MINUTES

JULY 11, 2005 MEETING OF THE

CITY OF SANTA MONICA

SUSTAINABLE CITY TASK FORCE

 

The meeting was convened at 7:15 p.m.  SCTF members in attendance: Dennis Woods, Sandy Grant, Christina Erickson, Genevieve Bertone, Leonard Mitchell, Euri De Oliviera, Roe Johnston and Jennifer Wolch.  City staff: Brian Johnson, Miriam Mack and Dean Kubani.  Others: Dion Jackson and Jerry Rubin

 

Public Input on Agenda Items

Jerry Rubin discussed economic development and noted that development of tall buildings with small footprints can be more sustainable than other types of less dense development.

 

Minutes

The minutes of the June 13, 2005 meeting were unanimously approved.

 

Discussion Regarding Economic Development in Santa Monica

Miriam Mack, Santa Monica’s Economic Development Manager provided background on the role of the city’s Economic Development Division. She recommended that any future economic development planning in the city should recognize that Santa Monica is part of a larger regional economy, should not create any unnecessary barriers to commerce, and should promote more flexibility in city regulations to better support existing businesses and attract new ones to the city.

 

Leonard Mitchell and Dion Jackson (from the USC Center for Economic Development) described a project that their graduate students will be carrying out between August and December 2005.  The students will work to draft a sustainable economic development strategy for Santa Monica as a client project.  The project will entail evaluation of the current economic make-up of the city; identification of the types of businesses and business sectors that will contribute to the long term sustainability of Santa Monica; identify strategies for attracting and retaining desirable businesses in order to achieve an optimal mix of business types in the city; identify strategies for “greening” businesses in Santa Monica; and identify strategies for maximizing reinvestment in the community.  The work will be presented on the internet which will allow SCTF members and City staff to review and provide input as the draft report is being completed.  Leonard will provide updates at future meetings.

 

Sustainable City Plan Implementation Plan Process Review

Sandy Grant presented a proposal for furthering development of the SCP Implementation Plan for discussion.  Following a lengthy discussion, the SCTF agreed to continue discussion at the August 8 meeting and asked staff to return at that meeting with a proposal for how to proceed with completion of the Implementation Plan.

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Protocol for Task Force Member Participation and Replacement

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Completion of the Sustainable City Plan Implementation Plan Report, Timeline and Next Steps

 

Discussion on these two items was deferred until the August 8, 2005 meeting due to time constraints.

 

Public Input on Non-Agendized Items

There was no public input.

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00pm