ACTION Apartment Association

Homeless Deaths Spiked in Santa Monica Last Year

06/11/2024 11:16 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The death toll would spike over the two-year period, from 31 homeless deaths in 2022 to a total of 53 last year -- or an average of one per week, according to data from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

SM.a.r.t. Column: Shape Up – On Steroids

06/10/2024 11:08 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Now, in what would seem to be about nine years late, the city has formed an Adaptive Re-use Technical Working Group to study…adaptive re-use. Perhaps some of our earlier observations and concepts can find their way into whatever net result may evolve, though state allowances will almost certainly continue to push developers to maximize building, with little regard to livability or the environment and with return on their investment their only motivation.

Council to Consider Investigating Leaks

06/10/2024 11:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The item on Tuesday's agenda directs staff to return with proposals to investigate "recent leaks of confidential information" from closed door discussions between Councilmembers and top City officials.

A source familiar with the issue said the item centers on pending litigation after the City failed to accept signatures gathered for a ballot initiative to amend Measure GS ("Proponents of Ballot Measure to Amend GS Threaten to Sue City," May 10, 2024).

Opinion: Sometimes we get it right by Charles Andrews

06/05/2024 11:57 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

It’s so wrong that our Council leaders over the decades have not focused on home ownership (generational wealth building), keeping longtime Santa Monicans in their homes, and owning those homes, instead of only the quick fix of rent control, that keeps people renters-not-owners for life. And also, not incidentally, makes for a political party (SMRR) with an iron grip on things.

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.