Westside Cities Council of Governments (Click to Return Home)

REGULAR MEETING OF THE
WESTSIDE CITIES SUMMIT/COG

FINAL MEETING NOTES

July 15, 2004
Beverly Hills City Hall

PRESENT

Beverly Hills:  Mayor Mark Egerman, Vice Mayor Linda Briskman; Staff: Dan Webster, Anton Dahlerbruch, Don Oblander, Maria Rychlicki, Julie Kahn.
Culver City:  Councilmember Carol Gross; Staff: Jerry Fulwood,  Deborah Fancett,  Steve Cunningham, Damien Skinner.
Santa Monica:  Mayor Richard Bloom, Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McKeown, MTA representative and Councilmember Pam O’Connor; Staff: Susan McCarthy, Gordon Anderson, Kate Vernez, Sandy Grant, Brian Johnson.
West Hollywood:  Mayor Pro Tem Abbe Land and Councilmember John Heilman; Staff: Paul Arevalo, Joan English, Jeff Huffer.
Los Angeles:  Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, Sharon Sandow, Council District 11 (Miscikowski); Susan Bursk, Council District 5 (Weiss).
Other Attendees: Jody Hall Esser, Facilitator; Jody Litvak, MTA; Ann Marie Wallace, League of California Cities

1. CALL TO ORDER, WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The meeting was called to order at 12:18p.m.  Mayor Egerman welcomed the group to Beverly Hills.  Self introductions were made.

2. DISTRIBUTION OF MEETING NOTES

Facilitator Hall Esser called for a motion to approve the meeting notes of February 19, 2004 be received and filed as distributed. They were approved by consensus without comment.

3.  COG FORMALIZATION AND LOGISTICS

Hall Esser advised that the scheduled September meeting date fell on a religious holiday and asked for availability on September 9 and September 30.  It was agreed by consensus that the next meeting would be September 30.  The previously established meeting date of November 18 was reaffirmed.

Regarding opportunities for joint lobbying efforts, Hall Esser referred the group to the February 19 meeting notes, summarizing the discussion of joint lobbying activities:  when appropriate, West Hollywood would extend its Lobbyist’s representation on generic matters pertaining to protection of local control and protection of local funds to include the Summit/COG cities.

Gordon Anderson presented a preview of the COG’s website, proposing that it be formalized as the appropriate mechanism for outreach and document repository.  Kate Vernez advised that Santa Monica is will monitor the site once it is formalized and as input/questions from the public are logged, will refer them to the appropriate City for response.  Copies of incoming and outgoing COG correspondence will be provided to the member cities.  Mayor Pro Tem Land asked for a report of website activity at the next meeting including number of hits and what topics were hit.  Vernez affirmed that the requested data can be provided.  Vice Mayor Briskman suggested, and all concurred by consensus, that the website is sufficient to document COG activities and that the COG reserves the right to tape/air any meetings for public viewing, citing as an example, a formal annual meeting.  It was also agreed by consensus that each city would advise its own constituents of the existence and availability of the COG website.

With respect to formalizing City of Los Angeles participation in the COG, Council woman Miscikowski  advised that the City’s Rules Committee is scheduled to consider the designation of a Los Angeles position that would be comparable to that of City Manager in the Westside Cities in August.  It is anticipated this will be accomplished by the September 30 meeting

4.  NEW BUSINESS 2004 WORK PROGRAM/PRESENTATIONS

A)  Economic Health

Council woman Miscikowski commented on Mayor Hahn’s involvement  in the Senate Constitutional Amendment Committee on behalf of the cities.   Paul Aravalo advised that SCA9 passed out of that committee.  He advised if a cap is not placed on the amount and number of times the State may borrow from within specified time periods, SCA9 will allow enormous financial hits.    Ann Marie Wallace distributed material on Proposition 65, the proposed local government budget framework.  In response to concerns raised about press negative toward cities, she recommended that letters and op-ed pieces be sent to the media highlighting the issues and the local compromises being made.  Vice Mayor Briskman stated a presence must be visible at the forthcoming Monterey election.

B) Transportation/Mobility

Susan Bursk advised that the Santa Monica Boulevard Transit Project completion date of August 2004 is approximately six months behind schedule but efforts are being made to get the schedule back on track.  By consensus, the group agreed to schedule a presentation of the project at the September meeting.

