Written Comment — Santa Monica City Council, October 14, 2025 (part 1 of 3)

1 Mitchell Kois
From: Dorothy Goldeen <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 3:55 PM
To: Oliver Chi; Lana Negrete
Cc: Caroline Torosis; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: Ocean Avenue Homeless Housing

EXTERNAL
To the Mayor, City Manager and all Council Members - Please stop this unconscionable and ill-conceived placement of homeless faciliƟes!! We urgently object to his inappropriate use of property in our neighborhood. We already pay among the highest property taxes in the City. Our neighborhood has seen a significant increase in crime and vagrancy since 2020. We certainly do not need more negaƟve impact precipitated by homeless housing. With so many empty buildings up and down Wilshire and Santa Monica Blvd,
why is ocean front property across from one of the few clean, quiet secƟons of Palisades Park being chosen for homeless housing? It doesn’t make any sense; we vociferously object. As our elected officials, we implore you to negate this plan.

Dorothy Goldeen, President
San Vicente Villas Condominium AssociaƟon
516 San Vicente Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
2 Mitchell Kois
From: Gregory Smith <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 3:41 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

While this letter appears to only be relevant to the two addresses above, this issue has citywide implications as it demonstrates that our county and city lack a process to expend taxpayer funds in compliance with state law and the spirit of our City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which require community and professional involvement at every stage.

These provisions are designed to guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local businesses, and first responders, are all heard with a mission for success – particularly as our city faces significant financial shortfalls.

The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Greg Smith
908 11th st. Santa Monica, CA 90403
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
3 Mitchell Kois
From: Steve Sole <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 3:27 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
4 Sincerely,
Steve Sole
Santa Monica, CA
----------
Steve Sole
718.490.3261
[email protected]
thesolecoach.com
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
5 Mitchell Kois
From: Melzer, Sara <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 3:27 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
Dear Council members,
As a resident of Los Angeles for 40 years, I think the proposed solution for the mentally ill is not properly thought-out and can create more damage than benefits both for the individuals concerned and for the community. This proposal needs greater reflection and planning. I am in favor of supporting the mentally ill.

These individuals need to be cared for by professionals and given proper treatment and housing. The current proposal does not appear to do so. And it puts the community at risk. I urge you to reconsider this proposal and come up with a more effective one that directly addresses the problem.

Sincerely, Sara Melzer
Sara Melzer
Professor Emerita, Humanities
French and Francophone Studies
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
6 Mitchell Kois
From: Jon Schotz <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 3:14 PM
To: [email protected]; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
I have lived on Georgina Ave between Ocean Ave and 4th St for 29 years. I am appalled by the complete lack of transparency and candor displayed in siƟng the faciliƟes for the severely mentally ill at 413/425 and 825 Ocean Ave. The requirements for SB 326 were not followed. The St. Joe’s staffing plan is not specific and full of plaƟtudes. The security plan merely keeps people out of the facility that do not live there. The paƟents at the facility can come and go as they please (other than curfew hours). There are no background checks or drug tesƟng by St Joe’s own admission. In essence, neighborhood security is ignored, in an area with 3 schools within ½ mile.

The noƟon that St Joe’s and the County can ignore due process and NOT meet with the community is simply wrong. The opening needs to be delayed unƟl a program that adequately addresses security and staffing concerns is fully veƩed by the community.

Thank you.

Jon Schotz
Co-Managing Partner, Co-Portfolio Manager

SAYBROOK FUND ADVISORS
O: (310) 656-4281
C: (310) 962-5111
[email protected]
501 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 607
Santa Monica, CA 90401

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Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
8 Mitchell Kois
From: Philip Schwartz <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 3:08 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16B-Negrete

EXTERNAL
I wish to express our complete opposition to this non-transparent process and LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath’s Plan to open a 49 Bed facility for the Severely Mentally Ill at 413 and 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica.

This is ILL CONCEIVED, AND DOES NOT IN ANY WAY TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION ANY INPUT FROM THE CITIZENS!!
Philip D Schwartz, Treasurer
909-911 Arizona Ave HOA
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
9 Mitchell Kois
From: Shari Phillips <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 2:58 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
I oppose vehemently on the properƟes at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue being used as mental housing faciliƟes, especially considering the history of the owner, PusƟlnikov, and his shady businesses dealings. If it is true that this area is zoned residenƟal and therefore cannot legally provide on-site medical or psychiatric care, meaning no doctors, no nurses, and no therapists then this is not a true treatment facility, but just housing with security guards, with the ability for the paƟents to come and go as they please. This is not how we should be treaƟng the mentally challenged. Please do what you can to stop this owner from causing a nightmare for our residents, police force, and medical responders.

I don’t know if this informaƟon is true, but it is what is circulaƟng and it’s concerning if so. We all need to have clarity on the actual plan St. Joseph Center and LA County Dept of Health is introducing.

Thank you,
Shari Phillips
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
10 Mitchell Kois
From: Kerry Samovar <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 2:37 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers:

I'm writing to you to urge you to intervene to keep the northern end of Palisades park family-friendly by stopping the repurposing of the assisted living facilities at 413 Ocean and 825 Ocean. As you may know, Downtown Santa Monica and the southern and central portions of Palisades Park, as well as nearby Tongva Park and Reed Park, have become unwelcoming to many tourists and to many families because the county's practices with respect to the Expo line have caused those locations to bear the brunt of people who are experiencing homelessness due to mental illness and drug addiction. The one portion of Palisades Park (and really the only park in the area) that is still family-friendly is the northern portion of Palisades Park. On a typical day, you'll see children and their families enjoying the park, free from the issues affecting other Santa Monica parks.

Locating shelters of the type currently proposed for 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue shows an indifference to the needs of the public to have a family-friendly portion of the park where people feel comfortable bringing their children. I'm urging you to please protect a vital park used by the residents of Santa Monica and the Greater Los Angeles area--it is the last family-friendly park in the area.

Best,
Kerry Samovar
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
11 Mitchell Kois
From: Michelle Liberman <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 2:27 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the nontransparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

While tonight’s item appears to only be relevant to the two addresses above, this issue has citywide implications as it demonstrates that our city lacks a process to expend taxpayer funds in compliance with state law and the spirit of our City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which require community and professional involvement at every stage. These provisions are designed to guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local businesses, and first responders, are all heard, respected, and accounted for – particularly as our city faces significant financial shortfalls.

By calling for clarity on zoning, transparency in developer practices, and robust public outreach, Mayor Negrete is not creating barriers to progress—she is building trust, ensuring that our city’s compassion is matched by competence in every single neighborhood across this city. This approach strengthens our collective ability to help people heal, stabilize, and reintegrate into the community.

I stand in full support of Mayor Negrete’s efforts to make Santa Monica a model for both compassionate care and transparent governance. Los Angeles County should not be driving decisions that impact all of our communities without accountability, and thus, we simultaneously call on Third District LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to intervene – to both pause funding for these projects and support Mayor Negrete’s detailed request.

In conclusion, we respectfully request your support for all six requests in Mayor Negrete’s memo and pause the opening of the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean until all the analyses are posted and shared with the public. Thank you for your service to our city and for considering this important item.

Thank you,
Michelle Liberman
917.692.4977
[email protected]
www.michellelibermanhomes.com
Serving the West Side of LA
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
12 Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
13 Mitchell Kois
From: Ben Swett <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 2:13 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: re: 16B About Ocean Ave Mental Health Facilities. I am NOT freaked out -

EXTERNAL
Hello:

I have lived NoMo for almost 40 years.

Those places on ocean ave have always been residential health/elder facilities - and we've had confused older people on the sidewalks, etc - and everyone's still fine.

People say "Get the crazy homeless people off the streets" - and isn't that what's going on here? There is no reason to panic, and no reason to demand the city manager add a bunch of steps and do a bunch of reviewing so one city council person can help my worried neighbors feel like someone is doing something to "protect" them.

This is a good usage, and updating the use of those wellness facilities to our current need makes a ton of sense.

The sky isn't falling.

Mental health services are a good thing. And Yes - I welcome them to my neighborhood.

And directing Mr. Chi go through a bunch of process is wasteful - we've got bigger problems.

Thank You -
Ben Swett
614 San Vicente Blvd
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
14 Mitchell Kois
From: Helen Johns <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 2:09 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fwd: Ocean Avenue Developments (Item 16 - Negrete)

EXTERNAL
Begin forwarded message:

From: Helen Johns <[email protected]>
Subject: Ocean Avenue Developments (Item 16 - Negrete)
Date: 13 October 2025 at 14:08:01 GMT-7
To: [email protected], [email protected] Cc: [email protected], [email protected], Scott Parish <[email protected]>, [email protected],
[email protected]
Dear Supervisor Horvath and Mr Chi,
I write, as I know many people are doing, with grave concerns about the new St Joseph’s facilities that are about to open on Ocean Avenue.

My family (including a 4 year old and 7 year old) and I live at 129 Alta Avenue. We could not be much closer to the Georgina facility.

I attended Thursday’s zoom meeting led by Bruce Leddy and was deeply upset by what I heard. I would like answers to the following questions please.

For Mr Chi:
1) Why did you choose not to share information with the whole of the council and the mayor about the facility when you received the information several months ago? Did you imagine that the issue would not be contentious? Did you not think the mayor might have a view? Were you trying to prevent a fallout until the last minute so that there would not be time for an injunction? Or something else?
2) Who advised you to hold the information to yourself and not share it more widely? 3) Do you agree with St Joseph’s timeline (attached to this email) that shows there were repeated requests for SM City Council to widely share the information they sent to you? 4) Which SM Council members also were aware of the plans for the development? Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
15 For Supervisor Horvath:
1) Why did you not share the information about this development until the last minute? What were your concerns on that front? Or did you not feel the information was important? 2) Are you aware of plans to investigate the usage of the developments? And concerns that the stated usage (by rights shelter) do not match up to actual usage (mental health facility for seriously ill people)?
3) If this is an interim housing shelter, why is it that only seriously mentally unwell people can receive beds?
4) With what information were you able to decide that this is not a mental health facility? I look forward to your responses.

Helen Johns
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
16 Mitchell Kois
From: Michele Modglin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 1:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Shelters for the Severely Mentally Ill at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, City Manager Chi, and Honorable Members of the City Council, I am writing out of deep concern and growing alarm over the way approvals and funding were secured for the proposed mental health facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue.

At the community town hall on October 9th, representatives from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health stated that these facilities will operate without background checks or sobriety requirements. That revelation stunned many of us. It raises urgent questions about safety, transparency, and oversight—and about how such decisions could advance so far without open discussion or meaningful public review.

This is not a debate about whether Santa Monica should help people struggling with mental illness or homelessness. Of course we should—and we do. This is about how we do it. Locating these facilities within a half-mile of preschools, elementary schools, senior living centers, and family neighborhoods—without clear communication or proper safeguards—is reckless. It puts residents, businesses, and visitors in an impossible position, and it undermines the very trust that effective public policy depends on.

I want to strongly support Mayor Lana Negrete’s leadership in calling for transparency, accountability, and community engagement. Her memo on this issue reflects precisely the kind of moral clarity and responsiveness this city needs. Santa Monica cannot afford to move forward on projects of this magnitude without daylight, due diligence, and public consent.

The areas near Palisades Park are not anonymous blocks on a map—they are living neighborhoods filled with seniors, schoolchildren, workers, small business owners, and tourists who sustain the city’s economy. The tourism revenue generated here funds the very services we rely on to protect our most vulnerable residents. To jeopardize that ecosystem, at a time when the city faces serious financial strain, is short-sighted and dangerous.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
17 Mayor Negrete’s call to pause these projects is not obstruction—it is common sense. It is an urgent demand for proper process, public hearings, and a full accounting of how and why these facilities were approved without adequate transparency.

The City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan pledges to be “transparent… communicating clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” It also promises to “promote the wellbeing of all.” Neither of those commitments has been honored in this case. If the City is to maintain credibility, that must change now.

Santa Monica has always led with both heart and responsibility. Please, honor that tradition. Halt the opening of these facilities until the full truth is on the table and the community has had its rightful voice in the process.

Sincerely,
Michele Modglin
630 Idaho ave
Santa monica, Ca 90403
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
18 Mitchell Kois
From: TaTrina Cianfrone <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 1:30 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Mental Health Facilities on Ocean Ave
Attachments: Updated - City Council - 16B - 10 13 25.docx

EXTERNAL
Please see attached letter and STOP this atrocity.

Thank you
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]] RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi,
I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county. While this letter appears to only be relevant to the two addresses above, this issue has citywide implications as it demonstrates that our county and city lack a process to expend taxpayer funds in compliance with state law and the spirit of our City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which require community and professional involvement at every stage. These provisions are designed to guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local businesses, and first responders, are all heard with a mission for success – particularly as our city faces significant financial shortfalls.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Trina Cianfrone
129 Marguerita Ave, Apt K, Santa Monica CA 90402
[email protected]
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
19 Mitchell Kois
From: Jessica Rafipour <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 1:14 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
I absolutely oppose the housing for the severely mentally ill planed on ocean and Georgina. There was no public hearing our rights as residents were violated. LA county is trying to destroy Santa Monica.

Sincerely,
Jessica (Enayati) Rafipour
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
20 Mitchell Kois
From: Micah Dekofsky <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 1:12 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
21 endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Micah Dekofsky
[email protected]
(818) 731-2272
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
22 Mitchell Kois
From: Susan Baskin. <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:55 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Shelter on Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
Council:

I am wriƟng to express my strong opposiƟon to the two St. Joseph shelters to be occupied shortly. I aƩended the NOMA zoom with representaƟves from St. Joseph’s. I felt the security provided by the facility is inadequate to protect the surrounding community and parƟcularly the residents who use Palisades Park — families, children and Seniors.

As someone who walks in the Park every morning, I will not feel secure. The facility is unlocked and background checks are not done on inhabitants. Ocean Avenue is not the place for such a facility.

I am also appalled at the lack of transparency on the part of the Council as far as informing the Santa Monica community.

That the mayor did not herself know unƟl 10 days before is unconscionable. This is a complete abrogaƟon of the Council’s responsibility to its consƟtuents.

Again, the community’s safety is at risk if these Shelters are occupied. AcƟons must be taken to stop them.

Susan Baskin
Santa Monica Resident
Sent from my iPad
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
23 Mitchell Kois
From: Jordan W <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:50 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment over the manner in which your office and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health advanced funding and approvals for the voluntary entry/exit facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue for the unhoused and severely mentally ill without prior public notice or community engagement.

Residents were blindsided, left to discover this project through rumor rather than proper notification. This was not a clerical error—it was a profound failure of transparency.

The Mayor’s memo further highlights that the County and its nonprofit partners neglected to comply with Welfare and Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4), which explicitly requires citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process. That includes residents, local businesses, schools, and those directly impacted by such facilities. None of these stakeholders were given that opportunity.

Instead, this project was quietly advanced without consideration of the preschools, elementary schools, senior living facilities, and impacts on the city’s tourism hub that generates millions in revenue for a city already under fiscal strain. The secrecy surrounding this process has eroded public trust and undermined the very principles of open governance you have publicly championed.

While your office and St. Joseph Center’s newly released FAQ attempts to assure the public that the site will provide “24/7 staffing” and “enhanced security,” it is evident there is no coordinated plan to provide safety beyond the walls of these facilities, as discussed at the October 9th Town Hall, where your office, the LA County DMH, and St. Joseph’s presented. Transparency after the fact is not transparency—it’s damage control.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
24 community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed as we have outlined.

You owe this community an explanation and must put a pause to the opening of these facilities until proper due diligence is completed in a public forum that is in compliance withthe law.

We urge you to pause the opening of the mental health facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue, and launch an investigation into the approach that was taken to approve these facilities, vendors, and sites until a full review is conducted with full transparency and meaningful public engagement.

Sincerely,
Jordan Wacht
1018 Yale Street, Santa Monica, Ca 90403
310-266-5287
cc:City of Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete
City Council Members, City of Santa Monica
Oliver Chi, City Manager, City of Santa Monica
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
25 Mitchell Kois
From: Seth Ellis <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:47 PM

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE:Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi,
I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo
(https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=19244&MeetingI D=1454).

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county. While this letter appears to only be relevant to the two addresses above, this issue has citywide implications as it demonstrates that our county and city lack a process to expend taxpayer funds in compliance with state law and the spirit of our City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which require community and professional involvement at Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
26 every stage. These provisions are designed to guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local businesses, and first responders, are all heard with a mission for success – particularly as our city faces significant financial shortfalls.

In conclusion, I as a concerned citizen and healthcare professional with decades of experience in caring for high risk populations respectfully request that you pause the opening of the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean, reopen the approvals and analysis of these projects, and support the completion of all six points in Mayor Negrete’s memo associated with Item 16-B.

Thank you to Mayor Negrete for bringing this important issue to our attention, and to all of you for your service to our city and for considering this important item.

Sincerely,
Seth Ellis
11808 Navy Street
Los Angeles CA 90066
Seth Ellis
[email protected]
mobile phone: 310.717.9308
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
27 Mitchell Kois
From: Janet Kacker <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:26 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]; [email protected]; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Common-Sense Compassion and Legal Compliance – Pause 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Members of the Santa Monica City Council, and Supervisor Horvath, I’m a Santa Monica mother, a fire survivor, and someone who believes in both compassion and common sense. I care deeply about helping people in crisis—but not at the expense of safety, legality, and transparency.

The County advanced the Ocean Avenue mental health facilities without proper notice or public engagement, violating Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4), which requires citizen and professional involvement at every stage of planning. Even the City of Santa Monica was “recently made aware” only after funding and renovations were already underway. This is exactly why I support Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16B and ask that all six elements of her memo be completed—especially Item #6, which calls for a citywide, transparent site review process.

This isn’t about opposition to care—it’s about doing it legally, responsibly, and safely. The City’s own Homelessness Strategic Plan pledges to be “transparent… sharing intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” That trust has been broken. There has been no disclosure, no safety plan, and no guarantee that residents of these facilities—who will not undergo criminal background checks—will be monitored or prevented from entering schools, parks, and public transportation.

Do we really want Santa Monica to make national news for tragedy? Do we want a law named after a Santa Monica child, woman, or neighbor who becomes the next victim? I don’t. None of us should.

Nearby communities are already paying the price. These are just a few recent 2025 examples.

1. A public school, Brentwood Science Magnet, which now is also home to Palisades Charter Elementary School—not a wealthy private campus—100s of traumatized children were forced into lockdown after drug-addicted transient trespassers left behind METH paraphernalia and evidence of them living there was found by traumatized mothers.

2. A man was stabbed to death outside the Brentwood Whole Foods during operational hours.

3. At Tongva Park, PUBLIC high school students were harassed and had their lunches taken by an aggressive transient.

4. A gardener was beaten, and multiple assaults and physical threats against seniors have been reported here in Santa Monica. There are 100s of gardeners working in the lush landscaped areas of and around Ocean Ave.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
28 5. And nationally, a Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed on a commuter train by a man with prior mental-health and criminal issues—proof of what happens when systems fail and dangerous individuals move unchecked through public spaces.

This is not compassion—it’s chaos. True compassion includes boundaries, accountability, and foresight.

Please pause funding and occupancy at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue until all impact analyses are complete and shared publicly in compliance with state law and the City’s transparency standards.

Ensure these facilities are placed in lower-cost zones with proper screening, oversight, and supervision.

When our streets are safe, money will flow. Businesses will flourish, real-estate values will rise, tax revenue will grow—and we can fund every compassionate program this city dreams of. Safety and compassion are not opposites; they depend on each other.

Please, stop the insanity. Choose legal compliance, transparency, and common sense before another tragedy forces your hand.

Respectfully,
Janet
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
29 Mitchell Kois
From: Jill Stein <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:14 PM
To: Lana Negrete
Cc: councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Oliver Chi
Subject: Mental Health facilities in SM

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
As a resident of Santa Monica for over 30 years, I am appalled at the lack of communication and development of the mental health facilities that are to be built in Santa Monica.

I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment over the manner in which your office and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health advanced funding and approvals for the voluntary entry/exit facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue for the unhoused and severely mentally ill without prior public notice or community engagement. From my understanding, City of Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete made clear in her October 9, 2025 memo to the Santa Monica City Manager, even the City of Santa Monica was “recently made aware” of the County’s actions after funding had been approved and renovations were already underway. Residents were blindsided, left to discover this project through rumor rather than proper notification. This was not a clerical error—it was a profound failure of transparency. The Mayor’s memo further highlights that the County and its nonprofit partners neglected to comply with Welfare and Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4), which explicitly requires citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process. That includes residents, local businesses, schools, and those directly impacted by such facilities. None of these stakeholders were given that opportunity. Instead, this project was quietly advanced without consideration of the preschools, elementary schools, senior living facilities, and impacts on the city’s tourism hub that generates millions in revenue for a city already under fiscal strain. The secrecy surrounding this process has eroded public trust and undermined the very principles of open governance you have publicly championed. While your office and St. Joseph Center’s newly released FAQ attempts to assure the public that the site will provide “24/7 staffing” and “enhanced security,” it is evident there is no coordinated plan to provide safety beyond the walls of these facilities, as discussed at the October 9th Town Hall, where your office, the LA County DMH, and St. Joseph’s presented. Transparency after the fact is not transparency—it’s damage control. In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote:
“Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed as we have outlined. We the people of Santa Monica are not opposed to providing mental health care or supportive housing. We are opposed to being cut out of decisions that so profoundly affect our children, elderly, neighborhoods, schools, small businesses, safety, and economic stability. You owe this community an explanation and must put a pause to the opening of these facilities until proper due diligence is completed in a public forum that is in compliance with the law.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
30 We urge you to pause the opening of the mental health facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue, and launch an investigation into the approach that was taken to approve these facilities, vendors, and sites until a full review is conducted with full transparency and meaningful public engagement.

