1 THESE MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL
UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL,
CULVER CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD,
CULVER CITY PARKING AUTHORITY,
REDEVELOPMENT FINANCING AUTHORITY,
AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CULVER CITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD
REGULAR MEETING OF THE April 10, 2023
CITY COUNCIL, CULVER CITY 7:00 p.m.
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD,
CULVER CITY PARKING AUTHORITY,
REDEVELOPMENT FINANCING AUTHORITY, AND
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CULVER CITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
Mayor Vera called the regular meeting of the City Council, Culver City Housing Authority Board, Culver City Parking Authority, Redevelopment Financing Authority, and Successor Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency Board to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Mike Balkman Chambers at City Hall.
Present: Albert Vera, Mayor
Yasmine-Imani McMorrin, Vice Mayor
Göran Eriksson, Council Member
Freddy Puza, Council Member
Dan O’Brien, Council Member
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Closed Session
Jeremy Bocchino, City Clerk, reported no requests to speak on Closed Session items.
April 10, 2023
2 MOVED BY MAYOR VERA , SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PUZA AND
UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL, CULVER CITY HOUSING
AUTHORITY BOARD, CULVER CITY PARKING AUTHORITY, REDEVELOPMENT
FINANCING AUTHORITY, AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CULVER CITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION.
At 5:32 p.m. the City Council, Culver City Housing Authority Board, Culver City Parking Authority, Redevelopment Financing Authority, and Successor Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency Board adjourned to Closed Session to consider the following Closed Session Items:
CS-1 CC - Conference with Real Property Negotiators
Re: 12337 to 12423 Washington Boulevard, 4061 to 4069 Centinela Avenue; and 4064 Colonial Avenue
City Negotiators: John M. Nachbar, City Manager; Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager; Elaine Warner, Economic Development Director; and Todd Mooney, City Special Counsel
Other Parties Negotiators: Culver Public Market, LLC
Under Negotiation: Both Price and Terms of Payment
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
CS-2 CC - Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Re: Significant Exposure to Litigation (1 Item)
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
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Reconvene
Mayor Vera reconvened the meeting of the City Council at 6:5 4 p.m. with all Council Members present.
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Recognition Presentations
Item R-1
Presentation of Certificates to Participants in the Dr. Lucy Jones Institute’s 2022 Community Resilience Program in Culver City
Inez Pierce, Dr. Lucy Jones Center, provided background on the organization; discussed lessening the impact of disasters by planning ahead; the Connected Communities Resilience Program; appreciation for the work of Christine Parra, Shelly Wolfberg , April 10, 2023
3 and valuable community partners; and she noted that actions taken today c ould prevent future events fr om becoming catastrophes.
A representative from the Dr. Lucy Jones Institute thanked participants.
Dr. Suzanne Debenedittis thanked the City for being proact ive; discussed CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training; refresher training; Freeway Associates; getting programming in more neighborhoods; she thanked the City for welcoming the program; and she asked the City to do even more.
Dr. Lucy Jones thanked the City for their work noting that the natural hazard was inevitable, but the disaster was not , and she stated that research indicates that communities that care about each other are the communities that recover.
Christina Parra thanked the City Council for the opportunity to share the work of the program participants and the Lucy Jones Center; discussed contributions of participants; learning about community needs; neighbors helping neighbors; knowing where community resources are; help with deci sion making; and she indicated that the community resiliency framework they had worked on was available at culvercity.org/emergencyprep.
Mayor Vera presented certificates to parti cipants in the Dr.
Lucy Jones Institute’s 2022 Community Resilience Program in Culver City.
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Item R-2
A Proclamation Declaring April 28, 2023 as Arbor Day in Culver City
Council Member Eriksson presented a proclamation declaring April 28, 2023 as Arbor Day in Culver City.
Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director, discussed the number of trees in the City and the intent to plant more.
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April 10, 2023
4 Item R-3
A Proclamation Declaring the Month of April as National Arab American Heritage Month in Culver City
Vice Mayor McMorrin presented a proclamation declaring the month of April as Arab American Heritage Month in Culver City.
Haifaa Moammar thanked the City for the proclamation.
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Item R-4
A Proclamation Declaring April 22, 2023 as Earth Day in Culver City
Council Member O’Brien presented a proclamation declaring April 22, 2023 as Earth Day in Culver City.
Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director , discussed the
Environmental Programs and Operations Department and their work to preserve the environment in the City.
