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

• Awarded a bid for the purchase three hybrid sport utility vehicles to Santa Monica Toyota;
• Approved a Statement of Official Action denying the appeal the of Landmarks Commission denial for the ficus trees on 2^nd and 4^th Streets;
• Approved a Statement of Official Action denying appeal of Landmarks Commission of appropriateness for 2642 2^nd Street;
• Approved a contract in the amount of $189,500 with Wildan Group for temporary project management services for various capital improvement projects;
• Confirmed support for transportation infrastructure legislation proposed by Assembly Member Mike Feuer that creates new financing tools to fund needed transportation projects; and
• Approved a new location for the Museum of Flying at 3090/3100 Airport Avenue

The Redevelopment Agency and City Council accepted petitions submitted in favor of a property-based assessment district downtown, set a public hearing for July 8, 2008 and authorized the mailing of ballots.

Council proclaimed May as Mental Health Month in the City of Santa Monica.

Annie Griffin from St. Monica High School presented a poem that was a finalist in the California Poetry Out Loud contest.

Homeless Update Report – An update was provided on efforts related to meal providers and panhandling. Council provided input on the objectives of the panhandling campaign, such as making it less lucrative. Staff was asked to provide information on homeless veterans, the current situation regarding available showers throughout the City and update on the availability of services to “working” homeless.

Ordinances

• Staff and representatives from The Related Company provided an update on the Village Project, highlighting changes to the project since Council last considered the project. Council adopted a resolution to amend the Land Use and Circulation Element to allow neighborhood-serving uses in the Civic Center Area; adopted a resolution to amend the Civic Center Specific Plan related to the proposed housing development; and held introduction and first reading of an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance to allow neighborhood-serving uses in the Civic Center Area and approving the Development Agreement between the City of Santa Monica and Related/Santa Monica Village, LLC for the mixed-use project known as The Village at Santa Monica. Council directed staff to pay particular attention to the color palette of site B and ensure 1^st Court is as hospitable as possible when the project is presented to ARB;

Council introduced for first reading:

• an ordinance modifying Municipal Code Section 9.04.08.28.040 to permit the incidental sale of merchandise at the Main Street Farmers Market by individual businesses in the CM Main Street Commercial District;
• an interim ordinance extending the interim ordinances modifying zoning regulations pertaining to automobile dealerships, associated automobile parking structures and automobile storage lots, including allowing development of automobile parking structures and automobile storage facilities associated with an adjacent dealership on certain residentially zoned sites, establishing development standards, design standards, review processes and operational standards, authorizing automobile dealerships in the M1 District, adjusting the F.A.R. calculation methodology, authorizing employee parking on existing inventory lots in the BCD Zoning District and modifying the temporary use permit provisions for dealerships, until August 8, 2010; and
• an ordinance amending Municipal Code Chapter 6.104 to clarify and update the City’s massage regulations to better conform them to community needs and current case law.

Five-year rate schedules for water and wastewater – Council approved the proposed five-year plan to increase water and wastewater rates, a revision of the rates to a commodity-only structure, a discounted low-income program, enhanced funding level for capital projects and set a public hearing on July 8 to consider the rate increases. Council directed staff to return with additional analysis of the low income provisions at the July 8 Council meeting.

Proposed FY 2008-09 One-Year Action Plan allocation federal CDBG and HOME funds – Council approved the proposed One-Year Action Plan and authorized staff to submit required documents to receive CDBG and HOME entitlement grant funds.

Other Matters – Council:

• appointed Maegan Winning to the Architectural Review Board;

• requested that staff return on May 27 with information on AB811 and its potential financial impacts to Santa Monica; and,

• adopted a resolution opposing cuts to education in the State of California's proposed 2008-2009 budget.

An appointment to the Pier Restoration Corporation Board was continued.

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 11:02 p.m. in memory of Santa Monica residents Raymond Carrier, Sterling Tisha Smith-Hurks and Harlan Hahn and the thousands of victims from the earthquake in China and the cyclone in Mayamar.  The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is a special meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 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.