Sidewalk Vending: How to be a Smart Consumer

Recently, the Santa Monica City Council approved new laws for a comprehensive sidewalk vending program to create a pathway for vending in spaces that were formerly restricted. The Council acted in response to the state’s passage of the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, which decriminalized sidewalk vending in public areas. The new program puts public health and safety at the forefront and expands economic opportunities for those who choose to vend lawfully under the program.

With these new laws, it is important for residents and consumers to know how to make smart choices when purchasing goods from sidewalk vendors.
When buying from a sidewalk vendor, it is important to only make purchases from those vendors who have a Vending Permit issued by the City of Santa Monica. This permit—which vendors are required to display via a decal fixed to their cart or worn on a badge—indicates that the vendor is lawfully operating in the City and has taken the proper steps to sell their goods.
If the vendor you are buying from is selling food, it is also important to make sure that the vendor has a valid Los Angeles County issued Public Health Permit. This permit displayed below, has a colored sticker containing the county seal, shows that the vendor is in compliance with all county and state food safety regulations and is safely selling their food items in the area. 
Don’t forget that Santa Monica’s new program restricts sidewalk vending in certain locations in Downtown as well as at the Pier and beach. These congested, high-traffic areas are restricted or limited due to the public safety risks that sidewalk vending activities can create. Such conditions all pose a danger to public health and can result in you becoming ill. Limiting food purchases to vendors who have properly obtained a Public Health Permit will minimize the risks to your health.
Not having an LA County issued Public Health Permit could mean:

The vendor doesn’t have clean water on site to wash their hands or utensils;
There are unsanitary conditions, which could include unclean food equipment;
Food was obtained from an unapproved source;
Food is being stored at unsafe temperatures, which can promote the growth of harmful and dangerous bacteria;
Food is not being protected from contamination

For more information about how to become a licensed vendor in Santa Monica, click here.
We hope this information has been helpful. If you have questions or need more assistance, please email vending@smgov.net.

source https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/sidewalk-vending-how-to-be-a-smart-consumer

Meet Mitch Krupa, A Landlord Driven By Compassion

Landlords often get a bad rap. No matter how great your apartment is — it’s just plain hard to hand over your hard-earned money on the first of the month. In a city with high housing costs, like Santa Monica, handing over that money is a sharp reminder that affordable housing is hard to come by — a problem Santa Monica is working hard to resolve.
But spending time with Mitch, a managing partner at Oceana Properties Limited, is a heartening reminder that there are landlords who really are on the side of the tenants, have your best interests at heart, and who are thoughtful, compassionate, and intentional about the way they do business. That’s why it’s important to shine a light on someone like Mitch.
Letting Empathy Lead
Mitch was born in Poland, but made his way to Chicago at the age of 9 with his family. After graduating from college, he came to southern California in 1978, looking for opportunity. He found it pretty quickly, in the form of a 4-plex rental property that was for sale in Huntington Beach. He partnered with his mom and aunt to buy it, and his career in property management began.
It wasn’t long until he expanded his horizons, moving north to Santa Monica where he invested in a 30-unit building near Santa Monica College, and after that — a 24-unit building, also in Santa Monica, making for a grand total of 52 local units.
But Mitch found that simply renting apartments to tenants wasn’t enough. He was struck with empathy for people struggling to meet rent. He recognized the psychological and physical challenges that many of them had, and how they could lead to homelessness. He also realized that given just a slightly different set of circumstances, he too, could be vulnerable to the risk of homelessness. This recognition of how vulnerable all of us can be to circumstances that may lead to homelessness is a reality that many of us don’t take the time to contend with.
But it’s a good thing Mitch decided to contend with that fact, because 28 years ago — he made the decision to begin working with the Santa Monica Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher Program — also known as Section 8.
 
