City Council faces slate of consent items
By EMILY SKEHAN Special to the Daily Press
(Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing series that tracks the city’s expenditures appearing on upcoming Santa Monica City Council consent agendas. Many of the items have been part of public discussion in the past.) CITY HALL Gridlock on the Westside is in City Council’s sights, as elected officials look to support the extension of a subway line as part of the MTA’s Long Range Transportation Plan.
The extension, set as a top tier priority after the completion of a Light Rail project, is part of 14 moves expected by the council tonight that will affect city residents, items ranging from inspecting trees to approving a request for a new beach club.
The council was asked to confirm commitment to the subway project and to collaborate with member cities to decide on the best route. Some conflict exists between Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, as the cities hold differing perspectives on where the subway line should run.
City Council is planning to support the project and agree to work with the cities to decide whether the subway should travel straight down Wilshire — as advocated by the Beverly Hills task force — or through West Hollywood, as that city would prefer, or along a different route altogether.
The Subway Extension project is part of the Westside Cities COG’s continual effort to ease traffic congestion on the Westside.
A cost of $50,000 per year will accompany the council’s anticipated authorization of a contract with a consulting firm that will work to protect city trees by inspecting and monitoring private development.
R. Dan Jensen & Associates was chosen from among four recommended firms for the service, because of the firm’s knowledge of Santa Monica’s goals in sheltering trees, as well as experience in tree protection requirements, customer service, and timeliness. street trees, replace unhealthy or missing trees, and review the impact of private construction projects on public trees.
Residents who hope to develop near city trees will have to undergo inspection and approval by the firm.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 24, 2007. Read the original PDF.