Following the launch of our AI SMMUSD meeting notes, we heard from several readers asking if we could do previews of the City Council meetings because the city’s website management system for council and commission meetings is, in the words of one of our readers, “objectively terrible.” Below is an AI generated summary of the agenda for next week’s city council meeting. View the actual agenda with links to staff report and relevant public documents. Also, these summaries are in addition to our regular reporting not in replacement of and are printed as a public service.
Action Item
- 11.B — Authorization to Accept Grant from Wallis Annenberg Legacy Foundation to the Annenberg Community Beach House
- Staff recommendation: Staff is asking the City Council to authorize acceptance of a grant from the Wallis Annenberg Legacy Foundation to the Annenberg Community Beach House. Specific conditions, restrictions, and the grant amount are not available due to the absence of a staff report.
- Fiscal impact: Grant amount and budget impact are not available; no staff report was provided. Acceptance would likely represent additional revenue to the facility’s operating or capital budget.
- The Santa Monica City Council is being asked to authorize acceptance of a grant from the Wallis Annenberg Legacy Foundation to support the Annenberg Community Beach House. No additional staff report details are available for this item.
- 16.A — Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Recreation and Parks Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2027
- Staff recommendation: No staff report is available; the specific staff recommendation cannot be determined, but the council is expected to select and appoint a candidate to fill the vacant commission seat.
- The Santa Monica City Council will appoint one person to fill an unscheduled vacancy on the Recreation and Parks Commission. The appointee will serve a term ending June 30, 2027.
- 16.B — Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Housing Authority Board for a term ending on June 30, 2028
- The Santa Monica City Council will appoint one person to fill an unscheduled vacancy on the Housing Authority Board, with the appointee serving through June 30, 2028. No staff report was provided for this item.
- 16.C — Recommendation to accept Angela D. Scott’s resignation from the Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission and authorize the City Clerk to publish the vacancy
- Staff recommendation: Accept Angela D. Scott’s resignation from the Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission and authorize the City Clerk to publish notice of the vacancy.
- The City Council is asked to formally accept the resignation of Angela D. Scott from the Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission. If accepted, the City Clerk will be authorized to advertise the resulting vacancy so a replacement can be appointed.
- 16.D — Request of Councilmembers Hall, Raskin, and Zernitskaya that Council direct the City Manager and City Attorney to return no later than November 17 with options to implement technical clarifications and refinements in Chapter 9.46 of the Municipal Code concerning the procedures for Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Map and other procedural clarifications
- Staff recommendation: No staff report is available; this is a councilmember-initiated request. The implicit ask is for council to approve the direction so staff can begin analyzing and drafting options.
- Three councilmembers are asking the full council to direct the City Manager and City Attorney to come back by November 17, 2026 with options to clarify and refine the city’s zoning amendment procedures under Municipal Code Chapter 9.46. The focus is on technical and procedural improvements, not policy overhauls.
- 16.E — Request of Mayor Torosis and Councilmember Negrete that the City Council consider approving the allocation of $10,000 from Council Discretionary Funds to support the OFF THE HOOK Santa Monica Seafood Festival benefiting Heal the Bay
- Staff recommendation: No staff report is available; the item is a council member-initiated request rather than a staff-driven recommendation. The council is being asked to approve the $10,000 allocation as requested by Mayor Torosis and Councilmember Negrete.
- Fiscal impact: $10,000 drawn from existing Council Discretionary Funds. No additional budget impact beyond the discretionary fund balance is indicated.
- Mayor Torosis and Councilmember Negrete are asking the City Council to approve $10,000 from Council Discretionary Funds to support the OFF THE HOOK Santa Monica Seafood Festival, which benefits Heal the Bay. The festival is an event that raises funds for the nonprofit organization focused on ocean and waterway conservation.
Closed Session
- 5.A — Closed Session: Uller
- This is a closed session agenda item involving a matter titled ‘Uller,’ which will be discussed privately by the Santa Monica City Council. No staff report is publicly available, suggesting it likely involves pending litigation, a personnel matter, or a real estate negotiation.
- 5.B — Conference with legal counsel – existing litigation – Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1): City v. ICSOP, et al.
- The Santa Monica City Council will meet in closed session to discuss an existing lawsuit in which the City is a party against ICSOP (Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania) and other defendants. No public details about the case are available in the agenda materials.
- 5.C — Conference with legal counsel – existing litigation – Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1): Amie Cooper v. Shores Barrington, City
- The City Council is meeting in closed session to discuss an existing lawsuit, Amie Cooper v. Shores Barrington, City, in which the City of Santa Monica is a named party. This is a confidential legal briefing permitted under California’s open meeting law.
- 5.D — Conference with legal counsel – existing litigation – Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1): Maria Elena Mendez v. City
- The City Council will meet privately with its attorneys to discuss an existing lawsuit filed against the City of Santa Monica by Maria Elena Mendez. This is a closed session item, meaning the public is excluded while legal strategy is discussed.
Consent Calendar
- 4.A — Contract Award and Modifications for On-Call Civil Design, Surveying, Transportation Planning, and Engineering Services Contracts for the Public Works Department
- The City Council will vote on awarding and modifying on-call contracts for civil design, surveying, transportation planning, and engineering services that the Public Works Department uses for various projects. This is a routine consent item without a staff report available.
- 4.B — Approval of Second Modification to Agreement with AG Coast, Inc., dba California Panther Security, for Unarmed Security Guard Services at the Annenberg Community Beach House for the Recreation and Arts Department
- Staff recommendation: The City Council is being asked to approve the second modification to the agreement with California Panther Security for continued unarmed security guard services at the Annenberg Community Beach House.
