ACTION Apartment Association

18-Story Tower Planned for Santa Monica’s Sixth Street

08/16/2024 8:28 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Ottinger Architects is spearheading a new project at 1437 6th Street that aims to provide 172 residential units in Santa Monica’s downtown area. The development, which includes an 18-story multifamily building, will feature 26 deed-restricted affordable units and seeks to blend modern living with community-focused spaces that foster connection and culture.

Council Ballot Dramatically Shortened by Filing Deadline

08/15/2024 9:31 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

That leaves four staunch pro-law enforcement candidates -- including Mayor Phil Brock and Councilmember Oscar de la Torre -- to face off against the four pro-justice reform candidates backed by Santa Monica's political establishment.

The other two law-and-order candidates, Dr. Vivian A. Roknian and John Putnam, who qualified for the ballot on Monday, are backed by Santa Monicans United (SMU), a newly formed group focused on public safety.

In the race for two open Rent Control Board seats, only two candidates, Kay Ambriz, who was appointed to the Board in June, and Phillis Dudick have pulled papers. Ambriz has qualified, while Dudick submitted her petitions Tuesday.

If both qualify, the election will be canceled and the two candidates will assume the open seats. If Dudick fails to qualify, the Rent Board will make an appointment to fill the open seat.

Californians: Your rent may go up because of rising insurance rates

08/14/2024 5:01 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

by Cal Matters

Many insurance companies have stopped writing policies in the state because of increased wildfire risks, but that’s not the only reason. They say in the case of any catastrophe, the potential costs of replacing any residential or commercial property, from labor to material costs, is just plain more expensive now. So even owners of properties in areas that are not at high risk for wildfires have had their policies canceled because their buildings may need repairs or improvements. Landlords are having to find other insurers, or having to turn to the ever-growing and more expensive FAIR Plan, the insurance industry-run plan that is mandated under California law to be the insurer of last resort.

Council Ballot Expands as 4 Candidates Qualify Monday

08/14/2024 4:40 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Mayor Phil Brock and Councilmember Oscar de la Torre, who are heading a Change slate focused on fighting crime, are expected to pick at least one running mate before Wednesday's 5:30 filing deadline.

Among the narrowing field of choices are Dr. Vivian A. Roknian, an oral surgeon, and John Putnam, a fashion industry executive. Both qualified for the ballot on Monday.

The two candidates have the backing of Santa Monicans United (SMU), a newly formed group focused on public safety that boasts the support, and spending power, of local businesses ("New Group Formed to Fight City Hall," January 12, 2024).

Councilmember Christine Parra's Statement on Not Seeking Re-Election

08/14/2024 4:38 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

My family is currently facing a significant challenge -- my mother’s ongoing battle with cancer. This situation has understandably shifted my priorities, and I feel that my focus needs to be on supporting my family during this difficult time. Balancing these responsibilities with my role on the Council has become increasingly challenging, and I believe it is essential for me to be fully present for my family right now.

Dear Voter Regarding Santa Monica City Council Election: Anybody but the SMRR Slate

08/08/2024 9:09 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

But you wouldn't know the city was in crisis from the SMRR slate's platform of radical dead-ender candidates Barry Snell, Dan Hall, Ellis Raskin, and Natalya Zernitskaya, who embody SMRR's anti-enforcement values. You can judge the SMRR Four by who is endorsing them-The "defund the police" Santa Monica Democratic Club, plus sitting SMRR council members Gleam Davis, Jesse Zwick, and Caroline Torosis. The SMDC started early to consolidate the "progressive values" around this clueless five point platform:

Council Candidates Begin Returning Qualifying Petitions

08/08/2024 8:37 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

he first City Council candidate qualified for the ballot this week, and five others have returned nominating petitions to the City Clerk ahead of next Wednesday's deadline.

Pier Corporation Board Chair Dan Hall, who was among the first candidates to pull papers on July 15, qualified for the ballot on Tuesday after submitting nominating petitions signed by at least 100 Santa Monica voters.

First candidate qualifies for City Council race

08/07/2024 9:17 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica has its first official candidate for City Council. Dan Hall was the first person to qualify for the November election receiving the official stamp of approval on August 6 according to the City Clerk’s office.

Hall was among the first to pull papers for office and returned them to the Clerk on August 2. His slatemates, Ellis Raskin, Barry Snell and Natalya Zernitskaya have also returned their applications, but have yet to qualify.

Monthly Poll Finds Support for Law-and-Order Candidates

08/06/2024 7:28 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The survey, taken via text between July 31 and August 4, asked residents to weigh in on the hotly contested November 5 race for control of the seven-member City Council.

Unsurprisingly, the three Change incumbents -- Mayor Phil Brock and Councilmembers Oscar de la Torre and Christine Parra -- were favored with 53 percent of respondents saying they would give them another four-year term.

SMPD Launches Blog Recapping Police Activity

08/05/2024 10:13 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Crime watchers can now access other notable arrests -- there were 52 that week, 20 of them for felonies -- on a new weekly/bi-weekly blog on the City's website titled "The Blue Notebook."

The site also notes the number of calls for service -- there were 2,759 that week, 532 of them homeless-related, with 42 involving encampments.