WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS READ INTO THE RECORD — Beverly Hills City Council, June 27, 2023

WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS

READ INTO THE RECORD
From: Mark Elliot
To: City Clerk
Subject: Comment for parking authority closed session item item #5: 235 N. Cañon Dr./240 N. Beverly Dr proposed lease amendment
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 1:42:58 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
________________________________
Dear Mayor Gold and members of the City Council:

Please amend the operations and lease agreement with Beverly Hills Acquisition, LLC to end the city’s $13,179.64 monthly payment for Beverly-Canon gardens maintenance.

In case you are not aware, every month we taxpayers foot the bill to maintain the Gardens to the hotel’s highest standards. Those standards are specified in an 18-page agreement titled, “Higher Gardens Maintenance Standards.” That maintenance is funded by a cash-on-the-barrel payment to the hotel and the billionaire officials from Qatar that are reportedly behind it.

First, why are taxpayers on the hook? We already built the gardens and garage that benefit the hotel and at great expense. Why shouldn’t the hotel maintain the park to its own highest standards? And second, why do hotel guests benefit from a well-maintained park when my neighbors and I south of Wilshire live with pocket parks that are rundown?
Every time I pass by my own Reeves Park I’m reminded that the fountain has not been operational for years; that the child’s playground is soiled; and worse that it is situated on a busy Wilshire alley but unprotected from the noise and grime from passing traffic. More than half of the park is devoted to landscaping that will meet no high standard. The park has gone without capital investment for decades.

In my view, the contrast between Beverly Canon Gardens and Reeves Park suggests this tale of two cities: a marquee hotel backed by international investors that benefits from a world-class park and working fountains at taxpayer expense; and a threadbare pocket park for the rest of us.

Beverly Hills Acquisition, LLC doesn’t need our money. Amend this lease agreement to redirect that monthly thirteen grand to maintain the parks where we residents read our books and take our kids. We deserve better.

Sincerely,
Mark Elliot
From: AGirlsWorld
To: City Clerk
Subject: City Council Meeting 7PM Tuesday June 27, 2023 - PLEASE READ AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 11:07:27 AM
Importance: High
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
Beverly Hills City Council,
Please Please listen to the residents and business owners. We are asking you to save trees, not commit a crime. This is the right thing to do. We are asking you to support the community, which is what City Council is elected to do. We are asking you to save trees, to save healthy living trees that are a valuable resource and essential for our survival. Council should not be killing healthy trees, wildlife habitat or our environment. Honestly, why have all of you, except for Council Member Mirisch who has been supportive of the neighborhood and our trees, not tried to help? Why are you not working together to find a solution? Our elected officials and those making these decisions should not have unilateral control to kill our trees, birds, bees, wildlife and all habitat living in the trees. You should not be allowed to harm the environment, our neighborhood, our businesses and all of us. In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t imagine anyone would kill a healthy tree. You should be ashamed of yourselves for forcing us to fight for the life of a tree when they should be protected.

Trees are not disposal. Trees are an incredibly valuable resource to the life of a community, which we so desperately need in our area. Why have you allowed the Arborist complete control with no oversight? Why have you allowed an arborist, who is not an Urban Landscape Designer to make decisions about the City’s Urban Forest Design? We have read the Dudek Urban Forest Management Plan and it specifically states our area does not have enough shade canopy. The report also states to preserve, protect and maintain our trees and increase the shade canopy.

I ask Council to prioritize trees and add a “Significant Tree Ordinance” to the agenda.

The City needs to protect all of our trees and not kill any trees.

We need more Council members who are willing to fight for our trees and the environment…God bless Council Member Mirisch. We are so grateful for his voice! Thank you.

From: Anne Chavez
To: City Clerk
Cc: Wendyinhollywood
Subject: Public comment - city manager report. Please read at Tues 7 pm council meeting Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 11:00:44 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
Until now, several months later, the true objective of this project has remained unclear despite our efforts to request for more information on the purpose, scope, and impact of the “sidewalk repair” project.

I left the country for a month and the project seems to have made very slow progress.

When I returned it was still blocking my workplace’s entrance for clients on and off for weeks with no advice on exactly when.

I was also surprised to find a small tree already replanted in the midst of the construction. If I remember correctly, the city was going to review the choice of tree more carefully. Is the current tree native, sustainable, low maintenance, etc? Will we still have concerns about it damaging sidewalks in the future? If so, when do we predict that will happen? What will it contribute to local ecosystem and the native wildlife? I’d like to be more educated on this.

