January 4, 2018 -- A district probe of conflict-of-interest allegations, reportedly now widened to three Santa Monica-Malibu school board members, is winding down and due to be unveiled before the entire board when it meets again later this month, a district representative said Wednesday.

Still being finalized, the investigation will include, among other recommendations, how to avoid actions which could prompt such “concerns” in the future, said spokesperson Gail Pinsker.

The school board for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) meets next on January 18, according to its website. The district is on winter break until Monday.

Read More:   https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/January-2018/01_04_2018_%20District_Probe_of_Santa_Monica-Malibu_School_Board_Members_Reaching_Conclusion.html

Three mixed-use developments bringing 106 more apartment units to Santa Monica will go before the Planning Commission next Wednesday, Jan 10., as their developers seek approval for Development Review Permits. The commissioners will meet at 7 p.m. at City Hall inside City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street.

Read More: http://smdp.com/three-new-apartment-developments-go-before-planning-commission/163712

But his detractors are engaged in a debate up and down the West Coast as the region struggles to cope with a rising tide of homelessness. They say Aly and other well-meaning residents who provide the homeless with tents, toilets and hot meals are enabling them to remain unsheltered. And they note, nuisances like trash and unsanitary conditions fester and aberrant behavior continues. 

In California, the San Diego County community of El Cajon passed a measure that curtails feeding the homeless, citing health concerns. Los Angeles city officials have closed and re-opened restrooms for those on Skid Row amid similar controversies.

Read More on page 1: http://backissues.smdp.com/122917.pdf

The Pacific Legal Foundation, a pro-property rights public interest law firm, recently filed a lawsuit challenging a Seattle law that forbids landlords from picking and choosing among potential tenants. The purpose of the new regulation is to combat implicit or subconscious bias by landlords:

Seattle is apparently breaking new ground by requiring landlords in the city to rent their housing units to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis....

The goal is to ensure prospective renters are treated equally, according to Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who championed the policy. When landlords pick one renter among multiple qualified applicants, their own biases — conscious or unconscious — may come into play, she says....

Read More: http://reason.com/volokh/2017/12/28/seattle-bans-landlords-from-screening-te

After years of delay, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must propose tighter limits on the amount of lead allowed inside homes within 90 days to protect children from the hazards of lead paint, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.

In a 2-1 ruling, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco found the EPA has a duty to update its standards on lead dust in the interiors of homes following years of scientific evidence that the current rules are insufficient to prevent lead poisoning.

Read More: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lead-poisoning-20171227-story.html

Expect more focus on housing issues at the Capitol and on your statewide ballot in 2018. Here are three to watch.

1. A rent control battle

2. The future of Proposition 13

3. How lawmakers will follow up on this year’s housing efforts

Read More: http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-housing-stories-to-watch-20171227-htmlstory.html

Part 1: January - April 2017

Read More: http://smdp.com/163669/163669

Part 2: May - August 2017

Read More: http://smdp.com/year-in-review-part-2/163673

Part 3: September-December 2017

Read More: http://smdp.com/year-in-review-part-3/163678

Marin landlords will now be required to enter into mediation with their tenants if they increase rents more than 5 percent within a 12-month period.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt an ordinance imposing the new requirement. The mediation requirement also will be triggered if a landlord reduces services to a tenant, if that service reduction is equivalent to more than a 5 percent rent hike. Landlords will be required to notify their tenants of the new ordinance by Feb. 12.

Read More: http://www.marinij.com/business/20171213/marin-landlords-to-enter-mediation-before-hiking-rents

If you own rental property in the City of Los Angeles, it may be subject to the city’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO). Find out if your property falls under this ordinance and what you need to know to be in compliance. 

Generally, the RSO applies to rental properties that were first built on or before October 1, 1978 as well as replacement units under LAMC Section 151.28 and is any of the following:

• Apartment
• Condominium
• Townhome
• Duplex
• Two or more single family dwelling units on the same parcel
• Rooms in a hotel, motel, rooming house or boarding house occupied by the same tenant for 30 or more consecutive days
• Residential unit(s) attached to a commercial building

It has been a year for the record books! While a Santa Monica Observer Intern goes to Washington and writes speeches for a Republican president, 3 of 7 members of the SMMUSD Board end up under investigation for conflict of interest.

In no particular order, here our our top ten stories of 2017:

1. DISTRICTING LAWSUIT - The City has spent several million $ already and plans to keep fighting a losing battle

2. SMRR supposed to mean Santa Monicans for Renters Rights but has morphed into a pro-developer party now more accurately described as SMRR - Santa Monicans for Ruling Residents

Read More: http://www.smobserved.com/story/2017/12/23/news/santa-monica-in-transition-top-ten-local-news-stories-of-2017/3262.html