1 THESE MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL
UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE May 3, 2022
CITY COUNCIL 6:00 p.m.
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
Mayor Lee called the special meeting of the City Council to order at 6:03 p.m. in the Mike Balkman Chambers at City Hall.
Present: Daniel Lee, Mayor
Albert Vera, Vice Mayor
Göran Eriksson, Council Member
Alex Fisch, Council Member
Yasmine-Imani McMorrin, Council Member
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Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Lee led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Community Announcements by Members/Information Items from Staff
Council Member McMorrin invited everyone to participate in a call to action to support access to abortion on May 7 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Veterans Park; she wanted to see the City support people who can become pregnant; discussed state-level actions to ensure access to reproductive healthcare; and she proposed consideration of a similar local resolution.
Council Member Eriksson announced the Culver City Car Show on May 7 at West Los Angeles College from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
May 3, 2022
2 Council Member Fisch stated that in his lifetime he had not seen a class of people stripped of a constitutional right before; he acknowledged Council Member McMorrin for her efforts and he encouraged everyone to go to Veterans Park on May 7 to support a woman’s right to bodily autonomy; he noted that the reasoning behind Judge A lioto’s opinion did not bode well for privacy rights; he discussed marriage equality; Prop 8; and he received consensus that the City Council agendize a discussion of preparing a letter to state representatives regarding putting a repeal of Prop 8 on the November ballot to preserve the rights of the LGBTQIA community.
Mayor Lee highlighted the importance of making it clear to the public why the City supports taking such an action since Prop 8 was overturned.
Vice Mayor Vera requested consensus to draft a letter of support for AB 2220, state funding for a homeless court program.
Mayor Lee discussed the dark period for the country depending on political perspective; he expressed support for making a statement as a City around the concept of equity; discussed the way issues are framed; polarization; whether a woman should be able to make her own decisions about her body and everything else; the importance of true equality and equity; providing equality of access; challenging more to be done to make up for the inequitable past; concern with the country moving backwards; he encouraged everyone to come out to Veterans Park on May 7; expressed appreciation for the discussion and screening of Who We Are put on by School Board Member Summer McBride; unsettling and uncomfortable inequality and equity; distribution of anti- Semitic flyers in t he City ; intimidation and fear; the importance of treating everyone well and equitably; making amends for past wrongs; doing better in the future; homelessness and policies around the unhoused; educating the public on what actions have been taken, length o f time work has been in progress, resources available, identified problems, and what is being done to try to solve problems; the timeline; recent changes to homelessness policy in the City; the regional issue; the importance of working in conjunction with other regional partners; concern with becoming a place like Beverly Hills where homelessness is criminalized; humanitarian ways to achieve goals; and he discussed the meeting agenda and format.
Jeremy Bocchino, City Clerk, reported that issues with camera angles in the room were being addressed.
May 3, 2022
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Presentations to City Council
Item P-1
Presentation to City Council by Joshua Heinzman, Program Supervisor, and Mary Kemp, Community Relations Manager, of the Los Angeles Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (L.A. CADA)
Joshua Heinzman, Los Angeles Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (L.A. CADA), expressed appreciation for being able to present; provided background on himself and on the organization; discussed services offered; program capacity; a typical outreach day; outreach and engagement; linking to services; housing navigation; the CADA approach; providing consistent,
persistent, and compassionate engagement; the narrow window of opportunity to address issues; responsiveness; coordination with law en forcement; reduced homelessness in the city of Alhambra; activeness in Homeless Court and Drug Court; outreach in jail to encourage participation in treatment; utilizing every tool available; the importance of collaboration with the City Council, City Manager and Police Department; and allowing the police to work on other priorities.
Discussion ensued between Mr. Heinzman, staff and Council Members regarding number of employees in the organization; location of facilities; property procurement; funding sour ces; the Start Program in Men’s Central Jail; the continuum of care provided; the needs assessment and treatment plan; the court diversion programs; and recidivism rates.
Mayor Lee received clarification that audio issues on Webex had been addressed.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding the reduction in the number of unhoused in Alhambra; addressing service resistant individuals; the need for
persistent, consistent, and compassionate engagement; the responsibility of the organization to figure out the resistance; and population demographics.
