City Council Meeting Summary, February 9, 2026
Published on February 19, 2026
City Council Approves Ballot Measure, Presents Updated Mid-Year Budget, Approves Hotel Project on Jefferson & Mixed-Use Building in Fox Hills
Approves Request to Add a Ballot Measure to the November Election to Lower Voter Age to 16
The City Council approved a request from “Vote 16 Culver City” to add a November 2026 ballot measure that would, if approved by voters, lower the voting age to 16 for Culver City Municipal Elections.
Vote 16 Culver City (Vote16CC) is part of Vote 16 USA, a national campaign to support lowering the voting age at a local level. Culver City students have been meeting with local officials and are working to build support for their initiative to lower the municipal voting age to 16. A similar ballot measure was defeated in November 2022. Vote16CC started an initiative process in 2023 but failed to receive the required signatures necessary to move forward.
If it passes in November, the measure would lower the age requirement from 18 years of age to 16 and would allow those aged 16 and 17 to vote only in City and CCUSD Board elections. Though before the measure could be implemented, the City Council and the CCUSD Board would need to determine that the conditions listed in the Measure are met.
Placing the measure on the ballot is estimated to cost an additional $20,000. Funds will be included in the Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Mayor Freddy Puza, Vice Mayor Bubba Fish, and Council Member Yasmine-Imani McMorrin voted in favor of the request. Council Members Albert Vera Jr. and Dan O’Brien voted against.
Pauses FIFA & Olympics Subcommittee, Approves Women & Girls Subcommittee
The City Council voted to pause future meetings of the Ad Hoc 2025 and 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics Preparation Subcommittee and directed staff to explore ways to segment out the distribution of work for the Olympics with a report back to the City Council at the February 23rd meeting.
Mayor Puza, Vice Mayor Fish, and Council Members McMorrin and O’Brien voted in favor. Council Member Vera Jr. opposed.
The City Council then unanimously approved the creation of the Ad Hoc Women and Girls Subcommittee and appointed Mayor Puza and Council Member McMorrin to develop the goals, length and structure for the new subcommittee.
Receives Mid-Year Budget Report, Approves Proposed Budget Amendments
The Finance Department presented the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Mid-Year Budget Monitoring Report. The report shows the General Fund Operating Revenues through December 31, 2025, totaled $55.2 million or 31% of the current Revised Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget. City revenues are historically less than 50% at this point in the fiscal year due to the timing of certain tax receipts. Analysis of the current fiscal year suggests the City’s overall recurring General Fund revenues, along with one-time revenues, are expected to be higher than the Adopted Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget. The Mid-Year Revenue Adjustments total a net $6,632,822 increase from the current Revised Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget.
General Fund expenditures through mid-year are $109.8 million or 53% of the current Revised Budget, which is $9.6 million higher when compared to the same period last fiscal year. A closer look at expenditures by Department shows that expenditures for nearly all Departments have increased over the same period last year. This is due to the filling of new and/or previously vacant positions, greenlighting of projects and initiatives providing additional services, and cost of living adjustments.
After review of Department requests, staff proposed additional General Fund Expenditure adjustments totaling $2,343,761 of which $1,743,761 is estimated to be off-set with cost savings in the current year.
Program & Department Adjustments
- $95,000 – Previously approved Small Business Micro Grant Pilot Program
- Pro-rated salary adjustments – To support the City Manager’s Office reorganization (approved January 26, 2026)
- $475,000 (one-time) – Purchase of a new ambulance for the Advanced Practitioner Unit
- Position Reallocation (Fire Department)
- Move Nurse Practitioner from Housing & Human Services to Fire
- Replace Case Manager position with a Firefighter/Paramedic
- $144,000 – Two new pro-rated Finance positions to support the priority-driven budget process
- $75,000 – Part-time salaries for Parks, Recreation and Community Services
- $125,000 – Labor negotiations and internal investigations, including a limited-term Human Resources Associate
- $75,000 (one-time) – Fire Tower generator replacement
- $51,500 – Equipment maintenance
- $35,000 – City Council Strategic Planning Retreat and Financial Summit
The mid-year General Fund position adjustments realign staffing to support the City’s strategic priorities, including adding three new full-time positions in Fire and Finance, transferring the Nurse Practitioner from Housing and Human Services to Fire, and replacing a vacant Case Manager with a Firefighter to expand medical response capacity. The proposal also includes key position reclassifications and prorated salary adjustments tied to the January 26, 2026 organizational changes, with no staffing changes for other funds.
