1 OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE CULVER CITY
STANDING SUSTAINABILITY SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CULVER CITY
STANDING SUSTAINABILITY SUBCOMMITTEE January 8 2026
OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA 6:00 p.m.
Call to Order & Roll Call
Council Member McMorrin called the special hybrid meeting of the Standing Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council to order at 6:06 p.m. in the Dan Patacchia Meeting Room.
Present: Freddy Puza, Mayor
Yasmine-Imani McMorrin, Council Member
Staff Present: Sean Singletary, Environmental Programs and Operations (EPO) Manager
Wallis Nash, Senior Management Analyst, Public
Works Department
Alicia Ide, Senior Management Analyst Public
Works Department
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Pledge of Allegiance
Council Member McMorrin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Community Announcement from Members
None.
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Information Items from Staff
Alicia Ide, Management Analyst, discussed the upcoming City Council meeting; the vendor chosen for the 18-month pilot program to use electric batteries instead of gas-powered generators for City events; and City responsibility for costs during the pilot program.
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Standing Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 8, 2026
2 Receipt of Correspondence
Alicia Ide, Management Analyst, reported distributing
correspondence to Subcommittee Members.
MOVED BY MAYOR PUZA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MCMORRIN, AND
UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE STANDING SUSTAINABILITY SUBCOMMITTEE RECEIVE AND FILE CORRESPONDENCE.
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Public Comment - Items NOT On the Agenda
Council Member McMorrin invited public comment.
The following members of the public addressed the Subcommittee:
Suzanne DeBenedittis congratulated Mayor Puza and thanked Council Member McMorrin for her work; discussed a text received from Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager Dove; heartbreak at the ICE-involved shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minnesota; support for efforts to impeach Kristi Noem over DHS (Department of Homeland Security) policies and to save democracy; her commitment since 1972 to care for the environment; she indicated distributing letters to the Committee regarding regenerative landscaping by Greener Ways; provided background on the organization; discussed benefits of the pilot project; she asked if the organization could borrow a medium- sized chipper shredder for a public demonstration; and she invited everyone to visit the Greener Ways garden.
A representative from Humble Rentals, discussed being awarded the bid for batteries to replace gas generators for City events; noted that Culver City was the first city to make such a change; and he indicated that he was available to answer any questions.
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Consent Calendar
Item C-1
Approval of Minutes for the Standing Sustainability Subcommittee Meeting of October 9, 2025
MOVED BY MAYOR PUZA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MCMORRIN AND
UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE STANDING SUSTAINABILITY SUBCOMMITTEE APPROVE MINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING ON OCTOBER 9, 2025.
Standing Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 8, 2026
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Action Items
Item A-1
Presentation by Sierra Club Regarding Resolution to Support Changes to South Coast Air Quality Management District Regulations 1146 and 14146.1
Alicia Ide, Management Analyst, indicated technical difficulties for the meeting in that the video was not streaming out.
Mandeera Wijetunga, Sierra Club , provided background on the Southern California Clean Manufacturing Coalition; discussed efforts to organize the industrial sector to clean up
manufacturing; understanding Southern California’s manufacturing sector; C02 emissions; health effects of poor air quality; health care expenses; pollution levels; environmental justice; the legacy of harm endured by communities; key challenges and opportunities; availability of clean industrial technology alternatives; advancing zero-emissions solutions; the manufacturing sector; regulation; equipment and incentives; changes made by other countries; the Industrial Decarbonization and Improvement of Grid Operations (INDIGO) program; expansion of existing programs; and current manufacturers creating clean industrial technology.
Candice Youngblood, Earthjustice, discussed the need to advance clean heat rules at SCAQMD (Southern California Air Quality Management District); federal law requiring limits to particle emissions to meet federal ozone pollution standards; significant penalties for non-compliance; the opportunity to push for the adoption of lifesaving regulations; she provided an overview of advocacy wins; discussed efforts on a rule series to address pollution from medium and large gas-fired boilers and water heaters; work to push a zero-emission rule in 2026 to clean up toxic pollution in communities; leadership exhibited by the AQMD in 2022-2024; the need to move forward in 2026; and the importance of local leadership.
Mandeera Wijetunga, Sierra Club, discussed regional failure to adopt environmental rules to clean the air; lack of any rules adopted in 2025; the current increase in anti-environmental regulations; failure to meet ozone standards set over the past 45+ years; the need for local elected officials to stand together and fight for the right to clean air and stronger regulations; and their request for Culver City to join environmental organizations Standing Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 8, 2026
4 and environmental justice advocates to support passage of a resolution affirming the need for state action.
Council Member McMorrin invited public comment.
Alicia Ide, Management Analyst, indicated that no requests to speak had been received.
Discussion ensued between the presenters, staff, and Subcommittee Members regarding appreciation to the speakers for their efforts; barriers to transition; making money available to help; misinformation from the opposition; the extension of funding for AB (Assembly Bill) 1280; the small number of facilities in Culver City; clarification that the resolution would cover the south coast region; text of the bill including a call for action, expressing City support for changes at the state level, and an internal mandate; regulatory requirements for development purposes; and the ability to advocate for part of the language or all of it.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding location of areas with the worst air quality in the region; impact of billions of dollars in health-related issues; existing technology; alignment with Culver City values; and support for a Culver City resolution.
