CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
Council Chamber
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AND PARKING AUTHORITY MEETING September 17, 2024
7:00 p.m.*
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e)(3), members of the Beverly Hills City Council and staff may 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 Fred Bernstein
A. ROLL CALLS
Present: Councilmember/Director Wells, Councilmember/Director Corman, Councilmember/Director Mirisch, Vice MayorNice Chair Nazarian, Mayor/Chair Friedman
Absent: None
B. PRESENTATIONS
1. 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.
City Council/Parking Authority Meeting
September 17, 2024
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 hoursbefore 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 individual comment, subject to City Council discretion based on the anticipated length in the meeting.
Speaker:
1. Jared Gonzales re: Council support of Israel
D. PARKING AUTHORITY CONSENT CALENDAR
FISCAL IMPACT REPORT
MOVED by Director Nazarian, seconded by Director Mirisch to approve all items on the Parking Authority consent calendar
Minutes
1. CONSIDERATION BY THE PARKING AUTHORITY OF THE MINUTES of the Meeting of March 11,2024.
ITEM D-1: APPROVED
2. CONSIDERATION BY THE PARKING AUTHORITY OF THE MINUTES of the Meeting of March 18, 2024.ITEM D-2: APPROVED
Other Business
None
Vote on the Parking Authority Consent Calendar:
Ayes: Director Mirisch, Vice Chair Nazarian, Chair Friedman Noes: None
Abstain: Director Wells, Director Corman
CARRI ED
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E. CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
FISCAL IMPACT REPORTMOVED by Councilmember Mirisch, seconded by Vice Mayor Nazarian to approve items E-1 — E-5 on the City Council Consent Calendar
MOVED by Councilmember Corman, seconded by Vice Mayor Nazarian to remove Items E-9 and E-1 I for discussion and separate vote, approve the remaining items on the City Council Consent Calendar, and direct that the appropriate accounts be charged on items E-6 and E-7
MOVED by Councilmember Wells, seconded by Vice Mayor Nazarian to approve items E-9 and E-1 1 on the City Council Consent Calendar Minutes
1. CONSIDERATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE MINUTES of the Special Meeting of March 8, 2024.
ITEM E-1: APPROVED
2. CONSIDERATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE MINUTES of the Adjourned Study Session Meeting of March 11, 2024.
ITEM E-2: APPROVED
3. CONSIDERATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE MINUTES of the Adjourned Regular Meeting of March 11, 2024.ITEM E-3: APPROVED
4. CONSIDERATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE MINUTES of the Adjourned Study Session Meeting of March 18, 2024.
ITEM E-4: APPROVED
5. CONSIDERATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE MINUTES of the Adjourned Regular Meeting of March 18, 2024.
ITEM E-5: APPROVED
Demands Paid
6. REVIEW OF BUDGETED DEMANDS PAID, covering dates August 30, 2024 TO September 9, 2024.
ITEM E-6: APPROVED
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7. PAYROLL DISBURSEMENT REPORT, covering dates August 30, 2024 TO September 9, 2024.
ITEM E-7: APPROVED
Other Business
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS:
8. AMENDING TITLE 1, CHAPTER 4, OF THE BEVERLY HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE
ESTABLISHING APPEAL AND CITY COUNCIL REVIEW PROCESSES AND ADDING PROCESSES FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. — Second Reading for Adoption
Comment: This Ordinance amends the Beverly Hills Municipal Code to add a procedure for processing appeals of decisions on housing development projects as defined in Government Code Section 65905.5(b)(3). The Council will also consider finding the Ordinance exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
ITEM E-8: ADOPTED, ORD #24-0-2901
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS:
9. DESIGNATING THE CITY’S VOTING DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE VOTING DELEGATES FOR THE 2024 LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
Comment: This item proposes a Resolution of the Council of the City of Beverly Hills to designate the City’s voting delegate and alternates for the 2024 League of California Cities Annual Conference.
Vice Mayor Nazarian explained her reason for pulling this item.
Municipal Affairs Program Manager Cindy Owens and City Manager Nancy HuntCoffey provided information.
ITEM E-9: ADOPTED, #24-R-1 3522
APPROVAL OF:
10. RATIFICATION OF A LETTER SENT BY CITY MANAGER NANCY HUNT-COFFEY REGARDING THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE WEST LOS ANGELES ARMORY.
Comment: This item requests the City Council to ratify the letter sent by City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey at the direction of the Mayor to Los Angeles County SupervisorLindsey Horvath which requests full funding for the redevelopment of the West Los Angeles Armory.