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Regular Session
Mayor Vera reconvened the regular meeting of the City Council, Successor Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency Board, Redevelopment Financing Authority, Culver City Housing
Authority Board, and Culver City Parking Authority at 7:13 p.m. with all Council Members present.
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Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Vera led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Report on Action Taken in Closed Session
Mayor Vera indicated nothing to report out of Closed Session.
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April 10, 2023
5 Community Announcements by Members/Information Items from Staff
Council Member O’Brien reported attending a Ramadan Iftar dinner at King Fahad Mosque and the Seder for Passover hosted by the Wende Museum and Supervisor Holly Mitchell; discussed empathy and understanding gained through experiencing others and their cultures; events for Earth Day on April 22; and he reported that Isaac Bryan would be presenting a check to West Los Angeles College to help fund California’s first Climate Change Trade and Education Technology Center.
Council Member Puza discussed recent celebrations for Ramadan, Passover, and Easter; the opportunity to start anew as winter turns to spring; upcoming Earth Day events; he announced that the Culver City Police Department (CCPD) would be discussing the 2022 Racial Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) Report on April 27; and discussed use of the information to help make the City safe for everyone.
Vice Mayor McMorrin expressed warm holiday wishes to neighbors celebrating Passover, Easter, and Ramadan Mubar ak; discussed American Heritage month; Dolores Huerta Day; increased mass shootings; support for the Tennessee Three ; she encouraged everyone to read about what is happening in Tennessee; discussed power and systems being used to thwart d issent; Fair Housing Month in April; current issues leading to houselessess; housing affordability; pricing future generations out of the state; and she encouraged the City to do more for fair housing in the City.
Alicia Ide, Management Analyst, announced that the City would be giving away 199 trees in honor of Arbor Day and Earth Day at the annual compost day on May 6.
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Information Items
Item I-1
CC – Update on Homelessness Emergency (Including Project Homekey, Safe Camping, and Other Housing Programs)
Tevis Barnes, Housing and H uman Services Director, discussed the Safe Sleep program; the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team; interim and permanent supportive housing; master leasing hotels to assist unhoused neighbors; efforts to increase affordable April 10, 2023
6 housing production; the City Council -approved professional services agreement with Urban Alchemy; the timeframe for training, onboarding, and site activation; utilities; lighting; electricity; and bathrooms and showers.
Arames White -Shearin, Assistant to the City Manager on Homelessness, provided a slide show to present images of what the Safe Sleep site will look like; discussed the tents and their contents; and noted the ability for guests pick designs for the tents.
Tevis Barnes, Housing and Human Services Director, indicated that towel and linen service would be available; discussed laundromat vouchers provided to guests; work with the Human Services Department to onboard the Human Services and Crisis Intervention Manager; applicants; the interview and selection process; easements; Project Homekey; the construction schedule; Southern California Edison; the need for a new trans former; onsite services; the interim component for Project Homekey; the projected opening in July; master leasing of motels; production of affordable housing; the actions of Santa Monica; the Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities grant; the
importance of transportation and bike infrastructure to the grant; the competitive application; and funding.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding the potential grant amount; meal frequency with the Safe Sleep Program; the process for neighbors to help those in need of housing; information available at culvercity.org/homelessness; and appreciation to staff for their efforts.
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Joint Public Comment – Items NOT on the Agenda
Mayor Vera indicated that public comment would be taken for 20 minutes with anyone who was not able to be heard during that time called to speak at the conclusion of the meeting agenda.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council:
Amy Hunter discussed the successful opening of the theater; work to be done to get back to pre-pandemic levels; plans to host a summer movie series for kids; potential partnership with the Downtown Business Association (DBA); and she requested City sponsorship of marketing to help promote the program.
April 10, 2023
7 Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding involvement of the Cultural Affairs Commission in the process, and Council consensus was achieved from Mayor Vera and Council Members Eriksson, O’Brien, and Puza to agendize consideration of a marketing sponsorship for the theater.