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May 3, 2022
4 Item P-2
Presentation to City Council of an Update Regarding the $26.6 Million Homekey Motel Reuse Project
Tevis Barnes, Housing Programs Administrator, provided an update on the Homekey Motel Reuse project.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding the process to achieve the 90% occupancy goal; requirements of the Housing and Community Department (HCD); the Coordinated Entry System (CES); St. Joseph’s Center (SJC); Service Provider Area (S PA) 5; the SPDAT (Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool) process; assessing acuity; harm reduction and low barrier facilities; money linked to the tight schedule; requirements to make the units habitable; Council Member support for additional res ources to meet deadlines if need -be; acknowledgement of the many moving parts to the project; outside consultants; a request for progress reports; units and type of housing provided; outreach; people who live around the Creek or on Globe Avenue; the increase in encampments; the focus on the larger encampments in the community; areas with the largest number of outreach calls; communication from Upward Bound House indicating that they would like to be considered for future projects; the unprecedented state surplus; and future projects.
Mayor Lee invited public comment.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council:
Karim Sahli questioned whether money could be set aside in the budget to ensure an appropriate number of staff to make the project successful, and he asked that the motel sign be preserved.
Mayor Lee received clarification that staff was researching what to do with the sign and he thanked staff for their efforts.
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Receipt and Filing of Correspondence
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FISCH, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
MCMORRIN AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVE AND FILE CORRESPONDENCE.
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May 3, 2022
5 Order of the Agenda
No changes were made.
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Action Items
Item A-1
CC - Discussion and Direction Regarding Housing Programs, Housing Options and Outreach/Approaches to Address
Homelessness, Including: (1) Proposed Development of 12 Modular Units of Interim Housing at the Venice Parking Lot (9415 -25 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles) a nd 22 Modular Units of Interim Housing or Permanent Supportive Housing at the Virginia Parking Lot (10555 Virginia Ave., Culver City); (2) Direct Housing Program/Master Leasing; (3) Pallet Homes Programming; and (4) Outreach to the Unhoused Population and Approaches to Addressing Homeless Encampments
Jeremy Bocchino, City Clerk, discussed procedures for submitting public comment.
Tevis Barnes, Housing Programs Manager, provided background on the agenda item; discussed continued investment in addressing the root causes of homelessness by the City; and the request for Council direction regarding modular housing.
Sol Blumenfeld, Community Development Director, discussed preliminary plans for two City parking lots working with United Dwelling; correspondence received from a nearby property owner; concern with conversion of the property; parking lease
agreements; and preliminary cost estimates.
Alan Dana, United Dwelling, provided background on the company; discussed Factory-Built Accessory Dwelli ng Units; and he presented conceptual site plans for the Venice Boulevard and Virginia Avenue properties.
Discussion ensued between Mr. Dana, staff, and Council Members regarding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements; providing accessible units; conformance with the building code; fire rate d materials; compliance; updated costs; drainage; paving; landscape; demolition; bathroom and service structures; utilities; costs compared to stick -built projects; the timeframe; ministerial review; installation of pre -fabricated May 3, 2022
6 units; two-story duplex units in production; creation of ADUs; having a plan in place as interest rates go up and orders decrease; the number of units and permits in progress; support for multi-story development on the Virginia lot; innovations that allow more to be built; use of all physical space and airspace; and another modular manufacturer in the City.
Tevis Barnes, Housing Programs Administrator, provided
background on the Direct Housing approach; she discussed stabilizing individuals; and she indicated that the
Bakersfield/Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative had achieved functional zero in their chronic homelessness through rental assistance and master leasing using the Direct Housing approach.
Dr. Anna Levin, Bakersfield/Kern Regional Homeless
Collaborative, provided a background on the organization and a presentation on Achieving Functional Zero for Chronic
Homelessness; she discussed collaboration with service
providers; defining functional zero and chronic homelessness; misconceptions; the need for a long-term commitment; strategies; eliminating barriers; implementation; the strong relationship with the Housing Authority; te ams; by -name lists; case conferencing; the Landlord Summit; master leasing; flexible funding from private donors; removing barriers; data for chronic homelessness; transparency; strong successes; true challenges; continued inflow; looking for additional options given the low housing supply; and additional information available at bkrhc.org/bfz.
Discussion ensued between Dr. Levin and Council Members regarding coalition partners; resources and leadership
provided; using any approach to address barriers; master leases; advantages and disadvantages for landlords; staffing necessary to administer a master leasing program; median rents; funding sources; easier stabilization once someone is housed; recidivism rates; scattered site housing; providing services to residents; acclimating to the behaviors of someone who is housed;
appreciation for the presentation and the work done; the Landlord Summit; rooms and beds available in Culver City; support for working with SHARE; taking an individual approach on certain encampments; and connecting people directly to housing.
