CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
FEBRUARY 20, 1996
An adjourned meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called
to order by Mayor Rosenstein at 6:35 p.m., on Tuesday, February
20, 1996, in the Council Chambers.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Paul Rosenstein
Councilmember Judy Abdo
Councilmember Ken Genser (arrived at
6:40 p.m.)
Mayor Pro Tempore Asha Greenberg
Councilmember Ruth Ebner (arrived at
6:45 p.m.)
Councilmember Pamela O'Connor
(arrived at 8:00 p.m.)
Councilmember Robert T. Holbrook
Also Present: City Manager John Jalili
City Attorney Marsha Jones Moutrie
City Clerk Maria M. Stewart
Councilmember Holbrook led the assemblage in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
At 6:37 p.m., the City Council acting in their capacity as the
City Council, the Housing Authority, the Parking Authority, and
the Redevelopment Agency convened a Special Joint Meeting of
the four bodies. The roll call was taken and reflected each
member's attendance as noted above.
HA/PA/RA-1: MINUTES: Commissioner/Authority Member/Agency
Member Abdo moved to approve the Housing Authority minutes of
June 20, 1995, Parking Authority minutes of September 12, 1995
and Redevelopment Agency minutes from the meeting of December
12, 1995. Second by Vice Chair/Chair Pro Tem Greenberg. The
motion was unanimously approved, with Commissioners/Members
Ebner, Genser, and O'Connor absent.
CC/HA/PA-2: MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW: Presented was the mid-year budget review for FY 1995-96 and public hearing to receive
input on FY 1996-97 budget priorities; resolutions of City
Council, Housing Authority and Parking Authority approving
technical adjustments to the FY 1995-96 budget.
Commissioner/Member Genser arrived at 6:40 p.m., and
Commissioner/Member Ebner arrived at 6:45 p.m.
City Manager John Jalili and staff provided a summary of the
mid-year budget, including projection for capital improvement
needs for the infrastructure, long term plans for parks and
open land, and an overview of revenues and expenditures for the
fiscal year.
Members asked questions of staff. On order of the Mayor, the
public hearing was opened for this matter.
There was discussion regarding the number of requests to speak
received so far, and on the amount of time to allow for public
comment on this matter. Motion by Commissioner/Member Genser,
seconded by Commissioner/Member Abdo, to accept requests to
speak from the public until 7:30 p.m. only. The motion was
unanimously approved, with Commissioner/Member O'Connor absent.
The following spoke in support of rebuilding the municipal
pool: Michelle Wild, Lauren Bradford, Charisse Crosby, Kathy
Crosby, Courtney Herrin, Chris Palham, Julia Brownstone, Bonnie
Adair, and Marie Wallace.
The following spoke, individually, in support of various
programs for youth, including more park space, youth programs
and activities, and support for the Santa Monica Youth
Foundation: Celina Latoff, Sophie Harris, Lara Hanson, Noelle
Colome, Jake Glick, Ben Allen, Lee Morris, Graham Wong, Dave
Tilipman, Amy Goldberg, Mark Harding, Steve Mount, Robert
Ettinger, Maria Dennis, Dave Johnson, John Roberts, John
Amarius, Alan Young, Sally Young, Alan Juarez, Tim Leary,
Chris Harding, Geoff Stern, Susan Wilson, Irene Gonzalez,
Barbara Hammang, Dennis Zane, and Larry Arrellano.
The following spoke in favor of an ice rink: Martin Mullen,
Matthew Mullen.
The following spoke in favor of funding for homeless shelters,
senior citizens services, domestic and child abuse services,
aids awareness, and related issues, as well as in support for
the Ocean Park Community Center which provides some of these
services: Hywell Sims, Honey Goldberg, Emma Matacena, Paula
Sova, Susan Grosoff, Monica White, Steve Knight, Barry Levy,
Susan Hardy, Dr. Susan Fleishman, Christina Johnson, Richard
Husch, Gail Pollack, Amy Goldberg, Rita Lowenthal, Irene Zivi,
Daphne Dennis, Darlene Lasher, Sheila Ostrow, Bonnie Dodd, and
Bruce Renkin.
The following spoke in favor of the Latino Resources
Organization: Margarita Gonzalez, Gabriel Sotoj, Jorge Lopez
and Jose Retana.
Daniel Ehrler, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce,
spoke in support of the budget.
