CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING 03/15/88
ABBREVIATED MEETING MINUTES
Disclaimer: This document does not contain the complete official meeting
minutes but is intended to provide information about meeting activity.
To obtain official meeting minutes, please contact the Santa Monica City
Clerk's office.
5-A: MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING/2336 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD:
Presented was an appeal of the Planning Commission approval of
Development Review 369, 2336 Santa Monica Boulevard, for a three
story, 27,637 square foot medical office building with 122
parking spaces (Applicant: William Brantley for Parkside West
Development. Appellant: Rosario Perry for Tom and Dolores
Rheinschilds and Marc Sabatini) and a resolution certifying the
Final Environmental Impact Report, continued from February 9,
1988. Discussion was held. Councilmember Finkel moved to hear
from the applicant and the appellant for 5 minutes each. Second
by Mayor Pro Tempore H. Katz. The motion was unanimously
approved. Rosario Perry spoke on behalf of the appellants. Mara
Bresnick spoke on behalf of the applicant. (The public hearing
for Item 5-B was combined with the hearing on this matter.) The
following members of the public spoke in favor of the
development: Stan Dyer, Randi Hutchinson, Jim Holly, LeRoy
Clink, Arthur D. Thompson, Debbie Lagasia, Laurie Heyman, Paul
Rosenstein, Regina Relford, Don Nelson, David Beeman, and Ken
Ward. Frydoun Sheikhpour, Steven Adams and Roy Morando spoke in
opposition to the proposed cul-de-sac, which would be created by
the vacation of 24th Street.
Mayor Pro Tempore H. Katz moved to deny the appeal, support the
development, approve Development Review 869, and direct staff
that "No Parking" signs be posted in the alley so trucks can't
legally park in the alley, adding that the 2 foot landscaping
shown and described during the meeting be incorporated both on
Cloverfield, the alley, and the landscaping as revised on Santa
Monica Boulevard. Second by Councilmember Zane. During
discussion, the maker and second of the motion incorporated
Councilmember Jennings' suggestion that the developer be made
responsible for posting the closure signs for 24th Street, and
Councilmember A. Katz's suggestion that the 36 parking spaces
accessed by the alley, and the two loading zones, be used for
tenants only and not for visitors. The motion was approved by
the following vote:
Council vote: Unanimously approved
Mayor Conn moved to direct staff to evaluate a continuous, 2-way
left-turn lane, which would address 24th Street as well as other
driveways, alleys, or streets that intersect Broadway. Second by
Mayor Pro Tempore H. Katz. The motion was unanimously approved.
(Council moved on to consideration of Item 5-B before being
advised by the Assistant City Attorney that a vote was required
on the resolution for Item 5-A.)
Councilmember Reed moved to adopt Resolution No. 7580(CCS)
entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA
MONICA CERTIFYING THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT ON THE
PARKSIDE WEST MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING," reading by title only and
waving further reading thereof, certifying the adequacy of the
EIR (EIA 839) with the findings and conditions contained in the
November 16, 1987, Planning Commission Statement of Official
Action. Second by Councilmember A. Katz. The motion was
approved by the following vote:
Council vote: Unanimously approved
5-B: VACATION/PORTION OF 24TH STREET: Presented was a staff
report and public hearing on the vacation of a portion of 24th
Street between Santa Monica Boulevard and Santa Monica Place
South, continued from February 9, 1988. (The public hearing for
this item was combined with Item 5-A.) Councilmember Finkel
moved to approve the staff recommendation, thereby adopting
Resolution No. 7581(CCS) entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA ORDERING THE VACATION OF A
PORTION OF TWENTY-FOURTH STREET BETWEEN SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD
AND SANTA MONICA PLACE SOUTH IN THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA,
CALIFORNIA," reading by title only and waiving further reading
thereof. Second by Mayor Pro Tempore H. Katz. The motion was
approved by the following vote:
Council vote: Unanimously approved
5-C: SALE OF PROPERTY/1747 15TH STREET: Presented was a staff
report recommending the holding of a public hearing, adoption of
a resolution authorizing the sale of property at 1747 15th Street
to Community Corporation of Santa Monica for development of
affordable housing, and authorization for the City Manager to
execute the necessary documents, continued from February 23,
1988. The following members of the public spoke in support of
the project: Arleen Benson, Doris Ganga, CeCe Bradley, Lupe
Castro, Dianne Glinos, Bob Scot, Doug Willis, Javier Gutierrez,
Rev. Willis Tait Jr., Jose Castillanos, Paul Rosenstein, Neal
Richman, and Paul Ravare. Joy Fullmer expressed her belief that
the project should be all very low income and contain some single
units. Dr. Al Quinn and N. J. Rik Ricard requested that this
matter be referred back to staff and the Housing Commission for a
public hearing, the hearing to be noticed in the neighborhood.
