Written Comments — Santa Monica City Council, October 28, 2025 (part 1 of 2)

1 David Yakobson
From: Michelle Vick <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 1:55 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]; Oliver Chi; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Thank you for halting the bridge housing facilities on Ocean Ave!

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath Chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors 500 W. Temple Street, Room 383 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Re: Next Steps for Safe and Suitable Behavioral Health Housing: Community Standards and Siting Criteria Dear Supervisor Horvath, On behalf of residents, business owners, and community advocates across Santa Monica and the Westside, we want to thank you for your decisive action in halting the proposed bridge housing facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue. Your leadership in recognizing that the process had eroded public trust was both necessary and appreciated. This outcome, however, highlights a much larger issue that extends far beyond Ocean Avenue. The absence of consistent site-selection standards and community engagement protocols has created confusion, frustration, and fear in neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County. We strongly urge the County to establish clear, evidence-based criteria to ensure that no future facility intended for individuals with serious mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorders is placed near schools, residential neighborhoods, or public recreation spaces. We fully support the County's commitment to compassionate care and recovery. But compassion must be paired with responsibility. The placement of high-acuity behavioral health facilities requires clinical oversight, security, and specialized infrastructure that typical neighborhood environments cannot provide. Future projects must therefore meet measurable safety, operational, and community-impact standards before approval or funding. We respectfully request that your office: 1. Develop and publish countywide siting criteria for all behavioral-health bridge or interim-housing programs, with minimum distance requirements from schools, parks, and dense residential areas. 2. Require comprehensive community notification and engagement at least 60 days prior to site approval, including public meetings and disclosure of operator credentials, program scope, and funding source. 3.

Ensure cross-departmental review and accountability, so that the Department of Mental Health, Department of Public Health, and County Homeless Initiatives operate under a unified standard of transparency and oversight. 4. Engage a regional advisory coalition of residents, service providers, and local officials from affected Westside communities to shape long-term policy reforms. Santa Monica stands ready to partner in building a framework that truly embodies both compassion and safety. We hope the County will seize this opportunity to set a new precedent; one that balances the urgent need for treatment and housing with the equally vital need to preserve public trust and community well-being. Thank you again for your attention, responsiveness, and willingness to lead with integrity and transparency. Respectfully, [Your Name] Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 on behalf of Santa Monica Neighbors and allied community members cc: • Mayor Lana Negrete and Santa Monica City Council • Oliver Chi, Santa Monica City Manager • California State Senator Ben Allen • California Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur • Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
3 David Yakobson
From: Noma Boardmember <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 12:55 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Oliver Chi; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Thank You, from NOMA.

EXTERNAL
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

Dear Supervisor Horvath.

The Board of Directors of the North of Montana Association (NOMA) thanks you for listening to our residents and terminating the controversial mental health housing facilities proposed for Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica.

Your willingness to listen to your constituents is greatly appreciated.

As you noted in your statement, residents learned about the details and timing of these facilities far too late in the process and therefore never had the necessary input and buy-in which may have led to a more successful outcome.

We believe it is critical to move the mentally ill unhoused off our streets and into high-quality care, and look forward to working with your office and Santa Monica in the future.

In that light, we have already expressed our support of Agenda Item 16 F (on tonight's Santa Monica City Council agenda) and we look forward to your continued communication and collaboration with every neighborhood in our City.

Thank you again,
The NOMA Board
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
4 smnoma.org
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
5 David Yakobson
From: Amara Teresa Hastings <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 2:07 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Oliver Chi; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: After Ocean Avenue - Next Steps for Safe, Suitable Housing

EXTERNAL
October 28, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
500 W. Temple Street, Room 383
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Re: Next Steps for Safe, Suitable and Effective Behavioral Health Housing: Community Standards and Siting Criteria
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
On behalf of residents, business owners, and community advocates across Santa Monica and the Westside, we want to thank you for your decisive action in halting the proposed bridge housing facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue. Your leadership in recognizing that the process had eroded public trust was both necessary and appreciated.

We fully support the County’s commitment to compassionate care and recovery. But compassion must be paired with responsibility. The placement of high-acuity behavioral health facilities requires clinical oversight, security, and specialized infrastructure that typical neighborhood environments cannot provide. Future projects must therefore meet measurable safety, operational, and community-impact standards before approval or funding.

We respectfully request that your office:

1. Develop and publish countywide siting criteria for all behavioral-health bridge or interim-housing programs, with minimum distance requirements from schools, parks, and dense residential areas.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
6 2. Require comprehensive community notification and engagement at least 60 days prior to site approval, including public meetings and disclosure of operator credentials, program scope, and funding source.

3. Ensure cross-departmental review and accountability, so that the Department of Mental Health, Department of Public Health, and County Homeless Initiatives operate under a unified standard of transparency and oversight.

4. Engage a regional advisory coalition of residents, service providers, and local officials from affected Westside communities to shape long-term policy reforms.

Santa Monica stands ready to partner in building a framework that truly embodies both compassion and safety.

We hope the County will seize this opportunity to set a new precedent; one that balances the urgent need for treatment and housing with the equally vital need to preserve public trust and community well-being.

Thank you again for your attention, responsiveness, and willingness to lead with integrity and transparency.

Respectfully,
Amara Hastings
Santa Monica, CA
cc:

Mayor Lana Negrete and Santa Monica City Council
Oliver Chi, Santa Monica City Manager
California State Senator Ben Allen
California Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur
Governor Gavin Newsom
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
7 David Yakobson
From: Amara Teresa Hastings <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 2:15 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Oliver Chi; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Protecting Neighborhoods and Schools: Request for City Policy on Safe Siting Standards for Behavioral Health Housing

EXTERNAL
October 28, 2025
Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Re: Protecting Neighborhoods and Schools: Request for City Policy on Safe Siting Standards for Behavioral Health Housing
Dear Mayor Negrete, Members of the City Council, and City Manager Chi, On behalf of residents, business owners, and community advocates across Santa Monica, we want to express our gratitude to Mayor Lana Negrete for her leadership in seeking answers regarding the proposed bridge housing facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue. The County’s subsequent decision to terminate those projects reflects the importance of transparency, accountability, and partnership with our local community.

That decision, however, also revealed a critical policy gap. Santa Monica currently has no local safeguards or zoning standards to prevent high-acuity behavioral health or interim housing facilities from being sited near schools, homes, or parks. This absence leaves every neighborhood vulnerable to future proposals that may bypass community awareness or oversight.

We strongly urge the City Council to take the lead in adopting a formal policy framework establishing clear siting and suitability standards for any County- or State-funded behavioral health or bridge housing programs within city limits. These standards should include:

1. Minimum distance requirements between such facilities and sensitive sites, including schools, childcare centers, and parks;

2. Mandatory community notification and engagement, with a minimum 60-day public comment period prior to approval;

3. City oversight of operator qualifications and security protocols to ensure neighborhood safety and program success; and
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
8 4. Collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions to develop consistent Westside regional guidelines for appropriate placements.

We support the City’s commitment to compassion and care for those experiencing homelessness and behavioral health crises. But compassion must go hand-in-hand with responsibility. Santa Monica can and should lead by example; setting policy that ensures these facilities are placed in clinically appropriate, well-supported, and safe environments, not adjacent to homes or schools.

By establishing clear guardrails now, Santa Monica can help restore public confidence, safeguard neighborhoods, and shape a countywide model rooted in both empathy and accountability.

Respectfully,
Amara Hastings
Santa Monica, CA
Cc:

California State Senator Ben Allen
California Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Lindsey P. Horvath
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
9 David Yakobson
From: MarkVRizzo <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 2:24 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete
Subject: 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
RE: October 28 Agenda Items 4.D and 16.F
Hello,
I am writing IN SUPPORT OF ESTABLISHING temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness and mental illness at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue.

I live at 537 San Vicente Boulevard, a short walk from these addresses. I pass by them almost every day walking my dog, enjoying Palisades Park. An organization called Palisades Park Safety Coalition sent me an alarmist flyer urging me to oppose the project. I am not alarmed. I am not afraid of people experiencing homelessness and mental illness. And I am tired of NIMBYism squashing one project after another to help people in need. We cannot continue to complain about seeing people sleeping on the street and opposing the solutions to this problem. This Safety Coalition uses words like “disaster” and “war” to describe a project intended to help vulnerable people transition to permanent housing. I suspect they choose these words to incite fear in the citizenry and the city council. Language like this demonizes and dehumanizes people. People like my son.

I have lived in Santa Monica for over 20 years. My wife and I raised our son here. He has attended Santa Monica public schools and struggles with chronic mental illness. He is not scary. He is incredibly bright, capable and charming. And his mental health condition requires that he receive support. He has received support with housing in a setting much like the proposed projects on Ocean Avenue. I suspect that he will need support like that again at some point in his life. I would urge anyone who, in the name of preserving property values or some vague notion of a “way of life”, to talk to someone with mental health challenges. They might be surprised to learn that they share something. Something called humanity.

I recognize that people are concerned that the projects were not publicly announced to their satisfaction. I understand the desire to give the public a chance to weigh in. But I urge the council to stand strong, be problem solvers and not bend to manufactured hysteria in the name of stigmatizing fellow citizens who are not like them.

Sincerely,
Mark Rizzo
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
10 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 2:27 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Lisa Ling <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2025 9:58 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; 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
October 12,2025

The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]] Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing to express my deep 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 ZERO 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, 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.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
11 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.

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, 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,
Lisa Ling
Resident
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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
12 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 2:27 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding - 413 and 825 Ocean Ave Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Amara Teresa Hastings <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2025 9:56 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>
Subject: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding - 413 and 825 Ocean Ave Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

EXTERNAL
October 12, 2025

The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
[Sent via
email: [email protected]; [email protected]; lana.negrete@santa monica.gov; [email protected]; [email protected]; Dan.Hall@san tamonica.gov; [email protected]; [email protected]; Natalya.Zernitska [email protected]; [email protected]]
Re: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

Dear Supervisor Horvath,
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
13 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.

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.

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,
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
14 Amara Hastings
Georgina Avenue, Santa Monica
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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
15 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 2:28 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Kaity LeMay <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2025 9:51 PM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; 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
October 12, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]]
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.

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 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
16 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.

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

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,
Kaity LeMay
Resident of Brentwood, Los Angeles & Parent at Carlthorp School, Santa Monica 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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
17 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 2:28 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Shayda Kulla-Mader <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2025 9:45 PM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>
Cc: Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[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
October 12, 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 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
18 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 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
19 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 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,
Shayda Kulla-Mader
North Santa Monica resident (9th and Alta)
Roosevelt Elementary Mom
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
20 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 2:28 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Stop 413 Ocean & 825 Ocean
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: mira feldon <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2025 9:44 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]> Subject: Stop 413 Ocean & 825 Ocean

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.

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 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
21 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.

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,
Mira Feldon Grossman
917 7th street
Santa Monica, CA 90403
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
22 310-401-4644
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
23 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 2:28 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Morgan Smith <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2025 9:41 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

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 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
24 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.

Sincerely,
Morgan Smith
908 11th st
Concerned Parent of Roosevelt students
cc:City of Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
25 City Council Members, City of Santa Monica
Oliver Chi, City Manager, City of Santa Monica
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
26 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 2:28 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: St Joseph’s Planned Mental Health Facility in Santa Monica Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council City Manager’s Ofiice -----Original Message-----
From: Nick Hedges <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2025 9:13 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>
Subject: St Joseph’s Planned Mental Health Facility in Santa Monica

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing regarding the planned mental health housing facility at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica.

I am a resident of North of Montana, living at Euclid and Georgina. I also own a property at the 500 block of San Vincente where my elderly relatives live and have a child at Carlthorp School. As such I am a long time resident and tax payer in District 3 (20 years).

I implore you to intervene against the planned location of this Class 3 mental health facility. In my opinion this is a very poor location for such a facility with close proximity to various vulnerable community members such as children, women and the elderly who use Palisades Park and attend close by schools.

The nature of the facility is such that potentially dangerous individuals will be housed and free to exit and mingle with the community at will between 7am-9pm every day. I do not believe Santa Monica has the necessary resources to ensure that this is safe for the community, especially in this location.

Due legal process has not been followed and I strongly believe that Senate Bill 326 “The Good Neighbor Policy” has been violated. I stand with thousands of other community members ready to resource and fight this in the courts.

Hopefully this can be avoided.

Sincerely,
Nick Hedges
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
27 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 2:29 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Yury Kapgan <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2025 9:08 PM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA

EXTERNAL
Oct. 12, 2025

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

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 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
28 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.

Sincerely,
Yury Kapgan
143 Foxtail Dr, Santa Monica, CA 90402
[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
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
29 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 2:29 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Michael Huntsman <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2025 8:53 PM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]> Cc: Michael Huntsman <[email protected]>; Christi Huntsman <[email protected]>; Paul Gassner <[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
October 12, 2025

The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
[Sent via
email: [email protected]; [email protected]; lana.negrete@santa monica.gov; [email protected]; [email protected]; Dan.Hall@san tamonica.gov; [email protected]; [email protected]; Natalya.Zernitska [email protected]; [email protected]]
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,
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
30 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.

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,
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
31 Michael Huntsman
211 20th St., Santa Monica CA 90402
310.948.2929
[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
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
32 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 2:29 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding - 413 and 825 Ocean Ave Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Amara Teresa Hastings <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2025 8:44 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>
Subject: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding - 413 and 825 Ocean Ave Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

EXTERNAL
October 12, 2025

The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
[Sent via
email: [email protected]; [email protected]; lana.negrete@santa monica.gov; [email protected]; [email protected]; Dan.Hall@san tamonica.gov; [email protected]; [email protected]; Natalya.Zernitska [email protected]; [email protected]]
Re: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Due to Noncompliance with State Law and City Plans

Dear Supervisor Horvath,
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
33 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.

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,
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
34 Amara Hastings
Georgina Avenue, Santa Monica
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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
35 David Yakobson
From: Walter Parkes <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 3:13 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Palisades Park Safety

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City Manager Oliver Chi, you are giving the him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current shelters out of downtown and away from close to the end of the transit line. After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, we cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s Item 16.F. request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects."
We have had enough of this city council’s secrecy and being body slammed by surprise projects that will have a dramatically negative impact on our safety, security and way of life.

Sincerely
Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald
226 Georgina Avenue
Santa Monica, California
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
36 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
37 David Yakobson
From: Esther Chung <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 3:34 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Oliver Chi; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Next Step for Safe Behavioral Housing

1. Minimum distance requirements between such facilities and sensitive sites, including schools, childcare centers, and parks;

2. Mandatory community notification and engagement, with a minimum 60-day public comment period prior to approval;
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
38 3. City oversight of operator qualifications and security protocols to ensure neighborhood safety and program success; and

4. Collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions to develop consistent Westside regional guidelines for appropriate placements.

By establishing clear guardrails now, Santa Monica can help restore public confidence, safeguard neighborhoods, and shape a countywide model rooted in both empathy and accountability.

Respectfully,
Esther Chung
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 11:30 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Requesting Transparency
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Ann Marie Simpson <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 8:31 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]> Subject: Requesting Transparency

EXTERNAL
Ann Marie Simpson
538 Palisades Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90402
October 28, 2025
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
My name is Ann Marie Simpson, and I’m a mother of four young children—8-year-old twin girls, a 4-year-old daughter, and a 1-year-old baby boy. My family and I recently moved to Santa Monica because we believed it would be a safe, family-oriented place to raise our children. We fell in love with this community—its walkable streets, its beautiful parks, and the kindness of our neighbors.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 We live just a short walk from the proposed bridge housing facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue, and I’m writing to express my deep concern about the lack of transparency surrounding these sites. Every day, we take baby classes at Goose Egg Park, and my older girls are beginning to walk to friends’ houses and the playground (not yet on their own, but the dream is that they find safe independence in this community as they get older) Like so many parents here, I want to know that the paths my children take are safe.

A meeting was tentatively scheduled for November 5th with the Department of Public Health and St. Joseph Center, but it has not been confirmed. As a new resident and mother, I respectfully ask for transparency and accountability before any decisions are made.

Specifically, I request that Los Angeles County release the following documents prior to any meeting so the community can participate in an informed way:

1. The Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA) submitted by St. Joseph Center regarding its operation of the Ocean Avenue facilities;

2. The executed agreement or memorandum of understanding between the County Department of Mental Health (DMH) and St. Joseph Center concerning management, funding, and oversight; and

3. The executed agreement or memorandum of understanding between the developer, Leo Pustilnikov and/or property owner Bourne Financial Group, and the Department of Mental Health / St. Joseph Center, including any third-party agreements.

These records are essential for families like mine to understand how these facilities will be managed, what safeguards are in place, and how accountability will be ensured— especially given their proximity to schools, parks, and family homes.

We all want to support compassionate solutions to homelessness, but those solutions must also protect the safety and trust of the communities where they’re implemented.

Transparency is the foundation of that trust.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
3 I respectfully request that these documents be made public no later than October 31, 2025, allowing time for review before the November 5th Town Hall. I also urge you to support Mayor Lana Negrete’s leadership on Item 16 at the October 28th City Council meeting, which is an important step toward ensuring transparency and community involvement.

Thank you for your service to Los Angeles County and for taking the time to listen to the concerns of a mother who loves this city and wants her children to grow up safe, happy, and proud to call Santa Monica home.

With gratitude,
Ann Marie Simpson
A Concerned Mother and New Resident of Santa Monica
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Philip Schwartz <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 11:45 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Oct 28: Agenda Items 4D and 16F

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City Manager Oliver Chi, you are giving him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current shelters out of downtown, and away from the Expo station. After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, we cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F
I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s Item 16.F: Request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects."
We have had enough of this city council’s secrecy and being body slammed by surprise projects that will have a dramatically negative impact on our safety, security and way of life.

Respectfully
Philip D Schwartz, Treasurer
909-911 Arizona Ave HOA
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: lanasconscience <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 11:02 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: 16F

EXTERNAL
Hi Lana, it's me, your conscience. I know we haven't spoken recently, so writing to let you know that the handful of votes you'll get next year from some of the worst people in Santa Monica for cravenly keeping dozens of homeless people on the street very much does not salve me.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Antoinette Delio <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 1:17 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely
Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean
Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City
Manager Oliver Chi, you are giving the him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current shelters out of downtown and away from close to the end of the transit line. After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, we cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular we are referring to:

CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s Item 16.F. request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects."
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 We have had enough of this city council’s secrecy and being body slammed by surprise projects that will have a dramatically negative impact on our safety, security and way of life.

Sincerely

Antoinette Delio
136 San Vicente Blvd
Santa Monica CA 90402
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Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
3 David Yakobson
From: Janie Coolidge <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 9:08 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: CT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

EXTERNAL
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City Manager Oliver Chi, you are giving the him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current shelters out of downtown and away from close to the end of the transit line. Furthermore, you are effectively using reserves to take away critical funding for police officers and placing it your projects to help the homeless. After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, we cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
4 Sincerely
Janie Coolidge
322 11th Street, Santa Monica, Ca. 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
5 David Yakobson
From: Jonathan Tate <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 10:24 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am still reeling over your decision to conceal from the public and then only give weeks' notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue. Any facility of this type near schools, families, and our park alters our way of life in Santa Monica and affects all those who enjoy Palisades Park, including tourists and the broader LA community.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclamation claiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City Manager, Oliver Chi, you are giving him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move two current shelters out of downtown to locations far from the transit line. After your decision not to notify the public about the Ocean Avenue project, we cannot be excluded from these matters. Specifically, we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686, and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s Item 16.F. request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects."
We have had enough of this city council’s secrecy and surprise projects, which will have a dramatically negative impact on our safety, security, and way of life.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Tate
370 Mesa Road
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Amara Teresa Hastings <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 5:45 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Oliver Chi; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Thank You for the Pause at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica – Now is the Time for Full Transparency, Due Process and Real Engagement

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
THANK YOU for terminating the projects on Ocean Avenue, and for your ongoing support for transparency, due process and good governance.

Thank you, Mayor Negrete, for all of your care for our city and for calling for transparency for Santa Monica!
I will continue to support you both, and all who stand up for accountability and transparency and fairness for all!
Looking forward to working together to take care of all in our community.

Warmly,
Amara
On Oct 26, 2025, at 11:17 AM, Amara Teresa Hastings <[email protected]> wrote:

October 26, 2025
RE: Thank You for the Pause at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica – Now is the Time for Full Transparency, Due Process and Real Engagement Dear Supervisor Horvath, Santa Monica City Council Members, City Manager Chi, Assembly Member Zbur, Senator Allen, and Governor Newsom, Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 I am reaching out to thank you for pausing the mental health housing projects at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. This temporary step is an acknowledgment that due process and community engagement are important.

However, I am deeply concerned that this “pause” may serve more as a symbolic gesture than a genuine effort to involve the public in decisions that have already been made.

Of course I fully support effective mental-health and housing services – this is very obviously needed in Santa Monica, and throughout Los Angeles County. However, authentic engagement means community input is sought before funding is approved, sites selected, and contracts are executed — not after. Community members were only informed of these projects after renovations were underway and agreements finalized. Holding town halls or issuing statements after-the-fact creates the appearance of inclusion without its substance. Genuine community engagement requires early transparency, shared decision-making, and respect for both data and community expertise. Residents and local leaders should have been invited into the process from the beginning, to help identify sites that balance access to care and transportation, with concerns about proximity to schools, senior facilities, and tourism corridors that sustain Santa Monica’s economy. The community’s concerns are not about whether people in crisis deserve care, they absolutely do. Our concern is how that care is delivered, where facilities are placed, and plans for real, and effective treatment.

Every person deserves dignity, safety, and a path to long-term stability. That means programs must:
 Ensure quality and continuity of treatment for clients  Include measurable outcomes for recovery and housing retention  Maintain safety for both clients and surrounding residents  Be implemented transparently, and with independent oversight Compassion without accountability helps no one, not those struggling with mental illness or addiction, nor the neighborhoods striving to remain safe, inclusive, and functional.

By presenting these projects as “paused for engagement” while proceeding with leases, funding, and construction, the County risks violating both public trust and the spirit of Welfare and Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4), which requires community participation at all stages of planning.

Checking a procedural box after decisions are locked in is not engagement, it’s damage control. We call on the Board to demonstrate integrity through actions, not optics. Specifically, we ask for:

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
3  Immediate suspension of all contracts, renovations, and vendor work until public input can meaningfully inform outcomes.
 Transparent publication of all planning documents, funding allocations, and site selection criteria.
 Independent review of how these projects were approved without prior notice to local officials or residents.
 Genuine community collaboration invites residents, service providers, and mental-health professionals to co-design a plan rooted in data, compassion, and accountability.
 Equitable regional distribution of facilities, ensuring no single community bears a disproportionate burden.

