Closed Session – There were no reportable actions.

Main Street Lighting Assessment District - Council held a public hearing and adopt a resolution confirming the results of the ballot tabulation forming the Assessment District and authorizing the levy of assessments for FY 2008-09; and authorize a loan in the amount of up to $132,000 for the acquisition of replacement bulbs for the festoon lighting.

Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) Strategy Framework – Council discussion focused on LUCE Strategy Framework topics related to neighborhoods, boulevards, districts and specific plan areas, including heights and density. Council directed staff to study the reduced LUCE recommendations on the Boulevards (Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica Blvd., Broadway, Colorado Ave., Pico Blvd., Ocean Park Blvd. and Lincoln Blvd.) and the Districts (Bergamot Transit Village with an analysis of a ranges as specified, Mixed Use Creative with a range of mixes for creative use.  

Property Based Assessment District (PBAD) in the Downtown – Council continued this item to Thursday.

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District summary of the activities to date and planned future activities to support students with special needs and their families and request that the City release the $529,779 withheld in the FY2007/2008 Budget – This item was removed at the request of the school district.

Other Matters – Council continued all other matters to Thursday.

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 10:53 in memory or Arlene Morgan, Madeline Stoner and Joseph Lutz.  The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is a special meeting on Wednesday, July 23, 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.  

July 23, 2008

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

• Approved the purchase of alternative fuel transit coaches and spare parts with Creative Bus Sales in the amount of $4,127,544.
• Approved a contract with Cowan Communication Arts in the amount of $100,000 annually for graphic design services for environmental programs outreach efforts.
• Approved an agreement with Harley Ellis Devereaux in the amount of $193,954 to provide interior design services at the Big Blue Bus Operations building at 1660 7^th Street.
• Authorized a Memorandum of Understanding with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the establishment of capital reserve accounts for the 20^th & Cloverfield and bus stop improvement projects.
• Approved a purchase order in the amount of $360,093 with LN Curtis for the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Adopted a resolution approving a final parcel map for a 4-unit condominium project at 954 5^th Street.
• Approved an amendment in the amount of $29,496 with Urban Studio for design development of the Ocean Park Boulevard Streetscape Improvement Project.
• Approved a contract with Gallagher Benefits Services in the amount of $191,000 for a three year agreement to provide City employee benefit consulting services.
• Approved a contract in the amount of $270,000 for the Civic Center Parking Structure Tenant Improvement Project with TLD Construction.
• Set a public hearing on September 9, 2008 on the vacation of High Place.
• Adopted a resolution automatically adjusting the affordable housing unit development cost based on changes in construction and land costs.
• Adopted a resolution automatically adjusting the affordable housing unit base fee for new market rate multifamily development based on construction and land use costs.
• Authorized the City Manager to accept $59,500 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.
• Authorized an amendment of $50,000 with Gershman, Brickner and Bratton, Inc. for review and analysis related to recycling and disposal services.

After discussion, Council authorized a six month bid with General Petroleum to supply and deliver biodiesel. Council directed staff to return within six months with a new contract that considers the total carbon footprint of the purchase and that explores possible benefits of a joint purchase with other entities.

Items related to the award of a bid for solid waste bins and acceptance of a grant for fluoridation were continued to tomorrow’s meeting.

The Council and Redevelopment Agency authorized a contract in the amount of $3,291,911 with AWI Builders, Inc. for Façade Improvements and painting of Parking Structures 1-6 and took other related necessary actions.

The Parking Authority and Council approved FY 2008/09 Budget changes, adding a Transportation Demand Program Manager and a Principal Transportation Planner, appropriating necessary funds.

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

Presentation of Shared Use opportunities between the Civic Auditorium and Santa Monica High School Campuses, review of the High School site studies and report on redevelopment funding eligibility of joint use community facilities on the High School campus - The school district’s architect, Koning Eisenberg, presented concept designs of the redesigned high school campus. A second presentation focused on the possibilities of tying the uses at the school with the Civic Center Master Plan elements, cultural venues, open spaces, education and mobility.

Ordinances – The following ordinances were introduced for first reading:

• amending Municipal Code Sections 9.52.020, 9.52.030, 9.52.120, 9.52.130, 9.52.140, and 9.52.150 and adding Municipal Code Sections 9.52.125, and 9.52.135 relating to signs and deleting Section 4.08.700 requiring attribution on handbills to conform the Code to the requirements of current case law, to address temporary signage, and to clarify existing law; discussion of City sign policy and possible additional Sign Code modifications; Council provided direction to staff regarding changes to the proposed ordinance. Council approved the provision deleting Section 4.08.700.
• modifying Municipal Code provisions regulating campaign contributions and suggestions regarding possible future modifications;
• setting the 2008/09 tax rate for the Library General Obligation Bonds;
• prohibiting soliciting from public chairs and benches on the Third Street Promenade, as amended, adding Broadway and Santa Monica between 2^nd and 4^th; and
• amending the current fence, wall, and hedge interim ordinance to modify the review process for pending fence, wall, and hedge objection appeals by assigning these appeals to an independent hearing examiner instead of the Planning Commission, and declaring the presence of an emergency. This item was continued to the start of tomorrow’s meeting.

High Place East Affordable Homeownership Demonstration Project – Council approved subordination of the affordability restrictions in the land-se deed restriction to bank loans, if required by lenders; a resale price formula based on the Area Medium Income index; indemnification by the City of the project sponsor from potential risk with respect to challenges of the facial validity of the resale price and income restrictions; a homebuyer selection policy and a loan amount that conforms to the Housing Trust Fund Guidelines. Council directed staff to look at how current code could adversely affect government-funded 100% affordable housing projects and return with findings and recommendations.

Recommendation that Council designate a Councilmember to represent the City at the Western Regional Housing Summit on August 25-26, 2008- Council designated Mayor Pro Tempore Richard Bloom.

Resolution placing a measure on the November 2008 ballot to maintain and update the Utility Users Tax on telecommunications, continuing unchanged the existing tax rate – Council adopted a resolution submitting to the voters a measure proposing to amend the Municipal Code section relating to the Utilities Users Tax and authorized Council members Holbrook and O’Conner to file written arguments in favor or against the measure and directed the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis of the measure.

Stormwater Parcel Report and Management User Fee for FY 2008-09 – Council held a public hearing and approved the Stormwater Parcel Reports.

Congestion Management Program – Council held a public hearing and adopted a resolution finding the City to be in conformance with the Congestion Management Plan and adopted the CMP Local Development Report.

Request from Treesavers Group that Council begin a process to establish a City of Santa Monica Urban Forestry Commission – Council directed staff to return with a process for reviewing the issue and return recommendations on alternative processes.

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 11:09. The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is a special meeting on Thursday, July 24, 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.  

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This page was last modified on 07/24/2008