CITYWIDE READS  Council began the evening kicking off the 2005 Santa Monica Citywide Reads program, which starts April 12 and ends May 21.  This year’s selection is The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, a story set in Afghanistan and California over a period of three decades and the first Afghan novel to be written in English.  Citywide Reads invites participation in moderator-led public book discussions and other events throughout the city. For more information, visit the library website at www.smpl.org/cwr.

CONSENT CALENDAR  Among matters not requiring extensive discussion, the Council approved the following:  an upgrade to the city’s risk management information software system; a contract to assist the Housing Authority with program compliance and applicant eligibility and required federal reviews;  donation of a used vehicle to Santa Monica High School’s automotive department; a contract with Killefer Flammang Architects for design services related to the demolition of the former Police department building and restoration of associated City Hall facades; and a contract with Rainer Zebala Partners for the conservation of Whale of A Mural on Ocean Park Boulevard.  Council also approved a memorandum of understanding with city employees (non-safety) regarding medical insurance coverage;  a tentative tract map for 1906-1922 Broadway;  a final parcel map for a condominium project at 1237 24th Street;  and a statement of official action for a project at 2901 Ocean Park Boulevard, which Council voted on in  February 2005;

CLOSED SESSION  After discussing the matters in closed session, the Council voted in open session to approve a civil rights case settlement for $56,000 and a trip and fall case settlement for $35, 230.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS  Council denied an appeal of the Planning Commission's approval of the remaining phases of the Big Blue Bus facility expansion plan.  The plan includes a new, 3-story administration building at 612 Colorado with 3 levels of subterranean parking,  a 2-story maintenance building along 7th Street, a facility for the operations of Ocean Park Community Center Access Center and SWASHLOCK, and a repaved bus yard.  The appellant contested the project's public entrance, pedestrian orientation and landscaped areas and absence of night time public parking in the subterranean garage.   Based on Big Blue Bus staff's concern with access and security issues, and the intent and purpose of the sources of the project funding, Council eliminated the condition imposed by the Planning Commission requiring after-hours parking within the project's subterranean garage.  Council directed staff to return with options to provide after-hours public parking in the garage and an information item regarding anticipated delay costs, to be provided within one week.

Council also heard an appeal of a denial of a conditional use permit for two new restaurants at 3115 and 3119 Santa Monica Boulevard. Council denied the appeal and upheld the Planning Commission’s denial of the conditional use permit for the project.

STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS  After hearing from more than five members of the public, Council considered a master facilities agreement with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.  The agreement will provide unrestricted revenue to the School District in return for City use of school facilities in Santa Monica. In the first year of the agreement the City will provide $6 million to the District. Council approved the agreement leaving the timing of the payment from the City to the District to be determined by the City Manager and the Superintendent of the District.

Council also discussed proposed rules and regulations regarding use of the new skate park--The Cove-- to be opened in spring 2005.  The rules are designed to insure safety and smooth operation of the skate park. Council voted to approve the regulations with the understanding the rules shall not be enforced to prevent skaters from using their skates for transport to and from the park.

PUBLIC HEARINGS  Council held a public hearing on the Housing Authority’s annual Section 8 Renewal Plan. Council voted to approve the Public Housing Authority Agency Plan and certified its compliance with the Consolidated Plan.

APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS  The Council continued the appointments to the Commission for the Status of Women and the Pier Restoration Corporation.

Council also voted to reconsider Sally Breiter’s appointment to the Commission for the Senior Community, made on March 22, 2005, and void the appointment. Council also accepted with regret the resignation letter of Karl Buchta from the Convention and Visitors Bureau and authorized posting of the vacancy.  Staff was directed to come back with information on the composition and methods of appointment to the CVB board before June.

OTHER MATTERS  Councilmember McKeown’s request that the City support SB 596 was withdrawn at the request of Councilmember McKeown because the bill is in the process of being amended.

Council also authorized Mayor O’Connor’s request to use Council travel funds to attend a United Nations-sponsored conference, World Environmental Day, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Council also considered a request of Councilmember Katz that Council restore support of Celebrate America fireworks at Santa Monica College and increase support from $10,000 to $15,000. Council approved the request and asked the college to insure that the fireworks will use up-to-date technology to minimize any environmental effects.

The Council meeting was adjourned in memory of Dan Cohen, former member of the Commission for the Senior Community, who passed away on March 25 at the age of 90.  Mr. Cohen served as on the commission from 1979–1990 and was an emeritus member from 1994–2004.  He was also founding member of Santa Monicans for Renter’s Rights and devoted much of his life to fighting for union workers, tenants and students.  

Council also adjourned in the memory of Rosalyn Jill Griffin Payne, sister of Stephanie Negriff, director of the Big Blue Bus.  Ms. Payne was born in Los Angeles, and one of Ms. Negriff's fondest memories as a child was going together to the Pacific Ocean Park amusement park years ago. Council also noted the passing of Pope John Paul II. 

The next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled for April 26, 2005, beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the wheelchair-accessible Council Chamber at City Hall.  Council meetings are aired live on CityTV Channel 16 and on the Netcast on the city's website and, for regularly scheduled meetings from 8 p.m. to midnight on KCRW 89.9 FM.

NOTE:  This wrap-up is not an official record of Council action.  The official record is posted by the City Clerk on this website at http://www.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/2005/ as soon as possible after the meeting.  (Click on the April 12 agenda link.)

SPECIAL NOTE:  Council meetings are now video streamed on the web 
(http://santamonica.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2) and re-aired on CityTV2 cable channel 20.

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MEETING WRAP-UP ARCHIVE