SR-012208-8A__-
~_
c;cros City Council Report
Santa Monica°
City Council Meeting
2-~j ?-~08
Agenda Item: S'-' ~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Eileen Fogarty, Director of Planning and Community Development
Subject: Resolution establishing off-peak parking rate at Library and Civic garages
and authorizing City Manager to allow free or reduced rate parking for up
to 25 evening events per year at the Santa Monica High School.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Adopt attached Resolution establishing a $3.00 per entry off-peak parking rate at
the Library and at the Civic Center, when there are no events scheduled;
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to allow free or reduced rate parking for
up to 25 evening events at Santa Monica High School; and
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to allow free or reduced parking rates for
City-sponsored noticed meeting or events that are free and open to the public.
Executive Summary
Staff is proposing that the Council adopt a maximum daily parking rate of $3 at the
library structure on weekends and holidays and at the civic structure on non-event
weekends and holidays. The purpose of this rate is to draw price-sensitive, long-term
daily parkers away from busy downtown structures when there is space available in
other nearby facilities. It would also reduce the amount patrons of the library would pay,
if they stay for more than three hours on a weekend. With the assistance of Bayside
District Corporation, staff will promote the rate to retail employees who drive to work.
Staff is also proposing authorization for along-standing practice of providing free or
reduced rate parking for a limited number of evening events held at Santa Monica High
School, City-sponsored events and publicly-noticed meetings. Though no further
recommendation is being made at this time for reduced rate student parking, City and
School District staff continue to discuss this issue. Currently the School District is
studying its parking demand, and the City has agreed to review that demand in
conjunction with demand in the Civic Center area to see whether there are opportunities
for sharing parking resources and/or developing additional parking. These discussions
include Santa Monica College (SMC). Staff will continue discussions and report back to
Council on the status. The reduced parking rate is anticipated to be offset by the
availability of additional standard rate parking in the downtown with greater turnover and
the City has not received revenue from the District in the past for the use of the Civic lot
for these special school events. Finally, as noted in the report, staff can now replace
the bike lane along Main Street between Pico and City Hall by removing the temporary
angled parking along Main Street. There is no anticipated net fiscal impact associated
with the rate changes. After one year of operation, staff will report its findings to Council.
Discussion
Library Parking Structure
The City opened the library parking structure in January 2006. The structure was
expected to generate $30,000 per month in revenue, and to serve public parking needs
as well as parking needs of library patrons and staff.
Transportation Management staff has been monitoring occupancy and revenue to
ensure that the structure serves the purposes for which it was constructed, and
generates sufficient revenue to cover operating costs. Initially, parking was provided to
hourly visitors, library staff and former monthly packers only. Over the past year,
however, staff has increased the number of monthly permits sold, to 350 per month, by
marketing them to people on the downtown structure waiting list and to merchants in
close proximity to the library structure itself. The current goal is to issue about 400-425
monthly permits for this structure. The City has also recently allocated some space in
the library structure to Engineering and Architecture staff. This parking facility is
included as a stop on the holiday parking shuttle route, and is served by the new Mini
Blue Tide Ride that also serves the downtown area.
Although weekday occupancy at the library structure continues to grow, and revenue
expectations are met, the structure still has additional capacity. The structure is less
heavily used on weekends than during the week. Revision to the weekend rate
structure could make library parking an attractive alternative for some retail employees
2
and relieve some pressure on downtown parking structures during busy weekend
periods.
Based on current parking patterns, staff estimates that reducing the maximum rate to
$3/day on weekends could result in a net loss of $344 per weekend (or approximately
$18,000 annually). However, it's anticipated that this will be offset by revenue from
available parking spaces in the downtown at standard rates, as well as additional usage
at the Library structure.
Civic Parkina Structure
Monthly parking is available at the Civic Structure at the same rate as other downtown
facilities. Ultimately, this facility will be needed to serve Civic Center demand. It was
constructed ahead of demand so as to be available to provide relief to the downtown
while several older facilities there are torn down and rebuilt. Daily parking demand is
expected to increase as metered, angled parking installed temporarily along Main Street
between Pico and City Hall during the garage construction now can be removed. The
removal of the temporary angled parking will allow the replacement of the bike lane
along Main Street. The Civic Structure also has availability on weekends and holidays.
Staff is proposing the $3 weekend and holiday rate at this facility as well, except when
the Civic Auditorium is hosting an event.
Beginning in January, staff is also shifting about 278 Santa Monica Place employees
from parking in Structure 5 on weekends to parking in the Civic Structure.
