REGULAR MEETING OF THE WESTSIDE CITIES SUMMIT/COG

MEETING NOTES

PRESENT

Beverly Hills:  Councilmembers Steve Webb and Jimmy Delshad; Staff: Rod Wood, Dan Webster, Anton Dahlerbruch,  Maria Rychlicki.
Culver City:  Councilmember Carol Gross;  Staff: Jerry Fulwood,  Deborah Fancett,  Steve Cunningham, Heather Burton.
Santa Monica:  Mayor Richard Bloom, Councilmembers Kevin McKeown and  Pam O'Connor; Staff: Susan McCarthy, Gordon Anderson, Kate Vernez.
West Hollywood:  Councilmembers John Heilman and Abbe Land; Staff: Paul Arevalo, Joan English, Jeff Hugger,  Helyne Meshar.
Los Angeles:  Debbie Dyner, Council District 11 (Miscikowski); Susan Bursk, Council District 5 (Weiss).  Other Attendees: Jody Hall Esser, Facilitator.     

1.  CALL TO ORDER, WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Jody Hall Esser called the meeting to order at 12:25 p.m.  Councilmember Webb welcomed the group to Beverly Hills.  Self introductions were made. 

2.  DISTRIBUTION OF MEETING NOTES

Mrs. Hall Esser called for a motion to approve the meeting notes of October 24, 2003 be received and filed as distributed.  Council member Webb and Mayor Bloom seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous vote.

3.  COG FORMALIZATION AND LOGISTICS

Mrs. Hall Esser called on Kate Vernez to provide the report.  The four Westside cities have approved and signed the COG JPA and By-laws.  The City of Los Angeles is reviewing the material and has asked for clarifications in order to facilitate full participation by the City of Los Angeles.  Debbie Dyner and Susan Bursk explained that the City of Los Angeles elected and non-elected official structure is different than that of the Westside cities.  As examples, they noted that Los Angeles does not have a City Manager.  They also noted that four Los Angeles City Council Districts abut the Westside cities, not just Districts 5 and 11.  Prior to the next meeting, it was agreed by consensus of the members,  that an attempt would be made to resolve the following issues:

A. Regarding Technical Advisory Committee, Article V, request that the cities revise the definition in the By-Laws of who shall be members of the Technical Advisory Committee. Presently, membership limited to “...one city manager or that city manager’s designee from each Member city.”   Modification could be to include district council member or designee, which may be a staff member. 

B. Regarding Governing Board, Article III,  request clarification (via By-law amendment or addition, letter, meeting minutes) establishing that in those circumstances when an elected representative from the City of Los Angeles cannot attend a COG meeting, his/her staff representatives shall be welcomed to “sit at the table” and discuss issues to ensure continuity even though the Governing Board Representative is not present to vote.  Concern was expressed that non-attendance by electeds not be encouraged. 

C. Clarification (via by-law amendment or addition, implementation letter or meeting minutes) to acknowledge that there are circumstances when the individual interests of some/all member cities will preclude approving/endorsing a group action/position. (Example: Call for Projects when cities are in fact competing with each other for funding.)  It was reconfirmed that there will be only one vote per city and passage of an action will be by majority vote.

Councilmember Gross reminded the group that as a newly formed organization, many changes and clarifications can be expected. Joan English noted that the South Bay COG’s actions are generally consensus driven.

After much discussion it was recommended that there be a calendar of set meeting dates established and that the meeting be on the third Thursday of a month.  It was recommended that the COG schedule five meetings annually.  Following that direction, upcoming meetings would be May 20, July 15, September 16 and November 18.  September 16 is the date Rosh Hashanah is observed.  Therefore, a different date will be offered for consideration.  Meetings will be scheduled from Noon to 2:00 p.m.  Food will be available promptly at Noon and the meeting will be called to order by 12:15 p.m. The May meeting is scheduled for Beverly Hills City Hall, location of future meetings to be determined.  

Council member Webb recommended all meetings be taped to ensure that the communities served may access information on the COG’s activities.  Mayor Bloom raised the issue of cost and practicality.  Council member Land echoed budget concern and also asked whether videoing the meetings might impact frank discussion of issues.  Council member Webb noted that taping could be done in the Beverly Hills Council Chamber without major cost.  Paul Aravalo suggested that an alternative to taping would be a website to provide the communities the opportunity to learn about the COG and its actions.  Mrs. Hall Esser suggested this item be referred to staff and that staff report implications and costs associated with Council member Webb’s recommendation and other means of communication with constituents regarding collaborative intention and efforts of the Summit/COG at the next COG meeting. 

