November 27, 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.   

Consent calendar – Among matters not requiring extensive discussion, Council:

• Authorized an amendment to an existing Dial-A-Ride Paratransit contract on a month-to-month basis for three months.

• Authorized a contract with Firstline Security, Inc. in the amount of $199,105 for installation and maintenance of a security camera system for City Hall.

• Adopted a resolution approving Final Tract Map 61226 for a five unit condominium project at 811 19th Street.

• Authorized an amendment to contract 8407 with Chris Fonner in an amount of $64,800 for computer services to support the Santa Monica Homeless Network.

• Adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager to act on behalf of the City on matters associated with the administration and management of various grants awarded through the Metropolitan Transportation Authority 2007 Call for Projects.

• Adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Public Attorney’s Legal Support Staff Union.

• Adopted a resolution joining “Green Cities California” and took action to accelerate related efforts to achieve sustainability.

• Appropriated $176,633 in 2006 Citizens’ Options for Public Safety (COPS) grant funding for development of a new crime mapping application.

• Appropriated Asset Seizure Funds in the amount of $50,000 and authorized two contracts with PMC for website design services and implementation of a content management system.

• Approved a survey to assess community attitudes and support for a ballot measure to modernize the City’s Utility Users Tax.

• Authorized a $91,501 agreement with TransTrack Systems to provide financial strategies and operations analysis for the Big Blue Bus.

• Authorized a $50,000 amendment to contract 8524 with Gershman, Brickner and Bratton, Inc. for services related to negotiations to develop a public/private partnership at the City’s Solid Waste Transfer Station.

• Authorized an amendment to an existing Parking Concepts, Inc. contract in the amount of $3,605,980, extending the contract for operations of various city-owned parking facilities through June 2008.

After clarifying that contracts would include a thirty day termination clause and directing staff to review general policy direction provided at the summer retreat related to contracting out services, Council:

• Authorized a contract with ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance, in the amount of $431,143 for grounds maintenance at the Woodlawn Cemetery.

• Authorized a contract with International Services, Inc. in the amount of $1,940,368 to provide security services for Big Blue Bus facilities.

Closed Session – Council approved a settlement related to 2219 Ocean Avenue. As part of the settlement, a new Landmarks Commission hearing will be scheduled.

Appeal of Landmarks Commission designation of the property at 423-431 Ocean Avenue as a City Landmark – Council denied the appeal and designated the property at 423-431 Ocean Avenue as a City Landmark based on criteria set forth in criteria one, excluding the stand-alone garage.

Ordinances

• Council adopted on second reading an ordinance adopting the California Building Standards Code with Santa Monica amendments.

• Council adopted on second reading an ordinance requiring the installation of approved seismic gas shutoff valves in new buildings and existing buildings when alterations are made in excess of $10,000.

• Council introduced, as corrected, for first reading an ordinance adding Section 10.04.06.150 (modified to 10.04.06.220) to the Municipal Code conforming the use of Santa Monica Municipal Airport to its federally designated specification of ARC B-11, for public safety purposes including the safety of residents living immediately adjacent to the airport runway ends and those individuals using and working at the airport.

Village Trailer Park Concept Plans – Council directed staff to pursue the Development Agreement negotiation and review process with the applicant to determine if an appropriate project could be identified for the site. Authorization was given for the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding that tolls the pending notice of closure that would have been effective January 31, 2008. Council discussed various issues to consider during the negotiations, including such things as size of affordable units, possibility of a multi-parcel plan, scale of project, location of affordable housing, compatibility of neighborhood, LUCE considerations, Planning Commission recommendations, Sustainable City Plan goals, and relationship to open space.

Concessionaire selection criteria for Annenberg Community Beach Club – Council approved the criteria, as presented, for the selection of an operator to provide concession services at the Annenberg Community Beach Club at Santa Monica State Beach.

Responses to proposals to provide commercial collection services – Council directed staff to develop an implementation plan for the City’s Solid Waste Management Division to be the sole provider of commercial solid waste collection services. Council also directed staff to keep roll-off services an open market activity and to develop permit criteria to establish diversion rates and use of alternative fuel vehicles. Council also directed staff to return with information on possible alternative locations for a bio-diesel facility.

Proposed amendment to Anti-smoking Ordinance – Council continued this item to a future date.

Other Matters – Council continued appointments to the Pier Restoration Corporation.

Council directed staff to recommend criteria for analyzing planning and land use decisions for consistency with our adopted Sustainable City Plan, such that objective sustainability evaluations of policies and projects may be added to Planning Commission and City Council staff reports on such matters.

Council confirmed that the Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan (SCP) and principles be integrated into the General Plan's Land Use/Circulation Elements (LUCE) update process and outcomes. This General Plan update process should include ways to implement the LUCE/SCP principles together and implementation may include mechanisms such as performance-based standards and zoning requirements to ensure that future land uses meet the LUCE/SCP principles and goals. The ultimate goal is for an integrative LUCE/SCP framework and review process. No resources should be diverted from completion of the LUCE process so that its completion and integration with the SCP occurs as soon as possible.

Council adopted a resolution by which the City of Santa Monica would join the City and County of Los Angeles in declaring December 20, 2007 "A Day Without a Bag," encouraging holiday shopping with reusable tote bags rather than single-use plastic and paper carry-out bags, in the interest of sustainability, reduction of landfill and protection of the marine environment.

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 12:31 a.m.  The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is a special meeting on Tuesday, December 4, 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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