Hiah School Parkina
Some high school students and parents have requested reduced rate parking for
students and school events. This has a value of approximately $50,000-$65,000
annually at current rates. The School District previously established a task force on this
issue. This group did not recommend that the District request reduced rate student
3
parking. However, requests for reduced rate parking for students continue. District and
City staff have begun discussions on this issue. The School District is studying its
parking demand and the City has agreed to review that demand in conjunction with the
demand in the Civic Center area to see whether there are opportunities for sharing
parking resources and/or developing additional parking. These discussions include
Santa Monica College (SMC). Staff will report back to Council on the status. of these
discussions
Staff is proposing that free/validated parking be provided for up to 25 events, such as
PTSA meetings, student concerts and back-to-school nights, per year on non-event
days if space is available. The City has historically provided free parking for evening
High School events by not closing the Civic Auditorium Lot on these specific days. The
value of this parking, based on the $8.00 daily rate is between $50,000 - $65,000,
depending on the number of spaces used. As an alternative, the Council could
consider a $3 flat rate on all non-event evenings, allowing the parking to be available at
a low rate whenever the space is not needed for events, which would result in revenue
of approximately $20,000 to $25,000.
City-Sponsored events and meetings
Staff frequently receives request for parking fee waivers from City-funded non-profit
groups, City departments, other governmental agencies and other groups sponsoring
an event or activity in Santa Monica. It has been the City's past practice to provide
parking waivers for certain non-profit groups, such as Heal the Bay for beach clean ups.
Staff has also provided parking waivers for members of the public attending City-
sponsored noticed meetings. In order to have a clear set of criteria for providing parking
waivers, staff recommends that the City Manager or his designee be authorized to grant
parking waivers for City-sponsored events that are free to the public and for noticed City
public meetings. Types of events and meeting that would fall under these criteria are the
Land Use and Circulation Element workshops, National Night Out and the Council
workshops held most recently at the Main Library. Events that are not open to the
4
public nor City-sponsored, such as Heal the Bay beach clean ups, would not fall under
this parking waiver criteria.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
Based on current parking patterns, staff estimates that reducing the maximum rate to
$3/day on weekends could result in a net loss of $344 per weekend, or approximately
$18,000 annually. However, this should be offset by the availability of additional spaces
in the downtown at standard rates.
Prepared by: Lucy Dyke, Transportation Planning Manager
roved: Forwarded to Council:
Director, PIanT1'fng and Community C
Development
Attachment: Resolution
Ewell
5
Page 1 of 1
JAN 0 8 2008
Maria Dacanay
From: Maria Stewart
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 3:26 PM
To: Maria Dacanay; Vernice Hankins
Subject: FW: Parking waiver item on city council agenda
From: Eveline Bravo [mailto:ebravo@HealTheBay.org]
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 2:09 PM
To: Don Patterson
Subject: RE: Parking waiver item on city council agenda
Mr. Patterson,
I, on behalf of Heal the Bay, would like to submit the following statement as comments to agenda item number 8-A at tonight's
City Council Meeting.
For over 20 years, Heal the Bay has cared greatly for Santa Monica Bay and has worked on a variety of initiatives that range
from stormwater pollution abatement to environmental education. One of those successful initiatives has been the beach
cleanup program: Coastal Cleanup Day and Adopt-A-Beach. In 2007, 6,100 volunteers from over 110 groups donated over
15,000 hours cleaning up Santa Monica beaches.
Heal the Bay cannot offer volunteers much for this effort other than education and a fulfilling experience. However, we have
been able to work with the City to reduce or waive the price of parking for these volunteers. Heal the Bay urges the City of
Santa Monica to keep this program running successfully by providing this small incentive for volunteers. Los Angeles County
Department of Beaches and Harbors also waives and reduces parking fees to $1 for volunteers in an effort to encourage this
public service.
People that live, work and visit Santa Monica care about our beaches and Heal the Bay's beach cleanup program enriches
that experience for thousands of volunteers and tens of thousands of visitors. Please provide a parking waiver or major fee
reduction (to $1) to volunteers that provide Santa Monica with the community and environmental benefit of clean beaches.
Thank you,
Heal the Bay
~veline Bravo
Beach Programs Mana ,eer
Coastal Cleanup Day Manager
Heal t{~e Bay
eh
1444 ~treet
`~J' 3nta Monica, ~~ g040I
PhoneNumCecijlO}451-1500x 144
I'ax [~umCer: (j I O~ 490- 1902
e6revo@heztheba~~
www.healtSebay.orv,
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JAN 0 8 2008
i/aiZOOs
January 8, 2007
'Mayor Herb Katz and City Council Members
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Dear Mpyor Katz and City Council Members:
Once pgpin the January $ public hearin
Santa Monica High conflicts with the first PISA meeting of the new
g by Council on use of the Civic Center parking gprpge near
school resumes. Since many of our students and Year, and falls just two days after
writing to reiterate our request that the City, District and PTSA work together to address the trpnsportation
issues pt Santa Monica High, including the need fopadequate, affordable perking foastudents Andre
In our July 23, 20071etter to Council, we requested viable Alternatives for parking for Santa MonicptHlgh
School students, including affordable student perking access to the underutilized Cit
school at 4+~ and Olympic. At your meetin Jul
the City gprpge. There are only 40 g Y 24, You directed staff to investigate sgtude~t perks g at
seniors for $125 parking spaces on the Samohi cam
y basis to
neighborhood southwe t ofsPiw andrLincoln Boupe~aadofvpj efXpCe~bate h sslack oiled on a loiter
parking for residents perking in the
parking for students.
