ACTION Apartment Association

Council keeps police budget intact

09/15/2020 8:45 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A number of public safety reforms are in motion after Santa Monica City Council members approved a slate of recommendations Tuesday. But city leaders decided it was best to keep local police resources intact after it was suggested that Council shave $8 million off the Santa Monica Police Department’s annual operating budget.

Planning Commission Urges Council to Fast-Track Miramar Redevelopment

09/15/2020 8:36 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Planning Commission voted 6 to 1 last week to support the proposed redevelopment of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and urged the City Council to fast-track one of the most ambitious projects in Santa Monica history.

Transparency Project – 5 Seats, 22 Candidates

09/14/2020 8:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In the November 2020 election for Santa Monica City Council, a plethora of candidates have registered to compete with incumbent Councilors to represent our city in the trying times ahead. As voters, how do we sift through the various statements, positions, and platforms to decide which candidates deserve our support?

The simplest question is the most obvious: do you like the direction the city is going?

Political groups release endorsement information

09/14/2020 8:39 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

With dozens of candidates running for the various school district, rent control board, and city council seats that are up for grabs this year, Santa Monicans will have a number of choices to make when they submit their ballots in November. Luckily, local political groups have already begun vetting candidates and making endorsements.

More than half-a-dozen organizations have made their endorsements known publicly this election season but a few more could be released prior to November.

1 in 5 Tenants in County Have Struggled to Pay Rent

09/14/2020 8:21 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

UCLA and USC release joint report on impact of COVID-19 pandemic on renters

Over 22 percent of Los Angeles County tenants paid rent late at least once from April to July, while between May and July, about 7 percent did not pay any rent at least once, according to a recent study.

A joint UCLA–USC report released August 31 reports among households in the county that did not pay rent, either in full or partially, about 98,000 tenants have been threatened with an eviction, while an additional 40,000 report that their landlord has already begun eviction proceedings against them.

Council approves new leasing requirements for rental units

09/13/2020 5:19 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Leases shorter than a year in length will soon be illegal in Santa Monica when a newly approved law takes effect next month.

Councilmembers adopted an ordinance Tuesday that states leases must be longer than 365 days and rental housing units cannot be furnished. Advertising any lease of a residential rental unit that does not comply with these requirements is also prohibited and violators will be subject to fines and penalties.

SMa.r.t. Column: A Clean Slate

09/13/2020 5:16 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

So there you have it! Maybe. Another win for the rich guys as the Planning Commission voted 6 to 1 to approve the design of that cruise ship sunk on Ocean Ave and Wilshire, and euphemistically referred to as the Miramar Hotel.

In case you are among those who may not follow the over-development that is devastating our town, the Miramar project will create what is essentially a 900 ft long condominium (they say hotel) that starts along Wilshire, wrapping around the corner onto 2nd street and creating a “great wall” the entire length to California, and then turns the corner towards Ocean Ave.

Proposition 21 Opposed By Governor Gavin Newsom

09/13/2020 5:14 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Governor Newsom today announced his opposition to Proposition 21, the housing freeze initiative on the November ballot.

"In the past year, California has passed a historic version of statewide rent control – the nation’s strongest rent caps and renter protections in the nation – as well as short-term eviction relief," Newsom said. "But Proposition 21, like Proposition 10 before it, runs the all-too-real risk of discouraging availability of affordable housing in our state."

Miramar project moves ahead to City Council

09/11/2020 9:15 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Fairmont Miramar project has moved to the next phase of the approval process and is set to be discussed by Santa Monica City Council following a 6-1 vote from local Planning Commissioners Wednesday night.

Commissioner Mario Fonda-Bonardi was the only dissenting vote.

Six month wait for looting report

09/11/2020 9:14 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica residents will not see a report on the May 31 looting this year, let alone before this year’s election.

Any company hired to complete an after action report will have about six months to complete the work with the option to extend that timeline if necessary according to recently posted documents.