CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
Council Chamber
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
August 20, 2024
7:00 p.m.*
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e)(3), members of the Beverly Hills City Council and staffmay participate in this meeting via teleconference/video conference. In the interest of maintaining appropriate social distancing, members of the public can access City Council meetings telephonically, through live webcast, and BHTV Channel 10 on Spectrum Cable.
City Council meetings are broadcast on local Beverly Hills television and on other media platforms. Anyone who participates at the meeting and/or enters the City Council Chamber is subject to having their image displayed. These recordings will remain publicly accessible in perpetuity.The City Council may act on any item listed on the agenda.
The City Council Regular Meeting was called to order by Mayor Friedman at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Shahram Melamed
A. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Corman, Councilmember Mirisch, Vice Mayor Nazarian, Mayor Friedman
Absent: None
B. PRESENTATIONS
1. PRESENTATION — Recognizing Deputy Consul General of Israel (Pacific Southwest), Amit Mekel for his term in office.
Mayor Friedman, along with the entire City Council, presented a proclamation to Deputy Consul General of Israel (Pacific Southwest), Amit Mekel and thanked him for hiscontributions to the community.
2. PRESENTATION — Wolfpack Beverly Hills AYSO Region 76 Girls Under 16 Extra Team Champions.
Mayor Friedman, along with the entire City Council, and Head Coach Rick Wolfen,presented each team member of the Wolfpack Beverly Hills AYSO Region 76 GirlsUnder 16 team with certificates of recognition for their undefeated season playing in the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO).
City Council Regular Meeting
August 20, 2024
3. PRESENTATION — Wolfpack Beverly Hills AYSO Region 76 Girls Under 12 Team Champions.
Mayor Friedman, along with the entire City Council, and Head Coach Luke Schugren, presented each team member of the Wolfpack Beverly Hills AYSO Region 76 Girls Under 12 team with certificates of recognition for their achievement of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) State Cup Championship.
4. TEXT BH — Text messages on any City-related topic may be sent to (310) 596-4265.
City staff will acknowledge receipt of the text message within one business day, however, resolution of issues may take longer.
If you would like to receive updated text alerts from the Beverly Hills Police Department,please text “BHPDalert” to 888777. Text alerts will keep you informed of any Police activity within the City.
Mayor Friedman announced that text messages on any City-related topic may be sent to (310) 596-4265, and to text BHPDalert to 888777 if interested to receive text alertsfrom the Beverly Hills Police Department.
C. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
1. TELEPHONE CALL-IN: (310) 288-2288 Members of the public are invited to listen to the meeting telephonically or share oral communications on this phone line.
2. AUDIENCE COMMENTS. Any person wishing to address the City Council/Parking Authority on any matter may do so in writing, through email or in-person. However, the State open meetings law (Government Code Section 54950 et seq.) prohibits the City Council/Parking Authority from providing a detailed response or acting upon any item not contained on the agenda posted 72 hours before a regular meeting and 24 hours before a special meeting. If you wish to address the City Council/Parking Authority at this time, please email or provide an in-person speaker card to the City Clerk prior to or during the meeting. The City Clerk will read only the first three minutes (approximately 350 words) of a written comment. In the event of a large number of written commentson one item, written comments may be summarized by the City Clerk’s Office. The entire written comment shall be archived in full as part of the record. Public comment via video conference or in-person will be no longer than three (3) minutes per each individualcomment, subject to City Council discretion based on the anticipated length in the meeting.
Speakers:
1. Jared Gonzales re: Pedestrian only streets
2. Sherwin Shamoeil, Office of Assemblymember Rick Zbur re: Reducing retail crime (AB 2943)
Written Comment Read into the Record:
1. Mark Elliott re: Prioritizing public comment and postponing ceremonial presentations City Council Regular Meeting
August 20, 2024
D. CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
FISCAL IMPACT REPORT
MOVED by Councilmember Wells, seconded by Councilmember Corman to approve all items on the City Council Consent Calendar, and direct that the appropriate accounts be charged on items D-1 and D-2
