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Council Takes No Action on City Manager Search

06/03/2021 11:21 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

After nearly four hours in closed session, the City Council on Wednesday reported no action in the search for a new City Manager.

https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/June-2021/06_02_2021_Council_Takes_No_Action_on_City_Manager_Search.html

Housing Element Update

06/02/2021 8:19 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica has Released the Draft 2021 - 2029 Housing Element Update

PROGRAM 4.D: REZONE SELECTED PORTIONS OF R1-ZONE NEIGHBORHOODS TO INCREASE DENSITY

Is Permanent Housing the Real Homeless Solution?

06/02/2021 8:08 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Still, homeless agencies appear flummoxed by the rejection rate for permanent housing they’re now able to offer, something only recently available. Did they expect a population plagued by instability and a high component (about 20 percent) of serious mental illness to turn overnight into planners interested in delayed gratification?

Council Expected to Hire Montebello City Manager

06/02/2021 8:02 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council is expected to hire Montebello City Manager Rene Bobadilla as Santa Monica's new City Manager, making him the first Latino to run the city of some 93,000, The Lookout has learned.

North of Montana Third Wealthiest Zip Code in Nation

06/02/2021 8:01 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica's North of Montana Neighborhood was the third most expensive zip code in the U.S. last year, tied with Beverly Hills, according to the annual ranking by Property Shark.

Homeless Prevention Fund Bill Passes Assembly

06/01/2021 12:19 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Assembly Bill 1487, authored by Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), would create a “Homeless Prevention Fund” that would be administered by the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission, a state bar run grant administration that funds nonprofit civil legal aid services. According to AB 1487, the commission, would distribute grants, based on a competitive basis, to fund prescribed legal services, education, and outreach for tenants relating to eviction or displacement. The bill would require the commission to develop guidelines for the grant process in accordance with specified requirements. The bill would establish eligibility requirements for grant applicants, including that the applicant agrees to provide all of the services funded by the grant without charge to recipients.

Draft Housing Element released to public

06/01/2021 12:16 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Some proposals included in the recently released document call for the increased density in existing neighborhoods as a way to acknowledge the impact that past discriminatory practices have had on housing development. Other propositions will allow the City to satisfy the Housing Element’s most basic requirements, but some local leaders have taken issue with such a mindset.

SM City Council Tackles 2021-23 Biennial Budget

06/01/2021 10:04 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council held two study sessions this week to review the proposed 2021-23 Biennial Budget which "positions Santa Monica to safely and responsibly emerge from the COVID-19 emergency orders and cultivate a revitalized local economy that reflects and services our diverse community."

They're Coming for Your Home and Your City

06/01/2021 9:51 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica's Planning Department has made available for public consumption its most current draft of the Housing Element of the General Plan. While this combination of words may cause your eyes to glaze over in boredom, the city staff's recommendations in this bulky document, over 1500 pages long, will significantly impact the quality of life in Santa Monica.

Proposal to Study Creating More Westside Shelters Passes City Council

06/01/2021 9:13 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Lawmakers have approved Councilmember Mike Bonin’s plan to conduct a feasibility study on bringing homeless shelters to an array of Westside public spaces, parks and government buildings.

On May 26, Los Angeles City Council voted 13-1 with one abstention to approve Bonin’s proposal to look into bringing more housing for homeless individuals to the Westside. The one dissenting vote was from Councilmember Joe Buscaino.