Santa Monica has extended the City’s Eviction Moratorium until Sept. 30, providing relief for tenants and frustration for small landlords.

The City made this decision on June 24 in order to align with the recently extended County moratorium, and to give landlords and tenants time to apply to the statewide rental assistance program, which is reported to have over $5 billion dollars in rental assistance funds available.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/eviction-moratorium-extended-until-sept-30-more-rent-relief-available-to-tenants/206212

Santa Monica City Council could appoint a replacement for former City Councilmember Kevin McKeown as soon as next Tuesday.

If Council makes an appointment to the vacant seat at Tuesday’s meeting, then the appointee may be sworn in immediately and assume their seat or may be sworn in at the next regularly scheduled meeting on July 13. After being sworn in, the person appointed would serve until a new Councilmember is elected at the next general municipal election, which will be Nov. 8, 2022, as required under the City Charter.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/council-readies-for-possible-appointment/206208

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Unfortunately, for the past approximately 40 years, for numerous reasons, local cities and counties rely heavily on state monies for a variety of programs that would otherwise go unfunded. The price is also to accept policy ultimatums that come with the threat of no funding. The result has been the continuing selling out for political and particular interest group reasons and erosion of local control over land-use decisions.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2021/06/zone-wars-the-return-of-common-sense/

Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to the brink of a deadline to extend California’s eviction moratorium past June 30, potentially jeopardizing tenant protections amid mounting concerns about the slow distribution of billions in rent aid.

Newsom vowed last month the state would reimburse landlords for 100% of unpaid rent from a federal relief fund that’s expected to reach $5.2 billion.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/deadline-fast-approaching-to-extend-california-eviction-ban/ar-AALoUbj?ocid=hplocalnews

Council appointed Bijan K. Jalili earlier this month to commence his term of service on June 25, 2021, and with its approval Tuesday, Jalili is expected to remain in the position until the completion of the pending recruitment for a permanent City Manager or until he hits a limit of 960 hours of time spent on the job, according to Interim City Attorney George Cardona.

“As a retired annuitant, Mr. Jalili’s employment in this position is subject to the requirements of Government Code Section 21221(h),” staff said. “In accordance with these requirements, an agreement has been reached for Mr. Jalili’s employment in this position. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Jalili’s hourly rate will be $133.81, which equates to an annual salary of $278,332. As a retired annuitant, as required by California law, he will receive no additional benefits.”

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/council-approves-new-interim-city-manager-contract/206128

Approved unanimously, the budget adds funding to tackle homelessness and help local businesses recover from the coronavirus shutdown, as well as uses one-time funds to enhance "clean and safe services."

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/June-2021/06_23_2021_Council_Approves_Biennial_Budget.html

Action is being taken to tackle the Boardwalk’s homelessness crisis, but it is being led by two different men with two separate strategies and no intention of collaboration.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/bonin-and-villanueva-double-down-on-independent-boardwalk-interventions/206122

A total of 35 applicants will be vying for a vacant seat on the Santa Monica City Council this month, with most submitting applications shortly before Tuesday's noon deadline.

The list of hopefuls includes two Rent Control Board commissioners, a former City Clerk and two high-profile candidates who have made serious bids in Council races.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/June-2021/06_22_2021_Field_of_Council_Hopefuls_Swells_With_Final_Rush.html

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to extend the county's eviction moratorium through Sept. 30.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/la-county-board-of-supervisors-extends-ban-on-evictions-until-sept-30/ar-AALjm5D?ocid=hplocalnews

Instead of spending billions of dollars on homeless projects and benefits that will just encourage and attract more homelessness, we must address the main causes of homelessness: housing unaffordability due to overregulation, and untreated mental illness and drug addiction due to lack of facilities and care requirements. 

Read More: https://www.dailynews.com/2021/06/20/throwing-money-around-wont-make-los-angeles-more-affordable/