Sincerely,
Jill Stein
North of Montana
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
31 Mitchell Kois
From: Hannah Catterall <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:14 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi,
I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
32 These provisions are designed to guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local businesses, and first responders, are all heard with a mission for success – particularly as our city faces significant financial shortfalls.

Sincerely,
Hannah Catterall
415 Montana Ave
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
33 Mitchell Kois
From: Tanya Chinniah <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:13 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Oliver Chi
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: opposed to mental health facitilies at 413 and 825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
I am writing to oppose the development of mental health facilities on Ocean Ave in Santa Monica.

As a homeowner, I am concerned about safety in Santa Monica. We already have a significant number of mentally ill people who often act erratically in heavily trafficked areas within Santa Monica. An unstable mentally ill person poses a significant safety risk. This can be seen by the numerous calls to 911 in Santa Monica regarding the mentally ill homeless population.

Tanya Chinniah
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
34 Mitchell Kois
From: Mercy Valdes <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:12 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; Council Mailbox
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for Bridge Housing at 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
35 According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks (felonies etc) or sobriety requirements at these projects. The location also allow for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. They are not allowed to use drugs on site but can easily walk across the street to Palisades Park to get and use his drugs without any supervision.

I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo. Mayor Negrete is also opposed to the location of these facilities as indicated in a press interview she held. She does not oppose the program which most of the NoMa community is in agreement with as well.

All state funds for this project are awarded and administered by the County of Los Angeles, and therefore the County must ensure full compliance with all applicable state laws, including requirements for transparency, community engagement, and public oversight. The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Neighborhood, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Mercy Valdes
North of Montana, Santa Monica
305-336-2497
[email protected]
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
36 Mitchell Kois
From: Beth Whitaker <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:08 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Request to Delay Opening of Proposed Mental Health Facilities with Voluntary Entry/Exit Procedures at 413/825 Ocean Ave Per Item 16-B

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, City Manager Chi, and Honorable Members of the City Council, I am writing to strongly urge you to support item 16B and our legal, due process rights under SB326.

We have organized hundreds of people in days, soon it will be thousands, and we are all deeply concerned about the planned opening of the homeless shelter on Ocean Avenue intended to serve 49 seriously mentally ill and homeless individuals.

The Good Neighbor Policy requirement (via SB326) was not followed and is a clear violation of our due process rights.

The first public discussion on this topic took place Thursday, October 9th during a NOMA informational zoom meeting. However, it was clear the intention of St. Joseph’s and LA County was to open the facility illegally and without notice or community input. More so, fully formed operational polices or adequate safety measures to protect the surrounding neighborhood were not and have not been presented or accepted.

St. Joseph’s also shared a timeline that implicated city staff and at least 3 Councilmember’s, all who were informed of the project since February and provided no community outreach, further violating our rights.

Furthermore, I am concerned to have learned from St. Joseph’s that individuals in this shelter will not be subject to drug testing or complete background checks, yet they will be permitted to exit and and enter the facility and community freely during the day. This poses significant risks to our community, especially given the proximity of schools, community parks and local residents. Additionally, it was suggested that others looking for homeless services would benefit from outreach being conducted in the surrounding area, effectively putting more homeless, mentally ill and drug addicts in the neighborhood. You are not simply housing 49 people you are a beacon to everyone looking for homeless services.

Additionally, I would like to highlight that there are multiple preschools and elementary schools in close proximity, educating thousands of elementary-aged students. The potential impact on the safety and well-being of these children and staff members cannot be overstated. It is illegal for anyone on the sex registry to live within a mile of a school and Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
37 yet you will be placing nearly 50 seriously mentally ill individuals less than 1/3 of a mile from local schools and your suggested background check process is not measurable or complete.

It is clear your security plan beyond the shelter is inadequate. The reputation of your owner and “partner” in this facility was highlighted in this LA Times article from last year and details serious safety concerns surrounding another one of his projects: https://www.latimes.com/homeless-housing/story/2024-11-05/new-owner-cutssecurity-janitors-at-skid-row-homeless-housing-as-tenants-fear-worsening-conditions Simply accepting the risk and responsibility for approving this location is not acceptable.

The introduction of such a facility without consideration of our legal, due process rights is dangerous.

It is your responsibility to prioritize the safety of your current community members, especially the many children who attend the impacted schools.

Protect our children, vote yes for item 16B to support transparency and our due process rights.

I look forward to your response and or support for item 16B.

Sincerely,
Beth Whitaker
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
38 Mitchell Kois
From: Amanda Michaels Zech <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:07 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Re: Automatic reply: Support for Mayor Negrete's Agenda Item 16 / Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
Dear City Clerk's Office,
Thank you for your reply. As I have had no previous experience submitting an email to your office, I appreciate being informed that the email will become part of the public record, something I was not aware of when I drafted it.

I would like to make sure that my name appears only as it was signed in the email ("A. Zech"), with no other identifying information included. I do not give consent for my first name to be included in the public record, nor my email address.

Please confirm receipt of this email and indicate whether this request can be honored. If it cannot be, I'd like to withdraw my letter from the public record and will find another way to communicate in regards to this matter.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
A. Zech
On Mon, Oct 13, 2025 at 11:56 AM councilmtgitems <[email protected]> wrote:

Thank you for your email. Please be advised that this email will: 1) become part of the public record, 2) be filed with the City’s official records, and 3) be posted online at smgov.net/council/agendas. Comments will not be redacted and appear online as they are submitted.

If you plan to speak at the meeting and have an electronic presentation to show, please submit it to [email protected] no later than 12 PM on the day of the meeting.

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 $250 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.

Thank you,
The City Clerk’s Office
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
39 Mitchell Kois
From: Arik Kashper <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:05 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Subject: Re: Support for Mayor Agenda item 16

EXTERNAL
10/13/25
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the nontransparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
40 Her leadership reminds us that compassion and accountability are not opposing values—they are inseparable. A community that truly cares about its most vulnerable must also care deeply about how decisions are made, how funds are spent, and how every stakeholder is treated.

Sincerely,
Mara Kashper
706 10th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
41 Mitchell Kois
From: Wendy Watson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:01 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: 413 Ocean Avenue & 825 Ocean Avenue Santa Monica, Community Engagement

EXTERNAL
Re: Item 16-Negrete
Community Engagement of 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue Mental Health Facilities is a must.

Please put a halt to the action of the ongoing development of the the 2 facilities mentioned above.

We require safety in the neighborhood. This is not secure.

I have lived in this neighborhood for 20 years and it is paramount to be transparent in any development.

We, in the neighborhood, were not informed about this development.

I will meet you at any time.

I can be reached directly at my phone number anytime.

This is of the utmost urgency.

Thank you.

Wendy Watson
Wendy Watson
955 2nd Street #20
Santa Monica, CA
90403
310-633-0751
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
42 Mitchell Kois
From: Ryan Ellis <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:01 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
43 In conclusion, we respectfully request your support for all six requests in Mayor Negrete’s memo and pause the opening of the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean until all the analyses are posted and shared with the public. Thank you for your service to our city and for considering this important item.

Sincerely,
Ryan Ellis
704 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90402
415-377-8174
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
44 Mitchell Kois
From: Cody Greer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:00 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
I, a Santa Monica resident, object to constructing new homeless shelters at 413/825 Ocean Ave.

Cody Greer
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
45 Mitchell Kois
From: Brittany Sherman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:59 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
10/13/2025
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave
Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated mission in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan.

Sincerely,
Brittany Sherman
Brentwood/Santa Monica/Palisades
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
46 Mitchell Kois
From: Julie <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:58 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16 - Negrete

EXTERNAL
Dear Council:

I live in NOMA, and was open to housing the mentally ill in our neighborhood but with a few caveats. To enhance the neighborhood’s security, I felt certain items should be mandatory. These items are:
. Veƫng the residents before their acceptance into the program . Housing on lockdown 24/7 except for residents’s doctor appointments and other mandatory leaves . Frequent unannounced drug tests and searches for the residents, with escalaƟng consequences for test and search failures, leading eventually to expulsion . 24/7 presence of security guards who can escalate punishment according to agreed upon rules, before escalaƟng issues to the overburdened Santa Monica police . Rules for conƟnued residence with specific consequences for non-compliance I am sure there are many more pracƟcal rules to be established for this housing. Unfortunately, none of these were menƟoned by the St. Joseph’s Center staff at the NOMA meeƟng on October 9th.

I am unwilling to have this housing in my neighborhood unƟl all these loose ends are Ɵghtened up.

Thank you,
Julie Campagna
Sent from my iPhone
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
47 Mitchell Kois
From: Neri Singer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:58 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; [email protected] Subject: Re: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

Residents were blindsided, left to discover this project through rumor rather than proper notification. This was not a clerical error—it was a profound failure of transparency.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed as we have outlined.

Supervisor Horvath, the people of Santa Monica are not opposed to providing mental health care or supportive housing. We are opposed to being cut out of decisions that so profoundly affect our Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
48 children, elderly, neighborhoods, schools, small businesses, safety, and economic stability. You owe this community an explanation and must put a pause to the opening of these facilities until proper due diligence is completed in a public forum that is in compliance withthe law.

Sincerely,
Neri Singer
90403
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
49 Mitchell Kois
From: Amanda Michaels Zech <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:56 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Cc: [email protected]; Amanda Michaels
Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete's Agenda Item 16 / Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
My home was one of the thousands to burn to the ground in the Palisades Fire this January. We were renters, so once the home and all our belongings were gone, there was truly nothing to return to.

We began looking for a new community to call home.

After trying and failing to either purchase or rent 6 different properties in the months since the fire, we stretched ourselves financially and finally had an offer accepted on a smaller-sized single-family home in the North of Montana neighborhood of Santa Monica.

We moved in a couple of months ago and have found that the silver lining of all this loss is living in a safe and walkable community where our kids can walk to and from their school bus, scooter on their own into town, and ride bikes to their friends' houses.

Finding a safe neighborhood for our kids to live in was our top priority since our very safe neighborhood North of the Palisades (in Malibu) was destroyed in the fire.

However, it has recently come to our attention that a facility serving severely mentally ill unhoused residents of Santa Monica will be opened just blocks away from us at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue.

It is my understanding that these residents of the facility suffering from severe mental illness will be free to wander the neighborhood from 7am until 9pm each day. This is when neighborhood kids walk to their school buses, take their dogs for walks around the block, walk or scooter into town to meet friends or get ice cream, and ride their bikes to and from the park.

I am a longtime social activist who believes deeply in offering support services to unhoused people, including mental health support.

However, it is abundantly clear to me that open facilities along Ocean Avenue are a whollyinappropriate fit for this community. I do not believe that any amount of policing or policy can make up for the presence of a severely mentally ill unhoused population purposefully being brought into a neighborhood of single family homes with direct sidewalk access frequented by the elderly, women, and children.

I implore the council to do everything in their power to follow due legal process, which seems to have not been followed to date, and to take into consideration the suitedness of this specific residential neighborhood before opening a facility of this nature.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
50 At the very least, this due diligence done on the part of St Joseph's and the city/county/state as well as any other agencies involved in this decision should be made public and be opened for community discourse/input.

Further, I think a complete review of how Santa Monica manages the ever-increasing population of unhoused individuals is in order.

Safety has been on the decline in all of Santa Monica's zip codes and action needs to be taken to return our city to a safe, walkable, livable state while also doing our social and civic duty and caring for folks who need help.

I look forward to updates on this matter.

Sincerely,
A. Zech
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
51 Mitchell Kois
From: Lauren O'Connell <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:55 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Pl

As City of Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete made clear in her October 9, 2025 memo to the Santa Monica City Manager, even the City of Santa Monica was “recently made aware” of the County’s actions after funding had been approved and renovations were already underway. Residents were blindsided, left to discover this project through rumor rather than proper notification. This was not a clerical error—it was a profound failure of transparency.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed as we have outlined.

Supervisor Horvath, the people of Santa Monica are not opposed to providing mental health care or supportive housing. We are opposed to being cut out of decisions that so profoundly affect our children, elderly, neighborhoods, schools, small businesses, safety, and economic stability. You owe this community an explanation and must put a pause to the opening of these facilities until proper due diligence is completed in a public forum that is in compliance with the law.

We urge you to pause the opening of the mental health facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue, andlaunch an investigation into the approach that was taken to approve these facilities, vendors, and sites until a full review is conducted with full transparency and meaningful public engagement.

Sincerely,
Lauren O’Connell
404 Georgina ave, Santa Monca ca 90402
& 2233 Washington Ave Santa Monica, Ca 90403
[email protected]
cc:City of Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete
City Council Members, City of Santa Monica
Oliver Chi, City Manager, City of Santa Monica
--
Lauren O'Connell MA, MFA, LMFT
Psychotherapy | Individuals | Couples
Reminder: 48 hr cancellation policy
424.274.1930
www.laurenoconnelltherapy.com
Confidentiality Notice
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
52 "This email message and any accompanying data is intended only for the use of the named recipient(s), and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and/or subject to applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employer or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or printing of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender at the email address or phone number above, delete the email from your computer or any other electronic devices including any copies from any backup storage media and destroy all data or copies immediately. This email is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) [18 U.S.C. Sections 2510-2521, 2701-2710] of 1986, or it may contain material protected and governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (HITECH). Thank you for your cooperation." Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
53 Mitchell Kois
From: Tal Taylor <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:52 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: 413/825 Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025

The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012

The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]]
RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
54 & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Sincerely,
Tal & Matt Taylor
NOMA Neighborhood Residents/Owners
310-739-9910

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
55 Mitchell Kois
From: Noah Gigliotti <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:52 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, City Manager Chi, and Honorable Members of the City Council, First off, I write to offer my heartfelt support and appreciation for Mayor Lana Negrete who has been a staunch supporter of every Santa Monican, as she seeks transparency for all our communities – both retrospectively and prospectively. In her memo associated with Item 16-B, she has constructively outlined a way forward for the entire city to engage on the important decisions surrounding the compassionate care of the city’s unhoused populations, and particularly those with severe mental health challenges. In addition, I am writing as a Santa Monica resident to express my concerns about the secretive negotiations between unnamed City Council Members, the City’s Housing and Human Services Department (HHS), the County Department of Mental Health (DMH) to fund – with taxpayer money – a 49-bed facility for the unhoused and several mentally ill. This project, according to the CEO of St. Joseph’s Center, was brought forward to the County only once a private developer who is currently suing the City of Santa Monica, sought out the County and St. Joseph’s to offer up his sites at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue.

During a 10/9 Townhall organized by the North of Montana Association (NOMA), the LA County Department of Mental Health shared – for the first time with the community – that no background checks or sobriety requirements would be in place at these new facilities, and that those accepted at these facilities could voluntary enter and exit with no supervision plan beyond the facilities’ walls. While those in Santa Monica must notify their surrounding neighbors for a mere hedge modification or expansion of a school sports court, no courtesy was provided to the community on this project that has significant reverberations throughout the entire City. The secrecy in which this project was approved without any public notification and its citywide financial/staffing burden is grossly negligent. As such, we want to record our opposition to this project and provide full support for Item 16- B on the October 14, 2025 City Council agenda, corresponding to Mayor Negrete’s October 9, 2025 excellent and fair memorandum titled “Request for City Council Direction on Community Engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects.” This proposal offers a thoughtful and balanced framework that promotes compassion and transparency while ensuring accountability, public safety, and community trust for the entire population of Santa Monica. While this item is specific to one community currently, every single community in Santa Monica deserves notification and public input in any projects that affect their community, writ large. Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and Palisades Park have shown that while it is these communities today, it can be any neighborhood tomorrow. We request the City and County work together to request a suspension of the project at 413/825 Ocean Ave. until all of the items in 16-B have been discussed in public hearings and a Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
56 new analysis explaining the rationale behind this project, the alternative sites that were considered, and if the County made a decision that is in compliance with the needs defined by the City, its residents, and other stakeholders. Specifically, as it relates to Item 16-B: 1. Comprehensive Outreach and Communication
We strongly support Direction #1, which calls for coordination between the City, LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH), St. Joseph Center, and the project developer to ensure robust outreach to residents and nearby businesses—including the numerous schools, hotels, small businesses, and other stakeholders along Ocean Avenue and its surrounding radius. Residents and local business owners deserve timely notice and a chance to understand project goals, operations, and impacts.

Transparent engagement fosters cooperation rather than conflict and ensures that city decisions reflect both compassion and local input.

2. Compliance with Proposition 1 and the Good Neighbor Policy Direction #2 correctly emphasizes compliance with all state laws. These laws explicitly require citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process (Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a) (4)). Enforcing these mandates ensures that mental health projects are developed with appropriate compassion for affected communities with input from residents, law enforcement, educators, housing experts, business owners, and those with lived experience. This is fidelity to the law and the spirit of partnership that newly passed state law requires.

3. Clarification of Zoning and Public Notification Requirements Direction #3 requests clarification of zoning classifications, use types, and public notice procedures for supportive, shelter, and transitional housing projects. Clear zoning definitions protect both residents and service providers by establishing predictable rules and preventing misunderstandings about what types of uses are permitted “by right.” Ensuring that every neighborhood receives formal notice when a project is proposed is an essential safeguard for democratic participation. Every Santa Monican deserves to understand what are allowable uses for the buildings in their communities, particularly around communities that serve children and seniors.

4. Public Explanation of Land Use and Operational Standards Direction #4 calls for a clear public explanation of the legal basis that allows these facilities to operate without a discretionary City permit. Residents must understand the distinctions between a mental health facility, a transitional housing facility, an emergency shelter, and supportive housing—and how each is governed under City and State law. The Mayor’s proposed public communications strategy— including a dedicated FAQ webpage, hotline for concerns, and clear follow-up protocols—is precisely the kind of accessible, fact-based communication the community needs. The fact that no one has yet been able to access any public documentation regarding the process and application in which these facilities were approved and funded with taxpayer funds speaks to the lack of transparency the law requires.

5. Verification of Developer Qualifications and Financial Transparency Direction #5’s call for verification of the developer’s goals, operational record, legal standing, and compensation from LA County is essential for accountability. Residents have a right to know who is Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
57 behind these projects, how public funds are being used, and whether any conflicts of interest or active litigation exist. This transparency builds confidence in both the City’s and County’s stewardship of public resources, and that site selection is driven by thoughtful due diligence, published documentation, and needs analyses that demonstrate funding needs are matched to the highest and best use, instead of driven by calls from developers who are seeking subsidized operations while they seek entitlements.

Given the City’s financial challenges with cut services, particularly in public safety, we must provide support to all affected services across the City that no department is overly burdened by County-driven decisions that silence City taxpayers. Conclusion The Mayor’s memo provides a clear roadmap toward a balanced approach—one that supports mental health initiatives while demanding accountability, transparency, and respect for Santa Monica residents. I respectfully urge the City Council to adopt all six directives in full and to hold LA County and its nonprofit partners to the highest standards of openness, compliance, and community collaboration. In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed in the case of 413/825 Ocean Avenue. I stand in full support of Mayor Negrete’s efforts to make Santa Monica a model for both compassionate care and transparent governance. Los Angeles County should not be driving decisions that impact all of our communities without accountability, and thus, we simultaneously call on Third District LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to intervene – to both pause funding for these projects and support Mayor Negrete’s detailed request. To that end, please work with our community and the County to immediately pause the opening of the unlocked mental illness facilities at 413/825 Ocean Ave.

Sincerely,
Noah Gigliotti
216 Georgina
Santa Monica, CA 90402
646-244-0145
[email protected]
cc: LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Third District Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
58 Mitchell Kois
From: Cara Valentini <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:52 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, As a Santa Monica resident and parent of a child in Santa Monica schools, I am writing in support of Mayor Negrete, who has brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

I fully support providing compassionate care for those with mental illness. But we should ensure that care is delivered responsibly, safely, cost effectively, and with dignity for all. The Mayor’s call for coordination between the City, Los Angeles County, and nonprofit providers ensures that these projects will be guided by expertise, empathy, and accountability. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated mission in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan.

This issue has citywide implications, as it demonstrates that our city lacks a process to expend taxpayer funds in compliance with state law and the spirit of our City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which require community and professional involvement at every stage. These provisions are designed to guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local businesses, and first responders, are all heard, respected, and accounted for – particularly as our city faces significant financial shortfalls.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
59 I stand in full support of Mayor Negrete’s efforts to make Santa Monica a model for both compassionate care and transparent governance. Los Angeles County should not be driving decisions that impact all of our communities without accountability, and thus, we simultaneously call on Third District LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to intervene – to both pause funding for these projects and support Mayor Negrete’s detailed request.

