Memo
To: Oliver Chi, City Manager
From: Natalya Zernitskaya, City Councilmember
Caroline Torosis, Mayor Pro Tem
Dan Hall, City Councilmember
Date: September 2, 2025
Re: A Request that the City Council Consider Directing the City Manager and Staff to Investigate Alleged Violations of the Santa Monica Municipal Code Related to Waymo’s Operation at the Lots on Euclid and Broadway
During the past several months, the City has been provided with numerous resident complaints related to Waymo’s operation on properties located on Euclid and Broadway. Various news media outlets have reported on how Waymo’s operations in Santa Monica are negatively impacting people who live near the Waymo lots, and residents organized to launch a website (https://waymoproblems.org/) documenting their concerns over existing conditions.
Given these factors, we are requesting that the City Council direct the City Manager and staff to investigate the alleged violations of the Santa Monica Municipal Code related to Waymo’s operation at the lots on Euclid and Broadway. As part of this investigation, the assessment by staff should result in the development of a report that includes a summary of resident complaints, how the City is taking action, and what additional action(s) are under consideration to resolve resident complaints and alleged municipal code violations.
Further, we request that the City Council direct the City Manager within 30 days to coordinate a community meeting between impacted residents and the appropriate city staff, along with other parties as needed, to provide the community with updates related to how the City is addressing their concerns, and to provide a forum for impacted residents to share their experiences and receive clarification on specific concerns and additional actions the City will be taking to improve the existing situation.
Please agendize this matter for City Council consideration at our September 9, 2025 meeting.