1 July 14, 2026
(NOT APPROVED)
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JULY 14, 2026
A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Torosis at 5:35 p.m., on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Caroline Torosis
Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Zwick (arrived at 5:38 p.m.)
Councilmember Lana Negrete
Councilmember Dan Hall
Councilmember Ellis Raskin
Councilmember Barry Snell
Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya
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 5:35 p.m., with all members present except Mayor Pro Tem Zwick. Councilmember Raskin led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.
STATEMENT OF
ACCOUNTABILITY
(LAND
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)
The City of Santa Monica Statement of Accountability (Land Acknowledgement) was read into the record by Councilmember Hall.
LEVINE ACT
DISCLOSURE
No Councilmembers made disclosures regarding the Levine Act (Govt Code Section 84308).
AGENDA
MANAGEMENT
Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Councilmember Zernitskaya, to hear the City Manager's Report and Proclamations before General Public Input, and to continue Items 16.A. and 16.B. The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote, with Mayor Pro Tem Zwick absent.
CITY MANAGER
REPORT
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
arrived at 5:38 p.m.
The City Manager Report was presented.
2 July 14, 2026
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS:
Member of the public Zoe Muntaner commented on Special Agenda items.
PROCLAMATIONS/
COMMENDATIONS/
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS
2.A. Proclamation: Disability Pride Month, was presented.
2.B. Proclamation: National Parks and Recreation Month, was presented.
GENERAL PUBLIC
INPUT ITEMS:
Members of the public Joe Dirosa, Bill Davids, John Medlin, Kelly Smith, Denise Barton, Claudio Cordero, Clarence McDowell, Laurence Cohen, Johnathan Foster, John Cyrus Smith, Zoe Muntaner, Elle Deja Connolly, Lydia Garcia, Jerry Rubin, Caylee Scott, David Whatley, Mike Montgomery, Harvey Eder, Brad Tonoff, and Cynthia Riddle commented on various local issues.
PUBLIC INPUT FOR
CONSENT CALENDAR
AND CLOSED SESSION
ONLY:
Members of the public Karen Melick, Zoe Muntaner, and Denise Barton, commented on Consent Calendar items.
Members of the public Jerry Rubin, Zoe Muntaner, commented 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 Councilmember Zernitskaya, Item 4.D. was removed from the Consent Calendar.
Motion by Councilmember Zernitskaya, seconded by Mayor Torosis, to approve the Consent Calendar except for Item 4.D., reading resolutions by title only and waiving further reading thereof. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Hall, Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
CAMERA OBSCURA
DESIGN SERVICES
4.A. Award Agreement with Omgivning for Design Services for the Reimagining Camera Obscura, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15331 (Historical Resource 3 July 14, 2026
Restoration/Rehabilitation) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Omgivning, Inc. for design services for the Public Works Department. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250(g) and is for a total amount to exceed $613,838, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
L.A. AREA FIRE CHIEF’S
ASSOCIATION
REGIONAL TRAINING
GROUP
4.B. Approval of First Modification to Agreement No. 11613 (CCS) with Advanced Problem Solving LLC and Third Modification to Agreement No. 11339 No. (CCS) with Fire Resources LLC to Assist the Los Angeles Area Fire Chief's Association Regional Training Group Hosted by the Santa Monica Fire Department, was approved.
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;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a third modification to Agreement No. 11339 (CCS) in the amount of $200,000 with Fire Resources, LLC to assist the Los Angeles Area Fire Chief’s Association Regional Training Group for the Fire Department. This will result in a new total contract amount not to exceed $940,000, with future year funding contingent on the availability of grant funds and Council budget approval; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute a first modification to Agreement No. 11613 (CCS) in the amount of $203,600 with Advanced Problem Solving, LLC for video and curriculum Training Delivery development services for the Fire Department. This will result in a new total contract amount not to exceed $1,453,600, with future year funding contingent on the availability of grant funds and Council budget approval.
