City Manager’s Office
International Walk to School Day – Culver City schools joined thousands of schools and millions of children around the world last Wednesday in a celebration of the benefits of active transportation. This event was coordinated by the Culver City Walk ‘n Rollers, which works with all five public elementary schools and the Middle School to establish effective and sustainable walk-bike to school programs. http://www.ccwalkandroll.com/
City Councilmember Meghan Sahli-Wells joined staff from the Police, Fire and Public Works departments and Lin Howe Elementary students and parents in front of City Hall for an energetic assembly and walk to school.
City Clerk’s Office
The IndieCade Festival — IndieCade will take place in Downtown from Friday, Oct. 23 through Sunday, Oct. 25. In its seventh year, IndieCade celebrates independent video games, those who make and play them, and the interactive entertainment industry. Activities include professional conferences, developer workshops, exhibitors, night games, and a one-of-a-kind game play at Fire Station No. 1. www.indiecade.com.
The Asian World Film Festival – The festival at the Arclight Cinemas, Culver City, runs Monday through Sunday, Oct. 26-Nov. 2, featuring films from all across Asia. Open to the public, students with valid ID will be admitted free. www.asianworldfilmfest.org.
Community Development Dept.
Taste of Washington West — Culver City’s Washington West Business District will be hosting its first annual Taste of Washington West on Saturday from 4 until 7, on West Washington between Centinela and Wade. A variety of complimentary tastings and drink specials will be available from 10 nearby restaurants hailed as a group by L.A. Eater as “the most compelling restaurant row in this part of town.” An art show starring new and distinguished artists as well as live performances will top the program. Entertainment will include the El Marino Language Immersion School Rainbow Taiko drummers, music by Acoustic Shadow and Danny Sandock, and a chef talk with Hatchet Hall’s Brian Dunsmoor.
For those looking to focus on fitness and food, Kinesis will be offering complimentary classes every 15 minutes, including Pilates reformer, yoga and TRX beginning at 4:15. A kid’s happy hour begins at 3 with face painting and balloon creations at A Magic Forest, a Halloween-themed photo booth at Art Printer and fishing for yo-yos at Sunny Blue.
Attendees are encouraged to bike, walk, or carpool. www.wwbusdistrict.com or Facebook.com/wwbusdistrict.
Mo Ventures – A final building inspection was completed by the Building Safety Division for a 32,799- square foot tenant improvement, at 3578 Hayden Ave.
Frame La Brands, LLC – The Building Safety Division has issued a building permit for a tenant improvement to an existing office with new interior non-structural demising walls and partitions, walls, ceiling finishes, interior doors, and window units, at 3578 Hayden Ave.
Mophonics – The Building Safety Division has issued a building permit for an 11,678-square foot tenant improvement, to demolish existing non-structural partitions and restrooms, construct new restrooms, miscellaneous office space and a sound studio, at 11260 Playa Ct.
Juice Served Here – The Building Safety Division has issued a building permit for a new pre-packaged juice store at 8820 Washington Blvd. (The PLATFORM).
Sweetgreen – The Building Safety Division has issued a building permit for a 7,523-square foot tenant improvement for office space at 8840 Washington Blvd. (The PLATFORM).
Criteo – The Building Safety Division has issued a building permit for a 7,250- square foot tenant improvement for office space at 8840 Washington B;vd. (The PLATFORM).
Maintenance Contract – City Hall is preparing to consider renewal of the contract for pressure washing and miscellaneous janitorial services for the three Downtown parking structures. The current contract expires on Dec. 31.
Washington/Centinela – A meeting was held with the developer and his traffic consultant to discuss the plans, newsletter, public meetings and offsite improvements for the Washington/Centinela Project. A reciprocal easement agreement, parking license agreement, and construction contract are being drafted. The developer is working to complete the tasks required pursuant to the 11th implementation agreement. Southern California Edison has been asked to assign a case worker to the project.
Hayden Tract Spur – The project’s civil engineering firm is drafting the initial design to be presented later this month.
Block Grant Program – Staff held a planning meeting with Community Development Block Grant administration staff to discuss and identify the city’s block grant funding allocations for fiscal year 2016-17.
Westside Council of Governments Tour — Economic Development staff is participating in the Westside Council of Governments Tourism Committee, which has developed the Hidden Gems website (www.westsidecities.org). In the near future, the website will feature a comprehensive Cultural Facilities page that will include information for walking, biking and taking public transit.
American Planning Assn. — Staff participated in the State Conference of the American Planning Assn. Sessions related to sustainable streets, transit oriented development implementation strategies, park and pedestrian plazas, housing, bike sharing and ethics in the planning profession.
Fire Dept.
The Great ShakeOut – Thursday will be an opportunity to participate in the largest earthquake drill in the world. The Great California ShakeOut Drill will take place at 10:15 a.m., and Culver City will hold its annual disaster drill at 7 p.m. At both times, drop, cover and hold on. If you are at home, wait 60 seconds then place your OK sign in a location visible from the street to let first responders know you are alright. www.culvercity.org/emergencyprep and www.ShakeOut.org
Hear the Beep Where You Sleep – Along with firefighters and safety advocates nationwide, the Fire Dept. joined forces with the National Fire Protection Assn. during Fire Prevention Week to remind residents that every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm. www.facebook.com/CulverCityFD or www.nfpa.org for information.
Tabletop Training Exercise – The Emergency Preparedness Division held two five-hour training drills in the Emergency Operations Center. Fifty staff representatives from various city departments attended. The mission was to simulate response and recovery activities necessary to support the C community in a major disaster. The training highlighted operational coordination, available public and private services and resources, mass care service needs, and public information and warning activities.