Greg Wilder requested that the affected neighborhood be involved
in the design and selection process for the project. Steve Young
and Nat Trives spoke in support of affordable housing. Donald
Lewin Nelson spoke in suppport of the project but expressed
concern that this is not truly low-income housing.
Mayor Pro Tempore H. Katz moved to open this up to an RFP
(Request for Proposal) to any qualified nonprofit organization.
Second by Councilmember Reed. Councilmember Reed moved an
amendment to the motion to direct staff to include in the RFP
that there be a specific neighborhood outreach project, which
identifies the organizations and the radius of residential
neighborhoods included in the outreach. The motion was clarified
that NRDC (Neighborhood Resource and Development Corporation) and
PNA (Pico Neighborhood Association) and a certain radius of
people around the project site need to be included in the process
of determining the scope of the project, prior to the RFP. The
amendment was incorporated into the main motion by the maker.
Discussion was held. Councilmember Zane moved an amendment to
the motion to stipulate that the RFP must require that the
developer must have demonstrated experience in the development
and management of rental housing. With the proviso that a joint
venture formed to meet this criteria would be acceptable, the
amendment was accepted by the maker and second.
Councilmember A. Katz moved to extend the meeting beyond 11:00
p.m. Second by Councilmember Reed. The motion was unanimously
approved.
Discussion was held. Councilmember Finkel moved a substitute
motion to approve the staff recommendation in its present form,
and set in motion the process of instructing staff to prepare, to
present to Council at budget time, all the data and information
needed to review the policy that Council and staff have been
living by with respect to Community Corporation funding, and
decide at budget time whether Council wishes to instruct staff to
develop another vehicle for accomplishing the goal of creating
low-income housing in the City. Second by Councilmember Zane.
Discussion was held. The substitute motion failed by the
following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Finkel, Zane, Mayor
Conn
Negative: Councilmembers Jennings, A. Katz,
Reed, H. Katz
The main motion, as amended, was approved by the following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Finkel, Jennings,
A. Katz, H. Katz, Reed, Mayor Conn
Negative: Councilmember Zane
7-A: DAMAGED SIDEWALKS/DRIVEWAYS/CURBS: Presented was a staff
report on the assessment of costs to repair damaged sidewalks,
driveways and curbs at various locations (SR-88-107). The public
hearing, opened on March 8, 1988, was continued. There being no
one wishing to speak, the public hearing was declared closed.
Councilmember Reed moved to approve the staff recommendation,
thereby adopting Resolution No. 7582(CCS) entitled: "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CONFIRMING THE REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS REGARDING
REPAIRS TO DAMAGED SIDEWALKS, DRIVEWAYS AND CURBS (SR-88-107),"
reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof.
Second by Councilmember Finkel. The motion was approved by the
following vote:
Council vote: Unanimously approved
7-B: VACATION/22ND COURT: Presented was a staff report on the
vacation of a portion of 22nd Court located between Arizona
Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard. Councilmember Zane withdrew
from participation in discussion and the vote on this item due to
a possible conflict of interest. The public hearing, opened on
March 8, 1988, was continued. Joy Fullmer expressed concern
about the number of vacations the City is approving. Sherman
Stacey spoke in support of the vacation. There being no one else
wishing to speak, the public hearing was declared closed.