Despite high rates of student transit use, biking and wplking to school, some Samohi students need to drive
to school so they can get to after school jobs, early classes, or stay IAte for a sport or activit
to drive siblings to end from school because their paren}s are working.
Y• Many need
The current Civic Center daily and monthly perking rate is too high for most high school students and their
families. We suggest That 200-400 month)
Monica High and SMC students at p rate of 42~ its at the Civic perking structure be reserved for Santa
alternative transportation without bein $ month or $4.25 dp
generally out of class at 3:30 or 4, many spaces used b
g unaffordable. Since Samohi Tudents start school t ael courage
y students can be used a Y and are
urge this reduced rate be instituted as soon as possible, and certainly before the Zone U restrictions be in.
gain in the evening. We
We are heprtened to see City-District joins use plannin
program and facilities needs of Santa Monica High end the Civic Center, With Measure BB and o g
projects identified in the District's Fpcilities Master Plangthere are ex chin g oo address the transportation,
City to collaborate on joint planning for cultural and recredtional fpcilities pt Spmohi and the Civicther
and improved 9 pportunities for the District and
parking, transit, pedestrian and bicycle access.
Cemer
The creation of Parking Zone "U" will further limit options for student
for students pt the under-utilized perking gprpge Across the street fromathe high Cllpol9 g~ p~ovadbee rptes
pedestrian crossing and parkin
g alternative for students without imppcting residential neighborhoods.
It is equally importam that bus service to Spmohi be improved to relieve the current overcr p safer
Blue Bus service each afternoon. We hope that b
y developing a shared student perking access with SMC,
Santa Monica High students can be provided with better access to frequent Mini Blue servi e,/currentl Big
limited to the Tide Ride. Since a large and growing percentage of Samohi students take classes ai I
Y
SMC,
Mini Blue service from Samohi to the various SMC campuses at Madison, Bundy and the Entertainment
Technology classes will greatly facilitate this collaboration.
In closing, we appreciate your renewal of the longstanding City commitment to provide free parking for
important school events such as Back to School Night, College Night, Open House and Graduation.
Providing adequate affordable parking to encourage parents to participate in their student's education is
essential to the success of our schools and our students. We look forward to continuing to work you're your
staff to provide safe and affordable transportation options and exciting joint use opportunities for our
school children and our community.
Thank your for your consideration,
Judith Meister
Santa Monica High School PTSA
President
Alison Kendall, LEED AP, AICP
Chair, Transportation Committee
onia Ramos
ADD 7t7 g-,q
JAN 2 2 2008
From: Brianna Shepard [briannashepard@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 7:55 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: SAMOHI Student Parking
He11o, Councilmembers,
As a parent of a SAMOHI Junior, I am writing to ask that you consider the proposal that
the Santa Monica High School PISA proposed last summer for reduced parking rates in the
Civic Center lots for students on school days.
It is clear to me, as a working single mother, that, though sometimes public
transportation is feasible, in many instances it simply is not a viable option. My son has
an A period class and he stays after school late onmost days for sports practice, and so
on. If it israining, he has to drag his gear, his school work and himself to and school
by bus - waiting in the rain sometimes for half an hour.
we are an environmentalist family, and certainly support public transportation as well as
bicycle-riding. But this is just not possible in all cases. Some parents work and need
their children to drive younger siblings to and from school or other activities. Some
students live in Topanga which makes taking a bus or riding a bike nearly impossible. And
most public school families cannot afford the full price of parking at the Civic Center.
Clearly the parking structure is not being fully utilized and there are plenty of empty
spaces throughout the day. Parents are not asking for anything free. We are willing to pay
-- at a reduced, affordable rate -- for spaces for our children.
Finally we, the residents, helped to pay for the structure with our tax dollars. Is that
not enough reason to listen to us as an important constituency in the City of Santa
Monica?
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Yours,
Brianna Shepard
SAMOHI Parent and
Santa Monica Resident
JAN 2 2 2008
1 .~JD/~ T® 8-A
onia Ramos
From: Lukk Tiiu [collegemaestro@mac.com]
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 8:17 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: Support Student parking at 4th and Olympic
Dear Council Members,
I hope all of you support reduced fees for student parking at 4th and Olympic. My son is
at Samohi until noon every day, then has to go to SMC to take two classes, including
Italian, which isn't offered at Samohi. This spring he will have 15 minutes to get from
Samohi to SMC for his classes there, and when he has to park a mile away, even sprinting
won't solve the problem. I would like to see our city government support our educational
mission, and to me, that means facilitating transportation for all students who attend
school. When I was going to school in Minnesota, the school district, funded by the city,
provided bus transportation for all students, and most of the kids lived £ar~away on
distant farms. This was a small town, with a limited tax base, and they could afford it--
they had to--the farmers were not going to leave their fields to drive their kids to
school.
