Westside Cities Council of Governments (Click to Return Home)

REGULAR MEETING OF THE
WESTSIDE CITIES SUMMIT/COG

MEETING NOTES

September 30, 2004
Beverly Hills City Hall

PRESENT

Beverly Hills:  Vice Mayor Linda Briskman; Staff: Rod Wood, Anton Dahlerbruch, Maria Rychlicki, Julie Kahn and Dan Webster
Culver City:  Councilmember Carol Gross; Staff: Deborah Fancett and Steve Cunningham
Santa Monica:   Mayor Richard Bloom; Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McKeown; MTA representative and Councilmember Pam O’Connor; Staff: Susan McCarthy and Kate Vernez
West Hollywood:  Mayor Pro Tem Abbe Land and Councilmember John Heilman; Staff: Paul Arevalo, Joan English and Michael Jenkins
Los Angeles:  Sharon Sandow, Council District 11 (Miscikowski); Susan Bursk, Council District 5 (Weiss); John Wickham; Tonya Durrell, Public Information Officer - Public Works Department; and Carl Nelson, Project Manager - Public Works Department

Other Attendees: Jody Hall Esser, Facilitator; Jody Litvak, MTA and Anita Zusman, Westside Economic Collaborative

1.  CALL TO ORDER, WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The meeting was called to order at 12:20 p.m. by Facilitator Hall Esser.  Vice Mayor Briskman welcomed the group to Beverly Hills and inquired as to the group’s preference to continue to meet in Beverly Hills or rotate locations.  The group agreed that Beverly Hills’ location is convenient and central, but that locations should be rotated so that the meeting is held in every city at least once a year.  Self introductions were made.

2.  DISTRIBUTION OF MEETING NOTES

Facilitator Hall Esser asked for consensus approval of the meeting notes of July 15, 2004.  They were accepted with a correction to page 3, paragraph 2, line 3 “I-405” was changed to “I-10.”  Subsequently an additional correction was requested by Jody Litvak.  It is recommended the correction be made and the meeting notes be re-approved at the November 18 meeting.

3.  COG FORMALIZATION AND LOGISTICS

John Wickham of the City of Los Angeles, Office of Chief Legislative Analyst reported that both the Rules and Election and Budget and Finance Committees unanimously supported Los Angeles’ participation in the COG, recommending that actions be conducted by consensus and that quorum be defined as all members, and that the City Administrative Officer or staff serve on the TAC.  He noted that a number of revisions to the JPA and/or By-laws will be needed to formalize Los Angeles’ participation.  Councilmember Gross advised that Culver City has a Chief Administrative Officer rather than City Manager. Facilitator Hall Esser advised that it was her understanding that modifications could be achieved by a letter agreement.  All members participated in a lengthy discussion regarding Los Angeles’ participation and related concerns regarding use of a solely consensus based decision-making structure.  It was agreed that the cooperative effort to build consensus was a stated goal of the COG that had been discussed at past meetings.  However, concern was raised regarding potential ramifications such as one city exercising a veto power inherent with a consensus-only voting structure that would in fact  endanger coordination/cooperation amongst the cities.  It was noted that historically, the Westside Summit Cities had not always reached complete consensus on every issue but never determined it necessary to codify a new voting structure.

Concern about timeliness of decision-making was also raised in the context of the length of time Los Angeles required to formalize participation in the COG and concern for future COG endeavors requiring quick action.

Mark Jenkins, City Attorney for West Hollywood and coordinating attorney for preparation of COG documents indicated that he would review the governing documents.  Facilitator Hall Esser summarized the focus of the concerns to be a veto concept structure and timeliness of action.

Mr. Wickham advised that the item would be placed on the Los Angeles City Council agenda within the following weeks to further discuss COG participation.  The matter was referred  to the City Managers to consult with their respective legal counsels.

Facilitator Hall Esser recommended agendizing February 17, May 12, July 14, September 29, and November 17 for confirmation as dates for meetings in 2005 at the meeting on November 18.  This would leave a sixth meeting date available to be scheduled as needed or as an Annual Meeting.

The group agreed that the meeting table should be square.

4.  NEW BUSINESS 2004 WORK PROGRAM/PRESENTATIONS

 A)  Economic Health:  Update on State Budget; League of California Cities lobbying efforts including Prop 1-A.

Council woman Gross recommended that those cities that had not taken action to date regarding the pending ballot initiative, Prop 1-A, do so.  City Manager Rod Wood reminded the group that educating employees and family members and friends was permissible and should be encouraged.

B) Report from Beverly Hills and West Hollywood regarding Mobility Issues

Councilman Heilman presented a report on behalf of himself and Vice Mayor Briskman regarding their meeting to discuss mobility issues.  He recommended that a resolution be developed by each city and one from the COG to extend rail service to the Westside Cities without identifying a specific alignment.  He recommended that this be followed by working with Los Angeles regarding a proposed alignment of rail service to the Westside, and pursuit of transportation planning grant money from Caltrans and other state resources.  The group agreed that due to Brown Act concerns, the task force should continue to be composed of Councilman Heilman and Vice Mayor Briskman, but that Culver City and Santa Monica be represented by staff alone.

5.  PRESENTATION – SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD TRANSIT PROJECT

Tonya Durrell provided a comprehensive presentation on  the project, assisted by Carl Nelson.  The project is totally within the City of Los Angeles but is being coordinated with neighboring cities.  The original plan was for completion in August of 2005.  It now appears it may be March 2006.

6. DOCUMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE DISTRIBUTED, REVIEWED AND FILED

1. Letter from John B. Cato dated September 24, 2004 regarding the Metro Connections project.

2. Meeting notes from July 15, 2004 to be reconsidered at November 18, 2004 meeting.

7.  ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Councilmember Gross reported on the four day celebration of the grand opening of the Kirk Douglas Theater in Culver City.

Mayor Pro Tem Land announced the West Hollywood Annual Book Fair scheduled for October, and the 20th Anniversary of the incorporation of West Hollywood in December.

Mayor Bloom announced that the Expo Line Phase I will be completed in 2010, three years earlier than initially anticipated.

Vice Mayor Briskman advised the group of the upcoming annual Beverly Hills Garden and Design Showcase Gala on October 31 for the related public event in early November.

Facilitator Hall Esser summarized items to be addressed at the next meeting: 

It was recommended that future meetings include leaders of other COGs to find out more about their experiences, and a League of California Cities representative to talk about state issues and propositions (for example, the storm water bond issue.)

8.  Public Participation

Anita Zusman, Executive Director of the Westside Economic Collaborative, described the purpose and membership of the organization and expressed interest to work with the COG on issues of common interest and concern, including transportation and development.  She advised that the Collaborative’s Annual Economic Summit will occur on October 22 at the House of Blues in West Hollywood.

Jody Litvak, Community Relations Manager for the Metro Westside/Central region requested a modification of the meeting notes of July 15, 2004 to better reflect the discussion of Metro Connections.

John Wickham, who is also President of the Theodore Payne Foundation, advised that its Fall Festival of Wildflowers and Native Plants will be held on October 15, 16, and 17.

9.  Adjournment

At 1:50 p.m.