City Council Meeting Summary, March 10, 2025

Published on March 13, 2025

Photo of proclamation of Women's History Month

City Council Asks for $16 Million Funding for Jubilo Village Affordable Housing Project in Upcoming Budget, Emergency Climate Action Plan, Reviews Sanctuary City Polices and Anti-Hate Resolution

City Council Asks for $16 Million Funding for Jubilo Village Affordable Housing Project in Upcoming Budget

The City Council directed the City Manager to include funding of $16 million for the Jubilo Village affordable housing project in the upcoming Fiscal Year 25-26 budget. Jubilo Village’s developer, Community Corporation of Santa Monica, has asked the City for a $16 million residual receipts loan to fill the current gap in funding for the project. This is in addition to the $4 million the City previously set-aside for the project and approximately $16 million in housing vouchers the City is planning to designate towards the project. The funding cannot be committed until appropriated in the final budget, on which the City Council will decide on June 9, 2025.

Jubilo Village is a proposed 100% affordable housing development at 4464 Sepulveda Boulevard that is designed to provide 93 affordable one, two and three-bedroom apartments to at-risk and low-income households. If appropriated in the budget, the $16 million would be split across two fiscal years; $4 million in FY 25-26 and $12 million in FY 26-27.

Vice Mayor Freddy Puza, Council Members Yasmine-Imani McMorrin and Bubba Fish voted in favor. Mayor Dan O’Brien voted against. Council Member Albert Vera, Jr. abstained from the vote.

Culver City to Draft Emergency Climate Action Plan

The City Council unanimously approved City staff to draft an Emergency Climate Action Plan. That plan would include a timeline, relevant climate items in the General Plan, cost analysis, list of partners, measurement of success, emergency preparedness details, and a communication and education plan. It would be a single document with a summary and index to help guide the City in future decisions and strategies.

You can read more about the 2024 Emergency Operations Plan on the City’s website, which establishes the foundational policies and procedures that define how the City will effectively prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against natural or human-caused threats, events, incidents, and disasters. Culver City also has an Evacuation Annex 2025 document draft available for review on the City’s website, which provides an overview of the structure and responsibilities for a coordinated evacuation. A map detailing the “very high fire hazard severity zones” that encroach Culver City boundaries can also be viewed on the City’s website. The Evacuation Route Capacity and Viability Study are on the City’s website for the public’s review.

Sanctuary City Policies Reviewed, City Council Working on New Anti-Hate Resolution

The City Council reviewed the City’s Sanctuary City policies, which have been in place since March 2017. The City Council also voted unanimously for staff to provide additional details on Culver City Police Department (CCPD) policy, conduct “Know Your Rights” educational outreach to vulnerable population by utilizing Culver CityBus, parks, and other communal spaces. City Council also authorized the City Attorney’s Office to sign amicus briefs when they align with City policies.

Senate Bill 54, which created the California Values Act, requires CCPD to submit an annual report to the California Department of Justice regarding SB 54 and any assistance provided to ICE. Since SB 54 was passed, every annual report has reported no assistance with ICE. CCPD has not assisted ICE in any way.

An new Anti-Hate Resolution will come back to the City Council as an agenda item for review and approval in a future meeting.

Ad-Hoc Subcommittee Created to Support Age-Friendly Report Findings

In February, Culver City’s Age-Friendly Needs Assessment Report was released to the public. The report found 81 percent of respondents say Culver City is an “excellent or good place to age.” It also detailed a list of the highest priority needs identified through surveys, meetings, and interviews including more affordable and accessible housing, isolation reduction, support to maintain independent living, and more. You can read more of the identified needs from the report on the City’s website.

The next step in the process is "Action Planning" which will help identify ways to prioritize and implement those needs. The City Council voted unanimously to create an ad-hoc subcommittee to lead the action planning. Mayor O’Brien and Vice Mayor Puza were appointed to that subcommittee.

Awards & Proclamations

The City Council awarded a Commendation to the Culver City Symphony Orchestra celebrating its 60th anniversary season. In 1964, Westchester Adult School offered a “String Workshop” class with instructor George Berres, a local professional violinist. In March 1965, the class gave its first concert, as the Westchester String Symphony, with 24 string players conducted by Berre. Five years later we had become the Marina del Rey Westchester Symphony, a full symphony orchestra. Since 2000 the Orchestra has presented a winter season as the Culver City Symphony Orchestra and a summer season as the Marina del Rey Summer Symphony. The Orchestra proudly remains a community-based organization devoted to serving the musical needs of the ever-growing community of families. The City of Culver City encourages the residents of Culver City to enjoy all that this Orchestra brings to, and shares with, Culver City.

The City Council also honored Women’s History Month with a proclamation. National Women’s History Month traces its roots to March 8, 1857, when women from various New York City factories staged a protest over poor working conditions and the first Women's Day celebration in the United States was in NYC in 1909. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we reflect upon advances women have made and celebrate the countless women who have fought tirelessly and courageously for equality, justice, and opportunity throughout the country. the National Women’s History Alliance, which spearheaded the movement for March being declared National Women’s History Month, has announced the women’s history theme for 2025, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” The theme celebrates the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. Through their efforts, they have served as an inspiration for all generations — both past and present.

The City of Culver City is fortunate to be a diverse community and strives to be a City that welcomes people of all races and ethnicities, religions, and gender. While there is still work to be done to advance gender equity and equality, let us celebrate the contributions of women throughout our history and honor their stories and recognize that when all women’s lives are improved, we all gain. We encourage our community to celebrate both recognized trailblazers and unsung heroines who have guided the course of world history and continue to shape its future and commit to advancing rights and opportunities for women and girls in Culver City and around the world.

Additional Council Decisions 

Additional items approved by the City Council include:

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 is available on the City’s website for viewing.

The City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 17th.

Childcare is now available for people attending City Council meetings. This is to encourage in-person public participation. The service will continue through July 14, 2025. The City also offers virtual options for the community to participate in City Council meetings.

Children from 5 to 15-years-old are eligible. You must register your child for each meeting you wish to attend at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Two trained Parks, Recreations and Community Services staff members will be on hand to conduct the childcare in the City Hall Patacchia Room, located on the first floor next to Council Chambers.

Learn more about childcare during council meetings and enroll at the PRCS sign-up page.

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