We were off yesterday for the holiday and have updated the newsletter to remove events that have already happened. – D
OPA Spring Mixer Details: Come to the patio of Chez Jay from 4-6:30pm on Wednesday April 30 to mix and mingle with other engaged community members!
Take the City Survey for Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Next Steps: CLICK HERE to take the survey and let the City know your option on the future of the site, including the blend of park, recreation uses, housing, etc. The survey closes Sunday, April 27 and it is important as many community members as possible weigh in on it. It took me about 15 minutes to complete.
Palisades High School Comes to Downtown SaMo: On April 22, it will begin holding in-person classes at the school’s new temporary location, dubbed “Pali South,” located at the site of the former Sears building at the corner of 4th Street and Colorado Ave. More details here.
The Beaches Are Open…But Stay Away from Debris: “If you’re on the beach and see debris, stay away from it. Don’t try and clean it up yourself.” More details here.
City Councilmember Dan Hall Says “Santa Monica Needs a Rental Registry—Now!” He penned this SMPD OpEd that states “The City of Santa Monica has long been a leader in renter protections—but we’re falling behind when it comes to one of the most basic tools of housing governance: a rental registry. Cities like Berkeley, Los Angeles, and Portland already operate successful rental registries; we should be next. A rental registry is a city-maintained database of all rental units and property owners. It allows cities to monitor, regulate, and protect the health of the rental housing market.”
Mayor’s Roundtable Podcast: The State of the Budget: This SaMoNext podcast features Former Mayor Gleam Davis and activist and researcher Juan Matute. While the focus of this podcast is the city’s annual budget, there’s also a really interesting mini-discussion at about the eighteen minute mark where we discuss the future of the Civic, Airport (and Airport Park) and how either or both of those properites could be part of the solution for the city’s ongoing budget deficit. Note that Mayor Davis is also scheduled to speak at the June 9 OPA Monthly meeting.
FREE Big Blue Bus Rides for Earth Day: On Tuesday, Big Blue Bus will offer free rides in celebration of Earth Day! Reduce your carbon footprint, save on gas and parking costs, avoid traffic headaches, and support sustainable transportation in your community by giving Big Blue Bus a try! More details here.
208 Bicknell Development Plans: The property is planned for developement into a nearly 44′ tall residential multi-unit building. Here is a link to the project details and there is a Community Meeting planned for the project this Wednesday @ 6pm at this Google Meet.
Court Study Claims Zero-Bail Requirements Improve Public Safety: The report on the Pre-Arraignment Release Protocols (PARP) found that despite increasing the number of pre-arraignment releases for non-serious and non-violent crimes, there has been a 10% reduction in new criminal activity for individuals booked into custody compared to before PARP was implemented. More details here.
Things To Do This Week:
- Earth Day Celebration: Our Power, Our Planet (Tuesday 3:30 – 5:30 pm @ SaMo Public Library – Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.): Learn how you can help protect our planet at this drop-in event with information tables, mini-presentations, and activities for all ages. More details here and Learn more about Earth Day at earthday.org.
- Santa Monica Spoke HandleBar Happy Hour (Tuesday 6pm): Come join us for an evening of fun and camaraderie with our national, state, regional and local leadership all together in one place. The League of American Bicyclists, CalBike, BikeLA and Santa Moinca Spoke’s leadership will be on hand to share current and upcoming campaigns and get to your input at a fun, social family friendly event. @ Santa Monica Brew Works More details here.
- SMMUSD Student Art Showcases Wednesday 5-8pm): Visual art produced by talented Santa Monica middle and high school students will be showcased at Santa Monica’s annual art show at the Roberts Art Gallery, right next door to the entrance to Barnum Hall on the Samohi campus. The art show is open to parents, students and the community, with a requested donation of $10 to support visual arts at the Santa Monica middle and high schools.
- Santa Monica Democratic Club Meeting (Wednesday 6:30pm): Congressman Ted Lieu will be in attandance and answering questions. @ Church In Ocean Park (235 Hill Street) OR via Zoom. More details here.
- The LA Law Library resource specialist holds their monthly Office Hours (4/24).
OPA & City Meetings:
- Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment (Monday 7pm): More details here.
- City Council Meeting (Tuesday 5:30 pm): Meetings are hybrid and can be viewed on this YouTube channel. Click here for agenda.
- OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
- 208 Bicknell Development Plan Meeting: The property is planned for developement into a nearly 44′ tall residential multi-unit building. Here is a link to the project details and there is a Community Meeting planned for the project this Wednesday @ 6pm at this Google Meet.
