At the City Council meeting on the evening of Monday, October 13, Public Hearing item PH1 called for, “(1) Introduction of an Ordinance Amending and Restating Sections 9.02.005-9.02.060 and Adding Section 9.02.065 (“California Fire Code Adoption and Amendments”) of Chapter 9.02 of Title 9 of the Culver City Municipal Code, and Adopting by Reference the 2025 California Fire Code with Local Amendments; and (2) Adoption of a Resolution Making Express Findings for the Modifications to the 2025 California Fire Code Based on Local Climatic, Geological, and Topographical Conditions.”
That item passed unanimously, as did PH2, “1) Introduction of an Ordinance: (A) Repealing and Replacing Culver City Municipal Code Subchapter 15.02.100, of Chapter 15.02, “Adoption of State Codes”, (B) Repealing and Replacing Culver City Municipal Code Subchapter 15.02.1100, of Chapter 15.02, “Local Amendments to the Green Building Standards Code, Building Code and Residential Building Code, to Establish Reach Code Standards” and (C) Adopting by Reference the 2025 California Administrative Code, 2025 California Building Code with Local Amendments, 2025 California Residential Building Code with Local Amendments, 2025 California Electrical Code, 2025 California Mechanical Code with Local Amendments, 2025 California Plumbing Code with Local Amendments, 2025 California Energy Code, 2025 California Wildland Urban Interface Code with Local Amendments, 2025 California Historical Building Code, 2025 California Existing Building Code with Local Amendments, 2025 California Green Building Standards Code.”
Item PH3 was a little more controversial, with some members of the public against the relocation of a Costco gas station, due to the proximity to residents including two preschools.
The item read, “Appeal of the Planning Commission’s Decision to Adopt Resolution No. 2024-P007, Approving Conditional Use Permit Modification, P2021-0135-CUP/M and a Class 32 Categorical Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the Relocation and Expansion of an Existing Costco Fueling Station at 13431-13463 Washington Blvd.”
An attorney for Costco spoke but failed to quell fears, and a motion to direct staff to return a resolution addressing concerns passed 3-2. Mayor Dan O’Brien and Council Member Albert Vera were the two no votes.
Action Item A1 called for, “Consideration of an Entertainment Zone for Downtown Culver City and Provide Direction to the City Manager’s Office as Deemed Appropriate.”
Council Member Bubba Fish had concerns about the alcohol consumption, and raised a motion to pass the item with “flexible boundaries.” That failed 2-3 (O’Brien, Vera and Vice Mayor Freddy Puza were the no votes). The item passed as originally advised by staff, with a 4-1 vote (Fish the one no vote).
Action Item A2 called for, “(1) Discussion of Recommendations from the Sustainability Subcommittee to Regulate Single-Use Plastic Beverage Bottles, Balloons, Smoking, Single-Use Bags not Exempted by California Public Resources Code and Astroturf; and (2) Direction to City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.”
This raised many questions about being business-friendly vs. environment-friendly, and the item was eventually passed back to staff for further research and examination.
Finally, Action Item A3 called for, “Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 9.01, Animals and Fowl, of the Culver City Municipal Code to Add a New Subchapter 9.01.800, et seq., Prohibiting the Sale and Use of Glue Traps.”
A no-brainer due to the cruelty of the traps and the potential for spreading disease, this item passed quickly and unanimously with a 4-0 vote (Council Member Yasmine-Imani McMorrin had been attending virtually and she left after item A2).