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 September 9, 2024
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 McMorrin 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 6:56 p.m. in the Mike Balkman Chambers at City Hall.
Present: Yasmine-Imani McMorrin, Mayor
Daniel O’Brien, Vice Mayor
Göran Eriksson, Council Member
Freddy Puza, Council Member
Absent: Albert Vera, Council Member
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Recognition Presentation
September 9, 2024
2 Item R-1
CC – Presentations of a Proclamation in Recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Mayor McMorrin read the Proclamation in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
Bridget McCarthy, American Foundation for Suicide P revention, thanked the City Council for recognizing Suicide Prevention Week in Culver C ity; discussed the death of her child , Riley ; statistics about suicide; advocacy for the expansion of the 988 line at the local level; and she invited everyone to the Los Angeles Out of the Darkness Walk on October 19 noting that more information was available at afsp.org/lawalk.
Patrick Godinez reported losing his son, Trevor; discussed the saying “Love Heals All”; and he thanked the City for the Proclamation.
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Item R-2
CC – Presentation of a Proclamation Designating September 21, 2024 – September 27, 2023, as Culver City United Against Hate Week 2024
Council Member Puza read the Proclamation for United Against Hate Week.
Aram Huranyan was called to speak but was not present online on in Council Chambers.
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Regular Session
Mayor McMorrin reconvened the regular meeting of the City Council, Successor Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency Board, Culver City Financing Authority, Culver City Parking Authority and Culver City Housing Authority Board at 7:13 p.m. with f our Council Members present (absent Council Member Vera).
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September 9, 2024
3 Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor McMorrin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Community Announcements by Members/ Updates from Commission s, Boards and/or Committees/Information Items from Staff
Council Member Eriksson discussed the 100 year celebration for the Culver Hotel and MGM Studios on September 18, and the Finance Advisory Committee Affordable Housing Panel at Vets on September
11. Council Member Puza reported that the summer of 2024 was the hottest on record, breaking the record set in 2023; discussed the climate crisis; use of the Culver City Senior Center as a designated cooling center; information about county cooling centers at ready.lacounty.gov/heat; appreciation to staff who have to work in the heat and wear uniforms in the heat; the Sustainability Subcommittee; information about sustainability efforts available on the reorganized website:
culvercityrecycles.com; and Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, 2024.
Vice Mayor O’Brien discussed the Flag Raising Ceremony for the Day of Remembrance on September 11 at Fire Station 1; requests received over the past month for City Council consideration of a ceasefire resolution; the meeting at Jackson Market he attended; his request to agendize consideration of the ceasefire resolution; the proposed proclamation; bringing the communities together to have real conversations; communities talking around and over each other; the importance of listening and creating a space where p eople can talk; the process; trust -building; empathy; sharing ideas; and he felt that he was not equipped to decide what is right or wrong.
Mayor McMorrin discussed the Walk and Roll Festival at Culver City Middle School (CCMS) on September 15; the 40 th Annual Ballona Creek Renaissance Clean Up on September 21; the Early Childhood Education Learning Summit by the Hunt Institute; integration achievements; valuing differen ce and lived experience; she announced that Ruby Bridges had just turned 70 years old noting that people who changed history are still alive today; she encouraged everyone to take part in United Against Hate Week; she hoped that there would be a recognitio n for Latino Heritage Month; and she expressed appreciation for the September 9, 2024
4 leadership of the Hispanic Latina/o community in Culver City.
Jeremy Bocchino, City Clerk, announced National Voter
Registration Day on September 17; encouraged everyone to go to nationalvoterregistrationday.org to make sure their voter registration was current or to visit
vote.gov/register/california; she reported that the City Clerk’s Office had forms available; and she discussed deadlines.
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Presentation Items
Item P-1
CC – Presentation of the Sixth Year Recipients of the
Sustainable Business Certification Program
Shae Cunningham provided a presentation on year six of the Sustainable Business Certification Program.
Discussion ensued between Council Members and Ms. Cunningha m regarding appreciation for the program and positive impacts , and to Ms. Cunningham for her leadership; anticipation of the upcoming ceremony; the recertification process; changing measures; the requirement to purchase renewable energy off the grid; interest in the program; and support of the program by those involved.
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Joint Public Comment – Items NOT on the Agenda
Mayor McMorrin invited public comment.
Jeremy Bocchino, City Clerk, read the City Council statement regarding hate speech.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council:
Mary Daval with one minute ceded by Art Nomura, reiterated a request she had made at the previous Mobility Subcommittee meeting; discussed the importance of robust data collection in moving forward with MOVE Culver City; clarification on data to be collected; aggregation of data; availability of data to the public; hiring someone to be specifically tasked with data collection and aggregation; maintenance and availability of data September 9, 2024
5 collected; cu t-through traffic; metrics; proclamations by regional leaders of a Car-Free or Transit First Olympics; providing spaces for diverse voices from the entire community; the Green New Deal Club; the QR Code available on social media platforms; and she reminded everyone to take the Clean Air Pledge on the Coalition for Clean Air website.
Stephen Jones expressed concern with a lack of planning for the construction downtown; discussed bus riders; lack of notice for detours and delays; people who are made late for work and children being late for school; absence of notice in the construction notices; signs at the bus stops that were moved; the rider alert system; lack of information on the website or the app; the broken bus tracking system; the project that prioritizes cars over buses; he observed that the construction plan illustrated how little thought is given to bus riders; and he reiterated his support for agendizing a resolution for a durable ceasefire in Gaza and a return of all hostages.
Aram Pirjanian was called to speak but was not present in Council Chambers or on Webex.
