By John Nachbar

City Manager

City Manager’s Office

• Los Angeles Mayors Convening – On May 4 the City Council, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Sony Pictures Entertainment welcomed a group of Los Angeles-area Mayors who regularly gather to discuss issues of regional significance. The group is pictured below beneath the Sony Rainbow.

Mayor Micheál O’Leary, Mayor Garcetti, and Keith Weaver, Executive Vice President, Global Policy and External Affairs of Sony Pictures Entertainment were on hand to kick off the event. Councilmember Meghan Sahli-Wells gave a presentation on Urban Runoff and the municipal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit.

This month’s Mayors Convening program also included a discussion led by Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s (LAHSA) Executive Director Peter Lynn regarding a regional approach to housing Veterans. Zach Olmstead, with State Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins’ office, presented information about the State’s response to the Affordable Housing crisis. Additionally, Felicia Marcus, Chair of State Water Resources Control Board, spoke about the Governor’s Executive Order on Mandatory Water Restrictions. All in all, the event was considered to be a huge success.

• The Culver City Cultural Affairs Foundation Presents its 3rd architectureTALKS Fundraiser: an immersive experience into the creative design environment of wHY on June 7th – This event invites guests into the creative environment at wHY, one of the region’s most in-demand architecture and design firms, based in Culver City. Thomas Aujero Small, architectural writer and Culver City Cultural Affairs Commissioner, will give a behind-the-scenes look into the creative process at wHY. Further, Kulapat Yantrasast, Founding Partner and Creative Director of wHY, will discuss how wHY enriches projects through design conversations and establishes new ideas through four workshops – buildings, grounds, objects and ideas, measuring success through impact on the environment, adaptability, and usability rather than a specific style or image.

This intimate event will allow guests to sit at the desks of various experts -- artists, civic leaders, designers and curators -- and be completely immersed in the design environment. This discussion, which will focus on how architecture and design serve people in the 21st Century, will be presented alongside the firm’s recent work including Pomona College’s new Studio Art Hall, the Samurai exhibition at LACMA (both pictured below), Project 120 in Chicago, as well as other local, national and international projects. The June 7 event will take place from 2 pm to 4 at 9520 Jefferson Boulevard and costs $35. per person. Admission is tax deductible with proceeds benefiting the technical enhancement of the community’s Veterans Memorial Building Auditorium. Parking is available in the wHY parking lot and along Jefferson Boulevard. To purchase tickets, please visit https://architectureTALKS-wHY.eventbrite.com.

architectureTALKS is a series of conversations presented by internationally renowned professionals based in Culver City. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit technical enhancements (lighting, sound, and projection equipment) for the Veterans Memorial Auditorium, with the intent of increasing public performances and film screenings at that venue.

City Clerk’s Office

• Taste of the Nation – This annual culinary fundraising event will take place in downtown Culver City at Media Park on Sunday, June 7 between 1 pm and 4. (VIP tickets allow entry ½ hour earlier.) Featuring tastings from over 40 of the region’s top chefs who donate their time, talent, and passion to end childhood hunger in America, this event is produced by Share our Strength and is co-sponsored by the City of Culver City. Please note that Media Park and Canfield Avenue (between Venice and Culver Boulevards) will be closed from Saturday, June 6 at 7 am to Sunday, June 7 at 10 pm. For more information and to buy tickets, please go to http://ce.strength.org/losangeles

Community Development

• TEDx Culver City - TEDx CulverCity will host its 2nd annual conference on June 13. The “Ideas in Motion” Conference will take place at the Ivy Substation from 1 pm to 5. More information can be found at http://www.TEDxCulverCity.com.

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• The Flame Broiler – Tenant Improvements are now complete on a new restaurant located at 10758 Jefferson Boulevard at Overland Avenue.

• Westfield Culver City – Splash Fruit has submitted plans for a new kiosk at Westfield Culver City.

• Chop Daddy’s – The Building Safety Division issued a Building Permit for tenant improvements for a new southern barbeque restaurant at 9552 Washington Boulevard.

• Lodge Bread Company – Tenant Improvement Plans have been submitted for a new retail bakery at 8820 Washington Boulevard. Lodge Bread Co.’s bread is baked in the style of San Franciscan sourdough.

• Juice Served Here – This retailer has submitted tenant improvement plans a new pre-packaged juice store at 8830 Washington Boulevard, as part of the Platform project, near the Transit Oriented Development.

• Blue Bottle Coffee Company – Plans submitted for a new coffee shop also located at 8830 Washington Boulevard. Blue Bottle Coffee Company is a coffee roaster and retailer headquartered in Oakland, California. This company focuses on single-origin beans.

• Downtown Business Association Maintenance Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Management – The City’s MOU with the Downtown Business Association for Downtown Maintenance for Fiscal Year 2015/2016 was approved by the City Council on May 11.

