SR 03-08-2022 5B
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: March 8, 2022
Agenda Item: 5.B
1 of 1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Denise Anderson Warren, City Clerk, Records and Election Services
Department
Subject: Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Housing Commission for a
term ending on 6/30/2025. (CONTINUED FROM 2/22/2022)
Prepared By: Esterlina Lugo, Deputy City Clerk
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Applicant List
B. Written Comments
5.B
Packet Pg. 591
City of Santa Monica
Boards and Commissions Applicants
Housing Commission
Name Application Date
Desmond Borresen 11/30/2021
Kate Evarts 11/29/2021
Lydia Garcia 11/30/2021
Michelle Gray 2/14/2022
Edmund Ha 11/30/2021
Deborah Hart 2/4/2022
Ryan Hass 12/06/2021
Michael Jolly 12/06/2021
Mathew Millen 12/04/2021
Tanya White 7/26/2021
TOTAL APPLICANTS: 10
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Packet Pg. 592 Attachment: Applicant List (5008 : Housing Appointment Appointment (5 mins))
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Vernice Hankins
From:Danielle Charney <shineshuge@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, February 21, 2022 11:28 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Cc:Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Lana
Negrete; David White
Subject:Item 13-B: Please Support MICHELLE GRAY for HOUSING COMMISSION – 2/22/22
EXTERNAL
Please consider Michelle Gray for the current vacancy on the Housing Commission. While Michelle
may be fairly new to Santa Monica, and an unknown entity to the Council, there is no other person
applying for this position who brings anywhere near her experience or expertise. She comes to us
from a jurisdiction that is run very well, knows more about this area than anyone I have ever spoken
with or worked with in our City and is someone of integrity as well as a very hard worker. Michelle
has been dealing with the Housing Authority since she got here a year ago. She sees what is going
wrong in this area ..and brings actual solutions- tried and true to the table to make it work
successfully. I know of no other candidate that has anywhere near what she has to offer us.
We would be lucky to have her serve. She has allegiance to no one but what is right, just, humane
and professional. There's no requirement to have been a resident of SM for a certain amount of time
to qualify. But there ought to be one that actually requires someone to know what they are doing. No
one knows more than MIchelle. Not even close.
Let's stop with the insider appointments. They have not served us well in the past. Enough of SMF
and SMRR or John Maceri or anyone else deciding who
is on this commission or any in our City. Michelle is so good, she should be hired by this City as a
consultant to re-organize, restructure and staff the Housing Authority. She is a gem in all ways and
we are very lucky to have her caring enough to work for us. Let's not waste qualified people because
of some odd concept that has allowed us to have less than the best on this or any of our
Commission. Let's take this time and effect real change. We have needed it for a very long time.
Thank you,
Danielle Charney
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Packet Pg. 593 Attachment: Written Comments (5008 : Housing Appointment Appointment (5 mins))
1
Vernice Hankins
From:Danielle Charney <shineshuge@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, February 21, 2022 11:45 AM
To:councilmtgitems; Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Christine Parra; Sue Himmelrich; Gleam
Davis; Kristin McCowan
Cc:David White
Subject:Item 13-B. Please Do Not Appoint M. Jolly or others for Housing Commission
EXTERNAL
I do not really understand why a commercial real estate broker is even applying for this positions, or
feels they bring anything of merit to a commission that is involved in the production of
affordable housing and issues involving Section 8 or other City programs for housing.
–I have never heard Mr.Jolly participate in a housing committee meeting, read any comments he
has submitted in this area or in any way express input that provides ideas or solutions to our very
difficult time.
He has submitted a blank application with just his name and occupation (commercial real estate)..
Jolly: https://www.smgov.net/uploadedFiles/Departments/Clerk/Boards_and_Commissions/Applicatio
ns/HOUSING.Jolly.20210720.pdf
I must question how a commercial real estate person is going to contribute to this area and
commission, especially when he has previously shown so little interest or offered anything of merit.
Enough of the insiders handing these prizes to their friends or those who have worked with them in
other areas ..this is not a reward -it is a serious position for the best person.
There is only one person applying who belongs on that Commission -that is Michelle Gray.
