Santa Monica orders talks on workforce agreement
The City Council told Oliver Chi and the City Attorney to negotiate a community workforce agreement, after labor groups argued it could shape who gets city-funded construction jobs.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — direction to negotiate a community workforce, disabilities commission takes up swimscape access, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Supporters cast the agreement as a way to tie public spending to apprenticeships, local hiring, and job standards on projects the city pays for.
Public dollars can set the rules for public work.
The City Council directed Oliver Chi and the City Attorney to negotiate a community workforce agreement under item 16F. The motion passed by voice vote, with no opposition stated in the transcript. Staff said the direction should follow the guidance in the agenda materials and a one-page attachment tied to the item.
Earlier in the meeting, public commenters from building trades and contractor groups urged the city to adopt the agreement. They described it as a tool for creating local jobs and apprenticeship paths, including opportunities for veterans and underserved workers. They said it could help lock in fair wages, health care, retirement security, and safe working conditions on city-funded projects.
During Council discussion, one councilmember said the city has room to set labor standards when it acts as a market participant spending public funds. That member pointed to apprenticeships and pathways to what they called high-road jobs. The vote did not adopt a final agreement yet. It set the next step: negotiations by city staff, consistent with the framework already presented to the council.
Disabilities Commission takes up Swimscape access concerns
A swim schedule became a question of access.
At the Disabilities Commission, public commenters asked for help preserving or restoring weekday Swimscape adaptive swim instruction times at the Santa Monica Swim Center. They framed the issue as more than scheduling, pointing to the value of consistent access for swimmers who rely on the program.
Commissioners discussed the program’s importance and possible next steps. Those included follow-up with the Swim Center manager and the ADA Coordinator, along with bringing the matter back for fuller discussion at a future meeting. The chair addressed how that future conversation could be scheduled.
No final action was recorded in the summary provided here. Fire now, the issue remains in the commission’s queue, with commissioners signaling interest in more information before deciding whether to make a formal recommendation or take other action.
Council moves Expo/Bundy zoning changes ahead
The City Council advanced first-reading zoning amendments for 89 R1 parcels in the Expo/Bundy TOD area tied to SB79’s temporary exclusion. Public comment split over whether the move would prevent unwanted upzoning or worsen displacement, and council asked staff to explore added protections and other options.
This decision affects what can be built near Expo/Bundy and whether nearby renters and homeowners face redevelopment pressure soon.
Science materials item appears without discussion
A school board information item on supplemental science materials, “Simply Science,” was listed on the agenda but did not receive recorded discussion or a vote in the transcript. The item was announced in the meeting sequence, then the board moved toward adjournment without substantive debate.
Supplemental science materials adoption could affect classrooms, though this item was informational with no discussion recorded.
Oliver Chi previews events and beach detours
Oliver Chi used his report to flag upcoming events, from Tongva Twilight and Blockfest to the Santa Monica Classic and activities for Hispanic Heritage Month. He said the Ocean Wave Festival could draw 20,000–30,000 people, shared a hotline and email for concerns, and warned of a Beach Bike Path detour from September 21 through September 30.
City Manager announced upcoming events, festival logistics, bike path detours, and reduced-fee pet adoptions.
Council fills boards with ranked-choice system
The City Council made annual appointments to boards and commissions using proportional ranked-choice voting, alongside acclamation and roll-call votes where third terms required five votes. Staff said the system is meant to avoid long multi-round voting and promised clearer public tabulations and better visibility for incumbent applications.
Council filled multiple boards and commissions, shaping advisory bodies but not immediately changing residents’ daily lives.
- Santa Monica City Council. A smaller number of speakers supported closing the SB79 window for the Expo/Bundy TOD zone and encouraged Council to proceed with staff’s approach, citing legal risk and the need for certainty. Some speakers urged analytical decision-making and trusting staff and the City Attorney given potential litigation exposure.
- Santa Monica City Council. Many speakers opposed the proposed upzoning of 89 R1 parcels to close the SB79 window, citing displacement history in Pico/Gandara Park, lack of HCD guidance on cross-jurisdiction TOD zones, and concerns about investor-driven redevelopment. Speakers urged adopting an alternative approach (often called “option three”), using a two-pronged/contingent ordinance, and strengthening anti-displacement protections.
- Santa Monica Disabilities Commission. Multiple written public comments were read into the record requesting preservation/restoration of weekday pool times for Swimscape adaptive swim instruction at the Santa Monica Swim Center. Commenters described impacts on children and adults with disabilities and asked the Commission to intervene with City staff and place the issue on a future agenda.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
SANTA MONICA had 26 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCECity positions on state propositions (separate votes) with recusal on Proposition 37. Council voted on city positions regarding multiple state propositions, taking separate votes. Council endorsed Proposition 3 and opposed Proposition 39 and Proposition 43. Council endorsed Proposition 37, with a Council member recusing due to employment with a housing advocacy organization.
- GOVERNANCECommission plans October disability public hearing outreach. Staff and commissioners reviewed outreach plans for the October 14 Disabilities Commission public hearing and public forum, including flyers, translations, social media, bus ads, and options for written or virtual feedback. The related ad hoc committee report was largely covered during that discussion.
- GOVERNANCECouncil approves consent calendar with pulled items. Council approved the consent calendar after noting recusals and hearing public comment on several consent items. Items 4F and 4J were pulled for separate action because of recusals and were later approved without noted opposition.
- GOVERNANCECouncil approves two small discretionary allocations. Council approved two discretionary allocations: $2,390 for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority beach cleanup materials and $1,188 for Virginia Avenue Park. One council member recused on the sorority item because of a conflict concern.
- GOVERNANCESpecial agenda item: Proclamation of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (September 2026). Council proclaimed September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. A representative of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention spoke about her son’s death and local outreach and the October 10 LA walk at the Santa Monica Pier. The proclamation cited national statistics, prevention strategies, and the 988 lifeline.
- GOVERNANCESpecial agenda item: Proclamation of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15). Council proclaimed Hispanic Heritage Month and heard remarks from members of the Mexican Presence Santa Monica Project about collecting photographs and oral histories of Mexican families in Santa Monica. The proclamation described the significance of the month, demographics, local history, and the city’s commitment to inclusion.
- GOVERNANCEDiscussion: Revising the 2026–27 work plan (draft priorities and staffing needs). The Commission discussed the draft 2026–27 work plan and requested feedback by email. The Chair highlighted top priorities including an ADA Coordinator and a digital accessibility specialist with expertise in accessible digital content and certifications.
- GOVERNANCECommissioners give liaison updates from other bodies. Commissioners reported on liaison activity involving the Arts Commission, Planning Commission, Architectural Review Board, and housing-related meetings. One update noted canceled meetings, while another raised concerns tied to density bonus and affordable housing exemptions.
- GOVERNANCEAd hoc committee report: National Disability Employment Awareness Month proclamation. Commissioner Clark reported beginning background research and drafting work on a proclamation for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, including use of AI tools, and stated the draft was in progress.
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