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SR 11-29-2022 8C City Council Report City Council Meeting: November 29, 2022 Agenda Item: 8.C 1 of 1 To: Mayor and City Council From: Denise Anderson Warren, City Clerk, City Clerk 13 Items Subject: Request of Councilmember Davis that the City Council direct the City Manager to contact the head of each Neighborhood Organization and Business Improvement District listed on the City's website and ask if the organization or its Board of Directors (acting as a Board) will refrain from endorsing or opposing candidates or measures in any future election. If the Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District will not make that commitment, then the City Manager is authorized and directed to remove that Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District from any listing of such organizations on the City's website and to remove any hyperlinks to the organization’s website. In addition, the City Attorney and City Manager are directed to draft a policy that states as a condition of receiving City funding any Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District that makes campaign endorsements must provide a disclaimer on any written campaign endorsement materials stating no public funds are used for campaign purposes and views of the organization do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of Santa Monica or any of its officials. (CONTINUED FROM 11/15/2022) Prepared By: Esterlina Lugo, Deputy City Clerk Approved Forwarded to Council Attachments: A. Written Comment 8.C Packet Pg. 81 1 Vernice Hankins From:Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent:Friday, November 11, 2022 8:02 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 From: Tricia Crane <1triciacrane@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, November 11, 2022 7:03 AM To: councilmtgitems <councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov>; Gleam Davis <Gleam.Davis@santamonica.gov>; Oscar de la Torre <Oscar.delaTorre@santamonica.gov>; Sue Himmelrich <Sue.Himmelrich@santamonica.gov>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@santamonica.gov>; Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>; Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@santamonica.gov>; Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@santamonica.gov>; David White <David.White@santamonica.gov>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <manager.mailbox@santamonica.gov>; Douglas Sloan <Douglas.Sloan@santamonica.gov> Subject: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL To: Santa Monica City Council, City Manager, City Attorney From: The Board of Northeast Neighbors Re: City Council Meeting Nov. 15, 2022 Agenda Item 16-D The Board of Northeast Neighbors opposes Item 16-D on the Nov. 15 City Council Agenda. Northeast Neighbors is a 501(c)(4) non-profit charitable organization that has served the community for more than 22 years. Our website sets forth our mission statement: We are a non-profit, all volunteer group dedicated to advocating for residents and improving life in our neighborhood and city. Federal law permits non-profit social welfare organizations with a 501(c)(4) status to engage in political lobbying and political campaign activities on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for public office provided that such intervention does not constitute the organization's primary activity. It is within our right under federal law to endorse candidates for City Council as we have in this election. Our members contribute to our nonprofit because they value what we provide. Throughout the year we hold monthly meetings at which we host speakers, many of whom have been City staff and Councilmembers who reach out to us to distribute information and request to be invited to speak Item 16.D 11/15/22 1 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 82 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 2 directly to our members in our Zoom meetings. We are a primary means by which they are able to interact personally with residents about a wide variety of city issues. The City benefits greatly from the volunteer efforts of our neighborhood association and all neighborhood associations. We, in turn, appreciate and value being recognized by the City as do all neighborhood organizations that serve the community. The City has provided grant funding for our annual membership outreach campaigns. Those membership invitations are strictly apolitical and always include a statement recognizing the contribution the City has made to these mailings. This past year when the City directed us to generate and mail our own membership letters rather than distributing them for us, the Board of Northeast Neighbors set up a separate bank account for the City grant so that no commingling with membership dues could occur and the surplus was refunded to the City. We take very seriously both the law governing 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations and the City’s requirements of neighborhood associations. We respectfully request that the Council vote NO on Agenda Item 16-D, which is included below. Sincerely, Tricia Crane and the Board of Northeast Neighbors Request of Councilmember Davis that the City Council direct the City Manager to contact the head of each Neighborhood Organization and Business Improvement District listed on the City's website and ask if the organization or its Board of Directors (acting as a Board) will refrain from endorsing or opposing candidates or measures in any future election. If the Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District will not make that commitment, then the City Manager is authorized and directed to remove that Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District from any listing of such organizations on the City's website and to remove any hyperlinks to the organization’s website. In addition, the City Attorney and City Manager are directed to draft a policy that states as a condition of receiving City funding any Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District that makes campaign endorsements must provide a disclaimer on any written campaign endorsement materials stating no public funds are used for campaign purposes and views of the organization do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of Santa Monica or any of its officials. https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com//Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=1365&MediaPosition=&ID=5477& CssClass= Item 16.D 11/15/22 2 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 83 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent:Friday, November 11, 2022 8:02 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 From: barbanell <barbanell@aol.com> Sent: Friday, November 11, 2022 7:47 AM To: councilmtgitems <councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov>; Gleam Davis <Gleam.Davis@santamonica.gov>; Oscar de la Torre <Oscar.delaTorre@santamonica.gov>; Sue Himmelrich <Sue.Himmelrich@santamonica.gov>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@santamonica.gov>; Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>; Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@santamonica.gov>; Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@santamonica.gov>; David White <David.White@santamonica.gov>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <manager.mailbox@santamonica.gov>; Douglas Sloan <Douglas.Sloan@santamonica.gov> Subject: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL We wholeheartedly oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022. Stephanie Barbanell and Jerry Bass Santa Monica Residents since 1986 To: <councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov>, <gleam.davis@santamonica.gov>, Oscar de la Torre <oscar.delatorre@santamonica.gov>, Sue Himmelrich <sue.himmelrich@santamonica.gov>, <kristin.mccowan@santamonica.gov>, <lana.negrete@santamonica.gov>, <christine.parra@santamonica.gov>, Phil Brock <phil.brock@santamonica.gov>, David White <david.white@santamonica.gov>, <Manager@santamonica.gov>, <douglas.sloan@santamonica.gov> To: Santa Monica City Council, City Manager, City Attorney From: The Board of Northeast Neighbors Re: City Council Meeting Nov. 15, 2022 Agenda Item 16-D The Board of Northeast Neighbors opposes Item 16-D on the Nov. 15 City Council Agenda. Northeast Neighbors is a 501(c)(4) non-profit charitable organization that has served the community for more than 22 years. Our website sets forth our mission statement: Item 16.D 11/15/22 3 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 84 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 4 We are a non-profit, all volunteer group dedicated to advocating for residents and improving life in our neighborhood and city. Federal law permits non-profit social welfare organizations with a 501(c)(4) status to engage in political lobbying and political campaign activities on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for public office provided that such intervention does not constitute the organization's primary activity. It is within our right under federal law to endorse candidates for City Council as we have in this election. Our members contribute to our nonprofit because they value what we provide. Throughout the year we hold monthly meetings at which we host speakers, many of whom have been City staff and Councilmembers who reach out to us to distribute information and request to be invited to speak directly to our members in our Zoom meetings. We are a primary means by which they are able to interact personally with residents about a wide variety of city issues. The City benefits greatly from the volunteer efforts of our neighborhood association and all neighborhood associations. We, in turn, appreciate and value being recognized by the City as do all neighborhood organizations that serve the community. The City has provided grant funding for our annual membership outreach campaigns. Those membership invitations are strictly apolitical and always include a statement recognizing the contribution the City has made to these mailings. This past year when the City directed us to generate and mail our own membership letters rather than distributing them for us, the Board of Northeast Neighbors set up a separate bank account for the City grant so that no commingling with membership dues could occur and the surplus was refunded to the City. We take very seriously both the law governing 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations and the City’s requirements of neighborhood associations. We respectfully