June 26, 2007 

NOTE: This wrap-up is not an official record of Council action. The official record is posted by the City Clerk on this website at http://santa-monica.org/cityclerk/council/agendas/2007/ as soon as possible after the meeting.  (Click on the June 26 agenda link.) 

Consent Calendar – Among matters not requiring extensive discussion, Council approved waiving rental and parking fees at the Civic Auditorium for college fairs produced by the Santa Monica High School Parent-Student Association; an agreement with the State of California for risk assessment services; an amendment to an agreement with The Odermatt Group in the amount of $197,000 to provide urban design and planning services; an agreement with South Coast Air Quality Management District to receive $149,952 in grant funds for alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles; an amendment in the amount of $65,140 with Global Green USA for the Green Building Resource Center operation and management; awarded a bid for fourteen Police motorcycles in the amount of $340,486.92 to Long Beach BMW; an amendment with Pugh + Scarpa in the amount of $50,000 for façade concept designs for Parking Structures 7 and 8; waived Section V, Renewal Options, of the Pier Leasing Guidelines and granted three vendors a one-time, five-year license extension; and approved the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation 2007/08 budget and work plan.

Council and the Redevelopment Agency awarded a $631,000 contract with KPFF Consulting Engineers for the design of structural upgrades for Parking Structure 2 and for the preparation of a feasibility study for Fire Station 1. Council directed staff to look at other funding options for the proposed 300 bicycle parking spaces, if the Metro grant funding the city is seeking does not materialize; examine other options for bicycle parking throughout downtown; and analyze ground-floor retail opportunities.

Closed Session – Council approved a settlement in the amount of $30,000 related to a bus accident.

Appeal of Landmarks Commission designation of 2219 Ocean Avenue – Following hearing from 14 members of the public and Council discussion, no motions were made. By taking no action, the Landmarks designation is upheld.

Ordinances – Council introduced for first reading an interim ordinance modifying the city’s Zoning Ordinance to authorize a two-lot subdivision that retains an existing single-family residence with nonconforming setbacks.

Vertical Noncommercial Banners on Street Light Poles – An item requesting Council direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance amending the "Over-the-Street Banner Ordinance" to allow the hanging of vertical noncommercial banners on street light poles was withdrawn by staff. 

Proposed Relocation of Angels Attic Museum and Building – Council referred the project to the Landmarks Commission to provide conceptual review and input, and then be returned to Council with further recommendations and for authorization to negotiate. Council also provided direction for further consideration, including maximizing the preservation of trees, looking at options to increase public access to the parking area and studying various site options.

Proposed Permanent Location for Shotgun House at Norman Place and 2nd Street – Council supported in concept the potential permanent site on Norman Place and Second Street, prior to regulatory review, and authorized the issuance of a Request for Proposals to select a non-profit organization to relocate the house, rehabilitate it and lease it from the city for public benefit. Council discussion confirmed that the intent of the motion is to make the eligibility criteria as broad as possible. Council also directed staff to complete the site improvements needed to ready the location for the house.   

Update on Proposed Runway Safety enhancements for Santa Monica Airport – Staff presented an update on discussions with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding airport safety. The current FAA proposal envisions equally sized Runway Safety Areas (RSA) at both ends of the runway. The FAA is scheduled to make a presentation to the City Council on August 14. Council directed staff to reiterate that the city’s primary focus is safety, and to convey that this is a critical issue for the city and the feeling of frustration with process so far. Staff was also directed to ensure that material is available prior to the public hearing.  

Other Matters – Council continued an item related to appointments to various Boards and Commissions.

Council accepted the letters of resignation from Sheila Field from the Library Board and Julia Braun Kessler from the Arts Commission, and authorized the City Clerk to publish the vacancies.

In two separate actions, Council supported the following legislation: 

• AB 435 – extends protection for workers in wage discrimination cases.

• AB 546 – improves consumer information on recycling electronic waste.

• AB 1113 – extends Medi-Cal eligibility for the working disabled.

• SCA 12 – puts before voters the option to conform stormwater and urban runoff management funding with that for water, sewer and garbage collection.

Adjournment and Next Meeting - The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 p.m. The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is on Tuesday, July 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.

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MEETING WRAP-UP ARCHIVE