Greg Brown and Mona Martin, spoke in support of collaborative
efforts between Santa Monica City College and the City.
The following spoke in support of the Emeritus College: Joyce
Jurin and Sid Jurin.
The following spoke in support of the Santa Monica Historical
Society Museum: Louise Gabriel, Bob Gabriel, April O'Connel,
and Rosemary Miano.
Beverly Moore, representing the Convention and Visitors Bureau
spoke in support of tourism.
Member O'Connor arrived at 8:00 p.m.
On order of the Mayor, the City Council/Housing
Authority/Parking Authority/Redevelopment Agency recessed at
8:30 p.m. and reconvened at 8:49 p.m., with all members
present.
Motion by Councilmember Abdo, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Greenberg, to adopt the City Council resolution amending the
budget for Fiscal Year 1995-96. The motion was approved by the
following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Genser, Holbrook, Ebner,
O'Connor, Abdo, Mayor Pro Tem Greenberg, Mayor
Rosenstein
Noes: None
Absent: None
Motion by Commissioner Abdo, on behalf of the Housing
Authority, seconded by Commissioner Genser, to adopt the
Housing Authority resolution amending the budget for Fiscal
Year 1995-96. The motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Commissioners Genser, Holbrook, Ebner, O'Connor,
Abdo, Chair Pro Tem Greenberg, Chair Rosenstein
Noes: None
Absent: None
Motion by Authority Member Abdo, on behalf of the Parking
Authority, seconded by Authority Member Genser, to adopt the
Parking Authority resolution amending the budget for Fiscal
Year 1995-96. The motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Authority Members Genser, Holbrook, Ebner,
O'Connor, Abdo, Chair Pro Tem Greenberg, Chair
Rosenstein
Noes: None
Absent: None
At 10:21 p.m., the Special City Council/Housing
Authority/Parking Authority/Redevelopment Agency Special Joint
Meeting was adjourned and the regular City Council Meeting was
convened.
Motion by Councilmember Abdo, seconded by Councilmember Genser,
to adopt the resolution establishing new classifications and
approving salary rates for various classifications. The motion
was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Genser, Holbrook, Ebner,
O'Connor, Abdo, Mayor Pro Tem Greenberg, Mayor
Rosenstein
Noes: None
Absent: None
Motion by Councilmember Abdo, seconded by Councilmember
O'Connor, to ask staff to look into issues that have been
raised with regard to adult and youth recreation, particularly
looking at the capital needs as presented by staff and expanded
in the public hearing, and return with recommendations
including the possibility of having a bond measure. Discussion
was held with regard to the motion and with regard to
priorities for budget year 1996-97.
Motion by Councilmember Genser, seconded by Councilmember Abdo,
to continue the meeting past 11:00 p.m. The motion was
unanimously approved with all members present.
Discussion continued on the concerns raised during the public
hearing, the needs of youth, and the long term capital
improvements needs of the City. Councilmember Abdo withdrew
her original motion.
Motion by Councilmember Abdo, seconded by Councilmember
Holbrook, to ask staff to study issues raised this evening and
return with recommendations. Discussion was held. The motion
was unanimously approved with all members present.
14-A: APPOINTMENTS/BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Mayor Rosenstein
announced that the floor would consider nominations to the
Bayside District Corporation.
Motion by Councilmember Genser, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Greenberg, to continue the appointment to the Bayside District
Corporation to a future meeting due to the possibility of a
future closed session regarding the Bayside District that might
affect appointments. Council asked questions of staff and
discussion ensued. The motion was approved with Councilmember
Holbrook and Mayor Rosenstein in opposition, and with
Councilmember Ebner abstaining.
Mayor Rosenstein announced that the floor would consider
nominations to the Personnel Board. Mayor Pro Tem Greenberg
nominated William Coleman. Councilmember Abdo nominated
Patricia Hoffman. There being a question as to whether one of
the nominees applied for membership, and there being no
objections from Council, the appointment to the Personnel Board
was continued to the meeting of February 27, 1996.
Mayor Rosenstein announced that the floor would consider
nominations to the Pier Restoration Corporation. Councilmember
Holbrook nominated Jonathan Gross. Councilmember Genser
nominated Martin Sossin. On a call for the vote, Jonathan
Gross was appointed to the Pier Restoration Corporation for a
term ending November 30, 1998. Mayor Rosenstein announced that
the floor would consider nominations for an additional seat on
the Pier Restoration Corporation.
