CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
DECEMBER 9, 2025
A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Negrete at 5:36 p.m., on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Lana Negrete
Mayor Pro Tem Caroline Torosis
Councilmember Jesse Zwick
Councilmember Dan Hall
Councilmember Ellis Raskin
Councilmember Barry Snell
Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya
Also Present: City Manager Oliver Chi
Interim City Attorney Heidi von Tongeln
City Clerk Nikima S. Newsome
CONVENE/PLEDGE On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened at 5:36 p.m., with all maless present. Mayor Pro Tem Torosis led the assemblage in the Pledee STATEMENT OF The City of Santa Monica is located on the land of Tovangaar. With
ACCOUNTABILITY
(LAND
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)
voices and visity or the it ancestral land
The City of Santa Monica Statement of Accountability (Land Acknowledgement) was read into the record by Mayor Pro Tem Torosis.
LEVINE ACT Pursuant to the Levine Act (Govt Code Section 84308), any party to a DISCLOSURE permit, license, contract, or other entitlement before the Council is required to disclose on the record any contribution, including aggregated contributions, of more than $500 made by the party or the 1 Décember 9, 2025
party's agents within the preceding 12 months to any City official. articipants and agents are requested to make this disclosure as we 'he disclosure must include the name of the party, participant, or ager and any other person making the contribution; the name of the recipient, the amount of the contribution, and the date the contribution was made.
No Councilmembers recused from any items on the agenda pursuant to the Levine Act.
AGENDA Item 5.A. was pulled from the agenda. Item 12.A. was continued to the MANAGEMENT December 16, 2025, Council meeting. The City Manager Report and Travel Report will be heard after the Consent Calendar.
Motion by Councilmember Hall, seconded by Councilmember Zwick, to hear the items it the and .. a he are ember 6, 225, Comment). motini her zen vkaya aed bayor Negrete 5g jainst the motion.
PUBLIC INPUT FOR Members of the public Denise Barton, Kenna Stevens, and Harvey Eder GENERAL PUBLIC commented on various local issues.
COMMENT AND
SPECIAL AGENDA Members of the public Dan O'Brien, Rick Zbur, Fred Deni, Don Camacho, ITEMS: Nathan Smithson, Garrett Childers, Dom Bei, Cody Green, Jerry Rubin, Rudy Flores, Anastasia Foster, Rima Simon, Louie Negrete, Adaline Fagen, Christine Parra, Zina Josephs, Albin Gielicz, Derek Devermont Sion Roy, Alan Mont, Mia Negrete, Nick Faries, Nathan Smithson, Greg Morena, Johnathan Foster, Ashley Oelsen, Ruslan Denkin, Denny Zane, Mike Soloff, Denise Barton, Janet Mclaughlin, Zac Gaidzik, Jennifer Kennedy, Jon Katz, Kaleigh Malloy, Sean Delgaudio, Mike Montgomery, Steven Price, Ericka Lesley commented on Special Agenda items.
PROCLAMATIONS/ 2.A. Commendation: St. Monica Catholic Church, was presented.
COMMENDATIONS/
SPECIAL AGENDA 2.B. Commendation: Sequoyah Thiessen, was presented.
ITEMS
2.C. Recognition of Outgoing Mayor Negrete, was held.
2.D. Installation of Mayor Torosis - Administration of Oath by Assemblymember Rick Zbur, was held.
2.E. Installation of Mayor Pro Tem Zwick - Administration of Oath by City Clerk Nikima S. Newsome, was held.
2.F. Special Legislative Update by Assemblymember Rick Chavez 2 December 9, 2025
Zbur, 51st District, was presented.
PUBLIC INPUT FOR Member of the public Ericka Lesley commented on Closed Session items.
CONSENT CALENDAR
AND CLOSED SESSION Members of the public Andrew Hoyer, Dylan Moore, and Denise Barton ONLY: commented on consent calendar items, including Items 16.C. and 16.D.
REPORT ON MEETING Pursuant to State law, City Clerk Nikima S. Newsome announced that COMPENSATION Council will receive no compensation for meeting as the Redevelopment Successor Agency.
CONSENT CALENDAR: There being a Consent Calendar for the City Council and the Redevelopment JOINT MEETING WITH Successor Agency, on order of the Mayor, with consensus of the THE REDEVELOPMENT Councilmembers, the Council convened to a joint meeting with the SUCCESSOR AGENCY and the two Consen
zedevelopwent Suressor Agency t :30 p.m,and the tan CoG.D. with al All items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.
At the request of Agency/Councilmember Zernitskaya, Item 16.D. was removed from the Consent Calendar.
