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Hi Neighbors! We are a grass-roots coalition of Culver City neighbors like you, from all areas of the city. We advocate for government accountability, sensible leadership, and community-based solutions. One of our key tenets is to keep our neighbors informed about what is happening at the city government level. Sign up for our emails! Founded March, 2021 |
Sign the Petition!
Stop the $20 Million Giveaway of City Funds to Private Developer!
What's this all about?
Culver City residents deserve responsible leadership and transparent financial decisions. Right now, the City Council plans to give away a total of $20 million — nearly one-third of our emergency reserves — to a private developer for the Jubilo Village project, with no public ownership, no repayment guarantee, and no priority for Culver City residents to live there. This is happening while the Council has declared a fiscal emergency and is planning a sales tax hike. Our Chief Financial Officer has already warned that the city is unlikely to be repaid. Meanwhile, $250,000 of taxpayer money is also being spent on an unvetted “budget consultant” — a councilmember’s pet project with no accountability. Our emergency funds are meant for real crises like earthquakes, wildfires, or economic downturns — not risky private deals. Sign this petition to demand the City Council remove the $16 million Jubilo Village expenditure from the budget and stop wasting taxpayer dollars. You can read our full explainer here.
Culver City residents deserve responsible leadership and transparent financial decisions. Right now, the City Council plans to give away a total of $20 million — nearly one-third of our emergency reserves — to a private developer for the Jubilo Village project, with no public ownership, no repayment guarantee, and no priority for Culver City residents to live there. This is happening while the Council has declared a fiscal emergency and is planning a sales tax hike. Our Chief Financial Officer has already warned that the city is unlikely to be repaid. Meanwhile, $250,000 of taxpayer money is also being spent on an unvetted “budget consultant” — a councilmember’s pet project with no accountability. Our emergency funds are meant for real crises like earthquakes, wildfires, or economic downturns — not risky private deals. Sign this petition to demand the City Council remove the $16 million Jubilo Village expenditure from the budget and stop wasting taxpayer dollars. You can read our full explainer here.
Say NO to Reckless Spending on a Private Development
City Council: We demand you to stop giving away $20 million of our tax dollars to a private developer for the Jubilo Village project. Remove the $16 million Jubilo Village expenditure from our city budget on June 9.
Our city is already running a $14.8 million budget deficit and spending $16 million each year on current homelessness services — yet your Council Majority plans to drain nearly one-third of our emergency savings on this private housing project.
Emergency reserves are our safety net. These funds protect Culver City from disasters like earthquakes, wildfires, or economic downturns. They also help pay for urgent infrastructure repairs and maintenance — including roads, sidewalks, water and sewer systems, and public buildings. Draining nearly one-third of these reserves puts our city’s safety, services, and basic infrastructure at risk.
At the same time, your body has officially declared a FISCAL EMERGENCY and is planning to add a quarter-cent ($0.25) sales tax hike.
How can we trust you to spend new tax revenue wisely when the city’s own Chief Financial Officer warns this $20 million Jubilo “loan” is unlikely to ever be repaid?
This project offers:
The more money the City invests in this project, the greater the possibility that the City will have to pay out even more to protect its earlier investments. In other words, the City will be on the hook for project budget shortfalls — just to protect its own money.
Most cities invest $2–4 million in affordable housing projects, with a maximum of $8 million. This $20 million giveaway is fiscally reckless and shows a lack of financial responsibility.
We demand:
LEARN MORE HERE
City Council: We demand you to stop giving away $20 million of our tax dollars to a private developer for the Jubilo Village project. Remove the $16 million Jubilo Village expenditure from our city budget on June 9.
Our city is already running a $14.8 million budget deficit and spending $16 million each year on current homelessness services — yet your Council Majority plans to drain nearly one-third of our emergency savings on this private housing project.
Emergency reserves are our safety net. These funds protect Culver City from disasters like earthquakes, wildfires, or economic downturns. They also help pay for urgent infrastructure repairs and maintenance — including roads, sidewalks, water and sewer systems, and public buildings. Draining nearly one-third of these reserves puts our city’s safety, services, and basic infrastructure at risk.
At the same time, your body has officially declared a FISCAL EMERGENCY and is planning to add a quarter-cent ($0.25) sales tax hike.
How can we trust you to spend new tax revenue wisely when the city’s own Chief Financial Officer warns this $20 million Jubilo “loan” is unlikely to ever be repaid?
