1 December 19, 2023
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
DECEMBER 19, 2023
A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Brock at 6:44 p.m., on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA Roll Call: Present: Mayor Phil Brock
Mayor Pro Tem Lana Negrete
Councilmember Gleam Davis
Councilmember Oscar de la Torre (absent)
Councilmember Christine Parra
Councilmember Caroline Torosis
Councilmember Jesse Zwick
Also Present: City Manager David White
City Attorney Douglas Sloan
Assistant City Clerk Nikima S. Newsome
CONVENE/PLEDGE On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened at 6:44 p.m., with all members present except Councilmember de la Torre. Councilmember Torosis led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.
GENERAL PUBLIC
INPUT:
Members of the public Jerry Rubin, Aster One,Jesus Gonzalez, Anya Baroff, Abrehet Seifu, Jazmina Cruz, Rhea Devlugt, Anthony Rosello, Sara Lee, Cristina Santiago, and Dora Hernandez commented on various local issues.
PUBLIC INPUT FOR
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS AND CONSENT
CALENDAR ONLY:
No members of the public commented on Special Agenda Items.
Members of the public Johnathan Foster and Denise Barton commented on Consent Calendar Items.
PROCLAMATIONS/
COMMENDATIONS/
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS
3.A. Recognition of Outgoing Board & Commission Members, was presented.
3.B. City Manager Report, was presented.
REPORT ON COUNCIL
TRAVEL
There was nothing to report on Council travel.
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CONSENT CALENDAR: All items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion.
At the request of Mayor Brock, Item 5.B. was removed from the Consent Calendar.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Zwick, to approve the Consent Calendar except for Item 5.B., reading resolutions by title only and waiving further reading thereof. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Torosis, Davis, Parra, Zwick,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
ELECTRONIC AGENDA
MANAGEMENT
SERVICES
5.A. Approval of Sixth Contract Modification with
Carahsoft/Granicus for Electronic Agenda Management Services, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a sixth modification to Agreement No. 9784 (CCS) in the amount of $35,754 with Carahsoft/Granicus for an agenda management software system for the Records and Election Services Department. This will result in a 12-year amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $243,500, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval; and
2. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
CITY VEHICLES 5.B. Authorization to Execute Agreements with Altec Industries, National Auto Fleet Group, and Folsom Lake Ford to Purchase City Vehicles, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines.
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11522 (CCS) with Altec Industries for the purchase of 5 vehicles and equipment for the Public Works Department. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process Docusign Envelope ID: BFE0BB36-E133-4E90-9433-C0CF632367DC 3 December 19, 2023
pursuant to Section 2.24.250 (c) and is for a total amount not to exceed $1,488,984, including a 10% contingency, over a five-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11523 (CCS) with National Auto Fleet Group for the purchase of 217 vehicles and equipment for the Public Works Department. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250 (c) and is for a total amount not to exceed $19,850,627, including a 10% contingency, over a five-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
4. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11524 (CCS) with Folsom Lake Ford for the purchase of 53 vehicles and equipment for the Public Works Department. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250 (c) and is for a total amount not to exceed $4,013,246, including a 10% contingency, over a five-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Questions asked and answered of staff included why vehicles were being purchased from northern California and not locally; and how does this purchase align with the City’s sustainability goals.
Motion by Mayor Brock, seconded by Councilmember Parra, to approve the staff recommendation. The motion was approved by the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Torosis, Davis, Parra, Zwick,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
POOL CHEMICAL AND
SUPPLIES
5.C Award Bid and Issue a Purchase Order to HASA, Inc. for Pool Chemicals and Supplies, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines.
2. Award Bid #4470 to HASA, Inc., for the purchase of pool chemicals for the Public Works Department.
3. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with HASA, Inc. for pool chemicals in an amount not to exceed $168,598 (for one year, with four additional one-year renewal option(s) to Docusign Envelope ID: BFE0BB36-E133-4E90-9433-C0CF632367DC 4 December 19, 2023
extend on the same terms and conditions) for a total amount not to exceed $1,029,305 over a five-year period which includes an annual escalator not to exceed 10%, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
FARMERS MARKET
VEHICLE BARRIERS
5.D. Award Request for Proposal to Pcubed Associates Consulting Engineers for Design Services for the Farmers Market Vehicle Barriers Installation Project, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemptions pursuant to Sections 15301 and 15311 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and Section 21080.25 of CEQA.
