City Manager’s Office
Liaison Board – At the second meeting of the City/West Los Angeles College Liaison Board meeting on Dec. 5, Councilmembers Göran Eriksson and Thomas Small, City Manager John Nachbar and WLAC President Dr. Jim Limbaugh had an engaging conversation. They talked about economic development and how the city and college can work together on projects and programs beneficial to the local economy. Community Development Director Sol Blumenfeld and Assistant Community Development Director Todd Tipton also participated.
Mitchell’s Staff Meets with Mayor –Mayor Jim Clarke met with state Sen. Holly J. Mitchell’s District Office and Capitol staff. Mayor Clarke and the senator’s staff discussed affordable housing, mansionization, the City Council-adopted Legislative and Policy Platform, and the Strategic Plan among other issues of mutual concern. The staff members visited Council Chambers and stopped by the first floor of City Hall where they met Kim Dame, from the Finance Dept., who decorated the Centennial-themed Christmas Tree. The public is invited to check out this unique tree at City Hall.
Fire Dept.
Spark of Love Toy Drive – The Fire Dept. is collecting toys at all three fire stations through Saturday in support of the Spark of Love Toy Drive. As part of the greater Southern California campaign, the Department is collecting new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment for under-served children and teens in and around Culver City. Community members should feel free to donate toys and sports items at any of three fire stations:
- Station 1 – 9660 Culver Blvd.
- Station 2 – 11252 Washington Blvd.
- Station 3 – 6030 Bristol Pky.
For additional donation options, visit the Spark of Love website.
Thank You – At 3:40 a.m. on Dec. 13, Fire Dept. units were dispatched to a structure fire on the 3900 block of Sepulveda Boulevard. Crews arrived to find a two-story apartment complex, with one unit engulfed in fire. Eighteen firefighters made an aggressive attack and had a knockdown within six minutes. The fire was limited to the front room of one apartment. Culver City fire investigators are determining the cause and dollar loss. There were no injuries. Seven people were displaced due to the fire. The Red Cross is making temporary housing available to all seven people. The Fire Dept. gave a family impacted by the fire a SAVE gift card. SAVE stands for Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency. It is a program provided by the California Fire Foundation. The SAVE program gives CCFD firefighters a way to provide immediate short-term support to displaced victims in the aftermath of a fire through $100 gift cards. The card allows eligible victims displaced by fire or natural disaster to purchase necessities such as food, clothing, or medicine.
Platoon Evaluations – The Department conducts timed tasks to measure performance with national standards on a regular basis. On Dec. 7, the “C” Shift Platoon, consisting of 18 personnel, practiced low-angle rope rescue operations to rescue a victim who had fallen down a hillside. The platoon successfully completed the drill in spite of several fire personnel called away to real emergencies in the city. The haul team was able to add mechanical advantage to account for the absence of these firefighters.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept.
Winter Wonderland – Winter Wonderland Camp, now in Week One, is at capacity. Next week has two available spaces. Camp costs $135 per week for Culver City residents and $166 per week for non-residents. Recreation office: 310.253.6650.
Parks Division – The Syd Kronenthal Park ages 2 to 5 Playground Project at the Day Care Center was completed and reopened to the public this month. The new playground is 100 percent accessible. It contains new and challenging play equipment designed for developing both a child’s physical and mental skills and capacities, as well as providing plenty of fun!
Member of the Year – Carolyn Conway is the Culver City Senior Citizens Assn. Member of the Year. A dedicated and cheerful volunteer, she is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience. Her 50-plus years of volunteering include service in many aspects and many places and organizations, including: nursing homes, VA hospitals, Kaiser emergency room, camp counselor for disabled youth, Habitat for Humanity – and that’s just some of them! Since joining the association eight years ago, she has volunteered for the Wednesday Work Project, the Fire Dept., the Housing Authority, the SWAT (Someone With Available Time) Team. She also makes weekly phone calls to seniors who receive meals from our home-delivered meals program. Ms. Conway has served on the association Board of Directors and as Vice President for the last two years.
Association Membership – Membership enrollment for the Senior Citizens Assn. will be held the first two weeks of January, 9 to 2, in the lobby of the Senior Center. Membership is open to all members of the community ages 50 and older. Fees are $13 for membership, $5 per parking pass, and an additional $12 if you choose to have the monthly newsletter mailed to your home. Use of the fitness room is $125 per calendar year or $75 for six months. All fitness room memberships require a physician’s form for either new membership or renewing membership. Registration staff accepts cash and checks only.
