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NOTE: Council Wrap-Ups are a summary of meeting topics and events provided by the City Manager's Office as a public service. This wrap-up is not an official record of Council action. The official record is posted by the City Clerk on this website with other meeting documents as soon as possible after the meeting.
Consent calendar – Among matters not requiring extensive discussion, Council:
• Approved the Short Range Transit Plan and adopted a resolution authorizing the filing of grant applications.
• Authorized the City Manager to execute documents to receive a $15,000 grant for the Metropolitan Water District for a water efficiency internship program.
• Approved changes to the water efficiency competitive landscape grant program.
• Accepted a $320,000 of water conservation grants for the Sustainable Landscape Grant Program and the Rain Harvest Rebate Program.
• Authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with RBF Consulting for design of the Pier Storm Drain project and appropriated $2 million for the construction of the project.
• Adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the MOU between the City and Santa Monica Firefighters Local 1109 IAFF.
• Authorized an amendment to a delegated authority agreement with Los Angeles County for the City to receive up to $305,000 in exchange for City TV to provide County programming and video services.
• Authorized an amendment with Walker Parking Consultants in the amount of $270,000 to provide audit services.
An item in support of Proposition 5 was pulled from the agenda and not considered.
Closed Session – Awarded three separate settlements totaling $574,500.
Progress report on Homeless Initiatives including Service Registry;
Homeless Community Court; and Veterans Housing and Services – Staff presented an update on successes resulting from the service registry, the Project Homecoming efforts to return homeless to family and friends at their origin City. Also presented was a summary of the activities of the Homeless Community Court. The West L.A. VA is currently seeking service providers and developers for the development of services and homes for veterans. Also noted was funding cuts for EHAP and other State-funded programs and its effect on service providers and the reauthorization of Federal programs. Council also urged the State Legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to restore full funding for the Emergency Housing and Assistance Program (EHAP) to the 2009-2010 state budget. The Council is also requested to communicate and request similar resolutions from each of the 88 cities of Los Angeles County and each of its Councils of Government, particularly the Westside Cities Council of Governments.
Design concepts for the "No-Smoking" ordinance outreach campaign – Council reviewed Fresh Air and Care for our Air and directed staff to further develop the concepts to be more playful, fun and engaging.
Council Proclaimed October 2008 as Disability Awareness Month in the City of Santa Monica.
Ordinances – Council adopted on second reading ordinances:
• adding Section 2.12.155 to the Municipal Code to create the position of Commissioner Emeritus on the Recreation and Parks Commission;
• amending Municipal Code Chapter 6.28 relating to publication vending machines (newsracks);
• establishing standards to ensure public safety for all structures equipped with solar photovoltaic systems; and
• amending Municipal Code Sections 9.52.020, 9.52.030, 9.52.120, 9.52.130, 9.52.140, 9.52.150, and 9.52.200 and adding Code Sections 9.52.125, and 9.52.135 updating the form of the City’s Sign Code to conform to current legal requirements and to clarify certain of the Sign Code’s provisions.
Council introduced for first reading an ordinance, as amended, modifying the Municipal Code to modify fence, wall, and hedge standards, to grandparent existing nonconforming fences, walls and hedges that have been properly registered; to clarify/establish criteria for the repair and replacement of registered nonconforming fences, walls and hedges; to establish administrative and discretionary height modification procedures; to require the maintenance of hedges; and to specify a self-help remedy for overhanging hedges. Council directed staff to examine how the height is measured and return with recommendations and return with review and recommendations regarding a six inch set back for walls and fences.
Council heard public comment and continued an item to adopt a resolution supporting local and statewide laws that prohibit the sale and promotion of tobacco products in pharmacies and drugstores in California; and urging all local pharmacies and drugstores not to sell or promote tobacco products; and introduction and first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 4.44 of the Municipal Code on smoking to prohibit smoking in common areas of multi-unit residential properties; and adding Chapter 4.45 to the Municipal Code to create a tobacco retailer licensing program.
Appointments to Measure V Oversight Committee – This item was continued to a future meeting.
Other Matters – Council continued all other matters.
ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 11:13 in memory of Dorothy Green, founder of Heal the Bay and actively involved in other environmental issues and Doris Myer, who was a long time community activist. The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the wheelchair-accessible Council Chamber at City Hall. Council meetings are aired live on CityTV Channel 16 and on the Netcast on the city's website and, for regularly scheduled meetings, from 8 p.m. to midnight on KCRW 89.9 FM.
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