AUGUST 9, 2005

CONSENT CALENDAR   Among matters not requiring extensive discussion, the following were approved by the City Council:  purchase of furniture for the new Main Library; purchase of Motorola radio equipment for the Fire Department; contract with Waste Management, Inc., for contaminated soil remediation at the Airport Park project site; resolution authorizing the city’s participation in the Safe Haven Program for Children and the city’s fire stations as “safe surrender” sites for newborn babies; waiving Civic Auditorium rental and parking fees for SAMOHI College Fairs on October 18, 2005 and October 3, 2006; and a contract with John S. Meek Company for Phase II of the structural rehabilitation and repair of the Santa Monica Pier.

CLOSED SESSION  In open session, Council approved two settlements discussed in closed session:  a $229,191 settlement of attorney's fees in the case of City of Santa Monica v. Stewart; and a $75,000 settlement in the case of Linda Reinbold v. City of Santa Monica.

ORDINANCES  The Council held second reading and adopted ordinances 1) establishing a new 5/10K beach-view race route; 2) allowing administrative approval of number of types of driveways required for parking structures with over 40 spaces; 3) adopting the 2005 California Energy Code and local amendments to the California Building, Energy and Plumbing Codes; and 4) amending and clarifying two sections of the Landmarks Ordinance.  Council held first reading on ordinances allowing existing commercial and industrial uses with valid conditional use permits with expiration dates to remain, subject to a renewed CUP; and extending the ordinance on fences, hedges and walls adopted on July 26, 2005 to March 31, 2007.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

DENSITY BONUS—Council gave input to staff on how best to align the city’s local affordable housing objectives with recent changes in the state’s, an alignment that must occur prior to conclusion of the ongoing Land Use and Circulation Element update process.  Council expressed concerns about implications of the new state law on local parking.  Staff will return within an ordinance for Council consideration. 

BOND REISSUANCE—Council authorized refinancing of Wastewater Revenue Bonds, originally issued in 1993, to take advantage of lower interest rates in the bond market and save the city money on long-term debt service payments.

PRODUCT SAMPLES—Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance restricting distribution of commercial product samples and promotional materials on public property to the Bayside District and Santa Monica Pier, which will allow the Pier Restoration Corporation and Bayside Corporation to implement sampling permit programs.  

DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT—Council gave the nod to staff to negotiate a development agreement within parameters recommended by the Planning and Landmarks Commissions for the properties at 1327-1337 Ocean Avenue.  The developer plans to construct a 75-room hotel and restaurant incorporating historic structures on the property.  

OTHER MATTERS  After hearing from residents regarding day laborers congregating at 11th Street and Colorado, and from the City Manager on approaches to the problem already considered, Council asked staff to look at the situation anew to see what relief might be afforded to nearby residents and businesses. 

COUNCILMEMBER ITEMS  Council discussed the potential for shifting funds budgeted for three new Code Compliance positions to other community priorities, but decided to wait for a full discussion of Code Compliance planned for October 11, allowing recruitment for two of the positions to proceed in the meantime.  

In response to City Manager Susan E. McCarthy’s announcement of August 1 that she plans to retire later this year, Council appointed an ad hoc committee of Mayor O’Connor and Councilmember Robert Holbrook to oversee recruitment of candidates for the position of City Manager and directed staff to engage an executive search firm.  Council praised McCarthy for her service to the city. 

APPOINTMENTS  Council made the following Board and Commission appointments:

• Commission for the Senior Community—Rosemary Regalbuto

• Bayside District Corporation—Kelley Wallace

• Building & Safety Commission—Charles Muttillo

The balance of the appointments were continued.

Council adjourned in memory of Michael Schmidt, lifelong resident and son of a member of our Library staff and cousin of former Councilmember Kelly Olsen; and Nicholas J. Evans McGee, son of Trinity Baptist Church Pastor and Mrs. McGee, who died in an automobile accident at the young age of 21.  Council expressed deep sympathy to both families.

The next regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13, 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.