2. Award RFP# SP2697 to Pcubed Associates Consulting Engineers to provide engineering design services, develop construction documents, and provide engineering support during the construction of the Farmers Market Vehicle Barriers Installation Project for the Public Works Department.
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11525 (CCS) with Pcubed Associates Consulting Engineers in an amount not to exceed $155,250 (including $20,250 contingency).
PIER SECURITY
SERVICES
5.E. Approval of Fifth Modification to A. G. Coast, Inc. Contract for Security Services on the Pier, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3)(Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Award RFP #384 to A. G. Coast, Inc. dba California Panther Security for security services on the Santa Monica Pier for the Community Development Department.
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a fifth modification to Agreement No. 11259 (CCS) in an amount of $3,102,470 with A.G. Coast, Inc. dba California Panther Security for the Community Development Department. This will result in a fiveyear amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $3,102,470, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
VEHICLE LEASING
SERVICES
5.F. Approval of Second Modification to Master Equity Lease Agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management, Inc. for Vehicle Leasing Services, was approved.
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Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of exemption pursuant to Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities), 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction), and 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a second modification to Master Equity Lease Agreement No. 4631 (CCS) in the amount of $600,000 with Enterprise Fleet Management, Inc. to provide vehicle leasing services for the Police Department. This will result in a nine-year amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $1,638,120, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
REAL ESTATE
SERVICES
5.G. Approval of Lease Renewal with Snap Inc. for Property Use and Approval of Agreement Modifications with CRG and with Aeroplex for Commercial Real Estate Broker Services, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Lease Extension No. 11526 (CCS) with Snap, Inc. dba (“Snap”) for general office and administrative uses and storage of personal property.
Located at 2772-2800 Donald Douglas Loop North (“DDLN”) and 3000 31st Street.
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to Professional Services Agreement 11419 (CCS) in the amount of $2,259,094 with Corporate Realty Group (“CRG”) for commercial real estate broker services associated with these negotiations. This would result in a 5-year amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $3,423,897 with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
4. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to Professional Services Agreement No. 11381 (CCS) in the amount of $211,144 with Aeroplex Group Partners for commercial real estate broker services associated with these negotiations. This would result in a 5-year amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $2,617,236 with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
ADVOCACY AND GRANT
WRITING SERVICES
5.H. Award Request for Proposal and Enter into Agreement for State and Federal Advocacy Services and Grant Writing Services, was approved.
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Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award RFP# 376 to Shaw Yoder Antwih Schmelzer & Lange (SYASL) for state lobbying services and to Elizabeth Anderson Consulting for state grant application and acquisition services for the City of Santa Monica;
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11527 (CCS) with Shaw Yoder Antwih Schmelzer & Lange
(SYASL) for state lobbying services, in an amount not to exceed $320,360 over a 5-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval;
4. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11528 (CCS) with Elizabeth Anderson Consulting (EAC) for state grant application and acquisition services, in an amount not to exceed $100,000 over a 5-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval;
5. Award RFP# 378 to The Ferguson Group, LLC, a Washington, D.C.- based company for federal representative and legislative advocacy services and grant application and acquisition services for the City of Santa Monica; and
6. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11529 (CCS) with The Ferguson Group, LLC (TFG) for federal representative and legislative advocacy services and grant application and acquisition services, in an amount not to exceed $452,139 over a 5-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
MOSS AVENUE PUMP
STATION
5.I. Approval of Change Order to Purchase Order for Xylem Flygt Pumps for the Moss Avenue Pump Station, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15302 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a change order to purchase order #22300940 in the amount of $30,000 with Xylem Water Solutions USA, Inc for the purchase of two (2) Flygt pumps for the Public Works Department. This would result in a revised purchase order total not to exceed $330,000, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
CARDIAC MONITOR 5.J. Authorization to Issue Purchase Orders to Zoll Medical for the Docusign Envelope ID: BFE0BB36-E133-4E90-9433-C0CF632367DC 7 December 19, 2023
DEFIBRILLATORS Purchase, Maintenance, and Repairs of Cardiac Monitor Defibrillators, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Zoll Corporation for an extended 5-year warranty for servicing, maintenance, and repairs of 17 cardiac monitor defibrillators for the Fire Department. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250(b) and is for a total amount not to exceed $161,058 over a five-year period with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
3. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Zoll Corporation for two additional Monitor Defibrillators for the Fire Department. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250(b) for a total amount not to exceed $176,400 and is contingent on additional grant funding.
