City Manager's Bi-Weekly Update to the Community
By John Nachbar @ 7:00 AM September 07, 2010City Manager’s Office
Staff Kicks Off Review of Internal Business Processes — The City Council may be aware that a number of business processes used by the city can trace their origins to provisions in the Municipal Code or practices that are decades old. On Thursday, Aug. 26, staff began a review of the city’s internal business processes to find ways to modernize and improve the way we conduct routine business at City Hall. The meeting was attended by approximately 80 city employees from all departments and bargaining groups. The process is expected to take several months to complete. Ultimately, the various staff working groups created as part of this process will review all major functions of the city (for example: permit processing, document management, electronic payments, etc) and make recommendations to me. My goal is that the outcomes of this process will be reflected in improving services while reducing costs. I will keep the City Council aware of our progress.
Community Development Dept.
Area Improvement Plan, Phase I Construction — Construction is well underway for the West Washington Area Improvement Plan median project. The department of Water and Power is scheduled to install the water meter this week, and planting will begin shortly thereafter. The project is ahead of schedule.
New Petco Store – Petco has submitted plans for a new 5,035- square foot Tenant Improvement for a new store, 13411 Washington Blvd.
American Eagle Outfitters —This store has submitted plans for a 5,198-square foot tenant improvement at Westfield Culver City
Advisory Committee on Redevelopment (ACOR) — A discussion of improvements to the Sepulveda Boulevard neighborhood between Franklin Avenue and Culver Boulevard took place last Thursday.
Performing Arts Grants — Staff assisted in the promotion of the performances for grantees “Contra Tiempo” and Culver City Public Theatre. Staff continued offering venue advice to interested applicants. Grant applications are due today.
Comprehensive Housing Strategy (CHS)/Globe Demolition (4044-4068 Globe Avenue) – The abatement of hazardous materials was concluded on Aug. 23. As of Aug. 30, four of the six homes have been demolished and the contractor has begun removal of the material. Staff monitors the site on a daily basis and is in daily contact with the contractor.
CHS/Bridge Housing – Housing met on Aug. 26 with Bridge Housing to discuss a proposed senior housing project. Bridge Housing has already started community outreach with the surround neighborhood. Bridge Housing was instructed by staff to submit a formal proposal with concept drawing and a pro forma.
CHS/Pleasantview Site (11054-11056 West Washington Blvd.) – Los Angeles Housing Partnership (LAHP) is in the process of conducting community outreach regarding the proposed mixed-use development. Staff provided LAHP with outreach ratios and mailing labels. The tentative date for the first outreach meeting is Sept. 16. Housing staff has instructed LAHP to provide a timeline outlining all their outreach activities. Housing and Redevelopment staff will tour several LAHP projects on Sept. 17.
Globe Request for Proposal (RFP) — The final draft of the Globe RFP is due to the CDD Director the week of Sept. 13. The RFP is projected to be transmitted to various developers in early October.
Homeless Services/Winter Shelter Program (WSP) at the Armory – On Aug. 25, Housing met with Parks and Recreation and the Assistant City Manager to discuss the future use of the National Guard Armory to house the WSP during the months of November through March. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) has stated there will be a budget shortfall this WSP season due to reduced state funding. As a result, LAHSA may seek financial assistance or reduce the shelter season by 2 or 3 weeks.
Police Dept.
New Technology — The Police Dept. has completed the installation of the new Mobile Data Computers (MCD) in the department’s marked vehicles. The mobile computers will help make the officers more efficient in the field. The system will allow them access to information that was previously transmitted over the radio. The department’s Computer Service Unit is also in the process of helping install the MDC’s in the Fire Dept. vehicles.
Juvenile Diversion Program — The Juvenile Diversion begins its 20th year, and last Thursday, the department began its new Juvenile Diversion class for the fall with 30 new students. They will learn the importance of teamwork, self-esteem, and developing their inter-personal skills. The program runs for 16 weeks and includes the participants’ parents.
Fiesta La Ballona — On Saturday, Aug. 28, the department’s K-9 units put on their annual demonstrations for the festival. As usual the department’s K-9’s were a public favorite. The community has an opportunity to see how important the K-9’s are for public safety.
Police and Fire departments’ Sept. 11 Memorial Event — The Police and Fire departments will hold a commemorative memorial service for the tragic events of Sept. 11, on Saturday, starting at 6:45 a.m., in front of the Police Station. The service will honor the men and women who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks and remember their sacrifices.
Public Works Dept.
Coastal Cleanup Day, Sept. 25 — This year, as in previous years, Culver City hosts three of the 60 Coastal Cleanup Day sites throughout Los Angeles County that will help to educate the public on the issue of trash that is being deposited into the waterways. Countywide in 2009, over 14,000 volunteers came out and picked up over 300,000 pounds of trash. In Culver City, more than 400 volunteers collected several tons of debris. On Saturday, Sept. 25, , the city will host another Coastal Cleanup Day with help from the community. Ballona Creek Renaissance, Echo Horizon School, Kiwani, and Willows School will be hosting with the city along the Ballona Creek bike path from Duquesne Avenue to Sepulveda Boulevard.
http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/ccd.html or http://www.healthebay.org/volunteer/ccd/2010/default.asp
Street Paving – An asphalt repaving project is scheduled to begin on Monday and will be completed by mid-October. A detailed schedule will be released in a subsequent bi-weekly report. Staff sent correspondence to all residents and businesses adjacent to each street that will be re-paved during the week of Aug. 30. Another mailer will be sent with a detailed construction schedule. This project uses state and city funds.
Traffic Signal Synchronization — The department is in the process of implementing a Traffic Light Synchronization Project (TLSP), funded largely with a $440,000 Prop. 1B grant. The necessary vehicle, pedestrian and truck data has been collected, and the project is currently under development, with an expected completion date of January. The TLSP will synchronize traffic signals throughout the city and incorporate new standards for walk times and bicycle detection, which should improve non-motorized as well as motorized movement in the city. The TLSP comes on the heels of the creation of a new Traffic Control System, recently completed.
Green Communities Challenge — Last year, Culver City was selected as one of the first 10 cities to participate in the California Green Communities Challenge. Sponsored by Southern California Edison, the Environmental Media Association, Green Seal and the Institute for Local Government, the Challenge is an innovative environmental recognition program that encourages participating cities to make progress in 10 environmental challenge areas. Currently, Public Works is in the process of coordinating with other city departments to develop an Action Plan outlining the steps the city plans to take in the challenge areas. The Challenge will result in highlights of the participating cities and their Action Plans with the creation of a website (http://www.cagreencom.org/) and the publication of a full-page advertisement, in the September issue of Western City magazine.
Mr. Nachbar may be contacted at john.nachbar@culvercity.org
