By Lookout Staff
December 31, 2025 -- A new City program that offers homeless individuals who commit low-level crimes an alternative to jail gets off to a fast start, as.Santa Monica's homeless population increases based on a questionable homeless count.
Despite pressure from housing activists, the City Council approves converting Airport land into a "Great Park" without residential units and actively seeks to place a major affordable housing project on a prime Downtown site.
While the City's push to spur more housing gets a boost when market-rate developers flock to an incentive program, it is dealt a sudden blow when the developer of the largest housing project in 60 years pulls out.
Shortly after City Manager Oliver Chi takes the reins on July 24, top executive posts, including those of Police Chief and City Attorney, turn over and the Council purges a "dysfunctional" Downtown Board.
As summer comes to an end, the Council proclaims that Santa Monica's government is experiencing "fiscal distress" as the number of sex abuse cases that date back decades keeps mounting and the economy struggles to recover.
JULY
Law to Curb Unwanted Behavior on Buses Kicks In
July 2, 2025 -- Starting on Wednesday, Big Blue Bus (BBB) passengers who have been routinely cited for policy infractions or arrested for crimes on buses or at transit facilities can be denied service.
RAND Study Calls Into Question LA County's Homeless Counts
July 9, 2025 -- A report by the RAND Corporation released last week raises serious questions about the accuracy of the latest homeless counts conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), including those in Santa Monica.
Council Approves Airport Park Without Housing
July 10, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday voted 6 to 1 to move ahead with a plan to convert 192 acres of airport land into a "Great Park" that excludes, and does not immediately study, housing.
SaMo Bridge Program Off to a Fast Start
July 11, 2025 -- A new City program that offers homeless individuals who have committed low-level crimes an alternative to jail is off to a promising start, City officials said.
Downtown Agency CEO to Step Down
July 14 -- Andrew Thomas, a staunch advocate of zoning changes that are helping revive an economically crippled Downtown district, unexpectedly announced his resignation Friday.
Key Player in Civic Auditorium Group Indicted
July 15, 2025 -- A key player in the group negotiating to resurrect Santa Monica's historic Civic Auditorium has been indicted for conspiring to rig the bidding process for an arena contract in Texas, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
City Seeks Proposals for Prime Downtown Santa Monica Site
July 18, 2025 -- Nearly five years after the City Council rejected The Plaza mixed-use hotel project in the heart of Downtown, the City is actively seeking proposals to develop the 2.57-acre site.
Explosives that Killed 3 Sheriff's Deputies Likely Came from Santa Monica
July 21, 2025 -- The explosive devices that killed three LA Sheriff's Deputies early Friday morning likely originated from a multifamily building in Santa Monica's Ocean Park neighborhood, according to multiple sources.
City Attorney Doug Sloan to Leave Post
July 25, 2025 -- In a surprise announcement Thursday, City officials said Doug Sloan will resign from his post as City Attorney effective August 31.
Santa Monica Sees Increase in Homeless Count
July 24, 2025 -- Santa Monica's homeless population increased by 38 individuals this year with more people living in shelters, cars, vans and RVs, according to the results of the 2025 homeless count released Wednesday.
RAND Era Poised to End
July 28, 2025 -- An era could officially come to an end Tuesday when the City Council takes up a proposal from RAND that would allow the research firm to sell or lease most of its sprawling headquarters in Santa Monica.
Sex Abuse Cases Against the City Keep Mounting
July 29, 2025 -- The number of sex abuse cases against the City has been rising after Santa Monica's cash-strapped government paid $230 million in settlements more than two years ago.
Council Purges 'Dysfunctional' Downtown Board
July 30, 2025 -- Citing "emergency circumstances," the City Council Tuesday night ousted six Downtown Santa Monica board members and replaced them with temporary members that include two former mayors and a former City Manager.
AUGUST
Unredacted Portions of Snapchat Lawsuit Made Public
August 4, 2025 -- Unredacted portions of a lawsuit against Santa Monica's largest employer, Snap, Inc., offer "new alarming details" of how drug dealers and sex predators use its app to target children, according to Utah State officials who filed the suit.
Police Crack Down on Illegal Bikes
August 5, 2025 -- Amid growing complaints from Santa Monica residents, traffic officers last month impounded 15 off-road electric vehicles driven illegally in public spaces, according to police.
Airport Security Walks Out, Leaves Airfield Exposed
August 8, 2025 -- For at least two weeks in May, Santa Monica Airport was without a critical security system that monitors and controls access to the airfield, according to a staff report to the City Council.
Coyotes in Santa Monica Grow More Aggressive
August 8, 2025 -- Reported encounters with coyotes have become more prevalent in Santa Monica, with the animals displaying more aggressive behavior, according to police.
