1 August 11, 2026
(NOT APPROVED)
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
AUGUST 11, 2026
A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Torosis at 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Caroline Torosis
Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Zwick (arrived at 5:36 p.m.)
Councilmember Lana Negrete
Councilmember Ellis Raskin
Councilmember Barry Snell
Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya
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 5:30 p.m., with all members present except Councilmember Hall, and Mayor Pro Tem Zwick. Councilmember Negrete 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 Zernitskaya.
LEVINE ACT
DISCLOSURE
No Councilmembers made disclosures regarding the Levine Act (Govt Code Section 84308).
AGENDA
MANAGEMENT
Motion by Mayor Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Zernitskaya, to hear the City Manager’s Report and Mayor’s Highlight before General Public Comment.
CITY MANAGER
REPORT
The City Manager Report was presented.
MAYOR’S HIGHLIGHT The Mayor’s highlight was presented to the Public Works department, Homeless Support Team (HoST).
PUBLIC INPUT FOR
GENERAL PUBLIC
Members of the public Johan Torroledo, Clarence McDowell, Johnathan Foster, Jerry Rubin, Kelly Straeter, Elizabeth Van Denburg, Bruce Brown, 2 August 11, 2026
COMMENT: Mohamed Shariff, Denise Barton, Wade Kelley, John Berry, Karen Melick, Rev. Jim Conn, Eve Lopez, Christina Parra, Louis Watanabe, Zoe Muntaner, Ericka Lesley, Morgan Hunter Gross, Samantha Pearl, Aaron Kelly, and Mike Montgomery commented on various local issues.
PUBLIC INPUT FOR
CONSENT CALENDAR
AND CLOSED SESSION
ONLY:
Members of the public Denise Barton and Johnathan Foster commented on Consent Calendar items.
Members of the public Karen Melick and 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.B was removed from the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Raskin stated he will recuse himself from Item 4.B.
At the request of Mayor Torosis, Item 4.G. was removed from the Consent Calendar. She stated she will recuse herself from this item.
At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Item 4.F. was removed from the Consent Calendar. Mayor Pro Tem Zwick stated he will recuse himself from this item.
Motion by Mayor Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Negrete, to approve the Consent Calendar except for Items 4.B., 4.F., and 4.G., reading resolutions by title only and waiving further reading thereof. 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
MINUTES 4.A. Minutes for the City Council - Special Meeting - Jul 25, 2026, 8:30 AM, were approved.
STREET LIGHTING
MODERNIZATION
PROGRAM
4.C. Award Bid #SP2574 to Alfaro Communications Construction, Inc. for Construction Services for the Street Lighting Modernization Program –Package 2, and Authorization to Enter Into a Third Modification to Agreement No. 9337 (CCS) with Willdan Engineering for Design and Construction Support Services, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt findings of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction), and 15303 (New Construction or 3 August 11, 2026
Conversion of Small Structures) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award Bid #SP2574 to Alfaro Communications Construction, Inc. for construction services for the Street Lighting Modernization Program – Package 2 project for the Public Works Department;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Alfaro Communications Construction, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $4,276,998.00 (including a 15% contingency), with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute a third modification to agreement #9337 (CCS) in the amount of $50,000 with Willdan Engineering for design and construction support services for the Public Works Department. This would result in a nineteen-year amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $685,000, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
METAL BINS FOR
ORGANICS AND
LANDFILL
4.D. Authorization to Issue a Purchase Order to Wastequip Manufacturing Company LLC for Metal Bins for Recycling, Organics, and Landfill Trash Materials, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section
2. 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
3. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Wastequip Manufacturing Company LLC for metal bin containers for recycling, organics, and landfill trash materials for the Public Works Department. This recommended award is made as an
exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to the City’s Procurement Policy and is for a total amount not to exceed $1,437,645, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval; and Authorize budget amendment as outlined in the Financial Impacts and Budget Actions section of this report.
FIRE SPRINKLER
REPLACEMENT
PROJECT
4.E. Award Bid #SP2756 to Jilk Heavy Construction, Inc., for Construction Services for the Pier Below Deck Fire Sprinkler Replacement Project - Phase 3, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award Bid #SP2756 to Jilk Heavy Construction, Inc. for Phase 3 of the Pier Below Deck Fire Sprinkler Replacement Project for the Public Works Department; and
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3. Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Jilk Heavy Construction, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $5,661,851 (including a 15% contingency).
HOMELESSNESS
EMERGENCY
PROCLAMATION
4.H. Adoption of Resolution Ratifying Homelessness Emergency Proclamation, 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 the proposed resolution ratifying the 2025 Proclamation of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica Declaring a Local Emergency on Homelessness.
