SR 08-24-2021 3H
City Council Report
City Council Meeting: August 24, 2021
Agenda Item: 3.H
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: John Jalili, Interim City Manager, City Manager's Office
Subject: Authorization of Memorandum of Understanding with the Santa Monica Black
Lives Association to Support the Wellbeing and Socioeconomic Needs of the
Black Community
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the transfer of $100,000 in previously appropriated funds from the
General Fund to the Santa Monica Black Lives Association for use to promote
the wellbeing of the Black community in Santa Monica and to address the health,
wellness, mental health, and socioeconomic needs of the Black community as
directed by Council on September 8, 2020; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a memorandum of
understanding with the Santa Monica Black Lives Association to establish
reporting requirements and the intended uses of the funds.
Summary
In response to recommendations presented on September 8, 2020 by Black community
leaders to address systemic racism and improve the wellbeing of the Black community
in Santa Monica, the City Council approved allocating $100,000 to support the formation
of a nonprofit by Black community leaders. Since then, Black community leaders have
worked to establish a nonprofit called the Santa Monica Black Lives Association
(SMBLA). Staff now recommends that the City Council authorize the transfer of the
previously allocated $100,000 to the SMBLA pursuant to a memorandum of
understanding identifying the reporting requirements and use of the funds to support the
SMBLA’s efforts to address the health, wellness, mental health, and socioeconomic
needs of the Black community.
Discussion
As millions of people took to the streets in cities in the U.S. and around the world in
2020 to decry the murder of Black people and demand the dismantling of systemic
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racism, the City of Santa Monica heeded the call from Black community leaders to take
action to address systemic racism in Santa Monica. In alignment with its values of
equity and inclusion, the City Council in June 2020 directed staff to support Black
community leaders’ development of a Black Agenda for Santa Monica, a
comprehensive blueprint for change across a wide range of priority areas
(Attachment A).
In June 2020, Black community leaders formed the Black Agenda Steering Committee
to begin developing the Black Agenda. The Black Agenda Steering Committee
presented to the City Council on September 8, 2020 about their priorities including their
intention to form a nonprofit organization to promote the wellbeing of the Black
community and to address the health, wellness, mental health, and socioeconomic
needs of the Black community. The Black Agenda Steering Committee has now formed
the SMBLA to focus on the following priorities that were selected based on feedback
from 238 Santa Monica residents, employers, employees, and students who identify as
Black (Attachment B):
• economic development
• mental health and wellbeing
• police reform
• education
• COVID-19 recovery
• the arts
• housing
• civic and political participation
The SMBLA aims to promote the wellbeing of Black people who live, work and visit the
Santa Monica community, and to build a more equitable and just Santa Monica. The
SMBLA will carry out its work by offering events, programs and services including but
not limited to individual, family and marital counseling programs, healthy living and peer
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support programs, and educational programs for children, youth and young adults. To
date, the SMBLA has held and/or collaborated on several events including the following:
• January 30, 2021: The SMBLA collaborated with the Black Agenda to hold a
virtual “Poetry and All That Jazz” event for youth, featuring music, poetry
readings, and a poetry writing session. The event was a great outlet for youth to
express their feelings as they grappled with the effects of the pandemic, violence
against Black people, and more.
• May 25, 2021: On the one-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, the
SMBLA collaborated with the Black Agenda Steering Committee to hold the
virtual event “Commemorating George Floyd and Celebration of Black
Resilience.”
• June 19, 2021: SMBLA staffed an informational booth at the Calvary Baptist
Church Juneteenth celebration to meet community members and provide
information about SMBLA.
The SMBLA would work with staff to submit an annual update to the City Council
explaining how the funds have been or will be used to advance the SMBLA’s work to
support its mission of promoting the wellbeing of the Black community.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
June 23, 2020
(Attachment A)
Approved allocating $25,000 in Council discretionary funds to
support the Black Agenda
September 8, 2020
(Attachment B)
Directed staff to develop a mechanism to provide $100,000 in
seed funding to advance the formation of a non-profit
organization to promote the wellbeing of the Black community in
Santa Monica, including people who live, work, and visit Santa
Monica, and to build a more equitable and just Santa Monica.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to transfer budgeted and available funding from the City Manager’s
Office to the SMBLA to promote the wellbeing of the Black community in Santa Monica
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and to address the health, wellness, mental health, and socioeconomic needs of the
Black community. These are one-time funds. Any future funding would need to be
pursued through the City’s Human Services Grants programs, the We Are Santa
Monica fund, or other avenues.
