CITY OF SANTA MONICA

 

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

 

JUNE 10, 2003

 

A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Bloom at 5:52 p.m., on Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street.

 

Roll Call:         Present:          Mayor Richard Bloom

Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McKeown

Councilmember Michael Feinstein

Councilmember Ken Genser

Councilmember Robert T. Holbrook (arrived at 6:50 p.m.)

Councilmember Herb Katz

Councilmember Pam O=Connor (arrived at 6:10 p.m.)

 

Also Present: City Manager Susan McCarthy

City Attorney Marsha Jones Moutrie

City Clerk Maria M. Stewart

 


CONVENE/PLEDGE  

On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened at 5:52 p.m., with Councilmembers Holbrook and O=Connor absent.  Big Blue Bus Director Stephanie Negriff led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

 


CONSENT CALENDAR:

 

All items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.

 

Councilmember Genser requested Item 1-B be removed from the Consent Calendar due to a conflict of interest.

 

Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember Katz, to approve all items, except Item 1-B, on the Consent Calendar as presented, reading resolutions and ordinances by title only and waiving further reading thereof.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Genser, Katz, Feinstein, Mayor pro Tem McKeown, Mayor Bloom

NOES:            None

ABSENT:       Councilmembers Holbrook, O=Connor

 

 

 


PARKING FACILITIES

 

1-A:     Operation of parking facilities contract B recommendation to exercise the City=s option to extend for one year Contract No. 7733(CCS) with Standard Parking Corporation, in the amount of $2,501,700, was approved.

 

 

 

BUS ADVERTISING

 

1-C:     Transit Bus Advertising B recommendation to reject all submissions received in response to the request for proposals, advertising concession, was approved.

 

 

 

LEASE OF OFFICE

SPACE         

 

Councilmember Genser

was excused at 5:58 p.m.

 

1-B:     Lease of space for the City=s Housing Authority B recommendation to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Lease No. 8209 (CCS) with 2121 Cloverfield Boulevard Associates, in the annual amount of $113,425 for office space, and $30,000 for one-time tenant improvements, was presented.

 

Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem McKeown, to approve staff recommendation.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Katz, Feinstein, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown, Mayor Bloom

NOES:            None

ABSENT:       Councilmembers Genser, O=Connor, Holbrook

 

 

 


CLOSED SESSIONS:

 

Councilmember Genser

returned at 6:00 p.m.

 

Councilmember O=Connor

arrived at 6:10 p.m.

 

Councilmember Holbrook

arrived at 6:50 p.m.

 

On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting recessed at 6:00 p.m., to hear closed sessions and reconvened at 7:15 p.m. with all members present, to report the following action taken:

 

2-A:     Conference with Labor Negotiator:

City Negotiator:      Karen Bancroft, Director of Human

 Resources

Bargaining Units:   Management Team Associates (MTA)

 

ACTION:         See Item 11-A for action taken.

 

2-B:     Conference with Legal Counsel -  Existing Litigation:  Helen Dyess v. City of Santa Monica, Case No. SC 067 458.

 

Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember O=Connor, to approve a settlement in the amount of $18,500.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Feinstein, Katz, Genser, Holbrook, O=Connor, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown, Mayor Bloom

NOES:            None  

ABSENT:       None

 

2-C:     Conference with Legal Counsel B Existing Litigation:  Jorge Fuguet v. City of Santa Monica, Case No. SC 069 871.

 

Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember Katz, to approve a settlement in the amount of $40,000.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers O=Connor, Holbrook, Genser, Katz, Feinstein, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown, Mayor Bloom

NOES:            None

ABSENT:       None

 

2-D:     Conference with Legal Counsel -  Existing Litigation:  City of Santa Monica v. Shell Oil Co., Case No. 01CC4331.

 

ACTION:         Heard.  No reportable action taken.

 

2-E:     Conference with Legal Counsel -  Existing Litigation:  2000 Main Street v. City of Santa Monica, Case No. SC 067 899.

 

ACTION:         Heard.  No reportable action taken.

