Community Development Dept.
Innovation Week from Friday through Oct. 22 — Economic Development staff is collaborating with the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. to bring Innovation Week to Culver City. The second annual event will feature more than 100 events throughout Los Angeles County that highlight innovative and creative enterprises. See http://www.innovate.la/.
The following events are confirmed:
Friday, Oct. 9 – NextSpace (co-working space) (12 noon to 3)
Tuesday, Oct. 13 – Ehrlich Architects (architecture) (5 to 7 p.m.)
Wednesday, Oct. 21 – 8i (virtual reality/3D video) (5 to 7 p.m.)
Business Outreach Visitation — Economic Development staff conducted a business outreach visitation with 8i, a virtual reality company that has recently located to Culver City. 8i is transforming conventional communication by converting standard digital videos into vivid 3D video that immerses users into the video or game with realistic imagery and movement.
Washington-National Transit Oriented Development Project — The city has executed a second amendment to the implementation agreement between the city and the developer to allow additional time for environmental remediation at the project site. The city continues to work with the developer’s environmental team, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and Alpha Environmental to complete the environmental remediation work at 8801 Washington Blvd. The environmental consultant performing the remediation is commencing the final soil samplings and is preparing to submit a closure request to the Water Board.
Parking Structure Contract – The city will evaluate the contract renewal for pressure washing and miscellaneous janitorial services for the three Downtown parking structures. The current service contract expires on Dec. 31.
Washington-Centinela – The city hosted a meeting with the developer and its traffic consultant to discuss the plans, newsletter, public meetings and offsite improvements for this project. The city is drafting a reciprocal easement agreement, parking license agreement, and construction contract for the project. The developer is now working to complete the tasks required pursuant to the 11th implementation agreement.
Hayden Tract Spur – The city has issued a Notice to Proceed to KOA/CBM for design of the Hayden Tract Spur parking lot project.
Block Grant — The city will host a planning meeting with Community Development Block Grant administration staff on Oct. 21 to identify the city’s Block Grant funds allocations for fiscal year 2016/2017. Staff is preparing for departmental project funding requests and the annual Block Grant Advisory Committee meeting for fiscal year 2016/2017. Staff also is drafting its program guideline.
Long Range Property Management — The city is working to transfer all eligible former Redevelopment Agency properties to the city pursuant to the Long Range Property Management Plan, approved by the state Dept. of Finance, March 18, 2014, including the following properties:
Kirk Douglas Theatre: The city is prepared to transfer this property from the Successor Agency to the city.
Ivy Substation: The city is preparing to transfer the lease with the city of Los Angeles from the Successor Agency to the city.
Media Park: The city is preparing to transfer the lease with the city of Los Angeles for the Media Park property from the Successor Agency to the city.
Cardiff Parking Structure: The city is transferring this parking structure from the Parking Authority back to Successor Agency by order of the state controller. The property then will be transferred from Successor Agency to the city.
3433 Wesley St.: The city will convey the property to the adjacent owner pursuant to a purchase-and- sale agreement recently executed. Escrow has been opened.
WE-606: The city has executed documents to effectuate the conveyance of a portion of the 3433 Wesley property known as WE-606 to the city for use as public roadway. The transfer documents must now be recorded.
Businesses in the News –
NFL Network and Snapchat sign content deal to broadcast user images of all 32 NFL Teams (USA Today, Sept. 17)
Original Force Animation in Culver City aims to tap into vast Chinese box office (L.A. Times, Sept. 17)
Weekend All Things Considered’ leaving LA so soon. (L.A. Observed, Sept. 18)
Symantec – A final building inspection was completed by the Building Safety Division for a 1,125- square foot tenant improvement to demolish a non-load bearing demising wall (or partition wall) between two conference rooms to create one large conference room and construct new walls to create a data room within the existing space of a building at 800 Corporate Pte.
Jesuit Novitiate – A final building inspection was completed by the Building Safety Division for the demolition of an existing chapel, construction of a new 1,660-square foot chapel, the construction of a new 3,540-square foot two-story residence with 11 bedrooms, two bathrooms, one laundry area, one common room, and a 1,200-square foot basement area at 10775 Deshire Pl.
HOK – A final building inspection was completed by the Building Safety Division for a 3,800-square foot tenant improvement, which removes walls and opens up an existing commercial office space at 9530 Jefferson Blvd.
Nantworks – The Building Safety Division issued a building permit for a 14,192-square foot tenant improvement to add partitions and plumbing, at 9922 Jefferson Blvd.
Nantworks – Building plans were submitted for a tenant improvement to build a new conference room in an open office area, and a new partition wall in an existing office, at 9920 Jefferson Blvd.
Ubisoft – Building plans were submitted for a 2,982-square foot tenant improvement for demising space, and new non-load bearing partitions at 5844 Perry Dr.
Stride Rite – The Building Safety Division issued a building permit for a 1,831-square foot tenant improvement to an existing retail store at Westfield Culver City.
Target – Building plans were submitted for a 27,450-square foot tenant improvement to update finishes, lighting, and flooring, also at Westfield Culver City.
