City Council Meeting Summary, January 12, 2026

Published on January 22, 2026

City Council - Proclamation MLK Day 2026.jpg

City Council Approves Priority-Driven Budgeting & Demographics for Civic Assembly, Women & Girls Committee, Vehicle Service-Maintenance Facility on Jefferson Blvd

Approves Priority-Based Budgeting & Demographics for Civic Assembly

The City Council approved moving forward with a priority-driven budgeting process, which would focus on allocating resources according to how effectively a program or service achieves the goals and objectives that are greatest value to the community. Implementing a priority-driven budget process will enable the City to build upon its previously Adopted Strategic Goals for 2024-2029 and better prioritize, plan and evaluate its expenditures.

The initial steps include identifying available resources, identifying priorities, and defining priority results. The City Council approved launching an abbreviated version of the priority-driven budget process for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget with a more robust version of priority-driven budgeting being implemented in future budget years.

The City Council also approved the demographic information, based primarily on existing Culver City census data, that will be utilized to select 30 participants for 45 hours of study and deliberation for a Civic Assembly. The Center for New Democratic Processes (CNDP), which will lead the Civic Assembly effort, will mail thousands of flyers to Culver City residents describing the Civic Assembly process and asking recipients to indicate their interest and availability to participate in the assembly and identify their personal demographic information. The 30-person assembly will be designed to reflect the demographic targets established by the City Council and will ultimately be selected via a sortition or lottery process. The demographic report that will be used by CNDP can be viewed on the City’s website.

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

Approves Establishing Formal CBC in Support of Women & Girls

The City Council unanimously approved establishing a formal committee focused on Women and Girls in Culver City. The creation of the CBC will focus on how Culver City is investing in women and girls with ways to evaluate processes and support for women and girls in leadership. The body will likely consist of five members with a term-limited approach. Staff will return with more details at a future meeting.

Denies Appeal & Affirms Permit for New Vehicle Service-Maintenance Facility

Following a Public Hearing, the City Council unanimously denied an appeal and affirmed the Planning Commission’s approval for a new vehicle service-maintenance and repair facility on Jefferson Blvd. In July 2025, Cadillac of Beverly Hills filed an application for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the project within an existing vacant industrial building. The project will convert the existing industrial building into a vehicle service center for both electric and gasoline-powered vehicles.

The project and associated California Environmental Quality Act documentation were reviewed in compliance with applicable requirements and guidelines. The Planning Commission’s approval of the Conditional Use Permit and adoption of the Class 1 Categorical Exemption was deemed sufficient to meet Zoning Code and CEQA requirements. The project is expected to begin construction in mid-2026.

Adopts Updated Park Land and Recreation Impact Fee Program

Following a Public Hearing, the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance modernizing Culver City’s Park Land In-Lieu and Park Land Impact fee program to align with current State law, best practices, and the City’s long-term growth projections. The update replaces previous  fee formulas with a square-footage–based structure supported by a comprehensive nexus study, ensuring new residential development contributes its fair share toward acquiring parkland and expanding park and recreation facilities as the City’s population grows.

The approved fees address an existing parkland deficit—currently 2.2 acres per 1,000 residents versus the 3-acre standard—and help prevent further erosion of park service levels as the City anticipates approximately 21,600 new residents by 2045. The updated  fees provide a legally defensible, equitable framework to fund new parkland improvements, and the recreation facilities needed to serve residents.

Council Members Chosen to Represent City on Agencies & Subcommittees  

The City Council appointed Council Members to represent the City on various “outside agencies” and on City Council Subcommittees. Some of the outside agency boards require the adoption of a resolution to make Culver City appointments to their bodies. The appointments include:  

Non-City Bodies

  • Baldwin Hills & Urban Watersheds Conservancy Board (Staff Rep.) – Ryan Drnek
  • Baldwin Hills Community Standards District & Community Advisory Panel – Fish, Vera
  • Clean Power Alliance – McMorrin, Fish
  • Disaster Management Area A Executive Board (Staff Rep.) – Odis Jones
  • Independent Cities Association – O’Brien, Vera
  • Interagency Communications Interoperability (ICI) System – Puza
  • A. County City Selection Committee – Puza, Fish
  • A. County Division of the League of California Cities – O’Brien, Vera
  • A. County Sanitation District No. 5 Board of Directors – Puza, Fish
  • LAX Community Noise Roundtable – Puza, O’Brien
  • Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) – Puza, Fish
  • Westside Cities Council of Governments – Puza, Fish

