ACTION Apartment Association

New Chamber Chair Steps Aside to Pave Way for Santa Monica Resident

07/23/2020 8:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Land use attorney Dave Rand will no longer chair the Chamber of Commerce board, paving the way for a Santa Monica resident to take the helm during the city's economic recovery.

All Five City Council Incumbents Running in November

07/22/2020 9:56 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

All five Santa Monica City Council incumbents whose terms expire in November have pulled nominating papers to run, according to the candidate list on the City Clerk's website.

The two incumbents in the race for two seats on the Rent Control Board -- Anastasia Foster and Caroline Torosis -- have pulled papers.

LA County approves $1.2B for coronavirus relief, testing, help for small business

07/21/2020 5:16 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Los Angeles County is adding another $1.2 billion to funds being spent for coronavirus relief services, from help for small businesses to more testing and contact tracing.

• Rent Relief Program—$100 million

Housing Bills Will Bring Upheaval to Family Homes, Zoning

07/21/2020 7:23 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

By Ileana Wachtel

Sacramento lawmakers on July 27 will begin voting on controversial land-use and housing bills that rushed through initial approvals, and which critics say promote unaffordability during the worst housing crisis in state history. One thing is clear: the legislature this summer could alter the character of Santa Monica forever.

Single-family zoning would be banned, forcing Santa Monica and all cities to permit four market-rate homes where one stands now. Any street could see 10-unit market-rate buildings erected “by right” by developers who pay a fee instead of including affordable units.

Council abandons board reorganizing ballot measure

07/20/2020 11:33 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council has abandoned plans to amend the city charter this year that would have restructured authorization for various boards and commissions.

Council said the current political climate did not allow enough time to educate the public on the measure and restrictions on in-person contact had made it impossible to talk with the volunteers who would be impacted by the change.

As it stands today, Santa Monica’s boards and commissions are not regulated the same way. Some draw their authority from the charter while others are rooted in the municipal code.

The 9 Bill (Housing Bills)

07/20/2020 11:24 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

9 Housing Bills in the California legislature.

Sacramento’s pandemic process allows nine bills to sneak through. Normally bills would proceed through multiple committees, be debated in hearings, and be given a timeline for the public to weigh in. COVID-19 has limited the hearings to only one committee, reducing lawmakers’ ability to vet important bills.

And on page 2: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/071820.pdf

A Worried People in a Distressed City - SMa.r.t.

07/17/2020 9:32 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

It was Santa Monica’s 145th birthday on July 15th. Our city’s traditional motto is “Fortunate People in a Fortunate Land.” Yet it no longer feels that way. It is not even the pandemic’s fault.

City Extends Eviction Moratorium

07/16/2020 7:52 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica on Wednesday extended an eviction moratorium for tenants affected by the cornavirus shutdown and clarified an order for the use of face masks during outdoor activities.

Under the extension to September 30, residential tenants continue to have one year from the time the moratorium ends to pay the back rent. The extension for commercial tenants, which covers mostly small businesses, runs through August 31.

Council Shelves Ballot Measure Making It Easier to Change Key Commissions

07/16/2020 7:51 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Worried about sowing voter distrust, the City Council on Tuesday postponed placing a measure on the November ballot that would have made it easier to change key Boards and Commissions.

The proposed measure -- which was shelved on a 5 to 2 vote -- would have removed the Planning, Airport, and Recreation and Parks Commissions, as well as the Library and Personnel Boards from the City Charter.

By moving them to the Municipal Code, the ballot measure would have allowed the Council to make changes to those bodies without the need for voter approval required under the charter.

Council Appoints Kristin McCowan to Fill Vacant Seat

07/15/2020 12:57 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

With one swift vote, the Santa Monica City Council on Tuesday made history by appointing Kristin McCowan to fill a vacant Council seat.

The appointment of McCowan -- who will replace her high school friend Greg Morena -- marks the first time a Black woman sits on the Council and the second time women make up a majority on the dais.

AND: https://www.smdp.com/kristin-mccowan-appointed-to-city-council/194265