City Council Meeting Summary, August 16, 2024

Published on August 16, 2024

City Council Discusses Ballona Creek Bicycle & Pedestrian Options, Designates Culver City United Against Hate Week

City Council Approves Studies on Ballona Creek Pedestrian & Bike Ramp and Bridge

Culver City Public Works Department will study on two projects that would provide a potential bridge and bicycle and pedestrian ramp to the Ballona Creek. City Council unanimously approved directing staff to move forward with the studies.

The potential new bicycle and pedestrian ramp and pathway connecting Ince Boulevard to Ballona Creek. For the public to reach Ince Boulevard, an easement across the private property located at 8680 Hayden Place would need to be created. The potential bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Ballona Creek would connect Jefferson Boulevard to Ince Boulevard. It would require public access through two private properties. The estimated total cost to build a bridge across Ballona Creek is about $6 million.

The cost to conduct such studies is estimated to be about $100,000 for the potential ramp and another $100,000 for the potential bridge. It would require the four-fifths approval of a budget amendment appropriating the funds from the General Fund Unassigned Balance. This budget amendment would need to be brought to the City Council at a future meeting. The studies would be expected to take approximately six months.

Culver City United Against Hate Week Designated for September

The City Council unanimously voted in favor of designating September 21^st through 27^th, 2024 as “Culver City United Against Hate Week.”

“United Against Hate” was created by civic leaders in direct response to the sharp rise in expressions of hate in nationwide communities in 2017. Since 2017, state and local leaders, community members, and many others have come together to stand United Against Hate by empowering local residents in every community to reject the hate and implicit biases that infringe upon the safety and civility of our neighborhoods, towns, and cities. The belief, according the “United Against Hate” organization, is that building a safer and more equitable world starts by working together.

The City will conduct two community-based trainings sessions facilitated by Right to Be on “Mitigating Implicit Bias” and “Conflict De-Escalation” to further build upon the City’s Bystander Intervention training that was held on June 25^th. It will also invite local advocacy groups and a member of the City’s Racial Equity Action Plan Consultant team to be physically available at reserved tables and booths at the community trainings listed above to educate and impart valuable information on resources, programs, and opportunities available throughout our community. A promotional campaign will be established to educate the community as well. City Council approved $17,000 to help fund the campaign, which will come from the General Fund Unassigned Fund.

Racial Equity Action Plan Presentation

The City of Culver City continues its efforts to embed racial equity into its framework through policies, procedures, and structures. Keen Independent Research was awarded the contract to partner with the City to develop a Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP). The purpose of the REAP is to apply a result-based accountability platform to facilitate the normalization of conversations around race, development of staff through training, and to infuse racial equity into City operations by embedding this lens into routine internal and external community-based decision making. Keen has completed more than 200 equity assignments that include recommendations for improving racial equity both internally and externally.

Dr. Nicole Yates, a senior consultant for Keen, presented the roadmap of the REAP process. The first phase of the project reviewed current policies, programs, and procedures, workforce analysis, preliminary identification of highest priorities, and conducting internal engagement. As it enters Phase II of development, the community will see workshops, meetings, and an advisory group. Keen will also support implementation.

Once the final plan is completed, it will be presented to the City Council for feedback and consideration of approval. You can learn more about the REAP on the City’s website.

Awards & Recognition

City Council honored several members of the public for their contributions to equity and human relations in Culver City. The Equity and Human Relation Awards program was created by the Culver City Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee. Recipients embody inclusiveness, altruism, and giving, making Culver City a better place for all people to live. Each honoree is presented a medallion.

• Abby Klein was selected as the recipient of the Equity and Human Relations Award in the “individual” category. Ms. Klein is the La Ballona Elementary School teacher who organized Rainbow Day. During Rainbow Day this past February, La Ballona students and educators joined Lindz and Teddy from the beloved web series Queer Kid Stuff for an action-packed day of age-relevant LGBTQ+ affirming in-school programming.
• Sophia Gomez was selected as the recipient of the Equity and Human Relations Award in the “individual” category. Prior to graduating from Culver City High School this past spring, Sophia served as a student board member on the Culver City Unified School District Board of Education and collaborated closely with board members.
• Duenas Family Child Care, founded by Rosa Maurtua and her husband, Francisco, Duenas Family Child Care received the Equity and Human Relations Award in the business category. Duenas Family Child Care promotes equity for parents. At a time when childcare costs for lower income and even middle-income families can be prohibitive, the affordable rates charged by Duenas Family Child Care make high quality childcare affordable. Because Duenas Family Child Care is in Culver City, low-income as well as middle income residents and those who work here can take their babies and toddlers for care near their homes and near their places of employment.
• No Limits for Deaf Children and Families, founded by Michelle Christie, received the Equity and Human Relations Award in the nonprofit organization category. No Limits provides inclusive and equitable education, eliminating systemic barriers for children with disabilities, including those from marginalized populations. Their aim is to empower all deaf children to mainstream with their hearing peers and pursue higher-level education.

City Council also awarded a Certificate of Recognition to Realty Executives Westside in honor of Black Business Month 2024. Realty Executives Westside is commended for outstanding commitment and dedication to the City of Culver City. Black Business Month is a time to celebrate, acknowledge, and appreciate black-owned businesses across the nation and all that they represent in the country’s continual striving for diversity and equality. For more than 25 years, Realty Executives Westside has been an organization who provides excellent service to the community by getting involved with numerous Culver City organizations to help champion important core values such as equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are committed to advancing these principles in our society.

