City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council consider a request from the Exchange Club of
Culver City (Exchange Club) for additional City support of the 48
th
Annual 4
th
of July
Fireworks Show (2014 Event).
BACKGROUND:
On April 21, 2014, the City Council considered a request from the Exchange Club for
City sponsorship of the 2014 Event. After hearing public comment and posing
questions, the City Council determined to provide $24,000 in direct financial
assistance and an unspecified amount of in-kind staff support and to designate the
2014 Event as City sponsored. A copy of the April 21, 2014 staff report and an
excerpt from the minutes of that meeting are attached.
DISCUSSION:
The Exchange Club has requested the City Council consider its request for
additional support of the 2014 Event. When the issue was raised at the City Council
Meeting Date: 05/27/14 Item Number: A-3
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of a Request from the Exchange
Club of Culver City for Additional City Support of the 48
th
Annual 4
th
of July
Fireworks Show.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Shelly Wolfberg, Assistant to the City
Manager
Phone Number:
(310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [ ] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: Jay Shery (Culver City Exchange Club) and Meetings and Agendas –
City Council (05/23/14)
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (05/23/14)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (05/23/14)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (05/23/14)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (05/23/14)
A3-1City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
meeting of May 19, 2014, the City Council provided consensus to consider this
subject matter. One Council Member expressed a desire to receive (1) clarification
whether a charge for admission for both people and cars was part of the Exchange
Club’s plan for the 2014 Event and (2) a budget including projected income and
expenses.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Should the City Council determine to provide additional financial support, such
support may be able to be provided through existing appropriated reserves.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report from April 21, 2014 Meeting
2. Excerpt from the Approved Minutes for the April 21, 2014 Meeting
MOTION:
That the City Council:
Consider the request from the Culver City Exchange Club and direct the City
Manager as deemed appropriate.
A3-2
MEETING DATE: May 27, 2014
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of a Request from the Exchange Club of
Culver City for Additional City Support of the 48
th
Annual 4
th
of July Fireworks Show.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1
2
Staff Report from April 21, 2014 Meeting
Excerpt from the Approved Minutes for the April 21, 2014
Meeting
1-3
4-5
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council consider a request from the Exchange Club of
Culver City (Exchange Club) for City sponsorship of the 48
th
Annual 4
th
of July
Fireworks Show (2014 Event) proposed to be held on the campus of West Los
Angeles College (WLAC).
BACKGROUND:
The Exchange Club’s 4
th
of July Fireworks Show has been an annual one-day
fundraising event held for almost 50 years. Traditionally, this community event was
held at Culver City High School. Due to major renovations of Culver City High
School's athletic field, the 2013 show was not held.
According to the Exchange Club, all profits made by the Exchange Club have been
used to fund Culver City charities, support child abuse prevention efforts, financially
assist the Culver City Unified School District, and provide annual student
scholarships. For past Fireworks Shows, personnel costs for City services, including
Meeting Date: 04/21/14 Item Number: A-1
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of City Sponsorship for the 48
th
Annual 4
th
of July Fireworks Show Charitable Fundraising Event Produced by the
Exchange Club of Culver City, a Non-Profit Organization Proposed to Be Held on
the Campus of West Los Angeles College.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Shelly Wolfberg, Assistant to the City
Manager
Phone Number:
(310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [ ] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X ]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas – City Council (04/16/14); Mailed Notice to
over 2000 postal addresses within approximately 1,000’ of the College Campus
(04/14/14)
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (04/14/14)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (04/15/14)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (04/15/14)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (04/16/14)
1the Police, Fire, Sanitation, and Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Departments, were borne exclusively by the City.
DISCUSSION:
The significant renovations to the Culver City High School athletic field (and desire to
keep the costly renovations in good repair) have led the Exchange Club to seek an
alternate venue for the resumption of the Fireworks Show in 2014. Mr. Nabil Abu-
Ghazaleh, President of WLAC, has graciously offered the campus of WLAC as the
venue for the 2014 Event.
Because WLAC is located within an unincorporated portion of Los Angeles County
(County), Culver City staff has had initial discussions with County personnel to gain
an understanding of the level of County services that could be provided for the 2014
Event. County Fire personnel have initially indicated that the 2014 Event could be
held at WLAC, with the belief that there is ample room for a fall out zone, with
specified logistical considerations. County Fire has initially indicated that its
personnel would inspect the fireworks portion of the event. If there were other
activities such as food vendors, tents, etc. then the County would require a second
Fire Safety Officer. Other factors under discussion would be the possible need for a
stand-by engine company. It is initially anticipated that crowd control, parking,
spectator areas, exit aisles, and any other logistical/crowd management support
facilities would be under the authority of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department, WLAC, and the Exchange Club.
The City has traditionally provided a significant cash contribution to this event (the
amount budgeted for the 2014 Event is $24,000). Unless the City Council should
provide alternative direction, staff is prepare to release this budgeted amount to the
Exchange Club in the case the 2014 Event moves forward. Providing this amount to
the Exchange Club for the 2014 Event would meet the $1,000 minimum required for
City-sponsorship (as outlined in more detail below). Staff is seeking direction from
the City Council as to its desire to designate the 2014 Event as City-sponsored.
