Armen Melkonians
Civil/Environmental Engineer

Note: The following questions should be answered without the need for further explanation. However, you can clarify as many as five answers in 35 words or less.

CRIME

1) Do you think Santa Monica has become a more dangerous city over the past five years?

Yes

No

I am proud to be one of two candidates to have the endorsement of both Fire and Police. We need strong leadership who can create effective policies to reduce crime and homelessness.

2) Crime statistics, which are based on the number of police reports filed,

a.) accurately reflect the level of crime in Santa Monica

b.) underestimates the level of crime

c.) overestimates the level of crime

As crime has continued to increase, many residents have stopped reporting property crimes as the feeling of helplessness takes over. This needs to change so we can create a safer city for all.

3) Police tend to discourage people from filing crime reports.

True

False

The revolving door policies have affected how we do policing. This needs to change so we can create a safer city for all.

4) Efforts to reform the criminal justice system -- including reducing certain "nonviolent and nonserious" offenses to misdemeanors -- have resulted in more crime.

True

False

5) The Expo light rail line has increased crime in Santa Monica.

True

False

6) Is the City delivering clean and safe public spaces?

Yes

No

The police department needs additional resources. We have not changed maximum staffing levels in over 20 years even after the Expo Light Rail opened and crime has increased. City Hall needs strong leadership.

HOMELESSNESS

1) Do you believe the 2022 homeless count

a.) reflects the size of the city's homeless population

b.) under-counts the homeless population

c.) over-counts the homeless population

2) Santa Monica spends more than $5 million a year in homeless outreach efforts. The City should

a.) continue to spend around that amount

b.) spend less

c.) spend more

3) The City's homeless services attract more homeless people to Santa Monica.

True

False

4) Do you approve of the Council's decision to build housing for the homeless at the site of Parking Structure 3 Downtown?

Yes

No

DEVELOPMENT

1) Santa Monica is overdeveloped.

True

False

2) Santa Monica should build more housing, especially affordable units.

True

False

3) Should Santa Monica ensure there is enough money to provide the services and infrastructure needed before new housing is built?

Yes

No

4) Should state officials dictate how many units a local government must plan to build?

Yes

No

5) Do you think producing more market-rate rental housing in Santa Monica will decrease local rents?

Yes

No

There is an infinite supply of people who want to come here. Building luxury housing attracts the highest income tenants. This increases rents of existing adjacent housing. Existing lower income tenants get displaced.

6) Everyone has the right to live anywhere they want, regardless of income.

True

False

ECONOMY

1) In hindsight, do you think the State, County and City were justified in shutting down most businesses during much of the coronavirus pandemic?

Yes

No

2) Given that Santa Monica has more than $500 million in unfunded retirement obligations and climbing, should the City outsource more?

Yes

No

3) Which transfer tax increases on the November ballot do you support?

a.) Measure GS, Mayor Sue Himmelrich's $56 per $1,000 transfer tax hike for properties that sell for $8 million or more to fund affordable housing, homelessness prevention and public schools.

b.) Measure DT, Councilmember Phil Brock's $25 per $1,000 rival transfer tax measure to boost City services and programs cut back during the coronavirus shutdown

c. neither

4) The City's substitution of commercial buildings and parking structures with housing Downtown is weakening the City's tax base.

True

False

POLICIES

1) Are the contribution limits for City Council campaigns giving too much influence to special interest groups.

Yes

No

2) Should the Council vote to stop fighting the 2016 Voting Rights lawsuit and voluntarily replace Santa Monica's at-large voting system with geographic voting districts?

Yes

No