🌟 Santa Monica Weekly with Mayor Lana Negrete — December 22, 2025

Happy Holidays everyone,

The last candle of Hanukkah was lit Sunday evening, Christmas Eve arrives on Wednesday, and many of you are closing out the year with family, tradition, and a well-earned break. Before City Hall goes quiet for the holidays, I want to make sure you have the updates, storm prep info, and holiday happenings you need.

Last week our city carried out the largest coordinated public safety response I've seen since joining the Council — police, fire, public works, outreach providers, and regional partners working as one unified team. As a mom and business owner who walks these same streets, this work isn't abstract to me. It's personal.

Here's what you need to know as we close out 2025 and step into the new year.

🚨 Public Safety & Storm Preparedness

🔹 Community Livability Operation on Dec 19 — a true 360-degree response: Last Friday, Santa Monica deployed one of the most comprehensive quality-of-life operations in recent memory. This wasn't a single department acting alone — this was the gold standard for how complex livability and homelessness issues should be addressed in a modern city.

→ 👥 The unified team — 90+ personnel working as one:

→ 📊 By the numbers — enforcement with compassion:

Arrests & Citations:

• 22 arrests and jail bookings
• 12 evaluated by Drug Recognition Experts (11 confirmed under the influence)
• 16 field citations for municipal code violations
• Charges: being under the influence, park closures, public camping, bench warrants, drug offenses, failure to register, resisting arrest, battery on a Police Officer

Outreach & Services:

• 4 Field Interview Cards completed (1 accepted outreach, 2 refused, 1 taken into custody)
• 4 additional individuals contacted and offered services
• 6 individuals agreed to sit with service providers
• 2 individuals agreed to connect with services upon release

Cleanup:

• PSOs collected and inventoried all property for safekeeping
• Public Works trucks filled 14 times
• 13.42 tons (26,840 lbs) of trash and debris removed

→ 🎯 Why this model matters: Enforcement, medical care, mental health assessment, legal oversight, and social services worked in lockstep. This is how we balance accountability with compassion — and I'm extremely grateful for the partnership between all these teams.

🔹 Major storm heading our way — prepare now: The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for LA County running Tuesday Dec 23 at 4pm through Thursday Dec 25 at 10pm.

→ 🌧️ What to expect:

• Most intense period: Wednesday 4am-10am (1.5" of rain possible)
• Total rainfall: Up to 6" through Saturday
• Winds: 20-25mph, gusts up to 30mph
• Comparison: Similar to Tropical Storm Hilary

→ 💧 Action checklist — do this today:

• ✓ Grab free sandbags at all Fire Stations (10 per person)
• ✓ Get sand at Clover Park parking lot
• ✓ Charge devices and prepare batteries for outages
• ✓ Sign up for SMAlerts
• ✓ Never drive, walk, or bike through flooded streets
• ✓ Report flooded streets to Santa Monica Dispatch: 310-458-8491
• ✓ During thunderstorms: stay off beach and out of ocean

→ 🚨 Emergency status: NO Santa Monica properties in mandatory evacuation zones. Emergency Operations Center ready to activate if needed. City staff monitoring closely and coordinating with LA County.

👉 Get sandbags and storm prep info
👉 Sign up for SMAlerts

🔹 Crime stats — 74 arrests this week, swift response to serious incidents:

→ 📊 The big picture:

• 118,508 calls for service year-to-date (down 4.1% from last year)
• 3,236 arrests YTD (up 21.2% over last year)
• 74 arrests this week alone
• 585 homelessness-related calls this week (22% of all calls)

→ 🚨 Major incidents this week:

🔹 Homicide — 1700 Block of Delaware
 Officers responded to 9-1-1 call reporting a son had killed his father. Suspect taken into custody without incident. Victim pronounced deceased at scene. CID assumed investigation. This is in reference to the horrific and tragic murder of Jubilant Sykes.

🔹 Organized Retail Theft — Downtown
 SMART Center supported operation resulted in major enforcement:

• 8 felony arrests
• 2 misdemeanor arrests
• 9 pedestrian stops
• 3 traffic stops
• $7,000 in stolen Lululemon merchandise recovered
• Investigation revealed multi-state theft ring targeting Lululemon and Alo locations

🔹 Armed Robbery — 1555 2nd Street parking structure
 Suspect brandished handgun and robbed victim of jewelry before fleeing. Captured on security cameras. Investigation ongoing.

