REGULAR MEETING OF THE September 1, 2026
CULVER CITY PARKS, RECREATION 7:00 P.M.
AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
Chair Peters called the regular meeting of the Parks,
Recreation and Community Services Commission to order at 7:00 P.M. in Mike Balkman Council Chambers at City Hall.
Present: Maggie Peters, Chair
Marci Baun, Vice Chair
Crystal Alexander, Commissioner
Thomas Whitaker, Commissioner
Absent: Jennifer Chen, Commissioner
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Pledge of Allegiance
Commissioner Alexander led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Items from Commissioners/Staff
Commissioner Whitaker discussed attending Fiesta La Ballona; variety of food trucks; appreciation to Culver City Police Department (CCPD) for the tight security; the excellent performances; and he reminded drivers to be careful noting that school was back in session with more children in parks and playgrounds.
Commissioner Alexander noted that the Commission would be doing a Fiesta La Ballona recap at the October meeting; discussed time spent at Fiesta La Ballona; appreciation to staff for their efforts at the 75th anniversary event; the two
entertainment stages; variety and number of food trucks; the successful carnival portion of the event; information provided about Fiesta Ballona over the years; evolution of the event; the former citizens committee; concern with the loss of a These meeting minutes are not official until approved by the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission C-1
Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission
September 1, 2026
community element; the event that is meant to be a joyous celebration of the community where people can come together; she wanted to see the soul of Fiesta La Ballona come back; discussed money raised that does not pay for the event; tax dollars used to support the event; requests regarding some of the booths; she encouraged everyone to catalogue their thoughts and put together a list of items for the department to address in the after action review; and she wanted to see the community brought back into the event with a hybrid committee of City staff and community members.
Vice Chair Baun discussed Fiesta La Ballona; The Plunge; the rides; feedback received regarding high prices and the spread out nature of the event; vendors and community booths; the Culver City Symphony concert on Halloween at Veterans
Auditorium; encouragement to the community to attend the October meeting to provide feedback; a suggestion for staff to create a link to provide feedback; people who felt
disconnected; the former practice of having Fiesta princesses and a theme for Fiesta La Ballona with booths decorated to match the theme; working to bring the community back in; appreciation for staff efforts throughout the event; and she encouraged everyone to get out and see the amazing sights and scenic locations in California.
Chair Peters thanked staff; expressed appreciation to Cultural Affairs for their efforts on entertainment; suggested having an area where kids could be dropped off; discussed providing a sense of freedom and autonomy; adding events that would appeal to teens; she noted that the pools were packed; proposed more Plunge activities to get people in and keeping the pool open later; discussed the drop-off in community booths; bringing more artists in with a theme or focus on the arts; the Olympics in 2028; and a suggestion to provide a prize to the booth decorated the best if there is a theme.
Tomás Herrera Mishler, PRCS Director, discussed the effort to pull the event off; appreciation to staff; noted the diversity of ages and background of attendees; cost to buy food or anything at Fiesta La Ballona; the free admission; exploration of adding depth and value to the experience; having a theme; emphasizing the arts; keeping the event going for 75 years; consideration of comments about the soul of the event; the booths; changing with the times; consideration of advice and input; gratitude for the well-behaved teens; quality of the event; and appreciation for feedback received.
Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission
September 1, 2026
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Public Comment – Items NOT On The Agenda
Commissioner Alexander invited public comment.
The following members of the public addressed the Commission:
Lynn Smith provided background on herself; expressed
appreciation for the thoughtful and insightful comments about Fiesta La Ballona; spoke on behalf of Arts District residents and those using the E-Line Bike Path along National Boulevard; discussed repair and service of the existing irrigation system; including the corridor in the City’s mulch replacement plan; transformation of the area from dirt to a drought tolerant landscape by volunteers with resident donations; daily hand watering; a previous donation of mulch by the City to the project three years ago; broken sprinkler heads; capped lines; City responsibility for maintenance of the irrigation;
potential loss of resident-donated plants and volunteer efforts; concern with a failed community-City partnership due to lack of basic maintenance; and the opportunity to work together.
