[Editor’s Note: After winning re-election to the City Council last night by 383 votes over his nearest challenger, Scott Malsin said he believed that 11 promises he made in his first campaign, and kept — a concept prominent in his literature this campaign — were crucial in his victory. He explains.]
For the past four years, I have protected our families and our community and made Culver City a better place. From taking on the MTA over its flawed plans for the Expo Line to making Culver City more fiscally responsible, I have a proven record of success fighting for Culver City’s best interests. I have worked closely and creatively with my colleagues to keep Culver City moving in the right direction.
In 2006, I laid out an ambitious set of goals for Culver City. Here are examples of the commitments I made and how they've been met.
1. Promise Made:
The Expo Line must not cross Washington at grade and the Expo Line station must be built north of Washington Boulevard.
Promise Kept:
After many months of tough negotiations with the MTA, the Culver City aerial station is now under construction. The Expo tracks will be elevated to allow the free flow of traffic at the intersection of Washington and National. The station will be north of Washington Boulevard, and there will be no “interim” station. This been a critical victory for Culver City.
2. Promise Made:
We will aggressively seek federal, state and county funding for transportation projects.
Promise Kept:
The state and County have allocated $50 million to make the Culver City Expo line aerial station a reality. We have received a major grant to modernize our street signal system to improve traffic flow.
3. Promise Made:
The redevelopment of Fox Hills Mall will include the stores and restaurants our community needs.
Promise Kept:
Anyone who has visited the new Westfield Culver City can attest to the fact that this is a project that was done right. We have an exciting new center with an impressive array of stores, and our city will realize more than $1 million a year in new revenue. At a time when businesses are closing in other communities, we've got much to celebrate in Culver City.
4. Promise Made:
I will ensure that our park facilities serve the needs of residents of all ages and abilities.
Promise Kept:
During the past four years, we have replaced equipment at several of our parks and opened our first-class skate park. A substantial renovation of Culver West-Alexander Park is nearly completed, and the city joined in a cooperative effort with community members and the non-profit organization KaBOOM! to renovate the play area at Veterans Park.
I conceived the city’s Park Enhancement Program (PEP) grants effort, which has allowed dozens of neighborhood and community groups to improve parks in ways that are meaningful to them. PEP grant dollars have been leveraged many times over with contributions from individuals and businesses, and with the hard work and creativity of the community.
5. Promise Made:
Protecting our environment will be a top priority.
Promise Kept:
Culver City has adopted a unique and far-reaching Green Building program and updated water conservation practices and programs. We have expanded business recycling efforts, including a major new effort at the renovated Westfield Culver City shopping center, and a pilot food waste recycling program at Sony Pictures.
I have been fighting hard and smart to ensure that the County adopts stringent regulations to protect residents — and the region — from the impact of oil drilling operations in the Baldwin Hills.
6. Promise Made:
We will press Los Angeles to work more effectively with Culver City to manage traffic.
Promise Kept:
I spearheaded the creation of a unique inter-jurisdictional working group with the city and County of Los Angeles to work cooperatively to develop traffic solutions for the area. The group has created a priority list of projects, and work on them will begin soon.
7. Promise Made:
I will refocus the city’s Redevelopment Agency to respect our community’s character and achieve its goals.
Promise Kept:
The Redevelopment Agency has shifted its efforts from land acquisition and development back to funding public improvements — streetscape, trees — to spur neighborhood-serving economic activity and improve our community. Projects such as the Agency's effort at Washington Boulevard and Centinela Avenue have been significantly downsized. Smart negotiation has resulted in an extraordinary reinvestment at Westfield Culver City.
I also conceived of and initiated a sweeping modification of the city’s zoning laws that greatly reduces the potential size and density of new development, protects our neighborhoods, and requires that developers provide significant new public open space, public parking, and public improvements to the community.
8. Promise Made:
I will bring the public to the table to discuss development issues. I will improve the project appeal process.
Promise Kept:
The city has significantly increased the level of early public participation in the development process. Culver City is the most responsive, participatory community on the Westside. The cost of filing appeals has been reduced, making the process more accessible.
9. Promise Made:
We will make applying for permit parking simpler. We will explore and experiment with new ideas to deal with cut-through traffic.
Promise Kept:
Not only has the city simplified the process to apply for permit parking in impacted areas, it has reduced the cost to create districts citywide. I fought for improvements that have greatly reduced cut-through traffic in the Berryman Avenue area of west Culver City. I have initiated a neighborhood-based and business-funded process that promises to remove a great deal of cut-through traffic from the residential area south of Downtown and in Rancho Higuera.
10. Promise Made:
I will work to make our city and its residents safer.
Promise Kept:
I have displayed unwavering support for our police and firefighters. Staffing levels are strong, and our Fire Dept. has the most up-to-date equipment. Our Police Dept. has a new computer-aided dispatch system. Our public safety services are acquiring communications equipment that will allow them to coordinate disaster relief efforts with agencies throughout the region.
11. Promise Made:
I recognize that problems and opportunities extend beyond our city borders. I will promote and protect our interests in the region.
Promise Kept:
I have worked tirelessly and effectively representing Culver City throughout the region and state. I have fought for Culver City’s interests before the California Public Utilities Commission, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C. I have helped to establish Culver City’s reputation as a leader in the region on transportation and environmental issues.