Motion Agency/Councilmember seconded
Agency/Councilmember Raskin, to approve the Consent Calendar except for Item 16.D., reading resolutions by title only and waiving further reading thereof. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Agency/Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Hall, Negrete
Chair Pro Tem/Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Chair/Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
CHARNOCK Award RFP SP #2766 to APEX Environmental and Water MONITORING WELL Resources, LLC for Contractual Services Related to the Destruction of DESTRUCTION the Charnock Monitoring Well, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt findings of categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award RFP SP#2766 to APEX Environmental & Water Resources, LLC, to provide contractual services for well destruction, including 3 December 9, 2025
permitting, drilling, project oversight, regulatory compliance, and final reporting to the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board for the Public Works Department;
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11787 (CCS) with APEX Environmental & Water Resources, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $1,267,000 (including a 10%
contingency) for a three-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval; and
4. Authorize budget amendment as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of this report (requires 5 votes).
PARKING CITATION 4.B. Approval of Third Modification of Agreement No. 10710 (CCS) SOFTWARE ISSUANCE with Modaxo (formerly Conduent) for a Parking Citation Software SYSTEM Issuance System, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3)(Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a third modification to Agreement No. 10710 (CCS) in the amount of $60,000 with Modaxo (formerly Conduent), to provide a parking citation software issuance system for the Police Department. This will result in a 7-year amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $310,000, and with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
EMPLOYEE 4.C. Award of RFP to and Authorization to Enter Into Professional ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Services Agreement With Magellan Health Services of California, Inc. - Employer Services for the Administration of an Employee Assistance Program, was approved
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council.
Adopt a finding of no significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Award RFP to Magellan Health Services of California, Inc. - Employer Services for the administration of an Employee Assistance Program ("EAP") for the Human Resources Department.
Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute professional services Agreement No. 11788 (CCS) with Magellan Health Services of California, Inc. - Employer Services in an amount not to exceed $311,610 (including a 15% contingency) for a total amount of 4 December 9, 2025
$311,610 over a five-year period, with two one-year renewal options with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
REAR LOADER TRUCK 4.D. Authorization for the Purchase Manager to Issue a Purchase PURCHASE Order to Purchase Rear Loader Truck for the Resource Recovery and Recycling Division, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines; and
2. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Los Angeles Truck Centers, LLC for one Battle Motors Inc. LET2- 40 Rear Loader for the Public Works Department. This
recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive idding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250 (c) and is for a tota amount not to exceed $528,136, with future year funding contingen on Council budget approval.
PURCHASE AND 4.E. Authorization for Procurement Manager to Issue Purchase
DELIVERY OF
AMBULANCES Ond belivery of my ances, Graprand Republic EVS for Purchase Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Emergency Vehicle Group, Inc for the purchase of two ambulances for the Fire Department. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section
2.24.250(c) and is for a total amount not to exceed $704,063 (including a 5% contingency) with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval; and
3. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Republic EVS for the purchase of four ambulances for the Fire Department. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250(c) and is for a total amount not to exceed $1,054,807 (including a 5% contingency) with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
CYBERSECURITY 4.F. Award Purchase Order to SHI International Corporation for SOFTWARE Rapid7 Cybersecurity Software Subscription Licenses, was approved. 5 December 9, 2025
SUBSCRIPTION
LICENSES Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with SHI International Corporation for Rapid7 Cybersecurity Software Subscriptions for the Information Services Department. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section
2.24.250(c) and is for an amount not to exceed $201,140 for a one- year term with future year funding contingent upon Council budget approval.
REGISTRATION OF 4.G. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2838 (CCS) VACANT PROPERTIES mending Chapte 13.04, Vacant Properties, of Article 13, ode bored rise Registration be Cacan raptain, wis Mapnicipa
1. The City Council rescind the action taken on November 18, 2025, adopting Ordinance Amending Chapter 13.04, Vacant Properties.
2. The City Council adopt the corrected version of Ordinance Amending Chapter 13.04, Vacant Properties.
RECOGNIZED 4.H. Approval of Annual Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule OBLIGATION PAYMENT (ROPS) and Administrative Budget, was adopted. (ROPS)
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Redevelopment Successor Agency:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 47 & 48 (CCS) approving the Santa Monica Redevelopment Successor Agency's recognized obligation payment schedule and administrative budget for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
MINUTES 4.I. Approval of Minutes for Redevelopment Successor Agency Meeting
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Redevelopment Successor Agency approve the minutes of the December 17, 2024 meeting.
6 December 9, 2025
MINUTES 4.J. Minutes of City Council - Regular Meeting - Nov 18, 2025 5:30 PM, was approved.
