July 13, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica City Council Preview: Public Fitness, Cirque Du Soleil, DA Process:

The Santa Monica City Council returns to the dais this Tuesday and will consider several issues including entertainment, recreation, community service, and development.

Specifically, Council members will look into approving a new licensing agreement with Cirque du Soleil, consider options for commercial fitness camps and classes on public property, and determine what changes, if any, are necessary for development float-ups to the Architectural Review Board and Planning Commission.

Council members will be addressing commercial fitness instruction in public areas.

According to City staff, some community members had complained of “the proliferation of unregulated fitness training and boot camps in City parks and at the beach.”

“Most of the complaints about this activity refer to the intense use of the north end of Palisades Park,” City staff added.

Accordingly, City staff had developed, at the Council’s direction, a “proposed regulatory system for non-City sponsored commercial fitness instruction, classes or camps offered in parks and the beach.”

“The new regulatory structure would include a change to the Municipal Code, new rules, and a permit system with permit and use charges,” City staff stated.

Based upon feedback and suggestions collected by fitness trainers and residents, City staff proposed several changes, including; “the need for a permit system; insurance; indemnification; compliance with existing business license and police permit rules; identification of parks appropriate for commercial fitness activity; and new rules addressing protection of park amenities.”

City staff added a consensus was not reached amongst local officials, fitness trainers, and residents about “the amount of use charges to be paid by trainers and instructors” and “the extent of the restrictions in Palisades Park.”

On the Consent Calendar is an agenda item to approve a license agreement with Cirque du Soleil. The company has regularly produced shows in a circus-like tent next to the Santa Monica Pier.

If approved, Cirque du Soleil will be permitted to host new theatrical performances at the pier’s north parking lot from Jan. 2 through March 29 next year.

Cirque du Soleil, or CDS, would pay a rental fee of $1,088,808.

“Additional anticipated economic benefits to the City include patron parking revenues at the Civic Center parking structure, purchase of local supplies and services by CDS for its operation, and collateral spending by CDS visitors in local restaurants and businesses,” City staff stated. “This third return of CDS would incorporate mitigations, proven practices, and lessons learned from previous performances to reduce impacts on pier businesses and nearby residents.”

Cirque du Soleil previously produced theatrical events at the pier’s north parking lot in 2009 and 2012.

The first show would open Jan. 17, 2014 and run through March 16, 2014.

City staff states the CDS schedule would include “one show per day on Tuesdays through Fridays, two shows on Saturdays, and Sundays, with an option to add six additional Thursday or Friday shows at the discretion of the Cirque.”

“This represents a one week reduction in the performance period and a reduction in the number of shows on Fridays from the 2012 visit,” City staff added.

According to City staff, 719 of the 1,173 spaces in the 1550 PCH lot would be occupied by Cirque’s makeshift venue.

Also on the agenda: Council members will determine whether the Architectural Review Board (ARB) and Planning Commission would be required to have separate float-ups when considering Development Agreement (DA) applications.

Currently, both the ARB and Planning Commission consider DAs as part of one combined float-up.

The council’s April 23 meeting begins at 6:30 pm at City Hall, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica.

in News
<>Related Posts

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Conservancy to Tour Historic Miles Playhouse at State of the City Event

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Built in 1929, the Miles Playhouse serves as the centerpiece of Lincoln Park The Santa Monica Conservancy will offer 15-minute...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica Pier Arson Incidents

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The suspect, matching video footage from an arcade, was taken into custody Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested a suspect...

SMPD Launch New Recruitment Website Amid High Vacancy Rates

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The site features multimedia content, including day-in-the-life videos and officer profiles, highlighting the impact of serving the community The Santa...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...