FY 2026-27 SMTT
BUDGET & WORK PLAN
4.C. Approval of the Santa Monica Tourism Marketing District Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget and Work Plan, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Receive and approve the Santa Monica Tourism Marketing District Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget and Work Plan.
4 July 14, 2026
LANGUAGE ACCESS
PROGRAM
4.E. Award Bid #4468 and Authorize City Manager to Enter into Agreement With Cal Interpreting & Translations for Citywide Language Access Program, was approved.
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;
2. Award Bid #4468 to Cal Interpreting and Translations Corporation for translation and interpretations services for the City Manager’s Office Citywide Language Access Program;
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Cal Interpreting and Translations Corporation, in an amount not to exceed $500,000 for five years, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
FY 2026-27 DTSM
BUDGET, WORK PLAN &
LICENSE AGREEMENT
4.D. Approval of the Downtown Santa Monica Inc.'s Fiscal Year 2026 -27 Budget and Work Plan and Community Event License Agreement for Lot 27, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommend that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) and a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Receive and approve the Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget and Work Plan; and
3. Approve a Community Events License Agreement for Lot 27 (1325 5th Street) for a term of two years, with three annual options to renew (through July 1, 2031), to allow DTSM to continue operating events and activations on the City-owned parking lot.
This item was pulled by Councilmember Zernitskaya to get clarification and to provide comments.
Questions asked included: how is the city working collaboratively with the various groups, what kind of successes are being seen, and what are we hoping to see in this coming year; what is the city doing with artist to help improve the look of the vacant properties in the downtown; and, have there been general improvements in the downtown, and what does that look like.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to:
thanks to all who helped with all of the activation in the downtown and Promenade, acknowledging that this is not easy; continue looking for more 5 July 14, 2026
opportunities to get people to visit downtown and the Promenade area; and, it would be helpful to include the average daily rate information, hotel occupancy rate on the city’s scorecard, in addition to the daily spending information.
Motion by Councilmember Zernitskaya, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to approve staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Hall, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
CLOSED SESSIONS On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 7:09 p.m., to consider Closed Sessions and returned at 8:26 p.m., with all members present, to report the following:
5.A. 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., 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 # 24STCV08239; 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 (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 6 July 14, 2026
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; John Doe 71, et al. v. City of Santa Monica, et al., # 25STCV32120; John Doe 76 v. Roe 1, a public entity; et al., # 25STCV32032; John Doe 77 v. City of Santa Monica, et al., # 26STCV07769
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 reported that the City Council approved a settlement in Mastroberte v. the City, a personal injury case involving a claim of dangerous condition of public property. The City denies liability and does not admit fault but agreed to settle for $160,000, and, in exchange, plaintiff agreed to release all claims against the City. The settlement was approved by a vote of 7-0.
5.C. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1): Martha Garcia, et. al. v City, et. al., LASC # 24SMCV00971
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
5.D. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1): Glen Mastroberte v. City of Santa Monica; LASC # 25SMCV02226
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
5.E. Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8; property - 1855 Main Street (Civic Auditorium) (APN 4290-013-901); City negotiators: Oliver Chi, City Manager; owner of record: City of Santa Monica; parties to be negotiated with: Melissa Ormand, COO Goldenvoice, and Shawn Trell, EVP / COO & General Counsel of AEG Presents; under negotiation: price and terms of payment The Mayor reported that Council gave direction to the City Manager to engage in negotiations with AEG Presents / Goldenvoice on price and terms 7 July 14, 2026
of payment for a potential multiuse entertainment venue. Staff anticipates returning to Council with an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement within the next two Council meetings.
COUNCIL TRAVEL Mayor Torosis reported that she attended the U.S. Conference for Mayors National Endowment for the Arts Mayor’s Institute on City Design in Nashville, TN, where she gathered with six other mayors from across the country, and some design professionals to challenge intrinsic urban design challenges in our city, specifically the airport and what to do when it is converted. She also traveled to the Local Progress National Convening in Baltimore, Maryland. They addressed working on issues like how to handle data centers in our jurisdiction, and what responsible AI looks like. She also chatted with other jurisdictions who have set up their own local housing authorities, and social housing models for both affordable home ownership and affordable rental.
