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THESE MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL
UNTIL APPROVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF THE September 22, 2014
CITY COUNCIL 5:30 p.m.
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
Vice Mayor O’Leary called the meeting of the City Council to
order at 5:30 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
*Mayor Sahli-Wells and Council Member Clarke joined the meeting
at 5:38 p.m.
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Closed Session
At 5:30 p.m., the City Council recessed to Closed Session to
discuss the following item:
CS-1 Conference with Real Property Negotiators
Re: 9531 Culver 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: Midnight Snack, LLC, Ford’s
Filling Station
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 September 22, 2014
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CS-2 Conference with Real Property Negotiators
Re: 9300 Culver Boulevard
City/Agency Negotiators: John Nachbar, City Manager; Sol
Blumenfeld, Community Development Director; Todd Tipton,
Economic Development Manager
Other Parties Negotiators: Combined Properties Inc./Hudson
Pacific Properties Inc.
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
CS-3 Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation
Re: Alice Bernous v. Culver City
Case No. BC530546
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
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Reconvene
Mayor Sahli-Wells reconvened the City Council meeting at
7:10 p.m. with all Council Members present.
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Report on Action Taken in Closed Session
Mayor Sahli-Wells reported no action taken in Closed
Session.
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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 Culver City Unified
School District Board Vice President Nancy Goldberg.
Mayor Sahli-Wells indicated that she and Council Member
Clarke were late in arriving to Closed Session as they had
been in a School Board Liaison Committee meeting.
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September 22, 2014
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Presentation
Item P-1
Presentation of a Proclamation Designating October as "Walk
to School Month" and October 8, 2014 as "Walk to School Day"
Mayor Sahli-Wells presented the Proclamation.
Jim Shanman, Safe Routes to School Coordinator, thanked the
City Council for the proclamation and encouraged everyone to
consider walking in the month of October.
Nancy Goldberg, Culver City School Board Vice President,
discussed walking to school and the benefits of exercise.
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Item P-2
Presentation of a Proclamation Designating September 27,
2014 as "National Public Lands Day"
Vice Mayor O'Leary presented the Proclamation.
Dan Hernandez, Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Department Director, encouraged everyone to take advantage
of the wide range of opportunities offered by Culver City
Parks.
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Item P-3
Presentation to Arturo Lepe in Recognition of His Completion
of the Family Self Sufficiently Program
Council Member Clarke presented the Proclamation.
Arturo Lepe thanked the City for its support.
Danielle Whetton, Saint Joseph Center, presented Mr. Lepe
with a check from the City.
September 22, 2014
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Community Announcements By City Council Members/Information
Items From Staff
Charles Herbertson, Director of Public Works/City Engineer,
discussed a community meeting held on September 11 regarding
Studio Estates landscaping at the Veterans Memorial
Building; resident concerns; the amount and frequency of
work with the contractor; agreement to contact the
designated representative when the contractor is working;
contactor efforts to clean up the site; billing;
transparency on how money is being spent; funding concerns;
accounting; the wall surrounding Studio Estates; CC&Rs;
continuing research; the exterior of the wall and
uniformity; and drought tolerant landscaping.
Mayor Sahli-Wells encouraged everyone to attend IndieCade on
October 10-12; announced the Disability Awareness Kids
Carnival on October 19 at the Senior Center; discussed the
capacity and attendance at the Teen Center and recognized
Dan Hernandez, Arames White and other staff; and she
announced a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) picnic
on September 27.
Vice Mayor O'Leary discussed the importance of CERT and
encouraged everyone to learn more about their CERT
representatives.
Martin Cole, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, announced an
opening on the Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission and on the Disability Advisory Committee; he
provided a status report on City Council direction to have
Committees and Commissions update their applications; and he
discussed outreach and availability of applications.
Lieutenant Jason Sims. Culver City Police Department,
announced a National Prescription Drug take back event on
September 27 at the Police Station on Duquesne; the annual
Police Open House on October 18; and announced the graduates
of the Citizen's Police Academy.
