Loading...
SR 04-27-2021 13C 13.C April 27, 2021 Council Meeting: April 27, 2021 Santa Monica, California 1 of 1 CITY CLERK’S OFFICE - MEMORANDUM To: Mayor and City Council From: Denise Anderson-Warren, City Clerk, Records & Elections Services Department Date: April 27, 2021 13.C Request of Councilmembers Parra and Davis that, as part of its economic recovery efforts, Council direct staff to consider the proposals of the Main Street Business Improvement Association and the Ocean Park Association and return to Council with a plan to implement a pilot program for temporary summer weekend closure(s) of all or part of Main Street to automobiles and bus traffic, as well as to assess the pilot’s traffic impacts on surrounding neighborhoods. 13.C Packet Pg. 1230 1 Vernice Hankins From:Brainstorm Marketing <feealvi@brainstormmarketing.net> Sent:Thursday, April 22, 2021 11:41 AM To:Council Mailbox Cc:Clerk Mailbox; councilmtgitems Subject:Support of Pilot Program, Item 13-C - Weekend Block Closure EXTERNAL    Hi Santa Monica City Council,    I am a long time local resident and frequent patron to the Main Street businesses and Ocean Park life style in general.   I  have considered the local as a major part of my life for most of my life.  All my friends who come to visit first thing they  want is to go down to Main Street.      I have recently heard and read about the pilot program of a partial block closure on the weekends and along with great  Al Fresco seating that has made the area so fantastic all I can say is I highly recommend it from a patron point of view  and want to do anything I can to encourage it.   I hereby highly express my support of that proposal along with keeping  the Al Fresco dining permanently.   These concepts seem a win win no brainer.  Yes?      Thank you for all the great things your doing for Santa Monica especially during this pandemic period you’ve all been  great.    Thanks again,    Sincerely,     Fee Alvi  Brainstorm Marketing Graphic Design                  Item 13.C 04/27/21 1 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1231 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Leena Culhane <leena.culhane@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, April 22, 2021 1:34 PM To:Council Mailbox; Clerk Mailbox; councilmtgitems; hunter@mainstreetsm.com; Brian Bornemann Subject:Support for item 13-C on April 27th, 2021 – Pilot Program to close parts of Main Street EXTERNAL    Dear Council Members,      My name is Leena Culhane and I co‐own Crudo e Nudo with my partner, Brian Bornemann, on Main Street.      I’m IN FAVOR of the pilot program proposed by The Main Street Merchants Association, and The Ocean Park Association  to close certain sections of Main Street on the weekends so businesses, customers, pedestrians, and cyclist can use the  space when demand/foot traffic is at its highest.      Please support ITEM 13‐C at the Tuesday, April 27th council meeting.      Main Street has been struggling to survive throughout this pandemic, and we need all the energy and activity we can  get. We also believe that moving towards a more pedestrian/cyclist oriented commercial district and rerouting the  majority of through traffic and bus traffic to Neilson is something that should be explored in the future. As a Green  Business on Main Street, the vision of looking out our window and seeing our economy thrive with the help of walkers  and bikers is super inspiring to us, and we hope it will become a reality in the near future.     Thank you for supporting us!      Sincerely,     Leena Culhane  Item 13.C 04/27/21 2 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1232 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:Michael Bezerra <michael@cabocantina.com> Sent:Thursday, April 22, 2021 1:01 PM To:Council Mailbox; Clerk Mailbox; councilmtgitems; hunter@mainstreetsm.com Subject:Re: Letter of Support IN FAVOR of item 13-C, Main St. Street Closure Program EXTERNAL    I would like to also add to my letter that the value of the street closure would be paramount in many ways.  Not only would we creating more jobs and increasing employment opportunities in our community, but our  businesses will also have a chance to maximize sales once again. Additionally, the street closure would be a  guaranteed attraction for travelers, tourists, and locals from other areas to Main St. For these important  reasons, this street closure is necessary for the growth, health, and well‐being of our Main St. community.  Thank you for your consideration.    Michael Bezerra Sunset Restaurant Management Group Office: 323.822.0817 | Fax: 323.822.0871 | Cell: 310.666.6250 Email: Michael@TheCaboCantina.com Cabo Cantina | Fiesta Cantina | Baja Beach Cafe | Jameson’s Irish Pub | Baja Beach Bar | PB Cantina | Jameson’s Pub   From: Michael Bezerra  Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2021 12:18 PM  To: council@smgov.net <council@smgov.net>; clerk@smgov.net <clerk@smgov.net>; councilmtgitems@smgov.net  <councilmtgitems@smgov.net>; Hunter Hall <hunter@mainstreetsm.com>  Subject: Letter of Support IN FAVOR of item 13‐C, Main St. Street Closure Program      Dear Councilmembers,     Please find my letter of support for the Main St. Street Closure Pilot Program attached.    Sincerely,  Michael Bezerra    Michael Bezerra Sunset Restaurant Management Group Office: 323.822.0817 | Fax: 323.822.0871 | Cell: 310.666.6250 Email: Michael@TheCaboCantina.com Cabo Cantina | Fiesta Cantina | Baja Beach Cafe | Jameson’s Irish Pub | Baja Beach Bar | PB Cantina | Jameson’s Pub   Item 13.C 04/27/21 3 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1233 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:jAdis <jadis1@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, April 22, 2021 3:19 PM To:councilmtgitems Cc:Jadis Subject:Item 13.C/ April 27/ Main Street Weekend Closure EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Himmelrich and Council Members,    I am writing to you out of concern for the proposed weekend closure of Main Street on your agenda for April 27th.    My store has been at the corner of Main and Hill for 45 years, and I believe I have a fairly good snapshot of the business  and residential communities by now.    While the intent of this proposal is to invigorate Main Street after a difficult year, it is fraught with problems that may  actually have the reverse effect.    In brief ‐    1) Main Street is a thoroughfare with buses, cyclists, emergency vehicles, cars, and scooters.  To achieve this closure,  buses, delivery trucks, valet parking, and access to private lots would all need to be re‐routed or temporarily suspended.    2) At least 2 or 3 times each week‐end day, ambulances and fire trucks are racing down Main Street.  How are these  services going to function if their travel routes are up‐ended?  Moreover, how would they be able to reach someone in  need, mid‐block?    3) As a retailer, I have already “donated” 43  Main Street parking meters for the Al Fresco dining program in the stretch  between Hill Street south to Pier Avenue alone.  This does not include loss of parking for parklets.    I believe the K‐rails have eliminated close to 100 parking spaces on Main Street.  Many of these K‐rails are in front of vacant store fronts and are simply eyesores with no purpose.    4)  We are fortunate to have metered parking in Lots 9 and 9A.  However, these lots have traditionally been favored by  beach goers taking advantage of the less expensive rates, and taking the Ashland walkway to the beach.  When the  summer weather returns, those lots will again be used by beach goers….not shoppers.     Finally, the timing of this proposal seems very odd.  Restaurant capacity continues to expand and customers are  beginning to visit their favorite shops.    Why would anyone think that interrupting this delicate rhythm by, literally, installing a roadblock, be a good thing  now???      In my opinion, there is a serious risk that shoppers, running into a “Road Detour", will simply not bother to make the  effort to find new areas to park and will leave the area.  I know I would.    Thank you for your time and consideration.    Item 13.C 04/27/21 4 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1234 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 4 Sincerely,    Susan Lieberman  Owner          ‐‐  jAdis  2701 Main Street  Santa Monica, CA 90405     (310) 396‐3477  www.jadisprops.com    Item 13.C 04/27/21 5 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1235 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Roger Genser <genserprints@verizon.net> Sent:Thursday, April 22, 2021 5:22 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Opposition to the Closure of Main Street Item 13C EXTERNAL      Dear Mayor Himmelrich and Members of the Council    I have been a resident of OP in the same location for 44 years, on 2nd St. just south of Hill     I have been on Santa Monica Boards and Commissions for 25 years (Landmarks 15 years  and Arts for 10)    I am currently Chair of the Landmarks Commission    But my SM Political roots started with Main St. when I was a member of OPCO and on its Board for many years ‐ long  ago. (for those who do not know, OPCO was the predecessor to OPA)     This letter is to register my extreme opposition to any further closing and restrictions on the traffic flow on Main st.  and the further reduction of available parking and the unpresidented expansion of restaurant seats.     I was one of the people who fought for preferential parking on 2nd St in 1979.    I was on the first committee that originated the Main Street Plan (zoning overlay) in the early 80’s. I know Main St as  well as one can including its architecture, and its great potential to be a historic district.    I never joined OPA as I don't think it represents me. But I finally did just join because it is not surveying the  neighborhood and the residents who are directly impacted by everything that happens on Main St.    As there has been no notification of these changes to the affected neighbors on 2nd  and 3rd Street, Nielson, Hill,  Ashland & Marine ‐ they don’t have a clue.  It is presumptuous at best that the proposed closure is supported by the  neighbors. It is presumed from a survey limited in its scope. So if OPA shall report to the  the Council that there is  Community Support from a limited survey, largely from unaffected people it will be far from the truth and quite a  presumption.    I urge the Council, Planning, Traffic Departments, Public Safety  and other relevant city agencies to fully consider the  practicality of this closure e.g. buses, parking impact, fire truck access, etc. as well as the things outlined below. At a  time of limited staff and resources, and cutbacks, the economics of maintaining  such a closure every week is not  properly thought through. Tens of thousands of dollars in parking revenue has been lost. City liability will be present as  well.  Not to forget a few weeks ago, the accident when a car ran into and knocked over a barricade and injured a diner  at Urth Cafe.     I am aware that the above staff does share those concerns.     Even as it is now, over 100f parking places have already been eliminated.  Bus stops have been moved. Turning pockets  have been eliminated. Stores that have no relationship to food use have barriers blocking access both visually and  parking access.   Item 13.C 04/27/21 6 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1236 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2   The original Main Street plan called for 2 restaurants per block and a maximum of 50 seats. This blows that out of  the water and the interiors will be half empty.    Sunday, one of the days of the proposed change adds to the parking problem caused by the Beach goers, Farmer’s  Market traffic, the Church in Ocean Park and the Catholic Church across the street on Hill and 2nd all converging at the  same time. We have is no daytime preferential at all south of OP Blvd. PARKING IS FREE ON 2ND et. al..     Friday one of the days of proposed closure is also subject to more intense rush hour traffic.     Another factor that must be considered is that the parcels on the west side of 2nd are shallow 100’ lots. That places  them precarious close to the activity on Main St. Should the street be closed and for example music such as is found on  the Promenade would emerge, that would be very audible. We are on the front side of a hill which serves as an  amphitheater with respect to noise.    The intensity of use and strain on parking  pre‐pandemic was already oppressive to the 2nd, 3rd street and side street  neighbors Beach, Ashland, Hill, Pier and Marine. This proposal for Main St will just exacerbate the problem when things  return to near normal with Summer Beach Crowds. At that time there will be no need to close the street to save the  struggling businesses.    The proposal will block parking access for businesses like Chinois on Main. They would lose their valet parking.     The above notwithstanding I am sympathetic to the plight of the restaurants in this trying time. Outdoor dining as it  currently configured is a short term approach. However there needs to be a balanced approach.     In addition to the above concerns it has a bearing on my daily pleasure as I walk only one block from my  house. Currently I avoid walking near any of the overcrowded areas. For example Jameson’s had great potential to be a  super spreader location. It has historically been a problem spot for crowds  and load music.  I avoid that intersection as I  walk to my PO Box  twice daily on Nielson for example.    Sincerely,    Roger Genser ‐  A proud 44 year resident of 2nd Street.and Hill  Item 13.C 04/27/21 7 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1237 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:mark.gorman@yahoo.com Sent:Thursday, April 22, 2021 3:55 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Item 13.C/ April 27/ Main Street Weekend Closure EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Himmelrich and Council Members, How Much More Money is the City Going Spend on Main St Bars The City has already spent at least $250,000 (re- striping & barricades) directly, is forfeiting a year's income from about 100 Main St parking meters, and has given away free the public right of way to bars and restaurants. The City has done enough. After all the main beneficiaries are not residents but the absentee billionaire landlords that own Main St properties. In fact it is the landlords who need to come up with their share of the burden. If there is any money for Main St it should be used to remove the dead zones – 60 unused KRails outside of mattress stores and bicycle shops, that are hurting retail on Main St. The restaurants are doing fine. The bars and restaurants have extended onto the street and with the June re-opening of California have more space than they can handle. They are not going to hire extra staff, or buy furniture to move into the street for a weekend. Never mind that this type of expenditure has not been extended to Montana or Pico restaurants. Wouldn't this money be better spent on getting our kids caught up on schooling this summer or opening the libraries. This would support the City's residents and tax payers - not bar and restaurant owners (and Main St landlords) who don't live here. Mark Gorman 2642 2nd St Item 13.C 04/27/21 8 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1238 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:robert maschio <robmaschio@yahoo.com> Sent:Friday, April 23, 2021 12:22 PM To:councilmtgitems Cc:Council Mailbox Subject:Item 13.C - Main Street Closure - Resident Feedback. EXTERNAL    Santa Monica City Council: City Council this Tues April 27, 2021  Item 13.C 13.C Request of Councilmembers Parra and Davis that, as part of its economic recovery efforts, Council direct staff to consider the proposals of the Main Street Business Improvement Association and the Ocean Park Association and return to Council with a plan to implement a pilot program for temporary summer weekend closure(s) of all or part of Main Street to automobiles and bus traffic, as well as to assess the pilot’s traffic impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.  http://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1265 As both a resident of Ocean Park, and as someone with a business on Main Street, I strongly oppose closing parts of Main Street, particularly on week days / work days such as Friday. Clearly, the traffic will be diverted through our residential streets. Residents of Ocean Park, particularly, those who live on 2nd, 3rd and 4th streets, between Ocean Park Blvd and Marine have been lobbying the city to reduce and slow traffic in our neighborhood for years. We first presented a petition signed by 500 people 3 years ago to take measures to slow traffic, after the fatal hit and run fatality at the 2900 hundred block of 3rd street. And now this...? Why? What will become of Main Street? Will it be one giant Bar Crawl for people to simply drink and bar hop all weekend long? What about the other businesses on Main Street? How would a closure help them? And what about the quality of life here in Ocean Park? Young families with babies in strollers, long time residents who live in the area for the peaceful outdoor lifestyle it offers - since when are Bar revenues the only consideration for Ocean Park? Isn't the outdoor dining expansion enough? This is not Bourbon Street or even West Hollywood, this is Ocean Park Santa Monica, a beautiful beach town where people enjoy the ocean air, the sand and a quality of life not offered in many other parts of Los Angeles. Who is in favor of this? Where did the idea come from? It was first presented last December by Hunter hall, the Executive Director of the MSBIA. In his letter the city dated 12.21.2020 he wrote: “This pilot has widespread approval from businesses and OPA residents.” Item 13.C 04/27/21 9 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1239 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 That was simply not true. Residents of Ocean Park were not even aware of this proposal and to characterize our support for this is outrageous. Thereafter, a few of us attended OPA meetings to register our disapproval. Unfortunately, the MSBIA has a tremendous amount of influence over OPA and so OPA set about to create "polls" to prove residents wanted to close Main Street. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone wants to see a vibrant & inviting Main Street, but how much more should residents suffer to do this? Lack of parking, traffic and all day drinking (& driving) through the neighborhood 3 out of every 7 days of the weeks? As a real estate Broker, who buys and sells property in this neighborhood almost exclusively, I know why people move to Ocean Park and I know why they leave Ocean Park - I see it everyday. Don't close Main Street on weekends, it won't help businesses and it will destroy the quality of life in Ocean Park. Sincerely, Robert Maschio 20 year resident of Ocean Park. Robert Maschio Broker Associate Bulldog Realtors 2909 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90405 310.460.8324 robmaschio@bulldogrealtors.com CalBRE #02010887       Item 13.C 04/27/21 10 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1240 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Ron Schur <captronschur@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, April 23, 2021 12:06 PM To:Council Mailbox; Clerk Mailbox; councilmtgitems; hunter@mainstreetsm.com Subject:Item 13-C EXTERNAL    To:       Santa Monica City Council  From: Ronald Schur  Date:   April 22, 2021  RE:       Support for item 13‐C on April 27th, 2021 – Pilot Program to close parts of Main Street           Hello Councilmembers,      My name is Ronald Schur and I own The Galley on Main Street.      I’m IN FAVOR of the pilot program proposed by The Main Street Merchants Association, and The Ocean Park Association  to close certain sections of Main Street on the weekends so businesses, customers, pedestrians, and cyclist can use the  space when demand/foot traffic is at its highest.      Please support ITEM 13‐C at the Tuesday, April 27th council meeting.      Main Street has been struggling to survive throughout this pandemic, and we need all the energy and activity we can  get. We also believe that moving towards a more pedestrian/cyclist oriented commercial district and rerouting the  majority of through traffic and bus traffic to Neilson is something that should be explored in the future.      Thank you for supporting us!   Item 13.C 04/27/21 11 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1241 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 4    Sincerely,      Ronald Schur…  PS…I am only supporting this measure on the condition that the city and whoever is responsible, make a  very sincere effort to stop the users of “bird” and other cyclists from using the city sidewalks with their cycles. This has  been a problem for quite a while and puts my employees, pedestrians, and myself at risk. Closing the streets to cars may  add more cyclists using the sidewalks for cycling. The local laws must be enforced. Unfortunately, using sidewalks for  cycling are accidents waiting to happen.  Item 13.C 04/27/21 12 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1242 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 5 Vernice Hankins From:Linda Oppenheim <linda@artsandlettersonmain.com> Sent:Friday, April 23, 2021 9:51 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Item 13.C/ April 27/ Main Street Weekend Closure EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Himmelrich and Council Members,  We are writing to you out of concern for the proposed weekend closure of Main Street on your agenda for April 27th.    Our retail store has been in business on Main Street for over 30 years.  Our customers depend on easy access to our  store.  With that being said, a partial weekend closure will further reduce parking on Main Street and will take away the  easy access they depend on to drive down Main Street.  Many of our customers have told us that they may avoid Main  Street on weekends all together.  How can that help us?    While the intent of this proposal is to invigorate Main Street after a difficult year, it is fraught with problems that may  actually have the reverse effect.  We completely understand  and agree that restaurants need the park‐lets. We know first hand that the k‐rails are not  beneficial in front of most retail stores as we had the ones in front of our store removed after business plummeted.  We  have found that the majority of retail customers prefer easy parking which includes parking in front or near the retail  establishments they are shopping at.  Main Street is a thoroughfare with buses, cyclists, emergency vehicles, cars, and scooters.  To achieve this closure,  buses, delivery trucks, valet parking, and access to private lots would all need to be re‐routed or temporarily  suspended.  With at least  2 or 3 times each week‐end day, ambulances and fire trucks are racing down Main Street.  How are these services going  to function if their travel routes are up‐ended?  Moreover, how would they be able to reach someone in need, mid‐block    We are fortunate to have metered parking in Lots 9 and 9A.  However, these lots have traditionally been favored by  beach goers taking advantage of the less expensive rates, and taking the Ashland walkway to the beach.  When the  summer weather returns, those lots will again be used by beach goers…and not shoppers.     Finally, the timing of this proposal seems very odd.  Restaurant capacity continues to expand and customers are  beginning to visit their favorite shops. Why put up a roadblock now?     In our opinion, there is a serious risk that shoppers, running into a “Road Detour", will simply not bother to make the  effort to find new areas to park and will leave the area.  We would.    Thank you for your time and consideration.    Sincerely,  Lee and Linda Oppenheim   Arts and Letters  Item 13.C 04/27/21 13 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1243 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 6 2665 Main Street, Suite C  Santa Monica, CA  90405  310‐392‐9076          Item 13.C 04/27/21 14 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1244 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 7 Vernice Hankins From:Bea Nemlaha <tobea@nottobe.com> Sent:Friday, April 23, 2021 2:21 PM To:councilmtgitems; Sue Himmelrich; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Kristin McCowan; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Christine Parra Cc:Lane Dilg; David Martin Subject:Tues 4/2721 Council Agenda: Main St Closure, Item 13C: REQUEST TO REJECT EXTERNAL    Dear Council Members, I urge you to reject the request to consider a “pilot” closure of Main Street. I am a 40+ year resident of the Ocean Park community. I am strenuously opposed to the proposed “pilot” weekend closing of Main Street to vehicle traffic because:  Main Street should become again, as it once was, a neighborhood-serving street with a diversity of shops. A “walk” street of bars and restaurants catering to adult visitors at the expense of other shops won’t realize this vision.  Bars and restaurants are not positive contributions to our community. They disrupt the surrounding residential neighborhoods night and day with noisy, often drunken patrons trying to find their parked cars clogging our streets.  Pandemic limitations on public-serving businesses are rapidly lifting. Trying to help bars and restaurants which may have been hurt by pandemic restrictions by closing Main Street to vehicle traffic is no longer necessary; and it unfairly burdens other businesses on Main.  Beach traffic, local churches, the Farmer’s Market, and “Waze” have already made traffic gridlock and parking congestion in the neighborhoods adjacent to the proposed “pilot” stretch of Main Street unmanageable, even without this “pilot”. If Main is closed, fire engines, ambulances, buses, delivery trucks, and visitors’ cars will be forced to use adjacent residential neighborhoods, causing additional problems of safety and further loss of quality of residential life.  OPA’s approximately 500+/- members do not reasonably represent Ocean Park’s estimated 9,000+ residents. OPA’s alliance on the “pilot” with the Main Street Merchants’ Association, whose interests are in promoting bars and restaurants at the expense of neighborhood and family serving businesses, does a disservice to our community. OPA claims to have surveyed the people of Ocean Park on the Main Street “pilot” by polling only its own members, and then with a follow-up. No effort has been made to differentiate the opinions of those residents who will be most negatively impacted by the “pilot” from the views of Ocean Park folks who live far from it, and won’t be. That is not helpful to thoughtful, proper planning. Council members, please reject this mis-guided attempt to turn Main Street into a bar and restaurant promenade; or in the alternative, postpone further consideration of this “pilot” until ALL Ocean Park residents have been given a full and fair opportunity to be informed about and then weigh in on a possible closing of Main Street. So far this hasn’t happened. Respectfully, Bea Nemlaha, Santa Monica Resident Item 13.C 04/27/21 15 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1245 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 8 Third Street Neighborhood Historic District  Item 13.C 04/27/21 16 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1246 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 9 Vernice Hankins From:Anthea Brown <antheaart@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, April 23, 2021 3:38 PM To:councilmtgitems Cc:Ten Women Main St. Subject:Item 13.C/April 27/Main St. Weekend Closures EXTERNAL        Dear Mayor Himmelrich and Council Members,  We are concerned that the proposed Main Street closure will negatively impact Ten Women Gallery's business by blocking off access to our designated parking spaces in the lot we share with Chinois and where Chinois customers valet park.       