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 May 15, 2023
CITY COUNCIL, CULVER CITY 3:00 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 Successo r Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency Board to order at 3:01 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
T’Ana Allen, Deputy City Clerk, reported no requests to speak on Closed Session items.
May 15, 2023
2 MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER O’BRIEN , SECONDED BY MAYOR VERA 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 3:02 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 Item:
CS-1 CC – Public Employee Appointment
Title: Police Chief
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.7
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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 4:26 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 reported that Jason Sims had been appointed to serve as Police Chief by a vote of 3-2 during Closed Session with direction that staff return with an employment agreement for consideration during open session.
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May 15, 2023
3 Community Announcements by Members/Information Items from Staff
Council Member Eriksson discussed the Car Show noting that it was traditionally held the Saturday before Mother’s Day.
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Joint Public Comment – Items NOT on the Agenda
Mayor Vera invited public comment.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council:
Kelli Clift indicated being a Christian Minister; clarified that homosexuality was not permitted in the church or in Bible school; discussed her father; reported that she had not received a settlement from her experience being assaulted at the Denny’s restaurant that has since been demolished; discussed liability; parties involved; and she indicated that she would be directing a lawsuit at the City.
Travis Morgan was called to speak but did not respond.
Jessica Harwood indicated that she wanted to speak on Item A-1.
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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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May 15, 2023
4 Action Items
Item A-1
CC:HA:PA:SA - Budget Study Session - City Manager’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024: Presentation of the Proposed Budget for Each City Department by its Respective Department Head
John Nachbar, City Manager, introduced the item; thanked staff members involved in preparing the budget presentation; he clarified that the recommended budge t did not reduce the operating budget of any department but noted that he had declined to recommend certain new positions in an effort to hold the line on operating growth; and he indicated that a robust Capital Improvement Budget had been recommended.
Vice Mayor McMorrin received clarification that public comment would be taken after the budget presentation.
Lisa Soghor, Chief Financial Officer, provided a presentation on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024; thanked staff for their efforts; indicated that the presentation would be lengthy as she felt it important to understand the complex document; discussed the size of the draft budget; rewards received by Culver City in the past for budget excellence; review of General Fund revenues and expen ditures; overview of budget enhancement requests; the ten-year General Fund financial forecast; review of Special Revenue, Enterprise, Capital Improvement, and Internal Service Funds; items approved at the May 8, 2023 City Council meeting that are not yet included in the budget; the budget and economic outlook; direct support from the federal government; changes to the economic forecast; the state deficit; additional revenue resulting from voter approval of updated business tax rates in November 2022; decr eased revenue from other sources; the proposed City -wide budget for 2023-2024; the General Fund budget; revenue vs. expenditures; unpredictable revenue sources; Housing and Human Services; Public Safety; restructuring of the former Community Development Department; General Fund position requests; retirement costs; the ten -year financial forecast; other funds; Capital
Improvement Projects; and next steps.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding appreciation to staff for their efforts and for answering questions and concerns with the ten-year forecast.
May 15, 2023
5 Mayor Vera invited public comment.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council:
Stephen Jones discussed decreases to traffic stops made by the Culver City Police Department (CCPD) in 2021, but the lack of a budget decrease; budget increases and a lack of increased safety; accountability for a budget increase when CCPD is doing less; noted that CCPD were twice as likely to use force on a person of color than on a white person; discussed cuts in parks, camps for kids, and bus service; raises approved for CCPD while the Transportation budget is being cut by $2 million; concern with giving CCPD more money to do less despite a report from the state of California showing a pattern of disproportionate search and use of force on people of color and in the wake of the CCPD shooting an unarmed man in December; the daytime population of the City; increases to the money spent per person on policing; and he noted cuts to essential services while funding a police department that does not keep the City safe.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding clarification that there were no cuts included in the proposed budget; increases due to salary initiatives approved by voters; safety unit salaries; the retirement fund ; equipment; Los Angeles county and city MOUs (Memorandums of Understanding) ; the freeze on increases during the pandemic; and additional increases over the next year.
