City Council Meeting: October 28, 2025 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA ADOPTING AN ANNUAL TWOWEEK WINTER CLOSURE OF CITY HALL FOR THE WEEKS OF CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEAR’S DAY
WHEREAS, the holiday season and end of each calendar year is often a significantly busier time of year with family and community celebrations, increased travel, and increased requests for time off work, which often leads to decreased productivity and a slowdown in operations across the public and private sector; and WHEREAS, many municipalities across California, as well as private sector employers, have implemented an end-of-year office closure across Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in observance of the holidays; and
WHEREAS, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and other school districts in the greater Los Angeles region are also closed for winter break across Christmas Day and New Year’s Day; and
WHEREAS, in observance of the winter holidays and as part of the City’s commitment to employee wellness and work-life balance, the City Council desires to adopt an annual two-week closure of City Hall for the weeks of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day (“Winter Closure”);
WHEREAS, adopting a Winter Closure will enable City officials, employees, and community members to rest and recharge, which will promote improved collaboration, productivity, and efficiencies at the start of each new calendar year, which will in turn further the public health, safety, and welfare;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Monica hereby adopts an annual two-week closure of City Hall to coincide with the weeks of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day (“Winter Closure”).
SECTION 2. During the period of the Winter Closure, all City administrative offices and non-essential services will be closed. Services essential to public health and safety will remain open but may have limited or different hours of operation during the Winter Closure. Emergency services will remain open during the Winter Closure.
SECTION 3. City employees shall receive two weeks’ pay for the Winter Closure, consistent with their bargaining unit’s applicable Memorandum of Understanding and following the completion of any necessary meet and confer process between the City and the respective exclusively recognized employee organizations in accordance with the Meyers-Milias Brown Act.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
HEIDI VON TONGELN
Interim City Attorney