City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: _06/22/15_ Item Number: _A-2
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: (1) Consideration of a Recommendation from the
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission Regarding Allocating One
or Two Resource People to Work with Existing Community Groups to Create On-Site
and/or Off-Site Garden Sharing Opportunities in Culver City, Including Considering
the Formation of a Website to Support these Efforts; and (2) Direction to the City
Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
Contact Person/Dept.: Dan Hernandez,
PRCS Director
Phone Number: (310) 253-6655
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [X] No [] Date: 04/07/15
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas – City Council (06/18/15); (E-Mail)
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (06/18/15); (Email) Culver City
Community Garden Plots Renters (06/17/15); (Email) Senior Citizens (06/17/15); (Email)
Meetings and Agendas – Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission
(06/18/15); (Email) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates
(06/18/15).
Department Approval:
Dan Hernandez (06/09/15)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (06/16/15)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (06/16/15)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (06/16/15)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council consider a recommendation by the Parks,
Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission regarding allocating one
or two resource people to work with existing community groups to create on-site
and/or off-site garden sharing opportunities in Culver City, including considering the
formation of a website to support these efforts, and direct the City Manager as
deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND:
At various times throughout the years, members of the public have come before the
PRCS Commission requesting that the Commission look into ways that more
community garden opportunities might be made available in Culver City. There is
one Community Garden on City-owned property that is comprised of sixteen (16)
garden plots. The waiting list for plot rental is kept current by Darren Uhl, PRCS
Department/Senior & Social Services Division/Disability Services Specialist. Mr. Uhl
also sends communications and updates to the garden plot renters, as necessary.
The Parks Division crew maintains the areas of the garden that are not under the
care of renters and does a general clean-up of plots that are vacated before they are City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
assigned to new renters. Earlier this year, the Parks Division crew was called upon
to do a general refurbishment of the Community Garden, including plumbing repairs,
in conjunction with the adoption of updated Community Garden Plots Rules and
Regulations.
At the PRCS Commission meetings in December 2014 (two public speakers) and
January 2015 (seven public speakers), discussions regarding the final draft of the
Culver City Community Garden Plots Rules and Regulations led to a broader
discourse regarding the general lack of community garden resources in Culver City.
At the March 18, 2015 PRCS Commission Special Meeting, the topic of Urban
Gardening was agendized by the Commission for discussion at the April 7, 2015
meeting.
At the April 7, 2015 PRCS Commission meeting, Chair Stuart supplied seventeen
(17) web-based articles on various urban gardening topics, including balcony,
apartment and container gardening, micro-gardening, and neighborhood/community
co-op gardening for use as an attachment to Agenda Item A-2: “(1) Informational
Item Regarding Urban Gardening, Apartment Gardening, and Neighborhood Co-op
Gardening; and, (2) Discussion Regarding the Potential Role that the Parks,
Recreation and Community Services Commission May Wish to Take in Mentoring
Community Members Interested in Community Gardening.” The staff report and
attachment (47 pages) can be accessed on the City’s website at
http://www.culvercity.org/agenda.aspx.
An excerpt of the approved April 7 meeting minutes relating to this topic is provided
as an Attachment. As noted in the meeting minutes, the following recommendation
was made:
The PRCS Commission recommended to the City Council that the City
Council allocate one or two resource people to work with existing community
groups, including, but not limited to, Transition Culver City, the Culver City
Garden Club, local homeowners groups, and apartment property owners to
create on-site and/or off-site garden sharing opportunities. In addition, the
Commission recommended that the City Council consider forming a website
to support these efforts.
Pursuant to direction provided by the City Council at the Regular Meeting of April 13,
2015, this item has been placed on this agenda for the City Council’s consideration.
DISCUSSION:
A site on City-owned property for the development of another community garden has
not been identified. Therefore, the Commission’s recommendation seems to be
more focused on private property, including exploring ideas for “shared, portable
gardens” on vacant lots (with the permission of the property owner) and the City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
possibility of people who have private gardens “sharing” their garden space with
others.
Staff is unable to offer suggestions regarding current staff members who have the
resources and/or expertise to assist the community in developing garden-sharing
opportunities on private property. As noted earlier, Disability Services Specialist
Darren Uhl plays a very limited role in the management of the Community Garden.
Community gardens and gardening are not his specialty areas. His position is
funded by a portion of the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
allocation specifically to provide information and support to the community regarding
disability services.
Catherine Vargas is the Environmental Coordinator in the Environmental Programs
and Operations Division of the Public Works Department. Her main responsibility is
the oversight of the Culver City Transfer Station, including the regulatory aspects
regarding safety training and storm water permits. She also does outreach and
community education regarding sustainability, such as sustainable (“smart”)
gardening practices and recycling and waste reduction guidelines/goals.
