CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING 10/15/91
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.
4-A: PROCLAMATION/RED RIBBON WEEK: Mayor Abdo presented a
proclamation declaring October 20 - 27, 1991, as "Red Ribbon
Week" in the City of Santa Monica.
SS-2: STUDY SESSION - MAIN STREET MASTER PLAN: Presented was
the Study Session discussing the Main Street Master Plan and
proposed ordinance revisions.
At 9:25 P.M., the Study Session was adjourned.
Councilmember Katz moved to hear Item No. 14-E next on the
agenda. Second by Councilmember Zane. The motion was approved,
Mayor Pro Tempore Genser opposed.
At 9:27 P.M., Council adjourned for a short recess. Council
reconvened at 9:42 P.M. with all members present.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING:
At 9:42 P.M., Mayor Abdo convened a regular meeting of the City
of Santa Monica City Council.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Judy Abdo
Mayor Pro Tempore Ken Genser
Councilmember Robert T. Holbrook
Councilmember Herbert Katz
Councilmember Kelly Olsen
Councilmember Antonio Vazquez
Councilmember Dennis Zane
Also Present: City Manager John Jalili
City Attorney Robert M. Myers
Assistant City Clerk Beth Justice
14-E: ALCOHOL POLICY/SANTA MONICA PIER: Councilmember Zane
presented the request of he and Councilmember Katz to discuss an
alcohol policy for the Santa Monica Pier. Councilmember Zane
moved to direct staff to schedule a discussion and action item
for the Council on alcohol policies for the Pier in the month of
November some time after the Planning Commission has discussed
the issue. Second by Councilmember Katz. Discussion was held.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Holbrook, Katz, Zane,
Mayor Abdo
Negative: Councilmembers Genser, Olsen,
Vazquez
Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to direct staff to provide input
from an alcohol professional, a public health professional, a
medical health professional, the police, a review of the State's
prepared manual for community planning on alcohol policy, and
input from other groups such as The Responsible Hospitality
Institute and the Harvard Alcohol Project. Discussion was held.
Second by Councilmember Olsen. The motion failed by the
following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Genser, Olsen,
Vazquez
Negative: Councilmembers Holbrook, Katz,
Zane, Mayor Abdo
Councilmember Zane moved that the issue of requesting input from
agencies and sources that Mayor Pro Tempore Genser enumerated be
placed on the agenda in November and between now and then to
request the staff to identify the specific relevance of each.
Second by Councilmember Katz. Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved a
substitute motion to instruct staff to obtain outside
professional input to give a presentation to Council at the
November 26, 1991, meeting on an alcohol policy, including a
review of the State prepared manual for community planning on
alcohol policy. Second by Councilmember Olsen. Discussion was
held. The substitute motion was unanimously approved.
9-C: LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM: Presented was the staff report
recommending adoption of the Local Coastal Program and
transmission of the Local Coastal Program to the California
Coastal Commission. Council asked questions of staff.
Councilmember Katz was excused from the meeting at 10:55 P.M.
Councilmember Olsen moved to extend the meeting to 12:00
Midnight. Second by Councilmember Zane. The motion was
unanimously approved, Councilmember Katz absent. Questions
continued. Councilmember Zane moved to adopt Resolution No.
8307, entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA ADOPTING THE LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM AND TRANSMITTING
THE LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM TO THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION,"
reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof,
approving the Local Coastal Plan and referring it to the
California Coastal Commission for its review and recommendations,
as amended by staff documents. Second by Councilmember Vazquez.
Council asked questions of staff. Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved
to amend the motion to change wording on Page 63, Policy 8 to
read, "There cannot be private interference with established
public uses after an access way has been dedicated but not yet
opened." Discussion was held. The motion was accepted as
friendly. Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to amend the motion
that the word "consider" be changed to the word "adopt" in the
first line of Policy 15 on Page 65. Discussion was held. Mayor
Pro Tempore Genser moved to amend his amendment to change the
wording to read, "The City shall require..." Discussion was
held. Councilmember Zane moved to amend the amended motion to
change the language to say, "shall require that all new
development..." The motion was accepted as friendly. Discussion
was held. Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to amend the motion
that wording on Policy 25 be changed to read, "Parking spaces in
the public beach parking lots shall be made available on a
monthly basis for residential permit parking for those who
otherwise do not have private, on-site parking." The motion was
accepted as friendly. Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to amend
the motion to include language to be inserted after Policy 20, as
follows: "Levels of service on Pacific Coast Highway shall be
effectively managed and coastal zone development controlled to
ensure that traffic congestion does not inappropriately inhibit
public access to the coastal zone and Pacific Coast Highway can
function in its status as the sole transportation and emergency
route up and down the coast." Discussion was held. Second by
Councilmember Olsen. The amendment failed by the following vote:
Staff Report
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Genser, Olsen
Negative: Councilmembers Holbrook, Vazquez,
Zane, Mayor Abdo
Absent: Councilmember Katz
Councilmember Zane requested that the record reflect that he
voted "no" on this amendment but that he is prepared to support
this policy in another document.
Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to amend the motion to include
language in Policy 30 for the comprehensive criteria for
determining the feasibility of a shuttle program to include
looking at ridership and trip reductions during the two-year
period, and the potential for future reductions and the related
impact on levels of service in the coastal zone, studying the
establishment of an assessment district in the coastal zone
requiring businesses that benefit from the shuttle to support it
financially. Discussion was held. The motion was accepted as
friendly. Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to include language at
the end of Policy 42 as follows: "...and any public accessway
improperly closed shall be reopened by such action as is
necessary to do so." The motion was accepted as friendly. Mayor
Pro Tempore Genser moved to include language as part of Policy 42
to say, "The City shall investigate the feasibility of
establishing a pedestrian accessway from Inspiration Point, at
the top of the Palisades, to the base of the Palisades, and from
there to the pedestrian tunnel under Pacific Coast Highway. The
motion was accepted as friendly. Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved
to amend the motion to change the language in the last sentence
of Policy 45 to read, "Facilities which provide temporary
moorings for boats are permitted; a permanent marina development
shall not be permitted." The motion was accepted as friendly.
Councilmember Zane moved to amend the motion that the last
sentence of Policy 46 be changed from "shall be permitted..." to
"may be permitted..." The motion was accepted as friendly.
Discussion was held. Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to amend the
motion to insert the word "only" in the second to the last line
in Policy 64 to read, "...only when designed to eliminate or
mitigate adverse..." The motion was accepted as friendly. Mayor
Pro Tempore Genser moved to include language in Policy 73 which
says that the City will verify parking needs through periodic
studies to assure that the objective of parking availability will
be met. The motion was accepted as friendly. Discussion was
held. Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to amend the motion to
include language in Policy 83 which indicates that
privately-owned parcels that are currently zoned residential
should remain in a residential zone. The motion was accepted as
friendly. Discussion was held. Councilmember Olsen moved to
amend the motion to retain presently zoned R-1 lots as R-1 lots,
rather than changing them to R2B as indicated in Policy 83.
Second by Councilmember Holbrook. Discussion was held. The
motion failed by the following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Genser, Holbrook,
Olsen
Negative: Councilmembers Vazquez, Zane,
Mayor Abdo
Absent: Councilmember Katz
Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to extend the meeting to 12:30
A.M. Second by Councilmember Vazquez. The motion was approved,
Councilmember Holbrook opposed, Councilmember Katz absent.
Discussion was held. Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to amend the
motion that in Policy 83 to apply the current building heights to
wide and narrow lots, that no portion of a structure that exceeds
23' if a flat roof or 30' if a pitched roof can exceed 30' in
width. The motion was accepted as friendly. Mayor Pro Tempore
Genser moved to amend the motion to lower the FAR on the RVC lots
to .25 and everything to be by discretionary review. Discussion
was held. Councilmember Zane accepted the motion as friendly at
a reduced FAR of .5 as opposed to .25. Mayor Pro Tempore Genser
moved to amend the motion to include language stipulating that
any project in the RVC zone north of the Pier requires
discretionary review. The motion was accepted as friendly.
Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to amend the motion to include
that part of the criteria for giving that discretionary review is
to ensure that there are appropriate buffers and conditions on
the operation to mitigate any adverse impact on adjacent
residential properties. The motion was accepted as friendly.
Discussion was held. Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to amend the
motion that in Policy 83 instead of designating other
residentially-zoned parcels RVC that they be zoned R2B with an
"A" overlay for parking lots. Discussion was held. Mayor Pro
Tempore Genser moved to amend his amendment to indicate that in
Policies 85 and 86 rather than zone those lots as RVC that a new
zone (Public Beach Use) be established where the only use is
parking or open space. The motion was accepted as friendly.
Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to amend the motion to direct that
Section 9153.5 be made consistent with other citywide law. The
motion was accepted as friendly. Mayor Abdo moved to amend the
motion to include language that setbacks for lots of 100' in
depth or less be 15' and for lots more than 100' in depth the
setback be 40'. The motion was accepted as friendly.
Councilmember Olsen moved to amend the motion to reduce the
height of the ferris wheel to 80'. The motion was not accepted
as friendly. Councilmember Holbrook moved to amend the motion to
include Natural Element Sculpture Park in the coastal zone but
exclude it from the beach. The motion was not accepted as
friendly. Discussion was held. The motion was approved by the
following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Genser, Holbrook,
Vazquez, Zane, Mayor Abdo
Negative: Councilmember Olsen
Absent: Councilmember Katz
Councilmember Zane moved to direct staff to place on the agenda
the Natural Element Sculpture Park for consideration by Council
at the earliest practical date, no later than December, outlining
parameters for the Natural Element Sculpture Park, including an
upper limit on the number of pieces the Council would consider,
locational criteria, design criteria, and other such matters as
are relevant to Council's deliberations on the NES Park plan.