request that the Council vote NO on Agenda Item 16-D, which is included below. Sincerely, Tricia Crane and the Board of Northeast Neighbors Item 16.D 11/15/22 4 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 85 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 5 Request of Councilmember Davis that the City Council direct the City Manager to contact the head of each Neighborhood Organization and Business Improvement District listed on the City's website and ask if the organization or its Board of Directors (acting as a Board) will refrain from endorsing or opposing candidates or measures in any future election. If the Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District will not make that commitment, then the City Manager is authorized and directed to remove that Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District from any listing of such organizations on the City's website and to remove any hyperlinks to the organization’s website. In addition, the City Attorney and City Manager are directed to draft a policy that states as a condition of receiving City funding any Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District that makes campaign endorsements must provide a disclaimer on any written campaign endorsement materials stating no public funds are used for campaign purposes and views of the organization do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of Santa Monica or any of its officials. https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com//Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=1365&MediaPosi tion=&ID=5477&CssClass= Item 16.D 11/15/22 5 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 86 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 6 Vernice Hankins From:barbanell <barbanell@aol.com> Sent:Friday, November 11, 2022 7:47 AM To:councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Phil Brock; David White; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Douglas Sloan Subject:Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL We wholeheartedly oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022. Stephanie Barbanell and Jerry Bass Santa Monica Residents since 1986 To: <councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov>, <gleam.davis@santamonica.gov>, Oscar de la Torre <oscar.delatorre@santamonica.gov>, Sue Himmelrich <sue.himmelrich@santamonica.gov>, <kristin.mccowan@santamonica.gov>, <lana.negrete@santamonica.gov>, <christine.parra@santamonica.gov>, Phil Brock <phil.brock@santamonica.gov>, David White <david.white@santamonica.gov>, <Manager@santamonica.gov>, <douglas.sloan@santamonica.gov> To: Santa Monica City Council, City Manager, City Attorney From: The Board of Northeast Neighbors Re: City Council Meeting Nov. 15, 2022 Agenda Item 16-D The Board of Northeast Neighbors opposes Item 16-D on the Nov. 15 City Council Agenda. Northeast Neighbors is a 501(c)(4) non-profit charitable organization that has served the community for more than 22 years. Our website sets forth our mission statement: We are a non-profit, all volunteer group dedicated to advocating for residents and improving life in our neighborhood and city. Federal law permits non-profit social welfare organizations with a 501(c)(4) status to engage in political lobbying and political campaign activities on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for public office provided that such intervention does not constitute the organization's primary activity. It is within our right under federal law to endorse candidates for City Council as we have in this election. Item 16.D 11/15/22 6 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 87 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 7 Our members contribute to our nonprofit because they value what we provide. Throughout the year we hold monthly meetings at which we host speakers, many of whom have been City staff and Councilmembers who reach out to us to distribute information and request to be invited to speak directly to our members in our Zoom meetings. We are a primary means by which they are able to interact personally with residents about a wide variety of city issues. The City benefits greatly from the volunteer efforts of our neighborhood association and all neighborhood associations. We, in turn, appreciate and value being recognized by the City as do all neighborhood organizations that serve the community. The City has provided grant funding for our annual membership outreach campaigns. Those membership invitations are strictly apolitical and always include a statement recognizing the contribution the City has made to these mailings. This past year when the City directed us to generate and mail our own membership letters rather than distributing them for us, the Board of Northeast Neighbors set up a separate bank account for the City grant so that no commingling with membership dues could occur and the surplus was refunded to the City. We take very seriously both the law governing 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations and the City’s requirements of neighborhood associations. We respectfully request that the Council vote NO on Agenda Item 16-D, which is included below. Sincerely, Tricia Crane and the Board of Northeast Neighbors Request of Councilmember Davis that the City Council direct the City Manager to contact the head of each Neighborhood Organization and Business Improvement District listed on the City's website and ask if the organization or its Board of Directors (acting as a Board) will refrain from endorsing or opposing candidates or measures in any future election. If the Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District will not make that commitment, then the City Manager is authorized and directed to remove that Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District from any listing of such organizations on the City's website and to remove any hyperlinks to the Item 16.D 11/15/22 7 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 88 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 8 organization’s website. In addition, the City Attorney and City Manager are directed to draft a policy that states as a condition of receiving City funding any Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District that makes campaign endorsements must provide a disclaimer on any written campaign endorsement materials stating no public funds are used for campaign purposes and views of the organization do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of Santa Monica or any of its officials. https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com//Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=1365&MediaPosi tion=&ID=5477&CssClass= Item 16.D 11/15/22 8 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 89 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 9 Vernice Hankins From:Tricia Crane <1triciacrane@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, November 11, 2022 7:03 AM To:councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Phil Brock; David White; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Douglas Sloan Subject:Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL To: Santa Monica City Council, City Manager, City Attorney From: The Board of Northeast Neighbors Re: City Council Meeting Nov. 15, 2022 Agenda Item 16-D The Board of Northeast Neighbors opposes Item 16-D on the Nov. 15 City Council Agenda. Northeast Neighbors is a 501(c)(4) non-profit charitable organization that has served the community for more than 22 years. Our website sets forth our mission statement: We are a non-profit, all volunteer group dedicated to advocating for residents and improving life in our neighborhood and city. Federal law permits non-profit social welfare organizations with a 501(c)(4) status to engage in political lobbying and political campaign activities on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for public office provided that such intervention does not constitute the organization's primary activity. It is within our right under federal law to endorse candidates for City Council as we have in this election. Our members contribute to our nonprofit because they value what we provide. Throughout the year we hold monthly meetings at which we host speakers, many of whom have been City staff and Councilmembers who reach out to us to distribute information and request to be invited to speak directly to our members in our Zoom meetings. We are a primary means by which they are able to interact personally with residents about a wide variety of city issues. The City benefits greatly from the volunteer efforts of our neighborhood association and all neighborhood associations. We, in turn, appreciate and value being recognized by the City as do all neighborhood organizations that serve the community. The City has provided grant funding for our annual membership outreach campaigns. Those membership invitations are strictly apolitical and always include a statement Item 16.D 11/15/22 9 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 90 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 10 recognizing the contribution the City has made to these mailings. This past year when the City directed us to generate and mail our own membership letters rather than distributing them for us, the Board of Northeast Neighbors set up a separate bank account for the City grant so that no commingling with membership dues could occur and the surplus was refunded to the City. We take very seriously both the law governing 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations and the City’s requirements of neighborhood associations. We respectfully request that the Council vote NO on Agenda Item 16-D, which is included below. Sincerely, Tricia Crane and the Board of Northeast Neighbors Request of Councilmember Davis that the City Council direct the City Manager to contact the head of each Neighborhood Organization and Business Improvement District listed on the City's website and ask if the organization or its Board of Directors (acting as a Board) will refrain from endorsing or opposing candidates or measures in any future election. If the Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District will not make that commitment, then the City Manager is authorized and directed to remove that Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District from any listing of such organizations on the City's website and to remove any hyperlinks to the organization’s website. In addition, the City Attorney and City Manager are directed to draft a policy that states as a condition of receiving City funding any Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District that makes campaign endorsements must provide a disclaimer on any written campaign endorsement materials stating no public funds are used for campaign purposes and views of the organization do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of Santa Monica or any of its officials. https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com//Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=1365&MediaPosition=&ID=5477& CssClass= Item 16.D 11/15/22 10 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 91 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Karen Kushi <kbkushi@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, November 12, 2022 9:19 AM To:councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Phil Brock; David White; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Douglas Sloan Subject:Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL We strongly oppose Agenda 16-D - Please vote No! We feel that the non-profit organizations provide communities in Santa Monica with important and current information regarding Santa Monica. We value their information to help understand various local issues. Thank you, Karen and Hisao Kushi Item 16.D 11/15/22 11 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 92 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Daniel Galamba <galambadb@hotmail.com> Sent:Saturday, November 12, 2022 10:58 AM To:Daniel Galamba; councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Phil Brock; David White; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Douglas Sloan Subject:City Council Meeting of Nov. 15, 2022-Please Oppose Agenda Item 16-D EXTERNAL Dear City Council, I must request that you oppose this item 16-D. This proposal has a chilling effect on neighborhood organizations by requiring them to refrain from endorsing or opposing candidates or measures in any future election. If the Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District will not make that commitment, then the City Manager is authorized and directed to remove that Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District from any listing of such organizations on the City's website and to remove any hyperlinks to the organization’s website. Neighborhood organizations have a legitimate interest in endorsing or opposing measures that affect their residents and should not be threatened with reprisals by the City for doing their duty. This is just an attempt to intimidate neighborhood organizations into silence and violates their right to free speech and political expression. Thank you. Sincerely, Dr Daniel Galamba Item 16.D 11/15/22 12 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 93 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Peter DiChellis <pdichellis@yahoo.com> Sent:Saturday, November 12, 2022 1:24 PM To:councilmtgitems Cc:Gleam Davis; David White; Douglas Sloan Subject:Agenda item 16-D EXTERNAL Strongly oppose. Federal law permits non-profit social welfare organizations with a 501(c)(4) status to engage in political lobbying and political campaign activities on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for public office, provided that such intervention does not constitute the organization's primary activity. We don't need more bullying threats to democracy, such as in City Council Item 16-D. Peter DiChellis Santa Monica, 90403 Item 16.D 11/15/22 13 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 94 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Heidi Jo Corey <hjc777@aol.com> Sent:Saturday, November 12, 2022 4:23 PM To:councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Phil Brock; David White; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Douglas Sloan Cc:Heidi Jo Corey; Neighbor Karen ⛅Percy Neighborhood Watch Buddy; Neighbor 🏡 Carol Dickinson Subject:Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 We strongly oppose Agenda 16-D - Please vote No! We feel that the non-profit organizations provide communities in Santa Monica with important and current information regarding Santa Monica. We value their information to help understand various local issues. Thank you, ᨸᨹᨺᨻᨼᕼEIᗪI ᒍO ᑕOᖇEY ᏟᏠᏡᏢᏣᏤᏥ 310-656-0000 ៾៿᠀᠁᠂ hjc777@aol.com Item 16.D 11/15/22 14 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 95 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Marilyn Alexander <alexm700@live.com> Sent:Saturday, November 12, 2022 6:14 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:RE: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL I tried by hitting reply all, but it wouldn’t go through. I will try to copy the council members another way. Again. I also compared this to all of the endorsements for candidates we have been receiving, telling them I want to choose The advice of whomever I choose, not just those who have the money for mail out ads. If they tell our neighborhood leaders They cannot promote someone, isn’t that violating their freedom of speech? Thank you for your work. Marilyn Alexander From: Tricia Crane <1triciacrane@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2022 5:49 PM To: Marilyn Alexander <alexm700@live.com> Subject: Re: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 I am opposed to the proposal on the Agenda Item 16- D. It is a violation of freedom of speech. I get to decide whose advice I want to take or reject. All of the mailers that piled up in my mailbox for weeks were the same thing, advising or pleading for my vote. If Item 16-D is passed then mailers must be forbidden also. Thank you for voting this one down. Marilyn Alexander Sent from my iPhone On Nov 11, 2022, at 7:14 AM, Tricia Crane <1triciacrane@gmail.com> wrote: To To: Santa Monica City Council, City Manager, City Attorney From: The Board of Northeast Neighbors Re: City Council Meeting Nov. 15, 2022 Agenda Item 16-D Item 16.D 11/15/22 15 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 96 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 2 The Board of Northeast Neighbors opposes Item 16-D on the Nov. 15 City Council Agenda. Northeast Neighbors is a 501(c)(4) non-profit charitable organization that has served the community for more than 22 years. Our website sets forth our mission statement: We are a non-profit, all volunteer group dedicated to advocating for residents and improving life in our neighborhood and city. Federal law permits non-profit social welfare organizations with a 501(c)(4) status to engage in political lobbying and political campaign activities on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for public office provided that such intervention does not constitute the organization's primary activity. It is within our right under federal law to endorse candidates for City Council as we have in this election. Our members contribute to our nonprofit because they value what we provide. Throughout the year we hold monthly meetings at which we host speakers, many of whom have been City staff and Councilmembers who reach out to us to distribute information and request to be invited to speak directly to our members in our Zoom meetings. We are a primary means by which they are able to interact personally with residents about a wide variety of city issues. The City benefits greatly from the volunteer efforts of our neighborhood association and all neighborhood associations. We, in turn, appreciate and value being recognized by the City as do all neighborhood organizations that serve the community. The City has provided grant funding for our annual membership outreach campaigns. Those membership invitations are strictly apolitical and always include a statement recognizing the contribution the City has made to these mailings. This past year when the City directed us to generate and mail our own membership letters rather than distributing them for us, the Board of Northeast Neighbors set up a separate bank account for the City grant so that no commingling with membership dues could occur and the surplus was refunded to the City. We take very seriously both the law governing 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations and the City’s requirements of neighborhood associations. We respectfully request that the Council vote NO on Agenda Item 16-D, which is included below. Item 16.D 11/15/22 16 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 97 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 3 Sincerely, Tricia Crane and the Board of Northeast Neighbors Request of Councilmember Davis that the City Council direct the City Manager to contact the head of each Neighborhood Organization and Business Improvement District listed on the City's website and ask if the organization or its Board of Directors (acting as a Board) will refrain from endorsing or opposing candidates or measures in any future election. If the Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District will not make that commitment, then the City Manager is authorized and directed to remove that Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District from any listing of such organizations on the City's website and to remove any hyperlinks to the organization’s website. In addition, the City Attorney and City Manager are directed to draft a policy that states as a condition of receiving City funding any Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District that makes campaign endorsements must provide a disclaimer on any written campaign endorsement materials stating no public funds are used for campaign purposes and views of the organization do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of Santa Monica or any of its officials. https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com//Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=1365&MediaPo sition=&ID=5477&CssClass= Item 16.D 11/15/22 17 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 98 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Melanie Landsberg <barmel@verizon.net> Sent:Sunday, November 13, 2022 4:28 PM To:Lana Negrete; David White; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Douglas Sloan; Phil Brock; Kristin McCowan; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Gleam Davis; councilmtgitems; Sue Himmelrich Subject:Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL We oppose Agenda 16-D, please vote NO! The non-profit communities in Santa Monica provide an invaluable service to its residents by researching and sharing information to help the community better understand the critical issues that face our city. Thank you. Melanie & Barry Landsberg Item 16.D 11/15/22 18 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 