March 20, 2007
Closed Session – Council
returned from Closed Session with no actions to report.
Discussion of Beach Summit
Findings – The Santa Monica Convention & Visitor’s
Bureau (CVB) presented information on the "Beach Summit"
effort. The summit is a collaborative effort between the CVB,
City, Chamber of Commerce and Santa Monica College.
Background information showing the significant economic
impact tourism has on the Santa Monica economy was shared.
The study concluded that the beach was the top tourist
feature of Santa Monica and identified the perceived need
for cleaner water, cleaner sand and increased amenities. The
working group has developed a "Best at the Beach" program
that coordinates customer service and marketing efforts of
the collaboration team through the implementation of a
training program.
2007 Resident Survey – A
presentation highlighting the results of the 2007 Resident
Survey was presented. While the survey found an overall 80%
satisfaction with the delivery of services, the findings
also provide insight into areas for ongoing focus. Areas
cited as the most important issues facing Santa Monica
include homelessness and traffic. Most residents (93%) felt
safe walking in their neighborhood (68% at night). Parks and
cultural events continue to receive some of the highest
satisfaction ratings.
Commemoration and Tribute Policy
– Council adopted the proposed park commemoration and
tribute policy. The policy provides for increased
opportunity to provide tributes. The categories of tributes
and commemorations are:
-
General Open Space – Starts at
$25 and will be used for any park need.
-
Specific Park, Beach or other
space – Starts at $750 and purchases a specific amenity,
such as benches, picnic tables and water fountain.
-
Community Forest – Pays for the
entire cost of a new tree.
The policy allows for commemoration
of deceased loved ones as well as birthdays, anniversaries
or other special occasions through a standardized plaque or
certificate. Staff was directed to return in one to twp
years with an Information Item on the effectiveness of the
program.
Green Buildings – Council
directed staff to draft amendments to the Green Building
Ordinance. The ordinance will expand the requirements for
energy efficiency to single family homes and require the
completion of a LEED green building checklist. The ordinance
also will propose changes to the construction and demolition
waste ordinance and expands water efficiency requirement for
landscaping. Council also directed staff to incorporate the
recommendations of the Task Force on the Environment to
explore incentives or requirements for green roofs, solar
thermal and solar electric systems; plug-in hybrid and
dedicated electric vehicle infrastructure; and solar
chimneys and other passive building heating and cooling
systems. Council also directed staff to move forward with
establishment of requirements for LEED Certification for all
projects over 10,000 square feet.
Emergency Ordinance Related to
Cable – Council directed staff to draft an ordinance
that would preserve some protections for residents by
implementing provisions of the state’s Digital
Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006.
Specifically, the ordinance would obtain revenue from the
state franchise, apply penalties for violating customer
service standards, preserve the ability of the city to
manage its public rights-of-way and provide a process for
appealing encroachment permit denials.
Status Report on Exposition Light
Rail – Council authorized the preparation of comments to
the Exposition Construction Authority as input to the
Exposition Light Rail Phase 2 Alternatives Analysis and
Draft Environmental reports. The comments will incorporate
the comments received from the public and Planning
Commission. Staff was also directed to articulate that the
line should follow the most direct route, that the City will
oppose any alignment that will take the route outside of
Santa Monica and that a stop should be incorporated to serve
Santa Monica College.
Request to Establish Policy for
Written Communications – Jerry Rubin requested that
Council establish a new policy that more clearly delineates
public method for having written communications items to be
placed on City Council agendas. No action was taken.
Other Matters: Councilmember
Shriver presented information on the elimination of Shelter
Plus Care subsidies that would have provided critically
needed housing for homeless and disabled individuals, youth
and families in the City of Los Angeles. Staff was directed
to provide information on potential impacts to Santa Monica
and, if appropriate, post information on the city’s
website. Council also directed staff to return with
information evaluating the technology used on red-light
cameras and return with a recommendation.
Council continued discussions
related to the use of its contingency funds.
The March 27 Council meeting was
cancelled.
ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING -
The meeting was adjourned at 9:38 p.m. The next meeting
of the Santa Monica City Council is on Tuesday, April 10,
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.
CITY COUNCIL NETCAST!
Watch and listen to Santa Monica City Council meetings on the Web!
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