Bubba Fish with one minute ceded by Aaron Lieberman, spoke on behalf of a coalition of 28 community organizations urging the City Council to make the existing MOVE Culver City project permanent without adding another lan e of traffic for vehicles and expand to other neighborhoods in the City; he read an excerpt of a letter submitted to the City Council in support of maintaining and further expanding the region -wide amenity; discussed the importance of listening to all stak eholders, especially those who the project benefits the most; harm to working class people caused by watering down the project; improved safety for cyclists and pedestrians; data indicating a reduction to the number of collisions between cars and cyclists and cars and pedestrians in the project area since 2021; transportation as the largest sector of greenhouse emissions contributed in southern California; incentivizing travel by alternate modes of transportation; emergency vehicles that rely on MOVE Culver City; and induced demand and increased Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) with an additional vehicle lane.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding lack of information about accidents in previous reports on MOVE Culver City; verification of information; and staff agreement to provide data in the next presentation on the matter.
Nancy Barba, Culver City for More Homes, indicated being a Planning Commissioner, but not speaking on their behalf; she asked the City Council to continue investm ent in MOVE Culver City and beyond; discussed the importance of creating walkable, livable spaces with a bundant housing available since less parking spaces are needed; increased safety with more people out on the street; prioritizing equity by continuing to provide a dedicated bus lane; and the resurfacing of Venice Boulevard.
David Metzler was called to speak but was not present.
Philip Lelyveld with one minute ceded from Jamie Wallace , thanked FM3 for their survey of a truly representative sample of the City; discussed research methodologies employed; the rollout of MOVE Culver City without the necessary public education strategies to build understanding and support among citizens; people who do not pay attention to government unless April 10, 2023
8 it makes their lives much better or much worse; MOVE Culver City as making people’s lives worse; admirable program goals; achieving long term goals of Culver City; listening to the data; developing fixes to strongly disliked elements of the current design to develop supportive groundwork for the plan as a whole; showing people they are being listened to; and winning support for a worthwhile long term environmental and social initiative.
Michelle Weiner , Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Member, indicated that s he was speaking on behalf of herself; expressed support for MOVE Culver City as being part of a network of bus and bike lanes across the region; reported expansion in Los Angeles; she noted that improvements could be made, but not by adding a car lane or t aking away a bus or a bike lane; discussed the pedestrian experience; the buffer of a bus and bike lane between the cars; and she asked the City to push for Vision Zero instead of having zero vision.
Disa Lindgren expressed support for making MOVE Culver City permanent and expanding it; discussed a caregiver who took the bus for hours to reach Culver City to help care for her mother; and she noted the advantages of MOVE Culver City that shorten trips and increase quality of life for everyone.
Leah Pressman expressed support for keeping and expanding MOVE Culver City; felt pride at the recent Walk N Rollers event when Culver City was praised by the City’s Congresswoman and Assembly Member for leading in active transportation; discussed loss of funding if the City goes backward on the commitment to equity, sustainability, and reducing greenhouse gases;
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) reports; greenhouse gases; the dire future if fossil fuels consumption is not reduced; the need to build infrastructure to make it quick and convenient to get people out of cars; success in other places; progress made; and the need for bus and bike lanes to serve residents in Fox Hills, Rain Tree, Lakeside Terrace and to connect them to the Metro and downtown area.
Christopher Michel expressed strong support for maintaining and expanding MOVE Culver City noting that it is a critical part of infrastructure that he uses all the time; he expressed
appreciation for the outdoo r dining along the corridor; he discussed his increased use of Expo and alternative forms of transportation since the implementation of the pilot project; pollution associated with cars; investing in the future; benefits to the economy, public health, and the environment; adding a car lane at the same time Venice is being reconfigured April 10, 2023
9 to add bus lanes; traffic that will return to downtown; the biased survey; he proposed focusing on the fact that the majority of people liked MOVE Culver City but had a problem with the timing of the lights; felt that bicyclists and transit riders should be listened to rather than residents; discussed people who work in the City; and he wanted to see everyone work together to create a healthier, more sustainable, equitable Culver City.
Mayor Vera indicated that he would allow an additional ten minutes for Public Comment – Items NOT On The Agenda with the balance of the speakers to be heard at the end of the meeting.
Caro Vilain indicated that she was not able to drive; discussed people who rely on micro -mobility to get around; giving space to cars; the climate crisis; cars as the leading cause of death for children in Los Angeles county; financial and equity issues; progress made by the City in improving safety for everyone; data supporting the success of the project; and she asked that the project be expanded instead of prioritizing polluting death machines.
Elias Platt-Bermeo was called to speak but did not respond.
Adrian Killegrew expressed his support fo r maintaining and expanding MOVE Culver City; wanted to see the focus kept on mass transportation and protected bus and bike lanes; discussed making things better for the future; the death of their friend killed by a distracted driver; and he asserted that more protected lanes were necessary.