Councilmember Negrete reported that she traveled to Coronado for Independent Cities Association, where she sits on their Executive Board as the Communications Director. She sat on two panels, one with Firefighters, consultants and Public Safety members where she shared what the city did with our system of care in terms of bringing ambulance services back inhouse; she did a session on communication with constituents, difficult information, and transparency; and, she attended policy sessions around AI, the flock cameras, data sharing, data centers, and litigation and how it impacts cities.
Councilmembers Raskin and Hall also attended the Local Progress National Convening Meeting, where there were more than 500 local and state elected officials across America. Councilmember Raskin shared he learned about models for a range of regulatory challenges and opportunities, tenant protections, municipal finance, and new revenue. Councilmember Hall shared how fortunate we are to live in California, specifically Santa Monica, where we have such strong tenant protection. Both the Mayor and Councilmember Hall attended the Local Progress National Convening meeting on a scholarship and there were no city funds used.
PUBLIC INPUT ON
REMAINING AGENDA
ITEMS:
Members of the public Jeff Peak, Karen Melick, Ted Winterer, Elizabeth van Denburgh, Brett Morrow, and Debbie Mulvaney commented on item 11.A.
Members of the public Joseph Ramos Aagla, Kelly Smith, Jerard, Denise Barton, Zoe Muntaner, and Brett Morrow commented on item 11.B.
There were no members of public present to comment on Item 16.C.
STAFF
ADMINISTRATIVE
11.A. Certification of Qualified an Initiative Measure Establishing a Parcel Tax Collected by the City of Santa Monica for Funding for the 8 July 14, 2026
ITEMS:
NOVEMBER 3, 2026
BALLOT MEASURE
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and Adoption of Resolution to place Measure on the November 3, 2026 Ballot, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that the resolution below is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act;
2. Receive and file the attached Certification of Qualification regarding an Initiative Measure Establishing a Parcel Tax Collected by the City of Santa Monica for Funding for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District by adding, Chapter 2.74 to the Santa Monica Municipal Code and establish an annual parcel tax of $495 per parcel of taxable real property located within the City of Santa Monica (“City”); and,
3. Adopt the attached resolution requesting and directing the actions necessary to place the measure on the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Ballot.
Motion by Councilmember Hall, seconded by Councilmember Raskin, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Hall, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
NOVEMBER 3, 2026
BALLOT MEASURES
11.B. Adoption of Resolutions Placing Proposed Ballot Measures Amending Articles XVIII, Rent Control Law, and XXIII, Housing Policies, of the City Charter on the November 3, 2026 Ballot, was presented.
Recommended Actions
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (common sense exemption) of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Per Rent Control Board recommendation and staff recommendation, adopt the attached resolution (Attachment A) placing a measure on the November 3, 2026, ballot that would amend Articles XVIII and XXIII of the City Charter to reaffirm the application of local just cause eviction laws, update term limit provisions for Rent Control Board Commissioners, update and clarify procedures for increasing the maximum annual rent controlled rental unit registration fee, clarify Rent Control Board authority to regulate time limits for deciding individual rent adjustment petitions, and add requirements 9 July 14, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
excused at 9:01 p.m.
for owners to evict tenants for non-compliance with affordable housing deed restrictions; and
3. Per Rent Control Board and staff recommendation, adopt the attached resolution (Attachment B) placing a measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot that would amend Articles XVIII and XXIII of the City Charter to prohibit evictions based on non-payment of rent when the tenant owes less than a fair threshold amount of rent; and
4. Per Rent Control Board and staff recommendation, adopt the attached resolution (Attachment C) placing a measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot that would amend Articles XVIII and XXIII of the City Charter to revise requirements for owners to evict tenants for breach of a rental agreement based on the addition of new occupants, revise eviction protections for certain occupants remaining in a rental unit after the original tenant vacates, add just cause eviction protections to single-unit dwellings and condominiums, and modify
requirements for good faith owner move in evictions from non-rent controlled rental units; and
5. Authorize City Councilmembers to file written arguments for or against and direct the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis for each measure.
