(NOT APPROVED)

 

CITY OF SANTA MONICA

 

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

 

JANUARY 8, 2008

 

A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Katz at 5:48 p.m., on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, 2008, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street.

 

Roll Call:          Present:            Mayor Herb Katz

                                                Mayor Pro Tem Richard Bloom

                                                Councilmember Ken Genser

                                                Councilmember Robert T. Holbrook

                                                Councilmember Kevin McKeown

                                                Councilmember Pam O’Connor (arrived at 6:02 p.m.)

                                                Councilmember Bobby Shriver (arrived at 6:06 p.m.)

 

                        Also Present:    City Manager P. Lamont Ewell

                                                City Attorney Marsha Jones Moutrie

                                                City Clerk Maria M. Stewart

 

CONVENE/PLEDGE  

On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened at 5:48 p.m., with Councilmembers Shriver and O’Connor absent.  Councilmember Holbrook led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR:

All items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.

 

Members of the public Joy Fullmer and Joe Natoli commented on various Consent Calendar items.

 

At the request of Councilmember Genser Item 1-E was removed from the Consent Calendar.  At the request of Councilmember McKeown Items 1-F and 1-G were removed from the Consent Calendar.

 

Motion by Councilmember Genser, seconded by Councilmember McKeown, to approve all items on the Consent Calendar as presented except Items 1-E, 1-F and 1-G, reading resolutions by title only and waiving further reading thereof.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 


AYES:             Councilmembers Holbrook, Genser, McKeown, Mayor Pro Tem Bloom, Mayor Katz

NOES:             None

ABSENT:        Councilmembers O’Connor, Shriver

 

MINUTES

1-A:     The minutes of the November 27, December 4, and December 11, 2007, City Council meeting, were approved as submitted.

 

CEMETERY & MAUSOLEUM CARE

1-B:     Cemetery and Mausoleum Perpetual Care Funds – recommendation to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an amendment to the existing Contract No. 8870 (CCS) with RNC Capital Management LLC, in the amount of $60,000 for a total not to exceed amount of $130,000, for management of the Cemetery and Mausoleum Perpetual Care Funds, was approved.

 

1119 20th STREET

1-C:     Resolution No. 10267 (CCS) entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA APPROVING FINAL TRACT MAP NO. 62429 FOR A FIVE-UNIT CONDOMINIUM PROJECT AT 1119 20TH STREET,” was adopted.

 

WASTEWATER RATES

1-D:     Proposed Wastewater Rate Adjustments consultation services - recommendation to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an amendment to Contract No. 8726 (CCS), with Raftelis Financial Consultants, in the amount of $18,750, for additional consulting services for the project, was approved.

 

REJECTION OF BID - TRANSIT VEHICLES

1-H:     Recommendation to reject Bid No. 2924 to furnish and deliver up to five small alternative fuel transit vehicles, was approved.

 

STREET, SIDEWALK, CIVIC PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS

1-E:      Street, Sidewalk, Drainage and Civic Auditorium Parking Lot Improvement Project - recommendation to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute construction Contract No. 8871 (CCS) with Sequel Contractors, in the amount of $8,259,040; construction management Contract No. 8872 (CCS) with URS Corporation in the amount of $832,700; accept a $54,000 grant from California Integrated Waste Management Board and approve proposed budget changes; and appropriate $50,000 in grant funds from Proposition C, was presented.

 

Councilmember Genser advised he removed this item from the Consent Calendar because there might have a potential conflict of interest with this matter and asked the City Attorney to comment.

 

City Attorney Marsha Moutrie reviewed the conflict of interest rules and advised that an exception applies and there is no conflict because of the extreme breadth of the project.

Motion by Councilmember Genser, to approve recommendation.

 

Councilmember McKeown requested to amend the motion to give direction that in overseeing the implementation of the contract staff give specific attention to curbs, gutters, stormdrains and discontinuities that run parallel to the direction of travel in the curb lane.

 

The amendment was accepted as friendly by the maker. Councilmember McKeown seconded the motion as amended.  The motion as amended was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Holbrook, Genser, McKeown, Mayor Pro Tem Bloom, Mayor Katz

NOES:             None

ABSENT:        Councilmembers O’Connor and Shriver

 

CIVIC AUDITORIUM ELECTRICAL

1-F:      Civic Auditorium Electrical Upgrade Project - recommendation to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Contract No. 8873 (CCS) with A-1 Electrical Service Company, in the amount of $446,000, for the project, was presented.

