, including:
Reduced visitor and community foot traffic to the Third Street Promenade and surrounding downtown area
Increased difficulty in leasing retail and office space, making recovery even more difficult for local businesses
Loss of convenience for beachgoers and visitors who depend on adjacent, affordable parking options Let me be clear: Adequate, affordable downtown parking is the lifeblood of this district.
Eliminating the free 90-minute parking is not just a financial decision—it’s a strategic mistake that will weaken downtown’s ability to recover and thrive. These parking structures were never intended to be profit centers; they exist to support accessibility and community engagement in Santa Monica.
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Packet Pg. 822 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 5 Economic Impact on Local Businesses
Promenade merchants and property owners already pay additional Business License Taxes specifically to help maintain these parking structures and keep the district welcoming and affordable. If the City eliminates the 90- minute free parking, will it also eliminate the additional business license tax we are required to pay? The message this sends is discouraging: rather than supporting small businesses and encouraging community activity, the City appears to be placing more obstacles in our way.
The recent elimination of Parking Structure #3—and the potential removal of Structure #1—has already negatively impacted accessibility and business foot traffic. Prospective tenants are hesitant to invest in a district that is becoming increasingly difficult to access, especially when parking is both limited and costly. Further reductions and fee increases will only accelerate the decline.
A Critical Moment for Downtown Santa Monica
I respectfully urge you not to make this decision lightly. The repercussions will extend far beyond the Third Street Promenade—they will affect the entire city, both economically and culturally.
Please reconsider this proposal. Work with property owners, merchants, and residents to develop solutions that support the downtown district’s continued recovery and long-term success.
Thank you for your time and for considering my perspective on this important issue.
David Khedr
Khedr Management Group, LLC
Commercial Property Management & Investments
1242 Third Street Promenade Suite # 206
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 394-6791
This e-mail message and any attachments are intended solely for the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and is confidential. If the reader of this message and any attachments is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any examination, distribution, or copying of the material is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender promptly and delete this message and any attachments
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August 12, 2025
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 823 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 6 David Yakobson
From: Joshua Canter <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 4:53 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Parking Agenda Items
EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
Please continue the 90 minutes free parking in place in downtown Santa Monica. Our businesses are hurting and vacancies are abundant - why choose to hurt them further without need? Downtown Santa Monica would become one of the only places within the city without free parking and it would hurt businesses.
If you remove this grace period, this will become a major campaign issue because it impacts both the business community and locals who patron them.
Please do not eliminate the grace period or change it at all.
Thank you for your consideration,
Joshua Canter
1835 7th St, Unit A
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 824 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 7 David Yakobson
From: Nataliya Nozharova <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 5:00 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Parking rates
EXTERNAL
The parking rates and the lack of good free parking in Santa Monica around the Promenade and the Pier are one of the main reasons (besides homelessness) for people to stop attending the area. I have been hosting free dance at the promenade for about 20 years. At the beginning, parking on Arizona was free on Sundays, as well as on many other streets. People were coming, staying the whole time, going for dinner and shopping as well. Now parking is paid everywhere and the parking structures are free only for an hour an a half (thank god for at least that). Most people stopped coming. They said it is not worth it to come and pay 10-20 dollars or more in parking. Hour and a half is not enough for them to drive through town to come. It does not allow them enough time to dance, eat, shop. My free events suffered, but the promenade suffered as well. People prefer to go somewhere else where they can just park for free. At least return the free parking on Sundays or make the public structures free for 3 hrs, lower the parking rates to charge by the hour, not every 15 minutes. Gives a little more time, although still not enough. I understand the city makes a lot of it’s revenue from parking, but if people stop coming all together, there will be no revenue, and the stores and restaurants will move to more well-attended locations. If you think prices are not that high, add the price of a restaurant meal, gas, spent time to drive to here, etc, and see how many people will be willing or able to afford it. Even the locals - with the price of rent and increased prices through tariffs, most people will not be willing to waste 20 plus dollars on parking and will go somewhere else. The promenade has lost the charm, convenience and safety it had 20 years ago, sorry to say.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
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Packet Pg. 825 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 8 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica Forward <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 5:25 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Dan Hall; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell; councilmtgitems
Subject: Santa Monica Forward Supports Item 11.A
EXTERNAL
Mayor Negrete and Councilmembers,
Santa Monica Forward supports Item 11.A, which would simplify the DTSM parking rate structure and increase parking revenues.
The proposed plan would strike the right balance of growing city revenues, addressing the needs of merchants Downtown and in our business districts, and guiding residents and visitors to sustainable transportation choices through pricing.
Thank you,
Santa Monica Forward
Brad Ewing and Carl Hansen, Co-Chairs
--
We are working for a diverse, progressive, sustainable and equitable Santa Monica.
SantaMonicaForward.org
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 826 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 9 David Yakobson
From: Sam Shapiro-Kline <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 5:33 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Dan Hall; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell; councilmtgitems; [email protected] Subject: Support Item 11.A
EXTERNAL
Mayor Negrete and Councilmembers,
I agree with the views of Santa Monica Forward below.
Santa Monica Forward supports Item 11.A, which would simplify the DTSM parking rate structure and increase parking revenues.
The proposed plan would strike the right balance of growing city revenues, addressing the needs of merchants Downtown and in our business districts, and guiding residents and visitors to sustainable transportation choices through pricing.
Thank you,
Sam Shapiro-Kline
90403
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 827 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 10 David Yakobson
From: Bernice Segal <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 6:14 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Parking for emertus seniors
EXTERNAL
Sent from my iPhone
I am an 83 year old and struggling to stay in Santa Monica. I moved here 20 years ago and love this community.
With prices on the rise, please find another way for Emertus students to continue without a parking increase.
Thank you Bernice Segal
Item 11-A
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Packet Pg. 828 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 11 David Yakobson
From: D Gardner <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 6:19 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Free Parking for SMC Students
EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
We are writing to have you consider the impact on students, particularly Emeritus older adults, if you remove the free parking.
We feel that FREE parking is key to help Emeritus students and SMC student alike.
As an older adult on a fixed income, this parking is important to help us attend classes at SMC Emeritus without additional difficulty.
The homeless issue remains and is another reason that it is not safe to walk long distances to park where it is free.
Students, who take ART classes, have a large amount of supplies that are difficult to transport, as well.
This is a burden that we feel is too much and Emeritus students, in particular, need the free parking.
Please consider keeping this free parking.
Thank you for your time,
Deb
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 829 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 12 David Yakobson
From: l wu <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 6:19 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Santa Monica Parking Rate Proposals
EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
Please do NOT eliminate the 90 minute free parking. It’s critical for encouraging patrons to explore our businesses in Santa Monica and generate tax revenue for the city we love.
Thank you,
Leisa Wu
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 830 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 13 David Yakobson
From: Jacob Wasserman <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 6:23 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Dan Hall; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; [email protected] Subject: In Support: Item 11.A
EXTERNAL
Mayor Negrete and Councilmembers,
I write in my personal capacity. As a driver and resident, I agree with the views of Santa Monica Forward below.
Santa Monica Forward supports Item 11.A, which would simplify the DTSM parking rate structure and increase parking revenues.
The proposed plan would strike the right balance of growing city revenues, addressing the needs of merchants Downtown and in our business districts, and guiding residents and visitors to sustainable transportation choices through pricing.
Thank you,
Jacob Wasserman
90403
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 831 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 14 David Yakobson
From: Shu Li Kuo <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 6:55 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Downtown Parking for Emeritus Students
EXTERNAL
Please reconsider the downtown parking rate for Emeritus Students. We need to have a special rate for Emeritus Students'
Thanks for your considerations.
