CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 25, 1997
A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called
to order by Mayor O'Connor at 6:44 p.m., on Tuesday, March 25,
1997, in the Council Chambers.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Pamela O'Connor
Mayor Pro Tem Robert T. Holbrook
(arrived at 7:41 p.m.)
Councilmember Ruth Ebner
Councilmember Michael Feinstein
Councilmember Ken Genser
Councilmember Asha Greenberg
(arrived at 6:55 p.m.)
Councilmember Paul Rosenstein
Also Present: City Manager John Jalili
City Attorney Marsha Jones Moutrie
City Clerk Maria M. Stewart
Councilmember Feinstein led the assemblage in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Mayor O'Connor announced that Item No. 6-H was withdrawn at the
request of staff.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: The Consent Calendar was presented,
whereby all items are considered and approved in one motion
unless removed from the calendar for discussion.
Members of the public Joi Fullmer and Dan Ehrler addressed
items on the Consent Calendar.
At the request of Councilmember Rosenstein Item No. 6-I was
removed from the Consent Calendar.
Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember
Rosenstein, to approve the Consent Calendar, with the
exceptions of Item No. 6-I and 6-H, reading resolutions and
ordinances by title only and waiving further reading thereof.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Ebner, Rosenstein, Genser,
Feinstein, Mayor O'Connor
Noes: None
Absent: Councilmember Greenberg, Mayor Pro Tem Holbrook
6-A: STATEMENT OF OFFICIAL ACTION/APPEAL/LANDMARKS COMMISSION
DECISION/1127 6TH STREET/CITY LANDMARK: The Statement of
Official Action for Appeal of the Landmarks Commission decision
designating the structure located at 1127 6th Street as a City
landmark was approved.
Staff Report
6-B: CONTINUING EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY (JANUARY 1994
EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE): Resolution No. 9130(CCS) entitled: "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A CONTINUING LOCAL EMERGENCY," was
adopted.
Staff Report
6-C: LEASE/MEMORIAL PARK LOUNGE/WESTSIDE INDEPENDENT SERVICES
FOR THE ELDERLY: Contract No. 6634(CCS) was approved with
Westside Independent Services for the Elderly (WISE) for a
month-to-month lease in the amount of $363 per month for use of
the Memorial Park Lounge.
Staff Report
6-D: CONTRACT/REHABILITATION AND REPAIR/EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED
SEWER MAINS/LINCOLN & 11TH: Contract No. 6635(CCS) was approved
with Insituform Southwest, in an amount not to exceed
$1,521,545, for rehabilitation and repair of earthquake damaged
sewer mains at Lincoln and 11th Courts between Georgina and
Colorado Avenues.
Staff Report
6-E: CONTRACT/COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUELING FACILITY: Contract
No. 6636(CCS) was approved with InSight Automation, Inc., in an
amount not to exceed $920,000 to develop construction documents
and construct a compressed natural gas fueling facility at the
City Yards; and Contract No. 6637(CCS) was approved with So.
California Air Quality Management District to receive grant
funds in the amount of $350,000 for the City's Natural Gas
Vehicle Program; and, funds were appropriated and receipt of
revenues was authorized as outlined in the staff report.
Staff Report
6-F: CONTRACT/INFORMATION SYSTEM DATABASE/MAPPING SERVICES/
WATER/STORM DRAIN/STREET LIGHT FACILITIES: Contract No.
6638(CCS) was approved with GEONEX, in an amount not to exceed
$498,000, and authorization was given to increase the contract
amount by up to 20%, if necessary, to provide an information
system database and mapping services for the City's water,
sewer, storm drain, and street light facilities.
Staff Report
6-G: CONTRACT/HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESEARCH PROJECT:
Contract No. 6639(CCS) was approved with the Community
Environmental Council to manage and administer a household
hazardous materials research project, funded by a grant to the
City by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.
Staff Report
6-H: PURCHASE/CENTRAL IRRIGATION CONTROLLER SYSTEM: The
recommendation to waive competitive bidding procedures and
authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract
with Rain Master, in an amount not to exceed $300,000, for the
purchase of a central irrigation controller system was
withdrawn at the request of staff.
Staff Report
6-J: SANTA MONICA FESTIVAL 1997: Contract No. 6640(CCS) (a
sole-source agreement) was approved with Community Arts
Resources to produce the Santa Monica Festival 1997: A
Celebration of Our Community Roots, in an amount not to exceed
$49,000, and to increase the necessary appropriation by $20,500
which will be fully offset by additional revenue.
