🌟 Santa Monica Weekly with Mayor Lana Negrete — November 17, 2025

Hello neighbors,

This last Sunday morning at the Ocean Park Farmers Market, rain turned to sunshine — exactly how this last week has felt! Good things always shine through eventually.

I set up a booth with coloring supplies for the kids, shared coffee and banana bread, and spent hours talking with neighbors about everything from parking to public safety to the small moments that remind me why I love Santa Monica; apart from being BornXRaised here.

This week brought movement on behavioral health housing, real progress on Pico Boulevard upgrades, and some exciting programs at our Library. Here's what moved and why it matters.

🏥 Public Safety & Homelessness Response

🔹 County evaluating new site for behavioral health housing: Supervisor Horvath's office is now looking at other sites in the city for potential replacement for the Ocean Avenue location with St. Joseph Center as the potential operator. As soon as they make a site clear we will assist in engaging the community. I do want to note - it does not have to go in Santa Monica.

✅Here's what's critical to understand: the City doesn't control the siting decision — that's entirely up to the County. But we've made clear that if they choose a Santa Monica location, we'll lead a transparent community outreach process so neighbors are informed early and have real opportunities to weigh in.

✅My stance hasn't changed: treatment saves lives, siting must be transparent, and the entire county needs to share the load — not just compassionate cities like ours.

🔹 This week's outreach & enforcement:

Multiple large encampments along I-10 embankments were cleared with HOST support.
In Palisades Park and beach areas, teams addressed 8 encampments
32 field interviews conducted
At Clover Park, a long-term individual finally accepted shelter at SamoShel after repeated prior refusals — that's the patient, relationship-based outreach that leads to real outcomes.

🔹 By the numbers (Nov 1–8):

SMFD responded to 331 incidents (70% EMS), including 48 homelessness-related calls and zero encampment fires.
SMPD handled 2,647 calls
71 arrests, including warrants, narcotics, burglary, and a robbery/domestic violence/child cruelty case).
Traffic enforcement stayed active in school zones and high-collision corridors, and we successfully closed the double-fatal hit-and-run investigation on Wilshire with suspect extradition and arraignment.

Why it matters: Perception is real - feeling safe is a priority.

👉 View public safety data

💼 Economic Development & Infrastructure

💙 Raising Caines has broke ground and is building out the space on the promenade

💙 All’antico Vinaio, a rapidly growing chain of sandwich shops that originated in Italy in 1991 is open at 316 Santa Monica Blvd, formally the site of Trejo's Tacos.

💙Museum of Illusions opened on the 1300 block of promenade and is a fun experience

💙Fun Playworld Kids at 828 Pico is a great spot to take the littles especially on rainy days

🔹 Pico Boulevard paving — weather permitting Tuesday, Nov 18: Phase 2 work between 26th Street and Centinela Avenue was pushed back due to last week's heavy rain but is now set for Tuesday night (one night only). This project includes full pavement reconstruction, upgraded bus pads, refreshed striping, and safety improvements along one of our busiest east-west corridors. Translation: M

👉 Track the Pico Boulevard project

🔹 Digital billboard proposal moving to December 16: Staff presented the proposed Digital Display District Ordinance and Development Agreements to the Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) Board last week. The framework would create a tightly defined district limited to Third Street Promenade corners and Santa Monica Place exterior, with a maximum of 16 total digital signs citywide. DTSM Board members requested additional study, raising questions about brightness, motion, glare, and whether the program delivers benefits for the entire downtown district. Staff is preparing two pathways for Council consideration on December 16: the full ordinance with Development Agreements, or advancing only the Development Agreements without the broader ordinance. Early analysis suggests a fully executed program could generate $5.5-8.5 million annually in new City revenue once stabilized.

Share your thoughts by emailing or speaking at the 12/16 meeting.

🔹 RPG Group exploring Civic Center: This week, Mayor Pro Tem Torosis and I met with RPG Group (now including Oak View, Tim Sexton, and Irving Azoff's family office) to discuss their vision for transforming the Civic.

As I’ve consistently stated; I'm committed to exploring all viable paths forward for that space while keeping transparency at the center. I want to see the civic be restored as a center for music and entertainment !

🔹 Santa Monica hosted national cities for curb management roundtable: Last week we welcomed 25 transportation leaders from cities like NYC, Austin, San Francisco, Seattle, and more for a NACTO event focused on curb management strategies — how we balance loading zones, bike lanes, bus stops, parklets, and curbside pickup.

🔹 Realignment progress you can see: Downtown crews are planting over a dozen large trees daily along the Promenade corridor, power-washing parking structures every 5 days, and adding pedestrian safety features like the new audible scramble crosswalk at Arizona & 2nd. Cleaner, greener, safer streets are the foundation for economic recovery — foot traffic follows trust.

You’ll also notice our officers out doing proactive engagement more as we continue to ramp up safety efforts you can see and feel.

🎓 Education & Community Programs

🔹 Library delivering an incredible November lineup: From author talks to robotics workshops to meditation sessions, our Library team is absolutely showing up for this community. Highlights include:
Matthew Salesses discussing "The Wonders We Carry" (Nov 19, 6pm),
Build-Your-Own Mini Robots workshop for kids (Nov 22),
weekly ESL conversation classes every Tuesday
Mindful Mondays meditation sessions.

