🎯 Council Vote on Item 10B (Affordable Housing, Off-Site Units)

🔷 What was proposed: Item 10B advanced a pilot to let some projects satisfy inclusionary requirements by placing deed-restricted units off-site rather than inside the same building. Supporters framed it as a short-term tool to unfreeze stalled construction; opponents warned it would undercut mixed-income buildings and equity goals.

🔷 Outcome: The Council approved an amended version of the pilot. I voted NO. My position is unchanged: moving affordable homes off-site weakens the promise of mixed-income neighborhoods and risks concentrating lower-income families away from new investments. I will continue to push for policies that deliver on-site affordability, real transparency, and results that keep working families in Santa Monica.

🏡 Housing, Equity, and Neighborhood Stability

🔷 Citywide Equity Plan adopted
Council adopted Santa Monica's first Citywide Equity Plan, committing the City organization to measurable practices that advance fairness in services, hiring, and budgeting. This is about outcomes, not slogans, and it will inform how we deliver day-to-day basics across neighborhoods.

🔷 $34.8M reinvestment in rent-controlled homes
Separately, the Housing Authority approved financing to rehabilitate a rent-controlled apartment community, with construction expected to begin this fall and tenant return phased during 2026–27. Preserving existing affordability is as important as building new.

🛡️ Public Safety, Youth, and Community

🔵 SMPD produces a Blue Notebook giving a detailed look into the types of calls they receive and arrests made. Explore the full report for:

DEPARTMENT-WIDE STATS July 27 - August 2 and a snapshot of the above week's incidents by clicking here.

Follow them on IG for their Blue Notebook review they post every week.

🔷 Major injury collision at 4th & Colorado
On Friday afternoon, a pedestrian was struck at 4th and Colorado and later died at a local hospital. The driver remained on scene and is cooperating. SMPD is investigating and asks witnesses to come forward. This is a hard reminder that safety is shared: slow down, look twice, and call 9-1-1 if you see hazardous driving.

🔷 Back-to-School support with PAL and partners
Thank you to the Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL), LA Strong Foundation, SM Helping Hub, and community partners for a successful back-to-school event supplying kids with backpacks and essentials. This is how we invest in safety upstream—by investing in youth.
SMMUSD starts back Thursday 8/21!

🔷 Butterfly Brawl at the Pier — community + causes
On Saturday, the Pier became a boxing venue for Butterfly Brawl, bringing residents together and raising funds for the American Cancer Society and Santa Monica PAL. Thanks to organizers, volunteers, and everyone who showed up.

New Business Openings

🔷 Providence has two new clinics in Santa Monica in medical buildings on 20th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard! A pediatric and a primary care office were relocated following the displacement of those services because of the Palisades fire earlier this year.

🔷 Culto Futbol opened their flagship retail store at 1437 Third Street Promenade last week. This is their first USA store for this Mexico City company. Now you can stock up on all your soccer and World Cup gear right here in SaMo!

🔷 Mr.Charlies opened @ 262 26th street - a vegan spin on McDonald's! This is their 3rd location.

🎉 Arts, Culture, and Free Family Fun

🔷 Gather & Grow: Sunshine & Strings
Reed Park hosted hands-on arts, a ukulele strum-along, and a performance by String Theory. This series keeps our parks active, welcoming, and safe.

🌱 Markets, Families, and Resources

Santa Monica's markets are more than errands; they're weekly meet-ups where food, health, and neighborhood pride intersect.

🔷 Downtown (Arizona Ave.) — Wed & Sat, 8:00 am-1:00 pm
Peak-season produce drives the energy here—think late-summer tomatoes, stone fruit, sweet corn, and figs. Chefs and home cooks line up early, while the info booth can point you to growers using organic and regenerative practices.

🔷 Virginia Avenue Park (Pico) — Sat, 8:00 am–1:00 pm
A more neighborhood-forward vibe: families linger, community tables share resources, and the pace invites conversation. It's an easy place to introduce kids to seasonal eating and to meet the people behind your food.

🔷 Affordability tools. All City markets accept CalFresh EBT and offer Market Match (dollar-for-dollar fruit/veg incentives up to a set cap each visit). Stop by the market info booth to activate benefits, learn which vendors participate, and get tips on value buys late in the day.

Shopping the markets keeps money circulating locally, lowers food miles, and sustains regional farms. Each purchase strengthens both household health and our broader food economy.