CITY OF SANTA MONICA

SPECIAL MEETING CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

FEBRUARY 5, 2002

A special meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Feinstein at 5:50 p.m., on Tuesday, February 5, 2002, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street.

Roll Call: Present: Mayor Michael Feinstein

Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McKeown

Councilmember Ken Genser

Councilmember Robert T. Holbrook

Councilmember Herb Katz

Councilmember Richard Bloom

Councilmember Pam O'Connor

Also Present: City Manager Susan McCarthy

City Attorney Marsha Jones Moutrie

City Clerk Maria M. Stewart

Councilmember Holbrook was excused at 10:10 p.m.

On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened at 5:50 p.m., with all members present. Councilmember Holbrook led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance, and thereafter the City Council recessed to hear closed sessions.

The City Council reconvened and recessed at 6:52 p.m., to finish the continued January 22, 2002, Council meeting, and reconvened again at 10:15 p.m., with Councilmember Holbrook absent.

On order of the Mayor, the City Attorney reported the following action taken on closed sessions:

2-A: Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation: Southern California Water Co. v. City of Santa Monica, Case No. SC 064 682.

ACTION: Not heard.

2-B: Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation: City of Santa Monica v. Shell Oil Co., Case No. 01CC04331.

ACTION: Not heard.

2-C: Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation: Andy and Rachel Goldberg v. City of Santa Monica Planning Commission, et al., Case No. SS 010 548.

ACTION: Heard. No reportable action taken.

2-D: Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation.

Number of cases: Two.

ACTION: Two cases heard. No reportable action taken.

13-A: Request of Councilmember Bloom that the City Council discuss strategies to reduce the number of Council meetings that extend into the early morning hours, while maintaining the City Council's commitment to broad public input and robust public debate. Request is also made that the City Council receive information from the City Attorney regarding the applicability of the Brown Act vis-à-vis the duration of City Council meetings, was presented.

Members of the public Jerry Rubin and Chuck Allord expressed their opinions and concerns regarding the length of Council meetings and presented suggestions.

Discussion ensued on various options for shortening the length of Council meetings including but not limited to: meeting on a weekly basis, holding additional meetings, as needed, and better management and planning of City Council agendas.

Motion by Mayor Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember Katz, in order for Council to be able to complete closed sessions and return to the public meeting by 6:45 p.m., to begin the next four meetings beginning on February 26^th, at 5:30 p.m., and after the four meetings Council will revisit the meeting starting time. The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote, with Councilmember Holbrook absent.

13-B: Request of Councilmember Pam O'Connor to authorize the City of Santa Monica to join with other transit agencies and cities to prepare and file an amicus brief in support of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority regarding the limitations on federal courts' power to intrude into the discretionary authority committed to state agencies, was presented.

Motion by Councilmember O'Connor, seconded by Councilmember Katz, to approve the request. The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote, with Councilmember Holbrook absent.

On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting was adjourned at 12:01 a.m. to February 12, 2002, in memory of Paul Golladay.

ATTEST: APPROVED:

Maria M. Stewart Michael Feinstein

City Clerk Mayor