When I first moved to California, I couldn't believe that students were all expected to
find their own transportation to school, that parents were suppose to be available as
full-time chauffeurs, and that school districts, knowing there would be no bus service,
didn't even provide parking or drop-off curb space for the students and parents when the
schools were built.. Perhaps the city should fund and build a parking structure for the
students right at Samohi, underneath the space where the Samohi parking lot is right now.
It appears that the
4th and Olympic parking structure is empty much of the day right now.
I hope you can see the value of making it available to students at reduced rates. If not,
I don't think you should create a preferential parking zone near the school--then where
are the kids supposed to park? If you can't help students with the parking, then you
should fund buses to bring kids to school. Now that would be very expensive.
Thank you, and I will be keeping track of how you vote.
Sincerely,
Tiiu Lukk
1211 Ashland Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Samohi parent
1
onia Ramos
From: Riya Zelcer [riyazelcer@yahoo:com)
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 8:24 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: Parking for SAMOHI students
Hello!
I have 2 daughters that attend SAMOHI. They drive together to school each day and it is
very difficult for them to find a safe and convenient place to park.
Daily, they notice the LED sign at the new parking structure across from their school and
it states that there are many many empty parking spaces. It would be wonderful for both
the city and the students to allow 50-100 students the ability to park in the structure
for a monthly fee ( $42/month has been mentioned). You could even require a letter of
recommendation (from a teacher or employer) for each student before allowing them to park
in the structure to assure that only the most responsible and committed students be given
the privilege to park in the structure. If there is an important city event, you can
inform the students (given enough notice) 'that they will not be able to park in the
structure for a limited time.
Thank you for your consideration.
Riya Zelcer
riyazelcer@yahoo.com
Mother of Maya Zelcer 10th grade and Nina Zelcer 12th grade.
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age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: Monica Hirschberger [mlhmedmgt@msn.com]
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 8:38 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: Viable Alternatives for parking for SAMOHI Students
Dear Members of the City Council,
An issue of parking and access for available parking at The Santa Monica High School for our students has been
raised by our PTSA since July 23, 2007. We have a freshman at SAMOHI who isn't driving just yet.
It is. my unders#anding_that this issue is to offer an alternative for affordable student parking access to the underutilzed_
City structure near the school at 4th and Olympic.
Per the PTSA, we were advised that there are only 40 parking spaces on the Samohi campus, provided on a lottery
basis to seniors for $125 per semester.
Despite the fact that many SAMOHI student's utilize the public transit, bike and walk to attend school, some Samohi
students need to drive to school so they can get to after school jobs, early classes, or stay /ate for a sport or activity.
Many need to drive siblings to and from school because their parents are working.
The current Civic Center daily and monthly parking rate is too high for most high school students and our families.
Dur PTSA is proposing that 200-400 monthly permits_at the Civic parking structure_be reserved for Santa Monica
High students at a rate of $42/month or $4.25/day
Since Samohi students start school early (my son is one of these individuals) and are generally out of c/ass at 3:30 or
4, many spaces used by students can be used again in the evening.
Please consider this reduced rate to be instituted as soon as possible, on an interim bases as the School District and the
City move forward on joint use opportunities for Samohi and the Civie Center. Please consider this a priority prior to the
preferential Parkdng Zone " U "mill be institzted.
We arnderstand that the parking demand and circulation analysis will address long-term solutions but in the meantime, the
City may earn revenue from spaces that are currently unused and students will have a parking alternative that provides
a safer pedestrian crossing to school and does not impact residential neighborhoods.
Sincerely,
Monica L. Hirschberger RN, l3SN, CCM
Ted L. Hirschberger, Esquire
Disability Case Manager
1/22/2008
onia Ramos
From: Lynn Sturgis [lasturgis58@earthlink.net]
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 9:12 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: Samohi Parking
Council Members:
Let the kids park in the almost unused but beautiful civic center lot for the amount the
PISA has proposed to you - limit it until 6pm if you really want to. Thanks.
Lynn Sturgis
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: lyehia@aol:com
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2008 12:04 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: Reduced Civic Center Parking Rates for Samohi Students
Dear City Council Members:
Item8A on the January 22 City Council agenda recommends reduced weekend parking rates for both the Civic Center
and downtown Library parking structures and the continuation of granting free parking for up to 25 Samohi events a
year. However, the staff report does not address reduced rate monthly parking permits for Samohi students,
which have been requested for the past six months. Samohi's PTSA has sent three letters to the City Council since
July 23 requesting viable alternatives for parking for Santa Monica High School students including affordable student
parking access to the underutilized Civic Center structure near the school at 4th and Olympic.This issue is extremely
important not only to Samohi parents and students, but to the community at large, as it affects the safety and
welfare of the neighborhoods around Samohi. Simply prohibiting parking around the school without offering
alternatives to students is not a responsible option. Reduced rates for students would provide at least an interim
solution, providing relief to students and revenues to the City, while Samohi undergoes renovation with Measure BB
funds and the School District and the City move forward on joint use opportunities for Samohi and the Civic Center. .