Alicia Ide wanted to ensure that Public Works had asked for a green-powered Fiesta La Ballona event; discussed grants to encourage the community to transform from gas-powered
generators to batteries; expressed appreciation to those who stepped up to organize transition efforts; discussed past efforts of the Culver City Arts Foundation to work with Fiesta Ballona; the Arts Walk; and willingness to collaborate. o0o
Receipt of Correspondence
Adrian Cobian, Senior Management Analyst, confirmed that emailed correspondence had been shared with Commissioners before the meeting.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER WHITAKER AND SECONDED BY CHAIR PETERS
THAT THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION RECEIVE AND FILE CORRESPONDENCE.
THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission
September 1, 2026
AYES: ALEXANDER, BAUN, PETERS, WHITAKER
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: CHEN
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Consent Calendar Items
Item C-1
Approval of the Minutes for the Regular Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission Meeting of August 5, 2026
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ALEXANDER AND SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR
BAUN THAT THE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION APPROVE MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MEETING OF AUGUST 5, 2026.
THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: ALEXANDER, BAUN, PETERS, WHITAKER
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: CHEN
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Order of the Agenda
Item A-2 was heard before Item A-1
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Action Items
Item A-2
(Out of Sequence)
Receive and File the Update on the Proposed CCARP Fee and Hardship Program
Chair Peters invited public comment.
The following members of the public addressed the Commission:
Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission
September 1, 2026
Tamar Fuhrer provided background on herself noting that she is a parent of a student in CCUSD (Culver City Unified School District); reiterated her support for the temporary freeze of Culver City Afterschool Recreation Program (CCARP) fees; felt that fees should be studied; hoped that the Commission would advocate for keeping afterschool programming affordable; discussed the importance of classifying the item in the service category; the subsidy program; highlighting eligibility; administrative burden; support for self-attestation;
Commission feedback provided in July; and the importance of affordable child care for all members of the community.
Kate Eisen provided background on herself; reported that CCARP was her son’s favorite thing; expressed support for the temporary freeze; echoed comments made by the previous speaker; discussed reevaluation of the category the program has been placed into; the essential service; concern that an increase to prices would have a ripple effect through the community; the importance of providing support for working families; and appreciation to staff for running the excellent program.
Julie Lo discussed the number of concerned parents; feedback; the timeline for the fee increase; free aftercare programs; people who have been budgeting based on anticipated costs; the bracket that the program is in; infeasibility of absorbing increased costs; safety issues; stress caused by the proposed increases; and appreciation for consideration of a long-term freeze or a more reasonable increase.
Meghan Stebbins, Recreation and Community Services Manager, provided a summary of the material of record; discussed consideration of feedback received; equity; agreement that CCARP is essential; continuing the freeze; the multi-child discount; continued examination of the fees as a whole; transition of the subsidy program into the family stabilization fund; being respectful of families; and City Council
consideration of the freeze on fees and the stabilization fund.
Discussion ensued between staff and Commissioners regarding timing of the increase; providing an allotted amount of time for the increases; program costs; keeping the focus on the program; asking the City Council to put more resources into the program and looking at it as a primary program;
collaboration with CCUSD; support for freezing fees at the current rate; community reliance on the program; and
identification of alternate funding sources.
Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission
September 1, 2026
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Commissioners regarding lack of a fees and charges adjustment since 2014; the adjustment rate from 2014-2025; the consistent price for childcare; the importance of regular fee adjustments;
priorities across Culver City; allowing the workforce to continue and children to thrive; an item on the ballot to increase the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT); letting families know what to expect in terms of price; and support for looking at how to increase fees without it being a financial hardship on families.
Further discussion ensued between staff and Commissioners regarding appreciation for the work to put together the Family Stabilization Program; decreasing paperwork; figuring out where cuts would occur in order to provide funding; meeting other requests; concern with taking funding from other areas of PRCS; and borrowing money.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ALEXANDER AND SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR
BAUN THAT THE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION RECEIVE AND FILE THE UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED CCARP FEE AND HARDSHIP PROGRAM.
THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: ALEXANDER, BAUN, PETERS, WHITAKER
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: CHEN
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Item A-1
Receipt and Filing of the Report Regarding Capital Improvement Projects
Chair Peters invited public participation.
Adrian Cobian, Senior Management Analyst, indicated that no requests to speak had been received.
Ryan Drnek, Landscape Architect, provided a report on Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs).
Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission
September 1, 2026
Discussion ensued between staff and Commissioners regarding community focus on park projects; other things going on; a suggestion to regularly provide information to the City Council; sand in Alexander West Park; surfacing replacement; sand quality; the tennis court at Syd Kronenthal Park; and funding for the area under the Expo Line.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Commissioners regarding multiple projects in the pipeline; appreciation for being able to see all the things going on; creating excitement; natural grass vs. artificial turf; the fitness studio;
appreciation for the work of staff; the zip lines at Culver West; pool deck repairs; resident concerns with the homeless; potential issues with adding seating; a potential sand
volleyball court at Culver City Park; sand tennis; requests for shade trees at Blanco Park; compliance with state
regulations; and addressing turf conditions in all parks.
Further discussion ensued between staff and Commissioners regarding the Owl at Lindberg Park; programming at the Teen Center; boosting life skills; support for creating a better dashboard for CIPs; identification of funding; providing regular updates to keep rumors down; new software for projecttracking; irrigation needs on the Expo Line Bike Path; coordination of turf resting; and appreciation for the amount of work being done by a small amount of people.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ALEXANDER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
WHITAKER THAT THE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION RECEIVE AND FILE THE REPORT REGARDING THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: ALEXANDER, BAUN, PETERS, WHITAKER
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: CHEN
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Item A-3
Receipt and Filing the Updates Regarding the Food Truck Permit Program
Chair Peters invited public participation.
Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission
September 1, 2026
Adrian Cobian, Senior Management Analyst, indicated that no requests to speak had been received; provided an update on the food truck permit program; discussed timeline and next steps; incorporating the City Council request to move the trucks so they are not in front of the same house all the time into the program; idling trucks; the California State Vehicle Code; equity in permitting for different vendors; establishing a feedback evaluation process for the pilot program;
documentation and fees; compostable food ware; trash disposal; recycling and organics; and exclusion of Fox Hills Park due to safety concerns with the bike lane.
Discussion ensued between staff and Commissioners regarding support for staff efforts to move the program forward; the ability to make adjustments as the program is in action; providing access to a variety of food; support for rotating locations; concerns voiced by Carlson Park residents; changing the view in front of people’s houses; community feedback on the pilot program; optional ways to activate park space; making adjustments in response to growing pains; people in the community who came out to support Windsor Hills Pizza; support for bringing the community together; mounting an education campaign to ensure trucks know what they should be buying; and the importance of waste reduction.
MOVED BY VICE CHAIR BAUN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WHITAKER
THAT THE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
RECEIVE AND FILE UPDATES REGARDING THE FOOD TRUCK PERMIT PROGRAM.
THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: ALEXANDER, BAUN, PETERS, WHITAKER
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: CHEN
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Item A-4
Receipt and Filing the Updates from the Members of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission Ad Hoc
Subcommittees and Representative Appointees to Outside
Associations and City Committees
Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission
September 1, 2026
Culver City Senior Citizens Association Board of Directors (CCSCA)
Commissioner Alexander provided a report from the August 10, 2026 CCSCA meeting; discussed changes to Board membership; new staff at the Senior Center; new furniture; programming; and expansion of the day trip program supported by matching City funds.
Culver City Arts Foundation
Commissioner Whitaker reported that he and Commissioner Chen had attended the recent Culver City Arts Foundation meeting; noted Foundation discussion of the Artist Laurate project; Art Walk on October 10; having people read poetry that has moved them; costs for the Art Walk; the minutes and treasury report; photos from the summer concert series; introduction of a new member; consideration of hosting a book festival; an art installation block party idea; and better incorporation of social media.
2028 Summer Olympics Preparation Ad Hoc Committee
Commissioner Alexander reported that the committee had not met yet; she hoped to hear from staff on the Summer Olympics; and discussed bringing back dormant subcommittees.
