City Manager's Update

City Manager’s Office

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• Catch the Last of the Free Summer Concerts - Boulevard Music is presenting the final two concerts of the summer on Thursday evenings at 7 pm on August 6 and 13 in the City Hall courtyard. The concert series is sponsored by the City and numerous generous individuals and businesses. Produced by Gary Mandell of Boulevard Music, Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival offers something for everyone!

On Thursday, August 6 you won’t want to miss the band Venice for classic rock with incredible vocals and harmonies, personal lyrics, and high energy.

On August 13 the concert series wraps up with Zydeco music featuring the sounds of Creole from Louisiana and Texas from the band Bonne Musique Zydeco.

Show your support of the Summer Concerts by becoming a sponsor! Become an entry level sponsor by purchasing one of the 100 premium reserved seats at $10 each per show available at Boulevard Music. For more sponsorship opportunities, please contact Gary Mandell at 310-398-2583 or visit http://www.culvercity.org/Culture/CulturalAffairsFoundation.aspx.

Fire Department

• New Recruit Firefighters – On July 17 three new recruit firefighters began training at the Culver City Fire Training Tower. After they successfully complete the eight-week academy at the Tower, they will move to a Culver City Fire Department Engine or Truck Company where they will continue to train and be evaluated throughout their one-year probationary period.

Left to Right: Shawn Allois, James Palmer, and Spencer Henry

• Lindberg Park Neighborhood Watch Disaster Preparedness Fundraising Yard Sale – For the past few years, the Fire Department has been working closely with the Lindberg Park Neighborhood Watch Association to assist with the creation of a neighborhood emergency plan.

Over the weekend, the Lindberg Park Neighborhood Watch Association held a yard sale at Lindberg Park to fundraise for disaster supplies, which will replenish and increase existing neighborhood supplies. Neighbors donated hundreds of items to be sold and had a wonderful time working together to reach their goal. Sales exceeded their expectations and now they are able to buy all of their needed supplies. Their new motto is, “When a big disaster does occur, Lindberg Park will be even more prepared.”

• Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience Pilot Project (LACCDR) – In 2012, the City of Culver City was selected as one of 16 cities in the County of Los Angeles to participate in a pilot program to enhance community disaster resilience. The pilot program involved gathering community stakeholders from various business and volunteer sectors to 1) discuss their needs and the needs of the community as a whole, 2) use pilot program tools and methods to educate Culver City community members, and 3) create a more disaster resilient Culver City.

Kyle Momii of Sony Pictures Entertainment

The stakeholders, also known as “Ready Culver City – A Disaster Resilience Coalition,” engaged the community by using funding to sponsor free first aid training and several CPR training classes, distribute information about disaster resilience at various City sponsored events, and provide a five-week neighborhood resilience training, attended by the Culver Crest Neighborhood Watch Association. Ready Culver City also used its funding to purchase twenty 55-gallon drums filled with survival supplies and a large shelter cart.

Lawren Askew-Miller from the Westside Children’s Center

This July marks the end of the three-year pilot program. Although the program has ended, Ready Culver City Coalition Members are committed to continuing their mission of creating a disaster resilient community and have agreed to continue to meet quarterly. Special thanks to our coalition members: Helen Obih, Los Angeles County Public Health and Disaster Preparedness Nurse; Council Member Meghan Sahli-Wells; Lawren Askew-Miller from the Westside Children’s Center; Kyle Momii of Sony Pictures Entertainment; Gerby Aballe of Southern California Hospital at Culver City; Darci Niva of the Westside Shelter & Hunger Coalition; Dianna Castro, School Nurse with the Culver City Unified School District; and Christine Parra, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the City of Culver City.

Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department

• The Culver City Teen Volunteer Program – The City has a new webpage for Teen Volunteers in the Culver City community. This page is specifically designed with our High School’s community service requirements in mind and should be the first stop for teens looking to complete their community service. The page includes a local teen volunteer directory, weekly updated volunteer opportunities and many links to online volunteer databases and resources. The Teen Volunteer page can be found here: http://www.culvercity.org/Services/teenvolunteers.

