CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
Room 280A
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
In-Person / Telephonic / Video Conference Meeting
PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
SYNOPSIS
November 9, 2023
8:00 AM
.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date/Time: November 9, 2023 / 8:00 AM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Kimura, Nehoray, Millan, Vice Chair Alpert, Chair Nystrom
Commissioners Absent: None.
Staff Present: Vince Damasse, Josette Descalzo, Samer Elayyan, Shana Epstein, Ilene Knebel, Tristan Malabanan, Rob Welch
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Public Speaker: None.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
By order of the Chair, the agenda was approved as presented.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Consideration of Minutes
Consideration of Minutes of the Public Works Commission regular meeting of October 12, 2023.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Millan, SECONDED by Commissioner Nehoray to approve the Consent Calendar item as presented (5/0).
AYES: Commissioners Kimura, Nehoray, Millan, Vice Chair Alpert, Chair Nystrom NOES: None.
CARRIED
Public Works Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
November 9, 2023
REPORTS FROM PRIORITY AGENCIES
Operations Reports from City Departments, Consultants and Outside Agencies Utilities General Manager Rob Welch introduced MWD’s Colorado River Manager Bill Hasencamp, who gave an update on the current status of the Colorado River (including background history on the usage of the river) and its problems in the future in supplying water to the basin states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) as climate change reduces the amount of water available from the river. The Commission asked about the Biden administration’s proposal for the river, evaporation issues, and desalination plans.
Environmental Compliance and Sustainability Program Manager Josette Descalzo introduced guest speaker Keith Malone, Hydrogen Program Manager at RE+ Events, a company dedicated to hosting events focusing on clean, renewable energy across the world. He gave a presentation on hydrogen energy advancements in technology, including EV cars, retail hydrogen pump stations, zero emission transit buses, and fuel cell electric trucks, among others. The Commission asked about building hydrogen stations in Beverly Hills, the costs of fuel cell vehicles, the limitations of retrofitting homes and apartment buildings for hydrogen fueling, and how the fuel cell technology works.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
2. Update on the Proposed Ordinance Amending the Beverly Hills Municipal Code to Regulate Polystyrene Foodware and Plastic Waste
Environmental Compliance and Sustainability Program Manager Josette Descalzo provided an update on the updated proposed ordinance to amend the city’s municipal code on regulating polystyrene foodware and plastic waste based on feedback provided by the commission from last month’s meeting. The commission unanimously announced their support for the current version of the ordinance proposal.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Nehoray, SECONDED by Commissioner Millan to move forward with the current proposed ordinance and present it to City Council. (5/0).
AYES: Commissioners Kimura, Nehoray, Millan, Vice Chair Alpert, Chair Nystrom NOES: None.
CARRIED
The commission took a break at 9:25 AM.
The commission returned from break at 9:35 AM.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
PROJECT UPDATES & STATUS ITEMS
3. La Brea Subarea Update
Water Resources and Operations Manager Vince Damasse and Project Manager Tristan Malabanan gave an update on the La Brea subarea. The Commission asked about the timeline on negotiating for potential new land to purchase for a well, rotational schedules for the city’s wells, expanding the water treatment plant, feedback on the loss of parking space Public Works Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
November 9, 2023
at the Le Doux side of the park due to the future construction of two wells at Le Doux and Gregory, and potential next steps on probing at the new site.
4. Water Efficiency Update
Utilities General Manager Rob Welch gave an update on water efficiency. MWD’s work on the lines that shut down the city’s connections to MWD from November 6 – 8, is wrapping up.
There were no issues with the work and the city did not need to bring in water from LADWP.
The Commission asked about communications with the public concerning the shutdown and for an update on recruitment for the Water Conservation Administrator position.
5. Capital Projects Update
Engineering Services Manager Samer Elayyan gave an update on the RMS project. Bids have been received, and the plan is to present to City Council in December and proceed in December 2023/January 2024. The Commission asked about the delays on the Burton Way Median Project. Project Manager Tristan Malabanan said it was due to supply issues, and the subcontractor is encouraging their suppliers to deliver everything by late December 2023.
