Council Meeting Wrap-Up

September 11, 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 September 11 agenda link.) 

Remembrance of September 11, 2001- Members of the Santa Monica Fire and Police departments proceeded to post the flags at the beginning of the City Council’s observance of September 11, 2001. Recitation of the pledge of allegiance followed the ringing of the memorial bell in memory of the nearly 3,000 people who perished in the terrorist attacks on the United States.

Consent Calendar – Among matters not requiring extensive discussion, Council approved a pre-construction design-build agreement with T.L.D. Construction, Inc. in the amount of $270,500; authorized amendments to Memorandums of Understanding with the Supervisory Team Associates, Municipal Employees Associations, United Transportation Union Local 1185, Santa Monica Firefighters IAFF Local 1109 and the Administrative Team Associates; a Memorandum of Understanding setting the terms and conditions of medical insurance coverage for all employees except sworn Police; contract amendments with Midwest Environmental Control, Inc. in the amount of $438,900 and Encorp Environmental Management & Services in an amount of $64,900 for asbestos abatement at the Annenberg Community Beach Club at Santa Monica State Beach; a contract amendment in the amount not to exceed $75,000 for additional services related to Solid Waste Request for Proposals; and an agreement in an amount not to exceed $250,000 with Harris 7 Community for community outreach services related to the Charnock Well fields restoration project.   

Closed Session – A report was made on settlement of Batul Hadjian Torab v City of Santa Monica, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. SC085339. 

Ordinances – Council introduced for first reading an ordinance requiring the installation of gas shutoff devices in buildings prior to sale or exchange, new construction or remodels in excess of $10,000.  

Big Blue Bus Capital Improvement Program and Operating Enhancements – Council appropriated $390,800 to increase the salary and wages budget; approved seven full time and six limited-term full time equivalent positions; a capital improvement program of $16,423,166 primarily for bus replacements, bus parts and bus stop improvements; and a $414,427 increase to the revenue budget to reflect the implementation of the Mini Blue service.  

Proposed Revisions to City’s Off-leash Dog Aarea Policy – Council adopted changes to the off-leash dog park policies that allow for non-Santa Monica residents to purchase annual use tags for $15.50 for Airport Park; clarified dog park hours of Joslyn Park, Pacific Street and Airport Park:  weekdays - 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; weekends - 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Memorial Park:  weekdays and weekends - 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and other minor changes. A four-dog limitation per owner for dog park use was specified with a request that staff study the limitation and return to Council with a report.

Proposed Santa Monica Place Remodel – Council held a public hearing reviewing the proposed remodel of the Santa Monica Place Mall and approved the CEQA findings, made findings of project consistency with the Redevelopment Plan and approved project conditions with direction to staff, and authorized the executive director to execute amendments to necessary agreements including relating to public access.

Reconsideration of Action Taken Regarding Parking Zone "U" Near Santa Monica High School - In a reconsideration of its action on July 24, 2007 regarding a recommendation to adopt a resolution creating Parking Zone "U" to restrict blocks closest to Santa Monica High School, Council supported creation of a preferential parking zone and gave direction to staff to explore other options with the school regarding parking at city structures and pricing as well as all other public transit options.

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

Direction was also given to staff to investigate a simple low- or no-cost permit process for legitimate animal adoption organizations related to animal display on the Promenade.

Council voted with regret to oppose SB 2 in its current form and directed staff to continue to work with author to develop a fair share zoning measure that exempts cities with existing zoning ordinances and which does not penalize “good actor” cities through mandates based on a definition of homeless need.

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, September 25, 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.  

SPECIAL NOTE: Council meetings are now video streamed on the web (http://santamonica.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2) and re-aired on CityTV2 cable channel 20.

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MEETING WRAP-UP ARCHIVE

 


This page was last modified on 09/13/2007