FIREFIGHTING
EQUIPMENT
5.K. Authorization to Issue Purchase Order to Lion Equipment for Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with All Star Fire Equipment Inc., for firefighting personal protective equipment for the Fire Department. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250 (c). The cost for year one is $205,301, with two additional one-year renewal options in the amount of $155,850 for year 2 and $171,435 for year 3, on the same terms and conditions for a total not to exceed $532,586 over a three-year period.
SALARY RATES AND
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
5.L. Adoption of Resolution No. 11565 (CCS) Adopting Salary Rates for City Manager and Police Chief and Approval of Modification to Employment Agreement with David White for service as City Manager, was adopted.
Recommended Action
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Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that this action does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), or, in the alternative, a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15324 (Regulations of Working Conditions) of the CEQA Guidelines.
2. Adopt Resolution No. 11565 (CCS) of the City of Santa Monica adjusting the salary rates for City Manager and Police Chief (Attachment A).
3. Approve modification to employment agreement with David White for service as City Manager, and authorize the Mayor to sign the modification to employment agreement on behalf of the City (Attachment B).
SALARY RATES 5.M. Adoption of Resolution No. 11566 (CCS) Adopting Salary Rates for Custodian II, Director of Records and Election Services (City Clerk) and Maintenance Assistant, and Establishing a New Classification and Adopting Salary Rate for Principal Design and Planning Manager, was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that this action does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), or, in the alternative, a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15324 (Regulations of Working Conditions) of the CEQA Guidelines.
2. Adopt attached Resolution No. 11566 (CCS) adopting salary rates for Custodian II, Director of Records and Elections Services (City Clerk) and Maintenance Assistant and establishing a new classification and adopting salary rates for Principal Design and Planning Manager.
COALATION OF SANTA
MONICA EMPLOYEES
5.N. Adoption of Resolution No. 11567 (CCS) Accepting Tentative Agreement and Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute Side Letter of Agreement with the Coalition of Santa Monica Employees (Coalition), was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15324 (Class 24 Regulations of Working Conditions) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Adopt proposed Resolution No. 11567 (CCS0 (Attachment A) accepting the tentative agreement and authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Side Letter of Agreement with the Coalition of Santa Monica Employee (Coalition).
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MEDICAL MARIJUANA 5.O. Second Reading and Adoption of Interim Zoning Ordinance No. 2770 (CCS) Extending Interim Zoning Regulations Adopted by Interim Zoning Ordinance 2764 (CCS) Amending the Text of the Zoning Ordinance to Replace the Term “Medical Marijuana Dispensary” with “Medicinal Cannabis Retailer”, to Remove Certain Requirements for Medicinal Cannabis Retailers for Consistency with State law, and to Permit Medicinal Cannabis Retailers to Sell Adult-Use Cannabis or Adult-Use Cannabis Products to Persons 21 Years of Age and Over, was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
LOBBYIST REGIRATION
AND REPORTING
5.P. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2771 (CCS) Amending Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC) Section 4.85.020 Related to Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Requirements, was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
MINUTES 5.Q. Minutes of City Council - Regular Meeting - Oct 24, 2023, were approved.
