City Council Meeting Summary, October 9, 2023

Published on October 10, 2023

City to Study Potential Minimum Wage Ordinance; Number of Allowed Accessory Dwelling Units Increased

Study of Potential Culver City Minimum Wage Moves Forward

At its meeting on October 9, 2023, the City Council approved hiring Berkeley Economic Advising and Research (BEAR) to conduct a study on the economic impact of a potential minimum wage ordinance in Culver City. BEAR will be paid a maximum of $145,000 to do the study. The City Council discussed, but ultimately did not approve, asking BEAR to additionally study the economic impact of adopting the City of Los Angeles’ minimum wage ordinance in Culver City.

Number of Allowed Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Increased in Alignment with State Law

Aligning with state law, the City Council adopted an ordinance that will increase the total number of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) allowed on a residential lot citywide, including in the Culver Crest neighborhood. This updates the City's existing code to conform with the state law, allowing for three ADUs on a property, as long as other rules and regulations are met.

Culver City Police Department Presents on Use of Military Gear

The City Council received an annual report from the Culver City Police Department (CCPD) on its use of military gear from September 2022 to September 2023. In the report, CCPD reported 14 drone deployments, two discharges of chemical agents, three utilizations of the City’s Mobile Command Center, 15 incidents of directing a rifle and one incident of discharging a rifle. The report also stated there were four incidents of directing a less-lethal (40mm) weapon and one incident of a discharge of a less-lethal weapon. The report stated that an internal review showed that no CCPD personnel had unlawfully deployed or discharged military equipment. The full Military Equipment Annual Report can be viewed online.

Cultural Affairs Commission Powers & Duties Updated

The City Council approved the introduction of an ordinance related to the responsibilities of the Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC). The ordinance restored language that was previously inadvertently removed from the CAC’s official duties when other language was added in 2020. The restored language states that the CAC shall “serve as an advocate for cultural activities and programs within the City.” In addition to serving as an advocate for cultural activities and programs within the City, the CAC acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matter pertaining to arts and cultural issues, implements the City’s Public Art Program, and serves as an advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion.

Assembly Majority Leader Isaac Bryan Presents

California State Assembly Majority Leader, 55^th District, Isaac Bryan presented to the City Council about the recent State budget funding that he secured for Culver City, including $1,000,000 for the Jubilo Village Affordable Housing Development and $500,000 for the Wende Museum to develop affordable housing for artists in residence. “I often feel the innovation that happens in [Culver City], is innovation that can be modeled throughout L.A. and replicated across the entire state of California,” Bryan said.

Safe Sleep and Project Homekey Update

The City Council received an update from Tevis Barnes, Director of Housing and Human Services, on Culver City’s homelessness emergency. Barnes focused on the ribbon-cutting of Project Homekey that occurred September 29^th. Residents will start moving into the program this month. Between the Safe Sleep program, Project Homekey and a program to lease motel rooms, the City has added 157 units of housing and shelter in the past two months for unhoused Culver City residents.

How the City Responds to Camp Facilities (i.e. Tents or Makeshift Shelters) in Prohibited Public Places

Staff also presented on how the City will respond to Camp Facilities (i.e. tents or makeshift shelters) in prohibited public places. The City will lead with support and care by offering housing and services for unhoused individuals. When a report is received of a tent or makeshift shelter in a prohibited public place, City workers visit the location to verify the report. Next, specialized City homeless outreach workers visit the location. The specialized homeless outreach workers talk with the person who setup the tent or makeshift shelter, who is likely experiencing homelessness, and give them information about safer and healthier housing and services that the City provides. The homeless outreach workers encourage the person to move to safer and healthier housing and shelter. If the person experiencing homelessness chooses not to accept the City’s offer of safer and healthier housing and services, the homeless outreach workers leave. The homeless outreach workers will return to attempt to talk to the person three additional times, for a total of four attempts to talk to the person. After four attempts to talk to the person, City workers post a notice at the site that the owner of the items must remove the tent, makeshift shelter, or other prohibited items within 72 hours, or the City will remove and store the items. The time period in which the notice is posted may be longer or shorter, depending on the situation or if public health and safety are immediately compromised. If 72 hours pass and the items are still not removed, the City will remove and store the items for 90 days in a clean, secure location.

City Council Recognizes Special Events and Organizations

The City Council recognized several special occasions and organizations by presenting five proclamations and three commendations during Monday’s meeting:

October 9^th marked Indigenous Peoples Day, which acknowledges and celebrates the contributions and resilience of Indigenous communities.
October was designated Disability Awareness Month in Culver City. Read and watch how City of Culver City programs and services are impacting people with disabilities in the community.
October was also recognized as National Arts and Humanities Month, Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Month, and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The City Council presented a commendation to the non-profit organization BioscienceLA in celebration of LABioTechWeek, October 9^th through 14^th.
The Achievable Foundation and Jazz Hands for Autism both received commendations for their contributions to Culver City community members with disabilities and their families.

Additional Council Decisions

Additional items approved by the City Council on Monday include:

Denial of a request to be reappointed to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission by Khary Cuffe, who had forfeited his seat due to excessive absences, in alignment with the City Council’s Policy on Commissions, Boards, and Committees.
Approval of a five-year, $545,580 agreement with LG Master’s Business Solutions for services and management of the City’s Residential Permit Parking Program.
Approval of a $167,327 purchase order with Foothill Communications for replacement of portable and mobile radios.
Adding $600,000 to existing on-call agreements with Mike Prlich and Sons, Clarke Contracting, and Mladen Buntich Construction for on-call emergency sewer repair services.
City sponsorship of Center Theater Group’s “Dog Man: The Musical.”
Transfer of the City’s existing lease agreement at 9240 Culver Boulevard from K-Zo Sushi to The Brother’s Sushi, which will begin operating a restaurant in that space.

In addition, the City has lit the Veterans Memorial Building Tower Blue and White to signify Culver City's solidarity with Israel.

Additional information about each of the topics heard at the City Council meeting can be found in the staff reports and backup attachments for the items, which are posted along with the agenda to the City’s website. The video of the City Council meeting will be posted to the City’s website for viewing, typically within 24-72 hours after the meeting is held.

The City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 23, at 7 PM.