CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING 11/19/91
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: AWARD/INNOVATIVE WATER CONSERVATION RECLAMATION OR
MANAGEMENT: Mayor Abdo presented an award from the California
Water Policy Conference in Los Angeles in November 1991, honoring
Innovative Water Conservation Reclamation or Management in the
City of Santa Monica.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: Presented was the Consent Calendar,
whereby all items are considered and approved in one motion
unless removed from the calendar for discussion. Item No. 6-K
was withdrawn at the request of staff and Item No. 6-P was
removed from the calendar for separate discussion.
6-K: INTERIM FINANCING/AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT: The
recommendation to extend from three to eight years interim
financing in the amount of $537,531 for a thirty-unit affordable
housing project was withdrawn at the request of staff.
6-P: REJECTION OF BID/TWO SEDANS: Presented was the staff
report recommending rejection of all bids for the purchase of two
sedans for the Administration Division, Fire Department.
Discussion was held. Councilmember Zane moved to reject all bids
and direct staff to return at a later date with options regarding
alternative fuel vehicles. Second by Councilmember Katz. The
motion was approved by the following vote:
Staff Report
Council vote: Unanimously approved 7-0
Councilmember Zane moved to hear Item Nos. 9-A and 9-B at this
time and consolidate Item 8-E with Item 9-C. Second by
Councilmember Katz. The motion was unanimously approved.
9-A: SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC IMPACT: Presented was the staff report
recommending selection of the criteria for defining a significant
traffic impact for purposes of environmental review. Council
asked questions of staff. Member of the public Joy Fullmer
expressed her concerns. Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to hear a
late chit. Second by Councilmember Olsen. The motion was
unanimously approved. Member of the public Eric Chen offered
suggestions. Council asked questions of staff. Mayor Pro
Tempore Genser moved to adopt alternative 1, as outlined in the
staff report, as the criterion to determine a significant traffic
impact with the following modifications: 1) that we clarify that
the level of service F V/C ratio which will be used is the V/C
ratio using the HCM methodology and clarify that significant
impact would be considered as .005 or greater, but that .0049 is
all right; 2) on those intersections which have not reached the
level of service as prescribed in the Land Use and Circulation
Element 4.3.1 that it would be considered a significant impact if
the projected degradation of the intersection is a delay of 15
seconds or greater and would need to be mitigated. Second by
Councilmember Katz. Discussion was held. The motion was
approved by the following vote:
Staff Report
Council vote: Unanimously approved 7-0
9-B: MAIN STREET MASTER PLAN: Presented was the public hearing
on the Main Street Master Plan and proposed ordinance revisions
to adopt the Main Street Master Plan and direction to the City
Attorney to prepare proposed revisions to the Zoning Ordinance.
Council asked questions of staff. At 9:18 P.M., Mayor Abdo
declared the public hearing open. Member of the public Steve
Spencer called for the elimination of the CM4 zone and expressed
concern with changes from the original plan. Member of the
public Russell Barnard addressed concerns and questions as posed
during Council questions of staff. Member of the public Debra
Magnuson spoke in favor of widening sidewalks and in opposition
to the CM4 zone. Member of the public Greg McDonald spoke of the
ineffectiveness of bus service and discussed historical
buildings. Member of the public Brandon MacNeal spoke in support
of narrowing the street, removing buses, short-term affordable
beach parking, and the creation of a non-profit organization for
the creation and implementation of the plan. Member of the
public Sara Faulds spoke in support of the plan as originally
proposed, the implementation of community design process, and the
creation of a non-profit organization for the creation and
implementation of the plan. Councilmember Katz moved to hear a
late chit. Second by Councilmember Vazquez. The motion was
unanimously approved. Member of the public Paul Casey spoke of
the compatibility of pedestrian-friendly streets and public
transit. Mayor Abdo closed the public hearing at 9:50 P.M.
Staff Report
At 9:50 P.M., Council adjourned for a short recess. Council
reconvened at 10:13 P.M. with all members present except
Councilmember Vazquez, who reported present at 10:14 P.M.
