Results that Matter
Public service isn't about holding titles. It's about solving problems.
As Mayor and as a Culver City Councilmember, Thomas has focused on practical solutions that improve everyday life—from safer streets and stronger city finances to cleaner air, better transportation, and stronger regional partnerships. He believes good government starts with listening, studying the facts, and bringing people together to get things done.
Building a Better City
Transportation • Infrastructure • Planning
Leadership That Delivers:Â Thomas has served in leadership roles overseeing mobility, public safety, economic development, education, and regional planning, helping shape many of the policies that affect residents every day.
Safer Streets and Better Connections:Â Residents deserve safe ways to walk, bike, and get around the city. Thomas championed the Ballona Creek Revitalization project and Bikeway Extension, creating safer connections between neighborhoods while improving access to parks, schools, businesses, and transit.
Result:Â A multi-million-dollar state grant is helping move the Bikeway Extension project toward construction ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
Protecting Our Quality Of Life
Environment • Public Health • Neighborhoods
Thomas helped end urban oil drilling in the Inglewood Oil Fields and supported Culver City's participation in Clean Power Alliance, reducing pollution, improving public health, and expanding access to cleaner energy. As part of the City's 2016 Strategic Plan, Councilmember Small also championed the Ballona Creek Revitalization Project, advancing a long-term vision to restore one of Culver City's most important natural assets.
Results:Â These efforts strengthened Culver City's environmental leadership while delivering tangible benefits for residents. They reduced long-term public health risks, accelerated the transition to cleaner energy, and laid the foundation for major environmental investments. In 2020, the Public Works Department secured a $1.9 million grant from the Baldwin Hills Conservancy, supported by a $200,000 local Measure M match, to launch the Ballona Creek "Greening the Greenway" project.
Affordability Starts With Good Government
Affordability isn't just about housing. It's about the total cost of living.
Housing. Transportation. Childcare. Utilities. Taxes. City services.
Every decision City Hall makes affects what it costs to live in Culver City.
Good government can help lower those costs by planning ahead, managing public dollars responsibly, investing in infrastructure, expanding housing opportunities, and supporting working families.
Strengthening City Government
Budget • Community Engagement • Partnerships
Thomas supported Culver City's Real Estate Transfer Tax, helping balance the city's budget without discouraging housing development. Councilmember Small also helped strengthen Culver City's financial future by investing $20 million in the City's pension trust, lowering long-term costs and strengthening Culver City's long-term financial stability. As Mayor, he helped end historical voter suppression by leading the effort to consolidate local elections with general elections. He voted to protect renters, expand affordable housing, and strengthen programs that prevent and reduce homelessness.
Result:Â Since its adoption, Culver City's Real Estate Transfer Tax has generated nearly $50 million to support emergency response, homelessness programs, parks, streets, and other essential city services. Unlike similar measures adopted elsewhere, Culver City's tax was carefully designed to provide a sustainable source of revenue while continuing to encourage housing investment and economic growth.
Leading Beyond City Hall
Regional leadership • Bringing resources home
Â
Building The Best Ideas to Culver City:Great cities learn from one another. Thomas secured outside funding to bring nationally recognized organizations including the National Institute for Civil Discourse and Harvard researchers to Culver City, helping improve public engagement and strengthen local decision-making.
Representing Culver City Regionally: Many of the issues facing Culver City—traffic, housing, climate, public transit, and economic development—don't stop at the city limits. Thomas has made sure Culver City a strong voice in the regional organizations where those decisions are made.
These partnerships have brought new ideas, valuable relationships, and opportunities for outside funding back to Culver City while ensuring the community has a seat at the table on decisions that shape its future.
Result:Â Better planning, better public participation, and no added burden on local taxpayers.
Approach
Leadership isn't measured by the number of meetings you attend or committees you serve on. It's measured by whether you solve problems, bring people together, and leave your community stronger than you found it. It's about earning trust by doing the work.
Throughout his service, Thomas has approached every issue the same way: listen carefully, bring together people with different perspectives, rely on evidence instead of ideology, and focus on practical solutions that improve everyday life. Thomas doesn't just hold office, he studies problems, brings people together, and gets results.
That's the approach Thomas has brought to public service and the leadership he'll continue to bring to Culver City.
City Leadership (partial list)
​
- Standing Mobility Subcommittee
- Standing Public Safety Subcommittee
- Standing Economic Development Subcommittee
- City Council / Culver City Unified School District Liaison Subcommittee
- City Council / West Los Angeles College Liaison Subcommittee
Regional and National Leadership (partial list)
​
Thomas represented Culver City on:
- Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Transportation Committee
- Los Angeles Metro Sustainability Council (Founding Chair)
- U.S. Conference of Mayors
- National League of Cities
- League of California Cities
     - Economic Development Committee
     - Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
- Westside Council of Governments
- Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats
- Mayors Innovation Project
-New American Leaders
-Local Progress