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick recused himself from this item due to his employment as a Southern California director at the Housing Action Coalition, which has previously advocated on the issue of rent control and tenant protections.
Councilmember Raskin made a public disclosure for the record that his wife is an elected member of the Rent Control Board. He has consulted with the City Attorney’s Office, and there is no conflict issues, and this will not impair his ability to consider this impartially, especially in light of the fact that this is a legislative item.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: in proposed resolution 3, if the original tenant leaves for some reason, does the rent stay the same, or does it reset to market rate, or does it depend on the situation; legally under state law the landlord would be able to reset to market rate for the vacant unit; in proposed resolution 3, what is a non-resident; could anyone move in and be considered a family member and move in as a tenant; if the original tenant moves out, and another occupant is living there for over a year, does this entitle that occupant to become the new renter, even if they don't have a rental agreement with the landlord; has the Rent Control Board considered that this will create more loopholes, for example illegal subleasing; was there any economic analysis done with regard to small landlords; does perpetual tenancy cause any problems for tenants who may want to break their lease or evictions; are there any limits on how many "family" members can live in a unit; how is this changing from what it is now, and how it will look with multiple people moving in; why are these three articles being cross- 10 July 14, 2026
referenced to each other; what is the policy genesis behind extending just cause protections to single unit dwellings, specifically for Article XXIII; are we concerned about the increasing presence of corporate buyouts of single family homes and condos, in that essentially renters are in these units with a corporate landlord; are there statutory definitions or case law surrounding what the definition of a household is; what process has these amendments gone through with discussions with community members, landlords and tenancy advocate groups to get to this point; asked for clarification on the limiting evictions based on new occupants and the maximum number per unit; and, do we still need to be in compliance with state rent control restriction rights where landlords are still entitled to a fair return.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to: for the sake of transparency, is it possible to delay this for another meeting, giving more time for renters and landlords to get a better understanding of what is being presented; remember how badly things had gotten when the Council asked to find solutions to some of the problems that have occurred for rentals; and want to make sure that this does not cause any unintended consequences for landlords and tenants.
Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Mayor Torosis, to adopt all three proposed resolutions and place them on the ballot.
Substitute motion by Councilmember Snell, seconded by Councilmember Negrete, to vote on each resolution separately. The substitute motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Torosis
NOES: Councilmember Hall
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
Motion by Councilmember Snell, seconded by Councilmember Raskin, to vote on recommended action items 1, 2, and 3. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Hall, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
Motion by Mayor Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Hall, to vote on recommended action items 4. The motion was approved by the following vote:
11 July 14, 2026
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Raskin, Hall, Mayor Torosis NOES: Councilmembers Snell, Negrete
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
Motion by Mayor Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Snell, that Councilmember Hall write the Argument in Favor of recommended action item #2.
Motion by Councilmember Hall, seconded by Councilmember Raskin, that Mayor Torosis write the Argument in Favor of recommended action item #3.
Motion by Mayor Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Hall, that Councilmember Raskin write the Argument in Favor of recommended action item #4.
The motions were approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Hall, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
AGENDA
MANAGEMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
returned at 10:03 p.m.
Motion by Mayor Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Zernitskaya, to hear Item 12.C. before Items 12.A. and 12.B. The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote, with all members present.
LIGHT FLEET-BASED
SERVICE FOR
AUTONOMOUS
VEHICLES
.
12.C. Introduction and Adoption of Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance Establishing Standards and Procedures for Light FleetBased Service for Autonomous Vehicles, was presented.
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. 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 for Autonomous Vehicles and Creation of a Use Classification for LightFleet Based Service for Autonomous Vehicles.
Members of the public Alex Brown, Harvin Melendez, Dylan Moore, and Jacob Wasserman, spoke to the recommended action.
