July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Construction Workers’ Wages To Align With California Standards:

The wages of Santa Monica City construction workers will soon be in line with California Labor Code standards, with City Council moving to pass a motion Dec. 18 to enable the alignment.

The City’s current prevailing wage and apprenticeship ordinance requires the payment of prevailing wages and the compliance with apprenticeship requirements for projects that receive federal, state, or local assistance or are built on land leased by the City to private parties; however, certain exemptions for local projects are currently allowed in Santa Monica’s code.

For many years both the state and the City have had separate prevailing wage laws that controlled wages paid on construction contracts, said Santa Monica City Attorney Marsha Jones Moutrie, during the City Council meeting Dec. 18 at City Hall.

“State law has changed and the new state law is going in to effect Jan. 1, and this is a proposed change in our local ordinance to conform it to the requirements of the new state law,” she said.

The city attorney explained that Santa Monica is required to be congruent with the state on this matter.

The changes in the ordinance will be: a definition of “public works” that matches the definition of “public works” in the Labor Code; substituting the minimum exemption thresholds to match the minimum exemption thresholds in the Labor Code; and eliminating the City Manager’s authority to exempt certain projects based upon currently authorized findings of feasibility.

Currently, the City Manager is authorized to exempt projects from requiring payment of the prevailing wage if the City Manager finds that the payment of prevailing wages results in a lack of bids, increases project costs above 20 percent, or makes a project financially infeasible to develop.

During council discussion on the matter, Councilwoman Sure Himmelrich raised the question of whether Santa Monica workers’ wages are “uniformly greater” than the state minimum requirements.

“Is there an instance where in practicality what we’re doing now is inconsistent with state requirements?” she asked.

City Attorney Jones Moutrie replied: “No, I don’t think so.”

Councilman Ted Winterer moved the motion to pass the first reading of the ordinance, Councilwoman Gleam Davis seconded it. The motion passed unanimously.

The ordinance relates to Chapter 7.28 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code to reach full consistency with the requirements of Senate Bill No. 7, which governs wages paid on locally-funded public works contracts.

The California Labor Code requires that, except as specified, not less than the general prevailing rate of per diem wages, determined by the Director of Industrial Relations, be paid to workers employed on public works projects.

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...