City Council Meeting Summary, July 27, 2026
Published on August 04, 2026
City Council Discusses Food Truck Permit Program, Transient Occupancy Tax Rate Ordinance, Parking Violation Fees, and New Affordability Subcommittee
Discusses Food Truck Permit Program Near Parks
The City Council discussed a pilot program to allow food truck vendors in City parks, running from January to June. This was in follow up to the February 23, 2026 meeting in which the City Council unanimously voted for the PRCS Commission to develop a permit program via an ad hoc subcommittee.
The proposed program included allowing food trucks at two different parks per week with a maximum of eight vending engagements per month. There would be a first-come, first-served application process, operating hours of 3 PM to 7 PM on weekdays and 11 AM to 7 PM on weekends, and a no-show policy that cancels permits after two missed appearances.
Council discussion included waste and sustainability requirements (EPO compostable food ware requirements already apply), use of the electric generators, evaluation metrics (permit utilization, vendor satisfaction, complaints, park user surveys, enforcement issues, and litter), using a lottery system instead of first-come first-serve, and a question about whether sales tax and business tax requirements apply to vendors.
Proposes Ordinance on Transient Occupancy Tax Rate Increase
The City Council approved placing a Transient Occupancy Tax measure on the November 2026 ballot, which would raise the rate from 14% to 16%. The tax will be used to fund a number of city priorities, and generate approximately $2 million annually to assist sustaining a balanced budget over time.
At the July 13 meeting, the City Manager was directed to return with a resolution and proposed ordinance for approval by the voters. Following that direction, City staff continued to meet with hotel owners to learn more about the potential impacts of the increase.
Based on those conversations, City staff proposed a gradual increase, with rate increases to 15% effective approximately March 1, 2027 and then to 16% effective March 1, 2028. Mayor Freddy Puza, Vice Mayor Bubba Fish, and Council Member Yasmine-Imani McMorrin voted in favor. Council Member Albert Vera opposed. Council Member Dan O'Brien recused himself from the item.
Updates the Parking Violation Fines Schedule
The City Council unanimously voted to adopt the resolution on the Civil Penalty Bail Schedule for Parking Violations, which had not been revised since 2008.
City Council discussion focused on balancing the need to update the fine schedule, with recognition that community residents have expressed they are already struggling with affordability issues. The average fines of surrounding jurisdictions are substantially higher than Culver City’s current fines.
The target implementation date is January 1, 2027 to allow time for a public outreach campaign.
Creates a Standing Affordability Subcommittee
The City Council established a standing council subcommittee to look at affordability initiatives in Culver City, including issues such as housing costs (from the resident's perspective), rent, childcare, transportation costs, utility expenses, food access, workforce development, among others.
This will complement the existing Standing Council Housing and Homelessness subcommittee, which will continue to focus on housing production, affordable housing development, housing policy and zoning, tenant protection, homelessness services, permanent supportive housing, encampments and outreach.
The Council voted unanimously in favor of the creation of the new Affordability subcommittee, and the dissolution of the ad hoc minimum wage subcommittee.
Additional Council Decisions
Additional items approved by the City Council include:
- Approved cash disbursements for July 4 – July 17, 2026.
- Approved minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held on July 13, 2026.
- Approved final plans and specifications and authorization to publish notice inviting bids for the annual sidewalk, curb and gutter, and driveway approach project, PZ-428.
- Approved amendment to existing general services agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for citywide tree maintenance services to increase the annual not-to-exceed amount for fiscal year 2026-2027 by an amount of $500,000 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $1,742,082 for fiscal year 2026-2027.
- Authorized release request for proposals for parking management services for the City’s off-street parking facilities; and approved of an amendment to the Extend the Existing ABM Parking Services to manage the City's parking facilities from November 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, in an amount not-to-exceed $1,239,859.
- Received and filed Measure CC and Measure C sales tax status reports (FY 2025-2026, second quarter) and real property transfer tax status report (FY 2025-2026, third quarter), as approved by the Finance Advisory Committee.
- Approved an amendment to the existing agreement with SkiData, Inc, in an amount not-to-exceed $335,335 for installation, customization, implementation and maintenance of a parking access and revenue control systems for the new Culver Commons City parking structure located at 4029 Centinela Avenue.
- Approved a two-year agreement with Woods Maintenance Services Inc, for illegal dumping and encampment abatement in an amount not-to-exceed $162,800 per fiscal year, with an optional one-year extension.
- Awarded a $1,000 off-cycle special events grant and designation of the Center Theater Group’s Dog Man: The Musical as a City-sponsored event.
Future Council Meeting Information
The next City Council Meeting will occur on Monday, August 10, 2026 at 7 PM at Mike Balkman Council Chambers, 9770 Culver Blvd., Culver City. Validated parking is available in the parking structure under City Hall, accessible from Duquesne Avenue.
Childcare is now available for people attending City Council meetings. This is to encourage in-person public participation. The City also offers virtual options for the community to participate in City Council meetings.
Children from 5 to 15-years-old are eligible. You must register your child for each meeting you wish to attend at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Two trained Parks, Recreations and Community Services staff members will be on hand to conduct the childcare in the City Hall Patacchia Room, located on the first floor next to Council Chambers.
In order to register for childcare, please email prcs.department@culvercity.org or call (310) 253-6650.
Sign up for notifications on the City of Culver City website. Request to speak in person or online. Review agendas, minutes and recordings the City's meeting calendar.