Minutes
None
Demands Paid
1. REVIEW OF BUDGETED DEMANDS PAID, covering dates July 30, 2024 to August 12, 2024.
ITEM D-1: APPROVED
2. PAYROLL DISBURSEMENT REPORT, covering dates July 30, 2024 to August 12, 2024.
ITEM D-2: APPROVED
Other Business
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS:
3. AMENDING SECTIONS OF ARTICLE 2 (PARADES AND ASSEMBLIES) OF CHAPTER 3 (OTHER ACTIVITIES REQUIRING REGULATORY PERMITS) OFTITLE 4 (REGULATION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF BUSINESSES AND ACTIVITIES) OF THE BEVERLY HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE AND MAKING A DETERMINATIONOF EXEMPTION FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT. First Reading — For Introduction
Comment: This ordinance makes two minor substantive changes to the City’s parade and assembly regulations. These changes include a new permit application requirement regarding sound amplification and an insurance requirement that will apply in limited situations. The ordinance also makes several non-substantive changes that are designed to enhance the readability of the regulations.
ITEM D-3: INTRODUCED AND READ BY TITLE ONLY AS AMENDED
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS:
4. FIXING THE RATE OF TAXES TO PAY THE BONDED AND OTHER VOTER APPROVED INDEBTEDNESS OF THE CITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25.
Comment: Staff recommends adoption of the resolution fixing the rate of taxes for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 to $0.041042 per $100 of assessed valuation.
City Council Regular Meeting
August 20, 2024
ITEM D-4: ADOPTED; RES #24-R-1 3517
5. AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT’S LOCAL HOUSING TRUST FUND (LHTF) GRANT PROGRAM; AND
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
CONDITIONALLY APPROVING A TRANSFER IN THE AMOUNT OF UP TO $5,000,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST
FUND, EARMARKING PORTIONS OF CERTAIN FUTURE PUBLIC BENEFIT CONTRIBUTION PAYMENTS TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND;
AND ADOPTING GUIDELINES AND UNDERWRITING STANDARDS FOR LOANS
CONTEMPLATED BY THE LOCAL HOUSING TRUST FUND (LHTF) GRANT PROGRAM.
Comment: Staff recommends City Council approve two resolutions related to futureaffordable housing development. The first resolution authorizes Staff to submit a grantapplication to the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
The second resolution (a) authorizes Staff to transfer up to $5 million in matching fundsfrom the General Fund to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, (b) earmarks $100,000 from each of the five remaining public benefit contribution payments from the 9900 Wilshire development agreement, and (c) adopts guidelines and underwriting standards for loans disbursed by the grant program. These actions make the City eligible for up to $5 million in grant funding for future affordable housing projects.
ITEM D-5: ADOPTED AS AMENDED, RES #24-R-1 3518; ADOPTED AS AMENDED RES #24-R-1 3519
APPROVAL OF:
6. METRO PURPLE LINE SECTION 2— REQUEST FOR FULL CLOSURE OF SOUTH CAIiON DRIVE FOR APPENDAGE STRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION AND STREET RESTORATION.
Comment: Staff recommends that City Council approve the request by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to temporarily close South Cañon Drive at Wilshire Boulevard starting September for up to 11 weeks. This closure is necessary to safely complete the construction of an undergroundappendage structure for the Purple (D) Line Section 2 subway station and to restore the street. Mitigation measures will be implemented to protect nearby residents and businesses.ITEM D-6: APPROVED
7. THE BEVERLY HILLS CITY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE / LOBBY COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO SUPPORT, OPPOSE, AND/OR OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED VARIOUS FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE BILLS.
Comment: This item seeks City Council approval of the Beverly Hills City Council Legislative/Lobby Committee’s recommendations for the position of support and/or City Council Regular Meeting
August 20, 2024
oppose on various federal and state legislative bills not addressed in the City’s adopted 2024 Legislative Platform.
Mayor Friedman noted that some of the bills in the agenda report are no longer going forward.