AGENDA
MANAGEMENT
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, seconded by Councilmember Parra, to continue item 11.A. to the next meeting. The motion failed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmember Parra,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: Councilmembers Zwick, Davis, Torosis
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
PUBLIC INPUT ON
REMAINING AGENDA
ITEMS:
Members of the public Jerry Rubin, Marc Verville (time donated by Tricia Crane), Joanne Berlin, Brad Ewing, Loren Bloch, Robbie, Caro Vilain, Diane Reynolds, Andrew Wilder, Joe Pertel, Natalya Zernitskya, Michael Brodsky, Gavin Scoff, Zina Josephs, Kathy Knight, Austin Washington, Alan Levenson, and John C. Smith, commented on item 11.A.
Member of the public Johnathan Foster spoke on item 16.B.
Members of the public Jerry Rubin, Denise Barton, Brad Ewing, Caro Vilain, Natalya Zernitsky, Michael Brodsky, Austin Washington, Connor Webb, and Phoebe Kiekhofer commented on item 16.D.
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ORDINANCES:
SENATE BILL 35
10.A. Introduction and Adoption of Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance No. 2772 (CCS) Authorizing Establishment, By Resolution, of Objective Design Standards for Qualifying Housing Projects that Elect to Use the Streamlined, Ministerial Approval Process Established by Senate Bill 35 and Adoption of Resolution No. 11568 (CCS) Establishing Objective Design Standards for Qualifying Housing Projects that Elect to Use the Streamlined, Ministerial Approval Process Established by Senate Bill 35, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3)(Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Introduce and adopt Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance No. 2772 (CCS) authorizing Council to establish, by Resolution, objective design standards for housing projects that qualify for the streamlined, ministerial approval process established by SB 35 housing projects; and
3. Adopt Resolution No. 11568 (CCS) establishing objective design standards for housing projects that qualify for the streamlined, ministerial approval process established by SB 35.
Questions asked and answered of staff included does the City have to permit above ground parking and if so, how much; is it possible to add other solutions other than those being proposed; would it be acceptable to have objective criteria vs. an enumerated list of solutions; have there been any considerations as to how this could curtail the ability to develop affordable housing; the required open space per unit and could more open space be permitted beyond the standard; what is the cost for underground vs. above ground parking; and will these standards make living in Santa Monica better and can the City do anything make the design standards more unique.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to concerns about potentially removing parking for housing developments.
Motion by Councilmember Zwick, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, to introduce and hold first reading of the ordinance reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Davis, Torosis,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
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ATHLETIC EVENTS 10.B. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend Municipal Code 4.68.160 Athletic Events, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Introduce for first reading the attached ordinance to amend Chapter
4.68 of the Municipal Code to add one additional 5K, one additional 10K race route, and to adjust the start time for races to begin at 7a.m.; and
2. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 (minor alterations to land)
Motion by Councilmember Parra, seconded by Councilmember Torosis, to introduce and hold first reading of the ordinance reading by title only and waiving further reading thereof. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Torosis, Davis, Parra, Zwick,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
STAFF
ADMINISTRATIVE
ITEMS:
AIRPORT CONVERSION
PROJECT
11.A. Award Request for Proposal and Enter into Agreement No. 11530 (CCS) with Sasaki Associates, Inc. for Community Outreach Process, Visioning Services and Concept Design for the Airport Conversion Project, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15262 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Award RFP #SP2641 – Airport Conversion RFP to Sasaki Associates, Inc. for a community outreach process, visioning services, and a concept design (collectively, “the Process”), related to the future planning of the Airport land in anticipation of Airport closure, for the Public Works Department.
3. Provide direction and approve the scope of services for the Sasaki contract related to the RFP #SP2641, including the community outreach work.
4. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Agreement No. 11530 (CCS) with Sasaki Associates, Inc. for a community outreach process, visioning services, and concept design, in an amount not to exceed $2,070,000.00 (including a 12% contingency) for 21 months, as described in this report, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
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5. Approve the position and classification changes necessary to dedicate a project lead for the Airport Conversion project as described in the “Funding and Staffing Recommendations” section of this report.
6. Authorize budget changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts and Budget Actions section of this report.
Questions asked and answered of staff included what is staff’s idea of what is a “great” park; what is the merit of engaging Sasaki for a public process; could this process wait until the airport is closed; is a vote of Council required to close the airport and when would this vote need to be conducted; how will this outreach process be different from processes in the past to ensure different groups are engaged in the process; are performance or event spaces being proposed; are stakeholders being engaged outside of the City; regarding the proposed digital survey, how is the data being filtered to ensure the responses are from local residents; and how will survey questions be determined and will they be presented to Council.
