During the June 20 meeting of the SMMUSD Board of Education, the board gave staff approval to develop bond measure resolutions for the November ballot. The two bond measures would be for $495 million in School Facility Improvement District #1 (Santa Monica schools) and $395 million in School Facility Improvement District #2 (Malibu schools).

Read More on page 1: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/062624.pdf

How do you like the artist’s rendering of Santa Monica’s newest skyscraper, a low rise 24 stories coming to 6th and Colorado. When? Never is too soon for me.

And that’s the crux of it, isn’t it? The fights and division here, over how the future of our city should look. A lot of it depends on how you feel about development. I started as common sense, slow-growth for my city. It’s not a good plan for any community to stay stuck in the past; some managed growth is good. Then as I saw how much was being built here, accompanied by ill effects, I decided it was time for a moratorium on new construction. I said years ago we needed to take a pause, but that didn’t happen, and it has only exploded since.

Read More: https://smdp.com/2024/06/26/ive-had-it/

Shelton is now hired by property owners to target squatters living in their homes without permission. Property owners start by giving him a lease, with the legal rights that come with it.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/how-property-owners-are-turning-the-tables-on-squatters/ar-BB1oT4qL?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=7b23c293d30f45ea91796521edb8397f&ei=13

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will consider putting a homelessness measure on the November ballot that, if approved, would increase sales taxes by a quarter of a cent indefinitely.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/proposed-measure-increasing-sales-tax-for-homeless-prevention-could-be-on-november-ballot/ar-BB1oS5cm?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=754d3ee6381b4d56864b52755cc80bcb&ei=25

Williams opens by explaining the specifics of the new law: landlords in Santa Monica are now restricted from increasing rent by more than $76 per year. This cap on rent increases comes at a time when property taxes and insurance costs are rising.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/santa-monica-s-new-rent-control-law-will-destroy-the-city/ss-BB1oOlfP?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=eed1fe53a09542c895ba47bf2c3b50c6&ei=20#image=1#image=1

On Thursday, Metro announced its selection of the Metro Venice Art Collective’s proposal, “Metro on Main”, as announced in Councilwoman Traci Park’s newsletter. The recommendation, detailed in a report to the Metro Board’s Planning and Programming Committee, suggests entering an exclusive negotiating agreement with Metro Venice Art Collective, LLC, owned by Pinyon Group, according to Urbanize LA.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2024/06/341-unit-development-proposal-selected-for-venice-metro-yard/

The City Council on Tuesday is scheduled to consider a resolution denouncing a large sign posted on a Promenade storefront that reads: "Santa Methica IS NOT Safe."

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2024/June-2024/06_24_2024_Council_Takes_Up_Promenade_Sign.html

An item on the agenda for the next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council requests the creation of a resolution expressing the elected officials' disapproval of a sign that condemns them on the Third Street Promenade. The sign has been erected by the Santa Monica Coalition, a group of residents, property, and business owners who want public safety restored to the city.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2024/06/21/news/span-classbrnwsbreaking-news-spanfree-speech-santa-monica-city-council-wants-to-decide-what-is-harmful-for-you/8352.html

Some 200 Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR) members voted to endorse Santa Monica College Trustee Barry Snell, Planning Commission Chair Ellis Raskin, Natalya Zernitskaya and Pier Corporation Board member Dan Hall.

In an unuaual show of cohesion, the four candidates in the November 5 race for four open Council seats received the required majority of votes needed on the first ballot.

Rent Control Board Chair Ericka Lesley, a staunch tenants rights advocate, fell short of the required 50 percent.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2024/June-2024/06_24_2024_SMRR_Picks_Council_Slate.html

The $23,184 in annual compensation paid to Santa Monica City Councilmembers is higher than that paid by most comparable cities, according to a staff analysis released Friday.

The analysis -- which will be discussed at Tuesday's Council meeting -- was requested by the Council last month to help determine if local voters should be asked whether to give elected City officials a raise ("Council Could Explore Asking Voters for a Raise," May 30, 2024).

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2024/June-2024/06_21_2024_Study_Helps_Determine_if_Council_Should_Ask_Voters_for_a_Raise.html