ITEM D-7: APPROVED
8. AGREEMENT WITH WALSWORTH LLP FOR SPECIAL COUNSEL SERVICES RELATED TO CERTAIN LITIGATION MATTERS.
Comment: The City Attorney recommends that the City Council approve an Agreement between the City of Beverly Hills and Walsworth, LLP, for special counsel services.ITEM D-8: APPROVED; AG #462-24
9. AGREEMENT WITH ZF ALEXANDER, INC. FOR DEVELOPER PAID ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING SERVICES FOR THE ONEBEVERLY HILLS PROJECT; AND APPROVAL OF A PURCHASE ORDER TO ZF ALEXANDER, INC IN THE NOT-TOEXCEED AMOUNT OF $4,575,575.00.
Comment: Staff recommends that the City Council approve an agreement between the City of Beverly Hills and ZF Alexander, Inc. and authorize a purchase order in the not-to-exceed amount of $4,575,575.00 for consulting services to provide environmental compliance monitoring and specialty testing services for the One Beverly Hills project. The cost of providing these services will be borne entirely by the developer with no fiscal impact to the City.
ITEM D-9: APPROVED; AG #463-24
10. AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO PAVECO CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR THE
BEVERLY HILLS SIDEWALK RESTORATION PROJECT PHASE I WITHIN THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, IN THE AMOUNT OF $138,351; AND
APPROVAL OF THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS THEREFOR WITH RESPECT TO DESIGN CRITERIA; AND
APPROVAL OF A PURCHASE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $172,940 (INCLUDING A 25% CONTINGENCY) TO PAVECO CONSTRUCTION, INC., FOR THE PROJECT;AND
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (CEQA), CITY COUNCIL WILL ALSO CONSIDER FINDING THE PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM FURTHER REVIEW UNDER CEQA.
Comment: Staff recommends City Council approve the award of a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Paveco Construction, Inc., for the Beverly Hills Sidewalk Restoration Project Phase I in the amount of $138,351; approve a construction City Council Regular Meeting
August 20, 2024
contingency of 25% (for a total not to exceed amount of $172,940); approve the issuance of a purchase order to Paveco Construction, Inc., in the amount of $172,940; and find the project to be categorically exempt from further review under CEQA.
ITEM D-1O: APPROVED; AG #464-24
Vote on the City Council Consent Calendar:
Ayes: Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Corman, Councilmember Mirisch, Vice Mayor Nazarian and Mayor Friedman.
Noes: None
CARRIED
E. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING
TO SET:
None
TO CONSIDER:
None
F. CITY COUNCIL CONTINUED AND NEW BUSINESS
1. BEVERLY HILLS RELIABILITY REPORT PRESENTED BY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON (SCE).
Comment: Beginning in July of 2024, the City experienced protracted power outages.
At the request of the Mayor, SCE will present their reliability report and how they are investing in the infrastructure.
Director of Public Works Shana Epstein introduced Southern California Edison (SCE) Government Relations Manager Diana Forte who presented information related to this item. SCE Distribution Engineer Rene Hernandez provided additional information.
Speakers:
1. Shahram Melamed and Karen Platt, Trousdale Estates Association
2. Shahram Shokrian
3. Lisa Nason
4. Kamran Hakim
5. 5. Hakim
6. Randy Simon
7. Max Javadi
Telephone Public Comment:
1. Sharon Swart
City Council Regular Meeting
August 20, 2024
2. Caroline Hanasab
Written Public Comments Read into the Record:
1. Julie Steinberg
2. Brian Rodier
3. Rosa Navi
4. Frieda Berlin
5. Kathy MelamedCouncil provided their questions and comments.
SCE Government Relations Manager Diana Forte and SCE Senior Manager Moein Lak,SCE Distribution Engineer Rene Hernandez, City Attorney Laurence Wiener responded to Council questions.
Mayor Friedman stated that he wants SCE to return to answer pending questions.ITEM F-I: NO ACTION TAKEN
2. SEPULVEDA TRANSIT CORRIDOR.
Comment: Staff is requesting the City Council provide a recommendation on a preferredalignment(s) with an on-campus stop at UCLA for the Metro Sepulveda Transit Corridor.
Additionally, staff is requesting the City Council provide feedback on joining the Sepulveda Transit Corridor for All (STC4AII) coalition.