Issues that concern us are:    Handicapped parking, deliveries, customers from Chinois who park in the lot and visit our store and less parking overall for staff and customers. Will owners of parking lots be reimbursed by the assn. for parking elsewhere or given free designated spaces in another city lot?  There will be more trash on the street. Would assn. provide trash cans? Would assn. have signs listing businesses not accessible by car at the beginning of the closed section of Main Street?  Ten Women is a co-op and members work in the gallery in shifts. We change shifts during the day and so losing our designated parking spaces would be a great inconvenience especially as the City parking lots fill up quickly at weekends. Retailers on Main St have suffered a considerable loss of revenue due to Covid19 and unlike restaurants we cannot move our business outside. We are concerned that if potential customers find that street traffic is diverted away from our block they may decide to shop elsewhere.   Sincerely,  Denise Grigst, Sara Cron, Margot Strong, Fae Horowitz, Marie Kelzer, Anthea Brown, Bryn Williams, Shelly Shwartz, Donna de Soto, Melissa Paris, Becky Gutsell.  Ten Women Gallery  2719 Main St  Santa Monica, CA 90405  1+424 333-8116         Item 13.C 04/27/21 17 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1247 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Tim Kittleson <timkittleson1@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, April 23, 2021 5:02 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Tuesday 4/27/21 Council Agenda: Main Street Closure, Item 13C: REQUEST TO REJECT EXTERNAL    Dear Council Members,    This Tuesday the City Council will consider a request to close Main Street to vehicle traffic from Hill Street to  the Venice Border from Friday 9 a.m. – Sunday midnight as a “pilot” project.  The request comes from the  Main Street Merchants’ Association which is dominated by the bar and restaurant industry, and by the Ocean  Park Association (“OPA”).  It is billed as an “economic recovery” effort.  So far there has been little outreach to  the community with information or for input.    The resulting traffic congestion and gridlock, loss of parking, disadvantage to businesses reliant on drive‐by  visibility, and the impact on adjacent residential neighborhoods already overwhelmed by speeding and parked  cars belonging to beach, church, Farmer’s Market, and Main Street visitors will be  overwhelming.   Ambulances, fire engines, buses, delivery trucks, and visitors’ vehicles will all be forced onto  neighboring residential streets.    “Pilot” projects often have a way of becoming permanent.  If this happens on Main, it could also happen in  other neighborhoods.    Council members, please reject this mis‐guided attempt to turn Main Street into a bar and restaurant  promenade; or in the alternative, postpone further consideration of this “pilot” until ALL Ocean Park  residents have been given a full and fair opportunity to be informed about and then weigh in on a possible  closing of Main Street.  So far this hasn’t happened.      Respectifully,    Tim Kittleson  Santa Monica Resident (40+ years)  Former Board Chair, Santa Monica Travel and Tourism (SMTT)        Item 13.C 04/27/21 18 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1248 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Scot Shinderman <sshinderman@icloud.com> Sent:Saturday, April 24, 2021 8:27 AM To:councilmtgitems; Clerk Mailbox Subject:Item 13C EXTERNAL    Dear Santa Monica City Council,   As a Santa Monica resident, I am excited that the city council is considering pedestrianizing Main St on the weekends  this summer (and I hope you make it permanent!). Pedestrianized streets encourage foot and bicycle traffic, which bring  in more customers to shops and restaurants. It's also much more relaxing and enjoyable to eat outdoors on a  pedestrianized street than a street clogged with cars.     I very much support this idea and hope you make it permanent!     I would also like to suggest that san vicente become no cars sunday mornings ...     thanks!  Scot Shinderman  900 block of 10th      Sent from my iPhone  Item 13.C 04/27/21 19 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1249 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:Carter Rubin <carter.rubin@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, April 24, 2021 7:21 AM To:councilmtgitems; Clerk Mailbox Subject:Item 13C -- SUPPORT EXTERNAL    Dear Santa Monica City Council,    The steps the city took to create more dining and walking space on Main Street have been a huge success and now is a  great time to take it further.    As a Pico resident, I am excited that the city council is considering pedestrianizing Main St on the weekends this summer  (and I hope you make it permanent!). I think this will create another great public space and destination for locals, and  take pressure off the Pier and Promenade this summer as crowds come back to Santa Monica.    Pedestrianized streets encourage foot and bicycle traffic, which bring in more customers to shops and restaurants. It's  also much more relaxing and enjoyable to eat outdoors on a pedestrianized street than a street clogged with cars.    I can't wait to explore it with my wife, young son, and dog.    I very much support this idea and hope you make it permanent!        Carter Rubin  Pico Neighborhood  Item 13.C 04/27/21 20 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1250 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Main St Neighbors <mainstneighbors@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, April 23, 2021 7:21 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:April 27, 2021 Agenda Item 13C EXTERNAL    Councilmembers    How presumptuous of OPA to assume that they speak for Ocean Park residents. They are a voice ‐ a small one in our  community of 10,000 residents. They were not elected by us and are a self appointed group of well meaning people. We  have never been members because they never had anything useful to say.  Which means we missed out on having any  input to their survey.    In endorsing a plan that favors businesses over residents they have gone completely off track.  We have emailed the  Board to express our concerns but our message never gets past the admin.  If they want to play a part in the discussion,  they should listen to all points of view ‐ just like you do.     ‐‐   Main St Neighbors  A Coalition of Residents for a Responsible Main St  MainStNeighbors@gmail.com  Item 13.C 04/27/21 21 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1251 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Clerk Mailbox Sent:Saturday, April 24, 2021 1:08 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Item Main St. Pilot Program     ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Michele Perrone <micheleperrone@icloud.com>   Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2021 12:57 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>; Sue Himmelrich <Sue.Himmelrich@SMGOV.NET>; Gleam Davis  <Gleam.Davis@SMGOV.NET>; Phil Brock <Brock4SantaMonica@gmail.com>; Oscar de la Torre  <Oscar.delaTorre@SMGOV.NET>; Councilmember Kevin McKeown <Kevin.McKeown@smgov.net>; Christine Parra  <Christine.Parra@SMGOV.NET>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@SMGOV.NET>; Clerk Mailbox  <Clerk.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <manager.mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Item Main St. Pilot Program    EXTERNAL    Dear City Council,  The first I heard about this program was yesterday. Even though I live in Ocean Park, I got emails from Sunset Park, not  OPA and not the city. I did receive a questionaire regarding keeping restaurant tables in the parking spot/parklets that  are there currently. Why not this?    I implore you to vote AGAINST this program. It is obvious that there will be even more traffic in our neighborhoods, as  well as parking problems. And there are a lot more unknowns. We don’t need this.    If nothing else, don’t start a pilot program without a study where all residents impacted are involved.     As a note, it is my understanding that John Prindle is on the OPA Board and also Gleam Davis’ husband. I believe this a  conflict of interest. Neighborhood organizations should be for residents without direct connection to the city.    Sincerely,    Michele Perrone  Item 13.C 04/27/21 22 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1252 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:beth burns <beth.a.burns@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, April 24, 2021 11:58 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:4/27/21 Mtg: Please REJECT Item 13C -- Main Street Closure Plan EXTERNAL    Council Members,     Thank you for your service.     1. OPA does NOT speak on behalf of Ocean Park residents, despite their claims. Their leadership's allegation that the community supports closing down Main Street is not factual. OPA is an unelected volunteer group. Their leadership is more supportive of Main Street Business association leadership, than we, the Ocean Park Residents. Their surveys are Un-scientific and Un-objective. Check out how few people actually fill them out. Their so-called surveys do NOT represent a majority of Ocean Park residents. ("There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics", Mark Twain).     2. The City has already given much to the Main St bars & restaurants. I walk on Main Street every evening. I see many places packed with customers behind the concrete barricades (which OPA disingenuously asserted would be movable). We came together to support the bars & restaurants during the pandemic. And because of our support, they have survived.     3. What problem does closing down Main Street solve? Bars & Restaurants already have customers, with the expensive gifts of space & barricades. Those barricades, by the way, hurt retail businesses (we speak with them) by limiting access & parking. The bars & restaurants already have more space now, than pre- Pandemic. As COVID closures wane, bars & restaurants can soon serve more customers indoors. Why do they need more space?     4.  Closing down Main Street creates problems.   WHY send busses (BBB and LA Metro), ambulances, fire trucks and racing police cars down residential streets? Narrow residential side streets near Main Street aren't fit for commercial traffic. Already residents on side streets have been impacted by greater congestion, because of how Main Street barricades reduce parking. Would the City close down Montana, Ocean Park or Pico?     5. We have been told over and again, to be patient with the City, given COVID's financial reductions. The Council should NOT waste a reduced staff's precious time, to generate a plan that creates problems, rather than solve them. The Council needs to focus on genuine issues -- like homelessness and education. The Council should NOT waste valuable City resources on schemes that tangibly reduce local residents' quality of life.     6. I vote in every election. I note each Council Member's focus on specific issues. And the extent to which Council members support residents, not just businesses (many owned & managed by non- residents). As we take our daily dawg walk, we talk with neighbors. They too shake their heads over Main St business association's attempt to corral more city resources to itself. Our neighbors are as upset as we are, by this misguided effort to turn Main St into some Bourbon Street-like carnival. I think our neighbors vote as well.     This is a time for leadership, dear Council Members! Please support local residents.       Item 13.C 04/27/21 23 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1253 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Beth Burns  2642 2nd Street   Santa Monica CA 90405   Beth Burns Studio     Item 13.C 04/27/21 24 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1254 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:SUSAN AMENTA <ssuji2@aol.com> Sent:Saturday, April 24, 2021 4:55 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Item 13.C Main St Weekend Closure EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Himmelrich and Council Members, I am writing out of concern for my business Suji for the proposed weekend closure of Main St. Suji has been at 2525 Main St for 36 years and I am really worried how this change will affect my business. There are so many reasons why I am not in favor of this closure. I am just going to focus on this: "Main St is a thoroughfare and needs to remain open". So much of business is the result of people driving by, noticing a window and the availability of a parking spot. It’s impulse shopping. They are looking for a parking space, not a parking lot. Customers tell us all the time they were driving down Main St and if they found a parking spot out front they would come in and they do. If you close Main St at any section potential customers will be diverted and we lose that moment of spontaneous shopping. Where do they get diverted to? Neilson, 2nd, 3rd, or Lincoln? More traffic and more gridlock for them! Once they are off Main St they are not going to continue with that route unless they had a destination here. In future trips they may decide not to use Main St at all on any given day. We need to keep Main St available and visible. That means letting traffic come thru seven days a week, removing unused k- rails and making the parking meters available. Please keep Main St viable. Thank you, Susan Amenta Owner Suji  2525 Main St #103  Santa Monica, Ca. 90405  310-396-7614 f 310-393-6569  ssuji2@aol.com              Item 13.C 04/27/21 25 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1255 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:Karen Blechman <kblech@aol.com> Sent:Saturday, April 24, 2021 4:26 PM To:councilmtgitems; Sue Himmelrich; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Kristin McCowan; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Christine Parra Cc:Lane Dilg; David Martin Subject:Tuesday 4/27/21 Council Agenda: Main Street Closure, Item 13C PLEASE REJECT THESE PROPOSALS. EXTERNAL    Dear Council Members, I am adamantly opposed to closing Main Street to through traffic on weekends for several reasons: 1) It is unnecessary. The number of cases of covid-19 in Los Angeles County has been decreasing recently so restaurants and other businesses are likely to return to normal operations quite soon. This will allow Main Street businesses to begin to recover from the pandemic downturn without further intervention from the City. 2) It is expensive. At a time when the City is experiencing revenue reduction, how is this extra expense justified? Other projects have had to wait their turn. Is it incumbent on tax-payers to pay for something that would benefit only certain business owners but likely harm others? 2) It is unwise. Main Street is an important north-south thoroughfare and blocking it would divert heavy traffic onto adjacent residential streets. These neighborhood streets are not designed for such traffic. There are no traffic lights or controlled pedestrian crossings, bicycle lanes, posted speed limits or other signage to control traffic and protect pedestrians or other vulnerable users. 3) It is unfair. Two years ago residents on the streets adjacent to Main Street petitioned the City for traffic-calming measures to be installed due to motorists cutting through the neighborhood at high speed. This followed a fatal accident and many other dangerous incidents that locals have witnessed over the years. We were promised a traffic survey but nothing has materialized. We are still waiting for the City to take appropriate action. It is shocking that increasing the amount of traffic on these streets is now under consideration. 4) It is not supported by local residents. Neither the City nor the Ocean Park Association has directly surveyed the residents that would be most affected by the closure of Main Street i.e. people living on Second and Third Streets south of Ocean Park Boulevard, and those on the cross streets between Main Street and Fourth. The existing surveys include responses from residents outside the immediately affected area and any claim of support for the closure plan should take this into account. Local residents who would be most affected have not come out in support of the plan. Please reject the proposals. Sincerely, Karen Blechman Third Street Neighborhood Historic District Item 13.C 04/27/21 26 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1256 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Tomas Fuller <tomasfuller3@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, April 24, 2021 6:34 PM To:councilmtgitems; Clerk Mailbox Subject:Item 13C EXTERNAL    Dear Santa Monica City Council:     As a long‐time Ocean Park resident, I am excited that the city council is considering pedestrianizing Main St and I  appreciate the effort. BUT, I am AGAINST this.      Why?  >   > I would much rather see the sidewalks widened and the parking eliminated.  Basically expand and make permanent  what the city started this year.   It has been a smashing success; build on that! Expanding the sidewalks (while  maintaining minimal cars) would look and feel like a REAL city.    > Presumably, the reason for the closed street is so that A LOT of   > people can congregate and mingle on the street, and the restaurants will expand into the street.... sound familiar? Yes,  it will be a mini‐ Third Street Promenade.  It’s a great idea.... so great that it will become a Tourist attraction— a  destination.  Close your eyes and imagine what types of stores (mostly restaurants) that will be there in a few years.  Horrible.  We will lose the local character of the neighborhood.  >   > Please understand that I am NOT anti‐development. And, I want bike and walking friendly streets; but this is the wrong  approach.     > And, this is not NIMBYism. I’m far enough away that I won’t feel it much. But, damn, the folks on second street are  gonna hate having a block party in their back yard.   >   > Further. As I think about this more broadly, I’m a little confused about what the goal is of “pedestrianizing” the street.  Is it a carbon footprint issue? If so, I’d suggest that this does nothing, or maybe even makes it worse as people will drive  here to experience the opportunity to walk around (again, sounds like the Promenade; ironic, right?).  If it is to make the  city more pedestrian friendly, then I think narrowing the street and eliminating the parking will do that while  maintaining a real neighborhood.... rather than making it a tourist attraction.          Tomas Fuller  3121 3rd St  Santa Monica       Sent from my iPhone  Item 13.C 04/27/21 27 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1257 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) April 25, 2021 Re: Item 13C - Main Street - Summer Weekend Closures Dear Mayor Himmelrich, Mayor Pro Tempore McCowan and City Councilmembers, Santa Monica Forward strongly supports the recommendation brought forward by Councilmembers Parra and Davis in Item 13 - C to consider the proposals of Main Street Business Improvement Association and the Ocean Park Association to implement a pilot program for temporary summer weekend street closures. Reclaiming our streets from cars We want Santa Monica to be a great place for residents, workers, and visitors of all ages to safely walk, bike, and scoot. Ask anyone to list their favorite cities, and you are unlikely to hear the name of a city that has prioritized the car. Instead, we prefer cities that allow for slower and more sustainable transportation. This is more than just anecdote, a 2020 paper by Luca Bertolini surveyed the literature on the impacts of similar street transition projects, and found resoundingly positive results. As an example, below are the findings from NYC’s famous “Pavement to Plazas” project. Item 13.C 04/27/21 28 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1258 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) While the car is unlikely to disappear in the near future, it’s interesting to note that prioritizing people over cars, can actually make the experience of driving in a city better! By encouraging more people to get out of their cars and explore the city, that leaves less traffic on our streets for those choosing to drive. Lastly, as we come out of the pandemic, finding creative ways to support local business and provide more outdoor experiences is critical to our economic recovery. The proposal before you can both help address the current challenges of our post-pandemic recovery, and also lead to a safer and more sustainable Santa Monica. In the near future, We hope that similar programs will be explored in other parts of our community, so that all Santa Monicans can have access to pedestrian-oriented open streets in their neighborhoods. Please vote “yes” on 13C. Sincerely, Abby Arnold Carl Hansen abby@abbyarnold.com cjh268@cornell.edu Co-chair, Santa Monica Forward Co-chair, Santa Monica Forward Item 13.C 04/27/21 29 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1259 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Carol Galsterer <clgalsterer@hotmail.com> Sent:Sunday, April 25, 2021 5:05 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Please REJECT item 13C EXTERNAL    Dear Council members,     I am a resident of The Shores on 2800 Neilson Way and I oppose the closing down of Main Street. Traffic on Neilson  Way is already heavy which makes the pedestrian crossing that much more dangerous! Just today 4‐25‐21 I saw a  bicyclist narrowly escape getting hit by a car that ran a red light at this crossing. The extra cars, Ubers, trucks and busses  that will inevitably utilize Neilson Way will only compound the dangers for citizens and tourists trying to get to and from  the beach. Please listen to your concerned and worried citizens!!                 Sincerely, Carol Lynn Galsterer   Item 13.C 04/27/21 30 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1260 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Eric Weinstein <eric.u.weinstein@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, April 23, 2021 8:49 PM To:councilmtgitems; Clerk Mailbox Subject:Item 13C Dear Santa Monica City Council,    As a Santa Monica resident, I am excited that the city council is considering pedestrianizing Main St on the weekends  this summer (and I hope you make it permanent!). Pedestrianized streets encourage foot and bicycle traffic, which bring  in more customers to shops and restaurants. It's also much more relaxing and enjoyable to eat outdoors on a  pedestrianized street than a street clogged with cars.    This would be awesome!     There's plenty of alternative routes for thru traffic ‐ Nelson / Ocean is only one block over Lincoln just over the hill. Move  the big blue busses over there too. Limit deliveries to early morning hours or use the electric delivery devices since this is  within the test zone. This is a good idea! Try fulltime now!    I very much support this idea and hope you make it permanent!    Eric Weinstein  400 block of Ramond  Item 13.C 04/27/21 31 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1261 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:William Kelly <kelly.santamonica@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, April 24, 2021 5:07 PM To:councilmtgitems; Clerk Mailbox Subject:Item 13C   Dear Santa Monica City Council,    I encourage you to pedestrianize Main Street  It is time our cities become places for people to enjoy and not just streets  filled with cars going from place to place.  Hopefully, this will demonstrate tp people and businesses that we can have  more livable communities without so many streets being clogged with traffic.    Please consider making this permanent, Main Street without cars!    Bill Kelly  3121 3rd St  Santa Monica, CA 90405  kelly.santamonica@gmail.com        Item 13.C 04/27/21 32 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1262 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Hunter Hall <hunter@mainstreetsm.com> Sent:Sunday, April 25, 2021 8:17 PM To:Lane Dilg; Council Mailbox; Sue Himmelrich; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; councilmtgitems Cc:Marc Morgenstern; Judy Abdo; shoppingcarttree@gmail.com; Misti Kerns; Rachel Lozano; Laurel Rosen; Francie Stefan; Jennifer Taylor; Sean Besser Subject:*Support for item 13-C : Main St. Pilot Project* EXTERNAL    Dear Councilmembers,    First and foremost, thank you for everything you’ve done for the small business community during the last year. We all know it’s been rough and stressful for City Staff, and you as our leaders.     Luckily, the nimbleness and willingness to try new things very early in the pandemic put Santa Monica in a better spot than many of our neighbors. For that foresight and openness, we thank you.    We still have a long way to go, however.     The pandemic is far from over, and as many of you know, Covid really put a very big, very dangerous exclamation point on pre-existing, macro-economic trends that threaten Main Street USA everywhere. The rise of food delivery, online shopping, and the subsequent decline of walking traffic have fundamentally changed the value proposition of opening a brick & mortar business forever. This poses an existential threat to City revenues and the fundamental viability of our commercial/residential zones.     Luckily, Santa Monica has the tools, talent, and will to try new things in order to preserve the energy our commercial districts and residential areas thrive on. More than six months ago, before the second Covid wave shut everything down again, we proposed a second iteration of our al fresco dining, which we’d like to launch now that summer is right around the corner and hope is on the horizon.     On behalf of the Main Street Merchants Association, our Board of Directors, and myself, we urge you to grant us the flexibility and resources to launch the pilot program outlined by item 13C on Tuesday, April 27th, sponsored by councilmembers Davis and Parra.    Outdoor dining has been a crucial lifeline for businesses around the country. Not just restaurants, but ALL businesses. Every small business in and around Main Street has benefited from our current al fresco program, without giving up much at all.     