Currently, there are only 40 parking spaces on the Samohi campus, provided on a lottery basis to seniors for $125 per
semester. The City Council approval of preferential Parking Zone "U" in the neighborhood southwest of Pico and Lincoln
Boulevards, which will exacerbate this lack of parking for students. Meanwhile, the City's Civic Center structure remains
underutilized.
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•`r~~~E^v}, •^ •lik~^^~~ •^Oiil, •~O^,~lE •1~S'm,se• ^m,iiLn- •^ s?03E :•ITI, •^
•11p,~^^• •^ e~i11.O ITk~^ vklil• e^ ~~'eiil.^ •tlk,~^^• et'^d2•~ iil,~0~~ Ilp~~••pl.•~
^^ •e°.9O s~eitl, ~'^O s •^^O• ^^ sitke3E•3E1Oc~ `'~^~^ ^1>Lm,n •^ s'-^3Ed•lil,
•jEdZ~3E^~• •^ ~^S? ~7'O^O •li~~.^^• S211l.Clk~.•ill. •-'~'111,~E^ O~sOlil,^e• ~Oill,
•^Oc~,3f^~~ The current Civic Center daily and monthly parking rate is too high for most high school students and
their families. •~O^.'~ ~ ~~~ DO^~^•in,• •.'~'~• ~[~~m~~6 O^^e~~~ ~l11,003Ee• ~•
..Mill, ~3E•3Eilk ~~O~jE^~o •e0011p•.Dill. 42111. Oill,•ill,0:•Til,j'- ~'^O ~~^1°=0 ~^^3Ellko~
~3E~M •e~1'-ill,^e• ~• 6s o~em, ^~' ca•~~~0^^eM ^O e~~l~~Bo'~S'-~O~ Since
Samohi students start school early and are generally out of class at 3:30 or 4, many spaces used by students can be
used again in the evening.
This reduced rate should be instituted as soon as possible, and certainly before the Zone U restrictions
begin. While the parking demand and circulation analysis will address long-term solutions, the City can earn
revenue immediately from spaces that are currently unused and students will have a parking alternative that provides a
safer pedestrian crossing to school and does not impact residential neighborhoods.
Please take action to support the safety and welfare of Samohi students and the Santa Monica community by offering
these proposed reduced Civic Center parking rates to Samohi students.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
Sincerely,
Laurie Yehia
Co-Editor, Samohi Viking Voice
Legislation Co-Chair, Santa Monica -Malibu Council of PTAs
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1/22/2008
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: NIROOMAND [niroomand@msn.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2008 6:51 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Dear Council member,
Please conceder how important and helpful will be when a student can park her/his car next to SMH.
It helps them to commute to their job and school and home with affordable expense.
Sincerely
H. Niroomand
A sophomore parent
1/22/2008
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: Rosemary Zera [rosemary.zera@verizon.net]
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2008 9:29 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: Monthly Parking Permits for SAMOHI Students/Revenue for the City of Santa Monica
Please consider and pass the PTSA's proposal for parking permits at the rate of $42.00 monthly for SAMOHI students. Santa
Monica should value it's students who are making a difference and working hard to keep their grade averages up in order to receive
good student insurance discounts that enable them to drive the cars that they are working, both inside and outside of school, to buy,
run and use. The council recently doubled the bus pass rate for students, taking from the poor once again. Please consider giving
something to these students who have earned the priviledge to drive.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Zera
Resident of Santa Monica for 32 years and
Owner of Main Street Travel
2518 1/2 Main Street
Santa Monica CA 90405
310 392-4588
1/22/2008
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: Joy Abbott poyabbott@roadrunner.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2008 12:46 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: City Council Meeting Jan 22 -Agenda Item 8A
We are parents of a SAMOHI senior writing to express our disappointment regarding the Staff Report for Item 8A. on the
upcoming agenda. In spite of our repeated requests for consideration and a promise from the City Manager to review our
students' needs, the related staff report does not address reduced rate monthly parking permits for SAMOHI
students.
We are requesting the city council immediately consider issuing monthly parking passes for a limited number of SAMOHI
students to use the City structure at 4th and Olympic at the cost of $42 per month or $4.25 per day. As noted by our
PTSA, issuing student permits would enable the City to earn revenue from spaces that are currently unused, and it will
give students a parking alternative that would provide a safer pedestrian crossing to school without impacting
surrounding residential neighborhoods.
Please consider using monthly parking permits for SAMOHI students, at least on a trial basis.
Thank you for your consideration,
Joy and Ken Abbott
1745 Sunset Avenue
1/22/2008
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: NancyCreates@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2008 1:11 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: Civic Center Parking for SAMOHI Students
Hello,
1 am a parent of a student at Santa Monica High school and support that the Civic Center lower the cost for student parking. I vote
that there be lowered rates for the Santa Monica High School sudents to park during the day in the Civic lot.