Emily Dibiny thanked Vice Mayor O’Brien for listening to constituents and making a motion for a ceasefire ; expressed appreciation to Council Member Vera for continuing to have a dialogue with those advocating for peace; thanked Council Member Puza for meeting with them; she asserted that a ceasefire resolution was only divisive for racists; discussed silence while people are slaughtered; elevating one group in October; Ukraine; Council Members who care about Culver City; using the Council seat as a stepping stone to further their career; humanity; 750,000 Israelis taking to the streets to demand a ceasefire; and she asked the City Council to be leaders and end the hate in the community.
Maria Beg was called to speak but was not present in Council Chambers or on Webex.
Polly Stenberg provided background on herself; indicated meeting with Vice Mayor O’Brien; asked that a motion be made to agendize the discussion of an immediate and permanent mutual ceasefire resolution; discussed the minimum demand; bringing the Jewish community togeth er; participation by all community
stakeholders; the need for healing; resist ing destructive illusions of division; and creating a policy pathway for solidarity.
September 9, 2024
6 Mariah Fontjin discussed her previous communication about passing a mutual ceasefire resolution; willingness to
communicate with any Culver City neighbor about the issue; the resolution passed by the City Council on October 23, 2023; protests in Israel demanding an immediate ceasefire and release of hostages; the death toll in Gaza; and she asked that if a resolution for a ceasefire is not agendize d, that the City Council consider amending the October 23, 2023 resolution.
Sara Blough reiterated comments she made at the August 26, 2024 City Council meeting; provided background on herself; asked the City Council to agendize a mutual, permanent, and immediate ceasefire resolution; discussed responsibility for the welfare of society at large; affirming support for Palestini an neighbors; loss of family; social consequences for asking to acknowledge 11 months of devastation; she did not share concerns that the resolution would divide the community; indicated feeling pride in the multi -faith coalition of humanitarians echoing the call; and she noted that change starts at the local level.
Eric Rudin was called to speak but was not presen t in Council Chambers or on Webex.
Daniel Nickfardjam discussed his previous comments to the City Council; questioned what the City Council was going to do to make the world better; discussed agendizing a discussion of an immediate, mutual, and permanent ceasefire; the number of people killed since he first asked; concern with offending people; the importance of actions; and he asked for a discussion noting that thousands more would die.
Maria Jacobo, Candance Simmons, and Sandra Huerta from the Women in Business Council of the Chamber of Commerce read the mission statement of the Women in Business Council; invited everyone to attend the 9th Annual Women in Business Awards Luncheon at the Shay Hotel on October 25; and encouraged people to make nominations and register to attend.
Melissa Sanders was called t o speak but was not present in Council Chambers or on Webex.
George Aziz was called to speak but was not present in Council Chambers or on Webex.
Jared Bailey provided background on himself; asked the City Council to agendize consideration of a ceasefire which he did September 9, 2024
7 not feel to be a divisive issue; noted that at the time of his assassination, Martin Luther Jing, Jr. was the most vilified person in the country and was considered divisive; he asserted that those opposing the resolution could not hide behin d the argument that the issue was divisive; he asked the City Council to stop being cowards and agendize the resolution as peace is not divisive; he indicated that he was offended by the lack of action on the issue; and he discussed devastation on a level unseen in history.
Lydia Ponce provided background no herself; discussed indigenous people being told t o leave and having their homes taken; the children; parallels; lives being taken; genocide vs. war; the ability of the City Council to make things better by agendizing the matter; and community efforts for mutual aid.
Huong Nghiem-Eilbeck was called to speak but could not be heard on Webex.
Steve Siegel discussed residents of Fox Hills forced to absorb the majority of state mandated housing; actions of the previous City Council; Culver City candidates supporting moderation in growth vs. those candidates in support of extreme building; discussed gridlock downtown; lawsuits; defunding the police; care-based budgeting; reimagining the police; and concern with increased response times.
Jim Shanman, Safe Routes to School Coordinator, discussed the Parent Travel Survey at ccwal kandroll.com; the Walk and Roll Festival at Culver City Middle School on September 15; the Annual Art Contest during Artwalk on October 5 in honor of Ruby Bridges Day ; and he reminded everyone to be cognizant of pedestrian safety around schools at all times, especially during Pedestrian Safety Week.
Eric Rudin discussed October 7; antisemitism; openly hateful acts against Jews; history; concern with inviting an outsi de antisemitic group to intimidate Jews in the City; protests on college campuses; anti-Israel sentiment; increasing anger with resolutions that pit one group of people against another; the need to heal as neighbors; and support for more interfaith gathering.
James Richardson discussed the feeling of not being heard; politics; determining agendas; and he asked everyone to imagine whether Culver City would be called the same thing without any injustice or oppression.
September 9, 2024
8 Taylor Vivanco discussed United Against Hate Week; the number of people dying in Gaza; the fact that murder leads to murder; standing against war; people killed since October; difficulties tracking how many people have died in Gaza; highlighting Latino leaders; the recent Westside Chicano Moratorium; complicity of Culver City in the failure to call for a ceasefire; and he asked the City Council to agendize an immediate ceasefire resolution.
Estee Chandler provided background on herself; discussed failure to recognize the desire for a ceasefire since October; dismissal of pain and suffering; support for a ceasefire by the Jewish community; she asked the City Council to agendize an immediate mutual permanent ceasefire; discussed resolutions in other City Councils; beautiful community formed as a result of ceasefire resolutions; the importance of fostering community and building a City where everyone feels they belong; genocide; and history as judging the action or inaction to end the genocide.