Second by Mayor Abdo. Discussion was held. The motion was
unanimously approved, Councilmember Katz absent. Councilmember
Zane requested that the record reflect that the discussion should
include whether part of the review would be to examine any of the
currently proposed sculptures which remain, to eliminate any of
those from consideration which the Council is unwilling to
consider, and whether or not there may simply be another
competition to which these proposals might be resubmitted.
Councilmember Zane moved to direct staff to develop an interim
ordinance to create interim zoning along Pacific Coast Highway
assisted with the standards adopted in the LCP. Second by Mayor
Pro Tempore Genser. The motion was unanimously approved,
Councilmember Katz absent.
9-E: CLOSED SESSION. Held at end of meeting.
11-A: TECHNICAL AND STAFF ASSISTANCE/CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION:
Councilmember Zane moved to approve an analyst to work under the
direction of the Assistant City Manager on various public policy
issues in the amount of $20,000 provided that this is limited to
issues that the Council has already directed as appropriate for
the Charter Review Commission's review, that the amount of money
is not an entitlement but an upper limit, and that, therefore,
any expenditure should be made judiciously; if the Charter Review
Commission has other issues that they wish to review beyond those
which Council has directed, they should so indicate and seek
further Council approval. Second by Councilmember Vazquez.
Discussion was held. The motion failed by the following vote:
Staff Report
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Olsen, Vazquez,
Zane, Mayor Abdo
Negative: Councilmember Genser, Holbrook
Absent: Councilmember Katz
Councilmember Zane withdrew his motion.
Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to approve the recommendation that
an analyst be hired to work under the direction of the Assistant
City Manager on various public policy issues in an amount not to
exceed $10,000. The motion was duly seconded and was approved by
the following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Genser, Olsen,
Vazquez, Zane, Mayor Abdo
Negative: Councilmember Holbrook
Absent: Councilmember Katz
12-A: CONTRACT AMENDMENT/PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM:
Presented was the staff report recommending adoption of a
resolution indicating the City's intent to approve an amendment
to the contract between the Public Employees' Retirement System
and the City of Santa Monica to provide Section 20930.3 (Military
Service Credit as Public Service) for local miscellaneous members
and local safety members, and direction to the City Attorney to
draft an ordinance to amend said contracts. Councilmember Zane
moved to adopt Resolution No. 8308(CCS) entitled: "RESOLUTION OF
INTENTION TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BOARD
OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND
THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA," reading by title only and waiving
further reading thereof. Second by Mayor Pro Tempore Genser.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Genser, Holbrook,
Olsen, Vazquez, Zane, Mayor Abdo
Absent: Councilmember Katz
By virtue of the above action, a public hearing was scheduled to
be held at the Council meeting scheduled for November 12, 1991.
14-C: PROTECTION OF STREET TREES: Mayor Pro Tempore Genser
moved to hear a speaker for two minutes. Second by Councilmember
Zane. The motion was unanimously approved, Councilmember Katz
absent. Member of the public Herschel Rahmanizad addressed
Council in support of the protection of trees. Discussion was
held. Councilmember Zane moved to direct staff to research
model ordinances from other communities that are protective of
trees on private property in the public view. Second by Mayor
Abdo. The motion was unanimously approved, Councilmember Katz
absent.
14-D: HOMELESS SITUATION: The request of Councilmember Katz to
discuss the homeless situation and the City Attorney's memo of
October 7, 1991, was not heard due to Councilmember Katz's
absence.
14-F: WORLD RAINFOREST SYMPOSIUM/UCLA: Councilmember Zane moved
to support the World Rainforest Symposium at UCLA on October 19,
1991, with a sponsorship of $1,000. Second by Mayor Pro Tempore
Genser. The motion was approved by the following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Genser, Holbrook,
Olsen, Vazquez, Zane, Mayor Abdo
Absent: Councilmember Katz
Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to extend the meeting to 1:00 A.M.
Second by Councilmember Olsen. The motion was approved,
Councilmember Holbrook opposed, Councilmember Katz absent.
15: PUBLIC INPUT: Member of the public Beloved Quail addressed
Council regarding the difficulties of being homeless. Members of
the public Walt Reynolds and Art Casillas addressed Council
regarding homelessness.
At 12:43 A.M., Council adjourned to Closed Session to consider
the threatened litigation by 1447 Ocean Avenue.
9-E: CLOSED SESSION: At 12:50 A.M., Council reconvened with all
members present. City Attorney Myers announced that a settlement
agreement and release Contract No. 5780(CCS) with Siroos Farzam
and Gina Farzam for 1447-1453 Ocean Avenue was approved on a
5-1-1 vote with Councilmember Olsen opposed and Councilmember
Katz absent.