REGULAR MEETING OF THE WESTSIDE CITIES SUMMIT/COG

MEETING NOTES

PRESENT

Beverly Hills:  Vice Mayor Linda Briskman and Vice Mayor Steve Webb.  Staff: Anton Dahlerbruch; Aaron Kunz; Vince Bertoni; Audrey Arlington; Robin Chancellor; Julie Kahn and Maria Rychlicki.
Culver City:  Councilmember Carol Gross.  Staff: Jerry Fulwood and Steve Cunningham.
Santa Monica:  Mayor Pam O'Connor and Councilmember Richard Bloom.  Staff: Susan McCarthy, Gordon Anderson and Kate Vernez.
West Hollywood:  Mayor Abbe Land.  Staff: Paul Arevalo, Joan English, Susan Healy Keene; Lisa Belsanti; Jeff Book and David Wilson.
Los Angeles:  Susan Bursk, Council District 5 (Weiss) and Aaron Gross, Council District 11 (Rosendahl).
Other Attendees: Jody Hall Esser, Facilitator; Pat Dando and Alexander Kim, Office of the Governor; Gerry Guzman, Assemblyman Koretz’ Office; Jody Litvak, MTA; Anne Marie Wallace and Kristine Guerrero, League of League of California Cities; Anita Zussman Eddy, Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce; Patrician Price, AQMD and Nicole Nishimura, Beverly Hills Weekly.

(Prior to calling the meeting to order a brief presentation about the history of Greystone Mansion was made by City of Beverly Hills Ranger Terence May.)

1.    CALL TO ORDER, WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS 

The welcome was given by Mayor Linda Briskman and the meeting was called  to order at 12:25 p.m.

2.  INTRODUCTION AND REMARKS BY PAT DANDO, STATE DIRECTOR OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

3.    DISTRIBUTION OF MEETING NOTES

The June 16, 2005 meeting notes were received and filed by consensus without addition or correction.

4.    NEW BUSINESS 2005 WORK PROGRAM / PRESENTATIONS

(A) Report and Recommendations from the Westside City Managers on advocacy on regional homeless solutions, including inter-agency coordination/representation of a regional leadership position on homelessness. 

Susan McCarthy thanked the Westside city managers for their input and coordination noting that regional cooperation is key to making a meaningful impact on the area’s homeless problem.  Received and filed:  July 1, 2005 Status of Projects Relating to Homelessness.  Councilmember Bloom added that the homeless subcommittee will meet prior to the September COG meeting to prepare an update on regional efforts including work with the County, LAHSA, City of Los Angeles and Westside Cities.  Information pertaining to retaining an individual to provide leadership on the issue has been circulated and there was consensus that each city can support this philosophically and at some point perhaps even provide financial support.  Santa Monica will begin recruitment.

(B) Review of League of Cities Executive Sub-committee recommendations regarding HCD target housing goals.  Feedback from City Managers regarding clarifications received and/or reaction prepared to LA County Division’s Housing/Land Use Position Paper.

Jerry Fulwood advised that the City Managers had discussed this critical issue and determined that additional review time is needed to develop a response and a report will be presented when opportunities for consensus action are ready for consideration.

(C) Update on Westside Transit Issues including Exposition Construction Authority, Above Grade Separation at Washington/National, and the Red Line Extension.

June 27, 2005 Transportation Subcommittee Meeting Notes received and filed.  Expo Light Rail Transit Project Memorandum received and filed.  Mayor Linda Briskman commented on the COG’s transit subcommittee’s efforts.  Since the June COG meeting, both Beverly Hills and West Hollywood have sent letters to MTA supporting Exposition line funding.  It is anticipated that Mayor Villaraigosa and Richard Katz, (recently appointed to the MTA Board) will be contacted shortly.  Mayor Briskman noted that there were staff and electeds passionately divided on the alignment for the Red Line extension to the westside and that it was important to keep all options open at this time.

Mayor O’Connor advised that she is second vice chair of the MTA Executive Management and Audit Committee on which both Mayor Villaraigosa and Richard Katz sit.

(D) Economic Health – Brief update on the State Budget.  League of California Cities Report.

Ann Marie Wallace distributed three League policy documents and briefly reviewed/summarized each:  “Grassroots Network Bulletin of July 2005”; The “Homeowner and Property Protection Act” memorandum; and “Redevelopment: Building Better Communities.”  She reminded the group that August 4 is the L. A. Division Installation Dinner and Ceremony.  She advised of legislation introduced, SCA 15 by McClintock and advised members to be prepared for calls from the press for comment.  The League is following up on the VLF reimbursement to the cities.  Prop 42 quarterly payment checks will start to arrive in October.  Additionally, $1 billion will be allocated to state mandated projects.  The League has not taken a position on Prop 76 which establishes an expenditure limit for state government and other fiscal policies. 

5.  COG LOGISTICS 

Update on Los Angeles’ participation in COG.   

Council member Weiss’ deputy, Susan Bursk, advised that John Wickham's staff report has been prepared and would be scheduled for the Council Committee on July 20 or 26.  Discussion ensued with Mayor Briskman and Council member Land stating and others agreeing that COG formation and action needs to proceed; timely action for Los Angeles to decide on participation is requested in light of the very long period that has ensued without final determination.  Ms. Bursk advised that she would communicate the group sentiment.

6.    RECEIVE & FILE, DIRECTION RE: CORRESPONDENCE   

(Noted above by item.)

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS

(A)   MTA Southwest Cities Corridor and Westside Central Services Sector Reports     

Mayor Pam O’Connor reported on the formation of the Exposition Right-of-Way construction authority, its committee membership and noted the first meeting would be held that afternoon.  Mayor O’Connor is designated the Santa Monica Board member with Council member Shriver as the alternate.  Council member Gross added that Council member Silbiger is Culver City’s representative and she is the alternate.

(B)   MTA Staffing Support

Mayor Pam O’Connor advised that recruitment continues for the MTA-funded staff support for Director O’Connor, and the Westside Cities and South Bay Cities COGs.

(C)  Motorcycle Noise

      Mayor Land advised that West Hollywood was going to enforce against     excessive motorcycle noise.

(D)   Telecom Issues

Anne Marie Wallace reported that Mayor O’Connor was recruited on the California League Telecommunications subcommittee as a result of her service on the National League’s Information, Technology and Communications (ITC) steering committee.

Public Participation

Mott Smith, President of the Westside Urban Forum advised that West Hollywood will receive the Forum’s Legacy Award in honor of its 20th Anniversary and     the COG and Friends of Expo were being honored for banding together to support something rather than oppose something on the westside (transit improvements). The awards will be presented on September 9, 2005 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. 

8.    Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 1:25 pm.