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Council Approves Fiscal Distress Resolution

09/15/2025 7:59 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The item -- which articulates the reasons Santa Monica is in "fiscal distress" -- does not reduce services, cut staffing, grant the City manager emergency powers or declare a fiscal emergency.

And it will have no impact on the City's top AAA credit grade from S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings, said City Manager Oliver Chi, who placed the item on last Tuesday's Consent Calendar.

City Manager Taps Veteran Planner for Top Post

09/12/2025 5:33 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica's longtime planning manager Jing Yeo will head the City's Community Development Department after the quiet departure of its former director less than seven months after being hired.

Yeo briefly held the post on an interim basis in January while the City concluded a four-month nationwide search that led to the hiring of South Pasadena City Manager Arminé Chaparyan to permanently fill the post.

Poll Gauges Council Performance

09/11/2025 9:07 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The latest Santa Monica Pulse poll found that 87 percent of respondents were unsatisfied with the Council's performance since four new members were seated last December.

How Santa Monica can Save $384 Million and Avert a Fiscal Crisis

09/10/2025 8:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Letter by Houman David Hemmati, MD, PhD

ome common sense ideas about cutting pet projects and avoiding stupid mistakes

Santa Monica Declares State of Fiscal Distress

09/10/2025 7:57 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The resolution directs the city to develop a “budgetary stabilization and overall city realignment plan,” expected to be presented in late October

Santa Monica to face reality of fiscal crisis

09/09/2025 9:46 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica City Council will consider declaring a state of fiscal distress today as the city grapples with massive legal settlements and ongoing budget deficits while simultaneously advancing ambitious climate and demographic policy initiatives.

How A Plus Tree Helps Protect Your Home from Wildfire

09/09/2025 9:39 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Check your wildfire hazard zone using state or local maps (like CalFire’s tool in California). Then walk your property...

Council to Take Up Suit Filed By Ousted Downtown Boardmembers

09/09/2025 9:36 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In a special closed session, the Council will take up the lawsuit that claims the City attempted to remove "the majority of the members" from the Downtown Santa Monica Inc. (DTSM) Board without just cause.

"The City and the DTSM have been engaged in contract negotiations over the City's allocation of costs associated with Downtown Santa Monica," states the 10-page lawsuit filed by former Boardmembers Leonid Pustilnikov and Jon Farzam against the City, the Council and DTSM.

Council Poised to Declare Fiscal Emergency

09/05/2025 8:43 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

While the proposed resolution does not "obligate the City to take any specific actions" or give the City Manager additional powers, it directs him "to take all necessary steps to address, alleviate, and mitigate this emergency."

Council to Replace Ousted Downtown Board Members Tuesday

09/05/2025 8:42 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Council will choose from a field of 12 candidates, most of them with ties to City government, including a former mayor, Assemblymember and City Manager who were seated on a temporary basis, and the current head of the Chamber of Commerce.