Santa Monica Mirror 1.27.23

California Business Group Files Lawsuit Against Santa Monica Transfer Tax Initiative

California Business Roundtable files lawsuit The Transfer Tax Initiative

By Dolores Quintana

A California business organization has filed a lawsuit against a transfer tax initiative that Santa Monica voters approved in the November election.

The Transfer Tax Initiative, which was originally known as the Funding for Homelessness Prevention, Affordable Housing, and Schools measure passed on the November ballot in Santa Monica.

The measure states, “beginning March 1, 2021, the City Documentary Transfer Tax will remain unchanged at $3.00 per $1,000 value for sales and transfers under $5 million (First Tier Tax Rate). For sales and transfers involving properties valued at $5 million or more, the City’s new Documentary Transfer Tax will be $6.00

per $1,000 of the consideration or property value (Second Tier Tax Rate). The measure was one of two on the ballot and one of the authors was former Mayor Sue Himmelrich. The other was written by some of the other City Council members.

However, the California Business Roundtable (CRB) has filed a lawsuit against the city of Santa Monica alleging that “great and irreparable harm will result to members of the plaintiff, and to many other Santa Monica property owners desiring to sell or transfer their real property.” The CRB, also known as The Center For Jobs is located in Sacramento, California.

In a statement, the City of Santa Monica said it slips defend the measure against the legal challenge.

“Measure GS was approved by a majority of voters this November. The measure will support homelessness prevention, affordable housing, and local schools. The City will defend the will of the people in a lawsuit filed by opponents of the measure. The measure proponents also may have the opportunity to participate directly in the

Santa Monica Road Rage Incident Results in Shooting and Arrests for Attempted Murder

Manuel JaramilloHeredia and Emilio Reyes were arrested in connection to Tuesday incident

By Sam Catanzaro

A road rage incident escalated Tuesday in Santa Monica when two acquaintances were involved in a collision before one of the suspects shot several rounds at the other suspect, who then rammed his car into the van of the shooter. Both suspects were arrested for attempted murder.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), on January 24 around 3:42 p.m., officers were flagged down by several people, who heard gunshots near 6th Street and Broadway. Responding

officers located two vehicles, an SUV and a van, both were involved in a collision. The driver of the SUV, Emilio Reyes, appeared to have a gunshot wound to his upper arm.

“SMPD Officers learned that the driver of the van, identified as Manuel Jaramillo, shot several rounds at Reyes. In response, Reyes intentionally rammed his SUV into Jaramillo’s van twice, while he was still inside. Reyes and Jaramillo are known to each other and were involved in an argument prior to the incident,” the SMPD said in a press release.

Reyes was transported to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening injury and was subsequently discharged. The handgun used by Jaramillo was recovered, and both vehicles were towed to be processed by Forensics. There are no outstanding suspects.

Jaramillo-Heredia, a 52-year-old Inglewood male and Reyes, a 43-year-old from Los Angeles, were both booked for

attempted murder.

The case will be presented to the Los

Angeles District Attorney’s Office on January 26 for filing consideration.

Photos: SMPD

Left: Manuel Jaramillo-Heredia. Right: Emilio Reyes.

Michigan Man Extradited to Santa Monica for Beach Parking Lot Murder

Mohamed Abou-Arabi faces murder charges for November killing

By Sam Catanzaro

A Michigan man has been extradited to Santa Monica for murdering a man in a beach parking lot in November.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), on November 2, 2022, around approximately 2:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to the Lot 1 North Parking Lot at 1550 Pacific Coast Highway to check the status of a male inside a vehicle that appeared to be deceased. When officers arrived on scene, they confirmed the subject to be deceased with stab wounds to his upper body.

SMPD Robbery & Homicide Detectives were assigned the case. Further investigation revealed the suspect to be Mohamed AbouArabi, a 22-year-old man from Michigan, who was known to the victim. After the homicide, Abou-Arabi fled back to his home in Dearborn, MI, according to the SMPD.

SMPD Detectives worked in conjunction with the Dearborn Police Department to

Westside Food Bank Struggling to Find Eggs

Avian flu outbreak and inflation have been driving these shortages

Westside Food Bank is turning to alternative suppliers to try and find eggs as scarce shelves shock customers around the country.

soaring costs of eggs.

