The City is seeking to use the recent election of two Latino Councilmembers from the Pico Neighborhood to defend Santa Monica's at-large election system in the ongoing voting rights case.

Attorneys for the City mentioned the election of Oscar de la Torre and Christine Parra in their answering brief filed with the California Supreme Court on Monday.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/March-2021/03_23_2021_City_Seeks_to_Use_Recent_Election_Results_in_Voting_Rights_Case.html

The message was crystal clear. If Tesla intends to proceed, it will only receive approval if it is combined with a housing project.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2021/03/zapped-a-promising-proposal-bites-the-dust/

As part of its ongoing economic recovery plans, City Hall will debate rent relief for tenants of city owned properties on Tuesday.

The City’s Rent Deferment Program was established in April 2020 in accordance with the City’s emergency orders, which implemented a temporary moratorium on evictions of commercial tenants. 

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/council-weighs-covid-19-rent-relief-for-city-tenants/203159

A year after Santa Monica doubled its water rates in an effort to become water self sufficient, the projects to make that happen face a $53 million funding gap due to the coronavirus shutdown.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/March-2021/03_22_2021_City_Faces_53_Million_Funding_Gap_for_Water_Projects.html

Efforts to split the District -- which were supported by both the School Board and the Santa Monica and Malibu City councils -- hit a major roadblock after Malibu officials walked away from negotiations in October.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/March-2021/03_22_2021_Malibu_Split_Headed_for_April_Showdown.html

AND: https://www.smdp.com/coucil-set-to-reaffirm-smmusd-unification-position/203164

Assemblymember Richard Bloom believes providing businesses with a tax credit for hiring homeless individuals could be a key tool for economic and social recovery.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/assemblymember-bloom-proposes-a-tax-credit-to-incentivize-hiring-homeless-individuals/203101

Santa Monica on Friday extended its coronavirus emergency orders, with some exceptions, through the end of next month as the County enters a less restrictive phase of its shutdown.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/March-2021/03_19_2021_Santa_Monica_Extends_Coronavirus_Emergency.html

Councilmember Oscar de la Torre sued the City of Santa Monica this month for barring him from Council meetings, discussions or decisions pertaining to the voting rights case.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/March-2021/03_19_2021_Councilmember_Sues_City_Over_Conflict_of_Interest_Decision.html

The second monthly "Santa Monica Pulse Survey" focused on specific issues the Council tackled over the past month, including homelessness and public safety and a temporary moratorium on commercial development.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/March-2021/03_18_2021_Latest_Resident_Poll_Shows_Mixed_Response_to_Council_Actions.html

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to explore enacting a rent freeze on residential units with expired or soon-to-expire affordability covenants like the one at Hillside Villa Apartments, which the city is hoping to purchase to prevent significant rent increases.

Read More: https://www.dailynews.com/2021/03/17/la-council-seeking-rent-freeze-on-apartments-with-expiring-affordability-covenants/