By Jorge Casuso

February 27, 2025 -- The City's recently enacted gift policy could be amended to make it easier for Councilmembers to represent the City at paid events.

The Council on Tuesday voted 5 to 2 to direct staff to create exceptions "for attending City of Santa Monica economic development and cultural events in which Councilmembers are expected to attend to represent the City."

The item was placed on Tuesday's agenda by Mayor Lana Negrete and Councilmember Barry Snell after the Council passed a resolution last month that prohibits Councilmembers from accepting free meals over $20, with some exemption.

The current exemptions include meals that are "part of an event at a conference where the Councilmember is representing the City in their official capacity and all participants receive similar treatment regardless of elected status or jurisdiction, such as free appetizers at a networking happy hour."

"Our rules at this time are really, really strict," Snell said. "We should see where other cities are standing on it."

Negrete noted that Councilmembers are expected to attend events in the city and that placing such a restrictive cap has unintended consequences that impact officials with limited means.

She also noted that the City Attorney's office has had to weigh in when a potential conflict comes up, using legal resources that can be better spent.

Sometimes, the City lawyers have to "spend hours to see if you could attend an event," Negrete said, adding that in four instances, "multiple lawyers have been involved."

Zernitskaya said staff should "look at creative ways" to help elected officials with limited means attend the events.

Raskin, who along with Hall cast the dissenting votes, said that while he is concerned about adding more work for staff, he believes you "have to create bright line rules."