Contract Request
FY 2021-22 Budget
Request Amount Department Account # Total Contract Amount
$100,000 01200009.525420 $100,000
Prepared By: Delana Gbenekama, Equity and Communications Coordinator
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. June 23, 2020 Council Item 13B (Web Link)
B. September 8, 2020 Staff Report - Item 8A (Web Link)
C. SMBLA Articles of Incorporation
D. SMBLA Statement of Information
E. SMBLA California Tax Exemption
F. SMBLA Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Seed Funding
G. SMBLA Oaks Initiative Disclosure Form
H. Written Comments
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Packet Pg. 415 Attachment: SMBLA Statement of Information (4662 : Authorize MOU with SMBLA to Support the Black Community's Wellbeing and
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FRANCHISE TAX BOARD
PO Box 1286
Rancho Cordova CA 95741-1286
FTB 9941 PASS (REV 09-2018)
Exempt Application\Correspondence \ LTR
002 - EDL
SANTA MONICA BLACK LIVES ASSOCIATION
ATTN: BARRY SNELL
2020 DELAWARE AVE UNIT 2
SANTA MONICA CA 90404
Date: 08.13.2021
Case: 33040776512519353
Case Unit: 33040776512519356
In reply refer to: 760:WRM:F120
Regarding : Tax-Exempt Status
Organization's Name : SANTA MONICA BLACK LIVES ASSOCIATION
CCN : 4638295
Purpose : Charitable
R&TC Section : 23701d
Form of Organization : Incorporated
Accounting Period Ending : 12/31
Tax-Exempt Status Effective : 09/04/2020
Exempt Determination Letter
We have determined the organization is tax-exempt from California franchise or income tax as stated
in the above Revenue and Taxation Code (R&TC) section.
To retain tax-exempt status, the organization must be organized and operating for nonprofit
purposes within the provisions of the above R&TC section. An inactive organization is not entitled to
tax-exempt status.
We have based our decision on the information submitted and the assumption that the
organization's present operations will continue unchanged or conform to those proposed in the
organization's application. In order for us to determine any effect on the tax-exempt status, the
organization must immediately report to us any change in:
Operation
Character
Purpose
Name
Address
Our determination may no longer be applicable, if these changes occur:
Material facts or circumstances relating to the organization application.
Relevant statutory, administrative, or judicial case law.
Federal interpretation of federal law in cases where our decision was based on such
interpretation.
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Page 2 of 2
FTB 9941 PASS (REV 09-2018)
Exempt Application\Correspondence \ LTR
002 - EDL
It is the organization's responsibility to be aware of these changes should they occur. This paragraph
constitutes written advice, other than a chief counsel ruling, within the meaning of
R&TC Section 21012(a)(2).
For filing requirements, get Pub. 1068, Exempt Organizations - Filing Requirements and Filing Fees.
Go to ftb.ca.gov and search for 1068.
All California public benefit corporations must register with the California Attorney General’s Office
Registry of Charitable Trusts within 30 days of first receiving any assets.
The Attorney General regulates charities and the professional fundraisers who solicit on their behalf.
The purpose of this oversight is to protect charitable assets for their intended use and ensure that
the charitable donations contributed by Californians are not misapplied and squandered through
fraud or other means.
Please refer to oag.ca.gov/Charities for further information on registration requirements and contact
information. Also see the publication Attorney General’s Guide for Charities.
This exemption is for state franchise or income tax purposes only. For information regarding sales tax
exemption, contact the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration at 800.400.7115, or go
to their website at cdtfa.ca.gov.
Exempt Organization Unit
Telephone: 916.845.4171
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SMBLA – MINUTES OF THE MEETING 6/10/21 1
SMBLA MINUTES OF THE MEETING
June 10, 2021
The Board of Directors of Santa Monica Black Lives Association does hereby adopt the
following resolutions by signing this consent hereto effective as of the date set forth next to their
name.