Maria Lopez was called to speak but was not in Council Chambers or on Webex.
Travis Morgan clarified that the Fox Hills community was not concerned with RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Assessment) numbers, but rather was concerned with the potential of 20,000 units to be built in the neighborhood due to unbalanced decisions of the City Council majority ; discussed consultation with a Fair Housing attorney; clear violations of affirmatively furthering fair housing; approval of the Housing Element by HCD (Housing and Community Development) ; providing important con text; the racial history of Fox Hills; the open and shut case of furthering racial discrimination; denial of the Element by the state as violating 889950 and sending Culver City into the Builders’ Remedy; and he asked the City to come to the table noting their willingness to compromise.
Tom O’Neill asked the City Council to reject the calls for a resolution for an unconditional ceasefire; discussed the history of capitulation by Israel; comments that peace is not divisive; and he asserted that peace and wa r are not won by paper or at the table.
Fawaz Istwani with one minute ceded by Nicholas Connor expressed appreciation to their supporters; discussed making peace by giving people equality rather than occupying their homes; having talks such as were refere nced by Vice Mayor O’Brien;
September 9, 2024
9 accountability; taking responsibility for actions; support for making peace; and the genocide taking place overseas.
Fernando Islas provided background on himself; expressed support for those asking for the City Council to agendize support for a ceasefire in Gaza; discussed solidarity with the people of Palestine; Judaism vs. Zionism; and he noted that the question was why Culver City has not passed a resolution when so many others have.
Alex Martkovsky provided background on himself; indicated that he was an anti -Zionist Jew; felt the actions of the past 11 months were unconscionable; stated that a ceasefire resolution was the bare minimum; discussed cities that have divested from Israel; people who have lost most of their family in Palestine; children who have died needlessly while people do nothing; and those who say what they would have done in the Holocaust vs. what is happening right now.
Audrey Yarmavich provided background on herself; asked the City Council to agendize an immediate and permanent ceasefire resolution; asserted that Israel’s actions backed by the United States were making Jews everywhere less safe; discussed conflating anti -Zionism and antisemitism; silencing voices demanding reasonable peace; amplificati on of antisemitic voices; emboldened antisemites; the number of people killed in Gaza and projections on the death toll by the end of the year if a ceasefire is not enacted; the ratification of a ceasefire by Hamas and the UN (United Nations); Israel as the only obstacle to peace; the power of the United States President; and she asserted that the war must end.
Majed Harb asserted that the issue is about who they are as Americans; discussed difficulty sleeping knowing what is going on; winning wars by principles; resembling the best in humanity; concern with politicians who protect their political ambitions; the killing of children every day with our money and weapons; and he asked Culver City to stand with American principles.
Lisa Schultz with one minute ceded by Ali Chamas, cited the one courageous Council Member; noted that everyone in Gaza had lost everything; discussed the people she works with in Gaza and the West Bank; Culver City as being against hate; the biggest hate crime; the Holocaust; w atching an entire population be wiped off the face of the earth due to people concerned with their political capital; embarrassment to have done business in Culver City; and she expressed hope that the City Council would grow September 9, 2024
10 some courage and do what is right so that their families are not ashamed of them when they look back at their inaction during this time.
Eli Lane provided background on himself; urged the City Council to agendize an immediate and permanent ceasefire resolution; discussed people being killed daily; and the moral imperative to save lives and support a ceasefire.
Avaraham Stern with one minute ceded by Sam Lane, provided background on himself; discussed politicians who would not let his family members escape the Holocaust; lives lost on October 7, 2023; the murder of 3,000 Argentinian Jews in the Dirty War; weapons supplied by the Israeli government to authoritarian governments around the world; suppressing democratic uprisings; atrocities Israelis were made to carry out while in service ; Jews and Israelis who stand against the Israeli government and stand in solidarity with Palestinians; those who are tired of being silenced; deliberate sabotage of peace in favor of violence; lies being told by the Israeli government; the movement for a ceasefire that is uniting Jews, Muslims, Christians, and all of America; desecration of Judaism by Israel in the name of Jewish people; and he asked for the chance to tell the world that Jews are for peace, Palestine, and for a ceasefire.
Soh Reyes provided background on herself; asked the City Council to agendize an immediate, permanent and mutual ceasefire resolution; discussed teaching students in Culver City; difficulties faced by children in Gaza; children being killed ; and she questioned how it could be divisive to not want children killed or harmed.
Robert Zirgulis , Culver City Kennedy Democrats, indicated wanting to speak on Item PH-1 which he found out had been removed from the agenda; felt that red light cameras were a waste of money as most people are against them; discussed comments from people who are pro-Hamas; his travels to Ukraine where civilians are taken away from danger; use of civilians as shields in Gaza; he asserted that anyone who supported Hamas was a racist; and he discussed self-loathing Jews.
Mayor McMorrin reminded Mr. Zirgulis to direct his comments to the City Council, not the audience; noted that people were always allowed to have their full time; and she asked members of the audience not to shout out or engage in name calling.
September 9, 2024
11 Robert Zirgulis asked the City Council not to fall for ridiculous calls for peace or to support anyone who is pro - Hamas, and he did not want to see the City be pressured by an organized group.
Timothy Arnold demanded that the City Council agendize consideration of a ceasefire resolution noting that other cities had passed similar resolutions with enormous support from their community; discussed the easy decision to call for peace; making it clear that Culver City is against death and killing no matter where it happens; recognition of the local issue; concern with the silence and inaction of Culver City; grief over the hostages in Israel and Palestine and those who have been killed; the fact that no one can wait any longer; bringing people together; he asked that Culver City do their job and represent the people; and noted the evil and indifference necessary for genocide to occur.