Best regards,
Shu Li
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
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Packet Pg. 832 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 15 David Yakobson
From: RAFFAELLO MAZZA <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 7:03 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Parking rate increases
EXTERNAL
Dear city Council,
In a nutshell I disagree with most of the parking rates increasing, especially for disabled seniors on Fixed income like me! Increased costs and inconvenience..
I am a SMC EMERITUS student.
Raffaello Mazza
2208 Montana Avenue aptB
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 833 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 16 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 8:22 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Proposed new parking rates
EXTERNAL
Dear city council,
I am strongly opposed to eliminating the current 90 minute free parking in public lots! If you want to increase business in the downtown area, this is not the right way to do it.
Beverly hills had 2 hour free parking in public lots, clean streets and few empty businesses.
There are now few reasons to go downtown S M with so many businesses closed and closing. This just adds another reason to do my business elsewhere.
As a property owner in Santa Monica and a 30 plus year resident. , i implore you to keep free parking in our poor city.
Michele Modglin
Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 834 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 17 David Yakobson
From: Allan Popelka <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 8:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Parkung Rates
EXTERNAL
Please don't eliminate the initial free period for downtown parking. While it might seem nice to grab for that extra revenue, you will be badly hurting local businesses that are barely surviving.
Every customer who decides not to park there is lost revenue for the businesses. You will further the downward spiral. It can only be terrible for businesses.
Also, the economics are such that the revenue lost from people who no longer come at all could certainly outweigh the added revenue.
This is a terrible idea.
Al Popelka, President
Pacific Marketing Research
1579 Calle Patricia, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Cell: 310-801-1097
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Packet Pg. 835 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 18 David Yakobson
From: Cheryl Lee <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: SMC Emeritus Parking Lot Validation
EXTERNAL
I am writing to ask you to please maintain the parking validation for SMC Emeritus students. The Emeritus program is an important part of the community and an equally important part of many seniors’ lives. The classes keep participants engaged socially, mentally and physically.
The parking validations are important because many of the students are on fixed, limited incomes.
Please keep the validation program going, and if possible allow for extended time so students can socialize, walk the promenade and enjoy areas of downtown Santa Monica they may otherwise not venture into.
Thank you for your consideration,
Cheryl Lee
a Santa Monica resident since 1991
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Packet Pg. 836 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 19 David Yakobson
From: LaVonne Col <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 7:31 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: LaVonne Col; [email protected]
Subject: I think eliminating 'parking grace period' will hurt already "hurting" businesses that we shop at.
EXTERNAL
8/8/25
Honorable Santa Monica Council Members,
Please reconsider....
With so many businesses going under and so many "available" retail spaces; why hurt the existing remaining open stores that remain open. People will not seek out to shop at stores where they have to pay for parking.
Already, Amazon is easier...Do not get rid of the "grace period" .It is a saving grace for Santa Monica and Santa Monica residents and Business Owners. This would not be a good choice. I hope you re-consider. Thank you, LaVonne Collette
Nurses are a unique kind. They have this insatiable need to care for others, which is both their greatest strength and fatal flaw. --Dr. Jean Watson, RN Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 837 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 20 David Yakobson
From: Joaquin Nafstad <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 9:30 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please Reconsider Removal of Free 90-Minute Parking in Public Lots
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I am writing as a concerned resident and frequent visitor to Santa Monica to express my strong opposition to the proposed removal of the free 90-minute parking period in public lots. This change will have a negative impact on residents, small businesses, and the city’s accessibility for all.
The free 90-minute parking benefit has long been an important part of making Santa Monica welcoming to both locals and visitors. It encourages people to shop, dine, and enjoy the area without feeling pressured by high parking costs. By removing it, you risk discouraging casual visits, which will harm small businesses that depend on short-term customers.
Santa Monica is already known for having limited and expensive parking options.
Eliminating this small courtesy will make the city feel less accessible, particularly for seniors, families, and lower-income individuals who may already be priced out of other amenities. For many residents, that 90-minute window is what allows them to run errands, meet friends for coffee, or enjoy the beach without a significant financial burden.
Furthermore, this change could have unintended environmental consequences. Without affordable short-term parking, people may opt to drive farther to neighboring cities with more reasonable parking policies instead of walking or biking locally, ultimately increasing traffic and emissions.
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Packet Pg. 838 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 21 Santa Monica has built a reputation as a community-oriented, inclusive city. Removing the free 90-minute parking sends the opposite message — one that prioritizes revenue over community. I urge you to reconsider this decision and find alternative ways to address budget or parking concerns without removing a benefit that so many residents and visitors value.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter. I hope you will choose to keep Santa Monica accessible and welcoming for everyone.
Sincerely,
Joaquin Nafstad
Sunset Park
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 839 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 22 David Yakobson
From: JOSEPHINE SENA <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 10:05 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Parking in second st. Garage
EXTERNAL
I have been a student at Santa Monica College In the emeritus program located at the second street Building for 10 years. I park in the parking garage next-door. I have come to rely on the generous free parking exemption. I am a low income, senior. I hope you will consider continuing Your free parking for the first two hours policy at this garage. It helps me out a lot. Thanks for your consideration.
Jodi Sena
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 840 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 23 David Yakobson
From: Evelyn salem <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 10:18 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: parking rate changes
EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
Please keep parking rates and time allowed unchanged. This is not the time to further discourage visiting stores and businesses downtown. It seems to me we are living in a make-believe world doing everything in the city's power to discourage and strangle businesses and the local population from thriving. Please be considerate of the elderly.
Thank you,
Evelyn
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 841 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 24 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 10:18 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Downtown parking rate change
EXTERNAL
Dear City Council MembersI am a senior citizen and have lived in Santa Monica since 1980. I don't drive very often any more but it is an incentive to shop downtown when I know that I can get relief, at least for 90 minutes, from high cost parking fees. I believe that it is short-sighted and not in the best interests of Santa Monica seniors to eliminate the short-term free parking status available in the downtown parking structures. If you find that you have not other recourse, though I believe aiding seniors should be an important consideration, then perhaps you can come to a majority conclusion that there should be some special parking rates (or privileges) for senior citizens who reside in Santa Monica.
Sincerely,
Diane Fella
10th Street Apt. resident.
p.s. I understand that the City Council would like to urge residents to take public transportation, and for the young and healthy that is a noble consideration. However, when seniors have to take public transportation on a regular basis it becomes more of the health hazard to them than a benefit to the City.
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 842 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 25 David Yakobson
From: Virginia Halstensgard <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 1:43 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Santa Monica Parking Structure Fees
EXTERNAL
Please do not do away with the free 90-minutes of parking in the Santa Monica City parking structures. If anything, the time should be extended to a free 120-minutes of free parking. What many are failing to recognize is that since Covid, the economy for most people has gotten much worse. Many jobs are being replaced by Artificial Intelligence. Many businesses have had to close laying off many people. Wages have not kept up with inflation. The working classes have gotten themselves into deep debt by paying for life's necessities on credit, so credit is being maxed out. What small stores are left will die if people cannot drive to Santa Monica without having to pay parking fees. Many people already refuse to drive to Santa Monica just because parking is difficult. Taking away the 90-minutes of free parking will cause more stores to close because there will not be the shoppers. Trying to make money this way is counterproductive. Please do not take away the free 90-minutes in the parking structures, but extend it to 120-minutes so more people will spend more time shopping and supporting the stores in Santa Monica.
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 843 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 26 David Yakobson
From: Tim Oakes <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 2:00 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Hot 8 Yoga — Written Public Comment for Item 11A City Council Meeting 8/12
EXTERNAL
I hope this email finds you well. I would like to formally submit a request to speak at the upcoming City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 12 with respect to Item 11A.
