S A N TA M O N I C A
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY smmirror.com
INSIDE
OCEAN PARK LIBRARY SET TO REOPEN PAGE 4
July 23 – July 29, 2021 Volume XCVIII, Issue 103
Santa Monica May Ban Lobbyists From Serving on Boards and Commissions City Council instructs staff to draft ordinance to bar paid policy advocates from serving on board, commissions, task forces By SaM CataNZarO
Santa Monica may ban lobbyists from serving on City boards and commissions. On July 13, Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved a motion by Councilmembers Phil Brock and Christine Parra that instructs staff to create a formal definition of a lobbyist and then prohibit such individuals from serving on City boards, commissions and task forces. Current City law requires paid lobbyists to disclose their clients and compensation with the City. “Our city government functions to serve the
interests of all citizens,” Brock said during the meeting. “This is another way to make sure that everything that is done in our city is forthright and above board and that the residents of the city have the right to influence our Council, influence their boards and commissions, but people who are paid do not have the same right.” While the motion passed unanimously, there was some debate as to how encompassing the legislation should be. Mayor Sue Himmelrich raised concern about part of the Beverly Hills ordinance which considers unpaid individuals who raise over $5,000 for a cause as a lobbyist. “As I read the Beverly Hills ordinance, I think it is a much larger net that could capture some of our advocates here who may raise money or do other things for various causes,” Himmelrich said. Brock responded by stating he does not want the future legislation to ban such people from serving on boards, commissions and task forces in Santa Monica. Councilmember Kristen McCowan made the suggestion of allowing paid lobbyists to serve on City boards and commissions if the subject matter is different from their area of work.
Santa Monica City Hall.
“These are sometimes some of our best policy experts,” McCowan said. “They are still residents, they still care about the city and they bring an expertise I think that might actually
Photo: Sam Catanzaro
be beneficial to a commission that isn’t what they are paid to do.”
City Hall Santa Monica, see page 11
Police Tase Suspect Following Santa Monica Beach Stabbing
32-year-old man arrested Sunday evening on Santa Monica Beach, suffers head injuries in arrest By SaM CataNZarO
As part of an arrest over the weekend, police Tased a homeless man suspected of stabbing a person with a metal compass on Santa Monica beach. The suspect was later treated at a local hospital for head injuries sustained in the arrest. According to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), on July 18 around 6:35 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of the beach. The SMPD says officers arrived in the area and met with a victim who reported he was
stabbed in the back with an unknown object. He provided the description of the suspect and his last known direction of travel. Officers were then flagged down by other witnesses who described that the suspect was waving a “sharp object” at people, according to the SMPD. Officers located the suspect, later identified as Timothy James Smith, a 32-year old homeless male, a short distance away, and attempted to arrest him.
“Smith disobeyed the officer’s commands and fled from them. At one point, Smith collided into a male and made a slashing motion at him, while holding the object. An officer then deployed his Taser. The Taser made contact with Smith, immediately immobilizing him, allowing officers to quickly take him into custody. Officers recovered a metal hinged compass, which was the weapon
Taser, see page 11