At the City Council meeting on the evening of Monday, July 13, the ban on new drive through businesses was extended to just over 10 months, following the previous 45-day ban.
Public Hearing item 2 (PH2) called for, “Adoption of an Interim Urgency Ordinance Extending a Moratorium on the Issuance of any New Building Permits or Entitlements for New Drive Through Uses for an Additional 10 Months and 15 Days.”
The vast majority of public speakers were in favor of a ban on new drive-throughs, with many hoping that it will eventually be permanent, due to traffic and environmental issues.
The item passed unanimously 4-0, with Council Member Dan O’Brien recused (a carry over from the previous 45-day ban).
Public Hearing item 1 (PH1) called for, “Adoption of a Resolution Confirming the Assessment and Ordering the Levy for the Sewer User’s Service Charge for Fiscal Year 2026/2027.”
That item, a procedural annual increase, passed unanimously, as did Action Item 1 (A1):
“(1) Adopt a Resolution to Accept the Certification of the Registrar of Voters As To The Sufficiency of a Petition To Place A Parcel Tax Ballot Measure Before the Voters, Entitled ‘Culver City Public Schools Excellence In Education Act Of 2026’ and Place the Measure On The Ballot For The November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election; and (2) Instruction to the City Attorney to Prepare the Impartial Analysis for the Ballot Measure; and (3) Instruction to City Attorney to Prepare an Implementation Agreement Should the Measure Pass.”
The move to improve public schools via a parcel tax had reached the dais thanks to a petition with over 4,000 signatures.
Finally, Action Item 2 (A2) called on the council to, “(1) Review and Discuss the Proposed Increase of the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Rate from 14 percent to 16 percent; (2) If Desired, Direction to the City Manager to Return With a Resolution and Proposed Ordinance for Approval by the Voters and (3) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.”
O’Brien was recused, due to hotel membership of the Chamber of Commerce that employs him. The item passed 3-1, with Council Member Albert Vera the one no vote.