City of Culver City
Staff Report
Mike Balkman
Council Chambers
9770 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 253-5851
File #: 23-266, Version: 2 Item #: A-1.
CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Discussion and Review of Options for the Future of Melvil Street, between Washington Boulevard and the City Boundary; and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
Meeting Date: October 10, 2022
Contact Person/Dept.: Andrew Maximous/Public Works Department Phone Number: 310-253-5628
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No [] Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (10/05/2022) Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director/City Engineer (09/29/2022) ______________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) discuss and review options for the future use of Melvil Street, between Washington Boulevard and the City boundary; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
The City of Culver City’s Local Emergency relating to the outbreak and spread of the coronavirus respiratory disease (“COVID-19”) pandemic has been in effect for over two years since March 14, 2020. The Local Emergency was proclaimed pursuant to the authority granted by Culver City Municipal Code (“CCMC”) Section 3.09.020.B.1.a, to the City Manager, in his role as the Director of Emergency Services. The Local Emergency was ratified by City Council on March 18, 2020.
On March 16, 2020, the City Manager issued the first Public Order enacting new City measures to protect members of the public and City workers from undue risk of COVID-19.
On May 11, 2020, the City Council approved the formation of the Economic Recovery Task Force (ERTF) to address the unique challenges of COVID-19 and spur economic survival and, eventually, recovery with a focus on public health and equity. The ERTF has worked closely with the Public City of Culver City Printed on 10/6/2022Page 1 of 5
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File #: 23-266, Version: 2 Item #: A-1.
recovery with a focus on public health and equity. The ERTF has worked closely with the Public Works Department to address priority items including Downtown and Arts District street closures and creation of a temporary use permit program.
On June 1, 2020, the City Manager issued the Sixteenth Supplement to the Public Order which provides the Public Works Director/City Engineer with the authority to establish procedures, standards, conditions, rules and regulations, as he may deem appropriate, to implement the processing and approval of expanded outdoor dining and retail areas in the public right-of-way, while ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and any other measures deemed necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Order also established a specific Temporary Use Permit (TUP) process, including standards and procedures, to allow retailers and restaurateurs to utilize adjacent public rights-of-way to temporarily expand their outdoor dining and retail areas to allow for increased occupancy levels while adhering to physical distancing requirements. Public right-of-way areas that may be utilized include, but are not limited to, the adjacent sidewalk (where space is available) and public street area (where temporarily closed).
In May of 2020, City staff received a request from representatives of the Culver City Arts District Business Improvement District (CCAD BID) and Culver City Arts District Residents Association to consider street closures in the Arts District to promote economic recovery and support area businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. City staff developed an initial concept plan and presented it to the Mobility, Traffic and Parking Subcommittee on August 3, 2020. The plan included closures of the curb-side parking area and a westbound travel lane along some segments of Washington Boulevard between La Cienega Avenue and Adams Boulevard which included a dedicated 5-foot bike lane.
In addition, and in response to a request by the CCAD BID, a full closure of Hargis Street between the alleyway and Washington Boulevard was also included as part of the initial concept plan. Staff brought the plans for City Council consideration on August 24, 2020. During the discussion, the Council asked staff to consider closing Melvil Street as an alternative to Hargis Street due to accessibility issues relative to a local school. A community meeting was held on September 23, 2020, to discuss a potential street closure on Melvil Street between Washington Boulevard and the alleyway. Notification was sent to area businesses and residents on Melvil Street, Hargis Avenue and Fay Avenue. The meeting was attended by only a handful of area residents, and at that time, there were no issues/challenges presented regarding closing Melvil Street. An aerial of the area and surrounding business and residential neighborhood is provided in Attachment 1.
The street closures were implemented by the Public Works Department shortly thereafter and later modified in November 2021, as part of implementing the Move Culver City project. The modifications reduced the closure area along Washington Boulevard; however, these modifications did not change the Melvil Street configuration installation.
The closure areas, on both Washington Boulevard and Melvil Street, were improved by the Culver City Arts District with artificial turf and shade tents. However, within a few months of the closure, staff began receiving complaints from adjacent residents about noise, illegal parking in the alley, trash, and late-night events (Attachment 2). Since its closure, the space has been used by area businesses for yoga/pilates, outdoor classes, and special events, although not all of these uses were properly permitted prior to use. Staff reminded area business that any use of the space requires a temporary use permit (TUP) and related City indemnification and insurance coverage. Additionally, staff spoke with representatives from the Art District on December 8, 2021, to discuss how to ensure City of Culver City Printed on 10/6/2022Page 2 of 5
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File #: 23-266, Version: 2 Item #: A-1.
staff spoke with representatives from the Art District on December 8, 2021, to discuss how to ensure proper permitting and whether the Arts District wanted to assume responsibility for the space. It was determined, at that time, that Rosie’s Foundation, a non-profit that helps individuals of all abilities train for employment, would apply for the TUP to use the street and manage the space until further direction, relative to closure/reopening of the street, was considered by City Council. Rosie’s TUP was approved in January 2022.
DISCUSSION
On May 9, 2022, the City Council received a presentation from the CCAD BID regarding several improvement projects they wish to implement in partnership with the City. One of the projects is the permanent closure of Melvil Street to create a community space that could be managed and programmed by the CCAD BID (Attachment 3). During the public comment period, area businesses and neighbors expressed both their support and opposition to this proposal. City Council asked staff to further explore impacts relative to a permanent closure. Shortly after this time, petitions were submitted to the City from area residents along Melvil and Hargis requesting the reopening of Melvil Street (Attachment 4). Staff also received correspondence and spoke with concerned residents about the process to explore the impacts including holding a community meeting.
As part of the review process, City staff also met with representatives from the Los Angeles Council District 5 including Los Angeles and Culver City Police, Fire and Sanitation Departments to understand service impacts and feasibility. During these meetings, staff from both jurisdictions indicated that maintaining the street closure would not have significant impact on area service assuming the implementation of specific design and bollard configurations.
On August 26, 2022, additional petitions, coordinated by area Arts District businesses, were submitted to the City in support of maintaining the closure (Attachment 5). On September 1, 2022, a community meeting was held for area residents to hear the CCAD BID proposal and provide their feedback/concerns. The meeting was facilitated by the Public Works Director who presented the background on the initial closure, invited the CCAD BID to present their proposal for how the space could be developed and received community comments. Eleven speakers provided comments/concerns regarding the permanent closure of Melvil Street. These comments/concerns are detailed in Attachment 6 and generally summarized below:
Support for Permanent Closure:
· Creates a special community space that could be used for artisanal markets, Farmer’s markets, birthday parties, art, fitness classes and other public performances; · Creates a connection to bike lane and promotes less cars in the area · Could be called “Melvil Park” and serve as an organic space for people to come together and build community and create programming that supports the area · Location in business district is nice addition to existing Syd Kronthenal Park and could make this part of town “shine”
Concerns about Permanent Closure:
City of Culver City Printed on 10/6/2022Page 3 of 5
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File #: 23-266, Version: 2 Item #: A-1.
· Only a few businesses benefit from space, not adjacent neighbors · Increased nuisance, noise at night, trash, events and unhoused in the area. Residents are picking up trash, glass to keep area clean
· Residential street and is not intended for commercial uses · Closure reduces parking in an area of the City that already has a parking deficit · Not enough parking to support hosting events at space without ingress into adjacent residential neighborhood
· Closure encourages illegal parking in alley and at street closure preventing access to driveways
· Closure reduces neighborhood access and creates more congestion in the area · Syd Kronenthal Park is nearby, has plenty of space to host community events/classes and has on-site parking
Closure Options
Should the Council direct staff to proceed with the permanent closure of Melvil Street, the closure would be done in accordance with California Vehicle Code Section 21101, including any needed environmental analysis, and the closure would be reflected in the General Plan. The physical closure of the street can be implemented in different ways. The options to close the street are:
1) Full curb and gutter - At the southern end of the closure area, the curb along Washington Boulevard would be extended across Melvil Street to provide a physical closure of the street.