Hot 8 Yoga has operated in Downtown Santa Monica on Second Street for the past 15 years. I am pleading with the Santa Monica council members to keep the 90-minute free parking for our clients. Since the Palisades fires, our Santa Monica studio has been severely impacted. Our business is down 30% from last year. As a stark contrast, our other studios in Los Angeles are more bustling than ever before. This decline is not a function of how we manage our studio, but as a result of the evolving landscape and challenges faced by business in Santa Monica. As I look around the city there are many vacancies. In fact the Orange Theory across the street from us just shuttered their doors after 10 years of business in Santa Monica. The Equinox is relocating and even your Nordstrom is closing its doors.
Increasing parking expenses for our clients who have enjoyed 90-minutes of free parking will drastically impact our business. All 10 Hot 8 Yoga studio in Los Angeles have free parking. It has become an important part of our business offering. As the flagship studio, our Santa Monica location has benefited from this for the last 15 years. Changing the policy will further hurt our business. Our clients pay an average of $21 to practice at Hot 8 Yoga. Changing the parking rate to $2 or even $3 for the first 90 minutes at the lot across the street from us increases our client's visit expense by 10%-15%. 35% of our clients practice at Hot 8 Yoga more than 15x per month. If they have to pay $3 per visit, you are effectively increasing there patronage to Hot 8 Yoga by $45/mo or $540 per year. Why would our clients want to practice at our Santa Monica studio for $540 additional per year when they can practice at our Brentwood studio down the street without this extra expenditure?
The added expense on our customers of $540/year in parking will inevitably leave to the closure of the first Hot 8 Yoga location. Santa Monica used to be the gem of the city. We have managed to stay open despite the evolved landscape. This would be the nail in the coffin for yet another business in Santa Monica.
We plead with the city of Santa Monica to offer a solution for local businesses such as Hot 8 Yoga to offer validation for customers using the Santa Monica lots. Businesses are vital to the success of Santa Monica. Hot 8 Yoga has been a signature staple of Santa Monica for 15 years. Please let us know how you are going to help keep us there.
Charging our clients for parking will not.
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
11.A.d
Packet Pg. 844 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 27 Thank you for your time. I am looking forward to a response. Please confirm that I am able to speak Tuesday for Item 11A with the council members. Thank you.
Tim Oakes
COO
E- [email protected]
W- Hot8Yoga.com
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 845 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 28 David Yakobson
From: Sarah A Spitz <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 2:45 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: PARKING RATES
EXTERNAL
It is extremely shortsighted to eliminate the grace period for free parking at DTSM lots. It will harm those least able to afford to come to restaurants, movies and other businesses in DTSM. AND especially members who take classes at SMC Emeritus College. THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO FIX SM’S BUDGET PROBLEMS — it will deter visitors from parking in these lots. Get more creative please. You have other means to raise the shortfall than hitting those who can not spare an extra dime on anything as tariffs hit our community and country, and the economy continues its nosedive.
PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS!
Sarah Spitz, KCRW Producer/Publicity Director (retired) Reviewer (current) https://stageandcinema.com
Former Culture writer, The Canyon Chronicle (2022-2024) Former “Culture Watch” columnist, Santa Monica Daily Press (2011-2020) UC/CE LA County Master Gardener (2006-active); Certified Master Food Preserver (2011-2014) Food Forward Kitchen Cabinet Advisory Board www.foodforward.org CERT (Community Emergency Response Team 10) Santa Monica Volunteer Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 846 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 29 David Yakobson
From: Andrew Thomas <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 4:29 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: August 12, 2025 Council Agenda Item 11A: Parking Rate Restructuring Strategies Attachments: DTSM Inc Parking Rate Restructuring Strategies 11A 8.7.25.pdf
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, and Honorable Council Members, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.) appreciates the thoughtful work by City staff in recommending adjustments to downtown parking rates. We support many elements of the proposal, particularly the simplified pricing structure, which offers clear flat-rate brackets, encourages longer stays, and results in a meaningful 20 percent reduction for over half of transient parkers and all monthly parkers.
We especially value the thoughtful approach to flat-rate pricing, which we believe will encourage longer stays and provide visitors with greater predictability. A simplified structure with just three price brackets is aligned with DTSM’s desire to improve the customer experience downtown.
At the same time, we respectfully ask the Council to consider the importance of retaining a free parking grace period, particularly in a district defined by experiential visits, short-term retail stops, and spontaneous drop-ins. A grace period plays a vital role in supporting a mix of businesses and user needs.
For many downtown visitors, especially those making quick trips for retail pickups, coffee breaks, or short errands, a free grace period remains a meaningful incentive to choose Downtown Santa Monica over other destinations with more restrictive parking policies.
In addition to maintaining a grace period, we encourage the City to explore creative, pro-business strategies that further enhance accessibility without compromising fiscal goals. One such approach is the broader use of flexible parking validations. Empowering local businesses with tools to subsidize or validate short-term parking for their customers can reinforce foot traffic and support economic activity while aligning with the proposed streamlined pricing structure.
Together, a modest grace period and a robust validation system represent balanced, business-friendly solutions that preserve convenience for visitors and competitiveness for our district. We believe these strategies, combined with the thoughtful staff recommendations already under consideration, will help ensure Downtown Santa Monica remains welcoming, accessible, and economically vibrant.
We are grateful for the City’s ongoing partnership and commitment to revitalizing Downtown Santa Monica, and we look forward to working together on this and other initiatives that strengthen Downtown Santa Monica’s appeal and accessibility.
Respectfully,
Andrew Thomas, LPM
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 847 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 30 Chief Executive Officer
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
1351 Third Street Promenade, Ste. 201
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.393.8355 (Office)
www.DowntownSM.com
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok
Sign up for our newsletter
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 848 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) August 7, 2025
Santa Monica City Council
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: August 12, 2025 Council Agenda Item 11A: Parking Rate Restructuring Strategies Dear Mayor Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, and Honorable Council Members, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.) appreciates the thoughtful work by City staff in recommending adjustments to downtown parking rates. We support many elements of the proposal, particularly the simplified pricing structure, which offers clear flat-rate brackets, encourages longer stays, and results in a meaningful 20 percent reduction for over half of transient parkers and all monthly parkers.
We especially value the thoughtful approach to flat-rate pricing, which we believe will encourage longer stays and provide visitors with greater predictability. A simplified structure with just three price brackets is aligned with DTSM’s desire to improve the customer experience downtown.
At the same time, we respectfully ask the Council to consider the importance of retaining a free parking grace period, particularly in a district defined by experiential visits, short-term retail stops, and spontaneous drop-ins. A grace period plays a vital role in supporting a mix of businesses and user needs. For many downtown visitors, especially those making quick trips for retail pickups, coffee breaks, or short errands, a free grace period remains a meaningful incentive to choose Downtown Santa Monica over other destinations with more restrictive parking policies.
In addition to maintaining a grace period, we encourage the City to explore creative, probusiness strategies that further enhance accessibility without compromising fiscal goals. One such approach is the broader use of flexible parking validations. Empowering local businesses with tools to subsidize or validate short-term parking for their customers can reinforce foot traffic and support economic activity while aligning with the proposed streamlined pricing structure.
1351 Third Street Promenade, Suite 201, Santa Monica, CA | 310.393.8355 | [email protected] Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 849 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) Together, a modest grace period and a robust validation system represent balanced, business-friendly solutions that preserve convenience for visitors and competitiveness for our district. We believe these strategies, combined with the thoughtful staff recommendations already under consideration, will help ensure Downtown Santa Monica remains welcoming, accessible, and economically vibrant.
We are grateful for the City’s ongoing partnership and commitment to revitalizing Downtown Santa Monica, and we look forward to working together on this and other initiatives that strengthen Downtown Santa Monica’s appeal and accessibility.
