City Manager’s Office

Innovative Parking Garage

Mayor Jim Clarke participated in the ribbon cutting last Friday for the new automated parking garage in the Helms Bakery District, 8758 Venice Blvd.  The project was constructed by AUTOParkit.  To access the garage, drivers enter through a traditional garage door, turn off their car, and walk a few steps to a kiosk where they activate the AUTOParkit System.  Then the driver’s car is safely whisked away by an industrial, commercially adapted high tech system. There are no attendants required with an AUTOParkit System, self-monitored with notifications on performance, sent electronically via email, text or automated call.

USC Executive Education Forum

City Councilmembers Meghan Sahli-Wells and Thomas Small completed Executive Education Forum for Policy for Local Leaders at USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy. This program provides a balanced approach to learning in an academic setting. It is designed for local leaders to deepen their understanding of substantive policy issues, augment their ability to leverage and increase existing public sector capacity, and foster leadership. The program achieves this by bringing together the faculty of USC Price, experienced practitioners and a dynamic curriculum to teach and reach across boundaries.

Eriksson Addresses Swedish Women

As part of International Women’s Day, City Councilman Göran Eriksson spoke at the Los Angeles Chapter of the Swedish Women’s Educational Association International, Inc. about how to run for office, what a Council member does and how Culver City operates.

CicLAvia — Culver City Meets Venice

CicLAvia heads back to one of its fan-favorite routes. On Sunday, March 26, Culver City, Mar Vista, and Venice will host the country’s largest open-streets event. Streets will be closed to cars and open for cyclists, pedestrians, runners and skaters to use as a recreational space.

A CicLAvia press event will start at 8:30 a.m. at the intersection of Main Street and Culver Boulevard in Downtown. A free commemorative CicLAvia Is for Neighbors button will be available.   See CicLAvia website

Fire Dept.

Captain’s Academy

Fire Chief David White participated in the 30th annual Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs Assn. Captain’s Academy as the main facilitator and presenter. The Academy is intended for prospective and new fire captains from agencies throughout Los Angeles County. It provides an opportunity to hear directly from many fire chiefs on a wide range of topics.

Parks, Recreation and Community Services Depy.

Pet Adoption Event

A special pet-adoption event, organized by Girl Scouts Melanie Marx and Hermela Amanuel of Troop 1615, took place at the Senior Center. Seniors were able to pet and adopt dogs and cats, and to learn about the health benefits of pets.  Melanie and Hermela are earning their Silver Award. They planned this event with The Michaelson Found Animals Foundation and Adopt & Shop Culver City.

Healthcare Instruction Workshop

The Senior Center, in partnership with UCLA Health, will present a workshop entitled “Communicating Your Healthcare Instructions,” on Wednesday, May 24, from1:30 to 3  Participants will learn how to convey their healthcare instructions to family and friends, how to appoint someone as a surrogate decision-maker and how to review healthcare decision-making documents.  Reservations: 800.516.5323.

Tax-Aide Assistance

The Culver City Senior and Social Services Division continues its partnership with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide for another year, offering free tax aide.  The 20-year program provides free income tax preparation to low- and moderate-income taxpayers with special assistance to those 50 and older.  AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS.  In 2016, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide prepared over 600 returns for Culver City area residents and is already fully booked.

New Aquatics Coordinator

Jeannine Houchen is the new Aquatics Coordinator at The Plunge. Involved in Aquatics for 25 years, she began her career with the city of Santa Monica as a lifeguard.  and later became an Aquatics Site Supervisor in 2006.  Ms. Houchen’s duties include the day-to-day operation, recruitment, hiring, scheduling, certifying staff and managing payroll for a staff of nearly 60 Plunge employees.

Police Dept.

Screenland 5K

The Department played an important public safety role in the Feb. 26 Screenland 5K.  Colleagues supported Officer Ruben Silva who ran the race in full tactical uniform in memory of slain Whittier Police Officer Keith Boyer. Officer Silva displayed true esprit de corps for a fallen brother officer and completed the race.