At the northern end of the closure area, the curb at the southeast corner of the alley would be extended across Melvil Street and connected to the curb at the west side of the street.
This configuration would allow for the street to be raised to sidewalk level in the future to provide an even surface throughout.
2) Bollards - Bollards provide flexibility to secure the street and be able to open it for any reason.
Approximately 8 to 10 bollards would be needed across Melvil Street at each end to secure the street. The bollards can be lowered manually or via an automatic system.
Emergency vehicle access would be incorporated into the selected option per City fire and police department requirements.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Direction provided to staff as part of this report does not have an immediate fiscal impact. However, the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2022/2023 includes $100,000 in CIP PF037 for design, should the City Council decide to make the Melvil Street closure permanent. Future funding would need to be requested for construction.
The cost estimate to construct the curb and gutter option is approximately $100,000.
The cost estimate to construct the manually retractable bollards is approximately $50,000. The estimate for the automatic system is approximately $200,000.
City of Culver City Printed on 10/6/2022Page 4 of 5
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File #: 23-266, Version: 2 Item #: A-1.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Culver City Arts District Vicinity Aerial
2. Melvil St Emails from Residents
3. CCAD Presentation 5-9-2022
4. Melvil Reopening Petitions
5. CCAD Business Petitions
6. Melvil Community Meeting Notes 9-1-2022
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Direct the City Manager regarding one of the following options:
a. Return Melvil Street to be open to vehicular traffic as it was before the pandemic; or b. Take actions required to close Melvil Street to all vehicular traffic.
2. If closure is desire, direct the City Manager regarding the following closure options:
a. Full curb and gutter;
b. Manually retractable bollards; or
c. Automatically retractable bollards.
3. Provide other direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
City of Culver City Printed on 10/6/2022Page 5 of 5
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CULVER CITY ARTS DISTRICT VICINITY
Melvil Street Closure
(between Washington Boulevard and Alley)
1 Maximous, Andrew
Subject: RE: MELVIL STREET CLOSURE // CCAD PROPOSAL
From:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Sent:Friday,June10,20229:17AM
To:[email protected]<[email protected]>;Eriksson,Goran <[email protected]>;Vera,Albert<[email protected]>;McMorrin,Yasmine<YasmineͲ [email protected]>;Fisch,Alex<[email protected]>;Lee,Daniel<[email protected]> Cc:Clerk,City<[email protected]>;Susca,Joe<[email protected]>;Nachbar,John <[email protected]>;michaellrosen<[email protected]>;SusanRosen<[email protected]>; [email protected]<[email protected]>;Attorney,City<[email protected]> Subject:MELVILSTREETCLOSURE//CCADPROPOSAL
******.THEPROPERTYOWNERS/RESIDENTSONTHEBLOCKOFMELVILHAVENOWSIGNEDAPETITIONTOOPENUP MELVIL!!PLEASEADVISEWHOTOSENDORDROPOFFTO,.Considerthisemailyetanotherreminderaboutclosingoff accesstoaresidentialblock/limitingaccess
toemergencyvehicles/theattractiontohomeless&unstablepeople stealingmail/packages/trashtonameafewreasonsnottokeepitclosedoff.Youcanreferencemynumerouspast emailswithalitanyofotherreasons.Dependingontheoutcome,ImighthavereasontocontactLAcounty&seeklegal advicetomyrightslivingonapublicstreetonaresidentialblock,payingpropertytaxesetc…..
AsIexpressedatthelastmeeting,wearepatronsofthearts&infavorofsupportingtheCCADwithenhancingthe Boulevard…..Butatthepresenttime,don’tweasacommunityhavemorepertinentissuestoaddressthen embellishingthetreeswithLEDlights(yetanotherattractionforthehomeless&vagrants…
Ialsomadeitknownthatweareinfavorofrestaurantsidewalkdiningduringthepandemicrequirements….Butclosure /accesstoapublicstreetsothespacecanberentedouttoincreasethecornerbusinessesrevenueisbeyondbeneficial totheresidents&propertyownersrighttoprivacy.Iwouldberemissinmentioninghowitwillaffectpropertyvalue declines.
Susan&MichaelROSEN
6116MelvilStreet
CC90232
P.s.THEDEBACLEDESIGNOFBUSLANESONWASHINGTONBLVDISANOTHERTOPICTHATNEEDSSERIOUSATTENTION… (ragingdrivers/unsafeconditionsturningontonorthsouthstreetsfromaninsidelane….HELLOEMERGENCYVEHICLES!
SentfrommyiPad
1 Maximous, Andrew
Subject: RE: 5-9-22 City Council Meeting Public Comment for Item P-2 From:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Sent:Monday,May16,20224:38PM
To:Eriksson,Goran<[email protected]>;Vera,Albert<[email protected]>;McMorrin,Yasmine <YasmineͲ[email protected]>;Fisch,Alex<[email protected]>;Lee,Daniel <[email protected]>
Cc:Clerk,City<[email protected]>;Nachbar,John<[email protected]>;Susca,Joe <[email protected]>;michaellrosen<[email protected]>;SusanRosen<[email protected]> Subject:Fwd:5Ͳ9Ͳ22CityCouncilMeetingPublicCommentforItemPͲ2
PLEASESEEBELOWFOROurFOLLOWING2RESPONSESTOFINDINGOUTATTHEWITCHINGHOURABOUTLASTNIGHTS MEETINGANDPROPOSALTOPERMANENTLYCLOSEMELVILSTREETATWASHINGTONBLVDAPUBLICINTERSECTION WHICHISACCESSTOA
RESIDENTIALBLOCK.
**THISPROPOSALHASNOTHINGTODOWITHTHEARTSOFCULVERCITY…(ASSTATEDINTHETWOEMAILSNOTED BELOW)WEAREPATRONSOFTHEARTS&LIFETIMESUPPORTERSINLOSANGELES&BEYOND…
THECCADBID…paintsaprettypicturewiththeirImagescollageatMelvilStreet.Note thewholeupholsteredchairs/
tablesforsomeone’sweddingparty.Whatdoesthathavetodowiththearts….ANDNOISELEVEL/PARKING TAKEOVER…..THEREWEREMANYEVENTSHELDTHEREOVERPAST2summers,and therewererumorscirculatingthattheproprietoroftherestaurant&Rosieswererentingthearea…tomyknowledge thisallstartedbeforeRosies&TheGreenBusmovedinandbecametheGatewaytoaresidentialblock.ROSIESisA likelysuspecttouseasFacadeasanonProfit.Wesupporttheorganization,butnotasatakeoverfortheirprojects outsidemyfrontdooranddinnerparties.Therearemunicipalparksforthat!Wesupportedsidewalkdiningduringthe pandemic,butthesepeopletookittoawholeotherlevel.
WHATARETHERIGHTSOFHOMEOWNERS/RESIDENTSWHOPAYPROPERTYTAXESandresideonaresidentialstreet?Do weneedtoseeklegaladvice?
TheotherproposalstobeautifyCCADarewonderfuldreams&ideas,weasacommunityhavemorepressingproblems thatneedimmediateattention…moresothenLEDLIGHTSLIGHTINGUPTHEBOULEVARD..likethe unpredictablebehaviorofthehomelessandthedebacleoftrafficpatterns&driverrageattempting tonavigatethe
newlydesignedaccidentwaitingtohappen…asIstatedlastnight,it’schallengingturningontoastreetoffWashington Blvdwithrestrictedspace…letaloneanfiretrucktryingturn….ATOTALDISASTERWAITINGTOHAPPEN!
Theblightoflitter/paintpeelingofftheblacktop/ homelessfurniture/trash&theerectedawningattheMELVIL cornerareallmagnetsforthehomelessmoveonin.