Bubba Fish was called to speak but did not respond.
Travis Morgan was called to speak but did not respond.
Dorian Davies was called to speak but did not respond.
Greg Maron indicated speaking on hi s own behalf; he felt that the increased CCPD funding was not what the community wanted; discussed his decision to live in Culver City; defining characteristics of the City; explanations about what the City cannot do; leadership; the importance of showing the community that the budget reflects their needs; and he reported being unable to sign his children up for swimming classes because the City had the wrong priorities.
Dorian Davies provided background on herself; asked that the City Council invest in the community; discussed needed repairs at parks facilities , limits to City aftercare programs that leave children out, and constant staff turnover due to low wages May 15, 2023
6 while the CCPD budget is raised; tree maintenance; street lights; hiring a maintenance work er to address the backlog of park repairs; the budget as reflecting the City’s values; she felt the City could do better for the planet, children, and people of color; and she asked that more be invested in the community and less in CCPD.
Jessica Harwood was called to speak but did not respond.
Kenny Stevenson provided background on himself; urged the Council to invest in the community, neighbors and children; voiced disagreement on raising the CCPD budget by over $2 million; discussed arguments made in support; the fact that the police do not prevent crime; treating symptoms rather than properly diagnosing the problems; funding arms, patrolmen, drones, and ALPRs (Automated License Plate Readers) , while underfunding Public Works, parks, camps, aftercare programs for children, and programs for people of the community as a whole; investing in helping people feel part of a community; people of color and the unhoused who feel the effects of police funding; chronic stress that puts wear and tear on the body; and he asked that the City invest in Parks and Recreation, Housing and Human Services, Mobile Crisis Intervention, the community, and the future.
Dominique Djedje was called to speak but did not respond.
Nancy Barba expressed appreciation for the detailed
presentation; pointed out that the budget is available for community review; acknowledged that staff had not been cut, but noted cuts in services; discussed the fact that everyone has to tighten their belt except for Police and Fire; recommended ongoing proposed increases by department; proposed increases for CCPD; and she expressed concern with putting the main focus on one department.
Mayor Vera received clarification regarding increases proposed for Housing.
Karim Sahli discussed the pie charts; the significant amount of money allocated to CCPD; traffic incidents vs. violent crime; the expanding unhoused population; the insufficient Human Services budget; the disappointing report revealing police bias; the importance of reconsidering the CCPD budget; focusing on social services and infrastructure to truly serve residents; reducing the size of the department within the pie chart; noted May 15, 2023
7 that CCPD exceeded 30% of the City budget; and he expressed appreciation for the presentation.
Rafael Alvarez was called to speak but did not respond due to technical issues he was experiencing.
Jessica Harwood emphasized comments of earlier speakers regarding investment in schools, parks, and afterschool programs; noted that she also was unable to sign up her children for swim lessons; wanted to see living wages for public workers; and additional Transportation funding; proposed moving money away from the police and into Public Works, Transportation, Human Services, and parks and programs for children; expressed concern with reduced programming; and she noted that parks were in need of repairs.
Mayor Vera received clarification regarding the amount of money proposed for capital improvements for the parks.
Jason Sims, Police Chief, introduced staff and provided a presentation on the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 -2024 Police Department budget.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding potential grants; figuring out ways to reduce hazards in pursuits; exploration of different technologies to aid CCPD; deploying trackers; staffing; the SET Team; comparisons with other area cities; the budget as a reflection of values; the need for a care -first budget; community member concern with technologies; focusing on additional prevention activities; catalytic converter theft; the decrease in traffic stops; codification of the directive to refocus patrol efforts away from enforcing low level traffic violations into the policy manual; and enforcing hazardous traffic violations and crime.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding concerns with expan ding policing and surveillance; the rationale for the approval of ALPRs in the City; issues raised by the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) ;
transparency and accountability; lack of clarity on contract language; the common goal of safety; determining how to invest in safety; punishment and surveillance vs. meeting the needs of people, providing living wages and housing, and addressing mental h ealth issues; staffing levels; the competitive job market; retirements; current crime clearance rates; returning to monthly reporting to provide transparency; unfunded legislation; public records requests; catalytic converters ; May 15, 2023
8 other area cities; strategies for selecting technology; pursuits as a growing issue that pose a risk to the community; and risk mitigation.