ITEM E-10: APPROVED
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II. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS AND THE NECESSARY FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 PURCHASE ORDERS RELATED TO THE ANNUAL COMBAT ANTISEMITISM MOVEMENT (CAM”) ANNUAL MAYOR
CONFERENCE IN THE NOT TO EXCEED TOTAL COMBINED AMOUNT OF $250,000.Comment: The 2024 Mayor’s Summit Against Antisemitism will be hosted by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) and chaired by Mayor Lester Friedman December 11-13, 2024 in Beverly Hills. CAM funds the venue, activities, and travel for Mayors from across the nation to attend this very important three-day conference which is aimed to unite leaders, policymakers, and advocates in a collective effort to combat antisemitism and promote a society of tolerance and respect. As Chair for this conference, the City will provide support for the event in an amount not to exceed$250,000 through the execution of various agreements.
Councilmember Wells explained her reason for pulling this item.
Deputy City Manager Keith Sterling and Mayor Friedman provided information.
Council provided their comments.
ITEM Eli: APPROVED
Vote on the Council Consent Calendar items E-1 to E-5:
Ayes: Councilmember Mirisch, Vice Mayor Nazarian, Mayor Friedman Noes: None
Abstain: Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Corman
CARRI ED
Vote on the Council Consent Calendar items E-6 — E-8 and E-1O:
Ayes: Councilmember Corman, Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Mirisch, Vice Mayor Nazarian, Mayor Friedman
Noes: None
CARRI ED
Vote on the Council Consent Calendar items E-9 and E-11:
Ayes: Councilmember Corman, Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Mirisch, Vice Mayor Nazarian, Mayor Friedman
Noes: None
CARRI ED
City Council/Parking Authority Meeting
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TO SET:
None
TO CONSIDER:
AN APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSIONS JUNE 26, 2024 DECISIONAPPROVING A TREE REMOVAL PERMIT TO ALLOW THE REMOVAL OF THREE
HERITAGE TREES LOCATED WITHIN FRONT SETBACK AREAS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1001 NORTH ROXBURY DRIVE AND FINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT; AND
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
CONDITIONALLY APPROVING A TREE REMOVAL PERMIT TO ALLOW THE
REMOVAL OF THREE HERITAGE TREES LOCATED WITHIN FRONT SETBACK AREAS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1001 NORTH ROXBURY DRIVE AND DENYING A RELATED APPEAL.
Comment: On July 9, 2024, Ellis Raskin of Hanson Bridgett LLP, on behalf of Maple Leaf Ventures, LLC (the “Appellant”), submitted a letter appealing Planning Commission’s June 26, 2024 decision approving a Tree Removal Permit to remove three heritage trees located within front setback areas at 1001 North Roxbury Drive and finding the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. On August 6, 2024, the City Council set the appeal hearing date for September 17, 2024.
City Planner Masa Alkire presented information related to this item.Speakers:
1. Norma and Malcolm Baker
2. Fred Bernstein
3. Brian Goldsmith
4. Peggy SevilleVideo Public Comment:
1. Joseph Sassoon
2. Jordana Yechiel
3. Sunny Sassoon
Written Public Comments Summarized:
1. Amy Conroy
2. Camille and Mason Hooks
3. Fred Bernstein
4. Ban Miliken Bernstein
5. Marey Barthoff
6. Lenore Greenberg
7. Matt Ritter
8. Adam Nathanson
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9. Marc Boyan
10. Darren Saville
11. Jerald Friedman
12. Josh Friedman
13. Norma and Malcolm Baker14. Brian Goldsmith15. Sunny and Debbie Sassoon
16. Michael and Victoria Hooks17. David Nathanson18. Ellis Raskin19. Modi Wiczyk
20. Judie Fenton and Miles Lee
21. Jordana Reuben Yechiel22. Steve Needleman
23. Russell Fogarty24. The Satchu Family25. Andy Licht
Applicant representative Benjamin Hanelin and Dr. Nicole Cooper Baker provided their comments.
Appellant representative Ellis Raskin provided their comments.
Council provided their questions and comments.City Planner Masa Alkire, City Attorney Laurence Wiener, Architect Suzanne Shepela, Arborist Lisa Smith, Landscape Architect Maya Baraona, Applicant representative Benjamin Hanelin, Assistant City Manager Ryan Gohlich, PlanningCommission Chair Tern Kaplan, and Appellant representative Ellis Raskin responded to Council questions.
MOVED by Vice Mayor Nazarian, seconded by Councilmember Corman to approve item F-I as follows:
DENY THE APPEAL, APPROVE THE PROJECT BASED ON
THE REQUIRED FINDINGS AS AMENDED, FIND THE
PROJECT EXEMPT FROM CEQA AND ADOPT THERESOLUTION ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLSCONDITIONALLY APPROVING A TREE REMOVAL PERMIT
TO ALLOW THE REMOVAL OF THREE HERITAGE TREES
LOCATED WITHIN FRONT SETBACK AREAS FOR THEPROPERTY LOCATED AT 1001 NORTH ROXBURY DRIVE AND DENYING A RELATED APPEAL” AS AMENDED
Ayes: Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Corman,
Councilmember Mirisch, Vice Mayor Nazarian, Mayor Friedman Noes: None
CARRI ED
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ITEM F-I: ADOPTED AS AMENDED; #24-R-13523
G. CITY COUNCIL CONTINUED AND NEW BUSINESS
REQUEST FOR DIRECTION ON LOS ANGELES COUNTY BALLOT MEASURE G - GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE, ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY CHARTER AMENDMENT.
