Culver City Newsletter - June 2025

Published on June 18, 2025

Culver City's monthly newsletter provides a recap of the last month and shares opportunities to get engaged.

Culver City Mayor Releases Statement on Immigration Enforcement

Culver City Mayor Dan O'Brien released the following statement this month:

“Culver City stands with the people who call our community home regardless of immigration status. Immigrants are vital to our City, and we remain deeply committed to protecting their rights and dignity.

In 2017, the City Council formally declared Culver City a Sanctuary City. That commitment continues today. In alignment with California law, the Culver City Police Department maintains clear and strict policies that prohibit the enforcement of federal immigration laws and the sharing of personal data or information with immigration authorities.

Culver City Police do not ask about immigration status when responding to calls for service. Our focus is, and always will be, on ensuring public safety and providing respectful, equitable service to everyone in our community including those who live here, work here, and visit our beautiful City.

No one should ever be afraid to seek help, report a crime, or engage with City services because of their immigration status. In Culver City, we believe every person deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported.”

Along with following state law, the Culver City Police Department has robust policies that strictly prohibit the enforcement of immigration laws and the sharing of data or information with immigration authorities.

City Council Approves Budget, Includes Funding for Jubilo

The City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Budget at its latest meeting. The adopted budget includes $16 million in additional funding for the Jubilo Village 95-unit affordable housing project at 4464 Sepulveda Boulevard. It also allocates $179,300 for a new PRCS Senior Management Analyst position to assist with grant efforts, though, that position is contingent on voter approval of Measure CL in the August 26, 2025, election. The budget also appropriates $250,000 to potentially support a consultant to help the City increase community participation in the budget process, which is subject to further City Council discussion and approval.

General Plan and Housing Element Progress Dashboards Now Available Online

Keep track of the status of various implementation actions and view overall progress for each element of the General Plan. In addition to overall progress by percentage of actions completed, in progress, or not started, the dashboards have a table with details of each action, sortable by timeframe, type of action, and responsible departments. The dashboards will be updated biannually.

You can view the General Plan and Housing Element dashboards.

New Numbers Released on the Homeless Reporting Dashboard

New numbers released this week highlight the holistic and comprehensive approach.

The latest data shows the City has accomplished the following:

Culver City’s Project Homekey Permanent Supportive Housing site has housed 42 residents since opening in October 2023.
Culver City’s Project Homekey Interim Housing site has temporarily housed 48 participants since opening in February 2024.
Culver City’s Wellness Village Safe Sleep-site has served 82 participants since opening in August 2023.
Culver City's Motel Lease Program has sheltered 159 participants since July 2023.
Culver City’s Mobile Crisis Team, which launched in March 2024, has helped provide placement for 63 unhoused individuals and has responded to 1,271 calls for service, contacted 845 persons, and performed 178 mental health assessments.

Since Culver City declared a homelessness emergency in January 2023, the City continues to take action towards solving homelessness, including opening permanent and supportive housing sites, opening a safe-sleep site, providing shelter at two leased local motels, launching a mobile crisis response team, street-based healthcare, and extensive outreach services. You can view the full data from the Homeless Reporting Dashboard.

Victoria Marks Selected as New Artist Laureate

The City Council approved Victoria Marks as the new Culver City Artist Laureate. She will begin her two-year term on July 1, 2025. Marks, a multidisciplinary artist and choreographer/director, was selected following a comprehensive and rigorous two-phase application and review process.

As Artist Laureate and Cultural Ambassador, Marks will seek to inspire diverse residents, represent the City through original works responsive to local communities, cultivate connections to the arts, increase accessibility, and explore the diversity, cultures, and histories of Culver City. She plans to attend community events, engage with the public, and collaborate with City staff and partners.

Marks is now the third to be selected in Culver City’s Artist Laurate program and promises a vibrant tenure focused on connection, community, and the power of art to illuminate shared human experience in Culver City. Learn more about Victoria and her artwork.

Next Phase of “A Frame for a Tree” Public Art Installation Approved

The City Council unanimously approved the fabrication and installation of the “A Frame for Tree” public art installation by artist Charles Gaines. Gaines' concept for Culver City proposes an approximately 56’ x 98’ rectangular metal structure that will frame the mature Ficus tree at the intersection of Washington and National Boulevards. The site, part of the Washington/National Transit Oriented Development (TOD) District, has been planned for public art as a gateway and means of visually unifying the intersection since 2016.