• Volunteers Needed for Fiesta La Ballona – Fiesta La Ballona is seeking volunteers for the annual Party at the Park coming up August 28, 29 and 30. Volunteers are the backbone of the Fiesta, and without dedicated individuals and groups, the Fiesta could not operate successfully. We welcome individuals and groups from corporations, faith-based groups, schools, clubs, and neighborhoods. We also provide credit hours for students fulfilling service requirements for their schools. If you have any questions about volunteering at Fiesta, please contact Jill Thomsen at 310-253-6722 or by email at jill.thomsen@culvercity.org. To sign up to volunteer, please visit: http://www.fiestalaballona.org/volunteersignup.aspx.

• Parks & Playgrounds Program – In July, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) celebrates 30 years of Parks and Recreation Month and the importance of parks and recreation for the world. From the start, parks were created to serve the people – to give them a place to appreciate nature, exercise, socialize, and have fun. The mission lived on through our efforts on Saturday, July 25, as staff promoted the City’s parks, activities, and recreation programs at Culver West Alexander Park, Fox Hills Park, Lindberg Park, Syd Kronenthal Park and Veterans Memorial Park. Some of our staff are pictured below!

Nichole Sims at Culver West Alexander Park

Andre Fields at Fox Hills Park

Andrea Arms at Lindberg Park

Will Williams at Syd Kronenthal Park

Luis Canché at Veterans Park

• Culver City Camp Programs – Just 4 Kids Summer Day Camp is heading into its seventh week. Summer is more than half over, and Just 4 Kids Summer Day Camp has only three weeks left. The good news is we still have great trips planned to Knott’s Berry Farm, Hurricane Harbor and Soak City in the upcoming weeks. We also have camp special events planned, such as the Kidspace Children’s Museum Star Lab Workshop and the Camp Carnival.

• Fox Hills Park Pride Day – The Fox Hills community, in conjunction with the Fox Hills Neighborhood Association, once again organized the Fox Hills Park Pride Day event on Saturday, July 25. Over 30 eager volunteers turned out to work on a hot sunny weekend day in the park - weeding, raking, trimming and picking up trash. This group’s dedication and enthusiasm to this park is a tremendous example of community commitment and involvement.

• Veterans Memorial Building and Rental Operation – Rental Office staff is now booking rooms into 2016. Reservations may be made by calling 310-253-6625 or by emailing vmc.booking@culvercity.org.

• Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program – The Actors’ Gang presents Harry Potter Hamlet as part of its free, annual Shakespeare in the Park series. The performances will occur in Media Park on Saturdays and Sundays in August. More information is available by visiting http://www.theactorsgang.com.

The 2016 Performing Arts Grant Program has been posted at http://www.culvercity.org. The City of Culver City will present a workshop to assist organizations with the completion of the 2016 Culver City Performing Arts Grant application. The workshop will be held on Thursday, August 13 in the Uruapan Room at Veterans Memorial Building, located at 4117 Overland Avenue in Culver City. The workshop is free and will begin at 7 pm. Performances must be presented by non-profit performing arts organizations in the disciplines of theater, musical theater, music, opera or dance. To RSVP for the workshop or for general inquiries about the application, please contact cultural.affairs@culvercity.org or the Cultural Affairs Hotline at 310-253-5716.

• CarFit at Culver City Senior Center – The Culver City Senior and Social Services Division hosted its fifth annual CarFit event on Saturday, July 25 at the Culver City Senior Center (pictured below). The event was at capacity once again! CarFit is an educational program that offers older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles “fit” them. The event is co-sponsored by the Association of American Retired Persons (AARP), American Automobile Association (AAA), American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), and the Culver City Senior Citizens Association (CCSCA).