Elizabeth Rugg, Pallet Shelter, provided background on the company; discussed the goals of Culver City; creating
transitional housing solutions; discouraging isolation; encouraging interaction with service providers; rapid
May 3, 2022
7 manufacture of dignified shelter; providing private space; various layouts; key features; keeping families together; bathroom units; community rooms; the emergency shelter village approach; allowing animals; the easier engagement process for service providers; immediate positive impacts to addressing issues; misconceptions regarding impact s to surrounding neighborhoods; pricing; lifespan of the structures; dedicated service providers; and the goal of relocation to permanent supportive housing.
Discussion ensued between Ms. Rugg and Council Members regarding fire and flooding; accessibility; advantages over safe parking and safe camping; input from the homeless; providing a safe, climate controlled place to stay that accepts animals as well as a place to bathe; timeframe for implementation; earlier conversations about pallet housing; clarification that a concrete pad is not necessary except for the community room; electrical hookups; sewer for bathroom facilities; a fire at the Banning facility; the importance of site management; and the recommendation to place the pallets on gravel.
Tevis Barnes, Housing Programs Administrator, discussed Rally, a communications and outreach firm to focus on communications and messaging about homelessness.
Jacob Hay, Rally, provided background on the company, discussed the importance of outreach; connecting people to resources and housing; taking people from the streets to stability; the role of outreach workers; collaboration; and referral services.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding public misunderstanding around outreach; frequency of outreach by SJC; response to requests; regular interaction with the Police, Fire, Public Works, and Enforcement divisions; frequency of cleanups; jurisdictional limits on the Creek; regular cleanups by Los Angeles County; and flood and fire dangers.
Mayor Lee invited public comment.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council:
Rosi Gabl questioned what happened to the money collected in the 2018 election through Prop 2; she recommended San Fransicko by Michael Shellenberger; asserted that housing should be earned; discussed money spent on housing experiments; people who would like free s ervices; rewarding drug addiction and criminal behavior; increasing numbers of homeless individuals; May 3, 2022
8 people that need rehabilitation and medical help; tax generating work; and unanswered questions and emails.
Jamie Wallace questioned whether the hotels wo uld go to those with the most need and whether pallet shelters would go to those just falling into homelessness; discussed repeated requests to agendize pallet shelters; price; location; providing temporary housing; vacant apartments; the master lease program; she felt that the pallet shelters made more sense than the modular homes; and she expressed support for the pallet shelters and for finishing up the motels.
Bubba Fish discussed the eradication of homelessness in Finland; providing permanent supportive housing; the difficulty of getting off drugs, or getting a job without a home; he expressed support for providing permanent options for the homeless; he proposed gaining input from the unhoused; opposed listening to those who want to criminalize homelessness; stated that law or code enforcement should never be involved in outreach or cleaning services; and noted the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Housing and Homelessness (ACHH) to abolish parking minimums City-wide as a longer-term solution.
Megan Oddsen Goodwin spoke in support and defense of unhoused neighbors; discussed the Project Homekey grant; investment in sustainable and humane solutions; inadequate engagement at the Creek; responsibility to care for residents; allowing the unhoused to have a voice in the process; she proposed that the City invest in relationships with the unhoused before making decisions on their behalf; and she asked that Culver City intervene on behalf of its unhoused residents before the planned sweep of Ballona Creek by Los Angeles.
Al Hopkins discussed an interaction with a Culver City Police Department (CCPD ) officer; the need for compassion;
criminalizing the unhoused; success of programs in Finland; studies indicating that people do not want a handout; reasons people do not want to be in shelters; cost for United Dwellings vs. the pallet homes; the importan ce of bridging the gap for the unhoused and those on the brink; he questioned whether there was a plan to provide a place to live without restrictions; and he expressed support for approving 50 pallet homes.
Mayor Lee asked that people refrain from speak ing out noting that they would have a chance to speak if they signed up.
May 3, 2022
9 Khin Khin Gyi provided background on herself; expressed support for pallet homes ; discussed residents under the 405 overpass and on the Creek; evaluating people for medically reversible causes of confusion; indigent patients in need of acute care; appropriate discharge disposition; and she asked that the City collaborate with L.A. CADA to solve the homelessness debacle.
Cary Anderson presented pictures of homeless encampments that contain many stolen items; discussed theft of electricity; increased costs on the Venice and Virginia lots; and the size of the proposed development.
Disa Lindgren commended staff and the City Council for the substantive work done to address needs of the homeless; discussed the importance of getting to know unhoused residents and inviting them to meetings; the difficulty of working with people without gaining their input; data regarding the efficacy of cleanups and sweeps; the harmful and ineffectiveness of displacement; and she expressed concern with spending a lot of money on temporary solutions that do not help people.
