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THESE MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL
UNTIL APPROVED BY THE
CULVER CITY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF THE August 25, 2014
CITY COUNCIL 6:00 p.m.
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
Mayor Sahli-Wells called the meeting of the City Council to
order at 6:00 p.m.
Present: Meghan Sahli-Wells, Mayor
Micheál O‘Leary, Vice Mayor
Jim B. Clarke, Council Member
Jeffrey Cooper, Council Member
Andrew Weissman, Council Member
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Closed Session
At 6:00 p.m., the City Council recessed to Closed Session to
discuss the following items:
CS-1 Conference with Real Property Negotiators
Re: 8829, 8831, 8840, 8841, 8843 Exposition Boulevard; 8801,
8803, 8824, 8825, 8828, 8830-8834, 8836, 8839, 8842, 8846
National Boulevard; 8900-8906, 8910-8912, 8914-8918, 8920,
8926, 8930, 8936 Venice Boulevard
Agency Negotiators: John Nachbar, City Manager/Executive
Director; Sol Blumenfeld, Community Development Director/
Assistant Executive Director; Todd Tipton, Economic
Development Manager; Murray Kane, City/Successor Agency
Special Counsel
Other Parties Negotiators: Lowe Enterprises Real Estate Group
Under Negotiation: Price, terms of payment or both, including
use restrictions, development obligations and other monetary
related considerations
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 August 25, 2014
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CS-2 Conference with Labor Negotiator
City designated representatives: John Nachbar, City Manager;
Serena Wright, Human Resources Director
Employee Organization: Police Management Group, Fire
Management Group
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
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Reconvene
Mayor Sahli-Wells reconvened the City Council meeting at
7:03 p.m. with all Council Members present.
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Reflection/Pledge of Allegiance
The Reflection was given by John Nachbar, City Manager, and
the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Desmond Burns.
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Report on Action Taken in Closed Session
Mayor Sahli-Wells indicated nothing to report from Closed
Session.
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Presentations
Item P-1
Presentation of a Commendations to Police Officers Leon
Moore and Sue Sperling, Sergeant Mark Reppucci, and Senior
Jailer Desmond Burns on the Occasion of Their Retirements
Scott Bixby, Police Chief, provided background on the
accomplishments of the retirees.
Mayor Sahli-Wells presented the commendation to Sue
Sperling.
Council Member Weissman presented the commendation to Mark
Reppucci.
August 25, 2014
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Council Member Clarke presented the commendation to Leon
Moore.
Vice Mayor O'Leary thanked everyone for their service and
presented the commendation to Desmond Burns.
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Item P-2
Presentation to the City Council from Participants in the
El Marino Language School Culver City - Kaizuka Exchange
Program
Matt Seeberger, Culver City Sister City Committee,
presented participants in the Kaizuka Exchange Program.
Allison Burns, Kaizuka Exchange Chair, thanked the City for
the support, reported on the program, and introduced the
students who participated.
Isabella Chardier, student, thanked the City Council for
their support and discussed her experiences with the
program.
Nancy Perdomo Browning, Chaperone, reported on her
experiences travelling with the group, and she conveyed
greetings and presented gifts from City officials in
Kaizuka, Japan.
Sterre Hesseling, student, discussed differences between
Culver City and Kaizuka.
Barbara Honig invited families that hosted the students to
join the others at the front of the auditorium.
Leo spoke representing the hosts for Iksan, Korea students
and discussed their experiences.
Mayor Sahli-Wells thanked the Culver City Sister City
Committee for their work.
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Community Announcements by City Council Members/Information
Items from Staff August 25, 2014
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Mayor Sahli-Wells asked that a moment of silence be observed
in honor of former Council Member Ed Little who had recently
passed away.
Council Member Weissman asked that when the meeting is
adjourned, that it be adjourned in memory of Josephine
Catherine Turner, the mother of Police Officer Butch Turner.
Mayor Sahli-Wells expressed pride in newly appointed Fire
Chief Dave White and the recent re-accreditation of the Fire
Department.
Dave White, Fire Chief, thanked the City Council and staff
for their assistance in the accreditation process and he
reported the successful implementation of the reserve fire
fighter program.
Dan Hernandez, Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Director, discussed the success of Fiesta La Ballona;
volunteer training; and the thanked staff and the Committee
for their work to make it all possible.
