The City Council meeting on the evening of Monday, November 11 started with a handful of proclamations including one in recognition of Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, which saw the city firmly stand on the side of the transgender community during a difficult week.
The Consent Calendar, normally a drama-free portion of the meeting, saw some passionate public speakers make their feeling known about item C3: “Authorization to Release a Request for Proposals to Award up to 50 Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Project-Based Vouchers for the Creation of New Construction or Substantial Rehabilitation Affordable Housing Projects.”
The public came out strongly in favor of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Project-Based Vouchers, though some felt that 50 isn’t enough.
This and all of the other Consent Calendar items passed unanimously.
Public Hearing 1 (PH1) also passed unanimously, calling for “(1) Introduction of an Ordinance Confirming the Downtown Culver City Business Improvement District 2025 Annual Work Plan and Levy of Assessments; (2) Appointment of Members to the Downtown Culver City Business Improvement District’s 2025 Advisory Board; and (3) Extension of Existing Management Agreement between the City and the Downtown Business Association until December 2026.”
PH2 passed unanimously: “(1) Introduction of an Ordinance Confirming the Culver City Arts District Business Improvement District’s 2025 Work Program and the Levy of Assessments; (2) Appointment of Members to the Culver City Arts District Business Improvement District’s Advisory Board for Calendar Year 2025; and (3) Approval of an Extension of the Existing Management Agreement with the Culver City Arts District Through December 31, 2025.”
Mayor Yasmine-Imani McMorrin and Council Member Freddy Puza recused themselves for PH3, due to the fact they reside near the affected area: “Adoption of a Resolution Certifying the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that Includes California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Required Findings and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) (P2023-0218-EIR) in Compliance with CEQA for a Mixed-Use Residential and Commercial Development on an Approximately 2.23-Acre Site Located at 5700 Hannum Avenue.”
The item saw impassioned public speakers, some in favor, with some concerned about density in the area. The item passed unanimously (3-0, with the recusals).
Action Item 1 (A1) turned into a contentious debate about the use of the words “crisis” and “emergency” when discussing the climate. Outgoing Council Member Goran Eriksson said those words aren’t appropriate, pointing to the fact that it’s still cold in Sweden.
Puza was quick to counter that. Still, with Eriksson, Council Member Albert Vera and Vice Mayor Dan O’Brien against, the council was unable to find consensus on the item. O’Brien did acknowledge that the incoming progressive majority, with the expected swearing in of Bubba Fish, will have different priorities.Finally, Action Item 3, “Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Legislative and Policy Platform that Guides the City’s Positions on State and Federal Legislation, and Rescinding Resolution No. 2016-R124,” saw many members of the public complain that it was being rushed through. The item passed 3-2, with McMorrin and Puza voting no in favor of a delay.