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CC- ACTION ITEM: (1) Receipt and Filing of Report of Findings from Architectural Research Group (ARG) Regarding the City of Culver City Historical Context Study; (2) Discussion of Report and Next Steps and, if Desired, Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: March 18, 2024
Contact Person/Dept: Dana Anderson/Human Resources Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5658
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (03/13/2024)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (03/12/2024)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) receive and file a report of findings from the Architectural Research Group (ARG) regarding the City of Culver City Historical Context Study; (2) discuss Report and next steps and, if desired, provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
On June 14, 2021, the City Council expressed a commitment to making Culver City a welcoming and inclusive community by voting to adopt Resolution No. 2021-R066 acknowledging the racial history of Culver City.
Based on direction from the City Council Ad Hoc Equity Subcommittee (which included former Mayor Daniel Lee and current Mayor Yasmine-Imani McMorrin) in 2022, staff researched four cities (City of Evanston, IL, City of San Luis Obispo, CA, City of West Hollywood, CA, and the City of Santa Monica, CA) to learn more about reparation programs that were either developed or in the process of being developed in each agency.
During the August 8, 2022, City Council meeting, staff presented the process these cities followed to create their systems of reparations designed to narrow the racial income and housing gap in their cities. City Council also received a presentation from Kamilah Moore, the Department of Justice’s California Reparations Task Force Chair. During the City Council meeting, Council Members voted unanimously in favor of conducting a historical context study for the City.
At the September 12, 2022, City Council meeting, Council authorized staff to prepare and issue a request for proposals (RFP), authorized a budget amendment to appropriate $150,000 from the General Fund’s Unassigned Fund Balance to prepare a historical context study, and, if needed, authorized staff to hire a specialized consultant to carry forth the project.
The report generated from the historical context study would provide direction to staff to investigate the historical context of racial segregation and discriminatory policies in the City. The study’s purpose was to serve as one of the key pieces of data in creating a system of reparations designed to narrow the racial income gap in Culver City. The study would be highly detailed regarding past practices of the City and surrounding areas, and would cover multiple types of information and analysis.
At the January 23, 2023, City Council meeting, Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Architectural Research Group (ARG) for the preparation of a historical context study for the City of Culver City.
DISCUSSION
The historical context study (Attachment 2) highlights the history of Indigenous peoples and communities of color, as well as the demographic shifts of Culver City’s population over time. It also explores the racially and culturally discriminatory policies that affected communities of color. These include land use regulations, deed restrictions, and real estate practices, among others. The study analyzes how these policies have shaped the City’s current landscape and the experience of its inhabitants. It differs from a historic context statement in that it does not provide a framework for evaluating historical resources and is not tied to the built environment. Rather, it acknowledges the inequities in the City’s past and informs on next steps to address racial equity in the City through policymaking and local land use practices.
The report of findings generated from the completed historical context study is being presented to the City Council for discussion, determination of next steps, and to provide direction as deemed necessary to the City Manager.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact from discussion of the historical context study.
ATTACHMENTS
1. ARG_Culver City Historical Context Study_20240312
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Receive and file the report of findings from Architectural Research Group (ARG) regarding the City of Culver City Historical Context Study;
2. Discuss the report and next steps and, if desired, provide direction to the City Manager, as deemed appropriate.