Municipal Affairs Program Manager Cynthia Owens presented information related to thisitem.
Council provided their questions and comments.
Municipal Affairs Program Manager Cynthia Owens responded to Council questions.
Council provided their direction.
ITEM F-2: COUNCIL PROVIDED THEIR DIRECTION, STAFF WILL DRAFT A
LETTER INCLUDING THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN TO
SEND TO METRO
3. DISCUSSION OF TEMPORARY MEMORIAL STREET SIGNAGE TO HONOR THE VICTIMS OF THE OCTOBER 7, 2023 ATTACK ON ISRAEL; AND
FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 APPROPRIATION TOTALING $74,708 FROM THE
GENERAL FUND FOR THE REINSTALLATION, SECURITY, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE TEMPORARY ART DISPLAY OF 1,400 INTERNATIONAL FLAGS TO HONOR THE VICTIMS OF THE OCTOBER 7, 2023 ATTACK ON ISRAEL ANDHOSTAGES WHO HAVE BEEN MURDERED.
Comment: Staff is seeking direction on the naming of temporary memorial streetsignage and an appropriation to bring back the temporary art display of 1,400 City Council Regular Meeting
August20, 2024
international flags commemorating the victims of the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and additional flags for the hostages that have been murdered. This request will cover replacement of flags and wooden dowels, security, and the purchase of additional flagsbeing added to the display.
Director of Community Services Stephanie Harris presented information related to this item.
Written Comments Read into the Record:
1. Ben
2. Jila Beroukhim
Council provided their questions and comments.
Director of Community Services Stephanie Harris, Director of Public Works Shana Epstein, Police Chief Mark Stainbrook, and City Engineer Daren Grilley responded to Council questions.
MOVED by Vice Mayor Nazarian, seconded by Councilmember Mirisch to approve item F-3 as follows:
A GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATION OF $74,708 FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 FOR THE REINSTALLATION OF
THE TEMPORARY ART DISPLAY OF 1,400 INTERNATIONAL
FLAGS TO HONOR THE VICTIMS OF THE OCTOBER 7, 2023
ATTACK ON ISRAEL AND HOSTAGES WHO HAVE BEEN
MURDERED.
Ayes: Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Corman,
Councilmember Mirisch, Vice Mayor Nazarian, Mayor Friedman Noes: None
CARRIED
ITEM F-3: APPROVED
4. REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS None
5. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER
None
6. CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS AND COMMENTS Councilmember Wells reported that she attended Rodeo Drive/Special Events/Holiday Program Liaison Committee and the Finance and Audit Liaison Committee. She also spoke about the re-opening of El Rodeo School, AYSO event, and consolidation of preschools at Hawthorne.
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Councilmember Mirisch spoke about the encampments at UCLA and growingantisemitism. He also spoke against Qatar.
Vice Mayor Nazarian spoke about recent meetings including a liaison meeting regardingthe October 7th memorial, the Legislative Lobby Committee, and the Commission Standardization Committee. She also spoke about a recent round table with leaders from the Persian Jewish community.
Mayor Friedman reported on the recent monthly Mayor’s Cabinet meeting. He alsoreported that he attended a recent meeting led by Chief Stainbrook regarding issues of homelessness in Zone 9. He also reported on a meeting to begin planning the Mayor’s Summit Against Antisemitism.
G. COMMISSION SYNOPSIS
1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Regular Meeting of July 11, 2024 ARCHITECTURAL AND DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION - Regular Meeting of July 17, 2024
HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMISSION — Regular Meeting of July 22, 2024 ITEM G-1: NO ACTION TAKEN
H. OTHER BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT
The next City Council regular meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2024.
There being no further business, Mayor Friedman, with the consent of the City Council, adjourned the meeting at 11:03 p.m.
City Council Regular Meeting
August 20, 2024
PASSED, Approved and Adopted
this 0’ day of December, 2024
HUMA AHMED, City Clerk
LESTER J. FRIEDMAN, MAYOR
This meeting was broadcast on live television, on City of Beverly Hills municipal government television access Channel BHTVIO Spectrum Cable.