1
THESE MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL
UNTIL APPROVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE
CULVER CITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
CULVER CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY
CULVER CITY PARKING AUTHORITY
AND CULVER CITY CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE May 18, 2015
CITY COUNCIL SUCCESSOR AGENCY 4:00 p.m.
TO THE CULVER CITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY, CULVER CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY,
CULVER CITY PARKING AUTHORITY, AND CITY COUNCIL
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
Mayor O'Leary called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. in the
Mike Balkman Council Chambers at City Hall.
Present: Micheál O‘Leary, Mayor
Andrew Weissman, Vice Mayor
Jim B. Clarke, Council Member
Jeffrey Cooper, Council Member
Meghan Sahli-Wells, Council Member
o0o
Pledge of Allegiance
Mike Bowden led the Pledge of Allegiance.
o0o
Joint Public Comment
Mayor O'Leary invited public comment.
No speakers came forward and no cards were received.
o0o
May 18, 2015
2
Joint Action Items
Item J-1
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/PARKING AUTHORITY/
SUCCESSOR AGENCY AGENDA ITEMS: Consideration of the City
Manager's/Executive Director's Proposed Budget for Fiscal
Year 2015/2016
Mayor O'Leary invited public comments.
The following member of the audience addressed the City
Council:
Ken Mand spoke regarding the McManus Neighborhood and the
Syd Kronenthal playground rehabilitation noting that he
wanted to ensure that additional funding would be made
available for the 2-5 year old playground space during the
budget review.
Martin Cole, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk received
clarification from Mr. Mand regarding notice of the June
2, 2015 meeting.
Jeff Muir, Chief Financial Officer, provided a general
overview of the proposed overall budget for Fiscal Year
2015-2016; noted that the Budget Message was the best tool
for summarizing the budget backed by line item detail;
indicated that the presentation would be available on the
City website; he discussed economic trends and issues;
General Fund specifics; he provided an updated forecast;
and he outlined the upcoming meeting schedule.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding taking a regional approach for the Urban Runoff;
responsibility of the City; potential fines; constraints;
what the voters are willing to fund; the fee imposed by
Santa Monica; estimated costs; deadlines; the Ballona
Creek Basin; the defined use of the water; inherent
challenges in the process; polling; timing; community
perception of the magnitude of the problem; the importance
of significant educational efforts; draft Enhanced
Watershed Management Plans; further analysis by City
staff; parks and schools; the Transfer Station; Enterprise
Fund money; the Costco project; estimates; money from the
state or Federal government; motivation; the Hetzler Road May 18, 2015
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Capital Improvement project; gas taxes; ongoing
utilization; vehicle miles travelled; street maintenance;
pre-funding costs; differences between revenue and
expenditures vs. the overall budget overview; Internal
Service Funds; the Rainy Day Fund; Measure Y; increased
funding for Long-Term Liabilities; the sunset for Measure
Y; timing for the pursuit of the renewal of Measure Y;
other taxes and bonds; the perception of Measure Y as
connected to the recession; dependency of the City on
Measure Y; the initial campaign for Measure Y; the
structural deficit; the loss of redevelopment; and
scheduling consideration of the item.
Mike Bowden, Assistant Fire Chief, provided a brief
overview of the proposed budget for the Fire Department
for Fiscal-Year 2015-2016.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding direct charges; additional duties; clarification
that there are no additional costs and that City Council
proposals were honored; brush removal and water
consideration requests raised by Culver Crest; the annual
education program regarding brush; mitigating risks posed
by living in the area; issues with rescue vehicles; the
Equipment Replacement Fund; dispatching issues; the Culver
City Ready Coalition; appreciation for the efforts of
Christine Para; an update on the replacement of older,
more experienced members of the department; accreditation;
the training tower upgrade; HazMat inspections;
appreciation for the work of staff on the Community
Advisory Panel for the Inglewood Oil Fields; and
appreciation to everyone in the department for all of
their efforts.
Dan Hernandez, Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Director, presented the proposed Parks, Recreation and
Community Services department budget for Fiscal Year 2015-
2016.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding clarification on carry over funds; concern with
moving quickly on the Syd Kronenthal Park project; whether
work can be done within the budgeted amount; other
upgrades to outdated playgrounds at identified parks;
prioritization; surveying playground equipment; the
meeting planned for Syd Kronenthal Park on June 2; the
process; using companies that have a proven track record May 18, 2015
4
with the City; clarification that there is no grant for
the additional funds needed to make the improvements at
Syd Kronenthal Park; and lessons learned.
