CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
FEBRUARY 21, 1995
An adjourned meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was
called to order by Mayor Rosenstein at 6:32 P.M., on Tuesday,
February 21, 1995, in the Council Chambers.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Paul Rosenstein
Mayor Pro Tempore Asha Greenberg
Councilmember Ruth Ebner
Councilmember Ken Genser
Councilmember Robert T. Holbrook
(arrived at 6:46 P.M.)
Councilmember Pamela O'Connor
(arrived at 6:40 P.M.)
Councilmember Judy Abdo
Also Present: City Manager John Jalili
City Attorney Marsha Jones Moutrie
Assistant City Clerk Beth Sanchez
Councilmember Ebner led the assemblage in the Pledge of Alle-
giance to the Flag of the United States of America.
8-A: REPAIR CRITERIA/RETROFITTING STANDARDS/CRITICAL
FACILITIES: The ordinance for introduction and first reading
amending Section 1 of Ordinance No. 1737(CCS) regarding repair
criteria and retrofitting standards for critical facilities and
amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 8.04.230 will be
considered with Item No. 10-B.
Staff Report
9-A: MULTI-FAMILY EARTHQUAKE REPAIR LOAN PROGRAM: Presented
was the request to approve amended guidelines and procedures
for the Multi-family Earthquake Repair Loan (MERL) program,
funding distribution by program category, and budgeting of
$25,000,000 in Emergency Supplemental Community Development
Block Grant funds. Discussion was held. Councilmember Genser
moved to approve the Amended Guidelines and Procedures for the
Multifamily Earthquake Repair Loan Program; approve the funding
distribution by program category recommended by the Housing
Commission; and approve the budgeting of $25,000,000 in
Emergency Supplemental CDBG funds, as presented by staff, with
the following changes: 1) the amount of the allocation in
column 2 for post-earthquake purchasers of buildings be limited
to $2 million at this time; 2) green-tagged units be eligible
for funding under column 3; 3) ask staff to investigate and
work with the Housing Commission in analyzing the possible need
for subsidizing existing low-income tenants who might not be
able to afford pass-throughs of repair costs for the units; 4)
approve now, subject to HUD approval, and ask staff to seek
that HUD approval, that affordable replacement units can be
constructed on non-earthquake-impacted sites; 5) staff work
with Housing Commission and other appropriate agencies to
ensure that displaced tenants are notified when repaired
housing comes on-line; 6) staff work with Housing Commission to
assure that the processing for the loans is streamlined so that
there is truly a responsive situation; 7) staff to continue to
analyze the needs of the people with Section 8 certificates who
are temporarily displaced; 8) staff to report to Council with
an information item (or in whatever manner staff deems
appropriate) with progress on the various issues. Second by
Councilmember Abdo. Council asked questions of staff.
Discussion was held. The motion was approved by the following
vote:
Staff Report
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Abdo, Genser,
O'Connor, Mayor Rosenstein
Negative: Councilmembers Ebner, Greenberg, Holbrook
Councilmember Ebner requested that the record reflect that she
voted "no" on this item because she feels that it is only a
political maneuver as the majority of the Council is so
concerned with perpetuating its political philosophy that it is
willing to sacrifice the broader community. Further,
Councilmember Ebner stated her belief that this action does not
serve the community; it is very lopsided and she does not think
that the people who live in the City are served by this action.
Mayor Pro Tempore Greenberg requested that the record reflect
that she voted "no" on this item because although she believes
it is a start and it is important to get funding to the people
and get the units repaired, the program does not go far enough
to ensure that people are returned expeditiously to their
homes. Also, Mayor Pro Tempore Greenberg said that the
addition of green tagged buildings in column 3 would actually
lead to the displacement of residents of Santa Monica.
Councilmember Holbrook requested that the record reflect that
he voted "no" on this item because of the $32 million in
disaster funds which were received, $9.546 million has been
approved for use that he does not believe relates to the
federal intent that it was given.
9-B: CLOSED SESSION: Held at end of meeting.
10-A: ASSESSMENT COSTS/REPAIRS TO SIDEWALKS/DRIVEWAYS/CURBS/
REMOVAL OF PAVEMENT: The public hearing and recommendation to
adopt a resolution confirming assessment costs and the report
of the Superintendent of Streets regarding repairs to damaged
sidewalks, driveways, and curbs and removal of damaged pavement
in the parkway area on various city streets (SR-95-191) was
continued to the meeting of February 28, 1995.
8-A: REPAIR CRITERIA/RETROFITTING STANDARDS/CRITICAL
FACILITIES: Presented was an ordinance for introduction and
first reading amending Section 1 of Ordinance No. 1737(CCS)
regarding repair criteria and retrofitting standards for
critical facilities and amending Santa Monica Municipal Code
Section 8.04.230.
Staff Report
10-B: SAFETY ELEMENT: Presented was the public hearing on the
Safety Element and final Environmental Impact Report; adoption
of resolutions certifying the final Environmental Impact
Report, approving the adoption of the Safety Element, amending
the Public Safety and Seismic Safety Elements of the General
Plan, making findings necessary to approve the Safety Element,
and adopting the mitigation monitoring program for the Safety
Element of the General Plan.