 

Councilmember McKeown advised he removed this item from the Consent Calendar to assure that the electrical upgrade anticipates future uses of the Civic Center, including uses in the West Wing.  Staff answered questions of staff.

 

Motion by Councilmember McKeown, seconded by Councilmember Genser, to approve recommendation.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Holbrook, Genser, McKeown, Mayor Pro Tem Bloom, Mayor Katz

NOES:             None

ABSENT:        Councilmembers O’Connor and Shriver

 

FARMERS’ MARKET BUS RIDES

1-G:     Cancellation of Farmers' Market bus rides - recommendation to authorize the Big Blue Bus to cancel the Downtown and the Pico Farmers' Market ride services due to very low ridership, was presented.

 

Councilmember McKeown advised he removed this item from the Consent Calendar to confirm that the bus maps will be revised to reflect this change.  Staff answered questions to staff.

 

Motion by Councilmember McKeown, seconded by Councilmember Genser, to approve recommendation.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Holbrook, Genser, McKeown, Mayor Pro Tem Bloom, Mayor Katz

NOES:             None

ABSENT:        Councilmembers O’Connor and Shriver

 

SPECIAL JOINT MEETING

On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed its regular meeting at 6:02 p.m., to a joint meeting with the Redevelopment Agency, with Councilmember Shriver absent.

 

LEASE OF SPACE: 1901 MAIN STREET & 1212 5TH STREET

(Councilmember O’Connor arrived at 6:02 p.m.)

1-I:       Lease of space at 1901 Main Street and lease renewal at 1212 5th Street for office space - recommendation that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Lease No. 8874 (CCS) with AMDA, and renewal for Lease No. 8404 (CCS) with Wilshire & 5th I & II, for City offices; appropriate $98,200 as proposed; and authorize the expenditure of $600,000 for tenant improvement costs.  Recommendation that the Council and the Redevelopment Agency approve proposed appropriation of $360,000 from the Redevelopment Agency; and authorize the City Manager and the Executive Director, respectively, to execute Reimbursement Agreement No. 8875 (CCS/RAS) between the City and the Agency for the $360,000, was presented.

 

 Member of the public Joe Natoli expressed concerns regarding the proposal.

 

Motion by Councilmember Holbrook, seconded by Councilmember Genser, to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Lease No. 8874 (CCS) with AMDA, and renewal for Lease No. 8404 (CCS) with Wilshire & 5th I & II, for City offices.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers McKeown, O’Connor, Genser, Holbrook, Mayor Pro Tem Bloom, Mayor Katz

NOES:             None

ABSENT:        Councilmember Shriver

 

ADJOURNMENT OF SPECIAL JOINT MEETING

On order of the Mayor, the special joint meeting with the Redevelopment Agency was adjourned and the City Council reconvened to their regular meeting and recessed at 6:06 p.m., to consider closed sessions.  The City Council reconvened at 7:25 p.m., with all members present, to report the following:

 

CLOSED SESSIONS:

(Councilmember Shriver arrived at 6:06 p.m.)

2-A:     Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation: Richard Schneider v. City of Santa Monica, Case No. SC 088456.

 

ACTION:        Heard.  No reportable action taken.

 

2-B:     Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation: Henry Morgan v. City of Santa Monica, Case No. SC 089903. 

 

ACTION:        Heard.  No reportable action taken.

 

2-C:     Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation: Carmen Garay v. City of Santa Monica, Case No. SC 093952.

 

Motion By Councilmember O’Connor, seconded by Councilmember Holbrook, to approve settlement in the amount of $30,000.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers McKeown, O’Connor, Genser, Shriver, Holbrook, Mayor Pro Tem Bloom, Mayor Katz

NOES:             None

ABSENT:        None

 

2-D:     Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation:  Abraham Supino v. City of Santa Monica (and consolidated cases), Case No. SC 080283.

 

ACTION:        Heard.  No reportable action taken.

 

2-E:      Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation:  City of Santa Monica v. Baron & Budd, P.C., Case No. BC 315 186.

 

ACTION:        Heard.  No reportable action taken.

