Santa Monica Mirror - Jun 02, 2023

Santa Monica Requests $6M To Expand Memorial Park

The Project Would Combine the Park With a 2.9 Acre Property.

By Zach Armstrong

The city of Santa Monica has applied for $6 million in grant funds from the California Department of Parks and Recreation Land along with the Water Conservation Fund Grant Program for the Memorial Park Expansion Project.

The expansion project would combine the existing 10.3-acre Memorial Park with the adjacent 2.9 acre former Fisher Lumber site to create a renovated community park. The proposed $6 million grant would contribute to the project’s first phase, which includes a synthetic turf field for high school baseball games, adult softball games or collegiate

softball games; sixteen pickleball courts; and mobility and streetscape improvements on 14th Street and Colorado Avenue.

“Expanding Memorial Park is a longstanding priority project for Santa Monica residents.” an agenda item stated. “[Memorial Park] is important to the overall park system, serving as the primary park for baseball and softball, offering a space for pickleball and tennis and being the home of the City’s only public gymnasium and skate park.”

In 2019, city staff coordinated to create a phase 1 of the project at an estimated cost of $30 million. In fall 2022, staff presented a reduced scope of work for Phase 1 due to limited funding and increased construction costs, while only $20 million dedicated to park redevelopment from a Santa Monica College bond measure remained available. In March, staff identified LWCF grant funding as a potential resource for the project.

The expansion project phase 1 has an estimated cost of $26 million, according to the agenda item

Mystery Surrounds Closure of Michelin Recommended Restaurant Savida in Santa Monica

Santa Monica’s Beloved Crudo and Seafood Restaurant Abruptly Shuts Down on April 27

By Dolores Quintana

After receiving a coveted recommendation from Michelin in December 2022, Savida,

Santa Monica’s crudo and seafood restaurant, abruptly closed its doors on April 27, 2023. There was no explanation for the closure other than a notice on their Instagram and Facebook social media pages that read, “We must sadly announce, due to unforeseen circumstances, Savida will be closed until further notice. As soon as we’re back up and running, we will let you know!”

The restaurant at 1303 Montana Ave was already a favorite, not only in Santa Monica but

as evidenced by their Michelin recommendation in Los Angeles and the greater world as well.

The reason for this closure is unknown, but the restaurant’s social media presence on Instagram answered a patron asking if their reservation for May 12 was canceled. The cryptic response from the social media manager was, “Not yet. We will know more at the beginning of the month.” The accounts have since fallen silent.

The restaurant’s website describes the restaurant as “Artfully showcasing Chef Dan Smulovitz’s experience both in the U.S. and abroad through his signature culinary

style, Chef Smulovitz remains true to his Mediterranean roots by producing simple, multiculturally inspired dishes with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Through Savida’s 80 sq. foot kitchen on Montana Ave., Chef Smulovitz communicates warm hospitality through each dish served, making every guest at his restaurant feel like a regular.”

We reported on the chef and the restaurant with this report from Juliet Lemar on September 8, 2022, as he shopped at the local farmers market. We will update our readers when we know more about the reasons for the closure and when the restaurant will reopen.

Address:2304 Sawtelle Blvd 90064

License number: C10-0000626LIC

Phone number: (310)616-5140

Insta: @Erba_Sawtelle

Santa Monica Police Department Releases First Quarter Crime Report

Decrease in Calls for Service, Increase in Arrests, Shifts in Part I Offenses

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has released its comprehensive crime report for the first quarter of 2023, shedding light on the city’s crime trends and comparing them to the previous four years. The report, aimed at promoting transparency and accountability, reveals notable changes in criminal activity during this period. The report was authored by Erika Aklufi, SMPD Lieutenant and Myesha Morrison, Public Information Coordinator.

According to the report, the SMPD received a total of 22,825 calls for service in the first quarter of 2023, marking a decrease of 1,683 calls (7%) compared to the same period in 2022. On the other hand, officers made 662 arrests, indicating an increase of 259 arrests from the previous year.

The report’s analysis of Part I offenses, which encompass serious crimes such as homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, grand theft auto, and arson, a rise of 149 crimes (14%) was observed compared to the same timeframe in 2022. However, specific categories within Part I offenses showed varied changes, with decreases in incidents of aggravated assault, grand theft, and arson, and increases in larceny and burglary.

Part II offenses, which include offenses like simple assault, DUIs, fraud, vandalism,

and narcotics-related crimes, reported an overall increase of 119 crimes (19%).