Section 8
These days, over half of Mitch’s units are allocated to Section 8 rentals. He says that he knows many property managers are wary of renting out to Section 8 tenants, but he’s found it’s really no different than renting to regular tenants.
And there’s a wonderful benefit to it — the knowledge of knowing you’re helping people. By helping to lift the burden of high housing costs, you’re affording people the opportunity to live with the security of knowing they have a place to lay their heads at night — and they’ll still have money leftover to meet other living costs, like groceries and medical expenses.
 
Partnering With The City
If you’re a property owner interested in partnering with the city to rent units at affordable prices, you can find more information by clicking here. The City of Santa Monica is very supportive of property owners who are willing to take this step and provides incentives that benefit everyone.  If you’re a tenant interested in learning more about the Housing Voucher Program and its eligibility requirements, click here.
And be sure to visit us at weare.santamonica.gov for updates on what the city is doing to increase affordable housing in the community.
 
Pull Quotes
“There’s satisfaction knowing you’re doing something for people that you share a bond with… and the gratitude and satisfaction and appreciation they feel when you’ve given them an opportunity to better their situation.”
“There’s a lot of support out there with the Housing Authority and the City itself is very supportive.”
“We went from zero Section 8 housing to 75% in a 30-unit building.”
“We’ve been involved with low-income tenants for 28 years. It was a good move for us. There’s been a lot of support from the City and local organizations.”

source https://www.santamonica.gov/Mitch

Building a Safe, Sustainable City Yards for Our Community

Caption: Aerial image of the proposed City Yards site
For over two decades, the City has been planning a major overhaul of the City Yards to provide a safer, more efficient place of business for community members and our operations staff. City Council’s unanimous vote on June 11 to move forward with construction for phase 1 (Package A) of the City Yards Modernization Project has paved the way for us to finally be able to realize our dream of breaking ground on this long overdue project on July 1, 2019.
For our community members who do business at the City Yards, this project means they will soon be able to enjoy an enhanced customer experience. Long gone will be the days that community members have to walk from building to building to figure out where they need to go to take care of business. The new City Yards will feature a public counter that will serve as a one-stop shop where community members can do business such as buying compost bins and submitting their construction waste management plans for review.

Caption: Plaza at City Yards entrance on Michigan Avenue
For our dedicated Public Works employees who are on the frontlines every day to build and maintain our infrastructure and provide vital services to our community, this project means that they will be able to work in safe, new facilities equipped with the latest technology that will meet our operational needs well into the future. Thirteen outdated facilities will be demolished as part of phase 1 (Package A) and will be replaced by six new buildings. Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Caption: Proposed exterior for the new Fleet Building
For our community as a whole, the project means that community members and employees will be able to have more communal interactions and an aesthetically pleasing experience when they visit the City Yards. There will be access to the outdoor courtyard with seating, a meeting room, kitchen, wider sidewalks, shrubbery and trees and public art along Michigan Avenue.

Caption: Outdoor courtyard serving as a crew lunch area and community space
Santa Monica is a city committed to sustainability and mobility and those are goals were kept in mind when designing this project. We’re combining efficient building design with solar components and stormwater capture techniques to transition the City Yards into an environmentally friendly place the community can truly be proud of. We’re also realigning the City Yards layout to separate vehicular and pedestrian traffic and install crosswalks throughout the site to enhance the safety of people traveling by all transit modes, particularly pedestrians.
Visit our City Yards Modernization Project page to read more about this exciting project, including the June 11, 2019 staff report approved by the city council.
For questions about the project, contact Joel Cesare, project manager, at architecture@smgov.net or (310) 458-2205.

source https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/building-a-safe-sustainable-city-yards-for-our-community

5 Things You Don’t Want to Miss in Santa Monica This Summer

School is out for the summer in Santa Monica! Be sure you and your little ones thrive this summer with the countless events, programs, and activities our beautiful beachside city offers. Read on to learn about a few not-to-miss opportunities from Santa Monica Community Recreation! 

1. Fitness Classes for Adults. 
Focus on YOU this summer!  Enjoy a cardio fitness class with top-notch equipment at Memorial Park, relax and unwind with Meditation, Qigong, and Yoga, or dance your heart out in Zumba class.  