Thank you,
Danielle Charney
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Packet Pg. 594 Attachment: Written Comments (5008 : Housing Appointment Appointment (5 mins))
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Vernice Hankins
From:Theresa Marasco <theresa.marasco@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, February 22, 2022 1:16 AM
To:Gleam Davis; Sue Himmelrich; Oscar de la Torre; Christine Parra; Phil Brock; Kristin McCowan; Lana
Negrete; councilmtgitems
Subject:Council Meeting 2/22/2022 - Agenda Item 13-B Support for Michelle Gray for Housing
Commissioner
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Himmelrich and City Council Members:
I am writing this letter of support for Michelle Gray for the Housing Commission seat as
an individual and not as the Vice-Chair of the Housing Commission. I became acquainted with
Michelle six months ago, shortly after she moved to Santa Monica from Oregon. I was very surprised and
pleased to know how much she already knew about the City of Santa Monica, and the various City
departments, and agencies in the area that address issues of disability discrimination, and renters' rights.
Michelle has immersed herself into community engagement and shown great interest in housing issues here
as well as shared her own knowledge around this subject since her move to this wonderful city.
During my conversations with Michelle, I learned that she is very well versed in HUD Regulations and
Guidelines with regard to Fair Housing laws and the Code of Federal Regulations Title 24 series, which are the
Regulations that control the Housing Choice Voucher program and other subsidized housing programs under
HUD.
Michelle has vast knowledge and experience both on a professional and educational level that lends her keen
insight to pathways that can lead to greater tenant protections and remedies for accessibility issues disabled
persons face, as well as her knowledge and understanding of the need for more affordable housing options.
In the time that Michelle has lived in Santa Monica, she has attended and actively participated in City Council
and Housing Commission meetings and has reached out to many residents living in Santa Monica to learn
more about the rich history here, as well reviewing local housing laws, familiarizing herself with the Housing
Element, and taking interest in being a part of shaping the future for residents.
The Housing Commission could greatly benefit from having someone like Michelle who came from a very
progressive housing authority jurisdiction that has accomplished full transparency and believes in true
community involvement in the decision-making process for Housing Authority program participants. Michelle
will be able to share her knowledge and new ideas that work in this area to help the Housing Commission to
ensure that Santa Monica affirmatively furthers Fair Housing compliance. It is my belief based on my
interactions with Michelle that she will bring a very balanced approach to tackle the variety of issues the
Housing Commission is presented with.
In conclusion, Michelle is the best candidate for the seat of Housing Commissioner. Michelle’s knowledge and
experiences both professionally and personally give her special insight into the issues that the Housing
Commission is mandated to address and sorely needs.
Thank you for your consideration of Michelle Gray for a seat on the Housing Commission.
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
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Packet Pg. 595 Attachment: Written Comments (5008 : Housing Appointment Appointment (5 mins))
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Very truly yours,
Theresa H. Marasco
(720) 226-4051
Powered by
cloudHQ
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Packet Pg. 596 Attachment: Written Comments (5008 : Housing Appointment Appointment (5 mins))
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Vernice Hankins
From:Theresa Marasco <theresa.marasco@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, February 22, 2022 12:07 PM
To:Gleam Davis; Sue Himmelrich; Oscar de la Torre; Christine Parra; Phil Brock; Kristin McCowan; Lana
Negrete; councilmtgitems
Subject:Council Meeting 2/22/2022 - Agenda Item 13-B Response to Michael Jolly Application
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Himmelrich, and City Council Members:
I am writing this public comment as an individual and not as the Vice Chair of the Housing Commission. I do
not support Michael Jolly being appointed to the Housing Commission. Please see my comments below:
FACEism
There’s a new half-hour show on KTLA called ‘FACEism’ that is aired every Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. The
show is centered around racism and bias. The prologue taken from the show's website captioned below says it
all about the state of American society right now.
“You see the face of a stranger.
In the blink of an eye, your mind is made up. You’ve taken in their skin color, ethnicity, sex, age, and accent.
You think you know who they are as a person.
That’s FACEism.
It sounds like racism, and in many cases it is.
But FACEism is when we make quick, often unfair, judgments about people we don’t even know…ignoring the
fact there is so much more behind their face.
That ignorance is dividing us.”
I have to wholly agree that this type of “ignorance is dividing us.” I recently read an article in the SMart Column
in the Santa Monica Mirror titled “SMa.r.t. Column: Santa Monica – Dawn of the Downtown Dead Now Playing
in Santa Monica” that was written by Michael Jolly, who is an architect and a current applicant for the Santa
Monica Housing Commission.
Jolly’s article describes the unhoused as “dirty man-made monsters and criminals on the loose” and likens
them to “zombies.” While Jolly may not be the only person in Santa Monica who sees the people living on the
streets in this way, it surely isn’t appropriate for someone who wants to be a Housing Commissioner to write
such disparaging words in a widely read publication.
