City Council
• Birdee – The City Clerk’s Office has just released Birdee’s newest video to make sure Culver City residents confirm that they are registered to vote by the deadline March 28th, to vote in April 12th Election. If you’ve moved, changed your name, or you think your signature may have changed throughout the years, go to www.lavote.net to re-register so that your vote counts! To watch the video, please go to www.CulverCity.org/Vote.
The public will want to get ready to see more of Birdee, as banners will be installed around Culver City. And for those who participate in social media, Birdee is actively tweeting several times a week. Sign up, follow, like, and share Birdee on Facebook, Twitter (@CulverCityGov), Instagram, and YouTube. Sample ballots booklets are in the mail, and beginning on Monday, March 14th, Permanent Vote by Mail ballots will begin to be delivered. If you are interested in voting by mail, please complete the application on the back of your sample ballot and return it to the City Clerk’s Office no later than April 5th.
Community Development
• BIT Culver City Creative, LLC – Building plans were submitted on February 25th for a new nine-level open parking structure accommodating 990 stalls at 5701 Hannum Avenue.
• Beats 1 Radio – The Building Safety Division issued a Building Permit on February 25th for a tenant improvement at 8600 Hayden Place.
• Beats By Dre – The Building Safety Division issued a Building Permit on February 26th for a tenant improvement at 8550 Higuera Street.
• Target Corporation – A final building inspection was completed by the Building Safety Division on February 25th for interior remodeling of the existing Target store at 10820 Jefferson Boulevard.
• Exceptional Children’s Foundation – Building plans were submitted on February 8th for a tenant improvement and renovation at 5350 Machado Road.
• Westfield Culver City
o Hollister – Building plans were submitted on February 22nd for a tenant improvement to the existing store to include finishes and upgrades for the front of the store, sales area, and counter and the installation of a new entry vestibule.
o The Target Corporation – Target was issued a Building Permit on February 26th to remodel an existing retail store including updates in the following areas: store fixtures; walls; ceiling and floor finishes; the entry area; fitting rooms; guest services; food services (including a Starbucks); the home department; and restrooms.
o Game Stop – Building plans were approved on March 3rd for a tenant improvement.
• THE PLATFORM – 8840 Washington Boulevard
o Parabellum – A final building inspection was completed on February 26th for a retail store.
o Linda Farrow – The Building Safety Division issued a Building Permit on March 1st for a tenant improvement to a retail space.
• Washington-National Transit Oriented Development Project – The City met with legal counsel and Alpha Environmental to map out a path for closure for the environmental remediation work at 8801 Washington Blvd.
• Department of Finance Long Range Property Management Plan – The City is working with the Successor Agency’s special counsel to transfer all remaining eligible former Agency properties to the City and will be preparing an amendment to the Long Range Property Management Plan, in order to revise the disposition of the remaining parking facilities as Retain for Governmental Use, pursuant to SB 107. A proposed resolution will be presented to the Successor Agency on March 28th. If adopted, a similar resolution will be presented to the Oversight Board on April 14th.
• Washington-Centinela – The City is now working on a Disposition and Development Agreement with the Developer, Regency Centers and expects the entitlements process to be completed by April 4th and construction to commence by the end of 2016.
• Hayden Tract Spur – On February 8th the City Council authorized the release of solicitations for bids to construct the Spur parking lot project. Responding bids were opened on March 8th. The City Council will be asked to consider awarding the winning bid at the March 14th City Council meeting.
• Review Process for removal of Street Trees – The Community Development Department and the Public Works Department have implemented a policy regarding the review of requests for removal of trees in the public right-of-way (street trees). The City’s Building Permit application has been revised with a note to contact Public Works immediately regarding any work in the parkway including expansion of an existing curb cut (driveway) or relocation of a curb cut and that a survey will be required showing the location of any street trees. A copy of the City’s Tree Removal Ordinance is now available at the Building and Planning Division public counter and on the City website. The Planning Division, as part of review of a new project, will advise the applicant that the project should not disturb existing street trees, and the project should be designed to as necessary to avoid disturbing street trees. In circumstances requiring the removal of a street tree, pursuant to the City’s Tree Removal Ordinance, the Public Works Director shall have final authority to approve the tree removal and require replacement trees as outlined in the Tree Removal Ordinance.
Fire Department
• Daylight Savings Time and Smoke Alarm Testing – It is time to change your clocks and test your smoke alarms. Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 13th. The Fire Department recommends testing your smoke alarms around the time you set your clocks ahead and at least once per month. Please visit the Department’s web page at www.culvercity.org/fire to learn more about smoke alarm testing and other fire safety tips.
