City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: April 14, 2026
Agenda Item: 16.I
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Oliver Chi, City Manager, City Manager's Office
Subject: Request by Mayor Torosis that the City Council consider allocating up to $5,000 in Council Discretionary Funds for the City to serve as a Garden Sponsor of The Growing Place’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, to be held on April 18, 2026, at Belmar Park. Mayor Torosis proposes to contribute up to $1,000 from her discretionary funds and requests that other Councilmembers consider contributing equal amounts from their respective discretionary funds to reach a total of $5,000, divided among the accounts of participating Councilmembers.
Background
The Growing Place is a longstanding Santa Monica nonprofit early childhood education organization dedicated to helping children develop into confident, compassionate, and creative problem solvers through a collaborative learning community of children, families, and educators. For over 40 years, the organization has supported working families by providing high-quality, relationship-based early education and fostering social-emotional development and community connection. Supporting its 40th Anniversary Celebration recognizes its contributions to Santa Monica families and aligns with the City’s goals of community well-being, youth development, and access to quality early learning.
Prepared By: Sergio Ramirez, Chief of Staff
Approved Forwarded to Council
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Attachments:
A. 20260407-Council Discretionary Balance Sheet