Tuesday’s City Council meeting could be long and expect fireworks

A busy schedule for Tuesday’s City Council meeting could mean another long night, and among a slew of cleaning items, there are still one or two that could create fireworks, including a couple that focus on in the councilors’ code and conduct.

Interestingly, Clause 5E refers to the approval of the implementation of Phase 2 of the Out-of-Home Kiosk and Digital Targeting program. On Friday, a kiosk was installed at Main Street and Hill, in accordance with what the City’s website calls “Launch 4,” but because it’s an item on the consent schedule, unless a council member brings it up for discussion, we won’t get a chance to hear much from it.

Item 8A is a continuation of an attempt to adopt the resolution amending the Council’s rules of procedure on topics of discussion. These amendments would require that these items be reviewed by counsel and the City Administrator before being placed on the agenda, to ensure that the item calls for policy direction or action that is lawful and that the direction or political action is feasible.

This originally comes as a result of the August 27 meeting where Councilor Oscar de la Torre requested that the City Attorney and City Manager remove the distribution of all drug paraphernalia and equipment, including but not limited to opioids, needles, syringes, glass tubes, straws. , rolling paper, miniature spoons, etc., in our parks, other city-owned spaces, and anywhere within 1,000 feet of any school, other educational facility, church, senior center, or senior living or boys and girls clubs.

However, the City Attorney clarified during that meeting that “Because state law specifically says that cities can’t ban these types of items. They can’t ban distribution or use, so we have no authority to regulate it.”

Ultimately, it was deemed illegal, but the Council still voted for it.

Another item that is almost certain to generate heated discussion is a request by Councilman Gleam Davis to have the city attorney prepare and return to the next meeting with an ordinance that would prohibit gifts to aldermen, using definitions of gifts and exceptions to the California Policy. Reform Act, and an exception is added for entry and meals when attending official City Hall events.

This is another follow-up point, this time from the Sept. 24 meeting, when Mayor Phil Brock set an impressive new standard by creating sparks just two minutes into the evening’s proceedings, requesting that the same topic be ‘adjourns “indefinitely”, which naturally results in some entertainment. speech

There is also a request by Councilmen Davis and Zwick for the City Attorney and City Manager to review and analyze SB 969, which was recently signed by Governor Newsom and, according to the staff report , “promptly take all necessary action and draft all necessary ordinances and policies that would permit the establishment of an entertainment district” (as defined in SB 969) along Third Street. The Senate Bill 969 deals with the consumption of alcoholic beverages on public streets, sidewalks, or public rights-of-way, and as such, this revolves around the idea that under certain circumstances the public could be allowed to drink alcoholic beverages on the promenade, outside the limits of any existing bar or restaurant.

There is also a request by Mayor Phil Brock, Vice Mayor Lana Negrete and de la Torre for the City Council to approve Proposition 36 on the November 2024 statewide ballot.

Proposition 36 makes several key changes related to punishments for theft and drug offenses; first, it increases the punishment for some of these crimes, second, it creates a new treatment-focused court process for some drug possession crimes, and third, it requires courts to warn people convicted of sell or supply illegal drugs to others who may be charged. murder if they keep doing it and someone dies.

Other highlights include the potential adoption of a resolution that applies to councilors’ laws applicable to City employees and Council appointees regarding policies, investigations and remedies for violations by appointees of the Brown Act and other laws or policies applicable to City Council employees. This dates back to the June 11 meeting and then the issue created drama again as the days descended into backyard politics during the July 9 meeting.

Finally, there is an appeal of the Landmark Commission’s Decision to designate the compass rose located north of and adjacent to Runway 3 of the Santa Monica Airport as a city landmark.

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