ACTION Apartment Association

Roger Thornton -- the Quiet Power Behind SMRR -- Dead at 79

11/01/2021 2:14 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Roger Thornton -- a founding member of Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR) who played a major behind-the-scenes role in turning the grassroots group into a local political powerhouse -- died in his Santa Monica home Wednesday. He was 79.

Poll of Engaged Residents Finds Most Want Tougher Stance on Crime

10/29/2021 9:06 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Conducted between October 21 and 27, the poll of about 165 "civically engaged" residents measured their reaction to a high profile attack by a homeless woman on a reality television contestant ("Homeless Attack in Santa Monica Makes International Headlines," October 19, 2021).

Ninety-one percent said the attack -- which garnered international headlines -- "should be a catalyst for city officials to reconsider their current approach to addressing crime and homelessness."

All households must recycle organic waste by January

10/28/2021 9:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Under the system, every building will be provided with a green bin, where all organic waste can be disposed of, be it food scraps, garden waste, paper, wood or food-soiled paper products.

City Council Receives Year-End Financial Update

10/28/2021 9:21 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City’s budget remains in active recovery with reserves helping fill the gap for a balanced budget. Fewer reserves will need to be leveraged due to revenues coming in six percent higher than anticipated as a result of the active housing market; higher sales, hotel tax and parking receipts; and the positive impact of the recently passed Measure SM Real Property Transfer Tax increase.

Council Must Act Now to Solve 'Out-of-Control' Homeless Problem

10/28/2021 9:08 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Letter to the Editor

There's hope that the park can be repurposed for a new use. However, if the root cause behind the park's decline isn't addressed, it's just as likely a new public space will suffer the same fate.

Mandatory Recycling Ordinance for Organics

10/27/2021 9:56 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Under the ordinance, all Santa Monica single- and multi-family households and commercial customers are required to separate waste using a three-bin system: black for refuse, blue for non-organics recycling such as cardboards and bottles, and green for organics recycling beginning January 1, 2022.

Council to review year-end budget

10/25/2021 8:39 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In an upcoming Oct. 26 meeting, City Councilmembers will discuss the fiscal year 2020 to 2021 year-end budget report and what will be done with the unanticipated additional funds. Council will also introduce a mandate that would require all Santa Monica properties to recycle organic materials and will adopt historic property preservation agreements with six new properties.

Metro Considering Joint Development of Transit Land To Build Affordable Housing

10/25/2021 8:31 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

This joint development could be achieved by building these affordable units on already owned parcels of land that Metro plans to develop while expanding the current Los Angeles transit system of Metro buses and trains according to Urbanize.

SMa.r.t. Column: The Magic of Adaptive Reuse

10/25/2021 8:26 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

But there’s another more common and efficient way the urban fabric renews itself and that is to take existing buildings and with minor modifications repurpose them to new uses (e.g. adaptive reuse) avoiding their outright demolition and preserving their presence in the community. This adaptive reuse provides benefits that are shared by residents and developers alike:

Councilmember’s conflict of interest case regarding CVRA case heading to court

10/21/2021 8:46 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A judge has agreed to hear arguments between the City and Councilmember Oscar de la Torre over whether de la Torre has a common law conflict of interest with the City’s defense of the California Voting Rights Act lawsuit.