COUNCIL COUNTDOWN

(The following is a summation of what went on in the Santa Monica City Council chambers during the council’s meeting March 14, including a timeline, notable public comments and excerpts taken.)

TIMELINE:

5:50 p.m.: With Mayor Bob Holbrook in Washington, D.C., Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Shriver assumed control over the City Council session and called the meeting to order by proclaiming March as “Mayors for Meals Month,” honoring the national “Meals on Wheels” program and its March 22 celebration. Councilman Ken Genser was not present as he is recovering from a kidney transplant.

The hands on the clock in the council chambers were missing. The clock has been broken for at least two weeks.

5:55 p.m.: The council approved consent items, including spending $558,000 for the design and construction of the Exposition Corridor Bike and Pedestrian Path, $42,000 for the management of the city-owned Mountain View Mobile Home Park, and $88,500 for the operation of the Pier Carousel.

The council also voted to accept $298,000 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to create a public beach club at the Marion Davies estate at 415 Pacific Coast Highway.

The council directed State Sen. Sheila Kuehl, (D-Santa Monica), to carry legislation to allow posting of a memorial sign along the Santa Monica Freeway or PCH in memory of Santa Monica Police officer Ricardo Crocker, who was killed in Iraq last year.

With two council members absent and one recusing himself, the council voted to postpone action on the purchase of mobile computers for police cars.

6:10 p.m.: The council went into closed session to discuss existing litigation against the city. The City Attorney reported no action taken by the council.

7:05 p.m.: The council reconvened following closed session and participated in a study session regarding City Hall’s collection and recycling of solid waste. Consultants gave the city high marks for its recycling program, which is one of the best in the region, but noted shortcomings in infrastructure, as well as the absence of a reserve fund to be used in case of an emergency. Consultants suggested the council may want to contract out or franchise commercial waste hauling, which is being subsidized by revenues generated from the collection of waste from multi-family dwellings.

At the request of the City Manager, the council instructed staff to return in 30 days with an analysis of short-term objectives outlined by the consultants, with the goal of keeping rates charged for service close to current levels.

8:40 p.m.: The council received a staff report on adding the city’s logo to police cars, as well as changing the colors from the white and blue color scheme to the more universal black and white scheme.

8:53 p.m.: Three people spoke on the issue, one against the proposed change and two in support of it.

8:57: p.m.: Public comment ends and the council debated the issue.

9:15 p.m.: The council approved a change to the color scheme of patrol cars, adopting a black and white design with the city’s logo and the words “Santa Monica Police” in blue.

9:16 p.m.: Council approved a pilot parking program for employees near 10th Street and Pico Boulevard, where many side streets are reserved for residential parking only. The council authorized staff to issue 20 permits to businesses in the area for one year.

A representative from Meals on Wheels also thanked the council for its support.

9:17 p.m.: City staff gave a report on the Community Energy Independence Initiative, which intends to get homeowners and businesses to install solar panels and other green technologies to generate power and make the city more energy independent.

9:40 p.m.: Staff report ended and public comment began.

10:03 p.m.: The council approved in concept the energy independence initiative and authorized staff to begin a two-year demonstration program with the allocation of $637,000 from previously budgeted funds. The council also directed staff to look into placing a solar wind turbine on the pier as part of the demonstration project.

10:04 p.m.: The council decided to postpone an appointment to the Pier Restoration Corp. until Genser, the PRC council liaison, could be present.

The council also received and update from the City Manager and the Chief of Police regarding the city’s response to the murder of Santa Monica High School student Eduardo “Eddie” Lopez, who was shot and killed by a suspected gang member Feb. 28.

City Manager Lamont Ewell said Lopez’ death has reinvigorated efforts in the community to address gang violence. Ewell said his staff is “fast-tracking” several efforts approved by the council to eradicate gang violence, including an aggressive approach to graffiti removal, alley lighting and streetscape improvements in the Pico neighborhood.

Ewell mentioned upcoming opportunities for involvement, including a Human Relations Council dialogue at Calvary Baptist Church on March 26, and the second annual job fair co-sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce on April 26. He urged the community to attend a gang summit this Saturday at John Adams Middle School, beginning at 10 a.m.

Police Chief James Butts Jr. spoke of how Lopez’ death has affected the community. He also spoke of the need to give youth love, hope and opportunity so they do not turn to gangs for support and protection. He said a regional approach to gang violence is needed and explained the collaboration between the SMPD and other agencies, which has helped prevent gang crimes from occurring.

The council called on every segment of the community to get involved.

10:42 p.m.: Public comment begins on the Lopez death and its effects.

10:45 p.m.: The council adjourns in honor of Lopez, and called his mother a “beacon of love” to the community. The council also adjourned in memory of John Zender, an ordained Presbyterian minister and licensed family and marriage counselor who died March 5. Zender was best known as the head of the music school at McCabe’s Guitar Shop.

The council also recognized and congratulated writer, director Paul Haggis, a Santa Monica resident who won two Academy Awards for his film “Crash.”



BY THE NUMBERS
Time spent on the top three issues facing Santa Monicans, based on city surveys:

Homelessness: 0 minutes
Traffic: 0 minutes
Parking: 5 minutes
Public Comments: 23 minutes
City Council/staff discussions: 3 hours and 28 minutes.



LET’S TALK CHIT
“Chits” (Public addressing City Council)

- “I couldn’t agree more with the chief and how he talked about youth losing hope, and is there anything more sad for them not to find it anywhere, and for us not being able to provide it for them.”
Resident Ana Maria Jara, speaking about the need for youth to become the top priority for every adult here.

- “I really doubt highly that any law enforcement challenges or crime challenges we’re facing are due to the color of police vehicles nor will lives be saved by or crimes diverted with the introduction of black and white into our law enforcement vernacular.”
Resident Todd Flora, speaking against changing the colors of SMPD vehicles.

- Joy Fulmer Incite (Joy Fulmer is a regular gadfly at the council meeting who publicly comments every chance she gets.)
“For solid waste, you are going the most expensive way right off … You know the poor used to get a lot of the things that were in the alleys before. We could gather it together for recycling. Have a go at it. Whatever they want to take, let them take … I think it makes more sense. Shoes. There are a lot of people who need good shoes.”



QUOTE OF NOTE
“We are still very much committed to coming to the grand solution where a 15-year-old boy can be out on the street at 9:30 at night anywhere and not be stalked by gang members.”
Santa Monica Police Chief James Butts Jr., speaking to the council about the need for great community involvement in the lives of youth as well as for the council to reach out to other cities and gang experts to come up with a regional solution to gang violence.