The Santa Monica City Council voted late Tuesday to bring the Palm Motel under city control as part of a new local homeless services system, while adding a directive that the city not shut down its longtime SaMoShel shelter until officials identify replacement housing and present a more concrete transition plan. The vote caps months of city work aimed at overhauling how Santa Monica delivers homeless services, as the regional system undergoes what Reynolds’ presentation described as its most significant restructuring in a generation. Under the plan, the Palm Motel — which has operated for two years as county-funded interim housing under the Pathway Home program — would come under city control once county funding for that program lapses this summer. A third action directs staff to issue the RFEI seeking non-congregate housing sites in and around Santa Monica to eventually replace SaMoShel’s capacity. Several council members voiced support for taking direct control of the Palm Motel while raising concerns about the broader plan.