 

2-F:     Conference with Legal Counsel -  Existing Litigation:  Sikder, Inc. v. City of Santa Monica, et al., LASC  SS 010987.

 

ACTION:         Heard.  No reportable action taken.

 

2-G:     Conference with Legal Counsel B Anticipated Litigation.

Number of cases:  Four.

 

ACTION:         Two cases heard.  No reportable action taken.

 

 

 


ADMIN. PROCEEDINGS:

1544 7th STREET

 

                                             

 

 

Councilmember Genser

was excused at 7:20 p.m.

 

6-A:     Appeal of Planning Commission=s decision to deny design compatibility permit and vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 53675 for 17-unit condominium project located at 1544 7th Street B recommendation to uphold appeal, and approve the design compatibility permit and vesting tentative tract map based on the proposed findings and conditions, was presented.

 

Councilmember Genser requested to be excused at 7:20 p.m., due to a conflict of interest with this matter.

 

Member of the public Monica Wood, representing appellant, spoke in support of the project.

 

Member of the public Joey Fullmer, expressed various concerns.        

 

Motion by Councilmember Katz, seconded by Councilmember O=Connor, to uphold the appeal and approve the project under the Option 1 alternative, with a decorative gate as suggested by the appellant, in the staff report.

 

Substitute motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem McKeown, to uphold the appeal and approve the project under the Option 4 alternative, modified to include 9 studio units and five two-bedroom units and the remainder of staff recommendation.  The substitute motion failed by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmember Feinstein, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown

NOES:            Councilmembers Katz, Holbrook, O=Connor, Mayor Bloom

ABSENT:       Councilmember Genser

 

The original motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers O=Connor, Holbrook, Katz, Mayor Bloom

NOES:            Councilmember Feinstein, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown

ABSENT:       Councilmember Genser

 

Mayor Pro Tem McKeown stated, for the record, that he voted in opposition because the configuration in Option 1 exacerbates the safety problems of the curb cut with visibility issues.

 

 

 


EL MARIASOL

RESTAURANT

 

Councilmember Genser

returned at 8:15 p.m.

 

6-B:     Appeal of Landmarks Commission approval of Certificate of Appropriateness for El Mariasol Restaurant at 401 Santa Monica Pier B recommendation to overturn the Landmarks Commission=s determination and uphold the appeal in part to require certain window modifications to the project, including the windows on the Public Deck Area on the West Façade of the Structure.  Applicant: Mariasol Restaurant/Camacho, Inc. Appellant: Edward Muzika.

The Mayor announced that the applicant had withdrawn his application for an appeal thereby rendering this matter moot.

 

 

 

 

ORDINANCES: 

AIRPORT LANDING

FEES

 

7-A:     Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No.  2079 (CCS) entitled: AAN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA AMENDING SECTION 10.04.06.100 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO LANDING FEES,@ and adoption of Resolution No. 9855 (CCS) entitled: AA RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA SETTING LANDING FEES AT THE SANTA MONICA AIRPORT,@ was presented.

 

Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember O=Connor, to adopt the ordinance and the resolution, reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Feinstein, Katz, Genser, Holbrook, O=Connor, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown, Mayor Bloom

NOES:            None

ABSENT:       None

 

 

 


PALISADES BLUFF

 

7-B:     Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2080 (CCS) entitled: AAN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA ADDING SECTION 3.36.115 TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROHIBIT ANY PERSON FROM BEING PRESENT ON THE SANTA MONICA PALISADES BLUFF,@ was presented.

 

Motion by Councilmember O=Connor, seconded by Councilmember Katz, to adopt the ordinance reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers O=Connor, Holbrook, Genser, Katz, Mayor Bloom

NOES:            Councilmember Feinstein, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown

ABSENT:       None

 

Councilmember Feinstein stated, for the record, that he voted in opposition because although he understands and appreciates the safety concerns,  he believes that its passage before the passage of an appropriate social support structure reflects a prioritization of values that tends to criminalize the homeless and is not in harmony with how he perceives this community=s values to have been for the last decade.Mayor Pro Tem McKeown stated, for the record, that he voted in opposition because he feels some time and study should have been given to relocating any people that may unfortunately be on those bluffs at this time, and that efforts should have been made to find alternative housing for them.

