1
THESE MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL
UNTIL APPROVED BY THE
CULVER CITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE June 4, 2012
CULVER CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY 7:00 p.m.
CITY OF CULVER CITY,
CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
The meeting of the Housing Authority was called to order at
7:00 p.m.
Present: Andrew Weissman, Chair
Jeffrey Cooper, Vice Chair
Jim B. Clarke, Board Member
Micheál O’Leary, Board Member
Meghan Sahli-Wells, Board Member
o0o
Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance
John Nachbar, Housing Authority Executive Director, led the
invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Phyllis
Owens.
o0o
Community Announcements by Authority Members/Information
Items from Staff
None.
o0o
Joint Public Comment for Items NOT On the Agenda
None.
o0o
Receipt and Filing of Correspondence June 4, 2012
2
None.
o0o
Joint Action Item
Item J-1
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/Housing Authority/Parking Authority/
Successor Agency AGENDA ITEM: Budget Study Session – City
Manager’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013:
Presentation of the Results of a Ballot Measure Feasibility
Study and Presentation of the Proposed Budgets for the City
Council, City Manager’s Office, City Clerk’s Office, City
Attorney’s Office, Information Technology Department, Human
Resources Department, Finance Department, Transportation
Department and Parks, Recreation & Community Services
Department, Fire Department, Police Department, Community
Development [including the Parking Authority, Housing
Authority and Successor Agency], and Public Works Department
[including Capital Improvement Projects] (Note, the Fire
Department, Police Department, Community Development
[including the Parking Authority, Housing Authority and
Successor Agency], and Public Works Department [including
Capital Improvement Projects] are Scheduled for June 5,
2012.)
Chair Weissman introduced the item noting that it was a
placeholder budget until issues are resolved with the
elimination of redevelopment.
John Nachbar, Executive Director, introduced Rick Sklarz
with FM3, a public opinion research firm.
Rick Sklarz, FM3 Research, provided a presentation on a
recently conducted survey to assess residents’ attitudes
toward the City and the budget.
Discussion ensued between Board Members and the speaker
regarding the tendency for people to feel more supportive
of their own community than toward the state;
connectedness to the City; the timing of the questioning
regarding the potential tax increase; tax fatigue; the
sunset clause; Republican support; concern with creating
a divisive issue in the community; ethnicities and age
breakdown of the survey; the type of survey conducted; June 4, 2012
3
proportional representation of the community; tax
resistant individuals; accuracy rate; experiences with
other clients; successes at the state and local level;
the likelihood of success on election day; the position
of the City; the opportunity to educate the community;
view of the City’s fiscal responsibility; actions of the
state; the Culver City Essential City Services Measure;
making it very clear that local taxes would not go to
Sacramento; the survey as a starting point for the
dialogue; strategies and post election surveys; adjusting
in an era of shrinking budgets; marketing the measure;
focusing on the definite yeses; the number of measures
being considered on the ballot; the Governor’s measure;
when a no campaign materializes; the schedule; whether
Board Members can campaign for the measure; education
rather than avocation; costs to place the measure on the
ballot; the work of the City to place the measure in a
good position; concern with conflicting answers in the
survey; the availability of a large amount of information
but limited retention; timing of the City budget vs. the
state budget; irresponsible behavior by the state; hard
choices faced by city governments; a proposed bill to
affect sales tax that is supposed to go to the City
government; the need to create revenue; community
meetings; educating the public as to what has already
been done; and eliminating or cutting back on services.
Discussion ensued between staff and Board Members
regarding the upcoming schedule; a community dialogue
series on City finances; community outreach; ensuring
that adequate information is available on the City
website; and clarification regarding the language on
local ballot initiatives.
o0o
Recess
The Chair announced the Housing Authority Board would
recess to allow the opportunity for the Council Chambers
to be readied for Departmental budget presentations. The
Housing Authority Board stood in recess at 9:26 p.m.
o0o
Reconvene
June 4, 2012
4
The Housing Authority Board reconvened its meeting at
9:34 p.m. with all Board Members present.
o0o
Chair Weissman invited public comment.