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Receipt and Filing of Correspondence
MOVED BY VICE MAYOR O'LEARY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
COOPER AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
RECEIVE AND FILE CORRESPONDENCE.
Mayor Sahli-Wells asked that staff follow up on the
correspondence received about parking.
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Joint Public Comment – Items Not on the Agenda
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public comment.
The following members of the audience addressed the City
Council:
Seth Horowitz, The Culver Hotel, invited everyone to attend
The Prohibition Ball to celebrate the 90th Birthday of the
Culver Hotel, and he discussed the rejuvenation of downtown
Culver City and of the Hotel. August 25, 2014
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Joel Forman, Culver City Rotary, discussed their exchange
program; their upcoming service program to provide
dictionaries to third graders; and he encouraged each Council
Member to visit a school for the presentation.
Mary Collim thanked that City Council for their support of
the Senior Center, as well as Vice Mayor O'Leary and Dan
Hernandez for attending the August Senior Center birthday
party.
Vice Mayor O'Leary thanked Ms. Collim for the photograph of
the event, he described his experience at the event, and he
asked that the City Council honor Ann Levin.
Laura Frakes, Culver City Julian Dixon Library, discussed
service hours at the library; upcoming events; and she
thanked the City for the support.
Discussion ensued between Ms. Frakes and Council Members
regarding appreciation to the library for their work; the
refurbishment of the library; temporary service at the Mayme
Clayton Library during the closure; story time; and
programming for teens at the Teen Center.
Charles Hoult discussed an essay published in the Los Angeles
Times on the need for sidewalk repair; lawsuits; funding
mechanisms; a response written by Janet Hoult and published
in the LA Times; correcting the causes of damaged sidewalks;
addressing payment for repairs; and the Culver City tree
succession plan.
Dr. Janet Hoult discussed tree mapping in the City and state;
removal of invasive species; the Community Development Block
Grant for sidewalk and curb repair; she urged the City to
begin the removal of problem trees identified in 2002 rather
than waiting for the results of the Urban Forest Management
and Tree Succession Plan; and she discussed the success of
Fiesta La Ballona 2014.
Peter Greene, Culver City Film Festival, discussed their
plans for a festival in the City later in the year; noted
that screenings were free; requested consideration of City
sponsorship; and discussed the upcoming Culver City
Centennial.
August 25, 2014
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Jon Gursha, Culver City Film Festival, reported that they
had been working with Bill Wynn as Artistic Director.
The City Council agreed to agendize discussion of the
matter.
Stephen Murray discussed water usage in Culver City;
guaranteeing water security; reducing dependence on
imported water; developing local sources; conservation; the
trend of increasing water scarcity; and he indicated that
he was running for a position on the West Basin Water Board
District 4.
Discussion ensued between Council Members and Mr. Murray
regarding determining the largest user of water in the
City; protected information; and Golden State Water.
Michelle Weiner, Transition Culver City, reported on the
California Water Board meeting regarding hydraulic
fracturing and ground water quality, and she discussed SB4.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding clarification that the City had consistently
provided feedback regarding SB4; groundwater comments;
water used by the oil company; a suggestion to add an inert
chemical marker to the water used for hydraulic fracturing
for tracking purposes; and a request for City support for
the concept.
Linda Shahinian discussed invasive plant species; fire
threats of invasive plants; Mexican feather grass; hazards
of small plants; the Parkway Ordinance; and she invited
everyone to visit plantright.org.
Cary Anderson discussed the excessive amount of parking
signs; parking regulations; school drop offs; 4043 Irving
Place; the lack of parking for school teachers; parking
meters; cut-through traffic; he read the eight different
signs posted around Linwood E. Howe school; discussed
signage to protect the neighborhood; and enforcement.
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Joint Consent Calendar August 25, 2014
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Item JC-1
Joint Culver City Council/Culver City Housing Authority/
Successor Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency
Agenda Item: Cash Disbursements
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEISSMAN, SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR
O'LEARY AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
APPROVE CASH DISBURSEMENTS FOR AUGUST 2, 2014 – AUGUST 15,
2014.
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Consent Calendar
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEISSMAN, SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR
O'LEARY AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS C-1, C-2, AND C-5.
Item C-1
Meeting Minutes
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
OF AUGUST 11, 2014.
