ACTION Apartment Association

City provides update on tenants’ rights during COVID-19

10/19/2020 8:04 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Since Santa Monica issued its first eviction moratorium on March 14, tenants and landlords have been grappling with a constantly shifting legislative landscape of City, state and federal rental regulations. On Oct. 14, the City partnered with Bet Tzedek and the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles to present on the current status of tenant protections.

School Board justifies $21 million office building purchase

10/19/2020 8:01 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Santa Monica Malibu School Board has voted six to one to approve the $21 million purchase of the DoubleTree office building on 1717 4th St. to become the new District headquarters.

SMa.r.t. Column: Which Santa Monica Do You Prefer to Live & Work In?

10/19/2020 7:57 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica’s Governance Last I heard, we are a country “by the people and for the people.” But Santa Monica operates on a different premise. Our City Council is under the influence of developers, not the residents. They treat our residential tax dollars like monopoly money – nearly bankrupting us while holding onto power. As a result, our beautiful beach town is quickly losing its special innate character. What the City Council and staff are implementing has little if any benefit to the residents! Is this the city you want to live in?

Outgoing Police Chief Gets Big Payout, Former Chief Returns

10/19/2020 7:54 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Retiring Santa Monica Police Chief Cynthia Renaud will receive four months of base pay totaling approximately $90,000 after she is replaced by former Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks later this month.

Santa Monica Police Chief to Retire

10/16/2020 5:38 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Police Chief Cynthia Renaud -- who came under fire for the rioting that swept through Santa Monica May 31 -- will retire this month to lead the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), City officials announced Friday.

Renaud's last day will be Sunday October 25, according to a joint announcement issued by Renaud and City Manager Lane Dilg late Friday morning.

AND: https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-police-chief-cynthia-renaud-to-retire-october-25/197552

City Council Amends New Rental Housing Law

10/16/2020 8:17 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

"After weeks of public input about improving our initial ordinance against ‘corporate rentals,’ we added reasonable exemptions for homeowners, Accessory Dwelling Units, displaced tenants, and students,” said Mayor Kevin McKeown.

City Council Turns a Blind Eye on Crime and Homelessness

10/16/2020 8:16 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Two years ago, I wrote on these pages that Santa Monica was at a breaking point when it came to crime and safety ("OPINION -- Will The City Council Get Serious About Crime?" November 5, 2018).

Now, after months of watching our City Council drag its feet on these same concerns, I can see what we faced in 2018 was only the beginning.

Council Challenger Wins Coalition Endorsement After Denouncing Plaza Project

10/15/2020 9:54 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A leading Santa Monica slow-growth group on Wednesday endorsed Oscar de la Torre for City Council hours after he issued a blistering attack on the proposed Plaza project Downtown.

Why Vote for the Slate of 4 for Santa Monica City Council

10/15/2020 9:50 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Voting for all four on the slate is essential as one city council member alone can not outvote those already on the 7-member council

Leasing revisions pass unanimously

10/15/2020 9:43 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Revisions to Santa Monica’s recently adopted leasing requirements were passed by City Councilmembers this week, allowing local homeowners to rent their homes for less than a year as long as they meet certain criteria.

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/10/12/city-council-approves-amendments-to-leasing-requirements