City Manager’s Update

September 14, 2012

City Manager’s Office

· City Council Correspondence on Legislative Positions – Periodically, the City Council takes positions on bills of importance to the City. Copies of the City Council’s advocacy letters are now available online at: http://www.culvercity.org/Government/Misc/CityCouncil.aspx. This report will be updated on a bi-weekly basis during the legislative session.

City Clerk’s Office

· Consolidated Special Municipal Election - The County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office (CC/RR) will be conducting the consolidated Special Municipal Election on November 6 where Culver City voters will be considering Measure Y – a temporary ½ cent sales tax. CC/RR will be mailing out the Official Sample Ballot to Culver City registered voters during the period from September 27 to October 16. Once received by the CC/RR, the City Clerk’s Office will also post a copy of the Sample Ballot on the City’s website.

Community Development Department

· Zinga – Plans have been approved for a new yogurt shop located at 4114 Sepulveda Boulevard.

· Westfield Culver City – A permit for a tenant improvement has been issued for a new jewelry store, “Call It Spring”, in the Mall.

· Jersey Mike’s Subs – Plans have been submitted for a tenant improvement for a new restaurant located at 4114 Sepulveda Boulevard.

· Business Outreach – Economic Development staff, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, conducted business outreach visits with Bunnin Chevrolet and Healthy Vending.

· Landlord Tenant Mediation Board (LTMB) – The LTMB held its quarterly meeting on July 26, 2012. A mediation disputing a rent increase was held on August 31. The owner and tenant mediated in good faith and agreed upon a rent increase after 60 days and the owner completion of specified repairs.

· Tilden Terrace – A community meeting to discuss upcoming major construction events is scheduled for September 19 at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the Tilden Terrace construction office located at 11042 Washington Boulevard. Notices were transmitted to the residents on Tilden Avenue, Harter Avenue, Arletta Street and businesses on West Washington (from Sepulveda Boulevard to Huron Avenue) on September 5 and September 12. Scheduled for the discussion is the topic of temporary extended construction hours and a temporary street closure between Washington Boulevard and the Southern alley adjacent to the project. The Southern alley will remain open to thru traffic and there will be flagmen at each corner of the project directing traffic.

· Committee on Homelessness – The next meeting of the Committee on Homelessness is scheduled for October 2. The main topic of discussion will be the 2013 Homeless count in conjunction with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. The Homeless count is scheduled for January 29-31, 2013.

· AB 1484 Meet and Confer and Due Diligence – The Housing Authority is currently in the process of requesting a Meet and Confer with the State Department of Finance (DOF) regarding its objection to the Globe real property and Disposition and Development and Loan Agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. Additionally, AB 1484 requires an audit of all housing assets. The Housing Authority and the Finance Department are working with a DOF approved audit firm to conduct due diligence of all housing assets. The due diligence must be reviewed by the public and approved by the Oversight Board by October 1.

· The Platform – The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on an application for a Comprehensive Plan for the development of a Transit Oriented Development known as “Platform” consisting of six buildings containing approximately 41,200 square feet of retail and restaurant uses and 38,100 square feet of office uses and a total of 291 parking spaces in two parking structures. The project is located on the north side of Washington Boulevard at Landmark Street adjacent to the Culver City Expo Light Rail Station.

· Oversight Board – On September 13 the Oversight Board to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency adopted a resolution approving the sale of Parcel B to Combined/Hudson Properties, the City’s continued ownership of adjacent public right-of-way and the transfer of Parcel B land sale proceeds to the Culver City Successor Agency. The Oversight Board’s decision is subject to review by the Department of Finance. Staff is awaiting the Department of Finance’s decision.

· West Los Angeles College – Staff will be meeting with the President of West Los Angeles College to discuss the possibility of creating community parking opportunities and related amenities for business on Jefferson Boulevard between Hetzler Road and Overland Avenue. The parking and amenities will be funded via a Community Facilities District.