 Services for Slain Officer

Chief Scott Bixby, Asst.  Chief Ron Iizuka and Department members attended the funeral services for slain Whittier Police Officer Keith Boyer, fatally shot by a lone gunman while responding to a traffic collision.  The service was held at the Calvary Chapel in Downey and was attended by 2,000 officers from all over California, as well as from across the country.

Public Works Dept.

Lighting Upgrades

Through Southern California Edison’s Direct Install Program, several city facilities qualified for free lighting upgrades.  The upgrade consists of replacing existing fluorescent lamps (28 watts/5,000 Kelvin) to more energy efficient LED lamps (13 watts/5,000 Kelvin).

Upgrades were made at the Public Services Building, the Transfer Station, Fire Training Facility, The Plunge, Blanco Park, El Marino Park, Carlson Park, Culver West Park, Lindberg Park, Transportation, the Police Station, all Fire Stations including the E.O.C., Senior Center, Teen Center and Vets Auditorium.

Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have approved the City/CCUSD Hazard Mitigation Plan. The next step is to have the City Council and the School Board approve the plan.  Once adopted, it will allow City Hall and the School District  to apply for pre-disaster mitigation funding to implement projects.  www.culvercity.org/hazardmitigationplan

Transportation Dept.

CicLAvia Bus Service

On Sunday, March 26, Culver CityBus Line 1, 3 and 7 will run special detours to provide service for CicLAvia For more information: http://www.ciclavia.org/.  Call 310.253.6500 or see www.culvercitybus.com.

Safety Awards Banquet

City Manager John Nachbar, Transportation Director Art Ida, Transit Operations Manager Samantha Blackshire, and Fleet Services and Facility Manager Paul Condran honored the Transit Operations and Fleet Services Division employees at the Safety Awards Banquet. The best of the best were recognized for being in full compliance with all city and divisional rules and regulations by maintaining an excellent safety record.

Circulation Improvement Project

Seventy-five stakeholders attended a public meeting at Hamilton High School hosted by the city and others to introduce present alternatives about ways to improve the I-10 Robertson/National freeway on/off-ramps and the connections.  Throughout the project, the team will be gathering public input to understand key issues and guide recommendations. To learn more, visit: http://bit.do/I-10Robertson

Civil Service Recognition

At the last regular Civil Service Commission meeting, Electronic Fleet Services Technician, Luis Herrera and Fleet Services Technician Jason Olivera were commended for their dedicated work in performing the construction inspection requirements for 18 replacement buses to the Culver CityBus fleet. Inspections took place as the vehicles were being fabricated at the St. Cloud MN, facility. The Federal Transit Administration requires properties that purchase public transit buses to perform specification, production and quality control audits and on-line inspections for these vehicles.  Fleet Services Manager, Paul Condran recommended that both Mr. Herrera and Mr. Olivera receive an outstanding merit award for their excellent work in performing the required inspections.  Their combined time spent in Minnesota was 60 days. Because of their experience in maintaining these highly, technically advanced vehicles, they saved the city time and money as the vehicles upon delivery required little pre-in-service inspection time.  .

DBE Goal Open for Comments

The Department has presented the Revised Overall Goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation for Federal Fiscal Years for contracts through the Federal Transportation Administration.  As a direct recipient of federal funds, the Department has developed its business goal of 6.97 percent  race neutrality. Written comments will be accepted until Friday. Comments should be addressed to:  Jane Leonard, Senior Management Analyst, Culver City Transportation Department, 4343 Duquesne Ave., Culver City, CA  90232.

Sidewalk Closure

Sidewalk access has been closed due to Ivy Station Development Construction,  until 2019. Bus stops in these segments of the sidewalks will be relocated, and pedestrian access to the bus stops on Robertson Boulevard and Washington Boulevard will be impacted. 310.253.6500 or the website.

• Eastbound Venice Boulevard sidewalk between Robertson Boulevard and National Boulevard; and,
• Southbound National Boulevard between Venice Boulevard and Washington Boulevard.

Mr. Nachbar, the city manager, may be contacted at john.nachbar@culvercity.org