Staff Report
6-K: INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION/MARINE PARK
LIGHTING PROJECT/LIGHTING/MARINE PARK/CLOVER PARK/OCEAN VIEW
PARK: Resolution No. 9131(CCS) entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA APPROVING THE
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION ON THE MARINE PARK LIGHTING
PROJECT," was adopted; and Contract No. 6641(CCS) was approved
with Electro Construction Company, in an amount not to exceed
$228,397, to construct ballfield lighting at Marine Park, the
parking lot lighting at Clover Park, and walkway lighting at
Ocean View Park.
Staff Report
6-L: CONFLICT OF INTEREST/STATEMENTS OF ECONOMIC INTEREST:
Resolution No. 9132(CCS) entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA REPEALING RESOLUTION NUMBER
9009(CCS) AND AMENDING THE CITY'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE TO
REVISE THE DESIGNATED POSITIONS FOR WHICH STATEMENTS OF
ECONOMIC INTEREST ARE REQUIRED TO BE FILED," was adopted.
Staff Report
6-M: INTERIM LANDFILL GAS EXTRACTION SYSTEM: Contract No.
6642(CCS) was approved with Arthur D. Little, Inc., in an
amount not to exceed $429,100, to design and install an interim
landfill gas extraction system on City property.
Staff Report
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
6-I: POLICY/RESTRICTION IN CITY MAILINGS: Councilmember
Rosenstein suggested that Council, at a future meeting,
consider a modification of the policy prohibiting the inclusion
of references, in printed city mailings, to organizations which
regularly take positions on electoral matters, to prohibit
only the inclusion of those organizations which endorse
political candidates.
Staff Report
Motion by Councilmember Rosenstein, seconded by Councilmember
Ebner, to make an exception to its policy to allow
participation of the Chamber of Commerce in the annually
scheduled Career and Business Fair. The motion was approved by
the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Ebner, Rosenstein, Genser,
Feinstein, Mayor O'Connor
Noes: None
Absent: Councilmember Greenberg, Mayor Pro Tem Holbrook
Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember
Ebner, to allow member of the public Pro Se to address Council
under Public Input at this time due to transportation problems.
The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote.
15: PUBLIC INPUT: Member of the public Pro Se discussed
Resolution No. 20 of the Pico Neighborhood Association.
10-A: PUBLIC HEARING/HOUSING ELEMENT: The continued public
hearing on Draft 1998-2003 Housing Element, to receive public
input, to adopt in concept the Draft Housing Element, to direct
staff to transmit the document to the State Department of
Housing and Community Development, to direct staff to begin
preparation of the draft Environmental Impact Report, and to
direct staff to prepare implementation ordinances for two key
policy issues was open for discussion.
Staff Report
Councilmember Greenberg reported present at 6:55 p.m.
Suzanne Frick, Director of Planning, reviewed the information
provided in the supplemental report distributed to Council.
The report answered Council's questions posed at the March 18,
1997, Council meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Holbrook reported present at 7:41 p.m.
Discussion ensued relative to each Councilmember's view of the
Housing Element and concerns were expressed on different
matters such as, but not limited to, the continued support for
affordable housing, having a variety of housing options
available including family housing, encouraging home buying in
the City, the need to have an equal permitting process for
apartments and condominiums, and exploring the issue of student
housing.
On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 8:53 p.m.,
and reconvened at 9:26 p.m., with all members present.
Motion by Councilmember Holbrook to direct staff to review the
Proposition R limitation ordinance and suggest a method, e.g.,
in lieu fees, proposed table of fees, etc., and return to
Council at the next meeting. The motion died for lack of a
second.
On order of the Mayor, this matter was continued to the meeting
of April 15, 1997.
13-A: U. S. CONSTITUTION DAY PARADE: Request of Elizabeth O.
Hoag, Chair, and Ronn Pickard, Parade Director of the U. S.
Constitution Day Parade Board, to discuss approval of the route
for the 4th Annual U. S. Constitution Day Parade for Saturday,
September 20, 1997.
At the request of Mr. Pickard, this matter was continued to the
meeting of April 8, 1997.
14-A: INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE/
INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT: Presented was
the request of Councilmember Feinstein to discuss the
possibility of sending a letter to Congress in support of
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives'
(ICLEI) position on the Intermodal Surface Transportation
Efficiency Act (ISTEA) reauthorization, which position should
strengthen the role of local governments in metropolitan and
statewide planning for use of ISTEA grant funds.
Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember
Genser, to send a letter to Congress in support of
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives'
(ICLEI) position on the Intermodal Surface Transportation
Efficiency Act (ISTEA) reauthorization. The motion was
unanimously approved by voice vote.
14-B: APPOINTMENTS/BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Mayor O'Connor
opened the floor to nominations to the Architectural Review
Board.
Councilmember Greenberg nominated Allison St. Onge.
Councilmember Genser nominated Susan Papadakis. There being no
further nominations, nominations were closed. On a call for
the vote, Allison St. Onge was appointed to the Architectural
Review Board for a term ending June 30, 1998.
