🌟 Santa Monica Weekly with Councilmember Lana Negrete

📅 January 20, 2026

Hello Santa Monica,

Yesterday, I spent the morning at John Adams Middle School for the Westside Coalition's annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. Sitting in that auditorium, surrounded by neighbors and families, I kept thinking about something Dr. King once said:

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

Leadership isn't about titles or perfect messaging. It's about showing up honestly, listening even when it's hard, and serving with transparency and humility. That's the standard I hold myself to. And this week—as we move through some complicated conversations about Ocean Avenue, parking, and housing—that commitment to honesty and clarity matters more than ever.

Let's see what we got.

🚨 Public Safety

🔹 This week at SMFD. Our Fire Department responded to 374 calls last week, with about 75% being medical emergencies. The remaining calls ranged from public service requests to rescues and hazardous conditions. We also welcomed 42 new Fire Department hires as part of our Realignment Plan—strengthening EMS and emergency response across the city. These aren't just numbers; they're people showing up when Santa Monica families need them most.

🔹 Police activity and the distinction that matters. SMPD continues focused enforcement across the city—patrol, investigations, traffic, and quality-of-life response. Some calls involved people experiencing homelessness, and many did not. That distinction matters. We're also continuing service connections like mental health referrals and family reunification through Project Homecoming. I'm proud of how our officers balance enforcement with care.

🔹 LAHSA Homeless Count is this Thursday, January 22. The annual Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count begins tonight and runs through Thursday. Santa Monica and West LA will be counted on Thursday evening. This data shapes how resources are allocated and helps us understand what's working—and what's not. If you want to volunteer, there's still time to sign up.

👉 Sign up to volunteer for the Homeless Count

🔹 Our approach to homelessness is shifting. We're moving toward a more focused, accountable system of care—expanding shelter and transitional housing for those with a Santa Monica connection, and strengthening regional coordination for those without one. It's not a perfect system, but we're making progress. This work requires patience, persistence, and compassion.

🏠 Ocean Avenue: Setting the Record Straight

🔹 Let me be very clear about 413 Ocean Avenue. Recent media coverage—including a Santa Monica Daily Press article referencing "prisoner housing" and County diversion programs—has understandably created confusion. I want to clarify exactly where the City stands.

→ 💡 The facts:

• The City has not proposed, advanced, approved, or endorsed any transitional housing, Office of Diversion and Reentry, or incarceration-related project at 413 Ocean Avenue.
• There is no City-led plan to house individuals exiting the criminal justice system at that location.
• The City has not approved any interim use of the property.

The concepts referencing ODR or similar programs came solely from the private property owner—not from the City. At no point did we initiate, sponsor, or authorize those ideas. However I feel transparency is necessary so the council voted to report out the closed session item so the community could hear what was being proposed.

→ 🎯 What happened with 419 Ocean Avenue: The City was drawn into discussions involving nearby properties because historical agreements and loan covenants require City consent for any sale. When we disclosed those discussions publicly at our January 13 meeting, it was in the interest of transparency—not endorsement. Following that disclosure, we learned that a broker had misrepresented his role in the transaction. Community Corporation of Santa Monica has confirmed they are no longer pursuing that deal.

→ ⚡ Moving forward: Any use of 413 Ocean Avenue must comply with land-use, permitting, and safety requirements. We will not authorize interim uses that are inconsistent with neighborhood expectations. I'm committed to handling this transparently, lawfully, and with careful attention to community trust.

💼 Economic Development & Downtown

🔹 Downtown Parking Access Program coming to Council in February. Over the past several weeks, staff has been refining the Downtown Parking Access Program (DPAP) based on feedback from downtown businesses—especially fitness studios, gyms, and wellness operators who rely on frequent, short visits. Their concerns were real: the original rate structure would have materially increased parking costs for members who visit multiple times per week.

→ 💡 What we heard: Fitness and wellness operators told us they'd either need to absorb the cost, pass it on to members, or reconsider operating downtown altogether. That's not the outcome any of us want.

