Featured Hot Topic
COVID-19: For the latest local coronavirus information, visit www.SantaMonica.gov/Coronavirus
Questions: Call 310-458-8400 or
email info@SantaMonica.gov 8 AM to 8 PM daily.
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From the Board of our sister neighborhood organization, the North of Montana Association (NOMA):
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of us all. Whether we routinely go to work or school, go out to eat or use a gym, we are now limited to very small groups, and travel is discouraged.
However, crisis often offers opportunity too, and this crisis offers us the chance to get to know each other better, to check in on those who might need some help — going to the store for those who can’t, for instance — to exchange telephone numbers and emails with neighbors, and to share our resources when possible.
The NOMA Board suggests that residents keep up with the latest developments and closings in the area. The City of Santa Monica posts regular updates on the city website: https://www.santamonica.gov/news or https://www.santamonica.gov/coronavirus
or call the new hotline number at 310-458-8400.
We continue to urge everyone to observe the CDC guidelines, to keep social distance from one another, and to stay home when sick. To learn more about what steps to take if you feel sick or think you’ve been exposed, visit https://bit.ly/33iIwFg
Take care and stay healthy.
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From the City of Santa Monica on March 18:
New Emergency Orders
New eviction protections cover residential and commercial tenants.
No landlord shall endeavor to evict a residential or commercial tenant for nonpayment of rent or a no-fault eviction as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Any residential and commercial tenants’ past due rent accrued during the period is not excused under the Order, the tenants remain liable for it and must pay it back within six months after the end of the emergency. To avoid termination of tenancy and evictions due to nonpayment of rent, tenants must still show their landlord that they are losing income because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Removals of rental property from the market under the Ellis Act are now suspended in Santa Monica to prevent housing displacement during the local public health emergency to protect the public health and to ensure compliance with local public health guidance related to social distancing and home quarantines and isolation.
Big Blue Bus fares have been temporarily suspended and Big Blue Bus patrons will have to use the rear door to better facilitate social distancing and to protect the health of motorcoach operators. This rule does not apply to those who need ADA assistance.
Late fees for bills have been suspended, including for City water and/or sewer bills, parking citations, refuse and recycling collection bills, Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) charges, Fire Prevention inspection charges, Transient Occupancy Taxes, Utility Users Taxes, and Parking Facility Taxes.
Penalty assessments related to business licenses and business improvement district assessments have been frozen as of March 1, 2020, and suspended thereafter.
Parking restrictions in green zones have been suspended, and vehicle towing is suspended for abandoned vehicles, expired registration and delinquent parking citations.
The City of Santa Monica wants to assess the needs of our community during the coronavirus public health emergency. To do this, every resident in Santa Monica needs to sign up for SMAlerts to stay informed about local updates and to provide us valuable feedback so we can help meet your needs.
Sign up for SMAlerts: https://bit.ly/2wihou4
County Financial Resources for Residents Impacted by COVID-19
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services can provide you with financial resources if you:
- Have had your hours cut, been furloughed, or laid off. If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file for unemployment insurance.
- Are currently sick with or have been exposed. Individuals who are unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 can file a Disability Insurance claim.
- Are caring for someone else who is sick with COVID-19. Californians who are unable to work because they are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Paid Family Leave claim.
For a list of county financial resources, visit Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Social Services webpage: https://tinyurl.com/vcvjens
From the City of Santa Monica on March 17:
Today, Tuesday, March 17, the City of Santa Monica launched a new customer service experience for the Santa Monica community to get questions answered on the local response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.
The new hotline number is 310-458-8400 and the email is info@santamonica.gov . We care about our community in this challenging moment and look forward to connecting 8 AM – 8 PM, M – F. We will continue to respond through social media. Please remember that new information is available daily at www.santamonica.gov/coronavirus
Daily updates in your inbox: www.santamonica.gov/newsletter
Emergency alerts: www.santamonica.gov/alerts
Partners can share on social – Twitter and Facebook
Beth Rolandson, Administrative Services Officer
City of Santa Monica
City Manager’s Office – Office of Communications
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“Two New Cases of Coronavirus Confirmed in Santa Monica”
3/18/20 – Santa Monica Lookout
http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/March-2020/03_18_2020_Two_New_Cases_of_Coronavirus_Confirmed_in_Santa_Monica.html
“Los Angeles County health officials confirmed two new cases of the coronavirus in Santa Monica Wednesday, bringing the total to three. They are among the 46 new cases announced by the County Health Department as of noon, bringing the total number of identified COVID-19 cases countywide to 190, County health officials said. “Public Health is investigating these cases and will notify close contacts who are household members, intimate partners and healthcare professionals to assess and monitor them for signs and symptoms of illness,” officials said. “All confirmed cases are being isolated and close contacts are quarantined.” LA County Department of Public Health: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
“California Readies for Worst Case Scenarios as Virus Spreads”
3/18/20 – Santa Monica Daily Press – Associated Press
https://www.smdp.com/california-readies-for-worst-case-scenarios-as-virus-spreads/187890
It’s likely “few if any” California schools will reopen before summer break, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday as he provided a stark assessment of the implications from the spreading coronavirus that threatens to overwhelm the state’s hospitals and drain its spending reserves.