As much as I miss our shady and far more productive tree, I was also concerned that the new, immature tree would be subjected to unnecessary stress that would affect its survival. How will these new trees be cared for?
Like we’ve requested months ago, can we see a full study of this project? All we ask for is transparency and a truly sustainable program for trees, especially one to save and maintain the beautiful mature trees we already have, especially with the onset of what will be even hotter summers brought about by climate change.

From: City Desk
To: City Clerk
Subject: bh city council meeting 7pm please read
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 11:46:14 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
to city council:

I have been made aware, city council has approved the clear-cutting of street trees on numerous streets in the city of beverly hills without resident consent and without any prior due diligence, without implementing technologies that would not only extend the life of a tree, but preserve the benefits of the tree for the community, which is being done in cities throughout california and around the world.
city council has failed to implement the recommendations of their own consultants and is threatening the survival of this community. I understand residents have asked for a significant tree ordinance, which will protect all trees in the city, which so far has been denied. I would like to ask why this ordinance is being denied and why council will not adopt climate crisis measures? This is a serious problem threatening the urban forest of not only beverly hills but all of los angeles if council does not change course and adopt measures.

I am officially requesting council reevaluate all decisions relating to the urban forest and wildlife. please read the dudek urban forest management plan which you approved in February 2022. your actions are not consistent with what you approved over a year ago. i am counting on your support and commitment to our community.

From: Claudia Dermutz
To: City Clerk
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Public comment - 7PM city Council meeting
Date: Monday, June 26, 2023 9:53:28 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
________________________________
Please read at Tuesday 7 PM meeting:

Dear Beverly Hills city Council!
Being a neighbor and an avid walker in the neighborhood I am appalled at the look, and feel of Robertson Boulevard. It has gone from a really pleasant green and shady street to a concrete wasteland.

Aren’t we already surrounded by enough cars and concrete? Why would anyone choose to remove EXISTING, beautiful, green and lush tree coverage providing shade and habitat that is beautifying the area?? All of that at a time when temperatures only keep on rising? And on top of it, wasting monetary resources, as well as taxpayers‘ money! I am REALLY at a loss to understand the city’s decision to remove those beautiful trees, and I am asking you to stop this!
SAVE THE TREES ! P
Peter
From: Joe Franzetta
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public Comment -7pm City Council Meeting
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 11:54:16 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
Dear Council Members,
I hope you will reconsider the Beverly Hills Tree Project and keep the remaining Ficus trees that are necessary for many reasons; climate, beauty, air quality, noise, reducing hot summer temperatures, habitat, the list goes on. When did we start not caring about the importance of trees? This is not just one or two trees. These are huge city blocks of trees that are being decimated by choice. I ask that you choose not to.

Thank you,
Joe
From: Greystar Tenants
To: City Clerk
Cc: SAVE THE TREES ROBERTSON BLVD
Subject: City Council - Please Read 7PM Meeting
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 10:47:35 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
City Council of Beverly Hills,
I find it disingenuous that we are still having this conversation when Lili Bosse, promised to help us in February and yet did nothing. Now, Mayor Gold says he wants to help us but has not resolved this conflict. City Council needs to prioritize trees and add a “Significant Tree Ordinance” to the agenda.

The City of Los Angeles has a “Significant Tree Ordinance” which protects all tree species, “Any tree that measures 12 inches or more in diameter and at four-and-one-half feet above the average natural grade at the base of the tree and or is more than 35 feet in height.” In 2023, in the midst of the climate change, the worst environmental crisis of our lifetime, no resident should be begging City Council to stop cutting down healthy shade trees. This is irresponsible. These trees are incredibly valuable to our community and provide enormous benefit to the residents.

Keep in mind, this entire situation could have been easily avoided had City Council acted responsibly and stopped clear cutting all of the healthy Ficus trees in February. And yet, Council did nothing, after being bombarded by thousands of calls, emails and in-person comments from residents and business owners. Why is Council wasting everyone’s time and tax payer money to remove trees that do not need to be removed, $8 Million dollars to be exact that none of the residents or business owners approved and again was unnecessary. Why did City Council not stop this process? And why are you protecting the Arborist who in fact should be removed because he did not have the authority or approval to remove any of the trees. Why has no formal investigation been done by the City?
I suggest Council prioritize residents over staff. Stop acting as if you had nothing to do with this situation and start taking responsibility for your actions.

We request Council place a “Significant Tree Ordinance” on the Agenda. We need to protect our trees and our shade canopy for future generations.

Thank you for your immediate attention.

