City Manager's Update

Community Development Department

• Kippy’s Ice Cream – Building plans were submitted on November 2 for a new ice cream shop at 11953 Washington Boulevard #B.

• Velvet Inc. – Building plans were submitted on November 4 for a new retail space at 8810 Washington Boulevard (The PLATFORM).

• Costco Wholesale – Building plans were submitted on November 5 for a remodel and addition of 31,023 square feet to the existing Costco store including a new tire center, exterior food service, seating area, and entry canopy at 13463 Washington Boulevard.

• Sony Pictures Entertainment – The Building Safety Division issued a Building Permit on November 16 for a tenant improvement at the new eight story building at 10202 Washington Boulevard.

• Lady M Confections – The Building Safety Division issued a Building Permit on November 9 for a baking facility at 5887 Blackwelder Street.

• The Shop – The Building Safety Division issued a Building Permit on November 9 for a new retail and café at 8820 Washington Boulevard (The PLATFORM)

• 18/8 – The Building Safety Division issued a Building Permit on November 16 for a new hair salon at 11955 Washington Boulevard.

• Washep, Inc. – The Building Safety Division issued a Building Permit on November 16 to demolish 511 square feet of an existing 2,173 square foot commercial structure and construct a new carwash tunnel and new convenience store at 11197 Washington Place.

• Sprouts Farmer’s Market – A final building inspection was completed by the Building Safety Division on November 4 for the relocation of existing equipment, and the renovation of salad bar at the store at 5660 Sepulveda Boulevard.

Fire Department

• TThanksgiving Fire Safety – Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for cooking fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving Day cooking has long been the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries.

The Culver City Fire Department encourages you to be safe when preparing your holiday meal. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

 The leading cause of fire in the kitchen is unattended cooking. Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop. If you leave the kitchen for even a short time, turn off the stove.

 SStay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.

 MMake sure children stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

 KKeep the floor clear so you don’t trip over anything while carrying hot food items.

 KKeep knives out of the reach of children.

 BBe sure electric cords from appliances do not dangle off the counter within easy reach of a child.

 KKeep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — preferably up high in a locked cabinet.

 NNever leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.

 MMake sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

For more information, visit http://www.culvercity.org/fire. The Culver City Fire Department wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department

• Veterans Memorial Complex Rental Operation – The Veterans Memorial Building will be closed on November 26 and December 25 and on January 1, 2016. Please call the rental staff at 310-253-6625 or email staff at vmc.booking@culvercity.org for more information on holiday bookings.

• The Culver City Senior Citizens Association Annual Holiday Food Certificate Program – Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the Culver City Senior Citizens Association Annual Holiday Food Certificate Program. Each donated dollar goes directly toward buying supermarket food certificates for our less fortunate Culver City friends and neighbors to help them experience the joy, sharing and caring of the Holiday Season. Please make your donation check payable to the Culver City Senior Citizens Association, Attn: Holiday Certificate Program, 4095 Overland Avenue, Culver City, CA 90232. The program is administered by Darren Uhl, Disability & Social Services Specialist. He can be reached at 310-253-6729 or by email at darren.uhl@culvercity.org.

• The Culver City Senior Center Senior Prom – Vegas Style! – On Saturday, October 24, 140 seniors arrived at the Saturday Dance to find the Senior Center transformed into a Las Vegas Night Club. Seniors were greeted by handsome young men in tuxedoes and entered on a red carpet! The ladies were then given orchid corsages. A professional caterer prepared a feast; a professional photographer took photos; and attendees enjoyed casino-style games. Entertainment was provided by “The Rat Pack,” a group performing a tribute to the music of Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra. This amazing surprise “Senior Prom” was created for Defy Media’s special edition of Prank It Forward on YouTube.

The Prank It Forward initiative creates positive “pranks” through events and celebrations, which surprise people and bring them happiness. In addition to the usual funny pranks through the program, the group also strives to make videos to make people feel good. The Culver City Senior Center Saturday Dance participants were the fortunate recipients of the Las Vegas Senior Prom experience, generously produced by JumpCut Studios and their corps of enthusiastic volunteers. To watch a video of the Senior Prom, please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhBnLQBGecI or search YouTube for “Prank it Forward – Senior Prom”.

• Culver City Volunteer Opportunities – As the holiday season begins there are several local organizations in need of volunteers. Check out the Big Sunday Holiday List at http://theholidaylist.bigsunday.org/ and search “Culver City” to fund local giving opportunities. Toy drives, sing-alongs, and Thanksgiving meals are all currently on the list, so check it out and start making your holiday “give back” plans now. For questions, please contact Jill Thomsen or 310-253-6722 or by email at jill.thomsen@culvercity.org.

