Neighborhood Council - notes from July 2010 meeting

[Z]

Santa Monica Neighborhood Council
July 17, 2010 -- 10 AM
Ken Edwards Center

1. Civic Center Parks – Miriam Mulder, Principal Architect in the
city’s Public Works Department, spoke about the two proposed parks in
the Civic Center, which were approved in 2005 as part of the Civic
Center Specific Plan. Palisades Garden Walk, on the old RAND
Corporation property, encompasses 6 acres, and the proposed Town
Square in front of City Hall is one acre. James Corner Field, the
designer of Highline Park in Manhattan, has been selected. The first
public workshop will be July 24th, 1 to 4 PM, on site. There is also
an online survey at www.SMCivicCenterParks.com. Completion is expected
in 2013.

2. Neighbors for a Safe and Healthy Community – Tom Paccioretti spoke
about the FAA’s 180-day 250-heading test, which began on December 9,
2009. The FAA wants $99,630 for data to reconcile the FAA’s claim of
only 8 planes per day using the 250 heading, vs. what residents have
been experiencing. According to the 1984 Agreement, departing planes
from Santa Monica Airport are supposed to use the “golf course turn”
rather than flying over Sunset Park and Ocean Park.

If the FAA issues a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) instead
of doing an Environmental Impact Study (EIS), the 250 heading could be
made permanent as early as September. The FAA will choose the level of
environmental review. Residents affected by planes flying the 250
heading have set up a website at asafesantamonica.com and are planning
to meet with Rep. Henry Waxman. They would like the neighborhood
groups to support their request that Rep. Waxman urge the FAA to do a
full EIS, not just a FONSI.

3. SM Pier – A member of the PRC spoke about the Twilight Dance
Series. Costs have skyrocketed and radio stations have offered to
provide concerts at no cost above the current budget. Neighborhood
group reps were asked to inform their members about the online survey
on this topic.

4. Bundy Village -- The Los Angeles vote on the proposed Bundy Village
and Medical Park at Olympic and Bundy has been postponed until
October.

5. Santa Monica College – The Board of Trustees will be voting on the
EIR for the 2010 Master Plan Update on August 3rd.

6. Planning Commission – The proposed AMC movie theaters on 5th St.
are on the next agenda.

7. Re the upcoming election, it was noted that PACs or candidates will
no longer have to identify themselves on mailers or flyers.

8. LUCE update - Zoning code updates will be written after the
election.

9. Santa Monica Place will re-open on August 6th.

10. Tenant protection – The City Council will consider a charter
amendment for the November ballot which would apply to all rental
units, not just rent controlled units.

11. Housing rights conference – Wednesday, 8:30 to 4:30, at 1000 N.
Alameda -- It will address sheltered housing and the issues involved
in evicting tenants with mental illness.

12. Proposed transaction and use tax – The current 1% sales tax brings
in $27 million in annual revenue. Valerie stated that nationwide
studies show that a ½ cent increase does not affect behavior.

13. Montana Avenue Art Walk – July 22nd, from 7th to 17th Streets