Santa Monica · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Monica public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
City Council Election Endorsement
A longtime Santa Monica resident and youth volunteer is running for City Council, pointing to his upbringing in rent-controlled housing and local schools. It adds another name to the race, so if you care about housing and schools, this candidate is worth watching.
Local Election Coverage
Santa Monica’s local election races are being broken down into a quick guide so residents can actually figure out who to vote for. If you live here and plan to cast a ballot, this is the shortcut you need before Election Day.
local politics / SMRR endorsement dispute
A Santa Monica councilmember who pays SMRR dues is publicly blasting the renters’ group for giving her an “F” and questioning her integrity, saying it demands loyalty over independent thinking. It’s a local political fight over who really speaks for renters—and it could shape endorsements and election messaging.
Parcel Tax Ballot Measure
Santa Monica voters will decide whether to approve a parcel tax this election. The measure would add a property tax based on each parcel, with the money going to whatever local services the ballot language specifies. The source also compares it with similar measures in nearby cities.
Pier Restaurant Lease Termination
Santa Monica has scrapped the California Roadhouse deal for a Pier restaurant, leaving that spot’s future up in the air. If you spend time at the Pier, the promised dining option is now uncertain.
Parks impact fee nexus study
The city is spending $115,450 to study how much it can charge developers for park impact fees; Snell voted no, noting it's more than double what the fee collected last year.
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.
Great Park funding milestone
The council accepted $499,149 in Measure A planning and design grant funding for converting the Santa Monica Airport site — part of more than $10.5 million in new state and county support celebrated by the Great Park Coalition.
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.
Broadway bike lane safety concerns
Parents from PS1 praised the protected bike lanes but raised serious safety concerns at Euclid and Broadway, asking for a concrete curb extension and a four-way stop after near-misses and a cyclist injury on a similar design in Venice.
Emergency preparedness and tsunami warning infrastructure
A speaker noted the city's coastline sits in a tsunami inundation zone with no funded warning sirens and no completed AB 747 evacuation route capacity analysis — flagged as a gap in the revitalization plan.
Water rates and fund transfers
A phone caller challenged the council over a cumulative doubling of water rates over a decade and the transfer of $15 million from the water fund to cover staff pay increases.
Boards and Commissions restructuring
The council approved creating a Restorative Justice Commission, converting the Urban Forest Task Force into a full commission, and consolidating human services commissions — while voting 4-3 to scrap the anti-nepotism rule limiting appointments of councilmembers' relatives.
downtown revitalization / Third Street Promenade entertainment plan
Santa Monica is considering a plan to jolt its struggling Third Street Promenade by making it a New Orleans-style nightlife destination with more bars and late-night crowds near the beach. The pitch is to bring back foot traffic and spending, but it also means the downtown vibe could shift sharply after dark. If you care about downtown’s economy, noise, or safety, this is one to watch.
Downtown Recovery Plan
Santa Monica is launching a downtown recovery plan to bring businesses and shoppers back, and it includes a bigger police presence. If you live, work, or spend time downtown, expect more cops and new efforts to revive the commercial core.
Child Sex Abuse Liability Claims
Santa Monica is among California cities facing child sex abuse liability claims, and the payouts could put real pressure on the city budget. That matters because money spent on settlements or judgments is money not available for parks, safety, and other local services.