What Culver City learned from Community Conversations

Over the course of five neighborhood sessions, Culver City residents, business owners, and community partners joined City Manager Odis Jones and City leadership for a series of “Let’s Talk Culver City” Community Conversations.

These meetings were designed to create open, face-to-face conversations where community members could share ideas, ask questions, and discuss the issues that matter most to Culver City’s future.

Nearly 300 community members participated across the five sessions.

Each meeting included a presentation by the City Manager on how City government works, introductions to the City's executive staff, and an open forum where residents shared feedback, concerns, and ideas. Comments were also captured on feedback boards to ensure every voice was documented.

What Culver City Heard from the Community

While each conversation reflected the unique priorities of the neighborhood hosting the meeting, several themes consistently emerged across sessions.

Parks, Recreation & Community Spaces

Residents expressed strong interest in maintaining and improving Culver City’s parks and recreational facilities. Key topics included:

• Improving the condition of athletic fields, including Bill Botts fields
• Expanding access to field permits and park space as the population grows
• Adding lighting and improvements to park facilities
• Enhancing playground surfaces and park amenities
• Exploring long-term solutions such as dedicated sports complexes

Community members also shared appreciation for the City’s parks and programs while emphasizing the importance of continued investment.

Mobility, Traffic & Transportation

Mobility and traffic conditions were a major focus of discussion.

Residents shared feedback on:

• Traffic congestion throughout the city
• Parking availability in residential areas
• Proposed mobility projects, including the Better Overland project
• Interest in safer, connected bike infrastructure
• Improving pedestrian accessibility and ADA compliance
• Exploring local shuttle options and better coordination between departments when modifying streets and right-of-way

Infrastructure & City Maintenance

Many residents highlighted the importance of maintaining Culver City’s infrastructure and public spaces.

Common concerns included:

• Sidewalk repairs and damage from tree roots
• Streetlight outages and lighting levels
• Tree trimming and maintenance schedules
• Potholes and road maintenance
• Trash pickup and general upkeep of public spaces

Residents emphasized that maintaining existing infrastructure should remain a priority for the City.

Housing, Development & Local Businesses

Community members discussed the impact of development and the importance of supporting Culver City’s local economy.

Topics included:

• Concerns related to specific development proposals
• Supporting small businesses and ensuring they have opportunities to thrive
• Aligning development with infrastructure and community capacity
• Housing affordability and impacts of population growth

Public Safety & Community Well-Being

Residents expressed appreciation for Culver City’s police and fire response times and emphasized the importance of maintaining public safety resources.

Other discussions included:

• Lighting improvements in public areas
• Traffic safety and speeding concerns
• Homelessness and services for unhoused residents
• The role of mobile crisis response teams

Transparency, Budget & Civic Engagement

Many residents expressed interest in learning more about how City government operates and how decisions are made.

Suggestions included:

• Providing clearer information about the City budget and spending priorities
• Creating public guides explaining how City government works
• Continuing neighborhood-based community conversations
• Increasing transparency around City fees and development decisions

What City Leadership Learned

The Community Conversation series reinforced the value of direct, in-person engagement between residents and City leadership.

Residents consistently shared that these smaller neighborhood gatherings allow for meaningful dialogue, thoughtful questions, and constructive feedback.

The City also heard a clear message from community members: they want to remain involved and informed as Culver City continues to grow and evolve.

What Happens Next

Feedback from the Community Conversation series will help inform future discussions about City priorities, services, and planning efforts.

The City will continue to:

• Inform the City Council and City staff of the requests and issues brought forth by the public
• Host Community Conversation meetings with engaging elements
• Hold its work accountable to the public with transparent reporting on City projects and accomplishments

Residents can join Culver City staff for the next set of meetings focusing on budget engagement. The City will host two meetings in April. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the Rotunda Room at Veterans Memorial Building. The second meeting will be held on Friday, April 10, at 1:30 p.m. inside the Culver City Senior Center.

The City of Culver City would like to thank everyone who participated in the “Let’s Talk Culver City” Community Conversations. Your feedback, ideas, and perspectives are important in shaping Culver City’s future.

Community engagement will remain a key priority as the City continues working to serve residents, businesses, and visitors across Culver City.