 

 

 


SIDEWALK CAFES

 

7-C:     Introduction and first reading of an interim ordinance allowing administrative approval of sidewalk cafes and waiving the parking requirements for sidewalk cafes of a specified size, and recommen-dation to retain the existing standards for outdoor dining and portable landscaping and furniture within the public right-of-way, was presented.

 

Members of the public Lu Artz, Jerry Rubin, Kathy Dobson, Jane HiWalker, Joe Pippersky, and Gary Gordon spoke in support of the proposal.

 

Member of the public Roger Genser expressed concerns over cumulative impact and future plans on Main Street. 

 

Member of the public Stephanie Barbanell expressed concerns over parking impacts on residents.

 

Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember O=Connor, to introduce and hold first reading of the ordinance, amended to apply the yet-to-be-determined lowered fee for outdoor dining to all applications previously submitted, and directing staff to provide an analysis of the impact of the ordinance in the RBC district, and amended to correct the effective date of the ordinance.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Feinstein, Katz, Genser, Holbrook, O=Connor, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown, Mayor Bloom

NOES:            None

ABSENT:       None

 

Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember O=Connor, to direct staff to come back with an ordinance to allow furniture and landscaping in the right of way; staff to suggest design standards for the furniture and landscaping; and, regarding the furniture, staff to explore options of either only allowing them in restaurants= vestibules, or in public property. The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote, with all members present.

 

Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember O=Connor, to direct staff to include in ordinance design standards for merchandise display in restaurant=s vestibules.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Feinstein, Holbrook, O=Connor, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown

NOES:            Councilmembers Katz, Genser, Mayor Bloom

ABSENT:       None

 

Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember O=Connor, to direct staff to include in ordinance design standards to allow sandwich boards in restaurants= vestibules.  The motion failed by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers O=Connor, Feinstein

NOES:            Councilmembers Holbrook, Genser, Katz, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown, Mayor Bloom

ABSENT:       None

 

Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Councilmember O=Connor, to direct staff to analyze the possibility of allowing the provision of cigarette butt receptacles in private property, and/or for City-provided receptacles on public property.  The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote.

 

Motion by Councilmember Feinstein, seconded by Mayor Bloom, to direct staff to analyze the possibility of allowing businesses that have a certain amount of setback space and display area to use such a space as a display area.  The motion failed by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Feinstein, O=Connor, Mayor Bloom

NOES:            Councilmembers Katz, Genser, Holbrook, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown

ABSENT:       None

 

 

 


INSPECTION FEES

 

7-D:     Introduction and first reading of an ordinance amending Section 2.72.010 of the Municipal Code authorizing fees for systematic inspections and enforcement on private property and for commercial use of public property, was presented.

 

There was no one present for public comment.

Motion by Councilmember Katz, seconded by Councilmember Genser, to introduce and hold first reading of the ordinance, reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers O=Connor, Holbrook, Genser, Katz, Feinstein, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown, Mayor Bloom

NOES:            None

ABSENT:       None

 

 

 

ARB POSTING

REQUIREMENTS

 

7-E:     Introduction and first reading of an ordinance amending Section 9.32 of the Municipal Code to establish site posting notification requirements for projects subject to architectural review, or, alternately, introduction and first reading of the ARB-proposed ordinance to require site posting and mailing notifications requirements for projects subject to architectural review. 

 

On order of the Mayor, this matter was continued to July 8, 2003

 

 

 


STAFF  ITEMS:

PROMENADE RETAIL

USES

 

8-A:     Recommendations of Promenade Users Task Force and ordinance extending moratorium on expansion of retail uses B recommendation to review the Task Force=s recommendations; give direction to staff; and introduce and hold first reading of an interim ordinance extending the moratorium on new or expanded retail uses on the ground floor of the Third Street Promenade with limited exceptions, was presented.