🔹 Robbery — Tongva Park
 Downtown Ambassador robbed of cell phone while cleaning restrooms. Suspect swung metal chain during incident. Arrested at the scene.

🔹 Loaded Firearm Arrest — Lot 1 North
 Traffic stop recovered loaded firearm with extended magazine from previously convicted felon. Suspect arrested.

→ 🚦 Traffic enforcement highlights:

• Downtown Traffic Safety High Visibility Operation conducted
• Additional traffic cars deployed focusing on speed, impaired driving, equipment violations
• Wilshire/10th: Pedestrian struck in crosswalk, moderate injuries (driver remained, no impairment)
• 2600 block Santa Monica Blvd: Speeding vehicle struck building, impaired driver, charges pending
• Ocean/Colorado: 19-year-old arrested for DUI and cocaine possession

→ 🏕️ Homelessness response — coordinated outreach and enforcement:
HLP, DART, PSOs, and CIT teams deployed citywide seven days a week. Palisades Park foot patrols arrested individual with outstanding warrant. Subject arrested for urinating in public near Salvation Army. HoST coordinated removal of multiple abandoned encampments and bulk property.

→ 👮 My take: Our officers are out there every day doing difficult, necessary work. Personnel also coordinated a BBB safety operation supporting 50+ Motor Coach Operators with bus stop violations enforcement. This is community safety in action. We just need state laws to match local efforts to see real change.

🏗️ Infrastructure & Major Projects

🔹 Santa Monica Pier Bridge construction begins in January — stay informed: As part of our ongoing investment in public spaces, construction of the Santa Monica Pier Bridge will begin in January 2026. Beginning in February 2026, a temporary pedestrian bridge will be constructed, opening in June 2026 with updates on pedestrian access to and from the Pier to follow in future communications. As this project takes shape, the City is providing timely updates to the community to stay informed of construction status, with the final project to be completed by December 2027.

→ 🌉 What this means: The current 86-year-old bridge doesn't meet seismic standards. We're building a new seismically sound structure with wider sidewalks, better pedestrian access, and a 75-year lifespan — all ahead of the 2028 Olympics. The Pier stays open and accessible throughout construction.

→ ⚙️ Why we're doing this now: This is essential infrastructure that's been planned for years. We're not kicking the can down the road — we're making the investments this city needs to be safe, accessible, and ready for the future.

👉 View Pier Bridge project details and sign up for updates

🎉 Economic Development & Community Highlights

🔹 Santa Monica on the global stage — FIFA, Super Bowl, Olympics activations approved: This past Tuesday, City Council approved preliminary agreements that put Santa Monica on the map for the next three years. We're hosting major events that will bring the world to our coastline.

→ 🌍 What's coming:

• June 2026: Michelob ULTRA Pitchside Club on the Pier during FIFA World Cup
• Fall 2026: Goldenvoice music festival adjacent to the Pier and along the sand
• February 2027: ESPN fan festival and broadcast presence on the Pier and beach
• Summer 2028: Club France (official French Olympic Committee hospitality house) at Annenberg Community Beach House
• Summer 2028: Santa Monica Nations Village and broadcast center at Crescent Bay Park

→ 💼 My take on this momentum: This is the Realignment Plan in action — attracting business investment, activating our beach and Pier, and creating economic opportunity. This is the work of past councils and current council's approval alongside a new city manager and a realigned staff ready to move quicker, smoother, and get back up on our feet. We're setting the city up for its next chapter.

👉 Read the full announcement

🔹 Route 66 turns 100 in 2026 — $10,000 Song Contest now open: Route 66 will celebrate 100 incredible years in 2026, and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism has launched a Route 66 Song Contest as part of the official kickoff of the Centennial Celebration. This creative competition invites songwriters and musicians of all genres based in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to submit an original song capturing the spirit of Santa Monica and its ties to the historic road for the chance to win $10,000. The competition is open to songwriters 18 years of age and over. Running now through April 30, 2026, the winner is to be selected in June 2026.