Sincerely,
Cara Valentini
Santa Monica - North of Montana
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
60 Mitchell Kois
From: Tim Tareco <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:49 AM
To: [email protected]; Barry Snell; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis
Cc: Lana Negrete; councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox
Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
October, 13, 2025
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)).

I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

By calling for clarity on zoning, transparency in developer practices, and robust public outreach, Mayor Negrete is not creating barriers to progress—she is building trust, ensuring that our city’s Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
61 compassion is matched by competence in every single neighborhood across this city. This approach strengthens our collective ability to help people heal, stabilize, and reintegrate into the community.

Sincerely,
Tim Tareco
201 Ocean Avenue
Unit 1503B
Santa Monica, CA 90402
917.576.7791
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
62 Mitchell Kois
From: Tim Tareco <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:49 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Barry Snell; [email protected]; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox Subject: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

EXTERNAL
Oct 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor
Third District 500 West Temple Street
Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment over the manner in which your office and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health advanced funding and approvals for the voluntary entry/exit facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue for the unhoused and severely mentally ill without prior public notice or community engagement.

While your office and St. Joseph Center’s newly released FAQ attempts to assure the public that the site will provide “24/7 staffing” and “enhanced security,” it is evident there is no coordinated plan to provide safety beyond the walls of these facilities, as discussed at the October 9th Town Hall, where your office, Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
63 the LA County DMH, and St. Joseph’s presented. Transparency after the fact is not transparency—it’s damage control.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed as we have outlined.

Supervisor Horvath, the people of Santa Monica are not opposed to providing mental health care or supportive housing. We are opposed to being cut out of decisions that so profoundly affect our children, elderly, neighborhoods, schools, small businesses, safety, and economic stability. You owe this community an explanation and must put a pause to the opening of these facilities until proper due diligence is completed in a public forum that is in compliance with the law.

Sincerely,
Tim Tareco
201 Ocean Avenue
Unit 1503B
Santa Monica, CA 90402
917.576.7791
cc:

City of Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete
City Council Members, City of Santa Monica
Oliver Chi, City Manager, City of Santa Monica
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
64 Mitchell Kois
From: sara moreno <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:48 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I firmly stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

Sincerely,
Sara C. Moreno
[email protected]
610-613-1792
Get Outlook for iOS
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
65 Mitchell Kois
From: Benjamin Kacev <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:47 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for Bridge Housing at 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members City Council
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]]
RE: Request to Pause Approvals for Bridge Housing at 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework
I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at these projects, which allow for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation.

Thank you, in advance, for prioritizing our safety.

Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
66 BENJAMIN KACEV, A.P.C.
e: [email protected]
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Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
67 Mitchell Kois
From: Oda Evjen Gjøvåg <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:45 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Cc: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
Oct 13, 2025
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]]
RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

I stand in full support of Mayor Negrete’s efforts to make Santa Monica a model for both Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
68 compassionate care and transparent governance. Los Angeles County should not be driving decisions that impact all of our communities without accountability, and thus, we simultaneously call on Third District LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to intervene – to both pause funding for these projects and support Mayor Negrete’s detailed request.

Sincerely,
Oda Evjen Gjovag
937 3rd St, 101, Santa Monica CA 90403
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
69 Mitchell Kois
From: Kyle Wheeler <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:45 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi:

I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo
(https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=19244&MeetingID=1454).

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county. While this letter appears to only be relevant to the two addresses above, this issue has citywide implications as it demonstrates that our county and city lack a process to expend taxpayer funds in compliance with state law and the spirit of our City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which require community and professional involvement at every stage. These provisions are designed to Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
70 guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local businesses, and first responders, are all heard with a mission for success – particularly as our city faces significant financial shortfalls.

Sincerely,
Kyle Wheeler
(North of Montana neighborhood resident)
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
71 Mitchell Kois
From: Shayda Kulla-Mader <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:45 AM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete Cc: Natalya Zernitskaya; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell Subject: RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought
to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses,
stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I
stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean
Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and
publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

While tonight’s item appears to only be relevant to the two addresses above, this issue has citywide implications as it demonstrates that our city lacks a process to expend taxpayer funds in
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
72 compliance with state law and the spirit of our City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which require community and professional involvement at every stage. These provisions are designed
to guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents,
local businesses, and first responders, are all heard, respected, and accounted for – particularly as
our city faces significant financial shortfalls.

The issue is not about opposing care—it is about ensuring that care is delivered responsibly, safely, cost effectively, and with dignity for all. The Mayor’s call for coordination between the
City, Los Angeles County, and nonprofit providers ensures that these projects will be guided by
expertise, empathy, and accountability. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one
of the stated mission in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan.By calling for clarity on zoning, transparency in developer practices, and robust public outreach, Mayor Negrete is not creating barriers to progress—she is building trust, ensuring that our city’s
compassion is matched by competence in every single neighborhood across this city. This approach strengthens our collective ability to help people heal, stabilize, and reintegrate into the
community.

Her leadership reminds us that compassion and accountability are not opposing values, they are
inseparable. A community that truly cares about its most vulnerable must also care deeply about
how decisions are made, how funds are spent, and how every stakeholder is treated.

I stand in full support of Mayor Negrete’s efforts to make Santa Monica a model for both compassionate care and transparent governance. Los Angeles County should not be driving decisions that impact all of our communities without accountability, and thus, we simultaneously
call on Third District LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to intervene – to both pause funding for these projects and support Mayor Negrete’s detailed request.

In conclusion, we respectfully request your support for all six requests in Mayor Negrete’s memo
and pause the opening of the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean until all the analyses are posted and
shared with the public. Thank you for your service to our city and for considering this important
item.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
73 Sincerely,
Shayda Kulla-Mader
NOMA ; 9th Street and Alta
[email protected]
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
74 Mitchell Kois
From: Sharon Carlsen <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:42 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers and Neighborhood Representatives, I am writing to oppose locating a mentalhealth supportive housing facility at 413 Ocean Avenue. As someone who lives at 115 Marguerita, I will share an alley with this facility which I believe will put me and others in our neighborhood at serious risk. We already have enough trouble in this neighborhood with homeless people showing up at all hours in the alley, using the outside faucets in the middle of the night, and rummaging around.

There have been numerous incidents which have already made the neighborhood so much less safe than it has ever been.

I agree that we need to find homes for the homeless and find a way to treat their mental illnesses and drug addiction problems, but not in the heart of a neighborhood with so many elderly and single people who are doing their best to stay safe already.

Please take action immediately to keep this from happening, before it’s too late to prevent problems.

I ask that you record my opposition in the official file, confirm receipt, and notify me of any hearings.

Thank you. Best,
Sharon Carlsen
424.252.9247 office
206.979.1844 cell phone
[email protected]
www.sharoncarlsen.com
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
75 Mitchell Kois
From: Ben Grabow <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:42 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Council Mailbox
Subject: Item 16B - Negrete

EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
I oppose Item 16B-Negrete and the 49-bed facility at 413 & 825 Ocean Ave. This was approved without community input and should be paused for proper review.

Thank you,
Ben Grabow
Santa Monica resident
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
76 Mitchell Kois
From: avery s <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:41 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; [email protected]] RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo (https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=19244&MeetingID=1454).

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
77 Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Avery Son
313 Alta Ave, Santa Monica
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
78 Mitchell Kois
From: Brittney Nichole <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:41 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; [email protected]; Lana Negrete Subject: Re: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

EXTERNAL
Re: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment over the manner in which your office and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health advanced funding and approvals for the voluntary entry/exit facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue for the unhoused and severely mentally ill without prior public notice or community engagement.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote:
“Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed as we have outlined.

Supervisor Horvath, the people of Santa Monica are not opposed to providing mental health care or supportive housing. We are opposed to being cut out of decisions that so profoundly affect our children, elderly, neighborhoods, schools, small businesses, safety, and economic stability. You owe this community an explanation and must put a pause to the opening of these facilities until proper due diligence is completed in a public forum that is in compliance with the law.

Sincerely,
Brittney Ben Moshe
1029 Yale Street
[email protected]
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
79 Mitchell Kois
From: Pranav Ramanathan <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:37 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Request to delay opening of proposed mental health facilities with Voluntary Entry / Exit Procedures at 413/825 Ocean Ave Per Item 16-B

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, City Manager Chi, and Honorable Members of the City Council,

I am writing to strongly urge you to support item 16B and our legal, due process rights under SB326.

The Good Neighbor Policy requirement (via SB326) was not followed and is a clear violation of our due process rights.

St. Joseph’s also shared a timeline that implicated city staff and at least 3 Council members, all who were informed of the project since February and provided no community outreach, further violating our rights.

Furthermore, I am concerned to have learned from St. Joseph’s that individuals in this shelter will not be subject to drug testing or complete background checks, yet they will be permitted to exit and enter the facility and community freely during the day. This poses significant risks to our community, especially given the proximity of schools, community parks and local residents. Additionally, it was suggested that others looking for homeless services would benefit from outreach being conducted in the surrounding area, effectively putting more homeless, mentally ill and drug addicts in the neighborhood. You are not simply housing 49 people; you are a beacon to everyone looking for homeless services.

Personally, I would like to highlight that the elementary school my children attend, Carlthorp School, is located just 0.3 miles from the planned shelter location. In addition to Carlthorp, there are multiple other preschools and elementary schools in close proximity, educating thousands of elementary-aged students. The potential impact on the safety and well-being of these children and staff members cannot be overstated. It is illegal for anyone on the sex registry to live within a mile of a school and yet you will be placing nearly 50 seriously mentally ill individuals less than 1/3 of a mile from our school and your suggested background check process is not measurable or complete.

It is clear your security plan beyond the shelter is inadequate. The reputation of your owner and “partner” in this facility was highlighted in this LA Times article from last year and details serious safety concerns surrounding another one his projects: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.latimes.com/homelesshousing/story/2024-11-05/new-owner-cuts-security-janitors-at-skid-row-homeless-housing-as-tenants-fearworseningItem 16-B October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
80 conditions__;!!AbgBjg!zXkFh5Sm194ZEbXoeAu3BO0oTRYHmO0s51FELOHdXKrFBOuOI_vCwcwtmap0JR1d cmTDv04Gf7mwZlTx-RMz$

Simply accepting the risk and responsibility for approving this location is not acceptable. The introduction of such a facility without consideration of our legal, due process rights is dangerous.

It is your responsibility to prioritize the safety of your current community members, especially the many children who attend the impacted schools.

Protect our children, vote yes for item 16B to support transparency and our due process rights.

I look forward to your response and or support for item 16B.

Sincerely,
Pranav Ramanathan
1014 Amherst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Carlthorp School Parent
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
81 Mitchell Kois
From: Roman Wroclawski <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:38 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: RE: Item 16B Support for Negrete

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
I am writing to strongly urge you to support item 16B and our legal, due process rights under SB326.

The Good Neighbor Policy requirement (via SB326) was not followed and is a clear violation of our due process rights.

The first public discussion on this topic took place Thursday, October 9th during a NOMA informational zoom meeting. However, it was clear the intention of St. Joseph’s and LA County was to open the facility illegally and without notice, community input. More so, fully formed operational policies or adequate safety measures to protect the surrounding neighborhood were not and have not been presented or accepted.

Furthermore, I am concerned to have learned from St. Joseph’s that individuals in this shelter will not be subject to drug testing or complete background checks, yet they will be permitted to exit and enter the facility and community freely during the day. This poses significant risks to our community, especially given the proximity of THREE elementary schools, community parks and local residents. Additionally, it was suggested that others looking for homeless services would benefit from outreach being conducted in the surrounding area, effectively putting more homeless, mentally ill and drug addicts in the neighborhood. You are not simply housing 49 people, you are a beacon to everyone looking for homeless services.

It is clear your security plan beyond the shelter is not complete or adequate. The reputation of your owner and “partner” in this facility has been questioned due to questionable actions/decisions operating similar facilities.

Simply accepting the risk and responsibility for approving this location is not acceptable. The introduction of such a facility without consideration of our legal, due process rights is dangerous.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
82 It is your responsibility to prioritize the safety of your current community members, especially the many children who attend the impacted schools.

Protect our neighborhood, vote yes for item 16B to support transparency and our due process rights.

I look forward to your response and or support for item 16B.

Sincerely,
Roman Wroclawski
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
83 Mitchell Kois
From: Gabrielle Rashbaum <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:37 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16B - Negrete

EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
I oppose Item 16B-Negrete and the 49-bed facility at 413 & 825 Ocean Ave. This was approved without community input and should be paused for proper review.

Thank you,
Gabrielle Rashbaum
Santa Monica resident
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
84 Mitchell Kois
From: Michael Kianmahd <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:37 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Urgent - 413 + 825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo (https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=19244&MeetingID=1454).

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
85 The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Michael Kianmahd
North of Montana - City of Santa Monica, CA
310.428.8939
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
86 Mitchell Kois
From: Adam Rashbaum <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:37 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16B - Negrete

EXTERNAL
Dear Council -
I oppose Item 16B-Negrete and the 49-bed facility at 413 & 825 Ocean Ave. This was approved without community input and should be paused for proper review.

Thank you,
Adam Rashbaum
Santa Monica resident
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
87 Mitchell Kois
From: Melanie Grabow <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:37 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16B - Negrete

EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
I oppose Item 16B-Negrete and the 49-bed facility at 413 & 825 Ocean Ave. This was approved without community input and should be paused for proper review.

Thank you,
Melanie Grabow
Santa Monica resident
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
88 Mitchell Kois
From: Pollick, Josh <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:35 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; [email protected]] RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health FaciliƟes 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am wriƟng to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two faciliƟes for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder noƟficaƟon, or community input per Welfare & InsƟtuƟons Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the faciliƟes at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public parƟcipaƟon, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo (hƩps://urldefense.com/v3/__hƩps://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/CiƟzens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=19244&MeeƟng ID=1454__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!o_dLfOZtmScbXWCZomeohc98fdupHcxKn-eE1g31zV4kv2u9Rq1- Hgy3FNCggZt9V9GL72Kl7sB9yFULODbtEz0b7-jv$ ).

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the enƟre city and county.

The County should not be able to fund and approve faciliƟes in our city without following proper noƟficaƟon and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parƟes achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan.

In conclusion, we respecƞully request that you pause the opening of the faciliƟes at 413 and 825 Ocean, reopen the approvals and analysis of these projects, and support the compleƟon of all six points in Mayor Negrete’s memo associated with Item 16-B. Thank you to Mayor Negrete for bringing this important issue to our aƩenƟon, and to all of you for your service to our city and for considering this important item.

Sincerely,
Josh Pollick
Santa Monica
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Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
90 Mitchell Kois
From: Hank Ridless <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:32 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
91 endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Kimberly Demmy & Hank Ridless
Santa Monica Canyon
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
92 Mitchell Kois
From: Roger Allers <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:31 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 9040
RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

Sincerely,
Roger Allers & Genaro Pereira
44 Haldeman Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402
[email protected], [email protected]
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
93 Mitchell Kois
From: ROBERT SHIRI <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:29 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Jesse Zwick; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am wriƟng to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two faciliƟes for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder noƟficaƟon, or community input per Welfare & InsƟtuƟons Code §5604.2(a)(4)).

According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the faciliƟes at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public parƟcipaƟon, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo (hƩps://urldefense.com/v3/__hƩps://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/CiƟzens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=19244&MeeƟng ID=1454__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!ry0pGuQb3tDEDq7klEVHqlpb06N1y1XE_HhM49Q9vjDKLAOLlnnFXOdCiCpdUPgsPpNiYiJ Yu2HGhnkSrzdkQPs$ ).

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the enƟre city and county.

Sincerely,
Robert Shiri
90403
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
94 Mitchell Kois
From: Sienna Lee <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:28 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Cc: [email protected]
Subject: URGENT | RE: 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am a mother of two young children (2.5 yrs and 7.5 yrs) and a local resident of Santa Monica. I often enjoy evening walks with my sons along Ocean Ave and walk by 413 & 825 Ocean ave regularly. My older son attends Carlthorp school, and my toddler scooters and walks along Ocean Ave daily. I'm writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has single handedly brought to light the nontransparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

In conclusion, we respectfully request your support for all six requests in Mayor Negrete’s memo and Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
95 pause the opening of the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean until all the analyses are posted and shared with the public. Thank you for your service to our city and for considering this important item.

Sincerely,
Sienna Lee
330 7th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
917.940.5890
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
96 Mitchell Kois
From: Patty Borden <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:27 AM
To: Ken Borden
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

While your office and St. Joseph Center’s newly released FAQ attempts to assure the public that the site will provide “24/7 staffing” and “enhanced security,” it is evident there is no coordinated plan to provide safety beyond the walls of these facilities, as discussed at the October 9th Town Hall, where your office, the LA Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
97 County DMH, and St. Joseph’s presented. Transparency after the fact is not transparency—it’s damage control.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent.

We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed as we have outlined.

Supervisor Horvath, the people of Santa Monica are not opposed to providing mental health care or supportive housing. We are opposed to being cut out of decisions that so profoundly affect our children, elderly, neighborhoods, schools, small businesses, safety, and economic stability. You owe this community an explanation and must put a pause to the opening of these facilities until proper due diligence is completed in a public forum that is in compliance withthe law.

Sincerely,
Patricia Borden
958 18th St, unit 2
Santa Monica, CA 90403
cc:City of Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete
City Council Members, City of Santa Monica
Oliver Chi, City Manager, City of Santa Monica
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
98 Mitchell Kois
From: Ann Bash <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:26 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
99 Thank you
Ann Bash
Santa Monica Resident
310.941.8622
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
100
Mitchell Kois
From: Alyse Levine <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:25 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

Sincerely,
Alyse Zaczepinski
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
101
Alyse Levine MS, RD
Nutritionbite LLC
2500 Broadway Ave
Building F, Suite F-125
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(T) 310-526-7872
(F) 310-564-0399
alyselevine.com / eatingreset.com
[email protected]
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
102
Mitchell Kois
From: Ken Borden <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:24 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

Residents were blindsided, left to discover this project through rumor rather than proper notification. This was not a clerical error—it was a profound failure of transparency.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
103
community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed as we have outlined.

You owe this community an explanation and must put a pause to the opening of these facilities until proper due diligence is completed in a public forum that is in compliance withthe law.

Sincerely,
Ken Borden
958 18th St, unit 2
Santa Monica, CA 90403
cc:City of Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete
City Council Members, City of Santa Monica
Oliver Chi, City Manager, City of Santa Monica
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
104
Mitchell Kois
From: GERRY OWEN <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:23 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16B-Negrete

EXTERNAL
We oppose placing this proposed mental health facility on Ocean Avenue. As mental health professionals, we understand all too well the need for such faciliƟes! Yet, the locaƟon of this facility seems injurious to both the individuals who would be served and to the City of Santa Monica. Those served would be viewed with suspicion and perhaps harassed while such placement would strain the city’s already difficult financial situaƟon and possibly trigger more problemaƟc lawsuits.

Linda Owen and Gerry Owen
LongƟme Santa Monica residents, and licensed mental health professionals.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
105
Mitchell Kois
From: Dara Davis Beer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:21 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

In conclusion, we respectfully request that you pause the opening of the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean, reopen the approvals and analysis of these projects, and support the completion of all six points in Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
106
Mayor Negrete’s memo associated with Item 16-B. Thank you to Mayor Negrete for bringing this important issue to our attention, and to all of you for your service to our city and for considering this important item.

Sincerely,
Dara Beer
--
Dara Davis Beer

Shop Drop Concierge

267.934.3243 Cell
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Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
107
Mitchell Kois
From: Jenna Wells <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:19 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

EXTERNAL
Monday October 13, 2025

The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment over the manner in which your office and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health advanced funding and approvals for the voluntary entry/exit facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue for the unhoused and severely mentally ill without prior public notice or community engagement.

The Mayor’s memo further highlights that the County and its nonprofit partners neglected to comply with Welfare and Institutions Code Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
108
§5604.2(a)(4), which explicitly requires citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process. That includes residents, local businesses, schools, and those directly impacted by such facilities. None of these stakeholders were given that opportunity.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed as we have outlined.

Supervisor Horvath, the people of Santa Monica are not opposed to providing mental health care or supportive housing. We are opposed to being cut out of decisions that so profoundly affect our children, elderly, neighborhoods, schools, small businesses, safety, and economic stability. You owe this community an explanation and must put a pause to the opening of these facilities until proper due diligence is completed in a public forum that is in compliance with the law.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
109
We urge you to pause the opening of the mental health facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue, and launch an
investigation into the approach that was taken to approve these facilities, vendors, and sites until a full review is conducted with full transparency and meaningful public engagement.