The archaic notion that sacrificing a few parking spaces for outdoor dining would have disastrous consequences has been proven false over the last year, and the fear-mongering by some outspoken members of the community surrounding such parking woes, or traffic car-mageddons in the adjacent residential neighborhoods, drunken revelry, noise, etc. have all died a quiet death too. Renewed scare tactics employed by the same nay-sayers in response to this proposed pilot program must not be given any undue attention either, as they do not represent the vast majority of businesses, residents, or visitors.     Instead, let the data speak for itself. Collectively, outdoor dining has a near 90% approval rating by The City’s own surveys, and there is a crystal-clear supermajority of both OPA residents and businesses on Main Street that support this pilot program.     To be clear: This would be just that-a PILOT program. A test.     Item 13.C 04/27/21 33 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1263 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 4 We have no intention of keeping it going after the first few weekends if there is overwhelming evidence that it is of little value to merchants or the community. What would be the point of that? We have good reason to believe that it will be very well- received though, and we are willing to put in the time and energy to see it through.     We pledge to work with City Staff, and OPA, to iron out the details on how best to divert traffic from a few restaurant dense blocks (basically Hill to Kinney), while keeping side streets open on the weekends when there is peak demand. Our initial schematic (attached) retains access to most private lots and all city lots. Ideally, we’d plan for several weekend closures to start, with the first one at the end of June, but we would rapidly evaluate after each one and iterate if needed, just like we did with al fresco 1.0.     You may find yourself asking: “Why now? Indoor dining is reopening and there is light at the end of the tunnel.”     Fair question, but here’s the truth: That light is much, much farther away than anyone wants to believe. Most businesses that remain open have all taken on massive debt, and are now faced with an unprecedented paradigm shift in consumer behavior, and workforce availability, with very little meaningful relief from property owners, despite the existing commercial rent moratoriums.     People have also made it clear that they are not ready to dine indoors yet either. Lastly, it remains to be seen if tourism will rebound to levels needed to constitute a typical year of sales in 2021, let alone recoup the year of lost revenue from 2020.     In short-small businesses in Santa Monica need every single bit of help they can get.     Our goals for the past several years have consistently been the same: reduce automobile congestion on Main Street, but encourage bicycles, shared mobility, electric vehicles, and most of all: walking traffic. This pilot directly serves all of those stated goals, which we believe also align with The City’s long-term objectives.     As some of you know, West Hollywood has opted to close down Robertson Blvd from Santa Monica to Beverly every weekend for at least three months, possibly longer. I’ve visited it twice now to do recon. They are using 4-6 parking enforcement workers every Saturday and Sunday, plus a few police officers stationed nearby. That’s a substantial commitment to economic recovery, and Santa Monica deserves no less.     We are very proud of our partnership with the Ocean Park Association, and it has proven to be a model for business and resident collaboration over the last few years. I’m delighted to say that we have a fabulous history of working alongside them on almost every major initiative, and we look forward to a long and prosperous future working together.     We collaborated with City Staff to launch the original al fresco program-which has been a massive success, then the Art of Recovery initiative-equally well received, and now the al fresco 2.0 pilot program proposal before you now. Everything we do together is carefully thought out, exhaustively discussed, iterated, and continually improved upon. Our record of successful projects and partnership speaks for itself, and we are confident this pilot project will be no different.     Thank you for your time, leadership, and consideration. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns.     Sincerely,     Hunter G. Hall  Executive Director  Main Street Business Improvement Association  314.323.3663  hunter@mainstreetsm.com    Item 13.C 04/27/21 34 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1264 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 5   Item 13.C 04/27/21 35 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1265 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 6 Vernice Hankins From:Ben Mayne <bmayne.public@gmail.com> Sent:Sunday, April 25, 2021 6:16 PM To:councilmtgitems; Clerk Mailbox Subject:Item 13C EXTERNAL    Dear Santa Monica City Council,    As a Santa Monica resident, I am excited that the city council is considering pedestrianizing Main St on the weekends  this summer (and I hope you make it permanent!). Pedestrianized streets encourage foot and bicycle traffic, which bring  in more customers to shops and restaurants. It's also much more relaxing and enjoyable to eat outdoors on a  pedestrianized street than a street clogged with cars.    I very much support this idea and hope you make it permanent!    Ben Mayne  1200 block of 26th st.   Item 13.C 04/27/21 36 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1266 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) To: Santa Monica City Council From: JuneShine, Inc Date: 4/23/2021 RE: Support for item 13-C on April 27th, 2021 – Pilot Program to close parts of Main Street Hello Councilmembers, My name is Joshua Lichtman, and I Director of Development and Hospitality for JuneShine, Inc on 2914 Main Street. I’m IN FAVOR of the pilot program proposed by The Main Street Merchants Association, and The Ocean Park Association to close certain sections of Main Street on the weekends so businesses, customers, pedestrians, and cyclist can use the space when demand/foot traffic is at its highest. It also will help create the dynamic live/work/play environment that Main St so desires attracting not only local residents, but our neighbors from our neighboring community that will continue to help support the retailers and restaurateurs along Main St. Please support ITEM 13-C at the Tuesday, April 27th council meeting. Main Street has been struggling to survive throughout this pandemic, and we need all the energy and activity we can get. We also believe that moving towards a more pedestrian/cyclist oriented commercial district and rerouting the majority of through traffic and bus traffic to Neilson is something that should be explored in the future. Thank you for supporting us! Sincerely, Joshua Lichtman Director of Development & Hospitality JuneShine, Inc Item 13.C 04/27/21 37 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1267 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) To: Santa Monica City Council From: Michael Bezerra Date: 4/22/21 RE: Support for item 13-C on April 27th, 2021 – Pilot Program to close parts of Main Street Hello Councilmembers, My name is Michael Bezerra, and I own Jameson’s Pub on Main Street. I’m IN FAVOR of the pilot program proposed by The Main Street Merchants Association, and The Ocean Park Association to close certain sections of Main Street on the weekends so businesses, customers, pedestrians, and cyclist can use the space when demand/foot traffic is at its highest. Please support ITEM 13-C at the Tuesday, April 27th council meeting. Main Street has been struggling to survive throughout this pandemic, and we need all the energy and activity we can get. We also believe that moving towards a more pedestrian/cyclist oriented commercial district and rerouting the majority of through traffic and bus traffic to Neilson is something that should be explored in the future. Thank you for supporting us! Sincerely, Michael Bezerra Item 13.C 04/27/21 38 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1268 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2732 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405 Jolie LLC dba pasjoli 2732 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90405 April 22, 2021 RE: Support for item 13-C on April 27th, 2021 – Pilot Program to close parts of Main Street Dear Councilmembers, My name is Ann Hsing, and I am the Chief Operating Officer and a Managing Partner at pasjoli, a restaurant on Main Street. I am IN FAVOR of the pilot program proposed by The Main Street Merchants Association and The Ocean Park Association to close certain sections of Main Street on the weekends so businesses, customers, pedestrians, and cyclist can use the space when demand/foot traffic is at its highest. Please support ITEM 13-C at the Tuesday, April 27th council meeting. As a new restaurant that opened in September 2019, we were finally hitting our stride when the pandemic caused us to shut down. As a fine dining restaurant, it has been an uphill battle to pivot to takeout, reopen, pivot back to takeout, and re-open again. We have heavily invested in our outdoor patios, which have been crucial to our survival. Our best month to date still only generates approximately 50% of our revenue levels pre-March 2020. We need all the energy and activity possible to revitalize Main Street. We also believe that moving towards a more pedestrian/cyclist oriented commercial district and rerouting the majority of through traffic and bus traffic to Neilson is something that should be explored in the future. Shutting down the entire street would make dining outside much more pleasant, as some guests do not feel comfortable dining right next to moving cars. Thank you for supporting us! Sincerely, Ann Hsing Chief Operating Officer Jolie LLC dba pasjoli Email: ann@dialoguerestaurant.com Phone: (908) 229-0315 Item 13.C 04/27/21 39 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1269 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) April 23, 2021 Re: 4/27/21 Council Agenda: Main Street Closure, Item 13C. REQUEST TO REJECT Dear Council Members, I urge you to reject the request to consider a “pilot” closure of Main Street. I am a 40+ year resident of the Ocean Park community. I am strenuously opposed to the proposed “pilot” weekend closing of Main Street to vehicle traffic because: Main Street should become again, as it once was, a neighborhood-serving street with a diversity of shops. A “walk” street of bars and restaurants catering to adult visitors at the expense of other shops won’t realize this vision. Bars and restaurants are not positive contributions to our community. They disrupt the surrounding residential neighborhoods night and day with noisy, often drunken patrons trying to find their parked cars clogging our streets. Pandemic limitations on public-serving businesses are rapidly lifting. Trying to help bars and restaurants which may have been hurt by pandemic restrictions by closing Main Street to vehicle traffic is no longer necessary; and it unfairly burdens other businesses on Main. Beach traffic, local churches, the Farmer’s Market, and “Waze” have already made traffic gridlock and parking congestion in the neighborhoods adjacent to the proposed “pilot” stretch of Main Street unmanageable, even without this “pilot”. If Main is closed, fire engines, ambulances, buses, delivery trucks, and visitors’ cars will be forced to use adjacent residential neighborhoods, causing additional problems of safety and further loss of quality of residential life. OPA’s approximately 500+/- members do not reasonably represent Ocean Park’s estimated 9,000+ residents. OPA’s alliance on the “pilot” with the Main Street Merchants’ Association, whose interests are in promoting bars and restaurants at the expense of neighborhood and family serving businesses, does a disservice to our community. OPA claims to have surveyed the people of Ocean Park on the Main Street “pilot” by polling only its own members, and then with a follow-up. No effort has been made to differentiate the opinions of those residents who will be most negatively impacted by the “pilot” from the views of Ocean Park folks who live far from it, and won’t be. That is not helpful to thoughtful, proper planning. Council members, please reject this mis-guided attempt to turn Main Street into a bar and restaurant promenade; or in the alternative, postpone further consideration of this “pilot” until ALL Ocean Park residents have been given a full and fair opportunity to be informed about and then weigh in on a possible closing of Main Street. So far this hasn’t happened.             Respectfully, Bea Nemlaha, Santa Monica Resident Third Street Neighborhood Historic District Item 13.C 04/27/21 40 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1270 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) Item 13.C 04/27/21 41 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1271 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) To: Santa Monica City Council From: Michael Bezerra Date: 4/22/21 RE: Support for item 13-C on April 27th, 2021 – Pilot Program to close parts of Main Street Hello Councilmembers, My name is Michael Bezerra, and I own Jameson’s Pub on Main Street. I’m IN FAVOR of the pilot program proposed by The Main Street Merchants Association, and The Ocean Park Association to close certain sections of Main Street on the weekends so businesses, customers, pedestrians, and cyclist can use the space when demand/foot traffic is at its highest. Please support ITEM 13-C at the Tuesday, April 27th council meeting. Main Street has been struggling to survive throughout this pandemic, and we need all the energy and activity we can get. We also believe that moving towards a more pedestrian/cyclist oriented commercial district and rerouting the majority of through traffic and bus traffic to Neilson is something that should be explored in the future. Thank you for supporting us! Sincerely, Michael Bezerra Item 13.C 04/27/21 42 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1272 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:email <sherkush@aol.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:59 AM To:councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox Subject:Council Agenda Item 13C: Main Street Closure 4/27/21 agenda EXTERNAL    Dear Council members: I am writing to urge you to oppose a request to consider the pilot closure of Main Street in Ocean Park. There are a number of reasons why: 1) An opportunity to thoroughly vet the closure has not been allowed all residents of the area by an unbiased entity. At the very least, the City should do some outreach with stakeholders who stand to be negatively impacted which might, in turn, develop possible alternatives or show why the idea should be nixed. 2) The need for closure appears to be based on the harm imposed by the pandemic on these local businesses. The pandemic and its effects are receding. There is no need for closing off the area to vehicle traffic as a means to encourage the public to frequent these places. 3) The impact on the neighborhood, which is already congested, would be great. Parking is already difficult on these streets for residents and their visitors. Vehicle traffic, including emergency vehicles and public transportation, would be forced to use the narrower residential streets adjacent to Main Street that cannot take this added burden. As the adage goes, "the juice isn't worth the squeeze." Please reject this closure out of hand and go back to the drawing board to accurately determine the impacts this will cause. Sincerely, Sherrill Kushner Item 13.C 04/27/21 43 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1273 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Mary Marlow <mmarlow7@icloud.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 10:31 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Closure of Main Street EXTERNAL    Mayor Himmelrich and Councilmembers    Please reject the staff recommendation to close Main Street to traffic.  Local business is doing well as more people are  vaccinated and going out to restaurants and stores.    The impact of a closure of Main Street on adjacent neighbors has not been taken into account, nor has there been any  outreach to neighbors.    Thank you for your attention to my concerns.    Mary Marlow    Sent from my iPhone  Item 13.C 04/27/21 44 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1274 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:Jan Ludwinski <janludwinski42@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 10:35 AM To:councilmtgitems Cc:Mary Marlow Subject:Re: Closure of Main Street EXTERNAL    Councilmembers,       I agree with Mary Marlow’s points below. While a more careful assessment might eventually support such a plan,  insufficient analysis of the potential benefits vs. impacts has been provided.  Jan  Jan Ludwinski  310‐392‐9073 home  310‐663‐0182 mobile  janludwinski42@gmail.com        > On Apr 26, 2021, at 10:30 AM, Mary Marlow <mmarlow7@icloud.com> wrote:  >   > Mayor Himmelrich and Councilmembers  >   > Please reject the staff recommendation to close Main Street to traffic.  Local business is doing well as more people are  vaccinated and going out to restaurants and stores.  >   > The impact of a closure of Main Street on adjacent neighbors has not been taken into account, nor has there been any  outreach to neighbors.  >   > Thank you for your attention to my concerns.  >   > Mary Marlow  >   > Sent from my iPhone    Item 13.C 04/27/21 45 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1275 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 11:59 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Item Main St. Pilot Program     On 4/24/21, 12:57 PM, "Michele Perrone" <micheleperrone@icloud.com> wrote:        EXTERNAL        Dear City Council,      The first I heard about this program was yesterday. Even though I live in Ocean Park, I got emails from Sunset Park,  not OPA and not the city. I did receive a questionaire regarding keeping restaurant tables in the parking spot/parklets  that are there currently. Why not this?        I implore you to vote AGAINST this program. It is obvious that there will be even more traffic in our neighborhoods, as  well as parking problems. And there are a lot more unknowns. We don’t need this.        If nothing else, don’t start a pilot program without a study where all residents impacted are involved.         As a note, it is my understanding that John Prindle is on the OPA Board and also Gleam Davis’ husband. I believe this a  conflict of interest. Neighborhood organizations should be for residents without direct connection to the city.        Sincerely,        Michele Perrone    Item 13.C 04/27/21 46 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1276 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Ian Dutton <boeingsandbikes@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 12:41 PM To:councilmtgitems; Clerk Mailbox Subject:Item 13C EXTERNAL    Santa Monica City Council,      What brought us to Santa Monica in particular was the ability to live and work without being tied to traffic and cars. We  love the outdoor spaces, the vibrancy of the streets and the diversity of people and activities.    Main Street already functions more as a destination street than a car‐throughway and that’s what makes it such an asset  to the community. I’d love to see that amplified through a pedestrianization program that also works to the benefit of  our besieged business community.    As an airline pilot, I commute to LAX by bike via Main Street and I would like to point out that Main St. is an important  cycleway and hope that accommodation for alternative cycle routes will be considered. Drivers have endless options to  bypass Main St. but there are few safe alternatives to Main Street that don’t involve dangerous traffic volumes or  unsuitable hills.    Nonetheless I urge approval of a pedestrian‐focused future for Main Street.       Ian  Item 13.C 04/27/21 47 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1277 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:lisa mead <mead.lisa1@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 4:52 PM To:Sue Himmelrich; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Kristin McCowan; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Christine Parra; Lane Dilg; David Martin; councilmtgitems Subject:Main Street Closure EXTERNAL    Dear Santa Monica Councilmembers, City Manager and Planning Director,    As a Santa Monica resident for more than twenty-five years and a long-time homeowner in the Third Street Historic District, I am wholeheartedly in support of a thriving Main Street as I consistently frequent many of the businesses, including many restaurants, the new fish market, bakeries, coffee shops, hair salons, clothing stores, and stationery stores. That being said, I am writing to urge you to oppose the request to consider the pilot closure of Main Street in Ocean Park. I do so for a few reasons described below.     The need for such a closure appears to be based on the harm imposed by the pandemic on these local businesses. The pandemic and its effects appear to be receding. Furthermore, the current temporary changes and structures have already made it quite difficult for those of us who live in the area to get around and access local businesses and services. Short-term parking has been substantially reduced and traffic congestion has significantly increased. Closing more streets and further reducing parking will only exacerbate traffic and the lack of adequate parking. Additionally, emergency vehicles, delivery trucks, and public transportation would be increasingly forced to use the narrower residential streets adjacent to Main Street, thus adding to the burden  local residents are already experiencing. For example, Second and Third Street, running parallel to Main Street, already experience heavy high-speed traffic due to cars trying to avoid the congestion on Main Street. Since these streets have many families with children living on them it has become frightening and unsafe for our children. We expect that this will worsen if a section of Main Street is closed altogether. Finally, I am concerned that the smaller restaurants, as well as the non-restaurant merchants, may suffer if their shops become even harder for the larger community to access than they are now.     I respectively ask that you reject this closure for now and provide the time and resources to more comprehensively (and independently) assess the full impact of such a significant change and ways to sufficiently mitigate the predictable harms to many stakeholders that will result.     Thank you very much for your consideration,   Lisa Mead  Third Street Historic District Resident    Item 13.C 04/27/21 48 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1278 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Ted Winterer <tedwinterer@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 5:43 PM To:sue.himmelrich@gmail.com; Kristin McCowan; Phil Brock; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Christine Parra Cc:councilmtgitems; Lane Dilg; David Martin Subject:Item 13-C 4/27/21 EXTERNAL    Mayor Himmelrich and Honorable Councilmembers,    I urge you to move this item forward so Main Street can experiment with a few weekend closures of small segments of  the street to increase the available space for outdoor dining and shopping as a means to support businesses which have  struggled to survive the pandemic.    While City and OPA surveys show widespread support for the new outdoor dining venues created in the last year, vocal  naysayers have objected to this proposed pilot program.    Let's take a look at their concerns:    1. "Parking, circulation, public safety and homelessness will all be negatively impacted by this proposed pilot."  These are  the same fears expressed about the initial al fresco dining on Main implemented last summer, none of  which materialized. But that's why a pilot is proposed: if Carmeggedon 2.0 results, for instance, you'll know the pilot  didn't work. But the reality is there's been available parking on Main per city staff even prior to the COVID downturn;  circulation and public safety are all addressed in the proposal; and we all know activating streets leads to a reduction in  the presence of the unhoused.    2. "The economy is recovering so measures to bolster Main Street businesses are unnecessary." The reality is Main  Street was in decline prior to the pandemic due to increased rents, the impacts of online shopping on retail, and  competition from newer, shinier venues such as The Grove and Palisades Village offering a car‐free environment ‐‐ many  businesses have told me there was a significant reduction in foot traffic prior to 2020. And now those businesses have  accrued significant debt such as deferred rent over the last year ‐‐ a return to business as usual on the street will not  help them to dig themselves out of a hole.    3. "The goal is to turn Main Street into a promenade of bars and restaurants at the expense of retail." Actually, MSBIA  and OPA propose to close just two half blocks on Main to vehicular traffic over three weekends ‐‐ there's no promenade  or "walk street" envisioned in this pilot. Bars? There's fewer than a handful on the street, most establishments  serving alcohol are neighborhood‐serving restaurants enjoyed regularly by locals. And more outdoor dining will bring  more people to Main Street, who will then frequent the shops as well as the restaurants by generating the foot traffic  retailers lament as having declined.    Cities throughout SoCal have closed entire commercial streets during the pandemic without adverse consequences. So  let's not be reticent about experimenting with a few closures of two small segments of Main Street.    Regards,    Ted Winterer  Boardmember, Main Street Business Improvement Association  Item 13.C 04/27/21 49 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1279 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2     Item 13.C 04/27/21 50 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1280 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Karen Levy <karenmiriamlevy@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:09 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Support for Main Street Closure Pilot EXTERNAL    Hi. I am an Ocean Park resident and I ask that you vote to support closing a couple of blocks of Main Street for a few weekends this year.     I feel strongly that sharing our streets with people who walk, scooter and ride bikes is good for local businesses, helps in the fight against climate change and helps locals build on the sense of community we developed during COVID. Sharing our streets, even for a couple of days a year, is a good start to a less car- centric future.    Supporting this pilot is good for our local merchants as this will give them a chance to drive increased revenue. The increase in foot traffic will allow retailers, who can put their wares outside, to capture “impulse buys” and drive recognition of their businesses. We know Merchants and Restaurants have had to defer rent and this pilot should give them a chance to boost revenue, making up for what they have lost over the past 18 months. Closing a couple of blocks will also help merchants who are outside the pilot zone.    