• Badge Ceremony – On March 7th, the Fire Department conducted a badge pinning ceremony for Dan Stayne (promoted from Firefighter/Paramedic to Engineer) and Paul Davis (promoted from Engineer to Captain). Family members, friends, and colleagues attended to congratulate them on their promotions and participate in the pinning of their new badges. Special thanks to Mayor Micheál O’Leary for participating in the ceremony. Congratulations Engineer Stayne and Captain Davis!
• Captain’s Academy – Fire Chief David White participated in the 29th Annual Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs Association’s Captain’s Academy as the main facilitator and presenter. The Academy, held during the week of February 22nd, is offered to prospective and new fire captains from agencies throughout Los Angeles County. It provides attendees with the unique opportunity to hear directly from many different fire chiefs on a wide range of topics.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department
• Recreation Spring Day Camp – Just 4 Kids Spring Day Camp registration began for residents on February 20th. Spring Camp will feature field trips to Discovery Cube and John’s Incredible Pizza Company. Spring Camp is held for two weeks, Monday through Friday, from March 28th to April 8th. Registration will remain open for Spring Camp enrollment until Camp begins on March 28th or until all spaces are filled.
• Recreation Spring Day Parent Orientation – Parent Orientation for Spring Camp will be held on Thursday, March 24th at the Culver City Teen Center at 6:30 pm. Parents and campers will be given a 30-minute overview presentation of the upcoming camp session. Information includes camp rules, camper conduct and discipline policy, field trip rules and payment schedules for camp.
• Culver City Home-Delivered Meal Program – The County of Los Angeles Area on Aging awarded the City of Culver City Home Delivered Meal Program the Silver Thermometer Award for meeting the highest standards in serving safe food. Additionally, two Nutrition Staff members received the Golden Apple Award, awarded for outstanding performances in completing in-service training sessions on food safety and quality. In addition, the congregate meal program at Culver City Senior Center received a score of 100% for two months in a row as determined during the monthly audits by Los Angeles County.
• Culver City Municipal Plunge – The Plunge will be closed beginning March 21st through April 10th for annual repairs and maintenance, including the much needed replacement of the pool boiler and filter tank. The City’s goal is to make the Plunge as safe as possible and provide a welcoming environment for the hundreds of patrons served each day. The Plunge will re-open for normal operating hours on Monday, April 11th.
• Veterans Memorial Complex Rental Operation – The Veterans Memorial Building (VMB) celebrates its 65th Anniversary in 2016. The building has served as a community recreation and cultural facility since its opening in March 1951. VMB has been the site of milestone family events, large exhibitions, business meetings, performances, basketball games, and classes for decades. Rooms may be booked seven days a week, and the rental staff may be reached via telephone at 310- 253-6625 or via email at [email protected].
Plans to renovate the Auditorium’s stage area with new lighting equipment continue, and donations may be made through the Culver City Cultural Affairs Foundation. Interested donors may visit the Cultural Affairs Foundation’s webpage at www.culvercity.org/enjoy/things-to-do/arts-culture/cultural-affairs-foundation.
Public Works Department
• Water Use – In response to the drought, The Los Angeles Times has established a website that allows any community to track its monthly water savings progress in addition to providing typical water use statistics by device.
To view the information, please visit the website at: graphics.latimes.com/drought-report-card/?id=1038#districtResultsMain
• Downtown Parking Meters – On February 8th, the City Council unanimously voted to extend the Downtown parking meters’ hours of operation by two hours, with the support of the Downtown Business Association. Effective Monday, March 14th, the parking meters in the Downtown area will begin operating from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday through Saturday. There were no changes made to parking meters outside of the Downtown area.
• Urban Forest Master Plan – Through a series of community meetings and working with the consultant, Artecho, the City of Culver City has developed an Urban Forest Master Plan setting forth a comprehensive vision for a robust and resilient urban forest in the City. The Plan establishes a long-term strategic framework for tree planting and species diversification over the next 50 years. This entire project was funded through grant monies from Cal Fire.
The plan will be presented to the City Council on Monday, March 28th at its regular meeting for adoption. The public will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the plan at the meeting. Also, the public is encouraged to review the draft plan prior and provide comments prior to the meeting. Comments can be emailed to [email protected]. The draft Urban Forest Master Plan is available for the public to view at the city website by clicking the link below:
www.culvercity.org/Home/Components/News/News/118/722
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