To accommodate for the egg shortage, WSFB is pivoting to less expensive protein sources, like beans and canned fish and meats. It is encouraging members of the community to help us provide nutritious food for people in need by donating on its website, wsfb.org/donatenow.

obtain additional evidence connecting AbouArabi as the suspect in this homicide. The evidence was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and a felony complaint for extradition arrest warrant was filed for Abou-Arabi.

SMPD Detectives responded to Dearborn, MI, and worked with the Dearborn Police Department and the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force to arrest Abou-Arabi. A search warrant was served at his home where additional evidence was collected. Abou-Arabi was extradited from Michigan to California on January 18 and he was booked at the SMPD Jail for Murder.

WSFB has been unable to purchase eggs from its typical sources. An avian flu outbreak and inflation have been driving these shortages. Lately, WSFB has had to resort to buying the grocery staple from retail establishments outside its usual purchasing from wholesale food brokers, but most of the time, there isn’t anything available, or the order comes short. For example, WSFB recently ordered 720 cartons of eggs from a big-box store, but supply chain challenges meant they could only provide 100 cartons.

“It is unfortunate that such an essential item is not as readily available as it once was,” Westside Food Bank President and CEO Genevieve Riutort said. “This is such a key ingredient in homes and not being able to provide that to the families we serve breaks my heart.”

This struggle comes as WSFB had already reduced egg purchases. Now, the Food Bank doesn’t even have the option. In November, WSFB cut egg purchases by 20%, and that jumped to 50% in December because of the

Founded in 1981 by the Westside Ecumenical Council — a coalition of Westside social service agencies — Westside Food Bank is an independent, non-governmental, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, providing food for more than 112,000 households, representing more than 332,000 individuals, on the Westside. This food goes to families with children, seniors, people experiencing homelessness, veterans, college students and differently-abled people.

“Our mission is to end hunger in our communities by providing access to free, nutritious food through food acquisition and distribution, and by engaging the community and advocating for a strong food assistance network. WSFB partners with more than 65 social service agency programs to distribute 4.7 million pounds of food annually,” WSFB says. “The majority of our food goes to housed people who need help to afford groceries. WSFB’s food also allows low-income households to apply their limited funds to housing, childcare, healthcare and other basic needs.”

St. Joseph Center President & CEO Leaving Organization to Lead LAHSA

25-year veteran of St. Joseph Center will service as serve as CEO of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority

Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum, a 15-year veteran of St. Joseph Center, is set to join the administration of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on February 5th, 2023. As part of her new role, she will first lead the Mayor’s Inside Safe initiative, then transition to serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA).

“In Dr. Adams Kellum, we are bringing new leadership to LAHSA that is completely aligned with the new spirit of unity and urgency that the City and the County are bringing to our crisis of homelessness,” said Mayor Karen Bass, who called Dr. Adams Kellum was instrumental in developing the City’s new, Inside Safe strategy. “With more than 40,000 unhoused people within the City of Los Angeles and more than 67,000 across the County of Los Angeles, a unified

approach is the only way we can make a difference, and that’s exactly the road we’re on.”

Dr. Adams Kellum will continue her work on homelessness and formally start her role as CEO on March 26th. Prior to that, Dr. Adams Kellum will work as a Consultant advising the Mayor’s Chief of Housing and Homelessness Solutions, helping to build out the encampment resolution component of the Inside Safe Strategy.

Dr. Adams Kellum joined St. Joseph Center (SJC) in 2008 as its Executive Director and led a tremendous increase in the agency’s reach during her tenure. In just over a decade, St. Joseph Center has gone from assisting 6,000 people annually with a staff of 100 and $5 million budget to 13,000 people each year with 400 employees and a $50 million budget.

“I am proud of the work LAHSA has been able to accomplish over the last few years, including making more than 64,000 housing placements over the last three years. I’m excited that Dr. Adams Kellum will join us to lead a new era of unity and cooperation,” said LAHSA Commission Chair Wendy Greuel. “Many of us have been working for years to create more regional alignment, and

I know the selection of Dr. Adams Kellum is a huge step in the right direction.”

