SR 09-12-2017 13B 13.B
September 12, 2017
Council Meeting: September 12, 2017 Santa Monica, California
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CITY CLERK’S OFFICE - MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Denise Anderson-Warren, City Clerk, Records & Elections Services
Department
Date: September 12, 2017
13.B Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Task Force on the
Environment.
13-B
SEPTEMBER 12, 2017
SPECIAL VACANCY APPOINTMENT WORKSHEET
13-B
TASK FORCE ON
THE ENVIRONMENT
NEW TERM
ENDING
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED
Unscheduled Vacancy
(William Selby’s,
resignation accepted
08/08/2017)
None None
City of Santa Monica
Board and Commissions Applicants
Task Force on the Environment
Name
Garen Baghdasarian
Tara Barauskas
Andrew Hoyer
*William R. Kairala*
Kenneth R. Layton
Amber Richane
Carter Rubin
Total Number of
Applicants: 7
*William R. Kairala is
currently a member of
the Clean Beaches &
Tax Citizens
Committee.
Original Application
Date
08/21/2017
09/05/2017
09/05/2017-New
09/05/2017
06/15/2017
08/14/2017
09/05/2017
Last Application Date
Task Force on the Environment Applicant
Garen Baghdasarian
Application Date: 08/21/17
PROFILE
baghdasarian_garen@smc.edu
2337 Oak Street Apt. 6
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Mobile: (310) 968-3460
Business: (310) 434-8222
INTERESTS AND EXPERIENCE
Current or prior service on city boards/commissions:
N/A
Community activities:
• Presentations on marine biology and/or environmental issues to various organizations such as the
Rotary Club and school groups.
• I helped organize and invite expert speakers (often on environmental issues) to public events.
• I helped organize and participated in numerous beach cleanup events
Qualifications, experience, education, and technical or professional requirements:
• Nine years member of the Santa Monica College Environmental Affairs Committee
• Three years as Chair of Santa Monica College Environmental Affairs Committee; coinciding with the last
SMC environmental audit that initiated substantial college-wide sustainability related policy
implementations
• Three years as Director of the Santa Monica College Center for Environmental and Urban Studies
• Ph.D. in Biology and post-doctoral research experience from UCLA
• 17th year as a full-time professor in the Life Sciences Department at Santa Monica College; currently
teaching marine biology
• Ongoing active research program on the effects of climate change and ocean acidification on coral
reefs
• Participation in research and advocacy projects involving issues of plastic pollution at sea
• Seven years as Chair of the Life Sciences Department in Santa Monica College, as well as multiple years
as member of the Executive committees of the college academic senate and faculty associations
• One year as advisory board member for the Channel Islands Marine Resource Institute
Goals:
My goals for this position are simple. I truly believe in the Santa Monica City Sustainability Plan and its
Guiding Principles. Also, I appreciate the advisory role of the Task Force on the Environment, and its vital
part in helping our city leadership address policies in accordance to this plan. As a long-term resident of
Santa Monica, and as a person that both works and is raising a young child in Santa Monica, I would like
to do my part to make our great city even better. I believe my qualifications are a unique fit for the needs
of the Environmental Task Force, particularly in the context of the recent resignation of Professor William
Selby from this committee.
Vision:
My vision for the Task Force on the Environment is to continue its work in accordance to its 1997
adopted mission. If chosen to participate, in my role, I will advocate for a science-based and data-driven
assessment of scenarios, and will support policy stances that have a long-term vision, and that
simultaneously consider environmental sustainability, social justice, and economic prosperity.
Personal Qualities:
As a scientist, I am trained to observe patterns, to ask questions, and to be critical and data-driven in the
process of addressing those questions. These qualities I believe will serve me well when considering the
type of issues faced by the Task Force for the Environment.
Additionally, I have seven years of experience as chair of the Life Sciences Department in Santa Monica
College. In this leadership position, I worked with a broad range of individuals with varying interests and
points of view. Conflict resolution, and ability to work to achieve consensus amongst different
stakeholders was an important part of my responsibilities, and I believe those experiences will also help
me be an effective member of the task force.