👉 Learn about Route 66 Song Contest and submit

🔹 Support local businesses with LA County Shop Local Gift Cards: Holiday shoppers are encouraged to buy gift cards for their loved ones through the LA County Shop Local Gift Card Program to help boost our region's economy and support small businesses impacted earlier this year by the Los Angeles wildfires. For a limited time, gift cards purchased at specified incremental amounts will include a bonus gift card equal to 50% of the original amount. A $100 gift card receives a $50 bonus gift card, a $50 gift card receives a $25 bonus gift card, and a $20 gift card receives a $10 bonus gift card.

→ 🛍️ Santa Monica favorites you can support: bG Gallery, Casa Martin, Huckleberry, Milo + Olive and more.

👉 Explore participating businesses and purchase gift cards

🔹 New businesses to check out across Santa Monica:

🔹 Museum of Illusions — Third Street Promenade
 The iconic Third Street Promenade welcomes the Museum of Illusions to the heart of Downtown Santa Monica. The immersive space offers guests a fascinating world where nothing is quite as it seems and even the impossible is possible, challenging perceptions through the science of optical illusions. Exhibition spaces include illusion rooms, mind-bending installations, and engaging images that play tricks on the eye.

🔹 SoCal Vibes Co. — Downtown Santa Monica
 Recently opened a new taproom in Downtown Santa Monica, bringing their signature beach-inspired, laid-back brewery concept to the heart of the city. The venue serves a rotating selection of craft ciders, meads, beers, and cocktails, reflecting the brand's commitment to both quality and sustainability. SoCal Vibes Co. also donates 1% of its proceeds to the Surfrider Foundation, supporting ocean and beach conservation.

🔹 Pizza Fling — Wilshire Boulevard
 Santa Monica welcomes Pizza Fling, a new pizzeria serving hand-tossed dough and fresh, high-quality toppings and ingredients imported straight from Italy. The restaurant's concept combines a playful, contemporary spirit with a focus on the craft of pizza, inviting guests to savor creative pies alongside familiar classics.

🔹 Jade Rabbit — Downtown
 From celebrated local restaurateurs Chef Bryant Ng and Kim Luu-Ng comes an all-new Chinese American concept, Jade Rabbit. Serving inventive takes on nostalgic dishes, Jade Rabbit honors the history of Chinese American cuisine and celebrates the coziness of family-favorite recipes, inviting diners to build their own bowl with options including Orange Mango Chicken, Canto Steamed Salmon, Spicy Chinese Broccoli, and many more.

Here are some Quick Hits on what you should know: ⬇️

💰Saving Money Through Bond Refinancing

The City is planning to refinance some of its existing tax allocation bonds — essentially taking advantage of better terms to lower our annual costs. If successful, this could save the City about $100,000 each year that can go back into the General Fund.

My take: This is a smart, responsible tool to help balance the budget being presented by our City Manager. It’s not flashy, but it’s exactly the kind of behind-the-scenes work that helps protect core services and reduce financial pressure on our city.

💡 City Budget Outlook Is Improving- Here’s How

When the Realignment Plan was adopted, Santa Monica was facing a projected $35 million General Fund shortfall by 2027–28. Thanks to actions already approved by City Council, about 85% of that gap has now been addressed, reducing the projected shortfall to approximately $5 million.

How we got here:

• Tighter cost controls and better management of vacant positions

• Fixing or refinancing underperforming operations

• New and updated revenue tools, including ambulance services, parking rate adjustments, digital signage, and small convenience fees

• Improved alignment of investment earnings

Together, these steps are expected to generate about $30 million in savings and new revenue by 2028 — without relying on speculative growth or future tourism rebounds.

My take: This progress shows the Realignment Plan is doing exactly what it was designed to do — stabilize the budget, protect core services, and put the City on a more sustainable path. There’s still work ahead, but the most difficult part of the challenge has already been addressed.

🎶 Entertainment Zone Expansion Planning

The City is planning next steps to expand Santa Monica’s Entertainment Zone, building on the successful pilot on the Third Street Promenade. As part of the Realignment Plan, staff are actively exploring expanding the zone beyond its current three-block area.

