SR 12-19-2023 5L
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: December 19, 2023
Agenda Item: 5.L
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Oles Gordeev, Acting Director of Human Resources, Human Resources
Department
Subject: Adoption of Resolution Adopting Salary Rates for City Manager and Police
Chief and Approval of Modification to Employment Agreement with David
White for service as City Manager
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that this action does not constitute a “project” within the meaning
of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), or, in the alternative, a
finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15324 (Regulations of
Working Conditions) of the CEQA Guidelines.
2. Adopt a resolution of the City of Santa Monica adjusting the salary rates for City
Manager and Police Chief (Attachment A).
3. Approve modification to employment agreement with David White for service as
City Manager, and authorize the Mayor to sign the modification to employment
agreement on behalf of the City (Attachment B).
Summary
In order to maintain an appropriate base salary relationship between Deputy Police
Chief and Police Chief, staff recommends increasing the annual salary for Police Chief
by 6%. As a result of the proposed increase in salary for Police Chief, the salary for City
Manager must also be increased to maintain appropriate internal alignment to ensure
that that the City Manager is compensated at a higher rate than the Police Chief.
Therefore, staff recommends a 10% increase in base salary for the City Manager, which
results in the City Manager’s salary being approximately 7% more than the Police Chief .
To accomplish these adjustments, staff recommends that the City Council adopt the
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attached resolution adopting salary rates for the City Manager and Police Chief and
approve the attached modification to the City Manager’s employment agreement.
Discussion
Article 2.02 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and Santa
Monica Police Officers Association requires that the Step 5 salaries of employees
represented by the union be increased, if necessary, to cause those employees’ “net
pay”, as defined in the MOU, of the Police Officer job classification to be the second
highest of the “net pay” paid to the employees with five years of service among ten local
police departments listed in the MOU. Per the MOU, this increase is effective at the
beginning of the pay period that includes January 1. As a result of this contract
provision, the members of the Police Officers Association received a 10.13% increase in
base salary effective January 1, 2023, which resulted in salary compression between
Deputy Police Chief and Police Chief.
As of July 2022, the annual base salary for the Police Chief was $328,656 at step 5 of
the salary range and the Deputy Police Chief was $255,984 at step 5 of the salary
range, which resulted in a 28.4% difference between the two classifications. Deputy
Police Chief received a 10.13% increase to base salary effective January 2023, and a
subsequent 1% increase effective July 2023, resulting in a current annual salary of
$284,736 at step 5 of the salary range. During the same time period, the Police Chief’s
annual salary was increased to $355,440 at step 5 of the salary range. As a result of all
the changes, the difference in salary between Deputy Police Chief and Police Chief has
decreased from 28.4% to the current 24.8%. This differential is further eroded
considering the additional negotiated supplemental pays (i.e., longevity, educational
incentives, deployment pay) that the Deputy Police Chief receives under the MOU and
the fact that the Deputy Police Chief qualifies for overtime in limited circumstances.
When accounting for these additional negotiated supplemental pays, excluding overtime
pay, the Deputy Police Chief is being paid approximately 2.9% more than the Police
Chief and 1.6% more than the City Manager. In order to provide for an appropriate
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salary differential between the Deputy Police Chief and Police Chief classifications, staff
recommends that the annual salary for Police Chief is increased by 6%.
The current annual base salary for the City Manager is $365,952. The proposed salary
adjustment for the Police Chief classification increases the annual base salary at step 5
to $376,764, resulting in the Police Chief making approximately 3% more than the City
Manager. Given the City Manager’s broad span of authority, it is necessary and
appropriate to ensure that the City Manager is compensated at a level that exceeds the
Police Chief. To provide for an appropriate salary differential between the City Manager
and the Police Chief, staff proposes a 10% increase for City Manager which will provide
for an annual salary of $402,552. As a result, the total compensation for the City
Manager will be more aligned with the compensation received by City Managers in
neighboring municipalities. For example, the annual compensation for City Manager at
the City of Beverly Hills is $410,867 in consideration of base pay and management
incentive pay received. The City of Beverly Hills also provides for performance pay of up
to 10% of base salary. Santa Monica’s City Manager does not receive a management
incentive or performance pay. Finally, the proposed salary adjustments for the City
Manager and Police Chief results in the City Manager’s salary at a level that is
approximately 7% more than the Police Chief, which is a reasonable level of separation
given the City Manager’s scope of responsibilities and is consistent with the level of
separation between City Managers and Police Chiefs of comparable agencies .
Attachment A presents a salary resolution adjusting the salary for City Manager and
Police Chief. Attachment B presents a modification to the employment agreement with
the City Manager.
Environmental Review
This action does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because a salary resolution and modification to a
personnel contract will not cause either a direct physical change in the environment or a
reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Furthermore, if this
action were considered a project, it would be categorically exempt pursuant to Section
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15324 (Regulations of Working Conditions) of the CEQA Guidelines, which consists of
actions taken by regulatory agencies to regulate employee wages and worker
conditions.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
No budget action is necessary at this time as a result of the recommended action in this
report. The FY 2023-24 six-month prorated full-burden cost to the General Fund for the
adjustments identified in this report is approximately $38,000 and will be absorbed
within existing budgets in the City Manager and Police Departments.
Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Michael Arnoldus, Human Resources Manager
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Attachment A - Salary Resolution Police Chief and City Manager 12 19 2023
B. White.CMEmploymentAgreement.FirstModification
C. Written Comments
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ATTACHMENT A
City Council Meeting: December 19, 2023 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER ________(CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
ADOPTING SALARY RATES FOR CITY MANAGER AND POLICE CHIEF.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The following salary levels are hereby established, effective
January 14, 2024, for the indicated permanent classifications:
Classification Salary Reason
City Manager $402,552/annual Equity Adjustment
Police Chief $376,764/annual; Step 5 Equity Adjustment
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Douglas T. Sloan
City Attorney
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FIRST MODIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA AND DAVID A. WHITE
This First Modification of Employment Agreement (“First Modification”), entered into as of
____________________, 2023 (“Execution Date”), by and between the City of Santa Monica, a
California municipal corporation (“City”), and David A. White (“White” or “Employee”), is
made with reference to the following:
RECITALS
A. On July 22, 2021, the Santa Monica City Council appointed White to the position of City
Manager of the City effective as of October 11, 2021 (“Employment Date”).
B. On July 28, 2021, the City and White entered into an Employment Agreement setting
forth the terms and conditions of White’s employment as the City Manager of the City as
of the Employment Date (“Original Agreement”).
C. The City and White wish to enter into this First Modification to increase White’s salary,
in order to maintain appropriate internal alignment between the salary of the City
Manager and the salary of the City Manager’s subordinate employees.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City and White agree as follows:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Section 1.1 of the Original Agreement, entitled “Salary,” is hereby amended to read as
follows:
1.1 Commencing as of the Employment Date, the City agrees to pay Employee an
initial annual base salary of $340,000, payable in installments in the same manner
and at the same time as other City employees are paid. In accordance with section
1.2 below, commencing as of July 1, 2022, Employee’s annual base salary was
adjusted by a 4.5% salary increase, to $355,296; and, commencing as of July 1,
2023, Employee’s annual base salary was adjusted to $365,952. Commencing as
of January 14, 2024, the City agrees to pay Employee an annual base salary of
$402,552, payable in installments in the same manner and at the same time as
other City employees are paid.
2. Except as expressly modified by this First Modification, all other terms and conditions of
the Original Agreement shall be and remain in full force and effect.
3. Electronic Signatures. Each party agrees that the transaction consisting of this
Agreement may be conducted by electronic means. Each party agrees and acknowledges
that it is such party’s intent, that if such party signs this First Modification using an
electronic signature, it is signing, adopting, and accepting this First Modification and that
signing this First Modification using an electronic signature is the legal equivalent of
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having placed its handwritten signature on this First Modification on paper. Each party
acknowledges that it is being provided with an electronic or paper copy of this First
Modification in a usable format.
4. Counterparts. This First Modification may be executed simultaneously or in any number
of counterparts, including both counterparts that are executed manually on paper and
counterparts that are in the form of electronic records and are executed electronically,
whether digital or encrypted, each of which shall be deemed an original and together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.
In witness whereof, this First Modification was executed on the day and year first written above.
CITY OF SANTA MONICA,
a municipal corporation
By: ________________________ __________________________
Phil Brock, Mayor David White
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
___________________________ _____________________________
Douglas Sloan, City Attorney Denise Anderson-Warren, City Clerk
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Xavier Mota
From:John Alle <johnallecompany@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, December 15, 2023 1:48 PM
To:Phil Brock
Cc:Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra
Subject:David White's outlandish potential pay increase
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Brock,
One week's notice of a salary bump for city Manager David White to $400k +++, is not sitting well with voters learning
about this.
Would you please gather Council support to put this on hold and pull this item from Tuesday's Council Agenda for
more discussion?
Santa Monica is NOT better off than last year or the year he started. And we also have more debt.
The money would be better spent on undercover Police Detectives to root out the drug dealers on our streets attracting
drug users, and/or individual paid staff to assist you and Councilmembers.
When I met with Oscar and Lana in August, each said they had concerns regarding David White’s job performance, and
would be meeting with him for an "evaluation." What happened?
Who and how many people do you know who are earning more than the prior year...including businesses who are
contributing less to sales and hotel tax revenue?
If this proceeds, the negative repercussions will be endless, and our City leadership's integrity and judgment will again
be called into question, now and leading up to the elections.
Thanks,
John Alle
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
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Xavier Mota
From:Stanley H Epstein <stanatty@yahoo.com>
Sent:Monday, December 18, 2023 1:40 PM
To:Clerk Mailbox
Subject:Fwd: Salaries - City Manager and Chief of Police
EXTERNAL
Dear Denise.Kindly include the email from me below in Public Input under Item 5 L for tomorrow’s Council
meeting.Thanks. Stan Epstein. 310 393 7619.
Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
From: Stanley H Epstein <stanatty@yahoo.com>
Date: December 18, 2023 at 1:33:01 PM PST
To: Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@santamonica.gov>, Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>, Oscar
de la Torre <oscar.delatorre@smgov.net>, Gleam Davis <gleam.davis@smgov.net>, Caroline Torosis
<Caroline.Torosis@santamonica.gov>, Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@santamonica.gov>, Jesse Zwick
<hello@jessezwick.com>
Cc: David White <David.White@santamonica.gov>, City Clerk <clerk@smgov.net>, Epstein HP
<hpewriter@yahoo.com>, uncapie@aol.com, John Alle <johnallecompany@gmail.com>, Zina Josephs
<ZinaJosephs@aol.com>, PNA90404 <pna90404@gmail.com>, info@midcityneighbors.org, Nancy
Coleman <ncoleman@nancy‐euclid.net>, Alissa Finerman <alissafinerman@gmail.com>, Elaine Golden‐
Gealer <elaine@elaine360.com>, Editor@smobserver.com, Elaine Golden‐Gealer
<elaine@elaine360.com>, Marc Verville <ml.verville@verizon.net>, Wes Wellman
<Wes@wellmanproperties.com>, "Dan Charn." <shineshuge@gmail.com>
Subject: Salaries ‐ City Manager and Chief of Police
Gentlemen and Ladies.The Epsteins have done further research, and are sad to find these comparisons
between the annual base salaries starting on Jan.14, 2024 in our town and those of relevant other
jurisdictions( to be considered by Counsel tomorrow under Consent Calendar Item 5 L):
Santa Monica City Manager: $402,552 ( a ten % increase from that first in effect 6 months before).
Santa Monica Chief of Police: $376,764.
Let’s see the comps:
NYC Police Chief( hardly an easy job. I lived there for roughly 4 decades) ‐ $243, 171.
NYC Mayor‐ $ 258, 750.
LA Mayor‐ $269, 365.
Calif. Gov’r‐ $ 224, 020.
Long Beach City Mgr.‐ $346, 227( a City with 5 times our population).
West Hollywood City Mgr.‐ $345,713.
I requested comments Thursday from HR and David ( cc’ing all Council members) .No one has answered.
I think that even more important than the large proposed increases are the raw salary amounts. David’s
contract was entered into a few weeks before the seating on Council of now Mayor Phil, Oscar and
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
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Christine .
Sincerely, Stan Epstein. 310 393 7619.
Sent from my iPad
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
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Xavier Mota
From:Stanley H Epstein <stanatty@yahoo.com>
Sent:Monday, December 18, 2023 1:48 PM
To:Clerk Mailbox
Subject:Fwd: Salaries - City Manager and Chief of Police
EXTERNAL
Denise. The email below corrects my one word error. Please include it also in Public Input for Item 5L. Thanks.Stan
Epstein
Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
From: Stanley H Epstein <stanatty@yahoo.com>
Date: December 18, 2023 at 1:45:24 PM PST
To: Phil Brock <Phil.Brock@santamonica.gov>, Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>, Oscar
de la Torre <oscar.delatorre@smgov.net>, Gleam Davis <gleam.davis@smgov.net>, Caroline Torosis
<Caroline.Torosis@santamonica.gov>, Christine Parra <Christine.Parra@santamonica.gov>, Jesse Zwick
<hello@jessezwick.com>
Cc: David White <David.White@santamonica.gov>, City Clerk <clerk@smgov.net>, Epstein HP
<hpewriter@yahoo.com>, uncapie@aol.com, John Alle <johnallecompany@gmail.com>, Zina Josephs
<ZinaJosephs@aol.com>, PNA90404 <pna90404@gmail.com>, info@midcityneighbors.org, Nancy
Coleman <ncoleman@nancy‐euclid.net>, Alissa Finerman <alissafinerman@gmail.com>, Elaine Golden‐
Gealer <elaine@elaine360.com>, Editor@smobserver.com, Marc Verville <ml.verville@verizon.net>,
Wes Wellman <Wes@wellmanproperties.com>, "Dan Charn." <shineshuge@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Salaries ‐ City Manager and Chief of Police
Pardon my error. David’s contract was signed a few weeks after, not before, the current terms began for
Phil, Oscar, and Christine.
Stan
Sent from my iPad
On Dec 18, 2023, at 1:33 PM, Stanley H Epstein <stanatty@yahoo.com> wrote:
Gentlemen and Ladies.The Epsteins have done further research, and are sad to find
these comparisons between the annual base salaries starting on Jan.14, 2024 in our
town and those of relevant other jurisdictions( to be considered by Counsel tomorrow
under Consent Calendar Item 5 L):
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
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Santa Monica City Manager: $402,552 ( a ten % increase from that first in effect 6
months before).
Santa Monica Chief of Police: $376,764.