• Business Retention Program – In October 2014, Economic Development staff began implementing the Business Retention Program pursuant to the City’s Economic Development Plan. As part of the program, staff utilizes software to determine which Culver City businesses have leases nearing expiration, and then contacts the businesses to determine which businesses are renewing their leases and staying within Culver City boundaries, and which businesses are leaving Culver City. Staff will be creating and maintaining a “community bulletin board”, which will function as a repository for available space and interested businesses. The bulletin board will be promoted via the City’s website, the Chamber of Commerce, and at the City’s Business Tax counter.

• Sāmbār – Sāmbār, the newest restaurant opened by Akasha Richmond and Alan Shulman in the former Ford’s Filling Station building, is planning to open over the next week and will offer healthy Indian-influenced cuisine.

• “Now Open” New Business Banner Program – The Economic Development Division and the Culver City Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) are launching a new marketing program intended to improve the awareness and patronage of businesses that have recently opened in Culver City (within 90 days), via the display of a pre-approved temporary banners. New businesses interested in participating in this free program may call the Chamber office at 310-287-3850.

• Arts District Summer Crawl – The Culver City Arts District invites the community to come and explore their unique collection of galleries, restaurants and specialty retail on June 20, from 3 pm to 6. This event is a casual, self-guided tour of the District, and galleries will feature works from new and distinguished artists. To learn more about the Culver City Arts District, visit http://culvercityartsdistrict.com/.

• “Active Projects in the City” Map – The Community Development and Information Technology departments have developed an interactive development map noting all new development/discretionary projects in the City. The map is divided into three categories based on the City’s process: “Submitted/Under Review”, “Approved/Entitled” and “Under Construction.” The map also allows users to click on a project and learn more about the status, size and type of project and to contact a Planner for addition information. Feel free to start using the interactive maps by going to http://www.culvercity.org/ccprojects/index.html.

Parks, Recreation and Community Services

• Veterans Memorial Complex – The VMC Rental Office has increased its staff by adding a third Administrative Clerk to the operation! In the near future, this will enable the Rental Office to open for extended weeknight hours and on Saturdays.

• Veterans Memorial Building Activities – The Angel City Derby Girls roller derby team returns to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium on May 30. More information is available at http://angelcityderby.com/.

• The Americans with Disabilities Act’s (ADA) 25th Anniversary – Save the date! Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Sunday, June 14 at 4:30 pm at the Culver City Senior Center. This landmark legislation was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and ushered in civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities. The event will feature a performance, “Dancing through Parkinson’s”. Guests will be also able to view a screening of the documentary short film “Case for a Cure”. There will be a Question and Answer session with a panel of experts – as well as resource tables from local health and disability organizations, free appetizers and beverages, and a special ADA25 giveaway item. The event is free of charge and open to the public.

• The Culver Volunteer Program – Beginning this month, Culver City RSVP is now referred to as The Culver City Volunteer program! We are excited to begin this new chapter in this highly successful program. In recent weeks the Culver City Volunteer Program was happy to assist with recruiting volunteers for coverage during the employee appreciation luau, the Exchange Club’s annual Classic car show and the Culver City Bicycle Count.

Volunteering within Culver City is a highly rewarding experience. Participants have fun and meet new people, all while participating in the world around us in a very meaningful way. There’s a deep tradition in Culver City of volunteering and donating to those in need and to the city as a whole and that caring spirit creates a strong community that benefits everyone. For information on how you can participate in the Culver City Volunteer Program, please contact Jill S. Thomsen at 310-253-6722 or by email at jill.thomsen@culvercity.org.

Police Department

• Police Department Personnel Participate in National Bike to School Day - On May 6, in partnership with Jim Shanman, Culver City Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Culver City Police Officers worked with parents and children taking a short walk/bike/skate to school. Important lessons such as stopping at curbs, crossing at corners, looking in all directions, being respectful to neighbors and what to do in an emergency were highlighted.

• Coffee with A Cop - On Wednesday May 6 the Culver City Police Department hosted a Coffee with a Cop event at the Starbucks located at 9718 Washington Boulevard. Many community members came together for casual conversation over a cup of coffee. It was a great opportunity for the men and women of the Police Department to connect with members of our community.

• Police Recruits Graduate from LASD Academy Class #405 - The Police Department welcomes Police Officers Juan Hernandez, Marissa Yabko, and Thomas Call, who graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy Class #405 on May 7.

Public Works Department

• Golden State Water Community Meeting: Mandatory Water Restrictions –

Golden State Water Company (GSWC) will host a public meeting to help customers understand the changes in mandatory water use restrictions, associated enforcement mechanisms, and information on conservation rebates, programs, and other tools GSWC offers to help customers reduce their water use. This meeting will take place on Friday, May 29 at 6 pm in the Veterans Memorial Complex – Rotunda Room, 4117 Overland Avenue.

