MAYOR’S CABINET MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
December 12, 2022
5:00 PM
IN-PERSON / TELEPHONIC / VIDEO CONFERENCE MEETING
Please be advised that pre-entry metal detector screening requirements are now in place in City Hall.
Members of the public are requested to plan visits accordingly.
In the interest of maintaining appropriate social distancing, members of the public can view this meeting through live webcast at www.beverlyhills.org/live and on BH Channel 10 or Channel 35 on Spectrum Cable, and can participate in the teleconference/video conference by using the link below.
Written comments may be emailed to [email protected] and will also be taken during the meeting when the topic is being reviewed by the Mayor’s Cabinet committee. Beverly Hills Mayor’s Cabinet meetings will be in-person at City Hall. https://beverlyhills-org.zoom.us/my/cabinet
Meeting ID: 985 883 7201
Passcode: 90210
Or by telephone:
+1 669 900 9128 US
+1 833 548 0282 Toll-Free
Written comments may be emailed to [email protected] and will be read at the meeting.
View the Meeting: Live meeting coverage will be available via BHTV Channel 10 on Spectrum Cable and webcast live at www.beverlyhills.org/live
AGENDA
1. Welcome
2. Public Comment
a. Members of the public will be given the opportunity to directly address the Committee on any item listed on the agenda through email at [email protected].
No public comment.
3. 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 making findings and determination regarding the same.
2 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.
The resolution was read into the record and unanimously approved.
4. Report from Commission Chairperson
a. Architectural Commission – Jennifer Schreiber, Chair
1. No continued business.
2. 2 new applications:
425 N. Canon Dr. - Request for architectural review for revisions to a previously reviewed project, including façade modifications, business identification sign, and a construction barricade.
315 and 317 N. Beverly Dr. - Request for approval for architectural review with lifestyle graphics for a three-story commercial building with rooftop use and a carousel parking system.
b. Arts and Culture Commission – Liliana Filipovic, Chair Fine Art Collection Public Art Update
1. Beverly Hills Art Walks Guided Tour titled Beverly Hills Sculpture Park and Architectural History tour finished in December. A public thank you to Phillip Savinc, Kevin Lee Miller and Robert Anderson for their support and involvement. A new tour begins January- April 2023 titled Beverly Hills Art Walk, Public Art Connoisseur Number Two, it will be held Sundays at 11:00 A.M. (January 8, February 5, March 5, and March 26).
2. Holidays at Greystone marked post-pandemic return with spectacular festive décor that incorporated fun experiences, multi-cultural themes and festive decorations. This special event featured live caroling and dancing, craftmaking and storytelling, and a fantastic show in the newly restored Greystone Theatre by the beloved Bob Baker Marionette Theater performing a one-ofa-kind performance. The popular musical group, Mostly Kosher, lead dance parties each day incorporating klezmer music and holiday winter themed dance music. The decorative elements were designed by noted art director and interior designer Keith Kaminski, who will brought the mansion and grounds to their full holiday glory. This annual tradition at Greystone brought families and the whole community back together again in an enhanced and memorable fashion.
3. 50th Anniversary for Beverly Hills Art Show will be held on Saturday, May 20th and Sunday May 21st. The team is already working on ways to enhance this event and is reviewing feedback provided after the fall arts show to incorporate ideas for this celebration. Applications are now open for artists to apply and information can be found at
www.beverlyhills.org/beverlyhillsartshow .
4. Preparations are underway for two future events including the first annual festival Beverly Hills planned for Sunday, March 26th and the 29th Annual Music in the Mansion Festival.
3 c. Charitable Solicitations Commission – Jodi K. Galen, Chair
1. Last CSC meeting was November 19, 2022. 14 permits were reviewed and approved, and 7 financial statements reviewed. The November 7, 2022 meeting included a presentation of the 2021 annual report to Councilmember Nazarian and Councilmember Friedman. Feedback was provided which was incorporated into the report and in the December 13, 2022 study session agenda. d. Cultural Heritage Commission – Kimberly Reiss, Chair
1. The commission is currently meeting quarterly but hope to meet bi-monthly after the next meeting.
2. The first golden shield was installed at the corner of Sunset Blvd and Alpine Dr. (site of the original homestead for Maria Rita Valdez and her husband Vicente Valdez).
3. Two more golden shield nominations to be placed at former home of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz at 1000 Roxbury Dr., as well as 466 N. Beverly Dr.
