City Manager's Update

October 25, 2013

City Manager’s Office

• Mike Balkman Council Chambers Audio/Video Systems – Staff from Public Works, Information Technology, and the City Manager’s and City Clerk’s Offices have been working together to evaluate proposals for new and upgraded equipment and systems for the Mike Balkman Council Chambers. Recently, staff visited a local City Hall’s Council Chambers to view an example of a successful operation of new technology and equipment, installed and managed by one of the bidders.

Community Development Department

• Doubletree Hotel – A permit has been issued for a 176,940 square foot tenant improvement. Room improvements will also include finish and fixture replacements and ADA upgrades.

• Bar 9 Collective – Plans have been submitted for a tenant improvement for a new coffee shop located at 3515 Helms Avenue.

• The Wallace – A permit has been issued for a tenant improvement to remodel the existing restaurant located at 3833 Main Street.

• Sony Pictures Entertainment – Work is completed for the tenant Improvement at the “Keaton Building” which includes a redesign of part of the 1st floor into a post-production video library and lobby.

• Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf – Work is complete for the tenant improvement for a new store at 10705 Washington Boulevard.

• East Borough – Plans have been approved and a Building Permit has been issued for a new Vietnamese concept restaurant to be located at 9810 Washington Boulevard in downtown Culver City this fall.

• 4043 Irving Place – The project is approximately 88% complete and within budget and is scheduled for completion on October 31, 2013.

Fire Department

• National Walk to School Day – On October 9 children, teachers, staff, and parents met at City Hall and walked to Linwood E. Howe Elementary School. The children were joined by Fire Department staff who once again took part in this annual event. Along the way the children passed by Fire Station #1, where they were greeted and encouraged by the on-duty firefighters. This year’s event was much like the others as the children provided some very fun and interesting conversations along the short walk. This event promotes a number of healthy alternatives for families rather than always driving children to school.

• Fire Prevention Month – On October 8 Fire Prevention personnel staffed a booth at the Culver City Farmer’s Market, passing out materials and fire safety gifts to promote National Fire Prevention week. The theme of this year’s annual event was “Prevent Kitchen Fires.” Kitchens can be one of the most hazardous rooms in the house if you don't practice safe cooking behaviors. Cooking equipment is currently the leading cause of both reported and unreported home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. When cooking, always stay in the kitchen and never leave cooking food unattended on the stove. Items that can catch fire such as pot holders and paper towels should be kept well away from the heat and flames. Wearing loose clothing (especially hanging sleeves), can be a recipe for serious injury. Pot handles should always be turned in to prevent spilling hot liquids or foods, and children should never be allowed to play around the stove or cooking areas. Whether you are cooking the family holiday dinner or preparing a late night snack, practicing safe cooking behaviors will help to keep you and your family safe.

• Disability Awareness Month - On Sunday, October 20 the PRCS Department through the Senior & Social Services Division sponsored the 11th Annual Children Carnival for the Disabled Celebrating “Disability Awareness Month”. The event was conducted at the Senior Center from 1 pm to 4. The event attracted over 300 children, caregivers, family members, and friends. They offered games, activities, food, and entertainment. This year the Fire Department was invited to participate and spent the afternoon providing informational and fun handouts, meeting community members, and answering lots of questions about the fire service.

• Great Shake-Out - On Thursday, October 17 at 10:17 am city staff participated in the annual California Great ShakeOut Drill. This required all employees to stop what they were doing, drop to the ground, take cover and hold on to a desk or other sturdy piece of furniture. Staff members then evacuated their building with their emergency packs, met at their pre-designated meeting place, and awaited direction to re-enter their building. The annual drill is an opportunity to remind everyone to Get a Kit, Have a Plan, and Stay Informed.

Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department

• Senior and Social Services – As mentioned above, the 11th Annual Children’s Carnival Celebrating Disability Awareness Month was held on Sunday, October 20 and was attended by hundreds of children and their families. Thanks to the volunteers, staff and Disability Advisory Committee who helped make the event a success.

Looking for a quick and easy way to find out about volunteer opportunities in Culver City? Follow a new Twitter account at https://twitter.com/CulverVolunteer.

Senior & Social Services staff participated in the Tikkun Olam fair at Sinai Akiba, attended by more than 300 students, teachers and parents letting them know about service opportunities in Culver City. “Tikkun Olam” is a Hebrew phrase which means “repair the world”, and the expression is commonly used in relation to involvement in charitable works.

The Senior Center Art Exhibit will be November 11 to 14. Come and enjoy some artwork created by talented seniors, on display in the Senior Center lobby for your enjoyment.

• Veterans Memorial Building – The VMC facilities are available for film and television shoots. Most recently, Sony Television rented the VMB for an episode of “Rake” and Fox Television used the entire site for “Modern Family’s” classrooms for the school-aged actors. More information on film and television shoots at VMB is available at vmc.booking@culvercity.org.

