ACTION Apartment Association

Tentative ruling favors City Hall in voting rights case

07/01/2020 8:22 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A court of appeals issued a tentative ruling Tuesday that if made final, would reverse a previous order forcing Santa Monica to change the format of its city council elections.

The ruling was announced early in the afternoon when attorneys for the city of Santa Monica and Pico Neighborhood Association started their oral arguments in a California Voting Rights Act lawsuit. The lawsuit, which began on Aug. 1, 2018, stems from a complaint filed in the California Superior Court that alleges the at-large election system for Santa Monica City Council dilutes Latinx voting power.

Appeals Court Issues Tentative Ruling in Voting Rights Case

06/30/2020 5:32 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

At the start of the oral arguments Tuesday, the Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District judges announced their tentative ruling in favor of the City of Santa Monica in the case Pico Neighborhood Association, et al. v. City of Santa Monica.

The tentative ruling overturns a trial court’s order that directed Santa Monica to switch to district-based elections.

AND: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2020/07/01/news/cal-court-of-appeal-issues-tentative-ruling-in-favor-of-city-of-santa-monica-in-voting-rights-case/4731.html

City prepares for oral arguments in CRVA lawsuit

06/29/2020 7:39 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Trial for the CVRA lawsuit began on Aug. 1, 2018, in Los Angeles Superior Court and the City of Santa Monica lost. The city was ordered to conduct a district-based election on July 2, 2019. It was also ordered that no City Council members elected at-large could continue to hold their seats past August 15, 2019. However an appeal was filed by city attorneys temporarily preserving the status quo.

The two sides are set to make oral arguments to the court of appeal Tuesday.

L.A. County budget includes program cuts and potential layoffs

06/27/2020 9:14 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In the wake of the unprecedented economic crisis sparked by COVID-19, Los Angeles County’s 2020-21 Final Changes budget includes a wide range of curtailments affecting virtually every County department.

The $34.9 billion budget, which will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for budget deliberations on Monday, June 29, represents some of the most challenging fiscal decisions in recent County history.

The cuts are needed to address a projected $935.3 million budget gap, mostly due to sharp revenue declines at the same time the County also is investing in major response and reopening activities to support its communities during the pandemic.

Former City Manager opposes Plaza project

06/27/2020 9:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Former City Manager Rick Cole is advocating for Council to abandon current plans for a large-scale development on city owned property downtown and instead is advising City Hall to pursue a new idea with more housing and less office space.

Council Approves Drastically Reduced Budget, Carves Out Funding for 'Black Agenda'

06/27/2020 9:05 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City on Tuesday approved a $613.6 million budget decimated by the coronavirus shutdown that provides last-minute funding for "racial justice initiatives" in the wake of nationwide protests against police.

The budget -- which kicks in July 1 -- reduces the current budget amount by nearly 25 percent by slashing jobs and services to help bridge a looming $224 million deficit through June 30, 2022.

Public Safety Reform Advisory Committee

06/26/2020 10:16 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica is committed to reviewing its City policies to ensure that public safety in Santa Monica employs best practices to recognize the humanity and dignity of every person. As the City engages in review of its policies, the Interim City Manager seeks individuals to join a Public Safety Reform Advisory Committee to advise the Interim City Manager on proposals for reform. The City will also facilitate multiple opportunities for broader community input on these important topics.

SMa.r.t. Column: If It’s Not Okay…

06/26/2020 10:04 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

~ Fight or flight. Those of you who are acquainted with me know which choice I have always made. However, It seems that many longtime residents are choosing flight. They have decided that the scourges of crime, overdevelopment, traffic, and a deteriorating lifestyle make it no longer worth the hassle of living in Santa Monica.

Budget discussions focus on “defunding the police” movement

06/24/2020 5:17 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Santa Monica City Council fully funded the local police department during a budget decision Tuesday night but officials said they are actively working with local advocates to develop a plan for long-term changes to police funding that acknowledge the national calls to reinvest municipal money into other departments.

As of Tuesday night, funding for the Santa Monica Police Department is down about three percent over two years but remains stable compared to recent requests for decreases in police spending triggered by efforts to promote racial justice.

Santa Monica Council Adopts FY 2020-21 Operating Budget

06/24/2020 5:12 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved the City’s FY 2020-21 proposed budget and biennial FY 2020-22 capital improvement program budget. The operating budget is $613.6 million and reflects an organizational restructuring, a reduction to the operational budget by nearly 25% in response to the impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and includes measures to close a projected $224 million budget deficit through FY 2021-22.