Jett Galindo expressed support for MOVE Culver City; discussed benefits to local businesses; increased sales tax revenue and spending at local businesses; the myth that the bus and bike lanes are killing local busines ses; strengthened connections with local businesses; her daily commute; the LAX People Mover; the Metro; concern that taking away MOVE Culver City would discourage pedestrian traffic generated business in the City; being a conduit to other cities that have safer pedestrian traffic; and the importance of making alternative modes of traffic safer for everyone.
Conor Proffitt discussed his positive experiences with MOVE Culver City; the misconception that adding another lane of traffic would improve congestion; negative effects of adding another lane; making Culver City a pass through rather than a April 10, 2023
10 destination; and he asked th e City to adjust the lights or do whatever is necessary not to add another lane of traffic.
Sean McLemore thanked the City noting that businesses were happy that Main Street had been reopened and he discussed the amount of increased business since the street has been opened.
Prisca Gloor discussed the enduring patriarchy; the culture of blaming women for provoking abuse with no consequences for men; and she suggested that the proposed training for City Council and staff about racial awareness be also offered to residents and include sexism as a necessary start to addressing societal issues.
The time limit for public speaking was reached and the Mayor indicated that the remaining speakers would be heard at the conclusion of the agenda.
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Receipt and Filing of Correspondence
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER O’BRIEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
ERIKSSON AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVE AND FILE CORRESPONDENCE.
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Order of the Agenda
No changes were made.
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Consent Calendar
T’Ana Allen, Deputy City Clerk, read a correction for Item C-2, on page 2 of the minutes for the meeting held on March 27, 2023 noting that the reference to the Culver City Sister Cities Association had been corrected to read the Culver City Sister City Committee.
MOVED BY VICE MAYOR MCMORRIN, SECONDED BY MAYOR VERA AND
UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS C-1 THROUGH C-4.
April 10, 2023
11 Item C-1
CC:HA:SA - Approval of Cash Disbursements for March 18, 2023 to March 31, 2023
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL, HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD, AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD: APPROVE CASH
DISBURSEMENTS FOR MARCH 18, 2023 TO MARCH 31, 2023.
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Item C-2
CC:HA:SA - Approval of Minutes o f the Regular City Council Meeting on March 27, 2023
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL , HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD, AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD: APPROVE MINUTE S FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MARCH 27, 2023 AS AMENDED.
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Item C-3
CC - (1) Award of a $2,600 Off -Cycle Special Events Grant and Designation of The Exchange Club's Car Show on May 13, 2023, as a City-Sponsored Event, as Recommended by the Special Events Grant Program City Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee; and (2) Authorization to the City Manager to Administratively Approve Applicable City Permits and Licenses Needed to Conduct the Event
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1. AWARD A $2,600 OFF-CYCLE SPECIAL EVENTS GRANT AND DESIGNATE THE EXCHANGE CLUB’S CAR SHOW ON MAY 13, 2023, AS A CITY-SPONSORED
EVENT, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SPECIAL EVENTS GRANT PROGRAM CITY COUNCIL AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE; AND,
2. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER T O ADMINISTRATIVELY APPROVE
APPLICABLE CITY PERMITS AND LICENSES NEEDED TO CONDUCT THE EVENT.
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April 10, 2023
12 Item C-4
CC - (1) Approval of an Agreement with Marina Landscape for City-Wide Landscape Maintenance Services in the Amount of $766,230 for a Two-Year and Seven-Month Period Beginning May 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025, with the Option of Two One-Year Extensions as Approved by the City Manager; (2) Authorization to the City Manager to Approve Amendments to Such Agreement up to an Additional A mount Not-to-Exceed $139,128, or 20% of the Base Agreement Amount
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1. APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH MARINA LANDSCAPE FOR CITY -WIDE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $766,230 FOR A TWO-YEAR AND SEVEN-MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING MAY 1, 2023, WITH THE
OPTION OF TWO ONE -YEAR EXTENSIONS AS APPROVED BY THE CITY MANAGER; AND,
2. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO SUCH AGREEMENT UP TO AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $139,128 OR 20% OF THE BASE AGREEMENT AMOUNT; AND,
3. AUTHORIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO REVIEW/PREPARE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS; AND,
4. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SUCH DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
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Action Items
Item A-1
CC - (1) Approval of the Culver City Community Garden Relocation Sites of Veterans Memorial Park and Syd Kronenthal Park; (2) Consideration of Non -Park Property for Additional Communal, Hybrid, and/or Rentable Community Gardens; and (3) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate
Francisca Castillo, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Manager, provided a summary of the material of record.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding the timeframe to get the community garden up a nd running; the storm water project at Syd Kronenthal Park; access during April 10, 2023
13 construction; shading; tree trimming; and consultation with Parks staff and a landscape architect.