Ron Bassilian was called to speak but did not respond.
Nancy Barba was called to speak but did not respond.
Carolyn Libuser discussed who owns what portion of the Creek; Los Aneles County Department of Public Works; the propane tank fire; cleanup of the Creek planned for May 10; City ownership of the Bike Path; and she asserted that Culver City was allowing camping in violation of the Clean Water Act and the Migratory Bird Act.
Michelle Weiner was called to speak but did not respond.
Jay Garacochea was called to speak but did not respond.
Shannon Gaulding provided background on herself; expressed support for pallet housing, expanding the partnership with SJC, bringing on L.A. CADA, Housing First, and consistent outreach; discussed the experience of her son as an unhoused drug-addict; genetic predisposition; successful programs; and she wanted to see Culver City be successful.
Michelle Weiner expressed support for hearing feed back from homeless individuals; concern with the proposed Creek cleanup; she discussed displacement; the presentation by L .A. CADA; May 3, 2022
10 collaboration with the Police Department; and she felt that the City should pursue other ways of supporting the homeless.
Elias Platte Bermeo was called to speak but did not respond.
Nancy Barba was called to speak but did not respond.
Peter Stern asserted that most of the homeless were drug addicts with mental issues and that providing housing would not solve their issues; he did not believe that the City would be well - served by providing housing without 24/7 supervision for the addicted; discussed addressing the need for housing once addiction was overcome; the deficit; the need to fully fund the Culver City Police Department (CCPD), fix roads, and disassemble homeless encampments; and he indicated that citizens wanted to see their taxes paid to ensure a well-cared for and safe City.
Mark Lipman thanked Dr. Levin for her presentation; discussed time spent developing the Direct Housing program; the best practices of all Housing First models; success or failure of a program depending on implementation; funding in the General Fund budget through Measure RE and Linkage Fee funds; establishment of a vacancy tax; the common talking point used by CCPD that “If it saves one life it is money well-spent” that does not seem to apply to homeless individuals; Tiny Homes; and he indicated that pallet housing is good, modular housing is better, but Direct Housing is the best and fastest way to solve
homelessness.
Howard Sher ceded his time to Harvey Lind.
Harvey Lind thanked Council Member Eriksson for acknowledging the lease on the Virginia lot; he noted that the Redevelopment Agency had bought the land for the purpose of converting the use to office; discussed the waiting list; unoccupied buildings during COVID; parking as fundamental to the business community; the lease to 2026 with an extension for the length of the building existence; protection of property rights; illegal taking of land; respecting existing property rights; detrimental effects to Culver City bus inesses; and breach of contract if the parking is not provided.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding honoring contracts until they run out; effectiveness of the lease until the City commences construction; and clarification that the proposed concept is preliminary in nature and all lease May 3, 2022
11 obligations would be taken into consideration before any final plan moves forward.
Ron Ostrin expressed support for the presentation by L.A. CADA; discussed the efforts of the city of Alhambra to reduce homelessness; Housing First; photos presented by Cary Anderson; inability of the City to enforce laws; felt that the Council majority was ruining the City; asserted that People of Color in the City were upset about what was being done in the City; depriving people of their ability to speak; people who left because public comment was placed at the end of sales pitches; weighted information; people who want to move out of the City as they do not feel safe; the inability to build the way out of the issue; increased crime and density; the YIMBY (Yes, In My Back Yard) agenda; eliminating quality of life; and he asked the City Council to do a better job.
Nancy Barba expressed gratitude for the diligence of staff; asked that the City make an effort to reach out to everyone living on the Creek; asserted that sweeps criminalize the situation; discussed the number of people livi ng along the Creek; leaving those impacted out of the conversation; centering services on those who will be impacted; thinking strategically about housing options; and she felt that money should be used to help people rather than to destroy their lives with sweeps.
Bryan Sanders, Common Sense Culver City, discussed helping those on the street; looking ahead to create solutions so that no one has to live on the street; referring to the homeless as constituents; the pallet project; flexibility; providing housing more quickly; and finding a more suitable, permanent solution to get everyone off the street.
