City Manager's Update

City Manager’s Office

• International Walk to School Day – On October 7 Culver City schools joined thousands of schools and millions of children around the world in a celebration of the benefits of active transportation. This event was coordinated by the Culver City Walk & Rollers which works with all five public elementary schools and the middle school to establish effective and sustainable walk-bike to school programs. http://www.ccwalkandroll.com/

This year, Council Member Meghan Sahli-Wells joined staff from the Police, Fire and Public Works Departments and Linwood Howe Elementary School students and parents in front of City Hall for an energetic assembly and walk to school.

City Clerk’s Office

• The IndieCade Festival - IndieCade will take place in Downtown Culver City from October 23-25. In its 7th year, IndieCade celebrates independent video games, those that make and play them, and the interactive entertainment industry. Activities include professional conferences, developer workshops, exhibitors, night games, and a one-of-a-kind game play at Fire Station #1. For a complete schedule and more information, please go to http://www.indiecade.com.

• The Asian World Film Festival – This year’s Festival will take place at the Arclight Cinemas in Culver City from October 26 to November 2 and will feature films from countries all across Asia. The festival affords a unique opportunity to showcase Asian films to the Oscar® Academy, The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and all Guilds for enhanced exposure and awards consideration. The films are open to the public and students with valid ID will be admitted free. All films will have English Subtitles. For more information and a schedule go to http://www.asianworldfilmfest.org.

Community Development

• Taste of Washington West - Culver City’s Washington West Business District will be hosting its first Taste of Washington West on Saturday, October 17 from 4 pm to 7. The event will feature a variety of complimentary tastings and drink specials from ten area restaurants hailed as a group by LA Eater as “the most compelling restaurant row in this part of town.” The event will include an art show showcasing new and distinguished artists as well as live performances. Entertainment will include the El Marino Language School Rainbow Taiko drummers, music by Acoustic Shadow and Danny Sandock, and a chef talk with Hatchet Hall’s Brian Dunsmoor.

For those looking to focus on fitness and food, Kinesis will be offering complimentary classes every 15 minutes, including Pilates reformer, yoga and TRX beginning at 4:15 pm. The event will kick-off with a “kid’s happy hour” at 3 pm with face painting and balloon creations at A Magic Forest, a Halloween-themed photo booth at Art Printer and fishing for yo-yo’s at Sunny Blue.

This event will be centered on West Washington Boulevard between Centinela Avenue and Wade Street. Guests are encouraged to bike, walk, or carpool to the event and avoid parking in the adjacent residential areas. For more information about Washington West Business District, restaurants, shopping and promotions please visit http://www.wwbusdistrict.com or Facebook.com/wwbusdistrict.

• Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) 2016 Fall Forecast – Economic Development staff recently attended the LAEDC Fall Economic Forecast event. Topics included the 2016 Southern California economic forecast and industry outlook, sustainability issues, as well as a presentation on the challenges and opportunities related to the Millennial and Baby Boomer workforces.

• Mo Ventures – A final building inspection was completed by the Building Safety Division on September 26 for a 32,799 square foot tenant improvement, at 3578 Hayden Avenue.

• Frame La Brands, LLC – The Building Safety Division issued a building permit on September 30 for a tenant improvement to an existing office with new interior non-structural demising walls and partitions, walls, ceiling finishes, interior doors, and window units, at 3578 Hayden Avenue.

• Mophonics – The Building Safety Division issued a Building Permit on October 1 for an 11,678 square foot tenant improvement, to demolish existing non-structural partitions and restrooms, construct new restrooms, miscellaneous office space and a sound studio, at 11260 Playa Court.

• Juice Served Here – The Building Safety Division issued a Building Permit on September 23 for a new pre-packaged juice store at 8820 Washington Boulevard (The PLATFORM).

• Sweetgreen – The Building Safety Division issued a Building Permit on September 29 for a 7,523 square foot tenant improvement for office space at 8840 Washington Boulevard (The PLATFORM).