Respectfully,
Andrew Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
CC: DTSM, Inc. Board of Directors
City Manager Oliver Chi
Department of Transportation Director Anuj Gupta
Community Development Director Arminé Chaparyan
Department of Transportation Assistant Director Eric O’Connor Parking Manager Zach Pollard
Economic Development Manager Jennifer Taylor
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 850 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 31 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, August 9, 2025 3:39 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Re: Removing free parking period
EXTERNAL
If SM wants to improve business, removing the free 90 minute parking period is not going to be helping. I know revenue from parking tickets is important to Santa Monica, and you never seem to forgive one even if one of us is in the right.
You are going to lose business for Santa Monica, not improve it even though there are new apartments opening up soon. Your street restrictions also also messed up, old signs that are illegible.
Isn’t it enough we are suffering high prices elsewhere and have to worry about getting parking tickets and higher parking prices?
I am a senior and live on a fixed income. These parking prices strain the budget, and I have a disabled placard.
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
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August 12, 2025
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 851 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 32 David Yakobson
From: Asad Sayeeduddin <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, August 9, 2025 8:08 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 11A
EXTERNAL
Hello,
Hope you are well. I was reaching out in opposition to the possible change in the parking prices at the next town hall meeting, item 11A.
I have just moved to the LA area and loved using the free 2 hour parking to explore the Santa Monica area.
This will deter me from using the parking lots and perhaps even visiting Santa Monica.
Moreover many people enjoy the current parking prices and are opposed to such aggressive changes.
Thank you for lending an ear.
Best,
Asad
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 852 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 33 David Yakobson
From: Anita <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, August 9, 2025 9:20 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Concern: Downtown Parking Fee Changes May Burden Worship Access (Council Vote – Aug 12)
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members,
I’m writing as a resident of LA County and will be attending the mosque at 1235 4th Street, which relies on the municipal parking lot across the street. On August 12, 2025, you will vote on replacing the 90- minute free parking with a $2 weekday / $3 weekend fee for the first 3 hours. This will make short visits for prayer challenging and, for some, cost-prohibitive, especially for those who come multiple times a day.
Under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), governments may not impose a “substantial burden” on religious practice unless it serves a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means.
Since most prayer visits are under 15-30 minutes, removing free short-term parking will affect our ability to attend. I urge you to consider:
Exempting places of worship from these new fees
Keeping a short free parking period (like 90 minutes)
Offering discounted permits for frequent worshippers
Thank you for considering this.
Kind Regards,
Anita Iverson
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 853 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 34 David Yakobson
From: Ferzaad Moosa <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, August 9, 2025 11:06 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Proposed parking rate changes for downtown Santa Monica
EXTERNAL
Council members,
I am writing this email as a long time Santa Monica resident. I strongly oppose any changes to the current pricing for the parking structures prices. The 90min free parking provides a great boost to Santa Monica downtown in providing patrons a great and safe place to park and motivating patrons to choose Santa Monica over Westfield century city because of the cost savings; a real lure to help our struggling promenade businesses. This can really add value to the process of rehabilitation of the promenade without chasing away more patrons because of the high cost of parking.
What will also help is to finally address the homeless problem in Santa Monica, which is why tourism and locals prefer to go elsewhere for shopping. Seeing people defecate and urinate in public and having personal safety issues are truly destroying our beautiful city. I would implore you to address these issues as a priority, instead! Thank you.
Ferzaad.
Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 854 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 35 David Yakobson
From: Ayesha Abazli <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2025 3:37 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Concern: Downtown Parking Fee Changes May Burden Worship Access (Council Vote – Aug 12)
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members,
I’m writing as a resident of [X] and a frequent visitor to the mosque at 1235 4th Street, which relies on the municipal parking across the street. On August 12, 2025, you will vote on replacing the 90-minute free parking with a $2 weekday / $3 weekend fee for the first 3 hours. This will make short visits for prayer challenging and, for some, cost-prohibitive, especially for those who come multiple times a day. Under the *Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA)*, governments may not impose a “substantial burden” on religious practice unless it serves a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means. Since most prayer visits are under 15-30 minutes, removing free short-term parking will affect our ability to attend. I urge you to consider: Exempting places of worship from these new fees Keeping a short free parking period (like 90 minutes) Offering discounted permits for frequent worshippers Thank you for considering this.
Sincerely,
Ayesha Abazli
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 855 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 36 David Yakobson
From: Cynthia Hill <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2025 6:34 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please honor the free grace period for parking near EMERITUS
EXTERNAL
Hi there
Please consider honoring the free grace period for Emeritus students, even if the parking payment changes to paid parking in your next city council meeting.
Thank you very much in advance!
Cynthia Hill
[email protected]
310.753.9991
IG: cynthiaagogo
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 856 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 37 David Yakobson
From: Muhammad Abazli <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2025 12:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Concern: Downtown Parking Fee Changes May Burden Worship Access (Council Vote – Aug 12)
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members,
I’m writing as a resident of Santa Monica and a frequent visitor to the mosque at 1235 4th Street, which relies on the municipal parking across the street. On August 12, 2025, you will vote on replacing the 90-minute free parking with a $2 weekday / $3 weekend fee for the first 3 hours. This will make short visits for prayer challenging and, for some, cost-prohibitive, especially for those who come multiple times a day.
Under the *Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA)*, governments may not impose a “substantial burden” on religious practice unless it serves a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means.
Since most prayer visits are under 15-30 minutes, removing free short-term parking will affect our ability to attend. I urge you to consider:
Exempting places of worship from these new fees Keeping a short free parking period (like 90 minutes) Offering discounted permits for frequent worshippers Thank you for considering this.
Sincerely,
Muhammad Abazli
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
11.A.d
Packet Pg. 857 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 38 David Yakobson
From: Riyad Shauk <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2025 1:01 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Concern: Downtown Parking Fee Changes May Burden Worship Access (Council Vote – Aug 12)
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members,
I’m writing as a resident of both Santa Monica (staying with my parents when when school is out, such as over Summers, Winters, and many weekends) and Los Angeles (when my kids go to school), and somebody who started an LLC with my Santa Monica address, and a frequent visitor to the mosque at 1235 4th Street, which relies on the municipal parking across the street. On August 12, 2025, you will vote on replacing the 90-minute free parking with a $2 weekday / $3 weekend fee for the first 3 hours.
This will make short visits for prayer challenging and, for some, cost-prohibitive, especially for those who come multiple times a day.
Under the *Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA)*, governments may not impose a “substantial burden” on religious practice unless it serves a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means.
Since most prayer visits are under 15-30 minutes, removing free short-term parking will affect our ability to attend. I urge you to consider:
Exempting places of worship from these new fees
Keeping a short free parking period (like 90 minutes)
Offering discounted permits for frequent worshippers
Thank you for considering this.
Alternatively, if you want to capitalize on fees, I propose a cheaper rate like $0.25-$0.50, or even allowing multiple visits for $0.50 a day within the low-cost time period, or something similar.
I want to also share that many people who used to go to King Fahad Mosque in Culver City, who live close to the radius overlap with this mosque, have switched to coming to this mosque every Friday for Friday prayers (which last from 1pm~1:45pm, and folks often stay after close to the 90min boundary meeting other attendees or grabbing food), due to the ease of parking. Most people who come to park on time would probably stay for at least 60min.
I also want to share that during the school year, I send my kids, Zaid and Zayan Shauk, to a basketball program which takes place in a basketball gym in the First Baptist Church of Pasadena on 75 N Marengo, in collaboration with the Young Kings Basketball organization. The church offers validations to the nextdoor paid city parking lot for attendees. I can always park in the city lot for a class, validate, and leave with no fee, due to the validation (not even sure if they have a time-limit on the validation… might be an Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 858 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 39 all-day pass). The parking lot there for the church on 75 N Marengo also has several reserved spots for the church’s parking! I find this a great example, from another city within Los Angeles County.
