MINUTES

MAY 9, 2005 MEETING OF THE

CITY OF SANTA MONICA

SUSTAINABLE CITY TASK FORCE

The meeting was convened at 7:10 p.m. SCTF members in attendance: Dennis Woods, Sandy Grant, Jim Ries, Christina Erickson, Genevieve Bertone, Euri De Oliveira, Mark Olson, Jennifer Wolch and Roe Johnston. Santa Monica City staff in attendance: Dean Kubani.

Public Input on Agenda Items

There was no public input

Minutes

The minutes of the April 11, 2005 meeting were unanimously approved.

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Sustainability Criteria to Consider in the Selection of the New Planning Director

Following discussion, the SCTF unanimously adopted the following motion:

“Santa Monica is united in its commitment to sustainability. City Council initially adopted the Sustainable City Program in 1994 and adopted a significantly updated and expanded Sustainable City Plan in 2003. The City’s Department of Planning and Community Development has a central role in achieving the goals of the Sustainable City Plan (SCP). In light of this, the Sustainable City Task Force urges the City Manager and City Council to give preference to the following criteria in the selection of the new Director of the Planning and Community Development Department.

The candidate should:

Have a history of participation in a sustainability initiative or program in an urban community.
Be able to work with city staff from all departments to help achieve the SCP goals (including goals in those areas not traditionally associated with planning) using an integrated approach.
Be conversant in the U.S. Green Building Council’s L.E.E.D. standards
Have background and experience in sustainable land use and transportation models used both in the U.S. and internationally.”

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Emerging Themes Report for the Land Use and Circulation Element Updates

Sandy Grant led a discussion about the findings of the Emerging Themes Report for the LUCE update. SCTF members felt that the comment period for the report was too short and should be lengthened when future reports are released to allow adequate time for the SCTF and other boards and commissions to formally comment. Following discussion, the SCTF agreed that, in order to expedite comments, all future comments on behalf of the SCTF would be coordinated by the LUCE subcommittee, consisting of Sandy Grant, Dennis Woods and Genevieve Bertone.

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Completion of the Sustainable City Plan Implementation Plan Report

The SCTF discussed the timeline for completion of the SCP Implementation Plan Report and determined that it would not be completed in time for submission to City Council in June. The group agreed that it will draft a memo to Council for submission prior to adoption of the FY 2005-06 budget in late June that outlines current activities of the SCTF, progress made on the Implementation Plan, timeline for completion of the plan, and funding recommendations.

Discussion of SCP Implementation Plan Timeline and Next Steps

Discussion on this item was deferred until the June 13, 2005 meeting.

Public Input on Non-Agendized Matters

There was no public input.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm