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/2008/ as soon as possible after the meeting.

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

• Authorized the following contracts:

  • Sussman Prejza in the amount of $140,000 for design of Mini Blue buses;

  • Payment Resources International in the amount of $560,000 for credit card processing;

  • Liebert Cassidy Whitmore Law Firm in an amount not to exceed $160,000 for labor-related legal counsel;

  • Teri Black & Company in an amount not to exceed $150,000 to provide executive recruitment services;

  • Hartford Life Insurance an increase to a new amount of $830,000 to provide life insurance specified in employee contract agreements;

• Approved updates to the City’s Investment Policy;

• Authorized an agreement with the Pico Youth and Family Center in the amount of $81,000 for tenant improvements and relocation costs;

• Authorized an employment agreement with the Assistant City Attorney; and

• Adopted an amendment to the City’s Conflict of Interest Code to amend positions that must file economic interest statements.

After further discussion, Council approved a purchase of refuse and recycling containers from Consolidated Fabricators in the amount of $500,000 and from Roto/Rotonics Industries in the amount of $510,000.

Closed Session – There were no reportable items from closed session.

Appeal of Landmarks Commission approval for demolition of a non contributing structure and construction of new residence at 2642 2nd Street, located within the 3rd Street Neighborhood Historic District – Following an extensive public hearing and Council discussion, the Council voted 3-3 on a motion to deny the appeal and a subsequent motion to remand the project to Landmarks Commission for further work, therefore the Landmarks decision was upheld. 

Appeal of Planning Commission's approval of a Development Review Permit for construction of a 19-unit condominium project at 1433 14th  Street - Council denied the appeal, upholding the Planning Commission’s approval. Council directed staff to the extent possible further investigate the allegations presented and to return with suggested procedures should a similar situation arise.

Ordinances

Council adopted an ordinance establishing distance requirements for targeted residential protests and prohibiting the use of dangerous sticks and poles in demonstrations.

Council introduced, as amended, for first reading an ordinance approving the Development Agreement amendment between the City and Maguire Properties – 3030 Olympic, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company for Lantana East;  and introduction and first reading of an ordinance approving the Development Agreement amendment between the City and Maguire Properties - 3301 Exposition, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company for Lantana South, to allow a funding alternative to constructing facilities at Edison School campus for joint City use.

Council continued to a future meeting 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.

Mid-Year 2007-08 Budget and Five Year financial forecast, budget priorities, and discussion of community priorities for FY 2008-09 budget development – These items were continued to a special meeting on February 19, 2008.

Placement of elevator, restrooms, and electrical room improvements related to the City Hall Seismic Retrofit Project – Council approved the interior placement of the elevator, restrooms and the exterior location of the elevator on the southeast corner of the building.

Other Matters – Council appointed Mr. Perez to the Pier Restoration Corporation Board and continued an appointment to the Architecture Review Board.

Council directed staff to study additional street lighting needs in Reed Park along with planned park improvements.

Council also directed staff to make recommendations regarding implementation of revised procedures for analyzing appropriate mitigations for replacing City trees, considering providing opportunities for stakeholder involvement, developing a means for assessing the process and implementing a post-project stakeholder evaluation.

An item was continued that would have directed the City Attorney to return with a draft ordinance for Council consideration that would (1) lower the threshold to 35% of the owners of properties to be assessed to initiate a ballot measure on the formation of a Property Based Assessment District, and (2) allow a Property Based Assessment District to be established for a term of 30-years.

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 11:38 in memory of Charlie Davis, a resident of Santa Monica with a long history working on neighborhood issues especially those related to the Airport.  The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is a special meeting on Tuesday, February 19, 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.