Mayor Vera invited public comment.
The following member of the public addressed the City Council:
Michelle Weiner was called to speak but was not present.
Jane Leonard , Par ks, Recreation and Community Services Commissioner and Member of the Community Gardens Subcommittee, expressed appreciation to staff for their efforts; discussed the robust process; public outreach; public input; the value of the community garden tours; making the 17 renters whole as soon as possible due to the time that has passed; community
gardening; and opportunities to get people interested in healthy food.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding appreciation to the Subcommittee for their work; support for the equity component of the sites; a suggestion to have the project move forward in two phases; spreading out acr oss the City; SB (Senate Bill) 1000 priority neighborhoods; concern with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance in Fox Hills; support for moving forward as quickly as possible and then adding more in a second phase; the importance of focusing on communities that do not have backyards or the ability to grow plants; the community event; capital expenditure necessary to make things ADA accessible; lack of parking; serving the Fox Hills neighborhood; non-park properties; adding raised gardens to the r ooftop of downtown parking structures; the number of renters in the City with restricted patio access; program requirements; amount of feedback received; evaluation of non - park property; the comprehensive map of services and resources available in the City ; the Culver City Living brochure; encouraging people not to drive; promotion of transit and sustainability; locations for the plot; current usage of Veterans Park; single family homes near Veterans Park; providing garden access that people can walk to; th e rental registry; coordination with the Housing Department to identify needs; support for the communal model and others; making plots more available; and public/private partnerships.
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ERIKSSON, SECONDED BY MAYOR VERA AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
April 10, 2023
14 1. APPROVE THE CULVER CITY COMMUNITY GARDEN RELOCATION SITES OF
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK AND SYD KRONENTHAL PARK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE; AND,
2. DIRECT THE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION TO CONTINUE LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVES FOR OTHER
LOCATIONS INCLUDING FOX HILLS AND TELLEFSON PARK AND NON-PARK
PROPERTY AND PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR ADDITIONAL
COMMUNAL, HYBRID, AND/OR RENT ABLE COMMUNITY GARDENS WITH INFORMATION BROUGHT BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL WHEN AVAILABLE.
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Public Comment – Items Not on the Agenda (Continued)
Mayor Vera invited public comment.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council:
Amanda McDaniel expressed support for the MOVE Culver City Project; noted that the survey had proved that lack of community education had hampered project success; discussed the
opportunity not to water down the project, but to better communicate benefits; money spent downtown as a result of the project that would decrease if the bus and bike lanes are removed; and the importance of supporting transformational projects to create a more sustainable, multi -modal
transportation system that can be built upon in the future.
David Metzler pointed out new statistics about the average cost of monthly car payments since the pandemic; costs for cars vs. bicycles; the need to provide a connected network of protected bike lanes; increases to bike trips with the MOVE Culver City project; and the single connection to the Expo bike lane.
Samuel Shapiro-Kline was called to speak but did not respond.
Nathan Fan was called to speak but did not respond.
Olga Lexell expressed support for expanding MOVE Culver City; discussed the recent survey; cost of housing in Culver City; the jobs/housing imbalance; money spent in the City; she noted that her job and livelihood is located in the City, but she was not allowed to weigh in on the issue as she lives a half a mile outside of the City; expressed concern that the voices of working class people who commute to the City daily do not matter; discussed increased walkability and safer roads; building on April 10, 2023
15 the success of the pilot project; forcing people to own a car; and concern with taking away something that reduces VMT and encourages people to bike and walk.
Jake Ettinger provided background on himself; read a quote from Eli Weisel in honor of Passover; spoke in support of MOVE Culver City; discussed other parts of the world where people bike more; increased usage with increased safety; building a network to allow everyone to get around safe ly; providing safe mobility options; previous prioritization of the car; he thanked Council Members for considering public comment; and he wanted to see MOVE Culver City expanded.