“Santa Monica Extends Evictions Moratorium to Businesses”
3/18/20 – Santa Monica Daily Press
https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-extends-evictions-moratorium-to-businesses/187893
“City Manager Rick Cole signed an emergency order Wednesday morning prohibiting landlords from evicting businesses through April 30 if they have been financially impacted by coronavirus. The city also waived late fees on the taxes and fees it collects from businesses through the end of April….Cole said the city is trying to help restaurant continue serving takeout and delivery by authorizing restaurants to bag parking meters in front of their businesses to create drop-off zones. The city is also planning an “Eat Local SM” campaign to encourage residents under self-isolation to continue ordering food….A list of resources for local businesses, including loans of up to $2 million from the Small Business Administration for businesses hit hard by coronavirus, can be found at www.santamonica.gov/coronavirus-business-resources
“Santa Monica Confirms Coronavirus as LA County Total Spikes to 144”
3/18/20 – Santa Monica Daily Press
https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-confirms-coronavirus-as-l-a-county-total-spikes-to-144/187819
“City Manager Rick Cole said Santa Monicans should prepare for a long-term disruption to their lives.”
“Time Running Out for Homeless Mother Seeking Shelter”
3/18/20 – Santa Monica Daily Press
https://www.smdp.com/time-running-out-for-homeless-mother-seeking-shelter/187857
“Maria Patton has called every homeless shelter in Los Angeles in the hopes that she can find somewhere safe that won’t separate her from her 17-year-old son with Asperger’s. Patton and her son, Aaron Reed, had been living in her car in Santa Monica for about two years when another driver ran a stop sign and collided with her, totaling her car. In the month since the crash, Patton has gathered support from local Nextdoor users, who donated (https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jude-patton) $2,500 so she could get a cheap hotel room and food while she continues searching for a job and permanent housing.”
Opinion: “Coronas for All” – Charles Andrews
3/18/20 – Santa Monica Daily Press
https://www.smdp.com/coronas-for-all/187859
“Here’s the problem. Trump is now doing the things any responsible president would do in this situation. But in waiting 10 weeks, he has allowed the virus to spread to God knows how many Americans, undetected time bombs almost certain to do massive damage, rather than containment.”
“First Coronavirus Case Confirmed in Santa Monica”
3/17/20 – Santa Monica Lookout
http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/March-2020/03_17_2020_First_Coronavirus_Case_Confirmed_in_Santa_Monica.html
“Los Angeles County Health officials on Monday confirmed the first case of coronavirus in Santa Monica but gave no details about the case. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials released a list of 37 communities that have had at least one confirmed case of COVID-19. There are 11 additional cases still under investigation.”
“City Suspends Street Sweeping, Preferential Parking Regulations”
3/17/20 – Santa Monica Lookout
http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/March-2020/03_17_2020_City_Suspends_Street_Sweeping_Preferential_Parking_Regulations.html
“Santa Monica Shuts Down as Coronavirus Spreads Regionally”
3/17/20 – Santa Monica Daily Press
https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-shuts-down-as-coronavirus-spreads-regionally/187762
“Santa Monica Restaurants, Businesses to Close”
3/17/20 – Santa Monica Mirror
https://smmirror.com/2020/03/santa-monica-restaurants-business-to-close/
“According to the City, the Order will go into effect at noon on March 16, 2020, through March 31, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. This order comes just after City officials called for Santa Monica Pier to be shut down. As of Monday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has identified 94 cases of COVI-19.
“Santa Monica Pier Shut Down in Response to COVID-19”
3/17/20 – Santa Monica Mirror
https://smmirror.com/2020/03/santa-monica-pier-shut-down-in-response-to-covid-19/
“School Board Votes to Close Santa Monica Schools for Three Weeks”
3/17/20 – Santa Monica Daily Press
https://www.smdp.com/school-board-votes-to-close-santa-monica-schools-for-three-weeks/187744
“The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education voted to keep more than 10,000 students attending 16 schools at home for three weeks effective Tuesday in alignment with guidelines on social distancing from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. The closure will run into a two-week spring break, closing schools, childcare, preschools and adult school for a total of five weeks. Schools will reopen April 20….Across the state, 85% of public school students stayed home Monday as districts closed with assurance from Gov. Gavin Newsom that they would continue to receive funding. The total number of cases in California reached 540 Monday, 94 of which were in Los Angeles County….Teachers will move lessons online and free, grab-and-go breakfast and lunch will be available for all students at Samohi, McKinley Elementary School, Will Rogers Elementary School and Webster Elementary School. One in four students in the district receive free or reduced lunch. Drati said educators will be available during school hours for questions through email. Principals will communicate with parents where to pick up materials and how to access online learning.”
