NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW
FINANCE DIRECTOR TO CITY

Carol O. Swindell, appointed late last year by City Manager P. Lamont Ewell to head the city’s finance department following a nationwide recruitment, took up her post on January 12, 2007.

Swindell has previously served as director of administrative services for the city of Walnut Creek and director of financial services and chief financial officer for the city of Oceanside.

“Santa Monica is lucky to find someone with the range of financial skills and public sector experience that Carol offers, and these attributes will greatly enhance our city’s fiscal position,” Ewell said in confirming Swindell’s appointment. “She is highly effective in training and motivating staff, and will ensure that the city organization is appropriately focused on sound financial practices, budget development and fiscal oversight so that the community is properly served.”

Swindell has been credited with implementing major changes to Walnut Creek’s budget process and adding performance measures. At Oceanside,she was responsible for development of a multiyear strategic plan to improve service delivery.

“Santa Monica is a beautiful, vibrant and progressive community, and its city government is recognized as one of the best in the country,” said Swindell. “I’m thrilled and honored to have been selected to become a member of the city team.”

Swindell holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from The College of William and Mary, and is certified as a public accountant, internal auditor and public finance officer.

MAJOR MATTERS EXPECTED TO COME BEFORE CITY COUNCIL
FROM FEBRUARY TO APRIL

• Mid-year budget review, 5-year financial forecast and budget priorities public hearing

• Approval of funding guidelines for Commu- nity Development and Cultural Arts grants

• Amendments to Green Building, Land-scaping Standards and Construction & Demolition Waste ordinances; authorization of expedited permitting for solar electric and solar thermal systems

• Presentation of Creative Capital, Community Cultural Master Plan

• Annual Homeless Review and update

• Discussion and ordinance regarding fences, walls and hedges

• Discussion of water, wastewater and solid waste rates

• Update on Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE)

The long-range nature of this list means that some items may not be heard in the month originally scheduled, as new matters emerge and agendas are re-worked. No item will come to Council before the date originally published. Also available on-line at www.smgov.net.

CITY HALL REORGANIZATION FOCUSES ON
IMPROVING CUSTOMER SERVICE

City Manager P. Lamont Ewell has proposed the first major overhaul of the municipal government structure in more than a decade, to increase account- ability, more evenly distribute workloads and foster greater collaboration among departments, divisions and staff. The ultimate goal of the reorganization is to provide improved service to all city customers.

Among the more significant changes envisioned is creation of a new Community Maintenance Department, responsible for maintaining all city assets and open spaces as well as custodial services, functions which are currently provided by four departments. Centralizing these functions will capitalize on existing resources and provide a consistent standard of care for all city facilities and open spaces. Changes will occur in other departments to refocus on their core missions and enhance customer service.

Other changes include the addition of an internal auditor and a deputy city manager to oversee internal services (Community Maintenance, Finance, HR and ISD). The community relations and intergovernmental relations positions in the City Manager’s Office will be combined into a single role that integrates community outreach functions and maximizes existing talent and resources.

A staff steering committee is currently meeting with the affected work groups to refine the proposed structure and an implementation plan is expected to be ready in February. Key components of the plan are expected to be incorporated into next year’s budget; others may be phased in over a longer period of time.

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STYROFOAM® PACKAGING BAN APPROVED

It’s official. On January 9, 2007, the Santa Monica City Council unanimously voted to rid our beaches streets of harmful and unsightly food service packaging by banning its use in the city. The ban applies “to-go” containers made from non-recyclable plastic, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS—better known as Styrofoam®) and clear polystyrene, both of which carry the #6 recycling symbol and are commonly used in food and beverage containers.

This new law—which does not affect recyclable plastics, paper, coated paper, foil or bio-based products—is aimed at reducing the presence of one of the most frequently found items of debris on Santa Monica Beach and in the bay. Styrofoam® is particularly harmful because it does not degrade and can persist
the environment for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

The ban goes into effect 30 days from its adoption, February 8, 2007, but businesses have been given one year to make the switch from the non- recyclable containers. City facilities and its managed concessions, well as events permitted or sponsored by the city, must comply beginning February 8.

City staff is developing a notification and outreach program to encourage citywide compliance and the California Restaurant Association has begun to coordinate anti-litter campaigns with the city. Perhaps one day in the near future, a stroll along our local shoreline will present an even more enjoyable view—one that’s absent any litter!

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TAKE A WALK—AT THE AIRPORT ARTWALK

As the oldest operating airfield in Los Angeles County, the Santa Monica Airport possesses a rich aviation history. But in addition to its aeronautical roots, it has also developed into an appealing visitor destination with a growing number of artistic and cultural venues located along the length of Airport Avenue. To showcase these assets, the city’s Cultural Affairs Division and the Santa Monica Airport will co-sponsor the first-ever Airport Art Walk on Saturday, March 10, from 2 – 6 p.m.

THE DAY’S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Open artist studios at Santa Monica Art Studios, Barker Hangar and Santa Monica College Art Studios, where visitors can view the works of local artists and explore the spaces where they create their magic.

• A special sale of SMC student ceramic and glass works. These beautifully crafted artworks not only make excellent gifts for any occasion, their purchase supports and encourages young artists.

• The Ruskin Theater will present special performances to please both adults and children throughout the afternoon, with an evening performance to eloquently conclude the event.

• With visitor appetites sure to develop while enjoying all that the Artwalk offers, the Spitfire Grill, Typhoon and Hump restaurants will be open for service, offering a variety of menu items to please every taste.

Come out to the Airport Artwalk and discover Santa Monica’s hidden cultural resource and its unique, creative environment! For more information, please call (310) 458-8350.

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STAY IN TOUCH WITH E-NEWS

Two of the city’s most important goals are to keep Santa Monicans informed and reduce waste while saving paper and other vital resources. Through the use of electronic newsletters, six of the city’s busiest program areas are now keeping citizens up-to-date on city and community events, activities and actions. Why not subscribe today to one or more of these highly readable and always informative electronic missives?