City Manager`s Bi-Weekly Update to the City Council

John M. Nachbar, City Manager
July 29, 2016
City Manager's Bi-Weekly Update to the City Council
City Manager’s Office

Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer
Festival - Enjoy an evening in Culver City
for the 2016 Culver City Boulevard Music
Summer Festival! The final two free
concerts in the City Hall Courtyard will take
place on Thursday, August 4th and
Thursday, August 11th at 7 pm. On July
29th, Big Daddy (at right) entertained the
crowd.
Become an entry level sponsor by
purchasing one of the 100 premium
reserved seats that are for sale at $10 each per show. Produced by Gary Mandell of
Culver City’s Boulevard Music, Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival
offers something for everyone. Bring family and friends to hear music from
internationally renowned Irish vocalist and flutist Nuala Kennedy and her ensemble
(Aug 4th); and Soul/R&B - with spirit going straight to the heart - from Missy
Andersen and her band (Aug 11th).
Mayor Clarke and Council Members Sahli-Wells and Small Welcome the Crowd on July 28th
The public is encouraged to take a Culver CityBus to the venue, and bike racks are
available. If you drive, parking is free for two hours in designated parking structures
in downtown Culver City. Dozens of dining options are available within walking
Page 1 of 12
John M. Nachbar, City Manager
July 29, 2016
distance. Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival is sponsored by the City
of Culver City and numerous businesses and individuals. For more information,
please view the flyer, call Boulevard Music at 310-398-2583, or go to Boulevard
Music’s website.
Community Development

Sprout JK – Waffle – Building plans were approved on July 18th, for a 2,700 square
foot tenant improvement for a new restaurant at 3599 Hayden Avenue.

Culver City Transfer Station – Building plans were approved on July 20th to
demolish and reconfigure the layout to create a new men’s restroom and locker
room at 9275 Jefferson Boulevard.

Bank of the West – A final building inspection was completed by Building Safety
on July 22nd for a 3,199 square foot tenant improvement for a new bank at 8770
Washington Boulevard, Access Culver City.

Bacoshop – Building plans were submitted on July 21st for a tenant improvement
to an existing restaurant space, which will add a cooking line, service counter,
updated bathrooms (to ADA compliance), and the replacement of the store front
at 9552 Washington Boulevard.

WMN Space – Paula Mallis – Building plans were submitted on July 20th for a 1,400
square foot tenant improvement including demolition of non-load bearing walls to
combine two spaces into one, and to construct one new load bearing wall at 10764
½ Washington Boulevard.

The Reformation – Building plans were submitted on July 12th for a 7,456 square
foot tenant improvement of an existing space at 8840 Washington Boulevard,
#201, The PLATFORM.

Washington-National Transit Oriented Development Project – The Water Board
has approved a Work Plan to obtain closure for the environmental remediation
work at 8801 Washington Blvd. The contractor/consultant is currently performing
the tasks required for closure. The Developer has performed additional soil testing
over the entire site. The Consultant submitted its draft Final Report to the Water
Board on July 14th.

Department of Finance Long Range Property Management Plan – The City is
awaiting the Department of Finance’s approval of the City’s proposed Amendment
Page 2 of 12
John M. Nachbar, City Manager
July 29, 2016
to the Long Range Property Management Plan submitted in April. The review
period expired on July 27th.

Media Park – Media Park improvements, which include clearing shrub planting and
leveling soil along the building, are nearing completion.
Page 3 of 12
John M. Nachbar, City Manager

July 29, 2016
Hayden Tract Spur – The following work has been completed on the Spur Parking
Project as of July 18th:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Drive-aisle and parking stalls have been striped.
Parking stalls have been numbered.
Electrical conduit has been trenched for connection.
The electrical power box is in place.
Lighting has been installed.
Irrigation lines are in place.
Trees and shrubs have been delivered and planted.
Signage has been installed.
Graffiti has been removed.
Trash enclosures and compactor areas have been rebuilt.
Photo of Hayden Tract Spur Parking Lot Project

Parking Structure Maintenance – Monthly maintenance services and bi-annual
pressure washing of the three downtown parking structures continue to be on
schedule and there are no current issues. The City Hall Courtyard was pressure
washed after the summer concert series event of July 14th. Three additional postconcert cleanings are scheduled.