From: annette konikiewicz
To: City Clerk
Cc: annette konikiewicz;
Subject: Public Comment – 7PM City Council Meeting
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 10:37:44 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
Please read at Tuesday 7PM meeting:

Dear City Council, Beverly Hills is one of the most beautiful cities in the US and it's due to the abundance and variety of trees and parks. Trees provide animal nesting and habitats, reduce pollution, increase property value, provide shade and great photo ops for tourists and realtors who advertise properties with "curb appeal". Trees act as landmarks for visitors and don't require tons of water like grass if they are mature. If you replace all trees with concrete, the character and appeal of the city will disappear and so will residents and businesses who need shade for their structures. Cooling costs for residents and businesses will increase and their constant energy use will stress the grid and the cost will pass to the customers of Bev Hills businesses. Compromise is possible. Trim tree roots safely, replace broken concrete and trim the trees on a schedule so their roots stay in check and don't expand too much to damage the concrete. Be creative, thoughtful, consult the experts, and set an example for neighboring cities. Don't demolish 80-year old trees and replace them with substitutes like Myrtles that will need to be replaced in 10-15 years or palm trees which don't provide enough shade.

Thank you for your consideration.

From: Nadia Mansour
To: City Clerk
Subject: "Public Comment - 7PM City Council Meeting".

Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 10:28:02 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
To whom it may concern,
??
We have been commenting on those trees removal on Robertson since it happens end of January 2023.

Roberston street for a big portion has lost her beauty.

It is horrific to remove healthy and mature trees, trees are not disposables.

Trees are living being like us, a lot of wild life lives in those trees.

By removing the trees you condemning all the birds that lives in it, this is how a city loose their birds slowly but surely, think of that and ask yourself how it will be without the birds singing in the morning, a death silence.

Who is making those decisions, who is responsible of this disastrous decision.

The person that is responsible of trees and landscape management should take example from his predecessor that create Beverly Hills and made it a place on earth that everyone wants to visit for his beauty.
??
The trees that was installed are ridiculous they will bring no canopy no shape for another 20 years at least, but why?
who profits from the crime.
??
It is the same person that decide to make construction on Burton Way that is terrible and ugly
Now it looks like you replace a valuable old furniture by Ikea piece, seriously. ??
Instead of going forward we are going backward, this person in charge of the landscape needs to be removed,
This person has no consciousness and no vision.
??
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and taking in consideration a citizen voice.
??
Best Regards, Nadia Mansour.
??
??
From: Neenah Paige
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public Comment 7pm -City Council Meeting
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 11:42:19 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
________________________________
Hello,
I have lived down the street from these beautiful trees for 40+ years. They are not only a thing of beauty, but so needed in a time where our temperatures are some of the hottest on record.

We are about to enter Summer and I’d like to see what the street is going to be like without the 50 trees that were there to shade and cool and bring wildlife and habitat. I realize that you are saying that the sidewalks needed repair, but we know not all the sidewalks needed it. And to clear cut all these trees, all at once, rather than a case by case study, seems very irresponsible of the city. Other counties and countries protect their trees no matter what. They work around the issues. Why are we so quick to cut down trees that we can’t replace in the same way? Cutting down mature, healthy trees that sequester carbon also plays a huge role for our environment. I hope you will reconsider the decision made and work to save the remaining, standing trees.

Thank you,
Neenah
From: Sandrine Sarrola
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public comment/ Save the tree
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 8:30:32 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
Thank you for doing something to save the trees, save the nature! It is inacceptable to destroy all the trees in the city! Not only it looks terrible but very sad. Hope you take it in consideration.

Best,
Sandrine
From: Maureen Toth
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public Comment - 7pm City Council Meeting // Prioritize Trees Please Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 11:56:30 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
Please read at Tuesday 7pm Meeting
I am advocating for NOT removing the remaining 42 trees On Robertson Blvd and also truly considering the environment, habitat, air and water quality before making decisions regarding other mature tree removal in the future. Replacement trees do not do the same thing for MANY, many years as a mature large tree with mature canopy. There is NO better way to have a positive impact on the environment then preserving older trees WHENEVER possible. For sidewalk issues - we know there are other options besides beautiful old tree removal and other city’s have used them to good effect. These other options should be first to be considered.

I am also asking the City Council to Prioritize Trees and place a “Significant Tree Ordinance” on the agenda. Most cities have a “Significant Tree Ordinance” to preserve and protect the urban forest.

Unfortunately, Beverly Hills does not and this absolutely should change. City council should be listening to residents and business owners in this regard.

Thank you kindly,
Maureen

MAUREEN TOTH
1645 VINE STREET, STE 402
LOS ANGELES, CA 90028
P: (323) 856-3000 • F: (323) 856-3009
[email protected] • www.easterntalent.net
From: Robert Borowski
To: City Clerk
Cc: Wendyinhollywood
Subject: Public Comment – 7PM City Council Meeting
Date: Monday, June 26, 2023 7:00:32 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
________________________________
Please read at Tuesday 7PM meeting
Whenever I read news reports about deforestation devastating the Amazon, I come away feeling as if there’s little our government can do, and even less that I can do. So when I read reports about trees being culled in Beverly Hills, it really makes me feel sick and angry. If the City really does care about climate change, stop the hypocrisy and save the remaining 42 trees on Robertson Blvd and the 1200 trees targeted for removal. Do it for the trees, do it for the animals who live in them, and do it for us.

