CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MAX 26, 2026
A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Torosis at 5:32 p.m., on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, and a teleconference location in Washington, DC 20037.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Caroline Torosis
Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Zwick (arrived at 5:34 p.m.)
Councilmember Lana Negrete
Councilmember Ellis Raskin
Councilmember Barry Snel
Councilmember Natalya Zernitskava (via teleconference
Absent: Councilmember Dan Hall
Also Present: City Manager Oliver Chi
City Attorney Heidi von Tongeln
Interim City Clerk Denise Anderson-Warren
CONVENE/PLEDGE On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened at 5:32 p.m., with all Mayor Pro Tem Zwick members present except Councilmember Hall and Mayor Pro Tem Zwick. arrived at 5:34 p.m. 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 Raskin. (LAND
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)
LEVINE ACT No Councilmembers made disclosures regarding the Levine Act (Govt Code DISCLOSURE Section 84308).
AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to MANAGEMENT hear the City Manager's Report, the Mayor's Highlight, and Special Agenda Items before General Public Comment, approve request by staff to pull items
5.C. and 5.D. from the agenda, and continue item 12.A. to the next meeting.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hall
May 26, 2026
CITY MANAGER The City Manager Report was presented.
REPORT
MAYOR'S HIGHLIGHT The Mayor presented the Department of Transportation.
PUBLIC INPUT FOR There were no members of the public to comment on Special Agenda items.
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS:
PROCLAMATIONS/ 2.A. Proclamation: Pride Month, was presented.
COMMENDATIONS/
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS
PUBLIC INPUT FOR Members of the public Stephen Meade, Denise Barton, Carlo Cabanilla, GENERAL PUBLIC Johnathan Foster, Morgan Hunter Gross, Zoe Muntaner, Redeat Gebeyehu, COMMENT AND Christine Parra, Alison Jordan, and David Whatley commented on various SPECIAL AGENDA local issues.
ITEMS:
PUBLIC INPUT FOR Members of the public Denise Barton, Morgan Hunter Gross, Ashley Oelsen, CONSENT CALENDAR Johnathan Foster, and Zoe Muntaner commented on Consent Calendar items.
AND CLOSED SESSION
ONLY: There were no members of the public present to comment on Closed Session items.
CONSENT CALENDAR: All items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.
At the request of Mayor Torosis, Items 4.A and. 4.H. were removed from the Consent Calendar.
At the request of Councilmember Raskin and Mayor Torosis, Item 4.I. was removed from the Consent Calendar.
The City Clerk read a correction into the record regarding the April 28, 2026, minutes, Item 4.J. On Item 5.C. Councilmember Zernitskaya and Mayor Pro Tem Zwick recused themselves from the item. The correction to the record is that they both recused "due to a possible conflict of interest under Government Code Section 87100."
Motion by Councilmember Snell, seconded by Councilmember Raskin, to approve the Consent Calendar except for Items 4.A., 4.H. 4.I., reading resolutions by title only and waiving further reading thereof, including the correction to Item 4.J. The motion was approved by the following vote:
2 May 26, 2026
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hall
TIP AND TRANSFER 4.B. Authorization to Enter into Agreement No. 11850 (CCS) with the SERVICES City of Culver City for Recyclable Materials Tip and Transfer Services, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15301 and Section 15308 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
• Authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement No. 11850 (CCS) with the City of Culver City for recyclable materials transfer services for the Public Works Department. This recommended contract is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250 (g) and is for a total amount not to exceed $6,334,059 with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
EMPLOYERS' RETIREE 4.C. Approval of California Employers' Retiree Benefit Trust BENEFIT TRUST (CERBT) Authority Delegation, was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that the resolution is not a "project" subject to the California Environmental Quality Act; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 11760 (CCS) of the City of Santa Monica updating the delegating authority to the City Treasurer, the Assistant Finance Director, the Deputy Finance Director, the Financial Operations Manager and the Business And Revenue Operations Manager to authorize distributions from the California Employers' Retirement Benefit Trust (CERBT) fund.
