September 28, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Court says Sitting Council can Remain During Appeal

California Court of Appeals grants stay in voting rights case.

By Sam Catanzaro

Santa Monica will not have to hold a special election this summer to choose a new council while the city is appealing a decision in a voting rights case.

On Monday, March 18, the California Court of Appeals clarified that current members of Santa Monica City Council can legally serve during the duration of the city’s appeal.

The case, Pico Neighborhood Association, et al. v. City of Santa Monica, filed by plaintiffs Pico Neighborhood Association, Maria Loya and Advocates for Malibu Public Schools alleges that Santa Monica’s at-large election system dilutes Latino voting power in violation of the CVRA and discriminates against Latino voters in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the California Constitution.

In a ruling released February 15, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos ordered that all future elections for seats on the Santa Monica City Council be based on a seven-district map drawn by an expert for the plaintiffs and that the City hold a special election this summer for all seven seats on the Santa Monica City Council using this new district map. Judge Palazuelos’ ruling prohibited anybody not elected in a district election from serving on City Council beyond August 15, 2019.

On Friday, March 8, attorneys for the City submitted a petition for writ form to the California Court of Appeals requesting a stay on the ruling that bars current council members from serving after August 15. On March 18, the Appeals court granted the city’s request and issued a temporary stay of paragraph 9 of the trial court’s order, the section of the text that barred councilmembers from serving after August 15.

“Good cause appearing, paragraph 9 of the judgment entered on
February 13, 2019 is temporarily stayed pending further order of this court,” reads the order signed by Acting Presiding Justice Elizabeth A. Grimes, Justice Maria E. Stratton, and Justice John Shepard Wiley.

The Court of Appeals further ordered the respondents (Pico Neighborhood Association and Maria Loya) to file their opposition to the City’s petition for a stay by March 21 and the City to file a reply on or before March 25.

In a February media briefing, Theodore J. Boutrous, Jr. from Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, one of the lawyers representing the City, said that the City will be able to draft an appeal brief within four to six months and that the judge will issue a response a few months after the appeal is submitted. It will be at least one year before attorneys can make oral arguments, according to Boutrous.

Related Posts

Women’s Surf Film Festival Making California Debut in Venice

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

With an Array of Storytelling From Both Artists, the Festival Spotlights Inspiring Narratives of Female Surfers. The Women’s Surf Film...

Free “Masters of Dance” Workshops and Classes Open by SMC

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

It Features a Lineup of Master Classes and Educational Workshops Led by Accomplished Dance Professionals The Santa Monica College Dance...

Samohi Orchestra Program to Host Annual Fall Benefit Concert

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

Audience Will Be Enchanted With Pieces From Movies Including Aladdin, Harry Potter and Howl’s Moving Castle The nationally recognized and...

Hollywood Twist: Writers Guild Strikes Gold with Extraordinary Deal

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

WGA Members To Vote On Ratification of the Tentative Contract  By Dolores Quintana  After The Writers Guild of America (WGA)...

Film Review: Amerikatsi

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

FILM REVIEWAmerikatsiUnrated117 MinutesReleased September 8, 2023 A storyline predominantly based on voyeurism is not a new cinematic concept, and here...

Film Review: Bottoms

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

FILM REVIEWBOTTOMSRated R91 MinutesReleased August 25th Welcome to a new generation of breakout stars of American comedy who make the...

Hotel Workers Go On Strike in Santa Monica Amid Negotiation Standstill

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

The Union Is Urging Hotels to Instantly Increase Hourly Wages By Zach Armstrong Santa Monica hotel workers at Fairmont Miramar,...

(Video) Retailer Gets Palisades Into Spooky Season With Skeletons

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Skeletons are seen climbing onto the home goods retailer. @smmirrornews Retailer Gets Palisades Into Spooky Season With Skeletons. Skeletons are...

Another Burglar Hits Montana Avenue

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Adding to Other Recent Incidents at Some of the Road’s More Than 150 Dining Spots and Retailers By Zach Armstrong...

Writers Guild and AMPTP Reach Tentative Agreement After 146-Day Strike

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Picketing Is Suspended For Now, Contract Language To Be Finalized By Dolores Quintana Around 7:30 p.m. tonight, the Writers Guild...

40-Unit Mixed-Use Project Proposed for 26th Street Intersection

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

A Smaller Two-Story Structure Featuring Five Residences Is Also Proposed Plans for a mixed-use development set to grace the corner...

Lebanese Art Collectors List Renovated Santa Monica Estate for $33 Million

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Constructed in the Early 1980s by Peter Choate, the Dwelling Is Nestled Within a Gated Parcel of Over Half an...

Join Heal the Bay for the Official Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 23

September 22, 2023

September 22, 2023

Make a Difference in Your Community by Removing Trash From Our Coast By Dolores Quintana On Saturday, September 23, 2023,...

COVIDTests.gov to Reopen for Free Testing Starting on September 25

September 22, 2023

September 22, 2023

HHS Invests $600 Million in Domestic COVID-19 Test Manufacturing By Dolores Quintana The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services...

Another Local Retailer Surrounding Palisades Village Closes Its Doors

September 22, 2023

September 22, 2023

Simultaneously, a Series of Luxurious International Clothing Brands Have Set up Shop in the Outlet Mall By Zach Armstrong Within...