MINUTES 4.K. Minutes of City Council - Special Meeting - Nov 18, 2025 5:35 PM, was approved.
PURCHASE OF 4.L. Approval of Modification to Purchase Order with U.S. Armor to BULLETPROOF VESTS Provide Bulletproof Vests for the Police Department, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a change order to purchase order #22600670 in the amount of $250,000 with U.S.
Armor for bulletproof vests for the Police Department. This would result in a revised purchase order total not to exceed $500,000, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval; and
2. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
ADJOURNMENT OF On order of the Chair/Mayor, the joint meeting with the Redevelopment JOINT MEETING Successor Agency was adjourned at 7:45 p.m., and the regular meeting of the City Council was reconvened, with all members present.
CLOSED SESSIONS On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 7:55 p.m., to consider Closed Session items.
(Councilmember Negrete was
excused at 8:30 P.M.) Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code S 54956.9(d)(1): Measure LC Defense et al. v. City of Santa Monica et al., LASC # 25STCP04362
Item pulled from agenda.
5.B. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1):
John U.N.B. Doe, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 23STCV12746; John Doe 1, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 23STCV15009; Hector Orozco v. John Doe: Does 1-2; LASC # 23SMCV03120; John JPC Doe v. Doe City, et al.; LASC # 23STCV22020; John AD Doe, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 23STCV26548; John CW Doe, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 23STCV29623; John Doe (A.G.) v. Santa Monica Police Activities League, et al; LASC # 23SMCV06066; John GA DOE, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 24STCV06484; John U.L. W. Doe, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 24STCV06768; Joseph Garcia v. Santa Monica Police Activities 7 December 9, 2025
League, et al.; LASC # 24SMCV01368; John Doe 15, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 24STCV07647; John Doe 18, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 24STCV0239; John RR Doe, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 24STCV09398; John Doe 33, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 24STCV15580; John Doe 48 v.
City, et al.; LASC # 24STCV15420; John Doe 49 v. City, et al.; LASC # 24STCV19296; John DD Doe v. City, et al.; LASC # 24SMCV04421; Jane EB Doe, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 24STCV24146; John Doe (V.D.) v. Santa Monica Police Activities League, et al.; LASC # 24SMCV05049; John Doe (D.F.) v. Santa Monica Police Activities League, et al.; LASC # 24SMCV05050; John Doe (D.G.) v. Santa Monica Police Activities League, et al.; LASC # 24SMCV05051; Jane Doe 13, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 24STCV27233; John AM Doe, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 24STCV28433; John Doe v. City, et al.; LASC 24SMCV05527; John Doe 53 v. City, et al.; LASC #24STCV31763; John Doe (Y.M.) v. Santa Monica Police Activities League, et al.; LASC # 24SMCV06355; Jane Doe 16, et al. v. a Public Entity, et al.; LASC # 25STCV02235; John Doe 62, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC #25STCV04414; John Doe 23 v. City, et al.; LASC # 25STC V05850; John Doe (E.B.) V.
Santa Monica Police Activities League, et al.; LASC # 25STCV06354; Jane PB Doe, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 25STCV06880; John Doe 67 v. City, et al.; LASC # 25STCV10142; John Doe 68 v. City, et al.; LASC # 25STCV12089; John Doe 69, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 25STCV14031; John OR Doe, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC| 25STCV16251; John RD Doe, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # 25STCV24158 The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
5.C. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1): City v. ICSOP, et al.; OCSC #30-2022-01261243 The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
5.D. Conference with legal counsel - potential initiation of litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(4): 1 case (SMF Property Holdings LLC; Santa Monica EV Holdings, LLC; and Waymo LLC)
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
5.E. Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8:
property: 2000 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA (Crescent Bay Park and Beach Lot 4 South); owner of record: City of Santa Monica; City negotiator: Susan Cline, Assistant City Manager, and Peter James, Deputy City Manager; parties to be negotiated with: Bernd Loidl - CEO - Loidl LLC and Kyle Meyers - CEO - Silverback LLC; under 8 December 9, 2025
negotiation: price and terms of payment for license
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8:
property: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA; owner of record:
City of Santa Monica, CA; City negotiator: Susan Cline, Assistant City Manager, and Peter James, Deputy City Manager; parties to be negotiated with: Jess Krauss and Kaitlin Decker, ESPN; under negotiation: price and terms of payment for license
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
5.G. Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8:
property: Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Palisades Beach Road, Santa Monica, CA; owner of record: City of Santa Monica; City negotiator: Susan Cline, Assistant City Manager; parties to be negotiated with: Arnaud Courtier, French National Sports Committee; under negotiation: price and terms of payment for license The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
5.H. Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8:
property: Santa Monica Beach (approximately 550,000 square feet of sand area south of the Santa Monica Pier to the Pico Blvd. storm runoff and bordered by the beach bike path on the east and the Pacific ocean on the west), Santa Monica, CA; owner of record: City of Santa Monica; City negotiator: Susan Cline, Assistant City Manager, and Peter James, Deputy City Manager; parties to be negotiated with: Melissa Ormond, COO, Golden Vice, LLC; under negotiation: price and terms of payment for license
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8:
property: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA; owner of record:
City of Santa Monica, CA; City negotiator: Susan Cline, Assistant City Manager, and Peter James, Deputy City Manager; parties to be negotiated with: Matias Regenhardt, Director, Anheuser-Busch; under negotiation: price and terms of payment for license
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action 9 December 9, 2025
taken.