Stephen Jones pointed out that the constituents who would be affected the most were largely unheard; discussed outreach to unhoused residents; people with million dollar homes saying what is best for people who do not have enough money to afford a place to live; he proposed asking the people who would live in the pallet housing if that is a good idea noting that the rooms are smaller than the minimum re commended by the American Correctional Association for jail cells; thanked the City for being a leader in getting the Homekey grant; felt that permanent housing was the only solution to the crisis; encouraged anyone who has only read San Fransicko as the sole work on homelessness to keep reading; discussed unsubstantiated claims in the book; research that indicates enforcement measures against the unhoused does not reduce the number of unhoused on the street; May 3, 2022
12 harm done by forced displacement and property seizures; pushing people into hazardous, isolated , and less-safe places; and he encouraged staying on the path to actually addressing the problems.
Melissa Stucky expressed agreement that public comment should not have been pushed to the end of the meeting; discussed comparisons between Culver City and Finland ; aspects of homelessness to be ad dressed other than housing;
hospitalizations; money put into the process; other resources; rehabilitation; mental health care; and she noted the
announcement from Council Member McMorrin about a protest at the start of the meeting and questioned where there was a protest against homelessness in the City.
Kimberly Ferguson was called to speak but did not respond.
Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin discussed the number of people who are housing insecure including those who own million dollar homes on paper; better understanding the impacts of housing programs; contextualizing the City within the region; housing and ability issues; funding sources; c oordination with Los Angeles safety officers for the Venice community space; who would run the communities; resident selection; whether the facilities are considered permanent, semi -permanent or temporary; upkeep; support for the pallet communities as they help people right away; the award presented to SHARE at the Wende Museum; matching unhoused people to housing; and she congratulated Council Member Eriksson and Eric Simms for addressing food insecurity with Feed Culver.
Adam Lilling provided background on himself; thanked CCPD and the Culver City Fire Department (CCFD) for their responsiveness; discussed the fire and trash issues ; people screaming all through the night; a 150 year old tree that was chopped down; he noted that the Creek was not the area to house the homeless; and he expressed appreciation for efforts to find a better place for people to go.
Nathan Bartley discussed statistics from the Los Angeles Housing Services Authority (LAHSA) Homeless Count in 2020 ; success moving people into housing; the large number of people to be helped; the importance of establishing trust; and he expressed concern that trust will be broken with sweeps to displace people who have no place to go.
May 3, 2022
13 Marci Baun expressed support for pallet housing; discussed providing a place where people can get help; feces going into the Creek; stolen property; and she noted the importance of considering people who pay taxes in addition to the unhoused.
Meghan Sahli -Wells thanked staff for their work; discussed United Dwelling; maximizing space; making projects at least two stories; maximizing public assets; independence; Direct Housing; price point and rents; concerns with the durability, noise, and weather with pallet housing; quick -fix compliance; mishaps with pallet housing; providing dignified housing that will last and be safe for everyone; and aesthetics.
Jeanne Black provided background on herself; expressed appreciation for the information provided about what has been done to date and what opportunities are available; she discussed homelessness as a reflection of society’s failures; concern with calls for a law and or der approach; the complex issue; identifying what does not work; increased trauma with jail and arrests; and the need for years of sustained investment and effort including regular feedback from unhoused residents with continued evaluation of progress.
Jeff Cooper discussed the effect of the unhoused on the housed population; current policy; those who do not accept help; the increase in violent crime and fires; taking a holistic approach; the need for wraparound services with housing; the need to follow rules; housing vouchers offered but not accepted; he asked that CCPD and CCF D be granted the power they need to assist those most in need; and he asserted that the City Council had the ability to change the current failed policy.
Frank Clark indicated living on Globe Avenue; asserted that the former Mayor had prevented CCPD from doing their job and that all Council Members had failed residents by not doing their jobs; he stated that SJC was doing nothing; asserted that once someone is offered services they are not homeless but vagrant; and he wanted to see laws enforced.
Freddy Puza discussed anger, frustration, and fear; the homeless issue caused by a lack of affordable housing; the need to fund vital social services; Housing First as the most effective approach; Project Roomkey; mixed results with modular and pallet housing; providing an expensive band -aid; trauma-informed and inclusive implementation; concern with inhumane and unsanitary living conditions; the need to invest in affordable housing, permanent supportive housing, and to provide services; ignoring May 3, 2022
14 the root issue; keeping the unhoused out of sight; he acknowledged that Culver City could not solve the issue alone but should do their part to work with regional partners to create a collective, unified response; and he noted the importance of building relationships and trust with outreach efforts.
Annette Tossounian was called to speak but did not respond.
Conor Profitt was called to speak but did not respond.
Melissa Sanders expressed support for the presentation from L.A.