2. Inspire Creativity Outside of the Classroom with an Engineering & Science Summer Break Youth Camps.  
Summer Break Camps can be FUN and EDUCATIONAL! Kids will have the opportunity to design, build, and test their own creations and experiments. 

3. Get BOGAFit! Take a Floating Fitness Workout. Get out of the gym and try something different at Annenberg Community Beach House. Floating Fitness Workouts with BOGAFiT is an innovative fitness program that builds strength, deepens flexibility, and improves balance and coordination.

4. Send Your Kids to Cooking Youth Camp this Summer Break. 
Children will have fun learning to make easy, simple, and delicious food in an interactive and supportive environment! 

5. Join an Adult Coed Volleyball League. 
Santa Monica’s coed volleyball league is a great way to socialize and exercise. Each season offers approximately 10 games on top of playoffs. 

Want to learn more about opportunities like this year round? Click here to subscribe to Community Recreation’s newsletter.

source https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/5-things-you-don-t-want-to-miss-in-santa-monica-this-summer

Santa Monica’s Community Recycling Center Closes on June 15

The Santa Monica Community Recycling Center, commonly known as the Buyback Center, will close effective June 15, 2019, until further notice.
Curbside Recycling will continue as scheduled. There will be no impact to curbside recycling collection for residential and commercial customers. The City will continue to collect and process all recyclables as usual. Santa Monica residents who wish to recycle empty California Refund Value (CRV) bottles and cans may continue to place their recyclables in their recycling containers.
Below are frequently asked questions about the closure of the Recycling Center. For more information about this closure, please visit www.smgov.net/R3 or call 310-458-2223. 

Q: What is happening to the Buyback Center?

A: The Santa Monica Community Recycling Center, commonly known as the Buyback Center, located at 2411 Delaware Avenue will close effective June 15, 2019, until further notice. The drop-off recycling area outside of the Buyback Center will also close effective June 15, 2019.  

Q: Will the Buyback Center re-open?

A: There is no immediate plan to re-open the BuyBack Center at the Delaware Avenue location or another location in Santa Monica at this time. The City is actively considering alternative options.

Q: Why is the Buyback Center closing?

A: The City of Santa Monica’s contract with Allan Company, the operator of the Buyback Center, was not renewed by City Council. This means in the foreseeable future separation of Santa Monica’s recyclable materials will occur off-site. Staff will return to City Council this Fall with a recommendation about how to move forward with a long-term approach to provide recycling services, including potential Buyback Center options. All curbside recycling collections will continue without interruption to our customers and the City remains fully committed to our Zero Waste goals.

Q:  Should I continue to recycle?
A: Yes. The City continues to be committed to recycling and you should, too. There is no change to the City of Santa Monica’s curbside recycling collection. Santa Monica residents are strongly encouraged to continue to place clean recyclables, including empty California Refund Value (CRV) bottles and cans, into their recycling containers. Items that do not belong in the recycling containers, such as pizza boxes that still have food inside or half-full yogurt cups, may contaminate the rest of the recyclables and contaminated recyclables are sent to landfills. So please do your part and recycle the right way. Visit www.smgov.net/r3 to learn more.

Q:  Will everything being placed in the recycling containers, which are typically blue, continue to be recycled?
A: Yes. There is no impact to the City’s curbside recycling collection for residential and commercial customers. The City continues to collect and process all recyclables from the recycling containers as usual.  

Q: Where do the recyclables go after I place them in my recycling containers?
A: Items placed in the recycling containers are collected by the City and delivered to a recyclable materials company for sorting and processing before the valuables are sold and repurposed for further manufacturing uses.

Q: Where do I go to redeem items that have California Refund Value (CRV), such as cans and bottles, for cash?

