Rent Control Board forms charter-amendment subcommittee and elects new chair, vice chair

The Santa Monica Rent Control Board on Jan. 8 voted to form a two-member subcommittee to consider potential charter amendments for the Nov. 2026 ballot and held its annual leadership elections.

Commissioner Embrys described the subcommittee’s purpose: to work with staff and produce recommendations the full board could consider and, if approved, forward to the City Council for possible placement on the ballot. Staff clarified the timeline: locally useful recommendations should reach the City Council by about April so the county can receive ballot material by the typical August deadline.

The board voted unanimously to form the subcommittee with Commissioners Embrys and Chair Gonska as the two members assigned to draft recommendations. Commissioners emphasized that other board members may conduct independent research and bring proposals to the full board but must avoid serial discussions outside public meetings under the Brown Act.

On leadership, Commissioner Dudek nominated Vice Chair Ivanov to serve as chair for the coming year; Ivanov accepted and was elected by unanimous roll call. Ivanov then nominated Commissioner Ambreese for vice chair; Ambreese accepted and the board elected her unanimously. Outgoing Chair Gonska thanked members for the opportunity to serve and said he looked forward to continuing as a board member.