SR-106-042 (2)
F:\PCD\Share\CouncilReports2001\LCTF Cit Appoint 109.doc Santa Monica, California
Council Meeting: October 9, 2001
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Appointment of Two Members of the Public to Serve on a Citizens’
Advisory Committee to the Lincoln Corridor Task Force
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council make two citizen appointments to serve
on the Citizens’ Advisory Committee to the Lincoln Corridor Task Force, along with
appointees from the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, and the City of
Culver City.
Background
Pursuant to City Council authorization on April 11, 2000, the City of Santa Monica is
participating in an interagency effort, along with the City of Los Angeles, the County of
Los Angeles and the City of Culver City, to study alternatives to address high levels of
traffic in the Lincoln Boulevard Corridor. The Council has the opportunity to appoint two
representatives to serve on a Citizens’ Advisory Committee to support this effort. On
June 26, 2001, the Council directed staff to solicit applications from interested members
of the public to serve on the Citizens’ Advisory Committee to the Lincoln Corridor Task
Force.
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Discussion
Although the City of Santa Monica has historically approached the issue of high traffic
volumes on Lincoln Boulevard from a different perspective than other participating
jurisdictions, it recognizes that a coordinated approach is worthy of support because the
actions of any one agency operating independently will affect traffic in the others.
The Lincoln Corridor Task Force has issued a scope of work, including consideration of
multi-modal and non-traditional solutions, for a consultant to study on behalf of the four
agencies. The Task Force will likely choose this consultant later this fall. The role of
the Citizens’ Advisory Committee will be to comment on the work products of the
consultant and assist in community outreach and solicitation of ideas and feedback from
the public on alternatives. The Committee will include three representatives from both
the City of Los Angeles and County of Los Angeles, and two representatives from both
the City of Culver City and the City of Santa Monica. The committee will likely meet
three or four times over the course of the year that the study is underway.
City staff agrees that representatives on the Citizens’ Advisory Committee should be
articulate advocates of the City’s interest in solutions that emphasize improvements for
transit, pedestrian and local access, as travel demand on Lincoln Boulevard is expected
to increase. They will have to work effectively with representatives from the other
jurisdictions, especially to build consensus where possible, and to help other members
of the public have a meaningful voice in the process of identifying and developing
alternatives.
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City staff will continue to participate on the Task Force itself, and the Technical Advisory
Committee to the Task Force. Staff will be available to provide limited support to the
City Council’s representatives on the Citizens’ Advisory Committee, although the City of
Los Angeles will officially provide staff support for the group.
On July 30, 2001, staff issued a Notice Inviting Applications. Advertisements were
placed in the Los Angeles Times and the Santa Monica Mirror; a notice was placed on
the City’s website and on “Hot Topics”, and all neighborhood groups were notified. In
addition, press releases were sent out to the media. Applications were due August 31,
2001. In total, 52 Santa Monica residents requested applications and 17 returned them.
A copy of the information sheet and application form that was distributed is included as
Attachment A. The 17 applicants represent a range of interests related to Lincoln
Boulevard. Applicants from all 17 persons are attached to this report for Council review
(Attachment B). Staff is recommending the Council consider appointing two citizen
candidates that represent a broad range of professional experience and have strong
roots in the community. The following criteria were used by City Staff to evaluate
candidates:
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The candidate has knowledge, interest and experience in transportation
planning.
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The candidate is an articulate advocate of the City’s interest in solutions that
emphasize improvements for transit, pedestrian and local access on Lincoln
Boulevard.
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The candidate has the ability to work effectively with representatives from other
jurisdictions to build consensus where possible and to help other members of the
public have a meaningful voice in the process of identifying and developing
alternatives.
Based on the criteria, a committee of City staff evaluated the applications and
concluded six candidates meet the criteria, and two in particular exceed the criteria.
The two candidates that exceed the criteria are John Catoe, Deputy Chief Executive
Office, Los Angeles County Transportation Authority, and Reva Fabricant, free-lance
public relations consultant.
The other four candidates are:
1. Gabriel Cervantes, Architect, Perkins & Will
2. Darrell Clarke, Planning Commissioner, City of Santa Monica
3. Diane Goodwin, Computer Teacher to senior citizens at Santa Monica College
4. Dennis Woods, Transportation Planner, City of West Hollywood and
Member of Borderline Neighborhood Group
Staff recommends Council consider staff’s evaluation and appoint two members to the
Advisory Committee.
Budget and Financial Impact
The Planning and Community Development Department and the Environmental and
Public Works Department will provide staff assistance to this effort. There is no budget
impact.
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Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council make two appointments to serve on the Lincoln
Corridor Task Force’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee.
Attachment A: Application Package
(NOT AVAILABLE
Attachment B: Applications of All Candidates
ELECTRONICALLY – SEE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE FOR ORIGINAL PACKAGE)
Prepared by: Suzanne Frick, Director of Planning and Community Development
Craig Perkins, Director of Environmental and Public Works
Lucy Dyke, Transportation Planning Manager
Ruth Harper, Transportation Planning Associate
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