INSIDE
smmirror.com
September 20 - September 26, 2024 Volume CXXIII Issue 214
SMMUSD Makes Key Agreements in Separation Efforts With Malibu See Page 2
Families of Pepperdine Students Killed on PCH File Lawsuit Against State and Malibu Lawsuit Targets Local Authorities Over Fatal Crash Involving Pepperdine Students
The families of four Pepperdine University students who were killed in a deadly accident on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu filed a lawsuit against state and local agencies. The lawsuits target the State of California, Caltrans, the California Coastal Commission, the County of Los Angeles, and the City of Malibu, claiming that these entities are responsible for the hazardous design of the roadway and their failure to implement life-saving safety measures according to a press release from the families’ law firms. The tragic accident occurred on October 17, 2023, when Pepperdine seniors Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams were
walking along the northbound shoulder of PCH near a stretch known as “Dead Man’s Curve.” A driver, Fraser Michael Bohm, who lost control of his vehicle, veered into the shoulder, first striking a parked car before fatally hitting the four students and injuring a fifth. This specific .8-mile section of PCH, running from Las Flores Canyon Road to Carbon Canyon Road, is notorious for high-speed accidents. According to crash data from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) and the Traffic Accident Surveillance and Analysis System (TASAS), 217 auto collisions were reported in this area between January 16, 2012, and July 26, 2023. Speeding was a factor in 64 of those incidents. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the families by Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, Kramer Trial Lawyers APC, Ellis Riccobono, LLP, and BD&J, PC, claims that the defendants had long been aware of the dangers posed by this portion of PCH. In 2015, a Pacific Coast Highway Safety Study commissioned by the Malibu City Council identified 130 safety improvements needed to reduce accidents. Despite the allocation of over $28 million in funding, only
seven projects had been completed by November 2023. The complaint points to a broader issue, citing Los Angeles County Sheriff Captain Jennifer Seetoo’s report, which notes that between 2013 and 2023, PCH in Malibu saw 3,345 vehicle collisions resulting in 53 deaths and 92 serious injuries. Over the past decade, 42,102 speeding tickets were issued along PCH in Malibu, but enforcement alone has failed to curb the danger. “Pacific Coast Highway has been a death trap for decades,” tweeted Malibu resident Rob Lowe following a deadly crash in 2015 that claimed the life of rapper MC Supreme. The attorneys for the victims’ families condemned the defendants’ inaction. “For far too long, PCH in
Malibu has been unsafe for pedestrians and drivers alike,” they said in a joint statement. “These lawsuits will force the defendants to take the actions they should have taken years ago to prevent further tragedies. Enough is enough.” Representatives from Caltrans, Los Angeles County, and the state of California have not issued statements but, according to NBC Los Angeles, the city of Malibu issued a statement, which said in part, “We understand the legal actions filed by the families in their pursuit of accountability, and the city respects their right to seek justice ... The city of Malibu remains committed to collaborating with state and county agencies to expedite necessary safety improvements.”
Santa Monica Is the Most Expensive City for Businesses, Study Finds The Study Points to Santa Monica’s Housing Affordability Crisis as a Major Factor to High Business Costs Santa Monica has been named the most expensive city for businesses to operate in, according to the 2024 Kosmont-Rose Institute Cost of Doing Business Survey, released by Claremont McKenna College’s Rose Institute of State and Local Government. The annual survey, which analyzed a comprehensive set of cost-related factors across 216
cities nationwide, placed Santa Monica at the top, outpacing other high-cost cities in Southern California and across the country. The study highlighted several key factors contributing to Santa Monica’s top ranking, including its elevated business license fees, utility taxes, and local sales taxes, which were found to be among the highest in the region. Commercial rents, which have consistently trended upwards in recent years, were another significant factor, with many business owners reporting that the high cost of leasing commercial space in Santa Monica has become unsustainable. In addition to these local taxes and fees, Santa Monica’s high wage requirements, driven by both state mandates and local ordinances, further amplify the financial pressure on businesses. The study also pointed to Santa Monica’s housing affordability crisis as
a major contributing factor to its high business costs. The city, like much of Southern California, has been grappling with a shortage of affordable housing, which in turn affects both employers and employees. For businesses, the lack of affordable housing means higher wage expectations as workers struggle to meet the demands of living in the area. This dynamic can also lead to high employee turnover and difficulty in attracting and retaining talent, adding to operational costs for businesses. The Kosmont-Rose Institute report noted that nearly half of the 88 cities in Los Angeles County fell into the top tiers of business costs, with Santa Monica leading the pack. Neighboring cities such as Culver City, Malibu, and Pasadena were also ranked in the top five most expensive, illustrating the broader challenges faced by businesses operating in Southern California.
Outside of California, the study compared Southern California cities to business-friendly regions such as Boise, Idaho, which ranked as the least expensive city in the country for businesses.