• Criteo – The Building Safety Division issued a Building Permit on September 29 for a 7,250 square foot tenant improvement for office space at 8840 Washington Boulevard (The PLATFORM).

• Parking Structure Maintenance Contract – The City is preparing to consider renewal of the contract for pressure washing and miscellaneous janitorial services for the three downtown parking structures. The current service contract expires on December 31.

• Washington/Centinela – A meeting was held with the Developer and its traffic consultant to discuss the plans, newsletter, public meetings and offsite improvements for the Washington/Centinela Project. A Reciprocal Easement Agreement, Parking License Agreement, and Construction Contract are being drafted. The Developer is now working to complete the tasks required pursuant to the 11th Implementation Agreement. Southern California Edison has been requested to assign a case worker to the Project.

• Hayden Tract Spur – The Project’s civil engineering firm is drafting the initial design, to be presented in late October.

• Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) – Staff held a planning meeting with CDBG administration staff to discuss and identify the City’s CDBG funding allocations for Fiscal Year 2016-17. The City is preparing for departmental project funding requests and the annual Advisory Committee meeting for the Fiscal Year 2016-17 CDBG program. The City is drafting its CDBG Program Guidelines, as required by the CDBG Administration.

• Westside Council of Governments Tourism Committee - Economic Development staff is participating in the Westside Council of Governments Tourism Committee, which has developed the Hidden Gems website (www.westsidecities.org). In the near future, the website will feature a comprehensive Cultural Facilities page for that will also include information for walking, biking and taking public transit.

• California State Conference of the American Planning Association - Staff participated in the California State Conference of the American Planning Association. Staff attended sessions related to sustainable streets, Transit Oriented Development (TOD) implementation strategies, park and pedestrian plazas, housing, bike sharing and ethics in the planning profession.

Fire Department

• Hear the Beep Where You Sleep – Along with firefighters and safety advocates nationwide, the Culver City Fire Department joined forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) during Fire Prevention Week, October 4 -10, to remind Culver City residents that every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm. Check out http://www.facebook.com/CulverCityFD or visit http://www.nfpa.org for more information.

On October 6 Members of the Culver City Fire Prevention Division handed out fire prevention flyers and CCFD giveaways at the Culver City Farmers’ Market as part of Fire Prevention Week.

• EOC Tabletop Training Exercise – On September 23 and 24th, the Emergency Preparedness Division held two five-hour training drills in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). 50 staff representatives from various city departments attended. The mission of the training was to simulate response and recovery activities necessary to support the Culver City community in the event of a major disaster. The training highlighted operational coordination; available public and private services and resources; mass care service needs; and public information and warning activities.

• Night Training – On September 28 the Department conducted a night drill for a multi-casualty incident. Firefighters were required to utilize stabilizing equipment to safely extricate five simulated victims. The Culver City Fire Department conducts an average of 20,000 hours of training annually.

• West Nile Virus (WNV) - New WNV activity in the environment continues to be detected all across the county and the public is advised to lower its risk of getting mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are most active during evening to early morning hours (dawn to dusk). If you are outdoors during those times, use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved insect repellents and cover up: wear long sleeve shirts, and pants and other protective clothing. Keep mosquitoes out of your home. Make sure your door and window screens are in good condition. Get rid of places where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Drain water from and cover flowerpots and other places where water collects. Change water in pet bowls and bird baths 2-3 times a week. Help Public Health track WNV by reporting dead birds, which can be a sign of WNV in an area: California Department of Public Health 1-877-WNV-BIRD or 1-877-968-2473 http://www.westnile.ca.gov/

Parks, Recreation and Community Services

• Veterans Memorial Complex Rental Operation - VMB is currently taking reservations for holiday parties and events. The facility rents sound systems, risers, pianos and other equipment for any size holiday gathering. More information is available by contacting the rental staff at 310-253-6625 or by emailing vmc.booking@culvercity.org

• Culver City After School Recreation Program (CCARP) – In collaboration with Culver City Julian Dixon Library, the Culver City After School Recreation Program (CCARP) and the Culver City Teen Center will participate in the Los Angeles County Public Library’s 36th Annual 2015 Bookmark Contest. Students will design and create a bookmark about a book or the activity of reading. This contest is designed to develop a love of reading in students and to promote the students to become lifelong readers. This year’s theme is “Ticket to Adventure!” Winning bookmarks will be displayed at the county libraries during National Library Week, which is observed each year, generally during the second full week in April.

