Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Culver City

Smart Fiscal Policies

At a time when every penny counts, Jeff has the experience and know-how to guide Culver City through tough financial times. Working with his fellow Council members, Jeff addressed Culver City's budget problems head-on by renegotiating benefit and pension packages with city employee unions. Those efforts are saving the city millions of dollars and still providing employees with the benefits they need for their families.

"While our employees agreed to cuts, it was only fair that we as City Council members felt their pain as well. I was proud to vote to eliminate my own lifetime medical benefits, because I think that's just being fair," he said.

Jeff has also been part of a City Council that has not only balanced the budget, but this fiscal year, returned a more than $2 million surplus due to sound fiscal management and effective oversight of the city's sales tax revenue that included creation of a Finance Advisory Committee to monitor how those revenues are spent.

Following the Loss of Redevelopment

With Redevelopment a thing of the past, cities throughout California are looking at new and better ways to create economic development. From embracing unique new revenue streams to actively working to attract and retain desirable businesses, Jeff is looking at new ways to spur economic growth.

"Whether it's looking at new business improvement districts or exploring public/private partnerships that help bring in new revenue or improve our neighborhoods, I want Culver City to be a model for not only surviving, but for thriving in the wake of Redevelopment," he said.

Recently, the city received a determination letter from the California Department of Finance agreeing to accept $2,724,618 to settle the dispute over what the city owed the state after Culver City's Redevelopment Agency was eliminated. The state originally wanted Culver City to pay $22,178,120!

"Thanks to an incredible, die-hard effort by our City Council and our amazing staff, we have cleared the most contentious part of our fight with the state to get our former redevelopment projects moving forward," Jeff said. "Still lots of work to do, but this is a big day in our city's history!"

Fracking

Jeff has taken a hard stance against the controversial practice of fracking. He introduced a recommendation to council that urged the state to place a moratorium on fracking until tougher guidelines are established to provide a safe and healthy environment for those who live close to where oil extraction operations are taking place. That recommendation received unanimous support. While the state has finally taken some action toward creating tougher guidelines, the state has not gone far enough. "We will all have to be vigilant in fighting to make sure our residents are properly protected from this dangerous practice," he said.

LAX Expansion

Protecting Culver City's neighborhoods is a critical theme for Jeff, and he continues to lead the charge to stop the airport's ill-conceived expansion plan that would move the northern-most runway closer to the community of Westchester and enable perhaps millions of new passengers to travel to and from LAX every year.

"A larger airport means more flyovers over Culver City, more noise and, of course, more traffic. The City of Los Angeles may reap the benefits of the airport's expansion, but it is something Culver City will continue to fight," he said.

Environmental Goals

Today, more than ever, it is critical for us to take seriously our role in protecting the environment in which we live. Jeff will continue to promote the creation of environmental initiatives for Culver City that will put our community at the forefront of the battle to save the environment. From establishing landscaping guidelines and tree programs for new construction and to expanding energy efficiency programs, Jeff believes in protecting the environment

"The new Green Line station offers us a reminder that alternate forms of transportation are not only possible but convenient and easy to use. I want to see us reduce our consumption of fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions as a city, something our municipal fleet has already made great strides in doing, but I also want to see us take a leadership role in encouraging everyone in Culver City to do the same. Our partnership with the Culver City Unified School District and other businesses to take part in Culver City's Food Waste and Organics Recycling Program is a big step in the right direction," he said.

Anti-Bullying

Bullying can happen anywhere and to anyone. But Jeff Cooper is determined to make sure it doesn't happen in Culver City. He has spearheaded a new effort to create anti-bullying policies for its Parks, Recreation and Community Services programs that will assure that everyone participating in a city program can do so in a positive and respectful environment.

"I applaud the Culver City Unified School District's efforts to reduce bullying on its campuses, and I want to make sure that the city employs the same kinds of strategies to educate people about the damage bullying can cause and the repercussions for those who perpetuate these unwanted and aggressive behaviors that have real impacts on their victims," he said.