M-011709CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 17, 2009
A special meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Genser at 9:20 a.m.,
on Saturday, January 17, 2009, at Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2''1D Floor
Community Room, Santa Monica.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Ken Genser
Mayor Pro Tem Pam O'Connor
Councilmember Richard Bloom
Councilmember Robert T. Holbrook
Councilmember Bobby Shriver
Councilmember Kevin McKeown
Also Present: City Manager P. Lamont Ewell
City Attorney Marsha Jones Moutrie
Assistant City Clerk Beth Sanchez
CONVENE/PLEDGE On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened at 9:20 a.m..
Assistant City Clerk Beth Sanchez led the assemblage in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON Members of the public Jerry Rubin, Cosmo Bua, Gillian Ware, Zina
STUDY SESSION: Josephs, Frieda Dubin, and Susan Hartley expressed support for an
appointment to the unscheduled vacancy on the City Council left by the
recent passing of Councilmember Herb Katz. Member of the public
Laura Tuixton expressed support for either an appointment or a special
election to fill the vacancy. Member of the public Ellen Brennan
expressed support for public participation at City Council meetings and
support for an appointment to the vacancy on the City Council. Member
of the public Joy M. Fullmer expressed various concerns.
INTRODUCTION 3-A: Introduction -Purpose and Goals of the Workshop.
City Manager Lamont Ewell introduced the subjects to be discussed at
the meeting and provided a status report on various issues.
January 17, 2009
ECONOMIC UPDATE 3-B: Economic update and Latest Financial Forecast.
Finance Director Carol Swindell presented information on the financial
state of the City and the five year forecast. Councilmembers provided
direction and suggestions for presentation of various scenarios,
assumptions and long term strategies. On order of the Mayor, the
information was received and filed.
CONTRACTING CITY 3-C: Recommendation for Contracting for Public Services.
SERVICES
Finance Director Carol Swindell provided information on contracting out
City services. Considerable discussion was held on this subject including
refining the policy for contract services, and determining which services
may require detailed economic analysis and presentation to Council for
discussion and direction. On order of the Mayor, the information was
received and filed.
AGENDA 3-D: Informational Discussion on Agenda Management, Conduct
MANAGEMENT of Council Meetings and Commission Liaison Appointments.
Mayor Genser introduced item for discussion. Considerable discussion
was held on this subject. With consensus of Councilmembers, staff was
directed to work on a schedule for annual meeting(s) with each Board
and Commission for Council to receive their annual reports, meetings to
occur at City Council meeting(s) and not at the Boards and
Commissions' Dinner. On the subject of Council liaisons to Boards and
Commissions, the Mayor to appoint each Councihnember to between 1
and 4 Commissions to serve as a point of contact. Staff was directed to
prepare a standard letter/memo, addressed to Boards and Commissions,
to be reviewed by Council before distribution and which explains the
CouncilBoard relationship and notifies the Commissions of their
Council-appointed liaison. On order of the Mayor, the information was
received and filed.
COUNCIL VACANCY 3-E: Presentation on Procedures and Options for Filling Vacant
Council Seat.
Mayor Genser introduced item for discussion. Staff provided
information on the process for filling a Council vacancy in accordance
with City Charter Section 603. On order of the Mayor, the information
was received and filed.
2 January 17, 2009
ADJOURNMENT: On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting was adjourned at 2:00
pm..
ATTEST:
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Beth Sanchez
Assistant City Clerk
APPROVED:
~ser
Mayor
January 17, 2009