The report stated,”SMPD’s Crime Analysts conducted a review and analysis of the reported information. It is important to note, this is preliminary data used to inform the public. Information is extracted by the occurrence date and may change after review and investigation. The information obtained by our analysts gives our department the opportunity to strategically plan how we efficiently and effectively protect our city.”

The report added, “Although the focus of this report is data, we remain sensitive to and respectful of the experiences of our residents, businesses, and visitors, none of which can be captured by statistics. Our response to issues of crime and disorder takes into account the experience of our residents, business owners, employees, and visitors—you are and will always be the top priority at SMPD.”

Among the notable changes highlighted in the report, the following trends were observed in Part I criminal behavior:

Aggravated Assault: The number of aggravated assault incidents decreased from 82 to 73 (-11%) when comparing the first quarter of 2023 to the same period in 2022. Of the reported incidents, 38 resulted in arrests, and 19% involved domestic violence.

Burglary: Both residential and nonresidential burglaries saw an increase of 17 incidents (163 vs. 180). Garages/carports accounted for 40% of residential incidents, while apartment lobbies and storage areas constituted 31%.

Crime Report, see page 11

Pandemic-Induced Rent Debt Crisis Threatens Housing Stability

Low-Wage Workers and Communities of Color Disproportionately Affected

By Dolores Quintana

Rental debt is an out-of-control problem that has worsened since the Covid 19 pandemic. So many lost their jobs, sometimes only temporarily, some permanently, that rental debt has ballooned in a way that is causing a huge problem that must be dealt with now that local municipalities are ending their Covid protections and the end of the Federal Covid emergency.

Many renters are lower-income workers who cannot save money, live from paycheck to paycheck and are frequently and inordinately people of color. The Supreme Court rejected the Federal emergency eviction moratorium in September 2021, so protections are no longer in place for individuals and families who may have large amounts of back rent that they have no way to pay their landlords.

The danger of mass evictions is real.

In the United States, the estimated total rent debt, according to the National Equity Atlas, is $11,433,200 billion, with $5,271,000 million households who are still behind on rent, with $5,491,000 children in those households that are behind in rent payments. It’s a grand total of 15% of American households who are still behind on rent as of April 1, 2023.

Of those households who are behind on rent, 66% of those households are people of color, 47% of those households are currently unemployed, 79% of those households are lowincome, and 53% of those households have children. By June 2022, 64% of those renters had not applied for rental assistance. Of those households who did apply for assistance, 13% were denied, 12% were granted and received assistance, and 11% were still waiting to hear if they would be granted rental assistance. Most of the households with unpaid back rent are those whose earnings are below $50,000 a year, qualifying them for rental assistance. Even before the pandemic, people of

color were those who were most likely to be housing insecure. The statistics gathered by the National Equity Atlas show that 46% of Black households were housing insecure, 45% of Latino households were housing insecure, 42% of Native American households were housing insecure, 43% of people in color as a general category were housing insecure, 38% of mixed or other households were housing insecure, 30% of Asian households were housing insecure, and 32% of white households were housing insecure.

Los Angeles County’s total number of households behind on rent is estimated at 270,810. The total rent debt is estimated at $925,700,000. The rent debt per household is estimated at $3,400, and the number of children in households behind on rent is estimated at 280,900.

In the city of Los Angeles, it is estimated that there are 133,210 households behind on rent, that there is $425,420,000 in unpaid rental debt, with an estimated $3,200 of rental debt per household and 138,400 children in households that are behind on rental debts.

In the city of Santa Monica, it is estimated that there are 3,710 households behind on rent, a total of $14,310,000, with an estimated $3,900 of rent owed and 4,100 children in households with unpaid rental debt. Both West Hollywood and the city of Inglewood have estimated totals that are slightly less than Santa Monica, West Hollywood’s total estimated unpaid rent is $9,250,000 and Inglewood’s is $12,630,000. It is possible that those totals might be slightly less based on rental prices in the other areas, but the true reason for the discrepancy is not known.

This data comes from the Census Pulse survey and the National Equity Atlas noted that the 2017 American Housing Survey found that about seven percent of renters could not pay some or all of their rent. It is clear that the problem is not new but has been exacerbated by the toll of the pandemic years. The National Equity Atlas explained their methodology here.