T'Ana Allen, Deputy City Clerk received clarification that those speakers who had signed up after the item had begun would be heard during the second period to receive Public Comment for Items Not on the Agenda at the end of the meeting.
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Receipt and Filing of Correspondence
MOVED BY VICE MAYOR O’BRIEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ERIKSSON THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVE AND FILE CORRESPONDENCE.
THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: ERIKSSON, MCMORRIN, O’BRIEN, PUZA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: VERA
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Order of the Agenda
Consent Calendar Items C-6, C-8, and C-9 were considered separately, and Items C-3, PH-1, and A-2 were pulled from the agenda for consideration on September 23, 2024.
September 9, 2024
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Consent Calendar
Item C-1
CC:HA:SA - Approval of Cash Disbursements for August 17, 2024 to August 30, 2024
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL , HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD, AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD: APPROVE CASH
DISBURSEMENTS FOR AUGUST 17, 2024 TO AUGUST 30, 2024.
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Item C-2
CC:HA:PA:SA – Approval of Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting Held on August 26, 2024
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL , HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD, PARKING
AUTHORITY BOARD, AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD: APPROVE MINUTE S FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 26, 2024.
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Item C-3
CC - Approval of Amendment to the Existing Agreement with Commline, Inc., for Support and Maintenance Services for the Mobile Data Computers, Body Worn Cameras, and the Panasonic Arbitrator 360 HD In -Car Mobile/Audio Video Systems in an Additional Amount Not -to-Exceed $120,677.61 and Extending the Term through August 31, 2025
This item was deferred to the September 23, 2024 City Council meeting.
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September 9, 2024
13 Item C-4
CC – Award of a $1,000 Off -Cycle Special Events Grant and Designation of the Center Theater Group’s “Cat Kid Comic Club:
The Musical” as a City-Sponsored Event
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL: AWARD A $1,000 OFF-CYCLE, IN-KIND SPECIAL EVENTS GRANT AND DESIGNATE THE CEN TER THEATER GROUP’S CAT KID COMIC CLUB: THE MUSICAL AS A CITY-SPONSORED EVENT.
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Item C-5
CC – Approval of a Purchase Order with Econolite Control Products for Ten Traffic Signal Battery Backup Systems in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $148,790.54
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1. APPROVE A PURCHASE ORDER WITH ECONOLITE CONTROL PRODUCTS FOR
TEN TRAFFIC SIGNAL BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEMS IN AN AMOUNT NOT-TO- EXCEED $148,790.54; AND,
2. AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING OFFICER TO EXECUTE THE PURCHASE ORDER ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
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Item C-6
CC – FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE REQUIREMENT - Approval of a Budget Amendment Appropriating $200,000 from the General Fund
Unassigned Balance for Feasibility and Cost Studies for (1) a Potential New Bicycle and Pedestrian Ramp and Pathway Connecting Ince Boulevard to Ballona Creek; and (2) a Potential New Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge across Ballona Creek Connecting Jefferson Boulevard to Ince Boulevard
Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director, provided a summary of the material of record.
Mayor McMorrin invited public comment.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council:
September 9, 2024
14 Melissa Sanders discussed expected future deficit spending; noted that she wanted money spent improving parks or redoing a bathroom that everyone could use; expressed concern with placing a focus on thin gs that are not u sed by the entire community; and she suggested that the City look at other options for spending that money.
Travis Morgan thanked Vice Mayor O’Brien and the Public Works Director for inviting him to participate in one of the initial meetings on the project as the Chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC); expressed appreciation for the early level of involvement for citizen advisory committees; hoped the outreach would be a model; discussed participation of developers like Red Car; appreciation for the offer of an easement on private property for infrastructure that will benefit the City; public/private partnerships; he asked that Red Car contribute to the project monetarily; expres sed concern that another large project in downtown would absorb future mobility dollars; and he noted other developers that have made a contribution.
Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director, reported that Red Car had indicated full support of the project and that partial or full funding of the project would be discussed with them when the negotiation process begins.
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL: APPROVE A BUDGET AMENDMENT APPROPRIATING $200,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND UNASSIGNED BALANCE FOR
FEASIBILITY AND COST STUD IES FOR (1) A POTENTIAL NEW BICYCLE
AND PEDESTRIAN RAMP AND PATHWAY CONNECTING INCE BOULEVARD TO BALLONA CREEK; AND (2) A POTENTIAL NEW BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGE ACROSS BALLONA CREEK CONNECTING JEFFERSON BOULEVARD TO INCE BOULEVARD, (REQUIRES A FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE).
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Item C-7
CC – Approval of Final Plans and Specifications and
Authorization to Publish a Notice Inviting Bids for the Construction of the Transfer Station West Push Wall Project, PZ-948
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL: APPROVE THE FINAL PLANS AND
SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZE THE PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE
INVITING BIDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TRANSFER STATION WEST PUSH WALL PROJECT, PZ-948.
September 9, 2024
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Item C-8
CC - Approval of Delegating 2028 Olympics Policy and Program Ideas to Relevant City Council Subcommittees, Commissions, Committees, City Departments, the Historical Society and Sister City Committee for Further Consideration and Recommendations
Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager, provided a summary of the material of record.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding potential funding sources; public/private initiatives;
creativity; ideas generated from subcommittees; target
deadlines; updates to subcommittees at monthly meetings; and staff follow up with subcommittees.
