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Written Comments

Santa Monica City Council
September 9, 2025

Document
Written Comments
Meeting
September 9, 2025
Body
Santa Monica City Council
Original file
13.0 MB
Text extracted from the city's file for reading and search. Open the original on santamonicacityca.iqm2.com. That file is the official record.

1 David Yakobson
From: Laura Strazzo <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 1:05 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 16-A - 9/9/25 City Council Meeting Attachments: 2025.09.09 Ltr to City Council Re Agenda Item 16-A.pdf Importance: High

EXTERNAL
Hello,
Please see the attached public comment for tonight’s Santa Monica City Council meeting concerning Agenda Item 16-A.

Thank you,
Laura Strazzo
Partner
Patterson & O’Neill, PC
Office: (415) 907-9110
Direct: (415) 907-7723
Fax: (415) 907-7704
235 Montgomery Street, Ste 950
San Francisco, CA 94104
[email protected]
www.pattersononeill.com
This email may contain privileged or confidential material for the sole use of the intended recipient. Review or distribution by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the original sender and delete all copies. Nothing in this email or any attachments should be regarded as tax advice unless expressly stated.

Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
PATTERSON & O’NEILL, PC
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 950
San Francisco, CA 94104
Telephone: (415) 907-9110
Facsimile: (415) 907-7704
www.pattersononeill.com
September 9, 2025

VIA EMAIL
Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street,
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Email: [email protected]
Re: Agenda Item 16-A
Appointments to DTSM
Dear Mayor Negrete and Council Members,
Our office represents Jon Farzam and Leo Pustilnikov who were improperly removed, along with four other Council-appointed Directors, from the Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (“DTSM”) in July. As you are aware, we have filed suit challenging the Santa Monica City Council’s removal of our clients. A copy of the lawsuit is enclosed. The City and City Council’s actions raise significant concerns, which we expect will be further uncovered through this litigation.

Please also be advised that if you move forward with appointing new Directors, any actions taken by them may be later invalidated by the court. Therefore, the most prudent course would be to reverse the Council’s decision to remove our clients and the other Board Directors, allow them to continue to serve out the remainder of their terms, and to proceed with any further removals in compliance with the DTSM’s bylaws. Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
PATTERSON & O’NEILL, PC
Laura Strazzo, Esq.

Encls.
- Pustilnikov, et al. v. City of Santa Monica, et al. (258STCP03460) Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Item 16-A
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Assigned for all purposes to: Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Judicial Officer: Curtis Kin 25STCP03460 Item 16-A
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11 VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE, PROHIBITION, OR OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF; COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF
PATTERSON & O'NEILL, PC 235 MONTGOMERY STREET, SUITE 950 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94104

VERIFICATION
I, Leonid Pustilnikov, declare as follows:

1. I am an individual and a resident of the State of California. I am a petitioner in this action. I am authorized to verify this VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE, PROHIBITION, OR OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF;
COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF on behalf of myself.

2. I have read the foregoing VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE, PROHIBITION, OR OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF;
COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF and know its contents. The matters stated in the VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE, PROHIBITION, OR OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF; COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF are true of my own knowledge from having reviewed the relevant records related to this VE IFIED PETITION.

I declare under the penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on September 4, 2025. _______________________ Leonid Pustilnikov Item 16-A
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12 VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE, PROHIBITION, OR OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF; COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF
PATTERSON & O'NEILL, PC 235 MONTGOMERY STREET, SUITE 950 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94104

VERIFICATION
I, Jon Farzam, declare as follows:

3. I am an individual and a resident of the State of California. I am a petitioner in this action. I am authorized to verify this VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE, PROHIBITION, OR OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF;
COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF on behalf of myself.

4. I have read the foregoing VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE, PROHIBITION, OR OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF;
COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF and know its contents. The matters stated in the VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE, PROHIBITION, OR OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF; COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF are true of my own knowledge from having reviewed the relevant records related to this VE IFIED PETITION.

