CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
Room 280A
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
RENT STABILIZATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
SYNOPSIS
April 6, 2022
6:00 PM
Recordings of the Rent Stabilization Commission’s meetings are available online at www.beverlyhills.org
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date/Time: April 6, 2022 / 6:03 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Gurman, Lindsey-Cerqueira, Maden, Milkowski, Miller, Sokoloff, Vice Chair Bronte, Chair Tryfman
Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Baseman
Staff Present: Ryan Gohlich, Helen Morales, Karen Myron, Robin D. Harris
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Members of the public may address the Commission regarding any items not on the Agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission. By State law, the Commission may not discuss or vote on items not on the Agenda.
Speakers: Steve Mayer
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
By Order of the Chair and absent objection from the Commission, the agenda was approved as presented.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
Consideration of Minutes of the Rent Stabilization Commission regular meeting of March 2, 2022.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Milkowski, SECONDED by Vice Chair Bronte to adopt the minutes as presented (6-0).
AYES: Commissioners Maden, Milkowski, Miller, Sokoloff, Vice Chair Bronte, Chair Tryfman
G-1
Rent Stabilization Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
April 6, 2022
NOES: None
CARRIED
REPORTS FROM PRIORITY AGENCIES
None
CONTINUED BUSINESS
2. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BEVERLY HILLS CITY COUNCIL REGARDING POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 5 AND CHAPTER 6 OF TITLE 4 OF THE CITY’S MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING BEVERLY HILLS HABITABILITY STANDARDS; PROACTIVE INSPECTIONS; AN ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD TO ADDRESS HABITABILITY VIOLATIONS AND ASSOCIATED RENT REDUCTIONS; AND TO
RESTRICT RENT INCREASES, AND CONSIDERATION OF, POTENTIAL MODIFICATION
TO, AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING RECOMMENDATIONS OF
THE COMMISSION
A resolution of the Beverly Hills Rent Stabilization Commission recommending to the City Council amendments to Chapters 5 and 6 of Title 4 of the Beverly Hills Municipal Code related to habitability standards, proactive inspections, an administrative board to address habitability violations and associated rent increases. Continued from the March 2, 2022 Rent Stabilization Commission regular meeting.
Staff Presenter: Helen Morales, DPA, Deputy Director of Rent Stabilization Public Input: Chuck Moffitt, Mark Elliot
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Maden, SECONDED by Commissioner Miller to adopt the resolution as presented (6-0).
AYES: Commissioners Maden, Milkowski, Miller, Sokoloff, Vice Chair Bronte, Chair Tryfman
NOES: None
CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
3. POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS TO THE RENT STABILIZATION ORDINANCE REGARDING
SURCHARGES ALLOWING HOUSING PROVIDERS TO PASS THROUGH COSTS TO TENANTS, INCLUDING ADDING SEISMIC RETROFIT FOR CHAPTER 6 TENANTS; AND
THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE RENT INCREASE
Staff seeks recommendations regarding possible amendments to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance for both Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 of Title 4 of the Beverly Hills Municipal Code regarding surcharges that allow housing providers to pass through costs to tenants relating to water service penalties and/or surcharges, refuse fees, and for Chapter 5 tenants only, capital expenditures, improvement expenses mandated by law, including seismic retrofit utility expense, and additional tenants.
Rent Stabilization Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
April 6, 2022
Staff Presenter: Helen Morales, DPA, Deputy Director of Rent Stabilization Public Input: Hilla Nourmand, Mark Elliot
The Commission received the staff report and public comment, asked questions regarding the material presented, and requested additional information regarding specific elements of discussion, including a comparison of the pass through application process with surrounding jurisdictions, examples of rent increases tied to specific pass-through costs that may occur, information on seismic retrofit timelines, information from surrounding jurisdictions related to adding additional tenants, information from surrounding jurisdictions regarding utility fee passthrough charges, and information regarding what constitutes a fair rate of return for landlords.
Absent objection from the Commission, the item was continued to the May 4, 2022 Rent Stabilization Commission meeting.
PROJECT UPDATES
4. Rent Stabilization Division Monthly Staff Reports for February 2022 Staff seeks to inform the Rent Stabilization Commission on the Rent Stabilization Division’s monthly activity.
Report received and filed.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
Commissioner Miller noted that she had watched the City Council’s Study Session discussion regarding rental increases and the end of the moratorium, and inquired if any progress had been made on the topic. Staff advised that additional information, including a proposed amended ordinance, will be presented to the City Council at its April 12 meeting. Vice Chair Bronte wished a happy Passover, Easter, and Earth Day to all who celebrate. Chair Tryfman presented a plaque to Commissioner Milkowski, in recognition of his service as the Rent Stabilization Commission’s inaugural Chair.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM STAFF
None
5. 2022 Meeting Schedule
Received and filed.
ADJOURNMENT
Date / Time: April 6, 2022 / 7:40 PM
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
Room 280A
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING SYNOPSIS
April 7, 2022
9:00 AM
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date/Time: April 7, 2022 / 9:00 AM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Afra-Maghen, Schwartz, Solnit, Vice Chair Shalowitz, Chair Ignarro
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Martha Eros, Daren Grilley, Ilene Knebel, Christian Vasquez Commissioner Schwartz left the meeting at 10:20 AM.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Members of the public may address the Commission regarding any items on the Agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission. By State law, the Commission may not discuss or vote on items not on the agenda.
Public Speakers: Public comment was heard from David Gingold and Craig Issac.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
By Order of the Chair, the agenda was approved as presented.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Consideration of Minutes of the Traffic and Parking Commission regular meeting of March 3, 2022
Motion: MOVED by Vice Chair Shalowitz, SECONDED by Commissioner Solnit to approve the Minutes as presented (5/0).
