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SGS - ACTION ITEM: (1) Discussion of a Potential Comprehensive Culver City Charter Review; and, if Desired, (2) Recommendation to Staff as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: August 5, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Jeremy Bocchino/City Clerk’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-5851
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [X] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X ] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Standing Governance Subcommittee (07/31/2026)
Department Approval: Lea Eriksen (07/31/2026) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Standing Governance Subcommittee (1) discuss a potential comprehensive review of the Culver City Charter; and, if desired, (2) provide a recommendation to staff to bring a discussion item to the City Council as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
As per the Culver City Charter, Article XIX, Section 1900:
“Beginning in January 2014, and in January every 10 years thereafter, the City Council shall hold a public hearing to consider the need for a comprehensive review of the existing Charter and shall determine whether or not to appoint a Committee to consider and propose amendments to the existing Charter.
Within 12 months after its creation, or such other time period as may be specified by the City Council, the Committee shall present to the City Council any proposed amendments to the Charter. The City Council shall act upon the recommendations of the Committee before the last day to place the proposed amendments on the ballot at the next regular municipal election. The City Council may, at its discretion, appoint a Charter Review Committee at any time.”
The last comprehensive Charter review was conducted in 2005 by an appointed Charter Review Committee consisting of 10 members, with each City Council Member appointing two members. The new City Charter was approved by the voters at the April 11, 2006 General Municipal Election. Attachments 1) the staff report and 2) the Final Charter Review Committee Report provide insight into the 2025 process.
In 2016, the City Council determined to do a limited review of the City Charter and appointed a City Council ad hoc subcommittee to work with City staff. That process resulted in three proposed Charter amendments appearing on the November 8, 2016 Special Municipal Election ballot. See the following link for more information regarding the 2016 proposed Charter amendments: <https://www.culvercity.gov/City-Hall/Election-Information-Updated/Past-Election-Information/2016-November-Election-Results>
At the April 1, 2026 Standing Governance Subcommittee Meeting, the members discussed including Charter review at its next meeting.
At the July 27, 2026 City Council meeting, Vice Chair Bubba Fish received consensus to bring back a discussion to City Council to consider a full Charter reform review.
DISCUSSION
The Subcommittee is asked to consider whether to make a recommendation to move forward with a comprehensive (complete) review of the Charter or continue to make amendments for specific sections of the Charter. Please note that the Charter may be changed only by a vote of the people.
If the recommendation is to amend the Charter, as needed, rather than conduct a comprehensive Charter review, staff could bring back a discussion item to the Subcommittee to consider which specific existing provisions should be considered for amendment and/or to consider the addition of proposed new provisions. Such recommendations would then be provided to the full City Council for approval and would be placed on an upcoming election in accordance with existing procedures and applicable law. If this is the direction the City Council wishes to take, the Council may also want to consider establishing a separate Ad Hoc Charter Review Subcommittee, as an ad hoc subcommittee may be more conducive to this type of collaborative project with staff.
If the recommendation is to conduct a comprehensive review, staff recommends that a Charter Review Committee be appointed, as there is a significant amount of work that is involved with such a comprehensive review that may not be feasible for the Subcommittee Members’ schedules. For this recommendation, staff would bring a discussion item to the City Council for approval and input on the parameters of the Committee (i.e., number of members, eligibility requirements, etc.), after which staff would begin the process to advertise Committee seats to the public, similar to the Commission, Board and Committee appointment process.
Staff anticipates that it would require significant dedicated time to work on either effort as described above.
The current CHARTER OF THE CITY OF CULVER CITY CALIFORNIA <https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/culvercity/latest/culvercity_ca/0-0-0-43> is available for review. (The complete URL is <https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/culvercity/latest/culvercity_ca/0-0-0-43>.)
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact to discuss this item or any recommendation by the Subcommittee. Depending on the nature of the Subcommittee’s recommendations and subsequent action by the City Council, there may be associated costs.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2005_05-15-09 Charter Review Staff Report
2. Final Report of the Charter Review Committee to the City Council
recommended motion
MOTION
Staff recommends the Standing Governance Subcommittee:
1. Discuss a potential comprehensive Culver City charter review; and, if desired,
2. Provide a recommendation to Staff as deemed appropriate.