To be categorized as a “sponsored” event by the City, an event must comply with
City Council Policy and Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section
17.330.040.B.7.b.ii., confirming that the City is (a) participating in an official capacity
in the planning, preparation or promotion of the event or activity; and (b) contributing
25% of the total estimated costs of the civic event or activity or at least $1,000,
whichever is less. This contribution may take the form of funds, labor, staff time,
materials, a waiver of fees, or any combination thereof. If approved by the City
Council, the City would be contributing at least $1,000 in waivers to the event. The
CCMC requires both (a) AND (b) conditions be satisfied. Additionally, in order for an
2event to be considered city-sponsored, the City Council must determine, by specific
action, that the above criteria have been met.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The $24,000 City contribution is already appropriated in the City Council Adopted
Budget for Fiscal Year 2013/2014. Should the City Council determine to maintain
the traditional arrangement for the fireworks show, staff in-kind costs would continue
to be absorbed by the City.
ATTACHMENTS:
Letter dated March 25, 2014 from Exchange Club
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Determine whether to provide $24,000 in direct financial assistance and an
unspecified amount of in-kind staff support to the Exchange Club of Culver City
Charitable Foundation, Inc. for its 4
th
of July event on Friday, July 4, 2014 at
WLAC; and,
2. (If at least $1,000 in support is provided) Designate the 4
th
of July Fireworks
Show as a City-sponsored event.
3who gets priority; adding a condition that a common calendar
be kept and coordinated between various uses; the Master
Calendar concept; the Scout Hut; living next to a multi-use
park; the parking study; the limited size and hours of
operation; average daily number of visitors; responsibility
for the calendar; current location and usage; looking at
limited egress for special events after six-months; display of
the Berlin Wall pieces; landscaping; seismic retrofitting; the
signage plan; collaborating with Vets; and fiscal impact.
Keith Jeffreys, Am Vets Post 2 and United States Veterans
Artists Alliance, thanked staff for their work and discussed
working with the Wende Museum.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Councilmembers
regarding communication; the surrounding community;
transportation; outreach; and museum users.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER O’LEARY, SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR SAHLI-
WELLS AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
INTRODUCE A PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CULVER CITY ZONING
MAP, AS REFERENCED IN TITLE 17, ZONING, OF THE CULVER CITY
MUNICIPAL CODE, SECTION 17.200.015, TO REZONE THE PROJECT SITE
FROM COMMERCIAL NEIGHBORHOOD TO OPEN SPACE (ZONING CODE MAP
AMENDMENT, ZCMA-P2014018) AND APPROVING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
FOR THE WENDE MUSEUM AND AM VETS POST 2 (CP P-2013176) WITH AN
ADDED CONDITION OF APPROVAL. (NOTE: Such Ordinance included
the addition of a condition that a common “Master Calendar” be
kept and coordinated by the City for the various events held
at the Museum.)
Martin Cole, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, indicated that
with the permission of the City Council, the second reading of
the item would be placed on the April 28, 2014 agenda.
o0o
Action Items
Item A-1
Consideration of City Sponsorship for the 48
th
Annual 4th of
July Fireworks Show Charitable Fundraising Event Produced by
the Exchange Club of Culver City, a Non-Profit Organization
Proposed to Be Held on the Campus of West Los Angeles College
Mayor Cooper invited public participation.
4
The following members of the audience addressed the City
Council:
John Cohn, Exchange Club, discussed the cancellation of the
event last year; logistics; the offer from West LA College to
accommodate the event; increased costs; policing; interagency
cooperation; new and unusual challenges; and he requested
support from the City for the event.
Michelle Ford discussed the 4
th
of July fireworks show and
requested support for the event.
Discussion ensued between staff, Councilmembers and Mr. Cohn
regarding financial responsibility for additional services;
involvement of the County; City resources; clarification that
responsibility for certain costs had not been determined;
money raised vs. expenses; and requesting a budget at the time
that a contribution is decided upon.
Earl Eskridge reported that after the show, costs, expenses
and profit made would be provided to the City; he indicated
that all money made would be given back to the community; he
clarified that the Exchange Club is a non-profit organization;
stated that the event was created almost 50 years ago;
discussed use of money contributed by the City; and he urged
the City Council to keep the event going.
Further discussion ensued between staff and Councilmembers
regarding promoting patriotism; use of the money contributed
by the City; in-kind services; involvement of the County
Sheriff’s office; and appreciation to West LA College for
offering to host the event.
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER O’LEARY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
WEISSMAN AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1. DETERMINE TO PROVIDE $24,000 IN DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
AND AN UNSPECIFIED AMOUNT OF IN-KIND STAFF SUPPORT TO THE
EXCHANGE CLUB OF CULVER CITY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC. FOR
ITS 4TH OF JULY EVENT ON FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 AT WLAC; AND,
2. (IF AT LEAST $1,000 IN SUPPORT IS PROVIDED) DESIGNATE THE
4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS SHOW AS A CITY-SPONSORED EVENT.
o0o
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