Staff Report
Council asked questions of staff. At 8:21 P.M., Mayor
Rosenstein declared the public hearing open. Member of the
public Joy Fullmer expressed her concerns. Member of the
public Sharon O'Rourke discussed proposed safety measures which
may be taken by the Gas Company. Member of the public Mark
Olson spoke in support of the Safety Element. Member of the
public John Lykes discussed the possible victimization of
tenants after situations such as the recent earthquake. Mayor
Rosenstein closed the public hearing at 8:37 P.M. Mayor Pro
Tempore Greenberg moved to adopt Resolution No. 8862(CCS)
entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA CERTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT ON THE
SAFETY ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN," reading by title only and
waiving further reading thereof. Second by Councilmember Abdo.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Abdo, Ebner,
Genser, Greenberg, Holbrook,
O'Connor, Mayor Rosenstein
Mayor Pro Tempore Greenberg moved to adopt Resolution No.
8863(CCS) entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA MONICA ADOPTING THE SAFETY ELEMENT AND AMENDING
THE PUBLIC SAFETY ELEMENT AND SEISMIC SAFETY ELEMENT OF THE
GENERAL PLAN OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA," reading by title
only and waiving further reading thereof. Second by
Councilmember Abdo. The motion was approved by the following
vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Abdo, Ebner,
Genser, Greenberg, Holbrook,
O'Connor, Mayor Rosenstein
Mayor Pro Tempore Greenberg moved to adopt Resolution No.
8864(CCS) entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA MONICA MAKING FINDINGS NECESSARY TO APPROVE THE
SAFETY ELEMENT;" and Resolution No. 8865(CCS) entitled: "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
ADOPTING THE MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE SAFETY
ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN," reading by title only and waiving
further reading thereof. Second by Councilmember Abdo. The
motion was approved by the following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers Abdo, Ebner,
Genser, Greenberg, Holbrook,
O'Connor, Mayor Rosenstein
Councilmember Abdo moved to introduce for first reading an
ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA MONICA AMENDING SECTION 1 OF ORDINANCE NUMBER
1737(CCS) REGARDING REPAIR CRITERIA AND RETROFITTING STANDARDS
FOR CRITICAL FACILITIES AND AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION
8.04.230," reading by title only and waiving further reading
thereof. Second by Mayor Pro Tempore Greenberg. The motion
was approved by the following vote:
Council vote: Affirmative: Councilmembers O'Connor,
Holbrook, Greenberg, Genser,
Ebner, Abdo, Mayor Rosenstein
14-A: APPOINTMENTS/BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Discussion was
held. Members of the public Jim Donaldson and Brian Ouzounian
discussed the composition of the Airport Commission.
Discussion was held. Mayor Rosenstein announced that the floor
would consider nominations to the Pier Restoration Corporation.
Councilmember Holbrook nominated Linda Sullivan. There being
no further nominations, nominations were closed. Councilmember
Genser moved to appoint Linda Sullivan by acclamation to the
Pier Restoration Corporation for a term ending November 9,
1997. The motion was duly seconded and approved, Mayor Pro
Tempore Greenberg abstained. Councilmember Abdo moved to
continue the appointment to the Airport Commission for at least
one week. Discussion was held. Second by Mayor Pro Tempore
Greenberg. The motion was approved, Councilmember Ebner
opposed and Councilmember Genser abstained. Discussion was
held.
Appointments to the Arts Commission and Pier Restoration
Corporation were continued.
14-B: LETTER OF RESIGNATION/GREGORY SPIESS/BAYSIDE DISTRICT
CORPORATION: Councilmember Holbrook moved to accept with
regrets the letter of resignation from Gregory Spiess of the
Bayside District Corporation and authorize the City Clerk to
publish a Notice of Unscheduled Vacancy. Second by Mayor
Rosenstein. The motion was unanimously approved.
15: PUBLIC INPUT: Member of the public Joy Fullmer expressed
her concerns with various issues. Member of the public Simon
LeDuff spoke in opposition to the retrofit of soft story
construction. Member of the public Jim Donaldson discussed
problems with the Santa Monica Airport.
9-B: CLOSED SESSION: At 9:05 P.M., Council adjourned to
Closed Session for conference with Legal Counsel with regard to
existing litigation as follows:
1. Santa Monica Housing Council v. City of Santa
Monica, LASC #SS005191.
Councilmember Ebner was excused from the meeting at 9:50 P.M.
No action was taken.
At 11:20 P.M., Council reconvened with all members present
except Councilmember Ebner.
ADJOURNMENT: At 11:20 P.M., the meeting was adjourned to
Tuesday, February 28, 1995, in memory of Davy Forston, Robert
Monchton, and Salvador T. Palomino, Jr.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Beth Sanchez Paul Rosenstein
Assistant City Clerk Mayor