February 3, 2012

City Manager’s Office

• Meetings with Legislators – Mayor O’Leary and Councilmember Weissman have met with Senator Price and Assembly member Mitchell to discuss the effects of the elimination of redevelopment on Culver City and any legislative remedies that could mitigate the impacts. City staff will be following up with these officials’ offices to provide additional information.

• Meetings with City Staff and Community Members – This week, I met with City staff on three separate occasions to discuss the aftermath of the February 1st elimination of the Redevelopment Agency. I’ve also spoken to both members of the Chamber of Commerce and the Exchange Club. At these presentations, I have outlined the City’s structural deficit; described recent redevelopment activities; summarized how redevelopment funds previously funded city operations; and outlined the current early retirement incentive and the need for further reductions in the organization.

Community Development Department

• Capriotti's Sandwich Shop – A permit has been issued for a tenant improvement for this new restaurant located at 5495 Sepulveda Boulevard.

• Westfield Culver City - Plans have been submitted for a tenant improvement for Fanzz, a new retail store.

• Sony Pictures Entertainment – A permit has been issued to Sony Pictures for a tenant improvement to create new office spaces located at 600 Corporate Pointe.

• Building Safety Activity - In the first seven months of the current 2011-2012 fiscal year the Building Safety Division performed 5,013 inspections; issued 1,316 permits, with a construction valuation of over $31 million; and had Division revenues of $1,487,979, plus $67,820 in technology fees.

• Planning Commission – The Commission adopted a resolution recommending that the City Council approve Zoning Code Amendments regarding Residential Accessory Structures and Nonconforming Structures intended to address compatibility issues with adjoining properties. In addition, the Commission approved a Tentative Parcel Map to create individual air space lots for the Tilden Terrace Mixed Use Affordable Housing Project located at 11042-11056 Washington Boulevard.

• 4436 Sepulveda Boulevard – The Planning Commission Public Hearing for an Administrative Site Plan Review application for a new 7-Eleven convenience store at 4436 Sepulveda Boulevard was continued to the March 14, 2012 Planning Commission meeting.

• Hayden Tract Spur Parking Lot – On January 30 the City Council approved an Owner Participation Agreement with the other owners of property on the spur to develop a landscaped parking lot and sell the City’s part of the spur to the owner’s association.

• Hayden Tract Public Parking - On January 30 the City Council approved a Purchase & Sale Agreement to purchase 180 spaces from Hackman Capital Partners in a 556 space parking structure that Hackman will construct on their 8550 Higuera Street/8600 Hayden Place campus.

• Globe Avenue – On January 30 the Culver City Housing Authority approved a Disposition and Development Agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles to sell the Globe Avenue properties for the development of 10 affordable homes.

• Tilden Terrace – Pursuant to the First Amendment to Disposition and Development Agreement, an extension to close escrow was approved to February 17 on the sale of the property.

• Parcel B - On January 30 the City Council approved a Disposition and Development Agreement with Combined Properties / Hudson Pacific for redevelopment of Parcel B.

• Vox Femina Los Angeles, a Culver City-based organization, is slated to perform a free concert at Culver City Presbyterian Church, on the City’s west side, on March 18 at 3 p.m. More information on From Shakespeare to Shamrocks is available by visiting www.voxfeminla.org.

Fire Department

• Engineer’s Promotion - Firefighter/Paramedic Paul Voorhees was recently promoted to Fire Engineer. Some of Engineer Voorhees’ responsibilities include: vehicle maintenance, minor repairs and adjustments, performing all routine checks of the fire apparatus and equipment carried on the rig. As an Engineer, Paul is now tasked with having an intimate knowledge of a variety of different functions and systems of the fire apparatus along with the equipment carried. He is also responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle during routine and emergency operations. Aside from his specialized duties and responsibilities, Engineer Voorhees will participate in routine activities such as; station maintenance, fire prevention activities, pre-fire planning, hydrant service and maintenance, training, and emergency responses to fires, hazardous material incidents, technical rescues, and emergency medical responses to name a few.

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Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department

• Administration – A meeting was held on January 27 between Parks staff and members of the Culver City Little League to discuss proposed improvements at Bill Botts and other youth fields. In addition to existing improvements, areas of possible needed improvements to be addressed by the Little League pertaining to drainage on Field 3 were discussed.