BOARD & COMMISSION 4.D. An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica CHANGES Repealing and Replacing Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 2.62, Creating Chapters 2.73 and 2.74, and Amending Chapters 2.50, 2.64, and 2.66 to Implement Various Board and Commission Changes Resulting from the City of Santa Monica 2025 Comprehensive Board and Commission Review, was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt attached Ordinance No. 2858 (CCS).
3 May 26, 2026
LOCAL HIGHWAY 4.E. Approval to Accept Local Highway Safety Improvement SAFETY IMPROVEMENT Program Grant and Award RFP# 11125 to H.W. Lochner for the PROGRAM GRANT Systemic Crosswalks Improvements on Ocean Avenue, Colorado Boulevard, and 23rd Street and Hill Street, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff Recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant awarded to the City in the amount of $1,223,640 from the Local Highway Safety
Improvement Program (HSIP) for the Systemic Crosswalk
Improvements on Ocean Avenue, Colorado Avenue, and 23rd Street & Hill Street in the Public Works Department, and to accept all grant renewals;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to
4. Award RFP #11125 to H.W. Lochner to provide transportation planning and traffic engineering services for the Systemic Crosswalk Improvements on Ocean Avenue, Colorado Avenue, and 23rd Street
5. Authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement No. 11851 (CCS) with H. W. Lochner in an amount not to exceed $375,000 over a two- aparever, at trich fuure year funding contingent on Council budget
6. Authorize the budget amendment as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of the report (requires 5 votes).
LOCAL HIGHWAY 4.F. Authorization to Accept Two Grants from the California
SAFETY IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM GRANT
Hill Street Project, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Authorize the City Manager to accept two grants awarded in the total amount of $1,152,170 from the Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) for the Signal Improvements on Neilson Way and Lincoln Boulevard and Hill Street Project in the Public Works Department, and to accept all grant renewals;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to accept the grants and all grant renewals;
4 May 26, 2026
4. Award RFP #11825 to Michael Baker International to provide transportation planning and traffic engineering services for the Signal Improvements on Neilson Way and Lincoln Boulevard and Hill Street Project for the Public Works Department;
5. Authorize the City Manager to execute Agreement No. 11852 (CCS) with Michael Baker International in an amount not to exceed $355,000 over a two-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval; and
6. Authorize the budget amendment as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of the report (requires 5 votes).
GRANT MANAGEMENT 4.G. Approval of Second Modification to Agreement No. 11245 (CCS) SERVICES with Engineering Solutions Services for Grant Management Services for the Community Development Department, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of signification 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 execute a second modification to Agreement No. 11245 (CCS) for grant management services for the Community Development Department. This will result in a five-year amended agreement, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
MINUTES 4.J. Minutes of City Council - Regular Meeting - Apr 28, 2026 5:30 PM, were approved, as amended.
MINUTES 4.K. Minutes of City Council - Special Meeting - May 11, 2026 5:30 PM, were approved.
MINUTES 4.L. Minutes of City Council - Special Meeting - May 12, 2026 5:35 PM, were approved.
SANTA MONICA 4.A. Award RFP #470 to The People Concern for Administration of RENTER AID PROGRAM the Santa Monica Renter Aid Program to Provide Financial Assistance and Case Management to Qualifying Households, was presented.
Recommended Action
staff recommends that the City Council
. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant tr Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
5 May 26, 2026
2. Award RFP #470 to The People Concern for administration of the Santa Monica Renter Aid Program for the Housing and Human Services Department
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11849 (CCS) with The People Concern, in an amount not to exceed $2,400,000 for two years, with three additional one-year renewal option(s) in the amount of $1,200,000 per year, on the same terms and conditions, for a total amount not to exceed $6,000,000 over a 5- year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Mayor Torosis pulled this item to receive additional information.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: with the recruitment process, how many businesses have applied for the program; how long is the application process, and how quickly does the funds get to the participants, and does it go to the participants directly; what percentage is going to participants, and what percentage is going to administration; is there an up- to amount; do we have forward facing benchmarks that the community can see, and how the money is being used, as it is being used; did the staff evaluate if this is something that could be done in-house; what happens if this is not successful, and there's no other organization who can do this type of work; where can people access the applications for assistance; is it correct that there is a $5,000 in one-time emergency assistance per household, per year, $10,000 in ongoing monthly assistance for housing stability, and $20,000 for households in unlawful detainer proceedings; and, are these payments for rent only, or can it be used for other things like utilities.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including but not limited to: if there's some way to be more flexible with providing direct payment to tenants for what they need; concerned that there is close tracking to notify the tenants when the payments are made to the landlord; concern that monies are misused and taken from those who actually need the subsidy; and, glad to see this program come to fruition.
