These Minutes are not Official until
Approved by the Culver City Redevelopment Agency
CULVER CITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES
February 20, 2007
Call to Order The meeting of the Culver City Redevelopment Agency was
called to order at 6:00 p.m. with five members present and
immediately recessed to closed session.
-0-
CS-1 Conference with Real Property Negotiators
Re: 8801-8993 Washington Boulevard, 8824 National
Boulevard, 8828 National Boulevard, 8830 National
Boulevard, 8836-8838 National Boulevard, 8840 National
Boulevard, 8842 National Boulevard, 8827 Exposition
Boulevard, 8829 Exposition Boulevard, 8831 Exposition
Boulevard, 8839 Exposition Boulevard, 8841 Exposition
Boulevard, 8843 Exposition Boulevard and 8846 Venice
Boulevard.
Agency Negotiator:
Todd Tipton, Interim Assistant Executive Director and
Murray Kane, Agency General Counsel
Other Parties Negotiators:
Urban Partners, LLC
Under Negotiation: Price, Terms of Payment or Both,
including use restrictions, development obligations and other
monetary related considerations
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
-0-
CS-2 Conference with Real Property Negotiators
Re: 12343/12337 Washington Boulevard
Agency Negotiator:
Todd Tipton, Interim Assistant Executive Director and
Murray Kane, Agency General Counsel
Other Parties Negotiators:
The Olson Company
Under Negotiation: Price, Terms of Payment or Both,
including use restrictions, development obligations and other
monetary related considerations
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 CCRA Meeting Minutes
February 20, 2007
Page 2 of 7
-0-
CS-3 Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
Re: Culver City Redevelopment Agency vs. SJ Woo, LLC, a
limited liability company et al.
Case No. Los Angeles Superior Court No. BC348488
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a)
-0-
CS-4 Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
Re: Culver City Redevelopment Agency vs. Vorgeack
Case No. BC 354868
-0-
Reconvene Chair Rose reconvened the meeting at 7:06 p.m.
-0-
Invocation/Pledge of
Allegiance
The invocation was led by Executive Director, Jerry Fulwood
and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Dr. Luther
Henderson.
-0-
Roll Call
Members Present: Steven Rose, Agency Chair
Scott Malsin, Agency Vice Chair
Alan Corlin
Gary Silbiger
Carol Gross
-0-
Staff Present Jerry Fulwood, Chief Executive Director; Murray Kane,
Agency Legal Counsel; Todd Tipton, Interim Assistant
Executive Director, Alice Prasad, Agency Secretary, Tevis
Barnes, Housing Administrator and Marna Johnson, Housing
Assistant.
-0-
Report on Closed No action was taken in closed session. CCRA Meeting Minutes
February 20, 2007
Page 3 of 7
Session
-0-
Public Comment -
Non-Agendized Items
None.
-0-
Public Comment for
Items Not on the
Agenda
None.
-0-
C-1 Secretary's Report Moved by Ms., Gross, seconded by Mr. Silbiger and
unanimously passed to receive and file the Secretary’s
Report.
-0-
C-2 Cash
Disbursements
Moved by Ms. Gross, seconded by Mr. Silbiger and
unanimously passed to approve cash disbursements from
January 27, 2007 through February 2, 2007.
-0-
C-3 Minutes of
February 5, 2007
Moved by Ms. Gross, seconded by Mr. Silbiger and
unanimously passed to approve the minutes of February 5,
2007.
-0-
Action Items:
A-1 Authorization to
Enter into an
Agreement with Big
Imagination
Group for the Creation
of a Housing Marketing
and Outreach
Campaign for the
Culver City Housing
Division
Marna Johnson, Housing Assistant presented a brief
summary of the material of record.
Dr. Janet Hoult expressed appreciation for being part of the
Landlord Tenant Mediation Board (LTMB) and she
suggested better marketing for the hard work of the Housing
Division and for the Landlord Tenant Mediation Board.
Ms. Gross questioned what staff was trying to accomplish
other than attracting landlords for the rental assistance
program and what would indicate accomplishment of their
goals. CCRA Meeting Minutes
February 20, 2007
Page 4 of 7
Interim Assistant Executive Director Tipton stated that
providing more affordable housing in the community would
indicate success and he noted much misconception about
affordable housing.
Ms. Gross expressed doubt that this was the proper route
and she questioned the difference in costs between the
vendors.
Interim Assistant Executive Director Tipton reported that as
a result of positive past experience with Big Imagination,
staff they would be effective at getting the word out to the
community about affordable housing.