The following member of the audience addressed the
Housing Authority:
Gary Silbiger discussed fiscal responsibility; money
spent by the City on attorney expenses; availability of
information; monetary priorities; the power to set
priorities and enact public policies; consultants;
providing information on consultants for each department;
the review of City fees; fee recovery; and finding money
to spend within the City.
Jeff Muir, Chief Financial Officer, provided a recap of
budget information and adjustments.
Discussion ensued between staff and the Housing Authority
regarding the General Fund appropriation; the Rental
Assistance Program; blight buster; farmers market funding;
business license fees and penalties; asset seizure; the
beverage container recycling grant; county property taxes;
elimination of funds; lifetime benefits; non-departmental
appropriations; credit card fees; the reverse 911 service;
insurance premiums; the increase in the summary of
appropriations in general government; the gas tax; TDA3
Bikeways; management of the parking lots; the Parking
Authority; the effectiveness of capturing all available
revenue; business tax; measures to reduce paper flow in City
Hall; a suggestion to create a Public Finance Committee to
work on revenue enhancement and expenditure reduction; other
contract services; measures to reduce energy and water use;
contingencies; retiring medical pre-funding fees; general
court fees; red light cameras; special police services; the
possibility of selling Fire Station 3; costs to maintain the
properties waiting to be sold; consolidating the oversight
of retiree benefits; tracking citation payments; expected
revenue from citations; land sale proceeds; the City
Manager’s Work Plan; elimination of the state and Federal
lobbying contract; making use of lobbyists from
organizations the City belongs to; and the innovation fund.
June 4, 2012
5
Martin Cole, City Clerk/Assistant City Manager, provided a
summary of the material of record.
Discussion ensued between staff and Board Members regarding
contractual services; clarification that the state has
contracted with the videographer for the Fracking Workshop;
minimizing the use of outside contractors; college interns;
appreciation for the foresight of the City Manager to save
positions for the redevelopment employees; the recommended
increase in regular salary; status of the Housing Authority;
concern with the vacant Deputy City Clerk position; the City
Clerk work plan; paper reduction goals; the email voter opt-
in program; election consolidation; the next scheduled
charter review committee; a limited charter review; all mail
elections; and whether the school district is interested in
consolidating.
Carol Schwab, City Attorney, provided a summary of the
material of record.
Discussion ensued between staff and Board Members regarding
the use of outside contract services; the Los Angeles Times
article; whether additional use of contract services could
benefit the City; the Armory Lease; the plastic bag and oil
drilling ordinances; the Wende Museum; the spike in activity
due to the PXP lawsuit; expertise and constantly changing
laws; the self-insurance fund; trends that suggest a policy
change; cost effectiveness of outside contractors; cost
benefit analysis; distinguishing the nature of the attorney
fees; pipeline franchise renewals; monitoring of case law;
and cell tower sitings.
o0o
Public Comment for Items NOT on the Agenda
None.
o0o
Items from Housing Authority Commissioners
None.
o0o
June 4, 2012
6
Adjournment
There being no further business, at 11:35 p.m., the Housing
Authority adjourned its meeting in memory of Robert Rainey
to Tuesday, June 5, 2012.
o0o
Martin R. Cole
SECRETARY of the City of Culver City Housing Authority,
California
APPROVED
Andrew Weissman
CHAIR of the Housing Authority, City of Culver City,
California
1
THESE MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL
UNTIL APPROVED BY THE
CULVER CITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
ADJOURNED SPECIAL MEETING OF THE June 5, 2012
CULVER CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY 6:30 p.m.
CITY OF CULVER CITY,
CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
The meeting of the Housing Authority was called to order at
6:41 p.m.