Urban/Community Gardening Resources
Staff has identified three important, well-established resources that are currently
available for those with an interest in urban/community gardening and finding garden
sharing opportunities:
1. The LA Food Policy Council (http://goodfoodla.org) – The preface of the LA
Food Policy Council’s Urban Agriculture Working Group’s “Urban Agriculture
Policy: Draft Vision Statement,” states that:
Urban agriculture is about far more than growing vegetables on an empty lot.
It’s about revitalizing and transforming unused public spaces, connecting city
residents with their neighborhoods in a new way and promoting healthier
eating and living for everyone.
The Working Group’s vision is “to create a world-class local food system in
Los Angeles that is affordable, equitable, and environmentally sustainable.”
2. The Los Angeles Community Garden Council (LACGC;
http://lagardencouncil.org)
The Los Angeles Community Garden Council’s mission is to strengthen
communities by building new and supporting existing community gardens
where every person in Los Angeles County can grow healthy food in their
neighborhood. We envision a garden network for Los Angeles where people
of all ages live healthy, active lives in a clean environment by growing fresh
food. This network creates and fosters the meeting of people from diverse City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
cultures to share the best growing techniques and urban agriculture practices,
promotes social and economic justice, reduces household expenses,
provides job training and beautifies our community.
3. The Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative (LANI; http://lani.org) –
The mission of Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative (LANI) is to stimulate
community-driven neighborhood revitalization. LANI facilitates stakeholder
participation and decision-making, and promotes public/private partnerships
that result in catalytic community improvement projects. LANI achieves this
through:
? Community Consensus Building
? Transportation and Pedestrian Corridor Improvements
? Business District Revitalization
? Urban Greening
? Development and Support of Community Organizations
Organizations and/or individuals with a plan for developing new community
gardens may contact LANI for assistance with finding available land for their
project.
In addition, GrowFriend (http://www.growfriend.org) is a site that is a hybrid of
community gardening and social networking that provides a “safe, easy, and fun way
for gardeners to find land and for land to become productive!” According to the
website, the system is designed to help create successful garden-sharing
relationships that are based on familiarity, communication, and clearly described
boundaries and expectations. This free service matches gardeners with available
land and available land with potential gardeners.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the discussion of this Agenda Item.
ATTACHMENT:
Excerpt of the approved April 7, 2015 Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission meeting minutes relating to Agenda Item A-2: “(1)
Informational Item Regarding Urban Gardening, Apartment Gardening, and
Neighborhood Coop Gardening; and, (2) Discussion Regarding the Potential
Role that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission May Wish
to Take in Mentoring Community Members Interested in Community Gardening.”
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Consider a recommendation by the Parks, Recreation and Community
Services (PRCS) Commission regarding allocating one or two resource
people to work with existing community groups to create on-site and/or off-
site garden sharing opportunities in Culver City, including considering the
formation of a website to support these efforts; and,
2. Direct the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
MEETING DATE: June 22, 2015
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of a Recommendation from the Parks,
Recreation and Community Services Commission
Regarding Allocating One or Two Resource People to Work
with Existing Community Groups to Create On-Site and/or
Off-Site Garden Sharing Opportunities in Culver City,
Including Considering the Formation of a Website to
Support these Efforts.
ATTACHMENT
Pages
Excerpt of the approved April 7, 2015 Parks, Recreation
and Community Services Commission meeting minutes
relating to Agenda Item A-2: “(1) Informational Item
Regarding Urban Gardening, Apartment Gardening, and
Neighborhood Coop Gardening; and, (2) Discussion
Regarding the Potential Role that the Parks, Recreation
and Community Services Commission May Wish to Take in
Mentoring Community Members Interested in Community
Gardening.”
1 - 4
REGULAR MEETING OF THE April 7, 2015
PARKS, RECREATION AND 7:00 P.M.
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
Chair Stuart called the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Commission to order at 7:00 P.M.
Present: Chair Laura Stuart
Vice Chair Scott Zeidman
Commissioner Scott Garland
Commissioner Kay Heineman
Commissioner Kelly Kent Marin
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Pledge of Allegiance
Barbara Silverstein led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Public Comment for Items NOT on the Agenda
Chair Stuart invited public participation.
No cards were received and no speakers came forward.
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Consent Calendar
Item C-1
Approval of Meeting Minutes for March 3, 2015
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER GARLAND, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR ZEIDMAN
AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE PARKS, RECREATION AND
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION APPROVE MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR
MEETING OF MARCH 3, 2015.