Main Street can serve as a learning experience for other thoroughfares in Santa Monica. Imagine closing Montana for the Art Walk giving pedestrians the ability to safely meander the displays at a leisurely pace! By voting yes on the pilot, the community will gather hard data on traffic flows, parking and safety that can serve as a baseline for future efforts.    Families will also benefit from a yes vote. Ocean Park is a small, walkable neighborhood where a sense of community is strong. Giving families a safe environment to wander their local business district, enjoy a meal dining al fresco and reconnect with neighbors is good for our spirit. It will also give families from other areas, like Pico, a chance to enjoy the beach in a slightly different way.    Thank You for Your Support the Pilot    Karen Levy  Item 13.C 04/27/21 51 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1281 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:james ford <fordjr40@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 7:46 PM To:Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems Subject:Main Street Pilot EXTERNAL    Good Evening,  As a visitor to Main Street in Santa Monica, I would like to express my support of the pilot program to close portions of  Main Street to expand outdoor dining and create a more walkable area.  I know that it would influence my decision to  choose Main Street over other destinations.  Please vote yes on 13C on 4/27/21.    Sincerely,  James Ford  Item 13.C 04/27/21 52 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1282 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Melissa Lee <melissajackylee@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 7:43 PM To:Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems Subject:VOTE YES ON 13C!!! EXTERNAL    Good Evening,    As a visitor to Main Street in Santa Monica, I would like to express my support of the pilot program to close portions of  Main Street to expand outdoor dining and create a more walkable area.  I know that it would influence my decision to  choose Main Street over other destinations.  Please vote yes on 13C on 4/27/21 and make Summer 2021 the best yet!    Sincerely,  Melissa  ‐‐   Melissa Lee  Incoming MBA Candidate at Boston University  melissajackylee.com | LinkedIn     Item 13.C 04/27/21 53 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1283 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 4 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:20 PM To:Gleam Davis; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Main Street in Ocean Park Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    From: Gian Rafaniello <grafaniello@legends.net>   Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 8:00 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Main Street in Ocean Park    EXTERNAL    Good Evening,  As a visitor to Main Street in Santa Monica, I would like to express my support of the pilot program to close portions of  Main Street to expand outdoor dining and create a more walkable area.  I thought it was a tremendous experience. I  know that it would influence my decision to choose Main Street over other destinations.  Please vote yes on 13C on  4/27/21.    Sincerely,  Gian Rafaniello      Sent from my iPhone  Item 13.C 04/27/21 54 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1284 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 5 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:23 PM To:Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Gleam Davis; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Support for Main Street Closure Pilot Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Karen Levy <karenmiriamlevy@gmail.com>   Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 7:07 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>; Lane Dilg <Lane.Dilg@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Support for Main Street Closure Pilot    EXTERNAL    Hello Mayor, fellow Council Members, and City Manager Dilg, I am an Ocean Park resident and I ask that you vote to support closing a couple of blocks of Main Street for a few weekends this year.     I feel strongly that sharing our streets with people who walk, scooter and ride bikes is good for local businesses, helps in the fight against climate change and helps locals build on the sense of community we developed during COVID. Sharing our streets, even for a couple of days a year, is a good start to a less car- centric future.    Supporting this pilot is good for our local merchants as this will give them a chance to drive increased revenue. The increase in foot traffic will allow retailers, who can put their wares outside, to capture “impulse buys” and drive recognition of their businesses. We know Merchants and Restaurants have had to defer rent and this pilot should give them a chance to boost revenue, making up for what they have lost over the past 18 months. Closing a couple of blocks will also help merchants who are outside the pilot zone.    Main Street can serve as a learning experience for other thoroughfares in Santa Monica. Imagine closing Montana for the Art Walk giving pedestrians the ability to safely meander the displays at a leisurely pace! By voting yes on the pilot, the community will gather hard data on traffic flows, parking and safety that can serve as a baseline for future efforts.    Families will also benefit from a yes vote. Ocean Park is a small, walkable neighborhood where a sense of community is strong. Giving families a safe environment to wander their local business district, enjoy a meal dining al fresco and reconnect with neighbors is good for our spirit. It will also give families from other areas, like Pico, a chance to enjoy the beach in a slightly different way.    Item 13.C 04/27/21 55 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1285 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 6 Thank You for Your Support the Pilot    Karen Levy  Item 13.C 04/27/21 56 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1286 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 7 Vernice Hankins From:Liz Federowicz <lizlizlizf@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:23 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:OP- more outdoor dining and business support! EXTERNAL    Dear Council,    I am an OP resident and LOVE the Main St dining alfresco program. I am also strongly in favor of the pilot program  closing Main Street for a couple of weekends this summer as a test to further improve Main St.  Please vote yes on Item  13C.     Sincerely,  Liz Federowicz , ocean park blvd   Item 13.C 04/27/21 57 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1287 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 8 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:24 PM To:Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Sue Himmelrich; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: OP resident - please vote yes Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Liz Federowicz <lizlizlizf@gmail.com>   Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 8:22 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: OP resident ‐ please vote yes    EXTERNAL    Dear Council,    I am an OP resident and LOVE the Main St dining alfresco program. I am also strongly in favor of the pilot program  closing Main Street for a couple of weekends this summer as a test to further improve Main St.  Please vote yes on Item  13C.     Sincerely,   Liz Federowicz, ocean park blvd    Item 13.C 04/27/21 58 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1288 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 9 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:25 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: OP resident - please vote yes Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Liz Federowicz <lizlizlizf@gmail.com>   Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 8:22 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: OP resident ‐ please vote yes    EXTERNAL    Dear Council,    I am an OP resident and LOVE the Main St dining alfresco program. I am also strongly in favor of the pilot program  closing Main Street for a couple of weekends this summer as a test to further improve Main St.  Please vote yes on Item  13C.     Sincerely,   Liz Federowicz, ocean park blvd    Item 13.C 04/27/21 59 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1289 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 10 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:29 PM To:Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Sue Himmelrich; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Item 13C: Main Street Closures Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Micah Stone <micahstone20@gmail.com>   Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 1:57 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Item 13C: Main Street Closures    EXTERNAL    Hello,    I live in the neighborhoods near Main Street and received a letter from a "coalition of residents for a responsible Main  St", requesting that I speak out against proposal for item13C. However, this letter has had the opposite effect‐‐ I wanted  to write in order to show my support for this proposal and our local businesses.     Even if this does result in a little more traffic on my street, I fully support the closure of main street for the weekends. In  addition to helping local businesses which have had a ridiculously difficult year, it may also have the added bonus of  reducing cars and pollution in the area and lead to more people walking, biking, or scootering to their destination.     I hope that you implement this pilot program, it should be great for the area.    Thanks!  Item 13.C 04/27/21 60 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1290 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 11 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:30 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Item 13C Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Gina Nichols <geeweed39@aol.com>   Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 11:36 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Item 13C    EXTERNAL    Attention: council members Parra and Davis. We live at 2628 2nd street Santa Monica (ocean park.. directly behind  main) my husband and I are totally against the closure of main from Friday till midnight Sunday. There is already enough  traffic and congestion from main on our street on the weekend without the closure. We have a large 13 unit apartment  building across street which is still under construction with out designated parking. Once this is completed it will already  make the parking situation on our street untenable without the closure. Already on the weekend beach goers and  shoppers occupy the parking without the closure.I know everyone I’ve talked to in the neighborhood is against it.  I  implore you  to consider taking heed to the needs of your extremely high tax  paying homeowners. Thank you Gina and  Norman Nichols.     Sent from my iPhone  Item 13.C 04/27/21 61 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1291 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 12 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:31 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Item I3C -- Closing Main St and Diverting traffic to residential neighborhoods     From: D'Orsogna, Maria‐Rita R <dorsogna@csun.edu>   Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 12:30 PM  To: Gleam Davis <Gleam.Davis@SMGOV.NET>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@SMGOV.NET>; Councilmember  Kevin McKeown <Kevin.McKeown@smgov.net>; Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@SMGOV.NET>; Phil Brock  <Phil.Brock@SMGOV.NET>; Oscar de la Torre <Oscar.delaTorre@SMGOV.NET>; Sue Himmelrich  <Sue.Himmelrich@SMGOV.NET>  Cc: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>; MainStNeighbors@gmail.com  Subject: Item I3C ‐‐ Closing Main St and Diverting traffic to residential neighborhoods    EXTERNAL    Dear all,    I support the email below that was sent to you by the Main Street Neighbors group and  similarly oppose Gleam Davis's idea of closing Main Street to allow for partying  over the weekend.    As said in many other emails, the city does not belong to any special group, including the bars/restaurants  but to the residents. It is not fair to want to increase noise, traffic and confusion in the streets  that border Main Street for the profit of the bar/restaurant owners that already have access  to sidewalks and streets while killing opportunities for other small businesses, and while the residents   have to put up with worse quality of life.  As mentioned in the well‐articulated email   below, all the extra money could be used for programs to benefit students, seniors, our libraries.    Finally, I have lived in Ocean Park for a very long time, and am in complete agreement with the statement   below whereby OPA does not really represent, nor cares to represent, Ocean Park residents.    Sincerely,  Maria R D'Orsogna, PhD         Councilmember Gleam Davis and Main St bars want to close Main St and divert traffic into our neighborhood on the weekends from 9am Friday to midnight Sunday. Like those concrete KRails, this is no pilot – they plan to make it permanent.    We don’t need a pilot to know what the all weekend impact (grid lock, noise, no parking) will be. Let the Council know that this proposed closure is not supported by the neighbors. Email all council members at council@smgov.net and refer to Item 13C on next Tuesday City Council agenda  Item 13.C 04/27/21 62 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1292 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 13   City Council this Tues April 27, 2021  Item 13.C  13.C Request of Councilmembers Parra and Davis that, as part of its economic recovery efforts, Council direct staff to consider the proposals of the Main Street Business Improvement Association and the Ocean Park Association and return to Council with a plan to implement a pilot program for temporary summer weekend closure(s) of all or part of Main Street to automobiles and bus traffic, as well as to assess the pilot’s traffic impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.  http://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1265  _____________________________________________________________________________  Like it or not, Main St is a major thoroughfare. Diverting commercial traffic onto residential streets is a bad (and without proper evaluation, reckless) idea. Main St has traffic lights to control cross traffic – neighborhood streets don’t. Would anyone consider closing Montana or Pico or Abbot Kinney?    When City planners bypassed regular "public input" for installing the barriers they intentionally left out residents. The City has been reviewing this plan since last November but has not notified or sought input from the neighbors. Why is that? The Ocean Park Association (OPA) is not the voice of residents - it has been speaking for the businesses.     The bars and restaurants are doing great - they have all the space they can handle. They are not going to hire extra staff or buy extra furniture for the weekend. If there is any City money, it should be used to help the struggling retail merchants by removing the 60 unused KRails creating dead zones in front of mattress stores and bike shops.    In the pursuit of money, Main St bars are trying to shed their responsibilities onto the neighbors. They have taken away 100 parking meters and sent parking onto our streets; taken away delivery zones (dead zones all along the street) and sent idling delivery trucks into our neighborhood; and now they want to send all their traffic onto our streets so they can occupy the empty pavement.    Safety issues (police & fire & ambulance), BBB and MTA bus diversion, night security & homeless on a street with no thru traffic, anti family "Bourbon street" atmosphere (open container alcohol consumption). Many retail merchants, already suffering from lost foot traffic, think it is a bad idea. Will traffic chaos and lack of parking be the death knell for the Sunday farmers market.    The City has already spent more than $250,000 for re-stripping the street, given up a year's revenue from 100 parking meters, and given away free the public right of way. How much more money (for barricades, police, bus rerouting, etc) is the City going to give to so few? Instead of spending it on non resident Main St landlords, shouldn’t the money be spent on summer school programs for our kids or re-opening the libraries.  ‐‐   Main St Neighbors  A Coalition of Residents for a Responsible Main St  MainStNeighbors@gmail.com                Item 13.C 04/27/21 63 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1293 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 14 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:32 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Support for Item 13-C (April 27, 2021 meeting) - Pilot Program to close parts of Main Street Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Anthony Mollica <anthony@lavecchia.com>   Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 10:26 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Cc: hunter@mainstreetsm.com  Subject: Support for Item 13‐C (April 27, 2021 meeting) ‐ Pilot Program to close parts of Main Street    EXTERNAL    Hello Councilmembers,    My brother Mark and I own and operate La Vecchia Cucina restaurant on Main Street.     We are writing in favor of and support the pilot program proposed by the Main Street Merchants Association and the  Ocean Park Association to close certain sections of Main Street on the weekends.      Please support Item 13‐C at the April 27th council meeting.     Main Street has been struggling to survive throughout the pandemic and we need all the energy and activity we can get.  Outdoor dining has been critical to the restaurant industry survival as customers prefer to dine outdoors.    We also believe that moving towards a more pedestrian oriented commercial district and rerouting the majority of  through traffic is something that should be further explored in the future.    Thank you for supporting us,    Anthony Mollica  La Vecchia Cucina  2654 Main Street  Santa Monica, CA 90405  Item 13.C 04/27/21 64 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1294 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 15 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:33 PM To:City Council Distribution Group Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Item 13C Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Christopher Brandon <chrisbrandon8@gmail.com>   Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 6:45 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Cc: hunter@mainstreetsm.com  Subject: Item 13C    EXTERNAL    Hello,      This is Chris Brandon, I’m one of the owners of Pblc Trde on Main Street.  I am fully in support of item 13C on the agenda  for tomorrow regarding the Main Street Pilot Project.     As you all know it’s been a tough year for a lot of people and definitely for restaurants. The outdoor dining is absolutely  critical to us getting out of the large hole we are in. We are getting a lot of pressure now from our landlords to pay up  the back rent and even threats from them to exercise any ways they can go around the eviction moratorium.  We  desperately need all the help we can get and I truly believe the community loves the outdoor dining as well as bringing  tourism back to Main Street. I think it should be a permanent thing.      Thank you for your consideration.    Best    Chris Brandon      Sent from my iPhone  Item 13.C 04/27/21 65 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1295 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 16 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:33 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: *Support for item 13-C : Main St. Pilot Project*     From: Hunter Hall <hunter@mainstreetsm.com>   Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2021 8:17 PM  To: Lane Dilg <Lane.Dilg@SMGOV.NET>; Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>; Sue Himmelrich  <Sue.Himmelrich@SMGOV.NET>; Gleam Davis <Gleam.Davis@SMGOV.NET>; Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@SMGOV.NET>;  Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@SMGOV.NET>; Councilmember Kevin McKeown <Kevin.McKeown@smgov.net>; Kristin  McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@SMGOV.NET>; Oscar de la Torre <Oscar.delaTorre@SMGOV.NET>; councilmtgitems  <councilmtgitems@SMGOV.NET>  Cc: Marc Morgenstern <marcjmorgenstern@gmail.com>; Judy Abdo <judyabdo@gmail.com>;  shoppingcarttree@gmail.com; Misti Kerns <mkerns@santamonica.com>; Rachel Lozano <rlozano@santamonica.com>;  Laurel Rosen <president@smchamber.com>; Francie Stefan <Francie.Stefan@SMGOV.NET>; Jennifer Taylor  <Jennifer.Taylor@SMGOV.NET>; Sean Besser <besser@gmail.com>  Subject: *Support for item 13‐C : Main St. Pilot Project*    EXTERNAL    Dear Councilmembers,    First and foremost, thank you for everything you’ve done for the small business community during the last year. We all know it’s been rough and stressful for City Staff, and you as our leaders.     Luckily, the nimbleness and willingness to try new things very early in the pandemic put Santa Monica in a better spot than many of our neighbors. For that foresight and openness, we thank you.    We still have a long way to go, however.     The pandemic is far from over, and as many of you know, Covid really put a very big, very dangerous exclamation point on pre-existing, macro-economic trends that threaten Main Street USA everywhere. The rise of food delivery, online shopping, and the subsequent decline of walking traffic have fundamentally changed the value proposition of opening a brick & mortar business forever. This poses an existential threat to City revenues and the fundamental viability of our commercial/residential zones.     Luckily, Santa Monica has the tools, talent, and will to try new things in order to preserve the energy our commercial districts and residential areas thrive on. More than six months ago, before the second Covid wave shut everything down again, we proposed a second iteration of our al fresco dining, which we’d like to launch now that summer is right around the corner and hope is on the horizon.     On behalf of the Main Street Merchants Association, our Board of Directors, and myself, we urge you to grant us the flexibility and resources to launch the pilot program outlined by item 13C on Tuesday, April 27th, sponsored by councilmembers Davis and Parra.    Outdoor dining has been a crucial lifeline for businesses around the country. Not just restaurants, but ALL businesses. Every small business in and around Main Street has benefited from our current al fresco program, without giving up much at all.     Item 13.C 04/27/21 66 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1296 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 17 The archaic notion that sacrificing a few parking spaces for outdoor dining would have disastrous consequences has been proven false over the last year, and the fear-mongering by some outspoken members of the community surrounding such parking woes, or traffic car-mageddons in the adjacent residential neighborhoods, drunken revelry, noise, etc. have all died a quiet death too. Renewed scare tactics employed by the same nay-sayers in response to this proposed pilot program must not be given any undue attention either, as they do not represent the vast majority of businesses, residents, or visitors.     Instead, let the data speak for itself. Collectively, outdoor dining has a near 90% approval rating by The City’s own surveys, and there is a crystal-clear supermajority of both OPA residents and businesses on Main Street that support this pilot program.     To be clear: This would be just that-a PILOT program. A test.     We have no intention of keeping it going after the first few weekends if there is overwhelming evidence that it is of little value to merchants or the community. What would be the point of that? We have good reason to believe that it will be very well- received though, and we are willing to put in the time and energy to see it through.     We pledge to work with City Staff, and OPA, to iron out the details on how best to divert traffic from a few restaurant dense blocks (basically Hill to Kinney), while keeping side streets open on the weekends when there is peak demand. Our initial schematic (attached) retains access to most private lots and all city lots. Ideally, we’d plan for several weekend closures to start, with the first one at the end of June, but we would rapidly evaluate after each one and iterate if needed, just like we did with al fresco 1.0.     You may find yourself asking: “Why now? Indoor dining is reopening and there is light at the end of the tunnel.”     Fair question, but here’s the truth: That light is much, much farther away than anyone wants to believe. Most businesses that remain open have all taken on massive debt, and are now faced with an unprecedented paradigm shift in consumer behavior, and workforce availability, with very little meaningful relief from property owners, despite the existing commercial rent moratoriums.     People have also made it clear that they are not ready to dine indoors yet either. Lastly, it remains to be seen if tourism will rebound to levels needed to constitute a typical year of sales in 2021, let alone recoup the year of lost revenue from 2020.     In short-small businesses in Santa Monica need every single bit of help they can get.     Our goals for the past several years have consistently been the same: reduce automobile congestion on Main Street, but encourage bicycles, shared mobility, electric vehicles, and most of all: walking traffic. This pilot directly serves all of those stated goals, which we believe also align with The City’s long-term objectives.     As some of you know, West Hollywood has opted to close down Robertson Blvd from Santa Monica to Beverly every weekend for at least three months, possibly longer. I’ve visited it twice now to do recon. They are using 4-6 parking enforcement workers every Saturday and Sunday, plus a few police officers stationed nearby. That’s a substantial commitment to economic recovery, and Santa Monica deserves no less.     We are very proud of our partnership with the Ocean Park Association, and it has proven to be a model for business and resident collaboration over the last few years. I’m delighted to say that we have a fabulous history of working alongside them on almost every major initiative, and we look forward to a long and prosperous future working together.     We collaborated with City Staff to launch the original al fresco program-which has been a massive success, then the Art of Recovery initiative-equally well received, and now the al fresco 2.0 pilot program proposal before you now. Everything we do together is carefully thought out, exhaustively discussed, iterated, and continually improved upon. Our record of successful projects and partnership speaks for itself, and we are confident this pilot project will be no different.     Thank you for your time, leadership, and consideration. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns.     