Mayor O'Leary moved to support a General Fund expenditure
of $65,000 to upgrade the playground equipment for ages 2-
5 at Syd Kronenthal Park.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Council
Members regarding what the exact project is; costs to fix
the issue; a one-time General Fund expenditure; taking a
comprehensive approach; differences in new equipment;
resistance to change; liability issues; discomfort with
approving an amount of money for a project that has yet to
be defined; and a suggestion to leave the budget as it and
amend it later if need be.
Mayor O'Leary rescinded his motion.
Martin Cole, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, reported
four more opportunities coming up to make amendments to
the budget.
Further discussion ensued between staff and Council
Members regarding the June 2 meeting at Syd Kronenthal
Park; vendor feedback; community input; providing choices;
quantifying the process; when to agendize consideration of
changes to the budget to accommodate changes at Syd
Kronenthal Park; caution against making a quick decision
without comprehensive input; incorporation of Work Plan
recommendations by the City Council; the partial
reconstruction of the Senior Center Courtyard; changes to
the basketball courts at Fox Hills Park; using QR codes
for new recreation classes; appreciation to staff for
their efforts to support the arts; the Cultural Affairs
Foundation Architecture Talks; using Veterans Auditorium
as a performance space; the volunteer program;
highlighting youth services in the City; auditing youth
programs; maximizing resources; creating efficiencies;
appreciation for The Plunge repairs; grant opportunities
for the Fitness Corridor along Duquesne; afterschool
recreation programs; effective use of social media; adding
social media information to regular letterheads; the award
for Fiesta La Ballona; landscaping in the downtown
business district; the Parks Master Plan Goals; funding;
the Teen Center; staffing capacity; accommodating water
mandates; native plantings; tree replacement in parks; the May 18, 2015
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process for replanting public spaces; drought tolerant vs.
native; public input; changes to irrigation methods; the
potential for reclaimed water; grant money; improvements
to reductions in water use; liabilities associated with
outside basketball court use; parking; and appreciation to
the department for their efforts.
Michele Williams, Information Technology Director,
presented the proposed Information Technology department
budget for Fiscal Year 2015-2016, and highlighted budget
enhancements.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding the amount of the annual maintenance agreement
with the contractor; exit options in the contract; lessons
learned from the audio/visual upgrade in Council Chambers;
working through current issues; postage; computer desktop
replacement; the Open Data Portal; updates; the
Interactive Development Map; updates to the schedule;
graphic design services; ensuring a unified look in all
City materials; maintaining a strong and consistent visual
identity; business cards; the value of branding; internet
bandwidth for cloud backup; concern with the
responsiveness of the providers; adding a disclaimer
regarding quality of the broadcast; and appreciation for
the efforts of staff.
Serena Wright, Human Resources Director, presented a
summary of the proposed budget for the Human Resources
department for Fiscal Year 2015-2016, highlighting changes
made since the May presentation.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding the increase in interest income; best practices
of other cities; the availability of showers for
employees; encouraging employees to take the stairs rather
than the elevator; the Student Work Program; initiatives
branded as My Brother's Keeper initiatives; Expenditures
and Appropriations; the decrease in certain services; the
Uniform Allowance for the Employee Disability Risk
Management Fund; and appreciation for creating a positive
culture and for contract negotiation efforts.
Jeff Muir, Chief Financial Officer, introduced his team
and provided a summary of the proposed Finance Department
budget for Fiscal Year 2015-2016.
May 18, 2015
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Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding Purchasing; appreciation for the work on the
Finance Advisory Committee; congratulations for the Budget
Presentation Award; purchasing recycled content paper; the
increase in regular salaries; scheduling; the importance
of early input; the level of public participation in the
process; scope of work of the FAC; and appreciation and
confidence in the work of the Finance Department.
Charles Herbertson, Public Works Director, introduced his
staff and provided a summary of the proposed budget for
the Public Works department for Fiscal Year 2015-2016.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding the Enhanced Water Management Plan; alley
vacation requests; utilization of the Go Request app;
staff response; handling water waste issues; parking for
Tilden Terrace; meter installations; individual meters vs.
parking stations; minimizing jaywalking; pay by mobile;
uniformity of pay methods; maintaining multiple meters;
street lights; Prop 50 grants; work created for staff by
grant money; the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan
Update; the Expo Noise Study; the Urban Forest Master
Plan; the Bike Share Feasibility Study; offering the bin
as an incentive for turf removal; the Sanitation Fund;
leveraging a public private partnership with the Costco
project; graffiti art; landscaping; liability; use of the
contractor to supplement the in-house crew; concern with
graffiti in precarious locations; maintaining fencing and
gates to limit access; the Edison Streetlight Program; re-
set-able meters; installation of sensors; maintenance; the
Walker Parking Study; and further study.
o0o
Joint Public Comment – Items Not on the Agenda
None.
o0o
Items from Council Members
Council Member Cooper reported that he would have to leave
the meeting tomorrow by 5:30 p.m.