Sincerely,
Robert Borowski
Los Angeles
From: Karine Dubner
To: City Clerk
Cc:

Subject: Public Comment – 7PM City Council Meeting
Date: Monday, June 19, 2023 9:43:01 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
Please read at Tuesday 7PM meeting.

I live in Beverly Hills, I love Beverly Hills because it feels safer and green.

I cannot express how disappointed I feel with the City of Beverly Hills to allow such a massive project/ destruction without the residents approval: a sidewalk issue? What about the oxygen, the shade those trees was providing us, the birds nesting...all of that is gone.

Robertson looks like La Cienega and Melrose Blvd, it completely lost its cachet. Was that intentional?
Carmel has been able to save its charm, its trees and identity with millions of visitors a year ( those sidewalks are terrible ; ): where are those millions pedestrians on Robertson, Beverly Hills could not figure it out a real solution?
It is a shame to destroy so easily hundreds years of full grown trees. a shame.

Please save the last 50 trees.

Thank you,
karine Dubner
From: Danny Kon
To: City Clerk
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Public Comment – 7PM City Council Meeting
Date: Monday, June 19, 2023 8:38:01 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
Please read at Tuesday 7PM meeting
For years, I’ve enjoyed the splendor of Robertson Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Whether it was eating at the Ivy, and then strolling the tree-lined Boulevard in wonder of the beauty, or shopping at the many upscale, amazing stores, that line the boulevard, strolling or driving down Robertson’s tree-lined Boulevard has always been a pleasure. We live in a desert and the magnificent ficus trees that have been growing on the boulevard for almost a century provided a welcome respite from the blazing heat of the Los Angeles Sun. The beauty of the boulevard is intrinsically, tied in to the magnificent, old-growth trees that have lined it, and that has been a magnet for the businesses that have been there, and for the many people that come to shop and visit the businesses on it. For years, I have gotten a coffee and walked the boulevard because it is a beautiful place to enjoy Beverly Hills. When my wife was recovering from surgical procedures at Cedar Sinai, I would always visit and walk Robertson Boulevard to take a break from my vigil and enjoy a coffee or lunch, and then stroll the boulevard for some shopping or a visit to an art gallery. The idea that you would remove these trees that are so intrinsically linked to the beauty of the Boulevard is outrageous. Everyone in greater Los Angeles enjoys these magnificent trees and that is what makes a Boulevard a Boulevard and not just another of the crummy streets around our city. If you remove them and put in a bunch of small trees that will take years to grow, I would imagine that all the businesses that have thrived in that area will take a major hit, and it certainly won’t be the beautiful Boulevard that we’ve all loved for decades and decades. I for one, hope you reconsider this ill advised action and allow the beautiful ficus trees that have adorned this famous Boulevard to thrive for years to come.

Sincerely,
Danny Kon
From: Karen Mussette
To: City Clerk
Subject: Hey…!
Date: Monday, June 26, 2023 9:02:24 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
________________________________
Hi there ~
Just wanted to voice my sincere concern about the beautiful 60+ year old ficus trees on Robertson. Tearing them down is an environmental disaster in the worst way. Not only are they esthetically gorgeous but they’re monumental for the whole existence of human beings and the oxygen they supply. This planet is going through severe climate changes right now and we just don’t have the moment to allow another tree to die. We need them. Every single one.

If you aren’t concerned about the present situation regarding climate change, then please think about your grandchildren and the state of the planet’s future during their lifetime.

Thank you so much!
Kare Mussette
5th generation Californian and resident of Beverly Hills Sent from my iPhone
From: Jesse Sanford
To: City Clerk
Cc: Save Blvd
Subject: Public Comment – 6/27 @ 7PM City Council Meeting Date: Monday, June 26, 2023 1:55:31 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
Please read at Tuesday, 6/27 @ 7PM City Council Meeting Dear Beverly Hills City Council,
I strongly disagree with the City of Beverly Hills' removal of nearly 100 mature, significant ficus street trees along Robertson Boulevard. Therefore, I am requesting once again that the City Council place a "Significant Tree Ordinance" on the agenda for a future meeting.

Most major cities, especially those equal in stature to Beverly Hills, have a "Significant Tree Ordinance" to preserve and protect precious existing mature tree canopies and urban forests.

