CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
FEBRUARY 10, 2026
A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Torosis at 5:35 p.m., on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Caroline Torosis
Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Zwick (arrived at 5:39 p.m.)
Councilmember Lana Negrete
Councilmember Dan Hall
Councilmember Ellis Raskir
Councilmember Barry Snell
Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya
Also Present: City Manager Oliver Chi
nterim City Attorney Heidi von Tongel
nterim City Clerk Denise Anderson- Warre
CONVENE/PLEDGE On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened at 5:35p.m., with all members present except Mayor Pro Tem Zwick. Councilmember Snell led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.
STATEMENT OF The City of Santa Monica Statement of Accountability (Land ACCOUNTABILITY Acknowledgement) was read into the record by Councilmember (LAND
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)
LEVINE ACT No Councilmembers made disclosures regarding the Levine Act (Govt Code DISCLOSURE Section 84308).
AGENDA
MANAGEMENT
PUBLIC INPUT FOR Members of the public Tanya Cortes, Elana Policarpo, Bella Perez, GENERAL PUBLIC Katherine Martinez, Mark Mankaryous, Marco Said, Alex Lightman COMMENT: Laurence Coleman, Johnathan Foster, Alan Glick, Morgan Hunter Gross Mayor Pro Tem Zwick Denise Barton, Jerry Rubin, Sean Ahaus, Chad Kroeger, JT Parr, Justin arrived at 5:39 p.m. Nelson, Zach Glasgow, Ari Pozez, Daniel Gaffey, Mike Montgonery, and 1 February 10, 2026
PUBLIC INPUT FOR Members of the public Matthew Millen Gina Debaca, Maria Loya, Zina CONSENT CALENDAR Josephs, and Oscar de la Torre commented on Closed Session items.
AND CLOSED SESSION
ONLY: Members of the public Harvey Eder, Morgan Hunter Gross, Denise Barton, and Johnathan Foster commented on Consent Calendar items.
CONSENT CALENDAR: All items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.
The Interim City Clerk read into the record minor changes to Items 4.D., and
4.F.
At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Item 4.B. was pulled from the Consent Calendar to recuse himself due to a possible conflict with his Coploym, it ich advocates for housing protection, an He ise or Sis, which is involved in this item.
Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Councilmember Zernitskaya, to approve the Consent Calendar except for Item 4.B., including the minor changes to 4.D. and 4.F., reading resolutions by title only and vaiving further reading thereof. The motion was approved by the followin vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Hall, Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
NURSE PRACTITIONER 4.A. Award Nurse Practitioner Agreements for Advanced Provider AGREEMENTS Unit Program, was approved.
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;
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11800 (CCS) with Erin Tomlinson for the Advanced Provider Unit for the Fire Department. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 2.24.250(i) and 2.24.240(a) and for an amount not to exceed $598,643, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11801 (CCS) with Alex Perez Sandi as a Nurse Practitioner for the Advanced Provider Unit for the Fire Department. This recommended 2 February 10, 2026
award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 2.24.250(i) and
2.24.240(a) and for an amount not to exceed $598,643, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
CITY COUNCIL 4.C. Adoption of Resolution No. 11736 (CCS) entitled, "A
MEETING SCHEDULE RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA AMENDING THE 2026 COUNCIL MEETING
CALENDAR", was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the following:
1. Adopt attached Resolution No. 11736 (CCS) amending the established 2026 Council regular meeting calendar to reschedule the March 17, 2026 Regular Council Meeting to March 10, 2026; and
2. Adopt a finding that the resolution is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA").
MINUTES 4.D. Minutes of City Council - Regular Meeting - Oct 22, 2024 5:30 PM, were approved, as amended.
MINUTES 4.E. Minutes of City Council - Regular and Special Meeting - Jan 13, 20265:30 PM, were approved.
MINUTES 4.F. Minutes of City Council - Regular Meeting - Jan 27, 2026 5:30 PM, were approved, as amended.
MINUTES 4.G. Minutes of City Council - Special Meeting - Jan 27, 2026 5:35 PM, were approved.
MINUTES 4.H. Minutes of City Council - Special Meeting - Jan 28, 2026 5:30 PM, were approved.
REGIONAL FIRES Adoption of Resolution No. 11737 (CCS) entitled, "AN
EMERGENCY EMERGENCY RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE PROCLAMATION CITY OF SANTA MONICA PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 2.16 OF THE
SANTA MONICA MUNICIPAL CODE RATIFYING THE
PROCLAMATION OF EXISTENCE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY
AdOPt SUPPLEMENTAL PROCLAMATIONS THEREIO," was
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Sect a finding of no possibility of significan effect pursint no 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption). 15268
3 February 10, 2026
(Ministerial Projects), and 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Adopt proposed Resolution No. 11737 (CCS) ratifying the Executive Order issued by the Director of Emergency Services declaring the existence of a local emergency in the City of Santa Monica and the Supplements to that Order.