SINCERELY,
SUSAN&MichaelROSEN
6116MELVILST
CC90232
2
SentfrommyiPad
Beginforwardedmessage:
From:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Date:May9,2022at9:15:43AMPDT
To:"Susca,Joe"<[email protected]>
Cc:michaellrosen<[email protected]>,CityClerk<[email protected]>,JohnNachbar <[email protected]>
Subject:5Ͳ9Ͳ22CityCouncilMeetingPublicCommentforItemPͲ2
Atthisshortnotice…Ican’tcommittoeithervenue,butIwouldsincerelyappreciatedyoupassingonto CityClerkincase….Thisplaniswaytocloseformycomfortlevelandmostimportantlymy SAFETY!!FYI,theownerofajazzcafeonMelvilcornerhasbeeninstrumentalinrentingthisspaceout forawaytogeneratepersonalincome…theclosure/sidewalkdinningwasduringthepandemic,but hetookittoawholeotherlevel…andtookadvantageofthesituation….EKValleyclosertoLaCienega Avekepthisoutsidedinningwithintheparametersofthesituation,notlookingtogarnerIncomeatthe expenseofresidentalprivacy&rightsofhomeownersofwhichIam….
Isincerelyappreciateyourattention&passingthison… SusanROSEN
MichaelROSEN
SentfrommyiPad
OnMay5,2022,at5:24PM,Susca,Joe<[email protected]>wrote:
Susan,doyouplantoattendthemeetingvirtuallyorinperson?Ifnot,I'llbe happytoforwardyourcommentbelowtotheCityClerkforinclusioninthe writtencommentsreceivedforthisitem.
JoeSusca,SeniorManagementAnalyst
PublicWorksDepartmentͲAdministration
9770CulverBoulevard
CulverCity,CA90232
310Ͳ253Ͳ5636
3 I'mintheofficeonMondaysandTuesdays
<OutlookͲwh5uihps.png>
From:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Sent:Thursday,May5,20225:20PM
To:Susca,Joe<[email protected]>
Cc:Clerk,City<[email protected]>;Nachbar,John <[email protected]>;michaellrosen<[email protected]> Subject:Re:AboutreopeningMelvilStreet
Pardonmyreaction…butthissucks!!!Whatprogrammingtobeallowed…time restrictions….homelessunstablepeopleattractionduringnightandday,mail/packages gettingstolen….Trash…lineupofcarsoninresidentialstreet…noaccesstoWashington ,onlyonewayinandout…?????
Arentthereenoughproblemsinthecity…notto
mentionthedebacleOfstreetdesignwithbuslanes/notenoughclearancetoturnoff ofwashington,theblightofpoles….
SentfrommyiPad
OnMay5,2022,at4:50PM,Susca,Joe<[email protected]> wrote:
Susan,IwasjustmadeawarethatthiscomingMondaynight,the ArtsDistrictBusinessImprovementDistrictwillbemakinga presentationtotheCityCouncilregardingtheirproposed workplanfornextfiscalyear(whichstartson7/1/22).Their workplanincludesaproposaltocloseMelvilpermanentlyandto prepareprogrammingforitsfutureuse(seeattachednotice).If theCityCouncilapprovestheArtsDistrictBIDrequest,staffwill beinstructedtoscheduleaneighborhoodmeetingtodiscuss whethertheneighborswanttopermanentlyclosethestreetand ifyes,todiscusswhattypesofprogrammingwouldbeallowed withinit.
Themeetingstartsat7:00p.m.andwillbeheldonMonday evening,5Ͳ9Ͳ22.Attachedareinstructionsandhowtoregisterto attendvirtually.Youmaywishtoattendinpersonifdesiredby visitingtheMikeBalkmanCouncilChamberslocatedonthefirst floorofCityHall,
9770CulverBlvd.,CulverCity,CA90232.Ifyou
areunabletoattendvirtuallyorinperson,youmaysubmit writtencommentsinsteadtotheCityClerkanytimebeforeNoon onMonday5/9/22at[email protected]withacopyto ElaineWarnerat[email protected]Thesubjecttitle 4 shouldbeasfollows:"CityCouncil5Ͳ9Ͳ22MeetingPublic CommentforItemPͲ2"
Thereisnostaffreportwrittenforthisitem,whichappearsas ItemPͲ2ontheCityCouncilAgenda,acopyofwhichisattached.
Iapologizefortheshortnoticehowever,Iwasonlyjustmade awarethattheArtsDistrictworkplanforthecomingyearwason theagendaforthisMondayevening.
Pleasefeelfreetoforwardthis
noticeontoyourfellowneighbors.
JoeSusca,SeniorManagementAnalyst
PublicWorksDepartmentͲAdministration
9770CulverBoulevard
CulverCity,CA90232
310Ͳ253Ͳ5636
I'mintheofficeonMondaysandTuesdays
<OutlookͲknphcyho.png>
The City of Culver City keeps a copy of all E-mails sent and received for a minimum of 2 years. All retained E-mails will be treated as a Public Record per the California Public Records Act, and may be subject to disclosure pursuant to the terms, and subject to the exemptions, of that Act. <PublicNotificationͲCCADandMelvilStreetClosureRequest.pdf> <Agendafor5Ͳ9Ͳ22citycouncilmeeting.pdf>
The City of Culver City keeps a copy of all E-mails sent and received for a minimum of 2 years.
All retained E-mails will be treated as a Public Record per the California Public Records Act, and may be subject to disclosure pursuant to the terms, and subject to the exemptions, of that Act. 1 Maximous, Andrew
Subject: RE: 5-9-22 City Council Meeting Public Comment for Item P-2 From:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Sent:Tuesday,May10,20229:23AM
To:Eriksson,Goran<[email protected]>;Vera,Albert<[email protected]>;McMorrin,Yasmine <YasmineͲ[email protected]>;Fisch,Alex<[email protected]>;Lee,Daniel <[email protected]>;[email protected]<[email protected]> Cc:Clerk,City<[email protected]>;Nachbar,John<[email protected]>;Susca,Joe <[email protected]>;michaellrosen<[email protected]>;SusanRosen<[email protected]> Subject:Fwd:5Ͳ9Ͳ22CityCouncilMeetingPublicCommentforItemPͲ2
PLEASESEEBELOWFOROurFOLLOWING2RESPONSESTOFINDINGOUTATTHEWITCHINGHOURABOUTLASTNIGHTS MEETINGANDPROPOSALTOPERMANENTLYCLOSEMELVILSTREETATWASHINGTONBLVDAPUBLICINTERSECTION WHICHISACCESSTOA
RESIDENTIALBLOCK.
**THISPROPOSALHASNOTHINGTODOWITHTHEARTSOFCULVERCITY…(ASSTATEDINTHETWOEMAILSNOTED BELOW)WEAREPATRONSOFTHEARTS&LIFETIMESUPPORTERSINLOSANGELES&BEYOND…
THECCADBID…paintsaprettypicturewiththeirImagescollageatMelvilStreet.Note thewholeupholsteredchairs/
tablesforsomeone’sweddingparty.Whatdoesthathavetodowiththearts….ANDNOISELEVEL/PARKING TAKEOVER…..THEREWEREMANYEVENTSHELDTHEREOVERPAST2summers,and therewererumorscirculatingthattheproprietoroftherestaurant&Rosieswererentingthearea…tomyknowledge thisallstartedbeforeRosies&TheGreenBusmovedinandbecametheGatewaytoaresidentialblock.ROSIESisA likelysuspecttouseasFacadeasanonProfit.Wesupporttheorganization,butnotasatakeoverfortheirprojects outsidemyfrontdooranddinnerparties.Therearemunicipalparksforthat!Wesupportedsidewalkdiningduringthe pandemic,butthesepeopletookittoawholeotherlevel.
WHATARETHERIGHTSOFHOMEOWNERS/RESIDENTSWHOPAYPROPERTYTAXESandresideonaresidentialstreet?Do weneedtoseeklegaladvice?