Unfortunately, Beverly Hills remains an outlier and does not yet have such an ordinance.

I also remain concerned about and strongly oppose the impending removal of approximately 1,200 healthy trees throughout the City of Beverly Hills scheduled for this year. These trees provide innumerable benefits to our local climate, ecosystem, community members, and local businesses. More specifically, these trees prevent the urban heat island effect, provide critical shade and cooling, filter air pollution, absorb carbon dioxide, boost property values, and provide habitat for local wildlife species.

The community is counting on its representatives to stand up for both the environment and local citizens and truly represent the opinion of the communities which elected them. The Robertson Blvd Special Task Force (RBSTF) looks forward to working on a beneficial solution for all parties involved.

Thank you for your consideration of this most urgent matter.

Sincerely,
Jesse S.

From: Kambiz Silani (BHeyeguy)
To: Megan Mumby
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: Re: Remove the trees of s robertson blvd
Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2023 10:32:49 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
________________________________
Please add:

Two major concerns with the trees on robertson:
1) The roots of the trees have cracked our sewer pipes under the building leading to major repairs, flooding of our units, and multiple hydro jetting sessions.
2) The leaves of the trees have clogged the drains on our building’s roof, which has to water pooling on the roof and causing major roof and building damage (especially during rainy days). > Dear City of Beverly Hills,
>
> Our practices, Beverly Hills Optometry & Super Vision Optical, located at 210-212 s robertson blvd have seen significant damages due to the leaves of the trees clogging the drains on our roof (especially when it rains) as well as the roots of the trees damaging the pipes underground.
>
> We would appreciate to have the large trees removed/replaced. The streets of south robertson also look more lively as we clearly see the hills with the trees removed from the west side of the street. >
> My father, Hossein Silani, is also a resident of Beverly Hills and the building owner. >
> Thank you,
>
> Dr Kambiz Silani
> Beverly Hills Optometry
> The City keeps a copy of all E-mails sent and received for a minimum of 2 years. All retained E-mails will be treated as a Public Record per the California Public Records Act, and may be subject to disclosure pursuant to the terms, and subject to the exemptions, of that Act.

From: Steve Mayer
To: City Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item G-1: Public Comment
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 5:51:10 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
Please read into the record:

On June 21st, last Wednesday, a City street tree was removed from the southeast corner of Oakhurst and Third … with no public notice.

It was 80 years old and had a 40’ canopy.

The local residents were never informed:
(1) Why the tree had to be removed;
(2) The replacement tree may take years to be planted, and

(3) It will take decades to replace the canopy That is in direct opposition to the Urban Forrest Management Plan adopted by the Council on February 8, 2022.

On that date, every existing tree program had to be halted, until it became in compliance with the Council resolution. Further, the forthcoming Climate Action Plan is coming before the Council soon, and any tree program must be in compliance with that as well.

Bottom –line, the decades old cost/benefit analysis toward tree replacement is outdated.

The Urban Forrest Management Plan, as well as the upcoming Climate Action Plan, requires that the cost/benefit analysis include the impact on the environment.

Stated differently, what is the true economic impact of the replacement of even one tree, if it contributes to Global Warming?
For example, under that scenario, the diameter of any new City street tree replacement should be three-to-four times the current practice. That would require cost adjustment increases to CIP programs 89, 195, 720, 740, 864, 945, and 946.

Further, on page 380, of the Proposed Budget, there is a specific program goal of:
“Protect and grow the public investment in street trees, preserve the health and aesthetic quality of these trees and enhance the tree canopy.”
What happened at Oakhurst and Third violated that entire paragraph, and for that, the local residents are really ticked-off. That can be solved, however, through transparency.

I urge you to reevaluate and increase the operating and CIP budgets in that light, as to City trees, and at the least, create a standing Public Works Commission committee that will meet quarterly to approve all planned City tree removals, coupled with public noticing of at least 500 feet of any proposed individual City tree removal.

Steve Mayer
From: Ori Kalmus
To: City Clerk
Subject: Public Comment / Rent Stabilization
Date: Monday, June 26, 2023 7:18:20 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
________________________________
Hello,
Please I am begging the council to reinstate the limit of a 3% increase to rent each year, AND encourage landlords and management companies to NOT raise rent.

Perhaps even imposing a rule that you can only raise rent if a reasonable amount of repairs and updates have been made to the building or unit. With so many old buildings in Beverly Hills, why are we raising rent each year? Thank you
Mike
Grossbard
July 26, 2023
Re: Rental increase
To: Honorable Mayor Dr. Gold, Vice Mayor Friedman, Councilmembers Mirisch, Bosse, and Nazarian:

This letter-writing exercise is an exercise in futility. I am sure you have already made up your minds on how to vote on this topic but I will write it anyway just so I feel I have done something.

