May 11, 2010 --The City Council tonight will vote on increased rates for parking in Downtown Santa Monica. Council members already gave their approval in concept for the new rate structure in September. (Council Approves Parking Rate Hike Downtown, September 9, 2009.)

The proposed rate changes include an increase to the maximum daily charge for the Downtown structures from $7 to $9 and for the Civic Center structure from $8 to $9. The evening flat rates would rise from $3 to $5 for all structures, except for the Main Library, Civic Center and Civic Auditorium, where the $3 fee would stay in effect. The monthly rates would go up from $82.50 to $121 for all structures, except for those keeping the $3 evening fee.

These new rates come from recommendations made by Walker Parking Consultants in its study released last year. The main theme of Walker’s report is that better use of existing spaces, rather than creating new structures and spaces, will alleviate the Downtown’s parking headaches. The fee hikes will serve a dual purpose of increasing parking availability in the area as well as generate extra money to fund parking structure improvements and programs to increase access to the Downtown by employees through alternative methods.

A recommendation from Walker to reduce the number of free parking hours during the daytime from two to one is not proposed by staff. The Bayside District Corp. opposes this recommendation. According to the City staff report, this recommendation should not be implemented until “a viable and effective alternative system, such as validations, can be identified.”

An item to instruct the City manager to negotiate a contract with Morley Construction Co. for the demolition and rebuilding of Parking Structure 6 is on tonight’s agenda. The staff recommendation is for the City manager to negotiate a contract up to nearly $3.7 million for the project involving the structure at Second Street between Broadway and Santa Monica Boulevard. The renovation of this garage and Structure 1 on Fourth Street between Arizona Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard (a project on hold until funding can be found) will provide about 570 new spaces. Walker recommended this as the only space increase needed in the area.

Also tonight, the Council will review the City’s policy on code enforcement and recommendations by City staff to improve on it.

This includes assurances that buildings are in compliance with development agreements established with the City. Project builders seek development agreements with the City when they want to do something not allowed in the municipal zoning rules. They offer “public benefits” in exchange for these variances on the rules.

According to a City report that will be presented to the Council, 12 development agreements for completed projects have been established since 1982, when an ordinance went into effect requiring annual review of such agreements. The report states that of those projects, four are considered in full compliance. City staff is seeking more information on the other projects. No project is listed as being “non-compliant,” although for some projects, several items are listed for what the City needs more information on.

The report also notes that the City earlier this year filed suit regarding the development agreement with the Arboretum for alleged violations of an affordable housing requirement. The report states, “The parties are currently in settlement negotiations and it appears that there will be a settlement.”

There are another five projects constructed prior to the 1982 ordinance that included development agreements. Among them is the Dorchester House, for which an allegation has also been made regarding non-compliance with an affordable housing obligation. According to the City report, the situation at the Dorchester is “currently being reviewed by the City Attorney’s office.”

At a community meeting last month, City Manager Rod Gould said the Council had made a decision during a closed session meeting regarding the Dorchester that “involves litigation.” He said the details of this decision would be made public prior to the May 11 meeting. This has not happened.

Also on tonight’s agenda, the Council will consider a municipal purchase for up to $42.5 million of the property on Fourth Street and Arizona Avenue containing Bank of America and Chase, which are both on long-term leases with the current property owners. According to the City staff report, “While specific uses for (the property) have not been identified, acquisition of the subject property would broaden the City’s ability to achieve its goals as identified in the Bayside District Specific Plan.”