 

SPECIAL ITEMS:

SCE UPDATE

4-A:  Presentation by Southern California Edison:  Update on Electrical System Upgrades.

 

Members of the public Joy Fullmer and Brian Hutchings expressed various concerns.

 

Mark Olson, representing Southern California Edison, provided an update and answered questions of Councilmembers.

 

APPEALS:

2000 MAIN STREET

6-A:     Appeal of Planning Commission's approval of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow off-site and on-site sale and dispensation of alcoholic beverages at 2000 Main Street - recommendation to deny appeal and uphold the Planning Commission's approval of the CUP to allow the off-site and on-site sale and dispensation of alcoholic beverages at a retail grocery store, was presented.

 

Joshua Kaplan, representing appellant, spoke in support of the appeal and against the project.

Brandon Kim, applicant, spoke in opposition to the appeal and in support of the project.

 

Members of the public Britt Allcroft, Sean Kehoe, Marianne O’Donnell, and Daniel O’Donnel spoke in support of the appeal.  Member of the public Jerry Rubin spoke in opposition of the appeal.

 

Brandon Kim, applicant, presented a rebuttal to public comment.

 

Joshua Kaplan, representing appellant, presented a rebuttal to public comment.

 

Motion by Councilmember Genser, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bloom, to deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission’s approval of the Conditional Use Permit.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Holbrook, Genser, O’Connor, McKeown, Mayor Pro Tem Bloom, Mayor Katz

NOES:             Councilmember Shriver

ABSENT:        None

 

2402 45h STREET

6-B:     Appeal of Landmarks Commission's denial of reconstruction of brick work at 2402 4th Street - recommendation to deny appeal and uphold the Landmarks Commission's denial of certificate of appropriateness, was presented.

 

Appellant/Applicant Tammy Cameron spoke in support of the appeal.

 

Members of the public Deborah Levin and Ruthann Lehrer spoke in opposition of the appeal.

 

Members of the public James Whilemyer, Penelope Deihl, Sarah Aartle and Philip Slaughter spoke in support of the appeal.

 

Ms. Cameron presented a rebuttal to comments made by members of the public.

 

Motion by Councilmember Genser, seconded by Councilmember McKeown, to deny the appeal and uphold the decision of the Landmarks commission.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers McKeown, O’Connor, Genser, Shriver, Holbrook, Mayor Pro Tem Bloom, Mayor Katz

NOES:             None

ABSENT:        None

 

ORDINANCES:

7-A:     Introduction and first reading of an ordinance amending Municipal Code Section 4.08.025 and 4.08.060 relating to regulation of beach and water activities at Santa Monica State Beach, was presented.

The following members of the public spoke in opposition to the proposed regulations and expressed concerns: Christina Andersen, Jennifer Argento, Sydney Lovelace, Allen King, Rabbi Shifrin, Roberta Brown, Kassia Filkins, Kem Gordon, Sean Glynn, Carmen Thomas, and Tiffany Kilgore.

 

Member of the public Mitchell Lachman spoke in support of the proposed regulations.  Members of the public Patrick Murphy, Paulin Paris, and Matt Rosas commented on various aspects of the proposal and provided suggestions.

 

Discussion ensued on the merits of the proposal and on comments made by members of the public.

 

The City Attorney advised that after additional review and after receiving additional input, she recommended the following:

 

Add to the end of the paragraph at the end of page 3: “that opportunities for surfing lessons are maximized for all segments of the community including persons of all ages and economic groups and that instructional opportunities are diverse including private instruction and classes of various sizes.”

 

Motion by Councilmember Genser, seconded by Mayor Katz, to introduce the ordinance for first reading, amended with the language provided by the City Attorney.  The motion was approved by the following vote: 

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Holbrook, Shriver, Genser, O’Connor, McKeown, Mayor Pro Tem Bloom, Mayor Katz

NOES:             None

ABSENT:        None

 

GREEN BUILDING ORDINANCE

7-B:     Resolution making findings of local climatic, geological and topographical conditions; and, introduction and first reading of an ordinance modifying Municipal Code Section 8.108 related to Green Building Design; Chapter 7.60 related to construction and demolition waste handling requirements; and Sections 9.04.10.04.100, and 9.04.10.04.110 related to landscape irrigation and design standards.

 

On order of the Mayor, this matter was continued to a future meeting.