TheotherproposalstobeautifyCCADarewonderfuldreams&ideas,weasacommunityhavemorepressingproblems thatneedimmediateattention…moresothenLEDLIGHTSLIGHTINGUPTHEBOULEVARD..likethe unpredictablebehaviorofthehomelessandthedebacleoftrafficpatterns&driverrageattempting tonavigatethe
newlydesignedaccidentwaitingtohappen…asIstatedlastnight,it’schallengingturningontoastreetoffWashington Blvdwithrestrictedspace…letaloneanfiretrucktryingturn….ATOTALDISASTERWAITINGTOHAPPEN!
Theblightoflitter/paintpeelingofftheblacktop/ homelessfurniture/trash&theerectedawningattheMELVIL cornerareallmagnetsforthehomelessmoveonin.
SINCERELY,
SUSAN&MichaelROSEN
6116MELVILST
CC90232
2
SentfrommyiPad
Beginforwardedmessage:
From:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Date:May9,2022at9:15:43AMPDT
To:"Susca,Joe"<[email protected]>
Cc:michaellrosen<[email protected]>,CityClerk<[email protected]>,JohnNachbar <[email protected]>
Subject:5Ͳ9Ͳ22CityCouncilMeetingPublicCommentforItemPͲ2
Atthisshortnotice…Ican’tcommittoeithervenue,butIwouldsincerelyappreciatedyoupassingonto CityClerkincase….Thisplaniswaytocloseformycomfortlevelandmostimportantlymy SAFETY!!FYI,theownerofajazzcafeonMelvilcornerhasbeeninstrumentalinrentingthisspaceout forawaytogeneratepersonalincome…theclosure/sidewalkdinningwasduringthepandemic,but hetookittoawholeotherlevel…andtookadvantageofthesituation….EKValleyclosertoLaCienega Avekepthisoutsidedinningwithintheparametersofthesituation,notlookingtogarnerIncomeatthe expenseofresidentalprivacy&rightsofhomeownersofwhichIam….
Isincerelyappreciateyourattention&passingthison… SusanROSEN
MichaelROSEN
SentfrommyiPad
OnMay5,2022,at5:24PM,Susca,Joe<[email protected]>wrote:
Susan,doyouplantoattendthemeetingvirtuallyorinperson?Ifnot,I'llbe happytoforwardyourcommentbelowtotheCityClerkforinclusioninthe writtencommentsreceivedforthisitem.
JoeSusca,SeniorManagementAnalyst
PublicWorksDepartmentͲAdministration
9770CulverBoulevard
CulverCity,CA90232
310Ͳ253Ͳ5636
3 I'mintheofficeonMondaysandTuesdays
<OutlookͲwh5uihps.png>
From:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Sent:Thursday,May5,20225:20PM
To:Susca,Joe<[email protected]>
Cc:Clerk,City<[email protected]>;Nachbar,John <[email protected]>;michaellrosen<[email protected]> Subject:Re:AboutreopeningMelvilStreet
Pardonmyreaction…butthissucks!!!Whatprogrammingtobeallowed…time restrictions….homelessunstablepeopleattractionduringnightandday,mail/packages gettingstolen….Trash…lineupofcarsoninresidentialstreet…noaccesstoWashington ,onlyonewayinandout…?????
Arentthereenoughproblemsinthecity…notto
mentionthedebacleOfstreetdesignwithbuslanes/notenoughclearancetoturnoff ofwashington,theblightofpoles….
SentfrommyiPad
OnMay5,2022,at4:50PM,Susca,Joe<[email protected]> wrote:
Susan,IwasjustmadeawarethatthiscomingMondaynight,the ArtsDistrictBusinessImprovementDistrictwillbemakinga presentationtotheCityCouncilregardingtheirproposed workplanfornextfiscalyear(whichstartson7/1/22).Their workplanincludesaproposaltocloseMelvilpermanentlyandto prepareprogrammingforitsfutureuse(seeattachednotice).If theCityCouncilapprovestheArtsDistrictBIDrequest,staffwill beinstructedtoscheduleaneighborhoodmeetingtodiscuss whethertheneighborswanttopermanentlyclosethestreetand ifyes,todiscusswhattypesofprogrammingwouldbeallowed withinit.
Themeetingstartsat7:00p.m.andwillbeheldonMonday evening,5Ͳ9Ͳ22.Attachedareinstructionsandhowtoregisterto attendvirtually.Youmaywishtoattendinpersonifdesiredby visitingtheMikeBalkmanCouncilChamberslocatedonthefirst floorofCityHall,
9770CulverBlvd.,CulverCity,CA90232.Ifyou
areunabletoattendvirtuallyorinperson,youmaysubmit writtencommentsinsteadtotheCityClerkanytimebeforeNoon onMonday5/9/22at[email protected]withacopyto ElaineWarnerat[email protected]Thesubjecttitle 4 shouldbeasfollows:"CityCouncil5Ͳ9Ͳ22MeetingPublic CommentforItemPͲ2"
Thereisnostaffreportwrittenforthisitem,whichappearsas ItemPͲ2ontheCityCouncilAgenda,acopyofwhichisattached.
Iapologizefortheshortnoticehowever,Iwasonlyjustmade awarethattheArtsDistrictworkplanforthecomingyearwason theagendaforthisMondayevening.
Pleasefeelfreetoforwardthis
noticeontoyourfellowneighbors.
JoeSusca,SeniorManagementAnalyst
PublicWorksDepartmentͲAdministration
9770CulverBoulevard
CulverCity,CA90232
310Ͳ253Ͳ5636
I'mintheofficeonMondaysandTuesdays
<OutlookͲknphcyho.png>
The City of Culver City keeps a copy of all E-mails sent and received for a minimum of 2 years. All retained E-mails will be treated as a Public Record per the California Public Records Act, and may be subject to disclosure pursuant to the terms, and subject to the exemptions, of that Act. <PublicNotificationͲCCADandMelvilStreetClosureRequest.pdf> <Agendafor5Ͳ9Ͳ22citycouncilmeeting.pdf>
The City of Culver City keeps a copy of all E-mails sent and received for a minimum of 2 years.
All retained E-mails will be treated as a Public Record per the California Public Records Act, and may be subject to disclosure pursuant to the terms, and subject to the exemptions, of that Act. 1 Maximous, Andrew
Subject: RE: 5-9-22 City Council Meeting Public Comment for item P-2 From:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Sent:Monday,May9,20229:18AM
To:Susca,Joe<[email protected]>
Cc:Clerk,City<[email protected]>;Nachbar,John<[email protected]>;michaellrosen <[email protected]>
Subject:5Ͳ9Ͳ22CityCouncilMeetingPublicCommentforitemPͲ2
Pardonmyreaction…butthissucks!!!Whatprogrammingtobeallowed…timerestrictions….homelessunstablepeople attractionduringnightandday,mail/packagesgettingstolen….Trash…lineupofcarsoninresidentialstreet…noaccess toWashington,onlyonewayinandout…?????Arentthereenoughproblemsinthecity…nottomentionthedebacle Ofstreetdesignwithbuslanes/notenoughclearancetoturnoffofwashington,theblightofpoles….
SUSAN&MICHAELROSEN
6116MELVILSTCULVER90232.
PROPERTYOWNER/RESIDENT
SentfrommyiPad
OnMay5,2022,at4:50PM,Susca,Joe<[email protected]>wrote:
Susan,IwasjustmadeawarethatthiscomingMondaynight,theArtsDistrictBusiness ImprovementDistrictwillbemakingapresentationtotheCityCouncilregardingtheirproposed workplanfornextfiscalyear(whichstartson7/1/22).Theirworkplanincludesaproposalto closeMelvilpermanentlyandtoprepareprogrammingforitsfutureuse(seeattached notice).IftheCityCouncilapprovestheArtsDistrictBIDrequest,staffwillbeinstructedto scheduleaneighborhoodmeetingtodiscusswhethertheneighborswanttopermanentlyclose thestreetandifyes,todiscusswhattypesofprogrammingwouldbeallowedwithinit.