BATTERY ELECTRIC
BUSES
Councilmember Raskin was
excused at 6:36 p.m.
4.B. Authorization to enter into a Third Modification to Agreement #11364 with Gillig to Purchase Battery Electric Buses for the Department of Transportation, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a third modification to Agreement No. 11364 (CCS) in the amount of $24,036,756 with Gillig, LLC to furnish and deliver up to forty, 40-foot battery electric buses to the Santa Monica Department of Transportation and authorize a notice to proceed to Gillig, LLC in reference to the agreement and modification. This will result in an amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $88,985,302, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval; and
3. Authorize budget amendment as outlined in the Financial Impacts and Budget Actions section of this report (requires 5 votes.) Councilmember Raskin stated his recusal from this item is because Gillig LLC is a client of his law firm, Hanson Brigid LLP. Neither he nor his law firm have any financial interest at all in the matter before the City Council tonight, but as out of an abundance of caution, and to avoid any appearance of impropriety, he recused himself from this item.
Councilmember Zernitskaya pulled this item to ask questions of staff.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: at what point does the unit price lock in; how were those producer price index escalations and clauses, actually triggered, and are we notified when any amendments or increases happen; are there any particular reasons why we weren't able to lock in the better prices earlier; and, based on what was just said, we shouldn't expect 5 August 11, 2026
to see any additional increases in price come before us for authorization for more funding for this.
Motion by Councilmember Zernitskaya, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to approve the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Negrete
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers Raskin, Hall
2423 18TH ST
SUBDIVISION
Councilmember Raskin
returned at 6:45 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick was
excused at 6:45 p.m.
4.F. Adoption of a Resolution Approving Final Parcel Map for the Subdivision of 2423 18th Street to Create Two Residential Parcels, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City 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; and
2. Adopt the attached resolution approving Final Parcel Map No. 84797 for the property located at 2423 18th Street to create two residential parcels.
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick recused himself from this item, due to his employment, as Southern California Director of the Housing Action Coalition, which advocates for housing production, including the use of SB79.
Motion by Councilmember Snell, seconded by Councilmember Raskin, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
COUNTY OF LOS
ANGELES LIFEGUARD
SERVICES
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
returned at 6:46 p.m.
Mayor Torosis was excused
at 6:46 p.m.
4.G. Approval to Increase Contract Authority for the Agreement with the County of Los Angeles for Lifeguard Services on Santa Monica State Beach, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that 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.
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2. Increase the contract authority for Agreement #9045 (CCS) in the amount of $8,862,703 with the County of Los Angeles for lifeguard services on Santa Monica State Beach, for a new total amount not to exceed $56,358,297, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Mayor Torosis pulled this item to recuse herself from this item, which is an agreement with LA County out of an abundance of caution. She also has no financial interest in this, and it does not affect her salary or employment, but she will recuse herself out of an abundance of caution to avoid the appearance of a conflict.
Motion by Councilmember Negrete, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zernitskaya, Snell, Raskin, Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hall, Mayor Torosis
CLOSED SESSIONS
Mayor Torosis returned at
8:47 p.m.
On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 6:48 p.m., to consider Closed Sessions and returned at 8:25 p.m., with all members present, except Councilmember Hall, 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 7 August 11, 2026
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; 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 advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
5.C. Conference with legal counsel – potential initiation of litigation – Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(4): 1 case
The City Attorney advised direction was given to initiate litigation, on a vote of 6 to 0 with Councilmember Hall absent, and the action, defendants, and other particulars shall, once formally commenced, be disclosed upon inquiry consistent with Section 54957.1(a)(2) of the Brown Act.
5.D. Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8; City property: 2900 & 3000 Airport Avenue, 3011 Airport Avenue, and 3021 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, California; City negotiator: Oliver Chi, City Manager; persons to be negotiated with: Larry Serota, Executive Managing Director, Transwestern; under negotiation: price and terms of payment of lease
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
5.E. Conference with real estate negotiator - Gov. Code § 54956.8; City property: 2800 Airport Avenue and 2801 25th Street, Santa Monica (Clover Park), Santa Monica, California; City negotiator: Oliver Chi, City Manager; persons to be negotiated with: Kenna Stevens, CEO, Santa Monica Trapeze School; under negotiation: price and terms of payment of license
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
8 August 11, 2026
5.F. Conference with legal counsel - significant exposure to litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(2) - 1 case (Santa Monica Trapeze School) The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action taken.