9-B: CONTINUED: Councilmember Katz moved to adopt the Main
Street Master Plan and proposed ordinance, taking into
consideration the Planning Commission's comments, and directed
the staff to begin the process to implement the proposed zoning
ordinance revision and policy recommendations and ask staff and
the Planning Commission to study the concept of a meandering
street along with the other concepts. Second by Mayor Abdo on
the condition that the CM4 is included on both ends of the
street, at four stories only if there is housing. The amendment
was accepted as friendly. Discussion was held. Mayor Abdo moved
to amend the motion to allow sandwich boards only on private
property. The motion was accepted as friendly. Mayor Abdo moved
to include neighborhood serving uses as listed on page 40 of the
document as permitted uses. The motion died for lack of a
second. Discussion was held. Councilmember Zane moved to amend
the motion to omit the list of neighborhood serving uses as
recommended by the Planning Commission. The motion was accepted
as friendly. Mayor Abdo moved to remove dance studios and
exercise facilities from the permitted uses and put them in the
conditional uses section, provide information to the City Council
of the Floor Area Ratios of buildings that have been built on
Main Street since 1980, change the period of abandonment for
businesses on Main Street from one year to six months, modify the
enforcement provisions as proposed by the Committee, remove the
noise section since a more detailed analysis of noise issues will
be conducted as part of the revised Noise Element and Noise
Ordinance, require periodic review of certain uses as part of the
Conditional Use Permit process, remove the proposed Alcohol
Impact Fee since this issue is being evaluated on a Citywide
basis, reroute the out-of-service buses from Main Street but
retain the in-service buses, direct staff to negotiate with RTD
and try to optimize removal of as many buses as possible, reduce
traffic on Main Street to one lane in each direction, and delete
the inclusion of the Community Gardens site as part of the
process to update the Open Space Element. The amendment was
accepted as friendly. Discussion was held. Councilmember Zane
moved an amended motion to leave the plan as it now exists
without the Planning Commission's recommendation to remove the
proposed restaurant parking requirements from the Plan and
conduct more detailed analysis as part of the on-going Zoning
Ordinance clean-up process. Second by Mayor Abdo. Discussion
was held. Councilmember Katz accepted the substitute motion as a
friendly amendment. Councilmember Zane withdrew his motion.
Discussion was held. Councilmember Zane moved to amend the
motion to implement the study on a temporary basis and include
placement on a Council agenda of the permanent installation and
any modification to the plan for Council deliberation and
approval at the conclusion of the study period. The motion was
accepted as friendly. Discussion was held. Mayor Pro Tempore
Genser moved an amended motion that CM4 zoning stipulate that
commercial can only be developed to the C2 standard and the third
and fourth floor would be housing in those instances where
building is constructed to the fourth floor. Second by
Councilmember Olsen. Discussion was held. The motion failed by
the following vote:
Staff Report
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Genser, Olsen
Negative: Councilmembers Holbrook, Katz,
Vazquez, Zane, Mayor Abdo
Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved to amend the motion to have the
plan conform to the citywide setback standard. Second by
Councilmember Olsen. Discussion was held. The motion was
approved by the following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Genser, Olsen,
Vazquez, Zane
Negative: Councilmembers Holbrook, Katz,
Mayor Abdo
Councilmember Olsen moved to amend the motion to include
automobile repair facilities to be listed as a prohibited use.
Second by Mayor Pro Tempore Genser. Discussion was held. The
motion was accepted as friendly. The main motion was approved by
the following vote:
Council vote: Unanimously approved 7-0
Councilmember Katz moved to extend the meeting to 12:00 Midnight.
Second by Councilmember Vazquez. The motion was unanimously
approved.
8-E: EXTENSION OF MORATORIUM/MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT: Presented was an ordinance for introduction and
first reading to extend the moratorium on multifamily residential
development. To be heard in conjunction with Item 9-C.
Staff Report
9-C: PROPOSITION R: Presented was the staff report discussing
the implementation of Proposition R. To be heard in conjunction
with Item 8-E.
Staff Report
Discussion was held. Council asked questions of staff. At 11:45
P.M., Mayor Abdo declared the public hearing open. Member of the
public Joy Fullmer expressed her concerns. Member of the public
John Given spoke in support of the preservation of affordable
housing and expressed concern with the staff recommendation.
Councilmember Zane moved to extend the meeting to 12:30 A.M.
Second by Mayor Pro Tempore Genser. The motion was approved,
Councilmembers Holbrook and Katz opposed. Member of the public
Chris Harding expressed concern with the staff report and urged
implementation of a process which promotes public input. Member
of the public Paul DeSantis spoke in support of affordable family
units.
Councilmember Katz left the meeting at 12:01 A.M.
Member of the public Michael Naim spoke in opposition to
Proposition R and concurred that affordable units be calculated
in whole numbers and fractions be charged as an in-lieu fee.
Member of the public Mrs. Hahn spoke in opposition to Proposition
R. Mayor Abdo closed the public hearing at 12:15 A.M.
Discussion was held. Councilmember Zane moved to continue Item
9-C to December 3, 1991 and to leave the option open to continue
the public hearing. Second by Mayor Pro Tempore Genser.
Discussion was held. The motion was approved by the following
vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Genser, Holbrook,
Olsen, Vazquez, Zane
Negative: Mayor Abdo
Absent: Councilmember Katz
Councilmember Zane moved to extend the meeting to 1:00 A.M.
Second by Councilmember Olsen. The motion was approved,
Councilmember Holbrook opposed, Councilmember Katz absent.