“VA Bridge Housing Still Set to Open in April”
3/17/20 – Brentwood News LA
https://brentwoodnewsla.com/va-bridge-housing-still-set-to-open/
“Once complete, the site will include two 40’ x 120’ tension membrane structures and modular trailers, which will be located within the VA campus near existing buildings and services. The site will offer roughly 100 beds for currently homeless veterans, as well as storage for residents, personal hygiene and laundry facilities, supportive and community engagement services, and 24-hour security.”
“To Combat Coronavirus, L.A. Could Let Homeless People’s Tents Stay Up All Day”
3/17/20 – Los Angeles Times
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-03-17/los-angeles-homeless-encampments-tents-sidewalks-proposal-coronavirus
“Councilmen Mike Bonin, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, and Gil Cedillo said the city must “urgently reevaluate” its policies for dealing with homeless encampments — and temporarily stop confiscating the possessions of homeless Angelenos unless those items are deemed to be hazardous. The proposal also calls for city agencies to install portable toilets, hand-washing stations, dumpsters, and vermin-proof trash cans at major homeless encampments. Those areas would also receive weekly shower service.”
“Crime Watch: Attempted Murder”
3/17/20 – Santa Monica Daily Press
https://www.smdp.com/attempted-murder/187766
Opinion: “Trump’s the Greatest” – David Pisarra
3/17/20 – Santa Monica Daily Press
https://www.smdp.com/trumps-the-greatest/187768
“I don’t want to be an alarmist. I want to be optimistic and hopeful. I know this will pass. I’ve been through tough times, and as Robert Schuller would say, “Tough times don’t last, tough people do.” It helps when you have a good leader, and for that, we have to look beyond 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.”
Opinion: “Local 11 Uses Coronavirus to Push Its Own Agenda” — Charlyce Bozzello
3/17/20 – Santa Monica Lookout
http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/letters/Letters-2020/03_17_2020_OPINION_Local_11_Uses_Coronavirus_Concerns_to_Push_Its_Own_Agenda%20.html
“In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Unite Here Local 11 put out a press release calling on the city of Los Angeles to “enact emergency legislation to enhance health protections for guests and workers.” But it seems the union’s latest demands are inspired less by health and safety concerns and more by its own agenda. In fact, a close look at the union’s press release suggests Local 11 is merely repackaging its usual policy pushes in an effort to take advantage of the panic surrounding this public health scare….Then, there’s the union’s call to “centralize public health training for hospitality workers.” Instead of allowing employers to control their own staff training, the union is asking that all training be conducted by a “non-profit authority.” It’s not hard to figure out exactly which non-profit Local 11 has in mind.
The Los Angeles Hospitality Training Academy (LAHTA) is a non-profit controlled by Local 11. Santa Monica is also familiar with this organization — though its residents may not be. Santa Monica has given over $580,000 to LAHTA since 2013. The non-profit’s purpose is “placing students in jobs at hotels.” Of course, once a student becomes employed by a hotel, they’re expected to pay an initiation fee and dues to Local 11. It’s no wonder the union wants to consolidate employee training under LAHTA since it’s essentially a recruiting arm for Local 11.”
“Why LA County Tested only 110 People for Coronavirus in 2 Weeks”
3/14/20 – Daily Breeze
https://www.dailybreeze.com/2020/03/14/if-im-sick-why-cant-i-get-a-coronavirus-test/
“Testing guidelines in Southern California are still fairly strict until more processing capacity is available…. A person must exhibit severe symptoms of respiratory illness and/or have traveled to an affected area or made contact with someone known to be infected, according to Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. The only thing that’s changed recently was for those hospitalized with no travel history or known contacts with someone confirmed to have COVID-19. If the cause of their illness is unknown, those people would receive a test, Ferrer said during a press briefing on March 13.
County testing lab overwhelmed — The testing guidelines have been set in such a way not because the county has a shortage of test kits, but rather because the county’s single public health lab, which until this week was operating as the sole place to process COVID-19 tests in Los Angeles County, has been overwhelmed, Ferrer said. As it stands, even if officials expand the testing guidelines, public health labs could not keep up with demand.
So far, the county has tested about 110 individuals since the virus appeared in Los Angeles County about two weeks ago, with about 75% of them testing negative. It takes a day or two to process results, she said. The two commercial labs that came online this week and last, LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics, each could return results in about three to four days. Ferrer said the commercial labs operate under less stringent testing guidelines and could more likely test more people….
COVID-19 is a respiratory virus in which 80% of people will experience average symptoms like what typically goes on during flu season, Dr. Milefchik said. “The symptoms will be difficult to distinguish from the regular flu,” he said. “The big distinguishing factor is progressive shortness of breath.”
“Community Corp Upsizes Affordable Housing Development in Santa Monica”
3/3/20 – Urbanize
https://tinyurl.com/wbgsk6d
“The non-profit organization had originally envisioned the project as a smaller three-story edifice featuring 55 apartments. However, plans changed following the adoption of AB 1763, legislation sponsored by California State Assembly member David Chiu which allows affordable housing projects to exceed certain local zoning restrictions. In addition to increased height and density, the state bill also allowed Community Corp. to reduce the amount of proposed parking from 64 vehicle stalls in the original project to 54 in its new plan.”
