MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2011
Volume 10 Issue 234
Santa Monica Daily Press ‘APES’ RISE AGAIN SEE PAGE 3
We have you covered
THE BACK IN THE SADDLE ISSUE
Commission considers Ross for public art BY KEVIN HERRERA Editor in Chief
tems that pay for government worker retirement benefits. Among them: ■ Limiting some abuses that anger the public and increase costs, such as pension spiking, which artificially inflates retirement benefits by boosting pay at the end of an employee's career. ■ Creating a broader package of pension reforms for this year to fix abuses and address longer-term financial concerns, possibly including limits on state
DOWNTOWN An American sculptor known for large-scale public art projects is the front-runner for a City Hall contract to beautify a rebuilt Parking Structure 6 on Second Street. Mike Ross, best known for his work “Big Rig Jig,” consisting of two modified tanker trucks attached to each other vertically in an “S” shape to represent the precariousness and danger of an addiction to oil, is the Cultural Affairs Division’s pick for the public art project and he is expected to be approved by the Arts Commission tonight. “We’re very excited and think he is a rising star,” said Jessica Cusick, Cultural Affairs manager for City Hall with more than 20 years of experience working in the arts for governmental agencies, the private sector and nonprofits. The budget for the public art component of the parking structure rebuild is $150,000, which includes payment to the artist as well as materials, insurance and other costs, Cusick said. Construction on the structure is anticipated to begin in spring 2012 and completed at the end of 2013, according to a city staff report presented to the City Council on July 26. Preliminary design plans consist of three subterranean levels and eight above-ground parking levels for a total of 750 spaces, a net increase of approximately 400 spaces. That would include 30 electric vehicle charging stations, storage area for the Farmers’ Market, 7,000 square feet of retail space facing Second Street and bike racks to accommodate up to 90 bicyles. There will also be solar panels on the roof, according to preliminary designs. Parkers would cascade up and down an exterior, diagonal staircase that weaves in and out of the structure’s Second Street facade. This is expected to improve safety with its high visibility and offer people views of the ocean, according to the staff report. The back of the structure, which faces the
SEE STATE PAGE 9
SEE ROSS PAGE 8
JAZZ IT UP
Alejandro Cesar Cantarero II news@smdp.com The Tony Guerrero Quintet performs during the first week of the Jazz on the Lawn series on Sunday at City Hall.
U2 guitarist still pursuing Malibu development
Lawmakers debate pensions after summer recess ends ADAM WEINTRAUB Associated Press
NOAKI SCHWARTZ Associated Press
LOS ANGELES The guitarist for U2 and several other property owners whose proposal to build a cluster of mansions overlooking Malibu failed to get past state regulators have filed lawsuits against the California Coastal Commission. The lawsuits filed Friday argue that the SEE EDGE PAGE 7
SACRAMENTO Five months after Gov. Jerry Brown released a 12-point plan to reform public pensions, there has been a lot of talk but little action on the issue at the Capitol. That could change this week when lawmakers return from their summer recess. Legislative leaders are considering several ways to address pension abuses and long-term financial health in the sys-
TAXES ALL FORMS, ALL TYPES, ALL STATES
Your New Personal Service Pharmacy
BACK TAXES • BOOKKEEPING • SMALL BUSINESS
Compounding • Vitamins • Homeopathic • Skin Care
(310) 395-9922
PRESCRIPTIONS READY IN 10 MINUTES
1908 Santa Monica Blvd Ste. 4 | 310.315.9999
SAMUEL B. MOSES, CPA
100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1800Santa Monica 90401