Sincerely,.
Nancy Choate
Nancy's Creations
1158 26th Street, Suite 660
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310-453-5916
nancycreates@aol. com
www.nancycreates com
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1 /22/2008
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: ITEAC H U 107@aol. com
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2008 10:41 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: Parking for SAMOHI students
Dear Councilmembers,
I strongly urge you to consider the fact that there needs to be more parking available to SAMOHI students. The new parking structure
across the street would be a good solution to the shortage of parking and should be available to students at a reasonable rate. This
is especially important now that street parking in the area will be on a permit basis only to residents.
Thank you,
Cheryl Diamond
Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.
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1/22/2008
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: Alison Buell [a.l.buell@verizon.net]
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2008 8:37 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: samohi student parking
Dear Council Members,
Please consider some accommodation for Samohi student parking at the Civic Center. Even if it is just for a short term; non-
permanent solution, it would signify a valuable collaboration between the city and our high school. What better model could there be
For our student citizens to see us working together to solve problems?
My kids take the bus, and will continue to do so. Many kids do not have that option, stay late, drive carpools with siblings, etc. What if
the city provided parking was reserved for students who carpool? It seems that there can be some progress made if the city would
share the same of urgency that the school recognizes.
Thanks for your time,
Alison Buell
1/22/2008
age 1 of 2
Sonia Ramos
From: Tootaah@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2008 11:17 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: MeisterJR@aol.com; alison@kendallplanning.com
Subject: URGENT request for viable parking for Samohi students
Dear Santa Monica City Council members,
I am a concerned Samohi parent, and per the Samohi PTSA correspondence sent to the City Council over the
past six months, I am urgently requesting viable alternatives for parking for Santa Monica High School
students including affordable student parking access to the underutilized City structure near the school at
4th and Olympic.
I have been very impressed by City Council support of the public schools and our children and urge you to
act positively on this request for the benefit and safety of our students.
Your support of this request would alleviate untold stress on our young student drivers trying to
calculate where to park early in the morning; tardiness due to those who are late to school as they were
unable to find parking distraction during the day due to the need to change parking throughout the day
in timed parking areas, as well as inconvenience to local residents. Importantly, this measure will
promote safer student driving with a known destination, and safer and more centralized pedestrian
crossing.
As you know, there is extremely limited parking on the Samohi campus.
Parking Zone "U" in the neighborhood southwest of Pico and Lincoln Boulevards exacerbates this lack of
parking for students.
We propose that 200-400 monthly permits at the Civic parking structure be reserved for Santa Monica High
studentsat a rate of $42/month or $4.25/day. Since Samohi students start school early and are generally out
of class at 3:30 or 4:OOpm, many spaces used by students can be used again in the evening.
This reduced rate should be instituted as soon as possible. Implement the program on an interim basis as
the School District and the City move forward on joint use opportunities for Samohi and the Civic Center.
The parking demand and circulation analysis will address long-term solutions but in the meantime, the City
may earn revenue from spaces that are currently unused and students will have a parking alternative that
provides a safer pedestrian crossing to school and does not impact residential neighborhoods.
Thank you for your consideration,
Teri Zakzook
tootaah@aol.com
1/22/2008
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: Winter Hoffman [winterh@adelphia.net]
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2008 11:35 AM
To: Council Mailbox; alison@kendallplanning.com
Subject: Parking for SM High School Students
Dear Santa Monica City Council members,
[ am a concerned Samohi parent, and per the Samohi PTSA correspondence sent to the City Council over the past six months, I am urgently requesting
viable alternatives for parking for Santa Moriica High School students including affordable student parking access to the underutilized City structure
near the school at 4th and Olympic.
I have been very impressed by City Council support of the public schools and our children and urge you to act positively on this request for the benefit
and safety of our students.
Your support of this request would alleviate untold stress on our young student drivers trying to calculate where to park early in the
morning; tardiness due to those who are late to school as they were unable to Snd parking; distraction during the day due to the need to
change parking throughout the day in timed parking areas, as well as inconvenience to local residents. Importantly, this measure will
promote safer student driving with a known destination, and safer and more centralized pedestrian crossing.
As you know, there is extremely limited parking on the Samohi campus.
Parking Zone "U" in the neighborhood southwest of Pico and Lincoln Boulevards exacerbates this lack of parking for students.
We propose that 200-400 monthly permits at the Civic parking structure be reserved for Santa Monica High students at a rate of $42/month or
$4.25/day. Since Samohi students start school early and are generally out of class at 3:30 or 4:OOpm, many spaces used by students can be used again
in the evening.
This reduced rate should be instituted as soon as possible. Implement the program on an interim basis as the School District and the City move
forward onjoint use opportunities for Samohi and the Civic Center.
