City Manager’s Bi-Weekly Update to the Community

John NachbarNewsLeave a Comment

Culver City
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

City Manager’s Office

Communication System

Mayor Jim Clarke, Fire Chief Dave White and staff participated the Interagency Communication Interoperability System  Strategic Planning Session in Glendale.  ICI is a shared radio system with components purchased and constructed by individual cities and linked together through a microwave network to provide regional coverage.  Each city maintains its own network components. The ICI System is approaching several significant milestones in its regional build-out.  With the addition of its 11th and 12th system cells in Santa Monica and Torrance/South Bay and the enhancement of existing cells in strategic locations, the ICI System Network blankets the entire region with resilient radio communications coverage and capacity.

Earthquake Preparedness

City Councilperson  Meghan Sahli-Wells, Building and Safety Director Craig Johnson, Assistant to the City Manager Shelly Wolfberg, and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Christine Parra attended an Earthquake Preparedness Initiative Workshop offered by the Southern California Assn. of Governments. The new initiative is intended to help cities and counties protect Southern California communities and economies from the disruption of a major earthquake. S

Ridley-Thomas Staff Visits

State Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas’s District Director Steve Kang and Communications Director Jade Stevens met with Mayor Clarke and staff to discuss the City Council’s legislative and policy platform.  The visitors shared information about legislation pertaining to the Utility Users Tax, single gender education and homelessness.

Affordable Housing Conversation

On a recent Saturday morning, 76 community members along with Mayor Clarke, Councilmembers  Thomas Small, and Meghan Sahli-Wells and the Committee on Homelessness participated in a World Café-style discussion on affordable housing.  Judy Scott, former Landlord Tenant Mediation Board Chairperson, Booker Pearson, founding board member of Upward Bound House and Craig Knight, Guild GC, served as panelists.  They discussed local mechanisms to create affordable housing opportunities, addressing homelessness, and expansion of the role of the Landlord Tenant Mediation Board.

Screenland 5K

The city is cosponsoring the Screenland 5K, Sunday, Feb. 26 throughout Downtown.  www.screenland5K.com

 

Community Development

Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams

Economic Development announces the opening of Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams, 12550 W. Washington Blvd.

Symantec Corporation

Building plans have been submitted for a 55,000-square foot tenant improvement with new load bearing partitions, finishes, and millwork at 900 Corporate Pointe.

Culver City Transfer Station

A building permit was issued to demolish the existing restrooms and a locker room, and reconfigure the layout to create a new men’s restroom and locker room at 9275 Jefferson Blvd.

Woodshop

A final building inspection was completed on for a 6,221-square foot tenant improvement to existing offices and warehouse/storage at 10567 Jefferson Blvd.

Co-Opportunity Market and Deli

A building permit was issued for a 19,020 square foot tenant improvement for a new supermarket with kitchen/prep and seating area at 8770 Washington Blvd.

West Washington Investors, LLP

Building plans were submitted on for a 7,575 square foot tenant improvement 12211 W. Washington Blvd., Suites 102 and 200.

Ralphs

Building plans were approved ofor a 16,000-square foot tenant improvement including new décor, accent lighting, prep sinks, market cases and gondolas at 10772 Jefferson Blvd.

Big Lots

Building plans were approved for a 3,998- square foot tenant improvement, new 975 square foot truck well, and new addition to existing store at 5587 Sepulveda Blvd.

Building Safety Division Revenues

Revenues generated for the first half of the fiscal year 2016/17 have exceeded $3M, with technology surcharge fees collecting over $85k.

Cedars Sinai

Building plans was approved for a 5,419- square foot tenant improvement at 10458 Culver Blvd.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity has concluded a series of four information meetings for households interested in applying for the Globe Project. Three hundred and fifty households attended the meetings.  Habitat will start review of the applications.  A preference will be given to households that live or work in Culver City. The Globe project is 10 units and is the first affordable ownership project in the city.  Construction is estimated at 18 months.  Building plans were submitted for new construction of 4 of the 10 new single family dwellings at 4044 – 4064 Globe Ave.

Farmers Market

The city is preparing a request-for- proposals for Farmers Market management services.  The city is implementing a plan to relocate parking of the vendor vehicles to accommodate the pending construction on Parcel B.  The city is exploring means of providing a suitable electric power source to Main Street for use in lighting the vendors’ areas during fall and winter months.

Washington-Centinela Project

The city anticipates the project developer will submit plans for review and application fees this month. The city expects the entitlements process to be completed within the coming months and for construction to commence in spring.

 

Fire Dept.

Enhanced Truck Operations Academy

Two Culver City firefighters have completed intensive truck operations training at Rio Hondo Fire Academy. Capt. Seth Miller and firefighter Fernando Benitez are the first Department members to attend this advanced 88-hour training academy, which allowed them to gain skills in firefighter survival, ventilation, forcible entry, elevator and rope rescue, and auto extrication. Along with 46 other firefighters from around the country, they trained on how to identify and resolve incidents involving the most recent types of building construction and the latest automobile hazards. Last year, Culver City firefighters completed 16,000 hours of training.

 

Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept.

California Assn. of Parks and Recreation Award

The Department an Outstanding Program Award for last August’s Fiesta La Ballona, the first time the city has been recognized by the California Assn. of Parks and Recreation. The citation cited “the rebuilding of the Fiesta and the number of volunteers and staff working together in this community event.”