Sincerely,
Jenna Wells
1117 Stanford Street
cc: City of Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete
City Council Members, City of Santa Monica
Oliver Chi, City Manager, City of Santa Monica
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
110
Mitchell Kois
From: Sarah McKaig <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:18 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Item 16B

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Bridge Housing Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I live on the same block as one of these sites, and as the mother of an elementary school child, a number of issues concern me: According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at these facilities, which allow for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

All state funds for this project are awarded and administered by the County of Los Angeles, and therefore the County must ensure full compliance with all applicable state laws, including requirements for transparency, community engagement, and public oversight. Therefore, the County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Neighborhood, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

In conclusion, I respectfully request that you pause the opening of the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean, reopen the approvals and analysis of these projects, and support the completion of all six points in Mayor Negrete’s memo associated with Item 16-B. Thank you to Mayor Negrete for bringing this important issue to our attention, and to all of you for your service to our city and for considering this important item.

Sincerely,
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
111
Sarah McKaig
101 Marguerita Ave, Unit A
Santa Monica, CA 90402
[email protected]
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
112
Mitchell Kois
From: Courtney Wacht <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:17 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

Residents were blindsided, left to discover this project through rumor rather than proper notification. This was not a clerical error—it was a profound failure of transparency.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
113
community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed as we have outlined.

You owe this community an explanation and must put a pause to the opening of these facilities until proper due diligence is completed in a public forum that is in compliance withthe law.

Sincerely,
Courtney Wacht
1018 Yale Street, Santa Monica, Ca 90403
310-714-9964
cc:City of Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete
City Council Members, City of Santa Monica
Oliver Chi, City Manager, City of Santa Monica
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
114
Mitchell Kois
From: AW <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:15 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Fwd: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
> Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, >
>
> I am wriƟng to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two faciliƟes for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder noƟficaƟon, or community input per Welfare & InsƟtuƟons Code §5604.2(a)(4)).

According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the faciliƟes at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public parƟcipaƟon, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo (hƩps://urldefense.com/v3/__hƩps://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/CiƟzens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=19244&MeeƟng ID=1454__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!qTvbxKDqHvxJfDSUnvtDBdFfTNSBhzoLHOhrmDW0XZjs3lktCgbrT6VlPkDAVlNXSw7Em9 V343ox6KLWEJYzHPkZ$ ).
>
> Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the enƟre city and county.

While this leƩer appears to only be relevant to the two addresses above, this issue has citywide implicaƟons as it demonstrates that our county and city lack a process to expend taxpayer funds in compliance with state law and the spirit of our City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which require community and professional involvement at every stage. These provisions are designed to guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local businesses, and first responders, are all heard with a mission for success – parƟcularly as our city faces significant financial shorƞalls.
>
> The County should not be able to fund and approve faciliƟes in our city without following proper noƟficaƟon and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parƟes achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan.

The County and City must work collaboraƟvely with stakeholders across our enƟre city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboraƟon, and accountability. >
> In conclusion, we respecƞully request that you pause the opening of the faciliƟes at 413 and 825 Ocean, reopen the approvals and analysis of these projects, and support the compleƟon of all six points in Mayor Negrete’s memo associated with Item 16-B. Thank you to Mayor Negrete for bringing this important issue to our aƩenƟon, and to all of you for your service to our city and for considering this important item. >
> Allison Wise
> 1602 Georgina Avenue
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
115
> Sent from my iPhone
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
116
Mitchell Kois
From: linda and hanan Rybak <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:15 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; mailto:[email protected]; [email protected]] RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health FaciliƟes 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am wriƟng to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two faciliƟes for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder noƟficaƟon, or community input per Welfare & InsƟtuƟons Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the faciliƟes at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public parƟcipaƟon, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo (hƩps://urldefense.com/v3/__hƩps://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/CiƟzens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=19244&MeeƟng ID=1454__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!qrfE8i2P2hOCcVsHsJn9fJjSlvEbLedgK66HGnD1fVhV4Afl8kzibzT5sXmZo4MwRwfQJdVA mLDrVpqjOh305mhxmpPffA$ ).

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the enƟre city and county.

Sincerely,
Linda Rybak
Santa Monica Resident
Sent from my iPhone
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
118
Mitchell Kois
From: Allison de Neufville <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:14 AM
To: councilmtgitems

According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the faciliƟes at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public parƟcipaƟon, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo (hƩps://urldefense.com/v3/__hƩps://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/CiƟzens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=19244&MeeƟng ID=1454__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!vrHHC7XLB-QH-S3QCkpv5bAElOG_U2Jwj5rtcVcRTT0d_GiI8Fe8XdgT01kBwGRGtmvIZXuJ7UJuo_SbGdbC3DKoprƩpgd3w$ ).

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the enƟre city and county.

Allison Wise
1602 Georgina Avenue
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
119
Mitchell Kois
From: Dale Pearson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:13 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: 413 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
Absolutely not!!! Not a reputable developer and a terrible locaƟon for a shelter directly across from Palisades Park!

Sent from my iPhone
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
120
Mitchell Kois
From: Candice Hong <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:11 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
121
Sincerely,
Candice Hong/90403
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
122
Mitchell Kois
From: Beckys Gmail <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:11 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the faciliƟes at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public parƟcipaƟon, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo (hƩps://urldefense.com/v3/__hƩps://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/CiƟzens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=19244&MeeƟng ID=1454__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!uv5KWVKSt3DIi1rIun9qZRdXZHNrY_H7LTLGFnvmRi44FCQ8zr5fg1BwoĬZPPz_O_bGOg U3p_wzzXIa-yTwPpMUO6soFe8$ ).

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the enƟre city and county.

While this leƩer appears to only be relevant to the two addresses above, this issue has citywide implicaƟons as it demonstrates that our county and city lack a process to expend taxpayer funds in compliance with state law and the Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
123
spirit of our City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which require community and professional involvement at every stage. These provisions are designed to guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local businesses, and first responders, are all heard with a mission for success – parƟcularly as our city faces significant financial shorƞalls.

Sincerely,
Becky Skalaski
Resident of 1027 21st St, Santa Monica
Sent from my iPhone
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
124
Mitchell Kois
From: Arik Kashper <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:09 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Subject: Support for Mayor Agenda item 16

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
125
Her leadership reminds us that compassion and accountability are not opposing values—they are inseparable. A community that truly cares about its most vulnerable must also care deeply about how decisions are made, how funds are spent, and how every stakeholder is treated.

Sincerely,
Arik Kashper
706 10th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
126
Mitchell Kois
From: rebecca cooper <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:07 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the enƟre city and county.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Drew
2528 La Mesa Way
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
127
Mitchell Kois
From: Susanne Jacobson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:05 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo
(https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=19244&MeetingID=1454).

The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
128
notification and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

On a more personal note, it makes no sense to have an unlocked facility in this neighborhood. There are no stores, restaurants or anything else. Just neighbors and their families walking in and around Palisades Park. We are already firhggthed enough by the existing mentally ill homelss you camp out there. What does it serve to ruin a residential neighborhood by making it unsafe for the neighbors? Sincerely,
Susanne Jacobson
521 Montana Ave., #108
Santa Monica, CA 90403
--
Susanne Jacobson
310-720-5092
[email protected]
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
129
Mitchell Kois
From: Sophia Smith <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:04 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
City of Santa Monica Council,
I hope this message finds you well.

As a Santa Monica resident who works with children in the community, I’m writing to express my deep concern about the new behavioral health facilities planned for Ocean Avenue. I want to be clear: I strongly believe in meaningful reform and rehabilitation for our unhoused neighbors. Every person deserves the chance to heal, rebuild their lives, and reintegrate into society with dignity.

However, this can only happen if the proper structures of care are in place. Housing without adequate medical oversight, security, and therapeutic support risks failing both the individuals it aims to serve and the surrounding community. These facilities must include trained healthcare professionals, peaceful security measures, and clear accountability to ensure residents receive the treatment and stability they need to recover.

Equally important is transparency and democratic participation. Santa Monica residents deserve to be informed and included in decisions that so deeply affect the safety, well-being, and future of our neighborhood.

I urge your office to halt this project on Ocean Avenue until it can properly meet appropriate clinical, safety, and community engagement standards. This is not about exclusion — it’s about making sure this initiative truly works for everyone involved.

Thank you for your time and leadership on this important issue.

Sincerely,
Sophia Smith
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
130
Mitchell Kois
From: sheridan bentsons.net <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:00 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Request to Delay Opening of Proposed Mental Health Facilities with Voluntary Entry/Exit Procedures at 413/825 Ocean Ave Per Item 16-B
Attachments: City of SM - Item 16-B - Detailed Letter re Mayor's Memo.docx

EXTERNAL
Please see attached letter regarding my
Request to Delay Opening of Proposed Mental Health Facilities with Voluntary Entry/Exit Procedures at 413/825 Ocean Ave Per Item 16-B
Thank you
Sheridan Bentson
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
September 13, 2025
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]] RE: Request to Delay Opening of Proposed Mental Health Facilities with Voluntary Entry/Exit Procedures at 413/825 Ocean Ave Per Item 16-B Dear Mayor Negrete, City Manager Chi, and Honorable Members of the City Council, I am writing as a Santa Monica resident to express my concerns about the secretive negotiations between unnamed City Council Members, the City’s Housing and Human Services Department (HHS), the County Department of Mental Health (DMH) to fund – with taxpayer money – a 49-bed facility for the unhoused and several mentally ill. This project, according to the CEO of St. Joseph’s Center, was brought forward to the County only once a private developer who is currently suing the City of Santa Monica, sought out the County and St. Joseph’s to offer up his sites at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue.

I write to also offer my heartfelt support and appreciation for Mayor Lana Negrete who is the only voice on the City Council who has been transparent and forthcoming with our community about these facilities and constructively outlining a way forward for the entire city to engage on such important funding decisions.

While residents of Santa Monica must notify their surrounding neighbors for a mere hedge modification or expansion of a school sports court, no courtesy was provided to the community on this project that has significant reverberations throughout the entire City. The secrecy in which this project was approved without any public notification, permitting requirements, or consideration of the surrounding community and its citywide financial burden is grossly negligent.

As such, we want to record our opposition to this project and provide full support for Item 16-B on the October 14, 2025 City Council agenda, corresponding to Mayor Negrete’s October 9, 2025 excellent and fair memorandum titled “Request for City Council Direction on Community Engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects.” This proposal offers a thoughtful and balanced framework that promotes compassion and transparency while ensuring accountability, public safety, and community trust for the entire population of Santa Monica. While this project is specific to the community near Palisades Park, every single community in Santa Monica deserves notification and public input in any projects that affect their community, writ large. While it is this community today, it can be any community tomorrow.

We request the City and County work together to request a delay of the project at 413/825 Ocean Ave. until all of the items in 16-B have been discussed in public hearings and a new Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
analysis explaining the rationale behind this project, the alternative sites that were considered, and if the County made a decision that is in compliance with the needs defined by the City and its residents.

Specifically, as it relates to Item 16-B:

1. Comprehensive Outreach and Communication
We strongly support Direction #1, which calls for coordination between the City, LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH), St. Joseph Center, and the project developer to ensure robust outreach to residents and nearby businesses—including the numerous schools, hotels, small businesses, and other stakeholders along Ocean Avenue and its surrounding radius. Residents and local business owners deserve timely notice and a chance to understand project goals, operations, and impacts. Transparent engagement fosters cooperation rather than conflict and ensures that city decisions reflect both compassion and local input.

2. Compliance with Proposition 1 and the Good Neighbor Policy Direction #2 correctly emphasizes compliance with all state laws. These laws explicitly require citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process (Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). Enforcing these mandates ensures that mental health projects are developed with appropriate compassion for affected communities with input from residents, law enforcement, educators, housing experts, business owners, and those with lived experience. This is fidelity to the law and the spirit of partnership that newly passed state requires.

4. Public Explanation of Land Use and Operational Standards Direction #4 calls for a clear public explanation of the legal basis that allows these facilities to operate without a discretionary City permit. Residents must understand the distinctions between a mental health facility, a transitional housing facility, an emergency shelter, and supportive housing—and how each is governed under City and State law. The Mayor’s proposed public communications strategy—including a dedicated FAQ webpage, hotline for concerns, and clear follow-up protocols—is precisely the kind of accessible, fact-based communication the community needs. The fact that no one has yet been able to access any public documentation regarding the process and application in which these facilities were approved and funded with taxpayer funds speaks to the lack of transparency the law requires.

5. Verification of Developer Qualifications and Financial Transparency Direction #5’s call for verification of the developer’s goals, operational record, legal standing, and compensation from LA County is essential for accountability. Residents have a right to know who is behind these projects, how public funds are being used, and whether any conflicts of interest or active litigation exist. This transparency builds confidence in both the City’s and County’s stewardship of public resources, and that site selection is driven by thoughtful due diligence, Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
published documentation, and needs analyses that demonstrate funding needs are matched to the highest and best use, instead of driven by calls from developers who are seeking subsidized operations while they seek entitlements.

6. Retrospective Review and Corrective Action
Direction #6 ensures that the entire City of Santa Monica benefits from a thoughtful approach to compassionate care. We must learn from past experience by reviewing similar projects in Sunset Park and the Pico Neighborhood. If community engagement was inadequate in earlier projects, the City should take corrective steps now—establishing consistent contact systems, feedback channels, and neighborhood support mechanisms. This proactive stance prevents repeated errors and strengthens long-term public trust. Given the City’s financial challenges with cut services, particularly in public safety, we must provide support to all affected services across the City that no department is overly burdened by County-driven decisions that silence City taxpayers.

Conclusion
The Mayor’s memo provides a clear roadmap toward a balanced approach—one that supports mental health initiatives while demanding accountability, transparency, and respect for Santa Monica residents. I respectfully urge the City Council to adopt all six directives in full and to hold LA County and its nonprofit partners to the highest standards of openness, compliance, and community collaboration.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed in the case of 413/825 Ocean Avenue.

Thank you for your leadership in ensuring Santa Monica’s approach to mental health and homelessness remains both compassionate and responsible. To that end, please work with our community and the County to pause the opening of the unlocked mental illness facilities at 413/825 Ocean Ave.

Sincerely,
Sheridan Bentson
404 San Vicente Blvd. #101, Santa Monica CA 90402
[email protected]
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
131
Mitchell Kois
From: Brendan Beer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:03 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Santa Monica Resident Opposed to Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave

According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo (https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=19244&MeetingID=1454).

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
132
Sincerely,
Brendan and Dara Beer
Princeton St, Santa Monica
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
133
Mitchell Kois
From: Alan Leavitt <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:01 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Request to Delay Opening of Proposed Mental Health Facilities with Voluntary Entry/Exit Procedures at 413 & 825 Ocean Ave, Per Item 16-B
Importance: High

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via
email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Caroline.

[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]]
RE: Request to Delay Opening of Proposed Mental Health Facilities with Voluntary Entry/Exit Procedures at 413 & 825 Ocean Ave, Per Item 16-B
Dear Mayor Negrete, City Manager Chi, and Honorable Members of the City Council, First off, I write to offer my heartfelt support and appreciation for Mayor Lana Negrete who has been a staunch supporter of every Santa Monican, as she seeks transparency for all our communities – both retrospectively and prospectively. In her memo associated with Item 16-B, she has constructively outlined a way forward for the entire city to engage on the important decisions surrounding the compassionate care of the city’s unhoused populations, and particularly those with severe mental health challenges.

In addition, I am writing as a Santa Monica resident to express my concerns about the secretive negotiations between unnamed City Council Members, the City’s Housing and Human Services Department (HHS), the County Department of Mental Health (DMH) to fund – with taxpayer money – a 49-bed facility for the unhoused and several mentally ill. This project, according to the CEO of St. Joseph’s Center, was brought forward to the County only once a private developer who is currently suing the City of Santa Monica, sought out the County and St. Joseph’s to offer up his sites at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue. During a 10/9 Townhall organized by the North of Montana Association (NOMA), the LA County Department of Mental Health shared – for the first time with the community – that no background checks or sobriety requirements would be in place at these new facilities, and that those accepted at these facilities could voluntary enter and exit with no supervision plan beyond the facilities’ walls.

While those in Santa Monica must notify their surrounding neighbors for a mere hedge modification or expansion of a school sports court, no courtesy was provided to the community on this project that has significant reverberations throughout the entire City. The secrecy in which this project was approved without any public notification and its citywide financial/staffing burden is grossly negligent.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
134
As such, we want to record our opposition to this project and provide full support for Item 16-B on the October 14, 2025 City Council agenda, corresponding to Mayor Negrete’s October 9, 2025 excellent and fair memorandum titled “Request for City Council Direction on Community Engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects.” This proposal offers a thoughtful and balanced framework that promotes compassion and transparency while ensuring accountability, public safety, and community trust for the entire population of Santa Monica. While this item is specific to one community currently, every single community in Santa Monica deserves notification and public input in any projects that affect their community, writ large. Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and Palisades Park have shown that while it is these communities today, it can be any neighborhood tomorrow.

We request the City and County work together to request a suspension of the project at 413/825 Ocean Ave. until all of the items in 16-B have been discussed in public hearings and a new analysis explaining the rationale behind this project, the alternative sites that were considered, and if the County made a decision that is in compliance with the needs defined by the City, its residents, and other stakeholders.

Specifically, as it relates to Item 16-B:

1. Comprehensive Outreach and Communication
We strongly support Direction #1, which calls for coordination between the City, LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH), St. Joseph Center, and the project developer to ensure robust outreach to residents and nearby businesses— including the numerous schools, hotels, small businesses, and other stakeholders along Ocean Avenue and its surrounding radius. Residents and local business owners deserve timely notice and a chance to understand project goals, operations, and impacts. Transparent engagement fosters cooperation rather than conflict and ensures that city decisions reflect both compassion and local input.

2. Compliance with Proposition 1 and the Good Neighbor Policy Direction #2 correctly emphasizes compliance with all state laws. These laws explicitly require citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process (Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). Enforcing these mandates ensures that mental health projects are developed with appropriate compassion for affected communities with input from residents, law enforcement, educators, housing experts, business owners, and those with lived experience. This is fidelity to the law and the spirit of partnership that newly passed state law requires.

Every Santa Monican deserves to understand what are allowable uses for the buildings in their communities, particularly around communities that serve children and seniors.

4. Public Explanation of Land Use and Operational Standards Direction #4 calls for a clear public explanation of the legal basis that allows these facilities to operate without a discretionary City permit. Residents must understand the distinctions between a mental health facility, a transitional housing facility, an emergency shelter, and supportive housing—and how each is governed under City and State law. The Mayor’s proposed public communications strategy—including a dedicated FAQ webpage, hotline for concerns, and clear follow-up protocols— is precisely the kind of accessible, fact-based communication the community needs. The fact that no one has yet been able to access any public documentation regarding the process and application in which these facilities were approved and funded with taxpayer funds speaks to the lack of transparency the law requires.

5. Verification of Developer Qualifications and Financial Transparency Direction #5’s call for verification of the developer’s goals, operational record, legal standing, and compensation from LA County is essential for accountability. Residents have a right to know who is behind these projects, how public funds are being used, and whether any conflicts of interest or active litigation exist. This transparency builds confidence in both the City’s and County’s stewardship of public resources, and that site selection is driven by thoughtful due diligence, published documentation, and needs analyses that demonstrate funding needs are matched to the highest and best use, instead of driven by calls from developers who are seeking subsidized operations while they seek entitlements.

6. Retrospective Review and Corrective Action
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
135
Direction #6 ensures that the entire City of Santa Monica benefits from a thoughtful approach to compassionate care. We must learn from past experience by reviewing similar projects in Sunset Park and the Pico Neighborhood. If community engagement was inadequate in earlier projects, the City should take corrective steps now—establishing consistent contact systems, feedback channels, and neighborhood support mechanisms. This proactive stance prevents repeated errors and strengthens long-term public trust. Given the City’s financial challenges with cut services, particularly in public safety, we must provide support to all affected services across the City that no department is overly burdened by County-driven decisions that silence City taxpayers.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed in the case of 413/825 Ocean Avenue.

To that end, please work with our community and the County to immediately pause the opening of the unlocked mental illness facilities at 413/825 Ocean Ave.

Sincerely,
Alan Leavitt
Wil-Mont and North of Montana
[email protected]
cc: LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Third District

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
136
Mitchell Kois
From: Jo Baxter <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:00 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Safety Concerns

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]]
RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

The issue is not about opposing care—it is about ensuring that care is delivered responsibly, safely, cost effectively, and with dignity for all. The Mayor’s call for coordination between the City, Los Angeles County, and nonprofit providers ensures that these projects will be guided by expertise, empathy, and accountability. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated mission in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan.By calling for clarity on zoning, transparency in developer practices, and robust public outreach,
Mayor Negrete is not creating barriers to progress—she is building trust, ensuring that our city’s compassion is matched by competence in every single neighborhood across this city. This approach strengthens our collective ability to help people heal, stabilize, and reintegrate into the community.

Sincerely,
Jo Baxter
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
137
Marguerita Avenue
Santa Monica 90402
[email protected]
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvat Sent from my iPad
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
138
Mitchell Kois
From: Jennifer Shiri <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:59 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the faciliƟes at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public parƟcipaƟon, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo (hƩps://urldefense.com/v3/__hƩps://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/CiƟzens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=19244&MeeƟng ID=1454__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!uPZLpI5-2WYOiIy9DwddbjBX-0N2GdllgqCbntKQB36YbObZ7PDhREPtMIaNPtgYoiKN994RZI74sDSdNuXvKi9oSFewyUeF44$ ).