COUNCIL TRAVEL Mayor Torosis reported that she traveled to Marina del Rey for the Young Elected Officials Conference where they discussed turning policy into actual results, how to measure that, communicating that back out to the community.
She met with other local elected officials from across the country and had an opportunity to meet with former Vice President Kamala Harris, and several of our Congress members. Her attendance was at no cost to the city, the Mayor paid for this conference herself.
Councilmember Zernitskaya reported that she traveled to downtown L.A. to attend the Cal Cities installation for the L.A. County Board members.
PUBLIC INPUT ON
REMAINING AGENDA
ITEMS:
Members of the public Denise Barton, Joshua Gaspar, Emilio Vela, Matthew Gasper, Diego Vela, Zoenda Parks, Sally Young, Jessica Reynaga, Angel Morales, Melodie V, Karen Morales, Alonzo Gonzales, Ricardo Alfaro, Erika Bell, Irma Carranza, Macrina Garcia, Margarita Tellez, Laura Hernandez, Rosario Guzman, Alicia Mignano, Jennifer Smith, and Michael Graff-Weisner commented on item 11.A.
Members of the public Denise Barton, Brittany DeGuzman, Diana Flores, Freddy Luis, Ashley Oelsen, Doug Trussler, Christine Parra, Zoe Muntaner, and Ralph Mechur commented on item 11.B.
Members of the public Mari Miranda, Joe Dirosa, and Sheila Small commented on item 11.C.
STAFF
ADMINISTRATIVE
ITEMS:
HUMAN SERVICES
GRANTS PROGRAM FY
2027-31
11.A. Approval of Funding Guidelines and Authorization to Release Request for Proposals for Human Services Grants Program FY 2027- 31, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that the proposed actions are not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act;
2. Approve the proposed FY 2027-31 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) Funding Guidelines (Attachment I); and
3. Authorize staff to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the next four year HSGP funding cycle (FY 2027-31).
Councilmember Snell stated he was recusing himself from this item because he is the Chair and President of the Santa Monica Black Empowerment Association, and his wife is the CEO, a non-profit organization that may apply for and receive grant funding through the Human Services Grant 9 August 11, 2026
Councilmember Snell excused
at 9:10 p.m.
Program.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: is the program summary more than just their plan; how is the handling of the RFP for new, local vendors instead of only going with the same vendors that the city has always used; is more being done to address and support Cradle to Career; is there going to be a public facing to let the public know what executives and administrators are getting paid; do we have any other requirements on how the money needs to be allocated; is there going to be more consistent outcome driven reporting back to the public; how does the RFP scoring change from the last grant cycle; are we looking at the methods they use to retain employees, or how many they retain; how long do case management services last, and how much flexibility does human services have to assist with case management; are people able to re-enter the program if they find that their stable situation changes not for the better; under the guidelines, how are cases considered to intersect services; are there programs instituted that create ability for recipients to interact with various agencies; how is the increase in funding determined; what does the increase in budget look like, and what is the expectation; has there been an analysis done to see how much is being saved by bringing these services in-house; what are the new services being procured; what is the living wage, and is it the same as it is for the city; if there is a request for increase in salary, how does that impact the grant that is given; and, is there a way to find an additional $2 million to add to this program.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including but not limited to: the hope is that programs who don't report out, aren't able to continue to receive funding; the hope is that consideration of funding is strongly in support of funding programs for the youth; support helping families get back into housing; support longer case housing, investing in our youth, and would like to see a return in numbers on our investment.
Motion by Councilmember Raskin, seconded by Mayor Torosis, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Raskin, Zernitskaya,
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers Snell, Hall
REPORT ON VIRGINIA
AVENUE APARTMENT
PROJECT
Councilmember Snell
returned at 9:56 p.m.
11.B. Report Back Regarding Oversight for the Virginia Avenue Apartment Project, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council receive and file informational report responding to the Council’s request for information regarding the Virginia Avenue Apartment Project located at 2033-2101 Virginia Avenue.
Questions asked and answered from staff included: how could the mold and termite issue not be realized at the beginning of this project, and the extent 10 August 11, 2026
of how much it would cost to remediate the damage; is there a built in profit level, and won't it affect this project as well as other projects, if the developer fee is used to close the funding gap; how is that no one knew that there was only one connection for electrical earlier in the project; was the property commission report shared with city staff; could the commission report be shared with the public to provide further transparency; how would CCSM address concerns of storage space with tenants; what kind of breakdown will be provided by building, instead of the project as a whole; what was meant by the comment that CCSM would rather not give more site views; what was the original project cost, versus what it is now; when will the dashboard become live with the updates on this project; given the runaway cost of this project, what’s the immediate plan; is the voucher options depending on moving others out; and, is there a time when the tenants can visit their actual units.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to: is there any timelines on when the developer can expect to hear back from other options to fund the gap; what has been learned from this project from 2020 to 2027, and what lessens have been learned going forward on future housing projects; the tenant walk-throughs are really important to show the tenants what their units are going to look like, and how the loss of storage is being resolved; transparency and continued communication can only improve CCSM's positions with the tenants; the Council strongly expressed their desire to be more transparent with the city and tenants, and the primary goal is to get the tenants back into their homes.