In this situation, Jolly uses the homeless people on the street to attempt to bring attention to other issues and
offers no further information about how to solve homelessness. Is it considered civil to make statements such
as Jolly’s in a widely read publication? People who use and abuse drugs and alcohol are not just people living
on the streets. Plenty of drug addicts and alcoholics live comfortably with a roof and 4 walls, some are
teachers, doctors, lawyers, judges, etc., and could be your neighbor. To include, the use of the word “monster”
should be reserved for the most depraved humans such as Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and child abusers.
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As someone who has experienced homelessness more than once in my life, beginning as a child when my
mother was fleeing violence from her abusive, “monster” husband, and the last time was while I was living in
Santa Monica, and was during the pandemic, this article is just another reminder of how FACEism is a very
real problem. A problem that further negatively impacts the people living outside who are trying to find a way
out of their situation. The constant stereotyping and stigmatizing influences the public point of view and the
people who make decisions on how to address this crisis.
Many people working in the City of Santa Monica including but not limited to current Mayor Sue Himmelrich,
and Council Members know my recent story of homelessness well. Just because someone is unhoused does
not automatically make them “monsters” “criminals” or “drug addicts.” It makes me wonder what people in
Santa Monica think of me when I tell them I was homeless.
I guess I don't understand the failed logic that a once housed person who becomes unhoused is suddenly
placed into one of the 3 categories, substance abuser, criminal, or mentally ill. Is it possible that they might
have had a medical disaster that caused their homelessness, or that they are running from an abusive/violent
home life, or that they cannot earn enough money to keep up with rent increases, or that they are on a fixed
income and can no loner afford to pay their rent increases or property taxes, and a million other possible
reasons we may not even think about because each situation is unique to that person? More importantly, when
speaking on mental disabilities and substance abuse why do some people believe that their mental disability or
substance abuse caused them to become unhoused? What came first, the chicken or the egg?
I am not stating that every person living on the streets is harmless, but those who may have bad intentions are
not the majority, rather a minority of the unhoused population. I know, as I stated previously, I have lived it
several times in my life. I stay connected to the growing unhoused crisis by engaging regularly with various
groups around California, engaging with unhoused groups both on the streets and on social media. I follow and
engage regularly with an incredible leader of the Sacramento Homeless Union, Crystal Sanchez, who has
been providing mutual aid and support for the people living in over 200 encampments across Sacramento
including families with more than 700 children living in tents. I follow and engage with other groups of
unhoused folks around the state such as Los Angeles, Sausalito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz who are all trying
to help each other and fight for housing and human rights from the most disadvantaged position on the planet.
I follow an unhoused guy on Youtube, Derrick Soo, who fought for a permanent, secured, encampment in
Oakland that has fresh, running, water, sources, bathrooms, regular trash service, and their own power grid he
created through solar energy. I have personally encountered and connected with some really great unhoused
brothers and sisters over my lifetime who inspire me every day to try to make a difference.
I am sure that everyone on this planet has either been guilty of FACEism or experienced it in some way. It is
time for us all to start seeing each other as human beings and start having more empathy and compassion for
one another. Jolly may have tried to amplify important issues with his article but he lost me at “dirty monsters.”
A Housing Commissioner should never have this attitude towards the unhoused and should certainly never
publish an article disparaging a whole group of people who are already struggling.
To help prprivacy, Mprevented download from the In
Very truly yours,
Theresa H. Marasco
(720) 226-4051
Powered by
cloudHQ
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Packet Pg. 598 Attachment: Written Comments (5008 : Housing Appointment Appointment (5 mins))
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Vernice Hankins
From:OZ <zurawska@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, February 22, 2022 11:34 AM
To:councilmtgitems; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete; Kristin McCowan;
Gleam Davis; Sue Himmelrich
Subject:13B – HC – support MICHELLE GRAY, oppose Michael Jolly
EXTERNAL
The boards and commissions application should ask the applicants to describe their interactions with the
commission over the past year and the subject matter of those interactions. The responses would give the
Council a clearer picture of how interested in the work of the commission the applicant really is, and what local
housing topics they particularly care about.
A review of the current Housing Commission applicant list reveals that only one of them, Michelle Gray, has
been regularly attending and participating in commission meetings.
I support Michelle Gray for the Housing Commission seat.
https://www.smgov.net/uploadedFiles/Departments/Clerk/Boards_and_Commissions/Applications/HOUSING.G
ray.20220214.pdf
Unlike the other applicants, Ms. Gray has demonstrated a keen interest in the work of the commission and
Santa Monica housing issues through written and oral public input submitted to the Housing Commission and
City Council meetings.