Motion by Councilmember Snell, seconded by Mayor Torosis. to approve the recommendation. The motion was approved by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hall
ADVANCING MAJOR 4.H. Advancing Major Events: Authorization to Negotiate and Enter EVENTS Into License Agreements for Upcoming Major Events, including a 6 May 26, 2026
license agreement for the use of the Camera Obscura Building by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs during the LA28 Summer Olympic Games and a license agreement for the use of the Santa Monica Pier Deck and portions of Santa Monica Beach during the 2027 Superbowl Game; Adoption of Resolutions to Facilitate Upcoming Major Events and Community Events, including the hosting of Club France at the Annenberg Beach House and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs at the Camera Obscura Building, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt findings of categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities), Section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), Section 15311 (Class 11 - Accessory Structures), Section / 15323 Normal Operations of Existing Facilities for Public Gathering), and Section 15061(b)(3) (common sense exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines for approval of the license agreement with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs ("FDFA") and temporary waiver of certain provisions of the Santa Monica Municipal Code to facilitate the FDFA's use of the Camera Obscura building, as set forth in the staff report;
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute License Agreement No. 11853 (CCS) with the FDFA for use of the Camera Obscura Building during the 2028 Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games;
Adopt Resolution No. 11761 (CCS) authorizing an exemption from certain provisions of the Santa Monica Municipal Code to facilitate use of the Camera Obscura Building by the FDEA in accordance with the License Agreement during the 2028 Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, from June 14, 2028 - September 21, 2028;
4. Adopt findings of categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities), Section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land), and Section 15311 (Class 11 - Accessory Structures), Section 15323 (Normal Operations of Existing Facilities for Public Gathering), and Section 15061(b)(3) (common sense exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines for approval of the license agreement with ESPN Productions, LLC, in connection with the use of the Santa Monica Pier Deck, and portions of the Santa Monica Beach and adjacent parking lots as a temporary interactive broadcast and event space for the 2027 Super Bowl, from January 18 through February 22, 2027;
Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute License Agreement No. 11854 (CCS) with ESPN Productions, LLC, in May 26, 2026
connection with the use of the Santa Monica Pier Deck, and portions of the Santa Monica Beach and adjacent parking lots as a temporary interactive broadcast and event space for the 2027 Super Bowl, from January 18 through February 22, 2027;
6. Adopt findings of categorical exemptions pursuant to Section 15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities), Section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), Section 15311 11 - Accessory Structures), Section 15323 Normal
Operations of Existing Facilities for Public Gathering), and Section 15061(b)(3) (common sense exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines for approval of a resolution authorizing exemptions from certain code provisions of the Santa Monica Municipal Code to facilitate use of the Annenberg Beach House by the French National Olympic Committee ("CNOSF") during the 2028 Summer Olympic Games as a temporary interactive broadcast and event space from June 30, 2028 - August 4, 2028, as set forth in the staff report;
7. Adopt Resolution No. 11762 (CCS) authorizing exemptions from certain provisions of the Santa Monica Municipal Code to facilitate use of the Annenberg Beach House by CNOSF during the 2028 Summer Olympic Games as a temporary interactive broadcast and event space from June 30, 2028 - August 4, 2028.
Mayor Torosis pulled this item to get clarification on how the Camera Obscura is going to be renovated.