Comment: This item requests the City Council to review a proposed ballot measure by Los Angeles County which is on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot. As written, the measure proposes to amend Los Angeles County’s Charter to change the governance structure to include establishing a directly elected County Executive, expanding the number of County Supervisors from five to nine, and the creation ofother County positions including the Director of Budget and Management and County Legislative Analyst.
Municipal Affairs Program Manager Cindy Owens presented information related to this item.
Council provided their questions and comments.
Municipal Affairs Program Manager Cindy Owens responded to Council questions.
MOVED by Councilmember Corman, seconded by Vice Mayor Nazarian to approve item G-1 as follows:
THAT THE COUNCIL OPPOSES LOS ANGELES COUNTY’S
MEASURE G - THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE, ETHICS
AND ACCOUNTABILITY CHARTER AMENDMENT
Ayes: Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Corman, Vice Mayor Nazarian, Mayor Friedman
Noes: Councilmember Mirisch
CARRIED
ITEM G-I: APPROVED
2. A. REQUEST FOR DIRECTION SUPPORTING, OPPOSING OR REMAINING
NEUTRAL ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS SOLUTIONS & PREVENTION NOW INITIATIVE (MEASURE A) WHICH IS ON THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY NOVEMBER 2024 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT; AND B. REQUEST FOR DIRECTION ON IMPLEMENTING BEVERLY HILLS MEASURE RP (2020) DUE TO MEASURE A BEING PLACED ON THE BALLOT BY LOS ANGELES COUNTY.
Comment: This item will provide information to the City Council on Measure A, a district tax placed on the November 2024 General Election ballot by Los Angeles County, and City Council/Parking Authority Meeting
September 17, 2024
how this Measure interacts with the Measure RP, which is a revenue protectionmeasure passed by the registered voters of Beverly Hills in 2020. Staff will then seek direction on each item consisting of: (A) supporting, opposing or remaining neutral on Measure A; and (B) what steps does the City Council wish to take to implementMeasure RP in light of Measure A being on the November 2024 ballot.Municipal Affairs Program Manager Cynthia Owens presented information related to this item.
Council provided their questions and comments.
Municipal Affairs Program Manager Cynthia Owens and City Manager Nancy HuntCoffey responded to Council questions.
MOVED by Councilmember Corman, seconded by Councilmember Wells to approve item G-2 as follows:OPPOSE LOS ANGELES COUNTY’S MEASURE A, THE
HOMELESSNESS SOLUTIONS & PREVENTION NOW
INITIATIVE
Ayes: Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Corman, Vice Mayor Nazarian, Mayor Friedman
Noes: Councilmember Mirisch
CARRIED
MOVED by Vice Mayor Nazarian, seconded by Councilmember Mirisch to approve item G-2 as follows:
DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE A RESOLUTION SUSPENDING
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MEASURE RP AND TO NOT
NOTIFY THE STATE OF THE CITY’S INTENT TO IMPLEMENT
MEASURE RP
Ayes: Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Corman,
Councilmember Mirisch, Vice Mayor Nazarian, Mayor Friedman Noes: None
CARRIED
ITEM G-2: APPROVED
3. REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS City Attorney Laurence Wiener reported that the Council unanimously decided tosupport a petition for writ of review before the California Supreme Court regarding the No Bail Policy.
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4. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER
None
5. CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS AND COMMENTS Councilmember Corman stated that the litigation committee met at the closed session.Councilmember Mirisch spoke against Qatar.
Vice Mayor Nazarian reported on her attendance at the LA Sanitation meeting for District 4. She also spoke about the 2 year anniversary of the murder of Mahsa Amini and that she spoke at the dedication of the Woman Life Freedom Square in memory of Mahsa Amini.
Mayor Friedman spoke on the 2 year anniversary of the murder of Mahsa Amini and adjourned the meeting in her memory.
H. COMMISSION SYNOPSIS
I. ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION — Regular Meeting of August 13, 2024 ARCHITECTURAL AND DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION — Regular Meeting ofAugust 21, 2024 HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMISSION — Regular Meeting of August 26, 2024 ITEM H-I: APPROVED
I. OTHER BUSINESS
J. ADJOURNMENT
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for October 1, 2024.There being no further business, Mayor Friedman, with the consent of the City Council, adjourned the meeting at 11:06 p.m.
City Council/Parking Authority Meeting
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PASSED, Approved and Adopted
this gth day of January, 2025
cA4M
HUMA AHMED, City Clerk/Secretary
LESTER J. FRIEDMAN, MAYORIChair
This meeting was broadcast on live television, on City of Beverly Hills municipal government television access Channel BHTVIO Spectrum Cable.