This year, under the City Manager’s leadership, the City will begin to incorporate priority-driven budget practices into the development of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget. The public is being provided several opportunities to comment and offer input on the City’s priorities and upcoming Fiscal Year 2026-2027 proposed budget. The City Manager’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 is scheduled to be presented to the City Council on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Leading up to the presentation of the proposed budget in early May, there will be multiple opportunities for the public to provide input on City budget priorities. The public is also invited to submit comments and suggestions regarding the budget and budget priorities to the City at the following e-mail address: Budget.Priorities@culvercity.gov.
Presentation to the City Council
The City Council heard one presentation at the meeting. In the first, representatives from Home Run Financing shared information about PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy). The program allows for homeowners to finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation improvements. It is repaid as a special assessment on the property’s regular tax bill, the same way as other local public benefit assessments, such as neighborhood improvement districts. Eligibility is based on equity in property and ability to repay instead of FICO scores. There are no upfront costs and includes fixed and fully amortized interest rates. Home Run Financing also shared information about the consumer protections in place for a Residential PACE program. There are more than 80 available improvements available through PACE. Currently PACE is not authorized in Culver City. Council Members agreed to agendize a formal discussion of the issue at a future meeting.
Public Hearings
The City Council listened to four public hearings.
Zoning Code Amendment to Implement Housing Element Programs
In the first, the City Council introduced an ordinance approving City-initiated Zoning Code to implement programs of the 2021-2029 Housing Element and conform to State law and adopting an exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act.
State law under AB 1397 provides that housing projects on Housing Element Adequate Sites Inventory properties requiring rezoning must be approved ministerially if at least 20 percent of the total units are affordable to lower income households. Culver City’s 2021 to 2029 Housing Element Measure 4B extends this ministerial approval eligibility to any project citywide that includes a minimum of 20 percent lower income units, regardless of Sites Inventory status.
AB 1397 also requires that mixed use projects on Sites Inventory properties anticipated to deliver lower income units dedicate at least 50 percent of total floor area to residential use. Forty-seven inventory properties within specified mixed use zones are subject to this standard. Most projects in the current development pipeline already meet this majority residential requirement, consistent with prevailing market trends.
City staff have been implementing these requirements to ensure compliance with State law, and the proposed Zoning Code Amendment formally codifies these policies into the Zoning Code.
ADU/JADU Zoning Code Amendment
In the second public hearing, the City Council approved a City-initiated Zoning Code Amendment to update three sections of the Culver City Municipal Code in accordance with recent State laws. First, the amendment removes the requirement for a property owner to reside in either the primary single-family home or in the approved Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU), if the JADU has dedicated sanitation facilities (Assembly Bill 1154). Owner-occupancy will only be required if the JADU is dependent on shared sanitation facilities within the attached single-family residence.
Additionally, the amendment modifies the Subdivisions Chapter of the Municipal Code to allow the addition of one new ADU per lot created by a Ministerial Lot Subdivision, as enabled by Senate Bills 684 and 1123.
And finally, the amendment adopts AB 1033, that allows ADUs to be sold as condominiums. All future ADUs will remain subject to the local development standards such as setbacks and height and must meet the legal requirements and protections of the Subdivision Map Act and the Davis-Stirling Act.
Today, Culver City is among the top 10 cities in Los Angeles County in ADU production.
5757 Uplander Way Project
In the third public hearing, City Council adopted a resolution denying an appeal and affirming the Planning Commission’s approval of a mixed-use project with 1,077 residential units, including 78 very low-income units, and 5,772 square feet of commercial space at 5757 Uplander Way. The project plan redevelops an approximately 8.3 acre site currently occupied by low rise office buildings by demolishing 146,414 square feet of existing space and subdividing the property into three parcels for phased development.
It would construct a new seven-story mixed-use building supported by three levels of semi subterranean parking. The project includes extensive open space totaling 131,834 square feet, a north south public paseo, and a mix of common and private amenities.
