m20230613
1 June 13, 2023
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 13, 2023
A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Davis at 5:32 p.m., on
Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Gleam Davis
Mayor Pro Tem Lana Negrete
Councilmember Phil Brock
Councilmember Christine Parra
Councilmember Caroline Torosis (arrived at 5:47 p.m.)
Councilmember Jesse Zwick (arrived at 5:34 p.m.)
Absent: Councilmember Oscar de la Torre
Also Present: City Manager David White
City Attorney Douglas Sloan
City Clerk Denise Anderson-Warren
CONVENE/PLEDGE
On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened at 5:32 p.m., with all
members present except Councilmembers Zwick, Torosis and de la
Torre. Councilmember Parra led the assemblage in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
GENERAL PUBLIC
INPUT:
Councilmember Zwick
arrived at 5:34 p.m.
Councilmember Torosis
arrived at 5:47 p.m.
Members of the public John Berry, Michelle Heath, William Coian, Keith
Brown, Luis Tabares, Dr. Anna Rogers, Chris Rink, Steve Lavell, Denise
Barton, John Medlin, Catherine MacLeod, Brian MacLeod, Glenn Furuya,
Josh Levy, Madi Hertz, Lorraine Foxworth, Johnathan Foster, Jerry Rubin,
Janet McLaughlin, Lucky Basseri, Donnie Longino, Pascual Alamillo, John
Alle, Glen Jendrycki, Michael Vechell, Hunter Hall, Jon Farzam, Troy
Dalmasso, Stephen Shaw, Zoe Muntaner, and Kathy Knight commented on
various local issues.
PUBLIC INPUT FOR
CLOSED SESSION,
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS AND CONSENT
CALENDAR ONLY:
There were no members of the public present to comment on closed session
items.
There were no members of the public present to comment on special
agenda items.
Member of the public present John Alle to comment on consent calendar
items.
AGENDA
MANAGEMENT
Motion by Mayor Davis, seconded by Councilmember Brock, to continue
Items 8.A. and 16.A. to the June 27th meeting, and to hear items 11.A.,
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12.A. and 12.B. before the Study Session, Item 7.A. The motion was
unanimously approved by voice vote, by all members, with
Councilmember de la Torre absent.
PROCLAMATIONS/
COMMENDATIONS
4.A. Commendation: Santa Monica Tennis Collective 14u Team, was
presented.
4.B. Proclamation: Gun Violence Awareness Month, was presented.
4.C. 2023 Juneteenth Proclamation, was presented.
CLOSED SESSIONS
On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 6:53 p.m., to consider
closed sessions and returned at 7:47 p.m., with all members present, to
report the following:
3.A. Conference with Labor Negotiator: Government Code Section
54957.6—Agency Designated Representatives: City Manager David
White and Chief People Officer Lori Gentles; Bargaining Unit:
AFSCME Local 4819, Management Team Association
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action
taken.
3.B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation – Gov.
Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): Jennifer Howard; Amanda Pawlowski v.
City of Santa Monica, et al.; LASC Case No. 21STCV42208 [report out
only]
The City Attorney reported Council approved Settlement Agreement No.
11407 (CCS) in the amount of $775,000 for Howard, and Settlement
Agreement No. 11416 (CCS) in the amount of $425,000 for Pawlowski at
the April 25, 2023 meeting with 6-0 vote, with Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
absent.
3.C. Public Employee - Gov. Code Section 54957(b): Performance
evaluation of a public employee; Title: City Attorney; Conference with
Labor Negotiator - Gov. Code Section 54957.6: City Negotiator:
Mayor; Unrepresented Employee: City Attorney.
This item was pulled at the request of staff and not heard.
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS:
4.D. City Manager's Report, was presented.
REPORT ON COUNCIL
TRAVEL
There was nothing to report on Council travel.
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CONSENT CALENDAR: All items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a
Councilmember for discussion.
At the request of Councilmember Torosis, Item 5.H. was removed from the
Consent Calendar.
