Public commenters urge preservation of Santa Monica Airport, express neighborhood concerns about homelessness and ask city support for local events

A broad set of public commenters raised multiple issues during the general public‑comment period.

Several speakers, including long‑time residents, urged the council to retain the Santa Monica Airport for emergency access, historic value and local recreation. Alan Glick said the airport provides safety for disaster response and warned that remediation and decontamination costs for converting the site to other uses would be significant.

Multiple speakers raised concerns about the concentration of homelessness services in the Pico neighborhood, asking the council to consider cumulative impacts on that community and to ensure equitable distribution of facilities. "We have too many social services concentrated in the Pico neighborhood," one speaker said, urging that any new supportive housing be distributed to other areas.

Other commenters asked the city to support community events — including a denim run on April 12 that will include a wellness festival on the pier — and to assist with noise enforcement downtown and the revitalization of the 3rd Street Promenade.

Council members did not take immediate policy action on the public comments during the meeting, but multiple items discussed during public comment were later addressed in council business or will be referred to staff for follow‑up.