ELECTIONS : Council Members Depicted as Being Hostile to Business : Politics: Two incumbents targeted for defeat are criticized for their slow-growth leanings. One of them, James Boulgarides, calls the issue a ‘red herring.’ He blames recession for drop in sales and business taxes.

Differing philosophies about what the city’s attitude toward business should be are emerging as a key issue in the Culver City Council campaign. Five candidates are competing for three seats in the April 14 election.

In an effort to unseat two incumbents known for their slow-growth leanings, two challengers are painting the city as hostile to business interests.

Richard Alexander, who served on the City Council for four consecutive terms ending in 1990, said he came out of retirement because he couldn’t bear to watch city government strangle business with excessive regulation.

“Businesses are feeling ignored and ‘unliked’ by the City Council,” he said. “I want to reverse that.”

Albert Vera, who has served on the city’s Civil Service Commission for the past 10 years, expressed a similar sentiment.

“This feeling of anti-business is like a cancerous thing that has grown little by little,” he said.

Both candidates say delays in applying for permits and strict building codes drive potential businesses away and discourage existing businesses from expanding, and they have targeted incumbents James D. Boulgarides and Steven Gourley for defeat.

Mollie “Lee” Welinsky, a civil rights lawyer, rounds out the group of five candidates. The third incumbent, Mayor Paul A. Jacobs, has decided not to run again. Donald Lane, a retired police chief, has officially withdrawn from the race, but his name will appear on the ballot.

Gourley and Boulgarides acknowledge that revenues from sales and business taxes are down, but they say it’s not the City Council’s fault.

“I think it’s a red herring,” Boulgarides said. “We’ve done many things to support business. . . . The real situation is the economy for the past several years has been devastating. We’ve been seeing business leaving, but they leave for many reasons.”

The two incumbents said they knew of no businesses that had left Culver City because they were dissatisfied with municipal laws.

Boulgarides and Gourley agree that business must be encouraged to help the city’s struggling economy. A $3.8-million budget shortfall is projected for the 1992-93 fiscal year.

“But we have to be careful we get quality businesses that are assets to the community,” Boulgarides said. “So it enhances the environment as well as the economic base.”

The incumbents say they favor slow, controlled growth with lots of input from residents. They consistently demonstrated this view by voting against large-scale projects, such as the proposed Marina Place regional mall, citing traffic, density or the need for further study. They were consistently outvoted, however, by the council majority of Mike Balkman, Jozelle Smith and Jacobs.

Vera and Alexander propose encouraging business by relaxing laws, but Gourley defends most regulatory hurdles because “they keep us from becoming another Los Angeles.”

“If you want to have no regulations,” he said, “just look around at the fast-food franchises, four-story apartment buildings and the horrible signs they put up (in Los Angeles).”

Besides business, a big issue being raised during candidate forums is the 56-foot building height limit passed by voters in 1990. Although drafters of the initiative intended for the law to cover all of Culver City, two past city attorneys have ruled that the City Code exempts redevelopment areas from the law. These areas account for 30% of Culver City land and are targeted for large-scale projects, including Sony Pictures Studios’ proposed expansion.

Welinsky, who has served on the city’s landlord-tenant mediation board since 1982, said she joined the race to support the height limit for all areas of the city.

“It’s a directive,” she said. “The fact that the City Council won’t accept it makes me angry.”

Welinsky aligns herself with Gourley and Boulgarides in her intent to apply the height limit to the Sony project. But she also promotes herself as a woman, pointing out that the city has had only two councilwomen, including Smith.

The incumbents have also been seen as vulnerable because of the $4.8 million in cuts made last June to balance the city’s $43-million 1991-92 budget.

In recent weeks, the candidates have heard a variety of views and questions from residents as they have made the rounds at candidate forums.

City workers have raised concerns over job cuts and meager pay raises. The largest group, the 200-member General Service Employees union, questioned the candidates about the city’s plan to contain the rising cost of medical benefits by requiring employees to pay for future increases in insurance premiums.

The union, apparently dissatisfied with being the first group to be targeted for the cap on insurance premiums, endorsed the three challengers.

At a forum sponsored by the Fox Hills Homeowners Assn., all candidates promised support for a new community center in the neighborhood.

“We found $2 million to renovate McManus Park,” Welinsky told the association. “I’m sure we can find some money for a community center.”

Of all the forums, candidates appeared the most ill at ease at the forum sponsored by the Mexican-American Political Assn. Latinos make up 19.8% of Culver City’s 38,793 residents, according to 1990 census figures.