12 July 14, 2026
Questions asked and answered of staff included: why is this being done as an emergency ordinance; would this be in order to allow the three facilities to move forward in the process and allow the city time to create permanent standards; would there need to be an applicability clause to state that this is not retroactive; on the standard to have a minimum of two employees onsite, how is that calculated in time; does this apply to other autonomous vehicles regardless to what type of fuel they use; how will this interact with our current code dealing with mitigation issues and sound walls; is fueling different than charging; and, how does the city regulate non-autonomous vehicles.
Motion by Mayor Torosis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Hall Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
DOWNTOWN
COMMUNITY PLAN
AMENDMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
excused at 10:35 p.m.
Councilmember Hall excused
at 10:36 p.m.
12.A. Adoption of a Resolution to Amend the Text of the Downtown Community Plan and Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend the Text of the Zoning Ordinance to Implement the City’s Realignment Plan by Increasing the Development Potential of CityOwned Sites in the Downtown and Sites Located Within the Gateway Master Plan Area, was presented.
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick recused himself from items 12.A. and 12.B. due to his employment as Southern California Director at the Housing action Coalition, which advocates for housing production, and both of these items do potentially touch on housing production in the city.
Councilmember Hall recused himself from item 12.A. because his residence is located between 500 and 1,000 feet of one of the Gateway Master Plan parcels, and one of the city-owned sites that is proposed for exemption from the zoning ordinance.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that the potential environmental effects of the Ordinances have been previously analyzed as part of the certified Downtown Community Plan Environmental Impact Report, the 6th Cycle Housing Element Environmental Impact Report and
subsequent addendum, and a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines;
13 July 14, 2026
2. Adopt a Resolution to Amend the Text of the Downtown Community Plan to Effectuate the Goals of the Realignment Plan by Increasing the Potential of City-Owned Sites in the Downtown Community Plan Area and Sites Located Within the Gateway Master Plan Area; and
3. Introduce for First Reading an Ordinance Amending the Text of the Zoning Ordinance to Effectuate the Goals of the Realignment Plan by Increasing the Potential of City-Owned Sites in the Downtown Community Plan Area.
Members of the public Jonah Breslau, Elizabeth Van Denburg, and Denise Barton spoke to the recommended action.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: why did the planning commission choose the 30,000 sq ft threshold; does the city have a public benefits policy for city owned parcels; is it true that if something is done on city-owned property, there is still a con; are hotels, motels exempt; what's being proposed does not undo the current development processes; for the Gateway sites is it only to update the FAR and height requirement; at what point does it become a housing project versus a commercial project; what was the Planning Commission's reasons and discussion that they came up with the 30,000 sq ft limit; how many properties could meet the 30,000 sq ft.; what is the benefit of doing this; and, even if we didn’t pass this, couldn’t someone that has a non-housing project still present something that’s beyond the current.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including but not limited to: A straw poll to the policy questions presented by Planning. Policy question 1) what entitlement process should non-housing projects on Gateway sites be processed under. A strong support for Option 2, Permit process connected to existing DCP tier system and FAR limits; Policy question 2) on Gateway sites, should certain land uses exclude a project from a potential ministerial entitlement process regardless of size. Strong support for Yes, exclude hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, and other transient lodging uses from the ministerial path; Policy question 3) to ensure proportionate community benefits are provided, should a tiered community benefits system similar to what is currently in place in the DCP be implemented in order for nonhousing projects to be granted the proposed increases in height and FAR; Strong support for Yes, implement a tiered community benefits system for projects that exceed Tier 1 base standards (1.75 FAR/32’) similar to the current structure in the DCP in order for projects to access the proposed increased standards.
Motion by Mayor Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Snell, for any nonhousing projects in the Gateway sites administrative approval connected to the existing DCP tier system and FAR limits; exclude all hotel, motel, transient occupancy uses and policy question three, a tiered community 14 July 14, 2026
benefit system is important, and findings, conclusions and those 3 policy directions. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Negrete, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
SENATE BILL (SB) 79
Councilmember Hall returned
at 11:34 p.m.
