At the City Council meeting on the evening of Monday, September 29, Action Item 1 (A1) called for, “(1) Approval of an Agreement with the New Zealand Olympic Committee for Exclusive Use of Town Plaza during the 2028 Olympics for a Hospitality House and Fan Zone; (2) Designation of the New Zealand Hospitality House and Fan Zone as a City-Sponsored Event; and (3) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.”
This follows the September 8 council meeting, when a delegation from New Zealand returned to spell out the vision for the Olympics Fan Zone, and all of the sitting council members seemed keen, though the concern from Vice Mayor Freddy Puza and Council Members Yasmine-Imani McMorrin and Bubba Fish was the cost to the city (a commitment of $717,000).
With fundraising issues addressed, this time the item passed unanimously. The vote was greeted by cheers from the attendees, and a “thank you” via Zoom from New Zealand.
Earlier, Public Hearing Item 1 (PH1) called for, “Adoption of an Urgency Ordinance that Amends the California Building Code and the California Fire Code Section 1006.3.4 to Allow a Single Exit Stairway in Residential Buildings up to Six Stories in Height; and (2) Adoption of a Resolution of Express Findings Pertaining to Local Climatic, Geological or Topographical Conditions.”
There was a lot of discussion and the safety issues surrounding single-staircase building and, with the vote requiring four fifths to pass, it initially failed 3-2, with Mayor Dan O’Brien and Council Member Albert Vera the two no votes.
However, a second vote that included an elevator requirement for buildings over four stories high, passed unanimously.
Action Item 2 (A2) called for, “Discussion and Direction on (1) an Eviction Moratorium; and/or (2) a Pause on Rent Increases; and/or (3) a Rental Assistance Program, All for Persons Impacted by Recent Immigration Enforcement Actions.”
A motion for rent assistance, of $1,000 per person for Culver City residents aged 18 or older, passed unanimously.
Action Item 4 (A4) called for, “(1) Discussion and Direction Regarding the Feasibility of Implementing a Lobbyist Registration Program and Further Research Regarding Potential Costs, Staffing Needs, and Other Information Needed to Determine Whether to Establish an Ordinance to Require Registration of Lobbyists; and (2) (If Desired) Creation of an Ad Hoc Lobbyist Registration Subcommittee and Appointment of Two Council Members thereto, to Work with City Staff to Develop Program Guidelines and Content for a Lobbyist Registration Ordinance.”
There was little discussion required here, with all council members in agreement. The item passed unanimously.