99 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:zinajosephs@aol.com Sent:Sunday, November 13, 2022 5:13 PM To:councilmtgitems; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich; David White; doug.sloan@santamonica.gov Subject:FOSP: City Council 11/15/22 agenda iten 16-D -- OPPOSE EXTERNAL November 13, 2022 To: Mayor Himmelrich, City Council members, City Manager White, City Attorney Sloan From: Board of Directors, Friends of Sunset Park RE: City Council 11/15/22 agenda item 16-D The Board of Directors of Friends of Sunset Park, a 501(c)(4) organization, opposes agenda item 16-D. Staff Report Printout D. Request of Councilmember Davis that the City Council direct the City Manager to contact the head of each Neighborhood Organization and Business Improvement District listed on the City's website and ask if the organization or its Board of Directors (acting as a Board) will refrain from endorsing or opposing candidates or measures in any future election. If the Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District will not make that commitment, then the City Manager is authorized and directed to remove that Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District from any listing of such organizations on the City's website and to remove any hyperlinks to the organization’s website. In addition, the City Attorney and City Manager are directed to draft a policy that states as a condition of receiving City funding any Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District that makes campaign endorsements must provide a disclaimer on any written campaign endorsement materials stating no public funds are used for campaign purposes and views of the organization do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of Santa Monica or any of its officials. Item 16.D 11/15/22 19 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 100 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 2 501(c)(4) political activity: https://ballotpedia.org/501(c)(4) “Political activities, as defined by the IRS, are the actions that participate in the electoral process. The IRS does not consider direct or indirect political influence to be in the domain of promoting social welfare. However, a social welfare organization designated as a 501(c)(4) can engage in some political activity. Unlike the restrictions for 501(c)(3) organizations, 501(c)(4) organizations can legally participate in political activity in support of or opposition to candidates for office. These political activities cannot be the organization's primary activities and cannot be direct donations to a candidate for office or a candidate's committee. “The IRS does consider legislative activities, commonly called "lobbying," to be activities that further social welfare purposes. Thus, a 501(c)(4) organization may engage in an unlimited amount of lobbying so long as the lobbying is related to the organization's exempt purpose.” Conclusion: The city can place restrictions on how the neighborhood organizations spend city grants. But the city can neither tell neighborhood organizations how to spend members' dues, nor restrict the neighborhood organizations’ political activities. Only the IRS can do that, according to whether each group is a 501(c)(3) or a 501 (c)(4). While the 7 city-recognized neighborhood organizations in Santa Monica are now allowed to apply for city grants of up to $7,000 per year, as of 2020 according the Santa Monica Lookout, City Council members received an annual salary of $15,696, while the mayor made $18,282, plus all 7 Council members also received $29,012 a year in benefits, and a budgeted car allowance of $4,416. Question: Would Council member Davis' 16-D proposal also require City Council members to refrain from endorsing or opposing candidates or ballot measures, since they also receive city funding? Again, the Board of Directors of Friends of Sunset Park, a 501(c)(4) organization, opposes agenda item 16-D. Item 16.D 11/15/22 20 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 101 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Katharine Dreyfuss <kitdreyfuss@gmail.com> Sent:Sunday, November 13, 2022 5:35 PM To:councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Phil Brock; David White; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Douglas Sloan Subject:Vote No on Agenda Item 16-D EXTERNAL Dear Council members: The Boards of Northeast Neighbors, NOMA, and I'm sure all our other neighborhood associations support both the law governing 501(c)(4) non-profit organizations and the City's requirement of neighborhood associations, including the federal law permitting 501(c)(4)-status organizations to engage in political lobbying and campaign activities. P{lease vote NO on Agenda Item 16-D. Sincerely, Katharine Dreyfuss Item 16.D 11/15/22 21 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 102 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 8:25 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Fw: Vote NO on Agenda Item 16-D From: Roger <rogerahill@msn.com> Sent: Friday, November 11, 2022 4:01 PM To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@santamonica.gov> Subject: Vote NO on Agenda Item 16-D EXTERNAL To the Santa Monica City Council As a 39 year resident of Santa Monica I was appalled to read the language of Item 16-D on next week’s council agenda. I find this proposal totally unacceptable and urge a “NO” vote. This is a blatant attempt to stifle reasonable, traditional and invaluable political discourse in the city to protect the entrenched and powerful. It smacks of intimidation and the city acting as a bully. I am not an attorney, but I have just read the California State statue language for the allowed activities of a 501(c)(4) non-profit and I do not see any prohibition of political activities. It seems to me what you are proposing is the canceling out of an otherwise legal activity? If the City provides operational funds or grants to a local association, it seem to me their only obligation would be to isolate or separate those funds from other income such as dues, grants or gifts. Then, subject to audit, the City could be reassured that City funds were not used for a political purpose. It also seems silly to have any political flyer, poster or lawn sign say who did not pay for its production (ie. The City of SM). Can you imagine a Vote for Biden sign have to say at the bottom that it was not paid for by a Dojdal Trump PAC. Santa Monica should be encouraging a vibrant and respectful dialogue on all political candidates and voter related issues. It saddens and certainly disappoints me to think one of you thought it a good idea to put such an anti-democratic proposal forward for consideration. Please vote “NO” on Item 16-D. Item 16.D 11/15/22 22 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 103 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 2 Thank you, Roger Hill Item 16.D 11/15/22 23 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 104 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 7:40 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 From: Karen Kushi <kbkushi@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2022 9:19 AM To: councilmtgitems <councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov>; Gleam Davis <Gleam.Davis@santamonica.gov>; Oscar de la Torre <Oscar.delaTorre@santamonica.gov>; Sue Himmelrich <Sue.Himmelrich@santamonica.gov>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@santamonica.gov>; Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>; Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@santamonica.gov>; Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@santamonica.gov>; David White <David.White@santamonica.gov>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <manager.mailbox@santamonica.gov>; Douglas Sloan <Douglas.Sloan@santamonica.gov> Subject: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL We strongly oppose Agenda 16-D - Please vote No! We feel that the non-profit organizations provide communities in Santa Monica with important and current information regarding Santa Monica. We value their information to help understand various local issues. Thank you, Karen and Hisao Kushi Item 16.D 11/15/22 24 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 105 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 4 Vernice Hankins From:Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 7:40 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: City Council Meeting of Nov. 15, 2022-Please Oppose Agenda Item 16-D -----Original Message----- From: Daniel Galamba <galambadb@hotmail.com> Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2022 10:58 AM To: Daniel Galamba <galambadb@hotmail.com>; councilmtgitems <councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov>; Gleam Davis <Gleam.Davis@santamonica.gov>; Oscar de la Torre <Oscar.delaTorre@santamonica.gov>; Sue Himmelrich <Sue.Himmelrich@santamonica.gov>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@santamonica.gov>; Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>; Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@santamonica.gov>; Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@santamonica.gov>; David White <David.White@santamonica.gov>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <manager.mailbox@santamonica.gov>; Douglas Sloan <Douglas.Sloan@santamonica.gov> Subject: City Council Meeting of Nov. 15, 2022-Please Oppose Agenda Item 16-D EXTERNAL Dear City Council, I must request that you oppose this item 16-D. This proposal has a chilling effect on neighborhood organizations by requiring them to refrain from endorsing or opposing candidates or measures in any future election. If the Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District will not make that commitment, then the City Manager is authorized and directed to remove that Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District from any listing of such organizations on the City's website and to remove any hyperlinks to the organization’s website. Neighborhood organizations have a legitimate interest in endorsing or opposing measures that affect their residents and should not be threatened with reprisals by the City for doing their duty. This is just an attempt to intimidate neighborhood organizations into silence and violates their right to free speech and political expression. Thank you. Sincerely, Dr Daniel Galamba Item 16.D 11/15/22 25 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 106 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 5 Vernice Hankins From:Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 7:40 