Council honors retiring Public Works Director Rick Valte; city manager announces airport conversion framework

The Santa Monica City Council issued a formal commendation honoring Rick Valte for 26 years of public service, noting his leadership on major capital projects including the Big Blue Bus campus expansion, pier rehabilitation, sustainable water management and other infrastructure programs. Valte accepted and read a prepared retirement statement thanking colleagues and family.

Following the commendation, the city manager reported a milestone in the airport conversion project, describing a draft framework that organizes the site into eight distinct districts. The manager urged the public to visit smacproject.com to review materials and submit feedback before the April 27 survey deadline and said staff will continue outreach to boards, commissions and neighborhood groups.

Council members praised Valte's emphasis on staff development and succession planning; city staff said Valte focused his final months on setting up his successor. The council noted a planned recognition of the poet laureates at the April 11 meeting as part of upcoming city events.

No formal votes were taken on the airport project at this meeting; the report was informational and part of the city manager's update.