Themeetingstartsat7:00p.m.andwillbeheldonMondayevening,5Ͳ9Ͳ22.Attachedare instructionsandhowtoregistertoattendvirtually.Youmaywishtoattendinpersonifdesired byvisitingtheMikeBalkmanCouncilChamberslocatedonthefirstfloorofCityHall, 9770
CulverBlvd.,CulverCity,CA90232.Ifyouareunabletoattendvirtuallyorinperson,youmay submitwrittencommentsinsteadtotheCityClerkanytimebeforeNoononMonday5/9/22at [email protected]withacopytoElaineWarnerat[email protected]The subjecttitleshouldbeasfollows:"CityCouncil5Ͳ9Ͳ22MeetingPublicCommentforItemPͲ2"
Thereisnostaffreportwrittenforthisitem,whichappearsasItemPͲ2ontheCityCouncil Agenda,acopyofwhichisattached.
Iapologizefortheshortnoticehowever,IwasonlyjustmadeawarethattheArtsDistrictwork planforthecomingyearwasontheagendaforthisMondayevening. 2
Pleasefeelfreetoforwardthisnoticeontoyourfellowneighbors.
JoeSusca,SeniorManagementAnalyst
PublicWorksDepartmentͲAdministration
9770CulverBoulevard
CulverCity,CA90232
310Ͳ253Ͳ5636
I'mintheofficeonMondaysandTuesdays
<OutlookͲknphcyho.png>
The City of Culver City keeps a copy of all E-mails sent and received for a minimum of 2 years. All retained E-mails will be treated as a Public Record per the California Public Records Act, and may be subject to disclosure pursuant to the terms, and subject to the exemptions, of that Act. <PublicNotificationͲCCADandMelvilStreetClosureRequest.pdf> <Agendafor5Ͳ9Ͳ22citycouncilmeeting.pdf>
1 Maximous, Andrew
Subject: RE: MELVIL STREET CLOSURE // CCAD PROPOSAL
From:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Sent:Wednesday,July13,20222:41PM
To:Susca,Joe<[email protected]>
Cc:GeretyͲWarner,Elaine<[email protected]>;GracielaMendoza<[email protected]>; michaellrosen<[email protected]>;Eriksson,Goran<[email protected]>;Vera,Albert <[email protected]>;McMorrin,Yasmine<YasmineͲ[email protected]>;Fisch,Alex <[email protected]>;Lee,Daniel<[email protected]>;Clerk,City<[email protected]>;Nachbar, John<[email protected]>;Attorney,City<[email protected]>;CulverCityAdvancePlanning Division<[email protected]>;[email protected]<[email protected]> Subject:Re:MELVILSTREETCLOSURE//CCADPROPOSAL
Joe,WhatdoestheCCADAssociationhavetodowiththe“continuationoftheMelvilStreetClosure”whichisanaccess toablocklinedwithresidentialproperties.??TheArtsDistrictinterestisonWashingtonBlvd,andasIhaveexpressed inperson&inemails….IandmyhusbandsupporttheartsinLA&NYandwelcometheenhancementofourArts DistrictinCulverCity.
Simplysaid…MsMendoza,hasprovidedalitanyofcrediblecomplaintsastowhythestreetshouldnotremain closed.DuringpasteventsthathavebeenheldtherewithorwithoutpermitstherearepileupsofcarsontheMelvil sideofbarriers/alongsidewalk&inthealley….Frankly,it’sadisturbance,includingeverydayaccesstoWashington Blvd&forEmergencyvehicles.Notmentioningtheattractiontoundesirablestreetpersons…
Iwillawaitannouncementsoffuturepublicmeetings…
Thankyou,
SusanROSEN
SentfrommyiPad
OnJul13,2022,at11:37AM,Susca,Joe<[email protected]>wrote:
Susan,toprovideyouadditionaltransparencyonwhereweareatwhendiscussingthefutureof Melvil,belowyoumayrecallthiseͲmailthatwassendtoyoubyElaineGeretyͲWarneroutlining thenextstepsinthisprocess.IhaveannotatedhereͲmailbelowtoincludethetimingofeach taskitcontains.
Elaineprovidedmeacopyofyoursignedpetition,sonow,webothhaveacopyofit.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthenextstepsoutlinedbelow,feelfreetocallmetodiscuss theminmoredetailat310Ͳ253Ͳ5636.
2 Thankyou,
JoeSusca,SeniorManagementAnalyst
PublicWorksDepartmentͲAdministration
9770CulverBoulevard
CulverCity,CA90232
310Ͳ253Ͳ5636
I'mintheofficeonMondaysandTuesdays
<OutlookͲe30tevjj.png>
From:GeretyͲWarner,Elaine<[email protected]> Sent:Wednesday,July13,202211:12AM
To:Susca,Joe<[email protected]>
Subject:Fw:MELVILSTREETCLOSURE//CCADPROPOSAL
From:GeretyͲWarner,Elaine<[email protected]> Sent:Friday,June10,20229:59AM
To:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Cc:Eriksson,Goran<[email protected]>;Vera,Albert<[email protected]>; McMorrin,Yasmine<YasmineͲ[email protected]>;Fisch,Alex <[email protected]>;Lee,Daniel<[email protected]>;Clerk,City <[email protected]>;Susca,Joe<[email protected]>;Nachbar,John <[email protected]>;michaellrosen<[email protected]>;Attorney,City <[email protected]>;[email protected]<[email protected]>; [email protected]<[email protected]>;Shepherd,Allen <[email protected]>;Demitri,Yanni<[email protected]>;Maximous,Andrew <[email protected]>;Blumenfeld,Sol<[email protected]>;Tipton,Todd <[email protected]>
Subject:Re:MELVILSTREETCLOSURE//CCADPROPOSAL
GoodmorningMs.Rosen,
PleasefeelfreetoforwardtomyselfandJoeSuscacopiedabove.(Received)Wewillinclude aspartofourreporttoCityCouncil.AsImentionedtoMs.Mendozayesterday,wehavebeen directedbyCityCouncilonMay9
thtoreviewthecontinuationofthestreetclosureatthe requestoftheCulverCityArtsDistrict.ThiswillbeacomprehensiveprocessandIamcopying ourPublicWorksDirector,YanniDemitriandourTrafficEngineer,AndrewMaximousͲboth 3 whoarefamiliarwiththisreviewandwillbeleadingtheeffortsrelativetostudyingtraffic impacts.
Iwillbeintouchpersonallyoncewehavesetacommunityoutreachmeeting(inperson)for theresidentsandbusinessesinthevicinitytodiscussalloftheissues,impactsand concerns.The
processisoutlinedbelow.
Takecare,
Elaine
Ourreviewprocesswillincludethefollowingsteps:
x ConductingameetingwithpublicsafetystaffforbothCulverCityandtheCityofLos Angelestounderstandanyissuesorconcernswithaccess.(Thisisscheduledtooccur on7Ͳ18Ͳ22)
x ConductingacommunitymeetingͲwithmailednoticeͲtoallresidentsandbusinesses intheareatodiscussthepotentialclosureand/orreopeningofthestreet.Iwill personallysendanemailtoyou,andanyoneelseyouwouldlike.(Dependingonthe outcomeofthe7Ͳ18Ͳ22meetingandanytaskassignmentsresultingfromit,this meetingwilllikelybescheduledthefirstweekofAugustonaweeknight.Staytunedfor aformalpublicnoticeofthemeetinganditsagenda.) x PresentingareporttoCityCouncilthatoutlinesallofthecommentsandconcernswe haveheardandrequestdirectionfromCityCounciliftheywouldliketoproceedwitha trafficstudyandenvironmentalreview.Allmembersofpublicmayalsocomment duringthisagendaitemaswell.(Thisistentativelyscheduledforthe8/22/22City Councilmeetinghowever,dependingontheoutcomeofthetwopriormeetings mentionedabove,itmaybedelayed.)
From:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Sent:Friday,June10,20229:46AM
To:GeretyͲWarner,Elaine<[email protected]> Cc:Eriksson,Goran<[email protected]>;Vera,Albert<[email protected]>; McMorrin,Yasmine<YasmineͲ[email protected]>;Fisch,Alex <[email protected]>;Lee,Daniel<[email protected]>;Clerk,City <[email protected]>;Susca,Joe<[email protected]>;Nachbar,John <[email protected]>;michaellrosen<[email protected]>;Attorney,City <[email protected]>;[email protected]<[email protected]>; [email protected]<[email protected]> Subject:Fwd:MELVILSTREETCLOSURE//CCADPROPOSAL
Iwasinformedthatyouareawarethatwehaveapetitionsignedbypropertyowners/residentsfrom theblockofMelvilStreetthathasbeenclosedoffwithoutanyconsiderationtotheresidents…..so, pleaseadvisewhere/whotosendthis
to.You,Asaprojectmanagerforutilizationofoutsidespaceand closingdownaresidentialstreet,weallthinkyoushouldhavebeentransparentinthepast&especially now.
SusanROSEN
4 6116MelvilStreet
SentfrommyiPad
Beginforwardedmessage:
From:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Date:June10,2022at9:17:44AMPDT
To:[email protected],[email protected], [email protected],yasmineͲ[email protected], [email protected],[email protected]
Cc:CityClerk<[email protected]>,JoeSusca<[email protected]>,John Nachbar<[email protected]>,michaellrosen<[email protected]>, SusanRosen<[email protected]>,[email protected], [email protected]
Subject:MELVILSTREETCLOSURE//CCADPROPOSAL
******.THEPROPERTYOWNERS/RESIDENTSONTHEBLOCKOFMELVILHAVENOW SIGNEDAPETITIONTOOPENUPMELVIL!!PLEASEADVISEWHOTOSENDORDROPOFF TO,.Considerthisemailyetanotherreminderaboutclosingoffaccesstoaresidential block/limitingaccesstoemergencyvehicles/theattractiontohomeless&unstable peoplestealingmail/packages/trashtonameafewreasonsnottokeepitclosed off.Youcanreferencemynumerouspastemailswithalitanyofother reasons.Dependingontheoutcome,ImighthavereasontocontactLAcounty&seek legaladvicetomyrightslivingonapublicstreetonaresidentialblock,payingproperty taxesetc…..
AsIexpressedatthelastmeeting,wearepatronsofthearts&infavorofsupporting theCCADwithenhancingtheBoulevard…..Butatthe
presenttime,don’tweasa
communityhavemorepertinentissuestoaddressthenembellishingthetreeswithLED lights(yetanotherattractionforthehomeless&vagrants…
Ialsomadeitknownthatweareinfavorofrestaurantsidewalkdiningduringthe pandemicrequirements….Butclosure
/accesstoapublicstreetsothespacecanbe
rentedouttoincreasethecornerbusinessesrevenueisbeyondbeneficialtothe residents&propertyownersrighttoprivacy.Iwouldberemissinmentioninghowit willaffectpropertyvaluedeclines.
Susan&MichaelROSEN
6116MelvilStreet
CC
90232
P.s.THEDEBACLEDESIGNOFBUSLANESONWASHINGTONBLVDISANOTHERTOPIC THATNEEDSSERIOUSATTENTION…(ragingdrivers/unsafeconditionsturningonto northsouthstreetsfromaninsidelane….HELLOEMERGENCYVEHICLES!
SentfrommyiPad
1 Maximous, Andrew
Subject: RE: Temporary Use Permits (TUP) to use Sidewalk or Roadway for Outdoor Dining will Expire on August 31, 2022, unless extended through fee payment.
From:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Sent:Tuesday,August9,20228:32AM
To:GeretyͲWarner,Elaine<[email protected]> Cc:GracielaMendoza<[email protected]>;Eriksson,Goran<[email protected]>;McMorrin, Yasmine<YasmineͲ[email protected]>;Fisch,Alex<[email protected]>;Lee,Daniel <[email protected]>;Clerk,City<[email protected]>;Nachbar,John<[email protected]>; Vera,Albert<[email protected]>;Mays,Jesse<[email protected]>;Vidra,Lisa <[email protected]>;Demitri,Yanni<[email protected]>;Tipton,Todd<[email protected]>; Susca,Joe<[email protected]>
Subject:Re:TemporaryUsePermits(TUP)touseSidewalkorRoadwayforOutdoorDiningwillExpireonAugust31, 2022,unlessextendedthroughfeepayment.
IrememberMelvilbeingclosedduringthetimewhensidewalkdiningstartedduetopandemic….Rosie’sFoundation Green/truckmovedinmuchlaterwhenhemovedinbehindTheJazzCafe….Priortothis,Thejazzcafewasholding eventsthere..
SusanROSEN
SentfrommyiPad
OnAug8,2022,at10:58AM,GeretyͲWarner,Elaine<[email protected]>wrote:
GoodmorningMs.Rosen,
The43rdSupplementtothePublicOrderoutlinestheextensionofTUPsthroughoutthe City.ThereiscurrentlyaTUPforuseofMelvilStreetwhichhasbeenissuedtotheRosie’s FoundationandwillexpireuponspecificCityCouncildirection.
Aspreviouslydiscussed,considerationofreopeningMelvilStreetwillincludeacommunity meetingandthenadedicateddiscussionatCityCouncil.Thecommunitymeetingtodiscuss Melvil’sfuturehasbeenscheduledforThursdayevening,September1stat7PM(itwillbeheld virtuallyviaWebex).Themailednoticewillbesentoutinthenextdayorso.Onceinputis receivedfromtheneighborhood(bothbusinessesandresidents)asummaryofthatfeedback willbepresentedatafutureCityCouncilmeeting(currentlyscheduledforSeptember19th)to considereitherextendingorterminatingRosie’sTUP;and/orinstructingstafftotakemeasures toreopenoralternatively,tostudythepermanentclosureofMelvil.
WeareinreceiptofthepetitionsthathavebeensubmittedtoreͲopenthestreetandallof thoseaddresseswillbeincludedinthemailing.WehavealsobeenintouchwiththeCityofLos Angeles,andhavereceivedamailinglistfromthem,similartowhatwasdoneinSeptember 2020,toincludeallresidentsnorthofWashingtoninthevicinity. 2
Ifthereareanyindividualsyouwouldlikeustoemailregardingthecommunitymeetingon September1st,pleaseletJoeandIknowandwecanreachout.
SoinsummarytonextstepsforMelvilStreetconsideration:
x CommunityMeeting–September1st–7PMviaWebex(noticetoCityofLAandCulver Cityresidentstobesentbytomorrow)
x CulverCityCityCouncilDiscussioncurrentlysetfor–September19th–7PMatCityHall CouncilChambersorviaWebex
Takecare,
Elaine
From:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Sent:Saturday,August6,20226:28PM
To:GracielaMendoza<[email protected]>;GovDelivery<[email protected]> Cc:Eriksson,Goran<[email protected]>;McMorrin,Yasmine<YasmineͲ [email protected]>;Fisch,Alex<[email protected]>;Lee,Daniel <[email protected]>;Clerk,City<[email protected]>;CityCouncilͲexternalpublicfacing <[email protected]>;Attorney,City<[email protected]>;Nachbar,John <[email protected]>;Vera,Albert<[email protected]>;GeretyͲWarner,Elaine <[email protected]>
Subject:Re:TemporaryUsePermits(TUP)touseSidewalkorRoadwayforOutdoorDiningwillExpireon August31,2022,unlessextendedthroughfeepayment.
Iwouldliketoknow…whatsidewalkdiningpermitsforrestaurantshavetodowithAstreetclosuresuch asMelvilhavetodowithTUP
&aresidentialstreetnothavingaccesstoWashingtonBlvd SentfrommyiPhone
OnAug6,2022,at5:26PM,GracielaMendoza<[email protected]>wrote:
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: City of Culver City <[email protected]> To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 at 05:06:49 PM PDT
Subject: Temporary Use Permits (TUP) to use Sidewalk or Roadway for Outdoor Dining will Expire on August 31, 2022, unless extended through fee payment.