It seems clear that unless something is done, people in these households are gravely at risk for eviction at some point without any way to pay back rent. This could cause a crisis that would only worsen the current situation of unhoused Americans and is something that must be addressed because, without help, they will have nowhere to turn.

Mail and Package Thieves Detained by Santa Monica Police

The Suspect Possessed Counterfeit U.S. Postal Service Arrow Keys.

Shortly before midnight on May 20, officers from the Santa Monica Police Department were flagged down by a concerned citizen while patrolling the 2000 block of 4th Street.

The citizen was in pursuit of a suspect involved in mail theft. Law enforcement promptly detained the suspect, who was found in possession of multiple counterfeit United States Postal Service Arrow keys, a violation of federal law. Upon the arrival of additional officers at the scene, a second suspect was discovered inside a vehicle and also detained. Further examination of the vehicle led to the discovery of stolen mail, packages, electronics, drugs (specifically crack cocaine), and drug paraphernalia.

As the officers proceeded with their investigation, they came across numerous mail packages discarded on the sidewalk, dropped by the suspects as they fled from an apartment building. To rectify the situation, officers diligently walked to various addresses and returned the stolen mail and packages to their rightful recipients.

Additionally, a separate collection of mail belonging to multiple victims with Los Angeles addresses was logged and held

Spanish Revival Home On Market For Nearly $20M

pending notification of said victims.

Security footage obtained from an apartment building revealed the suspects entering the secured mail room of the complex and departing with residents’ mail and packages.

On May 24, 2023, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office formally charged both suspects involved in the incident with residential burglary and mail theft. The details of the suspects are as follows: Suspect

1:

Name: Abraham Zaragoza

Date of Birth: March 23, 1987

Residence: Santa Monica Suspect

2:

Name: Hector Quintanilla

Date of Birth: March 5, 1986

Residence: North Hills

The Property is Nestled Behind Gates and Features Eight Bedrooms

By Zach Armstrong

Over top of the Riviera Country Club, a Spanish Revival-style estate in Santa Monica is listed on the market for just under $20 million.

Built in 1924 and located along San Vicente Boulevard, the property is nestled behind gates and features eight bedrooms along with five

and a half baths.

Terra cotta tile and hardwood floors, barrel-vaulted ceilings, arched doorways and seven wood-burning fireplaces can be found throughout the home. The kitchen connects to a glass-encased breakfast atrium, while floorto-ceiling windows giving panoramic views of the backyard are found in the sunroom. The outside features a grassy lawn, palm treeframed pool with a sundeck, adjacent golf course and a two-car garage.

The second-level balcony can be reached by walking up a curved staircase from the outdoor patio. From there, the primary suite provides views of treetops, the golf course and distant mountains.

The property is listed by Santiago Arana of The Agency, according to Compass.com.

With New Metro System, Santa Monicans Can Reach East L.A. Without Transfers

Riders Could Save as Much as 20 Minutes Going Downtown.

By Zach Armstrong

The Regional Connector transit project, a 1.9 mile network that will connect Santa Monica Metro riders to East Los Angeles without transfers, will open on June 16, the County Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced.

The project will allow light rail travel between Union Station and 7th Street/Metro Center Station in Downtown’s Financial District. The Regional Connector includes three new underground stations: Little Tokyo/ Arts District Station, Historic Broadway Station and Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill Station.

The Regional Connector brings together the Metro L (Gold), A (Blue), E (Expo), B (Red) and D (Purple) lines at the 7 th Street/Metro Center Station. The new A and E lines will share five downtown stations. Riders going to and through downtown could save as much as 20 minutes by not having to transfer, according to METRO.

Free rides will be given on the entire Metro

transit system, such as Metro bus and rail lines along with Metro Bike Share services, during opening weekend.

“With this opening, traveling across the region can be easier and more accessible all while Metro works to make the experience safer, cleaner and more welcoming for todays and future riders,” Metro Board Member and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. said in a release. “Moving forward, I will continue to work closely with my colleagues on the Metro Board of Directors and with local leaders across the County to make sure that our transportation system works for everyone.”

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Landmarks Commission Back From the Dead

SMa.r.t.

For over three years, SMa.r.t. (Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow) has consistently warned that recently increased intense development pressures are bringing massive changes to Santa Monica. One of the primary causes of the current development frenzy is the State mandated Housing Element on steroids. A Housing Element is part of a City’s General Plan and includes the goals, codes, policies, incentives and programs that direct decision-making around housing development.