Chief Executive Director Fulwood observed negative
perceptions within the community among multi-family unit
owners in terms of affordable housing and he suggested that
a better understanding of the program could encourage
more units to be made available by making the program
something they want to participate in.
Mr. Silbiger acknowledged that Big Imagination is a Culver
City based business but questioned whether their
employees live in the community. He asked for clarification
on the difference in Big Imagination and the other bidders.
Housing Administrator Barnes indicated that Big Imagination
was chosen because staff felt that they truly understood
what the City was trying to accomplish. She added that staff
had agreed to perform some of the functions in order to
reduce the bid to $33,000 and make it comparable to bids
submitted by other vendors. She reported that the company
has previous work experience with affordable housing on the
west side which enables them to accurately understand the
need and difficulty of marketing this to the community. She
noted that they also had personal and professional
experience with the Section 8 program.
CCRA Meeting Minutes
February 20, 2007
Page 5 of 7
Mr. Maslin felt better materials were needed to market the
programs and he expressed support for Big Imagination in
handling such an important issue. He noted that the rules
limit the City’s options for the ways funding can be used, and
also prevent them from creating better incentives. He cited
an article in the Sunday Los Angeles Times which reported a
sharp decline in the number of homes financed by FHA
loans, because of restrictions that prevent people from
qualifying. He added that rental prices in Culver City make it
is almost impossible to make use of the Section 8 housing
without losing money and he felt that any outreach is
valuable as they need to find a way to use the resources
they have available to help people.
Ms. Gross reported a perception that Culver City does
nothing for affordable housing but in reality the City does
much of the same things as Santa Monica.
Mr. Corlin and Chair Rose expressed support for Big
Imagination.
Moved by Mr. Malsin and seconded by Ms. Gross that the
Culver City Redevelopment Agency authorize staff to
execute a contract with: 1). Big Imagination Group for the
Creation of a Housing Marketing and Outreach Campaign
for the Culver City Housing Division; 2). Authorize the
Executive Director of the Redevelopment Agency to execute
the agreement on behalf of the Redevelopment Agency; and
3). Authorize the appropriation of funds in an amount not to
exceed $60,000 from account 55497100.619800 “Other
Contractual Services.” A voice vote reflected unanimous
approval.
-0-
Staff Reports,
Announcements,
Receipt of
Correspondence and
Requests for Future
Agenda Items
Moved by Ms. Gross and seconded by Mr. Corlin to receive
and file correspondence.
Ms. Gross asked that the City Council consider closing City
Hall on President’s Day.
CCRA Meeting Minutes
February 20, 2007
Page 6 of 7
Chief Executive Director Fulwood stated that five floating
holidays were given to employees as a negotiated item so
they would work on President’s Day and he expressed
concern about pulling that out of the meet and confers
process.
Mr. Corlin suggested the item go back to the negotiating
subcommittee for them to handle.
Responding to Mr. Silbiger, Housing Administrator Barnes
explained that Dr. Hoult had an example of materials
available for the LTMB, but they did not really capture what
they do in terms of presentation. She explained that staff
did not feel the LTMB or any of the housing programs had
been properly marketed; it would be addressed when all of
the programs and brochures are revisited.
Mr. Malsin reported a light out on the Culver Theatre sign.
He expressed concern about several properties in terrible
condition and he was eager to have the ability for more
aggressive code enforcement.
Chief Executive Director Fulwood indicated that staff was
working on code enforcement and would bring
recommendations to the City Council to enhance that
program shortly.
Ms. Gross asked that staff examine the way graffiti
abatement is handled to better coordinate between the
many departments that work on the issue.
Chief Executive Director Fulwood agreed to convey that to
Public Works Director Herbertson who has developed a
program that he will present to the City Council soon.
Chair Rose reiterated that the question of whether
President’s Day is a holiday in the City needed to be looked
at as parking enforcement was working that day and that
may have caused confusion with residents who thought it
was a holiday and there was no need to feed the meters.
CCRA Meeting Minutes
February 20, 2007
Page 7 of 7
Chair Rose announced that on February 27 the
Redevelopment Agency would present The Art of... Wine
Making at Bottle Rock. He also noted that the Agency
Concert in the Chambers Series would begin on March 9 at
7:00 p.m.
Mr. Silbiger distributed materials about Big Sunday which is
an event put on by the City Los Angeles on the last Sunday
in April to celebrate the city’s volunteers. He asked that an
item be agenized for a Council meeting to consider whether
Culver City should have its own volunteer day.
