CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 16, 1998
A regular adjourned meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor
Holbrook at 6:25 p.m., on Tuesday, June 16, 1998, in the Council Chambers.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Robert T. Holbrook
Mayor Pro Tem Pam O'Connor
Councilmember Ruth Ebner
Councilmember Michael Feinstein
Councilmember Ken Genser
Councilmember Asha Greenberg
Councilmember Paul Rosenstein
Also Present: City Manager John Jalili
City Attorney Marsha Jones Moutrie
City Clerk Maria M. Stewart
CLOSED SESSIONS: At 6:25 p.m., Council adjourned to Closed Session to consider the following:
16-A: Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation: Ring Trading Corporation v. City
of Santa Monica, LASC Case No. BC 172044.
ACTION: No reportable action taken.
16-B: Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation: Santa Monica Housing Council, et
al. v. City of Santa Monica, LASC Case No. BC 184061.
ACTION: No reportable action taken.
16-C: Public Employee Evaluation:
Employee Title: City Clerk
ACTION: No reportable action taken.
16-D: Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation:
Number of cases: One
ACTION: No reportable action taken.
PLEDGE Council reconvened at 7:18 p.m., with all Councilmembers present. Councilmember
Rosenstein led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of
America.
MOTION
Councilmember Rosenstein moved to make appointments to Boards and Commissions out of
order, after the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Rosenstein withdrew his motion in favor of
considering such an action later in the meeting.
5: CONTINUED ITEMS:
5-A: COMPENSATION FOR COUNCILMEMBERS: Presented was the request from the
Commission on the Status of Women that Council investigate the feasibility of a ballot measure on
compensation for Councilmembers.
Motion by Councilmember Rosenstein, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem O'Connor, to re-open the
public hearing and hear speakers. The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote.
Member of the public Ronn Pickard spoke in support of compensation for Councilmembers.
Member of the public Joey Fullmer expressed her concerns. There being no other speakers, the
Mayor closed the public hearing.
Councilmembers made statements regarding the merits of the proposed ballot measure.
Motion by Councilmember Genser, second by Councilmember Feinstein, to ask staff to consider
the comments made by various Councilmembers this evening and report back in a timely fashion
so that a public hearing regarding the language and/or the ability to put a measure on the ballot
for the November election can be accomplished should it collectively be decided to do so. The
motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Rosenstein, Greenberg, Genser, Feinstein, Mayor Pro Tem O'Connor, and Mayor Holbrook
Abstain: Councilmember Ebner
Noes: None
Absent: None
5-B: EXPANSION AND RENOVATION OF THE SANTA MONICA PUBLIC LIBRARY:
Presented was the request of Sherril Kushner, representing the Committee for Santa Monica
Public Library Expansion, to address Council regarding the placement of a ballot measure on the
upcoming November 3, 1998, election for a $28 million bond for the expansion and renovation of
the Santa Monica Public Library.
Member of the public Joey Fullmer expressed her concerns. Members of the public Sheila Field
and Rose Kaufman public spoke in support of the proposed ballot measure. There being no other
speakers, the Mayor closed the public hearing.
Motion by Councilmember Genser, seconded by Councilmember Greenberg, to encourage staff to
work on the preparation of language in support of the proposed bond measure on which a public
hearing can be held at an appropriate time to consider the placement of this issue on the ballot of
November 3, 1998. The motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Feinstein, Genser, Greenberg, Rosenstein, Ebner, Mayor Pro Tem O'Connor, and Mayor Holbrook
Noes: None
Absent: None
5-C: DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCING OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Presented was
the request of Lou Moench to address Council regarding the placement of a ballot measure on the
November 1998 election authorizing the development and financing of affordable housing under
Article 34.
Members of the public Vivian Rothstein, Kathy Weremuick, and Douglas Willis encouraged that
the measure allow for the production of housing throughout the City without restrictions or
limitations.
