ACTION Apartment Association

Facility improvement bonds on tap for special board meeting

06/20/2024 11:36 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

During the meeting, staff will present capital facility needs for Santa Monica and Malibu schools in separate presentations, allowing the board to discuss placing a general obligation bond on the ballot for School Facility Improvement District #1 (Santa Monica) and School Facility Improvement District #2 (Malibu). The district’s Facility Improvement Projects Department completed assessments of school facilities over the past six years to determine “necessary improvements to meet campus needs,” factoring in historic resources inventories, sustainability plans and infrastructure needs inventory.

Feroz Merchhiya selected as chief information officer

06/20/2024 11:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Beginning his career at Oracle Corporation, Merchhiya has more than two decades of experience in digital transformation, innovation and technology. Most recently he served as the chief information officer and chief information security officer for the city of Glendale, Arizona. He previously led strategic service delivery and technology solutions for Kaygen Incorporated.

He will join the city effective July 15, with an annual salary of $253,674.

Corporate Landlords Contribute $20.9 Million to Kill Rent Control Expansion

06/20/2024 7:51 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A powerful, deep-pocketed group of 11 corporate landlords has contributed a total of $20.9 million to the California Apartment Association Issues Committee to kill the expansion of rent control in California. Big Real Estate’s millions also fund a disturbing ballot measure to stop AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s housing advocacy work on rent control. Activists expect corporate landlords to spend at least $100 million before the November election.

Response to Santa Monica Mayor Brock and Vice-mayor Lana Negrete Accompanying Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia

06/19/2024 1:36 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

by John Alle

I reminded Brock that there are 2 agreements in place between Santa Monica and the LA County Health Dept stating that SANTA MONICA's legislative approval is a REQUIREMENT of any health or medical program conducted in the city. Brock admitted he had lost the documents The Santa Monica Coalition had twice sent him. The City Manager and Council have not exercised the political will to end needle and glass pipe distribution.

SMRR, Dem Club Poised to Make Early Endorsements

06/19/2024 11:56 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica's political establishment must win three seats to regain the Council majority it held for most of the past four decades before losing it to Change candidates swept into office during a voter revolt in 2020.

But with the emergence of five strong candidates, the two groups can ill-afford a repeat of 2022, when for the first time the Democratic Club broke with the tradition and placed a different candidate than SMRR on its three-member slate.

Undisclosed payments to Rent Control chair force revote on Justice for Renters act endorsement

06/18/2024 10:57 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

“Due to my paid consultancy work with the Justice for Renters Act, I’ll recuse myself from this item,” said Lesley before leaving the dais.

California law prohibits individuals from voting on matters that involve their personal finances.

Rent Board Sets Cap on Monthly Increase

06/18/2024 9:38 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica rent control tenants will see their monthly rent increase in September by 3 percent with a ceiling of $76 after the Rent Control Board approved the latest annual general adjustment last week.

Rent Board Appoints Tenant Activist to Fill Open Seat

06/17/2024 7:34 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Kay Ambriz -- a staunch tenants' rights advocate who serves on the Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR) steering committee -- was appointed Thursday to fill an open seat on the Rent Control Board.

SM.a.r.t Column: The Up Zoning Scam (Part 1)

06/17/2024 7:28 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

But why would the State create a fake target and sell it to drive public codes and policy? The reason is the big three industries (finance, real estate and construction) want free rein to develop anything, anytime, anywhere to maximize profits. It’s that simple. State legislators (Toni Atkins, Scott Wiener, etc.) who depend on those industries’ contributions (along with the high-tech industries) are willing to demolish local planning codes and controls to satisfy their insatiable donors.

Macerich to return Santa Monica Place mall to lenders

06/14/2024 8:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Locally-based shopping mall behemoth Macerich Co. has defaulted on the $300 million mortgage loan it has for the Santa Monica Place, ultimately returning it to the lender and bidding farewell to the iconic shopping mall it has owned since 1999.

“It was pretty clear that Santa Monica has continuing issues and it is under water,” Scott Kingsmore, Macerich’s chief financial officer and treasurer told WWD. According to that publication, the broker valuation for Santa Monica Place is in the region of $264.5 million. “Ultimately, trying to figure out the end game was just too obscure,” Kingsmore said.