Fiesta La Ballona

 Sponsors – This year’s Fiesta La Ballona is sponsored by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Cedars-Sinai, Bunnin Chevrolet, SoCal Gas Company, Kane, Ballmer & Berkman, Tito’s Tacos, Culver City Mazda- Volvo, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Backstage Bar & Grill, Heather & Art Realtors, Golden State Water Company, In8love Chiropractic, Just Tires, Cavanaugh Realtors, The Conservatory of Coffee & Tea, See’s Candies, Staples Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, Haynes Building Services, LLC, Steeldeck, Angel City Derby Girls, Palms Cycle, Zog Sports, Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum, Enriched Farms, West Coast Arborists, LA Weekly, KCET, LA Kings Ice Crew, and LA Galaxy Star Squad. For more information on sponsorship, please visit http://www.fiestalaballona.org.

 KCET Kiosk – The City of Culver City and KCET, the nation’s largest independent public television station, have partnered to celebrate KCET’s 50th Anniversary and Culver City’s commitment to the community by hosting a special multimedia community exhibit during Fiesta La Ballona on August 29. The exhibit is a traveling arts and education kiosk which take the public through historical touch points of the region. The interactive kiosk will prompt community members to answer the question: “How do you envision a better state?” The kiosk, created by KCET and local environmental designer Melissa Castellano, was built by fabricators Dave’s Signs and Tortoise Industries.

 Pre-Sale Wristbands – The pre-sale for carnival ride wristbands has started. Advanced sale wristbands cost $25 and are available at the Recreation Registration Counter until August 28. Wristbands will be sold at the Fiesta for $30. More information is available by calling 310-253-6650. Also, on Friday, August 28 from 5:pm to 10, individual carnival rides will be specially priced, two riders for the price of one.

 Sustainability – the Public Works and Transportation Departments are actively involved in the sustainability efforts for the Fiesta including a bike valet, so that you may ride your bike to Fiesta and park it securely. Palms Cycle and Angel City Derby Girls are joining forces to sponsor and provide the bike valet at Fiesta. Check out the Culver City Bus Bicycle Rack display where you can learn how to properly secure your bicycles on the stationary bike rack in a relaxed setting. Culver CityBus personnel will be available to answer questions on how to commute with your bike. Lastly, be sure to check out PediCabs, sponsored by Bunnin Chevrolet and ride in from the Sony parking lot.

 Zero Waste – Public Works Environmental Programs and Operations and Haynes Building Services are providing support and sponsorship to get to Zero Waste for Fiesta 2015. The goal is to ensure resource recovery and protect scarce natural resources. The plan encompasses waste reduction, recycling and reuse, changes in consumption habits and encouraging Fiesta participants to view zero waste as a personal evolution in the relationship between waste and people. Plans include: a clean mini materials recovery facility onsite; an ongoing display on how well the Fiesta is achieving Zero Waste during the event; increased visibility and signage for recycling and composting bins in high-traffic areas; Zero Waste ambassadors to assist crowds with recycling and sorting; inspectors to assist and encourage vendors to be as environmentally friendly as possible; and the elimination of the use of Styrofoam at the Fiesta, by encouraging vendors to ask their local food service ware supplier about “environmentally friendly” options.

Police Department

• Special Olympics World Games - On July 21 approximately 140 Special Olympics World Games participants travelled to Culver City. Members of Law Enforcement and Special Olympics athletes ran from the Culver City Police Station to the Culver Studios where they met studio executives and enjoyed a tour and meal.

• Chief Bixby meets with Special Olympic Athletes from Malaysia - On July 22 Chief Bixby and members of the Police Department met with the Special Olympics team of athletes from Malaysia at the King Fahad Mosque. The Chief welcomed the group to Culver City and wished them great success in participating in the games.

• New Citizen’s Police Academy Begins - On July 23 the eighth session of the Culver City Citizens Police Academy began. Chief Scott Bixby welcomed the new class with a brief overview of the Department. The program is designed to educate the community on job responsibilities within the Police Department and build a working relationship with the citizens of Culver City.

• National Night Out - On Tuesday, August 4 please join the Police Department to celebrate National Night Out at Lindberg Park beginning at 5 pm. The purpose of this event is to support the efforts of the Police Department and community to make Culver City the safest city possible. There will be free prizes, food, and an opportunity to meet members of the Police Department along with your neighbors.

