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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Award of Special Event Grants in the Aggregate Amount of $259,000 for the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 and Designation of Events as City Sponsored as Recommended by the Special Events Grant Program City Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee; (2) Allocation of $6,000 in Contingency Funding for Off-Cycle Event Support; and (3) Authorization to the City Manager to Approve City Permits and Licenses Needed to Conduct the Events.
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Meeting Date: June 22, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Edgar Varela / Office of Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-5752
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (06/17/2026); Special Event Grant Applicants (06/9/2026)
Department Approval: Adam Troy, Assistant City Manager (06/15/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) award special event grants in the aggregate amount of $259,000 for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 and designate such events as City sponsored, as recommended by the Special Events Grant Program City Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee; (2) allocate $6,000 in contingency for special event off-cycle event support; and (3) authorize the City Manager to approve City permits and licenses needed to conduct the events, provided such permits and licenses are consistent with the scope of the event as set forth in the grant application.
BACKGROUND
The Special Event Grant Program (the “Program”) is set forth in City Council Policy 2502 (the “Policy”) (Attachment 1). The purpose of the Program is to provide greater fiscal transparency, improve budget reliability, and create a centralized process for City Sponsorship requests. Grant awards are intended to be used toward City permits and staffing services required for the event, unless otherwise requested.
In March 2026, the City initiated the annual process for special event grant applications for Fiscal Year 2026/2027. Organizations wishing to obtain City sponsorship for events proposed between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027, were required to attend a mandatory pre-application meeting on March 25 and submit an application by April 24, 2026.
DISCUSSION
Program Overview
The Special Events Grant Program Policy provides support two types of events:
• Community/Charitable Events: Events that serve or benefit local organizations and cause and/or provide recreational, cultural and/or social benefits to Culver City residents.
• Signature Events: Large-scale events that promote Culver City regionally, attract visitors, provide measurable economic benefits to the City and enhance the quality of life within Culver City with recreational, cultural, social and/or educational activities of interest to the community. Only signature events are eligible to receive cash funds to pay for event components.
The program requires that City-sponsored events meet the following criteria for sponsorship: The City must be (a) participating in an official capacity in the planning, preparation or promotion of the event or activity; and (b) contributing minimum of at least $1,000. This minimum contribution may take the form of labor, staff time, materials, a waiver of fees, or any combination thereof.
Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Special Events Grant Program Recommendations
On May 2, 2026, the members of the Special Events Grant Program Ad Hoc Subcommittee (Mayor Puza and Council Member O’Brien) (“Subcommittee”) reviewed and evaluated the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 special event grant applications. Council Member O’Brien recused himself from any recommendations involving applications submitted by Chamber of Commerce Members. The Subcommittee (excluding Council Member O’Brien on certain applications as noted) recommends awarding $259,000 in grants and designating 46 events with City-sponsorship beginning in July 2026.
Special event grants were awarded based on the following criteria: community impact, visitation, diversity, equity and inclusion, marketing & social media partnership, event duration in Culver City, education and cultural benefits, creativity and innovation.
A summary of the applications is included in Attachment 2. All grantees must pay all applicable taxes/assessments (including district assessments) and meet all obligations as specified in the event agreement, including but not limited to, obtaining appropriate business licensing, event permitting, and operating in compliance with all City-established schedules as a condition of the grant. If an approved event cannot be produced as indicated due to venue or other organizer issues, the grant award may be forfeited unless modifications are approved by the Subcommittee.
Contingency for Special Event Liability Insurance and Off-Cycle Event Support
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee recommends maintaining a small contingency to allow the City to consider limited off-cycle event sponsorship requests. The recommended contingency amount for special event liability insurance and off-cycle event support for the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 program cycle is $6,000.
Staff Capacity for Additional Special Events
Currently, City staff are at capacity for special event production in Fiscal Year 2026/2027. Should the City request additional special events off-cycle during the upcoming fiscal year that exceed marketing assistance, the City Council may need to consider replacing existing events or allocating additional funding to provide additional part-time staff or third-party event producers.
In-Kind Staff Costs
Typically, the City designates management-level staff to serve as event liaisons for awarded City-sponsored events. Management staff time is considered in-kind and may be applied for purposes of determining whether an event meets the $1,000 threshold for City-sponsorship (as required by the Special Events Grant Program Policy) relative to coordination, marketing and promotion of the event.
Administrative Approval of City Permits and Licenses
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to approve related permits and licenses needed to conduct the events (i.e., beer garden, street closures, etc.), provided such permits and licenses are consistent with the scope of the event approved and as set forth in the grant application.
Several events have also requested the use of City-owned property and/or equipment which will require a license agreement. Appropriate insurance and endorsements will also be required by the City’s Risk Management Division.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The Proposed Special Event Grant Allocation for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 is $265,000, which includes a $6,000 contingency in Account No. 10116100.517560 (Non-Departmental - Special Event Grants).
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026-06-22 - ATT 1 Special Events Grant Program Policy - Resolution 2017-R006
2. 2026-06-22 - ATT 2 Special Events Grant Program Applicants Summary
recommended action
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Approve $259,000 in grants and designate 46 events as City-sponsored through the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Special Events Grant Program;
2. Allocate up to $6,000 in contingency for off-cycle event support; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to approve City permits and licenses needed to conduct the events, provided such permits and licenses are consistent with the scope of the event as set forth in the grant application.