Economic Recovery Task Force

The global pandemic of COVID-19 has created unprecedented economic and employment impacts throughout Culver City.  On May 11th, the Culver City City Council approved the formation of an Economic Recovery Task Force (ERTF) to:

• Develop and implement short-, medium-, and long-term strategies for recovery; 
• Consider trends/best practices to develop a Culver City specific approach to encourage reinvestment; and,
• Focus on rebuilding through an equity lens.

In addition to a dedicated City team, the ERTF includes external stakeholders, convened on an ad hoc basis, to provide recommendations for specific economic sectors, identify action items to encourage reinvestment and provide a context for a comprehensive Recovery Action Plan.  The task force is currently focused on 10 economic sectors.

Current Recovery Programs 

The City recognizes that businesses are vital to the economic health of our community and has implemented the following programs by Public Order to support the re-opening and recovery:

• Moratorium on commercial tenant evictions until the termination of the local emergency,
• Allowance of outdoor business signage and “sandwich board” signs to assist with curbside pick-up,
• Free parking along commercial corridors for the first 15 minutes for take-out and delivery,
• Waiver for outdoor dining and valet parking license fees until December 31, 2021,
• Temporary Use Permits to expand restaurants and retail uses into private parking lots and in the public right-of-way,
• Capping Delivery Fees charged to restaurants by third-party delivery parties,
• Community Workforce Resources - Mandatory Business Posting Requirement,
• Additional zoning modifications relative to restaurant parking calculations, change of use, and take-away alcohol service,
• Marketing sponsorships for community arts organizations relative to the City's Virtual Performing Arts Center, and
• #ChooseCulverCity - Love Local, Buy Local program to support local businesses.

The City is also actively monitoring assistance and recovery programs and resources available through the federal, state and county governments to assist small business and employers navigate this economic disruption.

Outdoor Dining and Emergency Temporary Use Permits 

At this time, the City Council has extended temporary use permits for dining/retail use on sidewalks until December 31, 2021.  Outdoor dining/permits located in street closures located on the north side of Culver Blvd. from Canfield to the East and Duquesne Avenue to the West in downtown will end on October 31, 2021 relative to construction of the new MOVE Culver City project.  On September 27, 2021, staff will ask the City Council to consider extending dining/retail use on roadways that remain unaffected by the MOVE Culver City project from October 31st until the end of the year.