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 From: Heidi Jo Corey <hjc777@aol.com> Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2022 4:23 PM To: councilmtgitems <councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov>; Gleam Davis <Gleam.Davis@santamonica.gov>; Oscar de la Torre <Oscar.delaTorre@santamonica.gov>; Sue Himmelrich <Sue.Himmelrich@santamonica.gov>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@santamonica.gov>; Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>; Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@santamonica.gov>; Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@santamonica.gov>; David White <David.White@santamonica.gov>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <manager.mailbox@santamonica.gov>; Douglas Sloan <Douglas.Sloan@santamonica.gov> Cc: Heidi Jo Corey <hjc777@aol.com>; Neighbor Karen ⚸⚹⚺⚻⚼⚽⚾⚿⛀⛁⛂⛃⛄Percy Neighborhood Watch Buddy <kbkushi@gmail.com>; Neighbor ౱౲౳౴౵౶౷౸౹ Carol Dickinson <caroldickinson@verizon.net> Subject: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 We strongly oppose Agenda 16-D - Please vote No! We feel that the non-profit organizations provide communities in Santa Monica with important and current information regarding Santa Monica. We value their information to help understand various local issues. Thank you, ᨸᨹᨺᨻᨼᕼEIᗪI ᒍO ᑕOᖇEY ᏟᏠᏡᏢᏣᏤᏥ 310-656-0000 ៾៿᠀᠁᠂ hjc777@aol.com Item 16.D 11/15/22 26 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 107 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 6 Vernice Hankins From:Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 7:38 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 -----Original Message----- From: Melanie Landsberg <barmel@verizon.net> Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 4:28 PM To: Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>; David White <David.White@santamonica.gov>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <manager.mailbox@santamonica.gov>; Douglas Sloan <Douglas.Sloan@santamonica.gov>; Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@santamonica.gov>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@santamonica.gov>; Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@santamonica.gov>; Oscar de la Torre <Oscar.delaTorre@santamonica.gov>; Gleam Davis <Gleam.Davis@santamonica.gov>; councilmtgitems <councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov>; Sue Himmelrich <Sue.Himmelrich@santamonica.gov> Subject: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL We oppose Agenda 16-D, please vote NO! The non-profit communities in Santa Monica provide an invaluable service to its residents by researching and sharing information to help the community better understand the critical issues that face our city. Thank you. Melanie & Barry Landsberg Item 16.D 11/15/22 27 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 108 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 7 Vernice Hankins From:Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 7:38 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Vote No on Agenda Item 16-D From: Katharine Dreyfuss <kitdreyfuss@gmail.com> Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 5:35 PM To: councilmtgitems <councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov>; Gleam Davis <Gleam.Davis@santamonica.gov>; Oscar de la Torre <Oscar.delaTorre@santamonica.gov>; Sue Himmelrich <Sue.Himmelrich@santamonica.gov>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@santamonica.gov>; Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>; Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@santamonica.gov>; Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@santamonica.gov>; David White <David.White@santamonica.gov>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <manager.mailbox@santamonica.gov>; Douglas Sloan <Douglas.Sloan@santamonica.gov> Subject: Vote No on Agenda Item 16-D EXTERNAL Dear Council members: The Boards of Northeast Neighbors, NOMA, and I'm sure all our other neighborhood associations support both the law governing 501(c)(4) non-profit organizations and the City's requirement of neighborhood associations, including the federal law permitting 501(c)(4)-status organizations to engage in political lobbying and campaign activities. P{lease vote NO on Agenda Item 16-D. Sincerely, Katharine Dreyfuss Item 16.D 11/15/22 28 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 109 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Marianne O'Donnell <marianne@well.com> Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 9:12 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:November 15th Council Meeting: Comment for Agenda item 16D EXTERNAL Comment about item 16D (https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=30&ID=39661&MeetingID=1365): Council, Penalizing neighborhood organizations for exercising their right to an equal voice is discriminatory, by attempting to muzzle them when multiple other interest groups also endorse, oppose and finance candidates and measures (Chamber of Commerce, SMPD, SMFD, SMRR, Local 11, Santa Monica Forward, stealthy groups from out of town, etc., to name a few; even Councilmembers.) This request by Councilmember Davis is a denial of democracy. It denies residents the right to hear their own neighborhood associations' opinion, by suggesting that neighborhood associations be canceled from official City listings, as well as their City grants (a mere $7,000 per year each.) I would like to remind the City Council, and City Hall, that residents and their associations are also stakeholders -and the most rooted- in the governance and direction of Santa Monica. They have the right to have a voice, too. I strongly encourage the City Council to vote this request from Councilmember Davis down, and thus respect the democratic process. Thank you for your consideration, Marianne O'Donnell 90405 Item 16.D 11/15/22 29 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 110 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Council Mailbox Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 8:25 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Fw: Vote NO on Agenda Item 16-D From: Roger <rogerahill@msn.com> Sent: Friday, November 11, 2022 4:01 PM To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@santamonica.gov> Subject: Vote NO on Agenda Item 16-D EXTERNAL To the Santa Monica City Council As a 39 year resident of Santa Monica I was appalled to read the language of Item 16-D on next week’s council agenda. I find this proposal totally unacceptable and urge a “NO” vote. This is a blatant attempt to stifle reasonable, traditional and invaluable political discourse in the city to protect the entrenched and powerful. It smacks of intimidation and the city acting as a bully. I am not an attorney, but I have just read the California State statue language for the allowed activities of a 501(c)(4) non-profit and I do not see any prohibition of political activities. It seems to me what you are proposing is the canceling out of an otherwise legal activity? If the City provides operational funds or grants to a local association, it seem to me their only obligation would be to isolate or separate those funds from other income such as dues, grants or gifts. Then, subject to audit, the City could be reassured that City funds were not used for a political purpose. It also seems silly to have any political flyer, poster or lawn sign say who did not pay for its production (ie. The City of SM). Can you imagine a Vote for Biden sign have to say at the bottom that it was not paid for by a Dojdal Trump PAC. Santa Monica should be encouraging a vibrant and respectful dialogue on all political candidates and voter related issues. It saddens and certainly disappoints me to think one of you thought it a good idea to put such an anti-democratic proposal forward for consideration. Please vote “NO” on Item 16-D. Item 16.D 11/15/22 30 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 111 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 2 Thank you, Roger Hill Item 16.D 11/15/22 31 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 112 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 7:40 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 From: Karen Kushi <kbkushi@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2022 9:19 AM To: councilmtgitems <councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov>; Gleam Davis <Gleam.Davis@santamonica.gov>; Oscar de la Torre <Oscar.delaTorre@santamonica.gov>; Sue Himmelrich <Sue.Himmelrich@santamonica.gov>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@santamonica.gov>; Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>; Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@santamonica.gov>; Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@santamonica.gov>; David White <David.White@santamonica.gov>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <manager.mailbox@santamonica.gov>; Douglas Sloan <Douglas.Sloan@santamonica.gov> Subject: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL We strongly oppose Agenda 16-D - Please vote No! We feel that the non-profit organizations provide communities in Santa Monica with important and current information regarding Santa Monica. We value their information to help understand various local issues. Thank you, Karen and Hisao Kushi Item 16.D 11/15/22 32 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 113 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 4 Vernice Hankins From:Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 7:40 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: City Council Meeting of Nov. 15, 2022-Please Oppose Agenda Item 16-D -----Original Message----- From: Daniel Galamba <galambadb@hotmail.com> Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2022 10:58 AM To: Daniel Galamba <galambadb@hotmail.com>; councilmtgitems <councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov>; Gleam Davis <Gleam.Davis@santamonica.gov>; Oscar de la Torre <Oscar.delaTorre@santamonica.gov>; Sue Himmelrich <Sue.Himmelrich@santamonica.gov>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@santamonica.gov>; Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>; Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@santamonica.gov>; Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@santamonica.gov>; David White <David.White@santamonica.gov>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <manager.mailbox@santamonica.gov>; Douglas Sloan <Douglas.Sloan@santamonica.gov> Subject: City Council Meeting of Nov. 15, 2022-Please Oppose Agenda Item 16-D EXTERNAL Dear City