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Item C-2
Ratification of the Filing of an Application for Funds Made
Available Through the US Department of Justice, Edward Byrne
Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Funds FY 2014
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1. RATIFY THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION WITH THE US DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE, BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE, EDWARD BYRNE
MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM FUNDS FY
2014; AND,
2. AUTHORIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO REVIEW/PREPARE THE
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS; AND
3. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SUCH DOCUMENTS ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY.
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Item C-5
(Out of Sequence)
(1) Acceptance of Work Performed by Palp, Inc. dba Excel
Paving Company; (2) Approval of a Related Construction
Contract Amendment; (3) Authorization to File a Notice of
Completion; and (4) Authorization to Release the Retention
Payment after the Expiration of the 35-Day Lien Period, for
the Pedestrian Improvements at Intersections with Bus Stops
Project, PZ-950, Federal Aid No. RPSTPLE 5240 (029)
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1. ACCEPT THE WORK PERFORMED BY PALP, INC. DBA EXCEL PAVING
COMPANY FOR THE PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS AT INTERSECTIONS
WITH BUS STOPS PROJECT, PZ-950, FEDERAL AID NO. RPSTPLE
5240 (029); AND,
2. AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER TO
EXECUTE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION AND SUBMIT IT TO THE LOS
ANGELES COUNTY RECORDER’S OFFICE; AND,
3. APPROVE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT TO INCREASE THE
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AN ADDITIONAL $44,985.28 TO
SUPPLEMENT THE CONSTRUCTION CONTINGENCY OF PEDESTRIAN
IMPROVEMENTS AT INTERSECTIONS WITH BUS STOPS PROJECT, PZ-
950, FEDERAL AID NO. RPSTPLE 5240 (029); AND,
4. AUTHORIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO REVIEW/PREPARE THE
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS; AND,
5. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SUCH DOCUMENTS ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY; AND,
6. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO RELEASE $47,694.66 IN
RETENTION AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE 35-DAY LIEN PERIOD.
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Item C-3 August 25, 2014
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(Out of Sequence)
Ratification of the Filing of an Application for Funds Made
Available through the California Office of Traffic Safety,
Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant for FY
2015
Vice Mayor O'Leary received clarification that grant funding
could be used to fund an education program for alcohol
servers.
Discussion ensued between Council Members and staff regarding
the amount of funding for education vs. enforcement; training
as the responsibility of proprietors; and DUI statistics.
MOVED BY VICE MAYOR O'LEARY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
WEISSMAN AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1. RATIFY THE FILING OF A GRANT APPLICATION WITH THE
CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY, SELECTIVE TRAFFIC
ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM FUNDS (STEP) FY 2015; AND,
2. AUTHORIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO REVIEW/PREPARE THE
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS; AND,
3. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SUCH DOCUMENTS ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY.
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Order of the Agenda
No changes were made.
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Joint Public Hearings August 25, 2014
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Item JPH-1
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY AGENDA ITEM: PUBLIC
HEARING Approval of an Implementation Agreement between the
City of Culver City, the Successor Agency to the Culver
City Redevelopment Agency and Lowe Enterprises Real Estate
Group in Order to Convey Real Property Located at 8829,
8831, 8839, 8841, 8843 Exposition Boulevard; 8801, 8803
Washington Boulevard; 8824, 8825, 8828, 8830-8834, 8836,
8838, 8840, 8842, 8846 National Boulevard; 8900-8906, 8910-
8912, 8914-8918, 8920, 8926, 8930, 8936 Venice Boulevard to
Develop a High Quality Transit Oriented
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public comment.
No cards were received and no speakers came forward.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER WEISSMAN, SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR
O'LEARY AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
Council Member Weissman felt this was a great opportunity
for the City and for Lowe Enterprises.
Vice Mayor O'Leary thanked the parties that came to the
agreement.
