SR 01-14-2020 13B 13.B
January 14, 2020
Council Meeting: January 14, 2020 Santa Monica, California
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CITY CLERK’S OFFICE - MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Denise Anderson-Warren, City Clerk, Records & Elections Services
Department
Date: January 14, 2020
13.B Year-End Appointments to Boards and Commissions for terms ending
December 30, 2019. Continued from December 17, 2019.
Board/Commission
# of
Vacancies
Term
Ending Requirements
Clean Beaches & Ocean
Parcel Tax Citizens
Oversight Committee 2 12/31/2021 Santa Monica resident
Metropolitan Water District 1 12/31/2023 -
Santa Monica Pier
Corporation 3 12/31/2023
Reside, work, or do business in
Santa Monica.
City of Santa Monica
Board and Commissions Applicants
Clean Beaches & Ocean Parcel Tax Citizens Oversight
Committee
Name Application Date
Bernard Alfs 04/05/2019
Deborah D. Harris 11/15/2019
Mary Marlow 11/04/2019
Matthew Susman 11/12/2019
TOTAL APPLICANTS: 4
Incumbents are list in red.
City of Santa Monica
Board and Commissions Applicants
Metropolitan Water District
Name Application Date
Judy Abdo 11/06/2019
Jeff Bush 12/09/2019
TOTAL APPLICANTS: 2
Incumbent is list in red.
City of Santa Monica
Board and Commissions Applicants
Santa Monica Pier Corporation
Name Application Date
Derek Devermont 12/09/2019
Michael Dubin 11/06/2019
Christopher Foster 12/10/2019
Deborah D. Harris 11/27/2019
Liliana Hernandez 01/08/2020
Jeffrey Jarow 10/29/2019
Robert Kull 11/18/2019
Kristin McCowan 12/16/2019
Randi Parent 12/09/2019
Jaden Robbins 12/16/2019
Nicholas Rolston 12/05/2019
Stephen Weaver 11/18/2019
TOTAL APPLICANTS: 12
Incumbent listed in red.
Serving on the Social Services
Commission.
Serving on the Clean Beaches & Ocean
Parcel Tax Citizens Oversight
Committee.
From:Council Mailbox
To:City Council Distribution Group
Cc:councilmtgitems
Subject:FW: Pier Corp Board
Date:Tuesday, January 14, 2020 12:51:32 PM
Council-
Please see email below re: Pier Board.
Thanks,
Stephanie
From: Cindy Pfeifer [mailto:cindy@pfeiferenterprises.com]
Sent: Monday, January 13, 2020 12:06 PM
To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>
Subject: Pier Corp Board
EXTERNAL
Greetings,
Tomorrow you will have the opportunity to appoint new board members to the Pier Corporation
Board. Over the next few years these new additions will help to shape the look and feel of the Pier,
and because of that, I would like to provide some of my insights and thoughts.
I currently attend the Pier Corporation board meetings as a special liaison from the Santa Monica
Pier Lessees Association. Due to state laws Pier Lessees and associated staff cannot serve on the
board, so while I am able to provide input on issues, I cannot vote. Please note that this email is
from me personally. I live in Santa Monica, I am a Pier Lessee and I work in Santa Monica.
Pier Corporation Mission Statement:
“To preserve and enhance the pleasure pier experience for people of all ages and for future generations.”
The Pier is iconic and draws visitors from all over the world and most likely because of that, the Pier Corp
board draws many applicants drawn to serving on the board for a variety of reasons. Many of the
applicants have personal or business interests they are working to promote, others like the prestige of
serving on the Pier Corp board and while all of the time and enthusiasm is appreciated, the board needs
members who have a passion for the Pier. Members who see the Pier as a part of their life with frequent
visits and interactions, and not just a place to go for the VIP party.
The Pier is it’s own, if you will, “ecosystem”. The Pier is made up of a variety of subsystems – the Pier
Corporation, Santa Monica Pier Lessees Association, Pier Management, Performers and Cart Vendors. As
with all ecosystems, a balance must be maintained to keep the systems healthy and thriving. I think it is
important that we have board members that understand the need for balance and how that contributes to
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the Pier experience we provide to guests now and in the future.
I feel the following candidates will contribute to the growth and balance of the Pier. They not only bring a
wealth of experience, but they all have a passion for and interact with the Pier (it is my understanding there
are actually 4 openings):
Randi Parent – Before leaving the Aquarium for new employment, Randi was an active participant in the
many activities and issues on the Pier. She was the SMPLA liaison to the board and has a reputation for
thoughtful consideration on all issues. She is a doer who will work hard on the many tasks the board must
address and has insights to contribute that can only come from someone on the Pier every day for 17
years. Often board members need time to ramp up their knowledge of the issues, but her experience will
allow her to hit the ground running. I do not think we have ever been this fortunate to have such a
qualified candidate for the board.
Robert Kull – As an Owner-Manager for The Lobster, Robert brings a wealth of knowledge as a Pier neighbor
and a business operator, that while not on the Pier, often has to deal with the same issues as the Pier
businesses. In addition to that unique knowledge, he has helped to lead The Lobster into the community
participant powerhouse that it is. He would bring a perspective the board currently lacks along with a drive
for community involvement.
Jeff Jarow – We may all laugh at Jeff’s crazy 4th of July costumes, but behind them lies a man passionate
about Santa Monica and passionate about the Pier. He is everywhere because he cares, and he cares
because he builds relationships within the Santa Monica community. He is able to take information from
his vast network and distill it down to the wants and needs of the community. While the body of the Pier
runs on tourism, the locals are our heart and he has their pulse.
Christopher Foster – Chris has been a great addition to the Pier, and he definitely has the passion needed.
As a regular visitor to the Pier, he has brough his experience to the board and as a attendee of the SMPLA
meetings as well.
I am happy to answer any questions or provide any additional thoughts and can be reached by email or 310-
663-6019.
I look forward to your decision tomorrow and hope the above has been helpful.
Warm Regards,
Cindy
Cindy Pfeifer
Cell: 310.663.6019
Email: Cindy@PfeiferEnterprises.com
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