12.B. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend the Text of The Zoning Ordinance to Exclude Certain Sites from Senate Bill (SB) 79 Implementation Until One Year Following Adoption of the 7th Cycle (2029-2037) Housing Element and to Increase Development Standards for Parcels Zoned Multi-Unit Residential That Are Located Within One-Half Mile of the Metro E/Expo Bundy Station, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of statutory exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Government Code Section 65912.160(c); and
2. Introduce for First Reading an Ordinance to Amend the Text of the Zoning Ordinance to Exclude Certain Sites from Senate Bill (SB) 79 Implementation Until One Year Following the Adoption of the 7th Cycle (2029-2037) Housing Element and to Increase Development Standards for Parcels Zoned Multi-Unit Residential That Are Located Within One-Half Mile of the Metro E Expo/Bundy Station.
Members of the public Mati Fuchs-Lynch and Elizabeth van Denburgh spoke to the recommended action.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: would the proposal require the upzoning of all R1; how much would the R1s need to get upzoned to meet the requirement; how was the creep into Wilmont created with adding those three bus stops; for this part of the TOD zones, which of the current laws would produce the most housing; why didn't we just allow upzoning commercial or just allow SB 79 take effect in our commercial zones; when looking at R1 properties, do we know how many renters are in the R1 properties; is this not effectively just a paper upzone; what types of parcels have carried the majority of upzoning and displacement, is it the multifamily zones or the single family zones; aren’t there other state laws that would allow more housing on a parcel than SB79; do we have many R1 lots that are larger than roughly 5,500 sq. foot in this specific area; would we need to upzone all of the 212 parcels in the R1 to meet the number of parcels; when this was presented to the Planning Commission, were the options upzone R1, or upzone R2 and R3, or was there something that was a combination of the 15 July 14, 2026
two within a specific area that was closer to the transit; if we could pick, could we pick the 52 parcels closest to the TOD stop; and, is it safe to say that in the R1 zones, there isn’t the same Ellis Act pressure.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including but not limited to, there's a greater risk of displacement if upzoning occurs in R2 and R3 zones more than in R1 zones.
Motion by Councilmember Negrete, to approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation. The motion failed, due to a lack of a second.
Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Councilmember Hall, to introduce and hold the first reading for the ordinance that addresses the six TOD zones within Santa Monica, with direction to the Planning department to come back with options for the Expo Bundy TOD zone, to upzone R1 parcels, in order to qualify for exclusion.
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Hall,
Mayor Torosis
NOES: Councilmember Negrete
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
Councilmember Negrete voted No because she wanted to go with the Planning Commission’s recommendation. Her concern that upzoning the R1 actually creates a more speculatory process, and properties become more vulnerable to be sold by corporate predators that come in and look at these properties as an opportunity to build much larger units.
COUNCILMEMBER
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
In accordance with Council Rule 6(y), all Councilmember Discussion items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
COMMISSION
16.A. Appointments to seven seats on the new Restorative Justice Commission - Four seats available for terms ending June 30, 2030 and three seats available for terms ending June 30, 2028. The members first appointed shall so classify themselves by lot that the term of three members shall expire in 2028. Thereafter, these seats would be for 4- year terms, was continued to the July 28, 2026, meeting.
HOUSING & HUMAN
SERVICES COMMISSION
16.B. Appointments to seven seats on the consolidated Housing & Human Services Commission with three 4-year terms ending on June 30, 2030, three 2-year terms ending on June 30, 2028, and one term ending on June 30, 2027, was continued to the July 28, 2026, meeting.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
EVENT
16.C. Request of Mayor Caroline Torosis that Council approve use of $5,000 of discretionary funds to support the Pico Business Improvement 16 July 14, 2026
District for its Dia de los Muertos event at Woodlawn Cemetery, was presented.
Motion by Mayor Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Negrete, to adopt the staff recommendation, with additional donations in the amount of $5,000 each from Councilmembers Negrete, Raskin, Zernitskaya, and Snell, for a total of $25,000. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Hall, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
ADJOURNMENT On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting adjourned at 12:40 a.m. in memory of Joey Bravo.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Denise Anderson-Warren Caroline Torosis
Interim City Clerk Mayor