City Council Meeting Summary, June 8, 2026

Published on June 19, 2026

City Council - Juneteenth 2026 Proclamation

City Council Adopts Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget, Interim Moratorium on New Drive-Through Uses, Appoints CBC Members

Adopts Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Budget

The City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Budget for the City of Culver City.

The adopted budget includes a balanced General Fund, with projected General Fund revenues of approximately $208 million and anticipated expenditures of approximately $205.3 million. The budget also increases the City’s Contingency Reserve from 21.6% to approximately 27%, maintains a reserve for future debt service payments, and supports continued fiscal planning.

Council discussion focused on the City’s budget priorities, community engagement, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Safe Streets metrics, affordable housing investments, deferred infrastructure needs, and the transition toward a two-year budget cycle. Council Members also discussed the importance of refining KPIs, connecting performance measures to community priorities, and continuing public engagement in the budget process.

The budget includes adjustments directed during prior budget discussions, including additional funding for the Mobile Crisis Team to expand service hours, funding for the Forgivable Revolving Loan Fund with an emphasis on childcare centers and services, increased support for after-school programming, and funding for a new pickleball court. Council also discussed future consideration of adjustments to Parks, Recreation and Community Services fees related to the Culver City Afterschool Recreation Program.

The motion passed with Mayor Freddy Puza, Vice Mayor Bubba Fish, and Council Members Yasmine-Imani McMorrin and Dan O’Brien voting in favor. Council Member Albert Vera voted no.

Approves Public Finance Authority Bond Documents

The City Council approved resolutions authorizing the issuance of lease revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $48 million.

The approved actions authorize the execution of key financing documents, including a ground lease, lease agreement, indenture, purchase contract, continuing disclosure agreement, and related certificates and documents. The Public Finance Authority Board also approved a Local Debt Policy Statement.

Bond proceeds are intended to support City priorities, including affordable housing projects such as Jubilo Village, infrastructure improvements, sidewalks, alleys, streets, right-of-way improvements, park and recreation improvements, and other capital projects included in the Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Proposed Budget.

Council discussion focused on the financing structure, expected debt rating, bond insurance, the benefits of a direct purchase structure, annual lease payments, administrative costs, reimbursement for prior project expenses, and use of proceeds for affordable housing and long-deferred capital improvements. Council Members also discussed the role of public/private partnerships in affordable housing, the importance of investing in infrastructure over its useful life, and the use of financing to address community priorities without creating a new tax or voter-approved obligation.

The motion passed with Mayor Puza, Vice Mayor Fish, and Council Members McMorrin and O’Brien voting in favor. Council Member Vera voted no.

Adopts Interim Moratorium on New Drive-Through Uses

The City Council adopted an interim urgency ordinance establishing a 45-day moratorium on the issuance of new building permits or entitlements for new drive-through uses. The City Council also directed staff to take a regular ordinance to the Planning Commission for a recommendation before returning to the City Council.

The item followed a Mobility Subcommittee recommendation to consider a citywide ban on new drive-through uses that would not affect existing drive-through businesses. Council discussion focused on public health, traffic, vehicle idling, greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, pedestrian safety, school and park adjacency, accessibility considerations, and consistency with the goals of General Plan 2045.

Council Members also discussed whether a moratorium would allow time to develop a more thoughtful long-term policy, including potential zoning standards or a permanent ordinance addressing new drive-through uses citywide. Some discussion focused on concerns that the urgency ordinance could affect a specific proposed project, while others emphasized the broader need to evaluate the type of development and mobility environment Culver City wants to encourage in the future.

The motion passed with Mayor Puza, Vice Mayor Fish, and Council Members McMorrin and Vera voting in favor. Council Member O’Brien recused himself.

Appoints Commission, Board, and Committee Members

The City Council unanimously approved appointments and reappointments to several City commissions, boards, and committees.

