Local listing agent Martin Feinberg was surprised to learn that the Culver City Council voted at their January 27 meeting to amend the city code to allow minors 16 years and older, along with residents who are not registered voters or in the country legally, to apply for positions on city commissions and boards.

The change is likely in response to the passage of Senate Bill 215 last year by California Governor Gavin Newsom.  Senate Bill 215 allows all residents of California to be eligible for appointment onto commissions, boards, and committees.

According to Council member Alex Fisch there is unlikely to be much interest from younger residents, but if one requested an appointment, the Culver City council would “take a hard look” at the minor before moving forward.

The vote to amend the code was 4-1 with Vice Mayor Goran Eriksson casting the only opposing vote. Eriksson’s main concern stemmed from the requirement to verify that appointees were Culver City residents.  Eriksson was also apprehensive about the need to include minors in the change when the Culver City Real Estate area had never even had an eighteen-year-old on apply for appointment.

Martin Feinberg, Realtor, notes that other changes were also made during the latest city council meeting.  A new provision was created for the city to provide childcare at council and commission meetings for those who need the service.  Changes to poling places were also mentioned.

Rather than continue to use polling places, voting will now take place in voting centers.  The new voting centers, such as the main one at Veteran’s Auditorium in Culver City, will likely have longer lines than the old centers, but will be open for thirteen days.