I hope this extra insight helps you all make a good decision which benefits all, of possible.
Sincerely,
Riyad Shauk
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 859 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 40 David Yakobson
From: wendie olshan <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2025 9:09 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Eliminating free parking grace period in SM structures - OPPOSE
EXTERNAL
As a longtime Santa Monica resident, I adamantly oppose the elimination of the free 90 min. parking in our City of SM structures. Business is already suffering in downtown SM and this will make it worse. Charging for every minute of parking discourages people from shopping in downtown SM. Not everyone in SM can afford to pay for parking so this will discriminate against those who cannot afford to pay the parking fees. Also, not everyone can use a scooter or bike and many are afraid to ride unsafe public transportation. SM keeps encouraging 'affordable ' housing but does nothing to help those who live in subsidized or low income housing,
Please maintain the current tiers for parking in the structures, allowing for the first 90 min. to be free of charge.
Thank you,
W. Olshan
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 860 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 41 David Yakobson
From: Judy Kruger <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 9:27 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: councilmtgitems; Judy Kruger (Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce); Armine Chaparyan
Subject: Chamber Letter Oppose in Part - August 12, Agenda Item 11.A, Parking Rate Restructuring
Attachments: 8.11.25 Chamber Letter to COSM re parking rate increases .pdf
EXTERNAL
Good Morning Mayor Negrete and Councilmembers:
Please see Chamber's letter to oppose in part Council Agenda Item 11.A Parking Rate Restructuring.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Best Regards,
Judy
Judy Kruger
CEO & President
213-703-1340
[email protected]
smchamber.com
Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 861 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) August 11, 2025
City Council
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Re: August 12, Agenda Item 11.A, Parking Rate Restructuring, OPPOSE in part
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers:
On behalf of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, we are writing to oppose one part of the proposed restructuring of the Downtown Santa Monica (DTSM) parking rates. Specifically, we request that Council NOT eliminate the current 90-minute free parking that exists in DTSM.
Our chamber members and the business community in Downtown Santa Monica have offered the following reasons:
1) Many businesses located and opened a business in DTSM because there was free 90-minute free parking for their customers. 2) Offering 90-minutes free parking serves to attract more businesses to locate and fill empty spaces in DTSM.
3) Some industries will be impacted more than others such as fitness studios where customers come to DTSM 6 days per week.
4) Offering 90-minute free parking in DTSM incentivizes shopping and return of a vibrant downtown.
5) Other business districts in Santa Monica already have free street parking.
6) There are other means for revenue generation that better serve DTSM such as raising hourly fees after 90 minutes.
For these reasons, the Chamber respectfully requests City Council NOT eliminate 90-minutes free parking in DTSM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Judy Kruger Paula Larmore
President & CEO Chair of the Board
Board Executives
Chair
Paula Larmore
Harding, Larmore,
Kutcher & Kozal LLP
Past Chair
Charlie LopezQuintana
ETC Hotels
Treasurer
Addie VanGessel
Tavern on Main
Vice-Chair
Dustin Peterson
Fairmont Miramar
Hotel & Bungalows
Vice-Chair
Jeremy Rawitch
RAND
Vice-Chair
Vee Gomez
Beach Yoga SoCal
Vice-Chair
Melissa Cohen
Boston Properties
Vice-Chair
Elias Garcia
Kaiser Permanente
Directors
Eddie Guerboian
Jeweler
Neil Carrey
Attorney
Elnie Vannatim
Cedars-Sinai
Gina Gribow
EKA Public Affairs
Directors
Jessica Rincon
Sanbourne
Lilit Avagyan
US Bank
Jenn Verma
Lionsgate
Ben Marcus
UP Partners
Yvette Sims
Hair by Yvette
Cheree
Michael Altchule
UCLA Health
Shanna Johnson
Regent
Shari Davis
Santa Monica
College
Wesly Hernandez
SNAP Inc.
Berta Negari
XYZ Rent
Garrett Childers
SM Fire 1109
Doreen Lahav
Prism Places
Kara Block
DHF Architects
Carlos Madrid
SMPD POA
Jared Amerson
Providence Saint
John’s
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Packet Pg. 862 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 42 David Yakobson
From: Sajid Veera <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 10:52 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Concern: Downtown Parking Fee Changes May Burden Worship Access (Council Vote – Aug 12)
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members,
I’m writing as a business owner of door to door cleaners on montana Avenue and a frequent visitor to the mosque at 1235 4th Street, which relies on the municipal parking across the street. On August 12, 2025, you will vote on replacing the 90-minute free parking with a $2 weekday / $3 weekend fee for the first 3 hours. This will make short visits for prayer challenging and, for some, cost-prohibitive, especially for those who come multiple times a day.
Under the *Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA)*, governments may not impose a “substantial burden” on religious practice unless it serves a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means.
Since most prayer visits are under 15-30 minutes, removing free short-term parking will affect our ability to attend. I urge you to consider:
Exempting places of worship from these new fees
Keeping a short free parking period (like 90 minutes)
Offering discounted permits for frequent worshippers
Thank you for considering this.
Sincerely,
Sajid Veera
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. # Sajid Veera
M: 310-871-1141 | O: 877-374-2567
E: [email protected]
W: www.doortodoorcleaners.com
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Item 11-A
August 12, 2025
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August 12, 2025
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Packet Pg. 863 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 43 David Yakobson
From: Zubair, Humza (Medical Student) <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 11:02 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Concern: Parking fee changes will burden access (Council Vote – Aug 12)
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members,
I hope you are all doing well. I am writing as a medical student at UCLA and a frequent visitor to the religious community center at 1235 4th Street, which heavily depends on short (30-45 minute) access to the municipal parking across the street. On August 12, 2025, you will vote on replacing the 90-minute free parking with a $2 weekday / $3 weekend fee for the first 3 hours. This will make short visits for prayer significantly cost-prohibitive, especially for those who come multiple times a day.
Under the *Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA)*, governments may not impose a “substantial burden” on religious practice unless it is the least restrictive means and serves a compelling governmental interest.
Since most prayer visits are under 15-30 minutes, removing free short-term parking will affect our ability to attend, especially as a student and medical trainee. This proposed change will also deter individuals like myself from shopping, eating, and otherwise engaging with local businesses in the area.
I urge you to consider:
Exempting places of worship from these new fees
Keeping a short free parking option (like 60 or 90 minutes) Offering discounted permits for frequent worshippers
Thank you for considering this, and we highly appreciate your service to the Santa Monica community.
Best Regards,
--------------------------------------------------
Humza N. Zubair
M.D.-Ph.D. Candidate
UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program
UCLA HEALTH SCIENCES IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it in a safe, secure and confidential manner. Unauthorized redisclosure or failure to Item 11-A
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Packet Pg. 864 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) 44 maintain confidentiality may subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify us by return email, and delete this message from your computer.
Item 11-A
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Packet Pg. 865 Attachment: Written Comments (7095 : Parking Rates) Citywide Parking Study
August 12, 2025
Meeting of the City Council
City of Santa Monica
Item 11-A
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Packet Pg. 866 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) Presentation Agenda 01 Goals and Considerations
02 Key Pricing Recommendations:
• Downtown Structures
• Beach lots
• Main Street
• Street meters
• ADA pricing for lots
• Other parking rates
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Packet Pg. 867 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 3
WHY A CITY-WIDE PARKING STUDY NOW?
