The Santa Monica City Council began their meeting of July 12, 2005 by recognizing the Santa Monica Historical Society on the occasion of the city’s 130th birthday.  Cake was served and organizations were encouraged to plan events in celebration of the occasion throughout the year.

HEDGES, FENCES & WALLS  The City Council held first reading on an ordinance establishing new standards for hedges, fences and walls in the city, directing that grandparenting be applied to existing fences and walls, in addition to hedges, without neighbor objection; adding a provision that rules be established to permit registration of grandparented hedges, fences and walls; and establishing a procedure for appeal of grandparenting decisions to the Planning Commission.  Council also reduced the application fees recommended in the staff report.

RETAIL USES ON PROMENADE  The Council held first reading on an interim ordinance extending a moratorium on new or expanded retail uses on the ground floor of buildings on the Third Street Promenade.

(A resolution related to the affordable housing fee was continued to a future meeting.)

APPEAL  The Council upheld an appeal of a Landmarks Commission designation of a property at 921 19th Street as a city landmark.

CONSENT CALENDAR  Among matters not requiring extensive discussion, Council approved a contract to design infrastructure improvements at Mountain View Mobile Home Parkauthorized acceptance of grant funds to support the reuse of 415 Pacific Coast Highway, approved a plan to improve ocean water quality, approved a contract for engineering services related to the city’s Charnock wellfield, awarded a bid to supply the motor oil and transmission fluid for the city fleet, and authorized a contract for lobbying services.

APPOINTMENTS  The Council made the following appointments:

• Accessibility Appeals Board—Elizabeth Bancroft, John Whitbread

• Airport Commission—Yoram Tal

• Architectural Review Board—Joan Charles, Lynn Robb

• Arts Commission—Suchi Branfman, Rachel Lachowicz

• Bayside District Corporation—Bill Tucker, John Warfel, Jennifer Hranilovich

• Building & Safety Commission—Kristina Andresen, Michael Ishler, David Schaffer

• Commission for the Senior Community—Joel Greenberg, Barry Seid

• Commission on the Status of Women—Geraldine Starr, Sarah Stegemoeller , Ana Jara

• Convention & Visitors Bureau—Bruce Cameron, Nat Trives, Nancy Desser

• Disabilities Commission—Amy Boersma, Samuel Genensky, Audrey Parker

• Housing Commission—Chloe Bird, Victor Ludwig, Lewis Steele, Allan Tainsky

• Landmarks Commission—John Berley, Nina Fresco

• Library Board—Dan Stern

• Personnel Board—Azita Mosbat

• Planning Commission—Hank Koning

• Recreation & Parks Commission—Alex Munoz

• Social Services Commission—Samoan Barish

The Council adjourned in memory of Conrad Melilli, long-time resident, business owner, and community activist, who passed away after a long battle with cancer on July 1.

The next regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, July 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.