Hands down, Ms. Gray is the most engaged and qualified applicant.
Qualities that I have observed Ms. Gray to possess:
Integrity
Brilliant mind, superior intellect
Collaborative and diplomatic
Hard worker
Focus on practical solutions
I am impressed with Ms.Gray’s ability to quickly adapt to the new city and to navigate Santa Monica’s agencies
and organizations that she has interacted with on housing related issues.
A person with new perspectives, like Ms. Gray, who comes to us from a progressive jurisdiction, would be an
invigorating addition to the Housing Commission.
Please appoint Ms. Gray tonight.
This is also to oppose the appointment of Michael Jolly.
Mr. Jolly has submitted a blank application for the Housing Commission seat.
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https://www.smgov.net/uploadedFiles/Departments/Clerk/Boards_and_Commissions/Applications/HO
USING.Jolly.20210720.pdf
One wonders why an applicant would do that. Was it because Mr. Jolly was so sure he would be appointed
that he did not want to spend the time and energy introducing himself to the Council and the public? An
introduction was definitely warranted as far as I am concerned. Despite my regular attendance of Housing
Commission meetings for the past several years, I have never once witnessed Mr. Jolly’s presence nor am I
aware of Mr. Jolly having submitted a public comment, oral or written, to the Commission.
The Council should appreciate more an applicant who might be a newer resident of Santa Monica but has
actively participated in the Housing Commission meetings than an applicant who is a long time resident but
has not been participating in the meetings of the commission he is applying to sit on.
Additionally, I am disturbed by a recent article by Mr. Jolly where he refers to unhoused disabled people as
“dirty monsters,” and compares them to movie zombies. The dehumanizing and degrading attitude towards ill
people that Mr. Jolly demonstrated in his article is in contrast to the basic human decency that is expected of a
public official representing the City of Santa Monica.
Thank you for considering my input.
Regards,
Olga Zurawska
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Packet Pg. 600 Attachment: Written Comments (5008 : Housing Appointment Appointment (5 mins))
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Vernice Hankins
From:M S <iemailmichael@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, February 22, 2022 11:45 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Cc:Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete; Gleam
Davis
Subject:13B — Support MICHELLE GRAY for HOUSING COMMISSION, 2/22/22
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Himmelrich and Councilmembers,
I am writing in support of Michelle Gray for the open Housing Commission seat because I believe she is the
best, most qualified applicant for the position. This can be gleaned not only from her wise, informed, and
helpful public comments at multiple Housing Commission and City Council meetings but from her thoughtful,
detailed, fully filled-out application. If you have not already read her application in its entirety, please do so:
(https://www.smgov.net/uploadedFiles/Departments/Clerk/Boards_and_Commissions/Applications/HOUSING.
Gray.20220214.pdf ).
I strongly oppose the appointment of Michael Jolly, because in my estimation, he is the worst, least qualified
applicant out of all applicants. In addition to his recent offensive rhetoric and derogatory slurs and depictions of
unhoused and/or disabled people as “dirty man-made monsters and criminals on the loose” and “zombies”
(Santa Monica Mirror, “Dawn of the Downtown Dead Now Playing in Santa Monica’”, with a response article by
Michelle Gray at https://smmirror.com/2022/02/opinion-response-to-santa-monica-dawn-of-the-downtown-
dead-now-playing-in-santa-monica/), the application Mr. Jolly has submitted is completely blank — other than
name and occupation (commercial real estate). How qualified and serious can an applicant be if he does not
even take the time to fill out an application with his qualifications and goals for the seat? (Jolly’s application:
).
I will summarize below these two applicants’ experience and qualifications:
Ms. Gray (taken from her application, activity in meetings, my observations):
has actively participated in Santa Monica Housing Commission and City Council meetings for the last
six months.
is a communications professional with relevant experience in the public and private sectors
is a decades-long renter and well versed in building and building safety issues, including fire prevention
is familiar with the local geography, environmental concerns, general traffic patterns and transportation
challenges, potential hazards, and different plans and efforts related to housing, zoning, development,
and housing policy.
is well-versed in the many complicated issues related to the desperately needed reform of the Santa
Monica Housing Authority, including experience working with an out-of-state Housing Authority that was
much more functional, transparent, and more compliant with respect to disability and housing rights.