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL: DELEGATE THE 2028 OLYMPICS POLICY AND
PROGRAM IDEAS TO RELEVANT CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEES,
COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES, CITY DEPARTMENTS, THE HISTORICA L
SOCIETY AND SISTER CITY COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
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Item C-9
CC - Adoption of an Ordinance Approving Zoning Code Amendment (P2024-0186-ZCA) and Zoning Code Map Amendment (P2024 -0186- ZCMA), together known as the Zoning Code Update
Mark Muenzer, Planning and Development Director, provided a summary of the material of record.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding increasing Industrial Mixed Use Zoning from 65 units to 100 units per acre to provide more equitable distribution; areas of Culver City that are zoned Mixed Use; making changes as part of the Specific Plan process; the need for a study of the impacts to making changes; residences that abut the Hayden Tract and will be added to the Hayden Tract; potential density increases; planned consulta nt contract review by the City Council in October; proximity of the Hayden Tract to the Metro; and the inability to get the Specific Plan done by the deadline.
September 9, 2024
16 Mayor McMorrin invited public comment.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council:
Bill Becker with one minute ceded, indicated being present with other Culver Del Rey neighbors to urge the City Council to uphold existing community outreach guidelines; discussed the updated zoning code; going back to three community meetings per project; preservation of proven protocols; the August 16, 2024 email from Planning staff indicating the intent for new language from the Zoning Code Update to super sede current outreach guidelines; the end run around due consideration and
deliberation over community meeting and public notification policy; the Policy Subcommittee process initiated by Planning earlier in the year; relinquishing customary discretion; regulation of developers; reassuring stakeholders; and he strongly urged the City Council to revise the provisions of the Zoning Code Update so they include or track closely with proven protocols of Community Outreach Guidelines as the great safeguard they have proven to be.
Vaughn Rossi was called to speak but was not present in Council Chambers or on Webex.
Robert Fabianik with one minute ceded by Joanna Fabianik, echoed comments made by the previous speaker regarding planning review for new development; provided background on himself; indicated speaking on behalf of neighbors and as a professional in the field; he asserted that cutti ng outreach to one meeting was counterproductive; discussed putting the decision in the hands of just a few people; whether a project is a catalyst for positive change or drag s the neighborhood down; mistakes that accumulate over the years making things im possible to fix; concern that only having one meeting w ould exacerbate the situation; and projects delivered that w ould not benefit the community.
Melissa Sanders expressed concern with increasing the number of units per acre; discussed giving away things to developers; she felt that if 100 units per acre was granted, then all of it should be affordable housing; discussed exceptions; meeting the needs of the City; best serving the community; concerns with a for-profit situation; she noted that there were more than enough housing units in the inventory; and she did not want to see a Builder’s Remedy situation.
September 9, 2024
17 Michael Koppy with one minute ceded by Noriko Wada , cited an email sent from Council Member Eriksson indicating that the City policy of three meetings would not be changed; read an excerpt from communication from Emily Stadnicki reporting that the public notification and community involvement policy had been incorporated into the Zoning Code Update and they were proposing that the language would s upersede the policy guidelines; discussed the end run around the three community meetings; taking away resident rights; he asserted that community meetings cost zero dollars and had strong community approval; discussed requirements; enforcement; he noted that Mr. Becker had asked the City Council to put an item on the agenda to consider the botched community meeting for the Culver and Sawtelle building; discussed refusal of the Planning Department to enforce the rules; 60 complaints from people who were not notified sent to the Planning Department; the issue to be sent to the Policy Subcommittee that has not met; misunderstanding about what the policy is; he asserted that the City should not go down to two community meetings; he wanted to see the Policy Subcommittee consider the issue; and he indicated that they had a researched proposal to ensure that notification is effective.
Karyn Marks expressed concern with the circumstances with Fox Hills; discussed the unfairness of assigning High Density Mixed Use in the General Plan to the Fox Hills community, the most densely populated area in Culver City; City and state density bonuses; lack of parking or open community space requirements; inequitable distribution of density; 2/3 of Fox Hills as being designated 100 units per acre; the assault on Fox Hills residents; existing issues with traffic and parking; disregard for impacts on the area; developers with plans already drawn for 2,056 units; doubling the population of the are a without widening the streets or providing adequate parking; the ethnically and financially diverse population in Fox Hills; decades of discrimination; acknowledgement of the need for additional housing; concern that the proposed plan will destroy quality of life in Fox Hills; the potential for 20,000 units; lack of attention to the matter for five years; long-term work on the changes; notification to residents at the last minute; advantages for developers to put everything in one place; work of the consultants; and she felt the plan was disgraceful.
Judi Sherman, Fox Hills Neighborhood Association Board Member, discussed the blatant inequitable distribution of the 3,341 units with the zoning ordinance; four developers proposing 2,056 units in Fox Hills and more to come; deliberate creation of a separate City; the unconstitutional nature of separate but September 9, 2024
18 equal; the ethnically and financially diverse area; the assault on the Fox Hills community; negative results to quality of life; she noted that an amendment to decrease the density from 100 units per acre would resu lt in Culver City still being in compliance due to the surplus in the inventory; referenced the excuse of the Builder’s Remedy; she asked that the planners and consultants be sent back to the drawing board; encouraged the City Council to act as true public servants and advocates by returning to requiring three community meetings; and she asked that the community development notification be increased from 500 feet to 2,000 feet.
Angelica Kishnick was called to speak but was not present in Council Chambers or on Webex.
