CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
455 N. Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Room 280A
Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting
MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Monday, August 8, 2022
5:00 PM
The Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting is a monthly meeting with the Mayor and City Commission Chairs or their representatives. Please note that this meeting is intended to exchange information on commission activities; no official action is taken.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date / Time: August 8, 2022 / 5:00 PM
1. Welcome
Mayor Lili Bosse called the meeting to order.
2. Public Comment
Speakers: David Gingold provided public comment.
3. Resolution
Resolution of the Beverly Hills City Council Mayor’s Cabinet continuing to authorize public meetings to be held via teleconferencing pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e) and make findings and determination regarding the same. a. Recent legislation was adopted allowing the Mayor’s Cabinet to continue virtual meetings during the COVID-19 declared emergency subject to certain conditions and the proposed resolution implements the necessary requirements. o The resolution was read into the record and was unanimously approved.
4. Report from Commission Chairperson
Architectural Commission – Jennifer Schreiber
o Chair Schreiber reported on recent facade modifications, sign accommodations, construction barricades and multiple business identification signage. Arts and Culture Commission – Maralee Beck
o The West LA Outdoor Sculpture Festival had a very successful debut in Beverly Gardens Park on August 6-7, presented by Community Services and partnering with Art Muse Los Angeles, the Hammer Museum, Century City and Westfield Mall. Please visit www.beverlyhills.org/artwalk for more information.
Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting
August 8, 2022
Meeting Highlights
o Beverly Hills ArtWalk Guided Tour and Murals & Rare Trees Tour will continue through the fall - These regular tours are free and open to all ages. Please visit www.beverlyhills.org/artwalk for more information.
o Arts & Culture Online Workshops: The Community Services Department’s Arts & Culture Division continue to offer free arts & cultural workshops through the end of September. These classes include Improv and Theatre Games by Lauren Kivowitz; Jewelry Making by Deidre Green and Photography with Marshall Vanderhoof. Please visit www.beverlyhills.org/bhrec for more information. o The popular self-guided tour, Inside The Mansion, has returned where patrons are allowed to walk the first floor of the Greystone Mansion and view the newly restored Greystone Theatre. There will also be outside readings by Theatre 40.
Please visit www.beverlyhills.org/visitgreystone for more information. o The Live Music Series, Concerts on Canon was launched on Thursday, June 9th at Beverly Canon Gardens and will continue every Thursday evening through August 25th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Please visit
www.beverlyhills.org/concertsoncanon for more information. Charitable Solicitations Commission – Jodi K. Galen
o Chair Galen reported that the Commission received 10 permit applications since their last meeting on July 13
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o They have issued 86 permits so far this year.
o Reviewed 9 financial statements during the last meeting. o The second draft of the Annual 2021 CSC report has been approved. o 10 financial statements will be reviewed at the September meeting. o There will be no meeting in August.
Cultural Heritage Commission – Kimberly Reiss
o A report was not presented by the Cultural Heritage Commission. Design Review Commission – Tony Spann
o Chair Spann reported that at their last meeting the DRC reviewed a residential project at 600 Linden Avenue. They are noticing a trend of more gated and closed off formal gardens with higher alley walls.
Health & Safety Commission – Dr. Kirk Chang
o The Health & Safety Commission met on July 25, 2022.
o The Commission received updates from priority agencies:
The new BHUSD Director of School Safety, Mark Mead, presented a report on emergency and safety measures within the district, which included an active shooter drill, social and emotional wellness opportunities at the Norman Aid Center, Maple Counseling Center and the Bulldog Center. The Commission heard a report on Beverly Hills Police Department activities from Lieutenant Giovanni Trejo regarding the Real-Time Watch Center which launched on June 7th. Operations are assessed weekly to make improvements as the goal is to provide the highest level of safety, security and service to deter criminal activity, to improve the City’s response, to aid in identification, apprehension and prosecution of criminal offenders.
Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting
August 8, 2022
Meeting Highlights
Beverly Hills Fire Department B-Shift Platoon Battalion Chief, Michael Hand reported a significant uptick in calls from last year from 3,998 to 4,489 calls so far this year.
BHFD completed command and tactical active shooter training for all three shifts.
There were no strike team deployments and no red flag days for the month of July. Brush assessments are being completed north of Sunset in preparation for fire season.
A presentation on sun safety was given by Management Assistant, Austin Brault which included valuable tips for staying safe on very hot days. An update was given on the return of National Night Out on August 2, 2022. Human Relations Commission – Laura Margo
o The Commission is currently taking nominations for the Embrace Civility Award is open for nominations until August 15th. This award recognizes community members who exemplify one or more of the following attributes: Acts as a role model of positive behavior, takes a stand in support of respect and responsible actions and promotes positive neighbor to neighbor relations. www.beverlyhills.org/embracecivilityaward. The winner will be publicly recognized by the City Council in October which is also Civility Month. o The Commission will be celebrating October 23rd as the inaugural Day of Giving. o Our DEI, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awareness Initiative will kick off its Critical Conversations Series on Wednesday, August 24th to be held in the Beverly Hills Library Auditorium from 7pm to 8pm. The first speaker will be Donzaleigh Abernathy, author and civil rights activist. Her father is Reverend Ralph David Abernathy who was an influential leader and co-founder of the Civil Rights Movement and a close friend and advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr. Planning Commission – Myra Demeter
o The Planning Commission welcomed new Commissioners Terry Kaplan and Jeff Wolfe at the July 28th meeting.
