Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting
MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Monday, December 13, 2021
5:00 PM
Pursuant to Executive Order N-25-20 members of the Beverly Hills City Council and staff may participate in this meeting via teleconference/video conference. In the interest of maintaining appropriate social distancing, members of the public can participate by listening to the meeting at: https://beverlyhills-org.zoom.us/my/cabinet Passcode: 90210 or by phone at 1-833-548-0282, Access Code: 757-376-845 and offer comment through email at:
[email protected]
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date / Time: December 13, 2021 / 5:00 PM
1. Welcome
Mayor Robert Wunderlich called the meeting to order.
2. Public Comment
Police Chief Mark Stainbrook touched on the crime statistics over the last two years and provided an update on how the City is dealing with recent crimes in the City. Chief Stainbrook advised that he has increased staffing, increased training, and tripled the number of security patrol in residential and the business district.
The Department is using technology to help combat crime by means of the 2,000 cameras throughout the City; and they are working on real time monitoring. The Police Department is deploying drones with cameras, adding 20 more automated license plate readers and added three camera trailers in high profile areas. Chief Stainbrook shared the importance of the Police Department working with the community and the businesses to keep the public safe.
3. Resolution of the Beverly Hills Mayor’s Cabinet authorizing public meetings to be held via teleconferencing pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e)(3) Mayor Robert Wunderlich read the resolution pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e)(3) into record; Rent Stabilization Commissioner Lou Milkowski moved to pass the resolution, with Traffic & Parking Commission – Nooshin Meshkaty seconding the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.
Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting
December 13, 2021
Meeting Highlights
4. Drought and Water Conservation Update – Debby Figoni Dunn Debby Figoni Dunn provided an update on our water reservoirs and lakes and advised they are alarming low. In October, the Governor declared the entire state in a water drought emergency and suggested a voluntary 15% reduction in water use. The City has been in Conservation Stage C, which is a 20% water reduction in usage since 2013. The City will be increasing signage, social medial, direct mailing, presenting to community groups and code violations and enforcement to get the message out “We’re in Drought, Please Help Out”. Ms. Dunn shared the number one cause of water waste is a running toilet; it can waste enough water to fill a pool in four days. The City has a free water-tracking program at https://water.beverlyhills.org/ that residents can sign up to help monitor water waste.
5. Report from Commission Chairperson
Architectural Commission – James Matson
The following projects were reviewed and approved at the last Commission meeting:
One year extension for an Architectural Review Permit at 370 North Rodeo Drive
One year extension for a remodel at 455 North Rodeo Drive Mixed Use building coming at 9908 South Santa Monica Blvd Sign Accommodation at 9565 South Santa Monica Blvd
Sign Accommodation at 340 North Beverly Drive
Modified design at 459 North Rodeo Drive
Construction barricade at 328 North Rodeo Drive
Remodel of 411 North Rodeo Drive
Arts and Culture Commission – Deborah Frank
Frieze Week is February 17-20; the City will have 10 to 15 sculptures installed throughout the community, tours will be available for the public, there will be performances at Greystone, and City restaurants and businesses will be promoted on the Frieze website
Art Conservation – eight artworks in the Beverly Gardens Park received cleaning and maintaining prior to the Art Show
The Art along the Burton Way median have been covered due to the Burton Way project
Community Services Department held a Holiday Garden at Greystone which featured outdoor holiday décor and had 500 participants The City will offer an on-line Arts & Culture workshop through the month of December
Charitable Solicitations Commission – Steven Smith
End of Year Statistics
Issued 116 permits during the year
Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting
December 13, 2021
Meeting Highlights
Reviewed 66 post event financial statements from charities Commission Chair will rotate in January
Appointed two Commissioners Kathy Melamed and Kevin Lipton to the Community Assistance Grant Ad Hoc Committee
Cultural Heritage Commission – Craig Corman
A report was not presented by the Cultural Heritage Commission Design Review Commission – Sandy Pressman
713 North Beverly Drive was passed with conditions
Commission Chairs will rotate in January
Health & Safety Commission – Cathy Baker