Sincerely,   Item 13.C 04/27/21 67 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1297 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 18   Hunter G. Hall  Executive Director  Main Street Business Improvement Association  314.323.3663  hunter@mainstreetsm.com      Item 13.C 04/27/21 68 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1298 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 19 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:34 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Item 13 - C Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Judy Abdo <JAbdo@msn.com>   Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2021 8:49 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Item 13 ‐ C    EXTERNAL    I am so happy to see the Main Street item on the agenda for Tuesday night.  Please support the idea of testing this idea  to see the results of a pilot project.  We will all see how it works and be able to make any changes that would improve  the experience for Ocean Park residents and visitors to Main Street.     Thank you for all the work that has gone into this proposal.    ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐  Judy Abdo    Item 13.C 04/27/21 69 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1299 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 20 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:35 PM To:City Council Distribution Group Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Main Street - pilot - Item 13C - 4/27/21 council meeting Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Ben B <bokichsantamonica@gmail.com>   Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2021 8:30 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Main Street ‐ pilot ‐ Item 13C ‐ 4/27/21 council meeting    EXTERNAL    Dear City Council Members,    I ask that you approve the Main Street closure pilot at this Tuesday's council meeting.       Closing a portion of Main Street has many potential benefits for both residents and businesses.   As an Ocean Park  resident, I support anything that can help make Main Street thrive again.       I've personally seen how other SoCal cities like Huntington Beach & Laguna Beach have closed down parts of their  streets.   It's created a vibrant, inviting attraction for locals and visitors alike.    The pilot will also allow residents and staff to make sure there aren't any bad impacts from the closure.      Thank you.  Ben Bokich  Ocean Park Resident      Virus-free. www.avg.com   Item 13.C 04/27/21 70 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1300 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 21 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:35 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: NO on Item 13c Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Michael Galsterer <shlby662@hotmail.com>   Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2021 8:17 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: NO on Item 13c    EXTERNAL    1.  Traffic, increased parking plus noise issues in adjacent residential neighborhoods.    2.  Late night entertainment with loud  outdoor music and customers will affect these same residential neighborhoods  negatively.    3.  Much needed SM Police to deal with the heavy traffic and residual issues when city funds are extremely low.      Sent from my iPhone  Item 13.C 04/27/21 71 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1301 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 22 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:39 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Item Main St. Pilot Program     ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Michele Perrone <micheleperrone@icloud.com>   Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2021 12:57 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>; Sue Himmelrich <Sue.Himmelrich@SMGOV.NET>; Gleam Davis  <Gleam.Davis@SMGOV.NET>; Phil Brock <Brock4SantaMonica@gmail.com>; Oscar de la Torre  <Oscar.delaTorre@SMGOV.NET>; Councilmember Kevin McKeown <Kevin.McKeown@smgov.net>; Christine Parra  <Christine.Parra@SMGOV.NET>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@SMGOV.NET>; Clerk Mailbox  <Clerk.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <manager.mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Item Main St. Pilot Program    EXTERNAL    Dear City Council,  The first I heard about this program was yesterday. Even though I live in Ocean Park, I got emails from Sunset Park, not  OPA and not the city. I did receive a questionaire regarding keeping restaurant tables in the parking spot/parklets that  are there currently. Why not this?    I implore you to vote AGAINST this program. It is obvious that there will be even more traffic in our neighborhoods, as  well as parking problems. And there are a lot more unknowns. We don’t need this.    If nothing else, don’t start a pilot program without a study where all residents impacted are involved.     As a note, it is my understanding that John Prindle is on the OPA Board and also Gleam Davis’ husband. I believe this a  conflict of interest. Neighborhood organizations should be for residents without direct connection to the city.    Sincerely,    Michele Perrone  Item 13.C 04/27/21 72 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1302 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:52 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Tuesday, April 27th City Council agenda Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Lora <lora.kaminsky@gmail.com>   Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2021 9:22 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Tuesday, April 27th City Council agenda    EXTERNAL    My name is Lora Kaminsky,    I am IN FAVOR of the pilot program proposed by The Main Street Merchants Association, and The Ocean Park  Association to close certain sections of Main Street on the weekends so businesses, customers, pedestrians, and cyclist  can use the space when demand/foot traffic is at its highest.     Please support ITEM 13‐C at the Tuesday, April 27th council meeting.     Main Street has been struggling to survive throughout this pandemic, and we need all the energy and activity we can  get. We also believe that moving towards a more pedestrian/cyclist oriented commercial district and rerouting the  majority of through traffic and bus traffic to Neilson is something that should be explored in the future.     Thank you!     Sincerely,     Lora Kaminsky    LBK (she/her)  Item 13.C 04/27/21 73 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1303 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:Lori Nafshun <gettalife@me.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:50 PM To:councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox Subject:Main Street Closure, Item 13C EXTERNAL    Dear Honorable Council Members:    I personally love the Main Street outdoor dining experience, and the prioritizing of people over cars.  Coast, the one day  a year we are allowed to walk or ride our bikes down Main Street without car traffic, is both pleasurable and liberating.   It slows things down, and allows our community members to connect with one another.      The Main Street Pilot Project deserves an opportunity to see if it works for the Main Street businesses as well as the  Ocean Park neighborhood.  I look forward to testing it out, and the sales potential it could bring to the merchants.  A  successful neighborhood serving Main Street is good for everyone.  I look forward to having one again, post pandemic.    P.S. Please don’t set this project up to fail by not implementing proper traffic and parking mitigation.      Thank you for your time.    Lori Nafshun  655 Ashland Avenue  Santa Monica, CA                              Item 13.C 04/27/21 74 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1304 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:48 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: April 27, 2021 Agenda Item 13C Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Roger Swanson <rogercswanson@gmail.com>   Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 4:11 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Cc: MainStNeighbors@gmail.com  Subject: April 27, 2021 Agenda Item 13C    EXTERNAL    Dear Council,    I strongly oppose the actions proposed by this agenda item. Converting residential  streets into a thoroughfare for weekend traffic to accommodate Main Street  restaurants and bars is truly upsetting and inappropriate. Main Street was changed  during the Pandemic to accommodate those businesses and the current traffic pattern  seems to work.     Quite frankly, several of businesses on Main have more seating than they had before  the Pandemic. And some businesses, like the Jameson bar, have never practiced social  distancing guidelines. So, why do we want to reward them with even more space?  Furthermore, if Covid guidelines relax further, indoor dinning may open up before the  pilot is complete.    Save the cost of the pilot and find another worthy outlet for these funds!    Item 13.C 04/27/21 75 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1305 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 4 As a former OPA Board member for years, and Chair of the Lincoln Blvd. Task Force, I  find the OPA support to be disturbing. OPA is supposed to support its residents not  businesses, but over the last several years it seems to be controlled by Board members  “in the pocket of” business interests. The MSBIA has had a somewhat one‐sided  relationship with OPA where OPA interests have NOT been supported by MSBIA. Past  business membership in OPA was nil. Finally, what is OPA’s support for other businesses  in Ocean Park on Pico and Lincoln? Spotty at best.    Vote against Agenda Item 13C!    Sincerely,    Roger Swanson  Item 13.C 04/27/21 76 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1306 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 5 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:48 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Outdoor dining on Main Street Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Rick’s Tavern on Main <info@rtavern.com>   Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2021 12:08 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Cc: hunter@mainstreetsm.com  Subject: Outdoor dining on Main Street     EXTERNAL    To the City Council of Santa Monica    I am the majority stockholder at Rick’s Tavern on Main in Santa Monica, and the managing member of the currently  closed down Circle Bar.    We are fully in support of item 13C on the agenda for April 27 regarding the Main St. pilot project.    Although we have not been able to utilize the outdoor area for Circle Bar, it has been a lifesaver for Rick‘s Tavern on  Main, and gives me some hope that I will be able to stay in business. He has also helped our neighboring businesses,  who have discussed closing for good because the pandemic has financially devastated us.    As most of small business people, who have most of our life savings invested in our businesses, i feel the outdoor seating  has given us some hope at paying the massive debts incurred from COVID shutdown within a few years. The outdoor  dining has also brought life back to Main Street, which had massive close downs even before the pandemic.  There is  also he’s strong neighborhood feeling now it hasn’t existed here for years .    Therefore I strongly advocate that the outdoor dining should be made permanent.    Thank you    Rick‘s Tavern on Main    Howard Alpert  President of MSRV, INC, it’s GP  Item 13.C 04/27/21 77 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1307 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 6           Sent from my iPhone  Item 13.C 04/27/21 78 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1308 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 7 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:47 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: 13C Item April 27 Council Meeting Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Richard Orton <laxlon@aol.com>   Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2021 10:01 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: 13C Item April 27 Council Meeting    EXTERNAL    Dear Council Member. I heard there was a plan to make Main Street a "pedestrian only zone" on the weekends. I've lived on Second Street since 1973 and I think its a bad idea, Traffic would be diverted to my street and I think it would disturb an otherwise peaceful neighborhood, Please vote to stop this horrible idea. Thanks, Richard Orton Ocean Park 310 392 4082 Item 13.C 04/27/21 79 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1309 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 8 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:47 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Main Street Pilot Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Ron Cohen <roncohen01@yahoo.com>   Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2021 12:12 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>; Lane Dilg <Lane.Dilg@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Main Street Pilot    EXTERNAL    Mayor and Council Members, I live in the area called North of Montana. I ask that you vote in favor of a pilot program for closing a short portion of Main Street for a couple of week-ends this year. We have been talking about doing the same on Montana and we could learn a lot from this pilot program. Support our businesses, our planet and our families and make this happen for the locals. Thank You, Ron Item 13.C 04/27/21 80 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1310 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 9 Vernice Hankins From:Mike Bone <mikebone9@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:46 PM To:councilmtgitems Cc:Council Mailbox Subject:13-C Main St. closure EXTERNAL    Dear council,    I live 6 blocks off Main St. on Ashland Ave.   I walk my dog, Anni the Airedale, on Main St. most days.  She is famous.  I  am not.    Over the last year I have watched shop after shop close on Main St.   Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, One Life and  many, many more shops are GONE.       The Main St. merchants need our help.  The Main St. merchants need YOUR help.     I am 100% in support of the idea of closing Main St. for 3 weekends in the summer for outdoor dining and shopping.  I  don’t want to see another FOR RENT sign on Main St.    Help these businesses stay in business.  Let them do these promotional events.  (It probably wouldn’t hurt the city  budget either to have the sales tax from the merchants increased sales.)    Anni wants to go and hang out on Main St. instead of just walking the sidewalks.  Keep her occupied so she will stop  digging in my flower beds.    Mike Bone (and Anni the Airedale)      Item 13.C 04/27/21 81 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1311 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 10 Item 13.C 04/27/21 82 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1312 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 11       Item 13.C 04/27/21 83 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1313 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 12 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:45 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Stephanie Cimon <stephanie.cimon@gmail.com>   Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 6:23 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject:     EXTERNAL    Hello Councilmembers, My name is Stephanie Cimon, I am IN FAVOR of the pilot program proposed by The Main Street Merchants Association, and The Ocean Park Association to close certain sections of Main Street on the weekends so businesses, customers, pedestrians, and cyclist can use the space when demand/foot traffic is at its highest. Please support ITEM 13-C at the Tuesday, April 27th council meeting. Main Street has been struggling to survive throughout this pandemic, and we need all the energy and activity we can get. We also believe that moving towards a more pedestrian/cyclist oriented commercial district and rerouting the majority of through traffic and bus traffic to Neilson is something that should be explored in the future. Thank you! Sincerely,    Stephaniecimon  Ocean park resident   Item 13.C 04/27/21 84 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1314 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 13 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:45 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: I support the summer weekend closure of Main St. Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Ryan Hetherington <ryanhetherington@gmail.com>   Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 11:59 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: I support the summer weekend closure of Main St.    EXTERNAL    I live on 2924 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90405, directly behind the shops on Main St.   Main St. needs all the help it can  get after the pandemic and current vacancy of many retail bars and shops.   A vibrant and successful Main St. is very  important to my neighborhood.      Ryan Hetherington  Item 13.C 04/27/21 85 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1315 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 14 Vernice Hankins From:Karen Schulman <karen.schul@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:44 PM To:Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems Subject:Main Street pilot program EXTERNAL    Hi there,    As a visitor to Main Street in Santa Monica and a Venice local, I would like to express my support of the pilot program to  close portions of Main Street to expand outdoor dining and create a more walkable area.  I think it is really important in  creating a sense of safety and community, especially after the difficulties of this past year +.  I know that it would  influence my decision to choose Main Street over other nearby destinations.  Please vote yes on 13C on 4/27/21.    Sincerely,  Karen Schulman  Item 13.C 04/27/21 86 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1316 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 15 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:44 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Supporting The Main Street Merchants Association Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Sophia Stewart <sophiamilesstewart@gmail.com>   Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:38 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Supporting The Main Street Merchants Association    EXTERNAL    Hi Santa Monica City Council ‐    My name is Sophia Stewart. I am IN FAVOR of the pilot program proposed by The Main Street Merchants Association,  and The Ocean Park Association to close certain sections of Main Street on the weekends so businesses, customers,  pedestrians, and cyclist can use the space when demand/foot traffic is at its highest.    Please support ITEM 13‐C at the Tuesday, April 27th council meeting.    Main Street has been struggling to survive throughout this pandemic, and we need all the energy and activity we can  get. We also believe that moving towards a more pedestrian/cyclist oriented commercial district and rerouting the  majority of through traffic and bus traffic to Neilson is something that should be explored in the future.    Thank you!  Sophia  Item 13.C 04/27/21 87 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1317 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 16 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:42 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Item 13C    From: sw21al@yahoo.com <sw21al@yahoo.com>   Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2021 12:48 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject:     EXTERNAL    Hello,  I am a citizen of Riverside county who is concerned about the outdoor dining in Santa Monica. My family and friends feel  safe having outdoor dining. I am writing in response to the city deciding if outdoor dining will be expanded. Please take  into consideration how fast covid‐19 spreads when being indoors with everyone eating and having nothing on their face.  Outside is a more safer option for families like myself. It also expands the business for a greater capacity to hold more  people in their restaurants which would help that particular business. Please consider this inquiry.    Thank you!  Powered by Cricket Wireless  Item 13.C 04/27/21 88 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1318 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 17 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:42 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Item 13C    From: Susan Duarte <SDuarte@fbcpa.com>   Sent: Saturday, April 17, 2021 10:35 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject:     EXTERNAL    Writing to you on behalf of all of the restaurants in Santa Monica.  Please keep outdoor dining. Especially during the  summer.  Every summer!        Health and Happiness “Live Well” Susana Duarte  Freedman, Broder and Co.  11100 Santa Monica Blvd Suite 400  Los Angeles, Ca 90025  (310) 734-1258 Phone  (310) 734-1230 Fax  Sduarte@FBCPA.com    Item 13.C 04/27/21 89 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1319 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Jose Balderas <josebalderas42@att.net> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 10:21 PM To:Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems Subject:Main Street support EXTERNAL    Good Evening,    As a visitor to Main Street in Santa Monica, I would like to express my support of the pilot program to close portions of  Main Street to expand outdoor dining and create a more walkable area.  I know that it would influence my decision to  choose Main Street over other destinations.  Please vote yes on 13C on 4/27/21.        Thanks,  Jose Balderas   Item 13.C 04/27/21 90 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1320 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:Oliver Haas <oliverchaas@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 9:26 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Pro Item 13C EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor and Council Members,    I  LOVE the Main St dining alfresco program. I am also strongly in favor of the pilot program closing Main Street for a  couple of weekends this summer as a test to further improve Main St.  Please vote yes on Item 13C.     Sincerely,    Oliver Haas  Item 13.C 04/27/21 91 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1321 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Donna Haas <djhaas1@sbcglobal.net> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 9:20 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Pro 13C Email EXTERNAL    Dear Council,    I am a frequent visitor to the Ocean Park area and am very fond of the Main St dining alfresco program. It is wonderful!   I am strongly in favor of the pilot program closing Main Street for a couple of weekends this summer as a test to further  improve Main St.  Please vote yes on Item 13C.     Sincerely,  Donna Haas      djhaas1@sbcglobal.net          Item 13.C 04/27/21 92 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1322 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 4 Vernice Hankins From:Raphael Barragan <raphael.barragan.re@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 9:19 PM To:Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lane Dilg Subject:Support for Main Street Closure Pilot EXTERNAL    Hello Mayor, fellow Council Members, and City Manager Dilg, I am an Ocean Park resident and I ask that you vote to support closing a couple of blocks of Main Street for a few weekends this year. I feel strongly that sharing our streets with people who walk, scooter and ride bikes is good for local businesses, helps in the fight against climate change and helps locals build on the sense of community we developed during COVID. Sharing our streets, even for a couple of days a year, is a good start to a less car-centric future. Supporting this pilot is good for our local merchants as this will give them a chance to drive increased revenue. The increase in foot traffic will allow retailers, who can put their wares outside, to capture “impulse buys” and drive recognition of their businesses. We know Merchants and Restaurants have had to defer rent and this pilot should give them a chance to boost revenue, making up for what they have lost over the past 18 months. Closing a couple of blocks will also help merchants who are outside the pilot zone. Main Street can serve as a learning experience for other thoroughfares in Santa Monica. Imagine closing Montana for the Art Walk giving pedestrians the ability to safely meander the displays at a leisurely pace! By voting yes on the pilot, the community will gather hard data on traffic flows, parking and safety that can serve as a baseline for future efforts. Families will also benefit from a yes vote. Ocean Park is a small, walkable neighborhood where a sense of community is strong. Giving families a safe environment to wander their local business district, enjoy a meal dining al fresco and reconnect with neighbors is good for our spirit. It will also give families from other areas, like Pico, a chance to enjoy the beach in a slightly different way. Thank You for Your Support the Pilot Sincerely Raphael Barragán Item 13.C 04/27/21 93 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1323 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 5 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:56 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Main Street Street Closure Pilot Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Patrick Leavy <patrickleavy@hotmail.com>   Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2021 4:26 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Main Street Street Closure Pilot    EXTERNAL        Dear City Council Members,    I ask that you approve the Main Street closure pilot at this Tuesday's council meeting.       Closing a portion of Main Street has many potential benefits for both residents and businesses.   As an Ocean Park  resident, I support anything that can help make Main Street thrive again.       The pilot will also allow residents and staff to make sure there aren't any bad impacts from the closure.      Thank you.  Patrick Leavy  Ocean Park Resident Sent from my iPhone  Item 13.C 04/27/21 94 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1324 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 6 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:55 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Main Street Pilot Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Lena Brooks <lenatkbrooks@gmail.com>   Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2021 8:01 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Main Street Pilot    EXTERNAL    Dear City Council Members,    I urge you approve the Main Street closure pilot at Tuesday's council meeting this week.    Closing a portion of Main Street has many potential benefits for both residents and businesses.  As an Ocean Park  resident, I support anything that can help make Main Street thrive again.       The pilot will also allow residents and staff to mitigate any negative impacts from the closure.      