ACTION Apartment Association

Residents Urge Stronger Action to Curb Growing Homeless Problem

06/15/2023 9:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

More than a dozen Santa Monica residents took to the podium at Tuesday's City Council meeting to share their personal encounters with the homeless and urge stronger action to curb crime and anti-social behavior.

The speakers -- who provided input on items not on the agenda -- included a high school student who no longer frequents Santa Monica parks after his friend was stabbed and a hotel owner who is losing guests afraid for their safety.

Council Jacks Up Solid Waste Rates After 3-Year Freeze

06/15/2023 9:37 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The new rates -- which kick in August 1, then annually on July 1 through 2027 -- would see bills for a four-unit building go up from about $199 to $363, while those for a 10-unit building would rise from about $263 to $472.

Commercial buildings would also see 11 percent rate hikes over five years with cost depending on the cubic yard and frequency of collection.

Council Adopts Solid Waste Rates

06/14/2023 1:19 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

At its June 13, 2023, meeting, the City Council adopted a five-year schedule of solid waste rates for sanitation and enhanced sweeping, recycling, and solid waste collection services. The new rates will be effective on August 1, 2023, and annually thereafter on the first day of the fiscal year from July 1, 2024, through July 1, 2027.

Council Approves Nearly $13 Million in Contracts

06/14/2023 1:17 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council on Tuesday approved half a dozen five-year contracts totaling nearly $13 million for services ranging from private security at parking structures to maintenance of police radio operations.

The biggest expenditure on the Consent Calendar was a $4,788,523 modification of a contract with Illinois-based Motorola Solutions, Inc. "for maintenance of the interoperable public safety trunked radio communications system and radio equipment."

Council Takes Up Lawsuits Stemming from 2020 Riots

06/14/2023 8:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council on Tuesday took up four lawsuits -- including a federal case filed by Black Lives Matter (BLM) -- claiming the City violated the rights of protestors during the May 31, 2020 riots in Santa Monica.

llegal Short-Term Rental Violations Increase as City Enforcement Decreases

06/13/2023 9:16 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

See Video: https://smmirror.com/2023/06/illegal-short-term-rental-violations-increase-as-city-enforcement-decreases/

Council Poised to Approve $2.2 Million Contract for Parking Structure Security

06/13/2023 9:13 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The proposed $2.2 million contract with Good Guard Security would provide four unarmed guards, including a supervisor, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. at 10 parking structures.

Small Claims Court Moves From Santa Monica Courthouse, to Beverly Hills

06/12/2023 9:18 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Superior Court has announced that effective July 3, 2023, all small claims hearings in the Court's West District will be moved from the Santa Monica Courthouse, 1725 Main St., Santa Monica, to the Beverly Hills Courthouse at 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. This from the office of Clerk of Court David W. Slayton.

SMa.r.t. Thirsty Santa Monica: Running Dry

06/12/2023 9:15 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The thirst is real, and Santa Monica is feeling it. The problem? Santa Monica relies on the Metropolitan Water District for a quarter of its water, and in spite of recent welcome rains, in the long run, those sources are drying up, driving prices sky-high.

The city has made heroic efforts to shift to local sources like wells and recycled water, but becoming water self-sufficient is proving to be an uphill battle. The commercial sector’s increasing consumption and new real estate developments are partly to blame.

Proposed Amendment to the California Constitution Passes Housing Committee

06/12/2023 9:14 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

California Assemblymember Matt Haney of District 17 in San Francisco has introduced ACA 10, which is a Constitutional amendment for the state of California that would enshrine the fundamental right to housing in the state’s constitution. According to The Sacramento Bee, ACA 10 passed a vote in the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development with a 6 to 2 vote. The no votes were from Republican members of the committee on June 7, 2023.