Will you be able to commit the necessary time to perform your duties if appointed to the board?
yes
BUSINESS INFORMATION
Occupation: College Professor
Business name: Santa Monica College
Business address: 1900 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Business phone: 310.434.8222
Task Force on the Environment Applicant
Kenneth R Layton
Application Date: 06/15/17
PROFILE
kennylayton@gmail.com
2632 6th St
Unit B
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Mobile: (213) 440-1032
Business: (310) 859-4351
INTERESTS AND EXPERIENCE
Current or prior service on city boards/commissions:
N/A
Community activities:
I enjoy running, biking, hiking, and swimming in the ocean and at the pool with my team mates, while
we raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. I also participate in beach clean up days.
Was on the board of directors for The Audubon Society at Debs Park for 2 years.
Qualifications, experience, education, and technical or professional requirements:
Graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Environmental Science focused in Biology.
Currently work as an agent at William Morris/Endeavor where I focus on emerging talent and the art
landscape within the digital realm.
Goals:
In my role at WME, I feel like I am uniquely positioned to help grow the outreach for the City of Santa
Monica into the larger Los Angeles entertainment field while at the same time helping to bring more
people from outside Santa Monica to events within the city.
Vision:
I am looking forward to working together with my fellow citizens to facilitate a stronger community thru
contributing to the longevity and health thru our environmental task forces.
Personal Qualities:
For the past couple of years I have been the department head for Digital Touring at WME. 4 years ago,
the department was non-existent. Since then, I have spearheaded the growth of the department to over
10 agents and over 110 clients. The only way I was able to do this is by listening to my colleagues. I
believe that a great leader is someone that takes the time to ask the correct questions, listen to the
answers, and then make the correct strategic decision on how to move forward by applying past
experiences with the new learned knowledge.
Will you be able to commit the necessary time to perform your duties if appointed to the board?
yes
BUSINESS INFORMATION
Occupation: Talent Agent
Business name: WME
Business address: 9601 Wilshire Blvd
Business phone: 3108594351
City of Santa Monica
Board and Commissions Applicants
Task Force on the Environment
Name
Garen Baghdasarian
Tara Barauskas
Andrew Hoyer
William R. Kairala
Kenneth R. Layton
Amber Richane
Carter Rubin
Total Number of
Applicants: 7
Original Application
Date
08/21/2017
09/05/2017
09/05/2017
09/05/2017
06/15/2017
08/14/2017
09/05/2017
Last Application Date
1
Vernice Hankins
From:Liz Bell <lizmacbell@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, September 11, 2017 7:58 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 13-B, Task Force on the Environment
Dear Councilmembers,
I write in support of the application of Andrew Hoyer for a position on the Task Force on the Environment. I have known
Andy for 4 years through our Mid City Neighbors Neighborhood Association. He was president for 3 of those years ‐3
very transformative years in which the governance of the Association was thought through and carried out. To begin
with, Andy cares deeply about Santa Monica and helping to carry it forward as an environmental leader. His personal
qualities of even‐temperedness, thoughtful analysis, listening to every side, ability to read professional documents and
translate the contents to understandable English and relate it to current problems is a standout. He is currently our
governmental liaison to City Hall, a new position, because of his regular attendance at City Hall meetings and ability to
let us, as members of the Mid City Neighbors, know what really happen.
I would feel most comfortable for the City and the environment having him as a representative on this Task Force.
Thank you.
Liz Bell
1434 18th St.
90404
310‐977‐2463.
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Vernice Hankins
From:Stacy Dalgleish <sdalgleish@mac.com>
Sent:Tuesday, September 12, 2017 1:00 PM
To:Ted Winterer; Gleam Davis; Pam OConnor; Terry O’Day; Councilmember Kevin
McKeown; Tony Vazquez; Sue Himmelrich; Clerk Mailbox; Council Mailbox
Cc:Rick Cole
Subject:Andy Hoyer for Environmental Task Force
Dear Councilmembers
I wish to bring to your attention Andrew Hoyer's application for the current vacant seat on the Environmental Task
Force. In addition to Mr Hoyer's experience, which is well‐documented in his formal online application, Andrew has been
a longtime Board Member of Santa Monica Mid City Neighbors, serving as Vice President, President and now
Government Affairs Officer.
While serving as the latter, Hoyer has always impressed me with the quality of his research, and his depth of practical
knowledge ‐ especially in the area of Environment Protection and Science.
It is therefore with pleasure that I recommend Andrew Hoyer to the Environmental Task Force.