CADA; felt that keeping people on the street was more inhumane than putting them in pallet shelters; discussed funding; support for temporary housing; assessing and addressing underlying factors of homelessness; support for doing something temporary; she asserted that houseless people were not being called criminals; she felt supporting the densification of R1 but not providing multi-level affordable housing was insane; and she asserted that the current City Council majority was
hypocritical.
Robert Zir gulis, Culver City Kennedy Democrats, reported visiting residents living on Globe Avenue; discussed the need for police protection; package theft and drug use on the street; the inability of CCPD to take action due to majority City Council direction; repeated shoplifting by the homeless at the Shell station; registered sex offenders; and racism.
Ron Bassilian discussed people who refuse help; activists; City Council direction to leave the homeless alone; Project 405; people doing drugs on the street; sex o ffenders; violence; defunding CCPD; the promised Mobile Crisis Unit; Measure CC; he asserted that the City Council had gotten rid of Dr. Dan; encouraged people to reach out to Protect Culver City to hear the real story; and he cited a talk about zoning given by Council Member Fisch without a mask noting that he should get the City Council to stop wearing masks as well.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding confirmation that Dr. Dan is still working with CCPD; the proposed development of 13 modular units of interim housing at the Venice parking lot; the high price tag; parking issues at the Virginia lot; value for the money; concern that the Council is engaging in a political exercise; providing the context of how everything fits together in the budget; support for using the parking lots; collaboration with Paul Koretz; financing; May 3, 2022
15 finding a proper site for pallet housing; ensuring that if use of public land is changing, that usage should be intensified; treating the situation as an emergency; studies indicating that permanent supportive housing solves homelessness; borrowing ideas from other cities that have decreased homelessness; keeping housing cheap; mortality rates of the homeless; helping the most people for the most money; frustration that there was no consensus on the City Council to consider pallet housing the first two times it was brought up; concern with spending staff resources to investigate the proposal from United Dwelling; work on motel reuse three years ago; meetings with Mike Bonin, Paul Koretz, and Herb Wesson about various sites in the City; support for maximizing space and going up to two stories; tensile structures; pricing; many thin gs in motion; parking leases; funding; non-profit partnerships; taking the time to make the right decision for City -owned land; providing permanent supportive housing; the importance of quarterly updates on housing and policing; staff workload; the work of SJC; clarification that much work is done before an item comes forward; the number of people helped out of homelessness vs. the number of people who fall into homelessness; the growing issue rooted in the lack of affordable housing; support for more frequent staff updates; ensuring that nothing gets in the way of the motel deadline; support for moving forward on the Virginia lot in the future while finding a way to maximize usage; and long-term and short-term plans.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding approval of a Safe Parking program; lack of
implementation; safe camping with supportive services; concern that pallets would place people in tiny spaces to control them and get them off the street; rules; short -term solut ions; prioritizing permanent supportive housing; pallet housing as a tool; support for offering pallet housing as an option; providing services; pallet homes as a shelter; transitioning into permanent housing; success with getting people back on their feet with a similar model in Redondo Beach; ground leasing the Venice lot to a developer and spending the money on services; limitations of pallet houses; the missing piece of permanent supportive housing; difficulty placing families on the westside; those who are resistant to housing no matter what type is offered; repeat outreach; the need to provide services; previous opposition to safe camping by Mike Bonin; combining a space for housing, parking, and tents; the high pressure large sewage pipe under the Jefferson lot; the benefits of knowing where people are in order to provide services; support for working out issues with the Virginia lot, moving forward, and allowing tents; rules May 3, 2022
16 and regulations with any scenario; the need for a multi-pronged approach; money for the bulb out; providing more than a tent or a box; and consensus was reached to explore pallet housing with services.