Committee on Homelessness – The Committee on Homelessness (COH) held its
regular meeting on Tuesday, July 26th at 7 pm in the Patacchia Room. Two
members were appointed/re-appointed, Dr. Ira Diamond and Karlo Silbiger. The
COH received an update from staff and Saint Joseph Center on homeless
outreach throughout the City and informed of the status of various homeless
persons. The COH will host a round table discussion at the latter part of this year
with west side homeless service providers to discuss rapid re-housing programs,
service entry and coordination of services. The COH has also made review of the
Page 4 of 12
John M. Nachbar, City Manager
July 29, 2016
County of Los Angeles Initiative on Homelessness a priority and will make
recommendations to the City Council on ways the City adopt and/or support these
initiatives.

Landlord Tenant Mediation Board – The Landlord Tenant Mediation Board (LTMB)
held its regular quarterly meeting on Wednesday, July 27th at 7 pm in the Patacchia
Room. Three members of the Board were re-appointed, Michael Berlin, Tara
Lewis and Justin Lescoulie. The meeting focused on a brainstorming session
about how the LTMB can expand its scope beyond rent increases. The members
considered neighbor to neighbor disputes such as barking dogs and tenant to
tenant disputes such as upstairs noise concerns. The members also thought they
could work with neighborhood groups and facilitate discussion regarding housing
projects.

Globe Project – Agreements are being finalized for the Globe Avenue “for sale”
affordable housing project.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program - Housing will open the Section 8
waiting list and accept new applications before the end of the year. It is anticipated
that over 20,000 households may apply. Based on the anticipated massive number
of applicants, the application process will be on-line only.

Planning Commission – David Voncannon is the current Chairperson and Dana
Amy Sayles is the Vice Chairperson of the Commission.

Baldwin Project – A resolution was adopted approving a proposed 5-story mixed
use project consisting of 37 multi-family residential dwelling units above 7,206
square feet of ground floor commercial space with surface and subterranean
parking including 21 public parking spaces at 12803 Washington Boulevard.
Page 5 of 12
John M. Nachbar, City Manager

July 29, 2016
Mixed Use Project –Tentative Tract was approved to allow for a subdivision to
create five residential condominium and one commercial unit for a mixed use
project currently under construction at 12712 Washington Boulevard.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department

Culver City Just 4 Kids and Teen Camp – The Just 4 Kids and Teen Camp are
heading into their seventh week of camp. With summer more than half over,
there’s only three weeks of camp left. The good news is we still have great trips
to Knott’s Berry Farm and Magic Mountain coming up. Other fun events include
the Camp Carnival, The Red Carpet Experience, and trips to LA County beaches
to name just a few upcoming activities. There’s a lot of fun still ahead at Just 4
Kids and Teen Camp!

CarFit at the Culver City Senior Center – The Culver City Senior Center and
Social Services Division hosted the annual CarFit event on Saturday, July 23 rd.
Offered in partnership with AAA & AARP, the event was a great success, with 33
seniors taking part in the educational/safety program checking how well their
personal vehicles “fit” them. Six participants were Culver City residents and 27
were from surrounding areas. The event would not have been possible without
the support of five amazing volunteers recruited through the Culver City
Volunteer Program and six specially trained volunteers provided by CarFit
coordinator Bob Vatz.

Culver City Senior Center Partnership with Symantec – This August marks the 8th
year of the partnership between Symantec and the Culver City Senior Center.
Thank you to the volunteers from Symantec who provide quarterly one-on-one
assistance to Center members regarding technology and their “gadgets.” Just
one of many complimentary notes received by the Senior Center said, “I was one
Page 6 of 12
John M. Nachbar, City Manager
July 29, 2016
of the many fortunate seniors that received help with my Android cell phone. The
Symantec volunteers were so kind and patient. I actually had two men helping
me; this is such a valuable contribution volunteers are making to seniors. I have
no one else that I could ask to help me. Thank you for having this program.”