At the request of Councilmember Brock, Item 5.L. was removed from the
Consent Calendar.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, seconded Councilmember Torosis, to
approve the Consent Calendar except for Items 5.H. and 5.L., reading
resolutions by title only and waiving further reading thereof. The motion
was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Torosis, Brock, Parra, Zwick,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Davis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
WATER &
WASTEWATER
DEPARTMENT
SUPPLIES
5.A Award Bid #4450 to Ferguson Waterworks as Primary and
Core & Main as Secondary to Furnish & Deliver Water & Wastewater
Department Supplies, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15302
(Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental
Quality Act Guidelines.
2. Award Bid #4450 to Ferguson Waterworks as the primary vendor
for the purchase of water and wastewater supplies and Core & Main
as the secondary vendor for the purchase of water and wastewater
supplies.
3. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with
Ferguson Waterworks in an amount not to exceed $410,000 for year
one, with four additional one-year renewal options at approximately
10% escalator each year, for a total amount not to exceed
$2,600,000 over five years, with future year funding contingent on
Council budget approval.
4. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with
Core & Main in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for one year,
with four additional one-year renewal options at a 10% increase
each year, for a total amount not to exceed $610,000.00 over five
years, with future year funding contingent on Council budget
approval.
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STREET LIGHT REPAIR
& ELECTRICAL
CONSTRUCTION
5.B. Award Bid for Street Light Electrical Repair Services and
Urgent Electrical Construction, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section
15301 (Existing Facilities), of the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Award Bid #2685-4 to International Line Builders, Inc. as the
primary contractor, Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc. as the secondary
contractor, and Yunex LLC as tertiary contractor for citywide as-
needed streetlight electrical repair services and urgent electrical
construction as required by the Public Works Department.
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement
No. 11408 (CCS) with International Line Builders, Inc., in an
amount not to exceed $400,000 for one year, with four additional
one-year renewal option(s) in the amount of $400,000 for a total
amount not to exceed $2,000,000 over a five-year period, with
future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
4. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement
No. 11409 (CCS) with Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc., in an amount
not to exceed $400,000 for one year, with four additional one-year
renewal option(s) in the amount of $400,000 for a total amount not
to exceed $2,000,000 over a five-year period, with future year
funding contingent on Council budget approval.
5. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement
11410 (CCS) with Yunex LLC in an amount not to exceed
$400,000 for one year, with four additional one-year renewal
option(s) in the amount of $400,000 for a total amount not to
exceed $2,000,000 over a five-year period, with future year funding
contingent on Council budget approval.
COMMUNICATION
SYSTEMS & RADIO
EQUIPMENT
MAINTENANCE &
SUPPORT
5.C. Approval of First Modification to Agreement No. 10788 (CCS)
with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for Maintenance and Support of
Communications System and Radio Equipment, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section
15301 (Existing Facilities), of the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first
modification for a Maintenance and Support Agreement #10788 in
the amount of $4,788,523 with Motorola Solutions, Inc., an Illinois-
based company, for maintenance of the interoperable public safety
trunked radio communications system and radio equipment and
authority to purchase new equipment as needed by various
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departments. This will result in a 10-year amended agreement with
a new total amount not to exceed $5,874,523, with future year
funding contingent on Council budget approval.
SOFTWARE-AS-A-
SERVICE & RELATED
LICENSES
5.D. Approval to Amend Agreement with Kronos, Inc. for Software-
As-A-Service (SaaS) and Related Licenses, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to
Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Authorize the City Manager to combine existing Sales Agreement
and Software License Agreement #8417 (CCS) and Software
Maintenance and Support Agreement #8434 (CCS) into Agreement
No. 11411 (CCS) for 5 years that would result in a 23-year
amended agreement with Kronos Inc. (Kronos), for Software as a
Service (SaaS) and related licenses. This will result in a new grand
total amount not to exceed $3,425,461 (including 5% in
contingency) with future year funding contingent on Council budget
approval.
BUS TRANSPORTATION
SERVICES
5.E. Award Bid 4453 to Star-Dust Tours, Inc. to Provide Bus
Transportation Services, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect on the
environment pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense
Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Guidelines.