3
Temporary Use Permits (TUP) to use Sidewalk o
Roadway for Outdoor Dining will Expire on Augu
31, 2022, unless extended through fee paymen
Pursuant to the 43rd Supplement to the Public Order, Temporary Use Permits (TUP) to use the sidewalk or roadw for outdoor dining will expire on August 31, 2022.
If you choose not to extend your TUP and pay the required fee, please remove your outdoor dining furniture, umbrellas, etc, no later than August 31, 2022.
If you wish to extend the TUP, it can be extended until December 31, 2022. The payment will be the City's regu annual license fee of $13 per square foot, prorated to the final 4 months of 2022 or approximately $4.33 per squa foot.
If you anticipate extending, please do so no later than August 15, 2022. To extend your TUP, please email the Engineering Counter with the following information:
1. A determination to extend the TUP and pay the fee;
2. A copy of the approved TUP site plan with a total square footage added that is legible;
3. A copy of the required TUP insurance, with an expiration date no sooner than December 31, 2022; and
4. Your TUP permit number.
The City will then email you an invoice, based on the approved square footage, which can be paid by credit card Culver City Hall, 1st Floor Cashier’s window.
For additional information on how to apply to obtain an Outdoor Dining Permit for use of your expanded sidewalk please visit the City’s website.
Questions?
Contact Us
1 Maximous, Andrew
Subject: RE: SEPTEMBER 1st WEBEX “PERMANENT CLOSURE MELVIL ST.
From:SusanRosen<[email protected]>
Sent:Friday,September2,20229:03AM
To:GeretyͲWarner,Elaine<[email protected]>;GovDelivery<[email protected]>;Eriksson, Goran<[email protected]>;McMorrin,Yasmine<YasmineͲ[email protected]>;Fisch,Alex <[email protected]>;Lee,Daniel<[email protected]>;Clerk,City<[email protected]>;City CouncilͲexternalpublicfacing<[email protected]>;Attorney,City<[email protected]>;Nachbar, John<[email protected]>;Vera,Albert<[email protected]>;GracielaMendoza <[email protected]>;CulverCityAdvancePlanningDivision<[email protected]>; [email protected]<[email protected]>;Susca,Joe<[email protected]>;Graciela Mendoza<[email protected]>;michaellrosen<[email protected]> Subject:SEPTEMBER1stWEBEX“PERMANENTCLOSUREMELVILST.
RE:ADVANCEPLANNING/GENERALPLAN…DOESCITYCOUNCILHAVETHEAUTHORITYTOPERMANENTLYCLOSEOFFA STREETACCESSTOWASHINGTONBLVDTHATHASRESIDENTIALPROPERTIES?
Iattendedthemeetingthatallowedproprojectpeople10minutestospeakandothers asmyself3minutes.
Ͳpeoplethatareprothisclosure….DoesanyoneliveonMELVIL?Wouldtheybeproifthestreettheyresidedonwas declaredapermanentstreetclosure?
ͲdowntownculvercityMainStreetclosurewascomparedtoMELVILasapotentialstreetforaFarmersMarket.Main Streetisintheheartofcommercialretailwithmunicipalparking.WhereareFarmersparkingtounload&reload?Will theybeallowedtoparkintheBusLanesonWashingtonBlvdamongstthelanepolesoradeadendatRosieGreenTruck nearthefrontofmyproperty?
ͲhowlegalisthecarpileupsurroundingRosieTruckduringeventsthathavebeenheldtodate? ͲCulverCity’splansfortownenhancementsuchasMOVE,isanaccidentwaitingtohappen….Driverrage&passingcars usingthebuslaneofwhichIrarelyseeabusinit!TurningontoaNorSstreetoffWashingtonischallengingnightmare, hittingpolessincethere’sbarelyroomtoturn.Limitingparkingspaces….andyouplantoattractmorecarswithyour plansforMELVILSt….Parkingingeneralisproblematiconacommercialstreetandnowyouareplanningtoinvade residentialstreets?
ͲTHECITYPARKATTHEENDOFMELVILWOULDBEANIDEALPLACEforEvents/Rosie’sGreenTruck/aFarmersMarket /Pilatesclasses….plentyofparking/bathrooms….WhileIsupportRosie’snonprofitandtheArts,Idonotapproveof thispotentialinvasioninfrontofmyhomeandLackofrespectforotherresidentslivingonthisblockofwhichmanyrely onparkingspacesonthestreetwheretheylive.
ͲpleaseprovideevidencefromcompaniesthatyoumentionedtonightsupportingthePERMANENTMELVILCLOSURE …SUCHASAPPLEENTERTAINMENT…HBOWARNERCOMMUNICATIONS….ANDREPORTSONSTUDIESTHATWERE MENTIONEDWILLBEDONE….
SusanRosen
6116MELVILSt
Culver City Arts District BID Proposed FY 2022-2023 Budget Considerations
Weekly Sweeping NeededInside Move Culver City Route
MaintenanceMaintenance
Maintenance Program Costs
STRING LIGHTS
String Lights
PS= Per Strand 2.20.2020
Element Description Qty Average Strands
Per Tree Bright ($26 PS) Brighter ($30 PS) Brightest ($36 PS) Jacaranda - Larger Multi Branch Trees
Lining the Median Center Islands -
Wrap Every Tree to the Main
Branches of Canopy.
74 20 $38,480 $44,400 $53,280
Multi Branch Small
Lining the Median Center Islands -
Wrap Every Tree to the Main
Branches of Canopy.
28 10 $7,280 $8,400 $10,080
Palm Tree w/ Decorative Fixture
Lining the North and South Bound
Side Walk Palm Tree From the top
of the Fixture to the very top of
the palm Tree
53 22 $30,316 $34,980 $41,976
Total 155 $76,076 $87,780 $105,336
Jacaranda - Larger Multi Branch Trees
Lining the Median Center Islands -
Wrap Every Tree to the Main
Branches of Canopy.
37 20 $19,240 $22,200 $26,640
Multi Branch Small 10 $0 $0 $0
Palm Tree w/ Decorative Fixture
Lining the North and South Bound
Side Walk Palm Tree From the top
of the Fixture to the very top of
the palm Tree
53 22 $30,316 $34,980 $41,976
Total 90 $49,556 $57,180 $68,616
Element Description Qty Average Strands
Per Tree
Bright
($300 + $243
Controllers)
Brighter
($450 + $243 Controllers)
Brightest
($600 + $243 Controllers)
Jacaranda - Larger Multi Branch Trees RGB Tree Wrap - Two Trees Per Median - Strand Length 66' 28 6 $57,204 $82,404 $107,604 String Light Program Costs
Ballona Creek Monument
2-1$
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Monument Banner Program Costs
MelvilParklet (Before)
MelvilParklet (After)
Total Program Costs/RequestCulver City Arts District BID Proposed FY 2022-2023 Budget Cost
Expense
Maintenance (Chrysalis)
2 Sweepers & 1 Supervisor Annual Cost $80,000.00
Tree (String) Lighting
155 Trees (Jacarandas, Medians & Palms) $105,000.00
Ballona Creek Gateway Monument Refurbishment
Repair, Paint, Lighting and Banners $55,000.00
Melvil Parklet
Programming (Cover by CCAD BID) & Maintenance $5,000.00 Total Funding Request $245,000.00
CCAD (assesments) will cover all administrative costs for the above projects.