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEISSMAN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER COOPER AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL:
1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN AND AMONG THE CITY AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY AND
LOWE ENTERPRISES REAL ESTATE GROUP IN ORDER TO CONVEY THE
REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 8829, 8831, 8840, 8841, AND 8843
EXPOSITION BOULEVARD; 8801, 8803, 8824, 8825, 8828, 8830-
8834, 8836, 8839, 8842, AND 8846 NATIONAL BOULEVARD; 8900-
8906, 8910-8912, 8914-8918, 8920, 8926, 8930, AND 8936
VENICE BOULEVARD FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH QUALITY
TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT; AND (2) RELATED ACTIONS; AND,
2. AUTHORIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY AND CITY SPECIAL COUNSEL TO
REVIEW/PREPARE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS; AND,
3. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SUCH DOCUMENTS ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY. August 25, 2014
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Public Hearings
Item PH-1
(1) Adoption of a Resolution for the Certification of
Conformance with the Congestion Management Program
(CMP) for Los Angeles County and (2) Adoption of the CMP
Local Development
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEISSMAN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CLARKE
AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVE AND
FILE THE AFFIDAVITS OF PUBLICATION AND POSTING OF NOTICES
AND CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
HEARING NOTICES.
MOVED BY VICE MAYOR O'LEARY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
WEISSMAN AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public comment.
No cards were received and no speakers came forward.
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEISSMAN, SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR
O'LEARY AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CLARKE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
COOPER AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION FINDING THE CITY TO BE IN CONFORMANCE
WITH THE CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CMP); AND,
2. ADOPT THE CMP LOCAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT FOR 2014.
Vice Mayor O'Leary received clarification regarding the
temporary suspension of the credit/debit system and that
staff would return with additional information in the fall
after stakeholders provide comment.
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August 25, 2014
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Item PH-2
FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE REQUIREMENT: 1) Waiver of Bidding
Procedures as Authorized by Culver City Municipal Code §
3.07.090; and 2) Award a Contract to Concept Consultant,
Inc. in an Amount Not-To-Exceed $98,391.70 ($89,447 for the
Base Contract and $8,944.70 in Change Order Authority) for
Construction of Culver City Transfer Station Loading Pit
Structural Steel Repairs, PZ-948, Bid No. 1547
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CLARKE, SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR O'LEARY
AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVE AND
FILE THE AFFIDAVITS OF PUBLICATION AND POSTING OF NOTICES
AND CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC
HEARING NOTICES.
MOVED BY VICE MAYOR O'LEARY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
COOPER AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OPEN
THE PUBLIC HEARING.
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public comment.
No cards were received and no speakers came forward.
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEISSMAN, SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR
O'LEARY AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CLARKE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
WEISSMAN AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1. WAIVE BIDDING PROCEDURES AS AUTHORIZED BY CULVER CITY
MUNICIPAL CODE §3.07.090 (REQUIRES FOUR AFFIRMATIVE VOTES);
AND,
2. AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO CONCEPT CONSULTANT,
INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $89,447.00 FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE
CULVER CITY TRANSFER STATION LOADING PIT STRUCTURAL STEEL
REPAIRS, PZ-948, BID NO. 1547; AND,
3. AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER TO
APPROVE CHANGE ORDERS IN AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $8,944.70
(10% OF CONTRACT AMOUNT) TO ADDRESS UNFORESEEN PROJECT
COSTS, IF ANY; AND,
4. AUTHORIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO REVIEW/PREPARE THE
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS; AND, August 25, 2014
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5. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SUCH DOCUMENTS ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY.
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Action Items
Item A-1
Consideration of the Amount of In-Kind Assistance for and
Possible City Sponsorship of the 2014 Halloween Treat
Run/Walk Produced by the Culver City Rotary Club
Council Member Clarke reported that Mr. Foreman had
indicated that the Rotary 5K was being postponed.
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public input.
Jeremy Green, Management Analyst, read a written comment
from:
Christopher Patrick King
{NOTE FROM THE CITY CLERK: The City Council took no action
on this item.}
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Item A-2
Consideration of an Additional Request for In-Kind
Assistance for IndieCade: International Festival of
Independent Games
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public comment.
The following members of the audience addressed the City
Council:
Erin Shaver, IndieCade, requested that fees for usage of
Veterans Auditorium facilities be waived for the
IndieXchange event on Thursday, October 9; she discussed
the in-kind sponsorship that the City extends to them;
additional large costs; student involvement; partnerships
with local businesses; and she indicated that the festival
wanted to grow and remain in the City. August 25, 2014
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Discussion ensued between staff, Council Members and the
speaker regarding admission fees; the awards dinner; fees
vs. the increased attendees; financials for the event;
economic development activity; economic value;
clarification that no money would be paid out by the City;
whether another group would actually rent the rooms at the
time that IndieCade is using them; and the increased demand
for rooms at Vets.
