1 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 10:26 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Waymo suggestion for SM?
From: Jeanne Dodson <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2026 5:30 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Cc: Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>
Subject: Waymo suggestion for SM?
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
As a decades-long resident of Santa Monica, I am concerned about the problems that Waymo has been causing in our city. It's absolutely nuts that our neighbors are subjected to constant noises throughout the night, keeping everyone awake. Even more concerning are the long lines of Waymos that block the alleys and make it impossible for residents to get in and out of their homes and parking garages. That's an untenable situation and a giant safety concern.
I don't pretend to have detailed information about the ins and outs of the situation, but I had a suggestion you might want to consider. It's my understanding that the city owns the parking lots adjacent to Santa Monica Place. There are 2,000 parking places in those lots that sit primarily empty all night long. They are also located away from residentially zoned areas. Why don't we move the overnight Waymo facilities to those empty parking lots, instead of next to homes and apartments? Workers could loudly clean and repair to their hearts' contents and cars could beep and toot all night long without disturbing anyone. And since the lots are owned by the city, this adjustment could be an additional income-maker for our diminished coffers.
Waymo provides an exciting new innovation for Santa Monica, but our residents deserve safe streets and a good night's sleep. I hope you will look into this alternative that could possibly benefit both neighbors' and corporate interests.
Regards,
Jeanne Dodson
(310) 310-4660
Item 5-C (Special)
January 27, 2026
Item 5-C (Special)
January 27, 2026
2 David Yakobson
From: Judy Kruger <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 2:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Chamber Letter - Waymo
Attachments: Letter re Waymo.pdf
EXTERNAL
For submission please.
Thank you,
Judy
Judy Kruger
CEO & President
213-703-1340
[email protected]
smchamber.com
From: Judy Kruger <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 1:22 PM
To: Lana Negrete <[email protected]>; Caroline Torosis <[email protected]>; Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>; Natalya Zernitskaya <[email protected]>; Barry Snell <[email protected]>; Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>; Dan Hall <[email protected]>; Oliver Chi <[email protected]>
Cc: Judy Kruger <[email protected]>; Jing Yeo <[email protected]>; Anuj Gupta <[email protected]>
Subject: Chamber Letter - Waymo
Good Afternoon Mayor Torosis and Councilmembers:
Please see attached advocacy letter regarding chamber member, Waymo.
Thank you in advance,
Judy
Judy Kruger
CEO & President
213-703-1340
Item 5-C (Special)
January 27, 2026
Item 5-C (Special)
January 27, 2026
3 [email protected]
smchamber.com
Item 5-C (Special)
January 27, 2026
Item 5-C (Special)
January 27, 2026
January 21, 2026
City Council
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Re: Support for speedy resolution
Dear Mayor Torosis and City Councilmembers:
On behalf of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, we are writing to request a timely resolution to issues around business with Waymo and its operations in Santa Monica.
The Chamber and its member businesses support innovative technology and mobility companies like Waymo that provide clean reliable transportation for our community. Offering this type of unique and autonomous transportation sets the City of Santa Monica apart from other cities while supporting tourism and business attraction.
Furthermore, Waymo's innovative service perfectly aligns with the City’s planned objective to “activate economic opportunity” by providing Santa Monicans and visitors with an exciting and safe transportation mode to frequent our local restaurants, hotels, and entertainment.
As one of the first neighborhoods that Waymo launched in Los Angeles, Santa Monica has greatly benefited from the foot traffic Waymo has helped increase in our once-lively corridors. In 2025, alone, Waymo has served nearly 1 million fully autonomous trips to customers specifically in the Santa Monica service area.
For these reasons, the Chamber requests that City Council find an expedient path forward to resolve its dispute with Waymo.
Respectfully Submitted,
Judy Kruger
President & CEO
Board Executives
Chair
Paula Larmore
Harding, Larmore,
Kutcher & Kozal LLP
Past Chair
Charlie LopezQuintana
ETC Hotels
Treasurer
Addie VanGessel
Tavern on Main
Vice-Chair
Dustin Peterson
Fairmont Miramar
Hotel & Bungalows
Vice-Chair
Jeremy Rawitch
RAND
Vice-Chair
Vee Gomez
Beach Yoga SoCal
Vice-Chair
Melissa Cohen
Boston Properties
Vice-Chair
Elias Garcia
Kaiser Permanente
Directors
Eddie Guerboian
Jeweler
Neil Carrey
Attorney
Elnie Vannatim
Cedars-Sinai
Gina Gribow
EKA Public Affairs
Directors
Jessica Rincon
Sanbourne
Lilit Avagyan
US Bank
Jenn Verma
Lionsgate
Ben Marcus
UP Partners
Yvette Sims
Hair by Yvette
Cheree
Michael Altchule
UCLA Health
Shanna Johnson
Regent
Shari Davis
Santa Monica
College
Wesly Hernandez
SNAP Inc.
Berta Negari
XYZ Rent
Garrett Childers
SM Fire 1109
Doreen Lahav
Prism Places
Kara Block
DHF Architects
Carlos Madrid
SMPD POA
Jared Amerson
Providence Saint
John’s
Item 5-C (Special)
January 27, 2026
Item 5-C (Special)
January 27, 2026