ACTION Apartment Association

Ballot Shrinks as 10 Qualify for Council, Two Races Canceled

08/19/2024 10:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The two candidates for Rent Board -- incumbent Kay Ambriz, who was appointed to the Board in June, and Phillis Dudick -- will assume seats on the five-member board after the number of candidates submitting nominating petitions equaled the number of open seats.

Mayor Phil Brock and Councilmember Oscar de la Torre, who are members of the Council's 4 to 3 Change majority, will be joined by newcomers Dr. Vivian A. Roknian and John Putnam, who are backed by Santa Monicans United (SMU), a newly formed group focused on public safety.

Rent Control Board amends regulation on security deposits, aligning with state lawmakers

08/16/2024 8:38 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

At the end of the board’s August 8 meeting, the board unanimously revised regulations to align with a new state law, prohibiting landlords from collecting a security deposit “in an amount of excess of a month’s rent.” The California legislature recently revised the state’s civil code on deposits, with AB 12 taking effect on July 1 that limits the amount that a landlord can collect for a deposit to one month’s rent, regardless of if a unit is furnished or not.

The Lie of "Boulevard Only" Development

08/16/2024 8:37 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

I live on 9th street, a block from three boulevards-Wilshire, Santa Monica, and Lincoln. This means I'm literally surrounded by 8-story "stack and packs," while being told the fiction that this grotesque sop to developers "won't affect the neighborhoods of Santa Monica" and will help "solve homelessness." Ha!

18-Story Tower Planned for Santa Monica’s Sixth Street

08/16/2024 8:28 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Ottinger Architects is spearheading a new project at 1437 6th Street that aims to provide 172 residential units in Santa Monica’s downtown area. The development, which includes an 18-story multifamily building, will feature 26 deed-restricted affordable units and seeks to blend modern living with community-focused spaces that foster connection and culture.

Council Ballot Dramatically Shortened by Filing Deadline

08/15/2024 9:31 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

That leaves four staunch pro-law enforcement candidates -- including Mayor Phil Brock and Councilmember Oscar de la Torre -- to face off against the four pro-justice reform candidates backed by Santa Monica's political establishment.

The other two law-and-order candidates, Dr. Vivian A. Roknian and John Putnam, who qualified for the ballot on Monday, are backed by Santa Monicans United (SMU), a newly formed group focused on public safety.

In the race for two open Rent Control Board seats, only two candidates, Kay Ambriz, who was appointed to the Board in June, and Phillis Dudick have pulled papers. Ambriz has qualified, while Dudick submitted her petitions Tuesday.

If both qualify, the election will be canceled and the two candidates will assume the open seats. If Dudick fails to qualify, the Rent Board will make an appointment to fill the open seat.

Californians: Your rent may go up because of rising insurance rates

08/14/2024 5:01 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

by Cal Matters

Many insurance companies have stopped writing policies in the state because of increased wildfire risks, but that’s not the only reason. They say in the case of any catastrophe, the potential costs of replacing any residential or commercial property, from labor to material costs, is just plain more expensive now. So even owners of properties in areas that are not at high risk for wildfires have had their policies canceled because their buildings may need repairs or improvements. Landlords are having to find other insurers, or having to turn to the ever-growing and more expensive FAIR Plan, the insurance industry-run plan that is mandated under California law to be the insurer of last resort.

Council Ballot Expands as 4 Candidates Qualify Monday

08/14/2024 4:40 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Mayor Phil Brock and Councilmember Oscar de la Torre, who are heading a Change slate focused on fighting crime, are expected to pick at least one running mate before Wednesday's 5:30 filing deadline.

Among the narrowing field of choices are Dr. Vivian A. Roknian, an oral surgeon, and John Putnam, a fashion industry executive. Both qualified for the ballot on Monday.

The two candidates have the backing of Santa Monicans United (SMU), a newly formed group focused on public safety that boasts the support, and spending power, of local businesses ("New Group Formed to Fight City Hall," January 12, 2024).

Councilmember Christine Parra's Statement on Not Seeking Re-Election

08/14/2024 4:38 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

My family is currently facing a significant challenge -- my mother’s ongoing battle with cancer. This situation has understandably shifted my priorities, and I feel that my focus needs to be on supporting my family during this difficult time. Balancing these responsibilities with my role on the Council has become increasingly challenging, and I believe it is essential for me to be fully present for my family right now.

Dear Voter Regarding Santa Monica City Council Election: Anybody but the SMRR Slate

08/08/2024 9:09 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

But you wouldn't know the city was in crisis from the SMRR slate's platform of radical dead-ender candidates Barry Snell, Dan Hall, Ellis Raskin, and Natalya Zernitskaya, who embody SMRR's anti-enforcement values. You can judge the SMRR Four by who is endorsing them-The "defund the police" Santa Monica Democratic Club, plus sitting SMRR council members Gleam Davis, Jesse Zwick, and Caroline Torosis. The SMDC started early to consolidate the "progressive values" around this clueless five point platform:

Council Candidates Begin Returning Qualifying Petitions

08/08/2024 8:37 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

he first City Council candidate qualified for the ballot this week, and five others have returned nominating petitions to the City Clerk ahead of next Wednesday's deadline.

Pier Corporation Board Chair Dan Hall, who was among the first candidates to pull papers on July 15, qualified for the ballot on Tuesday after submitting nominating petitions signed by at least 100 Santa Monica voters.