The following is a summation of what went on in Santa Monica Council Chambers during the City Council’s July 26 meeting, including a timeline, notable public comments and excerpts taken.
The City Council spent nearly five hours on several topics, including access at Santa Monica College’s new airport campus, the fate of tenants who live in an apartment building that could be razed, affordable housing fees for developers and changing the plumbing code to accommodate environmentally friendly urinals.
“I still don’t know the definition of a hedge.” — — Councilman Herb Katz, regarding the adoption of the new hedge ordinance after more than a year of controversy to regulate the enclosures
TIMELINE: 7:17 p.m. to 7:22 p.m. Report from City Attorney about actions taken in closed session. 7:22 p.m. to 7:29 p.m. Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl introduces himself to council, along with his supporters. 7:29 p.m. to 7:32 p.m. Public input on non-agenda items. 7:32 p.m. to 7:42 p.m. Rosendahl speaks again 7:42 to 7:48 p.m. Joy Fulmer, Joe Natoli and Pro Se speak on non-agenda items. 1) Fate of 125 Pacific: Appellant discussion: 7:50 p.m. to 8:05 p.m. Public discussion: 8:05 p.m. to 8:35 p.m. Council discussion and decision: 8:40 p.m. to 9:11 p.m. 9:11 p.m. to 9:21 p.m. Discussion of a planning commission denial for condominiums. 9:21 p.m. to 9:28 p.m. Discussion and adoption of hedge ordinance. 9:28 p.m. to 10:43 p.m. Affordable housing discussion regarding changing the fees developers pay to build in Santa Monica. After discussing the issue, the council couldn’t come to a consensus on a financial analysis so it put it off until September.
Due to time constraints, the City Council at this point readdresses its agenda and pushes items over to future meetings. 10:43 p.m. to 10:47 p.m. Approval to building code changes to accommodate environmentally friendly urinals. 2) Fate of SMC’s Bundy campus access: Staff report: 10:50 p.m. to 11:03 p.m. Public discussion: 11:03 p.m. to 12:39 a.m. Council discussion and decision: 12:39 a.m. to 1:08 a.m.
Miscellaneous items were discussed for several more minutes before the council adjourned at about 1:30 a.m.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 28, 2005. Read the original PDF.