The parking demand and circulation analysis will address long-teen solutions but in the meantime, the City may earn revenue from spaces that are
currently unused and students will have a parking alternative that provides a safer pedestrian crossing to school and does not impact residential
neighborhoods.
Thank you for your consideration,
Winter and Fred Hoffinan
23614th St.
Santa Monica, Ca 90402
(310) 393-3458 H
1/22/2008
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: JLandonSM@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2008 1:44 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: No Subject
I am writing to support the proposal before the board in regards to increasing parking at the civic center parking garage for SAMOHI
students. The proposal is reasonable and would also aid in creating a positive relationship between the students and their
government while also reducing the stress caused by traffic congestion around the school to community members and the families
doing "drop offs".
Please move now to offer parking spaces at a reduced rate for SAMOHI students.
Janet Landon
1549 Centinela Ave.
Santa Monica, CA
310-828-0168
Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.
http://body.aol. com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCI D=aolcmp00300000002489
1/22/2008
RGENT request for viable parking for Samohi students
Sonia Ramos
From: fred hoffman [fredhoffman@adelphia.net]
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2008 8:27 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: URGENT request for viable parking for Samohi students
Dear Santa Monica City Council members,
I am a concerned Samohi parent, and per the Samohi PTSA correspondence sent to the City Council
over the past six months, I am urgently requesting viable alternatives for parking for Santa Monica
High School students including affordable student parking access to the underutilized City structure
near the school at 4th and Olympic.
I have been very impressed by City Council support of the public schools and our children and urge
you to act positively on this request for the benefit and safety of our students.
Your support of this request would alleviate untold stress on our young student
drivers trying to calculate where to park early in the morning; tardiness due to those who
are late to school as they were unable to find parking; distraction during the day due to
the need to change parking throughout the day in timed parking areas, as well
as inconvenience to local residents. Importantly, this measure will promote safer
student driving with a known destination, and safer and more centralized pedestrian
crossing.
As you know, there is extremely limited parking on the Samohi campus.
Parking Zone "U" in the neighborhood southwest of Pico and Lincoln Boulevards exacerbates this lack
of parking for students.
We propose that 200-400 monthly permits at the Civic parking structure be reserved for Santa
Monica High students at a rate of $42/month or $4.25/day. Since Samohi students start school early
and are generally out of class at 3:30 or 4:OOpm, many spaces used by students can be used again
in the evening.
This reduced rate should be instituted as soon as possible. Implement the program on an interim
basis as the School District and the City move forward on joint use opportunities for Samohi and
the Civic Center.
The parking demand and circulation analysis will address long-term solutions but in the meantime,
the City may earn revenue from spaces that are currently unused and students will have a parking
alternative that provides a safer pedestrian crossing to school and does not impact residential
neighborhoods.
Thank you for your consideration,
Page 1 of 2
1/22/2008
URGENT request for viable parking for Samohi students
Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape <http:J/body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exerase?
NCID=aolcmp00300000002489> in the new year.
End of Forwarded Message
Page 2 of 2
1/22/2008
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: NKearsley@aol.com
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 9:03 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: Parking at Civic Center
Dear Council Members,
We respectfully request that you discuss and move in favor of allowing Samohi students to obtain reduced
rate parking permits for the Civic Center lot. My husband and I are both Samohi graduates and never faced
the parking issues that our three (two now graduated) Samohi students have faced. Our youngest is now a
junior and very involved in Samohi sports. It is unsafe for her to park in the neighborhoods surrounding
Samohi when she leaves practice after 5:00 PM -and now with impending permit parking only -she will
have no where to park! Yes there is the Big Blue Bus, but I urge you to take the bus on any given morning
-the number of SMC students on the bus often causes the bus drivers to pass up any students waiting along
the route -thus causing Samohi students to be late for class. Also, after practicing a sport for three hours
after school -practice starts with. 6th period and continues until after 5:00 PM, catching a bus a block or two
away, in the darkness, and with a very interesting group of homeless, etc (have you ever taken the #7 Pico
bus?) -not something I desire for any student!
Why not allow Samohi students, and more selectively, those Samohi students who actually reside IN Santa
Monica, the privilege of purchasing a reduced rate parking permit at the Civic lot? The lot sits nearly empty
on any-given school day.
I think the residents of Santa Monica whose students attend Samohi would. appreciate this privilege - in light
of the fact City Council/SMMUSD has permitted a movie production company to come in to our school and
disrupt the daily activities of our school - and I certainly do not recall being asked if we agreed to that!
Thank you for your consideration and action on this issue.
NRwci~. awd Chucle IC2gYSl,e~
Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.
1/22/2008
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: Heidi & Kenny Fields [edgetoedge@earthlink.net]
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 9:31 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: Kenny Fields
Subject: SAMOHI student parking
Dear Councilmembers,
As parents of two SAMOHI students, business owners and residents in the city of Santa Monica, we would like to ask you to
consider the PTSA's proposal of allowing reduced-rate student parking at the Civic Center parking lots. As we're sure you are aware,
the parking and drop-of/pick-up situation at SAMOHI is quite challenging.