What’s being considered:

• Expanding the Entertainment Zone along more of the Third Street Promenade, including key intersections

• Adding the Santa Monica Pier as a potential Entertainment Zone location

The goal is to activate public spaces, support local businesses, and increase foot traffic — while maintaining clear rules, ID checks, and public safety oversight.

What’s next:

Staff are reviewing logistics, safety, and operations now, with a full proposal expected to come to City Council in February 2026. This will include boundaries, hours, safety protocols, and management plans.

My take: Thoughtful activation of our public spaces helps our local economy thrive — and it’s important we do it responsibly, with community input and strong safety standards. However, I still think it’s lacking some curated control, especially when it comes to outdoor entertainment on the promenade and utilizing a QR system that I have mentioned to the city before (many times) that would capture data on who is utilizing the EZ to better target folks who are coming and invite them back for future events.

📚Libraries Are Reopening

All Santa Monica library locations will begin reopening to the public starting January 20, 2026 — a major milestone in our Realignment Plan. After a brief, planned two-week closure for final staffing and preparation, Fairview Branch reopens January 20 and Ocean Park Branch reopens January 21, with celebrations to follow. These branches will initially operate three days per week, expanding to four days per week by July 1, 2026. We’re grateful to our library staff and the community for helping bring this long-awaited moment to life.

🏗️Faster Permits & Plan Check (Launching April 2026)

The City is in the final stretch of rolling out a fully redesigned building permit and plan check system, with new processes set to launch by April 2026 as part of the Realignment Plan.

Why this matters: For years, residents and businesses have said permitting was too slow and unpredictable. This overhaul is about making approvals faster, clearer, and more reliable — which supports housing, small businesses, and reinvestment.

Once live, the City will commit to clear review timelines, including:

• ADUs: 1–2 weeks
  
• Single-family homes: 2–3 weeks
  
• Restaurants & retail improvements: ~2 weeks
  
• Non-structural commercial work: ~1 week

Behind the scenes, departments are eliminating bottlenecks, coordinating reviews, and modernizing systems so applicants can track permits from start to finish.

🏠Stronger Tenant & Habitability Response

The City is improving how it responds to tenant habitability and housing concerns by better coordinating Rent Control and Code Enforcement.

What’s changing:

A new Neighborhood Preservation Coordinator role now helps connect tenants with the right staff faster — ensuring repairs, safety issues, and tenant protections are addressed more efficiently.

Why it matters: Renters deserve safe, well-maintained homes and clear information about their rights. This update reduces confusion, speeds up responses, and improves accountability for property owners.

🌿Freeway Offramp Landscaping Improvements

Starting this week, the City is making visible landscaping and cleanup improvements at the 4th Street and 5th Street I-10 freeway offramps, with work expected to finish by January 9, 2026.

Why it matters: These offramps are major gateways into Santa Monica. Cleaner, refreshed landscaping improves safety, appearance, and first impressions — one of the Realignment Plan’s goals.

🚧 City Taking Over Freeway Offramp Cleanup

Beginning January 7, Santa Monica will officially take over routine cleanup and maintenance of all freeway offramps citywide through a new agreement with Caltrans.

What this means:

City crews will handle trash removal, landscaping upkeep, and faster responses to issues — bringing offramps up to the same cleanliness standards as other city streets.

Why it matters: More local control = quicker action and better results at key entry points into the city.

🎨Public Art & Placemaking Projects Moving Forward

The Arts Commission has approved next steps to bring new public art and placemaking features to two highly visible areas:

• Broadway Bridge
  
• Ocean Ave & Colorado Ave crosswalk (artistic “scramble” crosswalk)

Artist selection and design work will begin next, with implementation expected in 2027.

Why it matters: These projects improve safety, identity, and vibrancy in everyday public spaces — another way the Realignment Plan invests in how our city looks and feels.

🎄 Holiday Events & What's Happening

🔹 Ice Rink at Santa Monica continues with its 17th season: Now is the time to glide into the holidays as Ice Rink at Santa Monica. This festive outdoor ice rink runs daily from 12 to 10pm through Monday, January 19, 2026. Located on the corner of Arizona Avenue and 5th Street in Downtown Santa Monica, the rink features nearly 8,000 square feet of ice and a dedicated 720-square-foot Kids' Zone, perfect for skaters of all levels and families alike. The season also brings a lively lineup of special celebrations, including a dazzling New Year's Eve celebration under the stars.