With much respect,
Stacy
Stacy Dalgleish
310‐701‐9876
1537 24th Street
90404
Sent from my iPhone
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Vernice Hankins
From:Estefania Zavala on behalf of Council Mailbox
Sent:Tuesday, September 12, 2017 3:25 PM
To:Terry O’Day; Gleam Davis; Pam OConnor; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Sue
Himmelrich; Ted Winterer; Tony Vazquez
Cc:Stephanie Venegas; councilmtgitems; Clerk Mailbox
Subject:FW: re:ITEM 13-B
Council—
Please see the email below regarding the Task Force on the Environment.
Thank you,
Estefania
Estefania Zavala
Intern | City of Santa Monica, City Manager’s Office
Master of Public Policy Student | UCLA
From: Diane Miller [mailto:commissionerdianemiller@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 3:18 PM
To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>
Subject: re:ITEM 13‐B
apologies for the lateness of the communication..briefly allow me to advocate on behalf of andy
hoyer for the appointment to the environmental task force..having worked with andy on various
projects in the community i know him to be a truly dedicated, talented and wonderful person to
collaborate with in addition to haveing botht education background and professional credentials
required..
thank you for this consideration and most grateful for creating the task force...so proud of our
leaderships vision..
diane miller
--
COMMISSIONER DIANE MILLER
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Commission on the Status of Women
310 394.9511 0
310 291.7364 M
commissionerdianemiller@gmail.com
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Vernice Hankins
From:Andrew Hoyer <abhoyer@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, September 12, 2017 3:18 PM
To:Sue Himmelrich; Rick Cole; Council Mailbox; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Pam
OConnor; Terry O’Day; Gleam Davis; Tony Vazquez; Ted Winterer; Clerk Mailbox
Cc:Ellen Hannan; Catherine Eldridge; Stacy Dalgleish; Nick Boles; William Hamilton; Diane
Citron; Diane Miller; Liz & Dale Bell; Santamonicamidcityneighbors
Subject:Comments on September 12, 2017 City Council Meeting Agenda Item 13-B
Dear Councilmembers,
I am writing to explain why I feel that I would be the best candidate for the position on the
Task Force on the Environment. I specifically chose not to play the standard political games
that usually get folks appointed to such a commission. I did not reach out to my ‘favorite’
councilmembers and ask for their individual support before I even applied.
I applied because I do care about the environment and I have for a long time. You have seen
examples of that on numerous occasions when these issues have arisen before you. You
know that I have converted my backyard lawn into a 300 square foot garden. You may not
know that even with three adults on the property and the large vegetable garden we manage
to only use between 10 and 18 HCF per month which is well below the 22-30 HCF city
allotment. I spoke in favor of the water rate increases, even speaking out against those who
said we should wait until after the big El Nino system predicted for 2016. I have always felt
that saving water is the same as saving energy and therefore reducing our impact on the
planet.
I also applied because I noticed that while you have architects, scientists, and professionals
on the Task Force who are pioneers on the edge of the sustainability discussion, I did not see
anybody currently on the board who is as involved directly with the community as I have
been. (Although there are certainly others applying who are.) I have always felt that one of
my most useful skills has been translating scientific jargon into simpler layman’s terms and
that is where I feel that my strongest contributions to this task force would be. Not only in
interpreting but also in relaying the concerns of the average citizen back to the task force.
As far as my background and experience are concerned, I do have a BS in Environmental
Science and a long history of building maintenance to draw upon that will serve me well in
discussions with the professionals on this board. I was enrolled in Antioch University’s first
cohort for their Urban Sustainability Master of the Arts program and the head of the program
did offer to be a reference for me in this regard should I ever need one. (Interestingly enough,
it was while looking for internship possibilities that I discovered the Neighborhood Council
and was quickly pulled into the orbit of the nascent Santa Monica Mid City Neighbors
organization.)
Although I would personally love to work for the NRDC myself, I feel that they are already
well represented on this commission as is the Institute of the Environment and
Sustainability. If you recall, I was present on the evening Mark Gold was selected to lead this
task force and I and lauded him on his previous environmental accomplishments. I would
really love the opportunity to serve this great city further with him. If chosen by you to fill
this appointment, I would look at it as one of the greatest learning opportunities of my lifetime
and I would serve proudly for as long as I feel that I am still contributing in a meaningful
way.
Thank you,
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Andrew Hoyer
SMMCN Board Vice President & Govt Affairs Officer
There is only one moment in time when it is essential to awaken. That moment is now.
- Buddha
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