Council Takes Up Emergency Ordinance to Kick-start Housing Construction
August 11, 2025 -- Despite local efforts to speed up housing development, building permits for only 181 units have been issued since 2023, prompting the City Council to explore incentives to kick-start construction.
Downtown Zoning Changes Made Permanent
August 14, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday permanently adopted interim zoning measures that were approved and amended over the past two years to revitalize the Promenade area.
Trump's Spending Bill Gives Big Boost to Local Affordable Housing
August 15, 2025 -- President Donald Trump's historic spending bill will provide a major boost for affordable housing development in Santa Monica, which has been struggling to meet its State mandated target.
City Hikes Parking Rates
August 18, 2025 -- The City Council last Tuesday restructured the rates at its Downtown parking structures and hiked prices for meters and lots citywide, generating more than $8 million a year for the cash-strapped local government.
Businesses Warn Pro-Union Ordinance Could 'Destroy' Pier's Character
August 22, 2025 -- Nearly three dozen local businesses sent a letter to City officials Thursday strongly opposing a proposed ordinance that would require businesses on the City owned Pier to sign labor peace agreements.
Clashing Views on Public Safety May Have Led to Police Chief's Departure
August 25, 2025 -- Police Chief Ramon Batista's abrupt resignation Friday not only shocked his officers -- who learned the news from an open letter to the community -- but it raised questions about the reasons for his exit.
City Manager Names Acting Police Chief
August 26, 2025 -- City officials on Monday formally announced the resignation of Police Chief Ramón Batista and the appointment of Deputy Chief Darrick Jacob as Acting Chief of Police.
City to Begin Citing Vehicles Parked in Bus Lanes and Stops
August 26, 2025 -- Starting next Monday, vehicles that are illegally parked in bus lanes and bus stops in Santa Monica will receive $293 citations as the Transportation Department formally launches its automated enforcement program.
SEPTEMBER
Santa Monica to Cash In as Iconic Film Backdrop
September 2, 2025 -- Since Charlie Chaplin starred in a film comedy on the Pier in 1914, Santa Monica has been the backdrop of major films and TV shows -- from "Forrest Gump," "Baywatch" and "Barbie" to "Iron Man," "Sharknado" and "Speed."
Health Officials Issue Warning After Typhus Outbreak in Santa Monica
September 2, 2025 -- LA County Public Health officials are investigating an outbreak of flea-borne typhus cases in Santa Monica following an increase in reported cases countywide since 2010.
Free Meter Parking for EVs to End
September 4, 2025 -- For 23 years, zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) have been allowed to park at meters across Santa Monica for free. That will end on September 30.
City Defends Deputy Fire Chief Against Inaccurate Media Reports
September 8, 2025 -- A top ranking Santa Monica Fire official was not involved in immigration actions during a Washington state wildfire that captured national headlines for a week, City officials said Friday.
Council to Take Up Suit Filed By Ousted Downtown Boardmembers
September 9, 2025 -- Two of the six Downtown Board members removed by the City Council filed a lawsuit Friday that seeks to invalidate the appointments the Council is expected to make Tuesday.
Developer Pulls Out of Gelson's Project
September 10, 2025 -- The developer of the 521-unit mixed use housing project at the Gelson's site at Lincoln and Ocean Park boulevards will not be moving ahead with the approved project.
Council Fills Downtown Board Seats
September 11, 2025 -- With no discussion, the City Council Tuesday night permanently replaced the six members of the Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) Board it removed one-and-a-half months ago.
City Manager Taps Veteran Planner for Top Post
September 12, 2025 -- Santa Monica's longtime planning manager Jing Yeo will head the City's Community Development Department after the quiet departure of its former director less than seven months after being hired.
Controversial Housing Bill Clears Final Hurdles
September 15, 2025 -- A State bill that paves the way for large housing developments in Santa Monica's residential areas by overriding local zoning was approved with back-to-back legislative votes last week.
Council Approves Fiscal Distress Resolution
September 15, 2025 -- An item on last week's City Council agenda expected to be quickly approved with no discussion generated national headlines before it was adopted with an emphasis on what it won't do.
Trendsetting Air Carrier Seeks to Operate in Santa Monica
September 18, 2025 -- A fast-rising public charter air carrier that offers an alternative to major airlines by providing shorter flights on smaller aircraft has applied to operate from Santa Monica Airport.
Councilmember to Head Housing Advocacy Group
September 19, 2025 -- City Councilmember Jesse Zwick has been hired as director of a housing advocacy group, but it remains unclear how his new role will impact his participation on housing issues before the Council.
Housing Developers Flock to Incentive Program
September 25, 2025 -- Market-rate housing developers rushed to take advantage of a City program that offers density bonuses and an opportunity to build affordable units off-site.