5.J. Consider appointment of unrepresented employee - Gov. Code § 54957(b); City negotiator: Mayor/City Manager; Unrepresented employee: City Clerk/Interim City Clerk; conference with labor negotiator - Gov. Code § 54957.6; City negotiator: Mayor/City Manager; Unrepresented employee: City Clerk/Interim City Clerk The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
CITY MANAGER The City Manager Report was presented.
REPORT
REPORT ON COUNCIL There was nothing to report on Council travel.
TRAVEL
PUBLIC HEARINGS: 12.A. Approval of Establishment of a Self-Certification Pilot Program SELF-CERTIFICATION and Introduction and First Reading of Ordinances to (1) Amend Santa
PILOT PROGRAM
(r)m a deposit based system fog Rebasides upemint Appaca, any imensions; and Adopt a Resolution of Intention to Amend the Tex lection 9.21.130 of the Zoning Ordinance Related to Resource Recover and Recycling, was pulled at the request of staff and continued to the December 16, 2025 Council meeting.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Statutory Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Government Code Section 15061(b)(3).
2. Introduce for First Reading an Ordinance amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 8.108, Subpart B, to amend the construction and demolition material recycling compliance process and to transition from a deposit-based system to a fine-based enforcement
3. introduce for First Reading an Interim Zoning Ordinance updating applicability thresholds and standards for resource and recycling room dimensions set forth in Santa Monica Municipal Code Section
9.21.130 in order to further economic recovery efforts by facilitating a self-certification building permit program.
4. Adopt a Resolution of Intention directing the Planning Commission to initiate amendments to the text of Section 9.21.130 of the City's 10 December 9, 2025
Zoning Ordinance to update applicability thresholds and resource and recycling room dimensions in order to further economic recovery efforts by facilitating a self-certification building permit program.
COUNCILMEMBER
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Item 16.D. was removed and considered separately in accordance with Council Rule 6(y)
TRANSIENT 16.A. Appointment to one scheduled vacancy on the Transient OCCUPANCY TAX Coupaney Trom 117382 2, mas cor er to the Decon Jur 16, 20257,
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
DISABILITIES 16.B. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Disabilities COMMISSION Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2029, was continued to the December 16, 2025, Council meeting.
LANDMARKS 16.C. Recommendation to accept Dolores Sloan's resignation from the COMMISSION Landmarks Commission, was accepted with regret.
Motion by Councilmember Hall. seconded by Councilmember Raskin. to accept the resignation with regret.
The motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote, with all members present.
SOBERT LIVING AND
CONGREGATE
RECOVERY HOUSING
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to the need for increased transparency and proactive identification of sober living and group homes through mandatory registration, operator/owner disclosure, local safety and occupancy standards, and improved interdepartmental coordination; the challenge of unclear property operations and lack of carly notifications, especially under complex ownership structures; for the registration of these facilities to be integrated into the city's existing rental registry to streamline data collection and avoid duplicative work by stati:
clarification of the actions taken over Thanksgiving in response to an unpermitted sober living facility at 413 Ocean Avenue; clarification on which regulatory areas fall under city authority versus state law; and a proposal that the city formalize its support for state-level legislative solutions 11 December 9, 2025
related to recovery housing.
Motion by Councilmember Negrete, seconded by Councilmember Leritskaya, to approve the item, including provisions for integration with the rental registry, alignment with state law, and advocacy for state legislation. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote with all Councilmembers present.
ADJOURNMENT On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m. in memory of Frank Gehry and Sheila Wolcott Banani.
ATTEST:
Mrise Andes Nan Hanalepete
Jo Nikima S. Newsome
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED:
clai
Caroline Torosis
Mayor
12 December 9, 2025