It is estimated that the artwork will be installed in 2026. The Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 includes sufficient funding in the amount of $1,491,472 for Phase III of this project. This project is fully funded by the Cultural Arts Fund, which is funded by developer fees that can only be used for art, and not the City’s General Fund.

Community Invited to Juneteenth Celebration on June 21st

The City of Culver City invites the community to a free Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 21st from 1 PM to 4 PM at Ivy Station.

With the collaboration of local artists, businesses, and organizations, Culver City’s Juneteenth event brings a day of reflection, education, and celebration. This is a free, family-friendly event and will feature resources, select market vendors, and kids' activities. The day will feature a performance of the Black National Anthem, live music performances, and food will be available.

Community Invited to Hate Crimes Report Presentation and Q&A

Presented by the Culver City Human Resources Department and the Culver City Police Department, join us on June 24th as the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations' presents the 2023 Hate Crimes Report .

This evening will shed light on what types of hate crimes and hate incidents were and still are occurring, where they were/are occurring and their targets, in the hopes of bringing awareness to what is happening and to educate our community on when and how to report Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents.

Learn more about the Hate Crimes Report presentation.

Culver City Independence Celebration at Town Plaza on July 5th

The Culver City Downtown Business Association is excited to present the Second Annual Downtown Culver City Independence Celebration on Friday, July 5th from 6 to 9:30 PM at Town Plaza. This free, family-friendly community event features live music, flag salute, and Culver City’s second-ever aerial drone light show, bringing cutting-edge entertainment to the heart of the city.

Evening festivities will kick off with live performance from Guilty Pleasure Makers, followed by a flag salute by local Scouts, and a heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem by Cadence Washington. Learn more about the Independence Celebration on the the Downtown Business Association's website.

Culver City Symphony Orchestra Celebrates The Wild West

Music Director Clyde Mitchell welcomes the community to a celebration of America’s Wild West, featuring music from favorite Westerns, and Western-inspired music from favorite composers at the Robert Frost Auditorium.

From movie themes to honoring the end of WWII with hits from the era, to the West with big orchestral pieces by Williams and Copland, you are bound to enjoy the Wild West through the sounds of the Culver City Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, June 22 from 7 to 9 PM.

Culver City Unified School District Hiring Fair on June 24th

The Culver City Unified School District will host a hiring fair in search of qualified candidates to fill multiple positions for Instructional Assistant-Special Education. Candidates must have an AA degree or 48 college units that include math and English with a C or better grade, OR be able to pass a two-hour assessment test.

The hiring fair will be open from 9 AM to noon at the District Office located at 4034 Irving Place. You can learn more about the hiring fair on CCUSD's website.

Community Invited to 2025 World's Largest Swim Lesson

The World's Largest Swim Lesson and family movie night event is happening at the Plunge on Thursday, June 26th. This event is designed to build awareness and generate attention about the vital importance of teaching kids to swim to help prevent drowning.

All activities require individual registration on the activity sign up page. Space is limited.

Swim Lessons: FREE 40 minute youth swim lessons are taking place.

Lesson # 1: 5 PM
Lesson # 2: 6 PM
Recreational Swim: 7 PM

Family Movie Night: A screening of Disney's live action Moana 2 will begin at sundown (around 7:30 PM). Inner tubes are available for those watching from the pool. Registration is $2 per person and space is limited.

Culver City Pride Ride and Rally Set for June 28th

Culver City Pride is back for its 2025 event on June 28th.

Rock your rainbow colors as the community rides, scoots, skates, and cycles through over five miles of Culver City neighborhoods! Push and pedal together with friends, family, and neighbors starting at Syd Krothenthal Park. This event is free. All ages and abilities welcome. RSVP for the ride on the Culver City Pride website.

The ride will end at The Culver Steps at Town Plaza for an evening filled with dancing, entertainment, and more starting at 6 PM.

Learn more at the Culver City Pride website.

Lifeguard Hiring Fair on June 30th at Culver City Plunge

Culver City's Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) is looking to hire lifeguards for The Plunge!