Commission’s theme for the month is “Complimentary Medicine and Alternative Health”
Heard updates from priority agencies:
Beverly Hills Fire Battalion Chief Scott Stevens
Commissioner Erica Felsenthal led the Commission in a moment of Mindfulness
The Commission Employee Health and Safety Excellence Award was awarded to the Public Works Facilities Maintenance
Department Supervisors Juan Morales and Elmer Anjudar and their staff
The Commission received the monthly update on Smoking and Tobacco
Emergency Management updated the Commission on COVID 19 Pandemic and the safety tips to consider for the holiday season Held a 90 second pro-health intermission that focuses on the need to stay active and addresses the positive aspects of stretch relief Debbie Dunn provided a Water and Drought Conservation Update The Commission heard a presentation on Alternative Health CERT and Just In Case BH Programs were presented to the Commission
Beverly Hills Fire Inspector presented the Commission with an All About a Fire Extinguisher presentation
Commission Chairs will rotate in January
Human Relations Commission – Ori Blumenfeld
The RPF for the FY 22-23 Community Assistance Grant Fund was released and is due February 1, 2022
The Commission has been preparing for Kindness Week 2022 – February 13 – 19
Burton Way Homeless Encampments - Final clean-up will take place this week and no camping will be enforced moving forward Commission Chairs will rotate in January
Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting
December 13, 2021
Meeting Highlights
Planning Commission – Tom Hudnut
Long time dispute between 1508 Lexington and neighbor has been resolved
The Commission has requested staff bring back a full study session discussion on in-lieu parking
Approved a one year extension for permit at 370 North Rodeo Drive Approved a one year extension for a remodel at 455 North Rodeo Drive The Commission has approved construction of an automated vertical stacking parking structure for the House of Dior at 319 North Rodeo Drive
The Commission is undertaking consideration of the number of participants in the City’s automatic parking facilities pilot program be increased from two to five projects
Public Works Commission – Chuck Alpert
The Public Works Commission passed a resolution on the Urban Forest Management Plan
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations - 59 public connections in the City that have been used 30,000 times saving 915,000 kilograms of greenhouse gasses in the last year
Commission Chairs will rotate in January
Recreation & Parks Commission – Susan Mishler
Youth Programs - One a Dance Cheer will be performing fall session December 13 at Horace Mann
Upstage Theater Youth Program will be performing December 15 & 16 at Horace Mann
Pre-school participants will be creating holiday greeting cards to be distributed to Roxbury Park Seniors
November 21 BH Active Adult Club and BH High School Generations Club – Thanksgiving Brunch and Social
Adults Sports League – adults co-ed and men’s softball and basketball have finished their season
Library – Under the Big Blue Sky, Family Story Telling – presented on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings in Civic Center Plaza Beverly Hills Farmers Market continues to be open during the holiday season
Roxbury Memorial Park Playground reopened two weeks ahead of schedule December 7
Roxbury Park Tennis Court closed for resurfacing closing November 29 Commission Chairs will rotate in January
Rent Stabilization Commission – Lou Milkowski
Year End Look
Six resolutions forwarded to the Mayor and Council for consideration
Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting
December 13, 2021
Meeting Highlights
18 meeting held during the year
Six COVID 19 appeal cases heard during the year
Commission Chairs will rotate in January
Traffic & Parking Commission – Nooshin Meshkaty
Commission Chair Meshkaty thanked staff for their hard work to help the Commission accomplish all their endeavors during the past year The Commission received reports from the Police Department and Planning Division and state wide droughts and water conservation efforts
Reviewed proposal to review the construction of minimum grid network of Class Three Bike Ways
BHUSD concerned about safety at their schools – staff is continuing to work with the school district to ensure safety at all of the public schools in the City
The Commission discussed upcoming items going before Council in the next six months
Commission Chairs will rotate in January
6. Mayor’s Report
The Mayor highlighted the following items:
First Thursdays program is continuing; the program is held on the first Thursday of every month where participating businesses, restaurants, and retailers will offer discounts and giveaways to try to bring energy to the City.
The latest edition of ‘The Bob Pod’ is available can be found at:
www.beverlyhills.org/bobpod and also on the City’s social media sites.
ADJOURNMENT
Date / Time: December 13, 2021 / 6:30 PM