Further discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding the criminalization of houseless people; Direct Housing/Master Leasing; SHARE; funding sources; exploration by the School District Liaison Committee; the Rental Assistance Program; Section 8 vouchers; Upward Bound; including the unhoused in the process; adding a question to existing outreach processes; the percentage of homeless individuals dealing with drug and mental health issues; the importance of centering those affected in the situation; the Landlord Summit; support for permanent supportive housing; intent of the Rental Assistance Program to prevent people from becoming homeless; the different price level of Culver City as compared to Bakersfield; staff time; effort required to create an effective program;
clarification that the number of homeless people is much larger than what is seen on the sidewalk; the most visible part of the homeless population; the variety in experience of the homeless population; an observation that th ose less traumatized are better at hiding; support for SHARE as one of the tools; capital expenses vs. operations and maintenance; costs; and the importance of education.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding review of the Housing Matrix during the budget process; approach to outreach; addressing encampments; the traumatic nature of sweeps; taking a punitive approach; support needed to get into permanent housing; various projects in the works to provide housing; providing nuanced enforcement; the number of fires; dried vegetation around Ballona Creek with the warmer weather; concern with language that dehumanizes and criminalizes; the importance of empathy; education outreach by CCFD; fires caused by people trying to feed themselves or to keep warm; meeting basic needs; Mobile Crisis Units; utilization of trauma-informed and care-informed practices; case managers; peer advocates; limiting escalation of those in a tough spot; appreciation for programs that help to feed people; the need for a more sustained effort for meeting basic human needs in the community; lack of housing to support the need; finding a safe way for peo ple to cook food; CCPD as a trigger for some people; placing focus on a care -first framework for outreach; Feed Culver; meeting the needs of those who are food insecure; concern with the number of fires; average number of overdoses; violence from those having a mental episode; the need to change May 3, 2022
17 processes that do not work; the approach taken by Santa Monica; the true number of service resistant individuals; similarities of service between L.A. CADA and SJC; concern with dehumanizing people; people who are forced fr om their homes; increased numbers of older people who are becoming homeless; and the higher likelihood of violence against homeless individuals rather than from them.
Further discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding threats against people who are volunteering; staying away from the Police First approach; fairness to CCPD; police response to people in crisis; discretion; the role of CCPD in the process; concern with wasting the valuable time and training of police officers; enabling CCPD to do their job of stopping serious criminals and violent crime; concern with harassing people for being poor, mentally ill , or drug addicted; ADA enforcement; federal law that requ ires access; concern with civilian staff putting themselves in harm’s way; the role of CCPD; the importance of clear direction; the problematic nature of the City Council vote to remove CCPD from any misdemeanor enforcement; the role of CCPD to lead with service and resources and follow with consistent and reasonable enforcement;
experience with substance abuse issues; the need for
consequences; the Salvation Army program; the story of one individual and his experience on the street; the crim inal element; unhoused victim s of crime; concern that the Housing First model is not always the best approach; concern with taking law enforcement out of the interaction; the need to allow CCPD to do their work; ensuring transparency; reinstating proactive enforcement; consequences that can save a life; allowing CC PD to enforce misdemeanors; clarification that Housing First is not only housing; connected services; the Men’s Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles; empowering CCPD to use their
discretion; d irect response; obstructions connected to ADA issues; notification prior to cleanup; storage of items; concern with what reinstating policy would disproportionately do to Black and Brown youth; the importance of being aware of the disproportionality of resources; making decisions to be focused in the areas where they need to be; the need to be re-centered in the data; a suggestion for another presentation by Kelly Lytle-Hernandez; concern that the Salvation Army is not welcoming to the LGBTQ community and disproportionate levels of homelessness experienced by members of the LGBTQ community; codification of the seven touches; establishing a minimum; taking a tiered approac h, with Police interference being the last resort; spreading out the outreach; ensuring that outreach does not re-traumatize a person and cause them to shut down; May 3, 2022
18 gradual contact to help meet basic needs; building rapport; outreach currently in process with CCPD and SJC; unsubstantiated rumors regarding the inability of CCPD to respond to dangerous crime; providing compassionate help; gentle enforcement; community court; leading with service and resources , followed by consistent and reasonable enforcement; the April 26, 2021 motion by the City Council to remove CCPD involvement with mental health, houselessness, drug use, or other well -being calls and provide the staff and budget to provide Mobile Crisis response; staff research into methods used by Santa Monica; CCPD interpretation of City Council policy; clarification that CCPD does not contradict policy with proactive enforcement; CCPD support of service providers; changes in CCPD actions after the resolution; responses to calls for services; enforcement of municipal codes or misdemeanors; officers present for cleanups; patrolling; the MET Team; ensuring safety; the letter of the law vs. the spirit of the law; outreach to relocate and connect to services; intended purpose; perception; retracting the motion from April 2021; examples of repeated crime; appreciation for the communication with CCPD ; the focus on enforcing the law; other personnel that can focus on safety; concern with creating harm in an encampment to recover a bike; concern with enforcing specific items; theft of electricity; the Community Oversight Committee; concern with a lack o f enforcement of minor misdemeanors; writing tickets to create a pattern in a case; concern with a lack of a clear directive; consensus to maintain the motion from April 2021 with clarification; enforcement to ensure compliance with the ADA; consideration by the
subcommittee that interacts with the Chief of Police;
examination of processes; and explicitness of processes with CCPD.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding the need for a formal motion with regard to
enforcement of the ADA issues; enforcement as needed to reduce fire risk; confiscation of anything used to create a fire; distribution of tents, fire extinguishers , and fire retardant sleeping bags; providing education; Community Risk Reduction; the difficulty of tracking use of extinguishers; distribution of information regarding available resources; safety concerns; difficulty of enforcement; minimizing risk and ha rm; concern with the coming hot weather; placing a limit on the use of propane; response to incidents; education by outreach teams to emphasize the dangers; pre -fire management approaches; non - enforcement strategies; best practices; other jurisdictions; coordination with CalFire; the solution to get people into shelter and housing; finding ways to survive; the feeling that May 3, 2022
19 outreach and education is more effective than enforcement; empathy for the neighbors on the Creek; provision of essential services; classification of encampments regarding fire risk; density; flammable materials; and finding the best means to keep people safe; addressing generators with gasoline stored nearby; concern that if things are taken away they will just be replaced; and hazards associated with generators.