Further discussion ensued between the presenters, staff, and Subcommittee Members regarding appreciation for the presentation; disappointment that progress on lowering emissions has been stalled; outreach to other cities; other cities with similar resolutions in 2025; universities that adopted similar resolutions committing to zero emissions; appreciation for the overview of the landscape; impacted areas; elevation of environmental justice; difference in cost; available funding; support for moving the suggestions forward; commitment to exploring and planning; support for the effort; target date for the campaign; the next working group in Q1; uplifting the action by Culver City; a suggestion that a Sierra Club representative be present to show support; potential consultation with Building and Safety; commitment to exploration of the plan rather than having everything ready to go; communication of City values in supporting clean air and encouraging the body to act; highlighting willingness to begin the conversation with the resolution; and Subcommittee consensus to direct staff to return with a description and details on a plan for implementation.
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Item A-2
Standing Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 8, 2026
5 (1) Receive and Discuss a Report on Nature-Based Solutions for Stormwater Treatment
Sean Singletary, Environmental Programs and Operations (EPO) Manager, provided a presentation on nature-based solutions for stormwater treatment.
Alicia Ide, Management Analyst, proposed that the meeting be adjourned in honor of Melanie Winter.
Council Member McMorrin invited public comment.
The following members of the public addressed the Subcommittee:
David Coles was happy to see the conversation continuing; noted the huge potential to add nature and semi-nature-based solutions; discussed the large portion of the surface of Culver City owned by the City; the role of local government; incentivizing private landowners to participate on a larger scale; shopping malls and office complexes; making asphalt lots permeable; private residential driveways; and the loss of Melanie Winter who spoke to the Subcommittee in June.
Craig Cadwallader provided background on himself; felt that Culver City was doing an exceptional job with nature-based solutions for storm water capture; encouraged the implementation of more permeable pavement projects; discussed permeable pavement projects in Santa Monica; funding; he asked they keep up the good work and expand permeable paving in Culver City; and he discussed the loss of Melanie Winter.
Deborah Gregory echoed comments about Melanie Winter; discussed sustainable alleyways in Culver City; efforts to create permeable alleys; neighbor complaints; work done by Ballona Creek Renaissance (BCR) on a Measure W project; and she was looking forward to more permeability in parking areas.
Discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding funding for incentives; partnerships; subsidies; starting small; the Sustainable Business Program; making request s early in the process; support for looking for grants and creating an incentive program for permeable driveways and rain gardens; fee waivers; previous consideration of alleys; certain alleys that are not viable for permeable pavement; setting aside money in the annual budget to target one or more alleys per year; alleys as a good opportunity for storm water installations; inclusion in strategic planning; looking at which City buildings could be good for solar; Standing Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 8, 2026
6 appreciation for the work of staff; next steps; inclusion in CIP (Capital Improvement Project) conversations; appreciation for the newsletter; and consensus to reintroduce the solar panel study.
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Item A-3
(1) Discussion of Enforcement Options for Restrictions of Balloons, Plastic Carry-Out Bags, and Single-Use Plastic Bottles; (2) Recommendation to City Council
Wallis Nash, Senior Management Analyst, provided a summary of the material of record.
Discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding the number of affected businesses.
Council Member McMorrin invited public comment.
The following members of the public addressed the Subcommittee:
Deborah Gregory received clarification that artificial turf would be discussed at a later meeting.
Duncan McFetridge, Coalition for Responsible Celebration, questioned what was guiding the Subcommittee in terms of adopting the recommendations noting rejection of Option 1 by the City Council and similarity with Option 4; he reiterated their advocacy for additional education regarding balloon release; discussed serious issues with intentional release; noted that 60% of balloons were enjoyed indoors; the small chance of balloons getting into the atmosphere if disposed of properly; felt that banning the sale and use of balloons was draconian; noted other methods that could satisfy City Council goals; discussed use of balloons by Sony Pictures; and he expressed appreciation for the opportunity to be heard.
David Coles discussed civilian-led enforcement; awareness of non- compliance; the need for help from Culver City; the goal of compliance; figuring out what works; ordinances in effect for years with only partial compliance; encouragement to be more strict with enforcement; lack of enforcement when businesses are involved; and he encouraged the Subcommittee to consider how best to encourage compliance and to not be afraid to enforce when needed.
Craig Cadwallader, Surfrider LA and BCR, discussed removal of the lighter than air restriction; ballons filled with regular air that Standing Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 8, 2026
7 can become unintentionally released and blow through the environment similar to light plastic bags, causing damage to wildlife and the environment; he proposed a phase 2 with single- use plastic bottles that includes a City-wide ban; felt the 18- month implementation was excessively long; indicated that he did not want to harm any business; discussed the need to think about the environment and draw the line as the federal government is dismantling environmental protections; the importance of local protection; appreciation for the ban on all plastic carryout bags; SB (Senate Bill) 4 and SB 1053; and insufficient statewide bans.
Discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding appreciation for the commentary; enforcement strategies; Code Enforcement; allowing Code Enforcement to weigh in; potential need for an additional employee; the budgeting process; current waste reduction regulations; current staffing levels and workload; inspection-led enforcement; education; understanding current capacity and amount of time that could be allocated; opportunity with the new City Manager; funding for Code Enforcement officers; having a program that pays for itself; understanding how many officers are needed to handle current programs; providing options for consideration; difficulty making a decision with current information presented; and the ability to request that Code Enforcement attend a meeting to report on enforcement capacity or provide an email report.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding support for a hybrid process; submitting complaints on the website; distribution of cards educating about sustainability and providing website information; small businesses that band together to support sustainability goals; the many projects being balanced; volume of complaints; compliance; annual check in on data and metrics; hardship; the need for additional information; phase-in; waivers; outreach; ensuring information is available online; looking at how the nominal fee can support the program; opportunity for the program to fund itself; the timeline; choosing enforcement strategy as a separate conversation; the making a recommendation to the City Council; support for community complaints with an inspector to regulate; tracking what is happening; putting together scenarios on what could be
accomplished with current staffing and what new staffing would enable; EPO vs. Code Enforcement; consensus for an 18-month phase- in, hardship waivers, educational outreach, and reminders for all three of the items considered; and appreciation for the efforts of staff and ongoing community feedback.
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Standing Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 8, 2026
8 Item A-4
(1) Discussion of Restrictions on Outdoor Smoking, Including Enforcement Strategies, Smoking Zones, and Multi-Family Housing; (2) Guidance to Staff; and (3) Recommendations to City Council
Wallis Nash, Senior Management Analyst, provided a summary of the material of record noting the per City Council feedback, smoking and astroturf would be considered separately from the plastics issues; discussed federal and state law; rule exceptions; potential phase-in period; outreach; and limitations of Code Enforcement.
Discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding support for a six-month phase-in.
Council Member McMorrin invited public comment.
The following member of the public addressed the Subcommittee:
Craig Cadwallader, Surfrider Foundation and BCR, felt that continuing on in support of smoking in any form was not good for anyone; discussed impacts to those who do not smoke; enforcement; distance from outdoor dining; support for following the lead of Manhattan Beach and Beverly Hills with an outright ban on the sale of tobacco products; lack of severe business or residential impacts; concern with support of a deadly product that is a known carcinogen; tax revenue; making accommodations for people who are addicted to the product vs. providing assistance to people to get help for their addictions; support for a ban except in private residences; the need to take a stand for public health; elimination of designated smoking areas in Hermosa Beach; accommodations that do not work; and he asked for consideration of banning all tobacco sales in Culver City.
Discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding current locations where people are allowed to smoke; the prohibition of smoking in multi- family dwellings; providing an alternative location; enforcement; a person living in a multi- family dwelling unit who spoke at a City Council meeting expressing concern with lack of follow up by Code Enforcement on his complaints; civilian-led enforcement; graduated fines; precedent with the multi-family ban; civil action; issues with neighbors vs. someone walking down the street; leaf blower enforcement; recommendations on zones to be sent to the City Council; current locations where smoking is not allowed; and identification of a logical place for multi-family housing areas.
Standing Sustainability Subcommittee of the City Council January 8, 2026
9 Additional discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding appreciation for the presentation and the comments; location of previous safe zones; the need to create zones; the amount of multi-family housing units coming online; being thoughtful about how the issue is addressed and intentional about changes made; support for positive changes to public health; concern with things escalating and people being ticketed or creating harassment; mediation teams; safety ambassadors used in other cities; providing information and being clear about how the policy supports overall goals and health of the community; building coalition and buy-in rather than taking a punishment route that is not sustainable; ensuring that the police do not come and escalate the situation; finding an in-between solution; spaces coming online; allowing people to exercise their free will; the need for additional information and identification of locations; the ability to direct enforcement by Code Enforcement, not the police; providing a budget for effectiveness; the ability to direct to staff to identify a reasonable number of safe zones; and sending the item to the City Council with a recommendation and a six-month strategy.
Further discussion ensued between staff and Subcommittee Members regarding education; providing resources to help people to quit smoking; small claims court; smoking outside of multi-family properties; stormwater pollution issues; difficulty designing a specific zone; adding distance requirements; a suggestion to bring the Planning Department into the conversation; research into the actions of other cities; availability of receptacles; ensuring people have a place to deposit their butts; keychains that butts can be stored in; pushback; ensuring answers are provided before moving forward with the item; consensus to wait for additional information before moving the item forward to the City Council; communication strategy; and the contract with SGA for the 4Bs.
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Public Comment for Items NOT on the Agenda
Council Member McMorrin invited public participation.
Alicia Ide, Management Analyst, reported that the person who had requested to speak was no longer online but had wanted to request the meeting adjournment in memory of Melanie Winter.
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Members Requests to Agendize Future Items