ACTION Apartment Association

SMPD gains four new officers

06/05/2024 11:55 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The fiscal year 2024-25 proposed budget study session in Tuesday’s City Council meeting generated nearly three hours of discussion that was ultimately dominated by a trade off between a number of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) items, such as essential sidewalk maintenance and CCTV camera upgrades, in favor of adding four additional police officers in addition to its full quota.

Rent Board to Make Another Appointment

06/05/2024 11:48 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Capping an extraordinarily low-key recruitment effort, candidates for a vacant seat on the Santa Monica Rent Control Board have until noon Wednesday to file an application.

The applicant chosen -- marking the fourth appointment to the five-member board in two years -- would become the front-runner in the race to fill two open seats in November.

The open seat was held by Lonnie Guinn, who resigned a year and a half after being appointed to the Board in January 2023, making him the fourth Commissioner to be initially appointed.

Council Shouldn't Get Raises, Monthly Poll Finds

06/04/2024 8:09 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Santa Monica Pulse survey of about 130 residents concerned with public safety also found overwhelming support for a new ordinance barring the use of City funds to distribute needles in outdoor public spaces.

The poll, taken between May 31 and June 2, found that 56 percent of respondents oppose a proposal to raise the compensation for Councilmembers, who are paid about $17,000 a year.

SM.a.r.t Column: The Challenge of Running a City When City Staff Have Different Priorities

06/03/2024 10:15 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

When Ideology Enters the Picture

Things get even trickier when city staff have their own ideological agenda. Sometimes, they push policies based on personal beliefs rather than what the community may want. For example, they might prioritize green initiatives like bike lanes, even if most of us rely on cars and are more concerned about traffic jams. Or, they might focus on building affordable housing to promote social equity, while we worry about increased congestion, pollution, and traffic in our neighborhoods.

Council Adds 4 Officers to Proposed Budget

06/03/2024 10:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

After nearly two hours of discussing options and budget trade-offs, the City Council early Wednesday morning voted to add four police officers to the proposed $763.5 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Spearheaded by Mayor Phil Brock, the increase would bring the budgeted force to 232 officers in the fiscal year starting July 1, although it will likely be difficult to fill all the positions in one year.

Council Could Explore Asking Voters for a Raise

05/31/2024 2:03 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Should Santa Monica City Councilmembers -- who are paid about $17,000 a year -- get a raise? The Council on Tuesday voted to find out.

In a 6 to 1 vote, the Council directed staff to conduct a survey of Westside charter cities and "those across the state with populations comparable to Santa Monica" to find out how much Councilmembers make in compensation and benefits.

The result of the survey -- which will be presented at the first Council meeting in July -- will help the Council decide whether to place a charter amendment on the November ballot that would boost their pay.

Sluggish Local Rental Market Reflects National Trend

05/31/2024 2:02 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica rent growth remains sluggish, with median prices dipping by -0.2 percent in May, marking the fourth monthly drop this year, according to the rent report by Apartment List released Thursday.

Santa Monica's -4.2 percent rent decrease over the past 12 months is more pronounced than the -0.9 percent dip for the state and -0.8 percent for the nation, according to data based on the site's listings.

Violent Attacks Demonstrate Continuing Failure of Crime Policies

05/30/2024 11:34 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Letter to the Editor by Peter DiChellis

Bottom line: Spread the word far and wide. Elected representatives have failed. To deter crime, oppose crime-friendly candidates.

SM.a.r.t. Column: A Path to Affordable Ownership in Santa Monica

05/29/2024 4:55 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

It’s a shame, and a disadvantage to the city, that many residents feel forced out if they want to buy a home. And, what about long term renters who don’t have the funds to put a down payment anywhere?

We can start to address this. We have the units, the financial assets, the infrastructure, and even the management right here in Santa Monica! It’s all in the great public housing agencies that were developed 40 years ago to address affordability in the rental sector. They are a roaring success, have mushroomed in size and importance, and could be adapted to be at the center of the next revolution in affordable housing–affordable ownership.

Council Candidate Pool Seeking Liberal Establishment Backing Grows

05/29/2024 4:51 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In an anticipated move, Barry Snell, a Santa Monica College Trustee and member of the Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) board, officially announced he would run for one of four open Council seats.

He became the sixth candidate vying for the backing of the City's liberal establishment in what promises to be a heated race that will determine the balance of power on the seven-member Council.