Council Meeting Wrap-up

July 15, 2008

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://www.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/2008 / as soon as possible after the meeting.

Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) Strategy Framework – Council focused on a detailed discussion of the boulevards and districts, including a presentation of alternatives, heights, massing and use mixes.

Other Matters – Council made the appointed Edward (Bud) Gordon Pell to the Personnel Board. All other appointments were continued, as well as Mayor Katz request to become a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Council direct staff provide further information on making electronic filing of campaign finance statements mandatory, allowing voter access to searchable reports on donations and expenditures, with the intent to implement mandatory electronic filings in 2009; and work with candidates and treasurers in the 2008 election to strongly encourage electronic filings and provide assistance and training as needed.

Council also (1) Direct staff to return with a process and any legal changes necessary to provide that all pending appeals relating to Hedge Ordinance No. 2236 (CCS) will be heard by a hearing officer, and return with time frames (and budget authorization, if necessary) for hiring a hearing officer as well as an anticipated schedule for hearings to proceed in as expeditious a manner as possible without sacrificing due process; (2) to return to Council for adoption of the permanent "Hedge Ordinance" (to replace Ordinance No. 2236 (CCS)) at the Council's earliest possible meeting; (3) to request comments from the Planning Commission regarding temporary Ordinance No. 2236 (CCS) and the adoption of a permanent Ordinance; and (4) Council also directed staff to provide currently scheduled appeals before the Planning Commission the option to postpone their hearing to be considered under a new process. Council also directed staff to return with information on upcoming hearings.

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 10:33. The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is a special meeting on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 beginning at 5:30 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.

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