Thank you.  Lena Brooks  Ocean Park Resident  Item 13.C 04/27/21 95 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1325 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 7 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:53 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Keeping outside dining is imperative to save Santa Monica restaurants. Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Obriens Wilshire <obrienswilshire@aol.com>   Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2021 7:47 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Cc: hunter@mainstreetsm.com  Subject: Keeping outside dining is imperative to save Santa Monica restaurants.     EXTERNAL    Dear City council members.   The title of this email is not an exaggeration. I am paying rent for a restaurant that, literally just sits empty all day.  Nobody wants to sit inside any more. The pandemic has created such a demand, no,  expectation, for alfresco dining  that is not going to change when the pandemic is mitigated. I predict that if I am not allowed to keep the patio in my  parking lot, I most certainly will lose my 27 year old business.   I have already talked to other friends in Culver City restaurants and they have told me, they have had assurances from  their city that the outside spaces will be preserved. Santa Monica needs to maintain as much outside dining as is  possible. Please, do what you can to save our, hard‐hit industry.     William OSullivan  310‐625‐4760  Owner O’Brien’s Irish Pub   Santa Monica    Sent from my iPhone    Item 13.C 04/27/21 96 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1326 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 8 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, April 26, 2021 8:53 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Council Agenda 4/27 - Support Item 13-C Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tomorrow’s agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Nathan Hess <nmhess@gmail.com>   Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2021 10:35 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Council Agenda 4/27 ‐ Support Item 13‐C    EXTERNAL    Hello Councilmembers,  My name is Nathan Hess. I have been a Santa Monica resident for over seven years now.    I am IN FAVOR of the pilot program proposed by The Main Street Merchants Association, and The Ocean Park  Association to close certain sections of Main Street on the weekends so businesses, customers, pedestrians, and cyclists  can use the space when demand/foot traffic is at its highest.  Please support ITEM 13‐C at the Tuesday, April 27th council meeting.  Main Street has been struggling to survive throughout this pandemic, and we need all the energy   and activity we can get. We also believe that moving towards a more pedestrian/cyclist oriented commercial district and  rerouting the majority of through traffic and bus traffic to Neilson is something that should be explored in the future.      Thank you!  Sincerely,      Nathan Hess    Item 13.C 04/27/21 97 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1327 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Tony Haig <fotogrman@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 12:42 AM To:councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Sue Himmelrich Cc:Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Kristin McCowan; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Christine Parra; Lane Dilg; David Martin Subject:re Council person's' request to consider the closure of Main St to traffic on weekends EXTERNAL    Honorable City Council Members, (Please forgive this badly edited, long message. It’s very late and I am suffering sleep deprivation. My apologies to all.) On Tuesday , April 27th, 2021, you are scheduled to consider a request for the closure of Main Street to vehicular traffic from Hill Street to Ashland (?) or further south from Friday at 9 a.m. through Sunday at midnight as a “pilot” project. I am a fifty year resident of, and activist in, the Ocean Park community, with BoD membership in the organizations listed at the end of this message. I am adamantly opposed to the proposed “pilot” weekend and any closing of Main Street to vehicular traffic. It is a “no brainer” to dump this idea. Be advised that I will vote and actively oppose, the reelection of any City official who supports this misguided and self-serving idea. This concept comes from the Main Street Merchants’ Association which currently serves the bar and restaurant industry. It has historically generated other bad ideas related to Main St. “improvement”. Remember, please, that their business practices have arguably put customers and customers’ contacts in danger of contagion by Covid 19. Unfortunately, this pilot event is presently supported by the Ocean Park Association (“OPA”), which often acts as an arm of the MSMA and has received funds from that group for purposes unexplained during a recent OPA BoD meeting. This “Promenade” proposal is billed by the above groups as an “economic recovery” effort. It is obvious that they are trying to ramrod this useless and over-reaching concept through the Council. So far there has been little outreach to the OP community with relevant, accurate, in-depth information which would illustrate the following compelling reasons to ditch the idea. Nor has there been much effort to gain actual nearby residents’ input. Item 13.C 04/27/21 98 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1328 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 What MUST be considered is the resulting traffic congestion, public safety, vehicular air pollution, along with a serious increase in noise, gridlock and loss of parking. Think of the disadvantage to businesses reliant on customers ability to see businesses during a drive- by. Keep in mind the impact on adjacent residential neighborhoods already overwhelmed by both speeding or parked cars belonging to beach goers, attendees of two churches and kindergarten classes on Second St. This is not to mention the weekend Main Street Farmer’s Market shoppers as well as Main Street visitors. Their number would most likely be reduced, since it would become known that it is so difficult to find parking. Historically ,City signs attempting to direct Market customers to “invisible”, inconvenient City parking lots over a block away (requiring a fee) have been a miserable failure. The badly placed temporary signs go unnoticed and ignored by motorists who would much rather park easily on Beach St., and the Historic Second and Third Streets. Those spaces ought to be protected by Preferential Parking rules. Unfortunately, Main St. interests long ago prevented that by using their influence on the City Council during the implementation of PP. Remember that ambulances, fire engines, busses, delivery trucks, and visitors’ vehicles will all be forced onto neighboring, often narrow, residential streets. Two people have been hurt on Third St. in accidents involving pass through vehicles; one died. One was a resident child, injured, who had 17 operations over several years. We, in OP, do not have parking structures, such as those which serve the Third St Promenade. (One good design for a low level, low impact structure (copied from Beverly Hills) was rejected back in the 80’s, by a group consisting of the SM Shores tenants whose fears proved groundless.) Nor do we have (or want) other infrastructure (e.g. wide streets). “Pilot” projects often have a way of becoming permanent. If this happens on Main St., it could also happen in other neighborhoods. Do you really think residents in northern S.M.’s Montana Ave. district would put up with such a badly designed idea? I think not. Why should Ocean Park residents do so? In addition, I understand that the City, which has already spent at least $250,000 (re- striping & barricades) directly, is currently continuing the forfeiting of income from about 100 Main St. parking meters over a nine month period. Apparently, the City has unnecessarily given away, at no cost, the public right of way to bars and restaurants. The City has done enough. After all, the main beneficiaries of all this are mostly not residents, but the absentee billionaire landlords that own Main St properties and who charge outrageous rents. Rents which in turn contribute to high product and service prices and thereby discourage sales. Item 13.C 04/27/21 99 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1329 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Thus, the MSMA needs to continuously look for ways to “expand”, usually by methods selfishly impacting nearby residents. One might argue that it is the landlords who need to come up with their share of the burden, perhaps by reducing rents. And for what purpose are we discussing this inconsiderate tactic? The bars and restaurants have already extended onto the street (asphalt). Commencing with the June re-opening of California businesses, Main St. operations will have more space than they can handle. Are we supposed to think that they are going to hire extra staff or buy furniture to move into the street for a weekend? Main Street should become again, as it once was, a neighborhood-serving street with a diversity of shops. A “walk” street of bars and restaurants catering to adult visitors at the expense of other shops won’t realize this vision. Back in the 1970 and 80’s, the number of such (liquor serving) businesses was limited by the City, via the Main Street Plan,for good reason. Preferential Parking was instituted in a mangled attempt to stop violations of the peace, at all hours, in our adjacent streets, by bar and restaurant customers. Bars and restaurants are not positive contributions to our community. They disrupt the surrounding residential neighborhoods night and day with noisy, often drunken patrons trying to find their parked cars which clog our streets. Pandemic limitations on public-serving businesses are rapidly lifting. Trying to help bars and restaurants which may, or may not have been hurt by pandemic restrictions, through through the closing of Main Street to vehicle traffic is no longer necessary. It unfairly burdens other businesses on this heavily used thoroughfare. Beach traffic, local churches, the Farmer’s Market, and “ Waze” (a Web-based traffic guidance application) have done their damage. They have caused traffic gridlock and parking congestion in the neighborhoods adjacent to the proposed “pilot” area. They have become unmanageable, even without this “pilot”. If Main Street is closed, fire engines, ambulances, buses, delivery trucks, and visitors’ cars will be forced “en masse” to use adjacent residential neighborhoods, causing additional problems of safety and further loss of quality in our residential life. OPA ’s MSMA associates publicly have said that they have been “working with city officials, including the Fire Chief (that’s hard to believe) and Police” (who supposedly would redirect traffic (at what additional cost to the City?). I suppose that statement is designed to convince us that all this is a “fait accompli”. Have City officials spent their efforts on such consultations? This is a tightly packed, already congested community. Back in the 1970 and 8o’s, the amount of such businesses was limited by the City for good reason and Preferential Parking was instituted in an attempt, perverted by the MSMA, to stop violations of the peace in our adjacent streets by bar and restaurant customers at all hours. Bars and restaurants are not positive contributions to our community. They disrupt the surrounding residential neighborhoods night and day with loud music and noisy, often drunken patrons trying to find their parked cars which clog our streets. Pandemic limitations on public-serving businesses are rapidly lifting. Trying to help bars and restaurants which may have been hurt by pandemic restrictions by closing Main Street to vehicle traffic is no longer necessary. It unfairly burdens other businesses on Main. Item 13.C 04/27/21 100 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1330 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 4 To me, it seems more than possible that the CA Coastal Commission may have a say regarding the loss of parking to be created, which would obstruct access to the beach. Neighborhood parking, unfortunately, is used extensively by beach visitors and parking would be reduced, thus concerning the Commission. Apparently, the CA Coastal Commission, some years ago,has already put a quiet stop to the desired expansion of PP by residents of one PP Zone. Preferential Parking hours were historically restricted in the neighborhood to the east and south of Main and OP Blvd. The hours originally intended (24/7) by the originators of the PP Plan were choked off by pressure from the MSMA leadership during the original proposal effort. They were businesses which wanted the spaces for their customers and were/are apparently too stingy to give validation to customers and/or employees for use of City owned parking lots. As usual, residents are impacted. Please be mindful that local residential pedestrians unpredictably cross 2nd St frequently at many spots in between OP and Hill and also between Hill and points ito the south. FYI, Second St. is a one way street, lined with parking lanes on both sides of a one lane “racetrack/shortcut” heading south. It is frequented by rush hour drivers consistently violating the speed limit of 25 mph and often swerving to the south off OP bl without braking hard enough to be safe. That is followed after that swerve, often by acceleration, to scary speeds, only by their having to stop one block later at Hill St. When monitored, they are seen, mostly, turning to the west and and reaching Main St., ostensibly believing that they have outsmarted the traffic system in avoiding a left turn onto Main St., from OP Blvd. Wrong! OPA’s approximately 440+ members do not reasonably represent Ocean Park’s estimated over 9,000 residents nor the residents near to Main St. who will feel the likely effects of this idea. OPA claims to have surveyed the people of Ocean Park on the Main Street “pilot” by polling only its own members, and then with a badly written hasty follow-up survey after criticism during a lightly attended Zoom meeting.. No effort has been made to differentiate the opinions of those residents who will be most negatively impacted by the “pilot” from the views of Ocean Park and other folks who live far from it and won’t be. The controlling OPA ChairPerson and some BoD members, who don’t live nearby, have their minds made up to affect the quality of life for many who do live nearby. That is not helpful to thoughtful, proper planning. Furthermore, OPA’s alliance with the MSMA on the “pilot” is questionable. The Merchants’ Association , whose interests are in promoting bars and restaurants at the expense of neighborhood tranquility, safety and family serving businesses, does a disservice to our community.\ Also, some members of the Main Street Merchants’ Association have a history of violating the terms of the temporary agreements and contracts with the City, e.g., in using amplified music, making life uncomfortable for residents living within 2-3 blocks from the event. Police have had to be called many Item 13.C 04/27/21 101 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1331 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 5 times to enforce the City’s requirements. Such is the behavior of some supposedly reputable and ethical business owners. Since the area in question is similar in physical layout to that of an amphitheater (think of the incredible similar sound-traveling acoustics of the Hollywood Bowl), and the MSMA members’ selfish unwillingness to adhere to City restrictions, it is reasonable to presume loud music will be generated from this proposed “Promenade”. The Third St Promenade does not have such a collection of residences, churches and schools in such an amphitheater like area. Council members, please reject this mis-guided attempt to turn Main Street into a bar and restaurant promenade; or in the alternative, postpone further consideration of this “pilot” until ALL Ocean Park residents have been given a full and fair opportunity to be fully informed in detail about and then publicly weigh in on a possible closing of Main Street. So far this hasn’t happened. Better yet, to save a lot of people’s time and effort, kill the idea right now! (Please forgive this badly edited, long message. It’s very late and I am suffering sleep deprivation. My apologies.) Respectfully, Tony Haig Santa Monica resident, Cofounder of the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District, Cofounder and past member of Board of Directors of OPCO, Past Member of Board of Directors of The California Heritage Museum on Main St. in Ocean Park. Item 13.C 04/27/21 102 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1332 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:info mysticjourneybookstore.com <info@mysticjourneybookstore.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 6:48 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:councilmtgitems@smgov.net; clerk@smgov.net; hunter@mainstreetsm.com EXTERNAL    Dear City Council,    My name is Jeffrey Segal, and I am the founder and owner of Mystic Journey Bookstore and Mystic Journey Crystals,  located at 2923 and 2921 Main Street, respectively.  I opened my stores in August of last year, in the throws of the  pandemic.  To put it mildly, the community was thrilled to see us open, to be a beacon of bright light when things were  so dark, and so many other businesses were going dark and closing in the spring and summer of 2020.    Given when we opened, I have seen the ups and downs of Main Street over the past nine months.  Without a doubt, the  most positive thing that has happened on Main Street during this time was creation of outdoor dining.  It energized the  street.  It brought life to the street.  It brought joy and happiness to both the businesses and the residential community.    Moreover, the creation of outdoor dining brought increased, in fact, significantly increased revenue to my business.  I  am certain the same can be said for other businesses on Main Street as well, both restaurant and non‐restaurant.  This  fact could not be more substantiated than by the fact that when outdoor dining had to cease around the end of last  year, we saw a DRAMATIC drop off in business.  Then, when outdoor dining resumed last month, we saw a surge in  business, far past what it had been when outdoor dining first occurred last year.  The positive effect of this new uptick in  business due to outdoor dining cannot be overstated.    In closing, I want to add one other thought.  As a new part of the Main Street community, I want, and need to see it re‐ emerge as a premier retail and dining destination in Southern California.  Mystic Journey Bookstore was on Abbot Kinney  for over 10 years, so I know what it to have a business on such a street.  Main Street can become that kind of street once  again.  The trees and landscaping on the street, the community vibe of the street, and the diversity and independent  ownership of the business on the street all lend themselves to this.  The outdoor dining has only enhanced this feeling  of, and this possibility for the street.  To close down outdoor dining at this time would only be a step, and a TERRIBLE  step backward.  It would be HIGHLY detrimental to my businesses, and I’m sure to other businesses as well, to end what  has been such a helpful, and really essential program to keeping so many businesses alive during this unprecedent time.  There is no down side to continuing this program:  Ample parking exists behind the west side of Main Street;  traffic flow  remains steady; and the charm of Main Street is undiminished by the outdoor dining.  So, please, keep the outdoor  dining program alive.     Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my submission.    Sincerely,    Jeffrey Segal  Founder  Mystic Journey Bookstore  Mystic Journey Crystals  Item 13.C 04/27/21 103 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1333 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:Tim Tunks <tim.tunks@aol.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 5:37 AM To:councilmtgitems; Lane Dilg Subject:Item 13-C EXTERNAL      Item 13‐C on Tuesday night’s agenda will give Santa Monica a chance to innovate ways to bring after pandemic  lockdown prosperity to our Main Street business center.     What we need now to help out our gasping Main St. is a fresh model to revive the small businesses that have just hung  on and to bring enough life to the area that new businesses will move into empty spaces, paying rent, taxes and hiring  people. Who knows how far we are from the tipping point where it will be rebuilding rather than refreshing?    As Third street is discovering with the down market on the large retail spaces, there are a lot of smaller boutique  businesses that would fit perfectly with Main Street's building scale and the personality that this historic district by the  sea has had since, well, forever‐‐at least as far back as I can remember.    The proposal at the end of your exhausting agenda is to try an experimental “Open Streets” model for a couple  weekends from Saturday morning to Sunday night, closing the street to traffic like on Second St. on Wednesdays,  opening the streets for people.    Demand for popular al fresco outdoor dining will grow dramatically as weather warms up and Covid mitigations dial  down. Locals will again walk down for shopping and a snack or a meal again and those from further away can bike,  scooter or even drive down to one of the several nearby parking lots. By then the bus service might have matured  enough to pick folks up from downtown parking, deliver them to one end of Main or the other to explore the shops and  enjoy some outdoor food and beverages, perhaps joining friends visiting from a neighboring city. And then catch a bus  back to the promenade for a movie before retrieving their car for the drive home. Some may even bring their bikes and  scooters to enjoy wheeling down our coastline with shops, restaurants, and walking their wheels through the wonderful  Tongva Park and then riding back to downtown.    Some version of this could become the template we discover from  successful Main Street models, a template that can  guide future development for the time when we simply won’t have to drive around and park in our fine City. Many of  the solutions that will work for the future will work for the present. It is up to us to discover them, develop them, refine  them and apply them generously.    Your vote on this next step, springing from the success Al Fresco has enjoyed so far, can get us onto a good course to  plot the journey that will take us to the future we want.    Please support the pilot.   Without a first step we ain’t goin’ nowhere.    Tim Tunks, (310) 396‐1400  750 1/2 Pier Ave. Ocean Park 90405    P.S.    Item 13.C 04/27/21 104 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1334 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 You might checkout the editorial in yesterday’s LA Times about AB 1401, the bill to eliminate  parking requirements for new construction located near public transit as a move to increase  housing stock and reduce reliance on private automobiles in California.  <https://enewspaper.latimes.com/desktop/latimes/default.aspx?edid=3e6fa8d2‐912a‐4e14‐ 8e32‐b6902f1adfa6>    Please consider how Item 13‐C, if passed, is another small step in the direction of returning  roadway and parking real estate to people for a better quality of life.    Item 13.C 04/27/21 105 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1335 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Ben B <bokichsantamonica@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 9:11 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Item 13C Main Street - Please vote yes - 4/27/21 EXTERNAL    Dear City Council Members,    I ask that you approve the Main Street closure pilot at this Tuesday's council meeting.       Closing a portion of Main Street has many potential benefits for both residents and businesses.   As an Ocean Park  resident, I support anything that can help make Main Street thrive again.       I've personally seen how other SoCal cities like Huntington Beach & Laguna Beach have closed down parts of their  streets.   It's created a vibrant, inviting attraction for locals and visitors alike.    The pilot will also allow residents and staff to make sure there aren't any bad impacts from the closure.      Thank you.  Ben Bokich  Ocean Park Resident  Item 13.C 04/27/21 106 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1336 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:Marc Morgenstern <marcjmorgenstern@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 9:10 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:In support of Item 13C, 4/27/21 agenda EXTERNAL    Dear Council members:    I am writing in support of a Main Street Closure Pilot as we emerge from the pandemic to:   Build our community   Enhance recovery for jobs and businesses   Prevent empty storefronts, and the crime and graffiti that often follow   Encourage alternative forms of mobility   Safely celebrate our neighborhood's survival through COVID's health and economic crises  We cannot let a few naysayers with loud voices overwhelm the vast majority of Ocean Park residents who  want to advance and celebrate our collective recovery.    Thanks for your consideration,  Marc Morgenstern Ocean Park Homeowner Item 13.C 04/27/21 107 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1337 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Michael <heytenzer@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 8:59 AM To:councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox Subject:Main Street Pilot Closure EXTERNAL    Dear Councilmembers,  As a resident of Santa Monica for the last 3+ years, I have been very impressed with the efforts to revitalize Main  Street.  I wish to add my support to the pilot program to close two blocks of Main Street for more outdoor dining and  shopping over summer weekends.  Thank you for your consideration,  Michael Tenzer        Item 13.C 04/27/21 108 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1338 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 4 Vernice Hankins From:Jeff Rozic <jjrozic@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 8:48 AM To:Lane Dilg; councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox Subject:Main Street Alfresco Vote EXTERNAL    Hello Mayor, fellow Council Members, and City Manager Dilg,    I am an OP neighborhood resident.  I'm strongly in favor of the pilot program closing Main Street for a couple of  weekends this summer. Please vote yes on Item 13C.     Sincerely,  Jeff Rozic  Item 13.C 04/27/21 109 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1339 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Daniel Blau <doblau@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 10:03 AM To:Sue Himmelrich; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Kristin McCowan; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Christine Parra; Lane Dilg; David Martin; councilmtgitems Subject:4/27/21 Council Agenda: Main Street Closure, Item 13C IN SUPPORT EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Himmelrich, esteemed Council Members, and City Management:    I write in strong support of the pilot program to restrict vehicular traffic on Main Street in favor of non‐automotive uses.  