City Manager’s Bi-Weekly Report to the Community
By John Nachbar @ 2:00 PM February 06, 2012City Manager’s Office
Meetings with Legislators – Mayor Mehaul O’Leary and Councilmember Andy Weissman have met with Sen. Curren Price and Assemblymember Holly Mitchell to discuss the effects of the elimination of redevelopment on Culver City. They also have talked about legislative remedies that could mitigate the impacts. City staff will be following up with these officials’ offices to provide additional information.
In the Community – Last week I met with city staff on three separate occasions to discuss the aftermath of the Feb. 1 elimination of the Redevelopment Agency. I’ve also spoken to members of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Exchange Club where I outlined the city’s structural deficit; described recent redevelopment activities; summarized how redevelopment funds previously funded city operations; described the current early retirement incentive and the need for further reductions in the organization.
Community Development Dept.
• Capriotti's Sandwich Shop – A permit has been issued for a tenant improvement for this new restaurant, 5495 Sepulveda Blvd.
• 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 at 600 Corporate Pointe.
• Building Safety – In the first seven months of the current 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 – They 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, 11042-11056 Washington Blvd.
4436 Sepulveda Blvd. – The Planning Commission public hearing for an Administrative Site Plan Review application for a new 7-Eleven convenience store at 4436 Sepulveda was continued to the March 14 meeting.
• Hayden Tract Spur Parking Lot – Last Monday, 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.
• Related Matter – The Council approved a Purchase and Sale Agreement to purchase 180 spaces from Hackman Capital Partners in a 556- space parking structure Hackman will construct on their 8550 Higuera St./8600 Hayden Pl. campus.
• Globe Avenue – The Council, acting as the Housing Authority approved a Disposition and Development Agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles to sell the Globe 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 to Feb. 17 was approved on the sale of the property.
• Parcel B – The Council approved a Disposition and Development Agreement with Combined Properties / Hudson Pacific for redevelopment of Parcel B in front of The Culver Hotel.
• Concert Season – Vox Femina Los Angeles, a Culver City-based organization, will hold a free concert at Culver City Presbyterian Church, on the west side, on Sunday, March 18, 3 o’clock. at 3 p.m. For information on From Shakespeare to Shamrocks, see www.voxfeminla.org.
Fire Dept.
• Promotion – Firefighter/Paramedic Paul Voorhees was recently promoted to Fire Engineer. Some of Engineer Voorhees’s 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 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 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.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept.
• Administration – At a Jan.27 meeting, Parks staff and members of the Culver City Little League discussed proposed improvements at Bill Botts and other youth fields. In addition to existing improvements, drainage on Field 3 was discussed.
• Survey – A Jan. 19 meeting with the Culver City Open Space Advisory Committee, a sub-group of North East Trees, was held to discuss the community survey of park usage. It included a brainstorming session regarding ideas for additional passive park use in our community parks, funded through a grant from North East Trees. The document produced may be used to address 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 Sunday, Jan. 15. The day- included discussion panels, youth essay winners, music and a reading from the play “The Dreamers,” with peak attendance of 230 people. Mayor O’Leary and Councilmember Andy Weissman participated.
• Parks – The team of Parks and Public Works Electrical Division replaced the pump and motor to the Kaizuka Fountain and Waterwheel at the County Library Japanese Garden.
• Upgrade – 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 Rosy – Staff is looking for skilled gardeners to assist with Culver City’s rose gardens. If you’re savvy about pruning, fertilizing and dusting, staff would love to hear from you about this monthly project. Email jill.thomsen@culvercity.org
Police Dept.
• Fraud Seminar – Officers participated in the Senior Fraud Seminar held at the Senior Center on Jan. 24. 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 Dept.
• Water Main Repair –Parks Division staff observed a water main break at the intersection of Culver City Park Drive and Leash Lane on Jan. 13. This 6-inch water main line, which belongs to the city, had to be repaired immediately because it provides domestic water service for the fire hydrants and restrooms as well as irrigation service to the baseball fields and adjacent landscaping areas at the upper level of Culver City Park. John T. Malloy Inc., pipeline contractor, was hired Jan.18 to repair the 6-inch water main line. During the emergency repair work, the contractor repaired a damaged section of an existing 12-inch storm drain underneath the existing water main. Staff directed the contractor to replace threeexisting 6-inch water main valves. Due to their age, the water main valves were leaking and did not function properly. The repair work was completed last Tuesday at an estimated cost of $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. The panels can be removed for root pruning in the future and reused if necessary. The rubber panels were installed last week.
• 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 adjacent to the Expo Light Rail Transit Venice/Robertson Station. The 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.
•Pedestrian Improvements – A Notice to Proceed was issued to KOA Corp. on Jan.26 for design services for the Pedestrian Improvements at Intersections with Bus Stops. The proposed scope involves the construction of Americans with Disabilities Act 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.
Mr. Nachbar, the City Manager, may be contacted at johnnachbar@culvercity.org
