1 David Yakobson
From: Ralph Mechur <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 11:24 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: agenda item 16 I
EXTERNAL
Mayor and Council,
The Mayor's request to create a micro grants program for improvements to rent controlled/deedrestricted units raises several questions.
1. where would the funds come from?
2. who would administer the program and evaluate the requests?
3. who would inspect the work?
4. what metric would be used? would the focus be sustainability? health and safety? There are State and Federal standards for habitability existing.
5. couldn't there be a pot of funds for specific upgrades such as insulation, hvac upgrades, energy usage reductions?
6. would units that have been through vacancy decontrol and are leased at or near market rate be included?
7. would this be for any such unit or for entire buildings or both?
8. If a metric is created to help rank needs would it also apply to all rental buildings/units in Santa Monica and would there be a way to have tenants annually review compliance? Sincerely,
--
Ralph Mechur
Ralph Mechur Architects
2800 Airport Avenue, #1A
Santa Monica, CA 90405
o: 310-398-2940
m: 310-721-1254
Item 16-I
September 9, 2025
Item 16-I
September 9, 2025