Appointments and reappointments included:

  • Civil Service Commission Hilton Creve, Seat No. 2
  • Cultural Affairs Commission Heather Moses, Seat No. 1 Van Johnson, Seat No. 2 Esaan Mesghali, Seat No. 5
  • Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission Thomas Whitaker, Seat No. 3
  • Planning Commission Stephen Jones, Seat No. 5
  • Advisory Committee on Housing and Homelessness Vanessa Martin, Seat No. 3 Nicholas Golowko, Seat No. 7
  • Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Adam Rich, Employee Member Randall Fallows, Resident Senior Member Kayhler Tomlinson, Youth/Student Member Travis Morgan, Business Community Member Tamar Christensen, Resident Member No. 1
  • Disability Advisory Committee Robin Langman, Seat No. 1 Robyn Tenensapf, Seat No. 5 Danna Sigal, Seat No. 8
  • Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee Lucine Linnemayr, Youth Representative Seat No. 1
  • Finance Advisory Committee Andrew Reilman, Seat No. 1 Resident Member Kevin Lachoff, Seat No. 3 Resident Member Olivier Glaser, Seat No. 6 Business Community Member
  • Landlord-Tenant Mediation Board Kenneth Corsino, Tenant Seat No. 1 Mark Zuckman, Tenant Seat No. 2 Julieanna Thompson, Tenant Seat No. 3 Beth Hyatt, Landlord Seat No. 3 Arvin Ranjbari, Landlord Seat No. 4 Chris Nuñez, Member at Large Seat No. 3 Can Zhou, Member at Large Seat No. 4 Tenant Seat No. 4 remains vacant.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee Lauri Brown, Seat No. 6 Tracy Lee, Seat No. 8 Tracey Walters, Seat No. 9
  • Los Angeles County West Vector Control District Board of Trustees Nuriel Moghavern
  • LAX Area Advisory Committee Beth Hyatt Luciano Nocera Chris Nuñez

Council discussion also included future consideration of whether to continue the Landlord-Tenant Mediation Board and whether to rename the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee as the Mobility Advisory Committee.

Adopts SB 707 Public Meeting Policies

The City Council unanimously adopted a resolution updating City Council policies related to public meeting teleconference attendance and Brown Act meeting technology disruptions in response to Senate Bill 707.

Council discussion focused on expanding public access and participation, including outreach to residents who may not traditionally attend public meetings, tracking engagement metrics through tools such as GovDelivery, improving public education about agenda items, and continuing longer-range community engagement strategies. Council Members also discussed translation access, early agenda posting, staff presentations in staff reports, and ways to make meeting participation more accessible.

The City Council also provided direction to the City Manager regarding reasonable public outreach efforts under SB 707, including measures designed to encourage participation by groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings. Council also reached consensus to further consider potential changes to the day and/or time of City Council meetings.

Recognitions, Commendations & Proclamations

Juneteenth

The City Council proclaimed June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth in Culver City, honoring the history, contributions, perseverance, and achievements of African Americans. The proclamation recognizes Juneteenth as a celebration of freedom, resilience, family, culture, and community, and encourages residents to reflect on the significance of the day while continuing to work toward a more just and equitable future. The City also invited the community to attend a free Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 12 PM to 3 PM at Veterans Memorial Park.

Gun Violence Awareness Month

The City Council proclaimed June 2026 as Gun Violence Awareness Month, honoring the lives lost to gun violence and recognizing the survivors whose lives have been forever changed. The proclamation reaffirmed the City’s commitment to protecting the community from gun violence and supporting efforts to strengthen firearm safety regulations and safe gun storage practices.

Men’s Health Men & Men’s Health Week

The City Council proclaimed June 2026 as Men’s Health Month and June 14 through June 21, 2026, as Men’s Health Week in Culver City. The proclamation raises awareness about preventable illness, premature death, mental health, early detection, and the importance of supportive care partnerships among families, caregivers, workplaces, health care providers, and communities.

Pride Month

The City Council proclaimed June 2026 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, recognizing the history, resilience, progress, and contributions of LGBTQIA+ communities. The proclamation highlighted historic milestones in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement, including the Stonewall Riots and the Black Cat Tavern protests in Southern California, and encouraged the community to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and equal rights for all.

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 next City Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 22, 2026. Childcare is available for the meeting for families wanting to attend in person by emailing PRCS at prcs.department@culvercity.gov or calling (310) 253-5560.

 

 

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