Two weeks have passed since the last wave of heat baked the Westside, and the next cannot be far off.
In year five of the statewide drought, Public Works Director Charles Herbertson has a permanent case of water-on-the-mind. He is Culver City’s chief overseer of water dispersion.
“Typically,” he said, “people will use more water during hot periods, whether taking more showers to cool off, or irrigating their lawns, plants and vegetables more heavily than usual.”
Under Mr. Herbertson’s guidance, City Hall serves as a role model for the community in emergency times.
“We just completed a project on our city facilities,” he said. “We have done what we could.
“Currently, we are in design, developing consensual plans around City Hall. Eventually, we will be getting input from the City Council and from the public.”
Compass Time?
Suddenly, without warning, Mr. Herbertson, a serious gentleman, seemed to change direction, “seemed” being the critical term.
“I am talking about a drought-tolerant landscape, a response to the drought,” he said.
Have you been Downtown lately? Noticed the generally green grass around City Hall? Although a vast amount of concrete dominates the property, there may be more grass than is immediately evident.
The matter of direction became important as Mr. Herbertson continued his description.
“During the drought, we had a grass lawn on the north side of the building,” he said.
You mean the side facing Culver Boulevard?
No.
“It seemed that we were not setting a very good example.
“We are trying to take a whole look at the landscaping around City Hall and change it so that it is more drought-tolerant…”
A visitor interrupted him. North side? asked the visitor. Isn’t that the side facing Culver Boulevard?
No, corrected Mr. Herbertson. “I am talking about the side of City Hall that faces the Meralta Building.”
No, it is not, the Public Works director said.
(To be continued)
The north lawn at city hall is really a pocket park and should be recognized for it’s use instead of letting a bottom line city employee make a case to save money. It is foolish to rip out what people enjoy – during the heat of the summer the concrete courtyard is an oven. For more years than I can remember we have picniced on the north lawn during concert season. The other side lawn is also a place for people with dogs and kids to cool down. I hope that the current city council will not be short sighted in their attempts to put their stamp on the city hall. There are many places to save water in the city, this however is so politcally visible that those of us who live in the downtown area remember in years past Ms. Megan Saliweslls trying to push the idea as earth friendly was not on council and now that she has power is going after the lawn for her political legacy and future ambitions