Resolved further, that the members of the Board of Directors do hereby approve the following:
• Identify One West Bank Account No. 1170048419 is the bank account for SMBLA for the
purposes of accepting and distributing funds in accordance with the mission of SMBLA.
• Accept an initial $100,000 contribution from the City of Santa Monica as unanimously directed
by the City of Santa Monica City Council.
• Approve the election of Jonathan Gregory as the initial Treasurer of SMBLA as discussed at
the May 27, 2021 board meeting.
Resolved, further that this Unanimous Consent to Action Without Meeting may be signed in
multiple counterparts which, together, constitute one original document.
Board:
Name: Barry Snell
Sign: _________________________
Name: Keith Coleman
Sign: _________________________
Name: Dr. Debra Myers
Sign: _________________________
Name: Juanita Palacios- Sims
Sign: _________________________
Document Ref: KPEHF-F8XEC-5TCHA-XDPQH Page 1 of 2
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SMBLA – MINUTES OF THE MEETING 6/10/21 2
Name: Jennell Maze
Sign: _________________________
Name: Brenda Sutton-Wills
Sign: _________________________
Name: Ericka Mitchell
Sign: _________________________
Name: Julie Rusk
Sign: _________________________
Document Ref: KPEHF-F8XEC-5TCHA-XDPQH Page 2 of 2
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Signature Certificate
Document Ref.: KPEHF-F8XEC-5TCHA-XDPQH
Document signed by:
Jennell Maze
Verified E-mail:
jennellmaze@gmail.com
IP: 75.83.17.182 Date: 15 Jun 2021 04:45:24 UTC
Barry Snell
Verified E-mail:barry@snellcpa.com
IP: 104.173.247.171 Date: 15 Jun 2021 04:46:37 UTC
Dr. Debra Myers
Verified E-mail:
debra.myers@gmail.com
IP: 108.65.77.32 Date: 15 Jun 2021 05:14:59 UTC
Julie Rusk
Verified E-mail:
julie.rusk@roadrunner.com
IP: 172.91.122.239 Date: 15 Jun 2021 06:58:20 UTC
Document completed by all parties on:
17 Jun 2021 03:31:37 UTC
Page 1 of 2
Signed with PandaDoc.com
PandaDoc is a document workflow and certified eSignature
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Signature Certificate
Document Ref.: KPEHF-F8XEC-5TCHA-XDPQH
Document signed by:
Juanita Palacios-Sims
Verified E-mail:
jvpalaciossims@gmail.com
IP: 104.32.70.170 Date: 15 Jun 2021 16:41:07 UTC
Keith Coleman
Verified E-mail:keith.coleman@alumni.stanford.edu
IP: 72.134.34.187 Date: 15 Jun 2021 18:55:17 UTC
Erika Mitchell
Verified E-mail:
erika@discoveryclubpsp.com
IP: 108.217.106.105 Date: 16 Jun 2021 20:33:47 UTC
Brenda Suttonmills
E-mail:brenda.suttonmills@gmail.com
Signed via link
IP: 47.151.137.21 Date: 17 Jun 2021 03:31:37 UTC
Document completed by all parties on:
17 Jun 2021 03:31:37 UTC
Page 2 of 2
Signed with PandaDoc.com
PandaDoc is a document workflow and certified eSignature
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1
Vernice Hankins
From:Tara Barauskas <tbarauskas@communitycorp.org>
Sent:Friday, August 20, 2021 10:47 AM
To:councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox
Subject:Support for item 3H - funding of SM Black Lives Association
EXTERNAL
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council,
Please allow this email to serve as Community Corporation’s strong support of item 3H, funding for the SM Black Lives
Association. We have been collaborating with them prior to them formally creating this organization, and know that this
next step is critical to promoting racial justice and understanding of racial issues in the City of Santa Monica. I hope you
will approve this funding.
