August 14, 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 www.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/2007/ as soon as possible after the meeting.  (Click on the August 14 agenda link.) 

Consent Calendar – Among matters not requiring extensive discussion, Council accepted $440,538 from a 2006 Urban Area Security Initiative Grant; approved a resolution for a 3-unit condominium project at 1829 Eleventh Street; a contract with The Active Network in the amount of $235,000 for the purchase of a cash management software system at $22,300 per year for five years; a contract in the amount of $123,925 with Motorola for maintenance and service of Police and Fire radios; a Statement of Official Action denying the appeal of Landmarks Commission designation of 2219 Ocean Avenue as a City Landmark; and a resolution finding the City in compliance with the Congestion Management Program.

Council approved a resolution quantifying per diem amounts for temporary relocation after receiving clarification that the benefits covered mobile homes.

After a brief discussion clarifying that epoxy material applied in the bluffs stabilization project would be applied on a test basis with the opportunity for public comment and that the public would have the opportunity to provide comment on the traffic mitigation plans, Council approved the resolution approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project.

Following extensive public input and discussion, Council approved the award of construction contracts totaling $8,211,083 for the Second and Fourth Streets Improvement Project.

Closed Session – Council approved two settlements totaling $57,500 related to two injury claims resulting from Big Blue Bus incidents.

Ordinances – Council adopted on second reading an interim ordinance extending the current interim ordinance related to fences, walls, and hedge regulations; clarifying objection criteria; requiring all legal nonconforming fences, walls and hedges to be registered; adding new maintenance provisions; clarifying hedge height adjacent to alleys; and specifying self-help remedies for property owners affected by overhanging hedges.

Council introduced for first reading and adopted an ordinance setting the 2007/08 tax rate for the 1990 and 2002 Library General Obligation Bonds at $0.003316 per $100 of assessed value for the 1990 bonds, and $0.009809 per $100 of assessed value for the 2002 bonds.

Village Residential, Open Space and Retail Components of the Civic Center Specific Plan – Following a presentation highlighting the history of the Civic Center Plan and alternative height and massing concepts for the Civic Center Village, the Redevelopment Agency authorized the Related Companies of California to apply for a Development Agreement and authorized staff to begin Development Agreement negotiations. Council also provided comments on the revised plan, including upper floor step backs, heights and ground level landscaping and investigate driveway options. Council directed staff to provide information outlining the process and timeframes for the project, including when it will return to Council. 

Other Matters – Council made the following board and commission appointments:

• Architectural Review Board -  Edouard Mimieux

• Arts Commission – Frederick Dewey, Rebecca Jewell Holbrook and Donna Sternberg

• Bayside District Corporation – Barbara Bryan, Johannes Van Tilburg and Kelley Wallace

• Commission for the Senior Community – Al Weintraub

• Commission on the Status of Women – Heather Briggs and Elizabeth Riel

• Disabilities Commission – Glenda Berg and Richard Hilton

• Housing Commission – Lewis Steele and Allan Tainsky

• Planning Commission – Gleam Davis, Terry O’Day and Jim Ries

• Recreation and Parks Commission – Neil Carrey

• Social Services Commission  - Brian Buchner and Marcia Ann Fierro,

Council directed staff to explore options for providing a mechanism for appeals to be continued if five or fewer Council members are present. Suggestions included: In the event that an appeal is ready to be heard and five or fewer Council members are present, the appellant shall have the right to continue the hearing to a future date; or if there are less than six, the majority present can vote to continue an item.

Maria Y. Hernandez’s resignation from the Social Services Commission was accepted and the City Clerk was authorized to publish the vacancy.

Council voted to reconsider the action taken on Item 11-A at the July 24, 2007, Council meeting related to a resolution concerning Parking Zone "U."  A public hearing will be scheduled at a future Council meeting. 

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 11:43 p.m.  The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is on Tuesday, August 28, 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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