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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Granting an Alcohol Use Permit to the Exchange Club to Conduct a Beer and Wine Garden in Veterans Memorial Park During the 2026 Fiesta La Ballona and the 2026 Culver City FIFA Events.
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Meeting Date: May 26, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Adam Ferguson/Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Phone Number: (310) 253-6685
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (05/21/2026)
Department Approval: Adam Ferguson, PRCS Director (05/05/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution granting an Alcohol Use Permit to the Culver City Exchange Club to conduct a Beer and Wine Garden in Veterans Memorial Park during the 2026 Fiesta La Ballona and the 2026 Culver City FIFA Events.
BACKGROUND/ DISCUSSION
Fiesta La Ballona
Fiesta La Ballona (Fiesta) is a three-day carnival that will be held during the weekend on August 28, August 29, and August 30, 2026, at Veterans Memorial Park. It includes carnival rides, food trucks, a food court, an entertainment stage, and booths selling artisan wares. Specifically, the Beer and Wine Garden (BWG) has been a part of the Fiesta since 2005. Culver City Municipal Code Section 13.03.025.A grants the City Council authority to issue a permit for a beer and wine garden at Fiesta.
In 2025, Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) staff accepted applications from Culver City non-profits to become the BWG Operator at Fiesta for a 4-year period, beginning with the 2025 event. The application period was open from April 26, 2025 through May 8, 2025. Throughout that period, two GovDelivery emails were released, and various announcements were posted on multiple social media platforms.
Applicants were rated on the mission and history of the local non-profit, its experience running beer and wine gardens, and the intended use of the proceeds raised during the event.
Based on the scores from the raters, The Culver City Exchange Club (Exchange Club) was chosen as the BWG Operator. The Exchange Club is a local non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing financial support to various community-based organizations benefiting children, seniors, and those with disabilities. The Exchange Club co-sponsors annual events with the City of Culver City throughout the year and has been the permittee for the BWG since 2007. The only exception occurred in 2020 when a “Virtual Fiesta” was held due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As the selected BWG Operator for Fiesta through 2028, the Exchange Club has agreed to comply with all conditions imposed in the proposed 2026 Resolution (Attachment 1). The Resolution includes the required permit conditions set forth in City Council Policy Statement 2501: Alcohol Use Permits for City-Produced and City-Sponsored Special Events.
Culver City FIFA Events
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will feature matches in 11 cities in the United States, including eight matches in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium. In anticipation of this event, the Ad Hoc World Cup and Olympics Subcommittee (Mayor Puza and Council Member O’Brien) recommend a series of outdoor screening/activations to showcase the international soccer tournament, create community connections, highlight cultural assets and encourage visitation and tourism throughout the City.
During its March 16, 2026, Regular Meeting, City Council voted to approve a series of community screening events/activations related to the World Cup 2026, to include City sponsorship for related events in association with the Ivy Station and the Republic of Paraguay and to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) relative to a Beer and Wine Garden at the Veteran’s Memorial Park activations on June 12, 2026, and July 11, 2026.
On April 6, 2026, PRCS staff released an RFP for Culver City non-profits to become the Beer and Wine Garden Operator during June 12, 2026, and July 11, 2026, watch party events. The application was open from April 6, 2026, through April 27, 2026, and extended until April 29, 2026. Only one application was received during the application period from The Exchange Club. As the selected BWG Operator for the 2026 Culver City FIFA Events, The Exchange Club has agreed to comply with all conditions imposed in the proposed 2026 Resolution.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The adoption of the proposed Resolution will have a nominal positive fiscal impact to the City due to the collection of the $1,900 event space fee that will be charged to the Exchange Club for the use of the area within Veterans Memorial Park which the BWG occupies during Fiesta. This fee will be posted to a revenue account in 10130285 (Community Events - Fiesta La Ballona). These revenue accounts can be found in the Revenue Detail section of the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 in General Fund - Charges for Services.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026-05-26 - ATT 1 Resolution Granting Alcohol Use Permit for Beer and Wine Garden for 2026 Fiesta La Ballona and 2026 Culver City FIFA Events
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
Adopt a resolution granting an Alcohol Use Permit to the Culver City Exchange Club to conduct a Beer and Wine Garden in Veterans Memorial Park during the 2026 Fiesta La Ballona and the 2026 Culver City FIFA Events.