m20230523
1 May 23, 2023
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MAY 23, 2023
A regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council was called to order by Mayor Davis at 5:34 p.m., on
Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA.
Roll Call: Present: Mayor Gleam Davis
Mayor Pro Tem Lana Negrete
Councilmember Phil Brock
Councilmember Oscar de la Torre
Councilmember Christine Parra
Councilmember Caroline Torosis (arrived at 5:41 p.m.)
Councilmember Jesse Zwick
Also Present: City Manager David White
City Attorney Douglas Sloan
City Clerk Denise Anderson-Warren
CONVENE/PLEDGE
On order of the Mayor, the City Council convened at 5:34p.m., with all
members present except Councilmember Torosis. Councilmember Brock
led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.
GENERAL PUBLIC
INPUT:
Councilmember Torosis
arrived at 5:41 p.m.
Members of the public Angelica, Cynthia Anderson, Jerry Rubin,
Alejandro, Dulce Sanchez, Johnathan Foster, Jorge Cruz, Adriana, Harvey
Edder, and Kelli Clift commented on various local issues.
PUBLIC INPUT FOR
CLOSED SESSION,
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS AND CONSENT
CALENDAR ONLY:
There were no members of the public present to comment on closed session
items.
There were no members of the public present to comment on special
agenda items.
Members of the public Cynthia Anderson, and Irma Garcia commented on
consent calendar items.
AGENDA
MANAGEMENT
Motion by Mayor Davis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, to hear all
of the Ordinances before the Budget Study Session. The motion was
unanimously approved by voice vote, with all members present.
PROCLAMATIONS/
COMMENDATIONS
4.A. Proclamation: Public Works Week, was presented.
4.B. Proclamation: Jewish American Heritage Month, was presented.
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4.C. Proclamation: 2023 LGBTQ+ Pride, was presented.
SPECIAL AGENDA
ITEMS:
Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
excused at 6:40 p.m.
4.D. City Manager's Report: Report Out on Equity and Inclusion
Projects, was presented.
CLOSED SESSIONS
On order of the Mayor, the City Council recessed at 7:02 p.m., to consider
closed sessions and returned at 7:36 p.m., with all members present, to
report the following:
3.A. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation – Gov.
Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): Juana Lopez-Sanchez v. City of Santa
Monica et al.; LASC Case No. 21STCV45447
The City Attorney advised this matter was heard with no reportable action
taken.
3.B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation – Gov.
Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): Louise Farnam and Lenora Farnam-Fard
v. City of Santa Monica; LASC Case No. 20STCV4877 [report out
only]
The City Attorney reported that Settlement No. 11402 (CCS) in the amount
of $125,000 was approved on May 9, 2023, with a 7-0 vote, with all
members present.
REPORT ON TRAVEL There was nothing to report on Council travel.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmembers Brock and
de la Torre returned at
7:40 p.m.
All items were considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a
Councilmember for discussion.
At the request of Councilmember Parra, Item 5.B. was removed from the
Consent Calendar.
At the request of Councilmember Brock, Item 5.H. was removed from the
Consent Calendar.
At the request of Councilmember Zwick, Item 5.I. was removed from the
Consent Calendar.
At the request of Councilmember de la Torre, Item 5.L. was removed from
the Consent Calendar.
Motion by Councilmember Brock, seconded by Councilmember Torosis, to
approve the Consent Calendar except for Items 5.B., 5.H., 5.I. and 5.L.
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reading resolutions by title only and waiving further reading thereof. The
motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Brock, Torosis, de la Torre,
Mayor Davis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
PURCHASE FUEL 5.A. Authorization to Issue Purchase Orders to AAA Oil, Inc., for
the Purchase and Delivery of Renewable Diesel Fuel, 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. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue purchase orders with
AAA Oil, Inc., dba California Fuels and Lubricants, for the
purchase and delivery of renewable diesel fuel for the Public Works
Department and Fire 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
$2,024,418 (including a 15% contingency) with future year funding
contingent on Council budget approval.
