Year in Review Part 4: November
Dec. 30, 2020 at 6:00 am
After several months of closure Muscle Beach officially reopened in Santa Monica. The County cleared it for reopening in line with the same requirements as playgrounds. People were required to wear a mask at all times they are in the park. In addition, visits were limited to thirty minutes if others were using the equipment, eating and drinking were not allowed, and people must remain six feet away from non household members.
Relaxed regulations in the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Pier and other commercial zones were extended by City Councilmembers until the end of 2022 in an attempt to bolster the economic recovery of local businesses.
Year in Review Part 2: June
Dec. 28, 2020 at 6:00 am
Santa Monica was looted after a peaceful protest devolved into a riot in the Downtown area. Hundreds of people held a protest at Ocean and Montana following several days of protests across the country calling for justice for George Floyd, a black man who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer. At about 2 p.m., organized criminal gangs flooded the city targeting the mall and downtown businesses. Hundreds of stores were damaged or looted as criminals roamed unimpeded throughout parts of town while police clashed with protesters near the pier using tear gas to disperse the crowd. Order was restored in the early evening following the arrival of the National Guard and mandatory curfews.
Year in Review Part 2: May
Dec. 28, 2020 at 6:00 am
Mobility advocates called on the city to join other cities, including Pasadena, San Diego, Oakland and San Francisco, in restricting car traffic on some neighborhood streets to provide more space for pedestrians and cyclists to practice physical distancing.
The Santa Monica Education Foundation’s annual Santa Monica Wine Auction went virtual to continue its tradition of raising funds for local public schools.
The city of Santa Monica extended its moratorium on residential and commercial evictions. The order also extended the time tenants had to pay rent they were unable to pay from six to twelve months.
Year in Review Part 2: April
Dec. 28, 2020 at 6:00 am
The city of Santa Monica created a task force dedicated to getting the local economy moving again. The Santa Monica Economic Recovery Task Force is a collaboration between city staff and businesses.
The city announced mergers of several departments and staff layoffs as it moved to reduce its budget amid a sharp decline in revenues. By June 30, the end of the fiscal year, the city projected a $72 million General Fund shortfall. Next fiscal year, projections showed a nearly 40% drop in city revenues.
California public schools announced they would be closed for the remainder of the academic year. California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond detailed the need to keep schools across the state shuttered for the safety of students and staff.
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