Parking prices impact Santa Monica’s quality of life and larger goals:
• How we travel within and to the city
• Economic development and business viability
• Quality of life
Existing parking rates unchanged since 2018, and existing rate structures are convoluted and confusing
Developing the financial resources needed to allow the City to reinvest in parking-related and other City infrastructure
• Parking infrastructure, technology, service, cleanliness, maintenance • All City related services, including public safety, libraries and cultural amenities Item 11-A
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Packet Pg. 868 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 4
ASSESSMENT PROCESS INCLUDED SIGNIFICANT
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
In developing an updated proposed parking rate system, City staff and staff from Walker met with the following organizations:
Downtown Santa Monica Inc.
Pier Corporation Board
Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS)
Pier Tenants Association
Disability Commission
Main Street Business Improvement District
Santa Monica Travel and Tourism
Families for Safe Streets
Neighborhood Associations (virtual meeting inviting all groups) Item 11-A
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Packet Pg. 869 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 5
VIRTUAL PUBLIC SURVEY ALSO COORDINATED
Top 4 themes of public survey:
1. Parking Cost and Payment
Systems
2. Payment Technology
Performance
3. Parking Lot Safety and
Maintenance
4. Parking Enforcement and
Access
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Packet Pg. 870 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) Key Parking Rate Adjustments analyzed
Downtown
Structure
Parking Rates
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Packet Pg. 871 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 7
DOWNTOWN PARKING STRUCTURES RATE UPDATE GOALS
• Parking rates that encourage drivers to stay Downtown longer • Simplify the complex rate structure
• Reduce visitor anxiety over the “running meter.”
• Align with comparable districts and private parking rates • Consider Coastal Commission conditions for approval
• Keep free validations for Emeritus, KEC, Main Library youth programs, and free structure parking Sunday mornings, 6am-11am. • Keep up with high operations and maintenance costs.
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Packet Pg. 872 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 8
MANY TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES IMPLEMENTED AND PLANNED
• License Plate Recognition (LPR) in Parking Structures 2, 4, and 5 o Proven to reduce revenue loss by 66% in structures with LPR o Increases revenue by 7% in structures with LPR
o Faster entering and exiting from structures
• Scan to pay in parking structures
o All payment tickets print with a QR code so customers can pay on their phones making it not necessary to use a pay machine
o Faster payment and no need to wait in a line at a payment machine • Installed security cameras in parking structures and beach lots o Improves public safety
Many more technology additions implemented or planned including:
• Installed adjustable LED lighting in PS6 -saves energy consumption • Upgrading Carbon Monoxide detection systems in all underground parking areas Item 11-A
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Packet Pg. 873 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 9
SAMPLE REGIONAL BEACH CITY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT RATES
Public Parking Off-Street Rates in
Downtown Districts in: 0 - 60 minutes 60 - 90 minutes 90 minutes - 2 hours Daily Maximum Wkdy Daily Maximum
Weekend
Daily Maximum
Reached at
Downtown Santa Monica Free Free $ 2.00 $ 20.00 $ 25.00 5.5 hours Manhattan Beach (all paid garages
and lots except beach parking) $ 2.50 $3.75 $ 5.00 $7.50 - $25.00 depending on time limit. 3 - 10 hours Hermosa Beach: Lots A, B, and C
(Municipal Structure) until 8 pm $ 2.00 $4.00 $ 4.00 No maximum listed Hermosa Beach: Lots A, B, and C
(Municipal Structure) 8 pm - 2 am $ 2.50 $5.00 $ 5.00 No maximum listed Laguna Beach: Broadway, Peppertree,
Ocean Ave, Mermaid, Glenneyre Street
Structure, Transit Depot, Alliso Beach,
Laguna Beach Library Lots
$3.00* $6.00 $ 6.00 Typically 3-hour time
limit.
$9.00 for three
hours.
$9.00 for three
hours.
*Hourly rates vary from $3.00 to $5.90. It is unclear whether these are on - or off-street meters.
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Packet Pg. 874 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 10
SAMPLE COMPARABLE MUNICIPAL PARKING RATES FOR DOWNTOWN
Public Parking Off-Street Rates in: 0 - 60 minutes 60 - 90 minutes
90 minutes - 2
hours
Daily Maximum Wkdy
- Wknd
Downtown Santa Monica Parking
Structures Free Free $ 2.00 $20.00 - $25.00
Main Street Santa Monica Lots $ 1.25 $2.00 $ 2.50 No maximum Old Pasadena Public Garages:
Los Robles, Marengo, Paseo Colorado $ 3.00 $4.50 $ 6.00 $ 12.00 De Lacey, Del Mar, Marriott, School
House $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $ 12.00
Plaza Las Fuentes $ 8.00 $12.00 $ 16.00 $ 19.00
Culver City Downtown Parking
Structures Free $2.00 $ 2.00 $ 12.00
Beverly Hills Golden Triangle Parking
Facilities:
Free (first entry
only).
0 -$2.00 0 -$2.00 Up to $22.00
Crescent Dr, Dayton Wy, Camden Dr. Free (first entry
only)
$1.00 $ 2.00 None daytime. $5.00
after 6 pm
Bedford, Brighton, Beverly, Canon Dr. Free (first entry only)
Free (first
entry only)
Free (first entry
only)
None daytime. $5.00 -
$8.00 after 6 pm
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Packet Pg. 875 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 11
CONSIDERATIONS FOR 90 MINUTES FREE 3 HOURS/$2 - $3
• Offering 3 hour free parking in the Downtown structures during the holiday season created no measurable increase in occupancy.
• Elimination of the free parking period reduces parking rates for everyone staying more than 90 minutes. We want people staying Downtown longer.
• No free parking elsewhere in Santa Monica where we charge for parking. Main Street, On-street meters city-wide, Mid-City Parking lots, have no free parking period. Only in the Downtown structures, which are the most costly to maintain.
• Eliminating or reducing free periods is trending due to operational and financial necessity:
• Downtown Pasadena: $1.00/1st 2 hours (Parking Structure Maintenance) • Manhattan Beach: $2.50/hour (Parking Structure Replacement) • Century City: 3 hours free 1 hour free, $4/next 80 minutes • The Grove: Currently $5/1st hour.
• Beverly Connection: $6 flat/6 hours
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Packet Pg. 876 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 12
PROPOSED DOWNTOWN PARKING RATE STRUCTURE WEEKDAY
FIRST THREE HOURS: $2.00
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Packet Pg. 877 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 13
PROPOSED DOWNTOWN PARKING RATE STRUCTURE WEEKEND
FIRST THREE HOURS: $3.00
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Packet Pg. 878 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) Key Parking Rate Adjustments analyzed
Beach
Parking
Rates
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Packet Pg. 879 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 15
SAMPLE, COMPARABLE BEACH PARKING RATES IN THE REGION
Beach Location Sample Parking
Rates for: Summer weekend rate Summer weekday
rate
Off-season
weekend
rate
Off-season
weekday rate
Flat rate or
hourly
With ADA parking
placard
Santa Monica Lot 1N $15.00 $15.00 $10.00 $7.00 flat free Santa Monica Lot 4N and 5S $12.00 $10.00 $10.00 $7.00 flat free Santa Monica beach short term
1S $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 hourly free
Will Rogers State Beach 9 - 5 pm $15.00 $9.00 $9.00 $6.00 flat Free only on nonholiday weekdays
(Monday-Friday)*
Malibu Pier Beach Lot $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 flat $15.00 LA County Venice (Blvd). $18.00 $9.00 $9.00 $6.00 flat *Same LA County Dockweiler Beach $13.00 $9.00 $9.00 $7.00 flat *Same Manhattan Beach $3.50 $3.50 $3.50 $3.50 hourly, five hour maximum Free
Newport Beach - Balboa Pier Lot -
9 - 6 pm 3.75 - $5.15 (summer holidays) $3.75 - $5.15
(summer holidays) $2.55 $2.55 hourly with
daily maximum N/A
Newport Beach - Corona del Mar
Beach Lot 9 - 6 pm $7.75 $7.75 $4.85 $2.90 hourly with
daily maximum NA
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Packet Pg. 880 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 16
PROPOSED BEACH PARKING RATES
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL BEACH ZONE
GREATEST INCREASES FOR BUSIEST LOCATIONS AND PERIODS
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Packet Pg. 881 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 17
PROPOSED BEACH PARKING RATES
PIER DECK, SOUTHERN BEACH ZONE, ANNENBERG LOT
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Packet Pg. 882 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 18
ANNUAL BEACH PERMITS:
Current annual beach pass for residents: $155.00
Proposed: $171.00
Current annual beach pass day lot for employees: $155.00 Proposed: $171.00
Overnight Beach, Residents and Guest: $150.00
Proposed: $165.00
Senior: Santa Monica residents age 62 and over: $ 25.00 Proposed $ 30.00
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Packet Pg. 883 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) Key Parking Rate Adjustments analyzed
ADA Parking
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Packet Pg. 884 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 20
PROVIDING PARKING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
What is most important?