We, the residents of Santa Monica, are not opposing mental-health care or supportive housing. We are demanding that these efforts be done right, with honesty, data, transparency, and measurable success for those in crisis. We stand ready to collaborate toward solutions that truly work, rather than participate in the appearance of consultation after the fact. A performative pause risks deepening public cynicism and setting back trust in both local and county governance. Real partnership, conducted in the open, can instead model the compassionate and transparent governance Los Angeles County aspires to lead with.

Thank you for your attention and for your service. I urge you to take this opportunity to transform what feels performative into something truly participatory — an example of what government can be when it listens before it acts.

Respectfully,
Amara Hastings
Georgina Avenue, Santa Monica
310-497-6690
cc:
· Mayor Lana Negrete and Santa Monica City Council Members · Oliver Chi, Santa Monica City Manager
· California State Senator Ben Allen
· California Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur
· Governor Gavin Newsom
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
4 David Yakobson
From: Danica Ferrin Klein <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 6:49 PM
To: Lana Negrete
Cc: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Oliver Chi; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Caroline Torosis
Subject: Thank You - Ocean Ave Project

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, City Council Members, and City Manager Chi, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your leadership and courage in standing up for what is right, for our city, our residents, and the principles of transparency and accountability that our community depends on.

Your commitment to transparency around the Ocean Avenue project embodies the kind of thoughtful, people-centered leadership Santa Monica needs. You listened to residents, asked the hard questions, and refused to let this decision move forward without public awareness or input. That commitment to openness and integrity is deeply appreciated.

You reminded many of us that local government can work the way it should, by protecting neighborhoods, prioritizing safety, and ensuring that big decisions are made in the light of day.

Thank you for standing up for Santa Monica’s families, our children’s schools, and the safety of our neighborhoods, while restoring trust in local leadership.

With appreciation and respect,
Danica Klein
Santa Monica Resident
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 3:07 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Attachments: 413_825 Ocean Ave Letter to County Supervisor Horvath.docx Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Mayo Narita <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:52 AM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; 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
Please find attached a 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.

Thank you for your attention,
Megan Watanabe
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
10/13/2025

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

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 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
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,
Megan Watanabe / Carlthorp Community
1250 Capri Drive, Pacific Palisades CA 90272
[email protected] / 310-415-2846
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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:02 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Help with SM Safety
Attachments: City of SM - Item 16-B - Detailed Letter re Mayor's Memo.pdf Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Dennis Puri <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:46 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Help with SM Safety

EXTERNAL
Hi there,
Please find attached a letter from me to the city council pleading for sanity in Santa Monica. We have had homeless stab our community members including our government employees! It is insane (no pun intended) to open an insane asylum by our most treasured park – which already has homeless people from out of town making it a less safe place.

Please do something!
Dennis Puri
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 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]] 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.

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 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 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
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:

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.

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.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025

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
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.

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,
Dennis Puri
881 Berkeley Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
5 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 7:15 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 16F

EXTERNAL
To : Santa Monica City Council
It’s hard to imagine anyone opposing transparency, clarity, and meaningful community engagement for all supportive-housing and bridge-housing projects in our city. Even so, I’m writing to express my strong support for this proposal and to ask that you do the same.

Fortunately, the public outrage over the Ocean Avenue projects has led to a positive outcome. Still, it’s troubling that we heard from St. Joseph’s representatives that three city council members knew about these projects and kept that information quiet. Whether or not that’s true, the lack of transparency and community engagement should never have occurred.

Your support for this proposal will help ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

Sincerely,
Cathy Tryon
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
6 David Yakobson
From: Hannah Minghella <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 7:03 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]; Oliver Chi; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Gratitude & Next Steps for Safe and Suitable Behavioral Health Housing

EXTERNAL
October 28, 2025 The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath Chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors 500 W. Temple Street, Room 383 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Re:

Next Steps for Safe and Suitable Behavioral Health Housing: Community Standards and Siting Criteria Dear Supervisor Horvath, On behalf of residents, business owners, and community advocates across Santa Monica and the Westside, we want to thank you for your decisive action in halting the proposed bridge housing facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue. Your leadership in recognizing that the process had eroded public trust was both necessary and appreciated.

This outcome, however, highlights a much larger issue that extends far beyond Ocean Avenue. The absence of consistent site-selection standards and community engagement protocols has created confusion, frustration, and fear in neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County. We strongly urge the County to establish clear, evidence-based criteria to ensure that no future facility intended for individuals with serious mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorders is placed near schools, residential neighborhoods, or public recreation spaces. We fully support the County's commitment to compassionate care and recovery. But compassion must be paired with responsibility. The placement of high-acuity behavioral health facilities requires clinical oversight, security, and specialized infrastructure that typical neighborhood environments cannot provide. Future projects must therefore meet measurable safety, operational, and community-impact standards before approval or funding. We respectfully request that your office: 1. Develop and publish countywide siting criteria for all behavioral-health bridge or interim-housing programs, with minimum distance requirements from schools, parks, and dense residential areas. 2. Require comprehensive community notification and engagement at least 60 days prior to site approval, including public meetings and disclosure of operator credentials, program scope, and funding source. 3.

Ensure cross-departmental review and accountability, so that the Department of Mental Health, Department of Public Health, and County Homeless Initiatives operate under a unified standard of transparency and oversight. 4. Engage a regional advisory coalition of residents, service providers, and local officials from affected Westside communities to shape long-term policy reforms. Santa Monica stands ready to partner in building a framework that truly embodies both compassion and safety. We hope the County will seize this opportunity to set a new precedent; one that balances the urgent need for treatment and housing with the equally vital need to preserve public trust and community well-being. Thank you again for your attention, responsiveness, and willingness to lead with integrity and transparency. Respectfully, Hannah Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
7 Minghella on behalf of Santa Monica Neighbors and allied community members cc:
• Mayor Lana Negrete and Santa Monica City Council • Oliver Chi, Santa Monica City Manager • California State Senator Ben Allen • California Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur • Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
8 David Yakobson
From: Ashley Oelsen <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 10:39 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Oliver Chi; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Next Steps for Safe Behavioral Health Housing

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
On behalf of residents, business owners, and community advocates across Santa Monica and the Westside, we want to thank you for your decisive action in halting the proposed bridge housing facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue. Your leadership in recognizing that the process had eroded public trust was both necessary and appreciated.

We respectfully request that your office:

1. Develop and publish countywide siting criteria for all behavioral-health bridge or interim-housing programs, with minimum distance requirements from schools, parks, and dense residential areas.

2. Require comprehensive community notification and engagement at least 60 days prior to site approval, including public meetings and disclosure of operator credentials, program scope, and funding source.

4. Engage a regional advisory coalition of residents, service providers, and local officials from affected Westside communities to shape long-term policy reforms.

Santa Monica stands ready to partner in building a framework that truly embodies both compassion and Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
9 safety. We hope the County will seize this opportunity to set a new precedent; one that balances the urgent need for treatment and housing with the equally vital need to preserve public trust and community well-being.

Thank you again for your attention, responsiveness, and willingness to lead with integrity and transparency.

Respectfully,
Ashley Oelsen
cc:

Mayor Lana Negrete and Santa Monica City Council
Oliver Chi, Santa Monica City Manager
California State Senator Ben Allen
California Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: C H <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 5:08 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: "OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F."

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks' notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay HorvathApproved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue to the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families, and our park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park, including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
C Hix
3838 Dunn Dr
Culver City, CA 90232
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
5 David Yakobson
From: angela <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 7:06 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Angela Gallo
311 Ocean Ave
Santa Monica
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
6 David Yakobson
From: Kayla Carmichael <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 7:08 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park. This facility would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park including tourists. We, the Santa Monica residents urge you to stop this madness for once and all and we will not stop fighting until you do.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
7 KAYLA CARMICHAEL
311 OCEAN AVE SANTA MONICA
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
8 David Yakobson
From: Bayley Carmichael <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 7:10 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Bayley Carmichael
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
9 Santa Monica 301 Ocean Ave
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
10 David Yakobson
From: Susan Honnold <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 7:51 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: "OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F."
Importance: High

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Susan Honnold
11750 W. Sunset Blvd.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
11 Los Angeles, CA 90049

YOUR ADDRESS
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
12 David Yakobson
From: Nancy Klein <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 8:49 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

Dear City Council,
I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City Manager Oliver Chi, you are giving him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current shelters out of downtown and away from close to the end of the transit line. After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, we cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Nancy Klein
1208 Georgina Ave
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Kristin Jacobson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 4:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Kristin Jacobson
938 11th Street, Unit B, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: M M <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 4:06 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: NO NO NO

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Manju Devgan, MD
--
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 Manju Devgan, M.D.
11735 W Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90066
Tel: 310-390-9829
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Alice Gould <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 3:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath's Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City Manager Oliver Chi, you are giving him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current shelters out of downtown and away from close to the end of the transit line. After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, we cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Kind regards,
Alice Wilson-Gould
897 Chattanooga Avenue, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
310.486.6464
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: R <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 3:29 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16. F.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 Rumi Habuki
801 Ocean Ave
Santa Monica CA 90403

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
3 David Yakobson
From: Kelli <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 4:05 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: "OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F."

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely,
Kelli Urode
12th street and Santa Monica Blvd
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Susan Finley <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 5:09 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Fwd: Request for Records and Transparency
Attachments: SF letter to Linsey Horvath 1026.pdf
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I have attached a letter regarding my continuedrequest for transparency. Thank you for taking the time to read it.

Sincerely,
Susan Finley
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
10/26/2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
500 W. Temple Street, Room 383
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
As concerned residents, business owners, and community members of Santa Monica we are seeking transparency and accountability regarding the bridge housing facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue.

A “tentative” meeting was scheduled for November 5th with the Department of Public Health and St. Josephs Center, however nothing has been confirmed.

We respectfully request that Los Angeles County release the following critical documents in advance of any meeting so that community may participate in an informed and constructive manner:

The Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA) submitted by St. Joseph Center in connection with its operation of the Ocean Avenue facilities; and

1. The executed agreement or memorandum of understanding between the County Department of Mental Health (DMH) and St. Joseph Center pertaining to the management, funding, and oversight of these sites

2. The executed agreement or memorandum of understanding between the developer, Leo Pustilnikov and/or property owner, Bourne Financial Group and the Department of Mental Health / St. Joseph Center. This request includes agreements between third parties.

Full disclosure will foster transparency, reduce misinformation, and build the trust that is necessary for any community-based solution to succeed.

In addition to the process above we believe the requested documents provided no later than October 31, 2025 will allow adequate review time before the tentatively scheduled Town Hall on November 5th.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Finally, we respectfully request that you support Mayor Lana Negrete’s leading effort for item 16 at the October 28th City Council meeting.

As you are quoted as saying on Fox TV regarding this issue :
“ Transparency and trust are foundational to meaningful community engagement.” I couldn’t agree more. Yet, to date, there has been little to none of that, which has caused a serious lack of trust in this entire process among the community.

So let’s have a respectful and transparent exchange about what we’re dealing with here. What exactly is St Josephs program? What kind of treatment are the patients getting? Why are they spending most of the day and night roaming freely in the neighborhood? How will that help them? Or us? What’s the data like on this $4 million dollar program? I grew up in a household with a seriously mentally ill mother. I know first hand —from a child’s view — the constant collateral damage proximity to a seriously mentally ill person can cause, and how hard it is to treat.

Thank you for your attention and for your continued service to Los Angeles County. We look forward to your prompt response and to a transparent and productive discussion on November 5th.

Sincerely,
Susan Finley,
Director, Changing Minds Program
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Mujon Baghai <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 9:55 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Information requested and Performative Community Engagement Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
500 W. Temple Street, Room 383
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RE: Request for Records and Transparency Prior to November 5 Town Hall — Bridge Housing Facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica Dear Supervisor Horvath,
As concerned residents, business owners, and community members of Santa Monica we are seeking transparency and accountability regarding the bridge housing facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue.

A “tentative” meeting was scheduled for November 5th with the Department of Public Health and St. Joseph Center, however nothing has been confirmed.

We respectfully request that Los Angeles County release the following critical documents in advance of any meeting so that community may participate in an informed and constructive manner:

The Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA) submitted by St. Joseph Center in connection with its operation of the Ocean Avenue facilities; and

1. The executed agreement or memorandum of understanding between the County Department of Mental Health (DMH) and St. Joseph Center pertaining to the management, funding, and oversight of these sites.

Full disclosure will foster transparency, reduce misinformation, and build the trust that is necessary for any community-based solution to succeed.

In addition to the process above we believe the requested documents provided no later than October 31, 2025 will allow adequate review time before the tentatively scheduled Town Hall on November 5th.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 Finally, we respectfully request that you support Mayor Lana Negrete’s leading effort for item 16 at the October 28th City Council meeting.

Thank you for your attention and for your continued service to Los Angeles County. We look forward to your prompt response and to a transparent and productive discussion on November 5th.

Sincerely,
Mujon Baghai
Santa Monica, CA
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:24 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: October 28th City Council Meeting
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Erik Hodge <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 8:57 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: October 28th City Council Meeting

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am disappointed by your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type near several schools is dangerous. This would also obviously affect all those who enjoy Palisades Park, including tourists, who we rely on to revitalize Santa Monica.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s Item 16.F. request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects."
Sincerely
Erik Hodge
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 David Yakobson
From: Stephanie Poli <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:46 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: "OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F."
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Stephanie Poli
925 14th St. Unit 6 Santa Monica CA 90403
--
[email protected] │ (602) 568-2598
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
3 David Yakobson
From: BRUCE GOLDSMITH <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 2:52 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,

I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s Item 16.F. request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects."

We have had enough of this city council’s secrecy and being body slammed by surprise projects that will have a dramatically negative impact on our safety, security and way of life.

Sincerely

Bruce Goldsmith

801 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
4 David Yakobson
From: Joe Fernandes <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 3:21 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Joachim Fernande
1342 Yale Street, Apt C
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
5 Santa Monica, CA 90404
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:14 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Feedback
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Dennis Puri <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2025 2:15 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: 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 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? Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 Thanks. I obviously think we can turn it around, and root for the council to successfully get us there.

Dennis Puri
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
3 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:14 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: please NO please No please NO
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council City Manager’s Ofiice -----Original Message-----
From: Kara Fox <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2025 9:37 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: please NO please No please NO

EXTERNAL
How do we, as a community, have our voices listened to and be acted upon? I love that we live in a democracy and would appreciate knowing what I can do as a citizen to be part of a community that listens to us who live here. A behavioral health facility to be built in the proposed area is inappropriate for the current residents. As a senior residence, it was lovely. It served those who deserve to live their days in peace and beauty. To change this facility to someplace for ‘troubled’ people is unfair to the nearby residents. We already have noticeable crime in Santa Monica. I do not understand why you are approving something that will add to the possibility of big challenges. How can I be heard? How can we change this? Who has approved it and why? I would appreciate a response. Thank you. Kara Fox, 14th street, Santa Monica.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
4 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:14 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: URGENT - HELP PLEASE!!! ATTENTION
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Pamela S. Hausman <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2025 9:32 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: URGENT - HELP PLEASE!!! ATTENTION

EXTERNAL
Hello,
I am a long time resident AND a very CONCERNED person that Santa Monica city is opening a Mental Health Facility in the most congested area where tourist and families are. Not to mention prime real estate.

WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA?
I am EXTREMELY worried for my families safety! We have had homeless, mentally ill individuals walking around with knives and causing all kinds of trouble in the neighborhood that was once safe.

I have had to call ADT to get a man sitting on my front yard off so I can enter my home!! This has happened several times.

Who and why would anybody think building a mental health faculty where we have so many tourist? Don't we want it to be safe for people visiting and for us who pay enormous property taxes to live here?
I would like to know why the mental health facility is in the most expensive reals estate in the country? We are already overcrowded, instead of an area with less population and more wide open area and less risk for families? Most people cannot afford an ocean view in the most expensive area, why here??? I would like to know.

I can list several areas that would be much more economical and safe for everyone involved.

As I hope you know, The Promenade Is no longer safe. They can not stay open with all the crime and the homeless, not to mention they are urinating in front of their storefronts. And now we are going to put a mental facility near by??
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
5 Do you plan to have police in the area at ALL times??? We need to make our city more safe, not less safe!!!
WHAT CAN WE DO TO STOP THIS???? THIS MUST BE STOPPED!
Pamela
310-729-2662
This message is Proprietary & Confidential. The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination, or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
6 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:15 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Unannounced Mentally Ill persons in our community Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Martin <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 2:34 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Unannounced Mentally Ill persons in our community

EXTERNAL
It is egregious to place mentally ills persons into a community without announcing it or holding public hearings and discussions. How and why was this decided ? Why the secrecy? Do the developer and the bureaucrats live in proximity to the site chosen? Will they be responsible for the behavior of the newly inserted residents? Are the state, county and officials responsible? Have the latter done a complete vetting of the project and of the individuals being inserted in our midst? Do we have the names of the responsible individuals? What was the law full process with which this decision made? Who dropped the ball ? Someone did. So many more questions that require answers. Please let me know. let us all know.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
7 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 3:03 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW:

Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Seth Ellis <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:47 PM
Subject:

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 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
8 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 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.

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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:02 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Help with SM Safety
Attachments: City of SM - Item 16-B - Detailed Letter re Mayor's Memo.pdf Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Dennis Puri <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:46 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Help with SM Safety

Specifically, as it relates to Item 16-B:

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025

Sincerely,
Dennis Puri
881 Berkeley Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:01 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 80 YEAR OLD IN LAWS LIVE FOUR DOORS DOWN FROM 413 - 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
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Brigette Lubin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:15 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Aaron Lubin <[email protected]> Subject: 80 YEAR OLD IN LAWS LIVE FOUR DOORS DOWN FROM 413 - 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.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 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.

Sincerely,
Brigette and Aaron - SM Resident and Canyon Elementary School parent cc: City of Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete
City Council Members, City of Santa Monica
Oliver Chi, City Manager, City of Santa Monica
_____________________
Brigette Lubin
Ocean Showroom
Cooper Building
860 S Los Angeles St. #520
Los Angeles. CA 90014
c: 213.842.9684
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
3 ELAINE KIM * LUSANA * SOIA&KYO * Oliveve
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
4 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:01 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: St. Joseph's Shelters on Ocean Avenue
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council City Manager’s Ofiice -----Original Message-----
From: Susan Baskin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 10:14 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: St. Joseph's Shelters on Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
Council Members:

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the St. Joseph’s Shelters that are scheduled to open at two locations on Ocean Avenue. These shelters are a danger to our community. Palisades Park is a hub of community congregation and participation. The safety of the individuals, families and children that use that park are at risk if the shelters proceed.

I, personally, walk from my home to the park every morning. I do not think the security precautions the Shelter is providing is adequate enough to ensure my safety or that of the other Santa Monica residents that use the park.

In addition, the fact that this was presented to the community as a fait accompli is an abrogation of the council’s responsibility to inform and represent its constituents.

Again, I am in strong opposition to the St. Joseph’s facilities location on Ocean Avenue.

Susan Baskin
Santa Monica Resident
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
5 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:02 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: mental health facility
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council City Manager’s Ofiice -----Original Message-----
From: Marilyn Black <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:58 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: mental health facility

EXTERNAL
Hello. I strongly oppose this horrid idea to bring people with mental health problems into our neighborhood. It will impact walking in the park across the street, Montana and Ocean Aves, all the places that were considered fairly safe. Please find another place away from our safe neighborhoods. Thank you, Marilyn Santa Monica resident Sent from my iPhone
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
6 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:03 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Oppose to item 16-negrete
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Terence Young <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 8:43 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Oppose to item 16-negrete

EXTERNAL
I am writing to protest the lack of process and transparency in the selection of residential areas for Group housing of unsheltered individuals. I remember when the Rainbow Garden garden project was being considered. The years of public comment, community feedback, and council interface in order to place an educational garden in this community was excessive but perhaps necessary to preserve character, provide feedback to give voice to the concerns of the neighborhood. It strikes me as incredibly hypocritical and disingenuous to place two public facilities in this residential community without any notification or discussion. I oppose, protest, and demand transparency to this process and believe the project needs to be halted until such comments are heard, considered and addressed to the community's satisfaction
Terence Young
3007 11th street
Sent from my iPhone
Get Outlook for iOS
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
7 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:07 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Noncompliance for 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Tara Chang <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 6:33 AM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]> Subject: Noncompliance for 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing as a concerned Santa Monica resident, living just four blocks from the newly planned facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, which are intended to house voluntary entry/exit services for the unhoused and severely mentally ill. I am deeply troubled by the way this project has been handled— specifically, the lack of prior notice to the public and the absence of meaningful community engagement in the decision-making process.

As highlighted by Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete in her October 9, 2025, memo to the City Manager, even the City of Santa Monica was “recently made aware” of the County’s funding approval and ongoing renovations—well after these decisions had been made. The public, including those of us who live in close proximity to the site, were blindsided, learning about this project only through rumor rather than official communication. This was no simple oversight; it was a significant lapse in transparency.

The Mayor’s memo also underscores that both the County and its nonprofit partners failed to comply with Welfare and Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4), which mandates that residents, local businesses, schools, and other impacted stakeholders be involved from the start of the planning process. Clearly, that was not the case here.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
8 This facility, located near preschools, elementary schools, senior living homes, and a major tourist hub, was moved forward without considering the broader implications on our community. The lack of transparency and public input has only deepened distrust in the process and raised concerns about the long-term impacts on our neighborhoods, businesses, and overall safety.

While your office and St. Joseph Center’s recently released FAQ document assures the public that there will be “24/7 staffing” and “enhanced security,” the concerns raised during the October 9th Town Hall— where officials failed to present a comprehensive safety plan—indicate that the safety of our community and our children may not be adequately addressed beyond the facility’s immediate perimeter. Postannouncement reassurances are no substitute for genuine, upfront transparency.

Furthermore, transparency is one of the core values of the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan, which states: “We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to foster the trust of our community.” The actions surrounding these facilities have failed to meet that standard, particularly when it comes to engaging the public in decisions that significantly affect our families, elderly residents, schools, and small businesses.

The lack of engagement in this process has left many of us feeling sidelined, and it is our children, seniors, and neighbors who will bear the consequences.

I urge you to pause the opening of the mental health facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue and call for a full review of the process that led to the approval of these sites, and asses the location chosen, as well as the selection of vendors and partners. This review must be conducted with full transparency and allow for meaningful public input in compliance with the law.

The people of Santa Monica deserve to have their voices heard and considered before these facilities are opened. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.