HOMELESSNESS 4.J. Adoption of Resolution No. 11738 (CCS) entitled, "AN
EMERGENCY EMERGENCY RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE PROCLAMATION CITY OF SANTA MONICA RATIFYING THE 2025
PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA DECLARING A LOCAL EMERGENCY ON
HOMELESSNESS, " was adopted.
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. Adopt proposed Resolution No. 11738 (CCS) ratifying the 2025 Proclamation of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica Declaring a Local Emergency on Homelessness.
ANNENBERG SECURITY Approval of Emergency Extension of Security Services Contract SERVICES at Annenberg Community Beach House, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
or posity of discien fect later to
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Ratify the Procurement Manager's approval of the emergency extension of Agreement No. 11120 (CCS) with AG Coast Inc. dba California Panther Security to continue 24/7 unarmed security guard service at the Annenberg Community Beach House for the
Recreation and Arts Department. This emergency purchase was made as an exception to the competitive bidding process per SMMO
2.24.250(i), and is for a total amount not to exceed $215,000 through September 30, 2026.
RIGHT TO RECALL 4.L. Second Reading and Adoption or Ordinance No. 2847 (CCS) entitled, "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA TO AMEND CHAPTER 4.66 TO PROVIDE
FOR RECALL OF WORKERS AT HOTELS ON CITY-OWNED
PROPERTY AND AT HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES ON THE SANTA
MONICA PIER AND ADDING CHAPTER 4.69 TO PROVIDE FOR
4 February 10, 2026
RETENTION OF WORKERS AT HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES ON
THE SANTA MONICA PIER," was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt attached Ordinance No. 2847 (CCS); or
2. Reintroduce the attached Ordinance on first reading with changes directed by the City Council.
3222 23RD STREET
TRACT MAP
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick was presented.
excused at 6:44 p.m.
Staff recommends that the Council take following actions:
1. Adopt a finding of Statutory Exemption (Approval of Final Subdivision Map) pursuant to Section 15268(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA Guidelines); and
2. Adopt attached Resolution No. 11735 (CCS) approving Final Parcel Map No. 84800 to Subdivide a Property at 3222 23rd Street.
Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Mayor Torosis, to adopt Resolution No. 11735 (CCS), entitled "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA ACCEPTING AND
APPROVING THE FINAL SUBDIVISION MAP FOR PARCEL NO.
84800 TO SUBDIVIDE A PROPERTY AT 3222 23rd STREET." The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Hall, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Torosis
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick NOES: None
returned at 6:46 p.m. ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
CITY MANAGER The City Manager Report was presented.
REPORT
COUNCIL TRAVEL
MAYOR'S HIGHLIGHT
5 February 10, 2026
PUBLIC INPUT ON Member of the public Jerry Rubin commented on item 16.C.
REMAINING AGENDA
ITEMS: Member of the public Pam O'Connor commented on item 16.B.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: 12.A. Introduction and First Reading of an Interim Zoning Ordinance
CITY'S OUTDOOR
DINING PROGRAM
ecommended Actio
taff recommends that the City Counci
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant environmental effects pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) and findings of categorical exemptions pursuant to Sections 15301 and 15305 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Introduce for First Reading an Interim Zoning Ordinance (IZO) Extending IZO Number 2837 Amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.31.200, Outdoor Dining and Seating on Sidewalks, to Promote Economic Recovery by Simplifying the City's Outdoor Dining Program.
There were no members of the public present to speak on the recommended action.
Motion by Councilmember Negrete. seconded by Councilmember Hall, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Hall, Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
COUNCILMEMBER In accordance with Council Rule 6(y), all Councilmember Discussion items DISCUSSION ITEMS: were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.
Items 16.B. and 16.C. were removed and considered separately in accordance with Council Rule 6(y)
HOUSING AUTHORITY
BOARD
6 February 10, 2026
Motion by Councilmember Snell, seconded by Councilmember Negrete, to accept the resignation with regret.
The motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote, with all members present.
PAUSE TO MILLS ACT 16.B. Request of Councilmember Raskin, Mayor Torosis, and
AND STRUCTURE OF
ouncilmember Hall to direct that the City Manager Deprivritize an MERIT REVISION of Merit Revisi
CONSIDERATIONS Consideration of the Landmarks Commission & recommendations in to align Landmarks work plans with the " A Place for Everyone in Santa Monica's History.", was presented Mayor Pro Tem Zwick expressed out of an abundance of caution that he would like to focus on the Mills Act portion and not address anything dealing with housing production.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, seconded by Councilmember Raskin, to separate this item and only address the Mills Act portion, and not address the housing portion. The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote, with all members present.
Councilmember Hall, seconded by Councilmember Raskin, to approve the recommended action regarding the Mills Act portion.
