City Manager’s Office
The Retiring Type – Culver City Chamber of Commerce Vice President Barbara Brody at the end of the workday today. In honor of her retirement, City Councilman Göran Eriksson, former Chamber of Commerce Chair, last week presented a City Council commendation to Ms. Brody.
Fire Dept.
Water First Program – Dr. Ira Diamond, Culver City resident, and Christine Parra, the city’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, made a presentation to the County Public Health Dept.’s Emergency Preparedness Division about Culver City’s Water First program. Representatives from across the County attended the presentation to learn how Culver City implemented the program. Water First was well received and several representatives are interested in implementing the program in their cities.
The Water First Program will be offered again in September to residents in support of National Preparedness Month. A 55-gallon Water Storage System may be purchased at a discounted price with free delivery to the Fire Dept. drill yard for pick-up. The system allows you to fill a 55-gallon drum with water, which is good for five years. More Prepared has created a special landing page on their website for Culver City residents to place their orders before Sept. 16. See www.culvercity.org/fire. See http://www.moreprepared.com/culver-city-residents.html to place ab order.
Training at the Plunge –The department’s Nurse Educator, Emergency Medical Services captain, and battalion chief, conducted training with Plunge lifeguards. Exercises included eight in-pool and poolside drills designed to practice coordinated responses during emergency situations.
Fire Safety/Prevention – Three members of the Fire Prevention Division recently gave a presentation to Rotary Plaza residents and staff. They discussed fire safety and the importance of emergency preparedness. See www.culvercity.org/fire.
Fire Strike Team – Two engines and eight Culver City firefighters deployed to the Blue Cut Fire in San Bernardino County with Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles city fire departments from Aug. 16 to Aug. 20. The Firefighters provided structure protection and assisted animals on a property after the residents had to evacuate.
Chimney Fire Strike Team – One engine and four Culver City firefighters deployed to the Chimney Fire in San Luis Obispo on Aug. 22. The strike team was joined by the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles city fire departments. While strike teams are away, the department immediately recalls off-duty firefighters to ensure continuous coverage and a full response force for Culver City.
Information Technology Dept.
Groundbreaking – The city has broken ground for the Municipal Fiber Network, Culver Connect. Since 2013, city staff has been consulting with the Culver City business community about their need for enhanced broadband connectivity. Last Nov. 9, the City Council appropriated funding for the design and construction of a Municipal Fiber Network for the purpose facilitating high speed broadband connectivity to the business community, the School District, and also for municipal purposes. The city partnered with Culver City-based Mox Networks to provide professional services to design, implement, and operate the network.
On June 27, the City Council awarded a construction contract to HP Communications to complete the fiber infrastructure construction, which is expected to be completed next August.
The city will expand its existing fiber network to install 21 route miles of fiber for a redundant network backbone. The network design includes three geographical network rings that are all interconnected and will also connect to the telecommunications hubs at One Wilshire and in El Segundo. The city’s goal for extending this network is to enhance economic development by facilitating the delivery of high speed internet access for Culver City businesses located within the target areas, as well as enhancing broadband connectivity to the School District. The city will install an open access network, where it is envisioned that any Internet Service Provider will have the opportunity to utilize the city’s fiber infrastructure to service the business community. This will result in the business community having more service options when selecting a broadband provider.
Website Award – Culver City was among six communities and counties, from Florida to Alberta, Canada, that were honored when Vision announced the winners of the third annual What’s Next awards competition. The competition recognizes local government websites for excellence in citizen engagement, green gov, online innovation, transparency and visual impact. Culver City’s website has won the top honor in the “Best Visual Impact” category. Vision said that Culver City’s site, “reflects the energetic vibe of the city and highlights local restaurants, technology and entertainment, is tops for visual impact. The site’s navigation was completely overhauled. It features large buttons and photos that guide visitors to the most frequently visited pages with a single click.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept.
Diabetes Education — The six-week Diabetes Empowerment Education program will begin at the Senior Center next week, on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 1 o’clock. Each two-hour class is free. Everyone with Diabetes Counts encourages lifestyle changes while learning about your diabetes and the way it affects your health. Topics include a better understanding of diabetes, diet and exercise; how to manage and prevent complications; and more. Register at the front desk at the Senior Center, open from 9 to 4 on weekday, noon to 4 on weekends. Workshop dates are on Thursdays, Sept. 8, Sept. 15, Sept. 22, Sept. 29, Oct. 6 and Oct. 13.
Parks Commission Highlights – William Rickards was reappointed to the Commission. Kay Heineman was selected as Chair and Laura Stuart as Vice Chair. Commission members were reappointed as liaisons to various outside associations and city committees, and as members of existing ad hoc subcommittees. The Commission appointed Commissioner Scott Zeidman as delegate to the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee. The Commission formed the Commissioner Summit Ad Hoc Subcommittee and appointed Vice Chair Ms. Stuart and Commissioner Mr. Rickards to the newly formed Ad Hoc Subcommittee. The Commission reviewed and commented on Version Two of the draft correspondence presented by the Commission Child Care Programs Ad Hoc Subcommittee and edited the correspondence and approved its distribution to the City Council. The correspondence relates to a proposed survey regarding daycare and camp programs. The Commission scheduled the annual Commission Parks and Facilities Tour for Saturday, Oct. 22.
Disability Advisory Committee – Newly appointed Committee members Ko Ko Naing, Janet Cameron Holt and Robert Montgomery took the oath of office. Dr. Jay Shery was reappointed as Chair and Dr. Robert Montgomery was reappointed Vice Chair. The Public Works director Charles Herbertson gave a presentation. Public Works staff and contractors shared details on the ADA Self- Evaluation & Transition Plan process as well as information about the newly formed Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. The Committee nominated member Robyn Tenensap to be appointed by the City Council to serve as the disability community representative on the newly formed Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. The Committee nominated volunteers Toni Agron (the Jeffrey Foundation) and Maria Lopez (L.A. Goal) to receive an Individual commendation. The Committee nominated Mychal’s Learning Place to receive an Organization commendation for presentation by City Council in October for outstanding service to people with disabilities. The Committee discussed ongoing planning for October’s Disability Awareness Month events, including the annual Kids Carnival on Sunday, Oct. 23.
Police Dept.
Neighborhood Watch – Lt. Sam Agaiby met with the Rancho Higuera Neighborhood Watch at City Hall. He discussed current crime trends and traffic issues related to the neighborhood. Council members Meghan Sahli-Wells and Thomas Small attended the meeting.
Westside Commanders — Members of the Command Staff attended the Westside Commanders meeting hosted by the Beverly Hills Police Dept. These meetings are held to share information regarding issues in the region and to discuss strategies to help solve those issues that are identified. Commanders from the LAPD, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, UCLA Police, FBI, U.S. State Dept., and the Glendale and Torrance police departments participated.
Public Works Dept.
Urban Forest Master Plan — Culver City recently received recognition from the California Urban Forests Council at its annual conference for the city’s newly adopted Urban Forest Master Plan. It happened under the heading of “Astounding Urban Forestry Project” award. The city’s Urban Forest Master Plan met the numerous criteria required for this recognition that included addressing environmental and public safety issues, community involvement/input and significant enhancements to the urban forest and livability of the community. Maintenance Operations Manager Eric Mirzaian and Parks Manager Patrick Reynolds received the recognition on behalf of the city.
Mr. Nachbar may be contacted at john.nachbar@culvercity.org