Questions asked and answered of staff included, whose paying for the upgrades, the city or the Swiss, and could this open before the 2028 Games, so that the concessions could open sooner and be used by the city.
Motion by Councilmember Snell, seconded by Councilmember Negrete, to approve the recommendation. The motion was approved by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hall
LOCAL COASTAL 4.1. Approval of Memorandum of Understanding Between City of PROGRAM UPDATE Santa Monica and California Coastal Commission on a Framework to Complete the City's Local Coastal Program Update, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
8 May 26, 2026
1. Adopt a finding that the recommended actions herein do not constitute a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
2. Staff recommends that the City Council receive and provide direction related to the City Manager executing Memorandum of
Understanding No. 11855 (CCS) between the City and the Coastal Commission on a framework to complete the City's Local Coastal Mayor Pro Tem Zwick was Program.
excused at 7:05 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick recused himself from this item because of a potential conflict of interest due to his employment with the Housing Action Coalition, which advocates for housing production.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: what the permitting process will look like after we have a Local Coastal Plan (LCP); would the LCP come before the Council before it goes to the Coastal Commission; with this plan will this just open up the development standards from scratch; once we have this certified LCP, projects will go through the local city process, including housin they ean pro go wil a to foy or zo the shandas in this ch concrete timeframe to get this plan through the process; what happens if the state density laws come in and exceed the Coastal Commission laws; are there any issues that looks like it might take the city longer than December 2027; during this MOU, will the Council be notified if things don't go through; does this encompass the entire map that was discussed in the last neeting; will there be an opportunity for members of the public to engage it he process; in the MOU when considering public access, is this aroun employing a more holistic view of public access to the coast and to Santa Monica Beaches when we're considering public access; are we ensuring that we are considering public access to the beach beyond folks who have autos; explain without an LCP in place, does a residential or business need to apply directly to the coastal commission to get approval; and, is an LCP going to magically allow an increase of development along the coast.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, using every communication opportunity to provide the public with as much information as possible, and Council expressed considerable appreciation for getting this done and moving along so quickly.
Motion by Councilmember Snell, seconded by Mayor Torosis, to approve the recommendation. The motion was approved by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
9 May 26, 2026
CLOSED SESSIONS On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 7:32 p.m., to consider Closed Sessions and returned at 8:18 p.m., with all members present, except Mayor Pro Tem Zwick Councilmembers Hall and Zernitskaya, to report the following:
returned at 7:32 p.m.
5.A. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § Councilmember Zernitskaya 54956.9(d)(1): John U.N.B. Doe, et al. v. City, et al.; LASC # returned at 8:20 p.m. 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 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 # 25STV12089; 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 10 May 26, 2026
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
5.C. Conference with legal counsel - significant exposure to litigation - Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2) - 1 case, was pulled at the request of staff.
5.D. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code 8 54956.9(d)(1): Lori Gentles v. City; LASC # 24STCV18968 [report out only], was pulled at the request of staff.
PUBLIC INPUT ON Members of the public Denise Barton, Steven Johnson, Karen Melick, and REMAINING AGENDA Eve Lopez commented on item 7.A.
ITEMS:
Members of the public Kiana Achoy, Diana Flores, Brittany de Guzman, Ashley Oelsen, Christine Parra, Freddy Luis, Zoe Muntaner, Samantha Mota, Tara Barauskas, and Ralph Mechur commented on item 16.B.
STUDY SESSION: T.A. Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget and Fiscal Year 2026-28 FY 2026-27 PROPOSED Proposed Biennial Capital Improvement Program Budget, was BUDGET & FY 2026-28 presented.