Tom O’Neill discussed Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI); fairness; the task from the state to build 3,300 housing units; direction to build as many units as possible in Fox Hills by up zoning to 100 units per acre; Fox Hills as already bein g the most densely populated area in Culver City and being diverse, equitable and inclusive; work done by the neighbors to make the area more inclusive over time; he questioned how burdening Fox Hills with the bulk or the whole of the state requirement could be considered fair or DEI; discussed the decision by SCAG (Southern California Association of Governments ) to overload the west side rather than to distribute housing to the east; the mission to get people out of their cars; the vision to get people to walk or bike everywhere; physics and the Constitution as impediments to the plan ; production of enough electricity for the electric cars; freedom to travel where you want to how you want to; the 20 year plan in a state that has lost a million people in the last year; mandates that are in denial and compromised by bad decision making; and he asked that Fox Hills be allowed to remain Fox Hills with room to breathe and room to park.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding clarification t hat the current zoning code requires zero community meetings; City Council policy requiring three meetings that overrides the zoning code; the change to the zoning code to require two meetings; the potential to change City Council policy; the process; work done by previous Council Members; work of the subcommittee; the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) with 21 appointed citizens that worked on the General Plan Update; the desire to increase density; the Specific Plan for the Hayden Tract and Fox Hills; the Builder’s Remedy; approval of the Housing Element in 2023; the potential for changes to September 9, 2024
19 the Housing Element; and sup port for keeping the City Council policy of having three meetings.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding the GPAC; consideration of how to reach out to as many members of the community as possible; efforts to get the message out; appreciation to staff for the work done; the mandate from the state to provide a certain number of housing units; the charge to equitably distribute housing throughout Culver City; COVID; the contentious process; fights over SB9 and SB10; infill; commercial corridors; concern that everything would end up in Fox Hills and on commercial corridors; efforts to spread density throughout the City; the ability to update the General Plan; updates to the previous General Plan; the living document; addressing issues in the Specific Plans; the feeling that the City has the best it can at this time; moving forward to fine tune and address issues; and looking for opportunities near transit areas.
Further discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding the due date and the effective date; clarification that substantive changes would require the item to be brought back which would put the City Council past the due date; changes that would have to be approved by HCD; support for revisiting issues once the General Plan is approved; supporting documents; support for robust community input; Spanish language
notifications; support for up zoning Industrial Mixed Use to 100; the number of single family homes in Culver City; the ability for single family zon e lots to have four units; the potential vs. what is going to happen; the RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Assessment) allocation for the cycle; fighting to ensure that the RHNA is not the same for the next cycle; the structural deficit of $11 million per year to pay for services for all the people; the increase in the number of units required from the previous RHNA cycle; the unsustainable pace; and support for revisiting issues that everyone is concerned about next year.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding consistency of position over the process; appreciation to everyone involved in the process; support for welcoming neighbors; ensuring that intentional actions are being taken; neighbors that get another look before 100 units per acre are allocated for their neighborhood; abstaining from the process due to the disproportionate allocation; the Black community that was annexed into Culver City; the fact that children in Fox Hills were not allowed to attend Culver City schools until the September 9, 2024
20 1990s; rolling back incremental infill that allowed for equitable dispersion of the units; impacts on the community; the former Sundown Town; the explicitly exclusionary community; impacts to quality of life; commitment to revisit in the future; and disappointment with the disproportionate impact on a community with less resources than other parts of the City.
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL: ADOPT AN ORDINANCE APPROVING ZONING CODE AMENDMENT (P2024-0186-ZCA) AND ZONING CODE MAP AMENDMENT (P2024- 0186-ZCMA), TOGETHER KNOWN AS THE ZONING CODE UPDATE.
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MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PUZA AND SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR O’BRIEN THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS C-1, C-2, AND C-4 THROUGH C-8.
THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: ERIKSSON, MCMORRIN, PUZA, O’BRIEN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: VERA
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ERIKSSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PUZA THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE ITEM C-9: ADOPT AN ORDINANCE APPROVING ZONING CODE AMENDMENT (P2024-0186-ZCA) AND ZONING CODE MAP AMENDMENT (P2024-0186-ZCMA), TOGETHER KNOWN AS THE ZONING CODE UPDATE.
THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: ERIKSSON, PUZA, O’BRIEN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: VERA
ABSTAIN: MCMORRIN
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Public Hearings
September 9, 2024
21 Item PH-1
CC - Approval of a Five-Year Agreement with Verra Mobility, to Provide Automated Red Light Camera Enforcement Equipment and Services in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $4,554,000
This item was deferred to the September 23, 2025 City Council meeting.
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Action Items
Item A-1
CC - (1) Discussion Regarding City Council Compensation; and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate
Heather Baker, City Attorney, Provided a summary of the material of record.
Mayor McMorrin invited public comment.
Jeremy Bocchino, City Clerk, indicated that no public comment had been received for the item.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding the fact that the compensation is not reasonable and does not handle anything; the amount of time spent on City C ouncil business per week; health insurance that is provided by Culver City; comparisons with other cities; challenges for Council Members; Council Members who will not benefit from the changes; and the feeling that an update is overdue.
Council Member Eriksson moved to direct staff to return with an ordinance to increase compensation to $1,261.25 per month as soon as possible, and at the latest by October 14, 2024.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding separate considera tion of deferred compensation; matching funds; base compensation; lack of an update since 1992; the part time job with full time responsibilities; the need for most Council Members to have a day job; the City Council as the September 9, 2024
22 only body that can decide the ma tter; compensation by other cities; the honor to serve; incentivizing the role; not limiting service to those who have the types of jobs and careers that allow service; guarding against making money as the motivating factor to serve; and exploration of a d eferred compensation program.
