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Mayor Dan O'Brien Newsletter — February 8, 2026
📬 Councilmember Dan O'Brien — Culver City — February 9, 2026
Hello friends,
This weekend I did what I always do before a City Council meeting — coffee in hand, agenda packet spread across my desk, reading through every page. Beverly knows the routine by now. It's not glamorous work, but getting through the staff reports early means I have time to ask questions before we sit down Monday night. Tonight's meeting has a full agenda, so let me walk you through what's ahead and what's been happening in our city over the past week.
🏛️ Tonight's City Council Meeting — February 9 at 7 PM
🔹 Tonight's agenda includes two significant public hearings. The first is an appeal of the mixed-use development at 5757 Uplander Way in Fox Hills — a project proposing 1,077 residential units and commercial space. The Planning Commission already approved the site plan, but the Supporters Alliance of Environmental Responsibility (SAFER) has filed an appeal, and this hearing gives all of you a chance to weigh in. The second hearing involves the proposed 147-room hotel at 11469 Jefferson Boulevard, where neighbors are asking for a fair time limit on the development permits so the site doesn't sit idle for years. These are exactly the kinds of decisions that shape what our neighborhoods look and feel like for decades.
→ 🎯 My take: I take every land-use decision seriously — not just the design or the density, but the ripple effects on traffic, schools, parks, and the character of our neighborhoods. Your voice tonight makes a difference.
🏪 A Transparent Conversation About My Chamber Role
🔹 Also on tonight's agenda is Item A-3, a discussion of my role on the Olympic & FIFA World Cup Sub-committee — prompted by questions about my new position as President & CEO of the Culver City Chamber of Commerce. I want to address this directly because transparency matters to me, and I know it matters to you.
→ 💡 Here's the situation: Last month, the Chamber's board unanimously appointed me to lead the organization. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and I'm excited about what we can build together for Culver City's business community. At the same time, a small number of residents have raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest in holding both roles. I understand the concern, and I respect anyone who asks the question.
→ 🎯 Where I stand: Serving as a Chamber CEO and a council member does not create an automatic conflict of interest under established ethics standards. The Chamber is a nonprofit, membership-based organization focused on broad economic development — not the interests of any single business. Where a specific issue before the Council directly affects the Chamber, I will disclose the relationship and recuse myself. In fact, I already did exactly that at our last meeting, stepping aside on an item extending the City's agreement with the Chamber. That's how this is supposed to work — transparency and recusal on a case-by-case basis, not a blanket prohibition.
I believe serving in both capacities allows me to bring a real-world perspective to the Council's work on economic development, business retention, and workforce issues. But I also believe you deserve to hold me accountable. If you have concerns, questions, or just want to talk it through, I'm happy to meet — just reply to this newsletter or reach out directly.
🚦 Transportation Updates
🔹 The Better Overland project took a big step forward at the January 26 meeting. The Council unanimously approved Option B for the Overland Avenue redesign between Culver Boulevard and the Ballona Creek bridge. This design slows down speeding, adds protected bike lanes, and preserves parking. A new traffic signal in front of the Julian Dixon Library is planned for construction this year — a safety win for pedestrians and cyclists that's long overdue. Phase Two, from Ballona Creek to Freshman Drive, will bring street trees, new ADA ramps, and protected bike lanes in both directions, with construction currently targeted for 2028.
→ 💡 What this means: Overland is one of those streets where everyone (kids walking to school, commuters, cyclists, buses) shares the same space. Making it safer and more functional is exactly the kind of investment I've been pushing for.
👉 Learn about the Better Overland Project
🔹 Speaking of street improvements — mark your calendar for the Sepulveda Connects community workshop on Tuesday, February 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at El Marino Park. This session focuses on the Sunkist Park neighborhood and how we can address cut-through traffic while improving mobility options along the Sepulveda corridor. Your input during the design phase is the most valuable input there is.
👉 Learn about Sepulveda Connects
🏠 Housing & Community Development
🔹 The Council designated West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (WHCHC) as the developer for an affordable housing project at 11029 Washington Boulevard. This is a meaningful step forward in getting affordable units built for the teachers, service workers, seniors, and young families who make Culver City what it is. I want us to move with both urgency and care — quality design, good neighbors, and housing that actually pencils out for people who need it.
⚖️ Protecting Our Community
🔹 At the January 26 meeting, the Council unanimously directed staff to draft a resolution restricting ICE from using city-owned properties for civil immigration enforcement. The resolution will be modeled on the City of Pinole's approach, which includes clear exceptions for valid judicial warrants and criminal enforcement. City departments, employees, and contractors would be prohibited from allowing city property to be used for civil immigration operations like staging, detention, or surveillance.
→ 🎯 My take: Culver City has been a welcoming city since 2017. This resolution formalizes what we've already committed to — protecting our neighbors while respecting the law.
🌍 Black History Month & PAFF
🔹 The 34th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival opens today and runs through February 16. PAFF is the largest Black film festival in the country, and it's right here in our backyard at The Culver Theater and Westfield Culver City. As someone who's spent 25-plus years in edit bays shaping stories, I know how much representation matters both behind the camera and on the screen. If you haven't experienced PAFF, this is the week.
🌸 Kaizuka Water Wheel — Almost Here
🔹 The handcrafted water wheel from our sister city Kaizuka, Japan, is expected to arrive at the Port of Los Angeles this Friday, February 13. It should reach Culver City later this month for installation in the Kaizuka Meditation Garden at the Julian Dixon Library. Our 60-year friendship with Kaizuka continues to produce something beautiful and lasting, a reminder that two communities on opposite sides of the Pacific can build something meaningful together over generations.
🌱 Environment
🔹 A new Compost Hub has launched at Syd Kronenthal Park in partnership with LA Compost. It's open every 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 10 AM to noon — the next session is this Wednesday, February 11. This is a simple, local way to divert food scraps from landfills while supporting healthy soils. If you've been looking for a low-effort way to make a real environmental difference, this is it.
📅 This Week & Looking Ahead
🔹 Lunar New Year Night Market — Friday, February 20, 5–8 PM at Culver City High School (4401 Elenda St.). The third annual Night Market celebrates AANHPI culture with food, music, student performances, and local businesses. Free admission, free parking on the corner of Elenda and Farragut.
🔹 Valentine's Day is Saturday, February 14 — a good reason to support a Culver City restaurant or shop this week.
🔹 Presidents' Day is Monday, February 16 — City offices will be closed. No Council meeting that evening.
🔹 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
🔹 How to watch and participate in meetings. Agendas post Wednesdays before Monday meetings. You can attend in person or virtually.
🙏 Closing Thought
There's a lot happening in Culver City right now — bike lanes getting built, affordable housing moving forward, a handcrafted water wheel crossing the Pacific, and a world-class film festival opening its doors today. Weeks like this remind me why my wife and I fell in love with this town and raised our two kids here.
Tonight's meeting has a full agenda, and I'd love to see you there — whether in person or tuning in online. And as always, if something's on your mind, hit reply or reach out anytime. My door is open.