SEWER SYSTEM
5.C. Adoption of Resolution No. 11527 (CCS) Approving the City's
Sewer System Management Plan Update, was adopted.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached resolution approving the City’s Sewer System
Management Plan (SSMP) Update and Certifying it is consistent
with Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for
Sanitary Sewer Systems.
2. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section
15308 (Actions for Protection of the Environment), of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
BATTERY BID 5.D. Award Bid to Battery Power, Inc. for Fire Department and
Transit Bus Batteries, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption (Class 1 Existing
Facilities) pursuant to Section 15301 of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award Bid #4451 to Battery Power, Inc. to provide heavy-duty low-
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voltage batteries for use on transit buses and Fire Department
heavy-duty apparatus; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Contract
Agreement No. 11403 (CCS) with Battery Power, Inc., in an
amount not to exceed $675,524, including a $61,411 contingency,
and a 2% annual cost escalator, over a five-year period with future
year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
ROOFTOP SPACE 5.E. Approval of Second Modification of Agreement #9798 with DE
100 Wilshire, LLC for Rooftop Space at 100 Wilshire, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a second
modification to Contract Agreement No. 9798 (CCS) in the amount
of $409,000 with DE 100 Wilshire, LLC for leasing of rooftop
space at 100 Wilshire Boulevard for the Police Department This
will result in a 15-year amended agreement with a new total amount
not to exceed $978,356, with future year funding contingent on
Council budget approval.
2. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301
(Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Guidelines.
PURCHASE
RENEWABLE LIQUID
NATURAL GAS
5.F. Approval of Second Modification to Contract with Clean
Energy Corporation for Increased Funding for Purchase of Renewable
Liquid Natural Gas, 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. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a second
modification to Contract Agreement No. 11155 (CCS) in the
amount of $5,899,994 with Clean Energy Corporation to provide
Renewable Natural Gas fuel for the Santa Monica Department of
Transportation. This will result in an amended agreement with a
new total amount not to exceed $11,771,926, with future year
funding contingent on Council budget approval, with the original
five-year term of the agreement remaining unchanged.
SOFTWARE
MAINTANANCE
5.G. Approval of Second Modification to Professional Services
Agreement with Selectron Technologies for Software Maintenance and
Support Services, was approved.
Recommended Action
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Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a CEQA 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 City Manager to negotiate and execute a second
modification to Contract Agreement No. 9745 (CCS) in the amount
of $105,405 with Selectron Technologies, Inc. for software
maintenance and support services for the Community Development
Department. This will result in a 13-year amended agreement with a
new total amount not to exceed $357,310, with future year funding
contingent on Council budget approval.
GRANT FUNDS
APPLICATION
5.J. Adoption of Resolution No. 11528 (CCS) Authorizing the
Application for Grant Funds from the State of California Department
of Parks and Recreation Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant
Funding, was adopted and approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Statutory Exemption pursuant to Section
15061(b)(3)(Common Sense Exemption) of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines that the grant
application will have no possibility of significant effects.
2. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the application for grant
funds in the amount of $6 million from the California Department
of Parks and Recreation Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant
Program for the Memorial Park Expansion Project in the Public
Works Department.
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to
apply for the grant, accept the grant, if awarded, and accept all grant
renewals, if awarded.
URBAN AREA SECURITY
GRANT
5.K. Approval of Urban Area Security Initiative 2021 and 2022
Grant Acceptance, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to accept two grants with a total
awarded amount of $2,120,000 from the 2021 and 2022 Urban Area
Security Initiative (UASI) for homeland security projects in the Fire
and Information Services Departments, and to accept all associated
grant renewals.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to
accept the grant, grant modifications, and all associated grant
renewals.
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a second
modification to Contractual Services Agreement #10967 with
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Advanced Problem Solving, LLC, (APS) a California-based
company, in an amount not to exceed $850,000 and on the same
terms and conditions. This will result in a five-year amended
agreement with a new total contract amount not to exceed
$4,870,000 over a five-year period.
4. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301
of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
and a finding of no possibility of significant effect on the
environment pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense
Exemption) CEQA Guidelines.
5. Authorize budget changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts &
Budget Actions section of this report.
MINUTES 5.M. Minutes of City Council – Regular and Special Joint Meeting –
April 11, 2023, 5:30PM, were approved.
GROUNDWATER WELLS 5.B. Award RFP to Kennedy Jenks Consultants, Inc. for
Groundwater Wells Engineering Design Services, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that the groundwater recharge wells were analyzed
in the adopted Olympic Arcadia Treatment Plant Initial
Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (State Clearinghouse No.
2020070129), and a finding of categorical exemptions pursuant to
Sections 15302, 15303, 15303, and 15304 of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Award Request for Proposal #SP2678 to Kennedy/Jenks
Consultants, Inc., to provide engineering design services, develop
construction documents, and provide engineering support during the
construction of the Groundwater Wells Project for the Public Works
Department.
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Contract
Agreement No. 11404 (CCS) with Kennedy/Jenks Consulting, Inc.,
in an amount not to exceed $2,646,847 (including $240,622
contingency).
This item was pulled by Councilmember Parra to ask questions of staff.
Questions asked and answered included: identify the location of where SM-
11i well is and what are the mitigation measures; is there any noise from
this site; how long will this go on; is there any other location that this can
be placed; is there any opportunity to push this back further; is this an
either or option for this location; and, once the city meets with the
consultant, does the Council get to weigh back in on this before a final
location is determined.
Motion by Councilmember Parra, seconded by Councilmember Brock, to
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approve the recommended action. The motion was approved by the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers de la Torre, Torosis, Brock, Parra, Zwick,
Mayor Davis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
Direction given to staff that once the consultant has finished their work,
staff will send out an information item detailing which options the
consultant recommends as the optimal option, and depending on if it is in
fact the one closest to Stewart Street, it can come back and be addressed by
Council.
PARK AMBASSADOR 5.H. Award RFP #346 to Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) for
Park Ambassador services at Palisades, Reed and Tongva Parks, 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. Award RFP #346 to Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) for
Park Ambassador services at Palisades, Reed and Tongva Parks.
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute Contract
Agreement No. 11405 (CCS) with DTSM, in the amount not to
exceed $8,257,945 for five years with future year funding
contingent on Council budget approval.
This item was pulled by Councilmember Brock to ask questions of staff.
Questions asked and answered of staff included what type of Ambassador
is being proposed; a bathroom ambassador, hospitality ambassador, or
safety ambassador and what are the hours for these different ambassadors at
the different parks; does having a safety ambassador at Tongva seem to be
a deterrent for illegal issues; how is engagement determined when people
are referred to social services; are there any statistics that show whether or
not people referred to social services actually went to get services; why is
this a 5-year contract, shouldn’t there be a one-year contract with the option
to renew, if needed; is the only responsibility for the restroom ambassadors
to keep watch of the bathrooms, and not other areas of the park; since the
request for proposals (RFP) was put out for 5-years, can the city change the
terms or do they need to go back out; is there a difference in how much the
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hospitality ambassador is paid versus the other ambassadors; are the
ambassadors employees of Downtown Santa Monica; are the ambassadors
paid better than a living wage to get better quality employees; can the
Council decide to shorten the term of the contract, and what is the amount
of time the city has to provide before terminating the contract
Motion by Councilmember Brock, seconded by Councilmember de la
Torre, to approve the recommended action for a 1-year contract with (4)
one-year renewal options. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers de la Torre, Torosis, Brock, Parra, Zwick,
Mayor Davis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
PIER RELATED
SECURITY
5.I. Approval of Fourth Modification to Contract with California
Panther Security for Pier Related Security, was presented.
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. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a fourth
modification to Contract Agreement No. 11259 (CCS)[formerly
#4865] in the amount of $327,969 with A.G. Coast, Inc. d/b/a CA
Panther, for security services on and around the Santa Monica Pier
for the Community Development Department. This would result in
a six-month amended agreement with a new total amount not to
exceed $1,059,969, future year funding contingent on Council
budget approval.