Further discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding the minimum contribution to receive matching funds; the need for additional staff research; the choice to require a contribution; Culver City as having almost the lowest
compensation rate of any city; contract work; amount of hours spent on the job; and c larification on the amount of
compensation in the proposed motion vs. what was in the staff report.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding the small number of women who have served as Council Members; those who have to work a day j ob; being the sole support for your family; the importance of paying people for their time; a request for a chart of other Council Member salaries across the county; clarification that Council Members do not have staff or support; staff workload; support level provided for comparable cities; removing barriers for entry; setting people up for success when they are elected; providing transparency about how Council Members are onboarded and annual updates; donations; disclosures; working toward a competitive o r parity payment; representation; wealth; who has opportunities to do things; people with partners and support at home; foundational support; decreasing barriers to leadership; working to ensure that Council Members, Vice Mayors, and Mayors have support on par with other elected officials in the region; support for approving budget requests; bringing back additional information about where Culver City falls within the county in terms of compensation and support; and support for a more streamlin ed onboarding process and annual process to ensure that all Council Members receive the same information and have the same support.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding the time frame to bring the ordinance back; separate consideration of deferred compensation; and support for bringing back a table of salaries of surrounding cities along with the ordinance.
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ERIKSSON AND SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR O’BRIEN THAT THE CITY COUNCIL : DIRECT STAFF TO RETURN WITH A
STAFF REPORT INCLUDING A TABLE OF NEARBY CITY COUNCIL SALARIES September 9, 2024
23 AND INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO INCREASE COUNCIL MEMBER COMPENSATION TO $1,261.26 PER MONTH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, OR AS LATE AS OCTOBER 14, 202 4 WITH THE DEFERRED COMPENSATION DISCUSSION BROUGHT BACK AT A LATER DATE.
THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: ERIKSSON, MCMORRIN, O’BRIEN, PUZA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: VERA
Further discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding clarification that a motion was not needed to direct staff to bring back information on a process for onboarding Council Members, an annual check-in for policies that might have changed on the state level, and Brown Act training.
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Item A-2
CC - Approval of a Ten-Year Agreement with Axon to provide Body- Worn Cameras (BWC ), In -Car Cameras (Fleet), Less Lethal Electronic Control Devices (Taser Systems), and Software Products in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $4,900,000
This item was deferred to the September 23, 2024 agenda.
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Item A-3
CC - Discussion and Direction on the Public Input Plan to Determine the Future Use of the City -owned Property at 11029 Washington Boulevard Including a Proposed On-site Temporary Art Project
Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager, provided a summary of the material of record.
Mayor McMorrin invited public comment.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council:
Melissa Sanders discussed money spent for the bike bridge noting that it could be spent on the property; she wanted to see the City make money back on the property; and she proposed “outside September 9, 2024
24 of the box” thinking.
James Richardson questioned what Culver City would be called if there wasn’t a lot of injustice; asked what safety and health meant to the City; discussed making sure hardship does not happen to people; financing; turning the building into a community Wall Steet Exchange; and other ideas on what t o do with the building.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding support for figuring out what to do with the building as soon as possible; finding a way to get the money spent on it back; money spent to buy the business and shut it d own; making the General Fund whole again; the need for housing; designation of the area as Mixed Use; the small size of the property;
solicitation of developer proposals; making an effort to involve all property owners in the area; appreciation for the sta ff report and for the ambitious plan; the participatory budget process; interest in what the community wants to see happen with the space; people that have reached out with ideas; the importance of engaging in robust outreach; refreshing and adding to the outreach list used for the General Plan Update; support for the proposed art project; the possibility of the building being demolished in March; concern about the short time frame for the art project; housing and repurposing the art after the building is g one; durability of the materials used; the reasonable cost; length of art installations; and culmination of the Artist Laureate’s tenure.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding funding by the Cultural Trust Fund; outreach to schools for repurposing; anecdotal feedback from the community in support of community benefit, housing, and recouping expenses; engaging in an RFP (Request for Proposals) process structured around community and City Council direction; the business owner shutting down the business; appreciation for the staff report and the comprehensive plan for outreach; people with concrete ideas when the item was first considered; use the space in a more life-affirming manner for the community; level of community input; the City Council request for gold standard outreach; the conclusion of the Artist Laureate term at the end of the year; finding a place in the community when the artwork must be moved; updating the General Plan outreach list; appreciation for the work of staff to respond to community concerns; feedback goals; and ensuring that everyone is part of the process.
September 9, 2024
25 MOVED BY VICE MAYOR O’BRIE N AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
ERIKSSON THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE STAFF PLAN FOR
OUTREACH TO DETERMINE THE FUTURE USE OF THE CITY-OWNED PROPERTY AT 11029 WASHINGTON BOULEVARD, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ON -SITE
TEMPORARY ART PROJECT BY ARTIST LAUREATE KATY KRANTZ AND INCORPORATING CITY COUNCIL DIRECTION RECEIVED.
THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: ERIKSSON, MCMORRIN, O’BRIEN, PUZA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: VERA
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Item A-4
CC - (1) Discussion to Potentially Adopt a Position, or Take No Position, on the Los Angeles County Government Structure, Ethics, and Accountability Charter Amendment Ballot Measure, which will Appear on the November 5, 2024 Ballot; and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate
Shelly Wolfberg, Assistant to the City Manager, provided a summary of the material of record.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding support for expanding the number of Supervisors from five to nine; increasing a sense of being able to have a conversation with a Supervisor in a more effective way; ethics; opposition to having an elected county C EO; concern with political wrangling; similar concerns expressed by certain County Supervisors regarding taking power away from the County Board of Supervisor s; and support for professionals vs. shrewd politicians.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding number of people in the county; the all-female Board; increasing the diver sity of leadership; questions surrounding the process of the measure; the need for more data around the reasoning to change from five to nine; questions about the reformed task force; similar concerns with the elected executive position; and fiscal feasibility of the changes and the process.