A total of 1,303 vehicle parking spaces, including 653 EV spaces, and 305 bicycle spaces are proposed. The project also includes an administratively approved Density Bonus and Other Incentives request consistent with State Density Bonus Law and the Culver City Municipal Code. Council Member McMorrin abstained from the vote.
Jefferson Blvd Hotel Project
In the final public hearing of the meeting, City Council adopted a resolution denying an appeal and affirming the Planning Commission’s approval to allow a new 147-room [ES2] hotel with ground floor coffee shop and restaurant spaces located at 11469 Jefferson Boulevard. The site is currently developed with a single story, 13,000 square foot commercial shopping center containing retail and restaurant uses with surface parking.
In 2021, the property was entitled for a five story, 175-room boutique hotel with a restaurant, rooftop pool and bar, and two levels of subterranean parking. Following multiple time extensions due to financing challenges, a new applicant, Verdant Culver City LLC, submitted a revised proposal reflecting current market conditions.
The updated project would demolish the existing improvements and construct a five story, 147-room hotel with one level of at grade parking and one level below grade. Ground floor amenities would include a lobby, fitness room, employee spaces, restaurant and bar, and coffee shop, with guest rooms on the upper floors and a pool and amenities deck on level two.
Commendations & Proclamations
The City Council presented a commendation to Village Well Books & Coffee, marking its five-year anniversary. Village Well has become a beloved neighborhood institution, serving as an independent bookstore, café, and cultural hub that fosters dialogue, lifelong learning, and meaningful human connection.
Through its thoughtfully curated books, programs, and events, Village Well has elevated diverse voices, encouraged civic engagement, and provided a platform for community conversations that strengthen understanding and belonging. Village Well has demonstrated a deep commitment to equity, accessibility, and community well-being, creating a space where residents of all ages and backgrounds feel seen, heard, and valued.
During times of challenge and change, the Village Well has remained a steadfast gathering place—supporting local authors, artists, educators, and small businesses, and contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of Culver City. The continued success of Village Well reflects the dedication, vision, and care of its founders, staff, partners, and patrons, whose collective efforts have helped cultivate a resilient, compassionate, and connected community.
The City Council recognizes and celebrates the 5th anniversary of Village Well and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude for its contributions to the cultural life, civic fabric, and shared spirit of Culver City. The City Council congratulates Village Well on this important milestone and wishes it continued success in nurturing community, amplifying voices, and serving as a welcoming space for connection and inspiration for many years to come.
The City Council also presented a proclamation for Black History Month 2026. Black History Month, a month-long celebration of African American life, history, and culture, has been observed in the United States for 100 years as a way to promote, research, preserve, interpret, and disseminate information about Black life to the global community.
American historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson, through the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), established Black History Week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In 1976, ASALH expanded Black History Week into an annually observed, month-long celebration of Black history.
The 2026 Black History Month theme is “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” honoring the 100th anniversary of the first Black History Week and encouraging everyone to explore the impact and significance of Black history and life commemorations in transforming the status of Black people in the modern world.
Culver City acknowledges the importance of recognizing and commemorating milestones achieved in the ongoing struggle for freedom and equality for people of African descent.
The City uplifts and honors celebrations such as Watch Night, or “Freedom’s Eve,” which commemorates 1862, when enslaved people awaited the Emancipation Proclamation to take effect at midnight on January 1, 1863.
Celebrations such as Jubilee Day, also known as Juneteenth, mark the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865, while honoring the contributions of individuals who fought against slavery, most notably Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. These events highlight the determination of Black people to reclaim and celebrate their own history and share it with the world.
The City of Culver City, which has a shared history of discrimination, honors the contributions of Black residents who have enriched the community through their leadership, service, and cultural contributions, fostering a diverse environment that continuously strives to welcome individuals of various races, ethnicities, religions, and genders.
During Black History Month, the City of Culver City invites the community to engage in a celebration of Black history and culture, encouraging everyone to reflect on this rich history and to recognize the progress and achievements gained as the community collectively pursues equality, inclusivity, and sustainable opportunities for all.
The City Council of the City of Culver City, California, hereby proclaims February 2026 as “Black History Month” and encourages community members to discover and learn more about African American history through programming, camps, book displays, and exhibitions.
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 regular session on Monday, February 23rd. Childcare is available for the meeting for families wanting to attend in person by emailing PRCS at prcs.department@culvercity.gov.