ACTION Apartment Association

Ballot Order Could Be Factor in Local Races, Studies Show

08/17/2020 7:28 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

If being at the top of the ballot gives local candidates an edge, as some studies indicate, then one City Council challenger and three incumbents in the three other Santa Monica races got a boost Thursday.

Council candidate Phil Brock, a member of the City's Arts Commission, will top the list of 21 candidates in the race for four open seats on November 3, according to the ballot order released by the City Clerk.

If the League Believes in Educating Voters, It Should Hold Candidate Debates

08/14/2020 11:01 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

On June 9, The Lookout reported that the City will no longer produce or post free video-recorded candidate statements. They also will not hold Q&A sessions with candidates.

The League of women voter's needs to prove they are serious about voter education by organizing and holding on-line or in person debates or candidate forums with City Council and Rent Control Board candidates.

One Santa Monica Board Race Features a Comeback Bid, Another An Exit

08/14/2020 10:59 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A former Santa Monica Rent Control Board Commissioner will seek to make a comeback, while an incumbent's exit leaves a School Board seat wide open on the November ballot.

Former Rent Board Commissioner Robert Kronovet -- who qualified for the ballot on Tuesday -- will try to win a seat he lost on the Board eight years ago after pulling a major upset in 2012.

A property manager, Kronovet is the only candidate to win a seat on the Board without the backing of the powerful Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR) political machine.

Rent relief applications open Monday

08/14/2020 10:48 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Applications for the Los Angles County COVID-19 Rent Relief program open Monday, Aug. 17, and Santa Monica residents in need of assistance are encouraged to apply.

The rental relief initiative is set to open to all renters in Los Angeles County who meet the income requirements, and officials hope to assist more than 9,000 with the $100 million that have been set aside to assist eligible renters.

City of Los Angeles, County of LA Each Give $100 million to Tenants through a Lottery

08/14/2020 10:44 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

City of LA giveaway has ended, County is open to applicants until 8/31

The City of Los Angeles recently distributed $100 million in rent money through a lottery style program. Now the County of Los Angeles has announced a similar program.

Santa Monica Fights Over Taxes and City Hall Hiring

08/14/2020 10:42 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Election season is heating up in Santa Monica. The ballot is nearly complete, minus the SMMUSD board race that needs to be finalized for technical reasons.

Calif. Judges Vote To End Coronavirus Eviction Moratorium On Sept. 1

08/14/2020 10:29 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Judicial Council of California voted Thursday to lift the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures beginning Sept. 1.

In early July, Newsom signed an extension through Sept. 30 for an executive order which gives local governments the authority to halt renter evictions.

On July 21, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors extended a countywide ban on evictions for residential and commercial tenants through Sept. 30 as well. The moratorium was first put into effect in March, when the pandemic took hold. It applies to all local jurisdictions unless they have enacted their own moratoriums.

AND page 5 of: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/081420.pdf

Affordable Housing Coming to Historic Japanese American Building?

08/13/2020 10:27 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A historic building in Santa Monica with ties to the city’s Japanese community may soon include over 50 affordable housing units.

Nikkei Hall, located at 1413 Michigan Avenue...

Newest Councilmember Unopposed, Four Other Incumbents Face Crowded Ballot

08/13/2020 10:04 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Newly appointed City Councilmember Kristin McCowan will run unopposed in the race for a two-year seat, while the four other incumbents will face 17 challengers.

Council incumbents Gleam Davis, Ana Jara, Terry O'Day and Ted Winterer will run on November 3 for four open seats with four-year terms, according to the City Clerk, which posted the final list of candidates Tuesday evening.

Rent Control Board looking for a new lawyer

08/12/2020 10:41 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

"The Board will discuss the means by which it will recruit for a new General Counsel,” which is a position that acts as legal advisor and counsel for the Rent Control Board and Administrator.