I am an Ocean Park resident and the father of a young child. We moved to Ocean Park five years ago to enjoy the many  amenities accessible by foot, including the shops and restaurants on Main. Being able to enjoy interactions with my  friends, family, and community without needing to get into a car is a large part of what makes Ocean Park so special. It's  also a major draw for people from outside the immediate community. I'm looking forward to this pilot program, and  strongly encourage the city to continue experimenting with and implementing additional programs that will reduce the  use of cars and increase non‐automotive uses of our streets.    Sincerely,  Daniel Blau  Item 13.C 04/27/21 110 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1340 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:Bill Parent <wmbparent@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 9:40 AM To:Christine Parra; Sue Himmelrich; Oscar de la Torre; Gleam Davis; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Phil Brock; Kristin McCowan Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:13-C Main Street Weekend Closures Attachments:City Council, Main Street.docx EXTERNAL        Dear Mayor Himmelrich, Mayor Pro Tempore McCowan and Members of the City Council: We are writing to express support for the Item 13C, the pilot program for temporary summer weekend street closures on Main Street. We drive on Main Street pretty much every weekend going back and forth to the Marina. Throughout the pandemic, it has been interesting and inspiring to watch the activity, resilience, and adaptability along Main St - - thanks to City, the businesses, and neighborhood leadership. Main Street is re-emerging as one of the region’s most vibrant outdoor dining areas. Bars, restaurants, and retail businesses seem more active every weekend. It feels open and inviting. There are more pedestrians; Main Street belongs a little more to people, bikes, and scooters and less to cars. There’s a nice, youthful vibe. We’re happy to change our weekend route to the Marina; via Lincoln/11th or Walgrove/23rd back to Santa Monica in order to have such vibrant weekend destination on Main Street. Please support this pilot program, create some room to work the bugs out, and innovate further to create spaces where we are again grateful to bump into each other more often. Sincerely, Bill and Randi Parent 1011 Euclid St. D Item 13.C 04/27/21 111 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1341 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Melissa Sweeney <mcqueen.sweeney@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 10:15 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Main Street pilot program - Item 13-C EXTERNAL    Mayor Himmelrich and Councilmembers:  I am writing to you to express my strong support for moving ahead with Item 13-C, the proposed pilot program for temporary summer weekend street closures on Main Street. I thank Councilmembers Parra and Davis for agendizing this item.  The time has come to embrace the benefits of increased foot traffic, bicycle and scooter access to the businesses on Main Street, and just as important, to the patrons of those businesses.   Summer is the perfect time to implement the pilot program. A safer and more relaxed shopping and dining experience can help persuade Santa Monicans and visitors to get out of their cars and experience the fun and freedom of using the streets that ultimately belong to them.  I have a particular interest in walking, and I encourage City Staff and decision-makers to consider providing simple wayfinding signage from the Fourth Street Expo station, which could direct pedestrians eager for the total Santa Monica experience toward Main Street and to add that destination to their beach, Pier and downtown weekend day trip itineraries. Main Street is a short and healthy walk from the station and is beautifully connected to the signature Santa Monica recreation and commercial areas I mention above.  Finally, I hear the concerns of some neighbors regarding additional automobiles on their streets, and am confident that that issue can be addressed to everyone's satisfaction.  Thanks for your consideration.   Melisssa Sweeney  Mid City resident  Item 13.C 04/27/21 112 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1342 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 4 Vernice Hankins From:Samantha Rozic <samantharozic@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 10:18 AM To:Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lane Dilg Subject:Support for Main Street Closure EXTERNAL    Hello Mayor, fellow Council Members, and City Manager, I am an Ocean Park resident and I ask that you vote to support closing a couple of blocks of Main Street for a few weekends this year.     I feel strongly that sharing our streets with people who walk, scooter and ride bikes is good for local businesses, helps in the fight against climate change and helps locals build on the sense of community we developed during COVID. Sharing our streets, even for a couple of days a year, is a good start to a less car- centric future.    Supporting this pilot is good for our local merchants as this will give them a chance to drive increased revenue. The increase in foot traffic will allow retailers, who can put their wares outside, to capture “impulse buys” and drive recognition of their businesses. We know Merchants and Restaurants have had to defer rent and this pilot should give them a chance to boost revenue, making up for what they have lost over the past 18 months. Closing a couple of blocks will also help merchants who are outside the pilot zone.    Main Street can serve as a learning experience for other thoroughfares in Santa Monica. Imagine closing Montana for the Art Walk giving pedestrians the ability to safely meander the displays at a leisurely pace! By voting yes on the pilot, the community will gather hard data on traffic flows, parking and safety that can serve as a baseline for future efforts.    Families will also benefit from a yes vote. Ocean Park is a small, walkable neighborhood where a sense of community is strong. Giving families a safe environment to wander their local business district, enjoy a meal dining al fresco and reconnect with neighbors is good for our spirit. It will also give families from other areas, like Pico, a chance to enjoy the beach in a slightly different way.    Sincerely,  Samantha Rozic  Item 13.C 04/27/21 113 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1343 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 5 Vernice Hankins From:Candra Docherty <whitebird@me.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 10:21 AM To:Sue Himmelrich Cc:Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Kristin McCowan; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Christine Parra; Lane Dilg; David Martin; councilmtgitems Subject:Re: 4/27/21 Council Agenda: Main Street Closure, Item 13C. EXTERNAL    April 26, 2021    REQUEST TO REJECT    Dear Council Members,    Im a long time resident, home owner in Ocean Park. I live two blocks from this ridiculous proposal. It's only going to  benefit the young hipsters that like to come down here and drink at night. And just those restaurants and bars on Main  Street from Ocean Park to Rose will benefit. During the day there will be scarce parking in my neighborhood and traffic  will increase for NO reason because we already have the flipping Third Street Promenade just one mile away!!!   Shouldn’t the City put its attention back into that Albatros?  It already has streets blocked off and outdoor dinning, and  TONS of parking near by. It was designed for this kind of public overreach. Many people supported that huge over  development and chose to live near by. Please, we don’t need another Promenade in Santa Monica. I didn't bye my  home on this end of town to live next to another out door Mall. And if you're honest you'll see, St. Mathews Thrift Store  is really the oldest established store front within these allocated blocks.     I first moved here in 1982. I was 12. This was a killer little beach town. It had the coolest shops. People would come from  all around. There were few empty store. Geez, wonder why? There was a Boulangerie, a Shiatsu Massage School , One  Life Health Food Store, Charmers Market, Santa Monica Museum of Art, Main Street Dance Studio.  It used to be  wonderful and now, even before Covid, it become a Dead Zone. It looks depressed and run down. Starbucks even moved  out!     Therefor the real issues is perhaps that the City seems to have done, and is doing very little to help small merchant  businesses survive on Main Street. What does the City do to protect the rights of small business from greedy landlords?   Why are landlords allowed to charge so much and worse yet, how can they let their shops sit empty for so long? It's an  abomination. Landlords should be required to pay a monthly fee for when their stores sit empty. They need to be  charged for not using the property as it was intended.  Mandate something. Build Back Better. Stimulate our economy.     I drive up Main Street and I know what’s wrong with it… No one can afford to start a business here and it's to risky right  now. But we can’t allow Main Street to become the place where stores come to die. Stores and restaurants should all be  encouraged to stay open later in the summer like in Europe. Outdoor dinning has always been what’s missing.  I  welcome this new normal. But for god sake, move the parking spaces first, rather than block off a chunk of Main Street!  Seriously, take this opportunity to make Main Street totally bike and pedestrian friendly first… like NYC. This City needs  to step up and make a better plan for the flow of traffic and include permanent outdoor dinning parklets for those  restaurants who contribute a fee when this pandemic is over.    Clearly restaurants on Main Street between Ocean Park and Rose don’t need the entire street blocked off for people to  graze… And there will be no one coming to shop because there are so few shops there anyway (unlike in Ventura).      Item 13.C 04/27/21 114 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1344 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 6 The fact that you will be selecting a small particular portion of Main Street is unfair to the other businesses on Main.  You're showing preferential treatment and that looks horrible. For instance; If I could mandate which part of Main I  would shut down it be would be the part around the Community Gardens, across from that huge church parking lot. I'd  invite vendors to set up an out door market in the lot that the city could pay for with my tax dollars and charge a modest  fee to vendors. I'd plan a small round about in front of Urth Cafe for cars. This would slow down traffic so people could  “cruz” by and look at what shops might potentially be open. Id make ALL of Main Street more pedestrian friendly first  and remove every other big tree.     The restaurant Ashland & Hill already have use of a huge parking lot for dining tables.  On one corner of Ashland we  have the dirty old Coffee Bean just sitting empty and sad. Across the street from there is a fabulous restaurant with  outdoor seating that’s been boarded up for years. It's high time to incentivize businesses and support the local economy  for a neighborhood that is NOT geared toward having major corporate vendors like the Promenade… even Muji figured  that out and moved out.     But we simply don’t have parking east of Main for people too lazy to pay at meters! Ok, I live on a property with two  other adults who both have cars they park on the street. And my neighbors have lost patience with the young drunk  revlers milling about near our homes late at night. From my house I hear music from The Victorian till closing.  Listen this  is not a smart idea and I hope it doesn't happen.     While it's super nice on special occasions when the city blocks off Main Street for an event. This would take away from  those occasions if we made it a full time thing.     It's time to spend resources and energy and get vendors back on Main Street. Clean it up. Bring back the benches where  people used to sit and wait for busses. Encourage parklets with nice plants when they are in use and remove the ugly  barriers where they are not in use. Get the Sunday Farmers Market back on track.     Please keep cars driving swiftly down Main and Nelson Way. Then PLEASE, please put some much needed speed bump  and a clearly marked bike paths on Third Street so no more kids, dogs, and people on scooters get killed by cars speeding  down the block! Third Street is residential so slow the traffic down here before you invite this bottle neck into our  neighborhood!!! We've been asking for this longer than the restaurants have wanted to block off Main.     Respectfully, treat every restaurant and merchant equally on Main Street. Don’t play Favorites by giving some of them 4‐ 6 empty city blocks. That's ludicrous.    Don’t put the cart before the horse, first fix the Main problem. Fix the problems we Have in Ocean Park with traffic  before making more for our community to have to deal with down the road. The restaurants are going to be just fine… I  promise, they are hopping as it is. Please don’t reinvent the wheel right now. The pandemic is almost over.     This after all is where we live. It's our home turf and we'll not stand for it becoming a by‐pass for traffic! I can only  assume there must be an endowed lobby from the restaurants between Ocean Park and Rose because this is all kinds of  wrong.    Please Respect the residential tax payers that live around Main Street because we share the proximate area and we pay  a lot for the privilege. Then let’s  improve the over all traffic issues before creating a new one!      There will be more block parties when this covid ends...    In closing, I'll say this issue presents us with multiple opportunities for the City to Build Back Better.       Respectfully,  Candra Docherty,   Item 13.C 04/27/21 115 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1345 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 7 Santa Monica Resident  Third Street Neighborhood Historic District.   Pardon my typos.     P.S.     Bea Nemlaha, What she said: "Please reject this mis‐guided attempt to turn Main Street into a bar restaurant  promenade… postpone all further consideration of this “pilot” until ALL Ocean Park residents have been given a full and  fair opportunity to be informed… so far it hasn’t happened."  Item 13.C 04/27/21 116 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1346 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 8 Vernice Hankins From:Kendy Soule <kendy.soule@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 10:46 AM To:Lane Dilg; Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems Subject:Support for Main Street Closure Pilot EXTERNAL      Dear Council,    I am an OP resident strongly in favor of the pilot program closing Main Street for a couple of weekends this summer.  Please vote yes on Item 13C.     Sincerely,  Kendra Soule    Item 13.C 04/27/21 117 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1347 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Denise Bohannon <fedoraprimodenise@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 11:41 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:ITEM 13-C IN FAVOR: COUNCIL MEETING 4/27 Attachments:CityCouncilAlFresco427.jpeg   Item 13.C 04/27/21 118 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1348 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:Chris Morgan <cmorg21@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 11:29 AM To:Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems Subject:Main Street Pilot-13C EXTERNAL    To The Members of Our City Council,  I am writing today in support of item 13C on tonight's agenda.  I am a member of OPA's Board and also live just off of  Main Street.  As soon as I heard about this pilot program, I was interested to hear more and then help push it forward.  There are a few reasons for this:  ‐A desire to have a vibrant Main Street that doesn't have empty storefronts and deteriorating buildings but instead  flourishing businesses that provide great services to the neighborhood and to the visitors to our community.  ‐The need for safety, particularly for those of us who walk around Ocean Park.  It is dangerous most of the time and I  believe that this plan will help slow down vehicles on Neilson and give us the opportunity to have walkable spaces.  ‐A family friendly area for all to enjoy, whether they came to visit the beach and decide to stay and explore our amazing  Ocean Park or for us residents to not have to get into a car to have a nice afternoon.  ‐I've seen the success of other neighborhoods similar pilots over the last year and want the same for my great  neighborhood.    It is truly important that we do this pilot so that we can gather more information, data, and feedback from all  stakeholders.  This is the right opportunity to explore what could be a transformative program.    Thanks for your consideration,    Chris Morgan  Item 13.C 04/27/21 119 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1349 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:David Wright <David@markwoodenterprises.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 11:04 AM To:Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lane Dilg Subject:Support for Main Street Closure Pilot Program EXTERNAL    Hello Mayor, fellow Council Members, and City Manager Dilg, I am writing to you today to ask that you vote to support closing a couple of blocks of Main Street for a few weekends this year.     I feel strongly that sharing our streets with people who walk, scooter and ride bikes is good for local businesses, helps in the fight against climate change and helps locals build on the sense of community we developed during COVID. Sharing our streets, even for a couple of days a year, is a good start to a less car- centric future.    Supporting this pilot is good for our local merchants as this will give them a chance to drive increased revenue. The increase in foot traffic will allow retailers, who can put their wares outside, to capture “impulse buys” and drive recognition of their businesses. We know Merchants and Restaurants have had to defer rent and this pilot should give them a chance to boost revenue, making up for what they have lost over the past 18 months. Closing a couple of blocks will also help merchants who are outside the pilot zone.    Main Street can serve as a learning experience for other thoroughfares in Santa Monica. Imagine closing Montana for the Art Walk giving pedestrians the ability to safely meander the displays at a leisurely pace! By voting yes on the pilot, the community will gather hard data on traffic flows, parking and safety that can serve as a baseline for future efforts.    Families will also benefit from a yes vote. Ocean Park is a small, walkable neighborhood where a sense of community is strong. Giving families a safe environment to wander their local business district, enjoy a meal dining al fresco and reconnect with neighbors is good for our spirit. It will also give families from other areas, like Pico, a chance to enjoy the beach in a slightly different way.    Thank You for Your Support the Pilot    Sincerely,  David Wright   Item 13.C 04/27/21 120 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1350 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Bea Nemlaha <tobea@nottobe.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 12:09 PM To:councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox Cc:Lane Dilg; David Martin Subject:Agenda Item 13C: Breaking News: L.A. County reaches yellow-tier marker; widest reopening could be a week away EXTERNAL    Another reason why closing Main Street to traffic to favor bar and restaurant businesses over  other businesses and residents is a bad idea and not needed.      From: Los Angeles Times <alerts@email.latimes.com>   Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 11:50 AM  To: Bea Nemlaha <tobea@nottobe.com>  Subject: Breaking News: L.A. County reaches yellow‐tier marker; widest reopening could be a week away    To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.   Breaking News    Apr. 27, 2021 L.A. County reaches yellow-tier marker; widest reopening could be a week away Los Angeles County's coronavirus case rate has dropped to 1.9 new cases per day per 100,000 people, reaching the threshold to enter California's yellow tier, the most lenient category of the state's multi-tiered COVID-19 reopening plan. The county would have to maintain its numbers next week to advance. Read more   Item 13.C 04/27/21 121 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1351 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 ADVERTISEMENT To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.         To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. Copyright © 2021, Los Angeles Times 2300 E. Imperial Highway El Segundo, California, 90245, United States. | https://www.latimes.com Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in placing an ad or classified, get in touch here. You received this email because you opted to receive breaking news alerts from Los Angeles Times. Manage marketing email preferences • Unsubscribe from email alerts • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Do Not Sell My Personal Information • CA Notice of Collection FOLLOW To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.twitter To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.instagram To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.youtube To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.facebo ok     Item 13.C 04/27/21 122 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1352 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:09 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Please vote YES on Main St Pilot closures Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Christian Perez <chrismperez@gmail.com>   Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:07 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Please vote YES on Main St Pilot closures    EXTERNAL    Dear Council,    I am an Ocean Park resident / homeowner and LOVE the Main St dining alfresco program.     I am also strongly in favor of the pilot program closing Main Street for a couple of weekends this summer as a test to  further improve Main St.      Please vote yes on Item 13C.     Sincerely,  Christian Perez  Santa Monica Ocean Park homeowner   Item 13.C 04/27/21 123 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1353 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:shelley pearce <shelleypearcelmft@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:07 PM To:Sue Himmelrich; councilmtgitems; Kristin McCowan; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Christine Parra Subject:I support item 13-C!! Attachments:PastedGraphic-1.tiff Importance:High EXTERNAL    Thanks for the work you all do and considering this proposal.  I walk nightly in Santa Monica and often on Main Street  and would love to see less cars, more pedestrians, and especially recovering and hopefully eventually thriving businesses  in our wonderful city.  All the best,  Shelley Pearce  Lic Marriage & Family Psychotherapist Cert Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider Global Bridge Foundation Board of Directors  Santa Monica College Associate Professor West Coast Care Ambassador CA Assoc of Marriage Family Therapists President 2017-2018     Item 13.C 04/27/21 124 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1354 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:10 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Main Street Closures Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Kate Holt <kateholt@yahoo.com>   Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 10:57 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Cc: J. Scott Smith <jssphoton@yahoo.com>  Subject: Main Street Closures    EXTERNAL      Mayor Himmelrich and Councilmembers,    We fail to see how the proposed plan to regularly close a segment of Main Street can work without a significant negative  impact on the immediate neighborhood.     We have already expressed our concerns to OPA about the likelihood of increased traffic on residential streets but our  overriding concern is the buses.    During the annual 4th of July and Coast single day closures of Main Street, diverted #1 buses roar along 3rd Street over  100 times from 6am‐7pm. To repeat such dangerous and noxious intrusions every weekend would be ruinous to our  beloved neighborhood, regardless of how it might benefit local bars and restaurants.     Please proceed gently and with respect for those of us who actually live here.     Warmest,    Kate Holt & Scott Smith  Ocean Park residents      Sent from my iPhone  Item 13.C 04/27/21 125 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1355 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 4 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:10 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Main St. Alfresco Dining Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: les gibbs <leswgibbs@gmail.com>   Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 9:29 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Main St. Alfresco Dining    EXTERNAL    Dear Council members,    I am an OP resident and LOVE the Main St dining alfresco program.     I am also strongly in favor of the pilot program that closes Main Street for a couple of weekends this summer as a test  to further improve Main St.      Please vote yes on Item 13C.     Sincerely,    Les Gibbs  Item 13.C 04/27/21 126 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1356 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 5 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:11 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Main Street Closure Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Karla Klarin <ksklarin@gmail.com>   Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 9:55 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Main Street Closure    EXTERNAL    Council members‐    I just read that you are considering closing Main Street to cars permanently and directing traffic onto Hill and Ashland.    No!  Main Street is a commercial street and car traffic is appropriate.    I and my family and our neighbors on Ashland are already putting up with cars that speed up and down, at all hours.    We have many families on Ashland (and surrounding residential streets) with small children.  DO NOT CLOSE Main Street  AS THAT WOULD MAKE ASHLAND EVEN MORE DANGEROUS.    Consider, would you like traffic zooming up and down in front of your home?  Let me guess, no you wouldn’t.  Well, we  don’t want it either.    