PROPOSED BIENNIAL
CAPITAL Recommended Action
IMPROVEMENTS Staff recommends that the City Council:
PROGRAM BUDGET 1. Review and provide direction to staff regarding the FY 2026-27 Proposed Operating Budget Adjustments (Attachment A) and FY 2026-28 Proposed Biennial Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget (Attachment B);
Direct staff to proceed with setting the FY 2026-27 Operating and FY 2026-28 Biennial Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget Adoption hearing on June 23, 2026;
3. Approve the position and classification changes (Attachment C);
4. Review and comment on the recommendations of the Fee Study Report, Fire Fee Study Report, and Cemetery Fee revisions (Attachments D, E and F);
5. Review and comment on the recommended updates to the Fiscal Policies (Attachment G); and
6. 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
Questions asked and answered of staff included: what shifted to make the significant change in the budget; what are we doing differently from what we used to do in the past; is the Michigan Avenue, which is also part of the Santa Monica Neighborhood Greenways, just the final section to the east that 11 May 26, 2026
is being addressed; what is the plan to manage traffic volumes on Michigan and Washington; what is being done on monitoring and enforcement for curb space; what is the small amount of money left over from the Lincoln project; how are allocation separated from Measure K funds; is Wilshire Phase 2 rolled out, or is it in the works; what is the justification for increasing the adult aquatics fee; who pays the fees for installing traffic signs and for the engineering; what options do we have other than raising fees on small businesses; why is there a fee for split-lot and small lot fee, and how are they different; who would be responsible to pay the increase of fees for code violation fees; clarify the urban runoff mitigation fees; clarification on replacement of the turf field at the Airport Park is going to be and where staff is in implementing prior Council direction on exploring non-turf alternatives as replacement of existing turf fields; what does streetlight modernization program look like; does this budget reflect short term funds, and how we will fund them in the future; for employee vacancies, is it being reconsidered that some of those positions are no longer necessary; what would the process be, if Council wanted to make an adjustment to a fee; at what point do we start thinking about space limitations, expanding the City Yards, and is an assessment being done; is staffing still 7% below pre-pandemic; is this the first time we've expanded the Capital budget in a while; if the city no longer pays the money to the school district, how will that impact our budget; and, if the city does not renew the facilities agreement with the school, will that limit usage of city properties for the schools.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including but not limited to:
consider halting or decreasing the wastewater fees that impact local businesses, and concerns about swim fees and other fees.
Motion by Councilmember Snell, seconded by Councilmember Negrete, to adopt and approve the recommended action. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hall
PUBLIC HEARINGS: 12.A. Introduction and Adoption of Emergency Interim Zoning EV VEHICLE CHARGING Ordinance Establishing Standards and Procedures for Light Fleet- Based Service with Electric Vehicle Charging, was continued to the June 9, 2026, meeting.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
12 May 26, 2026
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. Introduce and Adopt an Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica to Establish Standards and Procedures of Approval for Light Fleet-Based Service with Electric Vehicle Charging, and Creation of a Use Classification for Light- Fleet Based Service with Electric Vehicle Charging.
COUNCIL TRAVEL Council had no reports on travel.
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.
ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL 16.A. Request of Councilmembers Zernitskaya and Negrete to approve CELEBRATION an expenditure of up to $5,000 of Council discretionary funds to support the Route 66 Centennial celebration on the Santa Monica Pier on June Motion by Councilmember Zernitskaya, seconded by Councilmember Negrete, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hall
VIRGINIA AVENUE 16.B. A Request from Councilmember Negrete that the City Council APARTMENTS Consider Directing the City Manager to engage with CCSM regarding REHABILITATION the rehabilitation project at the Virginia Avenue Apartments as outlined PROJECT in Attachment A, was presented.
Questions included, because the city is the lender, what is within the scope of what the city is able to do under the loan agreement; what is the city's process for inspection on rehabilitation projects like this.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including asking staff to create a more transparent process, and better communication for not just this project, but from other projects around the city.
Motion by Councilmember Negrete. seconded by Councilmember Zwick, to adopt the recommendation, and include direction to use this as a basis for a framework for other projects, and return in 90 days with a suggested framework, as well as specifics on this project. The motion was approved 13 May 26, 2026
by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hall
ADJOURNMENT On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting adjourned at 10:42 p.m. in memory of Marvin Zeidler.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Dence Studers Sarce
Denise Anderson- Warren Caroline Torosis
Interim City Clerk Mayor
14 May 26, 2026