Sign of the Times

New signs at the Plunge have been officially unveiled.  Staff added informational signs at the entrance, signs clarifying and listing locker room rules and “City Staff Only” signs for limited access areas.

After School Recreation Program

Throughout February, all after school recreation sites will celebrate Black History Month.  The students learn about the accomplishments of African Americans by creating drawing and crafts in observance of the month.

Rental Operation

The Rental Office at the Vets Auditorium, is open on Tuesday nights once again.  Rental Office hours are 10 to 6 on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 to 7:30 on Tuesday, and 9 to 1  on Saturday.  Room reservations are made by appointment. vmc.booking@culvercity.org or 310.253.6625.

Vets Auditorium

Renovation of the Auditorium stage is ongoing.  New stage rigging, emergency lighting, a power panel, and emergency exit doors have been installed. The theatrical lighting project starts today.  New emergency signage, lighting and door hardware have also been installed throughout the building.

 

Police Dept.

Chief Scott Bixby, Asst. Chief Ron Iizuka along with other members of the Department attended the County Sheriff’s Department Academy Graduation Ceremony for Class No. 418.  The class included former community service officer Lucille Wallace and classmate Travis Amerian.  New officers attended 22 weeks of academy training that included courses on search and seizure, firearms training, defensive tactics, mental health awareness, and emergency vehicle operations.

 

Public Works Dept.

6,000 Pounds of Paper Shredded

Public Works Environmental Programs and Operations Division provided  residents and businesses an opportunity to clean out their files and destroy old records safely and confidentially.  More than 50 residents drove to West Los Angeles College to shred their confidential documents. West Los Angeles College provided a convenient location to host the event. City staff set up two disposal units and offered to unload the boxes and bags the residents used to carry their records to the event.

 

Transportation Department

Special Service

On Sunday, Feb.  26, Culver CityBus Line 1 servicing Culver Boulevard will run a special detour to provide service for the Culver City Screenland 5K. The detour, from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., will affect both westbound and eastbound buses. The detour will accommodate the 5K route. www.culvercitybus.com.

Westbound Bus Route

  • Continue on Washington Boulevard
  • Right on National Boulevard
  • Left on Venice Boulevard
  • Left on Motor Avenue
  • Right on Washington Boulevard
  • Resume regular route

Westbound Stops

  • Washington Boulevard / Expo Light Rail Station
  • Washington Boulevard / Robertson Boulevard
  • Culver Boulevard / Main Street
  • Washington Boulevard / Hughes Avenue
  • Washington Boulevard / Clarington Avenue
  • Washington Boulevard / Jasmine Avenue

Eastbound Bus Route

  • Continue on Washington Boulevard
  • Right on Motor Ave.
  • Right on Venice Boulevard
  • Right on National Boulevard
  • Left on Washington Blvd
  • Resume regular route

Eastbound Stops

  • Washington Boulevard / Jasmine Avenue
  • Washington Boulevard / Madison Avenue
  • Washington Boulevard / Duquesne Avenue
  • Culver Boulevard / Lafayette Place
  • Culver Boulevard / Main Street
  • Washington Boulevard / Higuera Street
  • Washington Boulevard / Landmark Street

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

This morning from 10 to noon in the Dan Patacchia Room at City Hall,  the Department will present its Revised Overall Goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation for federal fiscal years 2017 – 2019 for Dept. of Transportation-assisted contracts.

Community input will be solicited.  As a direct recipient of federal funds, the Department has developed a race-neutral DBE goal of 6.97 percent.

The city invites the public to provide feedback.  A description of the goal methodology and information regarding the DBE program are available for review at the Transportation Dept., 4343 Duquesne Ave., through March 1.  Written comments will be accepted until March 17. They  should be addressed to:  Jane Leonard, Senior Management Analyst, Culver City Transportation Department, 4343 Duquesne Ave., Culver City 90232

Adult School Jobs Session

Culver CityBus partnered with the Culver City Adult School to provide a session on jobs in transit. Samantha Blackshire, Transit Operations manager, Frank Landeros, Fleet Services supervisor, Jane Leonard, Senior Management Analyst, and Dia Turner, Management Analyst, shared their duties and background. The 25 students learned what it is like to run a transit agency, jobs in the transportation department.

Transit Safety Program

Culver CityBus partnered with Metro to promote transit safety and education at Culver City High School. The 700 students and teachers in attendance learned about safe ridership through the informative and site specific safety program which highlighted the way, Culver CityBus works with Metro and other transit agencies to provide safe, reliable, convenient and friendly public transportation service. The presentation, which integrated photos to illustrate important safety rules, focused on local Expo Line and Culver CityBus service. The Team introduced and reviewed safety concepts, important transit safety do’s and don’ts when walking, biking, or driving, safety signs and signals, trip planning, TAP cards, fares, destinations, Transportation careers and internships, followed by a question and answer period.

100 Best Fleets in North America

Tom Johnson, the principal author and program Chief Executive Officer of the 100 Best Fleets in North America, visited the Culver City Equipment Maintenance & Fleet Services Facility last month. He was joined by a group from the Public Utility Company, CPO Energy from San Antonio.

The group wanted to see the Culver City operation, learn about natural gas technology in the fleet and observe fueling station operations.  The Culver City team discussed Division programs and best practices in fleet management.

Mr. Nachbar, the city manager, may be contacted at john.nachbar@culvercity.org

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