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CC - ACTION ITEM: Approval of Siting Plan for the Implementation of an Interactive Digital Kiosk Program, Including Commercial Advertising, Along City Sidewalks and Public Right of Way; and Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: March 16, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Elaine Warner/ Economic Development Director
Phone Number: (310) 253-5777
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (03/04/2026) and (03/12/2026); (Email) Public Notification, Culver City Business License List, Downtown Business Association, Culver City Arts District, Chamber of Commerce (02/25/2026)
Department Approval: Lisa Soghor, Assistant City Manager (03/02/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve a siting plan for the implementation of an interactive digital kiosk program, including commercial advertising, along City sidewalks and in the public right-of-way; and provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
In July 2024, the City released a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for a Digital Kiosk Program in the public right-of- way as allowed per Zoning Code Amendment P2022-0357-ZCA.
In October 2024, the City Council selected Ike Smart City LLC (Ike) to implement an interactive digital kiosk program in Culver City. The agreement was approved in July 2025 and requires the City Council to approve the Phase I siting plan prior to installation.
In October 2025, a community meeting was held to present initial/proposed sites to the community. Additionally, the siting plan was posted on the City’s website for comment. Initial comments from both the initial community meeting and website were discussed with Ike and the Ad Hoc Digital Signage and Kiosk Subcommittee, consisting of Council Members O’Brien and Vera (“Subcommittee”) to develop and recommend a revised siting plan for the Council’s consideration (Attachment 1).
The revised plan was posted to the City’s website on February 25, 2026 and notice was sent to the business community via GovDelivery as well as targeted mailing to businesses within 25 feet of the proposed kiosk locations.
DISCUSSION
The proposed siting plan includes both Phase I and Phase II/Alternate sites for the City Council’s consideration (Attachment 2). Ike has conducted an initial assessment of these locations to ensure feasibility pursuant to City requirements and access to appropriate utilities.
The City Council is asked to only select Phase I siting at this time which includes deployment of 15 kiosks. City Council may deny a proposed location pursuant to the following denial criteria:
• a specific health, safety, or aesthetic impact caused by the proposed location; or
• the proposed location will conflict with existing improvements, property interests, agreements, or other rights, or
• the proposed location will conflict with a planned public or private improvement, or
• the proposed location will conflict with applicable laws or regulations, or
• the City lacks the authority to approve Kiosk installation at that location, or
• the information provided regarding the proposed location is not detailed enough for the City to make a determination regarding approval.
Public Works has reviewed the proposed siting plan and has confirmed that it meets current City requirements relative to curb distance. Despite advanced review, some sites may deviate several feet due to potential unforeseen underground conditions.
Responding to comments and concerns raised at the community meeting, staff notes that the California “daylighting” law (Assembly Bill 413) prohibits street parking within 20 feet of the approach side of marked or unmarked crosswalks, or 15 feet for curb extensions. It does not contain restrictions on placement of objects on sidewalks. While the kiosk program is not directly impacted by AB 413, most of the kiosk sites were positioned with the clearances outlined for vehicular traffic in response to the concerns raised in the community meeting.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The City is projected to receive a one-time $500,000 bonus once the first kiosk is installed and operational. Thereafter the City has a minimum annual guarantee of $50,000 in revenue per kiosk per year up to 15 kiosks, which would yield a minimum of $750,000 annually during this period. The minimum annual guarantee will increase beginning in Year Six of the program.
At full installation of Phase I, Ike projects that revenues to the City are estimated to range from $750,000 per year (minimum annual guarantee of $50,000 per kiosk) for Phase I for the first year and increase to approximately $876,000 to $1.3 million annually during the first 10 years of operation. The minimum annual guarantee shall increase by 10% for every five-year increment of the agreement for operating kiosks. These increases shall also apply to Phase II implementation if optioned.
The Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 does not include projected revenue from the Digital Kiosk Program. If Council approves the proposed siting plan, Ike anticipates completing the Phase I installation by December of 2026, and staff will include the estimated revenue in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget.
Over 20 years, the City could receive revenues of $17,403,750 (minimum annual guarantee for 15 kiosks) to $26,556,353 (Ike’s projections) if only Phase I is completed. If the City opts to implement Phase II, total revenues over the life of the agreement term could range from $34,807,500 (minimum annual guarantee for 30 kiosks) to $53,112,706 per Ike’s projections.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026-03-16__ATT1 - Community Meeting Notes - October 15
2. 2026-03-16__ATT2 - Proposed Siting Plan
recommended action
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Approve a siting plan for the implementation of an interactive digital kiosk program, including commercial advertising, along City sidewalks and in the public right-of-way; and,
2. Provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.