We are taking a couple of days off in observance of Veterans Day, but not before we give you a quick run down of some important upcoming events.
This week, the City Council will decide the fate of what could be the County’s first bike share program on Tuesday; Nobel Peace Prize recipient Robert Lampert will join a panel of experts to talk about water and climate change; and the first of three “Santa Monica Talks” events will give residents a chance to meet — and discuss policy — with their local officials. So, make sure to mark your calendars.
Bike Share
The Santa Monica City Council will decide Tuesday whether to move forward with plans for what could be the county’s very first bike share system. At Tuesday’s meeting, the Council will vote on whether to approve a contract with CycleHop, LLC for a 500-bicycle bike share program, complete with 65 to 75 docking stations and “smart bike” technology. (Read the staff report here.)
Though Metro announced in September that it would take steps to launch a regional bike share system, Santa Monica was already two years into its own process and had already secured grant funding for its own program. While the bayside city has been coordinating with neighboring cities and regional organizations like Metro, Santa Monica has opted to finally move forward with its program, in part because, if it doesn’t, the City stands to lose more than $2 million in grants it had secured from Metro and the Air Quality Management District.
Do you support bike share? Do you want the City Council to move forward with the plans? Let them know what you think by sending an email to council@smgov.net or to the individual Council members. Even better, come out Tuesday night and speak to the City Council yourself. The public meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and public comment is always welcome. And, you can try out the proposed bikes in front of City Hall during the day Tuesday.
When: Tuesday, November 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Santa Monica City Hall, 1685 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Santa Monica Talks
What’s happening in the city? What does the city’s future hold? How can you get involved? These are just some of the questions you will get answered at the first of three free “Santa Monica Talks” events, hosted by the City Manager’s office. The first of three events will be this Thursday in Tongva Park.
At each of the three events, residents will get a chance to talk to retiring City Manager Rod Gould about the issues important to them and get a chance to hear his perspective on the direction the city’s heading. There will also be food and drinks, courtesy of “some of Santa Monica’s top restaurants,” according to the City’s website.
There are 250 seats available for this Thursday’s event, so register now at smgov.net/smtalks. The event is free.
“After Santa Monica Talks, you’ll find that knowing more about where you live, work, and play makes life easier and more interesting,” the website reads. “City staff will answer questions and provide essential information about current city programs, initiatives, and ways you can get involved.”
Since the same information will be available at the three events (11/13, 11/18, and 11/20), staff recommends coming to the one that best suits your schedule.
When: Thursday, November 13 at 6:45 p.m.
Where: Tongva Park, 1615 Ocean Ave, 90401
Drop Everything: A Forum on Climate Change and Water Use
Climate Action Santa Monica will host a panel of experts, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Robert Lempert, at the Santa Monica Public Library Main Branch Sunday to talk about climate change and its impact on water in California.
The forum, hosted by Santa Monica College Professor of Geography and Earth Science William Selby, will run from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will also feature Debra Man, assistant general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and Dean Kubani, director of Santa Monica’s Office of Sustainability and Environment.
Each speaker will provide his or her own perspective on the issues facing California and the world. Lempert, a RAND Corporation senior scientist will give “a big picture view of climate change and water,” according to Climate Action Santa Monica.
Man will offer the audience a “California Water 101” while Kubani will address local water policies and challenges.
Sunday’s event in the Main Library’s MLK Auditorium is free and open to the public, but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. You can register DropEverything.eventbrite.com, but it does not guarantee you a seat.
Climate Action Santa Monica, a program of The Church in Ocean Park, empowers people to learn about climate change, locally and beyond, and directs their talents, habits and passion toward bringing Santa Monica to climate neutrality and community resiliency.
Please use public or active transportation to get to the event, if possible. The Main Library is directly served by the Big Blue Bus lines 7 and 10. Big Blue Bus lines 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9 and Metro bus lines 720, 20, 704, 4 also stop within a short walking distance.
When: Sunday, November 16 at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Santa Monica Public Library, Main Branch, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401