Karla Klarin  Item 13.C 04/27/21 127 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1357 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 6 Vernice Hankins From:Cynthia Rose <Cynthia.Rose@SMSpoke.org> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:07 PM To:councilmtgitems; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Christine Parra; Clerk Mailbox Subject:Support Item 13C: Main Street Weekend Closures Attachments:2021 April 27 -CC Agenda Item 13C Support.pdf EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor and City Council     Please find attached a letter of support for Agenda Item 13C: Main Street Weekend Closures" from Santa Monica Spoke  and the Santa Monica Safe Street Alliance. Main Street Weekend Closures.    ‐‐    Cynthia Rose    Director    Santa Monica Spoke    SMSpoke.org       Item 13.C 04/27/21 128 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1358 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) A community group dedicated to biking in Santa Monica. Working to make the City of Santa Monica a more sustainable, bikeable place to live, work and play. March 9, 2021 Agenda Item 13C - Main Street - Summer Weekend Closures Dear Mayor and City Council, Santa Monica Spoke and the Santa Monica Safe Street Alliance wish to express our enthusiastic support for the recommendation in Item 13C, to consider the proposals of Main Street Business Improvement Association and the Ocean Park Association to implement a pilot program for temporary summer weekend street closures. With support from community and businesses, we hope to expand this program in the near future. As we emerge from Covid, people have clearly demonstrated the strong desire to reclaim our streets from the dominance and safety impacts created by decades of planning for and prioritizing motorized vehicular trac on our public roadways. Roadways are a huge asset and our largest public space. When we shared the recent City Survey on the topic, we received an overwhelming near 100% positive response. We would like to note here, we believe respondents may be less likely to again write to council on item 13C this evening, believing they have already given their support and feedback via the survey. Our community has over and over rearmed its desire for safer and more equitable streets, streets that are safe and inviting for all. Other cities in the US and around the world have long been discovering the economic and safety benets of slow and shared streets for safer, more equitable and sustainable mobility, for people walking, biking, scooting and driving. Communities have the data, we know that prioritizing people over cars makes streets safer for everyone, improves gridlock, is better for the environment, and indeed improves the experience of mobility regardless of mode. By providing safer and healthier options that encourage more people to leave their cars behind and explore the city, we improve safety, climate impacts, economic and environmental resilience, and vitality for our future. We hope to see expansion of this kind of pilot, with forward thinking planning, that reimagines our streets by exploring similar pilots in other areas of Santa Monica. Everyone deserves access to the vibrance and safety created in pedestrian-oriented open streets in their neighborhoods and business districts. Please vote a resounding YES on item 13C. Sincerely Cynthia Rose Santa Monica Spoke Santa Monica Safe Street Alliance Item 13.C 04/27/21 129 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1359 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:18 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Parklets on Main Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Erica Brookhart <ericabryn@gmail.com>   Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 5:08 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Parklets on Main    EXTERNAL    Hello Councilmembers,     My name is Erica Brookhart.     I am IN FAVOR of the pilot program proposed by The Main Street Merchants Association, and The Ocean Park  Association to close certain sections of Main Street on the weekends so businesses, customers, pedestrians, and cyclist  can use the space when demand/foot traffic is at its highest.     Please support ITEM 13‐C at the Tuesday, April 27th council meeting.     Main Street has been struggling to survive throughout this pandemic, and we need all the energy and activity we can  get. We also believe that moving towards a more pedestrian/cyclist oriented commercial district and rerouting the  majority of through traffic and bus traffic to Neilson is something that should be explored in the future.     Thank you!     Sincerely,     XXX  ‐‐   Erica Brookhart  Producer/Author  www.EricaBryn.com       Artistic Director, Founder  Item 13.C 04/27/21 130 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1360 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 So Fly Kids  www.SoFlyKids.com  Item 13.C 04/27/21 131 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1361 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:18 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Agenda item 13C April 27 Main Street Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: jAdis <jadis1@gmail.com>   Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2021 3:45 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Agenda item 13C April 27 Main Street    EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Himmelrich and Council Members,  I am writing to you out of concern for the proposed weekend closure of Main Street on your agenda for April 27th. My store has been at the corner of Main and Hill for 45 years, and I believe I have a fairly good snapshot of the business and residential communities by now. While the intent of this proposal is to invigorate Main Street after a difficult year, it is fraught with problems that may actually have the reverse effect. In brief - 1) Main Street is a thoroughfare with buses, cyclists, emergency vehicles, cars, and scooters. To achieve this closure, buses, delivery trucks, valet parking, and access to private lots would all need to be re-routed or temporarily suspended. 2) At least 2 or 3 times each week-end day, ambulances and fire trucks are racing down Main Street. How are these services going to function if their travel routes are up-ended? Moreover, how would they be able to reach someone in need, mid-block? 3) As a retailer, I have already “donated” 43 Main Street parking meters for the Al Fresco dining program in the stretch between Hill Street south to Pier Avenue alone. This does not include loss of parking for parklets. I believe the K-rails have eliminated close to 100 parking spaces on Main Street. Many of these K-rails are in front of vacant store fronts and are simply eyesores with no purpose. Item 13.C 04/27/21 132 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1362 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 4 4) We are fortunate to have metered parking in Lots 9 and 9A. However, these lots have traditionally been favored by beach goers taking advantage of the less expensive rates, and taking the Ashland walkway to the beach. When the summer weather returns, those lots will again be used by beach goers….not shoppers. Finally, the timing of this proposal seems very odd. Restaurant capacity continues to expand and customers are beginning to visit their favorite shops. Why would anyone think that interrupting this delicate rhythm by, literally, installing a roadblock, be a good thing now??? In my opinion, there is a serious risk that shoppers, running into a “Road Detour", will simply not bother to make the effort to find new areas to park and will leave the area. I know I would. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Susan Lieberman Owner -- jAdis 2701 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90405 (310) 396-3477 www.jadisprops.com   Item 13.C 04/27/21 133 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1363 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:24 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: 13C Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Natalie Wray <nnepstad@yahoo.com>   Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 6:32 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: 13C    EXTERNAL      Dear Council,    I am an Ocean Park resident and I ask that you vote yes on closing Main Street for couple of week‐ends this year.     Vote Yes on 13C.    Thank You    Natalie  Item 13.C 04/27/21 134 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1364 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:24 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Support of 13c Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Anthony Schmitt <shoppingcarttree@gmail.com>   Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 6:50 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Support of 13c    EXTERNAL    To the council of Santa Monica    I want to add my voice to fully support item 13C on the agenda for April 27 regarding the Main Street pilot project, for  outdoor dining.    I find outdoor dining critical in today's environment. It is very consistent with California's life style. When something  catches on that generates a vitality to the street, I think it's essential to continue the commitment to the merchants and  patrons, that create community. Having this policy become a standard measure for us to use as a permanent standard.    Thank you very much,  Anthony Schmitt    Chairman MSBIA  Item 13.C 04/27/21 135 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1365 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:23 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Support the Pilot   Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    From: Louise Tutelian <louisetutelian@gmail.com>   Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 8:00 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>; Lane Dilg <Lane.Dilg@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Support the Pilot    EXTERNAL    Mayor and Council Members,    Re: Item 13c    I ask that you vote to support closing a couple of blocks of Main Street for a few weekends this year as a pilot to benefit  Ocean Park residents, merchants, and the entire neighborhood. As a resident who lives only one block off Main Street, I  have seen first‐hand the difference that opening the street has made to Restaurants and Merchants‐‐literally saving  their livelihoods in several instances. I am convinced that a vote for Support the Pilot is a vote for the future of Main  Street.     Sharing our streets with people who walk, use scooters, and ride bikes are good for local businesses, helps fight climate  change, and builds our sense of community as we emerge from COVID. Sharing our streets, even for a couple of days a  year, is a good start to a less car‐centric future.    Supporting this pilot is good for our local merchants as this will give them a chance to drive increased revenue. The  increase in foot traffic will allow retailers, who can put their wares outside to capture “impulse buys” and drive  recognition of their businesses. We know Merchants and Restaurants have had to defer rent and this pilot should give  them a chance to boost revenue, making up for what they have lost over the past 18 months. Closing a couple of blocks  will also help merchants who are outside the pilot zone.    By voting yes on the pilot, the community will gather hard data on traffic flows, parking, and safety that can serve as a  baseline for future efforts.    Item 13.C 04/27/21 136 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1366 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 4 Families will also benefit from a yes vote. Ocean Park is a small, walkable neighborhood where a sense of community is  strong. Giving families a safe environment to wander their local business district, enjoy a meal dining al fresco and  reconnect with neighbors is good for our spirit.      Sincerely,  Louise Tutelian    Louise Tutelian  125 Pacific Street  Santa Monica, CA 90405    louisetutelian@gmail.com  Get Involved! Find out how I spend my Saturdays at Minds Matter  Item 13.C 04/27/21 137 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1367 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 5 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:22 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Main Street Santa Monica Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Grace Kim <kim.grace@yahoo.com>   Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 9:21 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Main Street Santa Monica     EXTERNAL    Dear Council,    I am an OP resident and LOVE the Main St dining alfresco program. I am also strongly in favor of the pilot program  closing Main Street for a couple of weekends this summer as a test to further improve Main St.  Please vote yes on Item  13C.     Sincerely,  Grace Kim    Sent from my iPhone  Item 13.C 04/27/21 138 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1368 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 6 Vernice Hankins From:Brodsky, Michael <mbrodsky@lmu.edu> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:22 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Support 13c Main Street Pilot EXTERNAL    Dear City Council,    Decades ago, Santa Monica had the foresight to create the Third Street Promenade.  Today it a world famous pedestrian  promenade and a model for cities around the world.     Santa Barbara has just followed in our steps and just this month turned State Street into a fabulous pedestrian  promenade.    We have had such great success with the Santa Monica Coast events and the Summer Solstice events on Main Street  which illustrate how popular, safe and fun streets can be when streets are opened up to people.     The road to recovery is a street paved for pedestrians!    Sincerely,    Michael Brodsky  Santa Monica      Item 13.C 04/27/21 139 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1369 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 7 Vernice Hankins From:Patricia Meyer <patriciakmeyer1@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:21 PM To:councilmtgitems; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Christine Parra Subject:Advocating for Main Street Weekend Closure Pilot Program EXTERNAL    Greetings, SM City Council:    I am writing to urge you to support the Main Street Weekend Closure  pilot program. This will upgrade the weekend experiences of residents  and tourists, alike!    Thanks for your attention.    Sincerely,  Your constituent  Patricia K. Meyer  Writer/Producer  Graduate Director of Screenwriting  Clinical Assistant Professor of Screenwriting  Loyola Marymount University  Mobile: (310)968‐4044  Website: patriciakmeyerwriter.com  Item 13.C 04/27/21 140 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1370 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 8 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:21 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: City Council Item 13.C Tues April 27 Hideous kbars and insane street closure idea     From: Berry Lee Shoes <info@berryleeshoes.com>   Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 6:04 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>; Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@SMGOV.NET>; Christine Parra  <Christine.Parra@SMGOV.NET>; Councilmember Kevin McKeown <Kevin.McKeown@smgov.net>; Sue Himmelrich  <Sue.Himmelrich@SMGOV.NET>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@SMGOV.NET>; Oscar de la Torre  <Oscar.delaTorre@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: City Council Item 13.C Tues April 27 Hideous kbars and insane street closure idea    EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Himmelrich and Council Members,    Santa Monica has, for no rational reason that has been offered,  repurposed at least 60‐70 parking spaces that could  have been used for city revenue (about $3 an hour per meter)  to provide empty spaces to position ugly kbars that  shelter the homeless, thus enhancing the views out the windows of the liquor stores, shoe stores, clothing shops, nail  salons, real estate offices, children's products, post‐production houses and all the other non‐restaurant businesses  which they have blocked off.     One wonders where all the people that can't find parking on Main Street have gone instead.     It's easy for youngsters on the BIA to say that the elderly and infirm can simply walk the 200‐300 yards from the  problematic parking lots if they want to shop, but it's a disgraceful canard. And, having made street parking on the next  three blocks east of Main Street permit‐only, well, it's game, set & match!    It's certain that the businesses which have lost the parking in front of their brick and mortar rentals and do not own  restaurants have no use for that public space but their frustrated customers would sure like to park there.     Nor is it easy to understand why restaurants are allowed to sequester public street parking spaces which are NOT in  front of their buildings.     Now that it appears that restaurants will be allowed to open up more and more in the coming months, and absolutely  do not need the public streets for their service, what other brilliant ideas might have popped up in the minds of those  who seem interested only in killing off what little business might come to Main Street?    Hmmm.  Oh, I know.  Let's take away people's ability to drive here at all!    Let's make absolutely certain that someone coming here to try to shop, helping to keep the few businesses that have  managed to hold on, not only can't park, they can't even drive on Main Street!    The ideas which have been promulgated here would seem insane unless all of the machinations were being carefully  orchestrated by, say, big property owners of the 3rd Street Promenade, in their last‐ditch attempt to destroy Main  Item 13.C 04/27/21 141 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1371 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 9 Street once and for all.  Not accusing anyone, but that's what it feels like.      Not trying to be dramatic, but every single dishonest reason put forth by the crew running the BIA fails the smell test.  And, boy do they lie.  Now *ONE* trial weekend has morphed into THREE.    Give us back our parking places.  Forget this insanity about closing the street.  There is NOTHING to be gained from any  of it. If you insist on keeping 'parklets' ‐ which the homeless love by the way ‐ restrict them to the exact amount of space  their food‐service business occupies.  Putting retail out of business to 'help' a few restaurants out unnecessarily is not  good business.     Sincerely,    Nick Koff   c/o Berry Lee Shoes  2525 Main Street, Ste, 101  Santa Monica, CA 90405  310 392 8853 ‐ Shop  866 341‐0469 ‐ Fax  Item 13.C 04/27/21 142 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1372 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 10 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:21 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich; Terry O’Day Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Main St closures Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: andrew@agledhill.com <andrew@agledhill.com>   Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 10:24 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Main St closures    EXTERNAL    Mayor Himmelrich and Councilmembers,    Please proceed with the utmost caution regarding closures to Main St.    It’s great to see local businesses thriving again after this last year, but closing Main St to traffic in order to help them  further would have major repercussions.    Apart from MTA bus services on Main St that serve workers and residents, Big Blue Bus #1 makes 66 journeys in each  direction even on Saturday, from 6am to 11pm.    If these buses take 3rd St instead of Main, the result will be misery for residents.      Thank you,    Andrew Gledhill  Ocean Park  Item 13.C 04/27/21 143 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1373 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 11 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:20 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Main Street Closure Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Jim <kimobrock@aol.com>   Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 10:54 AM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: Main Street Closure    EXTERNAL    Dear Council: I have lived at 2800 Neilson Way for 44 years. Although some unbelievable things have happened in this area I do not believe that Main Street will be closed without large repercussions. I trust, more than others, that you will continue your leadership of common sense. Thank you in advance. James Brock Item 13.C 04/27/21 144 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1374 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 12 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:19 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Support for item 13 C Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Geraldine Gilliland <tacolady@gerrigilliland.com>   Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 1:31 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>; hunter@mainstreetsm.com; Chuck C  <chuckc@lulacocinamexicana.com>  Subject: Support for item 13 C     EXTERNAL    We are 100% in favor of Main Street pilot project. Outdoor dining was critical to my restaurant Lula Cocina at 2720 Main  Street to get us through the pandemic.     Outdoor dining should be here to stay and we really hope you will vote to do that       Geraldine Gilliland  ~ Restaurateur ~ Dog Mom ~ Chef ~ Cookbook Author ~  Cell: 310.717.5480  www.ChiquitasFriends.org  www.Lulacocinamexicana.com  Chiquitas Ranch Video!  "Giving a voice to the forgotten, rejected, and neglected."       Item 13.C 04/27/21 145 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1375 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Dana Cuff <danacuff1@me.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:13 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Support for Item 13-C EXTERNAL    Dear SM City Council,  I write in support of item 13‐c, pilot street closure of Main St. Weekend closure of our already pedestrian oriented Main  St would be a great change for the city, making it more friendly, accessible, and safe.   Dana Cuff  1038 Bay St  SM CA 90405    Dana Cuff  Director, cityLAB‐UCLA      Item 13.C 04/27/21 146 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1376 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:25 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: In Favor of Item 13C Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Oliver Haas <oliverchaas@gmail.com>   Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 9:24 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Subject: In Favor of Item 13C    EXTERNAL    Dear Council,    I  LOVE the Main St dining alfresco program. I am also strongly in favor of the pilot program closing Main Street for a  couple of weekends this summer as a test to further improve Main St.  Please vote yes on Item 13C.     Sincerely,    Oliver Haas  Item 13.C 04/27/21 147 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1377 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:25 PM To:Christine Parra; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Main St. Closure Item 13 C Council‐    Please see the email below regarding Item 13C on tonight's agenda.    Thank you,    Stephanie      From: Curt Cotter <Curt.Cotter@hotmail.com>   Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 10:01 PM  To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>  Cc: MainStNeighbors@gmail.com  Subject: Main St. Closure Item 13 C     EXTERNAL    Dear Santa Monica Council Members    I live 1 block off Main Street and am opposed to closing down Main Street because of the increased traffic in residential  streets.   The residential streets already have increase traffic due to the all the people that come to Santa Monica to shop, eat,  enjoy the beach, the pier and all the other wonderful things in Santa Monica.  But most of the people who come to  Santa Monica drive and the Traffic on the weekends is heavy and free parking in the neighborhoods are all taken.       I understand that the Main Street business have been hurt by COVID, but the solution is not to punish the neighbors.  Closing down  Main St. so that more people can come to Main St., will increase traffic and many drivers will use  alternative routes through the nearby neighborhoods.   COVID restrictions are lifting and the number of people coming  to Main St. will increase.      Another concern is that a lot of restaurants opened after the COVID shut down.  These new restaurants opened with the  current restrictions and I do not feel that the neighborhood residents should have to sacrifice their peace and quiet to  make their business better.     Sincerely    Dawn Cotter  2ndSt. Resident    Item 13.C 04/27/21 148 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1378 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Patrick Coyne <patrick@livecontrol.io> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:39 PM To:councilmtgitems; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Christine Parra Subject:Support for Main Street Pilot Program EXTERNAL    Hi City Council Members‐    I am voicing our company's support for the 13‐C Pilot Program. We are a company that occupies office space on Main  Street, and although the street closures will pose the occasional minor inconvenience for us, we are really excited about  the walkability and usability for all other businesses and people.     On behalf of the 20+ of us that consider Main Street home, we'd like to thank you!    Best,  Patrick      Patrick Coyne, CEO a. 2110 Main Street #303, Santa Monica, CA 90405 e. patrick@livecontrol.io w. LiveControl.io To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. Item 13.C 04/27/21 149 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1379 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 2 Vernice Hankins From:Bradley Ewing <bradleywewing@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:39 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:13C - Main St Automobile Closures EXTERNAL    Council,    I'm writing in to enthusiastically support this measure and would love to see other streets (such as Montana Ave) roll  out similar pilot programs. Opening up our streets to pedestrians is a far more equitable use of limited public space and  a great way to drive additional foot traffic to our struggling local businesses.    Best,  Brad Ewing  Wilmont  Item 13.C 04/27/21 150 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1380 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Leonora <leonorasc@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:56 PM To:councilmtgitems; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Christine Parra Subject:Support for Item 13-C EXTERNAL    I'm writing to express my support for item 13-C, a pilot program for temporary summer weekend street closures. It's time that we prioritize people, livability, sustainability, and safety over care convenience. Street closures will make Santa Monica a more enjoyable environment to walk and be in, and will also help promote economic recovery post-pandemic. I strongly support this program. Item 13.C 04/27/21 151 of 151 Item 13.C 04/27/21 13.C.a Packet Pg. 1381 Attachment: Written Comments (4549 : Street closures as part of economic recovery efforts)