Sony Pictures Entertainment – A final building inspection was completed by the Building Safety Division for the Lean Building Center office reconfiguration of wall partitions, new doors, new lighting, and new windows at 10202 Washington Blvd.
Sweetgreen – Building plans were approved for a 7,523-square foot tenant improvement for office space at 8840 Washington Blvd.
Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream – Building plans were approved on for a new ice cream and coffee shop, at 8810 Washington Blvd. (The Platform)
CD Network – Building plans were submitted for a 1,507-square foot tenant improvement to retail space, at 8810 Washington Blvd. (The Platform)
Fire Dept.
Strike Team Deployment – On Sept. 11, Engine 3 deployed to assist with the Butte Fire in Northern California. For a week, crews helped with containment lines and provided structure protection.
Teale Fire – All department units responded to a three-story commercial building fire on Sept. 19 at 11869 Teale St., just south of Culver City’s jurisdiction in Playa Vista.
Fire Prevention Week Starts Sunday – Location matters when it comes to smoke alarms. That is the message behind the Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm.” For fire prevention tips, see culvercity.org/fire or firepreventionweek.org.
Department staff will be at the Downtown Farmers’ Market next Tuesday from 3:30 to 5:30 pm to answer questions about fire prevention.
Going Pink – During October, firefighters again will be wearing pink to support those whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer. Readers may join them a by purchasing a Fire Dept. breast cancer awareness tee-shirt. Beginning Thursday, pink tee-shirts in men’s and women’s sizes will be available at Fire Station 1, 9600 Culver Blvd., for $15 each. One hundred percent 1of the sales proceeds will go directly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Performing Arts Grant Program – Nineteen applications were received for the Performing Arts Grant Program. The Peer Review Panel will meet in October, and the Cultural Affairs Commission will review the recommendations in November. The City Council will provide the final review and approval in December.
Volunteer Opportunities — There are many upcoming volunteer opportunities. Contact Jill Thomsen. 310.253.6722 or email her at jill.thomsen@culvercity.org Opportunities include the Audubon Society Kenneth Hahn Education Program annual training, which begins Friday, basketball coaches helping in the evening for the Mar Vista Gardens Boys & Girls Club, and assistance with the School District’s Backpacks for Kids program on Friday mornings from 8 to 9:30.
Attn., Senior Citizens – Zumbathon will take place on Friday, Oc. 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 at the Vets Auditorium. Tickets may be purchased for $10 in advance and for $15 at the door. The event is open to the public ages 18 and older. Proceeds will benefit the Culver City Senior Citizens Assn. in its ongoing support of senior and social programs.
Flu Clinic –The Flu Clinic will be held Wednesday, Oct.28, 9 to 11 at the Vets Auditorium.
New Member – LaSheryl Hood, a masters in social work student at USC, has joined the Senior Center staff. She will be doing her field study over the coming year. Her hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 to 3, and Thursdays, 9 to 1.
Police Dept.
Seven New Employees — The department is has hired five new recruits, one communications operator and one records technician. The recruits started the Sheriff’s Dept. Academy 10 days ago for 22 weeks.
Public Works Dept.
Rain Garden Project – The department has completed the Lindblade Demonstration Rain Garden Project. A rain garden is a swale designed to capture and infiltrate storm water and urban runoff from nearby impervious surfaces. The rain garden was constructed in the parkway on the south side of Lindblade Street just east of Sepulveda Boulevard.
The rain garden was constructed to capture roof storm water runoff from the adjacent commercial property building at 4346-4352 Sepulveda Blvd., with a roof area of 5,800 square feet. The new underground drain system was constructed to divert all the roof runoff from existing downspouts into an infiltration gallery under the rain garden into the parkway. The infiltration gallery consist of ½” rock section (3.5’ depth x 5’ width, 42’ length) wrapped with geotextile fabric with perforated pipe installed along the entire length to help distribute the run-off evenly through the sub-grade. The rain garden was landscaped with native and drought tolerant plants that included a drip irrigation system for plant establishment and for the lengthy dry season.
A month ago, Public Works coordinated a community planting event with the help of environmental groups and the West Basin Municipal Water District. The success of the planting events was largely due to the participation and effort of various individuals and groups. Eighteen people attended, including City Councilman Jeff Cooper, Albert Vera Jr, Public Works Director Charles Herbertson, Chamber of Commerce representative Goran Eriksson, members of the Surf Rider Foundation, West Basin staff, local residents and Public Works staff.
This rain garden project helps minimize the storm water runoff that would have flowed onto the alley, curb gutter, and streets. Water flowing across impervious surfaces can potentially pick-up pollutants, such as metals and bacteria, on its way to the storm drain system that eventually empties into Ballona Creek.
International Walk to School Day – Culver City will join schools from around the world to participate in International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Forty-five hundred students from all elementary schools and the Middle School will be walking and rolling along with parents, teachers and community leaders, celebrating the benefits of active transportation.
Each event is slightly different, but in general school activities will begin at 8 a.m., with kids, parents and community leaders walking from meetup sites throughout Culver City. Walkers and bicyclists will arrive at the school by 8:30. Other special activities associated with the walk include welcome tables with free goodies for the kids and possibly even a raffle.