The State of California has required all cities to prepare a Housing Element showing how they will accommodate new housing over the next eight years. Santa Monica has been mandated to permit about 9,000 new units in that period, including about 6,000 affordable units. This mandate, along with interlocking state laws and a requirement for excess capacity, means that we must alter our zoning to actually show a capacity to build about 13,000 new units.

This extra amount is because not every potential lot will be developed in eight years, so a surplus of up-zoned lots increases the probability that the 9000-unit target will be met or even approached. Needless to say, the

City always had enough zoning capacity in its current zoning code without the State’s coercive up-zoning. The realistic foreseeable population growth for the next eight years only requires about 1100 units.

The penalties for not up-zoning in a timely manner to meet the State mandate and for not actually permitting sufficient units are severe, including, among other penalties, the draconian so-called “Builder’s Remedy,” which allows a builder to place any size project on any lot as long as 20% of the units are affordable. Two (from the originally threatened 15) outsized projects are still in the works that took advantage of the “Builder’s Remedy” during a one-week window when the City’s Housing Element approval process had inadvertently created an opening for this exemption to be exploited. The City staff and Council deserve credit for negotiating a satisfactory solution to an otherwise disastrous outcome.

A 9000 unit increase corresponds to about a 20% percent increase in our population or about 18,000 new residents. To put that number in perspective, Santa Monica took nearly seventy years to increase its population by 18,000 to our current nominal 91,000 residents. Now in only eight years, we are supposed to do what took seven decades? This massively anticipated buildout will presumably be occurring while the statewide population of California and Santa Monica is actually declining, including throughout Los Angeles

County, which has seen a population decline of 200,000 people in the past eighteen months due to the interactive effects of Covid, the lack of affordable housing, the fear of crime, and the high cost of living.

The result of this exodus is that Santa Monica’s rental vacancy rate has ballooned to over 10% (with, of course, no real rent reductions visible). The combination of declining population, high-interest rates, a possible impending recession, high cost of construction, and scarce land availability means that it’s highly unlikely that the entire 9000-unit target will be reached in 8 years.

Certainly, no credible scenario will create 6000 new affordable units. Nonetheless, things can change suddenly, so we still expect massive development to take place. Massive development in a built-out city like ours inevitably involves the demolition of many existing buildings including, unfortunately, valuable historical buildings possibly worthy of permanent landmarking protection.

Researching which impending projects will threaten which historic buildings is an intensive ongoing project requiring countless volunteer and professional hours of research and advocacy. This is where the City’s Landmarks Commission and non-profit organizations such as the Santa Monica Conservancy have a vital role. They can mitigate the potential damage of runaway development by identifying and advocating for sterling historical projects that are worth saving.

Specifically, most of these neighborhood boulevards are proposed to go up to a height of 55’ (up to 88’ possible for 100% affordable projects) when today they have a base height of 32’. In downtown, Bergamot and other specific areas, heights will be permitted as tall as 84’. In

the NC zones especially, the additional height of the up-zoning would incentivize massive construction with the attendant demolition of many small beloved affordable businesses and buildings of historical importance (e.g., the charming blocks of Main Street between Ocean Park and Marine), further reducing the authenticity of these important neighborhoodserving and pedestrian-friendly corridors.

SMa.r.t. would like to thank the 700 citizens who wrote to our City Council this past March to urge them to write a letter to the State Housing and Community Development Department asking that the Neighborhood Commercial zones not be up-zoned as required by the City’s new housing element.

The State may or may not approve this request, but we will know soon because by October, the State will have to officially bless our updated Zoning Code and the development frenzy will be formally unleashed. The trick will be to snatch the significant historical assets before the bulldozers disappear them forever. We look forward to a reinvigorated Landmarks Commission to help preserve the historical resources that may be in harm’s way.

By Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA

S.M.a.r.t Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

Thane Roberts, Architect; Robert H. Taylor AIA, Architect; Dan Jansenson, Architect & Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission; Samuel Tolkin, Architect & Planning Commissioner; Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA & Planning Commissioner, Michael Jolly, AIRCRE.

For previous articles, see www. santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/writing

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

Crime Report, from page 4

Larceny: There was an overall increase in larceny incidents, rising from 580 to 735 compared to 2022. Noteworthy aspects of this category include 180 incidents of auto parts theft, with catalytic converters comprising 81% of the reports. Shoplifting accounted for 153 larceny incidents, with Nordstrom reporting the highest number of incidents, followed by TJ Maxx. The report noted that larceny had the largest increase of any type of Part 1 crime.

