Culver City to Hold Neighborhood Forums

Public discourse is getting a boost in Culver City.

Starting in November, the city will hold special neighborhood meetings where residents and merchants can relay concerns and questions to City Council members.

The “Community Neighborhood Town Hall Meetings” will be held throughout the city. The first discussion is scheduled for November, said Jody Hall-Esser, the city’s chief administrative officer.

The city will notify residents of upcoming meetings in their neighborhoods, and will hold the discussions in nearby schools, parks and city buildings.

The City Council on Monday approved the open forums.

“The entire agenda will be an opportunity for residents or business people to come and address the City Council on issues or ideas of interest or concern to them,” said Hall-Esser. “The whole agenda will be theirs.”

During the meetings all five members of the City Council will answer questions or make notes on questions that need further research, Hall-Esser said.

The idea for the meetings sprang from a two-day workshop for council members in May.

“It’s an opportunity for the council to get to know their constituents,” Hall-Esser said.

Councilman Albert Vera, who regularly attends Neighborhood Watch meetings, said the forums will further his goal of getting closer to his constituents.

“It makes government friendly to the people,” he said.

The first public forum is scheduled Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 4117 Overland Ave.