Walk to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling. They emphasize the importance of increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment.
The event is being organized by the Culver City Walk & Rollers as part of the Culver City Safe Routes to School Program. The citywide program encourages children to walk, bike, skate, scoot and carpool to school more often.
Culver City Safe Routes to School coordinator Jim Shanman may be contacted at 310.869.3723.
City Hall Reduces Energy Use – City Hall’s energy consumption in August was 16 percent lower than last year. compared This is the result of energy efficiency projects installed early this year.
Charging Station Launched – The city launched its Employee Electric Vehicle Charge-at-Work program last week. Eight electric vehicle and six plug-in hybrid charging stations available at City Hall. One additional electric vehicle charging station for public use has been installed in the City Hall’s visitors parking area along with three public charging stations in the city’s Ince Parking Structure that will become operational in October. The PlugShare smart phone app will list the public locations along with their availability.
Coastal Cleanup Day – There were 316 volunteers who joined a successful Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, Sept. 19.
This annual California event is part of the International Coastal Cleanup organized by Ocean Conservancy. Californians turned out by the tens of thousands to clean up beaches and inland waterways at the 31st annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, the state’s largest volunteer event. Volunteers at nearly 900 sites in 54 counties across the state collected hundreds of tons of trash during three-hour event. Cleanups took place at beaches, creeks, rivers, and lakes from Mexico to the Oregon border.
With 75 percent of the cleanup sites reporting, the statewide count stands at 53,555 volunteers. Those volunteers picked up 548,450 pounds of trash and an additional 65,738 pounds of recyclable materials, for a total of 614,188 pounds or 307 tons. Culver City proudly contributed the effort collecting the following amounts:
- Sepulveda Boulevard: 137 pounds of trash
- Overland Avenue: 239 pounds of trash, 678 pounds of green waste, 116 pounds of recyclable material
- Duquesne Avenue: 94 pounds of trash
- Jefferson Boulevard: 180 pounds of trash
- Syd Kronenthal Park: 150 pounds of trash
- Bulk truck in the Creek: 120 pounds of trash
*The street sweeper brought in 840 pounds, including wet debris weight.
For cleanup events, see http://www.ballonacreek.org
Construction Notice – A construction contract has been awarded for a street lighting improvement project in the following areas:
Washington Boulevard (Centinela Avenue to Inglewood Avenue)
Washington Boulevard (Berryman Avenue to Sepulveda Boulevard)
Washington Place (Zanja Avenue to Centinela Avenue)
The work is scheduled to begin in October and to be completed in January. This project consists of the following improvements:
Replacement and upgrade of the existing streetlight system, which will include installation of new conduits, wiring, and the removal and replacement of existing streetlight poles with new concrete streetlight poles and new energy efficient induction streetlight fixtures. In addition, some existing streetlight poles will be retrofitted with new induction streetlight fixtures.
Due to the construction, people in the immediate vicinity may experience certain temporary inconveniences such as day-time construction noise and dust even though efforts will be made to minimize inconveniences.
Construction Updates
Washington Boulevard between National Boulevard and Wesley Street and National Boulevard between Washington Boulevard and Wesley Street will have intermittent lane closures in both directions for concrete work, traffic signal and street lighting relocation, and asphalt paving. The work will continue for the next several weeks.
Washington Boulevard will have intermittent lane closures between Landmark Street and Higuera Street for planting of new street trees. The work will continue for two weeks.
Golden State Water Co. is still working on Vera Way between Sepulveda Boulevard and Malat Way to complete the replacement of the water main. The next area for water main replacement will be on Playa Street between Hannum Avenue and Sepulveda Boulevard. There will be lane closures.
Transportation Dept.
New Grant Awards — The Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee and the South Coast Air Quality Management District approved grant awards totaling $246,000 to Culver City. Funding will be used to assist with the purchase of seven heavy-duty natural gas vehicles and the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the Transportation Facility.
Clean transportation funding through the Local Government Match Program is available to cities and counties within the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Since 2002, Culver City has been awarded $2.5 million in grant funds for the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles and associated clean air projects.
TAP Card News – Culver CityBus joined Los Angeles County’s 26 public transit agencies at a press conference to announce that in a historic first, commuters can now use the same TAP card to pay the fare on buses or trains operated by any agency, creating the largest seamless transportation system in the country.
Transportation Director Art Ida addressed the crowd in his capacity as the Chair of the Los Angeles County Municipal Operators Assn., representing 16 municipal transit operators and Access Services, Los Angeles County’s ADA Paratransit provider. “The birth of seamless fare began when we all partnered together to introduce the easy transit pass which allowed seamless travel on Metro and 11 municipal bus operators,” Mr. Ida said. “We have brought everyone into the fold.”
The TAP card serves as universal fare media for the entire region. Additionally, the TAP card has an embedded computer chip and can be reloaded and reused for up to a decade. Once registered at www.taptogo.net, lost or stolen TAP cards can be replaced along with any remaining cash value.
Mr. Nachbar, the city manager, may be contacted at john.nachbar@culvercity.org