Mayor Bloom advised that the Exposition Project is moving forward and MTA has approved $600million for the portion of Phase I from downtown Los Angeles to Venice/Robertson) which is anticipated to have 54,000 boardings per day (bpd) capacity.  Completion of the full seven miles to downtown Santa Monica will cost an additional $400million and will add 20,000 bpd.  He noted that the Westside represents 10% of the County’s resources and only receives .01% of the County investment in transportation improvements.

Councilmember Gross noted that Phase I is surface improvements and Phase II is elevated improvements and advised that careful coordination is necessary to ensure area wide improvements, including the I-10 Robertson access/egress points.  She also noted that if Phase I could be constructed without Federal funds it would be completed sooner.  Councilmember Heilman congratulated the success of the Expo line noting that in conjunction with Expo, mobility for West Hollywood and Beverly Hills needs improvement.   Councilmember O’Connor suggested that the Westside cities must be as visible and united at MTA meetings as the San Gabriel Valley cities.  Vice Mayor Briskman and Councilmember Heilman volunteered to be an ad hoc COG subcommittee to develop strategies to influence support and funding of Westside mobility needs.   Mayor Bloom and Councilmember Gross volunteered to join the committee.  Mayor Egerman noted that the Westside must take advantage of its considerable strength as the home of major contributors to many political campaigns.  Council member Heilman urged that the COG not wait for the MTA to agenda a discussion  of Westside transportation issues but to proactively place the issues on an upcoming MTA agenda.  Council woman Miscikowski offered staff to help sponsor a Westside Day with the MTA.  The group agreed by consensus to form an ad hoc mobility committee to report back at the September 30 meeting.

C). Solid Waste/Sanitation Joint Efforts and Opportunities

Susan McCarthy advised that Santa Monica is undertaking efforts to upgrade its solid waste services/facilities and while there are no concrete plans at this time, there appear to be excellent opportunities to coordinate and consolidate solid waste management among the Westside cities in the future. 

5.  PRESENTATION – SUSTAINABLE CITIES MULTICITY.

Mayor Pro Tem McKeown opened the Sustainable Cities discussion  with a brief history of Santa Monica’s involvement in this effort noting that people are drawn to the Westside by the quality of life it provides.  This must be protected and since 1994, the City of Santa Monica has been focusing on proactive stewardship of its ecosystem,  implementing measures to reduce solid waste/community pollution.  In 2001 the Sustainable Cities Working Group focusing on all aspects of community solutions for the future not tied to the past.  Brian Johnson elaborated on the city’s efforts with respect to pest control, alternative fuel vehicles and custodial procurement.  Sandy Grant described how the city’s Environmental Task Force collaborates and advises the City Council on the issues of air quality, transportation, regional waste infrastructure and water.  Susan McCarthy advised that the other cities could benefit from the groundwork laid by Santa Monica and information, including recommendations on custodial products is available to share with the COG.  It was agreed by consensus that the City Managers would consider approaches to share information and collaborate on Sustainable Cities polices, processes and programs.

6. DOCUMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE DISTRIBUTED< REVIEWED AND FILED

1. Meeting Notes from COG meeting of 2/19/04

2. Railvolution Invitation Sept. 18-22, 2004 and related ;material

3. The Boulevard newsletter October 2003 and related material

4. SMB Open House Invitation (7/22/04)

5. Article: Southern Sierran "City Ahead of Its Time" June 2003

6. "Voter Support for Proposition 65" - memo prepared by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates to Proposition 65 Coalition  July 13, 2004

7. "Local Government Budget" - memo from League of Ca Cities to All Legislators, July 14, 2004

7.  ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Councilmember Gross reported on the Westside Central Service Sector activities.  She encouraged participation at upcoming meetings.  The next meeting is August 12 in the Beverly Hills Tennis Center. 

Councilmember and MTA representative Pam O’Connor highlighted recent MTA activities relevant to the COG/Westside Cities.

Vice Mayor Briskman offered Beverly Hills as the location for the next meeting and the group agreed by consensus.

Jody Hall Esser reiterated that items for the next meeting would include: 

Report of City of City of Los Angeles Rules Committee regarding participation in COG

8.  Public Participation

Jody Litvak of the MTA told the group about Metro Connections, the first comprehensive review of countywide bus service provided by the MTA and other operators in more than two decades.  Integration of improvements to bus service with the existing rail system is important.  Improved bus service in areas that do not have rail service is very important.  She inquired how the Westside Cities would like to obtain information and provide input to the MTA on Metro Connections.  She also offered her assistance to bring Westside issues forward to the MTA.  She also distributed a flyer about the upcoming Railvolution conference.

9.  Adjournment

At 2:15 p.m.