Member of the public James Mount spoke in support of the placement of a ballot measure on the
November 1998 election re-authorizing the development and financing of affordable housing
under Article 34.
There being no other speakers, the Mayor closed the public hearing.
Motion by Councilmember Genser, seconded by Councilmember Rosenstein, to request staff to
consider the proposal made by the members of the public, prepare written comments and return
with a recommendation for an appropriate ballot measure in a timely enough fashion so that it can
be placed on the November 1998 ballot. The motion was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Ebner, Rosenstein, Greenberg, Genser, Feinstein, Mayor Pro Tem O'Connor, and Mayor Holbrook
Noes: None
Absent: None
6: CONSENT CALENDAR:
6-A: ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO
INCLUDE OUTDOOR PUBLIC UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCE SERVICE YARDS
AS PERMITTED USES IN THE RESIDENTIAL VISITOR COMMERCIAL ZONING
DISTRICT: Motion by Councilmember Greenberg, seconded by Councilmember Feinstein, to
adopt Ordinance No. 1917(CCS) entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA AMENDING SECTION 9.04.08.12.020 OF ARTICLE IX
OF THE SANTA MONICA MUNICIPAL CODE TO CORRECT THE OMISSION OF
OUTDOOR PUBLIC UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCE SERVICE YARDS AS
PERMITTED USES IN THE RESIDENTIAL-VISITOR COMMERCIAL ZONING
DISTRICT," reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof. The motion was approved
by the following vote:
Staff Report
Ayes: Councilmembers Feinstein, Genser, Greenberg, Rosenstein, Ebner, Mayor Pro Tem O'Connor, and Mayor Holbrook
Noes: None
Absent: None
9: STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:
9-A: MAIN STREET PARKING STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DESIGN OF A
TWO-LEVEL PARKING STRUCTURE, AN EMPLOYEE PARKING PROGRAM, AND
A PILOT MAIN STREET SHUTTLE SERVICE: Presented was the staff report
recommending review of findings and recommendations of the Main Street Parking Study;
appropriation for a consultant to prepare a schematic design for a two-level parking structure and
related community process; appropriation of funds for a grant to the Main Street merchants
organization for implementation of an employee parking program; and appropriation of funds for
a Pilot Main Street shuttle service.
Staff Report
The following members of the public spoke in support of the staff recommendation: Daniel Ehrler,
Russ Barnard, Judy Abdo, and Leslie Paonessa.
Members of the public Joey Fullmer and Brian Hutchings expressed their concerns. The
following members of the public spoke in opposition to the parking structure: Nick Kazan, Rick
Laudati, Janet Gilbert, James Bianco, and Tony Haig.
Member of the public Ronn Pickard urged Council to ask staff to consider that which is best for
Main Street only and proceed on that which is most cost beneficial, and let the City Manager set
the rates for the parking lot.
Member of the public Michael Goodrow urged Council to limit the daytime parking hours south
of Ocean Park to be the same as north of Ocean Park and urged Council to support the
implementation of Phase I of the parking study.
The following members of the public spoke in support of the non-structural concepts included in the staff recommendation: Karen Blechman, Jeff Gilbert, Bea Nemlaha, Jack Neworth, Tom Wideline, and Amy Robertson.
Member of the public Kathy Weremiuk explained the Planning Commission recommendation as
relates to this issue, strongly supporting most of the non-structural alternates to begin
immediately.
Member of the public Roger Genser suggested implementation of preferential parking in the area
on Second Street. There being no other speakers, the Mayor closed the public hearing.
RECESS On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 9:35 p.m., and reconvened at 9:56
p.m., with all members present except Councilmember Ebner.
Councilmember Rosenstein was excused at 10:29 p.m.
Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember Genser, to approve staff
recommendations of the non-structural alternatives, but excluding the appropriation for a
consultant to prepare a schematic design for a two-level parking structure and related community
process.
