Santa Monica City Council Candidates share their vision of how to address the increasing rates of crime and homelessness. The Squirm Night Candidate forum was held on Tuesday, October 16 at the MLK Auditorium.

See video: https://www.smdp.com/council-candidates-share-their-solutions-for-crime-and-homelessness/170354

In the past two years, the City of Santa Monica launched two new teams with local nonprofit The People Concern and L.A. County Department of Health Services. The Homeless Multidisciplinary Street Team (HMST) takes traditional medical and behavioral health services out of the office and to the streets, serving a group of individuals identified by City officials as the highest utilizers of local emergency services. The C3 Team (City + County + Community) outreaches to homeless individuals in the Downtown Santa Monica area and adjacent parks. Recognizing that every person experiencing homelessness has a unique story, outreach teams specialize care plans for each individual and coordinate with regional partners to get people into housing.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/reaching-out-to-help-the-homeless

Starting in 2019, 100 percent renewable energy will be the default product for all residential electricity customers in Santa Monica. The 100 percent renewable energy tier is one of several options for residents and businesses that will be served electricity by the Clean Power Alliance (CPA) of Southern California, a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program.

The new rates, which are expected to be on average between $56 and $72 more annually, will start to appear on residents’ March electric utility bills. Low-income qualified customers will receive the same discount on their rates and experience no net increase in cost compared to Southern California Edison (SCE) rates. Services for commercial properties in summer 2019.

“The average residential monthly bill ranges from $55-81 per month (2016 data). Based on this average, a 7 – 9 percent rate increase translates into an approximate $4-8 increase on monthly utility bills, and $56-72 increase in annual utility bills,” wrote City Staff in a report. “It is important to note that all customers, residential and commercial, that believe the price premium of the 100 percent renewable power option is an economic burden will have new choices that roughly equal or actually reduce their current electricity costs.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2018/10/100-renewable-energy-to-be-default-option-for-sm-residents/

From ACT-PAC

See the Guide at: ACT-PAC voter guide v2.pdf

It’s local election time and the Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow weigh in on several of the local candidates and issues. As a group of concerned residents, we focus on how good development, planning, and quality of life issues affect each of you. We believe all elections are important.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2018/10/making-sma-r-t-choices-this-election/

At last night’s meeting, the Santa Monica City Council approved the selection of 100% renewable energy as the default product for all residential electricity customers beginning in February 2019. The 100% renewable energy tier, is one of several options for residents and businesses that will be served electricity by the Clean Power Alliance (CPA) of Southern California, a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program.

The CPA will offer three tiers of electricity sourced from renewable energy at 100%, 50% and 36%.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2018/10/24/council-approves-default-renewable-energy-tiers-for-santa-monica

Time for a Change

It's worth noting that we received not one dollar in city funds for advertising the last year

Rent Control Board

We're recommending Lori Brown for the Santa Monica Rent Control Board.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2018/10/25/news/observer-recommendations-for-local-election-nov-6th-time-for-a-change/3688.html

New Study Details Risks Of Proposition 10 For Property Values, Small Businesses And School District Budgets  

U.C. BERKELEY PROFESSOR EMERITUS KEN ROSEN RELEASES FINAL REPORT IN SERIES ANALYZING ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CALIFORNIA'S PROP. 10
 Rea More: New Study Details Risks Of Proposition 10 For Property Values.pdf

October 23, 2018 -- If California voters repeal Costa-Hawkins by approving Proposition 10, cities with rent control would have the authority to expand their laws. But should that include new buildings? Council candidates weigh in.

10. Proposition 10 would allow cities like Santa Monica to expand rent control. If California voters approve the measure, should the City control rents in new multi-family residential buildings?

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/October%20-%202018/10_23_2018_Council_Candidates_Weigh_in_on_Future_of_Rent_Control.html

Santa Monicans could soon receive 100 percent of their electricity from renewable sources if council approves a staff recommendation to join a new power provider at the most sustainable level.

Santa Monica will be part of a Community Choice Aggregation system next year that gives customers the ability to choose who they purchase electricity from and what percentage they receive from renewable sources. Locals will be automatically enrolled in a default option as of January 1 and council will debate what that default level will be at their Oct. 23 meeting.

City Staff are recommending selection of a 100 percent renewable tier as the default option. Other options include 50 percent and 36 percent with varying prices. Staff estimate the maximum tier will increase rates.

“The average residential monthly bill ranges from $55-81 per month (2016 data),” said the staff report. “Based on this average, a 7 – 9% rate increase translates into an approximate $4-8 increase on monthly utility bills, and $56-72 increase in annual utility bills.”

Read More: http://www.smdp.com/staff-hope-renewable-energy-will-spark-interest-among-power-customers/170186