March 13, 2007 

Consent Calendar – Among matters not requiring extensive discussion, the Council approved an agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. to assist the city’s Solid Waste Management Division in completing Requests for Proposals related to commercial solid waste collection and the transfer facility.

Closed Session – Council approved a settlement in the amount of $131,875 related to a bus accident.

Custodial Services for the Santa Monica Pier – Council continued discussions from January 9 related to contracting custodial services at the Pier. Staff presented updated information about its approach and additional outreach to the Pier Restoration Corporation and Municipal Employees Association. After a short discussion where concerns regarding contracting out services were expressed, Council approved a contract with The Resource Collection for custodial services at the Pier. A detailed policy discussion related to contracting out will be before Council within the next few months.  

Ordinances – Following a second reading, Council adopted an ordinance regulating sampling on the Third Street Promenade and Pier.

An ordinance was introduced that would exempt from parking meter fees vehicles displaying honorific license plates: Congressional Medal of Honor, Legion of Valor, Purple Heart, Prisoner of War and Pearl Harbor survivor. The exemption would also apply to vehicles displaying the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) decals.

An ordinance was also introduced that allows the conversion of 7,492 square feet of ground floor parking area into office space in the C2 neighborhood commercial district. The ordinance amendment was filed by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science, which proposes to convert ground floor parking area into office space.

Proposed Public Financing of Electoral Campaigns – Staff presented information summarizing legal and technical approaches to public financing of election campaigns. Staff also presented a plan option to open discussion that could be in place by 2008 which could:

• Require $3,000 in qualifying contributions.

• Set a qualifying period of 3 months.

• Enable participating candidates to receive $50,000 following the conclusion of the qualifying period and returning the $3,000 in qualifying contributions to the city.

• Enable candidates to receive an additional $50,000 that could be used to respond to non-participating opposing candidates.

After hearing from more than 30 speakers and a lengthy discussion which highlighted the complexity of the issue, Council directed staff to conduct public workshops to discuss ways to improve the electoral process. Staff will also present information on legal decisions related to regulating independent committee expenditures, more information on raising the campaign contribution limit and possible options for furthering intent of current law.    

Temporary Office Building – Council directed staff to present the concept of a temporary building to the Landmarks Commission and return to Council with input provided for consideration as to whether to continue with a project. Staff will also provide information on space needs for city offices.

Design of Office Space in the Old Jail – Council authorized a professional services agreement with Natoma Architects, Inc., for design of office space in the area of City Hall that once housed the city jail.

Public Safety Storage Facility – An item that would have presented a schematic design for the development of a storage facility at the Airport was withdrawn by staff.

Vehicle and Pedestrian License Agreement – An extension of a pedestrian and vehicle license agreement with Santa Monica College (SMC) through July 31, 2007 was approved. The agreement allows for students at SMC’s Bundy campus to exit the facility through Airport property.  

Douglas Aircraft Company DC-3 Monument – A monument plaza at the intersection of Airport Avenue and Donald Douglas Loop South was approved. The Plaza, directly across the street from Airport Park will serve as home to a DC-3 aircraft that was donated to the city.

Other Matters: Council discussed the appointment of Council members as liaisons to Boards and Commissions. Council member McKeown was appointed to the following commissions: Landmarks, Arts, Planning, Housing and Environmental Task force.  

Council also continued discussion on agenda management that was started at the January 6 Council Workshop and discussed various ideas to better manage the agenda, some ideas expressed included: consideration of more subcommittees; building consensus on motions earlier; give mayor permission to advance the agenda, consider the length of the agenda; limit staff reports and discussion; concise staff reports; reservation of times for additional meetings. Council ended with direction for staff to return with a modification to Council rules for discussion which would reduce the number of speakers before speaking time limits are reduced to two minutes.

Amy Bishop Dunbar was appointed to the Commission on the Status of Women.

Council also directed staff to present to Council a discussion clarifying or modifying the types of vehicles that will be able to use the lanes prior to the implementation of the proposed bus priority lanes on Lincoln Boulevard between Pico Boulevard and the south city limits.

Council continued discussions on Council Contingency use and reconsideration of red light camera.  

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 12:52 a.m. in memory of Dimitrios ("Jimmy") Stathakis, night manager at Izzy’s Deli, and Bob Hattoy, Santa Monica resident who was an environmental and AIDS activist.

The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 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.

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