Seth Horowitz, General Manager of the Culver Hotel,
discussed the improvement of IndieCade; increased demand at
the hotel; increased use of the facilities; a survey
indicating increased business downtown during IndieCade;
investment in the WiFi to prepare for IndieCade; and he
expressed support for the annual event.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding press generated by IndieCade; the integration of
the event into the City; revenue from Transient Occupancy
Taxes this year; allowing the event the opportunity to
expand and succeed; measuring economic impacts; surveying
all the hotels; assessing impacts on restaurants; data vs.
anecdotal evidence; concern with increased requests;
passing costs on to customers; concern with the consistent
requests for aid; the for-profit nature of the event;
industry sponsorships; a request for a budget and
profit/loss statement; support for maintaining the previous
level of support; and a suggestion to defer the item
pending additional information.
Additional discussion ensued between Council Members and
Ms. Shaver regarding providing a copy of the financials
from the previous year to the City Council; the current
budget as still in process; solidification of sponsorships;
increased attendance; financials for the net effect on the
City; taking a survey from the downtown restaurants;
agreement from Mr. Horowitz to discuss the matter with the
Downtown Business Association; the uptick in business; and
clarification that IndieCade is committed to doing the
event in Culver City this year; the possibility that the
Thursday event could need to move to another venue without
the fee waiver; hypothetical room rentals at Veterans
Auditorium; return on investment; the total request vs.
requests by other events; the economic development
sponsorship; clarification on the entrance to the event;
concern with damaging a successful event; and putting the August 25, 2014
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organizers on notice that next year figures must be
provided and additional support would not be forthcoming.
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CLARKE AND SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR
O'LEARY THAT THE CITY COUNCIL CONTINUE THE ITEM TO THE
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2014. THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE
FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: CLARKE, COOPER, O'LEARY, SAHLI-WELLS
NOES: WEISSMAN
Further discussion ensued between staff, Council Members
and Ms. Shaver regarding additional information to provide
for the September 8, 2014 City Council meeting.
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Item A-3
Discussion of Survey Results and Recommended Standards for
an Updated Parkway Ordinance
Staff provided a summary of the material of record.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding creativity in the parkways; inspection and
enforcement; standard plans; developing a palette of plants
to be planted in the parkway; a more expensive process with
extensive plan checks and inspections that costs more; and
drought tolerant plantings.
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public comment.
The following members of the audience addressed the City
Council:
David Haake discussed community building; encouraging
planting of edible plants; liability issues; permeable
curbs; and he expressed support for revision of the Parkway
Ordinance to put in place standards that reduce water usage
and increase community.
Glenn Spann, Transition Culver City, discussed a 15-minute
short film about re-imagining the parkways; the overlap of
City and residential land use and land ownership; water
usage; retaining water for natural plantings; bio-swales;
he noted that there were many volunteers ready and willing August 25, 2014
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to help; discussed the need for inspiration and guidance;
and he noted that they were ready to edit the film to help
in any way.
Michelle Weiner, Transition Culver City, discussed survey
results; standard design; creating a user friendly
ordinance rather than one full of prohibitions; turf;
permits; Ballona Creek water quality standards; the
importance of staff time; permitting fees; edible plants;
limits; and recommendations for drip irrigation and
benches.
Dr. Suzanne De Benedittis discussed addressing drought
conditions; sustainability; grants; landscape conservation;
actions of other cities; storm water reclamation; enhancing
property values; parkway edible plants and fruit trees;
food banks; edible art; reductions in vandalism; becoming a
green city; and she recommended formation of an ad hoc
committee to obtain additional citizen input.