Let’s see the comps:
NYC Police Chief( hardly an easy job. I lived there for roughly 4 decades) ‐ $243, 171.
NYC Mayor‐ $ 258, 750.
LA Mayor‐ $269, 365.
Calif. Gov’r‐ $ 224, 020.
Long Beach City Mgr.‐ $346, 227( a City with 5 times our population).
West Hollywood City Mgr.‐ $345,713.
I requested comments Thursday from HR and David ( cc’ing all Council members) .No
one has answered. I think that even more important than the large proposed increases
are the raw salary amounts. David’s contract was entered into a few weeks before the
seating on Council of now Mayor Phil, Oscar and Christine .
Sincerely, Stan Epstein. 310 393 7619.
Sent from my iPad
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
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Xavier Mota
From:T GROSSMAN <tina.grossman@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, December 18, 2023 4:14 PM
To:councilmtgitems; councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Jesse
Zwick; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock
Subject:Discussion item re Raising Base Salary of Santa Monica City Manager??
EXTERNAL
Dear Councilpersons,
I and other residents I know are appalled that you are considering raising the base salary of the city manager to what
we consider an obscene sum of money (over $400K) at a time when the city has not fully funded other services the
citizens rely upon. Do not consider spending additional sums when you have a budget struggling to provide services to
the citizens that were available in 2019, including all the library branches.
The money spent on the city manager's salary is already well above the average for city managers in CA. The average
City Manager salary in California is $124,281 as of November 27, 2023, but the range typically falls
between $114,155 and $140,693. https://www.salary.com/research/salary/recruiting/city-manager-salary/ca
There are other measures to consider but it's not difficult to see Santa Monica is average in profile and does not need
to spend huge sums, above the norm, to attract quality candidates.
(https://roseinstitute.org/2023-california-city-manager-survey-a-profile-of-the-profession/)
Thank you,
Tina Grossman
45 year resident of SM
90405
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
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Xavier Mota
From:Stanley H Epstein <stanatty@yahoo.com>
Sent:Monday, December 18, 2023 3:35 PM
To:Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Gleam Davis; Caroline Torosis; Christine Parra; Jesse
Zwick
Cc:David White; Clerk Mailbox; Epstein HP; uncapie@aol.com; John Alle; Zina Josephs; PNA90404;
info@midcityneighbors.org; Nancy Coleman; Alissa Finerman; Elaine Golden-Gealer;
Editor@smobserver.com; ml.verville@verizon.net; Wes Wellman; Dan Charn.
Subject:Re: Salaries - City Manager and Chief of Police
EXTERNAL
Dear Phil. Both of us were off on the signing date of the David White employment agreement by about six months. The
execuƟon date was July 28, 2021 ( my birthday) , or slightly more than 7 months aŌer you, Oscar and ChrisƟne were
sworn in, not a year aŌer that event ( as you thought). Not terribly important because the main issues are the amounts
of base salary for the Manager and Police Chief compared to other jurisdicƟons and the respecƟve increases for each
proposed at tomorrow’s Council meeƟng.
Stan
Sent from my iPad
>On Dec 18, 2023, at 1:45 PM, Stanley H Epstein <stanaƩy@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Pardon my error. David’s contract was signed a few weeks aŌer, not before, the current terms began for Phil, Oscar, and
ChrisƟne.
>
> Stan
>
>
>Sent from my iPad
>
>>On Dec 18, 2023, at 1:33 PM, Stanley H Epstein <stanaƩy@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>Gentlemen and Ladies.The Epsteins have done further research, and are sad to find these comparisons between the
annual base salaries starƟng on Jan.14, 2024 in our town and those of relevant other jurisdicƟons( to be considered by
Counsel tomorrow under Consent Calendar Item 5 L):
>>
>>Santa Monica City Manager: $402,552 ( a ten % increase from that first in effect 6 months before).
>>Santa Monica Chief of Police: $376,764.
>>
>>Let’s see the comps:
>>NYC Police Chief( hardly an easy job. I lived there for roughly 4 decades) ‐ $243, 171.
>>NYC Mayor‐ $ 258, 750.
>>LA Mayor‐ $269, 365.
>>Calif. Gov’r‐ $ 224, 020.
>>Long Beach City Mgr.‐ $346, 227( a City with 5 Ɵmes our populaƟon).
>>West Hollywood City Mgr.‐ $345,713.
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
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Packet Pg. 368 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6168 : Adoption of Salary Resolution for City Manager and Police Chief)
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>>
>>I requested comments Thursday from HR and David ( cc’ing all Council members) .No one has answered. I think that
even more important than the large proposed increases are the raw salary amounts. David’s contract was entered into a
few weeks before the seaƟng on Council of now Mayor Phil, Oscar and ChrisƟne .
