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# BY THE NUMBERS City looks to lay foundation for the future
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/by-the-numbers-city-looks-to-lay-foundation-for-the-future/
- Published: 2006-04-13T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T17:34:04.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Government & Politics, Pico, #archive-import

> “I want to send out a special thank you to the city of Santa Monica, because you arranged on the very morning after the first night home (from the hospital) a construction crew right outside my home, complete with jackhammers. And they started right at 8 o’clock. I think that is such a wonderful greeting. So thank you very much.”

> “We need to make it public record that if you are using your computer in the council chambers do not use them to exchange e-mails with the councilmembers. We need everything on the record, to be on the record.” — Councilman Ken Genser’s sarcastic remark about his first day home from the hospital following his kidney transplant. City Attorney Marsha Moutrie, advising members of the audience about laws governing open meetings following the announcement that the council chambers now offer free, wireless Internet access

(The following is a summation of what went on in the Santa Monica City Council chambers during the council’s April 11 meeting, including a timeline, notable public comments and excerpts taken.) 5:52 p.m.: Mayor Bob Holbrook calls the City Council meeting to order. Councilmembers Richard Bloom, Kevin McKeown and Ken Genser are present. Genser, who returned from a short leave of absence following a kidney transplant, thanks all of those who were concerned about his health and who wished him well during his absence. Holbrook reminds residents they can call City Hall at 458-8411 with any questions or requests. Holbrook also announces the impending publication of the second edition of the city’s customer services directory, which provides contact information for hundreds of services offered in the city. The directory will be available later this month in print or on CD. 5:55 p.m.: Public comment begins on items listed on the consent agenda. 6:05 p.m.: The council pulls several items from the consent agenda for discussion. Councilmember Pam O’Connor arrives. Council passes the remaining items, which include setting a $30 per quarter year fee for limited employee parking near 10th Street and Pico Boulevard; awarding $271,200 for courtyard construction near City Hall; the acceptance of a $1.57 million in 2005 Homeland Security grant; awarding a bid for $1.875 million for eight new dump trucks; and awarding $133,500 to provide annual testing and maintenance for underground storage tanks at various city locations, where gasoline and diesel fuel is stored. A contract for 20th Street and Cloverfield Boulevard streetscape designs is referred back to staff to see if another firm can be chosen. Councilmembers Genser and McKeown raised concerns that the company selected to work on the designs for the project performed poorly on the city’s Transit Mall project, which they said is not pedestrian friendly. 6:21 p.m.: The council goes into closed session to discuss litigation against City Hall. 7:29 p.m.: The council reconvenes. Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Shriver is present. Council approves a settlement among Morley Construction, Watson Land Company and City Hall in a dis

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 13, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/041306.pdf?ref=smdp.com)