Further discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding congratulations to the new Police Chief; the modest budget requests made ; reclassification; increased public records requests; annual crime rates; and appreciation to staff for their efforts.
Ken Powell, Fire Chief, introduced staff and provided a presentation on the Fiscal Year 202 3-2043 Fire Department budget.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding appreciation for the presentation; medical evaluations; prevention; encampment fires; EMS (Emergency Medical Services) collaboration with Mobile Crisis Intervention Units (MCIUs); training; replacement radios; collaboration with CCUSD (Culver City Unified School District); Public Safety grade radios; mental health treatment coordination; Southern California Hospital; the county-wide issue; baseline data; the opening of Project Homekey and the Safe Sleep program; annual costs to run a paramedic unit; increased amounts of money spent on improving Level of Service response time, and quality of service; appreciation for leadership and transparency; clearly outlining what tools are working; meeting the needs of the community; outreach; distribution of fire exting uishers; fire education; meeting basic needs; crisis intervention teams; staffing; and appreciation to staff for their efforts.
Heather Baker, City Attorney’s Office, introduced staff and provided a presentation on the Fiscal Year 202 3-2024 City Attorney’s Office budget.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding appreciation to staff for their efforts; staffing; a suggestion to provide accessible information on the website regarding resolution of issues to aid in transpa rency; attorney/client privilege; clarification that summaries of litigation are not generally provided; and the actions of other cities.
Armando Abrego, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director, introduced staff ; provided a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department budget; thanked the City Council for their support; and he indicated that he would be retiring in December.
May 15, 2023
9 Francisca Castillo, Recreation and Community Services Manager, provided a presentation on proposed budget enhancements.
Dani Cullens, Recreation and Community Services Manager, provided a presentation on Capital Improvement Projects.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding staffing; prioritization; ensuring enough resources in place to address needs as they come up; clarification that the security officers are not armed; the Dial -A-Ride program; challenges providing space and quality staffing to meet needs for swim lessons and camps for children; making p rivate lessons available; equipment maintenance; staffing and funding; scheduling; repair vs. replacement; maintenance issues at Vets; collaboration with Public Works; providing the best experience possible for people; the Master Plan; security; Park Patro l; finding a rigging company to get the Christmas Tree back up on Vets Tower; appreciation for intentionality with resource allocation in the department; equity and inclusion; the overall increase in the department; clarification regarding decreases to recreation and enrichment programs contract services; the surplus during the pandemic when classes were not held; summer camp capacity; staff turnover; making an effort to provide continuity; wages offered; exit interviews; incentivizing commitment; bonds bui lt with Recreation Leaders; employee development; Recreation Specialists; establishing a main point of contact; strengthening the core set; the ability to earn increases; the part-time non-benefitted positions; creation of viable programming space; re-designing to an outdoor patio space to provide flexibility; and collaboration with Housing and Human Services to assist homeless individuals.
Diana Chang, Chief Transportation Officer, introduced staff and provided a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2023 -2024
Transportation Department budget.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding appreciation to staff; the Circulator; funding sources; early adopters; demonstrated success; EV (Electric Vehicle)
infrastructure; the Fare Equity Initiative; the planned Comprehensive Mobility Service Analysis; evaluating established goals of the Circulator; headways for the Circulator; the partnership with Metro; the Metro Micro -Mobility program; enforcement; range of the electrical buses; TDM (Transportation Demand Management) fees for new development; Mobility
Improvement Fees; costs and funding for the Downtown pilot May 15, 2023
10 program; measuring the benefits of the electric fleet and efforts to increase sustainability in the community; air quality impacts of electric buses; proving reductions in greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions; the grant application process; the Master Plan Update; reassessment of the timeline to electrify the fleet; bus driver r ecruitment; including Fox Hills in planning for transit; data indicating lower incomes related to transit ridership; low ridership for young people; identifying areas of progress in the City; plans for a second pilot in the Fox Hills area in the General Plan Update; Measure R and Measure M revenue; and community involvement.
