Santa Monica · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Monica public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Hotel worker $25 wage
The city withdrew its proposed ordinance amendments and will instead interpret existing law to raise the hotel worker wage to $25 an hour on July 1, 2026, matching Los Angeles. A small-hotel operator asked for a small-property exemption like LA's.
One Santa Monica People's Academy
The city celebrated the first cohort of 25 residents who completed the six-session civics academy, with zero dropouts — and a push to join commissions.
Rose Parade float
The council bet $650,000 that a Santa Monica float in the 2027 Rose Parade will boost tourism and civic pride ahead of the World Cup, Super Bowl media events and the 2028 Olympics — with a fundraising campaign to offset costs.
Camera Obscura Olympic legacy project
The long-closed Camera Obscura building will be restored with city-funded building repairs and Swiss-funded design, becoming a permanent Palisades Park concession by summer 2027 and a Swiss cultural venue during the 2028 Games.