Money talks in Culver City, with local lawmakers giving the green light to a hefty $2M in amendments to the city's general fund budget. The scoop was reported on February 29th, a dive into the fiscal adjustments needed to balance less-than-stellar sales tax revenue against a spike in utility users' tax income. City bean counters presented a mid-year budget report cueing a mixed bag – a $1.3 million decrease in the former offset by a $1.6 million increase in the latter, per City documentation. The City Council was keen to follow recommendations, slashing some revenue forecasts while bolstering others, settling for a net reduction of $358,480.
Chief Financial Officer Lisa Soghor led the presentation, which showed expenditures at the mid-year point to to comfortably dwell at 47.4% of projections. A notable uptick from last year, thanks partly to filling job vacancies and funneling funds toward the city's unhoused folk. A total of $2 million was approved to amend the General Fund, with the Unassigned Balance taking a hit - dropping from $6.1 million to $4.1 million - as detailed on the City's website.
Building the future of Culver City also got some airtime, as the City Council chewed over updates on the Draft General Plan and Zoning Code Framework. The big reveal? A vision of residential and mixed uses lining commercial corridors and denser multi-family units – all part of a plan to meet housing needs to the tune of 3,341 units. Cue public input, with open houses drumming up a mix of high hopes and hard questions. Responses to this public draft are expected to hit the Project website in March, and by Fall 2024, the General Plan should be ready to rock.
In the battle against homelessness, Tevis Barnes, Director of Housing and Human Services, dropped some knowledge on the City Council's desk. There's been progress since the Local Emergency declaration in January last year, over $15 million dedicated to the cause, and tangible wins like the Wellness Village and Motel Master Leasing Program – both offering a roof for those in need. Meanwhile, the upcoming Mobile Crisis Team is all set to semi-launch, promising to bring help to where it's desperately needed, as reported on the City staff report.
Rounding out a busy meeting, classic car enthusiasts can get their motors running for the 20th Annual Culver City Car Show, thanks to a $30,000 grant from the City. Not to idle by, the City's relationship with its Mexican sister city,Uruapan, hit a 60-year milestone, celebrated with a blend of fanfare and future-forward thinking. Yet, not everything's a walk in the park – the council hit pause on backing "Bike Culver City's" bid for a safety grant, leaving the cycling group hanging for now. More details on council decisions, including the controversial small cell wireless site debates, can be dug up on the City's website.
