At the City Council meeting on the evening of Monday, June 9, Item A1 saw Victoria Marks appointed the new Culver City Poet Laureate.
“She will begin her two-year term on July 1, 2025,” reads a statement from the City. “Marks, a multidisciplinary artist and choreographer/director, was selected following a comprehensive and rigorous two-phase application and review process. Marks’ artistic practice centers on people and their relationships, which she considers her true medium. She creates movement-centered performances with and for groups of people, describing her work as a form of group portraiture. Defining choreography broadly as any set of conscious, intentional actions or movements, Marks’ work aims to make visible life’s vitality through movement, whether in public spaces like streets and parks, or on film or stage. She sees herself as a bridge builder, focusing on facilitating connection and creating safe and joyful spaces for people to come together.”
Item A2 saw 23 appointments made to a variety of commissions, boards and committees. They are as follows:
Cultural Affairs Commission
- Nikki Diloreto to Seat No. 1 for a full term expiring on June 30, 2029
- Leora O’Carroll to Seat No. 2 for a full term expiring on June 30, 2029
- Shona Gupta to Seat 3 for a full term expiring June 30, 2028
Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission
- Thomas Whitaker to Seat No. 3 for a partial term through June 30, 2026
- Jennifer Chen to Seat No. 4 for a full term expiring June 30, 2029
- Margaret Peters to Seat 5 for a full term expiring June 30, 2029
Planning Commission
- Jeanne Black to Seat No. 2 for full term expiring on June 30, 2029
- Jennifer Carter to Seat No. 3 for full term expiring on June 30, 2029
Advisory Committee on Housing and Homelessness
- Shane Henson to Seat No. 8 for full term expiring on June 30, 2029
- Patrick Spease to Seat No. 9 for full term expiring on June 30, 2029
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
- Jack Galanty to Disability Member Seat for full term expiring on June 30, 2029
- Joel Falter to Parent Member Seat for full term expiring on June 30, 2029
- Greg Maron to CCUSD Member Seat for full term expiring on June 30, 2029
- Dan Beroukhim to Employee Member Seat for full term expiring on June 30, 2029
- Ben Parnas to Resident Member 2 Seat for full term expiring on June 30, 2029
Disability Advisory Committee for a partial term expiring on June 30, 2027
- Suleman Adeyemi to Seat No. 8 for a partial term expiring on June 30, 2027
Equity & Human Relations Advisory Committee
- Chaiya Jones to Youth Representative Seat 1 for a one-year term ending on June 30, 2026
Landlord-Tenant Mediation Board
- Judy Scott to Landlord Seat 2 for full term expiring on June 30, 2029
- Andrew Keeshawn to Member at Large Seat 2 for full term expiring on June 30, 2029
MLK Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee
- Anasia Obioha to Seat No. 5 for a full term expiring on June 30, 2029
LAX Area Advisory Committee
- Beth Hyatt for a full one-year term from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026
- Luciano Nocera for a full one-year term from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026
- Kateryna Chunikhina for a full term from July 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026
Finally, A3 called for, “Discussion of and Direction to the City Manager on the Terms and Conditions of a $16 Million Loan to Community Corporation of Santa Monica for the Jubilo Village Affordable Housing Project.” Public Hearing 3 (PH3) saw the budget approved, which included funding for the same controversial Jubilo Village project.
“The City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Budget at its meeting on Monday,” a city statement reads. “The adopted budget includes $16 million in additional funding for the Jubilo Village 95-unit affordable housing project at 4464 Sepulveda Boulevard. It also allocates $179,300 for a new PRCS Senior Management Analyst position to assist with grant efforts, though, that position is contingent on voter approval of Measure CL in the August 26, 2025, election. The budget also appropriates $250,000 to potentially support a consultant to help the City increase community participation in the budget process, which is subject to further City Council discussion and approval.”
“Vice Mayor Freddy Puza and Council Members Yasmine-Imani McMorrin and Bubba Fish voted in favor of the full budget, including the Jubilo funding and enhancements,” they added. “Mayor Dan O’Brien and Council Member Albert Vera, Jr. voted against the enhancements but expressed support for the base budget without them.”