Grand Theft Auto: The report recorded 110 vehicle thefts during the first quarter of 2023, a decrease of 23 incidents compared to the same period in 2022. Sixty-two percent of the stolen vehicles were recovered.

Robbery: There was an increase of 8 robbery incidents compared to the first quarter of 2022, 47 in 2023 vs. 39 incidents in 2022. Notably, the use of firearms in these crimes decreased by 2 incidents. Additionally, 55% of the incidents or 26 incidents resulted in arrests, and 11 robberies were categorized as Estes, involving force or threats of force to escape after shoplifting.

Rape: The number of reported rape incidents during the first quarter of 2023 increased by 5 incidents, reaching a total of 13, compared to the same period in 2022.

Arson: Incidents of arson declined slightly from 21 to 19 incidents. Approximately 68% of the reported incidents involved cityowned trash and recycling containers.

Part II Crimes – 1st Quarter of 2023

In 2019, there were 1062 reported Part II crimes during the first quarter. This dropped to a five-year low in 2021 with 566 incidents. In 2023, there were 756 reported Part II Crimes.

• Simple Assault: Incidents of simple assault returned to 2019 levels with 174 reported incidents during the 1st quarter of

Free Meals for WGA Members During Strike at Bob’s Big Boy and Swingers Diner

Comedian and Host Drew Carey Is Paying For Meals For Striking WGA Members

By Dolores Quintana

As the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike continues, Drew Carey, the comedian, actor, and game show host, has arranged for any WGA member who shows their union card at Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank and Swingers Diner on Beverly, near Fairfax, will get their meal free courtesy of Carey for the duration of the strike. He announced this via a post on his Twitter page.

attention from the entertainment community and from the mayor of Burbank, Konstantine Anthony. Like Carey, Anthony has walked the walk and actually joined the WGA picket line in Burbank.

2023.

• Incidents of Vandalism dropped to 175 after peaking in 2022 with 182 incidents.

• Narcotics Possession: Incidents of narcotics possession, considered a pro-active arrest category increased from 27 to 58.

The report ended with a statement of purpose from the SMPD and information that would be helpful for residents who might need assistance. It said:

The Santa Monica Police Department is an organization that works within the principles of democracy and constitutional policing. We are dedicated to our work in conjunction with our civic and community partners to solve problems and make our city a safe and great place to live, work and visit. For more information on starting a Neighborhood Watch, requesting a security assessment, or to reach your Neighborhood Resource Officer, please contact the Community Affairs Unit at (310) 458-8474 (Community. Affairs@santamonica.gov).

And, as always, if You See Something, Say Something! Dial/Text 9-1-1 for emergencies or (310) 458-8491 to reach our 24/7 NonEmergency Dispatcher.

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA  COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES    ORDER TO

The generous gesture aims to provide some relief to WGA members who have been affected by the strike, allowing them to enjoy a delicious meal without worrying about the cost. The free meal offer is available for the duration of the strike and applies exclusively to dine-in orders. Carey has included the gratuity in the offer, ensuring that WGA members can enjoy their meals without additional expenses.

This initiative has garnered support and

SUPERIOR

Bob’s Big Boy and Swingers Diner have long been popular dining destinations for locals and visitors alike, known for their classic American comfort food and welcoming atmospheres. Swingers Diner responded with a post on their Instagram page that confirmed the offer, which said, “It doesn’t get any better than @drewfromtv — but we already all knew that. We are honored to take part in his latest act of generosity and help feed all the striking writers. Anyone with a WGA card can grab a free meal, on Drew, at Swingers, tip included.”

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

FILE NUMBER: 2023109475 ORIGINAL FILING This statement was filed with the County Clerk of LOS ANGELES ON 05/16/2023. The following person (persons) is (are)

Petition of: Victoria Beth Entine-Redler, by and through Victoria Beth Entine-Redler for change of name. ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

To all interested persons: Victoria Beth Entine-Redler

Petitioner: filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Victoria Beth Entine-Redler to Victoria Entine Neril

The court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING:

Date: 06/30/23 | Time: 8:30AM | Dept: K A copy of this ORDER to SHOW CAUSE shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: SANTA MONICA MIRROR | Dated: May, 18, 2023

Judge Lawrence Cho

Published: 05/19/2023, 05/26/23, 06/02/2023, and 06/09/2023

to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.