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Joint Public Comment – Items Not on the Agenda
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public comment. September 22, 2014
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The following members of the audience addressed the City
Council:
Dr. Janet Hoult expressed pride in her certificate from the
Citizen's Police Academy and she read a poem about how much
she learned from her Culver City Police Department
instructors.
Robert Zirgulis discussed relining the City sewers; issues
with roots from the City sewer line blocking his sewer; a
back up into his house; he requested reimbursement for the
cost of running the camera, not for cleaning the damage from
the back up into his house; and he expressed appreciation
for the City response.
Charles Herbertson, Public Works Director/City Engineer,
indicated that the property owner is responsible for
everything from the Y-connection; he discussed roots coming
in under the lining of Mr. Zirgulis' pipe; he asserted that
the City had taken care of their part of the line; and he
felt any blockages were coming in from Mr. Zirgulis' part of
the line.
Habib Sissoko, Culver City Swim Club, discussed events in
recent weeks; work with the Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Department; he indicated that they had provided
everything that had been asked for; and he thanked the City
Council and staff for their responsiveness.
Monica Alonzo, Culver City Swim Club, discussed the
experiences of her daughters with the Culver City Swim Club;
competitive swimming vs. learning to swim and other swim
activities; and she thanked the City for its support.
Tim Sakamoto indicated that he had been disturbed by impacts
to his family due to issues at the pool, and he expressed
appreciation for the efforts of Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Department Director Dan Hernandez.
Jeff Tooley discussed his experiences with the Culver City
Swim Club; his son's swimming career; the current situation;
and he expressed support for the management of the team by
Habib Sissoko.
Mayor Sahli-Wells expressed appreciation to those who came
to speak about the swim club. September 22, 2014
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Cary Anderson discussed anecdotal evidence; the number of
tickets written on Farragut; people parking for free; yellow
curb violations by a restaurant owner; two hour parking; and
he felt that the City was not adhering to the program.
Jeremy Green, Management Analyst, read a written comment
submitted by:
Selam Alem
Selam Alem expressed concern with discrimination endured by
disabled people; she wanted to see a Police Department
investigation of her concerns; and she indicated that she
had just received a copy of the report.
Lieutenant Jason Sims, Culver City Police Department,
discussed the multiple police reports filed by Ms. Alem; the
multiple meetings the Police Department has held with Ms.
Alem on the status of her cases; and he stated that the
investigations had revealed no criminal activity.
Martin Cole, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, indicated
that Ms. Alem had made similar allegations in 2010, the same
processes was followed at that time, with the same result.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding the nature of claims filed and the ability for Ms.
Alem to go to a different department.
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Receipt and Filing of Correspondence
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CLARKE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
WEISSMAN AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
RECEIVE AND FILE CORRESPONDENCE.
Martin Cole, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, reported
that correspondence received for Item J-1 had been
distributed to Council Members and made part of the public
record.
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Joint Consent Calendar
Item JC-1
Joint Culver City Council/Culver City Housing Authority/ September 22, 2014
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Successor Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency Agenda
Item: Cash Disbursements
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEISSMAN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
CLARKE AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE
CASH DISBURSEMENTS FOR AUGUST 30, 2014 – SEPTEMBER 12, 2014.
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Consent Calendar
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEISSMAN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
CLARKE AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS C-1 THROUGH C-3.
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Item C-1
Minutes for the Regular Meeting of September 8, 2014
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2014.
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Item C-2
Approval of an Agreement with the County of Los Angeles in an
Amount Not-to-Exceed $32,000 to Obtain Citywide Aerial
Photography and Related Imagery Products
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1) APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES IN AN
AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $32,000 TO OBTAIN AERIAL IMAGERY PRODUCTS
THROUGH THE LOS ANGELES REGION IMAGERY ACQUISITION CONSORTIUM
(LAR-IAC) PROGRAM; 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-3 September 22, 2014
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Authorization to Publish a Notice Inviting Bids for Public
Safety Digital Mobile Audio/Visual and Mobile Data Computer
Systems
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL: AUTHORIZE THE PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE
INVITING BIDS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY DIGITAL MOBILE AUDIO/VISUAL AND
MOBILE DATA COMPUTER SYSTEMS.