Mayor Rosenstein nominated Jean McNeil Weiner. There being no
other nominations, nominations were closed. Jean McNeil Weiner
was appointed, by acclamation, to the Pier Restoration
Corporation for a term ending November 30, 1997.
Mayor Rosenstein announced that the floor would consider
nominations to the Social Services Commission. Mayor
Rosenstein nominated Ralph Sanchez. Councilmember Genser
nominated Jennifer Waggoner. There being no further
nominations, nominations were closed. On a call for the vote,
Ralph Sanchez was appointed to the Social Services Commission,
with Councilmember Genser voting for Ms. Waggoner, and
Councilmember Ebner and Mayor Pro Tem Greenberg abstaining.
Councilmember Genser then requested his vote be changed in
support of Mr. Sanchez.
Mayor Rosenstein announced that the floor would consider
nominations for an additional seat on the Social Services
Commission. Mayor Rosenstein nominated Linda Huizar.
Councilmember Genser nominated Jennifer Waggoner. There being
no further nominations, nominations were closed. On a call for
the vote, Linda Huizar was appointed to the Social Services
Commission, with Councilmember Genser voting for Ms. Waggoner,
and Councilmember Ebner and Mayor Pro Tem Greenberg abstaining.
Councilmember Genser then requested his vote be changed in
support of
Ms. Huizar.
With no objection, the appointment to the Housing Commission
was continued to the meeting of February 27, 1996.
14-B: PROPOSITION R/IN LIEU FEES FOR OFFSITE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING: Presented was the request of Councilmember Holbrook
to discuss directing staff to amend the Proposition R
implementing ordinance to allow in lieu fees for offsite
affordable housing units.
Mayor Rosenstein excused himself from the dias at 11:36 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Greenberg opened the meeting for public comment.
Member of the public Tom Francis suggested lowering
requirements for affordable housing to the 80% median income
level.
Mayor Rosenstein returned at 11:40 p.m.
Discussion was held. No action taken. Staff advised this
issue would be addressed when the Housing Element was presented
to Council in the near future.
14-C: DEMOLITION OF VACANT BUILDINGS: Presented was the
request of Mayor Pro Tem Greenberg to discuss the number of
vacant buildings in the City and the City's policies regarding
demolition of those buildings.
The Mayor opened the meeting for public comment.
Steve Brackett, representing the Santa Monica Police Officers'
Association, discussed the health and public safety risks
associated with vacant buildings and spoke in support of Mayor
Pro Tem Greenberg's effort. Member of the public Tom Francis
urged the implementation of a rating system for the evaluation
of the condition of vacant buildings, for demolition only of
those buildings that are chronic safety hazards, and to study
the possibility of providing affordable housing in those
buildings which could be restored. Council asked questions of
staff and discussion ensued.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Greenberg, seconded by Councilmember
Ebner, to change the policy and permit a property owner to
demolish a building after it has been legally vacated and also
to have staff study present nuisance abatement procedures to
see if they need to be refined. Discussion was held.
Substitute motion by Councilmember Genser, seconded by
Councilmember Abdo, to request staff to analyze the City's
demolition and nuisance abatement procedures and report back as
soon as possible with recommended changes to those policies, if
warranted. The motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Abdo, O'Connor, Genser, Mayor
Rosenstein
Noes: Councilmembers Ebner, Holbrook, Mayor Pro Tem
Greenberg
Absent: None
Mayor Pro Tem Greenberg stated, for the record, that she voted
against the substitute motion because she believes that the
Council action does not go far enough and this is an issue that
needs to be addressed now.
Councilmember Holbrook stated, for the record, that he voted
against the substitute motion because the item was regarding
demolition of buildings and what was voted on was to revisit
nuisance abatement procedures and he does not believe that this
was what was agendized.
Councilmember Ebner stated, for the record, that she voted
against the substitute motion because she believes that this is
an emergency situation that requires action as opposed to
reviews and she does not believe that review is going to help.
15: PUBLIC INPUT: There were no speakers.
ADJOURNMENT: At 12:40 a.m., the meeting was adjourned in
memory of Ben Cowhig, former Governor of California Edmund G.
"Pat" Brown, and Thomas McCarthy.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Maria M. Stewart Paul Rosenstein
City Clerk Mayor