MOVED BY MAYOR LEE , SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MCMORRIN AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL : DIRECT OUTREACH TEAMS TO MAKE A MINIMUM OF 7 CONTACTS TO TRY TO MOVE AN
INDIVIDUAL BEFORE LAW ENFORCEMENT GETS INVOLVED AND FORCEFULLY
MOVES THE INDIVIDUAL AT THE DISCRETION OF BOTH OUTREACH AND THE OFFICERS ON THE SCENE OR THE HOUSING DIRECTOR AND POLICE CHIEF.
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Public Comment – Items Not on the Agenda
Mayor Lee invited public comment.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council:
Mark Lipman expressed disappointment that the discussion of serving the homeless had turned into consideration of nuanced policing; discussed speeches about compassi on; willingness to pay for everything except housing people; the focus on making more housing for millionaires; the importance of rental assistance; cognitive dissonance; concern with going backwards; the importance of getting people into housing; and the seven pushes before moving people from one corner to another.
Ronald Ostrin read comments from Ms. H. about increased density and homeless issues that are causing her to move out of the City, and he discussed the narrative of racist R1 zoning that is being used against People of Color and the middle class to benefit Wall Street investors.
Bryan Sanders had signed up to speak but was not present on Webex.
Rebecca Rona Tuttle had signed up to speak but was not present on Webex.
Mary Foreman-Preyer had signed up to speak but was not present on Webex.
May 3, 2022
20 Rosi Gabl had signed up to speak but was not present on Webex.
Carolyn Libuser had signed up to speak but did not respond.
Robert Zirgulis was called to speak but did not respond.
Dylan Gabl had signed up to speak but was not present on Webex.
Mario Rodriguez had signed up to speak but was not present on Webex.
Marci Baun felt that public comment should not be at the end of the meeting as it makes it seem tha t the City Council doesn’t want to hear from the public; expressed concern with comments from a Council Member that seemed to dismiss resident concerns with disarray around the Creek; she discussed alarming incidents on the Creek; the safety of neighbors and property;
acknowledging resident concerns rather than calling people privileged; helping people to feel part of the conversation; working together and helping people to feel heard; and she felt that it was time to drop mask requirements.
Denise Neal discussed her experience being homeless; identity theft; issues with responsiveness and high turnover rates at SJC; she reported that t hough the experience was not without issues, CCPD helped her find a place; and she acknowledged real concerns voiced by Council Member McMorrin, but felt that CCPD did need to be involved in the process in a respectful way with great judgement.
Mayor Lee reported that he had chosen to put public comment at the end as he had assumed that the Action Item was what everyone wanted to talk about.
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Items from Council Members
None.
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Council Member Requests to Agendize Future Items
Vice Mayor Vera requested consensus to agendize a discussion of drafting a letter of support for AB 2220, state funding for a homeless court program.
May 3, 2022
21 Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding level of support; related Bills; adding an agenda item to consider approving a letter of support; the status of getting the electronic system working; inability to connect the cameras with the Webex; addressing different technical issues that arise; and a budget request to redo the whole system.
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May 3, 2022
22 Adjournment
There being no further business, at 12:31 a.m., Wednesday, May 4, 2022 the City Council adjourned to a regular meeting to be held on May 9, 2022.
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Jeremy Bocchino
CITY CLERK of Culver City, California
EX-OFFICIO CLERK of the City Council and SECRETARY of the Successor Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency Board, and Culver City Housing Authority Board
Culver City, California
DR. DANIEL LEE
MAYOR of Culver City, California and CHAIR of the Successor Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency Board, and Culver City Housing Authority Board
Date: _________________________