Consent calendar – Among matters not requiring extensive discussion, Council:
• Approved final tract map 068358 for a six unit project at 1920 Montana Ave.
• Approved a contract with Siemens TS in the amount of $151,500 for the purchase of 86 traffic signal controllers.
• Approved a $200,000 extension with L.A. Cha for custodial services for the Public Safety Facility.
• Donated one used Interceptor Traffic Scooter to the Santa Monica High School Athletic Department.
• Approved a contract in the amount of $1,237,825 with C.T.&F. for the street and park lighting project.
• Approved an amendment in the amount of $390,000 with Midwest Environmental and a $49,500 amendment with Smith-Emery for Deputy Inspection services for the Annenberg Community Beach House project.
• Approved the use of the official City seal on the DC-3 Monument at Santa Monica Airport.
Closed Session – There was a settlement related to a proposed development project at 2300 Wilshire Blvd.
Study Session – The City Attorney and outside legal Counsel provided an update on the status of the pending disputes between the City and the Federal Aviation Administration related to Santa Monica Airport. Council heard public input to receive input.
Ordinances – Council adopted on second reading an ordinance adding Chapter 4.45 to the Municipal Code to create a tobacco retailer licensing program.
Council introduced ordinances:
• amending Municipal Code Sections 9.04.02.030.825 and 9.04.20.34.030 and adding 9.04.18.085 to modify the threshold at which a structure is determined to be substantially remodeled and establishing the procedures for exceptions and adjustments in specified circumstances.
• extending interim Ordinance Nos. 2250 and 2256 (CCS) clarifying that only one new multifamily construction project is allowed within a 500-foot radius in the City's multi-family residential districts and modifying these interim ordinances to establish the maximum length of time that projects subject to the construction rate program can be delayed.
Report on Transportation Impact Fee – Staff presented a review of the work that was done pursuant to Council’s 1991 adoption of an ordinance creating a transportation impact fee. Council received and filed the report. Council also provided input on additional mitigation fees to review, such as parks fees.
Exchange of City-owned property at 1920 Ocean Way and solicitation of residential development proposals for 1828 Ocean Avenue – Council authorized staff to enter into exclusive negotiations, utilizing the recommended negotiating requirements, with Neptune Walk LLC and Edward Thomas Companies, owners of the 1828 Ocean Ave. property and directed staff to issue an RFP for the proposed property.
Public Hearing for Street Light Assessment District –Council held the public hearing considering the formation of assessment districts on 15th Street from Alta Ave. to Montana Ave. and on Urban Ave. from Yorkshire Ave. to Dorchester Ave and continued the hearing to November 25 to certify the results.
Public Hearing to adopt a Negative Declaration and adopt the 2008-2014
General Plan Housing Element – Council adopted the Initial Study/Negative Declaration and adopted a resolution adopting the 2008-2014 General Plan Housing Element, as revised.
Other Matters – Council took the follow additional actions:
• Appointed Walter Myers to the Arts Commission.
• Appointed Hannah Galloway and Anne Goeke to the Commission on the Status of Women.
• Approved the City of Santa Monica the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action & Sustainability Charter and instruct the City Manager to support and participate in this worthwhile effort and, further, that the City of Santa Monica encourage other local jurisdictions and key stakeholders throughout Los Angeles County to formally participate in this Collaborative.
• Directed the City Manager present the City Council and community with an update on economic matters of concern to the City of Santa Monica, including analysis of short and long term economic trends and their impact on the City's economy, recent Federal legislation to address the banking and credit industries and the recently adopted State budget.
• Appointed Joel Brand to Pier Restoration Corporation.
• Appointed Frank Schwengel as an Emeritus on the Recreation and Parks Commission.
• Accepted Bruce Kragen’s resignation from the Commission for the Senior Community and authorize the City Clerk to publish the vacancy.
• Directed staff to report on the use of the median on 4th Street, near Adelaide, for exercising purposes including the associated allocation of resources to enforce existing laws at the location and for the City Manager to confirm that the enforcement activities were not undertaken at the request of any councilmember(s), but in response to complaints from San Vicente Avenue tenants and condominium owners.
• Adopted a resolution by which the City of Santa Monica would join the City and County of Los Angeles in declaring December 18, 2008 the second annual "A Day Without a Bag," encouraging holiday shopping with reusable tote bags rather than single-use plastic and paper carry-out bags, in the interest of sustainability, reduction of landfill and protection of the marine environment.
ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING - The meeting was adjourned at 10:47 in memory of Diane Howell, Jay Fiondella, Michael Kraten, Peter Wolf and Sylvia Phelps. The next meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is a regular meeting on November 25, 2008 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.