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Order of the Agenda
No changes were made.
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Joint Action Items
Item JA-1
(1) Discussion of the Projected Funding Shortfall for
Housing Programs Provided by the City and (2) Provide
Direction to the City Manager/Executive Director as Deemed
Appropriate
Sol Blumenfeld, Community Development Director, provided a
summary of the material of record.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding appreciation to staff for their work, the
importance of the programs in the community; City Council
support for the programs; the need for additional
information; costs of the various elements of the programs;
available funding options; the elimination of redevelopment;
alternative funding mechanisms; costs for the administration
of programs; clarification on a typographical error in the
report; the finite life cycle of programs; the end of
redevelopment and the failure to repay funds to the Low and
Moderate Housing Fund; the resulting shortened life of the
programs; the finite nature of the funding; maintaining the
programs without the benefit of Redevelopment dollars; using
the funds to build housing stock; the 2008 Comprehensive
Housing Strategy; Rental Assistance Program (RAP)
recipients; the Housing Assistance Payment contract; the
long waiting list for the Section 8 program; the time frame
for elderly and disabled individuals; the City Council September 22, 2014
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decision to focus on new construction; the Regional Housing
Needs Assessment; prioritizing programs; density in new
housing units; establishment of redevelopment project areas;
legislation to create the Low and Moderate Income Housing
Fund; requirements; one time expenses vs. ongoing expenses;
the goal to keep as much programming as possible; affects to
the General Fund; looking for new funding; concern with
creating false hope; the limited options for new revenue;
the linkage fee; and the shortfall.
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public comment.
The following members of the audience addressed the City
Council:
Steven Rose, President and Chief Executive Officer, Culver
City Chamber of Commerce, discussed the Chamber’s
partnership with the City; the elimination of the
Redevelopment Agency; he suggested calling state officials
to ask for solutions; he expressed opposition to linkage
fees; discussed the creation of low income jobs; and the
wide variety in the City's work force.
Mayor Sahli-Wells received clarification regarding the basis
for determining the linkage fees.
Janice Johnson discussed her health issues and needs;
expressed appreciation for assistance received by the City;
and she expressed concern about what she would do if the
programs were to be cancelled.
Responding to Vice Mayor O'Leary, Ms. Johnson explained that
she was surprised to learn that the program could be
discontinued.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding the amount of rental assistance provided;
percentages; affordability limits; the Federal Fair Market
Standard; market rents; Zillow; a study indicating that
residents of Los Angeles County generally pay 50% of their
income for housing; and clarification that the elderly and
disabled are exempt from time limits in the RAP.
Michael Grace expressed concern with the potential
discontinuation of assistance programs in the City and the
message being sent to residents.
September 22, 2014
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Ira Diamond felt that the City had a moral and ethical
obligation to continue programs that have existed in the
City for years; he discussed Upward Bound, Saint Joseph's,
and Section 8; he suggested working with the SHARE Program;
and he thanked the City for its work and encouraged the City
to find alternate funding.
Booker Pearson, Upward Bound, thanked the City for
reprogramming the RAP voucher money to Upward Bound;
discussed the increasing number of homeless families in the
Culver City school system; families at the poverty level;
homeless prevention; costs of foster care, prison, and
rehabilitation; and he urged the continued funding for
Upward Bound.
Responding to City Council inquiry, Mr. Pearson discussed
the Cost/Benefit Analysis of stopping people from becoming
homeless; early identification; linking people to available
benefits to get them over the rough spots; the correlation
between the time spent homeless and going into foster care;
and PTSD suffered by homeless children.
Joseph Rosa discussed the importance of the RAP Program to
him; his disabilities; the need for stability; and he hoped
the program would continue.