Melvil Street Permanent Closure Community Meeting September 1, 2022 1. Opening and Format by Yanni Demitri, Culver City Public Works Director (CCAD BID) 2. Presentation for the Culver City Arts District Business Improvement District (Full Presentation is Attachment X in the staff report) • George Montgomery, President of the CCAD explained the history of how the pandemic led to the closure however, due to the pandemic, the CCAD BID couldn’t really activate the Melvil block, noting that the original intent was to help the local restaurants survive at the time. • Edgar Varela, Executive Director of the CCAD discussed improvements to the area conducted by the CCAD BID including artificial turf, shade structures and some trees/lighting to make the area look better. CCAD BID hired a maintenance contractor who lives in the area to keep it clean and to water the trees. Noted that it is hard to plan events without the closure being permanent. Potential programming options could include artisanal market for vendors, and possibly a Farmers’ Market. If full closure approved, then the CCAD BID can program its use to build the community feeling. Will be showing the space to potential users. • Lee Chernotsky from Rosie’s and Board Member of the CCAD BID. Rosie’s has been operating in Culver City since 2014. The closure will help the community grow and together need to design the space to help all “connect” the community socially and help recent businesses. • PowerPoint presented by Lee Chernotsky. Encourage the creative community to try “learning new things” and to learn from each other. Potential to call it “Melvil Park.” It has become an organic space for people to come together.
The Sunset Triangle Plaza (STP) photo is near Griffith Park. Work to eliminate traffic congestion and accidents and keep community and riding bikes and seeing kids play in a safe area. STP closed weekly for a Farmer’s Market, but the traffic access it provided was minimal, so they decided to close it permanently for the local coffee shop to use and a nearby café too.
Edgar: Less cars, slower cars is the way to go for a modern city.
Lee: The EK Valley road closure area on WA Blvd should remain open and keep the road closed so they may continue to operate. 3. Community Comments Ken Mand, Arts District Resident and Culver City Arts District Resident Association: Input with community is very important and important to have conversations for the potential of space. The Space could be very special and moving forward could be embraced by residents throughout the Arts District and make the area shine. Birthday parties and Farmers’ Market can be held here, more art displays, and
with more input from the local businesses we will use it for other events and to display art. Apple is coming, Cumulus is opening up so we will have dramatic changes to WA Blvd. This is a special space. Believe we can mitigate challenges and annoyances and can collaborate with the neighbors to make it all work out. Shona Paesel: Speak with multiple hats as an Arts District resident, mom who uses space and on Board for the Culver Arts Foundation. Space is special and a haven with during the pandemic. Able to spend countless hours beneath the tent and participate in the Pilates/yoga classes, which are a lovely experience. Community mural on the building walls is really beautiful and a special moment for son to participate. Witnessed restaurants/business using the space and it is great to see. I call it the “Marvelous Melvil Activation Hub”. Love the space and can’t wait to see what happens in the future Eric Paesel: Arts District resident and the Melvil space has been a huge plus and is a silver lining during the pandemic. My wife attends the Yoga class there every Saturday. We don’t have a similar space nearby that we can program and be controlled by the Arts District BID, and they are maintaining the area, so I support it continuing with permanent closure. Maria Mendoza: I live on Melvil, my backyard faces the alley. Why is Melvil the only one closed for use by local businesses, it isn’t fair without telling us or warning us first. It’s not a community space, we weren’t even told about it and are not allowed to use it either. Only one business benefits from it, not the neighbors. No one in our street taking benefit. No one on my street wants to keep it closed. I hate the loud music, and there is trash too. Parking is a big issue without it, especially illegal alley parking as a result of limited parking that blocks access to residents, including my driveway exits to the alley. There is a lot of homeless who are noisy themselves, and they are attracted there to have parties and hang out and they throw rocks and become violent sometimes. I started petition for my street to re-open. Why not close another street, not ours! I have a lot of stress and I visit a therapist as a result of the closure. My daughter is stressed out too and is ill and my son too. Ali Lexa: As we lose more and more access to our homes, it creates even more grid lock and the only thing there is the Rosie’s van! No restaurants are using the block. They already blocked all the parking on Washington Boulevard and that has helped the restaurants, but not the residents. How about we close it once weekly for the Farmers Market instead as a compromise? Traffic congestion just moves to Washington Boulevard and doesn’t go away at all. The local businesses would benefit more by having parking for their clients. What about using Syd Kronenthal Park instead – it is just three blocks away! We were patient during the pandemic, but now we suffer more traffic gridlock as a result. We should be involved more in such decisions and we weren’t. Please reopen the block. Michael and Susan Rosen: Susan – Thank you Ali, you said much of what I was going to say. Does any Arts District BID board member live off Melvil? . . . . I didn’t think so. They won’t suffer the trucks in the alley, littering, and commerce near their homes. Closing Melvil is NOT a public space – use Syd Kronenthal Park instead and MANY hold events there, so why can’t ROSIE’s hold their events there too? I don’t see anyone profiting (aside from businesses) from your programming intentions. The art galleries and office spaces nearby are all available to use their own space to have such events, and they will NOT benefit by this closure. This is a residential block and the pile of illegally parked cars in the alley and in front of our homes is unacceptable. Rosie’s is taking the lead to govern this effort after subletting the space from Industry Cafe? I pay taxes! Where will people park for an event you hold in this closed block anyway? No parking is left nearby except in front of my home! There is a beautiful park nearby – that is where events should be held, away from my personal residential property. I love the Arts and I patronize them this has nothing to do with art, this is all about Rosie’s parking their Van on the street. Michael Rosen: Rosie’s had an issue finding a place to park their Van, and that is all this block is successful in doing. The Arts District BID I approached and said you took eight parking spaces away from us, why didn’t you come to us residents and ask our opinion first? I see the homeless there all the time and it is problematic and unwelcome, but they love the closed road use as a haven. I have to shoo them away, and clean upbroken glass containers, fecal matter, and trash they leave behind and our children are exposed to all of it when they go to school. None of you live on Melvil – You have a beautiful park only three blocks away, why not use it and it has on-site parking too. May seek legal advice if this proceeds This is a residential street and is not intended for commercial uses. CL: (Difficult to decipher) “Codie”, a Rosie’s client. Wants to keep Melvil closed. Kathleen Kurkjian: As a local resident, I found the presentation very weak – and it is missing a lot of information. I agree with the lack of street parking being available and more neighborhoods in the area are applying for “permit parking” given the overflow parking into my neighborhood as a result of the nearby restaurants customers and now, a COVID-19 testing facility nearby. I have witnessed (while reading my newspaper) illegal parkers and I tell them to MOVE because they don’t have a permit to display in their vehicle. I also object to the increased accidents at our corner. Plus streetsweepers cannot access the area that is closed off so it isn’t being kept clean. The closure creates more traffic and slows flows down, not the opposite as claimed! Getting to Smart & Final takes 20 minutes to navigate from my home which is ridiculous. I have lived here since 1974 and it is difficult to get around. Use the space that you have already have available and this space is not needed -- it is just wrong. I should have been notified about the closure ahead of time and we weren’t. Also, the businesses and Arts District don’t even live here! Kenji Haroutjanian: I support the closure, but I don’t live that close to it. I do patronize the businesses in the area via my bicycle. I like the idea of the community space, but I agree the impacts to adjacent neighbors is a real issue – maybe we can develop some form of compromise? I love the Syd Kronenthal Park, but this would be a nice addition. I have no idea who Rosie’s is or what they do. We all pay taxes and contribute to the betterment of the neighborhood. Michael Monagan: I live on Fay and obviously there has to be a lot of work in regard to addressing the issues raised by the community. As a musician, I support building community spaces and support public performances, so the idea of music (not loud) and Yoga uses on Melvil is great. The space does need to be used and be vibrant, and input is necessary from everyone to determine its programming. 4. Closing – Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director Appreciated the community’s time and noted that everyone feels very strongly about these issues. If the Council directs staff to keep Melvil Street closed, a study will need to be done to assess the impact this closure would have on traffic circulation and noise. The City has zero tolerance for loud music that does not adhere to our noise ordinance or for parking violations in the alley—and when reported, violators are cited. When issues are reported, Parking Enforcement is immediately sent out. This location has been listed on a “hot list” of locations that gets cleaned up more frequently. A full closure will not occur unless there is City Council direction. If the City proceeds with a closure, there would be more outreach to the residents to incorporate feedback and concerns, so it is done in a way to support the business in the area but keeps harmful impacts to area residents to minimum or eliminate any negative impacts where possible.