A: Customers who want to redeem their CRV bottles and cans for cash can bring their items to the nearest redemption centers at the following locations:
Cheviot Hills – rePlanet Recycling Center at Von’s, 9860 National Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034
Culver City – rePlanet Recycling Center at Ralphs, 10772 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230 

Q: What should I do with electronic waste (e-waste) and household hazardous waste?

A: Three easy solutions:
All Los Angeles County residents can bring their e-waste and other hazardous household materials to a S.A.F.E. collection center. The closest S.A.F.E. collection center is located in West Los Angeles near UCLA. Visit dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/hhw for details. Addresses and opening hours are listed under “Permanent Centers.”
If you are a Santa Monica resident, attend an e-waste collection and paper shredding event, which is hosted by the City four times a year. The next event is scheduled for July 27, 2019. Call (310) 458-2223 for details.
If you are a Santa Monica resident, call (800) 714-1195 or complete an online request form at stericycleenvironmental.com/santa-monica to schedule a free pickup from your home.

source https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/santa-monica-community-recycling-center-closure-effective-june-15-2019

Concerned About Road Safety Along Wilshire Boulevard Or Other Locations In Santa Monica? Our New Easy-to-use Interactive Map Helps You Report Concerns

Our city is on a mission to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2026. It’s a big goal, which is why we have launched the Take the Friendly Road campaign, but we can’t do it alone. We need all hands on deck — that’s why we’re asking for your input.
Earlier this year, we launched the Wilshire Safety Study — a data-driven assessment of traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths. With the results of this study, we’ll identify locations on Wilshire Blvd. that are most in need of infrastructure adjustments. Making these adjustments will help us continue to keep Santa Monica’s roads safe for years to come — regardless of whether we walk, take public transportation, drive, bike, or scoot.
A major part of this study is gathering input from the very people who travel along Wilshire Blvd. every day — you.
So how can you provide your input? Attend the community workshop on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at Reed Park Auditorium (1133 7th Street). The format is open house, so drop in anytime between 10 am and noon to learn about the project and provide feedback.
Another way is by using our new, interactive map tool. The tool allows you to report any road safety concerns you have while traveling on Wilshire Blvd. or any of Santa Monica’s streets. For example, is there a particular intersection where you frequently witness speeding or failure to yield? How about a crosswalk you find difficult to cross? Maybe a stretch of road in need of maintenance? You can report all these concerns and more.
Here’s how it works:
Open the interactive map tool and click ‘Add Comment.’
Drop a marker on the map to identify the geographic location of concern.
Select one of 10 icons to represent the problem — examples include poor visibility, difficult crossing conditions, and road surface maintenance issues.
Provide a note to communicate your concern in more detail. Keep in mind — specifics will help us address any concerns more efficiently, so details are always encouraged.
This crowdsourced map is being used by the City of Santa Monica for planning purposes only. For emergencies, please contact 911.
 
We appreciate you taking the time to report your concerns — it will do a lot to help us reach our goal of zero traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries.
Together, we can create a safe and friendly Santa Monica for everyone. For more info, visit santamonica.gov/friendlyroad.

source https://www.santamonica.gov/interactive-map

Santa Monica’s Annual Sidewalk CPA Event Reaches 288 People

The Santa Monica Fire Department, Santa Monica Police Harbor Guards, and Nurses from the AACN Chapter at UCLA, teamed up this year for the annual Sidewalk CPR event to support National CPR and AED Awareness Week. The event held at the Santa Monica Pier, June 5, 2019, educated 288 people in Hands-only CPR.

Hands-only CPR focuses on chest compressions and is a temporary measure that can keep the heart and brain alive until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrive to provide other treatments. Hands-only CPR, is used on adults and teens only, mouth to mouth breathing should still be used on children and infants.

You can learn more about Hands-only CPR, and find Information about CPR certification training by visiting the American Heart Association website, https://bit.ly/2MtHbXs, or The Red Cross, http://www.redcross.org/ux/take-a-class. 
 

source https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/santa-monica-s-annual-sidewalk-cpa-event-reaches-288-people