Customers using too much City water in Santa Monica as the drought worsens are about to face first-ever fines, officials said Monday.

Dean Kubani, the City’s Sustainability Manager, said about 150 customers failed to cut water by 20 percent, as required by the City of Santa Monica and the state of California to combat the drought -- 

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/March-2016/03_01_2016_Fines%20Start_in_Santa_Monica_For_Customers_%20Using_Too_Much_Water.html

Bill Bauer, City Manager Rick Cole and the Downtown Community Plan

Read More; http://smdp.com/my-write-the-devil-in-the-details/153867

The Plan has been released to the public and the City staff is actively seeking feedback.

Read More: http://smdp.com/outreach-beginning-for-downtown-community-plan/153860

Santa Monica City Council announced Tuesday Denise Anderson-Warren as the City’s new City Clerk. A 21-year veteran of the City Clerk’s Office, Anderson-Warren brings vast knowledge of the department to her new role. She has served as Assistant City Clerk for the past five years.

Read More: http://smmirror.com/articles/News/Denise-Anderson-Warren-Named-City-Clerk-15269-base-monthly-salary/45137

With the California Coastal Commission under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, Santa Monicans are being asked to take part in shaping Santa Monica’s coastal zone, the first Local Coastal Plan Workshop scheduled for tonight.

Read More: http://smmirror.com/articles/News/First-Meeting-Tonight-Coastal-Zone-Planning/45088

 Gleam Davis appears to be joining Ted Winterer on the list of Santa Monica City Council incumbents running for re-election in November.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/February-2016/02_29_2016_Second_Incumbent_Prepares_for_Santa_Monica_Council_Run.html

Commission approves proposed property owner incentive pilot program...vouchers

Read More: http://smdp.com/commission-approves-proposed-property-owner-incentive-pilot-program/153810

The Santa Monica City Council Tuesday approved a 5 percent hike in City water rates... averting the original 9 percent increase.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/February-2016/02_26_2016_Santa_Monica_City_Council_Approves_5_Percent_Hike_in_Water_Rates_for_This_Year.html

A lead contamination crisis like the well-publicized one affecting Flint, Mich.’s drinking water supply is “highly unlikely” to happen in Santa Monica, according to a report prepared by City Water Resources Manager Gil Borboa that was issued to the City Council on Monday.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/February-2016/02_25_2016_Highly_Unlikely_Lead_in_Santa_Monicas_Drinking_Water.html

Santa Monicans will be hit with a 5 percent increase in water rates this year, City Council Tuesday night shaving 4 percent off the previously-approved 9 percent year-on-year five-year rate rise.

Read More: http://smmirror.com/articles/News/Santa-Monica-Water-Rate-Hike-Cut-by-4/45115