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

• Authorized a contract with Hewlett Packard in the amount of $1,920,000 for the purchase, installation and maintenance of desktop computers.

• Authorized an agreement in the amount of $111,000 with Community Arts Resources for production of the Santa Monica Festival with two optional extensions for 2009 and 2010.

• Approved the Final Subdivision Map for Tract 61782, subdividing the property at 1112-1122 Pico Boulevard for an eighteen unit condominium project.

• Authorized a two-year agreement with Santa Monica Bay Physicians Medical Group for medical consulting services.

Following brief discussion, Council:

• Authorized a contract with Griffith Company in the amount of $4,960,000 and a construction management agreement with Harris & Associates in the amount of $558,360 for infrastructure Improvements at Mountain View Mobile Home Park.  Council further directed staff to consider issues related to Title 25.

• Authorized an amendment in the amount of $236,050 with EcoMotion to implement phase two strategy and plan for the Solar Santa Monica Demonstration Project. Council also approved a $20,000 grant to the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District to implement an RFP process for a provider of solar services.

• Adopted a resolution, as amended, providing for extended time for military reserve training and continuation of salary and benefits for permanent City employees called to active military duty since September 14, 2001, and repealed Resolution No. 9710.

Council continued an item designating a site for the Museum of Flying at Santa Monica Municipal Airport.

Closed Session – A $50,000 settlement related to a vehicular accident involving a City vehicle was approved.

Discussion of "Managing the Future of Downtown Santa Monica Project Update" and related policy issues – Staff and representatives from the Bayside District presented highlights from the “Managing the Future of Downtown Santa Monica” report prepared by Progressive Urban Management Associates, Inc. and Kristin Lowell, Inc.  The report highlighted proposals creating a new Property Based Assessment District while eliminating the Central Business District; change in the City’s practice of granting operating revenues to the Bayside Improvement District; and enhanced maintenance of the downtown area.  Council provided feedback on, among other items, the ambassador program, board composition, maintenance programs, methodology of determining assessment amounts, providing increased outreach to residents and the community at large, reinforced the role of the City to control public space and the linkage of this process to the Land Use update.

Ordinances -

Council adopted on second reading an ordinance amending Municipal Code Sections 4.08.025 and 4.08.060 relating to regulation of beach and water activities at Santa Monica State Beach.

Council introduced, as amended, for first reading an ordinance establishing distance requirements for targeted residential protests and prohibiting the use of dangerous sticks and poles in demonstrations.

Council continued to February 12 the introduction of an ordinance modifying Municipal Code Section 8.108 related to Green Building Design; Chapter 7.60 related to construction and demolition waste handling requirements; and Sections 9.04.10.04.100, and 9.04.10.04.110 related to landscape irrigation and design standards.

Off-peak parking rates at Library and Civic Garages; free or reduced parking rates for certain Santa Monica High School events – Council adopted a resolution establishing a $3.00 per entry off-peak parking rate at the Library and at the Civic Center, when there are no events. Council also authorized the City Manager to waive parking for up to 25 Santa Monica High School evening events and for city-sponsored noticed meetings or events that are free and open to the public.

Proposal for the reorganization of the City’s Cultural Funding Programs – Staff presented a report An Arts, Culture and Heritage Funding Program Supporting the City of Santa Monica and Our Residents. This report responds to the Creative Capital goals and presents a phased implementation as funding becomes available. Council approved two-year extensions to existing Cultural/Arts organizational support grant agreements and authorized the implementation of new grant programs as future becomes available.

Bus Shelter and Bus Stop On-street signage design and master plan – Staff presented options of bus shelter and bus stops designs, including off the shelf designs and a fully customized design. Council provided feedback on design considerations with emphases on creativity and functionality. A requested amendment to an existing agreement with Amphion, Inc. was not approved.

Request from the Architectural Review Board that Council approve a proposed Excellence Awards Program to be administered by the City of Santa Monica, under the general oversight of the Architectural Review Board – Council directed staff to analyze the proposal and return to Council with information on cost and program implementation options after consulting with the ARB.

Request of Nathan Crowe that the City Council require, as a result of a pattern of chronic and flagrant code violations, that Izzy’s deli restaurant be closed during the hours of 12:00 a.m., and 8:00 a.m., or alternately, that the parking lot north and adjacent to the restaurant be required to be physically closed and not be used for any purpose other than fire and emergencies between the hours of 12:00 a.m., and 8:00 a.m. – As no speakers were present, Council received and filed the communication.

Other Matters - Council continued appointments to the Pier Restoration Corporation and Architectural Review Board and accepted Patty Richardson’s resignation from the Disabilities Commission.

Mayor Pro Tempore Richard Bloom was appointed as the alternate to the Expo Construction Authority Board for the February meeting.

Council supported ACA 10 (Feuer) for a State constitutional amendment to lower the vote threshold from two-thirds to 55% for transportation funds and requested staff to review the legislation thoroughly and report back any concerns.

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 11:46 p.m.   The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is a special meeting on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 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.