Apply, interview and test all in one day. Please allocate approximately 2 hours for the full hiring process, including swim assessment.
Under 18 or still in high school? A valid work permit is required to be eligible for hire.
Meet the Team, enjoy some snacks! Supervisors, Coordinators, and Aquatic Staff will be onsite to answer your questions.
Live Scan, Pre-employment Physicals, & Drug Tests will be onsite. Get everything done for the hiring process in one place- fast and easy.
Earn $23.37 per hour.
Come prepared with your availability and ID.

Don't miss this chance to make waves with a rewarding job and serious incentives up to $1,500! Learn more about the lifeguard hiring event and get certification by signing up for the opportunities to become a registered lifeguard before the hiring fair.

Culver City Announces Movies in the Park for Parks Make Life Better! Month

This July, get ready for a blockbuster summer with movies in the parks, PRCS goodies, surprise park pop-ups, and a whole lot more as we celebrate Parks Make Life Better Month!

Saturday Movies in The Park Schedule:

July 5th - Mufasa at Culver West Alexander Park
July 12th - The Little Rascals at Syd Kronenthal Park
July 19th - Shrek at Fox Hills Park
July 26th - Wicked at Veterans Memorial Park

Gates will open at 7 PM and movies will begin at dusk.

Culver City Police Offer Vacation Check Program

Do you have a vacation coming up and want to ensure the security of your home or business while you're away? You can sign up for Culver City Police Department's Vacation Check Program.

This service is provided on an as-available basis. It is not intended for vacant homes, residences for sale, or long-term absences.

You can learn more about the Police Department's Vacation Check Program and apply on the CCPD website.

Community Invited to Disaster Preparedness Presentation

The Culver City Fire Department invites Culver City community members to attend a vital Disaster Preparedness Presentation, where local experts will share how to stay safe and resilient during emergencies.

Learn directly from our emergency response leaders — including the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, and Fire Marshal — as they discuss wildfire readiness, earthquake response, evacuation planning, and how the City activates during a disaster.

Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Time: 6 – 8 PM
Location: Culver City Senior Center (4095 Overland Ave.)

Topics will include:

Emergency operations and response procedures
How to prepare your family and home
Communication tools during a disaster
How to get involved through CERT and CCARES

Now more than ever, preparedness matters. Don’t miss this opportunity to get informed, ask questions, and learn how you can play a role in keeping Culver City safe.

RSVPs are not required, but if you plan to attend the Disaster Preparedness Presentation, let us know on the event form so we can plan accordingly.

2025 Summer Sunset Concert Series Returns in July and August

It’s almost time to celebrate summer in beautiful Downtown Culver City! The City is pleased to present the Summer Sunset music series on Thursday evenings beginning on July 17th at 7 PM in Town Plaza at the Culver Steps. The free, family friendly series will run every Thursday evening until August 28th.

Seating is limited and available on a first come first served basis for view of the stage. Small picnic blankets and low back chairs are welcome in designated areas as capacity allows. We invite you to explore our numerous restaurants in and around the Culver Steps! Alcoholic beverages and smoking are not permitted at the concerts. Stay tuned as we announce musicians soon!

Free Compost Giveaway on July 12th

Culver City's Environmental Programs and Operations is giving away compost while supplies last at Culver City Park in the Ropes Course parking lot starting at 8 AM.

This is a self-haul event so bring a shovel - residents are responsible for shoveling and bagging their own compost in garbage bags, yard waste bags, reusable containers, pick-up bed, or trailer.

A Night to Unite - Save the Date for National Night Out 2025!

National Night Out brings together the entire community of Culver City for a celebration of unity on Tuesday, August 5th.

Hosted by the Culver City Police Department, the event will have fun for the whole family. There will be free food, music, vehicle and equipment displays, community resources, prizes, kid's zone with art activities and face painting, and more!

You won't want to miss the K9 Demonstration at 6:30 PM. Bring your family, neighbors, and friends and come have some fun!

Free Childcare Offered at Culver City City Council Meetings

Childcare is now available for people attending City Council meetings. This is to encourage in-person public participation. The next City Council meeting is Monday, June 23rd at 7 PM. 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 the 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.

Learn more about childcare at City Council meetings and enroll at the PRCS sign-up page.