Public Works Department

• Culver City Reduces Water Usage from 2014 to 2015 – In 2015 from June to April, the City of Culver City has decreased water usage by 17% compared to the same quarter in 2014.

For additional information about the City’s Water Conservation efforts, resources and Level 2 Water Restrictions, please visit http://www.culvercity.org/waterconservation.

• Metropolitan Ends Turf Rebate Program – The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California announced that it closed its turf rebate program to new applications because available funding has been fully allocated.

Metropolitan’s $450 million conservation program will focus remaining available funds on rebates for water-saving devices and a multi-media outreach campaign to promote greater water conservation in homes, gardens and communities throughout the Southland. The district will also maintain a waiting list of interested turf rebate applicants in the event that some of the approved projects do not move forward with their planned landscape changes.

A variety of conservation tips are provided at Metropolitan’s online drought information and conservation rebate website, http://www.bewaterwise.com.

For questions or additional information, you can contact Metropolitan Water District at (888) 376-3314.

• City Receives Cal Recycle Grant for Rubberized Sidewalks Panels -

The State Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) approved the City’s grant request for the Tire-Derived Product (TDP). The grant funds will cover the cost of purchasing rubberized walkway to replace uplifted city sidewalks at selected locations in the City.

• Grant Project: Parkway Tree Planting - The City received a $150,000 grant from the County of Los Angeles -- Regional Park Open Space District to plant 300 trees in vacant parkways citywide. The City entered into an agreement with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (Corps) to purchase, plant, and water the trees over the first year. This week, the Corps commenced planting the trees, which will take approximately 10 weeks to complete. The Corps mission is to provide at-risk young adults and school-aged youth with opportunities for success through job skills training, education and work experience with an emphasis on conservation and service projects that benefit the community. The Corps has hired a crew comprised of at-risk young adults to plant 300 trees in the City’s vacant parkways this summer.

• Active Transportation – Open House Workshop: Tuesday, August 11 – Metro is developing an Active Transportation Strategic Plan to identify needs, resources and strategies to improve and increase walking, bicycling and transit use in LA County, and your input will help create a meaningful, effective plan.

The workshops will:

 Gather input on improving first and last mile access to transit and improvements to the regional network of walking and bicycling facilities, including shared-use paths and on-street bikeways

 Explore opportunities for supporting local and regional partners to get these projects and programs implemented

The workshops are designed for planners, engineers, traffic safety professionals, public health and injury prevention professionals, advocates, transit riders, transit operators, non-profit organizations, decision-makers, and other interested stakeholders. Each workshop will include information about the overall plan and information specific to the sub-region.

Tuesday, August 11

4 pm to 6 pm

Veterans Memorial Building – Rotunda Room

4117 Overland Avenue

Culver City, CA 90230

• Energy and Water Efficiency Home Tour for Residents: August 16 - The City of Culver City is partnering with The Energy Network to help homeowners see first-hand how Culver City homes can become energy and water efficient. On August 16 from 10 am to 3 pm, community members can walk through a typical Culver City bungalow near downtown that was built in 1940 and recently upgraded using statewide rebates. The upgrades not only make the home more energy and water efficient, but provide more comfort, better air quality, and greater resale value.

The homeowners will be on hand to answer questions about the upgrade process and their before-and-after experiences. Upgrades to the home include insulation, air sealing, LED lights, efficient windows, a more efficient air conditioning system, and a tankless water heater. In addition, the home features zero-VOC paint and recycled wood floors as well as drought-tolerant landscaping.

The Home Tour will include refreshments, prizes, and a chance to meet other green leaders in the city. Homeowners can also learn about financing options to make upgrading easier. To RSVP for the tour and learn the home’s address, visitors should go to http://www.tenres.com/culvercity.

For more information about The Energy Network workshops or the Culver City 100 Greener Homes Project, contact the Energy Network at (877) 785-2237 or email homeupgrade@theenergynetwork.com.

