City Manager’s Office
Additional Audit — Staff has learned that the State Controller’s Office has completed a quality control review of Mayer Hoffman McCann’s audit services for the city of Bell and the Bell Redevelopment Agency. Mayer Hoffman is also Culver City’s auditor. In light of the findings of this report, I have directed that another qualified CPA firm be engaged immediately to review the Agency’s expenditures to confirm adherence to the Guidelines for Compliance Audits of California Redevelopment Agencies. Staff believes that the Agency has fully complied with all applicable statutes, regulations and reporting requirements as well as all procedures required before spending affordable housing monies. When the additional audit is completed, staff will provide an update to the City Council and the community.
Community Development Dept.
Westside Business Park — Tenant improvements are being completed at 10300 Jefferson Blvd.
Homeless Services — On Wednesday, Jan. 26, Housing Division staff will coordinate with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority for work on the homeless count. Sixty volunteers will conduct a census of homeless population in Culver City. This information will be used to provide data for city services, the Housing Element, and the Comprehensive Housing Strategy. The volunteer deployment location will be at the Senior Center.
Comprehensive Housing Strategy — The Housing Division is soliciting qualified multi-family ownership housing developers for the Agency-owned site on Globe Avenue. Proposals are due Thursday, Jan. 20 Advertisements were placed in the California Redevelopment Assn. website, the National Assn. of Housing and the Redevelopment Officials Newsletter and two local newspapers. Additionally, direct mailings were sent to developers with experience in low-density affordable ownership housing.
More Comprehensive Housing Strategy — Two weeks ago, on Monday, Dec. 13, the Agency approved an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with the Los Angeles Housing Partnership. The developer will continue to meet with the community to design the project and address neighborhood concerns. The next community meeting is Thursday, Jan. 6.
Music in the Chambers — Staff has established the schedule for the final musicians for the 10th annual free classical music series starting on Friday, Jan.14. The Redevelopment Agency and Los Angeles Philharmonic Assn. co-sponsored program features musicians from the Philharmonic. All three Friday night performances start at 7 in Council Chambers. The series features a string quartet on Jan. 14, an evening of oboe, viola and piano on Feb. 11, and a concert of bassoon music with string quintet on Feb. 25. Reservations are required. Call the Cultural Affairs Hotline at 310.253.5716. For information: www.culvercity.org.
Rock and Republic — Greensboro-based V.F. Corp. has reached agreement to acquire the trademarks and intellectual property of Rock and Republic, a Culver City-based fashion denim company. The deal is expected to close in the spring.
Riot Games — This Culver City game developer who created the fantasy adventure game “League of Legends” has announced expansion plans to accommodate the hiring of 100 new employees.
Fire Dept.
Local Heroes Honoree — On Wednesday, Dec. 15, the Foshay Masonic Lodge recognized and honored Fire Capt. Mike Crone for his extraordinary work within the department, the community, along with his civic contributions.
Driver’s License Changes — Beginning Saturday, there will be significant changes regarding licensing of drivers operating fire apparatus. Fire Dept. personnel are working diligently to ensure that all of our personnel meet the new requirements.
Funeral Services — On Saturday, Dec. 11, off-duty members of the Fire Dept. participated in the funeral services of Asst. Fire Chief Chuck Liedtke (ret.). The Redondo Beach service was well attended by family, friends and numerous retirees.
Parks, Recreation & Community Services Council
Vets Park Playground — This playground project for children ages 2 to , was completed on Friday, Dec. 17. Children and their parents began enjoying the new playground that day. Formerly, the playground was a passive use area. It has undergone a complete transformation with the installation of accessible play equipment and surfacing. The addition of an ADA accessible ramp combined with a path of travel from the walkway to playground makes the area fully wheelchair-accessible.
Park Division Crews Activities — During the rainy season, the Parks Division crew is busy with general facility maintenance such as painting the interior of restrooms. In addition, they stay vigilant in monitoring and unclogging the drains in city parks since water build-up from clogged drains can have serious consequences on surrounding turf areas and equipment.
Police Dept.
Local Heroes Honoree — The Foshay Masonic Lodge honored Police Det. Leroy Cisneros for contributions to the community. Det. Cisneros is much deserving of this recognition. He has proven himself to be a valuable member. The Masonic Lodge intends to make this an annual event.
