SMa.r.t. Column: The Big Reset

09/14/2022 8:24 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

First, we should always view any proposal with this lens: does it help us live within our means? For example a college or school district bond that piles new lcrushing debt totaling Billions (with a B) of dollars on future generations, when the college and school population is actually shrinking, is not an example of living within our means. A city that agrees to 8874 units of new construction without the permanent water for those 18,000 new residents is committing a form of suicide.

Kurt Gonska appointed to fill vacant Rent Control Board seat

09/13/2022 10:47 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Kurt Gonska was unanimously appointed as an interim commissioner of the Rent Control Board last week to fill the spot left vacant in August when Board Member Naomi Sultan resigned her post after moving out of the city.

Hotel Union Flexes Muscle at SMRR Convention

09/13/2022 8:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

High humidity and COVID fears resulted in a record low turnout at Sunday's Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR) convention, paving the way for the hotel workers union to flex its political muscle.

The 43-year-old tenants group endorsed the three City Council challengers backed by UNITE HERE Local 11 -- Rent Board Commissioner Caroline Torosis, Planning Commissioner Ellis Raskin and public policy adviser Jesse Zwick.

City Council Tuesday, Sept. 13

09/12/2022 8:45 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Council meets on Tuesday, Sept. 13 with an agenda heavy on second readings of past decisions. However, new business includes a pair of items addressing homelessness and a discussion of new ways to solicit input into federal housing aid.

Rent Drops in Santa Monica After Steady Growth

09/12/2022 8:37 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica Real Estate Report – September 12th, 2022

See More: https://smmirror.com/2022/09/rent-drops-in-santa-monica-after-steady-growth-santa-monica-real-estate-report-september-12th-2022/

LA County's Homeless Population Up 4 Percent, Down 23 Percent on Westside

09/09/2022 8:43 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The drop contributed to an overall decrease in Santa Monica's homeless population over the past two years -- from 907 to 807 -- while the number of people living on the streets remained flat, according to the City's homeless count.

AND: https://smmirror.com/2022/09/los-angeles-homeless-service-authority-releases-2022-homeless-count-results/

Police Union Endorses Negrete, Melkonians, Gielicz

09/08/2022 12:35 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica's two public safety unions -- which have traditionally endorsed the same City Council candidates and backed them with ample war chests -- will not be in lockstep this year.

After sitting out the 2020 race, the Santa Monica Police Officers Association (POA) announced Wednesday it is backing Councilmember Lana Negrete, resident activist Armen Melkonians and Recreation and Parks Commissioner Albin Gielicz in the November 8 race for three Council seats.

Apartment Providers Placed in Diversion Program

09/08/2022 12:33 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The defendants -- Adam Shekhter; MySuite, LLC.; 1238 10th Street, LLC., and 1433 Euclid Street, LLC. -- are required to pay $80,000 to the City of Santa Monica for tenant protection enforcement and outreach.

As part of the diversion approved by a California Superior Court judge on July 29, the defendants also will pay $20,000 to a former tenant and $2,000 to a current tenant, according to the City Attorneys Office.

The City of Santa Monica and Sustainable Works

09/06/2022 2:07 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Learn how you can save water and money with Santa Monica’s Landscape Rebate Programs*:

– Up to $6,000 in residential rebates

– Up to $10,000 in business rebates

New advisory board forming to oversee federal housing aid

09/06/2022 2:03 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

“I’m just not used to having things that are just open ended,” said Commissioner Dominic Gomez. “I think it is a major deterrent in terms of the effective launch of any organization.