Consumer Corner

ANDREA CAVANAUGH is a Consumer Specialist with the City Attorney’s office.

TWO FAMILIES IN A SANTA MONICA apartment building had a simmering feud for years. Santa Monica’s Tenant Harassment Ordinance only applies to misconduct by landlords against tenants. The law doesn’t apply to tenant-versus-tenant disputes. Because of this, the City Attorney’s Office was unable to intervene in the problems between these neighbors. 

In the case of the Smiths and the Johnsons, the City Attorney’s Consumer Protection Division let them know about mediation options, and both families agreed.

■ For emergencies (immediate threats to life, health, or safety) call 911.

■ For non-emergency police services, call (310) 458-8491. 

■ For complaints about violations of Municipal, Building, Zoning, or Health and Safety Codes, call (310) 458-4984. ■ For complaints about pets, call (310) 458- 8594.

Read More on page 4: http://backissues.smdp.com/011018.pdf

The City of Santa Monica has experienced a lot of affordable housing accomplishments in the last two years; I’ll describe some of our more notable achievements.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2018/01/affordable-housing-year-review/

January 9, 2018 -- An investigation by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has found a dozen election-related violations of state law by Santa Monica Council Member Pam O’Connor and her re-election committee, a FPPC spokesperson said Monday.

The violations stretch from 2013 to 2017, the FPPC’s enforcement division said in a November 29 report.

It found probable cause that O’Connor violated the Fair Political Practices Act seven times by failing to file either pre-election or semi-annual campaign statements in a timely manner.

Read More:   https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/January-2018/01_09_2018_FPPC_Finds_12_Counts_of_Election_Related_Violations_by%20Santa_Monica_Council_Member.html

January 9, 2018 -- A five-story mixed-use apartment building on Lincoln Boulevard is set for official approval on Wednesday by the Santa Monica Planning Commission, which then turns its perusal to three more similar projects not far away.

The 33,845-square-foot mixed-use project at 1437-1443 Lincoln Boulevard, with ground floor commercial retail space and 40 apartments atop, is on the agenda to receive a “statement of official action.”

Read More:   https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/January-2018/01_09_2018_Santa_Monica_Planning_Commission_to_Review_Four_Mixed_Use_Projects.html

LOS ANGELES, CA — LA's bed bug problem is now even worse than New York's, according to the experts.

For years, those blood-sucking parasites seemed like a New York thing - a problem in crowded apartment buildings that spread to hotels, theaters, restaurants and even mass transit. But in 2017, exterminators at Orkin respond to more bed bug infestations in Los Angeles than in New York City, according to the company's latest report on the Top 50 Bed Bug Cities. Los Angeles climbed up two slots tow number four while New York dropped four slots to number eight.

"The number of bed bug infestations in the United States is still rising," says Dr. Tim Husen, an Orkin entomologist. "They continue to invade our homes and businesses on a regular basis because they are not seasonal pests, and only need blood to survive," he says.

Read More:   https://patch.com/california/santamonica/s/gbvwl/las-bed-bug-problem-is-worse-than-new-yorks-experts-say?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_term=weather&utm_campaign=alert

January 8, 2018 -- The water rate for the City of Santa Monica is poised to rise by 5 percent this year, the same as in the previous two years, but short of the maximum nine percent hike authorized in 2015 as part of a five-year plan.

The rates -- pending City Council approval on Tuesday -- are in effect as of January 1, a report said.

For residential customers, the rates start at $3.16 per hundred cubic feet of water (HCFs), which is the equivalent of 748 gallons) for those using up to 14 HCFs.

The rates rise, topping out at $11.10 for 149 or more HCFs, or for 21-plus dwelling units.

Non-residential rates will range from $4.48 to $11.06.

The higher rates will first appear on March water bills.

With a looming backlog of proposed projects headed to their desks over the next few years, the City Council will prioritize various planning initiatives at their Tuesday night public meeting.

Some of the projects:

Pico Neighborhood Plan

“Mansionization of Santa Monica”

Prohibition on hotel to condo conversions

Read More: http://smdp.com/council-to-prioritize-long-list-of-projects/163759

January 4, 2018 -- A district probe of conflict-of-interest allegations, reportedly now widened to three Santa Monica-Malibu school board members, is winding down and due to be unveiled before the entire board when it meets again later this month, a district representative said Wednesday.

Still being finalized, the investigation will include, among other recommendations, how to avoid actions which could prompt such “concerns” in the future, said spokesperson Gail Pinsker.

The school board for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) meets next on January 18, according to its website. The district is on winter break until Monday.

Read More:   https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/January-2018/01_04_2018_%20District_Probe_of_Santa_Monica-Malibu_School_Board_Members_Reaching_Conclusion.html

Three mixed-use developments bringing 106 more apartment units to Santa Monica will go before the Planning Commission next Wednesday, Jan 10., as their developers seek approval for Development Review Permits. The commissioners will meet at 7 p.m. at City Hall inside City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street.

Read More: http://smdp.com/three-new-apartment-developments-go-before-planning-commission/163712

But his detractors are engaged in a debate up and down the West Coast as the region struggles to cope with a rising tide of homelessness. They say Aly and other well-meaning residents who provide the homeless with tents, toilets and hot meals are enabling them to remain unsheltered. And they note, nuisances like trash and unsanitary conditions fester and aberrant behavior continues. 

In California, the San Diego County community of El Cajon passed a measure that curtails feeding the homeless, citing health concerns. Los Angeles city officials have closed and re-opened restrooms for those on Skid Row amid similar controversies.

Read More on page 1: http://backissues.smdp.com/122917.pdf