Present: Andrew Weissman, Chair
Jeffrey Cooper, Vice Chair
Jim B. Clarke, Board Member
Micheál O’Leary, Board Member
Meghan Sahli-Wells, Board Member
o0o
Chair Weissman noted that this meeting was a continuation
of the meeting from the night before.
o0o
Community Announcements by Authority Members/Information
Items from Staff
None.
o0o
Joint Public Comment for Items NOT On the Agenda
None.
o0o
Receipt and Filing of Correspondence
None. June 5, 2012
2
o0o
Joint Action Item
Item J-1
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/Housing Authority/Parking Authority/
Successor Agency AGENDA ITEM: Budget Study Session – City
Manager’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013:
Presentation of the Results of a Ballot Measure Feasibility
Study and Presentation of the Proposed Budgets for the City
Council, City Manager’s Office, City Clerk’s Office, City
Attorney’s Office, Information Technology Department, Human
Resources Department, Finance Department, Transportation
Department and Parks, Recreation & Community Services
Department, Fire Department, Police Department, Community
Development [including the Parking Authority, Housing
Authority and Successor Agency], and Public Works Department
[including Capital Improvement Projects] (Note, the Fire
Department, Police Department, Community Development
[including the Parking Authority, Housing Authority and
Successor Agency], and Public Works Department [including
Capital Improvement Projects] are Scheduled for June 5,
2012.)
At the request of Chair Weissman, Jeff Muir, Chief Financial
Officer, summarized the changes on the adjustment sheet.
Michelle Williams, Acting Chief Information Officer,
presented an overview of the proposed Information Services
Department budget for 2012-2013.
Discussion ensued between staff and the Housing Authority
regarding technological advances in the department; parking
enforcement; coordination of different systems; appreciation
for the share button on the agendas; the ashx format vs. the
pdf format; site content management software; consolidating
services; the current workload; potential collaboration and
cooperation with the school district; virtual desktops;
energy conservation; the City website; the Community
Calendar; Culver City Proud; website policies; establishing
a legislative corner; community involvement; getting the
message out to the community effectively; benefits to
revitalizing the Innovation Fund; and focusing on improving
the structural deficit.
June 5, 2012
3
Serena Wright, Human Resources Director, presented an
overview of the proposed Human Resources budget for 2012-
2013.
Discussion ensued between staff and the Housing Authority
regarding Workers Compensation benefits; personnel and other
contractual services; the self insurance fund; Live Scan
fees; workers compensation; measures to mitigate costs;
identifying trends; the Employee Assistance Program; special
events and meetings; managing the workload due to the loss
of employees; communication between City management and the
City Council; an observation that having less employees
compounds the work of Human Resources rather than lessening
it; work of the City and the bargaining groups; and support
for participation in the League of California Cities.
Jeff Muir, Chief Financial Officer, provided a summary of
the proposed Finance Department budget for 2012-2013.
Discussion ensued between staff and the Housing Authority
regarding the ballot measure and communication with the
public; the document presented on May 7, 2012; providing
additional information on the Finance page; contractual
services; staff workload; information provided; and
credibility of the City.
Art Ida, Transportation Director, provided a summary of the
proposed Transportation budget for 2012-2013.
Chair Weissman received clarification regarding increased
accident rates.
John Nachbar, Executive Director, discussed preliminary
information regarding a proposed downtown shuttle and
associated costs for various parcels in an assessment
district scenario; meeting with larger properties involved;
creation of an assessment district; the viability of the
assessment district approach; willingness of larger property
owners; and initial feedback.
Discussion ensued between staff and the Housing Authority
regarding expanding the route; the headway; the number of
vehicles; the route currently being considered; real time
arrival and bus signal priority; the TAP program; the
unveiling of the new buses; working to increase ridership;
PR to increase fare box revenue; METRO; fostering a
connection between school and the light rail; the June 5, 2012
4
Paratransit buses; significant reductions in the
transportation fund; whether the Expo will affect usage of
Culver City buses; increased service to Expo; recruiting;
last year’s clean fuel allocation; Measure R money; bus
advertising; restrictions on ad income; Federal funding; the
cost of new buses; fare collections; ridership trends;
adding extra service to meet the demand of the Expo line;
the West LA College route; advertising on Paratransit
vehicles; moving the Paratransit service from Parks and
Recreation to Transit; bus cameras; accident prevention;
pedicabs and bike rental facilities near the Expo station;
departmental special equipment; contractual services;
counting of fare box revenue; the West LA College Automotive
Program; the incentive program; creating a team atmosphere;
using the new buses for the Expo station to give a good
first impression; providing an information desk for when
people get off Expo; rules for buses purchased with Federal
dollars; ensuring that proper information and signage is
available; station ambassadors; the transit hub on
Robertson; providing information at every bus stop;
maintaining the signage; availability of phone support;
Google Transit; the 511 Trip Planner Service; restoring
confidence in the bus system; the importance of first
impressions; making transit as convenient as possible; the
importance of a shuttle; encouraging use of the Expo Line;
having a significant presence at the opening; the importance
of Paratransit; maintaining levels of service; and potential
improvements.