Thank you,
Tara Barauskas
Tara Barauskas, LEED AP
Executive Director
Community Corporation of Santa Monica
1423 2nd Street, Suite B
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 394‐8487 ext. 133
tbarauskas@communitycorp.org
PLEASE NOTE: Community Corporation is working remotely – please email or call us (and leave a voice message) and
we will respond as soon as feasible. We are committed to supporting our staff and residents during this Coronavirus
crisis.
www.communitycorp.org
Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
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Vernice Hankins
From:Sheila Banani <sheila@sheilabanani.com>
Sent:Friday, August 20, 2021 12:10 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:support for SMBLA
EXTERNAL
Santa Monica City Council
As a resident homeowner in Santa Monica since 1966 and as a member of the Santa Monica Bay Area Human
Relations Council Board of Directors, I wish to convey to you my support for the SMBLA item on your
meeting Agenda.
Sheila Wolcott Banani
535 Ocean Avenue, Unit 3-D
Santa Monica, CA 90402
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Vernice Hankins
From:Tara Pomposini <tara@ymcasm.org>
Sent:Friday, August 20, 2021 12:18 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Transfer of Seed Funding to SMBLA
EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
I stand in support of the seed funding to support Santa Monica Black Lives Association
as the CEO of the Santa Monica YMCA and as a member of the Human Relations Council
Santa Monica Bay Area.
Tara
Tara Pomposini, CEO
SANTA MONICA FAMILY YMCA
1332 6th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (P) 310.393.2721 ext. 110 (F) 310.451.7309 (W) www.ymcasm.org
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
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Vernice Hankins
From:T <tie.ryder@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, August 20, 2021 4:54 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Item 3H
EXTERNAL
Hello,
I support the appropriation of seed funding for the Santa Monica Black Lives
Association, a nonprofit organization formed by Black community leaders to support the
wellbeing of the Black community. Direct investments like this are greatly needed in the
black community, a group that has been historically displaced throughout LA County by
state-supported violence!
Black Lives Matter, Black Housing Matters, Direct investments into the Black Community
matter!
Best,
Tieira
www.HTWWS.org
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Vernice Hankins
From:Wittig, Michele A <Michele.Wittig@csun.edu>
Sent:Monday, August 23, 2021 9:53 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Item 3H: Support for SMBLA funding
EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
I’m writing in strong support of item 3H on your August 24, 2021 Agenda to allocate $100,000 in public funds to the
newly‐formed 501(c)3 non‐profit Santa Monica Black Lives Association (SMBLA).
It’s my understanding that SMBLA will focus on the following priorities that were selected based on feedback from 238
Santa Monica residents, employers, employees, and students who identify as Black:
∙ economic development
∙ mental health and wellbeing
∙ police reform
∙ education
∙ COVID‐19 recovery
∙ the arts
∙ housing
∙ civic and political participation
I support these priorities as essential components of our City’s commitment to racial justice.
I realize this item is part of your consent calendar and is likely to be passed unanimously without discussion. By
weighing in, I hope to ensure that happens and to indicate that I can be counted on to actively support the
programming which will be made possible by the funding and MOU.
Thank you for your consideration.
Michele Wittig
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Vernice Hankins
From:Karen S. Gunn <drkarensgunn@msn.com>
Sent:Monday, August 23, 2021 12:29 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Item 3H: Support for SMBLA funding
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members,
I'd am expressing my strong support of item 3H on your August 24, 2021, Agenda to allocate $100,000.00 in our public
funds to the recently established 501(c)3 non‐profit Santa Monica Black Lives Association.
I am one of four founding members of the Santa Monica Black Agenda and active member of the Black Agenda Steering
Committee. My substantial work and that of the other advocates in identifying needs in Santa Monica's Black
community and workforce created the foundation and intention of this organization. This agency can address important
needs and issues including:
Assistance with COVID‐19 recovery (e.g., employment, businesses, housing, health, grief/loss)
Health, Mental Health, Wellness & Wellbeing
Family support and stability
Community support systems
Adverse/traumatic events and/or experiences
Approving this appropriation will demonstrate the City's commitment to social, economic, and racial justice.
I strongly encourage you to approve this expenditure and the MOU between the City and SMBLA.
Respectfully,
Karen S. Gunn
Karen S. Gunn, Ph.D. ‐ She/Her/Hers
Principal, Gunn Consulting Group
310 367 1354
Santa Monica, CA.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you
made them feel." Maya Angelou
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Vernice Hankins
From:Council Mailbox
Sent:Tuesday, August 24, 2021 10:14 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:FW: 8/24/21 meeting: Agenda item: 3H
From: Ralph Mechur <ralph@rmechurarchitects.com>
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2021 8:19 PM
To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>
Subject: 8/24/21 meeting: Agenda item: 3H
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I fully support the Authorization of the MOU with the Santa Monica Black Lives Association and the transfer of $100,000
in previously appropriated funds from the General Fund for use to promote the wellbeing of the Black community and
to address the health, wellness, mental health and socioeconomic needs of the Black community in Santa Monica.