Volunteer Teacher – The Senior Center is looking for volunteer teachers for the new android phone and/or table class at the Senior Center. Classes are traditionally six weeks long for two hours per week, although one-time workshops or seminars would be beneficial as well. Volunteers should have knowledge of android phones and/or tablets and have teaching or public speaking experience. Key skills would be experience in how to break down and explain technology concepts in an easy-to-understand way. This is an opportunity for students as well as anyone who wants to engage and empower our seniors about technology. If interested, email your resume to volunteer specialist Jill Thomsen at jill.thomsen@culvercity.org.
Dietetic Program – The Senior Center has welcomed two dietetic program interns from Pepperdine University, who provided information on “Food Safety for Seniors” and “Holiday Eating and Recipes.” The interns were available for discussion and to answer questions with seniors. Thank you, Pepperdine University, for offering this partnership.
Culver City Senior & Social Services Marriage and Family Therapist – The Senior and Social Services Division welcomes therapist Valerie (Billie) Klayman as new contract staff member. A Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist available for community support. For many years, Ms. Klayman served as a Senior Center volunteer through her work with Antioch University Counseling Center as a support group leader, drop-in counselor and MFT intern. She is available at the Senior Center on Wednesdays and Fridays. 310.253.6717.
Rental Operation – New Mity Lite black, stackable chairs have arrived for the Vets Auditorium, replacing the used red folding chairs. The new chairs are suitable for conferences and banquet seating, as well as for audience and orchestra seating.
Police Dept.
Rotary Club Luncheon – Chief Scott Bixby, Lt. Sam Agaiby as well as other members from the Police Management Group attended the Rotary Club’s Holiday Ribs Luncheon at the American Legion Hall. As always, everyone sang songs and had a festive time supporting the Rotarians.
Graduation—Lt. Troy Dunlap and Sgt. Luis Martinez graduated from the SCI Public Safety Leadership Program at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy this month. The course began in early July and was divided into four modules, leadership, global threats, technology, and community engagement.
Public Works Dept.
Sloan Highlights City Success – In its November newsletter, Sloan, a manufacturing leader of water fixtures, highlighted the success of the City’s Water Efficient Fixture project. The project included replacement or modification of nearly 300 water fixtures (primarily Sloan brand) in 24 city facilities that resulted in reducing water use by 35 percent.
Project of the Year Award – Mayor Clarke and Public Works Director Charles Herbertson accepted a Best Project of the Year award from the American Public Works Assn. for the city’s Energy Efficiency Project. The annual award recognizes outstanding projects representing best practices in the Public Works profession. The city’s Energy Efficiency project included retrofitting light fixtures and mechanical components of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and implementation of a new Energy Management System at the Vets Auditorium, City Hall, Senior Center, Police Station and Transportation facilities. The project will save nearly $1.8 million by reducing energy use over its 12-year life.
Transportation Dept.
Operator of the Year and Distinguished Operator of the Year – Mayor Clarke and Jacqueline Hamilton, field representative for U.S. Rep. Karen Bass joined the Culver CityBus team in honoring the recipients of the Operator of the Year Award. Operators Jonathan Culbert and Steve Sanceri were each presented a Certificate of Recognition for their hard work from Ms. Bass and state Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas. Both operators were also honored at the June 13 City Council meeting.
Mr. Culbert was honored as the recipient of the 2015 Earl Barr Culver CityBus “Operator of the Year” Award. Mr. Culbert achieved this award by being in full compliance with all city and departmental rules and regulations and maintaining an excellent safety and attendance record. Mr. Culbert was previously named the Operator of the Quarter for the first and second quarter for 2011, the second and fourth quarters for 2013 and the third quarter for 2015. He has served as a bus operator for six years.
Mr. Sanceri was honored as the recipient of the 2015 Culver CityBus “Distinguished Operator of the Year” Award. The award acknowledges his unmatched performance, outstanding safety, attendance, punctuality and customer service record. The award also acknowledges his surpassing the Bus Operator of the Year Award. He has previously been named the Operator of the Quarter in 2011, 2014 and 2015; and he was honored as a recipient of the Earl Barr Culver CityBus “Operator of the Year” Award for 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008. A truly distinguished employee, Mr. Sanceri has been the recipient of the Culver CityBus “Distinguished Operator of the Year” award since its inception in 2009. Mr. Sanceri has served as an operator for 15 years and shares that this is the best job he’s ever had!
Holiday Schedule – As the Christmas and New Year holidays both fall on Sunday, Culver CityBus will operate weekend service on Lines 1, 3 and 6 next Sunday and on Sunday, Jan. 1. Call 310.253.6500 or visit www.culvercitybus.com.
Service Change – The Rapid 6 Short Line service has been temporarily discontinued due to the UCLA winter break and will resume on Jan. 9. The short line will not operate until Jan. 6.
Mr. Nachbar, the city manager, may be contacted at john.nachbar@culvercity.org
