City Manager’s Office
Open House: The City Council may recall the city-supported North East Trees application for a state grant to create a Community Green Space Plan for Culver City. Assistant City Manager Martin Cole and Director Daniel Hernandez met last week with representatives to discuss an action plan. To ensure both parties are aware of the various responsibilities and expectations throughout this process, they have agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding. It will contain detailed roles/responsibilities and a process for the city to receive reimbursement from North East Trees from the grant for services rendered. Since the MOU is less than $30,000 ($20,000 is budgeted in the grant application for reimbursement of city costs), the City Manager may approve the MOU administratively.
Ongoing Discussions with the Friends of the Culver City Scout House: Mr. Cole and Mr. Hernandez met with representatives last Friday and the results were productive.
Community Development Dept.
• Tenant Improvement: Sony Pictures Entertainment has submitted plans to Building Safety for a 10,495 square foot tenant improvement, at 9050 Washington Blvd., third floor.
• Same Job: Starbucks has submitted plans to Building Safety for a 1,898 square foot tenant improvement at 9718 Washington Blvd. Renovations now complete.
• Improvement: Plans have been approved for a 2,883 square foot retail store tenant improvement at Westfield Culver City.
• Public Art on Private Property: On May 10, the Cultural Affairs Commission approved a public art concept by Chicago-based artist Tony Tasset for Sony Pictures Entertainment. The concept, entitled Rainbow, is expected to be installed early to mid-2012. This public art requirement is the culmination of Building Permits issued by the city since 2000 and includes projects such as the adaptive reuse of Stage 6 and the recently-completed office building / parking structure project on the Culver Boulevard side of the studio lot.
• Artwalk: The city’s 6th annual Artwalk Culver City Saturday, featuring 35 galleries that will be open from 2 to 6, although some will be open as late as 8. This free, self-guided tour is sponsored by the Hammer Museum, ForYourArt, 89.9 KCRW, the LA Weekly, Flavorpill and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Artwalk opens at 2 with a performance of artist Gary Baseman’s Giggle and Pop! at Helms Walk in the Helms Bakery Complex. During the afternoon, free, interactive art-making opportunities will be offered by Graphaids and Art Works Studio & Classroom in the Culver City Art District. The city encourages bus transportation and bicycle riding for Artwalk. Culver CityBus will have an Artwalk bus pass and a special shuttle bus. The Culver City Bicycle and Pedestrian Initiative and the Culver City Bicycle Coalition, a local chapter of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, will offer a bike valet from 1 to 6 at 6060 Washington Blvd., between Reid and Sentney avenues, in the Art District. See www.culvercity.org
Sentinel: An Administrative Use Permit has been approved for alcohol sales for this new restaurant at 12477 Washington Blvd.
Zoning Code: The text amendment to reduce building height and increase setback requirements in the commercial zones to address issues of compatibility with abutting residential uses was presented to the City Council last Monday. Council directed staff to look at alternative options and bring the item back at a future meeting. Culver Hotel: The Historic Certificate of Appropriateness is complete regarding the exterior changes to the hotel.
The Platform: A second community meeting on May 12 was held for the proposed commercial project The Platform, at the former Mazda, Nissan and Hyundai car dealerships, 8810-50 Washington Blvd.
Parcel B: Staff concluded its analysis of the seven developer responses to the Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) for redevelopment of 9300 Culver Blvd., Parcel B. A Public Notice will be sent this week to announce thaton Monday, June 13, the Redevelopment Agency will consider selecting three to respond with proposals for redevelopment of the site. Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept.
Administration: An updated organizational chart for the department recently was completed, as the Department moves forward with a potential reorganization based on current vacancies and future fiscal challenges. This item will be brought to the Parks and Recreation Commission in July or August.
Derby Girls: Staff recently met with Angel City Derby Girls representatives concerning the development of a long- term Memorandum of Understanding for their use of the Vets Auditorium for home games. The group is completing its first year.
Police Dept.
Community Conversations: Department members participated in the city-sponsored Community Conversations at the Vets Auditorium on Saturday, May 14. The purpose: To educate the public about senior driver awareness.
The Law: As families across California plan for summer travel, there’s not much you can do to control the cost of filling up the gas tank, but you can avoid a costly ticket by making sure that everyone in the car wears his seat belt. Law enforcement throughout the state, including the Culver City Police Dept. is looking for unbelted drivers and passengers as part of the Click It or Ticket mobilization program that ends on Sunday. First-time fine for adult seat belt violations is a minimum of $142. For children under 16, the fine is $445 for a first-time offense.
Public Works Dept.
