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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Approval of a Pilot Program to Support Activations in Media Park and Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate; and (2) Authorize the City Manager to reduce or waive rental fees for the use of Media Park.
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Meeting Date: October 13, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Edgar Varela, Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-5752
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (9/23/2026)
Department Approval: Adam Troy, Assistant City Manager (09/15/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council (1) approve a pilot program to support activations at Media Park and provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate, and (2) authorize the City Manager to reduce or waive rental fees for the use of Media Park.
BACKGROUND
Media Park is a 1.2-acre open space adjacent to Downtown Culver City, managed by the City under a long-term lease with the City of Los Angeles. The park is also home to the historic Ivy Substation, currently leased to The Actors' Gang. Currently, the park provides a passive, green space in Downtown, with occasional summer programming and functions as permitted through the current rental policy. The License Policies and Procedures for Special Events in Media Park, which differs from the Culver City Park Permit process, allows for commercial uses to rent the park for a specific use for $500 per day or non-profits for $100 a day. Other fees may be required depending on the use.
Over the past several months, staff from Economic Development, Vitality and Equity Division have discussed opportunities to activate the park more consistently to support the surrounding Downtown area as a destination. This effort builds on the City's broader economic and cultural development goals of fostering vibrant public spaces and supporting local arts, culture, and small business activity.
On August 26, 2026, staff presented this concept to the Economic Development Subcommittee, which supported bringing the item forward to the full City Council for direction.
DISCUSSION
Staff would like to implement a pilot rental fee waiver program for up to nine months that would waive rental fees for all permitted events within Media Park based on availability and funding.
In addition, staff proposes that events that support overall economic development efforts and promote visitation also be afforded limited marketing efforts from the City to bring awareness to the pilot program. These marketing efforts could include posting on the City’s community calendar and social media platforms. Eligible events would fall into one of the following categories:
o Health & Wellness/Yoga
o Art Installation Event
o Artisan Makers Market
o Food Pop-Ups
o Music/Theater performances
Events that have or promote prohibited messages per the City’s media guidelines would not qualify for marketing. These would include content, involvement and/or sponsorships that: (a) are contrary to any law, ordinance, rule or regulation of any applicable governmental authority; (b) promotes or advertises adult-related products and services, firearms, tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, on-line gambling, smoking, and smoking materials, including electronic smoking or “vaping”; (c) promotes or advertises political campaign speech, political advertisements or advertisements or displays designed to promote views of political groups, including promotion or opposition of ballot measures; (d) contains sexual or excretory subject matter; (e) is false, misleading, or deceptive; (f) violates copyrights or trademarks; (g) contains profanity or depictions of violence; (h) condones discrimination based upon race, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, age, socio-economic status, disability, gender or sexual orientation; (i) is harmful or disruptive to the public use of public parks; (j) promotes unsafe behavior; or (k) is demeaning or disparaging.
Should the City Council approve the proposed pilot program, staff will connect with community/external partners regarding potential opportunities to use the space for future events. As assessment of the program will be conducted and presented to the City Council during the forthcoming budget cycle
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Staff proposes that $7,500 of funding for rental fee waivers be reallocated within the Economic Development budget (10150101.619800) relative to marketing and special events and does not require an additional appropriation. These funds reflects savings from other work plan approved events that came in below budget during the current fiscal year, which are reallocated from the current Economic Development budget.
ATTACHMENT
None.
recommended action
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Approve a pilot program to support activations at Media Park and provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to reduce or waive rental fees for the use of Media Park.