ACTION Apartment Association

How much is rent relief helping Californians?

04/28/2021 11:58 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In another recent survey of nearly 1,300 landlords in Los Angeles, University of Pennsylvania researchers found that more than a third of landlords with one to five properties couldn’t survive for another three months under current conditions.

Time for the School District to Adopt 20th Century Capital Project Financial Reporting

04/28/2021 10:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Sidestepping the issue of overall need for such an expansive program in a school district with declining enrollment (b), the key stakeholder issue is effectiveness of financial management on resource expenditures.

Santa Monica Rents Continue Rising

04/28/2021 9:51 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

After a big drop during the coronavirus shutdown, Santa Monica rents increased for the fourth straight month in April, rising by 3 percent over the past month and outpacing rent growth nationwide, according to the latest report by Apartment List.

School District Taxpayers Expected to Save Nearly $8 Million a Year with Anticipated Bond Sales

04/27/2021 9:41 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

An expanding tax base, low interest rates and a high credit score could save taxpayers nearly $8 million a year when the School District refinances its bonds "in the coming months," District officials said Friday.

Council to review Boards, Commissions and Task Forces

04/26/2021 10:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

City Council will hold a comprehensive review of City boards, commissions and task forces this Tuesday during a discussion that may conclude with the consolidation of more than one commission.

Group nears completion of riot report

04/23/2021 10:39 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

“So, there’s a lot of material to digest, and it spanned the course of several hours so the challenges were significant. But it’s not our first rodeo in this area and so we’re well on our way to finalizing everything. And my understanding is we’re expected to present a high-level report and answer any questions that Council might have during an upcoming Council meeting in May.”

SMa.r.t. Column: SMMUSD’s Financial Performance

04/23/2021 10:34 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

There has been much discussion regarding the SMMUSD’s financial performance. The Board recently issued a statement noting that they have “Fortified our financial reserves, balanced our budget and Improved our credit rating.” All good things. Unfortunately, none of these outcomes are the result of proactive and prudent District financial management. They are the result either of externally imposed financial oversight discipline or the ability to raise resident taxes.

Council Votes Get Mixed Reviews, City Still Not on Right Track

04/23/2021 10:31 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A monthly poll of some 170 "civically engaged" Santa Monica residents found that the vast majority -- 80 percent -- don't believe the City is on the right track.

Tesla supercharger project receives green light

04/22/2021 9:58 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

With a unanimous vote last week, City Council amended and extended an emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance, which, among other things, allows Tesla’s proposed 24-hour, self-service electric vehicle recharging facility to once again move forward with construction.

Proposed bill could convert all CA municipal golf courses including Penmar to low income housing

04/21/2021 4:56 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A newly proposed bill in the state assembly would strip municipal golf courses of their park status protections and encourage their conversion to low income housing developments.

AB 672 was introduced on Feb. 21 by AD58 Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, who represents a portion of South East L.A. County including Bell Gardens. Under the bill municipal golf courses could be rezoned into housing developments that offer 25 percent affordable units and 15 percent open-space.