Matthew Hall

Jawa Tengah, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Windsor

Editor-in-Chief at Santa Monica Daily Press

Articles

Businesses prepare for opening of DTSM Entertainment Zone in two weeks

4 days ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

Santa Monica’s alcohol fueled entertainment zone opens in two weeks and stores along the Promenade are preparing for whatever flows from taps. Last week, local business owners peppered city officials with questions about restroom access, security and competition from pop-up vendors during a training session in advance of the June 13 launch.
Challenges and Solutions Revealed

5 days ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

The City of Santa Monica reported a 6.1% overall vacancy rate among its workforce as of December 2024, with 124 unfilled positions out of 2,037.55 budgeted full-time equivalent positions, according to a mandatory public hearing held by the City Council last week. The report, presented by Human Resources Manager Michael Arnald, fulfills new requirements under Assembly Bill 2561, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2024.
Malibu's Petition for Independent School District Rejected Again

1 week ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

The Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization voted again this week to reject Malibu’s petition for an independent school district, in a process that was every bit as chaotic and confusing as the initial meeting that necessitated a revote. The rejection came during a revote prompted by procedural errors during the committee’s initial April vote.
Limiting New Hires and Maintenance

1 week ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

Faced with years of potential budget deficits, the City Council voted Tuesday to address the crisis by raising fees and reducing staffing throughout the city. Staff presented Council with a draft of the $789.9 million biennial budget this week that will require draining $60.5 million from reserves over the next five years to maintain basic services, as the city grapples with ongoing economic fallout from the pandemic and mounting legal settlements.
Yoga classes coming to Reed Park as part of community activation effort

1 week ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

Santa Monica residents will soon have the opportunity to practice yoga under the open sky as free outdoor classes begin this summer at Reed Park, part of a broader effort to activate the space and build community connections. The weekly yoga sessions will start Saturday, June 7, running from 8 to 9 a.m. every Saturday in June at the park located in the Wilmont neighborhood. If successful, organizers plan to continue the classes throughout the summer.
Santa Monica Faces Financial Challenges Amid COVID Fallout

1 week ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

Santa Monica will need to tap into $60.5 million in reserves over the next five years to maintain current service levels as the city grapples with lingering economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and recent wildfires, according to a proposed budget to be discussed at Tuesday’s Council meeting.
Future of Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District

1 week ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

The May 29 rescheduled revote to determine the future of the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District is rapidly approaching but both sides have already reengaged to hammer out a deal despite the vastly prolonged process. The Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization will revote on Malibu's 2017 petition to create an independent school district, following a procedural error that invalidated the committee's previous decision.
Local lawmakers condemn D.C. shooting of Israeli diplomatic staff

2 weeks ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

Elected officials representing Santa Monica have expressed shock and heartbreak following the fatal shooting of two Israeli diplomatic staffers outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., calling the attack a devastating example of rising antisemitic violence. State Senator Ben Allen issued a statement lamenting the situation"Sending everyone from our broader Jewish community a big hug today in the wake of last night's heinous murders in Washington DC.
Santa Monica hires Oliver Chi as City Manager

2 weeks ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

Santa Monica has selected Oliver Chi as its next city manager following a nationwide search, the City Council announced Friday. Chi, who has served as Irvine's city manager since 2021, will earn an annual salary of $410,604 when he officially joins Santa Monica on July 14. The City Council is scheduled to formally approve his contract at its May 27 meeting. As Santa Monica's city manager, Chi will oversee a total city budget of $789.9 million and a workforce of more than 2,000 employees.
3 Visionary Proposals for the Future

2 weeks ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

Santa Monica’s decades long debate over the future of its airport continues to simmer with the unveiling of three potential visions for the property should it close in 2028. A May 17 workshop, organized by the city's Public Works department and design consultants Sasaki Design Associates, drew throngs of residents to examine proposals that would transform the 192-acre site into various combinations of parkland, recreational facilities and development.