I declare under the penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on September 4, 2025. _______________________ Jon Farzam Item 16-A
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13 VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE, PROHIBITION, OR OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF; COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF
PATTERSON & O'NEILL, PC 235 MONTGOMERY STREET, SUITE 950 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94104

EXHIBIT A
Item 16-A
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14 VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE, PROHIBITION, OR OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF; COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF
PATTERSON & O'NEILL, PC 235 MONTGOMERY STREET, SUITE 950 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94104

EXHIBIT B
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Memo
To: Oliver Chi, City Manager
From: Barry Snell, City Councilmember
Cc: Caroline Torosis, Mayor Pro Tem
Dan Hall, City Councilmember
Date: July 25, 2025
Re: Governance Reforms and Emergency Appointments to the Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) Board of Directors
In coordination with Mayor Pro Tem Torosis and Councilmember Hall, we request that the full City Council consider taking immediate action to reform the governance of DTSM by approving the following actions:

1. Removing all six of the current City Council-appointed members to the DTSM Board of

2. Declaring that emergency circumstances exist under which the City Council may appoint acting board members, consistent with DTSM bylaws and State law, while also initiating the formal recruitment process to identify six permanent City Council appointments to the DTSM board.

3. Modifying current City Council practices, including a waiver of ranked-choice voting and Resolution No. 11510 procedures, to allow for the immediate appointment of six interim DTSM board members.

4. Directing that the City Clerk publish a notice of the board vacancies for DTSM and return to As we all know, DTSM plays a pivotal role in shaping the vitality, safety, and economic success of downtown Santa Monica. Unfortunately, members of the public and this City Council have he lack of transparency and accountability as it relates to the policy direction being provided by current Board of Directors.

Given the recent announcement of the resignation of current CEO Andrew Thomas, we believe that the governance issues that currently exist at DTSM can no longer be ignored. Accordingly, we are requesting that the City Council support our request to remove all six of the current City Council appointed board members to the DTSM Board
currently exists an emergency circumstance which requires the City Council to expedite the appointment process for six new board members to DTSM.

By taking these actions now, prior to the selection of a new CEO, the City Council can ensure that DTSM is better positioned to serve the public interest, respond to evolving downtown challenges, aligned City partner moving forward.

Item 16-A
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15 VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE, PROHIBITION, OR OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF; COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF
PATTERSON & O'NEILL, PC 235 MONTGOMERY STREET, SUITE 950 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94104

EXHIBIT C
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
DOWNTOWN SANTA MONICA, INC.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS EMERGENCY MEETING
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
4:00 PM
DTSM, Inc. Office
1351 Third Street Promenade, Suite 201
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(Please note that agenda items may be reordered during the meeting at the discretion of the body.)

1. Call toOrder/Roll Call

2. AgendaItems - Allitems mayresultin Board Action
A. Board determination that an emergency exists pursuant to Gov. Code § 54956.5(a)(2), warranting the emergency meeting.

B.
governance and operations.

C. Consideration and vote on an amendment to Article 3, Section 4(c) of the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws.

3. Adjournment
DOWNTOWN SANTA MONICA, INC. OFFICES ARE HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE.

Oral public comment from any one individual is limited to 6 minutes per meeting, with a maximum of 2 minutes per agenda item; under some circumstances, the board may change the maximum to 1 minute per agenda item.

Upon request, the agenda is available in alternative formats by calling DTSM, Inc. offices.

If you require any special disability accommodations, please contact the DTSM offices at least three days before the scheduled meeting. This agenda is subject to change up to 72 hours before a regular meeting and 24 hours before a special meeting. Please check the agenda before the meeting for changes. 1351 Third Street Promenade, Suite 201, Santa Monica, CA I 310.393.8355 I [email protected] Item 16-A
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16 VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE, PROHIBITION, OR OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF; COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF
PATTERSON & O'NEILL, PC 235 MONTGOMERY STREET, SUITE 950 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94104

EXHIBIT D
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
6950514-v1
Alternate Form of Bylaw Amendment
Article 3, Section 4(a) of the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
(c) The Board may declare vacant the office of a Director who has been declared of unsound mind by a final order of court, or convicted of a felony, or found by a final order or judgment of any court to have breached any duty arising under Article 3 of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law or who has failed to attend two (2) meetings out of any six (6) consecutive, regular meetings of the Board. A Director selected by the City Council and as determined by the vote of five (5)
(i) gross misconduct or willful malfeasance in the
or loyalty to the Corporation; (iii) a final conviction of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; (iv) repeated failure to attend Board meetings without good cause; or (v) any act or or that exposes the Corporation to substantial legal Any Director who the Council seeks to remove for cause shall be given notice from the City Council of the circumstances constituting cause and given 30 days to cure as well as the opportunity to address the City Council regarding the allegations of cause in a public hearing during this 30 days period.

