title
CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Receive a Presentation from the Center for New Democratic Processes on the Culver City Civic Assembly on Increasing Public Participation in the Budget Process; and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
body
Meeting Date: August 10, 2026
Contact/Dept.: Alexandra Kuntzman/City Manager's Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6024
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [ X ] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [ X ]
Attachments: Yes [ X ] No [ ]
Public Notification: E-Mail: Meetings and Agendas - City Council (08/05/2026)
Department Approval: Lea Eriksen, Sr. Assistant City Manager (08/05/2026)
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) receive a final presentation from the Center for New Democratic Processes (CNDP) on the final outcomes of the Culver City Civic Assembly on increasing public participation in the budget process; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
The City of Culver City's first Civic Assembly was initiated following City Council direction in October 2025. At that meeting, the City Council authorized conducting a civic assembly, placed a budget cap of $250,000 (inclusive of all City costs), and directed staff to solicit proposals from organizations to develop and conduct the assembly.
Following a competitive process, the City Council selected the Center for New Democratic Processes (CNDP) to develop and conduct the Civic Assembly. On March 16, 2026, the City Council approved the remit question for the Assembly: "How might the City of Culver City increase public participation in the budget process?"
The first Assembly session was held over three days - May 14, 15, and 16, 2026 - bringing together 30 Culver City residents selected via a demographically representative lottery process.
An interim update was presented to the City Council on June 22, 2026 by Kyle Bozentko and Sarah At...
Click here for full text