→ 🎯 What's being developed: A pilot program for downtown fitness and wellness businesses with membership-based models, clear eligibility criteria, usage limits, and City oversight. Staff is also looking at short-term parking validation for school drop-off/pick-up and a potential future phase for restaurants and retail using spend-based validation.

The full proposal comes to City Council at our first meeting in February—Tuesday, February 10. Your input matters. Show up, call in, or watch on YouTube.

👉 View City Council meeting information

🔹 Downtown's glow-up continues. You may have noticed things looking a bit sharper around downtown lately. We've planted nearly 300 California native plants, cleared brush and debris at freeway off-ramps, and installed new curbs and sidewalks near Broadway and 6th Street. These upgrades are part of our $60 million Realignment Plan—and I'm grateful to our city manager for pushing these initiatives through. FLASHBACK: Two years ago, Councilwoman Parra and I asked for cleaner off-ramps, repaired sidewalks, and a substation at the mall. We're finally seeing it happen. ✅

🔹 New police substation at Santa Monica Place on track for February. This has been a priority for years. Having a dedicated police presence in our downtown core sends a message: we're serious about keeping this area safe and vibrant.

📚 Education & Library Services

🔹 Library branches reopen for full service—TODAY! Starting today, the Fairview and Ocean Park Branch Libraries are back to full in-person service three days per week. That means librarian staffing, technical assistance, programs, and events—not just self-service. This is part of our Realignment Plan, and it's a big win for families, students, and seniors.

→ 📍 Reopening celebrations:

• Fairview Branch (2101 Ocean Park Blvd): Today, Tuesday, January 20, noon–2 PM
• Ocean Park Branch (2601 Main St): Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 21, noon–2 PM

Stop by, say hi to the staff, and check out what's happening. City leadership will be there to answer questions about the Realignment Plan and library services.

👉 Learn more about library locations and hours

🏘️ Housing Update

🔹 Housing items heading back to Planning Commission. As I mentioned in my video last week, several housing-related items that go above and beyond state law are heading back to the Planning Commission. That means the public will have two more opportunities to weigh in before final decisions are made. I've been clear about where I stand: adding density, single staircases, or extra height isn't creating affordable or middle-income housing. It's creating more expensive housing and more expensive ground-floor retail while the middle keeps getting squeezed.

→ 🎯 Your voice matters. Keep an eye on board and commission meetings—especially the Housing Commission, which meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:15 PM. Show up, call in, or watch on YouTube. Your participation shapes these decisions.

👉 Learn about the Housing Commission

👉 Watch City Council meetings on YouTube

👉 How to participate in a City Council meeting

✨ Realignment Plan Progress

🔹 Permitting improvements coming in April. Staff is finalizing new, predictable plan review timelines that will significantly improve permitting certainty for residents, businesses, and developers. This is about making it easier to do business in Santa Monica—and getting to "yes" faster when projects meet our standards.

🔹 Vacant Property Registration Program advancing. As part of the Realignment Plan, we're targeting approximately 170 vacant properties across the city. These vacant parcels—whether residential or commercial—contribute to blight, attract nuisance activity, and drag down our neighborhoods. The registration program creates accountability: owners must register, maintain properties to safety standards, and face escalating fees if conditions deteriorate. This is about making property owners step up or pay the cost of neglecting our community.

🔹 EZ expansion efforts also moving forward as part of our broader effort to build organizational capacity and activate economic opportunity.

📱 Stay Connected

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

👉 Report an Issue

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: One Act of Kindness

This past Saturday, I took a slow walk through Ocean Park with my husband and Lucy. No packed schedule. It was just murals, breakfast at Shoops, and conversations with neighbors who love this city fiercely and worry about where we're headed.

On the walk back, we met Tommy. He's 87, came here from the Philippines in 1969, lived in Ocean Park for decades. When his building was converted to condos, he was left without options. What struck me wasn't just his story; it was the quiet humanity around him. A young neighbor checking on him daily. A store manager who knows him by name. Officers who showed up with dignity.

I remember my mom—lower middle class, doing the best she could—helping a homeless family on this very corner years ago. You don't need a title or money to help. One act of kindness can change a life.

Santa Monica is still worth fighting for. Your engagement matters. Your voice drives action.

Keep showing up, and I will too. 💙

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