Tag: Mayor Gleam Davis

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica announced on Wednesday, December 13 that Phil Brock was installed as the new Mayor for a one-year term through December 2024, replacing outgoing Mayor Gleam Davis. Lana Negrete will continue serving as mayor pro tempore for a second year.

The City Council Tuesday recognized Davis for her one year of service as mayor after taking the helm as Santa Monica continued its economic recovery from the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Under her leadership, the Santa Monica City Council established five priorities as the most important areas of focus, guiding the city’s budgeting process: Addressing Homelessness; Clean & Safe Santa Monica; Cultivate Economic Recovery & Expand Community & Cultural Offerings; Racial Justice, Equity & Social Diversity; and Sustainable & Connected Community.

During Davis’ term as mayor, the city completed 1.5 miles of bike and pedestrian safety enhancements at 17th St. and Michigan Avenue, implemented zoning changes to invigorate the 3rd Street Promenade and downtown areas, expanded security requirements for vacant properties and other safety measures, expanded requirements for gender-neutral public restrooms and set the stage for the launch of a fully-staffed clinical therapeutic van.

“It’s been an immense honor to rally our work behind five key areas of focus on what matters most to our community,” Davis said. “Keeping focus has been how we’ve been able to adapt and push forward through some of the most challenging times for the city. I want to express my deepest gratitude for our residents, business owners, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, city staff, fellow councilmembers, and countless others who work so diligently to continue to make Santa Monica a great place to live, work and do business. I am eternally grateful.”

Davis first joined the Santa Monica City Council in February 2009 and served as mayor pro tempore from 2016 to 2018. She served as mayor previously from 2018-2019. Davis has been a resident since moving to Santa Monica in 1986.

Brock was elected to the Santa Monica City Council in 2020 and dedicated more than three decades of service to the Santa Monica region. As councilmember, he has expressed safety, security and compassion as his top priorities, while looking to enhance and preserve the quality of life in Santa Monica.

“I’m honored to serve Santa Monica and look forward to working with everyone on the council in advancing the key priorities most important to those who live, work in, and visit our city,” said Brock.

Before being elected, Phil served on the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission, including as chair. During his tenure on the commission, Santa Monica expanded the city park system to include The Cove skatepark, Euclid Park, the Annenberg Community Beach House, Airport Park, Tongva Park, Ishihara Park, the greens on Ocean Park Boulevard and Ken Genser Square, expanded Virginia Avenue Park, and established the first universally accessible playgrounds in the city.

While serving on the Arts Commission, he initiated Make Music Day events in Santa Monica, and as part of the Santa Monica Civic Working Group, he advocated for a sports field that later opened in 2020 as part of Historic Belmar Park.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—Santa Monica City Council could soon permit the sale of adult use cannabis in the city. 

Ajay Kolluri, HdL’s Director of Cannabis Services provided city council on Tuesday, June 13, with a presentation to help councilmembers decide if they should expand or limit cannabis sales in Santa Monica. There was also a portion of the presentation that showed how the city of Santa Monica is unique in terms of legalizing adult use cannabis compare to other cities in the county.

Kolluri revealed how the city has the largest gap in the state between legal supply of cannabis and demand. “Santa Monica residents therefore can, and most certainly do, cross city limits to purchase adult-use cannabis from LA based businesses,” Kolluri said during the meeting.

Councilmembers discussed converting the existing cannabis businesses in Santa Monica to allow them to sell to those 21 years old or older and start a delivery service. Council discussed their concerns about the proximity of dispensaries to schools or sports fields. “Could we allow the two current medical dispensaries to convert to recreational dispensaries?” Mayor Gleam Davis asked.

No official decisions were made regarding the proposal and council will explore the issue at a later date.  

According to the Santa Monica Municipal Code only two dispensaries are permitted in the city and are only for medical purposes which means that customers must provide a doctor’s authorization in order to purchase products. Customers must also be 18 or older.

Medical marijuana became legal in California in 1996 but the City of Santa Monica hadn’t issued its first permit until 2021. 

The city’s only operating dispensary the Local Cannabis Company provided testimony to Tuesday’s city council meeting explaining that many of their walk-in customers lose interest in their business upon learning they need to apply for a medical card. The majorty of them leave without purchasing anything. 

Massachusetts-based Calyx Peak which is a permitted dispensary opened last week six years after the owners submitted their application. Their permit was granted over a year ago in October of 2021. 

Harvest of Santa Monica was also approved in January of 2022 but has yet to be established. 

In 2022, Santa Monica voters approved Measure HMP with a 66.79% “yes” vote to implement taxes for non-medical cannabis retailers, medical retailers, and all other licensed cannabis businesses.

By Christianne