Santa Monica Council Overrules Outcry to Replace Downtown Board Members

Controversial Decision by Santa Monica City Council Sparks Debate

Santa Monica has found itself at the center of a heated debate after the City Council made a controversial decision to remove six appointees from the Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) Board. The move, which passed with a 6-1 vote, has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, who argue that it is politically motivated and retaliatory in nature.

Mayor Lana Negrete was the sole dissenter in the vote, expressing concerns that the action could damage public trust in city government. She described the decision as "dangerous" and likened it to the kind of emergency politics that are currently undermining democracy across the country. Her comments highlighted the deep divisions within the council over the matter.

The motion to remove the board members was introduced by Councilmembers Barry Snell, Caroline Torosis, and Jesse Zwick. Snell expressed frustration with the current DTSM board's inaction on several pressing issues. He specifically mentioned "derogatory signage" on the Third Street Promenade, including posters critical of public officials, and claimed that the leadership had failed to address them effectively.

Despite having served on the DTSM board for 12 years, Snell argued that the board should include more community members rather than just business people. His remarks underscored the broader tension between different factions within the city's governance structure.

The decision came amid a series of rapid developments. Earlier in the day, DTSM held an emergency meeting to amend its bylaws, requiring the City Council to provide a legitimate reason before removing any of its appointed members. Lucian Tudor, a current DTSM board member and local business owner, stated that the change was intended to protect the board’s independence. However, he also noted that city officials later dismissed the meeting as not qualifying as a legal emergency.

“They're saying our meeting wasn't legitimate, but theirs was,” Tudor told the Westside Current. “It's confusing—and concerning.”

DTSM, a nonprofit organization overseeing the downtown business improvement district, has been in conflict with city leadership over several issues, including downtown safety, parking policies, and leadership changes. The organization faced significant challenges earlier this year when its former CEO, Andrew Thomas, resigned after the board failed to reach consensus on renewing his contract.

In a statement released ahead of the vote, DTSM criticized the removals as “an alarming and politically motivated” effort that was conducted “without cause, without transparency, and without regard for the residents and businesses we serve.” The organization recently opposed a city staff proposal to eliminate free public parking, instead advocating for an expansion to three hours of free parking to support small businesses.

Former Mayor Phil Brock, who served on the Council during previous DTSM transitions, called the removals an unprecedented step. “This really amounts to a purge of previous directors,” he said. “We never said, quote-unquote, it's an emergency, so we have to dump everyone.”

Brock warned that the shakeup could accelerate redevelopment pressures on the Promenade, potentially leading to the elimination of parking structures and the conversion of commercial areas into high-density housing.

During public comment sessions, several residents and former city officials voiced concerns that the council’s action would consolidate political control over the board and undermine downtown’s recovery. Others criticized the city for not prioritizing public safety and cleanliness, which they believe have contributed to business closures and a decline in tourism.

While the vote was procedurally legal under the City Charter—requiring support from the mayor or four councilmembers to add an emergency item—the timing and lack of a stated cause drew intense scrutiny. The six new council-appointed board members approved Tuesday night include former Santa Monica Mayor Gleam Davis, former Assemblymember and Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom, former City Manager’s Office official Elaine Polachek, real estate executive Hodge Patterson, resident and businessman Sean Besser, and public safety advocate Jonathon Gregory. All councilmembers voted in favor of the replacements, except Mayor Negrete.