I write this letter in opposition of your proposed decision to not allow any “catch-up” rent formula for Chapter 6 properties especially family owned socalled “Mom and Pop” properties. It is bad enough that you are limiting the rental increase to 3.20%, but to exacerbate that by allowing tenants to have stashed away money by not paying rent or at least by not paying increased rent to the detriment of the property owner is extremely unfair. The City has increased all of the costs of doing business over these last years with no concern about where that money should come from – water fees increased, composting fees were imposed; business taxes; etc. Should it come from retirement accounts of people in their golden years? Should owners be forced to sell other assets to keep people housed? Or, maybe you would like all small owners to just sell their property to big developers who will evict tenants and create more homelessness but ultimately bring in money to the City? Or maybe you would like to personally help the owners who are struggling! I manage a six-unit building for my son. He is not one of the greedy owners who takes every opportunity to raise rent. In fact, I don’t believe he has raised our long-term tenants EVER. Is he struggling? Yes. But he has a heart and knows that our seniors would be forced to move if he increased their rent and he cannot see himself responsible for that.

Please listen to the pleas of the property owners and allow for some catch-up provision to be levied even if that ability would not be utilized by me. I am an anomaly.

Thank you.

Sonia Berman
From:

To: City Clerk
Subject: Re; Rent Increase meeting
Date: Saturday, June 24, 2023 12:01:58 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
I would like to make a comment for consideration pertaining to the hearing on Tuesday June 27th as the Board attempts to balance landlord profits with what constitutes an undue burden on renters.

While the Board may have found the median rent in Beverly Hills to be around $2500/month, including many in very long-term tenancies with low rents, there are also many of us paying significantly more than double that figure.

Having moved in less than 2 years ago at top market rate, our family would be looking at an increase of over $200 a month and a first year INCREASE of over $2600 if rents increase 4%, let alone higher. Furthermore, when we look at the potential for compounding rent increases it rapidly makes long term tenancy exponentially burdensome for tenants who moved in during the pandemic at market rate, and therefore did not "deprive" landlords of multiple increases in the first place.

Perhaps consideration can be given to similarly situated renters? When considering a dollar amount cap on increases I hope the Board will remember many families are already paying high rents to live here, often to keep kids in the school district following divorces, or because buying here has become unaffordable for many. Failure to have a dollar amount cap could push many people out. It is in the landlords' interest to keep desirable long-term tenants and avoid turnover expenses and vacancies.

Thank you for considering this issue which affects many families in the Beverly Hills.

Sincerely,
Clinical and Forensic Psychologist
Certified EMDR Clinician
EMDRIA Approved Consultant
SECURITY/CONFIDENTIALITY WARNING:

This email and any attachments hereto are intended solely for the individual or entity to which they are addressed.

This communication may contain information that is privileged, confidential, or exempt from disclosure under applicable Federal Law (HIPAA) e.g., personal health information, research data and/or financial information.

Because this email has been sent without encryption, individuals other than the intended recipient may be able to view the information, forward it to others or tamper with the information without my knowledge or consent. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or person responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution or copying of the communication is strictly prohibited.

From:

To: City Clerk
Subject: Public Comment for Tonight"s City Council Meeting Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 1:11:16 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
________________________________
Greetings -

IMPORTANT
This is a revised version of the previous email I sent at approximately 11:59 today.

This version supersedes the previous version; please replace that version with this one.

Thank you
I am a Beverly Hills resident who would like to have the following read at tonight's City Council meeting.

Note: I wish to remain anonymous.

Apropos of: RSO
Word Count: 326
Thank you
---------------------------
Text to Be Read:

When wages don't keep pace with inflation, the linking of the allowable rent increase to the Consumer Price Index -- which is a widely-accepted measure of inflation -- preferentially favors landlords over tenants.

There are likely to be tenants for whom this is the case, particularly if they fall into certain demographic categories.

Since approximately 1980, discrepancies in wage growth among different demographic groups have existed within the US economy.

Although, on average, higher-income workers fare better, wage growth at every income level varies by race/ethnicity, gender, and/or educational attainment. And for workers at median or lower income levels, real wages have remained almost flat or, for certain demographic groups, actually declined. To that extent, increases in rent that are tethered to the CPI will affect renters disproportionately on the basis of race, gender, or education level.

There is also an additional built-in advantage that inflation -- and property value inflation in particular -- naturally confers on owners of rental property.

Over the past 50 years, property value inflation on its own has significantly exceeded the CPI. But rental property is a leveraged investment, a fact that further amplifies the benefit of inflation for rental property owners.

If, for example, you make a 25% down payment when you purchase a rental property, the return on your investment from appreciation alone will be four times any increase in the value of your property.