Further discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding support for increasing the number of Supervisors; support for outreach from Council Member Mitchell; enhancing September 9, 2024
26 enfranchisement with smaller District s; difficulty spreading budget money throughout 2 million people; and concern with the proposed elected executive position.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding appreciation to staff for their work on the report;
encouragement to everyone to get out to vote; the importance of reading up on all state and county measures; appreciation for the leadership of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell; data and benchmarking around the proper number of Supervisors;
information still b eing collected; support for more
representation and more responsive government; interest in how the number of Supervisors was chosen; support for Linds ey Horvath; the feeling that the measure could have benefitted from more time; questions about the electe d position; sourcing of the amendment; appreciation for new ideas; and guidance for the Westside COG (Council of Governments) meeting in October.
MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ERIKSSON AND SECONDED BY VICE MAYOR O’BRIEN THAT THE CITY COUNCIL: TAKE AN OPPOSING POSITION ON THE
AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES BALLOT MEASURE, ON THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024 BALLOT.
THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: ERIKSSON, MCMORRIN, O’BRIEN, PUZA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: VERA
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Public Comment – Items Not on the Agenda
Mayor McMorrin invited public comment.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council:
Melissa Sanders felt that people should not be able to come to Council Chambers to demand something that the City Council has no authority on and will not affect the day to day life within Culver City boundaries; she discussed repeated comments about the Palestinian children; lack of concern for Israeli children; failure to acknowledge October 7; people who support Hama s; money spent tunneling under the community for terrorism; the need to lift people out of poverty; war vs. genocide; use of citizens as shields; and she asked that people stop complaining about Israel bombing when Hamas has committed the worst terror upon Israel.
September 9, 2024
27 Conor Proffitt called for a permanent ceasefire resolution and release of all hostages including unjustly held political prisoners; he felt that a ceasefire was the safest thing for everyone living there; discussed the deliberate conflations of Judaism with Zionism to justify the ongoing slaughter of civilians; he reported writing a letter to the Culver City News where he mourned the death of the Palestinians and the Jews; he asked the City Council to agendize a ceasefire resolution; expressed appreciation to Council Members who have met with them; asked the progressive Council Members not to be
progressive for everything except Palestine; he asserted that a resolution was necessary to pull the community together; noted the importance of being progressive even when it is hard; and he pointed out that Martin Luther King Jr. was a radical and he felt they should be radicals for peace.
Stephanie Sharp w as called to speak but was not present in Council Chambers or on Webex.
Knox Gagnon was called to speak but was not present in Council Chambers or on Webex.
Salem Alem was called to speak but was not present in Council Chambers or on Webex.
Estella Avalos was called to speak but was not present in Council Chambers or on Webex.
Gary Zeiss asserted that Culver City had no agency and that a resolution would only pit one part of the community against the other; he discussed those who say that they speak for Jews; he felt that the calls for a ceasefire were performative; and he indicated that he would support actually providing lifesaving help.
Jessica Albers was called to speak but was not present in Council Chambers or on Webex.
Maria Beg reiterated her comments made at previous meetings calling for a ceasefire resolution; expressed concern with those who call the resolution divisive; discussed bringing the community together; communication with Council Members; the continuing genocide; she asserted that everything they d id mattered; questioned what the City Council was waiting for; and expressed concern with those who did not care about people other than themselves unless they got something from it.
September 9, 2024
28 Huong Nghiem -Eilbeck discussed the amount of time that had passed and the additional number of people killed since she started writing letters to the City Council; she asked the City Council to agendize a ceasefire resolution as a way to move forward; she indicated willingness to work with the Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee (EHRAC); and noted that she did not want the issue placed directly with the EHRAC as they wanted a discussion.
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Items from Council Members
Vice Mayor O’Brien acknowledged pain in different communities; discussed people speaking to their own allies; the importance of people who have disagreements to speak to each other; he proposed directing the EHRAC to begin an effort to bring community lead ers together to talk at the next meeting; expressed concern with alienation related to dictating what the terms are without input; and he stated that either all voices matter or no voices matter.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members regarding a previous request that the EHRAC consider a Committee on Women and Girls that could not be done due to concerns expressed about their workload; continuing work on the Land Acknowledgement; the Interfaith Council; feasibility of consideration by the EHRAC; and staff indicated they would have to return to the City Council will additional information.
Mayor McMorrin reminded members of audience that the time for public comment had concluded.
Council Member Eriksson reported that Council Member Vera had indicated support for sending the matter to the EHRAC.
Vice Mayor O’Brien did not receive consensus to direct the EHRAC to create a moderated forum at their next meeting to allow communities to come together.
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Council Member Requests to Agendize Future Items
September 9, 2024
29 None.
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September 9, 2024
30 Adjournment
There being no further business , at 10:45 p.m., the City Council, Housing Authority Board, Parking Authority Board, Redevelopment Financing Authority, and Successor Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency Board adjourned to a meeting to be held on September 23, 2024.
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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 Parking Authority and Culver City Housing Authority Board
Culver City, California
YASMINE-IMANI MCMORRIN
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: _________________________