Motion by Councilmember Greenberg, to amend the motion to ask staff to study the option of
reconfiguring the striping of the parking lot for possible additional parking spaces and report back
to Council. The amendment was accepted as friendly with the understanding that the re-striping
will be designed to have some trees.
The motion, as amended, was approved by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Greenberg, Genser, Feinstein, Mayor Pro Tem O'Connor, and Mayor Holbrook
Noes: None
Absent: Councilmembers Ebner, Rosenstein
9-B: PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
IN THE R2 AND R3 DISTRICTS: The recommendation to review proposed revisions to the
Residential Development Standards in the R2 and R3 Districts to accommodate State Density
Bonus units and direction to staff to prepare a resolution of intention to amend the Zoning
Ordinance in accordance with staff recommendations was continued to a future meeting.
Staff Report
13: WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
13-A: TENANT HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAM: Presented was the request of Paul
DeSantis to address Council regarding giving direction to staff to prepare language for a Charter
Amendment for the November 3, 1998, election for a Tenant Home Ownership Program.
Member of the public Brian Hutchings expressed his concerns.
Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember Genser, to continue the meeting past 11:00 p.m. The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote, Councilmembers Ebner and Rosenstein absent.
The information was received and filed. No formal action taken.
14: COUNCILMEMBER DISCUSSION ITEMS:
14-A: LOS ANGELES COUNTY WEST VECTOR CONTROL VACANCY: The
appointment to the Los Angeles County West Vector Control for one vacancy for a term ending
December 31, 1999, was continued to June 23, 1998.
14-B: COMMISSION ON OLDER AMERICANS VACANCY: The appointment to the
Commission on Older Americans for one unscheduled vacancy for a term ending June 30, 2000,
was continued to June 23, 1998.
14-C: BAYSIDE DISTRICT CORPORATION VACANCIES: The appointment to three
vacancies for terms ending June 30, 2000, was continued to June 23, 1998.
14-D: PLANNING COMMISSION VACANCY: The appointment to one unscheduled vacancy
for a term ending June 30, 2000, was continued to June 23, 1998.
14-E: ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS TO THE FOLLOWING BOARD AND COMMISSION VACANCIES FOR TERMS EXPIRING JUNE 30, 1998, WERE CONTINUED TO THE MEETING OF JUNE 23, 1998:
Airport Commission (1) - term ending June 30, 2002
Architectural Review Board (2) - terms ending June 30, 2002
Arts Commission (2) - terms ending June 30, 2002
Bayside District Corporation (4) - terms ending June 30, 2001
Building & Safety (1) - term ending June 30, 2001
Commission on Older Americans (3) - terms ending June 30, 2002
Commission on the Status of Women (2) - terms ending June 30, 2002
Convention and Visitors Bureau (3) - terms ending June 30, 2001
Housing Commission (2) - terms ending June 30, 2002
Landmarks Commission (3) - terms ending June 30, 2002
Library Board (2) - terms ending June 30, 2002
Personnel Board (1) - term ending June 30, 2003
Planning Commission (1) - term ending June 30, 2002
Recreation & Parks Commission (2) - terms ending June 30, 2002
Social Services Commission (2) - terms ending June 30, 2002
14-F: ELECTED MAYOR: The request of Mayor Holbrook that Council direct staff to prepare
language for a Charter Amendment measure to be placed on the November 3, 1998, General
Election to allow voters to vote for a Mayor every four years was continued to June 23, 1998.
15: PUBLIC INPUT:
Member of the public Viper requested the provision of more shelters for the homeless. Member
of the public Anita Holcomb complained about noise problems from The Tavern on Main Street.
Member of the public Brian Hutchings expressed his concerns on various issues. Member of the
public Bryna Skuro invited everyone to the Second Annual Community Garden Open House on
Sunday.
ADJOURNMENT: On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting was adjourned at 11:29
p.m., in memory of Joseph Walling, Jr.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Maria M. Stewart,
City Clerk
Robert T. Holbrook,
Mayor