A removed Director's successor may be elected immediately.

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17 VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE, PROHIBITION, OR OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF; COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF
PATTERSON & O'NEILL, PC 235 MONTGOMERY STREET, SUITE 950 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94104

EXHIBIT E
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
City of Santa Monica
City Council Meeting
AGENDA

LANA NEGRETE
MAYOR

ELLIS RASKIN CAROLINE TOROSIS

COUNCILMEMBER MAYOR PRO TEM

DAN HALL BARRY SNELL

COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER

JESSE ZWICK NATALYA ZERNITSKAYA

COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER
OLIVER C. CHI

CITY MANAGER

DOUGLAS SLOAN

CITY ATTORNEY
NIKIMA S. NEWSOME

CITY CLERK

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR THAT PROMOTE CIVILITY AT ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS:

Treat everyone courteously; Embrace respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights, inherent components of an inclusive
public process, and tools for forging sound decisions
Hate has no place in Santa Monica. The City opposes
abusive or threatening hate speech, intolerance, or
dehumanization, and supports basic civil respect and
human decency.

Listen to others respectfully;
Exercise self-control;
Give open-minded consideration
to all viewpoints;
Focus on the issues and avoid
personalizing debate;
Regular meetings are broadcast live on CityTV cable channel 16 and on the internet at santamonica.gov. Cable television re-broadcasts air on Thursday and Saturday at 11:30 AM. The agenda will air on CityTV on Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM, and on Monday and Tuesday at 12:30 PM and 6:00 PM.

Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
City of Santa Monica Generated: 7/28/2025 5:13 PM Page 2

RULES OF ORDER FOR THE CONDUCT OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS (Resolution No.11663(CCS))

WAYS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT
If you are interested in providing public comment at a City Council meeting, there are several ways to participate:
(1) Written public comment. In lieu of oral public comment, the public is strongly encouraged to submit written public comment on agenda items via email to [email protected]. For written public comment submitted by 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting, best efforts shall be made to have them available online for viewing. Please note the agenda item number in the subject line of your written comments.
(2) Oral public comment.
- In-person: Persons wishing to address the City Council regarding items on the agenda must be present and submit their name and address (optional) to the City Clerk before the public comment section is opened for that item or before the public hearing is opened where one is required by law. Register to speak at the Speaker Kiosk prior to the meeting. - Telephone: Persons wishing to address the Council by telephone must register at santamonica.gov/public-comment no later than 5:00 p.m. the day before a meeting. Showing electronic presentation materials are not permitted when commenting by telephone.

Oral public comment from any one individual is limited to a total of 6 minutes per City Council meeting, with a maximum of 2 minutes per agenda item if speaking on multiple items. A member of the public may allocate time between items in one-minute increments up to 2 minutes and those requesting to speak on only one agendized item for the meeting may speak for up to 4 minutes on that one item. Except for noticed public hearings or quasi-judicial items, if more than 25 speakers are registered to speak during a public input section, the amount of time shall be reduced to 1 minute per speaker during that section.

Except for the author of the request, public comment on 15-items are limited to 1 minute.

Levine Act Disclosure. Pursuant to the Levine Act (Govt Code Section 84308), any party to a permit, license, contract, or other entitlement before the Council is required to disclose on the record any contribution, including aggregated contributions, of more than $500 made by the party or the party's agents within the preceding 12 months to any City official. Participants and agents are requested to make this disclosure as well. The disclosure must include the name of the party, participant, or agent, and any other person making the contribution; the name of the recipient, the amount of the contribution, and the date the contribution was made. Information regarding the Levine Act can be found here or you can contact the FPPC. ORDER OF BUSINESS (may not be changed except by majority vote of the City Council.)

1. General Public Input
(Members of the public may address the City Council
only on items not on the agenda, but within the
subject matter jurisdiction of the City and on Special
Agenda Items.)

2. Special Agenda Items (Commendations and
Proclamations presented).

3. Public Comment for Consent Calendar and Closed
Sessions Only.

4. Consent Calendar (All items considered in one
motion unless removed by a City Councilmember for
discussion. No public comment is permitted on
second readings.)

