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

• a Statement of Official Action denying appeal related to Landmarks Commission designation of 423-431 Ocean Avenue;

• a resolution approving the final subdivision map for tract number 062708 to subdivide a property at 1927 18th Street;

• an amendment to an existing contract with Midwest Environmental Contorl in an amount of $220,677 for additional abatement of asbestos and lead containing material;

• an amendment in the amount of $250,000 with Public Resources Advisory Group for financial advisory services for he City, Redevelopment Agency and Parking Authority.

After further discussion, Council approved a purchase of refuse and recycling containers from Consolidated Fabricators in the amount of $500,000. Council also directed staff to provide an Information Item summarizing the use of emergency purchasing procedures. Council also approved a design-build agreement with Black & Veatch in the amount of $4.3 million for the Charnock Well restoration project.

Closed Session – Council approved a settlement in the amount of $4.5 million related to a skateboarding accident and a $45,000 settlement related to damage caused to a roof by the Fire Department.

Framework Elements for the Land Use and Transportation Element (LUCE) Update Process – Council provided input on and endorsed the key framework elements for the LUCE:

• Neighborhood Stability – protection and sensible transitions for areas immediately adjacent to commercial corridors.
• Integration of Land Use and Transportation – links areas of land use evolution to underlying transportation infrastructure.
• Proactively Manage Congestion – proactively work towards the goal of reducing auto trips.
• Public Benefit – ensure that the City and neighborhoods benefit from any future development.
• Urban Character – direct the vision for Santa Monica’s built environment citywide.
• Environmental Sustainability – looking at link to environmental sustainability goals, including solar rights and moving towards carbon neutral buildings.

Re-hearing of appeal of Landmarks Commission designation of property located at 2219 Ocean Avenue as a City Landmark – Council denied the appeal and upheld the Landmarks Commission designation of the property at 2219 Ocean Ave.

Ordinances – Council adopted on second reading an ordinance approving the Development Agreement amendment between the City and Maguire Properties - 3030 Olympic, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company for Lanatana East;  and second reading and adoption 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 also introduced for first reading and adoption of an interim ordinance clarifying the scope of the prohibition of new construction within a five hundred foot radius of another construction project to include no project allowed within a five hundred foot radius of another project and declaring the presence of an emergency.

Annual Review of Homeless Services/panhandling education campaign – Council approved a proposed action plan to address homeless, including guiding principles, goals and key action steps. Common Ground presented a summary of survey work results which the Santa Monica homeless population and those that are most vulnerable within a targeted area. Council also approved a contract in the amount of $100,000 with GMMB for a citywide panhandling education campaign. Council directed staff to return with a Study Session in order to more fully discuss some of the topics presented.  

Proposed ban on distribution of free plastic bags for commercial establishments – Council directed the City Attorney to draft an ordinance banning the distribution of single use plastic carryout bags at stores within Santa Monica and to provide an option to require retailers to charge a fee on single use paper bags and to ban certain types of paper bags. Council directed staff to provide information further information on how fees charged for paper bags have worked in other locations.

Proposed ordinance prohibiting seeking donations from benches on 3rd Street Promenade – Council directed staff to prepare the ordinance.

Other Matters – Council approved $13,000 from the Council Contingency Fund to pay for the cost to deliver one donated fire engine and one donated surplus ladder truck to the City of Bayou La Batre, Alabama.

Council continued appointments to the Pier Restoration Corporation and Architectural Review Board as well as an item related to modifications to Council rules.

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