(Photo courtesy of National Public Radio)

If you need additional information, visit http://www.gswater.com or call GSWC Customer Service at 800-999-4033, TTY 877-933-9533, 24-hours a day.

Proposed Water Restriction Update in Culver City – At the June 22 City Council Meeting, the City Council will consider authorizing the implementation of Level 2 Water Restrictions per the Culver City Municipal Code. The City Council staff report will be available for viewing on the City’s website (www.culvercity.org) on or after June 18 or at the City Hall Engineering Division, 9770 Culver Boulevard or the Julian Dixon Library, 4975 Overland Avenue. Persons unable to attend the meeting but who wish to submit written comments may do so by any of the following means to the City Clerk’s Office, BEFORE 5:30 pm on June 22:

1. By Letter addressed to: (Culver City City Hall, Public Works Department, 9770 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232);

2. By Fax to 310-253-5626

3. By e-mailing Rudolph.Galindo@culvercity.org or

4. By calling Mr. Galindo at 310-253-5618

• Culver City Connect App: You Can Report Water Waste on your Smart Phone – You can report Water Waste Issues through the GoRequest Application on your smart phone. Search for “Culver City Connect” to download the application, which then provides you the option to take photos and report any violations of the City’s Water Conservation Ordinance. You may also report violations online at http://user.govoutreach.com/culvercity/.

For more information about water restrictions and resources in Culver City, please visit:

http://www.culvercity.org/en/Government/PublicWorks/EnvironmentalPrograms/WaterConservation

• Utility Service Line Warranty Program Launch –The City Council approved an agreement with Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA) to sell warranties to Culver City residential property owners to cover the cost to repair or replace their utility service lines. SLWA has entered into agreements with Culver City based plumbers and contractors to perform the repair work. A public notice announcing the new program and answering frequently asked questions has been approved and mailed out.

• Energy Efficiency Programs – In the past two weeks, 642 fluorescent light fixtures were replaced with energy efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures at City Hall. One of the new fixtures is pictured below:

The replacements of the light fixtures are part of an energy efficiency program that, when completed at the end of this year, will save nearly $1.8 million over the 12-year life of the project. Compared with April of last year, City Hall has decreased its energy use by 10%.

• Annual Alley Maintenance to Begin – Alley maintenance will begin on Monday, July 6. Staff mailed notifications to those who own property adjacent to public alleys requiring them to begin clearing away any vegetation and landscape that overhangs or protrudes into the alley prior to the Public Works Department beginning its annual alley maintenance. The alley maintenance consists of cutting down weeds, collecting abandoned items, grading unpaved alleys, and filling potholes in paved alleys.

• Higuera Bridge Temporary Street Closure – The Higuera Street Bridge will be temporarily closed from June 1 through 5. The bridge is currently being assessed for complete removal and replacement. The temporary closure is necessary in order to undergo testing and observation in order to accommodate the design of the new structure. Construction is scheduled to start in spring 2016. Notifications were mailed out to the Hayden Tract and neighboring areas the week of May 18.

• Sewer Main Rehabilitation Project (Phase 4) Update – This project is approximately 25% complete and is on schedule for final completion by the end of 2015. To date, the contractor (Southwest Pipeline & Trenchless Corp.) has cleaned nine miles and installed four miles of liner as part of project. In the coming months, the contractor will continue to clean the existing aging sewer mains and install trenchless liner in the remaining project areas.

Detailed project information and weekly updates can be found at the following link: http://www.culvercity.org/Articles/SewerProject

• Public Works Receives Grant from the Senior Center Association – The Public Works Department has received a $10,000 grant from the Senior Center Association, which will help fund the replacement of a new slurry seal coat on the Senior Center Parking Lot. “Guard Top”, asphalt sealer, will be installed on the parking lot. This project includes skin patching about 2,000 square feet of broken asphalt areas and the restriping of parking stalls. An asphalt skin patch is essentially a thin layer of asphalt that is spread out and rolled over a distressed asphalt surface, as a way to temporarily keep the asphalt from cracking or breaking any further. This $26,000 project is estimated to begin in the next few weeks.

• Construction Updates

1. Southern California Edison will continue working on Windsor Way between Canterbury Drive and Buckingham Parkway to remove an existing deteriorated underground vault and replace it with a new one. This project is expected to be completed by June 12.

2. AT&T is installing a new fiber optic line on Uplander Way, south of Bristol Parkway. This work should be completed by May 29.

Transportation Department

• Culver CityBus Limited 1 Summer-Only Service - Culver CityBus will operate its Limited 1 Summer-Only Service on Washington Boulevard from June 6 through September 7. This service will operate every 20-25 minutes between approximately Noon to 8 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays and will run primarily along the same route as Line 1. This route (pictured below) will service major Line 1 stops from West Los Angeles Transit Center to the Expo Culver City Station, downtown Culver City, and Venice Beach. For more information, please visit http://www.culvercitybus.com or call 310-253-6500.