At the City Council meeting on the evening of Monday, June 10, Public Hearing 1 (PH1) saw the approval of amendments to the budget that was originally proposed in May.
The first part of the six-part item on the agenda read, “Adoption of a city council resolution approving and adopting the annual appropriations limit for fiscal year 2024-2025.”
A presentation by staff alerted the council to the fact that the appropriations for the fiscal year 2024-25 has been set at $144,399,712, and estimated revenues for the same year are $113,355,558, which is $31 million under the appropriations limit.
Staff proposed amendments across the departments to make the required savings, and recommended the following actions:
“Adopt annual appropriations limit resolution, provide direction on CCUSD crossing guard request, adopt fiscal year 2024-25 budget resolution for city, Adopt Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget Resolutions for Successor Agency, Housing Authority and Parking Authority, ??Adopt Salary Schedules Resolution, ??Authorize CIP Project Completion and Close Out, Authorize WSCCOG Treasurer Duties.”
The CCUSD crossing guard was part two of the same item on the agenda: “Consideration of the Culver City Unified School District’s request to fully fund the crossing guard contract and, if desired, direction to city manager to include in the budget $288,495 from the general fund for this purpose.” That passed, as did the other sections regarding amendments.
Public Hearing 5 (PH5) called for a change to the zoning code to allow discussions to begin over the introduction of Wayfinding kiosks to the city.
The staff note read, “The proposed Zoning Code Amendments are intended to allow the City to install digital wayfinding kiosks on public property. These amendments implement the following goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan: Goal Economic vitality that serves the community and protects quality of life; Land Use Objective 22 Encourage reinvestment in Downtown area to improve the area’s economic vitality, visual quality and pedestrian environment; and Land Use Policy 22A Encourage uses that contribute to a positive nightlife ambiance, such as sidewalk cafes, specialty retail and newsstands that could support an 18 to 24-hour day patronage.”
That item also passed, but not without lengthy discussion. The sticking point appeared to be about whether the kiosks would primarily be income-generating advertising boards, so little more than glorified billboards, or genuine aids for people finding their way around.
Council Member Albert Vera said that he had used similar kiosks in other cities and found them very useful. However, Council Member Freddy Puza pointed out that most people have phones with gps nowadays. Members of the public spoke out for both sides.
In the end, the item passed meaning that discussions can continue.