Night Training – The department conducted a night drill for a multi-casualty incident. Firefighters were required to utilize stabilizing equipment to safely extricate five simulated victims. The department conducts 20,000 hours of training annually.
West Nile Virus — New activity in the environment continues to be detected all across the county. The public is advised to lower its risk of getting mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are most active during evening to early morning hours, dawn to dusk. If outdoors during those times, use Environmental Protection Agency approved insect repellents and cover up: wear long sleeve shirts, and pants and other protective clothing. Keep mosquitoes out of your home. Make sure your door and window screens are in good condition. Get rid of places where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Drain water from and cover flowerpots and other places where water collects. Change water in pet bowls and bird baths two or three times a week. Help Public Health track West Nile Virus by reporting dead birds, which can be a sign of WNV in an area: Dept. of Public Health 1-877-968-2473 http://www.westnile.ca.gov/
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Rental Operation – The Vets Auditorium is taking reservations for holiday parties and events. Sound systems, risers, pianos and other equipment for any size holiday gathering are available. Call 310.253.6625 or email vmc.booking@culvercity.org
After School – In collaboration with Julian Dixon Library, the Culver City After School Recreation Program and the Teen Center will participate in the Los Angeles County Public Library’s 36th annual Bookmark Contest. Students will design and create a bookmark about a book or the activity of reading. This contest is designed to develop a love of reading in students and to promote the students to become lifelong readers. This year’s theme is “Ticket to Adventure!” Winning bookmarks will be displayed at the county libraries during National Library Week, which is observed each year, generally during the second full week in April.
Historical Society – The Culver City Historical Society’s fall general membership meeting will be next Wednesday at 7 in the Multipurpose Room of Vets Auditorium. Chief of Police Scott Bixby and Capt. Ron Iizuka will speak about today’s Police Department and provide a PowerPoint presentation about its history. Call 310.253.6941 or email info@CulverCityHistoricalSociety.org.
Public Works Dept.
Preparing for El Niño – According to the Climate Prediction Center of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, there is a greater than 95 percent chance of a strong El Niño lasting through the winter season. The city has formed a plan that guides the community on how to prepare for the potential severe rain storms caused by the El Niño in addition to outlining the city’s strategy in response to storms. To view the plan and to receive up to date information regarding El Niño developments see www.culvercity.org/elnino. The city has mailed a letter to hillside property owners providing them specific information on how to maintain their slope’s stability to minimize erosion that could lead to landslides and mudflows.
New Bike Repair Stations – As part of the Citywide Bicycle Parking Project, the city contractor Malibu Pacific has installed two Dero brand bike repair stations, known as the “Fixit.” The Fixit includes all the tools necessary to perform basic bike repairs and maintenance, from changing a flat to adjusting brakes and derailleurs. The tools and air pump are securely attached to the stand with stainless steel cables and tamper-proof fasteners. Hanging the bike from the hanger arms allows the pedals and wheels to spin freely while making adjustments.
The pump hoses on the air kits are made of rubber and wire mesh for added durability. The bike repair stations are at the bike path at Sepulveda and Culver Boulevards (east side) and at the bike path adjacent to Syd Kronenthal Park near the intersection of Jefferson and National boulevards. This project also included the installation of approximately 120 bike racks throughout the city and was funded through a grant from the Cal Trans Bicycle Transportation Account program.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations – The city’s Employee Electric Vehicle Charge-at-Work program was launched. The program makes eight EV and six plug-in hybrid charging stations available for employee use at City Hall. In addition, an EV charging station for public use has been installed in City Hall’s visitors parking area on the P-1 level of City Hall’s parking garage. This additional charging station will complement the three public EV charging stations in the city’s Ince Parking Structure. The PlugShare smart phone app will list the public locations along with their availability.
Sewer Main Rehabilitation Lining Project – Phase 4 of the Citywide Sewer Main Rehabilitation Lining Project is 70 percent complete. The contractor has been working in various parts of the city and has installed 12 miles cured-in –place pipe within the existing aging sewer main. Work will occur during the night in October near businesses on Sepulveda Boulevard and on Washington Boulevard in order to not disrupt daytime traffic. The lining installation usually takes four to eight hours to install, during which the sewer service may be impacted. Residents/businesses can view the latest project information and the contractor’s weekly CIPP installation schedule at http://www.culvercity.org/sewer
Construction Updates
Golden State Water Company will continue working on Vera Way between Sepulveda Boulevard and Malat Way completing the installation of a new replacement water main.
AT&T will begin installation of a conduit on Washington Boulevard between Prospect Avenue and Huron Avenue, and then down Matteson Avenue towards Venice Boulevard. There will be lane closures on Washington Boulevard. Anticipated finish is late October.
There will be continued intermittent lane closures on Washington Boulevard between National Boulevard and Wesley Street and on National Boulevard between Wesley Street and Washington Boulevard for the street light relocation, and to complete the curb and gutter installation at the curb return on the southeast corner of National Boulevard. These public improvements are required of the development projects at these locations.
Transportation Dept.
Beyond Traffic Forum – City Council Member Meghan Sahli-Wells and Transportation Director Art Ida participated in the Southern California Region Beyond Traffic Forum. This event, facilitated by U.S. Dept. of Transportation Maritime Administrator Paul Jaenichen, was held at the Long Beach Convention Center and explored trends facing the nation’s transportation system through 2045. The presenters provided demographic and trend information, and the participants discussed the impacts, opportunities, and choices available to transit agencies to accommodate changes and growth in the industry.
Mr. Nachbar, the city manager, may be contacted at john.nachbar@culvercity.org