>>
>>Sincerely, Stan Epstein. 310 393 7619.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Sent from my iPad
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
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Xavier Mota
From:John Alle <johnallecompany@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, December 19, 2023 7:54 AM
To:Phil Brock; Oscar de la Torre; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete
Subject:Follow- up on City Manager David White's Salary Increase or Bonus and SEVERAL VOTER
COMMENTS
EXTERNAL
Below are excerpts from some of many voter comments expressed in letters sent, regarding 5 L on tonight's City
Council Agenda ‐ ‐
But first the facts:
David White’s proposed increased Base Salary or Bonus is ten (10%) percent ‐ ‐
From 7/1/23 to 1/13/24‐ $365 952, plus housing allowance, free parking and additional perks
From. 1/14/24 to 1/ 13/25‐ $402 552.
Other comparable Basse Salaries:
President of the United States ‐ $400,000
LA Mayor ‐ $269, 365
New York City Mayor ‐ $258 750
California Governor ‐ $224 020
Long Beach City Manager.‐ $346, 227 ( a City with 5 times our population).
West Hollywood City Manager.‐ $345,713
Just a few excerpts of some of 38 letters received on this topic ‐ ‐
"This is disgusting and hurtful to read. I barely have money to pay my rent, buy groceries or have heat in
the winter.
However, more importantly, this city.
there is no money to clean the streets here, fix the lights, hire more officers, protect the residents, etc."
"How much does everyone else make in the city? What about the director of transportation?"
"In ANY business he would have been fired without severance and here they're giving him, an employee
of a SMALL city, a salary higher than that of the GOVERNOR with a healthy pension on top?!?! WHAT?!"
"Great letter. Such a huge red flag about how seriously the city is mismanaging funds...
How about a new sign that could get media attention like:' Look around. Does David White, SM city manager
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
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deserve a hundred thousand dollar raise? Does he even deserve the 300 grand he makes now? What’s he done
for you lately Santa Monicans?"
"Yeah, the city is too broke to open libraries, but can pay their CM $400,000? Tone deaf."
"It’s bonkers that you, David White’s bosses, get paid a stipend, while he is at or near the very top. Personally, I
don’t care except to say that you all should get paid before David White gets more money that puts him
well above almost every other City Manager in the state.
" On another note, with Phil taking the helm, I hope you four can coalesce to vote as a block on the number one
issue in Santa Monica right now. Chief Batista needs 270 cops to proactively engage the drug dealers and
addicts in the downtown area. Work together and push some stuff through! Downtown is out of
control. And if you doubt it, allow me to be your tour guide some evening. ᦔᦕᦖᦗ
I really don’t want Gleam’s vision of Santa Monica to come to fruition. Because these two recent beauties are
NOT Santa Monicans! Seriously, this is what we have wandering the streets right now. And it’s some scary
madness."
Respectfully,
John Alle
Residential and Commercial Property Owner
@santamonicacoalition
‐‐
John E. Alle
JOHN ALLE COMPANY
www.johnallecompany.com
www.thesantamonicacoalition.org
Cell: (310) 990-7124
Office: (626) 795-1511 (310) 319-1511
.
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
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Xavier Mota
From:Bonnie <Bonniedoe@proton.me>
Sent:Tuesday, December 19, 2023 8:43 AM
To:Caroline Torosis; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil
Brock; councilmtgitems; councilmtgitems; David White
Subject:Great park now; no failing up for White
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
EXTERNAL
1.We voted for a great park ‐ that's all that's acceptable for council to consider or approve. With all the talk over
the past few years of undermining democracy ‐ it's council's job to follow what voters asked for: a great
park. Think of your legacy if we have a park like Golden Gate Park. You'd be remembered for life. Do the right
thing and create a park.
Please do not raise David White's salary - he does not deserve to fail up. If anything, he should be fired or get a
decrease in pay. Under White's tenure:
1. our streets are covered in trash, bottles, and human feces;
2. our libraries are closed;
3. he's invited drug addicts to openly use drugs in front of our children and welcomed the county to provide
drug paraphernalia;
4. he's allowed a proliferation of cartels to enter the city and engage in drug dealing, prostitution, and forced
labor;
5. he invites mentally ill drug addicts to move to santa monica from all over the country to terrorize actual
residents;
6. stores have closed;
7. i cannot go downtown with my children without being accosted or screamed at by the mentally ill drug
addicts who have more rights than i do;
8. he's handed our streets over to illegal parking of oversized vehicles that never receive tickets;
9. he's turned our beaches into dog runs because there is no enforcement of no dogs on beach rule;
10. he's allowed an increase in pedestrian deaths by directing pd to ignore law breaking and failing to enforce
basic traffic laws.
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
5.L.c
Packet Pg. 372 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6168 : Adoption of Salary Resolution for City Manager and Police Chief)
1
Xavier Mota
From:Dan Charn. <shineshuge@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, December 19, 2023 9:50 AM
To:Council Mailbox; Council Mailbox; Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre;
Caroline Torosis; Gleam Davis; Jesse Zwick; Douglas Sloan; David White; councilmtgitems
Subject:ITEM 5-L.. DAVID WHITE SALARY INCREASE
EXTERNAL
$402,552 thousand? STOP. This is how we got into
the mess we are in..overpaying staff and far too fat
benefit packages.