Most recently this past summer 2021, Dr. Adams Kellum spearheaded an operation between City and County partners on Ocean Front Walk in Venice that found housing for 213 unhoused individuals and eliminated major encampments at the beach; 70% of those previously living at the beach remain housed today due to her efforts.

“This is another example of the County and the City locking arms, and pushing the reset button in how we are addressing homelessness,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. “I will admit I have had my doubts about LAHSA’s work. What LAHSA has done and, frankly, what our county and the city have done so far to address the homelessness crisis, has not worked. But Va Lecia Adams Kellum has been tapped as the new Executive Director of LAHSA because she is someone who has risen to meet the homelessness crisis in a bold way. She has my full support.”

St. Joseph Center’s executive leadership team and Board of Directors will guide the agency through this time of transition. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet founded

St. Joseph Center in 1976, and their current representative on SJC’s Board, Sr. Barbara Anne Stowasser, noted that, “The Center’s staff are the beating heart of the mission and at the core of our vital work. We will miss Va Lecia, but our wonderful and dedicated employees will continue to change lives every day by inspiring people to choose hope, just as St. Joseph Center has done for over 45 years.”

Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School Earns LEED Platinum Certification

20,000-square-foot building in Santa Monica’s Civic Center home to a progressive childcare facility operated by Growing Place

The Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School—a groundbreaking child development facility born out of a decadeslong collaboration and conversation between Santa Monica College, the City of Santa Monica, RAND Corporation, and the Santa Monica Early Childhood Task Force—has earned a LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This is the highest rating given by the USGBC to buildings that “save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create healthier places for people.”

“Congratulations to Brian Ten and Carde Ten Architects for guiding the Early Childhood Lab School to this triumphant achievement!” said SMC Board Chair Barry Snell. “We are proud to have yet another facility associated with Santa Monica

College recognized for being a terrific example of green building done right, and well!”

Designed by Carde Ten Architects, the 20,000-square-foot building in Santa Monica’s Civic Center is home to a progressive childcare facility operated by Growing Place, a local non-profit. The Lab School also offers SMC students a chance to become teachers in the early childhood development field, gaining practical experience and new approaches to work with children aged 3 months to 6 years old. Funded partially by SMC’s 2004 voterapproved bond Measure S and City of Santa Monica general fund monies, enrollment in the lab school priority is given to local residents and employees.

SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery called the LEED Platinum certification “a win for all of community partners who collaborated on the development the Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School, who stand united in a commitment to sustainability and building an educational foundation that embraces and supports the diversity of the families the school serves.”

School’s state-of-the-art facility includes a well-planned physical environment that supports the implementation of the highquality program provided by the College’s operating partner, Growing Place, the Santa Monica-based nonprofit child development program with three Santa Monica locations. Currently, 71 children are enrolled at the Early Childhood Lab School, more than half of whom are Santa Monica residents, including more than 15 percent from lowincome Santa Monica families.

Platinum, the highest LEED certification, requires 80 of 110 LEED points.

“The LEED Platinum designation is another part of how the Early Childhood Lab School is a Santa Monica success story. We are educating our youngest learners and training future teachers in a space that reflects our value of environmental stewardship. Congratulations to everyone involved,” said Santa Monica Mayor Gleam Davis.

SMC’s Education and Early Childhood Department has launched classes, observation sessions, and community resources at the Early Childhood Lab School. In Spring 2023, nine classes will be held in SMC classrooms on the second floor.

Students observe Growing Place’s teaching via a high-tech computer lab connected to specialized cameras in infant, toddler, and preschool rooms as well as an observation deck and directly in children’s classrooms. The Lab School’s concept originated in 1989 and gained momentum after 2001 when the Civic Center Working Group identified a need for child development facilities. In 2004, SMC’s proposed lab school was approved for the civic center project. In 2012, the SMC Board of Trustees and City Council approved the agreement allowing for construction in the Civic Auditorium campus. The RAND Corporation aided with program startup and tuition subsidies through a one-time development agreement with Santa Monica.

The Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab

Widespread Issues Put Santa Monica In Danger

of a master plan over 3 years to complete is only 1/2 – 3/4’s of 1% of our annual projected budget.