The founders of the Santa Monica Black Lives Association have worked diligently to become a bona fide non‐profit
organization as recognized by the State of California and its work will lead to actions to address systemic racism in Santa
Monica and to help build a more equitable and just Santa Monica.
‐‐
Ralph Mechur
1109 Centinela Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
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Vernice Hankins
From:Jon Katz <tmbjon@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, August 24, 2021 11:10 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Item 3H - Support
EXTERNAL
Mayor Himmelrich, Mayor Pro Tem McCowan, and Councilmembers,
I have had the distinct privilege to watch the Santa Monica Black Lives Association from its infancy into the past few
months as it has grown into a strong and capable organization representing Black Lives here in Santa Monica. It has
strong leadership with a powerful vision and is currently serving an historically underserved part of our community
extraordinarily well.
I urge the Council to please vote yes to support the SMBLA as it continues on its mission to heal past and present
discriminations and provide for the wellbeing of so many in our community.
Thank you.
‐‐
Jon Katz
tmbjon@gmail.com
cell: (215) 962‐4357
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From:Rana Kirkland <rkirkland2012@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, August 24, 2021 12:12 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Support on Item 3H
EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
I was part of the Steering Committee to form the SMBLA Non Profit and can attest to its steady
foundation, strong leadership and powerful vision. I volunteered to lead a few of the wellness
activities such as the gratitude meditation, poetry and jazz events that spoke to the specific needs
that many blacks endured and still endure from the trauma of Covid, racism and voting injustices
being brought to an apex in this past year. I have full confidence in the direction of the SMBLA
Non Profit to use the funds to further support the Black community in Santa Monica and heal past
discriminations such as blacks only being able to be at a small portion of the Santa Monica Beach
called the Inkwell up until the 60's.
I also strongly believe that by opening this door that the Black community needs, it will open the
door to other communities of need in the future.
Your support is appreciated.
With gratitude!
Rana
‐‐
Rana Kirkland
Certified Holistic Lifestyle Coach ‐ Wellness is the way
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Vernice Hankins
From:Daniel Hall <daniel.stephen.hall@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, August 24, 2021 1:29 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Support for Item 3H
EXTERNAL
Mayor Himmelrich, Mayor Pro Tem McKowan, and Council,
I am Dan Hall, Vice Chair of the Santa Monica Democratic Club Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Executive Board
Member. Today, though, I am writing to you in my personal capacity as a new Santa Monica resident.
I support Staff's recommendation in Item 3H authorizing the transfer of $100K of previously allocated funds from the
General Fund to the Santa Monica Black Lives Association. A commitment to the promotion of diversity and inclusion is a
value my partner and I saw and experienced in the Santa Monica community and is the cornerstone of why we have
chosen to make this our home. Actions such as providing this seed funding to a diverse organization is truly putting "our
money where our mouth is." I hope you will approve Staff's recommendation of Item 3H.
Thank you,
Daniel Hall
Executive Board Member, Santa Monica Democratic Club
Vice Chair, SMDC Diversity and Inclusion Committee
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Vernice Hankins
From:Black Agenda-SM <santamonicablackagenda@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, August 24, 2021 2:00 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Item 3H
EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
The black agenda is in support of item 3H. We have worked countless hours pouring out our blood, sweat and tears with
our community members into the creation of The Santa Monica Black Lives Association to serve as a resource and a
beacon of hope to combat systemic racism in these areas;
HOUSING
COVID‐19 RECOVERY
WELL BEING MENTAL HEALTH
EDUCATION
POLICE REFORM
ECONOMIC RECOVERY
HOMELESSNESS
This is just to name a few. Our community has spoken. The City has pledged to help the black community recover, repair
& rebuild from systemic racism and tonight this City council begins to fulfill that pledge.
Looking forward to a new future of reformitive equality.
The Black Agenda
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