Sincerely,
Tara Chang Pettus
Santa Monica Resident
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
9 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:10 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: St Joseph’s Planned Mental Health Facility in Santa Monica Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council City Manager’s Ofiice -----Original Message-----
From: Nick Hedges <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2025 9:13 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>
Subject: St Joseph’s Planned Mental Health Facility in Santa Monica

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing regarding the planned mental health housing facility at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica.

Hopefully this can be avoided.

Sincerely,
Nick Hedges
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
10 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:11 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Objection to the 49 bed unit on Ocean A e
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council City Manager’s Ofiice -----Original Message-----
From: Robert Held Gmail <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2025 5:04 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Objection to the 49 bed unit on Ocean A e

EXTERNAL
We find it not to be on the best interests of all of the citizens of Santa Monica. Please vote NO on this and protect the Palisades for all families.

Robert Held
2120 Georgina Ave.
(310) 300-2222
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
11 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:13 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: St Joseph Center Complaint
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: BMG <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2025 9:05 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: St Joseph Center Complaint

EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
Thousands of residents are very upset about this mental center being developed on Ocean. I live on 9th street, and we’re furious about it, too. Please do not move forward with this effort.

If there is someone the community can speak to regarding updates, please let us know.

Thanks,

BRENT BURGHDORF
Estates Director
Mobile: 310-245-3218
www.TheBeverlyHillsEstates.com
DRE# 02029963
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
12 NOTICE: This message is intended to be confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete this message from your system and notify us immediately. Any disclosure, copying or distribution of this message by an unintended recipient is prohibited and may be unlawful.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
13 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:14 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Protecting Our Neighborhood: Reconsider Mental Health Facility Location Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Jennifer Jones <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2025 2:27 PM
To: Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Council Mailbox <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Protecting Our Neighborhood: Reconsider Mental Health Facility Location

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Lana Negrete and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, I am a long-time Los Angeles resident and a deeply concerned community member writing in response to the proposed mental health facility planned for one of the most congested and high-profile areas of our city—right in the heart of a tourist zone and family-oriented neighborhood, not to mention on prime coastal real estate.

Who approved this location—and why was this considered a suitable idea? I am extremely concerned for the safety of my family and neighbors. We have already experienced a noticeable rise in incidents involving homeless individuals suffering from severe mental illness. There have been multiple occasions where I have had to contact ADT for help—once, just to get someone off my front yard so I could enter my own home safely. Sadly, this is no longer a rare occurrence.

Why place a mental health facility in the middle of one of the most expensive, densely populated, and tourist-heavy areas of the country? This decision raises serious questions about priorities—both in terms of public safety and financial stewardship.

There are many other areas within and near Santa Monica that would be far more appropriate for such a facility—places with lower population density, more space, and less risk to families, businesses, and visitors. I would be happy to provide suggestions.

We’ve already seen the challenges on the Promenade, which has become increasingly unsafe due to rising crime and a growing unhoused population. Many businesses are struggling to stay open as customers feel uncomfortable, or even unsafe, due to loitering, public urination, and harassment. Adding a mental health facility nearby without proper oversight and resources could make things worse, not better.

Will there be dedicated law enforcement in the area 24/7 to ensure safety? As a tax-paying resident who pays significant property taxes to live here, I ask: why are we not investing in making our city safer, cleaner, and more welcoming—for both residents and visitors? What can we do to stop this plan from moving forward? This must be reconsidered.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
14 I urge the city to pause this project and seriously evaluate other, more appropriate locations where a facility can provide help without putting additional strain on an already fragile community infrastructure.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Jones
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
15 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:14 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: St. Joseph Center
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Purchasing <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2025 1:05 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: St. Joseph Center

EXTERNAL
Council Members,
What exactly are you doing to stop St. Joseph Center from putting a facility for severely mentally disabled individuals in the midst of a solely residential neighborhood at 413 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica? Do homeless deserve more rights than tax-paying residents? They have already destroyed the Promenade by scaring away shoppers leaving a ghost town of empty storefronts. They have colonized Reed Park with its needle exchange making it unusable to citizens. Now, if you let them, they will get to destroy another neighborhood and Palisades Park across the street.

I await your response.

Samuel Korn
515 Ocean Ave. SPHA
Santa Monica Ca., 90402
310-883-8280
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
16 David Yakobson
From: ANDREAS BIEBL <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:27 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Andreas Biebl
515 Ocean Ave #405S, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
17 David Yakobson
From: William Stadiem <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:49 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Oliver Chi Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Critical Gaps in Homelessness Strategic Plan - October 28 Council Meeting

EXTERNAL
10/27/25
WH Stadiem
101 California Ave, SM 90403
The Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Sent via email:

Subject: Critical Gaps in Homelessness Strategic Plan - October 28 Council Meeting Dear Mayor Negrete and Honorable Council Members,
I am writing to express serious concerns about the proposed 2025-2030 Homelessness Strategic Plan scheduled for discussion on October 28. While the plan outlines noble intentions, it fails to address several critical factors:

1. Tourism and Economic Impact: The plan contains no analysis of impacts on our tourism economy. We need metrics tracking visitor perception, hotel occupancy trends, and beach usage statistics.

2. Neighborhood Quality of Life: Housed residents deserve measurable commitments including specific targets for reducing encampments, park safety standards, and sidewalk clearance requirements.

3. Public Safety and Crime Data: Beyond vague "calls for service," we need comprehensive crime statistics, specific reduction targets, and clear enforcement protocols.

4. Complete Cost-Benefit Analysis: Taxpayers deserve transparency on total projected costs, cost per person served with success rates, and impacts on city services.

5. Measurable Outcomes for Homeless Individuals: The plan must include housing retention benchmarks, job placement targets, health outcome metrics, and long-term tracking.

Specific Requests:

1. Postpone adoption pending incorporation of these assessments

2. Establish a working group including businesses, residents, and tourism stakeholders Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
18 3. Implement pilot programs with success metrics before full rollout Respectfully,
WH Stadiem
101 California Ave, SM 90403
[email protected]
cc:
· Mayor Lana Negrete and Santa Monica City Council
· Oliver Chi, Santa Monica City Manager
· California State Senator Ben Allen
· California Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur
· Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
19 David Yakobson
From: Aleese Orr <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 3:06 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]; Oliver Chi; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Lindsey Horvath Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration 500 West Temple Street, Room 383 Los Angeles, CA 90012
RE: Gratitude for the Pause at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue; But Performative Engagement Is Not Real Consultation
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I write to express appreciation for the recently announced pause on the mental health housing projects at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. This temporary step suggests an acknowledgment that community engagement is important. However, many residents, myself included, are deeply concerned that this “pause” may serve more as a symbolic gesture than a genuine effort to involve the public in decisions that have already been made.

While Santa Monica residents value compassion and fully support effective, humane mental-health and housing services, authentic engagement means community input is sought before funding is approved, sites are selected, and contracts are executed — not after.

Community members were only informed of these projects after renovations were underway and agreements finalized. Holding town halls or issuing statements after-the-fact creates the appearance of inclusion without its substance. Genuine consultation requires early transparency, shared decision-making, and respect for both data and community expertise.

Residents and local leaders should have been invited into the process from the beginning, to help identify sites that balance access to care with proximity to schools, senior facilities, and tourism corridors that sustain Santa Monica’s economy.

The community’s concerns are not about whether people in crisis deserve care, they absolutely do. Our concern is how that care is delivered and where facilities are placed. Every person deserves dignity, safety, and a path to long-term stability.

That means programs must:
● Ensure quality and continuity of treatment for clients ● Include measurable outcomes for recovery and housing retention ● Maintain safety for both clients and surrounding residents ● Be implemented transparently, with independent oversight Compassion without accountability helps no one, not those struggling with mental illness or addiction, nor the neighborhoods striving to remain safe, inclusive, and functional.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
20 By presenting these projects as “paused for engagement” while proceeding with leases, funding, and construction, the County risks violating both public trust and the spirit of Welfare and Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4), which requires community participation at all stages of planning.

Checking a procedural box after decisions are locked in is not engagement, it’s damage control.

We call on the Board to demonstrate integrity through actions, not optics. Specifically, we ask for:
● Immediate suspension of all contracts, renovations, and vendor work until public input can meaningfully inform outcomes.
● Transparent publication of all planning documents, funding allocations, and site selection criteria.
● Independent review of how these projects were approved without prior notice to local officials or residents.
● Genuine community collaboration invites residents, service providers, and mental-health professionals to co-design a plan rooted in data, compassion, and accountability. ● Equitable regional distribution of facilities, ensuring no single community bears a disproportionate burden.

The residents of Santa Monica are not opposing mental-health care or supportive housing. We are demanding that these efforts be done right, with honesty, data, transparency, and measurable success for those in crisis. We stand ready to collaborate toward solutions that truly work, rather than participate in the appearance of consultation after the fact.

A performative pause risks deepening public cynicism and setting back trust in both local and county governance. Real partnership, conducted in the open, can instead model the compassionate and transparent governance Los Angeles County aspires to lead with.

Respectfully,
Aleese Orr
308 Alta Ave, Santa Monica 90402
[email protected]
cc:
· Mayor Lana Negrete and Santa Monica City Council
· Oliver Chi, Santa Monica City Manager
· California State Senator Ben Allen
· California Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur
· Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
21 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 3:08 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Mental Health facilities on Ocean Avenue
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Susan Holcomb <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2025 8:55 AM
To: Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Attorney Mailbox <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>; Susan Cline <[email protected]> Subject: Mental Health facilities on Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
To the Santa Monica City Council, Mayor and City Manager - Among the many terrible ideas regarding activating two mental health facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue (separated by 4 blocks) in a residential neighborhood directly across the street from the most widely used recreational park in Santa Monica (Palisades Park) is not requiring the residents of the facilities to be sober or drug tested. As stated by St. Joseph and LA County officials, the facility will be drug-free but the residents themselves are NOT required to be drug free. This would necessitate any drug users to go out into the neighborhood to procure/use drugs. The streets and alleys around the structures will become even more dangerous for us, our children, Santa Monica tourists, and the multitude of visitors to Palisades Park.

Additionally, the facility at 825 Ocean Avenue is an open structure in the back (comprising over half the structure), where the huge recreation/gathering/dining area is. The only roof is a cantilevered canvas structure with wide gaps that open the area up to the outdoors. Neighbors can hear even slightly elevated conversations within the structure. How is a mental health facility (with residents suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar issues, etc.) allowed in an open-air structure? Isn’t there some kind of code that requires facilities such as this to be closed structures? The peace of the residents on this block (between Montana and Idaho Avenues) on both Ocean Avenue and 2nd Street (the structure is surrounded by many residential buildings that back up onto the alley directly next to 825 Ocean Avenue) will be severely compromised. While the renovation of the facility was going on (without the proper building permits for over 2 months I might add – neighbors and ourselves had to call Code Enforcement multiple times to let them know they were performing multiple renovations Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
22 without notice until they came out and instructed to cease work until the contractors obtained the proper permits) we were able to hear the workers inside every day and night at all hours.

The fact that the neighborhood was only recently informed of this project and the fact the project is imminent without any neighborhood input is shocking and unacceptable. Although Mayor Negrete has said there is nothing the City of Santa Monica can do to stop this project as it’s under a state mandate, we urge you to find a way to at least halt (if not stop) this project until the residents of Santa Monica are allowed to be a part of the process by providing feedback and input. Certainly, there are common sense if not legal issues to be addressed before this project moves forward.

Many thanks for your time and consideration,
Susan Holcomb and Allan Havey (Santa Monica residents since 1998) Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
23 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 3:09 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: NOMA Meeting & Ocean Avenue Mental Health Facilities Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council City Manager’s Ofiice -----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2025 10:17 PM
To: Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected]; Attorney Mailbox <[email protected]> Subject: NOMA Meeting & Ocean Avenue Mental Health Facilities

EXTERNAL
Mr. Chi,
It was a pleasure to hear your thoughts for the City this evening during the initial phase of the NOMA meeting. Your specific comments about smaller physical enhancements to the Downtown area, akin to the “no broken windows” theory resonated with me. With serious funding concerns, hopefully some of those smaller dollar efforts will yield disproportionately larger results. Moreover, your passion and enthusiasm for turning things around made a very positive impression. We are all vested in your success so hopefully as some of my neighbors concern / elevated emotions about the Ocean Avenue projects abates they can contribute in a more constructive way to your broader efforts.

The specific item I raised with you, the nature of the actual use and if it is “by right”, is one I would ask you and the City Attorney take another look at. My view is that this is a mental health facility on a primary basis, not a residential one that provides mental health services. By definition, what was described tonight and all the materials from St.

Joseph, was a facility that as a prerequisite will serve those with mental illness, which by definition is a mental health facility. If this was a by right residential use, simply being homeless would be the prerequisite. The entire focus of the project, from the funding, to the operational plan described, to the profile of the patient that requires “integrated care solutions” is not housing.

Again, thanks for participating and looking forward to your effort and talent contributing to a brighter future for SM.

Most appreciatively,
Rory Gardner
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
24 David Yakobson
From: Kathy Metaxas <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 3:13 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Oliver Chi; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: RE: Request for Records and Transparency Prior to November 5 Town Hall — Bridge Housing Facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
As concerned residents, business owners, and community members of Santa Monica we are seeking transparency and accountability regarding the bridge housing facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue.

A “tentative” meeting was scheduled for November 5th with the Department of Public Health and St. Joseph Center, however nothing has been confirmed.

We respectfully request that Los Angeles County release the following critical documents in advance of any meeting so that community may participate in an informed and constructive manner:

The Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA) submitted by St. Joseph Center in connection with its operation of the Ocean Avenue facilities; and

1.The executed agreement or memorandum of understanding between the County Department of Mental Health (DMH)
and St. Joseph Center pertaining to the management,
funding, and oversight of these sites.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
25 2.The executed agreement or memorandum of understanding between the developer, Leo Pustilnikov and/or property
owner,Bourne Financial Group and the Department of
Mental Health / St. Joseph Center. This request includes agreements between third parties.

These records are essential for the public to understand the scope of services, accountability measures, and intended safeguards related to the housing and treatment of residents in these facilities, particularly given their proximity to schools, senior residences, and tourism corridors. Full disclosure will foster transparency, reduce misinformation, and build the trust that is necessary for any community-based solution to succeed.

In addition to the process above we believe the requested documents provided no later than October 31, 2025 will allow adequate review time before the tentatively scheduled Town Hall on November 5th.

Finally, we respectfully request that you support Mayor Lana Negrete’s leading effort for item 16 at the October 28th City Council meeting.

Thank you for your attention and for your continued service to Los Angeles County. We look forward to your prompt response and to a transparent and productive discussion on November 5th.

Sincerely,
Kathy Metaxas
North East Neighbor
Santa Monica-Collegiate Streets
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW:

Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Seth Ellis <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:47 PM
Subject:

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 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 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).

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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
3 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW:

Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Adriana Schmidt <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:58 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject:

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
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]]
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.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
4 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.

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

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

Sincerely,
Adriana Schmidt
2001 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 990
Santa Monica, CA 90404
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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
5 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:44 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Really concerned
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:37 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Really concerned

EXTERNAL
Sent from Anita's IPhone
Santa Monica City Council:

What exactly are you doing to stop St. Joseph Center from putting a facility for severely mentally disabled individuals in the midst of a solely residential neighborhood at 413 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica? Do homeless deserve more rights than tax-paying residents? They have already destroyed the Promenade by scaring away shoppers leaving a ghost town of empty storefronts; they have colonized Reed Park with its needle exchange making it unusable to citizens. Now, if you let them, they will get to destroy another neighborhood and Palisades Park across the street.

Anita and Bruce Murdoch
We live at 515 Ocean ave #703 S
SM 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Robert Wagmeister <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 11:26 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: October 28th agenda item - URGENT

EXTERNAL
SUBJECT LINE: "OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F."
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City Manager Oliver Chi, you are giving him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current shelters out of downtown and away from close to the end of the transit line. After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, we cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Robert Wagmeister
221 16th Street
Santa Monica, Ca 90402
Sent from my iPhone
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 David Yakobson
From: Michael Rosove <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:08 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: "OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F."

EXTERNAL
To: [email protected]
SUBJECT LINE: "OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F."
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely,
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
3 Dr. Michael H. Rosove
328 14th St.

Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
4 David Yakobson
From: Katrina Carlson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:17 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: [email protected]; Ken Carlson
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
Please don’t hesitate to personally reach out to me for any feedback or assistance on this issue. I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City Manager Oliver Chi, you are giving the him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current shelters out of downtown and away from close to the end of the transit line. Furthermore, you are effectively using reserves to take away critical funding for police officers and placing it your projects to help the homeless. After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, we cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s Item 16.F. request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects."
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
5 We have had enough of this city council’s secrecy and being body slammed by surprise projects that will have a dramatically negative impact on our safety, security and way of life.

Sincerely
Katrina Carlson
1536 Georgina Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
6 David Yakobson
From: Kenneth Carlson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:22 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: [email protected]; Katrina Carlson
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City Manager Oliver Chi, you are giving the him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current shelters out of downtown and away from close to the end of the transit line. Furthermore, you are effectively using reserves to take away critical funding for police officers and placing it your projects to help the homeless. After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, we cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s Item 16.F. request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects." We have had enough of this city council’s secrecy and being body slammed by surprise projects that will have a dramatically negative impact on our safety, security and way of life.

Sincerely,
— Ken —
Kenneth A. Carlson
210 16th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Cell: 310-963-0063
Email: [email protected]
CarlsonFilms.com
HeartofNuba.com
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
7 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
8 David Yakobson
From: Jessica M <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:30 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Jessica Munoz
Ocean Ave. Resident
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
9 David Yakobson
From: Stephanie Poli <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:46 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: "OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F."

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Stephanie Poli
925 14th St. Unit 6 Santa Monica CA 90403
--
[email protected] │ (602) 568-2598
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: LYNN WAGMEISTER <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 10:26 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Urgent attention

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City Manager Oliver Chi, you are giving him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current shelters out of downtown and away from close to the end of the transit line. After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, we cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Lynn Wagmeister
221 16th Street
Santa Monica, Ca. 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Pepe Sigal <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 8:07 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Totally opposed
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
I am totally opposed to the mental facility on Ocean Av. And the other one. You are going to bring MORE DANGER to our beautiful area and on top of it you might have values decline. We have grandkids living with us, and more danger besides the normal homeless is unconscionable. I hope you make the right decision and protect our neighborhood.

Jose Pepe Sigal
201 Ocean Av.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 David Yakobson
From: Rima Simon <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 9:37 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Fwd: 2 shelters for the seriously mentally ill - Critical Gaps in Homelessness Strategic Plan

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and Honorable
Council Members,
I am writing to express serious concerns
about the proposed 2025-2030
Homelessness Strategic
Plan scheduled for discussion on October

28. While the plan outlines noble
intentions, it fails to
address several critical factors:

1. Tourism and Economic Impact: The
plan contains no analysis of impacts on our
tourism
economy. and Santa Monica is already
hurting in tourism greatly due to
homelessness and ongoing violence and
our neighboehood is one of the few safer
areas where people feel safe and
congregate.

2. Neighborhood Quality of Life and
Safety: Housed residents deserve
measurable commitments including
specific targets for reducing encampments,
park safety standards, and sidewalk
clearance
requirements and feeling of safety in their
community.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
3 3. Public Safety and Crime Data:

Beyond vague "calls for service," we need
comprehensive
crime statistics, specific reduction targets,
and clear enforcement protocols.

4. Complete Cost-Benefit Analysis:

Taxpayers deserve transparency on total
projected costs,
cost per person served with success rates,
and impacts on city services.

5. Measurable Outcomes for Homeless
Individuals: Whats the plan — The plan
must include permanent housing income,
housing retention benchmarks now that
Housing Authority no longer provides
support for Section 8 Housing, job
placement targets or other income sources,
increased safety measures, health outcome
metrics, and long-term tracking, program
staffing, goal implementation, clinical
support plan.

Specific Requests:

1. 2. 3. Postpone adoption pending
incorporation of these assessments
Establish a working group including
businesses, residents, and tourism
stakeholders to review and further assess
Implement pilot programs with success
metrics before full rollout
This location is not the best choice given the use of this neighborhood.

Respectfully,
Rima Simon, LCSW
701 Ocean Ave, Santa MOnica, Ca 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
4 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
5 David Yakobson
From: Winter Hoffman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 10:52 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please do not allow housing for mentally unwell

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and
then only give two weeks notice to open the LA County
Supervisor Lindsay
Horvath-Approved Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825
Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools,
families, and a park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who
enjoy Palisades Park.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and
extending these powers to the New City Manager, Oliver Chi, you are giving the
him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems
appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current
shelters out of downtown and away from the translation, and after your decision to
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
6 not notify the public about Ocean Avenue's potential disaster we cannot afford to be
excluded. In particular, we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686, and
11697[Where as Agenda Item 16.f on October 28, 2025.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s request that the City
Manager provide
“community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and
Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects.

We have had enough of this city council’s secrecy and being body slammed by
surprise projects that will have a dramatically negative impact on our way of life.

Sincerely
**Asa Nisi Masa**
Winter Hoffman
236 14th St.

Santa Monica, Ca 90402
(310) 393-3458 H
(310) 200-4828 C
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
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October 28, 2025
7 David Yakobson
From: Kristen Fujieki <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:08 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Oliver Chi; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: RE: Request for Records and Transparency Prior to November 5 Town Hall — Bridge Housing Facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica

EXTERNAL
October 27, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
500 W. Temple Street, Room 383
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RE: Request for Records and Transparency Prior to November 5 Town Hall — Bridge Housing Facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
As concerned residents, business owners, and community members of Santa Monica we are seeking transparency and accountability regarding the bridge housing facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue.

A “tentative” meeting was scheduled for November 5th with the Department of Public Health and St. Joseph Center, however nothing has been confirmed.

We respectfully request that Los Angeles County release the following critical documents in advance of any meeting so that community may participate in an informed and constructive manner:

The Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA) submitted by St. Joseph Center in connection with its operation of the Ocean Avenue facilities; and

These records are essential for the public to understand the scope of services, accountability measures, and intended safeguards related to the housing and treatment of residents in these facilities, particularly given their Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
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8 proximity to schools, senior residences, and tourism corridors. Full disclosure will foster transparency, reduce misinformation, and build the trust that is necessary for any community-based solution to succeed.

In addition to the process above we believe the requested documents provided no later than October 31, 2025 will allow adequate review time before the tentatively scheduled Town Hall on November 5th.

Finally, we respectfully request that you support Mayor Lana Negrete’s leading effort for item 16 at the October 28th City Council meeting.

Thank you for your attention and for your continued service to Los Angeles County. We look forward to your prompt response and to a transparent and productive discussion on November 5th.

