ACTION Apartment Association

Group nears completion of riot report

04/23/2021 10:39 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

“So, there’s a lot of material to digest, and it spanned the course of several hours so the challenges were significant. But it’s not our first rodeo in this area and so we’re well on our way to finalizing everything. And my understanding is we’re expected to present a high-level report and answer any questions that Council might have during an upcoming Council meeting in May.”

SMa.r.t. Column: SMMUSD’s Financial Performance

04/23/2021 10:34 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

There has been much discussion regarding the SMMUSD’s financial performance. The Board recently issued a statement noting that they have “Fortified our financial reserves, balanced our budget and Improved our credit rating.” All good things. Unfortunately, none of these outcomes are the result of proactive and prudent District financial management. They are the result either of externally imposed financial oversight discipline or the ability to raise resident taxes.

Council Votes Get Mixed Reviews, City Still Not on Right Track

04/23/2021 10:31 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A monthly poll of some 170 "civically engaged" Santa Monica residents found that the vast majority -- 80 percent -- don't believe the City is on the right track.

Tesla supercharger project receives green light

04/22/2021 9:58 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

With a unanimous vote last week, City Council amended and extended an emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance, which, among other things, allows Tesla’s proposed 24-hour, self-service electric vehicle recharging facility to once again move forward with construction.

Proposed bill could convert all CA municipal golf courses including Penmar to low income housing

04/21/2021 4:56 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A newly proposed bill in the state assembly would strip municipal golf courses of their park status protections and encourage their conversion to low income housing developments.

AB 672 was introduced on Feb. 21 by AD58 Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, who represents a portion of South East L.A. County including Bell Gardens. Under the bill municipal golf courses could be rezoned into housing developments that offer 25 percent affordable units and 15 percent open-space.

DID YOU KNOW…? Charles Andrews

04/21/2021 4:54 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

All the funky charm, history, tradition, arts feel and sense of place I came here for was vanishing, plowed under, built over, run out of town. Such a unique, vital, world-famous resource being destroyed. LA’s beachside break, breath of fresh air, slipping away. Sad. Angry. Who’s responsible? I finally decided I had to find out.

California Quietly Slides into a Drought While Officials Say to Build for 1.34 Million More Thirsty Residents

04/21/2021 4:47 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

So why did California's State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) decide that the Southern California region should plan for an additional 1.34 million residents over the next nine years? As it stands, today's SoCal citizens can expect to be asked to ration their water use over the summer - and periodically over the years.

Paying More and More and More for Affordable Housing

04/21/2021 10:23 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

At $400,000 per unit (a typical cost for city construction) Total cost: $2.4 Billion

New Low-Income Housing Development Breaks Ground

04/21/2021 10:20 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Bankrolled with $13.3 million from the City, the 48-unit low-income project at 1819 Pico Boulevard includes 33 units that target very low-income households.

Brentwood Community Council Unanimously Opposes Bonin’s Shelter Plan

04/20/2021 1:37 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Brentwood Community Council (BCC) unanimously voted to oppose Councilmember Mike Bonin’s plan to bring more temporary homeless shelters to public spaces and parks on the Westside.