• Culver City After School Recreation Program (CCARP) and Teen Center – CCARP and the Culver City Teen Center will be closed Wednesday, November 25tthrough Friday, November 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Police Department

• The Police Department Hosts First Annual Awards and Retirement Dinner - On November 14 Police Chief Scott Bixby and the Police Department held a retirement and awards dinner at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles – Westside in Culver City. Officer Jim Raetz, Officer Marc Young, and Reserve Captain David Oberg retired this year and were recognized with City Council Commendations for their 30+ years of service.

The Police Department also honored the following individuals with awards:

 Sustained Superiority Award - Records Technician Kori Williams; Property Technician Butch Turner; and Detective Edward Baskaron.

 Special Recognition Award - Communications Operator Danielle Bell; Management Analyst Tasha Horn; Reserve Police Officer Brad Fine; Police Officer Jason Davis; and Sergeant Allen Shepherd.

 Distinguished Service Medal - Detective Chris Horii and Sergeant Eden Palacio.

 Police Officer of the Year - Officer Jason Martin

 Professional Staff Employee of the Year – Management Analyst Jeanine Plute

 David Shaby Award - Officer Cris Ferrier

 City Council Commendations - Jailer Pete Nunez and Police Officer Tommy Irwin.

The event was well attended and included Mayor Micheál O’Leary, Vice Mayor Andrew Weissman, Council Members Jim B. Clarke, Jeffrey Cooper, and Megan Sahli-Wells, and Human Resources Director Serena Wright-Black. Congratulations to everyone!!

Public Works Department

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Turf Removal Rebate for Culver City Residents – Until June 30, 2016, the City of Culver City is offering a rebate to the first 50 residents who remove their turf and replace it with drought tolerant plants. The rebate covers the cost to rent one bin to dispose of the turf and is valued at $167.23.

To inquire about the availability of the rebate program prior to completing this application, please contact the City’s Public Works Environmental Programs and Operations Refuse and Recycling Customer Service Office by calling (310) 253-6400, Monday – Friday 6:30 am - 3 pm or send an e-mail to: turfremoval@culvercity.org. (Photo courtesy of neontommy.com)

• Tree Donation from the Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica – It's looking greener in Culver City as a result of the Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica's donation of 16 male Ginkgo Biloba trees to add our urban forest! This donation was facilitated by incoming Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica President Tony Antich and Vice President Phil Brock in cooperation with Santa Monica’s Urban Forester, Matthew Wells. These trees, which have been identified in the City’s Tree Master Plan, will be planted at vacant tree sites throughout the City. The Kiwanis Club also donated trees to the cities of Santa Monica and Burbank.

• Safe Routes to School Visioning Symposium – As part of the City’s Safe Routes to School initiative, a Visioning Symposium was held on November 17. In 2012 the City received a four-year Safe Routes to School grant, which focuses on encouraging and educating students in Culver City about the benefits of walking, biking, and scooting to school.

In coordination with the City’s consultant, Jim Shanman of Culver City Walk ‘n Rollers, members of the community participated in this interactive forum. The focus of the symposium was to evaluate the success and current impact of the four-year grant initiative, currently in its third year, and to develop goals for the future. The group discussed goals that would guide the sustainability of the Safe Routes to School efforts beyond the four-year grant.

Participants in the Symposium included Council Member Meghan Sahli-Wells and City staff from Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and the Police Department. Representatives from the Culver City Unified School District were also present as well as students from Culver City Middle School Associated Student Body. Parents, residents and community members were also engaged and participated.

At the Symposium, the participants shared many of the strengths and challenges for biking in walking to school. This was coupled with a number of ideas for future goals and actions in Culver City.

• Culver City 100 Healthy Homes Campaign – If you ride Metro’s Expo Line you may have seen the new Culver City’s 100 Healthy Homes diorama at the Culver City Station.

The City, in collaboration with The Energy Network, is continuing its efforts to help homeowners make energy efficient home upgrades with its Culver City’s 100 Healthy Homes campaign. The campaign encourages Culver City homeowners to participate in the Energy Upgrade California® Home Upgrade program, a statewide rebate and incentive program supported by utility customers. Home Upgrade rebates are available for windows, insulation, high-efficiency water heaters, and green heating and cooling improvements. These upgrades result in improved indoor air quality, increased comfort, greater efficiency, financial savings, and greater property values for residents.

The Energy Network connects interested homeowners with a local Participating Contractor who then helps choose the right options and checks homeowners’ eligibility for rebates and incentives. Special financing options are also available. Residents can get rebates of $6,500 or more when making energy-saving home improvements. For more information about The Energy Network, the Home Upgrade Program, and available incentives and rebates, please contact The Energy Network at (877) 785-2237 or visit http://www.tenres.com.