Developers LUVE to donate to oppose Santa Monica measure LV
There will be lots of decisions to be made on the November ballot. Coming out of mothballs, the Centrist Party (membership still holding firm at one) will examine the national and statewide ballot over the next few weeks. But first, a look at Measure LV, an anti-development measure on the ballot in my hometown of Santa Monica.
Simply put, this measure will give the residents of Santa Monica a voice in the approval of any development in the downtown "core" area that would exceed 32 feet in height (equivalent to three stories tall). The link above contains the pro and con arguments regarding Measure LV. Personally I'm of the mind that Santa Monica is overdeveloped already, as demonstrated by the absolute gridlock one will experience trying to enter or the leave the city during rush hour.
According to campaign finance documents on file with the City of Santa Monica, through June 30, 2016, two developers had donated a combined total of $125,000 to "Housing & Opportunity for a Modern Economy (HOME)." NMS Properties, LLC gave $100,000 and Century West Partners, LLC gave another $25,000. They broke open the checkbooks again in September and put another $125,000 and $50,000 respectively into the HOME coffers. Aside from a $10,000 contribution from a PAC of apartment owners, HOME has reported no other contributions to their campaign. Considering they had over $78,000 on hand as of June 30th, look for them to spend big between now and election day.
What caught my eye about this race was a FB post. It mentions that HOME paid $8,000 to Jade Ranch Consolidated LLC. I checked the CA Secretary of State business entity page and found that one Kevin J. Trisler is the agent for service for this LLC. Jay Trisler is a retired Santa Monica Police Department who is, as noted in the FB post, current chairman of the SMPD Police Officers Association.
I checked the records and found that one Kevin J. Trisler was a SMPD lieutenant in 2015 who was paid a total of $360,000 in pay and benefits (probably a payout of accumulated sick and vacation time prior to retirement, although that's speculation) that year. Seems to me that the HOME spokesperson Jay Trisler and the owner of Jade Ranch are one and the same.
Nothing illegal about receiving a payment through an LLC for one's services. The income must still be reported on the federal tax return of the business entity that comprises the LLC. But why would someone form a LLC (in 2015) to pass a payment of $8,000 through when the LLC will be hit by annual fees of $800 for 2015 and 2016? To attempt to conceal the payment and the fact that Mr. Trisler is being paid to be HOME's spokesperson?
Even more interesting is the fact that as of September 19, 2016 anyone who is lobbying Santa Monica officials is required to register with the city. The list of lobbyists was supposed to be on the city's website as of that date. Their webpage has not yet been updated with that information. Is Mr. Trisler contacting members of the City Council or other city employees/officials? Has he registered as a lobbyist?
Stay tuned.
Simply put, this measure will give the residents of Santa Monica a voice in the approval of any development in the downtown "core" area that would exceed 32 feet in height (equivalent to three stories tall). The link above contains the pro and con arguments regarding Measure LV. Personally I'm of the mind that Santa Monica is overdeveloped already, as demonstrated by the absolute gridlock one will experience trying to enter or the leave the city during rush hour.
According to campaign finance documents on file with the City of Santa Monica, through June 30, 2016, two developers had donated a combined total of $125,000 to "Housing & Opportunity for a Modern Economy (HOME)." NMS Properties, LLC gave $100,000 and Century West Partners, LLC gave another $25,000. They broke open the checkbooks again in September and put another $125,000 and $50,000 respectively into the HOME coffers. Aside from a $10,000 contribution from a PAC of apartment owners, HOME has reported no other contributions to their campaign. Considering they had over $78,000 on hand as of June 30th, look for them to spend big between now and election day.
What caught my eye about this race was a FB post. It mentions that HOME paid $8,000 to Jade Ranch Consolidated LLC. I checked the CA Secretary of State business entity page and found that one Kevin J. Trisler is the agent for service for this LLC. Jay Trisler is a retired Santa Monica Police Department who is, as noted in the FB post, current chairman of the SMPD Police Officers Association.
I checked the records and found that one Kevin J. Trisler was a SMPD lieutenant in 2015 who was paid a total of $360,000 in pay and benefits (probably a payout of accumulated sick and vacation time prior to retirement, although that's speculation) that year. Seems to me that the HOME spokesperson Jay Trisler and the owner of Jade Ranch are one and the same.
Nothing illegal about receiving a payment through an LLC for one's services. The income must still be reported on the federal tax return of the business entity that comprises the LLC. But why would someone form a LLC (in 2015) to pass a payment of $8,000 through when the LLC will be hit by annual fees of $800 for 2015 and 2016? To attempt to conceal the payment and the fact that Mr. Trisler is being paid to be HOME's spokesperson?
Even more interesting is the fact that as of September 19, 2016 anyone who is lobbying Santa Monica officials is required to register with the city. The list of lobbyists was supposed to be on the city's website as of that date. Their webpage has not yet been updated with that information. Is Mr. Trisler contacting members of the City Council or other city employees/officials? Has he registered as a lobbyist?
Stay tuned.
posted by me at 8:19 PM
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