Sincerely,
Kristen Handel
Concerned Carlthorp Parent and Santa Monica North of Montana Resident Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
9 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:25 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: OPPOSE 413-825 OCEAN SM Mental Facility-***Use for Palisades Fire Victims Seniors
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council City Manager’s Ofiice -----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 8:02 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Re: OPPOSE 413-825 OCEAN SM Mental Facility-***Use for Palisades Fire Victims Seniors

EXTERNAL
Please Consider Using these facilities for *Palisades Fire Seniors and Victims..

This is a win-win-win for our community, neighbors and will please your constituents..

While helping Palisades Fire Victims who are still struggling..

Thanks for your consideration...

On Oct 11, 2025, at 11:17 AM, <[email protected]> wrote:

SM Leadership and Sup Horvath:

After the NOMA meeting Oct 9, it is evident SM- LA may still have an opportunity to push back and Halt this project this with the crucial fact of a School within .3 miles and the lack of transparency.. It appears this project may not have been vetted properly with the appropriate powers of LA City and SM City.. and residents..

It does not have to move forward ..and with our new City Manager Oliver Chi and the Mayor and Council’s and residents’ Powers, we can try to push back and move this to Another appropriate location...

This is the wrong place period, immersed in a residential area.. next to a School! You can do the right thing and Stop this project.. before there are major issues and consequences… This should be a top priority for our SM Leadership and Sup Horvath.. ****This Facility Should be Reappropriated for LA and Santa Monica Seniors and/or Housing for Victims and Families of the Palisades Fire!!!!
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10 ****Helping Palisades Fire Victims and displaced Seniors would be a Win Win Win and Viewed Extremely Favorably by All Your LA, Palisades and Santa Monica Constituents! Thank You!!
On Oct 7, 2025, at 12:11 AM, [email protected] wrote:

Dear Supervisor, Senator Ben Allen, Mayor Negrete, Santa Monica Council, Councilmember Park Santa Monica and this area on Ocean is a Tourist Destination for all of LOS ANGELES!!! This Residential and Tourist location is Not suitable for any Mental Health Facility… Not to mention the Exorbitant Costs for this expensive recreational area...

AS a 30 yr SM resident and homeowner and 60 Yr LA Resident… You need to place this type of facility near hospital services and/or medical services or a Commercial area.. NOT in the middle of Residential and Tourist area @ Exorbitant Costs!!!
Please Reconsider and I’m sure there are Many other options for this type of facility in LOS ANGELES in Areas that are not residential and close to needed medical services … ****This Facility Should be Reappropriated for LA and Santa Monica Seniors and/or Housing for Victims and Families of the Palisades Fire!!!!
****Helping Palisades Fire Victims would be a Win Win Win and Viewed Extremely Favorably by All Your LA, Palisades and Santa Monica Constituents!
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
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October 28, 2025
11 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:25 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue
Attachments: 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue LETTER.pdf
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Rita Branch <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 3:26 PM
To: Lana Negrete <[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; councilmtgitems <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Rita Branch <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
Please see leƩer aƩached regarding 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue.

Thank you,
Rita Branch
516 San Vicente Blvd #302
Santa Monica,CA 90402.

Direct Line: 1.310.500.8996
Fax number: 1.310.395 5757
[email protected]
Item 16-F
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Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Date 10/26/2025
Regarding 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue
To Whom It May Concern,
I personally wanted to write a letter today to let you know that I understand the importance of helping people and the purpose of these facilities. When I was a small child, I too was homeless off and on for the first eight years of my life. My mother, my three brothers, and I lived in and out of homeless shelters in Jacksonville, FL. I witnessed firsthand how these situations can hurt and help others.

The shelter we stayed in was called "FOR ALL." It housed men, women, children, boys, girls, and even mentally ill homeless individuals. They also had a separate shelter called the "Circle of Love" for women, girls, and boys under the age of 10, but it was always full. As a result, we had to stay in the shelter that housed everyone.

The things I saw and experienced in that shelter were so tragic that, to this day, I suffer from PTSD. My mother protected me the best she could, but there were times when she needed to shower or go to the office for clothing grants or housing assistance, and that was when I was attacked by a mentally ill person. I had seen this man around before—he would talk to himself but always kept to himself, so I never felt unsafe. The staff at the facility told me I didn’t need to worry about him, but I knew better.

Something in his eyes told me something wasn’t right, and I recognized that even as a child.

One day, I went into the hallway to use the restroom, and he jumped out at me, choking me so hard I couldn’t breathe. It felt like an eternity. I fell to the ground and pretended to be lifeless, and then he dragged me into a closet, closing the door once he saw I wasn’t moving. I stayed in that closet for what seemed like forever until my mom returned and called my name. I calmly came out, not knowing where he was, and didn’t say anything until I was sure we were safe. Then my mother and I spoke with the staff, and she told them what happened.

After that day, I was never the same. I didn’t trust anyone, and my mother and I eventually moved to a group home for moms and children. My mother slowly got her life together, but I will always remember that place—Circle of Love.

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What I want everyone to understand is that I see you. I know many of you want to do good and give everyone a chance. The people who genuinely care and aren’t profiting off of helping the homeless—those are the people I respect. But many times, the big money and developers take advantage of these efforts. Don’t be those people. Be the person who got you into public service.

Now, I want to tell you about where I stand today. Because of how I grew up, I’ve dedicated my life to helping others. I have empathy, and I believe that everyone deserves a chance to change and get back on their feet. I’ve come a long way from being homeless as a child, and much of that is thanks to kind people who gave my mom the chance to improve her life. However, you must understand that people with mental health issues cannot get better just by walking the streets or sleeping in a bed. Many don’t even realize they have a problem. The brain is wired differently, and they need professional care.

I know that the man who attacked me didn’t really want to hurt a small child—he was mentally unwell. Later in life, I had a friend who struggled with mental illness. I tried to help him as best I could. I picked him up, took him out to eat, made him laugh, and showed him love. But in the end, he made a police officer shoot him because he didn’t want to live anymore.

His name was Eric. Years later, I learned that he had kidnapped and tortured a woman in a hotel room. His brother told me. Eric had many different personalities—he could go from funny and happy to dark and violent in an instant.

My other experience of a mentally ill person was 2 years ago in my condo pool with gates around it I was lying sun bathing ,when all of a sudden I saw a very tall guy start to jump the fence and coming at me. I jumped up and ran towards the 2nd gate and knew as soon as he gets to the 2nd gate I must run and that's what I did. I was able to escape because I have PTSD and I was street smart i was able to get away. once cops came we found out the same guy had just knocked a man unconscious on main street. He was severely mental ill and angry!
So, my point is, I understand this issue deeply. I have been helped by others, and I am grateful for those who gave me hope. But I believe that the people you want to house should not be placed in public homes near families. They need to be in specialized facilities where they can receive proper treatment. They should not be living in neighborhoods where they could harm children or anyone else.

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Why not give a mom and her children a safe place to stay, like the "Circle of Love" I once stayed in? That place helped me become the person I am today. I am now a mother of an 11-year-old boy, I own my own business, and I am thankful for all the people who helped me along the way.

Please, understand that many mentally ill individuals need more than just housing—they need mental health care. I am not a "NIMBY" (Not In My Backyard) person. I am a woman who has worked hard to keep my child safe and has invested in a neighborhood I love. I don't think these homes should be in any neighborhood where people live, they should be in INDUSTRIAL AREAS.

Thank you for your consideration and for listening to my voice.

Sincerely,
Rita Branch
Item 16-F
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12 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:30 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Paul Gassner <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 7:16 AM
To: Huntsman Michael <[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>; Huntsman Christi <[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
You helped stop nonsense!!!
Hope Italy is awesome!
Paul
Sent from my iPhone
On Oct 14, 2025, at 7:25 AM, Michael Huntsman <[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Supervisor HorvathI’m sincerely hoping that you will pause this project today.

Thank youMichael Huntsman
310.948.2929
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
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13 On Oct 12, 2025, at 8:53 PM, Michael Huntsman
<[email protected]> wrote:

October 12, 2025

The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
[Sent via
email: [email protected]; council.mailbox@santamonic a.gov; [email protected]; Caroline.Torosis@santamonic a.gov; [email protected]; [email protected]; Ell [email protected]; [email protected]; Natalya.Z [email protected]; [email protected]]
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.

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14 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.

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

Sincerely,
Michael Huntsman
211 20th St., Santa Monica CA 90402
310.948.2929
[email protected]
Item 16-F
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15 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-F
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16 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:30 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Mental Illness Ward on Ocean Avenue
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Yael M <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2025 12:56 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Mental Illness Ward on Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica Council
Santa Monica already has a public safety problem with homeless and mentally-unstable populations gathering around bus and metro stops. Me and my husband have been spit at and yelled at, and pretty much any time I walk along Santa Monica Blvd, Wilshire Blvd or Colorado Ave I witness somebody being harassed by this population. I do not feel safe walking alone at night outside my apartment.

Given the situation is already pretty bad, I am writing to express my strong objection to the proposed placement of a 49-bed facility for individuals with severe mental illness at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue, overlooking Palisades Park in Santa Monica, as recently approved by County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.

My concerns are as follows:

1. Lack of public notice and consultation
The plan appears to have moved forward without proper community engagement, transparency, or sufficient prior public notice. This undermines trust and raises serious questions about whether community voices and concerns have been duly considered.

2. Site choice and neighborhood impact
The two parcels fronting Palisades Park are in one of the safest, family-centered neighborhoods in the city, maintained through years of community effort and local taxes. Locating a facility for individuals with severe mental illness—especially one described as allowing free roam without background checks or sobriety requirements —in such a setting is deeply unsettling.

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17 • The presence of the facility “directly overlooking” Palisades Park risks altering the character of a treasured public space.
• The suggestion that patients may “roam free” raises legitimate safety, supervision, and resource‐allocation concerns.
• The neighborhood is heavily used by families, seniors, and children; placing a facility of this nature in such proximity seems to invite increased risk and burden on local law enforcement, municipal services, and small businesses.

3. Mischaracterization of target population / county role The county’s framing of the facility as serving “Santa Monicans experiencing homelessness” is misleading, since the referrals appear to come from across Los Angeles County rather than exclusively Santa Monica residents. That raises questions about who will be using this site, and whether the community’s consent is being properly obtained.

4. Insufficient planning, oversight & impact analysis
There was no thorough community impact analysis or disclosed fiscal review of how the facility will be managed, supervised, or funded. Without such analysis, the risk is that the surrounding neighborhood and city services will absorb costs, burdens, and adverse effects without appropriate mitigation or compensation.

5. Potential negative effects on the broader community
The facility’s location in a tourism‐dependent, high‐value coastal neighborhood raises concerns about its impact on local businesses, tourism tax base, urban vitality, and the environment of public spaces like Palisades Park. These factors will negatively affect the vitality of our tourismbased tax base. Further, if the site becomes a de facto low-supervision housing for individuals with serious behavioral health challenges, the nearby schools, parks, and residential streets could be adversely impacted.

In light of these concerns, I respectfully request that you completely halt this project and instead focus on public safety, especially around the bus and metro stops which are currently home to mentally unstable individuals making it unsafe to walk in the city.

Thank you
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
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October 28, 2025
18 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:31 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: opposition letter for Ocean Ave
Attachments: SM 1.png; SM 2.png
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Annie Barnett <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 5:23 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: opposition letter for Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
Annie Barnett
650-740-0254
www.anniebarnettphotography.com
What's YOUR Brand?
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October 28, 2025
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October 28, 2025
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October 28, 2025
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19 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:31 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Dennis Ruben <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 9:08 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[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
Dear Mayor Negrete, City Manager Chi, and Honorable
Members of the City Council,
I am writing to express my opposition to the process in which the facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved with taxpayer funds at 413 and 825 Ocean Ave.

I also share my heartfelt support for Mayor Lana Negrete’s leadership in addressing one of the most complex and sensitive challenges facing our community—how best to care for individuals living with severe mental illness and homelessness, while ensuring that our policies remain transparent, inclusive, and grounded in sound public process.

Mayor Negrete’s October 9 memorandum reflects a thoughtful and compassionate approach to public service. Her acknowledgment of the urgent need for behavioral health housing, coupled with her insistence on due diligence, community engagement, and transparency, embodies the balanced leadership Santa Monica deserves.

This issue is not about opposing care—it is about ensuring that care is delivered responsibly, safely, and with dignity for those it is meant to serve. The Mayor’scall for coordination between the City, Los Angeles County, and nonprofit providers ensures that these projects will be guided by expertise, empathy, and accountability.

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20 Her emphasis on compliance with Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4))—which require citizen and professional involvement at every stage of planning—honors both the spirit and the letter of these laws. 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 and respected. Given the facilities’ close proximityto several senior living facilities, preschools, and elementary schools, the lack of a general community safety plan and/or early notification is grossly negligent.

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. 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.

As such, we hope you support 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,
Dennis Ruben
701 Ocean Ave
Item 16-F
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October 28, 2025
21 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:31 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: URGENT: Support for Mayor Negrete's Agenda Item- Delay Opening of Mental Health Housing on Ocean Ave
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Carla DiGiacomo <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 4:18 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: URGENT: Support for Mayor Negrete's Agenda Item- Delay Opening of Mental Health Housing on Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
October 14, 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: 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, City Manager Chi, and Honorable Members of the City Council, I am writing to express my opposition to the process in which the facilities for the severely mentally ill were approved with taxpayer funds at 413 and 825 Ocean Ave.

Item 16-F
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22 Mayor Negrete’s October 9 memorandum reflects a thoughtful and compassionate approach to public service. Her acknowledgment of the urgent need for behavioral health housing, coupled with her insistence on due diligence, community engagement, and transparency, embodies the balanced leadership Santa Monica deserves.

This issue is not about opposing care—it is about ensuring that care is delivered responsibly, safely, and with dignity for those it is meant to serve. 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.

Her emphasis on compliance with Welfare & Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4))—which require citizen and professional involvement at every stage of planning—honors both the spirit and the letter of these laws. 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 and respected. Given the facilities’ close proximity to several senior living facilities, preschools, and elementary schools, the lack of a general community safety plan and/or early notification is grossly negligent.

I stand in full support of Mayor Negrete’s efforts to make Santa Monica a model for both compassionate care and transparent governance.

As such, we hope you support 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,
Carla DiGiacomo
701 Ocean Ave, Unit 305, Santa Monica, CA 90402
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
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October 28, 2025
23 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:31 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Zach Friedland <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 4:11 PM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; 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
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.

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.

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 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
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24 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.

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,
Zach Friedland
cc: City of Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete
City Council Members, City of Santa Monica
Oliver Chi, City Manager, City of Santa Monica
--
Zach Friedland
[email protected]
(646) 339-3165
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25 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 16 - Support Request to Delay Opening of Shelters for Severely Mentally Ill.

Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Kathy Knight <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 11:29 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Agenda Item 16 - Support Request to Delay Opening of Shelters for Severely Mentally Ill.

EXTERNAL
October 14, 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 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 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.

Please support Mayor Negrete’s Agenda Item 16 and a request to delay opening of these shelters until the community can discuss this important issue.

Thank you,
Kathy Knight
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
26 Santa Monica resident
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
27 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Michael Huntsman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 7:25 AM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]> Cc: Christi Huntsman <[email protected]>; Paul Gassner <[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
Hi Supervisor HorvathI’m sincerely hoping that you will pause this project today.

Thank youMichael Huntsman
310.948.2929
On Oct 12, 2025, at 8:53 PM, Michael Huntsman <[email protected]> wrote:

October 12, 2025

The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
28 [Sent via
email: [email protected]; [email protected]; lana.n [email protected]; [email protected]; jesse.zwick@santa monica.gov; [email protected]; [email protected]; Barry.Sn [email protected]; [email protected]; manager@santamo nica.gov]
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

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.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
29 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.

Sincerely,
Michael Huntsman
211 20th St., Santa Monica CA 90402
310.948.2929
[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
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
30 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Holly Silvers <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:32 PM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; 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
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District 500 West Temple Street, Room 866 Los Angeles, CA 90012 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. 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. 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 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
31 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 planalso 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, 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, Holly Granelli 25 year resident of Santa Monica
Condo owner, small business owner
Mom of 2 Grant Elementary Public School Students 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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
32 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Tom Bevan <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 8:34 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]> Subject: Request to Pause Approvals for the Mental Health Facilities 413/825 Ocean Ave

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
(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 guarantee that the voices of those with lived experience of mental illness, along with residents, local Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
33 businesses, and first responders, are all heard with a mission for success – particularly as our city faces significant financial shortfalls.

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,
Tom Bevan
526 19th Street, 90402
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
34 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Michelle Liberman <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 2:28 PM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; 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

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
35 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.

Thank you,
Michelle Liberman
917.692.4977
[email protected]
www.michellelibermanhomes.com
Serving the West Side of LA
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
36 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Negrete - 16B, Re: 413 & 825 Ocean Ave
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Aleese Orr <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 6:38 PM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]> Subject: Negrete - 16B, Re: 413 & 825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]]
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.

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 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
37 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.

Sincerely,
Aleese Orr
308 Alta Ave, Santa Monica 90402
[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
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
38 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: ITEM 16-B ..413 Ocean Avenue OPPOSE
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Dannie Charney <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 9:29 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>
Cc: Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Oliver Chi <[email protected]>
Subject: ITEM 16-B ..413 Ocean Avenue OPPOSE

EXTERNAL
\
It is very sad to me that Caroline Torosis knew about this project in February, along with others on the Council and did nothing to inform the residents or the mayor.

I can't understand why not except for the element of surprise and to give the residents no time to stop it legally.

This has to be a breach of ethical conduct that Caroline as an attorney , much less working for the County understands and knowingly - willfully violated. Members of the community have asked her for an explanation of these choices and received no response.

This is also so telling about a Council who pretends to listen to our voices, and care but in their actions show a very different reality.

It would be fairly obvious to see that Lana was not told because she is the only one up there who would have made this known to the residents of this City. She actually does care. Too bad she has so little support from the rest of the Council.

A serious investigation should be done to determine who knew what and when..and actions should be taken to remove all from their current positions. The former City Attorney and City Manager as well as the current City Manager need to be investigated as well regarding any involvement in this fiasco.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
39 This project needs to be rejected.

Please do so.

Danielle Charney
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
40 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Support for the opening of 413 and 825 Ocean Ave Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Catherine Dooling <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:24 PM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>
Subject: Support for the opening of 413 and 825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I want to write to you today to express a hope that the badly needed facilities on 413 and 825 Ocean Ave will open as planned. I understand there has been significant community pushback against the facility over security concerns. While I appreciate where some of my fellow community members are coming from, I also know that facilities such as these are crucial to the wellbeing of all our local residents. I hope you will consider that the future residents of the facility are also Santa Monica citizens, even if their voices are not as loudly heard as those who are more well-resourced and connected.

I hope that the dialogue can shift from how to shut down the project to how we can work together to raise awareness and increase security so that the surrounding community is more comfortable with the facility. While detractors may raise alarms about how the visibility of the unhoused may threaten tourism revenue or harm residents, I would like to remind you and them that the unhoused and mentally ill already exist in Santa Monica. In fact, the best way to ensure the safety and health of all residents is for more facilities such as 413/825 Ocean to exist to support our unhoused community members. Blocking the opening of this residence will only force more unhoused people onto the street and will cost St.

Joseph's significant time and resources that they don't have to spare.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Catherine
--
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
41 Catherine Dooling
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
42 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Support for Mayor Agenda item 16
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Arik Kashper <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:05 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; councilmtgitems <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]> 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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
43 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.

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.

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.

Sincerely,
Mara Kashper
706 10th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
cc: Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
44 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Request to Suspend Approval and Funding of Facilities 413 & 825 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Brittany Sherman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 12:00 PM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; 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

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
45 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,
Brittany Sherman
Brentwood/Santa Monica/Palisades
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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
46 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Ryan Ellis <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:59 AM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; 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

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 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
47 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.

Sincerely,
Ryan Ellis
704 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90402
415-377-8174
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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
48 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Oda Evjen Gjøvåg <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:56 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; [email protected] Cc: Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; 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
Oct 13, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
[Sent via email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]]
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.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
49 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.

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 acilities, vendors, and sites until a full review is conducted with full transparency and meaningful public engagement.

Sincerely,
Oda Evjen Gjovag
937 3rd St, 101, 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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
50 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Amanda Michaels Zech <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:55 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>
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 Supervisor Lindsay Horvath,
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.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
51 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.

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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
52 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Hannah Minghella <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:53 AM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; 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

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
53 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.

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,
Hannh Minghella
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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
54 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: 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 Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: sara moreno <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:51 AM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; 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

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.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
55 Sincerely,
Sara C. Moreno
[email protected]
610-613-1792
Get Outlook for iOS
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
56 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:38 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: URGENT | RE: 413/825 Ocean Ave
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Sienna Lee <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:50 AM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected]
Subject: URGENT | RE: 413/825 Ocean Ave

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
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 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.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
57 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.

Sincerely,
Sienna Lee
330 7th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(917) 940-5890
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-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
58 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:38 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Lack of transparency and community engagement on 413&825 ocean Ave mental health facilities
Thanks,
Amy Larkin
Administrative Staff Assistant- City Council
City Manager’s Ofiice
From: Katherine Griffith <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 11:42 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <[email protected]>
Subject: Lack of transparency and community engagement on 413&825 ocean Ave mental health facilities

EXTERNAL
From: Katherine Griffith <[email protected]> Date: October 12, 2025 at 3:06:40 PM PDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Lack of transparency and community engagement on 413&825 ocean Ave mental health facilities
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing to voice my serious concern and frustration regarding how your office, alongside the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, has moved forward with the voluntary entry/exit facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue for the unhoused and those with severe mental illness, all without any prior community input or notice.

As highlighted by Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete in her October 9, 2025 memo to the City Manager, even our local government was caught off guard by these developments, only learning of them after funding was secured and renovations had begun. This left residents, including myself, stunned, piecing together the plan through whispers rather than official channels. This wasn’t a simple oversight—it was a significant lapse in openness.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
59 The Mayor’s memo also points out that the County and its nonprofit collaborators failed to adhere to Welfare and Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4), which mandates the inclusion of citizens and experts throughout the planning stages. This should involve input from locals, shop owners, educators, and those directly affected by these sites—yet none of us were consulted.

Rather than a transparent process, this initiative was pushed ahead quietly, ignoring the implications for nearby daycares, local schools, retirement homes, and the bustling tourist zone that drives so much of our city’s income, especially when we’re already facing budget challenges. This lack of openness has shaken my confidence and challenged the values of accessible governance you’ve long supported.

Your recent FAQ with St. Joseph Center tries to reassure us with promises of "24/7 staffing" and "improved security," but the October 9th Town Hall made it clear there’s no comprehensive safety strategy beyond the facility walls—a point raised by your office, LA County DMH, and St. Joseph’s representatives. Offering transparency only after the fact feels more like a cover-up than accountability.

