REGULAR MEETING OF THE October 19, 2009
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY 7:00 p.m.
CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
The meeting of the Agency was called to order at 7:06 p.m.
Present: Micheál O’Leary, Agency Chair
D. Scott Malsin, Agency Vice Chair
Christopher Armenta, Agency Member
Gary Silbiger, Agency Member
Andrew Weissman, Agency Member
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Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance
The Invocation was led by Mark Scott, Executive Director and the Pledge of
Allegiance was led by Ken Kaufman.
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Public Comment for Items NOT On the Agenda
Matthew Hetz, representing Culver City Symphony Orchestra, announced a
concert on October 24, 2009 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium; and, thanked
Susan Obrow, Cultural Affairs Division for encouraging the symphony to pursue a
grant from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, which they received.
Assistant Fire Chief, Chris Sellers provided fliers for an H1N1 and seasonal flu
vaccination clinic on October 23, 2009 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, and he
noted that there were other dates and locations listed on the fliers and on the
website.
Richard Rownak expressed concern regarding alleged contradictions with
documents received from the City regarding the business license for Culver City
Unfinished Furniture and deferments granted to them; he pointed out that the
agreement was signed with the wrong person as Culver City Furniture is not the
property owner; and he requested that the City rescind the amnesty or hear the
matter officially.
Mr. Igale Shadian discussed an issue with a parking ticket.
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Public Comment for Items NOT On the Agenda
(Continued)
Martin Cole, City Clerk/Assistant City Manager, offered to speak with Mr.
Shadian and try to address his issues.
Meghan Sahli-Wells thanked Agency Members for attending the Mark Ridley
Thomas Town Hall meeting regarding PXP and standing up for the rights of
Culver City residents.
Egon Monostory felt all revenue sources should be collected before taxes are
raised; he questioned how some businesses were able to operate without paying
their license fees; and expressed concerns with the business license for Agency
General Counsel Murray Kane.
Alice Prasad, Associate Analyst, read a written comments submitted by:
Susan Deen, Fiesta La Ballona Committee
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Public Comment for Items On the Agenda
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Consent Calendar
MOVED BY MEMBER MALSIN, SECONDED BY MEMBER ARMENTA, AND
UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED THAT THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
APPROVE ITEMS C-1 THROUGH C-3.
Item C-1
Secretary's Report
THAT THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVE THE REPORT OF THE
SECRETARY.
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Item C-2
Meeting Minutes
THAT THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVE THE MINUTES OF
SEPTEMBER 21, 2009. Page 3 of 7
Agency Minutes
October 19, 2009
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Item C-3
Cash Disbursements
THAT THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVE CASH DISBURSEMENTS
FROM SEPTEMBER 19, 2009 THRU OCTOBER 2, 2009.
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ACTION ITEMS
Item A-1
Finding of Conformity to the Redevelopment Plan for a Project Proposed
for 11957 West Washington Boulevard
John Lynch felt it important that Culver City take the concerns of Los Angeles
residents regarding traffic and building heights and codes into consideration.
Chair O’Leary received clarification that notification went to Culver City and Los
Angeles residents within a certain radius.
Michael Shaffei indicated that he lived in Mar Vista on the border of Culver City;
he expressed concerns with profound impacts to his neighborhood in terms of
density and traffic; he discussed the process for determining traffic impacts;
CEQA requirements; causal relationships between proximity to traffic and health
issues; overtaxed utilities; piecemeal construction permitting; he discussed
outstanding concerns of his neighborhood; and he asked for neighborhood
polling and help from the City in resolving their concerns.
Discussion between the Agency and staff included: notification procedures; when
the issue would be discussed again; concern with lack of policy regarding
development and public participation; concern that the public be involved early; a
suggestion to indicate the height of the building in the description up front;
clarification that parking provided is more than the code requires; creating a
pedestrian friendly atmosphere; acknowledgement that input from the Council is
incorporated in the requirements; whether the project conforms to the
Redevelopment plan; public input and participation; different recollections of the
previous meeting and whether the item would return to the Council; and
agreement to review the tape to clarify the intent of the Council.