• Lighting: New energy efficient lighting has been installed in the Vets Auditorium by Public Works staff. This is anticipated to have a payback period of less than 2 years. The new lighting was purchased using General Fund Reserve funding that was approved by the City Council last July and qualified for a rebate from Southern California Edison.The lighting project is part of a larger effort to renovate and upgrade the Vets Building. Already, work has been done to address drainage issues and resulting damage to the patio. In the next month, the installation of a new boiler and chiller is expected to occur. Finally, in January, aesthetic improvements to the interior of the building are planned, including: painting, floor improvements, the installation of a grease interceptor for the kitchen, and the complete renovation of four sets of restrooms. This will be funded through a combination of Public Works Maintenance funds, Redevelopment funds, and the General Fund Reserve funds mentioned above.
• Safe Routes to School: The collaborative effort between the city and the School District to encourage walking, bicycling, and to increase safety in the vicinity of six public schools achieved a milestone on Monday, May 23, when an invitation-only workshop was held at the School District offices. The workshop, organized by Public Works with the cooperation of the CCUSD Superintendent’s office, included a variety of stakeholders such as school administrators, teachers, school neighbors, PTA/PTO representatives, at-large residents, city and County staff. The stakeholders identified and prioritized streets and intersections where infrastructure enhancements may be considered. They also brainstormed ideas for programs to encourage walking and bicycling. Staff will ta prepare draft infrastructure and programmatic plans. In late June or early July, a noticed public community meeting. Subsequently, the plans will be presented to the City Council for their consideration and for authorization to file one or two grant applications.
• Construction: Since the start of the Sepulveda Boulevard widening project on May 9, the Contractor has demolished the medians and installed temporary paving and striping. Until mid/late June, the contractor will be working on curb, gutter and sidewalk replacement and pavement re-construction of the outside lanes. During construction, one through lane in each direction on Sepulveda will be open to traffic. At least one driveway to business access will be maintained at all times.
Transportation Dept.
Bike to Work Week: This is a national effort to encourage people to bike to work, school and anywhere else life takes them, in an ongoing effort to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. As part of the city’s Rideshare Program, 16 Culver City employees participated in Bike to Work Day on Thursday, May 19, with some biking 5 to 10 miles on a regular basis. Participants were entered into a random drawing for a BigFish Folding Bike, a useful commuting tool, especially for transit riders who wish to get to and from their transit stops in a more timely manner. The annual commute survey recently was conducted for all city employees to measure how they get to work. Average vehicle ridership results will be announced in two weeks.
Operator of the Year: Bus Operator Steve Sanceri has been named as the Distinguished Operator of the Year. This award is given to the operator who has been in full compliance with all City of Transportation Dept. and Transit Operations Division rules and regulations for several years. Operator Sanceri has had an unmatched performance, outstanding safety, attendance, punctuality and customer service record. He was also the first recipient of this award for 2009. Operator Sanceri also received the Earl Barr Bus Operator of the Year Award in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008.
Earl Barr Award:The Earl Barr Culver CityBus Operator of the Year Award was presented to Bus Operator Manual Flores. The award has been given out over the past 22 years to the operator who has driven safely (not having any accidents or incidents), arrived to work on time on a regular basis and not had any form of discipline. Operator Flores also received this award in 2007.
Employee of the Year: The Equipment Maintenance & Fleet Services Division named 30-year employee Ernie Mulder, Equipment Maintenance Supervisor, Maintenance Employee of the Year. Ernie is a native of Holland where he learned his trade as a welder/fabricator. His dedication to his profession, the Transportation Dept. and the Equipment Maintenance & Fleet Services Division and has contributed to the award winning success of the division. Ernie always maintains a pleasant and jovial persona even when faced with adversity.
Collateral Issues: The Sepulveda widening project is causing Culver CityBus Lines to experience delays and detours. Below is a list of stops impacted along with recommended alternatives:
1. Line 3: Northbound and southbound bus stops at Green Valley Circle/Sepulveda Boulevard will be temporarily discontinued. Utilize the bus stops at Bristol Parkway/Green Valley Circle.
2. Line 6 Rapid: The southbound bus stop at Sepulveda Boulevard/Slauson Avenue will be temporarily discontinued. Utilize bus stop on Hannum Avenue/Slauson Avenue (near the car dealership). The northbound bus stop at Sepulveda Boulevard/Playa Court will be temporarily discontinued. Utilize the bus stop at the midblock of Hannum Avenue near the condominiums.
3. Line 6: The northbound bus stop at Sepulveda Boulevard/Playa Court will be temporarily discontinued. Utilize the Culver City Transit Center.
Mr. Nachbar, the City Manager, may be contacted at john.nachbar@culvercity.org
