Special Meeting – The City Manager and Assistant City Manager met last Wednesday with the Cultural Affairs Commission for a presentation on the state of the city’s finances. The Assistant City Manager was assigned to coordinate Cultural Affairs staffing/programming from the City Manager’s Office as part of the City Manager’s creation of the Long-Term Plan directed by the City Council.
Community Development Dept.
Zoning Code Text Amendments – The City Council adopted zoning code text amendments regarding retail food uses, nonconforming structures and residential accessory structures. The retail food use portion establishes uses such as a coffee and tea store, bakery, ice cream and yogurt store, donut shop, juice stores and similar uses as a distinct land use separate from a restaurant. The residential accessory structures portion reduces the overall size of allowable residential accessory structures to lessen the possibility they can be used a separate residential units. The nonconforming structures piece will enable property owners to maintain existing nonconforming conditions, but requires additions to meet the current requirements relating to setbacks and height.
Fire Dept.
Strike Team Deployment – On Saturday, June 1, at 11 p.m., Strike Team XLA1075-A was deployed to the Powerhouse fire northeast of Santa Clarita. Culver City sent two engines along with two from Beverly Hills and one from Santa Monica. Additionally, Capt. Brian Savage was deployed as part of a management team. Fire personnel reported that none of the structures they were assigned to protect was damaged. No injuries to personnel were report. Back home, there was an emergency recall of personnel and backfilled for both of the engines deployed. Personnel returned on Monday.
Sidewalk CPR – Last week was National CPR Week. Members of the department participated in the County EMS Agency’s Sidewalk CPR for two hours last Tuesday in front of Fire Station 1 and in the Westfield Mall, outside of Target. The public was offered the opportunity to learn hands-on CPR. Joined by employees from Brotman Medical Center and volunteers, 147 adults and 7 kids were trained.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept.
Senior and Social Services – The Senior Center will offer a Medicare 101 Seminar on Monday, June 24, at 1 o’clock. New and current Medicare members of any plans are invited.
Help on the Way – Persons 50 and older who need help with a gadget such as an iPad, Kindle or iPhone may stop by the semi-annual iNeed Help With My Gadget workshop on Saturday, June 22, 12:30 to 2:30, at the Senior Center. Tech-savvy volunteers will be present.
Well, Well – The Wellness Program at the Senior Center will offer a cooking demonstration with certified dietician Joya Melissa on Friday, June 21, at 1:30, in the dining room. All educational events at the Center are open to members of the public age 50 and over.
Help Wanted – Looking for a volunteer opportunity? Fiesta La Ballona is seeking volunteers for the weekend of Aug. 23-25. Service credit for school is given. See www.fiestalaballona.org/volunteer to fill out an information form.
Something Smellls Good – The Summer Patio Concert Series begins on Friday at 3:30 at the Senior Center. The BBQ offers live entertainment and food for $4.
Parks – At Syd Kronenthal Park, the new PAR exercise equipment course was installed and is now open to the public. New dynamic equipment replaces the old wooden structures and offers physically challenging exercise options for a full body workout; two new fiberglass basketball backboards and hoops were also installed on the basketball court as part of the citywide upgrades to all the parks basketball courts.
50-50 – At Fox Hills Park, the new playground is 50 percent complete. The old equipment is gone, the new equipment has been installed, and the ramps and sumps are under construction. Surfacing is scheduled for this week. A new adjustable fiberglass basketball backboard and hoop were installed as part of the pilot program to provide youth with basketball courts in the park.
Hoops, Anyone – At Culver West Alexander Park, two new fiberglass basketball backboards and hoops were also installed on the courts.
Police Dept.
Training Exercise – Department members conducted a joint training exercise dealing with emergency preparedness on May 28. The exercise establishes a positive working relationship between the p department and the Westfield Mall’s management team.
Memorial – Members of the department attended the 44th annual County Peace Officers’ Memorial held at the Sheriff’s Star Center, honoring officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Safety First – Sgts. Aubrey Kellum, Leon Lopez and SRO Al Casillas attended a presentation at Culver City High School to educate students about drinking and driving, cell phone laws, reckless driving and the importance of making good decisions while driving.
Special Olympic Torch Run – Last Monday, Officers Garcia, Silva, Hernandez, Baskaron and Salazar participated in the Special Olympic Torch Run.
(To be continued)
Mr. Nachbar, the City Manager, may be contacted at john.nachbar@culvercity.org
