CITY OF SANTA MONICA

 

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

 

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 1685 MAIN STREET

 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2008

 

MEETING BEGINS AT 5:45 P.M.

 

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

 

(Please note that Agenda Items may be reordered during the Council meeting at the discretion of the City Council.)

 

 

1.  CONSENT CALENDAR:  (All items will be considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.)

 

1-A:     Approval of minutes of the September 16 and September 23, 2008, Council meetings.

 

            MINUTES

 

1-B:     Short Range Transit Plan and application for funds - recommendation to authorize the City Manager to file the Short Range Transit Plan with the L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; and adopt a resolution authorizing the filing of grant applications and authorizing the City Manager to execute related documents and agreements.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

1-C:     Grant funds for water efficiency internship - recommendation to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to accept grant funding in the amount of $15,000 for a water efficiency internship; and authorize proposed budget changes to appropriate funding in expenditure accounts and establish budget in revenue account.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

1-D:     Recommendation to approve proposed changes to the Water-Efficiency Competitive Landscape Grant Program.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

1-E:     Acceptance of water conservation grant funds - recommendation to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute two contracts with the Department of Water Resources in the amounts of $250,000 for Sustainable Landscape Grant Program, and $70,000 for the Rain Harvest Rebate Program; authorize budget changes to appropriate funding in expenditure accounts and establish budget in revenue account.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

1-F:     Tax-exempt Bonds for Civic Center Affordable Housing Project - recommendation to adopt a resolution approving the issuance of tax-exempt bonds by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority to assist in the financing of 160 affordable housing units in the Civic Center Village.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

1-G:     Landscape Maintenance Services – authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an amendment to Contract No. 8479 with TruGreen Landcare to include 11 additional sites requiring monthly maintenance in the amount of $217,147.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

1-H:     Pier Storm Drain Improvements - recommendation to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement with RBF Consulting in an amount not to exceed $350,000, to provide design services for the Pier Storm Drain Improvement Project; and authorize the proposed budget changes as outlined in the staff report.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

1-I:       Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the MOU between the City and Santa Monica Firefighters Local 1109 IAFF.  

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

1-J:      Pilot County Channel provided by CityTV - recommendation to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an amendment to a Delegated Authority Agreement with Los Angeles County for the City to receive up to $305,000 from the County in exchange for CityTV providing the County with programming and video services. 

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

1-K:     Parking Operations Audit - recommendation to authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to Contract No. 8864 (CCS) with Walker Parking Consultants to modify the scope of work and to increase the total contract amount to $270,000.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

1-L:     California State Proposition 5 - recommendation to oppose Proposition 5, the statewide initiative dealing with nonviolent drug offenses, sentencing, parole and rehabilitation, and adopt a resolution opposing Proposition 5.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

2.   CLOSED SESSIONS:

 

2-A:     Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation – NMBroadway Studios, LLC v. City of Santa Monica, Case No. BS 110077; Lincoln Studios, LLC v. City of Santa Monica, Case No. BS 110078; Nebraska Studios, LLC v of Santa Monica, Case No. BS 110079.

 

2-B:     Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation: Ellen Potts v. City of Santa Monica, Case No. SC 095 085.

 

2-C:     Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation: In the Matter of Compliance with Federal Obligations by the City of Santa Monica, California, FAA Docket No. 16-02-08.

 

2-E:     Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation: United States of America and Peters v. City of Santa Monica, USDC, Case No. CV08-02695 CW(Ex).

 

2-F:     Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation: Smiley v. City of Santa Monica, Case No. BC394492.

 

2-G:     Anticipated Litigation: Anticipate significant exposure to litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b): 161 Ocean Park Boulevard.

 

2-H:     Anticipated Litigation: Anticipate significant exposure to litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b): 2300 Wilshire.

 

2-I:       Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation: Amy Strong and Christopher Peterson v. City of Santa Monica, Case No. SC 096 143.

 

2-J:      Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation: Larry Gulihur v. City of Santa Monica, Superior Court Case Number SC 095055. 

 

2-K:     Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipate significant exposure to litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b): Mladen Buntich Construction Co. Inc. (Contract No. 8595 CCS).

 

6:45 P.M.  RETURN TO AGENDA ACTION ITEMS:

 

3.  STUDY SESSION:

 

3-A:     Progress report on Homeless Initiatives including Service Registry; Homeless Community Court; and Veterans Housing and Services.

 

3-B:     Design concepts for the "No- Smoking" ordinance outreach campaign - recommendation to review proposed design concepts for the "no-smoking" ordinance outreach campaign, provide input on the branding and messaging models, and based upon the review and input, direct staff to proceed with the public education campaign.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

4.  SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS:

 

4-A:     Proclamation declaring October 2008 as Disability Awareness Month in the City of Santa Monica.

 

7.  ORDINANCES:  (Public comment is permitted on ordinances for introduction and first reading.  No public discussion is permitted on ordinances for second reading and adoption.)