o Review of 1510 Lexington Road, Hillside R-1 Permits and Tree Removal Permit (PL1623294)
o A draft ordinance amending the maximum allowable heights for walls, fences and hedges in certain single-family and all multi-family residential areas in the city was finalized and will be recommended to the City Council. o A draft ordinance amending medical use regulations replacing the Medical Conversion Urgency Ordinance (Urgency Ordinance No. 20-O-2826), currently in effect which will expire in November was finalized and will be recommended to the City Council.
o The Planning Division will host an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) community meeting on August 10th at 6:00pm in the Library Auditorium. Public Works Commission – John Millan
o At the last Commission meeting, waste water rates were discussed and are due for review. They are looking to restructure the fixed and volumetric rates for residents similar to what the commercial customers have. o In the “Best Practices” portion of their meeting, they listened to a speaker talk about “Tiny Forests”. This concept was created in Japan and could be applied to the City of Beverly Hills which encourages the planting of a variety of vegetation that retains moisture to the trees and does not require any pruning for ten years.
Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting
August 8, 2022
Meeting Highlights
o Staff introduced a draft ordinance which would curb the use/sale of single-use plastic and Styrofoam products. Public outreach will be conducted before the draft returns to the Commission and eventually will go before the City Council. o A reminder to please conserve water and curtail lawn watering use to two days a week. Sign up for water trackers.
o Chair Millan highlighted that the Metropolitan Water District will be doing major repairs to one of their main feeders so there will be no water originating from Colorado for the middle of September. This will affect the region significantly and is a strong reminder that we are facing a real water crisis. Recreation & Parks Commission – Amie Sherry
o Chair Sherry reported on recent activities with the City’s youth programs, senior & adult programs, adult sports leagues, special events, Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market, library programs and activities at Greystone Mansion. Rent Stabilization Commission – Kathy Bronte
o At the last Commission meeting on August 3rd, Shana Epstein Director of Public Works, gave a very informative presentation addressing questions on water use and billing.
o The Commission had a discussion on retrofitting pass-throughs that will continue at a later date.
Traffic & Parking Commission – Sharon Ignarro, MD
o The Commission’s last meeting was on August 4th.
o As part of their monthly educational series, the Commission heard a presentation given by Colleen Stoll from the Transportation Demand Program with the City of Santa Monica highlighting ways to improve air quality, reduce congestion by encouraging people to commute by modes other than driving alone.
o 2022 Legislative Platform updates from Cindy Owens including AB 1713 aka The Idaho Stop – which would allow cyclists who are 18 years or older to treat stop signs as yield signs under very limited situations. o The Commission discussed AB 1909 (Friedman) which includes changes to existing law which help to make cyclists safer.
o Staff introduced the Bike Boulevard Feasibility Study for Clifton Way and Le Doux Road funded by a grant from Metro.
o Staff presented the Driver Behavior Detection Pilot Program which uses cameras to detect drivers who are distracted while using cell phones, speeding and not wearing their seatbelts.
o The Commission received an update on the In-House Transit Needs Assessment Program aka The Shuttle. Community engagement is currently underway with an online transit feasibility study. The public is encouraged to participate in this study by visiting www.beverlyhills.org/TransitStudy.
5. Mayor’s Report
Since we last met, we held our City Council and City Treasurer Installation on July 12th.
On July 15th, we kicked off the Mayor’s Mental Wellness Series with Dr. Edith Eger.
Our next event is Thursday, August 18th at 5:30 pm Music and Dance here at City Hall!
Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting
August 8, 2022
Meeting Highlights
We also held City Council meetings on July 19th - a special meeting on July 25th and last week on August 2nd.
On July 19th, we:
o Recognized Charles Black for his accomplishments during his term as President of the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills.
o Recognized July as Recreation and Parks Month.
o We welcomed new Traffic and Parking Commissioner Hadar Geller. o 60 Second Shout Out - Ferrarini Cafe.
o The Council sent a letter unanimously opposing the LA Board of Supervisors call for a special election for the purpose of amending the County charter to grant the Supervisors the authority to remove the Sheriff.
Discussed new or amended state legislative bills and provided direction.
At the special City Council meeting of July 25th, we:
o Unanimously Agreed the City Will Not Implement any Potential New LA County Health Order Using City Enforcement.
On August 2nd, we:
o Discussed the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) – drafted a letter sharing Council’s concerns about the current process. o Discussed upcoming improvements to our City’s Parking Operations. o 60 second shout out – Le Mervetty
o Heard a report on the unhoused and directed staff on how to manage this ongoing and challenging issue. (Frequent reports will be coming back) o Adopted a resolution calling upon the United Nations to end the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. o Our next City Council meeting will be Tuesday, August 23 where we will continue our discussions about the creation of our own health department in Beverly Hills.
We’ve also enjoyed very successful events since we last met:
o We held Business With Bosse events at Alfred Coffee, Nerano and the Louis Vuitton ‘200 Trunks 200 Visionaries’ Exhibit on Rodeo Drive. We have two upcoming Business With Bosse events:
o August 8th at Nua at the Crescent Hotel from 6:30 - 8:00pm o August 16th at Euro Caffe & Euro Gastronomia from 9:30am–11am The next Live with Lili: Thursday, August 25 from 7-8 pm in the Municipal Gallery
ADJOURNMENT
Date / Time: August 8, 2022 / 5:47 PM