ACTION Apartment Association

SMa.r.t Column: Promenade Progress?

07/30/2021 10:54 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

As we find ourselves approaching August, the question is what, if any, progress has been made on conceptual design and management improvements for one of our city’s significant assets, the Promenade, since our series of articles on these pages this past February.

Police Chief to Hold Public Meeting on Riot Report Monday

07/30/2021 10:50 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

On Monday, top police brass will hold a community meeting via teleconference to discuss the department's response to an after-action report on the May 31, 2020 riots.

The report by the OIR Group released in May found the Department was woefully unprepared and had no action plan or clear leadership.

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2021/07/29/smpd-invites-community-to-join-in-conversation-about-their-response-to-oir-group-report-on-august-2

City Council Prioritizes Housing for Historically Displaced Households

07/29/2021 9:36 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica City Council made changes to Santa Monica’s Affordable Housing Production Program and Housing Trust Fund that gives affordable housing waitlist priority to households displaced from Santa Monica in the 1950s and 1960s due to urban renewal policies.

Council Approves Contract with New City Manager

07/29/2021 9:03 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council on Tuesday approved a five-year contract with incoming City Manager David White that pays a base salary of $340,000 a year.

Council Approves Nepotism Policy for Boards and Commissions

07/29/2021 9:02 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Close family members of City Councilmembers will be barred from serving on Boards and Commissions under a new nepotism policy approved by the City Council Tuesday.

Part of an update to policies for boards, commissions and task forces, the nepotism policy -- which bars spouses, siblings, children and parents of Councilmembers -- ,will result in the resignation of Mayor Sue Himmelrich's husband, Housing Commissioner Michael Soloff.

Santa Monica Rents Rise for Fourth Straight Month

07/28/2021 9:20 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Rents in Santa Monica rose for the fourth straight month, but its year-over-year growth rate remains flat, according to a report released by Apartment List Tuesday.

Rents rose 1.8 percent over the past month, pushing the yearly rise since last July to 0.1 percent, the report found.

Santa Monica Ranks Among Worst Cities For First-Time Homebuyers

07/28/2021 9:18 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica is among cities ranked with the least affordable housing, where that big milestone just might be tougher to achieve compared to other cities in the U.S., WalletHub reports.

LA City Council Set to Pass Restrictions On Homeless Encampments

07/28/2021 8:03 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Los Angeles City Council Wednesday is expected to give final approval to an ordinance that would ban homeless encampments from certain areas of the city, including sidewalks.

California’s 2021 State Budget Receives Approval

07/27/2021 9:14 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Below are some key budget provisions:

Extension of the statewide eviction moratorium until September 30, 2021, and expansion of the program to provide up to 100% in assistance for rental and utility financial obligations, including arrearages and prospective payments.

Council to discuss City Manager contract

07/26/2021 9:02 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

After weeks of debate, scores of meetings, and one press leak culminating in a selected candidate withdrawing his acceptance, council has secured a new City Manager and will be discussing his contract on July 27.

Other important items on the agenda include altering the City’s noise ordinance to protect residential neighborhoods from sustained noise during protests and the appointment of almost 50 individuals to various Boards and Commissions.