1 David Yakobson
From: Cindy Pfeifer <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 3:24 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: SM Pier Lessees - Support for Item 11A
EXTERNAL
Greetings Honorable Councilmembers and Mayor Caroline Torrosis, I am writing to you on behalf of the Santa Monica Pier Lessees.
As we enter the Pier Bridge construction phase, we are all concerned about the impact on our businesses for some of the events being considered. We are especially concerned about the Pier deck event and the south of the Pier concert. The events proposed are both exciting and a bit scary to us as they can either bring in new business or bring in new competition for sales that we are already expecting to be impacted by the construction.
We hope that council will direct staƯ to incorporate the lessees into the events, especially for alcohol and food sales. Some of the proposed events could decimate the alcohol and food sales of your lessees if outside vendors are brought in. The Santa Monica Pier Lessees Association is committed to working with the city and event organizers in every way possible, and to make these new ventures a success for all.
Thank you for your consideration and thoughts.
Warm Regards,
Cindy Pfeifer
Co-executive Director SMPLA
Cell: 310.663.6019
Email: [email protected]
1 David Yakobson
From: Nathan Smithson <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 1:24 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Jeff Klocke
Subject: Support for Item 11.A: Upcoming Major Events - December 16, 2026
EXTERNAL
Hello Honorable Councilmembers and Mayor Caroline Torrosis – I am writing you today on behalf of Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. We enthusiastically support the city’s efforts to bring more large-scale events to Santa Monica. As the largest operator on the Santa Monica Pier, and custodian of the world-famous Pacific Wheel, we know that we will be featured prominently in the media coverage related to these upcoming, global events. We have already been in touch with the team at ESPN for their proposed event in 2027 and eagerly await outreach from the agencies and brands involved with the Fifa and Goldenvoice activations being planned for 2026.
As one of the 27 businesses that makeup the Santa Monica Pier experience, we strongly encourage you and city staff to require these event organizers to consider the businesses impacted by these activations when planning their events. I am confident that with your collective direction and the efforts of city staff, we will be able to accommodate all these events in a way that is a win for Santa Monica residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
Thank You,
Nathan Smithson
Sr. Director of Business Affairs
O: 310-260-8744 ext. 253
E: [email protected]
W: www.pacpark.com
@pacpark
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier
380 Santa Monica Pier - Santa Monica, CA 90401
Event proposals and related communications are not binding on Pacific Park. Mutual execution of a written contract is required. 1 David Yakobson
From: Hunter Hall <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 10:44 AM
To: Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Ellis Raskin; Lana Negrete; Natalya Zernitskaya; Oliver Chi; Clerk Mailbox; councilmtgitems Subject: MAIN ST. SUPPORTS 11A!
Attachments: Dec 15, 2025 Letter of support re_ 11A.pdf
EXTERNAL
Mayor Torosis, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Council Members, and Mr. Chi, On behalf of the Main Street Merchants Association, we support Item 11A and urge you to vote yes on the staff recommendation.
Main Street businesses see this proposal as a positive step for Santa Monica and our neighborhood in particular.
Specifically:
Economic activity: Well-planned events will bring visitors to Ocean Park and Main Street, increasing foot traffic and supporting small, locally owned businesses. Neighborhood activation: Street closures, outdoor dining, and an Entertainment Zone designation allow events to extend beyond a single site, creating a more vibrant and walkable experience. Reinvestment opportunity: These events can help generate funding for long-overdue upgrades to nearby public spaces, including Crescent Bay Park and the surrounding bluff areas. Public safety and access: Ocean Way and nearby streets need modernization to better accommodate pedestrians and visitors; event planning should be paired with improvements to circulation and safety. Collaborative planning: Merchants want a seat at the table to ensure events are coordinated in a way that supports businesses and residents alike.
We recognize that infrastructure improvements require funding, and upcoming negotiations with event partners present a strong opportunity to secure private investment that benefits the community long term.
We appreciate your consideration and respectfully ask for your support of Item 11A.
Sincerely,
Hunter G. Hall
Executive Director
Main Street Business Improvement Association
314.323.4663
[email protected]
Item 11-A
December 16, 2025
Item 11-A
December 16, 2025
December 15th, 2025
Mayor Torosis, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Council Members, and Mr. Chi, On behalf of the Main Street Merchants Association, we support Item 11A and urge you to vote yes on the staff recommendation.
Main Street businesses see this proposal as a positive step for Santa Monica and our neighborhood in particular. Specifically:
● Economic activity: Well-planned events will bring visitors to Ocean Park and Main Street, increasing foot traffic and supporting small, locally owned businesses. ● Neighborhood activation: Street closures, outdoor dining, and an Entertainment Zone designation allow events to extend beyond a single site, creating a more vibrant and walkable experience.
● Reinvestment opportunity: These events can help generate funding for long-overdue upgrades to nearby public spaces, including Crescent Bay Park and the surrounding bluff areas.
● Public safety and access: Ocean Way and nearby streets need modernization to better accommodate pedestrians and visitors; event planning should be paired with improvements to circulation and safety.
● Collaborative planning: Merchants want a seat at the table to ensure events are coordinated in a way that supports businesses and residents alike.
We recognize that infrastructure improvements require funding, and upcoming negotiations with event partners present a strong opportunity to secure private investment that benefits the community long term.
We appreciate your consideration and respectfully ask for your support of Item 11A.
Sincerely,
Hunter G. Hall
Executive Director
Main Street Merchants Association
Item 11-A
December 16, 2025
Item 11-A
December 16, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2025 10:42 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Do not Approve large SM beach events
EXTERNAL
I am a SM resident living on the beach in the proposed huge “entertainment proposals”area.
I have personally seen in the past how big entertainment events turn out into unwieldy chaotic crowds the police cannot control. The traffic comes to standstills on all the downtown area. With many of these “big” events losing money for the city.
The lights & loud music disrupts residents nearby. It may adversely affect sea life, birds etc.
This must be approved by the Costal Commission & public input.
Don’t let greed destroy more of the integrity of our City of Santa Monica.
Thank you , Ms Steiner
Item 11-A
December 16, 2025
Item 11-A
December 16, 2025
2 David Yakobson
From: Robert Vartan <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2025 11:18 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Fwd: Samo Sport & entertainment commission
EXTERNAL
Hello, forwarding the below message to council as well for awareness thank you ---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Robert Vartan <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Subject: Samo Sport & entertainment commission
To: <[email protected]>
Dear Manager Chi,
I’m writing to express my great support of the recent news around various sports and entertainment opportunities that your team is a discuss discussion with.
For all the commonly known reasons, this could be incredible long-term windfall for the city, Beyond just economic.
Given our communities variety of professionals in the entertainment industry, I think it would be extremely wise for the city to request nominations for a commission or resident committee with experience in this industry.
These are massive opportunities with brands and promoters, and I do think it’s extremely wise to have a committee within the city who has experience on the other side of the table.
I am an example of such professional, who worked at AEG for a number of years on the business side. In addition to other sports teams and agencies negotiating business, friendly deals.
I’ll gladly volunteer my time and or nominate myself and others from the area that could help your efforts to ensure we are getting the best deals For our community and transient visitors.
Hope to hear back thank you
-Rob
Item 11-A
December 16, 2025
Item 11-A
December 16, 2025