This item was pulled by Councilmember Zwick to ask questions of staff.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: is this addition for an
additional officer, and how is this justified; are these six officers hired on
top of the DART team; what is the division of labor, and why are both a
private security and DART team necessary; is the private security unarmed
and what are they tasked to do, if a security issue occurs; is it necessary to
have a person at every entrance on the Pier; how much money is being
spent between staff and private security to address vending on the Pier; will
the private security and the DART team be fully funded through Measure
CS; is the company union represented employees; is this a six month
extension for one person; has there been a study about the cost to bring this
service in-house versus contracting; is it correct that security was hired
because street vendors had become unruly and were attacking city staff;
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what were some of the unruly issues that occurred, and what impact has
having a security company made; and, is it true that our civilian staff who
were assigned to the Pier requested bullet proof vest because there was so
much fear.
Motion by Councilmember Brock, seconded by Councilmember de la
Torre, to approve the recommended action. The motion was approved by
the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Brock, Torosis, de la Torre,
Mayor Davis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
CONTACT TRACING 5.L. Approval of First Modification to Agreement with Keystone
Medical Resources, Inc for Citywide Employee COVID-19 Contact
Tracing and Internal Healthcare Advisement, was approved.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to:
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. Negotiate and execute a first modification to Contract Agreement
No. 11303 (CCS) in the amount of $195,000 with Keystone
Medical Resources, Inc. (Keystone) for City-wide employee
COVID-19 contract tracing and internal healthcare advisement.
This will result in a two-year and nine-month amended agreement
with a new total amount not to exceed $345,000, with future year
funding contingent on Council budget approval.
This item was pulled by Councilmember de la Torre to ask questions of
staff.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: since contact tracing is no
longer mandated, why is this still necessary; now that this is no longer an
emergency, is there a reason this hasn’t gone out to bid; do we know why
they are still charging the same amount, even though we are no longer in a
surge; did the City of Santa Monica ever conduct an audit of Keystone’s
finances; do we know of any other large employer in the City of Santa
Monica who is still conducting contact tracing; what would happen if we
did not follow contact tracing; do we know if the County is conducting
contact tracing; do we know if our neighboring cities are still following this
rule; are there any alternatives that are less expensive; do we only pay if
someone calls to report a case; when does this current contract end; and, if
CalOsha changes their rule, are we allowed to terminate.
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Motion by Councilmember de la Torre, seconded by Councilmember
Brock, to approve the recommended action. The motion was approved by
the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers de la Torre, Torosis, Brock, Parra, Zwick,
Mayor Davis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
PUBLIC INPUT ON
REMAINING AGENDA
ITEMS:
Members of the public Denise Barton, Karen Melick, Judith Meister, Sue
Himmelrich, Michael Soloff (time donated by Jason Lesley), Kathy Knight,
Carol Lemlein, Ruthann Lehrer, Nina Fresco, Jon Katz, and Harvey Edder
commented on Item 7.A.
ORDINANCES:
315 COLORADO AVENUE
10.A. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2747 (CCS)
entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA CANCELLING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
13DEV-010 BETWEEN THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA, A
MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, AND MACERICH SMP LP, A
DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,” was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Brock, to
adopt the ordinance, reading by title only and waiving further reading
thereof. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Brock, Torosis, de la Torre,
Mayor Davis
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
HOME-SHARING AND
VACATION RENTALS
10.B. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2748 (CCS)
entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA AMENDING SANTA MONICA MUNICIPAL CODE
CHAPTER 6.20, HOME-SHARING AND VACATION RENTALS, TO
AUTHORIZE HOME-SHARING IN CERTAIN QUALIFYING
ACCESSORY STRUCTURES AND INCORPORATE A HOME-
SHARING LEGALIZATION PROGRAM,” was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
Motion by Councilmember Brock, seconded by Councilmember Parra, to
adopt the ordinance, reading by title only and waiving further reading
thereof.