2. Award Bid #4453 to Star-Dust Tours, Inc. for bus transportation
services for the Community Services Department;
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement
No. 11412 (CCS) with Star-Dust Tours, Inc., in an amount not to
exceed $81,600 for one year, with four additional one-year renewal
options, in the amount of $81,600, to extend on the same terms and
conditions for a total amount not to exceed $408,000 over a five
year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget
approval.
SANTA MONICA
TOURISM MARKETING
DISTRICT
5.F. Approval of the Santa Monica Tourism Marketing District
Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget and Work Plan, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
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1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to
Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Approve the Santa Monica Tourism Marketing District Fiscal Year
2023-24 Budget and Work Plan.
HOUSING ELEMENT 5.G. Approval of Fourth Modification to Professional Services
Agreement with HR&A Advisors Inc. for 6th Cycle (2021-2029)
Housing Element Implementation, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions:
1. Make a determination that the proposed modification of the HR&A
Advisors Inc. contract for fiscal analysis is statutorily exempt from
CEQA pursuant to Section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies)
of the CEQA Guidelines.
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a fourth
modification to Agreement No. 108300 (formerly #10830) in the
amount of $40,000 and extend the term for one additional year, with
HR&A Advisors Inc.(“HR&A”) to prepare fiscal analysis for
implementation of the City’s certified 6th Cycle (2021-2029)
Housing Element. This will result in a five-year amended agreement
with a new total amount not to exceed $494,900, with future year
funding contingent on Council budget approval.
FISCAL AGENT,
DISBURSEMENT &
REVOCABLE LICENSE
AGREEMENT
5.I Approval of agreements with Main Street BID regarding: Fiscal
Agent, Disbursement and Revocable License, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to
Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Negotiate and execute the following agreements with the Main
Street Business Improvement Association (MSBIA) for a term of
five (5) years with two five-year renewal options that renew on the
same terms and conditions:
a. New Fiscal Agent Agreement No. 11413 (CCS) to manage and
administer the business-based assessment fees and any other
revenue collected for the promotion and marketing of the Main
Street Business Improvement Area; and
b. New Revocable License Agreement No. 11414 (CCS) which
grants MSBIA a license to operate and maintain the decorative
lights in the public right-of-way between Pico Boulevard and
the southern City boundary, just south of Marine Street
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c. New Disbursement Agreement No. 11415 (CCS) to administer
the property-based assessments collected and use these funds in
the Main Street Commercial District for the decorative lighting
and sidewalk cleaning, in accordance with Resolution 10325
(CCS).
UNLAWFUL CATALYTIC
CONVERTER
POSESSION
5.J. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2751 (CCS)
entitled: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SANTA MONICA ADDING SANTA MONICA MUNICIPAL CODE
SECTION 4.08.830 AND ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS
PROHIBITING THE UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS WITHIN THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA”, was
adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
MICROFLEX
DISPOSABLE GLOVES
5.K. Award Bid #4445 to Bound Tree Medical for purchase and
delivery of Microflex Disposable gloves, was pulled at the request of staff
and not heard.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Award Bid #4445 to Bound Tree Medical, an Ohio-based company,
for the purchase and delivery of Microflex disposable gloves to be
used by staff citywide;
2. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue annual purchase orders
to Bound Tree Medical, for the purchase and delivery of Microflex
disposable gloves for a total amount not to exceed $720,000 over a
five-year period, with future funding contingent on Council budget
approval; and,
3. 3. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to
Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
PIER CORPORATION 5.H. Approval of the Pier Corp FY 2023-24 Budget and Work Plan,
was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to
Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Approve the Santa Monica Pier Corporation Fiscal Year 2023-24
Budget and Work Plan;
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3. Authorize the City Manager to execute a fourth modification to
Agreement No. 10101 (CCS) with the Santa Monica Pier
Corporation to extend the term through June 30, 2024.
This item was pulled by Councilmember Torosis to ask questions of staff,
including, what steps are the Pier taking to increase revenue, is the Pier
planning to partner with the City Manager to create strategic partnerships,
and are there any plans to bring back filming on the Pier.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete,
to improve the recommended action. The motion was approved by the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Torosis, Brock, Parra, Zwick,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Davis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
PARKING STRUCTURE
SECURITY
5.L. Approval of First Modification of Agreement No. 4982 (CCS)
with Good Guard Security Inc. for Parking Structure Security
Services, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301
of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first
modification to Agreement #4982 (CCS) in the amount of
$2,200,000 with Good Guard Security, Inc. to provide overnight
security services in parking facilities and adjacent areas. This will
result in a five and a half year amended agreement with a new total
amount not to exceed $2,400,000, with future year funding
contingent on Council budget approval.