Residential property values in Southern California have approximately doubled over the past 10 years, so under the above scenario, even if you have no net rental income, the return on your investment would be a factor of eight. This equates to an annual rate of 23%, a rate that inflation has never reached since the inception of the CPI over 100 years ago.

And, of course, if you make rental income, the return is even higher.

Sources
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Congressional Research Service
California Association of Realtors
homebay.com
From: Mark Elliot
To: City Clerk
Subject: Comment for item G-2 rent increases
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 6:49:05 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
________________________________
Dear Mayor Gold and members of the city council:

In your discussion tonight I hope you will limit the Chapter 5 tenant rent increase to the percentage which may apply to Chapter 6. The latter tenants would see a maximum 3.2% increase. Chapter 5 tenants a 5.9% rent increase.

There is no good reason for the few remaining Chapter 5 tenants to suffer that inequitable outcome. It would be the product of an arcane formula embedded in the ordinance an a formula, by the way, which is so arcane that it was actually misapplied in calculating the rent increases for Chapter 5 tenants for who knows how long.

Please consider an urgency ordinance if necessary to remedy this potentially inequitable outcome.

Second, please consider that the 3.2% recommended by the staff report is considerably more than some surrounding jurisdictions allow. I think it is more than Beverly Hills should allow considering the state of our rental stock due to deferred maintenance.

Third, I want to remind councilmembers that you expired the city moratorium in May of last year and the rent that was delayed by tenants came due, in full, on June 1st. Council this spring declined an invitation to extend or otherwise modify that deadline.

Repayment will be an insurmountable burden for some tenants. I’m sure we will lose residents who cannot pay, if what I hear from tenants is any indication.

And when those tenants receive a notice to pay-or-quit, they may subsequently visit the city website for more information. But they won’t find information there about the expiration of the one-year repayment period -- or about their limited options for rent repayment.

If a tenant really digs into the website they will find only a mention of the June 1st repayment deadline but that is hardly enough to deal with the unprecedented situation they face: to pay up immediately or to vacate. Our city should do better by those residents.

Thank you for your time and service,
Mark Elliot

From: Earl Goldstein
To: WebCBH MAYORANDCITYCOUNCIL; [email protected]; City Clerk Subject: Fwd: Decision on rent increase for August 2023 to August 2024 Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 6:13:19 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
Subject: Request for Fair Rent Increase
Dear Beverly Hills City Council Members,
I respectfully urge you to reconsider the current rent increase restrictions that were implemented during the pandemic. While these measures served a crucial purpose during uncertain times, we must now address the financial strain faced by residential property owners.

Our sector, like a public utility, navigated the pandemic ensuring the continuity of essential services. We absorbed significant financial burdens without substantial aid. Now, we ask for a fair balance between protecting our residents and sustaining our businesses.

The past three years have seen maintenance and repair costs rise significantly, closer to20% annually rather than the discussed 3 to 3.5%. Additionally, upcoming loan renewals threaten to increase our mortgage costs by 45 to 60%. These realities make the persisting rent restrictions financially unsustainable.

Tonight, I urge you to balance the discourse. While the tenants provide an important perspective, the Council must also consider the financial realities and challenges of property owners.

Let's ensure decisions on rent increases reflect fairness, financial realities, and the rights of all involved parties. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Earl Goldstein
Small income property owner
From: michael hartounian
To: City Clerk
Subject: Rent Stabilization Annual Increase City Council Meeting Date: Friday, June 23, 2023 5:20:29 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
Please read this email into the record in City Cousel meeting on June 27th.

We own a 4 unit building in Beverly Hills. Our rental unit rent far less than most for a comparable unit anywhere in Los Angeles
as a result of onerous "rent stabilization laws."
This past year the CPI was up 5.8%.

Consumer Price Index, Los Angeles area — January 2023 : Western Information Office : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
Anything allowable increase less than 5.8% effectively causes landlords to accept rent in dollars that are worthless than they were one year ago.

Rent increases must be greater than or equal to the rate of inflation or there is no reason to own residential rental property in Beverly Hills Respectfully submitted,
Michael Hartounian
1 DDA/Ltr to CC/6.27.23
HARVEY J. MILLER

ATTORNEY AT LAW
June 27, 2023
VIA EMAIL: [email protected]
[email protected]
Mayor and City Council
City of Beverly Hills
455 N. Rexford Dr.

Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Re: Rent Increases
June 27, 2023 City Council Meeting
Dear Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council:

I am a landlord in the City of Beverly Hills. Starting in early 2020, The City of Beverly Hills, along with many other Cities, enacted various tenant protections arising out of the COVID pandemic. At the time these protections served a legitimate purpose. However, the Pandemic is now over and it is time get back to business as usual. It is time to allow landlords to obtain a modest increase as allowed under the rent control ordinance. Additionally, due to the fact that only some increases were allowed for the last three years, the City should allow a onetime retroactive increase.

For the last three years, landlords have had the same expenses with no moratorium of those expenses. In some cases expenses have significantly increased. Trash, water, insurance, maintenance and construction have all increased significantly. Putting aside the politics of rent control and landlord tenant issues, when all relevant factors are taken into consideration and balanced, there is no logical or rational reason to continue the moratorium on rent increases. 2 DDA/Ltr to CC/6.27.23
From my knowledge as a longtime resident of the City and a landlord, I firmly believe that the vast majority of tenants do not need the rent increase moratorium any longer. For those who do, it is my understanding that the City is now considering implementing “means testing” for those tenants in need. This is the safety net that will protect those tenants who may be unable to find employment or have other challenges. With such a system in place the City can still protect those in need while allowing landlords to operate their business.

Please remember that the landlords’ concerns must also to be taken into consideration.

Very truly yours,
Harvey Miller

From: genie Penn
To: City Clerk
Subject: Allowing for Rent Increases BH
Date: Monday, June 26, 2023 7:32:25 AM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
________________________________
I am an owner of a small 6 unit building. It has been too long that I have been unable to increase the rents on my tenants. Some of my tenants are paying way under as they have lived in the building for over 30 years. I am impacted greatly by the low rent roll and the high utility bills I must pay. At this point, it is only fair that landlords should be able to increase rents. We have bills to pay as well. Thanks, Genie Penn From: Linda Gach Ray
To: City Clerk
Subject: Honorable Council members: Please take my comments into consideration Date: Monday, June 26, 2023 2:52:24 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
For tonight's meeting in support of the Agenda item regarding allowing housing providers to increase rents in Beverly Hills. Please deliver to the Council. Thank you.

Honorable Council members:

I am a housing provider. I own one triplex in BH. I am also a proud BH resident.

Requiring housing providers to wait, in some cases, over 3 years to increase rents has been a financial burden and in some cases, a financial hardship, especially upon the smaller owners.

Please release us. Please do not hold back housing providers from raising rents. We have been forced to single handedly pay for all the expenses of each building. We have been shouldering the burden of expensive repairs, prohibited from passing along the expense of necessary upkeep, maintenance, soft retrofit safety improvements, enduring inflationary prices, additional property taxes, increased labor and material expenses, and more. The Council has treated COVID as ended. Hopefully you are aware that all of these things that housing providers have been paying for benefit the renters who have not been required nor allowed to pay one penny.

Please allow fair increases.

Thank you for your hard work for us and our city.

Linda Gach Ray
California Apartment Association
4401 Atlantic Ave. Suite 200
Long Beach, CA 90807
June 27, 2023
Mayor Gold & City Council
City of Beverly Hills
VIA Email
Re: Item G-2: Rent Adjustment Restoration
Dear Mayor Gold and Council Members:

The California Apartment Association (CAA) represents local housing providers, operators and suppliers along with business owners and real estate industry experts who are involved with a range of rental properties from those that offer single-family residences to large apartment communities. Our members help provide the majority of the obtainable housing throughout Los Angeles County.

Restore the Rent Adjustment Formula
We urge the council to support the restoration of the annual rent adjustment calculation. For years, housing providers have suffered through a whiplash of emergency measures, bureaucracy, changing orders, instability and slow relief. Meanwhile, for all other sectors of the economy and society at large, emergency conditions have fully transitioned. The lifting of the emergency rent restrictions must be finalized.

The landscape is completely different today than when emergency housing measures were first implemented. It is time for the city to revert to pre-pandemic deliberation and functions.

One-Time Catch-Up Adjustment
Over the last three years, housing providers faced a rent freeze and, in some cases, had a very limited ability to increase rents. Meanwhile inflation skyrocketed, stay at home orders and the work from home shift in habits have strained old building systems. In addition to restoring the yearly rent increase formula, we urge the council to consider an additional one-time adjustment to help housing providers account for the rising cost of operations and the lack of financial flexibility over the last several years.

Support Housing Providers
Housing providers have been struggling under government-imposed regulations. Some continue to face significant duress. The city should be doing everything it can to support housing providers and incentivize investment in this essential service. The present regulatory environment is making housing more expensive and harder to find in the region.

Financial flexibility needs to be restored. We urge the Council to lift the remaining restrictions on the annual rent adjustment formula.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Fred Sutton
California Apartment Association

Beverly Hills City CouncilJune 27, 2023

Beverly Hills City Council
June 27, 2023