Council, I must request that you oppose this item 16-D. This proposal has a chilling effect on neighborhood organizations by requiring them to refrain from endorsing or opposing candidates or measures in any future election. If the Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District will not make that commitment, then the City Manager is authorized and directed to remove that Neighborhood Organization or Business Improvement District from any listing of such organizations on the City's website and to remove any hyperlinks to the organization’s website. Neighborhood organizations have a legitimate interest in endorsing or opposing measures that affect their residents and should not be threatened with reprisals by the City for doing their duty. This is just an attempt to intimidate neighborhood organizations into silence and violates their right to free speech and political expression. Thank you. Sincerely, Dr Daniel Galamba Item 16.D 11/15/22 33 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 114 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 5 Vernice Hankins From:Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 7:40 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 From: Heidi Jo Corey <hjc777@aol.com> Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2022 4:23 PM To: councilmtgitems <councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov>; Gleam Davis <Gleam.Davis@santamonica.gov>; Oscar de la Torre <Oscar.delaTorre@santamonica.gov>; Sue Himmelrich <Sue.Himmelrich@santamonica.gov>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@santamonica.gov>; Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>; Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@santamonica.gov>; Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@santamonica.gov>; David White <David.White@santamonica.gov>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <manager.mailbox@santamonica.gov>; Douglas Sloan <Douglas.Sloan@santamonica.gov> Cc: Heidi Jo Corey <hjc777@aol.com>; Neighbor Karen ⚸⚹⚺⚻⚼⚽⚾⚿⛀⛁⛂⛃⛄Percy Neighborhood Watch Buddy <kbkushi@gmail.com>; Neighbor ౱౲౳౴౵౶౷౸౹ Carol Dickinson <caroldickinson@verizon.net> Subject: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 We strongly oppose Agenda 16-D - Please vote No! We feel that the non-profit organizations provide communities in Santa Monica with important and current information regarding Santa Monica. We value their information to help understand various local issues. Thank you, ᨸᨹᨺᨻᨼᕼEIᗪI ᒍO ᑕOᖇEY ᏟᏠᏡᏢᏣᏤᏥ 310-656-0000 ៾៿᠀᠁᠂ hjc777@aol.com Item 16.D 11/15/22 34 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 115 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 6 Vernice Hankins From:Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 7:38 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 -----Original Message----- From: Melanie Landsberg <barmel@verizon.net> Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 4:28 PM To: Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>; David White <David.White@santamonica.gov>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <manager.mailbox@santamonica.gov>; Douglas Sloan <Douglas.Sloan@santamonica.gov>; Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@santamonica.gov>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@santamonica.gov>; Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@santamonica.gov>; Oscar de la Torre <Oscar.delaTorre@santamonica.gov>; Gleam Davis <Gleam.Davis@santamonica.gov>; councilmtgitems <councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov>; Sue Himmelrich <Sue.Himmelrich@santamonica.gov> Subject: Oppose Agenda Item 16-D, City Council meeting of Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL We oppose Agenda 16-D, please vote NO! The non-profit communities in Santa Monica provide an invaluable service to its residents by researching and sharing information to help the community better understand the critical issues that face our city. Thank you. Melanie & Barry Landsberg Item 16.D 11/15/22 35 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 116 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 7 Vernice Hankins From:Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 7:38 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FW: Vote No on Agenda Item 16-D From: Katharine Dreyfuss <kitdreyfuss@gmail.com> Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2022 5:35 PM To: councilmtgitems <councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov>; Gleam Davis <Gleam.Davis@santamonica.gov>; Oscar de la Torre <Oscar.delaTorre@santamonica.gov>; Sue Himmelrich <Sue.Himmelrich@santamonica.gov>; Kristin McCowan <Kristin.McCowan@santamonica.gov>; Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>; Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@santamonica.gov>; Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@santamonica.gov>; David White <David.White@santamonica.gov>; Santa Monica City Manager's Office <manager.mailbox@santamonica.gov>; Douglas Sloan <Douglas.Sloan@santamonica.gov> Subject: Vote No on Agenda Item 16-D EXTERNAL Dear Council members: The Boards of Northeast Neighbors, NOMA, and I'm sure all our other neighborhood associations support both the law governing 501(c)(4) non-profit organizations and the City's requirement of neighborhood associations, including the federal law permitting 501(c)(4)-status organizations to engage in political lobbying and campaign activities. P{lease vote NO on Agenda Item 16-D. Sincerely, Katharine Dreyfuss Item 16.D 11/15/22 36 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 117 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Marianne O'Donnell <marianne@well.com> Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 9:12 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:November 15th Council Meeting: Comment for Agenda item 16D EXTERNAL Comment about item 16D (https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=30&ID=39661&MeetingID=1365): Council, Penalizing neighborhood organizations for exercising their right to an equal voice is discriminatory, by attempting to muzzle them when multiple other interest groups also endorse, oppose and finance candidates and measures (Chamber of Commerce, SMPD, SMFD, SMRR, Local 11, Santa Monica Forward, stealthy groups from out of town, etc., to name a few; even Councilmembers.) This request by Councilmember Davis is a denial of democracy. It denies residents the right to hear their own neighborhood associations' opinion, by suggesting that neighborhood associations be canceled from official City listings, as well as their City grants (a mere $7,000 per year each.) I would like to remind the City Council, and City Hall, that residents and their associations are also stakeholders -and the most rooted- in the governance and direction of Santa Monica. They have the right to have a voice, too. I strongly encourage the City Council to vote this request from Councilmember Davis down, and thus respect the democratic process. Thank you for your consideration, Marianne O'Donnell 90405 Item 16.D 11/15/22 37 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 118 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Andrew Hoyer <abhoyer@yahoo.com> Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 9:41 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:City Council Meeting November 15, 2022 Item 16D EXTERNAL Gleam, Why do you hate us so much? Andrew Hoyer There is only one moment in time when it is essential to awaken. That moment is now. - Buddha Item 16.D 11/15/22 38 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 119 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Darrell Robb <darrell@robbre.net> Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 11:32 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:11/15/22 agenda item 16-D EXTERNAL RE: November 15 – City Council – Agenda Item 16-D – Request by Councilmember Davis that neighborhood organizations commit to refraining from endorsing or opposing candidates or ballot measures in future, or else links to their names and websites should be removed from the city website. It must be noted that while the 7 neighborhood organizations are allowed to apply for city grants of up to $7,000 per year, as of 2020 according the Santa Monica Lookout, City Council members received an annual salary of $15,696, while the mayor made $18,282, plus all 7 Council members also received $29,012 a year in benefits, and a budgeted car allowance of $4,416. Does Council member Davis' 16-D proposal also apply to City Council members, since they also receive city funding? Meanwhile, according to the IRS, neighborhood organizations that have 501(c)(4) status ARE allowed to endorse or oppose candidates, legislation, and ballot measures. While the city can place restrictions on how the city grants are spent, it cannot restrict how membership dues are spent. Sincerely, (s) Darrell Robb 1440 23rd St, #312 Santa Monica CA 90404-2924 Item 16.D 11/15/22 39 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 120 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Peter Altschuler <altschuler@wordsworthandco.com> Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 12:12 PM To:councilmtgitems; Christine Parra; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich; David White; doug.sloan@santamonica.gov Subject:Agenda Item 16-D EXTERNAL Ms. Davis’s request to compel community organizations to cease endorsing City Council candidates is a lesson in political malfeasance. Any attempt to restrict the right of those organizations to support candidates for elective office is inherently unConstitutional, denying them the freedom of speech that even corporations have been granted by Citizens United and McCutcheon. The effect of item 16-D would be to punish residents — through organizations they have formed to represent the values they consider important to their neighborhoods — by withholding both visibility on the City’s website and access to City funding. Given the candidates who have been endorsed by those organizations, it is possible to conclude that Ms. Davis is hoping to eliminate a threat to her own incumbency and its checkered history of subverting the interests of Santa Monica residents to the interests of developers and businesses that do not have residents’ best interests at heart. I strongly urge you to quash Ms. Davis’s request and, in doing so, make a clear declaration that community organizations and the endorsements they make can never be the targets of political retribution. p Item 16.D 11/15/22 40 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 121 