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ATTACHMENT
1Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Commission
April 7, 2015
Page 3 of 8
participation in the Senior Nutrition Program; Mandated
Program Services for each program; annual reports required;
funding sources; the approved caterer list; audits;
partnership with Beverly Hills; monthly quality assurance
meetings; and referral services.
Armando Abrego, Senior and Social Services Manager; discussed
the County; funding; requirements; exceeding the allocated
number of meals; donations; monthly reports; maintaining
funding; the annual program audit; the annual financial
audit; the annual budget; the grant application to re-qualify
every four years; the RFP for certified caters every four
years; annual inspections; the on-staff safe certification;
certification of monthly menus; and he expressed appreciation
to the Finance Department for their help.
Discussion ensued between staff and Commissioners regarding
who is eligible for services; tracking County services; the
Advisory Committee; and the webpage to promote nutrition to
the community.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER HEINEMAN, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR
ZEIDMAN AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE PARKS, RECREATION
AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION: RECEIVE AND FILE THE
REPORT.
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Item A-2
(1) Informational Item Regarding Urban Gardening, Apartment
Gardening, and Neighborhood Coop Gardening; and, (2)
Discussion Regarding the Potential Role that the Parks,
Recreation and Community Services Commission May Wish to Take
in Mentoring Community Members Interested in Community
Gardening
Chair Stuart reported that the Commission had sent a
recommendation to the City Council regarding Community
Gardens and she asked that the Commission create a refined
recommendation about how the City might help facilitate
gardening in the City.
Chair Stuart invited public participation.
2Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Commission
April 7, 2015
Page 4 of 8
The following members of the audience addressed the
Commission:
Michelle Weiner, Transition Culver City, discussed the
mission of the organization; promoting community
sustainability; making more efficient change as individuals;
food security; growing your own food; the Learning Garden at
Venice High School; community volunteers; areas in the City
where small community gardens could happen; and areas within
the park system that could be used.
Discussion ensued between staff and Commissioners regarding
areas in the City that could be used as a Community Garden;
the drought; working with existing groups in the City to
create co-op gardens; Raintree; mentoring community members
interested in community gardening; connecting groups;
utilizing alternative sites; creating cooperatives in
neighborhoods; creating programs for community members; a
suggestion for a website to help the idea move forward; the
feasibility of using park space; the registry in Santa
Monica; concern with use of staff time; involving the School
District; the City Council Liaison School Board Committee;
educational opportunities; localizing food growing; growing
food in parkways; and crafting a motion to the City Council
to allocate staff resources to work with organizations in the
City to help encourage growing food.
Sylvia Alvarado, Brian's Orchard Youth Alliance, discussed
ideas on how to utilize the co-op idea; reported that she
installs gardens and urban orchards; discussed donating
portions of the harvest to local food pantries or to the
Senior Center; Food Forward; she reported installing a garden
for a supported community; and working with the High School.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Commissioners
regarding hope that the City Council would embrace the
concept; involvement of other departments; creating a model
for other cities; and crafting a motion.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MARIN, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR ZEIDMAN
AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE PARKS, RECREATION AND
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION: RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL ALLOCATE ONE OR TWO RESOURCE PEOPLE TO WORK WITH
EXISTING COMMUNITY GROUPS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
TRANSITION CULVER CITY, THE CULVER CITY GARDEN CLUB, LOCAL
HOMEOWNER GROUPS AND APARTMENT PROPERTY OWNERS TO CREATE
3Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Commission
April 7, 2015
Page 5 of 8
ONSITE AND/OR OFFSITE GARDEN SHARING OPPORTUNITIES, IN
ADDITION THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS DEVELOPMENT OF A WEBSITE
TO SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS.
Discussion ensued between staff and Commissioners regarding
next steps in the process.
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Item A-3
(1) Hear a Report from the Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission Youth Sports Advisory Ad Hoc
Subcommittee; and, (2) (If Desired) Discuss and Take Action
Regarding the Future of the Youth Sports Advisory Ad Hoc
Subcommittee
Chair Stuart invited public participation.
The following member of the audience addressed the
Commission:
Laura Love, AYSO, asked about the middle school flag football
program.
Chair Stuart indicated that Dan Hernandez, Parks, Recreation
and Community Services Director, would provide information to
Ms. Love.
Vice Chair Zeidman provided a report on the Youth Sports
Advisory Ad Hoc subcommittee.
Commissioner Garland reported meeting with Director Hernandez
and the contractor that may be running the Culver City Youth
Flag Football League which could begin in September and run
through late November.
Discussion ensued between staff and Commissioners regarding
Pop Warner football; location of games; practice times; and
the amount of park time needed.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MARIN, SECONDED BY CHAIR STUART AND
UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY
SERVICES COMMISSION: RECEIVE AND FILE THE REPORT.
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