ACTION Apartment Association

Santa Monica Prepares Five Percent Hike in Water Rate

01/08/2018 9:31 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

January 8, 2018 -- The water rate for the City of Santa Monica is poised to rise by 5 percent this year, the same as in the previous two years, but short of the maximum nine percent hike authorized in 2015 as part of a five-year plan.

The rates -- pending City Council approval on Tuesday -- are in effect as of January 1, a report said.

For residential customers, the rates start at $3.16 per hundred cubic feet of water (HCFs), which is the equivalent of 748 gallons) for those using up to 14 HCFs.

The rates rise, topping out at $11.10 for 149 or more HCFs, or for 21-plus dwelling units.

Non-residential rates will range from $4.48 to $11.06.

The higher rates will first appear on March water bills.

Council to prioritize long list of projects

01/08/2018 9:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

With a looming backlog of proposed projects headed to their desks over the next few years, the City Council will prioritize various planning initiatives at their Tuesday night public meeting.

Some of the projects:

Pico Neighborhood Plan

“Mansionization of Santa Monica”

Prohibition on hotel to condo conversions

District Probe of Santa Monica-Malibu School Board Members Reaching Conclusion

01/08/2018 9:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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.

Three new apartment developments go before Planning Commission

01/03/2018 12:29 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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.

Food, showers, tents: Does the help help the homeless?

12/29/2017 8:38 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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

Seattle Bans Landlords From Screening "Qualified" Tenants

12/29/2017 8:12 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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

EPA must tighten rules on lead inside homes to protect children from poisoning, court rules

12/29/2017 8:07 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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.

Three California housing issues to watch in 2018

12/28/2017 7:18 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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

Year in Review

12/27/2017 11:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Part 1: January - April 2017

Part 2: May - August 2017

Part 3: September-December 2017

Marin landlords to enter mediation before hiking rents

12/27/2017 11:27 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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.