MINUTES

JULY 14, 2008 MEETING OF THE

CITY OF SANTA MONICA

SUSTAINABLE CITY TASK FORCE

 

 

Task force members in attendance: Dennis Woods, Genevieve Bertone, Jim Ries, Carol Rosskam,  Al Rosen, Leonard Mitchell, Laura Berland-Shane and Christina Erickson. City staff in attendance: Shannon Parry and Dean Kubani. Members of the community in attendance: Council Member Pam O’Connor, Community Sustainability Liaison Traci Reitz, Parks and Recreation Commission liaison Christina Deutch, Samantha O’Neil, Terry O’Day  and Louisa Fish.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:20pm.

 

Public Input on Agenda Items

There was no public input on agenda items.

 

Approval of Minutes from the May 16, 2008 meeting

The minutes from the June 9, 2008 meeting were unanimously approved.  Carol Rosskam, Jim Ries and Genevieve Bertone abstained.

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Save Our City Campaign

Terry O’Day introduced the item.  He summarized the contents of the ballot initiative and presented the Save Our City response. Terry O’Day specifically highlighted the potential impacts the RIFT initiative might have on the goals established in the Sustainable City Plan.  After discussion, the task force indicated concern about the potential impacts of RIFT especially in relationship to the rehabilitation of existing buildings, transit-oriented mixed-use development, provision of housing and services, adequacy of hospital administration and research facilities, and the impacts on educational funding and city revenues.

 

After further discussion, the task force passed the following motion unanimously:

The Santa Monica Sustainable City Task Force opposes the Residents Initiative to Cap Commercial Development, also known as RIFT, because there is insufficient evidence that it will reduce traffic and sufficient evidence to suggest it will negatively impact the goals established in the Sustainable City Plan. Additionally, the Santa Monica Sustainable City Task Force reaffirms its’ support for the LUCE process and the community input the LUCE Framework represents.

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding the Santa Monica Land Use and Circulation Element

Dennis Woods introduced the item. He read the Sustainable City Task Force comments on the Land Use and Circulation Element that were presented to Council by Jennifer Wolch. Genevieve Bertone also presented comments on the Land Use and Circulation Element to Council.

 

Update from the Community Sustainability Liaison

Traci Reitz introduced the item.  She reviewed her end of year report with the Task Force.

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding the Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan Implementation Plan- Phase 2

Shannon Parry introduced the item.  Two subcommittees are needed to move the Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan Implementation Plan- Phase 2 forward.  One subcommittee will be responsible for reviewing the draft document included in the July 14, 2008 packet and prioritizing the implementation measures. The second subcommittee will be responsible for writing the Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan Implementation Plan- Phase 2.

 

The task force appointed the following members to the subcommittees:

a.      Prioritization of Implementation Measure

                                                              i.      Al Rosen, Laura Berland-Shane, Leonard Mitchell, Jim Ries

b.      Writing the SCPIP- Phase 2

                                                              i.      Jennifer Wolch, Genevieve Bertone, Carol Rosskam, Christina Erickson

 

Update on the Santa Monica Strategy For A Sustainable Local Economy

Shannon Parry introduced the item. Council directed staff to execute a contract with Earth Voice Strategies to perform the work associated with developing the Santa Monica Strategy for a Sustainable Local Economy.  The current timeline and deliverables presented by Earth Voice Strategies include the conclusion of Phase 1 and community stakeholder meetings in early Fall.   The community stakeholder meetings will be scheduled for the first week of October.

 

Update on the Santa Monica Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

The city of Santa Monica has contracted with Livingston Group to perform primary services for the Santa Monica greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Staff from the Office of Sustainability and the Environment, Public Works, Planning and Community Development, and Community Maintenance met with the consultant to begin the process. This interdepartmental group will work on the greenhouse gas emissions inventory and then develop a municipal climate action plan.  The city will complete its greenhouse gas emissions inventory by August 30, 2008 and will complete third party verification by December 31, 2008.

 

Liaison Updates

  • Al Rosen provided the Solar Santa Monica update.  The Solar Santa Monica Advisory Board is currently focusing on statewide legislative issues.
  • Leonard Mitchell provided the Santa Monica Airport update.  He provided an overview of the Santa Monica Airport Sustainability Plan.
  • Laura Berland-Shane provided the Chamber of Commerce update. She invited task force members to attend the State of the City – Part 2.

 

 

 

Public Input on Non-Agendized Items

Louisa Fish recommended Traci Reitz coordinate with Dan Dawson at the Big Blue Bus regarding the Sustainable Santa Monica poster contest.  Additionally, Louisa Fish stressed the importance of having special meetings of the City Council covered on local radio and/or television.

 

Comments and Announcements

  • Shannon Parry announced that the Environmental Programs Division is now part of the City Managers Office and the new name is The Office of Sustainability and the Environment.  
  • Council Member Pam O’Connor announced that METRO successfully adopted their sustainability plan. The task force congratulated METRO for this leadership effort.
  • Shannon Parry announced GLOW.
  • Shannon Parry reminded the task force that there is no meeting in August.  

 

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 9:55pm.