Fire Department

· Engineer’s Exam – Three Firefighter/Paramedics have successfully passed the Engineer’s Exam and have been placed on the eligibility list for future promotions. The exam consisted on a written exam, hydraulic calculations, driving, pumping, aerial operations, and an oral interview. The candidates had to successfully pass each component of the exam process in order to be placed on the eligibility list. Engineers are responsible for the maintenance, driving, and operations of apparatus and equipment on both Fire Engines and Ladder Trucks. The position requires individuals to have a strong working knowledge of not only the apparatus and associated systems but also all of tools and equipment carried on each unit. They must also have strong trouble shooting skills, be able to demonstrate safe driving habits, possess a strong working knowledge of the City’s water system, all of the City streets and addresses, along with the associated fire protection systems of a variety of building throughout the city.

Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department

· CCARP – The Culver City After School Recreation Program (CCARP) began on September 4 with the start of the CCUSD 2012-2013 school year. Elementary school sites – Linwood Howe Elementary, El Marino Elementary, Farragut Elementary and El Rincon Elementary – are all at maximum capacity. CCARP Middle School’s enrollment is strong at 39 students with new students enrolling daily. CCARP continues its mission to provide the highest quality programs to Culver City residents. For information, call the Recreation Registration Office at 310-253-6650.

· Teen Center – The Teen Center is in full swing for the 2012-2013 school year. The Teen Center opened its doors on September 4^th and currently has 37 students enrolled, with a projection of 100 students by the end of the year. Registration continues throughout the year. The Teen Center operates from 2 pm to 6:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; and from 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm on Wednesdays.

· The Plunge – Labor Day at the Plunge was a huge success. The Plunge was open from 8 am to 5 pm for lap swimming and from 12:15 pm to 5 pm for recreation swimming. The day started with a Southern California Aquatics (SCAQ) masters workout, with over 70 adults of varying degrees of experience participating. The Adult Exercise class that followed had 42 senior and adult participants. The Royal Youth Swim Team conducted a workshop for approximately 30 swimmers. A total of 250 adults, 76 seniors and 90 youth used the Plunge on Labor Day, with Safety Staff ensuring a safe and welcoming environment.

· Cultural Affairs – 16 grant applications were received for the 2013 Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program. Music, dance and theatre organizations applied, with many of them proposing family-friendly performances, and seven applicants proposing performances at Veterans Memorial Building or in one of Culver City’s many parks.

· Parks – The Parks Division worked diligently and quickly at Veterans Park to return the park to optimum condition following the Fiesta La Ballona event. Irrigation and mainline repairs were performed, turf areas were aerated and fertilized and the regular watering schedule resumed in order to restore the turf back to green.

· RSVP – The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is going back to school! School is in session and many area education programs are looking for volunteers to help make an impact on the youth in our community: afterschool reading programs at local elementary schools, ecology docents at local parks with education programs, and math and science tutors at local high schools. If you would like more information on becoming a volunteer, contact Jill at (310) 253-6722 or via email at jill.thomsen@culvercity.org.

· Culver City Disability Services - The Culver City Disability Services office hosted its monthly Socialites event on Saturday, September 15.

· Alzheimer’s Association – The Alzheimer’s Association presented a seminar at the Culver City Senior Center on Wednesday, September 19. .

Police Department

· National Take-Back Initiative - On September 29 from 10 am to 2 pm the Police Department in conjunction with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be hosting the fifth nationwide National Take-Back Initiative. The program allows members of the community to drop off unwanted prescription medication.

Public Works Department

· Bicycle Parking Grant Award - The Department of Public Works was notified that it has been awarded a $45,000 Bicycle Transportation Account grant. This grant, which will be matched by $5,000 in local gas tax dollars, will be used to greatly increase the amount of bicycle parking in the City by funding the purchase and installation of approximately 200 bike racks as well as associated signage and up to two bike repair stations. Culver City was one of only seven jurisdictions in LA County to receive funding through this competitive grant process. These grant funds would not be available to the City without an approved and adopted Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

· I-405 Countdown to Closure Weekend - To help explain whys and wherefores of Closure II weekend, Metro has produced a lively and colorful video. Running 2 minutes and 14 seconds, the video explains the limits of the closures, the importance of Mulholland Bridge reconstruction, and asks for the public's help in making the second I-405 closure as uneventful as the first. Be warned that it has neither dancing traffic cones nor animated rebar.