This item was pulled by Councilmember Brock to ask questions of staff
including, how is this security company in comparison to previous security
company, and how are things going; is the number of guards currently
enough, and how many would it take to be at its best; have we improved
from the previous past two years; is the contract adequate or does it need to
be retooled to the original estimate of six guards; and, what would be the
cost for the additional two guards.
Motion by Councilmember Brock, seconded by Councilmember Zwick, to
approve the recommended action. The motion was approved by the
following vote:
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AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Brock, Torosis,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Davis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
PUBLIC INPUT ON
REMAINING AGENDA
ITEMS:
Member of the public Howard Keum commented Item 7.A.
There were no members of the public present to commented Item 11.A.
Members of the public Megan Oddsen and Lauren Akmaeva commented
16.B.
Members of the public Zoe Muntaner , Nathanael Buckley, Caro Vilain,
Kent Strumpell, and Eli Gill commented 16.D.
CONTINUED ITEMS:
HUMAN SERVICES
COMMISSION
8.A. Appointment to one open seat on the Human Services
Commission for the term ending in June 30, 2025. (Continued from May
24, 2023.), was continued to the June 27th meeting.
STAFF
ADMINISTRATIVE
ITEMS:
PIER BRIDGE
REPLACEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT REPORT
11.A. Certification of Recirculated Final Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Assessment for the Pier Bridge Replacement
Project and Authorization to Proceed with Final Design and Bidding
Documents, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 11529 (CCS) entitled: “A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CERTIFYING THE RECIRCULATED FINAL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT/ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT AND ADOPTING A MITIGATION
MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM FOR THE
SANTA MONICA PIER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT”
(Attachment B) and adopting the Mitigation Monitoring and
Reporting Program for the Pier Bridge Replacement Project
(Attachment C).
2. Approve the preferred alternative bridge design (Alternative 2)
described in the Recirculated Final EIR/EA and authorize staff to
proceed with the final design and development of bidding
documents for construction of the Pier Bridge Replacement Project
as recommended in the Recirculated Final EIR/EA and as described
in this report.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: why were alternatives with
elevators removed; how do the two alternatives presented meet the ADA
requirement; wouldn’t parking on the south side require more foot traffic,
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and was there a study done to see where people are coming from when
they’re going to the Pier; would other designs have met the Federal
requirement for funding; is the federal funding attached to a specific
number of parking spaces, or can the bridge be used for just deliveries and
emergency vehicles; are there guard rails between the cars and sidewalk;
why the delay in going out for the build; are we prepared for in case the
bridge is not built in time for the 2028 Olympics; is there nothing else that
can be done to create more ADA access other than proposing an elevator;
are the ramps being adjusted in order to provide easier access to the south
beach; will bikes, skateboards and other modes of transportation share the
same side as the sidewalks; is the 5 inch rise high enough to keep a car
from stopping accelerating; is there any federal requirement on how much
the parking deck has to be opened; how many parking spaces are on the
pier now; can this really be done in 2027; what damage did the bridge
sustain during past storms and earthquakes, and has it become more
damaged over time; is there reserve money available if we need to pay for
hours to get the project completed before the 2027 deadline; what will
happen with the bridge sign during the construction; could we think about
installing more protective signage and barricades to be used during times
when there are no cars allowed on the Pier; and, when the work is
completed, is there any plan to look at the traffic circulation plan.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, seconded by Councilmember Torosis,
to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Torosis, Brock, Parra, Zwick,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Davis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
WATER SHORTAGE
ASSESSMENT
12.A. Public Hearing and Adoption Resolution No. 11530 (CCS)
entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA ADOPTING THE 2023 ANNUAL WATER
SHORTAGE ASSESSMENT REPORT”, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section
15307 and Section 15308 of the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Hold a public hearing and receive public comment for the 2023
Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report for the Public Works
Department, Water Resources Division.