Moreover, the City of Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategic Plan, on page 5, lists transparency as a core value, stating: "Transparent. We strive to communicate clearly and openly, sharing our intentions, decisions, and results to build community trust." It also aims to "enhance the wellbeing of all," a goal that seems overlooked given these actions.

Supervisor Horvath, my neighbors and I support mental health services and supportive housing, but we object to being excluded from decisions that so deeply impact our kids, seniors, local streets, classrooms, small businesses, safety, and financial health. I demand an explanation and insist on a halt to these facility openings until a thorough review is conducted publicly, in line with legal standards.

I urge you to suspend the launch of the mental health facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue, and initiate a detailed investigation into how these sites, vendors, and plans were approved, ensuring a complete reassessment with full disclosure and genuine public involvement.

Sincerely,
Katherine Griffith
[email protected]
129 Alta Ave, Santa Monica CA 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Judy Barnett <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 3:32 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Proposal
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Judy Barnett
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 358 21st place
SM, Ca 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
3 David Yakobson
From: Greg DeBeech <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 1:44 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Ocean Avenue
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
4 Gregory DeBeech
757 Ocean Avenue Unit 202
Santa Monica, CA
90402
Sent from my iPad
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Mick Kubiak <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 6:35 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16-Negrete
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

This part of Santa Monica is already suffering with a notable and disturbing uptick in the presence of mentally ill and drug addicted homeless people, and a corresponding uptick in crime--due to the disastrous decision to allow the Metro to dump riders off here in Santa Monica at 2am on the daily.

It is not the same neighborhood it was even just two years ago. It's been so disheartening to see this shift, to feel UNSAFE in this neighborhood that until very recently felt like a safe haven. The idea of making it worse by allowing this kind of facility is profoundly irresponsible to this community.

If the City insists on pursuing supportive housing, do it somewhere else — a location with: Wider setbacks from residential streets Proximity to service hubs, medical infrastructure, and police support Fewer children’s walk routes and fewer pedestrians going by late at night Further from schools But here, among tightly built housing fronts on Ocean Avenue, a facility of this type is a terrible fit. Alternative use:
serve elderly fire victims to align with zoning. The property is zoned for elderly housing. If the City must repurpose, it should prioritize elderly homeowners in our community whose homes were destroyed by the Palisades fire or those who cannot afford to rebuild. This alternative serves those who are less risky, more stable, and critically in need of housing. It would be far less burdensome to manage and would align with neighborhood character. Again, I completely reject placing a mental-health housing facility at or near 201 Ocean Avenue. The risk of crime escalation, especially in our immediate environment, is too high to justify.

If the City wants to help, it must find another site—not in our residential corridor—and must prioritize fire-ruined elderly residents who deserve compassion, not new risks to our families. Please record this opposition in the official file, confirm receipt, and notify me of any hearings. I will show up and speak against it. Best,
Michelle Kubiak
Mick Kubiak LMFT
License# 53118
(310)795-8113
All information in this Communication, including attachments, is strictly confidential and intended solely for delivery to and authorized use by the addressee(s) identified above, and may contain information protected by law. The materials in this email are private and may contain Protected Healthcare Information. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that any unauthorized use, disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
2 information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify the sender via telephone or return mail.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
3 David Yakobson
From: Nancy Peters <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 8:33 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Nancy Peters
Subject: Item 16-Negrete
Attachments: blocks-image-badge-lock-unlocked.svg; 7b9330540cde6611c71f.svg; bb4fbb7351db59e63cc8.svg
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
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Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
4 S
S. O.

Lower Santa Monica Canyon
·
12 Oct
·
Everyone - please send an email titled “Item 16-Negrete” to [email protected] and [email protected] for your opposition to the shelter on Ocean Avenue to be “counted”. Feel free to use my below email as a template: Dear Councilmembers and Neighborhood Representatives, I write in absolute opposition to locating a mental-health supportive housing facility at 413 and 429 Ocean Avenue. As someone who lives at 201 Ocean Avenue, I will myself and others be placed at real risk. The asserted safety improvements touted by proponents are speculative; many credible studies suggest the opposite is plausible — particularly in a dense urban neighborhood with high street activity and limited buffer zones. Below are the reasons why crime is very likely to increase and why this proposal should be rejected outright. Why crime will likely skyrocket Empirical evidence of crime increases around similar facilities A study of emergency winter shelters in Vancouver found a 56% increase in property crime within 100 m of an opened shelter (theft, vandalism) compared to when the shelter was closed. That same study noted that crime impact is highly localized to within ~400 meters (2–3 block radius). Although not exactly the same as a full-time supportive housing facility, these results show how proximity shelters can attract opportunistic crime.

In other settings of homeless shelters, business owners and neighbors have reported unintended negative spillover: increased loitering, petty theft, drug-use paraphernalia depositing, and safety concerns. (E.g. reports around navigation centers in Vancouver). Thus, installing such a facility in a densely mixed-residential corridor provides fertile ground for crime “hotspotting” — especially at night, when guard supervision is lower and perimeter control is harder. Routine Activity theory / criminology logic Theory supports the notion that increased opportunities + decreased guardianship lead to more crime. When you bring in a vulnerable population, some with histories of substance use, mental health crises, or prior criminal justice contact, the likelihood of incidents (drug dealing, trespass, disorderly behavior, confrontations) rises. The more transient or loosely monitored the population, the greater that risk. If internal security is lax, poorly staffed, or reactive rather than proactive, the facility becomes a magnet for external criminal actors (drug suppliers, opportunists) who exploit vulnerabilities. In effect, you’re importing crimes of opportunity, not just accommodating a “stable” group. Evidence is mixed — we cannot assume “no harm” Supporters often point to studies that show neutral or negligible crime change after supportive housing (e.g. Been et al. 2008 found no statistically significant uptick in NYC neighborhoods). But those studies typically involve lower-acuity, rigorously monitored projects, often in denser metro contexts with more police presence and buffer populations. They are not analogous to a high-intensity mental-health facility in a narrow, high-foot-traffic corridor adjacent to residential homes.

Moreover, many academic reviews state that limited research exists on how high-acuity, lower-barrier housing (for persons with serious mental health or substance-use histories) affects crime, especially in local neighborhoods. Hence, proponents rely on weak “no effect” conclusions — but we are not in a position to gamble on worst-case externalities. Safety for women and vulnerable neighbors is especially at risk As a woman, my fear is not abstract. Panic, harassment, confrontations, late-night break-ins, disorder — these escalate quickly in transitional populations and under-resourced security. When security is stretched, patrols may lag, and external public areas adjacent to the facility may become staging points for illicit behavior that preys on passersby — especially in low-visibility hours. That is not paranoia; it is the predictable consequence of mixing high-risk operations next to residential zones.

Oppose it entirely, not “with conditions” Given the elevated risk, this proposal should be flatly rejected Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
5 at this location. No amount of “conditions,” “oversight,” or “staffing guarantees” can fully eliminate danger when the surrounding environment is ill-suited. If the City insists on pursuing supportive housing, do it somewhere else — a location with: Wider setbacks from residential streets Proximity to service hubs, medical infrastructure, and police support Fewer children’s walk routes and fewer pedestrians going by late at night Further from schools But here, among tightly built housing fronts on Ocean Avenue, a facility is a wrong fit. Alternative use: serve elderly fire victims to align with zoning The property is zoned for elderly housing. If the City must repurpose, it should prioritize elderly homeowners in our community whose homes were destroyed by the Palisades fire or those who cannot afford to rebuild. This alternative serves those who are less risky, more stable, and critically in need of housing. It would be far less burdensome to manage and would align with neighborhood character. Final statement I completely reject placing a mental-health housing facility at or near 201 Ocean Avenue. The risk of crime escalation, especially in our immediate environment, is too high to justify. If the City wants to help, it must find another site—not in our residential corridor—and must prioritize fire-ruined elderly residents who deserve compassion, not new risks to our families. Please record this opposition in the official file, confirm receipt, and notify me of any hearings. I will show up and speak against it. Best, Sela Obot Sources: https://www.santamonica.gov/crime-statisticshttps://www.santamonica.gov/topicexplainers/crime-reports-and-statisticshttps://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ca/santamonica/crimehttps://www.areavibes.com/santa+monicaca/crime https://smdp.com https://ucr.fbi.govhttps://www.crimemapping.comhttps://furmancenter.or g/files/publications/A3ImpactofSHonNeighborhoods_000.pdfhttps://crim.sas.upenn.edu/sites/default /files/Ridgeway_Effect%20of%20Emergency%20Sheltersv5_1.2.2018.pdf https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6659163 Crime Statistics
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santamonica.gov
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Hi Neighbors, I am collecting gently used materials for classroom learning (3rd-grade level). If you have any items sitting around, I would love to give them a new life: -books -paint/ paint brushes - art materials -globe -educational/developmental toys If you are decluttering or have extras that you'd like to donate, I'd be happy to pick them up or meet you locally. Thank you in advance! ... see more
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Item 16-F
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1 day ago
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Item 16-F
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Item 16-F
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20 ·
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Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
21 David Yakobson
From: Nancy Peters <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 8:44 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item16 Negrete
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers and Neighborhood Representatives, I write in absolute opposition to locating a mental-health supportive housing facility at 413 and 429 Ocean Avenue. As someone who lives at 201 Ocean Avenue, I will myself and others be placed at real risk. The asserted safety improvements touted by proponents are speculative; many credible studies suggest the opposite is plausible — particularly in a dense urban neighborhood with high street activity and limited buffer zones. Below are the reasons why crime is very likely to increase and why this proposal should be rejected outright. Why crime will likely skyrocket Empirical evidence of crime increases around similar facilities A study of emergency winter shelters in Vancouver found a 56% increase in property crime within 100 m of an opened shelter (theft, vandalism) compared to when the shelter was closed. That same study noted that crime impact is highly localized to within ~400 meters (2–3 block radius). Although not exactly the same as a full-time supportive housing facility, these results show how proximity shelters can attract opportunistic crime. In other settings of homeless shelters, business owners and neighbors have reported unintended negative spillover: increased loitering, petty theft, drug-use paraphernalia depositing, and safety concerns. (E.g. reports around navigation centers in Vancouver). Thus, installing such a facility in a densely mixedresidential corridor provides fertile ground for crime “hotspotting” — especially at night, when guard supervision is lower and perimeter control is harder. Routine Activity theory / criminology logic Theory supports the notion that increased opportunities + decreased guardianship lead to more crime. When you bring in a vulnerable population, some with histories of substance use, mental health crises, or prior criminal justice contact, the likelihood of incidents (drug dealing, trespass, disorderly behavior, confrontations) rises. The more transient or loosely monitored the population, the greater that risk. If internal security is lax, poorly staffed, or reactive rather than proactive, the facility becomes a magnet for external criminal actors (drug suppliers, opportunists) who exploit vulnerabilities. In effect, you’re importing crimes of opportunity, not just accommodating a “stable” group. Evidence is mixed — we cannot assume “no harm” Supporters often point to studies that show neutral or negligible crime change after supportive housing (e.g. Been et al. 2008 found no statistically significant uptick in NYC neighborhoods). But those studies typically involve lower-acuity, rigorously monitored projects, often in denser metro contexts with more police presence and buffer populations. They are not analogous to a high-intensity mental-health facility in a narrow, high-foot-traffic corridor adjacent to residential homes.

Moreover, many academic reviews state that limited research exists on how high-acuity, lower-barrier housing (for persons with serious mental health or substance-use histories) affects crime, especially in local neighborhoods. Hence, proponents rely on weak “no effect” conclusions — but we are not in a position to gamble on worst-case externalities. Safety for women and vulnerable neighbors is especially at risk As a woman, my fear is not abstract. Panic, harassment, confrontations, late-night break-ins, disorder — these escalate quickly in transitional populations and under-resourced security. When security is stretched, patrols may lag, and external public areas adjacent to the facility may become staging points for illicit behavior that preys on passersby — especially in low-visibility hours. That is not Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
22 paranoia; it is the predictable consequence of mixing high-risk operations next to residential zones.

Oppose it entirely, not “with conditions” Given the elevated risk, this proposal should be flatly rejected at this location. No amount of “conditions,” “oversight,” or “staffing guarantees” can fully eliminate danger when the surrounding environment is ill-suited. If the City insists on pursuing supportive housing, do it somewhere else — a location with: Wider setbacks from residential streets Proximity to service hubs, medical infrastructure, and police support Fewer children’s walk routes and fewer pedestrians going by late at night Further from schools But here, among tightly built housing fronts on Ocean Avenue, a facility is a wrong fit. Alternative use: serve elderly fire victims to align with zoning The property is zoned for elderly housing. If the City must repurpose, it should prioritize elderly homeowners in our community whose homes were destroyed by the Palisades fire or those who cannot afford to rebuild. This alternative serves those who are less risky, more stable, and critically in need of housing. It would be far less burdensome to manage and would align with neighborhood character. Final statement I completely reject placing a mental-health housing facility at or near 201 Ocean Avenue. The risk of crime escalation, especially in our immediate environment, is too high to justify. If the City wants to help, it must find another site—not in our residential corridor—and must prioritize fire-ruined elderly residents who deserve compassion, not new risks to our families. Please record this opposition in the official file, confirm receipt, and notify me of any hearings. I will show up and speak against it. Best, Nancy Peters Sela Obot Sources: https://www.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
23 David Yakobson
From: bob cianfrone <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2025 8:37 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 16-Negrete
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

Routine Activity theory / criminology logic Theory supports the notion that increased opportunities + decreased guardianship lead to more crime. When you bring in a vulnerable population, some with histories of substance use, mental health crises, or prior criminal justice contact, the likelihood of incidents (drug dealing, trespass, disorderly behavior, confrontations) rises. The more transient or loosely monitored the population, the greater that risk.

If internal security is lax, poorly staffed, or reactive rather than proactive, the facility becomes a magnet for external criminal actors (drug suppliers, opportunists) who exploit vulnerabilities. In effect, you’re importing crimes of opportunity, not just accommodating a “stable” group.

Evidence is mixed — we cannot assume “no harm” Supporters often point to studies that show neutral or negligible crime change after supportive housing (e.g. Been et al. 2008 found no statistically significant uptick in NYC neighborhoods). But those studies typically involve lower-acuity, rigorously monitored projects, often in denser metro contexts with more police presence and buffer populations. They are not analogous to a high-intensity mental-health facility in a narrow, high-foot-traffic corridor adjacent to residential homes.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
24 Safety for women and vulnerable neighbors is especially at-risk. Panic, harassment, confrontations, latenight break-ins, disorder — these escalate quickly in transitional populations and under-resourced security. When security is stretched, patrols may lag, and external public areas adjacent to the facility may become staging points for illicit behavior that preys on passersby — especially in low-visibility hours. That is not paranoia; it is the predictable consequence of mixing high-risk operations next to residential zones.

Wider setbacks from residential streets Proximity to service hubs, medical infrastructure, and police support Fewer children’s walk routes and fewer pedestrians going by late at night Further from schools But here, among tightly built housing fronts on Ocean Avenue, a facility is a wrong fit. Alternative use:
serve elderly fire victims to align with zoning The property is zoned for elderly housing. If the City must repurpose, it should prioritize elderly homeowners in our community whose homes were destroyed by the Palisades fire or those who cannot afford to rebuild. This alternative serves those who are less risky, more stable, and critically in need of housing. It would be far less burdensome to manage and would align with neighborhood character.

I completely reject placing a mental-health housing facility at or near 201 Ocean Avenue. The risk of crime escalation, especially in our immediate environment, is too high to justify. If the City wants to help, it must find another site—not in our residential corridor—and must prioritize fire-ruined elderly residents who deserve compassion, not new risks to our families.

Please record this opposition in the official file, confirm receipt, and notify me of any hearings. I will show up and speak against it. Best, Bob Cianfrone
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
25 David Yakobson
From: William Ponty <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2025 6:10 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Concerns about new mental health facility at 413 Ocean Avenue Attachments: 413 Ocean Ave Mental Health Facility Letter.docx Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I am writing as a concerned resident of Santa Monica regarding the upcoming opening of the new mental health facility at 413 Ocean Avenue. While I fully support the need for accessible mental health services, I believe this particular location poses serious concerns for the neighborhood safety, fiscal responsibility, and community transparency.

First, there is a well-documented history of similar facilities – such as The Manor on Pico Boulevard – causing disturbances in their surrounding neighborhoods. Local residents there have reported repeated incidents of patients harassing pedestrians, shouting in public spaces, open drug use and screaming during late night hours. It is entirely reasonable to expect similar issues to occur here, given the close proximity of the planned facility to family residences and tourist areas.

Second, the decision to establish this facility in one of Santa Monica’s most expensive, oceanfront neighborhoods raises significant fiscal and ethical questions. Operating in such a high-value area will inevitably reduce how far county resources can go. Placing a publicly funded facility in a less costly neighborhood would allow the county to serve more patients, provide better care, and stretch taxpayer dollars further – while avoiding unnecessary disruption to a densely populated residential and tourist corridor.

It also feels fundamentally unfair that patients of a publicly funded program will receive oceanfront accommodations that most hardworking taxpayers and residents could never afford! This choice sends the wrong message about fiscal stewardship and fairness in public spending.

Lastly, I and many other residents are deeply disappointed by the lack of community outreach before this decision was finalized. There were no meaningful public forums, surveys, or transparent discussions with local stakeholders. Residents have been left feeling blindsided and disregarded in a process that directly affects our safety, property values, and quality of life.

I respectfully urge your office to reconsider or delay the opening of this facility until a full community impact assessment can be conducted and public input is properly incorporated. The goal should be to expand mental health resources responsibly, safely and equitably – not to impose unnecessary risks and costs on one of Santa Monica’s most established neighborhoods.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
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26 Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I hope your office will advocate for a more balanced and fiscally responsible solution.

Sincerely,
-William Ponty
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
413 Ocean Ave Mental Health Facility
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I am writing as a concerned resident of Santa Monica regarding the upcoming opening of the new mental health facility at 413 Ocean Avenue. While I fully support the need for accessible mental health services, I believe this particular location poses serious concerns for the neighborhood safety, fiscal responsibility, and community transparency.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I hope your office will advocate for a more balanced and fiscally responsible solution.

Sincerely,
-William Ponty
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
27 David Yakobson
From: ci dixon <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2025 9:32 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]; Council Mailbox
Subject: Request for Investigation and Pause of Behavioral Health Bridge Housing at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue
Attachments: Letter to Supervisor Horvath, Santa Monica City Council, Dr.pdf Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Letter to Supervisor Horvath, Santa Monica City Council, Dr. Lisa Wong, and Senator Ben Allen To:

The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Via Email: [email protected]
CC:

Santa Monica City Council ([email protected]) Dr. Lisa H. Wong, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health ([email protected]) State Senator Ben Allen ([email protected])
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Members of the Santa Monica City Council, Dr. Wong, and Senator Allen, I am writing as a longtime Santa Monica resident and the mother of a disabled young woman who walks independently through our neighborhood - a daily act of courage and growth. My family has worked hard to help her achieve safety, confidence, and autonomy. That is why the County’s handling of the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing sites at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue has caused such deep concern.

I support compassionate, evidence-based treatment and supportive housing for those in need. But I cannot support a process that excluded the City and its residents, bypassed public transparency, and placed unlicensed, high-acuity behavioral health facilities in a residential area without medical oversight, zoning clarity, or meaningful accountability.

Transparency and Legal Oversight
Mayor Lana Negrete’s October 9, 2025 memo confirmed that even the City was “recently made aware” of these Countyfunded projects only after funding had been approved and renovations were underway. This was not a clerical error - it was a failure of due process inconsistent with Welfare and Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4), which requires citizen and professional participation at every stage of planning.

The County and its partners appear to be invoking Welfare & Institutions Code §5120 to justify these sites. Yet §5120 applies only to licensed psychiatric hospitals or clinics operating under recognized regulatory standards. The Ocean Avenue facilities are neither. They are unlicensed short-term social-service residences - not hospitals - and therefore Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
28 cannot claim the protections of §5120 without meeting the same obligations of licensing, 24-hour medical oversight, and hospital-level compliance.

Ownership, Leasing, and Public Accountability
Public records show that the true property owner of both sites is Bourne Financial Group (“BFG Santa Monica Propco, LLC”). Developer Leo Pustilnikov, through Hope for SaMo LLC, holds a Master Lease and Option Agreement, and has subleased the sites to St. Joseph’s Center, which operates the facilities under a County Behavioral Health Bridge Housing contract (MH640000).

This structure raises serious fiscal and ethical concerns. County funds appear to be flowing not to the property owner, but to a developer who does not hold title - effectively subsidizing his lease payments while preserving his private redevelopment rights. If the County’s due diligence did not verify ownership before approving these grants, the contracts may be vulnerable to legal challenge.

This arrangement also fits a troubling pattern. In 2024, Mr. Pustilnikov purchased several supportive-housing properties on Skid Row, where tenants later reported that janitorial and security staff had been cut, leaving residents unsafe. That same year, The Real Deal reported loan defaults exceeding $18 million on his Santa Monica holdings, and he subsequently sued the City after being removed from the Downtown Santa Monica board. Now, he is collecting County rent on unlicensed “behavioral health” sites with ocean views.

These are not the hallmarks of a civic partner - they are the warning signs of speculative exploitation.

Clinical Safety and Ethical Red Flags
The proposed “Behavioral Health Wellness Center” at 413 Ocean Avenue reportedly has only an LVN on staff, with no Registered Nurse or psychiatrist on-site. For facilities serving individuals in acute psychiatric distress, this is profoundly inadequate. Without licensing, there are no mandated background checks, no staffing ratios, and no required inspections.

Behavioral health professionals - including my niece, Jessica Renner, who manages high-acuity cases for Placer County - have reviewed the plans and identified “orange and red” concerns: absence of community consultation, lack of clinical oversight, and potential for neglect or harm to fragile residents.

The County’s own intent - to provide safe, dignified bridge housing - cannot be achieved through a model that displaces accountability and substitutes compassion for compliance.

Zoning and Redevelopment Context
With the signing of SB 79 (Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act) in October 2025, developers will soon have the power to build taller, denser housing near major transit corridors. Both Ocean Avenue properties fall squarely within those zones. Given Mr. Pustilnikov’s history of leveraging “builder’s remedy” provisions, there is legitimate concern that these sites are being held as publicly funded placeholders for future redevelopment once SB 79 takes effect in July 2026.

If true, this would represent not just a breach of public trust, but a misuse of state housing funds intended for therapeutic care, not speculative gain.

