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CC - ACTION ITEM: Introduction of a Proposed Ordinance Amending Titles 7, 9, 13 and 15 of the Culver City Municipal Code to Dissolve the Committee on Permits and Licenses (COPL), to Remove References to COPL-Issued Permits for Various Businesses, and to Remove Regulatory Provisions for Fortune Telling and Figure Studio/Modeling Businesses as Part of the COPL Dissolution Implementation.
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Meeting Date: January 13, 2025
Contact Person/Dept.: Michael Bruckner/City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6023
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (01/08/2025)
Department Approval: Michael Bruckner, Assistant City Manager (01/06/2025) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council introduce an Ordinance (Attachment 1) amending Titles 7, 9, 13 and 15 of the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) to dissolve the Committee on Permits and Licenses (COPL), to remove references to COPL-issued permits for various businesses, and to remove regulatory provisions for fortune telling and figure studio/modeling businesses as part of the COPL dissolution implementation.
BACKGROUND
The CCMC establishes the Committee on Permits and Licenses (COPL) for the purpose of providing, “a procedure to expedite the processing of various applications for permits and business licenses, in order to avoid encumbering the Councilmanic agenda with such routine matters.” Although the COPL has the authority to issue and revoke a variety of business-related permits and certificates of compliance, its primary function has historically been to issue special event permits.
The COPL was intended to streamline various permitted activities; however, it has proven itself to be a less than efficient process. Frequently, permit applications have been processed administratively, as authorized by CCMC Section 11.01.515, due to the timing of special events in relation to the timing of the COPL meetings. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it became even more apparent that the COPL is an antiquated process causing staff intensive reviews of minor applications which now occur more efficiently using existing technology and operational practices. Therefore, at the October 24, 2022, City Council Meeting, staff sought and received approval from the City Council to begin the process to formally dissolve the COPL.
DISCUSSION
CCMC Section 11.01.500 et. seq. establishes the Committee on Permits and Licenses, along with requirements for membership, organization, and authorities. Various other sections of the CCMC, including sections of Titles 7, 9, 13 and 15 contain multiple references to the COPL that align with its purview to review business and special event related activities. The bulk of historical COPL activities has been to review special event permits with some business license evaluation, of which both are supported by modern and effective administrative processes that compliment and achieve the legislative intent.
Additionally, the COPL contains authority to regulate various types of activities that can only be described as “moral policing”. For example, the COPL is the regulatory body for the approval of fortune-telling and figure modeling establishments in the City. Related to figure modeling, one requirement of the COPL was to hold a public hearing to, “ascertain all facts or evidence bearing on the place where the proposed figure studio is to be located and moral fitness (emphasis added) of the licensee…” The proposed Ordinance related to the dissolution of the COPL removes references to “morality” in order eliminate any preconceived notions embedded in the CCMC which is in furtherance of the City’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, as well as removes regulatory provisions associated with these businesses.
To ensure the proper dissolution of COPL related activities and functions, an interdepartmental team was assembled comprised of City staff assigned to the COPL by the CCMC or who have current business licenses or special event permit review authority. This included representatives from the City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, Finance Department, Planning and Development Department, and Police and Fire departments. The team met throughout 2024 along with several individual meetings with departments to discuss specific permit activities that required more detailed analysis.
As listed, the CCMC identifies 81 distinct business types or special event related activities that require administrative review pursuant to the COPL (Attachment 2). The City’s working group reviewed each business type or special event activity to determine if existing administrative processes sufficiently encompass the oversight function of the COPL. Based on this thorough review, it was determined that the City’s new business license process provided sufficient review that aligns with the legislative intent of the COPL. Additionally, the City’s revamped special event permit process addresses activities that have historically been reviewed by the COPL.
All told, of the 81 distinct business types or special activities listed in the CCMC, staff is recommending that 48 be deleted from the CCMC as they are fully vetted through the business license process, which includes a mandatory land use review for compatibility (Attachment 3). An additional 26 business types are also recommended for removal from the COPL; however, upon review it was determined that these business types require a secondary review or additional permit or license before being approved for a business license (Attachment 4). For example, these business types include but are not limited to activities like: Automobile Repair, Drycleaning, Massage establishments, or Restaurants, that require additional levels of review or permitting from City departments like the Culver City Police or Fire departments, or county or state agencies. Until additional permits or licenses are verified, a business license will not be issued.
There are multiple business type activities that are being recommended for formal inclusion in the City’s special event process (Attachment 5). The City’s current special event process already requires an in-depth review by various City departments before a special event permit can be issued, thereby satisfying the function of the COPL. Staff intends to return to the City Council with an ordinance to further update the CCMC related to special events to include these activities.
Finally, the proposed Ordinance removes all references to the COPL throughout the CCMC. A redline of the changes to the CCMC is attached as Attachment 6. The scope of staff’s work in preparing the proposed Ordinance was solely to remove references to the COPL. However, in reviewing the CCMC for references to the COPL, staff found areas of the CCMC, such as Chapter 11.05 (Charitable Solicitations), that are out of date and require further review. Staff will evaluate these other areas to determine whether they require future amendment.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with the introduction of the Ordinance or with the dissolution of the COPL.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance
2. All COPL Business Types
3. Business Types for Deletion
4. Business Types for Deletion Requiring Secondary Review
5. Business Types for Special Event Permit Activities
6. Redline of CCMC Sections with COPL References Removed
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
Introduce an Ordinance amending Titles 7, 9, 13 and 15 of the Culver City Municipal Code to dissolve the Committee on Permits and Licenses, to remove references to COPL-issued permits for various businesses, and to remove regulatory provisions for fortune telling and figure studio/modeling businesses as part of the COPL dissolution implementation.