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the enƟre city and county.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Shiri
90403
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
139
Mitchell Kois
From: Ali S <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:54 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework
Attachments: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica.pdf

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]]
RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
140
Negrete’s memo.

Thank you!
Best,
Ali Safavi, J.D., M.B.A.

Global Sales Advisor
NB Elite Realty Inc
453 S SPRING ST
STE 400
LOS ANGELES, CA 90013
DRE#: 02112648
[email protected]
Mobile: 310-694-2813
©2025 NB Elite Realty Inc fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. If your property is currently listed with a REALTOR®, please disregard this notice. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other Brokers.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]]
RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi,
I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Sincerely,
Ali Safavi
428 14th st, Santa Monica, CA 90402
[email protected]
310-694-2813
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
141
Mitchell Kois
From: Noah Gigliotti <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:57 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, City Manager Chi, and Honorable Members of the City Council, First off, I write to offer my heartfelt support and appreciation for Mayor Lana Negrete who has been a staunch supporter of every Santa Monican, as she seeks transparency for all our communities – both retrospectively and prospectively. In her memo associated with Item 16-B, she has constructively outlined a way forward for the entire city to engage on the important decisions surrounding the compassionate care of the city’s unhoused populations, and particularly those with severe mental health challenges. In addition, I am writing as a Santa Monica resident to express my concerns about the secretive negotiations between unnamed City Council Members, the City’s Housing and Human Services Department (HHS), the County Department of Mental Health (DMH) to fund – with taxpayer money – a 49- bed facility for the unhoused and several mentally ill. This project, according to the CEO of St. Joseph’s Center, was brought forward to the County only once a private developer who is currently suing the City of Santa Monica, sought out the County and St. Joseph’s to offer up his sites at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue.

During a 10/9 Townhall organized by the North of Montana Association (NOMA), the LA County Department of Mental Health shared – for the first time with the community – that no background checks or sobriety requirements would be in place at these new facilities, and that those accepted at these facilities could voluntary enter and exit with no supervision plan beyond the facilities’ walls. While those in Santa Monica must notify their surrounding neighbors for a mere hedge modification or expansion of a school sports court, no courtesy was provided to the community on this project that has significant reverberations throughout the entire City. The secrecy in which this project was approved without any public notification and its citywide financial/staffing burden is grossly negligent. As such, we want to record our opposition to this project and provide full support for Item 16-B on the October 14, 2025 City Council agenda, corresponding to Mayor Negrete’s October 9, 2025 excellent and fair memorandum titled “Request for City Council Direction on Community Engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects.” This proposal offers a thoughtful and balanced framework that promotes compassion and transparency while ensuring accountability, public safety, and community trust for the entire population of Santa Monica. While this item is specific to one community currently, every single community in Santa Monica deserves notification and public input in any projects that affect their community, writ large. Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and Palisades Park have shown that while it is these communities today, it can be any neighborhood tomorrow. We request the City and County work together to request a suspension of the project at 413/825 Ocean Ave. until all of the items in 16-B have been discussed in public hearings and a new analysis explaining the rationale behind this project, the alternative sites that were considered, and if the County made a decision that is Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
142
in compliance with the needs defined by the City, its residents, and other stakeholders. Specifically, as it relates to Item 16-B: 1. Comprehensive Outreach and Communication We strongly support Direction #1, which calls for coordination between the City, LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH), St. Joseph Center, and the project developer to ensure robust outreach to residents and nearby businesses—including the numerous schools, hotels, small businesses, and other stakeholders along Ocean Avenue and its surrounding radius. Residents and local business owners deserve timely notice and a chance to understand project goals, operations, and impacts. Transparent engagement fosters cooperation rather than conflict and ensures that city decisions reflect both compassion and local input.

4. Public Explanation of Land Use and Operational Standards Direction #4 calls for a clear public explanation of the legal basis that allows these facilities to operate without a discretionary City permit. Residents must understand the distinctions between a mental health facility, a transitional housing facility, an emergency shelter, and supportive housing—and how each is governed under City and State law. The Mayor’s proposed public communications strategy—including a dedicated FAQ webpage, hotline for concerns, and clear follow-up protocols—is precisely the kind of accessible, fact-based communication the community needs. The fact that no one has yet been able to access any public documentation regarding the process and application in which these facilities were approved and funded with taxpayer funds speaks to the lack of transparency the law requires.

5. Verification of Developer Qualifications and Financial Transparency Direction #5’s call for verification of the developer’s goals, operational record, legal standing, and compensation from LA County is essential for accountability. Residents have a right to know who is behind these projects, how public funds are being used, and whether any conflicts of interest or active litigation exist. This transparency builds confidence in both the City’s and County’s stewardship of public resources, and that site selection is driven by thoughtful due diligence, published documentation, and Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
143
needs analyses that demonstrate funding needs are matched to the highest and best use, instead of driven by calls from developers who are seeking subsidized operations while they seek entitlements.

Given the City’s financial challenges with cut services, particularly in public safety, we must provide support to all affected services across the City that no department is overly burdened by County-driven decisions that silence City taxpayers. Conclusion The Mayor’s memo provides a clear roadmap toward a balanced approach—one that supports mental health initiatives while demanding accountability, transparency, and respect for Santa Monica residents. I respectfully urge the City Council to adopt all six directives in full and to hold LA County and its nonprofit partners to the highest standards of openness, compliance, and community collaboration. In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote:
“Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed in the case of 413/825 Ocean Avenue. I stand in full support of Mayor Negrete’s efforts to make Santa Monica a model for both compassionate care and transparent governance. Los Angeles County should not be driving decisions that impact all of our communities without accountability, and thus, we simultaneously call on Third District LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to intervene – to both pause funding for these projects and support Mayor Negrete’s detailed request. To that end, please work with our community and the County to immediately pause the opening of the unlocked mental illness facilities at 413/825 Ocean Ave.

Sincerely,
Noah Gigliotti
646-244-0145
[email protected]
cc: LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Third District Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
144
Mitchell Kois
From: PATRICK GIGLIOTTI <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:57 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Cc: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: ITEM 16 NEGRETE

EXTERNAL
0/13/25
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Honorable Members of the City Council,
First off, I write to offer my heartfelt support and appreciation for Mayor Lana Negrete who has been a staunch supporter of every Santa Monican, as she seeks transparency for all our communities – both retrospectively and prospectively. In her memo associated with Item 16-B, she has constructively outlined a way forward for the entire city to engage on the important decisions surrounding the compassionate care of the city’s unhoused populations, and particularly those with severe mental health challenges.

As such, we want to record our opposition to this project and provide full support for Item 16-B on the October 14, 2025 City Council agenda, corresponding to Mayor Negrete’s October 9, 2025 excellent and fair memorandum titled “Request for City Council Direction on Community Engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects.” This proposal offers a thoughtful and balanced framework that promotes compassion and transparency while ensuring accountability, public safety, and community trust for the entire population of Santa Monica. While this item is specific to one community currently, every single community in Santa Monica deserves notification and public input in any projects that affect their community, writ large. Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and Palisades Park have shown that while it is these communities today, it can be any neighborhood tomorrow.

We request the City and County work together to request a suspension of the project at 413/825 Ocean Ave. until all of the items in 16- B have been discussed in public hearings and a new analysis explaining the rationale behind this project, the alternative sites that were considered, and if the County made a decision that is in compliance with the needs defined by the City, its residents, and other stakeholders.

Specifically, as it relates to Item 16-B:

1. Comprehensive Outreach and Communication
We strongly support Direction #1, which calls for coordination between the City, LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH), St.

Joseph Center, and the project developer to ensure robust outreach to residents and nearby businesses—including the numerous schools, hotels, small businesses, and other stakeholders along Ocean Avenue and its surrounding radius. Residents and local business owners deserve timely notice and a chance to understand project goals, operations, and impacts. Transparent engagement fosters cooperation rather than conflict and ensures that city decisions reflect both compassion and local input.

2. Compliance with Proposition 1 and the Good Neighbor Policy Direction #2 correctly emphasizes compliance with all state laws. These laws explicitly require citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process (Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). Enforcing these mandates ensures that mental health projects are developed with appropriate compassion for affected communities with input from residents, law enforcement, educators, housing experts, business owners, and those with lived experience. This is fidelity to the law and the spirit of partnership that newly Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
145
passed state law requires.

4. Public Explanation of Land Use and Operational Standards Direction #4 calls for a clear public explanation of the legal basis that allows these facilities to operate without a discretionary City permit. Residents must understand the distinctions between a mental health facility, a transitional housing facility, an emergency shelter, and supportive housing—and how each is governed under City and State law. The Mayor’s proposed public communications strategy—including a dedicated FAQ webpage, hotline for concerns, and clear follow-up protocols—is precisely the kind of accessible, fact-based communication the community needs. The fact that no one has yet been able to access any public documentation regarding the process and application in which these facilities were approved and funded with taxpayer funds speaks to the lack of transparency the law requires.

5. Verification of Developer Qualifications and Financial Transparency Direction #5’s call for verification of the developer’s goals, operational record, legal standing, and compensation from LA County is essential for accountability. Residents have a right to know who is behind these projects, how public funds are being used, and whether any conflicts of interest or active litigation exist. This transparency builds confidence in both the City’s and County’s stewardship of public resources, and that site selection is driven by thoughtful due diligence, published documentation, and needs analyses that demonstrate funding needs are matched to the highest and best use, instead of driven by calls from developers who are seeking subsidized operations while they seek entitlements.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed in the case of 413/825 Ocean Avenue.

To that end, please work with our community and the County to immediately pause the opening of the unlocked mental illness facilities at 413/825 Ocean Ave.

Sincerely,
Kate Gigliotti
216 Georgina Avenue
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
146
Mitchell Kois
From: SaveSantaMonica <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:54 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Subject: Item 16B or 14 Negrete Memo to Pause the 413 and 825 Severe Mentally Ill Facilities and comply with the Due Process Required by Law

EXTERNAL
RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Bridge Housing Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at these facilities, which allow for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

We are already being crushed by the homeless population that exists every night at the end of the EXPO Line. Tongva Park which opened with so much fanfare is unvisitable and dangerous. Santa Monica Promenade is no longer where we can take our kids, it is not safe and that is why all the stores have left. I have personally had to call the police twice in the last month related to one Homeless following me and another walking towards me with broken glass bottles.

We request that the six points of the Negrete memo are abided by especially those outlined in Proposition 1 and the Good Neighbor Policy (SB 326), including the community engagement provision set forth in Welfare and Institutions Code § 5604.2(a)(4), which requires citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process.

We also request a full investigation into how it happened that this project was done in secret without proper notice to the community per above.

Sincerely,
Diana Schneider
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
147
Mitchell Kois
From: Katie <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:53 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Cc: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
10/13/25
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

As such, we want to record our opposition to this project and provide full support for Item 16-B on the October 14, 2025 City Council agenda, corresponding to Mayor Negrete’s October 9, 2025 excellent and fair memorandum titled “Request for City Council Direction on Community Engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects.” This proposal offers a thoughtful and balanced framework that promotes compassion and transparency while ensuring accountability, public safety, and community trust for the entire population of Santa Monica. While this item is specific to one community currently, every single community in Santa Monica deserves notification and public input in any projects that affect their community, writ large. Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and Palisades Park have shown that while it is these communities today, it can be any neighborhood tomorrow.

We request the City and County work together to request a suspension of the project at 413/825 Ocean Ave. until all of the items in 16- B have been discussed in public hearings and a new analysis explaining the rationale behind this project, the alternative sites that were considered, and if the County made a decision that is in compliance with the needs defined by the City, its residents, and other stakeholders.

Specifically, as it relates to Item 16-B:

1. Comprehensive Outreach and Communication
We strongly support Direction #1, which calls for coordination between the City, LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH), St.

2. Compliance with Proposition 1 and the Good Neighbor Policy Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
148
Direction #2 correctly emphasizes compliance with all state laws. These laws explicitly require citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process (Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). Enforcing these mandates ensures that mental health projects are developed with appropriate compassion for affected communities with input from residents, law enforcement, educators, housing experts, business owners, and those with lived experience. This is fidelity to the law and the spirit of partnership that newly passed state law requires.

Residents must understand the distinctions between a mental health facility, a transitional housing facility, an emergency shelter, and supportive housing—and how each is governed under City and State law. The Mayor’s proposed public communications strategy— including a dedicated FAQ webpage, hotline for concerns, and clear follow-up protocols—is precisely the kind of accessible, fact-based communication the community needs. The fact that no one has yet been able to access any public documentation regarding the process and application in which these facilities were approved and funded with taxpayer funds speaks to the lack of transparency the law requires.

5. Verification of Developer Qualifications and Financial Transparency Direction #5’s call for verification of the developer’s goals, operational record, legal standing, and compensation from LA County is essential for accountability. Residents have a right to know who is behind these projects, how public funds are being used, and whether any conflicts of interest or active litigation exist. This transparency builds confidence in both the City’s and County’s stewardship of public resources, and that site selection is driven by thoughtful due diligence, published documentation, and needs analyses that demonstrate funding needs are matched to the highest and best use, instead of driven by calls from developers who are seeking subsidized operations while they seek entitlements.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed in the case of 413/825 Ocean Avenue.

To that end, please work with our community and the County to immediately pause the opening of the unlocked mental illness facilities at 413/825 Ocean Ave.

Sincerely,
Kate Gigliotti
216 Georgina Avenue
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
149
Mitchell Kois
From: Ashley Oelsen <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:53 AM
To: councilmtgitems; [email protected]
Cc: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]
Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and Request to Delay Opening of Bridge Housing for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I write to express strong support for Mayor Negrete, who brought to light the not transparent manner in which two facilities for people with severe mental illness were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks. These approvals proceeded without publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notice, or community input as required by Welfare and Institutions Code § 5604.2(a)(4). I stand with fellow Santa Monicans in requesting a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are completed and posted for public review. I especially support Item 6, which calls for a comprehensive and transparent citywide site review process for such facilities.

Although tomorrow night's item references these two addresses, the underlying issue is citywide. It indicates that the City lacks a clear process to allocate taxpayer funds in a way that complies with state law and aligns with the City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which calls for community and professional involvement at every stage. These provisions ensure that the experiences of people living with mental illness, as well as the perspectives of residents, local businesses, and first responders, are heard, respected, and considered. This is essential as the City faces significant fiscal constraints.

The goal is not to oppose care. The goal is to ensure that care is delivered responsibly, safely, and cost effectively, and that it is provided with dignity for all. The Mayor’s call for coordination among the City, Los Angeles County, and nonprofit providers will help ensure that programs are guided by expertise, empathy, and accountability. The community should be treated as a partner in this work, so that all parties can achieve outcomes that improve well being for everyone. This is consistent with the mission set out in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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By seeking clarity on zoning, transparency in developer practices, and robust public outreach, Mayor Negrete is not creating obstacles to progress. She is building trust and ensuring that the City’s compassion is matched by competence in every neighborhood. This approach strengthens our shared ability to help people heal, stabilize, and reintegrate into the community.

Her leadership shows that compassion and accountability are not in conflict. They are inseparable. A community that truly cares for its most vulnerable must also care about how decisions are made, how public funds are spent, and how every stakeholder is treated.

I fully support the Mayor’s efforts to make Santa Monica a model of compassionate care and transparent governance. Los Angeles County should not make decisions that affect our community without accountability. For that reason, I also call on Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath to intervene, pause funding for these projects, and support the Mayor’s detailed requests.

In closing, I respectfully ask you to adopt all six requests in Mayor Negrete’s memo and to pause the opening of the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue until all required analyses are completed and shared publicly. Thank you for your service to our city and for considering this item.

Sincerely,
Ashley Oelsen
Montana Neighborhood
[email protected] / 310-612-3929
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
151
Mitchell Kois
From: Morgan Smith <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:45 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: 413 and 825 Ocean Ave

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

Sincerely,
Morgan & Greg Smith
908 11th st
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
152
Mitchell Kois
From: Tiffany Bensley <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:45 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Cc: Bjorn Farrugia
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi,
I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
153
Sincerely,
Bjorn Farrugia & Tiffany Bensley
107 Foxtail Dr, Santa Monica CA 90402
310-998-7175 / 310-499-6244
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
154
Mitchell Kois
From: Guy Zac <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:44 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]] RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
155
outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Guy Zaczepinski
NOMA Resident
[email protected]
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
156
Mitchell Kois
From: Claire DiTusa <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:43 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Bridge Housing Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

All state funds for this project are awarded and administered by the County of Los Angeles, and therefore the County must ensure full compliance with all applicable state laws, including requirements for transparency, community engagement, and public oversight. Therefore, the County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Neighborhood, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Claire Gomez
Wilmont Neighborhood
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
157
[email protected]
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
158
Mitchell Kois
From: Katie <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:43 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

While tonight’s item appears to only be relevant to the two addresses above, this issue has citywide implications as it demonstrates that our city lacks a process to expend taxpayer funds in compliance with state law and the spirit of our City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which require community and professional involvement at every stage.

These provisions are designed to guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local businesses, and first responders, are all heard, respected, and accounted for – particularly as our city faces significant financial shortfalls.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
159
I stand in full support of Mayor Negrete’s efforts to make Santa Monica a model for both compassionate care and transparent governance. Los Angeles County should not be driving decisions that impact all of our communities without accountability, and thus, we simultaneously call on Third District LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to intervene – to both pause funding for these projects and support Mayor Negrete’s detailed request.

Sincerely,
Kate Gigliotti
216 Georgina Avenue
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
160
Mitchell Kois
From: Kate Falberg <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:42 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
I object to the plans for 413 and 825 Ocean Ave.

Kate Falberg
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
161
Mitchell Kois
From: Linda Jayne <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:36 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: objection to Ocean Ave project

EXTERNAL
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]] RE: Lack of Public Transparency and Compliance with the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan / Request to Delay Opening of Proposed Mental Health Facilities with Voluntary Entry/Exit Procedures at 413 & 825 Ocean Ave, Per Item 16-B Dear Mayor Negrete, City Manager Chi, and Honorable Members of the City Council, First off, I write to offer my heartfelt support and appreciation for Mayor Lana Negrete who has been a staunch supporter of every Santa Monican, as she seeks transparency for all our communities – both retrospectively and prospectively. In her memo associated with Item 16- B, she has constructively outlined a way forward for the entire city to engage on the important decisions surrounding the compassionate care of the city’s unhoused populations, and particularly those with severe mental health challenges.

While residents of Santa Monica must notify their surrounding neighbors for a mere hedge modification or expansion of a school sports court, no courtesy was provided to the community on this project that has significant reverberations throughout the entire City. The secrecy in which this project was approved without any public notification and its citywide financial/staffing burden is grossly negligent.

As such, we want to record our opposition to this project and provide full support for Item 16-B on the October 14, 2025 City Council agenda, corresponding to Mayor Negrete’s October 9, 2025 excellent and fair memorandum titled “Request for City Council Direction on Community Engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects.” This proposal offers a thoughtful and balanced framework that promotes compassion and transparency while ensuring accountability, public safety, and community trust for the entire population of Santa Monica. While this item is specific to one community currently, every single community in Santa Monica deserves notification and public input in any projects that affect their community, writ large. Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and Palisades Park have shown that while it is these communities today, it can be any neighborhood tomorrow.

We request the City and County work together to request a delay of the project at 413/825 Ocean Ave. until all of the items in 16-B have been discussed in public hearings and a new analysis explaining the rationale behind this project, the alternative sites that were considered, and if the County made a decision that is in compliance with the needs defined by the City, its residents, and other stakeholders.

Specifically, as it relates to Item 16-B:

2. Compliance with Proposition 1 and the Good Neighbor Policy Direction #2 correctly emphasizes compliance with all state laws. These laws explicitly require citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process (Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). Enforcing these mandates ensures that mental health projects are developed with appropriate compassion for affected communities with input from residents, law enforcement, educators, housing experts, business owners, and those with lived experience. This is fidelity to the law and the spirit of partnership that newly passed state requires.

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Residents must understand the distinctions between a mental health facility, a transitional housing facility, an emergency shelter, and supportive housing—and how each is governed under City and State law. The Mayor’s proposed public communications strategy—including a dedicated FAQ webpage, hotline for concerns, and clear follow-up protocols—is precisely the kind of accessible, fact-based communication the community needs. The fact that no one has yet been able to access any public documentation regarding the process and application in which these facilities were approved and funded with taxpayer funds speaks to the lack of transparency the law requires.

5. Verification of Developer Qualifications and Financial Transparency Direction #5’s call for verification of the developer’s goals, operational record, legal standing, and compensation from LA County is essential for accountability. Residents have a right to know who is behind these projects, how public funds are being used, and whether any conflicts of interest or active litigation exist. This transparency builds confidence in both the City’s and County’s stewardship of public resources, and that site selection is driven by thoughtful due diligence, published documentation, and needs analyses that demonstrate funding needs are matched to the highest and best use, instead of driven by calls from developers who are seeking subsidized operations while they seek entitlements.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed in the case of 413/825 Ocean Avenue.