6. Specific Information and Department Updates
Public Works Director Shana Epstein gave an update on the Water Fund Financial Statement for the fiscal year 2022-2023. The Commission voiced concern with financials and asked when the last efficiency study was done regarding water and the budget. The Commission asked about the next discussion on water rates. Hearings at both the Public Works Commission Meeting and City Council Meeting will be noticed and expected to take place in February 2024.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
7. Chair’s Report
The commission gave a brief update on the Water ad hoc committee.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM STAFF
8. Director’s Report
Public Works Director Shana Epstein gave an update on the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Plan, which was presented and approved by City Council on Tuesday, November 7. The North Canon sound mitigation wall will remain up for another six months due to Metro construction.
The city’s holiday lighting event will be held on Thursday, November 16. Parklets for outdoor dining will be going to City Council in December to extend the permits from 90 days to 5 years.
The Commission asked if anything can be done with excessively loud vehicles on Rodeo Drive and children riding electric bikes at high speeds without helmets on Charleyville Blvd .
ADJOURNMENT
Date/Time: November 9, 2023 / 10:23 AM
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Room 280A
In-Person / Telephonic / Video Conference Meeting
TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
SYNOPSIS
Thursday, November 2, 2023
9:00 AM
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date/Time: November 2, 2023 / 9:00 AM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Geller, Ignarro, Vice Chair Schwartz (arrived at 9:07 AM), Chair Shalowitz
Commissioners Absent: Afra-Maghen
Staff Present: Jessie Holzer Carpenter, Martha Eros, Daren Grilley, Ilene Knebel
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 Comment: None.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
By order of the Chair, the agenda was approved as presented.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Consideration of Minutes
Consideration of Minutes of the Traffic and Parking Commission regular meeting of October 5, 2023.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Ignarro, SECONDED by Commissioner Geller to approve the consent calendar item as presented (3/0).
AYES: Commissioners Ignarro, Geller, Chair Shalowitz.
NOES: None.
CARRIED
Traffic and Parking Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis November 2, 2023
REPORTS FROM PRIORITY AGENCIES
2. Police Department Report
Lieutenant Renato Moreno gave the commission an update on recent events, including the city’s Halloween festivities. Minimal negative incidents occurred. He discussed a pro-Israeli rally that will be held on Sunday, November 5, a DUI checkpoint that will be held sometime in December, and The Golden Globe Awards that will be held on January 7, 2024. The commission commented on the need for increased policing of dangerous intersections and reckless drivers. The commission also stressed the greater need for improved road design.
Public Comment: Public comment was read into the record from Andrea Spatz.
Lieutenant Moreno commented that there is increased motor enforcement in the general area where the accident occurred which was read in Public Comment.
3. Monthly Educational Speaker Series – Livable Communities Transportation Planner Martha Eros introduced Lindsay Sturman from Livable Communities Initiative, a Larchmont-based group focused on improving communities in Los Angeles by creating “15-minute communities”, which aim to reduce traffic, add gentle density, and create an amenity for the community by improving building design and increasing walkability. The commission asked about how best to ensure business variety in walkable communities and guarantee grocery store availability.
Public Comment: Public comment was heard from Steve Mayer.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
4. Introduction to Local Road Safety Plan
Transportation Planner Jessie Holzer Carpenter introduced the Local Safety Plan, which establishes a framework and method for increasing roadway safety to reduce collisions and injuries by addressing the most dangerous street locations as analyzed by data. The final version of the plan is expected to be presented to the commission in early 2024, with implementation and regular updates to follow. The commission asked about any potential attempts to cancel projects from the Local Road Safety Plan, how the data was collected for the plan, and how it would be implemented.
5. Mobility Education and Encouragement Program
Transportation Planner Jessie Holzer Carpenter provided an overview of the Mobility Education and Encouragement Program which aims to educate residents about different options for traveling and encourage residents to use them, including bicycle training programs and incentives to shop local. The commission asked about ways to include the Beverly Hills school system involved, a bikeshare program, and special events to get the community involved.
Traffic and Parking Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis November 2, 2023
PROJECT UPDATES AND FOLLOW-UP ITEMS
6. Project Updates and Follow-up Items
Transportation Planner Jessie Holzer Carpenter and Project Manager Christine Chung gave an update on various traffic-related projects across the city. Christine’s updated focused on the Metro Purple Line Extension project. Construction on the two stations in Beverly Hills is expected to be completed in 2025. The commission asked about updating the messaging on safety flyers and about the updates on Metro construction.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
None.
COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF
The Neighborhood Traffic Calming Project will be presented to City Council on November 7, and the Rodeo Drive holiday lighting event will be held on November 16 from 5 PM – 8 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
Date / Time: November 2, 2023 / 10:54 AM