Councilmember Reed moved to approve the staff recommendation,
thereby adopting Resolution No. 7583(CCS) entitled: "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
ORDERING THE VACATION OF A PORTION OF A CERTAIN ALLEY KNOWN AS
TWENTY-SECOND COURT, BETWEEN ARIZONA AVENUE AND SANTA MONICA
BOULEVARD, IN THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA," reading by
title only and waiving further reading thereof. Second by Mayor
Pro Tempore H. Katz. The motion was approved by the following
vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Finkel, Jennings,
A. Katz, H. Katz, Reed, Mayor Conn
Abstain: Councilmember Zane
7-C: VACATION/PICO PLACE NORTH: Presented was a staff report on
the vacation of a portion of Pico Place North from Appian Way to
122 feet northeasterly of Appian Way and to vacate two public
service easements. The public hearing, opened on March 8, 1988,
was continued. Mark Solit spoke in support of the vacation; Anne
Sterman spoke in opposition. There being no one else wishing to
speak, the public hearing was declared closed. Mayor Pro Tempore
H. Katz moved to approve the staff recommendation, thereby
adopting Resolution No. 7584(CCS) entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA ORDERING THE VACATION OF
A PORTION OF A CERTAIN STREET KNOWN AS PICO PLACE NORTH BETWEEN
APPIAN WAY AND 122 FEET EAST OF APPIAN WAY AND TWO PUBLIC SERVICE
EASEMENTS IN THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA," reading by
title only and waiving further reading thereof. Second by
Councilmember Reed. The motion was approved by the following
vote:
Council vote: Unanimously approved
8-B: PLANNING, ZONING, LAND USE FEES: Presented was a staff
report transmitting an ordinance for introduction and first
reading adding Chapter 2A to Article IX of the Municipal Code
establishing planning, zoning, and land use fees by resolution.
The public hearing, opened on March 8, 1988, was continued. Joy
Fullmer expressed concern regarding the use and equity of fees.
There being no one else wishing to speak, the public hearing was
declared closed. Councilmember Finkel moved to introduce for
first reading an ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA ADDING CHAPTER 2A TO ARTICLE
IX OF THE SANTA MONICA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALLOW THE CITY COUNCIL
TO INCREASE PLANNING, ZONING, AND LAND USE FEES BY RESOLUTION,"
reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof.
Second by Councilmember A. Katz. The motion was approved by the
following vote:
Council vote: Unanimously approved
10-B: SOCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION ROLE: Presented was a staff
report on the role of the Social Services Commission. Discussion
was held. Councilmember Reed moved to approve the staff
recommendation, thereby receiving and approving a summary of the
role and activities of the Social Service Commission as outlined
in the attachment to the staff report dated March 8, 1988.
Second by Councilmember Jennings. The motion was approved by the
following vote:
Council vote: Unanimously approved
11-B: BIKE RENTALS/BIKE PATH: Presented was a staff report
regarding bike rental facilities on the bike path. Member of the
public Joey Harris spoke to request that he be allowed to operate
concessions on the bike path. Discussion was held.
Councilmember Zane moved to direct staff to work with the Parks
and Recreation Commission to develop standards and procedures for
providing such services on the bicycle paths in the community.
Second by Mayor Pro Tempore H. Katz. During discussion, the
maker and second included in the motion Mayor Conn's suggestion
that staff present the proposal at budget time. The motion was
unanimously approved.
11-C: CLOSED SESSION: Held later in the evening.
12-B: DEVELOPMENT REVIEW/SHERATON HOTEL/1115 2ND STREET:
Presented was an appeal of the Planning Commission denial of
Development Review 356 for a 5-story, 96,000 sq. foot, 270 space
parking structure at 1115 2nd Street (Applicant: Miramar
Sheraton Hotel, W. G. Wells, President. Appellant: James
Lunsford for Miramar Sheraton Hotel). James Lunsford spoke on
behalf of the appellant. The following members of the public
spoke in opposition to the project: William Hannon, Donald Lewin
Nelson, Dr. Cal Kurtzman, Craig Clifford, and Harold Owen.
