CONSENT CALENDAR  Among matters usually not requiring extensive discussion, the following actions were taken by the Santa Monica City Council at their meeting of October 11, 2005:  authorized construction and construction management contracts for the annual water main replacement project, after reducing the construction management contingency to 10%; authorized a contract, without contingency, for design of Yale Street improvements and directed staff to prioritize data collection on adjacent streets to gauge impacts from Yale improvements, with an eye toward appropriate mitigations on those streets if necessary in the future; approved a final tract map for a 5-unit condominium project at 1035 19th Street; approved a contract for construction of the Santa Monica Well No. 1 Fluoridation Project; and authorized the city manager to execute memoranda of understanding with three employee bargaining units. 

SPECIAL AGENDA ITEM  Six members of the public, one representing the Ocean Park Association, shared thoughts with the Council about the desirable skills, abilities and professional experience to be sought in a new city manager.  [City Manager Susan E. McCarthy is retiring later this year and recruitment for her successor is underway.]  The mayor announced that, in addition to speaking to Council at this meeting, residents are invited to submit their thoughts on qualities desired in a new city manager to Council over the next few weeks via e-mail to council@santa-monica.org with a copy to the Mills Group, the firm retained to assist with the recruitment, at lmills@themillsgroup.net, by fax at 310-458-1621, by leaving a phone message for Council at 310-458-8301, or by letter mailed to Santa Monica City Council, P.O. Box 2200, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2200.  Council expects to interview candidates in early November and hopes to make a selection by Thanksgiving. 

ORDINANCES:  Affordable Housing Fee  Council held first reading of an ordinance increasing the affordable housing fee for new market-rate multifamily developments, with amendments relating to timing of payment (no earlier than date the building permit is obtained, and then any time up to date the certificate of occupancy is received) and applicability to current projects (increase applies to all development applications deemed complete after the effective date of the ordinance, which is 30 days after 2nd reading and adoption).

Balconies, Porches, Sloping Parcels  Council held first reading of an interim ordinance on development standards for parcels in the R-1 districts in the Sunset Park and North of Wilshire neighborhoods, modifying standards and approval procedure related to balconies and covered porches but not changing the current process for developments on sloping parcels (review by Architectural Review Board, appealable to Planning Commission). 

Sexually Oriented Businesses/Massage Parlors  Council held first reading of an ordinance related to sexually oriented businesses, clarifying the definitions, location and spacing requirements, signage restriction and restrictions on sale and transfer.  In a related matter, Council heard proposals for updating the city’s massage regulations and directed staff to rework the massage ordinance for Council consideration,  focusing on the health and safety provisions of the ordinance which have been helpful in ensuring that legitimate massage businesses may operate and making it easier for the city to crack down on illegitimate businesses.   

2ND/4TH STREET PEDESTRIAN AND STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS Council gave conceptual approval to the schematic design elements for lighting, tree, and mid-block crosswalk enhancements to Downtown streets between Colorado and Wilshire and directed staff to identify funds, perhaps through an assessment, to pay for tree uplighting planned for the project but not yet funded.   

OTHER MATTERS  Council adopted a resolution approving a replacement housing plan, as required by law, in conjunction with the proposed 2411 and 2413 Centinela Avenue Project.  The units demolished at those locations will be replaced by new housing on the properties.  Council held a public hearing and adopted a resolution approving issuance of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority.   

Promenade Cart Program  Council also heard from several current Promenade cart vendors regarding the new cart program set to roll out in mid-November and from representatives of Provenzano Resources, Inc., the new program operator, and directed staff to: 1) find ways to allow current operators/carts to continue for the maximum amount of time possible before the new program begins; 2) investigate allegations made by current operators; and 3) do pro formas on a couple of cart types (e.g., perfume, jewelry) to show the relationship between rent and profit.   

Bayou La Batre  Council approved the loan of 18 vehicles and equipment to Bayou La Batre, Alabama, a small town of 2500 whose entire fishing fleet and seafood processing industry was wiped out, along with 1000 of the city’s 1500 homes, by Hurricane Katrina.  Santa Monica has “adopted” Bayou La Batre as part of a program begun by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and National Conference of Black Mayors.  Bayou La Batre was the setting for the founding of Bubba Gump Shrimp in the movie “Forrest Gump."

COUNCILMEMBER ITEMS  Council approved a Councilmember request to direct staff to prepare an ordinance requiring city grantees and contractors to offer medical benefits for registered domestic partners of their employees.  Council nominated Councilmember Richard Bloom to continue to serve on the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission Governing Board, to be the designated voting representative for Santa Monica and authorized staff to assist in his election to the Board.

APPOINTMENTS  Council appointed Amanda Nevers to the Commission on the Status of Women.  The other appointment was continued.

CONTINUED MATTERS  The following items were continued to upcoming Council meetings:  Composition of the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Board of Directors, Relocation Assistance Rules and Regulations, Establishment of a Relocation Appeals Board, Approval of a Relocation Plan for Proposed 2411 and 2423 Centinela Avenue Project, and discussion of 2005-06 Code Enforcement Program and Priorities.

ADJOURNMENT  Council adjourned in memory of Ralph Hedges, long-time resident, decorated WWII hero, graduate of UCLA, and a high school chemistry teacher until his retirement in 1988.  He was a Meals on Wheels volunteer and active in many other community organizations.  Council expressed deep sympathy to his family.

Council also adjourned in memory of Liz Roberson, who has been a travel counselor and “urban legend” for many years at the Visitors Kiosk in Palisades Park.  She will be greatly missed.

And Council adjourned in memory of city employee Natalie Moorings, administrative staff assistant in the Engineering Division, who recently passed away after a courageous fight against cancer.  She will be forever remembered by her family and her close friends and co-workers at City Hall.

The next regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25, 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.