City Council Allows Digital Wayfinding Kiosks, Contract for Intersection Safety Improvements, Proclaims July as "Parks Life Better!" Month

Interactive Digital Kiosks Now Allowed in Culver City

The City is moving toward adding interactive digital wayfinding kiosks, but there are still many steps ahead before they become a reality in the Heart of Screenland. The City Council approved adoption of an ordinance that will allow these kiosks on public property on a 3 to 2 vote. Vice Mayor Dan O’Brien and Council Members Goran Eriksson and Albert Vera, Jr. voted in favor. Mayor Yasmine-Imani McMorrin and Council Member Freddy Puza abstained from the vote.

The next step will be a request for proposals (RFP) from qualified vendors for the program. More questions will be answered by the RFPs, including the design, location plan, infrastructure, installation, operation, maintenance, and advertising. An RFP will also provide information on the minimum units required to implement the program, as well as the technical specifications of each unit.

This kiosk program will have restrictions and requirements to better serve the public. One restriction on the kiosks will be the screen size of each kiosk screen, not to exceed 15 square feet.

More discussions will take place on the content and uses of the kiosks that could include what type of community-driven content would be shown on the kiosks. The earliest a vendor could be selected is October 14^th, according to the proposed RFP schedule, but that could be extended.

Contract Awarded for Intersection Safety Improvements Project

Safety improvements are slated to begin at 10 intersections in Culver City. The City Council awarded a construction contract to Elencor Belco Electrical Inc., for $463,407 for the Unsignalized Intersection Safety Improvements Project.

The Unsignalized Safety Improvement Project proposes safety improvements at the 10 intersections listed below. The safety improvements include intersection lighting, installation/upgrade of stop signs and other warning and regulatory signs, and upgrade of intersection pavement markings at the following intersections:

• Higuera Street at Krueger Street
• Overland Avenue at Northgate Street
• Washington Boulevard at Kensington Road*
• Washington Boulevard at Prospect Avenue
• Washington Boulevard at Kenyon Avenue
• Washington Boulevard at Midway Avenue *
• Washington Place at Boise Avenue
• Washington Place at Tuller Avenue
• Sepulveda Boulevard at Vera Way
• Jackson Avenue at Farragut Drive/Revere Place

* New or enhanced roadway lighting

Two locations, Washington Boulevard at Kensington Road and Jackson Avenue at Farragut Drive/Revere Place, include curb extensions to shorten pedestrian crossing distance and to make intersection operations more clear. The extension at Farragut Drive/Revere Place will be constructed with flex curbs and filled in with pavers. Two locations indicated in the list above are proposed for installation of new or enhanced roadway lighting for better nighttime visibility.

City Council’s approval also authorized change orders to the contract in an amount not-to-exceed $69,511 to cover contingency costs.

City Council Proclaims July as "Parks Make Life Better!" Month

The City Council began its meeting on Monday proclaiming July 2024 as “Parks Make Life Better!” Month. Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) promotes physical, emotional, and mental health and wellness through open spaces and organized and self-directed fitness, play, and activity. PRCS creates memorable experiences through youth sports and enrichment activities, teen centers and programs, senior activity centers, adult fitness, and enrichment programs, free community events, and beyond.

PRCS also fosters social cohesiveness in communities by celebrating diversity, providing spaces to come together peacefully, modeling compassion, promoting social equity, connecting social networks, and ensuring all people have access to its benefits. PRCS supports safe, vibrant, attractive, and progressive communities that make life better through positive alternatives offered in their recreational opportunities, as well as supports economic vitality by providing jobs and workforce development for local youth and adults through volunteerism.

In the proclamation, the City Council recognizes the importance of equitable access to local parks, recreation, trails, open spaces, and facilities for the positive development of its residents and herby proclaims July 2024 as “Parks Make Life Better!” Month. Learn more about events and ways to engage with PRCS by visiting its page on the Culver City website.

TransLatin@ Coalition Makes Presentation

The City Council listened to a presentation by the TransLatin@ Coalition regarding support for LGBTQA+ residents and neighbors. The organization, founded in 2009, is one of the largest transgender-led nonprofit service providers in the United States. It advocates for the needs of the Trans Latin@ community that resides across the U.S. and strategizes on ways to improve quality of life. The organization provides a number of services here in the Los Angeles area. You can learn more about those programs and services on the organization’s website.

Additional Council Decisions 

Additional items approved by the City Council include:

• Approved cash disbursements from June 15^th to June 28^th, 2024.
• Approved minutes of the City Council Meeting held on June 24^th, 2024.
• Awarded construction contract to Newbuild Construction and Restoration, Inc. for $394,300 for the Police Station Windows Replacement Project. Authorized change orders to the contract not-to-exceed $45,882 to cover contingency costs. The primary purpose of the Police Station Windows Replacement Project is to significantly reduce the amount of exterior noise that penetrates the interior of the building through removal of existing single-pane windows and replacing them with double-pane windows. An additional benefit of the double-paned windows will be lower energy use resulting in lower costs to heat and cool the building.
• Received progress report on the status of implementation of the Rent Control and Tenant Protections Ordinances.
  • Approved amendment to the existing agreement with BAE Urban Economics related to the program. That agreement is now extended through June 30, 2029, for an amount not-to-exceed $70,807 for the current Fiscal Year 2024-2025 with an increase of CPI or no more than 5% in subsequent contract years.
  • Approved an amendment to the existing professional services agreement with Tripepi Smith and Associates (TSA) to continue a public communications program for the Rent Control and Tenant Protections Ordinances, extending the term agreement through June 30, 2029, in an additional amount not-to-exceed $33,500 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 with an increase of CPI or no more than 5% in subsequent contract years.
  • Approved a five-year professional services agreement with HdL to continue maintenance of the online Residential Rental Registration System and education and compliance services, extending the term of the agreement through June 30, 2029, in an additional amount not-to-exceed $110,000 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 with an increase of CPI or no more than 5% in subsequent contract years.
  • Approved an amendment to the existing professional services agreement with Bet Tzedek to continue providing legal services to Culver City residents, extending the term of the agreement through June 30, 2029, in an additional amount not-to-exceed $153,198 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 with an increase of CPI or no more than 5% in subsequent contract years.
• Adopted resolution adopting City Council Policy Statement No. 3005. This prohibits campaign activity during public meetings of City Council, Commissions, Boards and Committees. “Campaign activity” is defined in the Policy to mean advocating for or against a candidate or measure in any national, state, or local election.
• Adopted a resolution granting an alcohol use permit to the Culver City Exchange Club to conduct a beer and wine garden at in Veterans Memorial Park during the 2024 Fiesta La Ballona.
• Approved Culver City Amateur Radio Emergency Service’s plan to form a separate public benefit 501(c)(3) to help fund CCARES activities. CCARES is an unincorporated group of Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-licensed amateur radio operators (HAM) living, working, or otherwise connected with the City who have banded together to provide public safety and emergency communications. It may now secure grants and donations.
• Approved a three-year professional services agreement with Lance Soll & Lunghard, LLP for financial audit services for an amount not-to-exceed $339,480. It also authorized the option to exercise two one-year options to extend the agreement for a total amount not-to-exceed $228,980.
• Adopted a resolution authorizing other non-residential uses, including religious place of worship and accessory facilities, including a community center in-lieu of commercial uses, on the ground floor of a 100% affordable mixed-use development located at 4464 Sepulveda Boulevard (Jubilo Village), in the Commercial General and Commercial Neighborhood Zones. The Jubilo Village mixed-use development consists of 95 housing units affordable to low-income households on the same property as a religious institution, the Culver Palms United Methodist Church.
• Approved application for $200,000 in grant funds through the Bureau of Justice Assistance FY 2024 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies. The grant requires that the City match 100% of the grant funds from the General Fund . Staff will come before the City Council next month recommending approval of a ten-year contract with Axon for $4.9 million ($490,000 annually). Vice Mayor Dan O’Brien and Council Members Goran Eriksson and Albert Vera Jr. voted in favor. Mayor Yasmine-Imani McMorrin and Council Member Freddy Puza abstained from the vote.
• Awarded construction contract in the amount of $168,893 to Palp Inc., DBA Excel Paving Company for sidewalk uplift repair and replacement. It also authorized the option to approve change orders in an amount not-to-exceed $33,778 to cover contingency costs. The project scope includes replacing uplifted sidewalks at the following locations and neighborhoods:
  • 5000 & 5100 block of Fairbanks Way
  • 5300 block of Kinston Avenue
  • 4300 block of Vinton Avenue
  • 6000 Canterbury Drive
• Approved a five-year contract with Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (SPCALA) for primary animal sheltering services in an amount not-to-exceed $294,000 for a term ending June 30, 2029. Since 2010, SPCALA has provided primary animal sheltering services for the City of Culver City offering 24/7 access to the shelter for animal drop-off by the City’s Animal Services Officers. SPCALA is an independent non-profit animal welfare organization, classified as a “low kill” shelter located in Hawthorne.
• Authorized an additional expenditure under the existing lease and maintenance agreement with Konica Minolta for citywide multifunction device managed print maintenance services in an amount not-to-exceed $75,000 in Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and an amount not-to-exceed $86,250 in Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
• Adopted a resolution designating the City’s authorized agents for the purpose of obtaining certain state and federal financial assistance under the California Disaster Assistance Act and Public Law 93-288 as amended by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988, respectively.
• Appointed Council Member Vera, Jr. as Delegate for the Independent Cities Association (ICA) and Vice Mayor O’Brien as Alternate Delegate. The City of Culver City has been a member of the ICA for many years. It is made up of nearly 40 member cities in the southern California area and focuses on public safety, education, infrastructure, legislative advocacy, intergovernmental relationships and other major issues that transcend the boundaries of its member cities.

Additional information about each of the topics heard at the City Council meeting can be found in the staff reports and backup attachments for the items, which are posted along with the agenda to the City’s website. The video of the City Council meeting will be made available on the City’s website for viewing.

The City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 12^th.

About Culver City

Culver City is a five-square-mile, urban community of 40,779 residents surrounded mostly by the City of Los Angeles but also shares a border with unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. It is centrally located on the Westside near Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Los Angeles International Airport.  Culver City is particularly known for its well-run public school system, "small town" charm, growing high-tech and creative economies, and a dynamic downtown that is regionally known as a destination for restaurants, live theater, and art galleries. 

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On Monday, the City Council proclaimed July 2024 as "Parks Make Life Better!" Month.