ACTION Apartment Association

Santa Monica Has Made a Mess of Investigating Last Spring’s Public Safety Disaster

02/03/2021 7:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Not only did Santa Monica police lose control of public order during a chaotic day of looting last May, according to new information that has surfaced since Los Angeles published a detailed expose of the debacle, the oceanside city has made a considerable mess of the aftermath, too.

Council approves priority service enhancements

02/03/2021 7:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

COVID-19 has taken hold of the Santa Monica economy, but city leaders said they will continue to enhance community services despite diminishing revenues.

During a Mid-Year Budget Report presented last Tuesday, City staff recommended the elimination of five vacant police officer positions so funding could be diverted to fund additional hours for library staffing, homeless service coordination, code enforcement efforts, a tenant counseling pilot program...

Waivers for Homeless Housing

02/02/2021 11:45 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Rumor has it that in order to expedite the construction of housing for the homeless – something 2/3 of “street people” don’t want – California officials say they as an emergency measure are going to waive some restrictive permitting regulations and policies. Top billing among the waivers will go to CEQA.

SM.a.r.t: Saving a Failed Marriage Part 3

02/01/2021 9:02 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

This is the third of a four-part article dealing with the very serious problem in which the development community in bed with Sacramento has challenged the residents of Santa Monica.

Which brings us to this third article which I believe leads to a path forward – a path of reconciliation to maintain Santa Monica’s DNA. “Upzoning” and “inclusionary” housing is not the answer for our vibrant and creative community.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bill to extend COVID-19 eviction protections through June

01/29/2021 11:11 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday signed an emergency bill that will extend through June eviction protections for Californians suffering financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic, acting just days before an earlier moratorium was set to expire.

City, State Extend Eviction Moratorium Through June

01/29/2021 10:39 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The State legislature on Thursday extended California’s eviction moratorium through June 30 -- a step also taken by Santa Monica -- and proposed using $2.6 billion in federal relief as rental subsidies.

Santa Monica years away from pre-COVID economic revenues

01/29/2021 10:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

While economists are pegging the national economy to recover next year, the City of Santa Monica believes its own economy won’t reach pre-COVID revenue levels until 2025.

California measure aims to pay off 80% of most unpaid rent

01/27/2021 10:05 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s top two legislative leaders pledged Monday to pay off 80% of most people’s unpaid rent that has piled up during the coronavirus pandemic — but only if landlords agree to forgive the other 20%.

Council Votes to Exclude de la Torre from Closed Sessions on Voting Rights Case

01/27/2021 8:43 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In one of the most combative public meetings in recent Santa Monica history, the City Council on Tuesday determined Oscar de la Torre has a conflict of interest and must be excluded from closed door sessions pertaining to the voting rights lawsuit against the City.

No Violation in Council Vote for Top Posts, DA Says

01/27/2021 8:41 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Los Angeles County District Attorney has found that any Brown Act violation in selecting a new mayor and vice mayor on December 8 was "cured and corrected" when a new vote was taken this month.