WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS
NOT READ INTO THE RECORD
From: Domain Support
To: City Clerk
Subject: PLEASE READ at the City Council Meeting March 7th 7pm Date: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 11:59:19 AM
Importance: High
CAUTION: External Sender
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Please read at the 7pm City Council Meeting tonight
Dear City Council,
PLEASE HALT THIS PROJECT!!!
PLEASE GIVE THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS DUE PROCESS. CITY COUNCIL HAS CLEARLY MADE A MISTAKE!!!! YOU NEED TO FIX THIS IMMEDIATELY!!!! PLEASE VOTE TO HALT THIS PROJECT IMMEDIATELY!!!!
A Robertson Blvd Special Task Force (RBSTF) has been established by Robertson Blvd business owners and residents to review the City’s action in removing all of the trees on Robertson Blvd along with the sidewalk repair and irrigation system construction planned for March 2023 through December 2024. The RBSTF is requesting an immediate halt of the Robertson Blvd Tree Project until further review.
On Friday, March 3, 2023, Wendy Klenk of the Robertson Blvd Special Task Force meet with the Mayor, Lili Bosse and the City Manager, Nancy Hunt-Coffey, to discuss how to resolve this matter. Lili Bosse asked what the RBSTF would like to have happen in terms of next steps.
The following action items were proposed:
1. The Robertson Tree Project be added to the Agenda on March 7, 2023 so that Council can vote to temporarily halt the project, until a review can be completed by Public Works, City Council and the RBSTF.
2. An affirmative Vote on March 7th by Council to temporarily halt the project until a review can be completed by Public Works, City Council and the RBSTF.
3. The Robertson Tree Project added to the Agenda on March 7, 2023 so that a meaningful discussion can be initiated by Council and RBSTF.
4. A timeline of events and all information requested by the RBSTF. The City of BH's is currently in violation of the California Information Act.
5. A review of the Robertson Blvd Tree Project (RBTP) to include options and alternatives to save the trees, wildlife and all species.
6. A review of the RBTP to include options and or alternatives which are in accordance with the Dudek Urban Forest Management Plan.
7. A review of the RBTP to include new tree species that are not Mexican Palm Fans and Crape Myrtles, which are not native and more importantly are not shade trees as the current options. This is for the trees already cut down.
8. A review of the irrigation system planned. RBSTF is confident this irrigation system is an unnecessary expense to the City budget, especially because more appropriate trees can be selected which do not require an irrigation system.
9. The RBSTF would like to be represented and included in all hearings as it relates the RBTP.
10. Communication Strategy and Outreach. To be included and have a voice in how projects are communicated to the public. The RBSTF believes this project was not communicated properly, with little to no outreach and thus has caused significant pain and suffering along with damages to business owners and residents. We believe a better communication strategy is necessary and required.
11. A proper environmental and ecological impact report (EIR) to be created to mitigate damages to the environment and wildlife.
The RBSTF has been made aware the City has stopped similar projects in the past to properly review the projects and to make sure all of the residents and business owners were included, i.e. Trousdale, El Camino, etc. These projects were stopped by influential residents so that the City and the Community could work together. Again, the City has the power to temporarily halt this project. We are asking for the same consideration and accommodation as has been given to other projects.
To date, the RBSTF has received no reply for City Council. This is just another example to the City playing games with residents and business owners. We need your attention to vote to stop this project immediately.
STOP THIS PROJECT NOW! Please do the right thing for the citizens of Beverly Hills. Please Save The Trees!
Thank you for your immediate attention!
Carol G.