Accessible parking > free parking
Our goal is to support accessibility.
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Packet Pg. 885 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 21
CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHARGING A FEE FOR ADA PARKING IN SURFACE LOTS • Free parking for drivers with Disabled Placards in a busy, paid parking environment reduces access for people with disabilities.
• Drivers not entitled to ADA spaces use the placards for free parking, not accessible parking, and then occupy the accessible spaces.
• 2012 Study of Free ADA Parking Spaces in the Downtown Santa Monica Structures found most vehicles parked for 4+ hours, some for 48 – 72 hours.
• LADOT study found every $1/increase for metered parking = 10% increase in ADA placard use, until all spaces occupied by vehicles with ADA placards.
• Placard abuse is notoriously difficult to enforce.
• It is best to charge any amount for ADA parking rather than make it free, and opened to abuse.
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Packet Pg. 886 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 22
SAMPLE ADA PRICING IN OTHER CITIES: BEACH PARKING
Beach Location Sample Parking Rates for: With ADA parking placard Santa Monica Beaches Free
Will Rogers State Beach 9 - 5 pm Free only on non-holiday weekdays (Monday-Friday), off-season
Malibu Pier Beach Lot $15.00
LA County Venice (Blvd). Free only on non-holiday weekdays (Monday-Friday) year round
LA County Dockweiler Beach at Imperial Highway Free only on non-holiday weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Manhattan Beach Free
Huntington Beach $10 per day ($15 per day without ADA
placard)
Huntington Beach - Vehicles over 20 feet in length, including overhangs, with ADA placard $10 per occupied space
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Packet Pg. 887 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) Key Parking Rate Adjustments analyzed
On-Street
Meter Rates
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Packet Pg. 888 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 24
ON-STREET METER RATES
Justification for Rate Adjustments
• Manage high parking demand on
high-demand days
• Balance with typical parking
structure price adjustments
• Generate revenue for city
services
• ADA parking at on street meters
to remain free
On-street Downtown and Coastal Serving:
$2.50/hour Proposed: $3.00/hour
City-wide meters (areas outside of downtown and
coastal areas):
$1.25/hour Proposed: $1.50/hour
Other regional street meter rates:
Newport Beach: Up to $3.75/hr
Laguna Beach: Up to $5.90/hr
West Hollywood: $2.00/hr
Manhattan Beach: $2.50/hr
Los Angeles: Up to $6.00
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Packet Pg. 889 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 25
MAIN STREET AND MID-CITY LOTS RATE ADJUSTMENTS AND ADA
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Packet Pg. 890 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) Key Parking Rate Adjustments analyzed
Staff
Recommendation
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Packet Pg. 891 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 27
DOWNTOWN PARKING STRUCTURES RATE UPDATE GOALS
Staff Recommends:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15273 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Review and provide direction and recommendations on the parking rate restructuring proposals presented herein;
3. Provide approval for proposed rate structure; and
4. Direct staff to begin the California Coastal Commission approval process for the proposed rates and return to Council with a parking resolution for approval upon completion of the Coastal Commission process.
Alternatively, the City Council can provide direction regarding any proposed adjustments / changes to the proposed parking rates.
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Packet Pg. 892 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 28
ADDITIONAL ALTERNATE SLIDES
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Packet Pg. 893 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) Proposed Downtown Parking rate structure Weekday
($1 for first 90 minutes)
Current Weekday Proposed Weekday Weekday
Per Entry (Mon-Fri) Per Entry (Mon-Fri) (Mon-Fri)
First 90 minutes FREE $1.00
1.5 – 2.0 hours $2.00
2.0 – 2.5 hours $3.50
2.5 – 3.0 hours $5.00
3.0 – 3.5 hours $7.00
3.5 – 4.0 hours $9.00
4.0 – 4.5 hours $11.50
4.5 – 5.0 hours $14.00
5.0 – 5.5 hours $17.00
5.5 hours or more $20.00
Daily Maximum $20.00
$3.00
$10.00
$18.00 5 hours - Daily
Maximum $16.00
0 - 3 Hours $2.00
3 - 5 Hours $8.00
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Packet Pg. 894 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 30
PROPOSED DOWNTOWN PARKING RATE STRUCTURE WEEKEND
($1 FOR FIRST 90 MINUTES)
Current Hourly
Structure
Current
Weekend Rate
Proposed Hourly
Structure
Proposed
Weekend Rate
Alternative Weekend
Rate
Per Entry (Sat - Sun) Per Entry (Sat - Sun) (Sat - Sun) First 90 minutes FREE $1.00
1.5 – 2.0 hours $2.00
2.0 – 2.5 hours $4.00
2.5 – 3.0 hours $6.00
3.0 – 3.5 hours $8.50
3.5 – 4.0 hours $11.00
4.0 – 4.5 hours $14.00
4.5 – 5.0 hours $17.00
5.0 – 5.5 hours $21.00
5.5 hours or more $25.00
Daily Maximum $25.00
$4.00
$12.00
$22.00 5 hours to Daily
Maximum $ 20.00
0 - 3 Hours $ 3.00
3 - 5 Hours $ 10.00
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Packet Pg. 895 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 31
WEEKDAY PARKING RATE STRUCTURE
SCENARIOS CONSIDERED – EXAMPLES (FIRST 30 MINUTES FREE) First 30 minutes FREE
30-60 minutes
60 - 90 minutes
1.5 – 2.0 hours $2.00
2.0 – 2.5 hours $3.50
2.5 – 3.0 hours $5.00
3.0 – 3.5 hours $7.00
3.5 – 4.0 hours $9.00
4.0 – 4.5 hours $11.50
4.5 – 5.0 hours $14.00
5.0 – 5.5 hours $17.00
5.5 hours or more $20.00
Daily Maximum $20.00
Lower three-tiered
rate with no free
period
Three-tiered rate
after 30 minutes
free
FREE
Weekday (Mon - Fri) Current
Rate
$3.00
$2.00
$10.00
$20.00
$8.00
$16.00
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Packet Pg. 896 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) WALKER CONSULTANTS 32
WEEKEND PARKING STRUCTURE PRICING
EXAMPLE SCENARIOS CONSIDERED – EXAMPLES (FIRST 30 MINUTES FREE) First 30 minutes FREE
30-60 minutes
60 - 90 minutes
1.5 – 2.0 hours $2.00
2.0 – 2.5 hours $4.00
2.5 – 3.0 hours $6.00
3.0 – 3.5 hours $8.50
3.5 – 4.0 hours $11.00
4.0 – 4.5 hours $14.00
4.5 – 5.0 hours $17.00
5.0 – 5.5 hours $21.00
5.5 hours or more $25.00
Daily Maximum $25.00
Current
Rate Weekend (Sat - Sun) Three-tiered rate
after 30 minutes
Lower three tiered
rate with no free
period
$4.00
$12.00 $10.00
$22.00 $20.00
FREE
$3.00
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Packet Pg. 897 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (7095 : Parking Rates) City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: August 12, 2025
Agenda Item: 16.A
1 of 1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Nikima Newsome, City Clerk, Records and Election Services Department Subject: Appointment to one vacancy on the Building & Fire-Life Safety Commission for a term ending June 30, 2029.