In what was MAPA’s first Culver City forum, guests asked tough questions about how to keep children from getting involved with gangs, how to get Latinos involved in politics, and whether people who are not U.S. citizens should be allowed to vote in school board and city elections.

The candidates maintained it was up to the community to get involved and make their concerns known. They unanimously asserted that those who aren’t U.S. citizens must earn the right to vote by learning U.S. history and basic English.

But more often, they grabbed at straws for common ground. Some drew from their immigrant pasts. Vera recalled being “kicked around” when he arrived from Italy at age 15. Boulgarides and Welinsky said they were born of immigrant parents.

Alexander half-jokingly offered involvement by inviting audience members to join his campaign. The others quickly followed suit.

Gourley emphasized his Spanish-speaking ability and offered to translate Spanish at City Council meetings to the other council members.

But at the end of the forum, a speaker asked Gourley to defend remarks he made last year supporting the construction of physical barricades at the Mexican border to stop the flow of illegal immigrants.

“Why should we believe you have the understanding and sensitivity of issues affecting Latinos in Culver City when you brought (this up)?” one man asked.

As Gourley explained his views, he was interrupted for using the term “illegal immigrant.”

“You mean undocumented,” another man said angrily as mediators tried to quiet him. “They should use our terminology--this is our forum!”

MAPA endorsed Vera, Welinsky and Boulgarides.

“We felt they really had no understanding of what we’re all about,” said MAPA member Trinie Garcia-Valdez. “We seriously considered not endorsing any of them.”

In its initial phase, the campaign has been a fairly low-budget one. As of the end of February, Vera led the pack in money raised ($13,048) and spent ($8,973), according to candidate financial statements. The other candidates were bunched close to $5,000 in money raised.

Vera reported contributions from 40 businesses. Also listed among his contributions was $295 from TriStar Pictures vice president Ted Hatfield. TriStar is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, whose development plans for the studio property have generated spirited debate regarding the height limit. Hatfield contributed $250 to Alexander’s campaign as well.

Other donors of note included slow-growth activist Robin Turner, who contributed between $100 and $150 each to the campaigns of Boulgarides, Welinsky and Gourley. Jacqueline Pachtman, whose husband, Richard Pachtman, drafted the height limit initiative, contributed $350 to Welinsky’s campaign and $231 to Boulgarides’.

Vera, who has owned and operated Sorrento Italian Market in Culver City for 30 years, claims there is a breakdown in communications between the council and local business.

“The council discourages people,” he said. “They fight a businessman over one sign. They refuse a permit over one parking space.”

Boulgarides pointed out at a forum for real estate agents that the city contributed $80,000 to a face lift of the plaza in front of Vera’s store.

Vera said that, if he had to do it again, he would not have accepted that help from City Hall.

“We’re lucky we survived,” he said, pointing out that it took five years and a year of business lost to construction barricades to complete the project.

Candidates for Culver City Council

Richard Alexander

Background: 56, nuclear instruments consultant; Culver City councilman 1974-1990; member of Culver City Sister City Committee, Education Foundation, Parcel Tax Committee and Homeowners Assn.

Why are you running? By the time I retired from City Council in 1990, we had achieved a high quality of life through the cooperative efforts and thoughtful actions of the city council. Today, it is threatened. In addition to the recession, our tax base is being eroded. Our present council has not responded. I want to return common sense to our City Council.

Would you apply the 56-foot-high building limit to redevelopment areas as well? The height limit was passed with full knowledge by the voters that it did not apply to redevelopment areas. I oppose applying the limit to the proposed Sony development. Well planned, taller buildings with open spaces between them is preferable to a 56-foot-high monolith.

How would you tackle the task of balancing the budget? I would examine city departments and justify each position. The cost of medical insurance is staggering. I like the idea of offering a medium-cost plan, with the option of choosing other plans where the employee pays or pockets the difference in cost. I would defer major spending on construction and purchases until the recession ends.

What kind of businesses should Culver City have, and what should it do to attract them? The first kind of businesses we need are the ones here now. Our anti-business reputation has persuaded some to leave and others not to come. We need to eliminate outdated ordinances that hinder business and streamline routine applications. Let us create a blue-ribbon committee--60% resident, 40% business--to do this.

James D. Boulgarides Background: 68, professor of management, Cal State Los Angeles; Culver City councilman 1972-1980,1988--present; member of Homeowner assn., Democratic Club and Historical Society.

Why are you running? To protect the interest of the residents and assure that Culver City government continues to be open and accessible to all segments of the community. To preserve our neighborhoods and the small town atmosphere we all enjoy, and maintain a crime-free environment.