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Danielle Charney <shineshuge@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 12:43 PM To:councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Phil Brock; David White; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Douglas Sloan Subject:Re: OPPOSE - : City Council Meeting Nov. 15, 2022 Agenda Item 16-D EXTERNAL I oppose Item 16-D on the Nov. 15 City Council Agenda. Northeast Neighbors is a 501(c)(4) non-profit charitable organization that has served the community for more than 22 years. They are a non-profit, all volunteer group dedicated to advocating for residents and improving life in our neighborhood and city.The City benefits greatly from the volunteer efforts of our neighborhood association and all neighborhood associations. y. They take seriously both the law governing 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations and the City’s requirements of neighborhood associations. STOP PLAYING LEGAL GAMES TO END FREE SPEECH IN SANTA MONICA WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF IT.. GLEAM DAVIS SURE DIDN'T MOVE TO SILENCE HER PET SANTA MONICA FORWARD GROUP FOR THEIR DIRECT LOBBYING.. Gleam stop the games.. the City is so tired of them from you and SMF. Danielle Charney Resident since April Fool's Day 1982 Can't believe I still love this place with all my heart Item 16.D 11/15/22 41 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 122 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Noma Boardmember <nomaboard@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 1:37 PM To:councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Sue Himmelrich; Phil Brock; chistine.parra@santamonica.gov; Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete; david.white@santamonica.go; kristen.Mccowan@santamonica.gov Cc:Zina Josephs; emvandenburgh@gmail.com; Tricia Crane; Andrew Hoyer Subject:Subject: 16D EXTERNAL To help protect yMicrosoft Office pautomatic downlopicture from the November 14, 2022 Mayor and City Council Members: The Board of the North of Montana Association (NOMA) has voted to urge you to oppose item 16D. While historically NOMA has not chosen to endorse candidates, we support all Neighborhood Associations' right to do so. We have in the past felt it important to support or oppose ballot measures of great impact to residents, and this proposal would deny our right to do so. The proposal is anti-democratic and antagonistic. It amounts to a gag order on the free speech of Neighborhood Associations which have long been a valuable source of information about City policy, a forum for residents to interact with City representatives, and a place to discuss politics and issues important to residents. There are already well-established legal limits that 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 organizations must adhere to regarding candidate and policy endorsements, which renders this proposal unnecessary and unwelcome. Threatening to take away Neighborhood Associations' modest City funding and recognition, even if groups are in compliance with current non-profit organization regulations, would unnecessarily stifle public discourse. The NOMA Board smnoma.org NOMAboard@gmail.com Item 16.D 11/15/22 42 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 123 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Adam Gross <afgross@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, November 14, 2022 9:36 PM To:councilmtgitems; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich; David White; doug.sloan@santamonica.gov Subject:City Council 11/15/22 agenda item 16-D – OPPOSE EXTERNAL Dear City Council members, Threatening neighborhood organizations with Item 16-D makes no sense if you value all citizens’ ability to participate in our democratic process. This item seems even more disingenuous when the council member promoting it has not been endorsed by the neighborhood organizations she is trying to silence. The neighborhood organizations are mostly funded by dues, not a small potatoes city grant. This is a lawyer’s justification to silence free speech. Please focus on real problems like homelessness, the city budget, and public safety. Sincerely, Adam Gross Item 16.D 11/15/22 43 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 124 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Elizabeth Van Denburgh <emvandenburgh@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, November 15, 2022 10:57 AM To:Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; councilmtgitems Cc:David White; Douglas Sloan Subject:City Council Mtg. 11/15/22 - Item 16D - OPPOSE EXTERNAL Mayor Himmelrich and City Council members, The Board of Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition (Wilmont) has voted to urge you to oppose item 16D. While historically Wilmont has chosen to not endorse candidates, we support all Neighborhood Associations' right to do so. We have in the past felt it important to support or oppose ballot measures of great impact to residents, and this proposal would deny our right to do so. The proposal is anti-democratic. It amounts to a gag order on the free speech of Neighborhood Associations which have been a valuable source of information about City policy, a forum for education via residents interacting with City representatives and a place to discuss policies and issues important to residents. This year two successful City Council candidates' forums were held as part of our education outreach. One was facilitated by Wilmont and was an introduction to ALL the City Council candidates and the second one, which provided a detailed question and answer forum again for ALL City Council candidates, was facilitated by the Neighborhood Council. There are already well-established legal limits that 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 organizations must adhere to regarding candidate and policy endorsements, which renders this proposal unnecessary and unwelcome. Threatening to take away Neighborhood Associations' modest City funding and recognition, even if groups are in compliance with current non-profit organization regulations, would unnecessarily stifle public discourse. To outline how modest the city's grant is, given that Wilmont is the largest neighborhood, the current funding of $7,000 a year is insufficient for Wilmont to reach out to its more than 13,000 addresses given the cost of $1.00 for each piece of direct first-class direct mail i.e., $13,000. Thank-you, Wilmont Board Item 16.D 11/15/22 44 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 125 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 2 Vernice Hankins From:Eve Lopez <evelopez@pacbell.net> Sent:Tuesday, November 15, 2022 10:45 AM To:councilmtgitems Cc:Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre Subject:Agenda Item 16.D - November 15, 2022 EXTERNAL Council, A neighborhood association’s purpose often includes advocating for the neighborhood to local government to make resident concerns known and seek improvements on behalf of its stakeholders. It is critical to this work to endorse local candidates and measures to help better inform its members – the stakeholders of the City of Santa Monica. That being said, if the City intends to place restrictions on the Neighborhood Organization Grant Program to prohibit use of grant funds, the City should consider the following: • There has been a lack of compliance with the Neighborhood Organization Grant Program, including my own Neighborhood Organization failing to include their bylaws to their grant application. The grant was approved despite the fact that the Neighborhood Organization failed to submit the minimum documentation. • My neighborhood organization's structure is such that it does not actual allow for meaningful stakeholder input. The Board makes 100% of the decisions – without approval of the members and often without consultation or an opportunity for input of the residents. There is a complete lack of democratic process in that the Board slate of candidates that appear on the organization’s election ballot is exclusively complied by the Board and during times not authorized by its bylaws. While there is an ability to “write in” a candidate, the printed names on the ballot exclusively are those “recommended” by the Board. Coupled with the problem of having no term limits and non-compliance with election periods, the effect is that the same Board, with the same uniform viewpoints remain in control of the organization – and as a result, in control of the City grant funds – for many decades. This is to the exclusion of the majority of the resident stakeholders. A handful of privileged Board members are able to maintain control of the organization and the City grant funds to promote their personal agendas, regardless of whether their personal viewpoints align with the viewpoints of the majority of the organizations stakeholders. Therefore, if the grant program is to be revised, the council should also consider implementing the following additional requirements: • A method to ensure that organizations comply with the requirement to include their bylaws with the application; • The bylaws require that a majority of it's membership attending a monthly meeting or participating by an e-vote approve the expenditure of any of the city grant funds. Stated differently, a prohibition that expenditure of the city grant funds cannot be solely approved by its Board members; • The bylaws require a majority of it's membership attending a monthly meeting or participating by an e-vote approve of all city council, board or commission endorsements and/or any local measures; • Alternatively, if Board members are permitted to exclusively determine how grant funds are to be spent, there be a maximum 4-year term limit for each Board member, the organization must engage in a process where members are permitted to nominate candidates to run for the Board with such candidate names and bio’s printed on the ballot in the same font and appearance as candidates recommended by the board. Item 16.D 11/15/22 45 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 126 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 3 Thank you for your consideration. Eve Lopez Sunset Park Resident Item 16.D 11/15/22 46 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 127 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:Jason Mastbaum <jason.mastbaum@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, November 15, 2022 11:29 AM To:councilmtgitems; councilmtgitems; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Sue Himmelrich; Lana Negrete; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre Subject:11/15/2022 agenda item 16D EXTERNAL Councilmembers, I write in support of agenda item 16D, as well as to note that I feel it overlooks another important point regarding city funding of the neighborhood organizations. To my knowledge, all of the neighborhood organizations require a paid membership in order to be a voting member; I know this is the case for the Wilmont Org. These organizations should not be allowed to require paid membership to have voting participation if they are going to receive public funding and city recognition as the official representative group for their neighborhoods. They cannot reasonably simultaneously be private clubs and official neighborhood organizations, which I believe also ties back into why they should not be allowed to issue political endorsements if they're receiving city funding and official recognition. As an aside, I read in the Santa Monica Lookout today that Friends of Sunset Park, Northeast Neighbors, Midcity Neighbors, and the NOMA Org all opposed agenda item 16D. Yet the FOSP website states "All of FOSP’s revenue comes from membership dues and related donations", and the NOMA website states "All of NOMA’s income comes from membership fees and related donations." I can't help but find it curious that they think 16D is such a problem while claiming (wrongly) that they don't receive city funding. -Jason Mastbaum Item 16.D 11/15/22 47 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 128 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 1 Vernice Hankins From:OZ <zurawska@yahoo.com> Sent:Tuesday, November 15, 2022 12:01 PM To:councilmtgitems; Douglas Sloan; David White Cc:Phil Brock; Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Kristin McCowan; Gleam Davis; Jorge Casuso; Sam Catanzaro; Dolores Quintana; Santa Monica Observer; matt@smdp.com; Sue Himmelrich Subject:👍16D ---> SUPPORT disclaimer requirement for city funded neighborhood groups EXTERNAL FACT: The Supreme Court has generally supported restrictions on government funding, even when those restrictions may stop or have a chilling effect on the free speech rights of recipients. This item is a step in the right direction in that it promotes transparency and prevents conflicts of interest, and perhaps most importantly, the appearance of conflict of interest, a concept that many Santa Monicans do not seem to be familiar with. The neighborhood groups should at a minimum include a disclaimer when making political endorsements, as proposed by the item. The groups currently engaging in political advocacy could also consider creating an affiliated 501 (c) (3) organization to keep the different types of funding formally separate. This is quite common, e.g. The Sierra Club has both a 501 (c) 3 and a 501 (c) 4 organizations, as does Abundant Housing LA, an organization which has been under scrutiny within the City due to the apparent conflict of interest of its Executive Director when she sat on the Santa Monica Housing Commission. Another option is that the City could establish a policy that limits disbursing City funding to the neighborhood groups that are 501 (c) 3 organizations. In my years of advocacy within the City I have noticed some disturbing habits and behaviors relating to the neighborhood groups and the heads of some of them. For one, the habit of the neighborhood group heads meeting monthly outside of the public view while calling themselves the “neighborhood council.” The groups claim to be representing the neighborhoods but choose to have secret meetings? Such a lack of transparency is a slap in the face of the community, and creates the impression of nefarious activity that the groups are not willing to share with the community – while gladly putting out the hand for public funding. We have to also acknowledge the fact that the neighborhood groups are in fact comprised of a handful of active members, and it is rare that more than a few dozen citizens participate in their regular meetings or otherwise remain involved. I would venture to claim that most Santa Monicans are unaware of the existence of the neighborhood groups, or are disinterested in what the groups have to offer. Such lack of involvement begs the question whether the groups put in an effort to survey and respond to the community’s needs and interests, or whether they prefer to keep the involvement of residents to a minimum for one reason or another, for example to have more control over the group which in reality is tiny and therefore invites less diversity of opinion, scrutiny or demands of accountability. Item 16.D 11/15/22 48 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 129 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 2 As a resident who lived in Wilmont for over five years, I was never aware of the existence of a neighborhood group in my neighborhood. It was with surprise that I read on the Wilmont website a few months ago that Wilmont “represented” the interests of thousands of Santa Monicans. Is it possible to represent the interests of the residents who are unaware of the existence of the group? Is such a disconnect present in all the Santa Monica neighborhood groups? What I find troubling as well is that I have witnessed behaviors where the head of a neighborhood group acted motivated by her private interests (ego) rather than the interests of the community. Such petty, entitled and narcissistic behavior from a person who collects public funding for her group is unacceptable. I certainly do not wish for my tax dollars to support such behavior or person running a neighborhood group. I am flabbergasted by some of the neighborhood groups bringing up free speech when opposing this item, as I am aware of instances where the same neighborhood groups engaged in suppressing free speech in the chats during their ostensibly public zoom meetings, and gave a hard time to participants with dissenting views, all while collecting public funding for the group’s activities. It is my view that the City would be wise examining closely what legal or fiscal relationship, if any, it would like to have with the neighborhood groups as they exist now, and the neighborhood groups would be wise to examine their goals and commitments to the community rather than the handful of people who sit on their boards, and their private interests. A truly ambitious group would not be hung up on receiving funding from the City as it invariably comes with some sort of strings attached, but would instead actively work to engage as many residents is it can, and thus grow its power independently. A political campaign endorsement by neighborhood groups, as passive/lazy a form of political advocacy as it is, if allowed by the City as a funding agency at all, should be required to be accompanied by a disclaimer distancing the endorsement from the position of the City of Santa Monica. Any policy encouraging transparency is good, especially in a small town with incestuous political relationships and an entrenched establishment fueled by corruption. As a final note, since some of the neighborhood groups were very upset that Mayor Himmelrich promoted her ballot measure without a disclaimer that the proposed measure was not affiliated with the City of Santa Monica, they should have no problem putting a disclaimer on any of their own political endorsements as long as they receive any public funding from the City and are listed as a City-recognized group on the City website. I cannot think of a downside to being transparent. Regards, Olga Zurawska Item 16.D 11/15/22 49 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 130 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 3 Vernice Hankins From:Brian O'Neil <bpo42@yahoo.com> Sent:Tuesday, November 15, 2022 11:55 AM To:councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Sue Himmelrich; Phil Brock; chistine.parra@santamonica.gov; Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete; david.white@santamonica.go; kristen.Mccowan@santamonica.gov Cc:PNA SM; Brian ONeil Subject:Oppose Item 16-D; City Council Meeting Nov. 15, 2022 EXTERNAL To: Santa Monica City Council, City Manager, City Attorney From: PNA Board of Directors Re: City Council Meeting Nov. 15, 2022 Agenda Item 16-D While the PNA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization and not be technically affected by item 16-D, we urge you to vote against Item 16-D, which would effectively serve as a gag order against the 501(c)(4) neighborhood associations in the city. We urge you to vote against Item 16-D due to the apparently punitive nature of the item and the appearance that such an action is being taken in a politically retaliatory fashion in the wake of the recent election cycle. Neighborhood associations are made up of volunteers that care about improving life in their neighborhoods and within Santa Monica. It is a primary means by which residents are able to interact personally and engage on a wide variety of city issues. The City benefits greatly from the volunteer efforts of all neighborhood associations. Those neighborhood associations with a 501(c)(4) status are enabled and protected by Federal law to engage in political lobbying and political campaign activities on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for public office provided that such intervention does not constitute the organization's primary activity. It is within their right under federal law to endorse candidates for City Council. This action has the appearance of being retaliatory against those neighborhood associations that have advocated for residents’ rights and needs. Furthermore, this action, rather than encourage civic engagement, would only chill public debate in our city. We urge that the Council vote NO on Agenda Item 16-D. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, PNA Board of Directors Item 16.D 11/15/22 50 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 131 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS) 4 Vernice Hankins From:Elizabeth Lerer <elerer@elizabethlerer.com> Sent:Tuesday, November 15, 2022 11:50 AM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Item 16-D EXTERNAL Dear Mayor and Councilmembers, Please reject the request to throttle our official neighborhood organizations for exercising their legal rights. I am distressed that a City Councilmember wants to kneecap a vital resource for residents. Our community is enriched by the indispensable service these neighborhood groups provide. Please reject item 6-D. Thank you, Elizabeth Lerer Item 16.D 11/15/22 51 of 51 Item 16.D 11/15/22 8.C.a Packet Pg. 132 Attachment: Written Comment (5492 : Campaign endorsements from Neighborhood groups & BIDS)