5. Closed Sessions.

6. Public Comment on remaining Agenda Items

7. Study Session.

8. Continued Items.

9. Administrative Proceedings.

10. Ordinances:
1st Reading
2nd Reading (No public comment is
permitted on second readings.)

11. Staff Administrative Item.

12. Public Hearings.

13. Reports of Boards and Commissions.

14. Resolutions.

15. Written Communications (Other than
Reports of Commission and Officers.)

16. Councilmember Discussion Items.

Agendas and reports are accessible on the City's webpage at smgov.net/council/agendas. They are also available at the City Clerk's Office and in alternate formats upon request. For a free email subscription to -8211 or
[email protected]. Si desea comunicarse con alguien en español, llame a nuestra oficina al (310) 458-8211 y pida hablar con Esterlina Lugo.

Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
City of Santa Monica Generated: 7/28/2025 5:13 PM Page 3

AGENDAS

CITY OF SANTA MONICA

SPECIAL MEETING

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1685 MAIN STREET, ROOM 250,
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2025
MEETING BEGINS AT 5:35 PM

HOW TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT BY TELEPHONE
Persons wishing to address the City Council by telephone must register at santamonica.gov/public-comment no later than 5:00 p.m. the day before a meeting.

Donation of time and showing electronic presentation materials are not permitted when commenting by telephone.

PUBLIC COMMENT BY PHONE IS SUSPENDED FOR THIS SPECIAL MEETING

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/ LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ROLL CALL
(This is a special City Council meeting. Public comment is restricted to only items listed on the agenda.)
City of Santa Monica Statement of Accountability (Land Acknowledgement) The City of Santa Monica is located on the land of Tovangaar. With great respect, the City acknowledges the Gabrieleño/Tongva as the First People of this ancestral and unceded territory of Kuruvungna, a village that we know as Santa Monica. We honor their elders, past and present, and the Gabrieleño descendants who are part of the Gabrieleño /Tongva tribes.

We recognize that these peoples are still here, and as settlers and kuyam (guests), we recognize our responsibility and obligation to care for their land in partnership with them.

The City of Santa Monica commits to work in partnership with the Gabrieleño/Tongva people to uplift their voices and visibility on their ancestral land.

LEVINE ACT DISCLOSURES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS / PROCEDURAL

MOTIONS
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
City of Santa Monica Generated: 7/28/2025 5:13 PM Page 4

1. GENERAL PUBLIC INPUT AND COMMENT ON SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS (For regular meetings, public comment is permitted on Special Agenda Items and items not on the agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City. State law prohibits the City Council from taking any action on items not listed on the agenda, including issues raised under this agenda item. For special meetings, public input is limited to scheduled Special Agenda Items only.)
. Public input under this item will not be heard at this meeting. This is a special meeting and public input is limited to agenda items only.

2. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS
No items

3. PUBLIC INPUT (ITEMS UNDER CONSENT CALENDAR AND CLOSED SESSION ONLY)

4. CONSENT CALENDAR
(All items will be considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion. In accordance with Charter section 615, the adoption of all ordinances and resolutions shall be by reading of title only unless a Councilmember present dissents. No public discussion is permitted on ordinances for second reading and adoption.)
No items

5. CLOSED SESSIONS
No items

CITY MANAGER

TRAVEL ANNOUNCEMENT AND MAYOR'S HIGHLIGHT

6. PUBLIC INPUT ON REMAINING AGENDA ITEMS
. Public Comment by Phone is Suspended for this Special Meeting

7. STUDY SESSION
No items

8. CONTINUED ITEMS
No items

9. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
City of Santa Monica Generated: 7/28/2025 5:13 PM Page 5 No items

10. ORDINANCES
(Public comment is permitted on ordinances for introduction and first reading. No public discussion is permitted on ordinances for second reading and adoption. In accordance with Charter section 615, the adoption of all ordinances and resolutions shall be by reading of title only unless a Councilmember present dissents.)
No items

11. STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
No items

12. PUBLIC HEARINGS
No items

13. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
No items

14. RESOLUTIONS
No items

15. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
No items

16. COUNCILMEMBER DISCUSSION ITEMS

16.A. Request by Councilmember Snell, with support from Mayor Pro Tem Torosis and Councilmember Hall, requesting City Council consideration of the following: (1) Remove all six of the current City Council appointed board members to the DTSM Board of Directors; and (2) Make the necessary findings that there currently exists an emergency circumstance which requires the City Council to expedite the appointment process for six new board members to DTSM.