There is very limited parking in the SAMOHI parking lot, which is distributed by lottery to 40 seniors each semester. Thus, many
students never actually get an opportunity to park on campus. The availability of street parking in the vicinity of the school is
extremely limited as well.
Both of our children are on school sports teams and must stay late after school. They have heavy loads of books and gear to
carry, making bus transportation difficult, if not impossible on most days. Increased access to parking, through availability of the Civic
Center lots, would be greatly appreciated and utilized by manyfamilies. As long as the parking structure is not being used to its full
capacity, it would make sense to allow student parking at an affordable rate. We hope you will take this proposal into consideration.
Sincerely,
Heidi and Kenny Fields
1/22/2008
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: Jane Weber [JaneWeber@ThibiantSpa.com]
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 10:11 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: Student Parking
To All Council Members,
Please consider granting affordable student parking at the SM Civic parking structure for SamoHi students.
A Concerned SamoHi Parent
1/22/2008
onia Ramos
From: Inese Verzemnieks [iverzemn@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 11:11 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: meisterjr@aol.com; alison@kendallplanning.com
Subject: Support SAMOHI student Civic Parking
Dear Honorable members of the Santa Monica City Council
As a resident of this city and a "parent alum" of Samohi, I urge you to support the
recommendations of the Santa Monica High School PISA: open unused parking spots in the new
parking structure at Olympic and 4th, charge students a reasonable fee. This can be
reassessed regularly.
My daughter graduated in 2004 and during her high
school years this was a recurring issue. I
participated in meetings with community members as well as the school, trying co deal with
the parking (and serious drop off) issues. Students even approached the Council about the
parking problem and suggested adding spaces to the lot in question for students as long
ago as 2004. But students graduate and move on, while successive groups of studentsare
left with the same issues. While most of us agree it is better to not drive to school,
that is impractical:
students have late athletic practices, rush off to work or volunteer efforts, lessons,
other classes.
When I asked a few years ago, I was told that CITY EMPLOYEES paid NOTHING for parking
:oefore the current structure was built. Is that still true? If that is the case, or if
they pay a small fee (and I doubt they pay more/much more than $42/month if they pay
anything?), then the proposal for an equitable monthly fee of $42 seems reasonable in
light of the unrealized revenue with the current empty spaces. And this would help the
residents in the U-zone area.
Students waste a lot of gasoline "searching" for available parking. Giving them access to
the structure would be more environmentally sound as well as improve our air quality and
traffic congestion.
Thank you for your consideration.
Inese Verzemnie ks, RN, PhD
Santa Monica Resident
Samohi alumna "mom"
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1
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: Kathy Besinque [kbesin@pharmacy.usc.edu]
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 12:26 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: Reduced rate parking for Santa Monica High Students
Dear City Council Members,
The traffic and parking surrounding Santa Monica High School is terrible. The availability of affordable parking in the new structure
would greatly reduce traffic congestion during the morning and afternoon near Santa Monica High. Drop off trips to the high school
are an unnecessary waste of energy and time that result from the inability to park on or near campus. The district does not provide
transportation to students (or this would not be an issue) and the distance is too far to walk or safely ride a bike for many
students.
Please consider allowing the use of the parking structure -possibly with limited hours (7-5pm) during regular school days (no
summer parking) as a mechanism to reduce traffic and unnecessary car trips. After all a city that closes city services every other
Friday as a means to reduce energy consumption should be thinking about the residents they are supposed to serve with the same
consideration.
Thank you
Kathy Besinque
Santa Monica
1/22/2008
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: Carol Alverson [carol@aronowitzmd.com]
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 2:51 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Can the council please address the dicounted parking permits for SAMOHI students? The requested fee is $4.25 per
month. And how many permits per month will be issued? 200 400? Some due diligence needs to move this forward.
Certainly not every student needs to drive a car to school. But out of a campus wuth 3000 students 200 to 400 per month
sounds reasonable.
Thank you,
Carol Koncan
1/22/2008
onia Ramos
From: pseastman@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 12:38 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: Let Samohi Students Park
Page 1 of 1
J,~~' ~ ? 2GG8
A®® T® 8°A
I am writing to urge you to take the necessary steps to provide reduced-rate parking for Samohi students in the new City
Hall Parking structure across 4th street from Samohi. This will allow students to park in a safe area and to be good
neighbors to residents in the area by not parking on their streets.
Thank you, as always, for your support of our schools.
Patricia Eastman
President, Samohi Orchestra Parent Association
310-433-6326
pseastman@aol.com
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1/22/2008 ~~~/ T® ~+ 77
age 1 of 1
Sonia Ramos
From: shgomer@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 1:57 PM
To: Council Mailbox
We are in support of the Samohi PTSA proposal for the use of 200-400 parking spaces in the new parking
structure to be used by students at a reduced rate.
Steve and Jane Gomer
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1/22/2008
Reference
Resolution No.
10271 (CCS).