The appointment to the Los Angeles County West Vector Control
District was continued to the meeting of April 8, 1997.
14-C: WATER RATE STRUCTURE: Presented was the request of
Councilmember Genser that the Council discuss the following
issues related to the City's water rate structure: (a) the
implementation of Section 6 of Resolution 9032(CCS) which calls
for the administrative remedies for certain water customers in
the Third Tier of the billing system, that Council request a
report on the process established to implement the resolution,
receive a general overview of the quantity and nature of
applications for remedy filed by customers to date and, the
disposition of those applications; (b) the possible creation of
administrative remedies for water customers who are not in the
Third Tier; and (c) the possible creation of additional
categories of residential water customers to allow for
differing tier allocations for properties with varying
characteristics.
Member of the public Simon LeDuff spoke in opposition to the
tier system. Member of the public Albert Kindt complained
about the City's high utility rates. Member of the public
Anoosh Askari discussed the problems associated with having one
meter for a multi-unit building. Member of the public Joi
Fullmer expressed her concerns.
Motion by Councilmember Genser, seconded by Councilmember
Feinstein, to continue the meeting past 11:00 p.m. The motion
was unanimously approved by voice vote.
Motion by Councilmember Genser, seconded by Councilmember
Greenberg, to direct staff to provide Council with information
relating to the adjustment process, any requests/complaints and
a general outline of the disposition of those
requests/complaints, as well as provide any information they
feel they can provide about either adding more categories for
residential customers, both single- and/or multi-family, as
well as the adjustment process for those individuals who are
not on the Third Tier.
Councilmember Ebner requested information on water usage since
the rate increase.
Councilmember Rosenstein requested information about any plans
for educating residents and customers about the need to
conserve water and the relationship to the rates, of the City's
plans to encourage people to shift to more drought-resistant
landscaping, etc., and also requested a response to the issue
of master meters in multi-family buildings.
Councilmember Greenberg excused herself from the meeting at
11:10 p.m.
The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote,
Councilmember Greenberg absent.
14-D: CHANGE OF NAME/LINCOLN PARK TO CHRISTINE EMERSON REED
PARK: The request of Mayor Pro Tem Holbrook to direct staff to
return with an agenda item to change the name of Lincoln Park
to Christine Emerson Reed Park was continued to the meeting of
April 8, 1997.
On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 11:11 p.m.
to hold a properly noticed special meeting.
On order of the Mayor, the City Council reconvened at 11:15
p.m., with Councilmember Greenberg absent.
15: PUBLIC INPUT: Member of the public Joi Fullmer expressed
her concerns on various issues.
Member of the public Brian Hutchings complained about KCRW and
discussed the situation in Zaire.
Members of the public Karim Kamal, Fouad Barakat, and Keyes
Tameron expressed concerns regarding the abduction of the
daughter of Karim Kamal and the involvement of the Santa Monica
Police Department. Mr. Kamal also expressed concerns regarding
a citation he recently received for illegal advertising.
Member of the public John Stein discussed the Sustainable
Cities Program and affordable living in general.
16: CLOSED SESSION: At 11:31 p.m., Council recessed to the
following closed sessions.
16-A: CLOSED SESSION/CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR:
City Negotiator: Karen Bancroft, Personnel Director
Bargaining Unit: Firefighters Local 1109
ACTION: No reportable action taken.
16-B: CLOSED SESSION/CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
Existing Litigation: Washington & Hick v. City of Santa
Monica, Case No. CV 92-1884.
Motion by Councilmember Ebner, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Holbrook, to authorize payment of court order requiring
the payment of $144,126.84 in fees and costs. The motion
was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Feinstein, Genser, Rosenstein,
Ebner,
Mayor Pro Tem Holbrook, Mayor O'Connor
Noes: None
Absent: Councilmember Greenberg
16-C: CLOSED SESSION/CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
Existing Litigation: Santa Monica Housing Council v. City
of Santa Monica, Case No. SS55191.
ACTION: No reportable action taken.
16-D: CLOSED SESSION/CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
Anticipated Litigation: One case.
Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember
Ebner, to authorize staff to submit a request to the State
Clearinghouse to ask for a 21-day public review period for the
proposed negative declaration on the 4th Street Project. The
motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Feinstein, Genser, Rosenstein,
Ebner,
Mayor Pro Tem Holbrook, Mayor O'Connor
Noes: None
Absent: Councilmember Greenberg
ADJOURNMENT: On order of the Mayor the City Council meeting was
adjourned, at 12:40 a.m., to April 8, 1997, in memory of Jane
Stark, Jordan Kaplan, and Shoba Srinivosian.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Maria M. Stewart Pamela
O'Connor
City Clerk Mayor