Fiesta La Ballona – Fiesta La Ballona returns to Veterans Park August 26th – 28th
with live music, a beer and wine garden, food trucks and food court, carnival
rides, a petting zoo and pony rides. Visit the Entertainment Tent for a 3-day
music and dance party featuring Latin Jazz and Fiesta-Palooza on Friday night;
the sounds of Mariachis, the British Invasion, 80s funk and 90s rock on Saturday,
culminating in SoCal Saturday Night featuring tributes to The Beach Boys and
The Eagles; and World Music on Sunday featuring Caribbean,
Klezmer/Mediterranean and Brazilian music as well as Siberian Surf Rock. 2016
Fiesta sponsors include Sony Pictures Entertainment, Cedars-Sinai, Access
Culver City, Tito’s Tacos, Culver City Volvo -Mazda, Kane, Ballmer & Berkman,
Southern California Gas Company, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, The
Culver Studios, Backstage Bar & Grill, Heather & Art Realtors, Lowe Enterprises,
Golden State Water Company, Echo Horizon School, AYSO Region 19-Culver
City, Cavanaugh Realtors, The Conservatory for Coffee, Tea & Cocoa, See’s
Candies, Staples - Baldwin Hills Crenshaw, Mayme A. Clayton Library &
Museum, ZogSports, Palms Cycle, Angel City Derby Girls, LA Kings Ice Crew,
Galaxy Star Squad, LA Weekly, KCETLink, Steeldeck, Inc., Haynes Building
Services, L.L.C., Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder and West Coast
Arborists, Inc. Visit http://fiestalaballona.org/ or call 310-253-6650 for more
information.
Page 7 of 12
John M. Nachbar, City Manager
July 29, 2016

Fiesta La Ballona Volunteer Opportunity – We are looking for volunteers to help
us make the event safe, clean, green and, most importantly, fun! Fiesta 2016
takes place the weekend of August 26th, 27th and 28th. In addition to reliable
individuals, we welcome volunteer groups from corporations, houses of faith,
schools, clubs and neighborhoods. Families are also welcome to volunteer
together. We provide credit hours for students fulfilling service requirements for
their schools. We need folks to help with everything from stage management to
helping festival goers recycle their trash and make our event as green as
possible. To sign up as a volunteer at Fiesta, please visit
http://fiestalaballona.org/.

Veterans Memorial Complex Rental Operations – The Cultural Affairs Foundation
received a generous bequest from The Sydney Kronenthal Trust in the amount of
$10,000 towards the upgrade of stage lighting in Veterans Memorial Auditorium.
Syd Kronenthal, who passed away in 2015, was the Directors of Parks,
Recreation and Human Services for 52 years until his retirement in 1998. His
tenacity and vision led to the building of the Veterans Memorial Complex. The
overall stage lighting project will include the de-installation of the outdated
dimmer system followed by installation of a new dimmer system, theatrical lights
and a lighting console.
Police Department

Police Department Training- During the week of July 18th, all officers attended the
department-approved training for active shooters, force protection, and the
Page 8 of 12
John M. Nachbar, City Manager
July 29, 2016
Incident Command System for responses to critical incidents. The training was
held at Culver City Middle School.

National Night Out - On Tuesday, August 2nd, the Police Department will host its
annual National Night Out event at Veterans Park located at 4117 Overland
Avenue. The purpose of the event is to bring the community and Police
Department together to help build relationships with each other and to help
prevent crimes. The event will start at 4:00 pm. Please bring your family to
enjoy live music, free food, activities for the children and to meet your police
officers.
Public Works Department

Tree Maintenance & Management - On July 27th, the Public Works Department
hosted a tree maintenance & management workshop in the Dan Patacchia Room
sponsored by the City’s tree trimming contractor, West Coast Arborists.
Approximately 20 tree maintenance professionals (some from Culver City) were
in attendance representing surrounding municipalities. Presenters discussed
current trends in the tree maintenance industry, plant health care, potentially new
and concerning pests that have been identified, and a review of the Arbor Access
mobile app - which is utilized by City staff to track tree trimming maintenance and
history of the City’s urban forest.