Julie DeRose, St. Joseph Center, discussed their work with
the homeless; outreach; emergency housing; Streets to Home;
the RAP Program; she noted that they use resources from
other programs, not just Culver City; and she urged the City
to find resources to continue programming.
Christine Mirasy-Glasco, Upward Bound, thanked the City
Council for previous support; discussed the importance of
the RAP Program; she noted that the costs of not doing
anything were high; she urged the City to continue the
investment already made; discussed assessing families in the
program; being proactive to help people move on to other
programs; and she suggested a transition period to allow the
families to plan.
Vice Mayor O'Leary discussed the way Upward Bound works.
Jene Blount, Upward Bound, provided background on herself
and her experiences with Upward Bound and the Culver City
Rental Assistance Program, and she asked that the program be
continued so that she can continue to move forward. September 22, 2014
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Cary Anderson discussed his previous service on the
Homelessness Committee; efforts of other cities to use meter
revenue to fund homeless programs; panhandlers; donation
containers; fundraising; and allocating a percentage of
recycling profits to the homeless.
Goran Eriksson, Finance Advisory Committee (FAC), discussed
the purpose and formation of the committee; the dissolution
of the Redevelopment Agency; the RAP program; permanent
recipients; recommendations of the Committee; and automatic
increases to CALPERS costs.
Discussion ensued between Council Members and Mr. Eriksson
regarding FAC support of the program; concern with financing
the RAP program out of the General Fund; the specialized
nature of the program; other funding sources; and the Saint
Joseph's program.
Debbie Wallace, Culver City Homelessness Committee,
discussed the Upward Bound Program to address homelessness
and ending homelessness.
Michelle Weiner thanked the City Council for addressing the
issue; discussed the RAP program; the work of the FAC;
moving some of the funds away from safety and protection;
taking on a little more risk to provide assistance for
others; shifting priorities; looking at solutions in
advance; allowing time for people to make adjustments;
looking ahead to increasing numbers of homeless; looking for
long-term solutions; and using the internet to connect
people with resources to people with need.
Jeremy Green, Management Analyst, read written comments
submitted by:
April Canete
Karla Meeks
Kelly Kent Marin
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding City Council interest in a linkage fee; funding an
expenditure to analyze the possibility of a linkage fee;
assessing the potential funds that could be generated; costs
for a full-blown study; a matrix for decision making; the
analysis; continuing to fund existing programs; programs and
services; public/private partnerships; middle ground; costs September 22, 2014
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to prevent homeless children; lost opportunity costs; the
commitment made with passage of the sales tax; what would be
cut by taking funds out of the General Fund; City Council
priorities for services provided; core priorities;
illustrating what a $100,000 cut would mean to each
department; clarification that there are non-renewals; the
exemption for the elderly and disabled; clarification that
Upward Bound generally does not work with the elderly and
the disabled; density bonuses; the feeling that the Parks,
Recreation and Community Services Department usually bears
the brunt of cuts; programs created by former City Councils
without permanent funding sources; current program
participants; legal and moral obligations; not taking on any
new participants; support for Upward Bound; the legal
standing of the City; a suggestion to work with the League
of California Cities Legislative Action Committee to author
a new bill to move funding; having the FAC study all
programs in jeopardy rather than just the RAP program; legal
issues; the clause that the benefits are available only as
long as funds are available; the program contract;
clarification that there is no legal obligation to provide
the services; construction in the City; fiscal management;
the reserve; staff cut-backs; sacrifices made during the
recession; the importance of balance; meeting the needs of
those who can not afford high rent; looking at possible
solutions; leveraging funding from different sources;
appreciation for people who came to speak on the matter; and
the closing of the trailer park.
The City Council/Housing Authority Board provided general
direction to the City Manager/Executive Director for him to
review this issue in more detail, including supporting his
recommendation to hire a consultant to review the concept of
a linkage fee, and to return to the City Council/Housing
Authority Board with the additional information at a future
meeting.