AYES: Commissioners Afra-Maghen, Schwartz, Solnit, Vice Chair Shalowitz, Chair Ignarro
ABSTAIN: None
NOES: None
CARRIED.
REPORTS FROM PRIORITY AGENCIES
2. Police Department Report
Police Chief Mark Stainbrook was welcomed by the Commission and made brief comments.
Sergeant Dale Drummond provided Police Department highlights from the past month Traffic and Parking Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis April 7, 2022
including DUI Checkpoints and local event updates. Accident Investigator Michael Sholley provided an update on a fatal traffic accident.
3. Monthly Educational Speaker Series – Metro’s “Understanding How Women Travel” Report
Transportation Planner Martha Eros introduced speaker Mehgna Khana, Senior Director of Planning and Development with LA Metro. An overview was presented of Metro’s 2019 Understanding How Women Travel study. A Gender Action Plan is currently being developed based on the recommendations from the study.
4. Traffic Engineering Quarterly Report
Senior Transportation Engineer Kevin Riley provided the quarterly report for January to March 2022, and highlighted the progress of current City engineering projects. The Commission commented and provided feedback.
Public Speaker: Public comment was heard from David Gingold.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
No items.
NEW BUSINESS
5. Transit Service Study
Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer Daren Grilley presented an overview of the transit service study that will start soon. Consultants are being interviewed to assist the City in obtaining public and stakeholder input and analyzing transit needs. CAAC (Climate Action and Adaptation Committee) Co-Chairs Wendy Nystrom and Peter Ostroff presented conceptual routes and general information for consideration during the transit study process.
Commission comments were addressed.
Public Speaker: Public comment was heard from David Gingold.
The Commission took a break at 10:58 AM
The Commission returned at 11:06 AM
6. Autonomous Vehicle Testing
Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer Daren Grilley introduced Nick Greif, Senior Manager, Public Policy for Motional. Motional is a company that is currently testing and looking forward to deployment of an autonomous vehicle/ride hailing/robo-taxi program in the region. He explained the road safety and sustainable benefits of this technology as well as their path to deploying the vehicles. The Commission commented and provided feedback.
7. City Council Priorities Update
Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer Daren Grilley provided the Commission with an update of City Council priorities that will be reviewed at the next City Council Meeting.
The Commission had brief comments.
Public Speaker: Public comment was heard from Steve Meyer Traffic and Parking Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis April 7, 2022
PROJECT UPDATES AND FOLLOW-UP ITEMS
8. Project Update and Follow-up Items
Transportation Planning Analyst Christian Vasquez reported on an update on the City’s current transportation projects and programs underway including Slow Streets, Complete Street Programs and the Metro Project.
Public Speakers: Public comment was heard from Kory Klem and David Gingold.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
No comments.
COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF
Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer Daren Grilley confirmed that the Commissioners support the recommendations provided in the City Council Priorities Update (Tab 7) to be forwarded to City Council for review and consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
Date / Time: April 7, 2022 / 12:05PM
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
Telephonic / Video Conference Meeting
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
SYNOPSIS
April 7, 2022
1:30 PM
Recordings of the Design Review Commission’s meetings are available online at www.beverlyhills.org
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date/Time: April 7, 2022 / 1:30 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Peck, Spann, Vice Chair Bernstein, Chair Pressman
Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Smooke
Staff Present: Mark Odell, Jason Caraveo, Karen Myron
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Members of the public may address the Commission regarding any items not on the Agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission. By State law, the Commission may not discuss or vote on items not on the Agenda.
Speakers: None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
By Order of the Chair and absent objection from the Commission, the agenda was approved as presented.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
Consideration of Minutes of the Design Review Commission regular meeting of January 6, 2022.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Spann, SECONDED by Vice Chair Bernstein to adopt the minutes as presented (4-0-1).
AYES: Commissioners Peck, Spann, Vice Chair Bernstein, Chair Pressman
NOES: None
Design Review Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
April 7, 2022
ABSENT: Commissioner Smooke
CARRIED
REPORTS FROM PRIORITY AGENCIES
Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook’s Introduction to the Commission and brief BHPD Update
Chief Stainbrook provided a brief introduction, and answered questions from the Commissioners.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
2. 710 NORTH CAMDEN DRIVE
A request to allow modifications to the design of a previously approved R-1 Design Review Permit for the construction of a new two-story single-family residence located in the Central Area of the City, North of Santa Monica Boulevard. Pursuant to the provisions set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Design Review Commission will also consider finding the project exempt from further review under CEQA. (Previous design approved November 7, 2013 Design Review Commission meeting.) Project Planner: Jason Caraveo, Assistant Planner
Project Applicant: Michael and Maryam Eghbali, property owners Project Representative: Gerg G Bucilla III, Architect
Public Input: Dana Norris
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Spann, SECONDED by Chair Pressman to adopt the resolution as amended (4-0-1).
AYES: Commissioners Peck, Spann, Vice Chair Bernstein, Chair Pressman
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Smooke
CARRIED
STUDY SESSION
None
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting
Design Review Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
April 7, 2022
o This item was not discussed; the meeting video is available online
COMMUNICATIONS FROM STAFF
Urban Designer Updates
o Urban Designer Mark Odell advised the Commission of the following:
At its May 12 Formal meeting, the City Council will consider the formal nominations of six new Golden Shield award recipients.
At its May 13 regular meeting, the Cultural Heritage Commission is expected to formally nominate three additional Golden Shield award recipients, and select three new sites for potential nomination.
3. 2022 Meeting Schedule
o Received and filed; Commissioner Spann will not be in attendance at the June meeting. Chair Pressman will not be in attendance at the October meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Date / Time: April 7, 2022 / 2:50 PM