City Manager's Report

July 6, 2012

City Manager’s Office

• 4th of July Fireworks Display – This year’s event, organized by the Exchange Club, was a huge success at Culver City High. Members of the Police Department worked together with the Fire Department, Public Works Department and Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department to ensure the cleanliness of the site, safety of the event and to have the most efficient traffic mitigation possible.

Community Development Department

• Copenhagen Pastry – A new bakery assisted under the former Permit Fee Reimbursement Program, located at 11113 Washington Boulevard. Copenhagen Pastry brings an authentic taste of Denmark to Culver City. It opened on June 30.

• Green Peas – An existing restaurant which has completed a renovation is now open. It is located at 4437 Sepulveda Boulevard, within the Sepulveda Boulevard Area Improvement Program.

• The Culver City Chamber of Commerce – The Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Business Expo was held on June 27 at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium. A variety of businesses were present displaying their products and services. Department staff had a table with information at the event.

Fire Department

• CERT Training – On June 30 the summer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class of 2012 graduated over 20 new CERT members. These individuals participated in nearly 40 hours of training, which took place over three weekends and one week day. The training provided to participants focused on emergency preparedness for the individuals along with skills to assist their family, neighbors, and community. The participants learned basic first aid, basic search and rescue techniques, basic incident command structure, proper utilization of a fire extinguisher, the importance of an emergency kit and plan, etc. The skills learned will enhance the participants’ ability to care for themselves, family members, and neighbors needing assistance in the event of a large scale disaster. The training culminated with a final drill that replicated some of the challenges one would face in a disaster and gave the participants the opportunity to put their newly learned skills to the test. The next CERT training class is scheduled for fall of 2012. Additional information about Culver City’s CERT program can be found on the City’s website at http://www.culvercity.org.

• CCARES Field Day - On June 23 Culver City Amateur Radio Emergency Services (CCARES) ham radio operators participated in the nationwide 24 hour field day event. This 24 hour exercise was conducted out of Fire Station 1 allowing ham operators an opportunity to improve their skills and their ability to serve the city in the event of an emergency. It was also an opportunity to demonstrate ham radio capabilities to the general public. Community members got to see firsthand how these highly trained volunteers can send messages around the world, learn about CCARES, and obtain information about getting their own FCC radio license. The event was well attended and by all accounts a huge success.

Information Technology

• Grant Submission - The Information Technology Department submitted a competitive grant application for the Knight News Foundation Challenge. The Knight News Challenge accelerates media innovation by funding breakthrough ideas in news and information. The City’s application requested $75,000 to obtain development services which will be used toward enhancing the City’s website. The project would provide users of the website with an interactive online map-based view of city information and community events within the City. Grant awardees will be notified in late September.

Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department

• Administration – PRCS Director Daniel Hernandez and Parks Manager Patrick Reynolds met with representatives of North East Trees to discuss the timeline going forward for the Culver City Green Space Planning Grant, as well as details requested in the plan development for the five parks identified as the primary objectives for passive space elements. This list was developed after public input and follow-up meetings with members of the public and the Green Space Advisory Committee of North East Trees. Staff will be meeting again in late July to evaluate progress.

Thank you to the Culver City Historical Society for the generous long-term loan of large photos depicting various film clips of movies filmed here in Culver City. These photos will be displayed in the meeting room hallway of the Veterans Memorial Building.

The PRCS Department thanks the Rotary Club of Culver City for its $5,000 donation to its Teen Center Computer Lab. In recognition, a Yellow Brick Wall had been installed for donor bricks over the main doorway leading to the Computer Lab. Staff is coordinating with the City’s IT Department on the purchase of equipment and is looking to complete the process next month.

• Recreation – The Culver City Teen Center wrapped up its year with a six-week documentary filmmaking class in collaboration with the Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum and the Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers of the West (BADWEST). Five students successfully completed documentaries on various subjects. The participants were able to meet with Sony Studios executives, take a tour of the Sony lot and work with established documentary filmmakers.

Just 4 Kids & Teen Camps started the season with an Olympic Celebration. Campers participated in classic Olympic events such as Gymnastics and Soccer, as well as other fun events such as a Water Balloon Toss, the Adrenaline Rush Inflatable Jumper Obstacle Course and “Alligator” Wrestling. Past Olympic Athlete Michael O’Hara, a member of the gold medal winning volleyball team at the 1959 Pan American Games and the silver medal winning volleyball team at the 1963 Pan American Games, entertained the campers with a presentation on Olympics history.

The new Lunch and Snack Program is a big success, with 85 percent of the campers having signed up for the program, which provides campers with healthy, nutritious meals. The program is included in the weekly camp session price at no additional charge.

Culver West Alexander park staff had 136 participants in the drop-in tennis program for the month of June, which is double the amount from the previous month. Staff there will be holding free art classes for youngsters 12 and under on Mondays and Fridays from 2 – 4 pm during the summer months. Also in June, Fox Hills Park had 50 participants in drop-in programs and Lindberg Park had 60 participants in drop-in sports programs.

Both El Marino Park and Blanco Park Huts will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 1 – 7 pm during the summer session.

• Senior and Social Services – Through a partnership with the L.A. County Department of Mental Health, “Ask the Nurse” and “Ask the Therapist” are available every Tuesday at the Culver City Senior Center from 9 – 10 am. Free to the public, the on-site specialists can take vitals, answer questions regarding medications and their side effects, and handle general wellness inquiries and mental health issue questions.

Bonnie Cherko, a Spirit of Accessibility Award winner and volunteer, is available every Thursday from 11 am to noon at the Senior Center to answer public transit questions. With the Culver City EXPO station now open, there are even more opportunities to explore the City without driving or parking.

Summertime means it’s time for the Friday Patio Concert Series at the Senior Center. The series begins on Friday, July 13 with BBQ and live music every Friday throughout the summer from 3:30 pm to 5. Tickets are available for $4 at the Senior Center.

The Culver City Senior Center’s monthly newsletter and schedule is the #1 hit on the City’s website. Hundreds of classes, workshops and seminars are offered, with details available at http://www.culvercity.org. Click on “Parks, Recreation & Community Services” and then “The Newsletter” in the right column for all the information.

The Culver City Senior Center is hosting the Ms. Senior California Preliminary Pageant again this year. The event took place on Sunday, July 8..

Promotion continues for the summer performances of “We Tell Stories”, Culver City Public Theatre and CONTRA-TIEMPO, which are all recipients of the Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program. More information is available at http://www.culvercity.org.

Police Department

• Expo Line Meeting - On June 26 members of the department met with Captain Holly Perez of the LA County Sheriff’s Department. Captain Perez oversees the Transit Service Bureau which polices the rail and bus lines in Los Angeles County.

Public Works Department

• Southern California Edison Night Work at Sepulveda/SR90 On-Ramp – Southern California Edison (SCE) is scheduled to work from Wednesday, July 18 at 9pm until Thursday, July 19 at 6 am to relocate a power pole on Sepulveda Boulevard between State Route 90 overpass and Westfield Drive. During the SCE work, only one lane will be open to traffic in the northbound direction.

It is anticipated that power outage will be limited to very few customers. SCE will contact those whose power supply may be impacted.