Discussion was held. Mayor Pro Tempore H. Katz moved to deny
the appeal and deny DR 356, CUP 437, ZA 5113-Y, GPA-09, EIA 835,
with the findings contained in the December 7, 1987, Planning
Commission Statement of Official Action, including in the motion
giving a sense of the Council to the developers that if this
comes back as parking, it should include a master plan for the
hotel and what the developer's intent is. Second by
Councilmember A. Katz. The motion was approved by the following
vote:
Council vote: Unanimously approved
14-A: NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES/STATE AND LOCAL LEGAL CENTER:
Presented was the request of Mayor Conn to discuss the request
from the National League of Cities to support the State and Local
Legal Center. Mayor Conn opened discussion and moved that
Council contribute its apportioned share ($2,000) to support the
Center. Second by Councilmember Finkel. The motion was
approved by the following vote:
Council vote: Unanimously approved
14-B: FILING FEE FOR CITIZEN INITIATIVES: Presented was the
request of Councilmember Reed to discuss establishing a filing
fee for citizen initiatives. Councilmember Reed opened
discussion and moved to direct staff to come back with the
appropriate proposals to establish a filing fee of up to $200 for
submission of a citizen initiative, such fee to be refunded if
the initiative qualifies with sufficient signatures. Second by
Mayor Pro Tempore H. Katz. Discussion was held. The motion
failed by the following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Jennings, H. Katz,
Reed
Negative: Councilmembers Finkel, A. Katz,
Zane, Mayor Conn
14-C: MAIN STREET PARKING STRUCTURE: Presented was the request
of Councilmember Reed to discuss consideration of items relating
to the Main Street Parking Structure, (discussed at the Council
meeting of February 23, 1988, Item 11-A). Councilmember Reed
opened discussion and moved to direct staff to review the
Chronicle lease with specific attention given to their ability to
control the spaces and the ability of the City to ensure that the
spaces are available for public use at no charge or at some
reasonable charge, and also to report back on the advisability of
reinstating towing on an intermittent basis in the Ocean Park
permit parking area. Second by Mayor Pro Tempore H. Katz. The
motion was unanimously approved.
14-D: CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL MUSEUM: Presented was the request
of Councilmember Jennings to discuss preparation of an RFP for a
Children's Educational Museum for consideration in the Fiscal
Year 1988-89 budget. Councilmember Jennings opened discussion
and moved to direct staff to prepare an RFP to go out to
interested organizations to submit a proposal for a Children's
Educational Museum to be housed in Santa Monica, with the
proposals to begin in time for consideration in connection with
next year's (FY 1988-89) budget.
Hearing no second to the motion made in Item 14-D, the Chair
called the next item. In response to questions from
councilmembers regarding Item 14-D, the Chair requested that the
record reflect that Council returned to consideration of Item
14-D.
Councilmember Jennings restated the motion. Second by
Councilmember A. Katz. Discussion was held. The motion was
approved, Councilmembers Finkel and Reed opposed.
Councilmember Reed requested the record to reflect that her no
vote is because she doesn't believe that this is an activity
critical or necessary in this community which needs the financial
support of the City of Santa Monica, and if it's destined to
happen, it can do so without the City's financial support.
11-C: CLOSED SESSION: Presented was a request for Closed
Session for the purpose of considering personnel matters and
threatened litigation, pending litigation and litigation to be
commenced by the City. At 12:45 a.m., Council adjourned to
Closed Session to consider the following case: Santa Monica
Carousel Corporation v. City of Santa Monica, et al., Los Angeles
Superior Court Case No. C 398648. At 12:55 a.m., Council
returned with four members present, Councilmembers Finkel, A.
Katz, and H. Katz absent. Mayor Conn moved to approve a
settlement of $86,500 in the case of Santa Monica Carousel
Corporation. Second by Councilmember Jennings. The motion was
approved by the following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Jennings, Reed, Zane,
Mayor Conn
Absent: Councilmembers Finkel, A. Katz,
H. Katz