Local ballot initiatives will get a more detailed look on election day as three of them could change how certain aspects of Culver City will be governed in the future, how or if city officials plans to address current and future water quality objectives and the terms of future officeholders.
Culver City voters have their work cut out for them: in addition to 17 statewide ballot measures, there are four local measures to consider: Measure CW, a parcel tax initiative to combat stormwater runoff; Measure CA, perhaps the most controversial of the four. A yes vote on Measure CA would change Culver City’s charter to give the city manager the authority to hire and fire the police and fire chief, which currently is the city council’s domain.
The other two initiatives on the ballot are Measures CB and CD, which would mandate a two-year waiting period for anyone who resigns from the council and would authorize the council to change or add to its monthly meetings, respectively.
Like Measure CA, they both require charter amendments. Measure CW requires a two-thirds vote for passage.
Mayor Jim Clarke is an outspoken supporter of Measure CA.
“As far as I know Culver City is the only city in Los Angeles with a council-manager form of government (the most prevalent) in which the police and fire chief report to the council. All others the chiefs report to the city manager. And those cities that contract with the county for police or fire services, the county liaisons report to the city manager and not the City Council,” Clarke said.
“And how the council is supposes to supervise the police and fire chiefs with five independently elected officials. Even as mayor, I have no authority to direct the police or fire chief without the concurrence of at least two other council members and I cannot get that concurrence outside of a public meeting,” Clarke continued.
“So in order to supervise the police and fire chief I would need to call a council meeting every week to get reports and give direction. Since that isn’t going to happen) there is no supervision.
“Measure CA just makes common sense.”
Councilwoman Meghan Sahli-Wells said much of her opposition to Measure CA stems from events that have transpired over the last 18 months where unarmed citizens have been shot by police and she believes that civilian oversight.
“I’m shocked that there would be a movement to take away [civilian control]. This is about accountability and Measure CA takes away accountability,” she said. “It seems strangely tone deaf to put this measure in light of what’s happening on the national stage.”
Sahli-Wells said arguments that the city manager supervises all department heads and should take over hiring and fire the public safety chiefs miss the point because fire and police are “unique positions because they hold our lives in their hands.
“The City Council is accountable to our residents and Measure CA takes away that direct accountability and adds another layer of government.”
Environmentalist James Lamm backs the stormwater measure and warned that there could be grave consequences if Measure CW does not pass.
“Measure CW is a key step in helping Culver City fulfill its Clean Water Act-mandated obligation to do its part to reduce pollution and provide a healthier Ballona Creek Watershed, Ballona Creek and Santa Monica Bay. Noncompliance by Culver City or any other watershed municipality [with federal Clean Water statutes] could result in significant fines or even costly lawsuits,” he said.
“Through past state and federal grants, Culver City has accomplished a lot, but more required work remains to be done. The parcel tax will help fund Culver City’s in-kind contribution to grant-funded projects. I the recent past, these have included catch basin screens and inserts as well as rain gardens.”
There is no organized opposition to Measures CB and CD.
Election day is Tuesday. To find out you polling location, visit. http://www.culvercity.org/city-hall/election-information.
Gary Walker contributed to this story.