May 18, 2015
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Council Member Clarke reported that he would have to
attend a Centennial Committee meeting at 6:00 p.m.
tomorrow.
o0o
Adjournment
There being no further business, at 8:36 p.m., the City
Council, Housing Authority, Parking Authority and Successor
Agency Board adjourned to May 19, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
o0o
Martin R. Cole
CITY CLERK of Culver City, California
EX-OFFICIO CLERK of the City Council
Culver City, California
MICHEÁL O‘LEARY,
MAYOR of Culver City, California
1
THESE MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL
UNTIL APPROVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE
CULVER CITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
CULVER CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY
CULVER CITY PARKING AUTHORITY
AND CULVER CITY CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE May 19, 2015
CITY COUNCIL SUCCESSOR AGENCY 4:00 p.m.
TO THE CULVER CITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY, CULVER CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY,
CULVER CITY PARKING AUTHORITY, AND CITY COUNCIL
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
Mayor O'Leary called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. in the
Mike Balkman Council Chambers at City Hall.
Present: Micheál O‘Leary, Mayor
Andrew Weissman, Vice Mayor
Jim B. Clarke, Council Member
Jeffrey Cooper, Council Member
Meghan Sahli-Wells, Council Member
o0o
Pledge of Allegiance
Paul Condran led the Pledge of Allegiance.
o0o
Joint Public Comment
Mayor O'Leary invited public comment.
No speakers came forward and no cards were received.
o0o
May 19, 2015
2
Joint Action Items
Item J-1
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/PARKING AUTHORITY/
SUCCESSOR AGENCY AGENDA ITEMS: Consideration of the City
Manager's/Executive Director's Proposed Budget for Fiscal
Year 2015/2016
Mayor O'Leary invited public comments.
No cards were received and no speakers came forward.
John Nachbar, City Manager, discussed departments with My
Brother's Keeper workplan items.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding support for the program; goals of the program;
the Culver City Compact; work with the Culver City Unified
School District; mapping resources; fostering programs
that help certain outcomes; ensuring that children are
ready to enter school, graduate school, have job
opportunities, and safe communities; ensuring the pursuit
of common goals; branding; relabeling things that are
already being done; no direct costs to the City; whether
to adopt a policy regarding the Mayor's role; sign-ons at
the U.S. Conference of Mayors; increased requests for
Mayor endorsements; the responsibility of the current
Mayor to continue what the former Mayor has signed on to;
assessing the nature of requests; consideration of
anything that affects City finances and/or the workload of
staff; the legislative advocacy program; policy
implications; Department of Justice grants; community
policing; and whether there are issues with at-risk
minorities in the City.
Art Ida, Transportation Director, presented a summary of
the proposed Transportation budget for Fiscal Year 2015-
2016.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding upgraded security systems; upgrades to
wheelchair securement; Santa Monica bus stops; traditional
bus stops; known companies; increasing shade coverage;
practical considerations; the Real Time Travel Information
project; shelters that can support the displays; public
input and business outreach; purchasing TAP cards for May 19, 2015
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employees; including NPR on the list of businesses to
reach out to; service alerts; use of social media; the
regional nature of the TAP program; revenue from bus
advertising; actuals; Compressed Natural Gas; renewables;
clean energy; the City as part of a consortium; the
distribution system; green waste opportunities; methane
gas from landfills; waste to energy; low carbon fuel
credits; updates to old language in the Transportation
Division description; Longevity Pay; inclusion of City
Council recommendations in the work plan; wifi on the
buses; other cities that use a Community Card; new fare
boxes; thinking globally and regionally; incorporating
different modes of transportation; the number of bus stops
in the City; connecting stops; high visibility areas; high
demand areas; ADA issues; the feasibility study; and
appreciation for the diligent work of staff.
Sol Blumenfeld, Community Development Director, presented
the proposed Community Development department budget for
Fiscal Year 2015-2016.
