City Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
The full agenda is available here.
This week’s City Council Meeting Agenda is very dense so we have provided a run-down of selected agenda items that are of interest to the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica:
Item 2A- City Manager Report including an update on SMO sales of leaded fuel. → Comment: Given our concerns on emissions and environmental issues, we may want to keep an eye on this update.
Item 3A.Approval of Agreement with Dooley Enterprises, Inc. for Purchase of Ammunitions for the Santa Monica Police Department → This item would approve executing a contract for up to $550,000 for 5 years of ammunitions for SMPD. Comment: Given our interest in criminal justice reform and best practices around funding for law enforcement/public safety, it is good to be aware of the costs of public safety.
Item 4A. Study Session on Citywide Response to Sidewalk Vending → The League's DEI policy is integral in everything we do and sidewalk vending has traditionally been a way for people who are part of more marginalized communities to gain economic independence and build wealth for themselves and their families. Comment:Although we do not have a specific position on sidewalk vending, this item is of interest to the League as we seek to ensure that any policies related to sidewalk vending support equitable access to the economic opportunities that sidewalk vending provides.
Item 7A. Introduction and Adoption of an Emergency Ordinance Prohibiting the Possession of Combustible Fuels On or In Close Proximity to the Pier → This item is somewhat related to 4A and vending as it seeks to prohibit combustible fuels on and near the Pier, with certain exceptions including combustible fuels in vehicle fuel tanks. This is of interest to the League because it could be seen as a way of further criminalizing street vending near and on the Pier. However, this is also a potential public safety issue as the Pier is made of wood, which is flammable. The balance between public safety and equity is a key aspect of why we would be interested in keeping an eye on this item. Also, as an emergency ordinance, it would be exempt from the standard 1st and 2nd reading that a typical ordinance would go through. Question: Would this ordinance be more appropriate as a non-emergency ordinance to allow for a fuller discussion and deliberation of the effects of the ordinance?
Item 7B.Adoption of Resolution Authorizing City Manager to establish hours of operation for the Santa Monica Pier Deck Parking Lot, and the Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Municipal Code Section 3.04.030 relating to the Pier Deck Parking Lot→ This item relates to 7A as it would move towards again allowing cars on the Pier. It may potentially be in conflict with efforts to improve fire safety on the Pier because most cars do still use combustible fuels. However, equitable Pier access is also important and accessible parking may be a key aspect of supporting access to the Pier for people with disabilities. Comment: We may want to keep an eye on this item due to our interest in environmental issues and equity issues.
Item 7C.Introduction and Adoption of an Emergency Ordinance Extending Amendments to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.08.780 Relating to Restrictions on Carrying, Using, or Possessing Certain Specified Items During Community Events or Public Assemblies to Promote Public Safety and Welfare → We submitted public comments with our concerns around the urgency ordinance that the Council adopted in August 2021 (and when it came before the Council in April 2021 as well). Comment: We will be re-submitting copies of the comments we submitted in August and April to share our concerns with the ordinance. See our comments here.
Item 8A. Approval of Proposal Regarding Independent Investigation of Possible Violations of the Brown Act and Confidentiality Agreements and Authorization of the Issuance of Subpoenas in the Name of the City under Section 614 of the City Charter in Conducting the Investigation→ The 13D item that had robust discussion by the City Council at the last meeting was passed 4-3 for the City Attorney and City Manager to come back with a proposal for an independent investigation of the known violations of the Brown Act and Confidentiality agreements in connection with the search and hiring of the City Manager and City Attorney. Comment: As we have a significant interest in good governance, which should include accountability for violation of state and local good governance laws. We can and do support Item 8A. We encourage our members and other readers to write or call in (in their capacity as constituents) to support the item. See our comments here.
Item 13F. Recommendation to accept George Brown's resignation from the Public Safety Reform and Oversight Commission and authorize the City Clerk to publish the vacancy.→ You may have seen in recent local news outlets and various newsletters that the Chair of the PSROC resigned. Comment: This is an issue to track given our support of the Commission's mission.
Item 13G.Request of Councilmembers Brock, Parra and de la Torre that the City Council remove Housing Commissioner Leonora Camner pursuant to City Charter Article 1002 (requiring a motion adopted by at least five affirmative votes), and to thank her for her previous service to the Santa Monica Housing Commission. With the removal, authorize the City Clerk to publish the vacancy. --> This is a good governance issue as this item appears to be part of a pattern of the Council removing and replacing people on boards and commissions that hold different views, particularly on housing. In a prior Council meeting, there was a proposed anti-lobbying ordinance that appeared to have been drafted with intent to target Ms. Camner as an individual commissioner for removal from her role on the Housing Commission. That ordinance is due to come back before the Council for consideration.Comment: It is vital for us to provide input on this item as differing views & debate are vital to a functioning democracy. There have been allegations but no concrete proof of any misconduct presented as a reason to preemptively remove the commissioner from the Housing Commission. See our comments here.
Item 13I.Request of Councilmembers Negrete and Brock to direct the City Clerk and the City Manager to review Council Rules and Procedures; time management and Council agenda management to end Council meetings earlier, including the timing and scheduling of Closed Session and Study Sessions and address any additional meetings of the City Council, if necessary. → Comment: Items 13H and 13I will be important to track as they may impact how the Council holds its meetings and provides for public accessibility to Council meetings.
