The Twilight Dance Series--a summer fixture on the Santa Monica Pier--winds up the season with four August nights of outstanding entertainment. The free concerts offer musical variety to please every ear, so join us from 7:30 to 9:30 on these Thursday evenings:
August 7 - Maraca
August 14 - The Sidestepper and Los Amigos Invisibles
August 21 - The Platters with Billy Richard's Coasters
August 28 - Russell Gunn and HIROMI
Parking for the Twilight Dance Series is available at the south beach lots, with 25 cent shuttle rides between the Pier and the 2030 Barnard Way lot (park for just $3 after 6 p.m., $6 all day).For more information, call 458-8900 or check the web at www.twilightdance.org
LONG-RANGE COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEMS
MAJOR MATTERS EXPECTED TO COME
BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL IN
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER:
Readers should note that the long-range nature of the list means that some items may not be heard in the month originally scheduled, as new matters emerge and agendas are re-worked. But no item will come to Council before the date originally published. The list is also available on-line at www.smgov.net.
- Appeal regarding Lincoln carwash
- YWCA/post-foster care residential facility
- Bayside District operations and marketing plan
- Community meeting room location in new Civic Center parking structure* Housing loan to OPCC
- Big Blue Bus campus design
- Formation of Sustainable City Advisory Committee
- Study sessions on advertising opportunities and Promenade Task Force efforts
- Sidewalk use interim ordinance
- Retail frontages on Promenade
- Modification of water efficiency revolving fund
- Corporation Yard expansion project
- Conceptual approval for construction of new city recycling and transfer facility
- Appeal regarding Bubba Gump restaurant
- Noise ordinance
It's That Time of Year Again!
BUSINESS LICENSE
TAX REMINDER
If you operate a business in the City of Santa Monica --whether it's located in a commercial zone or in a home, or if you come into the city to conduct business --then a Santa Monica business license is required. The business license tax year is from July 1 to June 30. A completed business license renewal form and your payment are due before August 31 to avoid penalty.
It's easy to apply for or renew a license!
You may apply for or renew a license on-line, by fax or mail or in person. The city's "Information Guide for Establishing a Business," fee schedules and application and renewal forms are available on line at santa-monica.org/finance/licenses/index.htm.
Call or visit us:
License Office – City Hall
1685 Main Street, Room 103
Santa Monica, California 90401
license@smgov.net
Phone (310) 458-8745 / Fax (310) 451-3283
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CITY FINANCE DEPARTMENT: A CHANGING OF THE GUARD
In addition to the start of a new budget year, July 1 marked another milestone for the city with the departure of retiring Finance Department Director Charles M. "Mike" Dennis and the arrival of Steve Stark as his replacement.
Dennis, head of finance since 1983, played a significant role in leading the city through a number of tumultuous years--including the economic slump of the early 1990s and the current state budget crisis--to its heralded resilience and Triple A bond ratings from the three national ratings agencies. He's a hard act to follow, but the city has apparently found the person who can do it in Steve Stark.
Director of administrative services and city treasurer with the city of Santa Clarita for the past 11 years, Stark comes to Santa Monica with high approval ratings from former employers (which also include the cities of Fontana,
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Steve Stark
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California and Arlington, Texas) and high expectations. In confirming his appointment, City Manager Susan E. McCarthy said, "Santa Monica will benefit in the coming years from Steve's experience as a financial manager and his excellent business sense. He has been well regarded by his colleagues and staff in Santa Clarita. I look forward to working with him on the fiscal challenges ahead for Santa Monica, which he is fully capable of meeting."
With a degree in business administration from West Texas University, Stark is a graduate of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Advanced Government Finance Institute and has won numerous GFOA and California Society of Municipal Finance Officers' awards. "I'm looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in Santa Monica," he said. "I'm honored to join an organization that includes an outstanding Finance Department staff and strong executive management team.
STATE BUDGET IMPACTS STILL UNKNOWN
lthough the state Legislature was inching toward a resolution of the budget stalemate as SeaScape went to press, the impact of state actions on Santa Monica was still unknown in late July. The City Council adopted a balanced 2003-04 city budget at the end of June, including more than $7 million in painful cuts, approving $2 million in revenue enhancements, and estimating as much as $4.1 million in state reductions of property tax, sales tax and/or vehicle in-lieu fee revenues and loss of redevelopment funds. If, as seems likely, a new state budget fails to address the state's unprecedented structural deficit, local governments will face more uncertainty in 2004-05.
Council adopted the proposed $174.7 million General Fund budget (for city operations), with amendments including a $2.25 million one-time contribution to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (above the on-going $3 million budgeted) and $78,500 for a mix of one-time and on-going needs not reflected in the proposed budget (e.g., for the Santa Monica Symphony, the 18th Street Art Complex, and the parks maintenance budget). A $78.5 million capital improvement budget (for land, buildings and other major infrastructure) was also adopted. The total budget (operating, capital, all other funds) of $353.8 million represents a 9% decrease from the previous year. More information about the current year's budget is available at www.smgov.net.
DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET
TRAGEDY AFFECTS COMMUNITY
The Santa Monica City Council began the July 22, 2003 meeting with a moment of silence in memory of the ten people who died in the tragic accident at the downtown Farmers Market on July 18. "The loss of so many lives weighs heavily on our minds," said the Mayor. "Our thoughts are with the injured and all the families."
City Manager Susan E. McCarthy reported on the accident at the Wednesday Farmers Market, a 22-year institution in the community, and activities during the days following. She praised the immediate and compassionate response by emergency personnel and people of good will who were in the area and assisted victims, along with staff at the two Santa Monica hospitals, from the local medical community and the regional trauma center system.
Mental health professionals, with the L.A. County Department of Mental Health as lead agency, responded and continue to assist those affected. (Information on counseling is available by calling L.A. County Mental Health at 1-800-854-7771.)
The Red Cross organized a temporary shelter for those stranded by the events, provided a source
of information and organized blood drives.
(Call 394-3773 or 1-800-GIVELIFE for information
on giving blood.)
The Chamber of Commerce initiated a victims' assistance fund which, as of July 24, had received more than $75,000 in donations. (Information about the fund and making donations on-line is available at www.smchamber.org. Donations also may be mailed to Santa Monica Farmers Market Victims Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 51943, Los Angeles, CA 90051.)
On Saturday, July 19, farmers and the public returned to the downtown market and participated in a moving memorial service organized by the Bayside District and the Santa Monica Bay Interfaith Council. A second ceremony, also organized by the Interfaith Council, was held at the Wednesday market on July 23. On both days, the markets began with ceremonies rededicating the street for the farmers.
While the accident is being investigated by the Santa Monica Police Department with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, some adjustments have been made at the market perimeters and additional staff are on duty.
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