This project offers:
- No public ownership
- No repayment guarantees
- No priority or preference for Culver City residents or workers to live there
The more money the City invests in this project, the greater the possibility that the City will have to pay out even more to protect its earlier investments. In other words, the City will be on the hook for project budget shortfalls — just to protect its own money.
Most cities invest $2–4 million in affordable housing projects, with a maximum of $8 million. This $20 million giveaway is fiscally reckless and shows a lack of financial responsibility.
We demand:
- Remove the $16 million Jubilo Village funding from the budget
- Protect Culver City’s emergency reserves
- Stop reckless spending and restore fiscal accountability
LEARN MORE HERE
5.22.2025
Culver City: We Need to Talk About What Just Happened with Our Money
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Council votes to drain reserves for private housing project despite fiscal warnings
On May 20, Councilmembers Bubba Fish, Yasmine-Imani McMorrin, along with Vice Mayor Freddy Puza voted to spend money the city doesn’t have — by draining two-thirds of Culver City’s emergency reserves to fund a private affordable housing development. They did this against direct warnings from the City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, who cautioned that this move could put our city at serious financial risk.
Our emergency reserves are there to protect us — in earthquakes, wildfires, and other real emergencies — not to bankroll speculative development projects. They also voted to set aside $250,000 for a budgeting consultant to run a vague “community engagement” process, with no clear scope or oversight — in the middle of a budget crisis. Meanwhile, Culver City is depending on voters to pass a sales tax increase to prevent devastating cuts. If that tax fails, the City Manager says we could lose up to 50 staff positions, drastically impacting essential services like parks, police, and fire. Fish, McMorrin, and Puza’s votes are not just irresponsible —they’re reckless. And residents will pay the price. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What Can You Do?
Tell Council to remove the $20 million for the private development project (called Jubilo Village) and the $250,000 budgeting consultant from the budget. It’s the community’s money — and it’s their sworn duty to protect us. The final budget vote is June 9. Take action ahead of time. There are also meetings on May 27th and June 2nd. Sign up to speak on the 27th and 2nd for Items NOT on the Agenda, and June 9th for the budget approval action item (the 6/9/25 item number is not yet available). You will be able to sign up on the city’s website: CulverCity.org/City-Hall/Meetings-Agendas
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CCNU Stands Up formally joining the national resistance
Dear Neighbors,
Culver City Neighbors United believes that the orders, actions, and policies of President Donald Trump and his administration go beyond partisan politics and demand clear moral scrutiny.
We can no longer treat these actions as matters of political opinion. Therefore, we join a growing movement of Americans calling on our government to be held accountable for:
We urge our neighbors to stand up, speak out, and stay engaged. Our silence cannot be mistaken for consent. The health of our nation—and the soul of our democracy—depends on it.
United we stand,
Culver City Neighbors United
Culver City Neighbors United believes that the orders, actions, and policies of President Donald Trump and his administration go beyond partisan politics and demand clear moral scrutiny.
We can no longer treat these actions as matters of political opinion. Therefore, we join a growing movement of Americans calling on our government to be held accountable for:
- The use of fear, coercion, and retaliation to silence dissent;
- The undermining of the rule of law and the independence of our judiciary;
- Arbitrary and politically motivated funding cuts under the pretense of “waste and fraud,”
- Discriminatory actions against immigrants and communities of color, including the abuses committed by ICE;
- The targeting and dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across federal agencies and educational institutions;
- The suppression of scientific, medical, historical, and social research vital to public health and progress;
- And the dismissal of dedicated public servants, particularly people of color, as part of a broader campaign to erode democratic norms and institutional integrity.
We urge our neighbors to stand up, speak out, and stay engaged. Our silence cannot be mistaken for consent. The health of our nation—and the soul of our democracy—depends on it.
United we stand,
Culver City Neighbors United
As Delegates, their responsibilities include voting on endorsements for state, and federal offices, taking positions on ballot measures, and helping shape the California Democratic Party platform. Beyond the annual State Convention, they will serve as advocates, organizers, and community leaders—working year-round to support policies and candidates that reflect the needs of the people they represent.
A special congratulations to Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin on being elected to the Executive Board! Her leadership will be instrumental in shaping policies, endorsing candidates, strengthening community connections, and ensuring that voices across the district are heard.
A special congratulations to Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin on being elected to the Executive Board! Her leadership will be instrumental in shaping policies, endorsing candidates, strengthening community connections, and ensuring that voices across the district are heard.