The POTUS makes less than that. How can you even be serious about
this?
We need patrols, libraries open, more funding for POD and so
many other things that are for the town's good and resident's needs. Not
more overpaid staff..that is the second last thing we need next to any
more ugly Cypress and NMS building.
THIS IS AS NUTS as a man worth close to 30 billion asking people to bring
food for the hungry and dance around under a tree. We have lost our
minds..long ago. just STOP.
Danielle Charney
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
5.L.c
Packet Pg. 373 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6168 : Adoption of Salary Resolution for City Manager and Police Chief)
1
Xavier Mota
From:Stanley H Epstein <stanatty@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, December 19, 2023 7:12 AM
To:David White; Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Caroline Torosis; Christine
Parra; Jesse Zwick; Ramon Batista
Cc:John Alle; Elaine Golden-Gealer; Editor@smobserver.com; editor@santamonicalookout.com; editor
smdp; PNA90404; info@midcityneighbors.org; Nancy Coleman; Alissa Finerman; uncapie@aol.com;
Epstein HP; emvandenburgh@gmail.com; Ann Maggio; Ann Hoover; Karen Croner; Dan Charn.; Wes
Wellman; ml.verville@verizon.net; Clerk Mailbox; Alan Levenson; Charles Blum; Ben
Subject:Fwd: Salaries - City Manager and Chief of Police Item 5L
EXTERNAL
Ladies and Gentlemen. Last evening, I received the attached heart breaking email from a resident who had seen my
email below and who wants to remain anonymous. The individual is surely right that the salaries and other material
compensation and other benefits of all senior City staff must immediately be widely revealed and discussed , and that
those salaries and raises in issue this evening in Item 5 L
for the City Manager and Police Chief are highly troubling to so many residents and business entities.
That data ( and the honest , full explanation of Council justifying the numbers) will surely be a top issue when 4
seats are up for election in less than 11 months , and 3 in November, 2026.
Sincerely, Stan Epstein. 310 393 7619
Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
From:
Date: December 18, 2023 at 7:48:11 PM PST
To: Stanley H Epstein <stanatty@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Salaries ‐ City Manager and Chief of Police
This is disgusting and hurtful to read. I barely have money to pay my rent, buy groceries or have heat in
the winter.
However more importantly, this city.
there is no money to clean the streets here, fix the lights, hire more officers, protect the residents, etc.
How much does everyone else make in the city? What about the director of transportation?
On 12/18/23, 1:33 PM, "Stanley H Epstein" <stanatty@yahoo.com <mailto:stanatty@yahoo.com>>
wrote:
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
5.L.c
Packet Pg. 374 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6168 : Adoption of Salary Resolution for City Manager and Police Chief)
2
Gentlemen and Ladies.The Epsteins have done further research, and are sad to find these comparisons
between the annual base salaries starting on Jan.14, 2024 in our town and those of relevant other
jurisdictions( to be considered by Counsel tomorrow under Consent Calendar Item 5 L):
Santa Monica City Manager: $402,552 ( a ten % increase from that first in effect 6 months before).
Santa Monica Chief of Police: $376,764.
Let’s see the comps:
NYC Police Chief( hardly an easy job. I lived there for roughly 4 decades) ‐ $243, 171.
NYC Mayor‐ $ 258, 750.
LA Mayor‐ $269, 365.
Calif. Gov’r‐ $ 224, 020.
Long Beach City Mgr.‐ $346, 227( a City with 5 times our population).
West Hollywood City Mgr.‐ $345,713.
I requested comments Thursday from HR and David ( cc’ing all Council members) .No one has answered.
I think that even more important than the large proposed increases are the raw salary amounts. David’s
contract was entered into a few weeks before the seating on Council of now Mayor Phil, Oscar and
Christine .
Sincerely, Stan Epstein. 310 393 7619.
Sent from my iPad
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
5.L.c
Packet Pg. 375 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6168 : Adoption of Salary Resolution for City Manager and Police Chief)
1
Xavier Mota
From:John Alle <johnallecompany@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, December 19, 2023 8:19 AM
To:Clerk Mailbox; Denise Anderson-Warren
Subject:Fwd: Follow- up on City Manager David White's Salary Increase or Bonus and SEVERAL VOTER
COMMENTS
EXTERNAL
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: John Alle <johnallecompany@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 19, 2023 at 7:53 AM
Subject: Follow‐ up on City Manager David White's Salary Increase or Bonus and SEVERAL VOTER COMMENTS
To: Phil Brock <phil.brock@smgov.net>, Oscar de la Torre <oscar.delatorre@smgov.net>, Christine Parra
<christine.parra@smgov.net>, Lana Negrete <Lana.Negrete@santamonica.gov>
Below are excerpts from some of many voter comments expressed in letters sent, regarding 5 L on tonight's City
Council Agenda ‐ ‐
But first the facts:
David White’s proposed increased Base Salary or Bonus is ten (10%) percent ‐ ‐
From 7/1/23 to 1/13/24‐ $365 952, plus housing allowance, free parking and additional perks
From. 1/14/24 to 1/ 13/25‐ $402 552.