Plunge Procedures Ad Hoc Subcommittee
Vice Chair Baun indicated that the subcommittee had not met.
Naming and Renaming of Minor Facilities Ad Hoc Subcommittee Vice Chair Baun indicated that the subcommittee had not met but hoped to meet soon.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ALEXANDER AND SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR
BAUN THAT THE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION RECEIVE AND FILE UPDATES FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE
PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION AD HOC
SUBCOMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTEES TO OUTSIDE
ASSOCIATIONS AND CITY COMMITTEES.
THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: ALEXANDER, BAUN, PETERS, WHITAKER
Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission
September 1, 2026
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: CHEN
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Item A-5
Receipt and Filing of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission 2026 Meeting Calendar and the Upcoming Agenda Items List, With Adjustments, If Any
Adrian Cobian, Senior Management Analyst, discussed upcoming agenda items and items going before the City Council.
Discussion ensued between staff and Commissioners regarding timing for consideration of an item on security at the parks; future items agendized for the City Council Public Safety Subcommittee; the former Swim Across America program at the Plunge; a suggestion to have a Swimathon Fundraiser to raise money in May to fund free swim lessons for those who struggle to pay for them; inclusion of consideration of funding
scholarships for summer camps and swim lessons in the Summer Programs Recap; understanding what fees are for childcare; timing; tax savings; departmental collaboration; and the youth sports programs update.
MOVED BY VICE CHAIR BAUN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WHITAKER THAT THE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION:
RECEIVE AND FILE THE PRCS COMMISSION 2026 MEETING CALENDAR AND THE UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS LIST, WITH ADJUSTMENTS.
THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: ALEXANDER, BAUN, PETERS, WHITAKER
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: CHEN
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Public Comment – Items NOT on the Agenda (Continued)
Chair Peters invited public participation.
Adrian Cobian, Senior Management Analyst, indicated that no requests to speak had been received.
Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission
September 1, 2026
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Items from Commissioners/Staff
Meghan Stebbing, Recreation and Community Services Manager, discussed Fiesta La Ballona noting that the full report would be coming forward in October; thanked part-time and full-time staff, Police, Fire, and other City departments who helped to make the event happen; discussed landscaping in front of Veterans Memorial building; surveys for attendees, vendors, and entertainers; engagement at the Plunge; and consideration of feedback for 2027.
Ryan Drnek, Landscape Architect, discussed the installation of the Charles Gaines artwork at Washington and National and collaboration with Cultural Affairs.
Tomás Herrera Mishler, PRCS Director, discussed the work of dedicated and smart staff to elevate everything being done; new landscape in front of Veterans Memorial Building; extensive changes and enhancements to Fiesta La Ballona; CIPs; and he expressed gratitude to the Commission for their guidance.
Adrian Cobian, Senior Management Analyst, echoed appreciation to staff at all levels for their work to make Fiesta La Ballona a success.
Commissioner Alexander discussed planning for the next Fiesta La Ballona; appreciation for the work done for Fiesta La Ballona 2026; and asked about quantification of staff hours for Fiesta La Ballona.
Discussion ensued between staff and Commissioners regarding hours put into the event and the long planning process.
Commissioner Whitaker discussed the Parks Plan; lighting; safety; bringing the community back into third spaces; and the goats.
Vice Chair Baun discussed demand on public pools; looking at what other pools are doing; and the Plunge Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting.
Chair Peters expressed support for continuing social media efforts to highlight the work done by PRCS.
Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission
September 1, 2026
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Adjournment
There being no further business, at 9:07 P.M., the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission adjourned to a regular meeting to be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2026. o0o
___________________________________________________________ Adrian Cobian
SECRETARY of the Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Commission
APPROVED ____________________
_____________________________________________________________ Maggie Peters
CHAIR of the PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION
Culver City, California
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that, on the date below written, these minutes were filed in the Office of the City Clerk, Culver City, California and constitute the Official Minutes of said meeting. _________________________ _________________________
Jeremy Bocchino Date
CITY CLERK