July 5, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

New Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole Introduced At City Council:

Incoming Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole was introduced to the public at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, much to the delight of council and Cole himself.

It was a feel-good affair from the beginning, with Cole beginning his speech by eloquently thanking Interim City Manager Elaine Polachek for her wonderful job.

“She is a sterling example of the depth of professionalism and competence that you have on the City Staff here in the City of Santa Monica,” Cole said of Polachek. “And I look forward to working here for many years.”

Cole, 61, and the City have come to terms on an agreement that, according to City Staff, will pay him an annual base salary of $329,424 and require he live in Santa Monica. His first day on the job will be June 29.

The City will also pay Cole’s expenses of moving to Santa Monica and will provide him with a rental housing allowance for up to seven months. The monthly allowance is $2,000 and won’t exceed a total of $14,000.

Other items in the agreement include a severance package of nine months monthly salary, an available home loan at a fixed interest rate of 3 percent, a review process that will take place each year evaluated by Council, and he will receive benefits and privileges customarily provided to department heads and set forth in the Executive Pay Plan.

As his speech continued, Cole went on to invoke the words of Puritan lawyer and Massachusetts Bay Colony Governor John Winthrop, John Kennedy, and even translated a phrase from Japanese to English.

“What I want to emphasis tonight to the community as the choice of the City Council, is partnership, is building meaningful, strong, long-lasting, sustainable partnerships,” Cole said. “And future success will come from building strong partnerships with citizens, with our community institutions and organizations, with our businesses, with our regional neighbors, and with the public servants that work on behalf of the community everyday. And that’s what I want to bring to this partnership.”

After the speech, Mayor Kevin McKeown, speaking on behalf of the Council, “welcome[ed] home” Cole and applauded his willingness to learn, to which Cole, slightly modifying his earlier-translated Japanese phrase, said, “I’ll go look, I’ll go see, and I’ll go learn.”

Before Cole left, he said that he had chosen the numbers 4-6-6-3 for his new cell phone password. The numbers spell out H-O-M-E.

“I already feel very much at home,” he said.

Welcome to Santa Monica, Rick Cole.

in News
<>Related Posts

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Ruskin Group Theatre to Stage ‘The Fantasticks’

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

A timeless tale of young love and life’s bittersweet beauty, the show is reimagined with modern flair for contemporary audiences...

Film Review: F1: The Movie

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

FILM REVIEWF1: THE MOVIERated PG-13155 MinutesReleased June 27th F1: The Movie will envelop you in a racecar. You will be...

Big Blue Bus Launches Prohibition Order Program to Bolster Safety

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

The orders, which can range from 30 days to one year, target offenses that threaten the safety and comfort of...

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...