 

Members of the public Jerry Rubin, Kathy Dodson, Rob Rader, Bill Tucker, Kathleen Rawson, and Arthur Harris spoke in support of the recommendation.

 

Member of the public Stephanie Barbanell spoke in opposition to the recommendation.

 

Motion by Mayor Bloom, seconded by Councilmember Katz, direct staff to take appropriate steps, including preparation of ordinances, to implement the following:  enhancing the pedestrian orientation of the streets off the Promenade; addressing new cinema development; restaurants; security, and expansion of alcohol use in live theater and specialty markets.

 

Discussion ensued on various including but not limited to the different aspects of the motion, legal issues, timing and implementation of ordinances, and community and business needs.  After considerable discussion, Mayor Bloom withdrew his motion.

 

Motion by Mayor Bloom, seconded by Councilmember Katz, to direct staff to return with a workplan considering all issues discussed, schedule a study session, and direct staff to return with an interim ordinance implementing Point No. 10 entitled ARetail Limitations.@.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Feinstein, Katz, Genser, Holbrook, O=Connor, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown, Mayor Bloom

NOES:            None

ABSENT:       None

 

Mayor Bloom, seconded by Councilmember Genser, to introduce and hold first reading of an ordinance, extended for a period of two years, reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof.

 

Substitute motion by Councilmember Katz, seconded by Councilmember O=Connor, to extend for one year.  The substitute motion failed by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Katz, Holbrook, O=Connor

NOES:            Councilmembers Feinstein, Genser, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown, Mayor Bloom

ABSENT:       None

 

The main motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers O=Connor, Holbrook, Genser, Katz, Feinstein, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown, Mayor Bloom

NOES:            None

ABSENT:       None

 

 

 


RESOLUTIONS:

MTA - MOU

 

11-A:   Resolution No. 9896 (CCS) entitled: AA RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE MANAGEMENT TEAM ASSOCIATES,@ was presented.

 

Motion by Councilmember Genser, seconded by Councilmember Katz, to adopt the resolution as presented, reading by title only and waiving further

reading thereof.  The motion was approved by the following vote:

 

AYES:             Councilmembers O=Connor, Holbrook, Genser, Katz, Feinstein, Mayor Pro Tem McKeown, Mayor Bloom

NOES:            None

ABSENT:       None              

 

 

 

S.M. PIER STREET

PERFORMERS

 

11-B:   Street Performer sites on the Pier - resolution establishing six temporary zones for Street Performers and persons, including vendors, utilizing tables or carts for the purpose of displaying or distributing goods, written materials, merchandise, or food on the Pier and designating the new locations as temporary central performance zone.

 

On order of the Mayor, this matter was continued to July 8, 2003.

 

 

 

COUNCIL ITEMS:

PRC RESIGNATION

 

13-A:   Acceptance of Jonathan Gross=s letter of resignation from the Pier Restoration Corporation, and authorization for City Clerk to publish vacancy, was presented.

 

Motion by Councilmember Genser, seconded by Mayor Bloom, to accept the letter of resignation, with regrets, and authorize the City Clerk to publish the vacancy.  The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote, with all members present.

 

 

 

BROWN ACT

 

13-B:   Request of Mayor Bloom and Mayor Pro Tem McKeown that the City Council oppose the State=s proposal to repeal parts of the Ralph M. Brown Act which mandate noticing of public meetings and agendas and opposing the proposed elimination of reimbursements to local government for the purpose of implementing the Brown Act.  In addition, it is requested that Council affirm its commitment to participatory democracy with a fully informed electorate, and communicate this position to Governor Davis and the State Legislature.                

 

This matter was withdrawn.

 

 

 

PUBLIC INPUT: 

 

There was no one present for public comment.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT: 

 

On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting was adjourned at 11:55 p.m., to June 17, 2003, in memory of Emily Perez Senny.

 

ATTEST:                                                        APPROVED:

 

Maria M. Stewart                                           Richard Bloom

City Clerk                                                       Mayor