At the City Council meeting on the evening of Monday, May 11, Public Hearing Item 1 (PH1) called on the council to “Receive a Presentation on the Status of Job Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts per Assembly Bill (AB) 2561.”
After a thorough presentation by staff which delved into vacancy rates by department, and the challenges of retaining quality employees in the current environment, the council unanimously received the item.
PH2 called for the, “Introduction of an Ordinance Approving City-Initiated Zoning Code Amendment P2025-0066-ZCA to Amend the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) to Implement California State Senate Bill 79, the Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act.”
Staff recommended that the council, “introduce an ordinance approving Zoning Code Amendment P2026-0066-ZCA to implement interim standards for California State Senate Bill 79, the Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act as stated in Exhibit A of the Ordinance (Attachment 1), with a condition that this ordinance does not become effective until SB 79 becomes effective.”
That too passed unanimously.
Action Item 1 (A1) was the big item of the evening: “(1) Receipt of the City Manager’s/Executive Director’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027; (2) Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Proposed Budget Overview and Key Performance Indicator Framework; and (3) Setting the Date and Time of the Public Hearing on the Proposed Budget for June 8, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.”
From the start of the presentation, staff said that the key takeaway is that they are delivering a balanced budget, beginning July 1 of this year. This is contrast to the months of concern over a deficit, and has to be viewed as a massive victory for the current City Council and new City Manager.
According to the presentation, the budget, “Preserves core General Fund services while continuing to monitor fund-specific challenges; Restores financial discipline and strengthens long-term stability; Invests in visible community priorities: streets, sidewalks, parks, facilities, housing, and engagement; Back-to-basics approach centered on service reliability, infrastructure, and financial health.”
The budget shows that the General Fund will bring in $208 million in revenues, and expenditures will amount to $203.9 million. The full budget can be found here: https://www.culvercity.gov/City-Hall/City-Departments/General-Info-Finance/Annual-Budget
There was some concern over the amount being spent on “safe streets” ($3 million), compared to what is going to trees, sidewalks, etc. However, even the naysayers have to concede that this is a victory for the city, even with the money going to the controversial Jubilo Village affordable housing project. The budget was received unanimously 4-0 (Vice Mayor Bubba Fish was absent at the time of the vote).
A2 called for, “Approval of Siting Plan for the Implementation of an Interactive Digital Kiosk Program, Including Commercial Advertising, Along City Sidewalks and Public Right of Way; and Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.”
Staff recommended that the Council, “approve a siting plan for the implementation of an interactive digital kiosk program, including commercial advertising, along City sidewalks and in the public right-of-way; and provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.”
The item passed 2-0, with Mayor Freddy Puza and Council Member Albert Vera the two yes votes. Vice Mayor Bubba Fish and Council Member Yasmine-Imani McMorrin abstained, and Council Member Dan O’Brien was recused.