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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Approval of a Request from the West Los Angeles Community College (WLAC) City Council Subcommittee to Direct the City Manager to Prepare and Submit a Letter in Support for WLAC’s Efforts to Construct Housing on the WLAC Campus and Use 2022 Measure LA Funding for the Project.
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Meeting Date: February 12, 2024
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg/City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6008
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (02/07/2024)
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar (02/05/2024)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve a request from the WLAC City Council Subcommittee to direct the City Manager to prepare and submit a letter in support for WLAC’s efforts to construct housing on the WLAC campus and use 2022 Measure LA funding for the project.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Measure LA is a bond measure that was passed by the voters of the Los Angeles Community College District in November 2022. The measure authorizes $5.3 billion for infrastructure and technology upgrades, as well as increases the District's investment in sustainability, athletics facilities, and other improvements throughout the system. The bond program goals include delivering state-of-the-art buildings and facilities to support educational excellence, creating enriching learning environments, and being a leader in clean energy and sustainable building practices. The bond serves as a catalyst for local economic and employment opportunities for businesses, construction workers, and students. The bond will focus on pre-1970's buildings renovation, replacement or development of infrastructure, and technology. The bond will also address the aging technology infrastructure, including equipping hybrid flexible classrooms to keep pace with the general advances in technology. The Los Angeles Community College District hosted a series of town halls to discuss building student housing on three campuses in the district - L.A. City College in East Hollywood, Pierce in Woodland Hills, and WLAC in Culver City.
On November 29, 2023, WLAC President James M. Limbaugh, PhD participated in the Special Meeting of the City of Culver City/West Los Angeles College Liaison Committee (“Committee”) meeting. At the meeting, President Limbaugh spoke of proposed housing on the campus of WLAC, which would be funded by Measure LA. WLAC is the only District institution with two bachelor's degrees and in the planning process for a third. All three degrees have the potential of national recruitment, which heightens the need for on-campus housing. Housing would be located on Lot 7 on the attached map, to the right of the baseball field. The projection is a minimum of 300 units, arranged as studio, one bedroom, and two-bedroom units. In effect, this will be an apartment complex and not a traditional residence hall. There will be no dining facilities; each apartment would have its own kitchen. President Limbaugh is advocating for housing because (1) the cost of housing on the Westside is prohibitive and (2) having managed residence halls, he knows what it takes, but he also knows the value it can bring to the campus in terms of student engagement.
Vice Mayor O’Brien and Council Member Puza represent the City on this Committee. Following Dr. Limbaugh’s presentation to the Committee, Vice Mayor O’Brien and Council Member Puza recommended the City Council send a letter of support, signed by the Mayor, for new housing on the WLAC campus.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact for the City Council to approve a letter of support for new housing on the WLAC campus.
ATTACHMENTS
2024-02-12__ATT__WLAC Map February 2023
MOTION
That the City Council:
Approve a request from WLAC City Council Subcommittee to direct the City Manager to prepare and submit a letter in support WLAC’s efforts to construct housing on the WLAC campus as and use 2022 Measure LA Funding for the Project.