This report was received and filed.
GOLDENVOICE ENA 11.C. Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with Goldenvoice|AEG Presents, LLC, 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) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with Goldenvoice|AEG Presents, LLC to evaluate the potential redevelopment and operation of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium located at 1855 Main Street (APN 4290- 013-901).
Questions asked and answered of staff included: can a requirement be put into this that Council see a detailed financial analysis of how this is possible; what actions did the city take with RPG to end previous negotiations; has the city received any financials from the RPG assessment; in terms of the terms of 6 months with 2 optional, mutually agreed upon, 90-day extensions, are those similar terms to what we previously had with RPG for that ENA; and, how does the affordable housing requirement come into play for the purposes 11 August 11, 2026
of the this ENA.
Motion by Councilmember Snell, seconded by Mayor Torosis, to adopt the staff recommendation. 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:
ISSUANCE OF REVENUE
BONDS
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick was
excused at 11:22 p.m.
12.A. Public Hearing and Adoption of Resolution Approving the California Municipal Finance Authority to Issue Revenue Bonds for the Benefit of 1318 4th Street, L.P. was held.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Hold a public hearing under the requirements of the Tax and Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act (“TEFRA”) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
2. Determine that the development of affordable housing at 1318 Fourth Street was previously analyzed in the 6th Cycle Housing Element Environmental Impact Report (SCH#2020100575), and the issuance of the TEFRA bond for this project has no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines; and
3. Adopt a resolution approving the issuance of bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority in an amount not-to-exceed
$80,000,000 for the benefit of 1318 4th Street LP, to finance and refinance the acquisition, development, construction and equipping of a 122-apartment multifamily rental housing development to be owned and operated by the 1318 4th Street, L.P. and to be located at 1318 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA (Attachment A).
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick recused himself from this item as it relates to the production of housing, which is what his employee advocates for.
Member of the public Denise Barton, spoke to the recommended action.
Motion by Mayor Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Zernitskaya, to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Negrete, Raskin, Snell, Zernitskaya, Mayor Torosis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
COUNCILMEMBER In accordance with Council Rule 6(y), all Councilmember Discussion items 12 August 11, 2026
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Mayor Pro Tem Zwick
returned at 11:26 p.m.
were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.
Item 16.C. was removed and considered separately in accordance with Council Rule 6(y)
RECREATION & PARKS
COMMISSION
16.A. Recommendation to accept Bradley Ewing's resignation from the Recreation & Parks Commission and authorize the City Clerk to publish the vacancy, was accepted.
Motion by Mayor Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to accept the resignation with regret.
The motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote, with Councilmember Hall absent.
HOUSING AUTHORITY
BOARD
16.B. Recommendation to accept Hajar Muqtasid St. Claire's resignation from the Housing Authority Board and authorize the City Clerk to publish the vacancy, was accepted.
Motion by Mayor Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Snell, to accept the resignation with regret.
The motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote, with Councilmember Hall absent.
COUNCIL
DISCRETIONARY FUNDS
16.C. Request of Mayor Pro Tem Zwick and Councilmembers Hall and Zernitskaya that the City Council consider approving the allocation of $9,000 from Council Discretionary Funds to support the Santa Monica College Women’s Soccer program managed by the Santa Monica College Foundation in support of student-athletes to achieve personal excellence in both academics and athletics. The funds would be appropriated as follows: $5,000 from the discretionary funds allocated to Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, $2,000 allocated from Councilmember Hall, and $2,000 from Councilmember Zernitskaya, was presented.
Item 16.C. was removed and considered separately in accordance with Council Rule 6(y)
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Zwick, seconded by Councilmember Zernitskaya, to adopt the 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
13 August 11, 2026
ADJOURNMENT On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting adjourned at 11:28 p.m., in honor of Mayor Torosis’ grandmother who recently turned 99 years old.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Denise Anderson-Warren Caroline Torosis
Interim City Clerk Mayor
Jesse Zwick
Mayor Pro Tempore