Substitute motion by Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, seconded by Councilmember Zernitskaya, that on the Mills Act portion hear the report that has already been written in order to make an informed decision, and allow all applications in this cycle to continue. The substitute motion failed by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Zernitskaya, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
NOES: Councilmembers Negrete, Hall, Raskin, Snell, Mayor Torosis ABSENT: None
The main motion to direct the City Manager Deprioritize and Pause Analysis on Mills Act, including aligning the Landmarks work plans with the implementation of the Landmarks Commission's recommendation "A Place for Everyone in Santa Monica's History, was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Hall, Negrete, Mayor Torosis
NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
ABSENT: None
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick was
7 February 10, 2026
excused at 7:16 p.m. Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Councilmember Hall, to approve the recommendation for Structure of Merit Revision Considerations.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Hall, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
VISION ZERO 16.C. Request of Mayor Torosis, Mayor Pro Tempore Zwick, and , in light of the city's failure to reduce traffi
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick Couries a bat fires in the ten the as sailure to redie Zero returned at 7:17 p.m. commitment in 2016, that the City Council direct the City Manager to work with staff on a reimagined plan that prioritizes human life over vehicle throughput in design and engineering decisions regarding the Motion by Councilmember Negrete, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, to approve the recommendation. The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote, with all members present.
CLOSED SESSIONS Councilmember Zernitskaya recused herself from Item 5.L. due to a potential conflict of interest under Govt. Code 87100
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick recused himself from Items 5.K. and 5.L. due to a potential conflict of interest under Govt. Code 87100
Councilmember Hall recused himself from Items 5.I and 5.J. due to a potential conflict of interest under Govt. Code 87100
Mayor Torosis recused herself from Item 5.L. due to a potential conflict of interest under Govt. Code 87100
On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 7:30 p.m., to consider Closed Sessions and returned at 10:52 p.m., with Councilmember Zernitskaya and Mayor Pro Tem Zwick absent, to report the following:
5.A. Uller - 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.; : # 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 8 February 10, 2026
al.; LASC # 24STCV06768; Joseph Garcia v. Santa Monica Police Activities 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 # 25STCV05850; 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.B. 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.C. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1): Anthony J. Stone v. City, et al.; LASC # 25SMCV00044 The City Attorney advised of a settlement agreement involving a personal injury case involving a claim a Big Blue bus passenger fell while boarding a bus. The city denies liability and does not admit fault, but agrees to settle for an amount of $500,000, and in exchange, Stone agrees to release all claims against the city. The settlement was approved by a vote of 7-0.
5.D. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 9 February 10, 2026
54956.9(d)(1): Furley Williams v. City, et al.; LASC # 23STCV27401 The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1): Lori Gentles v. City; LASC # 24STCV18968 The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1): City, et al. v. Waymo LLC, et al.; LASC # 25SMCV06581 The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
5.G. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1): Santa Monica EV Holdings, LLC et al., v. City; LASC # 25SMCV06681
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
5.H. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1): Waymo LLC v. City; LASC # 25SMCV06541
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
Councilmember Hall was Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8; excused at 8:52 p.m. property: 2019 and 1905 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, California; City negotiator: Oliver Chi, City Manager; owner of record: Dennis Wylder; persons to be negotiated with: Dennis Wylder; under negotiation: price and terms of payment of lease
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8; property: 2020 14th Street, Santa Monica, California; City negotiator:
Oliver Chi, City Manager; owner of record: Thea Cappiccille; persons to be negotiated with: Thea Cappiccille; under negotiation: price and terms of payment of lease
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
10 February 10, 2026
Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8; property: 1333 4th/1324 5th Street ("4th/5th/Arizona") and 1234 4th Mayor Pro Tem Zwick was Street ("Parking Structure 1"), Santa Monica, California; City excused at 9:40 p.m. negotiators: Natalie Verlinich, Housing Manager, and Agustin Aleman, Senior Development Analyst; owner of record: City of Santa Monica; Councilmember Hall returned persons to be negotiated with: Mee Heh Risdon, Director of Housing, A at 10:00 p.m. _ommunity of Friends; Jeff Edgren, Director of Acquisitions, Affirme Iousing; Frank Chang, Vice President of Acquisitions, Linc Housing Gary Steinhardt, Metropolitan Pacific Real Estate Group; Jay Stark, Principal, The Pinyon Group; Bill Witte, CEO, Related California; David Grunwald, Executive Vice President, RMG Housing; Steven Councilmember Zernitskaya The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action was excused at 10:16 p.m. taken.
5.L. • Conference with legal counsel - significant exposure to litigation Mayor Torosis was excused - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(2) - 2 cases at 10:35 p.m.
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action Mayor Torosis returned at taken.
10:52 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting adjourned at 10:54 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Denise Anderson-Warren Caroline Torosis
Interim City Clerk Mayor
11 February 10, 2026