Some major changes are coming to Santa Monica, and most hope they will lead to a firm financial footing and cultural renewal following several years of COVID-related malaise and a projected fiscal year deficit of nearly $30 million.
Specifically, on Tuesday, the council passed a comprehensive set of proposals put forward by new City Manager Oliver Chi to confront the city’s financial instability, economic decline, and what many say are worsening public spaces.
Our Executive Director, Damien Newton, wrote more specifically about what’s proposed here. The plan includes a roadmap to fiscal solvency within 2.5 years.
Several members of the public shared their views on the item during the public comment period. Brad Ewing, Co-Chair of the advocacy group Santa Monica Forward, spoke in favor of the realignment plan. He said, “Previous council majorities promised change, but they failed to deliver.” He added that he thinks this will enable the city to “round the corner” and pointed to the renewed life on the Third Street Promenade that he recently witnessed over the weekend.
Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce CEO Judy Kruger also spoke in support of the plan, stating, “This is a bold action plan with lots of details to bring vitality back to the business community.” She also complimented the plan’s focus on “clean and safe” enforcement and practices, which she says are vital to business success.
Council members had several questions for Chi regarding the plan across a range of subject areas.
Mayor Pro Tem Caroline Torosis asked about vehicle habitation and suggested a safe parking area be established for those who, unfortunately, must temporarily reside in their vehicles. She also asked about rental registry software and proposed the city waive rental registry fees for affordable housing providers. She further wants to ensure that the plan doesn’t “over promise and under deliver,” recommending that the city develop a progress dashboard that’s visible and available to the public.
Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya inquired about restoring library branch hours and recommended that a program be developed to allow organizations to paint electrical boxes to liven up neighborhoods. She also asked about the proposal to increase enforcement of misdemeanors, which city staff said would focus on downtown infractions and make potential offenders think twice about committing things like theft when they visit the city.
A few minutes later, Interim Police Chief Darrick Jacob explained that the department has already increased auto stops and citations for road infractions. He also said that in the last two months, the department has made 28 arrests on gun charges, most of which were in the downtown area.
Councilmember Dan Hall also inquired about vehicle habitation, stating that he’s learned that in other cities, several “beat-up vans” are actually owned by people renting them out to the unhoused. He asked, “Will we be looking at ‘vanlording’ protections as part of this ordinance?” Chi affirmed the city is looking into it, and if discovered, it would be included in any vehicle habitation ordinance.
The Realignment Plan assumes a parcel tax to raise $12 million annually, which would be on the November 2026 ballot. Councilmember Barry Snell asked what the status was of that possibility, with Chi saying staff is preparing for a polling effort in the next few months to gather from the public if it’s a viable approach. He also stated that recent city history suggests that, “There has been community support when there is a reason behind the ask.”
Other questions included Councilmember Jesse Zwick inquiring about investments in pedestrian safety and enforcing the prosecution of “nuisance properties,” which are lots that are a combination of abandoned, unsightly, or unsafe. Councilmember Ellis Raskin wanted some assurance that the SMPD’s enhanced focus on downtown won’t take officers or overall safety away from other neighborhoods.
Mayor Lana Negrete urged city staff to advocate for the development of robust business improvement districts (BIDs) in the Ocean Park and Sunset Park neighborhoods. She also asked whether the council can expect any enhancements to the city’s 3-1-1 program, where residents submit requests or report issues.
The Realignment Plan has 19 specific elements. Torosis moved for the passage of most of them, with Hall seconding. One thing Torosis removed was a proposed new gondola project that would serve as a beach connector for residents and visitors. She said it wasn’t worth staff time.
“This agenda is our blueprint to make Santa Monica safe, clean, and vibrant again,” declared Torosis. She further called the proposed changes “sweeping” in scale. She took ownership of the plan, committing herself to deliver results and asking the same of her colleagues. She said the council needs to “own up” to points where they aren’t successful.
“What I like about the confluence of these ideas is they’re all working together to achieve a coherent vision,” said Zwick of the plan’s elements. But Zwick stated he favored the gondola project.
Concerning the beach gondola, Raskin said, “We’ve got a lot on our plate here.” Adding, “For me, there are other priorities in this plan that require closer attention, and I’d like to focus our time and attention on that.”
Hall praised Chi and other city staff for the time and attention they’ve given to him and the council, referring to the many phone calls and one-on-ones that have taken place. “Seeing this council, and this executive team, all rowing together in the same direction for the first time since I’ve been paying attention to Santa Monica politics, really gives me hope,” he said.
Hall added, “This plan bridges a lot of constituencies,” and cited the numerous organizations and departments that have embraced it. He also said he’s particularly excited about the plan’s emphasis on reviving arts and entertainment.
Of course, the gondola came up again, with Hall somewhat humorously saying that if he’s “going to be accused of ruining our skyline,” it will be for uses like housing and new hotels, and not a gondola running above our beaches.
Regarding issues facing the downtown corridor, Snell, a former Downtown Santa Monica BID board member, said, “This is the first time I’ve seen a plan that could actually work.”
The motion to support most plan elements, minus the gondola, passed unanimously, 7-0.
The council then voted on some remaining plan elements requiring council recusals. Torosis moved to pass a parking fee update proposal, with Hall needing to leave the room for that and four remaining elements. It passed 6-0.
Zwick then recused himself for a vote on four items related to planning, development, and the Downtown Plan. Those passed 5-0.
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