ADJOURNMENT
Agendas and reports are accessible on the City's webpage at www.smgov.net/council/agendas. They are also available at the City Clerk's Office and in alternate formats upon request. For a free email subscription to the City Council Agendas, -8211 or [email protected]. Members of the public unable to attend a meeting but wishing to comment on an item(s) listed on the agenda may submit written comments prior to the meeting by meeting by mailing them to: City Clerk, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 or to Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
City of Santa Monica Generated: 7/28/2025 5:13 PM Page 6 [email protected]. Written comments received from the public by 12 PM on the day of the City Council meeting will be distributed to the City Council prior to the meeting and posted online. Members of the public who submit written public comment on an agenda item may be subject to the Levine Act which requires disclosure of campaign contributions of more than $500 to an officer of the City within the preceding 12 months. City Hall and the Council Chambers are wheelchair accessible. If you require any special disability related accommodations to either attend or provide public testimony at a Council meeting (i.e. sign language interpreting, access to an amplified sound system, remote option, -8211 or TDD: (310) 917-
6626 or via email at [email protected] at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Best efforts shall be made to accommodate requests received after the 72-hour deadline. In the case of special meetings, requests should be submitted as early as possible, but no later than noon the day of the special Council meeting.

Si desea comunicarse con alguien en español, llame a nuestra oficina al (310) 458-8211 y pida hablar con Esterlina Lugo.

Santa Monica Blue Bus Lines #1, #2, #3, #5, #9 and the EXPO Line serve City Hall.

Parking is available on Main Street, on Olympic Drive, and in the Civic Center Parking Structure (validation free).

Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: July 29, 2025
Agenda Item: 16.A
1 of 1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Nikima Newsome, City Clerk, Records and Election Services Department Subject: Request by Councilmember Snell, with support from Mayor Pro Tem Torosis and Councilmember Hall, requesting City Council consideration of the following: (1) Remove all six of the current City Council appointed board members to the DTSM Board of Directors; and (2) Make the necessary findings that there currently exists an emergency circumstance which requires the City Council to expedite the appointment process for six new board members to DTSM.

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

A. DTSM 16 Item

16.A
Packet Pg. 7
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Memo
To: Oliver Chi, City Manager
From: Barry Snell, City Councilmember
Cc: Caroline Torosis, Mayor Pro Tem
Dan Hall, City Councilmember
Date: July 25, 2025
Re: Governance Reforms and Emergency Appointments to the Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) Board of Directors
In coordination with Mayor Pro Tem Torosis and Councilmember Hall, we request that the full City Council consider taking immediate action to reform the governance of DTSM by approving the following actions:

1. Removing all six of the current City Council-appointed members to the DTSM Board of

2. Declaring that emergency circumstances exist under which the City Council may appoint acting board members, consistent with DTSM bylaws and State law, while also initiating the formal recruitment process to identify six permanent City Council appointments to the DTSM board.

3. Modifying current City Council practices, including a waiver of ranked-choice voting and Resolution No. 11510 procedures, to allow for the immediate appointment of six interim DTSM board members.

4. Directing that the City Clerk publish a notice of the board vacancies for DTSM and return to As we all know, DTSM plays a pivotal role in shaping the vitality, safety, and economic success of downtown Santa Monica. Unfortunately, members of the public and this City Council have he lack of transparency and accountability as it relates to the policy direction being provided by current Board of Directors.

Given the recent announcement of the resignation of current CEO Andrew Thomas, we believe that the governance issues that currently exist at DTSM can no longer be ignored. Accordingly, we are requesting that the City Council support our request to remove all six of the current City Council appointed board members to the DTSM Board
currently exists an emergency circumstance which requires the City Council to expedite the appointment process for six new board members to DTSM.

By taking these actions now, prior to the selection of a new CEO, the City Council can ensure that DTSM is better positioned to serve the public interest, respond to evolving downtown challenges, aligned City partner moving forward.

16.A.a
Packet Pg. 8 Attachment: DTSM 16 Item (7232 : Removal of Council Appointed DTSM Members) Item 16-A
September 9, 2025
Item 16-A
September 9, 2025

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