Her knowledge as a newcomer to Santa Monica is invaluable. She has fresh eyes, is an independent
thinker, and is not connected to Santa Monica as an insider.
has experience with community outreach, involvement, education, and federally funded programs
is extremely intelligent, has regularly demonstrated a capacity to learn quickly, and is welcoming of
others' expertise
is willing to familiarize herself with any information necessary to make informed and just decisions as a
Housing Commission member
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Packet Pg. 601 Attachment: Written Comments (5008 : Housing Appointment Appointment (5 mins))
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envisions a Housing Commission body whose housing recommendations facilitate a healthy, equitable,
and prosperous Santa Monica, now and in the future
encourages and actively solicits the participation of others, believing the best decisions are made with
meaningful contributions by all affected stakeholders
has decades of leadership experience in various school and community groups, which necessarily
entails creative problem solving and the ability to balance competing needs and interests
wants to help Santa Monica thrive by protecting its diverse community.
has a goal to represent and serve all of Santa Monica,
Mr. Jolly (taken from his Housing Commission application and recent op-ed article in the Santa Monica
Mirror):
has not participated in Housing Commission meetings or submitted written input in the past 4.5 years,
likely more, possibly ever
has referred to unhoused individuals in a recently published article using offensive rhetoric and bigoted
slurs (see above).
has submitted a blank application form for the Housing Commission seat — other than checkboxes,
name, and occupation (commercial real estate)
is by far the most controversial applicant for the position. Which brings up the question: does the City of
Santa Monica, the City Council, and Hoising Commission really want to deal with the fallout and
blowback from these inflammatory, ableist, classist remarks, and possible future slurs or rhetoric he
could communicate in public or private (or intone/dog whistle)?
stated in his application that his (apparently only) qualification for the seat is his experience in
commercial real estate. Will he contribute to the Housing Commission on other matters? For instance,
The Housing Commission’s jurisdiction covers Section 8 and affordable housing production. Does he
have any expertise, experience, or interest in either?
Please appoint Michelle Gray to the open commission seat. Once you have seen her capabilities as outlined
above at Housing Commission meetings, I am certain you will be very much delighted to have chosen her.
Thank you for considering my input in making your decision. And thank you for your service.
Michael Louis
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Packet Pg. 602 Attachment: Written Comments (5008 : Housing Appointment Appointment (5 mins))
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Vernice Hankins
From:Council Mailbox
Sent:Tuesday, February 22, 2022 4:06 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:FW: CC meeting public comment from Michelle Gray, Housing Commission applicant
From: emsmail135@gmail.com <emsmail135@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2022 11:15 AM
To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@santamonica.gov>
Subject: CC meeting public comment from Michelle Gray, Housing Commission applicant
EXTERNAL
Dear City Councilmembers,
My name is Michelle Gray and I want to thank you for your consideration of my application to serve on the Santa
Monica Housing Commission.
While I am a newer Santa Monica resident, my family has lived in the area since the 1930s. Upon deciding to move
here I immediately and actively engaged with the city, it's staff, programs, other residents, and representatives,
including the Housing Commission and City Council, and have done so for the last year.
Newer residents can be an asset to city government, and the Housing Commission in particular, energizing it with
valuable insight from our experience with other jurisdictions. For example, I've come from a small city with a robust,
thriving, and transparent housing authority, and am eager to share their proven practices to improve Santa Monica
Housing Authority's shortcomings.
As the daughter of a retired architect, city planner, and public servant, and as a decades-long renter, I am well
versed in housing, building, and building safety issues, including fair housing laws, accessibility, livability, density,
and fire prevention.
I am ready to work on federally subsidized housing programs as well as local efforts to accommodate lower income
residents while protecting the unique culture and charm of our small beachside city. Slow, balanced, and deliberate
growth is important. Santa Monica's overlooked vacancy rate means existing housing can be made more accessible
to lower income Santa Monicans and mitigate the need for new development.
I'm committed to fair, accessible housing for everyone in our diverse community. I have no conflicts of interest,
covert alliances, or hidden agenda. My only aim is to work transparently to improve Santa Monica housing for all our
residents while protecting the small town charm and character of our beachside city.
I am a fair and unbiased listener, able to suspend judgement until I have all information necessary to make a
decision. Crucially, I am also willing to reevaluate my position when new information becomes available. I
encourage and actively solicit the participation of others, believing the best decisions are made with meaningful
contributions by all affected stakeholders.
Perhaps most importantly, I am curious, welcome others' expertise, and learn quickly. As a member of the Housing
Commission I will familiarize myself with any information necessary to make informed and just decisions and
recommendations to facilitate a healthy, equitable, and prosperous Santa Monica, now and in the future.
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Thank you again for considering my application to serve Santa Monica on the Housing Commission. I look forward
to working with you and others to create a stronger, more accessible, and sustainable community.
Very best wishes,
Michelle Gray
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