City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council discuss and clarify project elements of the Culver
West Alexander Park Improvement Project (P-835) and take appropriate action.
BACKGROUND:
On September 27, 2003 two fatal shootings occurred in the then Culver West Park
at 10:30 p.m. Staff responded to resident concerns by hosting public meetings at
Culver West Park on October 2, 2003 and October 23, 2003. At these meetings,
residents mentioned a number of park improvements they felt would assist in making
the park safe. In November 2003, the City was able to secure a commitment from
County Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite-Burke for grant funds from the County of Los
Angeles Proposition A funding in the amount of $147,000 to address Culver West
Park safety issues.
On May 24, 2004, City Council approved a the submission of a grant application to
the County of Los Angeles for Proposition A grant funds to secure the funds
committed by Supervisor Braithwaite-Burke. At the request of staff, the Los Angeles
Conservation Corps submitted a cost estimate for improvements at Culver West
Park to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. At the
February 14, 2005 meeting, the City Council approved proposed improvements to
Culver West Park in the amount of $69,000; and awarded and approved a contract
Meeting Date: 05/29/07 Item Number: A-2
AGENDA ITEM: Discussion and Clarification of Project Elements of the Culver West
Alexander Park Improvement Project (P-835).
Contact Person/Dept.: Bill La Pointe,
PRCS Director
Phone Number: (310) 253-6655
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Parks and Recreation Commission (05/24/07); Culver Triangle
Association, Herbert Street Association, Culver West Neighborhood Association, and
Del Rey Homeowners Association (05/09/07); RTI Consulting, Inc. (05/24/07);
Master Notification List (05/24/07)
Department Approval: William La Pointe
(05/23/07).
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Iker) (05/23/07)
City Controller Approval:
Marlee Chang (05/23/07)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (05/23/07) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps for construction of a perimeter trail around
Culver West Park not to exceed $26,500.
It was determined by staff that the $147,000 in Proposition A funds for this project
could potentially be leveraged through the submission of a 2005 Land and Water
Conservation Fund grant application. Council adopted Resolution Number 2005-
R020 and approved the application at the meeting of April 18, 2005. On April 28,
2005, staff gave an overview of the project at a meeting of the Culver West
Neighborhood Association. The delay to the project due to the pending LWCF grant
application was discussed. In general, those present at the meeting expressed
support for the enhanced project.
During the summer months of 2005, a storage shed with fencing was installed in the
triangular portion of the southeast corner of the park using Proposition A Excess
Funds. The Los Angeles Conservation Corps had provided a cost estimate for the
entire project in the summer of 2004. In November 2005, a representative from the
Conservation Corps met with staff at Culver West Park to view the project site and
gather information in order to provide an estimate for the labor costs to construct the
jogging path (only).
At the February 13, 2006 meeting, the City Council adopted the Culver West Park
Improvement Project Youth Employment Plan pursuant to Los Angeles County
Proposition A requirements. A ceremony dedicating the park as “Culver West
Alexander Park” was held on April 8, 2006. At that ceremony, the large map of the
site displaying a list of the planned improvements was also on view and public
comment on the project was encouraged. In April 2006, RTI Consulting, Inc. began
work on the design and specifications of the project in order to prepare to take it out
to bid.
DISCUSSION
At the January 2, 2007 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, a presentation
was made on the status of the Culver West Alexander Park Improvement Plan.
Elements of the project include a decomposed granite walking/jogging path around
the perimeter of the park, the enhancement of the McConnell Street throughway to
the park, refurbished turf, picnic tables and benches, landscaping and other related
improvements. The plans and specifications for the project are provided as
Attachment 1.
The request for approval of the plans and specifications and for authorization to
advertise for construction bids for the Culver West Alexander Park Improvement
Project was initially scheduled on the May 14, 2007 City Council agenda. Due to the City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
fact that Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director was not in attendance
at that meeting, the item was continued to the May 21, 2007 Council meeting. After
brief comments by Council member Malsin, Council unanimously passed the
following motion to:
1. APPROVE THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE CULVER WEST
ALEXANDER PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (P-835); and
2. AUTHORIZE ADVERTISING FOR CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR THE CULVER
WEST ALEXANDER PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (P-835).
Before beginning the formal bid process, staff recommends that the City Council
discuss and clarify project elements of the Culver West Alexander Park
Improvement Project (P-835). Staff requests clarification regarding modifications to
elements of the attached plans, including, but not limited to:
• The position of one picnic bench
• The addition of one drinking fountain near the children’s picnic area
• The use of “permeable” pavement in the McConnell passageway
• The continuation of the safety fence around the children’s play area
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There are no costs associated with the discussion and clarification of project
elements of the Culver West Alexander Park Improvement Project (P-835). Project
elements, as clarified by Council pursuant to this discussion, will be subject to the
limits of the current available budget.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Plans and specifications for the Culver West Alexander Park Improvement
Project (P-835) as presented at the May 21, 2007 City Council meeting.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
Discuss and clarify project elements of the Culver West Alexander Park
Improvement Project (P-835) and take appropriate action.
MEETING DATE: May 29, 2007
AGENDA ITEM: Discussion and Clarification of Project Elements of the Culver
West Alexander Park Improvement Project (P-835).
ATTACHMENTS
Page
1. Plans and specifications for the Culver West Alexander
1-9
Park Improvement Project (P-835) as presented at the
May 21, 2007 Council meeting.