Prepared By: David Yakobson, Staff Assistant III
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Applicant List
16.A
Packet Pg. 898
City of Santa Monica
Boards and Commissions Applicants
Building & Fire-Life Safety Commission
Name Application Date
Hamel, Sarah* 09/04/2024
Jansenson, Daniel 05/28/2025
Wilson, James M. 07/31/2025
TOTAL APPLICANTS: 3
* Ineligible, not a California licensed architect
16.A.a
Packet Pg. 899 Attachment: Applicant List [Revision 1] (7184 : 16.A. Appointment to one seat on the Building & Fire-Life Safety Commission (5 mins.)) City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: August 12, 2025
Agenda Item: 16.B
1 of 1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Nikima Newsome, City Clerk, Records and Election Services Department Subject: Appointment to one vacancy on the Housing Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2027.
Prepared By: David Yakobson, Staff Assistant III
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Applicant List
16.B
Packet Pg. 900
City of Santa Monica
Boards and Commissions Applicants
Housing Commission
Name Application Date
Badawy, Adam* 07/25/2025
Gudgel, Timothy W.* 05/30/2025
Harris, Gregory* 06/13/2025
Jones Jr., Nathaniel I.* 06/30/2025
Kozicki, William* 07/28/2025
Marasco, Theresa 06/17/2025
Rakhshani, Raymond* 05/29/2025
Rush, Lynda M.* 04/17/2025
Valle, Maria C.* 03/07/2025
Watenmaker, Noah* 07/24/2025
Wilson, James M.* 07/31/2025
TOTAL APPLICANTS: 11
* Ineligible, not a Santa Monica affordable housing program participant, who is unhoused or formally unhoused
16.B.a
Packet Pg. 901 Attachment: Applicant List [Revision 2] (7185 : 16.B. Appointment to one seat on the Housing Commission (5 mins.)) City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: August 12, 2025
Agenda Item: 16.C
1 of 1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Nikima Newsome, City Clerk, Records and Election Services Department Subject: Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Disabilities Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2026.
Prepared By: David Yakobson, Staff Assistant III
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Applicant List
16.C
Packet Pg. 902
City of Santa Monica
Boards and Commissions Applicants
Disabilities Commission
Name Application Date
Clark, Teresa R. 07/12/2025
Helms, William S.* 07/21/2025
King, Dominique E.^ 12/16/2024
Muntaner, Zoë* 05/17/2025
Squire, Paul J.* 03/10/2025
Townsend, Derrick 06/16/2025
VerSteeg, Patricia A.* 07/29/2025
TOTAL APPLICANTS: 7
*
^
Ineligible, applied to a seatreserved for those with a disability Ineligible, not a Santa Monica resident
16.C.a
Packet Pg. 903 Attachment: Applicant List [Revision 2] (7186 : 16.C. Appointment to one seat on the Disabilities Commission (5 mins.)) City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: August 12, 2025
Agenda Item: 16.D
1 of 1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Nikima Newsome, City Clerk, Records and Election Services Department Subject: Appointments to two vacancies on the Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission for terms ending on June 30, 2029.
Prepared By: David Yakobson, Staff Assistant III
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Applicant List
16.D
Packet Pg. 904
City of Santa Monica
Boards and Commissions Applicants
Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission
Name Application Date
Banister, Xavier H. 05/29/2025
Bettinelli, Gregory 07/23/2025
Duncan, Jeffrey P. 01/20/2025
Gielicz, Albin 07/30/2025
Helms, William S. 07/21/2025
Lee, Andrew 07/15/2025
McLaughlin-Basseri, Miranda 08/06/2025
Muntaner, Zoë 05/27/2025
Toles, Warren 07/14/2025
Visentini, Tommaso 07/13/2025
TOTAL APPLICANTS: 10
16.D.a
Packet Pg. 905 Attachment: Applicant List [Revision 2] (7198 : 16.D. Appointments to two seats on the Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission (5 City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: August 12, 2025
Agenda Item: 16.E
1 of 1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Nikima Newsome, City Clerk, Records and Election Services Department Subject: Establish and appoint a temporary ad hoc Council committee for the City Attorney recruitment process.
Prepared By: Nikima Newsome, City Clerk
Approved Forwarded to Council
16.E
Packet Pg. 906
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: August 12, 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 Mayor Negrete and Councilmember Raskin that the City Council, to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month festivities, approve City sponsorship of the 5th Annual Santa Monica Classic Car Show presented by the Pico Youth and Family Center taking place September 13, 2025 on the Santa Monica Pier, by directing the City Manager to waive the City’s portion of fees, including application, administrative, neighborhood notification, business license, parking, and zero waste plan fees associated with the partial use of the pier in an amount up to $16,000 in waived fees.
Prepared By: Nikima Newsome, City Clerk
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Written Comments
16.F
Packet Pg. 907
1 David Yakobson
From: PNA <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 11:11 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Lana Negrete; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick
Subject: Support for Item 16F Council Agenda 08-`2-2015 – Latino Heritage Month & PYFC’s 5th Annual Classic Car Show
Attachments: SM CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 16F.pdf
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and Councilmembers,
On behalf of the Pico Neighborhood Association, I urge you to support this year’s Latino Heritage Month kick-off event - PYFC’s 5th Annual Classic Car Show - on the Santa Monica Pier, September 13.
Since 2020, the City Council has waived pier fees and contributed $7,000 toward stage, sound, lighting, and entertainment - ensuring that this important cultural celebration remains free and open to the public. The event now draws 3,000–4,000 attendees annually, generating meaningful economic activity for our downtown through dining, shopping, and tourism. A modest investment of $7,000 in discretionary funds can return two to three times that amount in sales tax revenue to the City.
Five reasons to support waiving pier fees and allocating $7,000 in funding:
1. This event launches Latino Heritage Month, celebrating and uplifting a community that plays a vital role in Santa Monica’s history and culture. The Pico Neighborhood Association is committed to actions that build community.
2. The Classic Car Show is now a signature, culturally relevant event that strengthens community bonds and supports local-focused programming.
3. As a free, family-friendly gathering, it draws thousands who shop locally, generate sales tax, and contribute to the City’s economy and further promote the car culture which has been the center of not only this event but also Locals Night on the Pier.
4. Participant entry fees help cover staffing and promotion, but City support remains essential for stage, sound, lighting, and entertainment.
5. PYFC is a long-standing nonprofit serving local youth since 1998, providing free programs without receiving any City funding. They recently demonstrated their partnership with the City by hosting a car show on the Third Street Promenade just three weeks ago in support of Council’s revitalization efforts. Let’s commit to showing up for each other.
We deeply value your ongoing partnership in celebrating Latino Heritage Month while also supporting Santa Monica’s cultural vitality, economic recovery and community at large.
And on a personal note - my time volunteering for this event over the past three years, now heading into my fourth, actually sparked and gave way to my civic involvement and community work. I am sure I am not the only one who shares this experience.
Thank you for your continued leadership and consideration.
Sincerely,
Tony Huizar
Chair, Pico Neighborhood Association
Item 16-F
August 12, 2025
Item 16-F
August 12, 2025
16.F.a
Packet Pg. 908 Attachment: Written Comments (7256 : Waive fees for partial use parking at Pier for Car Show)