 

7-A:     Second reading and adoption of an ordinance adding Section 2.12.155 to the Municipal Code to create the position of Commissioner Emeritus on the Recreation and Parks Commission.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

7-B:     Second reading and adoption of an ordinance amending Municipal Code Chapter 6.28 relating to publication vending machines (newsracks).

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

7-C:     Second reading and adoption of an ordinance establishing standards to ensure public safety for all structures equipped with solar photovoltaic systems.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

7-D:     Second reading and adoption of an ordinance amending Municipal Code Sections 9.52.020, 9.52.030, 9.52.120, 9.52.130, 9.52.140, 9.52.150, and 9.52.200 and adding Code Sections 9.52.125, and 9.52.135 updating the form of the City’s Sign Code to conform to current legal requirements and to clarify certain of the Sign Code’s provisions.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

7-E:     Introduction and first reading of an ordinance modifying the Municipal Code to modify fence, wall, and hedge standards, to grandparent existing nonconforming fences, walls and hedges that have been properly registered; to clarify/establish criteria for the repair and replacement of registered nonconforming fences, walls and hedges; to establish administrative and discretionary height modification procedures; to require the maintenance of hedges; and to specify a self-help remedy for overhanging hedges.

 

            STAFF REPORT

            POWERPOINT PRESENTATION (Presented during the October 14, 2008 meeting)

 

7-F:     Resolution supporting local and statewide laws that prohibit the sale and promotion of tobacco products in pharmacies and drugstores in California; and urging all local pharmacies and drugstores not to sell or promote tobacco products; and introduction and first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 4.44 of the Municipal Code on smoking to prohibit smoking in common areas of multi-unit residential properties; and adding Chapter 4.45 to the Municipal Code to create a tobacco retailer licensing program.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

8. STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:

 

8-A:     Appointments to Measure V Oversight Committee - recommendation to appoint at least three members to the Oversight Committee.

 

            STAFF REPORT

 

13.  COUNCILMEMBER DISCUSSION ITEMS:

 

13-A:   Annual Appointments to Boards and Commissions for terms ending June 30, 2008. (Continued from September 23, 2008.)

 

Board/Commission

No. of Appts.

Term Ending

Architectural Review Board

1

6/30/2012

Arts Commission

1

6/30/2012

 

13-B:   Appointment to two unscheduled vacancies on the Commission on the Status of Women for terms ending June 30, 2011 (Continued from September 16, 2008)

 

13-C:  Request of Mayor Katz and Mayor Pro Tempore Bloom that Council make a $15,000 donation on behalf of the City to Santa Monica High School to support the Choral’s Spring European Tour in April 2009.

 

13-D:  Request of Councilmember Pam O'Connor and Mayor Pro Tem Richard Bloom that the City of Santa Monica sign the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action & Sustainability Charter and instruct the City Manager to support and participate in this worthwhile effort and, further, that the City of Santa Monica encourage other local jurisdictions and key stakeholders throughout Los Angeles County to formally participate in this Collaborative.

 

            MOTION

            BRIEFING DOCUMENT

            CHARTER

 

13-E:   Request of Mayor Pro Tem Bloom that the City Council urge the State Legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to restore full funding for the Emergency Housing and Assistance Program (EHAP) to the 2009-2010 state budget.  Without this funding, which was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger, armories in Culver City and West Los Angeles (and elsewhere in the region and throughout California) may not be able to operate, thus creating a health crisis among the homeless population.  The Council is also requested to communicate and request similar resolutions from each of the 88 cities of Los Angeles County and each of its Councils of Government, particularly the Westside Cities Council of Governments.

 

            MEMO

 

13-F:   Request of Mayor Pro Tem Bloom and Mayor Katz that the City Manager present the City Council and community with an update on economic matters of concern to the City of Santa Monica, including analysis of short and long term economic trends and their impact on the City's economy, recent Federal legislation to address the banking and credit industries and the recently adopted State budget.

 

14.  PUBLIC INPUT:  (Public comment is permitted only on items not on the agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City.  Please note that State law prohibits the City Council from taking any action on items not listed on the agenda, including issues raised under this agenda item.)

 

Any documents produced by the City and distributed to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available at the City Clerk's Counter located at City Hall, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, during normal business hours.

 

Any member of the public unable to attend a meeting but wishing to comment on an item(s) listed on the agenda may submit written comments prior to the meeting by mailing them to: City Clerk, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Comments may also be e-mailed to: clerk@smgov.net

 

ADJOURNMENT.

 

City Hall and the Council Chamber is wheelchair accessible.  If you require any special disability related accommodations (i.e. sign language interpreting, access to an amplified sound system, etc.), please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 458-8211 or TDD: (310) 917-6626 at least 3 days prior to the scheduled meeting.  This agenda is available in alternate format upon request by calling the City Clerk’s Office.