MINUTES

APRIL 14, 2008 MEETING OF THE

CITY OF SANTA MONICA

SUSTAINABLE CITY TASK FORCE

 

Sustainable City Task Force members in attendance:  Laura Berland Shane, Dennis Woods, Al Rosen, Christina Erikson, Carol Rosskam. City staff in attendance: Dean Kubani and Shannon Parry. Members of the public in attendance:  Council Member Pam O’Connor, Parks and Recreation Commission Liaison Christina Deutsch and Louisa Fish.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:45pm.

 

Public Input on Agenda Items

Louisa Fish commented on the resource conservation implementation measures. Water conservation materials should include information about the appropriate use of a garbage disposal. She also commented on the use of paper and postage in city mailings.

 

Approval of Minutes from the March 10, 2008 meeting

The March 10, 2008 meeting minutes were unanimously approved.

 

Update on the Santa Monica Strategy For A Sustainable Local Economy (5 minutes)

Shannon Parry introduced the item.  The selection process is underway and work on the Strategy for a Sustainable Local Economy should commence in late June 2008.

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding the Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan Implementation Plan- Phase 2 Resource Conservation Goal Area

After discussion, the Task Force generated draft implementation measure for the Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan Implementation Plan- Phase 2.  These include:

 

 

Renewable Energy

  • Support State and Federal legislation to facilitate solar installations
  • Expand incentivizes for solar PV and solar thermal installations
  • Install solar on all appropriate city owned facilities and parking lots
  • Utilize solar charging stations as shade structures
  • Advance internal consistency within City of Santa Monica to expedite solar installation
  • Support pre-consumer food waste to energy program
  • Enhance distributed generation efforts

 

GHG

  • Develop city greenhouse gas emissions working group
  • Perform greenhouse gas emissions analysis annually; Ensure third party verification
  • Develop Climate Action Plan tied to Sustainable City Plan goals and targets
  • Develop verifiable local carbon offset program
  • Integrate greenhouse gas emissions into the LUCE process and other General Plan elements

 

Ecological Footprint

  • Perform every 5 years
  • Translate findings into worlds to enhance outreach  impacts

 

Sustainable Procurement

  • Participate in the California Product Stewardship Council
  • Develop a city sustainable procurement ordinance or AI for city use and community use
  • Develop sustainable procurement purchasing resource guide

 

Other

  • Integrate Sustainable City Plan into legislative and lobbying efforts

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding the Update of the Santa Monica Land Use and Circulation Elements

Dennis Woods introduced the item. Carol Rosskam took note of the impact of auto dealerships and requested the task force address this issue in the future.  After discussion, the task force unanimously passed the following motion:

 

Motion 1:  The Santa Monica Sustainable City Task Force supports the holistic approach to creating a sustainable community as expressed in the April 2nd, 2008 Land Use and Circulation Element community work shop. The efforts to integrate the Sustainable City Plan into the LUCE are an effective effort to enhance our resources, prevent harm to the natural environment and human health, and benefit the social and economic well-being of our community. 

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding the Long Range Transportation Plan

Dennis Woods introduced the item. After discussion, the task force unanimously passed the following motion:

 

Motion 2:  The Santa Monica Sustainable City Task Force’s vision for the future of transportation in Los Angeles County is expressed in the Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan.**  In order to achieve these goals, we strongly support the allocation of vital transportation funds for the Exposition Light Rail and the Subway to the Sea. In particular, we support the inclusion of the Exposition Light Rail in the baseline funded portion of the Long Range Transportation Plan. These innovative transportation options are vital to residents, businesses and visitors on the Westside and in the greater Los Angeles region. We believe that viable, environmentally sound transportation alternatives will reduce congestion, strengthen our economy, address health and air quality concerns and raise overall quality of life in our region. 

 

**The Sustainable City Plan Transportation Goals are to:

1.       Create a multi-modal transportation system that minimizes and, where possible, eliminates pollution and motor vehicle congestion while ensuring safe mobility and access for all.

2.       Facilitate a reduction in automobile dependency in favor of affordable alternative, sustainable modes of travel.

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding the Santa Monica Housing Element  Dennis Woods introduced the item. After discussion, the task force unanimously passed the following motion:

 

Motion 3: The Santa Monica Sustainable City Task Force strongly suggests that the Housing Element reflect consistency with the Sustainable City Plan Housing goal to achieve and maintain a mix of affordable, livable, and green housing types throughout the city for people of all socioeconomic / cultural / household groups (including seniors, families, singles and disabled).  We look forward to the development of programs and policies that express the shared goals of the Sustainable City Plan and the requirements of the Housing Element. We also suggest that the Housing Element be amended to include provision for workforce housing and other affordability initiatives, reflect recent changes to the city’s green building guidelines and address impacts on the jobs housing balance.

 

Liaison Updates

Due to time constraints, no liaison updates were provided.

 

Public Input on Non-Agendized Items

There was no additional public input on non-agendized items.

 

Comments and Announcements

  • Dean Kubani announced the Beach Greening Opening on May 18th.
  • Shannon Parry announced the development of a citywide green house gas emissions working group.
  • Shannon Parry delivered the Boards and Commissions Directories.

 

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00pm.