City Council Wrap-up

By Jorge Casuso

The City Council Tuesday night cheered up parents, pleased Montana Avenue neighbors and heartened people with disabilities during an upbeat meeting that sometimes resembled a love fest.

As expected, the council approved an emergency ordinance to give the city time to revise development standards for Montana Avenue that could help preserve what's left of the trendy strip's homespun flavor.

Deciding that 19 incidental food establishments was enough, the council banned any new coffee houses and other establishments that don't provide table service. It also lowered from 11,000 square feet to 5,000 square feet the size of proposed developments that require Planning Commission approval.

The move is expected to alleviate a parking crunch caused by increased development and the popularity of coffee houses, which are concentrated in a five-block area.

"We are very lucky to live in Santa Monica and have a council we can reach," said Doris Sosin, who heads the North of Montana Neighborhood Association, which helped push for the ordinance.

Sosin, however, was disappointed that the council did not increase setbacks and landscaping requirements on the street.

Council members applauded the neighbors' involvement in the process.

"An idea is coming to fruition that originated in the neighborhoods," said Councilman Kevin McKeown. "They've come up with a way to rescue Montana. Tonight is a first step."

"Our definition of community is being expanded to be inclusive of staff," said Councilman Richard Bloom. "That's a gratifying thing to see."

The Council also came to the rescue of the Marine Park Child Development Center, turning parents who only weeks ago had fired off angry emails into cheerleaders.

The council conceptually approved an extension of the city's operational grant with the School District from July 1 to August 31 and allocated funding for a three-year operational grant and one-time capital improvement grant to the Growing Place to provide services for the center.

The $240,000 annual grant will keep open the center, which was established 10 years ago to make licensed full-day, year-round infant, toddler and pre-school care available to city staff and neighborhood residents.

Like the Montana Avenue ordinance, those affected by the center's potential closing worked closely with city staff to help salvage the facility, which serves 51 children.

Council members said the city's support of Marine Park sent a message to other employers for the need to provide day care for their workers.

"It calls on the city to carry its weight," said Mayor Ken Genser. "It costs money to do that. We have to satisfy our obligation as a major employer."

Councilman Paul Rosenstein, who cast the only opposing vote, said the money didn't go very far and gave parents only one option when it came to city subsidized day care.

"When we add up the few numbers that will be assisted, the logic and rationale for it continues to escape me." Rosenstein said.

Parents and council members touted the collaboration forged with city staff.

"After crisis comes opportunity," said Gleam Davis. "We are faced with this marvelous opportunity to create what a child development center should be."

"This has rightfully been a love fest because we're preserving services for lower income people," said Councilman Michael Feinstein. "It's just awesome and I'm thrilled to be voting for it."

In other actions, the council:

· Accepted a $115,550 grant from the Office of Criminal Justice Planning to create a state of the art, full media computer lab for the Police Activities League. Youngsters will use the lab to gain hands-on experience in new technology.

· Provided $25,000 to the Santa Monica Education Foundation to make possible a feasibility study to determine if the foundation should mount a campaign to endow music and art programs in the public schools.

· Authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with American Youth Hostel for the development and funding of their proposed affordable lodging project. The project will increase the number of beds in the hostel on Second Street downtown from 200 to 260. The hostel has a year-round occupancy rate of 96 percent.

The council also took the initial steps in exploring ways of involving the city's residents with disabilities by perhaps forming the city's first new commission in 15 years.

Before the meeting, nearly three dozen supporters of a Disabilities Commission gathered on the steps of city hall for a rally.

"Be active in your community, do all you can and show your abilities, especially super abilities," said Pro Se who has tirelessly pushed for the new commission. "There will be a disability commission. That's because we made it happen."

During the council meeting, several persons with disabilities urged the council to take action.

"People with disabilities have to have a voice," said Kecia Welles. "Santa Monica is cutting edge. Get this task force off the ground."