Standing City Subcommittees

  • CCUSD / City Council Liaison Subcommittee – McMorrin, O’Brien
  • City Council / West Los Angeles College Liaison Subcommittee – O’Brien, Puza
  • Standing Economic Development Subcommittee – Vera, Puza
  • Treasury Investment Subcommittee – McMorrin, Fish
  • Audit, Financial Planning, & Budget Subcommittee – McMorrin, Fish
  • Standing Mobility Subcommittee – Puza, Fish
  • Standing Sustainability Subcommittee – McMorrin, Puza
  • Standing Housing and Homelessness Subcommittee – Fish, McMorrin
  • Standing Governance Subcommittee – Fish, McMorrin
  • Standing City Council Police Subcommittee – Fish, Vera

Ad Hoc City Subcommittees

  • Ad Hoc 2026 Legislative and Policy Platform Subcommittee – McMorrin, Puza
  • Ad Hoc 2026–27 Special Events Grant Program Subcommittee – O’Brien, Puza
  • Ad Hoc 2026 FIFA World Cup & 2028 Summer Olympics Preparation Subcommittee – O’Brien, Puza
  • Ad Hoc General Plan Subcommittee (including Public Safety Element) – McMorrin, Puza
  • Ad Hoc City Council Policies Subcommittee – Vera, Fish
  • Ad Hoc Equity Subcommittee – McMorrin, Puza
  • Ad Hoc Minimum Wage Subcommittee – O’Brien, Puza
  • Ad Hoc Short-Term Rental Policy Subcommittee – O’Brien, Fish
  • Ad Hoc Signage Subcommittee – Vera, O’Brien
  • Ad Hoc Digital Kiosk Program Subcommittee – Vera, O’Brien
  • Age-Friendly States and Community Needs Subcommittee – O’Brien, Puza
  • Ad Hoc Film and Media Policy Subcommittee – Puza, O’Brien
  • Ad Hoc Civic Assembly Subcommittee – Puza, Fish

The City Council voted to dissolve the Ad Hoc Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Special Events Grant Program Subcommittee, the Ad Hoc 2025 Legislative and Policy Platform Subcommittee, and the Ad Hoc Police Policies Subcommittee.

Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP) Project Update and Preliminary Findings

Dr. Nicole Yates of Keen Independent Research L.L.C. presented an update on Culver City’s Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP), outlining the project’s progress and early findings from internal and external assessments. The presentation covered workforce and community engagement efforts, including surveys, interviews, listening sessions, and a review of workforce demographics, hiring, promotions, separations, and complaint processes, with an emphasis on identifying patterns and opportunities to broaden and strengthen equity practices.

Dr. Yates also described next steps, including continued community engagement and the development of actionable recommendations informed by qualitative feedback, noting that a full report will be released as the project nears completion. Council Members and staff expressed appreciation for the work to date, affirmed their commitment to equity and inclusion, and conveyed support and enthusiasm for advancing the REAP and making Culver City more inclusive. A full report will be made available to the public later this year.

Proclamation for MLK Jr. Day 

The City Council presented a proclamation honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 19, 2026. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy reminds us that diversity is not a weakness but a strength that enriches communities, deepens understanding, and unites people across cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. The City of Culver City is home to a vibrant and diverse community and is committed to fostering an environment where all residents feel welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to participate fully in civic life. Love, expressed through compassion, respect, and empathy was central to Dr. King’s vision, and continues to guide efforts to build stronger, healthier, and more connected communities. the City of Culver City recognizes that public spaces, community programs, and civic engagement initiatives serve as powerful platforms to bring people together, celebrate diversity, and inspire collective action in the spirit of Dr. King’s teachings. The City of Culver City’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee has selected the 2026 theme, “Diversity unites us, love leads us, and action propels us,” to uplift Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message and to encourage the community to move forward together with purpose, compassion, and commitment. We reaffirm the City’s ongoing commitment to equity, inclusion, and unity calling upon all residents to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Additional Council Decisions 

Additional items approved by the City Council include:

Additional Information

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 will meet for a special session on Monday, January 26th. Childcare is available for the meeting for families wanting to attend in person by emailing PRCS at prcs.department@culvercity.gov.

 

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