Impact on Disabled Residents and ADA/FHA Considerations For individuals like my daughter - diagnosed with autism, intellectual disability, and anxiety - the ability to walk safely in her neighborhood is not a luxury; it is a lifeline. It forms part of her therapeutic independence and eligibility for programs such as UCLA Pathway.

Placing unlicensed, high-acuity behavioral health housing directly within a residential area introduces foreseeable safety risks that interfere with the rights of disabled residents under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Housing Act (FHA). When safety and stability for one protected class (those receiving treatment) come at the expense of another (those with developmental disabilities), both groups’ rights are imperiled - and the County has an obligation to reconcile those impacts before occupancy begins.

Requested Actions
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
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29 I respectfully urge Los Angeles County and the City of Santa Monica to:

1. Pause occupancy and funding for 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue until ownership, licensing, and zoning compliance are verified.

2. Conduct an independent audit and investigation of all contractual arrangements between DMH, St. Joseph’s Center, Hope for SaMo LLC, and Bourne Financial Group.

3. Require full medical licensing or on-site clinical supervision (RN and psychiatrist) for any County-funded highacuity placements.

4. Complete an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) evaluating emergency service demand, public safety, and neighborhood impacts.

5. Reinstate public participation, as mandated by §5604.2(a)(4), ensuring local residents, schools, and businesses are included in future planning.

Conclusion
This issue is not about wealth or exclusion - it is about transparency, safety, and lawful governance. It is about ensuring that vulnerable individuals, whether housed inside or walking outside, are treated with dignity and genuine care, not used to justify speculative deals.

Supervisor Horvath, members of the Council, Dr. Wong, and Senator Allen - Santa Monica deserves decisions made in the light of day. I respectfully ask that you pause these projects, investigate the contractual and clinical irregularities, and reestablish the integrity that the public has been promised.

The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Via Email: [email protected]
CC:

Santa Monica City Council ([email protected]) Dr. Lisa H. Wong, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health ([email protected])
State Senator Ben Allen ([email protected])
Dear Supervisor Horvath, Members of the Santa Monica City Council, Dr. Wong, and Senator Allen,
I am writing as a longtime Santa Monica resident and the mother of a disabled young woman who walks independently through our neighborhood - a daily act of courage and growth. My family has worked hard to help her achieve safety, confidence, and autonomy. That is why the County’s handling of the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing sites at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue has caused such deep concern.

I support compassionate, evidence-based treatment and supportive housing for those in need.

But I cannot support a process that excluded the City and its residents, bypassed public transparency, and placed unlicensed, high-acuity behavioral health facilities in a residential area without medical oversight, zoning clarity, or meaningful accountability.

Transparency and Legal Oversight
Mayor Lana Negrete’s October 9, 2025 memo confirmed that even the City was “recently made aware” of these County-funded projects only after funding had been approved and renovations were underway. This was not a clerical error - it was a failure of due process inconsistent with Welfare and Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4), which requires citizen and professional participation at every stage of planning.

The County and its partners appear to be invoking Welfare & Institutions Code §5120 to justify these sites. Yet §5120 applies only to licensed psychiatric hospitals or clinics operating under Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
recognized regulatory standards. The Ocean Avenue facilities are neither. They are unlicensed short-term social-service residences - not hospitals - and therefore cannot claim the protections of §5120 without meeting the same obligations of licensing, 24-hour medical oversight, and hospital-level compliance.

These are not the hallmarks of a civic partner - they are the warning signs of speculative exploitation.

Behavioral health professionals - including my niece, Jessica Renner, who manages high-acuity cases for Placer County - have reviewed the plans and identified “orange and red” concerns:
absence of community consultation, lack of clinical oversight, and potential for neglect or harm to fragile residents.

The County’s own intent - to provide safe, dignified bridge housing - cannot be achieved through a model that displaces accountability and substitutes compassion for compliance.

Zoning and Redevelopment Context
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
With the signing of SB 79 (Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act) in October 2025, developers will soon have the power to build taller, denser housing near major transit corridors.

Both Ocean Avenue properties fall squarely within those zones. Given Mr. Pustilnikov’s history of leveraging “builder’s remedy” provisions, there is legitimate concern that these sites are being held as publicly funded placeholders for future redevelopment once SB 79 takes effect in July 2026.

If true, this would represent not just a breach of public trust, but a misuse of state housing funds intended for therapeutic care, not speculative gain.

Requested Actions
I respectfully urge Los Angeles County and the City of Santa Monica to:

1. Pause occupancy and funding for 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue until ownership, licensing, and zoning compliance are verified.

2. Conduct an independent audit and investigation of all contractual arrangements between DMH, St. Joseph’s Center, Hope for SaMo LLC, and Bourne Financial Group.

3. Require full medical licensing or on-site clinical supervision (RN and psychiatrist) for any County-funded high-acuity placements.

4. Complete an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) evaluating emergency service demand, public safety, and neighborhood impacts.

5. Reinstate public participation, as mandated by §5604.2(a)(4), ensuring local residents, schools, and businesses are included in future planning.

Conclusion
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
This issue is not about wealth or exclusion - it is about transparency, safety, and lawful governance. It is about ensuring that vulnerable individuals, whether housed inside or walking outside, are treated with dignity and genuine care, not used to justify speculative deals.

With appreciation for your time and your commitment to ethical public service, Sincerely,
Caroline Dixon
229 4th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
310-498-6764
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
30 David Yakobson
From: ci dixon <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2025 10:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]; Council Mailbox
Subject: Urgent: Unlicensed Behavioral Health Facilities in Santa Monica Endangering Disabled Residents
Attachments: Letter to Governor Gavin Newsom.pdf
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Letter to Governor Gavin Newsom
To:

The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor of California
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Via Email: [email protected]
CC:
 The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath, Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District ([email protected])
 Dr. Lisa H. Wong, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health ([email protected])  Santa Monica City Council ([email protected])  State Senator Ben Allen ([email protected])
Dear Governor Newsom,
I am writing as a Santa Monica resident and the mother of a disabled young woman who walks independently through our neighborhood - a daily act of courage and growth. My daughter Bella is autistic, intellectually disabled, and lives with obsessive-compulsive and generalized anxiety disorders. We have spent years helping her gain confidence and autonomy. That progress depends on a stable, predictable, and safe environment.

For that reason, I am deeply concerned that Los Angeles County has quietly approved two unlicensed, high-acuity behavioral health facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue - right in the heart of a residential neighborhood - with no medical oversight, no public process, and no zoning compliance.

These are not clinics or hospitals. They are unlicensed social-service residences funded through the County’s Behavioral Health Bridge Housing program, operated by St. Joseph’s Center under a sublease from developer Leo Pustilnikov’s “Hope for SaMo LLC.” The true owner is Bourne Financial Group (“BFG Santa Monica Propco, LLC”), yet taxpayer Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
31 funds are reportedly flowing through Pustilnikov - a developer with a history of loan defaults, tenant neglect, and litigation against the City of Santa Monica.

If verified, this structure would mean public funds are subsidizing rent for a developer who does not even own the buildings, while he retains an option to redevelop the properties later under the new SB 79 “Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act” - a law that will soon allow denser, high-rise construction along transit corridors. In effect, California’s mental health funds may be underwriting a speculative real estate play on some of the most valuable ocean-view land in the state.

A Moral and Political Paradox
Governor, it would be difficult to explain - to taxpayers or to your national audience - why California is paying millions of dollars to house high-acuity residents in multi-million-dollar properties on Ocean Avenue, across from a coastal bluff, with no licensed medical staff on site.

Imagine how this looks to the rest of the country:
 To your critics, it will appear that California is “housing the mentally ill in beachfront condos while working families can’t afford rent.”
 To your supporters, it looks like a betrayal of California’s promise to pair compassion with competence - replacing care with chaos.
 And to anyone watching a national debate, it looks like proof that bureaucracy, not humanity, is driving policy.

A future campaign ad could easily write itself. One might even imagine a headline on cable news reading:
“California’s Homeless Crisis: Beachfront Bridge Housing Gone Bad.” Or, more bluntly - a hypothetical Trump-style tweet that could appear in seconds:
“California’s genius plan: house drug addicts and psych patients in beachfront buildings worth millions - no doctors, no nurses, just chaos. The left has lost its mind!” Such rhetoric is unfair to the countless professionals who care deeply about mental health reform - but it will resonate if these facts go unaddressed.

The Rights of One Fragile Group Cannot Endanger Another My daughter’s disability qualifies her for protection under both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA). She is part of a legally protected minority - and she has the same right to safety, access, and peace of mind as those who would be placed inside these proposed facilities.

Bella has worked hard to overcome medical trauma and anxiety. She walks independently, including in the evenings, as part of her therapy and preparation for UCLA’s Pathway program for students with disabilities. The stability of our neighborhood is essential to her independence.

By placing unlicensed, high-acuity behavioral health facilities directly across from residential homes, the County has created a foreseeable conflict between two vulnerable populations. The rights of one fragile group cannot come at the expense of another. Both deserve safety, dignity, and appropriate clinical oversight.

This is not an argument against mental health housing - it is a call for ethical parity. People in treatment need licensed, structured, medical environments. People with developmental disabilities need predictable, secure neighborhoods. The State has a duty to ensure both.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
32 An Invitation to Lead by Example
California can and should lead the nation in compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health reform. That means licensed, medically staffed, accountable facilities that truly help people heal - not unregulated “bridge housing” that shifts the burden to police, paramedics, and local residents.

If the Ocean Avenue projects proceed as planned, they will set a precedent that undermines the credibility of your administration’s CARE Court and Bridge Housing initiatives. No other state would site an unlicensed behavioral health center in a residential neighborhood across from a cliff above a highway - and certainly not in the middle of a tourism and school corridor.

Governor Newsom, I respectfully ask that you:

1. Direct the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to review the licensing, oversight, and funding of the 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue projects.

2. Order an independent audit of County contracting practices under the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing program.

3. Establish minimum clinical and zoning standards for all state-funded behavioral health placements to prevent this from happening elsewhere.

4. Affirm California’s commitment to both compassion and competence - to treating people with mental illness humanely and safely, without endangering others or rewarding speculative misuse of public funds.

This is not about politics - it is about restoring public confidence in a system that must be both humane and credible.

California’s greatest strength has always been its moral leadership. I believe your administration can correct this mistake and set a standard that other states will follow, rather than one they will mock.

The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor of California
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Via Email: [email protected]
CC:
● The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath, Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District ([email protected])
● Dr. Lisa H. Wong, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health ([email protected])
● Santa Monica City Council ([email protected]) ● State Senator Ben Allen ([email protected])
Dear Governor Newsom,
I am writing as a Santa Monica resident and the mother of a disabled young woman who walks independently through our neighborhood - a daily act of courage and growth. My daughter Bella is autistic, intellectually disabled, and lives with obsessive-compulsive and generalized anxiety disorders. We have spent years helping her gain confidence and autonomy. That progress depends on a stable, predictable, and safe environment.

These are not clinics or hospitals. They are unlicensed social-service residences funded through the County’s Behavioral Health Bridge Housing program, operated by St. Joseph’s Center under a sublease from developer Leo Pustilnikov’s “Hope for SaMo LLC.” The true owner is Bourne Financial Group (“BFG Santa Monica Propco, LLC”), yet taxpayer funds are reportedly flowing through Pustilnikov - a developer with a history of loan defaults, tenant neglect, and litigation against the City of Santa Monica.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
If verified, this structure would mean public funds are subsidizing rent for a developer who does not even own the buildings, while he retains an option to redevelop the properties later under the new SB 79 “Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act” - a law that will soon allow denser, high-rise construction along transit corridors. In effect, California’s mental health funds may be underwriting a speculative real estate play on some of the most valuable ocean-view land in the state.

Imagine how this looks to the rest of the country:
● To your critics, it will appear that California is “housing the mentally ill in beachfront condos while working families can’t afford rent.”
● To your supporters, it looks like a betrayal of California’s promise to pair compassion with competence - replacing care with chaos.
● And to anyone watching a national debate, it looks like proof that bureaucracy, not humanity, is driving policy.

A future campaign ad could easily write itself. One might even imagine a headline on cable news reading:
“California’s Homeless Crisis: Beachfront Bridge Housing Gone Bad.” Or, more bluntly - a hypothetical Trump-style tweet that could appear in seconds:
“California’s genius plan: house drug addicts and psych patients in beachfront buildings worth millions - no doctors, no nurses, just chaos. The left has lost its mind!”
Such rhetoric is unfair to the countless professionals who care deeply about mental health reform - but it will resonate if these facts go unaddressed.

The Rights of One Fragile Group Cannot Endanger Another Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
My daughter’s disability qualifies her for protection under both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA). She is part of a legally protected minority - and she has the same right to safety, access, and peace of mind as those who would be placed inside these proposed facilities.

By placing unlicensed, high-acuity behavioral health facilities directly across from residential homes, the County has created a foreseeable conflict between two vulnerable populations.

The rights of one fragile group cannot come at the expense of another. Both deserve safety, dignity, and appropriate clinical oversight.

An Invitation to Lead by Example
California can and should lead the nation in compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health reform. That means licensed, medically staffed, accountable facilities that truly help people heal - not unregulated “bridge housing” that shifts the burden to police, paramedics, and local residents.

Governor Newsom, I respectfully ask that you:

1. Direct the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to review the licensing, oversight, and funding of the 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue projects.

2. Order an independent audit of County contracting practices under the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing program.

3. Establish minimum clinical and zoning standards for all state-funded behavioral health placements to prevent this from happening elsewhere.

4. Affirm California’s commitment to both compassion and competence - to treating people with mental illness humanely and safely, without endangering others or rewarding Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
speculative misuse of public funds.

This is not about politics - it is about restoring public confidence in a system that must be both humane and credible. California’s greatest strength has always been its moral leadership. I believe your administration can correct this mistake and set a standard that other states will follow, rather than one they will mock.

With deep respect, and on behalf of my daughter and every family striving for safety, inclusion, and hope,
Sincerely,
Caroline Dixon
229 4th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
310-498-6764
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
33 David Yakobson
From: warren brand <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2025 8:00 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Subject: Pause at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am a longtime resident on the 800 block of Ocean Ave. I am writing to express appreciation for the recently announced pause on the proposed mental health housing projects at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. This step signals acknowledgment that community engagement matters, and for that, I am grateful. However, many residents, myself included, are deeply concerned that this pause may be more symbolic than substantive, serving as a gesture of listening rather than a genuine opportunity for public participation in decisions that have, in practice, already been made.

Santa Monica residents value compassion and fully support effective, humane mental-health and housing services. But authentic engagement means that community input is sought before funding is approved, before sites are selected, and before contracts are executed — not after. Community members were informed of these projects only after renovations had begun and agreements were finalized, leaving little room for dialogue or trust. Holding town halls or issuing statements after the fact creates the appearance of inclusion without its substance.

True consultation requires early transparency, shared decision-making, and respect for both data and community expertise. Residents and local leaders should have been invited into the process from the outset to help identify sites that balance access to care with proximity to schools, senior housing, and the tourism corridors that sustain Santa Monica’s economy. Placing high-need facilities in dense residential and tourism-heavy areas, rather than near major transit lines in commercial or industrial zones, presents significant challenges for both the individuals served and the surrounding community.

Our concerns are not about whether people in crisis deserve care — they absolutely do. The question is how that care is delivered and where facilities are located. Every person deserves dignity, safety, and a genuine path to stability. Achieving that requires programs that:
 Ensure quality and continuity of treatment for clients  Include measurable outcomes for recovery and housing retention  Maintain safety for both clients and surrounding residents  Operate transparently, with independent oversight and community accountability Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
34 Compassion without accountability helps no one — not those struggling with mental illness or addiction, and not the neighborhoods striving to remain safe, inclusive, and functional.

By presenting these projects as “paused for engagement” while leases, funding, and construction activities proceed, the County risks violating both public trust and the spirit of Welfare and Institutions Code §5604.2(a)(4), which explicitly calls for community participation at all stages of planning. Checking a procedural box after decisions are locked in is not engagement; it is damage control.

We therefore call on the Board to demonstrate integrity through meaningful action, not optics.

Specifically, we ask for:
 Immediate suspension of all contracts, renovations, and vendor work until public input can meaningfully inform outcomes
 Transparent publication of all planning documents, funding allocations, and site selection criteria  Independent review of how these projects were approved without prior notice to local officials or residents
 Genuine community collaboration that brings residents, service providers, and mental-health professionals together to co-design a plan rooted in data, compassion, and accountability  Equitable regional distribution of facilities so that no single community bears a disproportionate burden
The residents of Santa Monica are not opposing mental-health care or supportive housing. We are asking that these efforts be done right — with honesty, transparency, and measurable success for those in need. We stand ready to collaborate toward real solutions that work, rather than participate in the appearance of consultation after the fact.

A performative pause risks deepening public cynicism and eroding trust in both local and county governance. A true pause, however, could restore confidence and model the compassionate, transparent leadership Los Angeles County strives to embody.

Thank you for your attention and for your continued service. I urge you to transform this pause from a symbolic gesture into a meaningful process — one that listens before it acts and truly reflects the values of good governance.

Kindest regards,
Warren Brand
...........................................................

This email contains confidential information, which may also be legally privileged and which is intended only for the use of the addressee(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this email or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination or copying of this email, electronic transmission or any other transmission is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please destroy the content upon receipt.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
35 David Yakobson
From: Laura S M <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2025 10:31 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Request for Records and Transparency Prior to November 5 Town Hall — Bridge Housing Facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath Chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors 500 W. Temple Street, Room 383 Los Angeles, CA 90012
To: Lindsey Horvath [email protected]
RE: Request for Records and Transparency Prior to November 5 Town Hall — Bridge Housing Facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
As concerned residents, business owners, and community members of Santa Monica we are seeking transparency and accountability regarding the bridge housing facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue.

A “tentative” meeting was scheduled for November 5th with the Department of Public Health and St. Joseph Center, however nothing has been confirmed.

We respectfully request that Los Angeles County release the following critical documents in advance of any meeting so that community may participate in an informed and constructive manner:

The Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA) submitted by St. Joseph Center in connection with its operation of the Ocean Avenue facilities; and

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
36 Full disclosure will foster transparency, reduce misinformation, and build the trust that is necessary for any community-based solution to succeed.

In addition to the process above we believe the requested documents provided no later than October 31, 2025 will allow adequate review time before the tentatively scheduled Town Hall on November 5th.

Finally, we respectfully request that you support Mayor Lana Negrete’s leading effort for item 16 at the October 28th City Council meeting.

Thank you for your attention and for your continued service to Los Angeles County. We look forward to your prompt response and to a transparent and productive discussion on November 5th.

Sincerely,
Laura Miller
144 Alta Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Tel. 310-498 0931
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
37 David Yakobson
From: Barbara Simkin <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2025 1:26 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: RE: Request for Records and Transparency Prior to November 5 Town Hall — Bridge Housing Facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
As concerned residents, business owners, and community members of Santa Monica we are
seeking transparency and accountability regarding the bridge housing facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue.

A “tentative” meeting was scheduled for November 5th with the Department of Public Health and St. Joseph Center; however, nothing has been confirmed.

We respectfully request that Los Angeles County release the following critical documents in advance of any meeting so that community may participate in an informed and constructive manner:

The Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA) submitted by St.

Joseph Center in connection with its operation of the Ocean Avenue facilities; and the executed agreement or memorandum of understanding between the County Department of Mental Health (DMH) and St. Joseph Center pertaining to the management, funding, and oversight of these sites.

The executed agreement or memorandum of understanding between the developer, Leo Pustilnikov and/or property owner, Bourne Financial Group and the Department of Mental Health / St. Joseph Center. This request includes agreements between third parties.

These records are essential for the public to understand the scope of services, accountability measures, and intended safeguards related to the housing and treatment of Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
38 residents in these facilities, particularly given their proximity to schools, senior residences, and tourism corridors.

Full disclosure will foster transparency, reduce misinformation, and build the trust that is necessary for any community-based solution to succeed.

In addition to the process above we believe the requested documents provided no later than
October 31, 2025 will allow adequate review time before the tentatively scheduled Town Hall on November 5th.

Finally, we respectfully request that you support Mayor Lana Negrete’s leading effort for item 16 at the October 28th City Council meeting.

Thank you for your attention and for your continued service to Los Angeles County. We look forward to your prompt response and to a transparent and productive discussion on November 5th.

Sincerely,
Barbara Simkin
701 Ocean Avenue #206
Santa Monica, CA 90402
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
39 David Yakobson
From: Vicky Goodman <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2025 3:33 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected] Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Call to Action Santa Monica Bridge Housing Facilities Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
October 25, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
500 W. Temple Street, Room 383
Los Angeles, CA 90012
To: Lindsey Horvath [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] RE: Request for Records and Transparency Prior to November 5 Town Hall — Bridge Housing Facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica Dear Supervisor Horvath,
As a resident of Santa Monica for 44 years and as a mental health advocate for 20 of those years, I am respectfully seeking transparency and accountability regarding the bridge housing facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue.

A “tentative” meeting was scheduled for November 5th with the Department of Public Health and St.

Joseph Center, however nothing has been confirmed.

I again respectfully request that Los Angeles County release the following critical documents in advance of any meeting so that community may participate in an informed and constructive manner.  The Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA) submitted by St. Joseph Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
40 Center in connection with its operation of the Ocean Avenue facilities  The executed agreement or memorandum of understanding between the County Department of Mental Health (DMH) and St. Joseph Center pertaining to the management, funding, and oversight of these sites.
 The executed agreement or memorandum of understanding between the developer, Leo Pustilnikov and/or property owner, Bourne Financial Group and the Department of Mental Health / St. Joseph Center. This request includes agreements between third Parties.

Full disclosure will foster transparency, reduce misinformation, and build the trust that is necessary for any community-based solution to succeed.

In addition to the process above I request that these documents be provided no later than October 31, 2025 to allow adequate review time before the tentatively scheduled Town Hall on November 5th. I have already requested a FOIA from the DMH requesting the above documentation but have yet to receive any reply.

Finally, I request that you support Mayor Lana Negrete’s leading effort for item 16 at the October 28th City Council meeting.

Thank you for your continued service to Los Angeles County. I look forward to your prompt response and to a transparent and productive discussion on November
5th.

Sincerely,
Vicky Goodman
401 Ocean Avenue Unit 2
Santa Monica, CA 90402
[email protected]
cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
41 [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
42 David Yakobson
From: Vicky Goodman <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2025 4:35 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Community Engagement and Gratitude for Pause for 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue proposed projects.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
October 25, 2025
The Honorable Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Linday Horvath Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street, Room 383
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Via Email: Supervisor Lindsey Horvath (Third District): [email protected] Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
RE: Gratitude for the Pause at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue; But Performative Engagement Is Not Real Consultation
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I write to express my appreciation for the recently announced pause on the mental health housing projects at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. This temporary step suggests an acknowledgment that community engagement is important. However, many residents, myself included, are deeply concerned that this “pause” may serve more as a symbolic gesture than a genuine effort to involve the public in decisions that have already been made.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
43 Community members were only informed of these projects after renovations were underway (without building permits)
and agreements finalized. Holding meetings in downtown Los Angeles without notifying Santa Monica residents
or issuing statements after-the-fact creates the appearance of secrecy as well as complete disregard for the community voice.

