The search for Santa Monica’s next city manager is officially underway.

Santa Monica City Council unanimously directed staff Tuesday to retain Lamont Ewell of Ralph Andersen & Associates, who is now set to begin searching for Santa Monica’s first permanent manager since Rick Cole resigned in April 2020.

Having previously managed the cities of Santa Monica, San Diego, and Durham, North Carolina, Councilmembers said they believe Ewell has the experience necessary to find the best candidates for the job.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/search-for-new-city-manager-underway/201814

Santa Monica City Council voted Tuesday to formally oppose two bills that are currently proposed in the state legislature, despite concerns the City would be seen as anti-affordable housing.

Councilmembers voted 5-1 to oppose SB 9 and SB 10 as they are currently written. Councilmember Gleam Davis was the only no-vote and Mayor Sue Himmelrich recused herself from the vote prior to discussion of the two items.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/council-clashes-in-debate-over-housing-bills/201812

Embarking in a new direction, the Santa Monica City Council voted early Wednesday morning to oppose two housing bills sponsored by liberal lawmakers in Sacramento that would pave the way for more housing.

Read More:https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/February-2021/02_10_2021_New_Council_Breaks_With_Past_Housing_Policies.html

Santa Monica City Council is set to begin the search for a new City Manager, according to Tuesday night’s meeting agenda, which also includes a pair of new items pertaining to housing.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/city-manager-search-set-to-begin-after-council-meeting/201734

Santa Monica Community Members: Share Your Input on Community Priorities by February 28  

We want to hear from you!

On March 13, our City Council will establish community priorities for the next two years. As Santa Monica recovers from the impacts and economic disruption caused by COVID-19 and strives for greater racial equity, establishing community priorities will help us: 

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/priorities

 In what would be an about face for Santa Monica, three newly elected Councilmembers on Tuesday are asking the City to officially oppose two state bills intended to make affordable housing easier to build.

Councilmembers Phil Brock, Oscar de la Torre and Christine Parra -- who ran on an anti-development slate in November -- contend that Senate Bills 9 and 10 would shift local control of key zoning issues to the state and eliminate community input.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/February-2021/02_08_2021_Council_Discussion_Item_Signals_Split_from_Previous_Housing_Policy.html

The City has sued a major Santa Monica property owner engaged in a legal battle over its housing polices for allegedly raising a tenant's rent during a State emergency.

The lawsuit charges WS Communities, LLC and 1433 Euclid Street, LLC with unlawfully raising a tenant’s rent by more than the allowed 10 percent during a declared emergency.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/February-2021/02_08_2021_City_Charges_Major_Landlord_with_Illegally_Raising_Tenants_Rent_During_Emergency.html

California's Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has advised Councilmember Gleam Davis that she has a financial conflict of interest that bars her from participating in any decisions concerning the Miramar Hotel.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/February-2021/02_05_2021_Councilmember_Davis_Has_Financial_Conflict_of_Interest_in_Miramar_Project.html

Allegedly fraudulent and malicious conduct has prompted the City of Santa Monica to file a lawsuit against local landlords who are accused of violating the City’s Tenant Harassment Ordinance and eviction moratorium.

The complaint filed last week states Youseph and Hanokh Golshirazian, and SoCal Investment Company, LLC, have allegedly attempted to drive rent-controlled tenants out of their homes since they first purchased their 30-unit residential property located at 153 San Vicente Boulevard in 2017.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/city-sues-santa-monica-landlords-fraudulent-behaviors-during-pandemic/201644

Read Declaration at: https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/12.30.20-EO-N-85-20-Wildfire-Price-Gouging-signed.pdf