February 14, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Voters Pass Measure FS, Deny Measure H:

Santa Monica voters passed Measure FS on Tuesday night that will now give the Rent Control Board the chance to discuss and potentially increase the City’s Rent Control registration fee up to a maximum of $288 per unit annually of which a landlord can pass down 50 percent to renters.

The city’s Rent Control department currently has a maximum annual registration fee of up to $174.96 per controlled rental unit.

The Measure FS “yes” vote collected 51.5 percent of the vote (8,860 votes) while the “no” vote collected only 8,343 votes (48.5 percent).

This measure, placed on the Nov. 4 ballot by City Council, will amend City Charter section 1803(n), governing registration fees for controlled rental housing units.

Currently, that section authorizes the Rent Control Board to finance its reasonable and necessary expenses by charging landlords annual registration fees for controlled rental units in amounts the Board deems reasonable.

Current law allows the Board to authorize landlords to pass through 100 percent of the registration fee to tenants; and, historically, that is what the Board authorized, until last year when the Board authorized a pass through of about 89 percent of the registration fee.

In contrast, by mandating a 50 percent pass through, the measure will effectively require that the cost of Rent Control Board operations be equally split between landlords and tenants.

Meanwhile, Santa Monica voters rejected Measure H on Tuesday that sought to increase the city’s real estate transfer tax.

The “no” vote collected 10,325 votes (57.8 percent) with only 7,528 “yes” votes (42.2 percent).

This measure, also placed on the Nov. 4 ballot by City Council, proposed to raise local City of Santa Monica revenues by increasing the real estate transfer tax charged and received by the City of Santa Monica.

The current tax rate is $3 per $1,000 of sale price, with fractional parts of $1,000 rounded upward for purposes of calculating the tax.

Under the measure, the new tax would have been increased to $9 per $1,000 of sale price (or fractional part of $1,000) for properties sold for $1 million or more. Transfers for less than $1 million would have continued to be taxed by the City at the existing rate of $3 per $1,000 of sale price.

Measure HH, which was an advisory vote whether to spend the extra money on affordable housing if Measure H passed, will now have no effect despite it narrowly passing with 50.1 percent (8,886 votes).

This non-binding advisory measure asked voters if the city should use the transfer tax revenue to preserve, repair, renovate and construct affordable housing for low-income people who work or live in Santa Monica, including seniors, veterans, working families, and persons with disabilities.

in News
<>Related Posts

Country Club Donates $1M for Palisades Recovery

February 14, 2025

February 14, 2025

The club has encouraged members and partners to contribute to an established fund The Riviera Country Club has pledged $1...

UCLA Suspends Pro-Palestinian Student Groups Following Protest at UC Regent’s Home

February 14, 2025

February 14, 2025

Chancellor Cites Potential Student Code Violations; Student Groups Reject Allegations UCLA has suspended two pro-Palestinian student organizations following a protest...

Black History Greens Festival to Celebrate Community Legacy of Virginia Avenue Park

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

The free community event is part of Santa Monica’s Black History Month celebrations, with the 2025 theme, “Roots and Reflections:...

Flash Flood Warning Issued for Burn Areas, LAFD Officer Swept off Road by Debris

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Storm Damage Closes Pacific Coast Highway, Officials Urge Caution Not even members of the LAFD are being spared from the...

Film Review: Love Hurts

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

FILM/ REVIEWLOVE HURTSRated R83 MinutesReleased February 7th Valentine’s Day is written all over this movie. Love Hurts seems to be...

New Map Tracks Palisades Cleanup Progress, Identifies Phase 1 and Phase 2 Areas

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

New interactive map helps residents track debris removal progress as officials emphasize unprecedented cleanup speed A newly released interactive map...

Santa Monica Hotel Event Space Offers Affordability, Accessibility

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Elevate Your Events with Versatile Venues and Exceptional Service Coastal stays and eclectic event spaces don’t have to be expensive....

Santa Monica Arson Suspect Arrested After String of Fires Across City

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Authorities used aerial drone technology to assist in the investigation A man was arrested Saturday in connection with a string...

Tai Chain to Donate Santa Monica Grand Opening Proceeds to Wildfire-Affected Restaurants

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

The restaurant’s U.S. presence began in Arcadia, Calif., in 2000, and has since expanded to 17 locations  Din Tai Fung,...

SMMUSD Makes Rain-Related Announcement About Malibu Schools This Week

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Road Closures and Flood Warnings Force the School District’s Hand All four public schools in Malibu will be closed on...

(Video) The Willows Students Bring a 50-Foot Dragon to Life Through Art and Teamwork

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Kristy Acero, The Willows DK-4th Grade Art teacher, led her students in a large-scale, collaborative project, with each grade creating...

Man Sues Famous Marina del Rey Bar for Alleged Assault

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

The plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages By Zach Armstrong A patron has sued Brennan’s Pub in Marina del...

Phase 2 Debris Removal Underway in Palisades, Officials Tout Historic Recovery Speed

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Residents Urged to Submit ROE Forms as Crews Accelerate Debris Removal Efforts Crews have begun Phase 2 of debris removal...

Powerful Storm to Bring Heavy Rains, Possible Debris Flow to Los Angeles

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Officials Warn of Risks, Urge Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather A Pacific storm system is expected to bring widespread...

One of Palisades’ First Black Homeowners Seeks Support After Fire Destroys Home

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Now displaced, she faces uncertainty in finding stable housing Nearly $42,000 has been raised for Louvenia Jenkins, a 97-year-old woman...