Council Member Cooper exited the meeting at 5:21 p.m.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding the report on mansionization and notice to the
public; the number of housing permits for housing of a
certain size; the importance of proper notice; scheduling
consideration of the item; advance notice to the
community; banners on West Washington; landscaping;
setting up a Business Improvement District; education,
public outreach, and enforcement of the multi-family
smoking ordinance; the Fox Hills special study; the
ReImagine Project; items left off the list; the issue of
soft story structures; automatic gas shut off; contract
building services; the Hospitality Landuse Plan; signage
on the public way; issues with the median and the bike
lane on West Washington; Globe Avenue and Habitat for
Humanity; the category for the Ivy Substation/Media Park;
the reduction in development related funding; building
permit valuations; the amount of housing staff; The Jazz
Bakery; status of the improvements at the Pacific
Theatres; Media Park activation and status; appreciation
for the affordability component of the Baldwin site;
adding details to the Washington/National streetscape
plan; including the outcome of items accomplished for the
Hospitality and Entertainment District; Hayden Tract
parking; the Helms Bakery stacked parking project; the May 19, 2015
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automated lift at the Apple facility in the Hayden Tract;
the City-wide ordinance; the West Washington Streetscape
Plan; employing a more robust use of Complete Streets;
installing landscape to protect bike lanes; future
opportunities; implementing the Comprehensive Economic
Development plan and next steps in the process;
prioritizing affordability; exploring the reuse of parking
lots with affordable units above; residential parking in
Tilden Terrace; KMA data; retail and residential parking
requirements; the role of the Landlord Tenant Mediation
Board; the Clarksdale neighborhood; annualized direct
costs for the Rental Assistance Program; the Homeless
Rental Assistance Program; relabeling the line item; the
contract with Upward Bound House; Homeless Outreach; the
number of participants in the RAP; participants vs.
households; consistency of terms; the number of
participants lost through attrition; pre-funding for long-
term liabilities; agreement to return with additional
information at the June 8 meeting; the dissolution of the
Redevelopment Agency; loans taken on by the City; the
Chamber of Commerce Scissors; and appreciation for the
work of the department.
Carol Schwab, City Attorney, presented the proposed budget
for the City Attorney's Office for Fiscal Year 2015-2016,
and highlighted budget enhancements.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding the effective date of the Ordinance Prohibiting
Smoking in Multi-Family Housing; compliments to staff for
the effective notification; policies regarding email
retention; security of data and email; the Granicus
System; the Campaign Finance and Activity Ordinance
Update; timing; state law; clarification that the
ordinance would not be retroactive; the in-kind provision;
contradictions between City rules and other rules;
concerns with the appearance of a conflict of interest;
reforming the ordinance to allow the candidates enough
money to run a campaign; the subcommittee; eliminating
City policy and having candidates follow the state law;
agreement to bring the item back as soon as possible for
further consideration; the moratorium on massage parlors
in the City; a request to add updates to the final
document to keep it current; and appreciation for the work
of the department.
May 19, 2015
5
John Nachbar, City Manager, presented a summary of the
proposed budget for the City Manager's Office for Fiscal
Year 2015-2016.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding having a strategic planning retreat;
establishing a baseline; defining the purpose; additional
input from Council Members; the overall strategic plan; a
guideline for other departments; establishing overarching
goals to provide focus for the organization; a suggestion
for a follow up after the new Council Members join the
City Council; facilitating the completion of the Creative
Economy Report; use of a consultant; funding; revising the
Charter; the Cultural Arts Fund; clarification that the
addition of a staff person in Cultural Affairs is from
last year and will be removed as there are no additions
this year; improving the effectiveness of the Cultural
Affairs Foundation; the constraints of bureaucracy; the
former Parks and Recreation Foundation; donor fatigue;
the Education Foundation; the original intent of the
Cultural Affairs Foundation; appreciation for the work of
the Foundation; developing a model similar to the
Centennial Committee; looking at communication in the
City; striving for a uniform look to all City
communication and brochures; coordination with the IT
department; the renovated arts infrastructure; lightboxes;
appreciation for the work of the City Manager; addressing
issues with passport services and agreement to return with
additional information for further consideration;
Granicus; public notification practices; Facebook and
Twitter notifications; voter education; and changes to
staff positions and titles in the City Clerk's office.
o0o
Joint Public Comment – Items Not on the Agenda
None.
o0o
Items from Council Members
None.
o0o
May 19, 2015
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Adjournment
There being no further business, at 7:39 p.m., the City
Council, Housing Authority, Parking Authority and Successor
Agency Board adjourned to May 26, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
o0o
Martin R. Cole
CITY CLERK of Culver City, California
EX-OFFICIO CLERK of the City Council
Culver City, California
MICHEÁL O‘LEARY,
MAYOR of Culver City, California