Councilmember Zane moved to introduce for first reading an
ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA MONICA ESTABLISHING A MORATORIUM ON MULTIFAMILY
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WITH CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS IN ORDER TO
COMPLY WITH PROPOSITION R," reading by title only and waiving
further reading thereof, thereby extending the interim ordinance
to April 10, 1992. Second by Councilmember Vazquez. The motion
was approved by the following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Genser, Holbrook,
Olsen, Vazquez, Zane, Mayor Abdo
Absent: Councilmember Katz
9-D: CLOSED SESSION: Held at end of meeting.
14-B: APPOINTMENT/MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT: Councilmember
Zane moved that the Mayor be given the responsibility for
recruiting applicants wishing to serve on the Los Angeles County
West Mosquito Abatement District, with an appointment to be made
on December 10, 1991. Second by Mayor Abdo. The motion was
unanimously approved, Councilmember Katz absent.
14-C: APPOINTMENTS/PIER RESTORATION CORPORATION: Mayor Abdo
opened the floor to nominations to the Pier Restoration
Corporation Board of Directors. Councilmember Zane moved to
reappoint Margaret Henry and Barbara JiJi and to appoint I. Bruce
Cameron to the Pier Restoration Corporation Board of Directors
for terms ending November 8, 1994. Second by Mayor Pro Tempore
Genser. Mayor Pro Tempore Genser moved the above appointments
by acclamation. The motion was unanimously approved,
Councilmember Katz absent.
14-F: CABLE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT OF 1991: The request of
Mayor Pro Tempore Genser to discuss support for the Cable
Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (HR 3560) was continued to the
meeting of November 26, 1991.
14-H: WAIVER OF FEE/PERS PRE-RETIREMENT WORKSHOPS: Mayor Abdo
presented her request to discuss waiving the fee for the use of
the Council Chambers for PERS pre-retirement workshops. Mayor
Abdo moved to waive the fee for the use of the Council Chambers
for PERS pre-retirement workshops on January 14, April 21,
October 6, 13, and 20, 1992. Second by Mayor Pro Tempore Genser.
The motion was unanimously approved, Councilmember Katz absent.
14-I: WAIVER OF FEE/YMCA YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT: Mayor Abdo
presented her request to discuss waiving the fee for use of the
Council Chambers by the YMCA Youth in Government. Mayor Abdo
moved to waive the fee for use of the Council Chambers by the
YMCA Youth in Government on November 25, 1991. Second by
Councilmember Holbrook. The motion was unanimously approved,
Councilmember Katz absent.
14-J: CONVERSION OF CITY FLEET TO LOW-EMISSION AND ENERGY
EFFICIENT VEHICLES: The request of Councilmember Zane to discuss
a policy for conversion of the City fleet to low-emission and
energy efficient vehicles was continued to the meeting of
November 26, 1991.
14-K: RATE INCREASES/CENTURY CABLE: The request of
Councilmember Katz to discuss rate increases by Century Cable was
continued to the meeting of November 26, 1991.
14-L: PERMISSION FOR NON-CITIZEN RESIDENTS TO VOTE FOR MEMBERS
OF THE SCHOOL BOARD: Councilmember Vazquez presented his request
to discuss directing the City Attorney to prepare an opinion
regarding permitting non-citizen residents to vote for members of
the school board. Councilmember Vazquez moved to direct the City
Attorney to prepare necessary research and return with a legal
opinion for Council consideration. Second by Councilmember Zane.
Discussion was held. The motion was unanimously approved,
Councilmember Katz absent.
14-M: REMOVAL OF FISHING LINES/WATER GARDEN COMPLEX: Mayor Pro
Tempore Genser moved to hear members of the public for two
minutes each. Second by Councilmember Olsen. The motion was
unanimously approved, Councilmember Katz absent. Councilmember
Olsen presented his request to discuss the removal of fishing
lines at the Water Garden complex. Council asked questions of
staff. Member of the public Sherman Stacey spoke in opposition
to the removal of the monofilament lines in favor of property
owners' rights to protect their property. Discussion was held.
Councilmember Olsen moved to direct the City Attorney to continue
with his investigation as to what means may be required in this
situation. Second by Mayor Pro Tempore Genser. Discussion was
held. The motion was unanimously approved, Councilmember Katz
absent.
9-D: CLOSED SESSION: At 12:46 A.M., Council adjourned to Closed
Session for the purpose of considering the cases of Macera v.
City of Santa Monica, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No.
SC 005 136 and M. H. Golden Company v. City of Santa Monica et
al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. SC 004 613.
At 1:10 A.M., Council reconvened with all members present except
Councilmember Katz. Mayor Abdo moved to approve a settlement in
the case of Macera in the amount of $25,000. The motion was
unanimously approved, Councilmember Katz absent.