By Kevin Herrera
Daily Press Staff Writer

CITY HALL — So much for burning the midnight oil.

On a night the City Council signed off on a comprehensive citywide smoking ban, the suddenly swift legislators had themselves and attendees back home in their PJs before the witching hour.

Notorious for letting debates drag on into the early morning, the council Tuesday night moved headlong through a fairly hefty agenda that also included a $7.6-million land purchase, legal settlements and the naming of two public parks — all in less than five hours.

In the end, the council recorded one of their shortest regularly scheduled meetings in recent memory, adjourning before 10 p.m.

Performing with such vigor, the officials found themselves with enough time to engage in some playful banter with a group of young Australian politicos, who were visiting the city by the sea to learn more about local politics in America. After spending three days in Santa Monica, the dozen Aussies head to Denver this weekend, then Orlando and Ohio, before making a final stop in the nation’s capital for the Nov. 7 election.

“Welcome all. You are lucky to be here in Santa Monica, which is virtually the birthplace of democracy in the United States,” said Mayor Bob Holbrook, with a smile.

Speaking on behalf of his fellow Aussies, Councilor Robert Nardella said, “We heard it was the People’s Republic of Santa Monica,” causing his Santa Monica counterparts on the dais to chuckle.

After the two groups exchanged pins — the visitors from down under brought little gold Kangaroos — Holbrook had a special request.

“We’ll build a zoo if you can get us a Koala bear,” he said.

Councilman Ken Genser quipped, “Some people already think this is the zoo,” referring to the City Council Chambers.

A LACK OF CONTROVERSY

While elected officials should be given some credit for keeping their comments brief, the compressed nature of the meeting was largely due to the items up for discussion, and the lack of public comment, which can often last hours depending on the number of requests filed.

With the exception of the Big Blue Bus facility expansion and year-end budget adjustments, few items required much discussion. The new smoking restrictions, which include a ban along the Third Street Promenade, all farmers’ markets, bus stops and ATM lines, were worked out two weeks ago, leaving council with the simple task of giving final approval, which they did with a unanimous vote.

The council also granted a request by City Attorney Marsha Moutrie that the ordinance dealing with tenant relocation benefits be held over until another meeting, so that her staff could address some legal concerns brought by the Rent Control Board staff.

With those items out of the way, it was pretty much smooth sailing.

The council quickly adopted changes to the Sustainable City Plan, which called for a community liaison to conduct outreach and provide education and technical assistance to community groups; funding for expert forums; and a consultant to develop an economic development strategy that achieves the economic goals of the plan. Council also followed staff’s recommendation that the plan be amended to include a more aggressive recycling rate and targets for lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

In the real estate realm, the council directed staff to enter into negotiations with Jandy LLC., owners of an 8,800-square-foot property on Fifth Street, adjacent to the Sears auto center, which City Hall is close to acquiring. That sale is entering the final stages of escrow.

The entire downtown block — bordered by Fifth and Fourth streets, Colorado Avenue and Interstate-10 — may be used for future development of a mixed-use project that could include a light rail terminus, public parking, affordable housing and supportive commercial. The two properties, if acquired, would give City Hall more than 112,000 square feet of prime real estate in downtown.

PARKS PARK?

Speaking of future open space, the council named two parks. After looking at a long list of suggestions from community members, the council was struck with inspiration, dubbing a small neighborhood park on Euclid Street “Euclid Park,” and an 8.3-acre park on Airport Avenue “Airport Park.”

Both parks are currently under construction.

The council decided to go with those names because they were easily identifiable and included a location. The council did express a desire to name a park after civil rights icon Rosa Parks in the future.

TIFF FOR TWO

While it was a relatively tame meeting, some sparks were provided by Genser and Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Shriver. The two got into a tiff over a point of personal privilege.

The argument followed accusations of corruption lobbed by meeting gadfly and former City Council candidate Pro Se, who blasted city officials for allegedly taking kickbacks, going so far as to say that council members, whom he called “false gods,” accepted white envelopes stuffed with cash.

“Shame on you, shame on everybody,” Se said. “Voters ... let’s save our city and get rid of these corrupt people and corrupt city staff. Thank you.”

Offended by Se’s comments, Shriver said he acknowledges the right of free speech, however, felt it was imperative that he defend himself against claims that he has accepted money in exchange for votes.

“That is categorically false ... and an absolute lie,” Shriver said. “I think Pro Se overstepped himself there.”

Councilmember Herb Katz also chimed in, defending his colleagues against “flippant” accusations.

On the other hand, Genser seemed to have a problem with Shriver’s request to respond.

“I was debating with myself whether or not I should say this,” Genser said. “But I feel the public should be allowed to say what they want to say as long as it’s related to our business, and I think we don’t need to debate that ... If people want to respond, it should be done outside of the meeting.

“This is an issue certainly worth of discussion, but not here, not now.”

That comment sent Shriver off.

“When I’m accused in public of a crime, I take that ... to be an extremely serious matter with which I have to respond,” Shriver said in a serious tone. “I am not going to sit and be accused of a crime and continue smiling into a television camera and go on to the next agenda item ... I’d be happy to put this before a vote. I’m asking Councilman Genser if he thinks we should vote on that.”

Genser, who was not comfortable debating the issue since it was not agendized, said there is no hard and fast rule on when a council member should respond to personal attacks by the public.

As Holbrook moved the meeting forward, Genser and Shriver — who sit side by side on the dais — began speaking to one another in hushed tones that grew louder, prompting Councilmember Pam O’Connor to “shush” them like an annoyed moviegoer.