👉 Get Ice Rink tickets and info

🔹 Santa Monica Place — holiday memories and music: For those looking to capture a memory that will last a lifetime, Santa Monica Place is hosting Photos with Santa Claus now through Christmas Eve on Wednesday, December 24, and Sounds of Santa Monica: Holiday Edition featuring live performances from local musicians and DJs each Thursday to Sunday from noon to 6pm until Sunday, January 4.

🔹 Holiday dining — elevated experiences with coastal ambiance: This holiday season, Santa Monica offers elevated dining experiences that bring festive cheer alongside an easy-going coastal ambiance.

• At The Penthouse at Huntley Santa Monica Beach, diners can celebrate Christmas Day with a special three-course prix-fixe menu while enjoying panoramic ocean views and signature cocktails.
• At FIG at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, a Christmas Eve dinner features seasonal favorites like Beef Wellington and a yule log dessert, while Christmas Day brunch delights with gingerbread pancakes or a luxurious truffle-and-asparagus omelet.
• Terrazza at Hotel Casa del Mar invites guests to brunch or dine with dishes such as glazed ham, grilled branzino, or stuffed conchiglioni, all paired with festive decor and ocean vistas
• 1 Pico at Shutters on the Beach serves Italian-inspired seasonal fare in a relaxed ocean-view setting, perfect for a memorable gathering by the sea.

🔹 New Year's Eve celebrations — ring in 2026 Santa Monica style: Santa Monica welcomes all ages to ring in the New Year in our seaside city.

• At Pacific Park, the iconic Ferris wheel lights up with a vibrant "Happy New Year" animation in 16 languages, visible from dusk on Wednesday, December 31, through 11:35pm.
• Ice Rink at Santa Monica will host an East Coast Countdown party from 7:30 to 10:00pm, perfect for families looking for an earlier night out without compromising on fun.
• Alternatively, the Santa Monica Playhouse will host their New Year's Eve Musical Revue, a long-running live-theater show with singing, dancing, and noisemakers, for either an early show at 7pm or a later one at 10:30pm.
• For adults ready to keep the party going, the New Year's Eve Bar Crawl begins at 6pm from Jameson's Pub and features VIP bar access, $4 drafts, 2-for-1 drinks, and champagne specials.

📱 Stay Connected

Got an issue to report? Want to make sure the city hears you?

👉 Report an issue through 311

If you haven't already, be sure to follow me on Instagram too for behind-the-scenes updates, event highlights, and my thoughts along the way as I continue to go on this journey with you.

👉 Follow me on Instagram

🌟 Closing Thought: Gratitude, Community & Looking Ahead

City Hall will be closed for two weeks, but essential services remain available. Please continue reporting issues like encampments, potholes, and outreach needs through the 311 app. And please support our local businesses — they are the heart of Santa Monica.

I'll be resuming my weekly out-in-the-neighborhood check-ins and monthly events gathering stakeholders, businesses, and residents alike to hear your biggest concerns in Santa Monica and to connect you the best I can. Please also feel free to reach out for a one-on-one — I'm happy to meet you at City Hall anytime.

As Hanukkah concludes and Christmas arrives this week, I want to take a moment to honor what brings us together. Whether you're celebrating with family traditions, volunteering in service, or simply taking time to rest and reflect — I hope you feel surrounded by warmth, safety, and community.

This past year tested all of us. And you showed up. You engaged. You held me accountable. You reminded me why this work matters.

I'm grateful for every conversation, every tough question, every moment of connection. We're building something real together — a Santa Monica where families thrive, businesses grow, and community comes first.

I’ll have one more newsletter for 2025 and I’ll recap my work on council.

See you in 2026 (or out in the community before then- please stop me and say hi!). Stay dry, stay safe, and thank you for caring about our city. 🎄🕎🤍

Together, we're building a Santa Monica that works for everyone — a city where families can thrive, businesses can grow, and community comes first.

With gratitude and determination,
Lana Negrete
Councilmember, City of Santa Monica