Yanni Demitri , Public Works D irector, introduced staff and provided a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2023 -2024 Public Works Department budget.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding repair of a light pole in the Coombs Parket; staffing;
accommodating the workload; the Fox Hills Roadway and Traffic Management Plan; Safe Routes to School; the Pavement Condition Index; coordination with Los Angeles on the Sepulveda re - pavement project; the lighting replacement grant; lighting as part of the restoration of the bike path from Duquesne to Syd Kronenthal; permits from the County Corps of Engineers; adding lighting under the Higuera Street Bridge; parking meter replacement; the onramp at Braddock and the 405; converting sewer pump stations into pocket parks; support for increa sing crosswalk repain ting; bioswale funding; parkway conversions; parkway guidelines; the pilot pay by mobile phone project; using heat pumps rather than fossil fuel to heat the pool;
coordination with the PRCS department; appreciation for the responsiveness of Public Works , implementation of performance metrics, and the presentation; staffing levels as affecting workloads; prioritization of projects; safety-related projects; appreciation for efforts to keep people safe in the community; proposed traffic mitigation and safety measures in response the loss of a Fox Hills resident in July 2022; measuring the impacts of the Slow Streets program; potential expansion of the Food Recovery program; Zero Waste; the newsletter promoting available services; keeping the focus on safety; and appreciation to staff for their efforts.
Mayor Vera expressed appreciation to Senator Kamlager and Congressman Lieu and for their help with key projects.
May 15, 2023
11 Mark Munzer, Planning and Development Director , introduced staff; expressed appreciation for their support; and provided a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2023 -2024 Planning and Development budget.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding succession planning; staffing; the Virtual Permitting Center; the ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) process; development of standard designs; RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Assessment) numbers; funding scenarios for affordable housing; grant writers; the Zoning Code Update and the General Plan Update; the Fox Hills and Hayden Tract plans; the timeline; land use designations; density per acre; the Specific Plan; Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT); City Council consensus was achieved by Mayor Vera and Council Members Eriksson and O’Brien to establish an Ad Hoc General Plan Subcommittee; planning contractual services related to City initiated special projects, zoning code updates related to newly enacted state laws, development standards, review of applications and processes for compliance and efficiency, and review of best practices; objective design standards; supporting housing creation in the development of standards; alignment with state laws; creating meaningful housing along the corridors; fil ling the Senior Plann er position; and appreciation to staff for their efforts.
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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:
Rafael Alvarez , Culver City Football Club, discussed the importance of parks and fields with proper lighting; community participation; and he asked for help expediting a project stuck in planning for 20 months.
Mayor Vera received agreement that staff would reach out to Mr.
Alvarez.
Judi Sherman discussed lack of funding for the Fox Hills Traffic Safety measures; money allocated to reconfiguring MOVE Culver City; prioritizing public safety; reallocation of funding to provide public safety measures for Fox Hills; and she felt that they had been put on the back burner for too long.
May 15, 2023
12 Denise Neal discussed attending a recent Finance Advisory Committee meeting; she proposed creating a multi-agency substation for l aw enforcement to enhance safety in the Ivy Station area; discussed enhancing response time; and she suggested mixed-use and multi-level housing in the Helms Arts District to increase foot traffic.
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Items from Council Members
None.
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Council Member Requests to Agendize Future Items
None.
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MOVED BY MAYOR VERA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ERIKSSON AND
UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADJOURN THE MEETING IN MEMORY OF FORMER SUPERVISOR GLORIA MOLINA.
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May 15, 2023
13 Adjournment
There being no further business, at 9:06 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 in memory of former Supervisor Gloria Molina to a meeting to be held on May 16, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
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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: _________________________