ACTION Apartment Association

Lawrence Picked as Santa Monica Interim City Attorney

12/09/2016 12:23 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

December 9, 2016 -- While the City Council searches for the first new head of Santa Monica’s legal department in more than 20 years, longtime Assistant City Attorney Joseph Lawrence will fill that role on an interim basis beginning December 31.

Santa Monica Council Orders Review of NMS Holdings

12/08/2016 11:16 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

December 8, 2016 -- The City Council on Tuesday ordered a review of Santa Monica ’s dealings with its largest local housing developer after a judge found evidence of wrongdoing during a recent contract dispute with a Boston developer.

The motion, which was unanimously approved, asks staff to verify the information that NMS Properties, led by developer Neil Shekhter, and all related entities provide in agreements to build and operate housing in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica City Council Reconsiders Public Vote on Development

12/08/2016 11:14 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

December 8, 2016 -- Trying to mend fences after the defeat of a contentious slow-growth measure in November’s election, the Santa Monica City Council on Tuesday ordered staff to study giving voters final say on major development proposals or requiring a council super majority for approval.

The council, whose members generally opposed Measure LV as too restrictive, “won the battle” in seeing it solidly rejected by voters, said Council Member Kevin McKeown.

But the only way to “win the war” over development in Santa Monica is to start a “conversation” with those who supported the initiative, he said.

City says thousands of apartments vulnerable to earthquake damage

12/08/2016 8:43 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In January, staff members will publish the list of buildings they consider “seismically vulnerable.” Once the building’s owners are notified of the city’s concern, they will have a strict timeline to get their building inspected and then fix any problems.

SMCLC Demands City of SM Halt Processing of 18 Development Applications by NMS

12/07/2016 8:24 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Court has now issued further rulings. The Court "ordered the real estate mogul to cede all control of [the nine projects in dispute in that lawsuit, including in Santa Monica,]" according to the L.A. Business Journal.

and:

http://smmirror.com/2016/12/santa-monica-transparency-project-calls-into-question-all-nms-related-funding/

Neighborhood Resource Officers [Police Officers]

12/07/2016 8:21 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Neighborhood Resource Officer program exemplifies community oriented policing in its truest form.

Read More and see map: https://www.santamonicapd.org/nro/

NMS to lose control of local properties

12/06/2016 9:03 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A Southern California developer recently found to have committed of fraud and forgery will potentially face the scrutiny of City Hall concerning current and future projects in Santa Monica.

On Friday, a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge ruled local developer Neil Shekhter, founder and CEO of NMS Properties, committed a “broad variety” of fraud and forgeries, including providing a fabricated contract to the court, as well as destroyed evidence. The case surrounded a joint venture between NMS and hedge fund AEW and concerns seven properties in Santa Monica, one in Los Angeles and one in West Hollywood.

Because of the ruling, Shekhter will cede control of the nine properties.

Theft and Similar Crimes Jump More Than 50 Percent Near Santa Monica Expo Line

12/06/2016 8:42 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

December 6, 2016 -- Incidents of theft, burglary and shoplifting have jumped 54 percent along the Expo Line in Santa Monica since the arrival of passenger train service in May, police said Monday.

But it is uncertain to what extent the new train extension contributed to the hike in the number of reported crimes, which does not include incidents reported on the trains or on train platforms that are handled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, police officials said.

Santa Monica Defends High City Salaries as Key to Quality Services

12/06/2016 8:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

December 6, 2016 -- Reacting to new public scrutiny of Santa Monica City government salaries -- among the highest in the state -- City Manager Rick Cole has posted a defense saying the reports are “true, but misleading” and fail to consider the high quality of services delivered.

Path Toward New Santa Monica Development Measure Could Begin This Week

12/05/2016 8:38 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

December 5, 2016 -- The wide-margin defeat of Measure LV in last month's Santa Monica election could just be the first stage in a path toward putting voters in charge of at least some development decisions in this city.

Two City Council members have placed an item on Tuesday's agenda calling for staff to "explore procedural steps" on establishing "voter approval requirements" for certain types of development projects.