At the October 28, 2025 City Council Meeting, Councilmember Zwick once again demonstrated that he cannot be trusted to recuse himself when appropriate, given his conflict of interest as a paid advocate for Housing Action Coalition (HAC), a statewide development promoter.
Mr. Zwick's employer's website notes that at HAC "Jesse focuses on advancing pro-housing solutions across the region by building our membership base and advancing our political and legislative goals".
During Agenda Item 4.A. – Adoption of Resolutions Approving Historic Property Preservation Agreements (Mills Act applications) – Mr. Zwick challenged the approval of the applications, all of which were recommended for approval by city staff.
Santa Monica City Attorney von Tongeln cautioned that denying applications which clearly meet established requirements and had followed the application process defined in city code could create legal exposure for the city. But this did not deter Mr. Zwick from fighting the issue, which appears to be in support of his employer’s goals.
Mr. Zwick's employer, HAC, , has publicly indicated its opposition to the Mills Act for single-family (R1) properties, viewing historic preservation regulations as a tool to restrict new housing development.
Specifically, in its " 2025 Legislative Strategy" document, HAC points to Assembly Bill 610, which they co-sponsored, as a way to hold cities accountable for "hidden barriers" to housing. The organization's position is that cities should not be able to "create a new historic designation to block housing" after their Housing Elements are certified.
This appears to be another clear example of Mr. Zwick's ongoing and unresolved conflict of interest between his responsibilities as a Councilmember and his paid job to advance the agenda of his employer.
Knowing his employer’s position, it is stunning that Mr. Zwick did not recuse himself from this discussion and vote. His participation on the council dais during this discussion, and previous housing-related Council agenda items, creates more than a perception of impropriety. It colors the validity of the entire Santa Monica City Council.
If Mr. Zwick is unwilling to recuse himself from discussions and votes like this, then he must resign.
The Board of NOMA