-0-
Adjournment
There being no further business, it was moved by Ms.
Gross, seconded by Mr. Malsin and unanimously passed to
adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m., to the next regular meeting
on Tuesday, March 5, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Mike
Balkman Council Chambers.
-0-
________________________
ALICE PRASAD
Recording Secretary
____________________________
STEVEN ROSE, Chairperson
Redevelopment Agency
These Minutes are not Official until
Approved by the Culver City Redevelopment Agency
CULVER CITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES
March 5, 2007
Call to Order
The meeting of the Culver City Redevelopment Agency
was called to order at 5:30 p.m. with five members present
and immediately recessed to closed session.
-0-
CS-1 Conference with Real Property Negotiators
Re: 11054 Washington Boulevard, Culver City
Agency Negotiator:
Jerry Fulwood, Executive Director,
Todd Tipton, Interim Assistant
Executive Director, Murray Kane, Agency
General Counsel, John Fisanotti,
Acting Redevelopment Administrator,
Kriss Casanova, Management Analyst
Other Parties Negotiators:
Richard Tapp
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
-0-
CS-2 Conference with Real Property Negotiators
Re: 5660 Sepulveda Boulevard
Agency Negotiator:
Todd Tipton, Interim Assistant
Executive Director and Murray Kane, Agency
General Counsel
Other Parties Negotiators:
Hooman Nissani, CC Investors
Under Negotiation: Terms of Payment, including
use restrictions, development obligations and
other monetary related considerations Pursuant
to Government Code Section 54956.8
-0-
CCRA Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2007
Page 2 of 9
CS-3 Conference with Conference with Real Property
Negotiators Re: Metro
Agency Negotiator:
Jerry Fulwood, Executive Director, Todd Tipton,
Interim Assistant Executive Director, Murray Kane,
Agency Counsel, and Steve Cunningham,
Transportation Director
Other Parties Negotiators:
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
-0-
Reconvene Chair Rose reconvened the meeting at 7:14 p.m. and
announced that the City had just bought three new fire
engines. He thanked everyone who worked to make that
possible and he congratulated them on a well run program.
-0-
Invocation/Pledge of
Allegiance
The invocation was led by Chief Executive Director, Jerry
Fulwood and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Fire Chief,
Jeff Eastman.
-0-
Roll Call
Members Present: Steven Rose, Agency Chair
Scott Malsin, Agency Vice Chair
Alan Corlin
Gary Silbiger
Carol Gross
-0-
Staff Present Jerry Fulwood, City Manager; Murray Kane, Agency Legal
Counsel; Todd Tipton, Interim Assistant Executive Director;
Jeff Eastman, Fire Chief; Joe Susca, Project Manager; and
Alice Prasad, Agency Secretary.
-0-
Report on Closed
Session
No reportable action was taken in closed session.
-0-
CCRA Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2007
Page 3 of 9
Public Comment -
Non-Agendized Items
Interim Community Development Director Tipton requested
that item A-2 be pulled to provide time for staff to do
additional work on the item. He indicated that it would be
brought back to the next regularly scheduled
Redevelopment Agency meeting.
Mark Olson, Regional Manager, Southern California Edison
(SCE) announced a slight rate decrease for commercial
customer, and he noted that they had been able to forestall
a planned 6% residential rate increase. SCE has an
ongoing inspection program as well as a replacement
program, enabling constant upgrades to equipment which
prevents outages. He summarized completed and proposed
replacements for 2006-200 replacements, and noted that
maintenance work usually resulted in small outages in
limited areas. He distributed information about a special
summer energy savings program and he encouraged
everyone to participate.
Responding to concerns raised by Ms. Gross, Mr. Olson
suggested that several recent outages could have been
planned outages, or emergency outages related to replacing
a transformer. He encouraged the Council or residents to
contact him at (310) 315-3201 about specific outages and
he noted that planned outages are specifically planned to
minimize disruption to customers.
Chair Rose recommended that everyone look at the summer
energy savings program to voluntarily cut electrical usage
noting that it would help delay building more generators.
Mr. Malsin thanked Mr. Olson for being responsive regarding
the planned outage in Fox Hills.
Chair Rose reported the Agency was recently honored with
the 2007 Community Redevelopment Agency Award of
Excellence for the Kirk Douglas Theatre.
-0-
CCRA Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2007
Page 4 of 9
Recess/Reconvene At 7:27 p.m. Chair Rose recessed to the City Council
meeting. He reconvened the Redevelopment Agency
meeting at 7:39 p.m.
