CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
Council Chamber
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
July 2, 2024
7:00 p.m.*
Mayor Nazarian, Mayor Friedman
Members of the public may participate in the meeting by attending in-person or telephonically, and may view the meeting through live webcast or BHTV Channel 10 on Spectrum Cable.
City Council/Parking Authority 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 tohaving their image displayed. These recordings will remain publicly accessible in perpetuity.
The City Council Regular Meeting was called to order by Mayor Friedman at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Zale Richard Rubins
A. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Corman, Councilmember Mirisch, Vice
Absent: None
B. PRESENTATIONS
1. 60-SECOND SHOUT OUT — Bosley Medical recognized for their 50” Anniversary Mayor Friedman, along with the entire City Council, presented a 60-Second Shoutout to Bosley Medical in recognition of their 50th anniversary. Founded in 1974 in Beverly Hills, they are known for their hair restoration and transplant services.
2. PRESENTATION -Retirement Recognition for Lisa Castaneda Mayor Friedman, along with the entire City Council, recognized retiring employee Lisa Castaneda with a proclamation.
3. PRESENTATION — Recognition of incoming Commissioner Zale Richard Rubins, Recreation and Parks Commission
Mayor Friedman, along with the entire City Council, acknowledged incoming Recreation and Parks Commissioner Zale Richard Rubins.
E-2
City Council Regular Meeting
July 2, 2024
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 “BHPDaIert” 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 BHPDaIert to 888777 if interested to receive text alerts from 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 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 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 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 comments on one item, written comments may be summarized by the CityClerk’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 anticipatedlength in the meeting.Speaker:
1. Gity Javaheri re: Council meeting scheduling
D. CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
FISCAL IMPACT REPORT
MOVED by Councilmember Wells, seconded by Councilmember Nazarian to approve the remaining items on the City Council Consent Calendar, and direct thatthe appropriate accounts be charged on items D-1 and D-2 Minutes
None
City Council Regular Meeting
July 2, 2024
Demands Paid
1. REVIEW OF BUDGETED DEMANDS PAID, covering dates June 18, 2024 to June 24, 2024.
ITEM D-1: APPROVED
2. PAYROLL DISBURSEMENT REPORT, covering dates June 18, 2024 to June 24, 2024.
ITEM D-2: APPROVED
Other Business
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS:
3. RENEWING ITS MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE ORDINANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 7071. First Reading — For Introduction Comment: It is recommended that the City Council move to waive the full reading and introduce the ordinance entitled: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
RENEWING ITS MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE ORDINANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 7071”.
Staff recommends that City Council review the Military Equipment 2023 Annual Report, Military Equipment Use Policy 706, and the current Military Equipment Inventory. Staff further recommends that City Council adopt the appropriate Ordinance under Government Code § 7071(d)(1).
ITEM D-3: INTRODUCED AND READ BY TITLE ONLY, ADVANCE TO THE MEETING OF JULY 16, 2024 FOR ADOPTION
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS:
None
APPROVAL OF:
4. THE SALARY SCHEDULE REFLECTING ALL CITY JOB CLASSIFICATIONS; AND APPROVAL OF FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 ONE-TIME APPROPRIATION FROM VARIOUS FUNDS TOTALING $313,000.
Comment: Staff recommends that the City Council approve the salary schedule reflecting all City job classification and associated salaries in order to meet the California Public Employees’ Retirement System requirement of Government Code Section 20636(b)(1) and California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 570.5.
ITEM D-4: APPROVED
City Council Regular Meeting
July 2, 2024
5. THE BEVERLY HILLS CITY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE / LOBBY COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO SUPPORT, SUPPORT IF AMENDED AND/OR OPPOSE 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, support if amended, oppose, oppose unless amended, and/or remain neutral on various federaland state legislative bills not addressed in the City’s adopted 2024 Legislative Platform.Speaker:
1. Oscar Canales
ITEM D-5: APPROVED
6. REQUEST FROM NOT TODAY CANCER TO HOST “RUN OF THE STARS” A 5K RUN/WALK ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2024.
Comment: Not Today Cancer (NTC), a 501 (c)(3) Beverly Hills based nonprofitorganization supporting research for cures for pediatric cancer requests to host aCharity 5K Run/Walk, “Run of the Stars” event on Sunday, October 6, 2024. A waiverof permit fees including public right of way use, personnel fees, posting no parking signsand use of parking lane along the race route is requested to host the annual event.
ITEM D-6: APPROVED
7. AGREEMENT WITH RODEO DRIVE, INC. FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 MARKETING & PROGRAMMING; ANDPURCHASE ORDER FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 IN THE NOT-TO-EXEED AMOUNT OF $197,998.
Comment: This Agreement provides funding to the Rodeo Drive Committee (Rodeo Drive, Inc.) for marketing programming in Fiscal Year 2024-25 and authorizes the issuance of a Fiscal Year 2024-25 purchase order in an amount not to exceed $197,998.
ITEM D-7: APPROVED, AG #334-24
8. AGREEMENT WITH THE BEVERLY HILLS CONFERENCE AND VISITORS BUREAU FOR PROMOTION OF THE CITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25; ANDPURCHASE ORDER FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $4,987,891.
Comment: This Agreement provides funding to the Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau for promotion of the City in Fiscal Year 2024-25 and authorizes the issuance of a Fiscal Year 2024-25 purchase order in an amount not to exceed $4,987,891.
ITEM D-8: APPROVED, AG #335-24
City Council Regular Meeting
July 2, 2024
9. AGREEMENT WITH BEVERLY HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND CIVIC
ASSOCIATION FOR BUSINESS ATTRACTION AND RETENTION SERVICES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25; ANDPURCHASE ORDER FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $553,245.