Sincerely,
Linda Jayne
305 Georgina Ave.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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163
Mitchell Kois
From: Caroline Mayes <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:33 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]] RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Caroline Mayes
901 10th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
165
Mitchell Kois
From: Kathy Metaxas <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:32 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

EXTERNAL
Oct. 13, 2025

Residents were blindsided, left to discover this project through rumor rather than proper notification. This was not a clerical error—it was a profound failure of transparency.

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While your office and St. Joseph Center’s newly released FAQ attempts to assure the public that the site will provide “24/7 staffing” and “enhanced security,” it is evident there is no coordinated plan to provide safety beyond the walls of these facilities, as discussed at the October 9th Town Hall, where your office, the LA County DMH, and St. Joseph’s presented. Transparency after the fact is not transparency—it’s damage control.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed as we have outlined.

You owe this community an explanation and must put a pause to the opening of these facilities until proper due diligence is completed in a public forum that is in compliance withthe law.

Sincerely,
Kathy Metaxas
College Streets
310.944.8112
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
167
Mitchell Kois
From: Lily Ablon <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:32 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county. While this letter appears to only be relevant to the two addresses above, this issue has citywide implications as it demonstrates that our county and city lack a process to expend taxpayer funds in compliance with state law and the spirit of our City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which require community and professional involvement at every stage. These provisions are designed Item 16-B
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to guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local businesses, and first responders, are all heard with a mission for success – particularly as our city faces significant financial shortfalls.

The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input requires, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Lily Ablon, Santa Monica resident and parent
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Sent from my iPhone
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
169
Mitchell Kois
From: Yassmine Mehdyzadeh <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:31 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: RE: Item 16B Support for Negrete

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
I am writing to strongly urge you to support item 16B and our legal, due process rights under SB326.

The Good Neighbor Policy requirement (via SB326) was not followed and is a clear violation of our due process rights.

The first public discussion on this topic took place Thursday, October 9th during a NOMA informational zoom meeting. However, it was clear the intention of St. Joseph’s and LA County was to open the facility illegally and without notice, community input. More so, fully formed operational polices or adequate safety measures to protect the surrounding neighborhood were not and have not been presented or accepted.

Furthermore, I am concerned to have learned from St. Joseph’s that individuals in this shelter will not be subject to drug testing or complete background checks, yet they will be permitted to exit and and enter the facility and community freely during the day. This poses significant risks to our community, especially given the proximity of THREE elementary schools, community parks and local residents. Additionally, it was suggested that others looking for homeless services would benefit from outreach being conducted in the surrounding area, effectively putting more homeless, mentally ill and drug addicts in the neighborhood. You are not simply housing 49 people you are a beacon to everyone looking for homeless services.

Simply accepting the risk and responsibility for approving this location is not acceptable. The introduction of such a facility without consideration of our legal, due process rights is dangerous.

It is your responsibility to prioritize the safety of your current community members, especially the many children who attend the impacted schools.

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Protect our neighborhood, vote yes for item 16B to support transparency and our due process rights.

I look forward to your response and or support for item 16B.

Sincerely,
Yassmine Mehdyzadeh
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
171
Mitchell Kois
From: Tim Davis <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:28 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Cc: Bjorn Farrugia; Kenneth A. Carlson
Subject: Re: Mental Health Facilities at 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica Attachments: 2025_10_13_Letter to SM City Council - 16B .pdf

EXTERNAL
To: The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath and The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council.

Please find the attached signed letter regarding a request to Require a new process that follows state law and the city's strategic plan, using the item 16-B Memo as a Framework. --
Timothy Davis MD
[email protected]
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE : This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may contain privileged and confidential information subject to such privacy regulations as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This information is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination or copying of this e-mail or any of its attachment(s) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sending individual or entity by e-mail and permanently delete the original e-mail and attachment(s) from your computer system. Thank you for your cooperation"
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]] RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi,
I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Sincerely,
Timothy Davis MD
1615 Georgina Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
172
Mitchell Kois
From: Kathi Yamaguchi-Dozal <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:28 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: "Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
We suppose Mayor Negrete to review this item Please mark us in Katherine and Lawrence Dozal Sent from my iPhone Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
173
Mitchell Kois
From: Gina Choi <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:27 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
Monday Oct 13, 2025

The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

RE: Request to Delay Opening of Proposed Mental Health Facilities with Voluntary Entry/Exit Procedures at 413 & 825 Ocean Ave, Per Item 16-B

Dear Mayor Negrete, City Manager Chi, and Honorable Members of the City Council, I am writing to express my concerns about the secretive negotiations between unnamed City Council Members, the City’s Housing and Human Services Department (HHS), the County Department of Mental Health (DMH) to fund – with taxpayer money – a 49-bed facility for the unhoused and several mentally ill.

This project, according to the CEO of St. Joseph’s Center, was brought forward to the County only once a private developer, who is currently suing the City of Santa Monica, sought out the County and St. Joseph’s to offer up his sites at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue. During a 10/9 Townhall organized by the North of Montana Association (NOMA), the LA County Department of Mental Health shared – for the first time with the community – that no background checks or sobriety requirements would be in place at these new facilities, and that those accepted at these facilities could voluntary enter and exit with no supervision plan beyond the facilities’ walls.

As such, I want to record my opposition to this project and provide full support for Item 16-B on the October 14, 2025 City Council agenda, corresponding to Mayor Negrete’s October 9, 2025 memorandum titled “Request for City Council Direction on Community Engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects.” This proposal offers a thoughtful and balanced framework that promotes compassion and transparency while ensuring accountability, public safety, and community trust for the entire population of Santa Monica. While this item is specific to one community currently, every single community in Santa Monica deserves notification and public input in any projects that affect their community, writ large. Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and Palisades Park have shown that while it is these communities today, it can be any neighborhood tomorrow.

Specifically, as it relates to Item 16-B:

2. Compliance with Proposition 1 and the Good Neighbor Policy Direction #2 correctly emphasizes compliance with all state laws. These laws explicitly require citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process (Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). Enforcing these mandates ensures that mental health projects are developed with appropriate compassion for affected communities with input from residents, law enforcement, educators, housing experts, business owners, and those with lived experience. This is fidelity to the law and the spirit of partnership that newly passed state law requires.

Item 16-B
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174

4. Public Explanation of Land Use and Operational Standards Direction #4 calls for a clear public explanation of the legal basis that allows these facilities to operate without a discretionary City permit. Residents must understand the distinctions between a mental health facility, a transitional housing facility, an emergency shelter, and supportive housing—and how each is governed under City and State law. The Mayor’s proposed public communications strategy—including a dedicated FAQ webpage, hotline for concerns, and clear follow-up protocols—is precisely the kind of accessible, fact-based communication the community needs. The fact that no one has yet been able to access any public documentation regarding the process and application in which these facilities were approved and funded with taxpayer funds speaks to the lack of transparency the law requires.

Residents have a right to know who is behind these projects, how public funds are being used, and whether any conflicts of interest or active litigation exist. This transparency builds confidence in both the City’s and County’s stewardship of public resources, and that site selection is driven by thoughtful due diligence, published documentation, and needs analyses that demonstrate funding needs are matched to the highest and best use, instead of driven by calls from developers who are seeking subsidized operations while they seek entitlements.

Conclusion
I respectfully urge the City Council to adopt all six directives in full and to hold LA County and its nonprofit partners to the highest standards of openness, compliance, and community collaboration.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote:
“Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed in the case of 413/825 Ocean Avenue.

Los Angeles County should not be driving decisions that impact all of our communities without accountability, and thus, we simultaneously call on Third District LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to intervene – to both pause funding for these projects and support Mayor Negrete’s detailed request.

To that end, please work with our community and the County to immediately pause the opening of the unlocked mental illness facilities at 413/825 Ocean Ave.

Sincerely,
Gina Choi, 90402

cc: LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Third District Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
175
Mitchell Kois
From: Nat Bernstein <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:26 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: from a very concerned citizen of Santa Monica

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District 500 West Temple Street, Room 866 Los Angeles, CA 90012
Re: Lack of Transparency and Community Engagement Regarding 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue Mental Health Facilities
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I’m writing to express my extreme concern and disappointment over the manner in which your office and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health advanced the voluntary entry/exit facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue for the unhoused and severely mentally ill without prior public notice or community engagement.

As City of Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete made clear in her October 9, 2025 memo to the Santa Monica City Manager, even the City of Santa Monica was “recently made aware” of the County’s actions after funding had been approved and renovations were already underway. Residents were blindsided, the majority of us left to discover this project through rumor rather than proper notification. This was not a clerical error—it was a profound failure of transparency.

Instead, this project was quietly advanced without consideration of the preschools, elementary schools, senior living facilities, and impacts on the city’s tourism hub that generates millions in revenue for a city already under fiscal strain. Not to mention the extreme problem which has already existed with our unhoused population. The secrecy surrounding this process has eroded public trust and undermined the very principles of open governance you have publicly championed.

Transparency after the fact is not transparency—it’s damage control.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
176
and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed as we have outlined.

Supervisor Horvath, the people of Santa Monica are not opposed to providing mental health care or supportive housing.

We are opposed to being cut out of decisions that so profoundly affect our children, elderly, neighborhoods, schools, small businesses, safety, and economic stability. You owe this community an explanation and must put a pause to the opening of these facilities until proper due diligence is completed in a public forum that is in compliance with the law.

Sincerely,
Nat Bernstein
549 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, Ca. 90402
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
177
Mitchell Kois
From: Dan J. <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:26 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Shelters for the Severely Mentally Ill at 413/825 Ocean Ave

Mayor Negrete’s call to pause these projects is not obstruction—it is common sense. It is an urgent demand for proper process, public hearings, and a full accounting of how and why these facilities were approved without adequate transparency.

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Santa Monica has always led with both heart and responsibility. Please, honor that tradition. Halt the opening of these facilities until the full truth is on the table and the community has had its rightful voice in the process.

Sincerely,
Daniel Jansenson
_______________________
Daniel Jansenson Architect
telephone: 310.451.5907
1424 4th St. 221
Santa Monica, CA 90401
www.danjansenson.com
www.linkedin.com/in/danieljansenson
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
179
Mitchell Kois
From: Virginie Lafarge <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:25 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Bridge Housing Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at these facilities, which allow for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Neighborhood]
[Optional: Email / Phone]
Sincerely,
Virginie Lafarge, Downtown Santa Monica,
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
180
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
181
Mitchell Kois
From: Alya Wilhelm <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:23 AM
To: [email protected]; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Lana Negrete; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems Subject: RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension ofthe facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

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Her leadership reminds us that compassion and accountability are not opposing values—they are inseparable. A community that truly cares about its most vulnerable must also care deeply about how decisions are made, how funds are spent, and how every stakeholder is treated.

Sincerely,
Alya Wilhelm
631 Georgina Ave
Santa Monica
cc:Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
183
Mitchell Kois
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:22 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Cc: csilver17@roadrunner. com
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals forMental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
10 13 25
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
184
Thank you.

Howard Eliash
521 Montana Ave. 204
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
185
Mitchell Kois
From: Belle Scott <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:19 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, allowing voluntary entry/exit without a plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request that the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that complies with all laws governing public participation, and that addresses the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county. While this letter appears to only be relevant to the two addresses above, this issue has citywide implications as it demonstrates that our county and city lack a process to expend taxpayer funds in compliance with state law and the spirit of our City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which requires community and professional involvement at every stage. These provisions are designed to guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local businesses, and first responders, are all heard with a mission for success – particularly as our city faces significant financial shortfalls.

The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without complying with the proper notification and input requirements, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in these endeavours to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the well-being of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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In conclusion, we respectfully request that you pause the opening of the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean, reopen the approvals and analysis of these projects, and support the completion of all six points in Mayor Negrete’s memo associated with Item 16-B. Thank you to Mayor Negrete for bringing this critical issue to our attention, and to all of you for your service to our city and for considering this vital item.

Sincerely,
Belle & Alex Scott
Santa Monica, CA
[email protected]
Belle Scott
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
187
Mitchell Kois
From: Brigette Lubin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:17 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: 80 YEAR OLD IN LAWS LIVE FOUR DOORS DOWN FROM 413 Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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I stand in full support of Mayor Negrete’s efforts to make Santa Monica a model for both compassionate care and transparent governance. Los Angeles County should not be driving decisions that impact all of our communities without accountability, and thus, we simultaneously call on Third District LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to intervene – to both pause funding for these projects and support Mayor Negrete’s detailed request.

In conclusion, I respectfully request your support for all six requests in Mayor Negrete’s memo and pause the opening of the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean until all the analyses are posted and shared with the public. Thank you for your service to our city and for considering this important item.

Sincerely,
Brigette Lubin 90402 SM resident and parent to one young child who goes to grandma daily 4 doors down from 413

cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath _____________________
Brigette Lubin
Ocean Showroom
Cooper Building
860 S Los Angeles St. #520
Los Angeles. CA 90014
c: 213.842.9684
[email protected]
ELAINE KIM * LUSANA * SOIA&KYO * Oliveve
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
189
Mitchell Kois
From: Dennis Puri <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:10 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Santa Monica Feedback

EXTERNAL
Hi City Council,
I’m a resident of Santa Monica and just wanted to express my concern about the increased presence of homeless people in the city and the increased rate of violent crime. I have two young kids and I have to admit I question whether living here is the best idea.

I’m writing to encourage the council to reduce homelessness in Santa Monica by any means necessary. We don’t have the money to keep our libraries open let alone build housing for the nation’s homeless. Maybe we can focus on our tax-paying families first, and focus services to people who become homeless while living in our community.

I also think we simply have too many dangerous mentally ill people in our community. I have had to intervene multiple times to save other people from an impending attack (not exaggerated).

Needless to say, I think the opening of 413 and 425 Ocean Ave is unwise. The bluffs are a community resource and I already have to keep a mindful eye when I walk there w/ my kids, wife and puppy. How is putting more mentally unstable people in that area a good idea?
I understand there are tight policies for the behavioral expectations and want these people to get care, but I don’t see how putting our families at risk has to be a byproduct of this.

I think maybe the council needs to ask itself why would a family choose to raise their kids in Santa Monica? Why would someone choose to start a business here? Is it responsible for parents to choose Santa Monica where violent crime regularly occurs which is nearly always committed by non-residents? I am starting a new business but why would I choose Santa Monica where my clients will have to deal with a growing population of homeless, mentally-ill people from out of town? The answer is simple – I’m not starting a company here but will office in Brentwood. If the city changes its direction and priorities, I can always relocate to SM.

Thanks. I obviously think we can turn it around, and root for the council to successfully get us there.

Dennis Puri
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
190
Mitchell Kois
From: Genaro Pereira <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:08 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]] RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input required, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Genaro PEREIRA
44 Haldeman Road
Santa Monica, CA, 90402
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
192
Mitchell Kois
From: Caroline Mayes <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:05 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
Item 16-Negrete
Thanks,
Caroline Mayes
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
193
Mitchell Kois
From: Stanley H Epstein <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:04 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16 B at Council’s October 14, 2024 Meeting

EXTERNAL
Late on Friday, the Clerk released an amended Agenda , including Item 16 B , which arises from proposals for a Non Profit to operate , with a Grant from LA County, faciliƟes for homeless, severely mentally disturbed individuals in buildings on Ocean Avenue , one several blocks north of Montana and the other, about 100 feet south of Montana. These locaƟons are horribly inappropriate !
NOMA had a meeƟng Tuesday, at which almost 300 people voiced their strong opposiƟon to the projects. The County and the Non Profit stated they had met with, and obtained approval of same from an unspecified number of Santa Monica Council members from March, 2025 through September , 2025. Those elected officials never uƩered a word to the public aŌer hearing about these and the deals only became public when Mayor Lana Negrete courageously disclosed them them a few days aŌer she learned about .It was also stated that the City Manager and several staff people had full knowledge and all cooperated in the silence and the cover up.

Reliable informaƟon is that the improper acƟons were taken by Council members Torosis, Snell, Hall, and Zwick. There is a law in California requiring that there be full public communicaƟon on this subject even before the Grant was given( in February ) and the 4 violators, City officials, the County and Non Profit unquesƟonably violated it with clear knowledge.

Item 16 B should point this out and seek an independent invesƟgaƟon of the conduct of and and propose sancƟons against all offenders.

Incidentally, it appears that liƟgaƟon will be started by parents of kids in a nearby school seeking to cancel the proposals because of the statutory violaƟon and on safety grounds.

Immediately aŌer the Agenda’s posƟng, and over the weekend, I and Danielle Charney entered into an extensive email exchange with the Mayor asking her to amend the Item she is proposing so as to change both it and the aƩached leƩer from her to the City Manager to cover the deleƟons, addiƟons and changes referred to herein. Last evening, Lana kindly provided us wriƩen assurance that she would do all of that in her discussion tomorrow of her Item 16 B.

If the offenders had complied with the law and held public hearings before the Grant was given,I am confident that the County and the Non Profit would have then dropped the proposals.

Stan Epstein. 310 393 7619
Sent from my iPad
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
194
Mitchell Kois
From: Elaine Vukadinovich <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:02 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox
Subject: Item 16B - Negrete - Opposition to Non-Transparent Process and LA County Plans for 413 and 825 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica

EXTERNAL
Good morning,
This email is to lodge my opposition, as a resident of Santa Monica, to the non-transparent process regarding, and for, LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath's Plan to open a 49-bed facility for the severely mentally ill at 413 and 825 Ocean Ave. The County has acknowledged that the Department of Mental Health failed to inform the City of Santa Monica until after the funding was obtained and thus the residents of Santa Monica were also not timely noticed about such a facility. My understanding is that this will not be a locked facility which is dangerous for all (and negates the effectiveness of security guards). The other St. Joseph's facility near Santa Monica College is a prime example of a lack of safety. This facility was formerly a peaceful senior living center. Now, the proposed use will provide a less safe environment for all in the area. There is already a severe homeless problem with those who are mentally ill; this facility is not the solution. Santa Monica depends on its real estate values and good school systems to be an attractive place to live and work. Facilities like this will decrease those values ultimately negatively affecting the schools, and the City overall, at a time when the City is already struggling. No one can credibly deny these services aren't needed, but there have to be multiple other locations that make more sense and that will not result in a negative impact to the City overall. For example, once Pali High School leaves the Sears building, that could be a prime location. The City deserved notice and the residents deserve a voice and input. Anything less is unacceptable.

Sincerely,
Elaine Vukadinovich
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
195
Mitchell Kois
From: Kelli Brooks <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:02 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica per State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan

Item 16-B
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I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input required, per state law.

The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Kelli Brooks
Santa Monica resident for 20+ years
Residing approximately ½ mile from this proposed facility (c): 310-562-1437
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
197
Mitchell Kois
From: Vanessa Desrochers <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:01 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Cc: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

I stand in full support of Mayor Negrete’s efforts to make Santa Monica a model for both compassionate care and transparent governance. Los Angeles County should not be driving decisions that impact all of Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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our communities without accountability, and thus, we simultaneously call on Third District LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to intervene – to both pause funding for these projects and support Mayor Negrete’s detailed request.

Sincerely,
Vanessa Carney
90402 SM resident and parent to two young children

cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
199
Mitchell Kois
From: Jason Bergsman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:59 AM
To: [email protected]; [email protected] Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Subject: 413 & 825 Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment over the manner in which the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health advanced funding and approvals for the voluntary entry/exit facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue for the unhoused and severely mentally ill without prior public notice or community engagement.

While the County and St. Joseph Center’s newly released FAQ attempts to assure the public that the site will provide “24/7 staffing” and “enhanced security,” it is evident there is no coordinated plan to provide safety beyond the walls of these facilities, as discussed at the October 9th Town Hall St. Joseph’s presented. Transparency after the fact is not transparency—it’s damage control.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed as I have outlined.

Supervisor Horvath, the people of Santa Monica are not opposed to providing mental health care or supportive housing. We are opposed to being cut out of decisions that so profoundly affect our children, Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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elderly, neighborhoods, schools, small businesses, safety, and economic stability. This is inconsistent with the stated principles and practices of the State of California's funding of this County health program.

I respectfully request that you submit and advocate for a motion at tomorrow's Board of Supervisors meeting to delay the opening of these facilities at least 30 days, or until proper due diligence is completed in a public forum that is in compliance with the law.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards,
Jason Bergsman
212 20th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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201
Mitchell Kois
From: Andrew Jayne <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:58 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Regarding Supportive Housing 413 and 825 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica

EXTERNAL
Oct. 13, 2025
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath
[CC: [email protected]; [email protected]] RE: Lack of Public Transparency and Compliance with the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan / Request to Delay Opening of Proposed Mental Health Facilities with Voluntary Entry/Exit Procedures at 413 & 825 Ocean Ave, Per Item 16-B Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing to express my opposition to the placement of Supportive Housing for the severely mentally ill at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. Placing this type of facility in a densely populated area across from Palisades Park, frequented by the elderly and families with young children, will put current members of the community at risk. It will also strain the already limited public safety resources, add to Santa Monica's financial challenges and negatively affect Santa Monica's tourism as Los Angeles looks ahead to hosting countries from around the globe in the World Cup and the Olympics.