Kyle Ribordy indicated moving to Culver City as a result of the walkable and accessible downtown area; expressed support for MOVE Culver City; discussed feeling safe biking everywhere; traffic concerns; removing cars from the road; investment in the City; providing mobility options for people coming into the City to work and eat; and he wanted to see MOVE Culver City expanded.
Dr. D’yann Crosby, Sign with Me, discussed improving the quality of life for aging adults; hearing loss; increased frustration, isolation, anxiety, and depression related to not being able to communicate; bridging the gap between young and old; classes, training, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities; she provided information and a book about their services, and responding to Council Member Eriksson, she indicated that she had contacted the Senior Center and hoped to work with them.
Allison Casey indicated that she had chosen to move to Culver City because of MOVE Culver City; discussed money spent in the City; people who want to move here after visiting; installation of bus and bike lanes on Venice; protests in Boyle Heights in efforts to gain the same infrastructure Culver City has; go ing backwards; making it harder for Police and Fire to do their jobs and making it less safe for children; and she indicated if the bus/bike lane is removed she would not encourage people to visit anymore and would look for someplace else to live.
Jeanne Black provided background on herself; discussed the most recent data about the impact of MOVE Culver City on travel times; personal reporting ; recall bias; increases to general stress levels; she asserted that taking away the bus lane would not fix congestion in the downtown area; and she asked that the City Council consider the data when making decisions about the future of MOVE Culver City.
April 10, 2023
16 Jeff Schwartz, Culver City Democratic Club, provided background on the organization and read a resolution they had unanimously adopted in support of making MOVE Culver City permanent.
Melissa Sanders asked that the City make a proclamation since May is N ational Jewish Heritage month especially in light of increases to Jewish hate crimes; she noted that a Jewish School Board Member had received anti-Jewish sentiments; felt that the bus lane in Culver City would be redundant with the bus lane being installed on Venice; discussed consideration of impacts to businesses and business tax revenue for the City; she indicated being told that information on parking meter revenue was not available; and she wanted to see everything considered as a whole.
Lorri Horn was called to speak but was not present.
Darcy Parsons was called to speak but was not present.
Carolyn Libuser was called to speak but was not present.
Rob Weber encouraged the City to continue investing and expand the MOVE Culver City project; discussed his positive experiences using MOVE Culver City; safe and efficient ways to get in and around the City; money spent in the City; he indicated that he no longer drives into the City thereby no longer contributing to overparking, vehicle traffic, or pollution; he applauded the City for providing safer and more accessible alternatives; and hoped that the City would make MOVE Culver City permanent and expand it.
Cindy Bailey provided background on herself; thanked the City for opening Main Street; discussed her experiences riding a bike in the City over the past 30 years; data; increased taxes after COVID; accident levels; inaccurate comparisons; support for the bike lane, but not the bus lane; making adjustments to the project to make it usable for everyone; and she noted that residents were the most affected by the project.
Stephen Schaller provided background on himself; emphasized positive impacts of MOVE Culver C ity to his family; discussed mobility and safety afforded by the project; efficient public transit; selling their second car and running errands using bicycles; the importance of a physical barrier between bikes and distracted drivers; the principle of ind uced demand; data indicating that adding more lanes creates more drivers, traffic, April 10, 2023
17 and pollution; prioritizing pedestrian safety over car convenience; and he asked the City to commit to doing as much as they can to improve the air and water.
Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin discussed survey results online; City Council use of the data; increases in heart attacks during the pandemic; the importance of learning CPR (Cardio pulmonary Resuscitation); sidewalk CPR events in June; and she encouraged everyone to learn CPR to help save lives.
Scott Moon expressed support for steps the City is taking to improve multi-modal transit with MOVE Culver City; indicated that protected bus and bike lanes, as well as access to beautiful public spaces were primary reasons for movin g to the City; discussed the potential to realize similar elements to quality of life as they had experienced in Scandinavia; and he urged the City Council to support MOVE Culver City.
Lorri Horn discussed increased graffiti around the schools; encouraged the City and School Board to work together to thoughtfully address issues; expressed concern with water collecting in the alleys and mosquitos; she encouraged reduction to the use of plastics; and she expressed support for MOVE Culver City with continued improvements in an aesthetically pleasing way.
Eli Lipman was called to speak but was not present.