Jeremy Green, Management Analyst, read written comments
submitted by:
Stephen Murray
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding the main goal of water conservation; edible
plantings; additional water use; tripping hazards; fruit
trees considered as part of the Urban Forest Master Plan;
pesticides; benches; planting in the front yard vs. the
parkways; turf; permits and fees; mitigation for storm
water runoff; accessibility; monitoring; code enforcement;
outreach; people who have made changes already;
grandfathering in changes; nuisances; non-compliance;
complaint driven enforcement; the importance of defining
what is acceptable; retroactive permits; a new way of
thinking about the parkway areas; having a pilot program;
the permit approval process; including the neighbors on
either side in the process; extra requirements for edible
plantings; overgrown parkways; oxygen benefits of grass;
the 15-minute video produced by Transition Culver City;
additional opportunities for input; the process; the draft
ordinance; taking a workshop approach; water scarcity;
storm water requirements; the intersection of public and
private; becoming a model City; a suggestion to present the
15-minute video as part of the workshop; curb cuts; tree
placement; native plantings; healthy soil; the Baldwin August 25, 2014
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Avenue Storm Water Management project; partnerships;
neighborhood associations; non-profits; block parties that
are work parties; concern that the ordinance will be a pile
of regulations; victory gardens; creating a proactive,
exciting ordinance,; creating buy-in; the feeling that
people want to make a difference; liability; appreciation
to staff for their efforts; the draft ordinance;
sustainability; clarification that the City does not
maintain parkways; keeping fees minimal for those who
choose to improve their parkways; Santa Monica Bay
Restoration Grants; multiple benefits from the changes;
infiltration; supporting storm water and sustainability
efforts; reducing water usage; realistic impacts; noticing
for the workshop; full City Council participation; and next
steps in the process.
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Item C-4
(Out of Sequence)
Authorization to Release a Request for Proposals to Plant
Approximately 300 Trees Citywide
Vice Mayor O'Leary suggested rethinking locations for tree
planting to see if there could be bio-swales and if so, if
there could be funding through the Santa Monica Bay
Restoration Commission.
Council Member Clarke received clarification regarding
neighborhood involvement in the selection of trees.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding
notification before planting trees and resident input.
MOVED BY VICE MAYOR O'LEARY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
CLARKE AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE
PLANTING OF APPROXIMATELY 300 TREES IN VACANT CITY-OWNED
PARKWAYS AND PARKS.
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Item A-4
Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Five (5) Year
Memorandum of Understanding with the Culver City Police August 25, 2014
18
Officers’ Association for the Period of July 1, 2014
through June 30, 2019
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public input.
No cards were received and no speakers came forward.
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER COOPER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
WEISSMAN AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING A FIVE (5) YEAR MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE CULVER CITY POLICE
OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2014
THROUGH JUNE 30, 2019.
Council Members extended thanks to staff for their efforts.
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Item A-5
Provide Direction to the City Manager Related to Vacancies
on the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Commission, the Disability Advisory Committee, and the
Landlord-Tenant Mediation Board
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding updating the bylaws for the Landlord Tenant
Mediation Board; the number of vacancies; the number of
members on the Disability Advisory Committee; the vacancy
on the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission;
having an open application period; cost effectiveness;
feedback on applications; and the invitation to recommend
qualified residents to serve on the Civil Grand Jury.
MOVED BY VICE MAYOR O'LEARY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
CLARKE AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
(1) DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO COMMENCE WITH ADVERTISING
THE VACANCIES FOR THE DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND
PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FOR
CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS TARGETED FOR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING OF OCTOBER 13, 2014; AND
(2) POSTPONE THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR VACANCIES ON THE
LANDLORD TENANT MEDIATION BOARD UNTIL THEIR BYLAWS CAN BE
UPDATED.
August 25, 2014
19
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Public Comment – Items Not on the Agenda
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public comment.
No cards were received and no speakers came forward.
o0o
Items from the City Council
Items from Council Member Clarke
? Reported that the Centennial Committee would have a
draft Memorandum of Understanding to submit to the
City soon along with an establish regular meeting date
and time
Items from Vice Mayor O'Leary
? Reported that he would submit a letter that he had
received for Captain Azran to Lieutenant Sims for a
response
MOVED BY MAYOR SAHLI-WELLS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
COOPER AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER ED LITTLE AND
JOSEPHINE CATHERINE TURNER, THE MOTHER OF POLICE OFFICER
BUTCH TURNER.
o0o
Adjournment
There being no further business, at 10:45 p.m., the City
Council adjourned its meeting in memory of former Council
Member Ed Little and Josephine Catherine Turner, the mother
of Police Officer Butch Turner to Monday, September 8, 2014
at 7:00 p.m.
August 25, 2014
20
o0o
___________________________________________________________
Martin R. Cole
CITY CLERK of Culver City, California
EX-OFFICIO CLERK of the City Council
Culver City, California
_____________________________________
MEGHAN SAHLI-WELLS
MAYOR of Culver City, California