I find myself forced to respond to Santa Monica's crackdown on "super spreader gatherings" ("Santa Monica Cracks Down on 'Super Spreader' Gatherings," August 25, 2020).

As a housing provider, real estate Broker, former elected official and property manger in California we have tremendous responsibilities and are obligated by federal, state and local laws to be blind when it comes to providing, selling and leasing housing.

Now we are being forced with our hands tied and watched over by zealous, aggressive local City attorneys to police the actions of our tenants.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/letters/Letters-2020/08_26_2020_LETTERS_Citys_Crackdown_on_Super_Spreader_Gatherings_Turns_Landlords_Into_Police.html

Community Corporation of Santa Monica will soon complete the construction of a new building at 1820 14th Street that will provide 38 one-bedroom apartments for seniors in Santa Monica. The development received a $10 million investment from the City of Santa Monica in 2017 and will provide apartments across a mix of income levels, with rents ranging from $538 to $1,214 per month, depending on household income.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/08/25/affordable-housing-opportunity-for-seniors-in-new-greenway-meadows-senior-housing-development

And yet, the powerful and well-funded California Apartment Assn. and California Chamber of Commerce have come out against the last anti-eviction bill standing. AB 1436 from Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco) would prohibit the removal of renters who miss payments for either until 90 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency ends or April 2021, whichever occurs first.

Read More: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-24/eviction-cliff-rent-moratorium-california-landlord-coronavirus

Andrew Browning and Dominic Gomez

After much thought, the two of us have decided to withdraw from the race for Santa Monica City Council.

We withdrew because it became clear that the best way to affect change in Santa Monica was to consolidate the number of candidates challenging the incumbents, incumbents who have overseen the rapid decline of our city.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/letters/Letters-2020/08_24_2020_OPINION_Why_We_Decided_to_Withdraw_from_the_Race_for_City_Council.html

Only four of the 15 candidates actively running for a full term on the City Council will seek the backing of Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR) at the powerful group's convention this month.

Incumbents Gleam Davis, Ted Winterer and Ana Jara, and Planning Commissioner Mario Fonda-Bonardi will seek the SMRR endorsement in the race for four open four-year seats at the tenant group's online convention August 30.

Out of the running are incumbent Terry O'Day and School Board member Oscar de la Torre, who failed to notify SMRR by August 8 that they was seeking the group's endorsement.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/August-2020/08_24_2020_Only_Four_Council_Candidates_to_Vie_for_SMRR_Endorsement.html

Organizers of parties in Santa Monica face fines of up to $1,000 and loss of utilities under action taken by officials this week.

On Tuesday, Interim City Manager and Director of Emergency Services Lane Dilg issued a twenty-fourth supplement that allows enforcement against previously prohibited large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2020/08/santa-monica-cracking-down-on-parties-with-fines-and-loss-of-utilities/

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/08/25/santa-monica-explicitly-prohibits-large-gatherings-and-extends-local-emergency-to-september-30

City officials are proposing new rules governing rental units that would discourage or outright prevent landlords from offering leases of less than a year in length.

Under the new rules, rent controlled leases would have mandatory minimums of one year while market rate landlords would be required to offer one-year leases unless the tenant requested a shorter length of stay.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/council-to-debate-new-rent-restrictions/195775

Last Wednesday the City launched the “Santa Monica Shines” COVID-19 assurance program to ensure businesses have the best safety practices and to encourage people to shop locally.

Businesses who enroll in the program will be trained on the latest health and safety requirements and how to ensure customer compliance. Following an onsite evaluation of their protocols, they will receive the Santa Monica Shines Safety Assurance Seal to publicly display.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/city-launches-covid-assurance-program-to-support-local-businesses/195767

Three council members are asking for an outside agency to expedite an analysis of the City’s response to recent looting and riots.

The Santa Monica Police Department has been gathering information about the incident. Councilmembers Terry O’Day, Kristin McCowan and Sue Himmelrich are now asking staff to promptly retain an outside expert to compile the final report.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/outside-agency-to-finish-report-on-looting/195788

Santa Monica’s Rent Control Board formed a subcommittee comprised of local commissioners who have been tasked with finding a replacement for the board’s general counsel.

The Rent Control Board met last week for its second meeting since June 11, when the board adopted its 2020-2021 Operating Budget. Like July’s meeting though, the agenda was a lot lighter than usual since the board only took up discussion on two items outside of the meeting’s public comment period.

Attorney Stephen Lewis is set to retire in November, meaning the board has only a few months to find a sufficient replacement for the position...

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/rent-control-board-seeks-general-counsel-replacement/195771