• Save the Date – Free e-Waste Roundup: Saturday, September 12 - Each year in California, hundreds of thousands of computers, copiers and fax machines are replaced. Expanding demand for new features and technologies accelerate the generation of "old" electronic equipment ("e-waste"). Electronic items contain lead, PCB’s and other heavy metal and leaded glasses – all of which are harmful to people and the environment. Old electronics cannot be disposed of in the regular trash or left outside for curbside pick-up in the City.

Culver City along with the Exceptional Children’s Foundation and California Recycles will be providing a free E-waste Roundup on September 12.

For a complete list of electronic waste events organized by the City, or for more information about electronics recycling and other Household Hazardous Waste disposal options, visit the City’s website at: http://www.culvercity.org/hhw

• Save the Date – Annual Costal Clean Up Day: Saturday, September 19 - It’s never too early to start planning for this fun filled day of community service in Culver City at the Annual Coastal Cleanup Day.

Bring yourself, family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to participate with the thousands of volunteers around the world in taking a stand against ocean pollution at Ballona Creek clean up in Culver City.

Important information to remember for volunteers to make it that much more fun:

Check in begins at 9 am. All good things happen at check-in. Get a Safety talk on what to pick-up and how, get supplies, a spritz of sunscreen, and meet and talk with other like-minded volunteers at check-in. Volunteers under the age of 18 must obtain a parent’s signature. Wear comfortable clothes. Closed toe shoes are recommended along with hats or sunglasses to beat the heat and a water bottle to stay hydrated. Zero Heroes! Bring your own reusable buckets and gloves to collect trash if you can. We will provide supplies, so don’t worry if you can’t provide your own. Beginning in September, volunteers may learn more about the creek cleanup and download a volunteer form by going to: http://www.culvercity.org/Environment/BallonaCreek/BallonaCreekCleanup.aspx or http://www.healthebay.org/volunteer/calendar/coastal-cleanup-day. Bring the signed waiver with you if you can. If not, copies will be available for signature.

• Save the Date – Four Seasons of Color: Saturday, September 26

Details:

California Natives Workshop with Lili Singer

9:30 am – Noon

Culver City Hall

Dan Patacchia Room

9770 Culver Boulevard

Culver City

Wondering about the right thing to plant when replacing your lawn? Gardening with California Native plants has so many benefits. Your native plant garden can be a seasonal showcase of flowers, seed, fruit and foliage. This class illustrates numerous trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, and grasses that can ensure color all year long.

About Presenter Lili Singer – Director of Special Projects and Adult Education at the Theodore Payne Foundation (TPF)

Ms. Singer is an award-winning horticulturist, educator, editor, and garden writer with a background in wholesale and retail nurseries. A Los Angeles native, she joined the TPF team in October 2007. She has published two periodicals, The Southern California Gardener and The Gardener’s Companion. For more than a decade, Ms. Singer hosted “The Garden Show,” a radio program on KCRW-FM. In 1997, Ms. Singer was named Horticulturist of the Year by the Southern California Horticultural Society, an honor bestowed upon Theodore Payne in 1952. At TPF, she teaches a range of classes, responds to horticultural and media queries, and edits and produces promotional materials and written communications.

For more information, please go to http://theodorepayne.org/

• Sewer Main Rehabilitation Project Update – Phase 4 of the citywide Sewer Main Rehabilitation Lining Project is approximately 50% complete. The contractor has been working in various parts of the city and has installed nine miles of cured-in–place pipe (CIPP) within the existing aging sewer main. The CIPP lining installation usually takes less than one day to install, during which time the sewer service may be impacted. Residents can view the latest project information and the contractor’s weekly CIPP installation schedule at http://www.culvercity.org/sewer.

• Construction Updates

1. Time Warner Cable began installing fiber optic conduit on northbound Bristol Parkway beginning Monday August 3. The contractor anticipates job completion by Friday, August 7. Lane closures will affect traffic between Green Valley Circle and Hannum Avenue.

2. Del Amo Construction will continue working on Washington Boulevard and on Landmark Street reconstructing the sidewalk, curb and gutter. Lane closures will affect traffic on Washington Boulevard between Robertson Boulevard and National Boulevard. There will be lane closures on Washington Boulevard intermittently through August to accommodate this work.