Considerable discussion ensued on topics including, but not limited to concerns with developing false expectations for the community; offering various language services other than just Spanish and English, including ASL, to be more inclusive engaging the public; and hopes to work with local schools and teachers in the planning process.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, seconded by Councilmember Parra, to suspend Council rule 5.K., due to the noon deadline for Councilmembers to submit written statements on a topic on the Agenda being missed, and read Councilmember de la Torre’s statement into the record and post the statement on the website tomorrow, with item 11.A.
AYES: Councilmember Zwick, Parra, Davis, Torosis,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
The following statement from Councilmember de la Torre was read into the record by the Assistant City Clerk: “My comment regarding consultant Sasaki, I support the spirit of Measure LC and the right of Santa Monica voters to self-determination. More parks, open public space, recreational opportunities, botanical gardens and urban forest.”
Motion by Councilmember Davis, seconded by Councilmember Torosis, to adopt staff recommendations 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Davis, Torosis,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
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NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
Motion by Councilmember Davis, seconded by Councilmember Torosis, to adopt staff recommendation item 3, with the requirement that one of the three options Sasaki returns with will not require a vote per Measure LC, approved at the 2014 election.
Substitute Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, seconded by Mayor Brock, to adopt staff recommendation 3, as presented. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Davis, Torosis,
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Brock
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember de la Torre
COUNCILMEMBER
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
DISABILTIIES
COMMISSION
16.A. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Disabilities Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2025, was postponed to a future meeting.
VICE CHAIR 16.B. Request by Mayor Brock for Council to approve providing the Mayor Pro Tempore the working title of “Vice Mayor” for ceremonial purposes.
Motion by Councilmember Parra, seconded by Councilmember Torosis, to approve the recommendation. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote, with all members present, except Councilmember de la Torre.
CITY LIGHT POLE
BANNERS
16.C. Request of Mayor Brock that the City Manager and City Attorney evaluate and return with an ordinance and program to allow banners to be placed on City light poles supporting arts and culture of Santa Monica. The program should be designed as government speech, and allow for nonprofit submissions to promote arts and culture, pursuant to a program approved by the Council. Program guidelines and details will be set forth in a resolution, with clear guidelines on the expressive action, such as government support and promotion of community-based artistic and cultural events and causes that serve civic and public interest. Council will adopt submissions by resolution, stating they reflect the views of the Council. The City will maintain control and discretion over the selections and control installation. Staff will provide estimates of costs to the City for installation and program administration.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, seconded by Mayor Brock, to approve Docusign Envelope ID: BFE0BB36-E133-4E90-9433-C0CF632367DC 14 December 19, 2023
the recommendation. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote, with all members present, except Councilmember de la Torre.
PARKING FACILITY
TAX BALLOT MEASURE
16.D. Request of Councilmember Zwick, Councilmember Davis, and Councilmember Torosis that the City Manager and City Attorney evaluate the potential to place a General Tax with an Advisory Measure on the November 2024 ballot to increase the parking facility tax to reduce traffic congestion and the risk of traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Santa Monica, while preserving free 90-minute parking in the downtown lots. Specifically, the City Manager is being asked to evaluate the potential resources that can be generated by increasing the parking facility tax and the use of resources to restore the Safe Routes to School program and fund safety-enhancing street infrastructure to protect children, elderly and disabled residents, hire additional school crossing guards and traffic enforcement officers, and address deferred maintenance needs of the City’s downtown parking structures. The City Manager and City Attorney are also being asked to enter into discussions with the California Coastal Commission and assess the impacts of a proposed increase in the parking facility tax on parking rates in the Coastal Zone.
Motion by Councilmember Zwick, seconded by Councilmember Torosis, to approve the recommendation. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote, with all members present, except Councilmember de la Torre.
ADJOURNMENT On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting adjourned at 11:23 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Nikima S. Newsome Phil Brock
Assistant City Clerk Mayor
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