Genuine consultation requires early transparency, shared decision-making, and respect for both data and community expertise and the rule of law.

Residents and local leaders should have been invited into the process from the beginning , as required by the laws governing porejcts that use taxpayers dollars, to help identify sites that balance access to care with proximity to schools, senior facilities, and tourism corridors that sustain Santa Monica’s economy.

That means programs must:
 Ensure quality and continuity of treatment for clients  Include measurable outcomes for recovery and housing retention  Maintain safety for both clients and surrounding residents  Be implemented transparently, with independent oversight  Compassion without accountability helps no one, not those struggling with mental illness or addiction, nor the neighborhoods striving to remain safe, inclusive, and functional.

Checking a procedural box after decisions are locked in is not engagement, it’s damage control.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
44  Genuine community collaboration invites residents, service providers, and mental-health  professionals to co-design a plan rooted in data, compassion, and accountability.  Equitable regional distribution of facilities, ensuring no single community bears a  disproportionate burden.

Sincerely,
Lawrence Goodman
Resident of Santa Monica for 44 years
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
45 David Yakobson
From: Amara Teresa Hastings <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 11:18 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Oliver Chi; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Thank You for the Pause at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica – Now is the Time for Full Transparency, Due Process and Real Engagement
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
October 26, 2025
RE: Thank You for the Pause at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica – Now is the Time for Full Transparency, Due Process and Real Engagement Dear Supervisor Horvath, Santa Monica City Council Members, City Manager Chi, Assembly Member Zbur, Senator Allen, and Governor Newsom,
I am reaching out to thank you for pausing the mental health housing projects at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. This temporary step is an acknowledgment that due process and community engagement are important. However, I am deeply concerned that this “pause” may serve more as a symbolic gesture than a genuine effort to involve the public in decisions that have already been made.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
46 Every person deserves dignity, safety, and a path to long-term stability. That means programs must:
 Ensure quality and continuity of treatment for clients  Include measurable outcomes for recovery and housing retention  Maintain safety for both clients and surrounding residents  Be implemented transparently, and with independent oversight Compassion without accountability helps no one, not those struggling with mental illness or addiction, nor the neighborhoods striving to remain safe, inclusive, and functional.

Checking a procedural box after decisions are locked in is not engagement, it’s damage control.

We call on the Board to demonstrate integrity through actions, not optics. Specifically, we ask for:
 Immediate suspension of all contracts, renovations, and vendor work until public input can meaningfully inform outcomes.
 Transparent publication of all planning documents, funding allocations, and site selection criteria.
 Independent review of how these projects were approved without prior notice to local officials or residents.
 Genuine community collaboration invites residents, service providers, and mental-health professionals to co-design a plan rooted in data, compassion, and accountability.  Equitable regional distribution of facilities, ensuring no single community bears a disproportionate burden.

We, the residents of Santa Monica, are not opposing mental-health care or supportive housing.

We are demanding that these efforts be done right, with honesty, data, transparency, and measurable success for those in crisis. We stand ready to collaborate toward solutions that truly work, rather than participate in the appearance of consultation after the fact. A performative pause risks deepening public cynicism and setting back trust in both local and county governance. Real partnership, conducted in the open, can instead model the compassionate and transparent governance Los Angeles County aspires to lead with.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
47 Respectfully,
Amara Hastings
Georgina Avenue, Santa Monica
310-497-6690
cc:
· Mayor Lana Negrete and Santa Monica City Council Members · Oliver Chi, Santa Monica City Manager
· California State Senator Ben Allen
· California Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur
· Governor Gavin Newsom
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
48 David Yakobson
From: morris chen <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 12:51 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: RE: Gratitude for the Pause at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue; But Performative Engagement Is Not Real Consultation
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
500 W. Temple Street, Room 383
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I write to express appreciation for the recently announced pause on the mental health housing projects at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. This temporary step suggests an acknowledgment that community engagement is important. However, many residents, myself included, are deeply concerned that this “pause” may serve more as a symbolic gesture than a genuine effort to involve the public in decisions that have already been made.

Community members were only informed of these projects after renovations were underway and agreements finalized. Holding town halls or issuing statements after-the-fact creates the appearance of inclusion without its substance. Genuine consultation requires early transparency, shared decisionmaking, and respect for both data and community expertise.

That means programs must:
● Ensure quality and continuity of treatment for clients Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
49 ● Include measurable outcomes for recovery and housing retention ● Maintain safety for both clients and surrounding residents ● Be implemented transparently, with independent oversight Compassion without accountability helps no one, not those struggling with mental illness or addiction, nor the neighborhoods striving to remain safe, inclusive, and functional.

Checking a procedural box after decisions are locked in is not engagement, it’s damage control.

We call on the Board to demonstrate integrity through actions, not optics. Specifically, we ask for:
● Immediate suspension of all contracts, renovations, and vendor work until public input can meaningfully inform outcomes.
● Transparent publication of all planning documents, funding allocations, and site selection criteria. ● Independent review of how these projects were approved without prior notice to local oƯicials or residents.
● Genuine community collaboration invites residents, service providers, and mental-health professionals to co-design a plan rooted in data, compassion, and accountability. ● Equitable regional distribution of facilities, ensuring no single community bears a disproportionate burden.

Sincerely,
Morris Chen
215 22nd Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
50 David Yakobson
From: Mimi Lee Chen <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 1:02 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: RE: Gratitude for the Pause at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue; But Performative Engagement Is Not Real Consultation
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
October 26, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
500 W. Temple Street, Room 383
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I write to express appreciation for the recently announced pause on the mental health housing projects at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. This temporary step suggests an acknowledgment that community engagement is important. However, many residents, myself included, are deeply concerned that this “pause” may serve more as a symbolic gesture than a genuine effort to involve the public in decisions that have already been made.

Community members were only informed of these projects after renovations were underway and agreements finalized. Holding town halls or issuing statements after-the-fact creates the appearance of inclusion without its substance. Genuine consultation requires early transparency, shared decisionmaking, and respect for both data and community expertise.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
51 That means programs must:
● Ensure quality and continuity of treatment for clients ● Include measurable outcomes for recovery and housing retention ● Maintain safety for both clients and surrounding residents ● Be implemented transparently, with independent oversight Compassion without accountability helps no one, not those struggling with mental illness or addiction, nor the neighborhoods striving to remain safe, inclusive, and functional.

Checking a procedural box after decisions are locked in is not engagement, it’s damage control.

We call on the Board to demonstrate integrity through actions, not optics. Specifically, we ask for:
● Immediate suspension of all contracts, renovations, and vendor work until public input can meaningfully inform outcomes.
● Transparent publication of all planning documents, funding allocations, and site selection criteria. ● Independent review of how these projects were approved without prior notice to local oƯicials or residents.
● Genuine community collaboration invites residents, service providers, and mental-health professionals to co-design a plan rooted in data, compassion, and accountability. ● Equitable regional distribution of facilities, ensuring no single community bears a disproportionate burden.

Sincerely,
Mimi Chen
215 22nd Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
52 David Yakobson
From: Rita Branch <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 3:26 PM
To: Lana Negrete
Cc: [email protected]; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Rita Branch; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue
Attachments: 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue LETTER.pdf
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Please see leƩer aƩached regarding 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue.

Thank you,
Rita Branch
516 San Vicente Blvd #302
Santa Monica,CA 90402.

Something in his eyes told me something wasn’t right, and I recognized that even as a child.

Thank you for your consideration and for listening to my voice.

Sincerely,
Rita Branch
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
53 David Yakobson
From: Barbara Simkin <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 4:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Susan Finley
Subject: Agenda Items 4.D and 16F
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give two weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath-Approved Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and a park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City Manager Oliver Chi, you are giving the him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current shelters out of downtown and away from the translation and after your decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster we cannot afford to be excluded. In particular we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697[Where as Agenda Item 16.f on October 28, 2025
I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects.

We have had enough of this city council’s secrecy and being body slammed by surprise projects that will have a dramatically negative impact on our way of life.

Sincerely,
Barbara Simkin
701 Ocean Avenue #206
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
55 David Yakobson
From: G. William Birrell <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 5:08 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Re: Request for Records and Transparency Prior to November 5 Town Hall — Bridge Housing Facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

A “tentative” meeting was scheduled for November 5th with the Department of Public Health and St. Joseph Center, however nothing has been confirmed.

We respectfully request that Los Angeles County release the following critical documents in advance of any meeting so that community may participate in an informed and constructive manner:

The Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA) submitted by St. Joseph Center in connection with its operation of the Ocean Avenue facilities; and

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
56 Full disclosure will foster transparency, reduce misinformation, and build the trust that is necessary for any community-based solution to succeed.

In addition to the process above we believe the requested documents provided no later than October 31, 2025 will allow adequate review time before the tentatively scheduled Town Hall on November 5th.

Finally, we respectfully request that you support Mayor Lana Negrete’s leading effort for item 16 at the October 28th City Council meeting.

Thank you for your attention and for your continued service to Los Angeles County. We look forward to your prompt response and to a transparent and productive discussion on November 5th.

Sincerely,
G. William Birrell
144 Alta Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Tel. 310-993-1000
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
57 David Yakobson
From: San Vicente Villas <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 5:46 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Council Mailbox Subject: Bridge Housing Facilities at 418 and 825 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
500 W. Temple Street, Room 383
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RE: Request for Records and Transparency Prior to November 5 Town Hall - Bridge Housing Facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica Dear Supervisor Horvath,
As concerned residents, business owners, and community members of Santa Monica we are seeking transparency and accountability regarding the bridge housing facilities at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue. A meeting is tentatively scheduled for November 5th with the Department of Public Health and St. Joseph Center, and residents of Santa Monica.

We respectfully request that Los Angeles County release the following critical documents in advance of the meeting so that the community may participate in an informed and constructive manner.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA) submitted by St. Joseph Center in connection with its operation of the Ocean Avenue facilities:

2. The executed agreement or memorandum of understanding between the developer, Leo Pustilnikov and/or property owner, Bourne Financial Group and Department of Mental Health/ St. Joseph Center.

This request includes agreements between third parties.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
58 Full disclosure will foster transparency, reduce misinformation, and build the trust that is necessary for any community-based solution to succeed.

In addition to the process above we believe the requested documents provided no later than October 31, 2025 will allow adequate review time before the tentatively scheduled Town Hall on November 5th.

Finally, we respectfully request that you support Mayor Lana Negrete’s leading effort for item 16 at the October 28th City Council meeting.
https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=19339&MeetingID=1455 Thank you for your attention and for your continued service to Los Angeles County. We look forward to your prompt response and to a transparent and productive discussion on November 5th.

Sincerely,
Bettina Kaplan
North of Montana Resident
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
59 David Yakobson
From: San Vicente Villas <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 5:59 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected] Subject: Gratitude for the Pause at 413 & 825 Ocean Ave Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
The Honorable Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Linday Horvath Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street, Room 383
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Via Email: Supervisor Lindsey Horvath (Third District): [email protected] RE: Gratitude for the Pause at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue; But Performative Engagement Is Not Real Consultation
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I write to express appreciation for the recently announced pause on the mental health housing projects at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. This temporary step suggests an acknowledgment that community engagement is important. However, many residents, myself included, are deeply concerned that this “pause” may serve more as a symbolic gesture than a genuine effort to involve the public in decisions that have already been made.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
60 The community’s concerns are not about whether people in crisis deserve care, they absolutely do. Our concern is how that care is delivered and where facilities are placed. Every person deserves dignity, safety, and a path to long-term stability.That means programs must:
 Ensure quality and continuity of treatment for clients  Include measurable outcomes for recovery and housing retention  Maintain safety for both clients and surrounding residents  Be implemented transparently, with independent oversight Compassion without accountability helps no one, not those struggling with mental illness or addiction, nor the neighborhoods striving to remain safe, inclusive, and functional.

Checking a procedural box after decisions are locked in is not engagement, it’s damage control.

We call on the Board to demonstrate integrity through actions, not optics. Specifically, we ask for:
 Immediate suspension of all contracts, renovations, and vendor work until public input can meaningfully inform outcomes.
 Transparent publication of all planning documents, funding allocations, and site selection criteria.
 Independent review of how these projects were approved without prior notice to local officials or residents.
 Genuine community collaboration invites residents, service providers, and mentalhealth professionals to co-design a plan rooted in data, compassion, and accountability.  Equitable regional distribution of facilities, ensuring no single community bears a disproportionate burden.

Respectfully,
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
61 Bettina Kaplan
North of Montana Resident
Santa Monica, CA
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
62 David Yakobson
From: ERICA ABRAHAMS <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 8:59 PM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Gratitude for the Pause at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue; But Performative Engagement Is Not Real Consultation
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
October 26th 2025
The Honorable Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Linday Horvath Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street, Room 383
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I write to express appreciation for the recently announced pause on the mental health housing projects at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. This temporary step suggests an acknowledgment that community engagement is important. However, many residents, myself included, are deeply concerned that this “pause” may serve more as a symbolic gesture than a genuine effort to involve the public in decisions that have already been made.

Ensure quality and continuity of treatment for clients
Include measurable outcomes for recovery and housing retention Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
63 Maintain safety for both clients and surrounding residents Be implemented transparently, with independent oversight Compassion without accountability helps no one, not those struggling with mental illness or addiction, nor the neighborhoods striving to remain safe, inclusive, and functional.

Checking a procedural box after decisions are locked in is not engagement, it’s damage control.

We call on the Board to demonstrate integrity through actions, not optics. Specifically, we ask for:

Immediate suspension of all contracts, renovations, and vendor work until public input can meaningfully inform outcomes.

Transparent publication of all planning documents, funding allocations, and site selection criteria.

Independent review of how these projects were approved without prior notice to local officials or residents.

Genuine community collaboration invites residents, service providers, and mental-health professionals to co-design a plan rooted in data, compassion, and accountability.

Equitable regional distribution of facilities, ensuring no single community bears a disproportionate burden.

Respectfully,
Erica Fisher
Santa Monica Resident
cc:
· Mayor Lana Negrete and Santa Monica City Council
· Oliver Chi, Santa Monica City Manager
· California State Senator Ben Allen
· California Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur
· Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
· St. Joseph Center
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
64 David Yakobson
From: ERICA ABRAHAMS <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 9:04 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]
Subject: Request for Records and Transparency Prior to November 4 Town Hall; Bridge Housing Facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
October 26th 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Chair, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
500 W. Temple Street, Room 383
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I write as concerned residents, business owners, and community members of Santa Monica who are seeking transparency and accountability regarding the two new bridge housing facilities located at 413 Ocean Avenue and 825 Ocean Avenue. As the upcoming November 4 Town Hall with the Department of Public Health and St. Joseph Center approaches, our community urgently requests that critical documents be made publicly available in advance so that we may participate in that meeting in an informed and constructive manner. Specifically, we respectfully request that Los Angeles County release the following records:
— The Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA) submitted by St.

Joseph Center and third parties, in connection with its operation of the Ocean Avenue facilities; and The executed agreement or memorandum of understanding between the County Department of Mental Health (DMH) and St. Joseph Center, including third parties, pertaining to the management, funding, and oversight of these sites. — The executed agreement or memorandum of understanding between the developer, Leo Pustilnikov and the property owner Bourne Financial Group, and St. Joseph Center, including third party agreements..

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
65 — Full disclosure will foster transparency, reduce misinformation, and build the trust that is necessary for any community-based solution to succeed.

We are grateful that you and your office have shown leadership on homelessness and mental-health issues, and we share your commitment to compassionate, evidence-based policy.

Transparency, however, must be the foundation of that effort. We therefore request that the above documents be released no later than October 31, 2025, to allow adequate review time before the November 4 Town Hall.

Finally, we respectfully request that you support Mayor Lana Negrete’s leading effort for item 16 at the October 28th City Council meeting.

Thank you for your attention and for your continued service to Los Angeles County. We look forward to your prompt response and to a transparent and productive discussion on November 4.

Sincerely,
Erica Fisher
Santa Monica Resident
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
66 David Yakobson
From: Erica Fisher <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 9:07 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]
Subject: Request for Records and Transparency Prior to November 4 Town Hall; Bridge Housing Facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
67 — Full disclosure will foster transparency, reduce misinformation, and build the trust that is necessary for any community-based solution to succeed.

We are grateful that you and your office have shown leadership on homelessness and mental-health issues, and we share your commitment to compassionate, evidence-based policy.

Finally, we respectfully request that you support Mayor Lana Negrete’s leading effort for item 16 at the October 28th City Council meeting.

Thank you for your attention and for your continued service to Los Angeles County. We look forward to your prompt response and to a transparent and productive discussion on November 4.

Sincerely,
Erica Fisher
Santa Monica Resident
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
68 David Yakobson
From: Erica Fisher <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 9:08 PM
To: [email protected]; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Gratitude for the Pause at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue; But Performative Engagement Is Not Real Consultation
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

Ensure quality and continuity of treatment for clients
Include measurable outcomes for recovery and housing retention Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
69 Maintain safety for both clients and surrounding residents Be implemented transparently, with independent oversight Compassion without accountability helps no one, not those struggling with mental illness or addiction, nor the neighborhoods striving to remain safe, inclusive, and functional.

Checking a procedural box after decisions are locked in is not engagement, it’s damage control.

We call on the Board to demonstrate integrity through actions, not optics. Specifically, we ask for:

Immediate suspension of all contracts, renovations, and vendor work until public input can meaningfully inform outcomes.

Transparent publication of all planning documents, funding allocations, and site selection criteria.

Independent review of how these projects were approved without prior notice to local officials or residents.

Genuine community collaboration invites residents, service providers, and mental-health professionals to co-design a plan rooted in data, compassion, and accountability.

Equitable regional distribution of facilities, ensuring no single community bears a disproportionate burden.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Kendall Colletti and Evan Mitchell
605 San Vicente Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
71 David Yakobson
From: Olena Sholomytska <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 9:32 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Olena Sholomytska
450 San Vicente Blvd #102
Santa Monica, CA 90402
[email protected] | ph (916) 690-1778
https://www.linkedin.com/in/olena-sholomytska-549733/
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
72 ================

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
OCT 28 TUES CITY COUNCIL MEETING 5:30 PM

TO ATTEND
1685 Main Street, Room 250, Santa Monica, CA
If you wish to address the City Council for Item 4.D and/or 16F-Negrete at KIOSK on site.

TO CALL IN (310) 312-8173 during the live meeting
TO WATCH Remotely: smgov.net/video or youtube.com/user/Citytv16santamonica

RELATED DOCUMENTS & LINKS
AGENDA
CITY MANAGER OLIVER CHI’S OFFICIAL PLAN

CITY MANAGER OLIVER CHI'S PLANS QUESTIONS
NOV 6 7 PM NOMA TOWN HALL VIA ZOOM
Zoomlink: https://palisadesparksafety.org/nov6
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
73 David Yakobson
From: ci dixon <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 9:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members,
I am writing as a longtime Santa Monica resident and as the mother of a young adult with disabilities to express my deep concern about the City’s lack of transparency surrounding the proposed LA County – approved “Open Door” behavioral health housing facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue. These projects were advanced quietly and only disclosed to the public weeks before opening, despite being located steps from schools, families, and Palisades Park, one of our city’s most cherished public spaces.

Any facility intended to house individuals with severe mental illness, without proper medical licensing, psychiatric oversight, or a secured environment, poses risks both to its residents and to the surrounding community. The decision to conceal these plans from neighbors erodes public trust and undermines the collaborative spirit our city is known for.

I strongly OPPOSE Item 4.D.

By ratifying and extending emergency powers under the June 2025 Homelessness Emergency Declaration to City Manager Oliver Chi, the Council would effectively allow him to relocate or establish homeless facilities anywhere in Santa Monica without public notice or input. After the serious lack of transparency around the Ocean Avenue projects (CCS 11658, 11669, 11686, and 11697), this would only deepen community distrust. We cannot afford to exclude residents from decisions that so profoundly affect neighborhood safety, accessibility, and quality of life.

I strongly SUPPORT Item 16.F.

I commend Mayor Lana Negrete’s motion calling for community engagement, zoning clarity, and accountability for LA County and nonprofit-operated housing projects. True compassion requires transparency and responsible oversight, not secrecy or blanket authority.

This issue is not about rejecting care for the unhoused or mentally ill. It is about ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive proper medical treatment in clinically appropriate settings, not warehouse-style “bridge housing” run without qualified psychiatric staff. My own daughter has autism, intellectual disability, OCD, and anxiety, and her independence depends on being able to safely access our community and parks. The City’s decision to site high-acuity behavioral facilities in close proximity to families like mine directly impacts her right to safety and inclusion under disability law.

We can and must do better, for both our residents and those genuinely in need of treatment. Please vote NO on Item 4.D and YES on Item 16.F to restore accountability and protect the integrity of our city.

With appreciation for your service and attention,
Caroline Dixon
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Mother and Advocate for Disability Rights and Responsible Housing Policy Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
74 David Yakobson
From: Catherine Jayne <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 9:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members.

I STRONGLY OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Catherine Jayne, Ph.D.
305 Georgina Ave., Santa Monica, CA
310-738-5101
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
75 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 9:49 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenuefrom the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
76 Eleni Kouitorou
515 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, 90402, CA
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
77 David Yakobson
From: Peri Garcia <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 10:04 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City Manager Oliver Chi, you are giving him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current shelters out of downtown and away from close to the end of the transit line. After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, we cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
78 Peri Garcia
701 Georgina Avenue
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
79 David Yakobson
From: Shari Phillips <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 10:05 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely,
Shari Phillips
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
80 David Yakobson
From: Yassmine Mehdyzadeh <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 10:39 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely,
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
81 Yassmine Mehdyzadeh
228 Marguerita Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
82 David Yakobson
From: warren brand <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 10:44 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s Item 16.F. request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects." We have had enough of this city council’s secrecy and being body slammed by surprise projects that will have a dramatically negative impact on our safety, security and way of life.

Sincerely
Warren Brand
801 Ocean. Ave
Santa Monica CA 90403
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
83 David Yakobson
From: Monica koshki <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 10:49 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: 825 ocean project
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Monica Koshki
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
84 727 21st place Santa Monica CA
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
85 David Yakobson
From: Maurine Hacker <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2025 10:53 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: "OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F." Dear City Council Members, Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s Item 16.F. request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects." We have had enough of this city council’s secrecy and being body slammed by surprise projects that will have a dramatically negative impact on our safety, security and way of life.

