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Councilmember Dan O'Brien Newsletter — February 22, 2026
📬 Councilmember Dan O'Brien — Culver City — February 23, 2026
Hello Culver City,
Two things can be true at once.
A week can include a fatal shooting investigation, a fire that emptied a shopping center, and an armed suspect on Washington Boulevard — and that same week can hold Culver City's first-ever Lunar New Year Celebration, a thousand people at a high school Night Market, and news that IKEA chose our Helms District for its first urban LA store. I've learned that leading a city means holding all of it at once, both the hard parts and the hopeful parts, without pretending either one cancels the other out.
Tonight, your City Council is back in session. Here's what matters this week.
🚨 Public Safety
🔹 The investigation into the February 13 shooting at Westfield Culver City has advanced significantly since last week's newsletter. Detectives have now determined the incident was a robbery that escalated into gunfire. The deceased individual has been identified as 25-year-old Angel Torres of Los Angeles, who confronted others in the parking lot while armed. A second individual, Kelsi Ann Taplette of Los Angeles, has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and accessory after the fact. Investigators believe additional robbery victims have not yet come forward.
→ 🎯 My take: Last week I told you this was Culver City's first homicide since 2023 and that I'd be following the investigation closely. The speed of this work — suspect identified, arrest made, charges filed — reflects exactly the kind of professionalism I expect from our department. But this case isn't closed. If you have any information, please reach out.
→ 💡 Contact: Investigations Lieutenant Ryan Thompson at (310) 253-6302 or ryan.thompson@culvercity.org. Anonymous tips: tips@culvercity.org.
🔹 On Thursday evening, a fire inside the Target store at Westfield Culver City forced evacuation of the entire shopping center. Both Culver City Fire and LAFD responded; 23 Los Angeles City firefighters assisted our department. The fire appears to have started in the grocery section. Smoke traveled through the upper floor, prompting mall management to close early. No injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation and arson investigators are reviewing security footage.
→ 🎯 My take: Two serious incidents at the same location in ten days — I understand why people are unsettled. Our fire and police departments coordinated exactly the way they're trained to, and nobody was hurt. I'll be monitoring the arson investigation and any impact on store operations.
🔹 On February 12, officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a man carrying what appeared to be a rifle near Washington Boulevard and Higuera Street during evening hours. The suspect refused repeated commands in a busy commercial corridor. After clear warnings, a police K-9 was deployed, disarming the individual safely. The weapon turned out to be a replica rifle. The suspect was arrested on charges including brandishing a firearm, resisting arrest, and drug possession.
→ 💡 What this means: Our officers made a judgment call in a high-stress, high-traffic environment and got it right. The K-9 deployment prevented what could have been a far more dangerous outcome for everyone on that street.
🏛️ Tonight: City Council Meeting — Monday, February 23 at 7 PM
🔹 We're back in regular session tonight, and I want to highlight two items I'm watching closely.
First — On item A-3, staff is reporting back on the future structure for Olympics and FIFA World Cup preparation, after the Council voted on February 9 to pause the subcommittee and redistribute the work. I supported that vote so that options other than removing me from the subcommittee could be reviewed and presented. How Culver City positions itself for the 2028 Games has real implications for our local economy, infrastructure, and visibility on a global stage, and no one has been more active than I have in showing Culver City as an inviting place to visit for these major events.
Second — and I want to address this directly because I have in the last two newsletters: tonight's agenda includes continued discussion related to my dual role as your councilmember and President & CEO of the Culver City Chamber of Commerce. I've been transparent about this from day one. Where a specific item before the Council directly affects the Chamber, I disclose and recuse — which I've already done. I believe serving in both capacities gives me a real-world perspective on economic development, business retention, and the issues our local employers face every day. And the official quasi-judicial body that rules on these matters, the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) ruled last Friday there have been no conflicts of interest in my two roles. But I also believe you should hold me accountable. If you have thoughts on this, tonight is a good time to share them.
🔹 Other items you may be interested in:
A1 - Windsor Hills Pizza food truck has been a beloved touchpoint for families to savor while they enjoy the outdoors in our parks. Unfortunately, they’ve unknowingly been in violation of our food truck ordinance that bars vendors near parks and schools. Tonight, council will decide on whether to direct staff to find a compromise that is fair to all vendors and the neighborhoods around our parks and schools.
A2 - Earth Day and International Walk to School Day Elenda Street activation discussion and direction. Last year, the city council approved a 12-hour street closure of Elenda for an “open streets” activation, where kids and parents could walk and ride to school without vehicles on the street. The “Safe Routes to School” organization is looking to repeat the event on Wednesday, April 22. Council will discuss and decide whether to approve the estimated $14,000 cost for the event.
A-3 - Is mentioned above.
A-4 - Is discussion over whether the city should continue our contract with a security company at the same level we currently engage, if at all. Good Guard Security Services coordinates and staffs security at various public buildings in town, including city hall, and during city council meetings.
