January 17, 2017 -- Following the lead of vulnerable cities from Los Angeles and New Orleans to mega-metropolises on the other side of the globe, Santa Monica has created a new post to develop a “resilience strategy” in the event of a major earthquake, tsunami, pandemics, terrorism and “chronic stressors” such as climate change.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2017/January-2017/01_17_2017_Santa_Monica_Hires_Chief_Resilience_Officer.html

The Rent Control Board is looking to sharpen the teeth behind laws that regulate construction at rent-controlled apartment buildings, as the economy continues to improve and remodels surge in the city.

But the same bureaucratic problems that have frustrated rent-controlled tenants and stymied resolutions for those who need help now push back conversations on how to improve the process.

Read More: http://smdp.com/resolution-still-out-of-reach-for-tenant-displaced-by-asbestos/159318

The Santa Monica Rent Control Board will discuss whether to hold a public hearing to consider amending Regulation 13002, respecting registration of controlled units. The proposed amendment to the regulation would be a new subdivision (g), which would require landlords to provide tenants with information about the rent-control law in conformity with Charter Section 1803(g) and a new subdivision (h), which would specify that a landlord who fails to comply with registration requirements cannot impose annual general adjustments. 

Read More:  http://www.smgov.net/uploadedFiles/Departments/Rent_Control/About_the_Rent_Control_Board/Staff_Reports/2017/Item%2010A%20-%20Regulation%2013002.pdf

January 12, 2017 -- The City Council on Tuesday modified Santa Monica's law on short-term vacation rentals -- already among the nation’s toughest -- to help prevent scofflaw hosts, as well as to try to shield the City from more legal attacks from industry giants like Airbnb.

The City Council voted 4-0 to require all “home sharing” hosts to not only register with the City but have their information published on a special registry compiled by the City. Santa Monica’s “Home-Sharing Registry” amended law will also prohibit hosting platforms, like Airbnb and Home Away, from completing business with short-term rental hosts who are not listed.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2017/January-2017/01_12_2017_Santa_Monica_Gets_Even_Tougher_on_Short_Term_Vacation_Rental_Hosts.html

and

http://smdp.com/home-share-rules/159275

Santa Monica’s largest apartment owner fired another shot in the battle over ownership of nine luxury properties in Santa Monica and Los Angeles, accusing Boston-based hedge fund AEW Capital Management of a “sophisticated conspiracy” to steal the properties.

In new documents filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court, NMS Properties’ CEO Neil Shekhter accuses AEW of conspiring with real estate investors to eventually “flip” the buildings to make more than $100 million in profit. 

Read More: http://smdp.com/nms-accuses-hedge-fund-of-conspiracy-to-steal-hundreds-of-local-apartments/159257

By Gary Rhoades, Deputy City Attorney

With regard to Santa Monica tenants, the City Attorney’s Office enforces the fair housing and anti-harassment laws that protect us from such conduct.

The fair housing laws prohibit owners from treating tenants (or applicants) differently because of their race, national origin, religion or gender. Almost fifty years after the first fair housing laws were passed in 1968, it’s rare for a landlord to express aloud their discriminatory motives.

Read More: http://smdp.com/hate-related-harassment-on-the-rise/159248

January 10, 2017 -- City Manager Rick Cole on Sunday was under verbal attack for the second time in a week, this time for what community groups say are comments meant to “deride” and undermine their credibility.

The dispute stemmed from a January 4 appearance Cole and City Council Member Sue Himmelrich made before the Wilshire Montana (or Wilmont) Neighborhood Association, in which the talk was mostly about high compensation for City employees ("'Serious Community Discussion' Needed on Santa Monica Employee Compensation, City Manager Says," January 7, 2017).

Although the session itself was not always friendly, what irked a leading critic most was Cole’s follow-up email to the City Council and City staff.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2017/January-2017/01_10_2017_Santa_Monica_City_Mangers_Comments_Anger_More_Community_Activists.html

The twin buildings at 1238 and 1242 10th Street are now owned by a partnership: 1238 10thStreet, LLC. The signature on the deed is that of Neil Shekhter, the CEO of NMS Properties, Inc, a major property manager and developer in Santa Monica. Eric Rose, a spokesman NMS Properties said that they are not the owner or property manager, however, an official document filed to the Air Quality Management District regarding the asbestos abatement was printed on NMS stationary and written by their senior development associate.

Read More: http://smdp.com/asbestos-concerns-rattle-tenants-at-developers-latest-project/159217

and

http://smdp.com/tenants-seek-help-after-asbestos-dust-found-in-their-apartments/159238

The 30-year veteran of the City Attorney’s Office will lead the office while a national search for Marsha Jones Moutrie’s replacement is conducted. He will receive a monthly salary of $26,024, according to the City.

The City Council has chosen Assistant City Attorney Joseph Lawrence to serve as Interim City Attorney after the retirement of Marsha Jones Moutrie last month. Joe has been with the City Attorney’s Office since 1986. 

Read More: http://smmirror.com/2017/01/new-interim-city-attorney-appointed-salary-26024-a-month-312288-a-year/

Each year begins with new hopes and dreams and the wish that our lives and our world will become better. With that in mind, SMart takes a look at Santa Monica and expresses our fervent wish for actions that will shape an improved city in 2017.

Read More: http://smmirror.com/2017/01/opinion-sma-r-t-our-2017-wish-list/