Other comparable Basse Salaries:
President of the United States ‐ $400,000
LA Mayor ‐ $269, 365
New York City Mayor ‐ $258 750
California Governor ‐ $224 020
Long Beach City Manager.‐ $346, 227 ( a City with 5 times our population).
West Hollywood City Manager.‐ $345,713
Just a few excerpts of some of 38 letters received on this topic ‐ ‐
"This is disgusting and hurtful to read. I barely have money to pay my rent, buy groceries or have heat in
the winter.
However, more importantly, this city.
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
5.L.c
Packet Pg. 376 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6168 : Adoption of Salary Resolution for City Manager and Police Chief)
2
there is no money to clean the streets here, fix the lights, hire more officers, protect the residents, etc."
"How much does everyone else make in the city? What about the director of transportation?"
"In ANY business he would have been fired without severance and here they're giving him, an employee
of a SMALL city, a salary higher than that of the GOVERNOR with a healthy pension on top?!?! WHAT?!"
"Great letter. Such a huge red flag about how seriously the city is mismanaging funds...
How about a new sign that could get media attention like:' Look around. Does David White, SM city manager
deserve a hundred thousand dollar raise? Does he even deserve the 300 grand he makes now? What’s he done
for you lately Santa Monicans?"
"Yeah, the city is too broke to open libraries, but can pay their CM $400,000? Tone deaf."
"It’s bonkers that you, David White’s bosses, get paid a stipend, while he is at or near the very top. Personally, I
don’t care except to say that you all should get paid before David White gets more money that puts him
well above almost every other City Manager in the state.
" On another note, with Phil taking the helm, I hope you four can coalesce to vote as a block on the number one
issue in Santa Monica right now. Chief Batista needs 270 cops to proactively engage the drug dealers and
addicts in the downtown area. Work together and push some stuff through! Downtown is out of
control. And if you doubt it, allow me to be your tour guide some evening. ᦔᦕᦖᦗ
I really don’t want Gleam’s vision of Santa Monica to come to fruition. Because these two recent beauties are
NOT Santa Monicans! Seriously, this is what we have wandering the streets right now. And it’s some scary
madness."
Respectfully,
John Alle
Residential and Commercial Property Owner
@santamonicacoalition
‐‐
John E. Alle
JOHN ALLE COMPANY
www.johnallecompany.com
www.thesantamonicacoalition.org
Cell: (310) 990-7124
Office: (626) 795-1511 (310) 319-1511
.
‐‐
John E. Alle
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
5.L.c
Packet Pg. 377 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6168 : Adoption of Salary Resolution for City Manager and Police Chief)
3
JOHN ALLE COMPANY
www.johnallecompany.com
www.thesantamonicacoalition.org
Cell: (310) 990-7124
Office: (626) 795-1511 (310) 319-1511
The information contained in this communication from the sender is confidential. It is intended solely for use
by the recipient and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the recipient, you are hereby notified that
any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action in relation of the contents of this information is strictly
prohibited and may be unlawful. Kindly delete.
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
5.L.c
Packet Pg. 378 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6168 : Adoption of Salary Resolution for City Manager and Police Chief)
1
Xavier Mota
From:Stanley H Epstein <stanatty@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, December 19, 2023 2:21 PM
To:Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Gleam Davis; Caroline Torosis; Christine Parra; Jesse
Zwick
Cc:David White; Clerk Mailbox; Epstein HP; uncapie@aol.com; John Alle; Zina Josephs; PNA90404;
info@midcityneighbors.org; Nancy Coleman; Alissa Finerman; Elaine Golden-Gealer;
Editor@smobserver.com; ml.verville@verizon.net; Wes Wellman; Dan Charn.; editor smdp; Charles
Andrews; Jack Neworth
Subject:Re: Salaries - City Manager and Chief of Police
EXTERNAL
The arƟcle in the Daily Press today about the Council acƟon tonight discussed Item 5L on the Consent Calendar. The staff
report provided the exact annual base salaries for the City Manager and the Chief of Police.
Amazingly, ScoƩ nevertheless omiƩed both salaries. The wonders of local media in Santa Monica!
Sincerely, Stan Epstein
Sent from my iPad
> On Dec 18, 2023, at 1:33 PM, Stanley H Epstein <stanaƩy@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Gentlemen and Ladies.The Epsteins have done further research, and are sad to find these comparisons between the
annual base salaries starƟng on Jan.14, 2024 in our town and those of relevant other jurisdicƟons( to be considered by
Counsel tomorrow under Consent Calendar Item 5 L):
>
> Santa Monica City Manager: $402,552 ( a ten % increase from that first in effect 6 months before).
> Santa Monica Chief of Police: $376,764.
