ACTION Apartment Association

Nicole Gougis to Lead Criminal Division of the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office

02/20/2019 9:59 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

City Attorney Lane Dilg has selected Nicole Gougis as the new Chief of the Criminal Division beginning today, February 19. She comes to Santa Monica from the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office where she has been a prosecutor in the Metropolitan and Central Trials branches since 2007.

Gov. Newsom Comes To LA To Talk Affordable Housing

02/20/2019 9:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

He will host what he described as a "candid conversation" with mayors of cities whose housing plans are out of compliance with state law.

LONG BEACH, CA – Gov. Gavin Newsom will visit Long Beach City College Tuesday to highlight how the state government is partnering with cities and counties to address the housing cost crisis.

Newsom will host what he described in his State of the State address as "a candid conversation" at LBCC with mayors of cities whose housing plans are out of compliance with state law.

City Likely Faces Uphill Battle in Voting Rights Case, Experts Say

02/20/2019 9:39 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica likely faces an uphill battle if the Council votes on Thursday to appeal last week's Superior Court decision in the voting rights case filed by Latino plaintiffs, election experts told the Lookout.

In her final ruling last Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos ordered the City to hold a district-based election by July 2 for all seven council seats.

She also prohibited council members not elected under districts from serving after August 15 ("Judge Orders Special District Elections for Council in Final Ruling," February 15, 2019).

The experts interviewed by the Lookout, including one who provided information on background, agree that the City's odds of winning on appeal are not favorable.

Council Could Decide Thursday on Appeal in Voting Rights Lawsuit

02/19/2019 12:23 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council could decide at a special meeting on Thursday whether to appeal last week's Superior Court ruling in a voting rights case filed by Latino plaintiffs.

The Council will take public comment at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1685 Main Street, then meet in closed session for a conference with legal counsel.

The Council will then convene in public to report any decision that may have been taken.

The special meeting takes place one week after Superior Court Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos issued a final ruling last Wednesday that found the City had violated the California Voting Rights Act ("Judge Orders Special District Elections for Council in Final Ruling," February 15, 2019).

First Step in New York State Towards Universal Rent Control

02/19/2019 11:25 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

State Senator Julia Salazar introduced a bill that would cap annual rent increase by no more than 150% of the consumer price index.

New apartment buildings planned for downtown Santa Monica

02/18/2019 8:05 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Two multistory buildings rising in downtown Santa Monica will replace low-rise buildings with commercial space and 80 apartments. A 40-unit building at 601 Wilshire Blvd. will replace a FedEx and a defunct ticket services center and another 40-unit building at 525 Colorado Ave. will replace a one-story building and parking lot occupied by software company Carbon Five.

Judge Orders Special District Elections for Council in Final Ruling

02/18/2019 7:29 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In her final ruling, the judge in the voting rights lawsuit against the City has ordered a special district-based election on July 2 for all seven council seats.

Candidates not elected through district-based elections "are prohibited from serving" after August 15, according to the ruling issued Wednesday and received by both parties on Friday.

"The current members of the Santa Monica City Council were elected through unlawful elections," Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos wrote.

AND: https://smmirror.com/2019/02/judges-final-ruling-crva/

Police Chief on upgraded Homeless Liaison Program

02/18/2019 7:20 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In a video released on Wednesday, Santa Monica Police Chief Cynthia Renaud informed the public of the steps being taken by her department regarding the homeless on the street.

The department's Homeless Liaison Program (HLP) consists of 8 police officers, one sergeant, and a worker from the Department of Mental Health. The unit now operates 7 days a week, often starting as early as 4 am.

Is Santa Monica’s Heart for Sale?

02/15/2019 10:05 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

SMa.r.t.

The Plaza at Santa Monica asks a simple question: Is our downtown the real center of our City or is it just a giant ATM for developers? If it is to be the center of our city, it needs to have a commanding central open space that can be a “there” there for the entire City.

Glendale adopts Right to Lease ordinance

02/15/2019 9:45 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Glendale landlords will soon have to offer their tenants a one-year lease and pony up relocation fees if the rent is hiked more than 7% and the tenant opts to leave, punctuating a years-long discussion by city officials about how to prevent rising local rents from displacing residents.