3. Approve attached resolution adopting the 2023 Annual Water
Shortage Assessment Report.
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Member of the public Denise Barton, spoke to the recommended action.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: are we importing more
water from Metropolitan Water District than we are harvesting locally; how
much of the imported water allocation are we using; when all of the new
housing is online, how is that going to affect our water self-sufficiency, and
will that increase our utility rates.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete,
to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Torosis, Brock, Parra, Zwick,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Davis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
SOLID WASTE RATE 12.B. Public Hearing and Adoption Resolution No. 11531 (CCS)
entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MOINCA, CALIFORNIA, REVISING SOLID WASTE RATES”,
was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Hold a public hearing.
2. Receive public comment pursuant to Proposition 218 requirements.
3. Consider all protests against the proposed solid waste rate increases
that have been submitted in accordance with Proposition 218.
4. Adopt findings of Statutory Exemption pursuant to Public
Resources Code 20180(b)(8) and Categorical Exemption pursuant
to Section 15273 of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Guidelines.
5. Adopt the attached resolution establishing a five-year schedule of
solid waste rates effective August 1, 2023, for FY 2023-24 and July
1 every year thereafter through July 1, 2027, for FY 2027-28
Member of the public Denise Barton, spoke to the recommended action.
Questions asked and answered of staff included, is there any difference
between what a smaller unit is being charged versus a larger property with
more units, and why can’t individual units get their own trash cans and be
billed separately from their landlord.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, seconded by Councilmember Torosis,
to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the
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following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Brock, Torosis,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Davis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
STUDY SESSION:
ADULT-USE CANNABIS
7.A. Adult-Use Cannabis Study Session, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Receive the presentation on key policy considerations for allowing
adult-use cannabis businesses and other non-retail cannabis
business types within the City of Santa Monica;
2. Discuss options for allowing adult-use cannabis sales and associated
regulatory restrictions as may be appropriate; and
3. Provide direction to staff on whether to bring back changes to the
Municipal Code to allow for adult-use cannabis retail businesses
and non-retail cannabis business types within the City.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: any recommendations or
advice on how to set up an equity program; recommendations around a
RFP, lottery or other competitive selection process to avoid liability; how
successful has Costa Mesa’s process worked with no cap; are all workers in
the state unionized; can the city require that the labor peace agreement have
so many diverse hires, and can they require a labor agreement with certain
pay; what are some unique concerns with onsite consumption locations;
why is the area across from John Adams Middle School showing an area
where a business could exist; can there be a two-step process to allow the
two medical dispensaries to convert to adult-use for the short-term while
we’re deciding this process; is there a way to avoid a concentration of
businesses, instead of using the buffers; can a outlet be retail and non-retail,
maybe a storefront that delivers; is there a way to regulate delivery from
out of jurisdiction businesses; and, licensing transfers, could that be
regulated.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to:
would we be open to allowing the two medical businesses in the city
transfer over to becoming adult-cannabis retailers; not in favor of a cap;
should permit adult-use including delivery; outside deliveries should have
to get a license to deliver in Santa Monica; no cap requirement, but limit
the amount of businesses within a certain block or radius; use the state’s
buffer requirements instead of our more restrictive zoning requirements;
yes to social equity; supportive of retail in order to fill up storefronts; in
favor of consumption lounges; should we allow and expedite the existing
businesses to convert to recreational licenses, with the delivery option;
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hesitant to set a limit on the amount of businesses; don’t want saturation of
these businesses in one specific neighborhood; do not want any
discretionary processes; do an equity study; in support of social equity,
including help with permits, grants, loans, business plans, mentorships,
etc.; for now allow medicinal businesses to convert over to adult-cannabis
businesses; lottery system is fraught, would need to add some layers of
equity for fairness; pro-retail and non-retail uses; don’t over-regulate, set
buffer zones set by the state.
Initial Questions:
1. Confirming Adult-Use as Permitted Land Use - Yes
2. Retail and non-retail uses – Both, with regulations on consumption
lounges, microbusinesses, and definite delivery options.