 

RESIDENTIAL PROTESTS

7-C:     Introduction and first reading of an ordinance establishing distance requirements for targeted residential protests and prohibiting the use of dangerous sticks and poles in demonstrations.

 

On order of the Mayor, this matter was continued to a future meeting.

 

STAFF ITEMS:

LIBRARY AND CIVIC GARAGES PARKING RATES


8-A:     Off-peak parking rates at Library and Civic Garages; free or reduced parking rates for certain Santa Monica High School events - recommendation to:  adopt a resolution establishing a $3.00 per entry off-peak parking rates at the Library and the Civic Center; authorize the City Manager or designee to allow free or reduced rate parking for up to 25 evening events at Santa Monica High School; and authorize the City Manager or designee to allow free or reduced parking rates for City-sponsored noticed meetings or events that are free and open to the public.

 

On order of the Mayor, this matter was continued to a future meeting.

 

COUNCIL ITEMS:

APPOINTMENTS - PRC

13-A:   Appointment to one annual vacancy on the Pier Restoration Corporation with a term ending November 8, 2011. 

 

On order of the Mayor, the floor was opened for nominations. 

 

Councilmember Genser nominated Anne Elizabeth Biege-Pearson.

 

There being no other nominations Ms. Biege-Pearson was appointed by acclamation, with all members present.

 

PRC

13-B:   Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Pier Restoration Corporation Board of Directors for a term ending November 13, 2010, and one unscheduled vacancy for a term ending November 10, 2009.

 

On order of the Mayor, this matter was continued to a future meeting.

 

BAYSIDE DISTRICT

13-C:   Appointment to one unscheduled vacancies on the Bayside District Corporation for a term ending June 30, 2008.

 

On order of the Mayor, the floor was opened for nominations for the Bayside District.

 

Mayor Katz nominated Randy Brant.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Bloom nominated Deborah Arvesen.

 

Mr. Brant was appointed by the following vote:

 

Brant:               Councilmembers McKeown, O’Connor, Genser, Shriver,

                         Holbrook, Mayor Katz

Arvesen:           Councilmember Bloom

 

Councilmember Bloom requested to change his vote to Mr. Brant.  Mr. Brant was unanimously appointed, with all members present.

 

STATUS OF WOMEN - COMMISSION

Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Commission on the Status of Women for a term ending June 30, 2008.

 

On order of the Mayor, the floor was opened for nominations. 

 

Councilmember McKeown nominated Trish Moon.  There being no other nominations, Ms. Moon was appointed by acclamation with all members present.

 

MEASURE R

13-D:   Request of Mayor Katz and Mayor Pro Tem Bloom that the Santa Monica City Council endorse Measure R - "The Campaign to Protect Quality Schools" - on the February 5, 2008, ballot, was presented.

 

Members of the public Scott Konnath, Mike Gruning, Shari Davis and Rebecca Kennerly spoke in support of the request.

 

 

Motion by Councilmember Bloom, seconded by Mayor Katz, to approve request.  The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote, with all members present.

 

DONATION TO SAMOHI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

(Councilmember McKeown  was excused at 11:40 p.m.)

13-E:    Request of Councilmember Genser that the Council make a $25,000 donation on behalf of the City to Santa Monica High School to support the school's Symphony Orchestra's performance tour to Europe in March 2008, was presented.

 

Councilmember McKeown requested to be excused in order to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest due to his employment by the School District.

 

Members of the public Nicole Negrete, Sweli Barton, Ilan Ben Meir, and Joni Swenson spoke in support of the request.

 

Motion by Councilmember Genser, seconded by Mayor Katz, to approve request.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers O’Connor, Genser, Shriver, Holbrook, Mayor Pro Tem Bloom, Mayor Katz

NOES:             None

ABSENT:        Councilmember McKeown


PUBLIC INPUT:

(Councilmember McKeown returned at 11:45 p.m.)

Members of the public Pro Se, M. Ross, Brian Hutchings and Joe Natoli expressed various concerns.

 

ADJOURNMENT: 

On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting was adjourned at 12:00 a.m., in memory of Phila Caldwell and Bob Gabriel.

 

ATTEST:                                                         APPROVED:

 

 

Maria M. Stewart                                             Herb Katz

City Clerk                                                        Mayor