Branch libraries are hosting family storytimes and local author spotlights, and the team is bringing pop-up programs directly into neighborhood spaces like Pacific Landing and the Pico Neighborhood Hub with digital literacy help desks. As a mom, I know how much these free, accessible programs mean to families — especially heading into the holidays.

👉 Browse all Library events

🔹 Adult synchronized swimming just launched! On November 9, the Aqualillies partnered with our Aquatics Division to debut adult synchronized swimming classes at SamoHi Pool — and 25 people signed up for the first session! It's water ballet, choreography, and community all rolled into one. Spring sessions are already planned for both SamoHi and Annenberg Beach House pools, including a Mother's Day "Splash Tea" event in May. This is exactly the kind of creative, joyful programming that makes Santa Monica special. Give it a try! Dive in.

👉 Sign up for Aqualillies classes

🔹 Farmers Market gearing up for Thanksgiving: The Downtown Farmers Market is rolling out seasonal programming this week, including a collaboration with Providence Saint John's on November 19 featuring guava agua fresca tastings, a new broccolini side-dish recipe, and personalized nutrition guidance. Fall recipe cards will be distributed at all four info booths, and digital versions will be posted on the Market's social channels. Whether you're a regular or just discovering our markets, this is the perfect time to shop local and support the farmers who show up for us rain or shine.

👉 Find Farmers Market info

🎨 Arts & Culture

🔹 "Laboratory for the Future" panel discussion — Saturday, Nov 22, 12–2pm: The Airport Arts Center (Propeller Gallery) is hosting a special panel for Debra Scacco's exhibit, featuring author Arianne Edmonds and her new book "We Now Belong to Ourselves" about how the Black press shaped citizenship after Reconstruction. The event includes a book signing, a pop-up installation exploring banned words and poetry, and a screening. It's the intersection of art, infrastructure, and civic labor — thoughtful, timely, and free.

👉 RSVP for the panel discussion

🏛️ What I'm Watching & Transparency Updates

🔹 City Council meeting — Tuesday, Nov 18 at 5:30pm: Two big items on the agenda. First, the Architectural Review Board will consider 1320 Pico Boulevard — an 8-story, 147-unit project including 24 affordable units.

Second, we'll hear the appeal of the Structure of Merit designation for 1125 18th Street, which involves preservation criteria review. Staff has prepared a summary analyzing the appeal claims and applicable criteria. Public comment is open at the start of the meeting for any non-agenda topics you want to raise.

👉 View the meeting agenda

🔹 Brown Act concerns raised on Pier lease process: UNITE HERE Local 11 sent a formal letter to the Santa Monica Pier Corporation challenging the October 20 meeting where the Board approved a lease for the former Rusty's Surf Ranch location (now proposed as California Roadhouse). The union alleges the meeting wasn't properly noticed under the Brown Act — specifically that no agenda was posted 72 hours in advance, depriving the public of the opportunity to participate. They're asking SMPC to rescind the action and re-notice it with proper public comment opportunity. The City Attorney's Office has forwarded the letter to SMPC's legal counsel for handling. Separately, staff is discussing with the proposed operator issues related to right-to-recall for laid-off Rusty's employees and labor considerations.

My take : Unite Here Local 11 is pushing to impose a Right-to-Recall mandate on the Rusty’s Surf Ranch property — a requirement that was never part of the lease and could drive the new California Roadhouse operator away. As a small business owner, I cannot support policies that discourage investment, raise costs, and hurt our local economy. I won’t cave to political pressure; my focus is keeping the Pier active and welcoming for businesses that want to serve our community.

🔹 Citizens Academy launching soon: After hosting 30+ City Hall tours for students — from Girl Scouts to SamoHi's Law & Public Policy class — I keep hearing from adults: "Where's our version?" The answer is: it's coming. I'm working with our City Manager to launch the Santa Monica Citizens Academy before year's end — a chance to spend a day learning how local government actually works, meeting department heads, and getting a true behind-the-scenes look. Transparency and accessibility aren't just buzzwords; they're the foundation of trust. Stay tuned.

📅 This Week's Events

🎄Thursday Nov 20th is the Tree lighting event at the promenade. I will miss this event sadly as I’ll be at the National League of Cities Conference - but hope you’ll enjoy the festivities, fake snow and community!

🔹Wednesday November 18th 9:30-10:15 Beaches to Boulevards Ceremonial Tree Planting (I’ll be there & avail to chat after )

🔹 Route 66 Songwriting Contest — submissions open through April 30, 2026: Calling all songwriters! We're looking for original songs celebrating Route 66's connection to Santa Monica for the upcoming centennial. $10,000 prize, open to songwriters 18+ from multiple countries. Tune your guitars and get those lyrics flowing.

👉 View contest details

👉Read more about it

📱 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 on Instagram

🌟 Closing Thought

This week I'm grateful for rainy mornings that turn sunny, for farmers who show up no matter the weather, and for neighbors who take the time to stop by a booth and share what's on their minds.

Public service is about showing up consistently — at markets, at meetings, at City Hall tours, and in the hard conversations about where we put supportive housing and how we balance safety with compassion. I'll keep listening, keep pressing for common-sense progress and transparency, and keep looping you in. That's the deal.

Hit reply and let me know what you're seeing in your neighborhood — I read everything, and it shapes what I push for next.

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Mayor Lana Negrete Newsletter — November 16, 2025