SMa.r.t. Column

After several decades of wedlock and blind pursuit, our Santa Monica City Council finds itself in a failed marriage with the development community – succumbing to developers’ need and greed, to increased heights, densities and rents, in exchange for a modest amount of “inclusionary housing.” Only 8% of this increased housing qualifies as “affordable” while bringing with this housing the problems of infrastructure and the increasing loss of our city’s character.

HOW PROP 19 WILL AFFECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?

01/14/2021 9:18 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Watch at 10AM TODAY AND 10AM TOMORROW

AT: https://www.boe.ca.gov/meetings/

Apartment Living During COVID-19

01/14/2021 9:13 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Los Angeles County Health Department encourages everyone to do their part in preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. For landlords, these steps include:

• Post information in common areas about preventing the spread of disease. Resources are available here.

Housing advocates call on Biden to extend eviction ban

01/14/2021 9:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Housing advocates around the country staked out courthouses and held rallies Wednesday, calling on the incoming Biden administration to extend and strengthen the current federal ban on evictions.

Community Listening Session #2

01/14/2021 9:06 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica is committed to ensuring that OIR Group obtains the information it needs to provide an independent after-action report and evaluation. The City has retained OIR Group to prepare an independent after-action report and evaluation regarding the events leading to, during, and following May 31, 2020.

City Council Approves Formation of Public Safety Oversight Commission

01/14/2021 9:04 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The new panel will be comprised of 11 residents of Santa Monica, appointed by the Council, and tasked to provide oversight of the Santa Monica Police Department and work with SMPD to recommend "appropriate proposed reforms to its policies and practices."

Himmelrich, McCowan Solidify Support, Keep Top Council Posts

01/14/2021 9:01 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

After more than a hour of testimony and debate, the City Council Tuesday night voted once again to select Sue Himmelrich as Mayor and Kristin McCowan as Mayor pro tem. Only this time it was unanimous.

Eviction Moratorium Extensions Dominate Legislative Talks

01/13/2021 8:46 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In his budget proposal released Friday, Governor Newsom said that an eviction moratorium extension should be written into the 2021-2022 state budget and help out both renters and landlords alike. However, the Governor failed to give details.

Santa Monica City Council Votes To Re-Elect Mayor

01/13/2021 8:42 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In a heated nearly two-hour-long discussion, Santa Monica City Council voted Tuesday night to again elect Mayor Sue Himmelrich and Mayor Pro Tem Kristin McCowan for two-year terms each.

Landlords Can’t Legally Evict In LA

01/12/2021 5:00 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Mayor Eric Garcetti sent a reminder out Tuesday that landlords in the City of Los Angeles cannot legally evict tenants if they are unable to pay rent because of COVID-19.