Judy Sherman, Fox Hills Neighborhood Association, asserted that the high density designation of 100 units per acre should be reduced to no more than 65 per acre; noted that Fox Hills was the most densely populated area in the City with 2,600 units; reported that the Advanced Planning Manager had indicated that 2,000 of the 3,341 units to be built to fulfill the housing requirement would be built in Fox Hills; expressed concern with the degree of density in the area; and she asked the City Council to consider changing the land use designa tion to address the issue as soon as possible.
Meghan Sahli-Wells asked that MOVE Culver City be made permanent and be expanded to phases 2 and 3; she indicated that MOVE Culver City was in keeping with National Sierra Club
Transportation Policy and endorsed by the local West LA Sierra Club group; stated that climate sc ience and urban planning indicated that adding car lanes adds emissions; discussed the studies and years of public engagement to create the project; work done by the City Council to champion the climate by phasing April 10, 2023
18 out oil drilling; the importance of phasing out fossil fuels to the future of the planet and public health; and she asked that the City Council not back pedal on climate justice.
Andrew Flores announced EarthFest 2023 at El Rincon Elementary School on April 22; discussed support for MOVE Culver C ity; community values; public safety; and Fire and Police usage of the bus lane.
Ryan McGorman was called to speak but was not present.
Laura Michet reported being a bike commuter; discussed her use of MOVE Culver City; commuting on dangerous shared lanes; making changes now in order to die of old age; making decisions for the future; commuting via Culver City Bus; and she felt that her life was more than people having to make minor travel time adjustments.
Karim Sahli noted that next week would be the big vote; observed the light agenda this week; expressed hope that the agenda next week would not be so loaded that the meeting last s until 2:00 a.m. and that ample time would be allowed for people to speak; he noted that biking reduces heart attacks; discussed plastics pollution; tires; the impacts of cars on 1 in 5 people in the world; helping businesses; increased business tax revenue; and he asserted that if another car lane was added, the City would be sued.
Ruth Rooflesser was called to speak but was not present.
Greg Maron, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Member, indicated speaking on his own behalf; reported volunteering as a Green Ambassador, teaching sustainability principles at the elementary schools; discussed enthusiasm of the childr en; failure of the current generation to protect them; survey participants; the inability to vote; and he indicated that children are who should be considered when making decisions about the future.
Tiffany Hwang indicated working in Culver City and making the choice to move to Culver City due to efforts to prioritize making the City bikeable and walkable; expressed disappointment with the potential dismantling of MOVE Culver City as they had planned to stay and raise a family; discussed support of local businesses; and she indicated that they were able to be a one car family due to their ability to bike everywhere.
April 10, 2023
19 Dylan Gottlieb reported discussing the effects of the Venice lane configuration on Washington at the prior City Council meeting; discussed congestion as a result of traffic being diverted on to Culver City streets last weekend during repaving; pre-pandemic traffic in Culver City; he noted that if another lane of traffic is added in Culver City while Venice loses a lane, traffic will be increased in Culver City daily; discussed the difficulty of being able to get downtown; negative affects to businesses; fighting cut -through traffic; he asked that Culver City be beautified; noted that MOVE Culver City was still in the trial phase; he suggested reducing the number of bollards while adding trees, landscaping, and protected bike lanes; and he proposed making the project the envy of the nation.
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Items from Council Members
None.
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Council Member Requests to Agendize Future Items
Council Member O’Brien discussed the Ballona Creek Bike Greenway Plan, a feasibility study done in 2011 and he received consensus from all Council Member s to write a letter of support for extending Ballona Creek bike paths to the Centinela, Sepulveda, and Adams channels; and he report ed a recently completed feasibility study completed by Cal ifornia Greenworks for the Adams channel to connect Ballona Creek to La Cienega.
Mayor Vera reported receipt of emails regarding a lack of support for certificates issued and he received Council consensus from Council Members O’Brien and Eriksson to agendize bringing the issue of recognitions to the Policy Subcommittee.
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April 10, 2023
20 Adjournment
There being no further business, at 9:48 p.m., the City Council, Culver City Housing Authority Board, Culver City Parking Authority Board, Redevelopment Financing Authority, and Successor Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency Board adjourned to a meeting to be held on April 24, 2023.
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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, Redevelopment Financing Authority, Culver City Housing Authority Board, and Culver City Parking Authority
Culver City, California
ALBERT VERA
MAYOR of Culver City, California and CHAIR of the Successor Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency Board,
Redevelopment Financing Authority, Culver City Housing
Authority Board, and Culver City Parking Authority
Date: _________________________