Neighborhood Council - Minutes for January 2010 meeting

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Santa Monica Neighborhood Council
January 16, 2010 --- 10 AM
Ken Edwards Center

Calendar review: Future NC meetings are scheduled for Feb 20, March
20

1. Mid-City -- It was noted that they have almost 50 members and that
they are setting up a neighborhood notification system to help members
follow the development process.

2. Downtown -- One resident noted that "Deed-restricted" buildings
have to keep 30% of apartments affordable. When there's a vacancy,
there's no guarantee that renters with Section 8 vouchers or the
disabled will get priority. Resident managers are not supported by the
city in enforcing qualifications, repair requests are ignored, and low
income renters in affordable units are afraid they'll get evicted.

It was noted that there are a lot of deed-restricted buildings in the
downtown area and that Adam Radinsky in the City Attorney's office is
responsible for fair housing. There is no vacancy de-control for deed-
restricted apartments.

3. S.M. Airport -- A community forum was held on January 11 focusing
on aircraft emissions and air quality. Scientists on the panel
described a plume of ultrafine particles that extends east of the
runway. On the January 19 City Council agenda, Councilmember McKeown
has requested an item regarding the city working with other agencies
to develop toxicity standards for ultrafine particles. Regarding the
city's legal battle with the FAA over banning Class C and D aircraft,
the DC Court of Appeals wants the attorneys to have mediation
meetings.

4. LA Marathon -- March 21 -- The route will include San Vicente and
Ocean Avenue.

5. Leaf blowers -- According to the AQMD, particulate matter can stay
in the air for up to three days (fecal matter, spores, etc.). A
January City Council agenda item would move enforcement of the ban
from the police to the Office of Sustainability and Environment, and
it would include public education.

6. Renter protection -- A January 19 City Council agenda item would
add a 7-day warning before the 3-day notice to renters to quit an
apartment.

7. California Incline project and St. Monica's development agreement
-- The Incline will probably be finished before construction begins on
St. Monica's, as the church community will still have to do
fundraising after the development agreement is approved.

8. Food trucks at 14th and Santa Monica Blvd. -- The gourmet food
trucks served about 1200 people the
first day (customers notified via Twitter). There is no available
parking in the area. This will also be on the
January 19 Council agenda.

9. SMMUSD parcel tax -- This will be a mail-in election on May 25 --
no polls will be open. A debate at the Main Library was suggested.

10. City Council vacancy -- The City Council will instruct staff to
bring them information on the process of filling the vacancy, a
vacancy will be declared, and then the Council can either appoint
someone or call a special election. After the LUCE update is adopted,
the updated zoning code will be voted on by the new Council after the
November 2010 election.

11. New City Manager -- Rod Gould will take over the position on
January 22.

12. Expo Light Rail -- The Final EIR is available and the Expo Board
will hold a hearing on February 4. Discussion included locating the
proposed Pico library, community gardens, and a diversion program for
at-risk kids in the buffer zone.

13. LUCE -- The Draft EIR will be presented to the Council on January
26. One of the LUCE goals is 662 new affordable housing units. Is
there a requirement that the owner/manager of a building use the
Affordable Housing waiting list? For a 1-bedroom apartment, the income
limit can be as high as $45,000, while a disabled person living on SSI
receives only $845 a month.

One resident stated that 20% of HUD funds in Santa Monica go to
projects such as CCSM rather than to Section 8 vouchers (which is
dependent not only on available funds but on how many landlords will
accept vouchers). In current projects, such as CCSM and FAME, priority
on about 50% of the units goes to full-time Santa Monica employees and
residents. Of 220 affordable units that became available in 2008, only
2 were 1-bedroom units, so seniors and the disabled could not
qualify.

14. Wilmont -- Update on the situation with The Parlor.

15. Development agreements -- Paseo Nebraska is scheduled for January
20, and Bergamot Transit Village Center (Papermate site) is scheduled
for January 27.