Following are 5 issues which, along with homelessness and crime, should take priority over all else in our city’s immediate future:

1. Paramount is our city’s economic uncertainty! Historically, our city has been wealthy and looked upon with esteem. But sadly, this may significantly change after letting a volunteer with the city’s parks program – a pedophile – run loose for 20 years with the city being sued by the families involved! Santa Monica is in the process of paying $100 million dollars to date for the lawsuits already settled and is staring directly at another $100-200 million for the remaining lawsuits.

And this is in addition to a $675 million yearly operating budget for a city of 93,000 and a $700 million pension liability to previously overstaffed and overpaid city employees.

The insurance issues, wasteful overspending, and pension liability could very likely bankrupt our city. How will it feel having libraries with limited access, cutting back on expanding homeless issues or school and parks budgets!!!!

The city is a company owned by the public and can always upzone – for instance making

R-1 single-family residential zoning obsolete. This would raise tax money by allowing developers to build ever higher and denser. But does a city have to keep growing? Is infinite growth even possible with the limitations of water & power, roadways & parking, schools & parks, etc., etc.! We’ve had 4 mayors in 4 years, and our previous excess city staff has now been reduced – most not living in or having a vested interest in Santa Monica - receiving perks from the development industry in exchange for building higher and denser - thankful for their pensions rather than interested in their constituents!

2. Second is the necessity of a citywide master plan – one that covers the entire city – not just more piecemeal plans for the Downtown, Bergamot, or the airport! It should go without saying – you can’t run a city without an overall plan!

Santa Monica hasn’t had one in its 136 year history. It has the LUCE which is a General Plan, but definitely not a Master Plan. Understanding the city is a huge budget problem due to its prior poor fiscal management and irresponsible budgeting – but the cost

Apparently, our astute City Council has scheduled a 3 day study session starting on January 24th to discuss the future of the airport and what is the flavor of the day. Raise your hand if you prefer tomato fields surrounding the mid-rise residential prison cells? And is your preference compact or standard size parking stalls? This process doesn’t even qualify as piecemeal or stupid planning but falling somewhere between LUNACY and downright IGNORANCE!!

With the city being underwater financially, where is funding for infrastructure, security, etc. coming from – possibly from benefactors but probably from developers!? Might it make more sense to move the city’s bus & waste management yards to a portion of the airport – creating space needed for uses central to Santa Monica rather than Los Angeles? Is this any way to run a city?

This is why a master plan is needed to integrate future airport use with the rest of the

city. Otherwise, developing an area this size without integrating it with the rest of the city’s land use, infrastructure, and economics is way beyond STUPIDITY!! Sure hope we’re better than that!

A master plan process would look at all these options. And with computer-based information, this plan can be reviewed and updated as frequently as necessary. It will save countless dollars - there is no planning task more important and there is absolutely no excuse!! Another separate piecemeal .36 square mile airport plan will not have much, if any, benefit for our 8.4 square mile city –although it would benefit developers lusting for a piece or all of the 227 acre airport. Very, very sad!

3. Third is the necessity to modify our zoning code while still meeting the unrealistic requirements of the state’s housing goals! Rather than standards which simply outline unpredictable outcomes (i.e. floor area ratio and density), we need a form-based code with pedestrian-scaled standards tied to a building’s physical form (i.e. frontage and open space requirements).

Our city’s historic beachfront environment is terraced 2, 3, & 4 story housing around courtyards. It is not 5-10-15 story block buildings casting shadows on sidewalks instead of sunlit walkways with landscaped setbacks. It is not the projects recently built, under construction, or currently being processed for approval!!

There are 10 miles of Santa Monica’s 8 boulevards – 70% of which are surface parking lots and one-story commercial buildings! With property tax incentives

along with planning & building department processing incentives, these properties could readily and profitably be developed with 2 & 3 story terraced apartments over 1 & 2 story commercial space with courtyards and meandering sidewalks while also turning our boulevards into parkways – fulfilling prior goals of neighborhood activity centers with readily accessible mom & pop stores, nearby medical offices, landscaping and play equipment for “junior” ! And this alone would easily provide all the housing necessary if even required by state law!

