City Council Meeting Summary, February 12, 2024

Published on February 14, 2024

City Council Honors Black History Month, Updates Public Records Policy, Provides Update from Closed Session on MOVE Project

City Council Updates Public Records Requests Policy

The Culver City City Council adopted a resolution amending the Public Records Request policy. Policy 2401, which was adopted in 1996, is out of date. Today the City uses an online, web-based public records request system NextRequest.  

The amendment will provide a simplified overview of the definition of public records, the requirements of the Public Records Act, the process for submitting a public records request, and the City’s obligations to respond to those requests. 

In the coming months, City Council will be presented with additional policy updates. Council Recognition, Public Notification and Community Involvement, Significant Donor and Contributor Naming, Travel and Reimbursement of Expenses are expected to be considered. 

Proclamation in Honor of Black History Month 

The City Council began the evening with a proclamation honoring Black History Month. The theme of Black History Month in 2024 is African Americans in the Arts, which explores key influence African Americans have had in the field visual and performance arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary, and other forms of cultural expression. Culver City was home to Sebastian’s Cotton Club, the very first jazz nightclub to exclusively play all Black bands and orchestras, including legendary trumpeter and vocalist Louis Armstrong, who along with other great bands and musicians of his time, helped to shape and nurture this style of music that has become the foundation for gospel, soul and all ever-evolving forms of music that we hear today.

The City of Culver City, which has a shared discriminatory history, is now fortunate to be a diverse community and continuously strives to be a city that welcomes and uplifts people of various races and ethnicities, religions, and genders. The City of Culver City invites the community to participate in the celebration of Black artistry and Black leadership and encourages people to explore the history of African American art in all of its various forms and to attend the many celebratory festivals and events taking place throughout this month. 

City Shares Update from February 5^th Special City Council Closed Session 

The trial court has set a date of May 31st, 2024 for a hearing on the merits in Friends and Families for Move Culver City v. City of Culver City, et al. Based on City Council direction to expedite a final decision in the litigation matter, the City intends to delay work on the Downtown Corridor with the goal of aligning the final decision of the trial court with the start of pre-construction activities for the MOVE Culver City Pilot Project.  

Additional Council Decisions

Additional items approved by the City Council include: 

• Approval of cash disbursements from January 13^th through February 2^nd, 2024. 
• Approval of minutes from the Regular City Council Meeting on January 22^nd and the Special City Council Meeting on February 5^th, 2024. 
• Received and filed biannual written reports on activities from Culver City’s Commissions, Boards, and Committees including: Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Civil Service Commission, Cultural Affairs, Commission, Disability Advisory Committee, Equity & Human Relations Advisory Committee, Finance Advisory Committee, Landlord Tenant Mediation Board, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission, and Planning Commission.
• Adopted a resolution appointing the City’s Director and Alternate Directors to the California Transit Systems Joint Powers Authority (CalTIP). CalTIP is the City bus systems’ insurer. Chief Transportation Officer Diana Chang was selected as the City’s Director. Safety and Training Coordinator Hector Calvinisti and Transit Operations Manager Nestor Ducreux were selected at the City’s first and second Alternate Directors, respectively. 
• Awarded construction contract to Concept Consultant Inc. for the Farragut Connector Demolition and Replacement Project for $351,453. This work will improve the 25 feet wide, 135 feet long path between Jasmine Avenue and Jackson Avenue owned by the City. New fencing, plants and trees, an irrigation system, lighting, water fountain and permeable pavement will be installed. Included in the approval is a 15% contingency cost, $5,000 amendment for the design agreement with Linda Endler, and appropriation of $215,653.50 from the General Fund (unassigned fund balance). 
• Approval of engineering design services agreement for $99,000 with J.R. Miller and Associates (JRMA) for west push wall and condition assessment at the Culver City’s Transfer Station. The Transfer Station is the City facility at 9255 Jefferson Boulevard where solid waste from trash and recycling collection is gathered, sorted, and sent to landfills, materials recovery facilities, and compost sites. The facility was built in 1982, and a condition assessment will evaluate the need for future repairs. A new push wall is a wall that will serve as a surface against which solid waste can be pushed as it is scooped up and placed into tractor trailers for removal, preventing structural damage to the facility’s wall. 
• Approved receipt and filing of Measure CC and Measure C Sales Tax Status Reports and Real Property Transfer Tax Status Report. In the staff report, it details that the City’s Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Sales Tax revenue was down $1 million from Fiscal Year 2021-2022. The City had estimated that Sales Tax revenue in Fiscal Year 2022-2023 would be reduced from Fiscal Year 2021-2022 as consumption patterns normalized post-pandemic. The Fiscal Year 2022-2023 actuals came in slightly under the City’s projections. 
• Approved a request from the West Los Angeles Community College (WLAC) City Council Subcommittee for a letter in support for WLAC’s Efforts to construct housing on the WLAC Campus and use 2022 Measure LA Funding for the project. 
• Adopted ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 2020-010 and amending certain sections regarding residential zoning, general property development and use standards, off-street parking, and standards for specific land uses. 
• Adopted a resolution approving the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee bylaws. City Council unanimously approved amendments to eligibility requirements for the Committee in order to encourage more applicants to apply to be on the committee. 

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 made available on the City’s website for viewing. 

The City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 26^th.