🏪 Economic Development
🔹 IKEA announced this week that it will open a new "city-center" store in Culver City in 2026. The smaller-format location will be in the historic Helms Bakery complex on Venice Boulevard — making it the first IKEA of its kind in Los Angeles. The store is one of ten new locations planned nationally this year. The Helms District has been a destination for home furnishings and design since the 1970s, and bringing a global brand into that mix has real potential to increase foot traffic for the entire corridor.
→ 💡 What this means: More visitors to the Helms District is a win — but I want to make sure our existing small businesses benefit alongside a new anchor also benefit from this new addition, and not get overshadowed. That's exactly the kind of work the Chamber and I will be focused on.
🔹 Business owners: your business license tax renewal is due Saturday, February 28. After that date, renewals are subject to a 20% monthly penalty. Don't let it slip.
👉 View Business License Information
🔹 Chamber events this coming up. This Thursday, February 26, we're co-hosting a Networking at Night mixer with the LAX Coastal and Venice chambers at Firestone Walker Brewing Company in Marina del Rey (5:30–7:30 PM). Space is limited, no walk-ins — register early. And on Friday, March 13, (12:00 - 2:00) we are hosting the annual Women in Business Awards Luncheon at the Shay Hotel. Register for both events on the Chamber website.
✊ Black History Month — The Final Week
🔹 This year marks the centennial of Black History Month, and we have one more week to honor it. Over the past four weeks, Culver City celebrated with PAFF screenings, the Dinah's Comfort Kitchen mixer, the Westfield Art Pop-Up, and the Council's proclamation. As February closes, the commitment doesn't stop. Keep supporting Black-owned businesses in our city. Their contributions to our economy and culture are year-round.
🎉 Community Highlights
🔹 Yesterday, Culver City held its first-ever city-hosted Lunar New Year Celebration at the Culver Steps in Downtown. The Year of the Horse brought families out for an afternoon of cultural performances, food, and connection. Starting a new tradition takes intention, and the turnout was a reminder that this community keeps finding ways to grow more inclusive and welcoming. I hope this becomes an annual anchor on our calendar.
🔹 Friday night's Lunar New Year Night Market at Culver City High School was another highlight. Previewed in the last two newsletters as upcoming, it delivered: food, taiko drumming, Filipino martial arts demos, student performances, and more than a thousand guests. Events like this showcase the best of our AANHPI community and our schools.
🔹 Thursday was the final "Let's Talk, Culver City" community conversation with City Manager Odis Jones. If you attended any of the sessions over the past few weeks, thank you. That kind of direct engagement with city leadership is exactly how we build a more responsive government. I know Odis took the feedback seriously.
💰 Budget — Your Input Is Open
🔹 A reminder that the FY 2026-2027 budget process is underway, and your voice matters now. The City Manager's proposed budget is scheduled for presentation on Monday, May 11. Between now and then, there will be multiple opportunities for public input. You can also submit comments and suggestions directly to budgetpriorities@culvercity.org. At our February 14 Priority-Based Budgeting session, the Council reaffirmed that infrastructure and public safety should lead. I fully support that direction.
🌱 Environment
🔹 The Compost Hub at Syd Kronenthal Park is open this Wednesday, February 25, from 10 AM to noon. Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday in partnership with LA Compost. Bring food scraps, divert waste from landfills, support healthy local soils. It's one of the simplest environmental actions you can take.
🎨 Looking Ahead
🔹 LA Art Week arrives in Culver City this week. The Other Art Fair takes over 3Labs (8461 Warner Dr.) from Thursday, February 26 through Sunday, March 1, as part of citywide Frieze Week. Whether you're a collector or just curious, this is a chance to experience art directly from the artists who made it — right in our backyard.
🔹 Next City Council meeting: Monday, March 9 at 7 PM. Agendas post the Wednesday or Thursday before.
🔹 Every Tuesday, 2-7 PM — Downtown Farmers Market. Main Street. Grab produce, support local growers, and say hello to neighbors.
👉 Visit the Farmers Market page
🔹 Screenland 5k – This Sunday, March 1! Dress up as your favorite TV or movie character and walk, run, or stroll through Culver City. Register here: https://screenland5k.com/
🔹 How to watch and participate in meetings. Agendas post Wednesdays before Monday meetings. You can attend in person or virtually.
🙏 Closing Thought
February has been a month. A hundred years of Black History Month celebrated. A budget framework that puts streets, parks, and safety first. Lunar New Year traditions born. Difficult conversations about development, dual roles, and public safety that this community didn't shy away from.
March will bring the Art Fair, the next round of budget input, and continued progress on the projects shaping our neighborhoods for years to come. I'm looking forward to the work ahead, and I'm glad to be doing it alongside people who care about this city as much as I do.
See you tonight at City Hall, or tune in from home. And as always, please reply to this email with whatever's on your mind. That's how this works best.