Donations — The Rotary Club has donated $1,000 to help the Police Dept.’s Juvenile Diversion program. The donation will help the program aid at-risk juveniles. The Exchange Club has donated Hot Wheels cars to the Department. The cars will be given to children.
Public Works Dept.
Pump Station — The Braddock Sewer Pump Station Reconstruction Project encountered groundwater during the removal of the existing wet wells. The contractor will have to continuously pump the groundwater to complete the excavation and install the new wet wells. This additional work will be covered by a change order. Per staff’s recommendation, the City Council approved a change order contingency when the project was initially approved in anticipation of groundwater problems.
Paving Project — The residential paving program work for this fall has been successfully completed. The next residential paving project is scheduled for spring. The following streets were resurfaced:
1. Adams Boulevard: Washington Boulevard to 140 feet west of Hines Avenue
2. Barman Avenue: Coombs Avenue to Overland Avenue
3. Corryne Place: Slauson Avenue to cul-de-sac
4. East Boulevard: Washington Boulevard to city limit
5. Eastham Drive: Higuera Street to Steller Drive
6. Girard Avenue: Washington Place to Venice Boulevard
7. Hubbard Street: Ince Boulevard to cul-de-sac
8. Jean Place: Washington Boulevard to cul-de-sac
9. Lenawee Avenue: Ivy Way to City limit
10. Motor Avenue: Braddock Drive to Culver Boulevard
11. Pearson Street: Jefferson Boulevard to cul-de-sac
12. Perry Avenue: La Cienega Boulevard to Fairfax Avenue
13. Poinsettia Court: 370 feet west of Higuera Street to Ince Boulevard
14. Sawtelle Boulevard: Matteson Avenue to Venice Boulevard
15. Washington Place: Sawtelle Blvd to Sepulveda Boulevard
16. Washington Place/Grandview Boulevard Intersection
17. Washington Place: Albright Avenue to Sawtelle Boulevard
18. LeBourget Ave: Culver Boulevard to Braddock Drive
19. Motor Avenue: Park Avenue to Braddock Drive
20. Park Avenue: Motor Avenue to Le Bourget Avenue
Expo Light Rail Transit Project — A temporary full closure of Washington Boulevard, from National Boulevard to Landmark Street, will allow for the removal of falsework from the aerial structure. The closure will be on Saturday, Jan. 8, from 9 to 7. It will involve the following traffic impacts:
1. Westbound traffic on Washington Boulevard will be detoured north on National Boulevard, west on Venice Boulevard, south on Robertson Boulevard, and back to westbound Washington Boulevard.
2. Eastbound traffic on Washington Boulevard will be detoured north on Robertson, east on Venice, south on National, and back to eastbound Washington Boulevard.
3. Directional signage, electronic message boards and flaggers will be used to safely detour and direct drivers around the construction zones in order to minimize the disruption to traffic.
4. Local access will be maintained for all residents and business.
Notice (hardcopy and electronic) will be provided to the standard notification area and mailing lists on Tuesday, and a reminder electronic notice will be sent out during the first week in January. Changeable message signage will be placed during the week prior to the planned closure, in order to provide additional notice.
Transportation
Rideshare Program — The city’s Employee Rideshare Program participation has increased by 44 percent since 2007, with 10 employees joining within the last quarter. During the Rideshare Week Challenge in the first week of October, 25 people not in the program took the challenge not to drive alone to work at least one day that week. Ten took the challenge to go for 24 hours without using a car for any of their daily activities. Since Rideshare Week, eight more have committed to using alternative modes of transportation to commute to work on a consistent basis. The city’s employee commute reduction strategies reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 400 metric tons per year.
Tax Credit Extended — We received information that the current NatGas bill has been extended until Dec. 31 of next year, allowing a 50-cent per gallon fuel credit for Compressed Natural Gas and Liquid Natural Gas when used as a transportation fuel. As expected, the extension is made retroactive back to last Jan. 1. The tax credit had expired at the end of 2009. To date, the city of Culver City operates 100 vehicles fueled by natural gas. It is estimated that the NatGas bill rebate extension will earn the city $395,310 for 2010 and an additional $400,000 for 2011 as it continues to replace petroleum fueled vehicles with those operating on Compressed Natural Gas.
Mr. John Nachbar, the City Manager, may be contacted at john.nachbar@culvercity.org