4. Fourth, our affordable housing program over the past 30 - 40 years has been a colossal failure. The goal of providing 15 –20% is a pathetic 6 – 8% while substantially increasing rents for the 90% of market rate apartments to make up for developer’s lost profits!

I speak with some experience in my 60 years of architecture, including development of 21 of my own projects and 51 local, state, national & international design awards – this work included over 4,000 affordable housing units for a private developer – all on publicowned land throughout the western states. There were no land costs, no financing costs for 30 – 35% of the total project cost and less overall development time. And the city recouped its land value with affordable rents over 15 – 20 years while alsoable to transfer title to individual renters on many of the projects. It’s time to make a change!!

However, the suggestion to sell Tongva Park for whatever type of development is both unnecessary and totally irresponsible.

5. And lastly, our city is on a pronounced downhill slide. Our city council members are primarily politicians with virtually zero background in urban planning, design, and financing. Councilmembers are in over their heads and our city’s fluctuating staff is of little if any help! At a minimum, the city should offer a short course to understand the interaction of the multiple elements that make up the functioning of a city! This should help differentiate their necessary interests from their posterior derrières!

It seems quite appropriate for this article to have been written on Friday the 13th. Wake up Santa Monica, we need to demand responsibility from our council & staff! What’s happening to our city is truly pathetic.

City Manager White, it’s a significant challenge. Although you’ve been with us for only 15 months, we need you to understand and re-direct this downhill slide. You, the staff, and councilneed to turn this ship around before it sinks!!Frustrated, but still hopeful,Ron Goldman FAIA retired architect & urban planner

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

Thane Roberts, Architect, Robert H. Taylor AIA, Ron Goldman FAIA, Architect, Dan Jansenson, Architect & Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission, Samuel Tolkin Architect & Planning Commissioner, Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA & Planning Commissioner, Marc Verville M.B.A, CPA

(Inactive), Michael Jolly, AIR-CRE.

For previous articles see www. santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/writin

SMa.r.t.

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

Popular HealthConscious Restaurant Closes Downtown Santa Monica Location

Iconic Roscoe’s Chicken ‘n Waffles Shutters its Pico Location

Flowerchild no longer at 1332 Second Street

By Dolores Quintana

A popular health-conscious restaurant has shut down its Downtown Santa Monica location.

Flower Child restaurant in Santa Monica at 1332 2nd Street has closed after 7 years as reported by Toddrickallen.com. The restaurant

closed officially, according to the Yelp page, about three weeks ago.

The restaurant’s website states its mission as being “we make every last bite from scratch, using fresh ingredients from close to home and serving healthy food that takes you to a happy place.” The chain is owned by Fox Restaurant Concepts and still has Southern California locations in Del Mar and Newport Beach.

As of now, exactly which restaurant may replace Flower Child in the space and when that might happen is not yet known.

LA-based chain to focus on flagship on La Brea and Washington

By Dolores Quintana

For everyone who loves Roscoe’s Chicken ‘n Waffles, the sad news is that after three decades, the restaurant has closed its mighty flagship location on Pico Boulevard on the Westside as reported by Eater.com. The restaurant’s website has a pop-up that makes the announcement and says, “After 32 years, our beloved Pico location has closed its doors. Please visit us at our La Brea location down the street at 1865 S. La Brea. La Brea Daily Hours: 8 AM – 12 AM.” noting the restaurant’s newer and nearby location in Mid-city.

Eater.com reported on the reasoning for

the shift to Mid-City in an earlier article which was the restaurant’s need for more space and a more comfortable atmosphere for the spot. Roscoe’s had intended to close the Pico location for some time, starting in 2019 when the Mid-City location was supposed to open. The opening of the Roscoe’s in MidCity didn’t happen until 2021, so it’s no wonder that closing the Pico location didn’t happen until very recently. Roscoe’s still has locations in Hollywood, South Los Angeles, Inglewood/LAX and Orange County with a total of seven restaurants.

Roscoe’s is still incredibly popular and draws musicians and politicians alike to have their famous chicken and waffle combos drenched in syrup. The restaurant has an Obama combo on the menu that includes three wings served with your choice of two waffles, potato salad or french fries and also serves specials like candied yams, greens and cornbread.