Street Closure - On Saturday, July 30th, Duquesne Avenue between Jefferson
Boulevard and Lucerne Avenue will be closed from 9 am to 5 pm to through
traffic. All American Asphalt will be reconstructing a portion of Duquesne Avenue
between Jefferson Boulevard and Ballona Creek. Four changeable message
signs were strategically positioned to advise motorists of the road closure.
Detour signs will be installed on the adjacent streets advising motorists how to
get to Culver Boulevard or Jefferson Boulevard.

Senior Center Audio-Video System Replacement – Integrated Media Systems
completed installation of a new audio-video system at the Senior Center that
Page 9 of 12
John M. Nachbar, City Manager
July 29, 2016
included new speakers, microphones, a projector and screen, an assistive
listening system, and a wireless control pad to operate the system. This week,
staff received training on how to operate the new system, which was entirely
funded by a $200K grant received from the Los Angeles County Open Space
District.

Energy Efficiency Project – With the installation and programming of the City’s
new Energy Management System at the Police Department, City Hall, Veterans
Memorial building, the Senior Center and the
Transportation facility concluding this week, the City’s
Energy Efficiency project has been completed. The
project included entering into contracts with three
vendors to install lighting, HVAC mechanical and a
new energy management control system. The project
is anticipated to save the City approximately
$1,769,480 over the 12-year life cycle of the project.
The City maintains a “Gold tier” status within Southern
California Edison’s Energy Leader Partnership Program in recognition of its
energy efficiency accomplishments.

AB 1826 Regulatory Requirements - Every California local jurisdiction is required
to implement an organic waste recycling program to provide organic recycling
options, educate businesses and multifamily complexes about their local organic
recycling options, and monitor implementation.
The law requires that businesses arrange for recycling services for the following
types of organic waste: food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste,
nonhazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper. Multifamily complexes must
arrange for recycling services for the same material with the exception of food
waste and food-soiled paper. Most organic waste is recyclable through methods
such as composting, mulching, and anaerobic digestion. Organic recycling
services often accept a wide variety of different types of organic waste.
Page 10 of 12
John M. Nachbar, City Manager
July 29, 2016
Businesses and multifamily complexes must start recycling organic waste by the
following dates:

Generators of 8 or more cubic yards of organic waste per week: April 1,
2016

Generators of 4 or more cubic yards of organic waste per week: January 1,
2017

Generators of 4 or more cubic yards of solid waste per week: January 1,
2019

Generators of 2 or more cubic yards of solid waste per week (if statewide
disposal of organic waste is not decreased by half): January 1, 2020
Contact the Public Works Refuse and Recycling team to learn how to obtain a
complete recycling services program today. Complete service from start-up
assistance to program implementation. Staff can help local businesses comply
with the law. Schedule a complimentary site review and our staff will provide
recommendations, training and educational marketing material to help your
business set up a successful recycling organic program. For more information,
please contact Environmental Programs & Operations Customer Service staff at
(310) 253-6400.
Transportation Department

Bus Stop Relocation Project – The updated date for the summary of all input received
to be communicated to the City Council is August 22, 2016.
The City Council has approved the implementation of a Bus Signal Priority System
(BSP) that will improve the efficiency of bus service by providing traffic signal priority
to buses at signalized intersections along their routes in Culver City; by extending the
green time a few seconds, a Culver City bus running late may catch up to the
schedule. As part of the BSP Project, 35 existing nearside bus stops are
recommended to be relocated to the farside of the intersection. This relocation is
necessary to maximize the effectiveness of the BSP System. The relocation away
from nearside will provide the opportunity to regain some parking spaces, in most
instances, in the nearside, and will also cause the loss of some parking spaces in the
new farside.
Page 11 of 12
John M. Nachbar, City Manager
July 29, 2016
Interested parties can find out more about the project here. You can also have
questions or comments addressed via telephone at (310) 253-5634 or by emailing
[email protected].
Page 12 of 12