CONSENT CALENDAR Among matters not requiring extensive discussion, the following were approved by Council: A contract with Palmer & Dodge for legal services related to the resolution of the Landing Fee Program at the Santa Monica Airport and to assist in future discussions with the FAA regarding airport operational issues; a contract with Kane, Ballmer & Berkman for legal services on behalf of the city, Redevelopment Agency and Parking Authority; a contract with Hinderliter, de Llamas and Associates for sales and use tax auditing and reporting services; a final parcel map for 914 5th St.; and a concession agreement with G.W. Inc. to operate The Bookmark Café at the new Main Library, which will open in January 2006.

STUDY SESSION The community and the Council responded to the Opportunities and Challenges Report prepared as the second comprehensive report in the Land Use and Circulation Elements (LUCE) Update Project (also known as Shape the Future 2025 and Motion by the Ocean). The report, which outlines major policy questions that have emerged through public input and research, has been available for review since late July. More than 40 residents spoke, most concerned about traffic, density, commercial and residential growth, neighborhood scale, child care, building heights, sustainability and historic preservation, and desiring to ensure that resident interests are reflected when the factors in the report begin to be shaped into a plan or plan alternatives for consideration by the Planning Commission, Council and community as the project moves forward. Councilmembers commented on a wide variety of policy areas, including adaptive reuse of property, safe routes to schools as part of the circulation element, light rail line and shuttle service, meeting retail needs of the community, coordinating planning with institutions and large employers particularly in terms of circulation, transit-oriented development and addition/maintenance of rental housing. The Council also expressed interest in a future community process for Airport land use decisions and including policies about use of non-aviation land in the LUCE. The Mayor thanked the Planning staff for their good work on the project and providing the framework within which decision making by the community and Council can take place.

ORDINANCES The Council held second reading and adopted ordinances 1) extending the time for display of unattended structures (i.e., holiday displays) in Palisades Park into January and 2) creating a bus-only lane in current parking lanes during peak traffic periods on Lincoln Boulevard.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS The Council approved modifications to the policies and guidelines for licensing portions of the 1550 parking lot north of the Santa Monica Pier for special uses during the off-season period, to generate additional revenue for the Beach Fund.

APPOINTMENTS Council reappointed Richard Hilton to the Disabilities Commission and accepted with regret Wilfred K.C. Lee’s resignation from the Social Services Commission. Other appointments were continued.

OTHER MATTERS Council designated a schedule for Councilmember attendance at the two-day public workshop on 415 PCH on October 1 and 2, so all Councilmembers can attend without violating the Brown Act. [The schedule for the workshop is available on-line at http://www.smgov.net/news/releases/archive/2005/ccs20050922.htm].

Council directed that a discussion be agendized in the next few months on the general philosophy of leasing city assets, including how to treat existing operators in an RFP process and how best to encourage small businesses.

All other matters on the September 27, 2005 agenda were continued to a future meeting.

ADJOURNMENT Council adjourned the meeting by wishing members of the community a Happy Jewish New Year and noting that the end of Ramadahn is next week.

The next regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, October 11, 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.