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The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers de la Torre, Brock, Parra, Zwick,
Mayor Davis
NOES: Councilmember Torosis
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Negrete
WIRELESS SERVICE
FACILITIES
Mayor Davis excused at
9:17 p.m.
10.C. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2749 (CCS)
entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA AMENDING THE TEXT OF THE ZONING
ORDINANCE TO CONFIRM THE APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN
ZONING AND HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS TO
WIRELESS FACILITIES SUBJECT TO SANTA MONICA MUNICIPAL
CODE CHAPTER 9.32,” was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
Mayor Davis recused herself from this item to avoid the perception of a
conflict of interest.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Councilmember Zwick, to
adopt the ordinance, reading by title only and waiving further reading
thereof. The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Zwick, Parra, Brock, Torosis, de la Torre
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Davis
ZONING ORDINANCE 10.D. Introduction and Adoption of Emergency Interim Zoning
Ordinance No. 2750 (CCS) Amending the Text of the Santa Monica
Municipal Code to Confirm the Applicability of Certain Zoning and
Health and Safety Regulations to Wireless Facilities Subject to Santa
Monica Municipal Code Chapter 9.32, Personal Wireless Service
Facilities, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
Mayor Davis recused herself from this item to avoid the perception of a
conflict of interest.
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.
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The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers de la Torre, Torosis, Brock, Parra, Zwick
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, Mayor Davis
STUDY SESSION:
Mayor Davis and Mayor Pro
Tem Negrete returned at
9:20 p.m.
7.A. Five-Year Financial Forecast Update, FY 2023-25 Proposed
Biennial Budget, and FY 2023-24 Proposed Capital Improvement
Program Budget, was presented.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Receive the FY 2023-24 through FY 2027-28 May Five-Year
Financial Forecast Update;
2. Review and provide direction to staff on the FY 2023-25 Proposed
Biennial Budget, including the FY 2023-24 Proposed Exception-
Based Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget;
3. Review and provide direction to staff on proposed fee changes;
4. Review and comment on the Cultural/Art Organizational Support
Program (OSP) funding recommendations for the FY2023-25
funding cycle; and
5. Direct staff to proceed with setting the FY 2023-25 Budget
Adoption public hearing on June 27, 2023.
Questions asked and answered of staff included: is the individual being
hired for Fire coming from a non-profit or an agency; how will the Housing
and Human Services positions be funded; on the plan to pay back the
Affordable housing fund, what is the concrete plan and timeline to pay back
that fund; what is being done to restore the historic preservation for
landmark buildings; what kinds of problems are happening on the buses
and what warrants having security guards on buses; do we know how many
vacant storefronts and buildings there are on the Promenade; other than
installing lighting, what other enhancements will be used to improve safety
at Reed Park; is there plans to activate the building at Reed Park, once it’s
fixed up; what does the East Pico Safety project consist of; what does the
Phase II of the Bergamot connectivity plan consist of; what discussions, if
any have happened to do something different with Samoshel, and what is
the plan moving forward; does it make more sense to talk to People’s
Concern to put more money into their location on Michigan, instead of
putting over $800,000 into Samoshel; is staff attempting to work on
restoring the landmarks review board; could Council use their discretionary
funds to decrease landmark fees; is the $40K cost estimate for the
consultant low; who would ultimately pay for the consultant and
application fee; would hiring a new full-time preservationist be a
permanent full-time position that would need to be added; is there intention
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to fully restore paying back the housing fund; did we use to have, and do
we need a full-time person to oversee the Safe Streets program; is the City
Manager’s Office actively pursuing filling the two FTEs for the Council
Office; what’s the idea for how to use the small $2 million revenue in the
budget; has there been no payment to the Neighborhood groups, and what
does that mean that it will be fully restored; what are the duties of the new
position in the City Manager’s Office; is it still true that there are eight
vacancies in PD, and how will GS funds be used to fund the additional 1
FTE; how much has been spent on the Art of Recovery program; is the