I am writing to offer my heartfelt support and appreciation for Mayor Lana Negrete who has been a staunch supporter of every Santa Monican, as she seeks transparency for all our communities – both retrospectively and prospectively. In her memo associated with Item 16-B, she has constructively outlined a way forward for the entire city to engage on the important decisions surrounding the compassionate care of the city’s unhoused populations, and particularly those with severe mental health challenges.

While residents of Santa Monica must notify their surrounding neighbors for a mere hedge modification or expansion of a school sports court, no courtesy was provided to the community on this project that has significant reverberations throughout the entire City. The secrecy in which this project was approved without any public notification and its citywide financial/staffing burden is grossly negligent.

As such, we want to record our opposition to this project and provide full support for Item 16-B on the October 14, 2025 City Council agenda, corresponding to Mayor Negrete’s October 9, 2025 excellent and fair memorandum titled “Request for City Council Direction on Community Engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects.” This proposal offers a thoughtful and balanced framework that promotes compassion and transparency while ensuring accountability, public safety, and community trust for the entire population of Santa Monica. While this item is specific to one community currently, every single community in Santa Monica deserves notification and public input in any projects that affect their community, writ large. Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and Palisades Park have shown that while it is these communities today, it can be any neighborhood tomorrow.

Specifically, as it relates to Item 16-B:

2. Compliance with Proposition 1 and the Good Neighbor Policy Direction #2 correctly emphasizes compliance with all state laws. These laws explicitly require citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process (Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). Enforcing these mandates ensures that mental health projects are developed with appropriate compassion for affected communities with input from residents, law enforcement, educators, housing experts, business owners, and those with lived experience. This is fidelity to the law and the spirit of partnership that newly passed state requires.

3. Clarification of Zoning and Public Notification Requirements Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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Direction #3 requests clarification of zoning classifications, use types, and public notice procedures for supportive, shelter, and transitional housing projects. Clear zoning definitions protect both residents and service providers by establishing predictable rules and preventing misunderstandings about what types of uses are permitted “by right.” Ensuring that every neighborhood receives formal notice when a project is proposed is an essential safeguard for democratic participation. Every Santa Monican deserves to understand what are allowable uses for the buildings in their communities, particularly around communities that serve children and seniors.

4. Public Explanation of Land Use and Operational Standards Direction #4 calls for a clear public explanation of the legal basis that allows these facilities to operate without a discretionary City permit. Residents must understand the distinctions between a mental health facility, a transitional housing facility, an emergency shelter, and supportive housing—and how each is governed under City and State law. The Mayor’s proposed public communications strategy—including a dedicated FAQ webpage, hotline for concerns, and clear follow-up protocols—is precisely the kind of accessible, fact-based communication the community needs. The fact that no one has yet been able to access any public documentation regarding the process and application in which these facilities were approved and funded with taxpayer funds speaks to the lack of transparency the law requires.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote:
“Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed in the case of 413/825 Ocean Avenue.

Sincerely,
Andrew Jayne
305 Georgina Ave.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
203
Mitchell Kois
From: PATRICK GIGLIOTTI <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:52 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council 1685 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave
Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the nontransparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

Her leadership reminds us that compassion and accountability are not opposing values—they are inseparable. A community that truly cares about its most vulnerable must also care deeply about how decisions are made, how funds are spent, and how every stakeholder is treated.I stand in full support of Mayor Negrete’s efforts to make Santa Monica a Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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model for both compassionate care and transparent governance. Los Angeles County should not be driving decisions that impact all of our communities without accountability, and thus, we simultaneously call on Third District LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to intervene – to both pause funding for these projects and support Mayor Negrete’s detailed request.

In conclusion, we respectfully request your support for all six requests in Mayor Negrete’s memo and to pause the opening of the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean until all of the analyses are posted and shared with the public. Thank you for your service to our city and for considering this important item.

Sincerely,
Patrick Gigliotti
216 Georgina Ave
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
205
Mitchell Kois
From: Sophie Dornstreich <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:51 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
206
Sincerely,
Sophie Dornstreich
841 6th Street Apt B
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
207
Mitchell Kois
From: Jim Worms <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:48 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: 413/825 Ocean Avenue
Attachments: Letter to City Counsel et al.pdf

EXTERNAL
All – Please read the attached brief letter with respect to the above-referenced mental health facilities.

Respectfully,
James Worms
Law OƯices of James R. Worms
503 9th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Tel: 310.433.5203
Email: [email protected]
This email may contain confidential material for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, reliance, distribution or other use by others without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete all copies.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Law Offices of James R. Worms
503 9th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Email: [email protected]
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]]
RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, Since you have already received many communications discussing in great detail the issues with the above-referenced mental health facilities, I will make my views brief:

1. These sites were chosen in violation of California law for reasons only known to those who secretly processed the applications, and hide behind an opaque bureaucratic process.

2. Facilities for persons with “serious mental health issues”, as described by St. Joseph’s, the operator, is not “supportive housing” in violation of law and totally inappropriate for residential neighborhoods.

3. It is obvious that locating these facilities in a residential neighborhood will endanger the elderly, young children and others as the patients will voluntarily leave the facilities looking for off-site things to do – few will be happy to remain “supervised” all day in a small room when they could be roaming free in the park across the street or elsewhere in the City.

4. This will be a continuous nightmare for the understaffed SMPD who already have their hands full with the homeless and mentally ill in the park and elsewhere in the City.

5. Common sense dictates that these locations would rank at the very bottom when choosing locations for mental health facilities in Santa Monica or elsewhere.

I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all local and state laws as well as common sense and reason.

Sincerely,
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
208
Mitchell Kois
From: Kanika Soni <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:48 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; [email protected]; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

Sincerely,
Kanika Soni
740 21st Place
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
209
Mitchell Kois
From: Laura Richardson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:48 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
210
Sincerely,
Laura Richardson
266 19th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
[email protected]
310-422-0762
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
211
Mitchell Kois
From: PATRICK GIGLIOTTI <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:48 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: RE: Request to Delay Opening of Proposed Mental Health Facilities with Voluntary Entry/Exit Procedures at 413 & 825 Ocean Ave, Per Item 16-B

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Request to Delay Opening of Proposed Mental Health Facilities with Voluntary Entry/Exit Procedures at 413 & 825 Ocean Ave, Per Item 16-B
Dear Mayor Negrete, City Manager Chi, and Honorable Members of the City Council, First off, I write to offer my heartfelt support and appreciation for Mayor Lana Negrete who has been a staunch supporter of every Santa Monican, as she seeks transparency for all our communities – both retrospectively and prospectively. In her memo associated with Item 16-B, she has constructively outlined a way forward for the entire city to engage on the important decisions surrounding the compassionate care of the city’s unhoused populations, and particularly those with severe mental health challenges.

As such, we want to record our opposition to this project and provide full support for Item 16-B on the October 14, 2025 City Council agenda, corresponding to Mayor Negrete’s October 9, 2025 excellent and fair memorandum titled “Request for City Council Direction on Community Engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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Operated Housing Projects.” This proposal offers a thoughtful and balanced framework that promotes compassion and transparency while ensuring accountability, public safety, and community trust for the entire population of Santa Monica. While this item is specific to one community currently, every single community in Santa Monica deserves notification and public input in any projects that affect their community, writ large. Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and Palisades Park have shown that while it is these communities today, it can be any neighborhood tomorrow.

Specifically, as it relates to Item 16-B:

4. Public Explanation of Land Use and Operational Standards Direction #4 calls for a clear public explanation of the legal basis that allows these facilities to operate without a discretionary City permit. Residents must understand the distinctions between a mental health facility, a transitional housing facility, an emergency shelter, and supportive housing—and how each is governed under City and State law. The Mayor’s proposed public communications strategy—including a dedicated FAQ webpage, hotline for concerns, and clear follow-up protocols—is precisely the kind of accessible, fact-based communication the community needs. The fact that no one has yet been able to access any public documentation regarding the process and application in which these facilities were approved and funded with taxpayer funds speaks to the lack of transparency the law requires.

5. Verification of Developer Qualifications and Financial Transparency Direction #5’s call for verification of the developer’s goals, operational record, legal standing, and compensation from LA County is essential for accountability. Residents have a right to know who is behind these projects, how public funds are being used, and whether any conflicts of interest or active litigation exist. This transparency builds confidence in both the City’s and County’s stewardship of public resources, and that site selection is driven by thoughtful due diligence, Item 16-B
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published documentation, and needs analyses that demonstrate funding needs are matched to the highest and best use, instead of driven by calls from developers who are seeking subsidized operations while they seek entitlements.

6. Retrospective Review and Corrective Action
Direction #6 ensures that the entire City of Santa Monica benefits from a thoughtful approach to compassionate care. We must learn from past experience by reviewing similar projects in Sunset Park and the Pico Neighborhood. If community engagement was inadequate in earlier projects, the City should take corrective steps now—establishing consistent contact systems, feedback channels, and neighborhood support mechanisms. This proactive stance prevents repeated errors and strengthens long- term public trust. Given the City’s financial challenges with cut services, particularly in public safety, we must provide support to all affected services across the City that no department is overly burdened by County-driven decisions that silence City taxpayers.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan, one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, which clearly was not followed in the case of 413/825 Ocean Avenue.

To that end, please work with our community and the County to immediately pause the opening of the unlocked mental illness facilities at 413/825 Ocean Ave.

Sincerely,
Patrick Gigliotti
216 Georgina Avenue
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
214
Mitchell Kois
From: Mayo Narita <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:43 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave
Attachments: Request to Delay Opening .docx

EXTERNAL
Please find attached a request to delay opening of facilities for the unhoused with severe mental crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave.

Thank you for your attention,
Megan Watanabe
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
10/13/2025
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
I stand in full support of Mayor Negrete’s efforts to make Santa Monica a model for both compassionate care and transparent governance. Los Angeles County should not be driving decisions that impact all of our communities without accountability, and thus, we simultaneously call on Third District LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to intervene – to both pause funding for these projects and support Mayor Negrete’s detailed request.

Sincerely,
Megan Watanabe
1250 Capri Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
[email protected] / 310-415-2846
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
215
Mitchell Kois
From: Alex Metaxas <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:44 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

In conclusion, we respectfully request that you pause the opening of the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean, reopen the approvals and analysis of these projects, and support the completion of all six points in Mayor Negrete’s memo associated with Item 16-B. Thank you to Mayor Negrete for bringing this important issue to our attention, and to all of you for your service to our city and for considering this important item Sincerely,
Alex Metaxas
1024 Harvard Street
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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Mitchell Kois
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:43 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Item 16B

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,

I’m writing to strongly urge you to support item 16B. I have lived in Santa Monica for more than 23 years, and my daughter attends elementary school in the city. I am very concerned about the lack of communication and transparency regarding the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing slated to open on Ocean Avenue.

There has been no community engagement or notice regarding these projects. The first public discussion occurred at an October 9, 2025 North of Montana Association meeting. I listened to the entire portion of the meeting related to these facilities, and there was a lack of basic information. For example, there was no explanation about how residents will be screened for placement in these facilities, or what operational policies will be in place to support the success of the residents and the surrounding community. There was discussion of security and rules applied to ensure safety within the facilities, but no discussion of steps to ensure the safety of the surrounding community. I understand from the meeting that residents will not be subject to drug testing or background checks. There are schools in close proximity (including my daughter’s school, which is just a few blocks away), and the location is across the street from Palisades Park.

I ask you to please look into the procedural failures that led to a lack of public notice and a lack of community engagement. I ask that those procedural errors be corrected so that community stakeholders can have a voice and our questions answered before the facilities open. Please support Item 16B to support transparency.

Sincerely,
Enzo Der Boghossian
717 Euclid Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
218
Mitchell Kois
From: Kim Drobny <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:42 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Oliver Chi
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica Councilmembers,
We were not informed of the decision to turn 413 & 825 Ocean Ave into a shelter for severally mentally impaired homeless people is a derelict of duty.

Our beloved park’s safety and neighborhood is now threatened.

I am vehemently opposed of turning these sites into a shelter. It seems our councilmembers are determined to ruin our city.

Kim Drobny
632 11th Street
Santa Monica
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
219
Mitchell Kois
From: Jonathan David <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:40 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete's Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am wriƟng to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two faciliƟes for the severely mentally ill were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder noƟficaƟon, or community input per Welfare & InsƟtuƟons Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to pause the conƟnuaƟon of faciliƟes at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave unƟl all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted.

While tonight’s item appears to only be relevant to the two addresses above, this issue has citywide implicaƟons as it demonstrates that our city lacks a process to expend taxpayer funds in compliance with state law and the spirit of our City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which require community and professional involvement at every stage. These provisions are designed to guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local businesses, and first responders, are all heard, respected, and accounted for – parƟcularly as our city faces significant financial shorƞalls.

The County should not be able to fund and approve faciliƟes in our city without following proper noƟficaƟon and input requires, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parƟes achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all,
which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan.

In conclusion, we respecƞully request your support for all six requests in Mayor Negrete’s memo and pause the opening of the faciliƟes at 413 and 825 Ocean. Thank you for your service to our city and for considering this important item.

Sincerely,
Jonathan David
633 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90402
310.500.2355
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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Mitchell Kois
From: Anna Vastano <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:37 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
Questions For the City Council Meeting 10/13
1) Mayor Negrete and other council members have stated that they did not know about the opening of the mental health facilities at 413/825 Ocean Ave. (although St. Joseph’s indicated otherwise) The legal standard is whether the mayor and council members “knew or reasonably should have known”. That said, what is the city doing to stop the opening of this facility? Is the city attorney filing for an injunction or some other legal means of delaying the opening until this matter can be properly vetted? If not, Why not?
2) Schizophrenia by definition includes delusional and irrational thought. How much liability insurance is St. Joseph’s and the property owner carrying? Is St. Joseph’s prepared to defend and indemnify the fiscally depleted city of Santa Monica? Is St. Joseph’s/ Property Owner/LA County going to accept liability/responsibility for the actions of these residents/ clients within the city of Santa Monica??? Thank you,
A Tax paying resident of Santa Monica
The Vastano Family
316 Marguerita Ave
Santa Monica
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
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Mitchell Kois
From: Ron Grant <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:35 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: RE: Automatic reply: Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica

EXTERNAL
Bjorn, you need to warn people that the submission will be posted on the City’s website.

Ron
Ronald J. Grant
Ronald J. Grant Law Corporation
310-393-0717 (office)
310-502-0025 (cell)
Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail transmission, and any documents, files or previous e-mail messages attached to it, may contain information that is confidential, legally privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure, and is intended only for the use of the intended recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you must not read this transmission and that any disclosure, copying, printing, distribution or use of any of the information contained in or attached to this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify the sender by telephone or return e-mail and delete the original transmission and its attachments without reading or saving in any manner. Thank you.

From: councilmtgitems <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:19 AM
To: Ron Grant <[email protected]>
Subject: Automatic reply: Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica Thank you for your email. Please be advised that this email will: 1) become part of the public record, 2) be filed with the City’s official records, and 3) be posted online at smgov.net/council/agendas. Comments will not be redacted and appear online as they are submitted.

If you plan to speak at the meeting and have an electronic presentation to show, please submit it to [email protected] no later than 12 PM on the day of the meeting.

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Thank you,
The City Clerk’s Office
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
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Mitchell Kois
From: Ann Song <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:34 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Request to Delay Opening of Facilities at 813 and 825 Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Oct 12, 2025
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am a resident of Santa Monica and I am beyond disappointed by the manner in which your office and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health has advanced the voluntary entry/exit facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue—all without any public notice whatsoever, and without any meaningful community engagement. I just learned of it for the very first time several days ago. My question is, how is this possible?
Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete noted that even the City itself was “recently made aware” of these County actions after funding had been approved and renovations were already underway. The residents have been completely blindsided and left to learn about these projects through rumors rather than official communication. This does nothing to earn the trust of a community and is a serious breach of transparency.

The Mayor’s memo from Oct 9th highlights that the County and its nonprofit partners failed to comply with Welfare and Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4), which explicitly requires citizen and professional participation at all stages of the planning process. Where has the citizen and professional involvement been? There has been ZERO citizen and professional participation.

This includes the very critical aspect of engagement with residents, business owners, schools, and others directly impacted by these facilities. As a resident who lives at 801 Ocean Ave, which is just next door to 825 Ocean Ave, I have never once been engaged or made aware of this project or process until I heard about it from another resident, in passing, several days ago.

Instead, I understand that the projects were advanced quietly—without regard for the surrounding preschools, elementary schools, businesses and senior living facilities. The secrecy surrounding this process has eroded public trust and undermined the principles of open governance that your office has publicly committed to uphold.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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While the recently released FAQ states that the sites will provide “24/7 staffing” and “enhanced security,” there remains no coordinated plan to ensure safety beyond the facility grounds—as confirmed during the October 9th Town Hall attended by your staff, LA County DMH, and St. Joseph Center. Transparency after the fact is not transparency—it is damage control.

Just to clarify, I am not opposed to mental health care or supportive housing. I am opposed to being excluded from critical decisions that deeply impact our children, seniors, neighborhoods, schools, small businesses, and overall community safety. This community deserves an explanation—and an immediate pause in the opening of these facilities until proper due diligence, transparency, and public hearings occur in compliance with state law.

As a resident of Santa Monica, I respectfully urge you to:
 Pause the opening of the mental health facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue; and  Launch an investigation into the approval process, vendor selection, and site designation to ensure all legal and procedural requirements have been met with transparency and public engagement.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Sincerely,
Ann Song
801 Ocean Ave
[email protected]
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
225
Mitchell Kois
From: Scott Sussman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:31 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

By calling for clarity on zoning, transparency in developer practices, and robust public outreach, Mayor Negrete is not creating barriers to progress—she is building trust, ensuring that our city’s compassion is matched by competence in Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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every single neighborhood across this city. This approach strengthens our collective ability to help people heal, stabilize, and reintegrate into the community.

Sincerely,
Scott Sussman
1299 Ocean Ave Santa Monica, CA 90401
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath --
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
227
Mitchell Kois
From: Richard Brest <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:29 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Cc: Kanika Soni
Subject: RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

Sincerely,
Richard Brest
740 21st Place, Santa Monica 90402
[email protected]
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
228
Mitchell Kois
From: Caroline Matthews <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:28 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]
Subject: Item 16B, Santa Monica City Council Meeting

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]] RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities Proposed at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process That Follows State Law and the City's Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment about the County's non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and homeless were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any prior public notice, publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete's memo.

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county. While this letter appears to only be relevant to the two addresses above, this issue has citywide implications as it demonstrates that our county and city lack a process to expend taxpayer Item 16-B
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funds in compliance with state law and the spirit of our City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness, which requires community and professional involvement at every stage. These provisions are designed to guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local businesses, and first responders, are all heard with a mission for success – particularly as our city faces significant financial shortfalls.

In conclusion, I respectfully request that you pause the opening of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave, reopen the approvals and analyses of these projects, and support the completion of all six points in Mayor Negrete's memo associated with Item 16B. Thank you to Mayor Negrete for bringing this important issue to our attention, and to all of you for considering this important item.

Sincerely,
Caroline Matthews
Wilshire Montana Neighborhood, Santa Monica
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
230
Mitchell Kois
From: Rose Nelson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:27 AM
To: 'Kelly Smith'; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
231
Rose Nelson
Resident of Santa Monica- 30+ years.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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October 14, 2025
232
Mitchell Kois
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:24 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete's Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
To whom it may concern:

I am not sure who is in charge of making this irrational and dumb decision, but this is yet again another one in a string of bad decisions. Over the past 4-5 years, for reasons that no sane person can comprehend, cities in and around southern California have decided to throw common sense out the window in the guise of being “fair and equitable”. What has resulted out of this is are dirtier cities (look around), higher rates of crime with police no longer feeling they have authority to help protect the general population, rampant drug use (when was this okay), and rampant homelessness (defecation is common). All to make the tiniest of the population feel like there is “equity”, while everyone else’s neighborhoods suƯer. Cities have been slowly decaying. It appears to me that Santa Moncia is no exception, just look at what’s happened to 3rd street and promenade as an example. It used to be bustling with tourists and now it is an alley for drug use, crime, and homelessness – visitor counts during high summer season was WAY down. Cities that have decided to buck the trend are Beverly Hills, Culver City, Newport, they appear to be doing much better at ensuring some sense of safety and stability.

1. Why do we need to put our neighbors and kids at any additional risk of issues? I don’t think anybody thinks that this type of service is bad, but why does it need to be next to so many residents, an elementary school, or parks?

2. Why do we need to have this on Ocean Ave, one of the most expensive real estate zip codes in the county? Are we not in a massive budget crises in California? Why do we need to close our eyes on costs when we are already stretched so thin on services? Most would agree that expanding police services would be a better use of the additional costs of operating at the proposed sites (compared to something more sane).

3. Why do we need to rush this without any other input from neighbors? When was it okay to jam this through the process? Do the sites not need CUPs in order to operate this type of business? Please listen to the voices of people. Also, please apply some common sense to what you are trying to accomplish. There are plenty of other locations that can handle this type of facility, with far less density and no neighboring elementary school or parks, and certainly at a far lower cost. You wouldn’t run your own households this way.