Additional Council Decisions 

Additional items approved by the City Council include:

• Approved cash disbursements from June 29^th to August 2^nd, 2024.
• Approved minutes of the City Council Meeting held on July 8^th, 2024.
• Approved purchase orders with Sea-Clear Pools Inc. for pool maintenance supplies in the additional amount of $30,000, for a total amount not-to-exceed $80,000 for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. The prices for pool chemical supplies have increased due to inflation and other market changes.
• Approved purchase order with Flo-Systems Inc. for immersible pumps for the City Sewer System in an amount not-to-exceed $210,000. The Culver City Public Works Department Maintenance Operations Division maintains the City’s sewer and storm drain systems including seven sewage lift stations. The current pumps were installed as part of a Sewer Pump Replacement Project in 1968 and have exceeded their useful life.
• Adopted a Resolution adopting a five-year update to the MultiJurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan as the City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. Adoption of the Plan Update will maintain the City’s eligibility to apply for future FEMA grants to cover up to 75% of the cost to implement the mitigation measures contained in the Plan. You can learn more about the Hazard Mitigation Plan on the City’s website.
• Adopted a Resolution authorizing the City to enter into an agreement with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District for the transfer of Measure W Safe Clean Water Program funds (“Transfer Agreement”) for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 through 2027-2028. In November 2018, Los Angeles County voters approved Measure W, Los Angeles County’s Safe Clean Water Program (the “Program”) to improve water quality, increase local water supply, and enhance communities. The Program provides local dedicated funding to increase local water supply, improve water quality, and protect public health. The funds received thus far assisted the City with design and construction of several stormwater projects including but not limited to the Culver Boulevard Stormwater Filtration Project, the Washington Boulevard Stormwater Project, the Mesmer Stormwater Diversion Project, and operations and maintenance of these projects and others. Future funding will continue to be used on Capital Improvement Projects for stormwater and associated operations and maintenance of these projects.
• Received and filed the Biannual Written Reports of Commissions, Boards, and Committees (CBCs).
• Approved a purchase order with K.R. Nida Corporation for the purchase of replacement portable and mobile radios in an amount not-to-exceed $187,160.33 and a purchase order with Motorola for the purchase of replacement portable radios and radio upgrades in an amount not-to-exceed $73,404.73, including all fees and taxes. The new radios will replace older, unsupported models.
• Awarded a construction contract to PTM General Engineering Services Inc., as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in the amount of $244,044 for the Sawtelle at Matteson Traffic Signal Modification Project. The Sawtelle at Matteson Traffic Signal Modification Project is intended to relieve congestion at the freeway ramps and reduce cut-through traffic in the adjacent residential neighborhood.
• Accepted the award of $17,000,000 to the City of Culver City through State Assembly Bill No. 179 for streetlight replacement and upgrades. City Council also approved a budget amendment appropriating the grant funds to Capital Improvement Project #PL016. The Project includes replacing series circuits with multiple circuits (energy-efficient) and replacing HPS fixtures with L.E.D. lights (also energy-efficient). In addition, the project would include adding smart nodes to some streetlights, which allow for flexible scheduling, power metering, Web-based monitoring and remote control, preventative maintenance (diagnostic and reporting), adaptive lighting using photocells, GPS, vibration/tilt sensors, and dimming control.
• Approved an amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Culver City and the Culver City Arts District (CCAD) to extend the term from 2024 to 2026. City Council also allocated $70,0000 for lighting enhancements in the public right-of-way pursuant to the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Budget, as well as approved a license agreement for installation and maintenance of decorative lighting.
• Approved the final plans and specifications and authorized the publication of a notice inviting bids for Sidewalk, Curb Ramp and Driveway Approach Replacement Project, PCC Pavement Replacement Project.
• Approved an amendment to the existing agreement with Elevators Etc., Inc. in an amount not-to-exceed $760,436 for elevator modernization for the Cardiff, Watseka, and Ince parking structures, for a total agreement amount of $1,307,365. City Council also approved a budget amendment appropriating $150,436 from the Parking Authority Fund Balance to Capital Improvement Project (CIP) #PA010. The existing elevators in the Downtown Culver City parking structures have been in service for over 20+ years. Over the last several years, the elevators in the Cardiff, Watseka, and Ince Parking Structures have experienced frequent breakdowns, leading to disruptions in service and inconvenience for users. Staff has coordinated inspections with the City’s Parking Manager and has identified the need for an overall modernization due to the age of the units, availability of parts and interior condition.
• Approved a cost sharing agreement covering Culver City’s share of the Santa Monica Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency’s administrative costs. This sub-basin covers approximately 50 square miles, located under Los Angeles County’s unincorporated land and under the cities of Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and most of the City of Culver City. The total cost of Culver City’s proposed 10% share over five years will be $87,629. Sustainable management addresses management and use of groundwater in a way that can be maintained without chronic lowering of groundwater levels, and significant and unreasonable reduction in groundwater storage, seawater intrusion, degradation of groundwater quality, land subsidence, and surface water depletion. Good groundwater management will provide a buffer against drought and climate change, and contribute to reliable water supplies regardless of weather patterns.

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, August 26^th.