intention that the Art of Recovery program continue, even though it’s a
pandemic program; are the Planning fees being reduced, and how is that
possible; is there a similar fee for building a single-family home that could
compare to a possible SB9 fee; are there any state guidelines to what the
SB9 fees should be charged; for election fees, is the recommended cost the
actual cost that the county charges to print the statement in the voter guide;
does it cost any money to place a candidate statement online; how many
officers are out on injury, and how many are close to retirement; what
happens to the money when it is allocated for a position and the position is
not filled; is it feasible to have someone in-house do the job that is being
proposed in the City Manager’s Office in planning for upcoming citywide
events; will this person in the CMO also be used for private/public
partnerships and to reinvigorate public spaces that aren’t being used; is our
focus on adding beds at part of the Samoshel expansion; do we have any
rights at the shelter on Michigan, especially since there is vacancy on the
top floor; have we looked at the Michigan location be a better intake
facility or any other locations in the city that would be a better location that
is less expensive; what does the Sheriff’s department charge to patrol
Metro, and would it make more sense to use them for our train stations, if
they were fully funded; what would the annual funding be to begin a
volunteer Police program; would there be an interest from citizens in a
volunteer program; how many officers are on the force right now, including
injuries, disability, and those vacancies; why are tree pruning and water
feature maintenance coming out of CS funds; BBB Security on buses, is
that a contract service, in-house, what does that model look like; what do
we do to restore the loss of tree canopy, and is there a plan that can be
communicated to residents; what is being proposed as part of the youth
services in the budget; what are the plans to expand the workforce
development plan; what is the optimum number of Police Officers that the
city needs in order to be full-staffed; what is meant when it says that
impound fees will not apply; where does Promenade Maintenance fall in
the budget; who does the Public Work team work with to clean up around
the city; what assumptions are driving the sales tax, and is there an
expectation that sales tax will be decreasing; what would be the cost to
restore the Landmarks commission; how much would it cost for a full
restoration of services under human services; does a recommendation for a
Youth Commission need to be brought up in a budget discussion, and how
much would that cost; to reduce the $10K landmarks fees, would that effect
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our revenues if we waived the fees; does a property owner benefit when
they apply for a Mills-Act, then maybe they could pay their own fees;
currently, what do our first responders do now if they encounter a person in
the middle of the night in crisis; could it be easier for somebody who is not
in crisis to have an opportunity to be placed in a different shelter that is not
Samoshel because they aren’t in crisis; would a parking study look at if
parking lots are being fully utilized, but also look at the fees we’re
charging; would having security guards on buses help with recruitment and
retention of bus drivers; and, are coastal permits a revenue generator.
Motion by Councilmember Brock, to continue discussion on the budget to
tomorrow, May 24th.
Motion by Councilmember Torosis, seconded by Mayor Davis, to receive
the budget and adopt the staff recommendations, with amendments to move
to monthly meetings of the Landmarks commission, waive fee for the
historic preservation permits, and return at an information session with a
more fleshed out plan from the Finance Director as to how the housing
fund will be paid back.
Councilmember Zwick proposed a friendly amendment for the addition of
(1) FTE City Traffic Engineer. The proposal is to take $200K from the
$400K allocated to the City Manager’s Office to pay for the additional City
Traffic Engineer, or as an alternative, delay the funding for the mural
recontextualization, depending on what is done in the next fiscal year.
There is still a shortage of $70K that needs to be found to cover the cost.
Motion by Councilmember de la Torre, seconded by Councilmember
Brock, to continue and adjourn the discussion and motion amongst Council
and staff for this budget item to tomorrow May 24th after the Special
meeting. The motion was unanimously approved by voice vote, with all
members present.
ADJOURNMENT On order of the Mayor, the City Council meeting adjourned at 1:47 a.m. to
continue Item 7.A. to May 24th at 7:00 p.m., in memory of Jose Lopez
Parra.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Denise Anderson-Warren Gleam Davis
City Clerk Mayor
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