Would you apply the 56-foot-high building limit to redevelopment areas as well? The intent of the voters in 1990 was to have the 56-foot building height limit apply to all areas of the city. I accept that mandate as being applicable to the city’s redevelopment project areas. The voters have the power to change that mandate by vote.

How would you tackle the task of balancing the budget? All non-critical services would be up for review. Any optional expenditures which do not affect critical services would be eliminated or deferred. Crime fighting, safety, fire and paramedic services would have to be maintained. I would strongly oppose imposing new taxes on residents. Government must live within the available revenue.

What kind of businesses should Culver City have, and what should it do to attract them? We should reach out to attract quality business enterprises which are environmentally sensitive. These would be businesses which have a minimal adverse impact on the city in terms of atmospheric pollution, visual impact or peak hour traffic. We can attract good business by providing a quality environment which is crime free.

Steven Gourley Background: 43; attorney; Culver City councilman 1988--present; member of council’s school liaison and audit committees, Culver City YouthHealth Clinic Advisory Committee, Bar Assn. and Democratic Club. Why are you running? I ran four years ago because I did not believe the City Council was listening to the people. We seemed to be drowning in mini-malls, fast food franchises and large ugly signs. During the last four years, the City Council has listened and I will continue that trend. I am also concerned with protecting Culver City from Los Angeles’ unrestrained development.

Yes, unless there is a vote of the people which directs otherwise.

Would you apply the 56-foot-high building limit to redevelopment areas as well? I am against assessment districts. My highest priority is for the safety of residents. City employee medical benefits, which have been rising 10% to 20% each year, should be capped. We should cut inessential administrative and management positions, and privatize certain services, such as tree trimming, to save money.

How would you tackle the task of balancing the budget? We should attract clean, quality businesses and require developers to pay for the city services they use. I held the first summit meeting for Culver City’s entertainment companies. What kind of businesses should Culver City have, and what should it do to attract them? I authored the charette plan for revitalizing downtown so quality businesses and restaurants would locate there. We should hire an ombudsman to promote Culver City.

Albert M. Vera Background: 58; owner of Sorrento Italian Market; member of Civil Service Commission, 1981--1991; Direction 21 and Downtown Charette committees; trustee, West Los Angeles College, 1985--present.

Why are you running? I will bring to the City Council the leadership, creativity, experience, common sense and energy necessary to make things happen, create business prosperity and balance the budget.

Would you apply the 56-foot-high building limit to redevelopment areas as well? I support the height initiative passed two years ago. Culver City doesn’t need 11-story office buildings. But building height is only one part of any proposal that needs to be looked at. We need the discretion and flexibility to allow creativity in designing a project in exchange for things such as lower density, greater setbacks, more landscaping and more pleasing architecture.

How would you tackle the task of balancing the budget? I will work toward establishing long-term and short-term reserves in our budget so that we are better able to cope with the type of financial crisis we are in. We need to make developers financially responsible for solving the problems they create. I will not support cuts in service. The emphasis should be on enhancing revenues. We need to encourage business.

What kind of businesses should Culver City have, and what should it do to attract them? I want to encourage our present businesses to remain here. We need to establish an economic development plan and seek out businesses that are compatible with Culver City. We need businesses that bring in more revenues than they take out in city services. I want to make Culver City business friendly by eliminating burdensome over-regulation.

Mollie (Lee) Welinsky Background: 64; consumer rights lawyer; member of Culver City Landlord--Tenant Mediation Board, 1982--preesent; Planning Commission, 1956-1980; Homeowners Assn., Historical Society and Democratic Club.

Why are you running? I have the business qualifications needed. I want to see the council become a pro-active, hands-on body with leadership and vision . . . for the future. The most important issue in Culver City is quality growth management. I believe in diversifying our financial base by attracting environmentally sensitive business to Culver City.

Would you apply the 56-foot-high building limit to redevelopment areas as well? The height limit was written to apply to all the commercial parts of the city. I would apply this mandate to the redevelopment areas.

How would you tackle the task of balancing the budget? We need to eliminate all of the outside consultants. We hired a city attorney who does not know redevelopment and pay outside attorneys to advise the council. We need to cut frills such as city credit cards and cars. We need to prioritize services and cut those we can do without.

What kind of businesses should Culver City have, and what should it do to attract them? We need business such as Allied Train and Rhino Records. We need to encourage our commercial property owners to invest and update their property by offering low-interest loans so they can attract quality firms. I support entertainment-related companies that generate lots of sales tax with little traffic.