Mayor Bloom addressed the issue of criteria for agendizing presentations.  Following much discussion, the members unanimously approved guidelines for agenizing Presentations requested by “outside” individuals/organizations as follows: 

• Relevance to COG Goals--the draft goals provide  a number of parameters, including  regional significance, legislative/policy advocacy, policy research, maximization of limited funds, and information update.

• Timeliness of the information--the information must be timely in terms of the need for current or future action by the COG.

• Fit within the work program--existing DRAFT 2004 work program

• Recommended by a majority of the COG cities

• Staff authorized to place urgency presentations on the agenda

• Presentations preferably 10 minutes and no more than 15 minutes to allow time for policy discussion

• No more than one per meeting

The members then began discussion of scheduling of action items.  It was agreed that agendas must be Council and not staff driven. Councilmember Webb moved, Councilmember McKeown seconded and the members unanimously approved guidelines for agendizing action Items for future Summit/COG Meetings as follows:

• Summit/COG representatives may raise future meeting agenda topics at a Summit/COG meeting or through his/her City Manager between meetings. 

• Other Council members may request agenda items through their elected/appointed COG representative.

• The cut-off date for suggested items shall be two-weeks before the next meeting, however, urgency items may be placed on the agenda by agreement of the City Managers after that time while meeting all posting/noticing requirements.

• COG representatives and staff are urged to use discretion in suggesting agenda items of interest/import to more than one jurisdiction.

• If there are too many action items for a single agenda, the City Managers may decide which are to be carried over to another future meeting date.

4.  NEW BUSINESS:  Joint Advocacy for the Westside

Paul Arevalo introduced Helyne Meshar, who is the lobbyist for the City of West Hollywood.  Ms. Meshar presented a comprehensive overview of the State Legislative Analyst recommendations and pending legislation.  Following much discussion, Paul Arevalo offered that when appropriate, West Hollywood could extend its lobbyist’s representation on generic matters pertaining to protection of local control and protection of local funds to also include the Summit/COG cities.  This offer was unanimously approved including the provision noting “joint” actions/positions be approved as a result of direct consultation with the other City Managers. The motion was introduced by Councilmember Helman and seconded by Councilmember McKeown.

Rod Wood provided the group with an update on League of California Cities activities.  Councilmember Pam O’Connor recommended that the group identify guiding principles to assist in identifying areas of mutual interest and agreement.   Paul Arevalo suggested that Ms. Meshar draft a set of proposed principles for consideration by the group.

5.  PRESENTATION – Synopsis of SCAG Economic Forecast

This item was cancelled due to SCAG staff illness.

6.  2004 WORK PROGRAM / PRESENTATIONS

Potential Joint Efforts:

• Energy Aggregation  No discussion

• Solid Waste  City Managers to direct staff to review sanitation/solid waste collection, contracting, transfer station and related collaboration opportunities.

• Cable Franchise and Rates  Joan English reported that  West Hollywood passed a resolution opposing Adelphia’s proposals

• LAX Expansion/Possible Cooperation with South Bay COG  No discussion

• Santa Monica Boulevard Traffic Improvements  Council member Webb reported that Beverly Hills is negotiating with Caltrans for possession of the roadway and once accomplished the Westside cities can consider regional improvements.  Susan Bursk and Debbie Dyner reported about an open house to provide outreach on the project between I-405 and Beverly Hills.

7.  RECEIVE AND FILE DIRECTION RE: CORRESPONDENCE

California His Speed Rail EIR/EIS correspondence filed.

8.  ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Councilmember O’Connor provided an update on the MTA Central Sector Committee.  Council member Gross is chairperson.  There will be a public hearing on proposed service changes on March 9, 2004.

Steve Cunningham provided an update on the Westside Mobility Study. 

The following were requested as items for the May 20 agenda:

• Update on COG Formation and Resolution of LA City issues

• Update on Collaborative Effort with emphasis on

  • Economic Health  Update on State Budget, League of California Cities

  • Transportation related issues: Santa  Monica Blvd, Exposition right-of –way, Mobility Study; funding advocacy/opportunities

  • Solid waste/Sanitation: joint efforts/opportunities

• Sustainable Cities presentation

• Draft identification of principles to guide “lobbying” efforts

• Report on videotaping of meetings and/or alternative outreach modes

• Reschedule of SCAG Forecast

9.  PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Ann Marie Wallace of the League of California Cities provided an update on the League’s petition efforts to place its ballot measure on the November election. 

10.  ADJOURNMENT

At 2:18 p.m.