ACTION Apartment Association

Next wave of election results expected Friday

11/10/2022 8:37 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

As of the last update, published online in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Torosis had taken the top spot in the crowded field of city council candidates, collecting 8,327 votes. Behind her was Jesse Zwick with 7,321 votes, followed by incumbent Lana Negrete at 5,494 votes. But only about 550 votes separated Negrete, Ellis Raskin (5,002), Armen Melkonians (4,994) and Natalya Zernitskaya (4,943).

Feinstein is wrong

11/08/2022 8:35 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Mike Feinstein ignores too many details in his article about the “Lincoln Center” project — the one proposed for the Gelson’s site at the intersection of Ocean Park and Lincoln. The current situation is not residents’ or the Santa Monica City Council’s fault. It is the direct result of overreach by the State, which is imposing a mandate on municipalities that the State Constitution does not sanction — a mandate that ignores the characteristics that make certain communities desirable and that could result in converting Santa Monica into either Miami or Manhattan-by-the-Sea.

Brock Drops Support for Voting Rights Settlement

11/08/2022 8:25 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Efforts to settle a landmark voting rights lawsuit against the City have hit a major roadblock no matter who wins Tuesday's race for three open City Council seats, The Lookout has learned.

Councilmember Phil Brock said Sunday that he will not vote to settle the six-year-old California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) lawsuit before the California Supreme Court, likely eliminating the fourth vote needed to implement district-based elections.

Legal Battle in the Future for Santa Monica Following ‘Builder’s Remedy’ Debacle?

11/07/2022 9:28 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The issue of the 16 ‘Builder’s Remedy’ applications that were filed during the time period when Santa Monica’s Housing Element was rejected by the State of California may turn into a legal battle as reported by The Real Deal.com.

Doug Sloan, the Santa Monica city attorney, said, as quoted by The Real Deal.com “We did engage outside counsel. It’s important to realize that, when looking at this builder’s remedy issue and the Housing Element law, the rules were not always very clear, and it was somewhat of a moving target from the state.” during a Santa Monica City Council meeting.

Santa Monica Real Estate Report – November 7th, 2022

11/07/2022 9:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

See Video: https://smmirror.com/2022/11/a-mix-use-building-on-santa-monica-and-3rd-street-set-to-be-sold-at-auction-santa-monica-real-estate-report-november-7th-2022/

Council Race May Be More About Power Than Issues

11/07/2022 8:58 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

According to the only professional poll conducted for the Council race, Negrete, the lone incumbent in the race, held a comfortable lead six weeks ago, followed by Melkonians, who along with Negrete is backed by Santa Monicans for Change and the City's police are firefighters unions.

Get ‘Cash for Grass’ With Two Sustainable Landscaping Rebate Programs

11/04/2022 9:07 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica residents can take advantage of two programs that will pay you to upgrade your outdoor space into a sustainable garden.

See More: https://smmirror.com/2022/11/get-cash-for-grass-with-two-sustainable-landscaping-rebate-programs/

A Few Donors Carry Heavy Clout in Local Races

11/04/2022 9:06 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica's low cap on candidate donations has bolstered the influence of both unknown donors from outside the City and powerful political players from within.

Council Revisits Smoking Ordinance

11/04/2022 8:31 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Strengthened by the Council in 2010, the law bans smoking within 20 feet of doors or open windows, in common areas and on private balconies, patios and other areas "from which smoke can travel to other units and common areas," according to City officials. But it doesn't address smoking in a public right-of-way around the building or how the ordinance can be enforced.

As housing prices surge, rent control is back on the ballot

11/03/2022 8:48 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

With rental prices skyrocketing and affordable housing in short supply, inflation-weary tenants in cities and counties across the country are turning to the ballot box for relief. Supporters say rent control policies on the Nov. 8 ballot are the best short-term option to dampen rising rents and ensure vulnerable residents remain housed.