4. Review of eight more nominations: Beverly Hills Nursery, Rachmaninoff Residence, Warner Beverly Theater, The Jimmy Stewart Home, The Jack Benny Home, Blums Restaurant, The California Bank and Beverly Garage site, and the Beverly Hills Speedway. Of those nominees, the commission landed on three: Warner Beverly Theater, Beverly Hills Speedway, and Beverly Hills Nursery
5. An ad hoc committee for historic ordinance review was added.
6. Voted to add Robert Finklehore and Jack A. Charney to list of master architects.
7. Viewed information session to review property at 9419 Sunset Blvd. e. Design Review Commission – Terri Smooke, Vice Chair
1. Ad hoc committee met regarding 513 Sierra Dr.
2. There will be one vacancy at end of the month as Commissioner Barry Bernstein is retiring. There were a small number of applicants but none have been approved.
3. Request to think about potential applicants. Applications are open until January 13, 2023.
f. Health & Safety Commission – Kirk Chang, Chair
1. Commission met on November 28, 2022 and approved modular building dedicated to enhancing mental health wellness; Bulldog Aid Wellness Center.
2. BHPD reminded the community that property crimes increase over the holidays. Tips were given to decrease the chancesto become a victim of a crime. Please contact Sgt.
Jesse Perez for lighting or threat assessments (310) 285-2195.
3. BHPD has increased holiday deployments in the business district (foot, bike and vehicles).
4. Lt. Trejo discussed BHPD plans for two officers to take part in the Mental Health Evaluation Team. These officers would receive additional training and would be dedicated specifically to handle calls related to mental health issues.
5. BHFD reported November 14, 2022, sent all three shifts to training at the LA County training facility in Valencia.
6. The November 3, 2022 fire on the 500 block of N. Beverly was a chimney fire.
Reminder to residents please make sure that chimneys are cleaned and inspected yearly to prevent build- up of flammable materials.
7. Recreation Services Manager, Christopher Paulson and Community Outreach Manager, Stephanie Harris presented on efforts to enhance and serve the unhoused in Beverly Hills. This included launching a 24 hour service line at (310) 285-2468 and 4 implementation of Apricot 360, a real time cloud based case management system. In addition success stories on seven individuals who reunited with families, secured shared housing were shared. Staff also shared the provided more than 100 need assessments.
g. Human Relations Commission – Noelle Freeman, Chair
1. Community Assistance Grant Fund (CAGF) Applications were made available online December 1st 2022. CAGF supports non-profit organizations that provide direct social services to the most vulnerable members of the Beverly Hills community. These vulnerable populations include the elderly, unhoused, low-income, food insecure, and disabled. Organizations that provide valuable cultural arts programming to City of Beverly Hills residents are also encouraged to apply. Applications must be received by 5:00pm on January 23, 2023.
Applications and complete eligibility criteria can be found at www.beverlyhills.org/cagf.
2. End of Year Reflection & Things to Come:
First commission to return to in-person commission meetings, First ever donation drive for Civility Month, and launching our Critical Conversation speaker series.
Please stay tuned for Kindness Week 2023 and our next Critical Conversations. Both are scheduled to happen in February 2023 more details to come.
h. Planning Commission – Jeff Wolfe, Commissioner
1. 12/8/2022 meeting approved applications related to three different projects. 1510 Lexington Rd. approved - two R1 hillside permits and one tree removal permit.
1004 N. Rexford Dr. - R1 permit approved
9031 Olympic Blvd. - approval of conditional use permit. i. Public Works Commission – John Millan, Chair
Report
1. Single use plastics ban is being considered but has been delayed due to businesses concerns.
2. Groundwater water ordinance was reviewed.
j. Recreation & Parks Commission – Amie Sherry, Chair
Report
1. The Commission was dark in November and will reconvene at a special meeting on December 20, 2022. That will be my last meeting as Chair and Myra Lurie will become Chair in January. It also the last meeting for Commissioner Alissa Roston, and we thank her for her service to the Commission and community.
2. Youth Programs:
Teen Advisory Committee (TAC) hosted a teen Halloween event and “Haunted Walk”, as part of the 5
th annual NEXT NIGHT Street Festival on Saturday October 22nd.
3. Senior programs:
5 The popular Beverly Hills Active Adult Club (BHAAC) annual Senior Holiday Dance returns to the Roxbury Park Community Center on Monday December 12th from 1:00pm-3:00pm.
4. Adult Programs:
The Roxbury Park Community Center will be hosting the inaugural Roxbury Variety Show on December 19th from 1:00pm – 3:00pm. The show will highlight performances from both students and instructors within our Roxbury senior and active adult classes, including dances, song performance, poetry reading, comedic improvisation and more.
5. Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market:
The Artistan Craft Fair and Holiday Cookie Bake contest was a success. 16 artisan craft vendors participated and 18 cookie bakers competed for the best tasting cookie in Beverly Hills.
The Beverly Hills Farmers Market will be closed on December 25th and January 1
st due to the Holidays.
6. Library Programs
The Book Club sponsored by the Friends of the Library will be discussing Matrix by Lauren Groff in January. There are no meetings in December.
December Family Storytimes meet Tuesdays in the Civic Center Plaza and Thursdays in the Library Auditorium at 10:30am.
Displays are being planned for the upcoming holiday season as well as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
7. Greystone Mansion:
Inside the Mansion program will be returning in January on a monthly basis, opening the first floor of the mansion to the public on self-guided tours the first weekend of the month.
k. Rent Stabilization Commission – Cathy Bronte, Vice Chair
1. Commissioner Zack Zokoloff will be leaving commission.
2. Continued work on pass through issues.
3. Consensus reached on splitting cost of administering Rent Stabilization program between landlord and tenant.
l. Traffic & Parking Commission – Sharon Ignarro MD, Chair
1. No report given.
5. Mayor’s Report
City Council meetings were held on November 15th and December 6 th
.
November 15, 2022:
The Beverly Hills Police Department provided an update on the Preferential Parking Program and the implementation of automated license plate technology. We received a report related to street closures for the upcoming 80th annual Golden Globe awards ceremony on Tuesday, January 10th at the Hilton. Recognized Pam Kraushaar for her appointment to the Human Relations Commission.
6 Honored Nooshin Meshkaty and Camyar Meshkaty with a proclamation for organizing the Solidarity with the Heroic People of Iran rally on Nov. 5th. 60 SECOND SHOUT OUT–Velverie Café and Teahouse.
Adopted an ordinance adhering to the 2022 California Building Standards Code with applicable local amendments.
Approved an ordinance amending regulations in the municipal code related to the adjustment of lot lines that would create or expand lots across jurisdictional boundaries of the City.
Approved extending an interim ordinance to provide objective standards for senate bill 9 projects in single-family residential zones. Continued an appeal of the Planning Commission’s May 26th decision amending a development plan review regulating rooftop uses at Spring Place. Reviewed and approved new services that will provide additional support for the unhoused.
Southern California Edison returned to provide an update on recentservice issues and future improvement projects.
December 6, 2022:
Approved proposed City Council meeting dates from January 2023 through April 2023.
Received an update on the Design Review Commission Interview Panels Received an update on the Recreation and Parks Commission and Community Charitable Foundation Interview Panels
Approved the extension of the Temporary No-Fee OpenBH Program for an Additional 9 Months through September 30, 2023.
Presented the Fred C. Cunningham Award for Distinguished Service Award to City Building Official David Yelton.
60 SECOND SHOUT OUT–LOVE LOVE Tennis
Heard an appeal of the Planning Commissions’ decision to regulate rooftop uses at Spring Place. Thisitem will now go back to the Planning Commission for further discussion.
The next City Council meeting is on December 13, 2022 Consider Commission Reappointments (Charitable Solicitations Commission, Design Review Commission, Health and Safety Commission and Human Relations Commission)
Receive an update on Fiscal Year 2021-22 Audited General Fund Financial Results
Consider a request by Councilmember Mirisch for Information on Protections for Renters Displaced by Redevelopment
Honor City Manager George Chavez ahead of hisretirement on December 29, 2022.
60 SECOND SHOUT OUT – Walter’s
Consider a recommendation by the Rent Stabilization Commission to prohibit landlords from bringing an action to recover possession of an apartment unit for the purpose of major remodeling.
Consider the approval of a police department signing bonus program. The following events were held since the last Cabinet meeting:
Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration was held on November 17th 7 LIVE with Lili on November 22nd.
Mayor’s Summit on Anti-semitism in Athens
Holidays at Greystone event.
Business with Bosse at 208 Rodeo.
Dr. Phil show aired
Upcoming events:
Community Celebration for George Chavez tomorrow from 5:30-7:00pm in the Municipal Gallery.
Menorah Lighting Celebration Monday, December 19th at 6:00pm Business with Bosse at The Belvedere at the Peninsula – Tuesday, December 20th from 5:00-6:30 pm
3. Adjournment
December 12, 2022 / 5:00 PM