May 8, 2007 

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://santa-monica.org/cityclerk/council/agendas/2007/ as soon as possible after the meeting.  (Click on the May 8 agenda link.)

CONTINUED ITEMS – The following items were continued to future meetings:

• Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation of 130-142 San Vicente Boulevard

• Appeal of Landmarks Commission’s Certificate of Appropriateness denying reconstruction of brick work at 2402 4th Street

• Ordinance modifying Municipal Code provisions governing the amount of permanent relocation fees and code provisions governing rights and responsibilities with respect to temporary relocation benefits

• Master Facility Use Agreement with Santa Monica – Malibu Unified School District

• Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Commission on the Status of Women

Consent Calendar – Among matters not requiring extensive discussion, the Council approved a final parcel map for a 4-unit condominium project at  852 10th Street; a final tract map for an 8-unit condominium project at 2510 7th Street and a contract extension in the amount of $8,872 for additional improvements to underground storage tanks at various locations.

After brief discussion, Council approved contracts for the implementation of the Downtown Advanced Traffic Management System and directed staff to appropriate funds for the project in the fiscal year 2007/2008 budget.

Closed Session – Council approved four settlements: $53,300 related to back taxes; $105,000 for a civil rights case; $35,000 resulting from an accident with a city vehicle; and a time extension to receive building permits related to a previous settlement.

Study Session – Council held a study session presenting the results of studies on water and wastewater rates and proposed timing of rate adjustments. The study confirmed that both water and wastewater utilities have had expenditures growing greater than revenue. Staff highlighted different options to stabilize the funds over a five-year period. Moving forward, staff is exploring other options to reduce the needed rate adjustments. The matter will return to Council on June 19 with formal rate recommendations for Council’s consideration. At that time, staff will provide additional information on rate structure options and impacts on different customer classes. Staff will was also provide information on division strategies to implement greater efficiencies and what rate changes comparison cities have planned for the next five years. Staff will also present recommendations to provide low-income assistance.

Ordinances – Following a second reading, Council adopted an ordinance approving a Development Agreement to allow a 73-room hotel at 1327-1337 Ocean Avenue.

Several ordinances were introduced for first reading:

• Amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 2.24.073, increasing the dollar limit threshold for professional services agreements requiring Council approval to $70,000, in conformance with the City Charter and keeping the limit in line with inflation.

• Extending the authorization for the issuance of preferential employee parking permits for specific businesses. Staff will continue to identify opportunities to modify the program as it continues and will explore program expansion opportunities.

• Prohibiting the donation of food, clothing or other property by leaving it in city parks, parkways and sidewalks.

• Modifying the city’s Zoning Ordinance to authorize a two-lot subdivision that retains a single-family residence with nonconforming setbacks under specific circumstance.

• Extending an initial emergency ordinance modifying the development review thresholds to require that any development over 50 units obtain a development review permit.

• An interim ordinance that establishes fees for Fire Department response to excessive false fire alarms.

Property Exchange of City Property at 1920 Ocean Way – Council authorized staff to solicit proposals for the exchange of the city- owned lot for another property to be used for affordable housing and meeting the defined criteria, as amended. Council directed staff to have an updated appraisal prior to returning to Council.

Public Hearing and Approval of the FY 07-08 HUD One-Year Action Plan – Council approved the plan and authorized staff to submit required documents to HUD.   

Other Matters – Council directed staff to provide comprehensive information, options and recommendations on the city’s multi-family housing ownership conversion policies and the potential impacts of tenancies-in-common.

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 9:26 p.m. in memory of Shirley Edith Moskowitz Gruber.  The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is on Tuesday, May 22, 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.

CITY COUNCIL NETCAST!
Watch and listen to Santa Monica City Council meetings on the Web!

MEETING WRAP-UP ARCHIVE