S A N TA M O N I C A
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY smmirror.com
June 25 – July 1, 2021 Volume XCIV, Issue 99
INSIDE
WOOD FIRED GRILL-CENTERED RESTAURANT OPENS ON WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
PAGE 6
Santa Monica City Council Approves $1.3 Billion Biennial Budget Budget reflects economy beginning to recover BY SAM CATANZARO
Santa Monica City Council this week, meeting in person for the first time since the pandemic, approved an over $1 billion dollar biennial budget, including one-time funds to enhance “clean and safe services” on the Pier and beach, return of weekly street sweeping and a homelessness response pilot program for the Santa Monica Fire Department. On Tuesday, Santa Monica City Council unanimously adopted a balanced biennial budget for FY 2021-2023. “We are beginning to see the results of our hard work of responding to pandemicrelated revenue impacts and stabilizing the
government at lower revenue and spending levels,” said Mayor Sue Himmelrich. “This Biennial Budget remains impacted by the pandemic and we appreciate the patience of the community in understanding that City spending and activities cannot yet return to 2019 levels, but Santa Monica is well on its way to its bright future and on the rise from here.” The overall FY 2021-22 Budget is $707.8 million and FY 2022-23 Budget is $598.9 million, net of reimbursements and transfers. This is more than $2.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, over what was presented in the initial proposed budget. According to the City, the difference is due to an increase in revenue as and savings from the current fiscal year. Programs and services included in the budget include one-time funds to enhance
City Council, see page 4
Photo: City of Santa Monica
Santa Monica City Council meets in person on Tuesday for the first time since the pandemic began.
District Attorney Declines to File Charges in Santa Monica Fatal Stabbing
District Attorney’s Office declines to file charges against individual connected to recent stabbing BY SAM CATANZARO
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón’s office has opted to not file
charges against an individual who stabbed a man to death in Santa Monica this week. According to the Santa Monica Police Department, on June 21 around 7:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Third Street and Broadway to investigate a report of a shot fired. When officers arrived on scene, they located a male with a stab wound to the neck. Officers immediately began rendering medical aid before Santa Monica Fire Department personnel arrived on scene and transported the victim to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Officers learned an altercation between the
victim and a male and female began near the Santa Monica Pier and ended up in the 300 block of Broadway where the victim was stabbed, according to SMPD Lieutenant Rudy Flores. “Witnesses who were with the victim provided a description of both subjects along with their last known direction of travel. At one point during this altercation, a shot was fired and a spent .45 cal casing was located. However, it is unclear who fired that round,” Flores said. SMPD officers soon after established a perimeter and stopped two suspects–identified
Photo: Sam Catanzaro
District Attorney, see page 10
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