Upcoming public events at VMB include:

Culver Symphony Orchestra will perform at Veterans Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, November 2. More information is available at http://www.culvercitysymphony.org.

Donna Sternberg & Dancers present “Dark Energy” at VMB on Sunday, November 10. More information is available at http://www.dsdancers.com.

Police Department

• Culver City Women’s Club - On October 15 the Culver City Police K/9’s had the opportunity to meet with members of the Culver City Women’s Club and answered questions about the department’s program.

• Tellefson/Tilden Neighborhood Association - On October 15 the Tellefson/Tilden Neighborhood Association meeting held a meeting and Lt. Jason Sims gave an overview of the recent crime trends.

• Access Culver City Project - On October 15 Police Chief Don Pedersen and Captain Ron Iizuka attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Access Culver City project at the corner of Washington Boulevard and National Boulevard.

• Fox Hills Neighborhood Association - On October 16 Lt. Jason Sims and Captain Ron Iizuka attended the annual Fox Hills Neighborhood Association meeting at the Four Points Sheraton hotel. Lt. Jason Sims discussed the recent crime trends in their neighborhood.

Public Works

• Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch (MLAB) American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Project Award - On October 18 the Public Works Director/City Engineer attended the MLAB Officer Installation & Awards Dinner hosted by the ASCE where he accepted an award for Culver City for the Jefferson Boulevard Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project at Hetzler Road.

• Sewer Lining Project - The $4.5 million Citywide Sewer Lining Project is currently in progress. This project will rehabilitate 20 miles of sewer line with new Cured in Place Pipe. Many of the City sewer lines are located along the rear property lines and this rehabilitation method minimizes trenching and excavation. To date, six miles of sewer main have been cleaned and filmed for new lining. The project is expected to be completed in Mid-2014.

The contractor will be working at the intersection of Overland/Braddock on Saturday, October 26 from 8 am to 8 pm. During construction, Overland Avenue will be reduced to one lane in each direction at Braddock Drive. In addition, westbound Braddock Drive will be closed at Overland Avenue. Limited lane closures may still occur on the weekdays following October 26. Changeable message signs are being be used to warn the public about the upcoming traffic delays.

The public can access the web link below to get more project information and the weekly CIPP lining installation update: http://culvercity.org/Articles/SewerProject.aspx

• Town Plaza Lion Fountain - Maintenance and repairs to The Lion Fountain in Town Plaza have been completed, and the fountain has reopened. City staff members have repaired components of the water spray system and have installed a temporary enclosure around the perimeter of the Lion statue that will help to keep the public and users of the fountain at a safe distance from the statue. As always, climbing on the Lion statue is not allowed, and caution should be used when enjoying the fountain.

• Traffic Painting in Parking Structures - The Public Works Department's Traffic Painting crew will be re-painting center lines and painting "KEEP CLEAR" on the pavement at the Ince parking structure on October 23, 24 and 25. The same work is scheduled to be completed at the Cardiff parking structure later this month. The work will not impact the usage of the structures by the public.

Traffic Impacts during the Closures of Robertson Boulevard:

• Robertson Boulevard will be closed between Hoke Avenue and Venice Boulevard, and traffic will be detoured at Venice Boulevard and Washington Boulevard to National Boulevard.

Traffic Impacts during Closures of Eastbound Venice Boulevard:

• Eastbound Venice Boulevard will be closed to through traffic from Culver Boulevard to Robertson Boulevard, and traffic will be detoured at Bagley Avenue/Main Street or Culver Boulevard to Washington Boulevard.

• Right turns on to eastbound Venice Boulevard from Culver Boulevard will be prohibited.

• Eastbound Venice Boulevard between Watseka Avenue and Culver Boulevard will be reduced to one lane of traffic.

Traffic Impacts during Closures of Westbound Venice Boulevard:

• Westbound Venice Boulevard will be closed to through traffic from Robertson Boulevard to Culver Boulevard, and traffic will be detoured at National Boulevard to Washington Boulevard.

• Right turns from the eastbound I-10 Freeway Robertson Boulevard off ramp onto westbound Venice Boulevard will be prohibited.

• Northbound Robertson Boulevard through traffic will be allowed to across Venice Boulevard, but left turns to Westbound Venice Boulevard will be prohibited.

• Westbound Venice Boulevard between Ellis Avenue and Robertson Boulevard will be reduced to one lane of traffic, and only allowed to proceed northbound on Robertson Boulevard.

Advisories:

• Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times or via designated walkway installed by the contractor.

• Local access to businesses will be maintained.

• Directional signage and electronic message boards will advise of the detours during the closures.

For an updated calendar of scheduled work activities, please visit: http://www.ExpoVenice.org

(Construction schedules are subject to change for various reasons, including but not limited to: weather conditions, unforeseen emergencies, and other acts of nature.)