-0-
C-1 Secretary's Report Moved by Ms. Gross, seconded by Mr. Malsin and
unanimously passed to receive and file the Secretary’s
Report.
-0-
C-2 Cash
Disbursements
Moved by Ms. Gross, seconded by Mr. Malsin and
unanimously passed to approve cash disbursements from
February 3, 2007 through February 16, 2007.
-0-
C-3 Minutes of
February 12, 2007
Moved by Ms. Gross, seconded by Mr. Malsin and
unanimously passed to approve the minutes of February 12,
2007.
-0-
Action Items:
A-1 Consideration to
Enter Into an Exclusive
Negotiation Agreement
with SJ Woo, LLC and
PCKW, LLC for
Redevelopment of the
Northwest Corner of
Washington Boulevard
at Centinela Avenue
Project Manager Susca provided a brief summary of the
staff report,
Peter Wallin, a representative for the Woo brothers indicated
that they could not attend the meeting due to the illness of
their mother. He acknowledged neighborhood concerns,
and stated that they would be meeting with residents
throughout the process. He introduced leasing broker
Rachel Neuwirth who would be securing tenants for the
building.
Joseph Rosendo, Pat Duncan, and Robert Pine expressed
concern with placing the neighborhood in the hands of the
people who had contributed to its decline. The speaker Very
wanted to see a development that matched downtown
Culver City, and was not a magnet for crime and graffiti.
They requested that the City and the developer work with
residents, and neighborhood associations, and that monthly
project reports be provided. It was noted that current rooftop
parking in the area was not used and the proposed rooftop
parking would not prevent parking intrusion in the
neighborhood.
CCRA Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2007
Page 5 of 9
Agency Secretary Prasad read the following comments into
the record:
Susan Geagan: “I agree that the City should enter into an
ENA with SJWoo LLC, however the staff should review and
consider the recommendations of the neighborhood
visioning that took place many years ago.”
Larry Green, Herbert Street Neighborhood Association: “As I
recall from the Visioning Workshop meetings a few years
ago, most residents wanted a development that included
plenty of walking spaces for pedestrians and trees, shrubs,
and flowers that made the shopping areas attractive for
potential customers, something that exists in downtown
Culver City today. We need quality retail outlets, and new
construction that will attract the quality of the people who are
residents of the area plus the people from other areas who
come to shop. In addition, to businesses currently being
considered, I recommend the addition of Bristol Farms and a
Marie Calendar’s restaurant. However, I don’t feel we need
to consider any additional bakeries because Hot Cakes is
already there a few feet down the street on Centinela.
There’s a couple more bakeries farther south on Washington
Boulevard. Finally I am skeptical of the Woo brothers doing
a proper job of redevelopment and maintenance since they
did nothing to improve the area for the last 13 years.”
Responding to Mr. Silbiger, Project Manager Susca
indicated that the Woos had not met with the community
because they had wanted to enter into an ENA first. He
added that community meetings were not included in the
performance schedule, but staff intended to conduct them.
Mr. Silbiger asked that the wording in Number 3 of Exhibit B
be changed to read “...developer submits plans to the
Agency and community.”
Project Manager Susca stated that was staff’s intent and
they would add that verbiage.
CCRA Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2007
Page 6 of 9
Ms. Gross discussed the economic realities of the situation
noting that since the Woos already own the land there is not
the same pressure to generate as much money as there
would be for someone who would be expending the funds to
buy the property.
Responding to Mr. Corlin, Project Manager Susca reported
that the Woos had owned the property for the past 13 years,
and at one point they approached the City about putting a
drive –thru Walgreen’s at that location.
Mr. Corlin acknowledged that the Olson project was too
large but he expressed concern that this project might not be
right for the parcel. He discussed roof top parking, noting
that it was generally underutilized and not really a benefit for
the neighborhood. He asserted that he wanted to see the
agreement be airtight and the commitment completely
spelled out so there is no room for wiggling.
Mr. Corlin pointed out that the City had paid for the
relocation of the tenants, and the demolition as well as
having an eyesore for 13 years and he asserted that the new
project had to be better. He reported attending all the
community meetings and he did not remember seeing a
representative of the Woo’s present at any of them.
Mr. Malsin concurred with previous comments noting that he
was ready to support the six month ENA, but at the end of
that time if there is not a satisfactory agreement that takes
care of all contingencies he would reject entering into a
DDA. He emphasized that he would have no problem
placing the property back on the market with a RFP, and he
hoped the City would not be responsible for additional costs
when they go back into negotiations.
