NEW MAIN LIBRARY
CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING

With a festive air and a good deal of civic pride, the new Main Library opened its doors in grand style on Saturday, January 7. After author-actor Jamie Lee Curtis had extolled the virtues of libraries and the ribbon across the entrance was cut, more than 6,000 people streamed through the library during the day, admiring its landscaped courtyards and other features of the 104,000 square foot, environmentally friendly facility, designed by award-winning architects, Moore Ruble Yudell. Fellow celebrity and children’s book author, Rhea Perlman, also read to a throng of young readers, and CityTV carried live coverage of interviews with local authors Sid Fleischman, Ernest Marquez, Carolyn See and Sonya Sones.

But it was the building and—like any good book— the contents itself, that got rave reviews. Visitors

Cont. on page 2 

Under the “Underwater Canopy” in the central
courtyard of the new library

 

Long-Range Council Agenda Items

MAJOR MATTERS EXPECTED TO COME BEFORE CITY COUNCIL IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH:

FEBRUARY
• Report from city's Representative on Homeless
   Initiatives
• Auto dealers ordinance
• Child care linkage & arts requirement for developers
• Approval of new Carousel rates
• Appeal of Landmarks Commission decision on 1012
   Second St.
• Employee permits in preferential parking zones
• Revision to city investment policy
• Downtown design guidelines
• Downtown Parking Program EIR certification
• 415 PCH design and use program

MARCH
• Study session on solid waste
• Green Building ordinance amendment
• Watershed Management Plan
• Community Energy Independence Initiative
• Appeal of Planning Commission decision on 609
   Broadway
• Exposition Right-of-Way Preservation District
   ordinance
• Affordable housing ordinance

The long-range nature of this list means that some items may not be heard in the month originally scheduled, as new matters emerge and agendas are re-worked. No item will come to Council before the date originally published. Also available on-line at
www.smgov.net.

P. LAMONT EWELL BEGINS TENURE AS CITY MANAGER
Following a nationwide search, P. Lamont Ewell was appointed by the Santa Monica City Council to succeed City Manager Susan E. McCarthy, who retired in December. In introducing the former San Diego city manager at the November 22 Council meeting, the Mayor said of Ewell, “The confidence the San Diego Council showed in him, and the experience he’s gained throughout his career, give us every confidence that he is the right person at the right time for Santa Monica.” Ewell spoke of his elation at the opportunity to serve with his new co-workers in a city “highly regarded
for...addressing issues head-on.” He added that he recognizes the high standard set by his predecessor, “one of the best city managers in this nation, Susan McCarthy.” The new city manager took the helm on
January 16.

Ewell began his career as a firefighter in Compton and rose through the ranks there and in Prince George’s County, Maryland, to become the fire chief of Oakland, California, in 1991—just 13 days before the devastating Oakland Hills fire. He distinguished himself in managing that disaster and rebuilding the area and was later named assistant city manager of Oakland.

In 1997, Ewell became city manager of Durham, North Carolina, where he restructured government for improved service delivery to the public and helped jumpstart the downtown renaissance now underway. Recruited to San Diego in 2001, he was named assistant city manager, responsible for the day-to-day operation of all city departments. He became city manager there in 2004. San Diego has some 11,000 employees and a current budget of $2.4 billion (all funds). The new city manager holds a degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and a master’s in general administration from the University of Maryland. He and his wife, Mary, have two
grown children.

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CITY BIDS FAREWELL TO SUSAN E. MCCARTHY

Former City Manager Susan E. McCarthy was honored by the community at a farewell reception at Miles Playhouse on Thursday evening, December 8, her final day on the job after 24 years with the City of Santa Monica, the last six as city manager.

More than 300 people stopped by to wish McCarthy well in retirement and to applaud her many accomplishments. Tributes, both spoken and sung, abounded and a $3,000 book scholarship in her name, to be given to a college-bound PAL student, was announced. The scholarship was funded through donations made in McCarthy’s honor by many community members, friends and colleagues.

REBATES AVAILABLE FOR HIGH-EFFICIENCY TOILETS

In the 1990s, the City of Santa Monica made great strides in reducing water use
with the introduction of ultra-low flow toilet (ULFT) fixtures. In 2006, there’s a
new standard in water savings. The high-efficiency toilet (HET) has a powerful
flush that uses 1.3 gallons of water or less, a citywide savings of at least 29,000
gallons per year compared to ULFT use. Rebates of $25 are available to those who
replace a 1.6 gpf toilet or install a HET as part of a new construction project.
Rebates of $130 are available for replacement of toilets using 1.7 gpf or higher. To
learn more about rebates and eligibility, visit www.smepd.org or call 1-866-728-
3229. Applications are also available at the City Hall Info Desk, 1685 Main Street.