November 28, 2006

CLEAN AIR MESSAGE FROM THE REGIONAL AIR QUALITY BOARD - On the heels of the adoption of the city’s the new smoke-free regulations ("Fresh Air Santa Monica"), Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry bid tidings to the Council to advocate for clean air and inform them of the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s 2007 draft air quality plan. Perry, a SCAQMD Board member representing cities in the western portion of Los Angeles County including Santa Monica, asked for community input on the plan which proposes ways to further reduce emissions to reach regional clean air goals.

CONSENT CALENDAR – Among items not requiring discussion, Council approved $10,000 for additional analysis and presentations by the Urban Institute, which is evaluating the city’s homeless services system; approved amendments to a lease for property owned by the city at 2715 Exposition Boulevard; and adopted a resolution giving the City Manager for three years the authority to submit and sign applications to the state for used-oil recycling and household hazardous waste grants.  Council also approved a purchase order for the installation of specialized equipment in police vehicles and approved additional funds to pay for modifications made to an aerial ladder truck that was approved last year.  Council also agreed to cover costs associated with a pilot project implemented over the summer for restroom attendants at parking structures 3 and 4 in the downtown area, and to continue the program through June 2007.  Council continued discussion to December 5 of a staff report requesting replacement of four trash trucks. Council asked for more detailed financial information and analysis.  

CHILD CARE LINKAGE FEE PROGRAM – After two speakers and about 30 minutes of debate, Council introduced an ordinance that will charge fees to ensure that developers of new workplace and residential development mitigate the increased demand for child care.  The child care linkage fee, which has been under study since 2003, will charge a fee on new office ($5.27 per square foot), hotel ($2.64 per square foot), retail ($3.77 per square foot) and multi-family residential ($111 per unit) development over 7,500 square feet to fund the creation of new child care spaces in the city.  Affordable and senior housing projects would be exempt. It is anticipated that the fees collected the first five years would be used for a child care center in the Civic Center Specific Plan area; use of future funds would be subject to a request for proposal. 

DEVELOPER CULTURAL ARTS REQUIREMENT – Council also introduced an ordinance requiring new commercial and multi-family residential development to incorporate art and cultural resources into the projects or make an in-lieu payment to be used citywide.  The ordinance requires developers make a contribution of 2% of the average construction cost of the development for on-site public art, or pay 1% as an in-lieu payment.  The ordinance applies to new commercial projects over 7,500 square feet, remodels and tenant improvements over 25,000 square feet and requiring approval of the Architectural Review Board, and new multi-family residential of five or more units.  Council continued to the next meeting adoption of a resolution setting the average construction costs.

OCEANA  HOTEL – Council heard first reading of an ordinance that would raise the number of hotel rooms that can be added to any existing hotels in the R2 and R3 districts.  The existing law allows a 5% increase, based on what existed on January 1, 1995; the new law would allow up to 25%.  This change was proposed by the Oceana Hotel at 849 Ocean Avenue, which requested an additional seven guest rooms through the division of existing rooms.

PREFERENTIAL PARKING – More restrictive preferential parking regulations were approved for “Zone N,” the area bounded by 19th Street, Santa Monica Boulevard, 14th Street and Wilshire Boulevard. The regulations would be changed to disallow any parking, except by permit, Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. - 2 a.m., and Sunday 3 p.m.- 2 a.m.  Council also asked staff to review this zone and propose recommendations that consider the parking and transportation needs of the large medical facilities in this area, reporting information back to Council as the review proceeds.   

COUNCILMEMBER ITEMS: ELECTIONS AND METRO BOARD –  In July 2006, Council had directed staff to provide information on public financing of campaigns and options for changes to local campaign contribution regulations by November 2007.  Council requested that staff report back by January or February 2007 with information and a public hearing on comprehensive campaign finance reform, including clarification of the Oaks Initiative; broader application of contribution limits, if legal; discussion of a structure of public financing of campaigns; and involvement of the community and local experts.  

They also supported Councilmember O’Connor’s reappointment to the Metro Board (as the Southwest Corridor representative) and directed staff to take all appropriate actions to convey the city’s support and to encourage other jurisdictions to do likewise.   

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS - Council accepted with regret the resignation from the Commission for the Senior Community of Marilyn Korade Wilson, who was recently elected to the Rent Control Board. 

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 p.m. The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5, 2006 beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the wheelchair-accessible Council Chamber at City Hall.  No other regularly scheduled Council meetings will occur in December.  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. 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/2006/ as soon as possible after the meeting. (Click on the November 28, 2006 agenda link.)