o0o
Recess
The Housing Authority took a brief recess at 9:40 p.m.
o0o
Reconvene
The Housing Authority reconvened its meeting at 9:50 p.m.
with all Boardmembers present.
o0o
Daniel Hernandez, Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Director, provided an overview of the proposed June 5, 2012
5
2012-2013 budget for Parks, Recreation and Community
Services.
Discussion ensued between staff and the Housing Authority
regarding contractual services; grant opportunities;
organizations that provide legislative updates and notices
of grant opportunities; grant application workshops; after
school programs and summer camps; cost recovery; physical
fitness; incorporating arts into the department; cultural
affairs; better defining performing arts into the work plan;
the Youth Sports Program and Adult Sports Program; a
proposal to move the date of Fiesta La Ballona; the Senior
Center; the practice of naming the neighborhoods after the
parks; a request for an additional community garden in the
City; the MOU with the Culver City Senior Citizens
Association; departmental special supplies; part time
salaries; utilization of the Senior Center; marketing the
facility for rental; groups with longstanding relationships;
fee categories; staff time used during events; wear and
tear, maintenance and replacement; cost recovery parameters;
vending machines; the grant process; a suggestion to allow
dogs on leashes in parks; praise for the parks and the
positive impact the community; and appreciation to staff for
their efforts.
Further discussion ensued between staff and the Housing
Authority regarding finishing the budget presentation during
the City Council meeting scheduled for June 11, 2012.
Chris Sellers, Fire Chief, provided an overview of the
proposed 2012-2013 Fire Department budget.
Discussion ensued between staff and the Housing Authority
regarding praise for the Fire Department; response times;
what happens to retired ambulances; agency accreditation;
annual compliance reports; contingency plans; the State
Homeland Security Grant Program; General Revenues; contract
services; creating a combined Police/Fire station; placement
of the Fire station; the Business Processes Committee; the
Fire Department Tower Training Facility; the safety drill;
grant funding; City Council vs. City Manager jurisdiction
over the Fire Department; billable services; grant writing;
and hazards associated with oil fracking.
Don Pederson, Police Chief, provided an overview of the
proposed 2012-2013 Police Department budget.
June 5, 2012
6
Chair Weissman invited public input.
The following member of the audience addressed the Housing
Authority:
Cary Anderson, Smart Parking Enforcement, discussed the
practice of cheating parking meters; described his efforts
to improve parking enforcement in the City; discussed the
policies of other cities; expressed concern with special
favors; and he proposed that something outside the system
was needed and that his business could improve the
situation.
Martin Cole, City Clerk/Assistant City Manager, read a
written comment submitted by:
Amanda Mayeda
Discussion ensued between staff and the Housing Authority
regarding overtime costs; privatization of crossing guards;
the tow company contract; clarification regarding who
directed staff to maintain current procedures; safety and
crime concerns related to the Expo line; identifying new
technologies; animal control; Charter review; the recycling
program; special police services; outsourcing the alarm
permit program; other contractual services; the strategic
plan; bicycle thefts; coordination with the Culver City
Bicycle Coalition; education; a request for more information
regarding Auto Chalk; public partnerships; residential
permit parking districts; revenue opportunities; service and
the reaction of the community; balance; and evolving parking
enforcement procedures.
o0o
Public Comment for Items NOT on the Agenda
None.
o0o
Items from Housing Authority Commissioners
None.
o0o
June 5, 2012
7
Adjournment
There being no further business, at 12:15 a.m. on
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 the Housing Authority adjourned its
meeting to Monday, June 11, 2012.
o0o
Martin R. Cole
SECRETARY of the City of Culver City Housing Authority,
California
APPROVED
Andrew Weissman
CHAIR of the Housing Authority, City of Culver City,
California