title
CC - CONSENT ITEM: Award of a $1,000 Off-Cycle Special Events Grant and Designation of the Center Theater Group’s “The Enormous Crocodile: The Musical” as a City-Sponsored Event.
body
Meeting Date: September 29, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Edgar Varela / Office of Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-5752
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (09/24/2025); Center Theatre Group (09/15/2025)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (09/15/2025)
______________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council award a $1,000 Off-Cycle Special Events Grant for in-kind marketing and designate of the Center Theater Group’s The Enormous Crocodile: The Musical as a City-Sponsored Event.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On September 8, 2025, the Center Theater Group (CTG) requested an off-cycle special event grant to promote their upcoming production at the Kirk Douglas Theater, running from December 5, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Since 2004, CTG has operated the City-owned Kirk Douglas Theatre, located at 9820 Washington Boulevard.
CTG has requested City sponsorship for in-kind marketing, which would include placement of banners in the public right-of-way, for its upcoming production of The Enormous Crocodile: The Musical, which is based on the classic children’s book by Roald Dahl.
City Sponsorship
To be categorized as a “sponsored” event by the City, an event must meet the criteria set forth in City Council Policy No. 2502 (Special Event Grant Program), confirming that the City is (a) participating in an official capacity in the planning, preparation or promotion of the event or activity; and (b) contributing 25% of the total estimated costs of the civic event or activity or at least $1,000, whichever is less. This contribution may take the form of funds, labor, staff time, materials, a coverage of fees, or any combination thereof.
The Policy requires conditions (a) and (b) to be satisfied. Additionally, City Council Policy requires that for an event to be considered a City-Sponsored event, the City Council is required to determine, by specific action, that the above criteria be met. This event meets the criteria for City Sponsorship because the City will participate in the promotion of the event, which will require at least $1,000 in in-kind staff time/marketing efforts. As a requirement for event sponsorship, the organizers for the events must identify the City of Culver City as a sponsor of the event in all promotional materials.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The $1,000 in off-cycle support will be comprised of in-kind staff time (for marketing and coordination). There is sufficient funding in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 contingency to support this request. CTG will be responsible for banner fabrication and for acquiring and paying for all permits related to banner installation.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTION
That the City Council:
Award a $1,000 off-cycle, in-kind special events grant and designate the Center Theater Group’s “The Enormous Crocodile: The Musical” as a City-Sponsored event.