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

• adopted a resolution approving final tract map 67857 for a six-unit condominium project at 853 21St Street;

• authorized the City Manager to file the Short Range Transit Plan and adopted a resolution authorizing application for grant funds;

• adopted a resolution establishing application and use fees for surf instruction and youth sand camp permits on Santa Monica State Beach;

• appropriated and approved the use of $194,761, including interest, of COPS funds for the purchase of miscellaneous equipment;

• adopted a resolution establishing salary rates for specified Police employees and adopted a resolution authorizing an amendment to the employment Memorandum of Understanding with the Santa Monica Police Officers Association;

• adopted a resolution establishing a salary for a Special Projects Administrator and authorized a related employment agreement; and

• authorized the following contracts:

  • The Phipps Group in the amount of $104,000 to provide planning services;

  • Bowman Systems in an amount of $120,770 for software licensing and data hosting for a homeless management information system;

  • a modification with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. in the amount of $106,000 to complete design work for the Bicknell Avenue “green streets” project;

  • a modification with Midwest Environmental Control in an amount of $450,000 for removal of additional asbestos containing material at the Annenberg Community Beach Club;

  • The Omega Group, Inc., in an amount of $120,130 for the purchase of CrimeView and CrimeView Web software applications;

  • Aerotek Commercial Staffing in the amount of $131,280 for temporary mechanics in the Fleet Management Division.

After receiving clarification that the contract could be eliminated should a policy related to contracting out services be adopted, Council awarded a contract to MV Transportation in an amount up to $1,884,118 to provide Dial-A-Ride Paratransit services for three years with a one-year option;

Closed Session – Council approved a settlement in the amount of $100,000 related to a trip and fall accident; a settlement in the amount of $16,209.72 for damage to a vehicle caused by an accident with a City vehicle; and a settlement in the amount of $4.4 million related to a motorcycle accident involving a traffic calming device.

Federal Aviation Administration Presentation of Its Proposal for Runway Safety at Santa Monica Airport and Hearing on the Adequacy of the Proposal – FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Kirk Shaffer briefly mentioned three changes to address other operational issues: moving hold line, new area navigation departure system, and a pilot education program focusing on the configuration of Santa Monica Airport and a reminder of the friendly neighbor program.  The focus of the discussion was on the FAA proposal for runway safety which included:

·         a 250-foot, 70-knot Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) at the west end of the runway (Runway 21), which is the primary departure end;

·         limitations to placing an EMAS or a declared clear distance on the east end of the runway (Runway 3); and

·         Runway Protection Zones – this focuses on the City acquiring 15-20 properties in the most critical areas on a voluntary basis.

After an extensive public hearing and discussion, Council expressed that the latest proposal does not meet the safety needs for the community. Council also directed staff to study and develop a potential implementation timeline with the FAA the construction of EMAS beds proposed by the FAA and to continue to explore implementation on the east end of the runway.

Ordinances

Council adopted the following ordinances on second readings:

• adding Section 10.04.06.220 to the Municipal Code conforming the use of Santa Monica Municipal Airport to its federally-designated specification of ARC B-II, 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;

• an interim ordinance extending, with modifications and clarifications, Interim Ordinance No. 2180 (CCS) modifying the City’s density bonus and affordable housing incentives in accordance with State Density Bonus Law;

• an ordinance adding Section 9.04.18.075 to the Municipal Code to waive certain development standards for rental units which were built or created without permits and registered with the Santa Monica Rent Control Board.

• an ordinance amending Section 9.04.10.18.020 of the Municipal Code to clarify that business establishments with alcohol conditional use permits must obtain new alcohol conditional use permits if the establishment ceases operating for a period in excess of one year, or in excess of six months in the CM District;

• an ordinance amending Section 9.04.10.02.340 of the Municipal Code to authorize the placement of furniture, portable landscaping, and cigarette disposal receptacles within the public right-of-way and the display of merchandise in private vestibules; and

• an interim ordinance extending an initial interim ordinance clarifying that only one new multi-family construction project is allowed within a five hundred foot radius in the City’s multi-family residential districts.

Council introduced for first reading of an ordinance imposing a temporary suspension of certain Municipal Code provisions and other legal requirements within stated boundaries for the purpose of conducting a one-night arts festival.

Council also introduced, as amended, for first reading of an ordinance adopting local modifications to the method of levying assessments pursuant to the Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994. Council also reviewed and accepted the recommendations of the Downtown Management Plan and authorized the City Manager and Executive Director to sign the petition on behalf of the Agency and City-owned properties within the District (this represents 10.1% of the total assessment).  Council directed staff to return with a study session outlining funding and other details of the Bayside District.

Development Agreement concept plans for entertainment production facility at 2834 Colorado Avenue – This item was continued to April 8.

Request of Pacific Park for Council to approve the intermittent use of pyrotechnics during the first-lighting ceremony of the new solar-powered Ferris Wheel on May 22, 2008 – This item was deferred to the City Manager.

Other Matters – Council continued appointments to the Pier Restoration Corporation and Disabilities Commission.  Council also accepted with regrets the resignation of Rudolfo Alvarez from the Architectural Review Board.

Council adopted a resolution supporting the “Save Our State Parks” Campaign and urging rejection of proposed State Parks budget cuts. Staff was directed to present a study session on the impacts of the state budget.

Council also directed staff to review Assembly Member Michael Feuer’s 2008 Transportation Legislative Package, designed to raise revenue for local projects, for consistency with Council policy and provide a letter of support for the bills to be introduced into Committee on April 7.  Each of the Westside cities is endeavoring to obtain similar consideration from their respective Councils.

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 12:40 a.m. in memory of Lola Holbrook, mother of Council member Robert Holbrook, Santa Monica residents Joe Natoli, Martin Foster and Sandy Berlin and the 4,000 who have died serving in the war in Iraq.  The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is a special meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 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.