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October 19, 2009
Item A-1
(Continued)
MOVED BY MEMBER WEISSMAN, SECONDED BY MEMBER MALSIN, AND
UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED THAT THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD:
ADOPT A MOTION FINDING THAT THE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSED FOR
11957 WEST WASHINGTON BOULEVARD, BE ADOPTED AS APPROVED BY
THE CULVER CITY PLANNING COMMISSION, CONFORMS WITH THE
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE CULVER CITY REDEVELOPMENT
PROJECT.
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JOINT ITEMS
Item J-1
A Presentation by the City Manager Related to a Budget Review for Fiscal
Year 2009/2010 – Program by Program Workplan Review
Mark Scott, Executive Director, provided a summary of the material of record.
At this time, department presentations commenced:
City Manager’s Office
Martin Cole, City Clerk/Assistant City Manager, provided a summary of the
material of record for the City Manager’s office.
Discussion ensued between staff and the Agency included: the feasibility of
contracting out the City Manager position; issues with Time Warner Cable, and,
the possibility of contracting out cable company functions; lobbyists and
encouragement to the Council to do more legislative work; and agenda
management.
City Clerk’s Office
Martin Cole, City Clerk/Assistant City Manager, provided a summary of the
material of record for the City Clerk’s office.
Discussion ensued between staff and the Agency regarding the pros and cons of
contracting with the County for election services.
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October 19, 2009
Item J-1
(Continued)
Information Technology
John Richo, Director of Information Technology, provided a presentation on the
Information Technology Department.
Discussion between staff and the Agency included: consolidating services; virtual
desktops; and replacement of Permits Plus.
Human Resources
Serena Wright, Director of Human Resources, discussed cost saving measures
and efficiency opportunities.
Discussion ensued between staff and the Agency included: assisting smaller
cities with projects; risk management; creating a Culver City store; and utilizing
volunteers; and a suggestion to put all budget information on the website; and
next steps in the process.
City Attorney’s Office
Carol Schwab, City Attorney, provided a presentation on the City Attorney’s
office.
Discussion ensued between staff and the Agency included: clarification on
in-house services versus services that are contracted out; the City Attorney
reserve program; a request for a breakdown of money spent on outside attorneys
and in what areas; and whether a City Attorney’s office representative is
necessary at all Committee and Commission meetings.
Finance Department
Jeff Muir, Director of Finance, presented a summary of suggested cost savings
and efficiencies from the Finance Department.
Discussion ensued between staff and the Agency included: the time to implement
cost savings items; job losses; exploring the idea of combining efforts with other
cities; joint contracts among the Westside cities; concern with the loss of
personal services; consolidation of different departments that handle billing and
collections; centralizing General Services; and in-house credit card services.
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Item J-1
(Continued)
Community Development Department
Sol Blumenfeld, Assistant Executive Director, provided a summary of
recommendations for service reductions or revenue enhancements for the
Community Services Department.
Discussion ensued between Staff and the Agency Council regarding enhancing
property reports.
Fire Department
Fire Chief, Jeff Eastman, presented a summary of options to achieve cost
savings and efficiencies in the department.
Discussion ensued between staff and the Agency Council included: a suggestion
to prioritize item 10; the importance of cost recovery; the ambulance operator
program; costs for EMT transport; potential revenue and possible legal issues
from selling equipment as opposed to donating it; concerns with maintaining
accreditation; consolidation of workload in administrative functions; charging to
provide training to other cities; consolidation of resources; assessment districts
and parcel taxes; the use of private ambulance services in the City; referral fees;
use of the lookout position on strike teams; and reimbursement for depreciation
of vehicles with use.
Mark Scott, Executive Director, suggested continuing the remainder of the
department presentations at the next City Council meeting. The Agency Council
concurred with the suggestion.
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Public Comment for Items NOT On the Agenda
None.
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Receipt of Correspondence
MOVED BY MEMBER MALSIN, SECONDED BY MEMBER WEISSMAN, AND
UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED TO RECEIVE AND FILE CORRESPONDENCE.
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October 19, 2009
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Items from Staff
None.
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Items from the Agency
Items from Member Malsin
• Commended the project completed at Fox Hills Park on October 17, 2009.
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Adjournment
There being no further business, at 10:51 p.m., the Agency adjourned its meeting
to an Adjourned Regular meeting on Monday, October 26, 2009.
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Alice Prasad
SECRETARY of the City of Culver City Redevelopment Agency, California
APPROVED
Micheál O’Leary
CHAIRPERSON of the Redevelopment Agency, City of Culver City, California