• Culver City Historical Society – The Culver City Historical Society’s Fall General Membership meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 21 at 7 pm in the Multipurpose Room of Veteran’s Memorial Building. The program will feature Culver City’s Chief of Police Scott Bixby and Captain Ron Iizuka, who will speak about today’s Police Department and provide a PowerPoint presentation about its history. For information on this free program, call 310-253-6941 or email info@CulverCityHistoricalSociety.org.

Public Works Department

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• New Bike Repair Stations in the City – As part of Citywide Bicycle Parking Project the City contractor Malibu Pacific has installed two Dero brand bike repair stations, known as the “Fixit”. The “Fixit” includes all the tools necessary to perform basic bike repairs and maintenance, from changing a flat to adjusting brakes and derailleurs. The tools and air pump are securely attached to the stand with stainless steel cables and tamper-proof fasteners. Hanging the bike from the hanger arms allows the pedals and wheels to spin freely while making adjustments.

The pump hoses on the Air Kits are made of rubber and wire mesh for added durability. The bike repair stations are located at the bike path at Sepulveda and Culver Boulevards (east side) and at the bike path adjacent to Syd Kronenthal Park near the intersection of Jefferson and National Boulevards. This project also included the installation of approximately 120 bike racks throughout the City and was funded through a grant from the Cal Trans Bicycle Transportation Account program.

• Culver City Public and Employee Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Launched – Members of the public are invited to attend a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of new electric vehicle charging stations at the downtown Ince Parking structure. Residents and business owners of Culver City are encouraged to bring their EV’s so they may be among the first to use the new charging station while attending the ceremony. The ribbon cutting will be held at 4:30 pm on Wednesday, October 14 at the Ince Parking Structure, 9099 Washington Boulevard.

In October, the City’s Employee Electric Vehicle (EV) Charge-at-Work program was launched. The program makes eight EV and six plug-in hybrid charging stations available for employee use at City Hall. In addition, an EV charging station for public use has been installed in City Hall’s visitors parking area on the P-1 level of City Hall’s parking garage. This additional charging station will complement the three public EV charging stations in the City’s Ince Parking Structure. The PlugShare smart phone app will list the public locations along with their availability.

• Sewer Main Rehabilitation Lining Project – Phase 4 – Phase 4 of the Citywide Sewer Main Rehabilitation Lining Project is 70% complete. The contractor has been working in various parts of the city and has installed 12 miles cured-in –place pipe (CIPP) within the existing aging sewer main. Work will occur during the night in October near businesses on Sepulveda Boulevard and on Washington Boulevard in order to not disrupt daytime traffic. The CIPP lining installation usually takes four to eight hours to install, during which the sewer service may be impacted. Residents/Businesses can view the latest project information and the contractor’s weekly CIPP installation schedule at http://www.culvercity.org/sewer

• Construction Updates

1. Golden State Water Company will continue working on Vera Way between Sepulveda Boulevard and Malat Way completing the installation of a new replacement water main.

2. AT&T will begin installation of a conduit on Washington Boulevard between Prospect Avenue and Huron Avenue, and then down Matteson Avenue towards Venice Boulevard. There will be lane closures on Washington Boulevard. Crews will begin work Tuesday October 13th and anticipated to be completed in two weeks.

3. There will be continued intermittent lane closures on Washington Boulevard between National Boulevard and Wesley Street and on National Boulevard between Wesley Street and Washington Boulevard for the street light relocation, and to complete the curb and gutter installation at the curb return on the southeast corner of National Boulevard. These public improvements are required of the development projects at these locations.