Mr. Malsin stated that if the development was successful the
neighborhood would wind up with a much more modest
project than the original proposal, and an enormous cost
savings to the Redevelopment Agency. He wanted the
Woos to understand that the previous proposal entailed
upgrading the turning radius, at Washington and Centinela
which would result in a small loss of developable land which
the Agency would not be responsible for. CCRA Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2007
Page 7 of 9
Mr. Malsin provided background on the project noting that
the City had greatly benefited from a reexamination of the
value of the property, and he felt this was a better model for
development by the Agency rather than buying and
underwriting property. He felt it much more advisable to
leverage the Agency’s ability to strategize about the needs
of the community, and eliminate blight using the private
sector which freed them up to make public improvements.
Chair Rose agreed with issues raised, and he pointed out
that potential clients of the development would come from a
radius of three miles around Culver City which is mostly Los
Angeles. He indicated that his greatest concern was that
Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa, and Councilmember Bill
Rosenthal would turn their backs on the project, and it would
be up to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency, and staff to
make the area around Centinela and Washington a better
place.
Chair Rose felt the long term economic viability of the
intersection was questionable, and he suggested that
residents encourage their neighbors to support those new
businesses because if they fail, previous blighted conditions
will return. He urged residents to report taggers, take
pictures of them, and call the police and he indicated that
the great success of downtown was due to Sony and the
Culver Studios.
Mr. Malsin appreciated the comments about considering the
radius and who is shopping there but felt the market was
there.
Mr. Silbiger related that Councilmember Rosenthal and
Mayor Villaraigosa are his friends, and he did not see that
Culver City and Los Angeles were in competition with each
other, but rather should get along together. He found it
unnecessary to belittle them and he suggested that Los
Angeles neighborhoods and Culver City neighborhoods be
blended into one.
Ms. Gross moved the staff recommendation and Mr. Malsin
seconded the motion. The discussion continued.
CCRA Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2007
Page 8 of 9
Ms. Gross commented that one of the key concepts of the
visioning exercises held some years ago was that the
intersection of Washington and Centinela was central to
enlivening, and developing Washington Boulevard and the
development was looked upon as the landmark
development. She felt that just building a building would not
accomplish what they wanted as they are looking for
something special that makes a statement about the area.
Chair Rose asserted that he did not want Culver City to
blend in with Los Angeles which he felt had pothole streets
and graffitied walls. He wanted Culver City’s green signs,
newly paved streets, and safe sidewalks to stand out so
people know when they cross over the City boundary.
Moved by Ms. Gross and seconded by Mr. Malsin to approve
the Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with SJ Woo, LLC and
PCKW, LLC to prepare a redevelopment project for the
northwest corner of the intersection of Washington
Boulevard and Centinela Avenue; 2. Authorize the Executive
Director to sign the agreement on behalf of the Agency; and,
3. Authorize the Executive Director to administratively
approve a time extension to the ENA of up to ninety days
from the new schedule if deemed necessary. A voice vote
reflected unanimous approval
.
-0-
A-2 Authorization to
Award a Demolition
Contract to ATE
Environmental for the
Washington National
Triangle Site and to
National Demolition for
the Pleasant View Site
and to Authorize a
Budget Amendment for
the Pleasant View Site
Interim Assistant Executive Director Tipton indicated that the
item was withdrawn and would be returned at the next
meeting.
-0-
Staff Reports,
Announcements,
Receipt of
Correspondence and
Moved by Mr. Malsin and seconded by Ms. Gross to receive
and file correspondence. A voice vote reflected unanimous
approval.
CCRA Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2007
Page 9 of 9
Requests for Future
Agenda Items
Mr. Corlin thanked staff for putting up the flags.
Mr. Malsin was also pleased at the installation of the public
art project funded by the Agency and he felt the money was
well spent.
Chair Rose announced the Sixth Annual Music in the
Chambers Concert series on Friday, March 9, sponsored by
Sony Pictures Entertainment beginning at 7:00 p.m.
-0-
Adjournment
There being no further business, it was moved by Mr. Corlin,
seconded by Ms. Gross and unanimously passed to adjourn
the meeting at 8:28 p.m., to the next regular meeting on
Monday, March 19, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Mike Balkman
Council Chambers.
-0-
________________________
ALICE PRASAD
Recording Secretary
____________________________
STEVEN ROSE, Chairperson
Redevelopment Agency