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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 Culver City Film
Festival
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public input. September 22, 2014
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The following members of the audience addressed the City
Council:
Peter Greene, Culver City Film Festival, acknowledged the
tough decision the City Council has to make with the
previous item; indicated that they wanted to work to grow
into a large festival; discussed the Marina Del Rey Film
Festival; Fiesta La Ballona; celebrating the Centennial; and
he noted that one of the largest costs they faced was the
facility fee.
John Gersha, Culver City Film Festival, discussed personal
funds expended; marketing; and he requested assistance with
the venue at Veterans Memorial.
Discussion ensued between Council Members and the speakers
regarding the Marina Del Rey Film Festival; concern that the
dates could conflict; distinctions between the two film
festivals; attendance figures; clarification that for the
first year, the festival would be one day with no entrance
charges; venues that do not charge; the Senior Center; the
for-profit nature of the organization; the proposed date;
County assistance for the Marina Del Rey Film Festival;
sponsors; support for the concept of a film festival in
Culver City; the request; clarification that so far the
organizers lose money on the film festival but they hoped it
would eventually make money; the promotional value for the
City; the return on the investment; finding an alternate
facility; and rates at the Senior Center vs. rates at
Veterans Auditorium.
Steven Rose, President and Chief Executive Officer, Culver
City Chamber of Commerce, discussed previous requests for
support by for-profit organizations; non-Culver City
businesses; he pointed out that the Chamber of Commerce did
not request aid for their events; he felt that the City
should have a policy in place to consider requests; the City
should decline requests; and he suggested that if an event
needs additional capital they should charge more.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding support for the concept of a film festival in the
City; the track record of the organizers; the difficulty of
taking on new requests; and potential insurance issues if
the City were to be involved.
September 22, 2014
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Council Member Clarke indicated willingness to help the
organizers find an alternate site and he felt a film
festival would be appropriate for the upcoming Centennial.
The City Council took no action on the request.
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Item A-2
Receive and File a Measure Y Status Report from the Finance
Advisory Committee
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public input.
The following member of the audience addressed the City
Council:
Goran Eriksson, Chair of the Finance Advisory Committee,
discussed sales tax in the City; problems that could occur
with a downturn in the economy; concern with becoming
dependent on sales taxes; the percentage of revenue from
sales taxes; and he cautioned against spending a lot of
money or making a lot of commitments as things could easily
change.
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEISSMAN, SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR
O'LEARY AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVE
AND FILE THE MEASURE Y STATUS REPORT.
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Item A-3
Discussion and (If Desired) Direction Related to the Work
Plan for the Finance Advisory Committee
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public input.
The following member of the audience addressed the City
Council:
Goran Eriksson, Chair of the Finance Advisory Committee,
discussed the benchmarking project and he encouraged the
City Council to challenge the Committee and suggest other
things for them to work on.
September 22, 2014
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Discussion ensued between staff, Council Members and the
speaker regarding referencing the salary study in the
benchmarking study; cost/benefits of the fiber optic
authority; creation of a parking authority; appreciation for
the work of the Committee; transparency; appreciation to
staff for leading the FAC; and the FAC recognition scheduled
for the October 13, 2014 City Council meeting.
The City Council did not make any changes to the FAC Work
Plan.
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Public Comment – Items Not on the Agenda
Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public comment.
The following members of the audience addressed the City
Council:
Clay Evans, Culver City Swim Club, asked staff and Council
Members to take another look at the Culver City Swim Club;
he discussed the history of the club; and the parent run
organization.
Robert Smith, Culver City Swim Club, discussed issues with
obtaining lane time; he announced a meeting on September 29
for the pool lane allocation with Dan Hernandez; he
expressed concern with inconsistency; the pool user
guidelines document; the code of conduct for pool users; he
suggested creation of a pool subcommittee; discussed
resident status; and he expressed concern with favoritism
toward Team Santa Monica.
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Items from the City Council
None.
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Adjournment
There being no further business, at 10:50 p.m., the City
Council adjourned its meeting to Monday, October 13, 2014 at
7:00 p.m. September 22, 2014
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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