Santa Monica City Council Sets Council Priorities for 2023-2025 Biennial Budget

Saturday study session first step in over three month long budgeting process

By Sam Catanzaro

The Santa Monica City Council held a special session Saturday to set council priorities for the next two years to guide the development of the 2023-2025 biennial budget.

In a unanimous vote, the City Council adopted the following as their most important areas of focus:

Addressing Homelessness: Prevent housed Santa Monicans from becoming homeless and increase the supply of affordable housing; address the behavioral health needs of vulnerable individuals; advocate for regional capacity to address homelessness

Clean & Safe Santa Monica: Create an atmosphere marked by clean and safe public spaces and neighborhoods, including parks for recreation and leisure activities

Cultivate Economic Recovery & Expand Community & Cultural Offerings: Invest in community and cultural amenities and programs for all community members, focused on expanding opportunities for youth, teens and seniors

Racial Justice, Equity & Social Diversity: The City acknowledges the effects of generational racism and discrimination, working towards ending systemic barriers so everyone in Santa Monica has an opportunity to thrive

Sustainable & Connected Community: Ensure that City policies prevent harm to natural environments and benefit social/economic wellbeing for current/future generations

“Today’s process provided the opportunity to reflect on the work of recent years and to look ahead to what is most important for our community,” said Mayor Gleam Davis. “We will continue to address homelessness, promote a clean and safe Santa Monica, and cultivate our economic recovery. Today, the Council chose to also include the expansion of community and cultural offerings as part of our economic recovery, and to further racial justice, equity, social diversity, and a sustainable and connected community.”

The City Council also provided unanimous direction on proposed FY 2023-25 budget items, including:

Allocation of Measure CS funds: Expanding the Homeless Liaison Program with the Police Department; expanding the homeless multidisciplinary outreach team beyond the Downtown and Beach; expanding to 24/7 intakes at SAMOSHEL interim housing; continuing Clean & Safe programs in Police, Public Works, Code Enforcement, and Parking; and providing for short term rental enforcement.

Homelessness Strategic Plan: Developing an interdepartmental plan to address homelessness that builds on the City’s Four Pillars framework that considers recommendations from the Moss Adams Audit on Homelessness, sets clear policy direction, promotes alignment across City stakeholders, supports regional efforts, improves focus on measurable objectives and reporting, increases internal alignment for effective and expedient implementation of new resources, and utilizes one-time CS funds.

Organizational Realignment to Support Priorities: The Housing and Human Services Department would become the organization point for homelessness services and programs, which would enable the city to rapidly achieve Measures CS, GS and Audit objectives

, and provide core focus and leadership on administering a comprehensive array of housing, educational, and social services programs in addition to investments to support vulnerable populations.

The Recreation and Culture Department would create capacity and leadership around recreational partnership opportunities addressing conflicts between demand and capacity for recreational amenities, enable the ability to focus on the future of the Miles Memorial Playhouse and Camera Obscura buildings, and elevate arts and cultural affairs work in economic revitalization and social equity.

Resource Reallocation for Restorations

Council Priorities, see page 7