February 13, 2007 

CONSENT CALENDAR – Among matters not requiring extensive discussion, the following items were approved by Council: authorization to lease dark fiber rack space; purchase of unleaded gasoline for Fleet and the Big Blue Bus; and authorization to enter into a lease of space at 1433 4th Street for the Cultural Affairs Division. After a short discussion, Council awarded a contract with Gonzales Construction for repairs to Mountain View Mobile Home Park.  

CLOSED SESSION – Council approved payments totaling $286,000 for two matters related to the Big Blue Bus.  

UPDATE ON YOUTH VIOLENCE AND COMMUNITY POLICING – Chief Jackman provided an update on Santa Monica’s community policing efforts including an update on upcoming realignments that will foster greater community interactions. Also discussed were recent efforts to address community violence with cooperation of the community and other agencies. Officers that worked towards the arrest of the alleged killers of Eddy Lopez and Miguel Martin were recognized.  

ORDINANCES - Council approved an ordinance correcting an inadvertent deletion to Code Section 9.32.170 related to architectural Review.  

The bulk of the evening was focused on discussions related to fences, walls and hedges.  Issues highlighted in staff’s report included such things as grand-parenting, key parcels, reversed corner parcels, alley and side yard heights, hedge maintenance and the registration and objections process. After nearly 50 speakers, Council took up the issue and extended the existing interim ordinance through September 30, 2007. Council directed staff to return with a revised ordinance that includes:

• Options for requiring registration for currently unregistered grand-parented hedges.

• A standard for depth of hedges that are eligible for unlimited height adjacent to alleys.

• Standards for maintenance of hedges.

• Clarify the objection criteria, to include items such as:
  o Prior complaints
  o Date of purchase of house
  o Line of sight

• Standards for key lots and reverse corner lots.

TEMPORARY OFFICE BUILDING – Council directed staff to return with a smaller contract that would facilitate a community process. Staff was also directed to present Council with a defined process for the project and with options for addressing City Hall space needs.  

ACQUISITION OF 1338-42 5TH STREET – Council authorized the City Manager to execute a Letter of Intent and to negotiate a purchase and sale agreement needed to acquire property located at 1338-42 5th Street. In doing so, Council also adopted necessary resolutions and made necessary findings related to the use of Redevelopment Funds for the project.  

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION – Nathan Hamilton spoke regarding zoning restrictions to opening a non-profit cannabis dispensary. Council directed staff to return with information about how this would be regulated and where and how this type of operation might be permitted. Staff also directed to look at model ordinances and law enforcement concerns.  

OTHER MATTERS – Council continued discussions related to agenda management, the use of Council contingency funds and appointment of Councilmember Liaisons to Boards and Commissions to a future meeting.

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 p.m. The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 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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