Sincerely,
Maurine Hacker
205 Washington Ave.

Apt 505
Santa Monica, CA 90403
205 Washington Ave
Apt 505
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
86 Santa Monica, Ca 90403
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
87 David Yakobson
From: dominic gomez <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 12:07 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: October 28 Agenda items 4D, 16F
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Dominic Gomez
1105 Marine St Santa Monica
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
88 Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
89 David Yakobson
From: Nancy <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 3:58 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: October 28 agenda items 4.d and16.f
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Sent from my SUBJECT LINE: "OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F." Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
90 Sincerely, Nancy Peters
240 Alta av
Santa Monica 90402

YOUR NAME

YOUR ADDRESS
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
91 David Yakobson
From: Louise Griffiths <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 4:16 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
92 Louise Blanchard
My iPhone did it.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
93 David Yakobson
From: Sandi Isaacs <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 5:19 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then give only weeks' notice before opening the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue to the public. Any facility of this type, right near schools, families, and our park, would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and affect all those who enjoy Palisades Park, including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclamation proclaiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City Manager, Oliver Chi, you are giving him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current shelters out of downtown and away from close to the end of the transit line. After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, we cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular, we refer to CCS 11658, 11669, 11686, and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16. F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s Item 16.F. request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects." We have had enough of this city council’s secrecy and of being body-slammed by surprise projects that will have a dramatically negative impact on our safety, security, and way of life.

Sincerely
Sandi Isaacs
201 Ocean Ave. #506P
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
94 David Yakobson
From: Gabriella Delacorte <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 5:33 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Item 4.D regarding the proposed “Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility” to be located at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica.

The decision to move forward with this project—with minimal public notice and limited opportunity for community input—has left many residents, myself included, deeply concerned. This facility’s proximity to schools, family residences, and Palisades Park would significantly alter the character and safety of our neighborhood.

As someone who walks the area daily for health and recreation, I have always felt safe in our community. The establishment of a high-need facility of this nature in such a central and family-oriented location risks undermining that sense of security for residents, visitors, and tourists alike.

While I support compassionate and effective solutions to address homelessness and mental illness, I firmly believe that this particular site is inappropriate for such a facility. I respectfully urge you to reconsider this plan and to seek alternative locations that better balance the needs of vulnerable individuals with the safety and well-being of the surrounding community.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
95 Gabriella Delacorte
415 Marguerita Ave,
Santa Monica, ca 90402
310-849-3526
I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Gabriella Delacorte
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
96 David Yakobson
From: Laura Marcus <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 5:57 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Laura Marcus
937 2nd Street #7
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
97 David Yakobson
From: Danica Ferrin Klein <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 6:32 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28 AGENDA ITEMS 4.D AND 16.F
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
To the Santa Monica City Council,
I’m writing as a resident and parent who is still in disbelief over the city’s handling of the new Open Door facility for severely mentally ill unhoused individuals at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue—approved by LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath. The decision to keep this quiet and then provide only a few weeks’ notice before opening has shaken public trust. Placing a facility like this steps away from schools, family neighborhoods, and Palisades Park will inevitably change the fabric of daily life here—for residents and for the many visitors who come to enjoy our city.

On Item 4.D
I urge you to vote no.

Extending the June 2025 “homeless emergency” powers to our new City Manager, Oliver Chi, effectively hands him the authority to relocate shelters anywhere in Santa Monica without public input. This would allow major decisions—like moving shelters away from transit corridors and deeper into residential zones—to happen behind closed doors. After the Ocean Avenue experience, that is simply unacceptable. (References: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686, 11697.)
On Item 16.F
I support Mayor Lana Negrete’s proposal requiring community engagement, zoning clarity, and accountability for LA County and nonprofit-operated housing projects. Transparency and local input should be the standard, not the exception.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
98 We’ve reached a point where secrecy has replaced dialogue. Residents deserve honesty, notice, and a seat at the table before decisions that reshape our neighborhoods are made.

This isn’t about opposition to solutions—it’s about inclusion in the process.

Respectfully,
Danica Ferrin Klein
633 21st place Santa Monica
Santa Monica Resident & Parent
__
Danica Ferrin Klein
T: +1 949.354.8324
–
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
99 David Yakobson
From: Margaret Rowe <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 6:52 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F."
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely,
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
100
Margaret Rowe
Santa Monica Resident
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
101
David Yakobson
From: Kelli Brooks <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 7:24 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I still cannot believe your decision to conceal, and then only give weeks notice to the public, about the plan to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue .

Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park would severely alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park, including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, concerned Santa Monica residents cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s Item 16.F. request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects."
This city council’s secrecy, and surprise projects that will have a dramatically negative impact on our safety, security and way of life, must stop, PLEASE.

Santa Monica was a beautiful and safe community when I bought my home here over 20 years ago. Sadly, that is no longer true today. It is your obligation to address the problems while ALSO keeping Santa Monica residents informed at all times.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
102
Sincerely
Kelli Brooks
Santa Monica resident since 2002
Adelaide Drive
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
103
David Yakobson
From: Helene Rosenzweig <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 6:53 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F."
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and then only give weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenuefrom the public. Any facility of this type right near schools, families and our park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, we cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Helene Rosenzweig
625 21st Place
Santa Monica 90402
Sent from my iPhone
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
104
David Yakobson
From: Lisa Hennessy <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 7:36 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I’m writing as a long-time (26 year) Santa Monica resident who is still stunned that the City chose to conceal — and then give only weeks of notice — before moving forward with the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath–approved Open Door facility for severely mentally ill homeless individuals at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue. A placement like this, right next to schools, families, and our community meeting place - Palisades Park, will fundamentally change everyday life in our community — not just for residents, but for the countless tourists who visit our iconic oceanfront.

I strongly OPPOSE Item 4.D.

If you ratify the June 2025 “homeless emergency” powers and hand that unrestricted authority to the new City Manager, Oliver Chi, you are allowing decisions about future shelter placement to bypass the public — again. That includes his plan to relocate both existing shelters away from the end of the transit line and into residential neighborhoods.

You already proved with Ocean Avenue that the community would be left in the dark on deeply consequential decisions. That cannot happen again. Specifically, I oppose proceeding without transparent discussion on CCS 11658, 11669, 11686, and 11697.

I support Item 16.F.

Mayor Lana Negrete’s proposal is exactly what Santa Monica needs: real community engagement, zoning clarity, and accountability for LA County and nonprofit-operated housing projects. We deserve to know what’s being planned — and to have a voice in decisions that directly affect our safety and quality of life.

Santa Monica has welcomed and supported countless social services, but we have reached a breaking point with decisions that blindside the public and put neighborhoods at risk. We want solutions — but solutions that are thoughtful, transparent, and actually improve outcomes for everyone.

Please restore trust. Include your community in the discussion.

Sincerely,
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
105
Lisa Hennessy
934 2nd Street
Sent from my iPhone
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
106
David Yakobson
From: frankie stabler-sholem <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 7:56 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: October 28th Agenda items 4.D and 16.F
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Frankie Sholem
141 Georgina Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
107
David Yakobson
From: Kara Fox <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 8:34 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: : "OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16F"
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still reeling over your decision to conceal and
then only give two weeks notice to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay
Horvath-Approved Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825
Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type right near schools,
families, and a park would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who
enjoy Palisades Park.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and
extending these powers to the New City Manager, Oliver Chi, you are giving the
him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current
shelters out of downtown and away from the translation, and after your decision to
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
108
not notify the public about Ocean Avenue's potential disaster we cannot afford to be
excluded. In particular, we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686, and
11697[Where as Agenda Item 16.f on October 28, 2025
I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and
Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects.

We have had enough of this city council’s secrecy and being body slammed by
surprise projects that will have a dramatically negative impact on our way of life.

Sincerely
Kara Fox
235 14th st
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
109
David Yakobson
From: Vicky Goodman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 8:39 AM
To: [email protected]
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]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Clarification Requested on Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Projects at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
October 27, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Third District 500 W. Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Re: Clarification Requested on Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Projects at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing to respectfully request detailed information regarding the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH)-funded projects located at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. This inquiry is made in the interest of transparency, accountability, and alignment with state and county standards established under the BHBH Interim Housing Program RFA released on October 7, 2024, and in conjunction with Mayor of Santa Monica Lana Negrete’s City Council Item, 16.F. Given the dearth of information and given that these Santa Monica projects previously advanced by the County of Los Angeles without clear public documentation have now been paused, can you help our community better understand the goals, good neighbor policies, and accountability metrics of these facilities? Specifically, we have the following questions:

1. Funding and Cost Efficiency: Has the County verified that the per-bed costs at 413 and 825 Ocean comply with the BHBH cap and cost-justification requirements? What proportion of total funding was directed to the property operator for deployment of services versus the property owner/operator? The RFA caps awards at $75,000 per bed and requires applicants to identify leveraged funds and Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
110
demonstrate solvency, per Section 5.2. Please provide the full line-item budget, identify the use of County versus operator funds, and disclose any matching or supplemental sources used for these sites.

2. Target Population: The RFA defines eligible participants as adults experiencing homelessness with serious mental illness (SMI), including those with co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs), and that “abstinence from alcohol or other substances cannot be a requirement or prerequisite for housing.” We respectfully request clarification on what this means in practice for the Ocean Avenue sites:
· What specific diagnoses or behavioral health conditions would qualify a person for placement (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, or other forms of severe impairment)? · What types of substance use disorders are included under “co-occurring SUDs” and if sobriety is not required, what off-site supervision will be provided to participants? · From where will potential participants be referred or drawn? For example, can you describe if participants will be referred from CARE Court participants, hospitals, law enforcement referrals, or other jurisdictions within or outside Santa Monica?
· How many participants are expected to meet the dual-diagnosis criteria at these specific sites?

3. Harm Reduction Policy: The BHBH and IHP guidelines state that operators must employ harm reduction strategies that do not require sobriety or cessation of risky behavior, but permit removal only if behavior “poses a threat to the safety of others.” What specific safeguards are in place to protect surrounding schools, senior living facilities, residents, and businesses under this framework? What role does the city play in partnership in providing services, and what funding does the state or county provide to the City of Santa Monica for any city-funded resources being deployed to respond to issues arising from these facilities?

4. Deed Restriction & Site Terms: Section 7 of the RFA requires a deed restriction of up to five years on properties improved with BHBH funds. What are the recorded terms for these properties?

5. Environmental and Zoning Compliance: Section 6.1 mandates compliance with all local land use, zoning, and environmental regulations before contract execution. Please provide CEQA or Coastal Commission clearance documentation for both 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, and if they were not required, provide a reasoning.

6. Application Review and Award Evaluation Process: The RFA lists key dates for application review, including on-site assessments between November 19, 2024 and January 17, 2025, and conditional awards beginning January 2, 2025. Section 8 establishes a scoring rubric for application evaluation and selection. Please provide the completed scoring sheets, evaluators’ notes, conditional award letters, and all comparative rankings for all applicants considered for BHBH funding in Santa Monica. What criteria, if any, were applied to assess the appropriateness of these Ocean Avenue sites relative to nearby sensitive uses?

7. Public Access to Applications: The RFA explicitly states that applications become the property of Shine BC LA and part of the public record. When will the full applications, including Exhibits C through H, reference letters, and property certifications be made publicly available? Can you please provide them to our community directly?
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
111

8. Eligibility and Compliance: Exhibit G requires attestations that applicants have no history of contract non-compliance with any funder. Does this review include the property owner (Bourne Financial Group) and developer (Leo Pustilnikov of SLH Investments), or only the service operator (St. Joseph Center)?

9. Ownership Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: Exhibit H requires full disclosure of ownership and management interests to prevent conflicts of interest. Please provide all ownership disclosure forms submitted for 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue and confirm whether Robert Bourne, Bourne Financial Group, BFG Santa Monica PropCo LLC, Hope for SaMo LLC, Leo Pustilnikov, and SLH Investments disclosed any related-party interests.

10. The Pause, Performance Metrics, and Conditions for Operation: Please also clarify what performance benchmarks, safety protocols, or compliance conditions must be met before operations resume at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue. Can you please clarify the terms of the pause, and what requirements being met would support operations commencing at 413/825 Ocean Avenue? These questions are intended to ensure that County-administered programs funded through the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program (established by AB 179, 2022) are implemented with full transparency, community participation, and fiscal accountability. Clear communication about the scope, population served, and operational safeguards will help build public trust and support for evidence-based behavioral health solutions in our community. I respectfully request that this information be provided publicly before any facility operations commence at 413 or 825 Ocean Avenue, and that all relevant documentation be shared with the City of Santa Monica and affected community members immediately.

Sincerely,
Vicky Goodman
President and Founder
Friends of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital Board of Advisors
https://www.friendsofsemelinstitute.org/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/UCLAFriendsofSemel/
Instagram - uclafriendsofsemel
cc: Honorable Members of the City Council, City of Santa Monica The Honorable Ben Allen, California State Senate, District 24 The Honorable Rick Zbur, California State Assembly, District 51
Vishesh Anand, Deputy Director, Office of the California State Governor Oliver Chi, City Manager, City of Santa Monica Ryan Smith, Chief Executive Officer, St. Joseph Center Robert Bourne, CEO Bourne Financial Group, Owner of 413/825 Ocean Ave.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
112
Leo Pustilnikov, Owner, SLH Investments, Operator of 413/825 Ocean Ave Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
113
David Yakobson
From: Negin Yazdinian <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 9:06 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Negin Yazdinian
2161 Georgina Ave
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
114
David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 9:24 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D AND 16.F
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely

SHARON GOLDBERG
515 OCEAN AVENUE UNIT 306S
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
115
SANTA MONICA, CA 90402-2622
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
116
David Yakobson
From: Doug Scherrer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 9:25 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]; [email protected] Subject: Request for Information from Concerned Homeowner / Resident - 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
October 27, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Third District 500 W. Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Re: Clarification Requested on Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Projects at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing to respectfully request detailed information regarding the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH)-funded projects located at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. This inquiry is made in the interest of transparency, accountability, and alignment with state and county standards established under the BHBH Interim Housing Program RFA released on October 7, 2024, and in conjunction with Mayor of Santa Monica Lana Negrete’s City Council Item, 16.F.

Given the dearth of information and given that these Santa Monica projects previously advanced by the County of Los Angeles without clear public documentation have now been paused, can you help our community better understand the goals, good neighbor policies, and accountability metrics of these facilities? Specifically, we have the following questions:

1. Funding and Cost Efficiency: Has the County verified that the per-bed costs at 413 and 825 Ocean comply with the BHBH cap and cost-justification requirements? What proportion of total funding was directed to the property operator for deployment of services versus the property owner/operator? The RFA caps awards at $75,000 per bed and requires applicants to identify leveraged funds and demonstrate solvency, per Section 5.2. Please provide the full line-item budget, identify the use of County versus operator funds, and disclose any matching or supplemental sources used for these sites.

2. Target Population: The RFA defines eligible participants as adults experiencing homelessness with serious mental illness (SMI), including those with co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs), and that “abstinence from alcohol or other substances cannot be a requirement or prerequisite for housing.” We respectfully request clarification on what this means in practice for the Ocean Avenue sites:
 What specific diagnoses or behavioral health conditions would qualify a person for placement (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, or other forms of severe impairment)?  What types of substance use disorders are included under “co-occurring SUDs” and if sobriety is not required, what off-site supervision will be provided to participants?  From where will potential participants be referred or drawn? For example, can you describe if participants will be referred from CARE Court participants, hospitals, law enforcement referrals, or other jurisdictions within or outside Santa Monica?
 How many participants are expected to meet the dual-diagnosis criteria at these specific sites?

3. Harm Reduction Policy: The BHBH and IHP guidelines state that operators must employ harm reduction strategies that do not require sobriety or cessation of risky behavior, but permit removal only if behavior “poses a threat to the safety of others.” What specific safeguards are in place to protect surrounding schools, senior living facilities, residents, and businesses under this framework? What role does the city play in partnership in providing services, and Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
117
what funding does the state or county provide to the City of Santa Monica for any city-funded resources being deployed to respond to issues arising from these facilities?

4. Deed Restriction & Site Terms: Section 7 of the RFA requires a deed restriction of up to five years on properties improved with BHBH funds. What are the recorded terms for these properties?

8. Eligibility and Compliance: Exhibit G requires attestations that applicants have no history of contract noncompliance with any funder. Does this review include the property owner (Bourne Financial Group) and developer (Leo Pustilnikov of SLH Investments), or only the service operator (St. Joseph Center)?

10. The Pause, Performance Metrics, and Conditions for Operation: Please also clarify what performance benchmarks, safety protocols, or compliance conditions must be met before operations resume at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue. Can you please clarify the terms of the pause, and what requirements being met would support operations commencing at 413/825 Ocean Avenue?
These questions are intended to ensure that County-administered programs funded through the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program (established by AB 179, 2022) are implemented with full transparency, community participation, and fiscal accountability. Clear communication about the scope, population served, and operational safeguards will help build public trust and support for evidence-based behavioral health solutions in our community.

I respectfully request that this information be provided publicly before any facility operations commence at 413 or 825 Ocean Avenue, and that all relevant documentation be shared with the City of Santa Monica and affected community members immediately.

Sincerely,
Doug Scherrer
North of Montana Homeowner / Resident - Santa Monica
[email protected]
cc: Honorable Members of the City Council, City of Santa Monica The Honorable Ben Allen, California State Senate, District 24 The Honorable Rick Zbur, California State Assembly, District 51 Vishesh Anand, Deputy Director, Office of the California State Governor Oliver Chi, City Manager, City of Santa Monica
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
118
David Yakobson
From: Richard Brest <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 9:27 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]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Clarification Requested on Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Projects at 413 & 825 Ocean Avenue

EXTERNAL
October 27, 2025
The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Third District 500 W. Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Supervisor Horvath,
I am writing to respectfully request detailed information regarding the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH)-funded projects located at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. This inquiry is made in the interest of transparency, accountability, and alignment with state and county standards established under the BHBH Interim Housing Program RFA released on October 7, 2024, and in conjunction with Mayor of Santa Monica Lana Negrete’s City Council Item, 16.F.

1. Funding and Cost Efficiency: Has the County verified that the per-bed costs at 413 and 825 Ocean comply with the BHBH cap and cost-justification requirements? What proportion of total funding was directed to the property operator for deployment of services versus the property owner/operator? The RFA caps awards at $75,000 per bed and requires applicants to identify leveraged funds and demonstrate solvency, per Section 5.2. Please provide the full line-item budget, identify the use of County versus operator funds, and disclose any matching or supplemental sources used for these sites.

2. Target Population: The RFA defines eligible participants as adults experiencing homelessness with serious mental illness (SMI), including those with co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs), and that “abstinence from alcohol or other substances cannot be a requirement or prerequisite for housing.” We respectfully request clarification on what this means in practice for the Ocean Avenue sites:
 What specific diagnoses or behavioral health conditions would qualify a person for placement (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, or other forms of severe impairment)?  What types of substance use disorders are included under “co-occurring SUDs” and if sobriety is not required, what off-site supervision will be provided to participants?  From where will potential participants be referred or drawn? For example, can you describe if participants will be referred from CARE Court participants, hospitals, law enforcement referrals, or other jurisdictions within or outside Santa Monica?
 How many participants are expected to meet the dual-diagnosis criteria at these specific sites?

3. Harm Reduction Policy: The BHBH and IHP guidelines state that operators must employ harm reduction strategies that do not require sobriety or cessation of risky behavior, but permit removal only if behavior “poses a threat to the safety of others.” What specific safeguards are in place to protect surrounding schools, senior living facilities, residents, and businesses under this framework? What role does the city play in partnership in providing services, and Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
119
what funding does the state or county provide to the City of Santa Monica for any city-funded resources being deployed to respond to issues arising from these facilities?

4. Deed Restriction & Site Terms: Section 7 of the RFA requires a deed restriction of up to five years on properties improved with BHBH funds. What are the recorded terms for these properties?

10. The Pause, Performance Metrics, and Conditions for Operation: Please also clarify what performance benchmarks, safety protocols, or compliance conditions must be met before operations resume at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue. Can you please clarify the terms of the pause, and what requirements being met would support operations commencing at 413/825 Ocean Avenue?
These questions are intended to ensure that County-administered programs funded through the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program (established by AB 179, 2022) are implemented with full transparency, community participation, and fiscal accountability. Clear communication about the scope, population served, and operational safeguards will help build public trust and support for evidence-based behavioral health solutions in our community.

Sincerely,
Richard Brest
North of Montana Ave, Santa Monica
[email protected]
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
120
David Yakobson
From: Vanessa Desrochers <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 9:28 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you because I am still having a hard time understanding your decision to conceal, and then only give a week's notice, to open the LA County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath Approved Open Door Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Facility on 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue from the public. Any facility of this type, which is right near schools, families, and our park, would alter our way of life in Santa Monica and all those who enjoy Palisades Park, including tourists.

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

I SUPPORT Mayor Lana Negrete’s Item 16.F. request that the City Manager provide “community engagement, Zoning Clarity, and Accountability for LA County and Nonprofit Operated Housing Projects."
Sincerely,
Vanessa Carney
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
121
David Yakobson
From: Jennifer Happillon <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 9:30 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

By ratifying the powers of a June 2025 proclaiming a homeless emergency and extending these powers to the New City Manager Oliver Chi, you are giving the him unrestricted authority to move homeless shelters wherever he deems appropriate without public input, including his plan to move the two current shelters out of downtown and away from close to the end of the transit line. Furthermore, you are effectively using reserves to take away critical funding for police officers and placing it your projects to help the homeless. After the decision to not notify the public about Ocean Avenue potential disaster, we cannot afford to be excluded on these matters. In particular we are referring to: CCS 11658, 11669, 11686 and 11697.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
122
Sincerely
Jennifer Happillon
1721 Carlyle Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
123
David Yakobson
From: M K <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 9:34 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

I OPPOSE ITEM 4.D.

I SUPPORT ITEM 16.F.

Sincerely
Mikhail Kibalchenko
535 12th St, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
124
David Yakobson
From: Jim Gisondo <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 9:34 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: October 28, agenda item's 4.d 16.f
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
I strongly oppose item 4.d
I strongly support item 16.f
Sincerely
James Gisondo
Resident in Santa Monica
Sent from AOL on Android
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
Item 16-F
October 28, 2025
125
David Yakobson
From: Kairi Harvig <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 9:35 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: OCT 28, AGENDA ITEMS 4.D and 16.F.

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

Santa Monica City CouncilOctober 28, 2025

Santa Monica City Council
October 28, 2025