SM resident and concerned citizen,
Charles
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
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Mitchell Kois
From: Hannah Catterall <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:23 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16-Negrete

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
I am writing to strongly urge you to support item 16B and our legal, due process rights under SB326.

The Good Neighbor Policy requirement (via SB326) was not followed and is a clear violation of our due process rights.

The first public discussion on this topic took place Thursday, October 9th during a NOMA informational zoom meeting. However, it was clear the intention of St. Joseph’s and LA County was to open the facility illegally and without notice, community input. More so, fully formed operational polices or adequate safety measures to protect the surrounding neighborhood were not and have not been presented or accepted.

Furthermore, I am concerned to have learned from St. Joseph’s that individuals in this shelter will not be subject to drug testing or complete background checks, yet they will be permitted to exit and and enter the facility and community freely during the day. This poses significant risks to our community, especially given the proximity of THREE elementary schools, community parks and local residents. Additionally, it was suggested that others looking for homeless services would benefit from outreach being conducted in the surrounding area, effectively putting more homeless, mentally ill and drug addicts in the neighborhood. You are not simply housing 49 people you are a beacon to everyone looking for homeless services.

Simply accepting the risk and responsibility for approving this location is not acceptable. The introduction of such a facility without consideration of our legal, due process rights is dangerous.

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It is your responsibility to prioritize the safety of your current community members, especially the many children who attend the impacted schools.

Protect our neighborhood, vote yes for item 16B to support transparency and our due process rights.

I look forward to your response and or support for item 16B.

Sincerely,
Hannah Catterall
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Mitchell Kois
From: Melanie Wise <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:20 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue Mental Health Facilities

EXTERNAL
Oct. 13, 2025
Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
[Sent via email: [email protected];
cc: [email protected], [email protected]] Re: Failure of Transparency / Community Engagement Regarding 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue Mental Health Facilities Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment over the manner in which your office and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health advanced the voluntary entry/exit facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue for the homeless and severely mentally ill without prior public notice or community engagement. This is an egregious dereliction to the City of Santa Monica. So derelict, in fact, Mayor Negrete was able to claim the City was “…recently made aware …” when the news cameras rolled on Oct. 6, 2025 with the story of one of the facilities.

Los Angeles County’s actions after funding had been approved and renovations were already underway, residents blindsided, left to discover this project through rumor rather than proper notification. This was not a clerical error—it was a profound failure of transparency on the part of the county and a profound failure of Santa Monica leadership to properly manage its confines.

The County and its nonprofit partners neglected to comply with Welfare and Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4) which explicitly requires citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process, including residents, local businesses, schools, and those directly impacted by such facilities. None of the above were given that opportunity.

Instead, this project was quietly advanced without consideration of the preschools, elementary schools, senior living facilities, Santa Monicans, tourists, tourism (Santa Monica’s chief industry) impacting the potential to generate millions in revenue for a city already under fiscal strain. The secrecy surrounding this process has eroded public trust and undermined the very principles of open governance you have publicly spouted about.

Your office and St. Joseph Center’s newly released FAQ attempting to assure the public that the site will provide “24/7 staffing” and “enhanced security.” It is evident there is NO coordinated plan to provide safety beyond the walls of these facilities (as discussed at the October 9th Town Hall, where your office, the LA County DMH, and St. Joseph’s presented), therefore risking Santa Monica, her people and her industry. Transparency after the fact is not transparency—it’s damage control.

How is it The People of Santa Monica are to be at the whim of Los Angeles County in order to foist upon our city severely mentally ill people requiring no background checks or sobriety requirements (per a statement made by the LA County Department of Mental Health during a community town hall conducted on Thursday, October 9th). While VERY LATE, I do appreciate Mayor Negrete’s recent memo requesting transparency, community engagement, and accountability regarding the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue.

Common sense dictates that projects supporting severely mentally ill people having rights to come and go as they choose SHOULD NOT BE anywhere near senior facilities, preschools, elementary schools, small businesses, residents, tourists, hotels, parks, Santa Monica’s chief economy of tourism (generating millions in tax revenue supporting our essential services), — all within a half-mile radius. The idea that installation of such a Item 16-B
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facility, risking GREAT potential WITHOUT full public input, clear information, thoughtful consideration of available citywide resources (e.g., law enforcement, fire and rescue services, etc.), neighborhood safety, tourism, and existing financial stresses, perplexes the mind. Santa Monica City leadership and LABOS should have grave concerns over negligence lawsuits generated should this installation actually occur. Without the rigor of full impact/environmental study of the potential fallout, our city and Los Angeles County may have even graver legal concerns. And rightfully, injured parties may also consider pursuing legal endeavors that entertain personal capacity. On the very good chance that city or county law is being pre-empted, legal matters will ensue.

Our city is already under significant financial stress, and we must ensure that every funding decision protects our broader economic health. We WILL NOT be able to serve ANY vulnerable souls if we cannot maintain our financials.

Negrete’s call for transparency, zoning clarity, and proper community engagement is the only proper path forward. Our fair city is organized by Charter giving a weighted voice to The People of Santa Monica. The entire Council and LABOS should support efforts to bring accountability and balance to this incoming disaster – and minimally pause the opening of these facilities until all due diligence has been conducted, public hearings have been held, AND the public’s desires influence the final outcome. I’d bet big money, after transparency, the ability to install such facilities will evaporate like dew in the sun.

The community-centric measures outlined in the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan calls for transparency stating the effort to be:
“Transparent… We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” We can clearly observe failure on this point. The mission statement goes further to “promote the wellbeing of all”. And here’s the second noted failure as regards 413/825 Ocean Avenue. THE ONLY WAY this Homelessness Strategic Plan "serves the well being of all" will be TO NOT INSTALL the facility in the presently proposed locations.

I urge you to launch an investigation into the approach that was taken to approve these facilities, vendors, and sites until a full review is conducted with full transparency and meaningful public engagement, put this project to rest. It’s clear the Santa Monica Council and LABOS have the enviable position of plausible deniability given the project is run through an NGO.

Regards,
Melanie Wise
Santa Monican
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Mitchell Kois
From: Matthew Cowan <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:19 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Cc: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Request to Delay Opening of Proposed Mental Health Facilities with Voluntary Entry/Exit Procedures at 413 & 825 Ocean Ave, Per Item 16-B

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Request to Delay Opening of Proposed Mental Health Facilities with Voluntary Entry/Exit Procedures at 413 & 825 Ocean Ave, Per Item 16-B Dear Mayor Negrete, City Manager Chi, and Honorable Members of the City Council, First off, I write to offer my heartfelt support and appreciation for Mayor Lana Negrete who has been a staunch supporter of every Santa Monican, as she seeks transparency for all our communities – both retrospectively and prospectively. In her memo associated with Item 16-B, she has constructively outlined a way forward for the entire city to engage on the important decisions surrounding the compassionate care of the city’s unhoused populations, and particularly those with severe mental health challenges.

Joseph’s Center, was brought forward to the County only once a private developer who is currently suing the City of Santa Monica, sought out the County and St. Joseph’s to offer up his sites at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue. During a 10/9 Townhall organized by the North of Montana Association (NOMA), the LA County Department of Mental Health shared – for the first time with the community – that no background checks or sobriety requirements would be in place at these new facilities, and that those accepted at these facilities could voluntary enter and exit with no supervision plan beyond the facilities’ walls.

While this item is specific to one community currently, every single community in Santa Monica deserves notification and public input in any projects that affect their community, writ large.

Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and Palisades Park have shown that while it is these communities today, it can be any neighborhood tomorrow.

Specifically, as it relates to Item 16-B:

Transparent engagement fosters cooperation rather than conflict and ensures that city decisions reflect both compassion and local input.

2. Compliance with Proposition 1 and the Good Neighbor Policy Direction #2 correctly emphasizes compliance with all state laws. These laws explicitly require citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process (Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). Enforcing these mandates ensures that mental health projects are developed with appropriate compassion for affected communities with input from residents, law enforcement, educators, housing experts, business owners, and those with lived experience. This is fidelity to the law and the spirit of partnership that newly passed state law requires.

4. Public Explanation of Land Use and Operational Standards Direction #4 calls for a clear public explanation of the legal basis that allows these facilities to operate without a discretionary City permit. Residents must understand the distinctions between a mental health facility, a transitional housing facility, an emergency shelter, and supportive housing—and how each is governed under City and State law. The Mayor’s proposed public communications strategy—including a dedicated FAQ webpage, hotline for concerns, and clear follow-up protocols—is precisely the kind of accessible, fact-based communication the community needs. The fact that no one has yet been able to access any public documentation regarding the process and application in which these facilities were approved and funded with taxpayer funds speaks to the lack of transparency the law requires.

5. Verification of Developer Qualifications and Financial Transparency Direction #5’s call for verification of the developer’s goals, operational record, legal standing, and compensation from LA County is essential for accountability. Residents have a right to know who is behind these projects, how public funds are being used, and whether any conflicts of interest or active litigation exist. This transparency builds confidence in both the City’s and County’s stewardship of public Item 16-B
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resources, and that site selection is driven by thoughtful due diligence, published documentation, and needs analyses that demonstrate funding needs are matched to the highest and best use, instead of driven by calls from developers who are seeking subsidized operations while they seek entitlements.

In addition, on page 5 of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. I quote: “Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the well-being of all”, but that clearly was not followed in the case of 413/825 Ocean Avenue.

To that end, please work with our community and the County to immediately pause the opening of the unlocked mental illness facilities at 413/825 Ocean Ave.

Sincerely,
Matthew Cowan
400 block of 9th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90402
cc: LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Third District Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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Mitchell Kois
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:18 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete's Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
To whom it may concern:

SM resident and concerned citizen,
Charles

Item 16-B
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Mitchell Kois
From: wise malissa <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:17 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 16B

EXTERNAL
RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Shelters for the Severely Mentally Ill at 413/825 Ocean Ave
Dear Mayor Negrete, City Manager Chi, and Honorable Members of the City Council, I want to express my strong opposition to the above mentioned facilities. It should be illegal the process that approved and funded these two mental health facilities - which require no background checks or sobriety requirements, per a statement made by the LA County Department of Mental Health during a community town hall conducted on Thursday, October 9th. As such, I also write to express my strong concern that our Mayor Lana Negrete’s had no idea this project was underway and almost in service. I do hope our leadership can attain transparency, community engagement, and accountability. We need to stop what is happening with regard to the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue and re-start with a process that is community oriented.

Our beautiful city is already enduring tremendous amounts of crime, acts of violence and illicit activities. We do not need our children, seniors, residents, businesses and tourists to be subjected to more safety concerns related to mental health facilities with an open door policy.

While our community cares deeply about helping those struggling with mental illness and homelessness, these projects are located in areas surrounded by senior facilities, preschools, and elementary schools—all within a half-mile radius. This makes it especially important that decisions like this are made with full public input, clear information, and thoughtful consideration of available citywide resources (e.g., law enforcement), neighborhood safety, and tourism impacts particularly as our city is under significant financial stress.

The areas near Palisades Park are not only home to schools, senior living facilities, small businesses, and residents but also significantly support Santa Monica’s tourism economy, generating millions in annual tax revenue that support essential city services. Our city is already under significant financial stress, and we must ensure that every funding decision protects both our most vulnerable residents and our broader economic health.

Mayor Negrete’s call for transparency, zoning clarity, and proper community engagement is the only proper path forward. Our fair city is organized by Charter giving a weighted voice to The People of Santa Monica. The entire Council must support efforts to bring accountability and balance to this important issue – and pause the opening of these facilities until all due diligence has been conducted and public hearings have been held.

We must follow the transparency, community-centric measures outlined in the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan, where one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. To expand, the document states the goal of the effort is to be: “Transparent… We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed in the case of 413/825 Ocean Avenue.

Thank you for your service to our city and for considering this important item. Good luck to you and watch your back.

Sincerely,
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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Malissa Wise
Santa Monican
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Mitchell Kois
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:17 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Cc: 'Adam Paper'
Subject: Agenda Item No. 16B

EXTERNAL
October 13th, 2025, 9:16am PST
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Shelters for the Severely Mentally Ill at 413/825 Ocean Ave
Dear Mayor Negrete, City Manager Chi, and Honorable Members of the City Council, I want to express my strong opposition to the process in which approvals and funding were secured for two mental health facilities which require no background checks or sobriety requirements, per a statement made by the LA County Department of Mental Health during a community town hall conducted on Thursday, October 9th. As such, I also write to express my strong support for Mayor Lana Negrete’s leadership and her recent memo requesting transparency, community engagement, and accountability regarding the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue.

While I feel our community cares deeply about helping those struggling with mental illness and homelessness, these projects are located in areas surrounded by senior facilities, preschools, and elementary schools—all within a half-mile radius. This makes it especially important that decisions like this are made with full public input, clear information, and thoughtful consideration of available citywide resources (e.g., law enforcement), neighborhood safety, and tourism impacts particularly as our city is under significant financial stress.

Mayor Negrete’s call for transparency, zoning clarity, and proper community engagement is exactly what Santa Monica needs right now. I hope the entire Council supports her efforts to bring accountability and balance to this important issue – and pause the opening of these facilities until all due diligence has been conducted and public hearings have been held.

We must follow the transparency, community-centric measures outlined in the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan, where one of the first stated values of the plan is to be transparent. To expand, the documents states the goal of the effort is to be: “Transparent… We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The mission statement of the strategic plan also claims to “promote the wellbeing of all”, but that clearly was not followed in the case of 413/825 Ocean Avenue.

Thank you for your service to our city and for considering this important item.

Sincerely,
Adam Paper
Santa Monica Resident
[email protected]
______________________
Item 16-B
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Mitchell Kois
From: STEPHEN LABLE <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:16 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Oliver Chi
Subject: Opposition to the Two Behavioural Health Bridge Facilities - Santa Monica

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I have recently come to learn about the two behavioural health centers being planned at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue. I am wriƟng to express my deep concern as to the locaƟon of these two faciliƟes and the impact that it may have on the neighborhood. I fully support providing mental health services to those in need but have many quesƟons about the feasibility of the proposed site. I am wriƟng in support of Mayor Negrete’s addiƟon of item 16B to the agenda of the October 14th meeƟng and in opposiƟon to the locaƟon of these two faciliƟes. Surely there must be a more appropriate site within the city limit that does not include beach front property. At a Ɵme when the city is struggling financially, this project seems like absolute madness and not the direcƟon our community should be going.

Stephen Lable
303 9th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
+310 606 1925
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Mitchell Kois
From: Seth Zeleznik <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:08 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Cc: flavia Lopes
Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave Attachments: City Council - 16B - 10 13 25.docx

EXTERNAL
Good Morning - please find attached a letter expressing our concern around the approval process for the mental health facilities on Ocean Avenue, request a pause of this deeply flawed process and a new process that complies with state laws and the City's strategic plan.

Sincerely,
Seth and Flavia Zeleznik
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]] RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi,
I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Item 16-B
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The County should not be able to fund and approve facilities in our city without following proper notification and input requires, per state law. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated missions in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan. The County and City must work collaboratively with stakeholders across our entire city – including those from Sunset Park, Pico Blvd, and the Palisades Park Community – to ensure transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

Sincerely,
Seth and Flavia Zeleznik
533 Euclid Street, Santa Monica, CA 90402
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
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Mitchell Kois
From: Erika S. <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:02 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Council Mailbox; [email protected] Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

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Her leadership reminds us that compassion and accountability are not opposing values—they are inseparable. A community that truly cares about its most vulnerable must also care deeply about how decisions are made, how funds are spent, and how every stakeholder is treated.

Sincerely,
Erika Spitzer
Resident & Parent of Children in nearby school
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
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248
Mitchell Kois
From: morris chen <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 8:58 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

EXTERNAL
October 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express concern about the County’s non-transparent process in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill and unhoused were approved in our city near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). According to the LA County Department of Mental Health, there are no background checks or sobriety requirements at this facility, which allows for voluntary entry/exit without any plan for care, supervision, or enforcement once an individual leaves the premises. I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request the County work with the City of Santa Monica to suspend approvals for the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave and to launch a new process that is in compliance with all laws governing public participation, and that address the six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo.

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

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In conclusion, we respectfully request that you pause the opening of the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean, reopen the approvals and analysis of these projects, and support the completion of all six points in Mayor Negrete’s memo associated with Item 16-B. Thank you to Mayor Negrete for bringing this important issue to our attention, and to all of you for your service to our city and for considering this important item.

Sincerely,
Morris Chen
215 22nd Street, Santa Monica 90402
[email protected]
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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Mitchell Kois
From: Sanam Safavi <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 8:57 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; [email protected]; [email protected]; Council Mailbox Subject: RE: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and Require a New Process that Follows State Law and the City’s Strategic Plan, Using the Item 16-B Memo as a Framework

Our community supports compassionate, accountable care that promotes the well-being of the entire city and county.

Sincerely,
Sanam Safavi
428 14th street
(818)416-5796
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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252
Mitchell Kois
From: Norman Levine <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 8:55 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Oliver Chi
Subject: Homeless shelters on Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
I agree that the City of Santa Monica needs to address the homeless situation and the solution must exist at least partly within the community, but I am opposed to the Ocean Avenue locations and opposed to the procedure that was followed to reach this point.

Norman Levine, 104 Larkin Place, Santa Monica
Item 16-B
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253
Mitchell Kois
From: Kelly Smith <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 8:52 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

Sincerely,
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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254
Kelly Smith
1105 Idaho Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90403
[email protected]
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
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255
Mitchell Kois
From: Carey Kim <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 8:41 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Cc: charles kim; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
10/13/25
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

The issue is not about opposing care—it is about ensuring that care is delivered responsibly, safely, cost eƯectively, and with dignity for all. The Mayor’s call for coordination between the City, Los Angeles County, and nonprofit providers ensures that these projects will be guided by expertise, empathy, and accountability. The community should be viewed as partners in this endeavor, to help all parties achieve the outcomes that benefit the wellbeing of all, which is one of the stated mission in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan.

Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
256
By calling for clarity on zoning, transparency in developer practices, and robust public outreach, Mayor Negrete is not creating barriers to progress—she is building trust, ensuring that our city’s compassion is matched by competence in every single neighborhood across this city. This approach strengthens our collective ability to help people heal, stabilize, and reintegrate into the community.

I stand in full support of Mayor Negrete’s eƯorts to make Santa Monica a model for both compassionate care and transparent governance. Los Angeles County should not be driving decisions that impact all of our communities without accountability, and thus, we simultaneously call on Third District LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to intervene – to both pause funding for these projects and support Mayor Negrete’s detailed request.

Thank you for your service to our city and for considering this important item.

Sincerely,
Carey Kim
Santa Monica, CA
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
257
Mitchell Kois
From: Rebecca Brown <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 8:31 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Oliver Chi
Subject: Urgent Concerns Regarding Mental Health Facilities at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
Dear City Councilmembers,
I’m reaching out with a heavy heart and growing concern after learning about the imminent opening of homeless mental health facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue.

It seems these plans were made without any real community consultation or public transparency. Naturally, this has left many of us feeling blindsided, and frankly, ignored.

Let me be clear: this isn’t about lacking compassion. Santa Monica has always led with heart. We know mental health and homelessness are serious issues that demand thoughtful, sustainable solutions. But opening facilities of this scale in a dense residential neighborhood, without input from the very people who live there, has sparked a wave of concern that is impossible to ignore.

You may be thinking, “They’re just overreacting,” or “It’s a done deal.” But what you’re hearing from residents is more than just pushback—it’s fear, frustration, and a sense of betrayal. Sadness. A feeling like the people we elected forgot about us.

Would it be unreasonable to ask for a temporary halt until a proper public review can take place? We need transparency. We need clarity. And we need assurance that this decision is being made with—not around—the community.

Please hear this for what it is: not resistance to the cause, but resistance to the process.

We’re asking for your leadership, your voice, and your willingness to ask the hard questions before these doors open.

Thank you,
Rebecca Brown
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
258
Mitchell Kois
From: Stacey Stanley <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 8:23 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: 413 / 825 Ocean Ave Support for Mayor Negrete's Agenda Item 16 Attachments: SMCC Mayor Letter.pdf

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

Please see my full letter attached.
- Jeffrey Farr
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
Item 16-B
October 14, 2025
10/13/2025
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]]
RE: Support for Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a Request to Delay Opening of Facilities for the Unhoused with Severe Mental Crises at 413/825 Ocean Ave Dear Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, I am writing to express my sincerest support for Mayor Negrete who has singlehandedly brought to light the non-transparent nature in which two facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved near schools, senior centers, and parks without any publicly available impact analyses, stakeholder notification, or community input per Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4)). I stand with my fellow Santa Monicans to request a suspension of the facilities at 413 Ocean Ave and 825 Ocean Ave until all six elements in Mayor Negrete’s memo are complete and publicly posted, particularly Item #6, which asks for a citywide comprehensive and transparent site review process for such facilities.

Santa Monica City CouncilOctober 14, 2025

Santa Monica City Council
October 14, 2025