- The Santa Monica City Council will vote on approving a second modification to the security services contract with California Panther Security for the Annenberg Community Beach House. This is a routine contract adjustment item on the consent agenda.
- 4.C — Award Bid #4513 to and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement With VCI Construction, LLC to provide On-Call Fiber Optic Infrastructure Services for the Information Services Department
- Staff recommendation: Award the bid to VCI Construction, LLC and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement for on-call fiber optic infrastructure services.
- The City Council is being asked to award a bid for fiber optic infrastructure services to VCI Construction, LLC and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract. This is a consent item, meaning it is expected to pass without discussion.
- 4.D — Adoption of Resolution Ratifying Homelessness Emergency Proclamation
- The City Council is being asked to ratify a homelessness emergency proclamation. This is a consent item requiring formal approval.
- 4.E — Authorization to Accept United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) FY25 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant
- Staff recommendation: Staff is recommending that City Council authorize acceptance of the USDOJ FY25 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant.
- The city is being asked to accept a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to help fund bulletproof vests for police officers. This is a routine grant acceptance on the consent calendar.
- 4.F — Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of the 2026-27 Grant from California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for Santa Monica Police Department
- Staff recommendation: Adopt the resolution authorizing acceptance of the 2026-27 grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
- The City Council is being asked to accept a 2026-27 grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for the Santa Monica Police Department. This is a consent item requiring a resolution to formally authorize acceptance of the grant.
- 4.G — First Modification to Agreement with Willdan Engineering for Temporary Staffing Services for the Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department
- The City Council is being asked to approve a first modification to an existing agreement with Willdan Engineering for temporary staffing services in the Building and Safety Division. No staff report is available with details on the modification.
- 4.H — Adoption of a Resolution Approving Final Parcel Map No. 84874 for the Property Located at of 2134 Stewart Street to Create Four Residential Parcels
- Staff recommendation: Adopt the resolution approving Final Parcel Map No. 84874 to create four residential parcels at 2134 Stewart Street.
- The City Council will vote on approving a final parcel map that would divide a single property at 2134 Stewart Street into four separate residential parcels. This is a consent item, meaning staff recommends approval without further discussion.
- 4.I — Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing to Accept Grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections for the Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program, Cohort 4
- Staff recommendation: Staff is recommending the Santa Monica City Council adopt a resolution to accept the grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections for the Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program, Cohort 4.
- The Santa Monica City Council is being asked to accept a grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections for a Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program. This is a consent item on the agenda.
- 4.J — Approval of Third Modification to Agreement No. 9756 (CCS) with HdL Software, LLC for Business License Software for the Finance Department
- Staff recommendation: Approve the third modification to Agreement No. 9756 with HdL Software, LLC for business license software.
- The City Council is being asked to approve a third modification to an agreement with HdL Software, LLC for business license software used by the Finance Department. No staff report details are available for this consent item.
- 4.K — Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance of the Council of the City of Santa Monica adding Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 3.12.540 to Establish an Automated Traffic Enforcement System Program to Detect a Violation of a Traffic Control Signal
- The City Council will vote to adopt an ordinance creating an automated traffic enforcement system to detect red light violations. This is the second reading of the proposed ordinance.
- 4.L — Authorization to Accept a $50,000 Grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund for the Bay Street Beach Historical District Signage Project
- Staff recommendation: Accept the $50,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund for the Bay Street Beach Historical District Signage Project.
- Fiscal impact: $50,000 grant award. No local match or budget impact information available.
- The City Council will authorize accepting a $50,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to fund signage for the Bay Street Beach Historical District. This grant supports a project to install historical markers or informational signs in the district.
- 4.M — Award Professional Services Agreement with Raftelis for Organizational Performance and Operational Assessment Services
- Staff recommendation: Award a professional services agreement with Raftelis for organizational performance and operational assessment services.
- The City Council is being asked to award a professional services agreement with Raftelis for organizational performance and operational assessment services. This is a consent item, meaning it is expected to pass without discussion.
- 4.N — Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance to Amend the Text of the Zoning Ordinance to Increase Development Standards for Parcels Located Within the R1 (Single-Unit Residential) Zoning District and the Area Bounded By the I-10 Freeway to the South, Dorchester Avenue to the West, Exposition Boulevard to the North, and Centinela Avenue to the East to Allow for the Exclusion of Certain Sites That Are Located Within One-Half Mile of the Expo/Bundy Station from Senate Bill (SB) 79 Implementation Until One Year Following the Adoption of the 7th Cycle (2029-2037) Housing Element of the City’s General Plan
- The City Council will vote on a second reading to adopt an ordinance that modifies zoning rules for single-unit residential areas near the Expo/Bundy transit station. The change would allow certain sites in this area to be excluded from state housing law (SB 79) requirements for one year after the city adopts its new housing plan.
Information
- 7.A — Sustainable Water Master Plan Update
- The City Council will receive an informational update on Santa Monica’s Sustainable Water Master Plan. No vote or action is anticipated on this item.
- 11.A — 2025 Palisades Fire and Windstorm After-Action Report
- The council will review an after-action report on the 2025 Palisades Fire and Windstorm to assess the city’s emergency response and identify lessons learned. This is an informational item with no vote required.
Other
- 2.A — Commendation: Senator Ben Allen
- 2.B — Proclamation: Filipino American History Month
- 2.C — Proclamation: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- 2.D — Recognition of Outgoing Board & Commission Members