3. Number of Retailers – staff come back with proposals with specific
limitations, set minimums in order to get a license
4. Existing Businesses – allow the existing medicinal outlets to convert
over to recreational, and allow delivery
5. Allowable locations
6. Buffer requirements – go with the state’s buffer zones or the city’s
maximum distance between outlets
Future Key Decisions
- Social equity
- Selection Process
COUNCILMEMBER
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
LIBRARY BOARD
16.A. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Library Board
for a term ending on June 30, 2025, was continued to the June 27th
meeting.
GUN SALE
RESTRICTION &
RESPONSIBILITY
16.B. Request of Councilmembers Torosis, Councilmember Zwick,
and Mayor Davis that the Council direct the City Manager and the
City Attorney to, within 60 days, draft an ordinance for council
adoption to restrict the sale of guns in Santa Monica and propose
additional gun owner responsibilities. This ordinance should be based
on best practices from other jurisdictions, stakeholder engagement,
and consultation with subject matter experts, was presented.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, seconded by Councilmember Parra, to
adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was unanimously approved by
voice vote by all members present, with Councilmember de la Torre absent.
TREE CANOPY,
PRIVATE TREE
ORDINANCE, &
DEVELOPMENT
IMPACT FEES
16.C. Councilmembers Brock and de la Torre request that the City
Manager evaluate various commercial development impact fees and
best practices in American cities for tree replacement that can be
implemented. In addition, a timeline for further discussion of the
private tree ordinance will be established, and best efforts will be made
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to increase the public tree canopy in Santa Monica, was presented.
Motion by Councilmember Brock, seconded by Councilmember Parra, to
amend the recommendation to request staff to evaluate potential sources of
revenue which might include an in-lieu fee for the removal of private trees.
To allow us to further enact and take into account the fact that the
community would very much like to have a private tree ordinance. The
motion was unanimously approved by voice vote by all members present,
with Councilmember de la Torre absent.
17TH STREET BIKE PATH 16.D. Request of Councilmembers Brock and de la Torre that the
City Council direct the City Manager to provide an update via an
Information Item to be published on the City’s website regarding
bicycle and pedestrian improvements installed on 17th Street from
Pico to Wilshire, known as the “Safe Streets for 17th Street and
Michigan Avenue” project, upon completion of the project. In the
Information Item, the City Manager is asked to provide an overview of
the project, total costs, funding sources, intended outcomes, lessons
learned, and adjustments made. As part of the Information Item, the
City Manager is also being asked to consider the costs, impacts, trade-
offs, and possible funding sources associated with modifying the design
of the intersection at Broadway and 17th (i.e., adjusting the
configuration of the corner islands) that will enhance vehicular
movements while not compromising bicycle and pedestrian safety, was
pulled by the requestor.
PUBLIC SERVICES
OFFICERS
16.E. Request of Councilmembers Brock and de la Torre that the
City Council ask the City Manager to estimate the costs of four Public
Services Officers for the City Council to consider at the June 27, 2023,
City Council meeting. The City Council should enact additional
budgetary measures to address Clean and Safe Initiatives, which
include safety and security downtown, was presented.
After receiving the cost from the City Manager, Councilmember Brock
withdrew his request.
SWIM LESSONS 16.F. Request of Councilmembers Brock and de la Torre that the
City Council direct the City Manager to develop an estimate of
resources needed to provide financial assistance to eligible families
and/or partner with community non-profits to provide free and/or
reduced-cost swim lessons at Santa Monica Aquatics facilities to ensure
that elementary school-age children have access to learn how to swim.
Motion by Councilmember Brock, seconded by Councilmember Zwick, to
approve the recommendation.
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15 June 13, 2023
Councilmember Brock amended his motion to give direction to the City
Manager to evaluate our current outreach about our swim programs and
assess if there are any additional ways, without additional cost, to make
them more known in the community. The amendment was considered
friendly to the seconder. The motion was unanimously approved by voice
vote by all members present, with Councilmember de la Torre absent.
ADJOURNMENT On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting adjourned at 12:23 a.m. in
memory of June Stephen.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Denise Anderson-Warren Gleam Davis
City Clerk Mayor
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