By Ileana Wachtel

Sacramento lawmakers on July 27 will begin voting on controversial land-use and housing bills that rushed through initial approvals, and which critics say promote unaffordability during the worst housing crisis in state history. One thing is clear: the legislature this summer could alter the character of Santa Monica forever.

Single-family zoning would be banned, forcing Santa Monica and all cities to permit four market-rate homes where one stands now. Any street could see 10-unit market-rate buildings erected “by right” by developers who pay a fee instead of including affordable units.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/sacramentos-heavy-handed-housing-bills-will-bring-upheaval-to-santa-monicas-single-family-areas-zoning-and-local-plans/194486

The City Council has abandoned plans to amend the city charter this year that would have restructured authorization for various boards and commissions.

Council said the current political climate did not allow enough time to educate the public on the measure and restrictions on in-person contact had made it impossible to talk with the volunteers who would be impacted by the change.

As it stands today, Santa Monica’s boards and commissions are not regulated the same way. Some draw their authority from the charter while others are rooted in the municipal code.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/council-abandons-board-reorganizing-ballot-measure/194435

9 Housing Bills in the California legislature.

Sacramento’s pandemic process allows nine bills to sneak through. Normally bills would proceed through multiple committees, be debated in hearings, and be given a timeline for the public to weigh in. COVID-19 has limited the hearings to only one committee, reducing lawmakers’ ability to vet important bills.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/covid-rules-endanger-neighborhoods/194389

And on page 2: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/071820.pdf

It was Santa Monica’s 145th birthday on July 15th. Our city’s traditional motto is “Fortunate People in a Fortunate Land.” Yet it no longer feels that way. It is not even the pandemic’s fault.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2020/07/a-worried-people-in-a-distressed-city/

The City of Santa Monica on Wednesday extended an eviction moratorium for tenants affected by the cornavirus shutdown and clarified an order for the use of face masks during outdoor activities.

Under the extension to September 30, residential tenants continue to have one year from the time the moratorium ends to pay the back rent. The extension for commercial tenants, which covers mostly small businesses, runs through August 31.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/July-2020/07_15_2020_City_Extends_Eviction_Moratorium.html

Worried about sowing voter distrust, the City Council on Tuesday postponed placing a measure on the November ballot that would have made it easier to change key Boards and Commissions.

The proposed measure -- which was shelved on a 5 to 2 vote -- would have removed the Planning, Airport, and Recreation and Parks Commissions, as well as the Library and Personnel Boards from the City Charter.

By moving them to the Municipal Code, the ballot measure would have allowed the Council to make changes to those bodies without the need for voter approval required under the charter.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/July-2020/07_15_2020_Council_Shelves_Ballot_Measure_Making_It_Easier_to_Change_Key_Commissions.html

With one swift vote, the Santa Monica City Council on Tuesday made history by appointing Kristin McCowan to fill a vacant Council seat.

The appointment of McCowan -- who will replace her high school friend Greg Morena -- marks the first time a Black woman sits on the Council and the second time women make up a majority on the dais.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/July-2020/07_14_2020_Council_Appoints_Kristin_McCowan_to_Fill_Vacant_Seat.html

AND: https://www.smdp.com/kristin-mccowan-appointed-to-city-council/194265

Santa Monica’s 2020 election season officially began Monday when Merviendo Andika became the first person to pull papers to run for City Council. In November, local voters will choose five councilmembers, two rent control commissioners, three school board members and three trustees for Santa Monica College. 

Read More: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/071420.pdf

City Hall will be playing small ball on July 14 with an agenda that focuses on budget approval for several programs and second readings of previously discussed rule changes.

Council will hold a digital meeting on July 14 with several budget items clustered on the consent calendar. While consent items can be passed as a group with little or no discussion, any councilmember can ask for a consent item to be given a full public hearing.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/council-to-hear-budgets-for-pier-downtown-and-smtt/194158

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT a General Municipal Election will be held in the City of Santa Monica on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, for the following officers: 

Read More on pg. 3: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/071120.pdf