A meeting with the Culver City Open Space Advisory Committee, a sub-group of North East Trees, was held on January 19 to discuss the community survey of park usage and included a brainstorming session regarding ideas for additional passive park use in our community parks. This is funded through a grant from North East Trees and the document produced may be used to address some additional park amenities in the future, pending funding sources.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Committee and staff member Arames White organized a very successful MLK Day Event at the Senior Center on January 15. The day-long event included discussion panels; youth essay winners, music and a reading from the play “The Dreamers,” with peak attendance of more than 230 people. Mayor O’Leary and Councilmember Weissman attended and participated.

• Parks – The team of Parks and Public Works Electrical Division replaced the pump and motor to the Kaizuka Fountain and Waterwheel at the LA County Library Japanese Garden.

Parks staff also installed the new booster pump at Culver City Park and repaired a break to the 6” mainline running up to the Little League fields.

Everything’s Coming Up Roses: Staff is looking for a few skilled gardeners to assist with Culver City’s beautiful rose gardens. If you’re savvy about pruning, fertilizing and dusting, staff would love to hear from you about this monthly project. Please send an email to jill.thomsen@culvercity.org or give her a call at 310-253-6722 if interested.

Police Department

• Senior Center Fraud Seminar - On January 24 Culver City Police Officers participated in the Senior Fraud Seminar held at the Senior Center. Information was presented to senior citizens to give them current crime trends that target them and how to prevent them from becoming victims.

Public Works Department

• Emergency Water Main Repair - On January 13 Parks Division staff observed a water main break at the intersection of Culver City Park Drive and Leash Lane. This 6-inch water main line, which belongs to the City, had to be repaired immediately as it provides domestic water service for the fire hydrants and restrooms as well as irrigation service to the baseball fields and adjacent landscaping areas located at the upper level of Culver City Park.

On January 18 John T. Malloy Inc., Pipeline Contractor, was hired to repair the 6-inch water main line. During the emergency repair work, the contractor also repaired a damaged section of an existing 12-inch storm drain which ran underneath the existing water main. Staff also directed the contractor to replace three existing 6-inch water main valves. Due to their age, the existing water main valves were leaking and did not function properly.

The repair work was completed on January 31. The cost of this repair work is estimated at $30,000.

• Rubber Sidewalk Installation - Public Works crews began preparing a portion of the sidewalk in front of the Municipal Plunge for installation of rubber sidewalk panels as part of a pilot project. The rubber panels are more durable than traditional concrete sidewalks since they provide more tolerance to root intrusion. Also the panels can be removed for root pruning in the future and reused if necessary. The actual rubber panels were scheduled for installation on February 2.

• Design of Robertson Boulevard Pedestrian/Transit Connection Improvements Project - A Notice to Proceed was issued to E.W. Moon of Los Angeles for design services for the Robertson Boulevard Pedestrian/Transit Connection Improvements Project, from Washington Boulevard to 100 feet south of Venice Boulevard. The project area is located adjacent to the Exposition Light Rail Transit Venice/Robertson Station. This capital improvement project includes replacing uplifted/damaged sidewalk, and placing pedestrian lighting, tree grates, street tree up lighting, and a new concrete bus pad along Robertson Boulevard.

• Design of Pedestrian Improvements at Intersections with Bus Stops - A Notice to Proceed was issued to KOA Corporation on January 26 for design services for the Pedestrian Improvements at Intersections with Bus Stops. The proposed scope involves the construction of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) curb ramps, crosswalk pavement treatments utilizing concrete brick pavers, custom delineated crosswalk markings, pavement markings, and ADA push buttons at the following eight intersections:

1. Washington Boulevard and National Boulevard

2. Sepulveda Boulevard and Washington Boulevard

3. Sepulveda Boulevard and Sawtelle Boulevard

4. Washington Boulevard and Robertson Boulevard

5. Washington Boulevard and Landmark Street

6. Washington Boulevard and Washington Place (Wade/Zanja/Rosabell)

7. Washington Boulevard and Centinela Avenue

8. Washington Boulevard and Inglewood Avenue