Comment: This Agreement provides funding to the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association for business attraction and retention services in Fiscal Year 2024- 2025 and authorizes the issuance of a Fiscal Year 2024-2025 purchase order in an amount not to exceed $553,245.
ITEM D-9: APPROVED, AG #336-24
Vote on the City Council Consent Calendar Items:
Ayes: Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Corman, Councilmember Mirisch, Vice Mayor Nazarian, Mayor Friedman
Noes: None
CARRIED
E. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING
TO SET:
None
TO CONSIDER:
1. AN APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION’S FEBRUARY 8, 2024 DECISION
APPROVING A DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW AND DENSITY BONUS PERMIT TOALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW EIGHT-STORY, MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT WITH GROUND FLOOR COMMERCIAL USES AND 56RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS AT 9229 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD; AND
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
CONDITIONALLY APPROVING A DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW AND DENSITY BONUS PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR A NEW EIGHT-STORY MIXED USEDEVELOPMENT WITH GROUND FLOOR COMMERCIAL USES, 56 RESIDENTIALDWELLING UNITS ON THE SECOND THROUGH SEVENTH STORIES, AND ROOFTOP RESTROOMS AT 9229 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, AND DENYING A RELATED APPEAL.
Comment: On February 8, 2024, the Planning Commission adopted a resolutionapproving the construction of a new eight-story, mixed use development with ground floorcommercial uses and 56 residential dwelling units at 9229 Wilshire Boulevard.
City Council Regular Meeting
July 2, 2024
Page6
Subsequently, a timely appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision was filed on February 22, 2024, by Aria Ahdoot. It is recommended that the City Council hold a denovo public hearing to consider the appeal and adopt a resolution approving the project, and finding the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, and upholding the Planning Commission’s decision (i.e. denying the appeal), which would allow the project to move forward through the City’s architectural review and building permit processes.
Director of Community Development Michael Forbes presented information related to this item.
The Applicant and their representative provided their comments.The Appellant’s representative provided their comments.Speakers:
1. Aria Ahdoot
2. Patricia Ahdoot
3. Asher Ahdoot
4. Leila Kashani
5. Joseph Dabby
6. Darian Bojeaux
7. Asher Arom8. Fred Blum9. Eliot Finkel
10. Albert Ahobim11. Adam Ahdoot12. Sophia Ahdoot13. Abraham Golshan Video Public Comment:
1. Ilona Sherman
2. Steve Mayer
Written Public Comments Summarized:
1. Jaleh and M Shaheedy
2. Angelica Kulch
3. Saeed and Mary Javaheri
4. Nancy Heimler
5. Eric Lavi
6. Sonia Berman
7. Morris Emanuel8. Marian Arom9. Darian Bojeaux
10. Melody Kashani11. Jayden Yu12. Odelia Shofet13. Savannah Yousefia
14. Joshua Eghbali15. Anonymous
City Council Regular Meeting
July 2, 2024
16. Nazila Khalili Shofet17. Sophia Manavi
18. David Shofet19. Benjamin Sarir
20. Sima Sarir21. David Dardashti22. Eliyahu Shofet23. Edden Mizrahi24. Leah Sarir25. Ramesh Shamoilzade
26. Shabnam Yousefia27. Lee Pasternak28. Noushin Ahobim29. James Lloyd, California Housing Defense Fund
30. Grant Sheehan
31. Rita Bofman32. Spencer Scharif33. Dr. Howard Winter and Dr. Anne Arenson Winter Representatives for the Applicant and Appellant provided their responses.
Council provided their questions and comments.
Director of Community Development Michael Forbes, City Planner Masa Alkire, CityEngineer Daren Grilley, the Applicant’s representative, the project Architect, and Assistant City Attorney Dave Snow responded to Council questions.
MOVED by Councilmember Corman, seconded by Councilmember Wells to approve item E-1 as follows:
THAT CITY COUNCIL DENY THE APPEAL, APPROVE THE PROJECT
BASED ON THE REQUIRED FINDINGS, FIND THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM CEQA AND ADOPT THE RESOLUTION ENTITLED, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
CONDITIONALLY APPROVING A DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW AND
DENSITY BONUS PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR A NEW EIGHT-STORY MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT WITH GROUND FLOOR COMMERCIAL USES, 56RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS ON THE SECOND THROUGH SEVENTH STORIES, AND ROOFTOP RESTROOMS ON THE SEVENTH STORY AT9229 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD AND DENYING A RELATED APPEAL” AS
AMENDED
Ayes: Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Corman, Councilmember Mirisch, Vice Mayor Nazarian, Mayor Friedman
Noes: None
CARRI ED
ITEM E-1: ADOPTED, RES# 24-R-13516
City Council Regular Meeting
July 2, 2024
1. REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS None
2. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER
None
3. CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS AND COMMENTS Councilmember Wells thanked the Ahdoot family for attending.
Councilmember Mirisch spoke about a recent attack at a nearby synagogue. He also spoke against Qatar.
Vice Mayor Nazarian reported that she attended the Magen Am graduation.
Mayor Friedman thanked Community Development staff for tonight’s hearing. He also spoke about the upcoming premier of the new Beverly Hills Cop movie.
G. COMMISSION SYNOPSIS
None
H. OTHER BUSINESSI. ADJOURNMENT
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for July 16, 2024.There being no further business, Mayor Friedman, with the consent of the City Council, adjourned the meeting at 11:53 p.m.
City Council Regular Meeting
July 2, 2024
PASSED, Approved and Adopted
this 1gth day of November, 2024
LESTER J. FRIEDMAN, MAYOR
This meeting was broadcast on live television, on City of Beverly Hills municipal government television access Channel BHTVIO Spectrum Cable.
HUI AHMED, City Clerk