>
> Let’s see the comps:
> NYC Police Chief( hardly an easy job. I lived there for roughly 4 decades) ‐ $243, 171.
> NYC Mayor‐ $ 258, 750.
> LA Mayor‐ $269, 365.
> Calif. Gov’r‐ $ 224, 020.
> Long Beach City Mgr.‐ $346, 227( a City with 5 Ɵmes our populaƟon).
> West Hollywood City Mgr.‐ $345,713.
>
> I requested comments Thursday from HR and David ( cc’ing all Council members) .No one has answered. I think that
even more important than the large proposed increases are the raw salary amounts. David’s contract was entered into a
few weeks before the seaƟng on Council of now Mayor Phil, Oscar and ChrisƟne .
>
> Sincerely, Stan Epstein. 310 393 7619.
>
>
>
>
>
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
5.L.c
Packet Pg. 379 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6168 : Adoption of Salary Resolution for City Manager and Police Chief)
2
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
5.L.c
Packet Pg. 380 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6168 : Adoption of Salary Resolution for City Manager and Police Chief)
1
Xavier Mota
From:Stanley H Epstein <stanatty@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, December 19, 2023 7:32 PM
To:David White; Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Caroline Torosis; Christine
Parra; Jesse Zwick; Ramon Batista
Cc:John Alle; Elaine Golden-Gealer; Editor@smobserver.com; editor@santamonicalookout.com; editor
smdp; PNA90404; info@midcityneighbors.org; Nancy Coleman; Alissa Finerman; uncapie@aol.com;
Epstein HP; emvandenburgh@gmail.com; Ann Maggio; Ann Hoover; Karen Croner; Dan Charn.; Wes
Wellman; ml.verville@verizon.net; Clerk Mailbox; Alan Levenson; Charles Blum; Ben
Subject:Re: Salaries - City Manager and Chief of Police Item 5L
EXTERNAL
The record should show that the unacceptable raises provided for in Consent Calendar Item 5L was approved without a
word of discussions by a vote of 6 to 0 ( Oscar absent).
Stan Epstein
Sent from my iPad
On Dec 19, 2023, at 7:12 AM, Stanley H Epstein <stanatty@yahoo.com> wrote:
Ladies and Gentlemen. Last evening, I received the attached heart breaking email from a resident who
had seen my email below and who wants to remain anonymous. The individual is surely right that the
salaries and other material compensation and other benefits of all senior City staff must immediately be
widely revealed and discussed , and that those salaries and raises in issue this evening in Item 5 L
for the City Manager and Police Chief are highly troubling to so many residents and business entities.
That data ( and the honest , full explanation of Council justifying the numbers) will surely be a top
issue when 4 seats are up for election in less than 11 months , and 3 in November, 2026.
Sincerely, Stan Epstein. 310 393 7619
Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
From:
Date: December 18, 2023 at 7:48:11 PM PST
To: Stanley H Epstein <stanatty@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Salaries ‐ City Manager and Chief of Police
This is disgusting and hurtful to read. I barely have money to pay my rent, buy groceries
or have heat in the winter.
However more importantly, this city.
there is no money to clean the streets here, fix the lights, hire more officers, protect the
residents, etc.
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
5.L.c
Packet Pg. 381 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6168 : Adoption of Salary Resolution for City Manager and Police Chief)
2
How much does everyone else make in the city? What about the director of
transportation?
On 12/18/23, 1:33 PM, "Stanley H Epstein" <stanatty@yahoo.com
<mailto:stanatty@yahoo.com>> wrote:
Gentlemen and Ladies.The Epsteins have done further research, and are sad to find
these comparisons between the annual base salaries starting on Jan.14, 2024 in our
town and those of relevant other jurisdictions( to be considered by Counsel tomorrow
under Consent Calendar Item 5 L):
Santa Monica City Manager: $402,552 ( a ten % increase from that first in effect 6
months before).
Santa Monica Chief of Police: $376,764.
Let’s see the comps:
NYC Police Chief( hardly an easy job. I lived there for roughly 4 decades) ‐ $243, 171.
NYC Mayor‐ $ 258, 750.
LA Mayor‐ $269, 365.
Calif. Gov’r‐ $ 224, 020.
Long Beach City Mgr.‐ $346, 227( a City with 5 times our population).
West Hollywood City Mgr.‐ $345,713.
I requested comments Thursday from HR and David ( cc’ing all Council members) .No
one has answered. I think that even more important than the large proposed increases
are the raw salary amounts. David’s contract was entered into a few weeks before the
seating on Council of now Mayor Phil, Oscar and Christine .
Sincerely, Stan Epstein. 310 393 7619.
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
5.L.c
Packet Pg. 382 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6168 : Adoption of Salary Resolution for City Manager and Police Chief)
3
Sent from my iPad
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
ITEM 5.L.
December 19, 2023
5.L.c
Packet Pg. 383 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6168 : Adoption of Salary Resolution for City Manager and Police Chief)